As Jack and Elizabeth arrived at Fort Clay, they left their horse and buggy out the front of the main office and headed inside.
Jack headed up to the front desk with Elizabeth at his side and introduced himself to the Mountie there before requesting to see Superintendent Ryan who he had been informed to report to.
The Mountie informed them to take a seat in the nearby waiting room and he then went off to notify the Superintendent.
Elizabeth took in her surroundings, she noticed numerous Mounties working and making their way through the office. She now realised for the first time that she would likely be surrounded only by men while spending her time at Fort Clay. Jack and her had planned for her to stay two nights before she was to head back to Hope Valley.
Jack started to notice her uncertainty and he reached out and took one of her hands that was resting on her lap. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and she looked over at him and was greeted with an understanding smile, and she gave him a small smile in return.
As they sat and waited, Jack played with her two rings, it pleased him to know she was just as proud and happy to wear them as he was to see her wear them, knowing it was a declaration of her love, and that she was his. He looked at his own gold band and knew Elizabeth felt the same way, ever since she'd placed it on his finger on their wedding day.
"Constable Thornton?" A voice called.
Jack rose to his feet upon hearing his name and Elizabeth followed suit as Jack still firmly held onto her hand.
"Superintendent Ryan?" Jack queried as he saw the middle-aged man stand before them. Jack let go of Elizabeth's hand and saluted the Superintendent before finding Elizabeth's hand once more. For some reason he knew she was feeling uneasy about being here, which caused him to feel the need to be protective of her.
"We're glad to have you here Thornton, I didn't realise you would be bringing your wife with you." He said, taking note of the young couple before him holding hands.
Elizabeth tried to release her hold on Jack's hand, thinking it may be inappropriate, but Jack firmly held on so she was unable to let go.
"My wife is here for two days, we've been on our honeymoon."
"Well congratulations Constable, and Mrs Thornton." The Superintendent told them. "I'm afraid however the only accommodation we have for you is the men's quarters. The rooms are small and well… we don't usually accommodate for women."
"I'm sure it will be fine, and if not, I will find somewhere else for us to stay for the next two nights." Jack replied.
"We do have an empty superintendents house that we could get cleaned up for you for tomorrow. I can arrange that if you like, I'm sure you would find it more suitable."
"Thank you, that would be wonderful." Jack replied.
"I'll send someone out to show you to the quarter's. You don't start here in an official capacity until the day after tomorrow, so I hope you find some time to settle in and find your way around."
Jack and Elizabeth were directed to the men's quarters by a young Mountie. The large building was constructed of pine and spruce logs. It was beautiful but also somewhat overwhelming due to it's size. After showing them to their room, the Mountie said goodbye and left them to get settled in.
"Won't it be a little strange me being here?" Elizabeth asked, suddenly feeling conscious over the all-male presence wherever they went.
"It will be fine." He replied, hoping he could somehow quell her concerns. "If you're not comfortable here I can find somewhere else for us to stay."
"As long as you're with me I'll be fine Jack." Elizabeth replied. She did feel uncomfortable staying in accommodation that was intended only for men, but she knew she would be appeased if Jack was with her.
Jack unlocked the door to their room and opened it to allow Elizabeth to enter first. Superintendent Ryan hadn't been wrong, the room was small, and was only furnished with a single bed, bedside table and a small set of drawers.
"Maybe I should arrange for us to stay somewhere else." Jack said, now doubting the idea of bringing her here.
"Jack, I want to be right here. I want to see where you'll be for the next two months, what your life will be like."
"You're sure? Because we could head into town and arrange for somewhere else…"
She placed a finger over his lips to cease him from speaking. She appreciated his offer, but she wanted him to know she was happy to be right here.
"This is fine Jack, I promise."
Jack leaned in and gently kissed her on the lips. "How about I take you into town for dinner? It's the least I can do after bringing you here."
"Jack, please don't feel concerned about these arrangements. They may be small, but it's clean and tidy here, and I'd much rather be here with you than be home in my… in our row house alone."
He grinned upon hearing her slip in words, and he wrapped his arms around her and she followed suit.
"You Mrs Thornton are so beautiful, intelligent and understanding. I'm so very blessed to have you as my wife."
"I believe I'm just as blessed to have you as my husband Mr Thornton. Although being here, maybe I should be calling you Constable." She said playfully raising an eyebrow.
"I think it's pretty safe to say around here the men are going to know who you are, you can call me whatever you like."
"Anything?" She asked as a smile appeared on her face while her mind went to places as she concocted names in which she could address him.
