When the Past Haunts Part 1

Jack and Elizabeth return to Elizabeth's parents house after a night of dancing and taking late night stroll in the city. They made to the front porch about to kiss each other good night when Elizabeth was shocked to see her parent's door was wide open. She was scared Jack did not hesitate to rush in rush inside as he instructed Elizabeth to stay a wait. She waited for about 10 minutes it was getting cold, and she was shivering she called for Jack but got no reply, she closed her eyes pray for strength and safety. She walked in the house wishing could rewind the last few precious and joyous night with Jack.

Six hours earlier

After, Elizabeth and Julie treated Jack in a city fashion shopping was ready to go tonight dinner with Elizabeth's Parents, This is was Jack to make his intentions know in regards to marrying Elizabeth asking for her hand. He needs to make a great first impression at this dinner and ensure his happiness with Elizabeth. Jack and Elizabeth reached carriage he least two bags of clothes which more than he combines in his closet at Coal Valley. Jack, the gentleman, puts his bags down to help Julie in the Carriage first, and then he takes Elizabeth's hand kisses and tells her,

"Thank you, Elizabeth for such wonderful City experience you and your family had made feel the most welcome here."

Elizabeth giggled, "The pleasure is all mine, Jack are you accompanying me and Julie home."

"Unfortunately, No I have to go back to my Mountie courters in the city, and get ready tonight's dinner. I want to look my best and make a good impression to your family."

Elizabeth assures him kissing him on the cheek and whispers, "Whatever happens, Jack, You have made an impression in my heart and nothing will ever change that."

Jack sighs as helps inside the carriage, kisses her when she pokes her out from the window. The carriage driveway, as he watches leaves till the ground sands cover it away. In the carriage, Julie crutches up to her sister, hugs and squeals,

"You are one lucky, Elizabeth."

"I am, AmI?"

"Of course, you are?"

"Do you mother and father will like him?"

"Who cares what they think? Elizabeth, it is what in your heart the matters just follow that and be Jack's side, everything should go fine tonight at dinner."

It is was Six O'Clock, Jack arrived ten minutes early in his tux provided by Elizabeth and Julie, along with flowers, for the ladies, and cigars for the father. He made it on the doorstep of Elizabeth's parents again, knocked on the door. To find a middle-aged woman in maid outfit says;

"How may I, help you sir."

Jack coughed, "Umm, Jack Thorton to see, Ms. Elizabeth Thatcher."

"Ahh, yes the Mountie, the master has informed me of your arrival, you may enter."

Jack enters the house as instructed; he did not or do anything unless instructed to."

Maid informs him, "If you wait here, I will inform the Miss you have arrived."

After waiting Elizabeth's mother greeted, Jack "Good evening, Jack, My what do we have here." Notice the three plaques of flowers.

Jack informed her; "One is for you, Julie and Of course Elizabeth."

"Why, thoughtful of you." She called for the maid instructed her to put them in water and put each flower in her, Julie and Elizabeth room. After the maid had left, Elizabeth's mother asked Jack,

"Elizabeth and Julie should be done in 15 minutes or so, give us the time to chat. Follow me Jack."

Jack follow Elizabeth's mother to another private study room, she seated by the fire as Jack sat across from her. She asked

"So is it true to ask for my daughter's hand?"

"Yes, I love her, and I fully intend on marrying her."

"Jack, when I hire you to be Elizabeth's Mountie, I expected to protect her."

"I have done my duty Miss."

"But not marry her, Jack you are Mountie, I don't want my daughter to carried away from her family when you are given a new assignment, Elizabeth need us, we need her. Do you understand what I am saying."

"Yes, I do, It is not intended to carry Elizabeth away from you once we are married, she will be many opportunities to be with during Holiday and special gatherings, and when I am resigned I will implore Elizabeth to write you as much she can. Family is important Mrs. Thatcher; we can least find common ground on that."

"So I guess, there is no way of stopping you marrying my daughter."

"No, Madam, once I require permission from the Father, will it take no hesitation in asking Elizabeth to be my wife. So if can point me into the direction of the location of your husband I would like to speak with him."

"Fine, he is out in patio smoking, I believe, don't be long we shall be leaving for dinner soon."

Jack left, as Elizabeth mothers were amazed at Jack's resistance, but she was not going to give up that easily, so she picked the phone to make a phone as was going to invite an old friend of Elizabeth's to join them for dinner.

The maid came up from the stairs holding the flower Jack has delivered, she knocked the door of Julie and Elizabeth's room, Elizabeth open as they were finishing up getting ready for dinner.

Maid said, "Flowers for you and Miss Julie, from Jack Thorton, he is downstairs waiting for your arrival."

"Thank you, Maddie." Elizabeth said as she closed the door; Julie was rushing to smell the flowers given by Jack "Wow, Mountie sure knows to charm."

"Indeed," Elizabeth added, "You think mother and father are given Jack a hard time down there."

