The weekend came quickly, much to Jack's relief. His sweet little Harper seemed to be going through some sort of phase where everything he said was wrong. He couldn't win. He wasn't sure what it was, but a weekend with her grandparents, who she always treated with respect seemed like a great idea.

Charlotte decided to pick Harper up after school on Friday for a girl's night. They'd have the whole weekend together. Harper was genuinely excited about it. Jack was happy for Harper, but wasn't thrilled at the prospect of a weekend alone.

Instead of heading home Friday, he offered to take the night shift for Lee, one of his firemen so he could have the night off for his anniversary. He cooked dinner for his men and enjoyed getting the time to get to know those on that shift better in between calls.

Saturday morning Jack went to the grocery store before pulling his Jeep into the drive and sluggishly dragging his tired body inside and straight to bed. By noon, he was awake with the whole rest of the day ahead of him.

It was time to get productive. With his favorite playlist blasting, Jack tackled the remaining boxes that needed to be unpacked. The last thing he needed to do was find a place for his guitars. He had two. One was a beautiful dark wood acoustic, the other a classic electric with a dark cherry finish. The acoustic was his favorite. He took it out of the case and flipped it over. There on the bottom left were the initials ET. Elizabeth Thatcher. Jack let out a small chuckle as he remembered finding that years before. Elizabeth had done it secretly as a dare in high school. Probably from Clara. He didn't mind. It kept her close to him every time he played.

Seeing the old guitars gave him an idea. It had been years since he'd played. Today seemed like the right time to start. He filled up a thermos of hot coffee, grabbed some chocolate chip cookies and an old beach blanket from the hall closet. With his old acoustic in hand, he walked down to his favorite stop on the beach.

Jack walked along the beach for a bit till he found the spot he had in mind. It was out of the way, hidden almost, and sheltered from the wind.

Inside his case he found many sheets of music. Some dating back all the way to high school.

"Here goes nothing..."

A couple miles away Elizabeth stood on the back patio of the cottage looking out across the vast oceanscape. She felt so at peace here. More than she remembered feeling in a very long time.

The cottage was still and quiet that afternoon. After the emotional dinner at the Thornton's, Elizabeth thought it might do Dylan well to spend more time with a positive male figure. She'd called her father up and asked if he would be free that weekend. William was more than happy to spend time with Dylan.

Since William was not a man to do things small, he arranged for two tickets to a Boston's Red Sox game and showed up at the cottage to surprise the young boy with a jersey and new hat for the occasion. The look of pure joy on Dylan's face warmed Elizabeth's heart completely. He needed this. Now she was left with a whole day to herself and no obligation to fill the time with. Such a foreign concept for Elizabeth.

She looked up at the sky. Without a cloud in sight she decided to suit up for a run along the beach. She decided right away not to be concerned with calories burned or distance made, just to go out and enjoy her life.

Ten minutes into her run she stopped to examine her surroundings. She was on a very familiar part of the beach. Kneeling down in the sand, she looked up to the heaven and laughed.

"Thank you for bringing me home, Lord. After the years I've had, this is where I need to be. I'm me again. Well, getting there. I feel like I'm getting stronger with your help, and I know you're with me. Thank you for not leaving our side."

After her prayers, she sat still and listened to see if the Lord had something for her. It wasn't uncommon for her to hear nothing clear, but if she did, she would get a sense that she wasn't alone in this world. It gave her much comfort over the years of strife.

Much to her surprise this time, she did hear something. Or more like someone. In the distance was a faint sound of a guitar. It was beautiful, calming. She felt her heartbeat increase as she stood up and followed the noise.

"Of course it's you," she whispered with a smile as she saw Jack in the distance. He was singing an old Coldplay song, Clocks. It had been a favorite of his back in the day. It was one of her favorites to listen to. She crept up close unbeknownst to him as he played. His eyes closed as he strummed the strings.

When he finished the chorus for the last time, he leaned back in the sand and laughed. It left good to play again. So good.

"Woohoo!" A beautiful voice called out with applause. "Encore, encore!"

"Elizabeth," he grinned. "I didn't even see you."

