Disclaimer: I am not the owner of the characters in this story. All rights go to Crown Media, Hallmark, Brian Bird, Michael Landon, Jr., the actors, creators, and writers of the show "When Calls the Heart." Any names or locations are simply for storyline purposes.
Chapter 15- Our Fairytale Life
Elizabeth sat by the fire; her hand outstretched in front of her as she admired the new piece of jewelry that she carried on her left hand. Tristan leaned up against her; she was sound asleep with her head in Elizabeth's lap and the smile on her face showed that she was already having pleasant dreams.
Jack's arm around Elizabeth's shoulder's and the campfire before them helped to stave off the chill of the night.
Elizabeth looked down at Tristan; her fingers swept several strands of auburn hair that had escaped her pigtails away from her face. "You know, life is supposed to be so easy when you're her age." Elizabeth glanced out above the campfire and looked into the darkness of the woods as tears rolled down her cheeks. She gently brushed her fingers across Tristan's hair, "She's lived through so much in her seven short years; things that no child should have to witness."
Jack's thumb under her chin turned her to face him. His lips caught those tears which he could tell held fear, anger, and sadness, but also contained the happiness, joy, excitement and love of and for the life that lay before them.
"Mommy, I'm tired," Tristan muttered as she barely opened her eyes.
"Okay, let me take you to bed," Elizabeth whispered as she did her best to lift her into her arms.
"No mommy, I want daddy to take me…" as Tristan stood up and held out her arms to Jack.
"Honey, Jack won't technically be your daddy until after we're married; its gonna happen though, I promise."
Elizabeth and Jack watched as Tristan's facial expression changed and although she tried to hide her tears, her eyes watered.
"Tristan, what's wrong?" Jack asked.
She swallowed before saying, "Nothing," as her voice broke.
Elizabeth took her hand and turned Tristan back to face her, "Now I know that's not true. Tell us what's wrong."
Tristan looked down as she spoke, "Tommy always said that he would come see me, but he didn't. Nanny and grand pop say that they love me, but they never call me…people say things all the time but they don't mean them."
"Nanny and grand pop," Jack whispered.
"Tommy's parents," Elizabeth clarified.
"Honey, do you believe that I love Jack?"
Tristan said nothing, but shook her head up and down.
"I very much want to marry Jack, but we have to plan it; you and I need to get dresses, and we need to decide where we want to get married. Will you help me plan?"
"I get to wear a pretty dress?"
"You sure do, and Jack is going to be dressed up in a suit, looking all handsome," she responded as her crystal blue eyes met his hazel ones.
"So I can call him daddy after we get married?" Tristan asked, desperate for an answer.
Jack looked at Elizabeth, and if truth be known, he was just as desperate to be Tristan's daddy and she was to have him take on the role. He smiled and squatted down, meeting her at eye level, "No one is saying you can't call me daddy or think of me as your daddy, but we want you to know that it can't be official until after we're married and have it legally changed."
Tristan smiled as he pulled her into his embrace, "Pumpkin, just know that I'm not going anywhere. I'm with you and your mom, and that's exactly where I want to be."
"I love you," Tristan whispered as she held on tightly to his neck.
"I love you, too" Jack responded.
"Hey," Elizabeth called out, "Are you guys leaving me out intentionally?"
Tristan leaned back and opened one arm while Jack opened one as well and they both pulled her into a family hug.
"I hate to put an end to this, but I think there is a little girl who needs to get to sleep. We have to head home tomorrow…" Elizabeth stepped back and held out her hand.
"I'm not tired mommy…"
"Oh right; weren't you the same person who had her head in my lap and was snoring just a few minutes ago?"
"I don't snore mommy…"
"Okay, no you don't but you still need to get to bed. Come on, let's go…"
"Mommy, can da…can daddy tuck me in?" She asked, hesitantly using 'daddy' as a term of endearment.
"Come on Pumpkin," Jack stated as he picked her up in his arms, "I might even tell you a bedtime story."
"Oh goodie," Tristan called out as she leaned over in Jack's arms and kissed Elizabeth. "I love you mommy."
"I love you too," she stated as she watched Jack carry Tristan toward the tent.
Jack disappeared into the tent with Tristan in his arms. Elizabeth walked over and stood outside hoping to hear the bedtime story he was planning to tell.
With Tristan all snuggled into her sleeping bag, Jack kissed her forehead and started to leave.
"You promised a bedtime story…" Tristan boldly announced.
