Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. All rights go to the actors, writers and creators of the show "When Calls The Heart".

(26/07/2018)

CHAPTER 12

As Jack and Elizabeth were sitting there, Elizabeth heard a knock at the door.

She heard Halley call out. "I'll get it."

Elizabeth got up to follow her but she knew exactly who it was the second Halley opened the door.

"Hello" Rosie's loud voice was heard.

"Rosie? What are you doing here?" Elizabeth asked in surprise.

Rosie was already walking into the house carrying a bunch of supermarket bags with Will, Sammy and Lee all traipsing in behind her.

"We have come for a visit. I'm going to cook you dinner" she said as she kissed Elizabeth on the cheek and kept walking toward Elizabeth's kitchen.

Elizabeth looked at Lee who just shrugged and waved his hand.

Elizabeth spun around and took off after Rosie.

"That's really not necessary."

"Oh, it's fine Elizabeth. Where's Jack?"

Elizabeth saw Jack's head pop up from the lounge. Was he hiding from her? Elizabeth smiled at him and nodded towards Rosie. He gave her a grin and shrunk back down again.

Elizabeth shook her head.

"He's around" she replied to Rosie. Rosie was already getting herself settled in Elizabeth's kitchen so there wasn't much Elizabeth could do but just give in to the Rosie whirlwind.

Elizabeth turned back to Lee.

"I told you Jack was really overwhelmed last time" she whispered to him as she greeted him, giving him a hug.

"I know but she wouldn't take no for an answer. You know what she's like when an idea pops into her head. Where's Jack?"

"Hiding on the lounge."

Lee laughed out loud. "Nothing changes."

"What's so funny, you two?" Rosie enquired as she began chopping some tomatoes.

"Nothing" Lee said as he made his way over to the lounge.

"So Elizabeth. How's everything going with Jack? Anything come back yet?"

"Nope" she said, watching the lounge out of the corner of her eye.

"I was thinking the other day, you know since I'm in the theatre and all, maybe you should try music. Have you played for him yet?"

She saw Jack's head rise from the lounge, clearly watching them.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't play anymore."

"Come on Elizabeth. Your mother would want you to play."

"I can't Rosie."

"It might help him. He used to love hearing you."

"Drop it Rosie" Elizabeth said in frustration.

She saw Lee get up and drag Jack outside while Rosie wasn't looking.

"Okay, I'm sorry. I just know how much you both loved your music."

"I just can't. Maybe I will pull his guitar back out for him though. He used to play quite a bit before me, didn't he?"

"Yes, well he had that band. But he was the only one that was any good in it."

Elizabeth laughed. She had heard the four band members play once together and it was terrible. Jack on his own though had always been captivating for her.

"So no other progress?"

"Well I suspected he may have remembered something this morning but I must have been wrong."

"What made you think that?"

"I woke up next to him. He must have come into my room early this morning. It just felt right, you know? I almost forgot that his memory was gone. It felt like the old times."

"Well, not quite like old times" Rosie said sniggering.

"Rosie, is your mind always in the gutter? Poor Lee."

"Oh he's not poor at all. He likes it."

"Gross Rosie. You've passed the sharing boundary."

Rosie threw her head back laughing.

Jack and Lee sat down on the lounge chairs on the back deck.

Lee didn't prompt him to talk which Jack liked. He could talk when he was ready.

"I went to that funeral service yesterday with Beth."

"Yeah? How was it?"

"It was hard for a number of reasons. The poor kid was so young. His whole life was ahead of him."

"Mmm" Lee nodded.

"I just felt guilty because I wonder some days if it was better if I didn't come back, you know with the whole memory thing. But being in the service yesterday I realised I need to be more grateful."

"That's fair enough. I can see where you are coming from. But even without your memory, at least you are still here with Beth and the girls. They need you Jack. You can't give up."

"I know. It's just so hard. We have so far to go."

