They are married now...so expect a few steamy moments.
***STEAM ALERT***STEAM ALERT***STEAM ALERT***
October 25th, 2009 – Hope Meadows Ranch
The fire in the fireplace had burned out long before, the candles had been blown out, the music still softly piped into the room, filling it with the voices of Rascal Flatts singing I Wish. The sun hung high in the sky and a rumble from Jack's stomach caused the couple to wake up, both laughing once it called out again, begging to be fed.
Jack gently kissed the side of her neck, the part of her body that was closest to his lips as they had slept. "I'll be right back," he whispered in her ear before rolling out of the bed and walking toward the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
Elizabeth sat up in bed and ran her fingers through her still damp hair. She slid out of the bed, stood and stretched; smiling at the memories of that morning. Pulling the towel tighter around her body and tucking in the loose corner, she walked to one of the windows to look outside.
Off in the distance she could see a small herd of horses, running across one of the fields. This scene caused her to smile again at her new reality. She started toward the other window that faced the backyard and stopped abruptly when she heard a voice yelling.
"Stop!" Jack hurried across the room and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Don't look out there yet, please." He turned her to face him and kissed her soft lips.
"Why can't I look out that window?" She asked, her brows pinched into a questioning look.
"Because one of my wedding gifts for you is out there and I don't want you to see it yet."
"Really?" With widened eyes, she tried to turn and run to the window, but unable to free herself from Jack's arms, she was pulled back against his bare chest.
"So, I clearly see that you are one of those women that I am going to have to keep your gifts hidden in a different house, aren't you?"
Elizabeth grinned, "What? Me? No." She tried to squirm out of his arms again, unsuccessfully. "What's outside?"
"You will find out soon enough." Jack pulled her to the closet and opened the door.
Elizabeth stepped into the huge walk-in closet where all of her clothes had already been hung and her shoes lined the built-in shelves. She turned to look at Jack, grinning. "Couldn't sleep?"
Jack smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
Elizabeth pulled a t-shirt from one of the drawers and found a pair of leggings. Finding her undergarments in another drawer, she carried everything to the bathroom and proceeded to get dressed.
Once she returned to the bedroom, Jack had already pulled on a pair of Wranglers and was sitting on the edge of the bed with a small box in his hands.
"What's that?" She asked as she approached him.
Jack looked up to her and patted the edge of the bed, motioning for her to sit beside him.
"This is your first wedding gift," Jack said, handing her the white box.
Elizabeth pulled the lid off and saw the journal she had given him laying inside.
Jack could see the confusion in her eyes as she looked at him. "Take it out and turn it to the last page."
Elizabeth complied. Laying the empty box on the bed, she turned to the last page where she saw Jack's writing.
"I can't read this, Jack. Aren't these your private thoughts?"
"This is my gift to you, Beth. I want you to know everything about me. I want you to read it, all of it."
Elizabeth nodded and returned her attention to the words scribbled onto the page.
Tomorrow I will begin my new life. The life God created for me to have. The life God led me to live.
Tomorrow I will marry my best friend, my soul mate, my forever. I will begin my new life as husband, protector, supporter, provider, partner and lover.
I will write this final entry and close this chapter of my old life, for tomorrow I will start a new one. And it will begin with "I Do."
Elizabeth felt a tear roll down her cheek as she slowly closed the book. Jack gently hooked her chin with his finger and pulled her to face him.
"You are my new life, Beth. The old me is gone forever. I am your husband and you are the only woman I will ever want." Jack leaned down and kissed the new tear from her cheek, tasting the saltiness encased within. "You are a gift from God that I will treasure for the rest of my life."
"I love you so much."
Jack wiped a few more tears from her face, then cradling her head in his hands, met her lips with his.
Grabbing his shirt from the bed, Jack stood and held his hand out to her, "Take a walk with me."
Elizabeth smiled, hoping the walk would lead them outside, as she slipped her hand into his.
Expecting to go out the back door, Elizabeth began to turn that direction at the bottom of the stairs, but Jack pulled her toward the front. Without saying anything, Elizabeth followed in silence.
Leading her carefully down the slope that ran alongside the house, Jack stopped her just before rounding the back corner that would take them just outside the entry to the walk-out basement.
He turned her toward him and pulled something from his pocket. Elizabeth watched him as he folded the handkerchief into a triangle and placed it across her eyes, tying it in the back.
"Is this really necessary, Jack?" Elizabeth asked, holding her arms out in front of her.
"Yes, it is. And no peeking."
Jack took her hand and guided her carefully the rest of the way down the small hill and around the corner to the back of the house. A long wall of windows lined the walk-out basement with a set of French doors in the center. Above them loomed the spacious back deck that overlooked the backyard with access to the kitchen and living room.
