Hi #Hearties, I really am trying update this story more often, but life gets in the way. I've been training for a new job at work among other things. I am getting better though. I hope you continue to bear with me and enjoy chapter 24.

Previously:

Twenty minutes later, Jack returned to the table at the food court. He found Elizabeth sitting alone at the table. He patted his pocket, where the small package was hidden, to make sure it was still there, and Elizabeth wouldn't see it before he was ready to present it to her. "Hey," He greeted. He leaned forward and kissed her cheek.

"Hey where'd you go?" She asked with a smile.

"Just something I had to take care of." He answered. Did Linda and the kids leave?"

"Yeah, she's taking the kids to their grandmother's." She told me that even after her husband's death, she and her mother-in-law are closer than ever."

"That's nice." Jack smiled. "Are you ready to go?"

"Definitely," Elizabeth stood up and the two of them headed out the door."

Once in the car, Elizabeth's curiosity got the best of her. Jack had told her he had to pick something up, but when he'd returned she didn't see any packages or anything out of the ordinary, except the fact that he was being very secretive. "Okay, Jack!" She exclaimed "The suspense is killing me. Where did you go when you left me in the food court?"

Jack chuckled and glanced sideways at her. "Wouldn't you like to know."

Continued:

The following week Jack arrived at Happy Mountain two hours early to help Stacey decorate for Aly's birthday party. "Where's the birthday girl?" Jack asked.

"Mom and dad are bringing her when it's closer to party time." Stacey explained.

"That's nice."

"Guess who else is coming." Stacey gushed. "Aly has no idea."

"Who?" Jack questioned.

"Michael's sister, Michelle, and her family."

"Wow!" Jack exclaimed. "It's been awhile since I've seen them. How are Michelle, Nathan, and the girls?"

"They're great." Stacey answered.

"How old are the girls now?" Jack asked.

"Kaitlyn is nine, and Kassidy is seven."

"I haven't seen them since in a year or two." Jack chuckled.

"Well they'll be here for the party." Stacey replied and they're bringing Aly a gift that she'll be so excited about. She won't be able to sleep for a week?"

"What are they getting her?"

"Can you keep a secret?"

"Really, Stace?" Jack playfully nudged his cousin. "It's me, the best secret keeper ever, you know that."

"I know better than that," Stacey teased, "But I'll tell you anyway." She leaned closer to Jack, "They're taking her to Disney World." She whispered in her ear.

"Excited would be an understatement!" Jack exclaimed. "She's always wanted to go."

"I know." Stacey concurred.

"Are you going too?" Jack asked.

"No," Stacey remarked. "I'm going to miss my girl terribly, but I thought it would be good for Aly to spend time with her aunt, uncle, and cousins."

When Aly and Stacey moved after Michael died, it turned out that Nathan and Michelle lived an hour away. After that Stacey would take Aly to play with the girls one weekend, and the next weekend Nathan and Michelle would bring the girls to play with Aly. They hadn't seen each other since Stacey and Aly moved back home.

"It will be good them to see each other again." Jack replied.

"Yeah," Stacey agreed. "They're leaving in two weeks, before school starts back."

"She'll have a good time, I'm sure." Jack remarked. "And I know she's looking forward to going back to school. She gets the same teacher she had this last year, you know."

"Why do I get the feeling that you're more excited by that than Aly is?" Stacey chuckled.

"Who me?" Jack feigned innocence.

"Yes you." Stacey playfully slapped him. "Speaking of Aly's teacher, where is Elizabeth?"

"She'll be here in an hour or so." Jack smiled.

"I know that smile." Stacey gushed. "That's a smile of a man in love."

"Is it that obvious?" Jack asked.

"Of course, it is." Stacey confirmed. "And not because I already knew you were crazy about her."

The smile on Jack's face intensified. "Yes." He chuckled. "I can't wait to…" He stopped short and looked toward the ground.

"Jack," Stacey asked. "Are you okay? You can't wait to what?"

Jack returned his gaze to Stacey. "You asked me earlier," He smiled, "Now it's my turn to ask you. Can you keep a secret?"

"Touché."

Soon guests started arriving at Happy Mountain for the birthday party. Aly and her friends had loads of fun going down the water slide, floating along the lazy river, swimming in the gigantic pool, and riding go-karts outside, and playing the many arcade games inside, along with the many other fun attractions Happy Mountain had to offer.

