Afternoon everyone. I bet it's safe to say we all have a lot of emotions running thru our minds and hearts right now. I know Jess and I do. We've talk and we want to continue to share our stories right now as best as we can with all of you. The beauty of fan fiction is that we get to write the about our fictional world in new, different and interesting ways. We get to keep the essence of Hope Valley and the characters alive long after the show has ended.

These stories have been a happy place for us, and we'd like to continue to give that to those that are looking for that. We truly appreciate you guys and all the support you've given us.

I know its hard, and we're all upset but please try to keep the comments to the chapters as constructive or positive as you can.

So in typical Monday fashion, here is the next chapter of, An Unexpected Life.

Love, Jess and Kris

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LEE & ROSIE

Lee met Rosie at a local Mexican restaurant for lunch. She'd called him a couple nights before saying she had some exciting news to share. Lee had been working hard since Christmas, making today the first day he had time off to see her.

He smiled as he entered the room. Rosie was sitting at a table by the window looking as beautiful as ever. Her red sweater brought out the rose color of her cheeks. Lee's favorite part was that the scoop neck showed off the heart shaped diamond necklace he'd given her for Christmas perfectly.

He couldn't wait to propose. He had a plan to propose on Valentine's Day, not wanting to overshadow Elizabeth in her much deserved happiness. He also knew Rosie, and as sweet as she was, she'd want her own time in the spotlight.

"Hi, sweetheart." He leaned down and kissed her lips. "How's your Saturday going?"

"It's wonderful! Last night I finished grading the last of my student's English papers. Now I can focus on the drama department! We are continuing rehearsals later today."

"That's right, you guys are getting ready for your musical."

"Yes! We're doing "West Side Story." Oh Lee, you have to come see it."

"I'll be there every night, Rosie! You can count on it!"

"Wonderful!"

They each ordered and continued to talk about their lives. Both thoroughly enjoying the others company.

"So, did you have something to tell me?" Lee asked kissing her hand.

"I do! I'm moving!"

"What? Where? Not out of the city?" Lee was nervous.

"Goodness no! I'm buying Jack's house! With him and Elizabeth starting their life together he needs to sell it. I've been thinking about a change so I think this is perfect!"

"Oh, you're buying a house. That's big."

"Yes! My place is small, and your place is just tiny! If we were to ever get married there's no way we could live in either."

"Thinking about marriage, are you?" Lee grinned.

Rosie began to choke on her water. Once again, her mouth had ran away from her. She never intended to tell Lee so much, but there it was.

"I… well, um. What I mean to say is…"

"You are so cute when you're flustered."

"Really? I'm glad you think that because my mouth has a tendency to run faster than my brain."

"It does, and it's adorable. So, this thing with Jack's place, is it a done deal?"

"Sort of. I talked to Jack and he talked it over with Elizabeth who agreed. What? You don't think it's a good idea?"

"No I just, well it's interesting that you made a decision that you say includes me, but you never really asked my opinion." Lee leaned back in his seat, trying to organize his feelings.

"Oh… Well I'm going over tonight to plan. You want to come with me? You can tell me what you think."

"I have to work tonight."

"Oh, alright."

Their food came as they sat in an awkward silence. They started their meals with the conversation not venturing much past the weather and food.

Rosie wasn't sure what to say. She wanted this. She wanted to help Jack move forward, and even though she couldn't admit it, she liked the idea of living in what once was her sister's home. In a way, it felt like coming home.

Lee was unsure why he felt the way he did. They weren't married, they weren't even engaged. She was free to do what she wanted. However, she mentioned him in her plans, just never gave him the right to have a say. He wasn't against the idea, not at all. If they did get married, the idea of having Beth as his neighbor was a fun thought. He was just concerned if their relationship did progress, how would he be treated when it came to making big decisions?

When lunch was over, Lee paid for the bill and walked Rosie to her car. After a simple kiss they said goodbye. Rosie was nervous. It had not gone how she'd hoped.

She sat in her car and thought about it all. She needed to explain to Lee why she wanted this and why she didn't ask. She jumped out of her car and ran after Lee.

