Epilogue
A/N: Well, I've fiddle-faddled with this long enough. Beware the saccharine...all I can think is I needed some sweetness. I hope you enjoy this!
Jessica was frustrated. She turned, again, and thumped her pillow for good measure. Seth had been courting her for three weeks. Three weeks and hardly a kiss since that first, passionate embrace they'd shared in his newly renovated bedroom. She had humored him at first, thinking that he needed only a few days, perhaps a week, to settle into this new reality. But she really expected that they would be lovers by now. She felt her face flush. Was she really so wanton? Was it wrong to feel such things? At her age? She could hear Frank even now. What's wrong with your age? She laughed lightly; she refused to call it a giggle. She and Frank had had a very satisfying intimate life. When he died, she naturally assumed that part of her life was over. She missed him, missed his physical presence, desperately, those first few months. She'd relied on her iron discipline to ignore those desires. And she'd succeeded until she met Preston Giles. Her mouth settled into a moue of disapproval as it always did when she thought of the burgeoning feelings that man had called out in her. It wasn't long after that she began to spend more time with Seth.
At first she thought Seth pleasant, harmless. He was intelligent, blunt, downright hilarious once he relaxed enough to bend in her presence. She enjoyed the witty banter they shared. As they grew closer, she began to appreciate his physical presence as well. He took to kissing her cheek when he greeted her, drawing her arm through his as they walked through town, a gentle hand on her back when they were leaving a committee meeting or holiday party. Falling in love with Seth had been as gradual as the eroding coastline she'd been reading about in the Gazette. She simply hadn't noticed til she felt the water lapping at her ankles.
But she wasn't sorry or regretful. Or embarrassed. Jessica wasn't indecisive; she wasn't one to waste time dithering over what could be or what might happen. Once she realized she was in love with Seth, she accepted it without guilt or remorse.
She decided to take a direct approach.
Ending A
Seth realized he was being ridiculous, absurd. He wished he had a friend to talk it over with, but Jessica was his only close friend, and he couldn't talk about this with her. Jessica was attractive, sophisticated, physically appealing…all the things he wasn't. At least he'd dropped most of the weight he'd gained since Ruth had died. In the limited fantasies he'd allowed himself, he imagined Jessica to be a "lights on" type of person, whereas he had definitely become a "lights off" type. But maybe it wouldn't be so bad. What was he thinking? Of course it wouldn't be so bad to go to bed with Jessica. When he'd brought her over to see the renovations, she had made the first move and he'd shown himself willing. By god he'd been willing. But he hadn't been exaggerating his relief that Beverly had interrupted them. If she hadn't, they might have had a quick, passionate tryst that very afternoon.
Not that there was anything wrong with any of those things, but it wasn't how he'd envisioned fantasized about the first time he and Jessica would make love. He knew he wasn't particularly romantic; Ruthie had teased him often enough about his pedestrian wooing.
You're an open-faced sandwich, sweetheart, and that's why I love you. He smiled at the memory, her loving grin taking the potential sting out of her words. And I do love you, darling.
And of course he'd done an equally poor job of wooing Jessica. He'd been in love with her almost right from the start, but he'd finally admitted it to himself when she followed him over to Juniper Lake. He didn't think he'd ever forget the way she looked at him…that calm certitude radiating from her gaze. There's no power on earth that could make me believe Seth is a killer. He promised himself he'd never let on. There was no way a woman as intelligent, as gorgeous and irresistible as Jessica Fletcher could ever fall for the likes of him.
But she had. She'd admitted it to him over a series of phone conversations, memories he treasured. All his dreams were coming true, and he found himself seized by what could only be described as performance anxiety.
Anytime he tried to relax, to loosen up, to be affectionate with her, he froze. He knew she was placating him…well, not exactly placating. That sounded like she had no respect for him, and that wasn't the case. It was more like she had too much respect for him to call him out in such a delicate situation. Maybe she didn't have the vocabulary either. He didn't want to imagine that she'd been with another man since Frank died. Not that it mattered…much. But knowing would only increase his anxiety.
But how could he broach the subject with her? In truth, he wanted everything with Jessica…marriage if she would agree, but he would settle for a committed relationship with her. He couldn't imagine living together, not in Cabot Cove, and he didn't much care for the idea of sneaking around. He wasn't ashamed, but he was private, and so was she.
He sighed. Nearly three weeks and he hadn't even made it to second base. He scoffed. Once a teenaged boy, always a teenaged boy, he thought contemptuously. He was a man now, very nearly an old man, though he had some life left in him yet. He resolved to pursue her with all the vigor she inspired in him.
Seth knocked on the front door. Once Jessica had revealed her feelings for him, he'd begun using the front door. It made him feel like a beau instead of a friend. He also felt it conveyed respect for Jessica. He heard her approach the door and he shifted the wine and chocolates more securely in his arms. He was glad he'd done so when she opened the door.
"Jessica!"
"Come in, Seth." Jessica stepped back to let him in.
Seth entered the house quickly and kicked the door behind him. "Jessica! What are you wearing?"
"This? It's a sundress, Seth," she said mildly. "Wine and chocolates? How lovely," and she took them from his hands as he tried to form words. He'd never seen her wearing something so…so sheer. It left very little to the imagination. He trailed along behind her, feeling like a fish struggling on a line who was being played expertly by some mysterious force.
Once in the kitchen, she placed the box of chocolates on the counter, then, holding up the wine bottle, turned to face Seth. She smiled sweetly. "Should we open the wine? Let it breathe?"
"I thought we'd planned to eat out tonight," began Seth cautiously.
"I felt like staying in. You don't mind, do you?"
"Mind?" he squeaked, then quickly cleared his throat. "No, I don't mind."
"Good. I canceled our reservation earlier this afternoon." The way she looked at him! As though she were daring him to challenge her. As if he would. As if he could! He was still having trouble focusing. He didn't think she was wearing a brassiere. He swallowed audibly. "Are you alright, Seth?"
"A-yuh," he said gruffly.
