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Chapter 32
"So, you ready to play tourist?" Jason asked the next day. They had been in the hotel room since they checked in. While he had enjoyed their private time he was ready to get out for a bit.
"I am." Elizabeth grabbed her camera. "What's the weather like today?"
"A bit chilly." Jason said grabbing her jacket from the closet. "You'll need this. I thought we would walk, so if you get cold or tired let me know and I'll hail us a taxi."
"I'm sure I'll be fine. What do you have planned?" Elizabeth asked as they walked to elevator. Behind them a casually dressed young man was also headed toward the elevator. She figured he was their guard for the day.
"Nothing. We can walk around and take in the sights. Or if there is something you would like to see we can do that." Jason was good either way.
"Does Dublin have a zoo?" Elizabeth would love some shots of animals. Plus she loved the zoo back home.
"One of the oldest in the world. It was founded in 1830, and has over seven hundred species of animals. They also are known for their work in animal conservation." Jason rattled off the information. "And no, I've never been." He knew that was the next question.
"Do you not like zoos?" Elizabeth looked over at him. He'd been to Africa and seen the animals roaming free. A zoo might not appeal to him.
"Don't really think much on them." He admitted.
"I was just wondering since you've been to Africa." Elizabeth said what was on her mind.
"I'd like to take you to Africa someday. I think you would love it. It's has some very beautiful places." Jason had her hand in his as they stepped off the elevator and walked to the lobby. "I don't have the words like you do. I can't describe it and make you see it. So we will have to go."
"Can we walk to the zoo from here?" She asked not sure how far away it is. Jason looked at the guard.
"It would be best to drive." He informed them. "I'll need to let Siobhan and your guy know where to meet us. Or if you'd rather they can meet us here." His job was just to get them safely to their destination.
"Let's have them meet us here, that way you don't drive all the way to the zoo only to have to come back. Unless you'd like to see the animals. You are welcome to come along." Elizabeth invited.
The guard just smiled at that. Johnny said that she was friendly. "I don't mind Mrs. McCarthy."
Jason gave the guard a look. He didn't like guys smiling at his girl. "Why don't we wait here?" He finally suggested.
"I'll make the call." He said moving off.
"He's nice but you don't have to worry." Elizabeth said laughing while calling him out. "I think it's kinda hot that you are jealous." She whispered.
"Behave or we won't make it to the zoo." He said smiling, leaning down he gave her a quick kiss. The guard gave Jason a nod to let him know their escorts were on the way. While Elizabeth moved off to look at a piece of art he turned to the guard. "I am expecting a delivery later. You can put it in my room."
"Yes sir." The younger man replied.
Cody and Siobhan made good time and arrived together. Jason tried not to read too much into that. "We are going to the zoo." He told them.
"Been a long time since I did that." Cody said grinning.
"You'll like it." Siobhan said smiling over at Cody.
Jason just shook his head as he watched them. He wasn't expecting trouble but with the two of them making eyes at each other if it came along they might miss it.
"Elle, this is Cody Paul." Jason said making the introductions. Cody was aware that was not her real name.
"It's nice to finally meet you Cody." Elizabeth shook the guard's hand. "I met Cooper earlier in the week."
"It's nice to meet you Mrs. McCarthy." He said smiling. "Cooper mentioned that you had met last night." Cody had sacked out on the couch in the apartment Johnny got for the guards to use while they were in the city.
"Please it's just Elle." She told him.
"Elle." Cody agreed since that made her more comfortable.
"Let's go." Jason said ready to get the day started. His girl had pictures to take.
Siobhan drove and Elizabeth pointed out things that caught her eye. She was making a mental list of places she would want to visit. If not this go round then during a day trip in the future. Jason also spotted a store he had spoken to the concierge about yesterday. Now that he knew where it was he would need to get to it at some point this week.
Turning back he watched his girl fuss with her camera. "We really should shop for more equipment for you."
"I was thinking I should maybe take a class. I don't think I'm using the camera to its fullest potential." She looked at him and smiled. "I'm guessing this was not cheap and I should be able to do more than point and click. The manual mentioned other lens, like zoom, and filters. I don't want to get more equipment until I know what I'm doing. I might buy something I don't need." Elizabeth explained.
"Sounds like a solid plan. We can look into that as well. I'm sure that one of the local camera shops will know about things like that." Jason said smiling. He remembered Elizabeth learning about different styles of painting when she was back home. He hoped the teacher of her class had stamina. His girl asked a lot of questions. "There is something to be said for teaching yourself."