"Well I was thinking Jack or Constable Thornton would be suitable."
"So, calling you sweetheart wouldn't be appropriate?"
"I sure wouldn't mind hearing it, but if word gets out, I'm sure it will run the gossip mill with the new recruits. That however may not be such a bad thing. After all, it's nice to have a pretty girl on my arm who I can let all the men know is my wife."
"Oh, so that's why you bought me here? To show me off to all the other Mounties." She teased, knowing it wasn't really his reason.
"Of course not Elizabeth." He said surprised, initially not catching on.
"I know Jack, I'm teasing." She said, and she held her arms around him a little firmer.
They both laughed, and he gave her a kiss on the forehead.
"Are you hungry? We could head into town for dinner. We can leave our unpacking till later." Jack suggested.
"I am hungry, so sounds good to me."
They headed out to the stables with their horse and buggy with the intention to leave the buggy behind as it would only slow them down. Jack saddled up the horse, while Elizabeth waited just outside the stable for him to return. Once ready, Jack brought the horse out to where Elizabeth was standing, he then mounted the horse himself before offering Elizabeth his hand and he helped her onto the horse.
"Hold me tight." He said as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
"I'll never let go."
Twenty minutes later they were riding through town, Jack stopped out the front of a quaint little restaurant and tied up the horse before they went inside. A waiter showed them to a table and they both sat down at the table.
"Did I tell you how beautiful you look this evening?" Jack whispered across the table as he reached for her hand, she opened her hand allowing him to take it and smiled.
"I hardly dressed up Jack, we rode the horse in to town." She said, starting to make excuses for her appearance.
"It's not your dress I'm talking about."
"Oh."
"Your dresses are always beautiful, but I mean you Bella." He told her with all the sincerity he could muster and he noticed her blush.
He ran his thumb over the back of her hand as he held onto it and she grace him with another smile/
"I wish we were back in that tiny little right room now." She whispered to him as she leaned over the table.
"In the men's quarter's?" He asked with confusion.
"Mmm hmm."
"You don't like it here?" He asked puzzled as he looked around the room before returning his attention back to his wife.
Elizabeth held back her grin, she realized Jack wasn't used to her being so forward with her intentions, and she knew he had absolutely no idea what she was trying to suggest.
"I was thinking it would be nice if we were alone right now." She said, hoping he would catch on to what she was implying.
"We could go for a walk if you want. We haven't ordered yet."
Elizabeth shook her head and smiled.
"Let's eat first, a walk later sounds nice." She told him, letting the discussion pass. She thought she'd bring it up again when they were somewhere more private.
An hour later, after finishing their meal they made their way out of the restaurant. They walked out into the street and Jack offered his arm out to her. She wrapped both her arms around his elbow and leaned into him as they started to walk.
"Take a walk with me?" Jack asked as they walked down the sidewalk in the dark of the night.
"Is there a reason for this walk?"
"I just want to take my beautiful bride for a moonlit walk. Is that reason enough?"
"It is." She said, giving him a brief kiss on the cheek while holding tighter to his arm.
There moon was bright, so it was a perfect night for a walk as they headed to a nearby park and sat down on one of the park benches. Jack wrapped his arm behind her back and she lay her head down on his shoulder.
"I can't even imagine Chicago being better than this." Jack said, breaking their silence.
"Even if we saw a Cubs game?"
"It would have been nice, but anywhere with you is more enjoyable than a Cubs game."
"I would have gone with you." She reminded him.
"You and me at a Cubs game would have been great, but I'm happy to give it up just to have you here with me in Fort Clay. You make me so happy Elizabeth."
"I'm glad I came. You make me so happy too Jack. It would have been unbearable being at home, having you leave me so early after the wedding."
"I understand, and I know it's going to be a difficult two months, but we will get through this. We've been through worse, and for longer periods of time."
"I know, and we will." She said in confirmation.
As difficult as their time apart would be, she knew that coming to Fort Clay was something he needed to do. She knew this time would pass, and they'd be reunited again soon enough. "Jack?"
"Yes."
"I'm wishing we were in that tiny little room again right now."
"I'm starting to wonder why you have such an interest in our room at the men's quarter's."
Elizabeth lifted her head from his shoulder and looked at him.
"It's because we can be there together… within the privacy of the four walls." She said before leaning in a capturing his lips with her own, and she kissed him passionately which took him by surprise. She broke away and looked into his eyes, hoping to see a sign of him understanding.
"Oh." He said now understanding "In that case I have to admit that I have been looking forward to spending the night there with you too. Although I enjoy all our nights together wherever we are."
