Author's Note:
I wanted to wish all the fathers the best Father's Day possible. I hope you have a great day. I hope you enjoy this journey and this chapter. Thank you for taking time to read this story.
Chapter 63
Elizabeth excused herself to call Jack. She missed him and wanted to hear his voice. The argument they had didn't sit well with her. They were over it and came out on the other side stronger, but she didn't like it. To make matters worse, they didn't have the opportunity to make up. Her desire for him was building since he woke her up yesterday for her last day of school. She could still feel Jack's lips on her neck and the weight of him as he hovered over her. She shivered at the thought.
Jack picked up the Facetime call after the first ring. She smiled thinking he was holding his phone waiting for her to call.
"Oh Bellissima, you are breath taking."
When she saw him, she lost her mind for a moment. She was transported back to their bedroom yesterday morning.
"Jack, we should have gone home." She wiggled her eyebrows and gave him a smile that nearly stopped his breathing.
"I agree. When are you coming home again?" He gave her a full dimpled grin and winked at her.
She hesitated for a moment. She lost her train of thought.
"Oh…my husband sent me away for four days to a beautiful cabin in the most perfect location."
"Do you like it?"
"Yes, I do."
"I'm glad."
She thought for a moment. "Jack, do you know Jack and Martha Matthews?"
"Yes. I have meet them a couple to three years ago. I know they owned some rental properties. When I thought of a girl weekend for you, I thought of them since they weren't too far from us."
"How did you meet them?"
Jack paused for a moment. "I worked a case just outside of Baxton."
Elizabeth paused for a few moments, but Jack never said anything. "Did it involve them?"
Slowly, Jack stated, "No. It was a close friend of theirs. They offered me a place to sleep, but I didn't take them up on it until the case was over."
"Did it end badly?"
"When a child is found dead, it is always a bad case."
"Jack, I am so sorry."
Instead of answering, he asked to see the house. She knew Jack didn't want to relive that moment. She took Jack around on a tour of the house. Everyone was able to see him on the screen and thanked him for his generosity and planning.
After about twenty minutes, they ended the call with Elizabeth sitting on her bed. She looked Jack in the screen and missed him greatly. "Jack, thank you for this trip, but I miss you terribly and I have only been gone a few hours."
"I miss you too. Now, go and enjoy yourself with your family."
Elizabeth giggled. "I will. I think some are staying here and the younger ones are heading to the grocery store and to look around town to see some sights and pick up some snacks."
"That sound like fun. Now, don't get into any trouble." He smirked.
"Detective, I promise to do my best."
"Oh, I almost forgot, Emma accepted the position as my assistant. I'm not sure when they will move here, but they will be coming soon. I know you will like her."
"That sounds great Jack. I look forward to meeting her and getting to know her better."
"I love you, Nani."
"I love you, Dimples. I'll call later."
…
The older ladies, Grace, Charlette, Alice, and Beth, decided to stay at the cabin while the younger ones decided to go grocery shopping. They have been in the house for a couple of hours but still couldn't believe how beautiful the house is. Jack did well.
"Elizabeth, what do you think about what Martha did?"
"I'm not sure. They sounded that they knew Jack. Jack didn't say anything about knowing them before we left."
"It was touching. They had to know him."
"Yes, they did. Jack mentioned when I spoke to him on the phone a couple of minutes ago that he met them when he worked a case near here. He didn't want to go into detail about it."
"This is very nice of him to plan this." Julie stated.
"It is. I can't believe he did this. It's almost perfect."
"Almost?" Asked Vi.
"It would be perfect if Jack was here."
All the ladies giggled at her meaning.
"So…Elizabeth," Julie looked around to make sure no one was too close. How's the sex?"
…
The ladies were sitting out on the main floor's patio drinking coffee and hot tea. The weather was gorgeous and the views from the deck were beyond describable.
Graced looked at the ladies sitting around the table. "Do you think Jack and Elizabeth are ok?"
"Yes. I think it was early marriage pains." Abagail stated.
"It sounds like it. I think they were good this morning." Grace stated.
"I agree." Abagail stated. "The papers on my desk were in disarray after they came out of my office." She giggled.
