Chapter 50
Jack and Elizabeth waited in the terminal for their flight home. Their honeymoon was coming to an end, but their joy was abounding. They had the best two weeks possible, and they knew it was because of the other person. It was early Saturday morning and they had just finished their breakfast and had an hour to wait before boarding.
"Jack, I don't remember if I told you, but I was very grateful and thankful our first night was at our apartment. That helped me relax with the comfortable surroundings." She smiled remembering their first time together.
"I was hoping that would put us at ease. I wanted everything to be perfect for you."
"Everything was perfect!"
They discussed the entire honeymoon. Everything from the picnics, the hikes, snorkeling, boat ride, parasailing, to Jack's saxophone concert. They reminisced over the two weeks away alone together and were grateful for their time in Hawaii. The resort was perfect. The room was spectacular. Everyone was so nice and accommodating. They made plans to come back at some point on their anniversary.
"Jack, did you mail the sketches back to our home?"
"I mailed them to Abagail. I didn't want them to set on the porch for days. I also mailed most of the gifts back too. I didn't want to haul them on the plane."
"That was smart."
"Did you send a text to someone to pick us up from the airport?" Jack asked.
"Yes, I sent a message to Abagail. She will pick us up. She has the plane information "
"I thought Frank was going to do it?"
"He was, but Abagail insisted."
"Oh, boy."
"What does that mean?"
"It means you two will talk about everything!"
"Well…not everything." She blushed with her hands in front and shifting from foot to foot.
"Elizabeth, thank you for such a great honeymoon. Everything was perfect. You were perfect."
Jack smiled knowing that was going to embarrass his bride. Their time together was great. They shared themselves with each other fully and it was amazing. Their time together was special, and they were grateful to share it with each other.
The time away allowed them to learn so much about each other, and not just intimacy. These two weeks were also a time for them to continue to lay a solid foundation for the rest of their lives. They talked constantly and learned so much about each other. Not just past experiences, but the cute, everyday things. Like how Elizabeth likes her tea and why. She learned that Jack rubs the back of his head when he is nervous. They cherished those little bits of information about each other. They filled in the blanks about the other things they already knew.
"Elizabeth, I believe this is the greatest honeymoon in the history of honeymoons."
She laughed at his silliness. "I agree. It was perfect." She sighed. She also snuggled into his side. "Jack, I know we will not be on our honeymoon any longer and life will get busy, but please promise me we will be as consumed with each other as we were these past two weeks."
"I promise. The more I learn about you the more I want to know. The more I am with you the more I want to be with you. I remember my pa always saying his favorite place on earth was right beside my ma. I never fully understood that statement, until now."
"I agree. Life continues, but you are the center of it."
"Yes, you are sweetheart."
"Jack, we are going to have the best time together."
He leaned in and gently kissed the tip of her nose. She sighed at his gesture. "I love when you do that." It was then they heard the call to board the plane.
"Alright beautiful, let's begin the next chapter of our life together."
"I can't wait!"
...
Abagail received the text from Elizabeth that they were boarding their plane.
"Did you receive the boarding text?" Frank asked.
"I did. That was the first text I received from her since they left."
"It was great they went off the grid to enjoy themselves."
"It was, but I missed her." She stated in a low voice.
Frank smiled at his wife. Elizabeth was truly her sister in every way that counts. That's why she demanded picking them up from the airport. She wanted that extra time with her sister.
"Abagail, I know this is personal, but are they trying to have a child right away or are they wanting to wait?"
"They are not trying nor are they preventing it. Elizabeth said everything will be in God's timing."
Frank smiled. "Then it won't be long." He smirked.
"I hope not. I can't wait to be an aunt. I will be the best aunt ever!"
"You will spoil that child so much you will be able to smell the child before you will see the child." He laughed.
She playfully smacked his arm. However, she knew he was right. There was no way she was going to tell him that she already purchased a onesie, one for a girl and one for a boy.
…
"Charlie, do you want to go to the airport?"
"No, Adam. Abagail will pick them up. We will see them tomorrow."
"We?"
"Why yes, why not we? We are dating now."
"Have you told Jack yet?"
"That's why we are having time with them tomorrow."
"I still think it's meeting the children that is the hardest part."
"Relax Adam. He likes you."
Adam placed another empty box in the corner of the living room. Charlette found a nice two bedroom house to rent. It was cute and just a few miles from Jack and Elizabeth's apartment and another five minutes away from Adam's house. It was cute and big enough for her. She loved the area. It was quite and a little out of town, but close enough for easy trips.
