Chapter 47

The Day that she changed her name

The morning of Elizabeth's wedding was bright and sunny. Even though the wedding was going to be inside the church, the reception would be outside as long as it didn't rain. If that did happen, Abigail had a back- up plan to open up the restaurant if necessary.

The wedding was scheduled for 1:00 and she was ready supposed to be over at Rosemary's shop at 11:00 to get ready. Jack and Lee would get ready in his office. Elizabeth sang as she took her shower, she was just so happy and didn't know how she could be so lucky in her life. She got dressed in a pair of comfy pants and a shirt, so she would be comfortable while Rosemary worked her majic on her. After eating a small breakfast, she went ahead with the task of getting odds and ends ready for her little suitcase. She would use this as her carry on, wherever they were headed on their honeymoon. Jack was actually keeping their destination a secret but Rosemary was let in on the secret, so she came over yesterday while school was going on. She had packed all the clothes that Elizabeth would need for the honeymoon.

Grabbing her purse, the suitcase, and her phone, she bent down to give Scout some hugs and kisses. Cody had promised to take care of him and Rip while they were gone.

"Well buddy, this is it. By the time that I see you again, I will be a married woman. You aren't going to be the only guy in my heart or houseanymore . You know Jack right? Elizabeth was rewarded with a lick on the nose as soon as he heard Jack's name. He has made me so happy, and now you are going to have to share my affection lol."

Realizing that it was time to go, she grabbed all of her stuff and headed out the door. She didn't lock it so that Cody would be able to get it to feed Scout. Walking down Main St, she thought of how excited she was to be able to move into her and Jack's new house. Both Jack and Lee had finished the house yesterday and the barn would be built after the wedding. There was a fence built and Lee would start on the barn while they were gone. Everything that belonged to Elizabeth was pretty much moved into the new house but whatever was left, Rosemary promised to see to it.

"Elizabeth! Are you ready for your big day? Let's go." Elizabeth sat down in the chair and let Rosemary work. About an hour later, she had a whole new face and a new hairstyle. Elizabeth had picked the colors, dark purple and gray. The flowers and Rosemary's dress were purple and the men would wear gray suits. So she had Rosemary do a blend of purple and gray eyeshadow, eyeliner with a tiny bit of sparkles and sparkly lipstick. Her hair was all curled, then most of it was put on top of her head in the shape of a halo. The rest of it was left to hang around her face in long curls. Elizabeth couldn't wait to see Jack, she missed him. She put on the earrings that Rosemary had let her borrow, the locket that Jack had given her for Christmas and her veil was new. She didn't have anything blue but she was confident that not having something blue wouldn't ruin their special day.

"Alright Elizabeth, let's put on your dress! Rosemary had a huge grin on her face as Elizabeth stepped into her dress. I just knew that when I met all of you in Union City that night, that special things were in store for the 3 of you. Little did I know that I would become part of those special things."

At the church

Frank stood at the front of the church and was checking his notes in his Bible. All of their friends had started to arrive and found their seats, everyone admiring all the decorations.

Lee and Jack came walking up and stood beside Frank near the front. They all listened to Timmie, Elizabeth's very talented student playing the piano.

"Are you ready to make Elizabeth your wife pal? You both know that Rosie and I wish you both all the best and we'll always be here for you both. Elizabeth is a very good woman and you both will be very happy together." Lee reached over and gave him a hug.

"Thanks Lee, thank you for being there for me, Tom and mom when Dad passed. You are such a good friend to me and Elizabeth, I owe you so much." All of a sudden, Timmie came up and whispered in Frank's ear.

"Gentlemen, the ladies have arrived. Let's all take our places." Poor Jack was so nervous, but there was no way he was going to tell that to anyone. There was also nothing that would stop him from marrying the love of his life today either.

Timmie started playing a slow simple piece for the bridal party to walk down the aisle to first. First, came little Opal, tossing her purple rose petals, then Rosemary in her gorgeous purple dress. It was a very simple, but so elegant. It was satin, the top was nicely fitted to her curves but not tight at all. Below the waist, the dress was flowing down to her feet. As Opal neared the front, she made eye contact with Jack, who gave her a nod of approval and a smile. Lee's eyes lit up when he saw how pretty his Rosie was. As soon as she got to the front, the bridal march started to play, and Elizabeth started down the aisle with Bill by her side. She had asked Bill to give her away to Jack, he was a good friend of his. He was both a father fiquire to Elizabeth and Jack both. As they started down the aisle, Jack just looked in amazement at how much more beautiful Elizabeth was at this moment. Her dress was fitted on the top as well. It had thin shoulder straps but the straps went around her neck and fastened instead of being on her shoulders. The top had sequins on it and sparkling gems all over. Below the waist was just satin, full and flowing. Jack couldn't take his eyes of of her and she immediately locked onto his gaze as soon as she saw him. Both he and Lee had dark gray suits, while Lee had a purple tie on, Jack had both the purple tie and a purple vest on. Everything matched perfectly, and the flowers that the ladies carried, all the way down to Opal's petals. All the flowers and decorations made the inside of the church absolutely gorgeous. Reaching the front, Bill handed Elizabeth over to Jack but not before giving her a fatherly kiss on the forehead. Jack took her hand and nodded his thanks to Bill.

"Wow, you look incredible." He couldn't stop staring in her eyes as she couldn't tear her gaze from him. They both smiled at each other and turned towards Frank.

"Friends, we are here to join this man and this woman together in marriage. I have been here to witness this entire story of love fall into place between these two people, from the very beginning. Marriage is a promise that a man and a woman make to each other and it shouldn't be taken lightly. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13 that love is patient, love is kind, and that love never fails. We are all here to witness this love that Jack and Elizabeth share with each other and now want to join together and become one. Jack and Elizabeth have written their own vows to pledge to one another. Jack?" Jack took a deep breath and wanted to say everything that he was feeling at that very moment.

"Elizabeth, from the first time I saw you, you looked so scared and nervous when you arrived in Hope Valley. After some time, I watched you and everything changed. You took the children of this town and taught them as your own. I was sure that you were the woman that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I choose you and no other, and your happiness is the only thing that I will do my very best to make come true. I make the promise in front of you and all our friends that I will take care of you for the rest of our days. I love you with all that I am, I'm yours forever." Elizabeth just held his gaze and tried to hold in her tears. There wasn't a dry eye in the congregation.

"Jack, when I first came to teach in Hope Valley, I never expected to find love, but I did. You were always there for me, no matter what the circumstances were or what time of day. Before I knew what was happening, you became the most important person in my life. I promise to love you as long as I life and to be the kind of wife that you deserve. You have my heart, my soul and you are my life." tears freely falling, she did her best to continue. " I love you Jack, so very much." They both just looked at each other with all the love in the world. Lee handed Jack the ring while Rosemary handed her Jack's ring. They both placed the rings on each others hand at the same time.

"Elizabeth with this ring." Jack put it halfway on her finger.

"I thee wed." Then they both slid the rings on the other's finger at the very same moment

"Because Jack and Elizabeth have made the vow to love each other before God and all that are here, it is with great pleasure that I now pronouce them husband and wife. Jack you may kiss your bride." Frank just smiled as Jack grabbed Elizabeth and gave her a kiss like her had never kissed her before. They both held on to that first kiss as husband and wife for a moment. Everyone in Hope Valley stood and cheered for the newly married couple. "I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Jack Thornton." They finally broke the kiss, faced the crowd as Rosemary handed her back her bouquet. Never had Elizabeth been so happy and by the look on Jack's face, neither had he. The couple was so ready for the excitment that the day held and they would be doing it as man and wife.