Stay

A/n: Hi everyone. I've read all your reviews and it touches me that you guys still support and read my story even though I've been inactive for so long. I've had small breakdowns lately and they make me lose energy to do anything, writing included. So thank you all for the support via reviews and faves and follows. I'm sorry if I disappointed any one of you by not updating.

Anyways, on a brighter note, tell me if you guys want some smut in here because I'm thinking about writing that:] maybe in the next two chapters or so.

Love y'all.

Hey guys, even though I haven't updated in almost 6 months, I'm really surprised that some of you are still sticking around. I honestly thought that this story would be forgotten. I apologize for not updating because I have no time to continue the story now, but good news! My exams are ending by December and after that I PROMISE there will be an update. Sorry to let you guys down. Appreciate all your love, and see you soon!

11/04/2015

Chapter 23

'So he's really gonna do it, huh?' Jack's voice was void of emotion as it pierced the long silence between us. I didn't answer, only wrapped my arms tighter around him and pressed my face against his neck. The sun had just started to rise and was splashing its first golden rays proudly onto the ground, regardless of the numerous tree leaves blocking it. Jack and I had just eaten some breakfast when I broke down the Colin incident to him. Through it all he'd remained silent, turning a broken twig around and around his long fingers as he listened to me spill everything to him.

'Jack you have no idea how scared I am. What're we going to do? And what about your family? We never talked about what would happen to them!' My lips were parched and dry as I imagined the scenario we were both in. I didn't want to admit my fears to anyone, but hiding it wasn't going to help too. Jack looked at me, his face a sea of calm. 'I plan to take Pippa and mother with us to wherever we're going. It's okay, (f/n). He's not going to get you anytime soon, you know.' He shifted so he was facing me directly as I tried to pick out a meaning from his words. 'What do you mean? I thought you said Colin gets what he wants at once.' Cool winds blew through the trees, singing a mellow song of its own as it travelled through the branches, ruffling Jack's soft brown hair. In that moment I would have took his face in my arms and kissed him, willing him to realize how much I needed things to happen so our future was secured. But I wanted to hear him speak.

The farm boy cleared his throat and glanced at me. 'Pippa was with her friends when one of them rich ones started talking about how her eldest sister was set to go on a field trip with her class. Apparently Colin's supposed to be her partner for that but at the last minute he announced that he couldn't go.' Jack took my hand and started rubbing circles on it with his thumb. 'My cunning little sibling decided to ask more about it. So the little girl continued to babble about it to Pippa, and guess what she found out?' He grinned to himself. 'What?' I leaned closer to him.

'The field trip was set to be on next week after the holidays. Colin isn't able to be around because for the next 3 months or so, he's going to be in Washington.' My eyes widened. 'You can't be serious.' Jack lifted my hand and placed a kiss on it. 'Why would I lie to my princess, hmm?'

'But why would he be going there? And why didn't he tell my father?' I worried. Jack ran his fingers through his messy hair and grinned at me. 'Every two years, the mayor of each town leaves for Washington to attend a conference. For parliament stuff or something. And this year, my hunch is that Leggard wants to bring his son along so he can learn about this for his upcoming job as mayor of Burgess. He has no choice but to go, (f/n). Leggard's not gonna let anything ruin this trip because he wants to maintain a good impression with the president and his ministers.'

This was unbelievable. 'Also,' added Jack, 'I think he didn't tell your father because he wanted to reserve you as his before going away.' Jack rolled his eyes at the end of that and we both laughed. Moving closer, he put his arm on the small of my back and rested his forehead on mine. 'But we both know that's never happened and never will, right?' I bit my lip, ignoring the thumping of my heart. 'What, me being his?' I stared right back at him. Jack gave a slight growl before kissing my lips. Our noses bumped against each other and I giggled. Blushing a little, Jack held my waist and pressed his lips to mine again. I shivered just the slightest bit, my fingers travelling the expanse of his back and his broad shoulders. Every nerve in my body stood to attention, carefully remembering each and every small brush of his skin against mine. His thumb caressed my waist, moving over the thin fabric of my dress. When a ray of sunlight finally kissed the ground beside us, he stopped.

When I had sneaked myself back home and into my room, the sun had fully risen, its hot rays creeping into the window. The bed creaked as I sat down on it, thinking about how lucky I was to reach home without being seen by anyone. For the news of my being "engaged" to Colin must've been spreading around town like wildfire, and Daddy was sure to have me under strict supervision, constantly keeping tabs of where I went and who I spoke to. He liked Jack, but if we were ever seen together by anyone it would be the end of us. I'd be locked in the house all day.