"Yes, but you have time. There's no rush. Beth isn't going anywhere."

Lee understood him perfectly.

"I suppose her and I are back to being friends again but I want more than that. I love her, I do. But I don't know how to get past holding hands and the odd kiss. I know she probably wants more than that."

Lee didn't respond straight away.

"Maybe just think of it as you've begun dating again. The first few dates, you always just have a few kisses and then it builds. You haven't even been home for a week. I know this is a unique situation but you need to tell her how you're feeling."

"I can't. It just feels awkward."

"You'll get there."

They were both silent for a moment.

"So why is Rosie really here?"

"You know what she's like. She's a force of nature. Beth told us not to come over. She said you had a bit of a bad reaction after Sunday but Rosie insists that she knows you best."

"Of course" Jack said smiling and shaking his head.

They all sat down to dinner. Elizabeth had pulled out an extra fold up table and added it to the end. Sammy, Grace and Eve were delegated to that one. Will sat next to Jack and wanted to ask him all kinds of questions about his trip. Lee fended him off quickly before Jack needed to answer.

"Will, tell Uncle Jack about your baseball."

Will rattled onto him about his baseball team instead. Jack welcomed the change in topic and did his best to engage with the young boy.

"Elizabeth, will we see you at Lucy's birthday on Sunday?" Lee asked.

"Um I don't know yet."

"What do you mean you don't know?" Rosie said, putting her cutlery down until Elizabeth answered.

Elizabeth looked across at Jack.

"I haven't decided yet."

"She's your niece. You have to go. If we're going, you're going!" Rosie told her.

Jack saw the look that Lee gave Rosie, but she appeared to ignore him.

"I haven't spoken to Jack about it yet" Elizabeth said, staring at her plate.

"If Jack is uncomfortable, he can just stay at home. You have to come with us. To support Julie." Rosie continued.

"Rosie …" Lee spoke sternly.

"What Lee?"

"Leave it to Beth to decide."

"Why? She's clearly making the wrong decision."

"There is no right or wrong decision. It's just a party. Maybe we can speak about this after the children have finished their meal." Lee was clearly the voice of reason in that relationship.

Rosie was quiet until the children were finished. They asked to leave the table and the second that they had left the room, Rosie pounced onto the unfinished conversation.

"Come on Elizabeth, you have to go."

"Rosie, I don't have to do anything" she said as she began clearing the plates from the table. "You know I don't like going to Julie's things without Jack. I will talk to him later."

"Eli …"

"No, Rosie. Later."

Jack saw the anger in Elizabeth's eyes. Rosie finally realised and dropped it.

"What are you guys up to for the rest of the week?" Lee asked trying to change the topic.

"I've got a therapy session tomorrow" Jack said trying to take the attention of Elizabeth who was still glaring at Rosie.

"Ooooh really. What type of therapy?" Rosie said intrigued.

"They're going to try hypnosis."

"Really? How does that work?" Lee asked.

"I have no idea. I will tell you after tomorrow."

"What else are you up to?"

"I'm not sure. Beth, what else have we got on?"

"Katy and the kids were going to come over on Saturday. She just got back from seeing her family and cannot wait to see us" Elizabeth said, but must of noticed Jack's blank look. "That's Shane's family."

Jack nodded.

"Well it sounds like you have a busy few days. We better get going and leave you all to it. I have work early in the morning." Lee said, standing and getting ready to go.

Jack could tell Rosie wasn't ready to leave yet, but Lee practically dragged her and the kids out the door. Elizabeth and Jack stood at the front door waving until they were out of sight.

Elizabeth released a deep breath once Rosie had disappeared out of view. Rosie and her big mouth. Jack is going to want to know all about that and I'm not ready to go down that track. Jack turned and put his arm around her shoulders.

"Hey. You okay?" Jack asked, pulling her into his chest as they headed back into the house.

"She kills me sometimes."

