Over the next two months, Jefferson and Elizabeth settled into a pattern: Jefferson would leave before Elizabeth had woken and return from portal jumping by midday, whilst Elizabeth busied herself by writing; and as spring rapidly began to approach, gardening.
Although Jefferson hated Elizabeth having to wake up to an otherwise empty house, he did all he could to make sure he spent as much of the afternoon and evening with her.
However as the weeks had progressed, Elizabeth had grown increasingly devoted to her writing; forcing herself away from her pen and stacks of paper to spend the latter part of her day with Jefferson. He knew that Elizabeth was so engaged in her writing, she would not notice if he was slightly later than usual, which was why for the second time in a fortnight, Jefferson had not immediately returned home.
Having left Rumplestiltskin's castle, Jefferson lifted his hat from where it rested upon his head and flipped the brim between his fingers. Wandering down the path that led to the village until he was deep into the woods, Jefferson let go of the hat. It floated down the ridge and upon hitting the soil, began to rotate. For a moment, Jefferson watched as it enlarged in a chasm of magic, before jumping through.
Stepping through the door of the Enchanted forest into the hall, Jefferson crossed straight to the rounded red door that was parallel to him. He had no intentions of taking his time. Elizabeth's writing meant that minor things kept slipping her mind, and Jefferson couldn't help but fret over her being alone.
Ducking slightly to fit through the rather miniature door, Jefferson stepped out into a woodland very similar to the Enchanted of the sunlight was hidden in the dark trees that loomed overhead . Yet despite this the woodland seemed to be lit by a silvery glow, the tranquil air dense with dew and magic. Jefferson made his way through the trees easily enough, having visited the realm plenty of times.
Venturing out of the woods, Jefferson pulled out his compass, watching as the needle spun around before settling on north. He followed the point down the grassy trail along the rolling expanse of fields. In the misty horizon, the ridges of a mountain were just visible, and small villages in the depths of its valley. Walking at a steady pace, he soon reached the bottom of the hills and followed the thoroughfare towards the villages.
Within the hour, he had gone from the isolation of the Shire's expanses into the bustling city. The sun was on the verge of setting, orange flames lit on the torches that were on every street corner. Jefferson walked unnoticed by the Hobbits and men who were similarly passing through. He turned down onto one of the side-streets, the rowdy noise from the inn drifting from an open window onto the otherwise quiet street. Reaching the shop he had previously visited, Jefferson grasped the bronze handle. Once again he had to duck slightly to get through the doorway, the bell jangling behind him.
Rubbing a hand against the back of his neck, Jefferson lifted his head. The sizing of shop's objects only made him feel even taller: especially when the slight Hobbit whom owned the store came out to greet him.
"I thought that I heard a man's footsteps," She called to him with a warm smile, setting down a thin white box onto the counter, "Most orders are for Hobbits, so I'm certain this is yours. It's all there."
"Excellent," Taking the box, Jefferson handed her a small pouch of copper coins.
The door clanged shut behind him as he stepped out onto the street. Rain pattered down on the cobblestones, a few drops staining the cardboard boz he held. Its contents were too precious to be ruined and Jefferson tucked the box into his coat with one hand. As he walked through the emptying heart of Bree, the trickling drizzle rapidly descended into a downpour. Sheltering under the porch of a nearby lodge, Jefferson took the box out of the shelter of his coat and took off his hat with his other hand. The brim slipped from his fingers easily enough and landed on the damp stone. Keeping a tight grip upon the box, Jefferson jumped through the hat.
He was brought back to the woods that he had emerged from, the canopy of leaves keeping out most of the heavy rain. Jefferson found his way back to the rounded door, leaving behind the turbulent weather of Middle Earth.
For the second time that day, Jefferson landed back in the depths of the Enchanted forest. The rain had not followed him across the realms; instead a weak sun shone dimly in the hazy sky. It was not as late in the day as it had been in Middle Earth, and Jefferson hoped that he hadn't been long enough for Elizabeth to realise. A few remaining droplets clung to his leather coat, chilling in the sharp air. Brushing off the droplets that he could reach with his free hand, Jefferson continued through the woods.