"I don't know if that will work for me as well as it works for you." Elizabeth said laughing. Jason could read a book and learn almost anything. It was pretty amazing to watch. "I can try though."
"You do what you feel is best." Jason just wanted her happy.
"We are here." Siobhan announced from the front seat.
At the gate Jason purchased a family membership. Even if they never came back the money went to support the conservation efforts of the park. As a perk not only would they and guests get in free but they could get into several other zoos for free as well. As far as he was concerned that was enough incentive for them to visit those locations.
"Here's the feeding schedule." Jason knew Elle wouldn't want to miss that. Cody was already looking over the map; Siobhan just finished. Finished he handed it to Jason. "Where to first?
"The Asian Forests are right there. Before we start is there anything we should avoid?" Elizabeth asked the group. She would not be venturing near any exhibit that featured insects. She wasn't afraid of bugs or spiders but being surrounded by them made her feel itchy. Everyone shook their head no.
"Okay. Let's go." Jason took her hand in his and they sat off.
"I don't remember Dublin Zoo being so big." Siobhan said to the two men who flanked her. They had been at it for almost two hours moving at a leisurely, but steady, pace. Elizabeth was standing in front of them taking pictures. They had made their way through the Asian Forests, the Fringes of the Arctic, and were now in the African Savannahs.
"We are almost at the halfway point." Cody pointed out. "The primates are ahead. What is that thing she's taking a picture of?" The diversity of animals was impressive.
"A Scimitar Horned Onyx." Jason supplied the answer.
"We haven't passed an animal yet that you don't know. It's getting kind of annoying." Cody said ribbing the blonde.
"We are not all ignorant rubes like you Paul." Jason smirked at his friend. "Some of us take the time to learn about the animals that share our planet."
Cody snickered and then laughed out loud. "Book or trip?"
"National Geographic television show." Jason said grinning.
"What's so funny?" Elizabeth asked joining the group.
"Cody is poking fun at Jason." Siobhan told her charge. Honestly the red head was impressed about how much the blonde knew about the residents of the zoo. "Would you like to continue on?"
"We should stop for lunch." Jason suggested. His girl got absorbed and sometimes forgot to eat. He was occasionally guilty of the same thing.
"I am kind of hungry." Elizabeth admitted. "I got some great shots." She didn't take pictures of every animal they passed, just the ones that caught her interest. "Where is the nearest restaurant?"
"Not too far behind us." Cody pointed over his shoulder with his thumb.
"How big is the zoo anyway?" Elizabeth walked with the group.
"Twenty eight hectares." Siobhan provided.
"So about fifty football fields, right? American football." She cleared up.
"Yeah." Siobhan was impressed most Americans she encountered didn't do metric well. "I like American football."
"Jason's a big fan, can you get the games over here?" She asked her boyfriend.
"We need to get a satellite dish." He told her. As far out as they were they needed one anyway. Internet was not an issue though because of the cell phone towers.
"I'll look into that when we get home." Elizabeth made a mental note. She didn't want her guy missing out on his favorite sport.
At the restaurant they grabbed a table in the corner. One that allowed Jason and the guards to see the entire area in one sweep. Cody took the orders and got the food. They ate in companionable silence enjoying the day. Jason handled clean up before rejoining the group.
"So do you guys want to pack it in?" Elizabeth wanted to be polite.
"Don't worry about us." Jason knew she was probably feeling a bit guilty. Like she was hogging the day. "We are having fun too." He was just enjoying watching her. Cody and Siobhan were keeping a look out but they were flirting too.
"We can't leave now, we are just getting to the good part." Cody said grinning. "The primates are my favorite."
"Okay, then but first." Elizabeth grabbed her camera. "Move closer together." She instructed the two guards. When she was happy she snapped off a few shots. "Gotta get some pictures of my friends."
"What about ugly over there." Cody pointed to Jason.
Elizabeth just grinned. "I've been taking pictures of him off and on all day." She said laughing.
"Is that right?" Jason hadn't even noticed.
"That's because I'm sneaky." Elizabeth gave him a grin. "Some subjects spook easily." Jason was not a fan of having his picture taken. "What if I want a picture with my girl?"
"Okay." She said smiling wide. She handed the camera to Siobhan who handed it to Cody claiming to be 'bloody awful' with them. Elizabeth scooted her chair closer to Jason's but he wasn't having that. Instead he picked her up and put her on his lap. Together they smiled and Cody snapped the picture.
"Have a look and make sure you like it." He told Liz. It was interesting to see Jason so relaxed. Cody knew that the man could change in an instant if it became necessary. Just like he knew Jason was carrying his Beretta just in case.
