"Are you sure you have everything?" Jack asked Lisa, looking around the room. Lisa smiled and took a deep breath, wanting to tell him this was the third time he'd asked her that question.
"I have everything, yes," she decided to be nice and not criticize him. He had been very helpful and thoughtful; this was not the time. She looked around the depressing hospital room and noted that, "There's nothing left here to take with me. I'll gladly go home to not return to this place."
"Well, I mean, you will be back," he nodded to her and gestured to her stomach. She laughed and nodded.
"Definitely don't want to forget anything then," she said with a firm nod. "Can we please get out of here. Four days has been way too long."
Jack gestured for her to walk ahead of him, "Just tell people you've been off relaxing. They won't know the difference."
Lisa opened the door and looked to Jack, "I do, though, and this hasn't been the type of relaxing I prefer. Relaxing is going on a long ride, sitting on a beach in France, something like that, not staying in a hospital praying my blood pressure will normalize."
"At least it has for now," Jack told her. Lisa reached for one of the bags Jack had, and he waved her off. "I told you to carry your purse and purse only. I've got the rest."
Lisa sighed, gave him a nod of thanks, and the two were quiet the rest of the time they were in the hospital. It wasn't until they were outside, Lisa stopped and looked over at him. "Not that I'm complaining, but how did you get around making them use a wheelchair."
Jack winked, "You were all discharged, but the nurse had said when ready, I could let her know so she could send the wheelchair. You're welcome because you would have loved that as much as I would have."
Lisa laughed again and nodded, "Thank you, and we'd better go before they track me down and tell me I need to ride in it anyways. It's good to walk."
"I thought you would say that too, and the doctor said walking was fine, as long as it wasn't too strenuous."
"Oh gosh," Lisa put her hand to her mouth, "it just dawned on my that my car has been here this whole time. I hadn't given it a thought."
"Good thing I have," Jack nodded to her. "I have your keys. You gave them to me that first day, which just shows how out of it you are. Your car is in the lot, and I'll go get it. You're riding; I'm driving."
Lisa tilted her head and gestured, "How did you get here Jack if you've thought of all that?"
Jack looked down as he answered, "Ty had to come into Calgary this week, and it didn't matter the day. He dropped me off after I explained your vehicle needed to get home."
"Oh, well that was very thoughtful, and I apologize for losing my brain and not thinking about it sooner," she stated.
"I'll be right back," he told her.
"I can walk," she offered, and he'd already started for the car and waved her off.
Once they were on the road, Lisa let out a long sigh of relief and rested her head on the headrest, "It is so good to be out of that hospital. I couldn't imagine being there longer." She rested her hands on her stomach and patted it, "No more trouble, you hear?"
"33 weeks, Lise," Jack nodded. "That's good."
"Yes, although with my feeling like a whale now, especially since my feet and hands are slightly swollen, I dread to think about just how I'm going to feel in another seven weeks or so," she frowned.
"Well, I'm sorry you're having to go through all of this. I don't wish that on you, and I wish I could do more," he offered, glancing her way. She gave him a small smile.
"Thank you. You've been very helpful, Jack. Now, what you can do is follow through on a promise you made," she grinned.
"What's that?" Jack asked, glancing at her before looking back at the road.
"I was promised a good, greasy burger if I played nicely at the hospital and followed their guidelines. I still really want that burger, so is that offer good?"
Jack chuckled and nodded, "You know I don't break promises, so as long as you are up to it, yes. Lou and Amy were planning on you for dinner tonight. I'll grill some burgers, and I know Lou was making some potato salad, baked beans, and who knows what else."
"Oh, that sound delicious," she said groaning. "I'm up to it. All I've done for days is sleep and rest."
"Your face has good color," he said, glancing at her. "You look better than you did, if I'm being honest."
"Thanks," she nodded. "This scared me enough that I promise I'm going to slow down these next few weeks. He's worth it," she said, patting her side.
"Lou and Amy are looking forward to seeing you," he told her. "It's been awhile."
"Yes, it has," Lisa frowned, noting she hadn't been to Heartland in months. Sure, she'd picked up Jack, but she'd always waited in the car. Going inside was just too hard with all the memories, but she was looking forward to seeing the girls. A lot had happened, but they'd come through for her and for Jack.
