Christmas Day
Jack smiled at his suit across the room. Tomorrow he was marrying Beth. Finally. It was very literally driving him nuts to sleep alone, even though he always had, except for the night in the hammock.
He wanted her next to him, her arm over his chest, her head tucked against him, filling his nose with her delicate scent.
He wanted to wake up with her and sip coffee in bed, eat breakfast together at their table.
His phone buzzed and he picked it up, answering it. "Hey."
"Hey yourself. What are you doing?"
"Thinking about you."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah, about how badly I want it to be tomorrow. I'm glad we are getting married at noon. I don't want to wait anymore."
"By tomorrow night we will be in our suite in Vermont," she mentioned. "In front of a fireplace. I'll be wearing your Christmas present."
"Ahhh," he groaned. "Is it noon yet?"
She laughed. "Sorry, hon."
"Its ok. I can make it."
"I know you can. Okay, question."
"I'm listening."
"Are you packed?"
"Yes. Well, almost," he admitted. "My room is a sea of boxes and suitcases."
"You are bringing a suit, right? For when we go out to dinner?"
"Ok, so I checked it out online. Stowe has a restaurant dining room right there and it doesn't look overly fancy. I think I can get away with dress pants and a button down."
"You don't want to leave the resort?"
"Not particularly. If we stay in the resort, we are closer to our room if we want to turn in early or something."
"Oh yeah? Planning on that happening often?" she teased.
"Every night."
She giggled. "Ok, babe. We won't leave the resort."
"Which side of the bed do you sleep on?" he blurted.
"I don't have a side. Right now, I'm in the middle."
"I'm good with that. Closer to me that way."
"What side do you sleep on, Jack?"
"The left. But I'm flexible. As long as I'm next to you, it doesn't much matter."
"I'm marrying a sweet, sweet man. I love you, Jack Thornton."
"I love you too."
….
"Oh wow, you are so beautiful, Beth," William told her as he stood, ready to walk her down to Jack on the beach.
"Thanks, Dad."
"Ok, you two. Start walking," Grace told them. William squeezed Beth's hand which rested in his elbow and they slowly stepped toward those waiting.
Beth searched and finally met Jack's gaze. It took her breath away. He held her firmly there with his love. She could feel it and he was still fifteen feet away.
Jack had never seen anything so amazingly beautiful as Beth was walking toward him. She radiated with joy and love. He needed her next to him with such an intensity it overwhelmed him, but he was going to be patient.
Finally she was there, her hands in his, fingers intertwined, much like their hearts.
"Good afternoon, family and friends," Pastor Frank Hogan began. "Today we are here to witness and bless the marriage of Jack Thornton and Elizabeth Thatcher."
Jack grinned at her, squeezing her hands gently. "I love you," he mouthed.
She smiled back and winked at him.
"Love is patient and kind," Frank continued, paraphrasing the verses in 1 Corinthians. "Love is not jealous. Love endures all things. Love never fails. Jack and Elizabeth wanted these verses in this talk because they want us all to be reminded of the meaning. They are here today because their love has grown and endured, starting out as friends when they were children, then becoming best friends, and finally falling in love. They expressed to me their wish that all of you in attendance show love to others, family or otherwise. Whatever you do, wherever you go, remember that love never fails.
Marriage is not easy. There will be times where you disagree and when you say things that hurt the other person. There will be sickness and money trouble and a myriad of other tests that will come your way. But, Jack, Elizabeth, love endures all things. Show love to each other, communicate, don't hold back in your affection, be honest, and don't give up when things get hard."
Jack and Beth paid close attention to the Pastor's words. It was good spiritual advice that they both vowed in their hearts to remember and put into practice.
"Do you, Jack Thomas Thornton, take Elizabeth Grace Thatcher to be your wife? To have and to hold, from this day forward. For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish until death parts you?"
"I do." Jack felt his eyes filling with tears, but they didn't fall. Saying "I do" to the lovely woman in front of him meant everything.
