"I like being married." See if you can guess who says that? Thank you all so much for your incredible support. I hope you enjoy Jack and Elizabeth's continuing story….

The Honeymoon

Elizabeth opened her eyes, was she dreaming? Did she really ….but a smile crept on her face as she felt Jack's lips on her neck.

"Good morning Mrs. Thornton," he was behind her and gave her waist a light squeeze.

She rolled onto her back, "Good morning," she whispered, looking at him as he hovered over her, looking at her with his dreamy eyes.

Jack stared at her, unsure of what to say. "Did you sleep well?" He finally asked nervously.

"Yes, did you?" she smiled.

"I did…" his eyes looked over every inch of her face, "you sure are pretty first thing in the morning."

She raised her hand to smooth her hair, "Oh, I must be a sight."

"Yes, a beautiful sight," he kissed her sweetly before rolling onto his back and drawing her against him, "I admit I woke up a few times to make sure you were still here."

"Why, did you think I was going to leave?"

"No…no but I wanted to make sure I wasn't dreaming," he kissed her forehead.

"Oh…nice dream," she closed her eyes and smiled.

"Yes…very nice," he kissed her.

She nodded and wiggled against him. Jack smiled and held her close, "This is nice."

"It is…"

Jack thought of their tender touches last night, her soft kisses, the way her hands touched his body. He knew he would never forget the way she removed his shirt. He let out another deep sigh and held her tight.

Elizabeth was so content snuggled against Jack, but after a few moments she sat up, covering herself with the sheet.

"Where are you going?" Jack asked.

"I have to go to the…" she pointed toward the bathroom.

Jack looked realizing what she meant, "Oh…oh, let me get your robe." He got out of bed and headed to the closet, but stopped when he spotted his white shirt on the floor. Smiling he picked it up, went back to the bed and respectfully held it up for her to slip on, "Here, this will do."

Elizabeth did a double take, but slipped into the shirt, pulling it closed and gave him a shy smile as she slipped out of the bed.

Jack lay on his side propped on his elbow watching her walk away, again admiring her long legs. When she reached up and shuffled her fingers through her hair, he plopped back on the bed, "Oh ….please help me…"

Elizabeth closed the bathroom door and sighed. She looked in the mirror, her hair was askew and she raised her hands to smooth it, seeing her wedding ring, "you're a married woman, to that wonderful man…" she shook her head at her silly nerves. When she eventually opened the door, she confidently walked back to the bed to her waiting husband.

Jack looked up and watched as she walked toward the bed, she had buttoned a single button of his shirt, her hair was flowing everywhere and she looked beautiful. His heart skipped a beat as those legs walked toward him and her body peeked at him from under his own white shirt. She sat on the edge of the bed and looked over her shoulder at him.

Jack laughed and grabbed her around the waist and dragged her toward him as she squealed. He leaned over her, "I think I can't be a husband…" he said seriously, smacking his lips, "nope, not with you being so beautiful and looking so good…hmmm, going to be very difficult for me."

She smiled, "Oh, okay Jack…"

"I'm serious, you in my shirt…takes me breath away."

The corner of her mouth turned up, "Then I won't wear your shirt anymore," she unbuttoned the shirt and slowly removed it while staring into his eyes.

His mouth hung open at her seductive action and he growled. He kissed her and slipped his hands under her, "Who am I kidding, I'm going to love being a husband,' he laughed deep in his throat.

She ran her finger down his back, "That sounds more like it, Mr. Thornton." As his touches became more intimate, she raised her leg against his. They became lost with each other, giving and accepting of their love.

Jack held her, "I love you Elizabeth," he whispered breathlessly.

She ran her fingertip over his lips, "I love you too Jack, very much."

Jack rolled onto his back and she snuggled against him.

They both watched as their fingers intertwined, finally she sighed, "I'd like to stay here all day…but….."

Jack smiled, "I know….staying here sounds like a good idea to me," he touched her face. "Did you have something else in mind?"

"Coffee? Tea? Don't forget Vernon is picking us up at noon. We need to be ready."

"We'll be ready, but for now, I'm just gonna lie here and hold my beautiful wife," he pulled her warm body against his and she nuzzled into his neck, "you comfortable?"

