Chapter 18- Happiness Is…
Recap of Chapter 17 ending…
"May I ask you something?"
"Sure, anything…"
He reached into his pocket, "I found an envelope addressed to me at your house…"
"I know what you're going to say, Jack."
"I just want to know why you were sending the bracelet back to me…"
"Jack, it was right after I returned home. I was hurt and angry and I didn't want anything that reminded me of you. I'm sorry."
He held the bracelet in his hand, "Will you please wear it?"
She held out her arm as he clasped the bracelet around her wrist.
"Wasn't there something said about some kissing taking place tonight?" he teased.
"Are you interested?" she joked in reply.
He scooted closer, "Where you're concerned, I'm always interested." He stated as his phone rang.
Glancing at the phone he apologized, "I'm sorry, it's the coach. I'll just be a minute.
Jack stepped away as Elizabeth grabbed her wine and walked out onto his balcony. She took a sip of wine before placing the glass on the table and walking over to the railing.
Hearing him step outside she asked, "Is everything okay?"
"Uh huh," he murmured as she could feel the warmth of his body against hers.
Her heart pounded as his hand brushed across the back of her neck and she felt chills running down her back.
His hands softly moved across her shoulders, down her arms, eventually taking hold of her hands and crossing them in front of her body. He pulled her against him as his warm breath against her ear completely removed the chill that she initially felt.
His lips touched her neck as her head tilted slightly. As his kisses moved up her neck, he gently bit her earlobe, causing no pain, but leaving her with a strong desire for more.
He turned her around to face him, placing his hands on the slope of her waist, just above her hips. He said nothing, he didn't need to. His eyes caught the shimmer of hers and they each smiled.
His hand slipped through her hair as he gently guided her face closer to his. His other arm wrapped around her waist as he pulled her against his body.
Nervously, her teeth ran across her lower lip, unaware that this slight action stirred a fire inside him, a desire so strong that he'd truly never experienced it before meeting her.
She felt his lips press against hers. They were gentle, yet firm as her body loosened against him. Her lips parted and she moaned softly as he held her tight. His tongue swiftly swept through her mouth feeling her body soften even more.
They separated, but the desire quickly brought them back together again. His lips brushed hers, not innocently, as if he was teasing her, but hot, passionate and demanding. In that moment, where their breaths mingled, tongues danced and hearts pounded, their senses were easily seduced and fighting the desire was becoming a nearly impossible task.
A horn sounded and she turned around as her attention was drawn down below to the street. His arms wrapped around her, as his hands slipped under her sweater.
She closed her eyes as the feel of his warm fingers on her abdomen caused her breath to catch in her throat.
Quickly realizing that he was crossing the line he turned her around, took her arm and placed her open palm to his heart, covering her hand with his own. His eyes showed the true, unconditional love and respect he had for her.
With tears in his eyes he whispered, "You're the only woman who has ever truly held my heart." His mouth opened as if he was going to say something, but stopped, only to try to start again.
"What is it, Jack?"
"I love you Elizabeth. I think we should get married…"
Now on with our story…
"What did you say?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"
"No, of course you didn't mean to; proposing would be crazy…"
"Stop Elizabeth. I meant to ask you to marry me; I just didn't mean to do it like this, without a ring."
Elizabeth looked stunned and he had to remind her to breathe. "Why are you so shocked? You know how much I love you. I don't see myself with anyone but you."
"But Jack, 24 hours ago we weren't even together."
"Do you love me?" he asked.
"Of course I do. I wouldn't have been so upset over what happened with Selma if I didn't."
"Elizabeth, we know what's important in our lives. You are important in my life. Everything else is just stuff. In the long run I can do without it. I can't do without you."
"Jack, baseball isn't just stuff; it's a big part of you. Speaking of which, do you mind me asking why your coach called so late?"
"Elizabeth, I'd rather talk about us…this. Baseball and my coach can wait."
"Somehow…I don't think so. Please, what's going on?"
