Chapter 31

Once out of the hotel room, Charlette did not let go of William's sleeve. She dragged him down the hall corridor to the elevator. Waiting for the doors to open, she moved from foot to foot, still holding onto his sleeve. The doors opened and she yanked him into the elevator pushing the button for the ground floor. All the while, she still had a firm grip on his sleeve.

After a few minutes of pulling William down the sidewalk, she stopped in front of a bench in the park that was a couple of blocks from his hotel. For the first time, she released her death grip hold on his sleeve and placed her hand on his shoulders and pushed him onto the bench.

For Charlette, William was being ridiculous. She understood his concern about how fast everything was happening. However, he needed to trust his daughter. Charlette grew close to Elizabeth over the past few days, and she knew this young woman was a great lady. She is intelligent and strong. She is loving to those she loves. She knew her mind and was willing to work with everything she is to obtain her dreams and goals. William and Grace should be very proud of their middle daughter. She is perfect.

"Now, William." Charlette stated without any evidence of compassion in her voice. "You will sit right here, and you will listen to me. Understand?" While technically a question, Charlette wasn't giving William an option.

William nodded.

…

Jack closed the door behind Elizabeth and placed her small over night bag down on a small table beside the door. As Elizabeth walked by, he closed his eyes trying to memorize Elizabeth's scent. The lavender scent of her shampoo was quickly becoming one of his favorites along with her perfume, The Cloud. Those smells reminded him of her and he never wanted to forget.

She turned to see Jack standing there with his eyes closed and a goofy smile. "What are you doing, Thornton?"

Jack opened his eyes when he heard her voice. "Dance with me, Elizabeth."

"Jack, there is no music."

He smiled a seductive smile. "Elizabeth, if you need music to dance, then you are dancing with the wrong partner."

He slowly walked up to Elizabeth with a dimple grin that made her knees instantly go weak. He reached for her right hand with his left hand and placed his right hand on the small of her back. They began moving side to side with about six inches between them.

"Elizabeth, this is not how you dance."

She looked at him confused. "Excuse me, Jack. I know how to dance."

"Maybe, but you don't know how to dance with someone whom you love."

"Really?" She teased. "So, Investigator Thorton, how do you dance with someone you love?"

With that, he pulled her close to him so they were touching completely. She gasped at his action. When she looked into his eyes and saw his dimple grin, she forgot to breath. She saw complete love. After a few moments she began to compose herself.

"So, this is how two people who love each other dance?"

He smiled a huge dimple smile that made her breath catch for a moment. Now she understood what he meant. If there was music playing, she wouldn't hear it. She was so consumed with this man in front of her holding her as if she was the most precious gem in the world.

"So, is this how you danced with the Watson twins?" She sassed.

"No, there was music." He grinned at her. "E-liz-a-beth"

With that, she captured his lips with a passion they have never experience before. The dancing, the knowledge of his leaving for a few days, and the love they shared all led to this passion. But honestly, it was the two hour discussion in the driveway. The everyday, mundane topics they shared and learned about each other brought them closer together as a couple.

After breaking away from the passionate kiss, "Jack, this is…"

…

Julie and Tom were in their individual apartments. As with typical guys, Tom didn't have too many things to pack other than clothes. His packing wouldn't take too long. As he looked around his apartment, he saw his old life. The life he wasn't happy with any longer. A life that just wasn't him anymore. He sighed at the thought of his past. In that moment, he determined that he didn't want anything from his past. He would keep the pictures that are important to him and other important objects that reminded him of his family. Other than that, he didn't want to hold on to his past. Julie is his present and his future. He wanted to concentrate on her and their life together. He was getting excited at the thoughts of their future.

Julie was looking around her apartment considering how she was going to pack everything. She had a few weeks before she would move, but it would take every moment to pack everything. She began with a checklist of the important things she wanted to take. The other things she would donate to charities. Like Tom, she was getting excited about the move and the future together with a man that was her match and her love. She giggled at the prospects of their life together.

…

The staring contest was going on for five minutes. Charlette was staring at William, and he was staring at the ground. The silence was beginning to get to him. For the second time, William opened his mouth to say something, but Charlette shushed him before a sound came out of his mouth.

