Chapter 84

Abagail was taking a moment from her duties in the kitchen to sweep the front sidewalk of her café. It wasn't necessarily dirty. She just wanted to enjoy the beautiful morning sunshine. The kitchen was in order and under the control of Mary. She was doing a good job and Abagail was thinking if things progressed like they had over the last couple of days, she could take a step back to catch her breath and enjoy time away from her duties. Owning the café outright was a true blessing. The mayor's job was tough at first. It was a big learning curve. With encouragement from her husband, Frank, she was making the job her own and handling things well.

She smiled when Sam rode by and gave her a wave. He was on his way for rounds since Jack was taking a few days off. When she went back to her sweeping, she heard the sounds of a precious little voice.

"Auntie Abagail! Auntie Abagail!"

Abagail looked up and watched a little brown headed boy run in her direction. His hair was waving in the wind. It had been a little while since he received his hair cut from Grandma Charlette. The smile on that boy's face only brought great joy to Abagail.

"JJ!" She called out as she dropped her broom. She kneeled and opened her arms waiting for the boy to make up the ground between them. She enveloped the little boy in her arms. She picked him up and gave him the biggest hug.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were moving."

"We are. Daddy and I took mommy to the house this morning."

"You finally let her see the inside of it?"

"We did. She loved it!"

"I bet she did." She smiled at his excitement. She had seen the house, but she hadn't told Elizabeth that. Elizabeth was always asking her what it looked like. Her curiosity was too much to handle. "So, what are you doing?"

"We came into town for daddy to pick up the wagon he is borrowing from the livery."

"Oh." Abagail looked up and saw Elizabeth walking up the sidewalk. She looked further down the street when she didn't see Jack. She noticed he had stopped and was talking to Sam.

"Good morning, Abagail."

"Good morning, Elizabeth. I heard that you were at the house?"

"We were. They finally let me see my house." She emphasized the word 'finally' dramatically.

"It's beautiful isn't it?"

"Oh Abagail…it is gorgeous." Elizabeth sighed with perfect contentment. "The colors are just… Wait…have you seen it?"

"I hum…what?" She stuttered.

"You have! You've seen my house!"

"I…I…" Abagail folded when Elizabeth gave her a scary teacher face. "Fine. I saw it with JJ a few days ago."

"You!" Elizabeth turned toward her son. "You showed Auntie Abagail the house but not me?"

"Auntie Abagail!" JJ squealed. "You didn't have to tell her that!" JJ copied her mother's scary teacher's face. His right hand was on his hip with his right foot in front of him just a little. He was a mirrored image of his mommy.

Abagail felt like a little girl in trouble. Elizabeth was giving her a scary teacher's face and her little son was doing the same thing. He looked so much like his mommy. After a few seconds, she couldn't help but laugh.

"You two are just too much. Now, there are some chocolate chip cookies on the kitchen table. I also have some in a bag for you to take with you." She kissed him on the top of his head. Then she turned her attention to her little sister. "Now, I have some chicken salad sandwiches on the table as well for you all for lunch. I know you all will be busy today." She leaned in and kissed her sister on the cheek.

"If you keep keeping secrets, I may not vote for in the next election." Elizabeth sassed as she reached for Abagail's hand.

"Oh Elizabeth, that's the kindest thing you have ever said to me." Abagail sassed.

"Well…just for that, I am voting for you."

"Come on. Grace and Joyce are in the dining room."

…

"Good morning." Jack stated as he turned the corner to the livery. Frank and Jerry were standing outside the open door to the long aisle of the livery. Jerry was holding the reins of one horse while Frank was hooking up another one to the wagon.

"Good morning, Jack."

"What are you two doing?"

"Getting the wagon ready. We figured we would just meet you at the row house."

"You two are helping?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't we help?" Jerry asked.

"Well…thank you. I appreciate it very much."

Frank spoke. "Mr. Yost said the last shipment should be in today at the mercantile. He will send it out to the house when it comes in."

Jack could only smile. Everything was coming to fruition very quickly. Not only that, but he was also a little taken back by these two men so willingly ready to help him and his family. Along with his smile, he nodded his head.

Frank stepped away from the first horse and patted Jack on the back.

