He reached into his pocket and pulled out a key with a red ribbon on it. "I was going to wait until later to give you this, but now seems like the right time."
Elisabeth lifted her palm to the key. "Ah, is this the key to your heart?"
"No, you've had that since first we met. It's the key to your new studio."
Her mouth dropped open. "What? It's finished?
"I put extra workers on it two weeks ago."
"You didn't! I have to see it." She jumped up and rushed to the back door with the three vampires close behind.
The studio was larger than the one at Elisabeth's house. It had state of the art climate control and museum quality glass throughout. The attention to detail proved Jackson had spared no expense, and although Elisabeth had been peeved that he refused to let her inside during construction, she was now glad. "This is beyond perfect."
The embrace around Jackson's neck became more a vertical head-lock than a hug.
"Um, think you could curb your enthusiasm? You're choking me."
"Oh, sorry." Elisabeth released her grip and smoothed his hair. "So, I guess I should put my house on the market."
"I thought you might like to keep it and turn it into a commercial gallery. It's a great location."
"It's not zoned for a full-time business. I looked into that when I bought it. I can have open houses a few times a year, and clients can sit for a portrait, that's about it. I understand the zoning laws here are very strict."
Jackson cupped her chin. "Darlin', you may be immune to my power of persuasion, but I'm quite certain a group of pencil pushing Napoleons will succumb to my charms. The real issue is whether or not you want to assume the responsibility of a full-time business."
Sarah's screech echoed through the empty building. "Oooh, let me run it. Pleeeeze? It will be marvelous. I promise."
"I can't ask you to do that. I think it's best I sell the house. Why complicate things?"
Sarah put on a pout and crossed her arms as Jackson spoke, "You know, Sarah is much smarter in business than she seems."
She was so intent on the new project, the insult went unmatched. "I really am, and I have oodles of ideas for marketing.
"I know you would make a huge success of it, but it's so much work."
"You let me worry about that. Keep your mind free for creating." She clapped her hands. "It's going to be the best!"
Elisabeth threw her hands in the air, and Connor chuckled. "Well, that's settled. Let's go have dessert."