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 26- Count Your Blessings

Recap of Chapter 25 ending…

All of the arrangements that needed to be made were rushing through her head as Jack did his best to take some of the pressure off of her. "Let me take care of some things?"

"We have the location, the dresses, the flowers are ordered, and invitations have been made. People will understand that as quickly as we are putting this together that some things will be missing," she commented. "Would you find a restaurant and make reservations? That would be a big help."

"Consider it done."

Elizabeth took a deep breath, "Now I guess we should pray for beautiful weather."

Elizabeth and Jack spent the remainder of their Saturday and Sunday morning in San Diego visiting with his mother. Before they knew it, it was time to leave for their flight back home. All in all everyone felt as though this was a productive trip, but a lot still needed to be done before they returned in a week.

Jack was very attentive to Elizabeth as the plane taxied down the runway. She held his hand, squeezing tightly as the engines roared and the plane sped toward takeoff. Once they were comfortably in the air, Elizabeth released her death grip on Jack's hand and he leaned his head against the window and fell asleep.

Having a great deal on her mind, sleep was elusive. She pulled her journal from her bag, opened it to her last entry and began to read…

"Life is about change. It's about altering our course, forcing us to consider our past, the decisions we've made, good and bad, and learning from them. However, change is difficult; it demands our attention; and whether we want to provide it or not, it requires our acceptance.

The entire process of life is about moving from one stage to another. It's about the journey, the twists and turns, the emotional highs and depressing lows. It's about relishing in the excitement, accepting the disappointments, being thankful for the magnificent beauty, but still allowing tears over the pain.

Our biggest battle is between what we believe to be true and what we fear will happen. We are well aware of the fact that the decision is ours, however, we fear speaking the words, because our heart tells us that they will not be received as intended.

Our stomach churns; we should be thrilled for this time in our life. However, fear of the disappointment we may hand to those we love causes our heart to crumble fearing that the twinkle you should have in your eyes will be extinguished.

Growing up, you were my rock; my greatest cheerleader, and my most patient confidant. You showed me that standing up for myself in the face of adversity is a gift we give ourselves… the gift of self esteem, self confidence, and self respect. Through example you've shown me that love is given freely with no expectations, and that to love and to be love is the greatest gift of all. For this and the many other words of wisdom that you have so graciously bestowed upon me, I thank you.

I hope that my decision will not have you thinking less of me, assuming that it is easy for me to disappoint you. It most certainly is not. You may not realize all of the many lessons you quietly taught, or that when you weren't looking, I was listening and learning. So, please know that ultimately, you are the one who has shown me that to stand up for myself is to be the strong, independent woman you so lovingly nurtured."

Her words were true, life is about change. It's about adapting, accepting and moving forward. It's also about realizing that parents are people too. They may have dreams for their children, but truly when all is said and done, for the most part, they just want their children to be happy.

She flipped the page, and as the plane's engines hummed and her ears continued to pop, she did her best to put the mumbled conversations aside and clear her own jumbled thoughts by putting her pen to the blank canvas…

"Your mind wanders; your tears flow and whether they are for something confirmed or simply speculated the anxiety and anguish remain the same. We're afraid to speak our truth, fearing that it will not be accepted as we intend, adding to the disappointment and heartache for everyone.

We experience a plethora of emotions as we ease through life and circumstance. Our love and respect for those dearest to us have us wanting nothing more than to please them. However, on occasion our actions have us running, fearing that our choices will disappoint, disillusion, and dissatisfy those whose impressions of us we hold dear.

Then you gain strength, partly because that was how you were raised, and partly because you have no choice. You speak, fast and soft, waiting for the shoe to fall, expecting your sky to darken and the tears, both yours and theirs to drown you. But it doesn't happen…

Emotions push from the depths of my soul, willing every sense, thought and feeling to listen, pay attention and to respond. However, how am I expected to respond when my head tells me one thing, but the fear that has engaged me says another?

As you brace for their response, what you expected does not materialize, and what you feared couldn't be farther from reality. You realize the time you've wasted; simply because you didn't believe what you'd known all your life…love will always trump disappointment."

As the seatbelt sign switched back on, the plane experienced slight turbulence, causing Jack to bump his head on the window, jarring him awake.

