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Love Left Behind Page 108
Author: S.H. Kolee

Trisha had been somewhat mollified when Jackson told her that he was planning on being based out of New York because he knew my job was important to me, and that we would face any challenges together.

Christmas had been spent in Westchester with Jackson's family and I finally got to meet his father, his brother Ryan, and his extended family. I had been nervous, but everyone had embraced me and we had a wonderful holiday. I had never seen Jackson so content, had never heard him laugh so easily, and it had warmed me, heart and soul.

New Year's Eve had been a bit of a battle. Jackson was contracted for a celebrity telecast that was being filmed live in L.A., benefitting a charity raising money for heart disease. A beloved celebrity had passed away from a heart attack earlier in the year and his colleagues were gathering to raise money on his behalf, an unprecedented event filled with A-list celebrities. I had been touched when Jackson explained he had agreed to the telecast, something he had signed on for before we had met again, because I had lost my father due to a heart attack. But I was unable to join him because of too many obligations at work, and Jackson had been a royal pain trying to get me to take time off.

In the end, I had stood firm and stayed in New York, but it had been lonely being without him on New Year's Eve. I had watched the program, but seeing Jackson on my television screen made me feel even lonelier. The one bright spot was when Jackson narrated a segment about the lives the charity had helped save, my heart squeezing with love when I heard John Lennon's Imagine as the accompanying music.

I had cried watching the montage, wishing that I had thrown my work obligations out the window so that I could be with Jackson. He had called me shortly after midnight when the telecast was over, telling me he loved me and would see me soon. I had fallen asleep with those words on my mind, and I had been overjoyed when I woke up to find myself in Jackson's arms. He was completely clothed and sleeping soundly, looking exhausted from having taken the redeye back to New York. I had woken him up with my lips and hands, showing him how much I loved him and missed him.

It was now mid-February and we were flying to L.A. I had taken a couple of weeks off from work so I could stay in California while Jackson negotiated some offers he had received. I knew Jackson was holding off on accepting any roles because he didn't want us to be apart, but I insisted that his career was important and that I was willing to make the sacrifices necessary for Jackson to pursue what he loved. I knew how much satisfaction and gratification Jackson got from acting, and I didn't want to take that away from him. Even though I would miss him since he was bound to be shooting on location somewhere far from New York, I was confident in our relationship and knew our bond would never break.

Craig got us to the airport in record time and I was relieved when we boarded the plane.

"Isn't Craig coming with us?" I was confused when Craig wished us safe travels with a smile after he dropped us off, and then got back into the SUV. He always came with us whenever we traveled, although Jackson usually did all the driving outside of New York with Craig only filling the capacity of bodyguard. The only times Craig didn't travel with Jackson was when I had to stay behind for work. Jackson was insistent that Craig stay with me.

"No, he's staying in New York." Jackson didn't offer further explanation and I was too distracted boarding the plane to ask. The pilot greeted us and then we settled into the luxurious seats, buckling our seatbelts. Even though I had flown on private jets multiple times with Jackson now, I still couldn't get used to the luxury. It would be hard to ever fly coach after this.

The pilot went through some safety checks with us and then told us we would be taking off shortly. Jackson held my hand, knowing that I got a little nervous flying in a small plane.

"Where's the flight attendant?" I asked, craning my neck to look behind us. The plane only had eight seats, but there was also a lounge behind us where we were free to move around once we reached our cruising altitude. The flight attendant was usually strapped in a seat in the front but I didn't see her.

"We don't have one on this flight."

"Oh," I said confused. We always had a flight attendant on our private flights. I brightened, looking at Jackson approvingly. "A cost-cutting measure. Good for you."

Jackson grinned at me, looking highly amused, but I chalked it up to being excited about going back to L.A. He had mentioned looking at some new property since his current apartment was pretty small and sparse. I had been surprised the first time I had seen it, expecting something much grander. Jackson had shrugged his shoulders, saying that he hadn't thought much was necessary since he just considered it a place to sleep. He insisted that he wanted my input on the new place since I would be living there as well, and I was flattered that he wanted my opinion.

Once the pilot announced that we could move around the plane, Jackson and I both unbuckled our seatbelts and moved to the back to stretch out on the sofa.

"Are you hungry?" Jackson asked.

"Aren't I always?" I smiled as I watched Jackson play flight attendant, opening a small refrigerator in the back and pulling out a large platter as well as a bottle of champagne.

"What's the occasion?" I asked with a raised eyebrow, looking pointedly at the champagne. Jackson set the platter full of meats, cheeses and crackers on the low table in front of us and proceeded to open the bottle expertly with a small pop.

"Do I need a special occasion to enjoy a glass of champagne with the woman I love?" Jackson leaned down to give me a quick kiss before filling two flutes, handing me one.

"I guess not." I took a sip of the wine, feeling deliriously happy as the bubbles tickled my nose. Jackson frowned, looking a little put out.

"We haven't toasted yet."

I suppressed a grin at Jackson's expression of boyish displeasure and put on a face of chagrin. "Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead."

Jackson smirked as if he knew I was laughing at him, but then his smirk transformed into a gentle smile as he gazed at me.

"Emma, I can't tell you how happy I've been these past few months. Spending my life with you is all I could ever ask for. Anything else is a bonus." Jackson reached over, cupping my cheek gently with his hand as his gaze lowered to the diamond pendant that had found its home again around my neck. My heart started beating faster, wondering if this was the moment. Jackson and I had never explicitly discussed marriage but I assumed it was in the future, although I hadn't expected it to happen so soon.

"To spending the rest of our lives together." Jackson clinked his glass with mine and took a sip of his champagne. I released the breath I didn't realize I had been holding, feeling a little deflated by the lack of a proposal, but I dismissed the thought. It was too soon and I was just happy to be with Jackson now.

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