A half hour later we were all seated around the dining room table eating ham, mashed potatoes, yams, sweet corn, green bean casserole, and yeast rolls. A floral centerpiece surrounding a crystal candleholder blazed amongst all the dishes. The china dishes shone alongside the sparkling silverware and rested upon a satin white tablecloth that completed the picturesque meal.
After dinner I changed back into the jeans and sweater I had worn over earlier in the day. I hung Phoebe’s gown back up in her closet and looked at it for another moment.
“Please, take it with you,” a voice came from the entryway of the closet.
“What?” I turned and saw Phoebe leaning in the doorway. “No, I can’t, but thank you so much for letting me wear it.”
Phoebe lifted the dress off the rod and handed it to me. “Every bride should have her wedding gown. Please, I want you to have it.” She then handed me the box containing the shoes. “Don’t forget these.” I embraced her tightly.
“How can I ever thank you enough?”
“You make my brother very happy, that is enough.”
Downstairs I joined the others in the foyer fully expecting my uncle Nicholas, Robert, and Emily to be putting their coats on and getting ready to leave also but they were standing together at the foot of the stairs talking with Jackson.
“Anything wrong?” I asked joining them.
“Not at all, we were just telling Jackson that we have decided to spend the night here so we can spend Christmas morning with Wallace and you two will have the whole house to yourselves.” Emily hugged me tightly.
“You don’t have to do that.” I let go of her. “I feel bad, like we’re kicking you out of your own home.”
“Nonsense, you two need some time alone. We will be fine here,” Robert piped in.
Jackson helped me on with my coat. “Thank you very much, Father.”
I walked over and hugged Uncle Nicholas tightly. “Thank you so much for coming. I cannot tell you what it means to me. I love you.”
“Thank you allowing me to be a part of your special day. I love you too. Don’t worry, I will be here when you return tomorrow.” He kissed me lightly again on the cheek. “Congratulations, I am so happy for you two.”
We kissed and hugged everyone goodbye, thanked them repeatedly for everything and made our way through the snow to the Durango.
“Well, Mrs. Chandler how do you feel?” Jackson asked, pulling out of their driveway.
“Dazed. I mean, this is unreal. We got married today!” I put my feet up on the dash and slumped down in the seat.
“Yes, we did. Are you happy?” He glanced over at me.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy. This has been the best day of my life. I love you so much.”
“I love you too.”
***
Jackson pulled into his parents’ drive and shut the car off. “Wait right there; do not move.” He jumped out and ran around to the passenger door. “Mrs. Chandler?” He held out his hand, which I took and climbed down. Standing before him in the cold, I kissed his shapely lips. Then he reached down and scooped me up into his arms.
“Jackson . . . the ice.” I wrapped my arms around his neck fearing we’d both fall.
“Trust me?” He gave me a devilish grin.
“You, yes. The ice, no!” I laughed as he slid our way to the front door and struggled to get the door unlocked.
He flung the door open and carried me across the threshold, kissing me. Once inside, he kicked the door closed and carried me up the stairs to his bedroom. There was no slipping into something sexy, lighting candles, or anything else. We fell together down on his bed locked in unquenchable desire.
Our hands were grasping, pulling and tugging on each other’s clothes trying to remove them. Jackson pulled the zipper down on my sweatshirt too quickly and snagged it on my bra ripping the lace a bit.
“Darn it,” he stopped and leaned up. “I think . . . oh, I just ruined your bra. Sorry.” He smiled and I started giggling.
“That’s okay. I believe I tore two buttons on your shirt.”
He rolled off me and started laughing. “This is not exactly the romantic wedding night I had planned.” Jackson leaned up on his elbow. “I wanted everything to be perfect.” He brushed a bit of my hair away from my face. “For our first time to be perfect.”
I rolled towards him. “Don’t you see? It is.” But he shook his head. “I am with you, my husband, and I love you.” I traced my fingers down his cheek then over his lips. He kissed them.
“I love you,” he said. I ran my fingers through the back of his hair and pulled him down gently to me.
Jackson slowly rolled back on top me. His lips moved down to my neck caressing it softly while my fingers tangled in his black wavy hair. The smell of his skin was intoxicating. He kissed my shoulder, then my collarbone. He expertly unhooked the clasp on the front of my bra. Jackson lifted me up with ease kissing me slowly and deeply. He slipped my bra off and tossed it aside along with his own shirt. Our bodies pressed warmly together, our hands exploring freely. We lay down beside one another locked in ravenous hunger.
CHAPTER 30
Friday, December 23, 1878
I BLUSHED DEEPLY as the images of Jackson and I lying in bed together as husband and wife blazed across my mind. The passion between us, the desire, the longing, the lust . . . had all been fulfilled. Never had I felt so incredibly satisfied and happy in all my life.
“Good mornin’ Ms. Jocelyn.” Mimi pulled back the drapes across my windows flooding my room with the morning light. “You looking a tad pink this mornin’. Are you feelin’ all right?”
Embarrassed, I quickly climbed out of bed. “I am fine. Just a little warm from the heavy covers and the fire,” I lied.