Jack took her hand and they walked back inside, taking a seat on the sofa. "There is a chance that I may be traded."
"Traded, why? You are a great asset to the Mets."
"Maybe so, but it is a business and they can trade me and get several players for the same money; two pitchers would come to New York and I would go to the Dodgers."
She stood up and started to walk, "Is that what this is all about? I mean, would you be asking me to marry you now if it weren't for this possible change?"
"Elizabeth, from the first moment I saw you, I was interested. However, it became quite uncomfortable when I thought that you were married to Dr. Coulter."
He continued, "You can only imagine how excited I was when I met the actual Mrs. Coulter, and she wasn't you."
Jack continued, "The times we've talked, the closer we've become, and yes, the misunderstandings that we've fought through has shown me that you are the one for me, Elizabeth. I don't care if I'm in New York, or Los Angeles, or some small town in Kansas coaching a high school baseball team, wherever it is, I want you to be with me."
Jack closed the distance between them. His palm rested on her cheek, as his eyes met hers and refused to stray. "I love you. I enjoy when you introduce me as your boyfriend, but I'd love hearing you refer to me as your husband. I want to hold you at night and wake up with you beside me every morning."
Jack grabbed his car keys from the table, removing them from the key ring. Holding the metal ring he knelt on one knee before asking, "So, Elizabeth, will you marry me?"
"Jack there are so many important things that we need to discuss before taking a step like this."
"What do you need to know?" he asked as he stood back up.
"Do you want children? If so, how many, and how will we raise them? How do we do this if I'm working in Baltimore, and you're living in California? Do you expect me to leave my job?"
"Is that it?"
"Jack, your mom hasn't met me, and my parents haven't met you. Don't you see that as a big deal? I'm just afraid that you haven't thought this through. Maybe tomorrow morning, after some sleep, you'll feel differently."
"Elizabeth, I've never been more certain of anything in my life."
Jack took her hand and walked her back to the sofa where they sat side by side. He swallowed hard, somehow seeing in his dreams his proposal getting a much better reaction than he was now receiving. "Elizabeth, I want children with you; one…two…five, I'm okay with whatever the Lord sees fit to bless us with."
"Five…? Elizabeth's eyes widened.
"Honey, it's just a number, I'm fine with one; although I think everyone should have a sibling."
"Okay then, two?"
"I'm fine with two, but Elizabeth, you are all I need and if children aren't in our future, I would feel so blessed to have you."
Jack brought her hand up to his lips, "As for my mom, she knows how I feel about you and she'll love you too, but are you afraid that your parents won't accept me?"
Elizabeth's glance hit the floor, "Actually Jack, my parents don't know about you yet."
"Excuse me? We've been dating all summer and you haven't even mentioned me to them? May I ask why?"
'I was scared to."
'Scared of what? Me?"
"No, not you. I was afraid of disappointing my parents."
"How could you disappoint them? Are you embarrassed to be with me?" he asked as the spark suddenly disappeared from his eyes.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close, "No, you couldn't be farther from the truth. I appreciate you, Jack, and I'm so proud to be with you."
"Then what is it?"
"Don't get me wrong; my parents love me, I know that. But my mom seems to feel that by my age, I should be married with a few kids. You know, kids, a career and sitting on the City Council like my sister. She worries that I run men off without giving relationships a chance and that I'll end up being alone."
His finger brushed across the top of her hand as she continued, "Anyone I dated, she anticipated an engagement; you know, picking out china patterns for me. She meant well, but I didn't want any pressure on you. If we got to this point, I wanted it to be without any prodding on her part."
"Elizabeth, I love you and I don't care if you sit on the City Council the School Board or the local PTA. As for a career, continue in the high school if you like, or you can change and run the education foundation, whatever makes you happy."
She smiled and as he brushed away tears that slipped down her cheeks, she moved closer. Her lips pressed to his as each one felt a sense of warmth that passed between them.
Hesitantly he asked, "Is that a Yes?"
"I love you Jack. I only want to be with you, so YES, I would be honored to marry you."
