And so with the finishing line for Jim in sight, life went on got both him and Liz but just cause they were not going to be long months hopefully, it didn't mean that the last three months apart were going to be easy for Liz at all.
Vernon had not moved on from the street (as she had wished he would so many times.), instead he had found a flat and that little slag Michelle and her son, Ryan moved in with him. Liz was not jealous but she did think he was a bit old for her and it was disgusting. Still each to his or her own and soon she was going to have hers back. Good luck to them but they were not going to be half as happy as she was.
Her and Jim had been granted three visits in the time he had left to serve, and he could ring her twice a week as well as both of them wrote numerous letter to one another. they had plenty of contact (to make up for the five years when they had ignored one another) and it was rare she went three days with out hearing from him in one form or another and she had given him permission to move in to the flat with her as soon as got out. As if she had had to even consider it for more than what, a second?
The exact date of his return was set to be the second of December, which Liz was thrilled about. They were going to get Christmas together.
"I just can't stop thinking of things I have to get done before he comes home, I am so excited." she told her girl friends one night. They were all thrilled to hear her sounding like the Liz they all knew and loved. The one Jim knew and loved.
"I bet." said Bev.
"Andy's agreed to come out for the party too." she said. The party was going to be the surprise homecoming one she had had the idea about and Bev had been only too glad to let her have it in the Rovers.
"So you two are going to have both the twins there. Oh love I am so pleased for you." she said to her and Liz sighed contently. Things were looking up for her and her ex husband at last. It was so strange to think of him as her ex. It still felt as if they were together though soon they were going to be man and wife again hopeful.
-
Jim was proud of himself. For the first time ever today he had walked away from a fight with out fear of being called a woes or anything. He had done it for her. For his Elizabeth. Soon this was going to be all over, but the anticipation of getting out and going home to her only put him on edge even more. He had to keep his temper or she was going to run from him again. He couldn't take that when he knew he had her. He had to get back to her now there was no other choice and he had to do it as quick as he could.
Her letters were so full of hope. Of news of all the wonderful things they were going to be able to do soon. Parties, and holidays and Christmas like when they had first sent eyes on one another. News of how there sons were and what they had been getting up too...
The one thing that was so clear to him was all the suffering was going to be worth it in time.

---

the days passed a lot quicker than Liz had thought they would, unlike for poor Jim. She sat by the phone loyally till he rang her every Monday and Thursday and he told her every things was going well hand she promised they were going to be together soon.
She continued work at the Rovers, but that was one side of her life that got more difficult as Vernon and Michelle were forever flirting. She didn't care but it was so obviously fake, the feelings they had for each other. Vernon was putting it on for her, trying to make Liz, jealous? No she had some one a lot more able to make her happy coming home soon. She was no way jealous of them. In fact she pitted them.
Steve saw his mothers distress at times and he wanted to brain Vernon for what he was doing but Liz claimed there was no point. They were going to be cold and unloved forever as long as they were here but she and Jim had some thing so special that the minute ether got home they were going to shine so much that Vernon and Michelle were going to be but a distant memory.
Before Liz really knew it she found herself getting in to the driving seat one of the street cars cars and she was off to get her husband.
"We're going to be in a hotel room tonight, but we will be back tomorrow, by five at the latest." she said to Steve who nodded. He knew all this. He didn't know why she had to go through it with him again.
"Mum, I know… Leave it to me it is all going to be ok." he said to her and she nodded.
He was right. Jim was at last coming home. Nothing was going to tear them apart again. She thought to herself and waving she started up in the engine. She had to get to the prison for three. As she drove out the street she saw Vernon with Michelle and she pitied them more than ever.
---
she was unpacked and she had sorted the room. Every thing was going to be perfect for when she brought her man back tonight. Sighing, Liz kept her cool. She had twenty minutes, and she better get going to the prison. She didn't want to be late, not today. He might think she had changed her mind and she didn't want that. He didn't want her man to have any doubts.
With his bag over his shoulder and his clothes on Jim went in to the reception were he saw her waiting five minutes later.
"I'm free to go." he said simply. He clearly did not quite believe that fact yet.
"Yes my darling, you are. We are." she said as she gave him a hug with even more passion than she had held him when she had gone to see him at the prison for the first time three months before.
He felt a bit alien. He had no routine. After eight years he could pretty much do as he pleased and he felt a bit, well timid about going pout in to the world again. He had never ever been timid with her before.
"Come on Jim, let's get out of here. Lords knows you have been waiting long enough." she said and lead him over to the car.
The journey back to the hotel where they were going to be staying was a quiet one. Not uncomfortable. Just quiet, Jim had so much to say to her but he could not think of the words to make it come out right yet. He guessed it was just going to be one of those things that was going to take time and yet he was feeling so inpatient with himself. He just wanted to tell her how he felt and all he had been thinking these past eight years and yet... nothing. Not yet any way.
"You are ok, aren't you?" he heard her asked him with concern.
"Of course I am Elizabeth, but its just a bit new, so it is. Being free." he sighed. He had done the right thing, what he did to Jez, he had always been adamant on that but some times the right option is not that smartest rout to follow.
"It'll get easier. when we're back in the Rovers, then you'll believe i ." she said and heard him she happily.
"Drink." he said and she begun laughing.
"As much as you want."