He was pulling out of his parking spot as she caught up.

"Lee! Lee!" she yelled as she ran in front of his car.

Lee slammed on the brakes before backing back into his spot. He jumped out looking slightly annoyed and confused.

"Rosie, what on earth are you doing? I could have hurt you!"

"We need to talk!"

"Clearly! I'll start, what is wrong with you!?"

"I miss my sister!"

Lee stood there blinking at his girlfriend. "Get in the car. Let's talk." They climbed out of the cold winter air and into Lee's warm car. Lee took her hand immediately, seeing the tears forming in her eyes.

"Okay, I'm listening."

"My sister and I, we were very different, but we loved each other dearly. She was my best friend. She's gone. Jack's moving on. I want him to. I really do and Elizabeth is a Godsend. But it reminds me that she really is gone."

She wiped a few escaping tears from her cheek. "I should have asked your opinion, but I didn't want you to say no. I got so excited, and wanted to help Jack. This home is the closest thing I have to a family home right now, even though she didn't live there that long before she died."

"You want to feel connected to her."

"I do."

"You'll be okay seeing Jack and Beth together everyday?"

"Of course! It's not about them. It's about me. I don't mean that in a selfish way."

"No, I think I get it. If my parents were gone, I'd do anything to feel like they were still with me. I mean, when Trevor died…" Lee choked up, "He was my best friend for my whole life. When he died I was lost. We use to run around the playground at school playing cops, trying to save the good guys from the bad guys. Never in a million years would I have thought I'd lose him to one of the bad guys."

"Oh, Lee," Rosie teared up more seeing him so vulnerable.

"After the funeral, I asked chief Gowan if I could carry his badge. It makes me feel like I'm carrying him with me always. Like he's protecting me. Now that I work so closely with Beth, it's like he's protecting us both."

"Lee, that's beautiful."

"So I get it. But when you talked about us having a future, but left me out of the decision, I couldn't help but be concerned that that's how you expected things to be. I love you, Rosie, but I won't be a spectator in my own life."

"No no Lee, I never meant to do that. I just wanted this so bad that I ran for it."

"I know, and you have every right to. It's not like we're married or engaged. Yet. But know that one day I'm going to ask, and I want to have a say in our life."

"I understand! Oh, Lee, thank you for talking with me."

"Thank you for being honest with me. I love you, Rosie."

"I love you too!"

DARLENE'S BRIDAL, PHILADELPHIA

"Julie, this isn't me. I'm not….I'm not girly." Elizabeth frowned at the dress in the mirror. She couldn't picture herself walking down the aisle in it.

"It could be you if you'd give it a chance."

"I did. I tried it even though I didn't like it when I saw it on the hanger. I'm going to go look again." Elizabeth unzipped the back of the dress and slipped her robe on. Then she left the fitting area to go look further.

She was getting discouraged. They'd tried on eight dresses, none of which she picked for herself.

"Lizzie?"

"Hi, Charlotte."

"Doing ok?"

"I guess. I just don't know what I want."

"Yes you do. Look at me, sweetie." Elizabeth stopped flipping through dresses and turned toward Charlotte. "What do you want Jack to think when he sees you walking down the aisle? Close your eyes and picture it."

Elizabeth closed her eyes and smiled as she imagined. She could see him, clear as day, standing at the front of the chapel, in a light grey suit and black tie. He looked so handsome and happy. "I want him to see me. Not the dress. I want tears to come to his eyes because he's happy to be marrying me."

"It doesn't matter what dress you choose as long as you are comfortable in it and it is what you want."

Elizabeth nodded. "Thank you. I think I was just losing sight of myself. I was trying what everyone else wanted."

Charlotte slipped her arm through Elizabeth's and led her over to the designer dresses. "I found one earlier and honestly, it made me think of you." Charlotte pulled out the dress she found. "It's your size too."

Elizabeth looked at the amazingly beautiful dress. "That is wonderful." It was a strapless, blush colored silk organza with intricate detailed lace from top to about two inches from the bottom. The back had corset detailing and there was a beaded and jeweled belt that tied with a ribbon in the back.

