Life's Journey

by bbflabradors

Elizabeth, 28, has received her Master's Degree, is moving out of the family home, rented her own place, is starting a new job, and has a new puppy to help occupy her time. Jack, 31, is a graduate of law school, and seems to be on the fast track to an appointment as a Judge. Will they make an impression on each other when they meet, and if so, how will life's journey affect them?

21. Chapter 21- With This Ring

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters within this story. All rights and much respect go to Crown Media, Hallmark, Brian Bird, Michael Landon, Jr., the actors, creators, and writers of the show "When Calls the Heart." Any real people or places noted in the chapter are just there for storyline purposes.

Chapter 21- With This Ring

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NOTE: As you can see there are multiple steam alerts for this chapter. Please know that it is not my intention to offend anyone, but this is their wedding and wedding night, so if heat, steam, and desire aren't what you are looking for, please don't go any further. If you do venture in, please do not complain, because you have been warned…

As Jack walked toward his SUV, he suddenly stopped and turned around; "Is it okay if Maverick comes home with me?"

"Are you sure?"

"I think us guys need to be together before the girl comes into our relationship," he stated before realizing how it sounded. "That didn't come out like I'd intended. Anyway, we can go on a run tomorrow morning, and I'll bring him with me when I come over."

"Sure," Elizabeth agreed as Maverick leapt from the front porch and ran to Jack following his encouragement.

"Oh wait, I ordered something for you, and it arrived today. Just pack it away for the honeymoon," she stated as she ran inside, returning a moment later with a package that hadn't yet been opened in her hand.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Just something for you tomorrow night," she responded with a slight rosiness in her cheeks. "You know, I have something that I'll wear tomorrow night, and now you do too."

"Um, I wasn't planning on wearing clothes."

"Okay, just wear it under your tux then…"

With Maverick in the car, Elizabeth yelled out, "Hey, you haven't said anything about the honeymoon, are you going to tell me how to pack?"

Jack had one minute before midnight, so he ran to the porch, "We're going to the beach, I won't say which one, clothing is not encouraged…and I'm most definitely not teasing this time!" he kissed her once more before sprinting to his SUV.

With his hands over his eyes to be certain not to peek, he suddenly realized the need to ask, "You do have a passport, right?"

"I sure do; so, we're going out of the country?" she asked.

"Yes, but you'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out which country," Jack stated as he slipped into his SUV. Needing to open his eyes to drive, he fought the urge to look at her one final time, not wanting to take the 'bad luck after midnight' thing to task.

Jack and Maverick had barely walked in the door when his phone chimed signifying a text.

"There's a bag in the chair in our bedrm. Outfit 4 Maverick 4 wedding. Please bring…"

"Our bedrm; I like the sound of that…"

"Focus Jack…"

"Trust me, I am…it's just my focus may not b the same as yours…"

"Call me. I want 2 hear ur voice…"

"I'm not tempting fate…"

"Huh…?"

"I can't c u after midnight, so I'm not sure I can talk 2 u either…"

I love u, Jack…"

"I love u 2…"

"I was going 2 get dressed at Faith's, but I'll do that here, so u can go 2 their house whenever…"

"I'll c u at the altar…" Jack responded.

"I'll b there, Jack. Oh, when do we leave 4 our honeymoon…?"

"Wedding night at our place. Leave Sunday 4…u almost got me. Leave Sunday around noon…"

Before Elizabeth could respond he texted again…

"Sorry, wasn't thinking. 2 late 2morrow 2 leave for honeymoon. Would you rather stay in hotel…?

"No, we can finally make love in our bed…?"

"Well, we don't need to limit ourselves to just one room…LOL"

"U say LOL, but u r serious, right…?"

"We have a lot of time 2 make up 4…"

"Get some sleep. U r going 2 need all of ur energy…"

"Don't tease me, Beth…"

"Beth…?"

"Just shorter 2 type…"

"I like it. May b my bedrm name…"

"Get some sleep, Beth…u need 2 save up ur energy 2…"

"Dream of me 2night…"

"I always do…"

Elizabeth pulled her suitcase from her closet and packed two of her wedding night outfits, leaving the third to be placed in an overnight bag to carry home with her following the ceremony.

As she finished packing, her phone rang. Assuming Jack had decided to tempt fate, she answered, "So, you missed me…"

"Uh, I guess so…"

"Oh Faith, I'm sorry; I thought you were Jack. Is something wrong?"

"No…yes, uh, I'm sorry, but I was going over the arrangements and I forgot to change the DJ. We don't have music for the reception…"

"Faith, that's okay. With everything that has been done in less than a week, we can dance to a radio," Elizabeth assured her. "Do we need a recording of the Wedding March? I can get it from the computer."

"No, we've got that taken care of."

"Thank you, Faith, for everything…"

Hearing the emotion in her voice, Faith asked, "Are you crying?"

"Not about the DJ. I'm just so happy. In 17 hours, Jack and I will be married, and I just want to thank you for everything. So, please don't worry about the DJ."

"Okay, get some sleep. Are you getting dressed over here or at your house?"

"I told Jack that I'd get dressed here, so I'm sure he'll be over early in the day. So, I'll send my dad over to get my dress in the morning."

"Okay, but I'm here to help you get ready if you need anything."

"Thank you, Faith. You're a great friend, and I appreciate everything."

"You get some sleep…today is a big day!" Faith remarked bringing Elizabeth to the realization that being after midnight, "today" was her wedding day.

Although she knew that Faith was right, and she did need to sleep, she first needed to clear her head. Pulling her journal from the drawer of her bedside table, Elizabeth opened her leather-bound dear friend, flipped to the next blank page and began to write her final entry as a single woman…

"As I look back on my life, there is no doubt that every choice, decision, adventure, experience, and yes, every regret I've had, has led me to this moment, and to you. I put the sadness of my past tribulations behind me, realizing that each and every heartbreak has been well worth the pain, for if I had done even one thing differently, I may have never met you.

Today my best friend will become my family. We will grow together and learn from each other, knowing the importance of accepting each one for who they are, and making no attempts to change them. For when you release expectations, you are then free to enjoy things the way they are instead of the way you think they should be.

Marriage is the combining of two lives, two hearts and two souls as they become united as one. They will then hopefully stand strong together throughout whatever challenges are forced upon them.

Changes are inevitable; some are good, some are bad, but all require adjustments. Many changes deal with us as individuals, but still others take into consideration those who are or who have become remarkably close to us. As I prepare to make one of the biggest changes in my life, I am so thankful for this man that God has placed before me. I can honestly say that I did not fall in love with you, but with my eyes wide open, I walked in and your heart welcomed me.

Jack is kind, brave, considerate, thoughtful and loving, a true Eagle Scout, if there ever was one. I feel alive with the simple touch of his hand; he comforts me with his strong arms, and his love envelopes me always. I can only hope to strive to be as much of a blessing to him as he is to me.

As we start our new life together, I hope you realize that I'm not the type of woman your mother warned you about. I won't keep secrets, kiss your best friend, and break your heart. I won't make you give up those activities you love to do, just because they aren't my thing. I'm not cold, indifferent or reckless. My dearest Jack, I will love you more than life itself; I will hold you when you cry; rejoice with you when you are happy, but know from this day forward, I will always stand beside you, as I know you will do for me so that neither one of us falls.

As I embark on this new chapter of my life, I do so with complete joy. Yes, there is also some fear of the unknown, but I truly trust him with my life…and my heart."

Elizabeth placed her open hand on the page and closed her eyes, as if the words would pass internally, filling her heart and remaining with her always.

She lay in bed, staring into the darkness at the ceiling. As tears of joy slipped from the sides of her eyes and crossed her temples before being wiped away, she took a chance and called Jack.

He didn't say 'Hello,' 'I love you' or 'Hi sweetheart.' His first words were, "Is something wrong?"

"I'm sorry to call you …"

With the exception of the fact that he still worried that something would happen to disrupt the ceremony, or that they shouldn't talk after midnight, the fact was he was wide awake, couldn't sleep without her beside him, and he missed her terribly. "What is it honey?"

"Jack, I miss you, and I can't sleep."

"Just close your eyes," he whispered. "I love you Beth…"

She didn't know why, because 'Beth' was a shortened version of her name, but growing up, no one ever called her that. Somehow hearing it pass softly through his lips caused her blood to warm, and the butterflies to flutter in her abdomen.

"I love you too," she whispered back. Her eyes remained closed, but her emotions were in overdrive.

"Are you in your room?" he asked.

"Yes…"

"Okay, I'll be right over, but we just have to be careful not to see each other," he stated.

"What are you going to do?" she asked.

"I have an idea…"

Fifteen minutes later, she heard a soft tapping on her window. Standing just outside wearing his flannel pajama bottoms, a t-shirt, and a knitted face mask with all but his eyes covered, he stood quietly as she opened the widow and screen.

With their eyes remaining closed, she took a seat on the floor and they held hands through the open window and talked.

"I'm sorry…" she whispered.

"Sorry for what, honey?"

"I just missed you and I didn't want you to leave…"

"I didn't want to leave either, but in a few hours, we'll be husband and wife," he responded.

"I know, I just…"

"Honey are you scared?" he asked.

"Scared of what?"

"Being married, our wedding night, all of it…?"

"No, I'm not scared. Jack, I trust you completely, but I don't want you to be disappointed…"

"Beth, disappointed in what?"

There he went again, calling her Beth. Her blood, already warmed by his touch, continued to spread its warmth throughout her body. "Jack, I don't want you to be disappointed in me," she replied. "I mean, just because I've never done it doesn't mean I don't know what to do, but I don't know what you like, or if I'll be any good at it."

His thumb brushed across the top of her hand, "Just being with you as your husband will be a dream to me. We have plenty of time to learn what feels good to each of us. I'm not worried, and I don't want you to be either."

"Thank you, Jack…"

"You're welcome…B-E-T-H," he yelled out as he was hit from behind and knocked to the ground.

Initially fighting, he immediately stopped when he heard, "Virginia Beach Police, put your hands behind your head…"

"Jack…Jack…what's going on," Elizabeth called out as she felt his hand ripped away from hers.

Just outside, Jack lay with his face pressed into the grass as a Virginia Beach police office rested his knee in his back while cuffing him and calling for back-up.

"Stop fighting; you're under arrest…" the officer yelled.

"Jack…" Elizabeth called out again as she rose to her knees and rested her head on the windowsill. With her eyes no longer closed, she could barely make out two figures on the ground as multiple voices argued back and forth.

"Ma'am, are you alright?" The officer asked as he pulled Jack up and dragged him over to the window. "Do you recognize him?" The officer asked as he pulled the mask from Jack's face.

Elizabeth immediately closed and covered her eyes as both she and Jack turned away. "That's my fiancé, Jack Thornton…release him now, please."

"How do you know who it is, ma'am, you haven't looked at him," the officer remarked.

"Elizabeth, is something wrong?" Mr. Thatcher called out from the hallway.

"No daddy go back to bed," she requested.

Observing a bouncing light from underneath the door, Mr. Thatcher walked into her room. "Elizabeth, what's going on?"

"Daddy just go back to bed," she responded. Keeping her eyes closed but turning her attention to the officer who was still holding a handcuffed Jack, she again stated, "He's my fiancé, please release him…"

"Are you into role playing games or something? I mean, I've got to tell you, wearing a mask while you're standing outside the window of a house at night is not real bright."

"Jack, what are you doing out there?" Mr. Thatcher asked as he stood and looked out the window.

"Do you know him?" the officer asked.

