Chapter 2: Son-Rise

Sunlight streaked across her windowpane as tiny footsteps crept silently down the hall. Elizabeth moaned and covered her eyes with the back of her hand, trying in vain to hold off the dawn just a little longer. Her hair lay sprawled across her pillow—shaken loose from her braid in the night as she had tossed and turned under the weight of last night's resolution. Sleep had come late in the night—long after the rain had stilled.

Facing the truth had unleashed a torrent of regret and every time she had closed her eyes last night she was reminded of another repressed memory of people she had hurt.

Mentally, she had made a list of those she needed to seek forgiveness when light would finally dawn. It was cruel really to face a flood of memories while the rest of the world seemingly slept—to be wrapped in your shame with no way to rectify it. Hours ticked on, as the hurts she had inflicted had resurfaced.

Feeling defeated last night that she could not right what was wrong at three in the morning, Elizabeth remembered in a quiet whisper that not all slept. She could unload her heavy burden, her shame, and her regrets to the One who never sleeps nor slumbers. She could ask His forgiveness and His wisdom in how to repair what had long lay broken. In exhaustion, Elizabeth laid her burdens down in prayer as sleep finally overcame her.

"Jack!" Elizabeth exclaimed wide-eyed and out of breath. A blonde tornado landed with a bounce next to her curved silhouette bringing her back to the present. He had apparently soundlessly scaled the footboard and launched himself skyward before landing with a thump. He snuggled in with his cold bare feet under the warm covers.

If he was discouraged at his mother's admonishment, he didn't show it. He seemed perfectly content nestled in next to her like a cat on a cushion. So content was he, that Elizabeth could hardly protest further as she embraced the innocence of childhood mischief. She was thankful that Jack had slept apparently well enough to be a sweet nuisance already this morning. She chose instead to soak up these quiet moments of just mother and son together and embrace the precious simplicity this season of toddlerhood provided.

Dawn felt sooner than reasonable, but she was wide awake now nonetheless.

"Jack? What should we have for breakfast little man?" Elizabeth asked as she gently tickled his middle. Jack exploded in a fit of giggles—bunching the sheets and turning to face his mother. He was inches from her face with a toothy grin and sparkling eyes—a smile he reserved for only two people in his life.

"Muff-uns!" Jack giggled with his hands shooting out from under the covers in little fists over his head.

"Muffins? Well I can't feed you just muffins so how about some scrambled eggs too? You're growing Jack."

"Biiiig muff-uns!" Jack laughed as he stretched his arms and legs as wide as he could.

Elizabeth smiled warmly down at him. "Well, we'll see about that Mister. Maybe we can surprise Auntie Rosemary with some muffins later…much later. I doubt she and Uncle Lee are up quite this early," Elizabeth chuckled to herself. Though she wouldn't wish differently, there were some advantages to not having a three-year-old in the house. She was not going to take a full-night's sleep and time snuggling together from Rosemary and Lee too. Lord knows she had taken enough already.

She threw off the warm covers and rose to dress herself and Jack—embracing a new day whether she was ready or not. Mostly not, but there was coffee for that…strong coffee. Hopefully she had enough coffee on hand to keep up with Jack who was already pulling her hand dragging her down the steps.

Jack settled himself on the rug with his Lincoln Logs and favorite wooden Mountie. He was lost quickly in his own world of his vast imagination.

Elizabeth hummed to herself as she set out her ingredients for BIG muffins. She had so much to do and so many wrongs to right, but the first relationship that Elizabeth had neglected was right here at home. Just the thought turned her stomach. Her last and most precious gift from Jack was just tossed aside and given to others for what? Candles and an awkward starlit dinner? While Jack was sick? How could that be romantic? Wet blanket indeed.

She had to make it right to Jack. No more running off pretending to be a young single teenager. This was her life. This beautiful simple life and anyone who wanted to be apart of this had to embrace them completely. Together.

How do you make restitution to a three-year-old? Today, it starts with muffins. An apology muffin of sorts. An apology muffin? Elizabeth chuckled quietly to herself as she shook her head. Is that even a thing? Today it was.

Jack wandered around the table sniffing the air. He tugged on Elizabeth's apron and thrust his hands up over his head.

