Hey folks! Here is the latest update: Eliza and William have made it to his hotel room where he and Eliza are anticipating a night of love and magic. Eliza is duly impressed with William's status as she observes his hotel and his accommodations. They make love starting and stopping and realize that they all they care about is being together. They do consider their respective children's responses and William hopes to cable his children in the morning to let them know he will soon have a surprise for them. Eliza wonders of her own son's thoughts about her and William's plans. However, these thoughts are put on the back burner while Eliza and William discover what they missed not having a life together 29 years prior but find that regrets are a waste of time and that all they want to be is together for the rest of their lives. Hopefully you will enjoy this - Love Carebearmaxi

Honorable Mention

Chapter 7

Last Night and The Next Morning

They walked hand-in-hand enjoying the chilly midnight air. Eliza looked at William and thought how he looked much like he did when he was young. He walked with determined strides yet still held her hand dressed in his long woolen coat and bowler. Only now she just remembered she had observed him swiftly putting a pair of spectacles back into his coat pocket.

"William, where are your spectacles?"

"What are talking about, Eliza?"

She slid her hand in the crook of his elbow and walked her fingers up to his breast pocket and patted the location of the said spectacles. She then let her fingers return to the crook of his arm.

"Before I came upon you at father's gravesite, you wiped a pair of spectacles with your handkerchief and then put them in your coat pocket."

"Oh…those!" William exclaimed feigning ignorance. " I find as I get older my eye site is deteriorating. I need those damned things for reading. Why'd you ask?"

Eliza pursed her lips and made a face. "Nothing. I have to wear spectacles, too, when I read fine print. I was just relieved I wasn't the only one whose eyesight isn't as good as it used to be without help. It's always a bit cumbersome when I have a meeting with a client."

"I suppose we'll both be wearing glasses when we sign our marriage license."

Eliza laughed. "I suppose we will."

William stopped before the entrance of his hotel.

"We're here."

"Did the NYPD put you up here or is this on your own dime, so they say?"

"No, this is my own dime, so you say."

Eliza looked up and saw the illuminated sign of the hotel's name proudly stated as the "Grand Marquis". The hotel lobby was spacious and the carpet was thick. The electric lights lit the place very brightly. It was opulent with a red carpet covering the floor of the lobby where comfortable loveseats and couches and gaming tables were set up for anyone not wanting to remain in their rooms and did not want to venture out. The last thing that Eliza noticed before they took an elevator to William's floor was the bar with a mirror that was the size of the large wall reflecting the activities of the patrons in the lobby.

William went to the desk.

"Yes, Chief Wellington, how can I help you?"

"I will need to send a telegram to my children in New York City. Where can I do that?"

"You can do that in the office. However, we won't have anyone to help you until around 7 am. Would that be too late?"

"No, that will be fine. Thank you."

As William walked back to Eliza and took his hand in hers and kissed it, she said, "You're going to cable your son and daughter and tell them…what?"

"That I found someone I missed and that she's coming home with me soon."

Eliza swallowed hard and then blushed. It seemed that William was the only one that could make her blush even after 57 years on this planet and plenty of years being married to another man.

The elevator signaled its arrival with two chimes. The door opened and William and Eliza found themselves alone in the car. William suddenly pressed Eliza into the wall of the car and kissed her so deeply that Eliza lost her breath and herself in his kiss. She opened her mouth and let her tongue probe his mouth again. He tasted sweet like remnants of the whiskey he had consumed earlier in the night.

All too quickly, the elevator car signaled two chimes to let them know it arrived. The doors opened and they both looked at each other in anticipation mixed with love. No loud revelry anywhere on the floor. All was quiet. Just before William opened the door. He looked both ways and took Eliza in his arms again and kissed her deeply again. Eliza's responded quickly putting her arms around him reveling in the feel of those strong arms pulling her close.

When they were just close enough to taste each other's breath, William whispered, "Tomorrow will be a new time for us. All will change once we spend the night together. Do you still want to marry me, Eliza?"

Eliza looked up at him and stroked his face much like he used to do with her.

"There is nothing more important to me now at this moment but to finally make you happy." She kissed him again.

William unlocked the door while Eliza with butterflies in her stomach hung onto his arm. Once opened, William allowed her to pass into his room. Luckily William could not see her nerves and excitement as her long yellow and brown gown hid the shaking of her high buttoned satin shoes. The kiss they shared on the elevator and his words before they walked into the room shook her and brought her down to earth as she anticipated the rest of the night with William.