"So, what needs to be done before someone decides to make his appearance? I told you I'll help. I've got Caleb working a lot at the ranch. I have been delegating a lot this week," Jack explained.
"Oh gosh," she frowned, really now needing to think about that. "Well, I did buy a lot of clothing in France, so that's pretty well set at least for now. One can never have too many clothes," she grinned at him.
Jack shook his head and glanced to her, "I'm sure you wiped out the stores. Better you than me. If it were left to me, I'd-"
"Wrap him in a horse blanket?" Lisa teased as she smiled at him.
He nodded his head side to side, "I mean, it wouldn't be a horse blanket, but I have no idea what baby boys wear. I mean, those sleeper things are just fine. Girls wear dresses. What do you put a boy in everyday?"
Lisa burst out laughing, "Sleepers are good, yes, but oh, I got some just adorable outfits!" Lisa was now almost giddy. "I can't wait to get them all washed and put away. That's something Annabelle can help me do. I found some little rompers-"
"Rompers?" Jack asked, as if the word was tainted. He turned and looked at her, gesturing with one hand while the other was on the wheel. "Do I want to know what that is?"
Lisa continued to laugh, "Just some cute boy clothing, Jack. It will be fine. When you dress him, I'll make sure to have packed something flannel."
At that comment, both were quiet in the car, the reality of their situation coming to light again. Neither wanted to talk about it. Jack looked out the window, and Lisa pursed her lips and looked down at her stomach. Jack finally broke the ice, yelling at a car.
"Come on, you don't turn out in front of me!" Jack yelled. Thankfully, that seemed to change the topic and put aside the elephant in the room.
"If you could stop at a bathroom, please, Jack," Lisa looked over at him. "I will need one before we get back home," she asked.
"No problem," he nodded, and the silence settled in once again.
They finally arrived at Heartland where Jack parked, and the two headed to the house. Jack gestured for her to walk in front of him and explained, "I know it's early, but we can eat if you are hungry."
She looked back at him, "Anymore, when am I not?" Jack chuckled and nodded, Lisa then stepping into the house.
"Lisa! It's so good to see you," Amy, who was at the table, stood and turned toward her with a warm smile.
Lou, who had been at the sink, turned and waved, "Lisa, oh my gosh! Look at you! So big, wow!"
"Lou!" Amy snapped at the comment and wacked at Lou. Lou's face reddened, and she quickly apologized, "Oh, I am so sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I just meant, wow, we haven't really seen you this pregnant."
Lisa closed her eyes and nodded, a small smile on her face as she patted her side, "Yes, hello girls. Good to see you both, and yes, I'm very, very pregnant."
"Feeling like a whale?" Lou nodded in sympathy. "Been there."
"That's exactly what I described to Jack," she chuckled, moving around to give Amy and Lou a hug. Jack who had been standing behind her during the greeting, moved inside and nodded to the girls.
"Girls, Lisa is hungry, so what is the ETA on dinner?" Jack asked.
Lisa waved her hand, "Please do not change dinner plans for me. I will eat whenever dinner is ready. Jack telling you that, well, I'm always hungry."
"Oh, well, everything is actually ready," Lou hooked her hand behind her. "Grandpa, the burgers have been marinating all day, so all we need to do is have you grill them whenever you are ready."
"Let me wash up, and I'll get going with that," he offered. "Lise, you need anything?" Lisa shook her head, and Jack nodded. Lou continued to explain the meal.
"I put baked beans in the crock pot so they could be ready whenever. I made some potato salad this morning so it could have time to sit. It's ready. I picked up a pie at Maggies."
"It all sounds delicious," Lou told the girls, shaking her head. "Thank you both, again, for the food, all the help, the crib bedding-"
"Oh, is that the one you wanted?" Amy asked. "Grandpa thought it was, but we all know Grandpa," Amy rolled her eyes. "If it's not the right one, we can get the one you want."
"Honey, it's perfect," Lisa smiled at her and patted her hand she had resting on the chair.
"Can I get you something to drink, Lisa?" Lou asked.
"A cup of tea would be great, and I think I'll just sit down," she told them, sitting at the table as she had so many times. Amy sat back down across from Lisa and gave her a small smile.
"We've missed you around here," she told her.
"We have," Lou nodded from the stove area where she was preparing the tea.
"Ahh, I miss you girls too. It's been a busy several months," she said, letting out her breath.
