Disclaimer: I do not own the characters within this story. All rights and much respect go to Crown Media, Hallmark, Brian Bird, Michael Landon, Jr., the actors, creators, and writers of the show "When Calls the Heart." Any real people or places noted in the chapter are just there for storyline purposes.
Chapter 21- Apologies, Acceptance and Anxiety
Recap of the Chapter 20 ending…
He stepped closer as his arms quickly swallowed her. Her head rested on his chest as he held her tight, afraid to let go. "How can you give me such strength but yet remain my only true weakness?" he whispered as she leaned back slightly and his lips pressed tenderly against her forehead.
They separated slightly as he wrapped the blanket around her shoulders. He caught her glance as their lips met. The kiss was initially soft, yet eager, bold, yet tender, and hot, so very hot and they each felt the warmth that spread through their bodies.
Having no desire to see her father she asked, "Are you ready to go home?"
"Not yet…"
"Why…? Jack I don't want to stay here any longer."
This wasn't what he had in mind, but in such a beautiful setting which previously meant so much to Elizabeth he decided that now was the time.
"Elizabeth, I know you said 'Yes' before, but it isn't really official without a ring," he began as he dropped to one knee.
She stepped back as her hand covered her mouth, "Jack…"
Jack reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a beautiful red velvet box. With the open box in one hand, it was evident that he was nervous as his eyes watered, and his voice quivered. "Elizabeth, every time I look at you I can barely breathe. You literally take my breath away. I realize at each moment how breathing is so over rated and I wouldn't want it any other way. I didn't know it at the time, but before I even met you, you were in my dreams. You were the kind, compassionate, loving figure who calmed me, excited me, and brought me to life."
He closed his eyes for a moment, and took a deep breath before continuing, "I have never truly allowed a woman into my heart, but before I knew it, you had crawled inside and made it your home." He tapped his other hand on his heart, "You live here now, and I never want you to leave."
Elizabeth began to cry as she dropped the blanket to the ground.
"Aren't you cold?" he asked as he observed her tears beginning to fall.
She couldn't speak but simply shook her head back and forth.
Jack wiped away his own tears which seemed to be rivaling hers before continuing. "Before we met," he reached out and took her hand, "I was so incomplete. I mean the pieces were all there, just somehow jumbled up inside. You entered my life and suddenly everything fell into place. You are absolutely the best thing that has ever happened to me and when I think of the possibility of us being apart, I feel completely empty inside."
He again had to wipe his own eyes, "You are the person I want to talk to when I'm happy, and you know exactly what to say to calm me when life takes a downward turn. If pairs are decided in Heaven, then the Lord made you with me in mind… Elizabeth, you are my one and only true love. Will you marry me…?"
"Yes…"
He stood and as his hand shook he placed a 1.5 ct. 6 prong solitaire engagement ring in an 18 ct. yellow gold setting on her left hand ring finger.
Although she'd told him over and over that a ring was not necessary, and she still felt that way, she had to admit that this was the most beautiful ring she'd ever seen. Her face lit up as her eyes, still tear filled, attempted to focus on the sparkling bauble that she proudly carried on her left hand.
"Jack, it is the most beautiful ring I have ever seen."
"So, I did good?"
"Oh you did real good…"
"You haven't seen anything yet," he stated.
With both of them shedding happy tears, their lips met, gently at first. They separated slightly in an attempt to catch their breaths. Finding that it was nearly impossible to stay apart their lips met again. His tongue pressed through the seam in her slightly open mouth, and he could easily feel the sparks inside. The passion quickly consumed them, almost as if they were candles burning at both ends.
As their foreheads rested on each other she whispered, "Jack, apparently my parents aren't happy, so maybe we could go to see your mom and get married in San Diego?"
"Are you sure?" he asked as she smiled but her eyes remained somber.
Her tears fell in a steady stream as he pulled her into his chest. He held her tightly as he felt her body move from a shudder to eventual calm.
He cradled her face in his hands as his thumbs gently brushed away the tears. "I'll marry you whenever and wherever you want."
"It's not how I pictured it, but…"
"Honey, they'll come around. The emotion in his own voice was evident as he continued, "I am so sorry that I couldn't make this right for you."
