Chapter 7 – Keeping Elizabeth Safe

After driving around for an extra twenty minutes, Chris pulled up to the apartment building. It looked clear, but Jack waited for a moment.

"Stay her for a moment." Jack said. "Chris will get out and walk us to the building, just to be safe. He will them move the car and meet us at the apartment. Devin should be here soon and Doug won't be far behind."

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "This is going to take some getting use to."

"I understand that." Jack said. "But remember, it is for your safety."

Chris came around and opened that back door. Jack stepped out and helped Elizabeth. He then reached back in and grabbed her computer bag. Again he wrapped his arm around her waist as they walked toward the building.

"Mr Thornton." The doorman called when he spotted the group.

"Benny." Jack said. "How many times do I have to ask you to call me JP or Jack."

"Okay." Benny said. "I will try."

"Benny." Jack said. "I would like you to meet Miss Elizabeth Thatcher. She will staying in five o three for the time being. Doug will also be coming later, although he may go through the garage."

"Nice to meet you Miss Thatcher." Benny said. "Welcome to the building. I hope that you enjoy your stay. If there is anything you need, please let us know."

"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "Nice to meet you as well."

Jack ushered Elizabeth into the building. She looked around and was amazed at how beautiful the building was.

"I will show you around later." Jack said. "Let's get you up to the apartment."

Jack lead Elizabeth over to the elevator and pushed the button for the fifth floor. When they stepped off the elevator, Jack walked down the hall and thumbed open the lock.

"When Devin gets here." Jack said. "We will add you to the system so you can access the apartment. Normally we would issue a keycard, but since you plan to stay here we will add you to the system. Once you are in the system, you will have access to the gym downstairs as well as the garage. Keycards will also get you into the gym, but would need a sticker for the garage."

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "Wow, this place is really nice."

"Thank you." Jack said. "I hope that you find it comfortable as well. The service was in already. All the sheets and towels are fresh. They have also brought some food, but if there is something that you want, we can contact them. I would suggest that you not get to much since we will be leaving for Saratoga on Saturday morning, but after that anything that you want. They keep the staples pretty well stocked when the apartment is in use. Unless you ask for a specific brand, they will stock what they usually carry. For example, I like skim milk, but they usually stock two percent so they would make the change for me.

Anything here in the apartment, is for you to use. There is a wireless internet connection, I will get you the password. There is also a wonderful cable package for all the TV's. Please feel free to make yourself at home here. If there is something that you want to make things better, just let me know or ask the service."

As Jack was talking, his phone rang.

"Hey Katie." Jack said. "Yes, I have a special client for you and I need a quick turn around on this. She is coming with my family to Saratoga on Saturday. She only has a few outfits with her and probably doesn't have access to her other stuff at the moment. … …. Yes. She is standing right her with me."

Elizabeth looked at Jack and knew it was about her. She was still looking around, but stopped and went over to Jack.

"Elizabeth." Jack said. "Katie needs to talk to you."

"Hello." Elizabeth said taking the phone.

("Hi, Miss Thatcher." Katie said. "So Jack wants me to do some shopping for you for Saratoga as well as other stuff you might need. Normally, I would meet with you before I go shopping, but given the time constraints I was hoping to talk to you and then get some things. I could come over tomorrow late morning and you can see what I have gotten. If you need other stuff, I can go back out. I want to start with stuff you will need for Saratoga.")

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I am just not use to this. Please call me Elizabeth."

("I get that." Katie said. "So what I need to get from you right now is your sizes and things you like. What I will do is get a size up and size down, then bring everything to you tomorrow and you will chose what you want. Also at that point, I will also talk to you about what else you need.")

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I usually wear a size four or six. Usually small tops, although I like my sweatshirts and sweaters a little bigger. I also wear a size six and half in shoes."

("Okay." Katie said. "That should get me started. Will also need your bust size and height. Do you have favorite brands, colors? What do you like?")

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I am five nine. My bras are usually a thirty-four c. I usually wear a lot of blues and greens, but not really picky. I usually prefer comfort and function over high fashion. Brands I am not particular except when it comes to jeans. I find it hard to find ones that fit and look good. I usually wear Lucky brand, straight leg."

("Okay." Katie said. "That will give me a good start. Now, I need to warn you some of the stuff for Saratoga might be a little higher end then you are use to, but I promise that everything you get you will be able to wear again. I will probably get you some sundress, jeans and dress tops. I will also get some nice sandals as well as some short boots. There is also a banquet that the family usually goes to and that is semi-formal to formal. I bring a few choices for you to chose from for that. When I come over tomorrow, we will talk about what else you need. I may bring a few things I think you may like. I want to tell you upfront, I won't be offended if you don't like what I chose. I will work with you to find stuff that you like. I also don't want you to freak out when I bring a lot of stuff. Remember, I get a size up and size down. I will also bring lots of choices. Most of what I bring will go back.")