"Yes, that's my daughter's fiancé, Jack Thornton."

The officer shined his light in Jack's face, "Oh My God, you're Judge Thornton?"

"Yes, I'm not a burglar," Jack responded as the officer immediately released him from the handcuffs.

"Oh sir, I'm so sorry, but we had a call from a neighbor of a possible burglary in the area," the officer began to explain. "When I drove by, I saw you at the window dressed like a…well, dressed like this."

Jack brushed himself off, "I'm in my pajamas. How many burglars do you know who break into houses wearing their pajamas?"

Fearing that he'd face Jack's ire the next time he was in Juvenile Court, he asked, "Please sir, I'm so sorry. Is there anything I can do to make this right?"

Jack took a deep breath and turned to face the officer and stuck out his arm to shake his hand.

"I'm confused," the officer muttered.

"Look, if there was a burglar here breaking into my fiancé home, I'd want someone here to protect her."

"May I ask, what are you doing here?" the officer asked. "That is if it isn't too personal…"

Jack would like to have said that it was none of his business, but given that he'd just been released from handcuffs, and wanted to make it to his wedding later in the day, he decided to answer the question. "We're getting married later today, and I didn't want to see her because it's bad luck."

"Well, you know…you could have foregone the mask and just kept your eyes closed. I'm assuming you had to do that anyway," the officer advised.

"I didn't really think of that at the time," Jack replied.

The officer turned to Elizabeth, "I'm really sorry, ma'am?"

"Please, just leave," Elizabeth stated as an unmarked police car with lights flashing also arrived on the scene.

Rushing up to the side of the house, Lee simply stopped, and shook his head before beginning to laugh. "You're the burglar?"

"Apparently so," Jack responded.

"What are you doing?" Lee asked.

"Sir, that's Judge Thornton," the officer announced as if Lee was clueless.

"I know who he is; we're good friends, and he's no burglar."

"Yes sir, we've determined that," the officer uttered. "I'm going to clear the scene now."

"Yeah, I think that would be a good idea," Lee mentioned as the officer walked back toward his patrol car.

Luckily from what Elizabeth could see, no one, was standing outside watching, so she could only hope that the original caller was hopefully the only neighbor to witness this embarrassing moment.

"What are you doing here, Lee?" Jack asked.

"I heard the call come over the radio and I recognized Elizabeth's address," Lee responded. "Jack are you alright?" he asked.

"I've had better times, but he thought I was breaking in and I guess since I was wearing a mask, he thought…"

"You were wearing a mask?" Lee asked as he began to laugh again.

"Don't ask…"

"Okay, I'm going to leave now. Try not to get into any more trouble," Lee suggested. "Good night everyone…well, I guess now it's good morning," he stated as he disappeared into the moonlit night.

"Are you okay, Jack?" Mr. Thatcher asked as he hung out the window.

"Just mortified, sir…"

"Daddy, can Jack and I have a moment, please?"

Now, afraid to tempt fate more than ever before, their eyes remained closed as they held hands. He could hear her crying, "I'm so sorry Jack. I told you that I'm nothing but trouble."

Jack laughed, "Just think of the story we'll be able to tell our children about the day we got married, and daddy was almost arrested."

Jack continued, "Keep your eyes closed but lean out the window."

Elizabeth did as he asked, and she felt his hand slip behind her neck. With his other hand resting along her cheek line, his lips pressed gently against hers.

"I'm going home now. You get some rest, and I'll see you very soon," he whispered as he kissed her once more before disappearing into the night.

Elizabeth leaned back inside her bedroom, closed the window and returned to bed. Most likely having given in to the exhaustion, she fell asleep and didn't wake until 9:30 AM. She stretched her legs and felt something sitting at the end of her bed.

She sat up in bed and pulled an unopened box into her lap. Careful not to damage her manicure, Elizabeth opened the lid and pulled out the envelope which was sitting on top.

Dear Elizabeth,

I am so sorry that I am unable to be at your wedding.
I love you unconditionally and want nothing more
than to share this day with you. I know your heart,
and Jack must truly be the one for you. I'm so happy
for you both.

Although I'm not there, you know I couldn't let today
go by without a special gift. You've given your heart
to Jack, and I know you…it's now time to give him your
body…

"WHOA Julie," Elizabeth glanced away from the note and began to dig into the box. There were three negligees folded in a pile in assorted colors. The first one Elizabeth pulled from the box was relatively tame, and something that she initially believed she could see herself wearing. It was sheer, an eggshell color with a lace V-neck bodice, spaghetti straps, low back, and overlapping material on the side which provided for a slit in the negligee that went up the left thigh. Below this negligee was a matching thong.

"Well, there you go…that's the Julie I know," she whispered.

The next item brought Elizabeth back to her much younger days. It was a one-piece romper with lace across the top and the shorts bottoms, with an elastic waist and spaghetti straps. Although the ones she wore when she was a kid, were not nearly as sexy. "Certainly not what I expected from you, Julie; it's quite the surprise."

Elizabeth dug deeper into the box; feeling lace and satin, she pulled out a two-piece camisole and shorts set in navy blue. The top had lace with a keyhole opening in the area of her cleavage and fell loosely to her hips. The shorts couldn't have been more than a few inches long with slits on the sides which opened all the way to the elastic waist. The spaghetti straps over the shoulders connected to the material on the back which remained open.

Elizabeth held up both pieces, "Short, but kinda cute. Hmm, Judge Thornton, would you like this…?"

She laughed before folding the satin set and placing it on the pile with the others. With more things in the box, Elizabeth reached her hand back inside. Although just as ready for the upcoming nighttime activities as Jack, with a strong desire to visually please him, she had to admit that Julie had completely surprised her with the lingerie selections enclosed. Ordinarily, each item she pulled out would make Elizabeth blush in varying degrees, with a rapid-fire return of the garment to the box.

Elizabeth so far appreciated everything that Julie sent her, some a little more than others, but each one she could see herself wearing. The box was not yet empty with one more outfit which immediately caught her eye.

It was a one-piece romper with black lace on the V-neck and around the bottom, in black with pink flowers and greenery, and spaghetti straps that crisscrossed in the back. It was silky, free flowing material and she pulled it aside thinking that Jack would most definitely like that one, because she most certainly did.

Elizabeth glanced at the four items on her bed and several things came to mind. First, Julie must have assumed that by only sending lingerie, she and Jack would be spending most of their time in bed. Being someone who finds that her intimate life should remain private, this assumption, though accurate, brought an embarrassed smile to Elizabeth's face. Secondly, the items she sent were truthfully more Elizabeth's style than Julie's, which made her feel that Julie was no longer pushing her free lifestyle upon Elizabeth…a welcome change.

As Elizabeth moved the box to the floor, an envelope dropped onto the bed. Written on the front of the envelope was a note which caught Elizabeth's eye.

I hope you like what you've seen so far. Save this item, and when you feel more adventurous, give it a whirl…

I love you, Elizabeth. I wish you and Jack the best, and I can't wait to have a niece or nephew to spoil. I'm sure these outfits, the last one especially will help that along!

Love always,

Julie

"Hmm, what does that mean?" Elizabeth muttered as she ripped open the bag. Staring inside she had to laugh, "Well, I have to say, you didn't let me down!"

Elizabeth flipped the bag upside down and the garment, if it could be called that, fell onto the bed. It was a black bra, and bikini panties, with lace straps that crisscross the body through metal rings connecting the two pieces.

Elizabeth simply shook her head and tossed the item back inside the bag, "This will never see the light of day," she whispered as she slipped out of bed and dropped it in the trash. Stepping a few strides away she turned back and pulled the bag from the trashcan.

"Well, it was a gift and I shouldn't throw it away, and who knows, maybe…" she giggled as the bag was hidden in the back of her lingerie drawer. She sat back in bed and ran her hands over her face, doing her best to wake up completely, but realizing the longer she lay in bed the sooner her wedding would be.

Eventually, Elizabeth grabbed her phone from the bedside table, slipped on her robe and walked out into the den. Finding the house empty, she made the most of the peace and quiet and fixed herself a cup of coffee.

Sitting at the table, she found the newspaper folded and resting next to an empty coffee cup. She found it rather odd, because she didn't subscribe to the newspaper, but simply assumed that her father, the man who practically read the newspaper, each section, from front to back before she awoke every morning, had made a trip to the local convenience store and purchased one from the machine outside.

Wondering what was happening in the world she opened the folded paper and pulled the front section from the pile. Her breath was practically sucked from her lungs when the first article read…

Detective Released

Detective Steven Fisher, recently arrested for numerous offenses, the latest of which shut down the Virginia Beach Juvenile Court building, was released from jail last night amid many questions, and speculations. Although much of what has happened between the Commonwealth's Attorney's office and lawyers for Detective Fisher are sealed, he walked out of the jail a free man last night…

"NO, NO, NO…that can't be," Elizabeth screamed as the paper dropped from her hands and scattered on the floor.

Closing out all sounds, she didn't hear the doorbell ring. After several more rings, the visitor moved on to knocking on the door. Feeling bad that she'd forgotten to give her parents a key, she rushed to the front of the house and opened the door.

"Are you ready?"

"Ready for what?" Elizabeth asked.

"Ready to get married…"

"Steve what are you doing here, and how did you know about the wedding?"

"Elizabeth, I know everything that happens with you. You really don't think I'd let you marry Jack, do you?"

Elizabeth wanted to scream, run, or fight back, but her legs felt heavy, her arms felt floppy, and she felt as though she was suffocating.

"You're mine, and you will always be mine," he stated as she finally realized his hand was around her throat.

Summoning every bit of strength from within her, Elizabeth pushed back, and once he released her, she let out a blood curdling scream.

"Elizabeth," her father rushed into the room.

"HE'S OUT OF JAIL…" she yelled as she untangled her sheet from around her neck. Her eyes darted around her bedroom, doing her best to focus.

Assuming she was speaking of Jack, Mr. Thatcher responded, "Honey, he wasn't in jail…"

"Yes, he was. He tried to kill me."

"Elizabeth, who are you talking about?"

Finally realizing that she was sitting in her own bed, and that she had been alone, she rested her head in her hands. "Steve, I dreamed that Steve was released and came after me."

"Honey, my legal department is monitoring the situation with Steve. He's not getting out; I promise you…"

"Are you positive, daddy?"

"You are my baby girl. I won't let anyone hurt you and get away with it." Mr. Thatcher took a seat on the side of her bed, "I'll protect you, and I know that man who's looking forward to marrying you today will protect you with everything he has. Just relax; this is the best day of your life, and I want you to enjoy it."

Watching as Elizabeth simply stared toward the window, his arm slipped around her shoulder and he pulled her close. "You're okay, honey. I promise you. It was just a dream."

Elizabeth slipped out of bed and followed her father down the hall, passing her mother in the doorway of the guest room.

"What happened?" Mrs. Thatcher asked as her husband passed by.

"It was just a dream, mom. I'm okay."

"Did you get the box from your sister?" her mother asked.

"I did; where did that come from?" Elizabeth inquired.

"Well," Mrs. Thatcher began to explain, "She said that she was sending you something, but I'd forgotten until it arrived by messenger early this morning."

"Well, it was extremely sweet of her. I'll give her a call when they get back in town."

"What was it?" her father asked.

"Just some clothes," she responded and from the corner of her eye she observed her mother's smile.

"Honey, do you mind explaining to us what happened with Jack early this morning?" her father took a sip from his coffee cup before placing it back on the empty table.

