The next morning Jack stood awake in his kitchen preparing breakfast. He was tired, having gotten so little sleep the night before. He was whisking together the pancake batter when he heard his back door open.

"Rosie, what are you doing here?" He put the bowl on the counter, giving her a quick hug.

"I woke up early and wanted to see how you were doing. You were a bit of a mess last night."

"Yeah, sorry. I didn't mean to worry you."

"Jack, you're the only close family I have left. I'll always worry about you. So tell me, how are you?"

Jack let out a deep sigh. "I'm alright. I was so scared though, Rosie. The thought of going through that kind of loss again, it was paralyzing."

"You can handle this Jack. We knew moving on would be hard. But with the right woman I believe you can face the unknowns. Elizabeth is the right woman for you, I know it."

Jack nodded. "You're right about that."

Rosie looked up to the ceiling when she heard footsteps above.

"Sounds like Hunter's up."

"Actually, that's probably Elizabeth."

Rosie looked at him in shock. "She stayed here?"

"Just for the night and not in the same room. I just couldn't stand being away from her. I needed to know she was close and alright."

"I can't say I blame you." Rosie giggled. "Though I'd be surprised if you didn't try to sneak in there last night, knowing how you feel about each other. Close proximity can be hard."

"I thought about it," he grinned. "I just wanted to hold her in my arms. I figured if I tried, I'd never leave. Besides with Hunter down the hall..."

"Oh goodness, you're right. That wouldn't have been awkward at all," they both laughed and didn't realize Elizabeth had joined them.

"Oh hi," Elizabeth spoke meekly as she entered the kitchen. "Sorry to interrupt."

"Hey Beth," Jack wrapped her in his arms before giving her a tender kiss. "You're not interrupting anything. Coffee?"

"Yes, please."

"Rosie, how about you?"

"No thanks. I just stopped by to make sure everyone was okay. How are you feeling, Elizabeth?"

"Not as bad as I look." She winced as she touched her bruised cheek and eye. It was very obvious now. "Not sure I have enough makeup to hide this."

"You're beautiful, even with that shiner. Okay?" Jack reassured.

"If you say so."

"I do."

Rosie smiled watching them, the love was so palpable.

"Heading over to Lee's this year?" Jack asked Rosie as he placed Elizabeth's coffee in front of her.

"Yes. Elizabeth, you know the Coulter's, any advice? This is my first time meeting them so I'm kind of freaking out."

"Hmm, well Lee's dad takes his football very seriously, especially today. His mom is as sweet as can be. She's a quilter, so she probably won't let you leave until she's shown off her latest quilting projects."

"Nothing bad there. You know, I once tried my hand at quilting."

"Oh, well that gives you some common ground. How'd it go?"

"Horrible…"

Elizabeth laughed, "Try not to worry. The Coulters are down to earth people. I'm sure they'll adore you."

After Rosie left, the couple remained silent in the kitchen. Jack focusing on the pancakes, Elizabeth focused on him.

"Are we going to talk about it?" she asked softly.

"Talk about what?"

"Last night."

"There's nothing really to talk about."

"Are you sure? You've been so quiet ever since. It's not like you, Jack."

"I've just had a lot on my mind, that's all." He walked over and squeezed her hand. He knew what she said was true, but couldn't help it.

"Can you tell me what's on your mind exactly? Is it about Hunter? Or me?"

"A bit of both, I guess."

"Oh, okay." She had an uneasy feeling in her stomach. She knew the pain Jack went through before losing his wife. She wondered if he was now realizing that being in a relationship with a woman in a dangerous job wasn't what he wanted. She couldn't fully blame him if that was the case. Nevertheless, it would crush her if he ended things, especially at this point. Whatever he was thinking, she needed to know where they stood. "Jack are you…"

"Good morning!" Hunter said as he ran into the kitchen in his Star Wars pjs. "It's turkey day!"

"That it is bud," Jack smiled. "And guess what? I'm making pancakes!"

"Awesome! You like pancakes, right Elizabeth?"

"I do, sweetie." She knelt down and hugged him. A tear escaped her eyes at the thought of losing not just Jack but Hunter too due to her job. She needed answers from Jack, but now she'd have to wait.

After breakfast they sat in the living room watching the Macy's Thanksgiving parade. Hunter curled up with his bear in between them.

Jack wrapped his arm around his two loves, wanting more moments like this. Last night scared him to his core. More than anything though it showed him that he didn't want to live without Elizabeth.

Jack's parents arrived just after 11, wanting to help with Hunter so the adults could get the cooking done.

Charlotte gasped when she saw the bruises on Elizabeth's face. Tom gently touched her chin turning her face this way and that.

"Tried arresting someone who didn't want to go, huh?" he said.

"Yes, sir."

"Did you get him?"

"Her and yes we did."

