Author's Note: There is a steam alert for a end of this chapter. The section is marked. If you want to skip it, just go to the next chapter.

Chapter 387 – Friday Night in Saratoga

Elizabeth and Caitlin emerged from the library. Caitlin thanked everyone and said her goodbyes. She said it had been a long day and needed to get some sleep.

"I think I am going to head downstairs." Elizabeth said. "It has been a long day for me as well, with the travel."

"I will be down shortly." Jack said.

"Sounds good." Elizabeth said, giving Jack a quick kiss.

Elizabeth said her goodnights and headed downstairs.

"Margaret and I are headed to bed soon as well." James said. "Four o'clock comes quickly."

"Wow." Frank said "It is almost nine. Where has the time gone today?"

"I know what you mean." James said. "You boys have a good night and don't stay up too late."

"We won't." Frank said.

Jack, Frank and Father Mark picked up their stuff and headed downstairs as well. When the guys got downstairs, they set their stuff aside and took a seat for a little bit.

"I know that it is just the three of us." Jack said. "I thought that it would be nice to pray. I kind of missed that this past week."

"You could have said something." Frank said. "We could have done it in Minnesota."

"It is okay." Jack said. "I didn't realize I was missing it as much as I was until Wednesday night."

The three turned to face each other more and bowed their heads.

"In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit." Frank prayed. "Lord God, thank you for bringing us back to New York safely. Please be with Nathan as he helps his sister and niece. Give him strength and wisdom to know what to do and how to help them. Also please give him clarity about Kayla and the path he is supposed to be on.

Be with Jack and Elizabeth as they are here before going back to the city. Give them peace about the decisions they have made and that things will work out. Finally be with Father Mark as he prepares to leave in a few days. Give him peace and understanding that things will work out. Be with him on his travels and renew his spirit in Rome so he can come back here ready to be Your humble servant."

Jack took a deep breath and slowly blew it out. It wasn't that he didn't like to pray out loud, but what he was going to pray was personal.

"Heavenly Father." Jack prayed. "Be with Elizabeth as she is nervous to return to the city. Give the calm that she needs and help us to protect her as she is worried that something will happen. Put good and just people on her path to make friends with. Show her the path You have laid out for her. Help her to walk that path and be the wife she is called to be. Help me to be the husband that she needs and help us walk the path You want.

Be with Nathan as he struggles with emotions and desires. Give him strength to walk the path You have chosen for him. Help him to know what You want for him and guide in making the right choices. Help the rest of us to be there to support him as his life changes, no matter what it is. Take away his guilt and feeling of being responsible for everyone and allow him to accept the help that he needs and deserves. Help him to accept the help with love and understanding because that is where it comes from.

I pray that You guide Father Mark as he begins a journey of renewal in a few days. Show him how important he is to all of us here and how much we love having him around. Show him that our love and support will not change, no matter what he chooses to do. Give him strength as he is away from family and friends. Draw him close to You and affirm that he is on the path You have set for him so long ago. Help him to find what he is looking for to settle his spirit and be ready to minister again. Show him that he is where he belongs."

They were quiet for a few minutes before Father Mark finished their prayer.

"Gracious and Loving God." Father Mark prayed. "First and foremost, we ask that You reach Your healing hand out to Colleen and make her whole again, if that is Your will. Be with Nathan and give him strength to face whatever happens. Help him to know how to support Allie, who is probably missing her mom. Be with Doug and Lee as they adjust to living with Nathan and Allie. Help them to support Nathan in ways that he needs during this time of uncertainty. Help Nathan to be open to receiving the help and support that is offered.

Be with Jack and Elizabeth as they adjust to married life and starting school. Protect them and keep them safe from those that mean them harm. Guide them to good people who will help them in their journey. Help them to continue to follow You even when that is not the easy path. Be with them as they may potentially run into family and acquaintances who may be hostile about things. Give them peace that they are walking the path You chose for them and give them courage to stand up for themselves when needed.

I ask that You be with Frank as he starts his new life here in Saratoga. Help him to feel like he fits in and lead him to friends that will help him on his journey with You. Guide him as he makes decisions that will impact the future and how the property does. Lead him to the right people that he needs to hire to help him achieve the dream that Jack has. Help him to feel a part of not just the ranch community, but the community as a whole. We ask You all these things in Your Most Holy Name. Our Father … Hail Mary … Amen."

After they finished praying, Jack just looked at his two friends. And friends was the word he would use as well as family. Because no matter what people said, Frank was just as much family as Father Mark was.

"Thank you." Jack said. "I really needed that after the last couple of days."

"Any time." Father Mark said. "I was going to ask if you wanted me to say Mass here tomorrow? Or what the plan was for church this weekend?"

"Honestly." Jack said. "I hadn't thought that far ahead. Family Mass would be great if you can. I know that Elizabeth and I are taking off about ten on Sunday morning, so tomorrow would be great. We can talk to Gran in the morning."

"I can totally do that." Father Mark said. "I have to run into town in the morning for a few things anyway. Then I can go from here to Albany on Monday. I have already worked it out with John that I can park my truck at his place and one of his people will take me to the airport."

"So you flying to the city or where, so you can change planes." Jack said. "I know that Albany doesn't have direct flights to Rome."

"I fly from Albany to Boston and then on to Rome." Father Mark said.

Jack nodded.

"Logan is a nice airport." Jack said. "Do you want a pass to the lounge so you can relax? I mean depending on how long your layover is."

"My layover is like four or five hours." Father Mark said. "So a pass to the lounge would be nice."

"I can email it to you." Jack said. "The best part is, I think that there is a small chapel near the lounge."

"Thank you." Father Mark said.

