AN: Here we are, time for another chapter! I hope you all enjoy! Today, while writing I've been listening to Eva Cassidy's "My luve's like a red red rose" and it is so beautiful! It was very inspiring. (Yes I realize that it's a little ironic, since Billy Hamilton said he wrote that poem for Elizabeth.) And oh my goodness, the season premier? So good, right?
"Clara, it's so, so beautiful!" Elizabeth gasped when she saw her reflection in the mirror. "Wow."
"Oh, a dress is only as beautiful as the woman wearing it." Clara said with a grin as she placed pins along the hemline.
"You're so talented Clara. Really. This dress, it's the most beautiful thing I've ever worn." And it was truly beautiful. It was an empire waisted dress, with beautiful lace detailing, three quarter sleeves, and pearly buttons. The short train of the beautiful skirt added significantly to the elegance, and it was all around amazing. "I can't wait until Jack sees me in it."
"I'll be he can't wait until he can get you out of it." Clara said quietly, and quickly clapped her hand over her mouth. Elizabeth gaped, and then began laughing. Clara joined in, and eventually Abigail came in too.
"What's all the fuss abo- Oh Elizabeth! You look so beautiful!" Abigail said as she came forward and took Elizabeth's hands. "Clara, this is spectacular work!"
"Thank you, I've been working hard on it." Clara said, and bit her lip to try and stop herself from laughing.
"So, twelve days until the big day. How do you feel?" Abigail asked as Clara resumed the work she was doing on the hem of the skirt.
"Wonderful. A little nervous, honestly." Elizabeth sighed, and twisted her engagement ring around her finger.
"Nervous?" Abigail asked. taking a seat on Elizabeth's bed. "About the wedding or about...after the wedding?" Elizabeth blushed. "Ah. I see. There's no need to be nervous about that, Elizabeth. You and Jack love each other. I'm sure everything will be well."
"I know. My mother actually wrote me a letter, giving me...advice." Elizabeth choked, remembering how her mother had described a woman's "wifely duties". But she was certain that her mother couldn't have it right.
"Your mother gave you advice? Oh no wonder you're so nervous." Abigail laughed. "Before I got married, my mother told me that a woman must "grin and bear it" and that it wouldn't be so bad if I just lay still. She also told me that a strong drink before hand might help."
"Well, my mother didn't say anything about a strong drink." Elizabeth said. She was sure her face was more red now than it ever had been before. "She did use the terms, awkward, unpleasant, painful, uncomfortable, messy, and wifely duties."
"She makes it sound like some kind of torture!" Clara laughed in disbelief.
"Well, I wouldn't believe a word of what your mother said Elizabeth. When you marry someone who you love, someone who loves you very much, it's… Like nothing else in the world." Abigail said.
"I can only imagine...When he kisses me…" Elizabeth sighed. "It's like nothing else in the world."
"Has he ever made your toes just, curl?" Clara asked suddenly. Elizabeth nodded and blushed as she remembered one particularly passionate kiss. "That's a good sign! I'm sure it's going to be alright Elizabeth."
"You've both been so helpful in all of this. I want to thank you." Elizabeth said with a smile. "You've helped me pack, and you're going to help me unpack everything at the new house tonight. I don't know how I would do any of this without you."
"It's no trouble Elizabeth. We're happy to help." Abigail assured her. "But speaking of unpacking, we've got to hurry if we're going to be there before the others come to help." Elizabeth nodded. She had a band of volunteers, all eager to help her set up her new home, and she was honestly grateful, because she had no idea what she was doing.
"With all of us, it shouldn't take long. Especially since Jack, Lee, and Gabe are going to be there." Clara said as she took one last pin out her mouth, and fixed it into the hem of the skirt. "There. Once I finish this hem, the dress will be perfect."
"Even with the pins in it, it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." Elizabeth sighed dreamily. Clara grinned satisfactorily, and got to work undoing the dress while they chatted about the house, and how exciting it was that it was complete enough to get everything arranged. All of the things they'd bought at the mercantile were in crates at the house, and almost all of Elizabeth's things were there along with them. The only things left in her room above the cafe were a handful of clothes, two books, her journal, and a few odds and ends she'd need to prepare for the wedding.