Jack continued to lead her across the short distance of the yard, where their feet met a hard surface. Keeping her steady, Jack led her to the center of it and turned her. Taking a step toward her, Jack lifted the bottom corner of the cloth, revealing her lips, and pressed his to hers. Elizabeth willingly meld her mouth to his as she brushed his tongue with hers.
Taking a step back, Jack lifted the handkerchief from her eyes and returned it to his pocket. Once her eyes readjusted to the brightness of the high noon sun, she began to look around.
Jack gripped the sides of her arms to stop her from turning, drawing her attention back to him.
"Beth, I want you to always feel that this place is yours. I never want you to think that you need to ask me permission to change something. This is your home now. And I wanted to do something for you, to give you your own space, to give you a little piece of this place that is just yours." Jack slowly turned her to face what he'd been working on for the past two months.
Elizabeth covered her mouth with her hands and tears immediately began to flow.
"It's your art studio," Jack whispered into her ear, then kissed the base of her neck.
Elizabeth stepped forward, looking down at the patio of red bricks that had been laid. Looking back up, she slowly stepped into the small building. Large windows filled the center of three of the walls, the front wall comprised of double French doors painted a beautiful teal. A counter and shelves lined the back wall, already filled with art supplies, canvases and an easel. A tall table with wheels sat in the middle of the room with a stool next to it. Elizabeth walked along it, running her fingers across the edge of the smooth wood. A chandelier hung in the center of the room, blue glass canning jars and vases adorned the shelves, a few plaques with "love" and "blessings" lined the top. A variety of vases and jars filled with various wildflowers, sat among the art supplies. The roof which was made of corrugated clear plastic sheeting, provided the natural light necessary for painting.
Jack stood outside, watching Elizabeth slowly walk through the building, picking things up, turning them over in her hands, then replacing them. A tower of drawers stood on the counter and Elizabeth pulled out each one, peeking inside to find pencils, brushes, a large variety of paints and many other necessary items. Anything she could possibly need, Jack had thought of and placed it here.
Elizabeth ran out of the building and jumped into his arms, burying her face into his shoulder. Jack could feel her body shaking from the tears and he held onto her, allowing her the time she needed.
When she finally pulled back to look at him with her red, swollen eyes, she covered his lips with hers. Jack could taste the salt from her tears as he passionately kissed her back.
"Jack," Elizabeth tried to say but her voice cracked. Clearing her throat, she tried again. "Jack, this is so wonderful, thoughtful, caring, romantic..." Shaking her head, she continued, "I can't believe you did this."
"Elizabeth, you are my home, and I want you to feel at home here."
Elizabeth was having a difficult time getting control of her emotions as she turned to look at the beautiful building again. Looking up, she noticed for the first time that Jack had fashioned two hearts out of metal and hung them above the doors. Several different sized pots in a variety of colors and filled with an array of wildflowers were positioned along the front and side of the building. The exterior was sided with old barn boards to finish off the shabby chic look that Elizabeth loved.
"This is absolutely perfect, Jack."
Jack wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed his chest against her back. Leaning down, he kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear, "You are absolutely perfect."
"How did you keep this a secret? What if I had come back here or looked out the window while we were getting ready yesterday?"
"Everyone was under strict orders to keep you away from windows and the backyard."
"Everyone?"
"Yes, everyone," Jack grinned, "it took an army."
Shaking her head and smiling, she looked over her gorgeous art studio once more, soaking up all the details that Jack painstakingly and lovingly included. "I love this, Jack. So much."
"I'm glad you like it. I do have to admit though, I had a lot of help from Rosie with designing it and picking out everything that you'd need. And most of it is made from recycled materials."
"It's amazing. I just can't say that enough."
She tipped her head, inviting him to her neck again. Jack tenderly kissed her just below her ear, leaving a moist path down her neck to her collarbone. Elizabeth reached up behind her, slid her hand behind his head and pulled his lips to hers. Without parting, Elizabeth spun in Jack's arms to face him.
"And all I gave you was a silly compass," Elizabeth stated, looking embarrassed.
Jack cupped her face in his hands, a very serious look across his own, "Beth, you have given me so much more than that. You gave me yourself. You gave me purpose. You gave me love. And I hope that sometime in the future, you'll give me children. I can never match what you have given me already. This is just a drop in the bucket of me trying to show you how much you mean to me."
"You have already done so much for me, too, Jack." She wiped the few tears that still resided on her cheeks and shook her head. "Are we just going to keep making each other cry all the time? If so, I'm going to get dehydrated."
Jack laughed, "We'll be sure to drink lots of water." Jack rubbed her arms, still unsure how he was lucky enough to have her as his wife. "Ready for more?"
"What? There's more? No, Jack. No. You don't need to give me anything else."
"Beth, just come with me." Jack took her hand and led her to the barn. Taking their time, they recalled some special moments from the wedding and reception as they walked across the property to the beautiful barn that currently was the home to fifteen horses.
