Chapter 40
Elizabeth rested her back on the inside of the front door. Jack had just left. She could still smell his cologne and feel his lips pressed against hers. Ever since he professed his intentions to her, he took a little more of her heart. She didn't think that was even possible. Yet, there he was, taking even more of her heart. To her content, she was perfectly ok with giving him more of her heart. She closed her eyes and laid her head against the door. Every word of Jack's talk moved her. She loved it. It was exactly how she felt about him. She had no trouble seeing her future life intertwined with Jack.
Elizabeth didn't know how long she had her back against the door, but she was beginning to become warm. She pushed herself from the door and took off her jacket. The smile was permanently etched on her face.
"Seems like you had a good night."
"Yes father. I did. It was perfect." She sighed with a reflective expression. Her smile growing at the thought of Jack's words. "It was perfect."
"You said that already."
"Yeah."
"Well, may I see the ring?"
"You know about the ring?"
"Yes. I saw it today when Jack came to speak to me."
"Why did he do that?"
"He wanted my blessing to share with you what his intentions were in the future. He wanted to make sure I was ok with that."
"I assume you gave your blessing?"
"I did."
"He wanted your blessing instead of your permission?"
"He did. He thought a blessing was more personal, more intimate if you will."
"Are you ok with this?"
"I am. You're not engaged."
"No. We are not, but he has expressed himself that he desires our relationship is heading in that direction."
"Yes. He shared that with me. We spoke for an hour or so. He was very nervous. Yet, he was determined to speak to me."
"That's sweet." Elizabeth fell in love with Jack all over again for his insistence on getting her father's blessing.
"Now, your mother will be here in a moment. Be ready to share everything that happened."
"You didn't share with her?"
"I didn't think it was my story to tell. Plus, I thought you would love to share that story with your mother."
"Thank you, father." She walked toward him and kissed him on the cheek."
"I know you and your mother always enjoyed sharing these types of things late at night with a cup of tea."
"I'm not talking about that father. I'm talking about speaking with Jack and understanding where our relationship is heading."
"He's a good young man, sweetheart. I like him."
"I think you like him more than me at times."
"No. That's not true and you know it. I also trust you dear. If you think Jack Thornton is worth your time and affection, I trust you."
"Thank you."
"Good evening, dear." Grace stated as she walked out of her bedroom and down the hall.
"Hello mother. Would you like to have some tea with me?"
"Perfect. I'll go and heat the water while you change into something comfortable."
"I'll be right down in a few minutes."
"I'll be in the bedroom reading." William stated.
…
Jack smiled the whole trip home. He was so excited about how things went. Elizabeth was very receptive to his open heart. He was so excited on the way home. He couldn't remember how he made it home or if the traffic lights were green or red. He pulled into the driveway and smiled when he noticed his mother was sitting in on the bench on the front porch. She was wrapped up in her jacket and a blanket. He shook his head knowing the bombardment of questions that was coming his way. "Pa must not have told her." He whispered to himself.
"Hey Ma." He stated as he was a few steps from the front steps.
"Hey son. How was your evening?"
"Perfect." He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. He smiled and then took a seat when she pulled the blanket back enough for him to sit down beside her. He wrapped the blanket around himself, welcoming the warmth. They sat in silence for a few moments. He could sense the tension building inside of her. She was about to burst.
"I'm assuming Pa told you about tonight?"
"No he didn't." She huffed. "That little rascal wouldn't tell me anything."
Jack let out a laugh. He knew that had to drive his mother crazy not knowing.
"Are you laughing at me?" She raised her left eyebrow.
"I am." He chuckled.
"You look very nice."
"Thank you. Here, look at this." He pulled out his cell phone and showed him a picture of him and Elizabeth sitting at the restaurant's table. The waitress took the picture for them. Jack had scooted his chair to her. He was leaning in with his arm around her. They were cheek to cheek with the biggest smiles on their faces.
"Wow, you two look perfect with each other. Please send that to me."
"I will."
"So…"
"Well, it all started this morning when I went to speak with William. I wanted to talk with him about Elizabeth and my future."
"And that would be what?" She asked as she leaned into his shoulder.
"Ma…I want to marry her one day. I shared that with William. I wanted his blessing to share that with Elizabeth. I have every intention to come to him at some point and ask for her hand in marriage. I just wanted my intentions to be clear with her father. And then with her."
