Hi #Hearties hope you like Chapter Twenty...

Elizabeth awoke with a smile on her face the following morning. She was remembering the pleasant dream she had. She was dancing with Jack in a beautiful moonlit sky. She was wearing a long white dress; he was wearing a tuxedo. They were surrounded by a crowd of their family and friends… She sat upright in her bed. "No way am I ready to get married." She chastised herself, but ever since little Aly had asked her if she was going to marry Jack, it was difficult to think of anything else. The truth was she and Jack had only been official a week and a half, and Jack had promised they could take things slow, but if he were to ask her to marry him right then, she wouldn't even hesitate. Suddenly her stomach grumbled. She rolled out of bed, wrapped a bathrobe around her, and made her way to the bathroom to splash water on her face, before heading to the kitchen to fix herself some French toast for breakfast.

Elizabeth was sitting at the kitchen enjoying her French toast, when Rosie walked into the room.

"Elizabeth, you're back." Rosie wrapped her roommate in a hug.

"Yeah got back last night." Elizabeth replied. "I called out to you when I got home but you never answered.

"Yes." Rosie confirmed. "I wasn't here. I was out with Lee."

"That's what we assumed." Elizabeth remarked. She quickly took a bite of French toast, realizing her words, expecting Rosie would ask her who 'we' was.

"How was your trip?" Rosie asked instead.

"It was wonderful." Elizabeth answered with a smile. However, she wasn't thinking about the time spent with her family. Instead her mind was on her time spent with Jack after he'd followed her to Boston, because he was worried he'd done something to upset her, and they'd professed their love toward each other.

Elizabeth's smile didn't go unnoticed by Rosie. "Elizabeth, what's going on?"

"What do you mean?"

"What happened while in Boston, that you can't stop smiling about?"

"Well," Elizabeth blushed.

"Wait a second!" Rosie recalled. "There was a very handsome gentleman that showed up looking for you about half an hour after you left for the airport. I haven't seen him since then. Do you know anything about that?"

The crimson color in Elizabeth's cheeks intensified. As if on cue Elizabeth's phone rang startling her. She glanced down and noticed Jack's name flashing across the screen. Saved by the bell. She thought to herself. "Hello?"

"Hey babe." Jack greeted. "I'm on my way to work. I just wanted to call and see how you slept after we spoke last night."

"Much better." Elizabeth replied. "I just wanted to hear your voice."

"I'm glad you called." Jack remarked. "It was nice hearting your voice too."

Elizabeth smiled even though she knew that Jack couldn't see her.

"I just pulled into the parking lot in the station. I've got to go." Jack said into the line. "I'll see you when I get off. I love you."

"I love you, too." Elizabeth replied before ending the call.

"Elizabeth Thatcher, you've got some 'splainin' to do." Rosie remarked, in best Ricky Ricardo impression.

Elizabeth jumped, clearly astonished. She had forgotten that Rosie was even there.

"Come on out with it." Rosie urged.

"Alright," Elizabeth relented. "I guess I'm busted."

"Yes, you are."

"That was Jack." Elizabeth explained. "He got my address in Boston from Abigail and followed me. I was sorting through some things and I hadn't spoken to him for a while, and then I went to Boston and didn't say anything to him. He was worried that he had done something to upset me, although I assured him he didn't."

"You were awfully quiet right before you left." Rosie recalled. "What were you dealing with?"

"My feelings," Elizabeth replied. "I thought it was too soon to have such feelings. But…" She paused.
"But we both professed our feelings for each other and I felt so much better after that. Now we're official." Elizabeth was beaming from ear to ear.

"Oh!" Rosie exclaimed. "I'm so happy for you." She wrapped her roomie in a hug, "I knew you liked him."

"Seems everyone knew I liked him." Elizabeth remarked.

"It's about time you admitted it." Rosie playfully slapped Elizabeth's arm.

"You're right Rosie." Elizabeth confessed.

"Thank you." Rosie remarked. "I'm always right."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes and laughed. "Do you want some French toast?"

After an uneventful day at the station, Jack couldn't wait a minute longer to see Elizabeth. Pimental was out with the flu. He was glad that it was a slow day, but without his partner in crime there to keep him company, he was bored out of his mind. He left the station and headed straight home to change out of his uniform, before going to see Elizabeth.

Jack arrived at his condo and was surprised to see Elizabeth's car parked in his driveway. He pulled in next to her and observed her seated on the porch steps. "Hey, babe." He greeted, as he stepped out of the car. "What are you doing here?"

"I knew you were getting off soon," Elizabeth explained, "And I missed you."

"I missed you too," Jack admitted. "But you do know I was on my way to your place as soon as I changed."

"I couldn't wait." Elizabeth admitted. "I wanted to see you."

