Chapter 65

Jack woke up to a sick Elizabeth. She was holding her bucket by the edge of the bed. He could only see her back. With the sound, he was grateful he couldn't see what was happening with the bucket. He quickly reached for her hair to hold it back. He wasn't sure what to do or say. At least he could hold her hair. When Elizabeth was finally finished, she laid the bucket down on the floor and flopped back on the bed. She exhaled and closed her eyes.

Jack jumped up and grabbed a small cloth and wet it in the water basin sitting on the dresser. He placed the cool rag on her forehead and wiped the hair off her face.

"I'm sorry you're feeling bad. Is there anything I can do?"

"Would you mind getting me some tea and toast with a little honey on it?"

"I'll be right back."

Jack quickly left the room. He made sure his son was up and then gone downstairs. He made extra toast for him and JJ while making Elizabeth's. He was also making pancakes for everyone. He didn't know if Elizaeth would want some or not, but he did make her some just in case. When the toast was ready, he took it upstairs to her.

He found Elizabeth sitting up in bed with her back against the head rest. He offered her a sympathetic smile.

"How are you feeling?" He asked as he placed the toast and tea cup by the bed on the small table.

"A little better." She stated as she reached for the toast. "Oh…that's so good." She stated as she chewed her first bite.

"Will you be ok to work today?"

"There isn't any way I'm going to miss the first day of school."

"Ok. JJ is downstairs eating breakfast. I better get back down there. I'm making pancakes if you want something a little more substantial."

"Thanks. I'll stick with the toast for now. I'll be down in a little bit."

…

"Are you ready mommy?" JJ asked as he put his last boot on and grabbed his lunch pail.

"I am." She stated as she took her bagged lunch from Jack. "Are you going to the home today to work?"

"I am but first, I'm walking my family to school."

"You are?" Elizabeth asked with a smile.

"I wouldn't miss this for anything. Then I'll be at the home site until after school."

"Am I allowed to go there?"

"You did yesterday."

"I guess I did, but I don't remember seeing anything."

"Good. Maybe JJ can bring you by after school. Then we can show you our surprise."

"Perfect." Elziabeth stated. "Let's go. We can't be late."

After stepping off the last step, JJ wiggled his way in between his mommy and daddy taking each of their hands. This was the best walk to school she had ever experienced.

…

Teddy Lewis stood by the car door when the front door of the Thatcher residence opened. Grace came out dressed impeccably like normal. She had a large smile on her face as she walked toward the car.

"Good morning, Mrs. Thatcher. How are you?"

"I'm good Mr. Lewis. Now Teddy, what are we planning?"

"We have the final signing on the contract for the new home. We need to stop by the bank to finalize all of that. Then we need to visit the signage company. Have you decided on the name of the women's home?"

"Not yet." She stated as she stepped into the open door of the car."

"Grace." He warned with a tired voice. "We have spoken about this for a while now. We need that name."

"I know. I'll figure it out."

"You have thirty minutes."

"And what's happening at the bank?" She asked to change the subject.

"You will sign the contract on the home. Everything is settled. This is just signing paperwork to finalize everything. Then it's the signage company to make the sign. Then we are meeting with the contractor to finalize the remodeling of the home and what you want to happen. That shouldn't take too long. The home is really nice. You found a good deal on it."

"It was truly a blessing. I met with a lady later this afternoon about running it. We are going to call that position the House Mom."

"At least you made that decision." Teddy sassed. "William always said you waited to the last minute."

"That's enough." She laughed. "I already know what he's told you."

'Are you happy with the person you are interviewing?"

"Her resume is really impressive. We'll see."

"How was William? I didn't get to speak to him too much?"

"He's doing great. Still working with some young men that are due to be released soon. He is enjoying that process a lot. I believe that gives him a purpose and brings him fulfillment. He's just not sitting in a cell all the time doing nothing."

"I agree with you. Plus, who else should teach young men how to be a businessman?"

