"Jack, we need to go to City Hall to get our marriage license soon," she told him as she hurried from work to her car. She was meeting Jack and Hunter at their house and then riding together to her parents house for dinner. Hunter was so excited to make pizza with Grandpa Will and Nana Grace.

"I don't have any days off this week, babe. Are they open on Saturday?"

"No. I think their late night is Wednesday, though."

"That's tomorrow. It's good for me."

"Ok, me too. I'm going to hang up now, love. I'll be there in twenty."

"Love you, Beth."

"Love you, Mama!" Hunter yelled in the background. "Oh! Daddy, Bruce just peed on the floor!"

Elizabeth chuckled at Jack's growl when he heard that. "See you when you get here."

As she drove, Elizabeth thought of all the details that were coming together for their wedding. There were only a few details left like moving Jack and Hunter in and telling her parents and sister tonight about them getting married in about two weeks.

Also, the adoption finalization hearing was on January 30th so they decided to get married on January 20th and take a three day weekend for a honeymoon. Both had already cleared it with their bosses for the time off. Then February 1st, Elizabeth had a ceremony of sorts for her new promotion to Sergeant. She hadn't told Jack about that yet.

All that being said, she refused to let herself get overwhelmed. She was gaining a family and nothing made her happier.

She pulled into Jack's driveway and hopped out of the car.

"Mama! Let's go see Grandpa and Nana!" Hunter said, meeting her halfway down the sidewalk. "I got flowers for Nana!" He held out a small bouquet of roses. "Daddy bought them but it was my idea."

"She is going to love them. Pink roses are her favorite."

"Great!" He ran off toward her car and climbed into his booster seat to wait.

She smiled as Jack approached. "Hey, sweetheart. Hunter is not even six years old and he wanted to buy roses for a woman. Should we be worried?" she joked.

"First, hello, babe." He kissed her softly. "Second, you look incredibly hot in that uniform. Third, the woman was your mother. Pretty sure there is nothing to worry about."

"I look incredibly hot?" She looked down. "Not sure that's what I want criminals to think when they see me."

"Well, your very soon to be husband certainly does." She blushed, loving the words "soon to be husband".

"Come on, guys! I want pizza!" Hunter yelled out the window of the car.

As she drove, they whispered about telling Hunter about everything that was coming up. Obviously he was aware they were getting married, but the quick time frame and the fact that he and Jack were going to move out of their home and into Elizabeth's had not been discussed.

When Elizabeth nodded to Jack he turned in his seat. "Hey, bud?"

"Yeah, Daddy?"

"Mom and I want to talk to you about something."

"Ok."

"So you know how we are going to get married?"

"Yes! I helped you pick out her ring, remember?"

"Ok, smartie. Well, we decided we are going to get married before we adopt you so that way Mom will really be your Mom when it happens."

"Ok."

"That also means that we will all be living together."

"Mama will be living with us. I already know."

"What would you say if we were to move to her house?"

"Why? I like our house. Bruce does too. And Mama doesn't have a kids room. Where will I sleep?"

"Sweetie, we have plenty of bedrooms," Elizabeth told him.

"I don't want to move."

Rather than talk more right then, Jack decided to wait until he could figure out why Hunter felt that way. He didn't want to ruin the night for him. He had been so excited.

"We can talk a different time, bud."

Hunter stared out the window, definitely not as excited as before.

When they arrived at the house, Elizabeth opened Hunter's door and waited for him to get out of his seat and hop out the door.

When he hopped out, he held the flowers in his hand and slipped his other hand in hers. "Mama?"

"Yes, sweetie?" She squatted down to eye level with him.

"I love you."

"I love you too, bud."

"Are you mad at me?"

"Of course not. Why?"

"Because I said I don't want to move to your house."

"I'm not mad. I understand how hard it is to move. I did it not that long ago, remember?"

"Yeah."

"Know what else?"

"What, Mama?"

"I have a room in my house that would look perfect as a Lego Batman room."

She stood and waited for a reaction. It didn't take long. "Lego Batman?" He put his hand in hers again and they started walking up to the large house.

"Yep. In fact, I already bought a certain little boy a bed and a Lego Batman comforter and dark blue paint for the walls."

"You did? Can I see?"

