Chapter 128 – An Arrest and A Surprise
Jack took his left hand and wiped the tears that slid down Elizabeth's face. He then leaned forward and dropped one knee to the floor, but still looked like he was sitting on the ottoman.
"Close your eyes." Jack said. "Just listen to the words that I am saying."
"Jack." Elizabeth said.
"Just do it." Jack said. "We have plenty of time, besides I won't be able to focus on riding if you are still upset. So please."
"Fine." Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth closed her eyes. Jack took her hands in his left hand and once he knew that her eyes were closed, fully dropped to one knee in front of her.
"Elizabeth Grace Marie Thatcher." Jack said with lots of emotion in his voice. "I love you and I want to spend a lifetime getting to know you. I love your smile. I love the way that you bite your lower lip, especially when you think I am not looking. I love that you trust me and feel safe with me. I have dreamt about auburn haired little ones running around with your blue eyes and my dimples. I have dreamt about teaching them to ride right here where I learned to ride. I have imagined large family Christmases around a huge tree in the front room. I love you so much that it physically hurts and I don't know what would happen if you ever left me. I would willingly give up everything that I have just to have you."
Jack paused and took a deep breath. Nathan stood there completely stunned. Doug and Lee were also stunned. Doug was glad that he was able to get it on video. He just hoped that Jack wouldn't be mad later.
"Elizabeth, sweetheart." Jack said in a low voice. "I meant it when I said I love you. I hope that you meant it too. Open your eyes and look at me."
… … … …
Gran went to the kitchen and poured a cup of coffee for herself as well as James. She brought a tray with cups and the carafe to the table. Charlotte glared at her mother. Gran took a calming breath before she spoke.
"Don't look at me like that, Charlotte Lucille." Gran said. "I warned you to stop and you didn't. You brought this on yourself."
Thomas returned and sat at the table. No one spoke, but everyone could feel the anger coming off of both James and Margaret. It wasn't long and the doorbell rang. James got up to answer it. He came back with Marcus.
"Margaret." Marcus said. "What is going on? All I got was a 911 text from Jack."
Charlotte started talking, as well as Thomas. Marcus looked at Margaret, she nodded. Marcus let out a sharp whistle similar to what Gran would do. Again everyone stopped.
"I asked Margaret what was going on." Marcus said. "The next person to speak out of turn will not like what happens."
"From what I heard." Gran said. "Charlotte took exception to Jack and Elizabeth sharing a kiss."
"You didn't see it?" Marcus asked.
"No." Gran said. "I was laying down for a little bit before we headed over to the jumping event."
"Who saw it?" Marcus asked. "Who was up here?"
"Jack, Elizabeth and Lee." Gran said.
"Okay." Marcus said, making a note. "Go on."
"Charlotte continued to push Jack." Gran said. "She accused him of conning us. She called Elizabeth a gold digger, again. I tried to diffuse things. I sent Elizabeth and the boys downstairs. Jack came back up and stood up to Charlotte again. She took a step forward and made it appear as if she was going to slap him again. That was when Rob restrained her. At some point Doug, Nathan, John and James arrived back up here. They had been at a security meeting. Nathan helped Rob get Charlotte in handcuffs. I once again sent Jack downstairs with Nathan. I know that is out of order, but in essence that is what happened."
"So let me get this straight." Marcus said. "Jack and Elizabeth shared a kiss, Charlotte took exception and continued to push them both verbally. Jack stood up to her, you tried to step in and diffuse things. At one point, Doug, Nathan, James and John arrived back up here. You sent Jack, Elizabeth and others downstairs. Nathan helped Rob restrain Charlotte after she tried to slap Jack. Did you say hit him again?"
"Yes." James said. "She slapped him yesterday afternoon. There was a red mark, Doug took a picture on his phone. JP didn't want to make a big deal of it, but he also agreed that it could never happen again."
"Thank you." Marcus said.
