Author's Note:
I hope you have a blessed Easter day.
Thank you for taking this journey with me. The wedding is coming soon in the next few chapters. Enjoy this chapter and have a great day!
Chapter 40
Elizabeth helped her parents and sister gather their bags. She ended up helping her mother with her bags and lead them to her car. There was just enough room for all of their luggage.
"How long are you two planning on staying?" She nervously laughed.
"We will fly home on Sunday. We wanted to stay and help with anything on Saturday."
"So, why all the bags?"
"We wanted to be prepared for anything."
"I think you have all scenarios covered." She smirked
…
Jack just disconnected the call from Tom. Tom and Julie were arriving tomorrow, Thursday. They had some things that needed to be done at work before they were able to leave. They were excited to get back to Hope Valley. They wanted to look over the town again. They also wanted to look at their house they were purchasing. It was a little on the small side, but they were in love with it. For them, it would work great. Julie wanted to look at things again so she could continue to have ideas of decorating.
"Elizabeth and I are meeting with ma tonight. She said she wanted to talk with me."
"She said the same to me. We are meeting sometime on Thursday after we are settled."
Jack thought for a moment. "I wonder what she wants to talk about?"
"Maybe the move or something like that."
…
While on the way to Hope Valley, Elizabeth and Grace was filling Viola in on Jack. Vi could easily see how excited her younger sister was when talking about Jack. She never could hide her excitement in her facial features.
"Wow! Lizbe, I have never seen you this excited before about a guy except for that guy on Home Improvement. What was his name? Oh, Jonathan Taylor Thomas." Smirked Viola.
"Vi! Why would you say that?" Asked an embarrassed Eliabeth.
"Oh my dear child, have you forgotten all the posters of him you had on your wall? We had to hire a professional painter to repair all the holes in the wall from the posters you had."
"Mom!"
Grace and Vi laughed at her expression.
"No one, and I mean no one tells Jack about this!" Elizabeth exclaimed with her scary teacher voice.
"Sweetheart, didn't Charlette tell you things about his childhood?"
"That's different mom" Exclaimed Elizabeth as she rolled her eyes.
"Don't roll your eyes at me dear."
"Mom! How could you know if I rolled my eyes at you? You can't see my face."
"Oh my sweet child, I know what you are doing and what you are thinking long before you do it or think it." Sassed Grace. This made William laugh.
"She was always on top of you three."
Eliabeth huffed and continued driving toward Hope Valley. They stopped at the same restaurant they previously stopped at to eat when her and Jack picked up her parents. Eliabeth continued telling Vi about Jack.
"Lizbe, I must ask…this isn't too fast? You have always taken your time in every decision you've ever made. It took you almost a year to decide on where you wanted to go to college." She asked with the concern of an older sister. There wasn't any mean spirited tone in her voice.
"Normally, I would say you are correct, but it's just different with Jack. Our first meeting was horrible but after that, we clicked. I fell in love with him quickly. He makes me feel special and is always putting me first. I feel blessed with him. He is compassionate, gentle, and loving. He is beyond everything I have dreamed in a husband."
"Mother told me that he calls you beautiful in different languages?"
"He does." She blushed with embarrassment.
"He takes the time to learn that in different languages just to call you that?" She asked amazed he would take the time and effort to do that. She noticed Elizabeth's look and was beginning to wish she had what her younger sister has.
…
Elizabeth dropped her family off at the hotel and went to her apartment to shower and dress for their dinner with Charlette. She texted Charlette.
E – Mom, do you need us to bring anything?
C – No
E – Are you ok?
C – Nervous
Elizabeth knew something was wrong. Charlette was never one short for words. She decided to call her and check on her.
"Mom, what's wrong? Why are you nervous? It's just us."
"Oh, Lizzy, I think I may have made a mistake."
"By eating with us? Mom, what is going on?"
Charlette took a deep breath. She wanted to tell Jack first, but maybe Elizabeth would be a good ally to have when talking to Jack. She exhaled a long breath. Her internal struggles were taking over and she was having trouble dealing with everything.
"Mom. Are you ok? Did you receive a bad report from a doctor?" The concern was evident in Elizabeth's voice.
"Oh, sweetheart. No. I am fine physically. Lizzy, thank you for accepting me so quickly in your life. I love that you feel comfortable with me to call me mom. That means more to me than you will ever know." Charlette's face broke out into a large smile thinking about her precious daughter.
