Chapter 144 – First Date Jitters
Both Jack and Elizabeth got up. Jack gave Elizabeth a quick kiss before she headed to her room with Katie. Jack walked over to where Lee and Doug were sitting.
"Did you have a nice afternoon?" Lee teased.
"It was great." Jack said. "Elizabeth and I talked and shared some things. I was just glad to be sitting with her in my arms."
"You sound like my grandparents." Doug teased.
Jack stuck his tongue out at Doug before heading down to his room. Halfway down the hall, he turned.
"You two coming or not?" Jack asked.
"Coming." Doug said.
Jack turned and headed to his room. It was only a few minutes later that both Doug and Lee came. They all started to get ready. Jack changed his mind and decided to wear his kilt, so he headed to the laundry room and grabbed it. He also stopped at the closet and grabbed a pair of kilt socks along with his ghillie brogues, which are traditional Irish kilt shoes. He just hoped that they still fit. He sat down and quickly slipped them on to find that they did still fit. So he grabbed a rag to wipe them down. He gathered his items and headed back to his room as Nathan came down the steps.
"What are you doing?" Nathan asked.
"Grabbing a few things that I needed." Jack said. "Just heading to get ready."
As the guys were getting ready, Nathan decided to wear the suit coat that was sent for him because he felt better with having one gun in the small of his back. Jack looked at Nathan.
"Everything okay?" Jack asked.
"I just feel better having my gun within easier reach." Nathan said. "As far as I know nothing has changed since we talked at the table. I have spent the afternoon going over plans and drawings with Chris, Rob and Andrew. We wanted to be ready for anything."
"Thank you." Jack said. "I doubt that there will be much of a problem, but thank you for working so hard."
"You just better listen if we tell you to go." Nathan said. "Chris said that you have a tendency to want to stay and protect others. I promise that I will keep you safe, but you also need to listen."
Jack just looked at him.
"He will listen." Doug said. "Even if I have to physically remove him myself."
"You can try." Jack teased.
"Don't try me." Doug said. "We both know that I can pick you up."
"Okay, enough." Lee said.
The way that Lee said it while stepping between Jack and Doug caused all three of them to laugh.
"I take it, that is not the first time." Nathan said.
"Not by a long shot." Lee said.
Once all the guys were ready, Jack went to the wall safe and pulled out three cases. He opened one and put on his Patek watch.
"So you decided to wear your kilt." Nathan said.
"I figured why not." Jack said. "I know that both my grandfathers will be wearing theirs as well as their matching buckles. My kilt is a little different than the one that each of them will be wearing. Mine has larger buckles on the side here. Technically, I don't need the leather belt, but I think it pulls the outfit together more."
After setting Elizabeth's two cases on the desk, Jack went back to the dresser and pulled out three cases.
"Doug." Jack said. "Which kilt pin should I wear?"
"What do you have?" Doug asked.
"I have the Celtic cross." Jack said. "I have a sword with a shamrock or a horse on a simple pin."
"Do you know which James and John will be wearing?" Doug asked, walking over.
"I know that they have the same horse pin." Jack said. "They also both have the sword and shamrock one. I know that they have several others that I don't have."
"I think that the horse or the Celtic cross." Doug said. "I think that shamrock is nice, but doesn't go with the green in your vest."
"I vote for the horse one." Lee said.
"Nathan." Jack said. "Do you want to vote?"
"I would say the horse." Nathan said.
"Then that is the one that I will wear." Jack said.
"So what did you get Elizabeth?" Doug asked.
Jack opened the cases and showed them the necklace and earrings set as well as the tennis bracelet.
"And you said you had a pearl set?" Lee asked.
"Yes." Jack said.
Jack went back to the safe and pulled out one of the pearl sets that he had bought.
"This is the set in white gold." Jack said. "I also have a set in yellow and rose gold. I also have a string of pearls with matching earrings that is similar to the ones that Gran has."
"Remind me to have you help me pick out pieces in the future." Doug said.
"You would need a girlfriend first." Jack teased.