Elizabeth giggled quietly, feeling as though Jack would quickly learn that you never say you "might do" something, for to a child that makes it a promise.
"Do you know a bedtime story?" Tristan asked as she sat up in her sleeping bag.
"I have a beautiful story, but you need to lay back, close your eyes and listen," he stated as he took a seat beside her.
"Okay, make it a good one…"
"Oh, it is," he promised.
Jack glanced out the mesh window but from his vantage point, he could not see the campfire. Unaware that Elizabeth was listening to his story, he began…
"Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess, but not only was she beautiful on the outside; she was beautiful on the inside too. She lived in a castle surrounded by a moat…"
"What's a moat…?"
"Sorry, a moat is water…"
"Okay, he's gonna have to swim to her…"
"Who…?"
"Daddy, you know; the prince has to swim to get to the princess…."
"Okay, close your eyes," he stated as he watched her do as she was told.
Jack continued, "The princess had long, flowing brown hair, and the most sparkling blue eyes that you could ever imagine."
"Daddy, that sounds like mommy…"
"Hmm, it does, doesn't it?"
"Daddy, I think you're the prince…"
"Okay, close your eyes so I can finish."
"The prince and princess were madly in love, but the prince did something really stupid and rode out of town on his white stallion.
"One day maybe I can have a horse…"
"You'd probably have better luck getting a puppy. Now close your eyes so I can finish this beautiful story…"
"The prince rode out of town on his white stallion and the princess cried, but so did the prince…"
"Boys cry…?" Tristan asked as she kept her eyes closed.
"Sure boys cry; there nothing wrong with showing how you feel. It doesn't matter if you are a boy or a girl, tears are just your eyes way of saying that your heart is sad, or happy, because not all tears are bad."
Tristan opened her eyes and sat up again in the sleeping bag, "Daddy, is this a happy or sad story?"
"Oh honey, it's a very happy one. You lay back and I'll get to the good part…"
"The prince rode very far away from the princess, and things that he also loved didn't feel as important because the princess wasn't with him. He never smiled anymore because he thought he'd lost her…"
"Daddy, when's the good part coming…?"
"Sorry, here it comes," he responded. "The prince realized that the only way to smile again was to ride back to the princess and beg her to forgive him…" his voice broke.
"Daddy, are you crying…?"
"Just a little…"
"Mommy's your princess, right?"
"She certainly is."
"Daddy, tell me the rest…"
Jack wiped his eyes, "The prince rode back into town and right to the princess's castle. The King wasn't so sure that he wanted the princess to be with the prince…"
"But Pop-Pop knows how much you love mommy, so he's happy that you came back; I mean the King will be happy that the prince came back."
"The prince hopes so. He sees the princess and she is even more beautiful than he remembers. They talk and she's angry at first because he left before, but she realizes how much she loves him too. He asks her to marry him, and she agrees. They have a little girl, who actually looks a lot like you, and they live happily ever after."
"I love you daddy…"
"I love you, Pumpkin," he responded as he leaned down and kissed her forehead.
Elizabeth rushed back to the log by the fire and was seated by the time he came out of the tent.
"Is she asleep?" she asked.
"No, but she's on her way…"
"That was a beautiful story you told her," Elizabeth admitted that she'd eavesdropped on his time with Tristan.
"Did it sound like anyone you know?" he smiled; his dimples were deep and his expression flawless as he took a seat beside her.
"It sounded like us, and I loved it."
"How do you think your father is going to take the news?"
"You mean the King?"
"Yeah, well do you think he's going to let this prince marry the beautiful princess?" Jack asked.
"When he knows how happy the prince makes the princess, he'll be happy to give his blessing," she responded as his arm slipped around her shoulders and he pulled her close.
His finger under her chin lifted and turned her head to face him as their lips touch. She melted into him; much like the chocolate candy bar became a part of the marshmallow in the S'mores with which they had recently celebrated.
They separated slightly only to be drawn back to each other; their lips much like magnets with each kiss becoming more passionate than the one before. His hand rested on the side of her face as his thumb gently brushed across her cheek.
"Do you want a big wedding?" he asked.
"Well, it has to be big enough for her to be able to wear a beautiful dress. I'm sure we'll be shopping for that one shortly," Elizabeth responded.
"Jack," she continued, "What about the paparazzi?"
"Well, when we get back if you think you're ready to meet with the three that I had lined up before everything happened, we'll give our interview, and hopefully with everything out in the open, they'll move along."
"And if not?"
"Elizabeth, I can't guarantee that they'll never bother us, but I'm hoping that Matt will stay here in Florida and take the job I offered him."
