Hi Hearties,

Another chapter already! I think this is my favourite chapter so far. Once you get to the second half of the chapter you'll see why. ❤️

Happy reading.

At the Thatcher residence, in Elizabeth's bedroom.

"Jack, wake up!" Elizabeth exclaims as she sits up in bed.

"What's wrong?" Jack asks as he bolts upright in the bed.

"We fell asleep, we're late for dinner!"

"Oh." Jack asks as he relaxes after his initial alarm.

Jack and Elizabeth hurried out of the bed and pulled on their clothes.

"Now I have given your Father reason to be displeased with me." Jack said feeling somewhat worried.

Elizabeth shook her head. "Tom's here, he has too much else to worry about."

"I'm not so sure about that." Jack said as he pulled on his coat. "You ready to go?"

"As soon as I've done my hair." Elizabeth said as she rushed over to the dressing table and tidied her hair.

Jack waited by the bedroom door for Elizabeth to finish.

"What's this?" He asked as he picked up a small piece of paper that was sticking out from under the door.

Elizabeth hurried over to Jack and they read the paper together "I'm waiting…."

"I'm going to strangle Julie!" Elizabeth exclaimed, clearly knowing the note was from her.

"No, you won't." Jack said trying to stifle a laugh.

"I won't, but…"

"But what?" He asked.

"I don't know yet." Elizabeth said with a sigh.

"Come on let's go, we don't want to be any later than we already are."

Jack and Elizabeth headed downstairs and went into the dining room where Mr and Mrs Thatcher, Viola, Julie and Tom were already seated.

"You're both late… again." Mr Thatcher pointed out.

"Sorry Daddy." Elizabeth said as she averted her eyes from him. She was hoping the conversation wouldn't continue.

Mr Thatcher didn't say anything more and he nodded at both Jack and Elizabeth and they quickly took their seats at the table.

Jack noticed Elizabeth's nervousness and he took her hand under the table and gave it a squeeze. She looked over at him and gave him a small smile as she felt a little more relaxed.

Just as they were all seated they heard the doorbell ring.

"I didn't think we were expecting anyone else." William stated.

"We're not." Grace said.

"I'll go see who it is." William said getting up and heading out of the dining room.

"Elizabeth, what took you so long to come down for dinner?" Julie asked. Now her Father had left the room she was feeling bolder.

"Julie!" Elizabeth exclaimed, and her cheeks slightly reddened.

"Leave your sister alone please Julie. We hardly get to see her these days, and I do not wish to see the two of you bickering at the dinner table." Grace said. "I don't know what's keeping your Father."

"I'll go see." Julie interrupted, wanting to leave the room so her Mother could no longer correct her.

"No you won't, Elizabeth can go." Grace suggested.

"What?" Julie asks with surprise and some annoyance.

"She's the level headed one. She can go."

"Mother!" Julie exclaimed.

Elizabeth looked at Jack and then got up from the table.

She headed out to the foyer where she found her Father and Charles standing at the front door.

She noticed her Father and Charles were in some sort of confrontation and she rushed over to her Father's side.

"What are you doing here?" Elizabeth directed at Charles.

"I was invited." Charles pointed out.

"Well you're certainly not welcome." Elizabeth informed him. "Daddy did you invite him here?" She asked him a little surprised that he would do such a thing, especially since he knew about how Charles had tried to pursue her again only a week ago in Hope Valley.

"No I certainly didn't Beth." William informed his daughter. "What are you doing here? Please return to the dining room, this is between Charles and I."

"In actual fact, I believe it's between Charles and myself." Elizabeth pointed out.

"Elizabeth is right." Charles said agreeing.

"I don't care who this is between. This is my house and you are no longer welcome in my home Charles. Not only did you almost ruin the reputation of my business in Hope Valley, but you made inappropriate advances towards my married daughter."

"William, I can explain…"

"No, you certainly can't, there is no excuse for your actions." Elizabeth said interrupting.

"Charles I'd like you to leave."

"I was invited." Charles pointed out.

"By who?" William asked.

"By me." Viola said, and William and Elizabeth turned around as Viola made her way towards them.

"Viola, what were you thinking?" William said getting angry at his eldest daughter now.

"Charles is an old friend, why shouldn't I invite him?" Viola asked innocently.

"You certainly know why he isn't welcome here." William pointed out. "Now Charles, if you don't leave now I will have to take further action."

"Further action?" Charles questioned.

"If Charles leaves then I will also." Viola said as she stood by Charles side.

"Beth, go get your husband." William suggested.

"Daddy…" Elizabeth said as she started to question her Father.

"Just go." William demanded.

Elizabeth hurried back to the dining room.

"Jack, I think you should come. Charles is here."

Jack jumped out of his seat at the table and rushed over to Elizabeth.

