Jack just about sleepwalked through the parking garage and up into his apartment two days before Christmas. He was just getting off another grueling night shift. Every time his head hit the pillow at the station it seemed as if the alarms went off. Black ice had caused hazardous road conditions all over the city causing multiple accidents. Some time after midnight Jack's firehouse as well as another responded to an apartment complex fire just south of downtown. Thankfully, everyone was rescued, though some had severe burns. Unfortunately, the building was an almost total loss. Just two days before Christmas. Before leaving the scene, Jack made sure the Red Cross was on the scene and helping everyone.

Now it was 6:20 AM, and all he could think about was crawling into bed and sleeping for a good long while.

Walking into his room, he saw Elizabeth sound asleep, her silky hair cascading over her pillow like a halo. His angel.

"I'm home," he whispered to himself. He changed into just a pair of athletic shorts and slid under the covers behind Elizabeth, wrapping his arms around her.

"Morning," she whispered.

"Good night," he responded giving her a kiss on her neck. "I missed you."

"Rough night?"

"Very."

"You okay?"

"I will be. Do you need to leave for work?"

"Not for a while. I can stay right here if you'd like."

"That's what I was hoping you'd say."

Within a few moments they were both asleep. In his sleep, Jack found the peace he had been hoping for during his shift. He dreamt he was standing on a beach, perhaps in Haiti, watching the sun set. Dressed in tan pants and a white untucked button down, he lifted his head up to the sky.

"Jack." In the dream, he turned around to see Elizabeth walking towards him in her bare feet. She was wearing a white flowing dress that danced in the breeze. "You ready?"

"Ready for what, angel?"

Elizabeth giggled. "Our wedding, you goof. Ready to be my husband?"

"More than anything."

She turned around and headed down the beach. Jack quickly turned to follow her but sensed another person with him.

"Big day, son."

"Dad?" Jack turned to the man now walking next to him. His father, Thomas Thornton, matched Jack stride for stride looking stronger than ever.

"You're ready for this. Elizabeth is remarkable and I know you'll make a fine husband and father."

"You have no idea how glad I am to hear you say that."

"I'm always with you, Jack. Always."

Next thing Jack knew, his father was gone, but standing a few yards away was the love of his life. Everything felt right until...

knock knock knock*

Jack tossed in his bed trying to ignore the persistent noise.

knock knock knock*

Opening his eyes, he squinted and realized he'd been asleep for hours. Elizabeth was already gone. The knocking continued.

"So much for my happy place," he muttered under his breath. He checked his phone. No messages. The knocking continued. If it were Elizabeth she had a key and anyone from his family would have at least called first.

knock knock knock*

"Fine." He groaned as he got out of bed. Clearly whoever it was wasn't taking the silence for an answer.

"I know you're in there, Thornton. I've already been to the fire station."

Jack looked from the bedroom doorway towards the door confused. He didn't recognize the voice at all.

"May I ask who's calling?" he asked sternly, more annoyed than before.

"William Douglas Thatcher."

"Crap," he whispered. "Just a moment, sir!"

Jack quickly glanced around the apartment, making sure everything was in its place and nothing looked too questionable. Jack had always been honorable toward Elizabeth, but would William necessarily believe that? Jack grabbed a long sleeve shirt and closed the door to the bedroom and went to open the door.

"Morning, sir. To what do I owe this visit?"

"Where's my daughter?" William pushed passed him with force, completely ignoring Jack's question.

"She's not here at the moment." Jack tried his best to remain calm but it was clear William was not here to make friends.

"Where is she? I know what happened and how you've gotten into her head."

"What? Oh, you talked to Trent."

"Yes. Somehow you got into his head too. Now I'll only be asking one more time, where is she?"

"She's at work right now."

"She's working? You're not asking her to pay rent to stay with you here are you?"

"No! Of course not, sir."

"Then why is she working? Never mind. Where is she working? I'll go to her there."

"Give me a second to get dressed and I'll take you to her." Jack left no room for discussion and hurried into the room. When he stepped back out a minute later, William was still standing in the middle of the apartment, arms crossed over his chest. The stern, angry look appeared to be chiseled on his face.

Jack grabbed his coat and lead William down the stairs towards the cafe on the first floor. He would have taken the elevator, but something about being stuck in an enclosed space with Elizabeth's father right now didn't seem like the best idea.