"Are you girls ready?" Abigail called from down the stairs. She had prepared muffins to bring for the volunteers, and had arranged them nicely in a basket.
"Yes!" Elizabeth called back just as loudly, even though she was already halfway down the steps. Abigail smiled warmly at her, and Elizabeth smiled back, and took the basket from her friend.
"Oh, you don't have to-"
"I've got it, Abigail. Come on, let's go see my new house!" Elizabeth said, as giddy as anything. She hadn't been inside it in almost two weeks, and she understood that much progress had been made since then.
"Put on a coat, Elizabeth?" Abigail suggested, gesturing to Elizabeth's short sleeves.
"Oh. Right." Elizabeth nodded, and they all laughed as she tugged on her blue coat. "I guess I forgot."
"Love does that to you." Abigail smiled. She opened the door, and the three girls poured out into the street. "It's going to be strange not to have you here with us, Elizabeth. I've grown so used to your presence."
"It's going to be strange to be living somewhere else. With someone else." Elizabeth said. "You two, have been so wonderful to me. I'm so glad that you found each other. No one should have to live alone."
"And get you, about to be living with a man!" Clara giggled.
"I'd imagine he won't be as tidy as we are." Abigail chuckled. "Though, the jail always seems to be relatively spic and span."
"Well, the food won't be as good, for one thing." Elizabeth sighed. "But at least it isn't as bad as it once was. The last time I made Jack dinner, he actually ate it all! He didn't even try to make an excuse not to!"
"I'm proud of the progress you're making Elizabeth! And I can keep giving you lessons. Soon you'll be cooking with the best of them." Abigail promised her and rubbed her friend's shoulder. "But, if early on, a meal or two get burnt beyond hope...You and Jack are always welcome to come to the back door of the cafe for a meal, no questions asked."
"That's actually a big relief. But I hope I'll never have to take you up on it." Elizabeth laughed. "Though, we may just have to buy our bread and biscuits from you regardless. I can never seem to get them right. And even when they're edible, they're nowhere near as good as yours."
"Give it time, Elizabeth." Abigail said again. They had just passed the school house, and Elizabeth found herself walking just a little faster, taking steps that were just a little bit bigger. The nearer they came to the house, the more distracted she became.
"You'd better let me carry that, Elizabeth." Clara said, gesturing to the basket. Elizabeth slowed marginally, and looked at her curiously. "You've almost spilled it four different times in your haste, and you haven't even noticed!" Elizabeth reluctantly handed the basket over, and tried her best to walk slowly, and take steps that matched the ones Abigail and Clara were taking. But it became more, and more difficult as she could see the house, and outside on the small porch, several figures were waiting for them.
"Well if it isn't the bride to be!" Rosemary called with a wide grin.
"Sorry, we're a little late. We had to finish the final dress fitting!" Abigail explained, and the women, Cat, Rosemary, Molly, Cassandra, and Emily all sighed dreamily. "But we did bring gifts- my chocolate muffins!"
"Wonderful!" Lee exclaimed, and walked forwards to claim one from the basket. Elizabeth stopped paying attention to the chatter of the small crowd, and closed the space between Jack and herself.
"Well, well, well. Constable Thornton. It seems like you've been awfully busy here today." Elizabeth observed as she took in the sawdust that lingered on his shoulders, and what appeared to be paint smudged on his neck. She rested her palms against his chest, and he put his hands on her waist and kissed her.
"I surely have, Miss Thatcher. And it was worth it, because I get to see the look on your face, when you get to see your house for the first time."
"Our house." Elizabeth corrected, and Jack's smile became even broader.
"Our house." He agreed. Before she could say anything else, he had moved to take her in his arms, and was moving towards the door. "Emily, would you mind?" He asked, and the young girl skipped around them to open the door.
"Jack, what are you doing?"
"Carrying you over the threshold. For luck." Jack explained with a very serious look on his face. "And so I could do this." He said, and twisted his neck so that he could kiss her again.
"Well, we're over the threshold, Jack. I think you can set me down now." Elizabeth laughed. Jack sighed, and set her down on her feet. As soon as she was standing, he took her hand, and watched as she looked around the hall that led to the stairs.
