Chapter 131

Jack walked into an empty house after driving from the airport and dropping John off at this home. Once the door closed, he noticed how quiet the house was. The house wasn't huge by any means, but it was a good size house. He placed his suitcase on the bed and walked into the kitchen. He decided he would tackle his suitcase after a snack. He wasn't too hungry even though it was dinner time.

Jack sat at the kitchen island looking at his sandwich. After about two bites, he placed it on the plate and looked around his home. Every where he looked, he saw Elizabeth and the babies. When he closed his eyes, he could hear Elizabeth's laugh and hear his babies' cry. "This is dumb." He huffed. He decided he needed to do something other than sitting in the kitchen missing his family. He decided he was going to tackle the suitcase and put everything away and start a load of laundry.

…

"Did Jack get back home?"

"Yes mom, he did. He texted me when he landed and when he pulled into the driveway. We're supposed to skype later tonight."

"That's great. I always hated when he would travel."

"Yes, it's not my favorite either. I'm glad we're all going to Quantico at the end of the month."

"I bet he is too." Charlette laughed.

Their attention was drawn toward the kitchen when they heard Emily and Abagail laughing. Abagail was laughing at something Emily said.

"What do you think about those two?"

"Well, I think they really like each other. Emily was always great in my classroom."

"Her and Henry have dated for a while."

"In kid's time I would say yeah."

"Dear, they have dated a lot long than you did with my son." Charlette chuckled.

"Well…yeah, maybe." Elizabeth blushed. "Jack rushed me." She sassed.

"Really?" Smirked Charlette. "I thought it was you who put a time limit on Jack speaking to your father asking for his blessing." Charlette tilted her head slightly to the right. Her mischievous grin on her face.

"My daughter can be very impatient when she has her mind set on something." Grace laughed as she walked into the living room.

Elizabeth bumped Charlette's shoulder with a chuckle. "Well, I knew what I wanted." She shrugged her shoulders.

"Jack told me he still doesn't know how you stole his phone and put your father's phone number in it without him knowing it." Charlette and Grace were enjoying the banter and the light pink color on Elizabeth's face.

"I don't think the word stole is appropriate. Afterall, we were dating. Can you really steal your boyfriend's phone."

The innocent look on Elizabeth's face made Charlette and Grace laugh.

"My son said that you called him the next morning asking if he spoke with your father."

"I don't know if it was the next morning. I think it may have been the afternoon."

"Jack told me that you said that if he didn't speak to your father by the end of the day that you were going to take matters into your own hands."

"Mother!" Gasped Elizabeth.

"That's when he called the house phone and we spoke for just under an hour. He was so kind, and nervous."

"I think I'm going to lay out the babies' pajamas." Elizabeth was a little embarrassed.

Charlette walked up to Elizabeth. "I'll get the bottle ready. And…I'm very grateful Jack spoke to your father. I don't want to imagine you not being in my life."

"Thank you, mom."

…

Tom and James decided to grab dinner at the local pizza place to watch the baseball game. Neither of their favorite teams were playing, but it was still baseball.

"So, how are you feeling about the pregnancy."

"I'm excited." Tom bounced in his seat. "I'm a little surprised it happened so quickly, but I wouldn't change a thing."

"Same here. Is Julie doing well with the morning sickness?"

"Better now. Is Viola doing well?"

"She is. Every once in a while she will get a little sick, but nothing too bad."

"Has she thought about working with the company."

James had shared with Tom about his proposal for VI to work alongside him in the construction company. James was really wanting her to accept it, but he wasn't going to push it.

"I'm not too sure. One day she is against it and the next she is for it. She loves her job at the bank. I think that is a big pull for her."

"True, plus, it's a good job."

"It is."

"Well, maybe she will come around and warm up to it."

"Maybe. I hope so. She would be a great asset to the company, and we work so well together. She would be a great bonus and would take us to new levels. Plus…" He stammered trying to find the right words. "Plus, I just like being with her."

"I understand. I'm the same way with Julie and Jack is the same way with Elizabeth."

"How did we become so lucky?"

"I don't know, but I'm not questioning it at all."