"Are you hungry?"
"Not especially," he said.
Jessica leaned against the counter and let the silence fill the space. She wondered how long it might take Seth to pick up on the rather broad hints she was giving him. For heaven's sake! She hadn't worn so skimpy an outfit in…well, probably best not to put too fine a point on it. In for a penny, she thought.
She kept the wine glasses in a cupboard above the sink. As she reached above, she exaggerated her stretch. This is ridiculous, she thought. You're acting like a moony teenager instead of a mature, professional woman.
"What are you doing, woman?" said Seth.
His voice startled her and she began to lose her balance. All of a sudden she felt a pair of strong hands steadying her. She allowed herself to be turned around. "Are you alright?" asked Seth quietly. She nodded, unable to speak but also unable to pull her gaze from his. "Jessica," he murmured hoarsely, then crushed her to him, dropping kisses over her face and neck.
"Oh, Seth," she breathed.
"Are you…could we?"
"Yes," she whispered in his ear.
He kissed her neck, then took her hand.
Jessica, wearing her royal blue robe, entered her bedroom carrying a tray with two wine glasses and the box of chocolates. She had the bottle of wine tucked under her arm.
"Woman," Seth exclaimed. "You should have let me help you!"
"You don't have a robe," and she winked at him.
He smiled and leaned forward to take the glasses from the tray. He gestured to the wine bottle. "I don't see a corkscrew in your mouth."
She laughed and set the tray with the chocolates on the nightstand table, then triumphantly pulled a corkscrew out of her pocket.
"Impressive," said Seth. "Not the most impressive thing I've seen tonight…"
She laughed again and bent to kiss him. He tried to deepen the kiss, but the two wine glasses got in his way. Jessica moved to the other side of the bed and flopped down comfortably as she handed the corkscrew to Seth.
He chuckled as he began opening the wine and pouring her a glass. "Comfortable, Jess?"
She hummed in agreement as he handed her a glass of wine. She took a sip. "This is nice," she said.
"The wine? I'm glad. I wasn't sure what to get, but Mark told me it would pair well with a rich dessert."
She looked at Seth and smiled. "The wine's nice too, but I was thinking more about this." She flapped a hand between them. "Us," she said quietly.
Seth put down the glass of wine that he'd poured himself and turned to Jessica, taking her hand in his. "A-yuh," he said softly and raised her hand to his lips.
"Are you happy?" she asked, trying to swallow the laughter that was threatening.
Seth barked a laugh. "If you weren't holding a glass of red wine, woman, I'd show you exactly how happy I am."
Jessica turned to put her glass on the nightstand table. "You were saying?" she said flirtatiously.
Jessica shrieked with laughter as Seth grabbed her and peppered her face with kisses. He paused for a moment, looking down into her eyes. "I love you, Jessica."
She smiled and stroked his cheek. "I love you, too, Seth." She smiled. "I wasn't sure I could love again—"
"Until I wormed my way into your heart?"
Jessica laughed. "I would not put it like that." She craned her neck to give him a swift kiss. "But you're in my heart now."
Seth kissed her, hoping she would understand how deeply her words had moved him. He drew back for a moment, gazing down at Jessica. "You're so lovely," he murmured as he brushed her hair back from her eyes. He kissed her firmly, then sat up. "Thank you, Jess."
"For what?"
"I think you know exactly what for, but I'll humor you. Thank you for moving us forward. I was in a bit of a panic, and I couldn't talk to my best friend about it."
Jessica laughed. "Oh, Seth. You can always talk to your best friend. Anyway, why were you in a panic?"
He picked up her hand and pressed it to his lips. "I know that now, woman," he said without heat. "Weren't you even a little nervous?" he asked tentatively.
"I suppose I was. A little. It has been some time for me," she said softly.
"A-yuh. For me, too. I was worried I might not measure up."
"Oh, Seth. Oh dear heart." She kissed him tenderly. "How could you think that?"
"Jessica, you could have any man in the world."
"Seth, really," she said dismissively.
"It's true! I'm not trying to pick a fight with you, believe me, but just how many of those men who escort you to all those events…well, how many of them do you suppose would give their eye teeth to be right where I am?"
"In my heart?" she said archly.
"Yes, woman. In your heart, and in your bed."
Jessica turned her face away. "Oh Seth, I don't know."
"Well I do. And…well…I knew I'd loved you the longest of any of those men, but..it wasn't easy. And I wasn't sure I loved you the best, or even if I could love you the best. I just knew…I just know I love you." He stroked the curve of her neck. "I love you, Jess, and I was nervous. It was probably foolish, but I was nervous and I couldn't talk to you about it." He sighed. "I wanted everything to be perfect."
Jessica turned abruptly to face him. "Are you saying tonight wasn't perfect?"
"No, of course not!" He stroked her face gently, smoothing the crease between her brows. "It was perfect. You were perfect, Jess."
She studied him intently. "But you wanted to plan it."
Seth barked a laugh. "That's just it, Jessica. I wasn't able to plan it. You were. And it was marvelous, wonderful." He kissed her lightly. "Perfect."
She smiled and craned her neck around his shoulder. "Any idea where those chocolates got to?"
He smiled back and squeezed her hand, then turned to retrieve the box of chocolates. He unwrapped the box and removed the lid. "There you are, my dear."
"Wine with chocolates is a lovely idea, Seth."
"There are lots more where that came from." Jessica raised her eyebrows. "Yes, indeed. I've got several years' worth of wooing to make up for."
Jessica cocked her head to one side as she decided which candy to eat first. "I think I'm going to enjoy being wooed by you."
"That's the idea." He leaned forward to kiss her cheek, then reached for a chocolate and swiftly popped it in his mouth. Then he kissed her on the lips, her eyes widening.
"Seth!" She wiped her mouth self-consciously. "What's gotten into you?"
Seth smiled and finished his piece of chocolate. "At the risk of sounding crude." He held up his hands. "Which is not my intent…you have, my dear. You've gotten into me. You make me feel alive again. All I want is to be happy. And that means making you happy."
