Chapter 35 – After the Wedding
Jack and Elizabeth headed back into the church and Jack slipped her coat back off. They went back to the front of the decorated church and Dee took a few pictures before packing the camera up and leaving Jack and Elizabeth alone. Jack wrapped his arms around Elizabeth and gave her another kiss, one that was a little more passionate then the one they had with everyone there. Before they left the church, they made sure that all the candles were out and Jack banked the fire. Jack helped Elizabeth get her coat back on before they closed the door and headed to the saloon. Jack helped her lift her dress so that it didn't get dirty.
When they got to the saloon. Jack helped her up the steps and then stopped her for a moment to steal another kiss before they entered. They were excited to share this time with their friends and family, but were also excited to leave and have their time together. They entered the saloon to a number of cheers, apparently their kiss was not quite as private as they thought. Elizabeth blushed and Jack just has a silly dimpled grin on his face. He was way to happy to care that they had been caught kissing.
Jack and Elizabeth were both hungry, so they wanted to grab a bite to eat. They encouraged everyone to eat so that they could. After they had eaten a bit, they started to go around and talk with people. That was when Bill called Jack and Elizabeth up in front of everyone. Charlotte and Abigail made sure had some champagne. Then Bill stepped forward.
"I want to congratulate Jack and Elizabeth." Bill said. "I have known Jack since he was in the academy. Actually, I met him once as a young boy and when he entered the academy to be a Mountie, I knew that he would be good at it. I knew his father would have been proud. I was proud of him for following a calling despite what happened to his father. I have watched Jack, here grow into a wonderful man. Now he has found an equally wonderful woman to have his side. May your lives be filled with much joy and happiness."
Everyone lifted a glass to Jack and Elizabeth. Abigail stepped forward.
"I was one of the first people to meet Elizabeth when she came to Coal Valley." Abigail said. "Her start here was not the easiest, but she quickly showed that she was up for the challenge of living out here on the frontier. I have been lucky enough to have a front row seat to watch this love story grow and blossom. When they first meet there were sparks flying. A love like theirs doesn't come along everyday. It is a love that is undeniable and it can't be broken. Theirs is a love of a lifetime are built on. To Mr and Mrs Jack Thornton."
Everyone lifted a glass to Jack and Elizabeth and cheers to the bride and groom could be heard. Then Wynn stepped forward.
"Jack and Elizabeth." Wynn said. "I just want to say how happy I am for the both of you.. Neither of you have chosen an easy path, but may it an easier path together because you share it with each other. Now, my dear Beth, I know I am not your father, but would you do me the honor of sharing the traditional father/daughter dance with me."
"I would love to." Elizabeth said.
Wynn stepped forward and took Elizabeth's hand and led her to the dance floor as Rosemary started the music. Jack gave them a minute before going up and tapping Wynn on the shoulder.
"May I?" Jack asked.
Wynn nodded and placed Elizabeth's hand in Jack's, then stepped back to allow them to enjoy their first dance as husband and wife. Jack looked at Elizabeth and smiled.
"Finally." He said, softly to her.
"Finally." She repeated.
They finished the song and Rosemary immediately started a second. People started joining Jack and Elizabeth on the dance floor. The rest of the afternoon, was spent dancing and talking with friends. Finally as it get toward the supper hour, people started to say their goodbyes. Bill excused himself to go get the wagon for Jack and Elizabeth. Dee excused himself to head out on rounds for Jack. After Bill and Dee excused themselves, Cat said her goodbyes and headed to the row house to set up the surprise for Jack and Elizabeth.
When Cat entered the house, she noticed the chill in the air and immediately when to stoke the fire. She also started a small fire in the kitchen stove. Once she had the fire taken care of, she headed upstairs. She found the bedroom decorated with candles and lit a few of them and left others to be lit later. She then found the bags of flower petals and sprinkled a few of them on the bed and then made a trail to the hallway and all the way down the stairs. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, Clara was there putting food in the icebox. Cat noticed the picnic basket on the table and then lit the lanterns, turned them down just a bit and hung two of them up to light the room and left the third on the table near the basket. Then she had Clara help her fill both of the water buckets from the pump one of the pumps for the row houses. Once everything was done, they quietly left the row house. Cat headed home to her kids and Clara headed back to town.
Back at the saloon, Jack and Elizabeth had said their goodbyes. Jack helped Elizabeth into the wagon and then went around and climbed up, so that he could take her home. While Jack and Elizabeth left, Abigail, Charlotte, Wynn and Aunt Elizabeth started picking up things at the saloon. Lee and Rosemary came back in and also started helping pick things up. It didn't take long to get things back to the cafe. When they reached the cafe, Abigail invited Wynn, Elizabeth and Charlotte to join her at the cafe instead of being stuck at the saloon. Truthfully, Abigail just really didn't want to be alone, so she was glad when everyone agreed to stay and Pastor Frank knocked on the door about ten minutes later.