He slipped the key ring on her finger with a promise to get her a proper engagement ring tomorrow. He picked her up and his arms around her waist held her tightly to him as they spun around on his den floor.
When he released her, his own tears easily matched hers. She held her hand up, admiring the key ring on her finger which symbolized their love and desire to be together forever.
Glancing at the wall clock, and finding it to be after midnight he asked, "Are you tired?"
She smiled, "How can I sleep now?"
"You need some rest so we can go shopping in the morning," Jack mentioned as Elizabeth took a seat on the sofa with her arm outstretched, looking at her ring finger.
"What?"
"Shopping…I'm taking you shopping for an engagement ring," Jack sat beside her and held her hand
"Jack, that's not necessary. I don't really need a ring."
"Elizabeth, do you like jewelry?"
"Of course; I think most women like jewelry, but you don't need to buy me a ring. I know you love me."
"If I buy you a ring, will you wear it?"
"I'd be proud to wear it, Jack. It's just that it isn't necessary."
"It is to me," Jack put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. His finger under her chin lifted her lips to his. Their lips met, gently at first, yet with purpose as his hand slipped behind her head. As their connection deepened, each subsequent kiss grew in intensity.
The caress of her lips on his was summer warm and whisper soft as his tongue eagerly swept the inside of her mouth. He could feel her body soften and she seemed to melt into him as Jack laid her back on the sofa.
His hands framed her face as she felt the full weight of his upper body pressed against her. Her skin tingled as his lips moved down her neck, stopping momentarily as his hand gently pulled the neckline of her sweater over, revealing her bare shoulder.
The wave of desire was so strong and struck him so hard, so powerfully, that he would have gladly and without further thought sold his soul to the devil to guiltlessly make love to her. His lips moved gently along her collarbone as his finger slipped under the strap of her bra, causing her entire body to tingle.
Elizabeth felt her body stir with emotions that had only come alive since she'd met Jack. As his lips pressed against her skin, she felt the warmth pooling in her stomach, and her desire to make love to him was quickly pushing her purity pledge out the window.
Her fingers slipped under his shirt, pressing against his back, as the feel of her skin upon him set his body on fire.
His breathing was rapid and deep, "Oh God Elizabeth, I want you so bad."
With her own increased respiration and desire, she felt a heat wave sweep across her body as his hand rested on the waistband of her jeans. His fingers quickly and effortlessly unbuttoned her pants, and at that point she found herself in an internal battle between the virginal Elizabeth, and the Elizabeth who saw no useful purpose in hanging on to her virtue any longer.
He hesitated, waiting for a sign from her, but all she provided was a soft moan, and a whispered "I love you."
Jack sat up, roughly rubbing his hands up and down his face, hoping that the pain would remove the discomfort he would feel from walking away from her.
"What's wrong?"
He simply turned and looked at her.
"Jack, we are engaged, and I'm 30 years old after all. I'm probably the only virgin my age who isn't a nun," she stated as she heard him snicker.
"What are you laughing at?" she frustratingly asked.
"I have to find some humor in all this, because Elizabeth, I'm dying here. I can't be near you and not want to be with you. I just have one request…"
"What's that?"
"Could we have a quick engagement?"
"I'm all for that, but first we need to tell our parents."
Jack carried her bag into the spare bedroom. While standing at the door preparing to retire to his own room, Jack called out to her, "Sweetheart, I love you. When we're finally together, it will be beautiful."
Elizabeth forced a smile as she watched the door close. "Marrying you can't possibly come soon enough."
Hearing the shower running, she could only assume that the water was cold. Ten minutes later, she heard Jack's bedroom door close and figured that he was gone for the night.
In their respective bedrooms, each lay flat on their back, eyes refusing to close, as they tossed and turned, trying desperately to find a comfortable spot. Truly, they each knew that the only comfortable spot was in the arms of the other, but that wasn't likely to occur, at least not tonight.
