Chapter 11 - There were chills up my spine

Jessica woke the next morning, still more or less in Seth's arms. For a brief moment, she forgot why she was where she was. But soon enough her head cleared and she snuggled back down into Seth's warm embrace.

"How are you feeling this morning, Jess?"

She could hear the note of fear in his voice, could feel it when he tightened his arms around her. How well she knew him! She lifted her head to smile up at him. "I feel wonderful, Dr. No Hazlitt." She beamed at him. "Simply wonderful."

He exhaled deeply and reached for her left hand. Rubbing the makeshift ring, he told her, "If you've no objection, Mrs. Hazlitt, I'd like to take my bride to the jeweler's today and buy a matching pair of wedding bands. An engagement ring, too, if the lady so desires."

Jessica grinned. "Just matching wedding bands, husband."

Seth's heart clenched in his chest. "A-yuh. I like the sound of that," he said gruffly.

"I thought you might," returned Jessica pertly as she leaned up to kiss him good morning.

Things were just getting interesting when a sudden knocking at the front door startled them both. Jessica jerked out of his arms, nearly falling out of bed, and he was reminded that they weren't wearing a stitch of clothing between them.

"Who could that be?" she hissed. "Oh Seth!" She sat up quickly, wrapping the sheet around her. "Seth, she whispered frantically, "we left your car parked right out front last night."

He let out a hearty chuckle at the stricken look on Jessica's face.

"Oh now Seth, really."

"I'm sorry, woman, but would you do me the favor of looking at the ring finger of your left hand and reporting what you see?"

"Yoo hoo, Jessica!"

"That sounds like Eve!" Jessica hissed.

"Jessica, is Doc there?"

Jessica looked at Seth. He kissed her bare shoulder, then her lips, then waggled his eyebrows wickedly. She began to giggle in spite of herself.

"That's my girl," he said. He moved to leave the bed. "Let me handle Miz Simpson."

"Now, Seth-"

"Now, Jess." He grinned at her. "Coming, Eve," he bellowed as he leaned down to find his pants. Jess hid her eyes behind the sheet. He turned toward her as he zipped his fly, then chucked under what he thought was her chin. "Don't you fret, woman. I've been looking forward to doing this for years!." He toed on his shoes while grabbing his shirt from the corner of the bed and slinging his arms through it. "I'll be back," he said brightly.

He buttoned his shirt haphazardly as he made his way down the stairs. The persistent knocking was becoming obnoxious.

"Hold your horses," he shouted.

"Doc?" said Eve.

He opened the door to reveal Eve and Phyllis on the doorstep.

Eve folded her arms across her chest. "What are you doing here?"

Seth leaned back and grinned. "I might ask the same of you!"

"Is Jessica alright?"

"Of course!"

Eve looked sly. "Then what are you doing here, Doc? Doesn't sound like Jessica needed a house call."

"A-yuh. She doesn't."

"Early for you to be here, Doc," added Phyllis, "and in such a state."

"State of what?" Seth challenged.

"I'm sure I don't know," said Eve coyly. "Look, can we come in? We'd like to see Jessica." Eve made to step inside, but Seth moved to block her.

"No. No, dear ladies, you may not come in this morning."

"Seth,"Phyllis drawled, "what in the world is on your finger? It doesn't look like your wedding band."

"This?" Seth wiggled his fingers casually. "You're absolutely correct, Phyllis. This is a different wedding band."

Eve and Phyllis looked at Seth's ring, then at each other. When they looked at Seth, he nodded.

Both women squealed.

"That's quite enough of that!" Seth barked.

"Jessica! Jessica!"

Eve took a closer look at Seth's ring and wrinkled her nose. "What kind of a ring is that?"

"Ladies, ladies! All will be revealed, but not right this moment. You'll simply have to be patient."

Seth stepped nimbly through the door and hooked both women by the elbows. He steered them down the walkway to their cars. "We'll tell you everything, later."

"When?" Eve demanded.

"Later," Seth said with a finality that would not be brooked. He handed each of them into Eve's car and waved as Eve reluctantly pulled away. As soon as he was saw that Eve had driven back towards town, he scarpered back into the house.

"Jessica?" He took the stairs as quickly and safely as he could. "Jessica?"

"Are they gone?"

He stared at her with a wolfish grin. "A-yuh."

She grinned back, albeit suspiciously. "What?"

"What what? Can't a husband enjoy the sight of his wife awaiting him in bed?" If possible, his grin grew wider. "You were waiting for me, weren't you?"

She drew herself up a little primly. "Well, I wasn't sure what you wanted, so I just thought..." She trailed off, a little embarrassed.

He made his way over to the bed and leaned in for a gentle kiss.

"It pleases me to think that you want me as much as I want you," he murmured in her ear. Seth could feel Jessica's face split into a smile as she turned into his neck. "And make no mistake," he breathed, "I'd like nothing more than to rejoin you in bed, but, my dear," he dropped a kiss to the top of her head, "we barely won the first skirmish. We need to make tracks if we're to get anything important accomplished today." He looked down at her as he reached for her hand. "But I'll take a rain check, if you're so inclined?"

She tilted her head. "As it happens, your wife is so inclined."

"Good." He kissed her hand. "I'll go make a pot of coffee while you get ready."

He turned to walk out the door.

"Seth?"

"Yes?"

"I love you."

He crossed the room in two quick strides even as his heart clenched. He grabbed her by the shoulders and kissed her, hard. "By god, I love you, woman."

She smiled up at him. "Do we really need that coffee, Seth?"

"If I didn't know any better, woman, I'd say you were flirting with me."

She winked at him. "A-yuh," and laughed delightedly as Seth fell upon her, peppering her face and neck with kisses.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

It was almost lunchtime as the old doc and his new wife strolled along Main Street, talking, laughing, and swinging their joined hands as they made their way over to Zimmerman's.

A/N: The End! Thanks for all the kind words and encouragement along the way. It's a safe bet to assume that we've all been through some difficult times these past few years. Losing myself in a fictional world where I can control the outcomes has been surprisingly therapeutic, and I appreciate your going on this escapade with me. I do have another multi-chapter fic waiting in the wings…this one from Jess' perspective and a tad more angsty, but…I think you all know my desperate need for happy endings, so fear not!