A month later….
Jack got up when Maleah cried, gently picking her up. "Hi, beautiful. Daddy's got you." He laid her down on the bed and changed her diaper before handing her to Elizabeth to feed her.
"Thank you, honey." Once Maleah was eating Elizabeth smiled. "This is my favorite time of day."
"3am? I can think of better times."
"I mean a quiet house, laying here with you as I feed our daughter. It's so peaceful."
"Mmhm," he mumbled as he went back to sleep.
Elizabeth thought back to the night Maleah was born. The whole labor had only been eight hours which wasn't horribly long compared to Brennan's twenty two hours.
She had refused pain meds this time, wanting to feel everything. She remembered Jack's tears when he saw his daughter for the first time and then she had to stifle a laugh when she remembered Sawyer's reaction.
"A girl? What are we supposed to do with a sister?"
As much as he protested, both he and Brennan loved her a lot. They even fed her an occasional bottle and helped change her diaper.
...
After the kids were in school, Jack headed in to the city to check on one of his buildings.
Elizabeth did the dishes and dusted the living room furniture, Maleah snug in her baby wrap against Elizabeth's chest.
About two o'clock, the doorbell rang making Dash bark. "Dash, hush," she scolded as she walked to the door.
She opened the door. "Tom! What a wonderful surprise." It had been awhile since Tom visited.
"Hi, Beth." He walked in and kissed her cheek. "I thought I'd visit and meet my newest niece. Sorry I was out of town."
She unbuckled the baby sling and lifted the tiny girl and placed her in her uncle's arms. "Can you hold her while I use the bathroom?" She didn't wait for an answer, she just walked away.
"Well, little one, it's you and me." She was sound asleep so he wasn't too worried. Then the doorbell rang, waking her up. "And whoever's at the door, I guess." He put her gently up to his shoulder and opened the door.
"Who are you?" the beautiful woman at the door asked. "And why are you holding my niece?" She walked in and looked around. "And where's Beth?"
"Hang on. This is my niece. I'm Tom Thornton. Who are you?"
"Annie Leonard. I'm Beth's step-sister."
"Oh. It's nice to meet you." Tom started swaying as Maleah started whimpering, sucking on his shoulder. "Hang on, sweet girl. Mama will be right back."
Annie watched him swaying and trying to keep her happy. He was very confident and comfortable with her. It was a very attractive quality in her mind.
Elizabeth walked back in the room. "Annie, hi. I see you've met Tom, Jack's brother."
"Yeah," she nodded, feeling her cheeks heat up.
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow and took Maleah from Tom. "I'm going to go feed her. I'll be back in a bit. You two, make yourselves comfortable."
Elizabeth dialed Jack once Maleah was eating.
"Hey babe," he answered. "I'm on my way home. Do you want me to grab anything anywhere?"
"Well, your brother and my stepsister are both here, so maybe something for dinner?"
"Will do. Greek?"
"Yes. Anything with baklava at the end works for me."
"You got it. I'll grab the boys, dinner, and then I'll be home. See you in an hour."
"Ok, love you."
"Love you."
….
"So you were travelling?" Annie asked, once he mentioned not being present for their niece's birth.
"Yes. I was in Arizona."
"For work?"
"Yes. I'm a pilot out of Portland International. I was in Arizona for my annual training."
"I've always wanted to go to Arizona."
"It has it's good points. It's hot though. I'm not a fan. I like Maine." He took a sip of water and looked at her across the couch. "What do you do?"
"Currently I co-own Books n' Beans with my Dad. I was working in an architectural firm in New York after college for a few years."
"Are you an architect?"
"Technically yes."
"Why on earth go from that to owning a bookstore?"
She stayed silent for a moment. "I have my reasons."
He noticed her erect a wall around herself, blocking his efforts to get to know her.
"Look, I'm sorry that I pried. I thought since you asked about me, I could ask you too."
"Nevermind. Its fine."
Jack and the boys returned home and they ate dinner. All during dinner, Annie stayed quiet. It was her own fault for bringing up New York. She should have stopped with, "I own Books n' Beans." But no. She opened her mouth and spilled out too much.
