The Bachelor's Bride

Chapter 19-Etta

That evening was very different, because Jack stepped into the doorway with a huge smile on his face. He came over and gave me a giant hug, kissing me lightly on the lips, "You won't believe what happened!"

"I...ummm....what?" I said, feeling a bit dizzy from the unexpected kiss. I wanted to feel angry at him because only a few days before he was accusing me of adultery.

But his kisses were always completely disarming and it was hard to protest his attentions.

"I talked to a Mrs. Rodriguez today at lunch. She worked at the factory." He began explaining.

"I remember her." I recalled, turning to stir the pot of now boiling stew. I got a few bowls from the cabinets. "She always brought the girls homemade cookies each Friday. She was a sweet woman. I'm glad she's okay."

"She seems to be doing perfectly fine. Anyways." Jack brushed off the comment. "She told me that Mr. Jeffers went around and locked all the doors before the fire started. She watched the man do it."

"I assumed as much." I shrugged.

Jack sounded disappointed, "You don't seem surprised. This could change everything, Etta! It'll make a great dory in the paper and maybe the police can use the information to move the investigation forward."

"I'm sure they already took her statement, Jack. But a statement isn't enough to arrest a man." I explained. "Could you get Meredith for me? She's been napping for the past hour."

Jack's disappointment immediately turned to worry. It warmed my heart slightly to see that he cared for his sister so much. He made a move towards her room, "Is she feeling alright?"

I shook my head, "She mentioned feeling sick to her stomach and needing to lie down."

Jack hurried off to his sister. I was sure it was only a small cold or something of the sort. She had seemed alright this morning while playing with Elliot. When she came from the room with Jack, she looked paler than usual.

"Have a seat, Mer." Jack guided her to the table.

"I made some light stew." I handed her a bowl before taking a seat as well.

"Thanks, Etta." Meredith tried to smile. After a few bites, she stopped eating and stood up. Jack stood as well to help her but she waved him off. "It's fine. I just need to sleep this off."

I nodded and watched her go, worry lines etched into my face, "I'll see how she does tomorrow."

We ate in silence and Jack helped me clean up the remaining dishes.

"You know," He said awkwardly, breaking the silence. "I really wish I could figure out who started that fire. It would mean a lot for everyone."

I wiped my hands clean on a towel and leaned my hip on the counter top, studying the disappointment in his face. I rested my hand on his clenched fist and smiled, "It's alright if you don't."

"I can't let the man who hurt you get away like that." He said through clenched teeth.

I pulled my hand away slightly, afraid of the anger in his voice. I hadn't ever seen Jack get this upset. Jack caught my hand in his, looking up into my face, "Etta, I know I'm the worst husband a girl could ask for. But I care about you more than anything. I wanted to make you happy."

I smile at his words, "I don't need you to find the man who started the fire to make me happy. I have you and Meredith and I get to see Elliot everyday. That makes me happy." I looked down at our hands. "You aren't the worst husband, either."

"I blamed you for adultery." He said, his voice cracking in pain. I could see how sorry he was in his deep blue eyes. "I was acting stupid and I hate myself for hurting you."

"But you didn't mean the things you said. I know you didn't." I held his hand to my face. "Besides, I already forgave you because I love you Jack."

I held my breath as he studied my face, afraid of his rejection. Even though he had hurt me so many times, Jack had stuck with me through all the ups and downs in my life. I cared about him more than I liked to admit. And I was deathly afraid he wouldn't be able to return those feelings.

Jack carefully cradled my face and kissed me on the lips. I wanted to kiss him back, but I felt frozen. The tears that had been heating up behind my eyelids escaped and Jack pulled away suddenly, his voice rich and deep as he spoke, "What's wrong?"

"Do you not love me?" I hurriedly wiped my cheeks, a blush rising up my neck. I needed to keep up a front in case he rejected me. I couldn't handle anymore heartbreak.

"Of course I love you." He kissed the tip of my nose before kissing my lips again. "I love you, Etta."

When he kissed me again, it felt different, a if he had been holding himself back before. Maybe he had been worried about the same things as I, and I hadn't realized it. I melted it his embrace, my fingers tracing the muscles of his stomach as his hands  fumbled with the buttons on my dress. I grabbed his hands, "Jack, I-"

"What?" He breathed against my lips. "It's okay."

He kissed me lightly before taking a deep breath and stepping away from me. I awkwardly fixed my hair, "It's not you, Jack. But I feel bad doing this while Meredith is in there feeling sick."

I was expecting for Jack to be angry and disappointed. Instead, his eyes warmed with understanding, "Of course. You should probably stay with her, in case she gets worse through out the night."

I nodded and kissed him on the cheek, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Etta."

A/N
And you all thought something was gonna happen. 😉😜

I tried to write a lot more for this chapter since I have seriously been slacking!

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@tj0384
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@booknerd744
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@flyingintothesky
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As Always
Stay Awesome Possums
Rosanna🌺🌵🌸