Jack smiled as he watched the children and some of the adults playing the games.

"Hey handsome," Elizabeth approached, interrupting Jack's reverie, "Anyone sitting here?"

Jack stood from his seat. "Well," he replied, "I was saving it for my girlfriend," He pretended to look around for someone, but I don't think she's here yet." He returned his gaze to Elizabeth, "You haven't seen her have you? She has shoulder length brown wavy hair, bright blue eyes, and very beautiful."

Elizabeth blushed. "I'll be sure to be on the look out for her."

"In the meantime, you're welcome to keep me company." Jack pulled out the seat next to him.

"Thank you." Elizabeth accepted the offered chair. "Your girlfriend is very lucky."

Jack returned to his chair. "I'm the lucky one." He learned forward and captured her lips with his own. "Hi."

"Hi,"

"You look beautiful as always," Jack said of Elizabeth's pink and white chevron striped sundress.

"Thank you, you're not so bad yourself."

Jack couldn't help staring at the strap that had slipped off Elizabeth's shoulder, and down her forearm, to reveal the swimsuit she wore underneath her dress.

"Earth to Jack," Elizabeth waved her hand in front of his face, trying to get his attention.

"I'm sorry," Jack snapped out of his trance. "What were you saying?"

I was saying you look nice as always too." Elizabeth reiterated her earlier reply. "Where were you just now?"

"Oh," Jack reached forward and gently lifted the strap back onto her shoulder. "I was a little distracted."

"Really, Jack?" Elizabeth chuckled. "How can a strap falling off of my shoulder be so distracting to you?"

Jack leaned closer to her. "You have no idea what you do to me." He whispered before his lips met hers. Although if I'm so distracted by a simple fallen dress strap, he thought to himself, I'm a total goner if she decides to go for a swim and shows me the rest of that bathing suit. "You're so beautiful."

Elizabeth blushed.

"Auntie Beth, you came." Aly called running across to were Jack and Elizabeth were seated.

"Of course, I did, sweetheart." Elizabeth wrapped the young girl in a hug. "I wouldn't miss your party for the world. Happy Birthday!" She lifted the gift bag she had placed on the table. "This is for you, from me…"

Jack cleared his throat.

"Oh, and Uncle Jack helped picked it out." Elizabeth rolled her eyes. She offered the bag to Aly. "Now you can't open it until it's time to open the rest of your presents."

Aly pouted for about a millisecond. Then rushed to the inside with the gift to place it with the others.

"She sure is excited." Elizabeth observed.

"She always is." Jack confirmed.

"Jack Thornton, as I live and breathe." A voice came from behind them.

Elizabeth and Jack whirled around to see a young woman approaching them.

Jack leapt from his seat. "Michelle," He wrapped the woman in a hug. "It's so good to see you."

"You too."

"Where are Nathan and the girls?" Jack asked.

Michelle turned back to see a man and two young girls walking down the path. "Here they come."

"Nathan," Jack greeted the young man with a handshake, "It's good to see you."

"You too," Nathan returned the sentiment.

"And this can't me Kassidy and Kaitlyn." Jack acknowledged the two girls.

"Girls do you remember Mr. Thornton?" Michelle asked. "He was your Uncle Michael's best friend."

"I remember you." Kaitlyn assured, "But I was little."

Kassidy shyly hid behind her mother.

"Kaitlyn will talk to anybody." Michelle explained. "And Kassidy will warm up to you in no time."

"I understand." Jack playfully tweaked Kassidy's nose causing her to giggle. He acknowledged Elizabeth, who was still seated behind him. "I would like you to meet Elizabeth Thatcher, my girlfriend. "Elizabeth, this is Michelle and Nathan Grant, Michael's sister and her husband.

"Very nice to meet you." Elizabeth greeted. She smiled at the two young girls and knelt to their level. "And what are your names?"

"I'm Kaitlyn," Kaitlyn answered right away, "And this is Kassidy," She answered for her younger sister. I'm nine, and Kassidy is seven. Mommy and Daddy are taking us to Disney World before we go back to school."

"That's really nice," Elizabeth smiled once she was able to get a word in. "I'm sure that'll be fun."

"You seem to have hit it off with the girls." Michelle observed.

"That's because Elizabeth is a schoolteacher." Jack explained.