Jessica shook her head. "You don't have to do anything to make me happy, Seth. Just being with you makes me happy."
"Well then, woman, since we've decided that neither of us needs to do anything special, let's just sit back and enjoy our wine and chocolate."
"I like the sound of that."
They took a few minutes to get settled. Seth leaned back against the headboard and wrapped an arm around Jessica. She put the box of chocolate between them and reached for her wine glass. "A toast," she said impishly. Seth raised his eyebrows.
May those that love us, love us.
And those that don't love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if he doesn't turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles,
So we'll know them by their limping.
Seth guffawed so loudly that she was sure her nosiest neighbor could hear him. "Hush now," she said primly. "My grandmother used to say that at all the family gatherings."
Seth squeezed his arm around her and kissed her cheek. "I'm going to start looking for limpers first thing tomorrow." Jessica laughed as Seth kissed her again. He sighed with pleasure. "I sure do love you, woman."
"I love you, too, dear. Now eat your chocolate and behave."
"I'll eat my chocolate, woman, but I won't promise to behave."
She was sure her neighbor, the one she and Frank nicknamed Gladys Kravitz, could hear the shrieks of laughter coming from her bedroom. Oh well, thought Jessica impishly. Maybe God will turn her ankle.
A/N: I realize Jessica is too kind and caring to actually think this…or maybe she could think it while knowing she would never want such a thing to happen. Wink wink. Now on to Ending B.
Ending B
"Town Hall. Tom speaking."
"Tom, it's Jessica."
"Jessica! What can I do for you?" boomed Tom.
Stop speaking so loudly for one, thought Jessica. "Tom, I need a favor. And I need it done quietly."
"What kind of favor, Jessica?"
"I need you to fill out a marriage license."
"For Grady? You tell him to come on down here himself and bring that pretty girl with him!"
"It's not for Grady, Tom. It's for me."
"You?"
"Yes, me," Jessica hissed. "And please keep your voice down!"
"Right, right. Well, Jessica. This is a surprise! May I ask who the other party is?"
"You may," she said primly.
"Well?"
"It's Seth Hazlitt, as you might well have guessed."
"A-yuh. So what's the favor?"
She did appreciate that he got right down to business. "I want you to fill out the license for us and we'll sign it when we get there."
"Get where?"
"Portland."
"Why not get hitched here?"
"Tom!"
"No one's here…as you well know, Jessica. I assume that's why you called now."
"Alright, alright. I don't want any fuss. And…it's sort of a surprise."
"A surprise!" Must he repeat everything I say? "Some surprise."
"What do you mean?" asked Jessica haughtily.
"Well, you know the doc. He'll want to be the party of the first part, as it were." Tom laughed at his own weak joke.
"Well, that can't be helped. Anyway, I need your help. Can you do it for me, Tom?"
"You know I can, Jess. But it's highly unorthodox. Highly unorthodox."
"I'll owe you, Tom. I'll owe you big. When can I come by and pick it up?"
"Come by in an hour. I'll have it ready by then. And Jessica?"
"Yes?" she replied warily.
"Congratulations," he said sincerely.
"Thank you, Tom. I'll see you in an hour."
She put the phone in the cradle thoughtfully. It was bold, audacious, but she felt the situation called for nothing less. Now to make the other phone calls that would put a bow on what she hoped Seth would consider a gift.
"Seth?"
"I'm right here, woman," he said mildly.
Jessica smiled and picked up his hand. "I need to go to Boston this weekend. Could you take me to Portland this Friday?"
"Boston! Why do you need to go there?"
"An opportunity came up and Susan agreed to it on my behalf. A conference on women writers and she's arranged for me to be on one of the panels."
Seth grunted. Not that he'd planned anything particular for this weekend, but now that he and Jess had an understanding…what understanding? Only that she's been understanding of your pussyfooting around. How much longer she'll remain understanding is anyone's guess. Time for you to fish or cut bait, Hazlitt.
Jessica stifled a giggle at the mutinous look on his face. "I don't suppose…" She shook her head. "Never mind."
"What?"
"I don't suppose you'd come with me this weekend?"
"Come with you? Would that…Is that something I could do?"
Jessica smiled. "Yes, if you can get away."
"I can get away." He smiled and put his hand over hers. "I'd like to go with you."
Jessica was pleasantly surprised; she'd marshaled several arguments, persuasive arguments, for his going to Boston with her, but she hadn't had to do any persuading. She cocked her head thoughtfully.
"What?"
"It's not like you to be so…agreeable."
Seth barked a laugh. "I've been working on learning some new tricks," he said and leaned in to kiss her lightly on the mouth.
"That sounds promising." Jessica kissed him back more firmly, then drew back a little so she could see his face. "Will I get to see more of these new tricks this weekend?"
Oh, what you do to me. "Maybe." If I can get my courage up.
"Good." She leaned further back into the couch and pulled him beside her, placing his arm around her shoulder. "This is nice."
"A-yuh."
She stroked the hand wrapped around her shoulder idly. "Seth?"
"I'm right here," he said playfully.
"Are you…happy?"
Seth's heart seized. "What do you mean?"
"What do you think I mean? I'm asking if you're happy now that we have this…understanding."
"Of course I'm happy, woman! What would make you think I'm not?"
"Nothing! And there's no need to get testy, Seth Hazlitt! I'm merely asking whether you're happy. Whether our being…together…makes you happy."
Seth turned her gently in his arms. "Of course I'm happy, Jessica," he said tenderly. "I hope I haven't given you any reason to doubt that."
"No," she said softly. "You haven't. It's only…well, those things are always nice to hear once in awhile."
Seth tucked his chin. "Ruthie used to tease me."
"Oh?"
"She used to say I was like an open-faced sandwich." Jessica looked at him quizzically. "What you see is what you get," he explained. "I wasn't very good at telling her how I felt." Jessica smiled. "I did get better," he added, a little defensively. "But I can see there's still room for improvement."
