Chapter 201 – Grasping Reality (short)
Jack was still confused and his head was spinning, but he knew that he needed to ask questions. Abigail's words came coming back to him to ask questions until things were clear. Granted she was talking about conversations between him and Elizabeth, but Jack felt that it applied here as well.
"So who could exercise a right to the company?" Jack asked.
"Elizabeth, Viola or Julie." Aunt Elizabeth said. "My brother, George, has no kids that I know of. Dee and Sophie are entitled to a share of the profits, but they can't exercise a right to the company."
"No one would have thought that William would only have girls." Wynn said. "And George not have any kids. If they would have had boys, then anyone of their children as they would have been born a Thatcher. As it stands according the what is written, only William's girls have a right to the company right now."
"So what happens if no one exercises the right to the company?" Jack asked.
Dee looked through the papers in front of him
"There are other provisions or William could name someone, maybe." Wynn said. "But from my understanding, even then one of the girls could exercise their right to the company and that would supersede William's desire. It all depends on what William's will says. When it comes to Thatcher Industries and the companies that fall under that, Conrad's will supersedes everything else including William's desire and will. I think that there are several provisions laid out, I just don't remember what they are."
"Dad is right." Dee said. "I don't have those provisions, but I can find out."
"Then as long as Elizabeth is okay with it." Jack said. "I say we do nothing about the company at this point. We maintain status quo and if or when that changes, we re-evaluate."
"That actually sounds good to me." Elizabeth said.
"Do you mind if we take these documents with us?" Aunt Elizabeth asked. "I want my lawyer to look them over to make sure we haven't missed anything. We can send you copies to keep for your records, but I think these need to be in the safety deposit box for safe keeping. I will also have the lawyer pull my father's will and we will look at what it says. I am sure that we can figure something out."
"I agree." Wynn said. "As long as you are both okay with it. We will see what we can learn when we get back to Hamilton. We will let you know as soon as we know something. If you need money before that, don't hesitate to ask."
"Please." Aunt Elizabeth said. "Like Wynn said, we can take it from Dee's trust or even mine. We will just keep track."
Jack and Elizabeth both nodded.
"Aunt Elizabeth." Elizabeth said. "You can take the money for the armchairs from that. I will pay you back."
"What armchairs?" Jack asked.
"I asked Aunt Elizabeth." Elizabeth said. "I want her to go to the company that Aunt Agatha got the settee and see if she can find some armchairs. I know that you want to work with Adam to make things, but there will be plenty that needs to get made for the new house. We need the armchairs."
"Okay." Jack said.
"I will look and let you know." Aunt Elizabeth said.
"I will get those other papers drawn up." Wynn said. "But we will check with the lawyer before we do anything. It will take a bit of time to get your marriage certificate as well."
"I already sent off the paperwork to Buxton." Jack said. "They said it would take about a couple of weeks to get the certificate sent to us."
"Good." Wynn said. "I will also update your file when we get back. Your okay with me naming Elizabeth as your beneficiary?"
"Yes, of course." Jack said. "Currently it is my mother."
"Then if Beth is feeling better." Aunt Elizabeth said. "We will leave you to your supper. We will talk tomorrow."
"I am good." Elizabeth said. "Sorry to bring you all over here."
"No problem." Wynn said. "Glad we were here for you. You gave your new husband a scare, Beth. Please continue to talk together. I also think you need to teach him some Irish and Norwegian."
"Of course." Elizabeth said blushing.
Wynn stood and kissed Elizabeth's head and patted Jack on the back. Elizabeth blushed even a deeper shade of red.
"Thank you for coming over." Jack said. "We will talk more tomorrow."
"I have rounds in the morning." Dee said. "Relax."
"Thank you." Jack said.