"I can't believe you built this." Elizabeth said in wonderment. "Well, I'm waiting Constable. Give me the grand tour."
"Anything for the world's most beautiful school teacher." Jack said with a wink. They were vaguely aware of the crowd that was watching them, but they couldn't bring themselves to care. Not when they got to hold hands, and talk about their future. He pulled her into the first room, the one with no door, but rather an open archway leading into it. "This here is your sitting room…"
"Our sitting room?" Elizabeth corrected, and Jack laughed and rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand.
"Yes, our sitting room." He nodded. Elizabeth grinned, and looked around the room. It was nice, the walls were covered in paper that she had selected, a light, cream color with almost invisible floral arrangements on it. There were stacks of crates all along the center of the room, so that it was almost impossible to walk through, but she could see the painstaking work that had been put into the room.
"Gosh, there are so many boxes! It's going to take forever to get it all unpacked." Elizabeth gaped. "But that sofa does look nice." Elizabeth grinned, and ran her hand over the green sofa.
"Don't worry about getting everything unpacked. That's what we're here for." Abigail said, alerting Elizabeth to the fact that they weren't alone.
"Yes, of course! You're all so kind and helpful." Elizabeth grinned.
"Well, go on, finish the tour!" Abigail said. Jack smiled, and pulled Elizabeth towards the open archway that led to the kitchen.
"Here we have the kitchen." Jack said, waving his arm. Elizabeth took a few steps into the room, and ran her fingers over the counter tops and the cabinets- all covered in a thin layer of sawdust- but all absolutely wonderful. Just off of the center of the room was a table with six chairs around it, that had a few crates sitting on it.
"Gosh there's more?" Elizabeth sighed.
"You should know that, Elizabeth. You're the one that ordered all of it!" Jack laughed.
"Yes- but seeing it all condensed like this...it's a bit overwhelming." Elizabeth explained.
"Don't you worry Miss Thatcher, We're here to help you!" Cassandra said earnestly. "And it's so exciting! I've never gotten to help set up a house before! Well, not since I was real little, and we first got here. But this is much more exciting!"
"Someday, maybe you'll set up your own house." Elizabeth said softly, and the young woman blushed and turned slightly to glance at Gabe. Jack and Elizabeth shared a smile, and he continued the tour, showing them everything, from the back door, to the bedrooms, and the fire place.
"Well, Ladies. It's time for us to get to work." Cat said, and rolled up her sleeves. "First things first, we need to sweep up all of the sawdust, and just give everything a general cleaning...Then we can start unpacking the boxes." They all took brooms, dustpans, rags, and buckets, and got to work cleaning the space, while the men mostly helped to reach the high places, and move things around so that they could be cleaned from every angle. After what felt like forever, But was really almost no time at all, they had cleaned the house from top to bottom.
"Now for the fun part. Seeing what Miss Thatcher's ordered for her home!" Cat said to Emily, as the young girl came to sit at her mother's feet.
"Jack?" Elizabeth asked, and he stepped forward with a pry bar. "You read my mind." Jack smiled at her, and pried open crates filled with, well, everything. Sheets, tablecloths, curtains, flatware, plates, and glasses, candle sticks (to go with the candles she'd bought from Cat), mixing bowls and baking pans, and more.
"This is going to be fun!" Cassandra giggled as she ran her fingers over the shiny new objects. They divided the tasks among themselves; Cat, Emily, Gabe and Molly would set up the kitchen, Rosemary, Cassandra, Lee and Clara would handle the sitting room, while Abigail helped Elizabeth and Jack set up the upstairs rooms.
"Are you sure you're alright with us decorating and arranging these rooms without you Elizabeth?" Molly asked one last time as the group broke up. "Don't you have a specific way you want things set up?"
"You know, it's funny, I don't. I just want everything set up, and ready." Elizabeth laughed. Molly smiled, and patted her arm as she walked past.
"Shall we?" Jack asked, reaching for her hand. She nodded, and they walked up the steps together, with Abigail trailing behind them. The first bedroom on the right was theirs, the "master bedroom", so to speak. It was the only one what really needed to be set up at that point in time anyhow. "I moved up most of these crates and all of your things earlier today."
