Early the next morning Kate stood at the stage stop with Elizabeth, Jack and Abigail.

"Now I packed your plenty of food so you won't go hungry, there's some sandwiches for your trip, and cookies and rolls."

"Thank you Abigail" Kate smiled not mentioning there was food in Hamilton. This was Abigail's way of taking care of people and Kate loved that about her.

"Well we are going to miss you so much around here, you hurry back."

"I will, I promise" Kate nodded as Abigail pulled her in for one of her tight loving hugs before stepping back.

"You have your money in your change purse?" Jack asked as Kate turned to him.

"Yes" Kate nodded putting her hand over it protectively.

"There should be plenty in there for everything you need. But if not we can send you more. Keep your eyes open, don't go into the city without one of your cousins." Jack said gently.

"Jack, I did live there most of my life you know." Kate chuckled.

"I know. But it's different now."

"I will be fine" Kate assured him.

"Regardless, send us a telegram when you get there. And another if you need anything. And when you find what train you are taking home."

"I will" Kate assured him.

"Come here, I am really really proud of you." Jack said wrapping his arms around her almost swallowing her whole.

"Take care of Elizabeth." Kate whispered.

"I will" Jack promised letting her go and stepping back so the sisters could say goodbye.

"Now don't forget to change your dress when you get on the train, you can't show up to Hamilton wearing this. I know all your clothes in your bag are dark but just wear them alright? As much as you hate to."

"I will."

"Mind your manners, make sure you behave at the table, don't reach for anything, remember don't go looking in the kitchen for snacks. And practice your piano once a day you know how happy that makes Uncle."

"I will"

"And don't let Viola bother you if she gets picky, you know how she is. Just try and stick with Julie. Remember the Andersons don't like short sleeves so if they come to dinner wear your long dress and..."

"Elizabeth! It's going to be fine." Kate finally cut her off as Jack put his hand on Elizabeth's back trying to calm her a little.

"I know, I know. Sometimes I forgot your all grown up," Elizabeth sighed.

"Not so grown up" Kate smiled wrapping her arms around her as the stage pulled up in a puff of dust.

"Be safe, I love you so much."

"I love you too" Kate whispered letting go as Jack loaded up her bags and opened the door helping her up the steps.

"I can be there in a few hours if you need me." Jack said through the window as Kate sat down.

"Don't you dare leave her. I will be fine." Kate said firmly.

"I know, see you soon." Jack nodded and Kate waved as the stage started to pull away Elizabeth blew her a kiss and Kate returned it waving until they were out of sight.

"Well, that's that." Elizabeth sighed as Jack put a comforting arm around her.

"Now, Kate will be just fine, she's very responsible." Abigail assured her.

"It's not Kate I'm worried about, it's the other people. Late time we were in the city it was a close call." Elizabeth shuttered remembering with Kate had almost been dragged upstairs into a man's room if Jack hadn't saved her.

"Julie is meeting her at the train station, and I told her to keep an eye on Kate for us. I am sure she has it all under control. Besides it's only a few days." Jack said softly.

"I know, she's just always so different in Hamilton. So quiet and on edge, I just hate that she's going to be there by herself." Elizabeth sighed.

"I think you forget how much she has grown. You girls have not been back in a few years and she's not your same baby sister anymore. She's growing up and she's more sure of herself." Abigail said.

"That's right, she wanted to go for both of you, and I imagine your family will be so busy with social calls and people paying their respects, maybe Kate will just have a chance to spent time with your cousins and not be to pressured. Either way, she will be back soon and we will be right here waiting." Jack agreed.

"You both keep me sane" Elizabeth smiled.

"That's what we're here for, now how about some breakfast before school, I bet baby could use some blueberry pancakes?" Abigail raised her eyebrows making Elizabeth laugh.

"I don't know about the baby, but I certainly could." Elizabeth smiled as they started walking towards the cafe.

"And Jack could use some bacon and potatoes on the side." Jack said making them laugh.

"Coming right up." Abigail smiled.


Kate stepped off the train in Hamilton never so happy to have her feet back on solid ground. Before, the train ride had always been passed talking and giggling with her sister and sometimes even Jack. She didn't realize traveling alone would be much more boring and long.

"Kate!" Julie called as Kate smiled as her cousin waved her over gathering her into a hug.

"When Jack wrote that you were coming alone I thought Elizabeth must be losing her mine! I can't believe she sent you by yourself." Julie said as the driver started to gather Kate's bags.

