Charlotte, Susie, and Julie were meeting Elizabeth and Rosie at the bridal boutique in downtown Philly.

"Now, Beth, I have no intention of actually buying a dress today. I'm a bargain hunter. I'm not buying until I'm sure I am paying the best possible price."

"When is your wedding again, Rosie?"

"July 30th," she said as if she had all the time in the world.

"This is April 20th. You know that, right?"

"I'm well aware, Beth. That's Lee's fault."

"How is it his fault? Didn't you choose the date together?"

"Yes, of course, but he's the one who chose Valentine's Day to propose. He knew I wanted a summer wedding. Either we get married now or we wait a whole year. That's just crazy, Beth! I am not getting any younger and I want babies!"

Elizabeth just laughed at her friend. How Lee reigned her in, she'd never understand. For that matter, Jack. How did he?

Rosie pulled into a Starbucks. "What are you in the mood for, Beth?"

"Nothing, thank you."

"Good heavens. No caffeine?"

"I had coffee with Jack this morning." She could not help the grin that appeared on her face. He made her feel beautiful and like the most important, in addition to Hunter, of course.

"Mmhmm. Nice morning?"

"Yeah. Hunter was asleep so Jack brought me coffee in bed. He's so amazing."

"I agree, but no details please. He is basically my brother."

"Don't worry. I'll keep details to myself." That didn't mean she couldn't think about it though.

Her phone buzzed. She tried to ignore it but it kept buzzing. "You might as well answer it. We both know who it is."

"I don't have to. He knows that I am with you this morning. Plus, he should be working."

It buzzed again. "Maybe it's an emergency."

Elizabeth pulled her phone out. "Nope, not an emergency." He sent four text messages, one word each.

"I."

"Love."

"U."

"Beth."

"Babe, why aren't U working?"

"The kids R taking a pop quiz. I'm just making the best use of my time."

She smiled and typed, "Love you. Now I need 2 pay attention 2 Rosie."

"Ok. I miss U."

"Miss U 2, babe."

Elizabeth stuffed her phone in her pocket and brought her attention back to Rosie. "So, why aren't you getting a dress today?"

…..

Rosie tried on three dresses, all form fitting and ivory, but she wanted pristine white. They were all overpriced too. Yes, she knew that the boutique carried Vera Wang and other high end designers, but she knew that she could get a deal if she was patient.

"Why don't you go find her a dress, Charlotte?" Elizabeth asked. "You found mine and it was perfect."

"Well, I would, but she made me promise not to."

Elizabeth laughed. "Of course she did. However, I am not sure she has any idea how this is supposed to work. This isn't a used car lot where you can just haggle and get the best price."

"Prices are always negotiable," Rosie said as she walked in with her fourth dress. This time, a mermaid style. The bottom had things that looked like feathers.

"You like that, Rosie?"

"No. I can't stand mermaid style."

"Then why on earth even try it on?" Charlotte asked.

"I promised Lee I would try on a bunch of different styles and not focus on the one I really want."

"You already know which dress you want?" Susie chimed in.

"Of course. I found it online."

"Do they have it here?"

"Yes."

"Which is it? Let's try it on." Elizabeth stood, ready to tell the consultant which one to bring.

"I'm not ready yet." Elizabeth saw what appeared to be panic in her eyes.

"You're nervous?"

"Scared beyond belief actually." Rosie picked up her skirt and headed off to the dressing room. Elizabeth gave her a moment and then followed.

Rosie came out in the silk robe provided by the boutique. "Rosie?"

"Beth." She sat down and covered her face with her hands.

"Hey, what's going on?" She sat next to her and wrapped her arm around her. She had never seen this type of emotion from her before.

"What if it's not the one? What if it looks horrible? Or worse yet, what if I love it and Lee hates it? What if it makes him second guess marrying me altogether?"