Charlotte smiled and carried it back to the fitting area.

"Oh! Beth, that is gorgeous. And it's Vera Wang, Mom!" Julie said excitedly.

"It's lovely, Beth. Do you like it?"

"I love it." Elizabeth stepped into the gown and sighed as it zipped up perfectly. "This is what I want." She hugged her soon to be Mother-in-law. "Thank you, Charlotte. So much."

"You're welcome, sweetie. You look amazing."

….

A few hours later, flowers were ordered, mother's dresses were purchased along with the maid of honor.

Then, because they were only doing a dinner at her parents house instead of a fancy reception, they planned the meal. Elizabeth allowed her mom to go fancy with filet mignon and other things, including lobster Mac and cheese that hopefully Hunter would eat.

"Ice cream? No cake?" Grace asked.

"We could make ice cream sundaes. Hunter would love it," Elizabeth told her.

"Ok, tell me what things he likes on his sundae."

Elizabeth smiled as she made a list, missing her little boy a lot. She couldn't wait to see him.

As she drove home, she got butterflies in her stomach, willing the miles to go by faster.

….

Jack answered his phone, seeing it was William.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Jack. It's William. I wondered if I might talk with you for a moment?"

"Yes, sir."

"You probably already have something planned for your honeymoon but I have an idea."

"Actually, I'm having trouble nailing down plans on such short notice."

"Well, an acquaintance of mine owes me a favor and he happens to own an Inn in Bucks County. If you are ok with it, I'd like to arrange for you to stay there, as a gift from me and Grace."

"That would be wonderful, sir. I really appreciate your help."

"Anything for you and Beth."

"Great. That's one more thing I can cross off my list."

"Yes. I'll email you the details in a bit."

….

Finally, Elizabeth pulled in her driveway, climbed out, grabbed her dress and other purchases out of the back seat, and hurried in the house.

"Anyone here?"

"Mama!" Hunter yelled from the living room. She placed her purchases on a chair and smiled as he and his tiny pup ran toward her. "I'm glad you're home. I missed you."

She loved the way he called it home, like he considered it his home too, which it would be in few days. She picked him up and held him close. "I missed you too, sweetie." Holding him made it a perfect day. Bruce jumped up on her leg, barely reaching her knee. "Hunter, when was the last time you took him out?"

"I don't know."

"Well, maybe you should. Puppies need to go out a lot so they don't have accidents."

"Ok. Will you go too?"

"Sure. Let me tell your dad where we are." She grabbed her dress and climbed the stairs. "Jack?"

"In Hunter's room, babe."

"Hey, Hunter and I are going to go take Bruce for a walk. Wanna come?"

"Sure." He finished one last glow-in-the-dark green stripe and smiled. "What do you think?"

"It looks great."

"Did you find your dress?"

"Yep. It's perfect." She couldn't help her grin.

"Can I see?"

"In six days, Mr. Thornton." He stepped closer and tried to kiss her, but she stopped him. "We need to take Bruce out before he pees on the floor."

He quickly kissed her anyway and she laughed and hurried to her room to hang her dress.

As they headed down the sidewalk toward Jack and Hunter's house, Jack saw Rosie's car in the driveway.

"Did you know she was coming over?" Elizabeth asked.

"No. Knowing her, she's probably measuring to make sure all her stuff will fit."

"You're not even moved out yet!" Elizabeth just laughed and shook her head.

"No, but that's Rosie. I have Wednesday and Thursday off next week so I'll be able to move our stuff.

"Good boy!" Hunter said with a pat to Bruce's head. He pulled out a small piece of bacon to give him as a treat. Bruce let out a bark and started dancing around the yard.

Elizabeth and Jack just stood and watched their son play. "I love him so much," Elizabeth told Jack. "I'm so glad he's ours. What a blessing." He nodded and grabbed her hand. "Did you find a suit for Hunter and your Dad?"