"Well I'm glad you're here." He took her hand and pulled her to her feet, his lips meeting hers in a gentle kiss, never letting go of her hand. "You look beautiful by the way." He said of her distressed skinny jeans and soft pink sweater that fell of one shoulder. He simply couldn't take his eyes off her. He began stroking the back of her hand with his thumb.

"Thank you, Jack." Elizabeth felt the color rush to her cheeks.

"Do you want to come inside?" Jack asked.

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't."

"After you," Jack unlocked the door and held it open, allowing to go in ahead of him.

They were greeted by a bark from Rip.

"Hey, Rip." Jack patted the dog on the head. "Are you hungry?"

Rip followed Jack into the kitchen.

"So," Jack asked, "When he returned to the living room. "Do you still want me to go to your place or do you want to just hang here?"

"It doesn't matter." Elizabeth remarked, "As long as I'm with you."

"Well, we since you're already here," Jack suggested. "We can just stay."

"Okay." Elizabeth smiled.

"What do you want to do? Jack asked.

"I don't know, what do you want to do?" Elizabeth queried.

"This," Jack answered, before grabbing her hand and pulling her into passionate kiss.

The kiss deepened as Jack gently pushed Elizabeth back against the door of his condo. He placed his hands on either side of her head. Elizabeth was trapped. She couldn't escape, even if she wanted to. The kiss intensified further as Jack's tongue grazed her bottom lip. Instinctively, Elizabeth's lips parted, allowing his tongue to explore the inside of her mouth. They pulled apart, breathless.

"You're so beautiful." Jack whispered, as his hands cradled her face. He reached for Elizabeth's hand and guided her to the sofa. He sat down and pulled on down on his lap. He brought his lips to meet hers once more, eliciting soft moans from her, which gave him more motivation. His lips traveled past her neck, to her exposed shoulder. His hand reached underneath her sweater as he ran his fingers across her bare stomach.

Elizabeth's heart began beating uncontrollably out of her chest, as Jack lips continued to graze her visible skin. She didn't want this moment to end, but she'd made promise to herself and she knew the two of them were coming incredibly close to crossing that line. "Jack," She pulled back, "Jack, we have to stop."

Jack heaved a sigh. "I'm sorry, Elizabeth." He rested her forehead against hers and tightly closed his eyes. "I know I promised you we could wait and take things slowly, but…" He sighed once more. "… you have no idea how difficult this is."

Elizabeth removed herself from Jack's lap and walked to the other side of the room. She silently stared out the window.

Jack stood from his spot on the sofa. He walked up behind her and gently placed his hand on her shoulder.

"I sorry I'm making things difficult for you." Elizabeth remarked, her gaze staying on the window.

"Hey," Jack took ahold of her elbow and turned her to face him. He noticed her eyes were filled with unshed tears. "Don't cry, sweetheart." He attempted to wipe her tears away with his thumbs.

"Maybe you should be with someone who's ready to take that next step," Elizabeth cried.

"Is that what you want?" Jack asked nervously.

"No, it's not," Elizabeth admitted, "But I love you enough to let you go."

"What are you saying, Elizabeth?" Jack queried.

"Most guys I know would throw any girl to the curb if she won't sleep with him," Elizabeth explained, "But I made a promise to myself to save that for my husband and I want to try to keep that promise. I have accepted that I may spend my life alone because of my values."

"And I support and admire your values." Jack gripped her forearms. "I just hard sometimes. I love you so much I just can't…"

"That's what I'm talking about." Elizabeth interjected. "You should be with someone who's ready." She removed herself from his embrace. "I should go." She made her way toward the door.

"No, Elizabeth." Jack followed Elizabeth to the door. "Don't go. I don't want you to go."

"Jack, I have no choice." Elizabeth remarked. She reached up and touched his face. She leaned forward and gently kissed his cheek. "Be happy, Jack." With tears in her eyes, she continued toward the door."

"Elizabeth, I don't want to be with someone else I want to…"

"Goodbye, Jack." Elizabeth said before closing the door behind her.

"…be with you." Jack continued as he stared at the closed door. Jack fought with all his might to stop the tears from forming in his eyes. He rushed to the door, nearly jerking it off the hinges to observe Elizabeth backing down the driveway.

He sat on the sofa and buried his face in his hands. He didn't know what happened. He loved Elizabeth with all his heart. He would have made love to her right then if she had wanted, but it was important to her to wait. He would wait an eternity until she was ready if he had to. He just knew he didn't want any other woman. He had to talk to her. He had to make her understand. He stood from the sofa and headed to his bedroom to change clothes. As soon as he was changed. He rushed out of his house and made his way to Elizabeth's apartment.

