“I’m sorry, I hate elevators,” I whispered, hoping the bellhop wouldn’t hear me.
“Really?” he gave me a quizzical look.
“Yes, very much so.”
“Since when?”
“For as long as I can remember. I hate enclosed spaces. They scare the life out of me.” I glanced up at the numbers, waiting impatiently.
“I’m sorry, you should have told me. We could have taken the stairs.”
“I may be in shape but even I am not that ambitious.” I smirked up at him. “Don’t worry, I am fine.”
The view from our room was breathtaking, from what I could see a safe distance from the window. I wasn’t about to admit to Jackson that I was deathly afraid of heights after confessing my fear of elevators. After the bellhop had placed our luggage in the bedroom and Jackson tipped him I stood in the middle of the living room area and absorbed the splendor of it all. I had only seen hotel rooms like this one in movies, never in real life. This was more than I could imagine for a honeymoon suite.
“This room is so beautiful. Everything about it, the view, the furniture . . . everything.” I spun around taking it all in while Jackson laughed at me. “Not to be rude, but how can we possibly afford something like this?” I could not even fathom what this place must cost.
“Don’t worry about it. It is a wedding gift from my siblings.” He walked over and took me in his arms. “I am glad you like it.”
“Are you kidding? I love it.” I gave him a gentle kiss and rested my head down on his chest.
“Want to get cleaned up and go exploring?”
“Definitely.” That was exactly what I wanted to do.
***
New York City was everything I had imagined it to be and more. It was chilly out but not cold and thankfully, there was no rain in the forecast. I threw on skinny jeans and a maroon shirt. Then a woolen blend black and cream checked knee-length coat with a black cap and the new black boots I had gotten for my birthday. The wind howled around us between the tall buildings, forcing me to wrap my black fleece scarf tighter around me and dig my gloves out of my pockets.
Jackson was wearing jeans and his bomber jacket with his olive green scarf. He was a striking sight to behold. I noticed several women turn to look at him when we passed by. I couldn’t help smiling to myself and thinking, he’s my husband. I reached over and took his hand in mine.
We toured all the attractions that all the tourists hit: Times Square, Rockefeller Center, the monument at the World Trade Centers, and everything in between. It was late afternoon before either of us realized that we had not eaten since we had left Boston early that morning. We finally settled into a small café as the sun was beginning to set. The place was a dive and probably hadn’t been updated since it opened. The checkered floors were, once upon a time, black and white. The fake red leather coverings on the bar stools were cracked and in some places ripped open. The place looked as if it couldn’t possibly have passed any health code regulation. But Alex had told Jackson that it had some of the best hamburgers in the city and insisted that we try it while we were there. So we settled into a booth in the back and had the best greasy cheeseburger and hot chocolate I’d ever tasted in my life.
“Are you enjoying yourself, Mrs. Chandler?” Jackson asked over his fountain cherry coke.
“Very much so. You?”
“Yes.”
“I wish we didn’t have to go back to Chicago.” I picked up a fry and absentmindedly played with it.
“I know, but we have to. You have to finish high school. It’s only another six months.”
“Six months,” I said softly, smearing the ketchup around my plate with the fry. “Sounds like an eternity.”
“What do you want?” He reached over and placed his hand on mine to stop my fidgeting.
“I don’t want to hide our marriage.” I dropped the fry and looked up at him. “I honestly couldn’t care less about having a wedding in June. In fact, I don’t want to have it. It’s pointless and a waste of money. All I want is to live with my husband.”
“Are you ready to go home and tell your parents that we got married on Christmas Eve? Are you ready to tell your friends? Do you really believe you could live with the fallout?” He raised his eyebrows debatably.
“If it means that we get to live together then yes, I am.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes,” I said with determination.
“We still have time to think about this before we head home. We should think about it for a few days and then decide what is best. There is no need to make a decision tonight.”
“I am not going to change my mind,” I told him.
“All right, but I just want you to consider how your dad is going to feel.”
“I know he will be upset and hurt. I expect that. Still, he lives in that house the same as I do and he knows how difficult it has become. He knows how miserable I am and that my mother and Ethan are doing everything to make it worse,” I reasoned.
“I know, but are you ready to tell your friends? I am sure Jenna will be thrilled.” He chuckled a bit.
“Honestly, I couldn’t care less about what any of them think. Jenna never asked me what I thought when she hooked up with Kyle and he was practically our brother. I thought it was sick and twisted but I never opened my mouth. And Caitlyn has no room to talk, her relationship with Zak has been on and off again for years because he acts like a moron more often than not. Plus, Hilary and Cody . . . well, there’s nothing I can pick on about them,” I laughed. “Except maybe that their relationship is too boring to be interesting.”
“Wow, Mrs. Chandler. You really should learn to express yourself.” He slurped his drink with a coy look on his face.
