Hi #Hearties. I am so excited about the upcoming wedding of our beloved couple... Just two more days! In the mean time here's chapter twelve. Maybe it will tide you over until the wedding. A lot of fluff in this chapter... Hope you enjoy!

The following morning, Elizabeth stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her wet hair. She slipped her wool bathrobe and headed to her room. She looked at the time it was 7:30. Jack would be arriving in an hour and a half. She picked up her phone and began to dial.

"Hello, Beth." The voice said into the other line. "How are you?"

"I'm doing fine." Elizabeth replied. "I was wondering if you could do me a favor."

"Anything, you name it."

Jack stepped out of the shower and rushed to get ready. He selected a pair of dark blue jeans and a dark gray polo shirt. He finished off his outfit with a baseball hat that said HVPD across the front. He checked the time. It was 8:00. He had an hour before he had to pick up Elizabeth. He removed his phone from the charger. 'Wake up sleepy head.' He sent a text to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth: I'll have u know I've been up for an hour. I'm just finishing getting dressed. I'm spending the day with a very handsome detective. 😉

Jack: This detective is a very lucky guy ❤

Elizabeth: Yes he is LOL.

Jack: LOL Modest are we?

Elizabeth: Not at all.

Jack: Lol I'll let u finish getting dressed just wanted 2 c if u were awake c u in about an hour.

Elizabeth: Looking 4ward 2 it.

Elizabeth tossed her phone on the bed and finished getting ready. The weather was expected to be mild and sunny. She had decided on a pair of denim capris, a pink t-shirt that said LOVE across the front, and a denim jacket with rolled up sleeves. She spritzed herself with a perfume and added her favorite watermelon flavored lip gloss to her lips. When she was ready she sat on the sofa and flipped on the tv and waited for Jack to arrive.

Ten minutes later, her phone rang, startling her. "Hello?" She said into the line, with a smile.

"Hey Beth." The man said. "The favor you asked me to take care of is all set. Have a great time, today."

"Thank you so much." Elizabeth replied. "I'll talk to you later. By the way spring break at school is coming up. I'll try to come see you for a few days."

"Looking forward to it, Beth."

"Me, too." Elizabeth replied with a smile. "Goodbye daddy."

"Goodbye, Beth."

Elizabeth hung up her phone and was immediately startled by a knock on the door. She excitedly stood from her seat on the sofa and rushed to open the door. She couldn't contain her smile when she saw Jack on the other side.

"Hey you." He greeted. "You look adorable." He leaned forward and placed a kiss on her cheek.

"Thanks." She smiled. "You look pretty handsome yourself."

"You ready to go?" He offered his arm.

"Yes, just let me grab my purse." She returned to the sofa to get her purse and once again joined him at the door. She placed her hand into the comfort of his and allowed him to escort her to the elevator.

Ten minutes later, Jack pulled into the parking lot of Denny's. "This brings back memories of the night we met." Elizabeth recalled.

"I'm sorry," Jack replied. "I didn't even think of that. Did you want to go somewhere else? I know it was a bad night for you."

"No," Elizabeth countered. "I'm fine. The evening started out badly, but you made it better. And besides I didn't come here with Charles. I came here with you. I had a nice time with you."

"If you're sure," Jack climbed out of the car and walked around to her side and opened the door for her, "But promise you'll get more than smothered cheese fries this time."

"I promise." Elizabeth chuckled. She climbed out of the car and accepted his outstretched hand.

They walked inside the building and the server led them to a booth near the back of the restaurant. Jack ordered his usual pancakes and Elizabeth ordered French toast and a side of scrambled eggs. "Are you happy now?" She asked when the waitress walked away.

"Yes." Jack grabbed her hand and squeezed it. "I'm already having a great time with you."

"Me too."

The two of them became lost in their little world, that they didn't even notice when the waitress approached the table with their tray of food.

The waitress returned to the kitchen. "Hey, Jenny," She whispered, trying to get the attention of the other waitress.

"What is it, Sadie?" Jenny asked.

"See that couple over there?" Sadie nodded in the direction of Jack and Elizabeth.

"Yeah what about them?" Jenny questioned.

"Those two are head over heels in love with each other." Sadie acknowledged. "I wish you could have seen the way the were looking at each other when I took their order to them. They didn't even know I was there. I've never in my life seen two people look at each other the way those two were just now."

"Oh, my goodness." Jenny recalled. "That's the couple that was here on Valentine's night."

"Wait, they were in here before?" Sadie asked.

"Yes," Jenny answered. "I had to work the late shift that night. I didn't hear a lot of their conversation, but from what I gathered. Her boyfriend attacked her, and he rushed in and saved her in the nick of time."