"I'm glad you're finally coming around to my line of thinking." Elizabeth said as she held onto the collar of his shirt. She then gently tugged at his collar, encouraging him toward her before their lips met once more.
"Maybe we should go now." Jack said breathlessly as they pulled away from each other's lips.
"Now sounds good to me."
They both stood and then briskly walked back to the restaurant to retrieve their horse and ride back to Fort Clay.
Once arriving back at the stables Jack took their horse in while Elizabeth patiently waited outside for him to return.
"Mrs Thornton?"
She turned towards the voice and noticed a Mountie walking up to her. It somewhat surprised her at first, mostly because he seemed to appear out of nowhere in the dark of the night.
"Yes, I'm Elizabeth Thornton. You know who I am?" She asked.
"We don't see many women around here Mam." The young Mountie replied. "Actually, I've never seen one here before."
"After today, that does not surprise me."
"Do you need an escort back to the quarters?" He asked politely, thinking he shouldn't leave a lady alone out in the dark of the night.
"I'm just waiting for Jack… Constable Thornton. He's just putting our horse away."
The Mountie gave Elizabeth a nod in understanding.
"Well then, I hope you enjoy your evening."
"Thank you, you too." She replied, and he went on his way.
"Who was that?" Jack asked as he walked up to her, wrapping his arm protectively around her, realising he probably shouldn't have left her alone considering it was night.
"I didn't catch his name. He was young though, so I gather he was one of the new recruits."
"Quite likely." Jack said, and they started to walk back to the quarter's.
"Jack?"
"Hmm."
"He knew where I was staying, at the men's quarter's."
"You're surprised by this?
"Somewhat."
"Well I did tell you you'd be part of the gossip mill." He chuckled.
"But we haven't even spoken to anyone except Superintendent Ryan since we arrived here."
"You're a beautiful woman Elizabeth, your presence is certainly going to be known around here, and very quickly. Plus, the new recruits are probably keeping an eye out for me, wondering what they'll be expecting over the next two months."
Elizabeth nodded understandingly as they walked into the quarters. They noticed it was now busier than it had been earlier in the evening as men rushed in and out of the rooms and down the long hallway.
Jack noticed stolen glances being made at Elizabeth by the other Mounties, and the way in which they were quickly stepping out of their way as they made their way down the hallway. He also noticed several of them quickly averting their eyes from his wife as they realised he was watching them. Jack looked down at Elizabeth who seemed oblivious to it all and he continued to walk her to their room.
Jack opened their door, allowed Elizabeth to enter, and then went in himself before shutting the door behind them.
"So you're happy to be back in this tiny little room?" Jack asked as he walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.
"There's so many Mounties here Jack." Elizabeth said, feeling a little hesitant. She felt him press his lips on her neck and she leaned into him and started to relax a little.
"You do know where we are don't we?" He joked, and she turned around in his arms and she gently gave him a playful push.
"Of course, but the walls here don't look much thicker than the row houses Jack." She said as she rest her hands on his chest and looked up at him.
"So?"
"Rosemary is always hearing us, well at least when we're downstairs. What if the other Mounties…. hear."
"I didn't think we were planning on doing much talking."
"Jack." She said, her voice sounding serious.
"I'm sorry. We should just go to bed, to sleep." He said, thinking that was probably for the best.
He let go of his hold on her and started to head over to their luggage to unpack.
"Jack." She said, noticing the disappointed look on his face, and she took his arm and rushed to face him again. She quickly seized his lips and kissed him with all she could muster. Eventually she pulled away and looked up at him. "I don't want to sleep." She said breathlessly.
"You don't?" He asked, taken by surprise, first by the kiss and now at her suggestion.
"I don't. It's just that everyone seems to be busy around here except us. I'm worried that every-one will wonder where you are."
"They are busy, and I think they know where WE are, are likely what we're doing." He told her.
"Jack Thornton!" Elizabeth exclaimed.
"What? It's pretty obvious." He said with a chuckle.
"It's already embarrassing enough that I'm the only woman here. You however seem to be revelling over that fact."
"I'm sorry you're embarrassed Bella, really I am." He said as he ran his hands down her upper arms. "And I admit that I am somewhat enjoying the fact that I have you here with me. It's all so new to me that you're finally mine, and now I get to let everyone know you're my wife."
"I can understand that. I know I always like being on the arm of a man in uniform whenever we're outside of Hope Valley."
"Oh, so for you it's the uniform?"
"No, it's the man who wears the uniform, and he makes me proud to have him as my husband." She said as she played with the button on his shirt.