…
Jack and Elizabeth's plane landed early evening. "I'm grateful we have tomorrow off before heading to work on Monday." Smiled a tired Elizabeth. "That was a great idea you had coming home on Saturday so we could have Sunday to recover from the travel."
"Thank you."
They gathered their bags. They mailed all the things they had purchased to Abagail's house to avoid another suitcase and paying that charge. Walking from the luggage carousel, Elizabeth stopped and screamed while dropping her bags. "Abagail!"
Abagail looked up and smiled at the sight of her sister and friend. "Elizabeth!"
They ran toward each other like they haven't seen each other in years. Jack picked up his wife's luggage and smile at the happy reunion happening in front of him. He just shook his head as he heard the rambling between the two of them.
"I can't believe you are back home!"
"I know. We have been gone forever!"
"I've missed you!"
"I've missed you!"
"If we were going to be gone another day or two, I think she was going to send for you." Smirked Jack.
"Dimples, did you get my bags?" She pouted and smacked his arm.
"Wow, you two look so good. Married life suits you. Plus, you're so tanned."
"We had a great time." Smiled Elizabeth.
"Oh, I can't wait to hear all about it!"
Jack just shook his head. He felt like the third wheel on the ride home. Abagail and Elizabeth talked nonstop the entire hour ride to Abagail's house. Elizabeth sat up front with Abagail. Neither one spoke to Jack on the trip home. They decided to go to Abagail's first to pick up their packages then head to Elizabeth's apartment. Jack was amazed at how fast two people can talk. He wasn't able to understand everything that was said. So, he decided to listen for his name. He laughed at his wife and her best friend.
…
Once they arrived at Abagail's, Frank walked out of the house with Henry. After hugging everyone, Frank, Henry, and Jack started to gather all the packages and loaded them up in Abagail's car. While they were loading the packages, Abagail and Elizabeth's conversation never slowed down. Elizabeth was up to the story of the day trip boating and snorkeling.
Jack smiled at his bride, "Elizabeth, why don't you stay here and catch up with Abagail. I'll take the packages and our luggage home and unload them. Then I will pick up some food for all of us and we will eat here tonight. That is if Frank and Abagail don't mind?"
"That would work for me. Why don't Henry and I go with you? We can help." Then he leaned in toward Jack, "I don't think I want to be here with them." He smirked.
"Jack, you don't have to do that."
"Elizabeth, you have missed your sister. Have an hour or so just the two of you. Us boys will get this done and bring back dinner. Is that ok?"
Elizabeth smiled at Abagail and she nodded her approval. "Thanks boys." Both Abagail and Elizabeth stated at the same time.
Once the boys were gone, Abagail looked at Elizabeth and smiled only like an older sister and best friend could. "Ok sis, we are finally by ourselves. Now, spill!"
"Oh, sis…the honeymoon was absolutely perfect. I wouldn't change a thing." A dreamy look came across her face.
"Oh my, Elizabeth. You are absolutely glowing."
…
"Ok Julie. I changed my end date of work to this coming Friday. That will give us a week to move to Hope Valley and then we will be married. Are you sure that will give you enough time to plan a wedding?"
"Absolutely. I'm not the same girl I was. Back then, I wanted a huge wedding worthy of a bridal magazine. I don't want that now. I want a small wedding with you and the people I love."
Tom wanted to believe that she did, but he was nervous. "I just want to make sure."
"Tom, I am positive. I'm not that girl anymore. I want to be married to you."
Tom smiled. He loved this woman. This feeling was odd for him, but like Julie, he has changed in many ways too. "Julie, any ideas where you want to go on our honeymoon?"
"I'm not sure."
"Well, we have time, but not much of it."
…
Charlette looked over at her new kitchen and sighed. She was happy with the move, but change was still hard at times. Adam walked up behind her and placed his hands on her hips.
"Charlie are you sure you're ok with this move?"
Charlette sighed. "I am. I guess change wasn't always my greatest desire. This is good change, but it will take some time to get used to everything."
"I understand that. Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Just do what you have been doing this week and be there for me."
"I have no problem doing that."
Adam leaned and kissed her cheek. He remembered when he first moved from his home he shared with Sondra. It was a difficult time to adjust. He knew exactly what Charlette was going through.
"Sweetheart, it will be ok. It will take time and you will adjust. You will not forget about Tom."