She held up her left hand as she smiled through her tears, "Jack, what you said, how I know you feel, what we have, that's perfect, and if my parents can't see that…" she turned away and looked out onto the water, "That's their loss."
As the fall breeze blew, he took off his jacket and slipped it over her shoulders. He picked the blanket up from the ground, took her hand and asked, "Are you ready to go home?"
She smiled as he took her left hand in his. He brought it up to his lips and kissed the finger that contained the symbol of his love for her. "Let's go home…"
They walked hand in hand down the path, headed back to her parent's house. She left her jacket in the entryway, and Jack offered to go inside to retrieve it.
"Jack, just leave it. I don't have any desire to get into it again with my parents. I'm happy; we're happy and that is truly all that matters," she stated as they laid the blanket on the front steps and headed for Jack's car.
"Elizabeth," she spun around at hearing her name called.
She held Jack's hand as he stood beside her, "Yes sir…"
"Would you and Jack please come back inside? Your mother and I need to talk to you," her father called out from the front porch, only this time he was smiling…
Now on with our story…
Elizabeth glanced back at Jack, who, unlike Elizabeth, had already noticed her father's change in demeanor.
"Please Elizabeth…if you leave here now, your mother will never forgive me," Mr. Thatcher was not used to begging, but on this occasion it felt appropriate.
Jack could feel her grip on his hand intensify, "Honey, we need to give him a chance."
"Daddy, I don't want to argue anymore," she stated as her happy tears had disappeared and sad ones were now forming.
"I don't want to argue either. Please come back inside," he implored her.
"Come on, you know you don't want to leave with the situation like it is," Jack encouraged her. "Besides, you left your favorite jacket inside."
Elizabeth started up the stairs. She still held Jack's hand as they climbed the steps, side by side, now putting the "Holding each one up in times of trouble" to the test.
Once at the top, Mr. Thatcher stuck out his arm to shake Jack's hand. Eagerly and with a smile on his face, Jack reciprocated.
Mr. Thatcher turned to Elizabeth; opening his arms, she stepped into his embrace. It was one of the very few times in her life that she'd ever seen him cry. His tears caused hers to multiply in number and intensity. "I'm so sorry, Elizabeth."
"I am too, daddy," she whispered through her tears, holding on tightly as if she were afraid that she would somehow be pulled away.
Jack stepped back; his dimpled smile was broad and bright as he watched the loving exchange between his fiancé and future father-in-law.
Once they separated Mr. Thatcher turned back to Jack, "You are one hell of a baseball player, son. Can I be assured that you will put an equal amount of determination into taking care…I'm sorry, that you will be good to my daughter?"
Jack glanced back at Elizabeth as his own eyes watered. She stepped back as his arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her closer to him, "Mr. Thatcher, your daughter means the world to me. I will always be there for her, standing beside her, and I can assure you that no man will ever love or cherish her as much as I do."
"Well, Mr. Thornton…"
"Jack, please call me Jack…"
"Well Jack, as a parent that is all I can really ask for. I need to apologize to you as well. I was looking for all the reasons why you weren't suitable for Elizabeth. Her mother pointed out many reasons why you're perfect for her. Welcome to the family."
"Thank you sir."
Mr. Thatcher stepped back toward the door, "Would you both come back inside?" he asked as he turned toward Elizabeth. "Your mother would like to see you before you leave."
"Do we have time?" she asked Jack.
"Honey, I have all the time in the world," he responded as they stepped passed Mr. Thatcher and headed back inside.
Mrs. Thatcher was standing by the window staring outside when the door to the office opened. One glance and both women burst into tears as Elizabeth rushed inside and into her mother's arms.
"I'm so sorry mom…"
Mrs. Thatcher held Elizabeth tightly as their tears continued to flow.
"Get used to it Jack. The Thatcher women are very emotional beings. You are in for a hell of a ride," Mr. Thatcher mentioned as they stood side by side, each one thankful for the obvious change in attitude. "I hope you're up for it, Jack."
Jack glance at Mr. Thatcher before returning his eyes to Elizabeth and her mother, "I've enjoyed the ride so far. Well, maybe not earlier, but now's good."