Abigail offered to cook, but everyone agreed that leftovers from the wedding was just fine. Charlotte noticed how pale Becky was looking and offered to help her upstairs. When Charlotte put her arm around Becky to help her up the stairs, she noticed how warm she was. She made a mental note to ask her how she was feeling and to let Abigail know, but didn't get that far. They had barely gone up a couple of steps when Becky stopped and swayed a bit. She immediately grabbed Becky up into her arms and brought her back downstairs.
"Abigail!" Charlotte called.
By the tone of her voice, Abigail was immediately concerned and came running from the dinning room. She saw Charlotte holding Becky. Wynn and Aunt Elizabeth were right behind Abigail.
"Put her on the couch." Wynn said.
He instantly went over to her and noticed that she was very warm and getting hotter by the second. Charlotte could feel the heat coming off Becky's body as she held her and knew that things were serious.
"What do you need, honey." Aunt Elizabeth said standing behind her husband.
"Cold cloth." Wynn said. "We need to get her temperature down. Abigail what did the doctor say before."
"He thought it was just a cold." Abigail said. "She was doing better, so he wasn't concerned. He had initially said if she hadn't improved, he would have to take her back to Union City and maybe even to Hamilton. He felt that since she had lost some weight that it would just take some time for her to get her strength back."
"Okay." Wynn said. "Dee should be back soon. Can someone let him know to come here. I may need him."
"I will go get him." Pastor Frank said.
Charlotte and Aunt Elizabeth set about trying to get Becky more comfortable, and cooled off. Abigail was trying to calm Cody down. He was visible upset at seeing his sister so sick again. Abigail noticed that Wynn was very concerned and was trying not to show it. It wasn't more then twenty mintues that Pastor Frank and Dee were back. Wynn pulled Dee aside and explained the situation. Pastor Frank took Cody into the dinning room and tried to get him interested in a game of checkers. Pastor Frank's concern was heightened when he saw Dee and Charlotte take off back toward the jail quickly. Dee quickly returned with what he knew to be a medical bag. Charlotte returned shortly afterward with both hers and Dee's horses saddled. When Abigail saw the horses, she became very concerned. Dee quickly left again. He was going try and get a wire off to Buxton.
"What is going on." Abigail asked Wynn trying not to raise her voice.
"Becky needs medical attention." Wynn said. "There is a semi-retired doctor in Buxton. I have asked Dee and Charlotte to get ready to make the ride. Dee knows the way, but I thought Becky would be more comfortable riding with Charlotte."
"She is so sick." Abigail said. "Do you think that it is a good thing to take her out."
"If I had a choice." Wynn said. "I would just have them bring Dr Stone back. But that would take half the night, she needs a doctor and soon. Dee and Charlotte can make the ride to Buxton in about three to four hours. We will bundle her up warm, please trust me."
Aunt Elizabeth came downstairs with blankets and a jacket for Becky. Charlotte came over to Abigail and pulled her aside.
"Please trust me." Charlotte said. "I am afraid that Becky has more then a simple cold from being out. I have seen this before, it can look like a cold and the person improves and then suddenly gets worse. We don't have time to ride to Buxton and come back with the doctor. If there was any other way, I would not take her out. I promise that I will take care of her."
Charlotte hugged Abigail and then went to pack the saddlebag that she had on her horse. She filled all three canteens and went to put them on her horse. When Dee returned, he saddled up and Charlotte climbed up on her horse. Wynn then lifted Becky up infront of her and they made sure that she was well wrapped up. Just then Pastor Frank stepped outside.
"Let's say a quick prayer before they leave." Frank said.
Everyone gathered around the horses.
"Heavenly Father." Pastor Frank. "Please guide Charlotte and Dee as they ride. Please watch over them and keep them safe. Please watch over Becky, you are the Great Physician and know what she needs. Give the doctor wisdom. Please be with all of us as we wait. We trust that you are in control. Amen."
"Amen." Everyone echoed.
"I will ride back at first light." Dee said.
With that, Charlotte and Dee were off. They made their way through town, and were out of sight before they picked up the pace and went as fast as they dared push the horses given the temperature and rapidly fading light. All Abigail could do was watch them disappear. Aunt Elizabeth lead her back into the cafe.
"Come." She said. "I will stay with you. You need to be strong for Cody."
Once back in the cafe, Cody rushed into her arms crying. She held him for awhile, before he fell asleep. She knew that he was exhausted, but she didn't want to wake him just to take him up to bed.
"Here." Wynn said. "I will take him."
Wynn went over and lifted Cody up and carried him up to his room. Everyone else just sat without speaking. They were all worried, but there was nothing that could be done. They knew that it was going to be a long night and they wouldn't know anything until morning if not later. Wynn and Elizabeth sat with Abigail until they were all past tired. Elizabeth helped Abigail upstairs and promised to be back in the morning. Wynn and Elizabeth left the cafe, making sure that all the lights were off and that the fire had been banked for the night. They made their way back to the saloon, but neither found sleep easily. Abigail fell asleep, but she was sure that it was from exhaustion and worry.
