"I got a signal!" Jack called out to Elizabeth. She was standing safely on the lakeshore in the snow. Not on the ice like her new fiance was doing. He was standing there with his phone up in the air searching for a service.
"That's great, now come back here! We can call them when we get back to your mom's."
"No, come on. Let's do it now. It will be fun."
"I'm staying right here. You know how many stories I've seen where someone falls through what they thought was solid ice?"
"How many?"
"I don't know, but it was a lot."
"I grew up on this lake, Angel. I know how to judge the ice. Trust your soon-to-be husband." He blew her a kiss with his free hand.
"Nice one," she giggled. "How soon by the way?"
"Huh?" Jack still held his phone up trying to get the best signal.
"How soon were you thinking until we get married?"
"Good question. Maybe as soon as we get back from Haiti this summer? We can do a long honeymoon before I resume duty at the fire station."
"And after that?" Slowly she began to make her way out on the ice towards him.
As she reached him, he gently pulled her into his arms. "Well, after that we live in a state of amazing wedded bliss." He kissed her long and hard, expressing in that one kiss so much of the passion and hopes he had for them.
Jack placed a video call which was soon answered by Carson's face on the screen. "Hey, man! Isn't it pretty early for you?"
"That's right." Jack smiled. "But we had something to tell you that couldn't wait."
"Faith!" Carson yelled. He had a feeling he knew what was coming."Get in here!"
In the background they could her Faith hurrying to the phone peppering Carson with questions.
"Oh my gosh! Hi guys! Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas!" Elizabeth returned. "How's your holiday?"
"It's great. So nice having Carson here with me. He got me a Pandora bracelet. Look at this! It's got charms of things that remind him of us."
"Nice. Jack got me something really special too!"
"Oh yeah? What is it?" Elizabeth held up her hand to show off her engagement ring and Faith screamed with joy. "Oh my gosh! That's amazing! I'm so happy for you guys! Wait, did your dad finally cave in?"
"No," Jack stated. "I didn't get his permission, but I did get Mrs. Thatcher's and more importantly, I have Elizabeth's." He kissed her lips, short and sweet.
"Good for you, man. It's about time! I still say you should have done it back in Florida before we left," Carson teased.
"I didn't have the ring then! Come on! This was right."
"How'd your mom and sister take it?" Carson asked him.
"We're heading back to the house to tell them. Oh, and guess what? Tommy is home too."
"No way! Give that kid a hug for me, will ya?"
"I will. You should have seen him. He came in the house, surprised everyone with a big bushy beard."
Carson laughed hysterically. "Tell me someone got a picture of babyface with a beard."
"I got a few. I'll send them later."
They chatted a little longer before Jack felt Elizabeth shiver at his side. After hanging up, they climbed into the truck and headed back. Jack cranked up the heat and angled the vents all in Elizabeth's direction.
"You gonna be alright there?"
"If you don't mind marrying a popsicle, then yes."
Jack laughed. "Nah, you'll thaw out back in Haiti."
"Right, about that…"
"About what? Haiti?" She nodded. "Alright, whats up?"
"You're only slated to be there through June right?" Jack slowly nodded, trying to figure out where this was going. "When I first got there, I was talking with Frank about a two year commitment."
"Oh… right"
"Yeah."
"I guess we never talked about this before, huh?"
"No, I guess not."
"I guess I knew you wanted to be there long term at first."
"And I knew you'd already been there for a while before me, but we never fully talked about it."
Jack shook his head. "Thing is, I'm not sure I can stay another year. I mean, I could ask but Bill's been very gracious the past 18 months or so letting me stay on and work all the hours I can when I'm home but that arrangement was supposed to be short term. How long did you want to stay?"
"As long as I could really, but if you're not there I don't think I can." She sighed deeply. "I mean, look at us, we hardly lasted long at all apart this time."
"Yeah, I know." Jack gripped her hand a little tighter on the center console. Ten minutes ago he was on top of the world, now it felt like the one person he loved more than anything could simply slip through his fingers.
"I'm sorry, Jack, I know how important it is for you to work at the station your father and uncle served at. Not to mention with Peter. What if I only stay on in Haiti till I know they have a solid replacement for me? Six months tops."
"Working at the station is important to me. You're important too though, Elizabeth. I don't want us to live thousands of miles apart from each other married or engaged."
"Alright, so I don't go back."
"No."
"No? Jack, seriously. We don't have many options here."
"I know," he sighed. They were now back in town. Jack pulled over into a parking lot of a Starbucks. With the truck in park, he held up her hand that held the engagement ring. "I meant everything I said when I proposed."
"I meant it when I said yes."
"I am going to marry you, no matter what. In the end where I work doesn't matter as much as who I am with. That's you."
"So what do we do?"