"Are you okay?" she asked as he attempted to focus his sleepy eyes upon her.

He smiled, "I love you," he whispered as he took hold of her hand, "Six more days and you will be Mrs. Jack Thornton."

"Life doesn't get much better than that," she replied as he pulled her hand up to his lips.

Come on wedding…

Come on wedding night…

Each one smiled at their individual thought. It wasn't too difficult to determine which thought was attributed to whom.

Now on with our story…

The plane landed, taxied up to Gate C18, and as they waited for the door to open, it was evident that many, if not all of the passengers were itching to disembark. Some had connecting flights, others were tired of sitting in one place, and still others simply wanted to get home to their loved ones.

Jack took Elizabeth's carry-on bag and led the way down the ramp and into the crowded airport.

"Let me take one of those," Elizabeth stated as she reached for her bag.

"Honey, I have them," he replied, unwilling to relinquish her flowery Vera Bradley weekender bag.

"Wouldn't you rather hold my hand?" she asked with a warm smile.

The bag hit the carpet and their fingers entwined as his smile rivaled hers.

Elizabeth reached down and grabbed her bag as they made their way through the airport, and to his car which sat in the long term parking lot. The sun was down, the parking lot lights were on and they seemed to be the only people around.

Jack popped the back on his BMW and placed their bags inside before unlocking Elizabeth's door. As she waited for him to open her door, she felt his body pressed against hers. He glanced around, and seeing that they were, in fact, alone, he leaned in.

In that moment as their lips met, each felt a quiet passion, strong but modestly appropriate in public. Only inches apart, their hearts pounded, as each one felt the crispness in the air, but warmth of the touch flowed through them.

His palm rested along her jaw line as his fingers tangled them in her hair, encouraging her lips closer. Her lips were whisper soft and summer breeze warm as they softly met again.

As he drew back, she observed a tear slip from the outside of his eye, "Are you okay?"

Her thumb gently brushed away the symbol that is generally attributed to sadness. However, in his case, the smile that accompanied it was more about being grateful…gratitude for so many things; her love, his life, his career, and the devastating injury which precipitated their meeting. He was grateful for all of it for if anything had been different, their lives could be moving in opposite directions.

"I'm fine; I just love you so much," he responded before their lips met once more.

Hearing voices, and realizing that they were no longer alone in the parking lot, Jack opened her door and Elizabeth slipped inside.

Forty five minutes later they pulled into her driveway. Jack grabbed her bag and carried it inside.

"Where's your bag?" she asked.

"It's in the car. I'm going to stay at a hotel this week."

"WHAT? Are you serious?

"Elizabeth, we only have six day before we're married. I think it's safer this way."

Employing the sad puppy dog eyes she replied, "You don't want to stay here with me?"

"Don't look at me like that; you know that's not true. You've got to know how much I want you; how I lie in bed at night and when I can sleep, I'm dreaming about you; holding you, kissing you, making love to you. I'm just afraid that I…" he released a frustrated breath as his hand brushed harshly across his face, "I don't want to lose control."

"Is losing control so bad?"

"See…that right there is why I need to stay in a hotel. You don't know how being near you affects me."

"But I'll be working during the day…"

Jack laughed, "Yes, and then we have the night," he breathlessly whispered as he stepped closer, pressing her against the entryway wall.

She could feel his heart pounding through their clothing as the wall's crown molding snuggly fit along the small of her back.

His lips started along her neck as she tilted her head slightly to give him free access. She softly moaned as he slowly worked his way to the soft, sweet spot just under her ear. They were only inches apart as Jack's eyes, focusing on her mouth watched as her teeth seductively ran across her bottom lip.

It was a subconscious act which easily drew him in deeper and deeper into a web of desire; a hunger for her which burned inside him. Elizabeth felt her knees buckle as Jack slipped one arm around her waist and the other behind her knees, picking her up and carrying her up the stairs and half way down the hall.

Stopping ten feet from her bedroom door he gently placed her feet back on the ground as she leaned against the wall outside the guest room. As he held her hands, he leaned in and whispered, "I would sell my soul to the devil himself to make love to you right now. For that reason, I really should go. I'll see you tomorrow."

He released her hands before cradling her face as her eyes closed in anticipation. He leaned in and kissed her forehead, "I love you. Six days…just hold on to that."