"It shows." Michelle replied. "Elizabeth, do you mind if I steal Jack away for a moment? It's been awhile."

"Sure,"

"I won't be long, sweetheart." Jack gave Elizabeth a quick kiss and joined Michelle.

"Look at you." Michelle acknowledged.

"What?" Jack asked innocently.

"You with a girlfriend." Michelle explained. "I remember when you told me, Melissa broke your heart. You swore up and down you were done with love. What happened?"

"Sometimes things happen when you least expect them." Jack answered. "We haven't been together long."

"Well you seem happy."

"She makes me happy. I never imagined this would happen, but I can't imagine life without her."

"That's great, Jack. "She seems nice." Michelle wrapped him in a hug. "Michael would be happy for you too."

"So how are you doing?" Jack asked.

Michelle placed her hand on her stomach. "Nathan and I are expecting again."

"What?" Jack exclaimed, "That's wonderful! Congratulations."

"Thanks, we just found out." Michelle clarified. "It was a total surprise. We weren't trying. If it's a boy we're going to name him Michael."

"I couldn't think of a better name."

Before long, the party began. Aly was excited to see her Aunt, Uncle and cousins, and even more excited that she would be spending an entire week with them in Disney World. Once all the presents were opened, Aly immediately abandoned them to go play with her friends.

"Aly seems to be enjoying herself." Elizabeth acknowledged.

"She's not the only one." Jack turned to face her. "I'm glad you decided to come." He leaned closer.

"Uncle Jack, Auntie Beth." Aly called as she, Emily, and Opal approached them.

Jack and Elizabeth quickly jumped apart.

"Come swimming with us."

"Jack and Elizabeth exchanged glances."

"Please." Aly begged.

Elizabeth stood. "Anything for the birthday girl."

"Yay!" Aly and her friends ran toward the pool, with Jack and Elizabeth following much slower behind them.

Once at the pool they claimed a couple of vacant lounge chairs.

Jack watched intently as Elizabeth lifted her dress above her head. He swallowed hard as the bright colorful tankini swimsuit came into view.

Elizabeth reached into her shoulder bag and pulled out a bottle of lotion. "Jack will you put sunscreen on my back for me?"

"Sure," Jack answered. He dispensed the lotion into the palm of his hand and gently rubbed it on her back. He gulped, resisting the urge to lift the hair from the back of her neck and leave a trail of kisses on her bare skin.

"Are you coming?" Aly asked impatiently from the pool.

"Yes, we're coming!" Jack answered, with a start. He handed the lotion back to Elizabeth peeled off his shirt and made a running leap into the pool. "Cannonball!" He called as he jumped in, going all the way to the bottom."

The three young girls giggled.

Elizabeth watched as Jack took off his shirt. She couldn't help but be mesmerized by how handsome he was. She couldn't take her eyes off him has he ran and jumped into the pool. She started to worry when Jack went all the way to the bottom but was just as quickly relieved when he reappeared at the surface. I hope he doesn't expect me to jump in like that. She thought to herself.

"Your turn." Jack called to Elizabeth when he drifted back to the top of the water.

"If you think I'm jumping in like that you are crazy Jack Thornton." Elizabeth called.

"Come on, live a little," Jack urged.

"I'm coming," Elizabeth relented, "But I'm not jumping in." She made her way to the ladder leading to the pool and slowly climbed down. "It's so cold!" She immediately crossed her arms across her chest and shivered.

"I told you, you should have jumped in." Jack swam toward her. "You would've gotten used to the cold water quicker if you had." He embraced her in a hug and rubbed her arms. "Is that better?"

"I'm always better in your arms."

Jack leaned toward her steal a kiss. When out of the blue, a splash of water hit them, followed by the sound of infectious giggling.

"Alright ladies, you asked for it." Jack released Elizabeth and swam toward the girls.

They all screamed and giggled, swimming further away from Jack.

"Gotcha!" Jack finally caught Aly, dunking her under water, eliciting more giggles from her, Emily, and Opal, who both swam even further from Jack, giggling along the way.

"I'll remember that," He called out to them, chasing them across the entire width of the pool.

Elizabeth leaned against the wall of the pool watching Jack with Aly and her friends, with a smile on her face. He's going to be an excellent father. She found herself thinking.

