Jack stayed in the hospital a few more days. When the doctor told him he was cleared to go home, he jumped out of bed and immediately began gathering his things.
The couple settled back into the apartment in the city. It was such a relief to have quiet and privacy again.
Elizabeth headed straight to the large bathroom to unpack their duffle and started a load of laundry. When she came out Jack was standing in front of the glass balcony doors, looking out across the city. The sky was bright blue and a fresh blanket of snow had fallen the night before.
"You okay?" she asked, wrapping her arms around his waist, gently of course. His back was still tender.
"I think I'm great actually. Talking to Bill was good. He's happy about us going back to Haiti and even staying through next year. We even talked about the station sponsoring a wildfire and EMT rescue training program could make a real difference I think."
"That's great! And it will definitely keep you busy."
"That was my thought. As far as having a life to come back to, Mom said as long as we have plans drawn up, she'll oversee the remodel of Dad's cabin."
"That's so sweet of her. She'll make sure it gets done right."
"Yeah, I think she wants to make sure we always have a place to call home. And with the cabin, we won't have a mortgage or rent to stress about."
"Even better." She kissed his cheek. "Do we need to have that finished before we leave? I know we started while you were at the hospital."
"Not really. We did enough to give them the idea. I'm sure we'll be back on furlow sometimes and we can do some of it from Haiti."
Jack had been on the brink of insanity stuck in his hospital bed. Charlotte remembered that all too well from when Jack was a boy. That's when she gave him a project. She brought him a roll of drafting paper and told him to get to work. It did the trick, after all, Mama knows best.
"I have an idea," Elizabeth began. "How about I make us something for lunch, and we curl up in bed and watch a movie."
"I like the sound of that. How about popcorn? I'm not sure I want much more."
"Big bowl of popcorn and two waters, coming up. You go get comfy and pick out a movie."
"I could get used to this kind of service."
"Don't," she laughed. "I love you, but I'm no handmaid."
"Of course, and I happen to like taking care of you." He winked. "Any kind of movie in particular?"
"Hmm, nothing slashy or gory. Or anything where the main villain is a giant insect, alien, or reptile."
"Okay…" Jack laughed. "I'll see what I can find."
When she came into the bedroom, Jack pulled the covers back for her to slip in, the bowl of hot butter popcorn resting on their laps.
"What movie did you pick?"
"Hitch. I figure, it's like a chick-flick, and it's got Will Smith. What do you think?"
"Sounds good." She hit play and snuggled in close. His arm wrapped around her making her feel so at ease. Finally, after all the chaos of the past week, things felt right.
They were half way through the movie when Elizbarth noticed Jack had stopped laughing at the funny antics in the movie. She looked up and caught him staring out the window at the city skyline.
"Babe? Where's your mind at?"
"Huh?" He turned to look at her. "I'm good."
Grabbing the remote, she paused the movie. "What's up?"
Jack shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I've been thinking more about that dream I had."
"The one where we were married in Haiti and we were walking next to that little boy?"
"Yeah."
"I've been thinking about it too. I know we've talked about this a little, but I really want to adopt someday. Or at least continue to work with orphans. They need love, Jack. We have an abundance of it."
"I agree. I don't really have an idea as to when, or how, but I want to do it too. Everytime I see you with the kids in Hope's Landing, I fall even more in love."
"Really?" she sassed. "I thought you were already completely in love."
Jack laughed. "I think a person can be completely in love, and still fall even deeper. Now, lets watch this movie before I talk myself into trouble."
"If you insist." She leaned over, giving him a kiss before hitting play on the remote. "We should finish this. After the movie if you want more than popcorn, I'll cook something."
"Or we could go down to Abigail's."
Pete had taken a positive turn in the last few days, making Abigail feel safe to go back to work. Clara, of course, was taking a break from the cafe and spending her time with Pete. Barring a nasty infection, he was expected to make a full recovery, with some scars of course. Those didn't phase Clara. She just wanted Pete.
Before the end credits of the movie rolled, both Jack and Elizabeth were asleep, the bowl of popcorn, half empty on the bedside table. Jack awoke first. Careful not to wake Elizabeth, he slid his arm from under her head and climbed out of the bed.
In the kitchen, Jack poured himself a glass of water and leaned against the counter checking his cell for messages. To his surprise, he had a few missed calls and a voice message from William Thatcher.
"Great, what does he want now?" Out of respect, Jack hit the call back button and waited for William to answer.
"Jack?"
"Hello, sir. Everything alright?"
"I believe that should be my question to you. How are you feeling?"
"Better." He did his best to hide his surprise at the fact that William was acting like he actually cared. "In fact I was released from the hospital earlier today."
"We heard! Are you home now then?"
