Chapter 66
"Your fingers tingled?" Asked a confused Charlette.
"Yes." Elizabeth stated still shaking her hand. "I have always wanted a love that made my toes tingle. With Jack, my whole body tingles when he touches me. Still does."
"Well…are you going to look at the test?" Asked an anxious Julie.
"I don't have too." Elizabeth spoke slowly. "I already know." She stated as she rubbed her fingers trying to get the tingling to stop. While speaking, she turned around and snaked her way through the crowd. Everyone turned their bodies with her and watched her walk through the bedroom and onto the patio. Elizabeth sat in the same chair as before and just stared out over the back yard lake toward the mountain. After a few seconds, they noticed Elizabeth reached up and wiped away a few tears.
The crowd of ladies just stood silently watching Elizabeth. They didn't move and they were pretty sure they didn't breathe.
Finally, Julie spoke up. "What does she mean her fingers tingled?"
Abagail smiled. "She always wanted a love that made her toes tingle." Grace shook her head in agreement. "With Jack, her toes tingled the moment they touched for the first time." Abagail's smile grew at the realization of the reason for the tingling.
"Ok…but why didn't she look at the test to see the result?" Asked a confused Julie. Viola was nodding her head in agreement with her youngest sister.
"I think the tingling gave her the answer." Grace stated.
Abagail, Grace, and Charlette walked slowly to the patio without ever looking at the three pregnancy tests on the counter.
After a few moments, Beth smiled and began to follow the other ladies to the patio, only a few feet behind them. Viola, Alice, and Julie were left in the bathroom. They glanced at each other still trying to process the events. Alice was lost on the scene out on the patio. Grace and Charlette sat on either side of Elizabeth and Abagail stood behind her. All three ladies wrapped Elizabeth in a big, warm hug. All four were crying now. Julie and Vi looked at each other one last time before slowly turning around to the counter. Julie slowly reached down and picked up the middle test…
…
Bill, Jack, and Jane sat in Bill's office for an hour discussing the programs Jack was wanting to implement at the school and the reasons behind them.
"My hope is to change the trajectory of the kid's lives by helping them with a stronger foundation set in family. I believe in the long run, this will help us out in law enforcement by making the family unit stronger. It gives the kids hope and a future."
Jane nodded for Jack to continue.
"For example, for the girls who don't have a mother figure at home or a good mother figure, there will be women in this program that will come along side them in a mother figure role to help them, to walk with them through their struggles, or to just be there. The same with the boys. There will be men that will do the same thing. Basically, stepping in and doing the things mothers and father should be doing. Teaching them to become men and women."
"That's a great idea. I hate to ask this but this is an important question to ask…How will you protect the kids from predators that may try to take advantage of the program?"
"Each person must pass a national background check each year. All programs will be done at the school under the supervision of the SRO officer. Nothing can be done outside of the school building without his approval."
"You are going to use the SRO officer?" Asked Jane.
"Yes, he will be the person in charge of everything. We will work with him and assist in anyway, but he will be the man in charge."
"Why? Why won't you be in charge?"
"He is with those children every single day. SRO John Henry is a good man and a good SRO. He knows them. He knows the kids that need help. He will know if the kids are acting differently or acting a little off. He is the front lines and knows a lot more than I do. I will work with him closely and give him every resource he needs to make this work, but ultimately, he is in control."
"Don't you think that should be you?"
Jack smiled. "Why would I take over from someone who knows a lot more than I do and is involved with those kids' lives on a daily basis?"
"Well…"
"Jane, please don't take offense with this, but this isn't a government program where someone from the state's office makes all the calls while never stepping in the school building. John is a very good SRO officer, and he loves and protects those children. He knows their stories. He knows the ones that need these programs. I am not taking that decision making away from someone who has that intimate knowledge to give it to someone who just doesn't know the whole picture."
"Jack, you won't receive the credit."