Doug lightly punched Jack's arm. Jack shook his head and then put the other jewelry away in the safe. Nathan enjoyed watching the teasing and banter between Jack and Doug. He was glad that they had included him in their group, even if he still felt a little bit of an outsider. He knew that he wasn't as outgoing as the others, but he was trying. He had seen the tests that Jack had taken and realized that they were more alike than different. Nathan wondered if it wasn't Doug and Lee that brought out the more extroverted side of Jack. Nathan was sitting on his bed lost in thoughts when Jack walked by and lightly kicked his foot.
"What are you thinking about?" Jack asked.
"Keeping you all out of trouble tonight." Nathan said with a lopsided grin.
"Ha ha." Jack said. "Good luck with those two (pointing over his shoulder)."
"Hey." Doug said. "You are one to talk. You are the one that usually gets us into trouble."
"I have no idea what you are talking about." Jack said with a dimpled grin.
Doug walked by and lightly punched Jack in the arm. Lee followed by lightly pushing Jack.
"We will see you upstairs." Lee called as they left the room.
"I have to check on Elizabeth." Jack said. "And give her these (holding the cases up)."
"I will see you upstairs." Nathan said.
Jack left the room and headed to Elizabeth's door. Nathan checked himself one more time and then headed upstairs, walking past Jack shaking his head. Jack was standing at Elizabeth's door with his eyes closed and talking to himself.
… … … …
Jack walked to Elizabeth's door and he had to stop as he felt his body reacting to just the thought of seeing her. He kept telling himself that Christmas wasn't that far away, even if he wanted to marry her right that moment. Jack knew that he wouldn't deny her the wedding that she wanted. He also prayed that there was a way for them to be married before school started. After taking the moment to calm his body, Jack said a quick prayer that everyone would be safe that night and they would have a good time. He then knocked on Elizabeth's door and waited.
"Who is it?" Katie called.
"It is me." Jack said. "I have Elizabeth's jewelry."
"Give us a minute." Elizabeth said.
"I will be in the sitting area." Jack said. "Come out when you are ready."
Jack went out to the sitting area and waited for Elizabeth. He was nervous and he didn't know why. He loved Elizabeth and they were committed to a future together. As Jack was sitting there waiting, it dawned on him why he was nervous, he had never been out with someone that he cared about like he cared for Elizabeth. Even though they weren't going to be alone, it was a first date for them. Jack realized that was why he was nervous. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"Heavenly Father." Jack prayed quietly. "Please be with Elizabeth and I this evening. Keep us safe and those around us. Help us to honor You and stay true to ourselves. Guide our conversations and open our hearts to Your will. Help me to be a gentleman that I have been taught to be and be respectful to those around me. Please keep everyone safe and let us have a good time while enjoying each other's company. I also ask that You continue to work in the hearts of my parents and show them that Elizabeth and I are meant to be. Help us all heal the rift that has been created in our family. Also please be with Elizabeth's family and show them that what they are doing is hurting their daughter. Amen."
Jack opened his eyes and saw Katie walking out of Elizabeth's room. He took a deep breath and slowly blew it out. Jack looked up and saw Elizabeth walk out of her room. Her hair was down and curled. She wore light makeup and she looked amazing in the dress Katie had picked. Jack stood up and took another deep breath. They slowly walked toward each other.
… … … …
As Elizabeth was getting ready, she was nervous. Katie picked up on Elizabeth's nervousness and took a moment to talk to her.
"Elizabeth." Katie said. "Take a deep breath. Your hands are shaking."
"I am nervous." Elizabeth said. "I don't know why."
"Because you are getting dressed up." Katie said. "You are waiting for a guy that you have deep feelings for. I know that you won't be alone, but most people would see going to this banquet as a date. Correct me if I am wrong, but it would be an actual first date for the two of you."
"I guess." Elizabeth said. "I just don't want to embarrass Jack or his family."
Katie took a deep breath and sat down to look at Elizabeth.
