Elizabeth was excited. Julie had Sammy and Helen at the orphanage for an overnight stay, giving Elizabeth a perfect evening to plan something special for her and Jack.

Baby Vi was now twelve weeks old and Elizabeth was missing Jack. He had been so patient with her and she was very appreciative but it was time to spend some time alone with him. Well, alone with him and baby Vi.

She lit candles around the living room, lit a small fire to take the chill out of the room and fed Vi on the couch. Dinner was ready and it was about ten minutes from when he was supposed to be home.

Once Vi was asleep, she placed her in her crib and changed into a knee length nightgown and robe. Then she took her curly hair out of its bun and let it fall over her shoulders.

She checked the time and he was late. He was rarely ever late. He loved coming home to see his family, laughing as Helen and Sammy tackled his legs, kissing her and Vi.

After thirty minutes, her stomach was growling so she decided to eat and try her hardest not to be angry. In all fairness, he had no idea she was planning something special for them. She had done it as a surprise.

Meanwhile in town….

Jack and Jesse poured over the latest blueprints and proclaimed them perfect.

"When do you think we should get started?" Jack asked.

"I'll order the lumber and as soon as we get that, we can."

"So, maybe a week?"

"Yes."

"Alright. I'll put in my notice then. Thanks, Jess. I can't wait to get started."

"Sorry to keep you late. I'm looking forward to this too."

Jack looked at the clock. "Oh boy. Better get home. Beth will be worried. Thanks again, Jess."

Jack ran the short distance home. He opened the door to candles, a fire in the fireplace and dinner on the stove. He didn't hear or see anyone so he went to his and Elizabeth's bedroom.

"Beth?"

She was rocking Vi by the window. "Hi."

"I'm sorry I'm late. Where are Sammy and Daisy girl?"

"With Julie overnight." She gently placed Vi in her crib and started to walk out.

"I messed up, didn't I? Did you tell me we were doing something tonight? If so, I must have forgotten." Although he didn't see how.

"No. I didn't tell you."

He looked at her nightgown, hair, and expression. "Sweetheart, I'm sorry."

"No need to apologize. Why don't you get cleaned up? Your dinner is on the stove."

"Hang on. When did you see Doc Shepherd?"

"Yesterday."

He nodded and unbuttoned his shirt so he could wash up. He took her hand and headed to the bathroom. "After I eat, why don't we take a nice, hot bath?" he suggested.

"We don't have to, Jack."

"I know. I want to, Beth. This opportunity is what I've been waiting for. About sixteen weeks or so," he grinned as he washed his arms, hands, and face. He saw her face redden in the mirror. He gave her a kiss. "You sure look beautiful."

"I'm glad you're home."

He dried off and turned and gave her a hug. "Me too."

….About an hour later….

"Is it crazy that I'm nervous?" Elizabeth asked as she lay back against his chest in the tub by the fire.

He nuzzled her ear and whispered. "Maybe a little." He kissed her shoulder and then her jaw. "It is just me, Beth."

"I know but….I don't look the same."

"True. You are even more lovely than before." He appreciated every single thing about how she looked.

She turned her head and looked at him. "That's very sweet."

"And very true."

She closed her eyes as he brought a soft cloth up the length of her arm and gently washed her shoulders and neck, leaving behind the lavender scent he loved.

A moment later, Vi let out a whimper in the bedroom. "I was hoping she would keep sleeping," Elizabeth told him softly with a sigh.

"Maybe she just needs a diaper change. I'll tend to her. You finish up here." He kissed her, got up out of the water, wrapping a towel around his waist, and left the room.

She closed her eyes and slipped under the water to wash her hair.

A few moments later, she towel dried her hair, wrapped a towel around herself and walked into the bedroom. Her intention was to feed Vi and then get back to their evening but the sight before her made her pause.

Jack sat holding Vi in the rocking chair, both of them asleep. The love she felt for them erased her disappointment. There was always next time.

….

Julie and Charles sat in the parlor of the orphanage, three sleeping children around them.

He watched her, running her fingers through Charlie and Helen's hair, a peaceful look on her face. She was so loving to the children. To everyone really.

She looked over and smiled at him. "What?" she whispered.

"Nothing." He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, kissing her temple.

"You can tell me."

"I was just watching you. You're very good with them. I know I've said it before but I guess thinking about our relationship now, it hit me more."

He could feel himself falling. He wasn't one hundred percent there, but it was happening.

She looked up, her eyes hesitating on his lips. Their first kiss had been perfect and had been her first too. Now, all she could think about was doing it again.

"Charles…"

He knew what she wanted so he gave it to her. It was part of his promise of making her happy. He gently, softly kissed her mouth, lingering a bit longer than he had the first time.

Her fingers slipped behind his neck, pulling him closer, deepening their kiss, rendering her speechless.

He was amazed at the feelings he had for the woman next to him. It had been ten months since he lost Vi. Ten very hard months, but knowing Julie had helped ease his pain.

There had been days since his declaration in his office where he doubted if it was the right thing to do. Mostly because of Jack. But now, he was sure it would be best for all of them.

….

The next morning….

