Disclaimer: I do not own the characters within this story. All rights and much respect go to Crown Media, Hallmark, Brian Bird, Michael Landon, Jr., the actors, creators, and writers of the show "When Calls the Heart." Any real people or places noted in the chapter are just there for storyline purposes.

Chapter 22- What Happened?

**STEAM ALERT…**

Okay guys, just a bit of a warning. There is some steam in this chapter, so if that's not what you are into, please travel along and join us maybe in the next chapter. You have now received fair warning…

Recap of the Chapter 21 ending…

In the master bedroom, Elizabeth changed into her favorite flannel shorts and camisole, pulled back the covers and climbed into bed. She grabbed her journal from the top drawer of her bedside table, clicked on her favorite writing pen, flipped to the next blank page and attempted to convey her feelings from their emotionally charged day onto the empty canvas…

"Life can be joyous, exciting and fulfilling, but there are times when it can also dig a hole, knock you down and bury your feelings and emotions way below the surface. You hold them inside, afraid to speak your truth, hoping to keep everyone happy, but knowing that to be an impossible task.

Your heart aches as you realize that you've disappointed those around you, wanting to make things right, but not certain how to make it happen. Should we give up our dreams, our desires, and allow others to make the decisions for us, hoping as we trudge along that their happiness is truly all that matters? Will we regret, at some point, not standing up for ourselves?

Why does growing up have to be so difficult? As children we want nothing more than to rush through life, pushing to enter each new stage so that we can do more, have more, and expect more of everything that this precious life has to offer. Then we have the power to run our own lives, and yet we yearn for the simpler times when decisions were made by others, and blame for the outcome could not be placed upon us.

In reality, life is a series of choices. From the moment we wake until we fall asleep, all day, every day we decide what calls to answer, who we sit with, what words we speak, and the tone we use. We decide what we eat, where we go, how we feel, and what information to disseminate. Our thoughts are essentially fleeting moments of time often based on those things weighing heaviest on our minds. Realizing that the best indicator of future conduct is prior behavior, we make the best decisions possible given the information available to us, hoping that those in our path are not angered by our choices."

Elizabeth slipped her journal into the drawer, laid back and attempted to contemplate the events of the day. In a matter of hours, she'd run the gamut between fear, anxiety, anger, disappointment, understanding, surprise, joy and love.

Back in the den, Jack booked two tickets on Southwest Airlines for Thursday afternoon. He sat on the sofa knowing how happy his mother was going to be when she heard the exciting news. She only wanted him to be happy, and had advised him that she would even do her best to get along with Selma if she was truly who he loved. There was no doubt in his mind that his mother would absolutely love Elizabeth.

Lizzie came up and nudged Jack's leg, begging to go outside. Jack put down his phone, put a leash on Lizzie and they walked to the door. They were only in the front yard for a few minutes when Brenda stepped outside to retrieve something from her car.

"Hey Brenda," Jack called out, hoping that in the darkness he wouldn't frighten her.

"Hey Jack; congratulations again," she replied.

He smiled, giving her a taste of the dimpled grin that Elizabeth loved so much. "Thank you; I have a big favor to ask…"

"When do you need me to watch Lizzie?"

Jack laughed at the fact that she knew what he wanted. "Well, my mom lives out in San Diego, and we need to go out so she can meet Elizabeth. I have tickets to leave tomorrow afternoon, and we'll be back on Sunday evening. I hate to ask on such short notice…"

"Don't worry; I'll be glad to take care of Lizzie."

"Thank you so much," he replied before heading back inside.

Lizzie ran over to grab some water from her bowl while Jack picked up his phone from the table and dialed his mother's number…

"Hello…"

"Hey mom…"

"Jack is everything okay?" she asked, glancing at the clock and realizing that it was now almost midnight on the east coast.

"No ma'am, as a matter of fact, things are wonderful."

Sitting in her home 3000 miles away, Charlotte Thornton smiled, "I assume you talked to Elizabeth."

Even though they couldn't see each other, Jack's smile quickly rivaled hers, "I took your advice and I drove down to see her."