"That's good to know." He said, and their eyes found each-others again, and they both held their gaze. Jack then leaned in and kissed her passionately, knowing it was what they had been longing for all evening.
"We don't… have to… talk." He said, between his kisses.
"They'd still know where here though."
"For all they know we could just be sleeping." He said, still trying to convince her. He knew she was only fighting against her own mind, as he saw in her eyes how much she wanted him.
"You always speak to me."
"Speak to you?" He questioned.
"When we're making love." She said, a small smile playing out on her lips as she thought about what she was saying. "You always repeatedly utter my name and tell me how much I you love me."
"I know, and you often do the same to me." He said giving her a smile while pulling her closer again.
Elizabeth noticed the colour in his cheeks and she knew exactly what he was thinking. It reminded her of how adorable he was, and she loved him all-the-more, if that were at all possible. She had always loved how he pronounced her name, but now in their most intimate moments together when she heard her name leave his lips, it was something she couldn't quite even explain. Like a sudden rush through her body as she felt and heard all his love flowing through her.
She silently started to unbutton his shirt, every so often lifting her eyes towards his before returning them to the buttons. Once they were all undone she slipped her hands inside his shirt and pulled the shirt over his shoulders and down his arms until it fell to the floor.
They both leaned in to kiss each other and then made their way over to the bed without allowing their lips to leave each-other's.
"I love you Elizabeth Thornton." He said as he looked down at her as he lay down beside her on the bed.
"I love you too."
The following morning.
Jack woke to the sound of men's voice outside their room. He looked down at his beautiful wife as she lay curled up to his side, her head buried between his neck and shoulder. He felt the rise and fall of her body on him from her laboured breathing, and her warm breath on his neck. He held her onto her a little tighter, not that she could go far, as they were in such a small bed, but he still felt he wanted her closer.
He appreciated this time he had and revelled in the beauty of his wife while he waited for her to wake. It wasn't long before he noticed her start to stir in his arms and he placed a kiss on the top of her head.
"Good morning beautiful." He said as she moved to look up at him.
"Good morning my handsome husband."
"Have I told you how much I love being your husband? It's my favourite job in the world."
"I understand, as I feel the same about being your wife." She smiled, and she placed a brief kiss on his lips. "It sounds like everyone else is up." She said, noticing the noises outside their room.
"It does. Maybe we should get moving. Later this morning I have to go meet the new recruits."
"Oh, I didn't think you were starting work till tomorrow."
"This will just be brief, I promise. Then we will have the rest of the day to ourselves." He told her, and she felt relieved. She didn't feel comfortable being left alone while being the only female on the grounds. Not that she was worried that anything untoward would happen, but it still gave her a sense of uneasiness.
After they'd gotten dressed Jack took her to the restroom so she could freshen up. He checked the room to make sure it was clear of any men, and then stood outside guarding the door so none of the other Mounties would enter.
A few Mounties did walk up to the door and he had to inform them that his wife was inside. They then patiently waited outside the door along with him.
"You just arrived here?" One of them asked him.
"I'm here to train the new recruits."
"I assume you're Constable Thornton. All the new recruits have been talking about you."
"I am, and yes, I can imagine there's been talk." Jack replied as he tried to hide his smile, knowing that it wasn't just him that was encouraging discussions between the Mounties, but also Elizabeth.
"I'm sure, and this is a prestigious assignment you've been given. I guess that's why they've been lenient with you in allowing you to bring your wife?"
"Likely, although she's only staying for two days."
Just then Elizabeth made her way out of the restroom and noticed the file of men that had started to wait outside the door.
"Sorry gentlemen." She apologised as she stood close by Jack's side as she felt a little uncomfortable as to what she had just walked upon.
"That's fine Mam. No need to apologise."
Jack and Elizabeth then made their way back to their room to drop off some items before heading downstairs to the cafeteria for breakfast.
Elizabeth felt a little overwhelmed being surrounded by a sea of red as they searched for an empty table in the cafeteria.
"How about you stay here and save us the table? I'll find us something to eat." Jack suggested.
She nodded and he held out the seat for her, waited for her to sit down, and then placed a kiss on her cheek before heading off to get their breakfast.
Once Jack returned with the breakfast he found Elizabeth sitting at the table with three other Mounties. When they realised him standing at her side, one of them jumped out of his seat to make way for Jack to sit beside her.
"You must be Constable Thornton. Elizabeth has just been telling us about you." One of the Mounties announced as Jack placed their breakfast down on the table before he proceeded to wrap his arm protectively around her.
