The Thorntons arrive in Hamilton and it won't be anything like Season 2!
Happy reading Hearties ❤️
Chapter 12
Jack and Elizabeth walked out of the Hamilton train station as Jack hauled all their luggage.
"It's a good thing I pack light." He stated.
'I can help you." Elizabeth suggested.
"No you won't, not in your condition." Jack said reminding her she was pregnant.
"Well surely I can take this?" Elizabeth said as she tried to take a light weighted bag off him.
Jack hesitated at first but then handed it over.
"Jack, you worry too much."
"How can I not worry about the both of you?" Jack asked, and Elizabeth's demeanour softened.
"I know you mean well Jack, and I'm thankful for that. But I'm really not that helpless."
Jack nodded knowingly.
They arrived out near the road and Jack placed the bags down before leaning over and placing a gentle kiss on Elizabeth's cheek.
She smiled at his display of affection before looking around.
"We're not in the frontier anymore Jack, you don't know who will see us out here."
"Will see us do what?" Jack asked although he knew exactly what she was suggesting.
Elizabeth looked around again before grabbing Jack's arm, she then leant in to kiss him quickly on the lips.
"I thought we shouldn't be doing that here?" He asked surprised with a grin on his face.
"We shouldn't, but I couldn't resist."
It was at that moment they saw William Thatcher pull his car up in front of them.
"You see what I mean?" Elizabeth said to Jack as she looked at her Father and smiled.
"Quiet, maybe he didn't see?" Jack said moving away from Elizabeth as he started to pick up their luggage.
"Elizabeth, Jack, it's good to see you." Mr Thatcher said as he stepped out of the car.
"It's good to see you too Daddy." Elizabeth said as she gave her Father a hug.
Mr Thatcher then offered his hand out to Jack and the men shook hands.
"You can put the luggage in the back." He informed Jack.
Jack headed for the back of the vehicle and started loading their luggage.
Mr Thatcher opened a car door for Elizabeth and she made her way towards the vehicle.
"Maybe you should wait to get home before you kiss that husband of yours next time Elizabeth." Mr Thatcher suggested. He noticed his daughter stall at the side of the car as she heard his words.
Elizabeth then quickly got into the car to avoid further confrontation.
Jack overheard from the back of vehicle and grinned. He then got in the back of the car and sat down next to Elizabeth. He gave her a knowing look and she glared at him, but all he could do was grin. Mr Thatcher then took the driver's seat and they headed off to the Thatcher Mansion.
The Thatcher Residence
"If you'd like to get settled first you know where your room is Elizabeth." Mr Thatcher said as they entered the front door of the mansion.
Elizabeth nodded and looked at Jack who was again hauling all the luggage in through the front door.
"I can take that." A butler said coming up to Jack.
"Oh… right." Jack said awkwardly as he handed over some of the bags.
"To Miss Thatcher's room?" The butler asked both Elizabeth and Jack.
"It's Mrs Thornton now Bates." Elizabeth reminded him.
"My sincerest apologies Mrs Thornton, Mr Thornton." Mr Bates replied.
"It's fine. I understand it would take some getting used to." She informed him.
"Mr Bates has known me since I was a child." Elizabeth said informing Jack.
Bates nodded and they all headed up the stairs.
Jack swung his bag over his shoulder and walked next to Elizabeth as they made their way up the stairs. He placed his hand on the small of her back. He knew she didn't have the greatest track record when it came to falls, so he wasn't taking any chances as they ascended the stairs.
Elizabeth gave him a knowing smile as they continued to make their way up the stairs and then followed Bates down the hallway towards Elizabeth's room.
"If you need anything further just let me know." Mr Bates said after placing the bags down in the bedroom.
"Thank you, Bates." Elizabeth said as her and Jack entered the bedroom and Bates left and shut the door behind him.
"This is a bedroom?" Jack asked in awe as he looked around.
"Yes…" Elizabeth stated cautiously.
"It's as big as the row house!" Jack exclaimed.
"I guess so." Elizabeth said feeling somewhat uncomfortable hearing his words.
Jack noticed her reaction and he put down his bag and went over to her.
