The immigration line was long, but he didn't mind. After 10 hours of flying just from his layover in Paris, even longer with the extra hour they sat on the tarmac, Jack was happy to be standing. Home. He had landed in Calgary after a very long, but thankfully, a very smooth flight from Paris. His flight hadn't even started there, but in Marseille, close to Lisa's place yesterday. Oh, how he loved that woman-for many, many reasons, but she'd insisted on a first class flight for Jack. He'd never flown first class, but that wasn't saying much. He'd barely flown in his life at all, just a few flights here and there, never first class. Even when Ben had helped him book his flight over after Lisa's accident, they'd had to put him in coach, back of the plane, due to the lack of spots still available with the short notice. First class had been a great experience. He'd gotten some sleep, had plenty of room to stretch out, and with the frequent meals, the time had passed quickly. Now, he was also seeing that priority had its benefits with the immigration line. There were maybe 15 people in front of him from his flight, but immigration was backed still clearing the flight before theirs. It was fine. He was back on Canadian soil and glad about that.

What he wasn't happy about was leaving Lisa in France. She would be home-that sounded good to say-in another 12 days, but for now, she still had some appointments to attend to and work to close up. He'd stayed until the last day of his 90-day tourist stay, glad that he'd not been hassled about it with the French authorities, but now that he was home, he couldn't go to France for the next six months until his time abroad reset. Of course, if he was married to someone who owned property in France, that changed things, but right now, they were only engaged and not married.

Engaged. His mind wandered back to two mornings ago, what seemed now so long ago. His flight out of Marseille had been after lunch, with the connection in Paris late that afternoon, 4:50 PM. Ironically, with the change in time zones, he was now in the immigration line at 6:45 PM, seeming to have only flown for a couple of hours as far as the time change had gone. His body knew it had been a long day, and as soon as he was home, Jack had plans for a very hot shower before immediately heading to bed. He would miss a beautiful blonde whose face he could still see as he waited in the line.

"Mmm, why are you awake at this hour?"

"Couldn't sleep, well, I did sleep," she said quietly, grimacing. "I woke up about 20 minutes ago and knew the alarm was going to go off in a half hour. I decided I just wanted to watch you sleep. I'm going to miss this."

"And I'm going to miss you like crazy," he said quietly, turning on his side and putting his arm around her shoulders. Lisa was lying on her side as she had been studying him. They'd gone back to their 'normal' sides of the bed after she'd gotten her cast off, both commenting that first night how they missed their usual sides. Jack had offered Lisa to stay where she was since her hand was still in a brace, but she'd told him she missed being able to curl up with him. He knew the feeling, and now, their last early morning together, he scooted toward her and wrapped his arm now around her middle, Lisa's braced hand coming to rest on top of his hand. "How's that? Any pain?"

"No," she smiled lovingly at him as he reached for the bedding to pull it up over her. He knew she was hot often, but he could feel a chill now, or maybe she was just shuddering under his touch. She smiled at him when he settled back in, their noses almost touching.

"And I've missed this," he told her sighing. "You're sure you're not in pain?"

She shook her head as she was able there with her head on the pillow. "My arm arm is resting on yours, so it's fine. We know that brace is to protect my arm right now, and it is. As far as other pain, I've told you I'm doing better, still some pain at times, mostly sitting straight up, so this," she grinned, "is not painful."

"Glad to hear that cuddling with me isn't painful," Jack said leaning in to peck her lips. She grinned into it and kissed him back, Jack finally brushing her hair off her shoulder as they lay there.

"We have to get up soon to get you to the airport."

He nodded, "I know," he sighed, "but not yet. I'll throw on my clothes in the cab if it means I can stay right here." Lisa smiled brightly, and both descended into silence. "Besides, I've been in this country for 90 days now, and I can count on one hand the number of days I've been able to wake up holding you. I'm really glad you are recovering, Lise."

Her smile only grew brighter, and then, he could see a glint in her eye as she spoke, "You're just glad to have your side of the bed back." Both chuckled at that, Jack leaning in to kiss her again, and the couple got lost in the moment, enjoying the brief moments of intimacy as they kissed some of their final goodbyes before Jack left.

"I spent a lot of sleepless nights in Arizona thinking about you, thinking about moments like this," he said quietly, running his hand over her hair. "I can't believe how badly I messed up things with us, and I'm glad we're right here. Never had a moment of peace like this in Arizona, never a moment like this," he gestured to the two of them there.

Lisa raised an eyebrow and smiled sweetly while she spoke, "I'd hope not, I mean, a moment like this. If so, I need her name."

Jack burst out laughing and kissed her again, shaking his head as he leaned his head back onto the pillow, "Since I met you, there has been and will never be anyone else, Lise. I love you more than I've loved anyone. I've told you that, and besides that," he said with an almost shrug, "I can barely function properly in our relationship. You think I'd be able to handle another?"

"Well no, I am fully aware you can't handle relationships, but," she shrugged, adding, "you know I'm just teasing. There will never be anyone else other than you, Jack."

"And, I can't wait until we can make things official with our wedding, whatever you want that to be. I'm looking forward to giving you your ring too. I hope you like it."

