Hi #Hearties, Sorry for the delay. Working and being sick have slowed me down. Hope you enjoy chapter nineteen.
Jack and Elizabeth rushed to baggage claim to locate their luggage. Jack lifted both their suitcases from the conveyor and handed Elizabeth's to her. "Are you ready to get out of here?" He asked, before kissing her cheek.
"Absolutely." Elizabeth confirmed.
Jack took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. They made their way toward the exit.
"Elizabeth," Someone called from behind them. "Elizabeth," The voice sounded closer.
Elizabeth and Jack whirled around and recognized Abigail pushing through the crowd, rushing toward them.
"Abigail, what are you doing here?" Elizabeth wrapped her friend in a hug.
"You're coming home today." Abigail explained. "I was supposed to pick you up, remember?"
Elizabeth slapped her forehead. "Oh, I'm sorry, Abigail. I completely forgot."
"What do you mean you completely forgot?" Abigail quipped. "You're here at the airport. How did you expect to get home?" She glanced up at Jack. "Oh hi, Jack," She greeted cheerfully.
"Hey, Abigail." Jack smiled.
Abigail returned her gaze to Elizabeth. "I'm the one who dropped you off last week, so how could you possibly forget that I…" She shifted her eyes downward and noticed Jack and Elizabeth's intertwined fingers. She returned her gaze upward and noted Elizabeth and Jack's smiling faces.
Elizabeth gestured her head toward Jack.
"Oh, my goodness!" Abigail exclaimed excitedly.
"Abigail," Elizabeth interjected, "Jack and I have something to tell you."
"We're dating," Jack chimed in."
"Exclusively." Elizabeth added.
"I'm so happy for you." Abigail pulled both Jack and Elizabeth into a group hug. "And to think, this wouldn't have happened had I not given Jack your address in Boston."
Elizabeth leaned toward Abigail. "I can't thank you enough." She whispered in her ear. "Turns out Jack coming after me was exactly what I needed."
"I knew you liked each other." Abigail boasted.
Jack and Elizabeth exchanged glances, and blushed.
"So, I'm assuming you're heading back with Jack?" Abigail addressed Elizabeth.
"That was the plan." Elizabeth confirmed.
"My car is in the long-term parking." Jack explained.
"I'm sorry, you made the trip all the way, here when you didn't have to." Elizabeth spoke to Abigail. "I feel terrible."
"Don't feel bad," Abigail assured. "You were a little preoccupied with your family," She gestured toward Jack, "And this handsome man, I'm sure."
"Maybe we can make it up to you anyway." Elizabeth offered.
"That won't be necessary." Abigail declined.
"We insist." Elizabeth nudged Jack.
"Of course." Jack agreed.
"The least we can do is treat you to lunch." Elizabeth added.
"Come to think of it, I am a little hungry." Abigail replied. "I skipped breakfast trying to get here on time."
"Now I feel even more guilty." Elizabeth cried, "Please?
"If you insist." Abigail relented.
"We do," Jack and Elizabeth said in unison.
The three of them made their way out of the crowded airport and to their respective vehicles. They drove the ten minutes to the Aviator Café, near the airport.
"How was Boston?" Abigail asked once their food arrived.
"Great," Jack said.
"Except for Eleanor and Charlie," Elizabeth remarked.
"Charles' parents?" Abigail inquired. "What happened.
"Let's just say, she accused, Jack and I of sleeping around while I was dating Charles and having him arrested to get him out of the way." Elizabeth explained.
"You're kidding." Abigail replied.
"Eleanor threatened to have Jack's job, for falsely arresting her precious son." Elizabeth rolled her eyes.
"What did you do?" Abigail asked.
"Dad talked to her." Elizabeth answered. "He didn't go into detail but apparently something happened that tarnished her reputation when she was younger. She must not have wanted that to resurface."
"Well I'm glad everything worked out." Abigail told them. "The two of you deserve to be happy."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said.
"We are happy." Jack leaned over and placed a kiss on Elizabeth's cheek.
"I can see you are." Abigail smiled.
"Are you ladies ready to go?" Jack asked.
"Yes." Abigail and Elizabeth said in unison as they all three stood from the table.