"I'm sorry, I thought I had an idea of what it would be like here, but I wasn't quite expecting this."
"Don't be sorry. I know this is still all new to you and very… different." Elizabeth said trying to use her words wisely as she was unsure of what to say.
"It is, but this is where you grew up, where you matured and became a young lady. I know you love your life in Hope Valley and I love you for it, but I also know that Hamilton is still a part of you, and it always will be. I don't want you to relinquish this part of your life, Hamilton has had its place in making you who you are Elizabeth, and I want to see you enjoy your life here whenever we visit." Jack took her hands in his before continuing.
"However foreign or awkward it is for me here I still desire to be a part of this world because I know it's a part of you." Jack said while giving her hands a squeeze.
He noticed the tears run down her cheeks and he gently brushed them away with his thumb before he wrapped his arms around her and looked into her eyes.
"I didn't just fall in love with "Miss Thatcher the teacher in Hope Valley", I love all of you Elizabeth, so please don't let my unfamiliarity of this place be of any concern to you, I'm just happy that you can share this part of your world with me."
"Jack, you always know the right thing to say. Even when I think I should be the one trying to console you."
"I'm fine. As I said, you don't need to worry about me, I'm happy to be here."
Elizabeth gave him a small smile between her tears and he pulled her closer and she rested her head on his shoulder.
They then heard a knock at the door.
"Can you get that? I need to freshen up in the bathroom." She said wiping the tears from her face.
"You have a bathroom in here?" Jack asked surprised.
Elizabeth nodded.
"I'll show you later." Elizabeth said, and Jack nodded before heading towards the bedroom door.
Elizabeth headed off into the bathroom as Jack opened the bedroom door.
"Jack!" Julie exclaimed excitedly as she wrapped her arms around her brother in law and gave him a quick hug.
"Is Elizabeth here?" She asked.
"She'll be a minute." Jack said stepping aside and ushering Julie into the room.
Elizabeth then came out of the bathroom and rushed up to Julie.
"It's so good to see you." Elizabeth exclaimed as she pulled her sister in for a hug.
"You too. Oh, are you alright?" Julie asked noticing Elizabeth's eyes looking a little red. "I hope my brother in law here is treating you well?"
"He's been the perfect husband Julie." Elizabeth said as she wrapped an arm around Jack and gave him a small smile.
"Well aren't you two adorable." Julie said as she looked at Jack and Elizabeth together and she sighed. "So how long do I have the both of you here?" She asked.
"We're here for the week." Jack pointed out.
"That's wonderful! We'll have plenty of time to catch up. You can't imagine how pleased I am to have you both here. Things can be a little quiet around here, although I am glad Viola is still here. I can't imagine what it would be like if she'd married Lionel. I'd be the only spinster left here."
"Oh Julie, you and Viola are hardly spinsters. Although I am glad to hear you and Tom are being cautious and keeping Father happy."
"Yes, a little too cautious for my liking."
"Why does that not surprise me?" Elizabeth said as Julie brushed her comment off with a wave of the hand.
"Father has invited Tom over for dinner later in the week. He obviously knew you'd want to see him Jack."
"That will be great." Jack said liking the idea of being able to catch up with his brother.
"I hope you behave yourself Julie." Elizabeth said with a warning tone.
"I will, I promise. Anyway, I need to get ready for dinner, so I should go. I'll see you two downstairs soon?"
"Yes, you will." Elizabeth said.
Both Jack and Elizabeth followed Julie to the bedroom door as she went to exit.
"I'm so excited your both here!" Julie exclaimed turning around once more before pulling the both of them into a hug.
"We're glad to see you too Julie." Elizabeth replied.
Julie then pulled out of the hug and hurried off into the hall and made her way into her own bedroom.
"She will certainly make our week interesting." Elizabeth said smiling as she shut the bedroom door.
"She will. I thought you might have informed her of the pregnancy."
"I would have liked to, but I doubt Julie would be able to contain herself. She's certainly not good at keeping secrets and I'd rather my parents found out from us."
Jack nodded and took Elizabeth's hand.
"She will find out soon enough, we're still going to tell them at dinner tonight, aren't we?" Jack asked, and Elizabeth nodded.