"I know. She is hard work but I'm sure she means well."

Elizabeth turned and shut the door. She turned back and almost bumped into Jack, he was standing so close to her.

She was about to say something but he closed the distance before she had the chance. She looked into his eyes and saw what he wanted. He leant in, kissing her gently before pulling back.

"What was that for?" she asked with a smile.

"I'm just really glad I married you."

"Is that right?" she teased, her hands resting on his arm and his cast.

"Yeah. Is that okay?" he was watching her trying to read her expression.

"Yeah" Elizabeth said as she pulled him back into her and kissed him back.

She took his hand as they walked back into the kitchen. Elizabeth went straight to the sink and began filling it. She started washing the dishes while Jack stood next to her, leaning back against the bench.

"So …" Jack started.

"So …"

"Are you going to fill me in on what Rosie was talking about?"

"I suppose so. I was trying to avoid it" Elizabeth said reluctantly.

"Why?"

"It's not a nice story and if you react anywhere near like you did the first time ... let's just say you were angry."

"Okay now you have me worried. You're going to have to tell me."

Elizabeth sighed.

Nine years before … (May 2009)

Elizabeth had two sisters. Viola was the older sister, who was due to marry Lionel next month, and Julie who was three years younger was trying her hand at art school. Julie called Elizabeth while her and Jack were on their break, begging her to go to dinner and meet her boyfriend. They were passing through town briefly. Elizabeth was reluctant but at the risk of staying at home on her own for another Saturday night, she had agreed. Julie had been dating the guy for about a month but had never really told Elizabeth anything about him. Elizabeth drove into the city and found the restaurant Julie mentioned.

When she walked in, Elizabeth recognised an old boyfriend sitting in a booth. His name was Billy and they had broken up on bad terms. Elizabeth and Billy had dated for about three months but they broke up when he accused Elizabeth of being a prude. Truthfully, Elizabeth had never been that into Billy. He was good-looking, but that was the only thing in his favour. She had never felt comfortable with him.

As Elizabeth began looking for Julie, while also trying to avoid Billy, she realised the worst thing possible had happened. Billy was Julie's boyfriend. She walked up to the booth and Julie cried out to her.

"Beth! You made it!" Julie jumped out of her seat and swung her arms around her sister.

"Julie."

"Beth I want you to meet …"

"Billy. What are you doing here?" Elizabeth cut her off.

Julie looked at her puzzled. "You know Billy?"

"Yes" Elizabeth said feeling very uncomfortable.

Billy just grinned at her. "Hi Elizabeth. Nice to see you again."

Elizabeth didn't smile.

"Come on, sit down" Julie said pulling her into the booth. Elizabeth sat, not because she wanted to but because she thought she might fall over if she didn't. She watched in horror as Julie took Billy's hand in her own.

Elizabeth couldn't speak. She was in shock.

"Beth? Yoohoo Beth?" Julie called.

"Sorry what?"

"Where's Jack?"

"He couldn't make it."

"That's a shame. We were both really looking forward to meeting him. I'm beginning to think he's a ghost" Julie laughed.

Elizabeth smiled awkwardly avoiding eye contact with Billy.

How she made it through dinner, she had no idea. Thankfully, Julie was a talker. Elizabeth didn't hear half of it though. She was trying to figure out when she could make a mad dash out the door and call Lee on the way home.

Before she had the chance though, Julie decided to go to the restroom. Not wanting to be left alone with Billy, Elizabeth offered to go too.

"Don't be silly. You can't leave Billy here on his own. Anyway you've barely talked to him all evening. You must have a lot to catch up on." Julie walked off before Elizabeth had time to respond.

Once Julie was out of ear shot, she turned to him.

"What are you trying to pull being here with my sister?"

"I don't know what you're talking about" he replied complacently.

"Oh really. You didn't know she was my little sister?"

"Oh I knew."

Elizabeth was fuming.

"What do you want from her?" she said angrily.

