Elizabeth woke up lying stretched out on her sister's couch to the sound of her phone going off. Over the past few weeks that she'd known Jack, it had becoming a more familiar sound. She even found herself looking forward to his random texts. Sometimes he'd send a picture of something he found neat, pretty or weird. Other times he'd send a random history fact. Regardless, they made her smile and even laugh on occasion.

This morning she opened the message and found a picture of a beautiful sunrise. The message along with it read: "Good morning, neighbor. Check out this awesome sunrise from our backyards. Happy moving day!"

She smiled and looked down at Snowball who was curled up at her feet. "Its moving day, girl!"

Later that morning Elizabeth pulled into her new driveway, a good 20 minutes before everyone else who was going to help showed. The crisp fall air was being warmed by the sun, making for great conditions.

She turned at the sound of Jack's front door opening and saw Hunter running out.

"Hi, Hunter," she smiled.

"Hi." He looked at her as if studying her. Clearly still trying to figure out whether or not he could truly trust her. "You moving in today?"

"Yup. You cool with that?" He nodded.

Jack opened the door just then. "Hunter James, where's your jacket?"

"Inside. I don't want it now."

"Until the air's a little warmer I'd like you to wear it like I asked. Understood?"

"Do I have to?" he groaned.

"Yes. You don't want to get sick and miss school."

"Maybe I do," he grinned.

"Nice sass. What about hockey? Don't want to miss that do you?" Now it was Jack's turn to grin, he knew he got him there.

"No… that wouldn't be fun."

"Right, so…"

The little boy huffed as he climbed back up the front stairs to get his jacket.

Once he was inside, Elizabeth laughed. "Wow, you're like the meanest guardian ever," she teased.

"I know right?" He smiled his dimpled smile that gave her warm and fuzzy feelings. Feelings she had been doing her best to deny. Jack walked down the steps and embraced her in a hug. "You ready, neighbor?"

"Yeah, I really think I am."

"Good!" He looking into her beautiful eyes. Each day seeing less and less pain in them. They had been beautiful before, but now they were like the blue waters of a secret island. He felt he could lose himself in them if he stared long enough. "Knock it off, Jack." He'd tell himself. "She's your neighbor and friend. Nothing more, remember?"

He did his best not to forget that detail. Referring to her as "neighbor" was all in good fun, sure, but also to keep himself in check as he felt himself falling deeper for her.

He did his best to shake off the attraction he was feeling and focus on the task at hand.

"So, I have the Keurig ready to go and some muffins Abigail sent over in case the movers are hungry. We can set it up in your kitchen for now if you want."

"Wow, look at you, Mr. Hospitality! Thank you!"

"You're welcome." He turned to grab them out of the house just as Hunter walked out.

"Can I be outside now?" he sighed, pointing to his batman jacket. Some of his adorable curly brown hair was peeking out from the hood.

"Yes you may. Would you help Miss Thatcher carry whatever she needs help with into her house?"

"Sure! I like helping!"

"Thank you Hunter!" she smiled. "Let me open up the truck and we can get started."

Jack couldn't help but smile watching the two of them. For someone who didn't think she was very good with kids, she was doing great with his shy little man. Maybe it was just the hurt of her past that made her feel that way.

One by one, vehicles pulled up to her house. Lee and Rosie first, followed by Julie, Grace, and Abigail's husband Bill and son Cody.

Just before lunch, Elizabeth stood in the center of her living room, which was now full of boxes. Jack suggested Elizabeth stay in the house and direct the progress there while he managed the unloading of the truck. She was so thankful for his help.

"It's going to take me a lifetime to unpack everything," she sighed as she collapsed on the one empty spot on the couch.

"Try not to stress, dear. Just take one room at a time and make it home," Grace suggested.

Jack came up behind her placing his hands on her shoulders. "Your mom's right. One day at a time, right? Besides, I'll help if you need it."

"Thanks, Jack." She tilted her head back and smiled at him. "I guess I should get back to work." Jack offered his hand to her pulling her up off the couch.

Lee stood back watching Jack and Elizabeth. He'd been watching them all day as they navigated around the house. He noticed several gentle touches and inside jokes with each pass they'd made. He didn't know Jack well yet but liked what he did know. He'd grilled Rosie about him at length before bringing Elizabeth out on the date with him.

Jack walked back out to the garage to grab another box, almost running into a tall man with salt and pepper hair.

"Whoa, sorry sir."

"That's alright. No harm." The man looked Jack over as if trying to size him up. "What's your name?"

