Chapter 64

"Make it stop!" Moaned Julie. "You've got to be kidding me!" She huffed as the irritating noise continued.

"Good grief, Julie! What has gotten into you?" Elizabeth pulled the blankets over her face.
"Why is your phone chirping? Just make it stop!"

"Can't you two just shut up?!" Hissed Viola from her cot that the hotel brought up for her to sleep on.

The morning wasn't playing nicely with the Thatcher sisters. They were up late. Even with Elizabeth having to say good night to Jack at midnight, the sisters gathered in the sitting area of the hotel's lobby to catch up on their latest news. They couldn't stay in the room because their mother and father were sleeping.

"I'm grateful we had our own bedrooms growing up." Elizabeth mumbled as she reached for her phone. "It's Jack."
"Why is he texting you so early?" Julie playfully pushed Elizabeth's shoulder as she laid back down with the phone in her hand.

"He always texts me in the mornings. Honestly, he always texts me twice."
"Why?" Moaned Viola as she turned to her side.

"The first one is a good morning text. The second one is a silly historical fact."
"A silly history fact?"
"Yes, Viola. While it's silly, I do think it's cute."

"Well…?" Julie sassed.
"What?"
"He woke us all up…what's the history fact?"
"I don't know yet. He hasn't sent it." As soon as she said it, her phone dinged. "Huh…"

"Well, what is it?"
"You know, as much as Tom is good for you and has changed you a little, you are still impatient."
Elizabeth looked into Julie's annoyed face. She noticed her mother and father weren't in the room. She just assumed they must have gone downstairs to eat breakfast.

"He said that by law, only deceased people can be on U. S. currency."
"Is that true?" Viola asked.

"I'm not sure. I've only googled a few of his silly facts. Out of the ones I investigated, they were true."
"That can't be right?" Julie stated.

"Well, look it up."
"Why don't you do it? You're holding your phone."
"Fine." Elizabeth huffed. "Most certainly grateful we had our own bedrooms." She whispered under her breath. She typed on her phone for a few seconds. "Google says it's true."

"Well, since we have that settled, can we go back to sleep, or is it time to begin our day? What time is it?"
"It's eight forty-five."
"Oh man…Ted's going to give me a hard time that I slept in." Viola shook her head with a smile.

"Really?"
"Yeah, he playfully teases me that I sleep too much."
"You're a college student. You should sleep all the time." Stated Elizabeth.

"Exactly." Viola huffed as she kicked the covers off her legs. "By the way, I'm the oldest. Why did I get the cot?"
"We were here first." Julie and Elizabeth sassed with a giggle.

"So…how are you and Ted?" Elizabeth asked as she and Julie leaned forward.

"I told you last night."
"Mostly, but I think there is more to it."
"Fine…I told you about the talk we had when we were home a few weeks ago."
"Yes," Elizabeth answered.

"What talk?" Julie asked.

"Oh, right, you were having your own issues."
"Please don't remind me." Julie shook her head.

"It seems you two are past it?"
"We are…finally." Sighed Julie. "It took some time for Tom to come around."
"True, but I can see a positive change in you. Jack says the same about Tom. I think you both grew from it."

"I know I did. I'm still me and all of my little weirdness, but I'm more mature."
"I would agree," Elizabeth stated.

"I'm happy for you," Viola stated. "Now, do you think he is the one?"
Julie paused for a moment. Not because she had to think about the question and its answer. She was reliving the memories with Tom. They really were good for each other. "Yeah. He's the one. We haven't talked about it, but I know in my heart that we are meant to be together. After all, just like you always remind me, I'm just a sophomore."

Viola looked and listened to her youngest sister. She seemed different—a mature version of her little, flakey sister. She was truly happy for Julie.

"And you and Ted?"
"He's my person."

Julie looked at Elizabeth and grinned at the dreamy-looking Viola.

"She has it bad, just like you."
"Just like all three of us."

