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."
NOTE: Apparently something happened and this chapter disappeared from the story. I was in Canada at the HFR2, and had no way to get into my Fan Fiction account on my phone upload it. I had to wait until I returned home to repost from my computer. As always, I hope you enjoy!
**STEAM ALERT**
Chapter 22- A Night to Remember
Jack used his key as the doors closed. He rested his hands on the wall of the elevator on either side of her head.
"Elizabeth," he whispered. His head wanted to say more, so much more. As if she didn't already know, he wanted to express how much he loved her, but his body could wait no longer.
Her lips were more than ready, ripe for the picking. They separated slightly inviting him closer…closer still. "I love you so much," she whispered, barely getting the words out before his lips hungrily covered hers.
She felt her heart pound as his full weight pressed her up against the elevator wall. "Jack, we can't do this here. What if someone comes in?"
Jack reached in his pocket and pulled out the key. "No one else can get in here without a key," he said softly, as his lips quickly quieted her. He was taken by her lavender and vanilla scent; his tongue slipped down her neck, tasting both the sweet and saltiness of her skin, and the gentle moans that passed through her lips excited him more, as if that were even possible.
The door opened and they both stood in awe as the Honeymoon Suite had been transformed into a lover's paradise. Flowers were abundant and placed in various places; champagne was chilling in a bucket, and the heated bathtub was filled and covered by red and white rose petals. The curtains were open, and the view of the Las Vegas skyline was spectacular.
Elizabeth started out of the elevator before Jack stopped her, scooping her up into his arms. He walked her into the middle of the room before gently placing her feet back on the floor. Rose petals graced the floor with a path leading to the bedroom. The room smelled like a fragrant rose garden in full bloom.
Jack took her by the hand and led her toward the bedroom. The door opened…inside the staff had littered the floor with rose petals, and the electric fireplace was all aglow.
"Where did the fireplace come from?" She asked.
"I guess it was here all the time. They just slipped it out from behind that panel. His hand on the small of her back tenderly ushered her inside.
She looked around, feeling a multitude of emotions flooding her. The excitement of his touch on her skin electrified her as his hand slipped around her waist.
He faced her as his fingers attempted to release the crystal buttons covering the zipper down her back. As his fingers fumbled, "Buttons, why do these dresses have so many buttons?" Unable to resist her any longer, his lips covered hers, gently at first, then more passionate, more demanding. He wanted to touch, to taste, to feel everything about her, settling in to devour her, like his favorite Thanksgiving meal.
It wasn't masculine, or at least he felt other men would say so, but he couldn't help the tears welling in his eyes. He loved her so much, and would do whatever necessary to keep her happy and safe. He made a silent prayer to himself that above all she would never need to wonder if she was loved.
She turned around, pulling her hair off to one side as his fingers wrestled with each tiny button. As each button peeled away, his finger traced down her spine, sending chills throughout her entire body. She turned back around, holding her dress and smiled, "I have a little something special for you. Can you give me a few minutes to get ready?"
"A gift for me?" He raised his eyebrows slyly, knowing what she was referring to.
He covered her lips before stepping back slightly. He stood watching her like a kid in a candy store. He wanted to rush to sample everything, but knew that he would need to take his time, not so much for himself, but most definitely for her.
She held his hand as she walked toward the door, only releasing him as the distance separated them. She grabbed the boxes from Alfred Angelo's and continued to the bathroom. She slipped out of her wedding dress and under garments before choosing the lavender negligee. She freshened up her makeup and combed out her hair, pinning it up on the sides with the pearl clips that she found in her box, having forgotten that she had purchased them.
She was excited, but found that her nerves were initially ruling her emotions. Her hand shook as she reached for the pocket door that led into the bedroom. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. As she opened the door, she was pleasantly surprised by Jack who stood in the middle of the room, a lighter clutched in his hand. She was taken aback by the many candles that were lit and scattered around the room. The light was soft and low, and the room was very fragrant, a combination of floral and fruits.
Jack sat the lighter on the table before approaching her, "Elizabeth Thornton, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."
The negligee was silk with a lace bodice, and trim along the hem line. The back was low cut, actually more so than Elizabeth anticipated, but she filled it out beautifully and wore it elegantly.