"Mmhmm. Later, when we head home, I'll stop at my house first."

"Can we paint glow-in-the-dark stripes on the walls? Green ones? I mean…if I decide I want to move."

"I'm pretty sure that's doable."

"And is there room for Bruce's bed?"

….

Jack and Elizabeth sat at the large island in the kitchen assembling their pizza, barbecue chicken with bacon, and listening to Hunter and William as they made Hunter's.

"Mama, look! I made a ham smiley face on my pizza," Hunter told her with a giggle.

Elizabeth left Jack and walked over to him. "I see, sweetie. Good job." She kissed the top of his curly hair and smiled. "I'm going to go change, ok? Don't want to get barbecue sauce on my uniform."

"Ok," Hunter said, placing a piece of bacon on the mouth made of ham. "Daddy! His tongue's sticking out."

Elizabeth giggled as she walked out, walking up to her old bedroom to change clothes. She kept a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt there just in case.

By the time she came back down, Julie had arrived home and everyone was gathered in the kitchen as the pizza cooked.

"Hey, sister."

"Hi, Julie."

Elizabeth walked over to Jack, slipping her arm around his waist as he kissed her temple. "You look beautiful," he whispered.

"Thank you. Do you think we should tell them?"

He nodded and smiled. "Everyone? Beth and I have a few announcements."

"You're pregnant!" Julie yelled out, joking.

"Uh no. Hunter's final adoption hearing is on January 30th," Jack started.

Everyone smiled and clapped, happy for the three of them.

"So, we decided to get married before that so when the adoption is final, I'll actually be his Mom," Elizabeth told them.

Grace's eyes got big before she spoke. "When?"

"January 20th. It's a Friday, so, we will take a long weekend for a honeymoon."

"This is the 6th! That's two weeks! Elizabeth, that's so soon."

"It is but we want to do this for Hunter."

Hunter had been listening to the adults talking. It felt like it was time to say something. "Nana, I love Mama. I want her to be my Mama for real! And I want to live with her too!"

Elizabeth looked at the little boy who was sitting on the island. He was getting emotional about the whole thing and it warmed her heart.

"Of course you do, sweetheart. I didn't mean to sound like she shouldn't marry Jack. We all love you and Jack. I just don't know how we are going to get everything planned."

"We have it planned, Mom. Tomorrow we are getting our license. I talked to Pastor Hogan about performing the ceremony at the Rose chapel just outside of the city. Jack's best men will be his dad and Hunter."

"What's a best man?" Hunter asked.

"You are going to stand next to Pop at the front of the church with me," Jack told him.

"But why?"

"Because you're my son and I love you. Will you stand up there with me and hold the rings?"

"Yes, Daddy! It sounds important!"

"It is, bud. But I know you can do it."

"Great! Mom, the only thing I need help with is flowers."

"I'm on it!"

As they ate their pizza, they made a list of guests and decided to send out an evite to those they wanted present. The list was small and intimate and only included family or close friends such as Lee and Rosie, Abigail and Bill, and of course, Jack's brother Tom and Elizabeth's sister Viola.

Elizabeth looked at her father, who had been silent through the whole process. "Daddy? Will you walk me down the aisle?"

He turned to her with tears on his face. "Yes, my dear, Beth. I'd be honored."

He opened his arms to her and she walked right in, her head settling on his chest like all those times when she was a child.

"I love you, Daddy."

"I love you. I'm so proud of you." He pulled back and looked in her eyes. "So proud."

"Thank you."

…

The next day was a school day for Hunter and a work day for everyone else so they left relatively early. As William cleaned up the kitchen, Grace sat at the island and watched him. "You ok, dear?"

"Yes, I'm fine," he told her.

"You sure? I saw the tears before. You don't cry often, Will."

"No, I suppose I don't. It's just something about her finally getting married after losing Trevor. I was worried about her, Gracie. For quite a long time. I didn't know that she would recover from that."

"I know. I felt the same."

"And she started making changes and I saw her happiness come back."

"Jack and Hunter belong with her. The three of them, Will, are meant to be."

"Yes, I agree. And now, after two years of working toward her promotion, she finally got it. I'm just so incredibly proud."

Grace walked over and hugged him. "We need to think of a gift for them."

"I have an idea."

