Hi #Hearties, sorry for the longer delay than usual. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I was unable to have this chapter ready as soon as I wanted to. But here it is... Chapter Eighteen... Hope you enjoy.
Easter Sunday
Jack stepped out the shower and returned to his room. He noticed the suit that Elizabeth had helped him pick out hanging on the closet door. He acknowledged the blue suit, the sky-blue button-down shirt and pink tie. He chuckled to himself. He had never worn pink in his life, but because a woman, not just any woman, Elizabeth, told him it brought out his eyes, he'd bought it. He smiled at the memory. No woman had ever had the effect on him that Elizabeth did. He didn't know what it was about her that captivated him, but here he was madly in love with a woman he'd only known for seven weeks. He proceeded to get dressed and then stepped out in the hall in search of Elizabeth.
"Good morning, Jack." Julie greeted as she passed him in the hall.
"Good morning, Julie; you look nice." Jack said of Julie's yellow floral dress.
"Thanks," Julie grinned, "You too, I love your tie."
"Thanks." Jack chuckled. "Elizabeth picked it out."
"My sister has good taste."
"Speaking of Elizabeth, have you seen her?" Jack asked.
"Last time I saw her she was downstairs with the baby." Julie answered casually, as she brushed passed.
"Thanks, Julie." Jack continued down the hall and suddenly stopped. "Wait! Did you just say baby?" He quickly whirled around but Julie was nowhere to be seen. "What baby?" He mumbled to himself. He proceeded down the stairs. When he reached the landing, he observed Elizabeth seated on the sofa, rocking a baby boy who appeared to be about four months old. She was singing a soft lullaby to him.
Watching Elizabeth with the baby made Jack's mind wander. He imagined coming home after a long day of work to hear an angelic voice coming from upstairs. He'd follow the voice to a nursery, to observe his wife sitting in a rocking chair holding a baby in his arms… his baby.
"Jack come meet Ethan." Elizabeth's voice brought Jack back to the present. Get a grip, Thornton. He silently rebuked himself as he strode to the sofa. You just told her you loved her three days ago. Much too soon to be thinking about babies. He sat next to Elizabeth. "Hey Ethan." He gently touched Ethan's hand. The boy squeezed Jack's finger tightly. "He's adorable." Jack acknowledged Ethan's blue eyes, that were the same hue as his aunt's, his sandy blond curls, and his chubby cheeks.
"This is my sister Viola's baby." Elizabeth explained. "She and her husband Lionel drove all the way here from Seattle. Nobody even knew they were coming until they showed up at the door."
"That's nice," Jack smiled at Ethan who still had a death grip on his finger.
"Do you want to hold him?" Elizabeth offered.
"Are you sure it's okay?" Jack questioned. "I wouldn't want to impose."
"Jack it's fine." Elizabeth assured. "Viola left me in charge, so she and Lionel can get some rest." She placed the boy on Jack's lap.
"Hey little guy." Jack began making silly faces and bouncing Ethan on his knee which caused him to giggle and coo excitedly.
"He likes you, Uncle Jack." Uncle Jack? She thought inwardly. She didn't even realize she'd said it until it came out of her mouth. Where did that come from? He's not his uncle, we're not married… yet. Her mind couldn't help thinking. She glanced in Jack's direction. Maybe he didn't notice.
Uncle Jack? Jack silently acknowledged. I'm not his uncle, we're not married… yet. His mind couldn't help thinking.
Elizabeth began to smile watching Jack with Ethan. Seeing them together made her mind wander to her sitting in the grass at the park watching her husband walking behind their baby, holding his hands helping him walk toward his mommy.
Ethan began to cry pulling Elizabeth from her reverie. Snap out of it. She reprimanded herself. This is not the time to be thinking about children.
"I think he's hungry." Jack lifted the boy to his chest and began gently rubbing his back. "Shh, it's okay." He whispered. Ethan's loud cries soon turned into soft whimpers.
"You're really good with him." Elizabeth ran her hands through the boy's curls.
Jack and Elizabeth made brief eye contact and smiled.
"Elizabeth," Viola called from the top of the stairs, ruining their moment "I can take him now." She continued down the steps and stopped dead in her tracks when she observed Jack holding Ethan. "Oh hello."
"Jack, this is my sister, Viola." Elizabeth introduced. "Viola, this is my boyfriend Jack."
"Very nice to meet you." Jack greeted. He stood and lifted Ethan toward his mother. "I think this belongs to you."
"It does look a little like mine." Viola took the boy in her arms.
"I hope you don't mind that Elizabeth let me hold him." Jack stated.
"Why would I mind?" Viola inquired.
"He was a little nervous you'd disapprove." Elizabeth stood next to Jack.
"Don't be ridiculous." Viola assured.
"Well I wasn't sure how you'd feel about a man you've never met holding your son." Jack defended.