Jessica put her arms around his neck and pressed against him. "I wouldn't have you any other way, Seth Hazlitt."
She squeezed him even tighter. It was awkward, the way they were positioned on the couch, but Seth wouldn't move for the world. He rubbed her back. She was so warm and soft; she smelled so good. It would be nothing to place a few kisses on her neck. He knew she was receptive to the idea. She'd all but told him so her first afternoon back in Cabot Cove. And yet…he wanted things to be perfect. He wanted the first time they made love to be perfect. He wanted it to signify the depth of his love for her specifically. To differentiate their union from those other meaningless encounters that still had the power to shame him.
And more than that…he held out the hope that she would marry him. That she would want to marry him. He drew back from her a little and kissed her softly. "What time do we need to be in Portland, woman?"
"The train for Boson leaves at 2:40." She smiled at him. "I'm glad we're going away this weekend."
Seth swallowed. He had a little less than a week to prepare himself. He sent up a fleeting prayer of gratitude that he'd dropped most of that extra weight he'd been carrying. "A-yuh," he said softly.
"Seth?"
"I should say goodnight now, woman."
Jessica smiled tenderly at him and stroked his cheek. "I understand."
He gripped her hand in his. "Do you?"
"Yes, my darling." She kissed the side of his mouth, then rose, pulling him up with her. "I love you, Seth."
"I love you, Jess." They walked to the front door. "See you tomorrow?"
She nodded, then kissed him again. He squeezed her hand, then walked out the door. She leaned against the doorframe and watched as he got to his car. She waved to him, then shut the door. She didn't feel good about lying to him, but all the same, she wasn't sorry. She knew him, knew what he was struggling against, and knew she could manage it all. She doubted he would be sorry, either. She smiled as she turned out the lights and made her way upstairs.
Jessica opened the front door with a bemused grin. When would that man ever start using the back door again? Hopefully as soon as we get back from our trip, she thought mischievously. She swung the door wide. "Hello, Seth!"
"Hello, Jessica! You look mighty fine," he said as he stepped across the threshold and kissed her on the cheek. "I feel like maybe I ought to run back home and change."
She straightened his bow tie. "Don't you dare! We don't want to be late!"
He squeezed one of her hands in his. "I'm glad to be going with you this weekend, Jess. Where are your bags?"
"They're at the bottom of the stairs."
He picked them up and pretended to stumble. "We'll only be away for three days, Jess! What in the world is in here? Bowling balls?"
"I wasn't quite sure what I'd need."
"Well, from the feel of it, you packed your entire closet, woman!" He winked at her and she blew him a kiss. "Let's lock up and go, shall we?"
Seth was paying just enough attention to keep up his end of the conversation, but he was thinking doubletime about what Jessica was wearing today. When she opened the door, he was surprised…pleasantly surprised. He always admired what Jessica wore; she had a good sense of proportion and occasion. She never wore too much jewelry or makeup in his opinion. She always looked elegant and often fetching, even in her waders and rain jacket. But today she looked almost ethereal to him.
He'd lived with women long enough to pick up some of the lingo. She was wearing a light, gauzy dress with three quarter sleeves and a sailor collar that met in a delightful V shape that emphasized her lovely neck and tasteful decolletage. The dress was a pale blue, almost white, with small white polka dots…swiss dots, had Ruthie called them? She wore her favorite strand of pearls and simple gold hoops. In fact, he thought perhaps he had given her those very hoops for her last birthday. The dress was belted and showed her trim figure to great advantage. She looked lovely, with a bright lipstick, and she'd most definitely put some effort in arranging her hair. She looked as pretty as a picture, and it made Seth's heart swell to think she'd dressed for him, if indeed she had.
On the next straight stretch of road, he stole a glance at her. She was a beautiful woman. What on earth could someone like her want with an old curmudgeon like him? But she'd said she loved him. And that kiss! He didn't think it was in Jessica to lie or even embellish. She was a very direct woman, very forthright. She called a spade a spade. If she didn't want to be with him, really with him, she wouldn't be sitting next to him, driving with him to Boston. For goodness sake, she invited him to spend the weekend with her! He gripped the steering wheel more tightly. Did she…could she…could he? Yes, he thought, yes I could, if the present moment was any indication. He would have to…what had he heard some of the young boys say to one another? Cool his jets. Yes, he would have to cool his jets before they arrived in Portland.
He was an older man, a mature man--that sounded rather better--and he knew how to woo a woman. He just hadn't done a very good job of it with Jessica. But that would end right this minute. From now on, he would be suave, romantic, cool…like Cary Grant. Or maybe Paul Newman. More like Donald O' Connor, thought Seth acidly.
"I don't believe you've heard a word I've said since mile marker 48, Seth Hazlitt!" Jessica's wry tone broke through his anxious thoughts. "What on earth are you pondering over there?"
"Nothing! Why should you think I'm pondering anything, woman! I'm just concentrating on the drive."
"I see," and a grin threatened
"What do you see, woman?" asked Seth grumpily.
"I see a worried man."
"Worried! Why on earth should I be worried?"
"That's what I'd like to know."
"Well, I'm not."
"Not what?"
"Not worried! What is this, a lost scene from His Girl Friday?"
Jessica's merry laughter rang through the car. "I haven't thought about that movie in ages. It was sharp, wasn't it?"
"A-yuh. Those two made quite a pair."
"I did love Cary Grant. Still do," said Jessica stoutly.
"He was good," said Seth grudgingly.
Jessica cut her eyes at him. "He was more than good, I'd say."
"Yes, well. You would. Ruthie, too."
"Was she a fan?"
"Couldn't get enough of him! We probably saw Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House about forty times when we were courting."
"That was a good one, too! I don't think he ever made a bad movie." She paused for a moment. "Let's agree to disagree."
Seth laughed and slid his hand across the seat to squeeze her knee. "You know I can't disagree with you, woman. Not ever."
"We'll see about that." She put her hand over his and squeezed. "Are you looking forward to this weekend?"