Julie laughed. "It's strange, isn't it…we all three could potentially marry into the same family."

All three sisters smiled at the thought.

…

"Come on…" Jack stated. "You've got to get up and pack your stuff."
"How in the world are you so wide awake this morning?"
"Shouldn't you have more energy than I do since you are younger?"
"We won the championship yesterday. Shouldn't we enjoy a morning in?"
"Maybe, but you can't sleep your life away."
"Jack, you sound like my mother."
"That's funny; I think I sound like my ma." He shook his head.
"Hey!" Shane gasped when Jack threw a semi-wet towel and hit him on the head.

"Let's go. Coach texted us and stated that breakfast was in twenty minutes."

"Fine…I'm up. Let's go."
…

The whole team slowly made their way to the conference room on the hotel's first floor. If everyone weren't so tired from the last two days, there would still be excitement in the atmosphere. However, the two games were hard games, and the pure excitement has taken its toll on everyone. They were still excited. They will just show it later after they are up and moving.

"Alright, guys…breakfast now. Then, you will have a few minutes to gather your stuff from your room. Make sure you get your cell phone chargers and all your other stuff. We leave at nine."
"Coach, couldn't you give us more time?" Steven stated.
"Yeah, coach…isn't this a little early?" Cory stated.

"Yeah, coach." Sassed Jack.

Coach Franklin shook his head. "Would you rather celebrate here or at home?"

"Good point," Jack stated as Steven and Cory nodded their heads.

"As seniors, you would have figured that your coach knows everything. Underclassmen this is an example of learning from the seniors' mistakes. Plus, we have a four-hour drive." He sassed.

"We're not always wrong." Steven sassed.

"Don't push it, young man." Coach Franklin sassed as he pointed his finger at his three senior starters.

"Technically, coach, you can't make us run for punishment." Cory laughed as Jack and Steven nodded their heads and chuckled in agreement.

"Would you like to test me?" Franklin's smile grew at the teasing.

"No, sir!" all three said at the same time, with a little bit of sass in their tone. They respected their coach, and their coach respected them. Everyone laughed at the banter.

…

"You have got to be kidding me." Exclaimed an exasperated Elizabeth. "Father…!"

"What? It makes sense."
Elizabeth placed her fist on her right hip. Her front right foot was slightly forward, and she was tapping it on the floor. She had a death stare. William thought this was her true first teacher stare. She had had those expressions before, even as a child. However, this was the first time she had perfected them.

"Father, please tell me you are joking!"

"Bethie, it makes perfect sense. Viola and Ted are here. We can spend a good portion of the day with them before they go back to college. You know we don't have many opportunities to spend time with them. Plus, Tom and Charlette can spend time with Ted."

Elizabeth stared at her father. He was beginning to become uncomfortable with her intense stare. Finally, she turned her attention toward her mother.
"Mother…you understand, right?"

"Bethie…it does make sense. We can stay here for a little bit and enjoy Viola and Ted. Then we will leave here around four or so and be home around eight tonight."

"But Jack just left. He'll be home around one or so. I didn't get to see him before he left."

Tom's and Charlette's car is at our house. Maybe Jack can meet us at our home. We'll order pizza or something."

"But mother…"
"Is she whining, mother?"
Elizabeth turned her glare from her parents to her little sister. "Says the girl who will spend the day with her boyfriend while mine is back home by himself."

"True."

"Dear, we'll spend time with Viola and Ted. We'll have lunch and find something to do. Uncle Bill may suggest something for us all to do. Then we will leave and get home at a good hour, and you may spend some time with your boyfriend."

"Good grief." Elizabeth huffed while she shook her head.

Elizabeth sat on her bed, pouting as she texted Jack.

