Nine days later….

"This has been the best second honeymoon ever," Elizabeth said as they lounged on the balcony of their stateroom. The sun was setting and by morning, they would be docked back in Los Angeles and headed back to Montana.

"I agree." He kissed her temple and sighed. "We could just sleep out here tonight." The lounger was super comfortable. They had spent quite a few evenings out there.

"We could. I will go get a blanket."

"Maybe I should order some dessert. Dark chocolate brownie with hot fudge?"

"Oh my goodness, Jack. I think I have gained ten pounds since we got on this ship."

"So no dark chocolate brownie?" he asked with a pout, reminiscent of Fin and Joey.

"Oh, I want it, but I definitely need to work out when we get home."

"We can start our walks again."

"Sounds great. The kids will love that."

She came back out a moment later with a blanket and he called for room service. As they waited for dessert, she thought back on their trip. Every night, he had found a different thing for them to do, whether it was to see a show in the theatre, eating a late dinner at a restaurant downstairs, eating dinner in the room, or walking around the upper deck under the stars. All of it was the most enjoyable, romantic time she had ever had. It felt like they were young newlyweds again.

As they ate their brownie a bit later, she smiled. "Just think, Jack. I could be pregnant right now and we won't even know for a month or two."

"Yeah. I'm definitely ready for the next year."

"Me too. It's bound to be a good one."

…..

The next afternoon they arrived in Montana ready to see the kids. The half hour drive from the airport took forever to Elizabeth. They pulled into Mom and Pop's driveway finally and Elizabeth walked as quick as possible to the door.

"Anyone home?" she called as she went inside. Jack was right behind her.

"Mama!" Joe ran up to her and raised his arms.

"Oh, Joey! I missed you."

"Mama home." Elizabeth relished in the feel of his little arms wrapped around her neck. Ten days was too long to be without her babies.

"Yes, baby. I'm home."

"Mama! Daddy!" Fin yelled, running into the room with Aubrey.

Jack picked her up and hugged her close. "Finny. Hi, sweetheart."

"Daddy! I had fun. Aubrey is my bestie."

"That's great. I'm so glad. But did you miss me?"

"I guess," she said with a shrug.

Elizabeth laughed. Their almost four year old was nothing, if not honest.

"Look at you two. Who knew you could get a tan in Alaska?" Bill commented as he and Charlotte walked in the room.

"Its more likely from the time we spent sailing from and to Alaska, but yes, its possible, Pop," Jack told him.

"Who's ready to go home?" Elizabeth asked, clearly ready herself. She put Joey down and hugged her in-laws. "Thank you so much for watching them. We really appreciate it."

"Anytime, dear."

A bit later, they pulled into their own driveway. Clara and Pete and the boys were there, dropping off the dogs, who were now fully grown.

"Look, Mama! Nemo and Bub," Fin said, pointing.

"Bub!" Joey repeated.

Almost four year old Zane and two year old Brody were running around in the yard with Pete and the dogs while six month pregnant Clara was rocking on the porch swing.

"Welcome home!" Clara called, standing slowly and walking down the porch steps.

Elizabeth waved and hopped out to give her a hug. "Hi. How are you?"

"Doing good. How are you besides tan?"

Elizabeth laughed and walked to the side door of the SUV to help the kids out. "I'm great. It was a wonderful cruise."

As the kids and dogs and husbands ran around Clara and Elizabeth headed inside to get away from the heat. "Do you and Pete want to stay for dinner? We can order in or something. I'm pretty sure we have no food in the house."

"No, actually, Mom is watching the kids so Pete and I can have a date night. How is it possible to live with someone and miss them so much?" Clara's eyes filled with tears and Elizabeth gave her a hug.

"Sweetie, what's going on?"

"Nothing, I'm sorry. My hormones are crazy right now." She wiped her eyes and tried to smile.

Elizabeth led her to the table and sat down next to her. "I don't want to pry but if you need to talk, I'm here."

"I just…he works so much. This is the first day off he has taken in six months and I had to beg him for it because I know we need to have time together."

"His job keeps him that busy?"

"That's what he says." She shook her head and let the tears fall. "I'm scared, Beth. What if he…I don't think he is but…what if he's slipping away or finds someone else?"

"Honey, you need to have that discussion with him. The one thing I do know is Peter Stanton loves you and those boys. Don't jump to conclusions before you know what's actually going on."

….

Jack and Pete sat on the steps watching the kids play. "Something wrong, Pete?"

"Nah. Nothing I can't fix."

"Well, if I can help, let me know."

Pete nodded and sat silently for a minute. It was strange to have a day off work. To be sitting here and watching the kids felt like a rare treat. "Can I ask a favor, Jack?"

"Anything, bro." Jack squeezed his shoulder and then dropped his hand.

"Can you and Elizabeth watch the kids once in awhile so Clara and I can go out?"

"Of course. I will be working a lot of nights but I'm sure Elizabeth won't mind."

"Thanks." He knew that his marriage was slipping, his relationship with Clara was slipping. He needed time to repair it before it was too far gone.

"Dude, if I can be straight with you, you work a lot."

"Yeah. When I took the job over a year ago, I had idea what I was getting into. Now, I almost regret it."

"There's no way to delegate responsibility? I mean, I know you kind of run things, but maybe an assistant?"

"If I'm being honest, it's easier to stay at work than to come home and face Clara. Jack, I've let her down so many times. I've missed so many things with the kids and our Anniversary and holidays. We don't talk anymore. I think it might be too late."