Willliam swiftly closed the door behind him and watched as Eliza removed her pelisse and threw it onto a chair. She stood in the middle of the floor taking in the aspects of the room as the observant private detective she was William noted.

Eliza waited in the middle of the room looking first at the drawn brocade curtains at the wide window and then her head slowly swiveled to the King size bed on the other side. Her heart pounded in her ears as she had planned to love William thoroughly and wantonly in that bed soon. She took a deep breath thinking about the goal she had set for herself. Not only tonight but for the rest of her life….William's wife…at last.

"William! You certainly have come a long way since your Detective Inspector days. This room alone is bigger than three of the rooms of your old house," Eliza stated trying to calm her nerves with her observations.

William chuckled. "Yes, being Superintendent of NYPD has its advantages."

"Now," he said has he switched off the electric light and turned up the softer gas

light by the door on the credenza. He walked three or four steps to where Eliza had stopped. He had removed his own coat and hat and threw them on the same spot as Eliza's pelisse. He experimentally unpinned her hair the rest of the way and removed the feather which somehow had remained intact. His lips gently kissed her beautiful alabaster skin in the soft spot between neck and shoulder. He embraced her from behind and let his hands wander down her hips and the clasping them around her slim waist just under her breasts.

"You are still the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I want to make love to you," William deeply murmured in Eliza's ear. His voice vibrating deep in his chest with the Scottish burr reverberating through her every nerve. Eliza placed her hands on over his and then turned in his arms. She looked up into his blue eyes which were lustfully full of haze. She kissed his open mouth and they breathed together.

"William," Eliza had said with her own love filled lustful eyes. "Love me now. I can wait no longer to have you. Too much time has gone already. Just in case anything should happen I want at least one night with you."

William's answer was a kiss. A gentle lingering kiss which grew in intensity. For just one moment, their foreheads touched together

"Eliza, what will happen? Nothing. Our time is now. If you're worried about the children, don't. I'm sure it will be all right." William kissed her again as his hands found the top button of her gown and then the zipper which Eliza hurried finished unzipping for him and let the gown fall in a golden heap at her feet.

To her surprise, William picked her up and carried her to the bed and sitting her on it undid the high button satin shoe until her stocking feet were in his hands. With expert hands he undid the garters at the top of her corset. His hands smoothed down the stocking of each leg. He was so hard he thought he would burst right there if he did not get a release soon.

Eliza's arms smoothed around his shoulders and one ran down his half button shirt and she swiftly removed it from its neat tuck in his trousers and helped him pull it off over his head. Between the removals of clothing they breathlessly kissed and touched. Their desperation to finally be skin to skin was causing them to move faster and faster.

Eliza pulled at William's tank undershirt. She pulled it up and he quickly pulled it over his head and threw it across the room while she smoothed his muscles and kissed each nipple. She stroked his chest teasing to go deeper under his trousers. William gladly undid his trousers. Eliza smiled wickedly and let her hand go inside his shorts and grip him.

"William you are so hard and soft. Let me see you completely, please."

He rose and removed the last of his clothing and he stood before his love completely ready and completely naked. His erection was full and pulsating.

"Don't tease me, Eliza," he said. "You know I never liked it when you did that."

Eliza rose and removed her corset and shirtwaist so she could be as naked as he. She came forward and stroked William's muscular arms and loved the flexing of his muscles.

"I would not tease you my love," Eliza whispered and stroked his erection. "I want you now," she emphasized her words with a kiss and she got on her knees to feel his testicles in her mouth and being careful as she knew how sensitive they were. She could not wait to have him that deep inside her but she first wanted to pleasure him and herself. His musky scent became stronger the farther down she went and it was intoxicating.

William was so hard as he watched Eliza's closed eyes take him into her mouth. He touched her face and he swiftly breathed in. "Eliza…"

He gently disengaged himself from her mouth and her glorious hands and guided her to a standing position. They stood much like they did when he said goodbye all those years ago only this time they were naked and their desire for each other was laid bare and not concealed behind what one wanted from all of life. All that mattered to the both of them was each other.

" Eliza…" William said as he reigned hot kisses on her face, her neck, and her breasts. He stopped long enough to look into those blue depths so she would know he was in earnest.

"My heart hasn't really belonged to anyone else. We're already married here." He placed her hand on his chest where it beat swiftly. He smiled as Eliza moved her blonde head and removed her hand and placed her lips there.

His arms went around her shoulders and he continued," In my heart and my soul I never stopped loving you. In God's eyes once we become one we will be married."

