Chapter 58

Frank walked down the hallway of the house to check on Henry and his friend, Scott, as he was having a sleep over with a friend from school. Before opening the door, he heard Henry speaking.

"I'm not sure when, but they have agreed to adopt me."

"Are you ok with that?"

"Yeah, I have been praying for it. They are really nice."

"That's great." Scott said.

"I just hope they don't back out."

"They wouldn't do that would they?"

"I don't think so, but I have heard a lot of stories about people who back out before the process is done."

"Well, I hope they don't let you down."

As Frank leaned against the doorframe and listened to the conversation, his heart went out to Henry. The little guy had been through a lot over the last few months. His mother left when he was younger, but he didn't remember her very much. His dad was on a slow decline, and that decline speed up when he started drugs. When he started selling drugs, Henry's house became a revolving door of sketchy people through all hours of day and night. Now, he was hoping his life would settle down.

Frank knocked on the door and walked in when Henry said it was ok.

"You boys need anything?"

"No. We're good."

"Abagail has some pizza bites in the oven. They should be done is a few minutes. We'll let you know when they are ready.

"Thanks Pastor Hogan." Scott said with Henry nodding in agreement.

As Frank walked down the hallway, he saw his beautiful wife in the kitchen wiping off the counters waiting for the timer on the pizza bites.

"Sweetheart, we need to get the adoption process going."

"It is. We have an appointment with the social worker and adoption agency on Wednesday morning."

Frank shared with her what he heard the boys talking about when he checked in on them. Both had tears in their eyes during the story.

"A boy that age shouldn't have such conversations."

"I agree, sweetheart. But this is his life."

"It was his life, Frank. Now he is with us, and he will never feel unloved again. That is our boy, and he will always be here with us." Abagail's voice was strong and determined.

"I agree. He is our boy. He has been for a little while now. Nothing will ever change that."

Henry and Scott were standing in the hallway listening to the conversation. They had smelled the pizza bites and their stomachs pushed them to the kitchen to get some snacks. When they heard the grownups talking, they stopped when they noticed what the conversation was about. Scott looked at his friend with a big smile growing on his face. Henry was leaning against the wall with a matching smile and a little tear in his eye.

…

Charlette had been sitting on the top step of Adam's house for a couple of hours waiting on him to arrive. She texted him a couple of times, but he hasn't responded. She knew he wouldn't respond if he was driving. Even with that piece of knowledge, her anxiety was beginning to grow. She has worked over the conversation they were going to have when he came home. She looked at her watch and realized it had only been five minutes since the last time she looked at it. Waiting is not a strong trait of hers.

Adam drove around town and out in the country. Driving was one of his ways of relaxing. He would also do it when he needed to think. He didn't think he was pushing too much, but he must have. Walking away from Charlette was difficult. He knew he loved her, and they were getting along very well, but she was having trouble moving on from her late husband. He understood completely. At first, he was having trouble moving on from Sondra. He just had to be patient. However, like Charlette, patience was not a strong suit of his. When he noticed the ice cream store was open, he decided to drown his hurt in a cup of cookies-n-cream.

…

William came home to an empty house for the last few days. Since Grace was in Hope Valley working on Julie's wedding, he has spent the last few days working late trying to get ahead for when he leaves in a couple of days for his youngest daughter's wedding. His life has changed over the last little bit. He recently learned his older daughter was secretly married and is now separated from her husband and now is in the midst of divorcing him due to his infidelity. If he could get his hands on Lionel, Viola wouldn't need a divorce lawyer.

Julie was getting married in only a few days. She was always unpredictable, and this didn't surprise him at all. He was excited to see the changes in his youngest child. She was getting married after only dating for a few months, but in Julie's timeline, a few months was equal to a few years. He was ecstatic that she wanted to go back to college and was very pleased to write a check to the college for her tuition. He was happy she was settling down and was grateful for her finally maturing.

When he thought about his middle daughter, he would sigh. From all he has heard from Grace, Elizabeth was happy, and all of his worries were for naught. However, he was still upset that she wasn't willing to listen and wait a little bit of time. He was afraid there just wasn't enough time to lay a solid foundation for a lifetime of ups and downs. As a successful businessman, he was not used to people not doing what he said. Elizabeth refused to follow his instructions. He realized his little girls were no longer little.

After sitting down on the back patio, he hated the quiet. Normally he liked his time alone, but not now. He thought through everything and quickly realized if he didn't accept Elizabeth's new normal, he would have too many quiet nights by himself. He made up his mind at that moment to change his attitude. He needed to or he would not be happy with his new normal.

