Chapter 82

Emma scrunched her nose as Jack told her about Elizabeth's snack. "That doesn't sound too good."

"Oh, Emma. It was great. Just what I was craving. I just don't understand the pickle thing. I don't like pickles."

"I've heard pregnant women crave strange things." Stated Emma.

"Great. I can only imagine what I will be running to the store for at two in the morning." Groaned a smiling Jack.

"Thank you, Jack." Elizabeth stated as she reached for his hand and intertwined her fingers with his. He gave her hand a soft squeeze.

"I'll go after whatever you want."

Elizabeth leaned into his shoulder and gave him a slight push. Jack knew she was thankful for his willingness to do anything for her.

Jack and Steve sat and watched their two wives talk like they have been friends for years. No one could tell this was their first meeting.

"Jack, did you know about this?"

"Absolutely not. Elizabeth is quick about making friends, but there is something here we both don't know about."

"I think you're right."

"I know she calls me a lot during the day with information…" He trailed off.

"I bet she is also talking with Elizabeth. I know she wants Elizabeth to be comfortable with her."

"Well, I know Elizabeth likes her already."

…

Julie and Tom sat on their couch with the windows open so they could feel the evening breeze. Both were happier with their life then they could ever remember being and they knew it was because of the person sitting beside them.

With a satisfied sigh, Julie leaned her head on Tom's shoulder.

"What's up, hon?"

"Nothing. I'm happy, truly happy."

"Me too." After a moment of silence. "Anything you want to change?"

"Could we move everything up one year?" She smiled at the thought.

Tom smiled. He knew she was thinking back to their discussion concerning having a baby. With that time frame, she would only have one semester of college left. He thought they should wait until she had a job but couldn't resist her excitement. Honestly, he was just as excited. This shocked him a little. Before Julie, he would have never thought of having a baby. Now, he thinks of it all the time.

"I know, me too."

"Are you sure, Tom?"

"Julie, I want a baby with you too. I can't wait. I think it's still smart to wait the year, but make no mistake about it, I want a baby that is just like you."

"I know…but Tom, if the baby is just like me we will have our hands full." She laughed knowing all the battles she had as a teenager with her parents. Nothing bad but she was a handful. "Maybe the baby will have a little of me and a little of you."

"Oh, boy. We are in for a world of trouble." Tom laughed. He leaned his head down and kissed the top of Julie's red hair. "I can't wait for that adventure."

She looked up at her husband falling in love with him all over again. "Tom…"

He cut her off with a passionate kiss that made her go weak. He laid her down on the couch and continued the kiss.

"Are we practicing?" She flirted.

"No. I just want to be with me wife. This is about us, not about making a baby."

She smiled as he gently placed his lips onto hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. She didn't want gentle. With his words, she wanted passion.

"Let's go to the bedroom." He stated as he started to get up.

"Thomas Thorton! You are not going anywhere!"

…

"Do you have plans for lunch tomorrow?" Viola asked as she sat the plates of food down on the coffee table that were just delivered.

"Yeah. I have to work with the crew on the expansion of the library. They are a little behind and I wanted to help them out to get them caught up."

"You work with the crews?"

"I do when they need me."

"Huh…I didn't know that."

"I started as a laborer. I would build the forms to pour the concrete. I hated it, but I had a good guy I worked with that taught me a lot about the jobs we did. He was patient in teaching me."

"That's great. It's good to pass that knowledge down."

"Yeah, he was really great. He took me under his wing and taught me a lot. It wasn't long the company made me a carpenter. It was all due to him. He encouraged me along the way. When I started my own company, it was because of him. He pushed me to do it. He was my first hire."

"That's great, James."

"I work with the crews some to make sure they know me, and I know them. Plus, I don't have time to go to the gym. So, working with the crews helps me to stay in shape."

"Well, I do like the shape you are in." She flirted.