"Okay," Jack clapped his hands together, "let me grab everything to get the grill going. It's a nice afternoon, not too hot. Do you ladies want to eat inside or outside?"
All eyes turned to Lisa, and she waved her hands, "I'm good with whatever, but since all eyes are on me, outside is just fine. A bit of fresh air after the hospital would be great."
"How are you feeling?" Amy asked as Jack moved around the kitchen.
"Better," Lisa explained. "I didn't realize just how terrible my headaches were becoming and that they were tied to my blood pressure. I mean, of course it makes sense, but I was just pushing them off as being busy and tired. I'm much more aware and also aware of just how badly things could have gone. I'm going to do much better these last few weeks."
"She's also going to have to have that blood pressure checked every couple days," Jack interjected and continued, "at least, though, in town, so it's not as bad as going to Calgary constantly."
"Oh, that's good," Amy nodded. "Let me know if I can help. I don't mind."
"Thank you, Dear," Lisa reached over and squeezed her hand. "I'm trying to ask for help too, which is not in my nature."
Lou let out a laugh, and all turned to her, "Sorry," she grinned. "Lisa's right, though. You don't ask for help, but neither do you, Grandpa."
"I ask for help," Jack nodded, frowning at the group.
"With chores and things around the house, like dishes," Amy smiled. "You don't ask for help with your own health."
He gestured to himself with his hand, "That's because my health is not a problem."
Instead of commenting about Jack's health, Lisa smiled to the group, "I certainly appreciate the offers, as well as dinner tonight. I do hope you didn't keep away your men, ladies, on my account."
"Oh, no," Lou nodded. "Peter is in Vancouver, big surprise," she said flashing a fake smile. "Katie is still down for her afternoon nap, which she's not slept well in days, so she could sleep quite awhile tonight, but I know she will love seeing her Godmother. Georgie is at the movies with a couple of girls who also ride."
"Ty and Caleb went into town for a guys' night," Amy rolled her eyes. "Not sure how well that will go."
"If I get any calls to bail them out of jail," Jack said and looked to Amy, "I might just let them sit until the morning."
"Be my guest," Amy gestured. "I told them the same, and they'd deserve it." The group broke out in laughter, and Jack carried the tray with all of the things he needed to grill.
"I'll see everyone in a bit. Outside for dinner it is," he said and with that, he left the house.
The girls both eyed Jack leaving, and as soon as he did, Lou moved over behind Amy. Lisa raised her eyebrows. She knew that look; they were intent on grilling her.
"Lisa, what's the deal with you and Grandpa? I mean, sure the baby, but we don't know what is going on."
Lisa let out a nervous laugh, "Girls, I do love you, but this is between Jack and me. We have a lot to discuss with the baby's care and all, but we will do our best to parent him where we see fit and all. I'm traveling with him to France in October for work."
Amy's eyes widened, "Does Grandpa know?"
"He does," Lisa nodded. "It's not ideal. I know Jack wants to be involved, but we will work through it one matter at a time."
"I still don't understand why you two broke up," Lou stated, almost asking as a question.
Lisa bit her lip and looked to her cup of tea. She looked back to find the girls staring at her, waiting for some explanation. She gave them a small, sad smile, "I'm sorry, girls, really, but I try to stay out of your men issues, and I just ask you do the same."
"Lise," Jack opened the door and called to her. The girls moved away, the conversation over. "Do you want that burger your normal medium rare, or do you want it a different way."
She nodded, "Medium rare, most definitely. Thank you." She looked to the girls who were both looking between Lisa and Jack. Amy broke the silence.
"Yeah, really don't know what you two are dealing with, but all I will say is that how you both like medium rare anything," she made a gagging face. "No thank you."
Lisa laughed, happy for a lighter topic, "I've been craving a really good burger for days now. I'm glad to be here, really, I am," she told them. "I think I will freshen up before dinner," she told the girls and moved off the chair to use the bathroom.
By the time Jack had finished with the burgers, the ladies had made their way outside. Lou and Amy sat across from Lisa and Jack, forcing the two to be in close proximity and watching their every move. Lisa noticed it instantly and just had to silently chuckle. She didn't hate Jack, far from it. They just couldn't find a way forward.
"So, Lisa," Lou asked after they had all started to eat, "have you picked out everything you need?"