"So did you explain everything? Are you back together? Will you be coming to see me for Thanksgiving?"

"Yes, yes and possibly, but we are actually coming out tomorrow. I want you to meet your future daughter-in-law."

"Well, I always love seeing you, but if you come now will you still be able to come for Thanksgiving?"

"Mom, did you hear what I just said?"

"Yes, you took my advice and you and Elizabeth are back together, but you're not sure if you'll be coming for Thanksgiving. Jack, I'm so happy for you, for both of you. I can't wait to meet her…wait, did you say daughter-in-law?"

Now on with our story…

"Yes ma'am; I asked Elizabeth to marry me and she agreed."

There was a moment of silence which concerned him, "Mom, are you there?"

"Jack, I'm glad that you worked everything out, but marriage? How long have you known her?"

"Long enough," Jack stated sternly as he walked outside to make certain that Elizabeth didn't overhear his conversation.

"What does that even mean?"

"Mom, I'm 31 years old; I know what I want, and I don't want to wait any longer. I have to say, I didn't expect this from you and if you're going to be like this, we aren't coming. I won't have Elizabeth go through this with you too."

"With me too? What happened?" she asked.

"Nothing, it's okay now, but her parents were upset."

Now feeling much like a mama bear protecting her cub, she took offense to the possibility that Elizabeth's parents did not find him to be suitable for their daughter. "What happened, Jack, do they not think you're good enough for her?"

"Stop it mom; it's nothing like that. Elizabeth hadn't told them about me…"

Charlotte interrupted, "Excuse me; you two are dating for 6 months, and she hasn't even mentioned you to them, why?"

"It's not what you think, mom. Elizabeth wanted to see where we went in this relationship without her parent's involvement. With any other relationship she had her mother was pushing for marriage, and Elizabeth simply didn't want us feeling that pressure."

Jack continued to walk around Elizabeth's small front yard, his heart pounding, the phone attached to his ear, and the oxygen somehow bypassing his lungs as he began to feel lightheaded. "We talked to her parents tonight; it didn't go well, but only because Elizabeth had withheld our relationship from them. They felt like they were in the dark, and it hurt them, her mother especially. We're fine now. I guess I just expected something different from you."

Jack stood in the middle of the yard; it was dark but the streetlights provided a minimal amount of light. He turned back to look at the front of Elizabeth's townhouse and observed the heart shaped wreath hanging prominently on her door under the porch light.

Jack's breath was shaky, "Mom, if you can't accept this, we won't be coming. I won't put Elizabeth through that."

"Jack, I'm just playing devil's advocate. I mean, you've dated other girls for longer than you've been seeing Elizabeth, and marriage was never on the radar. I know you love her, all I want to know is that you're sure," she asked as her voice wavered slightly realizing the seriousness of this subject.

"Mom, my heart aches when she's not around. You saw me when we weren't together; I was a mess. Nothing in my life feels important when she's not there to share it with me…not baseball, and unfortunately, not even my charity work."

"Jack…"

"Mom, please understand; I'm not some lovesick teenager. I'm a grown man, and she completes me. Just like you used to tell us that dad was your missing piece, Elizabeth is mine, and I love her with everything I am."

Hearing her crying on the other end startled him. She was always so brave and hardly the sentimental type. "Mom, are you okay?" he asked.

"Jack, that's all I wanted to hear; I'm just so happy for you," she managed to say through her sniffling. "So I get to meet her tomorrow?"

"Yes, Ma'am. We land in San Diego tomorrow afternoon at 4:15, but don't worry about coming to get us; I need to get a car anyway."

"Jack, you don't need to get a rental; you can use my car."

"I appreciate that but Elizabeth hasn't been to the west coast before, so I'd like to take her to some places, and I don't want to put you out. Besides, it's already done mom, so it'll be okay."

"Okay," she stated with a broad smile, "Call me when you land."

"I will. Hey mom…?"

"Yes honey…"

"Thank you for everything."

"I love you Jack."

"I love you too."

Jack walked back inside, locking the front door before heading down the hall to his room. Noticing the light on in Elizabeth's room, he walked past the guest room and knocked on her door.