After lunch, Jack Elizabeth, and Abigail left the restaurant and walked the length of the parking lot to their cars. "Thanks for lunch." Abigail stated when they reached their cars. "It was delicious."
"It was the least we could do." Elizabeth stated. "I still feel horrible that you came all this way for nothing."
"I wouldn't say it was for nothing." Abigail countered. "I was the first one aside from your family to know about you and Jack… and I'm honored."
"You would have been the first to know regardless." Elizabeth clarified. She wrapped her friend in a hug.
"So, I guess, I'll see you at home?" Abigail opened her car door.
"Actually," Jack countered. "If it's alright with Elizabeth, I have somewhere I want to take her on our way home."
"Where?" Elizabeth asked.
"You'll see." Jack gave her a wink, causing Elizabeth to scrunch up her face draw her eyebrows together. He chuckled. She has no idea how adorable she is. He thought inwardly. He looked toward Abigail. "You're welcome to come with us. The more the merrier.
"No, it's alright." Abigail declined. "I have to get back to the café, and of course Frank and Cody."
"We'll see you when we get home from this mysterious journey then." Elizabeth gave Abigail one more hug before allowing her to climb in her car. "Call me when you get home so I know you made it back safely."
"Will do." Abigail agreed. "Have fun you two." She started the car and made her way toward the highway.
"Well, Ms. Thatcher." Jack held her car door open for her, "Are you ready to go?"
"Jack, I don't even know where we're going." Elizabeth climbed in the vehicle.
"You'll love it," Jack kissed her cheek before closing the door and making his way to the other side.
Thirty minutes later, Jack pulled into the driveway of a quaint farmhouse with stone veneer siding.
"Jack, where are we?" Elizabeth asked.
"Trust me." Jack opened the door and walked around to the other side. He offered his hand.
"Always." Elizabeth whispered, as she placed her hand in the security of Jack's.
They made their way down the rock walkway toward the door. Jack rang the doorbell and squeezed Elizabeth's hand while they patiently waited. Soon the door opened, and Elizabeth was staring in the face of a dark-haired woman with eyes that matched Jack's.
"Jack." The woman wrapped him in a hug.
"Hey, mom." Jack greeted. "I have someone I want you to meet." He released Elizabeth's hand and wrapped his arm around her and squeezed her shoulder. This is Elizabeth."
Mrs. Thornton stepped toward Elizabeth and gave her a hug, much to her surprise. "I've heard so much about you. Nice to finally meet you."
"You too Mrs. Thornton." Elizabeth smiled cheerfully.
"Oh please," Mrs. Thornton opposed, "Call me, Charlotte."
"Alright, Charlotte it is." Elizabeth immediately liked Jack's mother."
Charlotte took Elizabeth by the hand pulled her into the house with Jack following closely behind. She gestured for them to have a seat on the sofa. "Can I offer you a drink."
"Do you have any of your famous strawberry lemonade?" Jack asked.
"You know I do, Jack." Charlotte disappeared into the kitchen.
"Mom wasn't the best cook." Jack explained to Elizabeth, "But we loved her strawberry lemonade."
"I like your mom." Elizabeth whispered.
"I think she likes you too." Jack whispered back. "She has been begging me bring you to meet her."
"Wait," Elizabeth interjected. "How many times have you talked to your mother about me?"
"Oh, Lizzie." Charlotte returned to the living room carrying a tray with three glasses of strawberry lemonade, "Ever since you agreed to go on that first date with him, Jack has never stopped talking about you." She passed out the lemonade.
"Really?" Elizabeth glanced at Jack.
"My son was quite smitten with you." Charlotte continued. "I believe you had him from hello."
"Mom, please." Jack blushed.
"Oh, Jack," Elizabeth gently placed her hand on his knee. "It's alright. I think it's cute actually."
"You do?"
"Yes." Elizabeth chuckled. "Everything about you is cute."
"Just cute?" Jack asked with a dimpled grin.
"Maybe a little more than cute." Elizabeth winked at him flirtatiously.
They both leaned toward each other.
"Ahem." Charlotte cleared her throat.