He noticed the worried look on her face and pulled her into his arms.
"Why the worry?" Jack asked with concern.
"I know they'll be happy with the announcement, I'm just not sure."
"Not sure?"
"I'm just on edge since the last time we had dinner here things didn't go down so well." Elizabeth informed him.
"We're married now, it will be different this time." Jack said trying to console her but the worried expression on her face didn't dissipate.
Jack leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her lips before pulling back and looking into her eyes.
"Are you trying to convince me not to worry?" Elizabeth asked slyly.
"A little." Jack admitted.
"Well maybe I wouldn't be so worried if you convinced me a little more."
"Now? We're about to go have dinner." Jack reminded her.
"We still have time."
"Your sister is right next door!" He warned her.
"The walls here aren't as thin as the row houses." Elizabeth informed him while placing her hands on his upper arms and pulling him closer.
Elizabeth leant in towards Jack and lingered as she waited for him to make the next move. She was so close to his lips that she could feel his warmth and was anticipating a reaction from him. Without hesitation Jack pressed his lips on hers and she closed her eyes. She wrapped her arms around his neck and got lost in his kisses. Her hands then gently made their way to his shoulders and went inside his coat. She pushed the coat off his shoulder and down his arms before it fell to the floor. She wrapped her arms around him again as she felt his hands on her back as he pulled at the strings on her corset. She then felt him tightened his hold on her and he carried her over to the bed.
They lay across the bed and she momentarily pulled back and Jack noticed.
"Is something wrong?" Jack asked, and she nodded her head saying no.
She rested a hand on his cheek and looked at him intently.
"I just wanted to tell you how much I love having you here." She said with a smile.
"I like being here, and I love you." He said.
Without another word Elizabeth pulled him closer and got lost in his kisses once more.
An hour later…
"Jack, we're late for dinner." Elizabeth stated worriedly as she straightened out her evening dress she'd just put on and tried to fix her hair.
She looked over at Jack who was standing across the bedroom, now dressed in a suit. "Jack…" She started, and her worries were forgotten again. "You look so handsome." She said giving him a smile.
Jack walked over and stood by her side.
"You look beautiful sweetheart." He said placing a kiss on her cheek and she smiled.
"My hair is a mess though." She said as she looked over to the mirror as she tried to fix it.
"I like it that way."
"May be, but I don't want anyone else to see it like this or they'll know what we've been up to."
Jack gave her a grin and a quick kiss on the cheek.
"I need to borrow some hair pins from Julie. Will you wait for me? I'll be quick."
"I'm not going anywhere." Jack said, and he watched Elizabeth hurry off out of the bedroom.
Elizabeth headed out into the hallway where she bumped into Julie.
"Oh, Elizabeth." Julie said. "Is something wrong? Father sent me up here to see if you and Jack were coming down for dinner."
"I'm fine Julie, I just wondered if you have any hair pins I could borrow."
"Of course." Julie said as she headed to her room and Elizabeth followed.
Julie sat down in front of the mirror at her dressing table and went through her items looking for hair pins. She looked up at Elizabeth's reflection in the mirror before turning around and looking back at Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth, you have rosy cheeks!" Julie exclaimed, and Elizabeth covered her cheeks with her hands and glared warningly at Julie.
"I know what that means." Julie stated boldly.
"Julie! You read too many of those romance novels."
"Well if I didn't read them I wouldn't know these things, like what rosy cheeks mean."
"Julie Thatcher!" She exclaimed, and she stormed off, out of Julie's room.
Elizabeth entered her own bedroom and the door banged as she closed it behind her.
"What's wrong?" Jack said looking up as he heard Elizabeth enter the room.
"My sister, she's infuriating."
"I've heard sisters can be like that." He said as he made his way over to Elizabeth.
"She mentioned my rosy cheeks!" Elizabeth said, and Jack took her hands in his as he tried to console her.'
HE noticed her demeanour settle the moment he touched her.
"I love your rosy cheeks." Jack said as he ran his hand over her cheek. "Ohh" He said realising what she was implying.
"Yes." Elizabeth said as she noticed Jack had caught on.
"Don't worry about her. You know Julie, she's likely jealous she's not married herself." Jack said trying to console her once more.