"Can we start over?" Mr. Thatcher asked.
"Sir, I would very much like that." Jack replied.
"Please, call me William and Mrs. Thatcher will prefer Grace," he advised.
"Thank you sir… uh, I mean William."
Elizabeth stepped back slightly and thrust her left hand toward her mother's face. "Look, its official."
"Oh my, Elizabeth, that is absolutely stunning," her mother remarked. Turning back to Jack she continued, "I'm surprised that you got her to wear one. She always told her sisters that she didn't need a ring to prove she was loved."
"I still don't, but I'm sorry, no one is getting this ring away from me," Elizabeth stated as she looked dreamily at her own hand.
"Can you stay for dinner?" Mrs. Thatcher asked.
Jack looked over at Elizabeth, hoping to take a cue from her expression. Seeing her smile he responded, "I guess that would be 'Yes.'
Thelma was advised that there would be two more for dinner. Excitedly she rushed to prepare Elizabeth's favorite dessert, Pineapple Upside Down cake with homemade Vanilla Bean ice cream. Well, homemade as much as it took to dump the ingredients into the electric ice cream maker and push the 'start' button.
"Why don't you two take a walk around the grounds? Dinner will be ready in an hour or so," Mrs. Thatcher suggested.
"Mom, are you sure?" Elizabeth asked.
She shook her head up and down, "Go ahead."
Jack smiled as Elizabeth took his hand and they slipped out of the office. They stepped out into the front yard and walked over to the fountain.
Looking back at the mansion, Jack was in awe. He couldn't imagine how she grew up to be so unaffected by money and what opportunities it offered. He'd known others, men and women, who somehow felt entitled as a result of their privileged upbringing, and he had to admit to himself that he admired and loved her more, as if that was even possible.
"Do you have any change on you?" she asked.
Jack dug into his pocket and pulled out three quarters, a dime and four pennies, keeping his hand open as she plucked two quarters, and advised that he could put the rest of the coins away.
"What's this for?" he asked.
She handed him one of the quarters, "Make a wish?"
"I thought that was only good in big fountains like in Italy."
"Jack, a fountain is a fountain. Close your eyes and make a wish," she insisted.
Jack closed his eyes and brought the coin to his lips before tossing it in the fountain. His eyes remained closed for a few moments as he thanked God for the path he'd provided, and for bringing Elizabeth into his life.
As he opened his eyes, he found her staring into the water as her own tears flowed. "What's wrong?" he asked as his arm around her waist pulled her close.
She stepped away and took a seat on the edge of the fountain as he quickly joined her. He took her hand, "Please, what's wrong?"
"There's nothing wrong, Jack."
"Then why the tears?"
She lowered her head and glanced at the ground as her feet scuffed along the concrete. "When I was a little girl, I used to toss a coin in this fountain once a year and I made the same wish each time. It never came true…until now," she stated as she leaned her head on his chest.
"What did you wish for?"
"Prince Charming…"
"Prince Charming?"
"Well, when I was little, he was the closest thing I knew to the perfect man. As I got older, it changed somewhat, but basically it was always wishing for a man who would love and respect me. He never came along…until you."
His finger under her chin lifted her face as her eyes met his, "I'm glad no one else came along, because you are the only woman who has ever truly set my heart on fire."
His lips pressed gently to hers. It was tender as the kiss lingered, drawing out the most precious of moments. As they separated, he rested his forehead on hers, "I love you Elizabeth Thatcher, and I can't wait for you to become a Thornton."
Elizabeth's hands cradled his face as she kissed his lips once again, "I love you, Jack Thornton." Standing up she turned back to face him, "Would you like to take a walk?"
He stood beside her, "Let's go."
"Where would you like to go?"
He took her hand, "Anywhere as long as I'm with you."
They started down the path when Jack stopped, causing her to turn around and face him. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, you know you can ask me anything."
"I said earlier that I couldn't wait to make you a Thornton. You didn't say anything and I've never asked; will you take my name?"
She smiled, "Elizabeth Thornton; it has a ring to it, don't you think? Of course I'll take your name."
