Chapter 2 of 2 today … don't miss Ch 46.

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(3/10/2018)

CHAPTER 47

The next week, things went back to normal. Jack went to work, Halley and Gracie went to school, Elizabeth went to work from Wednesday and Eve was off at Viola's. Things were good.

On Friday, Shane called into work at lunchtime and sat with Jack for some time going over some of the pictures that Jack had drawn.

"That was our first deployment together. Operation Sandstorm. It was quite accurately named too" Shane said with a grin as he looked over Jack's drawings.

"This was Corporal Prior. He was killed before we came home."

The young man in the picture stared back at Jack.

"You blamed yourself a lot for Prior's death but the truth was it was just plain unlucky."

Jack preferred not to ask more details. He knew that it was best to keep those memories away if possible. Shane must have thought the same thing, since he continued on.

"This picture is from our Christmas celebrations. We didn't have them until two days after Christmas but it was a good day, at least compared to all of the others while we were away."

Jack stared at the tent in the pictures where there were several men gathered to watch a man out the front.

"That was Corporal Ryan. He was a great singer. They brought a guitar in for him to play, mainly to increase our morale. Anyway when he came home, he left the army and began a music career. Joined the band Night Vision. Aptly named, huh?"

Jack smiled. "I haven't heard of them."

"Look them up. They're on Spotify. We went to one of their first gigs and they weren't too bad until they got some songwriter on board and then they topped the charts. They play all over the world now."

"Impressive."

"Do you remember what happened after that?" Shane said pointing to the picture in his hands.

"No."

"Your unit begged you to get up there."

"No … really?"

"Uh huh. Ryan handed you the guitar and the two of you sang together. I almost think you were better than him. You were definitely a better guitarist."

Jack shook his head. "I doubt that."

"Always modest too. Ryan tried to convince you to join the band but you didn't think you were good enough. I think you would have been."

Jack stared at the picture, none of it seeming familiar.

Shane shuffled through some of the others. "These pictures are really good Jack. The fact that I can recognise most of these places and people is a credit to your drawing skill. This one for instance, I think is when Elizabeth sent us a care package."

There was a drawing of Shane holding a box with things spilling out of it. "Us?"

"Yes. Well, Katy and Elizabeth decided it would be better if they added things for each of us in the parcels and then we would get things from home more often. For example, you would get one with some personal things for you but there was always some chocolate for me, clean socks, maybe even some homemade cookies plus a note from Katy. It was the best."

"I don't know. Sounds like you were just stealing my cookies" Jack said with a smirk.

"You would see it that way. Why do you think I missed you so much when you got sent home with that head injury? I didn't get any more cookies from Elizabeth after that!"

They both laughed, even though there was some truth in his statement. Anything to remind them of home was a blessing.

That afternoon Jack came home to find Elizabeth and the girls just walking in the door from school.

"That was good timing" Elizabeth said as he got out of his truck.

"It sure was."

Jack went to the boot to help her get everything, that included shopping bags with their dinner. He carried the bags into the kitchen and Elizabeth unloaded everything.

"I was talking to Shane today. He helped fill in some of the gaps."

"That's great, Jack."

"He also told me that we used to go camping together."

"Yes. We haven't been since last July."

"Well, he suggested that maybe we should organise another trip before it gets too cold."

"That's a good idea."

"Maybe you could talk to Katy about it …"

Elizabeth turned to look at him. "Normally you and Shane do that."

"Yes, but I don't remember what we normally do so maybe it's best that you organise it with Katy or Shane."

"Okay. If that's what you want."

He nodded.

"Alright."

"Oh and I've been invited to one of the guys bucks parties next Saturday night. Shane has booked a room in the city with two of the other guys but there's room for me too if I decide to go."

"Okay."

"Okay, what?"

"If you want to go, that's fine. Just please be careful and remember what I told you about aggressive behaviour" she said with a smirk.

Jack walked toward her, his hands wrapping around her waist. "Do you really think I could forget our agreement?"

"I don't know, but I'm just putting it back out there. You remember the deal?"

"Oh, I remember and since I haven't been angry today I'm going to have to take advantage of that deal tonight."

"I can live with that" Elizabeth said as she reached up to kiss him slowly on the cheek before walking out of the kitchen.

