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".

Chapter 1 of 3 today … Ch 38, 39, 40.

(16/9/2018)

CHAPTER 38

The weekend passed quickly and before Jack knew it, he was back to work on Monday. Halley and Gracie were back at school the same day, so when Jack came home after lunch he found the house empty. He went straight to bed for a nap and woke up just as Elizabeth came home from doing the after school pick-up. Already, Jack felt much better.

He went downstairs and was able to hear all about Halley and Gracie's first day at school and what Eve got up to on her day alone with Elizabeth. Elizabeth was making them pikelets for afternoon tea to celebrate their first day back, so they all sat at the dining table talking. After that, the girls took Rip outside and Jack sat on the back step watching them until Elizabeth came out and sat beside him.

"How was your day?" she said as she slid her arm through his and leant onto his shoulder.

"Much better."

"Have you been home long?"

"I got a good sleep in before you came home."

"I'm glad."

"Are you okay?"

"Yes."

"Any headaches today?"

"No, thankfully."

Jack had been really concerned about her but she hadn't had any headaches now since Saturday so perhaps they had just been a coincidence.

"Are you looking forward to school on Wednesday?"

"Yes" she beamed at him. "I'm so excited. I love the first week back, learning all their names and figuring out their personalities. It's one of my favourite parts."

"You've always loved teaching?"

"Mmmhmm."

"When did you go back?"

"You mean between having the girls?"

"Yeah."

"I went back when Halley was seven months old …"

Seven years and seven months before … (January 2011)

Halley's first Christmas had been quite the event. For the first year, William and Grace insisted on staying at home so they could celebrate with both Halley and Lucy, Julie's daughter. They decided to have a big Christmas Eve dinner so Jack and Elizabeth made the trek into the city to the Thatcher's home.

Elizabeth was adamant that she wanted to spend their first Christmas together as a family in their own home so Jack and Elizabeth drove back home that night, so they could wake up together the next morning and celebrate, just the three of them.

On Christmas morning, Halley hadn't understood what was going on. Her presents lay untouched on the floor and she ended up just rolling around the floor, trying to eat the Christmas wrapping that lay on the ground instead.

Jack gave Elizabeth a new stereo with an ipod dock so they unboxed the stereo and placed the box on the ground for Halley. She took immense delight in putting it over her head and peering out from underneath it with a big smile on her face.

Elizabeth was due to go back to work in just a week and watching her daughter laughing with such delight made her sad that she hadn't extended her leave for another few months. Jack noticed her mood change.

"What's wrong?" he said as his hand rested around her shoulders.

"Nothing."

"It's not nothing. Talk to me."

"Halley's growing up so quickly. I'm going to really miss her next week" she said, tears in her eyes.

"You will be okay. It's only going to be two days a week and once you're at work you will be so busy you won't be worried about her."

"I know. I just wish I had extended my leave."

"Yes, but it's too late now. They're expecting you there next week. And besides, you LOVE teaching. You were only saying last week that you cannot wait to get back in the classroom."

Over the past month, Jack had noticed that Elizabeth constantly fluctuated between wanting to return to school and wanting to stay caring for Halley full time. Charlotte was going to look after Halley one day and Grace was going to come and look after her the other day until the position at the childcare came through. Jack thought it would be better this way anyway because it gave Elizabeth time to get used to parting from Halley while she was with people that Elizabeth trusted, rather than dropping her off to strangers in a childcare.

"I do love teaching. I know you're right."

"The first day will be hard but Halley is going to be fine."

When Elizabeth's first day back came around, Jack had been right. She was able to hand Halley off to Charlotte easily and focus on her day in the classroom. She was back in her element. A lively bunch of six year olds' all trying to get her attention made the day go incredibly fast and by the time she came home, she was eager to see Halley, but also excited to return to school the next day.

"And you worked right up until Gracie was born?"

"Yes, right to the end" she said with a laugh.

"Something tells me there is more to that story."

"Yes, but I still have to fill you in on everything in between."

"Like?"

"Halley's first birthday and your third deployment. That was quite a busy year."

"Start at the beginning then."

Seven years and two months before … (May 2011)

Elizabeth hadn't been planning on having a first birthday party for Halley. That was until her and Jack were having dinner with Lee and Rosie. Rosie was about four months pregnant and was definitely eating for two, maybe three at the rate she was going.

After Rosie had finished her fifth slice of pizza and was starting on the next, she brought up Halley's birthday.

"What date is Halley's party going to be on?"

"She's not having a party" Elizabeth replied.

She sat beside Jack, opposite Rosie while Halley was sitting in a highchair at the end of the table between Jack and Lee.

"No party? She has to have a party. She's turning one!" Rosie exclaimed.

"I do realise that."

"Well we were going to go away for our anniversary, but I want to make sure we can make it to Halley's party."

"That's easy then. You can go whenever you like."

"Beth, why aren't you giving her a party?"

"Because she's one and she doesn't even know it's her birthday and I don't particularly need to remind myself about giving birth a year ago."