…

Elizabeth was not willing to let Jack escape from her grasp. She held onto him with all of her might. The tight grip she had on him was reminding him of the time outside of Victor's store after the robbery. She had knocked him down and hugged him so tight he couldn't breathe. This hug was worse for Jack then that night.

Along with the hug, she kept saying she was sorry. Her head was buried in his neck and shoulder. Tears were flowing and his shirt was wet from her tears. Nothing he said would calm her. So, he just continued to hold on to her and catching his breath whenever he could.

Beth stood to the side of the dining room watching the whole scene. She wanted to hug Jack and apologize, but she had to wait her turn.

The moment she slightly relaxed, Jack capitalized and pulled away far enough to look at Elizabeth. She looked in his eyes for only a moment, then she closed her eyes. She couldn't look at him.

"Sweetheart, you are being way too hard on yourself."

She heard his words, but it wasn't registering. She wouldn't be comforted. In her opinion, she did a horrible thing. While Jack was hoping to be part of the process, he understood that she was caught in her emotion about the house. He knew his wife and knew she wouldn't do anything deceptive or damaging to their marriage.

"Jack, I am so sorry."

"I know sweetheart. Don't be so hard on yourself. It's ok."

"No Jack. You have always wanted my opinion and I'm so grateful for that. You made me feel valued and that my opinion matters to you. Then I do the complete opposite. I planned this whole thing about winning you over on the house without ever really asking you about it."

"I knew it!" He exclaimed laughing.

"You knew what?"

"That you and your partner in crime had a plan."

Elizabeth took a step back and put her hand on her hip. She tilted her head and gave him a scary teacher face. She tried to say something but couldn't when she saw his facial expression.

Jack had a smirk on his face that was growing by the second. When she did this, he loved it. She looked so adorable in his eyes. "Bellissima, you look so adorable when you do that." He stated as he leaned in and gently kissed the tip of her nose.

She outwardly huffed but inwardly sighed with happiness. She loved it when he kissed her on the tip of her nose. It was the gentlest thing he did. It made her feel so loved. She only wished her scary teacher face worked on Jack like it did her students.

"Jack, I'm sorry. I will never do anything like that again."

"Elizabeth, it's ok. Can we please move passed this?"

"Jack, how can you be so easy about this? It is tearing me up inside."

"I think that's why. You are beating yourself up over this and you shouldn't. Elizabeth, neither one of us is perfect. I have gotten caught up in my emotions too. We all do. The only thing we can do is apologize for our mistakes and learn from them. You have done both."

She didn't say anything. She nodded her head in agreement but was unwilling to let herself off the hook so easily.

"Jack," Beth began. "I must apologize for my role in this scheme too. I was so excited about you two getting the house that I lost all of my common sense."

"Beth, it's ok. I understand." He offered her a smile. "Now, can we sit down and enjoy this great smelling meal and you can tell us about our new house?"

…

The first half of the meal was quiet. Jack could sense that Elizabeth and Beth were feeling guilty. Jack understood and was a little upset with being left out of the conversation, but he did understand how easy it is to get wrapped up in emotions.

"Beth, this is a great meal. Thank you for inviting us over." Jack was hoping to break the tension because of the two women beating themselves up.

She offered Jack a smile. "Thank you, Jack. I enjoy having you two here."

Elizabeth watched the interaction between the two.

"So, what was the plan?"

"Jack." Whispered Elizabeth.

"No sweetheart. I'm ok, I promise. I just want to know what the plan was. I need to learn about our house."

Beth let out a laugh. The laugh broke the tension in the room. "Well, we did have a plan, but you already knew that."

"Yes, but I don't know the particulars of it. I'm curious how you two came together and formed a plan that's going to sweep me off my feet."

Beth and Elizabeth laughed together.

"Well, dinner was the first true step in our plan." Beth began.

"Yes but remember when I told you about my dream?"

"Sure."

"Well, I have been throwing small hints about the house."

"Yeah, I remember."

Beth stepped in. "That was the first true step. During dinner, we were going to lay the foundation of the house to you. You know, the plans of the house. How many bedrooms and bathrooms there are in the house. The acres and the lots it set on. Things like that."

"Ok."

"Then I was going to explain the dream in more detail."

Beth jumped in, "Then around sunset we were going to go outside so you can see the view."

"Wow! You two have put a lot of effort into this plan."

"Yeah, the next step was to show you the house, top to bottom." Beth explained.

"Then we would have come back for a fake emergency of a leaky pipe. Once you would have fixed that, we would have taken a tour of the land, all ten acres. We would have showed you the pond then."

