MARCH 2ND (THREE DAYS BEFORE THE WEDDING)
"Julie, let's go. I don't want to be late for our appointment."
They had an appointment at the day spa in town for facials, manicures, and pedicures. School had been long and drawn out, pretty much because the kids wanted spring break and she wanted to get married. The next day was the last day of school for ten days and her last day for three weeks.
She was ready for hot weather, beaches, sunset walks, and romance with her very soon to be husband.
"Ok, let's go!" Elizabeth had started down to Julie's twenty year old Buick she had purchased for five hundred bucks. Elizabeth was proud of her for the purchase but surprised the thing was still running. She, however, had no right to complain since she didn't even own a car at the moment.
"Are you excited, Beth?"
"Absolutely, do you think they do massages too?"
"Probably. We can check. This is my treat so you can get anything you want."
"This is so great." It had been over six months since she had gone to a spa. She used to go weekly for manicures and she missed it a lot. It felt good to be pampered.
After the spa they were going to the mall in Billings to Victoria's Secret. It made Elizabeth blush just thinking about it. "Thinking about Jack again?"
"Maybe."
"Uh huh. Remember I am dating a handsome Thornton boy too."
"I know. I was mostly thinking about our honeymoon."
"Ah. Nervous?"
"No. Not really. Just ready." Elizabeth thought for a moment. "Julie, have you and Tom been together?"
"You mean together, together?"
"Yes."
"Yes, we weren't as strong as you and Jack. The both of you must have the patience of a saint."
"It's been hard but it's important to me and he understands that."
"Well then Beth, we need to make your first time together as perfect as possible. Starting with some hot lingerie."
"Julie," she said with a giggle.
"Trust me." She really had no choice.
Elizabeth went all out. She got her eyebrows waxed, got a French manicure on her hands and her toes. She asked the lady to massage her feet and legs extra, just because. Then she got her hair styled and had a facial. It was heaven.
By the time she walked out of the spa, she was completely relaxed and actually fell asleep on their way to the mall.
"Beth, wake up. We're at the mall."
"Oh! Sorry Jules."
INSIDE THE MALL
"Hey, let's grab dinner," Julie suggested.
There was a Thai restaurant in the mall so they headed in and got seated right away. "Oh, everything looks so good," Elizabeth mentioned as she gazed at the menu. "I'm pretty sure I want Pad Thai though. What are you getting?"
"Drunken noodles. Maybe we can share?"
"Sure."
The rest of the evening went well. Their food was delicious and they had fun just spending time together.
Elizabeth ended up with a few "hot" pieces of lingerie at Julie's insistence but she also bought things she would be comfortable in and that she hoped Jack would go crazy over.
Elizabeth let her imagination take her to Aruba on the ride home. She couldn't wait to see the venue and the villa where she and Jack would be staying. She wanted to take walks on the beach holding his hand and eat at a beachside restaurant while the sun set. She wanted to snorkel in the ocean and wake up in his arms every morning.
"Yoo hoo! Earth to Beth."
"Huh? What? I'm sorry. What did you say?"
"I said, I think your phone is ringing."
"Oh!" She pulled it from her purse and saw that Jack had called. She dialed his number and hit send.
"Hey, beautiful. How was your girl's night?"
"Good but I miss you."
"Want to come over?"
"I could have Julie bring me but then you'd have to take me home and it's already 9 o'clock."
"I'll come to you then, babe. How far from the apartment are you?"
"About twenty minutes."
"I'll see you then."
"Ok."
It felt like two hours but finally they arrived at the apartment and Jack stood waiting by his truck. "Hi, beautiful. Fancy meeting you here," he said teasing. She walked over and hugged him tight, sighing deeply. "Hey, what's going on? Didn't you have a good time?"
"Yeah. It was great." She still hadn't let go, she just wanted him to hold her.
Julie took the packages inside, leaving the two of them alone. "Your hair looks good." He kissed her forehead and looked at her expression, unsure why she was upset or sad or whatever it was. "Honey?"
"I just missed you. So much. I just kept thinking about Aruba and how much I just want to be your wife and walk on the beach with you and it's taking forever to get here. Don't you think?"
"You're babbling. Are you getting cold feet?"
"No. Only warm toes for me." He chuckled. "Hold me, Jack."
He wrapped his arms around her and held her until she said that her foot without the actual shoe was getting cold after all.
He picked her up and carried her up the stairs and across the threshold. "Thought I'd practice a bit," he said with a wink.
"Thank you for coming over." He set her down gently, keeping his hands on her waist.
"I'd do anything to make you happy, sweetie." He tucked her hair behind her ears. "Are you happy, Elizabeth?"
"Of course I am."
"Something is going on. I'd like to know what it is."
She sighed and took him into her bedroom. She gestured to the bed. "This, Jack. This isn't me."
"Victoria's Secret?"