"Normally, I'd have to agree with you." Viola clarified. "But I left Elizabeth in charge. She's a school teacher. She loves children. She would never intentionally put Ethan in danger. If she trusts you then I trust you too."
"Thanks that means a lot." Jack squeezed Elizabeth's hand.
"And besides, Elizabeth already told me all about you." Viola continued.
Jack glanced at Elizabeth and Elizabeth blushed.
"And to tell the truth," Viola added. "I love my son to pieces, but I'll take all the help I can get."
"Well Jack and I will be glad to help while we're here." Elizabeth chimed in.
"Absolutely." Jack agreed.
Ethan started crying again. Viola hoisted him higher on her hip. "Well I better go feed him so we're not late for church." She headed toward the steps. She observed Jack turn to face Elizabeth. Once she was sure Jack couldn't see her, she waved a hand to get Elizabeth's attention. When she got her sister's attention, she offered her a thumbs up. "He's cute." She mouthed, before heading up the stairs.
Elizabeth smiled at Viola, which Jack undoubtedly noticed. "What was that about?" He asked.
"Oh," Elizabeth explained, "Viola just gave me her stamp of approval."
"That's good." Jack replied with a smile.
Elizabeth grabbed Jack's hands and pulled him closer, connecting his lips with hers. "Hi." She whispered before kissing him again.
"Hey yourself."
"I love your tie." She acknowledged.
"Thanks, my girlfriend picked it out for me," Jack remarked, "Even though I don't really like pink."
"Your girlfriend is one lucky woman." Elizabeth advised. "For you to wear a pink tie just for her."
"I'm the lucky one." Jack countered.
"I love you, Jack."
"I love you, Elizabeth."
"And because I love you," Elizabeth added, "I have a little confession to make."
"What's that?" Jack asked nervously.
"Well," Elizabeth explained, "It isn't exactly a coincidence that you're wearing a pink tie."
"What do you mean?"
Elizabeth twirled around, showing off her dress. "Because now we match."
For the first time, Jack noticed that Elizabeth was wearing a long pink and blue zigzag striped maxi sundress, with vintage cream colored lace straps with lace covering the bodice. Her dress matched his pink tie and blue shirt perfectly. "You mean you did this one purpose?"
"Guilty." Elizabeth held her wrists together out in front of her. "Are you going to arrest me detective?"
Jack chuckled and grabbed her wrists closing the distance between them. "Not this time." He whispered before his lips met hers.
"But the tie really does bring out your eyes." Elizabeth admitted.
"I'm glad you like it." Jack gushed. "And I must say you look stunning yourself."
"Thank you." Elizabeth kissed his cheek.
"What do you say, Ms. Thatcher," Jack offered his arm, "Shall we head to church?"
"Let's go."
After church, the entire family returned home to have Easter dinner complete with a spiral ham, mashed potatoes, and all the fixings. Everyone laughed when Viola tried to feed Ethan mashed potatoes and got more on his face than he did in his mouth. This of course resulted in everyone pulling out their cell phones and snapping pictures of the little tyke.
When nobody could eat another bite, everyone went their separate ways. Elizabeth decided to take Jack on a walk in the flower garden.
"This garden is my mom's pride and joy." Elizabeth guided Jack through the rows of roses, tulips, and rhododendrons. "Aren't they beautiful?"
"Not as beautiful as you." Jack remarked. He brushed a thumb across her cheek and pulled her into a kiss.
"What did I ever do to deserve you?" Elizabeth gushed.
"You didn't have to do anything." Jack proclaimed. "You're just genuine and sweet."
"But you can have any woman you want." Elizabeth opposed.
Jack rolled his eyes. "Elizabeth," He assured, I want you." He kissed the end of her nose. "How could you not know that?"
"I just don't think of myself as anybody special." Elizabeth explained.
"You are to me." Jack countered. "You're the one that I want and that is all that matters."
Elizabeth blushed and stared at the ground. "I want you too." She mumbled.
"What was that?"
"You're the one that I want." She reiterated, a little louder.
"Good." Jack wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her into a passionate kiss.
They continued to walk hand in hand through the garden, when ahead in the distance, something caught Jack's eye. He knew what he wanted to do. "Wait right here."
"Jack, what's going on?" Elizabeth wondered.
"It's a surprise." Jack answered. He kissed her cheek before continuing down the path.
Elizabeth took a seat on the nearby bench. Grace Thatcher had placed the bench in the flower garden and had it engraved in loving memory of her mother, Elizabeth's grandmother, who had passed away from cancer ten years prior.
Ten minutes later, Jack returned. "Come with me." He offered her hand to help her stand.
"Where are we going?" She asked.
"You'll see." Jack placed an arm around her shoulder and covered her eyes with his hand, guiding her down the path.