"Well done. Tylenol and ice does the trick. Don't hero it out. Ice it every now and then till it's gone."

"Thomas has been there a time or two, or 12 before. We've learned many tricks."

"I guess you and I should talk tonight, sir."

"Of course! Remind me to tell you about the time I took down 2 druggies with a death wish."

"Oh here we go, the glory stories are coming out," Charlotte laughed rolling her eyes.

"Thank goodness you're here, Lizzie. Maybe now someone will finally appreciate my stories."

"I'll be happy to listen, sir," she smiled as they all sat down to enjoy the rest of the parade.

Once the parade was over Jack got up to work on dinner. Elizabeth surprised him by getting up to help.

"I thought you said you could burn water?" he teased.

"I've been working on it, and I wanted to be with you. If that's okay?"

"Of course it is. Up for mixing up some casseroles?"

"If you have a recipe, I'll try."

Jack and Elizabeth worked together in Jack's small kitchen for the next hour. Neither said much and barely made eye contact. They were so lost in their own thoughts.

Jack loved to cook and always hoped one day to expand his little kitchen. Right now though, he was seeing the benefits to working in such a small space. Each time they'd pass one another, they'd exchange sweet, loving touches. Each hand on his back, or on her hip fueled a fire within.

The closeness was becoming too much for Jack to bear. As she passed him on her way to sink, he took hold of her arm, turning her to face him.

"Beth," he whispered. Her eyes looked sad and full of worry. He had remained quiet about last night to collect his own thoughts, unsure of what to say. He could tell now the effect his decision had on her. "Take a walk with me in a minute?"

"I'm still working on this casserole thing."

"It can wait."

She looked around the messy counters then back at Jack. "If I go, will you talk to me? You're worrying me, Jack."

"I promise."

"Okay, let's take a walk."

Jack placed the turkey in the oven and went into the living room. Elizabeth stayed in the doorway of the kitchen listening.

"Mom, Elizabeth and I are going to take a walk around the block, can you keep an eye on things?"

"I'll keep two eyes on it all. Anything I need worry about in the kitchen?"

"Nope. Turkey's in the oven and we will finish the other stuff when we get back."

"Can I come, too?" Hunter said jumping up from his seat on the floor with his toys.

"Not this time, bud."

"Why not?" he whined.

Jack knelt down in front of the boy. "Elizabeth and I just want a few minutes just us adults. We won't be gone long, I promise."

"You'll both come back?" He looked around Jack to Elizabeth. Even he sensed a change in their demeanor this morning.

"We will both come back Hunter, I promise," Elizabeth reassured.

"Okay." With that Hunter returned his attention back to his toys.

"We've got it handled son, go enjoy your walk," Tom said, waving them away.

Jack grabbed his coat off the hook and handed it to Elizabeth. She shook her head.

"Elizabeth, its snowing already, please take the jacket."

"You wear it. I'll go grab mine from next door." He nodded and they headed out the door to her place. She unlocked the back door off her kitchen and stepped inside, Jack right behind her.

He leaned against the counter waiting for her. He glanced over towards the new fridge. Jack and Lee helped her carry it in but it was she who hooked it up and made sure it worked properly. He looked at the pictures gracing the front, seeing some familiar faces. She'd placed a number of pictures of the three of them and some of just Hunter. Even a couple drawings of Hunter's were proudly displayed.

"You ready?" she asked as she entered in her peacoat and scarf.

Without saying a word, Jack closed the distance between them. He took her in his arms for a kiss. Her lips parted slightly with a sigh at his touch, allowing him to go deeper. He leaned her back against the wall, losing himself in her arms.

They pulled apart slightly to catch their breaths, each resting their forehead against the other.

"Jack Thornton… that was…" she gasped.

"I know."

"Please don't leave me," she whispered.

Jack pulled back further, a look of shock on his face. "Leave you? Beth, I love you. I'm not going anywhere. I swear!"

"Are you sure? I know my job is scary and you've already gone through so much. I can only imagine how last night made you feel."

He kissed away her tears before speaking. "Last night was awful. I was so scared that I was losing you like I lost Brenna. It was almost unbearable."

"Oh Jack, I'm so sorry."

He place a finger gently at the seam of her lips, silencing her. "I felt that way because what we have here, this love, it's important. You're important, Elizabeth."

"Do you think you can handle being in love with a cop? Because, Jack, this is me. I want to make a difference and protect those who need it."

"I know. It's different but it's kind of similar to me being a teacher. I could have accepted the job offered to me at a prestigious academy, but it wasn't my calling. I wanted to mold young minds, be a good teacher and male role model in a school where it's hard to get good teachers. I love my job. I can't imagine being anything else."

"So you do get it?"

"I do. I'm not going to pretend it will be easy or that I won't worry about you, because I will. But I'm not giving up on us. I can't."