"Is that what tonight was about?"
"It was. I wanted it to be understood. Pops told me that I needed to make my intentions perfectly clear with Elizabeth. Before I could do that, I felt I needed to speak with her father first to get his blessing."
Charlette reached up and cupped Jack's cheek. She was so proud of her son in his desire to speak to Elizabeth's father first. "So much like your father." He could easily see the love in her eyes.
…
"That is a beautiful ring, dear. Where did you get that?"
"Jack gave it to me tonight when we walked on the beach."
"Isn't it too cold to walk on the beach?"
"It was in the beginning. He had a blanket that he wrapped around me to keep me warm. It was the same beach we went walking on during our first date. It was the same place when he…" Her voice trailed off. Her face turned a little red.
"The same date when he kissed you for the first time?"
"Yes mother. He stated that he spoke with father this morning when I was gone to the library."
"He was here, but your father never told me what they talked about."
Elizabeth smiled at her mother's expression. She was dying to know what her husband and Jack spoke about. William was tight lipped about it all day. "Well, this is a Claddagh ring."
"A promise ring?"
"Something like that." She showed the ring to her mother but never taking it off her finger. "The heart represents love. The emerald matches his eye color."
"Doesn't that ring have a certain meaning?"
"It does. The heart means love. The finger you wear it on and the direction of the point of the heart is what gives it its meaning."
"Ok. You have it on your left ring finger with the point of the heart to your fingertips. What does that mean?"
"Technically, it means you are engaged to be married."
"Elizabeth…are you…"
"No mother. We are not engaged. To represent a relationship, the ring should be on the ring finger of your right hand with the point of the heart toward your wrist."
"So, why do you have it on your left with the point to the fingertips."
She couldn't contain her smile. She thought back to the whole conversation and every word from Jack. "He didn't propose, but he did tell me that he has every intention to come to me one day and ask for my hand in marriage. He wanted me to understand where he wants this relationship to go. He thinks we are too young to become engaged or to be married, but he wanted me to know his true intentions."
"That's so sweet. What did you say?
"I told him I wanted the ring on this finger and the point of the heart pointing to my fingertips. That we are not engaged, but we are all but engaged. We will be one day, and I wanted the ring this way. I wanted him to know that I have every intention to say yes when he comes to ask me."
They spend a few minutes just chatting about her feelings and what all of that meant. Grace was excited for her daughter. Elizabeth loved sharing with her mother and for her mother's enthusiasm about the news. After her cup of tea, she was still too excited to go to sleep. So, she facetimed Steph and Connie. She had to share the news with her best friends. She shared everything except the true meaning of the ring. She didn't share the portion of the conversation that talked about marriage.
…
Sunday was a good day for everyone involved. Connie and Steph joined Elizabeth at church. They loved the ring and wanted Elizabeth to share the story one more time. Even though they heard it the night before, they wanted to hear it again. The trio also rejoiced with Connie and her and Steven's news about attending Trinity. Lunch between them all was good.
Jack and his family loved the church and Frank's sermon. They have been attending the church for a while and loved every moment of it. They felt welcomed by the church. Abagail and Frank asked them to join them for lunch at a local restaurant. Their time together was good with each one consumed in their own conversation.
Jack and Elizabeth didn't see each other throughout the day, but they did text, call, and skyped at night. They missed each other, especially after their date the previous night. That time together brought them closer.
…
Monday morning came quickly. School was beginning on Wednesday with a game the following night. Today was New Years Eve. Elizabeth shared with Jack that they were invited to a party that evening at her home. Their family always had family and close friends over to celebrate.
Jack was meeting the rest of the starters, Cory, Steven, Joe, and Sam, at the children's center to work with some of the kids on basketball drills. Jack worked with them most Saturdays for months now. With the holidays, the normal Saturday was pushed back to this Monday. The other guys were excited to work with the kids. With the team doing so well and the guys being high school guys, the kids were excited for drills.
"What have you gotten us into, Jack." Sam asked in the parking lot when Jack parked his truck.
'You'll enjoy this. They work hard and they really want to learn."
"That sounds like fun. Hey, you got plans for tonight?"
"I do. Elizabeth's family has people over for a New Year's Eve party."
"Oh, I've heard of them doing that. He has talked about it before."
