Chapter Ten ~ the Big News

It took Jason about a month and a half to completely recover, but to Elizabeth's great delight, he did live. Elizabeth still hadn't told anyone that she was moving in the coming of July.

It was a Saturday when Elizabeth asked Jason to come to her house because she had some big news to tell him. Jason arrived at her house about 20 minutes after their phone call. He knocked on the door and it was opened by Elizabeth.

"Hey, come on in," Elizabeth said avoiding Jason's gaze at her.

"Hey, you sounded pretty upset over the phone. Is everything alright?" Jason asked concerned.

"I don't know if everything is. I'm not sure what'll happen. I'm scared, Jason," Elizabeth stated tearfully.

Well, why don't you start by telling me what's going on first of all then," Jason said.

"Alright, while you were in the….. hospital….. my dad called me. He had some pretty exciting news, or at least what he thought was exciting, to tell me. He said that he got transferred to Hawaii, so I have to move there. I have to leave you and all of my friends. But also, I have to leave earlier than the rest of my family because I'm going to college down there too so I leave at the end of July, which would be in two weeks" Elizabeth cried. Jason just stood there in astonishment.

"Are you serious? But why would you have to leave, couldn't you just live with a friend or something? I'm worried about us! What'll happen to us? I won't ever see you again," Jason choked with tears gathering in his own eyes.

"Oh, Jason! Don't start crying or I'll start crying even more!" Elizabeth said suddenly hugging Jason tightly. "I don't know what'll happen to us and no I can't stay with a friend because it's my family, Jason. I can't just abandon them. I truly wish I could stay here to be with you or maybe you could come with us. I don't know, but what I do know is that I do NOT want to leave you, that's for sure. We'll figure something out," Elizabeth continued still hugging Jason. Jason wrapped his arms around her in comfort and did not want the hug to end.

"Hey, you gave me an idea there," Jason said suddenly while letting go of Elizabeth. "I'll go with y'all to Hawaii. My parents love you, I'm sure they'll let me go. We could get Katie, Josh, Luke, and Samantha to come to so we won't be completely along. I love you and I can't bear leaving you," Jason continued, then kissing her.

"Alright, but only after my parents, your parents, and their parents agreed to it," Elizabeth agreed nervously, breaking the kiss.

"Great! Now I'm excited because I might not have to lose you," Jason said hugging Elizabeth, never wanting to let go. Elizabeth had to force herself to let go, for Jason to continue talking.

"I'm not sure convincing my parents will work so don't go and get your hopes up," Jason warned.

"I know. I'll try not to… for you. And sorry for getting tears on your shirt," Elizabeth stated sadly and embarrassed.

"Hey, cheer up, I don't mind about the tears. It'll be alright. Everything will work out," Jason said in a comforting and soothing tone.

From that point on, Elizabeth and Jason proceeded to watch a movie together. Elizabeth enjoyed every second she had with Jason. Jason had his arm wrapped tightly around her, making her feel safe, protected, and worries-free. She laid her head on his shoulder. He tilted her face towards his and kissed her softly. She didn't want this day to end because she didn't know when her last minutes with Jason would be. A tear slowly rolled down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away so Jason wouldn't notice, but it was too late.

Noticing this, Jason asked quietly, "Hey, you seem really, really upset. I just kissed you. Normally, my kisses have the opposite effect of making people happy not to the point where they cry. Was it really that bad of a kiss?"

"No, absolutely not! It wasn't the kiss that made that last tear fall. It's me might having to leave you! You're my first real boyfriend that I've had in a long time. I feel like God has put you in my life and now is taking you away from me. I love you and I can't bear to lose you," Elizabeth said, letting the tears fall again. Feeling another conversation, she paused the movie.

"Oh, wow… I'm so sorry! Here's what I know: God has a plan for everything that is set before us in our lives. We need to trust in Him to lead us on the right path, but to do that, we have to make the right decisions. This actually reminds me of two verses: the first is Romans 8:28 "And we know that, in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." And the second is Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and He will make your path straight." So you see God wants us to put all our trust in Him and He will show us what He intends for us to do in our own lives to glorify Him. How about we pray together right now?" Jason asked.

"Definitely! I'd truthfully appreciate it, Jason," Elizabeth said thankfully.

"Do you want me to pray?" Jason asked sweetly.

"If you don't mind, yes, please," Elizabeth replied in a small voice.

"Ok, bow your head and close your eyes. 'Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you today to ask for your wisdom on how to answer this choice that has been set before the Banks family. Please guide them to make the right decisions to honor you in all they do and to follow your intended path Lord. But please lay your hands on Elizabeth, Lord. She can't make those decisions without you, Lord. Also, please help her along with myself to make the right choices and to do our best to glorify you in all we do and say. We love you and give this all to you and we put it in your hands now Lord. Thank you for all you've done in our lives especially bringing us together as a couple. I love you so much and so does Elizabeth, and we can't wait to do more to glorify you in all we do. Amen." Jason finished.

"Thank you, Jason that really meant a lot to me but…." Elizabeth didn't finish.

"But what?" Jason asked after a few moments.

"I don't know, maybe I'm wrong but I felt like you wanted to say more than you actually did…" Elizabeth stated pointedly.

"No, you're right I did want to say more. Okay, I'm going to be fully honest with you now, Elizabeth?" Jason said hopeful.

"Definitely, go right ahead!" Elizabeth confirmed smiling.

"Okay, well I've had a crush on you ever since I first laid eyes on you the first day of school in your 9th grade when I came to your school in my 10th grade. I wanted to ask you out so many times since then, but I didn't and I'm glad I waited," Jason said with a pause.

"Yeah, go on?" Elizabeth stated excitedly.

"Well, truthfully, I've only become a Christian last year. But since then, I've been in His Word so much and it's been amazing. I'm also glad I waited to ask you out this year rather than before because I believe God wanted me to do it when I did rather than a different time. I'm also not sure how long we'd stay together – that part is still unclear to me. I love you, Elizabeth, that much IS clear to me. You have been and will be very near and dear to me and have been a very important influence in my life especially since we started dating. Wow, I feel like I'm going to propose to you. Don't worry I'm not…. At least not yet though," Jason said all of this, but the last part being under his breath.

"Wow Jason just wow! That's amazing! I feel like I know so much about you now. Thank you for telling me all of that and being so truthful with me. I'm glad you can trust me like that, especially with something that important. I love you so much Jason!" Elizabeth finished.

"Well, there wouldn't be any other way nor would I have it any other way!" Jason joked.

"Ha-ha very funny, you realize we still have our pool date to attend with Luke, Josh, Samantha, and Katie, right?" Elizabeth inquired.

"Call them, go get your swimsuit on and I'll get mine from my replacement car. It's been in there since….. Well… you know….." Jason said, talking about his accident.

"Yes Sir, Captain Commando!" Elizabeth kidded.