"Pete, it's not too late. If you want it bad enough, you can fix it. Talk to her. We will watch the kids. Don't give up on it."

"I don't even know where to start."

"Start with prayer. Get time alone and pray about it together. And then just make a promise with each other that you are going to do better."

"You sound like you speak from experience, Jack."

"Marriage is amazing, but it's very hard. It takes a lot of work and compromise and attention. You need to be willing to put in the time."

….

Jack watched as Pete walked Clara to the car, his hand on her lower back. He opened the door for her and before she got in, he hugged her against his chest. They certainly loved each other. They just needed to work at showing it.

"Daddy, I'm hot," Fin told him, climbing up the porch steps and sitting next to him.

"Hot," Joey mimicked.

"Let's go inside. Bub, Nemo, come!"

The two yellow labs appeared from around the side of the house and bounded up the steps with them.

Elizabeth looked through their menus. "Jack, what sounds good to you?"

"Chinese?" He fed the dogs and handed the kids each a sippy cup of cold water.

"Mm. Ok. I'll order it."

When Jack got the kids settled with Finding Dory, their new obsession, he walked back in the kitchen. "Hey, why don't we watch the movie with the kids? I've missed them."

She nodded and took his hand. When they sat down, the kids crawled up onto their laps and watched, Joey sucking his thumb and Fin giggling at baby Dory on the screen.

"Dory is so funny," she giggled, making Elizabeth laugh.

"Blue!" Joey said at the screen. "Dada! Blue."

"I see, good job, Joe." Jack slipped his arm around Elizabeth, kissing her temple.
"This is the life."

"It's the best life," she told him. "I've never been happier."

….

"It was good to see Jack and Elizabeth," Clara mentioned.

"Yeah it was."

They were driving to their date in Billings. There was a Greek restaurant that Pete wanted to try.

"It was awfully hot today," she said quietly, wanting to keep the conversation going because silence was too hard.

"It was."

"I don't want you to find someone else!" Clara blurted, tears falling down her cheeks. "I want you to want me!"

"Honey, what do you mean?" He pulled off the highway and then pulled into a parking lot, stopping the car. "Clara, what's going on?"

"Did you meet someone else? Is that why you stay late at work?"

"What? Clara, baby, I would never do that." He unbuckled his seat belt and turned toward her. "Look at me, sweetheart."

Her big green eyes focused on him and he only saw pain. "Why, Pete? I never see you anymore. You come home after we are asleep and leave before we get up. Why don't you want to be with us?"

"I messed up, Clara."

"So there is someone else?"

"No, I promise. What I mean is, I know that I've missed so many things. I've screwed up our relationship. I take full responsibility for it."

"Last I checked we were in this marriage together. It can't just be your screw up. Somewhere along the way, I think I stopped fighting. I thought you didn't want me anymore."

"Oh, babe." He kissed her tears away, finally finding her soft, full lips with his. "I want you. I will always want you. You and the boys mean everything to me."

"Are you sure?" she asked with relief in her tears.

"Of course I am. Please, promise me you'll never stop fighting for us again. I need you to remind me that I'm an idiot once in awhile."

"Pete," she said with a laugh. "You need to fight for us too. We both need to make this work." He nodded, touching his forehead to hers. "And if you ever miss another Anniversary or birthday…"

"I won't. I promise."

"Ok then. Your daughter is hungry. Let's go get some Greek food."

….

A week later, August 1st

Jack pulled on his navy blue scrubs and headed into the bathroom to brush his teeth. He had to be at the hospital in Billings by 8pm for his first shift.

He turned when he heard a low whistle from the doorway.

"Did you just whistle at me, Elizabeth?"

"This clinches it," she said, gesturing at his scrubs.

"Clinches what?"

"That you look insanely hot in everything you wear. Scrubs, jeans, EMT uniform, a suit, even boxers and your mother's pink ruffled apron."

He spit out his toothpaste and wiped his mouth, smirking at her in the mirror. "Is that right?"

"Oh yeah."

"Mama!"

"Yes, Fin." She stared at Jack and then turned toward Fin.

"I'm hungry."

"Oh yeah? You better start cooking dinner then."

"Silly, Mama. I'm three!" she told her, holding up only two fingers.

"Almost four. I think you should learn how to cook when you turn four." Fin giggled.

"No thanks! I'll just have cheese."

Jack laughed and kissed Elizabeth. "Love you. I'll see you in the morning, ok?"

"Well, I'm at the daycare in the morning."

"I'll come there."

"Ok." She kissed him in return. "I'm proud of you, Jack."

"Thanks." He bent down to kiss Fin. "Love you, Finlea."

"Love you, Daddy."

He said goodbye to Joe and walked out of the house, ready for the new phase he was entering.

….

About forty five minutes later, he and Mike walked into Billings Memorial, a bit nervous but mostly excited. "Ready for this, bro?" Jack asked.

"Yes. I'm definitely ready. We worked hard for this."

"Yes we did."

They found the head nurse in Emergency, Nurse Sandy and after a brief introduction and orientation, they were sent with another seasoned nurse, Tippie.

"This is a teaching hospital, nurses," she began. "This means there will be medical students learning along with you as they complete their education. Ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask them because that is how you will learn."

As they headed toward the swinging doors, she turned and looked at them. "Hold on to your hats, this may get bumpy."

Jack looked at Mike. "Let's do this."