"Oh…you don't think they did…" Grace trailed off as she spoke.
"No. They didn't have time for that, but I think they did take a few moments to share kisses." All the ladies giggled.
"Oh, to be young again." Alice said while laughing. "Not that it's bad to be our age now." She blushed.
"Here…Here…" Everyone said as they lifted their cups.
"Charlette, how are you and Adam doing? Elizabeth says you guys are doing well."
"We are now. A few weeks ago, I was still trying to figure out if you can have two loves of a life time."
Abagail smiled. She had the same issues when she met Frank. "I believe you can."
"I agree too, Abagail. However, it did take me some time to figure that out. I was holding back and Adam knew it. He stepped back to give me room to figure everything out. When he left my house, I walked in and realized for the first time in a long time that it was lonely. I knew I loved Adam and I also knew I loved Tom. I was able to do both. I left and went to Adam's house and waited a few hours for him to get home. We talked about us, and we are moving forward."
"I'm glad for you." Grace stated. "I can't imagine what you have been through losing Office T."
"Officer T?" Alice asked.
Charlette told the whole story of Elizabeth's father and Jack's father when she was a child.
"Wow! How is that even possible?"
"I know." Grace stated. "I couldn't believe it when I found out."
"Tom would pray for Jack and his Cinderella to meet and get married. It was a love of a lifetime that was preordained in prayer for years."
All the ladies had tears in their eyes.
…
Elizabeth went in search of strawberries and red grapes while everyone else was after the items on their lists. She turned the corner of a produce table looking at the strawberries when she walked into a buggy. "Oh my goodness. I am so sorry. I wasn't watching where I was walking." Elziabeth stated when she looked up at the person standing behind the buggy.
"Oh Elizabeth. That's ok." A surprised Martha stated.
"Oh, Mrs. Matthews. I am sorry."
"It's ok. No harm done. Are you here for more items?"
"We are. Some of the ladies wanted some more items and certain items. Some of the other ladies are at the cabin resting." Elizabeth offered a smile. "Mrs. Matthews, you have a beautiful cabin."
…
"Grace, how is William doing with Elizabeth and Jack? I know he was having some trouble with the wedding."
"He's doing better Charlette. He was being so stubborn. The weird part about the whole thing is that he really likes Jack. I think it had everything to do with him losing his daughter."
"I think so too. He is gaining a son though."
"He is, he just doesn't know it yet. For me though, I am excited. I couldn't imagine a better match for my middle daughter."
"I agree with you." Charlette responded nodding her head.
"Now, I want a grandbaby. How do we push them without being pushy?"
"Grace, I think they are allowing nature to take its course. If that is the case, I think we may have one very soon."
"Well…" Beth started. "I think she is already pregnant. She just doesn't know it yet."
That got all the ladies attention.
"What? How?"
"It's an old lady's thought. I can see it in her eyes. I mentioned it to her, but she doesn't think so."
Grace and Charlette couldn't stop the smile on their faces. "Are you sure?" They each asked hopefully.
"I know so." Said a confident Beth.
…
Jack walked into his apartment and looked around. He enjoyed the apartment. It was big enough for him and Elizabeth, but he was getting excited about moving into Beth's house. He has always lived in little apartments after college. With the amount of traveling he was doing with the investigator's office, it didn't make sense to have a large apartment. He was only home one, maybe two weeks a month. Jack was about twenty minutes into cleaning the apartment when Tom texted.
T – Hey old man. Let's go and grab something to eat
J – Old man?
T – Well, you are older than me
J – Funny, kid
T – Food?
J – Where?
T – Italian in thirty min?
J – See you then, I'll see if Frank wants to come
T – He's meeting us there
Jack shook his head. Tom was always the one who enjoyed being in a large group. Jack was proud of his younger brother. He was always the wild child. He never did anything for any length of time, but now he has settled down. Tom is married and the happiest he has seen him. Jack went into the bedroom to change clothes and freshen up a bit. As he walked out of the bedroom, he sent Elizabeth their text.
…
Elizabeth's phone buzzed. She smiled when she read the text from Jack. "831" She quickly replied with the same text. When she looked up, she noticed Martha was staring at her with a smile.
