CHAPTER 5 - CATCHING UP

A little while later, Scott and Elizabeth lounged comfortably on the sun-drenched patio, waiting for Julie and Lili to come home. Nathan had left shortly after her horrific encounter with Mr. Fluffy, so it was just the two of them. Elizabeth let out a contented sigh as she absorbed the sun's warmth filtering through the leaves. A gentle breeze danced around them, carrying the refreshing scent of eucalyptus and momentarily lifting the burdens that had weighed her down for months.

As she surrendered to the moment, Scott glanced over at Elizabeth, noticing the deep shadows under her eyes and the weariness etched across her features. "Elizabeth?" He called out softly to get her attention.

Elizabeth turned towards her brother-in-law and raised her sunglasses. His use of her full name revealed his deep concern. Raising a brow, she waited. "Is everything alright back in Boston?

Elizabeth smirked playfully, "I'm good." Then, seeing his look of disbelief, she added, "What? Do I look that bad?"

He rolled his eyes, a hint of a smile breaking through despite the seriousness of his observation. "Well, you do appear a bit exhausted, but I can't shake the feeling that it's more than just the flight?"

Elizabeth paused, her brow furrowing in contemplation as she absorbed Scott's question. It was curious how deep their bond had grown, rooted in a long-standing friendship that predated his relationship with Julie. They had first crossed paths during their junior year of high school when she transferred in and grew even closer as they began their freshman year at Boston University, where he diligently pursued a degree to become a forensic arson investigator while Elizabeth chased her dream of obtaining her nursing degree and becoming a trauma nurse.

Despite a shared laughter and understanding history, their connection had never veered into romance. Outside of Julie, Scott was the one who knew her best—the keeper of her secrets and the witness to her dreams. They had an uncanny ability to recognize the intricate subtleties of each other's emotions, often picking up on nuances that eluded those around them. Scott's charming Aussie accent had drawn plenty of admirers, and while many had tried to win his affection, it was Julie who had captured his heart at first glance. Scott was spellbound when he truly saw her as a college freshman instead of Elizabeth's little sister. Elizabeth had rejoiced at the sight of her sister falling deeply in love.

Through the years, Elizabeth and Scott had grown closer than ever; Scott marrying into the family had only amplified their bond. Not once had Julie had a moment's concern about their friendship and encouraged them to remain close, even sending them out for guys' night. In return, neither of them gave her any reason to be concerned. Often, Julie would enlist Scott to try to get Elizabeth to talk when she was worried about Elizabeth but couldn't get her to spill. A few times, they tag-teamed her, breaking through her wall of silence quickly simply because they were the ones closest to her. In some of the darkest moments following the tragic loss of their parents and oldest sister Viola, Scott and his family had stood by their side, providing a steadfast support system. Arlo had even stepped in a few times when there were father/daughter events at Julie's school and had walked her down the aisle when she married his son.

"I feel like I'm at a crossroads of sorts," she admitted, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I know that Julie and Aunt Agatha want me to move here…"

"They aren't the only ones who care," Scott interjected thoughtfully. "We all miss you and worry about you. Some of us may even have plans to help you appreciate Australia… but you didn't hear that from me."

Elizabeth laughed softly, a warm smile breaking through her moment of unease. "Don't worry, Monroe, your secret is safe with me. Besides, my sister and aunt are ALWAYS trying to fix me up, especially since they are so happily matched themselves."

Scott chuckled. "That is true."

"But you have to promise me one thing: don't tell Julie about what happened earlier," Elizabeth said, sitting up straighter to meet his gaze, adding, "Not that anything did."

Scott raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "You mean earlier when you practically wrapped yourself around Nathan, and he didn't seem inclined to put you down afterward? Is that what you mean?"

"I don't know what you think you saw, but…" Elizabeth started, a sheepish blush creeping up her cheeks.

"Lizzie, you practically climbed him like a tree," Scott exclaimed, the teasing note in his voice making her blush deepen. "Besides, you're too late—Red called me when I went downstairs, and I spoke without thinking. You know I have a hard time keeping secrets from her, and once she catches a whiff of something, she is like a dog with a bone."

"UGH! Scott, you know how she'll take that. She's probably out there picking out wedding invitations right now," Elizabeth groaned, burying her face in her hands in mock despair.

"Sorry! But it gets worse."

"How much worse can it be?" Elizabeth said warily.

"Colleen happens to be Nathan's sister," he added with a sly grin.

"Wait, Colleen—Colleen Parks, as in her best friend?"

"Yup! And as he mentioned, she's just as eager to see her brother married off," Scott confirmed, the amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Great! So the chances are good that they've already chatted. Oh boy!" Elizabeth sighed, lowering her face into her lap in exasperation. "How am I ever going to face Nathan after this?"

"From what I saw, Nathan didn't seem to mind it too much," Scott mused with a teasing lilt.

Elizabeth looked up, narrowing her eyes at him in playful mock annoyance. "Whatever. You need to help run interference and ensure Nathan knows I'm not behind this."

"You already did remember?" he shot back, still grinning.