"Completely," she said as she made circles on his chest with her finger.

Jack touched her shoulder, loving her soft skin, enjoying holding her so close.

"You know what I was thinking about?"

"I could guess…."

Jack laughed, "No…really. I was thinking when we went on the boat for our picnic that first time and the spider was on your shoulder and you flew into my arms…"

She laughed and raised her head, "Why are you thinking about that?"

"Because this week we can go on another boat ride, and I won't have to find a spider," he looked at her.

Her eyes grew wide, "Jack Thornton! Don't tease me, I know you didn't put that spider there to scare me."

"No, but it did make you fly into my arms, which was really nice," he squeezed her against him.

She shivered remembering the spider, "Eww, such a big scary spider."

He rolled onto his side, big smile on his face, "Now you have big scary me!"

She shook her head, "You don't scare me!"

He kissed her, "Good. I'll go make some coffee." He rolled out of bed and she watched him grab his breeches and walk out the bedroom door, biting her finger at the sight of him. She hurried into her closet, put on her long white robe and tied the ribbon belt at the waist. She looked into the mirror, "Visual….men are visual…" she said softly as she opened the neckline a bit and giggled. She went to the kitchen and sat at the table, the bottom half of her robe opening exposing her legs. Jack turned from the stove, "Would you like…whoa," he stopped, seeing her legs.

"What?" she responded innocently as she pulled the robe closed.

Jack looked at her legs and crouched down next to her, "Elizabeth…" he couldn't help look up and down at her body, shaking his head, "Never mind…"

She pulled the robe closed and stood, "I'm…..did I do something wrong?"

"No, no of course not," he touched her arm, "you're so beautiful and I'll just have to get used to seeing you every morning." He took her hand and kissed it, "it's going to be difficult to leave you every day."

She smiled, "I know...it's nice to be here with you….alone," she looked over at the stove, "I think the coffee's done…"

He blinked, "Oh …good, I'll get the cups."

They sat at the table drinking coffee in nervous silence, one looking at the other and then looking away.

"Oh my, what am I thinking….I should make you some breakfast!" She jumped off her chair.

"You don't have to do that, there's fruit and cheese in the icebox," he said.

"Oh," she retrieved the prepared platter and placed it on the table. They began nibbling and lovingly touched each others' hands.

Finally Jack stood, scooped her into his arms and carried her back to the bedroom. "Jack, what are you doing?" She asked, holding on tightly.

He put her down on the bed, sat next to her and looked at her out of the corner of his eye, "I know we have to get ready, but you're irresistible."

"You're pretty irresistible yourself, but we do need to get ready."

He nodded. They stood and simultaneously walked toward the bathroom, then stopped. Jack extended his hand, "Oh, you go first."

She clasped her hands together, "No, you go ahead, I can do…something else…while you use the bathroom."

"No, you should go first," he said, "that's right… isn't that how this works?" He laughed nervously.

She pulled the belt on her robe, "It'll work the way we want it to work. You go ahead, I'll make the bed and finish packing for the trip."

Jack reluctantly nodded and headed into the bathroom.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes shaking her head and went about tidying up the room and adding a few items to the bags she had already packed for their trip. She smiled hearing water running and Jack humming, she picked up his pillow and hugged it, thinking of last night and the love they shared. She felt herself gasp thinking of his tender touches, the way his hands seemed to slide over her and his kisses, sweet but passionate. She especially liked the way he held her as they fell asleep. She was caught up in her daydream and didn't hear Jack walk to her side, "Elizabeth?"

She turned, tossed the pillow onto the bed, "Jack…" she looked at him buttoning his shirt.

"Oh my…" she turned.

"Sorry, its okay if I …." he finished buttoning "Is this better?"

Elizabeth looked at him, "Yes, no, I mean, I …I'm not sure…"

Jack stuck his hands in his pockets, "Guess we have to get used to each other."

"Yes, we do," she smiled and nervously looked away.

"I'll go clean up the kitchen, you can do what you need to do…" he turned to leave.