Grace nodded her head. "Is your precious wife still meeting us for lunch?"

"She is. She's looking forward to it. She has complained that it has been forever since she saw you."

"It hasn't been that long, but it does feel like it."

"I also think this gives you something to do too."

"It does." Grace nodded her head. She was grateful she had something meaningful to spend her time on. "Plus, those young women need a little assistance."

"And who better for that than you?"

…

After a soft kiss on the steps of the school, JJ stayed in the front yard and began to play with Sam and Emily. Elizabeth opened the door and walked in. As she went through the small portion where coats were hung and lunch pals were stored, she hesitated for a moment. Her eyes went to the corner she always looked when she came to the school or left. She remembered that Jack engraved their initials in each corner. She loved the fact that their initials were in each corner of a building that was so important to her.

"Good morning, Robert. How was your summer?" Elizabeth asked as Robert came toward the stairs.

"Good morning, Ms. Thatcher. It was good." He stopped halfway up the stairs. "I'm sorry Mrs. Thornton…"

Elizabeth slightly flinched. She hasn't been called Ms. Thatcher in what seemed liked forever.

"It's ok Robert. It will take some time to get used to it. Let's go…it's almost time to start."

Elizabeth stood in front of her eighteen kids ranging in age like last year. Like the previous years, they automatically set with their respective age groups. The younger ones sat up front to her left. The middle age ones sat up front to her right. Preteens sat on the back left while the teens sat in the back rows on her right. She smiled at the whole class. She has had them all before except for JJ. They knew her and what she expected in class. So, she quickly went through her expectations of the classroom behavior.

"Now, with that stated, I need to share with you all something many of you already know. "Mountie Jack Thornton and I are married. My name is officially Mrs. Thornton. I understand it will take some of you some time to get used to it. It's fine. You'll get used to it very soon."

"Yes Mrs. Thornton." The class stated.

"Now, the younger ones please look at this worksheet of arithmetic while I work with the older ones with their reading." Elizabeth passed out the worksheets and turned her attention to the preteen and teen groups.

With about two minutes into the session, she heard a pencil being sat down. She turned to look to see who it was. She was thinking it may have been a child needing something. JJ was sitting looking around as if he was bored.

"JJ." Elizabeth whispered. "You need to finish the worksheet." She tapped the top of page he had turned over. It was resting on a book.

"I already have mommy." He paused for a moment. "I'm sorry mommy. I meant Mrs. Thatcher."

Elizabeth smiled at him. It was his idea to call her Mrs. Thornton in school.

"May I see your paper?"

JJ handed her his paper and turned his attention back to her. She quickly scanned the paper and realized he had answered everything correctly. Then she remembered when she gave him a seventh and eight grade book. He breezed through that quickly too. She asked him to wait one moment and went to her desk. She had a math worksheet for her older kids she was going to pass out when the younger ones were working on their reading.

"Here, this should challenge you. It's the teen's worksheet." She smiled as he looked excited at the challenge. "Let me know when you have completed it."

She turned her attention back to James as he was beginning to read chapter one in the teen's reader. About two minutes later, JJ cleared his throat. "Mrs. Thornton. I'm finished." He stated as she turned to face him.

"Already?"

He nodded his head.

Elizabeth walked to his bench he was sharing and accepted the paper he extended. She looked at it and was a little amazed that he answered all the questions correctly. Even the one that she couldn't answer when she made out the worksheet. She knew he was smart, but she was beginning to think he was smarter than she had thought. She made a mental note to talk with him later.

"Just do some reading in your reader, ok?"

"Sure mommy." He whispered. While he may have wanted to call her Mrs. Thornton during school, it didn't mean he liked it. She wasn't Mrs. Thornton to him…she was mommy.

…

Jack, Mr. P, and Frank were working hard on the home. Since he knew Elizabeth was with child, it made him more determined to finish the house sooner rather than later.