E – Well be home around eight or so

J – Eight tonight

E - Yes

J – You've got to be kidding me

E – I wish I was

J – What am I supposed to do now

E – I guess you can miss me

J – Im not sure if I will ever admit to that again

E – Thats not nice

J – Neither is making fun of me when I tell you that

E – Im sorry

J – Are you really not going to be home til eight

E – Yeah and my mean face doesnt work on my parents

J – That seems so unfair

J – Or at the very least wrong

E – I agree

E – Met me at my house we will all be there except for Viola and Ted

J – Text me when you are close

J – I'll wait on you

E – I miss you

J – I love you

"Your turn." Viola stated as she walked out of the bathroom."
"Finally." Sassed Elizabeth.

"I'm going downstairs to see Ted."
"Don't rub it in!"

…

The day together with everyone was nice, even with Elizabeth keeping a vigil on her phone for the time. Grace began to give her the mother's look when she reminded her of the time. Grace did understand, but she just wanted to spend time with Viola and Ted without a pouty Elizabeth.

Viola and Ted and Tom and Julie all stayed side by side. That didn't help Elizabeth's mood at all. She was thankful that Thomas did spend some time with her. He reminded her so much of Jack, but it just wasn't the same. She was grateful her Uncle Bill met them for lunch. He couldn't spend all day with them due to a couple of work meetings.

The bus ride back to Hamilton was unusually quiet. Most people slept in the seats because they were so comfortable. They were just exhausted over the last few days. Once they arrived at the high school, everyone helped unload the bus and carry everything into the locker and training rooms. When that was finished, Jack took his jersey and bag to his truck. He cranked the truck and just sat there trying to figure out what to do.

The coach took the trophy and allowed each player to take it home for two days each. They had to promise to take great care of it and return it. Once it made its way through the whole team, the trophy would be placed in the large trophy case in the school's main hallway. He wanted each player to have possession of the trophy for themselves. Everyone pushed for Jack to be the first one to take it home. He wasn't happy with the decision, but the guys didn't give him a choice. He looked at the trophy sitting on the passenger seat. He let out a long sigh.

Jack was very excited about winning the championship. It was a huge feat, and he figured it would always be a special memory in his life. It was just after one thirty, and he didn't have anyone to celebrate it with. His parents and girlfriend were still four hours away. They wouldn't be home for another six to seven hours. Cory and Steven had plans to hang out with their girlfriends. Even Sam and Joe had plans with their girlfriends.

He was a little miffed that he didn't have anyone to celebrate with. He looked at his cell phone for the time. He wasn't hungry. He looked up when the charter bus began to pull away. Jack took a picture of the trophy in the truck seat beside him. He texted it to Elizabeth.

J – Wish you were here

E – Me to

E – Miss me

J – Love you

She huffed at his refusal to say it. She also wished she was sitting beside him on that bench seat. Her attention was brought back to the group as they pulled into a restaurant that Uncle Bill suggested. He was standing at the front door, waiting for them all to arrive.

Jack pulled out of the parking lot, heading left instead of turning right.

…

Bill slightly hugged and kissed each woman on the cheek as they approached him. He thanked them for meeting him for lunch. He loved the Thatcher's and quickly fell in love with the Thorntons. He knew his Flower Bug and knew that something was wrong. He held on a little longer when she approached him for her hug and kiss on the cheek.

"What's wrong?"
"I'm still here."
"My little impatient Flower Bug. Does your young man know this about you?"
"Oh, he knows." Sassed Julie.

"You'll see him tonight, right?"
"Yeah." Her voice was soft.

"Life happens, little one. Enjoy your time with your family, and then enjoy your time with Jack tonight."

"That doesn't help too much right now." She whined.

"You know…" He leaned in to whisper. "…I'm the same way when I'm away from my Allison for any length of time."
"Then why are you giving me a hard time?" She smirked.

"I'm sympathizing with you, me dear. I understand. Now, let's go and enjoy catching up without all the excitement of the last couple of days. I would like to hear about this meeting on the beach when you were rude to that nice young man."
Elizabeth let out a laugh. "He says I was rude, but I'm not sure I was that rude." She defended herself by emphasizing the word 'that.'