"Elizabeth…are you awake?" he whispered.

"You can come in Jack," she replied as she watched the door open.

She scooted over in bed as Jack took a seat beside her.

"I have everything worked out…"

"Worked out for what?"

"We fly out of here tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 for San Diego."

"So soon?"

He smiled; he knew she was nervous, and most likely had a vision in her mind of another altercation with his mother. "Elizabeth, I just called my mom. She's excited for us, and can't wait to meet you."

"Are you just telling me that to keep me from worrying?"

"No, I'm serious. My mom knows how much you mean to me and she can't wait to meet you," he assured her. "You get some sleep; we'll need to leave here by 10:30."

"Wait, I can't go…"

"Why not? I already have the tickets; of course you can go."

"Jack, I don't have anyone to take care of Lizzie. I won't put her at the Vet's office. Every time she's there she gets kennel cough."

"No need to take her to the Vet; Brenda is taking care of her."

Jack continued toward the door. With his hand on the doorknob, he turned back toward Elizabeth, "I love you. Don't worry; everything is gonna be okay."

Elizabeth lay back in bed as her long auburn curls cascaded down her pillow. She said nothing, but her crystal blue eyes were calling to him, wanting him to stay. He was suddenly nervous; knowing that he should leave, but his legs felt heavy, as if his feet were in concrete…he couldn't move.

"Honey, I can't stay…"

"Please Jack; I just want to know you're here. I won't touch you."

Jack released a frustrated breath that sounded much like a soft laugh, "Elizabeth," he closed his eyed and shook his head gently from side to side. "You have no idea what you're doing to me right now," he replied.

Jack was a Christian; he was raised in the church and was well aware that complying with Elizabeth's wish to remain a virgin was important, not only to her, but to him and their relationship. However, at this moment, he wasn't thinking about GOD, commandments or morals. He was thinking of her body, soft and supple lying just under the covers; her camisole barely covering her breasts, and the fact that he would, at this moment, make a deal with the devil and in return he would get to experience everything about her without judgment, backlash, or regret.

"Can you just stay until I fall asleep?" she asked; a request that had him returning to the bed and taking a seat on the edge of the mattress.

"Close your eyes," he whispered as his fingers gently brushed several rogue strands of hair from her face, slipping them behind her ear.

With her eyes closed as he had asked, her head pressed against his hand, wanting to feel his touch, and needing to know that he was there with her. Her breath calmed and as he hummed softly, she drifted off to sleep.

Jack stood and kissed her forehead before pulling her blanket up to cover her shoulders. His hand brushed against her shoulder and he suddenly stopped. He'd never had such desire for a woman before and found it difficult to think of little else but her.

He walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. He sat down on the guest bed, staring out into the hall, wishing that they were already married and that he was in bed holding her right now. He changed into a pair of sweat pants but no shirt and stretched out in the bed.

Jack stared at the ceiling for what seemed like hours, his thoughts consumed by this woman who had entered his life by chance and completely flipped his world upside down.

Finally he closed his eyes and while thinking of Elizabeth and what he envisioned their married life to be like, he drifted off to sleep and into the most magical and realistic dream he'd ever experienced…

"Hey honey, I'm home," Jack called out as he entered their brand new two story vinyl sided home with the wraparound porch and a swing to the left of the front door. There was a pair of rocking chairs on the side of the house overlooking the pond and Elizabeth's vegetable garden which was enclosed by a white picket fence.

Finding the house empty, he stepped back outside and walked out to the garden. Hearing her sing as she plucked veggies from their stems, he walked slowly, hoping not to disturb her.

Elizabeth walked out of her garden, having not seen him until she closed her gate and turned back toward the house. Her face lit up like a child on Christmas morning. She dropped her basket and ran to him, jumping into his arms and wrapping her legs around his waist.

They were married a month ago, but he was quickly pulled away for spring training, and they'd been apart for three weeks. Surprising her with a weekend trip home was much like an answered prayer for each of them.

