The next day, Jack and Elizabeth went back to the city along with her parents, had lunch and took in a play at the Theatre Company. It was an enjoyable day and Jack was relieved that William was now treating him with much less suspicion and no game playing. Jack hoped it was a permanent change.

At lunch, Mr. Thatcher addressed Jack. "Mrs. Thatcher and I wanted to discuss something with you Jack. As you can imagine, Beth has a dowry and we would like you to know that we have put some of that dowry into action."

"Action?" Jack wasn't sure what he meant.

"When we were in Coal Valley, we met with Adam Miller about building your home. We asked him to add a few modern amenities and he will be incorporating those into the design. Also, we would like to buy you some furniture, since presently neither of you have much in the way of belongings to move into a home." William took a drink of water and waited for a response.

Jack looked at Elizabeth who stared back at Jack apprehensively. "Father, why are we discussing this here?" She looked at her father.

"Your father thought we would be uninterrupted here," Kate said.

"Jack? Tell me what you're thinking?" William watched Jack, as always.

"Mr. Thatcher, Mrs. Thatcher, I'd like to thank you for your generosity, but I feel that Elizabeth and I can do these things for ourselves," Jack replied, "If you would like to gift Elizabeth with something, that's up to you, but clearly it will belong to her."

"Jack, understand that we are not doing this because you can't do it, we are doing this because she is our daughter and you will be our son-in-law and we are able to give you a gift. I hope you can accept that," William took a drink, "you shouldn't refuse a gift, we should be able to give you a wedding gift." William noted Jack's silence, "Well, you two can discuss it and we'll talk about it again at another time."

The ride home was fairly quiet. Jack couldn't stop thinking about what William had said and he had to admit it was a nice gesture and he didn't want to deny Elizabeth what she deserved. They could discuss it later. When they arrived at the house, Jack and Elizabeth climbed the stairs, "Would you like to go for a walk before dinner?" he asked.

"Sounds lovely, I'll change and meet you in the hallway," she responded.

Jack opened the door to his bedroom and was removing his jacket when he saw boxes on his bed. He opened one and saw the midnight blue suit. He then opened several of the other boxes, one had a black suit in it. He wondered if they were delivered to the wrong room? He went to the hallway and saw a maid down the hall. "Excuse me, but do you know why I have all these boxes in my room?"

The maid looked at him, "I was told they were yours, from the clothier."

Jack nodded, "Thank you." He thought for a moment, then knocked on Elizabeth's door.

She opened it all smiles, "Hello, I'm ready…"

He wiggled his finger, "Come with me please."

She followed him to his room. "What are all these boxes of clothes?" He asked.

She looked over everything, "The clothes we bought the other day, don't you remember?" She was inspecting the items, "Oh this shirt is so nice."

"I remember buying one suit, not all this stuff. There's a whole other suit here and shirts and ties…"

"Jack, I thought you deserved new things…"

"Elizabeth, I can't afford all this," he kept his voice low.

"It's a gift," she put her hands behind her back and rocked on her feet.

"Elizabeth…I can't let you do that…," he brushed his fingers through his hair.

"Oh please let me," she moved closer to him.

"Elizabeth…"

She moved closer, "Please, I want to treat my fiancé special, like the man that he is." She ran her finger from his shoulder to the buttons on his shirt.

"Where am I going to wear all this?" Jack ran his hand through his hair again, trying not to respond to her touch.

"When you take me out to dinner," she walked her fingers around his waist, "how about that?"

Her fingers tickled him and he laughed, "Hmm, that's okay, I mean that works." He couldn't resist and bent slightly giving her a quick kiss, "I don't know what I mean, but I'm paying you back." He kissed her quickly once more while laughing. She giggled and kissed him.

The next day the house was a flurry of activity as everyone participated in the preparations for the party. Mrs. Thatcher filled her hostess role to the fullest, directing everyone in their activities with Julie trailing behind altering flower arrangements and moving candlesticks to just the right spot. Mr. Thornton was busy overseeing the cocktail set up and the activities in the kitchen, much to Butler Wilson's annoyance. Extra staff was on hand to assist in the preparations and to cater to the guests. Jack offered to help but William told him to leave as he was the guest of honor and not allowed to work. Jack went into the kitchen and one of the cooks slipped him a piece of pie which Jack happily took out to the patio and ate.