"To be honest, it was my fault. I called him, and I missed him. So, he came over, but he was afraid for me to see him or him to see me as it's bad luck, and well, let's just say he looked like a burglar. My neighbor reported it, the police came, and the rest is history…"

"Okay, well hopefully he made it home," her father responded as he returned to his coffee.

Elizabeth pulled her phone from the pocket of her robe and pressed his picture.

"Hey honey…"

"Are you okay, and will you be able to be here today…?" she asked.

"Honey, I'm fine. I made it home without being arrested; as a matter of fact, Maverick and I went for a long walk this morning," Jack assured her. "I'm so sorry about last night. Is your dad okay?"

Elizabeth got up from the table and stepped out into her backyard, "He's fine. Actually, I believe my mom thinks your gesture was quite romantic."

"Well, it wouldn't have been if I was sitting in jail this morning."

It was now 10:45 AM, "Jack, only 8 more hours and I'll see you again."

"Well, it's actually 7 hours and 15 minutes," he quickly corrected her.

"I love you Jack," she whispered.

"I love you too, soon-to-be Mrs. Thornton…" Jack replied as the call ended and he rushed into the jewelry store to pick up the gift he'd ordered for Elizabeth. He wasn't certain how he'd get it to her without seeing her, but he'd figure that out later.

Elizabeth walked back inside, "He's fine, and no, he wasn't arrested on his way home." She walked over to grab a cup of coffee. Turning back to her parents she suddenly had a frightened look on her face.

"What's wrong, honey?" her mother asked.

"He said he wasn't in jail, but if he was would he actually tell me? I mean, today of all days, would he tell me that he's locked up?" Suddenly she started crying, "He's not going to be here today, is he?"

"Honey, what are you talking about; of course, he'll be here…" her mother replied. Turning to her husband she whispered, "He will be there, right?"

"Elizabeth, he'll be here," her father stated as he stood up from the table, walked over and hugged her. "He loves you; it's obvious by what happened this morning, that man can't stay away from you."

Her father wiped her eyes as Elizabeth took a deep cleansing breath. She grabbed her cup of coffee and took a seat at the table. "Were you nervous on your wedding day?" she directed her question to her mother.

"I was, but for no other reason than I wanted everything to go perfectly. I loved you father then, and I love him more now, so the actual marrying him didn't scare me at all," her mother responded.

"I love him," her tears started again. "Why am I so emotional today?"

"Honey," her mother reached over and covered her hand with her own, "It's your wedding day; you're entitled to be emotional."

"Well, please understand that we put all of this together in a week. I owe Faith so much, and I guess in the long run, what's important is that at the end of the day, Jack and I will be married," Elizabeth summarized.

"Well honey, we need to go get your hair done…"

"Actually, Faith was going to do it, but let me call her and see if she still has the time."

"Hey Faith, did you still want to do my hair, or would it be better for you if I went somewhere?" Elizabeth asked when Faith answered.

"No, I was planning to do it. Are you ready; I can come over now if you'd like," Faith responded.

"Can you give me thirty minutes to get my shower and blow dry my hair?" Elizabeth replied.

"Okay, I'll be over in thirty minutes."

Elizabeth put her coffee cup in the sink and hurried down the hall for her shower. Thirty minutes later, the doorbell rang, and Mr. Thatcher found Faith on the front porch with Elizabeth's dress bag over her arm, and a basket of silk flowers and baby's breath in her hand.

"Good morning, Mr. Thatcher. How are you?" she asked.

"Doing well, but Elizabeth is an emotional mess," he replied.

"It is her wedding day, so I guess that's to be expected. I'll see if I can calm her down," Faith stepped inside and headed down the hall to Elizabeth's room.

"Hey, are you dressed?" Faith asked as she knocked on Elizabeth's door.

"Sure, come in Faith…"

Seeing the bag in Faith's arm, Elizabeth smiled. "Were you nervous on your wedding day?"

"I was excited, but nervous, so I guess it was more like excited nervousness," Faith giggled.

"Yeah, that's it. I'm so excited, and I…"

"Can't wait for the honeymoon, right?" Faith teased. "Where are you going?"

"I don't know. All he said was that it was a beach."

"Ooo, maybe someplace like, Hawaii, or…"

"I know it isn't Hawaii, because he did say that it's out of the country."

"Okay, maybe Maldives, Bora-Bora or Bali," Faith suggested. "But to be honest with you, how much of the country are you going to see; you are on your honeymoon."

"Faith…" Elizabeth gasped.

"Sorry; I didn't mean to embarrass you, but I mean, everyone knows what happens on a honeymoon, and it happens over and over and over again…" she laughed hoping to get Elizabeth's mind off of the wedding and onto other matters.

Realizing that she might as well give in to her reality, Elizabeth finally laughed. "You should see some of the things my sister sent me."

"Risqué?"

"Actually, most of what she sent was quite tasteful. The last item, however, I was looking for the whip that went along with it," she stated as both women giggled.

"Well, I know Jack…I mean, not in that way of course, but I don't think it will matter what you wear," Faith remarked. "You know, I was thinking last night about the first time you and Jack met…I mean, I thought the cookout at my house was the first time you two had met. The Eli stuff aside, there was something about him that night. He was already taken by you. But it's funny because I wanted to set you two up because I knew you'd be perfect together, but he hated set ups."

Faith continued, "Little did I know you two had already met, and you were all he could think about." As she lay the dress bag across Elizabeth's bed, "Look how it turned out anyway. You two were meant for each other."

"I'd like to think so…I do believe so."

Elizabeth sat in the chair in from of her mirror, "So, how is it that you know how to French braid?"

"A lot of people don't know, but I rode horses when I was younger," Faith responded.

"So, by riding horses, you automatically know how to French braid?" Elizabeth responded.

"Oh sorry; no, but I also showed horses, and when you go to a show, the horse's mane and tail are braided. The mane is done in regular braids…well, sometimes you weave yarn onto it, but the tail is done in a French braid. I learned shortly after I started riding, and I would show up at the stables and the riders who didn't know how to braid would pay me to do it. When I started showing myself, I usually made enough money braiding tails to cover all my expenses," Faith explained as she began brushing out Elizabeth's hair.

Thirty minutes later, Faith had completed the soft, loose French braid on Elizabeth's hair, and placed the silk flowers and baby's breath down the center.

"Oh Faith, it's beautiful; thank you."

"You do look beautiful, Elizabeth," Faith responded as she could not stop smiling at her handiwork. "Will you need help getting dressed?"

"I can get my mom to help; you have enough on your plate," Elizabeth replied as she opened her closet door and pulled out a gift bag. "This is for you…"

Faith sat down on Elizabeth's bed and pulled out the contents of the bag, a round, silver jewelry case with the following engraving…

Faith

Thank you so much for

being my friend. I'm

lucky to

have met you. Elizabeth

"Oh Elizabeth, this is beautiful," Faith stood up and hugged her, careful not to mess up the hair creation she'd just completed.

"Look inside…"

Faith opened the lid and found a white gold necklace with a heart shaped pendant containing a pink opal in the middle.

"I thought unless you had something else, you'd rather wear, this would go well with your dress."

"Elizabeth, it's beautiful, both are, and I will definitely wear it with my dress. Thank you so much…" Faith felt herself becoming emotional, as she wiped her eyes before returning to her seat on the side of Elizabeth's bed. "Oh, I forgot to ask, what song do you want to play for the Father-Daughter dance?"

"I've always loved this song called "Daddy," by Abby Anderson," Elizabeth replied.

Faith wrote it down in her little pocket notebook before stepping out of Elizabeth's room.

Standing on the front porch, Faith stated, "Oh, I have a few surprises for you today, but don't worry, everything will be perfect."

"I'm not worried…"

As Faith stepped across the yard she stopped, Oh, I forgot to ask what her and Jack's song is… Hmm, that's okay, I'll ask Jack. Besides, she has other things on her mind, and the DJ I found will make everything perfect.

Several hours before the wedding, Jack and Maverick arrived at the Shepherd's. He was nervous, but not because he was getting married, a little piece of him worried that she would not show up.

Initially Jack sat on the sofa, moving from one position to another, unable to settle.

"Hey Jack, what song to you want the DJ to play for your mother/son dance?"

"DJ…you were able to get a DJ?" he asked.

"The Lord put him in my lap so to speak this morning. His name is Joey and he is in the church band. We found the violinist and pianist but were missing a DJ. Come to find out, he is also in the church band, and he agreed to DJ for us," Faith advised. "So, do you have a song for your dance with your mom, and for your first dance with Elizabeth?"

"I don't know if the DJ will have it, but it's a song called "Mom," by Garth Brooks. As for the song for our first dance, I think "Perfect," no wait, I want "Speechless" by Dan and Shay."

"Are you sure?"

"Faith, when I see her in her dress, that's exactly how I'm going to feel," Jack admitted.

Faith proceeded to pull the wedding plates, napkins and cups from the pantry. She and Carson then watched from the kitchen as Jack walked, paced the floor. "What's wrong with him?" Carson whispered.

"He's getting married; he's nervous," Faith replied.

"Yeah, I remember that feeling," he replied.

"You were nervous about marrying me?" she slapped him on the arm.

"Ouch…no, not about marrying you, about you not showing up."

"Oh, that's better," she teased. "I think that's what's going on with Jack too."

Jack finally stopped pacing and turned to face Faith, "Did you see her this morning?"

"I sure did."

"Is she okay?" he asked.

"Jack, if you're asking me if she'd going to be here, the answer is 'YES.'"

She and Carson went back to watching him walk to the back door and look outside, and then walk to the front door before checking his watch and starting the routine all over again.

"Jack, you're wearing a path in my carpet; please relax," Faith suggested.

An hour before the wedding, Charlotte pulled into the driveway. Standing on the Shepherd's front porch wearing her long blue dress with a round neck, lace bodice and jacket with ¾ length sleeves, she suddenly turned and walked across the yard to Elizabeth's house.

Hearing the doorbell, Grace answered wearing her long mauve dress with a lace bodice, short sleeves, an over skirt that met in the front and flowed freely over the body of the garment, and she immediately invited Charlotte inside.

"Would it be okay if I talk to Elizabeth for a minute?" Charlotte asked.

"Let me check," Grace responded as she walked down the hall to Elizabeth's room. "Honey, Jack's mom is here and she's like to talk to you for a minute."

Elizabeth opened the door, "Is she here to tell me that he's not coming?"

Charlotte walked down the hall, "No honey. His vehicle is in the driveway next door. He will most certainly be there. I just wanted to talk to you for a minute if that's okay."

Wearing her robe, Elizabeth invited her inside. Charlotte turned to Grace, "You're welcome to come in if you'd like."

"No," Grace replied. "I'll give you two a few moments alone."

Charlotte stepped inside and Elizabeth closed the door behind her. Both women took a seat on Elizabeth's bed.

"You look beautiful today," Charlotte began.

"Thank you…"

"I just wanted to thank you…" Charlotte reached over and took hold of Elizabeth's hand.

"Thank me, for what?"

"For loving my son," Charlotte responded as both women found it necessary to reach for the Kleenex box on the bedside table. "I remember having talks with Jack about love, and finding love, and he always said, 'Mom, when the right woman for me comes along, I'll know it.' When he met you, there was a spark in his eyes that I had never seen before. So, as his mother, I want to thank you for giving him that spark; for filling his heart with the love he feels for you. You are an amazing woman, Elizabeth, and I completely understand why my son fell in love with you."

"He is an easy man to love. The man he is today is because of the values and morals instilled in him by you and his father, so thank you for raising such a kind, empathetic, generous, and considerate man."