His words and the soft music playing in the background calmed her nerves as he took her hand and led her into the room. "Dance with me…"
He removed his jacket and took her in his arms. He held her tight around the waist, feeling the soft, silky material of her negligee with his fingertips.
Her hands slid up his arms and over his shoulders, resting behind his neck. Her fingers played gently with his hair, the sensation of which electrified his entire body.
They swayed, turned and gracefully moved across the floor. He didn't push; he allowed her to take her time; to do what felt right, making this a night that she would remember always.
He could feel her body softening, relaxing under his touch. Her lips were warm, soft and supple as she brushed them over his mouth, across his cheek, and up to his ear.
"Make love to me," she whispered.
He needed no other encouragement. They stood face to face, so close that they inhaled the same air. She gently bit her lip, partly because she was nervous, but mostly because she knew just how that excited him. His lips pressed to hers as his hand behind her head deepened the kiss. Their tongues were touching and feeling, and the soft moans passing their lips were evidence that they had each found those sensitive areas.
Jack's fingertips on her arms sent chills even as they warmed the blood throughout her body. His tongue traced down her neck, and along her collarbone, then his lips pressed to her skin from her shoulder down her arm.
He was unable to take his eyes off of her. "You are so beautiful," he whispered, words that elicited a bright smile of appreciation from her.
His hands worked their way up her arms. Reaching her shoulders, he pulled her close as his lips quickly met hers. His arms slipped around her waist holding her tight against his body. The music in the room went somewhat unnoticed until he heard the song that said exactly what he felt. Taking her hand, he led her to the middle of the bedroom floor. As they danced, he sang softly in her ear.
"You are so beautiful
To me
You are so beautiful
To me
Can't you see
You're everything I hope for
You're everything I need
You are so beautiful to me"
She snuggled into his chest, realizing that she was more at home now than she had ever remembered feeling before. She listened to the lyrics, but truly heard the sincerity in his voice as he sang them. Her heart melted as his arms held her so tight. She closed her eyes as she felt his strong warm hands caressing her body.
As the song ended, his finger under her chin raised her head slightly. Their lips met and it was a kiss to remember, deep, hot, and demanding. One kiss led to another, and another, and another, each one more passionate than the one before.
"There is a heated bathtub with rose petals covering the surface," his eyebrows were arched. "Would you care to try it out?"
"Whatever you want is fine," she remarked.
"Tonight is for you, Elizabeth. I want you to have everything you want," he whispered as his lips met the skin on her neck.
She giggled as his soft kisses sent chills throughout her entire body. Her hands began to work on the buttons of his shirt, quickly releasing each one from its hold. She peeled the shirt over his shoulders as her soft lips made contact with his exposed skin. "Maybe a bath later?" She suggested.
She was inexperienced and nervous, but the long soft sounds that escaped through his lips let her know that he was enjoying her touch. Elizabeth began to rush slightly, knowing that if what she felt was even a fraction of the emotions he'd had for months, then she assumed he couldn't wait much longer.
"We have all night…the rest of our lives actually. Don't rush; I need this to be the best night of your life," he whispered.
"It already has been…you made me your wife!" She said as tears formed in her eyes.
Feeling her lips and fingertips on his skin lit him up like a firecracker on the Fourth of July. He was excited, wanting to try everything, but knowing that tonight was more about her. Her comfort, her experimentation, and her finding what felt good and right. Not that he wouldn't enjoy his first night with her, how could he not. As her favorite song said, "Know the difference between sleeping with someone, and sleeping with someone you love," and he was well aware of the difference. He loved her as the saying goes "To the moon and back," but in his case, his love included numerous lunar round trips.
He gently backed her toward the bed as the strokes of his tongue on her neck elicited soft moans from her and increased respiration from them both. His fingers slipped under the thin straps of her negligee as they dropped over her shoulders.
Her hands reached up to grab the only material that stood between him and her birthday suit…
"Elizabeth, please don't. I love everything about you. It's okay," he assured her as the negligee fell to the floor in a puddle of silk. He lovingly admired her beauty, as he touched and caressed her body. Going slowly, not wanting to rush or push her, he could feel her nervousness. He watched her eyes, looking for signs that she was okay.