"I already love it," she said sweetly with a small shrug, "you want me to have something incredibly special to you and to your grandmother. I'm honored."

"Well, it's waiting for you at the house, and I have no intention of telling anyone about our engagement until we can both tell them. I messed up our first one, and I am not messing up this engagement. I want the family to know how much I love you. I really do."

"Thank you," she reached toward his chest and patted it.

"I suppose they won't hold the plane for me, so I best get up. It is going to be lonely at home without you."

She raised an eyebrow again, "We both know you'll jump right back into your chores and things at home."

"Doesn't mean I won't miss you."

"Monsieur,-"

Jack's head snapped out of his memories, and he turned, surprised to hear French here in Calgary. He noticed an impatient man behind him gesturing for Jack to move forward. He gave him a slight smirk but then did move forward. It didn't change much; they were still in line. Jack's mind started to wander again.

"Do you remember the first night I slept at Heartland?" Jack, who was driving Lisa's BMW turned to her in the car, the two on their drive back from the hospital, newly engaged. He eyed her with a small smile.

"The night we got all that snow? That was technically the first night you spent at Heartland."

"Mmm, yes," she nodded, grinning at him. "You were a perfect gentleman."

He twisted his head from side to side, "Thanks, although, I didn't exactly want to be one." Lisa's mouth dropped open, and she reached over and swatted him there in the car. He started to laugh and shrugged at her.

"What? You asked. It was early on; we'd been dating several months at that point, early December, and we hadn't had that conversation at all. Besides, we both agreed it wasn't what we wanted for the girls, Amy specifically, to see at that time. We were presented with an awkward situation, and yes, it was important to me that I was a gentleman, giving you the bedroom to use, while I took the couch. I should have put Mallory on the couch," he grumbled. "She'd become a regular fixture in the house, taking over Marion's room. Why are you bringing up that now?"

She shrugged, "It just," Lisa paused, thinking about what she wanted to say and nodded, "it is one of my nicest memories, well," she leaned in with a grin, "not that it would have been better to share the bedroom with you that night," she smiled warmly, "but I just, just," Lisa shook her head again, "it was so warm, cozy, loving. You and I stayed up half the night laughing and talking by the fire, enjoying that hot fire. I remember switching from wine to hot chocolate to finally your famous hot toddies. I remember watching the snow falling, building up outside, and just enjoying the warmth of sitting in your arms. I remember getting only a couple hours of sleep because we'd just had such a lovely evening," she gave him a warm smile and nod, "and then, waking up there in your room, hearing you in the kitchen, starting on breakfast-"

"I had a houseful of ladies I had to keep warm, happy, and fed," he winked at her, and Lisa chuckled quietly.

"The reason I mention it now," she paused and pursed her lips, "even with that snowstorm starting hours earlier than we expected, even being stuck there with a handsome man I was falling deeply in love with," she grinned, "I just remember feeling so at home. I remember thinking this is what a family feels like, and I really liked that," she shrugged. "Now," she leaned toward him there in the car, "I would have loved waking up with said handsome man there next to me, but that wasn't the time or place."

Jack chuckled and reached over to clasp her hand, pulling it up to kiss it as he focused on the road, "Oh, that old man of whom you speak," he winked at her while she laughed at his comment. "He didn't sleep at all. Why do you think I was up so early to make breakfast? I wasn't up early to check on the storm, no ma'am. I never got to sleep, thinking about the very beautiful, younger woman in my bedroom, just a wall away. It was all I could do to not come in there and climb in bed with you, but yes, as you said, we had all the girls there, and it wasn't the time or place, not that I didn't want to show you a good time." Lisa continued to laugh and nodded, smiling at Jack when their gazes met. She hummed at the memory. Jack continued, "I remember thinking how nice it was to see you first thing in the morning and how it did feel normal, the family all together. When I've said that over the years, Lise, that you're family, I've meant it. I've thought of you as that and can't wait to now make it official."

She cleared her throat, nodding, "I'm very excited too, very happy. I'll finally be able to cuddle up with that very attractive man in what will be our room, no sneaking around, no worrying about what the girls might think-"

"I'm sorry about not marrying you sooner-"

"Sir!"

Jack's head snapped again, and this time, he did hiss at himself, noting that the line had moved a good amount, and he was now two from the immigration officers' area. He didn't turn around, but waved his hand behind him. Whoever had yelled at him, it wasn't the same person, a woman this time, and Jack moved forward, anxious to get out of the line. His memories were lovely, but right now, getting out of the airport had to take priority.

Finally, after clearing immigration and retrieving the two checked bags he had-Lisa had sent things home with him, not that he minded at all. It honestly made him feel closer to her having some of her things in his bags. Jack felt like some of Lisa's travel luck was with him because he'd barely walked up to the luggage carousel and the two bags came out, one after the other. The bags were hard to miss too, expensive, newer, and in both Jack and Lisa's preferred color of navy blue. He collected them and started to the exit where the customs' official was cleaning things. He'd dig out his phone once he was clear of the entire area and ordeal.

