Chapter 45

Once outside of the hotel, Jack and Elizabeth walked hand in hand ending up in a beautiful park with a large water fountain. The warm evening held a cool breeze and Jack looked down to see Elizabeth's red skirt billow around her. "You sure are beautiful in this red dress."

"Thank you," she put her hand on his arm, "can we sit down for a minute?"

"Of course," he lead the way to a bench, "is the champagne affecting you?"

"No, I'm fine," she leaned toward him, "I do admit I like all the bubbles," she confessed.

"Oh, well I'm glad I don't have to worry about you spending evenings at the saloon," he teased.

"Of course not! In fact I probably won't ever have it again."

"Yes you will, at our wedding," he turned to face her, "which we need to talk about. Our house is almost done, so we really need to make wedding plans."

Elizabeth sighed, "I know. Well, to start it will be in the church you helped build, right?"

Jack laughed nervously, "Yes," he leaned and kissed her, sliding his arm around her waist. "Elizabeth…I can't wait to marry you," he pulled her a little closer.

"You just want the honeymoon," she whispered as he kissed her neck.

"No, that's not true," he rubbed his nose against her ear, "but the honeymoon will be nice won't it?"

She sighed, "I'm sure it will…but..."

He pulled back, "But what?" His eyes searched her face.

She glanced up at him nervously, "I'm scared Jack."

Jack shook his head, "Nothing to be scared of. We'll be together, we'll figure things out," he whispered.

She nodded and looked away.

"You aren't changing your mind are you?" he asked.

"No…no, of course not," she put her palm against his cheek, "I just want to make you happy Jack."

He turned his face and kissed her palm, "You make me happy every day. Come here," he pulled her closer and their kisses became increasingly passionate. Jack strummed his fingers against the lacing on the back of her gown, making her giggle softly. He whispered in her ear, "When we're married, I'm going to become a professional un-lacer," he laughed, teasing her.

"Oh Jack…" she kissed his ear and ran her fingers through his hair as his lips left tiny kisses down her neck.

"What will your wedding gown look like? I hope Julie picks it out," he smiled as he sat back.

Elizabeth's eyes widened, "Really? You don't trust me to pick out a nice gown?"

"Of course I do," he took in the sight of her body, "if it's anything like this one…"

She tugged at the top slightly under her arm, "Well I can't promise it's going to be like this. A wedding gown should be…should be elegant…"

"Elegant?" He looked at her again, "This is pretty elegant I think, very elegant." He touched a bead with his finger, "how do they get these pretty beads on here?"

Elizabeth held her breath as he touched her gown, "I…I…I don't know exactly."

Jack nodded, his eyes on his finger. He touched another bead, "This one is pretty, is it a pearl?" He glanced up at her.

She blinked several times, "Yes…yes it is a pearl," she sighed.

"Nice," Jack knew he was making her nervous, "I like the way the fabric curves along the top," he traced the curve of the top of her gown with his finger careful not to touch the fabric.

Elizabeth took a deep breath, "Jack, what you do to me," she touched his face and lowered her hand down his neck and slipped a finger tip into his shirt collar.

"I know the feeling," he pulled her into his arms and brushed his lips across hers.

"Hmmm," she responded to his sweet kiss.

"Hmm, we should walk, because I really need to stop kissing you…" he stood, taking a deep breath.

She walked to the fountain and splashed her hand in the cool water. When Jack came closer, she playfully splashed water at him.

"Hey!" He put his hand up.

She took both his hands and kissed his cheek, "Dance with me."

"Here?"

"Yes, here," she shook his hands, loving his big smiling reaction.

He spun her around and they danced by the fountain. Jack pressed his cheek against hers and felt contentment. Elizabeth sighed softly, feeling so happy.

"You know, for a minute there you looked just like you did when you were explaining gravity," he smiled.

"Gravity? In the classroom? Ah, I saw the way you thought I wasn't engaging the children and you were right," she nodded.

"You changed my mind when you climbed on the desk and pulled that clip from your hair," he said.

"As I recall you looked impressed," she stated.

"I was. You're a wonderful teacher Elizabeth," he pulled her a bit closer, "you've certainly taught me a thing or two."

"I have? Like what?"

He chuckled, "Well, for starters that you are far from a weak princess who needs someone looking out for her and that for all my feeling that I'm a Mountie who doesn't need anyone…well, you taught me that I need you…I need your support and love. I want you by my side…"

"I'm glad you said you want me by your side," she whispered. "Wanting means more than needing."