"My wife has, has she." He asked surprised, wondering why they were already on a first name basis.
"Oh I didn't mean to imply that Elizabeth had disclosed anything Constable, other than the fact that you're her husband."
Jack nodded, feeling uneasy about all the attention Elizabeth had managed to capture in such a short time. Although he understood it, knowing it was unusual to have a woman on the grounds.
"Well, we'll leave you two to your breakfast."
The three young recruits then left their table and made their way across the room.
"Didn't take you long to make some new friends." Jack said teasingly.
"Why are you jealous Constable?" She asked him.
"Maybe a little." He said, and he placed a kiss on her cheek while secretly hoping the other Mounties noticed.
She smiled at his gesture, knowing exactly what he was doing but didn't mind one bit. She knew he had no doubts about her love for him, so she revelled in the attention he gave her and how he wanted to make it known that she was his wife.
Jack then took her hand and prayed over their food before eating their breakfast.
11am came quickly and Jack had to head off to meet his new recruits. Elizabeth stayed in their room to read, but after a while she felt the need to get out in the fresh air.
Fort Clay was surrounded by lush green lawns and had beautiful gardens, so she decided to take a walk and look around.
After wondering through the gardens for a while, she got a fright as she heard someone walk up behind her but then relaxed as she felt Jack's familiar arms wrap around her waist.
"Sorry I scared you." He said, as he tightened his hold on her while leaning over her shoulder and placing a kiss on her cheek.
"It's fine, it was a nice surprise once I noticed it was you." She said as she felt his lips trail down her neck. "Jack." She warned him. Surprised by his public display of affection. "There's Mountie's everywhere."
"I know." He said as he gave her one more kiss before turning her around in his arms.
"They'll see us." She said, her eyes wandering across the lawns to see if anyone else was around before she returned her attention to Jack.
"Right now I don't care, I just want to kiss my wife." He said, and he placed a kiss on her lips.
"Well I'm glad to know you missed me." She said with a smile as she noticed how eager and attentive he was being.
"I thought you planned to stay in and read." He said, now holding back his affections towards her so they could speak.
"I did for a while, I needed to get some fresh air though."
"You didn't bump into any other Mounties on your walk, did you?"
"Only the one."
"I hope he didn't bother you too much. The new recruits this morning were congratulating me for getting such a pretty girl to marry me."
"Oh they did did they? I'm sure you loved that." She said with a smile, knowing how proud he was to have her a his own. "Well the one Mountie I did bump into did manage to bother me a little." She said slyly.
"What happened? Are you alright?" Jack asked, concern apparent in his voice.
"Jack I'm fine. You're the Mountie I meant. And I always love it when you "bother" me."
"Oh, well that's alright then." He said, taking her hands in his own. "Maybe we could head back to the quarter's and I could bother you some more?"
She smiled at him, and without a word she pulled on his hand encouraging him to follow her, and they quickly made their way back to their room.
Later that afternoon.
After their early afternoon antics, and a late lunch at a quaint little restaurant in town. Jack and Elizabeth rode back to Fort Clay.
Jack went and picked up the key to the Superintendents House, and they moved their belongings over there for the night. They were relieved to have more privacy. Especially since it would be their last night together before Elizabeth was to head back to Hope Valley.
Once they had unpacked, Elizabeth went into the parlour and sat down on the settee and made herself comfortable.
Jack soon joined her, and he sat down by her side. He noticed her reading one of her journals, but she closed it just as she sat.
"Sorry, if you want your privacy…" Jack started.
"No Jack, I brought this with me to give to you." She said, placing the journal into his hands.
"You did?" He asked, now surprised.
"I wanted to leave a little piece of me with you, and this is all I could think of. While we're apart I know my nights are going to be lonely as I've quickly grown accustomed to sleeping in your arms. I have a feeling it may be the same for you, so I thought you might enjoy reading my journal entries while we're apart."
Jack leaned over and placed a brief kiss on her lips.
"Thank you." He said, and she noticed tears start to well up in his eyes.
"They're my journal entries from when I first arrived in Coal Valley. It contains all my thoughts of you when we first met. Some of them may not be so nice. As you know we used to infuriate each other at times, but I'm sure my it will make you laugh. The other times I wrote of you, well I'll leave you to read them for when I'm not here, but I'm sure they will warm your heart and make you smile, which is what I want you to be doing while you're here alone."
