Ok everyone here it is. The day we've been waiting for! No need to drag it out! There's no fittings, no dress rehearsals! Hope it lives up to your expectations!
Chapter 23
From This Moment On
Tommy moves into Jack's house after he took it off the market which cost him 1000 but he wasn't ready to let it go yet.
Beth I'm taking Jarrick down to Tommy's at 8:0 tonight. Then I'll be back until 11:59. Then I'll join him. I've already taken our clothes down there. Tommy will get him a bath. She says, do you have to? I probably won't be able to sleep without you here. I probably won't be able to either but I don't want anything to go wrong. Ok if I have to. Thank God it's only for 12 hours she said.
Let's go over the list one more time, Beth. Please! Ok.
Charlotte and mother is picking up the flowers at 10:30.
The florist has said she would go decorate the arbor at 9:00.
Don't worry. I've paid for the flowers already. The florist's daughter will be there to hand our mother's the flowers.
Father paid someone to bring the chairs, set them up, and put the white covers on them. Oh and the navy carpet to.
You, Jarrick, Tommy, and Lee arrives at 11:30.
Guests start arriving at 11:00
Then we will arrive at 11:59.
Please don't keep looking at your watch. I promise I will be there.
At 12:45 we leave coming back to Abigail's for the reception.
At 1:00 we start eating
Then there will be toasts
The our first dance.
Father daughter dance
Mother son dance
Everyone dance
Cut the cake
Say goodbyes
We leave
I figure we should be leaving by 5: o'clock. When do we leave for our honeymoon? He says, when ever on Tuesday. Jack you don't have a time on our flights yet? Yes Beth. But it's a surprise!
I think I just figured out away you can sleep tonight, Beth! We'll go to bed early and I'll leave once you go to sleep. She said, that works for me but how are you going to sleep, Love? I'll be alright!
How about the 3 of us cook dinner? Oh that sounds like a plan, Love! Hey bud come here!
We have chicken or hamburger thawed. Which do we want? They voted for children. Ok how about chicken spaghetti? That's pretty quick. The day yes! So Jarrick you go wash those hands and then you can make the salad. Jack can you slice the tomatoes and grate the cheese for him and just put them in separate bowls so he can mix it? I'll start the chicken boiling and drop the pasta in chicken broth. That way when the chicken is done I'll let the broth cool then put it in the freezer for something else. Ok little man here's the lettuce. Just tear it up like you did the last time ok? Hey Love can you drain the chicken in about 5 minutes. Then chop it? I'll drain the spaghetti. She mixes the rotel tomatoes with green chilies and spaghetti together. Jack mixes the chicken in. Beth cubes the velveeta cheese and mixes that in. She pours it into a casserole dish. Jack sprinkles shredded cheese on top. Beth puts it in the pre heated oven on 400 degrees for 30 minutes. They set the table. Jarrick brings the salad to the table. Jack gets the spaghetti out of the oven and sets it on heat pads on the table. They join hands and Jack says grace.
Kind Heavenly Father
We as that you bless this food for the nourishment of our bodies. We pray for our wedding tomorrow. Protect us as we go forward from here. In Jesus name. Amen.
Let's eat. This is super good mommy! How about daddy? He helped to. It's super good daddy!
Daddy when we getting married to mommy? They bust out laughing. Tomorrow bud at lunchtime! So We can't see mommy after midnight tonight so we're going to go stay with Uncle Tommy tonight. You have to get a bath tonight before you go to bed. He says, I can't bathe at Uncle Tommy's! Why not bud? I don't have my crayons there. Jack looks at Beth. Ok how about I let you take them with you tonight? Whoohoo!
It's now 6:00. Jack says, come here and set on the couch for a minute. We need to talk. Tomorrow after we get married and after the party, mommy and I are going on a honeymoon. That means we are going by ourselves and you are going to stay with Grammy and Pop for 10 days. Grandpa and Nana will be here so you will get to spend time with them to. We I'll be back in 10 days. Then we'll come pick you up and bring you home with us. Daddy why can't I come with you in your honeymoon. Love if I may? He nods. Hey little man ( she picks him up and put him in her lap) You no when you go spend the night with Pop and Grammy by yourself? Well that's what we are doing. We're going away by ourselves. Do you understand? Yes ma'am. You know we love you. Remember when we put our hands around your fist? You carry us everywhere you go. It will be ok . I love you bud! I love you to daddy! I'm going to miss you so much. We'll miss you to.