Elizabeth stepped out into the den to grab her bag, hoping that writing in her journal may ease the emotions that were swirling inside. Glancing out the sliding glass door she observed what appeared to be a blanket of stars. She grabbed Jack's Mets jacket, slipped it on, and then pulled her journal from her bag before heading out onto the balcony.
She took a seat on the lounge chair and pulled the blanket over her legs. Although it was nearing 1am, the full moon provided ample lighting for her to write. She opened her journal, flipped to the next blank page, and placed the pen to the paper…
"As a small child, I recall singing in the elementary school choir. Maybe this is where my love of music began. One year, for our chorus concert, the one where all the parents are expected to attend just before the PTA meeting; we sang a song called 'Happiness is…' You know, life is funny; I don't recall if I ate breakfast yesterday, but I can still remember the lyrics to that song from many years ago…
Happiness is finding a pencil
Pizza with sausage
Telling the time
Happiness is learning to whistle
Knowing a secret
Tying your shoes for the very first time
Happiness is two kinds of ice cream
Knowing a secret
Playing the drum in your own school band
And happiness is walking hand in hand
Happiness is five different crayons
Catching a firefly
Setting him free
Happiness is morning and evening
Daytime and nighttime too
For happiness is anyone and anything at all that's loved by you
Childhood was easy, or at least we can say so now. However, as we lived through it, it may not have seemed as such. As a child, our problems seemed unimaginable, too difficult to work through and often impossible to handle. As we grew and matured, we prayed for the chance to trade our grown up troubles for those from our childhood, honestly feeling that we were now dealing with issues that were too challenging to overcome.
The loss of our favorite doll is replaced by a friendship now challenged by distance; our need for attention may be replaced by our desire for solitude, and our need for supervision may be replaced by our need to be independent. No matter the age, each life stage is wrought with trials and tribulations. As a teenager, we long for the insignificant problems of our childhood, and as adults, we chuckle at the simple troubles of our youth.
Each stage of life is demanding in its own right, and the difficulties should not be considered insignificant simply because of our age and current views. The bonds we make as children help us to develop strong, healthy relationships as adults. And the values instilled beginning in childhood will either become a part of us or wane as we move through life.
Those moral standards that we live by are often challenged by those relationships we nurture and hold so dear. However, those who truly love us; those who truly want the best for us, and those who are truly willing to sacrifice for us will not derail our value system for their own personal gratification. Those are the ones who we must hold close to our heart, for they are few and very far between."
Elizabeth closed her journal and sat it on the table beside the lounge chair. She snuggled into his jacket, inhaling deeply as his cologne permeated her senses. Though it was chilly, the blanket over her legs and his jacket over her arms seemed to settle her, and within minutes she was a sleep.
Lying in his bed, Jack continued to toss and turn, but eventually fell asleep. He woke several hours later, observing thin rays of the early morning sunshine slipping through his mini-blinds. He grabbed his phone from the bedside table, observing that it was now 7am.
Jack walked down the hall to put on a pot of coffee when he observed the guest room door open. He stepped inside, "Elizabeth…" he called out before realizing that the room was empty.
He went down the hall calling her name, concerned that she had left until he observed her bag sitting on the coffee table.
"Elizabeth," he knocked on the bathroom door, but received no response. Standing in his den, he glanced outside and saw her still asleep on the lounge chair.
Releasing the breath that he had no idea he was holding, he stepped outside and quietly approached her. He squatted down beside her, as his fingers gently brushed a few strands of hair out of her face.
Startled, she flinched…
"Shh, Elizabeth, it's just me; you're okay."
"Where am I?"
"You spent the night here, in New York City."
"I had the wildest dream…"
"Would you care to share?"
Feeling slightly embarrassed, she stated, "Not now, maybe another time."
Catching a glimpse of the key ring on her finger she looked up at Jack, "Did you propose to me? I thought I dreamed it."
"No dream and you've already said 'yes' so you can't back out."
"I have no intention of backing out, but Jack what are we going to do about our parents? I'm afraid that going from not dating anyone to being engaged will be quite a shock."