"Is he interested?" she asked.
"Well, he likes Fort Lauderdale, and if nothing else, I'll hire him permanently to protect my family."
"I guess we both owe him our lives…"
"I'd love to keep Matt here; he's good at what he does, and the only person I completely trust in the security business."
"You're right Jack, he is good at what he does, but…what will your role be?"
"Don't worry Elizabeth; my role is administrative. I have no desire to be involved in that kind of action," he smiled. "I'm much more interested in the action right here," he stated as his lips pressed against hers.
As his lips met hers again, it was like the opening of their souls, tasting, feeling, experiencing every color of the rainbow, almost like catching all of the softness and sweetness of a smile and containing it in a bottle to release at a later time. It was like breathing in the cool, crisp air that warmed his soul, and it was like nothing mattered at this moment except him, and her.
His hand rested along her cheek, "Do you have any idea how happy you've made me tonight?"
"I think all three of us are happy; that little girl in there hasn't been that happy since…oh gosh I don't know that she's ever been that happy," Elizabeth stated as she leaned in and rested against his chest. "She loves you, Jack; she feels safe with you and every time she sees you, her smile lights up her face."
"I love her too," he kissed the top of Elizabeth's head. "I can't wait to adopt her; I can't wait to legally be her father."
She leaned back and caught the excitement in his eyes. Her smile captivated him, just as it had from the first moment he'd laid eyes on her all those many years ago.
"How soon do you want to get married?" she asked hoping that he was as anxious as she was.
"How about tomorrow?"
"Funny Jack; be serious, please?"
"Well, I am being serious…kinda; anyway I'll leave that up to you, but just know that I'm ready to walk down that aisle as soon as you are."
"I'm ready now, but I have to get a dress and they take a while to order."
"How long?"
"Usually about six months at the earliest."
"Six months?" the impatience in his voice was palpable. "I'm sorry. Whatever you want is fine with me."
"What do you want, Jack?"
"I want you and Tristan; I want to be able to introduce you two as my wife and daughter, and if I'm honest, I don't want something to come along and ruin what we've found again."
As Elizabeth sat back slightly, only inches from his face, she felt his arms around her as her body warmed and her heart pounded at the love she easily observed in his eyes. "You're a wonderful man, Jack Thornton; you saved us, not only physically, but emotionally," she tried to hold back her tears, but they quickly overpowered her and slipped down her cheeks.
His hands cradled her face as his thumbs gently brushed away her tears. Looking into her eyes he could see a lifetime of memories, good and bad, her insecurities, fears and disappointments, but more than anything else, in her expression he saw love.
She took a deep breath before continuing, "When you came back into my life, Tristan had been hurt so much by Tommy…"
"He hurt you too."
"I know, but I'm a big girl; I understand that life doesn't always treat you fair, but Tristan, she saw her friends whose father's loved them, paid attention to them, and she wanted Tommy to be that, and he wasn't. After all the times he'd let her down, she wanted to trust someone, but she was afraid; we were both afraid," Elizabeth looked back at the tent, "I love her so much…"
She turned back to face Jack, "And I love you with all my heart…"
His heart pounded and his desire grew as his lips pressed against the soft skin along her neck. He inhaled and the scent of her floral perfume was intoxicating. His lips covered hers; they were soft and warm but tasted slightly salty from the tears she shed, and at that moment, the campfire, and the peacefulness of the woods disappeared and he was completely lost in her.
As his tongue pressed against the seam of her lips, they willingly opened. His tongue brushed along the soft skin on the inside of her mouth as he felt her body soften. Both wanted more, they both felt the need for more, but being a parent also meant showing discretion; besides, although she wasn't looking forward to it, she knew that they needed to talk.
He kissed her again and again, each one feeling the passion growing between them. "Do you have any idea how much I want to make love to you right now?"
She said nothing; she simply smiled.
"I know we can't do anything with Tristan here, and I'm not even sure if you're physically up to it, but I just want you to know how much I want you," he whispered into her ear as he held her. "Why don't we go away; just the two of us?"
She leaned back, "Jack, can we talk…"
"I thought that's what we were doing."
"Well, we started out that way, but it moved on to something else; something I believe both of us want, but I need to tell you something…"
"You don't want to go away? That's okay…"
"Jack, I love you, and I would love nothing more than to be with you, but…" she stopped.
"Well, I know you aren't a virgin," he brushed strands of hair behind her ear as his finger under her chin turned her to face him. "I'm sorry; that wasn't funny, what did you want to say?"
