It had been a good day. Lisa was determined to have a good evening as well. She pulled the last grocery bag out of the back of her car and shut the trunk. She took a deep breath and walked to the house, her home. That was taking some getting used to, and she and Jack were still at both places some. She thought about that as she walked, and perhaps, that's how they would continue, using both houses, but at the same location together. Fairfield had become blueprint central after their trip into town last week. Jack had spread all of the blueprints out over the dining room table at Fairfield, and they had studied them, consulted about them, and finally made some decisions about them.

Tonight, though, she was back at Heartland after being at the stables most of the day. She'd left early with several different meetings on her schedule. She missed Jack and John. Jack had been great to keep John all day, and Lisa knew he had some things to do around the ranch. It did help with winter setting in, he wasn't as busy as he usually was, and what he did have to do this time of year wasn't usually urgent. She also knew he loved taking care of John, so she was sure they'd had a great day. He'd finally learned how to send pictures on the phone she'd bought him, and now, he was like a pro, sending her pictures of John throughout the day. It was sweet and so un-like Jack, but he was a great dad, not that she would have expected otherwise.

Lisa stepped into the house, the door slamming behind her because her foot caught on it, and she wiped her feet before putting the groceries down.

"Hi, I'm back," she called out, knowing it would be a pretty full house for dinner. She'd made a conscious decision a few days ago to push forward and try to move beyond the mess from last week. It was hard, really hard, and she had not forgotten what was said and implied. The girls had apologized, and she appreciated that, but it didn't erase the wounds created. Still, holding a grudge, especially in this tight family wasn't healthy, and while she knew there would always be that memory and that sting, she deep in her heart knew she had to do this for her, for Jack. It was too painful to carry this mess around. She was trying, REALLY trying. Jack knew it, and in some ways, she felt he was still more disappointed than she was, and she got that. They had hurt her, and Jack was hurt by that. Tonight, most of the family would be around for dinner, so she'd been told, unlike the last week, where people had thankfully been in and out a lot. Lisa had decided tonight was the night to re-set. Their family dinners had always been so nice, and she was going to take a deep breath and pray tonight could be a new start.

With that, she was finally making Jack his baked chicken, and he was so happy about that, both about the chicken and that Lisa had told him she was trying so hard to move on. He'd told her he was too, hard as it was, but here they were.

Jack walked up quietly behind her as she was setting the groceries onto the table, and he leaned in and kissed her cheek. She smiled and quickly turned to kiss him properly.

"Hi," she said with a bright smile.

"Hi, yourself," he grinned at her. "Missed you."

"I did too. How was your day, aside from the pictures you sent, which I love by the way," she grinned back at him.

"Good," he nodded. "John slept well, maybe I did too for awhile," he winked. Lisa chuckled at that. "He and I spent some time in the barn. That bouncy seat of his works great out there, and that snowsuit you got him fits just fine."

"Ahh, so you bundled him up, good," she smiled. "Sounds like a very good day."

"What can I do to help?" Jack asked. "Amy is working in the barn and will be in for dinner. Ty is at school tonight, some study group. Peter is back in Vancouver. Lou is in town with the girls at the diner. She called awhile ago and said she had a lot of extra fresh rolls and would bring those home for dinner."

"Okay," Lisa nodded, letting out a deep breath. She hadn't noticed any other cars when she pulled in, but that didn't mean much; there always seemed to be people at the house.

"Ahh, if you turn on the oven, I'll get the chicken started. You can unpack the groceries then."

"Okay," he nodded and got to work. "Oh, I even suffered through John and his tummy time," he rolled his eyes. Lisa chuckled, noting that he'd been doing more of that with John since the doctor had said it was really helpful in building up his muscles. John was doing well with it and working on rolling to his side. She felt like rolling over was still a way off, but he was trying.

Lisa paused what she was doing as he told her about that, and she walked over and snaked her arms around his neck, kissing him, "Thank you for that. I know it's hard for you, but John and I both thank you." Jack almost blushed at the compliment, but he pulled her closer and kissed her again. Their kisses deepened until they were, as Mallory had long ago said, fooling around in the kitchen. They froze when they heard a car door outside, and both quickly separated, Lisa fanning at her face, sure it was red. Jack, looking very nonchalant, went back to unpacking the groceries, stealing a glance at Lisa and winking at her when he met her gaze. She shook her head and smiled at him.

"GG!" They both heard and turned to see Katie's little self come flying in the door. Georgie followed, a horse magazine in her hands as she tried to walk and look at it. She stopped when she saw them both in the kitchen. The last week had been stressful, and thankfully, Lou had taken the kids to Vancouver for the weekend, and Lisa and Jack really hadn't been alone with Georgie since the dinner debacle.

"So, Jack," Georgie started speaking, and Jack paused to look at her.

"So, Georgie," he smirked back at her. That earned a huge smile on Georgie's face, and she continued.

"Lou said you guys like really are married. That's so cool."

"Why, thank you, Georgie," Lisa smiled at her. Lou walked inside and started to take off her coat as they were talking.

