Elizabeth left Sunday as planned without making up with her Dad. It didn't feel freeing or that everything would be just fine like she thought it might. It felt horrible.

Jack assured her that everything would be ok, but she couldn't see how. She wasn't giving Jack up. That wasn't an option.

When she parked her Jeep in the lot and grabbed her suitcase from the back, she took a deep breath and forced a smile. Her roommate Faith, would know something was wrong if she wasn't all giddy from seeing Jack.

She walked in the door of her dorm suite, shutting it behind her. "Hey," Faith said from the couch.

"Hey," Elizabeth responded.

"How was Thanksgiving?" she asked, following her into her bedroom and flopping down on the bed.

"Fine."

"And how was your hottie boyfriend?"

"Good," she said simply. He was good. And Thanksgiving was too. Charlotte cooked a great meal.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. How was your Thanksgiving?"

"I had Chinese food and read a book."

"Chinese? You couldn't even find a turkey dinner somewhere?" Elizabeth knew the holidays were difficult for Faith. Her parents had been killed two years before in a car accident and her older brother lived in London. She didn't have family to go home to and she had declined Elizabeth's offer to join her for the holidays.

"You know Chinese is my favorite and it doesn't matter what I eat. Holidays aren't a big deal." Faith watched her friend unpack. She could tell something was wrong. She knew Elizabeth. "Did you and Jack have a fight?"

"No."

"Beth?" Elizabeth turned and looked at Faith. She was a good listener and maybe a fresh perspective would help.

"My dad found out about Jack. He grounded me and told me I can't see Jack."

"But you don't live there."

"I know. I told him that and then I left. I chose Jack."

"You left?"

"Yeah. I stayed in Jack's basement and ate Thanksgiving dinner with them. Then I came back here."

"What are you going to do?"

"About what?"

"Christmas. Your dad's big office party that you go to every year? Volunteering in the city at the shelter? Decorating the tree the week before? Shopping for presents on Christmas Eve with Julie? Beth, all those things mean something to you, with the possible exception of the office party."

"I don't know. Maybe I'll stay here with you."

"What about Jack?"

"I don't know, Faith! I don't know if I can fix this. I chose Jack over my father. He won't just forgive that."

…..

Jack worked on his plan for the next few weeks, needing it to be perfect. He wanted William Thatcher's approval. No, he needed it. Elizabeth was the one. She would be his wife one day and he didn't want her estranged from her family when that happened.

He made a few last changes on his document and then printed it, reviewing it with a critical eye. He put himself in William's position. What if his daughter was seeing a man that was in a different circle, so to speak? What if she had made the decision on her own and had no intention of breaking up with the man, even though it was what he demanded?

After giving it one last look, he took it upstairs to his Dad.

"Dad?"

"Yeah, bud."

"May I speak with you?"

"Have a seat." Jack pulled out the kitchen chair across from his father and folded his hands. "What's on your mind?"

"I need your help."

"You've got it."

"What if you had a daughter and she was dating a man that you don't care for, not because of mistreatment of any kind, but because he comes from the wrong family?"

"That would never come into my head, Jack. I would never think that way."

"What if you were a different person? Like say, William Thatcher. What would change your mind about the man your daughter loved?"

"It seems I have a trust issue. Not only the man but also my daughter. I don't trust her judgement, maybe because she's young, but mostly because she's choosing someone I wouldn't choose."

"What would help you to trust them? Would this?" He slid the paper in front of his Dad.

"A resume?"

"More like a five year plan of sorts."

"Its pretty extensive, bud. You worked hard on this."

"I had to, Dad. I love her with everything that I am. I'm going to marry her but I can't without the two of them on better terms. Without knowing he approves of me."

"This shows how hard you've thought about your future. It shows how you plan on taking care of his daughter. If I was him, this would at the very least, ease my concerns."

Jack nodded and took the paper back. "Thanks, Dad."

"I'm proud of you, Jack. You are a good man."

"Well, let's just hope William Thatcher agrees with you."

….

It was a week before Christmas and Elizabeth still had no idea what to do about going home. School was out until January 3rd and Faith was on a plane to London to spend Christmas with her brother.

Back home, Jack had a meeting with William Thatcher. He hadn't mentioned it to Elizabeth, in case things went badly. If they went well, it would be a Christmas to remember.

Jack rang the bell at the Thatcher estate, forcing himself not to fidget. He had never been this nervous before. His heart was beating wildly and his palms were sweaty, which wasn't good for the paper he held in his hand.

"Oh! Jack, please come in," Julie said, pulling him inside the foyer. "Daddy is waiting in his study. Whoa, you look nervous. Don't worry too much. His bark is worse than his bite. Well, mostly."

"Julie, just show Jack where his study is," Grace told her, reigning her in.

"Sorry. This way."

Julie left him just outside the door. He knocked.

"Come in," his stern voice commanded.