"I am not this super sexy woman that wants to knock your socks off by wearing next to nothing and spending gobs of money trying to impress you." She didn't know why it was stressing her out so suddenly, but being with him and the thought of being with him, made her extremely self conscious. She pulled out the see-through black teddy Julie picked out and insisted she wear. "This isn't what I want. Is this what you want?" She pulled out the second teddy and showed him. "I just want you to want me."
He gently took the items from her and put them back in the bags. "Sweetheart, first I want to tell you something very important. Are you listening?" he asked softly. She nodded and looked down at her hands. "You are sexy. You knock my socks off everyday just by being you. You could sleep in sweats, mine preferably, or a nightgown that covers every inch of your body and I would still find you just as sexy. Second, you don't need to impress me and you certainly don't need to spend money on lingerie to catch my eye. Whatever is in those bags isn't important to me. What's important is you and me together."
"It is going to be our first time, Jack. I just don't want you to be disappointed in me."
"That's not possible. You are putting so much pressure on yourself when all you need to remember is the "you and me" part. We will get through everything together."
"So, if I take it all back, it's ok with you?"
"Of course. Elizabeth, I just need you."
She let out a sigh of relief and hugged him tightly, loving the feel of his arms and the comfort she'd always found in them. "I love you, Jack. Thank you for loving me."
"Thank you for telling me what was bothering you. The last thing that should happen on our wedding night is for you to feel uncomfortable."
"Are you nervous at all?" she asked him.
"Not nervous. I guess just anxious and ready to be your husband." She nodded. He could tell she had another question and he knew what it was. "I can see what you're wondering. I have slept with someone before and it was a very long time ago. I was seventeen and I made the mistake of doing it because I thought that's what everyone else was expecting. It was stupid and I regret not waiting." He took her hand in his, kissing her palm. "This will be our first time together and it will be amazing and perfect because we love each other."
"Thank you for telling me." He nodded. She stood up and went to her closet to get her suitcases. "Want to keep me company while I pack?"
"Sure." He moved the bags aside and sat against her headboard. She put her suitcase on the end of her bed and started filling it. "The villa has a washer and dryer so I guess I don't need to pack three weeks worth of everything, do I?"
"No, I guess not."
"Jack, what do you think of this dress?" He raised his eyes and smiled as she held her dress against her body.
"It's beautiful."
"Good. I figured I need a few dresses for if we decide to emerge from the villa for dinner or something." Her cheeks colored and he chuckled. "I can't believe I said that."
"You are so adorable. I have some things planned so if we feel like emerging, I've packed a suit too."
She walked over and opened one of the Victoria's Secret bags. She took out a grey and pink tank top that said "Angel" on the front and flannel pink and grey shorts. "I like these. I think I would feel comfortable in them."
"Then you should keep them."
She nodded and put it in the suitcase. Then she grabbed the bag that had underwear and a few new bras and packed them as well. She sighed as she started getting inside her head again. She could feel the tears forming. He could see the wheels turning in her head.
"Elizabeth, come here." She bit her lip, removed her cumbersome boot, and crawled up next to him on the bed. "I love you, you know that." She moved closer and put her head on his chest, nodding.
"Yeah, I know."
He tilted her chin up to meet her lips, gently. "We will go slow and everything will be just fine." She sniffed and reached up for another kiss and another. Eventually, she relaxed enough and they both fell asleep.
THE NEXT MORNING
She woke up in his arms and smiled, thinking about how wonderful he had been about her fears and nervousness. It didn't surprise her. He was Jack after all.
She got up quietly and slipped down the hall to shower. It was her last day of school and she was going to make it fun for the kids.
After her shower, she ran to start the coffee and found Julie's note.
HEY BETH,
I HAD TO GET TO WORK EARLY. CAN YOU CATCH A RIDE WITH JACK? I'LL PICK YOU UP AFTER SCHOOL LIKE NORMAL.
SEE YA LATER
JULES
Jack sneaked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her cheek. "Morning, my love."
"Morning. Two more days, sweetheart." She turned around and kissed him. "Can you drop me off at school, please?"
"Sure. I have some errands to run today, no work so I can definitely do that."
"Officially on vacation?"
"Yep. It feels good."
"So what errands?" She poured a thermos of coffee for him and a mug for her.
"Hmm..this and that."
"So secretive this morning. No hints?"
"Just some stuff for the trip."
She smiled and slipped past him. "I'm going to get dressed and then we can go."
He grabbed some eggs and cheese and bread and made them quick breakfast sandwiches while he was waiting.
About ten minutes later, he had the bar set with their breakfast. "Aw, thanks babe. It smells great." She kissed him and sat down on the stool.
LATER, AT THE MALL
Jack knew exactly what he wanted to get Elizabeth. He walked into Victoria's Secret with a few nerves but also a bit of pride to be buying something for his wife.
"Hello, sir. What can I help you with?"
"I'm getting married Saturday and I'm looking for a robe for my wife," he said, loving the word wife coming out of his mouth.
"Very good. Do you have anything in mind?"
"Yeah. I want this…" He pulled out his phone and showed her from the website. "She wears a small." He had looked at the sizes of what she bought the night before and decided a small made sense.