“Well for the last several years I have listened to them complain and brag and been supportive of their relationships whether or not I agreed with them and when I need them, all three turn judgmental. You should hear some of their lame arguments like, I am beginning to sound like you.” I mimicked Jenna’s voice. “Seriously? Like having good grammatical skills is such a terrible asset. I swear to hear them talk about your proper grammar it’s like you’re an alcoholic drug-addict who got me hooked on heroin.”
“I do not think they can be that bad,” he laughed. “You are exaggerating just a bit.”
“If I am, it’s not by much.”
It was completely dark outside by the time we left the café and headed back to the hotel. I held onto Jackson’s arm and tried to act like I wasn’t scared out of my mind. It made me extremely nervous to walk around downtown Chicago after dark and I knew my way around that city fairly well. I did my best to act casual, but in my nervousness I chatted excessively about nothing all the way back.
***
We shared a bottle of champagne and a long bubble bath in the oversized tub. Jackson had moved the champagne bucket filled with ice next to the tub and lit numerous candles around it while I was watching television. He disappeared into the bathroom a short time before and I was hoping the questionable diner we’d eaten at hadn’t made him sick. I was pleasantly surprised when he finally showed me what he was up to.
I lowered myself into the mountain of bubbles filling the heat of the hot water absorb deeply into my chilled skin. “This is fabulous, thank you.”
“I wanted to surprise you.” He climbed in across from me and handed me a champagne glass.
“I thought you were getting sick,” I laughed and he blushed.
“Thankfully, no I was not.”
“Good to hear it.”
“Do you have any idea how beautiful you look in this light?”
“Not nearly as gorgeous as you.” I sipped my bubbly.
“I cannot imagine sharing my life . . . either of my lives,” he smiled, “with anyone other than you. You have made me the happiest man alive.”
“I am so happy you came looking for me.”
“Me too. I know things may appear odd to everyone in your life here and
it is impossible to explain the truth to them. For that, I am sorry. But I am not sorry for making you my wife.”
“I know my friends and family will never understand us. I know they believe we are insane, too young and that all of this happened too fast, but I do not care. I feel as if I have lived a lifetime within these last few months with all that has happened and I have learned, I realize that I have a long way to go before I can be as comfortable with EVE as you and your family are, but already the things I have seen has utterly amazed me.”
“I am so happy you are transitioning so well.”
“That is only because of you and your family. You all have been so wonderful and understanding. There is no way I could have made it through this without you.” I reached out and took his hand in mine.
“It truly is an amazing gift.”
“Yes, it is. Considering the things I have seen already, it blows me away. I cannot wait until the barrier is completely down and I have full awareness of both time periods. I know you may have to muzzle me for the next several years or so after what happened with Phoebe there,” I laughed and he splashed me a little. “But it would be well worth it to know everything.” I splashed him back.
“You say that now, but just wait until something there frustrates you to the point of tears and you cannot do anything about it because what would solve your problem has not been invented yet.”
“Give me a for instance.”
“Let me think.” He finished off his glass and refilled it. “All right, for example, two years ago friends of ours, Clayton and Melanie, went out for a picnic by the lake with their two little girls. One of the girls got her pantaloons caught on something beneath the water. By the time Clayton got her to the shore, she was not breathing. Melanie and the other girl went for help but the nearest house was over a mile away. Their daughter was already gone by the time your father, Patrick, got there.”
“I remember that. It was awful.”
“In that case, knowing CPR or having access to a hospital, ambulance or a cell phone could have been the difference between life and death,” he explained.
“But those instances are rare are they not?” I took another sip and lowered myself deeper into the water.
“It depends on the situation. More or less a case by case basis, but I do know we have all experienced it at one time or another.”
“Okay, I see your point,” I conceded. “Nevertheless, I am still excited about it.”
“As you should be. And I promise I will be there to help you in every way I possibly can.” Jackson floated over and kissed me deeply. He lifted my glass from my hand and set it on the side of the tub with his own. A devilish grin slid across his face. “Now if you have no further questions, I would like to enjoy this bubble bath with my beautiful wife.”
CHAPTER 36
Sunday, January 1, 1879
JACKSON AND I awoke early for church services. Cora came in after Jackson had gotten dressed and headed downstairs for breakfast. I was starting to get used to our morning routine and how she fixed my hair. I was now wearing it pulled up at the nap of my neck and I hated it even though Cora did such a beautiful job with it. I had always loved my hair down and wasn’t sure if I would ever get accustomed to wearing it up. Luckily, she did leave a few stray curls loose to accent my facial features.
She tied my stays much tighter than Mimi ever did, probably because she was younger and much stronger, but I could hardly breathe. My ribs ached and it was impossible for me to inhale deeply by the time she slipped my dark green velvet gown over my head.
Davonte drove us to Sunday services in our new carriage with our two new young stallions that were a gift from all my brothers. They were a beautiful pair, coal black and named Cheyenne and Jasper. We were hopeful that in the next few years they would give us a beautiful foal.
We arrived several minutes early and were greeted by all our neighbors and friends who had not seen us since our wedding. Jackson and I had been keeping mostly to ourselves since Christmas and this was our first public appearance as a married couple. I had forgotten how big of a deal it was to everyone. We shook hands, hugged, smiled, and struggled to make our way towards the front to join Lee and Elizabeth.