"Yeah. We have to get them tailored and paid a pretty penny to have them done for next week, but it's done. Oh, and our honeymoon weekend is all set."

"Oh, great! Where are we going?"

"It will be a surprise but it's going to be amazing." He gazed into her eyes and smiled. He could hardly believe it was happening so fast but he was grateful for every moment they had. Losing Brenna had put things into perspective for him. He vowed to never take a moment for granted because no one knew when things might change.

"Jack?" She dried a tear from his cheek that he didn't know he had cried.

"Yeah?"

"What is it?"

"Nothing, sweetheart." He kissed her sweetly and then pulled her in for a hug.

"Mama? Dad? Bruce is shivering. Can we go home now?"

"Sure, sweetie. Let's go home."

…..

Back inside, Hunter was busy playing with his Lego table that they'd moved over from the house earlier.

"Can I sleep in my new bed tonight?"

"Well, I have to work tonight, bud," Elizabeth told him.

"Dad can stay too. Please?"

Elizabeth looked at Jack and shrugged. He nodded. "I can stay in the guest room."

"Yay!" Hunter yelled and jumped up and down. "My room is so cool!"

"I'll go pack your things, Hunter. Be right back, babe," he told her with a kiss.

"Mama, can we watch a movie?"

"Sure."

"And have popcorn?"

"Ok."

"And ice cream?"

"Oh Hunter," she laughed. "We'll see. I think you also need a bath, sweetie."

"No, I'm clean!"

"It's been a few days. You can take it in my Jacuzzi tub."

"With bubbles?"

"Yep. Bath and then movie and popcorn."

"Mm. Maybe," he told her, running to his room and shutting off the lights. "This is so cool!"

Elizabeth laughed and walked to her room to make sure her uniform was pressed and ready for her shift.

"Five minutes, then bath time, Hunter!" Elizabeth called as she turned on the water and added a tiny bit of bubble bath she had bought for him.

"Aw, Mama!"

Jack returned just as Elizabeth helped Hunter into the bath. He placed Hunter's things into his room and his own clothes into the guest room.

"How did you get him in the bath so early?"

"Told him we could watch a movie with popcorn but he needed to take a bath first."

"Ah, bribery. Isn't that against the law?"

"Nah, not when it's your own kid." She kissed him and smiled. "I'm glad you're here. Both of you."

"Me too."

"You know, you don't have to stay in the guest room. You can stay in my room."

"Really?"

"It will be our room soon enough. Besides, I won't be here."

Jack rather liked the idea. Though he had a feeling he wouldn't get much sleep laying there smelling her scent. At the same time, it'd be worth it.

….

Hunter really enjoyed his bath. Though Jack and Elizabeth weren't as thrilled. It seemed like more water was outside the tub rather than inside. Playing sea monster does that.

Afterwards they had a nice dinner and movie night with their boy. Elizabeth even went over to invite Rosie. She was grateful. She was so excited about the move she had forgotten to even think about dinner.

All of the adults were excited when they got Hunter to pick a movie other than the Lego movie! However, about 10 minutes into the Troll movie Jack missed the "Everything is Awesome" song.

While Elizabeth did Hunter's bedtime, Jack moved a few more things into the house. Elizabeth was upstairs putting her uniform on when he came back in the room. It was just after 10 and she had to report in by 11.

"I know I've said it before, but you make that uniform look good."

"Jack!" she blushed.

"I'm serious." He walked into the room and wrapped his arms around her waist. "You're absolutely beautiful."

"Thank you." She leaned in for a kiss. As soon as their lips touched, she was wishing more than anything to not have to go into work tonight. Wanting nothing more than to stay in her home with Jack. "Hunter asleep?"

"Yup. Bruce fell asleep in his cage too so he's all set."

"Wonderful. What are you going to do with the rest of the night?"

"Sleep." She laughed. "We ran the boys through so many drills today at practice. I'm not one of those coaches that yells sitting down either. I ran the drills with them. Jesse too. Need to make sure they're ready for the game tomorrow night."

"Yikes, you must be tired. You're not exactly a high school student anymore."