"Well, obviously I'm not a virgin, but my feelings on premarital sex remain the same as they did when we were together before," she explained. "I'd like for us to wait to make love until our wedding night. Is that okay?"
With his hands on both sides of her face he gently pulled her to him. Kissing her forehead he whispered, "I love you; and if that's what you want to do, we'll wait."
"I guess we should go to bed…uh, um, you know what I mean…" she stated as she stood up and turned toward the tent.
Jack took hold of her hand, turned her back to face him and laughed softly, "I knew what you meant, but we still need to decide where were want to go, just the two of us."
"You still want to go away?"
Jack stood up in front of her; he stepped forward, "Elizabeth, we don't have to make love to be intimate." He leaned closer and whispered, "A kiss, done right, can be the most sensual, intimate act between two people."
The anticipation of his touch had her heart pounding and her breath quickening as he pressed his lips to her left cheek, and then the right, before softly covering her lips.
Although she'd kissed him many times before, years ago when they were first together, he was a young man fighting his own hormones. She wouldn't deny that he was always respectful of her in addition to being the best kisser, no matter what stage of a relationship they were in. However, she had to admit that now, as a grown man, with the needs of someone else other than his own on his mind the simple touch of his lips upon hers had her stomach flipping about and doing its best to keep time with her pounding heart.
As he stepped back, her eyes remained closed. Opening them she whispered back, "Although I agree, that kiss just leaves me wanting more; do you have any other pearls of wisdom?"
"Sorry, that's all I've got…" he softly added before his lips again met hers.
Once she wrapped her head around the fact that in truth Jack was the only man she'd ever really wanted, going away together, although sounding quite enticing, also had its dangerous aspects too. "Well, we could go visit your mom and a trip to see my parents so we can tell them about this…" she stated as she held out her hand which displayed her engagement ring.
"Well, we could do that; I mean; I know we need to do that, but that wasn't really the trip I had playing out in my mind."
"Jack…"
"Two rooms, but just us; we can go to Italy, or France, or maybe Copenhagen," he suggested.
"I was thinking more along the lines of maybe Atlanta, Georgia?" she offered in response. "We'd still be getting away, but just not too far."
"Hmm, Atlanta…well, it isn't the Eiffel Tower, but truly Elizabeth, anywhere with you, would be wonderful. So, if Atlanta is where you want to go, Atlanta, we'll go."
"Well, actually, it's a bit north of Atlanta. It's a farm in Dahlonega, Georgia called the Forrest Hill Resort, are you interested?"
"It's a farm, like a dude ranch?" he asked.
"Well, it's not a real dude ranch, but can ride horses. They also have hiking and wagon rides."
"Where did you see this?" he asked.
"It showed up on my computer recently when I was on facebook. It looks peaceful, and I think it's what we need…"
"If that is where you'd like to go, we'll go," he agreed as his hand gently rubbed up and down her upper arm.
"I would, but only if you want to go…"
He smiled, "I'll make the reservations when we get home. When can you go?"
"Well, as it appears that I'm not back to work yet, it seems that my schedule is clear," she stated as she placed her hand in his.
"Maybe we could get married, and use this as a honeymoon."
"Jack Thornton," she looked toward the tent, "That little girl in there is looking forward to wearing a pretty dress. So, the wedding may need to wait a bit…sorry."
"Okay, Forrest Hill Resort it is…" he stated as he held her hand and they walked into the tent.
"Good night," she whispered as she slipped into her sleeping bag. Jack zipped her in, leaving enough open space so they could hold hands as he slid his sleeping bag over next to hers.
"Good night…"
The next morning, Elizabeth was up early, allowing Jack and Tristan to sleep in as she started the propane grill, and cooked her daughter's favorite breakfast, chocolate chip pancakes.
With a plate of warm pancakes tightly wrapped beneath aluminum foil, she stepped into the tent and found Tristan sitting beside Jack, watching him sleep. The smile on her face showed Elizabeth that she was happy with the turn of events in her life. "What are you doing, honey?"
"I'm watching daddy's beard grow."
"Excuse me?"
"Nana said that Pop-Pop's beard seems to grow overnight and it hurts her when he kisses her. I was checking to see if daddy's beard grew fast too." Tristan ran her hand gently across Jack's face, "It's not too bad mommy; he can still kiss us."
Jack's eyes popped open and startled Tristan as he wrapped his arms around her and held her close, "Good morning, Pumpkin. Did you sleep well?"