Charlette swooned at being called sweetheart. She has missed the terms of endearment. She was also thankful Adam wasn't pushing her to forget about Tom. He truly understood how she was feeling because he is feeling the same thing.
…
Henry, Frank, and Jack walked up to his new apartment carrying boxes from the honeymoon trip and their suitcases. After dropping these things off, they had planned on going to the storage unit and picking up a couple of things Jack needed. Jack unlocked the door with the key on his key ring and smiled. The key Elizabeth gave him before they were married was on its own key ring, now this key is on his personal key ring. For some reason, this made Jack feel like this was his apartment too.
Before Jack opened the door, Frank asked, "Jack, do you think you will have any problem in thinking of this place as yours? Or will you always think of it as Elizabeth's?"
Jack thought about it for a moment. "I know Elizabeth lived here for three years, but we are married now. This is our apartment. We have decided to look for a house, but we are in no hurry."
"You two are not in a hurry?" Laughed Frank.
Jack laughed and Henry looked at both of them not knowing what the joke was about. "I know that sounds strange coming from us, but we want to find a house that suits us. Since we have this nice apartment, we are in no hurry."
"Sounds like a great plan."
Jack opened the door and stopped after taking a couple of steps in the apartment. Jack looked around and notice many of his belongings already set up. "How?"
"Do you really have to ask?"
"Abagail."
"Yes, my precious wife wanted this place to feel like home to you. She has an extra key and Elizabeth told her what boxes to get and a preliminary plan of what went where. I think she changed a couple of things, but not too many."
"That was very nice of her."
"She thinks of you as a brother. She wanted you comfortable here."
"She is very sweet. I will have to think of something to repay her."
"That's not how she works."
Jack laughed. He could imagine that very easily. "I know, but I will have to figure out some way of saying thank you."
"If you treat her sister well, you will say it enough. She loves Elizabeth and she loves you too."
"Frank, it's very difficult not to love your wife. She is one of the sweetest people I know."
Jack noticed his father's record player along with all the records from his father that his mother gave him. They were on a little stand in the living room. The picture of Elizabeth and his father was sitting on the table beside the couch.
Jack and Frank carried the suitcases into the bedroom and Heny placed his box on the kitchen table. Henry was in awe of being in his teacher's apartment. "This is so weird."
"What is it, Henry?"
"Being in my teacher's house. It feels weird. I always thought she stayed at the school."
Both men laughed.
"Henry, she doesn't live there."
"Huh…" Henry stated while still looking around the apartment in complete shock.
"What do you two want to eat?"
Jack pulled out his phone and texted "831" to Elizabeth. A moment later, he received the same message. He has been away from his wife for less than an hour, and he missed her greatly. For the past two weeks, they have been constantly beside each other. Their new chapter of life was going to take some getting used to.
"Let's get pizza!" Henry said excitedly.
…
"Was that Jack?"
Elizabeth smiled at her sis. "Yeah"
"Is he asking about food?"
"No. He texted me '831'."
"831?" Asked Abagail. "What does that mean?"
She blushed. "It's Jack's way of telling me he loves me. 831 means eight letters, three words, one meaning. I love you."
"Oh…My…Goodness. How do you not fall in love with that man each time he does that?"
"I absolutely fall in love with him each time. He is so precious. He's always doing things like that. I don't know how he does it, but I am forever grateful for him."
"So…spill sister. I want details."
"Abagail!" Exclaimed an embarrassed Elizabeth.
"I want details, just not intimate details. Now sis, spill."
Elizabeth closed her eyes for a moment and thought over the last two weeks with Jack. He was so perfect. He took his time and didn't pressure her for anything. He was loving and caring. He was gentle yet passionate in sharing himself with her. She loved every moment with him and instantly missed him in that moment. While thinking of him, her smile grew bigger.
"With that smile that keeps getting bigger, I'm assuming everything was good?" Abagail giggled.
"Abagail, he was so perfect in every aspect. He was loving, passionate, and…just perfect." She let out a contented sigh.
"Wow! That sounds amazing."
"It was. It truly was."
"There was only one night we wasn't…" She paused not sure how to say it. "together. I fell asleep on the couch, and he carried me to bed."
"Elizabeth. That's incredible!"
"It was! Though…I made up for it the next morning." She smirked at her sis.
Abagail wanted to ask, but she wasn't sure she should. Elizabeth could read her sis like a book. "Go ahead and ask. If I don't want to answer, I won't."