"You're amazing you know that. This gift and the sentiment behind it is beautiful." He said, looking at her in awe. He realized in that moment how much trust she placed in him in handing her journal over to him. Also the intention of her giving it to him to cheer him up while they were apart made him feel elated as he realised how deeply she cared. "I also have something for you." He said, and he got up from the settee and went over to retrieve his serge that was hanging over the back of the chair. He retrieved an envelope out of the pocket and handed it to her. "Promise me you won't open it until you get home alright?"
"Alright. Thank you." She said, giving him a small smile. She was appreciative that he'd prepared something to give her to take home and was excited to read it.
"I'm going to miss you so much Bella."
"I'm going to miss you too Jack. It hurts just thinking about it." She said, tears forming in her eyes as she thought about them being apart for the next two months.
"I'm sorry I've caused this pain, but I want you to know that it hurts me too. If I thought for a second that maybe I shouldn't be here, I wouldn't have come."
"I understand Jack, it's you're calling. I'm thankful to know you will be safe here. At least I don't have to worry about you so much like I did while you were in the Northern Territories."
"And I appreciate how understanding you are, I just wish it didn't have to be this way, especially so soon."
"I know." She said as he brushed back a stray tendril of hair that hung loose by her cheek.
He rest his hand on her cheek and brushed his thumb against her soft skin as he gazed deeply into her blue eyes. He tried to commit them and the rest of her facial features to memory as best he could. He knew he would have time to sketch while he was here and was well aware that most of those sketches would be of her.
Jack and Elizabeth both leaned in and found each other lips, their kisses quickly intensifying with need, knowing they wanted to make up for time that would soon be lost. Time that they'd also recover when he returned home.
"I'm going to think about you every moment you're gone." He told her as he pulled away from their kisses, but he surprised her by pulling her onto his lap as he felt the need to have her closer.
"I will be thinking only of you too, but I don't want your thoughts of me to be a distraction Jack. Please stay focused on your work when need be."
"I will, I promise." He replied and they then continued with their kisses.
Before their intimate displays of affection went too far, Jack stood up while lifting her in his arms and he carried her to the bedroom.
A few hours later…
Jack awoke and noticed it was now dark outside and realised they must have been asleep for some time. He returned his attention to his wife who was curled up in his embrace. Her head was resting on his chest and her arm splayed down his torso, her hand resting on his hip. He noticed the warmth of her skin on his but pulled up the blanket as he knew she had the tendency to get colder much easier than himself.
He had the best of intentions to take her to dinner that night, but now realised it may be quite late and was disappointed he wouldn't be able to take her.
He carefully tried to slip out of the bed, hoping not to disturb her so he could see what time it was.
He stood by the side of the bed and started pulled on his trousers before he heard her voice.
"Jack."
He heard her call him and he looked down at her as he fumbled to do up the belt on his trousers.
"Sorry I woke you." He said, finishing with his belt before leaning over the bed and placing a kiss on her lips.
"It's fine. What time is it?" She said, now sitting up.
"I'm not sure. I'm going to find out. I wanted to take you to dinner tonight but I'm worried we're too late for that. I'll be back in a minute."
Jack headed out to the kitchen and inspected the clock on the wall which stated it was almost 10pm. He sighed feeling disappointed in himself, and then turned to make his way back to the bedroom but found Elizabeth standing behind him. He smiled as he noticed she was draped in the blanket from off the bed, and he took note of her sleepy eyes and tousled hair which made her irresistible to him.
"You're beautiful." He said, pulling the blanket around her tighter to keep her warm before wrapping his arms around her. He placed kisses on her cheeks and she smiled and squirmed, as she knew she was now trapped inside the blanket within Jack's embrace. He grinned and gave her a quick kiss on the lips before they both relaxed again.
"It's almost 10pm." He apologised. "I'm sorry I didn't get to take you out for dinner, especially because it's our last night…"
"Jack it's fine. I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else but here with you." She said, leaning into him and giving him a brief kiss on the lips. "We had a wonderful evening together, I wouldn't want to change that for the world."
He gave her a small smile.
"Although I'm disappointed I didn't take you out, I'm glad we stayed in for the night too." He admitted. "You must be starving though, let me get you something to eat." He insisted.
Elizabeth sat down at the kitchen table, still bundled up in the blanket as she watched Jack make his way around the kitchen, preparing them a quick simple meal.
Once he placed a plate down in front of her she wondered how she was going to eat while caught up in the blanket.
"Maybe I should go get dress."
"I wouldn't mind if you didn't" Jack said with a grin.
"I know you wouldn't." She said smiling. "But I'll be back in a minute."
She ran off to the bedroom and soon came back wearing a rather revealing nightgown that caused him to raise an eyebrow.
"I've never seen this."