"And then?" Questioned Jack.

"Well, we haven't gotten that far." Explained Beth.

"I didn't think it would take that much. Plus, I would have been laying little hints along the way." Elizabeth stated with a little smile.

"Wow! You two are an excellent team!" Laughed Jack. "So…now what?"

Elizabeth let out a small laugh and a long breathe. "I don't know, you figured everything out."

"Well, I am a detective." He teased.

"You know, it was frustrating when my Herold would figure things out before I wanted him too."

"Well, may I look at our house now?"

Beth showed them the house. Jack helped her down the stairs to the basement and then up the flight of stairs to the second floor. Jack and Eliabeth were greatly impressed by the house. They also noticed the love Beth had for the house. It just wasn't a house for her, it was a home. Her desire to sell the home to someone she trusted was beginning to make sense. Jack was impressed with the basement, the shed outside and the acreage. While the house was considered in town, it was on the edge of town. Plus, the extra lots guaranteed privacy and no one else would be building beside them.

Beth was excited. She felt Jack was happy with the house and was asking a lot of good questions. She needed to hear the words from Jack and Elizabeth that they would buy.

"Jack, this house will be perfect for you and Elizabeth and your growing family."

Elizabeth glanced at Beth. She knew what she thought.

"Beth, we will hopefully one day have children, but we are not expecting. But you are correct, this house is large enough for a growing family."

…

Charlette has been sitting on Adam's top step for a few hours now. If nothing else, Charlette was persistent. Her Tom always told her she could teach donkeys a lesson or two on being stubborn. She was not leaving until she made Adam understand, even if she had to stay the whole night on his top step.

After finishing off his cup of cookies and cream ice cream, he decided he needed to head home. He had a project to work on tomorrow and he thought he could spend some time in the shop getting tools and materials together.

As he pulled into his driveway, he noticed Charlette's car. Immediately, he was afraid something terrible was wrong. He hurriedly stepped out of his car and noticed Charlette sitting on his step. He quickly began to walk toward her as she stood. "Charlie, is everything ok? Is there something wrong? Is Jack ok? What happened?"

Even with all the questions, Charlette noticed he used his nickname for her. This gave her hope that things weren't broken beyond repair.

"Everyone is fine, Adam."

She noticed his body relax at the news. He sighed away the tension he was feeling.

"If everyone is fine Charlette, what are you doing here?"

"I…I…" The rehearsed conversation wasn't flowing like she hoped. She decided to ditch the memorized story and did what she wanted to do. She grabbed his shirt and pulled him to her until their bodies collided. Without a word, she stared into his eyes searching for any signs of hope. Hope that they would be ok.

Adam was confused. He didn't know why she was on his top step. He didn't know what she wanted. He didn't know what she was thinking. The last conversation they had was not the talk he wanted. It was filled with doubt and uncertainty.

"Charlette, why are you here?" His question wasn't hateful or resentful. If anything, he was confused.

"Adam, I want this! I want you."

"Charlette, we talked about this a few hours ago. You're uncertain and you need to figure this out."

"I figured it out."

"I thought you were going to take the weekend."

"I don't need the weekend. I finally realized that loving you and being with you doesn't wipe Tom away from my memories any more than it removes Sondra from your memory. I think it's possible to have two loves of a lifetime in one life."

Adam stared at her. He was confused. He was hopeful but confused.

"Adam, I don't want to live my life without you. I want you in it."

She saw the confusion still in his eyes. Finally, she claimed his lips in a kiss that removed all doubts. The kiss was the only thing she could think of to convince him of her intentions. She realized he understood her intentions when she felt his body relax and he wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Adam…"

…

Elizabeth and Jack were quietly walking back to their apartment after a tremendous dinner with Beth. They held hands and stole glances. Elizabeth sighed a couple of times. On the third sigh, Jack asked, "Out with it Bellissima. What's going on?"

"Nothing Jack. I'm just enjoying the walk."

"Sweetheart, would you like to try that again?"

She loved Jack, but she didn't like the way he could read her so easily at times.

"Jack, how do you do that? You are a very good detective."

"Elizabeth…it has nothing to do with being a detective. I love you. Just like you love me. I know you. Just like you know me. We know each other and each other's mannerisms. Like you, I can read you like my favorite book. Now, let's try this again…What's wrong?"

She sighed. He was right. He knew her as well as she knew him. "Jack…" She hesitated. "I feel bad about trying to trick you and not asking you to be part of the discussion concerning the house."

"E-liz-a-beth"

Goodness…why does he have to say my name that way?