They exited the stairwell into the lobby. William walked briskly past Jack to the double doors that led out towards the busy street.

"Sir, she works in here. We can go right through these doors." Jack pointed to the doors for the lobby entrance to the cafe.

"She works at a restaurant?" Jack could detect a hint of disgust in the question.

"Yes. Its my aunt's place, actually."

"You could have simply relayed the information to me that she was just here when we were upstairs."

"Yes, I could have, but then you would have insisted I not come with you. I think we should at least try to get to know one another."

"I see no reason for that. Beth will be accompanying me home this afternoon."

"With all due respect, sir, if that's what you came for, today might not go the way you plan."

"You sound like my wife." He rolled his eyes.

Jack opened the cafe doors and fought a grin. "I've skyped with Mrs. Thatcher before, I like her a lot."

"Everyone likes her. She's the sweet one."

They walked into the busy establishment. Jack scanned the room for an empty table. Thankful to find one in the back out of the way of the crowd. Abigail was busy walking around the tables in the front.

"Abigail, mind if I snag that back table?"

"Of course not." She looked over Jack's shoulder. "Who's your curmudgeon old friend?"

"That would be Elizabeth's father. He hates me."

"You're kidding? What's to hate?"

"Can I just have the table?" Jack sighed. "I can explain more later."

"Go ahead." She moved out of the way. "I'll send Elizabeth over in just a sec."

"Thanks, Abigail."

Jack gestured for William to sit down, taking the man's coat and hanging it up for him on the coat rack nearby before sitting down himself.

"Interesting place," William said flipping over his coffee cup. "All the old fireman memorabilia on the walls, that for your benefit?"

"Not at all. My dad and uncle were both firemen, as well as one of my grandfather's. And all in this city."

"So it's a legacy?"

"I guess so," Jack smiled. "I'm proud of my family."

William knew from Elizabeth that Jack's father had passed. "Is your uncle still active as a fireman?"

Jack's gaze shifted down to his empty coffee cup. "No. He was killed in the line of duty a few years ago."

Elizabeth came over dressed in her red apron and a coffee pot, her hair pulled back in a messy braid.

"Abigail told me there were two men I needed to see!" She stopped harshly when she realized who was with Jack. "Well...she wasn't wrong…"

"Hello, Beth."

"Hi, Dad. What are you doing here?" She poured them both coffee.

"I talked to Trent." William looked back at Jack. "May I speak with you out in the lobby?"

Elizabeth looked at Jack, seeing worry in his eyes. She wanted to kiss those worries away so badly.

"I'm still on duty, Dad. But my shift is just about over. How about I join my two favorite men for lunch after?" She leaned down, kissing Jack's temple softly and whispered, "I'll be back as soon as I can."

In awe, William watched as Elizabeth moved about the cafe greeting customers and refilling coffees.

"I'm surprised she can even do this." William stated. "I mean, she's brilliant and can do anything she puts her mind to, but she almost burnt our kitchen down making cookies once."

"She told me about that." Jack laughed. "I should tell you, her first day here she caught a dish towel on fire."

"You're kidding?"

He shook his head. "She's been practicing cooking some with my aunt Abigail. She jokes that it's a good thing I'm a fireman. Elizabeth can light things on fire and I'll put them out." William smiled, but it quickly faded. It did not go unnoticed by Jack. "You still want her home?"

"I do."

"I understand."

"So you'll let her go?"

"I'll let her make her own choice. In the meantime, will you at least try to get to know me?"

William slowly sipped his coffee. "Very well. Your job is dangerous, is it not?"

"Yes, but I'm careful, sir. I know my job and I do it well."

"And yet anything can happen, can't it?"

"Yes. You could say that about anything. A person could be hit by a bus walking across the street."

William raised an eyebrow. "I suppose you have a point."

"Look, I know you don't know me and I'm not what you wanted or expected for Elizabeth. I just want you to know, I see the amazing daughter you raised. I love her with all that I have in me. This isn't a fling or a passing ship. This is forever for me."

"I've already given my blessing to Trent for Beth's hand."

"And what if that's not what I want?" Both men looked up to see Elizabeth standing next to the table. She sat down in the seat next to Jack. "Believe me, Dad, I did not want to marry Trent and Trent does not want to marry me."

"I don't understand. You two had such promise. You could have had the world."

"I didn't want the whole world, Dad. I just wanted to use the gifts God gave me to make it a little better. That's what I'm doing in Haiti. I'm a part of something bigger than myself, and it's amazing."