"I have no desire to receive credit. This is for the children. It's not for me. If the kids' lives are improved by this, then my life will be easier in a few years with a stronger family base in my town."
Jane shook her head. It all made sense, but from her perspective, Jack was forfeiting the credit he deserves if this works.
"John is on board with everything. Many of these programs were at his encouragement. We will also be offering literacy classes for the parents. Basically, we need to be involved in their lives other than emergencies or following crimes. This will not end crime by any means, but it should make a difference in our community. Instead of turning to drugs they may realize there is more than that."
Jack continued to explain his reasoning and thought process. He explained the possibility of the teachers who may volunteer with both programs and some interest from the community in helping with many of the programs. Jane was impressed, but not certain about Jack not being over the programs.
"Jack, would you reconsider being in charge?"
"Absolutely not. I will not, in any circumstance, be in charge. I will volunteer, but John is in charge. He understands this and he knows I will be checking in and helping when he needs me too, but ultimately, he will be making the call. If he wants my opinion or assistance, I will be there to do that. We plan on meeting once a week to check in with each other, but the final decisions will be coming from him. I will be in the know and will probably help in many of the decision making, but not in charge."
Jack was firm in this. He thought he could be of very good help, but John knew a lot more about the children than he did. John was with them every single day and knew their stories. Jack just couldn't do that and perform the other duties of his new job. He was relying on John and knew John would keep him up to date on any information he needed to know about.
"Jane…I trust John completely. He is a good man. If he proves he can't do the job, then we will replace him in this. However, that will never happen."
"Very well." She softly stated. She knew she wasn't going to win that battle.
They discussed several other issues and the areas where the state has materials that would be beneficial. The meeting lasted longer than expected, but it was a good meeting overall.
"Jack, it was great to meet you and talk to you. We will be keeping a close eye on the programs. I hope it works out well."
"Thank you Jane. I appreciate your willingness to help."
"Jack…" She hesitated. "I need to ask, or my husband and coworkers will be upset."
Jack nodded to encourage her to ask.
"How did you come up with that tablecloth trick to arrest the Toliver gang?"
Jack laughed. "How did you know about that little stunt?"
"Are you kidding me? That is the question I was told I needed an answer to before I left today."
…
Julie picked up the test and opened her eyes to see the result. "Two lines" she softly stated.
"Wait…what does two lines mean? Is it positive or does one line mean positive?"
"I don't know." Stated Vi.
"Well, look for the box!" Exclaimed Alice. "Let's go ladies, we need the box!"
After looking around the counter for a box, Vi noticed the boxed in the trash can. She picked up one and turned it around to read the back instructions.
"Julie" She stated softly, "did you say two blue lines?"
"Yeah. All three of the tests have two blue lines."
"I'm going to be an aunt!" She yelled.
"Yes!" Shouted Julie.
"Oh my…" Stated Alice.
After dropping the tests on the counter, all three ladies turned to look out to the patio. Grace, Charlette, Beth, and Abagail were still hugging Elizabeth. All five ladies were still crying, but they were tears of joy. Viola, Julie, and Alice walked out and joined the group hug with their own tears.
After an undetermined amount of time, Elizabeth finally spoke. "I need to call Jack!"
"Dear, do you really want to tell him this over the phone?"
"Oh…not really, but how can I keep this from him?"
"You're not keeping it from him, but you want to tell him face to face. This isn't something you want to say over a text." Abagail stated.
"True." Elizabeth thought for a moment. "We need to go!" She exclaimed with a sense of urgency. Elizabeth broke free from her group of women and rushed into the bedroom.
"Ladies, we have twenty minutes to leave." Grace stated.
"Fifteen!" Called out Elizabeth as she picked up her suitcase.
Everyone laughed at her urgency.
"Alright ladies…you heard her." Charlette stated.
"My stuff is already packed. I'll clean the kitchen." Alice stated.
"I'll tidy up the living room." Beth stated.
