Chapter 326 – Morning of the Wedding
Friday morning was a flurry of activity at the ranch. Nathan, Frank, Father Mark, Maddie and Missy were up dealing with the horses when the first team from the caterers arrived to start setting up tables. Once the horses were dealt with, Nathan, Frank and Father Mark made sure they had all the clothes and things to take to the hotel. They ended up taking all two vehicles so there would be enough room for them to all get to the church. Father Mark was wearing casual clothes, but had his black clerics along to wear and his new vestments from Jack were in a garment bag to be hung up until they got to the church. Father Mark was not surprised that Jack and Elizabeth got him the white white vestments that he had been looking at versus the linen white ones that he already had.
When Nathan, Frank and Father Mark got to the hotel, they called Jack and were told what suite they were in. When the three guys got up to the suite, Jack, Doug and Lee were just finishing with the breakfast they had ordered.
"Looks like you had a nice evening." Nathan said.
"We did." Doug said. "Thanks for understanding."
"You are welcome." Nathan said. "I am glad you three had some time together. So what is the plan for the day? We took care of the horses and had breakfast, but that is about all."
"We can have the front desk send up some more towels." Doug said. "We can all take showers and just relax. I thought we could just watch TV and maybe play cards. If you three want to clean up and head down to the casino, go ahead."
"I don't need to go down there." Nathan said.
"I am fine as well." Frank said.
"Sounds like a plan." Father Mark said. "I can always head back and grab the guitars or something if you want."
"That sounds like a good idea, if you want." Jack said. "I really am not fully awake."
"How about I go get the guitars?" Father Mark said. "Grab some casual clothes for us and then when I get back, we can take turns showering. We can wait to shave until later so we are fresh for pictures."
"Sounds good." Jack said. "See you in a bit."
Father Mark grabbed one of the key cards and then quickly headed back to the ranch to grab the things that they needed. While Nathan and Frank settled in the large suite.
… … … …
Elizabeth had a nice relaxing morning, sleeping in because she honestly forgot to set her alarm and no one was going to wake her too early. When she finally did come upstairs, she was wearing one of her henleys and pajama pants. She saw no need to get dressed if she was just going to change again soon.
"Morning." Elizabeth said.
"Morning." Gran said. "How did you sleep?"
"Good." Elizabeth said. "I took a nice bath and wrote for a while before bed. I barely remember crawling in bed before I fell asleep."
"Sounds like a good sleep." Trish said.
"The guys already gone?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes." Gran said. "They left about half an hour ago."
"Oh." Elizabeth said. "I had a card I wanted to send to Jack."
"Maybe John can run it over later." Gran said.
"Okay." Elizabeth said.
Just about that time, Father Mark walked back into the house.
"What are you doing back?" Gran asked.
"Jack needed something and I offered to come back." Father Mark said.
"Good." Elizabeth said. "I have something to send back with you for Jack."
"Okay." Father Mark said. "I need to grab some stuff from our room and something from the music room."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I will go get what I want to send back."
Elizabeth and Father Mark both headed downstairs. Elizabeth was back shortly with the envelope for Jack. She had written his name in a beautiful script lettering and decorated the pages with hearts and some stickers. Gran and Trish both smiled as they saw the envelope Elizabeth had set on the counter. Trish handed Elizabeth a cup of coffee and asked what she wanted for breakfast. Elizabeth thought French toast sounded good if it wasn't too much work and Trish said it was fine, so set about making that for her.
… … … …
Father Mark gathered the stuff he needed and also a bit more, just in case. He went up and grabbed a third guitar and then the two from the garage. Before he left, he came back inside to get the envelope from Elizabeth to Jack.
"I have everything." Father Mark said.
"Here." Elizabeth said. "Please give this to Jack."
"I will." Father Mark said.
"Thank you." Elizabeth said.
"Before I go." Father Mark said. "I wanted to take a moment and pray with you."
"Okay." Elizabeth said.
She turned to face Father Mark and he put his hand on her head.
"Heavenly Father." Father Mark prayed. "Please be with Elizabeth today and calm any nerves she has. Allow her to fully enjoy this day and not worry about things. Surround her with Your angels and give peace. Be with her as she takes this major step in life. Let her know that she had made the right choice and is walking to the man that You alone created just for her. Thank you for bringing Elizabeth into our lives. Help her to see that today is just the first day of the rest of her life and not the end, but a new beginning. Amen."
"Amen." Elizabeth said. "Thank you."
"You are welcome." Father Mark said. "We will see you at the church."
"See you." Elizabeth said.
Father Mark hugged his grandmother and wiped the tear that he saw on her cheek before leaving once again. Gran took a moment to gather herself before she turned back to what she had been doing. Trish and Elizabeth didn't say anything, but both realized that Gran was struggling with emotions. Only Trish realized that it was probably because of Thomas and Charlotte's actions that Gran was struggling.