"Elizabeth, you lied to him and turned and walked away before he could explain himself. Then he left you speechless when he walked up to you, returning your book. Then you spent the next two hours trying to find him on the beach."
"Julie! You talk too much!"

"Oh, this is going to be better than I thought. Now, are you still ok after that horrible Monday? William has kept me up to date with everything."
"Come on…let's get some tea, and we'll talk about everything."

…

Jack picked up the trophy and used his hip to close the door. He looked around the parking lot and saw the average number of cars. He knew it was a little later than normal but was hoping he wasn't too late. He noticed a young lady at the front desk as he walked through the doors. The young lady smiled at him. "They were all hoping you would be by today."
"I just got back in town a few minutes ago."
"They will be happy to see you and that trophy."
"Are they here?"
"They are. Many of them got back late last night from the game. They rode the school bus. So, most things were pushed back today."
"Nice."
"Hey Jack, congratulations!"
"Thanks." He stated as he began to walk toward the court.

When Jack walked through the door, he heard several voices call out his name.

"Jack! Jack!" the excited boys called out. John and several other young men Jack had worked with over the last couple of months were there practicing. They were all excited about Hamilton East's run in the state tournament, which fueled their passion for the game.

"Hey, fellas!" He matched their enthusiasm. He sat the trophy down on the first row of bleachers.

All the boys began to run toward him and created a small huddle around him. Some hugged him while others patted him on the back.

"Wow! Is that the trophy?"
"It is. You may hold it if you promise not to break or damage it. Just be careful, or Coach Franklin will have my head."
"Wow!" several of the guys said as they turned to examine the trophy more closely.

Each guy picked up the trophy and closely examined it. Several of the guys who had cell phones took everyone's picture with the trophy, promising to text the pictures to each one. Everyone was having a good time holding the trophy and asking Jack about the games. Just like all the other times, Jack loved his time with these guys.

"Are you still going to Bryan's?"
"I am." Jack smiled.

"Are you still dating Elizabeth?"
"Yeah."
"Man…she's…" The guy stopped when he noticed Jackl's expression. "She's really nice." The young man corrected himself.

"That's better." Jack corrected him. "You should always treat women with respect."
…

Ted and Viola were in the car driving back to school. They held hands while Viola ran her finger up and down Ted's forearm. He loved it when she gently did that.

"That was a lot of fun."

"That was really a lot of fun, except for this morning."
"Oh yes…the texts."
"Yeah…Those two bickered back and forth. I think they forgot they are teenagers and not five and three years old."

Ted laughed. "Well, at least the cot was comfortable."

"I can't believe you and Tom didn't share that queen-sized bed."
"Oh no…that was never going to happen."
"I believe there must be a story there. So, why don't you go ahead and tell me?"
"Not happening."
"I'll talk to your mother. She'll tell me."
"You better not!"

Viola giggled. She loved spending time with Ted. It really didn't matter what they were doing. They just had fun together.

"So…?"
"So…?" He returned her question. He wasn't sure what she was asking.

"I was just thinking."
"Viola, why do you scare me whenever you begin thinking?"
"Enough from you, mister." She playfully smacked his forearm. Then he smiled when she began to rub the place she smacked.

"I'm growing on you, aren't I?"
She just shook her head at his silliness. "What are we going to do this summer?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, we don't live very close to each other."
"Oh…I haven't thought of that." Ted stumbled over his words and his thoughts. His voice trailed off. He was so excited about the present that he hadn't thought of what they would do during the summer months. They haven't even talked about it. He wasn't planning on taking any summer courses. So, he would be home. And to think about it, his home wasn't very close to his girlfriend's home.