"She wanted to come so badly but she's in no condition to travel anymore, and Jack can't leave her now." Kate said.

"Wait until everyone sees you, it's been years since you were back here!"

"I am excited to see everyone, and Viola's baby." Kate nodded as they made their way through the busy train station.

"He's not so new anymore, he's started trying to walk, but he is a darling, mother just loves him. He has been a great comfort to her these past two days." Julie said softly.

"How is everyone?"

"Oh you know Father, he won't let on how he's feeling about anything but I imagine he must be upset. And Mother is just so busy with planing everything I have hardly seen her!" Julie shook her head.

"People are coming over tonight?" Kate asked as they climbed into the back of the car.

"Yes for the viewing, we will have just enough time to get you cleaned up and changed, Viola bought you a black dress to wear tonight. And then tomorrow is the funeral. Do you think you can manage? I know you must be tired from your trip?"

"I'm fine, just happy to be with family for a few days." Kate assured her.

"I do wish you were staying longer, I miss you so" Julie sighed.

"You will have to come to Hope Valley for the summer. Come see the new baby, we're moved into the new house so there will be an extra room for you." Kate said.

"I will certainly look forward to that" Julie nodded.

"As soon as we get to Grandmother's I need to send a telegram that I arrived safely, Elizabeth and Jack are expecting it and I don't want Elizabeth to worry." Kate said as the car started rolling down the busy city street.

"Of course, it will be the first thing we do." Julie nodded.


"Telegram Constable" Mr Yost called as Jack rode by that afternoon.

"Thank you" Jack took from him opening it immediately. He turned Sergeant to the school house just in time for Elizabeth to ring the bell. Jack greeted the children tying Sergeant to the railing before climbing the steps waving the telegram.

"She's there?" Elizabeth asked seeing it.

"She made it safely, Julie picked her up. She's happy to be there but she misses us already." Jack said with a little smile giving Elizabeth a quick kiss.

"I miss her already as well, but I am glad she's there safely." Elizabeth nodded.

"You look like you had a long day." Jack said turning Elizabeth into his side as she lay her head on his shoulder.

"It made the day feel even longer to have Kate in the back of my mind. It's strange to not be able to look up and see her sitting in her desk. Although I suppose it's only a few years until she is done with school and I won't be able to." Elizabeth nodded.

"No, but soon after that you will have this little one sitting at a desk in front of you." Jack smiled running his hand over her belly.


Kate stepped out of her bedroom in her grandmother's big house glancing up and down the hall. When the car had pulled up a few hours ago no one else had been home and Julie had left her to rest and get ready. Kate's room had been changed, most of her things were gone, Julie said after Elizabeth had written that she was engaged, Grandmother and Uncle Henry gave up all hope of them coming back. Grandmother had moved or gotten rid of all of their things except their beds for when they came to visit. Kate found herself feeling guilty they had not visited more often over the years. They had planed to come for the holidays this past year but with the baby coming there was so much to do and they had wanted to enjoy a quiet holiday together. They had been talking about taking a trip this summer, after she was out of school and the baby was a little bigger, now it was to late. Kate wondered if Elizabeth regretted that as much as she did. After a long warm bath to wash the travel day off of her Kate had put on the long black gown Viola had bought her, and hung up all the dark colored dressed Elizabeth had packed her so they would winkle. Kate was expected to dress in mourning the while time she was here and she found herself already missing her regularly light colored dresses. Glancing at herself in the mirror she arranged her long curls and tied a few back with a black bow before leaving her bedroom. Kate wondered across the hall finding Elizabeth's bedroom just as empty as her own. Uncle Henry and Aunt Agatha had spent less time here lately, Viola was living with Lionel and Baby Henry at their own house, Julie was finishing art school, the big house had been empty except for Grandmother for a number of years now.

"Kathryn." Viola's voice surprised her as Kate turned greeting her oldest cousin as she came up the stairs.

"It's so good to see you." Viola said pulling Kate in for a surprisingly warm hug.

"It's good to see you too." Kate gave her a smile when she let her go.

"How is Elizabeth?"

"She's good, she sends her love, and she's sorry that she can't come but the trip would be to much." Kate said.

"Of course, send her our love back, we miss her."

"I will."Kate nodded.

"Would you like to meet your little cousin?" Viola asked.