"We pray. God led us both to Haiti to find each other. He'll lead us to where we're supposed to be next, together."
"You're right. I love you, Jack Thornton."
"I love you. We'll make this work. I promise."
….
Rosie had already headed to Lee's by the time Jack and Elizabeth got to the house, Charlotte was awake and standing at the front window waiting for them. Jack had left a note before they left which said,
"You were right, it's time. Be back soon."
Charlotte watched as they got out of the truck, all smiles and kisses. There was a tender gentleness about them. She threw on her coat and stepped out onto the frozen porch to greet them.
"Well, Merry Christmas, you two. Did you have a nice time?"
"Very good," Jack beamed. "In fact, Mom, I'd like you to officially meet my fiance."
Charlotte's cheers were enough to wake a neighbor or two. Not that she cared. "Well this is one Christmas we won't forget!"
By evening, the house was full of family wanting to celebrate not only the holiday but the engagement as well. Abigail, Pete and Clara came over as well as Lee and his parents. Together they all made pizza and enjoyed a Thornton family tradition of game night.
When the grandfather clock chimed midnight, all that remained down in the living room were the two young couples and Tom. Tom and Jack were nearly at the end of a marathon game of Monopoly with Lee sitting there telling them what to do. His money had long run out. Elizabeth and Rosie watched a movie on the Hallmark channel and ignored the table talk over the game strategies.
"I can't believe you're leaving for New Years," Tom complained. "I just got back!"
"Sorry, bud, but I've gotta see what I can do to get Elizabeth's dad to like me. Right now, it's a steep, uphill battle. Maybe I can make some headway at this party the family has every year."
"Will you two still get married even if he never comes around?" Lee asked.
"Definitely," both said with loving grins.
Rosie paused the movie and turned to Elizabeth. "Tell me, what kind of party is this? We need to make sure Jack is prepared."
Lee laughed, "Rosie, babe, what can you do to help Jack in this situation?"
"Plenty, I'm sure of it. So Elizabeth, the party?"
Elizabeth moved off the couch and sat next to Jack, who immediately placed his arm around her.
"It's the same thing with the same groups of people every year. Some are friends, some are colleagues and clients of my father's with the occasional new client prospect thrown in."
"Fancy?" Rosie asked.
"Yeah."
Jack turned to look at her, "How fancy?"
"Well, the invitation usually says black tie…"
Tom laughed. "Oh no! It's gonna be like those debutante balls all over again." Lee joined in on the laughter too as Jack tossed his head back and groaned.
"No! This is good!" Rosie exclaimed. "We can totally work with this. Jack, you can do this!"
"Okay, Obi Wan Kenobi, what do you suggest?"
"Charm them up! Do you still have your tux from Grandfather's gala a couple years ago?"
Jack's eyes got wide. "Yeah! I do. I didn't think I'd use it again but I kept it anyway."
"Your grandfather had a gala?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yeah, Remember how I said my mother's family had money and my grandfather was a huge business man who turned part of his estate into a horse riding retreat center?"
"Like a dude ranch!" Lee added.
"Heavens no!" Rosie corrected. "Grandpa is way too sophisticated to call it that. Besides, it's very upscale."
Jack nodded. "Grandpa held a gala and art auction to raise money for the men and women fighting wildfires in the western states and Canada."
"Jack was there to give a speech and be the example. Which was nice, it made you come home. We missed you while you were away." Rosie tossed a piece of popcorn at him and pouted.
"You fought wildfires?" Elizabeth asked, her eyes wide.
"I did. A few times actually."
Elizabeth wasn't sure if she was more proud of him, or terrified to think of him being in that kind of danger.
"Hey, you alright?" Jack asked her a moment later. The conversation had moved on, but Elizabeth seemed lost in thought.
"That's pretty scary, Jack. Fighting fires like that. I saw it on the news."
"It was, but necessary. The wildfires were huge. They needed everyone that could go, so the stations here sent a team."
Elizabeth forced herself to ignore the twinge of uncertainty that came with being reminded of the danger Jack faced in his job. Instead, she focused on the fact that he was good at what he did and no matter what the future brought, she would remember that everyday she had with him was a blessing straight from heaven.
…..
Two days later, Rosie dropped Jack and Elizabeth at the airport. When she pulled up to the curb by their airline, Jack stepped out and began gathering their luggage from the trunk.
"Now remember, Jack, act poised and sophisticated. Try to remember everything we learned in those dreadful etiquette classes and you will have Mr. Thatcher in the palm of your hand!"
"You realize you sound like a crazy person?" Jack sassed. "I've got this. Leave me be."
"But, Jack!"
"Rosie! He needs to like me for me. I'm not changing for him."
"Fine, but at least name drop a little. Grandfather's name might stand for something there."
