Chapter Twenty-Eight

It was six months after the birth of the Dawson twins when Eliza finally decided to go ahead with her wedding to Lee Conway, despite her feelings for Maxwell Calvert. For a while there, with the help of Jack and Rose, a romance had begun between Eliza and the young doctor. They would meet at the Dawsons and would take secret walks by the lake and have picnics together. Sometimes, Jack and Rose would even join them. For a while there, it seemed like Eliza had made up her mind and was indeed going to leave Lee for Maxwell.

But that had been before her mother had somehow found out about the secret meetings. Ever since Maxwell had delivered the twins, Marge's hatred for the Calverts grew in leaps and bounds. She did all she could to further damage the Calvert's reputation, so when she found out that her daughter was more than friendly with Maxwell, and was probably the reason why she kept delaying the wedding to Lee, the woman went on a rampage. She took full control over the planning of the wedding and within a week of finding out about Eliza's affair, the wedding was set up to take place and poor Eliza just no longer had the strength in her to fight it.

She did love Maxwell, but the consequences of going against her mother and Lee frightened her. So she gave in. Ignoring the pain that calling it off with Maxwell caused, she did so and was now ready to take the final step to what was to be the rest of her life.

Of course, Rose disapproved of the decision. She thought that Eliza should just pick up and run away with Maxwell. Eliza still remembered their conversation…

Eliza had come for a visit and to spend some time with her friend and her children. They were up in the nursery, putting the babies to sleep when she broke the news to Rose.

"What?! Rose exclaimed, shocked at the decision. Things had been going so well with Maxwell, she had been sure that Eliza would choose a happy future with him instead of the unhappy one that Lee had in store for her. "But why? Why would you want to marry that horrible, abusive man when you have someone like Maxwell?"

"Rose...I can't marry Maxwell. Things are so much more difficult now that mother has found out. She hates him now more than she ever had before. She won't stop ranting about how much she hates him and his family. She threatened both of us if I left Lee for Maxwell and I just...I can't risk it."

"But this isn't what you want, is it? I mean...Lee has hurt you before. I've seen the bruises, despite your efforts to hide them. One of these days, he's going to go too far..."

"Oh Rose, no. Don't think that way," Eliza gasped, shaking her head, trying to deny her friend's words, even though she knew them to be true. She wouldn't survive a marriage to Lee. But it seemed that no one cared about that. Especially not her mother. "Look, Lee may have a temper, but I am sure that it will cool down once we are married. He'd never allow himself to go too far. He cares too much about his reputation. As for Maxwell and myself...it's like I told him. Our situation is impossible. It's for the best that we both go on with our lives."

"So Maxwell knows about your decision?"

Eliza nodded. "I had to tell him, of course. I can't have him waiting for me or hoping for something that can't happen. He'll find love again. With a girl that he can be with. He'll forget all about me."

Tears were in Rose's eyes now. It was breaking her heart to see this happen to her friend. "Eliza...you're making a big mistake."

Eliza stared down at the gurgling son of her first love. He looked so much like Jack with those blue eyes innocently staring up at her. Things hadn't worked out with Jack either, thanks to her mother and Lee. It was just another case of history repeating. "Well, Rose...it's my mistake to make. Just promise me that we're still friends. That my marrying Lee won't change that."

"Of course it won't change anything, Eliza," Rose picked Molly up into her arms and walked over to her friend. "You're my best friend. The fact that you're going to marry that egotistical maniac won't change that at all. I just worry for you. That's all. I guess I was kind of hoping that Maxwell would rescue you like Jack had rescued me..."

"I wish he could have, Rose. I really do..."

Eliza sighed and smiled at the memory. Rose had been her shoulder to cry on that day. She really didn't know what she would have done without her. Now that her wedding day had arrived, she stood alone in the dressing room, thinking that she was going to need all of her strength just to get through the day. Marrying Lee, it was going to be the hardest thing that she had ever done in her life, but it was something that she had to do.

"Are you ready?" Rose poked her head inside the room, trying her best to smile. It was hard to do so when she didn't agree with this wedding at all. "It's about to begin."

Eliza simply nodded her head. She stared into the floor length mirror that she was standing in front of, a vision in white silk and lace. She was a beautiful bride. She was just marrying the wrong man. A few tears leaked from the corner of her eyes as she realized that these were the last few moments as a free woman.

"Are you sure that you don't want to change your mind? It's not too late you know," Rose came in once she saw the tears and hugged her friend tightly.

"I'm sure," Eliza sniffed, knowing that there was really no other answer than that.

"Well, I guess I'll lead the way," Rose sighed, heading for the door.

Taking a deep breath, Eliza followed her, pushing all thoughts of Maxwell and escape out of her head. There was no point in thinking about the impossible. Maxwell was a fun, spur of the moment fling. A play of what if. Now it was time for real life. Her life.