"You can open your eyes now." Jack and Elizabeth arrived at the destination. He removed her hand from her face.
"Really, Jack?" Elizabeth exclaimed. "A fallen tree stump, not your best surprise."
"Get closer." Jack urged.
Elizabeth stepped closer. That's when she saw it. "Oh, Jack I love it!" She cried. On the tree stump, a large heart was carved into the wood, with the initials J.T. + E.T. carved inside the heart.
"Now we'll be together forever." Jack whispered in her ear.
"It's so beautiful." She whispered in return. She wiped a tear from her eye, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck and kissing him soundly.
"Do you want to head back inside?" Jack asked through a yawn.
"I guess we should." Elizabeth reluctantly agreed. "You're exhausted."
They returned to the house and sat down on the living room sofa.
Elizabeth flipped on the tv and began surfing through the channels. She stopped channel surfing and tossed the remote on the sofa when she recognized Grease is the Word, the first song from Grease with John Travolta and Olivia Newton John. "Grease!" She exclaimed. "I love this movie!"
"I don't think I've seen it." Jack remarked. "What's it about?"
"What?" Elizabeth shot Jack a surprised glare. "How can you say that? I can't believe you've never seen Grease!"
"Well, I'm about to watch it now it would appear." Jack settled back on the couch and wrapped his arm around Elizabeth's shoulders.
"Julie and I used to watch this movie all the time when we were kids. We had all the songs memorized."
"That sounds fun." Jack said through a yawn.
About halfway through the movie, Jack laid down on the sofa, and rested his head on Elizabeth's lap. Elizabeth gently ran her fingers through Jack's hair, while they watched the movie in companionable silence, except during the songs. Jack enjoyed listening to Elizabeth sing along to the movie.
"This is my favorite part." Elizabeth said, when the Olivia Newton John song, You're the One that I want started. She was answered by silence. She glanced down at Jack and acknowledged his steady breathing. He was sound asleep. She couldn't help smiling. She brushed a stray strand of hair from his face, while she softly sang… You're the one that I want, you, ooh, ooh, honey, the one that I want, you, ooh, ooh, honey, the one that I want, you, ooh, ooh are what I need, oh yes indeed... "You're the one that I want, Jack Thornton." She whispered, before giving him a gentle kiss on the forehead.
Two hours later, Jack woke up on the sofa, with a pillow under his head and a blanket covering his body. He didn't remember how he'd gotten that way. The last thing he remembered was resting his head on Elizabeth's lap while listening to her sing along to every song on Grease. He sat up on the sofa and looked around. Elizabeth was nowhere to be seen.
"Hey, sunshine." Lionel greeted with a chuckle, as he entered the room, carrying a baby monitor in his hand.
"Very funny." Jack rolled his eyes.
"It's about time you woke up." Lionel stated. He sat down next to Jack. "We all wanted you wake you, but Elizabeth insisted you needed your rest and threatened anyone within an inch of their life, if they even thought about waking you."
Jack couldn't help laughing.
"You've got yourself quite a girl, Jack." Lionel declared. "Viola, Chloe, and Julie left to go shopping a little while ago. They wanted Elizabeth to go along but refused to go anywhere. She was worried you'd wake up and wonder where she was."
"We both have cell phones." Jack chuckled. "I would have been fine." He had to grin but if he were honest with himself, it made a bit giddy, that Elizabeth cared so much about him.
"You're one lucky man." Lionel proclaimed.
"Don't I know it." Jack agreed.
The sound of Ethan crying soon could be head through the speaker of the baby monitor in Lionel's hand. "That's my cue." Lionel stood to his feet. "Daddy duty calls."
"Wait!" Jack called, "Do you know where Elizabeth is?"
"She was at the pool last time I saw her." Lionel answered.
"I should have known this estate has a pool." Jack remarked.
"An indoor pool at that," Lionel commented. "They use it year-round. If you go through the kitchen and out the back door, it will be on your right." He continued up the stairs.
Jack followed Lionel's directions and made his way to the pool. He walked into the pool house. He could hear splashing before the pool came into view. He wasn't quite sure how he could handle seeing her in a swimsuit; he knew he'd be in trouble, but he continued toward the pool regardless. He was relieved to see she was wearing a one piece with a boyshort bottom as opposed to a bikini. He shook his head and smiled. Despite what kind of swimsuit she had on, she was still the most beautiful woman in the world. He couldn't take his eyes off of her.
"Jack," Elizabeth acknowledged. "Did you have a nice nap?"
"I did," Jack confirmed. "But I woke up and missed you. Lionel told me you were out here."
"Care to join me?"
Jack glanced at his attire. He was still wearing his shirt and tie. "I'm not exactly dressed for swimming.
"I can get out if you want me to." Elizabeth decided.
"No, no," Jack declined. "You don't have to get on my account. You look like you're having a lot of fun."
