Chapter 4
My Angel
Author's note: Hi guys. You're lucky. The inspiration was there so I can publish this today. I am really satisfied with the result. I hope that you will be too. I am working on chapter 5.
A heartfelt thank you again to Rebekahwrites who makes an amazing work by proofing for me.
That Sunday morning, Elizabeth woke up with the rays of sunlight streaming down on her face. She was cold, however, as shivers ran up and down her spine. She sneezed several times and felt tired. The damned truck was responsible for her catching cold! But she had to prepare lessons for tomorrow and grade her students' papers. She tried to get up but her legs gave way and she fell down to the floor beside her bed. She was angry; she had to stay in bed.
"Blast!" She cursed.
Then her phone rang. She reached over towards the nightstand, to see who was calling her. It was Charles. She didn't want to talk to him. She let the answering machine pick up the message. He kept texting or calling her almost daily despite their arguments. He didn't want to understand that she wasn't in love with him and she never would be. Maybe she should sever all contact with him; he was becoming much too intrusive and cheeky especially since he wouldn't stop with all the 'pet names' he had used growing up. She pulled herself back into bed, sliding under the sheets she immediately fell into a deep sleep. She thought about it later, she was not ready to think clearly.
Two hours later, her phone rang again. She looked at to see that Jack was calling her. He called her earlier than expected. She smiled, gladly answering the phone, this time.
"Hi, Jack." She greeted him in her hoarse yet joyful voice.
"Hi, you. You sound sick?" Jack inquired, with a hint of worry in his voice.
"I am. It's because of that damned truck from last night!" Elizabeth explained.
Jack laughed at the memory.
"Don't make fun of me." She grumbled. "It's not funny. I am sick and I have a lot of work to do. I am stuck in bed. Besides I am so weak that I can't get up."
"Okay. Would you like it if I came over to take care of you for the day?" Jack inquired. "I will bring you some soup and tea with honey for your sore throat."
"Jack, I don't want to bother you."
"You won't, Elizabeth." Jack assured her.
"You're an angel! It's really nice of you. I am grateful for that."
"See you very soon then." Jack answered, hanging up the phone.
She reminded him of her address.
"I remember your address, Elizabeth. I just dropped you off last night, remember?" Jack teased.
"Oh, right." Elizabeth responded shyly. "I'm sick. I forgot about that for the moment." Elizabeth apologized.
Fifteen minutes later, he entered her flat. He went to her bedroom, seeing that she was asleep. He placed his hand on her forehead. She was running a fever. As she shivered, she leaned closer to his cool hand. He smirked and kissed her forehead. She moaned with pleasure. He went to the bathroom and getting a wash cloth he ran it under the cool water and returned to her bedside to place it on her forehead.
He went to the kitchen, leaving the soup and the tea on the table for later. He picked out a book from her collection in the family room. He moved her armchair from under her window to the bed and sat down to read while he waited for her to wake up.
Around noon, she began to stir and opened her eyes. She grinned when she saw that he was there keeping an eye on her.
"Hey, Jack." Elizabeth greeted him groggily.
"Hello, Elizabeth. How are you feeling?" Jack replied, his voice thick with concern.
"A little better but I'm not in great shape." Elizabeth admitted.
"Okay, you have to eat and take care of yourself. I'll get you an aspirin then I'll go heat up the soup and tea. I'll be right back." Jack said, kissing her forehead before going to the kitchen.
He returned with the aspirin.
"Thank you." Elizabeth expressed, stifling a yawn as he made his way to the kitchen.
He turned to wink at her and then excused himself once more to go heat up the soup and tea. She smirked.
She was so happy that he was there and taking care of her. Maybe this cold was not a curse after all. She stayed in bed, daydreaming about how lucky she was to have him in her life at last. He came back and helped her sit up in bed to eat the soup and drink the tea that he set in front of her. She slowly sipped the tea, letting the soothing liquid coat her throat.
"Mmm, this is good." Elizabeth sighed.
He sat with a sly grin not saying a word. He watched her. She mesmerized him, even as she lay sick in bed, he found her to be quite beautiful. His desire for her flowed in his veins. He wanted to kiss her so badly, but he had to restrain himself. Now was the the time.
The rest of the day slowly passed. Elizabeth was in and out of consciousness. She would wake up and talk for a few minutes, before sleep overtook her. She had asked him to stay for the night and he had readily agreed. He wanted to be there to be sure she was okay. Now he was lying on her sofa and he couldn't sleep. He tossed and turned, when he heard her calling out to him.
"Jack?" Elizabeth called out, waking up suddenly chilled to the bone.
"What's wrong, Elizabeth?" Jack asked rushing to her side.
"I am cold." Elizabeth answered.
"Come here." He pulled back the sheets and climbed in next to her.
She was more than happy as she laid down on his chest, his arms wrapping around her.
She looked up and their eyes locked. He couldn't wait any longer; he took her face in his hands and kissed her. It felt so good. She melted against him. She reciprocated his kiss with passion, sliding her hands along his back.
'At last!' They thought in unison.
They pulled back, smiling as she cuddled up with him, her nose in the crook of his neck and they fell asleep.
The next morning, Jack woke up with a start at 5:30. Elizabeth was still asleep in his arms. He kissed her on the cheek and detached himself from her trying not to wake her. He went to the kitchen, helping himself to a cup of coffee. After finishing his second cup, he went out to the corner shop to get her breakfast. On his return, he found a note pad near her landline phone. He wrote her a note and left it on the coffee table with a white rose and the some pastries. He lightly kissed her. He exited her flat to go to his to take a shower and change. His shift was at 7:00 that morning.