"Probably, but I still don't want her to know what we were doing in here!"
"She probably knows, even without seeing your rosy cheeks."
"Jack!" She said swatting his arm and he laughed.
"You are certainly nothing like your sister." He said noticing her cheeks go redder. "And I'm glad you're not."
He leant in and gave her a kiss.
"So, are you ready to go downstairs?" Jack asked.
"I'll have to be. I'm not going back to get the hair pins now."
"Your hair looks fine." Jack reassured her, and he took her hand and they went to leave.
"Julie? What are you doing here?" Elizabeth exclaimed as she found her sister standing out in the hall way.
Julie smiled at Jack knowingly and he averted his eyes, embarrassed at the thought of Julie knowing what he and Elizabeth had been up to.
"I'm waiting for the both of you. Our parents will wonder what's going on if I don't return with the both of you." Julie exclaimed her arms folded. She clearly wasn't happy that Elizabeth had stormed off without resolving the matter at hand.
"Fine." Elizabeth exclaimed.
"Elizabeth, surely you can't still be cross with me?"
"I'm not, I just wish you didn't have to…" Elizabeth started.
"…be so bold in pointing out the obvious?" Julie said finishing her sisters sentence.
"Something like that." Elizabeth replied.
The three of them made their way down the hallway together.
"I don't know why you're so embarrassed Elizabeth. It appears your husband is the perfect gentleman."
"He is but that's not what we're discussing. Now quiet or Mother and Father will hear us."
Julie noticed Jack's hold on Elizabeth as they descended the stairs and she smiled before taking off to the dining room ahead of them.
"Sisters." Elizabeth said shaking her head.
"I think I'll stay out of it where I can." Jack said giving her a smile.
They reached the bottom of the stairs and he let go of her before offering his arm for Elizabeth to take and they headed into the dining room.
Jack and Elizabeth made their way into the dining room where they saw Grace and William Thatcher already seated along with Viola and Julie.
They headed over towards Grace and greeted her before finding their seats at the table. Jack pulled out a seat next to Julie for Elizabeth, and waited for her to be seated before he sat down next to Elizabeth himself.
"It's nice you could both finally make it down here." Voila pointed out brazenly.
Elizabeth sighed and thought how this was all she needed – two of her sisters upset with her.
"So how was your trip? You both must be tired." Grace said looking over at Jack and her daughter.
"But not too tired." Julie whispered suggestively, and Elizabeth gave her a nudge.
"The trip was fine Mother. We're glad we are finally here though." Elizabeth said smiling.
The waiters then started to serve out the meal as Jack watched on while everyone else was engrossed in the conversation.
"And Jack how have you been? You must be pleased to have returned home from the North."
Jack looked up as he heard his Mother in law address him.
"I'm fine, and yes I'm pleased to be home, for more than one reason." Jack said looking from Mrs Thatcher to Elizabeth and he took her hand under the table and gave it a squeeze.
"Yes, I'm so sorry I was unable to attend the wedding."
"Elizabeth and I understand why it couldn't be helped. It's important to take care of your health." Jack replied, and she nodded.
"I understand there was a confrontation with Charles in Hope Valley last week." Mr Thatcher said changing the subject while directing his question to Jack.
"I'm assuming you are referring to the business deal you had with Lee Coulter?"
"That would be correct. Why, was there something else Charles was involved in while in town?" Mr Thornton queried as he found Jack's answer slightly suspect.
Jack looked at Elizabeth and she sighed and looked over at her Father.
"Charles had intentions of pursuing me while in Hope Valley, or I should say, he tried to."
"Oh, Elizabeth." Mrs Thatcher said looking sympathetically at her daughter.
"That doesn't sound like Charles. Was there some sort of altercation?" Mr Thatcher said as he wanted to believe his daughter but was surprised to hear Charles would behave inappropriately.
"Mr Thatcher, Charles was quite aggressive towards your daughter. I think it would be wise for you to believe her." Jack said in Elizabeth's defence.
Mr Thatcher nodded and was pleased to see Jack being so bold as to stand up to him and support Elizabeth.