"Tell me."

"Paul Conklin owes me a favor."

"Paul Conklin….the guy who owns The Inn at Bowmans Hill?"

"Yep. Beth mentioned a three day honeymoon weekend. I bet I can swing the Penthouse Suite for them."

"That sounds amazing."

"It is. I'll show you later. I'm going to ask Jack first just to make sure he hasn't planned anything but I want to do this for them. If all they are taking is three days, it should be a perfect three days."

…..

Elizabeth pulled into her driveway after the twenty minute drive. Hunter was tired from all the excitement and was quiet most of the way home.

"Mama, lets go see my new room!"

"Hold it, young man. Isn't there someone you should feed and let outside first?" Jack asked.

"Bruce?"

"Yup."

Hunter sighed, "Alright, Daddy."

Jack smiled as Hunter obeyed. "We'll see you in a few minutes."

"I'll be here."

"Mama, can I bring Bruce over? We need to see if he wants to move too."

"Of course, sweetie."

She and Jack kissed and went into their separate houses, both looking forward to the day not too far from then when they would be one family, one house.

Elizabeth went inside to feed Snowy. "I hope you like dogs, friend. You're about to meet one and guess what? He's going to live with us soon."

After the cat was cared for, she flipped on the gas fireplace upstairs. She'd already put the new bed together for Hunter yesterday while they were at school. She was so excited. It was a beautiful hardwood lofted kids bed with a grey finish. Perfect for Hunter. Elizabeth pulled the comforter out of the closet hoping that if Hunter could see it and the new bed in the room he'd be more excited about the move.

"Mama! We're here!" Hunter called from downstairs. She smiled and went down to greet her boys.

"Snow doesn't seem so sure of Bruce," Jack chuckled, seeing the fluffy cat peeking out from the stairs.

"She'll get used to him. I hope."

Hunter ran up to her and hugged her legs. "Can I see the room now?"

She looked to Jack who nodded. "Okay, sweetie, let's go."

"Daddy, bring Bruce!"

"Manors, bud." Jack warned.

"Daddy, bring Bruce, please?"

Jack picked up the small pup and followed Elizabeth and Hunter up the stairs.

"See that room at the end of the hall? That's where I sleep."

"That will be Daddy's room too?"

"Oh yeah!" Jack said enthusiastically, making Elizabeth blush and laugh.

"This room here is the one I want to show you. Come," she extended her hand to him and he took it.

Hunter ran over to the bed. "Wow, its tall!"

"It is. Perfect for a big boy like you, and look at the comforter on the top."

He climbed the ladder and gasped. "Wow! Daddy, look at this!"

"I see that! So what do you think, Hunter? Think you can live here with Mom and me?"

Hunter climbed back down and looked around the room. "What's that?" He pointed up to the skylight in the ceiling.

"That's a skylight." Jack wrapped his arm around Elizabeth giving her a gentle squeeze. She was trying so hard, but Hunter was still fighting to hold back. "Hey, Bud, come here." Jack sat on the floor up against the wall, having Hunter come sit on his lap.

"What, Daddy?"

"Are you scared?"

Hunter shrugged. "I like our home. That's my first room. It's safe there."

"You're right, that was your first room and you are safe there. It was a great home for the two of us, but there's more of us now."

"Like Mama and Bruce and Snowy?"

"Yup." Jack reached for Elizabeth, pulling her down with them. "We're going to be a family soon. This will be our home and we'll make it a safe place for you. There's more room here. Room enough for us all to grow and have fun."

"I don't like change," he pouted.

"I understand, but this is a good change. You're going to get a mom and a dad. And guess what? Mom's a cop! How much safer can you get?!" Jack teased, tickling the boy.

"Okay, Daddy," he laughed. "I want to live here."

"Good. I do to!"

"Hey, what's that room going to be for?" Hunter asked pointing to the room across the hall from his.

"Oh, that's going to stay the guest room, I think."

"Cool. Maybe one day my brother or sister can have that room."

Jack and Elizabeth both sat frozen, completely surprised by what their little boy had just said.

"Can I take Bruce downstairs? I want to find a place for my Lego table."

"Sure." Jack said, staring off towards the guest room as Hunter ran off. He turned to Elizabeth once he knew the boy was downstairs. "I think he's ready."

