Jack brought the boys back from the park a few hours later, hoping Elizabeth and Grace had taken the time to talk. When he walked in, the house smelled like brownies and coffee.
"Mom?" the boys yelled as they ran in.
"Hey boys!" Elizabeth received their hugs and smiled. "Did you have fun?"
"Yeah. We had tacos and ice cream," Brennan told her.
"Did you?"
"Yeah. Can we go play a game?"
"Sure. Go ahead."
Jack opened his arms and she walked into his embrace as the boys left the room. "How did it go?"
"Good. Thank you for helping." She kissed his cheek and held on, enjoying the feel of his strong arms enveloping her.
"Do you think she will come to our wedding?"
"I don't know. I hope so. She needs to make some changes in order for that to happen and it won't be easy for her."
"Like what?" He led her to the sofa and sat down, slipping his arm around her shoulders.
"She doesn't leave the house, Jack. She told me it's been five years. So for her to leave and travel all the way to Portland and then be with people she doesn't know…I just don't know if she can make herself do it."
"What if you came and picked her up, or Julie and Vi?"
"I think that might be the only way. There is no way she will get on a plane." He just held her hand for a moment.
"I was thinking."
"Ooh dangerous," she teased, winking.
"Funny." He put his phone on the coffee table and started the music on his phone. "We need to pick a song for our wedding." He stood and held out his hand. "Dance with me?"
She stood and took his hand, resting her other on his shoulder. "You are a pretty good dancer, Jack."
"Katie and I took ballroom dancing lessons before our wedding. I guess I remember some stuff."
"Hmm. Jack and ballroom dancing. Interesting combo." He spun her and dipped her, all in one smooth move, making her laugh. "A good, interesting combo, though."
"I think I know which song we should dance to." He stopped their momentum and found the song on his phone. Ronan Keating's remake of When You Say Nothing at All. He loved the song. He took her hand again and held it over his heart as they started swaying.
"It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart
Without saying a word you can light up the dark
Try as I may I could never explain what I hear when you don't say a thing
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
A touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall
Now you say it best when you say nothing at all
All day long I can hear people talking out loud
but when you hold me near you drown out the crowd
Old Mister Webster could never define
what's being said between your heart and mine
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
A touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall
Now you say it best when you say nothing at all
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
A touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall
Now you say it best when you say nothing at all"
She loved listening to his gentle singing in her ear. He never failed to make her feel loved.
"It's perfect, Jack."
He kissed her ear and then her temple. "I love you."
"I love you too."
They swayed slowly to his playlist for a few more minutes, enjoying their alone time. "Hon? What if we got married here?" Jack wondered.
"Here? In New Haven?"
"Yes, and here at your mom's house. Her backyard is huge. We could do what we were going to do at our house, only here. Then your mom would be at the wedding."
Elizabeth stopped moving and wiped her eyes. He had come up with an idea that solved the biggest problem. "You are wonderful, Jack Thornton!" She ran off to find her mom.
….
A week later, the travelers returned home. The kids started school again and Elizabeth went back to work, with Julie right beside her.
"In New Haven?"
"Yeah. It's a brilliant idea! Mom doesn't need to travel and she will be at my wedding."
"I think it would have been good for her to travel. Now she never has to leave her house."
"Julie, she promised me that she would start taking steps to get more social. She even went with me to the store while I was there."
"Did she go inside?"
"No. She stayed in the car. My point is, she left the house. It took a lot for her to do that."
The bell jingled above the door. "Good morning, ladies," Jack said with a grin and a kiss to Elizabeth's lips. "How are you?"
"Better now that you're here," Elizabeth flirted, pulling him close.
"On that note, I'll go unpack the boxes in the Mystery section," Julie said.
"On that note, I'll give my fiancé a proper hello," Jack said, wrapping Elizabeth up in his arms. "Hello, sweetheart," he whispered before kissing her again.
"Hi, hon."
"You look good."
"I'm wearing the same thing I wear every day, Jack."
"Exactly." He walked away a few steps to make his coffee and then back to pay her. "Can I ask a favor?"
"Of course."
"Next week, I need to work late in the city for a few days. Would you mind keeping Sawyer for me?"
"Which days?"
"Monday through Wednesday."
"Sure thing. I can keep him starting Sunday after church if you want."
"That would be great. Thank you, sweetheart."