…

"Are you finished?" Lee asked when he saw Rosemary holding a small pamphlet in her hands.

"I did. Would you please read it?"

During the process of working on the guidelines for the first responders and their bosses, Rosemary would not allow Lee to read any of her work. She wasn't trying to be secretive, but she wanted to make sure she stated things her way. She wanted Lee's thoughts but only when the process was done. That would be the time for revisions. She just wanted her thoughts laid out first.

"Of course, I'll read it."

"And give me your opinion?"

"Sure."

…

Adam just finished putting away a load of towels and was wiping down the counter tops in the kitchen when he heard a knock at the front door. Adam couldn't understand who would be coming to the house at this time in the evening.

"Jack, is everything ok?"

"Yeah…" He began to rub the back of his neck. "Everyone is good."

"You look tired." Adam stated at he opened the door completely and stepped aside so Jack could walk into the home.

"I am. It's been a good couple of days, but I think it's catching up with me."

Adam closed the refrigerator door and tossed Jack a bottled water. "Would like something to eat?"

"No thanks." Jack sat down on the couch and settled in to the corner of the couch against a pillow.

"So…what's up?"

"Well…" Jack stated very slowly. "I got home about an hour ago."

"That's good." Adam continued to watch Jack.

"Well, it's very quiet at home."

Adam nodded in agreement. He understood completely. He remembered a time when he got home from a teacher's conference and his wife and three kids were visiting her family about three hours away. The house was always in constant motion with three little ones. When he stepped into the house, the silence was deafening. He was barely able to stay at the house alone for the following two days until his family returned. He understood completely the emotions Jack was going through. He simply missed his family.

"Hey, I think there is a baseball game on. Want to watch it?"

"Sure. Who's playing?"

"I don't know. Does it matter?"

"Not really."

"Where's Rip?"

"He's still with Henry. I'm picking him up tomorrow."

Adam nodded. He stood up and walked to the pantry to retrieve a bag of BBQ and plain chips. Adam sat on the opposite side of the couch and turned the TV on to find a ballgame.

…

"Alright my two little loves," Elizabeth began while picking up both babies after changing their diapers and then their clothes. "Both grandmas are going to feed you your dinner." Elizabeth laughed when both babies waved their arms a little. The babies were getting more vocal and moving more each day. "Come on you two." Elizabeth stated settling both on her hips.

Jack told her that he would skype her in about another forty five minutes. She was looking forward to it. She missed her husband. Being a mother of two six month old twins were exhausting. Their relationship was great, and she wouldn't change anything. Well, she would change one thing. Their intimate life is good, but with twins it wasn't as active as before pregnancy. They both knew this was the season of life they were in at the moment, but that didn't change their desires.

"Alright, who gets who?" Elizabeth spoke as she stepped off the last step of the stairs.

"I'll take whomever is on the right." Stated Grace.

"Works for me." Stated Charlette.

Both women were already holding a bottle and a bib. They loved their role as grandmas. This was the best time for them.

"Then we'll get them afterward for bedtime." Stated Abagail and Beth.

"Maybe." Whispered both grandmas with a little bit of sass.

…

In about twenty minutes, Jack was asleep with is head on the back of the couch. Adam laughed at the scene. He knew Jack was tired, but didn't realize how tired he was.

Adam picked up his phone and skype called his wife.

"Hey handsome."

"Hey beautiful. Do you realized how gorgeous you are holding our grandbaby?"

Charlette's face turned immediately red. She leaned in and kissed her granddaughter on the top of her forehead as she worked on her bottle. She was holding the top of the bottle while she wiggled her fingers. Adam fell in love with his wife all over again. He also fell in love with his granddaughter with her being so adorable.

She noticed that her husband was staring lovingly at her. She saw the love in his eyes, and it made her fall in love with him even deeper.

"Whippersnapper!" Charlette warned. "You better stop looking at me like that with those eyes."

"I can't help it. You're beautiful!" His smile only grew.

"Adam." Charlette's smile was full and loving. "I miss you."

"I miss you too." After staring at each other for a few moments, Adam finally broke the silence. "I have a visitor tonight."