"Oh William," Eliza cried in a soft voice. "I was such a fool back then we could have been together all these years…"

William looked down and kissed her quiet.

"No regrets. We're together here and now. That's what's important," William said as he stroked her hair which looked even paler in the dim light. "I love you."

Eliza responded this time with her hands in his hair and laying more breathless kisses on his face and his chest. She felt William lift her and she wrapped her legs around his waist rubbing herself against William's thinly hairy stomach. He held her bottom one hand around each of her thighs playing with her core with one long finger. She rode up and down softly on that finger has William walked her to the bed and laid her down. He removed his finger from her folds and tasted it.

"You are tasty Mrs. Wellington" he joked.

"Don't call me that yet, William, please. I'm afraid something will go wrong before it is a fact." Eliza whispered seriously.

"I apologize, Eliza," William said worried. "I won't. It's just you have made the happiest man in the world." He was rewarded by a sudden small giggle and a huge smile.

"You are so handsome William even if your delicious curls are sparse. You are still a beautiful specimen….mmm oooh, William! How come I didn't know this?" While she talked William had swiftly entered her and then gently pushed.

"William…William…slowly…"

William shut her up with a deep kiss and clasped his fingers with hers.

"Did you know, Miss Scarlet, you talk too much?" William asked with a gleam in his eye. He could not stop kissing her this time. Every time his tongue probed deeper his manhood probed deeper making Eliza gasp for air.

This was what was missing when having sex with Alex. This deep soulful connection. William is my fire, my soul, and my heart.

"Deeper William..it's all right. Oh…William…" Eliza moaned into his ear as she grasped his upper arm and opening her legs wider and clasping her ankles together around his back she was able to reach his buttocks. She reached both mounds with both hands and guided him into her. Her hips went up to meet him as he pressed into her faster and faster until William had spilled himself into her and they were both panting from the apex.

William's head buried itself in Eliza's warm wet neck as his penis was still buried deep inside her core.

Finally, he was soft again and fell out of her leaving a huge wet spot on the sheets. He immediately fell beside his love and she turned on her side and they looked deep into each other's eyes and smiled. William pulled her closer and Eliza put her arm around his hip.

He whooped a loud laugh and smiled wide.

"Oh my word, Eliza, while we danced that's all I wanted to do to you the entire time."

"William I have not been this happy since Alexander, Jr. was born. Why did I think that work was more important than loving you. Forgive me?"

"There is nothing to forgive. I was depressed when you declined my proposal. I knew I had lost my heart so long ago to you. I'm glad you returned to me with it."

He drew her into his arms and they talked desultorily until they fell asleep.

Later in the night when it was almost daylight, William aroused Eliza again in her slumber. He was still in some disbelief that she was in his arms and he was on air being so thoroughly loved by her. He felt a small break in the skin where she had bitten him during her orgasm.

He slid down the bed and removed the thin sheet that covered them and looked at her. Her skin was still so bright and her stomach flat. He stroked her hips and then stroked the small mound of dark golden hair that covered her womanly core. He laid a gentle kiss there. Eliza moved a little spreading her legs in her dream to allow his mouth and hands full access to her core.

William put his mouth to her core and breathed in their mingled pheromone. He put one leg over his shoulder and then the other while he stretched himself at the bottom part of the bed. His legs hung over the end. In one swift move he pulled her down until he was kneeling on the floor. He had half forgotten how old he was in his joy to love Eliza like this but he laughed at himself and told himself it was worth it.

He began by probing her with this tongue darting in and out swiftly to create friction for her.

Eliza moved and with half open lids said "William…don't stop…"

He did not. His lips probed deeper. She was so soft. His fingers replaced his lips finding that all important clitoris where he ran his thumb. Eliza moaned his name and spread her legs wider.

William so hard and wanting to be joined with her again scrambled back onto the bed to press his once again hard length into her.

"Oh..William.." Eliza moaned and then as quickly as she could she disengaged herself from William.

She directed him to scoot up to the top part of the bed and then she took command and turned him over and William laid on his back. He reached up to knead her breasts while Eliza mounted herself slowly back onto his manhood. He filled her core and she was quickly coming to her climax. She rode him faster and faster. Finally she cried as William's member inside her was riding her orgasm as her folds pulsated around him.

"Eliza…Eliza," he gained a sitting position as Eliza's legs went over his hips. They sat looking at each other and kissing and caressing.