Jack laughed. No one liked saying Charles' name out loud. It was just understood. He has played in a couple of games, but never with the starting five. Coach Franklin remembered their pleas not to play with him. He had only been on the court at the end of the game when the end was well in hand.
"Let's go. It's way too cold to stand out here in shorts."
Jack led them into the center to a smiling young lady at the reception desk.
"Hey Jack." She stated with a smile. Then she looked at the rest of the guys following him. "Looks like you have plenty of back up."
"Yeah, these guys are the real deal."
"Most of the kids are already here. They are excited."
"It's still early."
"Yeah, but they are excited. They have been talking about it for about a week now."
Jack, Sam, and Joe worked with all the kids who played point guard or shooting guard. They worked through dripping drills, passing drills, and shooting drills.
"John, stop dropping your shoulder and bulldozing your way in the paint. You will run across someone who is stronger than you are. You won't be able to do that all the time. You need to learn to drop your left foot and then spin both left and right. You won't always be the most talented or the strongest guy on the court." Cory stated.
"What do I do?"
"Watch this." Cory stated as he took the ball and turned his back to Steven. Steven was playing defense with his elbow in Cory's back. While Cory was several inches taller than Steven, he wasn't as strong as Steven. His center of gravity was lower than Cory's and with his strength advantage, Cory couldn't move him. "See, he has the advantage. I just can't push him out of the way without fouling him. But watch this." Cory stated. Then he faked right then turned quickly to the base line. He had Steven off balance just enough to have a good shot.
"So…I need more to my game than just height."
"Yes. Height is nice and a strong part of it, but you need more tools than just the fact that you're tall."
"So, what do you do if you are shorter than the other guy?" Another young guy named Jared asked Steven.
"Great question. I'm not the tallest guy, but I play well down low because I understand what my strengths are. When I guard a guy taller than me like Cory, I need to push him further out of the paint and stand my ground. I can't give him an inch. I use my strength to keep him from getting where he wants to be. In the painted area, he has the advantage. Out here, I have the advantage. He doesn't like playing out here."
Cory and Steven were impressed with the guy's questions. They really wanted to learn. They paid attention and listened to their instructions.
"Coach Franklin is going to be excited about this group of guys." Cory whispered.
"No kidding…who would have ever thought they would ask such serious questions."
"Hey, we have a game on Thursday. Please come as our guest. We'll have your name on the pass list. It won't cost you anything to get in the game."
"Yay!" All the guys cheered.
…
Jack, Sam, and Joe worked with the other guys. They worked hard on the drills the high schoolers had set up. While using their off hand was difficult for all of them, they worked hard. Jack was working with a young guy named James. He was trying to teach him how to move with the ball.
"Hold the ball with both hands. Take a half step between the defender's legs but don't use your shoulder or arm to push him off. When he takes a step back, you have him beat then. Take a step to the left and when he leans, dripple to the right and keep your head up to look for an open teammate."
"You did that against Hamilton West."
"I did. You were there?"
"I was."
"Cool." Jack smiled. "Now, let's try it."
As each guy worked with their group, they didn't realize that Elizabeth, Steph, and Connie sneaked in the stands. They knew what their guys were up to. They wanted to come and watch them work with the kids. They kept a close watch on their perspective boyfriend.
Elizabeth loved to watch Jack work with the kids. She could easily see that he would be a good coach one day. He has never really talked about becoming one. However, he did enjoy working with the kids. Not only that, but she did enjoy watching him interact with the young boys. She had never really thought about being a mother before, but now the thought was becoming to settle into her mind. "He'll make a good father." She whispered as Jack joked with a young kid. He placed his hand on top of the boy's head and ruffled up his hair.
"What?"
"Oh…nothing." Elizabeth shook her head to Steph's question. She continued to watch Elizabeth as she watched Jack.
This was an odd experience for her. She always assumed at some point she would marry, and eventually her mind would turn to having children, but not while she was in high school. She was too consumed with her studies. She still is. Her studies were important to her. That's one of the many reasons she loved dating Jack. He encouraged her studies, even challenged her at times. He was just as serious with his studies as she was. He never made her feel bad about taking time to study. Many of their intimate moments happened when they were studying in the library or at one of their homes. They would often hold hands while they read over notes. Jack would often rub his thumb over her hand softly. She loved that. There were times when she would rub his forearm in gentle motions. He loved that. She assumed the thinking of having children just came from watching Jack with the kids.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
Elizabeth turned to look at Connie and Steph. "And what's that Steph?"