Jack and Elizabeth quickly pulled away, having forgotten that Charlotte was in the room.
Suddenly the doorbell rang. "I wonder who that could be." Charlotte headed to foyer to answer the door.
"By the way," Jack whispered as soon as his mother was out of earshot. "You did have me at hello, just so you know." He leaned toward her and gently pressed his lips to hers.
"I love you, Jack."
"I love you too."
Elizabeth stood to her feet. "Could you point me in the direction of the restroom?"
"Down the hall second door to your left," He told her.
She leaned down and kissed his lips. "Be back in a minute."
"Okay sweetheart."
"Hey Aunt Char." Jack heard from the front door.
"Stacey what are you doing here?" Charlotte asked.
"We thought we'd come for a visit." Stacey responded.
"Hey Auntie Charlotte." Aly called as she ran in the house, behind her mother. Letting the screen door swing behind her.
"Aly don't slam the…." Crash! The screen door banged against the frame. "Door," Stacey heaved a sigh.
"Sorry, mom." Aly said.
"It isn't me you should apologize to." Stacey replied.
"Oh," Aly looked up at Charlotte. "Sorry, Auntie Charlotte."
"It's alright, Aly Cat." Charlotte said. Aly giggled at Charlotte's nickname for her. "Your uncle Jack and Tom were always slamming that door."
"Speaking of Jack wasn't that his car I saw outside?" Stacey asked. "I thought he was out of town."
"I was." Jack appeared in the doorway of the foyer. "I just got back."
"Jack welcome back." Stacey hugged her cousin.
"Uncle Jack," Aly excitedly ran and wrapped her arms around Jack's waist.
"Hey munchkin." Jack picked Aly up and kissed her cheek.
"I missed you, Uncle Jack."
"I missed you too, sweetie." Jack answered.
"She asked me every day when you were coming back." Stacey chimed in.
"I wanted to show my Easter dress." Aly cried.
"How about you show it to me when we get home." Jack offered.
"It won't be the same." Aly whined. "It's not Easter anymore."
"I know," Jack agreed. "But I bet you looked beautiful and I bet you'll look just as beautiful when you wear it again."
"And look," Stacey pulled out her cell phone. "I have a picture of you in your Easter dress right here and I can show Uncle Jack right now."
"I want to see those." Jack remarked. "Let's go inside."
Jack, carried Aly into living room, followed closely by Stacey and Charlotte. They sat next to each other on the sofa, while Jack held Aly on his lap.
Elizabeth emerged from the bathroom and heard voices coming from the living room. She stopped dead in her tracks when she noticed Jack sitting on the sofa, with a woman and a little girl looking at what she assumed to be pictures on a cellphone. It was the same woman and little girl she'd seen him with before. Her heart momentarily stopped. She breathed a sigh of relief when she remembered who that woman and little girl were… his cousin Stacey and her daughter Aly. She'd seen Stacey few times on the days she decided to bring Aly to school, but never really spoke to her, and this was her first time seeing her with Jack since that night at Outback.
"How would you like me to take you horseback riding, to make up for missing Easter with you?" Jack asked Aly.
"Yay!" Aly exclaimed.
Elizabeth had to smile. She continued into the room. "Ahem," she cleared her throat. Everyone in the room whirled around to look at her.
"Ms. Thatcher!" Aly jumped off Jack's lap and ran into her teacher's arms. "What are you doing here?"
Elizabeth reciprocated Aly's hug. "Hey sweetie." She made eye contact with Jack. "Are you going to tell them, or should I? Unless you're ashamed of me."
"Never!" Jack leapt from the couch and rushed to her side. He placed an arm around her shoulder and kissed her cheek. I just haven't gotten around to telling them. And besides I wanted to wait to tell them with you."
"Tell us what?" Stacey asked.
"Well," Jack began. "I know you've kinda already met, since she's Aly's teacher, he reached for Elizabeth's hand a gave it a squeeze, "But I'd like to officially introduce you two to my girlfriend Elizabeth."
"What?" Stacey jumped up and wrapped both Jack and Elizabeth in a hug. "I'm so happy for you."
"I knew you liked each other!" Aly exclaimed. "Wait til the other kids hear about this."