She let her hand stroke his back and then laid her head on his sweaty shoulder as she could feel little bites from William along the side of her neck. She shivered from pleasure. Funnily enough she briefly thought of the explaining she would have to do at the breakfast table when her son saw her. She smiled at that thought.

William rolled her over then and held her as he lay on top of her. He was surprised at how fast he was wanting to be warm inside her again. He stroked her face and she looked up at him with such a fire in her blue eyes and love in her beautiful smile. He continued to kiss her and she kissed him stroking his behind and back with her ankle and his head and beard with her hands.

She looked seriously at him and said, "William. I promise you this day that we will be married and I don't care where we live and I know we will have to make compromises where our children are concerned but promise me William you won't leave again. Now that we've made love I could not bear to be without you."

"We still have a few hours until daylight my love. Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere without you."

He laid to one side of Eliza and took her tenderly in his arms and covering them with the sheets they finally fell asleep just before dawn shone through the crack in the drapes.

Eliza woke first. She was still in William's arms only he was behind her. His arm draped around her waist. His breath blowing the wispy hairs on the back of her neck sending delicious shivers down her back. His gentle snoring made her smile. It had been a very long time since she had awakened so pleasurably…if ever.

Stop making comparisons, Eliza. She said to herself silently. It's not fair. William and Alexander are two different men. You cannot help that Alexander was the salve for regret for not accepting William all those years ago. He was a good man and you cannot help that you weren't enamored with her husband as you have been intoxicated with this man since you were 16.

Suddenly, Eliza could hear William awaken beside her. His breath was no longer making shivers down her spine. Instead he clasped her in both arms and pulled her into his chest.

"Morning, my love…" he whispered and laid a kiss on her back before she turned over to look at him.

"Good morning, my soon-to-be husband. Oh I love saying that and looking at you when I say it," Eliza managed.

William kissed her and then sat up in bed. He rubbed his eyes and stretched. He moaned as some of his older bones were feeling the exercise from the previous night. He looked behind him and noticed Eliza smiling at him. She looked delicious with her beautiful blonde hair…. Do I detect some gray?...tangled on the pillow. Her eyes and smile were joyous and he knew that she felt thoroughly loved as well.

"What are you looking at?" He asked as her hand reached for him. He accommodated her and laid back down in the mussed bed.

"William I have not felt this energetic and happy for a long time. However, I think my back might be a little stiff and you had me use muscles that have lain dormant for a century it feels," she acknowledged as she had watched him moan and touch a pain in his own back.

"So?"

"I just wanted to say if I could wake up like this every morning for the rest of my life, I would never complain again."

William laughed and said, "I know you, Eliza. You will find something to disgruntle you about me…us. We always do."

"That's ok if we fight because I know that making up is worth it."

She took a sitting position and kissed his bicep with her eyes peeking out from under her lids to see his reaction.

He maneuvered to kiss her thoroughly.

After a few more kisses, tickles, and pinches, William's head was drawn to the clock on the table beside him.

"Oh my…"

"William? What is it?"

"It's 8:00 am."

"Oh no! Alex, Jr. is probably combing the streets looking for me. I'm usually sitting at my desk in the office at this time."

"I figured you would still be doing that although I'm sure your son is very capable of allowing you one later morning."

"What about you? You said you wanted to cable your children. You said Camille was a school teacher and Thomas is a cop. I am sure they wouldn't receive the cable just yet. They are at work, too, I'm sure."

"Wait a minute, Eliza! There's a five hour time difference between here and New York. It's early afternoon in New York and my children would not cable me unless there was an emergency at home."

Eliza started laughing.

"What are you laughing at?"

"Us. Getting all worried and concerned with what our children will think of us. We have nothing to feel guilty about."

William got out of bed and decided to take advantage of the bathroom and get dressed.

"Now, my soon-to-be wife we can stay in bed or we can get ready for the day and I will take you home."

"You don't even know where I live anymore," Eliza teased holding the sheet to her breasts.

William came around to her side of the bed and removed the sheet from her hands.

"You don't have to cover yourself. I've seen you naked from top to bottom," William said. "And every inch of you is beautiful."

Eliza giving him the side eye as he stood naked before her in all his male beauty said, "I can say the same Chief Wellington."

She pulled him down to look her in the eye and said, "As much as I would want to stay in this bed with you all day forgoing eating and sleeping, I think we'd better get ready to start the day…such as it is.

With one more deep kiss and a little more lovemaking, Eliza and William postponed telling their children for a little while about their intended plans.