The silence was beneficial for Charlette for two reasons. First, it allowed her to control her emotions. She only knew Elizabeth for a few days, but in that time, Elizabeth has become her daughter in every sense of the word. And when you messed with one of Charlette's kids, you messed with Charlette. Secondly, it allowed her to gather her words. She remembered what her Tom said about Marcus and his love for his family. Tom loved him as a close friend. She also saw the love emanate from him before all of this became an issue.

She exhaled for the third time. This was actually causing William anxiety. He was waiting for this woman to explode on him.

"Marcus" She began.

Hearing that name brought instant tears to his eyes. It has been a long time since he was called Marcus and only Officer T called him that name. He lowered his head at the memories of his friend.

With tears rolling down his face, he looked at Charlette for the first time since leaving the room. "Charlette, that was uncalled for."

"Marcus, I will not apologize for defending Elizabeth and Jack."

"Do you mean Jack?"

"No. I mean Elizabeth and Jack. Elizabeth is your and Grace's child. I would never overstep my boundaries here, but don't think I do not consider her my daughter too. I have gotten to know her the last few days and I have fallen in love with her. I do not consider her my daughter-in-law. She is my daughter in every sense of the word. She calls me mom and I am forever grateful for it."

William didn't say anything. He was grateful she was marrying into a family that loved her completely.

"I understand this is fast, but William, you know your daughter. You know how smart she is. You know how determined she is when she sets her mind on something. You have seen them together. Can you honestly say they aren't meant for each other?"

"Charlette…first, thank you for loving my middle child. She is most precious to me, and I am grateful you love her like you do. My problem is not that they are getting married. I like Jack. He is a good man and I respect him as a man."

"Your problem is the speed of all of this?"

He lowered his head. "Yes" he simply stated.

And what about you and Grace. I know that story, William. Your love for her and her love for you the first time you meet. What was it…when you tripped over her foot?"

He laughed at the story.

"Wasn't it love at first sight?"

He nodded.

"Jack and Elizabeth didn't fall in love at first sight? So, you and Grace feel in love faster than Jack and Elizabeth."

"Yes, but Charlette…"

She cut him off. "You would have married just as quick if it wasn't for school. Wasn't it during her sophomore year of college?"

"What's your point, Charlette?"

"Where her parents or your parents happy about that?"

"No they were not."

Charlette knew he loved his daughter, she just had to get him to see that instead of the time frame.

"And how did that affect your marriage?"

"With Grace and me, it didn't. It did however cause issues with our parents that took time to heal. They missed out on a small portion of our lives because of it."

"Are you willing to pay the same price, Marcus?"

William didn't say anything. He hung his head.

"Marcus, I know you love your family. I have no question about that. You are trying to control your daughter's life just like your parents did with yours and Grace's parents did with hers. It will cause a division with Elizabeth. I believe it already has to some degree. Before it completely separates you two for years, you need to consider if all of this is worth it."

…

"…is the most perfect evening." Jack finished Elizabeth's statement as they continued to sway with each other.

She laid her head on his chest. She loved this man with everything she is. Jack tightened his hold on her. He loved her with everything he is.

"Elizabeth tonight has been so special to me. We have spent hours talking and learning about each other. This…" he nodded to their dancing "is the most intimate moment I have ever had." He tightened his hold on her. He couldn't believe this precious woman agreed to marry him. She was perfect for him. She was playful but serious when she needed to be. She loved with all she was but was willing to take a stand when needed. In his eyes, she was perfect for him.

They swayed for a few more minutes enjoying being in each other's grasp. Elizabeth always heard through her friends that guys just wanted one thing. Once they got that one thing, things would change. Until they got that one thing, that would be all they would concentrate on and work toward making them feel special and loved.

With Jack, she never sensed that. Yes, some of their kisses were passionate. She absolutely loved that. There have been a couple of occasions that they pushed the lines, but Jack would always pull back before things got carried away too far. Lust was about sex; love was about the person. Elizabeth had no doubt that Jack's intention with her was love. Yes, along with her, he wanted the physical aspect, but it wasn't the first thing on his mind. He wanted to spend time with her to get to know her. The little things that make her who she is. He always placed her first. The more time she spent with Jack, the more she loved him.