They waited until the "I do's" to be intimate with each other. Although both were nervous, when the moment actually arrived, each one found their wedding night to be magical and most definitely memorable. Jack took his time with her, making the experience all she'd dreamed it would be. If he were honest with himself, he would admit that he'd had sex before, but this was the first time in his life that he'd ever made love. The giving and the sharing filled each of them with emotions that neither had truly experienced before.

He smiled as he inhaled and the scent of her perfume had his thoughts drifting back to the first three days of their Caribbean honeymoon where they rarely left the bedroom. With his arms around her waist, he held her close as her lips, soft, rosy and plump met his. The initial kiss was gentle, and tender, but as they separated, the passion gained control and seemed to burn right through them.

Jack gently returned her feet to the ground but immediately swept her up into his arms and carried her into the house. Without much effort, he scaled the flight of steps to the second floor and entered into the master bedroom. He placed her feet on the ground and began backing her toward the bed.

As the back of her legs rubbed against the mattress, she sat back on the bed. Jack's hand was behind her head as he laid her back onto the pillow, his body lay against hers. She could tell how much he missed her, needed her, wanted her and loved her as his body quickly responded to her touch. His lips were warm; his touch was electrifying and his firm member was eager to satisfy.

Her teeth gently brushed across her bottom lip, unintentionally teasing him. As their hearts pounded and respiration increased, his lips met hers; they were strong and bold as he pressed his body against hers. The kiss was hot, demanding and possessive, and her skin tingled as his fingertips ran up her arm.

"I've missed you so much, Eliz…a…beth," he whispered as he drew out each syllable in her name.

Jack's fingers quickly released the button on her jeans as he stood before her and easily slid them down her long, slender legs. Before easing himself back onto the bed, the belt to his trousers was unbuckled and the garment, along with his boxer briefs dropped to the floor, joining her stonewashed jeans in a pile on the carpeted floor.

He lay beside her as his hand slid under her t-shirt, resting on her abdomen. Each one felt the electricity as it flowed through them while his hand slowly rose higher, causing her skin to tingle and her body to warm. He rolled the hem of her t-shirt between his fingers as the shirt was quickly pulled over her head and dropped to the floor.

With the precision of a skilled surgeon, his hand behind her back easily unsnapped her bra, tossing it into the middle of the floor along with his own t-shirt.

His warm breath tickled her neck as he nibbled gently on her earlobe. His lips tasted the saltiness of her soft skin as he made his way down her neck and along her collarbone.

His lips continued to press gently and softly on her chest. He worked his way down, kissing her between her breasts as his hand cupped her right one, before his lips met her left.

She moaned softly as her chest swelled and her body rose to meet him wanting to be closer; wanting to feel every inch of his skin upon hers.

His finger slipped under the band of her panties as she raised her hips up slightly and he pulled them down her long, sun tanned legs, dropping them on the floor, joining the other articles of clothing.

Jack's arms around Elizabeth's waist stabilized her as he rolled over, taking her body with him. She straddled his waist, giggling at the surprise of his quick action. She leaned down; her hair tickled his skin as her lips pressed firmly against his chest. Her tongue traced along his collarbone as her lips made soft contact with each nipple.

Jack again rolled his body to the other side of the bed, taking hers with him as he ended up straddling her. Beneath his hand, the give of her body was soft and supple upon his touch. She drew her knees up as Jack hovered over her body. He pressed inside her, filling her body with a familiarity that she had missed.

Jack's back arched and then rounded as Elizabeth's hips rose up to meet him. Their bodies easily worked into a comfortable rhythm as he pushed deep inside, driven by her soft moans, and gentle whispers begging him not to stop.

Their bodies were obviously made for each other as her curves fit perfectly with his. Her legs wrapped around his waist and as the passion burned right through them, her fingers pressing deeply into his muscled back as they easily become one person.

Jack collapsed beside her as one arm wrapped around her body and her head rested upon his chest. Both were out of breath as their hearts continuing to pound, and neither wanted to move. As their breathing calmed, each one drifted off to sleep.

