Okay, I am SO SORRY for the long wait. I meant to update sometime over break and let you all know why I would be offline, but first I was busy with Christmas and New Years and then I didn't have time to update before I left the U.S to study abroad in England for ten days. I meant to let everyone know that I wouldn't be in the country for a good bit of January. So anyway, here is the next chapter. I hope you all enjoy it! :)
On Canada Day, the town was out bright and early to prepare for the festivities. Even though school had not been in session, Elizabeth had been working on the annual Canada Day play with the children, Abigail and Cat was baking for the town celebration, and Jack and bill were making sure everything was safe for the party. Once the celebration began, Elizabeth gave a pep talk to the children before their performance.
"Okay boys and girls, you all have worked very hard on your play and I am positive you all are going to give a great performance about the founding of Canada," said Elizabeth, "But the most important thing is to have fun!"
"Yes, Ms. Thatcher!" they all cheered excitedly. Elizabeth chuckled lightly. She wandered how long they would continue to call her by her maiden name once she became Mrs. Thornton in a couple more weeks. Elizabeth joined Cat and Abigail as the children began their performance. After it was over, everyone cheered loudly on a job well done. Cat and Abigail went over to congratulate Gabe, Miles, and Emily while Jack approached Elizabeth with an older woman in tow.
"Elizabeth," he shouted.
Elizabeth turned around and smiled, "Hi."
"Elizabeth, I would like you to meet my mother, Mary Thornton," said Jack introducing his fiancée to the older woman, "Mom, this is Elizabeth Thatcher, my bride-to-be."
"Very nice to meet you Elizabeth. Jack has told me so much about you," said Mary.
"Same here, Mrs. Thornton," said Elizabeth.
"Oh Elizabeth, you're going to be family soon. Call me Mary," she said.
Elizabeth nodded, "Okay."
Abigail came over to Mary and the young couple, "Very nice performance Elizabeth. you can tell the children worked hard."
"Thank you Abigail," said Elizabeth.
"Mrs. Stanton, I'd like you to meet my mother, Mary Thornton. Mom, this is Abigail Stanton. She runs the café in Coal Valley," said Jack.
"Oh really?" asked Mary.
Abigail nodded, "If you would like we can all go back and have some tea and come back to the celebration later."
"That would be lovely," said Mary, "What do you say Jack. We can catch up and I could get to know your fiancée a little better."
Jack and Elizabeth nodded and followed Abigail back to the café. Abigail started the tea and biscuits while Mary, Jack, and Elizabeth took their seats.
"You aren't going to help Abigail, Elizabeth?" asked Mary curiously.
Elizabeth chuckled lightly, "No, I'm not much of a cook. Abigail has been trying to teach me but I still haven't quite gotten the hang of it."
Mary cracked a smile, "When Tom and I first got married, I wasn't that good either."
Elizabeth began to relax a little. She assumed Tom Thornton was Jack's father. Elizabeth had been incredibly nervous as to what Jack's mother would think of her, especially considering he had been engaged once. After the four finished their tea and biscuits, Jack headed back to the celebration to monitor things, "I trust to see you soon," he asked grabbing Elizabeth's hand.
"Most certainly Constable," giggled Elizabeth.
Jack smiled and kissed Elizabeth on the cheek, "Love you."
"Love you too," she said and he left.
Mary began cleaning the dishes but stopped when Abigail when she began to help her, "It's okay Abigail. I can clean the dishes."
"Are you sure?" asked Abigail.
"You've already cooked for us and the rest of Coal Valley. Why don't you go and enjoy the celebration," said Mary.
"Okay then. Thank you Mary," said Abigail gratefully and she left the room, leaving Mary and Elizabeth alone. Elizabeth started to help Mary clean the dishes. The two were silent for a few moments before Mary spoke, "You know, Jack has talked about you ever since his arrival in Coal Valley."
Elizabeth turned to face Mary, "Probably about how much of princess I am," she admitted.
"At first," said Mary, "But then, his description of you changed. How kind you are, how beautiful you are, what a pleasure you are to be around…"
"Wait, he said all of that about me?" asked Elizabeth surprisingly.
Mary nodded, "It didn't take long before I knew my little boy had fallen in love."
"For the second time…"
"No Elizabeth, not for the second time," Mary interrupted her.
"But. But what about Rosemary?" stuttered Elizabeth.
Mary stayed silent for a few moments, pondering about what she should say next. She hadn't realized Elizabeth knew about Rosemary, "Jack and Rosie had always been friends since childhood. I'm not going to lie, they do have a long history. But I never felt that Rosie was the one for Jack. I tried to talk Jack out of proposing to her, but that boy has always been stubborn. Always doing the opposite of what I told him to do."
"Really?" smirked Elizabeth. Jack didn't seem like the type of person to be a trouble maker.
Mary nodded and continued, "Even during the time where Jack and Rosie were engaged, I knew it was never going to last. They were going their separate ways. And my suspicions were confirmed when Rosie broke up with Jack. I could tell it wasn't love. But with you and him, that's love. True love."
Elizabeth stood there stunned. She had no idea Jack's relationship with Rosemary was that rocky. It did kind of make her feel sorry for him. After Elizabeth and Mary finished cleaning the dishes, they both headed back outside for the fireworks.
"Hey there you are," said Jack as she approached him, "I was starting to get worried."
"It's okay. I was just talking with your Mom," she answered just as the fireworks started. The couple gazed in awe before Jack leaned over and whispered in Elizabeth's ear, "I love you Elizabeth."
Elizabeth turned to face Jack, "I love you too Jack," she responded as they both shared a kiss under the stars.