"Beautiful, you need eat." He chuckled. "Another word and the food will get cold." He gave her a flirty look.

The facial expression she gave him made his heart stop. She had a very mischievous smile adorn her facial features. "Another…word…" She said it in a tone that dared him to follow through with his threat.

He placed their plates on the table and turned to Viola. She gasped at the look on his face. "It's on!" He exclaimed and he quickly lunged for her grabbing her sides and lightly tickling her ribs. As he did this, his lips found her neck and he began nibbling her neck while she was laughing.

…

Jack woke up the next morning to the sounds of his beautiful wife sleeping. Her hair was resting on his neck and her back was against his chest. He could easily hear her snoring and his hand rested on the baby bump. He sighed at the experience of waking up with his Elizabeth in his arms. He turned his head and noticed he needed to get up to head to work, but he was enjoying this moment with his wife.

Jack slowly made his way out of bed and headed to the bathroom to wash his face and brush his teeth. He also dressed in the bathroom to avoid waking up Elizabeth. He slipped out of the bedroom and headed to the kitchen.

In the middle of making pancakes, he heard his wife moving around in the bedroom. He turned on the water kettle to heat the water for her morning tea. Her morning sickness has been improving some. She still enjoyed a morning tea. He also took the chocolate chips out of the cupboard to add to her pancake mix. He was hoping she didn't want pickles added instead.

As he was adding the chocolate chips to the mix, Elizabeth walked out of the bedroom with her light blue robe tied around her. He stopped what he was doing to watch her walk into the kitchen. "Good morning, beautiful. Did you rest well?"

"Good morning, handsome. I did. You?"

"Good."

"What are you doing this morning?"

"Making breakfast. Then heading to work. I need to wrap up some things and see what comes my way today."

"Sounds promising."

She sat at the kitchen table and began to notice Jack work on the pancakes. Jack was wearing a nice pair of jeans today with a button up shirt. The collar was open since he wasn't wearing a tie. The sleeves were rolled up to just below his elbow. She loved it when he wore this type of outfit. The sleeves rolled up showed off his arm muscles. The color of his shirt showed off his eyes and his jeans covered him perfectly. "He knows how to wear a pair of pants." She mentioned just below a whisper.

She was keeping control until he turned his back to get something out of the cabinet. "Oh…" She stated as she saw his backside. Those pants hugged him perfectly. She admired him for a moment until he turned around and gave her his patent dimpled smile that was just for her. That did it. She stood and walked toward him. When she was standing beside him, she took the bowl of pancake mix from his hands and placed it on the counter. She reached up and placed her hand on the back of his neck and pulled him down and turned him just enough for her to claim his lips. The kiss was deep and passionate. She knew exactly how to turn on her husband.

While Jack was surprised, he instantly reached for her to pull her close. He wasn't sure how long the kiss lasted, but it wasn't long enough. When she pulled away, he immediately followed her so the kiss wasn't broken. He pulled her closer to him and moaned when her body formed against his.

"Jack." She began when he began kissing her neck. "You're going to be late for work."

"Elizabeth Marie Thorton, you cannot come over here and kiss me like that and expect me to go to work." He stated in between the nibbles on her neck. She smiled knowing she did exactly what she wanted to do.

"But the pancakes…

"Seriously." He stated as he leaned back from her.

"Turn off the stove!" She exclaimed.

"Oh." He turned her and backed her up against the stove so he could turn the stove off.

"Jack…" She began until he interrupted her.

"Elizabeth Marie Thorton, if your next statement isn't 'Jack…take me to bed.' I do not want to hear you say another word."

He smiled when he saw her victorious look on her face. He knew at that moment that she had accomplished everything that she wanted to.

"Jack…" She began and then paused. "Take…Me…"

Jack stopped her when captured her lips with his. He gently picked her up and hurriedly carried her to bed.

As they approached the bed room door, she stopped the assault on his neck and leaned back slightly. "Jack. I would like to try something new."