"Yes." Kate smiled following her slowly down the stairs remembering to walk lightly. The voices came from the informal sitting room, Kate had forgotten how big this house was as she followed Viola through the house finding Julie and Aunt Agatha on the couch with a little boy playing at their feet.

"Look who I found wondering the halls." Viola said sweeping into the room.

"Kathryn." Aunt Agatha stood to give her a hug, Kate couldn't remember the last time her aunt had hugged her.

"It's so wonderful to see everyone, I just wish the situation was different." Kate said gently.

"As do we all" Aunt Agatha nodded sadly.

"Kathryn, this is your little cousin Henry." Viola smiled scooping the small boy off the floor.

"Hello Henry, you are such a big boy." Kate smiled as the baby looked at her shyly.

"Here, you should practice with a baby." Viola said handing the boy to Kate who took him in her arms.

"Oh goodness! You are heavier then you look." Kate chuckled.

"Luckily they don't come out this big." Viola smiled.

"Sit Kate, tell us all about life in Hope Valley." Julie said moving over on the sofa as Kate sat down next to her settling the baby on her lap as Viola handed him a rattle to play with.

"How is Elizabeth and her husband?" Aunt Agatha asked.

"Jack, and he's wonderful, they are excited for the baby coming soon." Kate smiled.

"Oh it must be an awful thing to be in her condition out in the west. No doctors, no hospitals." Viola sighed.

"We have a town doctor, he's going out of town for the spring through, but Abigail will deliver the baby. Abigail has delivered a lot of the babies in town, plus she is Elizabeth's best friend. Elizabeth wants Abigail to deliver the baby." Kate said with a little shrug.

"But to raise a baby with no nurse or nanny, it is such a daunting task." Aunt Agatha said.

"We have other help, it's different there, I wish you could see it." Kate said softly.

"She's right mother, it's like nothing I have ever seen before." Julie nodded.

"Well, perhaps, this summer we shall pay a visit then, especially if there is a new little baby to meet" Aunt Agatha said softly as Kate looked up at her surprised.

"You should." Kate smiled.


Elizabeth woke up in the middle of the night finding the room dark. Grateful she had time to go back to sleep before morning she rolled over looking for Jack surprised when she found his feet instead of his head.

"Jack?" She asked sitting up.

"Hey, sorry did I wake you?" Jack asked as he turned from where his head and arm were hanging over the edge of the bed.

"No, but what are you doing?" Elizabeth asked crawling over to sit beside him. Jack lay with his chin propped up in his hand, the cradle he had made sat at the foot of the bed as he looked down at it.

"Just imagining having a baby in here" He said softly giving the cradle a gentle rock. It was all set now, a few of the many blankets Abigail had made sat folded neatly inside just waiting to wrap up a baby.

"Carson leaves town next week, he wants me to go see him before he does, do one last check, although at this point I think it's all up to Abigail either way." Elizabeth sighed.

"That's not true, if Carson thinks there is any cause to worry we will travel to Buxton so you can have the baby in the hospital." Jack said.

"Yes, but that is certainly not something I want to do. I don't think he will find anything wrong away, besides being tired and a little sore I feel fine. I have faith Abigail can manage just fine, if not you are there to step in." Elizabeth nodded.

"You know I will step in if I have to, however training to do something and actually having to do it are two very different things. Especially with you, I have a feeling I'm not going to want to leave your side." Jack said softly.

"Jack, if something happens to me.."

"Nothing is going to happen to you." Jack said firmly cutting her off.

"If something happens to me, can you promise me that you will keep Kate? I know that she won't technically be your family anymore, and I know Uncle Henry would put up a big fuss about having her move back to Hamilton. But this is her home, her family is here. I just need to know that she's taken care of, even is she is almost grown up enough to take care of herself." Elizabeth said turning to Jack.

"Of course, she is my family, you have my word. Kate is my sister, and she will always have a home with me. I would never let anyone take her away. But nothing is going to happen to you." Jack said reaching up to rub his thumb over Elizabeth's cheek softly.

"I know, I just want to make sure." She said giving him a smile.

"I was thinking about pulling out of the mounties with my term is up, next year." Jack said after they had sat quietly for a minute. This caused Elizabeth to sit up in surprise looking at him.

"But you love being a Mountie, you said it was your calling." She frowned a little.