While everything was happening in town, Jack drove the wagon toward the row house. When he pulled up in near the front step, he stopped the wagon and jumped down. He went around and lifted Elizabeth down and set her on the steps. He didn't want her dress to get dirty in the little bit of mud.
"Stay here." He said. "I will be right back."
Jack turned the wagon around and tied it off near the side of the house. He then went to the steps and pulled Elizabeth into a warn embrace. He then swept her off her feet and carried her into the house. When they walked in, there were lanterns dimly lit and the house was warm. Jack helped Elizabeth with her coat. They saw the lantern on the table near the basket and walked over their to see the note from Abigail – Something for later. When Jack turned her to pull her into a kiss, she saw the flower petals down on the stairs.
"Jack." Elizabeth said. "Did you do that?" Pointing to the stairs.
"Nope." Jack said. "But I think I know who did. Shall we go see?"
Jack held out his hand to Elizabeth and led her up the stairs and toward their bedroom. He still felt weird thinking that. Jack pushed the bedroom door open and saw more flower petals and candles around the room. He carefully led Elizabeth into the room and looked around. Elizabeth didn't recognize the quilt and then realized that Aunt Elizabeth must have put it there that morning while she was in the bath. Jack was the first to see the note up near the pillows. He went to grab it. They read it together – Something to help keep you warm. Enjoy your first night together. Love Aunt Elizabeth, Uncle Wynn and Charlotte.
"Well that explains that." Elizabeth said. "I had a feeling that Aunt Elizabeth and your mother were up to something when they wouldn't let me come back upstairs this morning."
"Welcome home Mrs Thornton." Jack said.
Jack pulled Elizabeth into his arms and started to kiss her softly at first and then with increasing need and passion. Elizabeth in turn wrapped her arms around Jack and found the back of his neck and held him close to her. They finally pulled apart when they both couldn't breathe anymore. As they rested their foreheads together, gasping for air, Jack reached up and undid the top button of his red serge.
Elizabeth broke the contact and stepped back just enough to see. She reached up and finished undoing the brass buttons on his serge. Then she ran her hands inside and slid it from his body. She carefully hung it on the back of the chair in front of her vanity. While she hung up his jacket, Jack took the opportunity to sit on the bed and remove his boots. Elizabeth also slid off her shoes before going back to stand infront of Jack. He took her hands and stood up.
"You nervous?" Jack asked.
"Yes." Elizabeth said biting her bottom lip.
"Me too." Jack said. "We will go slow, but remember we are together."
"I need help with my dress." Elizabeth said.
"What do I need to do?" Jack asked.
Elizabeth turned around and went to remove her veil before pulling her hair to the side. Jack took the veil and set it aside before coming back.
"Undo the buttons down the back." Elizabeth said.
Jack just stood there for a second, completely distracted. He gently brought his hands up to her neck and started to undo the buttons. As he opened the back of the dress, he started kissing her neck and then following his fingers down with kisses. When she felt his hands get just past her ribs, she turned around and he brought his hands up to her shoulders and she slipped the dress from her arms and let it fall to her feet. She then found his lips again and was kissing him as she tugged at his shirt. His hands left her long enough to slip out of his suspenders and lift his shirt over his head. It felt to the floor as his hands went back to her body.
Elizabeth loved the warmth of his hands on her waist and then he moved his hands down to rest on her hips. He found the bare skin just below her corset. When his fingers grazed her bare skin, she shuddered. Her hands had found his well toned chest and she danced her fingers across his chest and then around to his back. Her touch was like electricity on Jack's body. He wanted nothing more then to make her his completely, but he also wanted to go slow and enjoy exploring each other. Elizabeth was running her soft fingers up and down his shoulders and the feeling of her hands on his bare skin was pushing him closer and closer to the edge.
He broke away from kissing her lips and started trailing kisses down her neck and across her upper chest. He wanted to see all of her and reached behind to try and undo her corset, but he couldn't make heads or tails of it.
"Help." Jack finally mumbled in frustration as he continued to trail kisses across her chest.
Elizabeth reached behind her and found the ends and untied them. As he still struggled with the laces on the corset, he had reached around and found his waistband and was undoing the buttons on his pants.
"Undo it like shoelaces." Elizabeth whispered in Jack's ear as she continued to kiss him.
Finally he was able to loosen the corset and it fell to the floor. She pushed his pants off his hips. Jack stopped and quickly reached behind him and pulled the covers down. He then turned and pick up Elizabeth and laid her in the bed. After picking up her dress and laying it over his serge, he crawled into bed next to her and pulled the covers over them. They quickly found each other and continued to kiss and explore each other.