I know I said in the last chapter that this would be the final chapter, until I return from my mini vacation, but I figure I will have time for one more chapter, whether tonight or tomorrow. Hope you enjoy this chapter, the quote's, saying's, poems, are by (In order) Percy Bysshe Shelly, William Shakespeare, Anonymous, Josiah G. Holland, Anonymous, Anonymous, William Shakespeare, Herman Hesse, Anonymous, Dick Sutphen, Unknown Author, Lao Tzu, Ella Wheele Wilcox and Germaine De Stael. (I don't own these, I am merely borrowing for use in this story, as I feel they pertain and work with what I was trying to accomplish.) As always, I am grateful for all your kind words and hope that you continue to enjoy this tale of mine.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Jason had no idea that Elizabeth had had such a stressing day, but his plans turned out to be even more endearing when he heard of the argument that she had had with her grandmother.

He had told a small white lie to Elizabeth, claiming he had to work, but the lie was to benefit her.

He spent the morning shopping as well, except his purchases were designed for her and her alone, well, perhaps for him a little too.

The staircase leading up to their room was scattered with white rose petals, the fragrance permeating the air. A single fold piece of rose colored paper lay upon each step, inside a saying, quote or poem.

The bedroom door was closed for he didn't want the ambience of the room disclosed until she opened it. The floor and bed were also scattered with rose petals, but the scent that was most noticeable was vanilla and jasmine, thanks to carefully placed incense. The fireplace was burning brightly adding a touch of romance, but candles were positioned throughout the room, banishing some shadows, but leaving some inviting darkness. Beside the bed stood a beautifully decorated buck filled with ice and inside lay a sparkling bottle of grape juice.

A note lay on the floor, just inside the door, another message waiting to be seen, yet another note lay upon the bed, it's hidden message also waiting to dictate what lay ahead.

The bathroom door was closed and only a defused light shone from beneath the door. Obviously candles were the lighting of choice. Inside a hot bath bubbling over with bubbles. The air was redolent of vanilla and jasmine, but the water was purely scented with vanilla.

A platter of fruit lay next to the old claw-footed tub on a chair that held precedence over the room. A basket filled with delectable chocolates sat upon the metal table that fitted over the tub. Lilies were ensconced in numerous vases throughout the room and a brand new robe of sapphire blue, with matching bath sheet, lay waiting to be used.

Jason knew that Elizabeth needed a night of down time, a night dedicated to her and making her feel good.

Not one to be accustomed to nervousness, he was suddenly overcome with the feeling. Wondering if he had forgotten anything, should he have purchased more lilies, more rose petals? It was those thoughts that plagued him, right up until the time his phone rang. Marco was on door duty that night and was informed to alert Jason when Elizabeth arrived. Francis was down in the garage, he was the one who alerted Marco, a quick push of speed dial one and his phone rang Marco's and then Marco phoned Jason. Nothing was said, nothing needed to be said, the bodyguards numbers were visible so Jason knew who the call was from without ever answering it.

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Elizabeth stepped out of the vehicle and went around to the back, grabbing bag after bag of purchases. She was starting to think that she would have to make more than one trip when Francis materialized beside, almost as if she had conjured him from mere thought. Because at that precise moment, she had been wishing one of the guards was there to help here, and poof, there he was.

"Thanks Francis, you are a life saver!" Elizabeth exclaimed, placing a sisterly like kiss upon his stubble covered cheek.

"Not a problem, I live to serve." Francis said with a smile. He knew Jason was planning something special, but he really didn't know all the details, but those he did know, were making it very hard for him to hide his growing smile. If he wasn't careful, he could blow the whole thing, and then Jason would either fire him or kill him. Gulping down a deep breath of air, Francis wiped his face clean of all expression, staring straight ahead.

Marco took the packages from her, freeing her hands so she could dig for her key. She spent a few moments digging through the clutter that was her purse, then with a triumphant squeal she stuck the key in the lock and entered the penthouse.

The penthouse was dark everywhere, except the staircase, the lights leading up the stairs were on. Instantly Elizabeth saw the rose petals and the rose colored paper placed upon each riser.

"Elizabeth, where would you like us to put these?" Marco asked.

"Elizabeth…" Francis said, waving his hand in front of her face, trying to catch her attention.

"Just, wherever!" Elizabeth replied, waving her hand in the general vicinity of anywhere.

Marco and Francis laid the bags beside the oaken desk and quickly fled. Neither wanted to be present for what was obviously going to happen, but that didn't stop either one from being overly curious. Perhaps if they picked up a few moves from Jason their love life's wouldn't be so… Pathetic…

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Elizabeth reached the first stair, her breath caught in her throat and tears threatened to spill from her eyes. With gentle fingers, Elizabeth picked up the first note.