Jack woke up and smiled. "Good grief. I love waking up like this," he said with a chuckle.

Beth smiled down at him as she fed Vi. "Why is that, honey?"

"Two of my girls sitting next to me, looking gorgeous. It's the best."

"Well, as nice as that is to hear, you need to get to work," she reminded him.

"Which means, as soon as Little Miss is finished, I'll make you some ham and eggs for breakfast."

"I'm sorry for falling asleep last night, Beth."

"You were tired. There will always be next time."

"Which will be when? Honestly, Sammy and Helen end up between us more often than not. That's not conducive to what we are missing here."

She gently placed Vi on her shoulder and burped her as she got out of bed. "We will figure it out."

"Mama!" Sammy and Helen yelled, running in the house. "We're home!"

Jack sighed and covered his head with the blankets. Their "next time" was definitely going to be soon if he had anything to say about it.

….

Their "next time" was put on hold because William Thatcher showed up a few days later.

"Father?" Elizabeth hugged him, trying not to squish Vi in the process.

"Is Julie here?" he asked, his Thatcher stubbornness shining brightly.

"No, Father. It's nice to see you." Vi started crying then. "Shhh."

"Mama! We hungry!" Helen yelled from the kitchen.

"Helen, Sammy, come see who's come to visit!" she told them, all the while bouncing Vi.

"Gumpa!" they yelled, attacking his knees.

His stern, serious face dissolved into a big smile. "Who are these monkeys? They can't be Sam and Helen. They are much to big."

"Is us, Gumpa! No monkeys." Helen told him. "Gumpa, hold!"

He bent down and picked them both up, soaking up their limitless affection.

William felt his stress melting away. The love of his grandchildren filled his heart.

"You pay with us, Gumpa?" Helen asked.

"Let's go get a snack and then we will play."

"Yeah. Snack," Sammy said with a grin as they led him by the hands the into kitchen.

"I'm going to go feed Vi while you do that," Elizabeth told him.

"Alright," he nodded.

When she returned, she found all three sharing a piece of pie at the table.

"Pie before dinner? Really, Father?"

"It looked good. Don't worry, Beth. I'm eating most of it."

"Mmhm. Well, I guess you visiting is a reason to celebrate. Sammy, Helen? Will you go play in the other room, please? I need to talk to Grandpa."

"Kay, Mama," Sammy said, scampering off, Helen right behind him.

Elizabeth handed Vi to William, hoping to keep him calm and reasonable.

"I'm here to take your sister home where she belongs."

"Do you still believe I belong in Alberta, Father?"

"I'd prefer if you were there but I understand you have certain ties to this place."

"So does Julie."

"Such as…?"

"I'll let you speak with her. She works and lives at the Hope Home."

"And where's Charles?"

"The bank. You'll find him there."

"Beth, do you really think Julie is happy here? That she belongs here?"

"She's struggled, Father. I do think that she is finding her way and I think being independent has helped her do that."

William headed to the bank first. He really needed to know when Charles thought he might come back to work.

"William." Charles froze as he counted the money in his till.

"Charles, may I have a moment of your time?"

"We close in an hour. I'm the only one here so I can't take you to my office."

"Is this what you left Thatcher Industries for?"

"One of the things. I planned on returning but now…"

"Now what?"

"With Julie here, I think I need to stay a bit longer."

"What do you mean, with Julie here? Are you and Julie….what about Vi?"

"Sir, with all due respect, Vi is gone. She has been for ten months."

"So you moved on?"

"Frankly, yes. Sir, it wasn't my intention at the beginning. I loved Vi with all of my heart. But, Charlie needs a mother. Julie fills that need."

"So you are only with Julie for Charlie's sake?"

"At first, yes. But, sir, I need a wife. A companion. My heart is always going to have a place for Vi, but it's also here, with Julie."

"Do you love her?"

"She is my best friend. She loves Charlie as if he were her own. She loves me."

"But do you love her?"

"I'm almost there."

….

William walked to Hope Home to see his daughter. His mind was having trouble comprehending that Charles and Julie were in some sort of relationship.

In society circles, it was customary and expected that a person waited a year from when their spouse died before starting a relationship. If Charles was already "almost there" in his feelings for Julie….it just seemed so wrong.

He didn't doubt that little Charlie would benefit from having a mother figure. He just wasn't sure Julie was the logical choice.

He knocked on the door of the orphanage and waited, hearing plenty of children's noises coming from inside. He knocked louder thinking that whomever was inside couldn't possibly hear him knocking.

"Oh! Mr. Thatcher. Come in. It's a good thing you're here," Abigail told him.

"Mrs. Stanton, right?"

"Abigail, yes. Have you seen Julie, sir?"

"No. Isn't she here? Doesn't she work for you?"

"Yes, of course. It's just, she and little Charlie left early this morning to take preserves and other things to Mrs. Potter on the far side of town. She was supposed to be back by now."

"What? You sent my daughter, who has no outdoor training of any kind with my three year old grandson out into the elements? What were you thinking?"

"Sir, she assured me they would be fine. She's been there before."

"Yes, well, apparently she is lost now and so is my grandson. When I find her, she's coming back to Alberta where she is safe!"