"Good heavens, I love when you call me that," she told him, hugging him.
He grinned. This was the life. His heart was overflowing. In a matter of just a few months, he would have a beautiful wife and two sons. He was very happy.
"Beth!" Julie said, rushing into the room.
"Yes, Julie," she said, making no effort to extract herself from Jack's embrace.
"I just got a phone call from Ramsey and Associates. They offered me the job!"
"That's great! I'm so proud of you. When do you start?"
"About a week. I'm that much closer to being in my own place again and out of your hair."
"Oh, you know I don't mind that you're staying with us."
"I know, but I'm kind of sick of your couch, sister." Julie winked and walked away.
Jack noticed a slightly worried expression pass over Elizabeth's face and then disappear. "You ok?"
"Sure." She was, she just had gotten used to having Julie around, having help in the store, seeing her everyday.
"Tell me," he said, finishing his coffee and tossing the cup.
"Its nothing. Really." She kissed his cheek and went to her computer to purchase some supplies.
"You'll miss her."
Elizabeth met his eyes for a moment. "Its not like she's leaving town. I'll still see her."
"Sweetheart, there's nothing wrong with missing her. She helps here, she lives with you."
"Yeah. I guess I should advertise for some part time help. There's probably a high school student looking for a few hours here and there."
"Elizabeth."
"Of course, I'll miss her. It's been great having her here but I'm used to working alone and living with Bren alone. I can do it again."
He kissed her lips and smiled. "Hire someone and in just a few months, you won't be living with Bren alone anymore. I'll be there and Sawyer."
…
Sunday night, she sat between the boys on Brennan's bed and read The Adventures of Captain Underpants. The giggling that came from their lips made her laugh too and it took way longer to read than she planned.
By the end of the book, the boys were leaning against each of her shoulders. "Can we call Dad?" Sawyer asked.
"Sure, bud. Let's text him first." She grabbed her phone from the nightstand.
"U working?"
He answered a moment later. "Almost done. Give me 5."
Five minutes later, he skyped them.
"Hi, honey," she said with a smile. "The boys wanted to call you before bed."
"Hi, guys."
"Dad, Mom read us Captain Underpants. It was so funny!" Brennan told him, giggling again.
"Is that an actual book?"
"Yes! It's awesome. And it's a movie!"
"You'll have to show me when I come home."
"Ok. Love you, Dad."
"Love you, Bren. Sawyer, you're awfully quiet there."
Elizabeth looked at him and smiled. "He fell asleep."
"Well, it is time for that I suppose."
"Hang on a moment, Jack." She scooted to the end of the bed and then covered the boys, kissing both of their heads. "Love you. Sweet dreams, baby," she told Brennan and then left the room.
She sat down on the couch a moment later and turned back to Jack. "Honey?"
"Yes?"
"We haven't talked about your job too much but are you safe? I mean, is your job dangerous?"
He paused as if thinking how to answer her. "Not really. My officers, like Avery and Flynn, are with people more. I rarely deal with what they do."
"But sometimes…?"
"Yes. Sometimes I need to be in a situation they can't handle themselves or that maybe be dangerous."
"Do you carry a gun?"
"Yes."
"I've never noticed."
"Its usually hidden well." He set the phone on his dresser propped up. "I wear a holster over this shoulder," he showed her. "Its tucked there under my jacket and no one is aware. Its safer that way."
"Where do you keep it at home?"
"In my safe. Completely childproof, Elizabeth. There are two combinations. The outside safe and then a box where the gun lays. I would never put you or our boys in danger."
"Ok."
"Are you sure? Do you have more questions?"
"No, I just miss you." They had just seen each other at church that morning and then at lunch so it had only been about seven hours but she wanted him with her.
"I miss you too, sweetheart. I'll see you Thursday at 10 for coffee at the store though."
It seemed liked forever to her. "I love you so much, Jack."
"I love you too."
…
The next morning, after dropping the boys off at school, Elizabeth came back to the store. A young woman was waiting for her.
"Good morning. What can I help you with?"
"Hi, I'm Rebecca Stanton. I saw your sign advertising a part time job."
"Yes. Nice to meet you, Rebecca. I'm Elizabeth Campbell."
"You can call me Becky. I'd really love to work here. I'm a huge fan of Christian Fiction but I love books in general."