"Yeah…I think we do need to think about it."
"We do." Ted thoughtfully stated. "Do you have anything planned?"
"I don't. I thought about working for Father for a little while. It could count toward my internship."
"That's good."
"You?"
"I have a three-week gig that I'm signed up for. I'll get paid for it."
"Where?"
"I will be traveling to three cities. We'll be in each city for a week. We will be in Philadelphia, Washington D. C., and Baltimore."
"Wow, that sounds interesting."

"Yes, I was hired last summer for it. It's a prestigious little tour. It will look good on my resume."
"I believe your resume already is impressive. Uncle Bill says that you are an upcoming star with the piano."
"He's being too kind."
"Ted." Her voice was full of warning. She knew better. He always downplayed his ability to play the piano. She has heard him play. Uncle Bill also stressed how talented Ted was. "We understand you are better than just squeaking by. Now, what are we going to do? I don't like the idea of us being apart for weeks at a time." A small tear fell down her left cheek at just the thought of not seeing him every day.
Ted's heart broke at the tear. While it may have been small, the light that reflected off it was bright.

"I'm not sure…we will need to figure something out. There is no way I'm going weeks without seeing you!" His voice was resolute. "Heck, I have a hard time if we can't meet before classes."
Viola chuckled. "I understand. But what can we do?"
"How long are you working with your father?"
"I'm not sure. We haven't discussed that portion of it."
"Maybe you can go with me on the tour or part of it?"
"Really?"
"Viola, there is no way I'm going weeks without seeing you. I could see if I could get some playing opportunities in Hamilton. I can stay with Uncle Tom and Aunt Charlette."
"You'll be away from your mother and sisters."
"Not all summer. We'll work something out."
"Maybe you can stay with us at my home. It's a big house, we have room."
"I've never stayed in a mansion before."
"It's not a mansion." She laughed at his insistence on calling it that.

"Viola, it's a mansion. Richie Rich's house isn't even that big." He playfully sassed.

"Ted…I don't want to come across as a whiney little girl, but I'm not happy about this."

"He squeezed her hand. "I am not happy about this either. I promise we will figure it out. We may not see each other every day, but there is no way we are spending weeks apart. You're too much of me now for that to happen."
She swooned at his honest words. She loved it when he spoke from the heart.

"I don't know how, but I trust you."

…

Elizabeth stared out the window, staring at nothing in particular. While she enjoyed her time with family and friends, she missed Jack. He had been in Hamilton for hours now, and they weren't even halfway there. She wasn't too happy that he wouldn't say he missed her. She knew he did. When she told him she missed him, he would tell her he loved her. She knew she gave him a hard time when he would tell her he missed her. Partly because he always used a whiney voice.

Seeing her two sisters happy with their boyfriends while she was alone didn't help either. She was happy for Viola and Julie. Both seemed happy…content even. She sighed as she looked at her phone. She hadn't received a text from Jack. It had been about an hour since his last text.

When William saw his daughter in the rearview mirror, he gave Grace a small smile. Grace returned his smile, and Charlette and Thomas did the same.

"It's alright, dear. It was just a few hours away from him. You'll have this evening."
"I know…it's just not the same."
"How so?"
"Yesterday was a huge day for him. It would just have been nice to have been able to celebrate with him today."

"We will tonight?"
"I know…Connie is with Steven, and Cory is with Steph. Jack's at the children's center."
"Have you lost yourself in my son, sweetheart?"
Elizabeth smiled. "I have, but not in a bad way."
"What do you mean?" Charlette asked as she turned a little more in her bench seat to see Elizabeth's face. Grace turned beside her. They were sitting in the same bench seat.

She shared the last portion of their texts.

"You know, I'm going to teach you both about spelling an punctuation. I believe you two forget about those things in your texting." Charlette sassed.

Elizabeth smiled and continued with her thoughts. "I've had friends who dated and were just completely lost with their boyfriend. They would separate from their friend group and lose touch with their friends. Jack and I don't do that."
"That's true," Grace stated.