"What's got into him?"

"If I'm not mistaken Mr. P, I would say he's a new father who thinks the baby may come tomorrow." Frank laughed. "I've seen it before."

"I guess that makes sense. He better slow down, or he'll have this built in a day and a half."

"I don't think even a new father can do that."

"I wouldn't put it past him."

The two men watched Jack climb the ladder and nail the last two nails in the two by four. He jumped of the last two rungs of the ladder and quickly walked to the bile of lumber in the upstairs hallway.

"Hey Jack…it's time for lunch."

"Already?" He looked around and noticed several men were already sitting down enjoying their lunches. "Huh…who would have guessed."

"You need to slow down or you will work yourself to death."

"I just need to get this finished as fast as possible."

Frank gave Mr. P a knowing look. "I understand Jack, but Elizabeth isn't going into labor tomorrow. You have time to build this home the way you want it without killing yourself…or us."

"I'm sorry Frank. I guess I just want to get it finished."

"I understand. Plus, you haven't really been able to work on it, but you're here now and you have helped some in the past. Relax…calm down and enjoy the process. You have the row house you are living in. You're not homeless."

"Enjoy the process…" Jack repeated the phrase. "I think you're right Frank."

"He is." Mr. P nodded. "Work hard but enjoy the process. Everything is moving along very well. We'll be done with the upstairs in a few days. It's coming together very quickly."

Jack took a few moments to look around. Almost all the walls upstairs were framed out and one room was already half done with the paneling. He let out a breath. The two older men were right. He did need to slow down. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't finish the house by the end of the day.

"I'm sorry…I just…"

"You're a new father who wants his home built. I get it." Mr. P smiled at this young man.

"Come on." Jack nodded to the group of men who were sitting down in the shade.

…

"Welcome to Hamilton Signs. What may we do for you today?" A nice woman asked when Grace and Teddy walked through the front door.

"Good afternoon. My name is Mr. Lewis and this is Mrs. Thatcher. We need to order two signs please."

"This way." The woman led them to a nice desk that was simply stocked. After sitting, the woman turned her attention to Teddy and Grace. "Now, do you know the design you would like or would you like to look at some?"

Grace pulled out a design of two types of signs. She wanted a larger sign that would be placed in the front lawn of the home and a small sign to hang on the wall by the front door. "I would like something like this."

The nice young woman accepted the piece of paper and smiled. "We have the exact one as the smaller one and we have one very close to the larger sign. We can custom design this one if you want this exact one."

"I would like to have one custom designed. I like this one best."

"Perfect."

"Mrs. Thatcher, is this for a business?"

"Not a business. It is a new home for young ladies who are pregnant and neglected by their families. Also for young woman who need to get out of a bad situation. This will be their safe place to get their feet under them."

"Wow…that is very impressive."

"Yes, there is a need and hopefully this will meet some of those needs."

"What would you like on the sign?"

Grace glanced at Teddy. He leaned forward. He was very nervous she still didn't have a name. She didn't until their drive over to the sign company.

"I would like to have 'The Next Chance' on both signs please."

"The Next Chance?" The lady questioned.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Why not 'The Second Chance'?"

"I don't want any young lady to get the impression that since they have made more than two mistakes that they don't have another chance."

"I love it." He exclaimed.

"Wow…" The woman whispered. "I like it."

"When do you think they will be ready?"

"By the end of the week. We'll make sure they are finished as soon as possible."

"Thank you."

…

When Elizabeth released all the kids to go outside to eat lunch and play for a little while, she asked for JJ to stay behind for a moment. After a few seconds of kidding by Sam, JJ stepped to his mommy's desk.

"JJ…how did you finish the last worksheet I gave you so quickly?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know…it was just easy."

"How was question eighteen?" That was the question that she couldn't answer.

"It was easy once you knew what the question was asking. Why?"

"JJ…I didn't know the answer to that question."