Elizabeth knew Charlette meant what she said and it moved her, but she also knew Charlette was stalling.
"Ok mom, out with it." Elizabeth stated with a little bit of authority.
"Are you using the teacher's voice on me?"
"Not yet, but I am about too if you keep stalling."
Charlette laughed. "You are very perceptive. Although, I did mean what I said about you calling me mom."
"I know mom. Now, out with it!"
"Ok…ok…I meet a man the other day. He was with a group of people that Frank had to help unload Jack's moving truck into the storage unit. I didn't really talk to him that day, but I did see him in the grocery store a couple of days later. We talked in the aisle, and I asked him for coffee."
"You asked him for coffee?" Elziabeth said stunned.
"Yes, I was as stunned when I did it as you are now." She nervously laughed. "We had coffee and talked for two hours. He asked if I would like to have dinner with him when everything calms down after the wedding."
"What did you say?"
"I agreed."
There were a long silence before she spoke again.
"What I know of him, I like him. Frank and Abagail know him well. They have talked me through a few things."
"They really are good at that." She remembered all the times Frank and Abagail talked and listened to her through a few times in her life.
"Frank is the best. I don't think he realizes how good he is at that. Anyway, I am scared to tell Jack and Tom."
"Oh…I understand that. But mom, they love you and will want the best for you. You have to know that."
"I do, but I also know how much they love their father. They may feel that I am forgetting about Tom. I don't want to hurt them."
"Mom" she said with sympathy in her voice. "They may feel shocked at first, but trust in the love they have for you too."
"I do. I just don't want them hurt by this. I don't want them to think Tom isn't still important to me. However, I like this man and I would like to get to know him."
"It's been fifteen years since Officer T's passing, I think you have waited long enough. They will see that."
"Are you sure?" She asked very skeptical.
"It may take them a minute, but they will."
"My dearest, thank you for listening to me. You have been a great help."
"I'll be in your corner, and I will help with Jack."
"You are perfect young lady. If I would have had a daughter, I would have hoped she would have been just like you."
"Well, technically, you will have a daughter in two days, but, honestly, I feel that you already have one."
"You are correct sweetheart. I do. I love you."
"I love you mom. I'll see you in about an hour."
…
Jack met with Bill just before leaving the office for a little over two weeks. Even though the case of Johnson wasn't closed, he still gave Jack the day off. The case was all but closed. Bill could easily finish it out.
Jack rushed to the apartment to shower and change. He was planning to take Charlette with him to pick up Elizabeth, but Charlette already left. He was a little surprised but not concerned. He just figured she wanted to take a walk for some exercise of for the fresh air.
Jack texted Elizabeth to tell her he would be leaving in ten minutes to pick her up.
…
Charlette sat down after talking with Elizabeth. She was still nervous but felt better after their talk. Elizabeth had a way of calming her down. At least she has Elizabeth's support. Instead of waiting on Jack, she decided to walk to the café. She figured the fresh air and the time alone would be beneficial. She needed to gain control of her nerves and her mind before her talk with Jack.
She was relieved when she entered Abagail's café to find Abagail's smiling face. Abagail saved the table in the back the café where there would be a little privacy. If Jack got upset, she didn't want it done in the open in front of everyone. With that thought, her nerves started to take over again.
As she sat down, Abagail brought her a tea to drink. "Charlette, breath. It will be ok. I promise. Jack loves you. He may be shocked at first, but he loves you. Don't forget that!"
Charlette gave her a small smile. It was all she could muster. While walking away, Abagail prayed for Charlette and Jack. This was a huge step.
…
Elizabeth was standing on her little front porch of her apartment when Jack arrived. Her hands were clasped in front of her, and she was swaying her hips from side to side with a huge smile as she noticed Jack. "He sure is a beautiful man and even a better person." She stated under her breath.
"Hey" he said.
"Hey" she said in response.
"Are you ready?"
"I am ready."
Jack began to open the door for her, but she asked if they could walk to the café. Jack nodded and extended his arm for her to take as they began towards the café. Elizabeth thought a walk might be good, especially on the way home if he didn't handle the news well. A walk was their thing. She knew it would help him calm down and think if he was upset. The walk would give him time to process everything.
…
Jack opened the door for Elizabeth, and she notice Charlette the moment she was in the café. She noticed how nervous she looked, and her heart went out to her. Elizabeth reached for Jack's hand, and they walked to the table. Elizabeth gave Charlette a hug and a kiss on her cheek. Then she whispered in her ear, "Relax mom. I promise everything will be ok."
