Chapter 71 – Talking to Father Mark
After the riders turned the corner and headed into the thicket, Father Mark turned to Jack.
"So what is up." Father Mark said.
"Let's go talk in the office." Jack said. "Want something to drink?"
"Sure." Father Mark said. "So I assume that something happened. You and Elizabeth seem closer than you were on Sunday, but then you were pretty close on Sunday."
"A lot has happened." Jack said. "Even though we want to take it slow, we have this connection and both of us feel it. She did agree to make it official and she is my girlfriend. That happened last night and is part of what I need to talk to you about."
Father Mark gave Jack a look, but didn't say anything at the moment. Jack was wondering what Father Mark was thinking. It wasn't that Jack was ashamed of his relationship with Elizabeth, but he also understood that it was really new and that they hadn't known each other all that long. The thing was Jack believed that when you meet the right person, you would know and that was what happened with Elizabeth. He just wished that people would understand what she meant to him. Then again, Jack realized that he had a hard time describing what Elizabeth meant to him, so maybe that was why it was hard for people to understand. Jack also thought that it might have something to do with the fact that he had never really been that serious about girls before.
They headed to the small kitchen in the stable by the jockey room. They each grabbed a bottle of water and headed to the office. Jack knew that there was water and energy drinks in the office, but he was trying to delay things for a bit as he wasn't sure what he was going to say. Father Mark could tell that whatever was going on, Jack was struggling with talking about it. Normally when they talked, Jack would get right to the point and ask for his advice. When they got to the office, Jack pulled the shade on the door and put a sign up to not be interrupted. He also locked the door. They settled on opposite ends of the couch.
"Okay." Father Mark said. "What is up? You sounded so upset this morning. You don't look that upset, but I do see some hesitation in your eyes. Are you having second thoughts about Elizabeth? Or is it something else?"
"First." Jack said. "Thank you for coming over. I know it is hard for you with the family dynamics, but I didn't know who else I could talk to. There is just so much going on."
"So is it safe to assume that something happened with either your parents or grandparents?" Father Mark asked.
"Yes." Jack said. "Something happened with Dad and Ma. More Ma, but both of them."
"So back up and tell me what happened." Father Mark said.
Jack quickly summed up what had happened the night before starting with the talk that his parents had with Nathan to Jack formally declaring his love to Elizabeth. He told Father Mark everything up to walking Elizabeth to her room and not wanting to leave her. He also shared that they had kissed. Jack figured it was better to be honest and upfront about what he was feeling and how far he had gone. He knew that Father Mark would understand. Jack also told him as much as he could about the connection that he felt with Elizabeth and how it even scared him with how intense the feelings were.
"So you asked her to be your girlfriend and when the time is right you will ask her to marry you." Father Mark said. "And your mother was not happy."
"That is an understatement." Jack said.
"So is it the timeline?" Father Mark said.
"I didn't know what her problem was at the time." Jack said. "We really didn't set a timeline. I think I know part of the reason that Ma wasn't happy, but it was made perfectly clear later, but I am jumping the gun."
"But you have one in mind." Father Mark said. "A timeline that is."
"Yes." Jack said. "If I thought she would agree to it, I would have you marry us right here right now."
"Woah." Father Mark said. "You don't have a license, rings or anything like that."
Jack bit his bottom lip and looked away.
"Jack." Father Mark said. "What did you do?"
"Honestly." Jack said.
"Usually that is the best." Father Mark said.
"I may have done the paperwork for a license." Jack said.
Father Mark looked at Jack with wide eyes. He closed his eyes and said a quick prayer. Father Mark knew that he was getting ahead of himself, but he didn't think that things were that serious. Jack saw Father Mark's reaction and quickly spoke to try and reassure him.
"I didn't file it, but it is filled out, minus a date and signatures." Jack said. "And I do have rings."
"What do you mean you have rings?" Father Mark said.
"I had put them on hold last week." Jack said. "They were delivered this morning."
"Delivered where?" Father Mark asked. "Wait a moment last week!?"
"Here." Jack said. "I have an engagement ring with matching wedding bands for both Elizabeth and I. They are in my safe in my room up at the house. Yeah. Thursday morning, the first morning that Elizabeth was in the apartment. I had stayed with her, I slept on the couch. She was in the master bedroom. I was up early and I was looking at a few things and I found the perfect rings so I put them on hold. I also ordered some other jewelry for her and I. It was all delivered here by courier before lunch."
"Can you show me what you ordered?" Father Mark asked.