The following morning, Jack woke and as he attempted to get out of bed, he found Elizabeth, snuggled up to his back with her arms around his chest. He rolled on his back, causing her to stir, but she refused to release him.

He rubbed his hands harshly up and down his face, suddenly breaking out into a cold sweat, worried that he'd lost control and taken her virginity in a moment of passion. As he gently removed her hold on him, he grabbed a blanket to cover himself, but found that he was still wearing his sweat pants. He glanced about the room; no bra, no t-shirt, no jeans, and no trousers graced the floor…was it real? Did we make love? It felt so real…

He sat on the side of the bed doing his best to gather his senses. Realizing that not only was there no garden for Elizabeth to work in, they were currently in a townhouse, and there certainly was no wraparound porch. How could it feel so real…her touch, her lips, her body…oh my GOD, her body…

As he sat on the side of the bed, her hand touched his back, "Come back to bed Jack."

He swallowed hard, "Elizabeth it's 8:30; we need to get you packed."

She closed her eyes, "Okay, if you're sure that it's not going to be like my parents, because Jack, I don't think I can take it if your mom doesn't like me or questions us getting married."

Jack stood up and pulled back the covers, "Honey, I've already talked to my mom. She knows and she's happy for us."

An hour later they were in his car and headed for the airport. Can I ask you something?" he asked.

"Sure, what is it?"

"What time did you come into my room?" he asked.

"Not long after you left me. I waited until you were asleep, because to be honest, I thought you would send me away. I was actually surprised because as soon as I wrapped my arms around your waist, you grabbed me, but I think you were having a bad dream, because you were breathing so hard, like you were scared or out of breath."

"Probably a little bit of both," he smiled as his hand reached over and took hold of hers. "Did anything happen?"

"Like what?"

"Did we…"

"Did we what?"

"Did we make love last night?"

"No, but WOW, that must have been some dream. Would you care to share it with me?"

"Not really…" he stated as his eyes remained focused on the road.

Once at the airport, Jack grabbed their bags and they proceeded to TSA. They showed the agent their boarding passes on his phone, breezed through the security screening, and were sitting at Gate A3 with plenty of time to spare before boarding.

"Would you like some coffee or something?" he asked.

"A cup of coffee would be awesome. Someone made me get out of bed before I was ready to this morning," she teased.

"Trust me, I enjoyed it too…"immensely, "but we did have a plane to catch."

Jack got up and walked down to Starbucks where he stood in line for service. Ten minutes later, he returned to his seat next to Elizabeth with two coffees, and two muffins, one blueberry and one banana walnut.

"Thank you," she stated before softly kissing his lips.

He knew those lips, and they were just as soft in his dream, "You're welcome."

They barely finished their coffee and muffin before the call came to board Flight #1423 to San Diego.

"You got non-stop?" she asked.

"I know how much you hate take offs, so this was the only non-stop flight to San Diego today," he replied.

Again she kissed him, "Thank you for thinking about me."

"Always…"

They took their seats, but as soon as the plane backed away from the gate, her eyes closed, and Jack felt her grip on his hand intensify. Once in the air, she was fine with her head resting on his shoulder for a majority of the flight.

Six hours later the landing gear dropped and they touched down at San Diego International Airport. Jack grabbed their bags from the overhead compartment and they made their way to the Hertz Rental Car Center, with a quick stop by the women's restroom along the way.

Jack waited patiently outside, and smiled broadly once she reappeared.

They completed their paperwork for the rental car and then proceeded out to the parking lot where he placed their bags into a BMW hardtop convertible. Before pulling out of the parking lot, Jack placed a call to his mother…

"Hey mom, we just landed and we're pulling out of the Hertz parking lot right now. We'll be there in about 30 minutes," Jack advised.

"May I speak to Lizzie please?"

"Mom," Jack turned his head toward the window and whispered, "Her name is Elizabeth."

"Jack, I know what her name is, but I need to come up with something special that just I call her. Please let me talk to her."

"But mom…"

"Honey, I just want to welcome her to San Diego."

Jack handed his phone to Elizabeth, "My mom wants to welcome you to the west coast."