"You have helped so many people in Hope Valley, including me. You helped me get my footing here with everyone when I first arrived. You gave me instant respect and people followed your example. Not only that, but when my past came up, you were the first one to defend me and offered public friendship. You stood beside me through that time. I will never forget that. This is the least I can do." Frank's tone was very brotherly.

Jack led the second horse to the wagon. He wanted to say something, but he just couldn't. He nodded his head. Frank and Jerry perfectly understood Jack's true meaning.

…

Jack swung by the café to pick up his wife and son for the trip home. He was looking forward to getting settled into the new home. As the horses came to a stop outside of the café, the front door opened. He smiled when his son came barreling out of the door. He was followed a few moments later by his mommy. Jack looked intently when she had a large basket in her arms. JJ jumped on the wagon and immediately sat beside him. Jack leaned in and touched shoulders with his little man.

"Hey, did you have a good time?"

"I did. Auntie Abagail had some chocolate chip cookies."

"Of course she did." Jack stated as he got off the bench and stepped down from the wagon.

JJ intently watched his daddy as he walked toward his mommy. When he stepped on the top step of the sidewalk, Jack gently kissed her on the cheek and took the basket from her. He watched intently as his mommy smiled at her husband's gesture. His mommy looked a little relieved when she let go of the basket.

"What's all of this?"

"Abagail is sending us home with a ton of sandwiches and cookies for everyone. She stated that we would be too busy to make lunch."

"That's very kind of her." Jack stated as he extended his arm for her to take.

"It is."

"Frank and Jerry will meet us at the house to help us. The last delivery will be at Ned's today. He said he'll have it brought to the house whenever it gets here."

"That's nice of him. Why is |Frank and Jerry coming to help us?"

"They said they needed to help us." Jack stated as he stepped toward the wagon. He placed the basket in the back portion of the wagon and extended his hand to help Elizabeth up on the wagon. Once they were settled on the bench seat with JJ sitting between them, he took the reins and handed them to JJ.

"Jack, what are you doing?"

"Relax sweetheart, he's learning."

"Yeah mommy, we've got this." JJ playfully sassed as he accepted the reins and placed them in his fingers like his daddy taught him to do.

"Yeah…we've got this." Jack sassed with a dimpled grin.

"Come on boys…we have work to do." Elizabeth shook her head as JJ moved the reins for the horses to begin moving. Jack was paying close attention as JJ sat tall on the bench seat.

…

JJ turned the horses around the curve in the road that showed them their row house. Elizabeth's eyes opened wide when she noticed four wagons already at their home. Jack looked intently as eight men were standing around the four wagons. He looked at Elizabeth. She shrugged her shoulders and shook her head.

"Wow! I guess we have help." JJ stated nonchalantly.

"I don't think we have that much stuff."

"I think you're right." Jack smiled at Elizabeth.

"It's good that Abagail sent so much food." Elizabeth stopped. Then she realized that her best friend knew how many people were going to be there. "That's why she had so much food in the basket." She whispered to herself. She felt immensely loved at that moment.

"Alright Jack, what do you want us to do?" Mr. Johnston asked.

"First, thank you for all coming here today to help us."

"Your welcome." Frank smiled. "There are four guys at your new home getting things set up like the stove and other things. They'll help us unload when we get there."

"Frank, I don't think we own that much stuff. We won't even fill these four wagons."

"Then they'll help set up items at the new home. Whatever you need from us, we're here to help."

"Alright men, give me a few minutes and I'll have some lemonade for everyone. Abagail has sent some snacks for you to."

"Thank you, Elizabeth. Now, if we are going to get all of that, we need to get busy gentlemen."

"Yes pastor." Frank heard several voices respond.

The men, including Jack and JJ, had the entire row house packed on three wagons within an hour and a half. They were leaving a few things in the row house. They just didn't need those things since they purchased those items for the new home. After eating the snacks and drinking the lemonade, the eight men excused themselves to begin the short journey to the new place. They felt that the Thorntons wanted a moment to say goodbye to the row house.

"That was impressive." Elizabeth stated.

"It was. I still can't believe they were all here to help us."

"I know."