"If it's not the one, we keep looking. It won't be the end of the world. It's not going to look horrible because you could wear anything and look great. Lee won't hate it because you are marrying him. The second he sees you in it, he will be speechless in the best possible way. He loves you, Rosie. He loves every quirky thing about you and he will for the next fifty years."

"You think I'm quirky?"

"Out of that whole speech, you focused on that?"

Rosie sighed. "No, of course not. Thank you for saying those things, Beth. You're a good friend."

"I'm glad you feel that way because this good friend is going to get you that perfect dress. Which is it?"

"The one in the window. It's amazing."

…

On their way to lunch downtown, Rosie took the opportunity to ask the question she had wanted to ask Beth for awhile.

"Beth, thanks again for helping calm me down in there."

"You're welcome. I didn't really do anything."

"You did so much and that's why I'm going to ask you if you'll be my matron of honor."

"Me? Are you sure you want me?" Elizabeth was not expecting that.

"I'm positive, Beth. I've never had a lot of friends, well, girlfriends. Brenna of course was my best friend but since her, I've struggled to find someone I'm comfortable with. I feel that I can trust you and I really am grateful to know you. I'm grateful that Jack and Hunter have you in their lives too. They really needed you."

"Rosie, that's very sweet. Of course, I would be happy to be your matron of honor."

"Oh, Beth! I'm so happy. This will be so great. I can't wait to show you what dress you're going to wear. You're going to look amazing!"

Beth would take her word on it. If the wedding dress she chose was any indication, the woman had impeccable taste so she assumed the matron of honor dress would be too.

….

Elizabeth walked in the house around dinner time. "Mama!"

"Hey, bud. How was school?"

"Fine."

"What did you learn?"

"Nothin," he said, smiling up at her.

"I find that hard to believe. Maybe Daddy needs to talk to Mr. Hickam if he's not teaching you anything."

"You're silly, Mama."

"Hunt, you finished with your homework?" Jack asked as he walked down the stairs and kissed Elizabeth. "Hi, babe."

"I was playing with Bruce."

"Homework, bud. Otherwise no ice cream for dessert."

"But, Dad! Its Batman ice cream!"

"Homework, Hunter James."

"Oh man."

"What was that?"

"Yes, sir."

"Thank you."

Jack pulled Elizabeth into the kitchen and lifted her up onto the counter. He moved so he was standing between her knees and smiled, his hands resting on her thighs. "Hi, Beth."

"Hi, love. It's good to see you."

"You too. Did you have fun today doing girly things?"

"Actually yes and guess what?"

"What's that?" he mumbled against her neck. She didn't answer right away. His lips were so distracting.

"Rosie asked me to be her Matron of Honor."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yep." She wrapped her arms around his neck and closed her eyes. When she was in his arms, she was home.

"Dad!" Hunter called from the living room.

"Yeah, bud?"

"I'm done. Can you check it, please?"

"Sure." He kissed her softly. "I'm gonna check his homework. You want to put the burgers and dogs on the grill?"

"Yep. Maybe we can make some veggies too?"

"If you maybe cut up some potatoes and asparagus, I can put some herbs and olive oil on them and roast them."

"That sounds great."

Elizabeth's phone buzzed in her pocket. She wiped her hands and answered it, recognizing Chief Gowan's number. "Sergeant Thornton here."

"Sergeant. I have some news about Tolliver."

She turned to make sure Hunter wasn't around. "Yes, sir?"

"We have been keeping an eye on him, as you know."

"Yes, sir."

"He went to the Women's correctional facility, we assume to see Miss Wade."

Elizabeth was afraid of that. "I bet you a million bucks she is paying him to keep tabs on Hunter."

"That's my concern too. If that's the case, he should be showing up soon."

"Sir, I promised to keep him safe. I don't want Hunter to be in danger."

"Of course you don't. That being said, Tolliver could be anywhere. He could show up at his school, in your backyard, at the grocery store. That means I need to have men everywhere."