So it's time to go bud. Kiss mommy good night. We'll She her at the end of the isle tomorrow. They kiss Her good night. Jack whispers in her ear, I'll be back!
Jack drops Jarrick off at Tommy's. Tommy gets him a bath and puts him to bed. Jack goes back to Beth. They get ready for bed . Jack pulls the covers back for her to climb in. She plants a passionate kiss on his lips. She straddles his legs. He puts his hands on her waist. She softly kisses his ear moving down his neck. She hears him moan. He keeps saying softly,Beth...Beth...Beth. She doesn't stop. She kisses around his neck and behind his ear. He massaging her hips. Beth baby...she presses on. His passion is turning lose. Beth baby please. Instead of stopping she kisses his chest with her tongue. He tells Beth baby...Beth baby...we have... to stop! She whispers, why and her passion is getting stronger. He gets control quickly and rolls her over. He gets up and goes to take a cold shower. She tries to control her breathing. She relaxes in her back. She says, God what you do to me! He comes back out of the bathroom towel drying his head. Beth honey, we almost blew it. You don't know what you do to me, she said! He says, I'm pretty sure I do because you do the same thing to me! Beth we only have 14 hours left. I want you but I want you as my wife! Honey we don't need to go any further. I'll lay with you until you fall asleep then I'll leave. Then the next time you'll see me is at the front of the isle waiting for you. Then I make love to you all night long if that's what you want! He craws in the bed and wraps his arms around her as she lays her head on his chest. He start humming, From This Moment On by Shania Twain. He starts to feel her relax in to him. He keeps humming. After about an hour of humming he realized she was sound asleep. He kisses the top of her head and slides out from around her. He says, I love you with every beat of my heart! I'll be waiting for you my love! He shuts the light off and leaves locking the door behind him.
Beth wakes to pounding on her front door. She jumps up and runs to the door. She slings it open to find Charlotte, her mother, Viola, and Julie standing on the other side. She looks at the clock and sees its 9:30. Oh my goodness I'm going to be late for my own wedding. Grace says no your no dear. Now let's get started! We have a lot to do. Where's the flowers? Waiting in the car. Julie will you please go get the corsages. They are mother's and Charlotte's. Charlotte call Tom, have him come get the boutonnières so the guys will have them. The one with 3 in it is Jack's. Elizabeth, he won't be wearing one, he's in his dress blues, Charlotte says. Oh shoot I forgot , Elizabeth says! Ok on it Charlotte says. Tell him one is his. Julie get father's out to. I'm going to get a bath real quick. Be out in a few.
While Elizabeth was in the bath there was a knock on the door. Charlotte answers it. She says, son what are you doing here? You can't see her. He says, I know mom. I just come to drop her wedding gifts off. I have a feeling she's going to need them! He hands them to her and leaves. Charlotte places them on Elizabeth's dress table. Julie and Viola are already! Elizabeth comes out with her under garments on. She sits down at he dressing table to put her makeup on. She sees the 2 gifts. She opens the long one first. She gasps! The tears are flowing. They all come in. She shows them the mother charm bracelet with Jarrick's birthstone on it! Charlotte puts it on her right wrist. Then she opens the other one. The card had 2 words on it . Something Blue! She pulls it out of the box. She gasps, a blue sapphire and diamond necklace! Oh mother! Please put it on me! She puts her fingers on it and says, have you ever seen anything so beautiful? They all shook their head no. Grace speaks up and says, you need to get a move on Lizzy if we're going to be on time! Yes ma'am! Elizabeth finished her makeup. Julie fixed her hair. Grace unzipped her garment bag. Elizabeth steps into it. Grace zipped it up. Charlotte places her vail on top of her head.
The vail was trimmed with small roses. The band circled her the top of he head with tiny roses across her forehead. Her dress was white high-low strapless. While satin underlay with white lace with small roses. The skirt was a little full but not to full! She was breathtaking beautiful! She slid her feet into the 3" white heels.