"Aly, that is an inappropriate topic to talk about with the other children." Elizabeth chastised.
"It's okay, Ms. Thatcher." Aly countered. "The other kids think you like each other too."
"What?" Elizabeth blushed slightly. "You've talked about this before?"
"Yup." Aly confirmed. "Ever since Uncle Jack came to the pizza party."
"I guess the secret is out." Jack chuckled.
"Wait a minute." Stacey suddenly realized. "What is Ms. Thatcher doing here? Jack, I thought you just got back into town."
"I did." Jack confirmed. "Elizabeth just got back into town as well. I… uh…" He hesitated. "… I kinda followed her to Boston. We became official while in Boston."
"How romantic." Stacey gushed. "I really am happy for you Jack, you too Ms. Thatcher."
"Thanks." Elizabeth remarked. "You can call me Elizabeth if you like."
"Okay." Stacey agreed. "Elizabeth it is."
"Uncle Jack, when are we going horseback riding?" Aly asked, changing the subject.
"Wait, when did I say we were going horseback riding?" Jack swooped the young girl in his arms and playfully tossed her on the sofa, causing a loud array of giggles.
"Please?" Aly begged. "You promised."
"Alright, alright," Jack conceded. "I did promise. When do you want to go?"
"Can we go now?" Aly pleaded.
"Oh, I don't know." Jack countered.
"Pretty please," Aly sat up on the sofa, stuck out her bottom lip, and whimpered like a puppy.
Oh, who can say no to that that face?" Jack relented. "Alright let's go."
"Yay!" Aly leapt off the sofa and jumped into Jack's arms. "Can Ms. Thatcher come with us?"
"If she wants to," Jack glanced at Elizabeth.
"Oh, no you don't want me tagging along." Elizabeth declined.
"Yes, we do." Aly interjected. "Please Ms. Thatcher," She once again stuck her bottom lip out.
"Yes," Jack agreed. "Please Ms. Thatcher." He made a face that matched his goddaughter's.
"Oh, no," Elizabeth giggled. "I'm being double teamed."
"That way you can't say no." Jack grabbed her hand. "Come with us." He gave her a wink.
"Oh alright," Elizabeth gave in.
"Yay," Jack and Aly said in unison.
"You two can come too." Jack told Charlotte and Stacey.
"Oh no," Charlotte declined. "I'm just going to sit here and finish my lemonade… and before you get any ideas, that puppy dog face isn't going to work on me."
"I'll stay and keep Aunt Char company." Stacey chimed in but you three have fun.
"We will." Jack, Elizabeth, and Aly replied at once.
"Alyson, you listen to Uncle Jack." Stacey stated firmly.
"I will mom."
The three of them headed out the door to the barn behind the farmhouse.
"I want to ride Starr." Aly said as she rushed to the barn.
Jack and Elizabeth slowly dawdled behind Aly, hand in hand. "Well aren't you full of surprises, Detective." Elizabeth remarked.
"What do you mean?" Jack inquired.
"You never said you lived on a farm." Elizabeth explained.
"It isn't exactly a farm." Jack remarked. "We just have a few horses." He escorted her into the barn. "This is Midnight." Jack pointed out a solid black horse.
"He's so beautiful." Elizabeth remarked.
"He's a she." Jack corrected. "That one over there is the boy. His name is Eclipse."
Elizabeth noticed a larger white horse with dark brown spots in the stall next to Midnight's "He's beautiful too."
"This is Starr." Aly chimed in. She was standing in front of the stall of the third horse. "She's my favorite."
"Starr is Midnight and Eclipse's baby." Jack walked over to the stall and opened the gate.
Elizabeth was looking at a beautiful solid brown horse, with the exception of a white spot shaped like a star on her forehead.
"I see why you call her Starr." Elizabeth replied.
"Yes," Jack confirmed. "Starr is Aly's favorite because she's the smallest one."
"They're all beautiful." Elizabeth remarked.
"Do you want to ride Midnight or Eclipse?" Jack asked.
"Oh, how do I decide?" Elizabeth asked.
"I tell you what," Jack suggested. "How about you ride Midnight for a while and then we'll switch and then you can ride Eclipse."