"I know, but there's a big difference between me saying it and you actively doing something about it. I don't want him thinking I'm playing some ridiculous game."

"Wouldn't that help you dodge your sister's trap, though?" he countered, an eyebrow raised in curiosity.

"Yes, but I genuinely like him as a friend and want to get to know him better… you know… just as a friend. That's all."

Scott eyed his sister-in-law, skepticism written all over his face. "Sure, I get it. But let me make one observation?"

Elizabeth nodded, intrigued.

"Even though we were standing closer together, you went to Nathan," Scott said with a playful wink before getting up and heading into the kitchen to refill their glasses. When he returned, he carried the remnants of what had sparked their earlier conversation.

"So tell me more about what's going on with you." Scott prompted, his eyes full of curiosity.

"Well," Elizabeth began, her brow furrowed in thought, "I've been seriously contemplating some changes. I cherish my job in the emergency room; it's fast-paced, chaotic, and keeps me on my toes, but I've always had my heart set on becoming a flight nurse. I've completed all the necessary courses, and now I'm just in limbo, waiting to see if I've done enough to be approved. I should hear back any day now. Rosemary is checking my mail and promised to call if it comes in. Some days, I feel like I'm running on empty, juggling long shifts and squeezing in time to finish my master's degree."

"When did you start your master's program? And why have you kept this under wraps?" Scott asked a hint of surprise and hurt crossing his face.

"I began a year and a half ago, and I've got two semesters remaining," Elizabeth replied, her tone filled with a mix of pride and exhaustion. "The program is entirely online, which definitely helps, but it's still a lot to manage. My goal is to enhance my resume and open up more opportunities. Did you know we have four flight nurses affiliated with our hospital, and they all hold master's degrees? I've checked off all the boxes except for that one. Plus, this degree will give me a significant edge if I decide to pursue a nurse practitioner role later. All of this could be crucial if I choose to move here someday. I didn't tell any of you because I knew you were already worried about me working so much."

"Are you happy living in Boston?" Scott asked, trying to gain a deeper understanding of her feelings.

"As happy as I can be, I guess," she sighed, a hint of longing in her voice. "Being away from all of you since Aunt Agatha moved here is hard."

Elizabeth reflected on Aunt Agatha's unexpected visit in February. At the annual Valentine's Day dance, she met widower Maximilian Jensen, a charming, retired CEO and close friend of the Monroe family. Their whirlwind romance culminated in marriage just two months later, a story that still felt like a fairy tale to Elizabeth.

Agatha, her mother's widowed older sister, had uprooted herself to move in after the death of their parents to take care of them the summer before Elizabeth's junior year. They sold the family mansion in the Seaport District and moved into a brownstone in East Boston, which was owned by the Thatcher Group, where Elizabeth currently lived. It had resulted in Elizabeth attending a new public school, though she didn't mind since they offered advanced classes for college credit. On the other hand, Julie was a freshman at an exclusive private school known for its excellent fine arts program. Art had always been her passion; someday, she wanted to become an elementary school teacher or children's art therapist.

Thankfully, both girls had large trust funds, which became more extensive after the liquidation of Viola's, to allow them to pursue what they wanted. However, neither was a typical trust fund baby and had hardly touched them; instead, they preferred to live off what they earned. Her father's company had been sold off, and the money was evenly divided between the three of them at the girl's insistence. The brownstone reverted to Elizabeth, Julie, and Agatha upon the sale of the company. Some of the money from the sale was placed in the trust fund, while another chunk was placed in a joint account under Operation Hope, LLC. It was a non-profit that only those close to the family knew of. Agatha, Julie, and Elizabeth were the administrators and often anonymously donated to causes where no other options existed. They had assisted with everything from doctor bills and medical services to housing and had even helped grant a few wishes for terminally ill children.

"Well, may I say that I'm glad we are spending Christmas here rather than dealing with the cold of Boston?" Scott said, holding up his glass in a silent toast.

Julie and Scott lived with them after their marriage until Julie graduated with her fine arts degree two years after Scott and Elizabeth had earned their degrees. Then, they moved back to Australia when she was 3 months pregnant with Lili. Every year, though, they would come to Boston for Christmas and New Year. Since Scott was an only child, his parents, Arlo and Hazel, often came with them, but last year, they went on a river cruise instead.

"Well, may I say that I'm glad we are spending Christmas here rather than dealing with the cold of Boston?" Scott said, holding up his glass in a silent toast. "Mum and Dad can't wait to see you."

Elizabeth smiled. "I can't wait to see them either. As far as spending Christmas here, I have to agree. I am sick of the snow and looking forward to experiencing an Australian Christmas," Elizabeth replied, holding her glass up as well. "Though I have to say, between the Vegemite and Mr. Fluffy, you are falling behind."

As if to emphasize her words, she cringed at the memory, swearing that she could still taste Vegemite even though she had brushed her teeth since then. As for Mr. Fluffy, she had briefly considered staying with her aunt, who lived in a beachfront cottage at the edge of town. Surely, she would be safe there. But the next moment, Elizabeth dismissed it since she knew Julie would be hurt.