"What are we doing in here?" Elizabeth asked, petting Harley who'd stuck his head out when they entered the barn.
"Over here," Jack said, standing at the stall of the gelding that Elizabeth had been helping with.
Elizabeth joined Jack at the stall and the horse immediately moved to the opening to meet her. Elizabeth placed her hands on the horse's jaw and pressed her forehead against his. "Hey there, boy."
Jack watched his wife with admiration at the connection she had made with the gelding.
"What do you want to name him?"
"What? I don't want to name him. You're selling him soon." Elizabeth continued petting the horse and scratching him in his favorite spot under his chin.
"I don't think I can."
Elizabeth turned to Jack, "What do you mean? Of course, you can. He's doing great."
"Well, you see. He has really connected with a certain beautiful, young woman and it would break his heart to leave her."
Elizabeth straightened, eyeing Jack. "What are you saying?"
"Do you want him?"
"Seriously?"
"Of course, Beth. This horse belongs with you. It's as clear as the nose on my face that he picked you."
Elizabeth turned to the horse, returning her hands to his face and her forehead against his, a smile stretching across her face. "Hey, boy, do you want to stay here with me?"
As if he understood what she'd asked, the horse whinnied and began to move his head up and down, resting it on top of her shoulder as if in a hug. Elizabeth wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him back.
"So, is that a yes?" Jack asked, grinning at his amazing wife.
Elizabeth moved swiftly to Jack, embracing him with a hug and a kiss. "Yes, Jack. It's most definitely a yes."
Jack laughed, "You already have a name picked out for him, don't you?"
Elizabeth, embarrassed that Jack already knows her so well, turned to the horse. "Yes, actually. I do."
Jack waited for a brief moment then asked, "So, are you going to tell me?"
"Well, I've kind of grown partial to Wranglers." She scratched the horse's forehead, "Hey there, Wrangler."
Jack laughed out loud, shaking his head. "Okay, Wrangler it is."
Jack watched his wife and the gelding as the bond between the two was evident.
…..
September 12th, 2009 – Hope Meadows Ranch
Jack heard the sound of tires rolling over gravel as a car came to a stop outside the barn. Knowing it was Elizabeth, he met her in the doorway, greeting her with a warm kiss.
"Are you ready?" He asked her.
"For what? You didn't tell me what we were doing today."
"To work with the gelding."
Elizabeth's eyes widened with nervousness. "Jack, I'm just not sure about this. I don't know a thing about training a horse."
"I will be by your side the entire time." Jack took Elizabeth's hand in his. "I will not let anything happen to you. I wouldn't even let you attempt this if I didn't think you'd be safe or you couldn't do it."
Blowing out a long breath, Elizabeth relaxed but only slightly. "Okay. I trust you."
She followed Jack to the round pen where the horse was already waiting. Harley was tied under the tree like last time, obviously having been used to get the horse from the barn to the pen.
As they approached the pen, Elizabeth could see wood posts and railings in a large circle inside the pen. Jack, having dug holes and placed upright posts with post horizontally across the tops, created a fifteen-foot section in the center of the sixty-foot round pen to give them a safe space to work.
Jack had taken the horse to the pen earlier that morning to give it time to get used to the set up. Seeing Jack again, the horse ran to the opposite side, giving Jack and Elizabeth ample space to safely get into the inside circle. Once inside, Jack gave Elizabeth some direction on how to use the different training tools that were already waiting.
Elizabeth nervously picked up the three-foot training stick and following Jack's direction, she began to work with the horse. Reluctant at first, the gelding quickly began to take cues from Elizabeth and she had him moving around the safety railing, stopping when she signaled him to.
Noticing the horse constantly hesitating with Jack present, he approached Elizabeth. "Do you think you can do this alone?"
With her eyes wide, she turned to Jack, "What?"
"He still seems a bit resistant anytime I get too close, so I'm going to just step outside the gate and let you do this. I'll be just right over there if you need me." Jack pointed toward the picnic table. "You're doing great. I can be here in a flash if you need me."
Elizabeth nodded and watched Jack exit the round pen. With him now sitting on the table, she turned back to the horse and gave him the cue to move forward, which the horse quickly responded to.
Thirty minutes into the training, Jack heard a truck pull up by the barn and two doors close. Turning around, he saw Lee and Rosie walking toward him. Putting his index finger over his lips, he gave them the sign to be quiet.
The couple quietly took their seats next to Jack and watched Elizabeth as she worked with the horse.
Rosie leaned toward Jack and whispered, "Why is she in there? And what's up with the railing?"
"She's the only one that horse will listen to. Railing is to protect her. He's been a bit crazy. Well, with me he was. Not with her."
