Chapter 48 - Wedding Planning
Jack reached across the table and picked up the small velvet box and raised it, "What don't you understand?"
"Well," she took the box, "I see that it's two gold rings, but what are they ….whose are they?"
Jack nervously moved a spoon on the table, "They're wedding rings…and they're ours."
Elizabeth looked at the two gold rings, looked at Jack, looked at the rings, "Ours? One for each of us?"
"Yes," He was serious, "I want to wear a wedding ring. I want to tell the world that I'm your husband." He looked at her trying to gauge her feelings. "Are you okay with that?"
She put her fingertips to her mouth and then touched the rings. She looked at Jack and nodded, "Yes. I think that's beautiful Jack and the rings are beautiful." She removed the larger ring and took his hand, "Let me…practice." She slipped the ring on his finger, "Looks quite handsome on you."
Jack smiled, raised his eyebrows, "I think so." He reached for her ring and slipped it on to her finger, "Want to make sure it fits okay…" He ran his tongue across his bottom lip, caught in the emotion.
Elizabeth gasped, "It looks so beautiful Jack."
Jack nodded, staring at her hand with the engagement ring and the wedding ring, "Perfect…"
They both sat in silence for a moment, staring at their hands, realizing what it meant.
Elizabeth reached for Jack's hand, "I can't wait to wear this all the time."
Jack smiled, "Me too." He couldn't stop smiling, "I'm so glad you like them." He slipped them both off, put them back into the velvet box. They put their fingertips on the box at the same time.
Elizabeth sighed, "Such a strong symbol."
"Yes, moves you right into the future doesn't it?" Jack cleared his throat, "I'm ready for that future Elizabeth. We can do it together, we'll be fine."
Elizabeth nodded as she blinked back her tears.
Jack stood, "Come here," he took her into his arms, "It's going to be okay, no need for tears."
She whispered into his ear, "Tears of happiness…"
He sighed in agreement, kissed her neck and gave her a squeeze.
The next morning, Jack and Elizabeth headed to the church. They entered the new building smiling, "Something magical about a new building," Elizabeth ran her hand along a seat.
Jack nodded, "Adam did a beautiful job."
"I don't know, I see your touches everywhere," she reached for his hand, "Just like I do at our home."
Jack smiled, "Reverend should be here soon, yesterday he said this was a good time for us to talk."
"Indeed it is," Reverend Anderson appeared in the back of the church, "let's take a seat, shall we?"
Elizabeth suddenly felt nervous and took Jack's arm.
"I must say, I'm honored you have asked me to perform your wedding ceremony," Reverend smiled, "its always a joy witnessing the couple's relationship… blossom… shall we say."
"Thank you…" Jack responded, unsure of what to say.
"What kind of ceremony would you like to have?" Reverend asked.
Jack and Elizabeth glanced at each other, "How many kinds are there?" Jack asked.
"We would like a simple, religious ceremony," Elizabeth answered, but looked at Jack.
"Very well. I assume your families will be in attendance?"
"Yes, my family will be here and so will Jack's mother," Elizabeth replied.
"Okay then. We can have a simple rehearsal, if you feel the need, just so everyone knows where to stand and what to do. I will recite vows and you will repeat them."
"Sounds simple enough," Jack said.
The Reverend looked at Jack, "Yes. Then you will place the ring on Elizabeth's finger…"
"There will be two rings," Jack interrupted.
"Two rings?" he looked at Elizabeth
"Yes, I have a ring also," Jack said proudly.
"Very well, we'll make sure Elizabeth puts it on your finger."
Jack raised an eyebrow, Elizabeth cleared her throat. "Is that it?"
"Yes, it will be very simple, tasteful. Are you okay with that?" Reverend asked.
Jack nodded and Elizabeth said, "Yes, we are."
"We'll be seeing each other before then, so I bid you good day," the Reverend left the church.
Jack slapped his thighs, "Well, that's done," he stood and noticed Elizabeth staring off into space, "What? Is something wrong?"
She looked up at him, "No. I suppose I was expecting something more."
"Like what? He's a pretty straight forward guy, he'll do what we ask."
She took his arm, "Yes, I suppose."
Jack put his finger under her chin, "Hey, no worrying," he looked up the aisle, "you wanna practice?"
Elizabeth giggled, "No, come on." She turned and headed down the aisle toward the door.
"I'm willing to practice if you want," Jack said loudly as he followed her out of the church.
"Shh, I know perfectly well what you want to practice!" She looked over her shoulder at him with a sly smile.
"Elizabeth!" Jack snickered, swallowing a laugh.
They went to their house to check on Adam's progress.
"Hello? Adam?" Jack walked through the house, "Adam?"
Elizabeth went to the kitchen, "Look Jack, all these cupboards, aren't they nice?"
Jack stood in the doorway, "Yes." He couldn't help but imagine her in there, cooking, "ahh, yes, very nice, he does fine work."