She informed him of what had been happening as everyone else at the dinner table listened in.

"Maybe you should wait here." Jack said as he gently placed his hand on the back of her shoulder.

"Jack…" Elizabeth warned.

That was all Elizabeth needed to say and Jack wavered, he knew he wouldn't be able to convince her otherwise.

"Alright. Come on."

"I'm coming too." Julie called out as she followed them, and Tom followed after her.

Grace then got up and headed out to the foyer also.

"What's going on here?" Jack asked as he reached the front door.

"What are you doing here?" Charles asked.

"He's my son in law. He's welcome here, unlike you." William informed him. "Now I'd like you to leave."

"He's not leaving, I invited him." Viola pointed out as she took Charles arm and tried to usher him into the house.

Jack stood in front of them to prevent Charles from entering the house.

"I suggest you leave Charles." Jack stated with authority.

"Or what will you do? Mounties aren't exactly needed here."

"It seems to me right now they are. You're not welcome here Charles, you've hurt my wife and you've made this family… my family very disappointed in you." Jack said, his voice still calm but there was an authoritative tone about it. He then felt Elizabeth's presence behind him as she placed her hand gently on his back for moral support.

"Your family? That's a joke, you hardly fit in here." Charles said as he tried to mock Jack.

"Jack is part of our family, and if you don't leave I will give him the authority to have you removed." William pointed out.

Charles stood there, standing his ground.

"Alright, if you're going to be like that." Jack said as he took hold of Charles and ushered him further out the door.

"What do you think you're doing? Take your hands off me!" Charles said as he took a swing at Jack.

"Jack, be careful!" Elizabeth called out as she watched the altercation going on outside the door.

Jack moved out of the way in time before Charles fist made contact with his face. He grabbed Charles arm and pulled it behind his back.

"Come on, you're leaving. It's a good thing you're not in Hope Valley, otherwise I'd be arresting you." Jack told him, his voice stern now.

"Jack, you need a hand?" Tom asked.

"No, you stay, take care of the women." Jack informed him, and Tom nodded.

"Charles!" Viola called out as she started to hurry after him.

Elizabeth ran after her sister and tried to stop her, but Viola pushed her away.

"Are you crazy?" Elizabeth asked.

"You'd like to think that wouldn't you little sister?" Viola started. "I was the one who encouraged Charles to go to Hope Valley and propose to you. You were the crazy one for not accepting his offer!"

"I don't believe you Viola! You must have known I was in love with Jack, even back then."

"I knew you thought you were, but I cared enough about you that I tried to stop you from marrying below your class. I seriously thought you moving out West and being with a Mountie was a phase, I didn't want you making a mistake."

"Viola, do you not realise that class really is of no importance? I love my life on the frontier and I love Jack."

"After this weekend, I do realise you are happy Elizabeth, but I still don't believe you've made the right choice. That is your choice to make however, and now I'm going to make mine." Viola said, and she hurried off and followed after Jack and Charles to the front gates.

"Viola, come back this instance!" William called but Viola ignored him and continued on her way.

Elizabeth stood motionless as she watched Viola and then turned her attention up to Jack who was almost at the gate at the end of the driveway.

Julie noticed Elizabeth's worry and she wrapped her arm around Elizabeth.

"He's been in much more dangerous situations than this, he'll be back soon." Julie said trying to console her sister.

Elizabeth silently nodded in agreement.

"Come inside girls." William said trying to usher his two younger daughters into the house.

"I'm waiting here for Jack." Elizabeth insisted.

"Alright." William said as he knew better than to argue with Elizabeth over the matter.

Julie and Tom headed back inside while William and Grace waited outside the front door with Elizabeth.

"Why would Viola leave with him?" Elizabeth questioned.

"I don't know dear. I never know what's going through that girl's mind." Grace said with worry.

Elizabeth noticed Jack returning and she ran off down the driveway towards him.

Elizabeth rushed into Jack's arms and he pulled her in close.

William and Grace gave each other a knowing look. They knew their daughter was in safe hands, so they headed back into the house.,

"He's gone now." Jack said reassuring Elizabeth

"I know, it's just that every time I think we see the last of him, he shows up again."

Jack looked into his wife's eyes and saw tears welling up. He brushed the tendril of hair away from her face and tucked them behind her ear.

"I understand, but I'm not going to let him harm you or your family."

"Our family." She reminded Jack and he nodded while giving her a small smile.

"I'm not so sure about Viola however."

"I'm not sure that can be helped, although I certainly hope she returns soon." Elizabeth said as Jack took her hand and they headed up the driveway, back towards the house.

Jack placed a kiss on her cheek.

"What was that for?" She asked as she looked over at him.

"Because, I love how you always care about people, even when it may appear they don't deserve it."