"I apologize Elizabeth, and I'm sorry to hear Charles treated you that way, I will have to speak with him." Mr Thatcher said as he looked from Jack to Elizabeth.
"I wish you wouldn't Daddy, Jack and I have dealt with it."
"Alright, I am glad to hear you've had your husbands support." Mr Thatcher said as he nodded at Jack. "You will be glad to know that I have fired Charles over the business dealings. I did contact Mr Coulter myself and heard his side of the story in regard to the business deal. We have ended up coming up with an arrangement, so you will be pleased to know we will still be continuing to increase business in Hope Valley."
"That's wonderful news." Elizabeth exclaimed, and she gave her Father a smile before looking over at Jack. "And on that note Jack and I have some more wonderful news for you."
Jack smiled and nodded in agreement as he let Elizabeth make the announcement.
"Jack and I…" She started as she looked around at all of her family. "Are going to have a baby."
"Oh Elizabeth, that's wonderful news." Grace said as she clasped her hands together and gave her daughter a smile.
"I'm surprised it happened so soon." Viola said interrupting.
"Viola!" Grace said trying to correct Viola over her inappropriate statement.
"Well I'm not surprised." Julie said, and Elizabeth glared at her.
"We've only just found out so it's still early days." Elizabeth interjected feeling she had to defend herself against Viola.
"Well it's wonderful news. Your Mother and I are so pleased. I know your Mother has especially been looking forward to having grandchildren."
Grace nodded as she looked over at Jack and Elizabeth.
"So, shall we enter the drawing room?" Mr Thatcher suggested and they all stood up from the table and exited the dining room.
Mr Thatcher waited until Jack passed by on his way to the drawing room.
Elizabeth made her way into the drawing room with her Mother and sisters as Mr Thatcher and Jack lagged behind.
"Congratulations son." Mr Thatcher said as he shook hands with Jack and placed a hand on his back.
Jack nodded.
"I can see you're pleased about the news." Mr Thatcher tried to query him further as they made their way towards the drawing room.
"Very pleased."
"That's wonderful. I see you take good care of my daughter."
"I try my best to."
"Good." Mr Thatcher replied.
"You wouldn't reconsider my business proposition? You know I'd like you to join the business."
"I'm sorry Sir but as your daughter also knows I will have to decline. I am grateful for the offer but being a Mountie is my calling. It's as much my calling as it is to protect your daughter and be her husband."
Mr Thatcher nodded at Jack's answer.
"If you ever reconsider, the offer always stands."
"And I'm thankful for that." Jack said.
The two men then made their way into the drawing room to join the ladies.
Jack took a seat next to Elizabeth and she moved closer and reached for his hand.
Jack noticed both Viola and Julie watching them, but he chose not to dwell on the thought.
"So, do you have any plans while you're here?" Viola asked starting the conversation.
"Well we need to go shopping as Jack's taking me to the Mountie Ball next month."
"Oh, a Ball, how romantic." Julie stated. "And Jack's taking you shopping?"
"Yes, but I'm sure there will be plenty of time for us to go shopping together." Elizabeth pointed out knowing that Julie would be dying to go shopping with her.
"Wonderful. You'll look beautiful, I can't wait to see your dress." Julie replied.
"She will look beautiful whatever she wears." Jack acknowledged as he looked at Elizabeth with adoring eyes.
Elizabeth observed her Mother and Julie smiling but it went unnoticed by Jack.
"Where is this Mountie Ball?" Mr Thatcher inquired.
"In Buxton." Jack informed him.
"It sounds like you're doing quite a bit of travelling. Is that wise in Elizabeth's condition." Mr Thatcher asked directing his question to Jack.
"Father I'll be fine." Elizabeth said in defence.
"If Elizabeth isn't up for it then we will make that decision at the time. I certainly wouldn't be taking her anywhere if it were to put her or our child in danger." Jack informed Mr Thatcher who nodded at him in agreement.
Jack half expected Elizabeth to interrupt but she kept silent and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. He looked over at her and she appeared satisfied upon hearing his answer.
"Oh dear, are you tired?" Grace asked Elizabeth as she noticed her daughter leaning up against Jack's side. She was not used to seeing public displays of affection and misread Elizabeth's closeness to Jack.