"Swimming has always been relaxing to me." Elizabeth remarked.
"That's nice." Jack gave her a smile. "I'm going to go inside and change. I've been in this suit all day. But you take your time." He pivoted on his feet to in the direction of the exit.
"Wait." Elizabeth called. She rushed toward the ladder in the pool.
Jack whirled back around. "Is everything alright?"
"Everything is fine." Elizabeth made her way to the pool ladder and stepped on the bottom rung. "I just want a kiss." She tilted her head upward and puckered her lips.
"I think I can handle that." Jack responded with a grin. He crouched down to her level, so he could easily get to her. His lips gently met hers.
Elizabeth quickly grabbed Jack's hands and pulled him into the pool before he even realized what happened.
"Elizabeth!" Jack exclaimed. "What are you doing?"
"I'm sorry." Elizabeth giggled. "I just couldn't resist."
"You don't seem sorry." Jack tried to keep straight face, as he made his way to the ladder and climbed out of the pool.
"Are you angry?" Elizabeth asked nervously. She was answered by silence. Jack stood with his back to her. She climbed out of the pool and stood behind him. "Jack I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."
Jack turned around and burst into laughter and took her into his arms. "I can't do it." He remarked. "I can't even pretend to be angry."
"So, you're not angry?" She asked with relief.
"No," Jack confirmed, "You were just having a little fun," He softly kissed her lips, "No harm done."
"I love you, Jack," Elizabeth uttered, "And I really am sorry."
"I love you too," Jack assured, "And I promise, I'm not angry."
"I'm glad." Elizabeth reached behind her and grabbed the towel she had draped over one of the lounge chairs. She offered it to Jack. "Do you want to dry off?"
"Thanks," Jack accepted the towel. He ran the cloth through his wet hair, mussing it up in the process. Elizabeth couldn't stop staring at the way Jack's wet clothes clung to him. Once he was reasonably dry, Jack wrapped the towel around Elizabeth and took her in his arms, "Your turn," He whispered.
Jack and Elizabeth headed back to the house to change into some dry clothes. They walked into the kitchen and nearly ran smack dab into Julie.
"Lizzie, you scared me half to death." Julie remarked.
"I'm sorry, Jules." Elizabeth remarked. "I didn't know you were here. Didn't you go shopping with Viola and Chloe?"
"We did." Julie confirmed. "We just got back." She glanced at Jack and noticed his damp clothing. "Jack what happened to you?"
Jack glanced at Elizabeth. "You want to tell her, or should I?"
"I might've accidentally pulled Jack in the pool with me." Elizabeth replied.
"Accidentally?" Jack nudged Elizabeth in the ribs.
"Okay, okay," Elizabeth conceded, "I was just having a little fun, but I said I was sorry and you said you weren't angry." She reminded him.
"I'm not angry." Jack reassured. He kissed her cheek. "You just threw me a little off guard that's all."
"Shall we go get changed?" Elizabeth suggested.
"Let's go." Jack agreed.
The rest of the week in Boston flew by in a blur. Before they knew it, Jack and Elizabeth were sitting first class on a plane heading home.
"I had a great time this week." Jack gently squeezed Elizabeth's hand. "Thanks for inviting me into your family home."
"Even though you showed up unannounced." Elizabeth interjected with a chuckle.
"I was getting to that," Jack remarked, "But I came with good reason."
"Yes, you did," Elizabeth agreed. "I would have never gotten to tell you that I love you if you hadn't have shown up at my door."
"We couldn't let that happen." Jack brought her hand to his lips. He suddenly let out a chuckle.
"What's so funny?"
"Pimental is going to rub this in my face when I get back to work."
"What do you mean?" Elizabeth inquired.
"She knew I liked you even before I knew... or would admit to it anyway." Jack explained. "She was always trying to get me to tell you."
"Ms. Henrich was the same way." Elizabeth leaned her head on his shoulder. "She's going to rub it in my face as well."
"Well let's tell them together." Jack suggested.
"Great idea," Elizabeth agreed, "Maybe if we both tell them, they will go easier on us."
"Knowing Pimental," Jack snickered. "I doubt it, but I know I want you with me when I tell her."
"Don't tell me your scared of your partner." Elizabeth chuckled.
"No," Jack countered. "I just don't want to be away from you."
"Whatever you say, Thornton." Elizabeth yawned and settled herself further into his side, as best she could with the armrest of the airplane seat between them. She closed her eyes and sighed. She was asleep for the remainder of the plane ride.
When the pilot announced the plane's arrival and the airport, Jack reached over and gently grazed Elizabeth's cheek. "Elizabeth, sweetheart, wake up, we're here."
Elizabeth slowly began to stir. "Where are we?" She asked groggily.
"Look out the window." Jack informed her. "We're home."
To be continued…
Thanks for reading. Reviews are always welcome.