"If it happens to come out, so be it, but I'm not flaunting our family to win his approval."
"Nor do you need to." Elizabeth came up behind Jack and kissed his cheek. "The Jack Thornton I am marrying is more than enough and worthy all on his own. If my dad can't see that, it's his loss."
"Goodness you two are adorable!" Rosie giggled. "Alright, go have fun and good luck!"
After checking in and making their way through security to their gate, Elizabeth found them seats by the window and watched as the planes came in and out while Jack ran to get them something to eat and coffee.
Her focus quickly shifted from the view to the sparkling diamond on her finger. How was it that a year ago she had never met Jack Thornton and now she couldn't wait to be his wife?
"I've got 2 chocolate raspberry scones and two coffees." Jack sat next to her and handing her a brown bag with their breakfast. "How's the ring? Still shiny?" he teased.
"You saw me staring at it?"
"I did. I'm glad you like it." His lips met hers in a tender expression of love.
"I love it. The twists in the metal are so cool and unique. It's perfect."
"You're perfect."
Blushing, she kissed him, unaware of the eyes of other travelers at their gate. It didn't matter to her. She was in love.
They both sat back in their chairs and began eating their breakfast.
"You know, your mom and sisters are probably gonna want to know wedding details when we see them," Jack said taking a big bite of scone. When they'd called to tell her family about the engagement, everyone was thrilled. Everyone that is except for William. He quickly said he had work to tend to and left Grace alone on the phone. It was another crack in Elizabeth's heart and another dent in how Jack felt about his future father-in-law. In his mind, Elizabeth was his to protect. He would do it from anyone and anything. Including William.
"That's easy, we don't have any," she laughed.
"True. Let's start was something simple. What about on the beach in Haiti?"
"Huh, I was thinking in Connecticut. The church Vi and Charles got married in is cute and it would be easier for family to come. Besides, didn't we say we'd wait till summer?"
Jack shrugged, "We could do it right before we leave."
"I don't know. I can't see my father in Haiti."
"Well," Jack began with a tone of sarcasm. "Maybe we should do it in the states then. Wouldn't want to make him step a toe out of his comfort zone."
"Jack…."
"I'm sorry, but I can't help but think how much of our lives he is going to cloud over."
"It won't be like that, and you know it." Jack nodded, but didn't seem convinced.
Boarding began for their flight, putting the conversation on hold for a bit. As they took their seats near the back of the plane, Jack took her hand in his and whispered softly, "I'm sorry, Angel. That wasn't a fair comment."
"I'm sorry too, Jack. I don't like how he is being any more than you do. Do you really want to get married in Haiti?"
"No, it was just a thought."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive. When it comes to the wedding, there's only one thing I want, and that's to marry you. How and when doesn't matter as long as we are husband and wife at the end."
"Okay," she snuggled up against his shoulder and teased, "we could just elope."
"Don't tempt me!" He laughed. "That no kissing in bed rule is getting harder and harder."
She laughed, "We could just sleep apart."
"Shh, no more ideas from you now."
…..
Grace stood at the arrivals board in Bradley International airport waiting for her daughter and future son-in-law. Her phone rang in her purse. She stepped aside to answer it.
"Hello?"
"Hi, sweetheart."
"Hi Will, how's work?"
"Same as always. Are you at the airport?"
"I am."
"Is their flight on time?"
She looked back to the monitors. The label next to the flight had just changed from "On Time" to "Landed."
"Early in fact. That's a nice change of pace. They just landed."
"Oh good."
"You nervous?"
"I never like it when our girls are traveling. So much can happen."
"For such a strong and stubborn man you sure are a worrier."
"I'm a father."
"And I'm a mother. Yet somehow I am more relaxed than you are at times," she laughed.
"Are you done teasing me?" William said with a smile Grace could sense through the phone.
"Maybe," she teased. "You will try with Jack, won't you? I know he's not Trent, but Trent has moved on just like Beth has. They're engaged now."
"I don't want to lose her, Gracie. I'll try to accept this. I just… I worry about what kind of life they could have and for her with his job and…"
"Anything could happen to anyone and any time. Only God knows the outcome."
"I know, I know."
"We're all having dinner at Vi's tonight. Please be there."
"I will. Wait, where is Beth staying?"
"We all thought given your feelings towards them that it would be best if they stayed with Vi and Charles."
"But Beth could stay at home!"
"Sweetie, it's been decided."
"Fine," he huffed. "I guess my opinion means very little. You know that boy went on and on about how important my blessing was but then went and proposed anyway? What does that tell you?"
Grace neglected to tell William that she'd given Jack her blessing. She meant to, but Jack proposed so soon after she gave her blessing and they announced that there wasn't much time.
"You didn't give him much of a choice though, did you?" William sighed, but said nothing. "Sweetheart, it's going to be okay."