"Hi Mrs. Thornton," Elizabeth nervously stated.

"Welcome to San Diego, dear," Charlotte offered.

Seeing her eyes water he quickly became concerned. He caught her glance and mouthed, "What's wrong?"

"Okay, I look forward to meeting you too. See you soon," Elizabeth stated before the call ended.

"What's wrong?" assuming that his mother had said something to upset her. He asked again, only this time he wasn't silent.

She wiped a few tears as they slipped down her cheek, "Nothing's wrong; everything is right." More tears fell as she started to explain that Charlotte was simply welcoming her to the family.

Thirty minutes later, they pulled into the driveway of his family home. It was certainly nice, in an upscale neighborhood, but still far from Elizabeth's lavish upbringing.

Charlotte was watching out the window waiting on their arrival. Before Jack had shut off the engine, she was on her way outside.

Jack jumped out of the car and hugged her, "Mom, please be nice, okay? Elizabeth is nervous," he whispered.

"No need for her to be nervous; I'm happy for you," her response was also whispered.

Elizabeth had opened the door and exited the vehicle by the time Jack ran around the car and took her hand. He could feel her nervousness as her hand trembled. Jack leaned in and kissed her cheek, "Don't worry, its okay," he whispered before leading her around the car and over to his mother.

"Mom, this is Elizabeth Thatcher…Elizabeth, this is my mom, Charlotte Thornton," Jack released Elizabeth as she stuck out her arm to shake Charlotte's hand.

"What is with the handshake; we're going to be family, Lizzie," Charlotte stated as she pulled Elizabeth in for a hug.

"Mom, it's not Lizzie…"

Jack, its okay. She can call me Lizzie if she likes," Elizabeth responded, realizing that this wasn't worthy of fighting over.

Jack watched as the two most important women in his life seemed to be getting along quite well. Elizabeth's nerves appeared to dissipate with Charlotte's gesture and Charlotte, observing Jack's smile, knew that Elizabeth was the woman for her son.

"It's very nice to meet you Mrs. Thornton. Jack has told me so much about you," Elizabeth stated as she did her best to keep her nerves at bay.

"Lizzie, my son has told me a great deal about you too. I am so happy to finally meet you, but please, call me Charlotte."

"Yes ma'am…I mean, yes, Charlotte; thank you."

As Jack grabbed their bags and they started for the front porch, Elizabeth's phone rang…

Glancing down she stopped. "Jack, its Brenda. I need to take it in case something is wrong with Lizzie. I'll be right in…"

Jack and Charlotte walked toward the front door. "Who's Lizzie?" Charlotte asked.

"She's Elizabeth's English bulldog."

"Oh, so that's why you didn't want me calling her Lizzie. Hmm, I'll have to come up with something else."

Elizabeth took a seat on the front porch steps and answered her call.

"Hey Brenda, is something wrong?"

"Well, I'm not sure but Lizzie seems to be breathing funny. It's almost like she's not getting enough oxygen in."

"I'm sorry that you have to deal with this. Sometimes when there is a change in weather and she's a little stressed her windpipe swells and she's not able to get as much air in as she needs."

"What do I do?"

"In my kitchen cabinet over the coffee maker is a bottle of Acepromazine. All she needs is a half of a pill once a day. It will make her sleepy, but it will reduce the swelling of her windpipe, and she can breathe easier."

"I've got it. Would it be okay if I brought her to my house so I could watch her more closely?"

"Sure, thank you Brenda. You're a lifesaver."

"Did you meet his mom yet?"

"We just did. They're inside, but it went well, I think. She's very nice."

"Well, get inside and I'll take care of things here."

"Thanks again Brenda."

"Don't mention it. Glad to do anything I can to help move love along."

Back inside the house Jack and Charlotte walked down the hallway toward one of her three guest rooms. She opened the door to the largest of the three rooms, "Jack, put your bags in here. You and Elizabeth should be comfortable in this room."

"Uh mom, you're putting us in the same room?"

"Well, you know I don't approve of you young kids sleeping together before marriage, but I guess I need to give in a little."