"That must have been your Jack."
"Yes, how did you know."
"I could see it in your eyes."
Elizabeth showed Martha the text and explained the meaning behind it. "It's a quick way for us to tell each other that we love you."
…
Grace and Alice sat out on the patio enjoying their tea while Charlette and Beth went inside to make everyone a snack.
"Alice, you work with my daughter at the school?"
"I do. I work in the cafeteria. Your daughter is so precious and nice." Alice stated as they walked to the patio where the other women were sitting.
"Thank you. Elizabeth has mentioned you before. She says you are always so sweet with the children. They all love you."
Alice blushed at Grace's words. "The kids are easy to love. They are great. Did Elizabeth tell you about the time I fussed at her in the lunch line?"
"She did." Grace laughed. "I think you were right in what you did. She even said she needed it."
"She is a very nice woman. I had no right to say anything to her, but after what Jack did for that student, I couldn't help but to stand up for him."
"What did Jack do?"
Alice shared the story about him paying for Henry's meals for the month and then coming in the next day to pay for the rest of the year.
"Why would he do that?" Asked Grace.
Alice continued. "He said he knew how he felt, and he was blessed enough to help."
Charlette had a tear run down her face. "When Tom died, it was very difficult for the first year or so. He was the major bread winner. It took some time for me to get my self together. Finances were tough for the first little bit, but then I realized I had two boys that only had their mother. I needed to step up. So, I did. After about the first year or so, I finally figured out how to live a life without Tom in it. It was hard, but I didn't realize that Jack knew."
"Oh Charlette, you are such a strong woman. I don't know if I would be able to do what you did." Grace said matching Charlette's tears.
"I agree with Grace." Alice stated. "You have to be the strongest woman I know."
"Alright…alright…that's enough of this talk." Charlette exhaled. She was a lot like Jack, she did not like to be the center of attention.
"I still can't believe she was so rude to him." Grace said thoughtfully trying to change the subject. Charlette gave her a small smile in appreciation of changing the subject.
"I think she was so nervous with what she was feeling for this stranger. I believe she already knew she was going to love this man and it freaked her out."
"I believe you are right Alice."
"Your daughter is one of the best women I know. She is priceless."
"Thank you. I tend to agree with you."
…
Jack walked into the Italian restaurant to a smiling, Tom, Frank, and Henry. Henry was so excited to be with the guys. He instantly called it guys night when Frank told him to get changed. When Jack sat down on the empty chair beside Henry, Henry smiled and asked, "So fellas, how's married life?"
After a moment of silence, everyone laughed at his remark. "It's great." Answered all three men.
"So Henry, is there a young lady in your life?" Tom asked.
Henry squirmed in his seat for a moment. His face was turning a little red and he looked down at the table. All the older men looked at each other with a knowing look.
"She must be special if she caught your eye." Mentioned Frank.
Henry nodded his head up and down.
"So Henry, do I know this young lady?" Jack asked with a serious look on his face.
Henry quietly responded. "Yes. She is in my class."
"Oh," Frank replied. "Does she know you like her?"
"Not really. We talk all the time, but I haven't told her I like her."
"Why not?" Asked Tom.
It was then the waitress walked up and took everyone's order. Henry was grateful for the moment. When the waitress left, everyone's eyes turned back to Henry. This made him a little uncomfortable.
"Let's give him his privacy. He doesn't have to tell us." Frank stated.
"Jack, I think the women are enjoying the cabin." Tom began.
"I knew they would."
"It must have cost you a fortune. Julie said it was huge and gorgeous."
"I know the owners, so they gave me a great deal. I hope they are enjoying it."
"You know the owners?" Questioned Frank.
"Yeah, I was involved in a case a few years back in Baxton. The case involved friends of theirs."
"Wait…was that the lost kid case?"
"Yeah…" Jack's disappointment could be sensed by everyone.
"Was this the case involving a child in Baxton a couple of years ago?" Asked Frank.
"Yes, that's the one."
"Wow Jack. That case was news even here. But I don't remember hearing your name on the case." Wondered Frank.
