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".

To the readers: Sorry this chapter is a bit slow. I was trying to get something up today as I have no wifi for the next few days. I will still have my laptop so I will try and get a few chapters posted on the 23rd. Sorry for the delay!

(19/8/2018)

CHAPTER 29

Jack pulled up out the front of his mother's place in the morning and immediately saw Gracie flying out the front door running toward him and Elizabeth.

"Mommy" she screamed as she flung herself into Elizabeth's arms.

"Wow. Okay, we've been gone for less than two days!" she said in surprise.

"I missed you."

Eve came outside too and ran toward Jack.

"Hi Eve. How was your sleepover?"

"Good. Uncle Tom brought Teddy over yesterday."

"That's nice. Where's Grandma?" Jack said as he put her back down. Eve led the way into the house. Charlotte was in the kitchen with Halley making what could be biscuits. Jack wasn't quite sure.

"What are you doing, Ma?"

"You're back. Are you in a hurry? We still have to cook the biscuits."

"You're teaching Halley to cook? I'm not sure that's wise."

Charlotte looked up at him in surprise. "Are you sassing me?"

"No, no. Just pointing out the obvious."

Charlotte gave him a look before turning her attention back to Halley, who was scooping batter out of a bowl and making balls of dough.

Jack went over and put the kettle on. He leaned back on the counter and listened to Gracie and Eve give Elizabeth a play-by-play of what they did the day before. Elizabeth was smiling at how excited they were and he couldn't help but smile at her.

"You two had fun? How was the hotel?" Charlotte asked.

"Yeah, it was really nice. Amazing views" Jack said, trying not to laugh at his inuendo.

"You back to work next week?" she said, thankfully missing it.

"Yeah. I'm a bit anxious about that actually. We've been living in our own little bubble for the last month. It's going to be weird going back."

"Yes, but you love that life Jack. Who knows what will come flooding back when you get back there."

"Sure, but it might not all be good. Whatever happened when I had the accident has been buried away. Maybe it's best it stays there."

Halley finished putting the dough on the tray and Charlotte put the trays in the oven.

"They'll be ready in ten minutes. Is that okay?" Charlotte said as she set the timer.

"It's fine, Ma. We're not in a rush. We were just missing the girls so we raced over here. We still have to pick up Rip from Lee and Rosie's on the way home."

Halley came over once she was done and gave Jack a big hug. "Hey, sweetie" he said.

"I missed you too, Daddy" she said looking up at him.

His heart was almost exploding with happiness right now. He had a gorgeous wife and three beautiful girls. There wasn't much more he could have wished for.

Elizabeth kept glancing over at Jack and seeing him staring at one of the girls or her. He looked so happy, like she hadn't seen him in a long time. As they left Charlotte's, he leant in and kissed her cheek before they drove away.

"What's going on Jack?"

"I'm just so grateful for my life right now."

"That's very profound."

"I know. I just realised I'm so lucky to have you and the girls. Things could have turned out very differently after the accident and I guess I realised, even though it has been hard and we lost a lot, we still have the important things too."

"Yes, we do" she said as she reached for his hand.

They didn't let go for most of the drive to Lee and Rosie's.

"Come in" they heard Rosie's voice sing out after Gracie rang the doorbell.

They walked in and found the kids in the backyard playing with Rip and the puppy, formerly known as Twinkie, now called Dash.

The girls ran outside to say hello to Rip and Rosie came forward giving both Jack and Elizabeth a big hug.

"How was the break?"

"Really nice. It was good to get some alone time" Elizabeth said.

"I'll bet. You don't get much of that with two kids let alone three" Rosie said with a laugh before turning away. "LEE!" she yelled.

Lee called back from down the hall. "What? I'm watching the game!"

Jack smiled and after kissing Elizabeth on the cheek, followed Lee's voice.

The second Jack was out of earshot, Rosie pounced. "So, tell me everything!"

"Rosie! I am not telling you everything!" Elizabeth said, laughing.

"Fine just nod yes or no. Did things progress between you two?"

Elizabeth nodded with a smile.

"Was it good?"

Elizabeth nodded again and Rosie began to squeal. "I knew it. Was the hotel nice?"

"Yes, it was amazing. One of the best I've ever had. Jack got the honeymoon suite for us."

"Goodness that man is so romantic. Maybe I should try and get Lee to take us there for our anniversary."

"I highly recommend it."

"So what else did you do yesterday?"