Charlotte stood up, "Well I need to let you get ready. Do you need any help?"

"I think we're good but thank you."

Charlotte walked back across the yard to the Shepherd's house and stepped up on the porch as several vehicles containing guests pulled into the driveway and parked along the street.

"Hi Mrs. Thornton, come on in…" Faith stated as she stepped out onto the porch and directed Janice, Judge Banks, Bridgett, Maury, his wife and Elise and her husband around the side of the house and into the backyard to join the other guests.

"Where's Jack," Charlotte asked when Faith stepped back inside.

"He's in the guest room at the end of the hall getting ready."

Charlotte walked down the hall and knocked.

"Yes…" Jack called out.

"Honey, it's mom; may I come in?"

"Yes ma'am…"

She opened the door and found Jack standing in front of the full-length mirror wearing his tuxedo, "Oh you look so handsome. Are you nervous?"

"I feel like I'm supposed to be, but I'm not; I'm excited, and I can't wait to see her walking down the aisle. Was dad nervous when you got married?"

"If he was, he never told me so."

"Oh wait," Jack spun around and reached inside his bag. He pulled out a diamond and sapphire white gold tennis bracelet, "I need to get this to Elizabeth. Everything was put together so fast and I don't know if she has something new and something blue…or whatever that saying is."

"Let me have it and I'll get it to her," Charlotte stated as she left the house and again walked across the yard to Elizabeth's front porch.

On this occasion, Elizabeth dressed in her wedding gown answered the door, "Oh my word, you are absolutely beautiful," Charlotte stated as she held out the bracelet.

"This is from Jack, and he wanted you to have something new, and something blue in case you hadn't thought about it."

"Oh, that's beautiful. Would you mind doing the clasp for me?" Elizabeth asked as she stuck out her left arm.

"Elizabeth, your dress is beautiful," Charlotte stated with an admiring eye.

"I love it, but my original dress won't be in until next week some time. I guess this is the dress I was meant to wear, since I was able to walk out of the shop with it."

"Honey, it's ten minutes till 6, we need to get ready to leave," her father advised, as Charlotte excused herself, walked to the side of the yard and was escorted down the aisle to her seat.

"Look mom, Jack got this bracelet for me," Elizabeth excitedly stated. "I completed forgot about the old, new, borrowed and blue stuff. Well, at least I have the new and blue."

Mrs. Thornton handed Elizabeth a monogrammed handkerchief that she carried on her wedding day. "This is your something old and borrowed. So, it looks like we have everything covered.

Glancing at her father wearing his suit and pink rose boutonniere, and her mother with her pink rose corsage, "I love you both so much. Thank you for accepting Jack into the family."

Mr. Thatcher opened the front door, "Are we ready to go make this official?"

"I've actually been ready, daddy…"

She stood on her front porch wearing a sleeveless white ballgown, with a sweetheart lace neckline, a flesh colored mesh under the bodice to cover her abdomen, pockets at the hips of the satin skirt, and tiny buttons on the back which went from the top all the way to the bottom of the dress. Elizabeth held in her hand a lace Bolero with ¾ length sleeves, "Should I put this on?"

"Well either way is fine; if you want to go without it, I'll hang onto it in case you want it," her mother responded.

"Okay, if you don't mind," Elizabeth responded as she handed the Bolero over to her mother as her father helped her down the steps.

"Is that a violin?" Elizabeth asked as she stood at the bottom of her porch.

"Well, actually there is a violinist and a pianist, but Faith said that there is also a DJ to dance to the music you young folks like," her father responded.

"But how…?"

"Faith was able to get a couple of musicians and the DJ from her church, and your daddy rented a piano."

"Oh mom…dad, it sounds beautiful as she listened to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" playing in the distance. Wearing white high heels with lace, and pearl overlays, and carrying her bouquet which consisted of white roses, seeded eucalyptus, ivory roses, spray roses, Lysimachia, and Dusty Miller leaves, she walked carefully through the yard to the sidewalk on the side of Faith's house.

Lee was standing at the gate waiting for Mrs. Thatcher so he could escort her to her chair. "Elizabeth, you are beautiful," he stated as he bent his arm and Mrs. Thatcher slipped her arm through his.

"Thank you; is Jack okay?" she asked.

"He'll be a lot better now…"

As Lee and Mrs. Thatcher started down the aisle, Lee gave Jack a 'thumbs up' which brought a broad dimpled smile to his face.

Faith arrived but stood off to the side to give Elizabeth and her father a moment alone.

"Daddy, thank you for being here, and for understanding why we wanted to move the wedding up."

"Honey, all I need to know is that you love that young man at the end of the aisle."

"I do…"

"Well, there is no doubt in my mind that he loves you. So, what do you say we go get you married?"

Carrying her bouquet which consisted of ivory and pink roses, Faith started down the aisle, and once Elizabeth and her father heard the initial chord strikes for the Wedding March, they stepped under the arch and into the back yard.

Everyone stood. Jack and Elizabeth caught each other's glance; their eyes quickly pooled tears, but they never looked away.

"Oh my God, she's so beautiful…" Jack whispered as he held on to Maverick's leash.

Once Elizabeth reached the aisle, she observed Maverick wearing a white collar and black bowtie and holding several red carnations in his mouth. The collar and bowtie were what she had purchased for him to wear. The red carnations were Jack's touch to the ceremony.

She continued to hold on to her father as they made their way up the aisle. Elizabeth knew that she would have time after the ceremony to take in all the decorations, but there was no doubt that Faith and Carson had truly outdone themselves.

Jack stood at the end of the aisle to the right of a wooden, linen draped arch with pink flowers and greenery at the top, and where the material was tied back, much like curtains on a window.

Elizabeth and her father continued walking on the cream-colored runner as they made their way down the aisle.

"Jack, are you breathing?" Tom teased, thinking that it was good that breathing was involuntary, because at that moment, it was evident that Jack had only one thing on his mind. "Hey, are you okay?" he asked as he observed tears rolling down Jack's cheeks. He had only seen Jack cry one time before, at the funeral of their father, so there was no doubt that this was a very emotional moment for him.

As the bride reached the altar, Elizabeth kissed her father. Mr. Thatcher turned to Jack and placed her hand in his, "Promise me that you'll love her forever…"

"I promise, sir" Jack replied as Mr. Thatcher released her hand and took his seat beside his wife. Jack handed Maverick's leash to Tom and turned his attention back to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth reached up and swept several tears from his cheeks, "Are you okay?"

"I'm perfect now; you are so beautiful," he whispered back, taking his thumb, and brushing away a fair share of tears from her cheeks. He leaned closer; "I'm wearing the gift you gave me. I was a little surprised by what it said."

"It's true, right…?" she whispered back.

"Absolutely," he smiled slyly, which had her wondering. However, the ceremony was beginning so she realized that she would have to ask him about that later.

"Please be seated," Reverend Culpepper announced.

Reverend Culpepper continued, "Friends and family, we are brought together this evening to celebrate with Jonathan Andrew Thornton and Elizabeth Grace Thatcher, know to their friends and family as Jack and Elizabeth, as they proclaim their love and commitment to the world. We are gathered to rejoice, with and for them, in the new life that they are about to undertake together."

Reverend Culpepper continued, "Jack and Elizabeth, the relationship you enter into today must be grounded in the strength of your love and the power of your faith in each other. To make your relationship succeed, it will take unending love, trust, respect and faith.

It will take trust to know in your hearts that you genuinely want what is best for one another, and to learn to grow together. It will take faith to go forward together without any idea of what the future holds. If you both come freely, and understand the responsibility and work involved to make your relationship thrive, and are committed to not only each other but also to your family, please take each other by the hands and reply, 'we do.'"

Jack eagerly took hold of Elizabeth's hands, and as each one fought back their tears, they each said, 'we do.'

Turning to Jack, Reverend Culpepper asked, "Do you, Jack, take Elizabeth to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do…"

"You're a bit eager, Jack. I'm not done yet," Reverend Culpepper laughed softly. Returning to the Declaration of Intent, he continued, "Jack, from this day forward, to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?"

"Jack, now you can answer…"

"I do…"

Turning to Elizabeth, Reverend Culpepper began, "Do you, Elizabeth, take Jack to be your lawfully wedded husband, from this day forward, to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?"

"I do…"

Reverend Culpepper leaned into Jack and Elizabeth, "I know young folks like to say something to each other. Do either of you have anything you want to say?"

"I do," Jack quickly blurted out completely surprising Elizabeth.

"Elizabeth, from the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew that we'd be standing at this altar together eventually. I say these vows not as promises, but as privileges. For you see, I am blessed to get to laugh with you, cry with you, care for you and share with you. I choose you to be nothing other than yourself. Elizabeth, you will always be the love of my life, my soulmate…my one and only."

Elizabeth looked much like a deer caught in headlights. Knowing she was nervous, Jack leaned in and whispered, "Look into my eyes, and just say what's in your heart."

"Jack, as a young girl, when I thought about the man I would marry, I wondered in this big world, how on earth I would find him. Little did I know that you would find me, watch over me, protect me and show me the kind of love that I had only previously dreamed about."

Jack lifted his hand to Elizabeth's cheek as his thumb brushed away tears which refused to remain hidden. He could feel her head lean into his hand, and all he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her and hold her tight.

Elizabeth continued, "Even though I implied that you might murder me when we first met…"

Those closest to the altar who could hear their words giggled.

Elizabeth looked out at her guests, and he could feel her body shaking as he held her hand. Jack brushed his thumb across the top of her hand, drawing her attention back to him.

"Jack, even though I implied that you might murder me when we first met, all it took was one look in your soulful eyes, and to hear the concern you had for me, someone you didn't even know, to tell that you were the man I had been waiting for. I want to thank you for fighting for us when I didn't have any fight left. Jack, you are my first, my last, my everything, and I will love you until the end of time…"

Reverend Culpepper stated, "Jack, please take the ring you have selected for Elizabeth. As you place it on her finger, repeat after me: 'With this ring, I thee wed.'"

Jack responded, "With this ring, I thee wed."

Reverend Culpepper continued, "Elizabeth, please take the ring you have selected for Jack. As you place it on his finger, repeat after me: 'With this ring, I thee wed.'"

Elizabeth responded, "With this ring, I thee wed."

Reverend Culpepper smiled, "In so much as the two of you have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, by authority vested in me by the Commonwealth of Virginia, I now pronounce that you are husband and wife. Jack, you may now kiss your beautiful bride."

Jack did not need to be told twice. He stepped closer as his hands cradled her face and he kissed his wife for the very first time. His lips were soft, and the kiss was tender, but conveyed the fire that they each would look forward to that night.

Jack and Elizabeth turned toward their guests; she slipped her arm through his and they started walking back down the aisle, stopping momentarily to hug and kiss their parents.

Standing by the deck, Jack wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, "You have got to be the most beautiful bride, ever…"

"You're prejudice, but I like it."

"No, Mrs. Thornton, I'm honest."

"I like the sound of that, Mrs. Thornton…"

Jack, Elizabeth, their parents, Tom and Faith were directed to a flowery area in the back of the yard where many of the photos were taken. Once they finished there, Faith directed the photographer, Jack and Elizabeth to the arbor entering the backyard where additional pictures were taken.

Walking over to the arbor, Elizabeth observed a cart, which she had missed on her way in for the ceremony. It was decorated with a pot of flowers, several cans filled with straws, and a metal tub filled with ice and bottled water. Beside the tub was a chalkboard with the following message…

GRAB a DRINK

Find

A SPOT

We'll be out

SOON TO TIE

The knot!