"What? I'm learning!" She walked to him, hands on her hips.
He smiled, "I know…and I'm sure we'll be having gourmet meals, right here, in this room." He slid his hands around her waist.
"Well I wouldn't go that far," she touched his shoulders, "edible…I'd be satisfied with edible."
He looked over her shoulder, "Yup, we'll just open the window and you can cook away!"
"Very funny," she squeezed his shoulders, "show me what else you've done."
He pulled her closer, "Okay, come on."
He took her hand and led her around, showing her the bathroom, the room with the washing machine and two small rooms down the hall. She followed silently until they reached the bedroom.
"It's so beautiful," she said, her eyes traveling around the big room, "this fireplace is lovely."
"I like the dark wood mantle and the off white paint of the rest of it, don't you?" He asked.
"Yes, very much, it's beautiful," she ran her hand across the mantle and turned toward her dressing room, "May I look?"
He nodded, "Of course."
She stopped at the doorway, peeking into the room, it was the length of the bedroom and about ten feet wide with shelves and hooks and a rod for hangers along the back wall. The window let in plenty of light so she would be able to see everything. There was a tall chest of small drawers built into the wall in the middle. She turned and smiled, "It's so wonderful. Thank you Jack."
"Is it big enough for everything?" He smiled, still standing near the fireplace.
"Yes, of course it is," she glanced over her shoulder at him as she stepped inside.
Jack put his hands on the fireplace mantle, composing himself before following her. He moved to the doorway and observed her. She was gently touching everything, inspecting things. She looked pleased and that made him happy.
"This closet will be the envy of every woman in Coal Valley," she stated proudly walking to him, "Just like I'll be the envy of women everywhere for having the most wonderful, handsome husband in the world." She kissed him.
"Thank you," he whispered before he pulled her against him and kissed her.
She pulled back, fingering his collar, "We shouldn't stay in here."
"Why?" he was enjoying it.
"What if Adam comes in?" she looked toward the door.
"I think he knows how we feel about each other," Jack kissed her cheek and moved to her ear.
"Yes, but it isn't proper…" she sighed at his kisses.
"It's perfectly proper for me to kiss you…" he pressed his lips into her neck.
"Hmm, proper…perfectly," she inhaled.
"There you go again, with those "p" words," he whispered as his lips returned to her ear.
"Oh you mean like pleasure…"
"Yup, and passion…." he was at her cheek, his fingers raking down her back.
"Perfection…" she squeezed his shoulders.
He looked into her eyes and smiled, "I've run out of "p" words," he laughed softly.
"Then please don't pause," she took his face in her hands and kissed his lips. He stumbled back against the door and they fell to the floor.
"Hey! Who's in here?" Adam yelled from the hall.
Elizabeth sat up, "Oh my goodness!"
Jack took her hands and they stood as Adam came into the doorway of the bedroom.
"Oh, hi folks," Adam felt embarrassed, "everything okay?"
"Perfect," Jack said.
Elizabeth snorted a laugh and Jack and Adam looked at her.
Later that evening, Elizabeth was studying her cookbook when Jack came into the café. He approached her and cleared his throat to get her attention, "Good evening Elizabeth."
She glanced up, "Jack…hello," her eyes returned to the book.
Jack saw Abigail in the kitchen and went to see her. "Jack, she won't put that book down."
Jack nodded, "I see…hmm, I'll take care of it." He walked back to Elizabeth and pulled the book from her hand, "Always a book in your hand…"
She grinned, "It's the next best reading material."
"Next best?"
"Second only to Marco and his adventures," she stuck the tip of her tongue out.
Jack felt himself blush, "Oh…Marco in the kitchen. There's a vision."
Elizabeth giggled, stood and kissed Jack's cheek. Jack went back to the kitchen, needing a glass of water, with Elizabeth following.
"So, what'd you learn," Jack asked as he sipped water from a glass.
"How to baste your meat," she said confidently.
Jack dropped the glass, "What?"
Abigail put her hands to her mouth.
"Isn't that right?" Elizabeth looked between Abigail and Jack, "if you don't baste everything can get very dry from the high oven temperature!"
Abigail and Jack cleaned up the broken glass, "Yes, that's true," Abigail said.
Jack rubbed his chin.
Elizabeth put her fisted hands at her side and went out the kitchen door.
"Jack, go after her. Her innocence is so …special." Abigail began sweeping the floor.
Jack nodded, still not knowing what to say.
Elizabeth sat on the porch bench, arms folded. Jack sat next to her, "Can we not talk about cooking?"
"Fine with me," she said, she turned to him, "What did I say? Was it wrong?"
Jack grinned, "No, it was just…kind of funny," he put his arm around her, "kiss me…"
She frowned and then gave him a quick kiss.
"That's it? That's all I get, a quick little peck?" He imitated her frown.