"True, but I do need you Elizabeth," he pressed his cheek against hers, "and of course I want you. You know that."

Elizabeth snuggled against him, "I want you too Jack."

"So when's our wedding?" He whispered with a laugh.

She pulled back and looked into his eyes, "As soon as possible."

Back in the ballroom, Patrick and Sarah and Abigail and Bill were seated at the table talking as Jack and Elizabeth returned to their seats. "We were starting to worry about you two," Abigail said.

"We needed some air," Jack said, exchanging glances with both men.

"So, when is the wedding?" Patrick asked, grinning at Jack.

"That's what we were talking about," Elizabeth took a bite of the slice of chocolate cake in front of her.

"So, what was the outcome?"

"Ah, we didn't actually get that far," Jack said as he dipped his fork into Elizabeth's piece of cake.

"Get distracted on that walk did you?" Bill asked, a twinkle in his eye.

"You could say that," Jack grinned.

All the couples headed to the dance floor. Jack entwined his fingers with Elizabeth's. "So, our wedding…will we have a little party after our wedding? At the saloon?" Jack asked.

Elizabeth sighed, "Not the fanciest place for a wedding celebration, but the café would be too small."

"We'll make it nice," he looked around the room, "white tablecloths, flowers…it will be special. Doesn't matter anyway, everyone will be looking at the beautiful bride. I know I will."

Elizabeth felt a blush rise in her cheeks, "Jack!"

"After our wedding celebration, we'll go to our house." He felt her body straighten, "We'll have a nice romantic wedding night," he whispered.

Elizabeth felt her heart flutter and cast her eyes down, "Yes…"

"So when are we going to do this?" Jack hunched down a bit, trying to see her face, "Hey, look at me…"

"I don't know…school will be starting soon, we could wait."

"No, we don't have to wait. We can have our wedding, and take a little trip if you'd like."

"A trip?"

"If you want a honeymoon…to go away, we'll do that," Jack assured her.

"Oh, I don't know if I want to go anywhere." She wondered what he had in mind.

"We can go anywhere you want," he wondered what she was thinking, "or stay at home, which would be nice."

"Whatever you want Jack," she didn't know what to say.

"Okay, leave it to me…" he twirled her around, watching her red gown billow as she giggled.

Jack turned when someone tapped his shoulder, "Can I cut in?" It was Edelman, the trouble maker Mountie.

Jack held Elizabeth's hand firmly while addressing Edelman, "No, sorry you can't cut in."

"Why not?" Edelman was eyeing Elizabeth in a way that Jack did not like.

"All her dances are spoken for…" Jack said firmly.

"By who? You, Thornton?" Edelman laughed. "The lady will have one dance with me, won't you beautiful?" He winked at Elizabeth.

Jack took a step closer to Edelman, "Don't take another step, or I'll make you sorry you did."

Edelman put his hand up, "I don't want trouble with you Thornton. I just want a dance with this beautiful woman…no harm can come from that, right?" He winked at Elizabeth and she turned her head in disgust.

"Look Edelman, you need to go take a walk," Jack was doing his best to stay calm and not escalate the situation.

Amendola appeared, "Edelman, come on, I got something for ya." He slapped Edelman's shoulder, "Come on…"

Edelman looked at Elizabeth again, nodded, "Save me a dance for later beautiful."

Elizabeth didn't look at him but squeezed Jack's hand tightly with both her hands.

The two men walked off the dance floor and left the room. Jack watched, noticing Bill Avery standing nearby at the ready. Jack turned to Elizabeth, her eyes big with worry. "It's okay, they're gone."

She forced a smile and reached for Jack's shoulder.

He pulled her close, "Are you ready to leave?"

"Yes, I am. Are you?" She held him tightly.

Jack nodded, wanting her to feel safe, "Let's go, we can all go upstairs."

They made plans to meet in the morning and Jack and Elizabeth headed upstairs, followed by Abigail and Bill.

"Jack, can I talk to you for a minute?" Bill asked once they got close to their rooms.

"Excuse me," Jack said to Elizabeth.

"Do you two want to be alone? Should we go into separate rooms? I don't want to imply…but" Bill laughed nervously.

"Ahh," Jack glanced over at Elizabeth, "maybe for a few minutes, just long enough to say a proper good night." Jack tapped Bill's arm and went back to Elizabeth.