"We have that robe. It's a very good choice. Very classy. "
"That's Elizabeth." He saw a short, silky, dark red nightgown with black lace edging and a slit up the left side and a robe to match. "This too, please."
"Very good, sir."
He smiled at what he hoped would be her reaction but also at the thought of seeing her in it. It would look amazing against her creamy perfect skin and dark hair. "Can you put it in a gift bag, please?"
"Absolutely."
She handed the bag to him and smiled. "Good choices sir. Your fiancé is a lucky woman."
"Thank you, but I can assure you, I'm the lucky one."
EARLY MORNING, TWO DAYS LATER
Everyone met at the airport parking lot at 4 o'clock for their 6 o'clock flight. Tom, Julie, and Elisa drove with Bill and Charlotte and then Jack, Elizabeth, Clara, and Pete drove together. Elizabeth's parents were flying in the private jet.
After they checked their bags and got through security, Jack and Elizabeth went to the Starbucks to get coffee. "You're quiet this morning, sweetie," she told him, slipping her arms around his waist.
"Sorry. I'm just tired. The coffee should help."
"Jack?" Jack turned at the sound of his name.
"Faith? What are you doing here?"
"I'm on my way to Dallas for a convention for the hospital and had a layover here in Bozeman. What are you doing here?" Faith looked quickly at Elizabeth.
"We are heading to Aruba. We have a layover in Dallas."
"Aruba? Wow." She held out her hand to Elizabeth. "I'm Faith Carter."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Elizabeth Thatcher."
Faith noticed Elizabeth's ring. "Are you two engaged?"
"Yes. We are headed to Aruba for our wedding tomorrow," Jack told her.
"Congratulations. I'm happy for you both."
"Thank you."
"Jack, it's our turn, hon." Elizabeth turned and ordered their iced Mocha, extra shot, no whip.
"It was good to see you, Faith. I guess we must be on the same flight."
"Good to see you too. Congratulations again."
"Thank you."
Elizabeth walked over and took his hand. "Should be ready in a moment." He nodded. "Kind of awkward, right?" she asked.
"Yeah. Kind of."
Two minutes later they heard, "Lovebirds, Bride and Groom. Order up!"
Jack chuckled. "Nice, babe." She squeezed his hand and grabbed their drinks.
They laughed at their cups. Someone had written Bride on her cup and Groom on his with a heart and Congratulations. "They heard us talking."
Faith walked over to them. "Would you like me to take your picture?"
"You don't have to, Faith," he assured her.
"I know, but you should document everything. Only doing this once, right?"
Elizabeth handed Faith her phone.
He slipped his arm around Elizabeth and smiled stiffly. There was something about his ex taking a picture of him and his fiancé that felt strange. "Sweetie," Elizabeth said quietly. He looked over. "I love you." He couldn't help smiling then. Faith snapped a few candid shots while they were staring at each other.
She handed Elizabeth her phone and then smiled. "I'm happy for you both. I hope you have a perfect wedding and a wonderful life together."
They watched her walk away. That was their hope too.
They were in fact on the same flight as Faith and parted ways around eleven o'clock in Dallas. The group boarded their next flight in Dallas and landed in Aruba four hours later.
Jack and Elizabeth rented their own Jeep for the three weeks they would be there. The rest of the couples rented their own cars as well. The Paradise Hills Resort was where they were all staying and where the wedding venue was.
As soon as they were all settled in their rooms, they met William and Grace and Lionel and Viola at the Seaside Bar and Grill for an early dinner just before the rehearsal.
Jack sat next to Elizabeth, making sure their side of the table had a clear view of the sunset that would be happening during dinner. It was an open air restaurant, the breezes blowing off the Caribbean, teasing their hair. Elizabeth laid her hand on his thigh and he placed his hand over hers, weaving their fingers together.
"You look beautiful, sweetheart." She winked at him and took a sip of her wine.
The ambiance of the restaurant was romantic and comfortable. Tea lights in lanterns lined the deck facing the ocean. Candles and flowers lined the center of the tables and soft music played in the background, even through the speakers on the deck. After they ordered, the sky started to turn pinks and oranges and purples. "Dance with me?" Jack asked her.
She had her foot brace on but nothing would stop her from enjoying the evening. They walked slowly outside to the deck and he took her in his arms, holding her close. "It's beautiful here," she mentioned.
"You're beautiful." He smiled and kissed her cheek, pulling her as close as he could and still be able to dance.
Bill held Charlotte's hand as they and everyone else watched Jack and Elizabeth. He smiled over at her and squeezed her hand. "I love you, Char."
"I love you too."
He looked at her lips and leaned in. He couldn't help it. He was completely and utterly in love with her. He couldn't get enough.
"Ooohhh! Nana's kissing Mr. Avery," Elisa said loudly, making the adults chuckle.
The moment was broken but Bill would recapture it later.
About an hour later, their stomachs filled with exquisite food, the group made their way to the venue for the rehearsal.