"Something that I have never thought about before…" Her voice trailed off. Not daring to say the word, 'children'.
"Yeah…" Connie spoke up. "I've only thought about spending time with you all and college. Guys were never really much into my thoughts…especially…"
"Yeah." Elizabeth and Steph stated at the same time interrupting her thought.
"Maybe it's because they're working with kids and enjoying themselves?" Elizabeth stated as she turned her attention back to her boyfriend who still didn't know she was sitting in the bleachers. The subject was never actually spoken, but the three ladies knew exactly what they were talking about.
"Maybe." Was Connie's and Steph's soft reply.
"Well, whatever happens to us all, I know for certain that finishing college is in the story for all of us."
"Absolutely Elizabeth." Connie stated as Steph nodded her head. "Whatever happens, college is an integral aspect of who we are and what we want to become."
As the three friends sat watching their boyfriends work with the kids, the feeling of thinking about a family was foreign to them. Yet, it was enjoyable to some degree. As she thought about everything, Elizabeth rubbed her finger over her new ring on her left hand. She knew her and Jack wasn't engaged, yet she did ask that he place the ring on her left ring finger with the point of the heart toward her fingers. In the ring's legacy, that represented the wearer of the ring to be engaged. She kinda felt like she was engaged. Her smile grew at the thought of it all, finishing high school, going to college, and receiving her teaching degree, her and Jack growing closer, a proposal, a marriage, a family, and life together with all of its ups and downs. She welcomed it all as long as Jack was with her. She let out a contented sigh. She giggled when she heard her two best friends do the same thing.
"We have it bad, don't we?"
"Yes Connie…we do." Steph stated with Elziabeth's acknowledging smile.
As they turned their attention back to the court, they noticed the guys staring at them. They giggled at their confused looks. Jack excused himself and walked toward the group.
"When did you get here?" He smiled as he reached for Elizabeth's hand. He ran his thumb over the ring.
"A little while ago. We didn't want to miss this."
Jack gave her a playful smile. He pulled on her hand just enough to make her stand. "We could use some help." He nodded toward the court. "Come on…"
"Oh Jack…no. I don't think so. I've never touched a basketball. I don't know what to do." She shook her head.
"Come on…it'll be fun."
"No Jack." She stated as she sat down beside her two friends still holding his hand. She noticed a little bit of sweat on his face. She still thought that was sexy.
"Come on Princess Beth…It would be nice to do this with you."
"Jack…that's not my name." She huffed. "I thought we were past this in our relationship."
"Please." He half whined and half begged. He stuck his lip out just a little and tilted his head to the right. He knew that always worked on her.
"Jack…" She tried to deny the looks effect on her, but she was failing miserably. She let out a long sigh. "Fine, but I'm not happy that you have this power over me."
"I'm fine with it. I kinda like it." He sassed.
"You better not make me look like a fool." He pointed her finger at him as she stood.
…
Grace just answered her phone as William stepped into the living room. Grace was running around in a last ditch effort to get the last pieces of the New Years Eve party finalized. William could only smile and shake his head. She was in 'planning overdrive' as he called it. This was her thing. She was tremendous in planning events. She helped raise a lot of money for volunteering and was grateful she was in a position to help others. The New Year's Day party at the Thatcher home was for family, some friends, and business associates. It was a fun time for all who attended.
"Yes, they need to be here by eight." William saw her nodded her head and listening to the conversation. "Yes. Thank you."
"Are you ready for tonight?"
"William…I will be ready when it is finished, and everyone is out of my house."
"You know, we could always pull this back. It doesn't have to be this big."
"William…" Grace huffed. Then she saw his little smirk. "That's enough from you." She pointed her finger at her husband.
William walked toward his bride. He never lost his little smirk. He placed his hand on her biceps and gently squeezed her arms and then pulled her into a hug. He kissed her on the forehead.
"You always pull this together. So many people look forward to this party. You always do a great job."
"Are you buttering me up?" She sassed.
"No. You always stress out over this, yet you always do a great job in making people feel special. I do think that's one of your gifts."
"Organizing a party is my gift?"
He leaned back and chuckled. "No silly. You make people feel special. When they are in your presence, you make that person feel like they are important. They are the only person in the room. That's a precious gift that should be shared."