Her smile, soft moans, and tender touches told him she was more than okay; she wanted more, and he was ready to provide.
He pulled back the bedding to allow her to slip in and cover herself.
"Not so fast. You need some help getting out of your pants?" She asked.
He smiled, exhaling quickly in the form of a soft laugh, "I'm never one to turn down some assistance; especially from my beautiful wife."
"Wife…I love the sound of that," she stated as her hands fiddled with his belt buckle.
He cradled her face in his hands, capturing her soft, full lips. He smiled at her inability to get the button on his pants to release its hold. "Do you need some help?" he laughed.
"Nope, got it," she celebrated as her lips met the skin on his chest. His pants fell to the floor and with some assistance so did his boxers. "Jack…" his name barely audible.
"I love you so much," He reminded her, as if she ever needed reminding, but it was always nice to hear.
The mattress met the back of her legs as he leaned her into the bed. She sat down and slid under the covers as he followed, moving his body against hers, completely electrified by her warmth.
He swallowed hard, "I don't want to hurt you."
She giggled, "I don't want you to hurt me either. Is this that man thing where your sense of measurement is enhanced."
"In my case it's true," he laughed. He was willing to be the brunt of a joke if it eased her nerves. Watching her laugh beside him, he knew that his plan had worked.
She felt his hand gently, tenderly moving up her leg, resting momentarily on her hip, before moving across her abdomen, finding those sensitive parts of her body.
She was working on his chest and abdomen, her fingers drawing small circles on his skin, sending chills throughout his body.
The fire that had been burning within his body was now raging. He rolled over on top of her, straddling her hips. Her hair beautifully covered the pillow, as if it had been purposely set as such for a model's photo shoot, and his mind was taking pictures to remember it always.
Pressed against her, she could feel the full weight of him holding her in place. As if it were even possible, he moved closer, allowing the curves of her body to fit perfectly with his.
Each stroke of her tongue on his skin sent shivers over his shoulders, across his abdomen, causing him to tighten around her. She melted under his touch; he could feel the give of her body as her passion burned right through them.
He clasped her hands in his; his mouth covering hers as the soft moans from each passed through. Legs, and arms entwined as their passion took on a new life, something they had each dreamed of in their own way, but were now blessed to have them realized.
Her heat, her scent entered his bloodstream, and she was now his for life. His passion, his desire entered her bloodstream and he was now hers for life.
He collapsed beside her, both breathless, both satisfied, both feeling more love than they had ever thought possible.
Several hours passed; Jack and Elizabeth remained fast asleep, her resting comfortably on his chest, and him with his arms around her holding her protectively.
He woke, taking a moment to realize his fortune as he gazed down upon her flawless form, sleeping peacefully on his chest. He wiped a tear from his eye as he spoke softly, saying a prayer of thanks…
"Dear Lord, I don't know how you knew, but when you sent me on that call and I met this amazing woman, my life was forever changed."
Elizabeth woke to hear him talking. She remained quiet and listened…
Jack continued, "I love her with everything I am or ever hope to be. I ask for your guidance in building a strong marriage," he leaned down as his lips brushed the top of her head. "Lord, I ask for your wisdom as we learn more about each other. Give me the strength to allow her to be her own person, knowing in my heart that her decisions as well as mine will always have the other in mind. I pray that she will always know just how important she is in my life. I hope that if I ever let her down," he exhaled hard, "and I'm sure I will, that she knows that I would never intentionally hurt her."
His voice began to waver slightly, and she could tell that he was becoming emotional, "I love her so much."
She raised her head, resting her chin on his chest, "I love you too."
Jack reached over and wiped the tears that rolled down her cheeks, "How are you?"
"I'm better than I ever thought possible. I'm hungry though…" she remarked.
Jack looked at his watch, "It's still pretty early. I don't know if the restaurant is open yet."
"Silly man, that's not what I'm hungry for…" she worked her way up from his chest, covering his lips with hers.
His lips separated, wanting nothing more than to touch, to taste, to feel her completely. Her tongue moved lightly inside his mouth before her teeth bit gently on his lower lip.
