Jack rubbed her back with his fingertips, her silky skin tempting him. "I'm sorry it took so long for us to get time together, Elizabeth."
She moved a bit, trying to be more comfortable. "Its not your fault. We both just let life distract us."
He chuckled and tipped her chin up slightly, kissing her softly. "You're definitely distracting me now."
Jack had taken her to DiMillos on the Water for a very romantic dinner, dancing her around the dining room, close as he dared.
Then on their way home, he took her to Don and Grace's so she could nurse Maleah to sleep.
Finally he brought her home and they danced more, took a jacuzzi, and then just enjoyed each other. It had been perfect. Now, because she didn't want the night to end, she was fighting her sleep.
She rolled away from him and sat on the edge of the bed. "Wait, where are you going?"
"To get a snack. Want something?"
"Like what?"
"Leftovers from dinner. I have lobster rolls and cheddar garlic biscuits."
She wrapped her silky robe around herself and walked out of the room. He, of course, wanted to follow but hoped she would bring the snack back to bed.
She came back five minutes later with a plate of food.
"Ok, so let's talk," she said, sitting on her knees and taking a bite of food.
He sat up and leaned against the headboard. "About what?"
"I don't know. Have you had any more issues with the cameras at any of your sites?"
"No. It's been pretty quiet." He watched her eating her food and smiled. "Can I have a bite?"
She moved closer and held up the last bite of her lobster roll, placing it in his mouth. "Good?"
"Oh yeah," he said, swallowing. "Thank you."
"Thank you for tonight, hon. It was perfect."
"Is that why you're putting off going to sleep? Because you don't want it to end?"
"You know me well, husband."
"Yes, I do." He grabbed the sash from her robe and pulled, making her gasp.
"What are you up to?" she asked, popping a piece of biscuit in her mouth.
"Oh, just keeping the evening going."
Grace brought the baby home bright and early the next morning. Apparently, sleeping in a new place was not on Maleah's list of favorite things to do.
Grace handed her to Jack. "She cried quite a bit once you left, but eventually she fell asleep again."
"Sorry, Grace," he said kissing her cheek.
"Its fine. She's just missing Elizabeth and I think teething." Grace gave Maleah a kiss on her rosy cheeks. "Bye sweet girl, Gran loves you. We will bring back the boys this afternoon."
"Thank you again."
"You're welcome, Jack." They watched her leave and then Jack turned toward the hallway.
"Well, honey bunny, let's go find Mama."
Maleah rubbed her eyes and whimpered, agreeing with him.
Elizabeth opened her eyes and smiled, reaching for the baby. "Hi, sweetie. Want to come lay with me?"
"Yes," Jack teased.
"I was talking to her, silly man, but I won't complain."
So he did. He watched as she fed the baby and then the three of them fell asleep together. It was perfect.
….
That evening, the whole family, including Charlotte and Tom, gathered at Jack and Elizabeth's for Tom and Annie's announcement.
They barbecued steaks and lobster and then ate dinner in the backyard. After dinner, Tom stood, his arm around Annie.
"Everyone, as you know, Annie and I headed to Boothbay this past week. It was our six month Anniversary and at dinner that night I planned on asking her to be my wife. But you all know how plans change."
"Please don't say you eloped," Elizabeth blurted.
"No, Beth," Annie said with a smile. "I proposed to him as we were flying."
"Go girl!" Julie shouted.
"So we have decided to get married in November, in Hawaii. We hope you all will join us there."
A lot of cheering and congratulations were followed by a toast to the engaged couple.
Elizabeth looked around for Viola. Steven was there, holding Rylie who was asleep, even with all the noise. No, Vi though.
Elizabeth stood from her chair and whispered to Jack that she'd be inside for a few minutes.
She found her in the guest room, crying, curled up in bed. So Elizabeth walked over, kicked off her shoes, and curled up with her, holding her from behind.
She wasn't going to say that it was ok, because to Viola, it was far from ok. She also wasn't going to say she understood because she didn't. So, she just cried with her and if she wanted to talk, Elizabeth would listen.
"I don't know why I came," Vi told her after awhile. "I'm not much good to anyone right now."
"Because you're being supportive. That's what you do, Vi. I couldn't have made it through my first year here without you." Elizabeth put her head on Vi's shoulder.
"Now, I'll support you."
Vi kissed the top of Elizabeth's head. "Thank you, Beth. I love you so much."
"I love you too." She hoped one day, Vi and Steve could move forward and maybe adopt a child. Until then, Elizabeth would help get her through it.
….
A few days later, Steve and Viola's home
"Babe, I've been thinking," Steve told her as they read a book in bed.
"About what?"
"I think we should start the adoption process."
"Steve. It's too soon. I can't even think about that right now."
"Well, hear me out. I've been researching. If we do an International adoption, it could take a year or two."
"Can we just wait? Please?"
"Sure, sweetie. I'm sorry."
"I'm going to sleep. See you in the morning." She turned off her lamp and curled up in a ball, facing away from him.