Her eyes remained closed but she could feel the chill in the room as the warmth from his body disappeared. As she heard the front door close she suddenly felt lost, as if an integral part of her was gone. She ran down the stairs and to the door, turning the knob and thrusting it open. She ran outside into her small front yard, only to find his BMW was no longer in the driveway.

She felt the air rush from her body, feeling much like a small child, knowing that tomorrow was a lifetime away. At the age of thirty, she'd waited for many years to find that special someone, actually having come to the conclusion that he didn't exist.

Now, after allowing herself to truly feel such a deep love for Jack, her heart ached to have him so close, yet so far away.

With the wind truly out of her sails, she walked back inside, and frustratingly took a seat on the sofa. Tired of feeling sorry for herself and needing fresh air, she grabbed Lizzie's leash, and headed for the front door.

Elizabeth pulled her jacket off the coat rack, slipped it on and out the door they went. Several blocks down the road they walked into the gate and she released Lizzie to run and play. The park was basically empty except for an older couple in the "Big Dog" yard that was on the opposite side of the field.

Elizabeth took a seat on a picnic table and reached inside her pocket for her phone. Realizing that she'd left it at home she simply sat and gazed into the darkness.

Twenty minutes later and feeling vulnerable after the couple left the dimly lit park she called Lizzie and they headed home.

Jack sat in his car and dialed her number, becoming concerned when she didn't answer. He sent her a text…

"R u ignoring me…?"

Several minutes past with no response, so he slipped out of the car, grabbed his bag and headed for the front door.

"Elizabeth… please don't be angry with me..."

"Angry about what?" Elizabeth asked as she walked up behind him. "What are you doing here? I thought you went to a hotel."

He wrapped her in his arms, "I drove toward the Four Seasons, and the closer I got the more I wanted to be here, with you…" he leaned back; his finger under her chin lifted her face up as their lips met.

"I'm glad you came back."

"Why didn't you answer my text?"

"What text…?"

"I just sent you one a few minutes ago."

Elizabeth patted the front pockets on her jeans, "No phone; I left it inside," she stated as she handed Jack the keys and he opened the door.

Jack stepped to the side as Lizzie raced inside and took her usual spot on the rug by the back sliding glass door.

He grabbed his bag and carried it to his room, scaling the staircase by skipping every other step. While he was gone, Elizabeth walked into the kitchen and fixed two glasses of wine, having them and her in the den when he returned a few minutes later.

Jack took a seat beside her on the sofa as she handed him his glass of wine, "To us, to love, and to only six more days…"

They both laughed as they tapped their glasses together and each one took a sip before Jack took the glass from her hand and sat both of them on the coffee table.

Jack wrapped his arm around Elizabeth and pulled her close. He knew that she was exhausted as he'd caught her hand covering her mouth while she attempted to hide several yawns. With the TV on and the lights down low, she closed her eyes and within minutes she was asleep.

Jack closed his eyes as he inhaled, enjoying the combination of fragrances from her shampoo and perfume, each one complimenting the other. He kissed the top of her head as she snuggled deeper into his body.

The audio on the TV seemed to be a dull monotone as his thoughts drifted to what brought him to this point in his life. He was thankful that his knee healed, but honestly believed that above all else, he was meant to come to Baltimore to meet her, to find the lost piece to his life's puzzle. He truly believed that in his heart he could live without the excitement of playing baseball, but would die emotionally without her.

Hours later, with both of them sound asleep, Elizabeth stretched…

"Ouch," Jack yelled out as she surprised him with a fist to the nose.

"Oh, I'm so sorry Jack; I didn't know you were there. Let me see…" she sat up, scooted over and leaned down observing a slight red mark on the side of his nose. As her lips met his cheek, she slowly moved over toward his nose.

"It actually hurts here too," he teased as he pointed to his lips.

"I can take care of that too," she stated just before her lips met his.

His lips were firm, but softened immediately as he welcomed her completely into his space. "Five more days and your mine."

"Well, I'm already yours, but it's actually six days," Elizabeth corrected him.

"What…did I lose a day somewhere? You told me yesterday that it was six days."