"That's wonderful." Elizabeth would have to find a place to hang it. "Maybe we could give a copy to Johnny to give to Lila." The older woman had no pictures of Jason Morgan.
"She'd like that." He said trying to bring the image into focus. It took a minute but it finally happened. 'She looks happy' was his thought. Being with him made her happy. That made his heart swell.
It took another two hours but they finally made it back to the main entrance. "That was amazing! Thank you for bringing me." Elizabeth said smiling up at Jason.
"We can come back whenever you like." He reminded her.
"You should go to the aquarium as well." Siobhan figured Elizabeth could have a blast taking pictures of all the fish.
"Sounds like fun." Cody said holding Elizabeth's door open. "Back to the hotel or did you guys have another destination in mind." It was still early in the day.
"I'd like to go to the bookstore, if that's okay?" Elizabeth looked at her companions.
"Yup." Siobhan said getting behind the wheel.
"While you are doing that I need to run an errand." He knew the bookstore wasn't too far from where he wanted to shop. Elle would be fine with Cody and Siobhan. "You don't mind do you?" He asked Elizabeth.
"No." Elizabeth was curious though. Jason would tell her eventually, if she needed to know.
Jason walked three blocks from the bookstore to the jewelry shop the concierge on duty yesterday had recommended. He had also ran the name by Johnny who said the place was good. A call to Francis had been necessary to get the proper ring size. Walking in he noticed that all the attendants were busy which he liked, it gave him time to shop without someone breathing down his neck.
"Can I help you sir?" The manager asked as he came over.
"I'd like an emerald and diamond Claddagh ring. Similar in style to the one I'm currently wearing." Jason put his left hand on the glass.
"Platinum." The manager said pointing to another case.
"I thought it was silver." Jason said as he followed the man.
"Common mistake. Platinum has more of a white undertone." The manager stopped them at a case, not the one he pointed to. He pulled out a wedding band. "Look under the light." He held the ring next to Jason's. "Your ring is shinier, see the difference?"
"I can see it." Jason didn't really care when it came to his ring, but it was good to know when buying pieces for his girl.
The manager put the ring back and they continued on. "Anything catching your eye."
"That one." Jason wasn't much for browsing. He liked to go in a store, make his purchase and leave.
"Excellent choice. The band is indeed platinum, the heart is a pure green diamond not an emerald and the crown as well as the outline of the heart are also diamonds." The jeweler explained.
"A green diamond?" Jason didn't know such things existed.
"I assure you they do exist." The older man smiled. "Lots of folks don't know about them. They are the second rarest of diamond colors behind red. Many green diamonds are irradiated in shops to deepen the color. This one is natural which means the green doesn't penetrate to the core. Instead." He pulled over a light. "The stone gives off a secondary color." He shifted it under the light.
"Blue." Jason said smiling. Another color he loved his girl in.
"Yes." The manager wondered who the lucky young woman was. "Because the green stone is a diamond this ring is more expensive than one with an emerald."
"Price is not an issue." Jason assured him. "What size is the ring?"
"This is a six and a half. Because the band is solid we can size it, if necessary. It does not come in other sizes as we don't carry many green diamonds. This particular ring came in last week." The manager explained. "It will of course come with the proper papers so you may have it insured."
Jason pulled his wallet from his pocket. "I'll take it."
"Very good. Would you like to have anything engraved inside or to have it wrapped?" The manager asked taking the credit card.
"No wrapping. Can I have 'my love' engraved in it?" Jason replied.
"In English or Gaelic?" The manager offered.
"You can do it in Gaelic?" Jason thought Elizabeth would like that. Siobhan spoke the language and was already teaching Elle words.
"We can. The word is Ceadsearc. It means first love or can also mean beloved one."
"I like that. Thank you." Jason thought beloved one was perfect.
"Give me about ten minutes. Would you like some coffee while you wait?" He offered.
"I'm fine thanks." Jason hoped the flowers had arrived. Tomorrow night they were going to dinner and he would give Elizabeth the new ring then. It wasn't an engagement ring, he would use a white diamond for that. This was a promise ring. His promise to always love and respect her. To be faithful and true. He wanted his ring on her finger and not one picked by someone else.
Ring in hand Jason thanked the manager. As he was walking out the store his phone rang. It was Cody saying that Elizabeth had finished her shopping. Jason instructed them to meet him in the lobby of the hotel. He would run over and put the ring away then see if his girl wanted to do anything else.
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