Jack pulled out his phone and pulled up the pictures. Jack had picked out a diamond and sapphire engagement ring set in platinum. It had a solitaire diamond in the center with a rose gold Celtic knot on either side. The band had sapphires and diamonds inset down the edge about a third of the way down from each knot. The wedding band that came with it was also platinum and the top and sides of the band also had diamonds and sapphires set in it. The set could be soldered together or kept separate. Jack's wedding band was also platinum with interlocking Celtic knots running the entirety of the band.
"Wow." Father Mark said, handing the phone back to Jack.
"Thank you." Jack said. "I had them delivered today. I wasn't sure that Elizabeth was ready for this step, but I wanted them. I didn't want to have to wait to ask her if it felt right."
"Are you sure?" Father Mark asked.
Father Mark saw Jack's face.
"Slow down." Father Mark said. "I am only asking because you have only known her a week and you are both still young. That and the fact that you ordered wedding bands the morning after you had met her."
"I have never been more sure of anything in my life." Jack said. "I can't imagine my life without her in it. I told you we both felt this connection the moment we met in Central Park. Neither of us can explain it, but it feels like we have known each other for our entire lives. I told Gran it is like she was a piece of my heart that I didn't know that was missing. I have tried to give her time, but it is getting harder and harder with her around. I even said something to Nathan that there is a part of me that doesn't want to be alone with Elizabeth for too long because as much as I want to be a gentleman, I can't deny what I am feeling forever."
"Okay." Father Mark said. "You know I had to ask."
"Yes." Jack said.
Jack let out a harsh breath as he felt he wasn't explaining things well.
"So what is the problem?" Father Mark asked. "It sounds like Elizabeth is at least willing to explore this next step. Is there another reason that you feel pressured to move so quickly?"
It took Jack a moment to realize what Father Mark was talking about. Jack just looked at Father Mark for a moment before he could even speak.
"No, no." Jack said. "Nothing like that. I have been nothing but a gentleman. You know I don't believe in doing that."
"I know." Father Mark said. "But I also know that things happen. I wasn't suggesting you, but it sounds like the other guy is a cad, so you know I had to check."
"Sounds like you have about as much faith in me as Ma." Jack quipped. "And Elizabeth said nothing happened with Charlie and I fully believe her."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Father Mark said. "Also watch your tone. What did your mother say? I have faith in you, but I have also seen other young people struggle with the decision that you have made. I have performed a number of weddings after a young couple finds themselves in a situation that they didn't plan on."
"Sorry." Jack said. "I didn't mean to get upset. I understand why you are asking. At least you are asking and not just assuming things. Also sorry about the tone."
"So from what you have told me." Father Mark said. "Charlotte was upset, but it didn't sound like she said anything to you."
"She didn't say anything directly to me." Jack said. "But that doesn't mean that she didn't say something and she had plenty to say when she thought others, specifically me, weren't listening."
"So tell me what happened." Father Mark said. "I am trying to understand. I mean I have my concerns about you and Elizabeth, but they are mostly because of what happened. You also know that I don't jump to conclusions. You know that I have seen a lot of things. You also know that I want nothing but the best for you."
"Okay, I understand that." Jack said. "I agree that we still need to work through some things, but we also both agree that we want to be with each other and grow our relationship. So after I walked Elizabeth back to her room last night, I was upset and knew that I wouldn't be able to sleep. I also had a tornado of emotions inside of me that I wasn't sure how to deal with. I went to my room to grab my laptop. I was going to sit downstairs, but I know Nathan is a light sleeper and I didn't want to keep him awake. I decided to head upstairs and sit at the kitchen counter. I was almost to the top of the stairs, when I heard Ma talking to Dad. I didn't mean to listen, but after the first thing I heard, I wanted to know what else she said."
"So you decided to eavesdrop." Father Mark said.
Jack ducked his head.
"Yes." Jack said. "And I am glad that I did. It took every ounce of my willpower not to rush up the stairs and confront Ma after what she said. I have been so angry at her that I have barely been able to look at her today. Honestly, I don't care what she says. She will not stop me from being with Elizabeth. I guess I am also feeling guilty, because I have unintentionally taken some of my anger out on others today. I have tried not to lash out, but the tornado of emotions that I felt last night hasn't really calmed down."
"Tell me what she said." Father Mark said. "It can't be that bad."
"Oh, it is worse." Jack said.
"Please tell me." Father Mark said. "I doubt that there is anything that you can say that will shock me."