"Let's see if they fixed that drapery," Jack said as he opened the door.

"Jack, why are those Mountie's bothering you?" Elizabeth couldn't stop thinking of what happened with the Mounties.

Jack was looking at the drapery and rod, "Huh?" When he saw the look on her face, he rushed to her, "No…please don't worry about them. They're just young guns looking for trouble," he took her hands, "they want to take you away from me….and that's never going to happen."

"What? Take me away?" Her worry escalated.

"No, I just mean, they want to dance with you. That will never happen. I wouldn't let them near you," he held her shoulders, "I'm sorry…I don't want you to worry about them. They're gone and nothing is going to happen."

She nodded as she slid her hands under his jacket and around his back.

Jack sighed against her, "Oh, I love when you do that," he smiled and closed his eyes, "come here." He pulled her close and kissed her. He was relieved to feel her lean against him. "All better now?" he smiled as he took her face in his hands.

"Yes, as long as you're here," she said softly, looking up into his eyes.

"Well, I have to leave, go to my room. Abigail will be here with you, so you have nothing to worry about you won't be alone, okay?"

She tugged on his tie, "Okay, but don't leave yet…" She took his hand and walked to the settee in the adjoining sitting room, "Sit with me."

Jack sat next to her and was surprised the way she moved closer and turned his face to hers and kissed him passionately. He touched her arm, then her side and slid his hands around the silky fabric of her dress and pulled her against him.

Elizabeth slid her hands under his jacket again. She pressed her finger tips against him, feeling his muscles move as his hands moved across her back. She couldn't help but move her lips across his face, down his neck as his hand reached up and held her head.

"Elizabeth…" Jack's voice was whispery soft against her shoulder as her lips moved across his neck. For a moment he felt like he was dreaming. He lightly kissed her neck and squeezed her shoulders.

The knock on the door startled them both. "What? Who is that?" Jack asked as he turned to see Abigail poke her head around the door.

"Oh, excuse me," Abigail popped back out after seeing Jack move away from Elizabeth.

Abigail knocked harder and came back into the room, "Hello? Everything okay in here?" she asked.

Jack stood, trying to collect himself, "Yes, we're fine. Just saying good night." He offered Elizabeth his hand and the two rushed past Abigail into the bedroom and out into the hall.

Jack faced the wall for a minute, until Elizabeth put her hand on his back, "Jack? I love you…"

Jack sighed, "I love you too, sorry…" He turned to her.

She put her finger against his lips, "Shhh. No, don't. I love you so much." She kissed him softly and took his arm and walked him to his door. "Dream about me okay?"

Jack laughed and rolled his head, "All the time," he kissed her. "Thank you for a beautiful evening."

"Thank you, it was wonderful." She walked toward her room and as she touched the doorknob, she looked at the man she loved, she blew a kiss to him.

Jack smiled and softly said, "Good night…"

Elizabeth went into the room with a sigh. Abigail looked at her, "I hope I didn't cause an abrupt end to your evening…."

"No," Elizabeth spun around before sitting on the bed, "I am tired. Did you have a good time? Wasn't it wonderful?"

Abigail smiled at her happiness, "Yes, it was wonderful. I really felt like a princess."

Elizabeth sighed again, "Oh so did I. Jack makes me feel like a princess."

"Sorry I walked in when he was kissing you," Abigail glanced at her.

"We get a little carried away saying good night," she looked down at her gown, "must have been the dress."

"The woman in the dress," Abigail confirmed.

Elizabeth ran her hand down the skirt. "What about you? Did you and Bill share a good night kiss?"

Abigail smiled, "We did…"

"Really? That's wonderful. You two make a nice couple."

"Well, until he has to move on," Abigail said.

"Move on? Jack said he could be based in Coal Valley, he may have to travel some, but his home base would be Coal Valley."

"That would be nice," Abigail looked away for a moment before turning to Elizabeth. "So tell me, are things okay with you and Jack? Did you really talk about the wedding?"

"We did. We need to discuss it more however," Elizabeth smiled.

"Ahh, get distracted by someone's sweet kisses?" Abigail knew.

Elizabeth nodded. "I suppose we should turn in, it's been a long day."

Jack and Bill were quiet until Bill started to laugh.

"What's so funny?" Jack asked.