"That's because my humble older brother wouldn't let the press use it. That's why the reports always said, 'The Investigator's Office.'"
"I wasn't the most important part of the story Tom."
"Her name is Emily." Henry cut in. He said it so quickly that they almost couldn't understand.
"Emily?" Asked Frank.
Henry nodded his head.
"I know her. She is a sweet young lady. And she has the best smile." Jack said with a smile and patted Henry on the back.
"She does, but it's her laugh that I like the most."
All the men gave each other a knowing smile.
"Do you talk to her much?"
"Yeah. We talk all the time. We even play with each other during recess. I like that, but she is always hitting me. I don't know why."
Frank let out a laugh. "Henry, that is her way of telling you she likes you."
"It is?"
All the men nodded.
"But Jack, Mrs. Thorton doesn't hit you?" Henry asked trying to work this new piece of information out in his head. "And Frank, Abagail doesn't hit you."
"When a lady is younger, they don't know how to flirt." Tom began.
"When a lady is younger, they don't know how to share their feelings just like when men are younger, they don't know how to express themselves." Jack cut his eyes to his little brother. "So, they usually hit you. Not too hard but it is their way of telling you they like you."
"Well, she must really like me because she hits me a lot during recess." Henry said in a plain voice and tone.
…
"Elizabeth, I don't know what you ladies have planned for tomorrow, but there is a craft fair on Main Street in town tomorrow. The crafts are all individually owned and do their own work. It is really impressive. There are all kinds of crafts along with countless vendors. You ladies would love it."
"We may need to try it out. I'll check with the ladies at the cabin to see if they would like to go." Elizabeth hesitated for a moment. "Martha, may I ask you something?"
"Sure dear. What's on your mind?"
"This morning it sounded like you knew Jack well. How did you know him?"
Martha took a deep breath. "I met Jack three years ago when my best friend's son went missing. The local sheriff's department was at a loss the second day in the case. They asked for help and the investigator's department sent Jack. I offered him a place to stay, and he accepted. He didn't stay there until the case was solved. I don't think he slept for three days until he found my friend's son in the abandoned shed."
"Oh my, I'm so sorry. That must have been difficult."
"It was very hard on them. He was kidnapped and murdered by the man. Jack found the little boy and evidence that was left behind. They arrested the man that evening." She took another deep breath. "I think Jack slept for a whole day when he crashed at the little cabin."
"He must have been exhausted."
"He had to be. I can't imagine the toll it took on him mentally and emotionally finding the body."
Elizabeth gasped.
"Jack was the first one through the door when they arrested the man."
"What, was this three years ago?"
Martha nodded her head.
"I remember hearing the news when I moved to Hope Valley. I don't remember Jack's name." She searched her memory of the articles and news reports.
"They didn't use his name at his request. He didn't want to become the story."
Both ladies nodded. Elizabeth was proud of her husband for his work and his love for people.
"Jack still calls every so often to check in on my friend. He is a sweet man."
"Yes, you are correct."
…
The ladies finished up their shopping and was back at the cabin. They were all sitting on the patio on the first floor. Charlette and Alice were grilling some chicken and corn on the cob on the grill. Violia was waiting on the rolls to be finished. The conversation flowed easily among everyone. Elizabeth sat back and watched the group. Everyone in the group would jump into a conversation with who ever was beside them. They all were getting along fine. There wasn't a small group of favorites among them. She smiled with the presence of everyone.
"Martha was telling me about a craft fair tomorrow in town. She said we shouldn't miss it. What would you think about going?" Elizabeth asked as she looked around the group of ladies.
"That sounds great." Said Charlette standing by the grill.
"I agree." Alice stated.
All of the other ladies smiled and nodded in agreement.
"Great. It's settled. Let's leave after breakfast and we will wonder around to see what we can find." Grace said.
…
Jack walked into his apartment following a fun evening with the guys at the Italian restaurant. He still laughed at Henry and Emily's story. After closing the door, the house seemed empty. He has grown accustomed to having Elizabeth around.
