Change of Direction

By Rose & Elise

Jack sets the box on the dresser to start filling it. Sets in her jewelry boxes, and the catch all tray for his gunk, wraps a few knick knacks sets them in then picks up a smooth box. Looking down at it Jack sighs and opens the box. He wasn't so sure he should be proud to have this medal. There was a lot of pain attached to it.

Fingers tracing the design he was lost in thought. His mind was on that day the bombing....

Grace stepped into the room carrying the packing tape Jack had asked her to find. Her pace slowed when she caught sight of him. The medal was in his hands and Jack was deep in thought. She knew all too well what those thoughts were. Everything about it had scared her half to death. But she needed to be strong for him. She remembered seeing him in the hospital. His injuries brought tears that she had to hold back. She'd managed to smile for him as she picked up his hand. She loved him dearly and needed to let him know that everything would be alright.

Grace stepped over to Jack and set her hand lightly on his shoulder. "Jack..." She leaned down to kiss his cheek. When he looked up at her, she smiled softly.

The sight of her lightened his heart. How the hell did he ever get so lucky as to marry a beaut like her? Setting the medal in the box he wrapped his arms around her. Jack was whole again and ready for the next step. "Hullo there. You're a very beautiful woman but if my wife catches you here we'll be in a heap of trouble."

She smiled and caressed his cheeks. "Hmm I guess we'd better be quick. Or find a really good hiding place."

Jack chuckled and kissed her deeply. "Are you ready for a new adventure love?. Starting a brand new life in Oz?"

Running her hand through his hair, she grinned. "I was about to ask you the same thing."

Grace looked around the room. It was filled with boxes, but felt empty. Most of their memories were stored inside the boxes. She handed him the roll of packing tape. "I'm finished in the kitchen. I think that's everything."

He reached over and set the tape on the box. "We're almost done here in the *bed*room." Jack giggles and wiggles his eyebrows. "I can't wait to get you home, Grace. I can't wait to get home and get warm. It's too bloody cold here. You know its summer time in Australia right now."

Her fingers played with the top button on his shirt. "Yes, I heard that. I know you're eager to go back home, darling. But now I thought you liked Heidelberg? There's only about three feet of snow outside." She smiled and kissed his forehead.

Shivering playfully he pulled her close. "Germany is beautiful and rich with culture but I'm freezing my tits off. I'd much rather be lying with you in that cute pink bikini on the beach."

He brushed back her beautiful blonde hair and smiled; she'd stood by him at the worst of it. Now they were on their way to a better life. The memory of bumping into her at the coffee shop made him smile wider. "How did I get such a lovely wife?"

Taking his hands, she led him to the bed and pushed him down onto it. "Hmm, why don't you tell me, Jack?" She kisses trailed kisses across his cheek and down his neck. The doorbell rang suddenly, echoing through the bare walls of the house. Grace looked up in the direction of the sound then smiled at Jack. "The movers are here, darling."

He smoothed his hands down her back and sighed. "Well, tell them to just take everything and leave the bedroom for later." Giggling he rolls them over. "I guess we’d better make sure they don't set the encyclopedias on the china."

Giving her one more kiss he nuzzles her and gets up and smiles at her. "Go ahead love, let them in and I'll finish tossing the last few things in here."

Grace kissed him deeply then slowly slid her hand across his chest as she walked out of the room.

Jack smiled as he watched her, turning back to that box he began to fill it with the bits that were left. That box caught his eye again. He picked it up and smoothed his hand over the velvety top. They were off to a new home, starting a new life really. Maybe it was time for more than minor changes. Closing and taping the box Jack nodded to himself and walked out. He set the box with the others and labeled it. Grace stood watching them load their furniture and Jack thought she was just far too tempting. Grabbing her he twirled her around and kissed her deeply.

She giggled and held onto him. "Jack! What's gotten into you?"

"You, love." He smiles. "I was just thinking about how much I love you. Let's get this truck loaded up so we can be alone."

Jack jumped in and helped load their belongings to be shipped. Soon the movers were gone and it was just the two of them. Jack ordered take out and set up a quaint candlelight dinner for her. With a smile thinking she was the most beautiful woman in the world Jack feed her a stuffed mushroom. "This is it love. Our last night in the service."

Grace took the mushroom and smiled softly at her husband. The most romantic man she'd ever met. Jack had spent the last ten years in the Army. She was so proud of him and couldn't have been happier to have him as her husband. "We're going to be spending our anniversary in Australia."

Nods and pretends to think. "Hmmm how many decades has it been?"