"Really?" Charlette's shock was evident in her voice.

Adam turned the phone so the camera was pointing toward his visitor.

"Jack's there?"

Charlette's voice caught Elizabeth's attention. She walked behind the big couch Charlette was sitting on and looked at the phone. She awed at her husband with his head back and his mouth slightly opened. At that moment, she missed her husband more than ever before.

"He came by a few minutes ago. He drunk half a bottle of water and ate a few chips. We were watching a baseball game and he fell asleep."

"Dad, why did he come over?" Asked Elizabeth.

Adam shifted a little uncomfortably in his seat on the couch.

Charlette smiled. She knew her husband's body posture and his uncomfortable squirming. 'Out with it!" Charlette's no nonsense demeanor was shining through.

Adam huffed at his wife's forwardness. He also huffed that she was right. "Do you always have to be right?"

"I can't help it. Now, what's going on with Jack?"

"He got home and was there for about an hour."

"Ok…" Elizabeth and Charlette said at the same time.

"He said he was home, but it was too quiet."

"Too quiet?" Whispered Elizabeth.

"Yeah. I don't think I'm going to wake him up. I'll let him sleep. If he wakes up, he can go home or get more comfortable. Whatever he chooses if fine with me."

"Too quiet?" Elizabeth asked again.

"Elizabeth," Adam stated in a soft tone as he stood from the couch to walk into the kitchen. He didn't want to wake Jack or for him to know what he was about to say. "He misses you and the babies. He was at your home for one hour and the silence was deafening. He's used to you and the babies being there. The house is big and lonely."

Elizabeth nodded her head. Charlette smiled as her granddaughter tugged on her shirt because grandma wasn't paying attention and the bottle was accidently pulled away from her.

"Simply put, he just misses his family."

Elizabeth was amazed that this just made her love her husband even more. "Dad, please take care of him."

"We'll be fine. The couch sleeps fairly comfortable."

"Yeah, that's mom's old couch. I remember finding you two sleeping on that couch."

"Watch it young lady." Warned Charlette with a smile.

"Yeah, that was a great night until I woke up to her cop son and his wife staring at us." Adam shook his head."

"Still the best picture I have of you two." Sassed Elizabeth.

…

The next few days went by quickly. The ladies were expected back today, and all the men were looking forward to it. Emma kept Jack busy at work after speaking to Elizabeth. She asked Emma to keep Jack busy at work so he wouldn't miss the family too much.

Emma and Jack spent a good portion of those days going over the information for the FBI. Elizabeth did a great job with the work, but Jack wanted to make sure he knew the information inside and out before traveling to guest lecture for the class of students.

"Jack, you have ten minutes and you need to leave for the bus stop."

"Thanks, Boss Lady."

"Before you go, there is a file on your desk. Look at it when you come back to the office."

"What is it?"

"Lee has been working on it. I'm not sure. He dropped it off and asked me to forward it to you."

"Thank you. "When will the new police officers begin work?"

"The week before you leave for Quantico. Their paperwork was held up by the state but all is good now. All four will be transferring in that week. That works out best for you."

"Thanks. I can't believe the state did that."

"Well, the state usually works slow on things."

"I'm leaving. Kyle will be leaving soon, and I want to make sure I see him before he leaves."

Kyle was leaving on the morning bus for the police academy. Since Jack was such a good cadet at the academy, his recommendation of Kyle joining the academy was immediately granted. Jack had spoken with Kyle on several occasions giving him insights about the academy. It was going to take a total commitment from Kyle, but Jack wasn't concerned. He knew Kyle and knew he would do well.

"Please tell him I said congratulations."

"I will, Bossy Lady." Jack stated as he walked out of his office.

…

Jack laughed when he turned the corner and saw the bus stop. Along with Kyle, there was the entire football boys there with him. Some of their girlfriends were there too. Jack guess there were about twenty of so teens there to see their friend and brother off. Jack smile knowing the programs through the schools were really paying off in the lives of these young people. Professionally speaking, this was his greatest achievement and will remain so for the rest of his professional career. Jack walked up to a smiling group.