"No, I believe you were the one who said it was six days. Besides, even if I did say six days, we've already determined that math is not my strong suit. But this is how it works… We have to count today as day 1…that makes Friday day 5, and the wedding isn't until the following afternoon, so that's another day."

"Well, there you go; do you see what you do to me? I can't even count."

Elizabeth snickered, "I guess we are a hopeless pair," she stated as she stood up and proceeded to walk away.

Jack grabbed her arm and pulled her back down to him; "hopelessly in love…" he whispered as his arm around her waist pulled her into his body. His other hand behind her head encouraged her lips closer.

Her lips eagerly met his with equal amounts of fire and passion as her soft moans of pleasure stoked the fire that easily erupted within him.

He moved over as best he could on the sofa as her body slid in between him and the back of the normally comfortable piece of furniture. With little room to work with, she could feel his body from shoulder to knee pressed up against her.

"Jack," she whispered, "I have to get ready for work."

Hoping to take her mind off of the inevitable, he kissed her forehead and then each cheek as he felt her body settle in against him. His lips again found her mouth, initially covering it gently. He could feel her hand move up his arm and her leg slide across his body, as he immediately became energized by her touch, taste and scent.

Somewhat out of breath, Elizabeth placed her hands against his chest and gently pushed her body over his, standing up when her feet hit the floor.

"Where are you going?"

"Jack, we have six days…but right now I have to go to work," she stated as she headed upstairs to take a shower.

Jack watched as she disappeared up the stairs, taking a deep breath and falling back on the sofa to await her return.

"Hey Jack," Elizabeth called out from the bathroom.

Jack jumped up, unrealistically assuming that she wanted him to join her in the shower, "Yes, I'll be right there."

"Could you do me a favor and turn Lizzie outside? Thanks…" and the door closed.

Jack was on the seventh step by the time he realized what she wanted. "Sure," he disappointedly turned around and headed for the back door.

Thirty minutes later she walked down the stairs wearing a black suit, slacks with a white silk blouse and a tailored jacket.

"You really look nice this morning."

"Thank you."

"Do you have anything that you need me to work on for the wedding? Oh, can you check to see if you can take time off next week? If so, I'll start working on the honeymoon," he stated with a smirk and arched eyebrows.

As Elizabeth stood in the kitchen making a salad for lunch she momentarily stopped to think about the things on her list. "I guess we need to make flight arrangements to get back out to San Diego. But I have testing this week so I won't be able to leave until Friday."

She snapped the lid on her container, grabbed her purse and keys and headed for the front door.

"Hey…"

"I'm sorry, I'm used to being alone in the mornings," she stated as she gently kissed him and then turned back toward the door. Standing at the door she hesitated, before turning around, "Jack what was I thinking? I mean if we can't get back to San Diego until Friday night, how can we possibly do this?"

Her breathing became rapid and shallow, "Jack, everyone I know who has had a wedding took a year or more to plan it. I've got a week…A WEEK."

Jack approached her and wrapped her in his arms, "What's important here?"

With her head buried in his chest her response was muffled, "you…me…us..."

"Okay, so you invite your friends that you would like to be there, and let me do what I can from here. I promise you, everything will be beautiful."

"Jack, I'm sorry. I just think maybe we should have eloped; at some point my mom would have gotten over it," Elizabeth softly kissed his cheek before slipping from his hold and opening the front door.

"Elizabeth…"

"I know it will be okay, but right now I have to get to work," and with that she was gone.

Twenty minutes later Jack's phone rang, "Hey honey is everything okay?"

"I wanted to apologize."

"Elizabeth, you have nothing to apologize for. I know you're stressed, but we'll get through this, okay?"

"I'm holding you to that," she managed a soft laugh. "What would you like for dinner tonight?"

"I thought I'd grill some steaks out. Don't worry about a thing; just come home when you can. I love you…"

"I love you too. I'll be home by 5:30."

"Okay, see you then."

Jack reached into his carry-on bag and pulled out one of Elizabeth's discarded wedding "to do" lists, quickly realizing that any calls he made to the west coast would need to wait a few more hours. However, one call he did make was to East Coast Jet Airways, where he chartered a Gulfstream IV jet to transport all of the local family and friends out to San Diego on Friday, with a scheduled return flight on Sunday.

When the clock struck 10am, Jack made a call to Mookie to beg him and Rosa to attend the wedding.