"I'll grab your bag on my way down." Abagail stated.
With that, everyone disbursed to their rooms to pack while Alice and Beth went downstairs to tackle the kitchen and living room.
…
When Jane left, Jack looked at Bill. "What is your honest opinion about what I am wanting to do?"
"Jack, I think it's a great thing to do. You may not see an immediate result, but I think it is going to pay off in the long run. It's a great thing you are doing."
"Thanks Bill. I needed to hear that following her questioning."
"You have to look at it from her point of view. In her view, you would want the recognition that comes from the success."
"Yeah, I guess. I just am not looking for that. I just want to make a difference."
Bill smiled at his friend. "I knew you would do a great job as chief of police."
"Yeah, now I just need to learn your job. I never knew how much you did."
"You're doing great Jack. Other than a couple of days, you are learning quickly and doing well.
"I don't feel like it. I feel like I am drowning."
"You're not. You found your footing and are growing leaps and bounds. Jack…" he began knowing his friend will freak out a little. "I think you should take over by the end of the month."
"The end of the month?" Jack stated with shock. "This month?"
"Yes."
"Bill, I don't think so. I'm not ready."
"You will be, I have no question. Honestly, you're ready now."
"But Bill, that's just under three weeks away."
"Yeah."
"Bill…I don't…"
"Enough Jack. You are ready. These three weeks will finalize everything. You are ready and you will do great."
Shaking his head. Jack was very nervous.
"Jack, you will do well. I will still be in town for the first month or so if you need me."
"Wait, you're moving. You said you will be around." Asked a frantic Jack.
"Hold on Jack. I will be around, but you can ride the bike Jack, you don't need training wheels. I am going on a two week vacation. I am not moving."
While this helped calm his nerves a little, Jack was still nervous with Bill's leaving. Even if it is just for a couple of weeks.
…
Elizabeth's phoned buzzed when she placed her suitcase on the floor.
J – I miss you and hope to see you soon
Elizabeth quickly grabbed her phone and stated texting as fast as her fingers could.
"Jack, you're going to be a father!"
Before she sent the message, she caught herself. Calm down Elizabeth. You don't want to tell him over text. This is too important. After controlling her emotions with several deep breaths, she erased that text and then texted back.
E – I miss you. We will be leaving soon
J – Good. It's been forever since I saw you
E – I completely understand
J – I have an interesting meeting with Jane Atwater from the state concerning the programs at school. I would like to sit with you and nail down some things. I need your opinion.
E – We will do that tomorrow.
J – perfect. Dinner out tonight?
E – Maybe. Let's see what time we get back.
She had no idea how she was going to tell him. She wanted to make it special.
J – Be careful and come back to me soon
E – I love you
J – I love you
She threw her phone down on the bed.
"Are you ok?" Asked her mother.
"Mother! You scared me."
"I'm sorry dear. Are you ok?"
"I'm fine. That was Jack. He texted me. I almost blurted out the news in a text."
"You did?"
"Yes, before I even knew what I was doing I was typing it out. I stopped myself just before sending it."
"That's good."
"Maybe we can work out a plan on the way home?"
"I think the ladies will like that." She reached for Elizabeth's hand and sat on the edge of her bed. "How are you with the news?"
Elizabeth took a moment to think about it. This was the first time she actually gave it thought. She was so surprised with the news she didn't have the time or the capabilities to think.
"I am still processing, I think. It hasn't fully sunk in yet. I am excited. I just didn't think it would be this soon." She laughed at the absurdity of that statement. Everything with her and Jack was on warp speed.
"Really?" Sassed her mother. "Everything you two do is quick. Are you happy?"
"I am…are you ok with this?"
"Elizabeth, I am getting a grandchild, what do you think?"
She laughed. "What do you want to be called? Grandma? Grandmother? Nana?"