He took her hand and helped her up from the lounge chair. "Let's go inside; you look cold."
He wrapped his arm around her as they walked inside. Once she was seated on the sofa, he wrapped her in a blanket and went back to fix her a cup of coffee.
"Jack, what are we going to do? I mean, I know it's my fault, but…"
He grabbed their cups of coffee, adding Splenda and caramel macchiato to hers, and walked into the den, taking his seat beside her on the sofa.
She held the cup with both hands as he observed her shiver. Uncertain if it was due to the cold or the anxiety she obviously felt, he wrapped his arm around her.
"I have two games next week in Cincinnati and then I have a day off."
"What about the playoffs?"
"If Atlanta wins the next two games then we're out."
"Oh, I'm sorry Jack."
"Don't be. Right now what's on my mind is taking my beautiful fiancé to get her engagement ring, and plan when to go meet my future in laws."
"Are you scared?"
"Should I be?"
"I am."
"What, you're scared to meet my mom?"
"No, I'm afraid of telling my parents…not because they won't like you; they'll love you, except for the fact that my dad loves the Yankees."
"I guess there is no accounting for taste…" He laughed attempting to lighten to mood. "Really, why are you scared?"
"Jack, my parents raised us to be honest and open. On the times I've talked to her and she's tried to set me up with her friends' sons, I've lied to her. Instead of telling her about you, I told her that I was busy with work, or I wasn't interested."
"Well Elizabeth, technically that wasn't a lie; you were busy, and since we were dating, I assume that you weren't interested."
"I hope my parents see it that way."
"It's going to be okay; I promise."
"How do you know?"
"I have faith because I believe in us. I wouldn't have fought so hard to get you back if I didn't believe that we belonged together. Your parents will see that."
"I hope you're right. So you'll drive down on your day off?"
"Actually, I'll fly down. It will save me some time. Let's make it Wednesday, okay?"
"Okay, I'll take the day off."
"Now that's settled, let's go out for breakfast and then shopping."
As they finished their coffee, Jack's phone buzzed signifying a text.
"Is anything wrong?"
"A team meeting has been called for this morning. I'm sorry but shopping will have to wait."
"That's okay. I'll be here when you get back."
Before leaving, Jack handed her a folder on the education foundation to review while he was gone. His lips covered hers, tasting the remnants of her caramel macchiato infused coffee. He quickly realized that she easily completed him, and he definitely enjoyed the contented feeling that she brought into his life.
Several hours later, Jack returned home to find the den empty, eventually finding Elizabeth curled up on his bed sound asleep. She had one pillow under her head and his main pillow held tightly to her chest.
He sat at the foot of the bed, careful not to disturb her as he experienced both smiles and tears. His life advanced quickly before his eyes, starting with the first time he saw her, then the misunderstandings, the getting to know her part, and the first time she said 'I love you.' Now she had agreed to be his wife. He wiped away the tears and smiled broadly, as her body stirred in bed.
Her eyes opened slowly, feeling her own sense of peace at seeing him. She closed her eyes again, and stretched before sitting up in bed. Suddenly, realizing that she was in his room, she blushed, "I'm sorry. I just wanted to feel close to you."
"Well, I can take care of that," he responded softly as he lay down in the bed beside her.
Elizabeth lay across his chest as his arms immediately enveloped her. As his hand gently ran up and down her back he asked, "What kind of wedding do you want?"
Her arms folded across his chest as her chin rested on her hands, "I guess I never really thought about it. To be honest, I don't think I ever believed that I would fall in love."
"You've never been in love before?"
"Jack, it's not like I haven't dated, I have. Adam and I were together for years, but if I really loved him, I would have either followed him, or I would have been upset when he left. I wasn't, so that must say something."