The thought of her son anywhere but where she could see him made her incredibly nervous and uneasy. Just having him downstairs at this moment was killing her.

"Beth?" Chief had switched to a less formal tone, using her first name. "We are going to get him. He will screw up and when he does, we will make sure he is taken down."

"Thank you, sir."

"See you in the morning?"

"Yes, sir." She hung up the phone placing it down on the counter. With her eyes tightly shut she tried with all her might to will her heart rate to slow down. It was as if her heart was ready to run clear out of her chest.

In the other room she could hear Jack and Hunter laughing away. The joyful noise brought her back into reality. At this moment her son was safe and happy in their care. For now Elizabeth needed to hold on to that.

She was just finishing the dinner prep when the boys walked in.

"Who was that on the phone earlier?" Jack asked as he walked back into the kitchen carrying Hunter on his back. The boy had his arms wrapped around Jack's neck.

"I'll tell you in a minute okay?" Her eyes darted back and forth from him to their son.

"Oh, sure." Jack understood.

"Mama, Dad said I got all the answers right on my math!"

"That's wonderful, love." She kissed his cheek and smiled. "You're so smart!"

"Thanks! Can I go shoot some pucks in the driveway before dinner with Bruce?"

"Sure."

"No."

Jack and Elizabeth said in unison. They looked at each other. Clearly they needed to talk.

"Please! Summer hockey starts soon! I want to practice and be extra good!"

"Not out front. Let's bring the goal into the backyard."

"On the grass?" Hunter asked confused. "But that's weird. We always practice in the driveway up against the garage!"

"Hunter, please just listen!" Elizabeth raised her voice. Something she'd never had to do before. Hunter's little eyes grew wide. She saw it, and regretted it right away. "Sweetie, I'm sorry. I just need a moment to think."

"Okay. I'll take Bruce back in the living room?"

"Yes, please." She knelt down and hugged him tight. "I love you, Hunter. So very much."

"I love you too, Mama." She watched as he and the dog trotted into the other room.

"Beth?" She turned her back to Jack. "What was the call about?"

"That was Chief Gowan. Tolliver went to see Jamie recently. There's a chance she's having him keep tabs on Hunter."

"She's doesn't have that right!" Jack whispered harshly.

"I know!" She sighed. "I just don't want to risk that man lurking around out there and us not being with him for a split second and…"

"I know… I know." Jack paced the kitchen before pulling Elizabeth into his arms. "We've got to be honest with him."

"How honest?"

Ten minutes later they walked hand in hand into the living room. Hunter was laying on his stomach on the rug with Bruce and Snowy looking at a "look and find" book.

"Look! Bruce and Snowy are finally getting along!" he laughed. "Only took forever!"

"That's great, sweetie." Elizabeth smiled. "Can you come sit with Dad and me for a sec?"

"Am I in trouble?"

"Not at all. We just need to talk to you."

"Okay." He stood up and moved to sit in-between his parents. "What we talking about?"

"Mr. Tolliver." Hunter's eyes grew wide.

"Oh. I don't trust him."

"We'd don't either, love." Elizabeth hugged him close. "You remember when we went to the zoo and you saw him standing behind Dad?" He nodded. "We're worried he may show up again."

"Like he did at Christmas?"

"Right." Jack answered. "We want to keep you safe. So when you asked to play out front, Mom got nervous."

"Oh." Hunter looked deep in thought. "The backyard has a fence. Maybe I should just play back there. But playing hockey might be hard. Dad, can you help?"

"Yeah. I have an idea for that. Something my dad did for your Uncle Tom and me. Why don't we go give that a try while your mom works on dinner, okay?" He nodded. "But first, it's really important that wherever you go, you stay with an adult that you can trust. Someone like mom, me, your grandparents, Rosie, Lee, Julie, Tom…."

"I will. I promise."

"Good!"

…..

