Chapter 151 – A Nice Sunday Family Breakfast

While the guys were down caring for the horses, Elizabeth came upstairs. She made a cup of coffee and sat at the counter with Gran.

"Morning." Elizabeth said.

"Morning." Gran said. "The boys are down caring for the horses, they should be back soon. I assume they will finish washing up and get ready for Church before they come up to eat."

"That is fine." Elizabeth said. "I need a bit to wake up."

While they were sitting there, Gran called Chris and learned that they were all up, so they could be there anytime. She told them to come as soon as they were ready. She quickly explained what was going on. Elizabeth couldn't help but overhear. When Gran hung up the phone, Elizabeth looked at her.

"I caught part of that." Elizabeth said. "What is going on?"

"Apparently." Gran said. "Father Mark called Jack this morning, but Doug answered the phone. Something happened and they don't have musicians for Mass at ten. He called to ask Jack. Doug and Nathan agreed to do it with or without Jack. Sounds like Jack is going to play as well."

"What are you talking about?" John asked, coming out.

"Mass at ten." Gran said. "I will explain, just know that the boys have to go in early."

"Security." John said.

"Already on their way here." Gran said. "Or will be shortly. The boys should be back soon. I have the breakfast casseroles heating in the oven. There is plenty for everyone."

As John sat down at the table with his coffee and Elizabeth moved over there as well, the boys came in.

"We need fifteen minutes." Jack said, walking over to Gran.

"Good, breakfast is heating and security is on their way." Gran said.

Jack nodded and followed the other boys downstairs.

"Elizabeth." John said. "How are you doing this morning?"

"I am fine." Elizabeth said. "Jack explained what was going on last night. Like I have said, I feel safe with you guys. I know that you are doing everything to keep me safe and help. So thank you."

"I am glad that you are safe." John said. "Hopefully after last night things will get better. Katie mentioned something about you having a best friend. I am sure that Gran wouldn't mind if you invited her up here for a few days. If that is something that you want, please have JP call me and I can arrange for a helicopter."

"You should do that." Gran said, coming over. "If you want her to come up, she is more than welcome. I think JP was going to try and talk to Doug's parents and see if they would allow the girls to come up on Friday. If that happens and your friend can get away, I am sure that Trish wouldn't mind her coming along."

"Either way." John said. "We just need to know. I can usually get a helicopter with little notice since I do a lot of business with them."

"Good to know." Elizabeth said. "I will talk to Jack and see what he has planned. I know that there is no show this weekend, but Katie and Opal are arriving Tuesday. Jack also said something about going to Toronto Wednesday and Thursday."

"That is why the jet is on hold." John said.

"Yes." Jack said. "I was going to talk to you about that today. I am going to go look at those horses in Bancroft and I thought that I could take Elizabeth on a date in Toronto. I figured it would be easier to get out. I have booked a suite plus an extra room at the St Regis already. I also have a reservation for supper."

"Do you want a driver or do you want me to arrange for a vehicle?" John said.

"The guy was going to meet us at the Bancroft airport." Jack said. "He said he could bring us out to the farm and back. I was thinking of just taking a cab in Toronto."

"I will arrange a car and driver for both spots." John said. "It is not negotiable, especially with the threats. I have a company that I trust up there. I use them when I am in Toronto. Who is all going?"

"Nathan, Doug, Elizabeth and I." Jack said. "Father Mark is going to try and come as well."

"No problem." John said. "I will arrange for a van in Bancroft and a limo in Toronto."

"That is not necessary." Elizabeth said. "A regular car is fine."

"Elizabeth." John said. "If my grandson is going to take you on a date, it is going to be done right."

"Fine." Elizabeth said. "I am not going to try and argue anymore."

Jack just smiled at her. Doug, Nathan and Lee came up just as security knocked on the door. James had come out a few minutes prior. Elizabeth helped Gran pull everything out and get breakfast ready. Gran set the three casserole dishes in the middle of the table. Elizabeth had grabbed the fruit. Jack had gotten up and grabbed the fresh pot of coffee and orange juice. Once everyone was seated, Gran looked at James.

"Lets pray everyone." James said.

Everyone bowed their heads. Jack took Elizabeth's hand under the table.

