A/N – Thanks for the reviews! This one will start wrapping up as well. All good things must come to an end.

Chapter 30 - Anticipation

The next morning, John met Jeffrey in the study.

"So, what can I help you with?" Jeff asked him.

"I want to court Georgie."

Jeffrey was taken aback. "My Georgie?" It was hard acknowledging that Georgie and Elizabeth were getting older and that courting is a natural step.

John smiled. "Yes. I've gotten to know her over the last few days, and I wish to call upon her."

Jeffrey doesn't know much about John, but he is aware that he had rescued Elizabeth. "Georgie is like a daughter to me, and I would do anything for her. I don't know much about you or your family."

"Well, I believe you know that my father passed away. That leaves me and my sister Claudia. We have a farm and own a bar in town."

"I see. So, if this courting ends in marriage, then you will be able to provide for her?"

"Yes, sir."

"And is that where your intentions lie; to marry her?"

John smiled. "If she'll have me in the end, then yes."

Jeffrey thought for a moment. He wants the best for Georgie. She is very special. "I will agree to supervised visits. She's young, so I expect that you will treat her with the utmost respect."

"Of course…"

Jeffrey held out his hand. "Okay."

"Thank you, sir," John said grinning. He shook Jeffrey's hand and then ran off to find Georgie and give her the good news.

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Johnny said goodbye to Claudia. "I spoke to Prince Jason. He agreed to let me come visit you in a week."

Claudia grinned. "I will look forward to it."

He kissed her soundly. "As will I."

He tracked her as she headed into the castle and then smiled. He had finally met his match.

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John and Georgie bid a fond farewell and then joined everyone near the carriage. Elizabeth said goodbye to John and Claudia and then they went back inside.

The next day they will be heading back to Rothsbury, so Elizabeth is a bit melancholy. She spent most of the day planning with Courtney and Monica who assured her that they will handle everything. They will return the week before the wedding for final preparations and fittings. It was all so overwhelming, but in the end, all that matters is that Jason will be her husband.

Nicholas will accompany them home so that he can retrieve his things and move back home. He wants to be closer to Emily.

Jason managed to meet up with Elizabeth before dinner.

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"I still can't believe that you're going to be my wife soon."

Liz grinned. "I just wish we didn't have to separate. It will seem like an eternity until I see you again."

Jason nodded. "I know.

He held her closely before kissing her softly. "I love you, Elizabeth."

"I love you, Jason."

His head dipped so he could claim her lips again. This time he kissed her passionately so that she would never forget the touch of his lips.

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The next day, Elizabeth, Georgie, Nikolas, and her father traveled home. Elizabeth cried for hours after leaving Jason. It took a few days back at home before she got back into the swing of things. John managed to visit Georgie the next week and Johnny visited Claudia as well.

The weeks went by quickly until it was finally time for Elizabeth to go back to the castle. Georgie and Nikolas will accompany her and then her father will ride with Leslie and Ruby a few days before the wedding.

"Goodbye, father," Elizabeth said hugging him tightly.

"I love you. Be careful and I will see you in a few days." His gaze never left her as she headed towards the carriage.

Nikolas helped Elizabeth and Georgie inside, and then they were on their way.

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Jason was already pacing outside when the carriage arrived. He grinned as Elizabeth ran towards him and he caught her and spun her around.

"I've missed you," Jason said smiling."

They kissed and then went inside as Emily ran past them and headed for Nikolas.

Monica greeted her. "Welcome back, Lady Elizabeth. It's so good to see you."

Elizabeth hugged her warmly. "It's good to see you too."

As soon as his mother focused on Georgie, Jason pulled Elizabeth back outside into the gardens.

"I must have a proper kiss," he said before devouring her lips.

They came up for air and he held her close for a long time. "I wish that I never had to let you go."

They were interrupted by Monica calling for them. Elizabeth had a lot of things to accomplish, and Monica is going to make sure that she keeps to a schedule.

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The day before the wedding came fast. John and Claudia had arrived along with Jeffrey. The castle was abuzz with excitement and everyone scurried to make last-minute adjustments.

Elizabeth sat on her bed with Emily, Georgie, and Courtney.

"Are you scared?" Georgie asked.

"Not really," Elizabeth said before bursting into a smile. "Honestly, I can't wait."

Emily grinned. "I feel the same way."

Courtney smiled. She is starting to show more. "I just hope I still fit in my dress by tomorrow. I feel like every day my belly pops out a little more."

"I can't wait until the baby comes. It will be such a joyous occasion," Liz said.

A tear fell down Courtney's cheek.

"What's wrong?" Emily asked.

"They are happy tears. AJ told me that he loved me last night."

Elizabeth and Emily squealed. "I'm so happy for you," Elizabeth said before hugging her.

"I have both of you to thank. I will be forever in your debt."

"Nonsense," Emily said, "that is what family is for."

Courtney smiled. "You guys are the best."

Liz glanced at Georgie. "So, how are you and John doing?"

Georgie blushed.

"That good?" Courtney said.

"His kisses make me delirious," Georgie said grinning.

"Isn't it great that we've all found love?" Elizabeth said.

They agreed and then chatted for a while longer before heading down for dinner.

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Jason took a long time to eat because after dinner, Elizabeth will be whisked away and he won't see her until the wedding.

Monica laughed. Alan had done the same thing on the eve of their wedding.

Courtney had let him know that Georgie would be sleeping in Elizabeth's room, so he better not try to sneak in. They are all very superstitious, so Jason is willing to comply.

Shortly thereafter, Johnny snuck Claudia to his quarters. They made passionate love before Claudia snuck back into the castle. They are falling in love and had started to plan their future.

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Elizabeth laid in bed unable to stop her brain from churning. "I can't sleep."

"Do you want me to get you some tea?" Georgie said.

Elizabeth shook her head. "No. I just keep willing it to be morning, but the moon will not slumber."

Georgie chuckled. "You'll just have to be patient."

Someone pushed Elizabeth's door open.

They are happy to see Courtney. "I figured this is the last time I could make a nightly visit. I don't think Jason will appreciate me interrupting after the vows are spoken," she said grinning wickedly.

Liz blushed and moved over as Courtney crawled in next to her.

They giggled and chatted for quite a while longer. Suddenly, her door pushed open again and AJ walked inside.

The girls laughed.

"May I have my wife back?" he said as he approached.

Courtney laughed. "How long did it take before you noticed that I was missing?"

"Not too long, but I knew that you probably wanted some time alone, so I waited as long as I could."

"Aww," Elizabeth said. "Thank you for letting me borrow her."

AJ scooped Courtney up.

"Bye girls," she said as he carried her into the hallway.

"You do need to try and sleep," Georgie said softly.

"I know," Liz said closing her eyes. She smiled as she visualized herself walking down the aisle and before she knew it, she was fast asleep.