"Oh uh, Jack. Jack Thornton, sir. And you are?"

The man grinned. "William Thatcher. I'm Elizabeth's father."

"Oh! Nice to meet you, sir. I live next door."

"I see. Well Mr. Thornton, would you mind helping me bring in lunch?"

"Of course not." Jack followed the man outside to his very nice, very expensive looking car. They each grabbed a bag of food and carried it back inside to the kitchen.

"Food,s here!" William called out as he placed the food on the counter.

"Dad! I didn't know you were coming today," Elizabeth said walking over to give her dad a hug.

"Of course I came. I wanted to see you and check out this new place of yours. Besides, someone had to make sure you all ate."

Elizabeth opened up one of the bags taking in the scent. "Mmm, Chinese, my favorite! Thanks, Dad!"

"My pleasure. There's plenty for everyone. Dig in."

Jack helped Hunter wash his hands before picking him up and lifting him up to a seat on the counter. "Here you go, bud. 1 egg roll and some shrimp lo mein."

"Yum!"

"Hey Jack, there's some beef and broccoli, your favorite." She dished some out on a paper plate and handed it to him.

"Thanks!"

Just as lunch was finishing, Jack looked down at his phone checking the time.

"Hey, Elizabeth, Hunter and I have to head out to hockey now but here's a key. If you need anything from my place, feel free."

"You're quite a neighbor, Jack!" Grace smiled, happy to see such a good young man taking an interest, even if it was just as friends, in her daughter. William nodded, watching the young man carefully.

"We like helping out, don't we, bud?" He gave Hunter's hair a good tussle.

"Yup."

Elizabeth smiled at them. "I appreciate it, really. Thanks, Jack. You too, Hunter."

"Thank you, Miss Thatcher."

"So you like hockey, young man?" William asked with a smile.

"Yeah, it's a lot of fun!"

"I didn't realize they had hockey for this age group. I imagine the games can be very entertaining!" Grace laughed.

"Oh they are! Basically at this age, it's all about learning to skate and hold a stick. They do learn some drills and play around. It's fun."

"Sounds exciting. Have fun at practice, Hunter!" Elizabeth said, giving the young boy a high five.

"I will! See you later."

Jack gave her a friendly wink and headed out the door.

Elizabeth watched out the window as Jack helped Hunter in the car and tossed his oversized hockey bag in the trunk. He looked over towards her house and smiled, giving her a wave when he noticed her. She waved back before turning back to the house.

Lee walked over to the bookshelf where she was busy arranging her books.

"So, you two seem… cozy," Lee grinned.

"Who two? Me and Jack?" she asked surprised.

"Yup."

"Oh no! Put that grin away, Coulter. We're friends."

"Is that all that's there?"

"Yes!" she laughed at his comment. She moved the empty box and went to grab another.

"If you're sure, but from where I'm standing it looks pretty real."

"It is real. A real friendship. Lee, listen, I'm glad you and Rosie are on cloud 9 with your new relationship, but please don't project it all on mine."

"So you admit it's a relationship?"

She dropped the box she had been carrying hard on the floor. Turning to face him with her hands now resting on her hips. It was her "bad cop" interrogation face. "A friendship is a type of relationship, is it not?"

Lee tried with all his might to hold his amusement in. "Yes, I suppose it is."

"So what's the problem here, Coulter?"

"Nothing, no problem," he laughed. "I'm just going to take this box here and move it into the office over here."

"Good idea. Get something to eat after too. Maybe you'll be less annoying with food in your mouth," she teased, shaking her head.

….

Two weeks later. Elizabeth felt as if she had settled in well to her new home. Having an army of help the day she moved in proved to be quite a blessing. By the time the last person left that first day, everything essential was unpacked and in its proper place. She even had Julie put all her pictures up in the rooms she'd already painted.

She took her morning coffee into the hall and leaned against the wall facing the stairs. Today was the day she was going to tackle painting the stairwell. She'd already removed the nasty green and yellow striped wallpaper with Jack's help over the course of the first week.

Thankfully he would be returning to help finish the project. This time with Hunter, as well. She couldn't really tell how much progress she was making with the little boy. One day he would be fine and chatty with her, the next he would be so shy and nervous. She only hoped in time it would stabilize. Last thing Elizabeth wanted was to be a constant reminder of what was obviously a very traumatizing time in his life.

"Knock, knock!" Jack called into Elizabeth's house.

"Well, if it isn't my trusty painting experts! Ready to help me tackle this beast?"