"She is my sister." Elizabeth said as she knew he was referring to Viola.

"I know, and I understand. I just wish she wasn't being so foolish."

"So do I. I don't know what's gotten into her. I certainly hope she doesn't think she's in love with Charles now." Elizabeth said as she leaned into Jack's side as they made their way up the stairs.

"I also hope that's not what it's all about."

Jack opened the door and allowed Elizabeth to step inside before he entered himself.

They noticed everyone was still gathered in the foyer.

William smiled as he saw his daughter and Jack enter the house.

"Well I'm certainly glad we have a Mountie in the family today." William said as he gave Jack a pat on the back.

Jack quietly nodded.

"I don't know how I would have protected my girls without you being here."

"We don't need protecting from Charles." Julie interrupted.

William and Jack gave each other a knowing look. Knowing better than to argue with Julie.

"Well if you'll excuse me. I think I'll go have supper." William informed them. "Will you join us?"

"Soon." Elizabeth informed him.

"Don't be too late, it's starting to get dark." William suggested.

"Daddy…"

"Sorry, sometimes I forget you're not such a little girl anymore, and that you have someone else looking out for you now."

Elizabeth smiled at her Father and went over and hugged him before returning back to Jack's side.

William, Grace, Julie and Tom all headed off to the dining room and left Jack and Elizabeth standing in the foyer.

"Are you alright sweetheart?" Jack asked.

"I'm fine honey, I just thought we could take some time to ourselves before we head back into the dining room with everyone."

"Alright." Jack said as he placed his hand gently on Elizabeth's face and gave her a smile.

Elizabeth smiled and took Jack's other hand before leading him through the house and out the backdoor. They wandered through the gardens in the backyard hand in hand.

"I miss being home." Elizabeth said as they slowly strolled down the pathway through the gardens.

"Hamilton?" Jack asked somewhat surprised.

"No, Hope Valley."

"Oh, you had me worried for a moment." Jack admitted.

"I like it here Jack, but I certainly don't miss it like I do Hope Valley. I miss our little row house, and the Church and School house and I miss taking rides out in the row boat. I especially miss our friends and all the children, but most of all I miss our walks. We've only been here five days, but it feels like we've been here months."

"I totally understand sweetheart. I'm ready to go home too."

"It has been nice here though, I've had time to spend with you, and to catch up with Julie and my parents."

Jack nodded as he wrapped his arm around Elizabeth and pulled her closer. They stopped as they reached a small fish pond that was laced with lily pads over the surface of the water.

"Viola, Julie and I used to come out here for tea parties when we were little. We'd gather the water from the pond here to make mud pies." Elizabeth informed him as she looked down at the fish pond and started to reminisce of days gone by.

Jack smiled at how adorable Elizabeth must have been as a child. He stayed silent while hoping she would continue with her story.

"Mother would always dress us in white or pale coloured dresses and Julie would always come back the dirtiest. As you can imagine, Mother was mortified."

Jack and Elizabeth both laughed.

"Viola however was always the complete opposite, she never got a spot on her. How she managed it I don't know."

Elizabeth then gently pulled Jack along by the hand as she headed over towards a tree. They walked under the shade of it's branches before Elizabeth guided him over to a swing hanging from one of the larger branches.

She sat down on the swing and he gently pushed her.

"Once Julie convinced me to try help her build a tree house in this tree."

"Maybe I should get you to help me build our house." Jack said with a wink and she smiled.

"It wasn't a very successful treehouse. I actually got stuck up in the tree and Julie had to go find Father to help me out."

Jack laughed at the thought.

The swing slowed, and Jack took hold of the ropes and stopped it before offering out his hand to Elizabeth. She took his hand in hers and he pulled her up off the swing.

"I'm glad I don't know everything about you yet, we have a life time to find out." Jack said as he enjoyed hearing her stories.

"And we have a life time to make our own memories together." Elizabeth said giving him a smile. "I hope you'll share some stories of yourself, or am I going to have to wait till your Mother visits again?" Elizabeth said grinning.

"I'll share, just don't ask me anything more about my blankie." Jack said smiling, his dimples showing.

"Or about running around outside without a stitch on?" Elizabeth said laughing.

"Exactly." He said with a smile. His voice then lowered, and he became more serious as he continued. "Mum worked long hours, at home and at the school. Tom and I played hard as boys do but it wasn't all fun and games. Sure, we got up to mischief and had fun, we were farm boys, we lived and played off the land. Being the oldest though, I naturally fell into being the responsible one, which also led me in to following in my Father's footsteps and becoming a Mountie. When I first came to Hope Valley I still wanted the challenges that Cape Fullerton would give me, I wanted to be busy, to have a distraction and to be part of the action. It wasn't until I'd spent some time in Hope Valley that I realised my life slowed down for the first time in my life since my Father died." Jack took Elizabeth's hand in his and he continued. "It was then that life slowed down but my heart beat faster because I met you." Jack said with a smile and his dimples showed. "I'm so glad my life finally slowed down because it was really what I needed, and then I found you and realised you were also what I needed."