Grace laughed. "Well, I have my preference, but I think I will allow the baby to decide that. I can't believe my little girl is going to have a baby." She shook her head with a growing smile.
"I know. I don't think I have my mind wrapped around it completely yet."
Both ladies sat on the edge of the bed in silence. They were trying to calm their minds and allow the news to sink in. A knock came on the door.
"I'm sorry to interrupt." Charlette began.
"Come in mom. You are not interrupting."
Charlette walked to the bed and sat on the other side of Elizabeth. She took the hand Grace wasn't holding.
"Are you ok, dear?"
Elizabeth smiled. She was truly surrounded by a mother and a mom who loves her completely. "I'm ok, mom. Still processing I think."
"Yeah. Me too."
"Well…what do you want to be called?"
Charlette looked at Elizabeth confused.
"Grandma? Grandmother? Nana?"
"Oh, well, why don't we let the little one decide that."
"Did you two plan that out?" She looked between her mother and her mom."
"I said the same thing." Laughed Grace.
"Elizabeth, you are going to be a great mother!"
"Thanks mother."
"My grandchild will be blessed because you are his/her mother. You will be great at this!"
A fresh round of tears began to flow. "Thank you, mom!"
"Well, we are all ready. Everyone except for us is in the living room with their suitcases by the front door."
"I know this sounds silly, but can we just sit here for a few moments."
Both Grace and Charlette nodded their head. They squeezed Elizabeth's hand but neither said anything. This wasn't a time to talk…it was a time to just be present.
…
Adam finished his project and was cleaning up. When his phone buzzed, he looked and saw a text from Charlette. She sent him a message letting him know they would be leaving soon and asked if he wanted to meet for dinner later. He smiled. I think I am starting to grow on you. He chuckled to himself.
A – Perfect. Just let me know when
C – I will. I love you, Adam
A – I love you, Charlie
…
The first thirty minutes in the Tahoe was quiet. Everyone was thinking about the morning events. The excitement was a little overwhelming.
"Well," Alice began. "I believe this weekend will be one to remember for all ages."
With a moment of silence, the van erupted in laughter. This began a very loud conversation on how Elizabeth was going to tell Jack. Every scenario was put forth to discuss. Everyone had an opinion, and the group was taking parts of each person's opinion and was forming a plan. They were set to get home around one, so they decided not to stop for lunch. They would get snacks when they stopped for gas.
The plan was finally formed. They would go to dinner at Abagail's Café. They would sit in the same booth that Abagail forced them to sit when she pushed them to sit and talk for the first time. They had spent almost five hours that evening just talking and getting to know each other. They didn't even know when Abagail or Mary took their plates and brought refills. Elizabeth thought that would be a perfect place since it was there that their story truly began to form into a relationship.
Elizabeth was fine with the plan. She was excited about being a mother. She was still processing the news, but the more she thought about it, the more she was getting excited. After snacks, the discussion lowered to a normal roar. Everyone was excited. Elizabeth laid her head back on the headrest and was looking out the window listening to the conversation beside her.
For the first time, her mind went to the dream she has been having. Without realizing it, she rested her hand on her flat belly. In the dream she had twins, a boy and a girl. She wondered if the dream was going to come true. Other than Jack, she hasn't told anyone else about the full dream. She determined if she was having a son, she was going to name him after his father and the nickname of TJ was perfect. She just hand to run it past Jack and get him to agree to it. Part of the dream has come true already. The house they are moving into is the house in the dream. She is now pregnant, but she doesn't know if she is having twins or not. Another aspect of the dream was bothering her, and she couldn't understand it. What was her daughter's name?
Grace glanced back and noticed that her middle daughter was lost in thought. Grace reached back and touched Elizabeth's knee. This made Elizabeth jump a little. "Dear, are you ok?"
'Oh mother, I'm fine. Just thinking…" Her voice faded to silence.
"If you are having any issues, please let us know. You have a large support group to help." She waved her hand to include all the ladies in the vehicle.