"Also." Gran said. "I am done with the discord and bullying from both Thomas and Charlotte. I have kicked them out of MY house. I can't take it anymore. I don't want them here and I am restricting their access to the property."
"You can't do that." Charlotte huffed.
Speaking out earned Charlotte a sharp look from both Gran and Marcus. It also brought a hand down on Charlotte's shoulder from Rob. It wasn't to reprimand her, but to make sure that she stayed in her seat. He wasn't going to take any chances, even if she was in handcuffs. James cleared his throat.
"Marcus, just so you know." James said. "We have signed an agreement and Coal Creek is being turned over to JP. We will continue to live here as long as we want. The businesses and all the property will belong to JP. This agreement was done with JP and John here. JP signed the final paperwork yesterday."
"John." Marcus said. "Do you agree with this?"
"Yes." John said. "I have seen their behavior and it is unacceptable. Both Thomas and Charlotte had been warned to tone it down and stop pushing. They knew what would happen if they continued. They were told they would be kicked out. I firmly believe that they brought this on themselves. I stand with James, Margaret, my grandson, JP and his friends."
"Thank you." Marcus said.
Marcus stepped away from the table and made a call on his radio. Once he had the information that he wanted, he stepped back to the table.
"I need to speak to Jack, Elizabeth, Lee and Nathan." Marcus said.
"They are downstairs." Gran said.
"Very well." Marcus said. "What do you want to happen to Charlotte and Thomas?"
James and Margaret looked at each other. John cleared his throat.
"John." Marcus said.
"There will be a helicopter at the airport at eleven." John said. "As long as JP doesn't want to press charges, it will be there to take both Thomas and Charlotte back to the city."
John took a deep breath and then turned to Thomas.
"Don't think that this changes anything." John said. "I am still cutting you off. You will have to pay me back for this helicopter, which I will deduct from your monthly allowance until it is paid for. There will be no car waiting for you when you land. You will be on your own to get back to the house in Astoria. Also know that both of your fingerprint access has been restricted on any property that is in mine or JP's portfolio. If you try to use my name, I will know. Don't cross me."
"Thank you John." Marcus said. "You are right, it will be up to Jack if he wants to press charges. James and John, you are free to go about what you need to do. The same goes for you Gran. Rob?"
"Yes, Sir." Rob said.
"Please escort Thomas and Charlotte to the library and keep them there for now." Marcus said.
"Yes, Sir." Rob said.
Rob grabbed Charlotte's arm.
"Let's go." Rob said.
Charlotte jerked away from Rob and tried to kick him. Marcus immediately reacted and got Charlotte under control by taking her to the floor and holding her there. He then shot a menacing look at Thomas.
"Charlotte Sims-Thornton." Marcus said. "You are under arrest for attempted assault and posing a threat to others. There may be other charges. For now, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you can't afford one, one will be provided for you. Do you understand these rights that I have read to you?"
"Yes." Charlotte grunted.
"If I let you up, will you behave?" Marcus asked.
Charlotte grunted. Marcus looked at Rob.
"Are you okay?" Marcus asked.
"Yes, Sir." Rob said.
"Help me stand her up." Marcus said.
Rob and Marcus got Charlotte to her feet and then Marcus walked her over to the couch and sat her down.
"Stay there and don't cause anymore trouble." Marcus said.
Marcus then turned to John.
"Will you please go downstairs and let them know that I will need a statement from each of them." Marcus said.
"I will go." Gran said. "I need to grab something anyway."
"Thank you." Marcus said.
… … … …
When Elizabeth opened her eyes she gasped. Jack was in front of her on bended knee holding the most amazing ring she had ever seen.
"Elizabeth Grace Marie Thatcher." Jack said. "I know I asked you before in a roundabout way, but I am officially asking you – will you marry me and build a life with me here?"