He wrapped her in his arms as they rolled in the bed, tossing blankets and pillows to the floor. She giggled as his fingers on her waist tickled her skin. As she wiggled, he sat on her legs straddling her hips, finding it impossible to keep from laughing himself. She closed her eyes and parted her lips slightly as a sign that she was surrendering to him. His lips captured hers; the kiss was deep and slow, building with each kiss that followed.
The touch of his mouth and hand upon her skin drove new sounds, soft moans through her lips. As his fingertips traced the outline of her body, she felt a heat wave sweep through her. His body enveloped her as they each felt the warmth that passed between them.
The fireplace was off; the room was chilly, but they lay in bed, wrapped in each other's arms, sweaty, breathless, and excited about their new life.
Jack reached over the side of the bed and pulled the blanket up and over them. Elizabeth found her safe spot on his chest which she used as a pillow. Before long they were again asleep.
A few hours later, Elizabeth stretched. She sat up on one elbow listening to him breathe and watching him sleep. She carefully slid out of bed, grabbed his dress shirt and slipped it around her before pulling out her journal from her bag. She sat down at the desk to write…
"I began this journey many months ago, having no idea where it would lead. Back then did I want what I have now? I'm not so certain that I did. I wanted independence; the ability to prove to family and friends alike that I was capable of taking care of myself. Is that really what I wanted? I thought it was. But then again, I thought that to be independent excluded another from a sharing role in my life. However, after opening my heart, I found more than just the love he offered. I found the strength to be my own person within a couple, as I watched him accept me as an individual, and not just a part of him."
Elizabeth turned back and sat momentarily as she watched Jack sleep. His breathing was calm and rhythmic. She couldn't help but notice the smile on his face, and could only hope that she was the cause.
She returned to her journal…
"Being independent is wonderful, as long as it does not isolate you. Take me to the ends of the Earth, for I will go with you anywhere. You are my strength, my love, my life."
She closed her journal and walked back over to the window to enjoy the Las Vegas skyline. Jack slipped up behind her, swept her hair off her shoulders, and wrapped his arms around her waist. His lips met the soft salty skin on her neck and she leaned her head into his. She wrapped her arms over his, and turned her head toward his as their lips met.
"You look beautiful this morning. There is something about you in my shirt that's very exciting," he remarked as he turned her around to face him.
Her lips pressed to his skin as her tongue traced along his jawbone, down his neck and along his collarbone.
He smiled, "Elizabeth, if you keep that up we will never get anything else done, like sleep, or work, or food," he remarked as the sensation had him fidgeting. "Oh who am I kidding? None of those things are as important as this," he cradled her face in his hands, pressing his lips to hers.
"Oh no Jack, our flight... We only have two hours before we are supposed to be leaving," she jumped out of bed and started gathering their clothes from off the floor.
"I'm sorry, I guess we need to get ready. We have to go back to reality today," he replied. "Early flight…something we didn't think through completely."
Reluctantly Jack crawled out of bed and started to help. Working as a team they had their bags packed and standing by the hotel room door.
Suddenly Elizabeth's phone chimed…
"No need to respond. Leaving Company Jet for you and Jack…"
"We have secured commercial tickets for everyone. All set here…"
"We arranged late check out for you. We love you both…"
"Who's that?" Jack asked.
"My dad. He's leaving the jet for us. He's flying commercial. He must love you, Jack. He never flies commercial," she was surprised.
"So we just go to the airport and take the jet?" He asked as he grabbed their belongings.
"Apparently there's no need to rush. We also have late checkout on the room," she advised with a smile.
Suddenly the reality of home hit her, "Jack, where are we going to live?"
"I guess that's another one of those things we didn't plan," Jack said as he grabbed her hand and walked toward the bedroom.
"Jack, we need to figure this out," she stated as she dug her heels in the carpet and refused to walk further.
He walked back to her, "Do you trust me?"
"Of course I do," she replied.
"I will work out the living arrangements, but right now, that bed is calling to us," he stated as he took her hand and they hurried into the bedroom.
They fell onto the bed, wrestling playfully with each other. He rolled over on top of her and clasped his hands in hers raising them above her head as if she were surrendering.
She was out of breath but laughed softly, "Jack Thornton, I had no idea that men had such stamina."
Jack lowered himself to within inches of her face, "I've known you for almost a year…I've been saving up."
To be continued…