Rosemary could see the admiration in Jack's eyes as he watched Elizabeth signal for the horse to stop and turn toward her. She approached the horse and scratched his forehead, the safety railing between them; any notion of the gelding wanting to bolt seemed to have vanished completely.
…..
October 25th, 2009 – Hope Meadows Ranch
Jack's stomach rumbled again as he clutched it, attempting to silence it. Elizabeth walked to him, placing her hand on his chest.
"How about I go fix us some breakfast...or lunch?" She giggled.
Jack wrapped her in an embrace, kissing her softly on the lips. "That sounds perfect. I'll be in to help as soon as I get these guys fed."
Jack watched Elizabeth walk out of the barn, silhouetted against the bright sunlight. Hoping this wasn't just all a dream, Jack closed his eyes and pinched his leg, praying he wouldn't snap out of it. Opening his eyes to see her still walking toward the house, a huge grin took residence on Jack's face as he turned to the feed room.
…..
As Jack stepped onto the front porch, he could hear music from the piano floating from the house and filling the air around it. Pausing on the deck outside the front window, Jack could see Elizabeth sitting at the baby grand completely in her element. Fully engrossed in the song, she swayed slightly, back and forth, as her fingers glided across the ebony and ivory keys, playing Clair de Lune.
As the song grew in intensity and speed, so did Elizabeth's body movements. Jack could clearly see the love that Elizabeth held for playing the piano. Jack felt a single tear fall down his cheek as he contemplated his new life. He had hoped to one day have a family; he had built the house with that in mind. But seeing this reality unfolding before him was more than he ever could have imagined. The love he felt for her was absolute.
As the song ended, Jack turned to walk around the house to enter through the back door so not to track dirt through the house. Elizabeth stood and began walking toward the kitchen, catching Jack's silhouette crossing the window. She met him at the back door, only to find him wiping his eyes.
"Jack, what is it?" She asked, worried concern in her voice.
Jack just shook his head and walked into the half-bath to wash his hands and face.
She stayed back, allowing him a little time to clean up, but once he stepped out of the bathroom, she was in front of him, asking him again.
"Please, Jack. What is it? Something happen to your mom? Tom? Sam? One of the kids?"
Jack grabbed her arms and kissed her to silence her hysteria.
"It's nothing like that, Beth."
"Then what is it?"
Inhaling a deep breath filled with Elizabeth's floral based perfume, helped Jack gain a bit of composure before proceeding.
"I was just watching you through the window. Seeing you in here, in this house, just...completely at home and in your element at the piano...I just...I love you, Beth."
Elizabeth, still confused as to why that would cause a reaction such as this from Jack, pulled him into her arms and held him.
"I'm sorry. I'm not making any sense right now." Jack pulled back to look in her eyes, taking a deep breath and rubbed his hands up and down Elizabeth's arms, as if warming her from a chill. "Seeing you in here playing the piano just really hit me. I don't know...I think I was getting to a point in my life that I never thought I would have someone to share this with. Until I met you that is. I would come home at night and picture you standing in the window. I would see you in the kitchen preparing a meal for our family. I would see you in the yard playing with our kids. And now you're here. Really here. And seeing you there, playing so beautifully with so much passion. I'm still trying to convince myself that this is no longer a dream."
Jack moved forward, closing the small space between them, resting his hands against her neck and stroking her cheeks with his thumbs, he took her lips with his.
Elizabeth, her body beginning to ache for Jack, grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head, throwing it onto the floor. Jack followed suit and pulled Elizabeth's shirt up and off, tossing it aside.
With Elizabeth still in her leggings and bra, Jack grabbed the back of her thighs and pulled her legs up, straddling him, and carried her to the couch.
Jack turned and sat down, bringing Elizabeth onto his lap. Elizabeth reached behind her and unfastened her bra, slipping it off her shoulders. Jack moved his hands long the soft skin of her back, pulling her toward him, his arms completely engulfing her torso as he tightened his hold. His lips trailed down the top of her breast, capturing her nipple in his mouth.
A small moan escaped her as Elizabeth slid her fingers into Jack's hair, pulling his head back, she lowered her mouth to his, accepting every forceful movement of his tongue.
Moving his hands to her hips, Jack lifted her up to stand in front of him. He pulled her leggings down over her hips, kissing the front of her stomach as his hands slid down her legs. Wrapping his arms behind her, he pulled her closer, continuing to kiss her along her belly and hip.
He swiftly unbuttoned and unzipped his pants, lifting, he pushed them down to his knees, revealing his very eager manhood. He grabbed her hips once more and leaned back into the couch, pulling her over him. With Elizabeth now on her knees, one on each side of Jack's thighs, he lowered her onto him, lifting his hips and pressing hard into her.