Now he will be wondering and trying to find out her reasons for giving up her lucrative job for a bookstore.
Annie picked up Maleah and headed into Jack and Elizabeth's room to rock her, but mostly it was an excuse to avoid Tom. She was absolutely attracted to his gorgeous blue eyes and dimples that apparently ran in the Thornton family, but she wasn't sure about trusting him yet.
Tom knocked lightly on the door frame. "May I come in?"
"Sure." She gently patted the baby's back and smelled her hair, inhaling the intoxicating scent of lotion and baby shampoo. Tom walked in, leaving the door open.
"You're good with her," he mentioned, sitting on the floor and watching them.
"You are too."
"I want children one day, always have," he told her. "I considered being a teacher at one point to spend time with them."
"So why a pilot?"
"I also wanted to travel and I figured I'd have my own babies one day."
Something about his honesty impelled her to spill her own story. "I left New York and the firm because of a man."
He nodded, telling her to continue.
"We had been dating for two years and we both worked there. I thought he was going to propose. Instead he cheated on me."
"Jerk." Tom shook his head, feeling suddenly violent towards the man he'd never met.
"That's not all. I caught him cheating and then after we broke up, he decided to go for the same promotion as I was and he got it."
"So you lost him and lost out on the promotion."
"I worked under him for six months but I couldn't do it. It was too awkward and I couldn't handle seeing him everyday."
"You didn't deserve that, Annie."
She stood and put Maleah in her crib. She didn't know if she believed that. How else could he justify it unless he wasn't happy with her?
"I mean it. No one deserves to be cheated on." He slowly touched her hand and looked into her chocolate eyes. "I'm sorry that happened to you, but my guess is it made you stronger."
"I don't know. I feel like all it has done is made me untrusting and skeptical." They walked out of the bedroom and sat in the living room. Jack and Elizabeth were apparently tackling bedtime with the boys so Tom and Annie were alone again.
"Its understandable if you are."
"It has been a year. I wish I could just forget, you know?"
"You may never forget but you can move forward, spend time with friends. Like me!" he said grinning, proud of himself.
She smiled and wacked him with a throw pillow. "You? Why would I do that?" she teased.
"Because I'll be a good friend," he told her seriously. "And I'd like to get to know you. We could go get coffee."
"Now? Its eight o'clock at night."
"Hot chocolate?"
"Deal."
They got up to leave and Jack and Elizabeth came out of the bedrooms. "You both leaving?" Jack asked.
"Yeah. Thanks for dinner," Annie said giving both of them a hug. "And letting me snuggle Maleah."
"You're always welcome here, Ann," Elizabeth told her. "I need my sister and the kids need their aunt."
"Thanks, Beth."
Jack shook his brother's hand. "When do you fly out next, bro?"
"Saturday. Heading to San Diego and then Miami."
"Be careful."
"I will."
Jack and Elizabeth watched their siblings walk out and down the sidewalk, stopping to talk again at Tom's truck before they both got in their cars and drive off. "Something's brewing there," Elizabeth mentioned.
"I'd be good with that. You?"
"Yeah. It would be fine."
….
They sat at a small table in the Starbucks on the edge of the city, sipping hot cocoa.
"So I heard you say you are flying to San Diego Saturday?"
"Yeah. Then Sunday I fly to Miami. I should be back home Monday, mid-day."
"Is it scary? Flying a plane?"
"No. I love it. Maybe one day I'll take you up there."
"What do you mean? Don't you have a co-pilot?"
"Yes, in the jets. But my friend Nico owns a private two-seater. I take it up every weekend I'm not working."
"Oh. I don't know. Flying in a large plane is scary enough."
"Think about it but I think everyone should try it at least once."
She sipped her cocoa and they chatted until midnight when the store closed. Then he helped her put her coat on and offered his arm to lead her outside.
She wasn't used to chivalry but she certainly wouldn't object to it now and then.
When he opened her car door for her, she got in and rolled her window down. He leaned over. "What are you doing Monday evening?" he wondered.
"Same as always. Watching a movie or reading a book in my room at Dad and Grace's. I really need to get my own place," she said with a laugh.