"I did. This has been the best camping trip. I'll bet the Brownies didn't have as much fun," Tristan stated as she slipped into her tennis shoes. "I learned how to fish…and I caught a daddy?" she stated as everyone laughed.
"Oh, I'm fairly certain that none of them had as much fun as we did last night," Jack looked over at Elizabeth and winked.
Following breakfast they packed up their campsite and headed home. Realizing that they would pass by the Thatcher's 'castle' along the way, they stopped by, taking a chance that Elizabeth's parents would be home.
"Nana…Pop-Pop," Tristan squealed as the front door opened and they stepped out on the spacious porch with their arms open wide. "Mommy has to tell you something important," she stated as she grabbed their hands and everyone stepped inside.
Standing in the entryway, Mr. Thatcher asked, "Is something wrong?"
"No sir," Jack responded, "Something is very much right; I asked Elizabeth to marry me and she accepted."
"Well it's about time," Mrs. Thatcher wrapped Elizabeth in a hug. "When's the date?"
"Mom, he just asked me; we're enjoying the engagement right now, but I'm sure it won't be for awhile…"
"Mommy and I have to get dresses," Tristan excitedly responded.
"Oh my, so many arrangements to make, I'm assuming you know it'll take at least six months to get the dresses, if not longer," Mrs. Thatcher commented as she reached into the drawer on the entryway table and pulled out a pad of paper and a pen.
Before Elizabeth knew it, her mother had one sheet full of things to do and she offered her assistance in the planning. "Thank you, mom, but Jack and I don't even know what we want yet."
"I get to wear a pretty dress, right daddy?" Tristan wrapped her arms around Jack and he lifted her up in the air.
Elizabeth looked over at her father, "Daddy, are you okay?"
"Daddy…? Is there something else you need to tell us?" Mr. Thatcher asked, a look of shock covering his face.
"Mr. Thatcher, I'd like to adopt Tristan. I want her to have stability and the family life that she deserves," Jack was doing his best to read Mr. Thatcher's face, thinking all the while that he was a master poker player. "Sir, Elizabeth and I have discussed this and Tristan is excited so please understand that we are simply trying to pull our family together here."
"You know," Mr. Thatcher started, directing his comments toward Jack, "I was angry with you for breaking my daughter's heart when you left all those years ago. But Jack…back then, I think you were a boy trying to be a man, and the likelihood is that both of you had something to do with that breakup. I held on to that anger for a long time. When you came back, although you two hid from me that you were together, I have to admit that you were a blessing to them. The way you stood beside her and Tristan, fought for them and even put your life on the line for them, you're a man now, and a man that I know your father would be proud of," he reached out his arm and shook Jack's hand.
Mr. Thatcher continued, "After you left years ago, I really never thought I'd ever say this, but…welcome to the family, Jack."
"Thank you sir…"
"Please, call me William…"
Her father turned back to her, "I know that you probably don't want to deal with this but everything has been removed from your townhouse and put it in storage. It was left just like it was, and you can go through it if and when you want to."
"I just want some things out of my desk…"
"I want the doll daddy got me?"
"Which doll is that, honey?" Jack asked.
"My butterfly doll…"
"Oh honey," Mr. Thatcher squatted down before her, "That doll was torn up by accident. I'm sorry, but I'll get you another doll."
Tristan began to cry, "No sir, I loved that doll."
As they walked outside to leave, Mr. Thatcher pulled Jack aside, "I didn't want to tell her but there was blood all over it."
"She'll be fine. I find her another doll," Jack promised.
It was dusk when Jack finally pulled into their driveway. He unpacked the car while Elizabeth took Tristan inside for a bath. Once they emerged from the bathroom, Jack had dinner of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup ready and waiting on the kitchen table.
"Mommy he is a keeper; he even cut off the crust…thank you, daddy."
"You're welcome; what would you like to drink?" Jack asked.
"Milk for me," Tristan called out in between bites of her sandwich.
"Do we have any tea?" Elizabeth asked.
Jack opened the refrigerator to return the milk carton and pulled out the bottle of Gold Peak Tea, "We sure do…" and he poured Elizabeth a glass.
With her dinner finished and her plate in the sink, Tristan asked, "Can I get a puppy?"
"Excuse me," Elizabeth nearly choked on her tea. "Where is that coming from?"
"I want a puppy, and I promise that I can take care of it," Tristan announced as she walked over to show that she'd placed her plate in the sink.