While Faith was busy with the photographer, Carson handled the caterers. The reception area was designated in the opposite side of the yard, and Carson watched as the caterers set out vegetable trays, consisting of broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, peppers, carrots and ranch dip.

The fruit table, decorated by whole pineapples in the middle, consisted of slices of watermelon, pineapple, and cantaloupe, clumps of grapes, and kabobs combining various chunks of fruit. Beside the fruit table was a set up for shrimp cocktail, which was a fast draw for many the guests.

There was a table designated for hot dogs, hamburgers, and any fixing one could want. Situated beside this table was a station solely for pizza.

On a table off to the side was the two-tier wedding cake, with fondant pink and white flowers. The top tier was pink, and the bottom was white. Below that was five tiers of vanilla and chocolate cupcakes, professionally decorated with flowers and butterflies.

Following the photo session, Jack and Elizabeth made the rounds of their guests, thanking them for coming to the ceremony, and encouraging them to have a good time.

As Jack and Elizabeth walked around the backyard, they approached the table which contained the cake and cupcakes. "Jack, that's beautiful," she stated as she gazed upon the delectable delights.

Unable to tear his eyes away from her, he responded, "Yes, absolutely beautiful."

"Jack, I was talking about the cake and the cupcakes. How did she get this done so fast? I was expecting Hostess Twinkies and cupcakes…which in the grand scheme of things would have been perfectly fine."

"I'm not sure; I was more worried about you not showing up," he held tight to her hand.

Stopping in her tracks, her hand rested along his cheek, "Jack Thornton," tears welled in her eyes, "not showing up was never an option. I love you, and this is without a doubt the best day of my life."

Jack's lips pressed gently to hers, "Hey save that for later," Lee teased as he slipped past the two lovebirds.

"There is plenty more where that came from," Jack whispered to his bride.

"I'm going to find Faith and thank her for everything," Elizabeth stated as she glanced around and observed the alcohol and non-alcoholic beverage bars. Luckily, there were no children at the wedding, so alcohol slipping into the wrong hands was not likely.

Catching Faith as she spoke with the caterers, Elizabeth waited. Taking in everything around her, it was much like a dream, but she knew that this was her reality, and she could not imagine anything that would make it better.

"Is everything okay?" Faith asked.

Again, Elizabeth's tears started, "This, everything, I don't know how you did it, but it's all perfect." Off in the distance, Elizabeth observed several guests standing around a table containing fruit baskets with bags in their hands, "What's that?"

"Oh, I saw it on Pinterest, and it sounded interesting," Faith advised.

Elizabeth stepped closer, and observed the sign…

Fruit

Local Fresh Fruit

Take a bag

Grab a few

This is our way

Of thanking you!

"That is so thoughtful; I've never seen that before…" Elizabeth replied looking much like a kid at Christmas, each time she looked in another direction she found another sweet touch provided by Faith and Carson.

"I want to thank you for everything," Elizabeth continued. "I don't know how you did it, but I want you to know that I appreciate it all. How did you get a cake and cupcakes?"

"Well, I actually made the cake, but I got the fondant flowers from the bakery who did the cupcakes."

"WOW, I had no idea that you could bake like that."

"I took a cake decorating class a year or so ago, and I haven't had much opportunity to use it, so 'thank you' for giving me the perfect occasion to try my skills."

"I want you to know that Jack and I are indebted to you for everything you've done to make this day perfect."

"You and Jack don't owe me anything. I told you before that when I met you, I felt like you and Jack would be perfect together. I believed that then, and I know it now," Faith leaned in and carefully hugged Elizabeth without disturbing her hair, which remained in place.

The DJ called Faith over to get the music started and was given the special music chosen by Jack and Elizabeth.

As the music started, Jack took Elizabeth's hand and led her out onto the makeshift dance floor in the middle of the yard. While "Speechless" by Dan and Shay played, Jack held his bride and they gracefully moved across the floor.

You say you'll be down in five
The smell of your perfume
Is floating down the stairs
You're fixing up your hair like you do
I know that I'll be a mess
The second that I see you
You won't be surprised
It happens every time
It's nothing new

It's always on a night like tonight
I thank God you can read my mind
'Cause when you look at me with those eyes

I'm speechless
Staring at you, standing there in that dress
What it's doing to me, ain't a secret
'Cause watching you is all that I can do
And I'm speechless
You already know that you're my weakness
After all this time I'm just as nervous
Every time you walk into the room
I'm speechless

It started when you said hello
Just did something to me
And I've been in a daze
Ever since the day that we meet
You take the breath out of my lungs
Can't even fight it
And all of the words out of my mouth without even trying

And I'm speechless
Staring at you, standing there in that dress
What it's doing to me, ain't a secret
'Cause watching you is all that I can do
And I'm speechless
You already know that you're my weakness
After all this time I'm just as nervous
Every time you walk into the room
I'm speechless
Yeah, baby, mmm

It's always on a night like tonight
I thank God you can read my mind
'Cause when you look at me with those eyes

I'm speechless
You're standing there in that dress
Girl it ain't a secret
'Cause watching you is all that I can do, oh
I'm speechless
You already know that you're my weakness
After all this time I'm just as nervous
Every time you walk into the room
I'm speechless

Oh, you know it, baby
Oh oh, mmm

"They look perfect together, don't they?" Faith commented to Carson.

"Well, I still don't like your matchmaking, and I think they would have found each other anyway, but I'll have to say that you were right with this one," Carson replied.

As the song ended, Jack escorted Elizabeth over to her father. Mr. Thatcher bent his arm and she slipped her hand through as he led her back out onto the dance floor for the Father-Daughter dance.

Elizabeth rested her head on her father's chest as the DJ began playing "Daddy" by Abby Anderson.

Well daddy I came here today
'cause I think I might have found the one
Oh yeah I'm head over heels in love and
I bet I can tell you what you're thinking of

Yeah you're wondering
how I know he's it
Well my whole life
I have a dad who showed me what a real man is

Cause daddy he loves me just like you do
He treats me like a queen just like you, just like you do
He's my shoulder to cry on, he's my best friend
Oh and daddy, he loves me just like you

He respects and he respects me
You always keep your word, you're always honest and so was he
And just like you dad, he's forgiving and he knows my worth
Knows me for who I am, he's everything you believe I deserve

Cause daddy he loves me just like you do
He treats me like a queen just like you, just like you do
He's my shoulder to cry on, he's my best friend
Oh and daddy, he loves me just like you

I'm grown up now, daddy can't you see
For all of your actions, you taught me everything I want my husband to be

Cause daddy he loves me just like you do
He treats me like a queen just like you, just like you do
He's my shoulder to cry on, he's my best friend
Oh and daddy, he loves me just like you
Oh and daddy, he loves me just like you
Hmmm...
Just like you

When the song ended, Mr. Thatcher quickly wiped away the tears he had shed before walking her back to their table.

Jack smiled as he took his mother's hand and carefully escorted her out onto the dance floor. He had a quick image of himself the last time he'd danced with her. It was on a Thursday evening when he was in middle school, and she taught him how to slow dance before homecoming. Although he appreciated her teaching him how to dance, he had to admit that this occasion was much less embarrassing and so much more meaningful.

As they stepped onto the dance floor, the DJ began playing "Mom" by Garth Brooks…

Little baby told God, hey I'm kind of scared.
Don't really know if I want to go down there.
From here it looks like a little blue ball
That's a great big place and I'm so small.

Why can't I just, stay here with you?
Did I make you mad, don't you want me too?
God said oh child, of course I do
But there's somebody special waiting for you

So hush now baby, don't you cry
'Cause there's someone down there waiting whose only goal in life
Is making sure you're always gonna be alright
A loving angel tender, tough and strong
It's almost time to go and meet your mom.

You'll never have a better friend
Or a warmer touch to tuck you in
She'll kiss your bruises, your bumps and scrapes
And anytime you hurt
Her heart's gonna break

So hush now baby, don't you cry
'Cause there's someone down there waiting whose only goal in life
Is making sure you're always gonna be alright
A loving angel tender, tough and strong
It's almost time to go and meet your mom.

And when she's talking to you make sure you listen close
'Cause she's gonna teach you everything you'll ever need to know
Like how to mind your manners, to love and laugh and dream
She'll put you on the path that bring you back to me

So, hush now little baby, don't you cry
'Cause there's someone down there waiting whose only goal in life
Is making sure you're always gonna be alright
A loving angel tender, tough and strong
Come on child it's time, to meet your mom

As the song ended, Jack stepped back, "I wish dad were here. I would have loved for him to have met Elizabeth."

Charlotte tapped on his chest, "He's right there, son. He knows the wonderful man you have become, and I know he is immensely proud of you. And if you had any doubts, I can tell you that he would love Elizabeth like the daughter we never had," she stepped up and kissed his cheek, "I love you so much…"

"I love you too, mom," he stated as he walked her over to the table where she took a seat beside Grace.

Before the guests took to the dance floor, a waiter handed out champagne cocktails that resembled the "Pop-up" ice creams with a stick handle and cylinder-shaped container.

Faith and Carson stood in the middle of the dance floor, as she allowed her husband to provide the toast…

"Jack…Elizabeth, on this day, you trade in your single life, and become one together. May your joys be as deep as the ocean and your troubles as light as its foam. May your love be modern enough to survive the times, and old-fashioned enough to last forever. May your hopes and dreams come true and may the memory of this day become dearer with each passing year." Carson held up his glass, "To Jack and Elizabeth…"

After everyone provided their well wishes and hit the dance floor, Jack excused himself and walked over to the violinist and pianist. "Do you have the music for…" his voice trailed off, barely heard by the musicians.

"We sure do; it's one of our favorites."

"After this song is finished, will you play it for me and my wife?"

"Sure, we'd be happy to…"

As the DJ finished his set and took a break, the pianist and violinist began playing "Perfect," by Ed Sheeran. Jack took Elizabeth's hand as everyone cleared the dance floor and took their seats.

I found a love for me
Darling just dive right in
And follow my lead
Well I found a girl beautiful and sweet
I never knew you were the someone waiting for me

'Cause we were just kids when we fell in love

Not knowing what it was
I will not give you up this time
But darling, just kiss me slow, your heart is all I own
And in your eyes you're holding mine

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark with you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song
When you said you looked a mess, I whispered underneath my breath
But you heard it, darling, you look perfect tonight

Well I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know
She shares my dreams, I hope that someday I'll share her home
I found a love, to carry more than just my secrets
To carry love, to carry children of our own

We are still kids, but we're so in love
Fighting against all odds
I know we'll be alright this time
Darling, just hold my hand
Be my girl, I'll be your man
I see my future in your eyes

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark, with you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song
When I saw you in that dress, looking so beautiful
I don't deserve this, darling, you look perfect tonight

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark, with you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song
I have faith in what I see
Now I know I have met an angel in person
And she looks perfect
I don't deserve this
You look perfect tonight

As the song ended, Jack's finger under her chin lifted her face until their lips met. Even though there were guests and the backyard was buzzing with activity, Jack and Elizabeth only saw each other. To them, they were alone in a crowd of many.

That was until, "Ahh," the overall sentiment from the guests watching on the sidelines brought Jack and Elizabeth back to reality.

Jack leaned in and whispered, "What is the appropriate time to stay at the reception?"

"In a hurry?" she teased.

"Well…kinda," he laughed softly.

"We need to cut the cake and then I think we can say our goodbyes," Elizabeth advised.

Much like music to their ears, Faith approached, "Are you ready to cut the cake?"