"The look on Abigail's face when she opened the door and the blanket was on the floor and the drapery and rod ripped from the wall, well you can just imagine what she thought," he put his hand on his stomach. "Well, I just hope you two had fun."

"Wait a minute, it wasn't what you think," Jack put his hand up.

"Jack, you don't have to explain anything to me," Bill said, "just because I saw your vest buttoned up all wrong, doesn't matter to me Jack," he waved his hand.

Jack threw his hands up, "You're making things up in your head Bill. Elizabeth and I were totally appropriate…just like we always are."

"Ahh haa, Jack, you're getting married…the sooner the better." Bill lay on the bed, putting his hands under his head. "I'm going to sleep, hopefully to dream about Abigail."

Jack stretched out across his own bed, thinking about Elizabeth and was soon asleep and began to dream. Elizabeth was in her room alone and there was a knock on the door. The two Mounties pushed their way in and took turn dancing with her. Elizabeth was happy at first, but then began to cry and asked them to stop. They tried to take her out into the hallway and she began calling for Jack. A noise in the hallway woke Jack and he instantly thought of Elizabeth and had to check on her. He ran out into the hall and rushed to her door, "Elizabeth?" He tapped on the door.

Elizabeth ran to the door, "Jack, is that you?" She knew better than to open the door before she was sure.

"Yes, it's me, open the door please."

She opened the door a crack, "What is it?"

"Can I come in?" Jack asked as he gently pushed the door open.

Elizabeth looked back at Abigail, who sat up in her bed.

"Come in, what's wrong?" Elizabeth was self conscious in her nightgown and went for her robe.

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay…both of you," Jack said.

Elizabeth and Abigail exchanged looks, "We're fine Jack," Elizabeth assured him. "Come, let's go to the sitting room." She opened the door to the small sitting room adjacent to their room, "why are you worried Jack?"

Jack closed the door, "I had a dream…and I was worried that you were okay," he touched her shoulders, "I had to come and make sure."

"I'm fine, thank you," she put her arms around him.

He held her, rubbing his hands up and down the silky fabric of her robe, "Good, I'm glad."

"Nothing to worry about," she looked at him.

He smiled at the way she looked in her white robe, her hair down in waves over her shoulders, he ran his fingers through it and then hugged her. "Hmm, I don't feel the monster laces," he chuckled softly as he touched her back.

Elizabeth caught a laugh in her throat, "Jack, I don't wear a corset to bed."

"It's a relief to hear that, keep that corset monster off…"

She bit her lip to keep from laughing. "Oh? What about you," she ran her hand down the front of his shirt, "is this your bedtime attire?"

"Ahh, no…when I go to bed, it all comes off…"

Elizabeth looked up into his eyes, "Oh…"

He smiled before kissing her softly and she ran her hand down his face eliciting a soft moan from him.

"Elizabeth, I should go…" he kissed her ear, "I need to go…" he kissed her neck.

She clung to his shoulders, "Jack…it's okay…you're checking…" she sighed against him, "you're making sure I'm safe," she kissed his cheek, "thank you checking on me."

"Hmm, yes…" He slid a finger under the lacy collar of her robe and kissed the soft skin of her shoulder, "you're safe…that's what I care about."

She reached up and captured his face in her hands, "You need to leave," she whispered before she kissed his lips and put her arms tightly around him.

"Yes, I know," he kissed her again, "I'm going...but Elizabeth, you have to let go."

She raked her fingers down his back as she placed little kisses on his face, "Yes…you…have to ….leave."

"Are you…kicking me out?" He rubbed his lips across her ear and down her neck.

"Yes, leave will you please…" She pushed him toward the door, while still holding him.

He slammed into the door, "Yes, I'm going….one more kiss, then you have to let me go."

"Are you leaving now Jack?" she pulled his collar, forcing their lips together.

"Yeah…." He reached for the doorknob with one hand while firmly holding her waist with the other.

They moved as one to the next door to the hallway, "Jack, you need to leave…" she ran her fingers through his hair.

He dragged his fingers low on her back as he left a wet kiss on her neck, "I'm….going…now."

He grabbed the doorknob and her hand covered his, "Good …night."

She kissed him one more time before pushing him out the door and shutting it. She pushed her hair back with her hand and went to her bed.

Jack stood in the hallway for a moment, staring at the door, "What just happened?" He began to walk to his room, looking over his shoulder at Elizabeth's door.