***In the previous chapter, I mentioned Beth heading to Vancouver for school, but that was an oopsie. Originally, the story was going to be in Canada. I changed it to California and forgot that one mention of Vancouver. So, to clarify, she's actually going to UCLA****

Thanksgiving Break, Freshman year

Elizabeth was almost home. She was so excited to see Jack after almost three months. They talked or texted multiple times a week but both of them wanted to get the best grades possible so they decided not to talk every night.

Now, she was driving down the road that Jack lived on. She decided to go see him before going to her own house to prevent being stopped from leaving again.

She honked her horn and stopped in his driveway. He ran out and opened her door before she could do it herself.

She smiled and got out, walking right into his arms. "Hi," she whispered, not wanting to break the moment. "Where are your parents?"

"Inside but Mom knows about us so…" He couldn't speak anymore because she had already cupped his face in her hands and kissed him, making them both breathless rather quickly. "Wow. Have you been practicing?"

"Stop!" she said with a laugh. "Oh gosh, I missed you so much." He held her for a few moments and then they slowly wandered up to the house. "Wait! She knows?"

"That took you awhile."

"I was distracted. How does she know?"

"She kinda heard me talking to you on the phone."

"Oh."

"Don't worry, she loves you, just not like I do," he said with a wink.

She kissed his cheek. "I hope not." She hugged him again. "Did I mention that I missed you?"

"Yeah, once or twice. I missed you too."

Charlotte opened the door and smiled. "Come on inside, you two."

Elizabeth let go and blushed. "Hi, Mrs. Thornton."

"Hello, dear. I made hot cocoa."

"Yum!"

"Now tell me all about school," Charlotte said, looping her arm through Elizabeth's.

…..

Elizabeth's phone kept vibrating in her pocket. She knew it was Julie who was more than likely trying to track her down because their parents were anxious to see her too.

"I'm sorry. I can't stay much longer. My family wants to see me."

Jack felt like the most selfish person in the world but he didn't want her to go. He just got her back, if only until Sunday afternoon.

"Of course, dear," Charlotte said. "I understand. I hope you have a wonderful holiday tomorrow."

"Thank you. Walk me out?" she asked Jack.

He stood, still holding onto her hand, and walked to the door.

"Tomorrow, I need to help my mom cook. Do you maybe want to come help?"

"Me? I can't cook. I burn water."

"I know, but you can just cut veggies or something. No cooking necessary."

"Are you sure your mom won't mind? Or your dad?"

"Of course not. Please? I want to be with you." He couldn't say no to that.

"Sure. What time?"

"Ten?" She smiled and kissed his cheek. "See you tomorrow."

"Yeah."

….

That night the two talked for hours, never running out of things to say. Finally they hung up around three in the morning, knowing they would see each other very soon.

Around ten o'clock, Jack rang the bell. Elizabeth opened it, an apron around her waist, her hair tied back. "Hey," she said with a smile.

"Hey yourself. Are you sure about this?"

She kissed him and nodded. "I'm sure. It's not like you've never met my family before."

"I know. I just want them to like me."

"Mom does for sure, and Dad is just a toughie. He loves his daughters."

"I love one in particular." Jack stepped forward and kissed her. "You look cute in this apron." She looked exactly how he imagined she would after they got married and she was cooking dinner for them. Domestic, beautiful.

"Thanks. Now let's go cook. The carrots, celery, onions, and potatoes are begging to be cut."

….

Grace watched Beth interacting with Jack. Their looks and brief touches confirmed her suspicions. They were definitely more than best friends.

For instance, Beth was standing next to Jack cutting veggies. Their shoulders were touching, their hips touching. No space between them. Every so often Beth turned her head and looked up at him, blushing when he smiled down at her.

….

It was killing Jack having her so close when he couldn't really touch her. She smelled amazing and looked adorable, her curls breaking free from her ponytail. What he wouldn't give to be able to kiss her right now.

He knew her mom was watching them so he was 99% sure she knew something.

….

"Jack? Will you help me for a moment?"

"Uh…help with what?"

"There are a few ingredients I forgot in the pantry. I could use a few more hands." She already had started walking toward the pantry. His eyes darted to Grace who just smiled at him.

He stood and walked slowly to the pantry.

"Jack, can you reach this can on the top shelf for me?"

He walked over and grabbed it. "Really? Pork and beans? Who in this family eats this and especially at Thanksgiving?"

"Me?"

"Mmhmm."

She wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed him softly. "I love you."

"I love you too but you should know, I think your mom has figured us out."

"I know. That's ok."

"Not if she catches us in here making out."

"One kiss is hardly making out but can I have one more kiss?"

He looked at the door. "I'm kinda liking this version of you. Rebellious Beth is kinda hot."

She giggled and kissed him again and then walked out of the room.

She walked smack into her father. "Daddy! Happy Thanksgiving."

Jack walked up behind her and stopped before running into them both. "Hello, sir."

"Beth, I need to speak with you in my office, please." The word "please" did nothing to make Jack feel more at ease in this situation. He assumed William had heard their flirtations and kisses and now, seeing them both coming out of the pantry…

"Now!" he yelled for emphasis.

"I should go," Jack mentioned. He squeezed her hand and smiled. "I'll call you tonight."