When she is honest with herself, she wanted this man as much as he wanted her. Jack woke up a part of her that she never knew was present. Her former boyfriend never even came close to approaching the area where Jack was at. He was standing in the middle of Elizabeth's desire and was pouring gas on the flames. She knew she loved this man.

…

"There is no way you could ever consider missing your daughter's wedding. You could never live with that decision. Not the Marcus I have heard about."

"Charlette, you're not playing fair."

"Marcus, this isn't a game. This is your daughter's life. This is one of her biggest days in her life. I would give anything for my Thomas to be at his son's wedding. But he can't. And now, you are giving away your opportunity to witness your own daughter's wedding because she refuses to do what you want? How can you forfeit the greatest privilege of escorting your daughter down the aisle? I remember my Thomas stating one time that he wanted Jack to marry a young lady like his Cinderella. I asked him why a young lady like his Cinderella since he knew Cinderella. He said that he told you that he wanted Jack to marry Cinderella before he died."

William leaned over and placed his elbows on his knees and buried his face in his hands. Charlette's words were landing with each syllable.

"How can you be so selfish?" She hesitated for a moment. She knew the next statement was going to knock him off his foundation, but he needed to hear it. "Officer T would be very disappointed in you at the moment."

With that statement, she stood from the bench and placed a hand on his shoulder. She gave it a gentle squeeze before walking down the sidewalk and disappearing in the darkness. William sat on the bench for a length of time. He didn't know how long he sat there but Charlette's words were replaying in his mind and each word was landing with the same effect as before.

…

For Jack and Elizabeth, time didn't exist for the last three hours. The talk and the dancing were the greatest evening either of them ever had. Jack noticed the time on the microwave.

"Bella, it's getting late. I need to get you to bed so you can be rested for work tomorrow."

"Jack, I don't want this to end. It has been a perfect."

"It has been the most perfect evening."

"Can we have one more dance?" Pleaded Elizabeth.

"I can never tell you no. You have this power over me."

As they danced a few more minutes, they looked into each other's eyes.

"I can look into your eyes for the rest of my life."

"Jack, I hope so. You are stuck with me forever."

"How did I get so blessed?" She leaned in and placed her head on his shoulder against his neck.

…

William finally made his way back to the hotel. He had to knock on the door for Grace to let him in. Charlette didn't give him time to grab a room key. He was still visibly shaken by her remarks.

Grace opened the door and instantly thought William was put through a heavy weight boxing match. There were no bruises or cuts, but he looked exhausted and beaten down.

"William! Are you ok?"

He didn't respond or even look up to meet her gaze. He walked in and went into the bathroom to prepare for bed. After laying down on his bed, Grace sat on the edge of his bed beside the bed side table. "William, are you ok?"

Without turning over to look at his precious wife, he shook his head side to side. William didn't know, but Charlette called Grace to let her know what happened and where William was. Grace was thankful she did that.

"She doesn't play fair."

"Was she dishonest or cruel in her comments?"

Again, he couldn't say anything. Finally, he spoke but he did so in a very low voice. Grace almost didn't hear him.

"Are you ok with this?"

"William, without a doubt I am ok with this. They were made for each other. They belong together and this is what I have always wanted for my children."

Silence reigned in the hotel room.

"William, do you want to discuss what you two talked about?"

"No" he spoke humbly. Grace has never heard that tone from him. It was as if he was defeated.

With that, he pulled up the sheet and cover and settled into the pillow. There was no way he was going to rest, but he needed to think.

…

"Let's go cuddle in bed. In the morning, I will get you up and we will head to Abagail's for breakfast before your work." Jack said.

"You better be nice when you wake me up in the morning." She sassed.