I talked less to my father now, since the day he sat me down to tell me about Colin's visit. Disbelief and disappointment at the fact that he left me to this fate had clouded my eyes with many tears, but I had to be stronger now. During our rendezvous, Jack and I discussed our plans for running away together. He once overheard his father tell his mother about a small house he owned in the hills on the far side of Burgess, close to the state boundary. It was about three days' journey from here to there, with enough space for a garden and some animals. We could have our own farm there, and no one would know of the place except Jack's family.

Impatience gnawed at my whole being. Jack had talked with his mother about the situation, and she'd said we could have the place for our own. Before I left him to sneak home, I'd gone to see his mother in the house.

Pippa was nowhere to be seen when I sat down beside Mrs. Frost. She had sat up in bed, her hair combed and braided. She smiled. 'My dear, you must know I will do anything to help you both in the search for happiness. Jack has chosen well.' I blushed as she lifted a fragile hand to pat mine. 'You must watch over him, (f/n).'

Peggotty entered the room after a sharp knock on the door. 'Guess what, my love? The snake has gone on a hunt for favour from the big boys.' I let her tell me the story of how Colin would follow the mayor to Washington, which she had most probably got from the market maids. Smiling, I told her Jack had already made plans for our getaway. Together we rejoiced.

'Jack said he would need about a month or so to get everything ready. I wanted to help, but he wanted me to stay here so no one would suspect anything.' I bit into the cupcake Peggotty brought for me, savouring the strawberry jam I helped to make. 'You should, (f/n). The boy knows what he's doing.' Peggotty got up and brushed crumbs off her skirt. 'I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything.'

The sunny weeks faded, and the last days of summer brought about cool breezes, painting tree leaves bright hues of orange and red and yellow. I stood in the backyard garden with Mayweather, a snow white palomino my father gave me when we moved here. 'Isn't it wonderful, May? Autumn is here, and not long from now Jack will take away, where we will live happily ever after!' I sighed. Mayweather whinnied and nudged my shoulder with her gentle nose, her shaggy mane tickling my arm.

'Oh of course I'll bring you, girl. That's if you can not make a fuss when I bring you out. I still don't know when we're going to leave, probably next month. As soon as Jack gets everything nice and settled for us.' I chattered on to the patient animal. One month seemed like a very long time, but when I thought about what was at the end, all would be worth the wait.

The door to the garden creaked open. 'Miss, there's a lady waiting to see you.' It was Val the scullery maid. 'Thanks, Val.' I smiled went into the house, leaving her to tend to Mayweather.

Smoothing my skirt, I walked into the living room to see a girl with wild red hair fiddling with a decorative vase, murmuring to herself. As soon as she heard my footsteps, her grip on the vase loosened and she saved it just in time. Laughing, I hurried to hug her. 'Abigail! It's so good to see you again.' She grinned at me. 'Well look at the little lady all grown up now, huh. Summer holidays seem to be doing you really good.' Then gritting her teeth, 'We need to go someplace private. I got news for you.'

I led her up to my bedroom where she hastily closed the door behind us. 'There's no one else around here, is there?' I shook my head. Abigail gathered her curls in one hand and sat down on my bed. 'Jack's starting off to the house, and he wants me to tell you to wait for him, since he can't meet you again until he does.' 'Oh,' she added, pulling a leather thong out her pocket and wrestling it around her hair. 'He says he loves you.' She faked a grimace at the end of the sentence. I grinned, swatting at her playfully.

'Well, that's all I'm supposed to tell you.' Abigail stretched herself out on my bed and closed her eyes. Sitting at the desk, I smiled to myself and pictured Jack's face as he said those words. 'Do you know who he's going with, Abigail?' I muttered, twirling a lock of hair around my finger. 'He said something about a cousin. I don't know, he was walking away when I asked him.' My friend sat up and bounced lightly on the bed. 'I need to get myself one of these when I start working.'

She got up and stretched again. 'I'm off, honey pie. Momma needs extra hands for her mince meat pie for dinner.' I escorted her to the front door, and we hugged each other goodbye. Suddenly Peggotty came rushing out with a big basket in hand. 'You haven't left yet. Good. Take this home with you, dear.' She stuffed the covered basket into Abigail's hands and bid her goodbye. My friend trotted down the road, red hair seeming to blend in with the trees. 'Smoked peasant and bread,' Peggotty said before squeezing my hand and going back into the kitchen.