"That's because I don't normally get the chance to change first."
"Oh well, maybe I'll have to learn some patience." He told her as she sat down at the chair beside him at the kitchen table.
"You have the patience of a saint Jack. We waited almost five years remember."
"That I will never forget."
Elizabeth smiled and took hold of his hand and they said grace before starting with their meal.
An hour later…
"Elizabeth?" Jack asked as he lay back in the bed, while eyeing off her journal that was sitting on the bedside table.
"Hmm?" She said, engrossed in her book but then put it down and turned her attention to him.
"I know you wanted me to read your journal's while we're apart, but would you read me just one entry?" He asked, delighting in the idea of hearing her words about him with her own voice.
She noticed the pleading looking on his face and she couldn't resist. She knew she had plenty of entries in the journal to tie him over for some time, so she thought one wouldn't hurt and now she thought about it, she liked the idea of sharing her writing with him together.
"Alright." She said, and he grabbed the book off the night stand and handed it to her.
She flicked through the pages, trying to find something she thought appropriate to share. Something she knew he'd likely have further questions about.
"Here's one I'm sure you'll like." She started. "This was before our first kiss, I'm pretty sure you'll know when I wrote it." She then proceeded to read from the journal.
"I feel as though I've lived a year these past few days. I've never felt so frightened in all my life, but my fear pales in comparison to how safe I felt in Jack's arms when he came to my rescue. It makes me realize that, sometimes, we need heroes in our lives, and sometimes, for the people we love, we actually have to become the hero."
"I'll never forget how frightened you were that night. Seeing you like that scared me."
"It's been a while since you've had to worry about me like that."
"It has, although you did give me a bit of a scare that time in the mine also. Though that quickly passed when I got to see your knees." He joked and sly smile spread across his lips.
"Jack Thornton!" She exclaimed with a laugh.
"Well you do have beautiful knees, and legs." He said slipping his hands under the blankets and placing his hand on her thigh. She squirmed at his touch and grabbed his hand and pulled it out from under the blankets before holding onto it in her lap.
"It's not my thighs you saw."
"I know." He said, as he smiled at her teasingly before becoming serious once more. "I made you feel safe? Even back then?" He asked, referring back to her journal entry.
"You did. I just wish I could do the same for you Jack. I've spent so many years worrying about you, especially while you were away in the Northern Territories, but there's nothing I am able to do but wait for you."
"And I love you for waiting Elizabeth, that in itself makes me feel safe. I know that I always have a safe and loving home to return to with you." He said and leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
She smiled not knowing what to say, but also knowing he didn't really need a response. He had just entrusted something beautiful to her, reminding her that they had a safe, loving home together as a family now.
"And I was your hero back then too?" He asked, delving deeper into the journal entry she'd chosen to share with him.
"The entire community of Hope Valley sees you as their hero Jack. Sometimes I think you're a little oblivious to that, but even back then you were always my special hero, and it wasn't just because you were my Constable."
"It wasn't? Then why?"
"Because you told me you care, because you came back for me even though we thought it was your calling to go to Cape Fullerton. It was for so many reasons Jack. Some of them felt significant, and some were smaller, but they all played a part in me falling in love with you."
"And some of the others were?"
"When you saved me from a spider, and also a snake. When you called me 'bella' and then later formally asked me to dinner and told me to consider it as an act of courtship." She smiled, and then continued on as she thought she could lay here all night with him reminding him of all the beautiful memories she had of being with him. "When you drew that tiny likeness of us on the Founder's Day backdrop."
"Oh so you found out about that huh."
"Of course, once I saw more of your artwork it became obvious."
"I'm surprised you never told me." He said.
"It was your surprise initially, but I guess I liked to keep you guessing as to whether I knew or not." She told him and gave him a smile. "However, I think we've had an unspoken understanding that I knew this for quite some time now."
"We have, I just always wondered when you were going to bring it up. Or whether you would berate me for it."
"I could never berate you for it Jack. I appreciated the time you took to paint the mural, and I also knew back then that I wanted to kiss you, not that I would have admitted it."
"No you wouldn't have, I remember you barely being able to pronounce the word 'kissing' to me." He said and they both laughed.
"It was also pretty special when you you drew the comet for me and told me I was deserving of compliments. You redeemed yourself then after claiming my own comet looked like a squid."
They shared a smile and Jack brought her hand up to lips and he kissed the back of her hand.
"We have lots of amazing memories don't we." He said quietly, while reminiscing about their past.
"We do, and those were only a few from our first year in Coal Valley."
Jack noticed her cover her mouth as she yawned.