"Yet, I feel lost when Jack isn't around. It's like…it's like we are just supposed to be together."
Grace and Charlette smiled at each other. They did understand. They were grateful mothers that their children didn't lose themselves in a relationship. Yet, they understood the strong connection Elizabeth had with Jack. They had the same connection with their husbands.

Elizabeth was correct. While she and Jack did spend significant time together, they still had their friend group that they were part of. They didn't seclude themselves to the exclusion of others. The two women couldn't complain about the relationship. They trusted their children.

"That's how it is supposed to be, dear. You grow together while improving the other. You and Jack do that well. I saw the looks yesterday during the game. Somehow, you helped him before and during the game just by the eye contact."
"It was so intimate and powerful. I could see him instantly relax when he was looking at you. Even when he made the two last free throws."
"He has that influence on me too."
Charlette gave her a mother's smiled. "That's exactly how it should work. Just be sure not to lose yourself completely in him. I have told him the same thing. Grow together."
"Thanks, Mom. Thanks, mother."

…

Jack sat on the front porch of the Thatcher residence. He still chuckled to himself that he was at such a mansion waiting for his girlfriend. Elizabeth was so down to earth for someone who came from all of this. He received a text from Grace telling him when they would be home. She informed him that Elizabeth was missing him greatly and would love for him to already be there when they arrived. She also gave him the key code for the front door lock and the password for the security system. He didn't feel comfortable being in the home with no one there. He knew the Thatcher's trusted him but didn't feel comfortable. However, he did think about sneaking in and getting a glimpse of Elizabeth's bedroom. While he didn't, he wanted to see it. He had seen pictures and small portions of it during their Skype call. He knew it would be essentially Elizabeth.

The weather was getting warmer, but the night air still had a hint of chill. He was wearing blue jeans with a long sleeve t-shirt. He looked up when he saw headlights from a white van pull down the driveway. He stood and made his way to where he thought William would park.

Jack chuckled when he noticed Elizabeth standing at the side door, waiting for her father to come to a stop. She was eager to see him, and it made him feel good.

"Jack!" She exclaimed as the door opened. She jumped into his arms.

"Bella!" He called out as she was in mid air just before she landed in his arms.

After a brief, yet intense hug, Jack, William, Thomas, and Tom helped carry in the bags for everyone. Thomas, Charlette, and Tom took their bags to their car that wasn't parked too far away. Jack walked into the home carrying Elizabeth's bag and holding her hand.

"Hey, what did you do with the basketball?" Jack asked.

"It's hidden in my bag. I'm going to put it on the dresser with my trophy."
Jack simply shook his head as he smiled. He remembered the time she won the trophy. She's so proud of the trophy.

"I'll never see it."
"I'm sorry, Jarrick, but the basketball and trophy are mine."
"I'll have that trophy back."
"I love your optimism." She flirted. "But I don't think so."

"Oh, I have something to show you. It's still in my truck. I'll be right back."
"You're leaving me?"

"I'm just going to my truck." He nodded toward his truck, which was only a few feet away.

"Jack, you can't leave me."
"Elizabeth, I'm just going to my truck. You can go with me if you want." He shook his head. "What's going on?"
"I missed you today. I had to stay and visit with family when all I wanted to do was to be with you. I wanted to celebrate with you, but you were here, and I was stuck back there."
"I understand. I was here all alone while you were with your family. I hung out with some of the boys from the children's center."
"I'm sorry I couldn't be here."
"That's ok. You're here now."

"But Jack…"
His little smirking grin frustrated her as she stopped speaking. She always gave him a hard time about being whiny, and now she's whiny.

"Why don't you come with me?" His smile stopped her heart. His dimpled smile was just perfect. He reached out his hand. She gladly accepted it.

Their parents witnessed the scene. They knew Elizabeth wanted to be home with Jack. While she was a trooper during their extended day with friends and family, she just wanted to be with Jack. Grace nodded toward Julie to go into the house. Everyone else followed them into the home. They were going to give the young couple a few moments. The last couple of days had been extremely busy for them, and they also didn't have much time together.