“Eddie’s kept the fires a roaring all night. Tis gotten mighty cold and snow’s a blowing heavy.” She helped me on with my robe.
“Has Mother awakened yet?” I walked over to the basin and washed my face and brushed my teeth.
“Yes’m, she’s in the dining room,’” She picked up my silver brush and ran it through my hair.
“I thought she would be up early. I know she wanted to make sure all the last minute details were attended to before tomorrow.”
“Yes’m, she’s been up since six this mornin.’” I wasn’t surprised in the least.
***
I wrapped myself in my caplet, placed my woolen bonnet over my hair, and stepped out into the winter wonderland that had shown up overnight. The cold air blasted me in the face and burned my cheeks. The sun gleamed brightly off the snow. I had to squint my eyes just to navigate my way down the porch steps and through the walkway over to the Chandler household.
Barnaby opened the door and helped me off with my winter covers. Jackson strolled down the stairs in gray slacks and vest with a neatly pressed white shirt underneath. His pocket watch dangled gracefully across his midsection.
“Good morning, my love. How are you feeling today?” He embraced me warmly.
“Wonderful,” I blushed, recalling the images that ran through my mind when I had awakened. “Can we talk privately?”
“Of course.” He took my hand and led me into his father’s study. He closed the door behind us and turned back to me with a knowing smile.
Being alone with him I felt my stomach jump. “We got married last night.”
“Yes, we did.” He took me in his arms tightly and pressed his lips against mine.
“We . . .” I couldn’t bring myself to say the words out loud.
“We did.” His smile broadened.
I felt the heat rise in my cheeks. “It was . . .” I choked.
“The most amazing night of my life,” Jackson finished my sentence.
“Mine too.” I rested my head against his chest.
“I love you.” He leaned down and kissed the top of my head.
“I love you too. Do you think it will be like that here?” I whispered.
“I believe it
will be just as perfect here as it was there.” His hand ran lightly over my hair.
“But we will have to be so careful.”
“We will be.” A slight smile slid over his shapely lips.
“Are you sure? I don’t want everything we have so carefully planned to fall apart because I get pregnant.” I could feel the blood rushing to my face.
“I promise you we will take every precaution we can.”
“It really was wonderful.” I rested my head against his chest.
“And it will be here for us as well.”
***
My mother and Emily had the entire household in an uproar according to our fathers. When Jackson and I came out of Robert’s study, we found them hiding over at Jackson’s along with all of my brothers, Alex, and Silas. They were gathered around the dining room table playing cards and discussing politics.
“Mother is looking for you,” William informed me as soon as we entered the room.
“Does she know where I am?”
“She knows you are with Jackson,” Jonathon added.
“There is no way I am going over there. You remember how insane she was for my birthday party. I cannot imagine what she is like right now.”
“A pure nightmare,” I heard Patrick II mutter under his breath causing my other brothers to snicker.
“Patrick . . .” Father turned his attention over to me. “She is trying to make everything perfect for your wedding.”
“And that is why you are hiding over here also, Father?”
“Oh, you could not pay me to go back over there,” he smirked and laid down another card. “You will be lucky if I show up in time to walk you down the aisle.”
“I understand that,” Robert added.
“Cowards,” I laughed and walked out of the dining room.
It was almost eight o’clock in the evening before I mustered enough courage to return home. Jackson and I walked into complete chaos. My mother rounded on us almost as soon as we walked in the door. She appeared frazzled, with several long strands of hair escaping from her normally elegant bun at the nape of her neck. Her sleeves were rolled up and the apron protecting her dress was smudged with a little bit of everything.
“Jocelyn Alyssa, where have you been? I have been looking for you all day!” She scolded me like I was six years old.
“My apologies, Mrs. Timmons, we were house hunting.”
“Oh, all right. Well, Jocelyn, say good night to Jackson. You have to get your gown and things ready for tomorrow and you must get a good night’s sleep.”
“Yes, Mother.” I turned towards Jackson. “I suppose I had better comply before she has a total nervous breakdown,” I whispered.
“I think you may be too late.” He leaned towards my ear and whispered back. “Besides after tomorrow, we never have to do this again.”
“What do you mean?”
“Say goodnight and go our separate ways. After tomorrow we will never have to spend another night alone.” Jackson wrapped his arms around me and held me tight.
“Now if we only had a place to sleep in,” I couldn’t help but laugh.
“We will, I promise. I booked us a room at the Rosewood Bed and Breakfast in the city for tomorrow night and we will figure out what to do from there. I suppose we could stay with my parents until spring and then we will build us a home.”
“If that is what you believe is best then it is fine with me.” I really didn’t want to stay here since William and Olivia were already living with my parents. Still, I wasn’t exactly thrilled about staying at the Chandler estate either. But I wasn’t about to share that with Jackson. Considering all of our options, it was clearly the wisest choice.
“I will make it up to you. I am so sorry it worked out this way. I know this is not how either of us wanted to begin our married life.” He cupped my face in his hands and stared deeply into my eyes.