She picks up a crouton from her salad and tosses it at him. "Very funny, Jack!"

Laughing as he chomped on the crouton. "Mmm, I think there was a bit of ranch on that. Let’s see it's that paper anniversary, isn't it?" He giggles as he leans over the makeshift table and kisses her.

She grinned and fed him a piece of shrimp. "Close. It's wood. And I know just what I want for our 5th anniversary."

Jack took the shrimp, nibbling on her fingers as well. "And what is that love a grandfather clock? Bird house?" Giggles at her expression. "What? They're made of wood. Okay what's your idea?" He smiles as he nibbles on her fingers.

Grace offered him another piece. As he was about to take it, she held it away from him. "Very funny. What I want is a new armoire for my jewelry. And a clock isn't a bad idea. There's a shop just outside of town. They make customized clocks. Of course jewelry is a great idea, too." She giggled and took a bite of steak from his plate.

He laughed and nodded. "Of course, diamonds are a girl’s best friend."

Jack quiets for a moment as he pushes a bite of meat around the styrofoam container. "Grace, I know we talked about when I got out of service. Opening up a practice of my own... I think I would like to take a while to see what else is out there."

"You enjoy practicing law. Is something missing, Jack?"

Taking her hand he toyed with the ring on her finger. "I've been thinking that I don't remember doing anything else. The majority of my time is spent in a court room or going over briefs preparing for trial. I would like to see what the rest of the world looks like. Spend more time with you." He grins softly as he kisses the back of her hand. "I guess I'm missing what's going by my office window."

Smiling softly, Grace leaned over to press a warm kiss to his lips. "That's a good idea, Jack. We have your pension, my trust, and a healthy amount in savings. We have plenty of time to find just what we need."

Remembering something, kisses him as she gets up. "I'll be right back." Grace goes out to the other room to retrieve a folder from one of her bags. She comes back and sits down then hands the folder to Jack.

"This is everything Bridgid sent to me about The Glen." As he was flipping through, Grace pointed to a document with an old photograph attached to it. "There's an old movie house in the town square. The Joalah Theatre."

Jack looked over the photo and the information on their new home. Something about the old place spoke to him. Visions of an old Hollywood decor lobby filled with guests at a grand opening showing of Casablanca played as he looked though. He smiled wide. "This is perfect love. Is it for sale?"

She grinned and nodded. "Yes, it is. It's a historical landmark, but the town hasn't had the funds yet to put into it. They just recently updated the local park. It'll take a lot of time, work, and money for the renovations, but I know we could do that."

Grace pointed to the front doors. They were difficult to see in the photograph, but their detail was unmistakable. "The architectural design is beautiful."

Nodding as he pointed out some other features getting excited. "We'll make her shine again, Gracie. Fill her seats and floors with people and popcorn." With a chuckle he smiled and hugged her tight. Let's do it, love."

She kissed his cheek and smiled. "I can't wait to see it." Grace sat back and picked up a bite of her salad. "Speaking of 'see', I'd also like to see our new house. You said you would show me a picture at least."

With a playful sigh he gets up and pulls a picture from his briefcase. Sitting back next to her he smiles and hands her the photo. "There you are love. Now doesn't that place just say welcome home Corbett's."

To keep from choking on her drink, she set down her glass. Grace looked at the photograph then up at him again. A look of amusement and confusion on her face. "Jack, it's beautiful. But...don't you think it's too big?"

He tries to look innocent. "Big? Not at all, not for.....six or seven little Corbett's."

Rubbing her back with a smile he hugs her. "Don't you think since we'll be putting down real roots this time that we start giving your mum and dad those babies they've harped for?"

Grace smiled and nodded. She and Jack had been married for almost five years. Together for seven. They'd both wanted children but work had taken up much of their time. The last time they were trying, it had to be put on hold when Jack was deployed. "Yeah," She said with a soft smile. "I think it's the right time." She grinned and nudged him. "Not six or seven, though. Why don't we start with one for now?"

With a loud whoop he gently tackles her to the floor. "Start with one, that's a good plan. We'll ease into the other five or six." Chuckling, he kisses her with deep passion. "I love you, Grace."

She wrapped her arms around him and giggled as he kissed a ticklish spot. Her hands cupped his face and brought him into another kiss. "I love you, Jack."

As he lays against her thinking about all they've gone though the last months. It wasn't completely over but he was whole and holding her in his arms. "Thank you, Grace."

"You're welcome…" She gave him a seductive grin as she smoothed her hands down his body. "…My handsome husband."

Jack smiled and kissed her passionately with a renewed hope for their future.