"You still sound great, you know. All these years later."

"Thanks. To be honest, I don't remember the last time I've played. It felt good. Really good." She walked over and sat on the sand near him. "Any requests?"

"Hmm. Surprise me." A devilish grin took over his handsome face. "What are you thinking, Thornton?"

Without a word, he strummed a song he know she'd recognize right away. Norah Jones, Don't Know Why.

"Oh no no!" she laughed. "I don't sing anymore."

"Oh, come on! You won talent night with this one."

"True, but that was ages ago."

"So, I bet you still sound amazing." He continued to play. "I'll start." Then he started to sing...

"I waited 'til I saw the sun

I don't know why I didn't come

I left you by the house of fun

I don't know why I didn't come

I don't know why I didn't come"

"Come on Blue Eyes, don't leave me hanging," Jack smiled.

"Oh fine." She joined in for the rest of the song.

"When I saw the break of day

I wished that I could fly away

Instead of kneeling in the sand

Catching teardrops in my hand

My heart is drenched in wine

But you'll be on my mind

Forever

Out across the endless sea

I would die in ecstasy

But I'll be a bag of bones

Driving down the road alone

My heart is drenched in wine

But you'll be on my mind

Forever

Something has to make you run

I don't know why I didn't come

I feel as empty as a drum

I don't know why I didn't come

I don't know why I didn't come"

When the song ended. Jack sighed, he was blown away by her still. Her voice had a way of reaching deep down into his soul.

"I was right. Still beautiful."

"If you say so," she blushed. "Your turn. Sing me a song."

"Alright." He fished through his case for a sheet of chords he'd discovered earlier that evening. "This Elizabeth Thatcher, this oldie's for you."

"Crash and Burn," she whispered as he strummed the old Savage Garden song.

"When you feel all alone

And the world has turned its back on you

Give me a moment please to tame your wild wild heart

I know you feel like the walls are closing in on you

It's hard to find relief and people can be so cold

When darkness is upon your door and

You feel like you can't take anymore

Let me be the one you call

If you jump I'll break your fall

Lift you up and fly away with you into the night

If you need to fall apart

I can mend a broken heart

If you need to crash then crash and burn

You're not alone"

Elizabeth felt a few tears form in the corners of her eyes. The song was old. From high school for sure. But she knew he'd picked it now for a reason. He carried guilt still for what happened to their friendship. But it wasn't all on him. She had played her part as well. Passively waiting when she should have told him instead. There was no rule that he had to be the one to make the first move. It was too late to regret it now. At least they were back in each others lives. Somehow, God brought them together again.

"...Because there has always been heartache and pain

And when it's over you'll breathe again

You'll breathe again."

Jack studied her eyes as he sang. Not wanting to overwhelm her, just make it clear that their friendship meant something to him.

"...Let me be the one you call

If you jump I'll break your fall

Lift you up and fly away with you into the night

If you need to fall apart

I can mend a broken heart

If you need to crash then crash and burn

You're not alone"

Elizabeth applauded again as Jack took a half bow from where he sat and put his guitar aside.

"Thank you, Jack. I always loved that song. I assume you picked it for another reason though?"

He nodded. "The words seemed very applicable for us right now. I know I screwed up but I want you to be able to trust me again."

"I do. We're okay, Jack. You don't have to keep trying to apologize."

"Alright. Thank you." He leaned back, letting the ocean breeze pass over him. "Where's Dylan today?"

"In the city with my Dad. He needed some male bonding time."

"Oh nice. That will be good for him."

"And Harper?"

"With my Mom and Dad. Getting some girl time with Nana."

"That's good. Girls at her age need that."

"Yeah. What are your plans for tonight?"

"I have no idea. I don't know what to do with myself to be honest." She laughed. "I thought about cooking something new. Or trying to anyway. I don't even know if I'd be good at it anymore. Anyway, the thought actually stresses me out a little too much. I think I'll curl up on the couch and watch a chick flick with a bowl of ice cream."

"I get that. I hate cooking for one."