Elizabeth smiled as she cooked over the open flame on the grill. Her father-in-law had given her a few lessons and she took to it well. She loved it. From the deck, she watched as Jack and Hunter played hockey in the yard. Taking shots from large pieces of wall paneling Jack grabbed from the garage leftover from a house project. They'd fastened it to the goal, attached bungee cords to it, sprayed pledge all over it, and were pushing pucks all over the place.

"It's like a skills pad." Jack had said. "People pay good money for these things and now we have one!" He was very pleased.

"Coolest! Thing! Ever!" Hunter squealed, taking another shot.

Jack put his stick down and climbed the steps back up the deck to see his wife. "Well, that made him happy. He wrapped his arms around her, kissing her cheek softly.

"It did. You're a wonderful dad, Jack."

"We're both good parents. He's a lucky kid. He's happy and safe."

"For now." She sighed forcefully.

"One day at a time, okay?" He turned her to face him, wanting her to look him in the eyes. "We'll get through this.

Late that night, Jack awoke to a dark room. There wasn't a single noise but the light hum of the ceiling fan overhead. He rolled from his side to his back, hoping to pull Elizabeth close, but she wasn't there.

"Beth?" he whispered. He rolled back over, turning on the lamp on the nightstand. She wasn't anywhere in the room but the door which they'd closed earlier was now open. "Snow, where's mom?" The cat just looked at him, annoyed that her beauty sleep was being interrupted.

It was 1:30 AM. Jack threw the covers back, got dressed, and went to look for his wife. He didn't have to look far, however.

"Beth?" He whispered just through the doorway of Hunter's room. "What are you doing?"

Leaning there against the lofted bed frame, illuminated only by the bat signal night light, was Elizabeth.

"Just watching him sleep." Jack walked over beside her, taking her hand in his. "He just looks so adorable, Jack. His curls all over the pillow like that."

"He looks a lot like you, actually."

"Yeah? I like that." She smiled over at him then back down at their son. He laid there clutching a ratty stuffed bear under his arm with a homemade Batman cape and mask Rosie had made for him. Laying next to him was the Lego photo book Jack and Elizabeth had started for him while they were away on their honeymoon. It had been one of his favorite gifts at his birthday he said because it had pictures of Batman, Legos and his family. They even sneaked in a couple of Bruce and Snowy. "I just love him so much Jack. I'd give up everything to keep him safe. Everything."

"I know you would. We both would. Just don't do anything reckless okay?"

"What do you mean?" She turned to face him. "I will protect him, Jack. Whatever it takes."

"I know just… remember he needs you here. I need you."

Looking in his eyes, she saw the fear in them. Still holding his hand she led Jack back out into the hall. "Jack, please listen to me. Our future, you, me, Hunter, whatever babies the Lord blesses us with, nothing is more important to me than that. That's what I'm fighting for here. I promise I wont do anything to jeopardize that. I wish I could promise that nothing bad will ever happen… but we both know promises like that can't be made."

They both stared down at their hands. Remembering briefly the past that lead them to where they were.

"Just promise me that you'll try your best to always come home to us. That's all I ask. I love you Elizabeth Thornton. So much more than you will ever know. We aren't a family without you."

"I know." She continued to led him down the hall.

"Where are we going?"

"Back to bed. I think we should practice again for that big family you've been talking about."

"I thought you said we didn't need practice," he said with a grin.

"I thought you said it couldn't hurt." Once in their room she closed the door and took off her robe.

"I did." Jack cleared his throat as he took in the sight of his wife as she slid back under the covers. "I should know better than to argue with myself."

2 weeks later….

School was out for the year leaving Jack to focus all his attention on his family and Hunter's summer hockey league, which Jack had agreed to coach. Between Rosie's and Lee's wedding and work, Elizabeth was busier than ever. Some nights the Thornton men wouldn't see her till after dinner.

One of Nate's informants had gotten word to him that the police were on to him, causing him to lay exceptionally low. The police weren't able to find a single trace of Nate or any connection of him to the Thornton's. The silence drove Elizabeth completely batty. She knew he was there. Watching. Waiting.

