Chapter 5

A Kiss To Remember

Elizabeth felt her lips crash against her husbands for the last time. Knowing that this could be the final kiss for an indefinite time, she felt her heart shatter and her stomach swell with emotion. She felt as if the two of them were spinning in slow motion, caught up in the pain of the separation that was inevitable. Elizabeth tried to take in every last bit of him before he jumped on his horse and rode away indefinitely. Breathing in his scent, feeling his neck, his hair, his strong arms around her, It was too much to bear. How could she let him go? Then he turned to his horse, climbed up and started to ride away out of sight. Not being able to let him go, in pain, Elizabeth called out to her beloved husband. "Jack!" Elizabeth watched as Jack stopped, climbed down from his horse and hurriedly came to embrace her once more with a kiss full of passion and pain. Tears flowed from Elizabeth's distraught eyes as their faces nuzzled as close as possible. She sobbed as Jack took her hand, and kissed her wedding ring. In the moment she realized that she would treasure his kiss every time she felt her ring on her finger or looked at it. She loved what the ringed represented. She loved the fact that she was his and he was hers. They belonged to each other now. Feeling a little easier, she gave Jack a brief smile as he turned to mount his horse once more.

Elizabeth found herself weeping as she looked down at her wedding ring. The memory of the kiss on her beautiful wedding ring felt so real now so heavy on her heart. The ring had been a very special connection with Jack and a promise he made to her upon leaving. The kiss of her ring spoke 1000 words. And indeed if that kiss on her ring spoke it would have said, I promise I will always be with you, I am yours always, you are my future, you are the future mother of my children, I will always protect you, I would die for you.

The memory of the last kiss with Jack seemed liked yesterday but also felt like another life. Indeed, stopping to reflect, it was a lifetime ago. She was no longer the same person as she was then. Through her trials in a new place, finding love, and loss of love, she became a new person, a stronger person better equipped for her calling. Her calling that is to serve as a wife, a mother, and a teacher. She was not done, there was much more to do.

It was time, she decided; time to remove the ring. Her heart, though filled with pain and sorrow, was also at the very same time filled with humility and complete awe. How could she be so blessed to have found love once again. She was so overwhelmed with emotion as tears began to spill from her eyes. Where there was once only pain and sorrow, there was now a new flourishing and wiser woman ready for what was next.

Elizabeth took a deep breath as she slowly slid the ring from her finger and placed it in the box with Jack's letter. Thank you for sending Nathan to me my dearest Jack. I know you will always be with me and I will see you again one day.

A knock on the door startled Elizabeth back to reality. She rose quickly to open the door.

"Nathan." Elizabeth smiled. And then Elizabeth saw concern in Nathan's eyes.

"Elizabeth are you ok?"

Elizabeth realized that she must look quite the mess at the moment with her tear stained face.

"Yes, I um…" She managed as she held her posture confidently.

"Hey." But Nathan didn't buy it. He didn't wait another second for her to respond. Nathan moved to embrace her.

She felt his warm strong arms around her and instantly felt at ease. Instantly the memory of Jack's arms around her returned as it lingered in her heart and mind from minutes before. But In this moment's embrace, Elizabeth realized how overwhelmingly grateful she was for Nathan.

Nathan parted from her slightly to look in her eyes, he pushed her hair to the side to hold her face in his hand. The caring and concerned eyes that were staring back at her made her eyes fill with tears once again. She was overwhelmed with gratitude.

Nathan let his hands run comfortingly down her arms and then reached for her hands. She was now realizing how naked and lite her hand felt without her ring. It had been several years now wearing the ring without ever taking it off. She wondered if Nathan would notice. She probably should have taken it off weeks ago when their courtship began, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. And now, after going through the emotions of that brief moment, believing that she had lost Nathan to a gunshot, it was in that brief prayerful moment that she came to a place of surrender and humility. Elizabeth boldly realized that she could go on regardless.

"Elizabeth, I...your ring."

At his realization, her tears began to flow freely. Tears not of pain but of perhaps the surrender of her heart.

"Elizabeth, I can't imagine how difficult this must be." "Would you prefer if I go?"

He was obviously realizing that this was a time where she may have needed to be alone. She respected him greatly for that. But honestly, there was no one she would rather be with now than him.

"Oh no, please don't go." She was quick to reply. She was truly grateful for his presence at this time.

Nathan paused in reflection.

"You know one of the funniest stories that Jack ever told me about the two of you was when you coached your student's baseball teams against each other."

Elizabeth smiled at the fond memory. She appreciated what he was trying to do.

"I bet he didn't tell you the real story."

"Which was?"

"I was totally the better coach."

"I could totally believe that." He looked down at her as he smiled, there is nothing you can't seem to do."

"Thanks Nathan." And thanks for lightening the mood.

"Elizabeth, I came to see if you would walk into town with me."

"Hmm, what's the occasion."

"Oh nothing, I just wanted to be seen holding your hand."

She grinned and blushed.

"We have to give everyone something to talk about now right?"

Elizabeth laughed. "Whatever would they do without us?"

Nathan took the hand that he was holding and placed it on his lips. The same hand that once held the ring, she couldn't help but notice. And the same hand that had been kissed by Jack. And at that she let out a small and surprised sigh.

"Elizabeth?" Nathan obviously concerned.

"She quickly resumed a smile."

"Oh Elizabeth, I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking..."

"Nathan it's ok. It's okay to hold my hand tightly but you... don't have to hold my... heart so tightly."

Elizabeth stepped closer to him. "I am truly grateful for all that I have been through. I am a different person, a stronger one indeed. And I'm ever so thankful and grateful to have gone down the path that led me to you."

"I don't know what the future holds. I don't know if my time with you, or our time together is one more day or many more years. But what I do know is that whatever happens, it's not my will but His will be done." I was never promised an easy life. And what I also know is that my purpose here, is far greater than any suffering and discomfort along the way. So, Nathan, my heart is open to you and wherever the path together takes us."

"Elizabeth, I can't tell you how much it is an honor to know you. And how much you inspire me." I hope and pray that I can honor you in the way that you truly deserve."

Elizabeth looked up into his gorgeous eyes. "Nathan, it's an honor to have you in my life." I will be forever grateful for what you did for Jack and now me.

And with that he leaned toward her, cupping his hand around her face again. Elizabeth stepped even closer into his embrace as he brought his lips down so gently to hers. Elizabeth took in his comfort and his presence, breathing in his scent as she felt the fabric of his red surge around her. Not wanting the kiss to end, she reached around to place her hand on his neck pulling him closer allowing the kiss deepen.

Nathan pulled away slowly and gently and took her hands once more into his. "Well, umm, now that we both are an emotional mess!" They both sighed and laughed together in relief. "How about that walk into town?"

Elizabeth smiled up at him.

"How is that ankle of yours?" He Grinned as he gave her fingers a squeeze.

"Great thanks to you."

"Actually I'm pretty sure the ankle injury is entirely my fault." He smiled at her.

"Oh Nathan, my clumsiness is not your fault."

"Well I'm the one who kissed you and made you almost fall into the pond."

"True," She grinned a flirtatious smile. "But It was totally worth it."

"I'd be glad to help you get over your clumsiness anytime , if you would like to take more walks with me down by the pond."

"Would you now. I would be honored." She smiled.

"Elizabeth." He said as he held out his arm to lead her out the door.

"Shall we."

"We shall."

Thanks for reading!

This chapter/scene was inspired by the trailer showing Elizabeth taking off her wedding ring. I can't wait to have more scenes from season 8 to inspire more chapters! Please let me know what you think!