"Hey Chief." He heard from the group. He walked up to Kyle and gave him a big hug. He also handed Kyle his cell phone after pushing a button.

"Hey Kyle!" Elizabeth stated while riding in the van on her way home from the trip away. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there to see you off, but I wanted to wish you the best before you left."

"Thank you mom." Elizabeth smiled at her title from one of her football boys.

"Now, you work hard. Follow all the rules and do you best."

"Yes, mom." Kyle smiled at the phone. "You are always a mom." He stated as the whole group laughed.

"Now, work hard and come back to Hope Valley soon." She smiled at her boys. "Oh, Mrs. Thatcher would like to speak to you."

Elizabeth handed the phone to her mother's outstretched hand.

"Oh, Kyle. I'm so proud of you!" Stated Grace with a tear flowing down her check.

"Thank you, grandma."

"Now, take care of yourself. I know you will do great."

"Yes, ma'am."

Jack took the phone after Kyle said his goodbyes. Jack smiled at Kyle. "Now, the instructors will make it difficult, but their only desire is for you to succeed at your highest level. Follow what they tell you to the letter. Keep your head down and follow their instructions no matter what."

"Yes, sir."

"Now, do your best and graduate. Then come back home to your job."

"Are you sure about the job?" Kyle asked hesitantly.

"It's already waiting on you. Work hard and pass the academy and your job will be here."

Everyone gave him a hug. The whole group was truly a family. The whole scene was completely perfect. After Kyle stepped onto the bus and it pulled away, Jack turned toward the group. "Alright young men and young women, let's go to Abagail's Café, my treat."

There was a loud cheer from the group as they turned toward the café.

…

James walked into his home to a very beautiful wife standing in the living room with her arms wide open. He walked directly into her embrace and not letting go. He loved how she felt in his arms and she loved being in his arms.

"How are you?"

"I'm good. The trip was great, but I missed you terribly."

For Viola, being away from James was difficult. She wasn't happy about it.

"I missed you, V. I don't like you being away."

"Me too. Now, how are you?"

James smiled. "I'm good. Everything is flowing along well at work."

"That's great. Now, let me tell you about the trip."

…

Elizabeth and Grace walked into the Thorton home to a smiling Jack. He had two bouquets of flowers. A dozen of daisies for his wife and a vase full of lilies for his mom. Elizabeth's mother was carrying both back packs and Elizabeth had both babies. The walked directly to Jack and he wrapped his arms around his family.

"You are not allowed to leave until next year."

"Deal."

Jack did not know that Adam shared with Elizabeth and Charlette about him staying at Adam's house while Elizabeth and the babies were gone. He just didn't want to stay at his empty home. For those few days, it wasn't home. Jack realized while he loved their home, it wasn't a home unless his family was there.

"Let me go outside and grab your suitcases. I'll be right back."

"Great. We'll change the babies. It's almost time for them to wake up and they will be hungry."

…

Abagail and Emily walked into her home to see Frank and Henry sitting at the kitchen table playing Monopoly. Abagail's two boys looked up and their smiles grew.

"Good afternoon, ladies. Did you have a good trip?"

"We did." Abagail smiled.

"Emily, you parents will be here in about an hour to pick you up."

"Thank you Frank."

"Emily, would you and mom like to play Monopoly with us. Dad cheats."

"Hey!" Frank stated with a hurtful tone.

"He's on to you honey." Abagail smiled.

"Well…" Frank smiled.

"Can I be the horse?" Emily asked.

"And I want to be the top hat." Henry stated as he reached for the piece.

…

Viola stood in James' embrace for several minutes. She just wasn't willing to let him go. She loved this time together with her husband. She smiled knowing how much she has changed since moving to Hope Valley and marrying James. They were great together. They challenged each other to reach for their goals and was each other's loudest cheerleaders. She sighed knowing this is how it is supposed to be and grateful she has it now.

"I hope that's a good sigh."

"Yes, the best."

James smiled as he kissed the top of her head. "Now, we must finalize the last two bedrooms upstairs."

"I have the paint narrowed down to two colors. What do you think?"