"Night, Vi. I love you."
"Love you too."
Steve didn't bring it up again for about a month. During that month, he did more research and printed documents and instructions for what was involved. Then he made arrangements for Rylie to stay with his parents, right down the street, and he planned a date night in for Vi.
When she walked in the house after visiting Elizabeth, Rylie was already at his parents and the dining room was already set up.
He had placed their best dishes and crystal wine goblets on the table. In the center there were two candles and a bouquet of wildflowers, Vi's favorite.
"Steve?"
"Good evening, Mrs. Raymond," he said, kissing her cheek.
"What's going on, Mr. Raymond?"
"Date night."
"I don't know if I'm ready yet, Steve."
"Vi, there is no pressure here. I just want us to spend time together and talk. We don't always get time for that." He pulled her into his arms and held her gently.
"I miss you, sweetheart."
"I'm sorry. I know I haven't been very happy lately."
"No, Vi. I don't expect you to instantly be happy after what happened. I just meant I want to spend time alone with you."
She nodded and stepped out of his arms. "I'm going to go change."
"You look fine."
"I feel like I need to be a bit more dressed up. I'll be out in a few." Ten minutes later, she walked back out and headed into the kitchen. "Need any help?"
"Absolutely not. I'm serving you tonight, Vi."
He poured her a glass of wine and handed it to her. "This reminds me of when we were dating. You used to cook for me all the time." And she loved it.
"That was a wonderful time in our lives. Getting to know each other. Falling in love. Dreaming of our future."
"It was going to be a good one, if I remember right," Vi said.
"Yes, and it has been. We love each other, we have the most adorable daughter in the world, my job is stable, we have our own home, we've traveled a bit. I honestly have everything I need to be happy."
She stayed quiet as he finished cooking dinner.
"Are you happy, Vi? I'm not talking about what's happened. I mean in general, do you have everything you need?"
"To be honest, no. I do want another child, Steve, and I want Rylie to have a sibling. It just hurts so much to think about it."
"That's why I think an international adoption is our best option. It will take, at the least, a year, maybe two to finalize. But there are so many children that need love and security and we can give them that."
So she thought about it, long and hard. For a few weeks they talked about it, deciding whether she actually thought it was a good idea. In the end, by mid-July, they decided to apply.
…..
November, Oahu
"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" the pastor asked.
"Her step-mother and I do," Don said tearfully, squeezing Grace's hand.
Annie turned back toward Tom and smiled. She couldn't believe they were standing in paradise, saying vows on the beach at sunset.
"Do you, Anne Brielle Leonard take Thomas Andrew Thornton to be your husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," she vowed.
Tom stepped a bit closer and grinned at her, his eyes teary.
"Do you, Thomas Andrew Thornton take Anne Brielle Leonard to be your wife? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"May we have the rings?"
Sawyer and Brennan both stepped forward, each handing the pastor a ring.
"Thank you, boys."
"You're welcome," they said in unison, and then went back to their seats.
Tom slipped Annie's ring on her finger and smiled. "With this ring, I marry you. This is my promise to you, forever."
Annie did the same. "With this ring, I marry you. This is my promise to you, forever."
"I now pronounce that you are husband and wife. Tom, you may kiss your bride."
….
A bit later, Elizabeth walked over to Jack who was standing, staring out at the ocean.
"Hey, what's going on?" She slipped her fingers into his palm and squeezed.
"Nothing."
"Sweetheart, I know you. You are somewhere else. You've been unusually quiet since we arrived here a few days ago."
"I have something to tell you and I'm worried about how you'll react."
"You can tell me anything, Jack. I'll listen."
"Who has the kids?"
"My parents."
"Let's go for a walk then." He started walking toward the water and she followed, feeling a bit anxious.
As they stood with their toes in the warm sand, Jack turned toward her. "I heard from my former boss. He wants me to work for him again."
"Undercover?" She already knew the answer. His expression told her everything.
"Yes. There's a big case and with my experience, he thinks we can finish it."
"What did you tell him?"
"I said I needed to speak with you about it."
"That's something. But you want to do it, don't you?"
"Yes. This case is huge, Elizabeth. They've been working on it for months. They finally got a reputable tip and now they need someone to be on the inside."
"What would you be doing?"
"I can't tell you. It's too risky."
"That should tell you what my thoughts are. Jack, these children need you. I need you. If you're going to be doing this…whatever it is and it's so dangerous that I can't know about it, you should think twice."
"I want to do this, Elizabeth."
"And I don't want to lose another husband or a father for our children." She shook her head and walked back to the reception, trying to control her emotions.
"Beth? What's wrong, dear?" Grace asked, handing Maleah over to her.
"Nothing, Mom. Everything is fine."
"If you want to talk about it, I'm here," she said, knowing things were not fine.
"Thanks, but it's up to me and Jack to figure it out."
She just hoped the decision he made was going to be best for everyone.
****Well my friends, there is one more chapter left of this story. The next chapter will take place a little over two years in the future. Enjoy****