"You always know what to say." Elizabeth leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.
"Oooh," Aly giggled.
Startled, Jack and Elizabeth jumped apart, like two children with their hand caught in the cookie jar.
"Ahem." Jack cleared his throat. "Are you ladies ready to go?"
"Yes!" Aly exclaimed.
"Sure," Elizabeth replied.
Once the horses were saddled and ready to go the three of them exited the barn.
Aly and Jack both mounted their horses with ease, while Elizabeth struggled a bit.
"Elizabeth," Jack asked, "You do know how to ride a horse don't you?"
"Of course, I do." Elizabeth remarked. She attempted to mount the horse once more and was unsuccessful yet again. Aly giggled when Elizabeth's foot slipped from the stirrup and she fell backward and landed on her bottom.
Jack jumped off of Eclipse and rushed to Elizabeth's side he offered his hand to help her up. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Elizabeth accepted Jack's outstretched hand. She dusted herself off when she was back to her feet. "Alright, that settles it. You two go ahead and I'll join Stacey and Charlotte back at the house."
"I'm not going to let you do that." Jack opposed.
"Why not?" Elizabeth wondered.
"Because," Jack explained, "Have you ever heard the saying, 'If you fall off a horse you just have to get right back on again'? You just have to get back in the saddle."
"To get back in the saddle, Elizabeth emphasized, "I actually have to make it to the saddle."
"Come on," Jack urged, "I'll help you." He stepped behind her and placed his hands on her hips. "Now, put your left foot in the stirrup," He instructed, "And swing your right leg over the horse to the other side."
Elizabeth attempted to do as Jack had said, but before she could swing her leg over the horse, Jack's grip tightened over her hips and he lifted her onto the horse, startling her.
Jack gave Elizabeth a dimpled smile and a nod before returning to Eclipse and once again mounting him with ease.
"Do you think you can handle it from here?" Jack asked.
"Certainly." Elizabeth answered unconvincingly.
"Are you sure about that?" Jack inquired.
"I'll be fine." Elizabeth assured. "Let's just go."
Elizabeth, observed Jack and Aly gently kick the sides of their horses, prompting them into a steady trot. She followed suit. She kicked the sides once more to catch up to Aly and Jack when she noticed they were several strides ahead of her.
"I was wondering where you were." Jack snickered when Elizabeth reached them.
"Very funny." Elizabeth remarked.
Aly couldn't help giggling at the banter between Jack and Elizabeth.
Soon, the trio rode toward a meadow that overlooked a waterfall.
"What a beautiful view!" Elizabeth exclaimed, after successfully bringing Midnight to a halt, and dismounting, surprising herself.
"Yes, it is." Jack agreed, as he jumped off Eclipse and stood behind Elizabeth, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Uncle Jack," Aly announced, as she climbed off of Starr. "I'm going to the waterfall."
"Oh, Aly be careful." Elizabeth called after her, her concerned teacher mode kicking in.
"It's okay, Elizabeth." Jack assured. He pointed in the direction Aly was going. "That trail leads right to the waterfall. Aly knows it like the back of her hand. It's perfectly safe."
"Okay," Elizabeth replied uncertainly.
"I promise," Jack reiterated. "She'll be fine." He took her hand and turned her to face him. "And besides. I wanted a moment alone with you to do this." He dipped his head toward hers capturing her lips with his own. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. "I love you, Elizabeth." He whispered, resting his forehead against hers.
"I love you, Jack." Elizabeth said before once again pressing her lips against his.
Jack stuck out his hand. "Let's go catch up with Aly." After securing the horses, Jack and Elizabeth made their way down the trail toward the waterfall.
"Uncle Jack, Ms. Thatcher," Aly called when she saw them approaching.
"Hey Munchkin." Jack greeted.
"Isn't it pretty here, Ms. Thatcher?" Aly asked.
"Very beautiful," Elizabeth agreed. As she watched the water fall into the river below.
Jack bent down and scooped Aly in his arms, causing her to scream. "Are you ready to go in."
"Jack you wouldn't dare." Elizabeth called.