After getting ready for bed, she was dressed in a pajama short and a loose fitting top. Jack was in his normal athletic shorts without a shirt. Like before, each was speechless when they saw the other. Elizabeth couldn't get over how handsome he looked without a shirt on. It took her breathe, and she was certain that she would never grow tired of this view. Jack couldn't get over how beautiful she was with no make up on and in comfortable, laying around clothes. Her legs looked longer in those shorts and her hair laying across her shoulders were mesmerizing. And those eyes…those eyes could bring ships back to harbor. He got lost in her eyes. If she ever wanted anything, all she had to do was ask him while he looked into her eyes. He could never say no.

She pulled back the cover for him to slide in beside her. Again, he laid on his right side and wrapped his left arm around her stomach and pulled her into his embrace. She reached for his left hand and pulled it up to her chest and held his hand there. After just a few moments, Jack felt her breath slowing and became steady. She was asleep and he could have drunk her in like his favorite soda. He knew he would never grow tired of this cherished woman. It didn't take long for him to follow her into a restful sleep.

…

Morning came too fast for William. He barely slept throughout the night, He slept less than two hours. The punches that Charlette landed continued to land each time he thought about her words. "Well, she wasn't wrong." He mumbled as he sat up in bed.

"She wasn't wrong about what, dear."

"Charlette. She wasn't wrong."

"Are you ok?"

"Yes, but I need to speak with Beth before we leave this morning."

"We will have to stop by her school on the way to the airport."

She offered him a smile as she continued to pack her suitcase.

…

Jack propped himself up on his elbow so he could watch the love of his life sleep and listen to her low snoring. She was so beautiful with her mouth opened just a little and her hair sprayed across her pillow. He moved her hair off of her shoulder and she turned in her sleep to face him. He took a couple more minutes of just admiring his love before he woke her up Sleeping Beauty style.

He placed a soft kiss on her forehead, then moved down to her cheek. He kissed her on the tip of her nose and a gentle kiss on her lips. She shifted slightly but didn't open her eyes. He moved his attention to her neck and kissed the area just below her ear lobe. He remembered the last time he sucked and nibbled on her ear lobe. The memories brought a smile to his face. He enjoyed the fact that he had that ability to make her feel that way.

As he leaned down to attack her ear lobe, she startled him. "Don't even think about it Thorton or you will never get on that silly plane!"

He chuckled and leaned to kiss the tip of her nose. "I love you, Bella."

"I love you. What time is it?"

"I let you sleep as long as I could. You will need to get up and get dressed so we can enjoy a nice breakfast before you head to work."

She frowned at his words. The realization dawned on her that he was leaving in a few hours.

…

Abagail woke up with a mission on her mind. Jack was leaving today for several days. She knew both Jack and Elizabeth were going to have a hard time during this little separation. She intended to be at the café early and have their breakfast ready when they arrived. Jack had texted her with an idea of what to make and a time they would be there.

She was so happy for her friend and younger sister. Jack was her perfect match and Abagail couldn't be happier. She could see the difference in Elizabeth's actions and facial expressions over the past week. Abagail's heart was full. Her best friend found the love she so deserved. Henry was settling in very well and adapting to his new living situation. She loved Frank with all of her heart. Life is good.

…

Jack opened the door for Elizabeth, and she walked in but did not let go of his hand. She wasn't going to until she had too. They sat on the same side of the booth so they could continue to touch.

Abagail walked over with their food already prepared and placed the plates in front of them. For Elizabeth, she had scrambled eggs, with honey smoked ham and two pieces of bacon and two slices of French toast. For Jack, he had a biscuit and gravy, three pieces of sausage and two pieces of bacon. He also had an extra biscuit with blackberry jelly.

The breakfast was consumed in silence and stolen glances. Jack and Elizabeth were trying to process the fact that in a little over three hours he and his mother will be on a plane flying away from his fiancé. This was not easy.

Even in their silence, they enjoyed the time together. There legs were constantly touching. When it was time, he walked Elizabeth to her school. He followed her into the office and briefly spoke to Ms. Florence while Elizabeth signed in and gathered her mail from her school mailbox. They walked hand in hand to her classroom. There were no students present yet and they took full advantage of that as soon as he closed the door to her room.

After a few minutes of kissing, he leaned his forehead against hers.