"Yeah, it's like I just happened to show up here, met all of you, got parents with Lou and Peter, got a Jack," she laughed and at that, she looked to Lisa. "So, what does that make you now?"

"Related," Lisa nodded, with a wink. She chuckled and then explained further, "Well, let's break it down for you, Honey. Jack is Lou's grandfather, so that makes him now your great-grandfather as you know. He's fine with GG or Jack. You know he doesn't care," she smiled. "Since I'm married to Jack, that would make me your step-great-grandmother, which," she put her hand up to her mouth like she was whispering, "makes me sound very, very old." That earned another grin from Georgie, but then she frowned, trying to figure it out. "I guess, I mean, it's not like I had a great-grandmother, right? I know Lou's grandmother died, but she wasn't mine. I mean," she turned to look at Lou, "I'm not trying to be mean, but does it make sense?"

Lisa could see Lou was fidgeting in the background, and Lisa stepped to Georgie and put her arm around her back, "Lisa is just fine, Georgie. Like I said, it just means we're all related. I don't care what my title is, just that I'm married to Jack. We can be Jack and Lisa," she narrowed her eyes like she was trying to look cool, "your cool, older relatives." At that, Georgie grinned again and then laughed, nodding. She thew her arms around Jack who had stopped to listen to the explanation.

"Cool, when's dinner?" Georgie asked, already moving to her next thought.

"Ahh, about an hour if I can get this in the oven," Lisa gestured, moving back to the chicken.

Georgie ran off, and Lou made her way into the kitchen now, making a face like she was embarrassed by that conversation, "Hi you two," she said, putting the rolls on the table. "Lisa, I brought these from the diner. Thanks for making dinner."

"Happy to," she nodded and continued working.

"I felt like that was awkward, and I'm not sure why, but sorry," Lou made a face and shrugged.

"It's fine, Lou," Jack shook his head. "Lots of changes for Georgie."

"Not awkward," Lisa said. "Her really trying to grasp who John is in the mix is definitely going to be more of a challenge."

"Yeah," Lou grimaced and then shrugged. "Right now, he's just a cool baby she loves to play with."

"Can't argue with that," Jack told her. "Lise," he called and Lisa turned to see the bag of potatoes. She read his mind and nodded, "Yes, if you could peel those for mashed potatoes."

"Absolutely," he hummed. "I was hoping for that, oh, I can taste dinner now."

Lou looked around the kitchen, "Ahh, do you need more help?"

Lisa, who was trying to stay relaxed and not tense up with everything, shook her head and glanced to Lou, "I'm fine. Cooking is my way to destress."

"Oh, not mine," Lou shook her head. "It can stress me out."

"Well, then," Jack put his arm on her back, "go and relax, put your feet up if you want, and dinner will be ready in an hour.

Once Lou was out of earshot, Lisa, who was at the stove putting green beans on, glanced to Jack at the sink, "You're going to tell the girls about the fishing cabin plans?"

"Mmm hmm," he nodded, "as we discussed, along with the kitchen renovation. Do you have the granite choices to look at?"

"Yes, I do," she nodded. "They are in that bag over by John's car seat at the door. Maybe we can pick out our favorite after dinner."

"Sounds good," he said in his low tone as he continued the potato prep.

"Your text earlier said you spoke to Lou about that house," Lisa pointed out. "What did you find out?"

He sighed and put the potato on the counter, turning to her, "Lou was so indecisive about that house, even though she had fallen in love with it, that there was already an accepted offer on it. They are still looking and do plan to move. I just told her that giving everyone some space might help the entire familiy, and she agreed. I do think they want to get out of here. She'd been set on not looking without Peter, but she said they talked over the weekend, and she is going to look at a few places this week. Hopefully, they find something."

"Hopefully, they do," Lisa added with a nod. John cried out from his late afternoon nap, and Lisa patted Jack's arm. "I'll get him. I've missed him all day."

Dinner was ready almost an hour later, an hour where Lisa was able to sit down in the living room in Jack's chair and feed John, while enjoying a glass of wine Jack delivered to her, and also while participating in a tea party Katie had decided to have by bringing her tiny plastic tea cups. She passed John off to Amy who had come in for dinner and was mashing the potatoes while Jack helped her finish with dinner. She smiled when she felt his arms come around her waist at the stove, and he leaned over her shoulder.

"I love you," he said quietly, giving her a quick peck and disappearing just as fast as he'd appeared. Soon, they were all seated at the table, Lisa trying to shake off the trauma of the last family meal at the table. The food was passed around, and people started to settle into dinner. Jack smiled at her, nodding his thanks for his favorite meal.

"Girls," he said, putting down his fork when he'd finished eating to now talk to them. Georgie had already been excused to work on homework, and Katie had gone back to her tea party. John was happy in his swing, so Lisa was able to give her full attention too. "We'd like to talk to you about some things around here."

"Okay," Amy said slowly, a bite on her fork, but her attention to the room. "If this is about John needing a room, I'm fine with his taking mine."

"We appreciate that, Amy," Lisa said with a soft smile. "Jack did tell me that, and he is going to need a room, yes."

"That's one thing, yes," Jack nodded, "but some other updates."