"We have talked about this. It's ok. You apologized and we have moved past it. We have learned from it. So, let's not allow it to steal any more of our time."

"I know, but Jack…"

"No buts Elizabeth. It's settled. Now, what are your opinions on the house?"

Elizabeth was grateful for the team they were. She wanted to wallow in self pity, but Jack wouldn't allow it. He was there for her just as she was there for him a few days ago when he had a horrible day at work. A marriage isn't about keeping score. It is about being there for the person you love when they need you.

…

Julie and Tom were settled on the couch watching a movie. Julie was asleep on the couch with her head on a pillow on Tom's lap. She typically couldn't stay awake during the movie even when she picked it out. Tom would gently run his hands through her red hair. He looked around the house. There were still boxes of stuff, but Julie was making a lot of progress in unpacking and setting up the house. He loved her ideas of decorating and was excited to see the finished project. In just a few short days, he would be married to this woman. Then, he wouldn't have to sleep in the guest bedroom.

His new job would start the day after his honeymoon was over. He was excited about the possibilities of his new job, but he was also a little anxious. It was a new position, and anything new is difficult to begin.

Over the last few months, his life has completely changed. He matured and was looking forward to the next step in his life. A new job…marriage to a beautiful woman who challenged him to be better, and a home. He never thought he would ever own a home. He never wanted too until now. He sighed with the excitement of his future.

"Are you ok?" Julie asked with a tone deep in sleep.

"I'm fine, sweetheart. I was just thinking about us and how exciting everything is."

Without opening her eyes, she smiled. "It is great, isn't it?"

He smiled and kiss the top of her head.

…

After breaking from the kiss, Charlette smiled at Adam. "Adam, I am ready for this…all of this. No more holding back."

"Charlette, are you sure?"

She sensed his hesitation in his body language and the way he still used her full name. She couldn't blame him guarding his heart. She instilled some doubt in him and she regretted it deeply.

"I want this, Adam. Now, I need to prove it to you."

His smile was the first smile since he arrived to see her sitting on the steps. It wasn't his normal full faced smile, but it was a smile, nonetheless. For tonight, she will take it.

...

The next day, Jack and Elizabeth meet with Beth at the café after their work. Jack was beginning to gain a little control over learning his new job. He was still learning everything, but at least he wasn't feeling like he was sinking. Bill was a great help and source of encouragement. Jack was still learning who he needed to work with in each department in the city and in the state departments.

Elizabeth's school day was good. The kids could sense the end of the school year was approaching. There still were a few weeks away, but they could sense it anyways. The kids were flourishing in their schoolwork which made Elizabeth very happy.

Elizabeth walked into the café to see her handsome husband sitting with Beth. Beth was laughing at something Jack said and she could see the happiness on her new friend's face. She walked to the booth and leaned down to give Jack a soft kiss on his lips. Then she hugged Beth and kissed her on the cheek.

"Hello, Beth. I see you are enjoying the company of a handsome man."

"I have. He is funny too." Beth paused and waited for Elizabeth to sit next to Jack. Once she was comfortable and ordered her drink, Beth began. "Jack and Elizabeth, I asked you to come here because I want to discuss the house. I know this hasn't worked out like we have wanted." She looked at Elizabeth. "But I feel like we are on good standing."

Jack smiled. This lady was an older version of his bride.

"I hoped you two talked about it last night?"

"We did talk about it." Elizabeth began. "We like the house."

Beth looked at Jack for his version of the story.

"Yes, we liked it a lot. But Beth, we still haven't made a final decision yet."

"Oh, Jack. It's already your house. Now, let's quit sitting on the fence and let's get this done."

Elizabeth smiled knowing how stubborn Beth could be, but she was still hesitating to push this on Jack. "Beth, I think we may need more time. We have talked about it and we both love the house, but I want to give Jack time to process everything. We have talked about this in full, but Jack hasn't had that opportunity too."

Beth nodded. She heard her husband's voice in her head, "Quit being too bossy. Slow down and let other people catch up." She laughed at the memory.

"I know, Elizabeth. I am sorry to be pushing this."

"It's ok, Beth." Jack stated.

"Ok…so…let's talk."

Jack didn't know where to begin. He didn't know how much she was asking for the property? When she wanted to move? There were questions that needed to be answered.

Beth was reading Jack's mind, thanks to Elizabeth. During one of their private discussions, Elizabeth shared some concerns she thought Jack had.

"First, I have a smaller house under contract already. It's the perfect size for me. There are not any steps. So, I will be moving in about four to five weeks if you decide to purchase the house. Secondly, I don't think we need to get other people involved if we could work things out ourselves. There is no need pay lawyers and other people if we can do it ourselves."