"Yeah…" William hung up. "Strange man…"
Five minutes later there was a knock at the door. Jack placed his phone on the counter and went to the door. As soon as he opened the door, he wondered if his pain meds were a little too strong.
"Jack!" Grace cried out. "Oh, you look so good! We were worried! May I hug you?"
"Sure," he chuckled. "Just go easy, I guess."
He hugged Grace then she moved aside and William extended his hand.
"Sorry to barge in on you. We just wanted to see for ourselves that you were okay. I kept Grace away as long as I could. She was ready to take the first flight out when Beth called to say you'd been hurt."
"It's true, I was."
The bedroom door opened and Elizabeth tiredly creeped out. "Jack?"
"Surprise," William said with a laugh.
"Mom! Dad! What are you doing here?" Elizabeth quickly tried to straighten her hair and clothes.
"We wanted to see you both after the accident," Grace said, giving her daughter a hug. "Especially since you had some time before heading back."
"And," William began. "Jack and I are overdue for a conversation."
"We were in Connecticut for a bit, Dad. You couldn't have had this conversation then?"
"That would have been the more convenient thing to do, yes, but here we are."
Grace gave her daughter a look, pleading with her to give her father a chance. Elizabeth turned to look at her father. She wasn't in the mood for this. The time she'd spent trying to prove to him that her relationship was worthy of recognition, had been exhausting and all for naught.
"Angel," Jack said, placing his hand on her back. "Why don't you show your mom Abigail's. Maybe they'd like to join us for dinner."
"Okay…" her tone was questioning. "Eat in or down there?"
"You ladies choose."
The room was silent as Beth ducked into their room to change out of her leggings and into jeans. Then she grabbed Jack's firehouse hoodie and put it on. She redid her ponytail and headed back out to the living room.
"Ready, Mom?"
"Yes, of course. Will, sweetie, meet us downstairs?"
"Yes, we'll be there soon."
Elizabeth kissed Jack then whispered in his ear, "You've got this."
"I love you," he said with a grin.
Once in the elevator going downstairs, Elizabeth turned to her mother. "Are you sure about this? Jack's recovering from a huge ordeal, he shouldn't have to fight with…"
Grace raised her hand and smiled. "Trust me, Beth, your father needs to do this."
…..
"Would you like water, soda, tea?" Jack offered, nervously running his fingers through his hair. He felt so ill prepared for this right now.
"I'm good, thanks." William cleared his throat. "May we... sit?"
"Of course, yeah."
William moved to stand awkwardly in the living room. "Um, is one of these chairs better for you than another with your injuries?"
"Nah. Hurts a bit wherever I sit," Jack laughed.
"Okay."
Jack chose to sit on the arm of the couch, putting his back against nothing, leaving William the armchair.
"Are you really okay?" William asked.
"I will be. I got lucky."
He nodded. "You know what I felt when I'd heard you'd been hurt?"
"Vindication?"
"No, good one though." William sighed. "I felt scared. Terrified actually."
"For, Beth, I know. I'm sorry. I promise I took every precaution but I couldn't leave my men behind."
"I respect that, Jack. And yes, I was scared for Beth, but also for you, and everyone in our family. See, when Beth called us, I realized something that I should have a while ago. You are one of us, Jack. If something happens to you, it affects us all. We're family."
Well that was not what Jack was expecting.
"I appreciate you saying that, sir."
William nodded. "Now about this whole marriage thing…"
"I know how you feel, sir. And I'm sorry but…"
"No. You don't." William let out an exasperated sigh. "Jack Thornton, you have my blessing. Not that you need it, but I know at one point it mattered a great deal to you."
"It did. Still does. Are you giving it because it's how you honestly feel, or is it just guilt and you being afraid of losing her?"
"I deserve that. No, I mean it, Jack. Did Beth ever tell you about my parents?"
Jack shook his head.
"My dad died when I was in college. It was a freak accident. I had younger siblings at home and my mother was left the sole caretaker of them. I took time off from university to go home and help. I regret nothing, but it was hard."
"I'm sure. That's devastating."
"The hardest part was watching my mother grieve, and at the same time have to carry on without him. I don't want that for Beth."
"Neither do I, sir."
"I was wrong to treat you like I did. Yes, your job is dangerous but it is also noble. And even if Beth had found someone with a less dangerous job, anything could still happen. Just… take care of each other. Okay?"
"You have my word."
…
At dinner, Jack and Elizabeth decided they needed to spill the beans about the "where" part of their wedding since that was now for certain.
"So, Mom, Dad? Jack and I made a decision about where we are going to get married."
"That's good," Grace told her. "I can reserve the grand ballroom at the Hilton. It would be lovely in the summer."
"Actually, Mom. We are going to get married on the beach in Haiti."
Her parents stared at them for a long moment. "Are you sure?"