"Soul meets soul on lover's lips."

Elizabeth tucked the note into her back pocket and continued up to the next step, once again reaching for the piece of paper that sat their.

"I love thee, I love but thee
With a love that shall not die
Till the sun grows cold
And the stars grow old."

A single tear slipped from her eye after reading the small quote. She wasn't sure where Jason had found these quote's or sayings, but the fact that he had obviously worked so hard to find the right ones, meant more to her than she could possibly say. This note, like the previous was secured in her pocket.

"Seduce my mind and you can have my body,
Find my soul and I'm yours forever."

Unsure what the occasion was, but delighting in Jason's new found romantic side, Elizabeth took a moment to process each note, but was anxious to reach the next and see what lie there.

The fourth, fifth and sixth notes were as touching as the first three.

"The most precious possession that ever comes
To a man in this world
Is a woman's heart."

"My love for you is a journey;
Starting at forever,
And ending at never."

"You don't love a woman because she's beautiful,
She is beautiful because you love her."

The seventh note was touching and beautiful and spoke volumes, and left her breathless, as well as astounded, for never had she thought that Jason would express himself or his feelings in such a manner.

"My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep;
The more I give to thee
The more I have,
For both are infinite."

As she turned the corner from the platform, she noticed seven more notes. Her heart fluttered once again. Briefly she wondered how long he had been planning this, because, if he was capable of setting this all up in one day, a day, supposedly in which he had been working, then he must be Godlike, even more so than she thought.

She grabbed each note from the remaining seven stairs and once at the top, stopped to read them. A growing desire was being lit from within and she had an overwhelming need to be in Jason's arms, it was something about the entire evening. The thought that was put forth into it, and the imagination and the amazing notes, that not only filled her with warmth and promises of a bright future, but a love that could not be described by mere words, the very depth of her feelings towards Jason were more complex and more expressive than mere love, it was an embodiment of life, love, happiness and a million other emotions. Perhaps it was time for a new word to be added to the English language, because Love, didn't explain nearly enough.

Slowly she began to read each note.

"If I know what love is,
It is because of you."

"A part of you has grown in me.
And so you see, it's you and me
Together forever and never apart,
Maybe in distance, but never in heart."

"Love me without fear
Trust me without questioning
Need me without demanding
Want me without restrictions
Accept me without change
Desire me without inhibitions
For a love so free...
Will never fly away."

"I sought for Love
But Love ran away from me.
I sought my Soul
But my Soul I couldn't see.
Then I sought You,
And I found all three."

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage."

"All love that has not friendship for its base,
is like a mansion built upon the sand."

"Love is the emblem of eternity: it confounds all notion of time: effaces all memory of a beginning, all fear of an end."

Tears were now spilling freely from her sapphire eyes, but they were tears of love and happiness, and the unimaginable amazement, that she had found the one man that had been placed upon this world, made solely and specifically for her. There was not a doubt, only a lingering sadness, that it had taken her so long to realize it. Those seven notes all took residence in her back pocket, forever to be kept as a memory of this night and the emotions that he had wrought from her.

As she reached their bedroom door, Elizabeth momentarily held her breath. Fear didn't pause her hand, but a sudden overwhelming sense of completeness, filled her with such a longing, that it threw her for a moment. Because never before had she been so ready to commit herself; mind, body, heart and soul. Breaking the spell, she gently turned the doorknob and entered the room, their room.

As she opened the door, another note lay waiting for her. She picked this one up as well, curious as to what the content of it might be. Before she opened it though, she took a moment to look around the room, and once again her breath was stolen, because Jason had thought of everything, not a single thing had been forgotten. Her eyes fell upon the bed and noticed another rose colored sheet, laying atop rose petals.

"I love you!"

That was all it said, but it was enough. It touched her soul, maybe more than the other notes, because it was direct and to the point, while the others spoke of love and the magic of it all, those three simple words, spoke not only to her heart, but to her soul as well.

Elizabeth picked up, what looked to be the last note and began to read.

"My dearest Elizabeth, I may not be able to express what you mean to me, but I know that with you in my life, I am a better man and you show me, what joy family can be. Follow your heart to me, now's the time for you to see, I'll show you my love, I guarantee!"

Elizabeth couldn't help but smile. It was possible that Jason had found that little poem or whatever it was, or perhaps, he had a hidden poet's heart, whatever the answer, it really didn't matter. She knew where to go and hastened her steps, and followed her heart.

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