With that, the Delaney's all got bundled back up and headed back to town. They had been glad that they were there for Elizabeth and Jack, but were worried that it was not the end of things. Wynn was determined to go over the documents with a fine tooth comb. The last thing that Wynn wanted was to deal with his brother-in-law, but he also knew that he needed to do everything that he could to protect Jack and Elizabeth. He knew that his brother-in-law wasn't going to be happy when he learned that she had gotten married. Both Wynn and Elizabeth Rose were praying that Jack and Elizabeth were strong enough to stand together and weather whatever William threw at them. Elizabeth Rose knew that she was going to have to have a hard conversation with her brother at some point, but she knew that she was going to allow her niece as much time as she wanted before that happened.
After the Delaney's left, Jack and Elizabeth finished getting their supper ready. Not much was said as they got things ready. Both were thinking and in their own heads. Both knew that they needed to talk, but neither wanted to start the conversation at that moment. They sat down and Jack took Elizabeth's hand.
"Heavenly Father." Jack said. "We pray tonight for wisdom and understanding for the decisions that we need to make. We pray that you guide us and show us what you want of us. Please give us peace until that decision can be made. Please be with my dear Bella, help to calm her and let her know that you know best. Help me to be there for her and give me peace that no matter what you know what is needed. Bless this food to our bodies and bless our time together. Amen."
"Amen." Elizabeth said.
Jack squeezed Elizabeth's hand before taking a bite of the food they had made.
"Sorry I scared you." Elizabeth said. "I was just shocked. I never figured that was what was in those documents. What was it you didn't want to talk about at the café this afternoon?"
"No worries." Jack said. "Wynn and Dee had talked to me this morning about money and wanted me to sit down and have a conversation with you about it, maybe get into some numbers. But I am okay with things, I think. I have seen a few numbers on those papers. I can't really wrap my head around them, but it is what it is. We will deal with it. I will deal with it. I have to remember that money in of itself is not bad. You have proven that you don't care about it, but still it is hard. I want to be able to provide for you, but …."
"Jack." Elizabeth said. "Just because there is money there from my family, doesn't mean you don't provide for me. There are other ways to provide for someone. You provide me with a sense of safety I have never felt. You make me beautiful things. You give me things that no one else can give me. Don't forget that."
"Okay." Jack said.
They finished eating, cleaned up and got ready for bed since they were both exhausted.
Jack thought Elizabeth was asleep, so he slipped from the bed to retrieve his sketchbook. Before crawling back in bed, he slipped his Henley shirt back on and propped himself up on some pillows so he could draw. It didn't take long and Elizabeth had curled back into his side. What Jack didn't realize that Elizabeth was awake and watching Jack sketch by the light of lantern. She loved how he pursed his lips when he was working on a sketch. She watched him switch hands so he could move a piece of his hair that fell forward. After a bit, Elizabeth moved her hand to the edge of his Henley. She closed her eyes and slowly started dancing her finger across Jack's lower abdomen. She felt Jack's muscle react and she knew that she was driving him wild. Jack was surprised at the movement of Elizabeth's hand on his abdomen. He thought she was asleep. He looked down and her eyes were closed so he wonder if she was aware of what she was doing. Jack went back to his sketch, but he couldn't focus because of what Elizabeth was doing to him. Jack closed his sketchbook and set it aside. He leaned back on the pillows and was enjoying the sensations that Elizabeth was causing in his body.
Finally unable to take it anymore, Jack reached down and stilled Elizabeth's hand. He thought she was sleeping and didn't know what she was doing, so he wasn't going to take advantage of the situation. The moment that Jack stopped her hand, Elizabeth opened her eyes and looked up at Jack. She didn't realize how far she had pushed Jack because when she looked at him, he had his head leaned back, eyes closed and was taking quick breaths to try and calm his body.
"Love me." Elizabeth said in a low husky voice.
Jack looked at her and she could see the desire in his eyes.
"Love me." Elizabeth said barely above a whisper.
"Are you sure?" Jack asked.
"Please." Elizabeth whispered.
Jack leaned down and kissed Elizabeth, hard. He only broke the contact long enough to remove her nightgown. Because of Elizabeth's earlier actions, it didn't take long for them to come together. Afterwards, Jack pulled her close and Elizabeth fell back asleep. Jack wrapped his arm around her and laid his hand across her stomach before falling asleep himself.