"Do you, Elizabeth Grace Thatcher, take Jack Thomas Thornton to be your husband? To have and to hold, from this day forward. For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish until death parts you?"
"I do."
"May I have the rings?" Frank asked.
Tom and Julie stepped forward and handed them to him. "These rings are circles, an unending symbol of your love for each other. Place them on each others fingers and repeat after me. With this ring, I marry you, forever."
Jack slid her ring on her hand and repeated the words. Beth did the same with his.
"By the powers vested in me by the state of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife. What God has yoked together, let no man pull apart. Amen."
The small group answered with Amen as well.
"Jack, you may kiss your bride."
Jack pulled her close, touching her cheek gently with his fingertips. "I love you, Beth."
She raised up on her toes and pressed her lips to his, sighing with contentment. He was finally her husband. So many new and wonderful things came with that and she was ready for all of them.
…..
LATE THAT NIGHT, VERMONT
Jack tried to concentrate on the room service menu but his new wife was so distracting. All she was doing was laying on her side facing him, but it was the fact that she was under a super soft sheet on their bed in their suite, her eyes closed, her hair laying across his pillow that teased him, tempted him. She was easily the most gorgeous thing he had ever laid eyes on and she was his, finally.
"Babe?" Beth mumbled. "Come back to bed." Four words he had envisioned hearing her say for so long.
"I'm starved. It's hours past dinner."
"Please? Maybe I can help you decide."
He sat down next to her and turned the menu toward her. "Mm! Brie and butter crackers! My favorite, Jack. Maybe something less rich too. Like fresh fruit, strawberries or apples. And champagne too." He raised his eyebrows at her.
"What?"
"Hungry, Mrs. Thornton?"
"Yeah, I guess I am. Besides, why not indulge? It's our honeymoon." She sat up and kissed his lips, teasing him. "Mm. Now order so you can come back to bed."
"Yes, ma'am." A few moments later he slipped back under the sheet and moved close to her. "Hey."
"Hey yourself."
"Food will be up in about ten minutes."
"Ok." She wrapped her arm around his waist and sighed into his chest. "I love you so much."
"I love you too."
"I've never felt this way before," she told him.
"What way?" He kissed her forehead and stroked the soft skin on her back.
"This need to be near you. I mean I missed you so much while you were away but this….this is more. I don't know how to explain it."
"I know what you mean. Our relationship is changing again and its deeper and more meaningful. Its like our hearts are connected somehow."
"Exactly. I knew you'd understand." He always did.
They laid in silence until they heard a knock on the door. "I'll be right back."
She watched him go and then smiled as her ring caught her eye. The wedding ring was just a simple gold band but it meant forever and that was a wonderful thought.
"Dinner is served. Well, seeing as how it's one in the morning, maybe it's not dinner, but it looks great." He moved the cart next to the bed and popped the cork on the chilled bottle of champagne, pouring them each a bit. "For you, my love."
"Hmm. A new term of endearment. I like that one."
"Good." They sipped on the champagne and then Jack put some fruit on a plate, snagging a grape and holding it up to her lips. He watched as she opened her mouth and accepted it. Her soft lips curved into a smile, begging for a kiss. So he did.
"Thank you."
"So, babe, what do you want to do tomorrow?" he asked, eating a grape too.
"Go skiing. And rock climbing. And zip lining."
He looked at her like she had sprouted a second nose. "Who are you and what have you done with Beth?"
"What do you mean?" she asked with a laugh.
"All the time we were growing up, you wouldn't jump off the lookout with me but now you want to go zip lining and rock-climbing?"
"There are harnesses. I'm not falling into anything. It's perfectly safe." She took a Ritz cracker and scooped up a bit of warm, gooey brie cheese. "Your turn, hon." She held it up to his mouth.
He opened and took a bite. It was great. He'd never tried brie before but this was the week for trying new things apparently. "Mmm. Good."