"How romantic." Sadie exclaimed with tears in her eyes. "A knight in shining armor rescues a damsel in distress and then they start dating. It's fate. I wish I could have something like that."

"Definitely." Jenny agreed.

Jack and Elizabeth finished their meal and Elizabeth grabbed the bill before Jack could. "Elizabeth," Jack objected, "What are you doing?"

"I think it's only fair I treat you today." Elizabeth explained. "I'm the one who asked you out, remember?"

"Elizabeth…" Jack replied.

"I insist." She interjected.

"Fine," Jack conceded, "But dinner tonight is my treat."

"I guess that's fair." Elizabeth replied.

"More than fair," Jack replied. "Are you ready to go?"

"Let's get out of here."

Jack pulled into the fair ground parking lot. He was surprised see so few cars. He looked at the clock on the dash. It was 10:45. "I thought the fair opened at eleven." He acknowledged. "Where is everybody?"

"Let's park closer to the ticket booth." Elizabeth suggested.

Jack drove closer and parked the car. He prepared to open the door, when he noticed a sign on the front of the ticket booth that said, 'Due to a private party the Hope Valley Street Fair will be closed until 12:00 pm. Sorry for any inconvenience.' "I guess we'll have to wait until noon." Jack acknowledged.

Without saying a word, Elizabeth opened her car door and stepped out of the car.

"Elizabeth what are you doing?" He asked. "It isn't open."

Elizabeth walked around the car and opened Jack's door for him. "Just come on." She urged.

"I guess chivalry isn't dead." Jack chuckled as he stepped out of the car.

Elizabeth led Jack to the ticket booth. "Hi, Leighann." She greeted the clerk.

"Ms. Thatcher," Leighann smiled brightly, "Your father mentioned you were coming today." She handed Elizabeth two tickets.

"Let's go." She handed one of the tickets to Jack and led him to the gate.

Soon they were both inside the fair grounds. "What just happened here?" Jack asked.

Elizabeth motioned around the empty park except for the two of them and the employees. "We're the private party." She explained.

Jack's mouth dropped open. "How did you pull this off?"

"I'll explain later." Elizabeth promised, "But right now let's live it up. We have the place to ourselves for an hour." She ran off in the direction of the rides.

Jack chuckled as he ran to catch up with her.

"What do you want to do first?" Jack asked.

"My favorite ride is the pirate ship." Elizabeth replied as she led the way.

"Let's sit in the back." Elizabeth suggested when they climbed aboard the pirate ship. "That's the best place to…"

"Make out?" Jack interjected. He sat next to her in the seat

"Jack." Elizabeth slapped his arm.

"It was worth a shot." Jack replied.

The ride started rocking back and forth. Elizabeth squealed and gripped Jack's arm tighter each time the ride went higher. Jack didn't mind being close to her. In fact, he wished he could get even closer. He managed to free his arm from her grasp and wrap his arm around her shoulders.

"I thought you said the pirate ship was your favorite ride." Jack acknowledged when the ride came to a stop.

"It is." Elizabeth confirmed. "Did you not like when I held onto you?"

"I didn't say that." Jack chuckled.

"Look!" She nodded toward a stand that was selling cotton candy. "Can we get some?"

"I love cotton candy." Jack followed Elizabeth to the cotton candy stand.

"This looks delicious." Elizabeth commented as she took a big a bite of her pink cotton candy.

"Yes." Jack agreed as he did the same thing with his own blue cotton candy.

"What do you want to do now?" Elizabeth asked.

"How about the Ferris wheel?" Jack suggested.

"Sounds perfect." Elizabeth and Jack made their way to the ride.

Jack and Elizabeth continued to eat their cotton candy as the Ferris Wheel lifted them several feet off the ground. "What a view!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "You can see for miles."

"Yes." Jack agreed. "The view is amazing." Although the view he was interested in wasn't miles away. The only view he cared about was sitting right next to him, nibbling on her cotton candy. "Look over there." He pointed in the direction opposite from where she was looking.

"What?" She looked where he was pointing.

As soon as she had her head turned, he quickly leaned over and discreetly took a bite of her cotton candy.

"I didn't see anything." She responded.

"Ah you missed it." He mumbled, his mouth still full. He tried to keep a straight face, but the urge to grin got the better of him.

"This is mine." Elizabeth gestured her cotton candy, having realized what Jack had done. "You have your own." She attempted to sound stern but to no avail.

"Yours tastes better." Jack proclaimed.

"Maybe we should trade then." Elizabeth suggested.