Jack looked over. Elizabeth pushed a piece of windblown hair out of her face. He loved the way the sun danced over her cheeks. He wanted to tell her that, but he promised he wouldn't pressure anything but friendship. He wanted to keep that promise, at least for now. Maybe one day she'd be ready for more. They'd both been separated for a while. He was in no hurry.

"Here's a thought." She looked over at him. "Why don't you come to my place tonight? We can cook together."

"Oh, I don't know, Jack."

"No, I'm serious. We can pick something and cook like we're on one of those cooking game shows!" She laughed. "Maybe it won't seem so intimidating if you do it with a friend."

"Tempting. But I meant what I said about the ice cream and chick flick. I never get to watch those anymore. With Dylan it's always Star Wars or Marvel."

"I have ice cream and Netflix." He grinned back.

She looked at him and back out to the ocean. Not being able to think of a real reason to decline his offer nor wanting to, she agreed.

"Alright, I'm in."

"Awesome!"

"But if I burn down your kitchen, don't say you weren't warned."

He raised his hands up. "I was warned."

….

"Are you serious? Spanakopita? That's pretty ambitious," she told him. "And you just happen to have phyllo dough?"

"I do actually. I like to try new things with Harper. Plus I love Greek foods."

"Ever been there?"

"No. Maybe one day," he mused.

"Me too. It's been on my travel list forever." She hopped up on the counter and crossed her legs. He ignored them, not allowing himself to go there.

"Would you like a glass of wine?" he asked, holding up a wine glass.

"Sure."

"You like merlot?"

"That's fine, thank you." He poured them each a glass.

She watched him assemble the ingredients on the counter. "Ready, Blue Eyes?"

"For what?"

"To cook. Sitting up there watching doesn't count."

"I don't know, Jack. It probably won't turn out."

He stood in front of her and looked deep in her eyes. "Stop. Ray isn't here. It's me. I don't agree with a single horrible thing that man told you. You are capable of anything, Elizabeth."

She took a sip and put her glass down, choosing to be brave. "Okay. Where do we start?"

An hour later, they sat on the couch in the dim light watching Mama Mia, eating spanakopita and drinking wine.

"It's so good, Elizabeth. What do you think?"

"I think I need another piece." He took her plate and grabbed another piece before she could get up.

"Here you go, beautiful." He froze as he sat down. "Sorry. That's the wine talking."

She blushed, then hit play and smiled, covering her legs with a blanket. "Are you enjoying the movie?" she wondered.

"I guess. The music is fun."

"And it's set in Greece."

"Think you'll go one day?"

"Yeah, actually. I don't know how or when but I think it's something I should make happen."

After a few more minutes, the wine had its effect on Elizabeth too. She laid her head on Jack's shoulder and fell asleep.

He almost didn't notice except her hair smelled like coconut and it made his senses jittery. He kissed the top of her head. "Sleep well, Blue Eyes."

….

Elizabeth woke up the next morning, not at her home. It took her a moment to realize she was at Jack's home.

"Morning, Sleeping Beauty," Jack called from the kitchen.

"Morning, Jack. Why didn't you wake me so I could go home last night?"

"I tried but apparently once you're asleep, you don't wake up for much. So since neither of us had parental responsibilities, I let you sleep."

"Can I use your…?"

"First door on the right," he said, pointing to the hallway.

"Thanks." She wandered past him, feeling very awkward to be in Jack's home so early in the morning.

When she walked out, he handed her a cup of coffee. "Two creams," he said with a smile. Good heavens. How did he look so amazing in his plaid pants, bare feet, and white t-shirt?

"You remembered after sixteen years?"

"I file things in my brain that I might need later on. Apparently that tidbit has been itching to emerge for a long time."

"I really should go soon," she said, sipping her coffee again and setting it on the counter.

"Okay. Text you later?"

"Yeah." She slipped her tennis shoes on and turned to look at him. "Thank you, Jack. For dinner and the movie."

"You made dinner and chose the movie. Maybe I should be thanking you." He walked over closer.

"Your encouragement last night meant a lot, Jack. I've been working hard to truly believe in myself again. It's important to me, so thank you."

He squeezed her hand and shrugged. "What are friends for?"