This particular afternoon, Elizabeth sat at her desk going over files off open cases she and Lee were working. The drug rings in their area seemed to have new life in the last few weeks. Taking not only their department, but all the neighboring departments by storm. Something had changed. They just weren't sure what. Knowing what she knew of Nate's past, as well as Jamie's, she couldn't help but feel he was connected.

Leaning back in her chair she glanced at the digital frame sitting on her desk. It was a Mother's day gift from Jack and Hunter. She couldn't help but smile at all the pictures that transitioned past the screen. She'd missed them so much in the past couple weeks. Work was how she knew to help keep Hunter safe though.

She picked up her phone to call Jack as a picture of them from their wedding came across the screen.

"Lee, I'm taking a moment. Be right back."

"Take your time. This paperwork on old drug cases are so stimulating I may just dance…" he rolled his eyes.

"Great," she laughed. "Just don't hurt yourself. Your wedding's just around the corner." With that she stepped outside to call her husband. It rang twice before he answered.

"How's my beautiful wife today?"

"Better now that I'm hearing your voice." She walked over to the picnic tables resting in the shade. "I miss you and Hunter."

"We miss you. You taking a break?"

"Yeah. What are you up to?"

"Getting set up for practice. Hunter's already out on the ice. Kid's a natural on skates."

"I'm not surprised with you as a dad. You've had him out there since the first week you got him right?"

"Yeah, but I only kept it up because he loved it so much." Jack smiled watching Hunter glide around with the biggest smile on his face. "Anything new today?"

"No, nothing yet. How's Hunter?"

"Good. Hasn't brought it up since the night we talked to him."

'Why do you think that is?"

"I think it's because he trusts us. He knows we'll keep him safe."

"I won't let him down."

"Sweetie, it's not just you. Everyone is playing their part here. Please stop trying to carrying this all on your shoulders."

"I'm not. I just wish I knew what he was up to."

Jack could sense her anxiousness through the phone. "Want to talk to Hunter?"

"Yes please!"

Jack laughed as he put the phone on speaker. He knew that would soften the mood. "Hey Hunt! Mom's on the phone!"

"Sweet!" He skated over as fast as his little legs would take him and tossed off his helmet. "Hi, Mom! Its me!"

"Hi, love! How are you?" Elizabeth held tightly to her chest, she loved her boy so much.

"Good. I love being here. The ice, Mom, it calls to me."

"Right." She laughed. "Did you learn that saying from your dad?"

"Maybe!" He laughed back. "I'm getting really good! Just wait till my next game. Pretty soon I'll be better than Dad!"

"Whoa there, short stack…" Jack chuckled.

"Just kidding," Hunter laughed. "No one's better than Dad."

"That's more like it." They laughed.

"Mom, when are you coming home?"

"I should be home for dinner tonight. Tell Dad to make something yummy for me?"

"Oh, I will! Like, hotdogs or mac and cheese or…"

"Hunt, how about something you think Mom would like?"

"Oh, right…. Mom likes those weird green sticks."

"Asparagus."

"Yeah and potatoes and that meat log thing." Elizabeth was again giggling listening to him trying to piece it all together

"Meat log? Goodness, son. Okay beautiful, how about tonight I make us asparagus with a cream sauce, mashed potatoes and a roasted garlic pork tenderloin?"

"That's what I said, Dad!"

"Sounds perfect, guys. I can't wait."

The door flew open, stealing Elizabeth's attention as Lee ran out tossing her hat in her direction. "Breaks over, Thornton. We have a lead on a suspect in the Murphey case. Let's go."

"Gotta go, loves. See you later!"

"Love you babe, be safe!"

"I love you both."

"Bye, Mom!"

"Bye, sweetie!" She hung up and jumped into the passenger's seat of their squad car just before Lee sped off into the heart of the city.