Chapter 290 – Heart to Heart Between Father Mark and Nathan

Jack just leaned over and gave Elizabeth a quick kiss.

"They will do it, but I promise to be more aware." Jack said softly.

"I am going to be." Frank said.

"Me too." Doug said.

Everyone except Nathan and Father Mark got up and headed to bed. Jack walked Elizabeth to her room and gave her another quick kiss before heading to his own room. She stood there and watched him. She was smiling as she went to write in her journal because getting the marriage license that morning made everything very real and she knew that she would be married to Jack in just over a month. She knew where she was spending her wedding night, but not her honeymoon, but she was fine with that.

Father Mark and Nathan waited a moment and then did night prayers together. Nathan was liking doing prayers with Father Mark and knew that it would be something that he would miss when they headed back to the city. He was going to suggest that they still get together to pray as a group as often as possible with their schedules, especially given that they would all be living so close. It would be different not sharing a room after being so close all summer, but down the hall really wasn't that far if Nathan really thought about it. When they were finished with their prayers, Father Mark looked at Nathan.

"Are you okay?" Father Mark asked. "You seemed to fade toward the end."

"I have never really had so many people care about me." Nathan said. "I guess I realized how much I am going to miss things when we go back to the city. I haven't had someone fuss over me like your grandmother since I was a small child. Before here, I can't tell you the last time that I had a large family dinner where everyone got along. I was worried when Devin told me I would be staying in the house with Jack and Elizabeth. I was afraid that I wouldn't be accepted. I haven't always felt like I fit in places."

"I know that things will be different when you go back to the city." Father Mark said. "But I hope that you consider coming up here with Jack and Elizabeth when they come. From what I understand, there are plans for Thanksgiving. I know that it will depend on school, but I know that Gran extended the invitation to Trish and her family as well."

"Oh." Nathan said.

"You know that Gran would have no problem with you bringing your sister and niece as well." Father Mark said. "I won't be staying here over Thanksgiving, but I will be here for part of the day and the next."

"Would there be room?" Nathan asked.

"We would make room." Father Mark said. "I would assume that if John is coming and not jetting off somewhere he would be in the small master. Trish and Chief would take the large guest room. Jack and Elizabeth will either stay in the small guest or Laura's room. The twins will be in the room that they are. You boys will be in the our room. So your sister and niece can take the room that Jack and Elizabeth don't. Also the girls can be up next to their parents and all of us young adults can be down here. We have air mattress and with Bill, Abigail and the kids here, I think your niece would be fine."

"Oh." Nathan said. "I will think about it. Jack still hasn't share what he had planned for me. He keeps talking about how I fit into his grand plans."

"If I would have to guess." Father Mark said. "I would think that you would be offered a position similar to what Andrew does for John. Or maybe Jack was thinking about you working with Marco and Andy once you are all up here full time, but I really think that Jack wants you in a position similar to what Andrew does for John."

"What is that exactly?" Nathan asked.

"Part security, part assistant." Father Mark said. "I know that officially Andrew is listed as the head of personal security for John. He works directly for John, but also closely with those hired from Devin's company."

"Oh." Nathan said. "Maybe that is why John suggest some business classes and has me enrolled with Jack. I mean more than just for security."

"Probably." Father Mark said. "I know that John as suggested that in the next year that Jack hire someone that would be what Peter does so he can learn that part of the job as well as be there to help keep on top of things for Jack."

"Really." Nathan said.

"You do realize that by taking on both companies." Father Mark said. "That Jack is taking on the equivalent of like three full time jobs. That is why John wanted Doug to eventually be the hands on day to day operations manager for Thornton, Inc. I don't know exactly what his title would be because Jack will eventually be the CEO so may President of Operations or something like that. Either way, Doug will be Jack's eyes and ears in the day to day stuff with Thornton, Inc. There will also be various property managers around here that would report to Jack."

"I guess I didn't realize how much he was taking on." Nathan said.

