Look Around

Jacob and Eliza walked across his parents yard to his house. He opened the front door and stood to the side while Eliza walked through. Then he came in and closed the door, setting his things in the foyer. The place smelled clean and cool. He was sure his mother had probably cleaned the place thoroughly when he left. He was grateful to her right now for washing away the smell of every woman he had brought home when he was trying to get over Lorena. Jacob wanted a fresh start in his life. He didn’t want Eliza to think he was the same childish man that left here over eight months ago.

“Do you want to look around? Let me give you the tour,” said Jacob. Eliza nodded her head yes and gave him a quick smile.

He took her hand and walked her through the main floor. Then they went out the kitchen to the patio. Eliza walked to the pool and knelt down. She swished her fingers around the cold water.

Eliza had lived in a castle, Jacob knew he could never give her that but he was hoping that his home was to her liking.

“You didn’t show me upstairs Jacob.”

He took her hand in his again and then went inside to show her the bedrooms upstairs. There were three. He started at the right side of the stairs and took her to what used to be his uncle's bedroom. Tessa never really touched it after he died. It could use repainted and the bedding was outdated.

Then they went to the middle bedroom that had been his mothers. When Tessa moved in with Logan and the older Jacob, they gave her the master suite. It was painted grey and had white crown moulding. The bathroom was green tile with a clawfoot tub and separate glass shower.

Then Jacob led Eliza to his bedroom. Having her there, in his private domain made his heart begin to race. He could hear that Eliza was having the same reaction. The tension was strong between them. Neither of them said anything. Eliza walked around the room, touching the furniture. Looking at the photos of his family on the dresser. Then she went to the window on the far side and pulled the blinds apart while she looked out.

“We can redo the master bedroom Eliza, we don’t have to stay in this room,” said Jacob.

ELiza turned to look at him and raised her eyebrow. Jacob then realized what he had said, he hadn’t asked her to move in with him. He just assumed it would happen.

“I mean, when...if you move in with me. We can have the better room. Mom and dad moved into the big house when my grandparents retired and built a smaller place. I just stayed in the room I grew up in.”

Eliza turned back to the window and said, “It’s alright Jacob, I know what you meant.”

When Jacob first met Eliza, all he wanted was to fuck her immediately. But after spending time in the house she was born in, after hearing about her life, things were different. He still wanted her badly, but he wanted to take things slow. Or at least, he didn’t want to rush her. He didn’t want to make a mistake.

Eliza backed away from the window and sat on Jacob's bed. “Are you annoyed with me for not telling you I already knew your mum?”

“Not really. I just don’t understand why you kept it from me.” Jacob leaned against his doorway and crossed his arms.

“I just didn’t want to force anything. I wanted to see how things unfolded. I knew when I met you Jacob that this was special. I knew it was Fate. I also knew if I told you or Tessa, that you would cut your trip short. I didn’t want you rushing back just because of me.”

Jacob said, “All I wanted was to be with you. I wanted to leave Haldir and stay in England with you. But, you’re right I’m glad I didn’t. Haldir took me to where you were born Eliza, where you died. He took me to where your parents lived in Savannah. He told me everything about what happened to you and your parents. I feel like I know you so much better than if I had just stayed in England and tried to get you into bed like I wanted to.”

Eliza teared up. “You went to my house, the cabin? I didn’t even know it still stood. It was nearly 140 years ago.”

Jacob sat beside Eliza on the bed and took her hand then kissed the back of it.

“I stood where your mother gave birth to you. I could see your dad holding you in his arms. I could hear you crying. Then I stood where you died Eliza. I saw it,” Jacob’s eyes watered over and he sucked in a breath trying to fight back his tears. With a shaky voice he continued, “I didn’t know, not until that moment that you were all I wanted. Seeing that happen to you ripped my heart out. The thought of never having you in my life. Of you suffering. It was devastating. I would do anything to make sure that never happens again. I’m so in love with you Eliza.”