"I am! It's been ages since I've been to Boston. Will we have much free time?"
Jessica's heart fluttered a bit over the fib she told him to get him to come away with her this weekend, but she was fairly certain she could make it up to him. That he would let her make it up to him.
"I think we can manage some time to ourselves."
Did she know how…seductive…she sounded? He swallowed. This wasn't helping him relax. Quite the contrary. He pulled his hand from hers and placed it firmly on the steering wheel. He cleared his throat. "Not long now."
Jessica smiled and reached for her pocketbook. She rummaged through it until she found her lipstick, then pulled down the visor and pursed her lips.
Eyes on the road, Hazlitt.
As they pulled into a convenient parking spot, Jessica drew in a deep breath as she unbuckled her seatbelt. "Seth?"
"A-yuh?"
"I have a confession."
"What?"
"I have a confession."
"I heard you the first time, woman! What do you have to confess?"
She drew her lips in nervously. In for a penny, she thought. "I made up the conference in Boston."
"What?"
"I made it up. It was an excuse, a ruse, to get you to come with me to Portland."
"Why did you need an excuse, Jessica? Why didn't you ask me outright? I would have taken you here regardless!"
Now she was beginning to feel as foolish as Lucy Ricardo when it dawned on her that Ricky wasn't going to let her be in the show. "Well…."
Seth unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to face her. "What is it, Jess? Is something wrong? Is there something wrong with you?"
"No, oh no! Nothing's wrong," she squeaked. She turned to look out the window. "It seemed like a good idea at the time," she said softly.
"What did?"
She clutched her purse to her chest and turned to face him. "To ask you to marry me."
Seth's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. "What?"
"You heard me the first time," said Jessica tartly.
"Jessica. Are you serious?" She nodded. "You mean it? You want to marry me?"
"Of course I do!" she replied indignantly. This wasn't going at all the way she had planned.
"But…how? When?"
She opened her purse and slowly drew out the marriage license Tom had prepared for her. "This afternoon. At the courthouse. Just the two of us." She handed the envelope to Seth.
He took it from her gently, and turned it in his hands. "Is this…?" Jessica nodded. "How did you…?"
"I called in a favor."
"You hate favors!"
"I do." She leaned closer to Seth. "But I love you," she murmured. "Will you?"
"Marry you?"
"Yes."
"Of course I'll marry you, Jess! Do I look like a natural fool? When a beautiful woman proposes marriage, you say yes first and ask questions later."
Jessica laughed. "That doesn't sound like you at all!"
"Think of it as the new me."
"I'm pretty fond of the old you."
"Jessica, may I?" She nodded and he leaned forward, kissing her gently, then drew back. "Do we have an appointment?"
Jessica nodded as she consulted her watch. "We have to be at the courthouse in thirty-five minutes."
"Well, let's go, woman! Fasten your seatbelt!"
She leaned over and put her hands on Seth's shoulders. "I think we can spare a few minutes, don't you?" she asked softly before putting her lips to his.
Seth savored the kiss, but drew back as he felt her press closer to him.
"Jessica, if we don't get moving, I'm liable to insist we put the honeymoon before the wedding."
She smiled brightly. "As you wish," she said pertly.
"I knew it was a mistake, taking you to see that movie."
She laughed as they fastened their seatbelts. Seth pulled out of the parking lot and headed toward the courthouse, as eager as the young man he'd been once upon a time.
Seth was pleased that he remembered the general vicinity of the courthouse. After only a few wrong turns, he pulled smoothly into a parking space and cut off the engine. He turned to Jessica, a tender smile on his face, as he unbuckled his seatbelt.
"You ready, woman?" he asked softly.
"I am," replied Jessica with a slight frown. "But there is one thing I couldn't manage."
"What?"
"Rings," she said quietly and turned to look at Seth. "We'll be expected to exchange rings, and we don't have any."
Seth looked at Jessica and said mildly, "That's not precisely true, Jess." He reached out for her left hand and rubbed her wedding ring. "If you're agreeable, we can exchange the wedding rings we already have."
Jessica looked at him curiously, and he smiled mischievously in return. "Don't start accusing me of Yankee thriftiness, woman!" He was pleased by her laughter. "I'd be proud to slip the ring Frank gave you on your finger today, Jessica Fletcher. You and I wouldn't be who we are without Frank and Ruth. I sort of like the idea of including them in our ceremony."
Jessica fixed him with a look he'd never seen before, then she leaned forward, only to be stopped by her seatbelt. She loosed it with a jerk, then she pressed herself against him, kissing him and smoothing her hands across his face and shoulders.
She drew back abruptly. "We should go in, Seth." She flipped the visor down and reached for her purse. She found her lipstick quickly and began expertly applying it. Seth thought he might never tire of watching her. She put the cap on her lipstick and flipped the visor. As she put her lipstick back in her purse, she paused. "How will we get our rings off, though? I'm not sure mine will twist off."
Seth jerked his chin at her purse. "Any hand lotion in there, woman?"
"I think so." She bent her head as she rummaged through her bag and he felt a sudden rush of affection for her. They were going to be married! He felt a foolish grin spread across his face.
Jessica pulled a small bottle of hand lotion from her purse triumphantly and turned to look at Seth. "What?" she asked softly.
"Nothing. I just love you, that's all."
Jessica smiled as she handed him the lotion. He took it from her wordlessly, then unscrewed the cap and shook a drop of lotion in his hand. She put her left hand out and Seth rubbed the lotion around her ring and smoothed her finger out. He handed her the ring with a smile, then he used the remaining lotion to twist his own ring off and handed it to Jess.
"I think we're ready, Jess."
She carefully placed both rings in her purse as she nodded, and Seth opened his door. He opened the back door to retrieve his suit coat from the back seat, then walked around the car to open Jessica's door. "You look lovely, my dear," he murmured as he handed her out of the car.
Jessica smiled at him, a brilliant smile that caused his heart to clench, as she adjusted his bow tie. Her perfume tickled his nose. "Shall we?" she asked saucily.
