Chapter 312 – Jack Checks in with Doug and Lee
Jack, Doug and Nathan all looked at each other. They seemed to be talking without talking and then they started nodding.
"Yes." All three said.
"Registering now." Lee said.
"Okay." Gran said. "Now that it has been decided we will go, remember we will have additional guests who will probably go as well. Lee, are your parents coming back for the wedding?"
"I don't know for sure." Lee said. "I will text them tomorrow and confirm."
"Very well." Gran said. "Trish, when is your James coming back up."
"He planned to drive up on the Wednesday before the wedding." Trish said. "The plan was for us to drive back with the girls on Monday after the wedding. Doug can return with his friends."
"Sounds good." Gran said. "So we will assume he will be going as he will want to see the kids jump."
"I am sure." Trish said. "I will text him so he has a heads up. Doug, what are your plans to return to the city?"
"I am not sure." Doug said. "I guess it depends on if Lee wants to fly back or drive back with all the extra luggage."
"What about Nathan?" Trish asked. "And I am assuming you all will be going back to the apartments?"
"Nathan might now be going with Jack and Elizabeth." Doug said. "Yes, I will head to the apartments. But I will need to get some stuff from the house before school starts."
"If you want to drive." Trish said. "We can certainly let you drive your dad's SUV back, we can fly."
"We have time to work out the details." Gran said.
"What is the plan for the honeymoon?" James asked. "Are you still going to try and go to Canada?"
"I have canceled the hotel and flight to Canada." Jack said. "It looks like we are going to a resort in Northern Minnesota that Frank told us about. We are working on the details."
"Okay." James said. "It has been a long day and tomorrow will be another with me heading to the track. I want to check my email, have a drink and shower. So, I will leave you guys to talk things out. Just let me know if there is anything you need."
"Night." Jack said.
"Goodnight." Elizabeth said.
"I won't be long." Gran said.
James gave his wife a kiss and headed to his room. Gran got up and got the tea kettle heating so she could have a cup of tea before bed.
"I am heading to bed as well." Trish said. "I need to call James and so I will talk to you in the morning."
Trish said her goodnights and headed up as Gran sat back down. Gran looked at Jack.
"So a resort in Minnesota." Gran said. "What is this about Nathan going? I thought you said no to that plan."
"When I first connected with my friend." Frank said. "I learned he had a few cabins available, but the sleeping arrangements concerned Nathan. So we called Devin. Devin suggested that Nathan and potentially myself go with. Devin thought that Jack would be more comfortable with us instead of people he didn't know. Devin did assure us that undercover security would be close, but not on resort property."
"Okay." Gran said. "What do you mean concerns about the sleeping arrangements?"
"My friend gave me two options." Frank said. "The first was two small cabins, but not next to each other. The other was a large four bedroom cabin. If Jack were to take the large four bedroom, Devin thought it would be easier to have people Jack and was comfortable with. All the other cabins on property are rented out to people that my friend knows. It is a huge family reunion and so he didn't rent any other cabins for that week, in case they needed them. They gave him final numbers and cabin choices yesterday. He was going to list the three cabins for anyone starting tomorrow. I just happened to call and he is holding all three until we decide what we want.
Given the situation, Devin was confident that the resort property is secure and given the short time frame on the turn around it will be easy to keep a lid on things. As far as anyone knows there is no connection to this property in Minnesota and even if they went through my background, they wouldn't find it because my friend was in a different unit."
"I agree." Nathan said. "Especially given that no one outside this house, other than Devin and John, know about the change in honeymoon plans. Devin had also assured me that John said there wouldn't be another breach of privacy and the flight plan released to the public. Devin also plans to keep up the pretense that they are going to Canada, to keep the press off the scent. Let them all think that Jack and Elizabeth are going to Canada and just changed hotels. The teams in Canada will stay there to keep up the pretense."
"Okay." Gran said. "Thank you. Are you okay with the plan?"
"Yes." Nathan said.
"So how will it work with JP and Elizabeth staying at the hotel?" Gran asked.
"Peter or Andrew will check us into the hotel on Friday afternoon before the wedding." Jack said. "They will also make sure that our luggage that we will be taking is at the hotel. We will have the rest of it packed and ready to head back with Doug and Lee. When we are ready to head to the hotel on Friday, security will take us. Undercover will stay at the hotel. The plan had been that once we checked out, for security to take us to the airport in Albany and we fly off."
"And now?" Gran asked.
"Hotel, flight plans and show tickets for Canada have officially been canceled." Jack said. "I have yet to make new plans. The only thing I kept from the original plans was the hotel because I had both the Adelphi and the Saratoga Arms on there, so no one knew which one I actually had. Honestly, I have reservations at both, to throw everyone off. I will cancel the Saratoga Arms the day before the wedding."
"Don't forget your riding gear." Gran said. "I assume we will be picking up at the hotel. So you can pack clothes to change into and send the riding gear back here."
"I will." Jack said.
"The same goes for your Coal Creek polo, Elizabeth." Gran said. "I mean if you want to take it to Minnesota, that is fine as well."
"I will figure things out." Elizabeth said. "I have plenty of clothes to take to Minnesota, no need to advertise where we are from."