"Let me get you an application." She handed her the paper and a pen. "What is your schedule like? Are you still in school?"
"I take night classes at Portland Community so my mornings are free."
"Oh, what are you studying?"
"Architecture and design."
"Nice. I'll leave you to fill out the application. Would you like some coffee?"
"I'd love some."
"Morning, Beth," Julie said cheerfully.
"Morning, Julie. You seem chipper."
"I found an apartment online. I'm going to check it out this afternoon."
"That's exciting."
"It is. And its only ten minutes from my new job."
"Another good thing."
"Yeah. So, I think, if it's ok with you, I'll make tomorrow my last day."
"Sure. That's fine."
"Mrs. Campbell? I'm finished."
"Thank you, Becky. You can call me Elizabeth. It looks like everything's in order. Can you start Wednesday?"
"Sure!"
They chatted further about her pay and that she would work from nine until two every week day.
"Thank you so much, Elizabeth. I can't wait to start."
….
Viola brought the boys afterschool as usual. "Hey, Beth."
"Hi, Mama!" Brennan said hugging her waist.
"Hi, baby."
She kissed his forehead and then she opened her arms to Sawyer too.
"Sawyer? What's wrong?"
"I got stung."
"A bee? Sawyer? When?"
"Just now. It was on the doorway."
"Where's your EpiPen?"
"I don't know." He sat down and she jumped into action.
"Vi, call Jack now and tell him I'm calling an ambulance. Sawyer got stung by a bee. Tell him to meet me at the hospital."
Elizabeth pulled her phone out of her pocket and dialed 911.
"Is he breathing, ma'am?"
"Yes, but not easily. Please hurry!"
"The ambulance will be there shortly. Try to keep him calm. Does he have an EpiPen?"
"Yes, but he doesn't know where it is."
Julie searched his backpack. "I found it!"
"We found the EpiPen. How do I give it to him?"
The operator assisted her in giving him the injection, telling her he may panic or start to shake after the dosage but she needed to stay calm.
She pulled him into her arms and rocked him, stroking his hair and keeping her tears at bay.
"Beth, Jack wants to talk to you."
Beth took Vi's phone and handed hers to Vi. "Jack?"
"Is he ok?"
"I gave him his EpiPen injection and the ambulance should be here any minute."
"Ok. Are you alright?"
"Yes." Her voice shook as her emotions threatened. She saw Sawyer start to shake. He stared at her, fear in his eyes. "Its ok, sweetie. It's ok. Daddy is on the phone."
"Dadddd." His voice shook.
"Sawyer, it's going to be ok. I will meet you at the hospital. I know you feel weird but everything will be just fine."
The ambulance showed up about ten minutes later. Vi stayed with Brennan at the store and Elizabeth rode in the ambulance with Sawyer.
She watched and held his hand as the EMT placed an oxygen mask over his mouth and nose. He fought it at first but she squeezed his hand and kissed his forehead. "Baby, you need that oxygen. It will help you breathe."
The love she had for him, despite that she hadn't given birth to him, was huge. She was so scared right then and she wanted to cry but she held it in until she could be alone. She needed him to know he could count on her to be strong, no matter what.
When they arrived at the hospital, she went into the ER with them. "How old is your son, ma'am?"
"Um, I'm almost his mom and he's five."
"What's his birthdate?"
"August 5, 2013."
"Do you have his insurance information?"
"No, but his dad should be here very soon."
Jack walked in a moment later. "Hi. I'm Jack Thornton, Sawyer's dad."
She kissed Sawyer's forehead and excused herself. Seeing Jack walk in brought relief and pushed her emotions over the edge. Her tears streamed as she walked down the hall to the bathroom.
When she returned to his area, Jack stood and opened his arms. "Are you ok?"
She nodded. Her arms brushed the gun he had in his holster as she slipped them underneath his jacket. "Is he asleep?"
"Yeah."
"I've never been so scared," she admitted quietly. "I love him. He's my son in my heart and I can't lose him. It would kill me."
"Shhh, sweetheart. You did everything right. He's going to be just fine."
She reached up and kissed him. "Promise?"
"Yes. He's going to be here for observation for about six or eight hours. They don't want him to have a secondary reaction. Then we can go home."
"Jack, I don't want to wait to be his mom or your wife. I want to do it very soon."
"Like when? What about your mom?"