"I want some pancakes," Amelia told Lisa again as the two stood on the curb while Jack tried to finish loading the bags they had brought home with them. Besides having a checked bag for each of them, they'd also brought a checked bag for Amelia, two rolling carry on bags, a tote bag, a backpack for Amelia, and Lisa's laptop bag. The car was stuffed full, and that didn't even include the car seat they'd also had to bring. Getting all of that into the airport had been interesting, and they were very thankful Tim had been there to help them with the luggage, but also very grateful he had stayed behind one more day to deal with the sale of Ben's car.
"Where is my blankie, Lisa? You said it was on the plane," Amelia with her little eyes looked up at Lisa. Lisa gave her a smile, trying not to be frustrated with the endless questions. It had been a long day. Lisa knew Amelia was a mix of things-exhausted, confused, scared, hungry-all of that rolled into one. She'd done well on the plane, sleeping for a short stint, and now that Jack had retrieved Lisa's car from the long-term parking, they were trying to get everything loaded now just outside of baggage claim.
Lisa, holding tightly to Amelia's hand, bent down next to her and smoothed Amelia's hair again. It was sticking up after her nap on the plane. "Your blanket is with your car seat. We'll get that out in just a minute, as soon as Jack gets all the bags in the car.
"All set," he appeared, standing up now from where he had been leaning over into the back of the car. He closed the tailgate and nodded to Lisa. "I'll wait with her if you want to put the car seat in. You have the gift for that, which is no surprise from my beautiful, smart wife."
Lisa tilted her head and gave him a warm smile as she shook her head, "You try to sound all sweet, complimenting me and flirting with me when you just don't want to battle that seat." Jack walked toward her as she spoke, and he grinned too, reaching her and leaning in to kiss her.
"Is it working?" Jack asked quietly, kissing her neck as he spoke quietly in her ear. She laughed quietly and swatted at him while she handed Amelia's hand off to Jack.
"Maybe I am just taking pity on you after you had to pack the car with all of that luggage. "Here, and also," she leaned in, speaking quietly, "Amelia has asked me a million questions, and I need a break, so have fun with that," she told him, leaning up to kiss him. Both looked down at Amelia who was giggling.
"What's so funny?" Jack asked, leaning down to scoop her up and put her on his hip. "What do you think you are laughing at?" Lisa looked over at them as she unzipped the brand new car seat bag they had purchased to ship the car seat home on the plane. Besides the seat, they had discovered it was good for storing a few random things as well, including her blanket. She pulled out the blanket Amelia had been wanting and handed it to her as Amelia pointed at Lisa.
"Lisa kisses your mustache. That's funny," she giggled. Jack just rolled his eyes at her, and Lisa made a face and nodded at Amelia.
"It does feel funny sometimes, Honey. Let me get this in the car so we can go home."
"We're going to my house?" Amelia looked to Jack hopeful, and he frowned at her as he shook his head.
"Now, Amelia, remember, we are going to our house, where Lisa and I live, along with Katie, Lyndy, and their moms. You're going to live with us. We're not going back to your house again. You remember that?"
"I want to go home," she almost whined, and Jack wiped at a tear on her face.
"I know, Pumpkin. I'm sorry, but I hope you will like your new home. Lisa and I are so happy you are coming home with us."
"Okay, all set," Lisa stood up from the car and gestured to it, her eyes meeting Jack's. He nodded, relieved and walked over with Amelia on his hip.
"You know the drill, kiddo," he told her and put Amelia down. She clutched her blanket and climbed into her seat. Lisa looked to Jack while Amelia got situated.
"I might move her seat behind the driver side later, but I didn't want to do that here at the airport with all the traffic. Besides, with you driving, there's more room behind my seat."
"You know," he gestured to Lisa as she leaned over to buckle in Amelia, "This is going to be an issue with my truck, isn't it? I just realized that."
Lisa frowned up at him, but she turned to focus on Amelia, "Okay, Sweetheart, you're all buckled. You have your blanket. We are going to drive to the ranch where Jack and I live, your new home, okay?"
"Can we get some pancakes? I want pancakes."
Lisa stood up and closed the door, Jack walking around the car now so they could get going. Both looked at each other over the roof of her Porsche.
"She's been begging for pancakes," Lisa explained to Jack. He nodded.
"I know she's hungry. I'm worried she will melt down before we can get home and make her some. Maggie's?"
"You know," Lisa nodded. "That's not a bad idea. You think she will be okay if we sit down to eat?"