Elizabeth gripped his shoulder's, her nails embedding into his skin. Moans escaped her as Jack moved her in a rhythm matching his own. Taking his time, his hands and eyes explored her beautiful body as he kept his hips in motion, the slow build in Elizabeth became evident to Jack as his intensity began to match hers.
Elizabeth collapsed onto Jack's chest and snuggled into his embrace. Jack reached for the soft throw blanket that was draped across the back of the couch and pulled it across Elizabeth, covering the both of them.
A rumble from Jack's stomach once more reminded Elizabeth of what she had come into the house to do.
"Oh, no. Lunch. I haven't started lunch."
She tried to slide off of Jack's lap, but he tightened his arms around her.
"Stay. Just for a moment."
Elizabeth settled back into his arms, reveling in the warmth and tranquility that his embrace brought her.
…..
Elizabeth stood at the sink as she washed the dishes from lunch, staring out the window across the valley. One of Jack's pastures could be seen from that vantage point; a herd of mares were grazing as their foals were bucking and kicking at each other.
She felt Jack's body against her back, his arms wrap around her, his warm breath against her neck, as he leaned down and pressed his lips along her soft skin. Elizabeth tipped her head back against his chest as she raised her wet, soapy hands up and ran them down his cheeks.
Jack, caught off guard, wiped the suds from his face as Elizabeth escaped from his grasp. Running around the island, she was soon overtaken by Jack's quick speed as he grabbed her around the waist, picking her up and spinning her around as she screamed. He carried her, kicking and laughing, to the sink where he proceeded to scoop a full hand of bubbles, and ran them across the top of her head, down her cheek and onto the front of her shirt.
Laughing uncontrollably, Elizabeth was unable to reciprocate the attack. Jack pinned her between himself and the sink, and with wet hands, he cupped her face and kissed her. Elizabeth melted, the pair feeling as if they could become one.
"You're amazing," Jack said, pushing her hair back.
"You're the amazing one, Jack. You have the biggest heart of anyone I have ever met."
"I don't know about that," Jack replied, picking up a small hand towel and drying his hands.
"You are. Trust me," she grinned.
Jack backed up to the island and with his hands resting on the top, he hopped up on it. "Since you brought that up, there's something I want to talk to you about."
Elizabeth leaned against the sink, facing Jack. "What's that?"
"Do you remember that sermon Frank did not too long ago about being generous and helping others?"
Nodding, Elizabeth replied, "Yes."
"Well, ever since then, something has been on my mind. I think I would really like to start a foundation under my dad's name to help families of riders that have been injured or killed."
Elizabeth stepped forward in between Jack's legs and wrapped her arms around his waist. "That would be wonderful, Jack. You could help so many people."
"I wanted to talk to you about it before I talked to Ma and Tom."
"Why? It's up to you guys."
"Beth, this involves you too."
"Jack, this is your decision. Yours and your family's."
"You are my family, Beth." Jack was looking down at her, playing with the back of her long hair. "It's our money, not just mine."
"I think it's a great idea, Jack." She stretched as far as she could onto her toes, unable to reach his lips. Jack lowered his head to meet her.
"I'll set up a time to get together with Mom, Tom and Sam then."
"Sounds perfect."
Elizabeth turned, pulling Jack's arms around her.
"What do you want to do before we start getting ready for the family?" Jack asked, kissing the top of her head.
"Can we go for a ride around the property?"
"Absolutely," he said as he moved her forward and slid off the counter.
…..
As everyone sat around the large dining table, several conversations happening at once, Savannah tugged on Jack's shirt sleeve.
Jack turned and began signing with her.
"Hello, Sweetheart."
"Is Elizabeth my aunt now?"
"Yes, she sure is." Jack smiled as he signed.
"Good."
"Yes, it is. Very good."
"Can I sit with you?"
"Of course."
Jack slid his chair back as Savannah turned so he could pull her onto his lap. With his arms wrapped around her, she laid her head against his chest and in her silent world, she watched everyone as they talked. Anytime Jack would speak with someone, he would sign for Savannah's sake so she could join in if she wanted. When he wasn't signing for her, Jack's hand was always on Elizabeth or hers on him.
William watched this, and between his actions with Savannah and Elizabeth, it solidified his belief that Jack was the right man for Elizabeth.
As the evening drew to a close, Elizabeth said her goodbyes to her family.
"What time are your flights?
"We leave at 2:35 tomorrow afternoon," Julie answered.
"Ours is at 4:10," Grace replied. "We'll all go together and your dad and I will just wait there.
"What time do you want us to pick you up?"
Grace turned to William, "What time do to want to go dear?"
"Can you pick us up at noon?" William asked.
"Why don't we get you at 11, then we can go have lunch somewhere near the airport before dropping you off?" Jack answered.
"That would be wonderful," Grace exclaimed. "Does that work for you guys, Julie?"
"Yes, sounds perfect."
