Again, I don't own any of the original characters, I'm just borrowing them.
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Chapter 10
"I told you I never wanted to see you again".
"Jessie, dearest, would you care to introduce me to your friend?" Darren returned with the punch.
"George Challenger, Darren Fulworth".
"You're the gentlemen from London, she told me all about you" Darren possessively put his arm around Jessie.
"Yes, well, she may have altered some of the information" George replied uneasily.
"My father has a saying, pass up an opportunity and it may never appear again, come Jessie" Darren led her away as the music filtered throughout the room.
George watched her walk away, even more determined.
The next day, George sat down to write Jessie, hoping that she would at least listen to what he had to say.
"Jessie,
You have every right to refuse me, as I would expect you to. All I ask is a moment of your time to explain my actions and my reasons for following you. If you do not wish to see me, I will understand and return to London as soon I can. Yours truly, George Challenger".
Within hours, George received a reply "I have an hour break at 3:30, if you wish to see me, I am available".
"Jessie, Mr. Challenger is here" Gretchen led George into the study and quietly departed.
"I thought you should know, Darren has proposed. I have not said yes, but I have not said no either" she faced him, determined to end this now.
"Your father is sick, right after you left he collapsed, he's barely been able to move from his bed, much less teach" George told her frankly.
"My father stopped caring about me a long time ago, why should I care about him now?".
"Your father has changed, if only saw…".
"My father cares only for his work".
"I figured you respond this way, I have a peace offering from your father. I was hoping you would at least reconsider my presence in your life, but if you wish to marry Darren, I have no right to interfere. I am staying at the Hotel Cartier if you wish to see me".
Placing the box on the table, he walked out.
It took all of her strength not cry. Opening the box, the glimmer of the silver locket seemed to engulf the entire room. "To my sweet Mary, yours always, Albee". Albee was her mother's nickname for her father. Next to the locket was her baby picture and a locket of hair. "Our beloved child, Jessica Henrietta". These mementos had belonged to her mother and long since buried in the recesses of the attic.
"Jessie, Mr. Fulworth is here to see you" Gretchen poked her head in.
"Jessie, dearest, what's the matter?".
"Gretchen, will you please escort Mr. Fulworth to his carriage".
"Jessie, I don't understand".
"As much as I want to marry you, I cant, I'm sorry" She walked out.
"May I help you, miss?" Jessie approached the front desk.
"Has George Challenger returned?".
"I don't believe he has, miss. Would you care to leave a message?" the clerk replied.
"Tell him yes".
"Is that all, miss?".
"Yes, thank you" she walked out.
"Jessie, what are you doing here?" stepping out of the carriage, George was surprised to see her.
"I couldn't marry Darren, as much I wanted to, I would have been miserable. I can't pretend, I can't hide anymore. I miss London, I miss my friends, I miss you" it all spilled out before she could realize what she had said.
"I missed you too, Jessie" it was as if everything that had been through was for a reason and they were meant to be together.
After telegraphing Alfred in London, George finished his schooling in New York andrented a small townhouse while Jessie finished the school year. They married in a small ceremony and moved back to London early the next year. Alfred was thrilled to have his daughter back. Watching George sleep that night in their home and remembering the happy reunion with her father earlier that day, first the first time since her mother died, Jessie felt safe and happy and that was the best feeling as all.
Present Time- London
The last of winter's harsh snows had finally melted away and the residents of London were finally free to enjoy the outdoors.
"Wilfred, I'm going out, I'll be back before lunch" Jessie informed their butler.
"Will you need the car, ma'am?"
"No thank you" exiting the house, the fresh air seemed to reenergize her. Walking into Hyde Park, it was as if the memories were a river unleashed in her mind. Sitting down, she watched the young couple picnicking under the tree a few feet away. The young man, eager to ply a kiss from his lady, tried to pull her close, but she teasingly pulled away. Finally, they fell into one another forgetting the world around them.
"Oh, George" Jessie mumbled.
She could have married Robert and maybe had children. They tried to have children; both of the pregnancies were lost early on. Heartbroken, they knew the doctor's recommendation of refraining from having children was the best route. The subject of adoption was brought up, but never followed through.
Instead of her own children, Jessie spent her time concentrating on the residents of the Wilhelm House For Young Ladies and took over after Martina became unable to take care of the home she lovingly created. George spent more and more concentrating on his work. Eventually he spent more time away from home. The night after the meeting at the Zoological society, George bounced in as if he was a child on Christmas morning, ranting about this expedition.
"How long will you be gone this time?" she asked patiently as she again watched him pack for the Amazon.
"Six months, a year perhaps" he replied.
"Have fun, dear" using the same tone she always used right before he would leave for another expedition.
"Jess" he kissed her gently and for one moment, became the young man she fell in love with all those years ago.
"I'll be back as soon as I can" he promised.
"I know" she watched him walk out.
Back on the plateau, Marguerite popped her into the lab.
"George we're going for a swim" the couple headed for the elevator, trying to keep their hands off each other.
"Hey Challenger, why don't you join us, its beautiful out" Finn called out from the garden below.
"Coming" he called out.
"Wherever you are, Jessie, I still love you and somehow, someway, we will find a way home".
The End
It's done, finally. So now that it's done and I have another one that I'm just starting, why not help me along with one last review? Please?