"Mom, we aren't…"

"We aren't what?" Elizabeth asked as she entered the guest room.

"My mom was putting us in the same room."

"Oh…"

"I'm sorry; I just assumed that you would be staying together."

"Mom, we're not…I mean, we haven't… It's just that I'll sleep in my old room," Jack finally managed to state as he found it impossible to discuss sleeping arrangements with his mother. He left Elizabeth's bag on the bed and proceeded down the hall leaving the two women alone in the room.

"I'm sorry dear. I didn't mean to insinuate or assume anything. You younger adults are so much different than they were in my time. I just want to apologize."

"Mrs. Thornton…I mean Charlotte, please don't apologize. This younger adult is not like many my own age. Jack and I haven't…well; I'm waiting until I'm married…uh, so Jack and I aren't sleeping together."

"Well, I hope this room is okay."

"It's beautiful; thank you very much."

"Would you like some coffee or a cold drink?"

"Coffee would be awesome, but don't make it just for me."

"I put a pot on before you two arrived. You get settled and I'll meet you in the kitchen," she stated as she walked two doors down and into Jack's old bedroom.

"Mom…"

"Don't say anything; she's perfect for you." Charlotte turned to leave but stopped and spun on her heels to face Jack, "I Love Her," she silently mouthed with a smile, which quickly put him at ease.

Ten minutes later they were all sitting at the kitchen table talking over a cup of coffee and a plate of store bought cookies.

"May I ask you something?"

"Yes ma'am, ask away…"

"What's your middle name?"

"Grace…"

"Hmm, Elizabeth Grace, that's beautiful. May I call you Grace?"

"You certainly can, and you'd be the only one who does…"

Charlotte piped in, "Sorry Grace but Jack says that I'm not the best cook, so store bought chocolate chip cookies it is."

"I'm sure he didn't mean it."

"Yes he did," Jack remarked jokingly.

"So what do you two have planned for this weekend?"

"We're spending the weekend with you," Jack commented. "Maybe a little sightseeing, but mostly we want to do things with you."

Charlotte glanced down and observed Jack holding Elizabeth's hand and she smiled. Instinctively she knew, Elizabeth was the right woman for her son, and she couldn't be happier.

"Well, you know I love seeing you but I think you two need to get out and have some fun," Charlotte commented. "Take her to the zoo and the beach, maybe into Los Angeles; oh and what about Joshua Tree?"

"Mom, we're only here until Sunday," Jack reminded her. "Besides we came to see you."

"You came so Grace and I could meet. Now I want you to take her out and have some fun."

"Oh Jack," Elizabeth called out as her thumb brushed across his hand, "Do you know if you brought my bag in from the car?"

"Your purse?"

"Well, I guess you could say it's my purse. I carry everything in it."

"No, it's still out in the car. I'll go get it."

Both of them stood up, "No Jack, I'll go. I have something in there that's for your mom. I'll be right back."

As the front door closed, Charlotte turned to Jack, "You were right about everything; she's beautiful, considerate, thoughtful, kind…"

"Mom, you make her sound like she's a girl scout or something," Jack teased.

"You didn't let me finish…and she's a lady. I love her Jack, and your father would have loved her too. I'm so proud of you for waiting for just the right woman. Now, when are you two going to get married?"

"We haven't decided, but I'd marry her while we're here if I could," he stated as they heard the front door open and close again.

Elizabeth walked back into the kitchen, dug into her bag, and pulled out a beautiful Thomas Kinkade Christmas snow globe called "Wondrous Winter."

Elizabeth sat it on the table as Charlotte smiled. "Jack told me that you collect snow globes, and I hope you don't have this one," she stated as she turned it on to show how four sculpted village scenes were illuminated, the snow swirled and they listened as three of the eight holiday melodies played.

Charlotte got up from her seat and walked around the table to Elizabeth, causing her to stand. "Oh Grace, that is absolutely beautiful, and so thoughtful of you. Thank you so much," she stated before wrapping Elizabeth in an embrace.

"You're very welcome."

"Now," Charlotte turned to Jack, "Let me get into this kitchen and fix us some dinner. You two go rest for a while and dinner will be ready in about two hours."