Jack stopped in the hallway just before the door. He knew his heart stopped at her words. "Elizabeth…" He started until she found the spot he loved on his neck.

…

Bill walked into the station to the sound of two women talking. That was unusual. Usually, he is the first one in the office. Sometimes his assistant beats him, but not usually. He notices one of the voices is his assistant, Amy. However, he does not know the second voice. As he rounds the corner, he sees Amy talking with an attractive young lady.

"Good morning, Chief. How are you?"

"I'm well. And you?"

"I'm great. Chief Avery, this is Emma Walkins. This is Detective Thorton's assistant when he becomes Chief."

"Good morning, Mrs. Walkins."

"Please Chief, call me Emma."

"Very well." Bill noticed she had a very disarming smile. "I thought you wasn't supposed to start work until Thursday. This is only Monday." He questioned.

"Yes, Detective Thorton told me to come in on Thursday as my first day, but I thought I would get an early start on learning the things I need to know."

He gave her a smile. She was just like his assistant. "I think Jack did a perfect job in hiring his assistant." Both ladies gave him a confused look. "You will be running this office just like Amy by the end of the day." He laughed at the shocked look on their faces. "Amy knows everything. If you have any questions, she is the first person to go to for answers."

Emma laughed at the embarrassed look from Amy.

"I may be the Chief, but Amy in is complete charge of everything. I don't make a move without her approval. I get the feeling that Jack will be that way with you." Bill shook his head with a small laugh.

"Chief, I am not that way." Huffed Amy.

"Emma, I have worked with Amy for thirty years, I begin every morning with the same question…"

"And what is that?" Asked Emma.

"What do you have for me today?"

Amy busted out laughing along with Emma.

"Whenever I call Jack, he asks the same question." Stated Emma in a thought.

"So, what do you have for me today?" Asked a smirking Bill.

"Alright funny man, you have two phone calls you need to return from yesterday and you have an nine o'clock appointment at City Hall. You may want to take Jack with you on that one. Lee Coulter will be in today at one to begin his paperwork to begin work later this week. That is all Emma. Plus…"

As Amy continued to speak, he gave Emma a smirk. "See, she is completely in control."

Amy stopped speaking and smacked Bill on the arm. "I'm not that bad."

"No, you are the greatest assistant in the world. I wouldn't be able to do anything without her. She is priceless. Everything this job has done over the last three decades is because you, Amy. Thank you for everything."

Amy's face blushed.

"Now, what else is there?"

Emma smiled at the two people standing in front of her. They may have a boss employee relationship, but there was mutual respect between the two, and genuine friendship. She hoped her and Jack would have that type of relationship. She believed they would, but Jack would be a little upset that she was already working when she was supposed to be working on her house for a few days. She couldn't help it. She was excited about the job and was eager to begin work.

…

After the morning together, which was incredible he thought. Jack was quickly rushing to get dressed again. He was running late and texted Bill in letting him know he will be in soon. After coming out of the bedroom, he noticed Elizabeth standing in front of mirror that was hanging from the closet door. She was in her undergarments looking into the mirror and holding her baby bump. He noticed she was turning slowly from side to side like she was examining herself. After a couple of turns, she sighed.

"What's wrong beautiful?" Jack asked.

"I am looking more like a water buffalo each day. These Peanuts are growing, and I am getting bigger each day." She sighed again.

Jack walked up behind his bride and wrapped his arms around her. "Sweetheart, you are a beautiful woman and you become more beautiful each day you carry my babies."

"Jack, look at me. My belly is growing. My everything is growing. Will you ever think I'm beautiful again or ever want me?"

"Elizabeth, where you just here just a few minutes ago? I wanted you. I love you. In my eyes, you are perfect."

"Jack, look." She pointed to the mirror. I'm getting fat."