"Not in the least. Good news though, Jesse said he'd take over as head coach the weekend of our wedding."

"Jack, that's great! Everything is coming together!"

"It is." He kissed her slowly. "I can't wait to marry you."

….

Just after 10:30, a car pulled up in front of Jack's house. A man of average height wearing a dark black North Face jacket and black winter hat stepped out and made his way to the side door of the home. The figure knocked lightly before moving to peaked in through the window. Not seeing anyone coming he knocked again before checking the door. It was open, so he let himself in.

"Hello? Anyone home?" He heard movement upstairs and slowly followed it.

Rosie was upstairs in one of the bedrooms. She was hoping to make that particular room into a sewing room for when she did custom work for the plays. She had her headphones on listening to showtunes when she felt a hand grasp her shoulder.

Elizabeth kissed Jack goodnight and went outside to her car to head to work. She tossed her bag in the back seat and closed the door. Just as she reached for the driver side door she heard a loud scream next door.

"Rosie!" She dropped her keys and stormed into Jack's home, gun at the ready. "Rosie!" She called out again as she entered the home. .

"Up here!" Rosie sounded out of breath, making Elizabeth hurry.

"Back away from her!" Elizabeth yelled as she reach the room.

"Elizabeth! It's okay! I know him." Rosie was apparently trying to catch her breath from laughter.

Elizabeth holstered her weapon but wasn't ready to relax just yet. "Okay, explain. Who are you?" she asked still in cop mode as the man stood there bent over slightly holding his stomach.

"Elizabeth, meet your soon to be brother-in-law, Tom Thornton."

"Nice to meet you." Tom extended his other hand to her, she took it.

"Oh, Tom! Nice to meet you too."

"Geez Rosie, where'd you learn to punch a guy in the gut like that?" Tom said, still rubbing his stomach.

"Tommy, I'm a woman who lives alone in the city. Of course I took a self defense class!"

"In other words, Jack was concerned and he made you."

"Yes. Yes he did." They laughed lightly.

"Remind me to thank him for this bruise then. Oh yeah, thats gonna hurt still in the morning."

Elizabeth shook her head, pulling herself out of her cop mode completely. "Rosie, why did you scream like you were being attacked if it was Tom?"

"My fault. I let myself in the house when no one answered. I was expecting to find Jack, not Rosie."

"And I had my earbuds in so when he grabbed my shoulder I panicked."

Elizabeth let out a laugh as she shook her head. "All the ways we could have met Tom, this wasn't how I pictured it."

"Same here. But it really is nice to meet you. So where's Jack?"

"Oh, he's next door at my place. I'll take you over."

"Okay, sure." Tom turned to hug Rosie. "Good to see you again. Sorry for scaring you."

"It's alright, sorry I punched you."

"Eh, what are friends for?" Tom smiled, he had the same dimples as Jack.

Elizabeth texted Lee as they walked back to the house, letting him know she'd be a few minutes late. Jack heard the door open and jumped off the couch to see what was going on.

"Babe, you alright? I thought you left for…. work." Jack stood there staring at his brother. They hadn't seen each other since about a month after Brenna's funeral.

"Hey, bro."Tom shifted nervously.

"What are you doing here?" His voice was that of shock, not anger like Tom expected.

"I got your wedding invite."

"Oh."

Elizabeth explained what happened next door, but got little reaction from the brothers. She watched the awkward and tense interaction unfold. Feeling as if there was nothing she could do right now to help, she decided to be on her way.

"Well, I'm off to work. See you in the morning, Jack. Tom, the guest room is all yours tonight if you'd like. Jack can show you where it is."

"Thanks, Elizabeth. I appreciate it."

Elizabeth leaned in to kiss Jack, whispering, "I love you," before walking out the door.

….

Five minutes had passed and Jack and Tom still stood staring at each other.

"So…"

"What's up…"

They both talked at the same time. Tom told Jack to go first.

"It's been a while. What far off place did you just come in from?"

"Indonesian jungle. I was assigned a piece on the struggles of this collection of small villages out there."

Jack nodded. "You look taller."

