Chapter Twelve

--

Jen ran her fingers through his light hair and smiled down at his handsome face before gently pressing her soft lips to his; Wes' hands found her and ran over her torso slowly, then his arms were around her and pulling her down on top him.

"So . . . " he sighed. "When do you want to get this done?"

"Obviously," Jen said. "As soon as possible."

"I want everything to be perfect for you," Wes said. "Don't rush it."

Jen smiled, snuggling up in her fiance's arms and letting her eyes slowly close, she was exhausted, not only from the day, but the entire week. She felt Wes' breathing change and knew he had fallen asleep, a relief to her, who knew he had slept even less than the others in the past few weeks.

She rolled over and placed her hand on his bare chest, looking at the nasty scars that now covered it; they were all from his Ranger days, before that he had lived such a sheltered life.

Earlier that day, while she was out visiting Alex's grave, Wes had proposed to her and she had accepted immediately, despite the fact that they could not spend the rest of their lives together as most married couples planned. Soon she would return to the 31st Century, as commanded by Time Force; once there, she would give a full report to the admiral . . . as well as explain the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Lucas Kendall, Cara Wisnosky, and . . . Alex Collins. How she wished she could stay with him.

'It's not worth it,' she told herself, 'risking the lives of other people for love. It's not enough to do something like that.'

--

One Month Later

"I, Wesley Patrick Collins, take you Jennifer Ann Scotts, to be my lawful wedded wife." Wes took a deep breath, smiling nervously at his beautiful bride. "In sickness and in health, for better or worse, for richer for poorer, to have and to hold, forsaking all others . . . till by death are we parted."

Jen swallowed hard, squeezing Wes' hand as she began: "I, Jennifer Ann Scotts, take you Wesley Patrick Collins, to be my lawful wedded husband. In sickness and health, for better or worse, for richer for poorer, to love and to obey—" they exchanged smiles "—forsaking all others, till by death are we parted."

Neither heard the rest of the ceremony, they were too busy staring deeply into one another's eyes. In the front row sat Eric and Taylor, holding hands, showing a bright future themselves; and alongside them were the other Time Force Rangers, while the older ones sat in the row of chairs behind them.

Kimberly watched the ceremony intently, always a romantic; she had never found Mr. Right, although at times she still wondered if she would be in Jen's position—or Kat's—If she hadn't written that letter. Glancing across the room, she saw Jason standing against the wall, obviously in pain; it was incredible how much hurt remained after so many years. But then, he and Trini had always been close, even before their romance; he had almost stood up like Wes and said his vows to Trini . . . almost.

"Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Collins!"

Jen and Wes held hands as they made their way upstairs and into his bedroom for some quiet time before attending the reception; as he went into the bathroom, she lied down on their bed and ran her hands over her skirt, marveling at the beauty of the dress.

Then she saw it.

On the table next to the bed was placed a piece of paper, her name clearly inscribed on it in Alex's neat handwriting; she trembled as she picked it up and read slowly:

'Dearest Jennifer,

'If you're reading this, then you are (as I suspect you will) forming a relationship with Wes despite the fact that you two will not have much time together. And also, I am no longer able to talk to you. I know you're both going through a rough time; we all are, but most especially the two of you. And that is why I'm writing you . . .

'I talked to Admiral Fuller shortly before going to the 21st Century with you and the others, and we discussed the possibility of you remaining with Wes. He was very reluctant, but I did convince him. I did some checking into the future, and I found something that makes it quite simple for you to stay in the 21st Century. In two years time (in the future) you will no longer be with us. Therefore, there is no harm in letting you stay with Wes.

'I'm telling you, Jen--you don't have to go back with the others. You can have a life with Wes. I'm sorry that I didn't do this for you sooner, and spare you all the pain that you suffered while back in the 31st Century. I know how much you love him, Jennifer . . . because I love you all the more. Please know that I wish you no harm, I never have, even though we certainly . . . grew apart since the old days. Since you are reading this, I'm assuming I am dead, so I'd better tell you this: You already know I love you, I always will. Please be happy, that's the best way you can honor my memory. And know that I never forgot you, or the time we spent together.

'I wish you and Wes luck, and all the happiness in the world.

'Love, Alex.'

Jen couldn't hold back her tears any longer as she finished the letter, hearing Alex's voice in her mind, speaking every word.

"Jen, are you okay?"

She turned to her new husband and held up the letter, then whispered with a tremor in her voice. "Till death do we part, Wes. Not till Admiral Fuller says so."

"What?"

Wes snatched the letter and stared at it in disbelief, not noticing the slip of paper that fell as he took it from Jen's hands; his face brightened with a grin, and as they started laughing, he scooped Jen up and kissed her soundly on the lips.

Jen was already asleep when Wes crawled into bed that night, exhausted from the wedding and the late-into-the-night party afterward. He rolled onto his side and tried to fall asleep, but was kept awake by a crinkling noise coming near his feet; sitting up, he found a note lying on the sheets. In Alex's handwriting, yet again.

Glancing at Jen and taking a deep breath, he picked it up and walked into the bathroom, flipping on the light so he could read:

'Wes,

'I guess by now you've read that letter I wrote telling Jen that you two do have a future together, and you're probably pretty anxious to start that life. However, take a moment to read this:

'You know I love Jen, and you also know that I used to be her fiance. But—believe it or not—I do want you two to be together, and perhaps even marry, like I had planned to. I want Jen to be happy, and I actually want you to be, too—you've proven yourself time and time again. We all owe you.

'Treat her well, Wes, or I swear I will come back and make your life miserable. I know you love Jen, and I have faith that you will give her a good life. She deserves it. And so do you. Whether or not we love the same woman, in a very distant way—we are family, and that's something that I value. So, have a good life.

'Alex.'

P.S. Love is enough.

--