"Thank you," she loved his respect for her. "Jack, wait," she rushed to him feeling bad, "you look very handsome."

"Thank you," he kissed her cheek.

Elizabeth pulled the clothing she would wear on the trip and neatly laid it out on the bed before going into the bathroom. She smiled noting that Jack had left the bathroom spotless.

Jack cleaned up the kitchen from their breakfast, hoping to calm his nerves. He went back into the bedroom and saw her things laid out on the bed. He touched her corset, "hello friend" he said with a chuckle and, after glancing toward the bathroom door, poked his finger at her other undergarments. "Hmm."

Elizabeth opened the bathroom door, seeing him. She quickly scooped up her clothes, "Sorry, I guess I'll get dressed in my closet." She hurried in there.

Jack stood speechless at her quick actions. He went to his own closet and packed a few of his own things and returned and sat on the bed waiting.

Elizabeth took several deep breaths trying to calm herself, she decided against the corset and stuffed it into her bag and chose a long chemise instead, thinking it would be more comfortable on the journey. She pulled up her stockings and walked to her dressing table and began brushing her hair.

Jack saw her at her dressing table and walked to the doorway. Elizabeth turned, surprised to see him there.

Jack scratched the back of his neck, "I'll bring the bags out onto the porch," he eyed her lovingly.

She twirled the hairbrush in her hand and simply nodded.

When he left, Elizabeth sighed and quickly finished dressing, rushing out to the porch to join Jack.

"You all ready?" Jack asked, sitting on a chair.

"I am," she looked at the house, "everything all set here?"

"Yes, I'll just take one more look," he smiled and went back inside.

Elizabeth waited, leaning on the railing until he came back out, stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her, "I'm excited for this trip, just us…no one to bother us…or interrupt us."

"Sounds wonderful," she smiled, leaning back on him.

"We're going to have a wonderful time," he kissed her neck and she wrapped her arms over his.

Vernon approached the house in the carriage, "Well look at them, the little lovebirds on the porch," he smiled. "Morning folks!"

Jack helped Vernon load their luggage onto the carriage.

Vernon secured the door after Jack and Elizabeth were seated, "Okay, shouldn't be too long a ride, but you'll be all snug back here, nice and private," he winked.

Elizabeth blushed and looked at Jack who was trying not to smile, "What does that mean?"

Jack turned, "I don't know….would you like me to ask him what he meant?"

"I think I know what he meant," she said softly.

"Then why'd you ask me?"

"I want to know if you know what he meant," her eyes were wide.

Jack couldn't help but laugh, "Come here, means I can kiss you all I want," he joyfully planted kisses all over her face while she playfully tried to push him away.

After their laughter subsided, Elizabeth leaned toward him, staring into his eyes, "I like being married."

Jack kissed her, "So do I…"

He pulled her close and kept his arms around her, "Hey…"

"What?" she leaned on him, getting comfortable.

"I think you forgot something."

"Oh, well I can probably get it there," she said leaning her head on his shoulder.

A smiled crept over Jack's face as his hands explored her back.

"What are you doing?" she squirmed away from him, "What? What is it?"

He whispered, "You forgot your corset," his face showing genuine concern.

She raised her hand to her mouth, "Oh no, I did?" She giggled, teasing him. "Jack, I don't always have to wear that, I thought it might be more comfortable on the ride without it."

Jack tugged at the neckline of her blouse, "So what do you have on instead?" He tried to peek.

She slapped his hand away, "None of your business."

He tilted his head, "Okay, I'll wait until later," he sat back.

She snuggled against him, "Do you really want to see now? It could cause a problem." She looked around, "I don't know if you could control yourself."

"Hmm, probably not," he looked down at her hand resting on his thigh.

"Be better if we just wait a few hours and get to the hotel…" she whispered in his ear.

"Then what…" he said.

"Into our room…" she rubbed her nose against his ear.

"and then…" he sighed.

"I'll show you everything…"

"Everything?" Jack swallowed.

"Yes, everything I'm wearing," she kissed his ear.

"And then what?"

"Then Jack, that will be up to you…" she moved her hand.

Jack moaned, turned and kissed her. "Tell Vernon to hurry up…"