"You're right. I guess I'm over-thinking things."
***
Sarah prepared stuffed crown roast with vegetables and homemade applesauce for dinner. Jackson joked, "You realize there are only four of us here?"
"I know. I want you to have leftovers. You can slice between the bone and sauté them."
He rolled his eyes and drawled like a schoolboy, "Thanks Mom. Hey, what would you think about turning one of the south facing bedrooms into a studio for Elisabeth."
"Oh, that's so exciting! Don't start without me. I want to help decorate. And we already have all those supplies downstairs. It will be wonderful! The best!"
Jackson gave Elisabeth an 'I told you so' smirk, then blew her a kiss.
After dinner, Connor and Sarah said goodnight. "Connor wants to leave at the crack of dawn."
Elisabeth and Jackson talked in bed for a long while, both worried that tomorrow might alter their relationship irrevocably. They were determined to enjoy every minute of easiness before dealing with the reality of the full moon. Jackson could feel Elisabeth's anguish, and tried unsuccessfully to hide his own.
In the morning, they found an envelope on the counter in the kitchen. It was a note from Sarah. "Please stay safe tonight. I couldn't bear it if anything happened to either of you. I love you both, Sarah."
The couple spent most of the day quiet, holding each other, staying connected. They went for a walk after lunch. Nearly all the leaves had fallen off the trees except for the huge scarlet oak in the back yard. It still held about half of its bright red leaves. Jackson looked up with a sad expression. "I miss them already."
Elisabeth hugged his waist. "I know, I do too."
He cupped her face with his hands. "I love you more than I ever dreamed possible and nothing will ever change that."
"We'll see about that soon enough."
He tightened his grip slightly. "I need you to believe me. I don't want you going into that room doubting my feelings."
Her eyes filled with tears. "I believe you." He held her close as she wept softly into his chest.
***
Jackson grilled steaks for dinner, and when they were through cleaning up, Elisabeth said, "I better get down there."
He kissed her forehead. "Let's go."
They walked in silence to the holding cell. Jackson unlocked the door and they entered together.
Elisabeth turned to him. "You have the car by the door?"
"Yes."
"And the keys?" He removed them from his pocket to show her. She picked up the duvet from the bed and draped it on the sofa, then undressed. "Clothes don't fare very well through the transformation." She wrapped the duvet around herself. "Ready."