Shortly after Father Mark left, John came out into the kitchen from the office. He was carrying a couple of things. He took a seat next to Elizabeth at the counter and put whatever he had in his lap as he accepted a cup of coffee from Trish.
"How are you this morning, Elizabeth?" John asked.
"Good." Elizabeth said. "Trying not to think too far ahead and just enjoy each minute, but I can't wait to see Jack again."
"Sounds about right." John said.
John took a couple sips of coffee and then a deep breath before he spoke again.
"My Caroline would have loved you." John said. "So when JP came to and asked me to pick out a piece of her jewelry to offer you for today, I knew exactly which piece to pick. Now, before you say anything. JP knows that you have both the sapphire set as well as sets of pearls, but he wanted me to give you the option to wear a borrowed piece that had meaning. I won't be upset if you choose not to wear it, but he wanted you to have the option."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "Thank you. I hadn't even thought about what jewelry I was going to wear. I knew I had the pieces that Jack gave me to pick, but I wasn't sure if that was what I wanted or to wear none at all."
"You should wear what you want." Gran said. "If that is none, we will all understand."
"Yes." John said. "Like I said, JP asked me to offer to let you wear something from his grandmother. He doesn't have many memories of her, but he always loved looking at the pictures of her and there was one thing in particular that he loved to look at."
John took the larger of the two packages he had brought out on the counter.
… … … …
Father Mark got back to the hotel and headed to the suite with the guitars and clothes. He had tucked Jack's card in his guitar case for safe keeping. He thought it was sweet that Elizabeth had a card for Jack, because he knew that Jack had left one with John to give Elizabeth. The exchange of cards was something that Father Mark had suggested to them when they were talking about preparing for the wedding. It would be a way to connect with each other without actually speaking to each other.
When Father Mark got the suite with the guitars, he smiled as the guys were bantering back and forth over sportscenter and who was going to make the playoffs. He took a moment to just watch. He wanted to join them, but wasn't sure if he would disrupt the dynamics, even Frank was bantering back and forth with the younger guys. It was the first time that Father Mark had seen the smile on Frank's face reach his eyes. Father Mark quietly took a deep breath and closed the door. He just let the guys banter while he took a seat at the table.
Fifteen minutes later, Jack got up to get a drink and saw Father Mark sitting at the table, reading his Bible. Jack also noticed there was an envelope with his name on it on the table.
"When did you get back?" Jack asked. "And what is that envelope?"
"About fifteen minutes ago." Father Mark said. "And that is from Elizabeth. She asked me to bring it to you."
Jack smiled.
"Do you know if she had gotten mine?" Jack asked.
"No." Father Mark said. "From what she had said, she had just gotten up shortly before I got there. John was on the phone in the office."
"Okay." Jack said. "I am sure he will give it to her when he is done if he knows that she is up."
"I am sure." Father Mark said.
Jack took the envelope and took a seat with his drink. He smiled as he ran his fingers across the stickers and Elizabeth's writing.
… … … …
Elizabeth just looked at it was John open it to reveal a beautiful necklace. She had never seen anything like it before. It was a silver piece and it looked old, but well cared for.
"This is a traditional Scottish piece called a luckenbooth." John said. "It symbolizes love, loyalty, and protection. Its heart is for love. The crown for loyalty and fidelity and the thistles, is a nod to Scotland's national flower and it represents bravery, loyalty, and strength. This was given to my Caroline on her wedding day to me from her Scottish grandmother. JP has always loved this piece and the meaning behind it. So when he asked me to pick out a piece to offer to you to wear, I couldn't think of a better piece. I also picked out the earrings that Caroline used to always wear with them. They are something that I gave her when Thomas was born."
John opened the smaller package to reveal white gold and diamond trinity knot stud earrings.
"If you want to wear one or both of these pieces." John said. "I would be honored. I also won't be upset if you choose to wear something else."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "I think I might wear at least the earrings. I am not sure about the necklace, with the neckline of my dress."
"Of course." John said.
John closed both packages and then set an envelope on top with Elizabeth's name on it.
"Whatever you choose." John said. "This here is a card from JP that he asked me to give to you. You can open it whenever you want. We will all understand if you want to wait and do it while you are alone."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said, giving John a side hug.
John hugged Elizabeth back. He then finished his coffee. Elizabeth ran her fingers over the envelope and Gran noticed.
"Why don't you go to the library and see what he had to say." Gran said. "You don't need to do anything for a while yet."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth got up, picked up the stack that John had left her and took her cup of coffee to the library. She left the door open as she curled up in the corner of the couch to read what Jack had written to her.
… … … …
As much as Jack wanted some privacy to open read what Elizabeth had written, he knew that he wasn't going to get it. He also knew that the guys would leave him alone as he sat in the corner of the kitchen area to read it. Jack opened the envelope and pulled out a card that said 'Today I get to call you my husband' on the front. Jack could see that Elizabeth had taken a red glitter pen and added a couple additional hearts. Jack opened the card and smiled at Elizabeth's beautiful script writing.