After another long sermon from Pastor Jacobs welcoming in the New Year and warning us all to bid our tidings, I finally got the opportunity to speak to Elizabeth. Jackson knew I was anxious to do so, so he casually directed Mr. Lee a small distance from us, giving her and me the chance to speak alone without being overheard in case my mother or hers was mistaken.
“Well, Mrs. Chandler, how is married life?” she asked.
“Wonderful. I have never been so happy. Jackson is such an amazing man. I feel like the luckiest woman in the world,” I said proudly.
“Make that the second luckiest.” She thrust her hand forward for me to see the beautiful ring adorning her left ring finger. “Mr. Lee asked me to marry him on Christmas,” she beamed.
“Oh Elizabeth, it is so elegant. I love it!” I admired it fully before hugging her. “I am so happy for you. When is the big day?”
“We were thinking about the end of next summer, most likely August or September. I want to be sure we have enough time to plan everything.” She smiled over in Lee’s direction.
“Well, I think it is wonderful. You two must come over this evening for coffee. In fact, we should invite Olivia, William, Laurie, Theodore, Christina, Thomas, Dimitri and Evelyn over as well. We shall make a small little engagement celebration for you.”
“Are you sure that is not too much trouble? I know you two have barely settled into your new home.”
“Of course not, we would love to do it. Besides it will give our new cook, Tamesha, a chance to show off. I am sure she gets bored cooking for us two when she is so used to such lavish parties at her former employers,” I assured her.
“All right then, what time would you like us there?”
“Is four thirty too early?”
“It is perfect. Let me just tell Lee.”
She made her way towards her fiancé as my husband crossed through the crowd back to me. I explained to him what Elizabeth had told me and how I wanted to have our group of friends come by late that afternoon for coffee and treats. He thought it was a wonderful idea and we spent the next thirty minutes inviting everyone on our list.
Jackson and I stopped by our house for a moment on our way to Sunday dinner with our families to let Tamesha know we would be expecting guests later that afternoon. She and Bertina seemed excited that I gave her free reign over what they could serve.
***
Laurie and Theodore were the first to arrive, followed closely by Christina and Thomas. We had barely gotten seated in the parlor when Dimitri and Evelyn got there. I had to admit they looked really sweet together and complimented each other’s personalities well. William and Olivia were next to arrive and then finally Lee with Elizabeth.
Bertina and Betsy came in once everyone was there with silver trays of coffee, wafers, and cheese and little white mini cakes with chocolate frosting. Bertina was trying to teach Betsy how to serve guests and she was quite the darling little sight to behold. She mumbled and fumbled about trying to remember every little thing her aunt had told her.
Jackson and I stood together in front of the hearth. The heat from the blazing fire was almost too much. Davonte had done well at keeping the cold air from reaching our little party.
Jackson greeted everyone. “I would like to thank everyone for coming on such short notice, but my beautiful wife and I wanted to formally congratulate Mr. Lee and Ms. Elizabeth on their upcoming nuptials.” Jackson raised his cup towards the happy couple.” I wish you two all the happiness that I have been so blessed to share with Jocelyn. Congratulations!”
“Congratulations!” Sprang out in chorus from everyone in the room.
“Thank you all so much. I must admit I was a little leery when I first moved here from Indianapolis. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagin
e I would find what I was always looking for . . . a wonderful, beautiful, and intelligent lady and a group of amazing friends who have made me feel truly at home. I am indeed very blessed.” Lee tipped his mug to the room.
We spent the rest of the evening reminiscing about the days gone by with our youth. We filled Lee’s ear with all the trials and tribulations that had fallen upon our group in the rowdier, more carefree days that had disappeared with time. Jackson and William, who were slightly older than the other boys, apparently had done some antics that neither Olivia nor I had known about. Still, neither of us was surprised by what we heard. I had heard my parents mutter numerous times over the years that ‘what one of them did not think of, the other one did.’
The house cleared out around nine o’clock. All of the young ladies, save Olivia, had to return to school tomorrow as did the young men except of course Jackson and Lee. While William did not have classes until Tuesday, he did have to get some sleep so he could travel back to campus in the morning after breakfast. The food was delicious, the company divine. All in all, our first time playing host and hostess, I would have to say was very successful.
CHAPTER 37
Sunday, January 3, 2010
OUR HONEYMOON in New York City flew by with the blink of an eye. I savored every possible moment with Jackson as we toured the busy city. It was beautifully decorated for Christmas and everyone seemed in such a festive mood. We completed our honeymoon on New Year’s Eve with our last evening in Times Square with thousands of strangers freezing and screaming in the New Year. The next morning we checked out of our lovely hotel and drove back across the river, heading towards Boston. I had silently wished we could stay in that city forever, just the two of us. I hated to consider what was awaiting me back in Chicago and I selfishly wanted to keep Jackson all to myself.
***
Perception Page 27