He lowered her head and shrugged his shoulders once again.

She reached for her little boy's hands and pulled him closer to her. She was sitting in her chair, and he was immediately in front of her.

"Why haven't you told me or shown me how intelligent you are? I always knew you were advanced, but JJ…you're smarter than I ever thought."

"My mommy in heaven said that numbers just came easy to me. I was doing secondary high school math just before she died."

"Really?"

"Yeah…"

"Alright son, out with it! Why are you hiding it?

JJ looked up to his mommy's eyes and then back down to her lap. "Numbers just come really easy to me. So does building things. I just know it without even trying to. I don't have to figure those things out. I just know. When people think you're smarter than they are, they just treat you differently. Especially if you're as young as I am. The teenagers would get mad at me when I could do their work and they couldn't."

"So, you hide it so you would fit in better?"

He nodded his head. "Yes."

"True friends will like you for being you, no matter what that means."

"Adults always say things like that, but that's not always the case. They look at me like I'm some sort of freak or a walking brain. I do well with all my schoolwork, so…"

"True friends will like you no matter what. If people only like you for a certain reason, you need to think why you want to be friends with someone like that. Look at Emily, I think she knows how smart you are. She wasn't shocked at all when you were answering those questions. She likes you."

"Yeah, but she's different."

"No, she likes you because you are JJ. You just happen to be very smart with numbers."

"Mommy…am I in trouble?" JJ asked slowly.

"No my sweet little boy. You are not in trouble. I will however be challenging you more in arithmetic. I don't want to overwhelm you or push you too much, but you need to be challenged to grow and learn."

"Then you need to get some other math books." He playfully sassed. "I have already done these with my mommy in heaven."

Elizabeth melted at his little mischievous remark. He looked so much like Jack with that expression.

"I'll make sure I will get some that will challenge you. Now, go and have fun. Make sure you eat first."

"Thanks mommy." He kissed her on the cheek and then turned and ran out of the school.

…

During lunch, Elizabeth had an errand to run. She needed to make a trip to the switchboard. On her way, Ned yelled for her attention.

"What may I do for you?"

"You have a package from a Dr. Franks."

"Oh…I forgot about that!" Her voice raised. She forgot all about her old professor. She had written to him before her marriage to Jack. She wanted some materials for JJ. She accepted the package and placed it under her arm. Then she hurried to the switchboard to make her call.

"Mother…it's so great to hear your voice." Elizabeth spoke into the telephone.

"Elizabeth…it's so great to hear your voice. I'm a little surprised to hear from you."

"I have some news I need to tell you."

"Is everything going well with the new home?"

"It is."

"Jack and JJ are ok?"

"They are. He brought home a fish."

"A fish…how? Why?"

"Mother, I'll tell you that later. They are doing well."

"Then what is the news?"

"Mother…you're going to be a grandmother."

"Elizabeth, I'm already a grandmother." She stated with pride.

"Yes…but you are going to be a grandmother for the second time."

There was silence on the phone. Grace thought for a moment. Elizabeth's words were beginning to sink in.

"Wait! Elizabeth, are you telling me you're pregnant?"

"Yes mother. Jack and I are expecting a baby."

"Oh Elizabeth…congratulations! I'm so happy for you and Jack."

"Thanks mother."

"How far along are you?"

"Nurse Carter thinks this little one is a honeymoon baby. Mother, I don't want to share the news with father in a letter. Would you please tell him when you visit him next?"

"I will."

The ladies spent a few minutes speaking. Elizabeth didn't have much time. Lunch was almost over. She walked into the schoolhouse when it was time to ring the bell for the kids to come in. She placed the package on the desk and grabbed the cowbell Jack gave her.

…

Jack sat down at the telephone. He needed to check in with Jerry. Things were mostly going well. They were happy with Jerry and his leading the company on a day to day basis. Instead of speaking every day, they were speaking about two to three times a week. He was a great teacher. Jack and Elizabeth would also receive an envelope each week with several pieces of papers that needed their review and or signatures.