"Oh, I'm not playing that game." He chuckled. Each time he suggested a paint color, she aways scrunched up her nose. "You know I'm not any good at picking paint colors."

She smiled knowing how true that statement really was. "True, but you are a really good carpenter."

"I can build things. I just can't decorate things."

"When do you think they will be finished?"

"As soon as you pick the colors, just a couple of days. Then we need to let the paint fumes out of the house until you are allowed in."

Vi huffed. She wanted in the house yesterday. "I guess I will have to wait."

"Patience, sweetheart."

"If you tell me one more time to be patient, I just may through something at you." She huffed as she tightened her hold on her husband.

"Maybe our babies will have my patience." He smirked.

"Then we are in a lot of trouble." She sassed right back at him.

…

The family sat on the couch while Grace excused herself to her room. She wanted to call William. She also wanted to give Elizabeth and Jack some time with just them. She knew the time apart was hard on them.

Elizabeth was holding her son while feeding him his bottle and Jack was doing the same with his daughter.

"Did you have a good trip?"

"I did. We had a lot of fun together. It was great to go back to the craft fair. I saw the couple who sold us the dining room table."

"That's nice."

"Was the cabin still nice?"

"It was." She smiled remembering she learned she was pregnant in that cabin. "I stayed in the same room as last year. It was nice having the babies there. Everyone enjoyed them." She smiled at her son. "I can't believe they still want to be held. I can't think of a time they weren't being held unless they were sleeping."

"I bet."

"I also remember last year I came home and told you I was pregnant."

"Yeah, you tackled me on the sidewalk of our house, Plowed me right over." He laughed.

"Jack, what a thing to say to your wife."

"That wasn't the first time, sweetheart. If I remember correctly, that was the third time."

Elizabeth huffed.

"To be so petite, you hit like professional linebacker."

"Officer, have you ever been hit by a professional linebacker?" Sassed Elizabeth.

"It's chief ma'am. And no, I haven't"

"Then how would you know?"

Jack leaned over and kissed his wife on the tip of her nose. "Because it's like it is on TV. The linebacker hits the person, the person lands on his back, and the linebacker is on top. Just like when you hit me."

Elizabeth smirked and cut her eyes sideways to look at her husband. After a few moments of glaring, she leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Thank you for the trip, but I missed you terribly."

"Me too."

"If we do this again next year, I think you should go with us. Maybe my father and dad, too."

"And Tom and James?"

"Yes, instead of a woman's getaway, we make it a family getaway."

"Hummm, that does sound nice with everyone."

"Great. Even though I don't imagine dad having a problem with you sleeping on his couch for the last couple of nights." Elizabeth stated looking at her son. She never did look at her husband.

"You know about that, do you?"

"What do you think about asking mom and dad to come with us to Quantico so they could watch the babies while we guest lecture?"

Jack smiled. "That makes sense. That way we wouldn't have to place them in the FBI's childcare. Ma and Adam can have them during the day."

"That's what I was thinking. They could keep them in the hotel or take them out during the day."

"We would have to purchase their airline tickets and hotel." Jack stated thinking about the whole thing.

"Yeah, but that's it. The FBI is already paying for those things for us."

"Let's ask them tomorrow. I think they will do it."

"Sounds great."

Jack and Elizabeth finished feeding their babies and laid them on the couch to sleep. They place pillows beside them so they would roll of the couch. Jack and Elizabeth just sat on the couch, holding hands, talking. They talked about the trip she just had. They discussed the babies and how fast they were growing, and the trip to FBI headquarters in a couple of weeks. This was a time for them to just catch up and reconnect. Their marriage was strong because this time together, just sitting and connecting with each other, was strong. They were always touching when they reconnected. Sometimes they had their hands on each other's thigh. Other times they would hold hands. It didn't matter how they touched, as long as they were touching.

…

"Hey dad." Adam heard as he answered his phone. His smile grew at Elizabeth's voice.

"Good morning, dear. How are you and my babies?"

"They're good. They just finished their bottles and enjoying time on a blanket on the living room floor."

"I guess Rip is somewhere on that blanket."