"I think so. She might nap between here and Hudson. It's been a long day. Let's get her something to eat, get back to the ranch, and we can get her to bed. We can start then with her tomorrow, getting her used to her new home."
"Oh my stars! Is that you, Jack, and you Lisa?"
Both heads snapped over to the sidewalk, just behind Lisa, to see Val Stanton walking outside from the baggage claim area, her designer bags in tow.
"Val?" Lisa asked, tilting her head. Lisa gave a quick glance over to Jack, and he stood there, arms on the roof of the car, dropping his head.
"Of all places," Val opened her arms, a huge grin on her face as she walked over to Lisa, "well, to see some of my oldest and dearest friends here at the airport." She embraced Lisa, which was a surprise to Lisa, who was pulled tightly against Val. She let out a grunt as Val hugged her.
"Ahh, wow, nice to see you," Lisa said, still surprised as Val stepped back. Jack had walked around the car and smiled at Val too.
"Val, nice to see you," Jack said embracing her.
"Oh, Jack, it's been too long," Val hugged him tightly before stepping back again and gesturing at them.
"So, Lisa, I expect Jack here is picking you up from one of your world-traveling adventures. Where have you been now? You still have this car?" Val glanced to it, making a face. "I thought for sure you'd trade it in. Didn't take you as one to hold onto a vehicle like Jack here, even if you do have a Porsche."
"Oh, ahh," Lisa gestured to the car, "different car, same color and all. I traded in my last one a few years ago," she gave a quizzical look at Jack. He nodded in agreement.
"Lisa likes the same car, even if I don't understand it," he chuckled. "Didn't get the roof rack on this model, though."
"Well, you didn't answer-what worldly adventure were you on?"
"Oh, um," Lisa bit her lip. Jack clasped her hand and gave a nod to Val.
"Val, we're both getting back from Toronto, ahh, Lisa's family-"
"You remember Ben-Ben, his wife, and my sister were all killed in an accident. We're just getting home."
"My goodness, I am so sorry," Val's horrified expression told them she had no idea. Val clasped her chest, and it seemed the color had drained from her face. "Oh, dear, please accept my condolences. I am so very sorry. Ben? Ben was a lovely young man. I remember how much Ashley liked him, I liked him," she added. "I can't imagine the tragedy," Val continued to speak. She reached out and clasped at Jack's hand, Lisa looking away briefly while she rolled her eyes.
"Jack, I am here for you, the both of you, "she added, now looking at Lisa. Val surprised her again and threw her arms around Lisa. "You have my sympathies, Lisa."
"Thank you, Val," Jack spoke for the both of them, Val stepping back to look at the two of them. "It has been a huge shock. We just closed out Ben and Lauren's things. We still have to handle Beth's things but are home for now."
Val, shaking her head, "I don't know how you even begin to recover. Oh, you poor dears," she said, clasping her chest again. She waved at them, "I won't keep you. We can all get together soon. I'm home to see how my dear son is doing with things. Florida is great, but it's always nice to come back to Hudson for a visit. Go," she waved at them. "I'll stop by soon so we can all speak more. Oh, my dear friends, I am so, so sorry."
Jack gave Lisa a quick glance, and she nodded at Val with a sad smile, "Nice to see you, Val, and yes, we will have to catch up later." Val threw them a wave as she collected her bags again and started looking around.
"Jesse is around here somewhere," she muttered, rolling her eyes. "Kids, you know."
Jack glanced at Lisa, and she gestured to the car. Both moved quickly to get in and get out of the airport area. Lisa helped Jack navigate out of the arrivals area, and when they were finally clear of the airport, Lisa leaned her head back against her seat and sighed, "Val, really?"
"She hasn't been to Hudson in years," he shook his own head as he drove.
"Of course we would run into her here at the airport. Did you see how she grabbed for you? Calling me an old friend," she huffed. "All these years later, and she'd like nothing more than to get her claws in you. She's such a snake."
"Can we get pancakes?" Amelia pleaded with them again, and Lisa, giving Jack a soft smile, turned and changed her facial expression after thinking about Val.
"Yes, Honey, we are going to get you some pancakes. We are going to stop at a restaurant Jack and I like to eat at a lot, and you know what," she smiled brightly at her. "Katie works there. Lou, who is her mom and our granddaughter, owns it. I know you will be able to get your pancakes there. Okay?"
"Whipped cream?"
"What's that, Amelia?" Jack glanced over his shoulder quickly at her.