"They do." Father Mark said. "Which is why John and Grandpa are insisting that Jack have people in place soon that he trusts and can take things off his plate. I have a feeling that Frank's role will expand once they are on the new property and the other managers here might end up reporting to him for awhile."

"I can see that." Nathan said.

"You know that Jack trusts as much as he trusts Doug and Lee." Father Mark said. "I don't know if he share with you, but he asked Devin to always include your thumbprint when he sends him something with a bio lock? Even that new briefcase of his is programmed that way. The lock that Frank brought up here on the suit bags. I am sure if you tried, your thumbprint would work on more then just the locks in Jack's room. He is also trusting you to not abuse that privilege. I understand why he put Frank's thumbprint in the system to open the locks so his guns could be locked up. Since you have yours on you most of the time I am sure it hasn't occurred to him to say anything."

"I know that it works on the one in the room." Nathan said. "But I never even thought to try other locks. I figured if I was to know about things, I would be told."

"That was the point." Father Mark said. "Just as Jack added Elizabeth and gave her a master code, and he gave Doug and Lee access, he has given you the same because he trusts you. You honestly have more access to all things Thornton Inc, then his own parents."

Nathan sat back and shook his head. He was feeling overwhelmed with what Father Mark had told him.

"I didn't tell you to upset you." Father Mark said. "I told you because I wanted you to see how important you are to Jack."

"It is just overwhelming." Nathan said. "For so long it was only Colleen and I. Then I meet Gabe and well you know how that turned out. As much as I missed him for the first few days, I have barely thought about him. Do I wish he would change and apologize so he could be included? Yes, but I know realistically that it is unlikely to happen and I might have outgrown that friendship like Elizabeth realized that she has outgrown her friendship with Rosemary."

"I will continue to pray for Gabe." Father Mark said. "But I am glad that you chose to stick around. I know that it is not easy right with the memories and worry about your sister, but you do realize that Jack and John are serious, they will do anything they can to help you."

"I know." Nathan said. "But Colleen is very independent and she doesn't want to be seen as taking handouts. Neighbors sharing something so Allie is fed is different. She wants to stand on her own two feet."

"I get that." Father Mark said. "But you know that if your brother-in-law tries anything, John is going to come down on him like a ton of bricks. The fact that he is now on the Chief's radar is not good for him. I am sure that the Chief is going to have the entire NYPD on alert for him."

"I wouldn't expect anything less." Nathan said. "Maybe they will be able to keep Colleen and Allie safe without John needing to step in and put her in a different apartment."

"I hope so." Father Mark said. "I would hate to see anything happen to your sister or niece, but please understand that if something does happen, John and Jack will be there for you with whatever you need."

"I am seeing that." Nathan said.

"So how are you feeling about the meeting tomorrow?" Father Mark asked.

"I don't know." Nathan said. "Part of me is questioning if it is going to be worth it or if it is going to be better to just forget everything."

"I understand that." Father Mark said. "The counselor that you will be meeting with at the Church is some that specializes in dealing with repressed childhood trauma. He understands that you don't want to go into depth, but you need to talk about what you remember. He also understands that you have a job to do this summer and need to keep your head in the game. He might suggest future counseling, but for tomorrow it is just going to be sorting through what happened and how to move forward. I have spoken to Gran. We are going to head in as soon as you are ready and grab some food at my house. We will be gone as long as we need and Gran knows this."

"Thank you." Nathan said. "And thank you for having this meeting in town. As much as I know that I wouldn't be bothered here on the ranch, I just feel better."

"I figured it might be easier for you to be off the ranch." Father Mark said. "I also understand if you don't want to talk to me anymore about it. But know that I will always be here to listen."

"Thank you." Nathan said. "But like you, I just want to move forward and don't really want to talk about it, but I also see the point of the meeting tomorrow."

"Good." Father Mark said.

Nathan sat back and took a couple of deep breaths. Father Mark was watching him, he knew that the young man was hurting, but trying to hide it. After a few minutes, Father Mark saw something on Nathan's face and wondered what he was thinking about.