Before Jack opened the truck door, Elizabeth pulled his hand enough to make him turn to face her. Before he turned completely around, she stepped toward him, crashing her lips against his lips. She had wanted to do this since they pulled into the driveway. She pushed him against the door of his truck.

"I missed you," Elizabeth mumbled as her lips kept crashing against Jack's. She leaned into him as she pushed the kiss deeper. She frantically ran her hand through the hair on the back of his head. Her left hand was squeezing Jack's hand.

Jack tried his best to keep up with his girlfriend. He loved her passion. When she pulled back just enough to catch her breath, he followed her. He was unwilling to break the connection. He placed his free hand on the small of her back and pulled her closer to him. The kiss was loving and passionate. They were lost in their passion.

"Wow…" Jack whispered as they pulled away to breathe. "You're really good at that." His voice was soft.

"Jack…that was incredible." She took a deep breath. "I missed you."
"I love you." He responded.

"Jack…" Her voice was warning him.

His eyes were playful. He leaned in quickly to kiss her a quick kiss on her cheek. "I love you, sweetheart."
"Jarrick Thornton!" She huffed. She playfully stomped her foot. "I just told you I missed you."
"And I told you that I love you." His dimpled grin is beginning to make an appearance, but not fully.

"Is this payback for all those times I made fun of you?"

"I want to show you something." He stated as he opened the door. He pulled out the state trophy. "Now, you can't have this one. I have to take it back to the coach on Monday, but I get to keep it until then."
She playfully smacked his bicep at his changing the subject. Then she looked at what he was holding.

"Come on, then. I know Father will want to see it. The problem is that he may not give it back."
"That's true." Jack laughed.

"By the way, we are not done with this conversation."

…

Connie smiled as she walked hand in hand with her boyfriend. They had just left dinner and were walking toward the movie theater. With the craziness of the last three days or so, they were just happy for a little bit of slowness in their lives.

"I'm proud of you."
"Thank you." Smiled Steven. "It was truly a whole team effort."
"It was, and you had a part just like Jack, Sam, Joe, or Cory. You all did so well."
Steven nudged her shoulder with his. He wasn't a bit fan of that type of attention, even from his girlfriend. She loved his shyness.

"Steven, I love you."
"I love you, Connie. You know…this has been a great senior year."
"It really has. I just wished you would have spoken with me in class a couple of years ago. We could have done this sooner."
"Well, if you didn't date that guy."
"Two dates, and I only did that to make you jealous."
"Connie, I hope this is going where I think it is going."
"If it's going to college with the thought of going beyond college together, then it is as far as I am concerned."
"Perfect." He smiled. "Connie, I can't wait."
"Me either. To be honest, I feel like we have already begun the journey."
"I agree. This is a marathon and not a sprint. We may have just begun this journey, but we are on it."
"Hey, man!"

Connie and Steven stopped walking on the sidewalk when they heard a familiar voice.

"Hey, brother," Steven stated as Cory and Steph walked up. "Hey, Steph."
"Steven, Connie," Steph stated as she hugged her best friend. "What are you two up to?"
"Just finished dinner. Going to the movies."
"Us too."

The unspoken communication between the two female friends was easily understood. They have missed their boyfriends over the last few days. Coach Franklin had them on a tight schedule. The girls spent a lot of time together but not with their guys. Each young lady just wanted a few hours with their guy.

"We'll see you guys on Monday at school. Steph, I'll call you tomorrow."

"Love you, Connie."
…

"That really is a nice trophy," William stated for the fourth time.

The trophy was on the coffee table in the living room. Thomas and Charlette were sitting on the couch. William had pulled a chair beside the armchair where Grace was sitting. Tom and Julie were sitting on the floor opposite the couch on the other side of the coffee table. Jack and Elizabeth were sitting on an oversized armchair together. They were side by side. It was a little bit cramped, but they were comfortable. To be perfectly honest, they were enjoying the closeness.