"Man, you don't have to beg me; Rosa and I would love to come, be can't leave until Friday evening and we can't find any flights available."

"Well, I know you two aren't in Baltimore now, but if you can get here, I chartered a jet for everyone."

"Seriously…man, you just made my day. Rosa has been so upset with me because I didn't sit down to do the reservations until last night, and nothing was available. She said if she could, she'd walk there…alone!"

"Okay, so you'll be there?"

"We wouldn't miss it."

"Great, I'll get you the particulars when the times are firmed up."

Scanning the list and several of Elizabeth's scratched out items; Jack grabbed a cup of coffee and took a seat at the kitchen table. Once it hit noon on the east coast, 9am on the west coast, his fingers began dancing across the dial pad.

Several people wouldn't even give Jack a chance to explain before telling him that there was no way that his request could be accomplished.

Feeling his own sense of discouragement he made one final call. After explaining the situation and receiving dead silence on the other end of the phone, followed by a laugh and an "Oh, you were serious?" Jack offered a substantial bonus if his request could be accommodated.

"Well, it will be quite expensive to do what you're asking with the short time frame we have to deal with, but I do have friends in the field who owe me, so I guess I'll be calling in some favors," Marley Hendrix, from Weddings by Marley, commented.

"So you can take care of everything?" Jack asked. "I mean, my fiancé has taken care of the flowers and dresses. She's just expecting there to be nothing else, and I'd like to give her this surprise. So please just contact me at this number, and don't speak to anyone but me."

"I've got it. What time on Saturday is the wedding?" Marley asked.

"You know, we don't have an actual time, but I know my fiancé would like for the ceremony to be in the late afternoon. She loves the Santa Monica Ferris wheel, and I think she'd love to be married in the sunshine and then party under the stars."

"Well, I was just looking and the weather is expected to be sunny on Saturday with a high in the mid 70's, and the sunset should be around 5pm," Marley advised.

"So, you think you can get this done?" Jack asked.

"Mr. Thornton…"

"Please call me Jack…"

"Jack, I have to be honest with you."

His heart sank, "Please I need your help."

"No, that's not what I mean. I need you to know that I just opened my wedding consultant business last month, and this is my first wedding completely on my own."

"But you said that people owed you favors."

"Yes, I was working for 'Weddings by Sonia,' and the favors I was referring to were accumulated during the time I worked with her. Or I guess to be honest I should say, 'for her.'"

"So what do you think? Can we do this?"

"What kind of theme does she have?"

"Hmm, well the cake she liked had a beach theme."

"Okay, that's helpful, but technically logical since your wedding is on the beach. So I'm assuming her favorite color is blue?"

"Well actually, green is her favorite color."

"Hmm, teal is a popular color in the weddings I have done before. It looks pretty with the beach backdrop too."

Feeling like she knew what she was doing, Jack asked, "So Marley, knowing all of this, and the fact that we only have a few days, do you think you can do this?"

"Jack, I have no other weddings going on right now. I can do it, and in helping you, I will also be getting my business off the ground."

"Okay, what do you need from me?"

"How many guests are you expecting? And we'll need to include the minister, DJ, and any other vendors in the number."

"We can have a DJ?"

"Do you want dancing on the beach? If so, you'll need a DJ."

"Yes, we definitely want dancing, but it'll be a small wedding. I think it'll be less than 50, but let's plan for 100."

"Are you sure? That could be a lot of leftovers and will definitely up your expenses."

"Marley, I don't care about the cost. I just want Elizabeth to have the night of her life, so whatever you can do to make this happen, I will be so grateful," Jack admitted. "Besides, is it possible for the leftovers to be given to the homeless?"

"I'm sure we can find good use of anything that is left over."

"How about this, you send me $10000 through Pay Pal so I can get the food ordered. Anything left over can go toward the decorations. If you aren't happy with anything, Pay Pal refunds your money, so you aren't out anything."

"Okay, that sounds more than fair. I'll send it right now."

"What about food? How many choices of entrees would you like, or would you prefer a buffet instead?"

"Buffet, that way everyone can get what they want. Also, there may be some kids there, so can you make arrangements for an ice cream truck?" Jack asked as he heard her laugh softly. "Is something funny?"