Elizabeth walked into her dark apartment. She hated living alone, but tonight she was glad to be the only one home. She headed to the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror. She looked affright. Her face was streaked with mascara from the million tears she'd cried on the drive from Jack's condo to her apartment. She had to leave. She was only thinking of Jack. He wanted what she wasn't ready to give him, and he deserved to be happy. She did the best thing she could for him. She gave him freedom to be with someone who was ready for that next step. She filled the bathtub with water and rushed to her bedroom to get her pajamas. A hot bubble bath was just what she needed.

An hour later, Elizabeth stepped out of the bathtub and wrapped herself in a towel. When she was dry, she slipped on her pajamas. She sat on the sofa and flipped through the channels on the TV, settling on a documentary about polar bears, that she wasn't really paying attention to.

Ten minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Who could that be? She wondered.

She headed to the door and opened it to Jack on the other side. She tried to close the door, but Jack stuck out his foot preventing her from doing so.

"Elizabeth please talk to me." He begged.

Elizabeth stepped away from the door and reluctantly allowed him to step inside. "There's really nothing to say."

"I think there's plenty to say." Jack countered.

"Let's face it, Jack" Elizabeth cried. "I can't give you what you want, not right now. I want you to be with someone who can. I want you to be with someone who will make you happy in every way." She turned her back toward him.

"Okay." Jack replied, "So you say you want me to be happy?"

Elizabeth nodded.

Jack gripped her shoulders and turned her to face him. "Well you're only the one who makes me happy… completely happy."

"But I'm not…" Elizabeth began.

"Shh," Jack interrupted. He pulled her into a kiss. "I don't care. You're not ready, so we'll wait."

"You would wait for me?" Elizabeth asked, surprised.

"Yes," Jack confirmed. "You said that most guys you know wouldn't be willing to wait. They would expect you to sleep with them whenever they're ready." He stroked her cheek. "Well I'm not most guys." He placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "I love you and I want to be with you," He emphasized, "When the time is right for both of us," He kissed her once more, "And not a second before," He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close, "And besides, it will be worth the wait."

Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears. "I'm sorry, Jack."

"Elizabeth, please don't do this." Jack begged.

"Jack you didn't let me finish." Elizabeth explained. "I'm sorry for the way I acted. I've never felt this way before and it just scared me a little."

"Well you never have to be scared around me." Jack assured. "But next time please can we talk before you walk out? It killed me to watch you walk out that door. I didn't know what to do with myself."

"I promise." Elizabeth smiled through her tears.

"I love you, sweetheart," He tapped her nose with the end of his finger, "And don't you forget it."

"I won't," Elizabeth blushed. "I love you too."

"Good." Jack kissed her once more.

Jack and Elizabeth made their way to the sofa and sat down. Elizabeth kicked off her shoes and stretched her legs across Jack's lap.

"What do you want to do?" Elizabeth asked.

"Besides make out?" Jack chuckled.

"Oh, Jack" Elizabeth playfully slapped his arm.

He began so softly massage her feet.

"That feels nice." Elizabeth mumbled. "I could get used to this." She leaned her head against the back of the couch and closed her eyes. "How was work?"

"Boring," Jack admitted. "I should have waited to return to work tomorrow. Pimental was out sick so I had to fend for myself, and I missed you."

"I missed you too," Elizabeth remarked. "Hope Pimental feels better."

"She will." Jack replied. "She never lets sickness keep her down for long. She'll be back to her old crazy self in no time. How about you? It's Sunday, did you go to church today?"

"Not today." She answered. "I was still so exhausted after our trip, that I decided to sleep in."

"Well that's understandable."

"Yeah." Elizabeth yawned. "Speaking of Pimental, you said on the plane that we should tell Pimental and Ms. Henrich about us together."

"I remember." Jack recalled.

"I was thinking maybe we should invite them both to dinner one night this week, when Pimental feels better of course." Elizabeth suggested.

"I'm in," Jack agreed. "When and where?"

"As soon as possible," Elizabeth answered. "Starlight café?"

"Sounds great." Jack agreed. "Does tomorrow sound good, 7:00?"

"Alright with me," Elizabeth replied, "But let's see it they're both free and up to it before we finalize anything."

"Okay, sounds good." Jack gently removed Elizabeth's feet from his lap and stood to his feet. "Well I'm bushed." He yawned. "I'm going to go home and get some rest."

"You can stay if you want." Elizabeth batted her eyelashes.

"As much as I would like to, I better not," Jack declined.

"I know," Elizabeth agreed, "But it was worth a shot." She reluctantly stood up and followed Jack to the door."

"Talk to you tomorrow." Jack turned to face and placed a kiss on her lips. "I love you."

"I love you too. Talk to you tomorrow." With a smile on her face, Elizabeth waited until Jack was out of sight before closing the door. She leaned back against the door and sighed. She couldn't believe how stupid she'd acted, just an hour before. "No way I could ever let Jack go." She admitted to herself. "I so glad he kissed so some sense into me."

To be continued.

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