He soon reached their house, the purple crocuses Elizabeth had planted that autumn peeking out from tufts of grass along the front garden. Resting the box between his side and arm, Jefferson unlocked the front door.
As ever, the house was quiet, though Jefferson was relieved to hear a few signs of life: the whistle of the kettle and crackling of the fire. Placing the box down on the top of the cupboard, Jefferson unbuttoned his coat, walking over to the doorway of the lounge as he did so. He snatched a glance to see that Elizabeth was sat upon the chaise longue, completely unaware of his presence. Edging away as quietly as he could, Jefferson slipped his coat onto the hook and took hold of the box before hurrying upstairs. His footsteps lightly bounded up the stairs and he swiftly made his way to their bedroom. The door eased open with a loud creak, though there were no footsteps from downstairs to suggest that Elizabeth had stirred . Gently placing the box onto their bed, Jefferson eased the bedroom door shut behind him before hurrying back down the staircase as silently as he could. Reaching the ground floor, Jefferson hesitantly looked into the living room, hoping that Elizabeth hadn't heard him moving about. Fortunately, her head was still bowed as she gazed intently down at the sheets that rested in her lap amidst the chaos that vaguely resembled their living room.
Papers had been strewn across the wooden floor, rustling slightly in the breeze that filtered through the ajar window. Several used tea cups were scattered around, along with a trail of biscuit crumbs. Stains of ink tricked off the nib of the pen that was held loosely in one hand and dotted the wooden floor. The fire that he'd lit for her that morning had almost died; though a few flickering embers remained amongst the ash.
"Elizabeth?"
Her head jerked up at the sound of his voice and Elizabeth twisted around, a bright smile breaking across her features at the sight of him.
"I don't think that it will be our children making a mess that I'll have to worry about: it's you," Jefferson teased, carefully navigating his way around the mass of papers that were held down by paperweight teacups.
Elizabeth frowned, glancing around the room before giving an apologetic sigh of realisation. Her lips twitched sheepishly, "I'm sorry, I hadn't even realised."
She leant over the closest pile of papers, straining slightly to reach them as the corners fluttered in the breeze.
"Here, let me get those: it's easier for me to stretch," Jefferson bent down and lifted up the sheets.
Placing them onto the desk, Jefferson sat down on the chaise longue next to her, "How is your secret writing coming along?"
"Very well; it's almost finished in fact," Elizabeth beamed, before giving a hapless gesture in the vague direction of the floor. "I've just been trying to sort out the order of it."
"I'll help you sort them out- but I've got something that I want to show you first."
Rising, Jefferson helped Elizabeth up and led her upstairs, one hand in hers, the other running up the banister. Elizabeth stepped up onto the landing first, followed by Jefferson. Keeping hold of her hand, he almost dragged her to the bedroom door in his eagerness. The door swung open with the press of his free hand, revealing the box upon the bed.
"That's what you wanted to show me- a box?"
Her disappointment didn't dishearten Jefferson, who excitedly announced, "Close your eyes and don't open them until I say."
With a perplexed shake of her head, Elizabeth's eyelids snapped shut. Freeing his hand from hers, Jefferson stepped forward to the bed and swiftly undid the crimson ribbon that bound the two halves of the box. He carefully lifted the lid and set it down before separating the sheets of burgundy crepe paper so that the box's contents were visible.
"You can open your eyes now." Jefferson watched Elizabeth's lips part in surprise as she stared at the open box.
"You brought that for me?" She asked softly, glancing up at him.
"Who else am I getting married to?" Jefferson grinned, Elizabeth approaching the bed and tentatively running her fingers along the fabric that lay amongst the papers.
Her smile mirroring his, Elizabeth lifted the fabric out of the box, the silky material unfolding in her arms. In the afternoon light of early spring, the ivory shade highlighted the rosy glow of Elizabeth's skin as she held the wedding dress up to her body. Intricate embroidery ran along the seams, delicate lace sewn onto the body of the dress, the material rippling into a flowing skirt that landed mid-thigh.
"It's beautiful," Elizabeth breathed.
