TUCK EVERLASTING

Spring of Choice

            *The same disclaimers apply- Yay! The romance heats up!

Chapter 3- The Question

            It was nearing dawn when Jesse hoisted her back up into her window by use of the rope.  Her cheeks were red with the warmth from their nightly expedition.  She'd done all the things she'd dreamed of doing again with him.  They'd kicked up dry leaves, ran through the woods, wrestled playfully, danced and sat in each other's arms on top of their personal 'Eiffel Tower' while Jesse told her stories of his adventures across the seas.  Now, they stood gazing into each other's eyes. 

Winnie knew that the time had come for him to leave, any moment now the maid would come in to wake her up and aid her in dressing for the day.

            By his look, she could tell Jesse was thinking the same thing.  He glanced towards the window. "I've gotta go, I told Miles I'd meet him in the morning, by our old cabin."

Winnie nodded, but she still held his hand tightly.

He leaned in towards her, his lip trembled, "Can I kiss you?"

            She blushed and nodded.

            He leaned in and kissed her. Softly at first, just barely brushing her lips. She returned it boldly, and soon he had her full in his arms, they're lips locked tight and he thought that if this were heaven, he wouldn't mind dying right then and there.

            He didn't know how long it had been, one minute or several, but they finally parted and stood, gazing into each other's eyes.

            There was an uncomfortable silence.  Jesse finally spoke up.

            " I… came to ask you a question."

            "A question?"

            He took a deep breath, it was now or never…"Will you to come and live with me forever?"

            Winnie's heart leapt into her throat, she opened her mouth for a hasty affirmative, but Jesse shook his head, putting his hand up to stop her answer.

            "Don't jump to answering so quickly.  I would sweep you away with me to the spring this second if I could, believe me! But what you need to do is not so simple."

            Winnie frowned, listening as he continued.

            "If you drink from the spring, you must understand that you'll never grow old."

            "I know that."

            "You can't be mortally wounded in any way."

            "Yes, you showed me that yourself!" She thought of the time the man in the yellow suit had shot Jesse in the stomach, and shivered.

            "You must swear to keep the spring and it's secret from all normal people."

            " I swear I will."

            " You…" He took a deep breath, glancing at the door and then back at her, she could see there was a pained expression on his face. "You must never see your family again."

            Her eyes widened in shock. "Never?"

            Jesse looked at her sympathetically. "You won't age a day past seventeen. But they will grow old without you.  To preserve our secret, you mustn't see them again, once you leave with me."

            She stared at him; there was a long pause and the lump in her throat increased in size. "I…I don't know… what to say…" she glanced back towards the door, and then to her vanity that stood next to it. There was a framed picture sitting on it near the mirror of her and her parents. Of course it made sense. She'd always known that would be a consequence, but finally faced with the weight of the situation, it made the decision even harder to bear.

            " But, even if I did go with you, what is to stop the past from repeating itself?" Winnie said, thinking hard. "You know they will come looking for me.  Like what happened last time."

It was the reason she had not gone with him last time. For fear of the Tucks being hunted down like criminals and their secret would be out in the open the moment the death sentence was carried out. The fact that they could not die would spread like wildfire throughout the country.  If she left with him now, the past would only be repeated, but this time the Tucks may not be so lucky. " I want too come with you! But—" She tore her gaze from him, hugging herself tightly.  " How to deal with my parents… I don't know. I need some time to think."

            Jesse swallowed audibly, then reached over and touched her cheek, directing her face towards his again.  ""Winnie, listen to me.  If you choose me, I will promise to always take care of you! And make sure you always have enough to eat and nice things to wear.  We'll have adventures that you could only imagine! I swear it. If you'll marry me…" He trailed off at her look of uncertainty, then took a step back and ran a nervous hand through his hair.  "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said those things just now. It wasn't right of me to."
            Winnie shook her head vigorously. "No… you just spoke your heart. It's all right."

            He glanced behind him at the full moon, it was brushing the treetops in its decent from the sky, the light of the sun was already beginning to illuminate the forest. It gave him an idea.

            " Whatever you decide to do, you must decide it for yourself.  Do you see how the moon is full tonight?"

            She nodded.

            "In a month's time, when the moon is at its peak in the night sky, and full again just as tonight's moon was, then meet me at the spring if you decide you want to come and live with me forever. But, if you do decide this, you must make sure your parents accept your departure.  I… I can't be a part of it. If they know about me… they would be too suspicious." He looked away sadly. "I don't think I'd have a chance of earning their respect and marrying you formally… as much as I'd like to."

            Winnie shook her head. "If you don't have bags of money in the bank, then they would not even consider you a possibility."

            Jesse gave a short, half-hearted laugh. "I live out of my pockets, I don't even have a bank account." He shook his head. "But that's not important, what I was saying… oh yes… If you're not there, one month from now by the first ray's of daylight, then I will know your answer is no."

            Jesse stopped abruptly and tensed, the sound of footsteps could be heard coming up the stairs from the ground floor of the house. Winnie heard them too.

            "You must get out of here!" She said hastily. Jesse gave her one final kiss, and crouched halfway out of the window, hastily coiling the rope. "If you don't come Winnie Foster, then I'll know you're answer… and I…" He bit his lip nervously, eyebrows creased in worry. Then took a deep breath, not making eye contact. "I won't come bothering you again. But…" He looked at her in desperation. "But I really want you to come!"

            She barely had enough time to open her mouth to reply, when he jumped out of the window. She inhaled sharply and ran to the sill, leaning out of it half expecting to see him lying in a crumpled heap at the bottom. But he was not there. She looked around at the scenery alarmed.

            He was nowhere to be seen.

            There was a knock at the door. "Ms. Foster, it's time to wake up."

            Winnie hastily shut the window and dove for her bed, making it just in time. The door opened and the maid came inside carrying a tray steaming with tea and biscuits.

            "Did you sleep well Ms. Foster? Goodness! It's frightfully cold in here!"

            Winnie feigned grogginess, yawning and stretching and blinking her eyes. "Yes… I'm okay though, I put on my coat."