"No, but your fiancé is a very lucky woman. I have never met a man so intent on making his woman happy."

"Thank you, but I feel like the lucky one."

As they ended the call, Marley's first thought was I can't wait to get a glimpse of this guy. His fiance must be way out of his league. I wonder if it's a Beauty and the Beast kinda thing. "Stop it; it doesn't matter what he looks like. His money spends just as well as George Clooney's."

Jack sat his phone on the table, quite satisfied with himself. Then he experienced an even brighter smile, as he again reached for his phone and began looking at honeymoon hotspots.

With several thoughts in mind, he had a plan for the wedding night, and if she was able to take time off from work, a much more elaborate getaway.

At school, Elizabeth sat at her desk staring at a stack of testing files, but realized that her head was full of wedding thoughts. The school had a hushed feeling as many of the classes were undergoing mandatory testing, and it seemed as though every time she blinked, more teachers were dropping off files for her to document before being sent to the State Board.

Elizabeth's lunch break, all of fifteen minutes of it, was spent going over the wedding list she carried in her purse. She wiped a tear as it slowly rolled down her cheek, knowing that the wedding she would have was not exactly what she had always dreamed of. However, the important part was Jack, and she would never let him know that she was disappointed at feeling the need to settle.

With the few minutes she had left, Elizabeth snapped the lid on her salad container and headed down the hall to the Teacher's Lounge. There she found her closest work friends, Sarah Foster, Annie Greene and Jessi Stillwell.

"So, how did your meeting with Jack's mom go?" Annie asked.

"It went great. She's wonderful, but…"

"Oh no, but what?" Sarah blurted out.

"I know that its last minute and everything but have you guys thought about my invitation? I'll cover your tickets and hotel…"

As each girl looked at the other, the spokesman appeared to be Jessi, "Elizabeth, we'd love to come. As a matter of fact we have been sitting here talking about it. We just don't have time to plan a trip like that. But we will be thinking about you."

"I understand," Elizabeth responded. Feeling her eyes watering but not wanting her friends to feel badly, she excused herself before her tears began to fall.

Elizabeth walked back to her office, managing to maintain her stoic composure as she passed teachers and students alike. She walked into her office, closed her door, took a seat behind her desk, rested her head in her folded arms and cried.

Her phone chimed signally a text. Glancing at her phone, she observed the number which she knew to belong to the florist in Santa Monica.

"Having difficulty locating teal Calla Lilies. Probably can't get them by the weekend. Is silk okay…?"

"Sure," she texted back, realizing that even if it was a big deal, there would be nothing she could do about it now.

She glanced at her desk and the growing pile of files that needed her immediate attention. It was easy to conclude that nothing and no one was in a position to receive her undivided attention and she certainly was not comfortable with the lack of control.

Feeling quite overwhelmed, Elizabeth pulled her journal from her bag, flipped through its pages from the beginning to end, smiling, crying, and occasionally laughing. Realizing that she'd lived through far worse, she eventually settled on the next blank page…

"Feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and out of control…its truly incomprehensible as our thoughts spin, so crowded in our own head that even a simple thought has no room to grow.

We rush about, so many things to do, and truly feeling as though none are being done well. Our plate is full, and much like a serving of spaghetti, the more we remove from our obligations, the more that appears requiring our attention.

Life tests us. It allows nothing to happen or thrusts us in the middle of everything all at once. As the saying goes, 'when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.' However, right now that drink seems rather bitter and not to my liking.

I feel as though my mind and my heart are struggling, sparring with one another. My heart knows the love and joy, but my head feels the stress. Until they are working in harmony I fear there will be no inner peace."

Unaware of the time, Elizabeth was still sitting at her desk when Jack called her, "Is everything okay?"

"Yes, why?"

"You said you'd be home by 5:30, but it's now 6 and I haven't heard anything. Are you okay?"

"It's 6 already? I'm sorry; I guess I've just had a lot on my mind. I'll be leaving soon," Elizabeth stated as she closed the file she was working on and placed it back on the pile of uncompleted work.

*Knock, knock, knock…

"Come in," Elizabeth called out as she looked toward the door.

"Hey, are you busy?" Jessi asked as she stepped inside and closed the door. Glancing at the double stack of eye level files on Elizabeth's desk she quickly answered her own question, "I'm sorry; of course you're busy."