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "As far as other things I will need. I probably will need some sleepwear. I only have a couple pair of shorts and I usually just wear a tee-shirt. I also only grabbed three sweatshirts and they are pretty worn. If I think of other things, I will start a list."

("Sounds good." Katie said. "I will look at some things online tonight and then I will pick up stuff tomorrow. I will call before I head over. I know that you have a lot going on. I may also have an assistant with me, is that okay?")

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "If Jack trusts you and then I will. Please try to keep in mind that I don't want you to go super crazy and spend a lot of money."

("Okay." Katie said. "Function, comfort and reasonable. Got it. Last thing, please have Jack text me a picture of you and get my number from him. I ask for the picture so I can imagine clothes on you.")

"No problem." Elizabeth said. "I will have Jack do that when we are done. See you tomorrow."

("See you tomorrow." Katie said.)

"Jack." Elizabeth said walking back into the living room

"Yes." Jack said.

"Katie wants a picture of me." Elizabeth said. "She also reminded me to get her number from you. She is going to start looking for stuff and be over late tomorrow morning."

"Good." Jack said. "Are you okay with all of this?"

"I am trying." Elizabeth said. "I get I need things, I guess I am not use to others shopping for me. There is just so much going on. My head hurts thinking about everything I need."

"Slow down." Jack said. "We will figure it out together. Devin and I will help you navigate things. Please don't let yourself get overwhelmed."

Jack took a picture of Elizabeth and sent it to Katie. He also sent the picture to Elizabeth along with Katie's number. By the time they were done with Katie's call, Devin was back and Doug had texted let him know that he was headed their way.

"Devin." Jack said. "I was think of adding Elizabeth's thumb print to the system so she doesn't have to worry about keycards. We also need to figure out the phone and banking. Katie is coming over sometime late morning tomorrow."

"Good." Devin said. "Let's do the thumb prints right now. I think we should be able to run to the bank tomorrow and I won't worry about the phone right now. If you think of anything else that we will need to take care, please make a list."

"I will." Elizabeth said.

Devin opened up his laptop and logged into the security system. He had Jack enter his master code and then he added Elizabeth's thumb print.

"Okay." Devin said. "You will now be able to open the front door, the gym downstairs and access to the garage. If you get a car, I will get you a sticker for the windshield. The only people that will be able to access this apartment without a keycard, is you and the Thornton family. That will include JP and his parents. The cleaning service, maintenance and us as security all have keycards. We will always knock before entering except in an emergency. The cleaning service and maintenance try to keep to a schedule that works with you and them."

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "What about if I have friends over?"

"For now." Devin said. "You will need to let them in. Beyond that we will work something out. Are you going to have people over other then Katie before you leave for Saratoga."

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "Probably not."

"I know that all of this is a lot to take in." Devin said. "Do you have any questions?"

"Jack explained most everything." Elizabeth said. "I think I may have questions tomorrow, I just need some time to think about things."

"Understandable." Devin said. "Okay here is what is going to happen. I will be downstairs in the security apartment number one o one. Rob will come back and relieve me at midnight. Chris will be here in the morning. I will also be back about eight am. We will deal with things tomorrow. Since it sounds like you are headed to Saratoga with JP, we will deal with what needs to be dealt with right away, we will deal with the other stuff later and as it comes up. If you think of things that need to be taken care of, just make a list and we will deal with them as you think of them or as they come up. I don't want you to worry about things. JP and I will make sure that you have everything that you need."

"Okay." Elizabeth said.

"Are you okay with JP here?" Devin asked. "He does have his apartment at the other end of the hall as well."

"Yes." Elizabeth said. "I trust him. I don't want to be alone."

"Okay." Devin said. "If either of you need anything, just give us a call."

"We will." Jack said. "Doug should be here soon to drop off our stuff. Do you want to see what is in the kitchen or we can order some supper?"

"I want to take a look in the kitchen." Elizabeth said. "But I really want some pizza tonight."

"Okay." Jack said. "I will order some for us. What do you like on it?"

"I usually just do pepperoni." Elizabeth said. "But I am okay with most anything. I prefer medium to thick crust. Breadsticks sound good as well."

"Got it." Jack said. "Do you want a soda as well? I am not sure what is here?"

"No." Elizabeth said. "But order whatever you want."

Elizabeth started exploring the apartment. She couldn't believe how big it was as well as how nice it was decorated. She knew that Jack told her to make herself at home, but she wasn't sure that she would be able to do that. She was so wound up, she just wanted to relax. As Elizabeth was looking around, she was making a mental list of things that she needed. Also while Elizabeth was looking around, Doug arrived.