At 7:00, Elizabeth woke up and reached for Jack. He was not there and she felt the cold empty space he had left several minutes before.
She felt much better when she woke up. She noted the rose, the pastries and the note on the coffee table. She brought the rose up to smell it. 'He was so nice.' She thought to herself, a grin spreading across her face. She ate a pastry as she read the note that Jack had left.
Elizabeth,
As I wake up and look at you, I see an angel. I didn't want to disturb you after the day that you had yesterday. You need to rest and feel better for school today. I had to go back to my place to get ready for work at 7:00. Just know that I don't want to but sometimes we have no choice, when duty calls. I have a very busy week but I promise you that I will call you as soon as I can. I am not yet gone, but I miss you already. Take care of you.
Yours,
Jack
She went to her bedroom to get her phone. She had to reply as soon as possible.
Thank you for all you did for me, Jack, especially the rose and the note. You are so kind. I miss you already too. I hope that I will see you very soon. Take care of yourself. Your Angel, Elizabeth.
She set her phone down to quickly get ready for school.
They hadn't seen each other since Sunday. It was Thursday evening, she was leaning against his car waiting for him. He had to work late tonight, so she had decided to surprise him.
When he came out of the police precinct at 22:00, she was waiting for him. She was wearing white close-fitting pants, a flowy yellow blouse and a pair of black suede boots which matched her jacket and a white scarf. She had let her hair cascade down her shoulders and back. Jack had commented that he liked her hair best that way during their first dinner. Her eyes were bright and cheerful. She was breathtaking. He came closer to her and without a word, he took her in his arms and kissed her slowly. She tasted like strawberries and flowers. She cuddled closely to him, seizing the moment. After a while, she was the first to pull back. She smiled up at him.
"Good evening, Officer Thornton." Elizabeth beamed.
"Good evening, Miss Thatcher. How can I help you?"
"I think you already have but you can help me again. I won't complain."
Jack leaned in again, kissing her hard. He was madly in love with this woman. He knew that she was deeply in love with him.
Charles had followed her all that week and found out that she was seeing this guy. He looked at them from afar and could feel the sting of jealousy pour over him. He wasn't going to give up. He had tried to text and call her, but she had turned him down each time. She had told him that if he wanted to be apart of her life, he had to understand that they could only be friends. But he couldn't agree to that, he wanted more. He looked at them, disgusted. He didn't like the way he took her in his arms and kissed her. This guy had not right, she was his. He started the car and took off.
The next day, Jack had promised her that he would pick her up at school and they would go riding in the forest. She was waiting for him like a child waiting for Christmas. She had changed into a comfortable pair of jeans and sneakers. Her classroom was cleaned and she was ready to go. Suddenly the door opened. Turning around, she smiled but it quickly disappeared as disappointment crossed her features. Charles approached her.
"Good afternoon, Beth." Charles greeted her with a hopeful expression.
"Good afternoon, Charles." She answered coldly. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you and talk to you since you haven't been responding to my texts or phone calls." Charles spat back, angrily.
"I have had a lot of work lately and I was sick." Elizabeth countered.
"Of course, but you are going out with this guy too and it seems like he is taking a lot of your time." Charles retorted.
Elizabeth's eyes widened at his admittance. 'How did he know about Jack?' She thought to herself. Charles moved closer, cornering her in front of her desk. Her phone vibrated and a text from Jack appeared on the screen.
"I am running late, last minute case came to me. I am sorry Angel. I will be there in 5 minutes. Jack."
'Please hurry, Jack.' She thought.
She put her hand on her phone to hide it, sliding it into her back which was on the chair and she deflected Charles' attention.
"Yes, but this is none of your business. It's private." Elizabeth retorted.
Anger crept across Charles' face as he was about to reply. There was a knock at the door. He moved away from her. She composed herself, thankful for the interruption.
"Come in." She called.
Then one of her students entered. The ten year old didn't realize how grateful her teacher truly was that she came in.
"Sorry to disturb you, Miss Thatcher, but I am looking for my scarf. I think that I left it here."
"No bother, Anna. Come on. We will look for it under the chairs."
Charles was very uncomfortable.
"I should go. I will see you another time. Good afternoon, Beth." Charles stated as he made a swift exit.
As she was searching, she sighed loudly, suddenly feeling at ease. She didn't even answer him. They found the scarf and Anna went out when Jack came in.
"Good afternoon, Angel." He smiled as he walked through the door.
"Good afternoon, Jack." Elizabeth blushed, seeing his soul piercing smile that made her go weak in the knees.
He came closer, taking her into his arms, he kissed her deeply. He felt that she was tense.
"I have been waiting for this all day. It's nice, but you seem strained." Jack stated.
"I am just happy that you are here. I had a long day, that's all. No worries." Elizabeth tried to hide her feelings with a smile.
He looked at her, knowing she was hiding something from him, but he let it go for now. He didn't want to push her.
"Ready to go?" He asked, offering her his arm.
"Of course." Elizabeth smiled, taking his arm.
Jack escorted her to the door. As they exited the school, Charles observed them from his car. He noticed their joined hands and he hated it. He couldn't stand the fact that another man was touching her. He had to do something to break them up.
To be continued …