Elizabeth and Jessi shared the counseling responsibilities for the school and had been friends for many years. Sensing that there was something on her mind, she asked, "Are you okay?"

"You're so lucky," Jessi stated as she plopped down in the chair on the other side of Elizabeth's desk.

*Knock, knock, knock…

"Excuse me Jessi…come in," Elizabeth stated as she had to practically stand in order to see over the stacks of files.

Margaret Hanson, one of the 10th grade History teachers entered with more work, "WOW, where do you want me to put these?"

"Over in the chair is fine," Elizabeth replied.

"Thank you; oh, and congratulations. I heard that you're engaged. That's so exciting. It's funny, but someone said you were getting married this weekend," Margaret commented.

"Actually I am. We're getting married in Santa Monica, California, out on the beach."

"And you're here? You're head must be in a fog with the arrangements and now all of this testing. I guess you're either extremely organized or you have wonderful people helping you. Well, anyway…congratulations!" Margaret commented as she walked toward the door. "I'm finally heading home. I'll see you two tomorrow."

Again Elizabeth stared at the stack of work that was gradually attempting to take over her office.

"Don't let her upset you, Elizabeth. I wish I was in your position," Jessi stated.

"What do you mean? Do you have more work than I do?"

"Not really, because most of my classes will do testing in the spring. Anyway I was referring to getting married."

"What are you talking about?" Elizabeth asked as she glanced at the engagement ring on Jessi's finger.

"Yea sure, I'm engaged, but Eric is hesitant to set a wedding date. I've been wearing this ring for two years. Once he moved in I think he was just happy with the status quo," Jessi explained.

Jessi walked over to the stack of files that Margaret had just delivered, "I'll do these, and when they're done I get some more. You look stressed and you need to relax, so I'll help you any way I can."

With tears in her eyes, Elizabeth rushed around her desk and hugged Jessi, "Thank you so much. I wish you could come to the wedding. I need some of my friends there."

Jessi grabbed the stack of files as Elizabeth opened the door for her, "You know I'd be at your wedding, but it's our anniversary and Eric supposedly has something planned."

"Well, you could celebrate in California…just sayin'."

"It is tempting."

"Well, thank you so much for the help. I'll reciprocate in the spring."

"That's if you're still here…"

"Where am I going?"

"Didn't you say that Jack was going to be playing for the Dodgers?"

"Yes, but I can't imagine leaving before the year is over."

"That will change when he's on one coast and you're on the other."

Jessi walked out into the hallway and Elizabeth took a seat behind her desk. "Great, something else to occupy space in my head," she whispered.

Elizabeth reached for her bag, knocking it from her desk and scattering its contents on the floor. As most everything made its way back inside her bag, she grabbed her journal, opened it and added to her last entry…

"With each obstacle, interruption or snag, my initial reaction is that I can take no more; I have reached my limit. Then it simply takes a different perception of my life, a different view of what is real, true and important to realize that my life may not be perfect, but I am truly blessed."

Elizabeth walked out into the almost empty parking lot and took a seat behind the wheel of her car. She pulled her phone from her purse and sent a text…

"Sorry I'm L8. Leaving now. B home soon…"

Jack was waiting at the front door when Elizabeth pulled into the driveway. "Hey, why don't I take you out to dinner?"

"Jack, I really appreciate the thought, but I'm tired and not very hungry. I think I'll just take care of Lizzie and go to bed."

"What's wrong; have I done something to upset you?"

She approached him, "Absolutely not. It's just a bad time at work, and I'm exhausted."

As they stepped inside, Elizabeth observed Lizzie eating dinner, "Thank you for feeding her."

"She's partly my responsibility now too."

Jack grabbed some wine, and cheese from the refrigerator and crackers from the cabinet and carried everything over to the sofa, setting the platter down on the coffee table. "Come on and talk to me for a few minutes. Tell me what's wrong."

Elizabeth took his hand as they sat side by side on the sofa, "You know, I've always wondered when I'd see someone sitting alone in a restaurant if they had any friends. It's so sad to be eating alone."