"But it was our wedding! It was such a great day ending in Halley's arrival. You have to celebrate that. She only turns one once!"

Elizabeth turned to Jack, who purposefully appeared to avoid eye contact by leaning over quickly to tend to Halley. Elizabeth rolled her eyes. He always avoided a confrontation with Rosie. He seemed to find it easier to just agree with her.

"It was a great day for you. It scarred me and I don't think I will be having any more kids because of it."

That got Jack's attention. He turned back around quickly and Elizabeth caught his eye and smiled innocently at him.

"How about I plan the party for you and you just show up with Halley?" Rosie insisted.

"Rosie, really it's fine. If I wanted to organise one I could. I just don't see the point."

"Come on Beth. Don't be so boring and selfish."

"Boring? Selfish?" Elizabeth said in surprise.

"Yes, boring. You never have any parties. Even your wedding was small."

"I like things special and intimate. I'm not boring because of it. Why am I selfish?"

"Because it's a day for Halley and yet you don't want to do it because it reminds you of the labour."

The words began flying between them, resulting in Rosie verbally attacking Elizabeth.

"Okay, okay. We'll have a small party" Jack interrupted trying to break things up.

"Which they can make as small and intimate as they want with family and not invite us" Lee added for Rosie's benefit.

"But we are family" Rosie said, a hand on her chest in shock.

"We were until you insulted Beth. Now she's cut us off" Lee said seeing the horrified look on Elizabeth's face at her outburst.

Rosie turned back to Elizabeth and for the first time truly noticed her expression.

"I'm sorry Beth. I didn't mean all of that."

Elizabeth wasn't forgiving her. She may have been speaking without thinking but Rosie was normally honest.

The conversation was short and strained after that. Lee and Jack did their best to keep things light hearted but both could tell Elizabeth was hurt by the way things had unfolded.

They wrapped up the conversation and went home their separate ways. Elizabeth was quiet in the car all the way. She fed Halley and put her to bed and went for a shower still not talking to Jack. She climbed into bed and rolled over, hugging her pillow.

When Jack came in to see where Elizabeth was she was already asleep. He knew she had been hurt by what Rosie said but normally once Rosie was gone she bounced back. This was unlike Elizabeth to bottle it all up inside.

The next morning, Elizabeth woke up but the memory of the night before came rushing back to her. She had been accused of being boring and selfish and maybe Rosie was right. Straight away her mood switched to one of anger. She went into the kitchen and began crashing and bashing around pulling pans and ingredients out of the pantry.

Jack could hear her and knew things were bad. Elizabeth never woke up angry and she never stayed angry for this long. Thankfully, she wasn't mad at him, Jack thought.

He got up and went downstairs and found her in the midst of cooking up a storm. There were bowls everywhere and she had flour all over the bench. She stood there with her hands outstretched on the bench, her head bent.

"Beth, are you okay?"

She didn't look up. "I'm fine."

"You're not fine" he said as he came around beside her, running his hand down her arm. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Jack took her hand, moving it off the bench, forcing her to stand up and face him. He noticed how red and bloodshot her eyes were.

"Beth, don't worry about what Rosie said. You know she has no filter."

"But she was right."

"What?"

"I am boring and selfish."

"No" he said putting his arm around her shoulders. "Why would you think that?"

"I didn't want to have a party for Halley because then I would have to organise invitations and food and everything else and I didn't want to. With work two days a week there isn't a lot of time left to organise it all and with Halley being only one, I didn't think she'd mind if we didn't have one."

"You do not have to explain everything to me. I understand. Our yard isn't really big enough for entertaining and the inside of the house isn't much better. That's without considering all of the other aspects of a party."

"So what do we do then?"

"We do whatever we want. Not what someone else tells us to do."

"Maybe we should just do something small at the lake. A few picnic blankets, some nice sandwiches and a cake. If it rains, it's not too hard to call it off. What do you think?"

"Sounds perfect" he said giving her a kiss on the cheek. Jack looked around the kitchen at the mess. "What's all this anyway?"

"I was trying to make a test cake. I think I'll just buy it for her party. You know I'm a hopeless cook."

"Yes, but I love you all the same" he said with a grin and she couldn't help but smile back.

"Come on, let's go."

"Where are we going?"

"I'm taking you and Halley out for breakfast."

"Why?"

"Because you deserve it for being such a great Mom and wife."

"What about all the mess I made?"

"I'll clean it up when we get back. Let's go get Halley."

Jack steered her out of the kitchen.

Two weeks later they woke up on the day of Halley's party to a beautiful clear blue sky. Elizabeth and Halley went to the shops and picked up the cake and food for the party while Jack went to the lake and setup for the party next to their tree. William and Grace met him there and helped setup a fold-up table and some chairs and hung up the decorations.

Viola arrived with Lionel and Oscar in his baby capsule. She brought bright pink helium balloons with her that sat in a bunch on the table. Charlotte and Tom brought extra chairs. When Elizabeth arrived with the food, everyone helped unload it and began setting it out on the tables.