"Aly," Stacey called from the edge of the pool, interrupting Elizabeth's thoughts. "Laura has to leave. Come tell her goodbye and thank her for the gift she gave you."

"Coming," Aly replied from the pool as, Emily and Opal made their way to climb out of the pool.

As soon as the girls were out of earshot, Jack returned to Elizabeth's side. "I thought they'd never leave." He whispered in her ear.

"That's not very nice." She playfully slapped him.

"Well I just couldn't wait to be alone with you?" Jack defended. "Is that so wrong?"

"Well, since you put it that way," she admitted, "Not really."

He leaned forward to kiss her but was surprised when she backed away. He was even more surprised when a splash of water hit him in the face.

He glanced up at Elizabeth who was laughing.

"Oh no, not you too." He rolled his eyes with mock frustration. He moved to grab her, but she moved out of his reach. He decided to return the favor and splash her back.

"Hey!" She screamed.

"If you can't take it don't dish it out." Jack advised, before another splash of water hit him.

Soon it turned into an all-out splashing war. Elizabeth made her way to the ladder. With one final splash toward Jack she abruptly climbed out of the pool.

"You get back here." Jack called as he rushed to the ladder and climbed out after her.

She screamed and ran further away from him.

Jack continued to chase after Elizabeth. He finally caught up with her at the Buckets of Fun attraction. He grabbed her waist from behind, wrapping his arms around her stomach, pulling her close to his body. "You're mine..." He whispered in her ear. Elizabeth tried breaking free, to no avail. Without releasing her, Jack loosened his grip and turned her, so she was facing him in one swift movement. "…And I'm never letting you go." He continued

Elizabeth stopped squirming. "I would've let you catch me eventually."

"Good."

"I love you Jack."

"I love you too." Jack leaned forward and kissed her lips softly.

Seconds later the Buckets of Fun spilled over dumping water all over the two of them. Elizabeth screamed.

"Look likes we both lost the splash war." Jack laughed.

"Or both won," Elizabeth countered, "but now I look like a drowned rat."

"You're the most beautiful drowned rat I've ever seen." He gave her a quick kiss. "Come on, let's go back to the party."

They walked hand in hand and joined the rest of the party attendees.

"Where have you two been?" Stacey asked.

"Off having 'buckets of fun'." Jack laughed at his own joke.

Two weeks later

Jack, Elizabeth, Stacey, and Stacey's parents Max and Marlene were at the airport to see Michelle, Nathan, Kaitlyn, Kassidy, and Aly off to Florida for their trip to Disney World.

After many bittersweet hugs, kisses and waves goodbye, they all left the airport and went their separate ways.

Jack dropped Elizabeth off at her apartment and walked her to the door.

"Thanks for coming with me to see Aly off." Jack took her hand in his and grazed the back it with his thumb.

"It was my pleasure." Elizabeth assured. "I love her too. I'm going to miss her."

"I'm sure she'll miss you too."

"She'll be having too much fun with Mickey Mouse to even give me a second thought."

"I doubt that," Jack countered. "She's going to have loads of fun at Disney World, but she adores her Auntie Beth."

Elizabeth smiled. "I adore her too."

"I hate I have to leave." Jack changed the subject. "But I have to go work the late shift."

"I know," Elizabeth replied sadly.

"What are you doing Friday night?"

"No plans as of yet." Elizabeth answered, hopeful.

"I was just thinking, we've been dating for awhile but we've never had a romantic dinner, just the two of us."

"No, we haven't," Elizabeth agreed.

"So, Elizabeth Thatcher would you like to accompany me to dinner on Friday night?"

"I would love to Jack Thornton."

"Great! I'll pick you up 7:00?

"It's a date."

"Well I've gotta go." Jack kissed her. "I love you."

"I love you too." Elizabeth watched doors to the elevator close before she entered her apartment and closed the door behind her.

During his drive to the station, Jack smiled. He was looking forward to his evening with Elizabeth. The truth was he had made reservations at Chez Dominique, the new French Bistro in town two weeks ago. The restaurant was right on the lake, with a perfect view of the water. He planned to give Elizabeth a candle lit dinner, take her dancing, maybe go on a romantic moonlit walk along the lake, and who knew what other surprises he had up his sleeve. The only thing he was waiting on, and he'd been certain it would happen, was for her to say "yes."

To be continued…

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