The three stood just inside of the front door. The house was basically empty. There were a lot of memories for the three of them that came to their minds as they looked over this home. After burning down the teacherage, this place became Elizabeth's home when she moved in with Abagail. Their friendship and sisterhood resulted in that simple act of kindness. The memories of their first dinner on Jack's second day in Hope Valley when Abagail invited him came to mind. The memories of working together to overcome obstacles flooded Elizabeth's mind. Especially when Gowen was trying to evict the widows. Jack's memories of moving in with JJ were present. That was a huge step in his life. Not only was this his first ever adult home, but it was also with JJ. They grew closer in those first few weeks together. His and Elizabeth's reconnection was partially done sitting on the front porch talking. Their many discussions in the living room aided that reconnection. Accidently, they spent the first night together by falling asleep on the couch after JJ went to bed. Elizabeth remembered the time JJ tricked her to come back to the row house with him under the pretense of changing clothes. Instead, JJ asked her to officially become his mommy and then Jack proposed to her. Elizabeth and Jack smiled at the memory of their first night together as a married couple.

The memories were as intense for JJ as it was for his parents. This was his first home after his parents were killed. He remembered feeling lost. He was uncertain about his future. He remembered his daddy telling him the stories about Jack, but he didn't know him at all. When he came to Hope Valley, he found Jack and Abagail. They almost instantly became family to him. He grew to love and respect Jack in this home. It wasn't very long after that Elizabeth came into his life. Many of their connection deepened at this home.

"This place is important to us all." Elizabeth stated as she wiped a tear away from her right eye.

"It is. It will always be important to us."

"True, but I am also looking forward to our new home too."

Jack and Elizabeth both looked at their little boy. Jack wrapped his arm around his son's shoulder while Elizabeth spoke.

|
"Me too."

"And me." Jack added.

With one last look around, JJ spoke.

"Come on. We need to get my baby sister to our new home."

"Come on boys."

…

Sam made his way up the hill. He had finished with his appointed rounds this morning. He took a shortened version of the normal rounds that Jack had showed him. He had just finished his paperwork. He wanted to help Jack with his moving into the new home. Their friendship was solid. As he brought his horse to a stop, he noticed the wagons and men. They looked like ants working.

He counted seven wagons parked around the front and side of the home. Only three of the wagons had house items on them. The first wagon was almost empty. He counted fifteen young men and men carrying items into the house. He turned when he heard another wagon coming up the road and then across the small road that made the Thornton's driveway. It was the last wagon of items from Yost Mercantile. By the time the wagon stopped close to the home, three men were waiting on it. He watched in awe of all the men that was so willingly there to help. Jack and Elizabeth were loved by the town. That simple piece of information only strengthened his resolve of choosing Hope Valley as his permanent assignment.

"Come on Constable! We can use your help." Frank called out. "Unless you're only here to supervise."

"Frank, I don't think you need my help, but I'm here to work if you need me."

"Come on." Frank waved him over.

As Sam got to work after taking his serge off, Jack, Elizabeth, and JJ walked up the hill. They were laughing as JJ mentioned something about the creek that ran through the property. He was excited that there may be new animals in the creek that wasn't in the pond. Elizabeth could only imagine the horror of brand new animals in JJ's pockets. She was developing new plans to get even with her little boy. After all, she's a boy mama and boy mamas needed to be tough.

The group stopped when Jack stopped walking. That was when he noticed the ant colony of workers busying themselves around the wagons and walking through the door carrying items into the home.

"Wow…that's a lot of people." Elizabeth stated in a little bit of disbelief.

"Yeah…I wonder why there is so many people here."

JJ stood and looked at his daddy. "Well, isn't it obvious? They want to help us move."

Jack laughed and tousled his son's hair. "I guess. Now, let's get busy. We can't allow them to do all the work."

"All that food from Auntie Abagail will come in handy. I believe I need to get the food ready. They must be hungry."

"I'll help daddy." JJ stated. He let go of Elizabeth's hand and ran toward the wagon.

"He acts like he is seventeen years old."

Jack laughed at his wife's strained expression.

"Well, he is five and seven eights years old… almost six."

"I do think I have heard that from him a couple of times this week." Elizabeth laughed at the memory of JJ's constant talk about his birthday. The little boy just exuded contagious joy.

As Jack and JJ got busy helping the men unload and carry items into the home, Elizabeth walked into the house to prepare everything for the men to eat lunch. She was a little surprised to find her mother and Joyce in the kitchen putting things on the counter.