"Honey putting your plate in the sink one time is nice, but taking care of a puppy is an everyday thing," Elizabeth explained. "Why do you want a puppy?"
"Because sometimes I wanna talk," she shrugged her shoulders before continuing. "I don't wanna talk to anyone, but Bella would understand."
"Who's Bella?" Elizabeth asked.
"My puppy…"
"You've already named her?" Jack asked.
Tristan said nothing but shook her head up and down. "Maybe when you and daddy get married I can get Bella?"
"Where did you come up with the name Bella?" Elizabeth asked.
"That's Marco's sister's name, and he said it means beautiful. He said she's cute, but she's a pain in the…"
"Tristan, we don't repeat the ugliness that other's say," Elizabeth reminded her.
"Well, my Bella will be beautiful."
"Sorry, I'm lost…who's Marco?" Jack asked.
"He's in Tristan's class," Elizabeth responded. "You show me that you are ready to take care of a puppy and Jack and I will discuss it."
"That means no…" Tristan stated as she started down the hall.
"Excuse me young lady; come here," Elizabeth called out as she waited for Tristan to return. "That is not a 'no,' but you don't get a puppy…"
"Bella…"
"You don't get Bella until you show that you can take care of her. I mean, Jack and I will help, but Bella will be your puppy, okay?"
Tristan kissed Elizabeth before rushing over to kiss Jack, "Did you hear mom…? I can get a puppy," and before anyone knew it, she was gone and her bedroom door closed behind her.
"That's not exactly what I said…"
"Maybe not, but this is my first opportunity at being a parent, and even I know what she heard…" he laughed. "Honey, what wrong with getting her a puppy? I mean, don't you think it could be therapeutic for her? Maybe for all of us…"
"Do you really think so?"
"Elizabeth, aren't you the same woman who cried for three days when you went away to college because you missed your dog…Snickers, wasn't it?" he asked.
"She was the best dog."
"Don't you think she'd like to have a friend in Bella like you had in Snickers?"
"But Jack; is she old enough to be responsible?"
"Honey, that's where we come in; we encourage her; we teach her, and we do what our parents did for us, we take care of the puppy when she falls short."
"Okay, let me think about it," she responded, "Oh, before it gets too late, can you call your mom and find out a time that we can go down to Miami to see her?
"Sure, I'll call right now."
While Jack talked with his mother, Elizabeth cleaned the kitchen and then walked down the hall to her room where she changed into her pajamas. When she came back down the hall, Jack was off the phone, sitting on the sofa and watching TV.
"When is your mom available?" she asked.
"She's actually coming up to Fort Lauderdale this week. She and a few of her lady friends are taking a last minute cruise. They leave on Thursday, but she's coming up on Wednesday morning, so we'll do lunch with her, okay?"
"Sure, that sounds good. Did you say anything about us?"
"No, I thought it would be a good surprise."
"I hope so, but then again my dad surprised me with his reaction; your mom and I always got along well, so it should be okay."
"She's always loved you, so it will be fine. Tomorrow, I'll make reservations for us to go to the resort. Do you think your parents would mind taking care of Tristan for…oh how long do you want to go?"
"Maybe Thursday-Sunday?" she suggested.
"Sounds good."
Elizabeth walked over and kissed Jack, "I love you and I am loving how our life is going. It just feels like we have so much to do, so many things to take care of, and I want to get it all done right now so I can marry you; so you can adopt Tristan and we can get on with our family."
"I know honey, but don't let everything overwhelm you. We'll get it done," he assured her.
"I know you're right."
"You look tired; why don't you go to bed?" Jack suggested.
She gently pressed her lips to his, "You know; a kiss done right can be the most sensual contact between two people."
Although he remembered making that comment to her, and sincerely believed it, where Elizabeth was concerned, a simple touch, kiss, scent or thought had him spinning in different directions. When he was with Elizabeth, he felt like a kid in a toy store, wanting to touch everything, but knowing that he can't. He knew that waiting on the wedding was going to be difficult at best, but for Elizabeth, he'd do anything to make her happy.
"Elizabeth…" he called out, "Thank you for this weekend; for accepting my proposal, and for allowing me to adopt that precious child."
She closed the distance between them as Jack stood. Her lips met his as each nerve ending between them was set on fire. "We have a lot to look forward to…marriage, adoption, and a wonderful life as a family. I love you Jack."
"I love you too," he responded as he held her hand when she walked away, releasing her when the distance required it.
As she walked toward the hallway she suddenly stopped and spun around, "Oh no, we can't…"
To be continued…