His smile was broad and bright as they continued down the path around the back of the expansive residence and found themselves sitting in the gazebo. It was early evening and the open air building was encased with solar lights strategically placed in the flower beds around its base and along the sidewalk leading to the now covered swimming pool.
The lights provided a soft glow as he took a seat beside her along the railing. She bent her knee and rested her leg on the bench as she turned slightly to face him.
His hand left the back of the bench and brushed across her loose hair, sweeping it over her shoulder, allowing it to cascade down her back. He observed her as she glanced down at the ring on her finger while his hand under her chin lifted her face and their eyes met.
Even with the slight chill in the air, as their lips touched, their blood warmed and the electricity quickly spread throughout their bodies. His hand slipped around her neck, cradling the back of her head as he pulled her closer, wanting the feel, the taste, and the excitement of her lips on his again.
"Mmm," she moaned softly as her lips found it nearly impossible to release his. As she finally leaned back slightly, "Thank you," were the only words she was able to manage.
"Any time; kissing you is most definitely my pleasure."
"Well, I really do appreciate that," she laughed softly, "But I was really referring to…"
"To what, Elizabeth?" he spoke softly as his hand rested along her jaw line while his thumb brushed across her cheek.
"Today, you turned what could have been a major catastrophe into the absolute best day of my life."
"I didn't do anything; your parents would have come around," he assured her.
"No, it's not even that."
"What are you talking about?"
She stood up and walked to the railing, wrapping her arm around the entry post. She glanced up toward the house, momentarily lost in her own thoughts. "Jack, you came here with me, willing to meet my parents, and after they made such horrible accusations, you still proposed to me. I appreciate your love, your faith, and your trust. Jack, I appreciate you."
His dimpled smile caused her heart to pound as he stood and approached her. "Dance with me…" he held out his hand.
"I don't think my dad ever had satellite radio put in, but… Alexa, play The Pulse on SiriusXM."
"Playing The Pulse on SiriusXM," Alexa responded.
"Dad must have waited until all of us moved out to put that in. He probably didn't want us out here dancing and kissing with our boyfriends."
As the music began to play, Jack could have inquired, but it wasn't necessary. The fact was, he was her current and final boyfriend, and he couldn't wait to make her his wife.
She took his hand and he led her out onto the middle of the gazebo. He held her tight and she leaned her head on his chest as the song "Something About the Way You Look Tonight" by Elton John began to play…
There was a time
I was everything and nothing all in one
When you found me
I was feeling like a cloud across the sun
I need to tell you
How you light up every second of the day
But in the moonlight
You just shine like a beacon on the bay
And I can't explain
But it's something about the way you look tonight
Takes my breath away
It's that feeling I get about you, deep inside
And I can't describe
But it's something about the way you look tonight
Takes my breath away
The way you look tonight
With your smile
You pull the deepest secrets from my heart
In all honesty
I'm speechless and I don't know where to start
And I can't explain
But it's something about the way you look tonight
Oh, it takes my breath away
It's that feeling I get about you, deep inside
And I can't describe
But it's something about the way you look tonight
Takes my breath away
The way you look tonight
As her head rested on his chest she could feel the rhythmic beating of his heart. It was soothing, actually calming in a day where her emotions had fluctuated from uncertainty to nervousness, moving quickly into anger, and then on to disappointed understanding. Ending there would have been as she'd expected, but Jack clearly made it the best day of her life with his beautiful proposal and her parents acceptance of her, of him and of them as a couple.
As the song ended, Jack kissed her. It was bold, yet tender, enthusiastic, yet gentle, and possessive, yet oh so very thankful for her placement in his life at a time when he was ready to accept her in return.
Suddenly his own emotions took control in a day where he'd run the gamut from his own disbelief to anger to thankfulness and settling in on a feeling he'd felt since she let him into her life…love.
"Are you okay?" she asked as she wiped a tear that slipped from the outside of his eye.
"This is the best day of my life."
"I love you Jack, but I'm sure that you've had some wonderful baseball moments in your life that…"
He interrupted as his hands held hers, "Nothing rivals this. Truly Elizabeth, I can live without baseball; I can't survive without you."
His arms slipped around her waist as he pulled her into his body. One hand rested on the small of her back and the other gently moved up and down causing her skin to tingle.