"Hey Jack. I hear congratulations are in order."

"Thanks Jerry."

"Is Elizabeth doing well?"

"She is. She does have some battles with sickness, but I'm hoping she gets better soon." He repositioned himself on the uncomfortable chair. "I posted the papers back to you just a moment ago. They should go out tomorrow."

"Thanks Jack. We have a good opportunity to seal the deal with a new client tomorrow. If we can, that will make up for the small customers we lost."

"You feel good about it?"

"I do. Elizabeth gave me a heads up the last time we spoke. She had some advice."

"I've learned to listen to her. She's usually right."

"I have learned that already." Jack laughed. "But please don't tell her that."

"It's a guy thing. I'll never say a word. Now, we need to discuss the potential client."

Jerry told Jack everything about the new client. Including the advice from Elizabeth. Jack only added one small piece that he thought would help in the long run. The company's owner had a son in law in enforcement. Jack stressed the importance of being honest and upfront with everything. Jerry needed to stand tall and be in control of everything. Jerry thought it was good advice along with Elizabeth's words of wisdom.

"Jerry, how do you feel the employee's morale is compared to just a few weeks ago?"

"I've never seen it so high. They feel respected and listened to."

"We do listen even if we don't do everything they want."

"Jack, they don't have to have everything implemented. They just want to be heard. The weekly meetings with each department and their department manager are a great idea. That has been a true blessing. Those men and women know what's going on. They have helped streamline some of their jobs. It has helped with productivity. When do you think you and Elizabeth will come back to Hamilton?"

"I'm not sure. Elizabeth's pregnancy may prolong it or force us to come earlier than expected."

"Well, let's play that by ear. If we need to come to you, we can. It would be me and a few department heads and maybe some in the offices. We'll see what we have to do."

"Telegram me or Elizabeth tomorrow about the meeting. Just give us the highlights."

"Jack, in our world here at Hamilton to say Jack or Elizabeth means the both of you."

Jack smiled. That made him feel like he and Elizabeth were doing things well with the company. He knew this was unorthodox with him and Elizabeth owning the company so far away from its location. However, with the employee's morale improving, he thought this odd setup was changing things for the better. He always felt bad for their arrangement, but now he was maybe seeing the benefit of everything.

"That's very nice of you to say. Let's play everything by ear. If we can, we'll head that way when needed. If not, we'll arrange for the ones that need to come to Hope Valley. We'll figure it out."

"Thanks Jack."

"Jerry, if I may ask you a question?"

"Sure Jack."

"Do you think this arrangement is really working?"

"You know at first, I was completely against it. I just didn't think it would work, but you and Elizabeth do a great job of communication."

"I think a major aspect of the success is you."

"That's kind of you to say that. I do think the person who sits in this chair must be willing to buy into the arrangement."

"I agree."

"Jack, I'm retiring in a year and a half. You may want to begin to look into my replacement."

"So, there's no way of changing your mind about never retiring?"

"Not a chance."

"Fine. Elizabeth and I have a name in mind. I do believe it would be beneficial for him to work under you as much as possible. We haven't spoken to him yet."

"We are not in that big of a hurry. I just ask for six months to work with him. I would like to show him everything and that will take some time. You and Elizabeth will also be a huge help in that. I guess I have one question."

"What's that?"

"Are you wanting to keep corporate offices here in Hamilton?"

"Do we really have an option?"

"Well, you two are the CEO's of the company. You can do whatever you want."

"We want the company to flourish so the employees have a good job that pays well. I'm not sure if we can run the company here and also have the day to day guy not be in Hamilton."

"Who knows with how fast the world is changing. We can keep the majority of work here, but with the telephone can change some of those things."

"I guess we'll have to think about that."

"You and Elizabeth will come to the right decision. You always have."