Abagail cleared her throat. "How was your intimate time together the first night since you two were virgins?"
She laughed. "If I tell you a secret, can you keep it?"
"Elizabeth, you know me."
"He asked me to get some clothes out of his suitcase and I found the Kama Sutra book in it. He was so nervous about being good at that, that he actually bought the book and studied it."
"Oh my goodness. I can't believe he did that. That is so precious."
"Yes, it is. I didn't tell him I found it. After the fourth day, that's when I found it, he wasn't following it anymore. He did just great on his own. I haven't told him I found it."
"He was so thoughtful."
"Yeah, I think I feel in love with him even more because he cared so much to make the experience good for me."
"Was the experience good for you?"
"I have always been a little shy discussing that, but with Jack, I was the aggressor at least half the time. I loved my experiences with him, and I didn't want to stop."
"Elizabeth!" Gasped Abagail.
"I know…I know. But Abagail, he is amazing, and he makes me feel so loved."
"I have missed our sister talks."
"Me too. Now, what have I missed around here."
"Well, let's see…Adam and Charlette are officially dating now. She is renting a nice small house just outside of town. She told me they are having some time with you tomorrow. That's when she is planning to tell Jack."
"That's great for her and him. I wish them the best."
"How do you think Jack will react?"
"He's slowly coming around. He will be fine…eventually. He loves his mom and misses his dad. It may take a little time but he will be fine."
They spend the next little bit of time catching up on everything. They laughed and giggled like teenagers. There were tears talking about Henry and their desire to adopt him. Elizaeth shared her thoughts about Jack and her starting a family. They were leaving it up to God's timing. Whenever it happens, was the right time. They loved their time and talk together.
Before they realized the time, the boys showed up with pizza. Elizabeth quickly stood and walked toward Jack. "I missed you!"
"She does have it bad." Whispered Abagail.
"I missed you! Did you have a good time with your sis?"
"I did" We had a great talk."
"I bet."
Jack walked up to Abagail and have her a hug. "Thank you for your work on the apartment. That was very kind of you!"
"You're welcome, Jack. We wanted you to feel at home."
Jack gave her a dimpled smile and kissed her on the cheek. "It worked. Thank you, sis."
Abagail gasped at his title for her. That was the same thing Elizabeth calls her.
Elizabeth smiled at their interaction. She loved that her sister and husband got along so well. "Hey…I thought that dimpled smile was just reserved for me." Pouted Elizabeth.
"The real one is." He turned and his smile grew, and the dimples were deeper.
"Good grief." She sighed. "Let's eat before the pizza gets cold."
Henry, Frank, Abagail, Jack, and Elizabeth enjoyed their evening together. They ate their fill of pizza and enjoyed each other's company. There was plenty of laughter and reminiscing about Jack and Elizabeth's trip to Hawaii. Jack and Elizabeth handed out the gifts for Henry, Frank, and Abagail. For Henry, they picked up a Hawaii globe that contained some volcanic ash on one side and sand on the other. He thought it was so cool. Frank received a Ukulele, which to everyone's surprise, he knew how to play. Plus, they gave him a traditional Hawaii shirt. He loved the shirt and quickly changed into it. "I wish I could wear it to service tomorrow" The group laughed. Then they handed him a tie with the same design. "I expect to see that in the morning." Stated Elizabeth. Elizabeth handed Abagail her gifts. The first gift was a Hawaiian shirt that matched Frank's. She immediately went to her room and changed into it. The second gift was a hand made necklace they found on the square in town. The necklace had a plumeria as the charm. A plumeria is a white flower with a yellow center. "Elizabeth, this is beautiful!" They also picked up a collectible Christmas ornament. Elizabeth knew that she collected Christmas ornaments.
The Hogans were grateful for their gifts. It was much more than they expected. Elizabeth let out a yawn. Her long day was catching up to her. Jack gave her a smile and she nodded. "I think we need to go if we are going to be in church on time tomorrow." Smiled Jack.
"Yes, I'm afraid the day is beginning to wear on me. We will see you in the morning at church."
They all stood and gave each other a hug. Abagail and Elizabeth held on a little longer than normal. They missed each other. The boys shook hands and Jack patted Henry on the head. Jack did hug Abagail and gave her a small kiss on the cheek.
…
After Jack and Elizabeth left, Frank gave his wife a knowing look after Henry went to bed.
"What?"
"Did you enjoy your talk with Elizabeth?"
"I did. It was great to catch up with her."