"Perfect." Elizabeth said with a grin. Jack opened the door, and before she could step in, he had scooped her into his arms again. "Jack! I'm already over the threshold!"
"This is a different threshold Elizabeth." Jack said. He smiled so broadly, that it made Elizabeth's chest feel full. "And you'd better get used to it. I have a feeling I'm going to be carrying you over thresholds for a while now." He set her down on the hardwood flooring, and held the door open for Abigail.
"Seeing the two of you together… it's so nice." Abigail said. "It brings back fond memories." Elizabeth went over to her, and wrapped her arms around her friend's waist. "No, It's wonderful Elizabeth. I'm so, so happy for you both. Now, let's see...First thing, we've got to get all of this furniture arranged properly. That's where you come in Jack." Abigail grinned.
"Of course." Jack nodded.
"We can start by putting the um, the, bed, back against the wall there." Elizabeth said nervously, and Abigail bit back her laughter. Elizabeth gave her a stern look, cleared her throat, and continued. "And then the wardrobe, should go just there, and the dresser should be under the window there… And then the vanity should be just over there."
"Slow down Elizabeth. One thing at a time." Jack laughed, and got to work scooting the bed back against the wall. Elizabeth watched with wonder as he managed to move it without any help. She could see his muscles moving beneath his shirt, and found that she couldn't stop staring at them.
"You know, I think that I could be more help down in the kitchen." Abigail said after a moment, breaking Elizabeth out of her trance.
"What? Oh, Abigail, you don't have to-"
"I think it's safe to say that you two are going to be fine here." Abigail said.
"But if you leave us up here alone-"
"Oh, don't be ridiculous Elizabeth. We trust the two of you together. We leave you two alone all the time."
"But we're in a bedroom." Elizabeth said through her teeth.
"I'll leave the door open." Abigail said. True to her word she walked out of the room, leaving the door open, and leaving Elizabeth and Jack very much alone. Elizabeth bit her lip to keep from smiling, and turned back to face her fiance.
"Well, I guess we have to get this all set up." Elizabeth said.
"Well I guess that make sense, since it is our room." Jack said, sending more shivers down Elizabeth's spine. She walked over to one of the trunks she recognized as her own, and opened it.
"Uh, I suppose if you could move the wardrobe, just over there…" Elizabeth gestured, and Jack smiled and did as he was told. "Perfect. And then, the dresser-"
"Under the window?" Jack asked, and Elizabeth smiled at him.
"Right." She nodded. She opened the wardrobe, took a moment to admire its fine craftsmanship, and then pulled one of her dresses out of the trunk to hang it. Jack came up behind her, and followed in suit, hanging his green suit jacket beside her dress. "It's going to be strange."
"What?"
"Having our clothes side by side like this." Elizabeth said as she ran her fingers over the silky fabric of her pink dress, and the rougher fabric of his jacket. "A good sort of strange though."
"You get most of the wardrobe. I've only got the two jackets, and my uniform." Jack said, eyeing the large trunk full of clothes. "And you get a great deal of the dresser too."
"I can leave some of it in the trunks, Jack." Elizabeth said, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"No, there's room." Jack assured her. "I like the idea of all of your things set up right beside mine."
"Well, it's not an idea anymore, so much as it is a reality." Elizabeth said, and as if to emphasize her point, she hung her green dress in the wardrobe with his jacket in it. "This is how it's going to be for the rest of our lives, Jack. Your things, my things. Our things."
"I like the sound of that."
"In twelve days it all becomes permanent." Elizabeth grinned at him as he wrapped her in his arms again. She put her hands up, and brushed her fingers over his collar. "And we'll be living here. Together!" She giggled, and he kissed her. He kissed her long, and hard, and she gripped him closer to herself. When they finally broke apart, they looked around, as if remembering where they were. In their bedroom. Well, almost their bedroom.
"Twelve days." Jack sighed, pulling back and running his hand over the back of his neck.
"Twelve days." Elizabeth nodded, cleared her throat, and got back to unpacking her things. "Twelve long, long days."
AN: So there was another chapter! Now, I did notice a few similarities between my story, and the season three story line, and I was like "Wow, what are the odds?" But great minds think alike? Haha. I hope you enjoyed!