"You look like you have a question." Father Mark said.

"I do." Nathan said. "But I don't know if you are the right person to ask. If you know, I also understand if you can't tell me anything."

"Go ahead and ask." Father Mark said. "If I can answer I will."

Nathan took a deep breath and leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees.

"Is Jack okay?" Nathan asked. "I know that he is dealing with something and isn't ready to talk about it. But last night, he was talking in his sleep and he saying 'I have to find her, I have to find her'. I don't know what he was talking about, but he seemed to be upset. Finally he woke a little, went and splashed some water on his face and then went back to be."

Father Mark took a deep breath.

"Jack will be fine, in time." Father Mark said. "I do know what he is talking about, but I can't talk about it. I will have a conversation with Jack and see if he is willing to share with you, Doug, Lee and Frank about what is going on. He doesn't have to give you the details, but I think it would help if you know. I also know why he hasn't wanted to say anything before this."

"I am assuming this has to do with what Devin said when he came up with Trish." Nathan said. "From the little that I have gathered, he shared something about Jack's past that has been brought to light and it not good."

"Yes." Father Mark said. "I am not comfortable saying anything more. I will have a conversation with Jack about it."

"Thank you." Nathan said. "There has just been little things I have noticed since that visit. Not only with Jack, but his grandparents as well. I am worried because with all the additional media attention, the last thing we need is Jack lashing out and it getting caught on video."

"I know what you mean." Father Mark said. "I have been worried about that as well. I know that Doug has been worried about Jack lashing out at someone, especially a member of the media. We are all trying to keep that from happen."

"I will do what I can." Nathan said. "But I think if one of them gets in his face, we won't be able to stop it."

"I am afraid that you are right." Father Mark said. "But if it comes to that, I think he will be justified. Just as John wasn't angry that Jack lashed out at Bouchard at the banquet, he would understand. He might not be happy about it, but he would understand Jack's reaction."

"Does Jack realize that he could really hurt someone?" Nathan said. "I saw him slam Tommy into a wall in the stable and that is not even the most upset I have seen Jack."

"I know." Father Mark said. "I think he does, but he forgets how strong he is from pushing around a thousand pound animal. Add into that the professional training that he has and I know that it could be deadly."

"I will be keeping a closer eye on him as we go about the next few shows." Nathan said. "Speaking of which, have you ever seen him just stop riding like that at a show?"

"No." Father Mark said. "He could have rode with Bandit's shoe, but I think there were other things and when Bandit threw a shoe, it was an excuse to stop. He was really struggling to filter out the crowd noise that day. That is the least focus I have ever see Jack at a show. I think with the responsibilities that he put on himself it was just too much. He was happy for you and Doug and did you see how happy the other girl."

"I saw that." Nathan said. "She was so excited to get a ribbon. She had resigned herself to fourth, so was excited to get the yellow ribbon."

"I don't know if you saw Jack speaking to the young rider before Doug rode." Father Mark said. "But he saw she needed some encouragement and offered it to her."

"I saw and heard a little." Nathan said. "But I am noticing he is great at that with younger riders. I don't think there was one that he turned away the last two weekends. They wanted pictures and autographs and he was more then willing to spend time with young riders."

"He has always been great with the younger kids." Father Mark said. "I honestly can't wait to see him and Elizabeth have a family."

"I am kind of excited about it as well." Nathan said. "Doug and Lee have told me that I will be Uncle Nathan to any of the kids the three of them have."

"I am not surprised." Father Mark said. "You will just have to make sure that your niece doesn't get jealous. But then if she really wanted, she has three new uncles if she wants."

"I am sure she would be more then happy about that." Nathan said.

"It is getting late." Father Mark said. "As much as I don't mind sitting and talking, we probably should head to bed."

"I agree." Nathan said. "As much as I have enjoyed our conversation, we both need some sleep."

The two got up and made sure that the sitting room was in order before heading their room and going to bed.