He shook his head. She wasn't one who obsessed over her looks, but the changes in her body were wreaking havoc with her self confidence. Her ever changing hormones was also contributing to the problem. Jack only wished he could convince her of her true beauty.

He released his hold on his wife and walked toward the closet door and opened it. She watched him to see what he was up too. She couldn't see what he was doing, but she could hear him moving a few things around.

After a couple of minutes, he came out holding a tall, thin box. He walked past her and placed it on the bed. He turned toward Elizabeth with a sad look on his face. He walked up toward her and placed his hands on her shoulders and began to slowly rub her upper arms.

"Elizabeth, I hope you don't honestly feel that way. I love you. I love Ig and Iggy. You are a great mother. You are the only one who is completely protecting our babies right now. You are protecting them and growing them all at the same time. Yes, your body is changing, but it is because you are a mother, the best mother. I love you and your changing body. You see a water buffalo. I see my precious wife protecting my babies. I see a radiant woman whose smile is only growing with the knowledge of what she is carrying. I see a beautiful mother who is doing what only a mother can do." He sighed. "I wish I could express myself better. Since I cannot say it the right way, I have something for you in the box. I drew it. It is how I see you. I hope it shares my true feelings with you and will allow you to see what I see."

He rubbed his hand across the back of his neck. She knew he did that when he was nervous.

"I must head to work. I am already late. Please open the box and know it is truly how I feel about you." With that statement, he gently kissed her on the tip of her nose and gave her a dimpled smile. He leaned in and whispered in her ear, "I love you, Mere Chaude"

She stood in front of the mirror speechless and watch him walk out the bedroom. When she heard the front door close, she picked up her phone and texted "831" to him. She was so touched with his words that she forgot to tell him she loved him. Then her attention turned to the large box on the bed. She walked over to it and opened the end and began to pull out the contents of the box. She gasped at what she was looking at when the box fell to the floor.

…

Jack walked into the station and noticed Emma standing beside Amy's desk. He walked up to her and began to just looked at her.

"Don't look at me like that, Chief."

"I'm not the Chief. But Boss Lady, it's not Thursday. Why are you here? You shouldn't be here."

"Chief, I wanted to get an early start on my job. I spoke with Amy, and she was ok with me starting today to follow her around."

"Boss Lady! You are supposed to take a few days to get your house unpacked and…"

"Chief," She cut him off. "I did some unpacking and Steven is doing some too."

"I'm not the Chief. You're not supposed to be here."

"Jack. I am here to learn the ins and outs of my job."

Jack stares at Emma for a few minutes and begins to shake his head. "I'm not going to win this, am I?"

"Not on your life, Jack."

"Emma, thank you for all your hard work. I appreciate everything you do."

"You're welcome, Jack. I want to do a good job for you, Elizabeth, and the people of Hope Valley."

Jack reaches out and takes her hand and gives it a gentle squeeze before releasing it. "You are the best decision I have ever made concerning this job."

Emma gives Jack a smile as she points him to Bill's office.

"Emma." Amy began. "You handled that well. There will be times when you will have to man handle him and there are times you will have to gently encourage him. You will quickly learn what he needs. Your number one priority in being his assistant is him. There will be times you will have to step in and times you will have to let him go."

Emma was shaking her head in agreement. "I know Jack from our previously working together. He wasn't always in the office, but we got along well when he was."

"That will help you."

"We have already talked a little about what he expects from me as his assistant."

"That's great, Emma. Follow his lead and you will do a great job."

"Thank you for everything."

…

Bill is sitting in Jack's office when Jack walks in.

"Bill, what are you doing here?"

"I wasn't allowed in my office." Bill wasn't going to tell Jack that Elizabeth and Emma have begun making his office into Jack's office. There were two men already in the office getting things off the wall and removing all the furniture. Painters were supposed to come in later today.

"Why not?"

"There is some work getting done in there for a few days."

"Oh, ok. What's up?"

"I have a meeting at City Hall beginning at nine. I would like for you to join in the meeting."

