The last chapter of my soap-opera story- I hope you enjoy the ending!
Elizabeth walked around her small enclosure. Her 'sister,' (she still had trouble calling her that), had actually taken good care of her despite the fact that she was confined away from her family. She fed her so well that Elizabeth had probably put on a few pounds, surprisingly. And she allowed her time to bathe regularly too and brought her a few changes of clothes.
If she had to be kidnapped, she really couldn't complain much about the treatment.
It didn't seem like her twin wanted to kill her, and yet, what other end could there be to this? But while she was alive and waiting, she would keep hoping and praying for a reunion with her loved ones. Her captor had spent much time telling her of time spent with Lucas and his dream of building her a house. Elizabeth tried to hang on to the belief that somehow they would be together again.
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"It's too bad Nathan won't be home until tomorrow, he will hate missing this." Bill's words were for Lucas's ears only as they waited in the office and checked the clock. Elizabeth 2- they decided that fit as well as anything did- had been pretty constant with the time she left town every day, and it was almost that time now. Their horses were saddled and ready to go and both men were armed.
Lucas had made sure Jack was safe, and Robert had taken him to his own house after she left the house.
Everything was in place as Lucas peered out the front door. "There she goes," he said impatiently as the two men headed out to their horses, making sure the woman didn't see them exit. They would have to stay a distance behind and hide as much as possible while following her.
She headed off to the north after leaving town, it was a more secluded area which would make sense if she was hiding Elizabeth somewhere. Her trail was winding and difficult to track, but somehow the two men managed to keep an eye on her from a distance.
"We are assuming she is working alone," Bill said quietly as they rode along. "If we end up at a cabin, I will take the back door and you take the front. Hopefully, there are no surprises inside." Lucas knew he was referring to accomplices and nodded his agreement. There had been no rest last night as he was anxious to see his love, wondering exactly how long she had been gone. He thought he could almost pinpoint the day but would check with Elizabeth if he found her to make sure.
When he found her. Because he would find her. Nothing would stop him now that he was certain of what he had only suspected before.
As they turned a corner, they caught a glimpse of Elizabeth 2 getting down from her horse, stopping them in their tracks as they also dismounted and began slowly walking in her direction, staying hidden behind trees as they went.
Drawing closer, they saw a small cabin which they assumed held Elizabeth inside. There was no barn or shed nearby, and only the one horse that they could see.
The woman must be acting alone.
Bill motioned Lucas to the front door as he went around the back and quietly checked the handle finding it unlocked. He waited until he heard the front door slam open and began counting.
What Lucas saw as he entered the room gun drawn took his breath away. There was a large cage inside, with his Elizabeth lying on a cot, like sleeping beauty. Tears filled his eyes as he headed for the cell until he heard the cock of a pistol and looked over to see her twin with the gun pointed at his fiancée.
"Well, well. It appears we have one Elizabeth too many," she said, her eyes darkening. "I suggest you drop the gun." Knowing she meant it, he lay it down on the floor. Hearing the woman's voice, Elizabeth opened her eyes and blinked a few times when she saw Lucas standing there. "Lucas? Is it really you?" she said sleepily, then jumped from the cot and ran to the bars, now wide awake.
"Please, put the gun down, so we can talk," Lucas said calmly even though his heart was about to pound out of his chest.
"Talk? What should we talk about? All our intimate moments while your frigid girlfriend was here alone?" Lucas winced at the words but noticed she had paced herself very near the back door. Anytime, Bill.
"Let's talk about mistakes, shall we? Like the one you just made."
Suddenly the back door swung open, and the twin spun around, Bill knocking the gun out of her hand and tackling her. Looking around, Lucas spied a key lying on a table and quickly grabbed it, his hands shaking as he unlocked the door of the cage and opened it. Elizabeth ran into his arms and he wrapped her in a comforting embrace, holding her as she cried on his chest. After a brief moment, he picked her up in his arms and carried her outside, away from her imprisonment.
Once she saw that she was beaten, Elizabeth 2 fell into a heap on the floor, completely helpless.
Outside, Lucas held his beloved close to him as he walked around soaking in her presence. Finally, he placed her on her feet and put his hands on her cheeks, looking her over. "Are you alright? Did she hurt you in any way?" His voice was tender and brought a slight smile through Elizabeth's tears as she couldn't take her gaze off of him.
"No. I'm physically well. Just so happy to see you, my darling Lucas. I kept hoping and praying that you would come looking for me. How is Little Jack?" she asked, once again in tears.
"He is perfect, as always. She took good care of him, but he misses his real mama."
They kissed tenderly, Lucas knowing through the caress that she was indeed his Elizabeth.
As she stepped back, Lucas once again touched her face. "I've changed my mind about the wedding. Let's elope. Tomorrow."
A grin crossed her face, which brought a dimpled smile to his. "Yes. I think that's a wonderful idea. And I have a thought -how about we build a medium-sized house right outside of town for us to raise our children in?"
The words brought a laugh as Lucas wrapped his arms around her, swinging her about as he did after his proposal.
It would be a long time before he took his eyes off of his Elizabeth again.
The End
There. I fixed it. Hope you enjoyed. :)