"I don't know what to wear!" Elizabeth told Viola on the phone, the day before Thanksgiving.
"Something comfortable. Like that long navy cardigan with a pair of leggings and your tall boots. That would be cute."
She pulled the long sweater out. The one, coincidentally Viola had purchased for her. She had a silver necklace she could wear with it. And she had brown boots that would work. "Thanks, Vi."
"Has he kissed you yet?"
"Why does that matter?"
"Just curious. Do you want him to kiss you?"
"At the risk of sounding like a broken record, why does that matter?"
"Because, you two have been out on a great date, you see him pretty much every day and each of your kids are pulling for this relationship. I'd say it matters."
"Of course I want him to kiss me, but I'm not in a hurry. I want it to be the perfect time."
"Like when you go to his parents house for Thanksgiving?"
"Thanks for your help, Vi. I appreciate it."
"Ok, I'll take the hint. But one more thing."
"What's that?"
"Have you told Mom yet?"
No, she hadn't and she wasn't going to tell her until she was sure it was going in the right direction. "Bye, Vi."
"Bye, Beth."
….
The next day, Jack and Sawyer came up to get Elizabeth and Brennan.
As soon as Elizabeth opened the door, Sawyer rushed forward and hugged her waist. "Oh!" Elizabeth squealed, hugging him back. "Hi, sweetie. It's good to see you."
He grinned up at her, a single dimple in his right cheek, and then ran past to find Brennan.
Jack smiled and kissed her cheek. "He asked me if he could hug you. I told him yes."
"You can hug me," she flirted.
"If you insist." Hugging her was by far his favorite thing. He figured that would change a bit once he kissed her, but right now, holding her as close as he could satisfied him.
"Let's go! Road trip!" Brennan moved past them, followed by Sawyer.
"Boys, wait by the door," Jack called. Elizabeth grabbed her purse and locked the door and then followed Jack down the stairs.
The boys happily sat in the back and watched a movie. The trip only took an hour but that's what a road trip meant to Brennan.
"What's your dad like?" Elizabeth asked, curious.
"Katie always said I was just like him. That's not a bad thing. He's a great father. Just to warn you, he and my mother….let's just say they don't have a rule against showing affection. If they are anywhere near each other, they are going to be touching."
"How long have they been married?"
"Thirty five years in February."
"Something to strive for. If they still love each other that much after that long…" She wanted that. She wanted that kind of love and she probably would have had it if Tyler hadn't died. "What did he do for a living?"
"Still does it. He's a pediatrician. He loves it and he's good at it."
"What does your mom do?"
"Same thing she's always done. We were lucky enough to have her stay at home with us as we grew up. Now, she does a lot more volunteering and such, but she's your typical housewife and couldn't be happier." He squeezed her hand. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Why a bookstore?"
"It was Tyler's and my dream. He wanted to be his own boss and I wanted to support him. We both loved to read and we even met in a bookstore. It seemed right to make that our business."
"Did you own a bookstore back in New Haven?"
"No. He died before we could finally open one."
"So you decided to open one here."
"I used our savings and most of his life insurance, as well as the money from selling our car to get up and running. I really had no idea how to run a business except the little bit of research we had done together. Before he died, I also was a stay at home mom and so I needed to find a way to make a living after. This seemed logical."
"It was smart, Elizabeth. You're doing it. You're making it and supporting your family."
"The first couple months, I thought I might have to close up and admit failure but then things turned around."
"I'm so proud of you." He kissed her knuckle and smiled.
"That means so much. Thank you."
By the time they reached his parents house, the boys were asleep in the back seat. "Oh, I hope you don't mind dogs. Mom and Dad have two Great Danes."
She looked up and saw two black and white spotted dogs the size of small ponies come galloping around the side of the house. "What are their names?"
"Sonny and Cher." Elizabeth snorted. "Did you just snort?"
"I'm sorry. That's funny. Well, I want to meet Sonny and Cher. Those are words I never thought I'd say." She laughed and hopped out.
Jack touched the boys feet. "Hey boys. Time to wake up."
Sawyer opened his eyes easily, he had always been like that. Even early in the morning. Brennan however didn't budge. "Go ahead and say hi to Sonny and Cher. I'll get Brennan."
Sawyer hopped out and squealed as the dogs that were taller than him licked his face with their ginormous tongues.
Jack unbuckled Brennan and picked him up. "Do you want me to take him, Jack?" Elizabeth asked.
"No, it's ok. Let's go inside and wash Sawyer's face."