"Sure, Boss. What is it about?"

"Basically, it is just a catch up meeting. I meet with the mayor on occasions to get him up to speed on a few things. It's nothing major, just updates. I like for you to sit in. It's been a good thing for me to continue a good working relationship with the major. I believe it would be good for you to continue this little practice."

Jack shook his head in agreement. "How often do you do this?"

"Not too often. Maybe once or twice a month. It usually lasts about forty five minutes. If there is anything major going on, I have them more often. But typically, it's once a month."

"That sounds like a good plan."

"Jack, there is something else." He paused. "I'm officially retiring in two weeks. You are ready. We will work together to the next two weeks, but you will be in charge. I will be around to close some things out and be here as a sounding board."

Bill was able to see Jack's hesitation. "Jack, you are ready for this. You are doing a great job. I would have retired this week, but I wanted to stay a little longer to see if we will make any lead way on the Miranda thing."

"I understand, but I wished you would stay a little longer."

"Jack, you are completely ready for this. I have all the faith in you."

"Thanks Boss. That means a lot coming from you."

"Jack, one more thing…"

…

Elizabeth stood staring at the framed pencil drawing she was holding. She placed the bottom edge of the frame on the bed and held the sides of the frame to look at it. The frame stood three and a half feet tall and about two feet wide. For the longest time, she looked at the whole picture amazed at what she was looking at. Then, she began looking at sections of the drawing. The graphite in the pencil produced dark, solid lines that gave special effects and dimension to the drawing. There was also shadowing that gave it further effect. The drawing was black and white.

The drawing was of her only. She was in the middle of the drawing. She stood tall and her hair and dress was flowing as if there was a little bit of a breeze blowing them. Her sun dress was flowing freely and was a one piece dress that reached to her ankles. The dress was sleeveless and had patterns of daises on it.

Elizabeth's baby belly was prominent in the drawing. Her belly seemed as if it was the focus point of the drawing. Both of her hands were placed on the sides of her belly. Her hands were in a position of love and protector. Her baby bump was much bigger than what it is now. She guessed she would have been about seven or eight months pregnant in the drawing.

Her head was barely bent forward looking at her belly. She could easily see the love on her face as she smiled at her bump. Her smile was big and bright. Her eyes were open, and they were focused on her babies.

As she admired her belly, she noticed something she didn't see when she first glanced at the dress. She looked closer and noticed something on the daisy that was in the center of her belly. On the left pedal of the daisy, was the name Ig written in small letters. On the right pedal was the name Iggy written. On the top pedal was her name and the bottom pedal was Jack's name. They were small and you couldn't easily see it. She knew it took a lot of time just on that one daisy.

With that little find, she looked over the drawing again to see if she could find any other hidden details. She noticed her bare feet and then in the bottom hem of her dress was their anniversary date written in the hem. She followed the hem of her dress all the way up and noticed Hope Valley on the left shoulder strap. As she continued following the hem line, she noticed Hawaii written in the right shoulder strap. She smiled at all the memories of their honeymoon.

"Oh, Jack." She finally stated. The time and energy he poured into the drawing must have been intense. It was the most beautiful drawing she has seen. However, the beauty wasn't the most important aspect of the drawing that she noticed. The longer she looked at the drawing, the more she realized that the person sketching the image held it close to their heart. Jack just didn't draw an image; he cherished the person in the image. She could easily see his unlimited love for her. It was like she was the most treasured person in the world, and he captured it on one drawing.

The longer she looked at the image, the more she fell in love with it. She was amazed at the drawing. "This is how he sees me." She mentioned in a whisper. That's when the tears began to flow. "I've got to see him." She stated.

Elizabeth gently laid the frame down on the bed and quickly changed into a pair of shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt. She placed her hair in a bun and grabbed her keys on the way out of the apartment.

…

"I think you need to take the issue with Miranda seriously."