"Oh, I don't know. We went for a bit of a walk. Ran into Charles, would you believe!"

"That rowing guy that Jas liked?"

"Yeah. He's such a snob."

"So that was the worst part of your weekend?" Rosie asked with a grin.

"Absolutely. The rest was … incredible" Elizabeth said as her and Rosie dissolved into a fit of giggles.

Lee was sitting in the den watching a baseball game on the big screen. Jack walked in and sat down before Lee even realised he was there.

"Jack! Where'd you come from?" Lee said, jumping in surprise as he realised there was a man sitting beside him.

"I just walked in" Jack said with a laugh. He hadn't really picked Lee for a sports enthusiast but that comment alone had told him that he was.

Jack was actually grateful. It meant not too many questions like he was certain Elizabeth was being bombarded with in the kitchen. An advertisement flashed across the tv screen.

"How was the weekend?" Lee asked.

No such luck it seemed.

"Good. Had a really nice time."

"That's it? C'mon! You have to give me more than that!"

"Why? Rosie will just tell you afterwards anyway!"

Lee nodded. "Good point. But if you tell me, we won't have to talk about you two."

"You will anyway! I know Rosie!"

Lee conceded again. "I do not want details. She's my cousin for goodness sake. Just tell me it all worked out."

"It sure did."

"Good. I'm glad for you, man. Hopefully this means no more huge misunderstandings or arguments."

"I hope not. I feel like I understand her a lot more now."

"Oh, I'm sure. Is that what they call it these days?" Lee laughed.

"You know what I mean" he said as he shook his head.

"Yeah, I do. What's the plan for the rest of the week?"

"I'm not sure. Make the most of my last week off I guess."

"Good plan." The ad finished and Lee quickly became enthralled in the game.

Jack normally loved baseball but right now it was the furthest thing from his mind. All he could think about was his beautiful wife and what they had been doing that morning.

Concentrate on the game! Jack smiled to himself and did his best to focus.

On their way home, Elizabeth asked Jack what he wanted to do on his last week off.

"Honestly, I'm not bothered. Maybe we can go to the lake one day. I've got another session with Frank tomorrow and the clinic on Thursday."

"Okay. We'll see what the weather is like tomorrow. I think it's supposed to rain though."

"A day at home with you and the girls is also fine."

Jack squeezed her hand as he drove. He could see her watching him out of the corner of his eye.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

Elizabeth's grin gave her away. "Maybe later" she said as she turned to look at the girls in the back seat and then back at him.

They pulled into the driveway and Jack drove slowly into the garage before stopping. He helped Gracie and Eve out before starting to unload the bags from the boot. He carried the first few into the house and came back for the last ones just as Elizabeth got them instead.

"I've got them" Jack said going to take them.

"I can manage." Elizabeth went to move past him. He grabbed her hand as she went, trying to take one of the bags off her. She laughed as she pulled away.

Jack grabbed her by the waist instead and turned her around in front of him, kissing her before she had the chance to react. Immediately Elizabeth dropped the bags as her hands came up around his neck. He kissed her slowly, lingering before pulling away. With a grin, he bent down and picked up the bags, leaving her standing there staring after him.

"Oh I see how its going to be" Elizabeth said to him.

"See what?" Jack said as they walked into the house.

"Two can play at that game" she whispered as she passed him to check on the girls.

Elizabeth made sandwiches for their late lunch. Jack had swept in while she was buttering the bread and ran his hand across her back before giving her a kiss on the cheek. He went and sat down, his dimpled grin the only thing that was saving him right now.

When she sat down opposite Jack, the girls on either side of them, as he was talking she purposefully ran her foot up against his leg and he stopped mid-sentence and stared at her. Elizabeth pretended that there was nothing going on as she tried to keep a straight face although the look on Jack's face was priceless. He was struggling to speak coherently as she continued edging her foot higher and higher and she saw him shift in his seat. Just as Elizabeth saw him reach his hand down from the table, she pulled away, all the while still eating her sandwich. Jack just shook his head at her.

After lunch, Elizabeth cleared the kitchen bench. She filled the sink with water and began to wash up. She listened as the girls decided to go outside and play with Rip in the yard. Jack brought the plates over and they stood side by side. Elizabeth heard the back screen door open and then swing closed.

Elizabeth turned to Jack and immediately they were kissing one another. His hands went to her thighs and he was lifting her up higher, resting her on the kitchen counter as he moved closer to her. Her hands were in his hair, pulling him closer as his tongue passed between her lips, roaming and searching. His hands were pressed to her back, holding her tight.

