THE VILLA, DINNERTIME
Elizabeth put on her new navy sundress and flat sandals for dinner. Well, one sandal. "What do you think?" She turned around and looked at Jack who was still lounging in bed.
"I much prefer you wearing less," he flirted.
"I would but I'm pretty sure that would be the last time your Mom would visit."
She turned back around and twisted her hair into a messy ponytail. "Now, do I look ok, Jack?"
"Always."
"Babe, they are going to be here in…" The doorbell rang. "Now, apparently." She rushed out of the room. "Get up!"
He groaned and covered his face with her pillow.
Elizabeth opened the door. "Hi!"
"Hi, Elizabeth." Charlotte hugged her and then walked in and then Bill followed, kissing her cheek.
She frowned and looked at Bill. "What am I supposed to call you? You're my boss but now you're engaged to my mother-in-law. I call her Mom but…"
"How about Bill, and Mr. Avery in front of the students."
"Ok. That makes sense." They all looked up as Jack walked in wearing his sweats, a wrinkled black t-shirt, and bare feet. He very obviously hadn't brushed his hair either. "Jack," she said, her eyebrows raised high.
"Hi, hon." He kissed her cheek and walked over to his Mom. "Hi, Ma."
"Son." She looked at him like he had two heads.
"What?" He smiled and stuck out his hand. "Bill, good to see ya." He walked over to the fridge and looked inside. "Everyone likes pancakes, right?"
"Jack, what are you doing?" Elizabeth asked him.
"Making dinner."
Charlotte walked over to him and grabbed his arm, pulling him out to the deck.
"Ma? What?"
"Are you trying to hurt me?"
"What? No. Of course not."
"Jack, I know that this bothers you, but I'm finally happy. Don't you even care?"
"Of course I care. Don't you care how I feel?"
"How do you feel? You invite us to dinner after never even mentioning my news and you come out here like you just rolled out of bed."
"It's my honeymoon. I did just roll out of bed."
"Jack Thornton, you surprise me. You are an amazing, sweet, caring man, but right now, I don't even like you. I'm sorry that my engagement is hard for you, but I won't apologize for loving him. Have a good evening."
Charlotte walked back in the house and over to Bill. "Lets go."
Elizabeth stared at her for a moment. "Please don't leave."
"I can't stay here when my own son doesn't care one way or the other. Goodbye sweetie. Enjoy the rest of your trip."
"We will. I love you."
"Love you too."
Elizabeth locked the door behind them and wandered into the bedroom to change. Jack walked in and sat on the bed.
"Sweats Jack, really? You didn't even brush your hair." He stayed silent as she tied the sash on her robe. "Pancakes? We were going to have steak and lobster. We were going to congratulate them on their engagement. What happened?"
He stared at his hands and played with his ring. She sat down next to him, placing her hand on his back. "He was my Dad's best friend. He loved my mom for eleven years, Elizabeth. Eleven years."
"Yes he did. He waited for her because he didn't want to be disrespectful to your Dad."
"With Monte, I didn't see it heading to marriage so I was ok with it. Bill is going to be my step-dad."
"He is not trying to replace your father."
"But that's what he's doing. My dad is not coming back and Bill is going to be where Dad should be. Elizabeth, he should still be here! He should have been at my wedding and he should get to know you. It's not fair."
"Sweetheart, you are correct. It's not fair that he isn't here."
"But?"
"It's also not fair to alienate your mother and Bill because you miss your father."
She handed him her phone. "What?"
"Call them. Tell them to come back. Then we are going to get dressed and make a nice meal for them."
"I don't want…"
"You love your mom. Show her that you do by accepting this wonderful thing that is happening to her."
AN HOUR LATER
"You look nice, Jack." He slipped his belt through the loops on his pants and fastened it. He wore a light gray button down shirt with black dress pants.
She had put her navy dress back on, but left her hair down. "Elizabeth?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. For being my voice of reason." He kissed her gently.
"That's my job. I take it seriously."
The doorbell rang and they went to greet them together.
"Hi!" Elizabeth said again. "Please come in."
The older couple walked in and hugged Elizabeth. Charlotte then avoided looking at Jack.
"Mom?" Jack walked over to her and touched her arms.