Charlette was a little more relaxed when she notice Elizabeth walking in the door. With the hug, she relaxed a little more. She thanked God that Elizabeth was there and was in her corner.
Charlette gave her a weak smile and hugged and kissed Jack. After sitting down beside each other, they placed their order.
Charlette began to speak, and Elizabeth grabbed Jack's hand. "Jack, I have something to tell you and I am hoping you will think before you respond."
"Ok…Ma. What is it you need to tell me?"
Here goes nothing she thought. "Jack, I…um…I meet someone."
…
Viloa walked into her parent's room when her mother opened the door. Grace looked at her oldest, "Dear, what is going on with you?"
"What do you mean mother?"
"Oh my dear, I know you as well as I know my other two children. I know when something is wrong and there is something wrong with you."
"Don't we need to go and finalize some things for the wedding?"
"In a moment. Now, talk to me."
"I called things off with Lionel."
"Oh no. I'm sorry Vi. Are you ok?"
"Yes and no. I was the one who ended it. It just wasn't what it was supposed to be between two people who were married."
Grace nodded. She knew they weren't close but didn't feel it was her place to say anything. "Dear, your room is always your room."
"Thanks mom. I feel bad things ended, but I know it was for the best."
"Why didn't you say anything earlier?"
"Well, this is Lizbe's time, and I don't want to take away from her special moment. Plus, I know we haven't been close for a while now and that is my fault. I let Lionel pull me away more than I should have. I'm sorry about that."
"Dear" she wrapped her daughter in her arms. "You are ok. We are here for you."
"Thanks mother."
…
"You meet someone? As in…a guy?"
She nodded her head while looking at Jack in the eyes. Elizabeth rubbed her thumb over the back of his hand.
"Yes." She continued slowly. "I met a guy Monday. He was part of the group that helped unload your moving truck."
Temporarily silence fell on the table. Charlette broke the silence. "I didn't plan on meeting anyone, and we only said hi that day. However, I kept thinking of him for the next two days. Then yesterday, I saw him in the grocery store while I was picking up some supplies. I was shocked to see him."
Jack was slowly processing the information his mother was sharing.
"We talked for a few minutes with each other and then with a teenager he helped get her driver's license. Before I knew what I was doing, I asked him to have some coffee with me."
"Coffee… you asked…" Elizabeth cut him off by squeezing his hand tightly. He looked at her and saw the words in her eyes. Their silent conversation flowed very quickly and very clear. He took a deep breath.
"Yesterday…was that the time I saw you walking down the sideway yesterday?"
"Probably. Where were you? I didn't see you."
"Bill and I was having a working lunch. You were looking down and you didn't look up."
"Yes. I was nervous."
Their food was delivered, and Jack was grateful to have the time to regroup.
After everything was delivered and settled, Elizabeth spoke up. "Mom, you said he helped someone with their driver's license."
Charlette was grateful for Elizabeth's question. "Yes, he used to teach high school and this young lady has dyslexia. He helped her to learn ways of calming herself down and he helped her study the book. Afterwards, he helped her with the driving part of it. She thanked him for all of his help. After that is when I asked him for coffee."
"What happened to his wife?" Elizabeth asked.
"She passed fifteen years ago from cancer. He has three children. Two of the three are twins."
Jack was listening. He was thankful for Elizabeth stepping in and asking questions. He wanted to know those answers but was having trouble forming his thoughts.
"Mom, are you planning on seeing him again?"
"After coffee, he asked me to join him for dinner after everything calms down from the wedding."
"You accepted, didn't you?" Asked Elizabeth.
Jack's attention turned from his ma to his fiancé.
"Yes, but I wanted to talk to you and Tom first." She responded while looking at her oldest son. "Jack, I won't go to dinner with him if you or Tom don't want me too."
There was a long silence. Way too many thoughts were going through Jack's mind. What about my father? Was she ready to move on? Did she forget about my dad? Jack that's stupid, she would never forget about him. How serious is this? How serious will this become? Will they get married? Will I have to call him dad? No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get control of his mind.
"Jack! Jack! Jack, please look at me." Elizabeth implored while moving herself into his line of sight while lifting his face with her finger that was under his chin.