"You tired?"
"A little."
"You should get some sleep, you've got a long trip home starting tomorrow morning."
"Please don't remind me. I'll think about it tomorrow."
"I'm not ready to think about it yet either." He said, and he put out the lantern before returning to her side under the blankets.
"Jack?" She called out into the darkness.
"Hmm?"
"Thank you for being my hero."
"I wouldn't have it any other way." He said, and he kissed her cheek and they fell asleep in each other's arms.
Elizabeth woke, realising it was only day break as the minimal amount of light filtered through the gaps in the bedroom curtains. She felt the rise and fall of her husband's chest as he slept, and she basked in the fact that she was in his embrace in this moment. She knew the next two months without him were going to be difficult, and she didn't want this moment to end.
The stillness of the morning hours allowed her to come to terms with the fact that she would be leaving him later that morning. Thinking upon that matter made tears well up in her eyes and she started to cry.
"Elizabeth?" Jack asked, as he woke to her cries. He knew he didn't need to ask why she was crying, he already knew what her tears were from.
Upon hearing his voice, she started to sob, and he pulled her firmer into his embrace as she lay her head on his chest. He felt her warm tears on his bare skin and it made his own eyes start to well up.
"I promised you, I'm almost done. Soon I'll be home for a good long while."
He felt her nodded against his chest. Her sobs calming down to a small cry.
"For now you can also know that I am safe. I'll be coming home soon."
She nodded again, still unable to speak through her cries.
After a few minutes he cries settled and she lay her head up on the pillow next to him and looked into his eyes as best she could in the early morning light.
"Help me forget Jack?" She pleaded. "I don't just ask because I want to forget, but also because I need you to remind me how much you love me. I want to take that memory home with me."
"I need you too Bella, and this memory." He said, and he leaned over and kissed her, and they got caught up in each other's embrace.
Later that morning
Jack rode the buggy into town and dropped Elizabeth off at the train station.
"Be safe." He uttered as they stood on the platform, waiting for the call to be made for passengers to step aboard.
"I will."
"Maybe I should have sent a Mountie with you for the trip home."
"I'll be fine Jack."
"Send me a telegram when you arrive home?"
"I'll send one as soon as I get into Hope Valley. I'll write lots too." She told him.
"Whenever I get the chance I'll be writing to you too."
The call went out for passengers to board the train and Jack let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
He looked over at his wife and noticed the tears in her eyes, and he leaned in and kissed the ones on her cheeks that had already fallen.
"I love you Elizabeth Thornton, don't you ever forget that."
"I could never forget." She said placing her hand on his jaw line as she looked into his eyes. "I love you too my husband." She said, her voice only above a whisper due to her sadness.
They kissed each other like there was no tomorrow, and in their moment, they forgot they were surrounded by dozens of other people. Even if they were aware they wouldn't have cared anyway.
After reluctantly pulling away, Jack picked up her luggage and walked her over to the entrance of the train. She handed her ticket to the conductor who then took her luggage from Jack and stored it on the train.
"I'll miss you." She said, trying to stall their departure for as long as she could.
"I'll miss you too. Just remember it's just two months this time. It will go much faster."
She nodded, although they both knew the next two months would feel like forever even though it was a much shorter period compared to the time he spent in the Northern Territories.
"I love you Jack Thornton."
"From chalk dust to eternity…" He finished off and she gave him a sweet smile. "I love you with everything I am, forever."
She nodded as she knew if she spoke her voice would break and then the cries would return.
He gave her one last kiss before she left, and as she turned to make her way towards the train, only letting go of his hand until distance required it. She got on the train and found a seat before looking out the window and finding Jack. She held back her tears as she didn't want them to be the last thing he would see of her. She smiled, wanting that to be the memory she left him with.
"I love you." She mouthed to him as he watched her through the window and he did the same in return.
As the train started it's journey she saw him raise his hand to wave to her and she placed her hand on the glass and watched him until he was out of sight.
A/N I hope you've enjoyed this story. I do still have an Epilogue planned that is still in the works. If we get a happy ending Sunday night it may play a slight influence in the Epilogue I have planned, but if things don't pan out as we'd really like then I will be sticking with the epilogue I have planned. I'm hoping for the best and trusting Erin as she has certainly let us know that this finale is meant to be epic. I can't imagine how the word epic can be thrown around if death is going to be the final outcome for the finale, but I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I hope to have the Epilogue out soon but my emotional state as a result of the finale will likely determine as to how soon I am able to write it.
Thanks again for reading, and please review as I love to hear back from you.