"I am. I believe her when she says she will not come after Elizabeth or myself, but I am taking precautions."

"What type of precautions?"

"Our first night in the apartment after our honeymoon, Elizabeth noticed my firearm and gun safe. We talked about me having it and the importance of keeping in on the top shelf of our closet and in the gun safe. I asked if she wanted me to teach her how to use it correctly. She stated that she was ok with me teaching her gun safety. I plan on taking her to the gun range to teach her the proper way to handle and fire a firearm."

"That's smart, Jack."

"She's never shot a gun, but she is willing to learn."

"She's a smart lady. She will pick it up quickly."

"Also, she suggested a quick code to text each other in case of something that may go wrong."

"A quick code?"

"Yes. If she or I feel that something is wrong, we will text the word 'now' to each other. That's our signal something is wrong. She has downloaded the Life 360 app to both of our phones. That app will show me exactly where she is and vice versa."

"Wow! That's brilliant."

"I thought so too. I'm convinced she should be a detective."

"You may be right."

…

"Adam, what do you think about getting married at the fountain in the park?"

Adam thought about it for a moment. "That's brilliant. By the bench?"

"Absolutely. You know we have spent some time on that bench kissing." She smirked.

A smile grew on his face. "Yeah…those were good evenings."

"Frank already said he would marry us."

"Perfect. Now, I just need to finish the honeymoon plans."

"Any ideas on those plans?" She asked intrigued.

"Yes, I do."

Charlette waited for an answer.

"You will find out Friday." He sassed when he noticed she was waiting for a reply.

…

Elizabeth walked into the station and saw Emma standing by the front reception desk.

"Good morning, Emma. What are you doing here?"

"Good grief, not you too." She laughed.

"What do you mean? Aren't you supposed to start on Thursday?"

"I am, but I wanted to get an early start."

Elizabeth smiled at her new friend. Their friendship was cemented during their visit with each other yesterday. She knew Emma was the best decision Jack will ever make at work.

"Is Jack in?"

"Yes ma'am he is. He's meeting with Bill at the moment and will be heading to City Hall in about ten minutes."

"Do you think I could see him before he leaves?"

"Absolutely just follow me."

"I don't want to be a bother."

"Elizabeth, no one or anything comes before you. There may be a rare occasion he can't tear away to see you, but those are very limited. He laid down the law to me when I was in Oklahoma City that you do not wait. Only you have a complete open door policy."

She gave her friend a smile. "Thank you."

"Also, the men began working on Bill's old office. They are currently moving everything out and the painters will be here after lunch to begin painting. That should take them the rest of the day and maybe a little bit in the morning. By late tomorrow afternoon, we should begin moving in his new desk and furniture."

"Perfect. When can we hang pictures?"

"The contractor said the next day. But you still can't go in until Thursday. I have your drawing of the office and I'm following it."

"Thank you. I'll get Steve from Draw-N-Things to bring the sketch by Thursday morning."

"That will be great."

"Emma, thank you for doing all of this for me."

"Elizabeth, you are welcome. You and Jack are a team. I work for you both."

"No Emma. You are my friend and Jack's co-worker. I don't think he sees you as an employee."

"Thank you, Elizabeth." She stated as she reached from Elizabeth's arm. She wrapped her arm around her arm, and they walked like this until they reached Jack's office.

"Chief, Elizabeth is here to see you." Emma stated as she knocked and then opened his office door.

"Boss Lady, I am not the Chief."

When she stepped away from the door, Elizabeth walked into the office and straight to Jack. She didn't say anything. She wrapped her arms around Jack and held onto him with all the strength she had.

Bill and Emma immediately sensed that this was an intimate moment between the couple. They quietly stepped out of Jack's office without saying anything. Bill closed the door as he left.

After several minutes of holding onto Jack, she moved her head so she could whisper in his ear. She refused to let go of him.

"Thank you."