"Dad, I have to take it back to school on Monday. Each team member gets to take it home for a couple of days."
"That's nice for the coach to do that. It really is a nice trophy."

Elizabeth smirked as she stole a quick glance at Jack.

"You were right."
"I told you he will want to keep it."
"Watch this…I'm about to make his day."
"Hey, Dad, if you'll let me take Elizabeth out on a date tomorrow after church and lunch, I'll let you keep it here tonight. I can get it tomorrow when I come and pick up Elizabeth."
"Really!?"

"Oh, brother." Elizabeth sighed at her father's excitement. "Jack, you may not get it back." She laughed.

"I have to, or I will get into trouble. Plus, I would like to keep it for one night at my house."
"Deal!" William shouted.

The whole group laughed at William's excitement. While William wasn't a sports guy, he did love Jack. The pride he felt was a father's pride for the young man.

"Father, if it's ok with you and Mother, I'll go to church with Jack and then have lunch with Mom and Dad."
"That's fine, dear."
"I can bring the trophy when I leave for church."
"Wait…" William cut in.

"That will be perfect, sweetheart," Grace stated without looking at her husband.

"So…you and me at church. Then lunch with family. Then we spend the day together?" Jack whispered.

Elizabeth tried her best to hide his soft voice's shiver and then his breath on her ear caused.

The evening was great. It was relaxed and laid-back, a vast difference from the last three days of traveling and games. Everyone enjoyed catching up with each other in the relaxed atmosphere. The time flew by way too quickly.

"I'll meet you at church?" Elizabeth asked as she held Jack's hand walking him to the truck.

"May I come and pick you up?"
"Perfect."

Jack gave her a smile. He knew she loved to drive and would probably prefer to drive herself. He loved picking her up. It wasn't an ego thing. He loved being with her. Plus, this was what his father taught him. A guy picked up a lady for a date. He was grateful that Elizabeth would often suggest that he pick her up. He loved the fact that she understood him. His desire wasn't controlled. It was spending time with her.

Jack leaned with his backside to his front driver's side fender. Elizabeth stepped between his legs and leaned into him. Her forearms were on his shoulders, and her fingertips playfully played with the hair on the back of his neck. Jack placed his hands on her hips as she leaned against him. His grip was light but loving.

"Do you have tomorrow planned?" She asked as she settled against him.

"I have the beginning of a plan." He grinned.

"Yeah…?"
"I'll pick you up for Sunday school and church."
"Susan will be happy to see you."
"I think she'll be happier to see you." Jack sassed.

"Maybe." She smiled her sassy smile when she was right. Jack could only shake his head.

"After church, we'll eat lunch with ma and pa."
"Perfect."
"After that, it's just you and me."
"Jack, that would be the most perfect day. I missed you. The last three days have been crazy busy."
"It has been weirdly busy. With me leaving on Wednesday. Then I was with the team the whole time because Coach Franklin wanted us to be together."
"Yeah." Elizabeth laid her head on his chest and shoulder.

"Oh…Coach Brown called me today. He congratulated me and told me he was excited about us coming."
"You mean you."
"Nope. He specifically mentioned you, too. I think he likes you."
"He seems very nice."
"I think he wants to hire you as an assistant coach."
"You're being silly now." She patted his chest. "Has it all settled in yet?"
"Not yet. I think it is settling in a little at a time."
"I'm proud of you."
"Thank you. It's so weird, I think you did just as much as I did."
"That is weird. Jarrick, you did it all by yourself."
"Not by myself, Bella. When we made eye contact, it was very calming. You instantly calmed me when we made eye contact just before my last two free throws."
"When I saw your eyes, I knew you would win the game."
"You gave me the confidence. I knew I was going to make those shots because you gave me the confidence."
Elizabeth let out a soft chuckle. "Us…together."
"The only way I want this to be. Us…together."