"Out here relaxing?" Julie found him.

"Yeah, your father won't let me do anything," Jack replied. "Where's Elizabeth?"

"Oh upstairs being ridiculously nervous," Julie said. "Are you nervous?"

"No, what do I have to be nervous about?" Jack thought for a minute, "Is there something special I need to do at this party?"

"No, just be yourself," she sat on the stone wall, "I just wondered if the thought of all these people looking you over made you nervous."

Jack smiled, "Looking me over? The only one I care about looking at me is Elizabeth."

"Hmm," Julie smiled. "Well then, I will go help Elizabeth stay calm." She went back into the house.

Upstairs, Elizabeth was indeed a bundle of nerves, "Julie! Where have you been?"

"Outside talking to Jack," she replied calmly.

"Is he okay?"

"Just fine, I only hope he knows what he is in for," she smiled.

"Julie, you better behave!" Elizabeth shook her hairbrush at her sister.

"Me? Don't worry about me!" Julie put her hand to her chest, "Worry about you getting into that dress and having that Mountie faint when he sees you in it."

Elizabeth looked at her and they both started laughing.

As the day progressed, a small orchestra set up in the main parlor, trays of fresh fruits and tea sandwiches were prepared and flower arrangements appeared everywhere. Jack tried to stay out of the way and he went upstairs and knocked on Elizabeth's door.

Elizabeth opened the door a crack, "Jack…I'm about to have the hairdresser fix my hair."

"Oh…well I had a question about my suit," he said.

"Yes, what is it?"

"There are three ties, which one am I supposed to wear with the suit?"

"The champagne tie," she responded.

"Ahh, what does that mean?" He leaned to the small space where he could only see her eye and whispered, "can't you come out here for a minute?"

"No…," the look on his face changed her mind and she opened the door just enough to lean out and kiss him, "it's the dark ivory tie. If you don't know which one, Julie will help you." She slammed the door.

Jack jerked his head back, "Okay, thanks." He went to his room and decided to take a bath. He prepared the tub, finding a bottle of something called "Gardenia Surprise". He sniffed it, "smells good", and he dumped it into the water. He went back into the bedroom, lowered his suspenders and pulled his shirt over his head and sat on the bed to remove his shoes and trousers.

When he walked back to the bathroom he stopped short, the tub was filled to the brim with bubbles. "Oh no!" He shut off the faucets, reached into the water to check the temperature and then climbed in. "This is pretty nice" he relaxed letting the bubbles surround him as he laid his head back and stretched out in the soapy warm water, raising his feet up and down.

"Jack?" Julie knocked on the door as she opened it. "Elizabeth said you needed help selecting a tie…"

"Don't come in here!" Jack yelled from the bathtub, he started to stand but quickly plopped back down into the suds.

"Oh my, well, I'll just put the tie you need to wear on the chair," she chuckled softly, hearing him moving in the water. She pulled the champagne tie and laid it on the chair. "I'm leaving now."

Jack put his head back and sank into the bubbles.

In her room, the hairdresser finished Elizabeth's hair, down in long soft curls, with a small section up in the back secured with pearls, tiny pink tea roses and violets. Julie helped her get into the champagne lace dress and laced up the back. "Breathe in sister!"

"If I breathe in anymore there won't be a point in breathing!" Elizabeth said. When Elizabeth looked in the mirror she automatically put her hands on her chest, "I can't wear this!"

Julie rushed to her side, "Why, what's wrong with it?"

"Julie!" Elizabeth bobbed her head and pointed to her chest. "Don't you think this is too …too revealing?"

Julie shook her head, "No, but we can make a little adjustment." Julie tugged the back up and pushed the cap sleeves higher on Elizabeth's shoulders. "There, that's much better. Just don't let these pretty little sleeves drop down your arms or …well, just don't." Julie stepped back, "You look gorgeous, your figure is amazing. Wait until Jack sees you!"