“I do not care where we live as long as I am with you.”
Jackson wrapped his arms around me, kissing me deeply and pulling me closer to him.
“That is enough of that. Jackson you need to go home. Jocelyn has things to do.” Emily walked into the foyer from the kitchen.
Both of us chuckled a bit. “All right, Mother.” He rolled his eyes playfully. “I will see you tomorrow at six o’clock. Sweet dreams, my love.” He gave me another quick kiss under the scornful watch of his mother. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
CHAPTER 31
Friday, December 25, 2009
I COULD FEEL Jackson’s arm wrapped around me and his body spooned next to mine. I didn’t want to open my eyes, didn’t want to breathe, didn’t want the moment to end. Then I felt him stirring and followed by his hot breath on my neck.
“Merry Christmas, Mrs. Chandler,” he said in a low voice.
“Merry Christmas, husband.” He kissed me lightly on the cheek.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Yes. I love waking up in your arms.”
“Ditto.” His lips brushed across shoulder.
I rolled over and faced him. “I don’t ever want to go home. How am I supposed to go back into that house, sleep alone in my bed, and pretend that you’re not my husband, that we aren’t married?”
“Then don’t.”
“What?”
“Tell them the truth. We are legally married. Why not just tell them the truth?” Jackson rolled onto his back and stared up at the ceiling. “It would get you out of that house and away from all that torment.”
“Are you serious?”
“And if I said yes?”
“Jackson, this would kill my father. I can’t do that to him.” I couldn’t believe he was suggesting such a thing.
“Shane has always been very supportive of our relationship and it’s not like he does not see what is going on under his own roof. He is very aware of how difficult things are,” Jackson reasoned.
“Being supportive of your daughter because you do not wish to jeopardize your relationship with her is a lot different than being happy that she ran off and got married without your knowledge,” I tried to explain.
“But if we talked to him together, explained . . .”
“Explained what? That since we were already getting married on Christmas Eve in 1878 we wanted to have the same anniversary in 2009 or that we didn’t want to have sex until we were married and couldn’t wait six more months. Which do you think he would be more inclined to understand?” I giggled at my own absurdity.
“Since you put it that way, why don’t we explain to him that your living conditions have become unbearable and this way you would be right across the street and he could see you whenever he wishes, but you would not be subjected to the harsh treatment of your brother and mother.” Jackson traced his fingers softly over my lips.
“Do you really believe he would not be furious with us?” I raised an eyebrow at him.
“I would expect him to be upset. However, I do believe that he would be sympathetic because of your living conditions. He loves you. He doesn’t want to see you so unhappy.”
“I know, but I’m just not sure what I should do,” I sighed heavily. “But right now, I’ve gotta pee.”
I climbed out of bed wrapped in a sheet and went into the bathroom closing the door behind me. I cleaned myself up a bit and brushed my teeth all the while Jackson’s words played over and over in my mind.
Can I really tell Dad what I’ve done? Will he truly understand and be happy for us or at least, not hate us? I wasn’t nearly as sure as he was.
Still wrapped in the sheet I opened the bathroom door. Jackson was sitting on his bed, his hair all tousled with only a pair of blue boxer briefs on. The sight of his sculptured muscular body took my breath away. I still could not get used to the idea that he was my husband.
How in the world did I ever get so lucky?
“Excuse me for a moment.” Jackson stood up and went into the bathroom as I crawled back into bed. I tossed the heavy c
omforter across my legs and looked around his room. It was not a whole lot different than the one he had back in Chicago. It was obvious that he had taken only those items that would not contradict the age he was posing as with him. The artifacts that showed his true age were still here.
I crawled back out of bed and walked over to his dresser. His college degree from BU hung proudly on the wall beside it. His bookcase held dozens and dozens of various paperbacks and old college textbooks. His graduation cap with the tassel still attached was propped up in the corner on one side and his high school diploma on the other. There were various little graduation trinkets with the year proudly displayed and other little mementos. Beside the bookcase was a corkboard that held many sports awards from his former high school days, team photos, pictures of old friends, concert stubs, and all the silly things that are important enough to display. Then a prom picture caught my eye. Jackson was dressed in a black tux with a hot pink rose pinned to his jacket. He wore a black fedora and looked absolutely gorgeous. The girl beside him had long blond hair, an hourglass figure, bright blue eyes. and a short strapless black gown on. She was beyond anything I could ever hope to be. Jackson had his arm around her waist. She was turned towards him with her hand resting loosely on his chest showing off her hot pink rose wrist corsage. There were several other pictures of them with other classmates standing in front of a limo all smiling and getting ready to leave for the prom.
“That’s Brittany. She was my high school girlfriend.” Jackson slid up behind me and wrapped his arms tightly around my waist. He leaned down and kissed my neck.
“She’s gorgeous.” I kept looking at the picture of the two of them.
“I’m sorry her picture is still up. It was there when I left for BU and I guess I just never bothered to remove it. After graduation we spent all our time trying to gather information about you and then we moved to Chicago.” He reached over my shoulder to remove the picture. “Guess I should remove it.”
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