As their lips met, each one felt as though it was different. They had long since stopped simply trying to impress each other and were no longer dating the other's representatives. Their hearts had opened, welcoming the other inside. They'd seen each other at their best and worst, and nothing was tearing them away.
However, Jack had to admit that he was thrown for a loop today when he found out that Elizabeth came from a wealthy family, a piece of her past, present and likely future that she's kept secret. But he also realized that to Elizabeth, the wealth belonged to her parents, and just like other inconsequential things that had happened in her life, living in a mansion did not define her.
"What's that?" Jack asked as he heard a bell in the distance.
Elizabeth laughed, "That's Thelma. When I was younger and would slip away from the family to be alone and think or write, she'd ring the bell, basically telling me that my parents were looking for me."
As they held hands and walked toward the house, she continued, "She rang the bell instead yelling for me because she didn't want to draw attention to the fact that I was gone. She was always trying to keep me from getting into trouble."
"Well, she's okay in my book, because she told me where to find you," he added as he pulled her close and kissed the top of her head.
Surprisingly the dinner conversation was quite pleasant and entertaining, devoid of the contempt that had consumed everyone just hours before. That was until talk of the actual wedding entered the conversation.
"So, when is the wedding?" Grace asked.
Elizabeth and Jack turned toward each other and then back to her mother. "We haven't decided."
"I assume that you will have it here," Grace prodded.
"Well, actually Jack and I thought that we might get married in San Diego…"
"San Diego? What's in San Diego?"
"My mom lives there," Jack cautiously explained.
"Can't she come here? We'll send the jet for her, right William?"
"Of course," William quickly agreed.
"Mom, Jack and I haven't really had time to think about it. We may just go to the Justice of the Peace…"
"NO," Grace stated, her voice was louder than anyone, including Grace anticipated. "Elizabeth, don't you remember the book you made as a young girl that included everything you wanted for your wedding?"
"I remember; it's in a box on my closet shelf. But mom, I'm 30 years old now, and I'm not sure that a big wedding is really what I want."
"Well, you don't need a big wedding; 200 or so guests should take care of it."
"200 guests?" Elizabeth gasped.
"Well, you have your friends, and Jack's teammates and friends, and there are people on both sides who will expect invitations. If necessary we can rent out the yacht club," Mrs. Thatcher replied as she glanced at William for confirmation.
"Whatever you girls want is fine with me," he replied.
Before anyone else could speak Mrs. Thatcher continued, "I remember the times we used to sit and talk about your grand wedding. I don't want you to regret giving up your dream."
Thankful that her parents were accepting of Jack and their engagement, but feeling as though the air in the mansion was beginning to suffocate her, she began to look a bit nervous. Glancing at her watch, Elizabeth turned to Jack, "It's getting late. We really should be going."
"Oh, I'm sorry; you have to work tomorrow, don't you?" Grace commented.
"It's a school day."
"Are you driving back to New York tonight?"
"Actually, I have a hotel room, so I'm staying for awhile."
Elizabeth stood, followed by Jack and her parents. She made her way around the table, hugging her mom and dad, before grabbing her jacket and bag, and hoping to get out of the house before the first wedding planning fight began.
As Jack shook hands with her father and hugged her mother, Elizabeth was waiting at the front door, feeling anxious and much like a caged animal.
"Wait Miss Elizabeth…" Thelma called out.
"Please Thelma; it's just Elizabeth. I mean you have known me my entire life. You know I'm not formal…"
"Okay, Elizabeth it is…here is your dessert."
"Oh Thelma, you didn't have to do that. Is it what I think it is?"
"Yes ma'am; I mean, yes, it's your favorite, and a container of homemade Vanilla Bean ice cream."
"Thank you so much, Thelma," Elizabeth hugged her favorite cook as Jack walked up.
Jack stuck out his arm to shake Thelma's hand, "Thank you for helping me out earlier. You have no idea how much I appreciate it."
"Take care of her; she's special," Thelma remarked.
Jack smiled as he glanced back at Elizabeth, "I'm well aware of that."
Thelma rushed off as Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher approached to see Jack and Elizabeth out.