"Yes, we shall," answered Seth, and Jessica laughed again as he took her elbow and steered her up the steps and into the courthouse.
They were ushered into the judge's chambers promptly at 3:15. The clerk, a fussy woman in her late 50s Jessica surmised, scrutinized the marriage license. She and Seth had signed it in the elevator on the way up to the fourth floor. Seth looked at Jessica quizzically and she winked in response. He took her hand and squeezed.
"Everything appears to be in order," she said with a slightly suspicious tone. "The judge will be in in a moment." She nodded crisply and turned on her heel.
"My goodness," whispered Jessica.
"She's a relic from another time," murmured Seth. "I felt as though I were about to be ferruled. She looked mighty hard at our signatures, Jess."
Jessica leaned into him and he caught another whiff of her delicate perfume. "We could've made a run for it."
Seth laughed, a great belly laugh, and he kissed Jessica soundly on the cheek as the judge walked in the door.
"Now that's what I like to see and hear when I marry a couple." He put his glasses on and read the paper his clerk hastily pushed into his hand. "Jessica Fletcher?" He peered at her over her glasses. "Would you perhaps be JB Fletcher?" Jessica nodded. She glanced at Seth, relieved and touched to see the obvious pride he took in her."Well, this is an unexpected pleasure. I enjoy your books tremendously."
"Thank you," said Jessica. "This is my fiance, Dr. Seth Hazlitt."
"Good to meet you, sir," and the judge reached over to shake Seth's hand. He stepped back to observe the couple. "Cabot Cove, right?"
"A-yuh," said Seth.
"And what brings you to Portland to get married?"
Seth looked at Jessica. After all, this was her show. "We wanted a bit of anonymity, you might say."
The judge nodded sagely. "I see. I see." He rubbed his hands together. "Well, well, well. Let's get this show on the road! Gwendolyn!"
"Yes, your honor?"
Gwendolyn ? mouthed Seth. Jessica nudged him playfully in the ribs.
"Bring me the Bible, woman! And where are my glasses?"
"Your glasses are on the end of your nose, your honor, and the Bible is right here," replied Gwendolyn calmly.
The judge tugged on his robes in frustration, then he pushed his glasses more firmly on his nose and took the Bible from her outstretched hand. "Now, then," he said in a stentorian voice, and the bride and groom both jumped involuntarily. He studied them through his glasses. "Shall we begin?" Seth and Jessica nodded.
"I always like to read that passage from Corinthians. Trite, some people say." He cut his eyes at Gwendolyn, who remained the picture of rectitude. Jessica couldn't help herself; she was already filing a character sketch of them both for a future novel.
The judge cleared his throat and began to read.
If I speak with the tongues of mankind and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give away all my possessions to charity, and if I surrender my body so that I may glory, but do not have love, it does me no good.
Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered, it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
"Jessica and Seth, you are about to enter into a union which is most serious. It is most serious because it will bind you together for life in a relationship so close and intimate that it will profoundly influence your whole future. That future, with its hopes and disappointments, its successes and its failure, its pleasures and its pains, its joys and its sorrows, is hidden from your eyes. You know that these elements are mingled in every life, and are to be expected in your own.
"And so, not knowing what is before you, you take each other for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. Truly, then, these words are most serious. It is a beautiful tribute to your loving faith in each other that, recognizing their importance, you are nevertheless, so willing and ready to pronounce them. And because the words involve such solemn obligations, it is most fitting that you rest the security of your wedded life upon the great principle of self-sacrifice. And so you begin your married life by the voluntary and complete surrender of your individual lives in the interest of that deeper and wider life which you two have in common."
"Henceforth, you will belong entirely to each other; you will be one in mind, one in heart and one in affection. No greater blessing can come to your married life than pure matrimonial love, loyal and true to the end. May then this love with which you join your hands and hearts today never fail, but grow deeper and stronger as the years go on. And if true love and unselfish spirit of sacrifice guide your every action, you can expect the greatest measure of earthly happiness that may be allotted to each of you."
Pausing for a moment, the judge observed the couple for a moment. They had eyes only for each other, and he noticed that their gripped hands tightened, each around the other's. "Now it's time to exchange your vows." As she turned to face him, he was momentarily taken aback by the brilliant blue of Jessica Fletcher's eyes. He found he had to consult his notes, a thing he seldom had to do at this stage of his career.
"Do you, Seth, take this woman, Jessica, to be your lawful wedded wife?"
"I do."
"Then repeat after me: "I, Seth, take thee, Jessica, for my lawful wife, to love, honor and keep you as a faithful husband is bound to do, in health and in sickness, in prosperity and adversity, and forsaking all others, keep myself only unto you."
Tears were threatening, but Seth managed to repeat his vows, and if Jessica noticed his voice was a bit more gravelly, she didn't allude to it. She only stared back at him as she felt a surprisingly fierce and tender love well up inside her.
"Do you, Jessica, take this man, Seth, to be your lawful wedded husband?"
"I do." She drew in a breath. "I, Jessica, take thee, Seth, for my lawful husband, to love, honor and keep you as a faithful wife is bound to do, in health and in sickness, in prosperity and adversity, and forsaking all others, keep myself only unto you."
Seth gripped her hands even more tightly as he worked to control those tears that would continue to threaten. Of course his wife his wife wouldn't need to have the vows repeated to her.
"Do you have rings?"
Jessica, momentarily flustered, cried "I have them. Give me a moment." She loosed her hands from Seth's grasp and turned to rummage through her purse. She pulled them out carefully and handed her wedding band to Seth. "Ready," she trilled, smiling at Seth, then the judge.
"Seth, repeat after me: With this ring I thee wed, and pledge my faith."
"Jessica, with this ring, I thee wed and pledge my faith." His fingers trembled as he slipped the worn band of gold on her left ring finger. If he noticed her chin wobbling, he kept it to himself.