He stood there watching her disappear with a grin on his face.

After dinner, Elizabeth set up a DVD that she borrowed from Viola on the TV. With a giant bowl of hot popcorn in front of them, the family sat on the lounge together and watched the movie.

Elizabeth sat next to Jack, his arms around her shoulders. Halley was by her side, Grace was next to Jack and Eve lay across both of them, nestled between them slightly. As Jack sat there watching the animation, he thought to himself it couldn't get much better than this.

On Monday afternoon, Elizabeth had a call from Cassie. School had already finished for the day and Elizabeth had just arrived home with Halley and Gracie. It wasn't unusual to hear from Cassie. She generally called on a Tuesday to hand things over to Elizabeth for the following day.

Elizabeth answered the phone.

"Hi Cass."

"Hi Elizabeth. I'm sorry to call you."

"It's fine. What's up?"

"I've got a bit of an emergency. I know it's a lot to ask but do you think you could mind Bailey for a day or two."

"Yes, that's fine. Is everything okay?"

"I have to go back home. My mother is unwell. I don't want to take Bailey though. My ex …"

"It's okay Cassie. It will be fine. When are you going to leave?"

"Tonight, if I can get someone to mind him."

"Okay, go and pack."

Within the hour, Cassie was at Elizabeth and Jack's and in the process of dropping Bailey off.

"I'm so sorry Elizabeth" she said as she handed her Bailey's bag. "I had no one else to ask."

"Cass, don't worry about it. Bailey will be fine."

Bailey had run into the house to find Eve as soon as he got there. Elizabeth knew he would be okay.

Cassie unhooked his car seat from the back and pulled it out before she froze.

"I'm so stupid."

"What? Why?"

"Do you even have a seven seater car?"

"Yes."

Cassie sighed. "Thank goodness."

"Don't stress, Cass. You've got enough on your mind without worrying about Bailey too."

"Alright, thank you again."

Cassie walked to the door and called out to Bailey. "Bai, I'm going!"

"Bye Mommy" he called back.

"Do you want me to go get him?" Elizabeth asked.

"No, it's fine. Just let him be. I'll text you when I get there."

"No problem. Take care, Cassie."

Cassie ran back to her car and raced off down the street.

Elizabeth went and checked on the kids who were all playing on the floor in the TV room. Bailey was getting amongst it, not phased by his older friends.

Jack came home to hear laughter and as he rounded the door to the room, he was surprised to see an additional child playing on the floor with Eve.

"Daddy!" she squealed as soon as she saw him.

"Hi baby" she said, giving her a hug. "Who's your friend?"

"This is Bailey."

"Hi Bailey."

"Hi" he said quietly.

Jack found Elizabeth in the kitchen finishing a salad.

"Jack! You're home."

He kissed her cheek and was about to ask who Bailey was before she cut him off. "I've got steak and sausages for the grill. I've already lit it. Would you be able to cook?"

"Sure."

Elizabeth handed him a plate of meat from the fridge.

"Babe, who's-"

"Mommy!" Halley called out.

"Yes?"

"I've fixed up the sleeping bag for Bailey upstairs."

"Thanks, Halley."

"Bailey's sleeping over?" Jack asked, surprised.

"Yes. Here are the tongs."

Jack shrugged and went outside to cook the meat, all the while racking his brain as to who Bailey belonged too. Cassie. It must be Cassie.

Elizabeth appeared beside him with a beer in her hand.

"Here you go."

"Thanks."

"I realised you didn't know Bailey was sleeping over. I thought I sent the text but it was still sitting on my phone unsent. Sorry."

"That's fine. Where's Cassie?"

"She had to go home. Bailey will be with us for a few days. She doesn't have anyone else here. I hope that's okay."

"Yeah, its fine."

As it turned out, a few days ended up being the whole week. Elizabeth dropped Bailey off at childcare on Tuesday but ended up having to ask Viola to look after him for the rest of the week. Of course, Viola didn't mind. Having two three year olds or three didn't really make much difference.

On Friday afternoon, as Elizabeth returned to drop Oscar off and pick up Eve and Bailey, Viola invited her in.

"You have to see them" she said with a smile.