"I do love it, and it is my calling, was my calling. But there are things in my live I love so much more then my job now. All I can think about lately is having to leave you again. Leave this baby, I don't know that I could do it again Elizabeth, it almost broke me that last time. I was talking to Bill, he's looking to retire and I could take over his position in the town. We could run this farm. I did the math, the money really wouldn't change if I could get in a good crop each year…"

"I don't care about the money Jack. I care about you being happy." Elizabeth said firmly.

"You make me happy, this baby makes me happy, our life makes me happy. I love my job, but it's just a job and I don't want us living in fear of me being called away again. I don't want to ever leave and not know when I will be back to you again." Jack said sitting up to face her as they talked in the dark room.

"Jack, are you sure?"

"Elizabeth, I would give up everything if it would guarantee that I could be here rocking this cradle every night. I still have over a year before my term is up, we can see. Maybe things will be better, maybe I can make sure I never get orders to leave again. But if there's a chance I could have to go up north, or not have a stationary position here, I think we should talk about me leaving the service."

"I don't want you to look back in a few years a regret this choice." Elizabeth said softly.

"Never, I would never regret making a choice that is better for our family. The only thing I would regret is staying and being called away again. My father was gone more then he was home. He was a good man and a good father and he provided for us. But I don't want that for our children. I want to be home for dinner every night. I want to be around to teach them to fish and climb trees. I want to sleep next to you every night. I don't ever want you to live with the fear you did while I was gone." Jack said gently taking Elizabeth's hand in his.

"I want those things too." Elizabeth whispered giving him a smile, a tear sliding down her cheek as he wiped it away gently with the pad of this thumb before leaning in to kiss her softly feeling her melt into his arms.

"What do you say we go back to sleep, get some sleep while we both can huh. In a few weeks we will be be up rocking the cradle." Jack smiled brushing her hair from her eyes gently.

"Sounds wonderful." Elizabeth smiled.


Kate's first few days in Hamilton passed in a blur. People were always over the house to pay their respects, maids were constantly cleaning and cooking. Kate sat by her cousin at the funeral and wished Elizabeth was there to share this hard time with her. Her aunt and uncle were always entertaining and having people over for dinner Kate hardly remembered. But never the less she put on her long black dresses and sat quietly through dinner listening to everyone else talk. To her surprise, this visit was different, if it was because she was no longer a child, or her family had just given up on trying to talk her into staying, but Kate found she was actually enjoying herself.

"Hello Henry, look at you with your little dog." Kate smiled walking into the piano room and finding the baby sitting on his blanket.

"Good morning, I was going to go to the store this afternoon with Julie, would you like to come? We were thinking about buying some clothes for the baby to send back with you."

"I would love to" Kate smiled sitting down on the floor next to baby Henry making a face at him making the baby laugh.

"You are different these days, I don't think I have ever seen you so relaxed without Elizabeth." Viola gave her a little smile.

"Well, I am older now." Kate said.

"You are, you are all grow up. I must admit, we didn't think you could turn into such a lady living in the middle of no where." Viola said gently.

"Well, I don't have the piano or dance or latin lessons that everyone here has. I ride my horse without a saddle and I will go barefoot in the summer more often then I wear shoes." Kate gave a little shrug.

"So your not going to come here for college then?"

"No, I'm going to run the cafe. Abigail say she will be looking to retire when Cody finishes school in a few years. She's going to stay home and take care of Elizabeth's baby when she goes back to teaching."

"Last time Elizabeth wrote that you had a boy you were seeing?" Viola asked raising her eyebrows a little.

"Yes James, what ever happened to him?" Julie asked sweeping into the room and plopping down on the sofa next to Viola.

"His family had to move back east with his family."

"Oh how tragic!" Julie cried.

"It's alright, it's not like we were anything serious." Kate shook her head.

"It is still sad when friends move away. Do you keep in touch?" Viola asked.

"Yes, We have written letters, he is hoping to come back and visit this summer, he wanted to train under Lee to learn about the mill." Kate nodded.

"Oh speaking of the mill that reminds me, Charles is coming to dinner tonight." Julie said.

"He is? With his mother and father?" Viola asked.

"No, they are in Paris or somewhere. But he wanted to come and see Father, I don't think he knows you are here Kate, if he thought you and Elizabeth were in town he would have been here days ago when you arrived." Julie said.

"I haven't seen him since he tried to purpose to Elizabeth years ago. How is he?" Kate asked.