"Updates?" Lou perked up. "Oh, please, Grandpa, tell me the bathroom is on that list."

"Oh, yes, the bathroom," Amy groaned. Lisa and Jack exchanged glances, both surprised at that reaction. Lisa finally burst out laughing, and Jack looked horrified.

"What's so funny?" Lou asked, now her attention back on them.

"If you girls were so disgusted with the bathroom, why haven't you said anything?" Jack shook his head and frowned.

They both looked at Jack and at each other, shrugging. "Grandpa, I guess it's a lot of money, and it's been okay, I suppose, but when you said updates-"

"You hate change, Amy," Jack nodded, shaking his head.

"Yeah, a lot of changes, but I'd really like a nice bathroom. It's kinda old."

"Amy, Lou," Lisa said with a nod and a warm smile, "the bathroom is definitely on the list, just not the top of it this second," she held up her hand, but she looked to Jack, smirking. "I told you the bathroom was a big one."

He sighed and shook his head, and both girls watched the interaction. Amy laughed again.

"Really, that's happening, the bathroom? I'm excited, and I don't even live inside anymore."

"Yes, the bathroom is on the list," Jack admitted. "The kitchen is too."

"Ohh, what's being done to the kitchen?" Lou perked up. "That stove-"

"Catches things on fire," Lisa finished, and Lou nodded in agreement.

"Grandpa, it totally does."

Jack raised his hands in defense as he caught Lisa holding back a laugh at him, "Yes, fine, Lisa and I already agreed to do some updates in the kitchen. You girls never said it bothered you. Maybe you can help her pick out the granite from the samples we have, and," he gestured to her where she was grinning.

"New appliances too," she nodded, happy with her announcement.

"Oh, that's so great," Lou nodded. "A newer dishwasher would keep all of us from having to do them so much because the current one doesn't clean well."

"The microwave is a dinosaur," Amy added. "It used to take me twice the time to heat up anything from what the box would say. I can get on board with that."

Jack gestured to the group, "So, you all are in agreement?"

"Yeah," all of the ladies answered, and he looked to Lisa. She smiled and shrugged at him, that part easy.

"There's more," Jack told them. "This one is not up for negotiation; this is just for information sake."

"Okay," Lou and Amy said at the same time glancing at each other.

"The fishing cabin," Jack started.

"More like termites holding hands," Lou mumbled, and Lisa hearing that, covered her mouth as she laughed. Jack frowned after hearing that and shook his head.

"You all have no idea the love for that cabin."

"Oh, honey," Lisa patted his arm, "we do. We all do, but tell them about the fishing cabin."

Jack nodded and looked at the girls, "Lisa and I are tearing it down and building a new one."

"Really?" Amy asked, taken aback. "Wow, that's probably good. It's not in good shape. Wait," she paused, "that was like the first place you and Grandpa went years ago, right I remember because it was a big deal because he'd not taken anyone there since-" She stopped talking when she realized it would end with the awkward comment of Jack taking his first wife there.

"Well, not our first date," Lisa said with a warm smile toward Jack, "but one of our first dates, and yes, I did learn how to fly fish there." She grinned at Jack, thinking of that memory.

"You girls know I love to go there, so yes, we're going to rebuild it."

"Like just how it is now?" Lou asked. "I mean, I don't go there, so it's whatever you want, but just curious."

"No," Jack nodded, "more of an actual house, a small one, a log cabin style, but with more than one room-two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living room space. We want windows facing the water."

"Wow," Amy nodded, "sounds amazing. Last time I was there, I got wet. The roof was leaking."

"Me too," Lisa chuckled, nodding at Amy.

"Lisa and I went up there to meet with an architect," he looked to the girls and narrowed his eyes, almost conveying a disappointment, "the previously mentioned trip to the cabin a couple weeks ago." He looked to Lisa then and back to the girls, "He's drawn up blueprints. It's a work in progress so to speak."

The adults continued to talk, with the conversation going well until it was time to clean up. Jack and Lisa retired to the couch with their glasses of wine, watching John in his swing while the girls worked in the kitchen. Lisa had to get up to grab her reading glasses from her purse so she and Jack could read the paper, and while she was retrieving them, Lou stopped her in the kitchen.

"Ahh, Lisa," she said, and Amy turned at the sink, nodding in agreement with whatever Lou was going to say, "hey, whatever that took, to get updates for the bathroom and kitchen, thank you." She nodded letting out a deep breath, and Lisa's eyes widened at their thanks. "We never brought it up because we never expected Grandpa to do anything. You know how he gets, even with old, broken things. So," she said with a small smile, "we appreciate you and all of that, whatever convincing you had to do to Grandpa."

She nodded at them and gave a small smile, "You're welcome, and luckily, I know how to negotiate with Jack." The girls giggled at that, and Lisa nodded with a smirk. She nodded to the bag by the door, "The granite samples are in that bag, and I would be interested to know what you both like." She squeezed Lou's hand and returned to the couch where she sat at Jack's side, his arm behind her.

"Why couldn't last week have gone that well?" Lisa whispered, and Jack just groaned too, shaking his head.