Jack shifted the leather satchel bag he had on his shoulder. Really, he had a couple of books in the bag, along with his glasses and medication. He'd first argued with Tim he didn't need a carry on, but Tim had explained that if luggage was lost, Jack really needed to have his medication on hand. He'd listened and had packed a change of clothing for the trip over. For the trip home, he'd waved off Lisa suggesting the same about clothing, telling her he was headed home even if his bag did get lost, and thankfully, everything had arrived on the flight with him.

"Jack!" Jack had just cleared the international arrivals area and was pushing both suitcases toward the door. Truthfully, he wanted to get outside, out into the fresh Alberta air. It was summer now, mid-June, and he'd been gone a very, very long time. He turned to see Tim almost running up to him. "Wow, almost didn't recognize you, Jack, looking like a seasoned traveler there pushing your bags, carrying your carry on."

"Hence the term carry on," Jack smirked, rolling his eyes. Tim let out a low chuckle, and the two shook hands.

"Good to see you, Jack," Tim gave him a nod.

"Thanks for coming to get me. How did you know where I was? I was going to step outside and call you."

"See, there's this thing," Tim pointed up, "the arrivals board. It updates the status of planes and all, not to mention that big word there, 'International Arrivals' which you know, you did come in from France."

Jack rolled his eyes as Tim continued to mock him, but he didn't comment knowing he'd walked into that situation. Tim reached for one of Jack's suitcases, eyeing Jack as he did.

"Wow, you did some shopping in France?"

Jack waved his now free hand. He had. He'd had to do some shopping after extending his trip, not that it was a problem. His Alberta ranch clothing didn't really work with the vastly different climate of Southern France, not that he'd done any shopping, other than for a wedding band, while Lisa was in the hospital, but as they'd been recovering at home, he and Lisa had gotten him a few pieces to wear with the warmer weather.

"Just tell me you didn't ditch the cowboy hat for a beret. I can't be riding the fence line with a Jacques or Pierre wanna-be in a beret."

Jack scowled and tilted his head at Tim, waving his hand before he continued to move, "You know, a simple good to see you was fine. Are you out of your mind? I'd never be caught dead in that, but now you ruined your surprise, your gift. I guess I'll send the beret I got you to Shane."

Tim's face went ghostly white, and Jack saw him swallow hard, "You didn't bring me a beret did you?"

"Oh, come on," Jack gestured outside. "I wouldn't be caught dead in one, and I wouldn't be caught dead purchasing one. You really are out of your mind."

"Glad to see grumpy Jack has returned. Wow, can't believe you lasted this long with Lisa in a mood like this, but ahh," Tim snapped his fingers at Jack as they walked, "that's it. You're grumpy because you had to come home, and she's not with you. What, she throw you out now? We have to talk, Jack, about how in the world you messed up the best thing to ever happen to you. The girls have been asking about Lisa and can't believe you've been gone so long to come home empty handed-"

"I'm not talking about Lisa," he glanced to Tim. Tim raised his eyebrows at him.

"Wow, just a great welcome back. You might be able to put off any talk of your relationship for the time being, but as a friend, I do want to know about her injuries and recovery. So," the two men had arrived at the exterior crosswalk that led to the parking garage, "let's go old man. We've got some time in the truck before we get to the house. You can tell me about her recovery, yours too," he waved at Jack, "and just what you are going to do now that you're unattached."

Jack sighed. He shook his head as the two men crossed the street. Yes, Tim was annoying. Yes, they'd been at odds for years, but yes, over the last few years, they'd mended a good deal of their relationship, not that he wanted to publicly admit that. Tim did care even if he had an annoying way of showing it. While he refused to get into detail about the state of his relationship with Lisa, Jack knew he had to clarify a few things.

"I'm not unattached," he grumbled, glancing to Tim as they crossed the road. It was hard to hear anything over the traffic, but apparently, Tim had heard that. His face broke into a huge smile, and he smacked his arm at Jack's chest.

"That's great! Really? Oh, that's great, Jack. You can tell me on the drive home."

Jack frowned, shaking his head, "Or, I can leave it at that, no comment. I left Lisa in France, no comment. Right now, I don't want to talk about any of that, and I don't want to hear comments from you. So, not a word to anyone if you know what's good for you."

"Well, I'm not agreeing to that," Tim chuckled. "I mean, sure, I won't say anything at home. My lips are sealed," and he pretended to zip them closed, "but I am going to keep asking you about the lovely Lisa, and you're going to just deal with it. I've stepped in and kept the ranch going all these months while you've nursed things back to health-both Lisa and apparently the relationship you two have. So, you'll have to tell me at some point."

"No comment," Jack grumbled again, but his phone rang before he could say more. He pulled it it as they arrived to the parking garage elevator.

"That smile," Tim pointed. "I don't have to ask who that is."

"Lise," Jack answered with a nod and smile, turning away from Tim. "I'm in the airport parking garage with Tim. Yeah, yeah," he nodded. "I'll call you a bit later. Okay, same to you."

Jack turned back toward the elevator to see Tim staring at him, scowling with his mouth open.

"Oh, come on, Jack," Tim smacked at him again. "I know those conversations. Same to you? Just tell the woman you love her. It's no secret to me."