"YES," they both blurted out.

As they stood at the table, her hand on the knife and his hand covering hers she turned to Jack, "This cake is too pretty to cut."

"You just said that we can't leave until we cut the cake," he had barely finished his statement when his hand followed hers as the knife went through the cake.

Both Jack and Elizabeth held a small piece of cake as each one respectfully pressed it to the other's lips. The crowd cheered before gathering around to congratulate the newlyweds, partaking of their own delicious desserts immediately afterwards.

With everyone in attendance being married, there was no need to throw the bouquet or toss the garter which cut out some of the requirements, shortening their time there, and pleasing Jack and Elizabeth endlessly.

Jack and Elizabeth walked over to the DJ's area and commandeered his microphone… "May I have your attention…" Once everyone turned to face him, Jack continued. "Elizabeth and I would like to thank you all for sharing in this occasion with us. You are all incredibly special to us both, and with some of you, we would not be here right now without you. So, thank you so much for your love, patience and understanding. Now, Elizabeth and I are going to get out of here, and we hope to see you when we return from our honeymoon."

"Where are you going?" Elise called out from the back of the small crowd.

"You may be my secretary, but my wife doesn't even know where we're going. So, I'm sorry, my lips are sealed."

Faith hurriedly poured out plain popped popcorn into small metal buckets and handed them to the guests as they lined up. The label on the side of the bucket said…

A Bucket of

THANKS

Love, Jack &

Elizabeth Thornton

"Hmm, popcorn…that different…" Janice commented as Faith handed her a bucket.

"Well, I figured we might as well feed the squirrels too," Faith laughed.

Elizabeth slipped into her bolero as she and Jack made the quick walk down the path through their friends and family as popcorn, tossed into the air, floated to the ground.

As Jack held open her door, Faith and her mother approached. "Don't worry about Maverick, he'll be fine. You two just go and enjoy yourselves."

"We will, thank you," Elizabeth replied. "Oh mom, you and dad stay as long as you want, but just lock up and give Faith the key when you leave, okay?"

"We'll probably head home tomorrow, but we'll leave the key with Faith when we leave," her mother advised. "I love you honey. You two have a nice time…"

"We will…"

Jack felt blessed as he and Elizabeth made it to their SUV that the only decorations were a back-window decal with stated:

Just Married
Mr. and Mrs. Thornton
Jack & Elizabeth

As their friends and family lined the driveway clapping as they pulled out, Jack and Elizabeth waved before heading down the street and their much dreamt of wedding night, his right hand, and her left refusing to release each other.

Jack hoped that the decorations he had left in the master bedroom would be to Elizabeth's liking, and he'd soon find out as they pulled into their driveway. He shut off the engine and pulled her hand up to his lips, "You are without a doubt the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Thank you for making me the happiest man in the world."

Elizabeth knew that today and tonight would be the most emotional of her entire life. No matter the thought or the words which passed through her lips, tears seemed to accompany them.

Jack rested his hand along her cheek. As she leaned into his palm, his hand cradled the other side of her face as his lips kissed away her tears. "Are you okay?"

"I'm sorry; I don't mean to cry, but at least they're happy tears," she admitted.

"Are you ready to go inside?"

She glanced out the window, "We're really home, aren't we?"

"Well, as far as I'm concerned, the moment you moved in the first time, you were home, but I guess it's now official…" Jack opened his door and was quickly standing at her open door with his arm out to help her.

"I'm not quite sure how we managed to get all of this dress inside the car," she giggled.

Jack took her hand and they started for the front door. Halfway to the house, she stopped, "Are you okay?" he asked.

"Excuse me…"

"Are you not coming in?"

Knowing how much she was looking forward to the night, she laughed. "No, I have a bag in the back seat of the car, and I need it for tonight."

Anticipation of what was contained in the bag had Jack's excitement level running through the roof. He released her hand, grabbed her bag from the backseat of the car and quickly returned to her side. As he unlocked the front door, and gently tossed her bag inside…

"WHOA, what are you doing?" Elizabeth squealed as one of Jack's arms went around her shoulders and the other swept behind her knees.

"I'm carrying you over the threshold," as they slipped inside the house and he used his foot to close the door behind him.

With his hands on her waist and her arms over his shoulders as her hands feathered through the hair at the nape of his neck, he began backing her toward the elevator.

He pressed the button on the elevator in rapid succession, frustrated that the door did not immediately open. Once the elevator was accessible, they rushed inside. As the door started to close, Elizabeth blurted out, "My bag…"

Jack slipped out of the elevator and rushed for the front of the house to retrieve the bag. He had only gotten a few strides away when the door closed and started up to the second floor.

Elizabeth was not able to stop its movement, but when she reached the second floor, the door opened and she immediately observed that the master bedroom door was closed, which she had never observed to be the case before.

She again pressed the button for the first floor, before realizing that Jack was climbing the stairs. Jack realized that they would again miss each other, so he turned around, and yelled, "Hold the door…"

Jack was out of breath, but the moment he observed her standing at the door of the elevator, there was no doubt that breathing seemed to be overrated. Elizabeth grabbed his hand and pulled him inside as the door began to close.

"I could have met you upstairs…" she stated as he pressed her against the wall of the elevator.

"Truth…?" he whispered; his lips were practically brushing against hers.

"Please…" she breathlessly responded.

"Making love in an elevator has always been a fantasy of mine," he admitted.

"Is that why you put this in?"

"I think so, but before you ask, no, I have rarely used it, and never for that purpose. My fantasy is to be with my wife…"

Her arms draped over his shoulders, "That would be me."

She had barely finished her comment before his lips pressed firmly against hers. She could feel his body pressing against her, holding her in place. Her hands took hold of his jacket and pulled it over his shoulders, dropping it to the floor. As her fingers began unbuttoning his shirt, Jack put his hands on her arms. "Not tonight; tonight, is for you and I want it to be everything you've dreamed of.

Jack cradled her face as his lips again covered hers, slightly open and tongues searching, wanting, and needing. He could feel the warmth spreading throughout his body, and as he felt his body stir, there was no doubt that with a simple thought, this woman could easily arouse him sexually.

As much as Elizabeth loved her wedding dress, it now felt quite confining. All she wanted was to be with her husband fully and completely, and the nervousness she assumed she would feel dissipated much like the evening breeze off the bay.

The elevator door opened, and Jack again swept her up into his arms, kicking her bag out into the hallway. As they made their way to the master bedroom, Jack opened the door, and prayed that she would like what he had done to the bed.

As they walked over the threshold of their bedroom, he gently placed her feet back on the floor. Elizabeth stood in awe of the red rose petals laid out in the shape of an open heart, with four long stem red and white roses laying on the outside of the heart, while a red and white rose were placed inside the heart.

"Jack, that's so romantic," she stated as her lips brushed his, innocently at first. Then becoming more bold, hot, fiery, passionate and demanding.

Jack stepped behind her as his lips pressed softly against her neck. She could feel his fingers working against the buttons on the back of her dress. Eventually frustrated, he leaned in and whispered, "Why do these dresses have to have so many buttons?"

Elizabeth giggled, partly at his frustrated insistence, but mostly because his breath was tickling the skin on her neck, "Jack, there's a zipper to the side of the buttons."

"Where…Oh," he replied as her body suddenly felt the freedom when her dress started to fall away from her body.

Holding her dress up with her hands, "Can I ask you something?"

"You're standing there practically naked…the answer is 'YES.'"

She laughed, "I'm going to freshen up…"

"What did you want to ask?"

"I was going to see if you had a preference to what I wear…sexy or burlap?"

"Do you really have burlap?"

She laughed again, and if nothing else their back and forth was putting her more at ease than she ever dreamed possible. "No, no burlap."

"Sexy…always sexy!" he responded as he watched her slip into the bathroom and close the door.

While Elizabeth was out of the room, Jack raced downstairs and grabbed a tray with a bottle of wine in an ice bucket, two glasses, six chocolate covered strawberries on a white plate and a bud vase with three red roses and a pink one.

He quickly returned to the room and went to his closet where he found a white tray containing several cylindrical glass containers with floating candles, and red rose petals on the platter. He sat it on the dresser and lit the candles.

Thankfully, Jack could still hear Elizabeth stirring in the bathroom. He quickly undressed down to the boxers she had given him as a gift, turned on the stereo, took a large bag of red and white rose petals and scattered them across the floor.

Jack was standing at the window staring over the moonlit bay when he heard the bathroom door open and she stepped outside wearing a one-piece romper, with black lace on the V-neck and around the bottom, in black with pink flowers and greenery, and spaghetti straps that crisscrossed in the back, one of the surprise gifts from Julie. It was silky, free flowing material, comfortable, and gave her a 'sexy, this is our night' kind of feeling.

Jack swallowed hard. He would like to say that his body became aroused when she stepped out of the bathroom, but truth was, his body had been building to this moment all night.

She glanced at his boxers, and it was not his erection she focused on, but the saying on the shorts. Having ordered 'Property of Elizabeth,' the printing on the boxers actually said, 'I have a heart on for Elizabeth.'" She swallowed, "Jack, that's not what I ordered."

"I'm sorry, but I think this is what you're going to get…"

Seeing the hurt in his eyes, she immediately approached him. Her arms slipped around his neck, "That's not what I meant. Jack, trust me, I am so happy that I have that effect on you, and that your body wants mine. I meant that the printing on the boxers was supposed to say, 'Property of Elizabeth.' But apparently what they sent me is accurate too."

"Maybe we can get another one that says 'Property of Beth…'"

"I love it when you call me that," she whispered before glancing around the room, various candles he had lit throughout the room cast a soft glow. She smiled at the scent of roses, and the petals which nearly covered the path to the bed.

As a local radio station played softly through the stereo system, the DJ could be heard making the following announcement…

"Congratulations go out tonight to The Honorable Jack Thornton and his new bride, Elizabeth, who were married this evening. I'm not sure if the lovebirds are listening, but we'd like to dedicate this next song, 'When A Man Loves A Woman' by Percy Sledge to the newlyweds. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Thornton, or is it Honorable and Mrs.? Well, whatever, congratulations!"

Jack's fingers tenderly traced down her arm, "You are so beautiful." He took hold of her hand as his arm slipped around her waist and they began to dance.

When a man loves a woman
Can't keep his mind on nothing else
He'll trade the world
For the good thing he's found
If she's bad he can't see it
She can do no wrong
Turn his back on his best friend
If he put her down

When a man loves a woman
Spend his very last dime
Trying to hold on to what he needs
He'd give up all his comfort
Sleep out in the rain
If she said that's the way it ought to be

With her head on his shoulder, he tilted his head back slightly as his finger under her chin lifted her face upward allowing their lips to meet. He felt much like a kid at Christmas; he wanted her, all of her; to touch her, taste her, hold her, and to finally make love to her, and his Christmas Eve, had just changed to Christmas morning, and he couldn't wait to unwrap his one prized package.

When a man loves a woman
I give you everything I have
Trying to hold on to your precious love
Baby, please don't treat me bad

One kiss led to another, as their passion, respiration and the heat between them intensified. Resting against his bare chest, and feeling his strong arms around her body, Elizabeth felt the unconditional and overpowering love that she knew she would feel when the moment arrived to give herself to the man who completed her world.

When a man loves a woman
Down deep in his soul
She can bring him such misery
If she plays him for a fool
He's the last one to know
Loving eyes can't ever see

When a man loves a woman
He can do no wrong
He can never own some other girl
Yes when a man loves a woman
I know exactly how he feels
'Cause baby, baby, baby, you're my world

When a man loves a woman

As the song ended, Jack's lips again covered hers. He kissed down her neck and across her shoulder as his tongue trailed along her collarbone. His finger under the spaghetti strap of her lingerie had her skin tingling, pressing closer, she wanted to feel all of him against her.