"Jack." He could see the hurt and pain that he had caused. Her eyes showed her tears that were waiting to fall.
"I'm so sorry." She looked up at him and let the tears fall. "I love you and I am happy for you. It's just hard."
"I know." She stepped closer to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I'm sorry too. Honestly I think we should have waited to tell you until you got home."
"No, I should have thought of someone other than myself. Please forgive me?"
"Yes, sweetheart. I forgive you."
Elizabeth and Bill started setting the table with china and crystal wine glasses from the cupboards.
"Who wants lobster and who wants steak?" Jack asked everyone.
Once that was decided, Elizabeth started on her mushroom cream gravy for the steaks while Charlotte poured the wine.
Bill wandered out to see the view from the deck and to talk to Jack while he grilled the food.
"This view is amazing, Jack."
"It is, yes. The moon shining on the water is perfect."
"Jack, I love her, you know?"
"I know."
"I am not trying to dishonor the memory of your father. He was a great man and my best friend."
"I know that too. At this point in my life, I don't need a father, but that doesn't mean I don't think about how badly I wanted him at my wedding or how much he would have loved Elizabeth."
"He would have, that's for sure."
"Bill, I am grateful that you and my mom finally found each other. I want her to be happy and you make her happy." He flipped the steaks and turned to look at Bill. "I guess what I'm trying to say is thank you and welcome to the family." He held out his hand and Bill took it. "Also, I'm sorry about before. I was rude and well, let's just say I was acting like a five year old."
"Thank goodness your wife has experience with young children," Bill said, teasing.
"Agreed!" Jack laughed.
"Jack, I promise you I won't ever hurt your Mom on purpose. I just want her to be happy."
"I know. Thanks Bill."
They walked back in a few moments later with the steaks and lobster tails. The women were sitting at the table waiting.
After the prayer, Jack raised his wine glass to toast. "To true love and many years of happiness. Congratulations to all of us."
"Here here!"
TWO WEEKS LATER
Elizabeth and Jack took full advantage of the private jet to fly home. No security lines, no layovers. Just a straight flight from Aruba to Bozeman where Julie was going to be waiting to drive them home to the ranch.
"Should be home in a little less than two hours," Jack told her as he slipped his arm behind her.
"Mmm. Home. Back to the real world of budgets and jobs and physical therapy and…"
"Hot tubs and feather beds and breakfast in our skivvies."
She giggled. "Skivvies. We can eat all our meals in our skivvies if we feel like it." He leaned over and kissed her lips.
"Good idea."
"Jack?"
"Yes?"
"I'm bored. Wanna make out?"
"Oh sweetheart, you never have to ask."
TWO HOURS LATER
As they prepared to step off the plane, Elizabeth fixed his hair and wiped his mouth free of the lipstick he was now wearing. "There, now she won't be able to tell."
"Have you looked in the mirror?" She pulled her compact mirror out and laughed. Her lipstick was now all over her face and her ponytail wasn't a ponytail anymore. "Your skirt is crooked too," he pointed out.
After another five minutes, they were both presentable and ready to see Julie. Or so they thought.
As soon as Julie saw them she laughed. "That must have been some flight." They looked at each other and then down.
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, sister. I can spot a make out session a mile away. Jack missed a button or two on his shirt and I can see your bra strap."
"Thanks Julie. What would we do without you?" Elizabeth rolled her eyes and laughed, adjusting her shirt so the bra strap wasn't visible. Jack fixed his buttons.
They got their luggage from the plane and walked to the old Buick Julie still drove. It finally started after three tries.
"Jules, maybe you should buy a different car. You know, one that runs?"
"What and get rid of Bertha? Not a chance. She just doesn't like the cold."
"Bertha?"
"Bertha the Buick. It's a good name." Elizabeth giggled.
"On the upside, the back seat is spacious," Jack said, wiggling his eyebrows.
"No making out in the back seat of my car unless I'm the one doing it."
"What kind of rule is that, Jules?" Jack asked.
"One I just made up."
They drove for a few minutes but not in the direction of home. "Jules, this isn't the way to Hunter Creek."
"Very true. I'm dropping you two off somewhere."
"Dropping us off? We just need to get home."
Julie smiled and drove to a car dealership. "Ok, so just head inside and tell them your names. I'll take your luggage to the ranch."