"We're okay then, you and me?"

"We're more than okay." His fingers moved a few stray curls back behind her ear. "I'm sorry I handled this wrong. Seeing you hurt, knowing it was Jamie who did this just threw me for a loop."

"It would to anyone in your position!" She wrapped her arms tightly around him, holding him close. "Have you heard from Faith Shepard? Has she said anything about last night?"

"No, but it's a holiday. Maybe she'll call tomorrow." She nodded. "Come on, let's take that walk, okay?" She took his hand and they headed out the door.

….

The rest of the day went off without a hitch. Dinner was wonderful, even the part Elizabeth prepared. Before dessert, Jack and Charlotte cleared the table and did the dishes. Elizabeth was planning on helping but Hunter insisted she read to him from the new book Grammie and Pop brought. So of course she agreed.

Once she'd finished 3 chapters, he moved on to play with his Legos on the floor. Elizabeth and Tom sat on the couch, their focus moving between the boy and the game.

"Mr. Thornton, sir, may I ask you a question?"

"Call me Tom, sweetheart, and of course. Got something on your mind?"

"I do, yeah."

"Does it have anything to do with that shiner?"

Elizabeth laughed, "Pretty much, yeah. Is it possible that I could maybe have both a family and my job?"

"Well the short answer is heck, yes. I did."

"And the long answer?"

"See, that's where it gets more complicated." The older man sat up a bit in his seat. "When the time comes, you'll need to find that balance between the two. Some weeks, the family is number 1, but other weeks it may need to be the job."

She settled into the couch, listening to the older man's wisdom.

"Charlotte's always been a saint. She understood that I loved her and the boys more than anything. Even when I couldn't be with them. She instilled that in them as well."

Elizabeth nodded again. Then smiled down at Hunter.

"You know, I've worked with a few female cops in my time. Frankly, I see no difference. A good cop is a good cop."

"Thank you, sir. That's really encouraging."

"Call me Tom, Lizzie."

"Sorry, Tom." They laughed.

"I have to say, thank you, Lizzie, for loving our boy. He's a good man, but I've worried about him. You know I think you and that boy there saved him."

"They both saved me. So I'm happy to return the favor."

"Elizabeth! Pop! Jack said it's pie time!" Hunter said running into the room. "There's pumpkin and apple and pecan! I want one of each."

"Well you know what I'm going to do then?"

"What Pop?"

"I'm gonna head home before your bedtime, because you, my boy, are going to be wired!" They laughed.

"I'll make you a deal, Hunter," Elizabeth said wrapping her arm around him. "You pick one now, and I'll make sure we save at least a piece of the others for you for later."

"Oh alright," he sighed and ran to his seat.

"Well, look at you," Jack said as he walked behind her with a grin. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her cheek.

"What are you talking about, love?"

"You sounded just like a mom."

"Is that okay?" she said as a small giggle slipped from her lips.

"It's wonderful."

She turned in his arms to give him a hug. "I love you, Jack."

"And I love you, Beth."

Jack's cell went off making him pull away sooner than he'd like.

"It's Faith." He answered and stepped out of the room and out onto the front porch.

"Hi, Jack, hope I'm not bothering you."

"No, not all. Happy Thanksgiving."

"You too. Actually, I have some news."

Jack took a deep breath. "What is it?"

"There was an incident last night involving Ms. Wade. She's been arrested and they suspect she will be going away for a while. The courts are moving forward with the termination of her rights."

"What does that mean exactly?"

"It means I'm petitioning the court to grant you the adoption."

Jack took a seat in the porch chair, feeling his legs give way. "Faith, you think they'll grant it?"

"I've collected all your character references. They're wonderful, Jack. I have to let Hunter's maternal grandmother know, but she's unable to care for him so I don't think she'll put up a fuss. She just wants him in a good home."

"What about his father?"

She flipped through Hunter's file, "Nate Tolliver… signed away his rights not long after Hunter's birth. There's no other family listed. Jack, you know things come up sometimes, but right now, I'd say things look very promising."

"Thank you, Faith. Really. This is what I want. Let me know what I need to do."

"Wonderful. Ms. Wade's due in court next week. I guess they want to get a move on it because of the holidays. Things always fall through the cracks this time of year. Anyway, you don't need to be there and once that's finished we'll get a meeting set with a judge and hopefully that will be it."

"Great. Thank you Faith." He hung up and said a silent prayer of thanks as well as asking the Lord to guide them all through these next steps.

"Jack?" Elizabeth said coming out. "Its freezing, come inside." She noticed him wiping his eyes. "Oh, love, is everything okay?"

"They're moving forward. Faith is going to petition the courts to grant the adoption."

"Oh, Jack that's wonderful!" She kissed him and hugged him tightly.

Jack's face radiated joy. Things were coming together.