Jack snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Elizabeth. He looked directly into her eyes. It was his home, his safe place. She drew him in and was offering him her peace and comfort. "Jack, are you ok?"
He smiled. "I think so."
He let out a long, deep breath and squeezed Elizabeth's hand. He closed his eyes and inhaled a deep breath. Charlette knew this from her son. He always did this when he resettled himself and to gain control of his emotions. Elizabeth felt Jack's hand lessen his grip. She let go of his. She placed it on his back and gently began to rub his back in slow, steady, circular movements. With her other hand, she reached for the hand she just released.
"Ma, I don't really know what to say."
"I know Jack. I'm sorry to lay this on you when you are getting married in a couple of days. I didn't seek it out and I don't want to hide it from you."
"I appreciate that. What is this guy's name."
"Jack…you are not allowed to do a back ground check on him!" She sassed.
He gave her a mischievous smile. "Now, Ma, would I do that?"
"Thomas Jack Thorton! You will behave yourself!
Elizabeth laughed at the conversation.
"Jack, what are you thinking or feeling?"
"Ma, I honestly don't know. I have so many thoughts and questions. I just don't…" His voice trailed off.
"Mom, do you like spending time with this man?"
"So far. Yes, I do."
"What is his name?" She laughed at her request.
"His name is Adam."
Jack waited for the last name but she wasn't offering it just yet.
"Is this Adam worth your time?"
"I hope so. I don't know him too well. We had coffee and a great conversation, and we have texted and talked on the phone one time. Time will tell dear but as of now, yes, he is."
"Wait! You texted him and talked to him on the phone?"
"Yes, son. We have. We are getting to know each other. That is when I learned of his wife Sandra and more of his history."
"Oh"
"Jack, if you don't want me too, I will not talk to him anymore." She enjoyed her time with Adam so far and wanted to get to know him more, but she was willing to end everything if Jack wanted her too.
"No Ma. Don't do that."
"Are you sure?"
"For now I am, but I may change my mind later when I meet him." He sassed with a look she has known his entire life.
Everyone laughed.
"Jack, please know I am not replacing your father. Tom will always be my love. We raised two children together and our love will always remain in my heart."
Jack smiled. He learned a long time ago from his ma that the human heart grows so it can love more people. There is always more room for new people to love.
"Thank you for saying that ma."
Elizabeth smiled. She recognized Jack was still struggling with this, but she could also see him softening at the idea a little.
Jack exhaled and turned his attention to his mother.
"Ma. I can't nor will I tell you what to do. I don't know what to think, but I know one thing…I trust you. If you think this Adam guy is worthy of you and you would like to get to know him, you have my blessing. I will have a lot of questions and maybe some doubts, but I trust you to make the best decisions for your life."
"Thank you Jack. I really appreciate that. I don't know what will happen, but I would like to see where it might go."
"Mom, I am happy for you. Please know you have our support." Elizabeth stated as she released Jack's hand and reached for Charlette's hand.
Charlette accepted her hand and gave it a loving squeeze. Elizabeth knew in Charlette's eyes that she was grateful for Elizabeth being in her corner and having her support.
Jack nodded his agreement.
Charlette knew this was difficult for Jack. He held his father up on a pedestal. She didn't want him to think she didn't love Tom anymore, but she has been lonely for a while now. This Adam guy seems to be a good man and she wanted to get to know him.
"Thanks, you two. We are taking this slow."
"Ma, why don't you see if he would like to come Friday to the wedding."
"No, Jack. That's too soon and not to your wedding. We are talking about going to dinner after the wedding. I don't think it would be appropriate for him to attend with me. I wouldn't feel right about that."
"Mom, you do what you feel is best for you, ok?"
She smiled at her daughter. "I always knew I would have liked to have a daughter."
"Hey…" Jack tried to sound offended but was failing miserably.
The rest of the dinner was nice. Adam wasn't spoken of again until the very end before they left.
"Ma, I don't think you ever told us his last name."
"Not a chance my little boy. You will not be running a back ground check on him tonight." She sassed with pointing a finger at him.
…
Elizabeth walked with Jack slowly down the sidewalk. She knew his mind was working overtime with the news Charlette shared. She was determined to be there for Jack no matter what that looked like. She walked silently letting Jack work through his thoughts while rubbing his arm lightly.
After a few minutes she felt Jack was ready to talk, "Jack, let's sit down on the bench for a few minutes."
Jack nodded and allowed himself to be led to the bench.