Viola brought Elizabeth through the house to the backyard to see the three kids set up in the backyard on the blanket having a tea party. Bailey was sitting there in a spiderman outfit being served tea by Lara. All that was visible was his two eyes in the cut-outs of the mask.

"He won't take it off."

Elizabeth laughed. "I better take a photo for Cassie. She's been so worried about him. He looks quite happy to me."

Elizabeth crept as close as she dared without disturbing them to take a photo before she said hello.

"Hi Mommy."

"Hi Mrs E" Bailey said.

"Hi Aunt Beth" Lara said.

"Hi Eve. Hi Bailey. Hi Lara. How was your day?"

All three kids began talking at once. Elizabeth tried to listen to all three of them but they all talked over one another and it was difficult to keep track.

"Eve and Bailey we need to go home. Eve's Daddy will be waiting for us. Can you please pack up?"

They groaned at first but did as they were asked.

Elizabeth went back to thank Viola.

"I know this has been a lot. Thank you so much."

"They've been fine. Bailey has actually been a good influence over them. You know how they argue sometimes, none of that has happened the last few days, surprisingly."

Everyone said goodbye, before Elizabeth piled the children into the car and drove the short distance home. It was days like this she was so thankful to live close to her older sister. When they were growing up they hadn't always seen eye to eye but since they had kids they seemed to get closer and closer.

As Elizabeth pulled into the drive, she saw Cassie's car waiting on the street. Elizabeth climbed out of her car and opened the front door to let the children in. She looked back to Cassie's car and didn't see her emerging.

Elizabeth walked down and saw Cassie slumped over in the seat, her head on the steering wheel. Her blonde hair spilled around her, hiding her face and Elizabeth assumed that she was possibly asleep. Elizabeth tried to open the door but it was locked so she gently tapped on the glass.

"Cassie. Are you okay?"

She didn't move at first.

"Cassie?" Elizabeth called again.

She watched as Cassie began to move and then startled awake.

"Cassie? It's me. Elizabeth. Are you okay?"

When Cassie turned, Elizabeth pulled back in horror. Her face was covered in bruises. She had a black eye and a massive cut on her swollen cheek. She had a bleeding lip and some grazes on her forehead and chin.

"Oh my! Cassie are you okay? Open the door!"

Cassie reached for the door and fumbled with the handle before she was able to swing it open. Elizabeth closed the distance, putting her hand on Cassie's shoulder. Even that touch made Cassie wince. Elizabeth could now see bruises along Cassie's arms as well.

"Who did this to you?"

She mumbled something in response but Elizabeth couldn't understand her.

"I'm taking you to the hospital."

Cassie shook her head and groaned.

"You need stitches on that cut. You're going to the hospital. I don't care what you tell them but you're going."

She pulled out her phone and called Jack but he didn't answer. She fumbled her phone and found Abigail's number instead. She answered on the third ring.

"Abigail. I need a babysitter urgently. Are you free?"

"Yes. I can be there in five minutes."

"You are a lifesaver. Thank you!"

"I'll be right there."

Elizabeth turned back to Cassie. "Stay right there. I'm going to get ice and my handbag."

Elizabeth ran back up the drive and into the house.

"Kids, where are you?"

"Here" Halley called out from the kitchen.

Elizabeth ran in, seeing all four of them hovering around the open pantry doors. Elizabeth grabbed them a pack of rice crackers and opened it for them before she began rummaging in the freezer.

"Halley, Abigail is coming to look after you four. She doesn't know Bailey so make sure he's good for her."

"Where are you going Mom?" she said with her mouth full of rice crackers.

"I have to go out for a little while. Daddy should be home soon. Tell him I will call him when I get the chance."

"Okay."

Elizabeth quickly ran over and kissed each of her daughters on the head. "Bye. I love you" she said as she ran out the door. She listened to the chorus of "I love you's" that followed her.

Elizabeth was waiting by Cassie's car, after moving her to the passenger seat, when Abigail pulled up.

"Elizabeth are you okay?" Abigail asked in a panicked voice.

"Yes, it's my friend Cassie. I have to take her to the hospital. Her son, Bailey, is inside and doesn't know what's happened. Jack should be home soon."

"Okay, go."

"Thank you, Abigail."

Elizabeth hurried to the driver's seat.

"Okay, Cassie. We're going now. Are you okay?"

All Cassie did was groan in response.