"Oh working under father keeps him busy, he was courting another girl from the city." Viola said.

"Well if there is company for dinner we should get going to the dress shop now." Viola said standing up.

"Is Henry coming?" Kate asked.

"No, of course not, let me leave him with the nanny I will meet you in the foyer in a few minutes." Viola scooped up the baby leaving the room.

"She seems different." Kate said softly turning to Julie.

"Motherhood had softened her up. She didn't scream at you for sitting on the floor." Julie laughed.


"Hello Constable Thornton" Cody greeted Jack as he was locking up the jail for the evening on his way home for dinner.

"Hi Cody, how are you? I saw you playing ball at lunch, that arm is getting really good." Jack smiled turning to him.

"Are you headed home?"

"I am, did you need something?" Jack asked.

"Can I walk with you, I was wondering if I could talk to you about something." Cody said.

"Well sure, what's on your mind?" Jack asked as they started down the road.

"Can you not tell my mom I talked to you?" Cody asked

"Well that all depends on what you tell me Cody, I can't keep things from her it's important she knows." Jack said.

"It's just, I can't talk to her about this stuff because she's a girl." Cody sighed.

"Oh I see, well as long as you aren't hurting yourself or anyone else, I won't tell your mom." Jack said nodding giving him a little smile.

"You promise?"

"You have my word." Jack nodded holding out his hand. Cody nodded shaking it before they continued walking.

"I was going to ask Emily to the spring dance coming up. But I don't know how, I'm afraid she will say no." Cody mumbled.

"Well Cody this is something all men struggle with believe it or not." Jack said.

"But what if she says no?" Cody asked softly.

"Well, do you like Emily?"

"Yeah"Cody sighed.

"What do you like about her?" Jack asked.

"She's nice, and pretty, and she is funny."

"Have you spent time with Emily outside of school?"

"We went fishing on Sunday, and I walked her home from school twice this week." Cody nodded.

"Well Cody it sounds to me like she might enjoy your company just as much as you enjoy her's." Jack said

"You think so?"

"I do, but the only way to find out really is to ask her to the dance. The worst that can happen is she says no and you ask someone else." Jack said.

"I guess, Constable Thornton, how did you know Mrs Thornton was going to say yes?" Cody asked.

"When I asked her to dinner?"

"Yes, or asked her anything, like to marry you."

"Well, when I asked her to dinner she was actually a bit stand offish. In fact out first date was not one for the books." Jack chuckled to himself.

"But then approached her differently. Like a gentleman. I had your mom and Kate help me set up a nice dinner, I treated her like a lady and then it changed." Jack smiled remembering.

"How did you know she would marry you?" Cody asked.

"Well, you are much to young to be asking people to marry you."

'I know that, I just mean, how did you know she wouldn't say no?"

"Well, I didn't, not for sure, remember I asked her right after I found out I was leaving. She had ran away from me upset the last time I had seen her. But I knew in my heart I wanted to marry her, and I knew I wanted to ask her before I left. And I knew how she felt about me even if she was upset I was leaving."

"So be a gentleman." Cody nodded.

"And make sure you treat her like a lady." Jack nodded.

"Alright, Thank you constable Thornton." Cody nodded.

"Your welcome, and for the record Cody, your mom knows a lot about this stuff too, but you are always welcome to talk to me." Jack said.

"Thanks" Cody nodded.

"Do you want to come in and have some dinner, Kate's gone and there's plenty?" Jack asked as they walked up to the house.

"No thank you, my Ma's expecting me" Cody shook his head.

"Alright, well let me know how it goes with Emily them."

"I will, bye!" Cody called running back down the path, Jack smiled giving him a wave before turning back to the house and finishing the walk letting himself in.

"Hello" Jack called.

"Hello, how was your day?" Elizabeth asked greeting him with a kiss.

"Oh good, got a lot of the paperwork I need done."

"That's good, did I see Cody walking home with you?"

"Yeah, he needed some advice from a man he said."

"That's wonderful he knew he could come to you Jack." Elizabeth timed as Jack followed her into the kitchen and started setting the table.

"I thought so too, I always told him her could, but now that he's getting older I am glad he is turning to me, how about you, how was your day?"

"Long, the new teacher comes in on Sunday and I will be happy that I will be able to be off my feet for a longer portion of the day." Elizabeth sighed taking the stew she was making off the stove and putting it on the table.