Finishing up some paperwork he brought home from work, he decided to sketch. It always relaxes him and brings him peace. When he gathered his sketch pad and his pencils, he sat at the kitchen table with a hot cup of tea. He decided to sketch the one thing that was always in his heart and mind…his precious bride.
When he finished the sketch an hour later, he was surprised to hear a knock at the door. He placed his pencil down and walked to the door. He was surprised to see Adam standing there.
"Adam, are you ok?"
"I'm find, Jack. Do you have a few minutes to talk?"
"Sure." Jack opened the door fully and invited Adam into the apartment.
Adam walked directly to the kitchen table. He noticed the sketch of Elizabeth and praise Jack for his hard work and talent.
"Wow, Jack. That is really good."
Jack smiled with a little bit of pride. "Thanks Adam. Do you want some coffee or tea?"
"I wouldn't mind some water." Adam's mouth was dry. He had an important question he needed to ask. It was now or never. "Jack, never mind about the water. Will you sit with me?"
Jack was thinking Adam wanted to discuss his mother. With Jack's nod, Adam continued.
"Jack, I love your mother. She is a special woman. She is remarkable. I'm not asking for permission. I would, however, like your approval to ask Charlie to marry me."
Jack leaned back in his chair, and he couldn't fully hold back his smile. He never thought this would be a question he would ever hear. He could sense Adam's nerves. "You don't want my permission?"
"Jack, I mean no disrespect. I am not twenty two years old asking for your daughter's hand in marriage. Your mother is a grown woman, and I am a grown man. I don't feel we need permission to get married. However, I know how close you are to her. I would like to start this marriage off the right way. I know this isn't easy for you. I have no desire to try to replace Tom in your, Tom, or your mother's life."
"I know Adam. You are good for her. She loves you and cares for you. You are good for each other."
"Thanks Jack. That means a lot to me."
"You do realize my ma is a stubborn woman who is used to getting her way?"
Adam laughed. "More than you know."
"Adam, you have my approval to ask for my ma's hand with one condition." A smirking Jack stated.
If Adam wasn't so nervous, he would have caught Jack's smirk. "What's troubling you Jack?"
"Nothing is troubling me. The condition is this…You love her with everything you are, and you continue to sass her as much as possible."
Adam left off a big laugh. "I think I can uphold that promise."
Jack stood and held out his hand for Adam to shake. "Welcome to the family."
…
The day was good, long, and tiring. The argument with Jack last night and this morning was exhausting. She hated to argue but she realized the importance of not taking Jack for granted. The make up was nice, but not as thorough as she would have liked. She was grateful the disagreement was in the past. The trip has been really fun. She enjoyed sitting and talking with the group of ladies. She couldn't believe she had three more days to enjoy them. She was missing Jack and that was the only issue with the trip.
She finished preparing for bed and laid down on the big king sized bed on the third floor of the log cabin. She had a great view looking out of the French doors to the mountains in the back ground. She plugged in her phone and propped it up on the pillow beside her. She settled into her pillow and hit the facetime button on her phone. She smiled when the phone only rung once. Her husband's handsome face appeared on the screen. He was laying in bed with no shirt on. His dimpled smile on full display.
"It's about time you facetimed me." He sassed. "I was thinking you may have fallen asleep."
"Not without you." She flirted back.
They took a couple of minutes just staring at each other. They have missed each other and just wanted to look into the eyes of their loved ones.
"Why do you have a goofy smile on your face?" Asked Elizabeth.
"The same reason you have a goofy smile. I have missed you."
"I have missed you. So, Jack, what did you do today?"
Jack went into detail with his conversation with Emma and the hope of her moving to Hope Valley soon. He shared the time with the boys at the Italian restaurant. She laughed as he told the story.
"I knew there was something between Emily and Henry."
"He said she is always hitting him during recess."
"Oh…yes. A child's way of flirting. I knew I should have paired them up on that project." Elizabeth thought out loud.
"That would have been funny and cruel all at the same time."
"Yeah" They both laughed.
"Adam came by this evening and wanted to talk."
"Really?" Now she was intrigued.
Jack nodded and smiled at her. She knew what they talked about before he even said the words. "You gave him permission, didn't you?"
"You know me too well. He didn't want permission. He wanted my approval."