"Let me know if you have a layover coming back as well." Jack said. "And I can send you another one. I get like a dozen to give away to friends and family a year and I don't use them. It is one of the perks of my black AmEx card. I mean I might use them more if we start traveling more as I take on more business, but right now, they just sit there and roll over month to month."

"That is awesome." Frank said. "I will have to remember that if I fly without you. I saw you use the card in Minnesota, but I wasn't going to ask you about it. I know that they are not easy to get."

"I love mine." Jack said. "The rewards are awesome. I am sure that most people think that I got it because of Grandpa John, but I was able to get it on my own without him. It is something that I am proud of because even Dad can't get one without Grandpa John."

"Wow." Frank said. "That is cool. Since we are talking about things like this, I have a question."

"Yeah." Jack said.

"I noticed all three times we were out to eat in Minnesota." Frank said. "You would pay the bill with a card, but leave a cash tip. Why not put it all on the card and not worry about cash?"

"Oh that is easy." Jack said. "Prove I gave her cash as a tip. I usually leave a little on the card and then if they deserve it, I leave a much larger cash tip."

"What do you mean?" Father Mark

"In most states." Jack said. "Servers have to claim at least ten percent of their total sales in tips. Anything given as a tip on a card is automatically reported as income. So most servers can be taxed on upwards of thirty percent or more of their tips. So since they have plenty of 'reportable' tips from cards, most employers don't require servers to add in their cash tips. So I always try to leave cash for them. Like Grandpa John taught me – prove I have cash."

"Makes sense." Frank said. "I will have to remember that."

"You guys have a good night." Jack said. "I am tired and should check on Elizabeth."

"Goodnight." Frank said.

"Goodnight." Father Mark said.

Jack got up and walked to the room he was now going to be sharing with Elizabeth. He opened the door and was a bit surprised to see Elizabeth sitting at the desk with her robe on and writing in her journal.

"Make sure to look at the door." Elizabeth said.

"Done." Jack said. "Sorry that it took so long."

"It is okay." Elizabeth said, turning around. "I was going to give you a few more minutes before I came looking for you."

"Not dressed like that, I hope." Jack teased.

"I would have thrown a shirt over it." Elizabeth said, getting up and walking to Jack.

Jack was completely stunned watching his wife walk to him in nothing but a thong and barely there lacy bra. He hadn't noticed what she was wearing until she turned around because of her robe.

"You are staring there, husband." Elizabeth teased.

"Because I still can't believe how amazing you are." Jack said.

"You can be amazing also." Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth took a step closer to Jack and reached out to brush her finger across his five o'clock shadow.

"Are you okay?" Elizabeth asked.

"Just a bit weirded out being in Laura's room with you, alone." Jack said.

Elizabeth wrapped her arm around Jack's waist and looked him right in the eye.

"Gran said this was our room." Elizabeth said. "So as part of the remodel, she said she is going to redo this room as well."

"When did she say this?" Jack asked.

"This afternoon when I asked how she was going to decorate the new bedrooms." Elizabeth said. "She asked if there was something I wanted for in here."

"What did you say?" Jack asked.

"Rustic country with a splash of color." Elizabeth said. "We will probably have much of the same furnishings in here, but the ribbons and saddle will be gone and the walls will be redone. I don't know if she is going to paint or what. She said maybe new carpet as well."

"Wow." Jack said. "I am just a bit surprised."

"Like you said, things are changing." Elizabeth said. "And I think that Gran is realizing that it is time that this room changes as well."

"So what about the other rooms?" Jack asked.

"Simple country with some color." Elizabeth said. "Much like what Gran has done with the rest of the house."

"And you are okay with that?" Jack asked.

"Yes, because it is still her house and it fits her." Elizabeth said. "While I love some elements from the farmhouse look, I was thinking more of a mix of farmhouse and modern for our house. There are some aspects that I love from the old farmhouses and I will incorporate them as much as I can in the house, but I also like the more sleek look of the modern styling. I mean I love the big sinks and a wash basin in the entrance. I like large storage closets that were in the old farm houses. I like the large pantry. So those things I am going to add into the house, but most of the furnishings are going to be more modern. I love the wood look where I can switch out colors depending on the season."

"Oh." Jack said.

"Now enough talk about that stuff." Elizabeth said. "And how about you show me just how amazing you are, dear husband."

"Okay." Jack gasped as Elizabeth kissed his neck.

… … … …Steam Alert… … … …

… … … …Steam Alert… … … …

Elizabeth took a step back and tugged at the hem of Jack's shirt and as he went to pull it over his head, she unbuckled his jeans and slipped her hand down his pants. Jack gasped at Elizabeth's actions.

"Slow down." Jack said.

"I have been waiting." Elizabeth said. "So you need to catch up. I thought I would give you a hand."

"Funny." Jack teased.

Elizabeth pulled Jack to the bed and helped him out of his clothes. She then pushed him back on the bed. Jack fell back and let Elizabeth straddle him. She shed her robe and did a little show about removing her bra for Jack. By his smile she knew that he was enjoying it. She leaned down and kissed him and then trailed kisses down his body. When she came back up, she took a moment to dance her fingers around his manhood. The more that Jack responded, the more that she teased him. She heard him hiss a few times and would squirm beneath her. So Elizabeth knew that it was working and he wasn't weirded out.

"Ready." Elizabeth asked.

Jack barely had time to nod before Elizabeth lowered herself onto Jack and drove them both over the edge. Elizabeth rolled off Jack and laid there facing him.

"Thank you, husband." Elizabeth said.

"You are welcome." Jack said.

Elizabeth danced her fingers on Jack's torso as they lay there. They would come together a couple more times before they would fall asleep. By the time that Jack fell asleep, he wasn't weirded out anymore, but had to admit that it was strange to him to be having sex in his grandparents home.

… … … …End of Steam… … … …

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