With Aly in his arms, Jack began to swing her back and forth. "One… two…"
"Jack no!" Elizabeth covered her eyes. Though Elizabeth was terrified, she could hear giggles coming from Aly, who was clinging tightly to Jack.
"Three." Jack twirled Aly around only to have pretended to toss her into the river.
Aly squealed.
Elizabeth uncovered her eyes to see Aly still in Jack's arms.
"Elizabeth you didn't really think I would throw Aly in the river, did you?" Jack asked.
"I honestly didn't know what to think." Elizabeth replied.
"Well obviously you don't know me as well as you think you do." Jack returned Aly to the ground and closed the distance between himself and Elizabeth. He scooped her in his arms. "Now it's your turn to go in the river." He twirled her around like he had done with Aly earlier.
Elizabeth screamed.
Aly giggled.
"Munchkin are you ready to go?" Jack asked with Elizabeth still in his arms.
"I guess so." Aly turned and made her way toward the trail.
With Aly's back turned, Jack placed a kiss on Elizabeth's lips before returning her to the ground.
They rushed to catch up with Aly. When they reached her Jack lifted her up and placed her on his shoulders and carried her to the meadow. Elizabeth placed her hand in the bend his elbow, the three of them very much looking like a family.
Soon Jack, Elizabeth, and Aly arrived back at Charlotte's farmhouse. Jack offered to return the horses to their stalls while Aly and Elizabeth returned the house.
Aly placed her small hand into the comfort of her teacher's. "I had fun with you today, Ms. Thatcher."
"Me too, sweetie." Elizabeth replied.
"Ms. Thatcher," Aly asked, "Do you love Uncle Jack."
Elizabeth blushed slightly before answering, "Yes, very much."
"Are you going to marry him?"
Elizabeth felt her cheeks grow hotter. She wasn't quite sure how to answer that question. "Maybe someday," She finally answered, "But not anytime soon. Why do you ask?"
"Can I call you Aunt Elizabeth?" Aly asked innocently.
When they reached the porch. Elizabeth sat in the nearby swing and pulled Aly into her lap. "I'll tell you what. I have nephew, named Ethan. Your Uncle Jack met him when he went to Boston with me. He's only four months old so he doesn't call me anything yet, but his mommy, my sister Viola refers to me as Auntie Beth, you can call me that if you like."
"Yay," Aly wrapped her arms around Elizabeth's neck.
"Hold on, sweetie." Elizabeth said. Aly pulled back and looked at her. "I need you to listen to me. It's important."
"Okay."
"You can call me Auntie Beth." Elizabeth explained. "But when you're in the classroom with all the other children you have to call me Ms. Thatcher. It's important to the other children in the classroom that I don't play favorites. Do you think you could do that?"
"I guess so." Aly replied.
"But you'll see a lot of me since I'll be with Uncle Jack a lot," Elizabeth assured, "And there's only seven weeks left of school before summer vacation then I'll no longer be your teacher. You can call me Auntie Beth all the time after that. How does that sound?"
"I love you, Auntie Beth." Aly hugged Elizabeth once more.
"I love you too, sweetie."
"What are my two favorite girls up to?" Jack asked as he approached the porch.
"Me and Auntie Beth we're having a 'portant conversation." Aly answered, trying to sound grown up.
"Auntie Beth huh." Jack questioned.
"Yeah," Aly confirmed. "She said she loves you and maybe someday she would marry you," She said innocently, "So she said I could call her Auntie Beth only not at school while she's my teacher."
"That's great." Jack smiled. His mind wandered to what Aly had just said. Elizabeth told Aly she would marry me maybe someday? He thought inwardly.
"Well let's go inside so we can say goodbye." Jack offered. "I know Auntie Beth is exhausted."
"Okay," Aly reluctantly climbed off of Elizabeth's lap. The three of them walked inside.
"Did you three have fun?" Charlotte asked when they walked in the door.
"Yes." Aly replied. "Ms. Thatcher said I could call her Auntie Beth. Isn't that awesome?"
"Awesome." Stacey and Charlotte said in unison.
"Well mom," Jack chimed in, "We're gonna go."