"Please tell me you didn't push her too much for information from their honeymoon."
"Frank! What a thing to say. I did not such thing. We just had a sister talk."
"That's what I'm afraid of." Frank said shaking his head.
…
When Jack opened the door of the car for Elizabeth to get in, she stopped and gave Jack a sweet kiss on his lips. "Thank you, hubby, for letting me hang out with Abagail while you, Frank, and Henry took our bags to the apartment."
"You're welcome wifey. I hope you two had a good talk but not too much of a good talk." He smirked.
"We had a good sister and best friend talk."
"Oh boy. I don't know how I will look her in the face tomorrow at church."
She playfully smacked his arm as she got in Jack's truck.
…
Elizabeth was excited to see what Abagail did with the apartment. She wanted Jack to feel comfortable in his new apartment. She was afraid he would always consider it her apartment. She was not disappointed when she opened the door.
"Wow, Abagail did a great job with this."
"Yes, she did. Thank you for arranging it for me."
"Your welcome Jack, but Abagail was the one who did all the work. I just had suggestions."
"Why was this so important for you?"
"I wanted you to be comfortable here. This has been my apartment for so long. I didn't want you to keep thinking that. This is our place now."
"Well, I love the way she integrated my stuff with yours. Frank said there wasn't too much stuff left in the storage rental. We may just leave it there until we have our house. That will mean we have enough room for all of it."
"I love that she kept our paintings in the bedroom, and then she placed two more in the living room. That was a great night and I love the reminder of it."
"Thank you for thinking of me. That means a lot to me."
"You're welcome, Jack."
"I am exhausted and I know you are too. We have had a long day of travel and a great evening with friends. Let's head to bed so we will be ready for church in the morning."
"That sounds great. So, which side of the bed do you want?"
"Can I always sleep on the side by the door?"
"Why?"
"I know it sounds silly, but I will be the first line of protection for you."
She smiled at him. "That sounds perfect."
After changing clothes and settling into their normal spot, Elizabeth was laying on her side while Jack was laying behind her with his arm around her laying on her stomach. His head was resting next to her shoulder. He loved the feel of her hair on his face and the ability to smell her. He often lightly kissed her shoulder or neck just before drifting off to sleep. She reached down to take his hand and she moved it to her chest, and he held her tighter.
Elizabeth let out a sigh at the same time Jack did. "I'll tell you why I sighed if you tell me?" Asked Elizabeth.
"Go for it, but I bet it is for the same reason."
"I'm looking forward to a lifetime of this."
"Me too, Nani. Me too. You and me."
"You and me."
…
Charlette woke up on the couch in her new house with the TV still on. It took her a minute to realize where she was. She felt comfortable and warm but then realized there was an arm wrapped around her stomach. She began to freak out a little until she realized it was Adam's arm. She looked at the TV still on but playing a different movie than the one they were watching earlier. "We must have fallen asleep." She whispered to herself.
She reached for her phone and noticed it was one thirty in the morning. She felt Adam move a little when she reached for her phone. After settling in his pillow, he snuggled a little closer to Charlette. She smiled at his gesture and noticed how much she loved being in his arms like this. She was fighting a battle in her mind about waking him up to send him home or just to lay there and enjoy the rest of the night in his arms.
"Charlie, what are you doing awake? Go back to sleep."
"Adam, don't you think that's a problem?"
"Huh?" He asked with his eyes still closed.
"Adam, think…"
Adam eyes shot open. "Charlie, what time is it?"
"It's one thirty. We feel asleep on the couch watching that silly movie of yours."
"Silly movie…what do you mean silly movie? Plus, you fell asleep first and wouldn't let me leave."
"I did no such thing!" She exclaimed.
Adam's eyes were still closed but his smile grew. "Charlie, you feel asleep on my shoulder about two thirds through the movie. When I tried to get up, you said no. Don't go. So, I sat back against the couch, and I guess I feel asleep. How did we end up in this position?"
"Oh, I think I remember that happening. I'm not sure how we ended up here. But, if I'm honest…"
"I love it too." He stated as he tightened his hold on her drawing her into him a little more.
"Should you stay or go?" She asked hoping he would stay.
"Why don't I stay since it's late and then I will head home early in the morning so I can get ready for church?"
"That sounds good. I love laying here like this with you."
"Me too, but only on one condition."
"What's that handsome."
"No telling Tom or that cop kid of yours." He smirked.
Both laughed knowing both of her children may struggle with the news.