Elizabeth was crying so hard, she couldn't answer, but she nodded her head up and down. Jack slid her promise ring off her left hand and put it on her right. He placed a kiss on it before he slid the engagement ring on her left hand complete with another kiss. Jack then leaned forward and lifted Elizabeth to a standing position, where he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her hard. Elizabeth pulled back from the kiss breathless, but a huge smile on her face.
"We better go get ready." Elizabeth said. "We don't want Gran mad at us."
"One thing first." Jack said.
Elizabeth looked at him confused.
"I need to hear you say it." Jack said.
"Yes, John Parker Thornton, II." Elizabeth said. "I love you and I will marry you."
Jack gave her another quick kiss and then let her go. At the last moment, he let his hand trail to her hand where he intertwined their fingers.
"I will walk you to your room." Jack said. "Then I need to grab some things and shower in the gym."
Elizabeth nodded and followed Jack to her room. He gave her another quick kiss and then went to his room to grab his clothes.
… … … …
Doug shut off the video after they walked away. Both him and Lee sat there still stunned. They knew that Jack and Elizabeth were meant for each other, but they didn't think he would propose to her without actually having gone on an official date. Nathan came over and sat near them.
"Did that just happen?" Nathan asked in a low voice.
"Yep." Doug said. "I have the video and everything."
"Wow." Nathan said. "I mean I knew that he had the rings, but seriously I thought it would be later this summer at the earliest."
"I guess the sleeping arrangements might change for this fall." Lee said.
Nathan looked at him.
"Jack was supposed to share the three bedroom with the two of us." Doug said.
"You think that they will be married before school starts?" Nathan asked.
"Knowing Jack." Doug said. "He would have married her the other day when Father Mark was here if he would have thought she would have agreed."
Nathan looked at Lee who was nodding his head. Jack happened to walk back through at that moment.
"What are you guys just sitting there for?" Jack asked. "We need to get ready or Gran is going to be mad."
"Okay." Doug said.
Seeing Doug had his phone in his hand, Jack remembered something.
"Doug." Jack said. "Can you check with Marco to see if he remembered the cooling blankets for the horses or do we need to go grab them?"
"I know for a fact that they are packed in our tack cases." Doug said. "But I can still check with Marco if he grabbed the hoods?"
"That is okay." Jack said. "I trust you."
Jack didn't say anything else, but headed toward the gym. After Jack walked away, Nathan looked at Doug and Lee.
"Do you think that he realizes what he did?" Nathan asked.
"I think he had committed to an engagement and marriage when he gave her the promise rings." Doug said. "Like I said, I just didn't think it would happen this fast. I mean if you look at it, they haven't even been on an actual date. I mean I know that Jack made supper for them when they were at the apartment. I don't know if you want to count that or not. If he doesn't say anything, I will talk to him later. …. …. After we jump."
"Good plan." Nathan said. "We should go get ready."
Gran came downstairs and saw Nathan, Doug and Lee sitting in the sitting area.
"Is everything alright?" Gran asked.
"Yes." Nathan said. "Jack is showering and then he was going to braid Elizabeth's hair. We were just going to head to get ready. Did you need something?"
"Marcus needs to talk to each of you." Gran said. "He wants to hear from each of you what happened."
"Okay." Nathan said. "We will be up in a moment."
"You two go get dressed." Lee said. "I will head up first."
"Thank you." Doug said. "We won't be long."
Gran went to knock on Elizabeth's door to get her, she knew that would give the other three guys a little more time.
"Come in." Elizabeth called.
Gran opened the door and Elizabeth was surprised as she was expecting Jack, but then she realized that it hadn't been that long.
"Marcus needs to talk to you." Gran said. "Lee already headed up. The boys are going to finish getting ready."
"I will be up in a moment." Elizabeth said. "Jack was going to braid my hair."
"We have plenty of time." Gran said. "He will do it. Just make sure that you are ready otherwise."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said.
Gran left Elizabeth and she finished getting ready. She brushed out her hair so it was ready for Jack to braid. She grabbed the camera, her phone and the windbreaker that Jack had given her.
… … … …