"That we are. I borrowed some stuff from my dad to make this process a little easier."

"Wonderful, because I have no idea what I'm doing here. My luck, I'd break something."

"Glad we're here then because we wouldn't want that."

Hunter watched the friendly exchange between Jack and Elizabeth. Slightly confused by something he heard. "Miss Thatcher, why do you call Jack an expert painter?"

"Oh, well I know Jack did a lot of work on your home and it looks very nice," she smiled. "And he helped me paint my kitchen and living room."

Hunter laughed. "I like when he painted my room!"

Jack fumbled trying to set up the ladder. "Hunter, we don't need to tell her that story."

"Why? It was really funny! Jack painted my ceiling and tripped over the paint bucket."

"Oh no!" Elizabeth laughed, not just at Hunter's story, but Jack's nervous reaction to him telling it.

"Paint went everywhere! I liked it."

"How come?" she asked.

"Because then I got to pick out my own carpet!"

"Thanks, Hunter..." Jack shook his head as Elizabeth giggled.

"Well, no big disasters happened here, although I'm not too fond of the carpet in my bedroom. Should I send Jack in there, Hunter?"

"Maybe you should!" Hunter giggled again.

"Ok, so you're ganging up on me now? I see how it is."

Elizabeth saw him tense up a bit, even with a smile on his face. "Well, I'm grateful for Jack's help, Hunter. It's nice to have a friend you can go to when you need something."

Jack looked at her as he laid the drop cloths on the stairs.

"I'm grateful too."

The way his eyes held hers made her think he meant more than just for her friendship. What surprised her was that that thought didn't bother her as much as she thought it would.

…..

Another week went by like a flash of light. Jack's fall semester was well on its way, leaving him with stacks of essays and tests to grade. Elizabeth was busy with work too. Little crimes and civil disturbances seemed to skyrocket the week of Halloween. She was grateful when the new schedule came out and she wasn't slated to work either Halloween night or the following day.

At the house, Hunter sat at the dining room playing with his Legos while Jack made chili on the stove. Jack looked out the window every now and again to see if Elizabeth had made it home yet. He knew she'd been working a number of late hours over the past couple weeks.

He smiled when he looked up again just in time to see her car pull up the drive.

"Hey bud, I'm gonna take out the garbage."

"Okay."

Jack grabbed the half full bag and headed out the side door just as Elizabeth stepped out of her car, clearly looking exhausted. Her hair was cascading freely down her back, having taken it out of its usual bun after her shift.

"How is she so beautiful?" he thought to himself. It was getting harder and harder to think of her as just a friend. They saw or talked to each other almost every day. It had become so normal.

She looked over from her driveway and gave him a weak, yet beautiful smile.

"Just getting in?"

"Yeah. My shift technically ended hours ago but the bad guys didn't get the memo."

"I'm sorry." He watched her head toward her home, his body anxiously wanting to keep her closer. "Hey, I have dinner on the stove that's just about ready. You're welcome to eat with us."

She looked up to the living room window where Hunter was watching. He waved at her when she caught his glance.

"Sure. Give me a minute to shower first?"

"Take your time," he smiled. He watched her climb the stairs and head into her house.

"She's your friend and neighbor, Jack. Just a friend and neighbor…" he repeated as he walked back inside. "Oh let's be honest, she's your incredibly gorgeous, sweet, amazing friend and neighbor that you can't stop thinking about."

Elizabeth hopped out of the shower a little later, pulling her hair back into a loose ponytail. Going to her closet she tried to find something to wear, feeling like she had nothing.

"Why are you acting like this, you dork? It's just dinner with your friend and neighbor. Your really hot neighbor… who's super sweet and adorable and… ugh," she groaned loudly.

She threw on a pair of jeans and her long sleeve grey Philadelphia PD shirt and headed over.

Dinner was nice. Hunter was quiet for the most part but would smile at her more than before. She could tell he was still nervous.

While Jack was getting Hunter ready for bed, Elizabeth did the dishes and cleaned the kitchen, not wanting to leave a mess for him when he was done. While she stood over the sink washing a bowl for the third time, she couldn't help but think about Jack. It was then she realized something. Over the past month, she had thought more about Jack than Trevor. Her chest tightened at the thought.

She quickly finished the last dish and went to leave, needing to get some air.

"Hey, you alright?" Jack asked, coming into the kitchen.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired."

"Yeah I bet. You've been working hard lately. Can I do anything?"

"No… I just need to get home. Thanks for dinner."