"Do the pancakes have whipped cream? Mommy always got me whipped cream."
Lisa nodded at her, smiling again, "We'll make sure your pancakes have whipped cream."
Amelia nodded and yawned at the same time. She closed her eyes as Lisa met Jack's gaze, mouthing, "She's almost asleep." The two rode in silence in the front seat for several minutes before Amelia surprised them again.
"Lisa, do you like snakes?"
Surprised, Lisa turned around, and Jack raised his eyebrows at Lisa as she met his gaze, "No, Honey, I don't like snakes. Do you like them?"
"Snakes are pretty fun, how they move and hiss. Some can hurt you."
"Yes, they can," Lisa nodded in agreement. "They aren't good around animals, especially horses. Snakes scare horses, and I really don't like them."
"Jack, do you like snakes?"
He shook his head as he drove, "I'm like Lisa. I know they can spook the horses, so no, I'm not a fan. I see them when I go fishing sometimes. Lisa really doesn't like them there either, so I try to protect her," he winked at Lisa. She swatted at him.
"Stop."
"Eeew, fishing," Amelia made a face. "Fish are yucky."
"You don't like fish, but you like snakes?" Lisa made a silly face at Amelia, and that had her laughing. She grinned at Amelia, "That sounds silly. Fishing is a lot of fun. Why don't you like fish?"
"Mommy was lergic to fish," Amelia explained. "She said fish were bad."
"Oh, ahh," Lisa's eyes widened at Jack as she gestured. "We don't know if she is allergic to anything. I didn't think about getting her medical records."
He reached over and patted her hand, "Tim packed all their files. Those are coming with her things, so we can go through that. Just ask her if she knows," he said quietly with a nod back to Amelia.
"Amelia, is there anything you can't eat?"
"Just stuff I don't like, like fish," she made a gagging face.
"Well, if you aren't allergic, we are going to change that about fish. It's one of our favorite foods, and we're going to get you fishing."
She crossed her arms and made a face, "I won't like fishing. Yuck."
"Okay, girls," Jack winked at Lisa. "Who is ready for pancakes?" Lisa looked up to see that they were entering Hudson. She shifted back in her seat and spoke under her breath, "I'm looking forward to a decent meal. I haven't felt like eating much with all that has been going on."
"You and me both," Jack said. "We'll have to work on the fishing bit."
"Oh, definitely," Lisa chuckled, shaking her head. "Seems her little personality is starting to come out now."
"She's comfortable with us now," he told her. "That is a good thing."
The trio parked and walked the short way to Maggie's. Amelia really did know how to pull at Jack; she got him to carry her the rest of the way, and once they were inside, both were glad they didn't spot a lot of friendly faces. It had been a long couple of weeks, emotionally, mentally, and physically draining. Lisa was just starting to realize how exhausted she was, and with the little girl in Jack's arms, she also realized that exhaustion wouldn't go away anytime soon. With it being a little early for the dinner crowd, the three took up residence in the front corner where they let Amelia decide where to sit.
"I sit with Lisa now. I sat with Jack on the plane," she explained. Jack put his hands up in defense, and Lisa helped Amelia sit down. She frowned suddenly realizing Amelia needed a booster seat. Jack looked around, spotted one, and finally, all three were settled. Amelia crossed her arms in a pout and looked at Lisa.
"You didn't bring my crayons. I always have crayons at restaurants."
"Oh, ahh," Lisa tilted her head at Jack and made a face. She shook her head, "Suppose this is all going to be new for us. It's been a while since Lyndy was this little, and we didn't take her to dinner much."
"Mostly just ice cream," Jack offered as he met her gaze. "That was right when Ty-" Jack paused and looked at Amelia, who was staring at both of them. Lisa hummed in agreement, knowing what Jack was about to say, and she looked around at Maggie's.
"Tell you what," Lisa stood and before she walked to the counter, "I'll find some. Lou has to have something like that around here."
When Lisa returned, she groaned at the sight-VAL STANTON AGAIN. Lisa's shoulders slumped, and she tried to school her features before arriving at the table, throwing on a big fake smile.
"Val, twice in one day, what a surprise," she said, stepping around her.
Val gestured at Amelia, whom they had not all discussed at the airport. "Lisa, I was just telling Jack here that I had no idea Ben had a daughter, and my oh my, you two now brought her home, here to Hudson. Wow," Val said, shaking her head, and then resting her hand on Jack's shoulder. Lisa noticed it; it was impossible not to, and she eyed Jack, who just rolled his eyes ever so slightly before looking up at Val.
