End of June
Elizabeth sat on the deck with Julie and Vi, watching the kids and a couple friends and Dash, of course, run through the sprinkler. It was 90 degrees and humid, but the sprinkler helped things.
All in all, Brennan's birthday party was a success. They did ice cream cake instead of regular cake. Joe from school and also Drake were there too playing games, running through sprinklers, playing with Dash.
Jack and Vi's husband Steve, were barbecuing hotdogs and burgers and Charlotte and Tom were inside mixing punch and keeping cool. She wasn't a fan of heat.
"I have news," Vi announced somewhat quietly.
"What's that?" Elizabeth asked.
"I'm pregnant."
Julie squealed making the men look over at them. "That's great! I can't wait to be an aunt again!"
"Congratulation's Vi!" Elizabeth told her, giving her a hug. "That's wonderful. How are you feeling?"
"Great. No morning sickness yet. I don't think I will have it either. I'm four months and that's past when you usually feel that."
"Four months? Why did you wait so long to tell us?"
"Because I wanted to make sure." Elizabeth saw sadness in her eyes.
"Vi? Did something happen before?"
"Yeah. About a year ago. I was only about two months along but it still hurt. A lot."
"Of course it did. Oh my goodness. I wish I could have been there for you."
"You were. Even though you didn't know, you kept me going."
"Any news from you, Beth?" Julie asked.
"Julie, we have been married two and half weeks."
"Yeah?"
"So, it doesn't work that way. We will all just need to be patient."
"Who's hungry?" Jack asked loudly, so everyone would hear.
The boys all cheered and ran up the deck steps barely missing Elizabeth and Vi with their wet drips.
Tom and Charlotte and Tom Jr. popped out of the house and stood on the deck in the shade of the roof while Steve said the blessing.
Vi held his hand and leaned against his arm as he prayed, her other hand across her stomach.
"Dear God, thank you for our beautiful family and this food. Thank you for bringing the Thornton and the Thatcher families together into one and for this beautiful day. Please forgive us our shortcomings and help us to try to be better examples to others. Through Jesus name, Amen."
"Thank you, Steve. Before we eat, Elizabeth and I have a present for the birthday boy." Jack wrapped a towel around Brennan and pulled him over to the table where Elizabeth now was. He sat and handed Brennan a present.
Brennan ripped the paper and found two picture frames. One with he, Sawyer, Mom and Dad and the other wasn't a picture. It had words on it. It had his name on it.
"Do you know what that says, bud?" Jack asked him.
"It has my name and Thornton."
"Yes. It says that your last name is Thornton now."
"It is? How?"
"This says that I adopted you. You are my son now, forever, just like Sawyer."
Brennan looked at Elizabeth and then turned and hugged Jack's neck hard. "I love you, Dad!"
There wasn't a dry eye in the yard at that point, including Brennan. "I love you too, Bren." He kissed his forehead and smiled. It made him feel wonderful not only to legally claim him but also to see how happy he was. "Hot dog?"
"Hamburger please! With pickles and mustard."
"You got it. Have a seat."
…..
"Vi is pregnant," Elizabeth told him that evening on the couch.
"Steve told me. That's great. After losing their first, God is blessing them." He kissed Elizabeth's forehead.
"I hope that's us soon. A baby on the way."
"That would be nice."
"But, it took me about six months to get pregnant with Brennan so it could take a while."
"That's ok too. Whenever it happens, it will be the right time."
He was so positive about things. It made it difficult to be anything but that herself. She was grateful for that.
She looked at him and smiled before kissing his wonderful lips. "You're amazing."
"You're pretty amazing yourself."
She stood and offered her hand. "Let's go be amazing together."
….
New Haven
Grace handed Don a cup of tea, with milk in it, of all things, and then sat across the table from him.
They had gone to dinner at a quiet little steak place just outside of town. It was cozy and perfect for an actual date.
"Gracie?"
"Hm?"
"I said I had a wonderful time tonight."
"So did I." She smiled as he gently took his hand and placed it over hers for a moment.
"Will you dance with me?"
There was soft music playing in the background so he saw it as an opportunity.
She stood and he led her over to the kitchen, pulling her close. She was a good eight inches shorter than his six foot three inch strong frame, so she felt small in his arms, but safe.
He hummed along with the melody in his smooth, deep voice. She was completely enamored with the man. They had danced at the wedding but that was around other people. This was just the two them, in the kitchen.
When the song changed, he looked down at her with his big brown beautiful eyes. "Gracie," he whispered, brushing his lips against her temple. He didn't know what he wanted to say. He knew what he felt but he didn't want to scare her by going too fast.
"What is it, Don?"
"I'm glad we went out tonight."
"So am I."
"I think we should do it more often."
"Ok."
He decided he needed to be completely honest with her. She deserved honesty and would hopefully appreciate it. "Gracie, since Sonja, I've never felt this way about anyone. I don't want to replace William because no one ever could. I just want to make you happy and spend time with you."