I passed the month learning household skills from Peggotty. I stitched pillow cases, made shirts, arranged flowers, mended more cushion cases, and cooked a few dishes under the old maid's watchful eyes. Daddy noticed and thought I was preparing for my marriage with Colin. It hurt my heart to see him beam at me in pride whenever I served him tea and sat in a corner passing a needle in and out of cloths.

September soon faded away, and I started to plan what I would bring with me since Jack would be coming any day now. Peggotty had handed me the biggest knapsack she could find down in the basement, and I dug it out from where I hid it underneath the cupboard. It was fairly sized, about the length of my back. There wasn't much to pack, just a few changes of clothes and some accessories. Mother's wedding dress was not to be missed, and my sewing kit was squeezed in. I took the dress out of its box, and carefully eased it into the bag. A little bit more and it would be at bursting point. I set the bag under my bed and took a book, trying to distract the nagging in my mind that Jack was taking just a bit too long.

Peggotty hid her emotions as the days moved into cold November. We both knew what the other was thinking: What was keeping Jack? Abigail was supposed to come inform me when Jack came back about what day we would meet up. So far, the redhead hadn't showed up since that time we met in September.

Snow started to fall as I gazed out the window, gathering on the window sill on the other side of the clear glass. The sheet of white had come early this year, making me even more worked out about how Jack would make his way back, if he wasn't already. It was unusual for me to brood for so long. I picked at a spot on the couch, stared at a spider scurrying up the wall and building a net on the corner. Time passed so slow it felt like a thick fluid flowing in my veins, weighing me down. I retired to watching the snow flakes fall from my bedroom window. Soon I dozed off to the soft crackling of logs in the fireplace.

Jack had told me once about the strange vision we both experienced when we kissed. 'I think it's a memory from some time ago, (f/n). I've never seen that box before in my whole life. Moving pictures? Sounds like something from the future.' I wasn't paying attention, watching his Adam's apple move when he talked. 'That would be cool,' I said, nuzzling into his shoulder. 'It would, wouldn't it? But if it were a memory, then it means we both had experienced the same thing before. Together.'

I propped myself up on my arm and pecked his cheek. 'I love your imagination, Jack.' He had grinned and shook his head at my disbelief.

I woke up to sounds of Peggotty cleaning my room. 'Rise and shine, honey pie. Its dinner time already.' I stretched myself out and sat up groggily as Peggotty busied around, dusting my table and tidying my cupboard. Suddenly emotional, I asked her, 'Why do you think he's taking so long, Peggotty? I'm worried.' Thoughts of him with another girl surfaced before me. It's not like I never thought about that before; there was always the possibility. But weeks of waiting and pacing around left room for much overthinking. Frustrated, I punched my pillow and glared at it. Peggotty bustled over and touched my cheek. 'I'm sure Jack's fine, (f/n). Maybe some complications kept him back for a while. The boy will return soon, I believe it.'

2 more emotionally draining weeks passed, and I started to become angry. The frustration and yearning for Jack cooped up inside me until I knew I needed a way to release it. One evening after I told Peggotty I wanted to hit the hay early, I bundled myself up warmly and set out of the house without telling her. My plan was to trek to Jack's house and ask where he had been. It just seemed like a good idea, and I was acting more on impulse than rational thinking. Halfway through the journey it started to get colder, so I pulled my scarf tighter around my face. No one would be about in this kind of weather, but I couldn't risk anyone recognizing me.

After November, Colin and his father would come back. Once he arrived, I would be his bride the very next day. That plus the fact I didn't know heck about where Jack was made my anxiety heighten. I turned the final corner and the small farmhouse appeared before my eyes, looking forlorn and abandoned in this weather. As I walked towards it, my footsteps quickening, the wind began to slow. I stopped at the door and knocked. Silence. Then the door opened a crack and a bright brown eye appeared.

'(f/n)?' Pippa whispered. 'Hey Pippa, has your brother come back?' She hesitated. 'Um, no.' Movement behind the door caught my eye. 'Can I come in?' I pushed the door back a little further. Pippa looked behind her shoulder, frightened. She relinquished her hold on the door for a second, and I seized the chance to let myself in.