They finished saying their goodbyes and with Elizabeth's car, they drove back to her townhouse.
"Jack, we're going to head out, too." Tom said, squeezing his brother's shoulder. "Thank you for the wonderful meal, Elizabeth."
Tom hugged her, followed by Samantha.
"Yes, Beth. It's always a treat when I don't have to cook," Sam gave Tom a sideways glance, grinning.
"Glad to help out," Elizabeth teased.
Jack and Elizabeth stood on the front porch, waving at the three kids as they ran to the truck. Charlotte and Frank stepped out beside them, joining them in the sendoff.
"Frank is going to run me home now," Charlotte stated as she pulled Jack into a hug after the truck pulled away.
"Alright, Ma," Jack replied, returning the hug.
Charlotte moved to Elizabeth, "Thank you for a wonderful dinner, Beth." She kissed her cheek then tightened her embrace. "We all love you so much," she whispered in her ear.
"I love all of you, too," Elizabeth whispered back.
Jack and Elizabeth watched as Frank opened the passenger door for Charlotte, offered his hand to help her into it, then closed the door.
Waving as the truck disappeared around the trees, Jack turned to Elizabeth and took her hand.
"Wife, let's go clean up this mess."
Elizabeth giggled as she followed Jack to the kitchen.
…..
October 26th, 2009 – Hope Meadows Ranch
Jack woke to the sound of running water. Looking to his left, he found the bed empty. Sitting up on the edge of the bed, Jack rubbed his eyes, wiping away the sleep.
As he stood and stretched, his arms above his head and arching his back, the water in the next room went silent. At the door, Jack slowly turned the knob, trying to keep it from making a sound, and peeked into the bathroom.
Seeing that Elizabeth was in the tub, her head resting back on a blowup pillow and her eyes closed, Jack quietly walked into the room. He slipped his lounge pants off, leaving them where they fell and tip toed to the side of the tub.
Elizabeth had headphones in, attached to her iPod. Jack glanced at the screen to see what she was listening to and Fallin' For You by Colbie Caillat scrolled across the screen.
Elizabeth began to hum as Jack sat on the edge of the tub and listened to her. The surface of the water was mostly covered with bubbles, but through a few open areas, Jack was able to see Elizabeth's naked body. His eyes wandered, taking in the angel in front of him.
Elizabeth's voice brought Jack's attention back up to her face as she began to softly sing the chorus.
"I've been spending all my time
Just thinking about ya
I don't know what to do
I think I'm fallin' for you
I've been waiting all my life
And now I found ya
I don't know what to do
I think I'm fallin' for you
I'm fallin' for you"
Jack tried to stifle his laugh as to not give away his presence. He carefully slid a foot into the hot water alongside her leg without touching it. Once he had both feet in, he lowered himself over her, pressing his body along hers.
Elizabeth let out a startled gasp and threw her headphones off.
"Jack!" She yelled and slapped his arm. "You scared me to death."
"Oh, sorry about that," he replied, giving her an ornery grin.
Sliding to her side, he lifted her up and moved below her, resting her back against his chest and wrapping his arms around her.
"You don't have to stop singing on my accord."
"Can you sing to me?"
Jack kissed the side of her face. "Of course, my love."
Jack thought for a short moment on a song, then began to sing softly in her ear.
"Like red on a rose
When your lips first smiled at me
I was captured instantly
To each his own
Like blue in the sky
The gaze of your willing eyes
Touched something deep inside
The truth be known
That I love you like all little children love pennies
And I love you 'cause I know that I can't do anything wrong
You're where I belong
Like red on a rose
And I love you like all little children love pennies
And I love you like good times of which I've known many
And I love you 'cause I know you give me a heart of my own
You make my blood flow
Like red on a rose"
As soon as Jack had stopped singing, Elizabeth rolled over to face him, pulling her legs up and straddling him, she leaned down and kissed him. Jack grabbed her face, deepening his kiss. He wrapped his arms around her, interlocking his arms behind her low on her hips, and pulled her over and down onto him.
They made love, slow and long, until they both reached that moment that felt like two galaxies colliding into one another, mixing together and having no beginning and no end.
…..
Standing inside the large walk-in closet, Jack pulled on his blue long sleeve Wrangler shirt. Elizabeth walked up behind him, wrapped her arms around him and slid her hands across his chest, exposed with the unbuttoned shirt.
"I love you," she said into his back.
Jack gripped her hands, holding them still. "I love you too, Beth." He turned around to face her, keeping hold of her hands. "If you keep touching me like that, I'm going to have to take you to bed and then we'll be late."
Elizabeth felt her cheeks warm as she grinned at him. "Sorry."
Jack kissed her hands before releasing them and proceeding to button his shirt.
"We don't have to pick them up for another three and a half hours. What are we going to be late to?"
"It's a surprise."