"Would you like to go out to dinner?"
"With you?"
"Unless you would rather read a book," he said, grinning.
He was so cute when he thought he was clever. "Reading is overrated. I'll go out with you."
"Great. Don't forget to dress up," he said with a wink. "Drive carefully, Annie."
"Fly carefully, Tom."
….
Annie pulled in to the driveway about ten minutes later, a smile still on her face.
"Hi, baby girl," Don greeted as she walked in.
"Hi, Dad."
"How's that gorgeous granddaughter of mine?"
"She's wonderful. So snuggly and she smells so good."
He patted the couch cushion next to him and she sat. "You used to be that tiny. I used to love rocking you to sleep with your tummy all full and warm."
She smiled and snuggled up to his side. "You rocked me later on too. I loved that."
"I love you, daughter."
She raised her head from his shoulder and kissed his warm cheek. "I love you too, Dad." They sat for a few moments in the quiet and then she blurted, "I have a date on Monday night."
"Do you? Anyone I know?"
"Yeah, but its early on. I'd rather not give away his identity yet."
"Fair enough."
She stood up and stretched. "Oh, and I need to find an apartment. If you hear anything, will you let me know?"
"Yes, of course."
"Thanks. I'll see you in the morning."
"Ok, night, dear."
….
Monday after work, Annie got a text from Tom letting her know he had made it home.
"Okay, that's good. Can I meet you wherever we are going?"
"Yes, or I can pick you up."
"I'll meet you."
"Ok. I made a reservation for seven o'clock at Back Bay Grill. Do you know where that is?"
"Yeah. On Portland. I'll see you there."
"Ok."
Annie drove home and quickly jumped in the shower and then stepped into her new dress she had bought over the weekend. It was a black halter dress with a hi-lo hem and a bow around the waist. She felt beautiful in it and comfortable so she bought it. She added a silver bracelet and earrings and a pair of heels and she was done.
She walked out into the main part of the house and Grace smiled. "You look lovely, sweetie."
"Thank you, Grace."
"Whoever he is, he is going to love you in this dress."
"I hope so." She wanted the night to go well, even though she wasn't sure she was completely ready for a full on relationship. She kissed her step-mother's cheek and left the house.
When she arrived at the restaurant, Tom was standing, leaning against his truck, looking way too handsome. Her heart plummeted to her stomach and she knew she was in trouble.
He walked over and opened her door once she turned off her ignition. "Good evening, mademoiselle."
She got out, using the hand he offered, and smiled. "Good evening, Tom."
"You look beautiful, Annie."
"Thank you. I was hoping this would be good for tonight. Not too fancy?"
"It's perfect."
He offered his arm and she slipped her fingers inside his elbow. The atmosphere in the restaurant was perfect. The host took them to the corner booth and seated them, taking her coat and giving them menus. "Your waitress will be right with you folks."
"Thank you," Tom said with a smile.
"So, how was your trip?" she wondered.
"Uneventful."
"That's good. Wouldn't want an eventful flight, I suppose," she said with a laugh.
"No, absolutely not."
"So I thought about it and I think that I want to go flying with you."
"Great! I have next weekend off."
"Good evening, folks. My name is Shelly, what can I start you with?"
The food was amazing. They stayed and talked long after their plates were cleared. They shared a dessert and had some coffee and then finally decided to head home.
When he opened her door for her, this time she stayed outside. "When do you fly again?"
"Tomorrow night. Headed to Hawaii."
"Oh my goodness. I would love to go there someday."
"Maybe we will, you never know." The fact that he said we, shocked both of them. "I meant you, Annie. I wasn't trying to make assumptions."
"It's ok. I know you didn't mean to say we."
"No, but I think anything is possible. For instance, when I get back on Thursday, I think there is a possibility that we might go out to dinner again."
"You do, huh?" She grinned and shook her head. "I agree with that possibility."
"Great. And I also think that there is a possibility that after dinner that night, I might kiss you."
"Yeah? Well, I think there is a possibility that I might let you."
He smiled and kissed her cheek, giving her a hug. "Until then, Annie Leonard."
"Until then."