Jessica reached for Seth's hand. "Seth, With this ring I thee wed, and pledge my faith." She slipped the heavy band of gold onto Seth's left ring finger with a tearful smile.
"For as much as Jessica and Seth have consented to live together in wedlock, and having declared their intentions before this witness and no legal impediments having been shown, I do hereby join them together in wedlock and declare that they are now husband and wife."
He slid his glasses down his nose and peered at Seth above the rims. "I believe you know what to do next," he said with a small smile.
Seth leaned in to kiss Jessica, a small, chaste kiss with only a hint of what was to come. She smiled as they drew apart. "Thank you, your honor."
"My pleasure, Mrs.—" He glanced at their completed wedding license. "Hazlitt." He cleared his throat. "This is highly unorthodox, my dear lady, but would you…"
"I'd be delighted," said Jessica graciously.
The judge clapped his hands together delightedly. "I have my favorite of your books right here, Mrs. Fletcher." He paused. "Excuse me, Mrs. Hazlitt." He turned to his bookshelf and pulled down A Faded Rose Beside Her and opened the book to the title page. He turned to look at Gwendolyn, who hastily produced a pen. Jessica leaned over his desk and inscribed the book, then handed it to him. He read it and a great smile broke out over his face. "Thank you, madam. Thank you very much." He carefully closed the book, then gestured to Gwendolyn, who brought him the couple's marriage license. He signed it with a flourish and handed it to Jessica. "Blessings on your special day. Dr. Hazlitt, it was a pleasure to meet you. Congratulations to you, sir." He fixed Seth with a shrewd glance. "You must be an extraordinary sort of person to become the husband of such a woman."
"Perhaps," murmured a clearly uncomfortable Seth, "but I tend to think the credit nearly always lies with the lady. With this particular lady," he said with an apologetic glance to Jessica.
Jessica slipped her hand in his and grasped it tightly. "We ought to be going now, your honor, before I get the dreaded big head." Everyone laughed politely. "You understand; it's been quite a day for us."
"Of course, of course." The judge flapped his hands at them. "Go in good health. And thank you again."
"Thank you," said Seth and he ushered Jessica out the door and down the hall. He leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Where to next?"
She tilted her head close to his ear. "Not far. I booked us a room at the Inn at St. John."
He squeezed her elbow as they waited for the elevator.
Their room was spacious, but the only thing Seth could see was the large king-sized bed in the corner of the room. He tipped the bell hop and closed the door behind him as quickly as he could without being noticeably rude. He turned to Jessica, who was busying herself with unpacking the largest of her suitcases. He sidled over to her. "I am curious, woman, as to what all you have packed in there."
She looked at him over her shoulder and smiled. "You'll see. I think you'll like it, for all you complained about the extra weight."
He watched as she pulled what looked like a small, soft bag from her suitcase, along with…was that champagne? She set those down, then reached for another small plastic case…it looked suspiciously like the Tupperware containers that Beverly sometimes put in the downstairs refrigerator. She opened those to reveal fruit and cheese, then carefully unwrapped two champagne glasses. She turned to look at Seth. "I didn't think we'd want to go out again this evening."
He was momentarily speechless, then he gathered his wits about him as he wrapped his arms around her. "You thought right, woman," he breathed softly and kissed her neck.
"Oh, Seth. I hope you…I hope you don't mind about all this."
"Mind? I'm the happiest man in the world, Jess." He turned so that he could bring her hands to his lips. "You've made me the happiest man on earth," he murmured.
"I have one more surprise," she said, smiling. "Actually, two."
"Well, let's have 'em!"
She unzipped the other flap of her suitcase to reveal a rectangular box wrapped in red paper with a satin bow. She fluffed the bow, then turned to hand the present to Seth. "Open it," she said shyly.
"Jessica," he murmured. "I'm embarrassed. I don't have anything for you," he said sheepishly.
"Well," she said pertly. "You can buy me something tomorrow. Besides." She cut her eyes at him. "I'm not entirely sure you don't have something for me tonight." Seth's mouth opened, but no sound came out. Jessica looked at him, mildly alarmed. "Oh, dear. Was that too much?"
"No, no," he said hastily. "I just…" He took a breath. "You could knock me down with a feather, Jessica. I'm still gobsmacked that I'm your husband. That you…want me…the same way I want you."
She gave him a swift kiss. "Open your gift."
Seth nimbly unwrapped the box, careful not to destroy the wrapping paper. When he opened the lid, he gasped. Inside the box was a pair of navy silk pajamas and a matching robe. She'd had it monogrammed as well. "Oh, Jess." He fingered the material. "Thank you." He pulled the pajamas out of the box and examined the sizes. He looked at her in surprise. "How did you know?"
"I asked Beverly what size pants you wore." She laughed at Seth's horrified expression. "Don't worry…I was very discreet! I only mentioned that I wanted to buy your Christmas present next time I was in New York and thought I ought to get your new sizes just in case I saw something you might like." She smothered a giggle. "I did not, under any circumstances, mention pajamas or underwear." She winked at him, but then her brow puckered. "Though I suppose that was another lie. I'll have to make amends." They were quiet for a moment, then she looked at Seth, who had a strange expression on his face. "Seth?" she asked quizzically.
"You're lovely," he breathed, and he crushed her to him. "I love you, Jessica," he murmured into the hollow of her neck.
Jessica insisted that he change first, so he took his ditty bag into the bathroom, brushed his teeth, washed his face and combed his hair. Then he changed into his new pajamas, turning in the mirror to get a better look. I don't look half bad, he thought. He stared at his reflection in the mirror for a long moment. He saw vestiges of that eager young buck he'd been, but he wasn't sorry to see in his reflection the experience and maturity of his years. He'd give Jessica all he had for as long as he had.
"Your turn," he said quietly. She was looking out the window. He glanced at the bed, which she'd already thoughtfully turned down. He put a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Jessica?" He breathed a sigh of relief as he saw her reflected smile and felt her hand grasp his.
"You look very handsome, Seth."
"Thank you," he mumbled, wondering where all that experience and maturity had gone.