Lisa wiped her mouth and nodded, "Jack, this burger is perfect," she said first and then turned to Lou. "Yes, that is going to be my project the rest of this week. I need to start ordering things. I know you know with Katie, but wow, there is a lot to get. You don't realize it until you start searching those baby store websites."
" I know exactly what you mean," Lou told her, smiling. "If I can be any help, please let me know. If you need anything, I'm happy to help too."
"Thank you," Lisa nodded. She turned and looked toward the woods, just now noticing something. How she'd missed it when they'd pulled in, she didn't know, but she'd been reminiscing down the driveway, so that was all she could think of for why she hadn't noticed it. She nodded in that direction, "Whose truck is that?"
The three of them followed her gaze, looking beyond her car, Lou's car, and to the truck in question. Jack turned to her.
"Mine," he said in an almost question format.
Lisa's mouth about dropped open, and at the same time, Amy jumped in, "Grandpa didn't tell you about his new truck? I mean, it's not brand new, and he argued about having anything nice in it, but it's really nice, way nicer than anything he's ever had. I love his truck."
Lisa put her hand on the table and turned sideways to look at Jack, "You did not tell me you bought a new truck."
"Well, I mean, I kinda had to after I destroyed the most wonderful truck there ever was," he sighed and shook his head.
"I expected you to get another," she waved her hand, trying to come up with the right word. Lou jumped in with the perfect one.
"Truck on death's door, that should be sent to the junkyard? Yeah, we all did. We were very pleasantly surprised when he came home with that," she stated. She looked at Jack too, "How did she not know about your truck?"
"Just hasn't come up," Jack said quietly, eating his beans and not wanting to discuss it further.
"No, I want to see it," Lisa nodded, patting Jack's shoulder as she pushed herself up. "This is quite a surprise, Jack, and I am surprised you didn't tell me."
"I mean," he chuckled, "you've been in France, and really, as soon as you came back, you landed yourself in the hospital. I got it when you were in France, and I was cleared to drive and all."
"Okay," Lisa said now standing. She gestured to Jack, "Show me your truck." The girls chuckled but stayed seated. Jack sighed, glanced at her, and he stood too.
"It's a truck," he said as they walked over to it. Jack put his hands in his pockets as he followed her. She arrived at the truck and turned toward him, crossing her arms. She pursed her lips and then smiled at him as she nodded.
"You bought this truck?" Lisa asked, gesturing to it. She ran her hand over it. It was a dark tan large truck, much bigger than his last one.
"Yeah, I did," he shrugged. "I needed a truck."
"Yes, but this one has no rust on it, Jack. I'm impressed," she told him as she opened the door to the driver's side. "Oh wow, it even smells newer, not like an animal died in it."
"My old truck didn't smell like something died," he stated, but when she turned her head, and he met her gaze, he sighed. "Maybe it did."
"Is that a navigation system?" Lisa pointed, almost laughing at Jack.
He rolled his eyes, "How is it that even the base model on a used truck has that piece of junk in it? I told them I didn't want it, but they didn't have anything else. They even got this from outside Calgary, and it still came with something I'll never use."
Lisa noticed something and stepped back, pointing at the truck, "You got a double cab."
He shrugged and looked away briefly as he spoke, "Well, what was I supposed to do? I didn't think you'd want me taking the baby around with some car seat stuffed next to my fishing gear in the front seat."
Lisa gave him a small smile, "Jack, this was a big thing for you. I know you hate new things."
"It's used," he waved at it.
"Fine," she rolled her eyes, trying to give him a compliment, "I meant to say you hate newer, updated things. This was very sweet of you. I fully expected something that well," she chuckled and looked down, "would break down constantly."
"I have to admit I don't like the idea of the girls driving something that breaks down, and I didn't want that for the baby. For me, sure, my old truck was the best thing I could have had, but I'm trying to adapt."
"Well," she said, reaching to squeeze his arm, "I'm touched you put that much thought into it."
"Lisa, it's really nice, isn't it?" Amy called to them, smiling. Both Jack and Lisa looked back to the table and started to walk back.
"It's more than I ever expected," Lisa said to the girls, a small nod. "It was a nice surprise to interrupt my delicious burger."
"More where that came from," Jack told her and continued, "I mean, the burger. I made a few extra so you have some leftovers. I'm about ready for pie."
The four settled back in at the table to enjoy the summer evening.