Thankful for the darkness, Elizabeth kissed her parents once more before taking Jack's arm in hers while holding the handrail with her right hand as they made their way down the steps.
Her parents watched as Jack opened the passenger side door and allowed Elizabeth to slip inside. He waved to them as he walked around and opened the driver's side door. In no time he disappeared inside his BMW, turned on the headlights and they were driving out of the estate.
He took her left hand and pulled it to his lips, kissing her beautiful, slender ring finger. "So, I guess getting married in San Diego is out?"
"I don't know. Why does it have to be so difficult? I mean, it's my wedding…I mean, our wedding, not my mom's. And 200 guests?"
Jack wasn't certain how to respond to her comment so he simply squeezed her hand for reassurance.
The car sat at the end of the long driveway as he waited to pull out onto Thatcher Lane. Jack turned the radio down, as his hand rested on the back of her neck, gently cradling her head.
Elizabeth leaned into his hand, turning her head to face him, smiling back when she observed his dimpled smile.
His voice was calm and soothing, "I love you, and all I want to do is marry you. I don't care if it's in San Diego, Baltimore or the Justice of the Peace, but it needs to be where you choose. I'll be wherever you tell me, standing at the altar, so proud to watch you walk down the aisle, and thankful that you agreed to become my wife."
"I'd marry you right here, right now Jack. I don't want to waste a lot of time planning it; I just want to be able to start our lives together," she stated, clearly confused as to how to handle everything. "I don't know what to do. My sister, Viola had a big wedding, so it isn't like my mom missed out, but then again, Julie eloped without telling anyone."
Elizabeth looked down, deep in thought she continued, "Now that I think about it, my mom never got over that."
He pulled her closer as his lips covered hers. Although preoccupied, her lips softened immediately upon his touch.
"Mmm," she pulled back slightly, "I needed that."
He smiled back as they pulled out onto Thatcher Lane and headed home. Forty minutes later, they pulled into Elizabeth's driveway and caught Brenda walking out of her townhouse.
"I'm sorry Elizabeth; I heard Lizzie barking, and your car was here, but you didn't answer, so I got worried," she stated as she held out her hand, "Here you can take back your keys."
"Oh my word, is that what I think it is?" Brenda gasped as she caught a glimpse of the engagement ring on Elizabeth's hand.
Elizabeth laughed, "First of all, thank you for checking on Lizzie, but please keep my keys. I feel so much better knowing that you're keeping an eye, and I guess in this case, an ear on things. And now…" Elizabeth stuck her hand out as both women squealed with excitement, "Jack asked me to marry him…"
Jack stood back, proud that something he'd done could elicit such a reaction.
Glancing back at Jack, Elizabeth stated, "Oh Jack, I'm sorry, this is Brenda. She takes care of Lizzie for me when I go out of town."
"We've sort of met before," Jack smiled as he remembered seeing Brenda when he drove down to talk to Elizabeth, passing her in the yard as she chatted with Elizabeth on the phone. "It's very nice you meet you, Brenda."
"Very nice to meet you too, Jack. Congratulations!" she and Elizabeth hugged again as Jack looked on.
Brenda excused herself as Jack and Elizabeth stepped inside.
"Would you like a glass of wine or coffee with dessert?" she asked as she glanced back and found him on the floor tussling with Lizzie. "I'll take that as wine," she whispered.
Elizabeth grabbed two glasses from the cabinet and a bottle of wine from the refrigerator, and placed them on a tray along with their pineapple upside down cake and homemade Vanilla Bean ice cream.
Elizabeth took a seat on the sofa, poured the glasses of wine and cleared her throat, doing her best to gain his attention. "Jack, would you like to join me?"
"I'm sorry," he responded and was beside her before any other words were spoken. Glancing at the full bottle of wine he asked, "Are you trying to get me intoxicated so I can't go to the hotel?"
"I honestly hadn't thought about it, but now that you mention it Jack, why can't you just stay here?" she asked.
"Honey, you know why…"
"Jack, it's no one's business what we do. Besides, I'm tired of saying goodbye to you and either you leave or I do."
"Elizabeth…"
"Jack, listen…if you move in here, we'll have more of a reason to get married quickly," she stated as she assumed she'd have to argue with him more. "Where are you going," she called out as he headed for the front door.