"More ready than I am right now even," Elizabeth laughed. "Don't get me wrong, I want children with you but…"

"You want to get through the wedding and all that first?"

"Yes!" They laughed.

"Mama! Daddy!"

"What, sweetie?" Elizabeth called back.

"Bruce likes this place too. Can we move tomorrow?"

Jack and Elizabeth leaned into each other on the floor and laughed. "We'll talk about it okay, bud?" Jack answered.

"Okay!"

Jack stood up off the floor still laughing, "I should get him home. We still have school in the morning. Come over?"

"I figured you'd want some sleep."

"I always want my beautiful fiancé with me as much as possible. I can open a bottle of wine." She giggled as he pulled in into his arms. "Please?"

"Let me get my stuff ready for tomorrow and I'll be over after his bedtime."

"Deal." He kissed her with the passion of a soldier who was leaving his love, not as if they were parting for 30 minutes. It didn't matter. Any time away from her these days was too much.

Once they tore themselves apart they went downstairs. Elizabeth said goodnight to Hunter and watched as they walked across the drive back to their home. She let out a sigh of contentment as she turned around and looked at her home. She walked around trying to imagine where different pieces of furniture and toys could go, knowing that everything would need a place.

She grabbed her notebook and began to make a list.

"Jack's TV is bigger," she spoke to herself. "We should probably switch mine out for his." She looked at her couch. "I just got this a year ago, but I love those big comfy armchairs Jack has. Maybe we have room for both?" She took more notes.

Before she knew it a half hour had passed. She ran up stairs to make sure she had the clothes she needed for work before running back to the kitchen. Once her lunch and snacks for the day were set she headed over to Jack's.

His house was quiet and dark, just a soft glow coming from the living room. She followed the light to find Jack laying out a thick blanket on the floor in front the gas fireplace. A wooden cutting board resting to the side with cheese, crackers and grapes.

"There's my beautiful fiancé," he grinned. "Wine?"

She took the wine glass from him and leaned in for a kiss. "Look at you, Mr. Romantic."

"What this? This is nothing." He took her free hand and led her over to sit on the blanket. She rested her back and head against his chest as he held her close. "To us." He raised his glass.

"To us, may our love and our family grow and be happy." They clinked their glasses together as they toasted their future.

2 hours later they were still in front of the fire, laying in each others arms. Their empty wine glasses sat off to the side with the cutting board which was empty except for grape stems and a few crumbs. They were completely at peace.

Even though they were a young engaged couple, they were basically parents, an arrangement that brought many blessings but not a lot of time for romance. They took what they could get and embraced the moments they were given.

Jack moved his head slightly to kiss Elizabeth's cheek, letting his lips linger there for a long while.

"I love you," he whispered, turning her head to kiss her soft lips. The kiss was like a soothing hot cup of tea on a cold winter's day. His love flooded her senses in the best possible way.

"Oh Jack, I can't wait to be your wife." He grinned at her statement.

"I promise I'll be the best husband I can be for you."

"I have no doubts." She snuggled closer to him. "Hey, you never told me how the talk with Rosie went. I mean, you said it went okay but that was it."

"Oh right," Jack sat up a bit. "Yeah it did go well. Rosie was happy to have the necklace back and glad I took good care of it. She's happy for us too."

"That's good. I like her. I'm glad we're becoming friends."

"Yeah. I talked to her about how I needed to sell the house and everything too. She had an idea I wanted to run past you."

"What is it?"

"She'd like to buy it."

"Really?" Elizabeth was surprised, she hadn't seen that coming.

"Yeah. She's been in her apartment for a long time now and is ready for a change. Likes the neighborhood too. She just wanted me to ask you how you'd feel about it."

Elizabeth sat quietly for a moment, absentmindedly running her fingers over Jack's arm that rested around her. "I'm good with it."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. She's a great person and she's family. I think I view her more as your sister than Brenna's. Maybe because I never met her."

"Rosie is like my sister, so that's good. Her taking the house would make it so much easier to check that off the list sooner. A lot less of a headache."

"Perfect." She snuggled up closer to him again. "This is really happening, Jack. We're really getting married, we're going to be a family."

"Having second thoughts?"

"Not possible."