"I guess. I'll see you at dinner."
"See you then. Love you."
"I love you too, Gracie."
She hung up and hurried over to where the people from the recently arrived flights were exiting the secure area. Tears of happiness filled her eyes as she saw the familiar wavy curls of her middle daughter. Her blue eyes shone as she walked toward her holding Jack's hand. Grace laughed to herself as she thought briefly how much more attractive Jack was in person as opposed to the blurry FaceTime video. Her future grandbabies would be gorgeous.
"Mom!" Elizabeth dropped Jack's hand and rushed towards her mother as soon as she caught sight. "Oh Mom, I missed you!"
Grace held her daughter tight. "I missed you too, sweetie! Oh, so very much!"
Tears were flowing from both Thatcher women. Jack stood back and smiled. Elizabeth looked so much like her mom.
"Come here you!" Grace pulled Jack in for a hug. "Welcome to the North East."
"Thank you, ma'am."
"And thank you for taking such good care of my little girl."
"That is my honor, ma'am."
"I believe it, but no more ma'am stuff. You make me feel old. Call me Grace."
"Yes, Grace," Jack laughed, suddenly feeling shy.
"Now let me see that ring!"
Elizabeth held up her hand. "Jack designed it," she said proudly.
"Its breathtaking! Well done, Jack. Now, are you two tired or hungry or both?"
"Both," they said together.
"Alright," Grace giggled. "Coffee and a late lunch it is. Let's go collect your bags.
At lunch, Grace did her best to put Jack's fears to rest. He still felt that he would never completely have William Thatcher's approval but he felt better knowing Grace was on their side. That's all she could do for them now, giving them all the support she could.
After lunch, Grace dropped them off at Viola's home.
"I'll be back in a couple hours. I'm picking up dessert from that bakery on Elm and I have a couple other errands."
"Sounds great, Grace and thank you for picking us up today."
"Oh, it was my pleasure." She hugged Jack. "I'm looking forward to getting to know you better. Love you both!" She hugged Elizabeth and drove off.
"She's really nice," Jack said, kissing Elizabeth's temple.
"She's the best."
A couple moments passed and they were still standing in the driveway.
"Should we go inside? It's freezing out here." Jack shivered.
"In a minute." She stepped close and wrapped her arms around his neck, her lips tickling his jaw.
"Yeah. Or two."
They were so enthralled with each other they didn't hear the front door open.
"Are you two going to come inside or keep making out in the driveway?" Vi asked.
"I'm good with making out," Jack told her.
Elizabeth blushed and smacked his arm. "We're coming. Get that brother-in-law of mineout here to help us with our bags."
"I'm coming, I'm coming." Charles slipped past his wife as he put on his jacket and walked down the steps. "You must be Jack, the man brave enough to join the Thatcher clan."
"That's me. Nice to meet you, Charles."
"Charles, maybe you can help Jack feel more at ease about seeing Dad tonight," Elizabeth suggested.
"Sure, what's scary about being around a big grumpy man with control issues?"
"Gee, so helpful sweetie," Viola rolled her eyes. "Don't worry, Jack. He just wants to protect his daughters. He forgets that he isn't always right and that we are grown and can make wise choices on our own. Believe me, his bark is worse than his bite."
"Well, I've heard the bark," Jack sighed as they walked into the house. He followed Charles up the stairs to the guest room where he and Elizabeth would be staying. On the way up, he could hear the sisters downstairs giggling and laughing.
"Goodness, Beth! Those pictures you sent don't do him justice!" Viola tried saying at a whisper.
"I heard that," Charles called down the stairs.
"Oh, you know I love you, sweetie."
With the girls still giggling, Charles shook his head and smiled over at Jack. "It's good to have Beth home."
"I bet."
Charles stopped at the second door at the top of the stairs.
"So this is yours and Beth's room. I assume that's okay? Or do you want to sleep on the pullout sofa in my office?"
"Nope, this is good. Just don't tell Mr. Thatcher."
Charles laughed. "Good idea."
Downstairs, the sisters stood in the kitchen waiting for the tea kettle to boil.
"I have to say, Beth, you look ridiculously happy. I'm so glad he finally proposed!"
"I am very happy! I was worried he'd never propose without Dad's approval."
"Jack sure showed him. It's good."
"You think Jack can win him over?"
The tea kettle whistled, giving Viola time to think of her response. "I don't know. I hope so."
"Me too."
Viola could see the pain in her sister's eyes that only showed up when their father was brought into the conversation.
"Try not to worry, Beth. Stand your ground, but be respectful. Let him see you as the woman you are."
"I'll try."
The guys stepped into the kitchen, each wrapping their arms around the women they loved. The sisters smiled, life was good.