What time is it? 11:30. Ok I have time. I need to see father privately please and Charlotte please take this note to Jack! Elizabeth handed her the note. William walked into her bedroom and closed the door. Father there has been a change in plans. Oh Lizzy your not running are you? No father just listen. She explains the change. Ok Lizzy consider it done. Now I think we have a wedding to get to! William follows her out to the living room. William say , ladies, shall we? William opens the door and Elizabeth sees the limousine parked in her driveway. Father I should have known. They got in the limousine and headed to their land. Everyone was already seated. She saw Jack standing there with his dress blue uniform. He was the most handsome man she had ever seen. Charlotte got out, then Grace. When Charlotte got to the front she handed Jack the note and motions for him to read it. He opened the note. It just said, Follow my lead! He looks up and Julie and Viola are coming down the isle. The music stops. William was waiting with his hand out to her. She takes Iran's steps out of the limousine. Jack's eye well up. Tommy whispers to him, hold on she'll be here in a few!
When Beth and her father got to the beginning of the carpet the music starts playing: From This Moment On
By Shania Twain
They start walking slowly. She starts singing.
I do swear that I'll always be here
I'd give anything and everything and I will always care
Through weakness and strength
Happiness and sorrow
For better, for worse
I will love you with every beat of my heart
From this moment, life has begun
From this moment, you are the one
Right beside you is where I belong
From this moment on
Shes almost there and she nods. He knew what she meant. He walked up to her hand from William! They began singing together!
From this moment, I have been blessed
I live only for your happiness
And for your love, I'd give my last breath
I give my hand to you with all my heart
I can't wait to live my life with you, I can't wait to start
You and I will never be apart
My dreams came true because of you
From this moment as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing I wouldn't give
From this moment on, oh
You're the reason I believe in love
And you're the answer to my prayers from up above
All we need is just the 3 of us
My dreams came true because of you
From this moment as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing I wouldn't give
From this moment
I will love you as long as I live
From this moment on
As they finished they were back up front standing in front of Frank. William was seated next to Grace. There wasn't a dry eye there including Beth and Jack. They turned to face each other as they finished singing to each other. Frank says, I can't top that so may we have the rings please? Jarrick took the rings from his pocket and handed the to his daddy. Jack took them and handed Beth his. Frank say, these 2 rings are a circle of unbroken love. Jack repeat after me. With this ring I thee wed. Jack repeated, with this ring I thee wed as he placed the ring on Beth's left ring finger. Frank says, Elizabeth repeat after me. Elizabeth repeated, with this ring I thee wed as she placed the ring on Jack's left ring finger. Frank says, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride. Jack gives Beth a very passionate kIss! Frank says, I would like to introduce to you, Captain and Mrs. Jarrick Thomas Thornton, Sr. They turn to their guests and everyone stands and applauds. They walk down the isle and stopped at the end of the carpet. Beth raises her arms with her bouquet and tosses it. Viola catches the bouquet. Everyone applauded! As Jack and Beth goin the limousine everyone left to go to the reception. The limousine driver waited until everyone was gone before pulling out. Jack and Beth was intertwined kissing like they've never kissed before. Jack pulled back just enough to match her forehead. Beth that was the most beautiful wedding I have ever seen. I loved the change.
The limousine pulls up in front of Abigail's. The driver opens the door for them. Jack put his hand out to her. She takes it and steps out. She put her arm in his. He opens the door for her. Everyone applauded as they stepped in! They were ushered to their seats. The tables were rearranged around the edge of the room with enough space in the middle for dancing. The meal was served. As everyone was eating Tommy stands up and says, don't worry I won't embarrass you. With that being said, Jack, when you moved here I was worried about you so I prayed for the Lord to send you someone to open your heart again. 4 years later He sent Elizabeth Thatcher to love you and Jarrick unconditionally. So congratulations! May your love continue to grow for the rest of your lives! I love you both!