Elizabeth laughed. Rip has been the perfect protector since the babies were born. Watching over his little humans was his sole responsibility in his life. "He is. He's laying on the bottom of it. Jack is trying to grab his hair."

"That must be adorable."

"You think anything the babies do is adorable."

"Well…they are adorable when they do anything."

"I agree." Elizabeth laughed. "I was calling to see if you and mom are busy in a couple of weeks?"

"Not that I know of. Why? What's up?"

"Would you and mom be ok coming to Quantico with us to watch the babies when we guest lecture?"

"Absolutely, but I thought you were using the daycare at the FBI headquarters?"

"We were, but Jack and I would prefer if you two would do it."

"We would be honored to go. Just let me know where you are staying, and your flight information and we will get everything in order."

"Well…" Elizabeth hesitated. "I have already made the arrangements this morning."

Adam laughed. His daughter knew them very well. "Just let me know how much we owe you and we will pay you back."

"No. Since we are asking, we are paying."

"I don't think so." Adam said in a stern voice.

"Did you just use your teacher's voice on me?" Elizabeth tried to sound shocked but just couldn't.

"Not teacher's voice, dear. Grandpa's voice."

"And dad's voice." She smiled. "You know Jack will be unhappy about this. We thought that we should pay since we are asking you."

"Nonsense. Jack has my number. If he has anything to say, he can call me."

Elizabeth let out a loud laugh. "I don't think he will even try. Are you two busy today?"

"No. I just got back from the lumber yard. We have a project scheduled for tomorrow. Do you need us."

"Not really, I just thought me and the kids would come over for a little bit."

"We would love that. I'll let Charlie know and she can have lunch ready."

"At some point I need to go to the school and work on my classroom."

"Well, if your comfortable, the babies can stay with me and you and Charlie could go and work on it for a little while."

"Why wouldn't I be comfortable for grandpa to watch his grandbabies? Do you think mom would help me?"

"Absolutely."

"She'll love the time with you."

"Do you think she would leave the babies?" She smirked.

"She'll have lunch with them, she'll be fine."

"I'll leave that up to you."

"She understands how stressful getting a classroom can be. If she doesn't want to go, she can stay with the babies, and I'll go with you."

"Thank you dad."

"Any time, Elizabeth. You know that."

…

Jack sat in his office discussing some cases with Lee and one of the new officers.

"Lee, bring Jackson in and question him. We don't have too much on him, but it is pointing in his direction."

"I'll do it after this."

"Perfect. Please take Officer Jane with you."

"No problem. Any suggestions on how to interrogate him?"

"Lee, you are a smart officer. You do not need my help in this."

"Yes, chief."

"Lee." Jack used a tone to let Lee know he wasn't happy with the title.

…

"Detective, may I ask you a question?"

"Sure, Jane. What's on your mind?"

"Why didn't the chief instruct you on how to interrogate the suspect?"

"The chief trusts us to do the job we have. He directs us and we know what he expects from us, but he gives us the opportunity to figure things out. If we need help, his door is always open for us."

"So, he doesn't micromanage?"

"No. We have many discussions. I know what he wants. He trusts us because we do a good job."

"Wow…that's different from my old boss."

"It's great isn't it? The chief gives us every opportunity to grow and learn. If we make a mistake, we correct it and then learn from it. We will talk about it, but he never gets angry."

"Really?"

"No one time. He has challenged me to defend my choices. When I told him why I did what I did, he understood. Even if he didn't agree with the decisions, he didn't belittle me, not once. He corrected me or agreed with me. After every one of those discussions, I always felt like I learned something. I learned from my mistakes, or my decisions were strengthened. Either way, I was a better detective than before. If the chief asks you something, don't take it as he is doubting you. He wants you to defend why you did it that way. He wants you to grow."

Lee smiled at Jane as he could see she was processing the information.

"If you have a good reason why you did what you did, you will have no problem with the chief. Just make sure you have a good reason."

"That sounds good."

"One thing I have learned working for Jack."

"What's that?"

"It was the best professional decision I have ever or will ever make."

"I think I agree."