…

Jack had every intention of meeting his wife and son at the school to walk them home. However, he was so wrapped up in working at the home site that he lost track of time. He may not have been in such a focused hurry as he was before, but he was still determined to finish the home. He loved the fact that he could work on his and Elizabeth's home.

"Daddy! Daddy!"

Jack looked up when he heard his little boy's voice. He walked out on the porch to see why his little man was yelling. He was surprised to see his wife standing beside his little boy. She was blindfolded. She didn't look to happy.

"What's going on?"

"He wouldn't let me come here today unless I had the blindfold on." Elizabeth pouted.

"Why, you were here yesterday."

"Yes, but I don't remember seeing anything. I was too focused on seeing you and telling you the news about the pregnancy."

"Daddy, I thought we could show her the surprise. I'm not too sure she can stay away much longer." JJ sassed.

"And what does that mean?" Huffed Elizabeth. Her hand was on her hip. Her right foot was a little in front with her foot tapping on the ground.

"You're nosey, mommy."

Jack tried his best not to laugh, but he just couldn't keep from it. He covered his mouth to deaden the sound. "Well…"

"Don't you dare say it, Jarrick Thornton." She pointed her finger but since she was blindfolded, she was pointing in the wrong direction. "You know I'm not too nosey." She continued to point her finger.

"That sounds fishy." JJ smirked.

Jack and JJ didn't even try to hide their laughter. Ever since the 'fish incident' as they called the time when JJ accidently brought home a fish, Jack and JJ would often say 'that sounds fishy' in times like this. It was their playful way of teasing and sassing her. Elizabeth's two boys would always bust out laughing in a deep, belly laugh. She would always huff and glare at her two boys. In reality, she found it as hilarious as they did, but she didn't want to take their fun away from them. It did her mommy's heart and wife's heart good to see their joy. She would just suppress her laughter as her two boys laughed and told the story for the countless time.

"Really?" She huffed and placed her right hand over her mouth so they couldn't see her smile. "What is it with you two and that silly fish story?"

JJ leaned into Jack's side and laughed as he tried to retell the story. He just couldn't tell the story due to his laughter.

"Can I take off this silly blindfold?"

After a few seconds of laughing, JJ looked toward his father. "What do you think?"

Jack rubbed his chin for a moment in thought. Then he walked toward his beautiful bride with a smirk on his face. He gently kissed her. While she flinched at the touch she couldn't see coming, she returned the gentle kiss after the surprise.

"Did you really not see it yesterday when you were here?"

"I didn't. I was so focused on seeing you and telling you about the pregnancy that I didn't see anything."

"That sounds fishy…" Again, Jack and JJ let out a loud laugh.

"That's enough from you two." She warned them. She patted Jack's chest. She reached for him when he kissed her.

"Jack…" She whined a little. "…this is my home too. I shouldn't be excluded from seeing my home." Her bottom lip stuck out just ever so slightly.

"Wow! That's a good pouty look." JJ stated.

"You think it works for you. So, I thought I would give it a try."

"You know about that?"

"Oh my little boy, I'm your mommy…I know everything."

"Is that true daddy?"

"It is son." Jack nodded his head.

"Huh…"

"Have you ever known mommy to be wrong?"

"Focus boys…the blind fold?"

"What do you think?"

JJ pretended to ponder on the question for a few moments. "Fine. The surprise part is finished. We don't have any flowers in it yet, but it's built."

"Alright. On a count of three, we'll take the blind fold off." Jack stood behind Elizabeth. He placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her slightly, so she was facing the home straight on.

"One…two…two and a half…" JJ counted.

When he said, 'two and a half', Elizabeth reached up and pulled the blind fold down so she could see. Her patience was long gone.

"Oh…it's…beautiful…" She stated pausing between each word. The home took her breath.

The home has progressed since the last time she saw it. From the outside, it looked almost completed. She noticed the rocks, the porch and the roof over it. The home wasn't too large, but it was bigger than she thought it would be. She was trying to take in everything.