She squeezed his hand, then turned to face him. "I'll go and get ready. I won't be long." She kissed him lightly on the lips, then gathered a few things from the chair and went into the bathroom.
Seth wandered around the room for a few minutes. He stared out the window before pulling the blinds and drawing the drapes.He played with the lights until he found a solution he thought they both could accept: turning the overhead light off and keeping a table lamp in the corner on. Finally, he busied himself by preparing some food and drinks. He found the mini fridge and made sure the bottle of champagne would fit. Somehow she'd managed to keep it chilling all day—he'd have to ask her how—and he didn't want to waste any of it. He opened the bottle and expertly poured two healthy glasses. She'd even packed two appetizer plates and cloth napkins. His heart clenched at all she'd done for them. He put some fruit and cheese on a plate. He wasn't sure either of them could eat, but he'd give her the opportunity to say no.
He heard the bathroom door open and he turned with a glass in each hand. "Oh, Jessica," he murmured. She was wearing a knee-length robe and gown of what looked like ivory silk. The robe's sleeves were made of lace and he thought the bodice was made from lace as well. She looked so beautiful, so like a bride, in the soft light. He quickly set their glasses down, careful not to slosh the champagne, and crossed the room. "May I?"
She nodded and he gathered her in his arms. He fought against the urge to crush her to him. He could feel her trembling in his arms. He took a deep breath and rubbed her back in soothing circles. He kissed her cheek. "You look beautiful, Jess."
"Thank you," she said softly. "I didn't think I'd be this nervous," she confessed. "It was easier to be brave before," she whispered.
"Brave?" Seth drew back a little. He wanted to see her face. "You've already been so brave, woman." He gestured to the room. "You've already done everything I couldn't do." He kissed her gently. "And I'm so grateful that you did." He ran his hands from her shoulders to her elbows and squeezed. "We don't have to make love tonight, Jessica," he said softly. "I love you, and I want you to be comfortable. Happy."
"I am happy, Seth." She smiled at him. "I'm just a little nervous. I haven't…it's been…" she bit her lip and turned her face from his. "I haven't been with anyone…I mean…" she took a breath and faced him. "Frank is the only man I've ever made love with."
Seth suspected as much, and he tamped down the curious mixture of relief and apprehension he felt. It was his responsibility to make her feel at ease. He kissed her lightly, then took her elbow and led her to the table where he'd set their glasses. "I opened the champagne," he said as he handed her a glass. He lifted his in a toast. "To my beautiful, and crafty, bride who usually gets the better of me." Jessica laughed quietly as she sipped her champagne. "But I promise, from this moment on, I'll work to give her only the best of me." He raised his glass again, then took a drink.
Jessica looked at him for a long moment. "Oh, Seth. You're going to make me cry."
Seth chuckled. "That's not my intention," he said firmly. He set his glass down on the nightstand and took Jessica's glass from her hand, setting it beside his. Gently he led her to the bed so they could sit down together. He ran a finger along the bodice of her gown. "I thought it was lace," he rumbled. "You look so lovely, Jess. May I kiss you?"
Jessica nodded. Why couldn't she speak? She held her breath as he moved closer. She had the curious feeling that time had somehow stopped in this moment. She had a fleeting vision of Frank. The knowledge that he would have liked Seth moved through her and she leaned in to kiss this kind and steady man who had loved her and waited for her so patiently.
Seth couldn't stop touching Jessica. Stroking her arm, her hair, patting her back, adjusting the sheet over her. They lay together in the quiet, Jessica drowsy and, by the sound of her breathing, nearly asleep. He, on the other hand, felt electric. He had so much energy! Here he was, in bed with the only other woman who had owned his heart completely. He hadn't let himself imagine…much…
He smiled again when he thought of how she'd arranged everything, and now they were married. She knew him. She knew him and still she loved him. Wanted to be with him…in every way. He hadn't expected that she would marry again. He knew how she felt about Frank. Of course he felt the same about his Ruth, but…it was different for men. Ruth had been a fan of Jane Austen's. She'd read every novel that woman had written, but her particular favorite was Persuasion. His heart seized painfully as he remembered one of their last conversations.
Seth, darling, listen to me. You have to go on. I want you to go on.
I won't, Ruth. I can't, he said, anguished.
She stroked his cheek. You can, my darling. You should read Persuasion. I've been telling you for years! You'll understand when you read it.
Months later he finally read it and felt shamed by it. He knew he was no Captain Wentworth, but he didn't believe he was as weak as Captain Benwick. Falling in love with Louisa Musgrove when there was a woman like Anne Elliot! He wished he'd read the novel while Ruthie was alive. She would have enjoyed that. It took so little to please her.
He sent a quiet prayer of gratitude to Ruth, foolish though he believed it to be. She was a wonderful person, a loving wife and mother, and she knew him. She knew him down to his bones.
Jessica didn't know him quite as well, yet, but she knew him nearly as well. He tightened his arms around her. Who else but Jessica Fletcher could deduce the reason for his hesitation and engineer the ideal solution in such a masterful, loving way?
He knew he wasn't making sense. His thoughts were jumbled, popping like kernels over a flame. In between his somewhat coherent thoughts were flashes from his memory. The feel of his lips against Jessica's collarbone, the cool silk of her gown as he slid it up and over her head, the soft noises she made as he touched her. The feel of her crushed against him as they moved together. He fancied he could hear her breathy whisper in his ear. Oh, Seth. Seth, I love you.
He was relieved that he'd been able to tend to her needs before his own biology took over. It had been some time since he'd been intimate with a woman, though not as long as it had been for Jessica. He could understand her apprehension and worked to assuage it. He was pleased when he could feel her ease and comfort with him in her touch.
He gazed down at her. She was absolutely perfect from stem to stern and he looked forward to showing her again and again how she delighted him. He smoothed his hand across her shoulder and took a few deep breaths. Somehow he would have to calm himself and sleep. He needed his rest if he was going to give Jessica the honeymoon she deserved.