Chapter 87 – The Bonfire part 2

After Bill talked to Elizabeth, they sat there and listened to the music. Elizabeth didn't really hear Jack singing as she was deep in thought. She wondered what it was that was holding her back. She knew that she loved Jack with all of her heart and that she wanted to spend her life with him, but there was something that was stopping her from saying yes. She didn't understand what it was, but the more that she thought about it, she started to realize what it was that was bothering her and holding her back. She had always dreamed of getting married and having her father walk her down the aisle. She wondered if that was why she wanted to wait, she was hoping for her family to come around.

The longer that Elizabeth sat there, the more that she realized that she wasn't sure that they ever would come around. Elizabeth wiped a tear that escaped her eye. She loved her family, but also knew that she needed to do what was right for her and she knew without a doubt that Jack was the right person for her. She wanted to spend her life with him. She wondered if she would still do all the things that she dreamed of if she got married so young. Then she realized that even if her dreams changed some, she would have new ones with Jack and the things that they would do together would be far better then anything that she wanted to do on her own. Elizabeth looked up and smiled at Jack as he was singing and playing. When Elizabeth looked over, she realized that Bill had moved next to her and not across from her.

"You okay?" Bill asked softly.

"Yeah." Elizabeth said. "I guess I realized a few things sitting here talking to you tonight. I realized why I was scared to say yes to Jack, but I also shouldn't let that hold me back. There are still a couple of things that I want to do before we get married, but I think that even if they don't get done, I will be able to do them once we are married."

"That is my girl." Bill said. "Just because you get married, doesn't mean that you have to give up your dreams, some may change, but I promise you that it will be worth whatever sacrifices that you have to make."

"I can see that now." Elizabeth said. "Thank you."

"Anytime." Bill said. "Now, would you do me the honor of dancing with me before I go play with the boys?"

"Yes." Elizabeth said. "But I am not that good."

"You just need to follow my lead." Bill said with a smile.

Bill stood and offered his hand to Elizabeth. He led her out to the dance floor and they started to dance. Bill was pretty good and Elizabeth was easily able to follow his lead. Jack caught sight of them dancing and smiled to himself. He was so glad that Elizabeth was having fun and more than that, that she was getting along with Bill. Other than his grandparents, Bill was one of those people that Jack leaned on when times were rough. When the song ended, Bill led Elizabeth to a bench near the stage where she could see Jack, but also they could see her. He then picked up his electric guitar and made his way to the stage. When Bill sat down, he nodded to Jack. Bill plugged his guitar into the amp that he had left on the stage earlier.

"Thank you everyone." Jack said. "We have a special treat for our next song. I know that many of you have heard this song over the years, but there are many that haven't. Here is one that was written years ago, by our friend and neighbor Bill Avery. I am pleased to get to perform this song tonight with my godfather. I have been wanting to sing this to someone special for days."

"Thank you everyone." Bill said. "As I do every time, even though she isn't here, this is dedicated to my wife."

[Author's Note: I know that All I Need was written by Glen Ballard, David Pack and Clif Magness and performed by Jack Wagner, released in 1984, but for the purposes of this story it was written by Bill.]

Bill counted off the beat and they began playing All I Need. Bill sang lead and the rest just let him. Jack did sing as well, but he couldn't take his eyes off Elizabeth as he did.

Kissing you is not what I had planned

And now I'm not so sure just where I stand

I wasn't looking for true love

But now you're looking at me

You're the only one I can think of

You're the only one I see

All I need

Is just a little more time

To be sure what I feel

Is it all in my mind

Cause it seems so hard to believe

That you're all I need

Yes it's true we've all been hurt before

But it doesn't seem to matter anymore

It may be a chance we're taking

But it always comes to this

If this isn't love we're making

Then I don't know what it is

All I need

Is just a little more time

To be sure what I feel

Is it all in my mind

Cause it seems so hard to believe

All I need

Is just a little more time

To be sure what I feel

Is it all in my mind

Cause it seems so hard to believe

That you're all I need

No stars are out tonight

But we're shining our own light

And it's never felt so bright

Cause girl the way I'm feeling

It's easy to believe

That you're all I need

Ah

You're all I need

Oh ah

As they played the last notes, people stood and clapped. Jack put his guitar down and moved over to Elizabeth. He honestly didn't care who saw, so Jack pulled Elizabeth to him and kissed her hard. When Elizabeth pulled back and rested her forehead on Jack's, she looked at him and had a huge smile on her face.

"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "I loved the song."

"I am glad." Jack said.

"Did Bill really write that?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes." Jack said. "He actually wrote it for his first wife, but he also says it applies to Abigail. I thought it was also the perfect song for us."

"It is." Elizabeth said. "I love it. I may have to have you sing it to me some other time."

"Anytime." Jack said.

Jack sat with Elizabeth while the band played a few other songs. By that time Nathan came up to join them and Bill had switched from his electric to acoustic guitar.

"Where have you been?" Jack asked.

"Visiting." Nathan said. "Carlo wanted to introduce me to everyone. I spent a lot of time talking to Mara, the wife of one of the hands. Miguel was the one that went to get the stuff for Ghost. He had talked to his wife while he headed in. Mara is really into natural remedies and I think I will introduce her to Katie. I think that they would get along great. I also think that Mara might make a great person to help Katie get things set up. After talking to them for a bit, I know that Mara is looking for part time work once the children go back to school, but she wants to be able to be there for the kids."

"How many do they have now?" Jack asked.

"Four." Nathan said. "The youngest will start preschool three days a week this fall."

"Wow." Jack said. "Time flies. It seems just like yesterday that the oldest was starting school."