Rose kept her eyes ahead as she walked down the aisle ahead of Eliza. She let her eyes drift over the guests and smiled when she saw Jack in the third row, sitting between Molly and her mother. He held a baby in each arm. Jack smiled as he saw her and pointed her out to their children, who looked rather content to be in their father's arms. Jack truly was a wonderful father. He was always there to help with the children, whether it was feeding, changing, or just comforting them. He sang to them both and told them stories of his youth and he was always bringing home a toy for the both of them. They also joined her as his models in his personal sketches. They were his pride and joy. She was beyond lucky to have found Jack and to have found the courage to do what it took to have him in her life. Unlike poor Eliza. Rose would do anything to change things for her, whether that was giving Eliza some of her own strength or a way to run away with Maxwell. But the way things were looking now...it was too late.

As soon as they reached the alter and took their places, the vows began. Eliza mechanically recited her vows without any real emotion. Even her eye were void of the unhappiness she felt about marrying Lee.

Just as the priest asked if anyone had any objections to the wedding, Eliza glanced over at Jack, a part of her wondering if he would object. But the objection didn't come from Jack, who just sat there watching with a grim expression.

"I object! I object very much!" a voice from the entrance of the church yelled out. Everyone gasped and turned to look who had objected to the wedding. Only Rose and Jack weren't surprised to see Maxwell Calvert striding up the aisle.

Eliza didn't know what to make of this. They had said their good-byes a few days ago. She thought that she had made him understand why she was doing what she had to do. That it was for the best. She had thought that she had sat him free. But here he was, objecting to her tying herself to Lee. Refusing to let her go. "What are you doing?" Her eyes begged for him to leave. She wanted him to turn around and walk away before he got into serious trouble. There was no telling what Lee would do if he didn't.

"What is this, Calvert? What do you think you're doing?!" Lee angrily exclaimed. Finally he was getting married and he did not appreciate the interruption at all!

Maxwell just ignored Lee and took Eliza's hands into his own, making her looking into his eyes, refusing to let her look away. He had thought long and hard about the situation and what he was going to do and there was only one answer. He was going to fight. Eliza was well worth it. He didn't know what would happen as a result, but he was ready to let the cards fall where they may.

"Eliza, listen to me. Don't do this. You don't love him, just like he doesn't love you. You know that you're just a possession to him. Someone pretty to have on his arm. You deserve better than that. You know that you do."

Marge stood up and walked up to stand behind Maxwell, more than a little angry. She had thought that the Dawsons were a thorn in her side, but she had been wrong. The thorns were the Calverts and now here their son was, trying to ruin everything that she had built. "What is the meaning of this?! You were not on the guest list Mr. Calvert! I demand that you leave this premises right this minute!"

Maxwell couldn't stand Marge Hathaway, but it had been hard wired into him to respect his elders. He didn't even turn around to return Marge's angry glare. "That is not your decision, ma'am. It's Eliza's," He smiled at the now openly crying Eliza. He gently wiped away her tears as he spoke. "Eliza, please come with me. Don't let them rule your life. You don't belong with him. You belong with me."

"Maxwell...I don't know," Eliza sobbed. She was so terrified. She wanted to go with him right now, she did...but she was scared. "I'm so afraid..."

"I know you are. I understand that this is scary. But everything worthwhile is. You have a decision to make sweetie. Make it now. Make the right one. Come with me," Maxwell urged, holding his hand out to her, hoping that her choice was him. That she'll take his hand and follow him into their future together.

Feeling confused, Eliza looked over at Jack once again. He had been her first love and had been too afraid to follow him into the unknown. As a result, she had lost him. Now here she had the chance at happiness again. Could she really let it go again? Knowing that it was her last chance? She looked at Rose, her best friend, who had once been in her shoes. She had found the courage to follow her heart. To claim her happiness. She saw in both Rose's and Jack's eyes that they wanted her to have the same happiness that they enjoyed. They wanted her to make the right choice.

Meeting Maxwell's eyes once again, she knew what she had to do. She turned to her mother, who looked beyond furious. "I'm sorry mother. I have to do what makes me happy for once."With that said, she tightened her grip on Maxwell's hand and smiled, pushing away all the fears she had. It was time to be brave. "Get me out of here."

"That's my girl," Maxwell grinned, gripping her hands and leading her towards the exit and out of the church, leaving everyone inside the building staring after them.

"Eliza! Eliza you come back here right now!" Marge Hathaway called after her daughter, running to the door, hoping to stop Eliza's escape, but it was too late. Eliza and Maxwell were gone.

"What had just happened here?!" Lee angrily exclaimed.

"Looks like she dumped ya," Jack snorted, walking up to claim his wife's hand. Rose took notice that he had left the twins with Molly and Ruth, both looking rather bewildered at the change of events.

Lee glared at Jack, needing someone to blame. "This is your fault Dawon. Somehow this is your doing!"

Jack's old friend Frank stood up laughing and shaking his head. He had been waiting years for Lee Conway to get put in his place and was very happy to see it happen. "Get off it, Lee. Jack had nothing to do with it. If you haven't noticed, he's happily married to that very beautiful lady there. He's well over Eliza. Eliza just didn't love you and never did. You were just too arrogant to see that and her parents were too money hungry to care."

Jack just laughed, watching Lee turn red with anger and sputter and curse over the truth. He just shook his head and kissed his wife's cheek. "Come on, Rose. Let's get the twins home."

Rose smiled as she glanced over at her family and saw the babies falling asleep in Ruth and Molly's arms. "Lead the way."

They took one last look around the crowded church and headed for home, hoping for the best for the escaped lovers.