She noticed Jack's hesitation.

"I have a family attorney that we have used for decades, she can work all the paperwork for us. She is very good and that will save the cost of lawyers."

Jack made a note to check with Bill to see if the lawyer was a good lawyer or not. He also wanted to know how much Beth wanted for the house.

When Beth told them how much she wanted, both Elizabeth and Jack gasped at the number.

"Beth, that has to be about seventy percent of the worth of the house."

"Beth, we can't allow you to short change yourself so much. That's not fair to you." Exclaimed Elizabeth.

"Nonsense. I think it is fair."

"No Beth! It isn't fair for you."

"Jack…Elizabeth…I have more than enough money to last me for the rest of my life. Herold made sure I was well taken care of before he passed. I don't need the money."

"Beth, we can't allow you…" Jack began.

"Fine, I'll take sixty percent of the value of the house."

"Beth, you are horrible at negotiating." Jack laughed.

"Jack, I want you two to have this house. I don't need the money, so that's not an issue. My issue is that I love the house and I want it passed to someone who will love it too. Elizabeth loves it. You two will raise a family in that house. The house deserves a growing family. My heart will be filled if a loving, growing family named Thorton will live there for decades. That, in of itself, is enough payment for me. "

"But Beth…"

"Fine, I'll take fifty percent and a promise."

"A promise?"

"Jack and Elizabeth. I don't have any family left. I have no one to leave my money. I can't take it with me, nor would I want too. The house is a beautiful piece of property and deserves a family like yours. The only think I ask is that you would allow me to be part of it." A hopeful Beth asked.

"No matter the price, Beth. You are already part of our family. You will be Grandma Wilson to any kids we have. You don't have to give away your house to be part of our family."

"Thank you for saying that, but I am not trying to buy my way into your family. I love Elizabeth and you too Jack. I think of you two as family."

"We think of you as family too."

"Great, so fifty percent of the value and the opportunity to spoil your kids?"

"Seventy five percent and you spoil our kids?"

"Deal! Fifty percent and all the spoiling I can do!"

"Beth!" Jack and Elizabeth said together.

"Jack! Elizabeth!" She stated with her scary teacher face and her hand on her hip.

Elizabeth leaned over to Jack and whispered. "Do I look like that when I do that?"

"You sure do."

"And that doesn't scare you? Because it's scaring me!"

"Doesn't scare me at all. You're too adorable when you do it!"

Jack looked back at Beth. "Sixty five percent and all the spoiling you can do?"

"Deal at fifty percent and spoiling?"

"Beth!"

"Jack!"

Elizabeth was staring at both Jack and Beth. She felt like she was watching a tennis match. She laughed to herself knowing that both Beth and Jack weren't willing to give an inch.

Beth doubled down on her scary teacher face. "Jack Thorton. We have a deal at fifty percent and the spoiling! I am too old to bicker like this. Now, didn't your mother raise you to be a gentleman and not argue with an old woman?" She sassed.

Jack huffed. "First of all, you are not old! Yes she raised me to be a gentleman. You are family, not some person I don't know."

"Great! Fifty percent and spoiling!" She proclaimed.

"Beth!"

"Elizabeth, deal at fifty percent and spoiling?" She turned her attention to Elizabeth. She wasn't getting anywhere with Jack.

Elizabeth looked like a deer in the head lights at the turn of events. "Oh no. I'm not doing this." She laughed while raising both hands in surrender.

"Jack?"

"Beth?"

"Ok. You buy dinner, fifty percent, and spoiling?"

"Sixty five percent, we buy dinner, dinner with us once a week when possible and spoiling?"

"Fine, fifty percent, you buy dinner, dinner at your house whenever we can, and spoiling. Now, I'm tired from the arguing. Pay for dinner and get me a piece of that chocolate cake."

"Beth."

"Young man." She said with a huff of frustration. "Enough with is! Now, shake my hand on the deal and go get me a piece of that cake." She looked intently into his eyes. She was not going to budge, and Jack knew it. Elizabeth giggled at Jack's expression when he realized he was defeated. No matter how much he tried, he wasn't going to win this argument.

Jack lowered his head and let out a breath of defeat. He reached across the table and took the hand Beth had extended. When he took her hand, Elizabeth reached and placed her hand on top of their hands. "Deal!" All three said at once. Beth's and Elizabeth's face was all smiles and Jack was shaking his head knowing he didn't stand a chance against Elizabeth and Beth.

Under his breath, "I should hire you two as interrogators!"

"What was that young man?" Stated Beth with both ladies laughing.