Elizabeth enjoyed meeting Tom Thornton immensely. Jack was just like him. Kind, attentive, caring, handsome and he was also deeply in love with Charlotte, just like Jack told her.
When they finally all sat down for dinner, she felt as if she belonged there. Jack and their two boys nearby, Charlotte and Tom across the table. This was a loving family.
"Dear God," Sawyer began. "Thank you for this food and for my Grandpa Tom and Grandma Charlotte. Thank you for Dad and Brennan and thank you so much for bringing us Mrs. Campbell. I love her and one day I hope she will be my mommy and never leave me."
Elizabeth bit her lip to keep from crying. She loved that little boy too and she planned on telling him that very soon.
After they started eating they went from person to person, telling things they were grateful for. When it came to Elizabeth, she looked at everyone and took a deep breath. "I have so many things to be grateful for, I don't even know where to begin. I'm grateful for my family and for Brennan. Honey, you have made this last year bearable and I love you so much." She ruffled his hair and smiled. "I'm grateful that I have my health and for new friends like Tom and Charlotte. I'm grateful for you, Jack, for so many reasons." She squeezed his hand. "You made me believe in love again. I was so lost before I met you but now, I know what I want. And of course, I'm grateful for Sawyer." She reached for him and pulled him to her lap. "Sawyer Matthew Thornton. What an amazing little boy you are."
"Me?"
"Yes, you. You're sweet, much like you're father and grandfather. You're adorable. You love everyone. You're Brennan's best friend. When you were sick that day, I worried about you just like I would Brennan if he were sick. You know what that tells me?"
"What?"
"That you are in my heart. I will always be here for you, whether as your friend, or…"
"As my Mommy?"
"Well, yes. Time will tell with that."
"So if I'm in your heart, does that mean you love me?"
"Yes. That's what it means."
"Then you're in my heart too."
….
After dinner, the boys played a video game in the guest room, Tom and Charlotte insisted on cleaning the kitchen, so Jack took Elizabeth into his favorite room in the house, the family room. It was a cozy room with a big stone fireplace and a large sectional couch. Jack built a fire and then joined Elizabeth on the couch.
She moved next to him, their shoulders touching.
"So," he began.
"What?" She smiled at him, slipping her fingers between his.
"You said before that you now know what you want, after meeting me."
"Yeah."
"What did you mean?" She took a moment before saying anything.
"When Tyler died, I stubbornly told myself that without a doubt, I would never allow myself to fall for someone again because loving someone only ended in hurt, with the exception of Brennan of course. My mom kept pestering me to date, starting only six months after the accident. I tried to be patient with her but it just got to be too much. So we don't talk much anymore." She grabbed his arm with her other hand. "You changed my mind. I don't want to alone. I want friends and family. I want this," she said gesturing to the house. "I want love and thanks to you, I've found it."
He let go of her hand and slipped his arm around her shoulders. He kissed her hand and then raised his slowly to touch her cheek. "Thank you for coming today."
"Thank you for having me." She found herself staring at him. Staring at his eyelashes that seemed a mile long when sitting this close. Staring at the firelight in his eyes. Staring at his heart shaped lips…she took a chance and leaned closer, hesitating just a moment before gently, slowly capturing his lips with hers. She sighed as he returned her kiss, moving his mouth over hers, holding her tightly, turning her mind to mush.
"Mom?"
She pulled back slightly. "Yes, baby?" Timing. She needed to work on his timing.
"Can we sit in here with you?" Before they could answer, Brennan climbed up on her lap and Sawyer on Jack's.
"What happened to the video game?"
"We didn't want to play anymore."
"What were you guys doing?" Sawyer asked her.
Elizabeth bit her lip, waiting for Jack to answer.
"Oh, a little of this, a little of that," he said with a wink.
"Mom, why is your face turning red?"
"Shush, Bren." She had no idea how he could tell in the dimly lit room.
Jack laughed, leaning his head on the back of the couch.
"We should probably go as soon as dessert is eaten," Elizabeth said.
"Yum! Dessert!" The boys ran to the kitchen, leaving their parents alone.
Jack slipped his arm around her shoulder again. He didn't know what to say, he just knew that he wanted to kiss her this time. He smiled and tucked a curl behind her ear. "You look beautiful tonight."
"Thank you." He leaned down, briefly leaning his forehead against hers.
"Jack! You want pumpkin or apple?"
"Really, Ma?" he grumbled. Elizabeth snorted and then covered her mouth as a laugh spilled out.
"I don't mean to interrupt your smooching, son, but it's time for dessert."
"Ok, moment over." He stood and offered his hand, pulling her up off the couch.
….