"I'm afraid that you'll have to wait until you can try it on as I gave the dressmaker the measurements of one of your old dresses, seeing we're not getting married until October."
"Its fine, I can wait: I'm sure that it'll fit perfectly," Elizabeth's smile wavered slightly, and in an instant the gleam in her eyes seemed to fade. She set the dress down onto the bed, her hand quickly brushing against her cheek, leaving a shining streak.
"What's wrong?" Jefferson said, more tears trickling down Elizabeth's face.
"Nothing…" Elizabeth murmured, "I just…I don't tell you enough how much I love you."
"You don't need to," Jefferson sharply inhaled as Elizabeth's body rested against his, her head buried into his chest. He tenderly wrapped his arm around her, a wisp of hair brushing his jaw as he whispered into her ear, "My love is echoed in your eyes each and every day."
Elizabeth tilted her head upright, rising slightly onto her tiptoes so that her lips touched his. Kissing her back, Jefferson kept one hand around the small of her back, the other resting upon her cheek; skin soft beneath his firm fingers.
All too soon were Elizabeth's lips brought away from his, his hand torn from her cheek as she stepped back.
"You should probably go and answer the door, whoever it is sounds pretty insistent."
Jefferson hadn't even realised that there was someone at the front door, but as Elizabeth spoke, a loud knocking sounded; the sort of knocking that threatened to smash the door off the hinges if unanswered. Doing up his cravat that Elizabeth had been loosening, Jefferson stormed downstairs.
He swung open the door, and without even registering who was on the other side, spat, "What the hell do you want?"
"That's no way to address your Queen," Regina replied, "And you took your time answering the door."
"I was actually in the middle of something."
"Two children aren't enough then?" Regina said, smirking smugly at Jefferson's expression.
"I didn't mean it like that! Look, what are you doing here?"
"Rumplestiltskin sent me to visit on the way back to my castle as it appears that I'm not Queen but some idle messenger. He 'requests the services of your hat.'"
"I was just there this morning!" Jefferson snapped.
"Well if you let me finish, I was going to say that apparently it's something very important and requires your assistant too."
Before Jefferson could question Regina any further, Elizabeth's voice called from behind Jefferson.
"I've put the dress away Jefferson...what's going on?"
Footsteps sounded on the stairs, and Elizabeth approached the doorway. Any surprise at the sight of Regina was masked by her polite smile.
"Queen Regina. May I ask what you are doing trying to break our door down?"
"The Dark one wants to see you both," Regina replied shortly.
"But you're staying here Elizabeth," Jefferson glanced across at her, "Whatever it is, I can get it myself."
"He thought you would say that," Regina said. "Rumplestiltskin was very specific in stating how he requires both of you. Frankly I don't see how a heavily pregnant woman is going to steal something any faster, but he is in a bad enough mood as it is, so I wouldn't recommend refusing."
"Elizabeth isn't coming with me."
"Jefferson, it's fine I-" Elizabeth began.
"No. You're due to give birth less than two weeks, it's too dangerous."
"Look you two can argue about it all you like," Regina interrupted, "but bear in mind that the Dark one is waiting on you."
"Exactly. We should just go and find out why he wants us both and then you and I can decide if it's too dangerous," Elizabeth said.
Jefferson looked as though he was about to protest, but instead he gave a conceding sigh, "Alright."
"Now that you've passed on the message Regina, you can get back to your castle," Elizabeth said, her sweet tone laced with sarcasm.
Taking the hint, Regina cast Elizabeth a contemptuous look, "Whatever it is the Dark one wants you for, good luck."
Her dark hair whipping haughtily behind her as she turned, Regina strode away from the house, tendrils of her dress flowing like raven's feathers. Elizabeth pushed the door shut with her foot and it gave a satisfying slam.
"I still haven't forgiven her for what she did when we were first engaged."
"Me neither," Jefferson muttered, the memory of it momentarily flitting into his mind. Pushing away the thought, he reached across and tucked back a loose hair that had fallen onto Elizabeth's forehead. "I'll just go get my hat: and we can find exactly what Rumplestiltskin wants with us both."