Jack gave him a look of doubt, but took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. Jack was seriously debating if telling Father Mark exactly what his mother said was the best thing. Jack closed his eyes and took one more deep breath before looking up at Father Mark.
"So." Jack said. "Ma was still pacing around. She first tried to order Dad to send Elizabeth back to the city and for him to drop her as a client. Dad is handling everything for Elizabeth against the Kensingtons. There were a few other things that Ma accused Dad of, but I am not going to get into that. I was the one that started some of that, but I really have no proof, so I am going to drop it for now. Maybe I will talk about it at another time."
"Okay." Father Mark said. "Your dad believes something happened to Elizabeth and is willing to help her. That is good. I will accept you wanting to drop things about the accusations that you made, especially since you have no proof. Well, you do if your parents were arguing about it. But that is not here nor there. Let's deal with one thing at a time. So back to your mother."
"Yes." Jack said. "Ma was not happy. She wasn't happy that I had brought Elizabeth up here to start with. I knew that she wasn't exactly happy before we left, but I thought she understood that Dad thought that it was a good idea to get Elizabeth out of the city and hopefully let things calm down. Dad also figured that it would be easier to protect both Elizabeth and I if we were in the same place as the Kensingtons made direct threats to both Elizabeth and I. When Dad refused to send Elizabeth back, Ma got more angry. Dad reminded her that we were adults and if I wanted to spend my money to protect Elizabeth or on Elizabeth then that was up to me. That only further angered Ma. For the record, I have no problem spending money on Elizabeth. Whether it is to protect her or make her happy or get her something that she needs. I have said as much to Dad and others."
Father Mark could tell that Jack was stalling, but he was also going to let him tell it at his pace, especially if Jack said he was still dealing with swirling emotions.
"What did she say?" Father Mark said. "I have a good idea of the background and the situation. Now, I need to know what your mother said that has you so upset."
"Okay." Jack said. "Ma stopped pacing and turned to Dad. Without even seeing them, I could feel the anger coming from Ma. She stopped and very plainly said 'She wasn't going to let some two-bit little gold digging tramp ruin her son and if he (Dad) didn't have the balls to stop her that she would' she also said 'that just because I was banging or attempting to bang a girl doesn't mean that she was worthy of a Thornton' and then she went on to say she would cut me off and disinherit me if I continued with Elizabeth. Ma also made it very clear that she would never accept Elizabeth even if she got pregnant and she didn't think that Elizabeth was a proper person to carry her grandchildren. Ma also plainly said that it is Dad's fault that I wanted to bang a someone of lower status. She actually said, 'Like father like son since neither can keep in their pants.' I was so angry. I am at the point that I don't even want to look at her."
Father Mark sat there for a second stunned. He knew that his aunt could have a temper, but even that was a surprise to him. There was a part of him that felt bad for Jack that he had to hear those things from his own mother. Father Mark also wondered how much was said out of anger and how much was actually the truth. He knew that if Charlotte made good on her threats, she could make life difficult for Jack. Father Mark didn't know exactly where Jack stood with his own money and how much control his parents still had as that was something that they generally didn't talk about.
Jack could see that Father Mark had a few questions after he got over the initial shock of what was said. Jack decided to let him know certain things before he could ask. He also knew that they generally didn't talk about money so he wasn't going to get into it a lot.
"For the record." Jack said. "She can try to cut me off, but there isn't much that she can legally do. Most of my trust fund comes from my Grandpa John. The rest of my money – investments and the horses is my money and she has nothing to do with it. Dad gave me complete control of my portfolio the day after my eighteenth birthday. The only thing I don't have complete access to is the trust they, Ma and Dad, set up and that will happen when I am twenty-five. I don't even think that they realize that I have moved a lot of the money out of that and it is down near the minimum balance needed to maintain the level of interest. So if I lose that, it won't be that big of a deal. I have plenty of money without the trust from Ma and Dad."
"But she could make life difficult for you." Father Mark said.
"She can try." Jack said. "But if she makes me choose, then I will choose Elizabeth every time and it will be Ma that will lose. Elizabeth is far from the way that Ma described her. Elizabeth doesn't care about the money. Hell, she didn't even know about the money when we talked about the connection that we felt. I am not going to allow Ma to bully her. I don't know what to do. Ma doesn't know that I heard her."
"Slow down." Father Mark said. "Take a deep breath."
Jack took a deep breath and blew it out before he got up and started pacing back and forth in the office.