"Then this one will taste better," Jack declared, "because it will be yours."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Let's just keep our own cotton candy." She said with a smile.

Before they knew it, it was noon. The fair quickly began filling up with patrons. Lines began to form in front of the rides.

"Darn!" Jack complained. "The place is filling up. I enjoyed having the place to ourselves."

"It was fun." Elizabeth agreed. "I'm getting hungry. Do you want to get lunch?"

"Sure, where do you want to go?"

"Come with me. I'll show you." Elizabeth took Jack's hand and led the way back in the direction of the Ferris Wheel.

"We're eating on the Ferris Wheel?" Jack asked.

"No don't be silly." Elizabeth chuckled. She led him to a grassy area in perfect view of the Ferris Wheel. "Wait here I'll be right back."

Elizabeth returned a few minutes later with a picnic basket and a red and white checkered blanket draped over her arm.

"We're having a picnic?" Jack acknowledged. "You're just full of surprises."

"Is this alright with you?" Elizabeth asked, suddenly unsure of her decision.

"It's perfect." He leaned forward and kissed her cheek. He took the blanket from her and spread it on the ground. He then took the basket and helped her sit on the blanket before joining her. "What have we here?" Jack opened the basket and began emptying the contents. "Fried Chicken, biscuits, mashed potatoes and gravy, coleslaw, and lemonade," He made a mental list of the food, "A woman after my own heart."

Elizabeth reached in the basket and pulled out one more item. "You forgot the apple pie."

"Are you trying to spoil me?" Jack asked with a chuckle. "I love apple pie."

"Well you haven't had apple pie," Elizabeth gestured, "Until you've had Abigail's homemade apple pie."

"How did you do this?" Jack asked.

"I might've made a phone call or two." Elizabeth answered in a singsong voice.

"Who did you call, the president?" Jack asked.

"No." Elizabeth chuckled. "I called my father."

"Your father?"

"I'm hungry," Elizabeth began dishing out food onto the Styrofoam plates that had been packed. "Let's eat and I'll explain everything."

"You don't have to ask me twice."

"In case you haven't figured it out by my last name," Elizabeth began. "My father is William Thatcher."

"William Thatcher?" Jack asked, "Of Thatcher Shipping?"

"Yes," Elizabeth confirmed.

"He's a wealthy man, Elizabeth." Jack replied.

"I know," Elizabeth said, "He's my father. I hope that doesn't make you uncomfortable."

"No," Jack assured. "I'm just surprised. That's all."

"The truth is, I don't have to work." Elizabeth continued. "I surprised my entire family when I told them I wanted to be a teacher. But I wanted to make my own living, not rely on my father. The day I graduated, my father told me he knew the second I was born that I was going to be special. He said he would support my decision."

"That's great." Jack stroked her arm.

"I do have a trust fund that I don't touch unless it's an emergency," Elizabeth brushed a stray curl from her face, "And I'll admit to using my father's influence to have the fair grounds to ourselves for an hour. He called Abigail and asked her to fix the picnic basket. She had it delivered here. He's also quite chummy with the people who run the street fair every year." She stole a glance at Jack who had a stunned expression on his face. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." He scooted closer to her and put an arm around her. "I did enjoy the private party."

"I'm glad." Elizabeth rested her head on his shoulder. "A lot of people shy away when they learn who my father is."

"You're not getting rid of me that easy." Jack squeezed her shoulder. "You're not your father. You are you."

"Thank you for that." She placed a hand on his thigh.

"Lunch was delicious." Jack changed the subject. "Now I'm ready for that apple pie."

"Me too." She chuckled.

After lunch, the fair started to get crowded. "Should we go?" Jack asked. "The place is starting to get packed."

"Do you want to go?" Elizabeth asked.

"Not really," Jack replied, "The private party was fun, but I don't mind waiting in line."

"Good!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "Because there's on more ride I want to go on." She grabbed his hand and led him to the bumper cars.

Once on the bumper cars, Elizabeth immediately set her car into motion. She aimed her car right at Jack's. Jack tried to move out of her way, but he was blindsided. She ran right into the side of his car. She giggled. Jack backed his car up and tried to bump into Elizabeth in return. She dodged him in the nick of time. She then moved forward and rammed him again.

"You're gonna pay for that, Thatcher." Jack called.

"Bring it on, Thornton." She called, as she bumped into him once more.

When the ride ended, Elizabeth jumped out of her car and rushed toward the exit before Jack even had the chance to get out of his own car. She laughed as she ran through the park, watching behind her as Jack tried to catch up to her. "Get back here." Jack called as he sprinted toward her, rapidly decreasing the gap between them. He caught up with her near the Ferris wheel. "Gotcha!" He exclaimed as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

She screamed and laughed as she tried to break free of his grasp. She lost her balance and fell onto the ground, inadvertently pulling him on top of her. They stared in each other's eyes and breathed heavily. He reached up and brushed a stray curl from her face. "Jack I…" She whispered.