"Oh dear. We didn't know where you wanted these things. So, we took them out of the crates and put them on the counters. We thought that would help you see what you have, and it would make it easier to put them away."

"Thank you for helping."

"Of course, dear. Grace smiled. Joyce nodded her head in agreement.

The three ladies pulled everything out of the basket for lunch. Joyce and Elizabeth made more lemonade while Grace placed some extra items on some plates for everyone. Elizabeth felt like she had to threaten the men to stop working so they could eat lunch.

With so many men and women helping, it didn't take long for the wagons to be unloaded. Several teen girls were there helping to clean the inside. JJ and Sam helped carry a few things in the home. When the wagons were unloaded, everyone gave all their attention to the interior. They split up in groups and worked in rooms to set up beds, move furniture around, put things away. Basically, they did everything that needed to be done. Elizabeth was running from room to room telling people where everything went.

…

By the end of the day, everything was set up in the home except the library. That was Elizabeth's room and she wanted to set that up herself. Jack would tease her that she just wanted to do it so it would be done exactly the way she wanted it to be done. She would playfully glare at his teasing and send him somewhere else. Along with everyone else, the kids were a great help. Along with Sam, Emily and three other kids from school stopped by to help.

The huge horde of people had long gone back to their homes. Abagail had brought a basket of food by the house for dinner. Elizabeth was grateful for the generous act. She was exhausted from the day. Jack wouldn't let her carry anything, but she was busy being pulled from room to room letting people know where items went.

"Jack, have you seen a small box that had 'Elizabeth' written on it?"

"I don't remember seeing it, but I haven't touched all the boxes. Weren't you directing everyone as they came into the home?"

"Yeah, but I don't remember that box."

"What's wrong? Was there something important in it?" He could easily see the panic on her face.

"Yeah…it's important."

"I put the box in your library." JJ answered.

"You did?" Relief coming into her tone.

"Yes." JJ answered.

"What was in the box?"

"It's my hummingbird letter opener. Thank you, JJ."

"It's that important to you?" Jack asked as JJ stood to walk back into the home.

"Yeah."

"May I ask why?"

Elizabeth paused for a moment. "Yes. You bought it for me on our honeymoon."

"Yes, I remember. You loved it but didn't want to spend money on it. I excused myself and went back to the store and purchased it for you."

"You did."

"I also remember you wasn't too happy with me because I had already bought you something, but you haven't bought me anything."

"I wasn't happy that you did that, but I love the letter opener."

"It's a pretty letter opener, but Elizabeth, it's just a letter opener."

"Oh no, it's more than that!" Elizabeth shook her head no.

"Ok."

"First, I do love the hummingbird on the end of it. It's just simply beautiful. Second, it showed me that you may not always be able to share what you want to say in words. However, you have always shown me how you feel. The letter opener is a reminder to me that you always place me first. That you always think of me before yourself. It's important to me." She reached with her right hand and wiped away a tear. "That humming bird opener means everything to me."

"You are most important to me." Jack stated as he kissed her cheek. "I just wish I could express it better."

"Jack, you have no problem showing me how much you love me. And for that, I am eternally grateful." She kissed him on the cheek.

…

JJ was outside in the front yard playing. He would jump off the rock flowerbed and chase bugs around. Jack and Elizabeth were sitting on a swing two teen boys hand built and hung for them. Elizabeth cried when they presented the gift. She had been instrumental when she first arrived in Hope Valley. Jack helped their mothers out a lot since their husbands were among the miners who were killed in the explosion. The two boys just had to do something for them.

Jack was on one end of the swing. Elizabeth was sitting beside him. She was leaning on his chest and shoulder. Jack had his arm around her holding her close. She had her legs tucked under her.

"This has been a busy day."

"It has been." Elizabeth sighed.

"Are you ok?"

Elizabeth smiled. "Jack, this is more than I could have ever dreamed of. The house is beautiful. Almost every room is finished. JJ's happy." She let out a long, contented sigh.

"It's been a great day." Jack matched her sigh.

They watched JJ play for a few minutes in silence. After a long day, the silence was peaceful and comforting. JJ finally walked up the steps and sat on the swing. He leaned into his mommy just like she was leaning on Jack. All three of them had smiles on their faces while they enjoyed the easy night breeze. The moon was three quarters full, and the stars were bright.