"And you gave it to him…right?" She offered him a scary teacher face.
"That's not fair. You know what that does to me."
"Yes. I still don't understand how that doesn't work on you."
"Oh sweetheart. It does work on me." He raised his eyebrows.
"And you know what kissing me on the tip of my nose does to me." She blushed.
"Yes, I do. I don't know why, but I know it does. And yes, I gave my approval. I think he is good for her."
"I think so too."
"What are you doing with the ladies tomorrow?"
"Martha told us about a craft fair in town. We have decided to go after breakfast. I'm not sure how long or what we will do after."
"Pick something nice for the house."
"I'll try. What about you?"
"Tom, Frank, Henry, and I are going to the baseball game. We are all looking forward to it."
"You'll have fun. Be careful."
They spent the next twenty minutes just talking. Nothing important or too deep. Just a conversation to catch up on the day's events. These types of conversations always connected them to each other.
She noticed his words were getting more elongated and slower as he spoke. He did this when he was almost asleep. Finally, he grew quiet. She looked at him for a couple of minutes. She admired him. His mouth was slightly opened but was making no sound. His breathing was slow and peaceful. He had a slight grin on his face and his hair was messy. She also noticed he wasn't wearing a shirt. "Jack," She began with a smile. "I love you with all my heart. I am sorry I took you for granted. I will do my best to never do that again. I love you too much. Take care of yourself and I will see you tomorrow. Sweet dreams, my love." With that she blew him a kiss and disconnected the call.
She fell asleep with a smile on her face and Jack on her mind. She dreamed of Jack that evening. It was the one before with her being pregnant and they were at the house. The little boy and girl was running around the yard. The dream picked up where the last one ended.
"Jack, you need to listen and come here for a moment."
Jack grinned. "Sweetheart, I am right here beside you." Smirked Jack.
"We need to come up with a nickname so he, or you, won't be confused."
"I tried but you wouldn't listen to me. I told you to not pick that name."
"Jack, there was no way I was going to name my son anything other than Thomas Jack."
"Our son." Smirked Jack. "We should have called him after my father and used Tom."
"As great as your father was, I wanted my son to know how great his father is." She smiled still holding her very big, pregnant belly. "We just need to find a nick name for him."
"What about Jackie?"
She gave him a horrified look. "No. What else do you have?"
As Jack thought on it, the little boy came over and stood in front of his mother. "I just don't understand how a little boy can get so dirty in such a short period of time." She smiled at him.
"It's a gift, ma." He looked at her with those big, blue eyes, but it was the dimpled smile that stole her heart each time. That little boy's dimples captured her just like the big boy's dimples did sitting beside her. She sighed knowing she was powerless against it.
"You are just like your father." She told him as she tried to wipe the dirt from his face. He squirmed at her cleaning him.
"Good, because you love daddy. That means you love me."
"I do, my precious little boy."
"And you love me too." Stated the little girl as she climbed on Jack's lap.
"I do, my precious little girl. You two are the best."
Jack placed his right arm around her and pulled her to him. He kissed her on the cheek and then kissed the little boy and girl on the top of their heads. "I am a blessed man." Jack said.
"Ma, can I go play now?"
She smiled knowing full well he was about to get dirty again. "Go sweetheart and have fun."
He scurried off. His sister jumped off her daddy's lap and took off right behind her brother.
"Elizabeth, thank you for everything you have given me. You are a great wife. You are a great mother and have given me two tremendous kids."
"Thank you, Jack. You have been a huge blessing to me as well. I wouldn't trade my life for anything. But we still need to think of a nickname for our little boy. Your joke is getting rather old."
He huffed at her statement. "Listen here..." He stated as he began to tickle her sides.
"Jack, remember the rule." She stated between laughs.
"What rule?" Teased Jack as he quit tickling her.
"You are not supposed to tickle the pregnant woman." She laughed. "Hey, what about Little Jack."
"No. I don't want him to feel inferior to me." He thought for a moment. "Why don't we call him TJ? I like it because it reminds me of my father and me."
"I like it. It reminds me of Officer T and his awesome father. So, TJ it is. So, we have TJ and…"