"I know and I am forever grateful I have every one of you." Tears began. "I'm glad you were all there with me this morning when I took the tests."
After hesitating for a few moments, Vi spoke up. "Lizbe, how did you know you were pregnant without ever looking at the tests?"
I have always wanted a love that made my toes tingle. The first time Jack and I touched; my toes tingled. The first time we kissed, my whole body tingled. It still does when we…" Her voice went quieter, "make love."
All the ladies smiled at her admission.
"When I picked up the first test this morning, I closed my eyes trying to calm my mind, and my fingers tingled. Stronger than ever before. It was then that I knew. I didn't need to see the test result to know. Only Jack can make my fingers tingle like that. It had to be positive."
"Wow! That's amazing." Vi stated.
"Your father makes me tingle but nothing like that."
"Mother!" Elizabeth, Vi, and Julie stated together.
"Girls, you are not teenagers. We are all women here. Please, let's act like it."
Grace's three daughters put their hands over their ears and started to make sounds to drown out their mother's voice. Everyone else in the vehicle laughed at the sister's antics. Grace rolled her eyes at her daughters while shaking her head.
…
Frank and Henry walked into the house after spending a couple of hours practicing Henry catching ground balls and throwing. Henry was pretty good, but he wanted to get much better. His baseball games were starting soon, and he wanted to practice. Frank loved baseball, so this was perfect for him. It was a great way for the two of them to bond.
"Ok, son. Go grab a shower, Abagail will be home in a little while. Then we will decide what we will do for dinner."
Henry smiled at Frank. He was settled in quite well after the adoption. He did have one question but wasn't sure how to ask it. Frank could see that he had something that weight on his mind but didn't want to push it too much.
"Henry, if you want to ask me something or if you have anything that is weighing on your mind, you can always speak to me."
"Thanks Frank. I appreciate it." He turned to walk down the hallway to take his shower. Halfway down the hallway, he stopped and walked back into the kitchen. "Frank, I do have something that I have been wanting to ask for a while now."
Frank pulled out the two stools that was at the counter. "Have a seat." He smiled at Henry. "What's on your mind?" Frank could tell Henry was nervous, so he didn't want to push him too much.
Several moments of silence filled the kitchen before Henry said anything. "Well…you told me the day the adoption was finalized, that I was your boy now."
"That's right."
"Is that true?"
"Yes Henry. It is very true, and nothing has changed that fact."
"So, I'm your boy?" He asked with his head down but looking up with his eyes.
"Yes, you are my boy." Frank stated by placing his hand on his shoulder.
"Ok…well…would it…would it be…" Henry was stumbling over his words.
"Henry, you are my son in every aspect of the word. Nothing or no one can take you away from me or Abagail. What is it that is on your mind?"
"Can I…" he hesitated again and then finally decided to just ask the question. "Can I call you dad and Abagail mom?" Henry did not look at Frank.
Frank sat stunned. Tears immediately filled his eyes and feel from his eye lids. He tried to speak, but his emotions were in overdrive. No one has ever called him dad. He reached for his boy and picked him up from the stool. He hugged him as if his life depended on it.
"Henry, I would love for you to call me dad."
"You would?" Asked a surprised Henry.
"Henry, that would be an answered prayer for me!"
Henry smiled through his tears and hugged Frank tighter. "What about Abagail?"
"She would love it. But I would suggest you have a ton of tissues with you when you say it to her. You know how she is." He laughed between the tears.
"Yeah, she does cry a lot over everything."
"Yeah, women do that often."
"Emily doesn't do that."
"So, how are things between you two?"
Henry sat back down on the stool while Frank asked if he wanted some water.
"Sure dad, I would like some."
Frank paused at the name he was just called. Then he reached for another bottle of water.
"It's good. She told me this morning that we are boyfriend and girlfriend. I'm not exactly sure what that means, but she smiles when she says it, so it must be good."
