If Jack Lived

Chapter 2 - Moving Forward

A/N: SO SORRY ALL. I have been so busy moving, and now working full time. I PROMISE I will try my best to update regularly! Adulting is hard!!! Please feel free to give me your suggestions, for it will help me in continuing the story. Even constructive criticism is welcome!

Please enjoy!

Beginning over the next few days, the town of Hope Valley was in good spirits. Their beloved Mountie Jack was back on duty protecting the streets of Hope Valley. Nearly every resident walked around with a smile plastered on their face.

It was the end of the school day for the students and Mrs. Thornton and it was nearing the end of Jack's official first day back on duty. When the last child exited the school room, in walked Mountie Jack. He had a surprise for his wife Elizabeth.

"Jack," Elizabeth greeted, "I didn't know you were coming to pick me up from school."

"I thought of something and I couldn't wait to share it with you." Jack replied.

"Oh?" Elizabeth replied.
"Take a walk with me." Jack said holding his arm out for Elizabeth to latch on.
Elizabeth and Jack walked to the stables. Jack placed a saddle on his horse, and after mounting his horse he hoisted Elizabeth in behind him.
"Where are we going?" Elizabeth asked.
Jack said nothing in response as his horse takes off.
A moment later Jack and Elizabeth arrived at Jack's land. Lee and his men were moving in lumber.
"Surprise. Today they're breaking ground on our new home." Jack announced. He jumps off his horse and helps Elizabeth down. The two of them walk over to Lee.
"There's the happy couple." Lee greeted.
"Hey, Lee. I just thought I'd bring Elizabeth out here to see the groundbreaking of our future home." Jack informed.
"Of course. Actually, maybe one or both of you would like to do the honors." Lee suggested handing Jack a wooden stake and a rubber mallet.
"Where does it go?" Jack asked.
Lee showed Jack and Elizabeth where to drive the stake into the ground. Jack took the first drive into the ground, then Elizabeth took one after and Jack finished it off. The first stake for the foundation of Jack and Elizabeth's home was in place.
Elizabeth smiled. Her future with Jack was truly only beginning, but soon they'd have a home to call their own and hopefully even sooner they'd have a child on the way. Elizabeth only dreamed of one day having a future with Jack and she finally had it. She couldn't wait for the new home to be done.
Jack and Elizabeth spent the remainder of the afternoon there at Jack's land before they returned to Hope Valley on Jack's horse. Jack rode his horse to their row house. He helped Elizabeth off the horse.
Then he hopped back on his horse.
"Are you coming inside?" Elizabeth asked.
"I'm going to do my evening rounds. Then I'll be home." Jack answered.
"Did you want me to cook something?" Elizabeth asked.
"That's okay. We can go to Abigail's when I return home." Jack replied.
"Be careful," Elizabeth answered smiling.
"Always." Jack replied with a wink.
Jack raced into the distance on his horse to perform his evening patrol of Hope Valley.
Elizabeth entered their row house and washed up. As she then waited for Jack's return, she began tidying up the house. Finally, Jack walked through the front door of the house. She briskly walked over to Jack and hugs him tightly.
"I was gone only 30 minutes." Jack said.
"But that was 30 minutes too long." Elizabeth replied, "I'll always worry that one day you won't return home to me."
"I'll always return home to you." Jack assured placing his hand in Elizabeth's face.
"You can't be sure of that." Elizabeth replied.
"I can. I'm the permanent mountie of Hope Valley. I'm not being reassigned or anything. I'll always return home to you." Jack continued to assure.
Jack and Elizabeth shared a short but passionate kiss.
"Let me wash up then we can go to Abigail's for dinner." Jack said.
He disappeared upstairs for a few moments. He came back down wearing a gray long sleeve shirt with a vest and pants.
"Are you ready?" Jack asked.
Elizabeth and Jack walked through town as Elizabeth held onto Jack's arm and walked into Abigail's Cafe.
Jack and Elizabeth sat down at a table for two in the middle of the cafe.
Abigail walked over.
"Good evening Jack, Elizabeth," Abigail greeted handing them each a menu, "Let me know what I can get you."
"Thank you, Abigail." Jack replied.
Abigail smiles before she walked off to assist another customer.