"Another one. Seriously, Jack. You don't have to keep getting me things."
"Who said I'm getting you something?"
"Please tell me where we're going," Elizabeth said in her most seductive voice, slipping her hands under his shirt and up to his chest.
"Beth, I'm serious." Jack pulled her hands from his shirt, held them up to his lips and kissed them. "I will take care of this when we get back." Jack walked out of the closet, smacking Elizabeth's ass along the way.
Elizabeth finished pulling on her brown leather boots. They had an intricate design punched into the leather with a beige inlay; a perfect match to her beige shirt comprised of a spaghetti strap tank covered with lace to the scoop neckline. The wide-open short sleeves connected down to the waistline.
Jack had been waiting in the kitchen when Elizabeth came down the stairs. He met her at the bottom, holding his hand out to her.
"You look amazing." He stopped her on the bottom step, bringing her to eye level with him. He kissed her then taking her hand, he turned her around so he could see her outfit. Eyeing her very fitted, low-rise aged denim jeans, he moved his hands onto her hips and slid them down her legs. "You are so sexy."
Elizabeth pulled back from the second kiss that Jack had instigated, looking into his eyes. "Can I ask you something?"
"Yes, as long as it's not where we're going."
Elizabeth forced a smile and continued. "No. Not that. Why did you react like that in the closet?"
Jack tipped his head and his expression turned to confusion. "What are you talking about?"
"When I put my hands under your shirt and you said, 'Beth, I'm serious.' You pulled my hands out and walked away."
Jack took Elizabeth's hands in his, holding them to his chest he kissed her knuckles. "Beth, do you remember that day in the trailer when you touched my tattoos and I had to stop you?"
"Yes."
And then in the shower, when you did it again but I...um...you know."
Elizabeth's cheeks flushed, "Yes."
"That reaction that you got in the shower is the same reaction you'll get every time you touch me like that. The sensation that you send through me when you touch me...well, I've never experienced it before and I need to learn to control it...or deal with it...or something. But I am not there yet. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Yes, I think so."
"I'm saying that you drive me wild and I haven't learned how to cope with it yet."
"Oh," Elizabeth said and began to giggle.
"Now, we really need to be going."
…..
Thirty minutes later, Jack pulled his huge truck into a large auto dealership.
"What are we doing here?"
"Well, I don't know if you noticed, but when we go to pick up your family today, we are going to have to take two vehicles because they won't all fit in my truck."
"Yeah, so?"
"And you really need a 4-wheel drive for winter around here."
"What? You're buying me a car?"
"No. We are buying you an SUV." Jack swung his arm out, motioning to the large selection of vehicles in front of them, "Anything you want."
A salesman approached them as Jack and Elizabeth got out of the truck.
"Hey, Danny." Jack said, shaking the man's hand.
"Good to see you again, Jack. How's the truck doing?"
"Perfect. Loving it." Jack held his arm out for Elizabeth to move beside him. "I'd like you to meet my wife, Elizabeth."
"Wife? Wow, great news." Danny shook her hand. "When did you two tie the knot?"
"Saturday," Elizabeth answered.
"Congratulations. What can I do for you today?"
"Beth here needs a new ride. I was thinking a seven passenger SUV, but it's ultimately up to her as she's the one that will be driving it."
"I can show you a few that we have and go from there. Any particular color you'd like to see, Mrs. Thornton?"
Jack and Elizabeth both smiled as it had been the first time someone had called her that.
"Um, I'm not sure. Red?"
"Okay, follow me. We have several to pick from."
After an hour of shopping and test driving, Elizabeth had fallen in love with a 2010 GMC Yukon Denali in deep red.
"Jack, we don't need to do this. My car is just fine."
Jack looked at Danny and gave him a slight nod and Danny walked away to give them privacy.
"Beth, I want you to have whatever you want. It would be nice to have a vehicle with more seating plus you really should have a 4-wheel drive. But it's up to you. If you want to keep your car, that's fine."
Elizabeth looked at the Yukon once more and smiled. "It really is pretty."
Jack looked at Danny who had been waiting nearby and gave him a big nod and smile. Danny turned to the building, going inside to draw up the necessary paperwork.
Jack led Elizabeth back to the Yukon and opened the driver's door, motioning with his arm for her to get inside.
With an excited grin, Elizabeth took a seat in her new vehicle. "This is amazing, Jack." She turned back to Jack, her expression changing, "But can we?"
Jack knelt beside her, placing his hand on her thigh, "Yes, we can." Smiling, his dimples in full show, he stood and leaned inside, kissing her lips. "When we get home, remind me to show you something."
"Okay," Elizabeth replied, curiosity in her voice.
Danny returned to the couple, a small stack of papers in his hand. Laying the stack on the hood of the car, he handed Jack a pen and pointed where to sign.
"Come here, Beth," Jack motioned to her.