Jack dropped the strap of her top over her shoulder and then glanced into her eyes. This time he observed her want, need and desire for him, but there was no look of indecision. He could feel her love and sense the trust she felt for him as her hands rested on his hips and her thumbs timidly breeched the elastic waistband of his boxers.

His lips returned to her neck as his finger drops the other strap over her shoulder. The garment, slinky and free flowing dropped to the floor on top of the rose petals in a puddle of silk, and he held her hand as she stepped out of the lingerie.

Elizabeth giggled softly at the fact that she had worn the sexy romper less than twenty minutes.

His hands continued to hold her as she stood nearly naked with nothing but a pair of bikini panties between her and how she had arrived into this world. He leaned in and gently kissed her neck, and nibbled gently on her ear before whispering, "I don't want either of us to ever forget this night."

Jack picked her up in his arms, her arms around his neck and their lips pressed hungrily together as he carried her the short distance to the bed. He carefully laid her down as his hand held her head before resting it on the pillow. She smiled and cried at the same time, much like a beautiful spring day, sunshine in the morning and a cool shower in the afternoon to remind us how wonderful change can be.

He lay beside her, his hand brushing across her shoulder, consumed by his own emotions for this woman who somehow, he believed, he had loved all his life. She was now his wife, the woman that caused the sun to rise each morning, and the one who gave him the oxygen that filled his lungs.

Her hand brushed across his cheek as her thumbs dried the tears which continued to fall. "Are you okay?" she asked as her hands cradled his face.

"I love you so much, Beth."

There, he did it; he called her Beth, causing the butterflies in her stomach to flutter wildly. It was not Pumpkin, Baby, Lamb chop, or muffin. It was part of her given name, nothing fancy, but it was something no one else called her, and it was special between them.

"I love you Jack," she whispered. What followed next were words that she had come to fear she would never say, "Make love to me…"

It was finally here, the time to let her inhibitions go; to feel everything she had held inside, to love the man she had waited her entire life for.

Elizabeth could feel his upper body pressed against hers as his lips covered her mouth and his hands began to gently explore her body. His finger slipped through the marrow waistband of her bikini panties and he slid them down her long, shapely and tanned legs, dropping them onto the floor beside the bed.

He felt like a kid in a candy store, wanting to try everything, taste everything, but he was also worried that in his enthusiasm, she would be cheated out of the entire first experience because he was rushing. He had never wanted something or someone so badly in his entire life, and he took a deep breath, doing his best to calm the urgency his body was feeling.

His mouth covered hers. Her lips opened slightly as his tongue slipped through and swept across the tender nerve filled areas within her mouth. Feeling her body soften against him, his hands brushed across her chest as he cradled her face in his hands. With each subsequent kiss, the heat and passion exploded. She felt his hands on her body, the feeling of which had her squirming in delight.

She inhaled, and much like the draw a moth feels to a flame, the bouquet of fruity notes including Corsican blackcurrant, Italian Bergamot, French apple, and royal pineapple from his Creed Aventus cologne blended with the birch and patchouli, giving it a smoky confidence that she had to admit was quite irresistible.

She felt his warm breath on her neck, as his lips, pressed ever so gently against the skin on her shoulder. His hand rested along her waist, inching slowly upward until his palm covered her left breast. She closed her eyes; wanting to experience every touch, every sensation, every feeling, every emotion, and she believed that she was somehow suspended above herself; somehow having found the elusive Heaven on Earth.

Jack could feel her chest rise and fall as her respiration became more rapid, excited…more enthusiastic. He gently rubbed her nipple between his thumb and forefinger, feeling it become hard and erect, much like his own member, which seemed to press eagerly against Elizabeth's hip.

Jack's lips ventured down her cleavage, and not wanting any part of her to feel left out, he took her right breast in his mouth, rolling his tongue across her nipple feeling it also come alive as Elizabeth's back arched. His mouth was wet, and his breath was warm, leaving Elizabeth to feel things that she had never allowed and until this moment, had only previously heard her girlfriends discuss amongst themselves…a conversation that always had Elizabeth feeling left out.

With his hand resting on the inside of her thigh he pressed his fingers against her soft, smooth skin. Slowly, he moved down her body, his lips and tongue touching and tasting the saltiness of her abdomen and reaching the sweetness of her core.

Elizabeth felt his warm breath as his mouth moved against her. Her eyes remained closed as she felt herself drifting somewhere between reality and heaven and wondering why they had waited so long to experience what her body felt was long overdue.

"Beth…" he whispered her name, wanting to make certain that she was accepting of what was happening between them.

"Please don't stop…" she whispered back; a sense of urgency was easily noted.

His tongue was so hot, so wet; she had never felt anything like that before. Every part of her was aching for more as he touched her, teased her, and as her body moved closer to him, it felt as though he tormented her.

His touch brought about soft sounds that she had no idea she could make, wanton desire for another that she never thought she'd experience, and feelings she had no idea she could feel until her entire body convulsed, leaving her breathless and somehow floating somewhere above the bed in a euphoric daze.

Jack worked his way back up her body, touching and kissing her skin along the way. Her body was warm, her skin was soft, and he blinked several times finding it hard to believe that they were together, married and he was finally making love to the woman of his dreams.

Skin to skin their bodies touched from lips to toes. Passionately, his mouth took quick control of hers as his tongue pressed through the seam of her lips and she returned his kisses with the thirst of a desert traveler.

Elizabeth pressed her fingers through the waistband of his boxers, and she felt him softly gasp, leaving her to wonder if it was due to excitement or fear. "I won't hurt you," she whispered.

He could not deny that he wanted her in every way, and he certainly did not think she'd hurt him, but he whispered, "Tonight is for you; I'm fine."

"But I want us to be completely together; I may not be good at it yet, but you can teach me what you like…" she responded breathlessly as her lips pressed against the skin on his chest. Her tongue rolled around his nipples, feeling them harden, and as her hand slipped between his boxers and his pelvis, she could feel him harden even more there as well.

Jack closed his eyes as she took him by hand gently rubbing up and down his shaft. "Tell me what you want, what you like," she whispered.

As she stroked back and forth, his eyes closed, his heart pounded and his respiration rapidly increased. "Beth…I want this; I want you; I want…" He was unable to finish his thought as he felt her lips on his stomach and her hand, firmly but carefully held his shaft. His hips rose slightly as his boxers were pulled down his legs and dropped to the floor where they kept company with her panties.

His body was warm from the moment she touched him, he was certain that he was on fire, much like a candle burning from both ends.

His hips moved back and forth causing some friction between her hand and his growing, hard and firm penis. As she continued to stroke back and forth, his moans made it evident that she held the power to the pleasure he was experiencing.

His present reality far surpassed the many dreams he had had since meeting Elizabeth on the side of the road. Although waiting to be together had been agony, there was no doubt that it was the right decision for her, and truthfully for him as well.

Her lips passed his abdomen, and as he softly moaned, she replaced her hand with her mouth, thanking the writers in Cosmopolitan for the recently read article, "Sure Way to Please Your Man."

She concentrated on the tip of his penis, finally understanding, based on his sounds of satisfaction, and 'Oh my God' moans, what her friends meant when they said that men would do practically anything for that feeling of sexual satisfaction.

Given the anticipation of their time together, and the pleasure she was currently providing him, he was close to having little left for her. His hands on her arms tugged gently, pulling her up his body.

Her lips pressed lovingly against his stomach, his chest, and his shoulder before working her way up his neck where she nibbled lightly on his earlobe.

"Are you okay?" he asked, wanting to make certain that she was comfortable with what had already taken place.

Elizabeth blushed, "I guess since I don't know what I'm doing, I should ask you the same…"

Jack could not speak; he could barely breathe. He rolled over her body, carrying her with him, as he came to rest straddling her hips. His hands rested on the pillow on either side of her head as he closed the distance between them, and his lips met hers.

The kiss was tender, but insistent as his tongue pressed through. She felt the weight of his body upon her and although they were skin to skin, neither one felt as though they were close enough. Truth be told, Elizabeth was not so certain that she would ever be as close to Jack as she craved.

She was slightly aware of him turning away and rolling on a condom. "Do you want to wear that?" she asked.

"Well, we've talked about kids, but not when we want them, so I was being safe; I'm sorry," he replied as he turned away, not certain if she wanted him to wear it or not.

Her hand on his arm turned him back to face her. "I'm sorry Jack, we should have discussed it, but unless you want to wait, I feel like the Lord will bless us when he feels it is the right time."

"Are you sure," he smiled, quite relieved by her answer.

"I am, but if you aren't sure, wear it. I've just heard it's like taking a shower with a raincoat on…"

He laughed, "You know, for someone new to all this, you know a lot and are quite skilled at what you've never done…"

He removed the condom as his lips met the soft skin below her right ear, "I'm positive, he whispered."

Jack positioned his body over hers. His hands were just above her shoulders as his knees pressed her legs open. Elizabeth's legs separated as her bent knees cradled his hips. He watched her face, assuming that the first time for her may be painful. Slowly he entered her.

Carefully he rocked his hips forward, pressing deeper. Seeing her wince slightly, he stopped. Concerned for her he whispered, "Are you okay?"

"Don't stop," she practically begged as nothing, absolutely nothing felt as scary, yet as exciting and exhilarating as the sensation of him slipping inside her.

He carefully pressed deeper; his hands, strategically placed on either side of her head, rested on her pillow as the cool jazz sounds of Kenny G played in the background.

This had to be a dream; to feel so close to her, he knew that this must be what heaven felt like. His eyes were open as he watched her. With each stroke he could only assume that whatever pain she felt previously had subsided, because her head rolled back slightly, she smiled, and her soft, gentle moans were music to his ears.

His rhythm intensified as he felt her internal muscles tighten around him. The friction between them had his pelvis rocking quickly in and out as her hips rose from the bed as if she were seeking something in the air.

Jack's blood was pounding in his veins, nearly as hard as the waves were crashing on the beach just outside the closed door on their balcony. He continued to fill her with a hard, pulsing and unyielding energy. With each thrust, he could sense that he was crashing through the walls of her previously suppressed desires, opening her to a world of trust and complete love.

As her legs wrapped around his waist, crossing at her ankles, her moans of pleasure echoed in his ear, assuring him that those previously suppressed desires were bursting through her with the power of a volcanic eruption.

Their rhythm continued strong, and with each thrust, it was as if they were choreographed to the music playing on the stereo, simply perfect for horizontal jazz dancing.

The muscles in his arms strained as his lips pressed firmly against hers. He continued to press deeper and harder as her hands walked up his arms and crossed behind his neck.

As they climbed higher and higher, her hips rocked forward, and he pushed deeper inside. She held him tight as he moved faster and harder, toward a dizzying climax.

Jack was exhausted; he rested beside her as both did their best to control their breathing. Neither spoke; at that moment neither could have spoken if they had wanted to. Their hearts pounded wildly, and their respiration was so rapid that Elizabeth, having not experienced this before, assumed that she was hyperventilating.

He held her in his arms; her head rested on his chest as his hand tenderly drew designs with his fingers on her bare back. She listened as his heart pounded but gradually calmed. He pulled the comforter over their naked bodies, bent down and kissed the top of her head, "I love you…"

"I love you too…" she whispered back, surprised that she was even capable of formulating a sentence.