Jack fought the urge to take her into his arms and hold her. Something was clearly wrong. She stood there with her hand on the door knob.

"Well… goodnight, neighbor," he said giving her a weak smile.

"Goodnight."

She left as quickly as she could and ran inside her own home. Once inside, she leaned up against the door, sliding down to sit on the floor. Things had changed, and for the first time since he'd started calling her "neighbor", it bothered her.

She didn't want to be just his neighbor anymore.

….

Jack walked into the living room, flipping the TV onto ESPN. He stared at the TV for 20 minutes, but couldn't tell you who was playing. His mind stayed on Elizabeth. He wanted to know what was bothering her. Was it something he did?

Next door, Elizabeth laid on her bed clutching her pillow. Her mind racing as tears streamed down her rosy cheeks. She looked over at her faithful cat, spilling out her thoughts.

"He's gone, Snowball. Trevor's not coming back." She sat up taking the chain from around her neck off. She held the engagement ring in her hand. "I didn't want this. Did I? To move on, without you?" Her voice cracked.

She laid back on the bed and closed her eyes. As she thought about her life then and now, she realized Lee and Julie had been right. Trevor had loved her, completely. He wouldn't want her to just live her life. He'd want her to find someone good, and true. Someone like Jack. She didn't know when it happened exactly, but she had fallen for him.

Getting off the bed she walked over to her dresser, pulling out the little box that held her dearest mementos from her life with Trevor. She brought the ring to her lips.

"I will never forget you, but I have to do this for me." She placed the ring in the box and put it back in the drawer.

"I'll be back, Snowball."

Elizabeth silently let herself into Jack's home, not wanting to knock or ring the doorbell and risk waking Hunter. She could have texted him to let him know she was coming, but she was nervous she'd lose her resolve if she didn't just go for it.

"Jack?" she quietly called from the entry way.

Jack was still stretched out on the couch in the living room watching a game when he heard her. He jumped up and ran to the hall.

"Elizabeth? Are you alright?" His voice was full of care and concern. This wasn't like her, just showing up. He didn't mind, however. He rather liked how comfortable she seemed with him.

"Yeah. Well, no actually." She looked around the house and up the stairwell near her. "Is Hunter asleep?"

"Yeah, out like a light. What's going on?"

She stood there, taking a deep breath. She knew once the words were out there was no turning back.

"Come here, let's sit." He reached out his hand for her hand but she didn't take it. "Elizabeth?"

"I don't want to be your neighbor anymore," she blurted out fast. So fast Jack wasn't sure he heard her right.

"You what?"

She took another deep breath. "I don't want to be your neighbor anymore."

"Seriously? Elizabeth, what does that mean? You just moved in! We just finished the paint in your stairwell! That was a lot of work!" he chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Why would you want to leave?"

"That's not what I mean, Jack."

"Then what?" Fear had taken a hold of him now. Had he pushed her somehow? Pushed her to the point she now felt uncomfortable around him? He vowed to himself right there to fix whatever it was.

"You call me neighbor, all the time. It was fine at first, endearing even, but now…"

"Now what?"

She took a step closer, taking both his hands in hers.

"Now, I don't want to be JUST your neighbor anymore."

"Oh…" Jack's voice was barely above a whisper as he was left speechless. They both just stood there, staring into the others eyes.

Did she really mean it? Was she ready? Jack's mind was spinning. This was what he'd been trying hard not to want, but desperately did.

Jack let go of her right hand and gently let his fingers graze along her blushed cheek.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Jack searched her eyes, and for the first time since they'd met, she looked completely at peace. He leaned in slightly, still a little afraid of scaring her away.

Elizabeth sensed his hesitation and knew he was doing his best to be respectful. She decided to meet him halfway. She stood up on her toes to reach his lips, gently touching them with her own.

The feeling was unlike anything either of them had ever known. It awakened feelings Jack had tried so hard not to feel, and one's Elizabeth felt were lost forever, only more intense.

They pulled away slightly a moment later. Jack looked at her again, wanting to make sure she was okay with what they had just shared. Her eyes were still closed, but there was a soft smile on her face.

"You okay?" he whispered and she nodded. "Good. That means I can do this." He leaned in again, taking hold of her lips once more. This kiss was deeper, and longer than the first.

"Wow," she said with a quiet giggle.

"Wow what?"

She stepped back a bit. "You're a great neighbor Jack, but I think you'll be ever better in our new arrangement."

"Just you wait," he grinned. "Just you wait."