"You know, I feel like I felt in Coal Valley before my first date with Jack….actually that night I had one-hundred butterflies, tonight I feel like I have a million," she smiled and looked in the mirror. She ran her hands down her waist and hips. The dress had beading across the chest and all along the squared neckline and along the small cap sleeves, the bottom of the dress was silk and lace with a scattering of beads.

In his room, Jack climbed out of the bathtub and realized he didn't have a towel nearby. He tiptoed out of the bathroom and across the bedroom to the armoire and found a white fluffy towel. He wrapped it around his waist and went back into the bathroom to shave. When he finished shaving he dried himself off, hung up the towel and went back to the bedroom where he removed the crisp white shirt from the paper it was wrapped in and shook it out. He slid the silky fabric up his arms and buttoned the shirt, it was very well tailored and fit him perfectly. He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled on the pants, when he stood to button them he was surprised at how tight they were on his hips. He walked to the mirror and ran his hands from his waist to his hips, smoothing the new fabric. He turned and checked from all sides and was pleased with the fit. Next came the tie, he picked up the tie on the chair and fit it under his shirt collar. He wasn't sure why it was a champagne tie, but he liked it. The new shoes were snug but nice, he took a deep breath, "please let this evening go smoothly." He put on the jacket and checked in the mirror one more time. In the hallway he realized it was early so he went downstairs. William and Kate were there already talking to several early arriving guests. After introductions, Wilson came by with a tray of champagne glasses, Jack took one. William proposed a toast, "Here's to a lovely evening for Jack and Beth."

Jack raised his glass and took a drink. As more and more people arrived, Jack said to William, "If you'll excuse me, I think I will go see if Elizabeth is ready." He put down the now empty glass and ran up the stairs where he began to pace in the hallway. He went to the mirror and ran his hand over his hair and he then he heard the door open. He turned and it was Julie who walked into the hall.

"Oh my…..," Julie stopped when she saw Jack and put her hand to her chest, "Jack, don't you look devilishly handsome! Elizabeth will just faint when she sees you. That dark blue is your color, hmmm?"

"Thank you," Jack adjusted his tie nervously, "You look very lovely."

"Thank you," Julie said, "I'll go tell Elizabeth you're here," she whispered, "she's a bit nervous."

"I know how she feels," Jack replied with his nervous smile. He paced, wringing his hands, as he waited for his fiancé. When the door opened he closed his eyes, he couldn't look up right away.

Elizabeth walked gracefully out into the hall, "Jack!" she gasped, "oh my….you look …so handsome."

Jack was staring at his shoes, lifted his eyes and shook his head before raising it to look at the vision before him. He bit his bottom lip as he looked at her, he instantly looked away, licked his lips and swallowed. He knew he shouldn't try to walk, but he managed to speak. "Elizabeth…" he swallowed, "Elizabeth, you look so beautiful...so absolutely beautiful."

She walked toward him, "Jack, that suit is perfect, you look wonderful, so handsome."

Jack's gaze started at her feet and went up the beautiful dress, "That dress is amazing," he reached for her and she put her hands forward to him.

Jack's eyes bulged a bit as she raised her arms, "Elizabeth?" He cleared his throat and looked away, "That dress is really something."

"Thank you, do you think it is too much?" she ran her hand across her stomach, "I love all the beads."

"Elizabeth, you look so stunningly beautiful. You really are the most beautiful woman I've ever ….seen…." He took a deep breath, "you take my breath away." He looked away again.

"Jack?" she squeezed his hands.

"I'm okay," he raised his hand to his mouth and cleared his throat, "I'm the luckiest man in the world," he choked on the emotion he was feeling. He brought her hand to his lips, closed his eyes and slowly kissed it.

"I love you Jack," she whispered watching him kiss her hand.

"I love you too…so much," Jack looked into her eyes, "I can't wait to be your husband."

She smiled and closed her eyes. "I'm so proud to show you off to everyone."

Jack stepped back and offered her his arm, "I suppose I have to share you with everyone now, shall we?"

They slowly descended the stairs and Elizabeth said, "Jack, you smell so good!"

"Gardenia Surprise!" he smiled.

Elizabeth did a double take and then giggled.