"You look beautiful tonight, very festive," Jack walked up behind Lisa near the front door and leaned into her ear to tell her that. She smiled and looked up over her shoulder at him.
"You're flattering me because I look like a beached whale."
"No," he shook his head as he then draped his arm around her back and joined her at her side, "pregnant. What was that stupid shirt Marion got you that got too small?"
"Well, thanks for noticing that part," she chuckled as she rolled her eyes.
"It did get too small because of her," he reached over with his free hand and patted at Lisa's stomach, winking at her. "House looks great for the party, Lise, and everyone has been having a great time."
"Wish Marion would get here," Lisa looked at her watch again and frowned. "She said she'd be here by now."
"She texted me," Jack held up his phone, and Lisa's eyes widened.
"She texted you?"
"You too," he nudged at her. "Where's your phone?"
"Oh, ahh," she started to pat down her dress, frowning with a nod. "Right, my phone is in the kitchen, no pockets."
"See," he winked. "I embrace technology." Lisa burst out laughing at that and sighed with a grin. Some of her stable hands arrived, and both she and Jack greeted them, sending them toward the food table. The party was more of a Christmas Open House, and this was Jack's second loop around the house. He'd told Lisa he was hungry and trying to be a good host with her, sampling all of the food and chatting briefly with people, even if big parties weren't his thing. He did like Lisa's employees, so at least he didn't feel out of his comfort zone. So far, he'd reported everything was tasty, and people were having a good time.
"Those Nanaimo bars," he said after they'd talked to a few more people, and Lisa turned around, eyeing him as he continued, "they are really good.
"Oh," she smacked at him nodding, "I haven't tried those yet, but the caterer said they were one of their specialties for Christmas."
"I'm taking you on a lap of the party, with the destination of the dessert table," he told her, holding out his hand, waiting for her to take hers in his. She gave him a soft smile, and he added, "Marion knows the way, obviously. Maggie isn't here yet either. You know how those two are, especially when Marion's involved a dinner with Tim."
"I'm just not hungry," she sighed, as they walked. Lisa smiled and waved at a few, tugging at her dark green dress, one that had fit three weeks ago when she and Marion had found it after a doctor's appointment in Calgary, but now, it was also on the verge of being too small. She patted his chest and smiled fondly at him, "You look very handsome tonight. I like your red shirt, very Christmasy."
"Had to match my lovely wife, being all festive." Jack eyed her as they walked, hand in hand through the house, both smiling and greeting people, headed toward the food spread, "Wait, you're not hungry? Since when?" Lisa dropped her head as she chuckled and then swatted at him. "Stop. It has just been a really busy day, and I've been all worked up about this party."
"What did you have for lunch? I know you didn't make it home to eat with me."
"Ahh, not a lot," she waved her hand, dismissing it. "Some tea, maybe ahh, yes, some yogurt. I'm fine."
"You're not fine," he said as they stepped from one room into the dining room where the food was. Without anyone right there, he pulled her behind one of the pillars separating the space and looked at her, frowning, "What's going on?"
"Nothing!" Lisa's eyes widened as she chuckled. "Really, just a long day. I, ahh," she made a face, "might have realized I'm exhausted, and this was a lot."
"Oh really?" Jack said tilting his head from side to side. "Imagine that, imagine my surprise with my eight-month-pregnant wife saying that."
"I know," she rolled her eyes. "I'll be fine."
"You're eating something. Let's find something that does sound good."
"Lisa!" The couple looked, Lisa almost up against the pillar, Jack standing back because Lisa's stomach was protruding quite a bit. Both of them looked over to Maggie, and Lisa's smile lit up at the sight of her.
"I must be chopped liver tonight because she's not smiled like that for me," Jack winked at Maggie, stepping around her and patting her shoulders as she did. "Good to see you, Maggie. If you'll excuse me, I'll let you two catch up, and Lise," he eyed her, "I'm getting you something to eat."
Lisa caught Jack's eye as he stepped away, trying to convey to him that he wasn't the "chopped liver" he had described being. She gave him a small smile and winked at him. Jack waved back, chuckling slightly at her, the two apparently just fine.
"So glad you could come, Maggie," Lisa said, pulling her into a side hug.
"Girl, you realize you're eight months pregnant and putting the town to shame with this party. This place looks amazing. Oh, I know you can't have wine now, but I brought a bottle for Jack and Marion. I know you've been putting them through things at home," she winked, and Lisa groaned, dropping her head. She raised her eye to Maggie.
"Marion's told you?"
"Absolutely, and she said Jack's been a saint. Now, I didn't forget about you and the princess," she said, giving Lisa's stomach a pat. "I made you a chocolate cake because I know you love mine."
"Mmm, now that actually does sound good," Lisa said, a big laugh escaping as she clutched Maggie's arm. "I'm really glad you could come."
"What sounds good?" Marion popped around the corner, all smiles, and she stepped into a side hug of Lisa.
Lisa gave Marion a warm smile and nodded toward Maggie, "She made me a chocolate cake. If you're a nice stepdaughter," she grinned, "I might share at home."