"That is nice of you." Elizabeth said.

"So, that was a nice song that you and Bill sang." Nathan said. "I wouldn't mind learning that one. To know the person that wrote it is even better."

"It is in the notebook." Jack said. "You can borrow it anytime."

"Are you going to play?" Elizabeth asked.

"I will in a bit." Nathan said. "But you owe me a song."

Elizabeth looked at him with wide eyes.

"Just Danny Boy." Nathan said.

"Fine." Elizabeth said.

Nathan grabbed his guitar and went to join the band. Jack sat back down with Elizabeth. They were watching people dance. James was also getting ready to light the bonfire. When the last song finished the band took a small break and said that they would be back soon. Nathan stayed up there and just played some chords. He also looked through the two notebooks that were sitting there. There were a lot of songs in there that he thought would be fun to play. When the group came back together, Jack and Elizabeth joined them.

"Please everyone." Jack said. "Enjoy the fire, dancing and food that is out. For our next song, I have gotten my girlfriend, Elizabeth, to agree to sing with us."

Jack smiled over at Elizabeth as she ducked her head a little to hide her blush. The group started to play the intro to Danny Boy. Elizabeth started singing and then Jack and Nathan joined her on the second line. By the time they reached the end of the first verse, there were many people who were singing along to the song as it was one of the favorites of the group.

O Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling

From glen to glen and down the mountainside

The summer's gone and all the roses falling

'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide

But come ye back when summer's in the meadow

Or all the valley's hushed and white with snow

'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow

O Danny boy, O Danny boy, I love you so

When winter's come and all the flowers are dying

And I am dead, as dead I well may be

You'll come and find the place where I am lying

And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me

But I shall hear though soft you tread above me

And all my grave shall warmer, sweeter be

And you will bend and tell me that you love me

And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me

O Danny boy, the stream flows cool and slowly

And pipes still call and echo 'cross the glen

Your broken mother sighs and feels so lowly

For you have not returned to smile again

So if you've died and crossed the stream before us

We pray that angels met you on the shore

And you'll look down, and gently you'll implore us

To live so we may see your smiling face once more

Once more

When the song ended, again people clapped for the group that was playing. Most had heard the song many times, but were happy to hear such an amazing version of it. Many people agreed that Elizabeth had a wonderful voice and the way that it blended with both Jack and Nathan's voices was amazing. Even Bill was suitably impressed with the way that the song sounded. Jack once again put his guitar down and led Elizabeth off the stage. He held her for a moment.

"That was amazing." Jack said. "I know that you didn't want to do it, but I am so glad that you did."

"I did it for you." Elizabeth said. "But don't ask me again. I am not used to singing in front of a crowd."

"I am not either." Jack said. "I usually only do it here."

"Couldn't tell." Elizabeth said. "You look and sound so natural up there. I, however, was very nervous. I don't know if I could do it again.

"Couldn't tell." Jack said with a dimpled grin. "I bet I can get you to sing for me some time."

"We will see." Elizabeth said.

After Jack left, the group decided to play a couple more Irish songs as everyone was really enjoying them. By that time one of the hands had joined them with a fiddle and many people were dancing. Just as Jack and Elizabeth were walking toward the food tables, they saw Jack's grandparents. They stopped and waited as Gran and James approached the couple.

"We just wanted to let you know that we are heading back soon." Gran said.

"Okay." Jack said. "I am sure that you are both tired, it has been a long day."

Elizabeth squeezed Jack's arm. She was happy that he was so caring toward his grandparents.

"Don't forget that you have to run to town in the morning." Gran said.

"I won't." Jack said. "We might not stay too much longer."

"Okay." James said. "Thank you for playing, I know that you don't exactly like it, but thank you. Thank you too, Elizabeth for singing. I know that was outside your comfort zone, but it was very beautiful."

"You're welcome." Jack said. "I don't mind playing here, other places not so much. Have you heard from Ma and Dad?"

"Thank you very much, also." Elizabeth said.

"We ran into Brandon a little bit ago." James said. "Sounds like they went into town for supper, then they collected Tommy and are back at the house."

"Okay then." Jack said.

"Was there something that you needed?" James asked.

"Nope." Jack said. "Just wondering. I am going to take Bill's advice and not worry about things that are not my responsibility. Tommy being one of those. However, I am not backing down if Ma continues to push. I am an adult and they need to realize that. I have been making adult decisions for years, but they have failed to notice that I am mature and responsible. They still treat me like a stupid teenager. I am not them and I am not Tommy."

"No, you are not." James said. "I will try to talk to Charlotte, but I don't know if she is going to back down."

"Then it is her loss." Jack said. "However, this is not the time or place for this discussion. I will let you go. We are going to walk around for a bit."

"Have a good night." Gran said. "Please be quiet when you all come in, the rest of us most likely will be sleeping. The doors will be locked, so come in through the garage. You will have to thumb a lock if the automatic opener is not in the truck. See you in the morning."

"Got it." Jack said.

After a quick hug from each of them, Jack and Elizabeth moved on to talk to other people. Jack still wanted to play a couple more songs, but he also wanted to introduce Elizabeth to people. Especially since she would be a vital part of things as they moved forward. Jack knew that it was expecting a lot for Elizabeth to be a visible part of Coal Creek when he took over. He hadn't even told her his plans, but he saw it clear as day that Elizabeth would take over the role that his Gran and Aunt Heidi held as the organizer and overseer of all things Coal Creek. As much as his mother likes to drop the name of Coal Creek when bragging to her friends, she actually did very little to help with the running of it. Her big contribution was helping to register foals for the short time that she was here.

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