"That's sweet of you to say." She leaned forward to give her husband a kiss.
"Hey, where are the girls?"
"Elizabeth went with Connie and Steph to the children's center to see their boyfriends who as working with some children today."
"And our youngest?" He stepped a little closer to her, tightening his hold on her.
"She's with Kacy and Jennifer running some errands for me. Then they are grabbing lunch somewhere."
"So…we are alone?" He asked with a flirty tone.
"Huh hum…for a little while."
"Well…speaking about making someone feel special."
"William…I'm already pressed for time."
William pulled her a little closer until she was pressed fully against him. "I love you, Gracie."
She sighed. He didn't call her Gracie very often, but he knew it was her weakness.
"I love you, Theodore." She smirked. William didn't like that name very much. "Don't you have a phone meeting soon?" She snuggled a little closer to her husband.
"Yes, but I'm thinking of another meeting I would like to have at the moment." He wiggled his eyebrows and began to pull her toward their bedroom.
…
"Alright fellas…that was a great practice. I'll see you next Saturday." Jack stated to the group of kids.
"We'll see you next week." Jack's teammates corrected him.
"Now, get out of here." Jack laughed as the boys began to walk toward the bleachers to grab their bags. Each one coming by to thank and fist bump each teen boy. They also smiled at the three teen girls who stepped in to help.
Jack had convinced Elizabeth to come and help him run some drills with the guys. Connie and Steph joined their boyfriends in helping them at their section of the court. Instead of one line, Jack split the line in two during the dribbling drills. Jack watched one line and Elizabeth watched the second line. He was a little surprised to hear Elizabeth give some advice to the boys as they tried to dribble around the cones. Her advice was helpful. He was a little impressed with her.
After all the boys left the court, Jack turned his attention toward his girlfriend. She was about fifteen feet away from him.
"Have you really never held a basketball before?"
"Why would I ever hold a basketball?"
"You never shot basketball as a kid?"
"No. I read or rode my bike. Jack, I'm not a sports girl." She shrugged her shoulders. "I've never touched a basketball."
"True…but you're a Jack's girl." He flirted. He bounced passed the basketball he was holding to her. She caught it with a smile. She loved the little flirting.
"I am." She looked at the ball. "So, this is what a basketball feels like." She rubbed her hand over the ball. After a second, she used both hands to bounce the ball off the floor. While she looked awkward because she had never done that before, Jack was memorized at her beauty. The concentration written on her face while she tried to dribble the ball was adorable. It was the simple things that she did that drew him in to her.
"Yeah…you're only supposed to do that with one hand."
She gave him a smirking look. Then she used her right hand to bounce the ball twice. Then she bounced passed the ball back to Jack.
"That's not too hard." She teased. "So, why does Coach Franklin always yell at you?"
Jack could only laugh at her as he bounced the ball a couple of times and then passed it back to Elizabeth.
"It's a little harder when someone is guarding you and you're in front of a crowd."
She caught the ball and bounced it a couple more times. Then she passed it back to Jack. They did take a couple of steps to be closer to each other, they were still about ten feet away.
"Fine, I'll give you that." She scrunched her nose at him. She didn't like giving in to him. She loved the back and forth between them. "I could easily see you as a coach. Jack, you were so good with those kids." She smiled when his face turned a little red.
"Thank you. I love working with kids."
"I can easily see that."
"May I tell you a secret, Princess Beth?"
"Jarrick Thornton, that's not my name. I thought we were past this." She huffed. He only smiled that perfect dimpled smile. He bounced the ball back to her. When she caught it, she spoke. "Jarrick, I hope you don't keep secrets from me."
"When I decided I wanted to be a teacher, I also thought it would be nice to coach basketball."
"Like I said, you will be very good at that."
"The secret is…" He paused. She bounced the ball back to him. She knew not to press him. Jack always struggle at first to say what's in his heart. "I've always wanted to teach in a small school somewhere in a small community that don't have too much."
"To make a difference in the lives of children that don't have all the advantages that other kids may have in a bigger town."
"Yeah…how did you know that?" He asked bouncing the ball to her.
"That's my dream too. I've always wanted to help children learn. What better way to make a difference than to help a child learn that doesn't have all the resources? By giving them an education, they have the possibility to truly help themselves and improve their life."