"Yes," Elizabeth agreed. "Charlotte is was nice meeting you and Stacey it was nice officially meeting you." She placed her hand in Jack's as the two of them headed for the door.
"Bye Uncle Jack. Bye Auntie Beth." Aly called after them.
"Bye Aly."
"Bye Munchkin."
Forty-five minutes later, Jack pulled into the parking garage of Elizabeth's apartment complex. He glanced at Elizabeth who was sound asleep. She was leaning against his shoulder. "Wake up, Elizabeth." He gently grazed her cheek. "We're home."
Elizabeth's eyes slowly fluttered open. "Hey, beautiful." Jack greeted.
"Hardly," Elizabeth grumbled.
"I beg to differ" Jack argued. "You are beautiful," He placed a kiss on her temple, "And I love you, so much."
"I love you, too." Elizabeth lifted her head off his shoulder and kissed his lips.
They climbed out of the car and Jack helped Elizabeth carry her luggage to her apartment.
"Thank you, Jack." Elizabeth leaned against her apartment door.
"You're welcome, sweetheart," Jack replied with a grin. "See you tomorrow?"
"You can come inside if you want." Elizabeth offered, not wanting to say goodbye to Jack just yet.
Jack hesitated.
Elizabeth glanced up at him and fluttered her eyelashes with her tongue between her teeth.
"How can I saw no to that?" Jack chuckled, "But just for a few minutes."
Elizabeth reached for her key from inside her purse. Jack took the key from her and unlocked the door and escorted her inside.
"Rosie," Elizabeth called. "Are you here?" She received no answer from her roommate. "Rosie," She called again. Still no answer. "She must be out with Lee."
"She must be," Jack agreed, "So what do you want to do?"
"Rest," Elizabeth replied.
"Do you want me to go?"
"No, you can stay."
"Well you just said you wanted to rest." Jack remarked.
"I do," Elizabeth clarified, "But I don't want you to go. We can have a glass of wine and sit on the sofa and talk, maybe listen to a little music."
"Sounds great." Jack agreed.
They walked into the kitchen. Elizabeth retrieved two wine glasses from the cabinet while Jack fetched a bottle of white wine. He filled the glasses and the two of them returned to the sofa, sitting in companionable silence.
Jack pulled up his playlist on his phone and located the song he wanted. The intro to "You Had Me from Hello." By Kenny Chesney began playing. He offered his hand. "Dance with me."
Though Elizabeth was exhausted, she couldn't resist Jack's dimpled smile. She placed her hand in his and allowed him to help her to her feet. They swayed slowly to the music. Elizabeth didn't think she could enjoy this moment any more, until the chorus of the song started, and Jack began softly singing along.
Well, you had me from "Hello"
I felt love start to grow the moment that I
Looked into your eyes,
You won me, it was over from the start.
You completely stole my heart, and now
You won't let go.
I never even had chance you know,
You had me from, "Hello"
"I love you, Elizabeth." He whispered.
When the song was over and the wine was finished, Jack made the decision to head home.
"See you tomorrow?" Jack asked.
"I wouldn't miss it." Elizabeth replied.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Jack leaned forward for a tender kiss before making his way toward the elevator.
Elizabeth waited until the elevator door closed before closing her apartment door. She went straight to her room to get ready for bed. As tired as she was, she climbed into to bed but couldn't fall asleep. She was tossing and turning. "I miss Jack." She sighed to herself. This was the furthest she had been from Jack for over a week and she'd grown accustomed to having him with her. She reached for her phone on her side table and dialed Jack's number.
Jack answered immediately. "Elizabeth are you okay?"
"I can't sleep." Elizabeth replied. "I miss you."
"I miss you too, sweetheart."
"You can always come back to my place," Elizabeth offered, "And sleep on the sofa."
"I wish I could, but I go back to work tomorrow." Jack replied. "Just close your eyes and relax and it will be morning before you know it and I'll see you when I get off work."
"Okay," Elizabeth yawned and closed her eyes as she was told.
"Are you going to be alright?"
"Yeah,"
"Okay, I love you."
"I love you too." Elizabeth mumbled, before sleep finally overcame her.
To be continued…
Thanks for reading. Hope you like it. Reviews are always welcome.