"Jack…" Her voice failed her. She couldn't believe what she was looking at. Her eyes traveled over the whole home drinking in each item she focused on.

"Those are the river rocks from Mr. Johnson's stream that I found while on rounds. I thought they would look really cool. I wanted to do the whole front, but quickly realized that would be too much."

"I laid them out in a certain pattern, but we left for Medicine Hat before they were put on the house."

"How did you?"

"I just saw the pattern in my head and laid it out on the ground."

"The men just took each rock and placed them on the wall exactly like he had them laid out. He and Emily did the flowerbed with the same river rock."

Elizabeth turned to where her husband was pointing. She smiled when she saw the circle flowerbed.

"Oh…daisies would be beautiful in there."

JJ smiled at her statement. He knew his mommy would love daisies in there. "Emily and I are working on that."

"Wait…is the rock changing colors?" Elizabeth squinted.

"It does. They reflect light. You should see it when they get wet."

Elizabeth nodded her head as her two boys told her about each item. They were pointing out each thing they wanted to show her. She just couldn't speak. She was too busy looking at everything.

"So…would you like to see the inside?"

Elizabeth turned to her husband as he spoke to her. She nodded her head and reached for their hands. They walked up the stairs and into the home holding hands. She gasped as she saw the inside. All the walls were framed, and boards were being placed as walls. The concept was open. While standing at the door, she could look into the living room, dining room, and the kitchen at the same time. She loved that fact. She noticed the library in the corner close to the steps that leads upstairs. She thought it looked bigger than when she drew it.

"It is a little bigger. Frank said as they began to work on it, they realized it needed to be expanded a little. The porch was expanded a little too."

JJ led her upstairs to show her his room. She took time to look around all the rooms. Then he led her to the water closet. She was happy she wouldn't have to go outside during the winter to the outhouse. Then her son showed her the kitchen. In Elizabeth's mind, it was huge. The cabinets were half installed. She could easily see herself cooking meals for her family. Without realizing it, she had her hand resting on her tummy.

"As you can see, the stove will go here…"

"Jack…it's all just perfect." She interrupted him. She really didn't hear anything he was saying.

"I'm glad you like it. Now, follow us."

Jack led her into their bedroom just off the kitchen. She loved it even though it wasn't finished. It wasn't huge, but she could easily see their furniture fitting into this space. She also enjoyed the built in closet.

"Look at this." He waved his arm to the door on the back wall. He escorted her through the door onto the small back deck. It was big enough for them to sit out together with a small table. The view was breath taking. "It's not connected to the back porch. This is just for us. It's enough room for two small chairs and a small table. It'll be great for coffee in the morning. The sunrise should be spectacular over those trees in the valley." He pointed in the direction of the valley.

Elizabeth could easily imagine sitting out on the deck enjoying coffee or tea and the view. As a matter of fact, it was easy for her to see her living in every room of the home. She loved everything about it. She could see them sitting by a kitchen table in the kitchen eating breakfast or having a group of people over and enjoying a meal in the dining room. She could see them in the living room just being a family. Each reading and just being together. Elizabeth reached to her left eye and wiped a tear.

"I hope that's a good tear." Jack asked.

"The best of tears. Jack, this is everything I've ever wanted."

Jack placed his arm around Elizabeth's shoulder. A second later, she felt a small arm wrap around her waist. He placed her arm around her son's shoulder and then placed her head on Jack's shoulder. For her, this is every dream she has ever had about her family coming real. This was her everything. She let out a contented sigh.

"This is almost perfect."

"Almost? What do you mean, JJ?"

"Well, we need to be living here and I need my baby sister to be here with us. Then it'll be perfect."

"A sister?"

"Yes mommy. You're going to have a girl. I want a sister."

"I don't think it works that way son."

"Well, I'm getting a sister however way it works."