Viola stood up and raised her glass. I would like to say that Lizzy has been so independent almost from birth. When she told us she was moving away and on her own, I was scared a little. But she did go off to college with no problem. Sis I Couldn't be happier for you. Jack, I hope you know what you got yourself into because she can be very stubborn once she gets something in her head. All kidding aside. I wish you many happy years of love and happiness! And a house full of children! She's always wanted a whole house full Jack so get ready! Everyone chuckles! There were many more toasts. William finally got his turn . He says, I'll keep it short. Lizzy, you have been my one of biggest joys and some of my biggest heartaches. I know I was hard on you but I knew you were so stubborn and so independent that you wouldn't let anything stand in your way. We love you Lizzy! Jack I hope you have enough backbone to tame this one. No I'm just kidding. Jack welcome to the family! Here's to many years of happiness and lots of children! Tom was last. Son I have laughed with you. I have cried with you. I've played with you. I've tore you up a time or 2. But never have I been disappointed in you. I have loved you unconditionally from day one. I'm so proud of the man you've become. We want to welcome Elizabeth to our family. Elizabeth you have to be sent from God because he was a broken man until you. I love that you brought back his smile and laughter. We have missed it. So thank you.
Abigail speaks up and says it's time for the father/daughter dance to My Little Girl. Elizabeth danced with her father for the first time since she couldn't remember when. But she was dancing today and was loving it. She cried the whole time. William was so touched at the tears. He whispers to her, this won't be my last Lizzy I promise! The song was over. She hugged him so tight and says, I love you daddy! You haven't called me that since you were a little girl! I love you to baby girl! You haven't called me that since I was a little girl! She let go of his hand and went back to Jack.
Abigail speaks up and says it's time for the mother/son dance to Mom. Charlotte met Jack in the middle of the floor. As the dance Jack tells her that he appreciates everything that her and dad has done for him and Jarrick for the past 5 years. I don't know what I would have done without you both. I'm sorry for everything I put you through. She says, son don't ever apologize for hurting. The body has to heal. I thank God for Elizabeth. She has helped you heal. Son don't go into over protection mode. You will drive her away. Mom I couldn't do that if I wanted to. She is so independent that she wouldn't let me. The song ends. Jack kisses her cheek as he let go.
Before he could leave the floor Abigail says, it's time for their first dance to I Cross My Heart.
Beth met him an the floor. He put his left hand in hers and his right around her waist. He draws her in to him as they danced. They both said, finally! They danced and swayed through the whole song. Just staring into each other's eyes not wanting to miss any part of it. He said, I love you so much Beth and always will! I love you to forever and eternity, Love! The dance floor was opened to everyone.
Jack and Beth walked over to Abigail to thank her for everything she done and to let her know that they appreciated her. She tell them it was her pleasure. Oh Abigail let us know what we owe you and we'll pay you when we get back. You don't need to. Your parents paid in full. Well ok then. She says the sooner we cut the cake the sooner we can get you two out of here! Perfect! We're going to have our wedding pictures done when we get back.
Abigail excuses herself and tells everyone it's time to cut the cake. Jack and Beth take their place behind the cake. They both take the knife in their hands. Jack's over Beth's. They make 3 cuts. She whispers, we're going to be good right? He says, what ever you say Beautiful! He sticks his finger in the icing and touches her nose. She yells, Jack Thornton, you said we were going to be nice! Everyone stops and looks and laughs. Julie steps forward and takes a picture. She yells, Julie! Jack takes a napkin and gently wipes it off. She says, now you wipe it off after she takes a picture. Let's share the bite and go find Jarrick! They share the bite of cake then wrap their arm around the other's and drink their champagne! They set their glasses down and head to find Jarrick before they leave.
They find him in a chair behind Charlotte. Beth picks him up because Jack can't quite do it yet. They walk over to 2 empty chairs and sit down. Beth said, you are so handsome in your new suit! When we get back we're going to have our pictures made and you know what? They will be our first family pictures. Do you know where I'm going to hang it? Over the fireplace! Oh Jarrick I love you so much! Maybe daddy will take us somewhere when we get back. What do you think? He looks at Jack. We'll see! Beth we need to get going! Jarrick you be a good boy and we'll bring you a present when we get back! Mommy loves you so much! William catches it and goes over to Jarrick and picks him up and tosses him in the air and it makes Jarrick giggle. We'll be fine. You two go! But everyone! We love you! They get in the limousine and the driver takes them home and drops them off. Jack unlocks the door. Jack picks her up around her waist and carries her across the threshold and quickly sets her down. Jack had kicked the door closed. They start kissing so wild and passionately. There was no holding back!
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