"What?"
"Just go inside. Trust me."
Jack and Elizabeth figured they should at least see what was waiting for them. He took her hand and led her inside to the front desk.
"Hi, we're Jack and Elizabeth Thornton."
"Yes, sir. Here are your two sets of key fobs. Each set has one for your ignition and one for the remote start." She set a clipboard in front of them. "Just sign here that you picked up the vehicle."
"What vehicle?" Elizabeth asked.
"That one, Mrs. Thornton." The girl pointed outside to a brand new black Acura MDX.
"We didn't buy a car."
"No ma'am. It's a gift. Congratulations, by the way."
"Thank you." They walked outside and pushed the button to unlock the doors.
"Wow, babe. Your father sure goes all out."
"He does and I do need a car."
They climbed in and looked around. The interior was tan leather and had chrome detailing. All seats were heated and the front were air conditioned. Moon roof, heated steering wheel, GPS, Bluetooth, Mp3, entertainment package. "Elizabeth, this thing even parks itself."
"Jack, are you ok with this? I know you said we could buy our own vehicle."
"It just means we can use our money for something else, like vacation or something."
"Jack, let's go home."
"Ok."
As they drove, checking out the bells and whistles, she noticed how much room there was. "There's room for a bunch of babies in here," she mentioned.
"True."
"It might be hard to wait a year."
"It might," he agreed.
"I kind of don't want to wait that long. Maybe six months?"
"Ok. Six months is good with me."
She grabbed his hand and threaded her fingers through his. "Are you sure?"
"Yes. I'm sure."
"Ok, good. So in September, I'll go off the pill. If we got pregnant right away, I would have the baby during summer break."
He smiled and raised her hand to his lips. He loved that she needed a plan or a list for everything. "I love you Beth Thornton."
"I love you too."
Elizabeth turned on the Bluetooth and connected her phone. Then she pushed the call button on the dash. "Call Dad."
"Calling Dad," the robotic voice announced.
"William Thatcher," he said.
"Hi, Dad."
"Welcome home, Bethie."
"Jack's here too."
"Welcome home, son."
"Thanks William. It's good to be home."
"Dad, thank you so much for the car. It wasn't necessary but we appreciate it."
"You're welcome. Both of you. I hope I didn't overstep."
"No, sir. As Beth said, we appreciate it."
"Ok. Well, I know it's nine months away, but we'd like you both to come to Madison for Christmas."
She looked at Jack. He nodded. "Ok, we will be there."
"Great. I'll tell your mother. Have a good evening."
"You too, Dad."
45 MINUTES LATER
They pulled into their driveway and were greeted by Harvey.
"Hi, buddy!" Jack told him, rubbing his ears. "I missed you."
"Hey, Jack! Welcome home."
"Hey Pete."
"Nice car."
"Thanks. Mr. Thatcher got it for us."
Pete nodded. Jack followed him out to the barn and Elizabeth went in the house. Harvey followed her inside.
"Are you hungry, bud?" He let out a bark. "Well, let's feed you."
After feeding Harvey, she carried their suitcases to Jack's bedroom, which was now their bedroom. She looked in his closet and noticed that he had made room for her clothes and shoes. She hung up her wedding dress, his vest and pants, and their other dressy clothes they had packed. Then she unpacked her other items, finding half his drawers in the dresser were empty.
"Hey there," he said as he walked in. "Do you have enough room, babe?"
"Yes, thank you." She took off her earrings and watch and placed them on the dresser. "Jack?"
"Yeah?"
"This is a bit weird."
"It's new. Just remember, it's your home now too. You can change what you want or not. If you aren't comfortable, we will make it better."
"Yeah." She nodded and pulled her robes and pajamas out of her suitcase, folding them and putting them in a drawer.
Jack watched her but noticed she was a bit emotional. "Hey, it's ok." He wrapped his arms around her.
"This is kind of scary. It's real now."
"Yeah. It is."
"I have to go to work tomorrow and schedule my physical therapy. I want to make our lunches and.. "
"Why don't we just go make some dinner and watch a movie by the fire. Then after that, I'll help you make lunches."
"Ok."
"Honey, everything is good. It will be an adjustment but we will get through it together."