It was early Sunday morning by the time they both fell asleep. Wrapped in his arms when slumber consumed them, she was in the same position, his arms still around her when she woke five hours later.

She carefully slipped out of bed and grabbed her bikini panties from the floor. She took Jack's tuxedo shirt from the back of the chair and headed into the bathroom. A few minutes later she stepped out dressed in her panties but his shirt and headed for the first floor to make breakfast for her new husband.

As Elizabeth stood at the stove scrambling some eggs, she felt Jack's warm breath on her neck as his hands held onto the counter on either side of her waist.

"Do you have any idea how sexy you look in my shirt, Mrs. Thornton?" he leaned in and whispered in her ear.

"Do you have any idea why I wore it?" she giggled as she removed the pan from the burner, cut off the stove and turned around to face him.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Isn't that just like you to be concerned about me."

"Well, I am, but to be honest, it's a bit selfish on my part," he admitted.

"Selfish…you?"

"I'm hoping that you enjoyed yourself enough that you'll want to do it again…and again…"

"And again…" she continued his thought. "I had a perfect time, and I know that maybe for you…"

He placed his finger on her lips, effectively silencing her. "I'm sure your mother probably told you that there is a difference between making love and having sex."

"Yes, I listened, but Julie and Viola weren't really interested in the concept of virginity."

"I know that waiting has been difficult. Well, I guess I can only speak for myself. It has been excruciatingly difficult for me…"

"I'm sorry," she answered before he had an opportunity to complete his sentence.

"No honey, I'm not saying that because I want to make you feel bad." His hands cradled her face, "Last night was the best night of my life; I married the woman of my dreams, and I made love for the first time in my life." He leaned in and pressed her body against the counter as his lips captured hers.

"Jack, you don't have to say that…I mean the making love for the first-time part. The woman of my dreams part is nice to hear," She responded. Before he could take a breath and answer, she continued, "I don't think I've ever expected a man to wait until marriage, especially as old as we are now, so it's okay."

"No honey, I have never made love before, and I have to say, you asked once if it would have made any difference to me if you hadn't waited. Truthfully, I love you unconditionally, so no, it would not have mattered. But Beth, the fact that you waited to give that special part of yourself to me is important, and I'm so honored to be your husband."

Trying to lighten the mood, he continued, unaware that he was going down a dark path. "So, I have to say that I saved the damsel in distress that afternoon on the side of the road," he remarked. "I would have had your dad's SUV fixed too if the storm hadn't been coming."

"Oh right; you said it was the water pump or radiator, but the pooling fluid under the vehicle told us that."

"I totally believe that we were meant to meet at that moment," he responded. Continuing he stated, "But before you correct me, I guess we would have met through Faith and Carson anyway."

Seeing a change in her face he asked, "What did I say, what's wrong?"

Elizabeth took a seat at the table, "Jack, if we hadn't met on the side of the road, maybe we wouldn't have talked at the cookout, and maybe I wouldn't be here right now. Eli Walker would have killed me before we even met."

Jack took hold of both of her hands, "You listen to me, Beth Thornton, whether I had met you on the side of the road or at the cookout, letting you get away from me was not an option."

Jack continued to explain, "Look, the Lord put us together, but then we left the scene with neither one of us knowing the name of the other. I thought I'd lost you. When I saw you at the cookout, it was the Lord's way of saying, "You two belong together," he squatted down beside her chair.

"I love you so much, Jack."

"I love you too, Beth…"

"It turns me on when you call me that…"

"Beth, Beth, Beth, Beth…" his soft, sensuous tone was quite the turn on.

"Are you hungry?" she asked.

He smiled, "I sure am." He grabbed her hand and pulled her up and into his embrace.

"I meant for food."

"Oh…" he looked disappointed.

"Hey, let's try out the elevator…" she replied, remembering that he had mentioned this to be a fantasy of his. She quickly took off for the hallway with Jack in hot, and I mean HOT pursuit.

She pressed the button on the elevator before he reached her. Turning her around, he pressed her against the wall beside the elevator. He held her hands as he pulled them above her head. Holding her arms with one hand, his other hand repeatedly pressed the elevator button as his mouth passionately covered hers.

When the door opened, Jack grabbed Elizabeth by the waist and backed her into the elevator, pressing her against the back wall. Standing so close that not even a whisper could slip between them, his hand brushed several strands of loose hair, that had fallen out of her French braid, behind her ear. The door closed, but without someone pushing the button for another floor, it remained stationary.

He nibbled gently on her ear, as his hand urgently worked on his tuxedo shirt that she was wearing. As each button was released, the material fell away from her body and his lips were immediately there to meet her soft skin. With the last button released, he pulled the shirt over her shoulders, but paid no attention as it dropped to the floor.

"You are so beautiful; you are perfect…"

"Jack, I'm not perfect."

"You're perfect for me," he breathlessly responded before his lips turned their attention to her neck.

She felt his hand tenderly move across her body, stopping to gently caress each breast. As his thumbs swept across her nipples, she felt them become hard and erect.

Pressed against her body, she felt him become hard and erect.

His mouth covered hers with the enthusiasm of a military homecoming. He needed her, and the truth was, he desperately wanted her.

Feeling her knees wobble, Elizabeth was thankful when she felt his arms under hers as he held her up. Her hands were on the hem of his t-shirt as she began to role the material between her fingers. Over his head the garment flew, dropping onto the floor.

Still a little nervous and uncertain about what he enjoyed, and whether she could do it to his liking, her hands began to explore his body. Little did she know that simply the touch of her skin against his set his body on fire, sizzling like a summer shower on hot asphalt.

She slipped her fingers behind the elastic of his "I have a heart on for Elizabeth" boxers as he moved even closer. As his boxers fell to the floor, and she took hold of his shaft with her hand, he felt himself becoming weak and rested his hand on the wall. "Are you sure, Beth…?"

"Do you like it?" she asked as she knelt in front of him and slowly replaced her hand with her mouth.

"Oh…yes," he could barely formulate the one syllable words as her hand and mouth began to work in unison.

Feeling much like he was about to literally explode, his hands pulled her up to eye level. He pressed her firmly against the wall as his lips made soft contact with her neck, "I can't get enough of you, Beth."

Moving down her body, his mouth covered her right breast as his hand covered her left, switching places moments later so her left breast did not feel left out.

Elizabeth could feel his finger slip through the elastic on the side of her bikini panties as he slipped them down her tanned and toned legs. Stepping out of them, she felt his fingers move back up her legs, probing and prodding her aching flesh, sending her mind into a euphoric whirlwind of bright flashes of color.

As he moved back up her body, his hands on her waist lifted her and her knees rested on his hips. With her still pressed against the wall, he slowly entered her, carefully, cautiously, making certain that what was happening felt as good to her as it did to him.

The sharp pain she had felt last night was a dull, relatively distance memory, and she had to admit that nothing in this world felt as good as the sensation of him slowly slipping inside her.

His hips rocked forward, slowly filling her with his length. As her legs tightened around his waist, he could feel her internal muscles doing the same and the sensation caused by the friction of their bodies had his thrusts becoming harder and more powerful.

He snapped his hips, withdrawing them just enough that she felt the loss of him until he filled her again with a soul shattering thrust. Pressing deeper and harder, they both reached the top of the mountain, falling off as orgasms rolled up through their bodies, warm and all-consuming.

Out of breath and barely able to stand, Jack pressed the button on the elevator, which opened on the second floor, and he summoned all his strength to carry her to bed.

Under the covers she rested her head on his chest as she felt his erratic breath slowly calm. "I love you so much, Beth."

Her hands on his chest held her chin as she looked into his already closed eyes. "Are you okay?"

His eyes did not open, but he released a soft laugh, "You will have to excuse me; I'm in Heaven right now."

"So, one fantasy down. Do you have any others that I should know about?" she asked.

"Well…"

"Go ahead."

"Beth, I'd like to make love out on the beach…"

"What is it with men wanting to make love outside?"

"I don't know about other men, but I have to say for me, it's the feeling of the stars above me, and hearing the water…it's about feeling free."

"Jack, I'd love to give you what you want, but in this case, I don't see it happening unless we have a private beach."

Jack said nothing; he simply smiled.

"Is that a smirk I see…?"

"No, just an acknowledgement."

"Jack, are we spending our honeymoon here?"

Suddenly his eyes shot open, "Oh no, what time is it?"

Glancing over at the digital clock on the bedside table, she replied, "It's 9:15 in the morning."

"Oh no, our flight leaves as noon; we need to get out of here."

They both jump into the shower, her in the master bath and him in the guest room, knowing that to take a shower together would certainly keep them from getting to the airport in time.

At 9:45, they rushed out of the house. They were both dressed, but her wet hair was pulled up into a ponytail. He placed both suitcases in the back and they headed for Norfolk International Airport.

They made it through TSA and down to the American Airlines Terminal A, Gate 4, with ten minutes to spare.

Glancing up at the screen, "We're going to New York?" she asked. "I mean New York is wonderful, but I thought we were going somewhere tropical so all I brought were bathing suits, a couple of outfits, and well, lingerie," her voice ended in a whisper.

He smiled, handing her the tickets, she wrapped her arms around his neck, "The Maldives…we're going to the Maldives?"

"Is that okay?"

"Okay; Jack, it's perfect. I've never been, but I understand that it's beautiful," she replied as she finally released his neck and took a seat.

The flight was long, extremely long, but they held hands and slept on each other's shoulders as they flew from Norfolk to Laguardia, to Sri Lanka, finally reaching the Maldives via seaplane, late the following day.

They loaded their bags in a vehicle and were taken past hotels and resorts, stopping on the end of the island at a house with a pool and a view to die for.

Their bags were unloaded, and the driver quickly disappeared as Jack and Elizabeth stepped into the two-story residence, their home for the week. They walked through the residence, with Elizabeth mesmerized by the view of the Indian Ocean from each room.

"Why don't you go lay down for a while; I know you have to be tired," Jack suggested.

"Why don't you come with me and we can take a nap before dinner," she suggested. She took his hand and they walked into the bedroom. The bed was completely dressed in white sheets, with two white and two red pillows, and a green floral bedspread folded at the foot of the mattress. Sitting in the middle of the bed were red rose petals in the shape of a heart surrounding towels folded to resemble two swans, their heads and necks coming together to form the shape of a heart.

Elizabeth stretched out on the bed and before Jack could join her, she was sound asleep. He snuggled up next to her, a new sense of emotion consuming him as he wrapped his arm around his wife. He took a deep breath and fell asleep with the scent of her floral shampoo and conditioner filling his senses.

Several hours later, they stretched, barely having moved since they had fallen asleep. Jack slipped out of bed and walked over to the full room width, ceiling to floor glass sliding doors and glanced outside.

Walking back to the bed he sat down beside her, "Are you hungry?"

"Is this a trick question?" she asked.

"Well, this time I think we really need food," he responded. "Come with me; I want to show you something."

"Jack, isn't it more appropriate if you show me here?"

"Beth, I'm not talking about that, although I'm thinking there may be a surprise in store after dark…"

"What are you talking about?"

"In due time, my dear…come on, let's go eat," he held out his hand and helped her out of bed.

"What's that?" she asked as she looked out the sliding doors and observed lit candles, seating and dinner down by the water.

"That's for us; are you ready?"

Walking down to the water, Elizabeth glanced around. Finding the place nearly deserted she asked, "Where are all the other guests?"

He gave her that look, a sly smile she previously observed after their elevator rendezvous, "They are on the other end of the island. Welcome to our private beach, Beth…"

To be continued…