Handing her the pen, she began signing on the lines indicated by Danny. Jack pulled the checkbook from his pocket, filled out a check for the full amount, and handed it to Danny.
"Congratulations, Mrs. Thornton. It's all yours." Danny held the keys out for Elizabeth.
Once they were alone again, Elizabeth wrapped her arms around Jack's waist and reached up to kiss him. "You really didn't need to do this."
"Beth," Jack moved his hands to gently cradle her face, "I wanted to do this for you. It was something you needed plus I thought you'd like to have your family all in one vehicle today."
Elizabeth kissed him again, lingering slightly as she enjoyed the warmth of his lips on hers.
"I love you so much."
"Oh, you do, do you?" Jack teased. "I love you, too. Let's run the truck home, then you can drive us to pick up your family."
Elizabeth let out a little squeal then skipped to her new car.
…...
"Hello," Elizabeth called out as she opened the door to her townhome. "Anybody home?"
Skylar came barreling around the corner and jumped into her arms. "Auntie Beth," she exclaimed as she tightly wrapped her arms around Elizabeth's neck. "Uncle Jack!" She squealed when she saw Jack step into the entryway. Leaning forward in Elizabeth's arms, almost causing her to drop her, Jack reached out and took the excited little girl from Elizabeth's arms.
With Skylar clutching onto Jack's neck, almost choking him, the couple walked into the living room where everyone had been sitting and visiting.
"Good morning, you two," Grace said, standing to give her daughter a hug.
"Skylar, you're choking him," Bill stood to release his daughter's grip on Jack.
"She's fine," Jack smiled, rubbing her back. "Aren't you?" Jack asked Skylar, tipping his face toward hers.
Skylar raised her head to look at Jack, placed her hands on his cheeks and patted him. "Love you," she said in her soft voice she used when she wanted them to know she was serious.
"Oh, I love you, too, Skylar." Jack wrapped his arms around her as she tightened hers around his neck once more.
Jack hadn't realized that everyone had stopped their conversations and were watching him with Skylar until he lifted his head to look at Elizabeth and saw everyone's eyes on him.
With his gaze landing on Elizabeth, he mouthed the word "what" to her.
Elizabeth walked to him, "You're amazing with kids, Jack. Everyone is just enamored watching you with her."
"Well," Jack kissed Skylar on the forehead, "she makes it easy."
Skylar started squirming in Jack's arms, "Down, peas." Jack lowered her to the floor and as soon as her feet hit the carpet, she was running to Grace. "Gamma!"
"Where are we eating today?" Jack asked as he took a seat on a bar stool at the island bar.
"What do you recommend?"
"Does everyone like Mexican food? El Tapatio is on the way to the airport."
"That sounds perfect," Grace replied. "Good with everyone?"
Several yeses followed and the group began gathering their luggage. Stepping outside and seeing the new vehicle in the yard, everyone stopped, gawking.
"Whose is that?" Julie asked.
"Mine," Elizabeth answered, smiling.
"That's beautiful, Honey," Grace said as she walked around the Yukon.
"This is very nice, Beth," Bill stated.
"When did you get this?" William asked as he and Bill began walking around it.
"We just got it this morning. Jack surprised me." Elizabeth slid her arm behind Jack as he draped his across her shoulders.
"May I?" William asked, pointing to the driver door.
"Of course," Jack stepped up and opened the door, holding it while William took a seat, then handed him the keys.
Bill opened the passenger door and slid into the seat as William started the car. Pointing at the dash and radio console, they discussed all the options that had been included like the navigation and Bluetooth capabilities, rear entertainment with DVD player, Bose sound system, seat warmers and more.
William stepped out and shook Jack's hand, squeezing his shoulder with his free hand. "Very good, Jack. I have no doubt that you are going to take excellent care of my daughter and I thank you for that."
"Sir, there is no need for that. It's my pleasure. Anything for Beth."
"Well, this is wonderful. Very nice."
After loading all the luggage in the extended rear of the SUV and everyone getting settled in their seats, Jack turned the vehicle toward the restaurant.
….
Jack pulled away from the curb at the airport terminal where they had just dropped off Elizabeth's family. Elizabeth was staring out the window, her head resting on her hand with her elbow on the door.
"Are you alright?"
Elizabeth turned to Jack, a tear falling down her cheek. "Yes, I'll be fine. Just hard to see them go. It's been such a great two weeks."
Jack reached over and covered her hand with his. "We'll see your parents in Vegas, so that will be nice."
Elizabeth smiled, "Yes. I'm so glad they're going."
"What do you want to do for the rest of the day?"
Elizabeth thought for a moment, then smiling, "Let's go see Lee and Rosie. I think they are at Rosie's place."
Hand in hand, Jack turned the Yukon onto the highway that led to Rosie's farm.