Jack nodded his head. That was exactly how he felt. He was a little nervous sharing this information with her.
"Would you…" He paused, trying to form the question quickly. He was also a little scared of what the answer may be. "Are you ok if I pursue that dream? To teach and coach at a small school."
"I'll encourage you anyway I can, Jack. You know that." She bounced the ball back to him. "Are you afraid I wouldn't?"
"A small town coach and teacher doesn't make much money." He stated softly.
"No, we won't make much money."
"Would you be ok living that type of life?" He asked bouncing the ball back to her. "I won't be able to give you everything you will want in this life."
She watched him for a moment. She could tell he was nervous. She dropped the ball and allowed it to bounce and roll away. She walked toward him never taking her eyes off his eyes. She stopped immediately in front of him and placed her hand on his hips. She pulled him to her until they were barely touching. She kept eye contact with him. She wanted him to hear and see what she was about to tell him.
"My dream is to teach underprivileged kids to give them an opportunity. I've never wanted a lot of stuff. That stuff doesn't make a good life Jack. I accepted your ring not because of the stuff you could give me one day. I accepted your ring and asked you to place it on my left finger with the point of the heart to my fingertip because I want my life with yours. My family has money, but Jack, I don't want to live that lifestyle. When I'm old and I reminisce about my life, I will live a very good life if we share our lives together. If our dreams come together and we both work toward them. If we love each other with everything we have and everything we are. If we love our children with our whole hearts and raise them well. If our grandchildren look forward to coming to our home with excitement. If you are by my side each and every day of our lives, I will look back on my life with great pride, great joy, and consider myself the most blessed person ever."
"That would be a perfect life." He wishfully stated.
"It would be. You won't give me anything or not be able to give me something. We work together as one. We share what we have and love it all with who we are. Together, Jack, you and me."
"Together…may we start that now?" He asked, pulling her a little closer.
"Don't tempt me, Jarrick." She kissed him gently. "Are you really worried about the material things?"
"I just know I won't be able to give you the things your father can. I just don't want you to be disappointed at what we have, or don't have in our life."
"Will I have your heart?"
"You already do, Elizabeth."
"And you're not getting it back." She playfully flirted.
"I don't want it back."
"Then I'm already the most blessed woman…ever."
Jack let out a contented sigh. He was worried about what he couldn't give her, but she didn't care about the material things. He should have already known that. Somehow, he loved her even more than before.
"Thank you." Jack stated.
"You're welcomed Jack. This is a pretty serious discussion."
"Pops told me that I needed to stop speaking in code and be honest with you. That I needed to share with you what's on my heart. Elizabeth, I'm dead serious about making us work. I want this." He squeezed her just a little tighter. "I want everything you just said, and I want it twice…three…four times over."
"Pops is a smart man." She settled her head on his shoulder and chest. "I love you, Jarrick Thornton."
"I love you, Elizabeth Thatcher." He kissed the top of her head. "I guess I was just nervous about the money thing."
"We'll make it work."
Jack smiled at his girlfriend. He knew his chosen profession wouldn't bring in much money, especially if he teaches and coaches at a small school. He was worried about her upbringing. He was afraid Elizabeth would expect more than what he would probably be able to deliver. He looked into the eyes of this precious woman. He really should have known better, but he just couldn't control that little bit of fear. She squashed that fear with the love she has for him and for their future together. This was just another reminder that Elizabeth was made just for him.
…
Jack, Thomas, Charlette, and Tom all stepped out of Charlette's SUV. They had arrived at seven thirty to the Thatcher's home for the New Year's Eve party. They never really done anything to celebrate New Years' Eve like this before. They've been to parties before, but this one was just completely different. Jack couldn't remember wearing a suit to a party before. He had on his blue suit. It was the only one he owned.
Jack smiled when Elizabeth opened the door. She was in a red gown that fitted perfectly for her. Thomas and Charlette each gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Tom gave her a huge smile when she told him where Julie was. She was waiting on him. When those three Thorntons walked past her. She stepped to stand in the middle of the doorway. Her smile melted Jack's heart.
"Elizabeth…you are stunningly lovely." He tried to breathe, but his lungs weren't working. The words she spoke to him earlier moved them much closer together. She touched him to his innermost being. He missed her so much over those few hours. He just wanted to be with her.