"I'm going to get my bag from my car and put it in the guest room."
She smiled, realizing that everything she'd wanted in life, an education, a fulfilling career and a man whom she desperately loved, was all falling into place.
With his bag in the guest room, Jack took his seat again beside Elizabeth on the sofa. With wine glasses in their hands, Jack toasted…
"Because I love you truly,
Because you love me too,
My very greatest happiness
Is sharing my life with you."
As the wine passed through their lips, Elizabeth boldly leaned in and pressed her mouth to his. The kiss was soft and gentle and the fruity notes of the wine were still easily detected on each of their lips.
Jack placed their glasses on the table. His hand took hers, but immediately began to gently sweep up her arm and over her shoulder, resting momentarily before cradling the back of her head. His other hand swept around her waist as he pulled her close, but quickly realized that she would never be close enough. He realized that he could unzip his body and pull her inside, but his desire for her was so strong that she would still never be close enough.
As her eyes met his, he pressed his body against hers, leaning her back on the soft arm of the sofa. His lips pressed gently against hers as he could still easily taste the fruitiness of the wine they had just consumed.
He enjoyed fine wines, but at this moment, with her, the Barefoot Cellars Pink Moscato; that she purchased at the Whole Foods Market on Smith Avenue was his new, all-time favorite.
As his lips left hers, they immediately traced along her jaw line to her ear and down her neck. Her skin felt soft and warm and the lavender vanilla scent of her shampoo blended well with the floral bouquet of her perfume. She leaned her head back as his tongue traced along her collarbone, dipping down slightly as her blouse opened revealing her cleavage.
She moaned softly; her arms around his waist held him tightly, as if she was afraid that he, being the clearer thinker, would pull away. She felt much like a child, so excited for a special occasion, but feeling anxious as though the time would never arrive, and she'd be left empty. For in her heart, Jack was the only man she'd ever dreamed of making love to, and although they had the rest of their lives to be together, she hated wasting time.
Elizabeth was clearly conflicted in her feelings and emotions, with the devilish one wanting to cast her inhibitions to the wind, forget what everyone, including herself expected, and enjoy the love she'd found, completely and without hesitation. However, as if the flipped coin changed sides, weighing heavily upon her was the fact that she'd held tightly to her virtue, considering it precious and a gift that should not be unwrapped for the first time until her wedding night.
As he was pressed against her, it took all of his strength to push himself away from her soft body, enticing perfume and excruciating desire for her. He sat up firm against the back of the sofa, as his eyes focused directly ahead.
"Jack, I'm sorry. I'm just going to go to bed," she stated. Observing the melted ice cream and soggy pineapple upside down cake, she first gathered the two uneaten dessert plates and walked into the kitchen.
Returning to the den she stated, "I'll see you in the morning."
He took her hand, stopping her. As she turned around he could see her own struggle and realized that things were just as difficult for her as they were for him. His heart pounded as he felt the electricity flowing through his veins as he stood and closed the distance between them.
Realizing that she had to be emotionally exhausted, he responded, "It's been a long day. You need to get some sleep. I forgot you have to work in the morning."
She turned back to face him, "Actually, I took the rest of the week off so I don't go back until Monday. So, what do you want to do tomorrow?"
"Fly to San Diego…"
"Jack, isn't that something we need to plan for?"
"Honey, you go to sleep and I'll plan it. We have to go out so you can meet my mom; the sooner the better, right?" Jack stated as he pulled out his phone and began looking at flights to San Diego.
Elizabeth had only walked a few strides when she turned around, "Jack, what if she doesn't like me?"
"She already loves you."
"How could she; we've never met?"
"Because she knows how important you are to me," Jack stated as he put his phone down on the table, stood up from the sofa and walked over to her. He held her tightly until he felt her body begin to relax. He whispered, "It will be nothing like earlier today with your parents, I promise."
His finger under her chin lifted her lips to meet his, "Trust me; everything will be okay."
Elizabeth smiled, "I do trust you."
She continued down the hall as Jack stood ever so still. His eyes never left her as he watched until the master bedroom door closed. Left alone in the den, Jack proceeded to check the airlines for flights to San Diego.