Jack chuckled when he heard his little boy's little snoring. It wasn't loud or obnoxious. Honestly, it was really cute. After a long day of helping and an evening of playing, he was tired. He pulled his wife a little closer enjoying the family moments. That's when he noticed her little snoring. While she wasn't physically active moving things, she was just as active in the home helping. The pregnancy was tiring on her body. Her snoring was just like JJ's, soft and adorable.

He waited another twenty minutes just sitting on the porch swing listening to his wife and son snore along with the crickets and other sounds of the night animals. For Jack, this was as close to perfect as he could imagine. Once the day finally began to win over his energy, he slowly stood and laid Elizabeth down on the swing. Then he picked up his son and carried him up to his bedroom. He tucked him into bed and kissed him on the forehead.

He noticed Elizabeth hadn't moved a muscle when he stepped back on the porch just a few minutes after taking JJ upstairs. For Jack, Elizabeth was the most beautiful woman laying on her side. The swing wasn't moving. He hated to wake her up, but he couldn't leave her outside overnight.

"Come on beautiful." Jack stated as she leaned over to pick her up. She quickly nestled into his arms as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "It's time for bed."

"Jack…" Her voice was full of sleep. She never opened her eyes.

"Shush Elizabeth. It's late. I've got you."

"But Jack…this is our first night in our new home."

"Yes, it is."

"Jack…we need to…."

"Elizabeth, tonight has been perfect."

"Jack, I fell asleep on the swing. How is that perfect? We should be enjoying our first night together with just us."

"And we have been together."

She opened her eyes as he walked into their room. "But Jack…not that type of together. I wanted tonight to be perfect."

Jack laid her down on the bed. He pulled the covers over her after he took her shoes off. He had prepared the bed before he went outside to gather his wife.

In a loving voice, he spoke gently to his wife. "E-liz-a-beth" He elongated her name. "I had the most perfect night. I was home with my family. I had dinner. Then you and I sat outside of our home and watched our boy play. Then we all sat on the swing and enjoyed each other's company. Then I have the honor of carrying my son to bed and tucking him in. Then I have the privilege of carrying my wife to bed." He tucked her under the covers. After changing clothes and climbing into bed, he scooted behind Elizabeth.

"I'm sorry Jack."

"I love you."

He thought he heard her repeat the phrase, but her voice was so soft he wasn't sure if he heard it or not. He pulled her closer to him. She settled against him, and he tightened his hold on her. Sleep found him quickly once she settled against him.

…

Elizabeth jumped at the pounding on the bedroom door. Her eyes quickly opened, and it took her a second before she realized she was in her new bedroom. She smiled at the thought until there was another pounding on the door.

"Mommy!" JJ called out.

Elizabeth looked up when Jack walked out of the bathroom into their room. She forgot they had a bathroom in their bedroom. While it was a little on the small side, it was still a bathroom in their room.

"I didn't think he would be awake so early." Jack stated as he walked toward the door. Why are you banging on the door so early?"

"Morning daddy." JJ gave his daddy his best smile. He quickly made his way around his daddy. He ran toward the bed and jumped on the empty spot beside Elizabeth. "Morning mommy." He cheerfully stated as he snuggled with Elizabeth. She wrapped her arms around him as he laid his head on her chest and shoulder.

"Did you sleep well in your new room?"

"I did. I must have been really tired."

"You were busy yesterday. We all had a big day."

"Yeah…I don't remember how I got in bed."

"I carried you." Jack stated as he sat down in a chair by the window. "You fell asleep on the swing last night. Are you ready for breakfast?"

"You're hungry?"

"Of course he's hungry. He's a growing boy."

"Daddy's right, mommy. You should listen to him."

"Should I now?"

"Yes."

"Well, daddy says that you shouldn't be going to the pond until you are finished with your homework."

"Well…daddy isn't always right." He playfully sassed as he cut his eyes toward his daddy.

Jack caught his little glare. He couldn't help but laugh. He loved the sight of his wife and son cuddled up on the bed. They looked so comfortable.

"Why don't you two rest for a few moments before church. I'll make breakfast."

"What do you think?" JJ looked up at his mom.

"Well, his pancakes are getting better." Elizabeth teased without looking at her husband. She didn't need to. She knew his facial expression. "What do you think?"