"How is it that was the first long kiss we have shared in a little while?" Asked a surprised Jack.

"Last night was perfectly intimate, Jack. Our talk and dancing in the kitchen were absolutely perfect. I wouldn't change a moment of it."

"It was perfect, Elizabeth. I would just kiss more. If I was better at that…"

She stopped him when her lips crashed on his. She was lost in the moment, and she loved it.

That was what was important to her. They could spend the evening making out or just talking about small, mundane things, and it was perfect. The limited physical night before was the most intimate evening she has ever had. Jack and Elizabeth learned that intimacy was not limited to just the physical touch. This relationship was teaching them what it meant to truly be in love.

"Elizabeth, I'll text when I land and call tonight."

"You better."

"I hope you don't get tired of me."

"Never."

After a couple of more kisses, her students began to come into the classroom. With that, Jack kissed her hand one more time and walked out of her classroom. About fifteen seconds later, her phone buzzed.

J – I miss you already

E – Me too

…

An hour after Jack left, Grace and William showed up. Elizabeth called the front office to see if someone could come and watch her class for a few minutes while she said goodbye to her parents. Ms. Jones, the teacher next door, was on her planning period and stepped in to listen to the children read out loud from their readers.

As they walked outside to her parents' rental car, Elizabeth noticed her mother was walking slower than everyone else. Her father reached for her hand and stopped walking when she took his hand.

"Elizabeth, please forgive me in my stubbornness and ignorance. I have acted like a complete jerk, and I am sorry for the trouble and heartache I have cause."

She was stunned at his words. She couldn't remember when he ever apologized.

"It's ok father."

"No, Elizabeth. It is not ok. I was wrong, so wrong and I am sorry." At this moment, tears began to flow from his eyes. "If you would allow me, I would love to escort you down the aisle to Jack?"

He held his breath waiting for her to answer him. She hugged him and whispered, "I would love for you too."

She spoke to her mother and father for a few minutes, but they had to leave for the airport. She gave them both big hugs and kissed them on the cheek. "I look forward to seeing you next week." She told her parents.

…

She walked back to her classroom slowly. She just wasn't into her job today. She was missing Jack too much. She sighed knowing today was going to be a long day and the next few days too.

Instead of following her students to lunch, she stayed in her classroom. She didn't want to eat. She wanted to be by herself. When she heard her door open, she looked up to see Abagail standing there with a to go plate of food.

"Abagail, you are a perfect best friend."

Abagail walked over and gave her a hug once she placed the food down on her desk. "Well, I had help."

That's when she noticed an envelope on top of the container with her name written on it in Jack's hand writing. She took the envelope and ran it through her fingers a few times wanting to touch something he has touched. She opened the envelope and unfolded the letter. Abagail stepped out of the room without Elizabeth noticing.

My Dearest Pulchram –

It has only been a few hours and I feel like I am half the person I was this morning. You make me whole. You complete me and without you, I am not the person I am called to be. In just a few days, how is it possible for someone to become so much of me? You are my every thought. You consume me and I am better for it.

This step is necessary for the next season of our life, but I hate this time apart. I will come back to you as fast as I can. It looks like it will be Tuesday, but I am hoping, with ma's help, I can be back earlier. Then, our life together begins.

On Friday, I will stand in front of God, family, and friends to profess my love to you. That will make it official, but let's be honest, I am already yours in every way. Elizabeth, you are the true love of my life. I never thought this type of love was possible for me. I hoped for it, but never thought it would happen. You are making my dreams come true. Thank you, Elizabeth.

Your Future Husband,

Thomas Jack Thorton

She took a long breath. With tears in her eyes, she read the note two more times. Each time she read it; Jack's words touched her deeper than the previous time. The tears were a mixture of happiness and sadness. She missed him already but loved how he loved her. She took out her phone. Jack was on the plane, and she knew he wouldn't receive the text until he landed, but she didn't care.

E – Pulchram – Latin?

E – I am completely yours, Dimples. I love you. Come back to me soon!

E – I miss you!

E – This is going to be a long few days!

E – I love you!