"Mom, I don't want you in the kitchen cooking for us, and especially not for two hours. I'll take us out."

"Okay, but you two need to get a little rest first," Charlotte demanded.

Elizabeth stood, placed her cup in the kitchen sink and responded, "I am a little tired. A nap would be perfect." She grabbed her bag, which was now noticeably lighter, kissed Jack's cheek, thanked Charlotte for her kindness and walked back to her room.

"So, what do you think?" Jack asked.

Charlotte walked around the table and took the seat that Elizabeth had just vacated. She wasn't generally an emotional woman, but he observed tears welling in her eyes.

"Jack, she seems perfect for you. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm glad you got hurt in that game."

Jack laughed, "You have no idea how many times I've said the very same thing." Jack looked down as his mother's hand covered his, "Mom, there is no other woman for me; I knew it when I first met her."

Charlotte smiled as she observed Jack's eyes light up at the mere mention of Elizabeth, "I don't know what I'd do without her; she's everything to me."

"Well, I don't know her well, but I'd say she feels the same way about you."

Jack kissed his mother before heading back to his room to relax before dinner.

Two doors down, Elizabeth was sitting on the side of the bed, thankful that her introduction had gone much better than she had anticipated. With so many feelings swirling around, she pulled her journal from her bag, flipped to the next blank page, clicked her favorite pen open and did her best to convey all of her feelings and emotions from a whirlwind day onto the empty canvas…

"Being nervous and excited conjures up the same sensations; it's positive vs. negative; confidence vs. apprehension; calm vs. angst, and encouraged vs. panic stricken. Each positive response feeds off of its negative counterpart, pushing us through those uncomfortable experiences as we learn more about ourselves."

Elizabeth took a deep breath and thought about the man she was planning to marry only a few doors down. She thought about the first time she saw him on the field, how he filled out his baseball uniform, and how he seemed so kind, and gentlemanly like, so different from many of the other men she'd met. Then her heart pounded as she thought about the many times she turned him down; the fact that she had no intent to see him socially; and how the thrill she felt simply being near him almost didn't come to pass.

She glanced down at her journal and began to write again…

"Our mind is made up, or so we think. We refuse to say hello for fear of risking another goodbye. We know that we must open up but past experiences make us cautious, uneasy and leery of those who show interest. For the past determines the future and our past is often riddled with betrayal, causing us to not only question the motives of those around us, but also the ability to trust ourselves.

"We're supposed to move through those experiences that wound us, learning from each and every mistake, not repeating them again, but also not allowing them to hold us hostage. By refusing to accept the lessons available, we baulk at the opportunity to reshape our thinking, allowing our wounds to imprison us, holding us to what was, instead of what might be.

I always told myself that one day the man of my dreams would walk into my life. He would look at me with a glimmer in his eyes like nothing I've ever seen before. He would understand me, getting things right, where everyone else before him had failed. He would accept me as I am with all of my quirks and idiosyncrasies, and that he'd love me for all of my perfect imperfections. He'd be the one to make me smile like no one else before him, and that without asking, he'd drop everything to spend time with me, with no expectations of anything in return. I'd want him to feel that with one kiss, one simple kiss, that I could hold his heart and make love to his soul forever.

I wasn't looking; I refused to allow you in, and with each attempt, I pushed harder, afraid to feel, afraid of what I already felt. You didn't give up. You had faith in me when I'd lost it myself, and for that I thank you. You are truly my greatest surprise."

Elizabeth dropped her journal and pen back into her bag. She stretched out on the bed and closed her eyes, thinking that a short cat nap sounded absolutely wonderful. The only thing that would have made it better would have been to be two doors down, lying in bed with Jack. However, this was his mother's home and she would never disrespect her property with such behavior.

Elizabeth took a deep cleansing breath, thankful that Charlotte was so kind, and loving towards her. Even with her anxiety at a fevered pitch before their arrival, the trip was certainly worth taking, and brought her and Jack closer to being able to set the date for their own wedding… or could they still just elope?"

To be continued…