"Well, how about if I have something to share?" Marion's eyes twinkled as Jack stepped up behind her.
"Oh, Marion, good you made it. These two have both asked me where you were."
"Why hello, Jack," Maggie smiled warmly at him. "I apologize for not properly greeting you and just asking where your wife and daughter were. Good to see you."
"You too, Maggie," he said with an almost bashful nod, like he wanted to be anywhere but here. "Have I interrupted something?"
"Actually, I'm glad you are all here," Marion smiled wider. "I already talked to Amy," she said, putting her hand out to them. "Tim and I are engaged. We're getting married again. He asked me tonight after dinner." She was giddy, her smile as wide as could be, and she gestured her hand at all of them. "It was so sweet of him. He wanted a nice dinner, which we had, and then, he suggested this sleigh ride at this place near Calgary. Oh, he asked me on that. Tim's such a romantic."
"Tim proposed?" Jack circled his hand in the air, processing it as Marion flung her hand at him, showing off her engagement ring. "Isn't that your old engagement ring?"
Lisa smacked at Jack before he said more, but Maggie pounced on Marion first.
"Oh, Marion, gosh, I know how much you love him. I'm really happy for you. I know this has been a long road."
Lisa eyed Jack while Maggie hugged Marion, waving her hand and gesturing at him. The second Marion turned toward Lisa and Jack, Lisa smiled widely and opened her arms to Marion, "Oh, I'm happy for you, Marion. You've worked hard, both you and Tim, and I do know you love him."
"I really do," she said nodding at Lisa and then eyeing Jack. "Dad?"
Lisa shot daggers at Jack, and he sighed slightly as he nodded at Marion, "Marion, Honey, I just want you to be happy, and I've seen you very happy these last few months. I know you and Tim have been working through a lot over the last couple years. I'll always want to watch out for you, but I trust that this is what you want. Congratulations." Jack pulled her into a tight hug, something Lisa couldn't do, and Lisa stood behind Marion, Maggie reaching around to squeeze Lisa's shoulder. The two of them exchanged tight smiles, both nodding and with that silent acknowledgement that they were cautiously happy for her." Jack kissed the side of Marion's head, and Lisa put her hand on Marion's back.
"Well, that is some big news, nothing I saw happening at the party tonight."
"Oh, gosh, Lisa, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to steal your thunder."
"Steal my thunder?" Lisa chuckled. "You didn't at all. Happy for you. No, it's a festive season, a great surprise for you, and it sounds like Tim had quite the evening planned for you."
Marion softly smiled and nodded, hooking her hand over her shoulder, "Ahh, he and Amy walked to the stables. Amy said you'd told her it was okay earlier-"
"I did," Lisa nodded. "She's always welcome out there, probably knows how to care for the horses as well as anyone working for me."
"He wanted to talk to her, to assure her we were good, that this was good for our family, so I'm going to find them. I just wanted to talk to all of you, my other favorite people."
"Well, I'm going to find Sorayah," Maggie hooked her hand toward the dining room. "If she's not with Amy, no telling what she's up to."
Before she left, Marion eyed Lisa and tilted her head, "You okay? You don't look great, I'm sorry to say, but I'm your friend and family, so I'll be blunt. You look completely exhausted. You need to get off your feet, Lisa."
"I will," she waved. "The party won't last all night," she grinned. "Go," she waved. "Don't you worry about me tonight. You have to celebrate."
Jack patted Marion's shoulder as she stepped away, with Marion and Maggie linked arm in arm. Jack turned, a tilt of his head at Lisa as he frowned, "You didn't know that was coming, did you?"
"Scouts honor, no," she said holding up her hand. She reached over to squeeze Jack's forearm and gave him a nod, "You okay with it? That was very sweet what you said to Marion."
"He didn't even ask my permission!" Jack grumbled, shaking his head. "Tim Fleming, the ex-son-in-law who just won't quit."
"Jack," she said, drawing out his name as she tried to hold back a chuckle. She stepped toward him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, looking up at him, neither concerned with the party going on, "He most certainly does not need to ask your blessing. Ahh, you gave it, years and years ago."
He frowned down at her and pursed his lips, "Why again do you always have to point out facts?" Lisa laughed, leaning up to kiss him. "Don't you worry-as much as Tim annoys you, he's doing much better. You two are doing much better. It could be worse-some other man you don't like. Look at it this way-Amy gets her dad back full-time, their family, and that's pretty great."
Jack frowned again, nodding, but then eyed her, "Does that mean we get Tim full-time too? I'm not sure I'm ready for that."
"You'll embrace whatever decision they make because the alternative is Marion leaving with Amy, and I know you don't want that. I don't think Marion wants that, and well," she raised her eyebrows at him, "you do need the help around the ranch. Tim cares and is a good help."
"Again," he sighed, "making points I can't even argue with."
"Well, good," she patted his side again, "because we are more than likely going to be very busy with a new baby and will not have time to stew about whatever Tim and Marion are doing." Jack smiled at her, humming as he leaned down to kiss Lisa, winking at her as he did. "Besides, we need to be happy for her. You saw her," Lisa waved. "She's so happy, Jack, the happiest I've ever seen her."