"Your in Haiti for him." William pointed to Jack.

"If you'd recall, I didn't know Jack till after I arrived. My mission there is still the same."

Jack was in awe of Elizabeth's composure while she dealt with her father. She seemed completely unfazed on the outside, though her hand which was now gripping his under the table suggested otherwise.

"Come home, Beth. It's time. Christmas is just two days away. Your mother and I would greatly appreciate you joining us."

"I'm spending Christmas with Jack and his family."

"Elizabeth…"

"Jack has to work and can't get away for long right now."

"I'm not asking Jack to come, I'm asking you."

"And I want to be with Jack. I don't expect you to understand right now. You haven't tried."

"You would choose to stay here in a city you barely know with people you've just met over your own family? What about our annual New Year's party you look forward to every year?"

"Angel," Jack whispered. "Olive branches?"

She knew exactly what Jack meant. She needed to give a little in order for her obstinate father to budge even a smidge.

"Dad, I'm not changing my mind about Christmas. It's been hard on Jack and his family since his father passed and his brother is away right now. I want to be here with them as planned, however…"

She took in a dip breath as she collected her composure again. The little bit of frustration and disappointment in her father's face was testing all she had in her to be cordial.

"I would love to see you and Mom and the rest of the family before I head back to Haiti but I just don't see how right now."

"Maybe we can come for New Years," Jack suggested, shocking both Elizabeth and her father. "I should be able to get some time off with me working Christmas."

"Or she could simply come without you, you know."

"Of course she could. It's merely a suggestion.

William turned to his daughter. "You won't come without him?"

"I'll think on it, but right now if I am to come, I prefer it to be with Jack."

"Fair enough, I suppose."

"Afternoon!" Abigail said coming up to the table. "Anyone ready for lunch?"

Everyone nodded, grateful for the distraction.

Back on the east coast, Carson had completely settled into life around Faith's family. Her brothers were home now for Christmas, and had taken Carson out on the slopes for a day of skiing. At the house, Faith sat with her legs curled under her in a blanket by the fire, with her laptop on her lap. She had some big decisions to make in the not so distant future.

Taking a cue from Elizabeth, Faith had a pro and con list going. It was kind of helping.

The front door opened followed by the stomping sounds of men in their snow boots, all laughing and teasing about the day they'd had.

"Hey, munchkin," Faith's oldest brother, Jason, the police officer, came in with a grin. "That guy of yours is pretty hardcore."

"Oh no, what did you do?"

"Nothing really. We just led him down a little triple black diamond I like to call, Dead Man's Mogul."

"Are you serious?! I broke my leg on that trail once! So did you!"

"Yeah, well luckily for us Carson is much better at skiing than we are."

"Hey," Carson walked in the room. His light colored hair matted down in all directions from his ski cap. He smiled at her with his chapped, red cheeks "How was your day?"

"It was nice. Sounds like you had an adventure."

"I did. Your brothers are awesome."

"So are you, my friend," Jason slapped Carson on the back. "Faith, you know where Mon and the baby are?"

Monica and the baby, Ivy were Jason's family.

"They're upstairs. Ivy needed a nap and so did Mama."

"Alright, I'll go check on them. See ya later, Doc."

Once they were alone, Carson leaned down and smiled at his girlfriend.

"Hello, beautiful."

"Hi."

His lips met hers in a tender kiss. "I missed you today."

"Same here. Did you have fun at least?"

"I did, yeah. Your brothers are pretty great, like I said." He glanced to the coffee table where Faith was placing her laptop. There was a pile of papers there as well. "What are these?"

"Oh those. Nothing." Faith snatched them off the table and got up to put them on the bookshelf.

"Really? Cause I think I saw some familiar names on them."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Like Boston Med, Hopkins, Mayo. Oh and Baylor."

She sighed. "Yes. I'm applying for jobs for when I return from Haiti this year."

"And Baylor is one of them, huh?"

"Well yeah, I mean. It's a good hospital."

"I agree. It's also where I am."

"Oh, that's right." Faith pretended she'd forgotten that fact. Truth was it was the main reason she was applying to work there.

"You don't fool me, Faith Carter. Thing I'm not sure I understand is why you'd try and hide this."

"I don't know." She sat back down next to Carson, leaning into him. "We haven't been together very long. I don't know how to make big life decisions that include someone that may be in my future."