"Shh." He interjected. He tilted his head closer to hers.

"Are you alright?" An employee asked.

"Uh," Jack cleared his throat. "Yes, we're fine." He quickly rolled from on top of her. He reached down to help Elizabeth.

"I lost my balance and pulled him down with me." Elizabeth explained. She reached for Jack's outstretched hand.

"Very well." The employee said as she continued on her way.

"That was close." Jack responded as soon as the employee was out of earshot.

"What would have happened had she not shown up when she did?" Elizabeth asked.

Jack stepped closer to her and gently placed his hands on her shoulders. "What did you want to happen?" He pulled her closer.

Before Elizabeth could answer, he dipped his head and placed a tender kiss on her lips. She moved her hand to the back of his head and parted her lips to allow full access.

He dropped his hands to his waist and engulfed her in his arms. Their kiss deepened. She began to feel butterflies deep within the pit of her stomach. They parted, trying to catch their breath.

"You're so beautiful." He whispered. He cupped her face.

She cleared her throat and stared at the ground. "What do you want to do now?"

"Wait right here." Jack suggested. "I'll be right back."

"Where are you going?" Elizabeth asked.

"You'll see." He answered, before heading toward the crowd.

Elizabeth smiled as she watched him disappear into the horde of people. She couldn't help wondering what he was up to. She thought back to just seconds before to the kiss they shared. The smile on her face became wider. She absentmindedly began tracing the outline of her lips with her finger. "That was amazing." She whispered to herself.

Fifteen minutes later, Jack had still not returned to their spot by the Ferris wheel. "Where is Jack?" She wondered aloud. She pulled out her phone and sent him a text. 'Where r u? R u alright?' She waited a few minutes and never received a response. She decided to call him instead. It went straight to voicemail. She started to become concerned. She looked around once more to see if he was on his way but saw no sign of him. She headed towards the direction in which Jack had headed. "Jack," she called through the crowd, "Jack." A few minutes later she spotted him. He was at the carnival games attempting to toss darts at balloons to get them to pop. He appeared to have a very anguished look on his face. She slowly approached him and put her hand on his back. "Are you alright? I was worried about you."

"Sorry." Jack replied, his face softening at the sight of her. "I saw this game earlier. I'm usually good at these kinds of games but my luck seems to have turned on me."

"How many times have you tried?" Elizabeth asked.

"Uh about seven." He said sheepishly.

"Seven?" Elizabeth asked.

Jack nodded.

"Well try one more time." Elizabeth suggested.

Jack paid the attendant once again. He tossed it the first dart and it one of the balloons popped.

"Great job!" The attendant called.

Jack tossed the final two darts and popped a new balloon with each toss.

"Woohoo." Elizabeth cheered.

"You must be my good luck charm." Jack said matter of factly.

"Congratulations sir." The attendant said. He pointed to the prizes hanging over his head. "What would you like?"

Jack pointed to a large plush red rose.

"Very good." The attendant handed the rose to Jack.

"Thanks." Jack accepted the flower and immediately handed it to Elizabeth. "This is for you."

"Jack, you didn't have to do this."

"Yes, I did." Jack smiled.

"Thank you, Jack."

After riding several more rides, and playing a few more games, it was nearing 5:00. "I'm getting hungry." Jack suggested. "Are you ready to grab dinner?"

"Yes." Elizabeth concurred. "Let's go."

Once they left the fairgrounds, Jack and Elizabeth decided they were too exhausted to go anywhere to eat. They decided to order Chinese takeout from The Asian Dragon and take it back to Elizabeth's apartment. Elizabeth texted Rosie from the car on their way back to the apartment and begged her to make herself scarce while Jack was there. Rosie assured that she wouldn't be there because she had her own dinner plans with Lee.

Once inside the apartment, Jack carried the cartons of Chinese food to the kitchen table. "Would you mind getting plates and silverware?" Elizabeth pointed to the appropriate cupboard. "I'll pour us some wine."

"Sounds great." Jack reached in the cabinet for the plates, while Elizabeth grabbed to wine glasses and a bottle of white wine. She began pouring the wine, while Jack placed the plates on the table and began dishing out the fried rice and sesame chicken.

Jack walked around to Elizabeth's side of the table and pulled her chair out for her, allowing her to sit down.

"Thank you." She said politely before sitting down.