Her lips pressed against his skin which was visible through his open collared shirt. "Jack, I love you; I'm absolutely positive about that," she stated as her body scooted up in the bed, allowing her lips to meet his. As her eyes watered, she continued, "Before you, I had never ached for a man the way I do you; I had never gone to bed at night and cried myself to sleep because you were so deeply in my heart but physically so far away, and before you, I had never wanted to give myself completely to any other man. You are truly the one for me, Jack Thornton."
Jack knew what she was feeling for he too ached for her; he too had tossed and turned many nights wanting to feel her body next to his, and although he'd never had to talk a woman into sleeping with him, he too knew that waiting for Elizabeth was right. She was special; she was the one.
They were inches apart as her eyes met his; neither drifted, and no words were said. No more words were needed. She'd opened her heart, expressed how she felt, and she had never felt freer in her entire life.
His lips covered hers as he rolled her back on the bed. He slipped one arm behind her head and the other under her body pulling her close as his leg crossed over hers, holding her in place.
As his tongue pressed through the seam in her lips, Elizabeth was not the only one who felt the butterflies fluttering. She had grown accustomed to their appearance whenever she was with Jack. He, on the other hand, had never felt them before.
Additional to the butterflies, he also had to deal with his own body's reaction whenever she was near, realizing that the touch of her fingertips upon his skin, inhaling her scent, or catching a glimpse of her teeth gently biting her lower lip quickly had him losing control.
"I think we need to get out of here. We may have time to go to the jewelry store before going to the stadium," he mentioned.
"Jack, can I be totally honest with you about something?"
Jack sat up in bed, dropping his legs over the side of the mattress as his feet hit the floor. "I prefer honesty, so please, feel free."
"It's about the engagement ring…"
"What about it? I know you wear jewelry, so that can't be it."
"I love that you want to buy me a ring, and I would be honored to wear it, but…"
"But what?"
"Jack, I don't want to pick out my ring. If you want me to have an engagement ring, I want it to be something that you pick out. You know something from your heart…"
"I can do that. I just wanted to it to be something that you'd love."
"If it comes from you, I will love it," she replied. "Jack, you haven't mentioned what your team meeting was about. Did you talk about the trade?"
"No, it was just a meeting to boost our morale. I won't know anything about the trade until after the season, but I promise we'll figure everything out, okay?"
"Okay, but I have to admit that I like knowing what is around the corner. I don't deal with surprises very well."
"Honey, as long as we're together they won't throw anything at us that we can't handle," he stated, feeling very strong in their resolve as a couple. "Hey, why don't you get dressed and we'll go out to lunch before going to the stadium."
"Sounds perfect; I'm starving."
Jack took her to Pier 1 Café for lunch. They enjoyed the food, company and a beautiful view of the Hudson River. Following lunch, he took her hand and they walked along the river, as topics such as his possible trade, the wedding and meeting her parents did not enter the conversation.
Several hours later, Elizabeth sat in her seat in the Wives and Girlfriends section watching the Mets play the Boston Red Sox. The game started out rather tenuous for the Mets, as the Red Sox scored three runs in the first inning. However, it wasn't long before the Mets regrouped, tied the score and by the bottom of the seventh inning, they were in the lead by two runs.
During the seventh inning stretch, Elizabeth was stunned when the Mets' announcer, Colin Cosell made the following announcement… "Well ladies, get out your Kleenex because another one of our players is off the market. Ladies and Gentlemen, please help us congratulate Jack Thornton on his engagement to Elizabeth Thatcher. Welcome to the family, Elizabeth."
Two hundred miles away in Baltimore, Maryland…
"Grace, did you hear that?" William Thatcher asked as he looked inquisitively toward the TV.
"Hear what?" Grace replied, looking up from her needlepoint project.
"The announcer just said that Jack Thornton is engaged to Elizabeth Thatcher."
"Who's Jack Thornton?"
"Oh honey, he plays for the Mets."
"And where would Elizabeth meet a professional baseball player? Besides, if she was dating someone, we'd know long before they were engaged. You must have misunderstood."
"Hmm, I guess you're right."