"Jack honey, you once told me that it's hard for you to say what's in your heart, but I think you're wrong." Elizabeth said gazing in his eyes. She lifted her hand and rested it on his jaw line. "You always tell me exactly what's in your heart, and you're also certainly proficient in letting me know how much you love me."

"Bella…" Jack started but his words were lost as Elizabeth's lips met his.

She wrapped her arms around his neck as she felt Jack pull her closer. She could feel the fast pace of his heart beating on her chest and his lips becoming more passionate and demanding with every kiss.

They were then interrupted when they noticed a light turn on in one of the upstairs windows of the house.

"That's the drawing room." Elizabeth said just managing to inform Jack, her breathing was laboured, and she tried to catch her breath.

"I guess they didn't wait to have supper with us." Jack said.

"I think they've learnt better than to wait for us." Elizabeth said with a smile and Jack grinned.

"Come on." Elizabeth said as she took Jack's hand and lead him down a trail through the gardens.

"Where are we going?" Jack asked.

"Anywhere that's away from here… and private."

Jack's eyes met hers and she stopped walking. Her face was lit only by the moonlit sky and he took in the features of her face as if committing them to memory, before he spoke.

"I'd go anywhere and everywhere with you Elizabeth Thornton."

She gave him a gentle smile before placing her hands on his chest.

"The only place I want to be is with you." She said and then Jack leaned in and kissed her as he wrapped his arms around her. The kiss lingered before they pulled away and smiled at each other.

"I'm so ready to take you home to Hope Valley." Jack said, and she smiled.

"I'm so ready to go with you." She said with a smile. "I'm also looking forward to the slower pace back home."

"I hope it's not the baby that's making you tired." Jack said while placing a hand gently on her stomach. "School starts again next week, you'll be busy."

"It could be the baby." She admitted. "But when I'm home we'll be away from the busyness of the city, and the drama and interruptions we have had here in Hamilton."

Jack nodded as he continued to think about how he looked forward to returning to Hope Valley.

"You're cold." Jack said as he noticed Elizabeth shivering and he removed his coat and placed it over her shoulders.

"Thank you." She whispered and gave Jack a smile.

"Here come sit down." Jack said as they sat down on the green plush grass. Elizabeth looked up at the moonlit sky and Jack pulled her onto his lap. She grinned at him before looking back up at the sky.

"It's beautiful out here."

"Not as beautiful as you bella." He whispered.

Jack ran his hands inside his coat that Elizabeth was wearing and pulled her closer. She smiled as she placed her head down on his shoulder and looked back up at the sky.

"We should do this more often when we're in Hope Valley."

"Take time to look up at the sky?" Jack asked and Elizabeth nodded before Jack continued. "I don't think we've done that since the night we saw Haley's Comet."

"That was the first best day of my life." She said as her eyes met his.

"It was?" Jack asked.

"It was the first time you kissed me." She said and they both smiled.

"So what were the other best days of your life?" He asked as he ran his fingers gently through the lengths of her hair.

"There's been so many favourites, but I'd have to say another one of the best days was the day you proposed to me."

"It is? Even though you knew I had to leave the next day." Jack asked, and Elizabeth nodded.

"Then the day your returned home, the day you made me your wife and the day we found out that we were having this little one." Elizabeth said looking down at her stomach while resting her hands there.

Jack placed his hands-on top of hers and smiled at her.

"They're the best days I've had too, and I think our next best day will be when we finally get to meet this little baby of ours."

"I think you're right." Elizabeth said with a smile.

She then rested her head back down on Jack's shoulder and yawned.

"Maybe I should take you inside." Jack suggested.

"I'm alright. I just want to sit here with you a little longer."

Within minutes Elizabeth was asleep in Jack's arms. He looked down at her and smiled. He still couldn't get over how blessed he was to have such an amazing woman, and that she was now carrying his baby.

He let her sleep a little longer as he continued to study her features again. Committing them to memory for maybe a future sketch or painting. After a while he kissed the top of her head and she stirred.

"Elizabeth… I think we should go inside now." He whispered.

"Hmm." She said dozily, and he lifted her up to her feet.

"Come on, lets get you to bed." He said, and he wrapped an arm around her and she leant into him and rested her head on his shoulder as he guided her back into the house.

I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter half as much as I did writing it. If you didn't enjoy the drama in the first half then I did try my best to keep you happy with all the J&E romance in the second half. 😍

Please review if you have time, I would love to hear from you. 😊