"Right?"
"So, rock-climbing?"
"Yeah. There's an indoor center right here at the resort. I think it will be fun. Plus, it will keep those sexy muscles of yours nice and strong." She let her eyes roam over his shoulders and chest, down to his abs. She felt her cheeks burn. Good heavens, was this whole thing actually happening?
"Sexy, huh?" He flexed his arm for her, loving the fact she was enjoying the way he looked. He'd worked hard to be strong for the job but she was a new, better reason to look good.
"Oh yeah." She fanned her face with her hand, cheeks as red as can be. Definitely.
….
So, over the next week, they tried many new things. Skiing was new for Jack. Rock-climbing and zip lining turned out to be a new favorite for both of them. They ate dinner and breakfast in bed every day but lunch they went to the restaurant.
Two days before they were supposed to leave, Jack decided to turn on his phone to check his messages on the off chance that his commanding officer had contacted him.
"Shoot!"
"What, babe?"
"I have a text from Wagner. I need to be back early."
"How early?"
"We need to leave in the morning."
"Like twelve hours from now? Doesn't he know you're on your honeymoon?"
"Yes, honestly, with this job, I'm expected to do whatever, whenever. I'm a rookie so I do it, or I'm out."
Beth disappeared into the bathroom and straightened her hair, thinking and fighting to keep her composure.
"Babe?" He leaned against the doorframe and watched her.
"Yeah," she said quietly, running her flat-iron through her dark hair.
"What do you think?" Rather than answer with how she really felt, she decided this was the time to be supportive and not selfish with her husband. This was her life now and she needed him to know she was strong.
"We better make sure we can get a flight home."
"I'm sorry, Beth. I know you're angry."
"No. I'm not." She unplugged her iron and set it on the counter. "Disappointed, but not angry. I'm trying not to be selfish. Honestly all I want is to crawl back in that bed with you and not get back out. But, lunch awaits." She kissed his cheek and slipped past him to get dressed.
"Why don't we order food in?"
She paused in the closet. "Ok," she said with a smile. "Lunch, bubble bath?"
"Absolutely. You call for lunch and I'll call the airline."
The rest of the day was spent making the most of their time. They knew the next evening, his job started and she would need to figure out how to keep herself busy so as not to miss him like she already did.
It was time for their new life to begin and it was going to be full of challenges and tests but also love and excitement. Were they ready? They both hoped so.
…
They flew directly into LAX around 2pm the next afternoon. Jack's shift started at 6pm so it gave them time to get home, unpack, and figure some things out.
Beth started a load of laundry while Jack ordered Chinese from the takeout down the street.
After dinner, Jack showered and got dressed while Beth watched.
"Can I ask a favor, Beth?"
"Sure."
"I have three uniforms. So could you maybe make sure I always have one that's clean and pressed? I'm honestly horrible at ironing."
"Sure. I can do that."
"Thanks, babe." She watched as he slipped his lead vest over his white t-shirt and buckled it. She was grateful for that piece of lead that would keep her husband safe. Next he buttoned his navy shirt over the vest and tucked it in. Finally he put his belt on and walked over to the safe that was under the bed and took out his gun. He checked the chambers and then put it safely in its holster. "What are your plans in the morning?"
"I need to finish my lesson plans for Monday. Its my first classroom observation and Miss Blakely wants me to submit the plans to her."
"I should be home around six in the morning. Would you be able to cut my hair again? Its getting long."
"Of course."
"Thank you." He turned around and looked at her. "So what do you think?"
"I think you look unbelievably handsome and strong. I think I'm incredibly blessed to have you as my husband." She stood and walked over to him and put his hat on his head. "I think that I love you very much and I want your promise that you'll try to be safe and try to come home to me every day."
"I promise."
"Ok. Then I won't ask you to promise again. You need to stay focused on keeping people safe."
He bent down and kissed her. "I love you. I'll see you in the morning."
"Ok."