"Yes. That's where we met and it holds a special place in our hearts." She squeezed Jack's hand and he nodded, agreeing.
"You don't know this, but my father used the same stretch of beach where we met as a quiet place to think and pray," Jack told them. "I feel closest to him there and the fact that Beth came into my life in that very spot...well, it's beyond words."
"It needs to be at Hopes Landing," Elizabeth told them. "No other place will do."
"Very well," William said, putting his fork down. "That's where it will be."
"Thanks, Dad. We really appreciate it."
….
It felt strange sleeping in the same bed as Jack with her parents one room over but they did it anyway. Truth be told, it would have felt even stranger not to.
"That went better than I expected," Elizabeth told him as she slipped beneath the covers.
"Me too but I think after our talk earlier, your dad and I have turned over a new leaf. He supports us now."
She reached for the lamp, turning it off before kissing Jack quickly. "Love you, Jack."
"Love you more, Angel. Sweet dreams."
….
The Thatcher's stayed in town for a few more days. Leaving the day before Jack and Elizabeth flew back to Haiti.
Much to the couple's pleasure, the Thatchers stayed with Charlotte after the first night, giving Jack and Elizabeth time alone both in the morning and night.
The afternoon before their flight, Jack went to the fire station at the request of chief Avery.
"I've been doing some more thinking about that first responder training we talked about," Bill said, handing Jack a large duffle. "Here's some things to get you started."
"Chief, are you sure? There's a lot of emergency medical supplies here."
"I'm sure. And I've got two more duffles of gear and supplies here for you." Jack was shocked. "You're doing a good thing, Jack. It's actually something your dad talked about doing too. I'm glad to help you make his dream a reality."
"I never knew this was something he wanted to do. Though I guess he did mention that there was a need."
Bill nodded. "Keep me posted on everything. I'm working on getting the other stations to contribute some as well."
Jack left the firehouse that day feeling energized and ready. He could make a real difference in Haiti. Elizabeth was quick to remind him that he already had made a difference.
Early on the morning of departure, Jack and Elizabeth made two trips from the apartment to the cafe, lugging their large packs on their backs filled with their personal items, all three duffles, and one backup backpack for the two of them.
The cafe wasn't officially open yet, but for her nephew, Abigail gladly made an exception.
"Coffee's hot and order whatever you want. On the house."
"Thanks, Aunt Abigail." Jack gave her a hug.
"Yes, huge thank you to you." Elizabeth laughed. "Without you, Jack probably would have starved or contracted food poisoning in our first year of marriage."
"Or she would have burnt the house down," Jack teased, and both women shot him a look.
"You'll do just fine. I'm glad you worked here. Gave me a chance to get to know you."
"Likewise."
Feeling in the mood to splurge, Elizabeth ordered French toast stuffed with strawberries and Jack ordered a Monte Cristo sandwich.
"Can't get these in Haiti," Jack said after indulging in his first delicious bite. "Breakfast there is usually fruit, sometimes yogurt or this sticky oatmeal like thing. It's good, just not like this."
Charlotte came a few minutes later, poured herself a cup of coffee and joined the others at the table. Even though Jack had insisted she didn't need to get up so early to take them to the airport, Charlotte stated that it was her duty as his mother and he needed to deal with it.
The drive to the airport took little time at all. The roads were mostly empty and the sky was still very dark.
"Now I'll see you two in a month or so." Charlotte said at security. "I've got my passport and all that. I won't miss this wedding."
"I love you, Mom. Thanks for being understanding about our wishes for the wedding."
"Of course, sweetie. You and your father have told me so much about that place, I can't wait to see it for myself."
After a tearful mother and son hug, she moved to Elizabeth.
"I love you, Lizzy. So glad you're a part of this family."
"That means everything to me. I love you too!"
On the plane, the seatbelt sign turned on just as the flight attendant began going over the safety instructions.
Remembering how much Elizabeth hated take offs, Jack reached over to take her hand in his.
"Here's to the rest of our lives together."
"Such a romantic," she told him, kissing his smiling lips.
"It's been known to happen." He winked. "I hope we can marry sooner rather than later. I've gotten a little too used to having you next to me at night. I kinda like it."
"Me too, but we need to be careful until we say 'I do'. I think it's important that we respect Frank's rules."
"I completely agree. Maybe it's for the best too. Sometimes, it's hard for me not to push our boundaries and love you."
"Tell me about it!" She laughed. "I want to keep the promises we've made though. I know we kind of put ourselves at risk, but we were good. Mostly," she blushed.
"We were, and if either one of us thought it was getting out of hand we would have adjusted. In fact, we did do that. Don't worry, we were good." He kissed her again.
"Yup, and tonight you get Carson back as a roommate."
Jack frowned playfully. "That's a shame. He's nowhere near as cuddly."