"What's going on in that beautiful mind of yours?" She asked after they sat down and was comfortable.
Jack smiled at his fiancé. "You know me too well."
"I pay attention."
"I can tell. I guess a lot is on my mind. How serious is this? Where will it lead? I hope she doesn't forget my father. Will she be happy?"
"I thought you said you trusted her?"
"I do, Nani. I trust her, but that doesn't remove my worry."
"What was your first thought?"
"I was afraid she was going to forget my father, but I know better than that. I think it was just raw emotion."
"I agree." Elizabeth said and nodded. "Jack, no matter what happens with Adam or with any other man, there is absolutely no way she can ever forget about Tom. The life she had with him is imprinted on her. She has a lifetime of memories. Tom and you are a constant reminder of her life with him. It's been fifteen years since he passed, and she was mostly happy in that time. Maybe this Adam gentleman will be a refreshing part of her life. He could make her happy."
Jack nodded while she was speaking. He agreed with everything she was saying, but it was still difficult to control the emotions.
"You are a great and loving son. Don't you want her to be happy to the fullest, what ever that looks like?"
"Yes." He said in a low voice.
"Then continue to be that loving son. Allow her to make her decisions and support her the best way you can. Adam may be a good addition to her. She will make that decision. I think we can trust her to do the right thing."
"Dad always said he wanted her to be happy." He spoke.
"And he did. He loved her and she was happy. Now, through difficult circumstances, this may be how that looks like now. She will not forget him, and I bet Adam will not try to take over for your father."
"You think?"
"Remember what your mom said? He lost his wife years ago too due to cancer. He is probably fighting the same emotions your mother is dealing with at this moment."
That was a thought he didn't think of. He did lose his wife. He is probably hesitant like she is at this moment. He exhaled a long breath.
"You're right."
"Jack, always remember that and your life will be easier." She sassed with a huge smile on her face. She saw the moment in his eyes when he accepted the news his mother told him tonight. There was still a look of worry, but he accepted it.
Jack let out a laugh. "I'll try to remember that." After a moment, Jack stated, "By the way, thank you."
"For what?"
"For asking questions when I couldn't think of any. For talking and asking questions to give me time to regroup. For your presence and for your comfort. For being my strength."
"Jack, you must know I texted your mother to see if she needed anything about an hour before we met her. I knew something was wrong and she told me that she met someone. I called her and we talked about her fears of telling you."
"You knew and you didn't say anything?"
"I did for about an hour, yes. I didn't say anything because it wasn't my story to tell. She was nervous and wanted to talk. I was an ear for her to let it out. Plus, I knew she was going to tell you at dinner. If she wasn't going to tell you, I would have, but I didn't think it was my place too."
Jack didn't say anything for a few minutes. He understood why she did what she did.
"Are you upset with me for not saying anything?"
"No Nani. I am not upset with you. You were keeping ma's confidence and you knew she was going to say something. Thank you for being a shoulder for her to lean on. I'm sure she needed to talk."
"She is my family now too."
"You are a rock star, Nani."
"Jack, I wasn't doing anything special. I was just an ear for her to share."
"E-liz-a-beth, thank you for everything tonight."
"You're welcome, Jack."
"No…" His frustration with his inability to say what's on his heart was getting to him.
"Jack, just say it. I can tell you are struggling with sharing something."
After a couple of breaths, "Each day I wake up knowing I love you completely. And somehow, at the end of the day I love you more. I don't know how that is possible, but each day I love you more than I did the day before. Today, what you did this evening, makes me fall even deeper. I don't know how I managed to live for twenty eight years before you came into my life. I can't imagine doing this life without you in it."
His words made her unable to speak. Instead of trying to stumble through words, she took hold of his shirt collar and pulled him to her. This wasn't an innocent kiss. Their lips collided with the passion that was between them. She claimed him in that moment and wasn't hesitate to let him know, through her kiss, what he meant to her. After a few moments, he needed to breath but there was no way he was pulling away from this woman.
When the kiss ended, she snuggled her head into the neck and shoulder. "Jack, I love you more each day too. I don't know how all this happened, but I am so blessed it has. Each day I fall deeper in love with you. I know it doesn't make sense, but I love you more each day too."
He smiled knowing she was feeling exactly what he was feeling.
"I thought you couldn't share what is in your heart very well?"
"I can't, but I think you understand me without words."
"One heart."
"One heart." He repeated.