The Anniversary - The Preparations

Elizabeth's hand rested at her chest as she looked into the box. There on a folded piece of tissue paper lay a beautiful red rose with a white ribbon tied to its long stem. She raised the perfect bloom and inhaled its sweet fragrance. Then she noticed the small note card dangling from the white ribbon, it simply had the letter "I" written on it. She inhaled the scent again, "Oh Jack, you are the sweetest," she raised her shoulders in giddy excitement as she looked in the box again. She placed the rose aside and carefully lifted a fold of tissue paper, "Oh my goodness!" She pushed the second layer aside revealing a beautiful sky blue dress made of a shimmery silky fabric. She lifted it, "How beautiful!" The neckline was squared and the sleeves were covered in a delicate lace. The bottom had two tiers of lace at different lengths, "This has to be the latest fashion! Where on earth…" She ran to her closet, holding the dress against her body as she admired the stunning dress in the mirror, "Oh Jack, you really shouldn't have…but it's so pretty, I love it!" She was giddy with excitement as she hung the dress up and retrieved her sapphire jewelry from its velvet box and pulled her crystal hair jewels from the drawer and placed her accessories on her dressing table. She bit her fingernail thinking of what else she needed to prepare, "Stockings! I believe I have some white silk ones…" she rummaged through a drawer, "Ah, yes!" She knew since the dress would fall above her ankle, her white stockings and white wedding shoes would be perfect. She began fiddling with her hair, pulling it up on top of her head, pulling a few loose curls down, "Hmm, yes, partially up will do," until little Cole interrupted with his cries for attention. She rushed to pick him up, "Is my boy hungry? Tonight your grandmother is going to watch over you so you better behave yourself," she smiled at the little face watching her.


In town, Jack was at the café following Abigail around, "Jack! Will you please relax and sit down!" She physically pushed him toward the chair.

"I am relaxed, I just wanted to see if you needed help with anything," Jack reluctantly took a seat.

"Jack Thornton, I've planned and executed more than a few dinner's here and I'm sure yours will be just fine."

"Okay," Jack looked up at her feeling guilty, "thank you."

Abigail couldn't help but smile at his expression, "Stop being so nervous, go back to work."

"Work? I'm going to the barbershop for a shave," he rubbed his chin, "I have a very special date tonight." He ran out the door, "Thank you Abigail!".

Abigail shook his head as she yelled after him, "Glad to see you're still so much in love!"

Jack entered the barbershop and waited his turn. He reached into his pocket and retrieved a note, "To my darling husband, I am looking forward to our special evening. I can't wait to see your smile and kiss your lips. I love you always, Elizabeth". Jack smiled, "I can't wait either beautiful," he whispered to himself.


Elizabeth took a leisurely bath in preparation for her special evening. When she went to her bedroom she was surprised to see her mother rocking Cole, "Mother, what are you doing? I thought you were going out today with father?"

"We did and now he wanted to go somewhere with Vernon, so I'm here early to babysit my grandson," she smiled at the happy baby.

"That's wonderful," Elizabeth pulled her robe tighter.

"Besides, I can help you get ready for this evening if you'd like."

Elizabeth touched her hair, "Yes, maybe you could help a bit pinning up my hair."


Jack touched his smooth cheek as he entered the jail to prepare for his date. "Hello Bill, what are you doing?"

"Just filling in for you, Romeo," Bill tapped a pencil on the desk.

Jack smiled, "Oh come on, it's a special night for Elizabeth and me."

"I know that, but someone mentioned you were a little bit nervous," Bill snickered.

"Ahh, well tell Abigail that excited is the word she should use," he went to the back room to change into his suit.

"I don't know, you look pretty nervous to me," Bill yelled after him.


Elizabeth tried to sit still as her mother helped her style her hair. "I don't want it all up, I want some curls down around the sides and the back," she said as she looked in the mirror.

"I've been helping you girls with your hair long enough to know how to do it, just sit still, I'm almost done."

Elizabeth glanced at the new dress, "Isn't it beautiful?"

"Of course it is and it will be just stunning on you."

Finally satisfied, Grace Thatcher put the comb down and helped Elizabeth into the new blue dress. "I was right, you're stunning."

Elizabeth looked in the mirror, "Well, it seems like it was made for me. Jack will like it."

"No doubt about that," she sighed, "and I'm sure he'll like those fancy undergarments too."

"Mother! Just some new things I bought for our special evening," Elizabeth smoothed the dress and turned in the mirror.


Jack lit candles in the café dining room and checked the clock in anticipation of Elizabeth's arrival.

"Jack?" Abigail called from the kitchen. "I have everything ready. I'll serve shortly arrive she arrives and then I'm leaving."

Jack wrung his hands nervously, "Okay, that sounds perfect."

She looked at him, "I thought you weren't nervous?"

He tilted his head.

"You two are just the cutest," she touched his arm, "now get out of my kitchen!"


Elizabeth applied perfume and heard the knock on the door.

"Who could that be?"

Grace shrugged, "I'll go see."

Elizabeth kissed Cole and walked into the hall.

"Elizabeth, someone is here to see you," Grace said.

Elizabeth walked to the door, peered out and gasped, "Oh my!"

To be continued...