After church the next day, Jack walked Elizabeth back to café to grab the picnic lunch she packed up earlier. He took the basket while she grabbed a blanket from her room. They walked to the pond and set up lunch right near the bench where Jack had proposed last night. They sat down and started eating the delicious lunch fried chicken and potato salad. After they finished, Jack moved closer to Elizabeth and put his arm around her. He kissed her, a more passionate kiss than he had ever given her before. She let out a little moan which caused him to deepen the kiss.

When they separated, Jack looked into her sparkling blue eyes. "Were you able to think about plans for our wedding? I was almost too excited to think about it, but I did."

"I have." Elizabeth replied. "I checked my calendar and realized there are only 7 weeks left of the school year. So I was thinking maybe we should get married 8 weeks from now. That would give us enough time to plan. Also, Clara offered to make me a dress so she needs some time to work on it. I want a small intimate wedding, so I don't need lots of time to plan." She paused and looked at his face. He looked like he was in agreement with her plans, so she decided to add something else to her wish list. "If we have the wedding in 8 weeks, we can go on a honeymoon right away instead of waiting until the school year is over or getting a substitute. That is, if you want to go anywhere. We could stay here I suppose."

"I like your plans, Elizabeth, including the idea about going someplace on our honeymoon." He leaned over to give her another passionate kiss. "8 weeks gives me time to contact headquarters to request the time off. I may be able to get a good start on our home. I am going to see Adam Miller tomorrow to find out if he can help with the plans and with the building." He paused and a look of worry came upon his face. "Elizabeth, I have to ask, what is your family going to have to say about us getting married? We both know how they feel about us, well me."

Elizabeth took his hand in hers, brought it to her lips. "Jack, I have done a lot of thinking about my parents over the last few months. I will send them a telegram tomorrow to tell them about our plans. I won't let them talk me out of it. If they want to disown me then I am prepared for that. I haven't been using the money Father sent me. Everything I buy I use my own money for. That will continue after we marry."

Jack was shocked. He never expected her to choose him over her family He thought she would try to get her parents to see reason. He never expected her to say that if her parents can't accept them as a couple then she would have to cut ties. . "Are you sure you want to do that? They are your family."

"Yes, Jack, I am sure. They are my family and I love them but I love you with all my heart. You will be my family too, after the wedding. If I had to say goodbye to you because my family doesn't feel you are an appropriate husband for me, I would die without you. My parents have to realize that I am a grown woman who makes her own decisions. My life is here in Hope Valley now, and with you. You are the best man I have ever known. I know you love me with all your heart and would do anything in your power to keep me safe and happy. I couldn't ask for a better husband than that." She put her hands on the sides of his face and brought him closer for kiss.

Jack's heart soared as he let her words sink in. He was so happy and so much in love with her. He put one hand behind her neck to pull her back for another kiss. "Elizabeth, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me." He gazed into her eyes. "So its settled then? 8 weeks from now we become husband and wife?"

"Yes. I can't wait until I am Mrs. Jack Thornton." She smiled broadly at him

"I can't wait either." He kissed her again. "Elizabeth, how many children would you like to have someday? I would like 2. I couldn't imagine having just one child. While Tom may have bothered me from time to time when we grew up, I could never imagine what it would have been like without him.

"I feel the same way, Jack. I would like 2 children as well, but we should leave that to God's hand. God would never let us handle more than we could chew."

"Of course." He kissed her again (he couldn't get enough kisses from her since she agreed to be his wife. "I guess we should pack up and head back to town. I have some paperwork to take care of. I could spend the rest of the day with you and then meet you for dinner, or I could get it done now and we could eat dinner and sit out on our swing after."

"I supposed you are right. Sitting on the swing after dinner sounds good to me. While you are working I can go send the telegram to my parents." She began to pack up the remains of their lunch. Jack helped her up and then folded the blanket. They walked back to town, arm in arm.

As they began walking back to town, Jack realized they forgot to talk about their house, "We were going to discuss our wish list for our home. Maybe we should talk about that tonight. It will help out when I talk to Adam tomorrow."

Elizabeth looked over at him and grinned. "I would love to". By that time, they had reached the café. Elizabeth was going to drop off the picnic basket and then head to the mercantile to send her telegram. She stood on her toes to kiss him. "I will see you later, my love"

"I love you, Sweetheart." Jack said as he returned her kiss.