"I'm fine Mother." Elizabeth said.
"Well I think I need to retire myself, I need my sleep these days." Mrs Thatcher said, and she got up from her seat.
"I think I will also." Mr Thatcher said standing. "Well see you all in the morning."
Mr and Mrs Thatcher left the drawing room and left Jack and Elizabeth with her two sisters.
"You both must be pleased. Father and Mother have certainly accepted your marriage." Viola pointed out.
Elizabeth looked at her warily as she knew that Viola wasn't quite as accepting as her parents now were.
"Yes, we are pleased." Jack informed her.
"So Viola do you have any new suitors?" Julie enquired.
"Julie, this really isn't the place." Viola replied.
"Why not? Jack's part of the family now." Julie quipped.
"I would rather not discuss it." Viola replied crossing her arms in front of her.
Elizabeth leaned her head on Jack's shoulder and he wrapped an arm around her as she watched her sisters quibble. She was glad not to be involved in this one.
Julie sighed and sat back in the chair before she looked over at Elizabeth. She gave Elizabeth a smile as she noticed the way her and Jack were so affectionate towards each other. Public displays of affectionate were rarely seen in Hamilton but she still appreciated their open display towards each other.
"I think I will retire myself." Viola said standing up.
"Oh Viola, you're such a spoil sport." Julie pointed out.
"I'm tired. I will see you all in the morning." She said, and she headed off out of the drawing room.
"She's been quiet this evening." Elizabeth said once Viola was out of earshot.
"She's just jealous." Julie pointed out.
"Jealous?"
"You know she broke her engagement with Lionel, I think she realised that she didn't love him the way you love Jack."
"Surely not, she's never been interested in our relationship. She didn't even come to our wedding." Elizabeth replied.
Julie shrugged. "Viola rarely lets anyone in on what she's thinking, but every so often she opens up a little."
"So, she's said something?" Elizabeth enquired.
"Not in so many words but I'm quite certain of her jealousy. She is the oldest sister remember, and she was so looking forward to being married."
"Maybe you're right."
"Look at you two, you're both so darling. Who wouldn't want what you have together?" Julie said as she noticed the way Jack had his arm wrapped around Elizabeth and he played with her hair.
"We do have something special." Elizabeth said with a smile before looking at Jack and he smiled in return.
"I think I should head upstairs and leave you two ladies to your girl talk." Jack said as he removed his arm from around Elizabeth.
"It's been a long day, I'll come up with you." Elizabeth said taking his hand. "We have plenty of time to catch up tomorrow alright Julie. This pregnancy has been making me really tired lately and I need to rest."
The three of them stood and they made their way upstairs.
"Good night." Elizabeth said to Julie as she reached her bedroom door with Jack.
"Good night."
Half an hour later in Elizabeth's bedroom
"Jack, are you still awake?" Elizabeth asked as she lay wide awake in the bed.
"Just." Jack said as he reached his arm out for Elizabeth and pulled her closer. "You can't sleep?"
"No." She said as she snuggled up to his side and rested her head in the crook of his neck.
"Are you worrying again?" He asked.
"A little."
"You want to talk about it?" Jack asked as he ran his hand up and down her upper arm.
"I think I need to talk to Julie."
"To Julie?" He asked surprised.
"It's not going to be easy to straighten things out with Viola but I think I need to work things out with Julie. I stormed out on her earlier today and I know she's not very happy about it."
"She seemed fine in the drawing room earlier."
"It appeared so but I know Julie, it will still be playing on her mind."
"Like someone else I know." Jack said knowingly, and he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
"You go back to sleep, I'm going to go talk to her." Elizabeth said sitting up in the bed.
"Now?"
"I know Julie, she'll still be up."
"Alright." Jack said, and Elizabeth placed a kiss on lips.
"I won't be long." She said as she got up out of the bed and pulled on her dressing gown.
She made her way out into the hallway before quietly knocking on Julie's door.
"You've come to watch me sleep?" Julie asked with a smile.
"Not quite, but I think we need to talk, then we'll both sleep better."
Julie opened the door wider to let Elizabeth in and they both made their way across the room and sat on the bed together.