"Well how about after dinner we side by the fire and you put your feet up while I do the dishes and clean up." Jack offered as they sat down at the table together.

"You have yourself a deal." Elizabeth smiled.

"And I have another surprise for you" Jack said pulling a little note out of his pocket.

"From Kate?" Elizabeth asked reaching for the telegram as Jack nodded.

"She's coming home on the train day after tomorrow." Elizabeth sighed with relive.

"I thought that would make your day better." Jack smiled.

"She sounds like she had a good trip, and I am glad she was able to go down and be with the family, but it will be so good to have her home again." Elizabeth smiled.

"That it will" Jack agreed.


"Hello Charles" Kate greeted him as she came down the stairs for dinner that night.

"Little Kathryn Thatcher? Your all grown up! My look at you." Charles smiled gently kissing her hand in greeting.

"It's lovely to see you." Kate offered him a little smile.

"And you as well, Elizabeth is here as well I assume?" Charles asked looking up the stairs where Kate had come from expecting to see Elizabeth coming down.

"No, I'm afraid I came by myself this time."

"The Thatcher girls are separated? My this is one for the record books." Charles chuckled making Kate's smile lighten and become a little more friendly.

"Well you said yourself I'm all grown up. And we're not the Thatcher girls anymore."

"She married, to the mountie?"

"Jack, yes." Kate nodded. Charles just nodded.

"She's with child, that's why she didn't come?" He asked already sounding like he knew the answer.

"Yes."

"Well, please tell her I said congratulations."

"I will be sure to pass that on." Kate nodded turning away.

"Kate." Charles said softly making her turn back to him.

"Is she... is she happy?"

"The happiest I have ever seen a person."

"Good, that's all I ever wanted for her."

"I know, you were always such a wonderful friend to us, you should come back and visit Hope Valley one day, I know Elizabeth would love to see you."

"I might, my fiancé and I are looking to take a trip after the wedding, maybe Hope Valley is just the peace and quite we need."

"Sounds wonderful." Kate gave him a grin.


"Are you sure you need to go back?" Julie asked watching Kate pack her trunk the next morning.

"There's no place for me here. I need to get back to Elizabeth before the baby comes and school and my friends." Kate shrugged.

"You know, you could have a place here, just say the word and my father will sign this house over to you."

"I don't want this house Julie" Kate shook her head.

"I know, I just miss you when your gone. It's not the same." Julie sighed.

"Well Jack build a big house, we have an extra guest room. And the baby will be here soon, you should come visit." Kate said.

"Mother seemed like she wanted to, who knows, maybe we will all be up for a visit this summer." Julie smiled.

"That would be wonderful, Elizabeth would be so glad to see you all." Kate nodded.

"The care is here to take you to the train." Viola said sticking her head into Kate's room.

"Come on, I will ride over with you and see you off at the station." Julie sighed.


"You will see me soon, I will be back. I won't stay away so long." Kate promised.

Kate could hardly stay in her seat as the coach rounded the corner and she saw Jack and Elizabeth waiting for her. Jack frantically waving with a hand around Elizabeth like he was trying to keep her for running over. Kate grinned as the coach stopped and Jack opened the door as she practically flew into his arms her feet not touching the ground.

"Oh it's so good your back! We missed you." Jack held her tightly as Kate relaxed, feeling his strong arms around her.

"Give her here Jack!" Elizabeth practically yelled.

"Well, maybe she missed you the most." Jack chuckled letting Kate go, Kate didn't even have a chance to turn around before she was wrapped up tight in her sister's arms.

"I missed you so much! It's so good to have you home!" Elizabeth sighed as Jack reached up taking Kate's bags.

"You look well, how was everything?" Elizabeth asked holding Kate out at arm's length as if to look her over.

"Wow! Can you get any bigger?" Kate cried putting her hand on Elizabeth's belly which seemed to have grown even more.

"Oh I'm so glad your home." Elizabeth pulled Kate to her again laughing.

"I said that yesterday and it earned me the silent treatment for the whole evening." Jack muttered making both girls laugh.

"Well! You be gone a whole week and maybe I won't mind." Elizabeth smiled at him making Jack chuckle.

"Come on, there is someone else caught up in the lunch rush but just as excited to see you." Jack smiled leading them into the cafe.

"Can we have lunch at Abigail? I am starving." Kate said.

"I don't think we have a choice in the matter." Jack laughed holding the door open as the girls walked into the cafe laughin