Scott chuckled, the sound warm and genuine, and the conversation seamlessly transitioned to the latest news of their mutual friends as they shared stories of both the present and reflected on memories.

"What about Nathan? From what I saw, he cancels both of them out." Scott said with a smug smile.

"Scott! I don't know what you are talking about." Elizabeth said, trying to hide her strong reaction at the mention of Nathan.

"Uh-huh! You forget I know you, Lizzie. Me thinks the lady doth protest too much." Scott countered.

Thankfully, she was spared from responding when the front door opened and slammed against the wall, followed by a child calling out, "Aunt Lizzie! Where are you?"

"Out here, poppet," Scott called out, a smile of anticipation on his face.

A few seconds later, a burst of energy known as Elizabeth Grace Monroe flew through the door and launched herself at her aunt. While she was Elizabeth's namesake, they called her Lili to avoid confusion.

"Aunt Lizzie! I missed you so much. Did you bring me something?"

"Oh, Lili Pad, I missed you too, and of course I did. But you have to wait until later tonight, okay?"

"Okay. Hi Daddy," She called from her spot on Elizabeth's lap.

Soon after, Julie appeared but went straight into her husband's open arms. Elizabeth watched as he drew Julie close for a kiss, feeling a pang of envy for the first time. Not that she wanted Scott, but suddenly, she realized there was a secret longing within her for what they and her aunt had found and that she lacked. On the heels of that revelation, the memory from earlier when she was in Nathan's arms played out, and her heart raced in response. 'What on earth could that mean?' Her second thought was, 'What did she want to do about it?' Something inside her told her she might be in trouble as she looked at the calculating gleam in Julie's eyes.

"Daddy, can I have a snack?" Lili asked.

"You sure can," Scott said with a mischievous grin. "Why don't we find something to keep us occupied so Mommy can interrogate your aunt."

"Yay!" Lili exclaimed as he picked her up and swung her around, deliberately avoiding eye contact with Elizabeth.

"I am so glad that school is done until February," Julie said. "There's so much I want to do while you're here."

"I just hope you have an early night planned. We don't have to …"

Julie interrupted, "Oh no, you don't. I have everything planned out, so by the time you go home, you will have experienced a true Australian Christmas. I know you're tired, but you need to stay up. I promise we will be home by 8."

Looking at her watch, which she had changed to reflect the time change, Elizabeth saw that it was only 3:30 pm. The exhaustion she had been holding at bay was already threatening to overwhelm her. Currently, all Elizabeth wanted to do was lay face down on her very comfortable bed, spider or not. But they were having dinner at Aunt Agatha's house at 5:00 pm. 'How am I going to make it?' she thought.

As if reading her mind, a glass of iced coffee appeared before her, compliments of her favorite brother. "One iced coffee, fortified with espresso, for the brave spider slayer and future firefighter's muse," Scott teased, handing her the glass with a flourish.

"Very funny," Elizabeth said, giving him a mock glare.

After handing his wife a cool glass of lemonade, he returned to the kitchen again, leaving her in Julie's hands.

"So, tell me, how was your flight? Did you meet anyone?" Julie asked.

"Both flights were long, and I didn't interact much with anyone else. Well, other than Rob, that was NOT by choice. He wouldn't take no for an answer, and I didn't get much rest."

Julie chuckled. "Well, luckily, the town has plenty of eligible bachelors to choose from."

"Julie, I already told you that…"

"I know, I know! But I want you to have such a great experience here that you won't want to leave." Julie sobbed, suddenly bursting into tears.

Elizabeth quickly moved over to gather Julie into her arms. "Oh, Julie!"

"We just miss you so much, Lizzie! I'm already dreading when you have to go home," Julie said, sniffing.

Elizabeth laughed, drew her closer, and began rubbing her back soothingly. "I tell you what, I promise to seriously consider moving here during my visit, all right?"

"Pinky promise?" Julie asked, holding out her pinky like they did as little girls.

"Pinky Promise. But only if you accept my decision and don't rush me for an answer because even if I agree, it will take a while. Do you agree?" Elizabeth said lightly, wrapping her pinky around Julie's.

"Agreed," Julie said with a heavy sigh, tightening her pinky around Elizabeth's and giving it a little shake.

"Oh, one more thing…" Elizabeth said, recalling the matchmaking plans.

Knowing what Elizabeth was going to say, Julie shook her head. "Sorry, but we already sealed the promise, so no additions allowed. Now tell me, what did you think of Nathan? Scott said that you were pretty happy in his arms."

Elizabeth blushed. "Well, did he tell you why I ended up there in the first place?"

"Oh yeah, you met Mr. Fluffy." Julie giggled.

"I still can't believe you name those creepy things." Elizabeth shuddered.

"But he also said Nathan immensely enjoyed it himself," Julie added slyly,

"I don't know if I would …."

"According to Scott, he was holding onto you like you were the last life jacket on the Titanic." Julie retorted, cutting Elizabeth off. Seeing the intense assessing gaze her sister directed her way made Elizabeth inwardly groan and wish that it was time to go to dinner.