"You're quite welcome." Jack returned to the other side of the table and took his seat.

"Thanks for dinner." Elizabeth stated a few minutes later "It's delicious."

"Have you never eaten from The Asian Dragon before?" Jack asked.

"Can't say I have." Elizabeth admitted. "I love Chinese food, but I usually get it at China Palace, near the school."

"Pimental and I eat lunch at The Asian Dragon at least once a week." Jack stated. "That's actually where we were having lunch when I saw you…" He stopped short.

"What are you talking about?" Elizabeth was confused.

"It's nothing." Jack countered. "Forget I said anything."

"Jack," Elizabeth asked, "What is going on? When did you see me?"

Jack took a deep breath before continuing. "We ate lunch there the day I saw you inside the jewelry store with your cousin."

"Oh that," Elizabeth sighed. "Well Connor is my favorite cousin. I'm sorry you thought the worst of me."

"What do you mean?" Jack inquired.

"I told you I wasn't ready for a relationship." Elizabeth explained. "But then you saw me in a jewelry store with a man who you had no way of knowing was my cousin. I can only imagine what was going through your head."

"Probably the same thoughts that were going through your head when you saw me with my cousin."

"Well you told me you didn't have time for a relationship then I saw you with a woman and a little girl."

"Well," Jack placed his hand on top of hers. "I have only wonderful thoughts about you now."

Elizabeth blushed. "Me too."

After dinner, Jack helped Elizabeth clean the kitchen. When the kitchen was clean, and the dishes put away in the cupboard, Jack headed toward the door. "I had a great time." He smiled.

Elizabeth glanced at the clock. "You're not leaving, now are you? "It's only 7:30. Let's watch a movie." She suggested. "I have lots of DVDs." She gave him a smile sticking her tongue between her teeth.

"How can I say no to that?" He sighed and sat on the sofa.

"What do you want to watch?" She asked after showing him all the DVDs.

"You pick."

"Okay, you asked for it." She removed the movie from its case and popped it into the player. She joined him on the sofa.

"Love Actually? Really?" He chuckled.

"Well you told me to pick." Elizabeth defended with a grin.

"I've seen it." He remarked. "I watched it with Stacey."

"Do you want to watch something else then? She asked.

"No, this is fine." He replied. "I actually love, Love Actually. Get it?"

"Oh, Jack." She slapped his arm.

"Shh," He playfully shoved her, "It's starting." He kicked off his shoes and rested his feet on the coffee table.

Elizabeth curled up on the sofa next to him and rested her head on his chest, while he wrapped his arm around her.

I can get used to this. He thought to himself. He placed a gentle kiss on her temple.

"That was great." Jack said when the movie was over. "But I should get going." He moved to stand up, but Elizabeth didn't budge. "Elizabeth, did you hear me? Elizabeth?" He noticed the soft rising and falling of her chest. He looked at her and saw she was fast asleep. She looked so peaceful and so beautiful. He didn't want to wake her up. "If I don't leave now," he whispered to himself, "I won't want to leave, and it wouldn't be a good idea to stay." He moved to wake her and realized that the arm that was under her had fallen asleep as well. He sighed. "Elizabeth," he shook her gently, "Wake up."

Elizabeth slowly began to stir.

"Wake up sleepy head." He said.

"Hey, you sent me a text that said that this morning." She stated groggily.

"Yes, I did." He chuckled. "You need to wake up, because you're lying on my arm and I have to go."

"You can stay if you want." She mumbled.

"As much as I would like to," He countered, "I really should go."

"Oh alright." She conceded. She stood to her feet and walked him to the door.

"I had a nice time." Jack turned to face her.

"Me too."

"I hope I can see you again soon." He took a step closer.

Her heart began pounding. She was sure Jack could hear it beating out of the chest.

Jack leaned forward and placed a kiss on her lips. He backed away and headed toward the elevator.

"Bye, Jack." Elizabeth called.

Jack spun back around and flashed her a dimpled smile, before continuing to the elevator.

Elizabeth waited until the elevator doors closed before returning inside her apartment. She closed the door behind her. She leaned back against the door. "He's so wonderful." She sighed and closed her eyes. She suddenly let out a gasp. "Oh no!" She exclaimed. She rushed to the kitchen sink and began to splash cold water on her face. She dabbed her face dry and headed to her bedroom. "I can't be having these feelings now." She cried. "It's much too soon." She plopped down on bed and buried her face in her hands. "I do not have feelings for Jack Thornton." She breathed, trying to convince herself. "I do not have feelings for Jack Thornton."

To be continued…

Thanks for reading! Hope you like it. Reviews are always welcome.