He couldn’t even look at her face, everything hinged on what Eliza was about to say. He had never been as afraid of anything as he was at what would come from her mouth.

Eliza ran her fingers through his hair. " I love you too Jacob. I love you, your family.All of it.”

Jacob lifted his head, slowly pushed Eliza back on the bed then crawled on top of her. He leaned in and kissed her red lips. Gently. Eliza ran her hands along his back then put her hands in his hair.

Jacob moved down her face, placing tiny kisses as he went. Then he kissed down her neck .She gasped and moaned a light “mmm” as he began to suck on the crook of her neck gently. His inner wolf was telling him to claim Eliza now, but he just closed his eyes and returned to her mouth. Then he pulled away and looked at her, “Marry me Eliza.”

“Are you certain Jacob? You don’t have to. I’m not going anywhere.”

“I know what I want Eliza.I want you.”

“Well alright then,” said Eliza with a grin.

Jacob rolled over onto the bed, facing Eliza. “I want to do this right. I want you to know that you’re safe with me. Not just that I’ll do whatever I can to protect you, but that I’m not going to do anything that messes this up.”

“I believe you...I hate to be a Debbie Downer right now, but I need to get back to the infirmary. I have a few patients I need to see.”

“Ugh...I have to share you with everyone already,” Jacob said jokingly.

“No Jacob, you have my undivided attention, I assure you. We can meet back up at your parents house for dinner. I’m sure your mum has a feast prepared for your homecoming.”

“Alright, alright. I’ll drive you over. C’mon.” said Jacob as he grabbed her hand and pulled her to standing.

They went downstairs and Jacob stopped to get his keys from the hook in the foyer when Eliza started looking at the cradle he had brought with him. “Jacob where did you get that?”

“It was yours Eliza. I took it from the cabin. I thought you should have it.”

Eliza knelt down and rocked the cradle a few times. “I can’t believe I was ever so little. My father must’ve made this. He was very good with his hands, things like this. Simple, decent man. Just wanted a simple life for us. It’s so unbelievable that it turned out to be anything but simple.”

She stood back up and continued looking at the cradle. “I don’t know how they did it. How they woke up again in each life knowing they were meant to suffer, how they just kept going on even though they knew how it would end. It must’ve been just bloody awful.”

Eliza was starting to cry and brought her hands up to wipe her eyes.

Jacob came behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “They were meant to be Eliza. Their love got them through it. Knowing that no matter what, they would always find their way back to each other, to you.I admire the hell out of them.How they fought for each other. I can’t wait to meet them someday.”

“Oh,I’d love that too Jacob. I miss them so.”

“Can’t they visit from other world?” asked Jacob.

Eliza shook her head no. “ I wouldn’t expect them to. They’re safe there. My dad is a lot like yours. He worships my mum. She went through so much and he just wants to keep her in this tiny little bubble where no one can touch her. I was surprised when he was supportive of my coming here.”

“Yeah, that is weird. I would’ve thought he would’ve wanted to do the same thing to you.”

“My dad is like Haldir that way. He can see things, has premonitions. I imagine he saw this Jacob. You and I. He loves my mum so much, he would want me to have that too.”

Jacob turned Eliza around and gave her a quick, soft kiss. Then, he took her hand and led her into the garage.

He hit the button for the garage door and then opened the passenger door to his car and waited for Eliza to get in. Then he walked around the front and got in.

It was a quick drive to the infirmary, it was right across the road from the main house.But, Jacob put his hand on Eliza’s and brought it close to his lap. It felt right and comfortable.

He kept glancing from the road ahead of him to her. He couldn’t believe she was really here with him or how good she looked sitting there. Her chestnut hair glowed as the sun hit it, bringing out its red highlights and reflecting off her pale skin.

When Jacob pulled up to the infirmary, he leaned over and kissed Eliza. “I’ll see you at dinner.”

“I’ll be there Jacob.”