"Up. Peeease."

Elizabeth smiled and picked up the boy and placed him on her hip as she continued to measure the flour.

"Hep!"

"I don't think you can help just yet young man, but would you like to stir some oats for me in this little bowl?" Elizabeth had tried hoping to appease her curious toddler. Jack nodded and started to scramble down when a flash of red caught his eye out the window. Flailing his arms trying to get down and knocking the measuring cup from his mother's hand, Jack sent a cloud of flour dust into the air covering them both. Elizabeth froze in shock as Jack scampered off to the door throwing it open and running outside barefooted—leaving a trail of footprints in his wake.

"Jaaaaack!" Elizabeth called after him scrambling out the door only to freeze as she took in the majestic sight before her. It was the man she said she couldn't love with the young man who stole her heart with his first breath. Nathan sat high upon Newton with an amused crinkle to his eyes, his head tilted downwards, and his signature lop-sided grin. Following his gaze, Nathan was taking in a flour-faced Jack with a toothy-grin and sparkling eyes—a smile he only reserved for only one other person in his life.

"Hi Jack! Looks like you lost a fight with the flour sack," Nathan chuckled to himself at his own joke. Concern creased his brow as he looked up at the open door only to take in the most beautiful woman in the valley who was dusted thoroughly with white powder from her disheveled braid to her eyelashes. Flour was completely covering her shoulders and down the front of her apron.

"At least you had solid backup Jack!" Nathan joked as he dismounted. He dusted off the little tyke carrying him back to his clearly mortified mother. She was still planted on her porch unable to move.

Elizabeth's cheeks matched Nathan's serge. She nervously wiped her suddenly sweaty hands down her apron. This created a paste of sorts that streaked the linen as she descended her steps.

Clearly enjoying her embarrassment, Nathan continued, "what kind of battle were we having? Cinnamon pancakes?" He asked playfully sniffing Jack's neck eliciting a cascade of giggles from Jack. He gripped Nathan's arm harder as his knees drew up to his chest in laughter.

"Muff-uns!" Jack managed between giggles.

"I believe this belongs to you." Nathan coyly smiled with a twinkle in his eye as he handed Jack over to his mother, "you look lovely by the way. Flour really suits you."

Blushing all over again, Elizabeth dipped her head and peered through her lashes sheepishly. "Ahem. Good morning Nathan," Elizabeth managed in an attempt at her teacher voice. "You're on rounds early."

"Couldn't sleep. With the storm last night, I figured I should check everything out and make sure everyone was ok."

Elizabeth nodded.

"You are ok..aren't you?" He asked tipping his head and looking deeply into her eyes conveying more than his words let on.

No… "Yes, we're fine…obviously I have everything under control." Elizabeth deflected with a bit of a smirk, pointing to the floured mess of herself and her son.

Nathan laughed. "Well of course I can see that. I'm just glad that the good guys won."

"Thank you Nathan….for checking on us. I'd like to catch you later if that is alright. I'm afraid I have a lot to apologize for and I'm afraid it warrants more time than standing in the street will allow…although I realize I haven't afforded you the same courtesy... I'm sorry Nathan…for that as well."

Taken back by the serious turn, Nathan's eyes misted as he nodded almost imperceptibly. He was shocked at this new Elizabeth standing before him. Maybe it was the flour, but she looked so beautiful just a little undone. No pretenses, no pious hypocrisy that had stained her brow, just a quiet humility that had been long since lacking in the passing months. She was so…different just now.

Closing his mouth and catching himself staring, Nathan stepped back and turned and mounted Newton. "Later then," he smiled with sad, but hopeful eyes.

Elizabeth smiled. She held Jack's hand and reached up and waved gently with the other. Later.

And Lord help me.

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A/N: Thank you for reading, following, and reviewing!

Easter Egg this chapter: "apology muffins" Special shout out to my TN Twitter friends who also found those to be ridiculous & were also angry over the not-an-apology to Rosemary.

Jack's morning wakeup is what my kids call a "splash" which is basically a belly-flop onto an unsuspecting parent in bed sleeping. From experience, it leads to a mini-heart attack. ;)