"It's always good when a girl smiles."
They sat at the counter for a few minutes discussing Emily. Frank made sure that Henry knew what was expected of him in how to treat Emily. Henry smiled and listened to everything Frank said.
"So, this was our first father son talk?" Asked Henry.
"I guess so. Now, go and take your shower. Your mother will love to see you and not smell you."
Henry laughed as he jumped up and started walking to his bathroom to shower. "Hey dad, can Emily and I do something tomorrow?"
"We'll, see…let's talk to your mom first."
Henry walked into the bathroom smiling. For the first time in a very long time, he felt complete. He had a mom and dad and a comfortable home where he felt completely loved and wanted. In his opinion, his life couldn't be any better.
Frank was still shedding tears in the kitchen. He has always wanted to be a dad, but life just never worked that way. Now, he was a father to a great kid. In his opinion, life was complete. Abagail is going to cry like a little baby. I will need a lot more tissues. He laughed while wiping away a few tears.
…
Elizabeth was staring out the window as they drove. The ladies were talking around her, but she was focused staring out the window. There wasn't one particular thing she was thinking about, her mind was running from one thing to another. In her time sitting in the seat, her excitement was growing with each thought. The car wasn't moving fast enough. She knew she was just over thirty minutes from home. The scenery was becoming familiar. She closed her eyes hoping that would speed up the car.
She felt a hand on her knee. "Lizzy are you ok?"
She opened her eyes and smiled at her mom. "I'm fine, mom. Just wishing we were back home."
"We will be there in about thirty minutes."
"Yeah…a very long thirty minutes."
Charlette laughed. "Your impatience is shining through."
"Yeah…maybe a little bit." She offered a smile.
"Elizabeth," Charlette's use of her name instead of her nickname caught her attention. She looked into her mom's eyes. "You are going to be a great mother. Jack is so lucky to have you be the mother of his child. And I am blessed that you will be mother of my grandchild. I couldn't think of anyone better."
Elizabeth smiled while a tear flowed down her cheek.
"Mom. I hope to be half a mother like you. You were so strong and loving toward your kids. When you could have easily folded under insurmountable circumstances, you thrived and was the best mom possible. I have the two best examples to follow."
Grace reached back and touched her knee from the driver's seat. Both older ladies had tears in their eyes. "Dear, you are going to be the best mother I have ever known." Grace said while she wiped aways tears so she could see the road. "Now, we need to change the subject or I am going have to pull over because I can't see the road."
"No! You can't stop!" Exclaimed Elizabeth. "We're too close to home."
Everyone laughed at her enthusiasm to be home with Jack. Julie began talking through the plan once again. They will be home around one thirty. They had planned an early dinner because they didn't think Elizabeth would be able to keep her secret too long. Jack was still at his office. So, that will buy her some time.
…
Before they realized it, they pulled into Elizabeth's driveway. She was the first stop so she could get settled and ready for the evening.
When Grace brought the Tahoe to a stop, Jack walked out of the apartment's front door. "Oh no…" Gasped Grace.
When Elizabeth saw him, her eyes lit up. She tried to get out of her seat after opening her door, but she forgot to unbuckle the seat belt. She was in such a hurry. She couldn't operate the buckle. Charlette laughed as she reached over and pushed the button that released the seat belt.
Elizabeth huffed with frustration because she wasted about four seconds where she could have been in Jack's arms.
Jack stepped off the front steps with a huge smile on his face at the sight of his bride. "Oh…Elizabeth…you are gorgeous." He mentioned under his breath.
When Elizabeth's feet hit the ground, she immediately started to run toward Jack. Grace hasn't seen her run that fast ever.
After the second step, Elizabeth began screaming at the top of her voice. "Jack! Jack! We're having a baby!"
"So much for the plan!" Exclaimed Julie to everyone's laughter.
Author's Note:
Karen Pearson – You were correct!
Enjoy your day today!