"Heavenly Father." James prayed. "First and foremost, I want to thank you for keeping us all safe last night. We pray for Your continued protection. We pray for a nice day to enjoy with family and friends, new and old alike. We ask that You bless this food to our bodies and bless the hands that prepared it. Amen."

"Amen." Was echoed by everyone.

Jack squeezed Elizabeth's hand before helping to serve the others that wanted the casserole in front of him. Once everyone had food, Jack looked at his Grandmother and received a nod.

"Just so everyone knows." Jack said. "Father Mark called earlier this morning. Doug and Nathan spoke to him. He had called to ask that I play at Church this morning. The three of us have agreed to do that. So we are going to be leaving as soon as we are done eating. I want to be able to run through the music and look things over."

"That is fine." James said.

"How is your hand?" Gran asked.

"Fine." Jack said. "A little sore, but it won't slow me down."

"I can always play the piano." Doug said.

"We both know that I play better than you." Jack said. "But if I need a break I will let you know. Are we taking the two acoustic guitars or what were you thinking?"

"Acoustic." Nathan said.

"Acoustic." Doug said.

"Fine by me." Jack said.

"I am glad that you are helping out." John said. "All I am going to ask is that you be careful."

"We will." Jack said.

"Can I come in with you?" Elizabeth asked.

"You and Lee are more than welcome to come with us." Jack said. "Just know that you will be sitting there for a while."

"That is fine." Elizabeth said. "I might grab my Bible."

"That is fine." Jack said.

They had a nice breakfast and talked a little more about the day before and the plan for the rest of the day.

"Chris, Andrew." John said. "Have you decided what you want to do?"

"If it is alright with Margaret." Chris said. "We would like to be here."

"That is fine." Gran said. "I planned on you coming over. We have plenty of food. We might have to set up the extra table outside, because even with both pulled together, I don't know if there would be enough room out there."

"Not a problem." Doug said. "We can worry about that after Church."

"Gran." Nathan said.

"Yes." Gran said.

"If it is alright with you." Nathan said. "I would like to make the bacon jam after Church. I saw that you have everything."

"You are more than welcome to do that." Gran said.

"Bacon jam?" John asked.

"Yes." Nathan said. "It is easy to make and it is great on pork chops, burgers, even with a steak."

"Well." John said. "I look forward to trying it. I might have to get the recipe for my cook."

"No problem." Nathan said. "I can write it out for you. The nice thing is that you can make it and store it in the fridge."

"Are you going to do it plain?" Jack asked. "Or maple, that sounded good."

"If you have pure maple syrup." Nathan said. "I can add that."

"We will stop and get some." John said. "I think that sounds great."

"How much bacon did you pull out?" Gran asked.

"I haven't pulled any yet." Nathan asked. "I was going to ask first. But it takes a pound and I was going to double it with everyone."

"I have a five pound package of bacon ends." Gran said. "It is already chopped. I get that to add to casseroles like this."

"If you want I can make the whole thing." Nathan said. "It is good for up to two weeks in the fridge. I would split it into two skillets to cook faster."

"That is fine." Gran said. "Then if we pick up some pure maple syrup, will you make regular and a maple."

"I can do that." Nathan said.

"We can help." Lee said. "This sounds like something I want to learn to make."

"That is fine." Nathan said. "We can do it after Church. It takes fifteen to twenty minutes plus some time to chop the onions."

"How many do you need?" Gran asked.

"Five medium, finely chopped." Nathan said.

"I can ask Kathy if she had time if she could do that." Gran said.

"If she has time." Nathan said. "Chopping doesn't take that long."

"I will leave a note." Gran said. "I will also pull the bacon from the freezer before we leave."

"Thank you." Nathan said.

As the group finished, they took their dishes to the kitchen and rinsed them before putting them in the dishwasher. Once Nathan and Doug were done, they went to grab the guitars. Elizabeth went down and grabbed her purse and Bible. Once they were all back upstairs, Jack looked around.

"You kids take off." John said.

"We will finish cleaning up from breakfast." Gran said. "We will see you at Church."

"Thank you." Jack said. "Who is coming with us?"

"We are." Chris said. "Peter and Andrew will come with your grandparents."

"Then we are good." Jack said.

"So are we." Chris said.

The groups went to their vehicles and left.