Jack looked just as handsome as he did the last date they were on when he gave her the ring, maybe more so. Since their sincere discussion earlier at the children's center, she has felt closer to him. He truly touched her innermost being with his words.
"Well…don't you just look handsome."
The sound of her voice was driving him stupid. He closed the distance between them. He purposefully didn't press his body against her. He stood just a mere breath away from her. The slightest of breezes couldn't make its way through the small space between them. He loosely placed his hand on her waist just above her hip. She could barely feel his hand. His cheek was beside her cheek. She gasped at his closeness and cursed the fact that he wasn't touching her completely. His cologne was intoxicating. He whispered in her ear.
"Elizabeth…I…Missed…You…" He paused between each word. His voice was also filled with want. As much as all that moved her. It was the honesty in his voice that drove her crazy. She knew this guy. He wasn't just saying things to make her feel good so he could get something from her. He honestly meant what he said.
She shivered at his voice and his breath on her ear. She raised her right hand and placed it on the back of his neck. She gently ran her fingers in his hair and gently held him close without pulling him closer to her. She felt lightheaded at his closeness. She thought the fact that he was keeping the slightest distance between them was the major factor that was making her dizzy.
Jack had no knowledge of how long they had been standing together. Since giving her the ring and their discussion earlier, it just moved them closer together.
"Jack…I…Missed…You…" She breathed each word just as he did.
When he heard her voice, he lost all control. He gently placed his lips on her cheek. Then he slowly moved his lips to her ear. He smiled when Elizabeth jumped when his lips surrounded her ear lobe. Her knees gave way, and she lowered a couple of inches before her legs caught her. He enjoyed the fact that he had that effect on her. They really were closer since he gave her the ring and the talk earlier. He made a mental note to thank his grandpa for the advice.
They paused when they saw headlights. They completely forgot that they were standing in the doorway in the cold. They were too consumed with each other's presence.
"Jack…you are not allowed to be more than two feet away from me during this party."
"Yes, Ms. T." He flirted. The look in his eyes made her fall in love with him all over again.
…
The party was going well. Jack didn't know anyone there except his and Elizabeth's family. He has been introduced to countless people, but no one that he knew. He was certain he wouldn't remember anyone by the end of the evening. William pulled Elizabeth away for a few minutes to meet an old friend and business associate of his. Elizabeth gave Jack a sorrowful look when she walked away. She promised she would be back as soon as she could.
"Elizabeth, this is Mr. Warren. We have been doing business for many years. Mr. Warren, this is my middle daughter, Elizabeth."
"Hello Mr. Warren. It's nice to meet you." She took his outstretched hand.
"You too, Elizabeth. This is my son, Joe."
Elizabeth looked in his direction. She gave him a small smile and a slight head nod. Then she turned her attention back to her father and Mr. Warren.
"Elizabeth, I understand that you are attending Bryan's University in the fall."
"Yes Mr. Warren. I am."
"They have an excellent teaching program."
"Yes. That's why I'm going. I have always wanted to be a teacher. It was my first choice of schools."
"I'm sure you'll do well there."
"I'm going to Columbia for business." Joe spoke up.
"That's great. I'm sure you'll do well." Elizabeth spoke and then turned her attention back to her father.
"Father…"
"You want to be a teacher?" Joe asked.
"I do. I have always wanted to be a teacher since I was little."
"That's nice." Joe stated as he discreetly looked her over from head to toe.
Elizabeth nodded her head again. She noticed his staring at her. She felt uncomfortable with his looking at her. "Father…if I…" Joe cut her off again.
"Elizabeth, if you don't mind, would you please show me around and introduce me to some people. It would be great to talk with you more." He extended his arm for her.
"I'm sorry Joe. I am here with my boyfriend. I need to get back to him. I didn't want to be away for this long."
"That's fine dear." William stated. "I just wanted to introduce you to Mr. Warren. Go and find Jack. I'm sure he's looking for you."
"Thank you father."
Elizabeth said goodbye to her father and Mr. Warren. She didn't say anything to Joe but did slightly nod her head in his direction. She turned and took a few steps looking for Jack. In the few short minutes she was with her father, she missed him terribly. She was surprised she missed him so much, but she did. She never thought she would be the type of girl where she always wanted to be with her boyfriend. With Jack, it was just different. She looked around the living room and noticed that Jack was speaking to two women and one gentleman. She smiled when Jack said something, and the other three individuals laughed.