"So we will pick up you guys at the hotel on Saturday morning." Nathan said. "It won't be a problem as we are heading that way toward the show anyways. Then drop you off afterwards."
"Doug." Jack said. "I will have to send my tack case and clothes back with you."
"No problem." Doug said.
"And Sunday?" Gran asked.
"There are a couple of options." Jack said. Nathan and Frank can spend Saturday night at the hotel or they can come get us on Sunday morning."
"Explain." Frank said.
"You would come back here after the show." Jack said. "Then once you and Nathan were ready, you would take your SUV with your luggage and come to the hotel. I can get you guys a double room. If Frank drives, he and Nathan can take us to Albany on Sunday morning after we check out and we can fly out, leaving his SUV in the secure area at the airport. The other option is for security to pick up us on Sunday and then pick you up and take us all to Albany. Or you can stay here and pick Elizabeth and I up on Sunday."
"I can drive." Frank said. "No need to have extra cars if not needed."
"Then would you be returning to Saratoga or flying to the city?" Gran asked.
"If Frank drives to Albany." Jack said. "We would fly to the city, Nathan, Elizabeth and I would get off. Then they would fly Frank up to Albany since they have to park the plane there. He can then drive his SUV back here."
"Okay." Gran said. "That works, he will just need to keep in touch with us."
"I can do that." Frank said.
"So you are okay with me going?" Nathan asked.
"Yes." Jack said. "And as Elizabeth pointed out to me, since we are able to stay at the resort because of Frank, he should be able to see his friend."
"Thank you." Frank said.
Gran finished her tea and said goodnight to her grandsons and friends. She then rinsed her cup and headed to bed. Elizabeth and the guys finished up, including calling Frank's friend to book the cabins. Jack also booked the flight and sent a message to both Devin and Grandpa John.
Once they had booked the cabins and travel plans, Elizabeth and the guys headed downstairs to relax for a bit as it was only nine. Doug and Lee flipped on sportscenter. Jack, Elizabeth, Nathan, Frank and Father Mark sat down. They looked more at the resort and surrounding area. They even looked at some of the recommended restaurants. Elizabeth also started to make a list of things to pack. She was also making a shopping list and a list of food to pack.
About ten thirty, the group took the time to pray before Frank and Nathan headed to bed. After they prayed, Nathan and Frank headed to bed without much more said. Jack took a moment to walk Elizabeth to her room and give her a quick kiss.
"Are you really okay with the change in plans?" Jack asked. "Going somewhere different, taking Nathan and Frank?"
"Yes." Elizabeth said.
She gave Jack a quick kiss.
"We will be together." Elizabeth said. "It will be safe and we can go to Canada another time. Maybe ever with Doug and Lee, as well as Nathan and Frank. Maybe if we like the resort, we can make it a regular trip to get away. It looks like a great place to take a family. So I would definitely like to go back once our kids are old enough."
"Our kids." Jack said, giving Elizabeth another kiss.
The kiss got a bit passionate and Elizabeth pulled back.
"Two more weeks." Elizabeth said.
"Okay." Jack said. "I had to check you were okay with the change in plans. I know that you were looking forward to going back to Toronto."
"I promise." Elizabeth said. "It is fine. Us being together is the most important thing. Also being safe is important."
"Thank you." Jack said. "I am glad you are understanding about the security and the need to change the plans."
"It is fine." Elizabeth said.
"Also." Jack said. "I am sorry about my parents continuing to cause trouble."
"It is what it is." Elizabeth said.
"Your willingness to go with the flow is another reason I love you." Jack said.
They shared another kiss that again, turned a bit passionate. Elizabeth pulled back first. She put her hand on Jack's chest.
"Soon." Elizabeth whispered.
Jack nodded and Elizabeth went into her room while Jack went back to the sitting area. Jack purposely sat down between Doug and Lee, causing them to move a bit further apart. Doug and Lee exchanged a look, but didn't say anything. Jack also didn't say anything. Finally Doug couldn't take it and spoke.
"What's up?" Doug asked.
"We are good, right?" Jack said.
"Of course." Doug said. "Why do you ask?"
"The change in plans." Jack said. "With Nathan and Frank now going with Elizabeth and I. Nathan moving into the apartment and me being down the hall. All of it."
Doug turned to face Jack more and had Jack turn to face him more as well. Doug then put his hands on Jack's shoulders.
"We are good." Doug said. "Yes, a lot has changed over the last couple of months. But it is good. Our plans may look a little different than we thought, but that is fine. We knew our group would grow and change. It just happened a little sooner than we thought. But it is fine."
"Just thought I would check." Jack said. "I know this summer was not what we had planned when we made plans to come up here."
"Again." Doug said. "It is fine. We have been having fun and things have been good. Lee, are you good?"
"I am good." Lee said. "I am just glad to be up here and able to hang out with you guys. I was not looking forward to spending the summer listening to my mother complain about me growing up and leaving."
"Again." Jack said. "I felt bad and wanted to check in, especially with the most recent changes."
"I understand." Doug said. "But you know me. I have no problem speaking up. So if I was upset, you would know."
"Thank you." Jack said. "I feel bad I have neglected our friendship this summer."
"I promise I am good." Doug said.
Jack nodded and all three sat back to watch the end of sportscenter. When the show was over the three headed to bed, where everyone else already was.
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