Elizabeth heard the screen door bang and then footsteps.

"Mommy! Daddy!" Eve's voice preceded her appearance.

Jack pulled away quickly as Elizabeth slipped off the kitchen bench, standing behind Jack as she fixed her dress.

"Yes, what's the matter?" Elizabeth said before she emerged from behind Jack.

"Halley won't let me play the game. She says I'm too little." Eve was crying as she walked toward Jack and clung to his leg.

"Okay, let's go see" Elizabeth said.

Jack turned around, kissing Elizabeth quickly on the lips before he stooped down and picked Eve up before taking Elizabeth's hand and heading outside.

Elizabeth went outside and sorted out the argument and thought of a game that all of them could play, including her and Jack. They ended up running around the backyard for the rest of the afternoon.

Eventually Elizabeth collapsed on the sun lounge with Halley dropping onto the one next to her. Jack went and sat at Elizabeth's feet.

"I think we all got our exercise for the day" Jack said, laughing.

Gracie and Eve made their way into the house while Rip came over and sat, not beside, but on top of Jack's feet.

"Did you have fun at Grandma's, Halley?" Jack asked, as he put his hand on Elizabeth's leg.

"Yes. It was nice seeing Uncle Tom and Teddy, even though Teddy kept pulling our hair."

"Teddy" Jack said. "How old is Teddy again?"

"He's four, Daddy!" Halley said shaking her head. "He shouldn't pull our hair. Uncle Tom just laughs at him."

Jack wasn't surprised. Tom was similar to Teddy when he was a child. Always up to mischief and teasing the girls.

"Did you tell him that you didn't like it?"

"Yes but then he just ran around chasing Eve instead. Finally, Grandma caught him and he had to sit in the corner."

Jack sniggered thinking of his mother chasing him and Tom around at home when they were kids. She had always outsmarted them no matter what they tried.

"Mommy, can I have an iceblock?"

"Yes, so long as you get one for each of your sisters."

"Yay" Halley said as she went inside.

"How does Teddy fit in?" Jack asked as soon as she had gone.

"Tom dated on and off for years and then Teddy just appeared on his doorstep one day."

"What do you mean 'just appeared'?"

"Well, his mother said that she didn't want him any more and it was Tom's turn to look after him. Teddy was barely one. I can't understand how a mother can just give up her child like that. He was just a baby" Elizabeth said sadly.

"Who was his mother?"

"She was really young. I think she was still in college when she got pregnant from what Tom said. He doesn't have anything to do with her these days. Tom is Teddy's full time carer. Your mother helps him a lot."

"I've barely seen Tom since the hospital though."

"You two had a bit of an argument about a year ago."

"About?"

"He quit his job without having another job ready to go into, which you couldn't comprehend. He asked us for money and you thought he was sponging off your mother and you told him off for being irresponsible."

"So that's it? I haven't talked to him again?"

"Not really. You just got sick of bailing him out of debts."

"We didn't give him the money?"

"No, you did. But he never pays us back so you were just over it."

"How much money?"

"This time it was $7000."

"You're kidding! And he never paid us back?"

Elizabeth could see his anger returning.

"No, but Jack it's okay. He needed the help. He had a son on his doorstep with no time to save or prepare himself."

"Maybe he shouldn't have been sleeping around then!"

"Jack! It's in the past. Can't you just let it go?"

"No!" Jack said angrily. He stood up and began pacing backward and forward across the deck.

Elizabeth sighed. She had seen this happen so many times and now Jack was acting exactly the same way as when he found out about Teddy the first time.

Elizabeth stood up and stepping into his space, she stopped his movement as she took his hands.

"Jack, it was his choice. It may have been the wrong choice at the time but he's trying to do the right thing now. You're his big brother, Jack. He needs you."

She could still see the anger in his eyes, but she could see him softening slightly.

"Life is too short to hold grudges Jack. You know that as well as anyone. Try and forgive him" she pushed him gently.

"I'll think about it."

Elizabeth leant in and kissed him on the cheek. "Come on. I will treat you to an iceblock" she said with a grin.

"I think I would rather another type of treat" he said with a cheeky smile.

"Oh really? Like?" she said looking at him cautiously.

Jack leant forward to kiss her, his lips soft and gentle.

"Now that is better than an iceblock any day of the week" he said as he pulled her inside.