The first thing that registered was the fire crackling merrily in the hearth. A figure was sitting at the table, looking at me with haggard eyes. I didn't expect to see him at all, but it was nice all the same. 'Jack.' I said. He heaved a big sigh and nodded his head at his mother, who was sleeping on the other side of the room. Getting up, Jack took a lamp and lit the candle before gesturing for me to follow him out of the room.

The skies were darkening when we reached the small clearing in the woods. All the way there, Jack never once said anything to me. I noticed numerous scars on his arms, and he seemed to have lost weight since the last time I saw him. There were dark circles under his tired orbs, his hair long enough to graze his shoulders. I felt a pang of regret at ever being angry with him, and pain seized my heart as my eyes followed his every move.

The lake was glazed over with ice, reflecting the dying rays of the sun and Jack's lamp. He balanced it on a flat plane of boulder and turned around to look at me. At once I threw myself into his arms. Jack staggered the slightest bit, but he held me tightly and kissed my cheek. 'You don't know how much I missed you, (f/n).' His breath tickled my neck as he reached down to scatter kisses on my skin. 'Where were you, Jack? You weren't supposed to come back this late, I got so worried waiting for you.' Jack looked back up, his cheekbones prominent. What did he go through?

'Colin sent spies on my cousin and I. We only realized we were being tailed on the return journey, so my cousin suggested a detour. But it wasn't until we were fifty miles from here when they attacked us. It was ugly, (f/n). Fred and I only just managed to escape from being killed, since that was Colin's intention. The next month and a half we spent in a neighbouring town, where people were gracious enough to treat our wounds. I really wanted to get back to you, (f/n). But I couldn't until we were sure there would be no one following us.'

I listened to all this while thinking through it in my head. 'Why couldn't you have just sent a message, Jack? Surely it's not that hard.' I hadn't meant to have it come out so cruel, and regretting was too late as Jack's face clouded over. 'You think it was easy for me, (f/n)? Didn't you hear what I just said about being attacked and basically struggling to get to civilization? We got ambushed in the middle of a bloody grassland, for heaven's sake. All because I wanted to get our nice little home ready for you.' He spit out the last word with such force, I lost my temper. 'How difficult was it to send a simple message to me? I've been worrying and crying my ass off for almost three months. Three, Jackson Frost. I had everything packed and ready to take with me.' I took a deep breath. 'You do realize how easy it is for me to just run off with some other guy, do you?'

My words hit Jack like a punch in the chest, and I immediately wanted to take them back and swallow them. His cheeks reddened. 'So you want to play it this way, is it (f/n)?' Jack voice was dangerous as he glared at me. I remained silent, having no idea what I wanted to get from saying such a useless thing. Did I want him to be jealous? To say sorry for making me wait so long? Take my hand and bring me with him as we flew to a place far far away?

When I made no sound, Jack started pacing. 'I'll put it this way. In the town I stayed in, there were many, and I mean many pretty girls. Pretty girls with flower crowns who brought me food, pretty girls with sweet smiles who washed my wounds, pretty girls with especially tight dresses who asked if I wanted to have dinner with them as soon as I could walk without falling down.' I felt my whole body heat up with embarrassment and jealousy, that Jack had crossed paths with other girls he thought \attractive. He continued pacing, edging around the lake. 'The temptation was so strong, (f/n), that I almost gave in at times. How easy had it been to ask any one of them to stay a bit longer, to talk more with me besides the normal polite greetings. Everyone else always had a girl to go home with at the end of the night, so why shouldn't I?'

Something inside me snapped. 'So why didn't you,' I hissed viciously, marvelling at the venom my own voice could contain. Jack stopped in his tracks and spun around, 'Because of you, (f/n)! Every time a lady leaned in too close to me, I thought of your face, your hair, your laugh that could make me go dizzy. I missed you too much, you know. I thought you would have understood by now! But instead, I come home to this!' Jack's loud words echoed across the darkening trees as he glared at me through angry glassy eyes. Just like this pool, I thought to myself as I walked to where he was standing, at the edge of the cold frozen water. It was like watching a movie through the television screen, a word that seemed to fit the picture both Jack and I envisioned. I watched as I shouted back at Jack, could feel the anger festering inside me. Jack yelled back some more at me and I buried my face in my hands. His arms reached out to hold me when I fought back, pushing him away. Maybe I pushed too hard, for I watched myself screaming as his body fell back and cracked the icy glass of the pool, submerging him in the deadly water.