"I'm pretty happy too," he said, holding her in a loose embrace, which with her pregnancy was all he could do. "I have to agree with Marion, Lise, you look completely exhausted."
"I won't disagree, but saying that reminds me," she patted his arms, "we have a party to get back to and a Christmas season to continue to enjoy."
Hours later, Amy, Marion, Lisa and Jack arrived home, and all of them looked like they were ready to fall asleep standing as they stepped into the kitchen. Amy was the first to excuse herself.
"I'm so tired. Lisa, I loved your party, especially spending some time in the barn. Sorayah was so in love with your horses."
"I'm glad you two enjoyed being out there," she smiled and patted Amy's hand. "Get some sleep. You look tired." Amy nodded and left the kitchen. Jack gestured toward the barn.
"I'm going to do a quick last check of the horses since we left here hours ago. Marion, I've got it tonight. Lise," he eyed her and nodded toward their room, "you really need to get some rest, please."
"I will," she smiled at him. "Stay warm out there." Jack left, and Marion turned to Lisa there by the table.
"And then there were two," she grinned, clapping her hands together. "Oh, Lisa, I'm so happy and really, until Tim asked, I had tried not to think of us getting re-married, but it's exactly what I want."
"I really am happy for you," Lisa reached over and squeezed her hand.
"Is Dad okay? He was quiet on the way home," Marion made a face. Lisa nodded.
"He is. I promise. He and I talked, and more than anything, he's just concerned for your happiness. He's seen you hurt. I promise," she eyed Marion, "he will be okay with everything. I'm sorry Tim had to rush off with that emergency at Big River."
Marion nodded and pursed her lips, "Yeah, I thought about riding along. It didn't sound too bad, pulling the truckload of ranch hands out of the ditch after they'd had a night out, but," she made a face, "not exactly my idea of a good time. Sure, I would have been with Tim, but it would have been cold and well, I'm sure Tim can handle it."
"Are you expecting him to stop by later?" Lisa asked her cryptically, raising her eyebrows at Marion with a slight grin. "Ahh, just wanting to know so your father doesn't get out the shotgun at the sound of the door."
"Maybe," Marion winked at her and then shook her head. "Honestly, it will depend on how long it takes to pull the guys out of the ditch. I hate he had to run off, but it's fine. I'm good with us, with the progress he's made. I am though," she raised an eyebrow at Lisa, "worried about you."
"Me? Why?" Lisa asked, surprised as she shook her head.
"You really don't look good. Dad is right. You need to go to bed. Did you eat?"
She shook her head as she waved her hand, "I told Jack I just wasn't hungry. I had a few things here or there. Look, I threw a big party. It's over. Yes, I'm eight months pregnant, but I promised Jack that tomorrow he and I have a date there on the couch to rest and relax."
"Good," Marion squeezed her arm. She searched Lisa's eyes for the answers to the next questions, "No headaches, cramping, blurry vision-I mean, you haven't been taking care of yourself."
"No, no, honestly," Lisa now chuckled. "I promise I would tell you. My back is killing me, but after a night in these," she gestured at her feet where she had on her favorite pair of heeled black boots, "it's no wonder. I also put together those gift baskets for my staff and spent all day yesterday bent over doing those. A good night of sleep, and I'll be fine, well as fine as I can be at yes, eight months pregnant. Jack got me a heating pad for my back," she rolled her eyes again, "yes, so romantic, but perfect for me. I'm going to put that on my back tonight. It's calling my name right now. And just so you know, I promised Jack that I would start to get ready for her. It's about that time," she said with a long, worried sigh as she let out her breath.
Marion grinned, "Yes, it is. I can't wait to meet her in another six weeks. See, Maggie and I were talking tonight and have plans to have a baby shower for you first part of the year."
"You two really don't need to do that," Lisa chuckled. "I can get what I need."
"That's not the point," Marion rolled her eyes. "Many people want to celebrate with you and are happy for you. Besides," she swayed her hip at Lisa's to nudge her, "We can go from a baby shower for one of Dad's girls to a wedding for the other."
Lisa's eyes widened, "Oh, I love planning other people's events, even a bridal shower."
"I definitely don't need that, nor do I need a big wedding, just here would be fine with me, but we aren't even talking about that before little sis makes her debut. Now, scoot," she waved at Lisa. "Go to bed. You're a walking zombie."
"Gee thanks," Lisa frowned at her, but Marion raised her eyebrows.
"You are. Great party. I'll give you that, but next time," she smirked, "don't do a huge Christmas party while you are eight months pregnant."
Lisa rolled her eyes, "Goodnight Marion, and oh," she turned back to face Marion, as Lisa had started to the bedroom, "Ahh, next time," she smirked at her friend with her eyes sparkling as she did, "you decide to get engaged to Tim again, maybe ask for a head's up so we can all see some pictures of the moment."
"There won't be a next time!" Marion called out loudly as Lisa walked way.
When Marion turned toward Lisa and laughed her, Lisa laughed and pointed at Marion, "Touché. I'm saying the exact same thing to you."