"How do you feel?" she asked boldly, not one hundred percent sure she could handle his answer, but curious all the same.
"I'm falling in love with you." She gasped slightly at his admission. "It seems fast, I know, but in retrospect it's not. We've known each other for months and we see each other everyday. I enjoy spending time with you and I can see you enjoy that too."
She couldn't argue with that, but love? She didn't know if she would feel that again, let alone with him, the man who had become such a good friend to her. What if it didn't work out? Then she would lose a friend in the process and she'd be right back where she started. Alone.
"I don't want to lose you, Don."
"I'm not going anywhere." She turned away and placed her hands on the counter, needing a moment. "Gracie, I just wanted to be honest. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." He put his hands gently on her shoulders as he stepped behind her. "I'll see you tomorrow?"
She nodded and he started walking out. "Don! Wait, please." She walked over to him and put her arms around his waist, wanting him to hold her. He wrapped his arms around her too. "Don, this thing we are doing…I want to feel the same way you do but I need more time."
"Gracie, I'm not rushing you. Did it feel like I was?"
"No."
"Good." He kissed her cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Come for breakfast. I'll make your favorite."
"I'll be here." He winked and then shut the door behind him.
….
Elizabeth left at eight the next morning for work. Becky was off for a few days so Elizabeth was there all day until Thursday.
When she walked into the store, she turned off the alarm and took a deep breath, loving the smell of the books. It was comfort to her, not that she needed it at the moment. Being a newlywed had its perks and one such perk was plenty of comfort. She blushed thinking of him and his strong, loving arms.
She turned on the Keurigs as she shook her head. "You're hopeless, Beth Thornton," she mumbled to herself.
She still had thirty minutes before opening so she wandered into the office and logged in to the computer. It was time to pay herself and Becky as well as place a supply order.
Jack thankfully paid her lease payment so that Becky could continue to work there for the agreed upon wage and it wasn't a hardship.
When the bills were paid, she ordered supplies and then went out to open the store.
As soon as she unlocked the door, it opened. "Hi, Mom!" the boys greeted and ran over to the kids area to color.
"Boys? I thought you were staying with Dad today."
"They were but I missed you," Jack said, walking in, a bouquet of flowers in his hands.
"You missed me?"
"So much." She took his gift and put it on the counter and then rushed over to him, accepting his hug and returning it.
"That's good because I missed you too." His lips found hers but she pulled away when the bell above the door jingled.
"Good morning, Susan," Elizabeth said to the woman who walked in the door.
"And to you, Elizabeth. Sorry to interrupt there," she said with a knowing smile.
"Oh, you didn't."
"Ok, if you say so. I'm assuming this is your Jack?"
"Yes. Susan Stark, this is my husband, Jack. Jack, this is Susan. She keeps me in business."
"Shh, don't tell my husband," she said with a laugh. "It's nice to meet you, finally, Jack. Congratulations to you both."
"Thank you, ma'am." Jack stepped over to make himself a cup of coffee since he wouldn't be resuming what they had started a few moments before.
Elizabeth found a pitcher for her flowers and set them next to the cash register. "These are lovely. Really brightens up the place."
Jack stepped over in front of the counter and smiled.
"What are you smiling about?" she wondered.
"Nothing. Just glad we came this morning." He slipped his fingers inside her palm and leaned toward her slightly, just enough to be flirty but not too much to be inappropriate for her customers. "We still on for a cooking lesson tonight?"
"That's the plan." She enjoyed his lessons a lot. She was learning but also just being near him was perfection. "What am I learning tonight?"
"Casseroles. You can make anything into a casserole. For instance, we are going to use the leftover hamburger from Brennan's party in it."
"I'm game." He leaned in and kissed her, unaware that Susan was standing behind him.
"Ahem," she said quietly. "Again, not to interrupt, but I'm ready to make my purchases."
"I'll just go hang with the boys," Jack said with a laugh and walked away.
….
"Gracie, your French Toast is amazing," Don told her, setting his fork down on the plate. Typically he ate healthy but once every few weeks she made his favorite and he allowed himself to indulge and then he would run it off.
"I'm glad you liked it."
"The maple syrup and the cinnamon butter…oh my. Thank goodness I don't eat like this all the time." Grace smiled and stood up.
"Would you like more coffee?"
"No, thank you. I do want to discuss something with you though."
"Ok." She sat back down.
"Annie wants me to come visit her in New York City."
"Oh, that will be so good, for both of you."
"I was wondering if maybe you would like to come visit with me?"
"To New York? Don, you know I don't fly. I don't think….I mean, does she even know about me?"
"Yes, I've told her about you and we will drive. It's only about two hours away." He could see the panic and unsure feelings in her eyes. "Listen, Gracie, I'm not going for a few weeks. You have time to make a decision." He took her hand and rubbed it gently with his thumbs. "I think this might be a good step for us and I would enjoy it very much if you would come with me."
"I'll think about it." He nodded. He would take it.