Seeing his confusion, she continued, "I love you, and I look forward to marrying you. But…"

"Oh no, I don't like hearing 'but…'"

"It's not what you think. I can't wait to marry you, oh and I'll find out tomorrow if I can take some time off."

"Okay, so what's wrong? Why does our wedding make you feel like you're eating alone in a restaurant?"

"With the exception of my family, none of my friends will be there. It's like eating dinner alone…" she leaned against him, as his arm around her shoulder pulled her closer.

His hand on her arm pulled her back slightly as his finger under her chin lifted her eyes up to meet his, "I chartered a plane to fly everyone back out to Santa Monica. Call your friends; maybe that will make them feel more comfortable about coming."

She smiled; the first one he'd remembered seeing all day, "You did that? For me? Jack, that was so thoughtful," she pressed her lips to his before jumping up from the sofa."

"Hey, where are you going?"

"I have some phone calls to make…"

As she grabbed her phone and ran upstairs to make her calls she stopped, "Hey Jack, do you know any hotels in that area? I want to tell people that we have that covered too."

"Come back down here and we'll look at what's available," he suggested and within seconds she was back by his side.

After looking at numerous options, the one hotel that had the desired location and ample availability was the Casa Del Mar.

Jack made a phone call, reaching the hotel's manager, Margo Fenwick. Initially he did the room negotiations, reserving everything that they had available, 23 rooms, before handing the phone over to Elizabeth.

"Hi, I'm Elizabeth, Jack's fiancé…"

"Congratulations Elizabeth. What can I help you with?"

"Well, we're getting married on the beach, but I was wondering if you have a room that we could rent for the women to get ready in? Also, how far away is the pier? We may need transportation to get us and our guests to the wedding site."

"Well, we have a beautiful room overlooking the water where you and your bridal party can get ready," Margo advised. "As for the distance, we're close to the pier, but really in a wedding dress it's not walking distance. We do have access to limos and would be happy to set up the transportation for you, your wedding party and guests.

Hoping to possibly gain some additional business, Margo inquired, "You know, we do have a bridal consultant here and we'd be happy to help with any of your last minute arrangements."

"Thank you for the offer, but we're just doing a simple ceremony. Do you have a restaurant that we could possibly bring everyone for dinner?" Elizabeth inquired.

"We certainly do. If you decide that you'd like to have dinner here, just give me a call."

"Thank you for everything," Elizabeth stated before ending the call.

"Okay, I'm going to call Sarah, Annie and Jessi from work. I'll be back in a few minutes."

Jack sat on the sofa and finished his glass of wine while munching on the cheese and crackers. Thirty minutes later, Elizabeth bounded excitedly down the stairs, "They're coming; all of them. I have friends Jack…"

He stood up, and walked toward the stairs as she leapt into his arms. Her legs wrapped around his waist as her lips, warm and sweet covered his.

With one arm around her waist and the other cradling the back of her head, he held her tightly against his body as his lips, still tasting of the Zinfandel wine he'd consumed met hers.

He felt the incredible electricity as it pulsed through his body. He held her in his arms, as his lips released hers only to find them again and again.

"You are an incredible man, Jack Thornton," she enthusiastically remarked. "This day couldn't possibly get any better; I think everything is done…the dresses, flowers, travel, hotel, a place for the service and dinner. I am truly blessed."

Jack placed her feet back on the ground, "Anything else that you want?"

"Jack, what I want is to be married to you. If we had time I'd have the beautiful arch with the teal drape and the chairs with the ribbons facing the water, but…"

"But what?"

"I can't have that, and I'm fine with it. What we have set up is what is needed. We don't have the luxury of time," she stated knowing in her heart what was truly important.

"So," she whispered as her hand brushed across the side of his face, "I'm starving; where are you taking me for dinner?"

"How about Barnhill's? I'd like a steak…"

"A burger sounds great," she stated as Jack took her hand and they started for the door.

Before stepping outside, Elizabeth stopped causing Jack to turn around, "Are you up for writing our wedding vows?"

"Absolutely, but I'm nowhere near as eloquent as you; so just keep that in mind. It will come from my heart, but my brain may not have much say in it," he laughed.

"Guess what?" she asked.

"What…?" he replied.

She leaned over and kissed him, before whispering, "I think technically we are down to less than five days."

"I've never been good at waiting…"

To be continued…