"Don't worry I've got more out of her than I got from you."

"What does that mean?"

"I think you know. Although I would have liked to meet the mystery boyfriend. He is real right?"

"What?"

"Oh you know. I remember what you were like with me. Not many guys would put up with that … lack of attention, let's call it. Julie's never met him so I thought maybe he was made up."

Elizabeth didn't respond.

As soon as she saw Julie returning she jumped out of her seat and met her halfway back to the table.

"I'm leaving."

"No don't go. What happened?"

"You're boyfriend is a pig, Julie. You need to be more careful."

"Beth, you don't mean that" Julie said, getting upset.

"Yes, I do. He can't be trusted."

"How do you know?"

"Because he's an ex-boyfriend of mine Julie."

"You can't be serious?" Julie said in surprise.

"I am and it didn't end well. Look I have to go. Why don't you come with me?"

"No, I'm staying with Billy."

"Jules, he's using you."

"I'm old enough to make my own judgment. Billy's a good man, Elizabeth. Please come back to the table."

"Sorry, Julie. I have to go. I have a rowing comp tomorrow" she lied. "Bye Julie."

She raced out of there as fast as she could.

"That doesn't sound so bad. He's just an ex-boyfriend."

"Yes, but he got her pregnant not long after. She was only 22 and hadn't even finished art school and then she was having a baby. It caused a massive rift in our family. Julie couldn't understand why none of us were happy for her. She never saw how slimy Billy could be."

"So Lucy, was it? She's Julie and Billy's daughter?" Jack asked.

"Yeah."

"Why don't you want to go to this party?"

"Billy and Julie split up. Julie married another man but Billy often brings a new girlfriend to these things. I know Lucy is his daughter but I just wish he would stop showing up. He makes us all so uncomfortable."

"Why? If he was with Julie, why does he make you uncomfortable?"

"After he split with Julie, whenever I showed up to the family things I was often without you. You were deployed or completing training, so I ended up going to a lot of things alone. When you were there he wouldn't come near me but when you weren't he would always come up and flirt or taunt me. Either way it was always uncomfortable. So I stopped going if I was alone."

Jack could feel his grip was so tight on the kitchen bench now. He didn't know much about this Billy guy but he figured he knew enough to knock his head off.

"I've never done anything I suppose to make him stop" Jack asked.

"No. You've always got a lot of self control even though you've been angry about it. Lee on the other hand has been close a few times."

"Who is Julie's new husband?"

"A guy named Seth. Nice bloke. Pretty harmless. He's never done anything about Billy though. No one wants to make a scene and hurt Julie but someone needs to take care of him one day."

Jack listened to it all. He knew one thing. If Billy approached his wife and said anything to her, he wasn't about to leave him standing.

The girls ended up in bed late that night. Jack was still reading Eve a bedtime story while Elizabeth was trying to get the other two ready for bed. Finally Eve was asleep, when Jack was able to leave her room quietly.

Jack went and had a shower and was about to head back to his room when Elizabeth intercepted him. She didn't say anything but just took his hand and led him back to her room. She pulled him under the covers next to her. She gave him a quick kiss and then curled up, pulling his hand over her stomach. He slid up close to her tightening his grip and he felt her hands wrap over his own.

As he was about to drift off to sleep he had that feeling again. He knew he had been here before. Not just that morning but many times before. He leant in and kissed Elizabeth's neck and a shiver ran up his spine. As he closed his eyes he remembered something. It was just a flicker as it passed across his mind but there it was.

Elizabeth was curled up into him, exactly like this. It was in a different room, smaller with light grey walls. Elizabeth's hair smelt the same but it was much longer curling all the way down to her lower back. She had a singlet on which left her shoulders bare and he remembered kissing the skin across her shoulders and her neck. His hand was around her but it was clinging to her hand instead, specifically the new ring on her left hand. The one he had just put there an hour before.