JJ pretended to think about it for a few moments. "Maybe…"

"Pancakes it is?" Jack stated.

…

The church service was great. Frank had a way of preaching that was effective. People knew he loved and cared for them. His sermon was about forgiveness and the importance of it in a follower's life. Everyone in attendance was grateful for hearing the sermon. The town was grateful he was their pastor.

The children would meet before the church service and have a bible study with Cat Mongomery. She was a terrific teacher for the little ones. Then she would play the piano for the singing in church.

Following the morning service, Elizabeth, Grace, Abagail, Mrs. P, and Joyce met just outside to discuss the birthday party that was coming up.

"The party will be tomorrow after school. We will meet at the new home at four. Everyone should be there by four thirty."

"I'll have the food ready. Frank said he would help me deliver everything. We'll be there by four."

"Mrs. Hogan, do you need any help?"

"Please, call me Abagail."

"Please call me Joyce. Do you need any help?"

"I would love it if you don't mind."

"I don't mind at all. It will give me something to do."

"Be at the café at one. I'll be mostly finished with the lunch rush by then."

"Perfect."

"If it's ok with you, I'll come by the house at nine so I can put up the decorations you have. That would give me plenty of time."

"Mrs. P, would you mind if I come and help you?"

"Sure Mrs. Thatcher. That would be nice."

"Please call me Grace."

"I'm not sure if I can do that." Mrs. P smiled. "Come by at eight thirty and we'll enjoy a cup of tea and a scone."

"That sounds lovely."

"We are the road just before the hill to their house. You can't miss it."

"I look forward to it."

"Elizabeth, do you need help with the cake?"

"No!" Elizabeth answered quickly. "I'm sorry Abagail. The cake is my job. I need to do something for my son's birthday."

"Dear, you are the best mother." Grace stated.

"That boy will have a great birthday if he knows he is loved." Abagail stated.

"And that little boy knows he is loved." Mrs. P smiled.

All the ladies quickly stopped talking and turned in the direction the little voice was coming from.

"Mommy…Grandma…Auntie Abagail…Mrs. P…Mrs. W… what are you all talking about?"

"Don't you think it's a little too close to someone's birthday for a little boy to be asking questions?"

"I've heard that before mommy, several times actually."

"Yet, you still keep asking." She sassed as she wrapped her arm around his shoulders.

"Do you have everything figured out?"

"What figured out?" Sassed Elizabeth.

"Mommy, you aren't fooling anyone. I know you are having a party for me tomorrow."

"A party?" She gasped. "I didn't think you wanted a party?"

JJ playfully rolled his eyes. She just wouldn't admit to it.

"Mrs. P, what are you doing for my party?"

"I thought you have school tomorrow?"

JJ huffed. "I do." He would argue with his mommy that it was improper for a kid to go to school on their birthday. "It's a sin for you to have to go to school on your birthday."

"JJ!" Elizabeth corrected.

"I'm sorry. Your birthday should be a special holiday, so you don't have to go to school or to work." JJ shook his head in disgust.

…

"So, Jack, what's the plan for tomorrow?"

"The ladies are working on finalizing their plans." Jack nodded toward the group of women by the steps. "Elizabeth is so focused on JJ's birthday party being so great that she isn't asking for too much help."

"She feels responsible for him and wants it to be perfect."

"Yes Jerry. She does. Especially with the year JJ has had. He lost his parents and was uprooted from his home to here. Then getting closer to me and then Elizabeth. She wanted everything to be perfect. She finally had to admit that she needed help. That's when she asked Abagail and Mrs. P to help."

"I know my wife is really looking forward to decorating your home tomorrow."

"I easily believe that Mr. P."

"What's your plan for tomorrow? My precious wife is making you take some time off."

"She is Frank. Your wife is bossy at times…and stubborn."

"At times?" He laughed. "That woman is so stinking competitive about everything."

All the men laughed knowing that was all true. But they also knew how great a person Abagail is.

"I have a plan for tomorrow." Jack confessed. He looked around the group of men that he was talking to. He thought for a minute. "Hey guys, would you like to help me do something special tomorrow?"

Frank, Mr. P, and Jerry all said yes at the same time.

"Perfect. Meet me at Abagail's at eight thirty."