"Dad, I am Jack, has got him covered, they seem like buddies already, but mother might another thing, just watch out, I know think she might supporting but I think she had different plans for you rather marrying a Mountie like Jack."

"What do you other plans?"

"Come on, Elizabeth wake up smell the roses, mother loves way too much, she wants to you have she and father had a life full lap and luxury full of security. She can't see how much you change because Jack, and you got to show how much have change and how much you love and want to marry, don't back down be strong and follow your heart."

Back downstairs, Jack finally found Mr. Thatcher smoking in the patio watch moonlight and starlight sky above he looked he was the midst of praying sliently which he found comforting to see Elizabeth's father with a good amount faith in him. So Jack waited silently till Mr. Thatcher said Amen, once he did he notice Jack.

"Why Jack, nice to see you, nice tux. I guess my daughter still have fashion sense."

They shook hands as Jack said, "Thanks, Sir, I know you just finished one but I hope maybe you can try these." Jack hands him the cigars he bought for him.

Mr. Thatcher chuckled, "You know, Jack, you don't know have butter me to ask for my daughter's hand, all you have to is ask."

Jack coughed stood straight and tall, and clear and consise voice ask, "Mr. Thatcher, I love your daughter, Elizabeth Thatcher, she has amazed me since I have came to know in Coal Valley, she beautiful, compassionate, and strong. And with your permission along with your wife blessing to marry your daughter."

Mr. thatcher appluaded, and said, "Did you praactice? that in mirror?"

Jack chuckled, "Actually, yes, serveral time, I wanted to make sure I said it right."

"I see, so Jack tell me though, if you didn't practice that, what if you were asking out of the clear, what would say to me and how you ask me. Tell me what is in your heart this time don't think just say it."

Jack was now put on the spot trying not to think he asked, "May I close my eyes?"

"As long you don't think go right ahead, my boy." Elizabeth's father reply.

Jack sighed and ask Elizabeth's father just as he would be asking the heavenly father.

"Dear Heavenly father, I pray to you as man is who in love with a kind hearten compassionate heart,I stand before you and her earthly father to allow you both to accept your blessing in marrying Elizabeth Thatcher, I know our courtship is rather short but father I know what is true in my heart. For I love, Elizabeth, I will support, keep her safe provide the means to make a good life whether be here, in coal valley or wherever you tends to calls us to lives. As long as have her with me in my life that is all that matters. I thank you, Lord for listening that you and Elizabeth's father and mother granted the blessing to marry Elizabeth. Thank you, Amen."

Mr. Thatcher was moved he patted, Jack on the back and assure him this,

"Jack, I am happy to give you my blessing let me first though talk to my wife before doing so. Can you be patient for a little while longer.
"Yes sir, thank you." Jack said

"Your welcome, now let's if the ladies are prepare for dinner."

Jack and Mr. Thatcher left the back patio. They went back outside as they enter Mr. Thatcher greeted his wife by kissing her on their cheek. Then Jack smiled to see how happy Elizabeth's parents were hoping that his prayers will be answered and he and Elizabeth would be happy just like her parents. Then bell rang Jack looked up to find Elizabeth and Jullie making their way down the stairs. Jack was at awe and amazed by Elizabeth's beauty the only word that would come to think of was the latin word "Bella" for beauty. She was wearing pink lite satin long trail dress her down curl lightly, Jack, walked towards her held out his hand she smiled happy to her Jack so handsome in a tux. She grasped her hand. she leans in kisses him on the cheek whispers.

"You look handsome."

"And you are, Be,lla" Jack said

She smiled as Elizabeth said out loud. "Let's go eat everyone."

Elizabeth's mother said, "Wait, Elizabeth, we have one more special guest arriving to pick us up for dinner."

The doorbell rang, Elizabeth's mother said. "That must be him, why don't you answer it."

"Okay" Elizabeth confused but was happy to oblige her mother, She left Jack's side for a brief moment , walked to the door opened it and she squealed, Jack concerned rushes but stop and she hugging another man.

"Edward, it is you., My friend my dear old childhood friend."

"My lady Elizabeth, it is Constable Edward. " as he lets Elizabeth her go. Elizabeth takes Edward's hands follows her sets him in front of Jack.

"Jack meet Edward."

Jack the gentlmen, even though slight jealousy was creeping out. He took out his hand offer him to shake his hand.

"Hello, Edward nice to meet a childhood friend of Elizabeth's "

Elizabeth's mother chimmed in, "Jack, Edward was just her childhood friend they were childhood sweethearts throughtout high school."

Jack stunned, Elizabeth closed her eyes, Edward chuckled, shook Jack's hand in return. "Don't worry about it, Jack, I am sure Elizabeth will catch you up, nice to meet you."

Jack looked at Ellizabeth as she mouth "I'm sorry"

Part 2 coming soon dancing, jealousy, maybe fist fighting and danger.