Dear Jack,
I wasn't sure what to write to you, but then I remembered that Father Mark said to just write from my heart. I hope you know how much I love you. The support and encouragement not only from you, but your grandparents, friends and family has been overwhelming at times. I mean that in a good way. I have never felt so loved in my entire life. I look forward to taking this next step forward with you. I know that there will be challenges, but together we will face them. I can't wait to be in your arms and not worry about getting interrupted or having to stop. I just want to feel that safe feeling that I felt when you wrapped me in your arms that day in Central Park. I had never been so scared and then to instantly feel so safe was frightening to me. Then as I got to know you, I realized that it was love that I was really feeling for the first time. Thank you for loving me and I hope that I can return that love.
Your bride to be, Elizabeth.
Jack smiled and reread the words several times before he put the card back in the envelope and tucked the envelope in his Bible that was on the table.
"Glad to see that smile on your face." Father Mark said, softly.
"I am happy." Jack said. "Genuinely happy. I am not sure the last time that I felt this, so I am going to just enjoy it."
"Good." Father Mark said. "You should be happy today. I am sorry that your parents are the way that they are and can't be happy for you."
"It is what it is." Jack said. "I hadn't even really thought about them. I am done letting them rob me of my joy and that is exactly what they were doing. I am over it and I just want to enjoy the day."
"Good." Father Mark said. "It is a good attitude."
… … … …
Elizabeth carefully opened the envelope and pulled out a card. The front of it read – To my Beautiful Bride on our wedding day. Elizabeth ran her fingers over the words and smiled. She then opened the card to read Jack's words.
My dearest Elizabeth,
I am not good with expressing my emotions or always saying the right thing, but I hope you know how much I love you. You loving me for me and not what I can give you is one of the greatest gifts that you could have ever given me. I know that we haven't known each other long, but I know what is in my heart and that is my love for you. Thank you for being willing to go on this journey called marriage with me. I look forward to the future.
I know that things might not always be easy, but I know that we can face anything as long as we are together. No matter what happens, as long as we have each other, we will be rich beyond measure. I hope you know that.
Love your husband-to-be Jack
Elizabeth smiled. She knew that Jack had spent a lot of time writing and rewriting to get it just right. She knew that he wasn't always the greatest with his words, so for him to take the time to put something down on paper was a big deal. Elizabeth knew that she was going to cherish that card for a long time. She cherished everything that Jack gave her, but to put his words down on paper and give her, was extra special. She planned on tucking the card into her journal later so she could reread his word over and over.
Elizabeth smiled as she sat in the library. She knew that it was her wedding day and she should only feel happiness, but at the same time there was a bit of sorrow as she really wanted her parents there, but Elizabeth also knew that it had been their choice to cut her off and not be a part of her life by accepting her choices. She knew that Jack was probably feeling a little of the same. She took a moment to look at the jewelry that John had brought again. She really wanted to wear both pieces, but she wasn't sure how the necklace would look with the neckline of her dress. She knew that she was going to wear the earrings for sure. She knew that it was a lot for Jack to ask his grandfather for some of his grandmother's jewelry for her. She loved how Jack thought about those small details and a way to include his grandmother who had been gone for many years. She was happy to hear that Caroline would have loved her. From the little that she had heard about Jack's grandmother, she was sure she would have loved her as well.
… … … …
The rest of the day at the ranch while busy was also relaxing for Elizabeth. Gran and Trish handled all the things that were needed for the setting up of the reception. Abigail, Caitlin and Katie arrived to hang out with Elizabeth. They ended up sitting in the library for a while before Caitlin and Katie went downstairs with Elizabeth to do her hair and start her makeup. She showed both of them the jewelry that John had brought for her. Both Caitlin and Katie thought they were wonderful. She showed them her diamond and sapphire set as well. While they both loved the set that matched Elizabeth's engagement ring, they agreed that it was probably more important to wear the sentimental pieces from Jack's grandmother.
By two o'clock, Elizabeth was ready, except for her dress. She sat in her room in her robe with her hair and makeup done. Everyone was giving her a bit of a break while they got ready. The plan was for Elizabeth to get dressed and get some photos done at the ranch with her bridal party before heading to the church.
… … … …
The guys had a great time. They had the TV on were bantering back and forth over who was going to make the baseball playoffs as well as the up coming hockey season. They played a little guitar and just enjoyed themselves. They ordered pizza and breadsticks for lunch and ate in the room. It was just easier as some of the press had followed Father Mark back to the hotel. The guys just had a good time hanging out before they had to start getting ready. The plan was for each of them to shower, shave and dress at the hotel before heading to the church for pictures and the ceremony.
… … … …