Julie and Billy, Shane and Katy, Rosie and Lee were the last to arrive. Lucy and Halley were put on the rug to play together and the adults all sat around enjoying the sun and the food. Rosie tried to speak to Elizabeth but she avoided her for the entire day.

When it came time for cake, Jack held Halley in front of it as everyone sang Happy Birthday while Elizabeth stood next to them. Halley was stunned at all the attention but she laughed when everybody clapped. Jack helped her blow out the candle since she sat there staring at the flame. Elizabeth cut up the cake and handed the pieces to Charlotte to distribute. Once again Elizabeth sat on the opposite side of the party to Rosie. She must have finally got the point that Elizabeth was still furious because she left her alone after that.

Once they packed up the party with everyone's help, Jack and Elizabeth drove home in separate cars. They unloaded all the presents and put Halley on the floor to unwrap them. When they reached a giant pink bag filled with lots of pink tissue paper and bows, Elizabeth could tell exactly who it was from. Elizabeth left Jack to open it but when he opened the card and read it he smiled and handed it to Elizabeth.

Dearest Halley.

Happy First Birthday!

You are by far the most beautiful, precious girl we have the pleasure of knowing. We're so grateful to be invited to your birthday as that means that your parents consider us as part of their circle of close friends. You are fortunate to have such loving parents and if you grow up to be half as special as your mother, then you will be a very lucky girl.

Love from Uncle Lee and Aunt Rosie

"I think that's an apology, Beth."

Elizabeth read it again. "I guess."

"Give her a chance. You know she didn't mean any of it. Your friendship means a lot to her."

Jack pulled the rest of the present out to find a beautiful handmade pink fairy costume complete with wings and a wand.

"I suppose I should say thank you."

Jack didn't say anything as Elizabeth pulled out her phone. She wasn't ready to talk to Rosie yet but she could text her.

E: Hi Rosie. Thank you for Halley's present. The fairy outfit is beautiful. You did a lovely job making it. Thank you for coming today. Beth.

Seconds later a response came through.

R: Beth, I'm truly sorry for what I said. I didn't mean it the way it came out. Please forgive me.

Elizabeth read the text not knowing what to say.

E: It's fine. Don't worry about it.

Things remained tense with Rosie the next time they met but Rosie tried really hard not to say anything hurtful. Elizabeth could tell she was going to a lot of effort because Rosie was not her usual bubbly self. Elizabeth realised if she wanted her as a friend she would just have to accept her as she was and not worry too much about what came out of her mouth.

"So you did forgive her?"

"Yeah. Of course. She's never been purposefully hurtful. I've just learnt to take what she says with a grain of salt."

"Fair enough. I was surprised that we all got on so well when I realised we were still friends after all these years."

Someone crying interrupted their conversation and Elizabeth looked up to see Gracie huddled over on the ground. Jack was already walking over to her.

"What happened?"

"I fell and hit my knee" she managed to get out in between her sobs.

"Here, let me see."

Elizabeth watched from where she was. Gracie's crying was already subsiding.

"It's probably just bruised. You'll be okay" he said helping her back up again. "Can you walk on it okay or is it sore?"

"Still sore" she said clinging to him.

"Okay. Come on" he said lifting her up and carrying her back to Elizabeth. Jack sat her down on the chair in front of Elizabeth and Gracie scooted back into her lap.

"You alright, sweetie?" Elizabeth put her arms around her.

"Yes, Mommy" she said quietly.

Jack, Elizabeth and Gracie kept watching as Eve and Halley ran around the backyard in circles trying to get away from Rip.

Just before dinner, Elizabeth's phone rang revealing Cassie's ID.

"Hi Cassie. How was your day?"

"Good. You were right, Elizabeth. The other teachers were really friendly and the children seem to be a really nice bunch of kids."

"I'm glad. Did you get through everything you set for the day?"

"Yes. We had a good day. There's two new students, identical twins Tim and Matty, who might be a little behind but I'm hoping they catch up."

"That's good."

They talked a little bit more about what else Cassie did and a couple of funny stories. Having someone to job share with was always tricky and Elizabeth had the same teaching partner for the past two years until she moved interstate. So far Cassie seemed to be a good fit though.

After hanging up, Elizabeth noticed a message had come through from Katy.

"Jack?" she called out.

"Yeah?" He appeared from the kitchen.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm making dinner."

"Wow. Really?"

"Yep. You just sit down."

Elizabeth walked into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of wine and leant against the bench as she watched him.

"Katy just texted me. Shane and his unit are coming home on Wednesday. She's invited us all over for lunch on Saturday."

"Um. Okay."

"You don't want to go?"

"No, it's fine. I mean you said he knows about everything, right?"

"Yes. I've been filling Katy in. She's often texting me to ask how things have been going."

"That should be fine then" he said sounding a bit uncertain.

"You've been remembering him, Jack. He might be able to help you with your memories from the army that I can't help you with."

Jack nodded. Elizabeth put her glass of wine down and wrapped her arms around his waist, putting her head against the back of his shoulder.

"It will be good for you, I promise."

Jack patted her hand. "I trust you."