"May be?"

She shrugged. "We haven't talked about it really. I don't want to assume anything."

He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "I love you, Faith."

"I know. I love you too."

"What I mean is, when I said that I loved you, I meant it. Love isn't something you bring up unless its with someone you want in your life forever."

"So… you want me near by?" She couldn't help but smile.

"Of course! But I'd understand if you weren't ready. You're a tremendous nurse, Faith. Any program would be lucky to have you. Whatever you decide, we will make it work."

"I want to be with you. That is, if I get the job."

"Okay then. That's plan A then."

…..

After lunch, Jack went back up to his apartment while Elizabeth drove her father to the airport. They took the elevator to the garage level.

"So, which one of these is Jack's?" William asked.

"Just over here. You can put your suitcase in the back of the cab." She clicked the button and Xena the truck's lights flickered.

"You know how to drive that?" William asked loudly.

"Yes. Come on. You don't want to miss your flight."

"No, I do not." He sat silently as Elizabeth backed the truck out of the space and pulled out into the busy city traffic. "Impressive."

"What is?"

"You're driving with this beast."

"Ah, yes. Xena and I have come to an understanding."

"Jack named his truck Xena?"

"Not Jack. I did."

"And he was alright with such a name?"

"Not at first," she giggled. "He's accepted it now."

Once on the highway, William brought up their lunch discussion again.

"I'd really prefer if you came home for Christmas, Beth."

"I know, Dad, but I'll stay here. I want to be with Jack and his family this year."

"I guess I understand that."

"You do?"

"Yeah. I remember what it's like at the beginning of a relationship. I'm not that old."

"True," she smiled. Maybe William was starting to come around.

"However…"

Never mind, she thought.

"Jack's job is very dangerous, as I'm sure you are aware. Then of course there's the money situation. Now I know he's got a nice apartment but I'm pretty sure firemen don't make very much money. How would he support you or a family in the long run?"

"Dad, money isn't everything. We live simply in Haiti. Very simply. We know how to make it work."

"But that's there. When you're here and faced with all the material things you could possess but have to deal with the fact that you allowed yourself to settle for less than you deserve, you may regret it."

"Unbelievable."

"What?"

"Just how little you know me. Choosing love is something I would never regret! Never!"

"You're young. You don't understand these things."

Elizabeth pulled up to the curb of the airport. Taking a deep breath, she tried to end the disastrous visit on a good note.

"Good to see you, Dad. Maybe we can make it back east for New Year's."

"I hope so, Beth. I truly hope so." He gave her a kiss on the cheek and stepped out into the cold.

….

Jack sat in front of his computer in the office editing the last few photos from Haiti. HIs plan was to have it all done before they returned.

The front door opened then shut hard. Jack turned in his chair to look out the office doorway.

"Angel?"

He heard the sliding door to the balcony open and again shut hard. Something didn't seem right.

As he walked out, he looked towards the back to see Elizabeth standing in the cold with her arms wrapped around her staring off into space. He put on his boots and grabbed his jacket and headed outside with her.

"Angel, sweetie, what's up?"

"Why did you do that, Jack?" Her voice was dry and not at all like the sweet sound jack was accustomed to. "Why did you tell him we would go out there?"

"That's your family, sweetheart. We're not going to make any headway with them by just hiding out here or in Haiti. We need to face them."

With a stiff posture she turned around to face Jack.

"No, you know what will happen if we go out there? He'll do everything in his power to turn us against each other. I've seen it before. He's a maniacal businessman and even more so when it comes to his family and the things he thinks are right. No good can come from this, Jack. I can't believe you would just do that without talking to me first."

The tears flowed from her eyes like little waterfalls, breaking Jack's heart.

"Someone has to be the bigger person here, Elizabeth. Someone has to make the first move forward."

"What if he comes between us?"

Jack took her face in his hands and wiped away her tears. "He may try, Angel, but you and I have a say whether it works or not."

"I want you, Jack. You and Haiti and our life there and whatever comes after. I don't want what he wants!"

"I know and that's why I believe that it's all going to work out."

"Promise?"

"Cross my heart, hope to..."

She reached up and touched his lips with hers, holding them there for a long moment. "Don't finish that saying, okay?"

He smiled down at her, kissing her again. "Okay."

"I'm sorry, Jack."

"Don't be. We're okay. We'll always be okay."