"Nothing you do will cause Jack to send you away." Katie said. "He loves you. I have seen the way that he looks at you. It is the same way that Chris looks at me or my grandparents look at each other. I firmly believe that you two were made for each other. Just be yourself and you will be fine. It is normal to be nervous before you go on a date, but just remember to keep breathing and everything will be fine."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "I have never really been on a date. The few times that I have been out, it has been with a group of people."
"You will be with a group of people tonight." Katie said. "So what is different?"
"I love Jack." Elizabeth said.
"Then remember that." Katie said. "Just relax. Everyone here loves you and will support you and Jack."
"I know." Elizabeth said. "I just can't help but be nervous."
"And that is okay." Katie said. "Just remember to enjoy yourself tonight."
Elizabeth and Katie finished getting ready and there was a knock on the door. They both knew that it was Jack. Elizabeth started shaking again.
"Who is it?" Katie called.
"It is me." Jack said. "I have Elizabeth's jewelry."
"Give us a minute." Elizabeth said.
"I will be in the sitting area." Jack said. "Come out when you are ready."
After they heard Jack, Elizabeth sat at the desk and took a deep breath. She was excited to go out with Jack, but nervous at the same time. She knew that the chance that someone would take their picture was high, but she didn't care. She loved Jack and wanted to be with him. She was an adult and could choose what she wanted.
"Are you ready?" Katie asked.
Elizabeth nodded. She stood up and smoothed out her dress. She grabbed the lavender body spray and spritzed a little of it on her.
"Thank you for bringing the makeup and helping me." Elizabeth said.
"Anytime." Katie said. "Ready to go out. I will go first."
"Okay." Elizabeth said.
Katie walked to the door and opened it. Elizabeth slowly followed her. She saw Katie turn toward the sitting area. Elizabeth took a deep breath and stepped out. She was excited to see Jack. When she saw him, she inhaled sharply. Jack stood there looking incredibly handsome in his black kilt, black socks and black leather shoes. He was also wearing a white shirt and tartan vest. Jack was looking so cute, that Elizabeth was having a hard time breathing. They slowly started walking toward each other.
When they finally stood face to face, it was Jack who spoke first.
"You look amazing." Jack said softly.
"So do you." Elizabeth rasped.
"I have something for you." Jack said, holding up the cases.
"Thank you." Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth opened the first case and saw the bracelet.
"I love it." Elizabeth said. "Will you help me put it on?"
Jack nodded. Katie stepped forward and took the cases as Jack lifted the bracelet out. He fumbled for a moment trying to get the clasp to work.
"Breathe." Katie whispered.
Jack took a deep breath and was able to get the bracelet secured. Elizabeth held up her wrist and looked at the bracelet. She then leaned forward and gave Jack a quick kiss.
"I love it." Elizabeth said.
"There is more." Jack said.
Jack took the large case back from Katie and opened it so Elizabeth could see. She smiled and carefully took one earring and put it in her ear. She had to stop and take a deep breath as her hands were shaking. After getting both earrings in, she looked at Jack.
"Will you put the necklace on me?" Elizabeth asked. "Please."
"Sure." Jack said.
Jack carefully took the necklace out of the case and handed it to Elizabeth. She then turned around and lifted up her hair and Jack put the necklace on her. When he was done, she stood up and turned back around. Jack smiled at Elizabeth and she smiled back. Katie stood watching and she wondered if either knew that she was there.
"I love them." Elizabeth said. "Thank you so much."
"You're welcome." Jack said. "I am so glad that you like them. Why don't you put the cases in your room? We better get upstairs and not make Gran wait."
"I need to grab my phone also." Elizabeth said.
"I should grab mine as well." Jack said.
Elizabeth took the cases and they both went back to their rooms to grab their phones. Katie went upstairs to give them a moment together. Jack got back to Elizabeth's room and waited for her. When she stepped out into the hall, Jack wrapped his arm around Elizabeth's waist and pulled her to him. He then leaned in and gave her a kiss.
"We are going to be late getting upstairs." Elizabeth said when she pulled back.
"Worth it." Jack said.