"Well, Val, you know that life really can take some turns."
"Val, this is Amelia," Lisa explained, not sure if she had already been officially introduced, "OUR great niece," she said, making sure to emphasize the word our.
"Amelia, I hope you love living here," Val smiled at the little girl. Val did like kids, most of the time, and she'd always been polite to Lyndy and Katie over the years, even though she spent most of her time in Florida these last few years. "Do you like horses?"
"No," she made a face, scrunching up her nose, "I hate horses."
"Amelia, why would you say that?" Lisa asked, sighing as she turned toward the little girl. "We told you that Jack and I love horses and have a lot of them. Lyndy likes horses too, and you like Lyndy."
"Oh, so she has met the entire crew. Wow, you two, a full house again, all that tragedy," Val shook her head.
"Lou and Amy brought the girls to Toronto for the family service," Jack explained. "It was really good of them to do that, and they were a help bringing some of Amelia's things home. The rest are being shipped," Jack explained. "They all flew back yesterday after the custody hearing."
"Custody? Oh my," Val's eyes widened. "You two really are taking her in?"
"She has no one else," Lisa said quietly as Amelia now colored. "Besides," she put her arm around Amelia's chair, "Aside from the circumstances, Jack and I are very happy to have Amelia living with us. It definitely puts us in new territory, though, at least together. I've never had to raise a three-year-old. Taking care of the great-granddaughters is different because they eventually answer to their parents."
"Yes, so I see," Val nodded, gesturing at them as she continued, "so you two are raising her together?"
"As opposed to?" Lisa asked, a snarky tone to her voice.
"Val, it's great to see you, but as you see," Jack gestured and as if almost on cue, Amelia yawned, "we are trying to get her fed so we can get home. It's been a draining couple of weeks, and to be honest, Lisa and I have not even started to process what all has happened."
"Of course," she waved. "Again, I'm so sorry to hear, Lisa, Jack," she gave them a nod. "What a time you have had, and to think I just popped in to get a coffee since Jesse said he didn't have anything at the house," she rolled her eyes. "I'll stop by the ranch sometime in a few days."
"Twice in one day?" Lisa sighed, eyeing Jack. He nodded too.
"Welcome home," he grumbled. "Oh, I ordered her pancakes. Coffee is coming for both of us."
"Bless you," Lisa sighed. "Maybe we can all get a good night of sleep. We all need it."
The coffee arrived, and Lisa and Jack placed their orders as well. The pancakes arrived shortly after that, which was fine with them; it allowed them to get Amelia all situated before their roast turkey dinner plates arrived.
"Why is there stuff on them?" Amelia pointed to her plate with a horrified look. Jack and Lisa exchanged glances, and Jack gestured to her.
"You wanted whipped cream. That's it."
Amelia shook her head, "It's not how Mommy does it. She makes a smile on the pancakes." Lisa sighed, glanced up, trying not to be frustrated. Quickly, she got to work, creating the smile that Amelia wanted. It took them time to get her to eat, finding out that she didn't want butter or syrup, but finally she was eating. She had almost finished by the time their food arrived.
"Can we go?" Amelia asked.
Lisa pointed to her picture, "Finish coloring while Jack and I eat. We haven't had our food."
"My picture is done," she told them. "Can we go to my house? I miss my mommy and daddy."
Lisa put her fork down and turned slightly to Amelia, "Honey, I know it's hard, and I know you miss them. Your mom, dad, and grandma aren't coming back. I'm so sorry Honey." At that, Amelia started to cry. Jack gestured for the check and boxes, giving Lisa a nod.
"Let's take our food to go. She's upset, and it's been a long day. We can eat at home, but she needs to get settled."
Lisa shook her head, "I really don't have much of an appetite," she told him. "This is so hard, Jack," Lisa held back her own tears, shaking her head. "Let's go home," she said with watery eyes. Jack nodded, stood, threw down some money, and soon, they were all on their way.
It didn't take long to reach the gates of Heartland. Jack stopped the Porsche and looked back at Amelia who was looking out the window.
"Amelia, welcome to your new home. This is where Lisa and I live, and it's where you are going to live now, where you are going to grow up." He kept driving, pointing at the cows and horses in the fields.
As they pulled up to the house and parked the car, Lisa looked back, noting Amelia had been quiet as they came down the long driveway. She gently patted Jack's shoulder, and both of them just looked at Amelia, finally asleep. They were home. Life as they had known it here at Heartland was forever changed.