When they finally got back to the apartment, the boys had talked them into a sleepover at Brennan's so that's what they did. Jack walked them all upstairs and inside.
"Boys, it's time to brush teeth and get PJs on. Bren, there's a new toothbrush on the shelf in your bathroom. Can you show Sawyer?" Beth asked.
"Ok!" They ran off, excited to still be together.
"What do you think the chances are we won't get interrupted if I kiss you?" Jack said, trying to see down the hall.
"No idea, but I really think you should just go for it." He smiled and rested his hands on her hips, pulling her into his space. "And maybe go a bit faster…"
"Shhh," he said with a laugh. "You're breaking my concentration."
"Sorry." Who had to concentrate to kiss some…"Mmmm," she moaned as he finally kissed her. The man's lips were magical. They somehow managed to wipe out all thought from her brain until she was left breathless and then…she didn't even know what.
"Night, Elizabeth."
"Coffee?" she blurted. Her thoughts returned and the first one was that she didn't want him to go yet.
"I should go but have you ever been to Sunshine Café? It's about two blocks away. They have the best breakfast."
"Tomorrow? Eight?"
He nodded and kissed her briefly. "Bye, boys!"
"Bye, Dad."
"Oh, Elizabeth. He's allergic to bees. Normally I would give you an EpiPen. If he gets stung, which I know…its November, but if he does, call an ambulance, ok? His throat closes."
"Ok. No bees."
"Night."
…..
About two weeks later, on one of Jack's daily coffee runs to Books N Beans, he brought up the subject of Christmas presents.
"Elizabeth, remember when I bought the booster seat for Bren and I made you a promise that I would ask before I bought him anything else?"
"Yep." She unloaded a big box of books, stacking them according to genre.
"I wanted to make sure it was ok if I bought him a PlayStation."
She stopped and stared. "Seriously? Those things cost like two hundred dollars. He doesn't need that."
"No one needs a PlayStation. It's for fun. I bet you'd even like it."
"Doubtful."
"Elizabeth? I'd really like to buy it for him."
"I can't afford to do something like that for him. I bought him PJs and a DVD." The last thing she wanted was for him to start expecting expensive gifts.
He could see her starting to feel bad and he didn't want that. "Nevermind. I won't do it. Maybe we can split the cost for his birthday."
"In June? Yeah, maybe."
She turned and picked up another box, not looking him in the eye. "Elizabeth. I'm sorry."
"Don't be. It's always going to be like this, Jack. I thought I was used to it, but there will always be things that I can't buy for him."
"He knows you love him. That's what matters, not what you can't buy for him."
"Says the man who could buy anything."
"Hey, yes, I have money but I still need to be careful. It's not endless. If I was careless with it, I wouldn't have it anymore. I'm not going to apologize for wanting nice things or splurging on someone once in awhile." He sighed and threw his cup in the trash. "See you soon."
Her eyes teared up as he walked out the door. She texted him, "Please come back."
A moment later, he texted. "I need 2 get back 2 work. Talk more 2night."
They didn't though and he didn't come in the next day for coffee either. She texted him but didn't get a response.
Around ten on the third day, he came back in to the store. She didn't care about propriety, she just needed to be close to him so she rushed into his arms and held on tight. "I'm sorry, Jack."
"For what?"
"I didn't mean to make you feel guilty or upset. I'm way too touchy when it comes to money. I'm sorry."
"Hey, I'm not upset. There's nothing for you to be sorry about."
"Then why…I mean, you left upset and you said you'd call but you didn't and then you didn't come in yesterday. I thought…"
"We have been dealing with some security issues at one of our sites. I've been working a lot and very late."
She nodded, relieved. "I missed you."
"I missed you too." He leaned down and kissed her gently. "What are your plans for Christmas?"
"Bren and I will be in New Haven."
"Oh. Ok."
"Just for that weekend. I don't think I could take more than that but Bren needs to see his Gran."
"How will you get there?"
"Plane. Mom pays for us to fly to see her once a year. Since she pays, I'm more inclined to go." She handed him a cup of coffee. "Will you be with your parents?"
"Yeah."
"What is it?" He seemed sad.
"I just wanted to spend Christmas with you and Bren, that's all. I bought him a few books, I hope that's ok."
"Yeah, that's ok. We can do Christmas when we get back."
"Sure."
"Are you still coming over to cook us dinner tonight?"
"Of course. Mac and cheese with hotdogs cut up in it, according to Bren."
"Mmm. Tasty."
"It will be. I make a mean mac and cheese." He kissed her and tossed his cup. "See you soon."