"Not taller. Maybe it's just been so long you forgot what I looked like. I guess it has been a while."

"It has." Jack rubbed his hands over his tired face. "We haven't talk in… I don't know how long." Tom nodded. "To be honest, I don't remember why we stopped talking."

"I do," Tom sighed. Jack looked up at him, searching his face for the answer. "You blamed me for Brenna's death."

"No I didn't!"

"Yes, you did. Do you remember when I took that job as a photojournalist in Afghanistan?"

"Yeah. Seemed like a dangerous job but you left because it was important to make sure people were hearing and seeing the real story."

"That's right. I got the job a week before the accident. Mom threw me a going away party."

"Crap," Jack whispered. He remembered now what Tom couldn't forget.

"Brenna was happy for me. She knew how hard I'd worked to get there. So she took off work to come to the party."

"She wasn't supposed to be working the night of the accident, but she shifted her shift."

"Because of me."

"Tom, I… I'm sorry. I never should have told you that…"

"That if it wasn't for me and my stupid dream, your wife would still be alive?"

"Yeah, that." Jack collapsed in the nearest chair. "I didn't mean it Tom. I was angry, and broken."

Tom nodded. "I think part of me always knew that."

"Then why stay away all this time? Why not confront me? Why not tell me I was a jerk?"

"Because even if you didn't believe it, I did. Jack I've blamed myself every day since then. Even before you said it. Everyone wanted me to find safer work, not put myself in so much danger. But no, I had to do this."

"It was your dream, Tom."

"And I would give it all up if it meant my sister-in-law could have lived." He meant that with his whole heart.

The brothers stared at their shoes for a few minutes, both so lost in thought. Jack realized he needed to be the next one to speak. It was only fair after Tom poured out his heart to him.

"I'm happy now, Tom. It took a while, but I am. I have Hunter and he's a great kid. Then there's Elizabeth, she's… perfect for me. She's lost someone too so we get that part of each other that others just can't understand."

"You're okay?"

"Yes. I love her. I want to be her husband. I'm not happy that Brenna died, but I can't change what happened. God had a plan, and somehow, this is it. But it's going to be okay."

Tom nodded.

"You aren't the reason she died, Tom. It was bad weather and bad luck. It's not your fault."

"I've missed you, big brother," Tom stated without making eye contact.

"I've missed you too." Jack walked up to him, giving his little brother a well overdue hug. "No more of this talk. I think we need to move forward."

"Sounds alright by me."

"Good. Take a seat. You hungry?"

"Starving. I flew from Indonesia to Jakarta, Jakarta to Philly. Nowhere in that entire journey was there decent food." They laughed.

"I've got chicken, a baked potato and some corn."

"Perfect!"

Over the course of the next couple hours, the brothers caught up on life. Jack was proud of the accomplishments his brother had made in his career and his dedication to the truth. Tom marveled at the strength of his brother. To endure all he had and still be able to get up in the morning, and raise a boy, have a life, and fall in love again.

"Mom told me about Hunter. Sounds like a great kid. I'm looking forward to meeting him."

"I think you'll love him. I can't wait to officially adopt him!"

"I'm sure! So is that all a done deal?"

"Pretty much!"

"Awesome. Hey, I hope you don't mind, I got him a gift."

"What is it?"

"It's a little toy digital camera. Works pretty well actually. Figured with me being in photography and it used to be a hobby of yours."

"Still is, I think he'll love it." Jack laughed, "He'll probably take a million pictures of the dog we got him for Christmas."

"Probably." Tom smiled. He had no idea what to expect when he showed up on his brother's doorstep. What he did know was this was going better than he could have imagined. "So tell me, how'd you and Elizabeth meet?"

Jack laughed and began telling Tom the story from getting pulled over, meeting at Abby's, to the blind date Rosie had set up and everything after.

"Wait, so you're telling me you met her for the first time when she pulled you over for speeding, and I met her when she came in gun blazing, thinking I was hurting Rosie?"

"Yup." Jack laughed.

"That's one heck of a woman, bro."

"That she is."