"Hey." Elizabeth stated as she walked up to the group and placed her hand on the middle of Jack's back.
"Hey." Jack greeted her with a smile. "This is Mr. and Mrs. Grant and Ms. Williams. This is my girlfriend, Elizabeth Thatcher."
"You're William's Elizabeth."
"Yes ma'am. I am."
"And you are dating this gem of a young man?"
"I am, Ms. Williams." Elizabeth snaked her arm through Jack's. "We began dating at the beginning of the school year."
"Mr. Grant says he plays basketball, but he won't say if he does or doesn't."
"You'll have to excuse Mr. Thornton here, he hates any recognition. He just accepted a basketball scholarship at Bryan's University."
"Thornton…I know that name. I was at the game between Hamilton East and Hamilton West. You're the point guard on Hamilton East."
"He is." She answered when Jack didn't say anything. His face was turning a little red with embarrassment. "I'm sorry Mr. and Mrs. Warren and Ms. Williams. Jack, there is something that I need to discuss with you that is rather important."
"Jack, make sure you find me before tonight is over. I would like to talk with you some more."
"Yes, Ms. Williams."
"Please excuse us." Elizabeth stated as she pulled on Jack's arm.
"Thank you." He whispered when they were a few feet away.
"You're welcome. How do you know that I was just getting you away from them."
"That's the same thing Cowboy, Rabbit, and I would say to each other to get anyone of us out of a situation. When you met them in the café, they said that to me to get me away from you. Do you think I wouldn't remember that?"
Elizabeth giggled. She did remember them doing that the first time she met them. "I remember. I wished you would have come to save me."
"What do you mean?"
"There was some guy named Joe that was flirting with me. I could have used your rescue, Mr. Thornton."
"I didn't want you to leave. As beautiful as you are, I'm surprised it was just one guy."
"Are you jealous, Mr. Thornton?"
"Jealous…no. I trust you. You have my heart. Do I need to speak to this guy?"
"No Jack. And I'm not giving it back."
"Hey, where are we going?"
"I want to show you something."
"Ok." Jack stated following Elizabeth through the living room and into the kitchen. "I've already seen your kitchen, Ms. Thatcher."
"I'm not showing you the kitchen Jarrick." She smirked as she continued to lead him through the kitchen. She stopped at a door in the back of the kitchen that he hadn't noticed before.
"What's this?"
"It's the pantry." She stated as she opened the door and walked into the room. There were shelves around the outer walls and a small set of shelves in the middle of the room. It wasn't large by any means, but bigger than an average pantry. Many of the shelves were empty or had little things on them. Some shelves had crock pots and other things like that. "Mother uses it as a storage area and for food."
"Ok…why are you showing me this?"
Jack's voice stopped when she grabbed the lapel of his jacket and pushed him against the wall on the right. Jack's back hit the shelves. Her lips connected with his as he hit the wall. She planted a passionate kiss that lasted until they needed to separate to breathe.
"Wow…" He stated as she took a deep breath.
"I've been wanting to do that since you arrived." She leaned into him a little more planting another toe curling kiss on her boyfriend. Then she moved to his chin and kissed her way up his jawline. He inhaled a quick breath when she was approaching his ear.
"How many guys have you brought into your pantry?" He sassed through quick, short breaths.
"You are the first. You know that. Viola told me about this room."
"Oh…I need to thank her." He stated as he wrapped his arms around her tiny waist. He tried to pull her closer.
When she attacked his ear lobe, he moaned. The moan drove her deeper. It did something to her. The moan made her increase the pressure she was nibbling on his ear. The more pressure she nibbled, the more he moaned. The more he moaned, the more she increased the pressure. They were quickly losing control.
"Elizabeth…" He gasped as he reached for her face. He cupped his hands over her cheeks and pulled her so he could kiss her. They were so consumed with the kiss that they didn't notice the door opening.
"Elizabeth!" Julie gasped in shock.
"Jack!" Tom gasped in shock at the same time.
"Go away!" Elizabeth gasped as she pulled back. They didn't release their hold on each other.
"What are you doing?"
"I would guess the same as you two wanted to do."
"Don't you think you need to get back to the party?"
"No Julie. Now…Go…Away." She stated in a flat, older sister tone. Never taking her eyes off Jack's lips.