"Mr. Thatcher."

"Mr. Thornton. Have a seat."

Jack sat in the expensive brown leather chair that faced the desk. "Thank you for meeting with me."

He nodded, a stoic expression on his face. "Does Beth know this is happening?"

"No, sir. I thought it best not to tell her until after."

"Smart move. If I may ask, why do you want to meet with me?"

"I want to address concerns that you have regarding my family and my character."

"Your character is not my concern. If it was, Beth would not have been allowed to be around you as you grew up."

"My family then. My father was a state trooper for fifteen years, sir. He won many medals of honor, saved many lives."

"That is commendable but I am aware of those facts."

"Then what is it that concerns you about me? I've never treated Elizabeth with anything but the utmost respect. She means everything to me."

"She is my daughter. I have always been the caregiver and protector in our family. I have recently been informed by my wife that I incorrectly assumed that that would continue as she grew up. I also apparently incorrectly assumed that I would have a say in whom she chose to fall in love with. Grace said my heart is living in the 19th century."

"Sir, may I show you something?"

"Of course." Jack placed the paper in front of William.

"This is my plan, sir. This is how I plan on taking care of Beth and our family when it's time. I'm very serious about following in my father's footsteps as an officer."

William read and reread the page multiple times before sitting back and looking at Jack in the eyes.

"This is impressive, Jack. I like what I see in you. Coming to me couldn't have been easy."

"No, sir. It wasn't."

"I don't have a say anymore in how Elizabeth lives or where, or with whom."

"No, sir, but you have her heart. She needs to know that she has your support. I need to know that WE have your support."

"Are you asking for her hand, Mr. Thornton?"

"Not yet, sir. One day, yes I will."

William stood, walked around the desk, and shook Jack's hand. "When that day comes, I will approve."

"And now, sir, do you approve?"

"Yes."

"Thank you."

….

The next evening…

Elizabeth wiped her cheeks and slipped under her covers. Then her phone buzzed. She picked it up, almost dropping it when she saw that it was her father calling.

"Dad?"

"Beth, where are you?"

"At school."

"No, I mean, I've been knocking on your door for ten minutes. You haven't answered."

"I'm sorry, I fell asleep in the tub and…wait. You're here?"

"Yes." Elizabeth walked to the door and unlocked it. "Daddy?"

He opened his arms and she walked in to them, her tears once again falling down her cheeks. "Honey, I'm so sorry. I wasn't being fair to you or Jack. Please come home."

"I can't be without him, Dad. So unless you say I can stay with you and see him too, I'll just stay here." She walked into her living room and opened her small refrigerator, grabbing a bottle of water.

"Honey, I won't stop you from seeing him. It's your decision and that's what I meant by not being fair."

"You won't…I mean, you're not going to stop me?"

"No. Beth, I know you love him and that boy loves you a lot."

She laughed, despite her tears. "He's wonderful and I miss him."

"We best not keep him waiting then."

She stood and ran into her room, slipping a cocktail dress and heels in a garment bag, hoping Jack would go to the office party with her this year. Then she packed all the other things she would need for the next two weeks in record time.

"Ok, I'm ready."

When she walked into the room, her father was sitting on the couch with Jack. "Hey," he said with a grin.

"Hey, yourself!" He stood and wrapped her in a tight hug. Without thinking she reached up and kissed him, forgetting her Dad was in the room. Until he cleared his throat. "Sorry, Dad." Her cheeks turned bright red.

"I'll take your bags to the car. Don't be long," he told them, conveying that he was trusting them not to get carried away in his absence.

"Jack? What are you doing here? With my father of all people?"

"It's a long story."

"I want to know."

"I think it's a story that calls for a cup of hot chocolate in front of the fireplace in your living room while everyone decorates that giant tree."

"That sounds perfect." Taking advantage of the being alone once more, he kissed her this time.

"I missed you."

"I missed you too."

"We should probably get out to the car before he rethinks this whole thing."

…..

It was around ten PM and Jack and Elizabeth sat in the estate's living room, only the fireplace and the Christmas tree lighting the room.

Julie was sleeping on the settee about ten feet away, giving them a bit of privacy, but keeping their boundaries in tact.

"I can't dance, Beth. I wouldn't want to embarrass your family." She had just dropped the bomb that she wanted him to go with her to William's annual Christmas office party that was held in the ballroom of the Four Seasons in Los Angeles. Now his insecurities were showing.

"You would never embarrass us, first of all. Second, it's not all about dancing. The food is amazing and the music is great."

"What do I wear?"

"A tux."

"I don't own one."

"You rent one. Jack, I'll go with you tomorrow. Look, if you really don't want to go, you don't have to, but I really don't want to get stuck dancing with Charles all night when I could be with the man I love."

"You're not dancing with Charles."

"You'll go?"

"I'll go." She stood up and held out her hands. "What?"