"I'm glad you're here." Julie said.
"This reminds me of when we were girls." Elizabeth said as she reminisced over past similar experiences she'd had with Julie in this room.
"It's not so different. Except that you're married now."
"I guess, but a lot of other things have changed as well." Elizabeth said reminding her.
"I haven't changed though."
"No, you certainly haven't." Elizabeth said smiling. "You're still the little sister I always remember."
"And you're my older sister, always growing and moving forward."
"Does that worry you Julie?"
"No, I know you're the level headed one. You've found a home in Hope Valley, you're a successful teacher, you have a wonderful husband and now you're about to have a baby. I'm so happy for you, and so proud."
"Thank you Julie, and you'll realize where you're meant to be in time."
"Maybe." Julie answered solemnly.
"Maybe with another Thornton we both know?" Elizabeth questioned her.
"Tom is certainly interested. I think Father scares him."
"Father has been quite unrelenting with Jack in the past. If Tom truly loves you he won't go far."
"But maybe Tom isn't quite the romantic as Jack is."
"Julie, while Jack can be very romantic you have to remember that it's not always about romance. It's so much more than that. If you got your head out of those romance books you'd realize that."
"I guess since you're the married one now you're the one with all the experience."
"It's not even about experience Julie. Jack and I didn't need to read some romance novel to know how to love each other. All those things you read in your books, you don't need to know. When you meet the right person, whether it's Tom or someone else, your love will grow and you will experience these things together."
"Like Jack working out why you get rosy cheeks?" Julie asked and Elizabeth rolled her eyes at her.
"Somewhat… and I'm glad he didn't learn that from a book."
"I think I understand." Julie said. "I'm sorry I like to embarrass you, I thought by now you'd be used to me."
"I am Julie, and this isn't just about me being embarrassed by your honesty, I only want what's best for you. If you put those books away and just enjoy the time you have with Tom you may learn to appreciate him more."
Julie quietly nodded.
"I don't know what I'd do without you big sister." Julie said giving Elizabeth a smile before leaning over and giving her a hug.
"I don't know what I'd do without you little sister." Elizabeth replied.
"And I'll promise to try tone down my honesty, especially around Jack."
"Don't worry about Jack, he's amused by it. It's everyone else that worries me."
"Oh." Julie exclaimed surprised.
"Jack's not as serious and as easily embarrassed as I can be."
"That doesn't surprise me. You are quite the lady, even though you're the one that lives out in the wild wild west."
"Julie Thatcher you take that back." Elizabeth said laughing as she swatted her sister on the arm.
"I only meant it in the best possible way. Everyone knows you're the level headed one, the one that behaves like a lady."
"Julie, you can be quite the lady when you choose to be."
"But you don't even choose to be, you just are, and that's why Jack loves you."
"It's one of the reasons Jack loves me, but I'm not suggesting you be me Julie."
"I know, but you have it all together, I'm still working it out." Julie said with a sigh.
"You will in time." Elizabeth assured her.
Julie nodded.
"I'm glad we talked."
"I'm glad we did too."
"Won't Jack be wondering where you are?"
"He knows where I am. He would have been out like a light ages ago."
"Why, did you wear him out earlier today?"
"Julie!"
"What? No one is here, I only promised to tone it down while others were around."
"I am not going there with you." Elizabeth said warning her sister.
"Why not, I need to live vicariously through somebody? Do you know how boring it is in this house when you're not here?"
"I'm sorry but my relationship with Jack is between me and him."
"Well you certainly seem pretty open about your public displays of affection in the drawing room earlier."
Elizabeth grinned and shook her head at Julie.
"I am going now." Elizabeth said standing up.
"You go back to your warm bed with your husband and I'll just lay here and try fall asleep."
"You're so dramatic sometimes." Elizabeth said laughing.
"But Elizabeth…"
"Good night Julie." She said as she exited the door and smiled back at Julie before closing the door behind her.
Elizabeth went into her bedroom and quietly shut the door behind her before carefully climbing into bed. She slipped under the blankets and carefully found her way over to Jack's side. He instinctively turned and reached out for her and she smiled. She snuggled up to his side and closed her eyes and was soon asleep.