Back at Citi Field- New York City…
Until the announcement had been made, Elizabeth had kept quiet about the significance of the key ring on her finger. The remaining two innings were a blur as the wives and girlfriends surrounded her, providing their personal congratulations.
Unfortunately for the Red Sox, they did not regain the lead and the game was over after the third out in the top of the ninth inning. Sadly for the Mets, even though they won, so did the Braves, and based on their records, the Braves only needed to win one more game to knock the Mets out of the playoffs.
As Jack left the locker room and headed to Elizabeth's seat, he bumped into teammate Steven Matz and his girlfriend, Taylor coming out of the tunnel.
"Is Elizabeth still down there?" Jack asked.
"Yes, she's waiting on you. Oh, congratulations, Jack. Elizabeth's ring is beautiful," Taylor laughed.
"I'm going to get her one. She refused to go looking today."
"Jack, women don't want to pick out their own engagement ring, but if you need some help, please ask. I'd be happy to go with you."
"Thanks Taylor, but I've got it worked out," he replied.
"Hey honey, I'll be right back," Taylor stated as she ran after one of the wives.
"So Jack, are you sure about this?"
"About what…Elizabeth?" Jack asked as Steven nodded his head up and down. "Absolutely…she is everything to me."
Jack glanced around to make certain that Elizabeth wasn't within earshot, "Anthony from Doyle & Doyle is bringing what he has available out to me on Wednesday morning."
"Doyle & Doyle? WOW, Jack, she really is special."
"I want the best, but Elizabeth is really not interested in the flashiness of a ring. She lives modestly, not like some of the women we know."
Steven smiled, "Yes, I know what you mean. Taylor didn't come from money, and although she enjoys the things this profession offers, if it wasn't available any longer, she'd be fine."
Jack agreed, "Exactly. It's so much easier if you don't come from money. I think you're more appreciative of things."
"Well Jack, I wish you the best. She's a beautiful woman, and I'd have to say that you're a lucky guy."
"Don't I know it," Jack agreed before shaking Steven's hand and heading down to meet Elizabeth.
Jack walked across the aisle and took a seat beside Elizabeth. He took her left hand in his and brought it up to his lips, kissing the key ring that she still sported on her finger.
"What's wrong?" he asked as he observed her unusual facial expression.
"I'm just hoping that my dad didn't hear the engagement announcement."
Suddenly, his own facial expression changed, "Oh Elizabeth, I didn't think about that."
She forced a smile, "Don't worry about it. My dad's favorite team is the Yankees, so he probably wasn't watching and didn't even hear it."
"He really likes the Yankees over the Mets?"
Trying to make him feel better she quickly added, "I'm sure he will change his allegiance once he meets you, Jack."
As they were walking out to his car, Elizabeth stopped, "Oh, before I forget, Roger called and he, Kelly, Michael and Abby will be here tomorrow for the game."
On their way out of the gate, Jack stopped by and spoke to Happy Peterson, giving him the names of Elizabeth's neighbors, and lining up free complimentary box seats behind the Mets dugout for tomorrow's game.
"Thank you, Jack," she stated as he opened her car door for her.
"You're very welcome," he replied as he leaned in and brushed his lips across hers.
"Thanks for opening my door, but also for the tickets… oh and the kiss too. All of those things were quite nice."
Jack took his seat behind the wheel, "Well, this way you can ride home with them after the game. I get you here with me a bit longer, and you don't have to fly alone."
"Well, that would work well if they were going home after the game, but they're staying the night, so I already booked a flight home."
"What? I was going to get you a flight. You didn't have to buy it."
"Jack, I have money for a plane ticket."
"But I don't like you spending your money for that. I'll get it back to you."
"Jack, maybe we should have, but we've never talked about money before. Do you think I'm broke?"
"Well, no, but I know teachers aren't paid what they're worth. I assumed that it may carry over to guidance counselors. Besides, you work the usherette job, so I thought maybe you needed the money."
"Jack, I'm not broke, but I do need to ask you…the last time we were together, did you stick $300 in my purse?"
To be continued…