In the master bedroom, Elizabeth changed into her favorite flannel shorts and t-shirt, pulled back the covers and climbed into bed. She grabbed her journal from the top drawer of her bedside table, clicked on her favorite writing pen, flipped to the next blank page and attempted to convey her feelings from their emotionally charged day onto the empty canvas…
"Life can be joyous, exciting and fulfilling, but there are times when it can also dig a hole, knock you down and bury your feelings and emotions way below the surface. You hold them inside, afraid to speak your truth, hoping to keep everyone happy, but knowing that to be an impossible task.
Your heart aches as you realize that you've disappointed those around you, wanting to make things right, but not certain how to make it happen. Should we give up our dreams, our desires, and allow others to make the decisions for us, hoping as we trudge along that their happiness is truly all that matters? Will we regret, at some point, not standing up for ourselves?
Why does growing up have to be so difficult? As children we want nothing more than to rush through life, pushing to enter each new stage so that we can do more, have more, and expect more of everything that this precious life has to offer. Then we have the power to run our own lives, and yet we yearn for the simpler times when decisions were made by others, and blame for the outcome could not be placed upon us.
In reality, life is a series of choices. From the moment we wake until we fall asleep, all day, every day we decide what calls to answer, who we sit with, what words we speak, and the tone we use. We decide what we eat, where we go, how we feel, and what information to disseminate. Our thoughts are essentially fleeting moments of time often based on those things weighing heaviest on our minds. Realizing that the best indicator of future conduct is prior behavior, we make the best decisions possible given the information available to us, hoping that those in our path are not angered by our choices."
Elizabeth slipped her journal into the drawer, laid back and attempted to contemplate the events of the day. In a matter of hours, she'd run the gamut between fear, anxiety, anger, disappointment, understanding, surprise, joy and love.
Back in the den, Jack booked two tickets on Southwest Airlines for Thursday afternoon. He sat on the sofa knowing how happy his mother was going to be when she heard the exciting news. She only wanted him to be happy, and had advised him that she would even do her best to get along with Selma if she was truly who he loved. There was no doubt in his mind that his mother would absolutely love Elizabeth.
Lizzie came up and nudged Jack's leg, begging to go outside. Jack put down his phone, put a leash on Lizzie and they walked to the door. They were only in the front yard for a few minutes when Brenda stepped outside to retrieve something from her car.
"Hey Brenda," Jack called out, hoping that in the darkness he wouldn't frighten her.
"Hey Jack; congratulations again," she replied.
He smiled, giving her a taste of the dimpled grin that Elizabeth loved so much. "Thank you; I have a big favor to ask…"
"When do you need me to watch Lizzie?"
Jack laughed at the fact that she knew what he wanted. "Well, my mom lives out in San Diego, and we need to go out so she can meet Elizabeth. I have tickets to leave tomorrow afternoon, and we'll be back on Sunday evening. I hate to ask on such short notice…"
"Don't worry; I'll be glad to take care of Lizzie."
"Thank you so much," he replied before heading back inside.
Lizzie ran over to grab some water from her bowl while Jack picked up his phone from the table and dialed his mother's number…
"Hello…"
"Hey mom…"
"Jack is everything okay?" she asked, glancing at the clock and realizing that it was now almost midnight on the east coast.
"No ma'am, as a matter of fact, things are wonderful."
Sitting in her home 3000 miles away, Charlotte Thornton smiled, "I assume you talked to Elizabeth."
Even though they couldn't see each other, Jack's smile quickly rivaled hers, "I took your advice and I drove down to see her."
"So did you explain everything? Are you back together? Will you be coming to see me for Thanksgiving?"
"Yes, yes and possibly, but we are actually coming out tomorrow. I want you to meet your future daughter-in-law."
"Well, I always love seeing you, but if you come now will you still be able to come for Thanksgiving?"
"Mom, did you hear what I just said?"
"Yes, you took my advice and you and Elizabeth are back together, but you're not sure if you'll be coming for Thanksgiving. Jack, I'm so happy for you, for both of you. I can't wait to meet her…wait, did you say daughter-in-law?"
To be continued…