"What, do you want me to baste your…"
Jack crushed his lips against hers before she could finish her sentence, swallowing a laugh as he did so.
"Jack, people could see us," Elizabeth pushed gently on his chest.
"Good, so then they would know how much I love you," Jack brushed his hand down her cheek.
"Julie could be here tomorrow, are you ready for that?" Her eyes widened.
Jack sighed, "I suppose so. I hope we can still get some quiet time together once everyone gets here," he rubbed her hand with his thumb.
"We'll make the time. We have our secret places where we can go to be alone," she whispered.
Jack's eyebrows shot up, "I like the sound of that…and I will remind of you that."
She leaned toward him, "I'm sure you will," and kissed his cheek.
Early the next morning, Jack arrived at the café for breakfast. Abigail greeted him, "You better sit down."
Concern washed over his face, "Why? What's happened?"
"Oh …Elizabeth is cooking breakfast," she smiled and clasped her hands in front of her, "I'll get you some coffee."
He walked to the kitchen, but Elizabeth stopped him, "Have a seat, your breakfast will be right out!" She smiled and waved the spoon in her hand.
After two cups of coffee, Jack called Abigail over, "Is something wrong? Should I go in there?"
"Let me check for you," Abigail winked. As she entered the kitchen, Elizabeth was coming into the dining room carrying two plates.
"Here it is!" She put the plates on the table in front of Jack.
Jack's eyes widened, "Oh…well…who is all this for?"
Elizabeth looked down at him, "It's for you."
"That's a lot of food," he looked at the pile of bacon and plate loaded with what looked like a dozen scrambled eggs and several pieces of mostly burnt toast.
She sat down across from him, "Well, I wasn't sure I had enough."
Her sad eyes melted his heart, and he reached for her hand, "It's great, it looks so good and I'm hungry!" He didn't comment on the sticky hand he was holding.
She jumped up, "Can I get you anything else?"
Jack thought of the time, it took her almost an hour to make this, "Ahh, no, what could I possibly want?"
She sat down again and picked up a fork, "It tastes okay. The eggs are cold. I can put them back on the stove for you."
"No, it's fine, please just sit and eat with me," Jack tried to eat as much as he could. "Hope the stage is on time."
"Me too, I'm so excited, she's bringing a lot of things for the wedding!" Elizabeth grinned.
"Some beautiful dresses for my bride," Jack winked.
Elizabeth blushed, "Oh Jack really…but yes, I'm sure she is!"
"And other things?"
Elizabeth stared at him and shook her head.
Later that morning, Elizabeth paced at the saloon waiting for the stagecoach. Jack sat on the bench, "Stop pacing, you're making me nervous."
"It's late! Why is it late?" Elizabeth put her hands on her hips, "I hate waiting."
"Come sit next to me, I can keep you busy," Jack said.
She gave him a look but turned around at the sound of the approaching stagecoach. "Oh my goodness, look at all the trunks!"
"Oh boy," Jack mumbled.
Julie was already squealing in excitement before the stage stopped. "Elizabeth! Jack! It's so good to see you!"
After the sisters jumped up and down while hugging, Jack spoke with the drivers about the delivery of the trunks and they all headed to the café.
"I have so much to show you, I've been buying you all kinds of treats!" Julie could barely contain her excitement as she linked arms with Elizabeth and entered the café.
The sister's joined Abigail and sat at a table. Julie talked about the long ride to Coal Valley and then began telling the ladies of the items she brought. She reached into a bag as Jack came to join them. "I have lovely bridal things like this," she pulled out a pink silk item that appeared to be a woman's undergarment. Jack spun on his heel seeing the garment, "Okay, I'll see you ladies later."
Elizabeth jumped up, "Julie, put that away!" and raced after Jack. "Jack wait," she touched his back.
He turned around. "I have to be going…"
"I think you're as red as your jacket," she touched his arm, "will I see you for supper and then a nice romantic walk?"
He smiled and couldn't resist, "Absolutely," he kissed her cheek, "have fun with your sister and all those nice things she brought you. You can tell me all about them later," he whispered in her ear, "I look forward to hearing all about them, hmm." He gave her ear a quick kiss.
"Oh Jack really!" She shook her head as he headed out of the café and looked over his shoulder and gave her a wink.
"Elizabeth! Come sit down," Julie called out.
Elizabeth sighed, watching Jack leave and went back to the table. "Julie, you did that on purpose! Don't show those things here in public, especially when Jack is around!"
"Don't be silly, he's going to see it anyway," Julie sipped her tea.
"Don't be coy with me Julie," Elizabeth frowned.
"Coy? Me? Don't be such a prude, it's not like Jack even saw it," she leaned forward to Abigail, "but I'm sure he may have liked to."
"Julie, you better calm down and remember you're in Coal Valley now, not at home," Elizabeth said.
"Well, let me tell you, you better hope mother and father are not at home and are at your wedding!" Julie stated.