She nodded and went in to her father's office.

"Close the door," William told her.

"Dad."

"Elizabeth, how long?"

"What?"

"You know what! You and that Thornton boy. How long?"

"Daddy, he's been my best friend for almost eleven years. You know that."

"I knew this would happen. I heard you two in there. You LOVE him?"

"You were eavesdropping. What have I done to make you stop trusting me?"

"You're grounded."

"Daddy, I don't live here. I live in Los Angeles."

"You're staying here so you're grounded."

"What does that mean?"

"No seeing him anymore."

"Dad!"

"No. He's not for you."

"He is. You know him. He is wonderful and kind and would never hurt me. Most of all, he makes me happy. Why don't you want me happy?"

"You know I do."

"You don't. I can't stay here. I hope you have a good Thanksgiving."

"You're choosing him over your own family?"

"You're giving me no choice! I can't just stop seeing him. I love him."

She walked out of his office and walked up the stairs to her room. She closed the door and leaned against it, trying to slow down her heart. How was this happening? She pulled her phone out of her pocket and texted Jack.

"I need a place 2 stay."

…..

"Jack? What's wrong?" His face had gone white and Charlotte noticed.

"Beth….her Dad isn't happy about us. Now she needs a place to stay." He looked up at her, a hopeful look in his eyes.

"Oh, honey. I don't know. Go talk to your father."

"Mom he doesn't know about us."

"Of course he does. I don't keep secrets from your father."

Jack typed "one sec" in his phone and went off to find his Dad.

He found him in the basement. "Dad?"

"Yeah, bud." Tom stood slowly from his crouched position next to a few boxes.

"May I talk to you?"

"May I? Must have to do with something important if you're being so careful with your grammar." Tom flashed his dimples and laughed at his own joke. "Must be Beth."

Jack looked up at his father who stood at around 6 feet two inches. His hair matched Jack's, with a few gray strands mixed in, and his dimples, and he was the best dad anyone could ask for.

"Yeah."

"What's got you so worried?"

"Her Dad. He found out about us and he's not happy."

"William Thatcher…yeah. I can't imagine anyone would be good enough in his eyes for his daughters."

"The Kensington boys would be. Beth said he's always pushing them together."

"How did he find out about you?"

Jack blushed and looked away. "Uh…well, he heard us….talking in the pantry."

"Talking, huh?" Tom laughed again, taking note of Jack's pink cheeks.

"We were, I swear, but we may have kissed a couple times. Nothing to make him so mad."

"I trust you, Jack." For that Jack was grateful. "But you were in his house. Probably should have waited to steal a few kisses until you weren't."

"Yeah. I know. But anyway, Beth texted and she needs a place to stay."

"He kicked her out?"

"I'm not sure. But she doesn't have anywhere else to go."

Tom sat on the couch and thought a moment. "What did your mom say?"

"To ask you."

Tom stood and yelled up the stairs. "Char, honey? Can you come down here a moment?"

Jack's phone buzzed. "Beth?" Jack answered it.

"Jack, I don't know where to go." He could hear her crying in the phone. That ripped at his heart.

"Babe, don't cry. I'm talking to my parents about it now. Can you wait just a minute? I'll call you back."

"I'm in your driveway, just so you know."

"Ok. Sit tight. I'll call you back."

His parents had been chatting by the stairs. They walked over and stood by him.

"Ok, so she can stay here until she heads back to school. But there are some rules," his dad started.

"She's here, in the driveway. Should I have her come in so she can hear too?"

"Sure."

A few minutes later, the four of them were sitting in the living room in the basement.

"It's good to see you, Beth," Tom began.

"You too, Mr. Thornton."

"I understand that you need a place to stay?"

"Yes, sir. Just until I go back to school on Sunday afternoon."

"You are welcome to stay here but there are some things we need to talk about."

"Rules?" Beth asked.

"Well, guidelines."

"Yes, sir."

"Just a few things. I trust both of you, Charlotte and I both do. That being said, you both can't be down here at the same time alone since this is where Beth's room is."

Jack and Elizabeth nodded. That made sense.

"Second, Beth, we love having you in Jack's life, he's never been happier, but we don't want to be the reason why you aren't talking to your parents."

"You're not, sir." They all looked at her, knowing the real truth. "Well, my dad is trying to protect me, not that there is anything to protect me from. He just thinks that things have to be the same all the time. That it has to be only the way he wants them."

Jack took her hand and laced their fingers together. "You should talk to him, Beth."

"He's so mad and I told him I was not going to stay there." Jack could see her tears coming again. He knew she loved her family as much as he loved his.

"He loves you. He just wants what's best for you."

"He told me I couldn't see you anymore," she said, her voice breaking.

Jack closed his eyes and kissed her forehead. "So you told him you were leaving."

"Yes. I can't stop seeing you, Jack."

"He's your dad."

"You are my…Jack...I chose you. Please don't make me take it back. I need you more than I need him controlling me. I'm an adult. I'm nineteen and I don't live with him. He can't tell me who I can be with anymore."

"I'm not going to make you do anything but you can't just choose me over them. Family is important."

"You're my family."

She was his too, but there had to be a way that she could mend fences with her Dad and still see him. He just didn't know how yet.