"Let's dance."

"There's no music."

"We don't need it." He stood up and she took his one hand and placed it on her lower back. Then she took his other hand and held it out. "Ok, now this is how you hold me."

"I'm already good at that," he flirted.

"You are, but I meant the dance hold."

"Oh." She smiled and then explained about the simple waltz step, or it was simple to her. "I'm just not good at this." He dropped his arms and sat back down.

"Since when do you give up, Jack? I've known you for eleven years and I have never known you to do that."

"I don't want your dad to regret letting us be together."

"Because of a dance? Not happening. Let's try something easier." She clasped her hands behind his head, her arms resting on his shoulders. "Now put your hands on my hips," she told him.

He smiled and did as she asked. "Now what?" he wondered, his eyes gazing at her lips.

"Just sway, back and forth." He did as she asked again, but not before stealing a kiss. "Kissing is not part of dancing."

"Why not? We can start a new trend."

"I can guarantee that my dad's stuffy lawyer friends won't be joining us in that trend in the ballroom of the Four Seasons."

"No, they wont, as much fun as it would be," Julie said with a yawn. "I'm going to bed. Coming, Beth?"

"In a bit. I'm going to say goodnight to Jack first."

"Ok, but don't do anything I wouldn't do. You know, I've never understood what that meant. I mean, I would totally make out with a boy if I could, so that sentence…"

"Jules! Go to bed."

"Yeah yeah. Night, Jack."

"Night, Julie."

The couple laughed as they strolled to the door. "So tomorrow, we will find you a tux, ok?"

"Yeah. Let's go to the mall. I can pick up a few last gifts."

"Oooh, for me?" She slipped her arms around his waist and stepped close.

"I already have yours." He stared down at her, his lips almost grazing hers.

"You do?" He moved slightly, kissing her soft lips.

"Yeah. I've had it for months."

"Seriously?"

"Mmhmm."

"This is going to be the best Christmas."

"I agree." He kissed her once more and then walked out the door. "Love you."

"Love you too."

….

A few days later, Christmas Eve morning, Jack accompanied Elizabeth to the homeless shelter to serve meals and organize the Christmas activities for the next day. He went with her every year, but this year it seemed more important to do it together. More meaningful to share what they had with others.

"Marc! Good to see you, man!" Jack told the manager of the shelter, giving him a fist bump.

"You too, Thornton. And you, Miss Beth." He looked down at their intertwined fingers and raised his eyebrows. "Finally! Thank God Almighty you two finally figured it out!"

Elizabeth blushed and Jack laughed. "I had to convince her that it was worth the chance. Now I'm never letting her go," he said with a glance in Elizabeth's direction.

"Good man, good man. Let's get you two started in the pantry. Making up delivery boxes for tomorrow."

The shelter delivered meals on Christmas day to homebound people and families. Jack had even helped with deliveries in the past. It was so rewarding to see how much a hot meal meant to those who needed it. It put things in perspective.

As they made up the boxes, two of hundreds, Elizabeth thought about what Jack had told Marc. "Never letting me go?"

"Nope. Never ever."

She smiled and kissed his cheek. "Promise?"

"Absolutely."

"Even if I have ten babies and gain a hundred pounds?"

"More to love," he said with a shrug.

"Even if I grow a hunchback and lose all my teeth?"

"Even if you grow hair on your chin and a wart on your perky little nose, I will never, ever, ever let you go." She laughed and bumped his hip with hers.

"I have a perky nose?"

"Yep. Its cute." He started another box and then stopped. "For the record, three babies is enough."

"Ok, three is good," she agreed.

That afternoon, after making about a hundred boxes, they each went home and prepared for the party at the hotel.

Jack struggled with his bowtie so he ran upstairs to get help from his dad.

"Dad, I can't get this."

Tom stood up from the couch and smiled. "Well, look at you, all gussied up for the party."

"Yeah. Its uncomfortable," he said, tugging at the sleeves and the collar.

"Relax, bud. It will get easier as soon as you see Beth. You're doing this for her, right?"

"Yeah. She's worth the discomfort."

"Maybe don't tell her that."

"Dude! There's a giant limo out front," Tom informed him.

Jack took a deep breath in and blew it out. "Ok, you're set."

"Thanks, Dad."

The doorbell rang and Jack answered it. "Hey."

Elizabeth stepped in and smiled. "Hey, yourself. Wow. You look…"

"So do you."

"I want a picture or five," Charlotte announced, a camera in her hand.

"Ma," Jack protested.

"Look, you two were too stubborn to go to prom and it will be a few years until your wedding. Indulge me."

Elizabeth removed her light jacket, revealing her burgundy lace, off-the-shoulder dress. It hit her knees, swinging slightly as she moved. She stepped into Jack's arms and smiled.

Charlotte snapped a few as they gazed at each other and then she made them pose. "Perfect. Now go have a great time."