3

Elle

The excitement I was feeling in preparation of our midnight matinee at the Globe completely washed away the dread harboring in my heart of Jude's impending travels. I'd seen Shakespearean plays performed in high school and college, but they didn't involve the level of acting I knew we were in for that night. And Romeo and Juliet, I mean, come on, could it be more perfect?

I remembered thinking just a few days into our relationship that we were competing with Romeo and Juliet for quickest nose dive into love, but I could easily draw another parallel between us. I picked up their wonderful quality of not really thinking things through. Of course, my superb ability to jump to the worst possible conclusions didn't lead to anything catastrophic as it did for them, but it was the catalyst to many of our spats. Luckily, that little flaw of mine faded away; I knew Jude wouldn't betray me and being confident in our relationship was the best feeling in the world.

Thoughts of the star-crossed lovers from Verona swarmed around in my head as I got dressed in Jude's (our?) bedroom. Jude had told me to dress warmly, so I pulled on layer after layer to fight the frigid winter air. I was bundled up so snuggly that it was difficult to zip up my jacket, but I was sure that the wind had zero chance of reaching my skin. As I finished pulling on my gloves, I walked into the kitchen where Jude was preparing two thermoses of hot chocolate. The moment he sensed my presence, he turned around, and the laughter that broke from his chest shook the entire house.

"Babe," he stopped in an effort to catch his breath from his laughing fit, "you look like the kid from that Christmas movie who falls in the snow and can't get up."

"Okay, one, that is my least favorite Christmas movie. I just don't get the fascination with that leg lamp. Two, you gave me specific instructions to dress warmly!"

His laughter started all over again.

"Please explain to me exactly what it is that's so funny."

"How many scarves have you got on?" he asked.

"How many do you think I have on?"

He eyed my neck and torso as if he were able to see through my puffy jacket. "I'm going to go with four."

"NOPE. Three. See, it's not even as many as you think."

"You've still got two too many on."

I rolled my eyes and turned back to the hallway to return some of my layers. I felt Jude follow me the whole way.

"Don't worry, I'm removing some of the clothing so you don't have to look like you're on a date with the marshmallow man."

But before I could reach up to unzip the jacket that was pulled tightly around my frame, Jude's hands reached for the zipper. He carefully unzipped my jacket, and once my lungs had room to allow air into them, he moved on to the scarves around my neck. He removed the top two I'd been wearing and then peered at my torso.

"I'm sorry, Elle. I didn't mean we had to dress this warmly. It's an open air theater, but I'm sure they'll have heaters. Now, please, love, don't take this the wrong way, but how many jumpers are you wearing?"

A low guttural growl came out of my mouth. "Maybe if I had a little more direction, I wouldn't have wasted so much time layering on all of these stupid clothes! I'll be back down in a minute." I made a move to pull away from Jude so I could retreat upstairs and remove the two extra sweaters I was wearing, but he grasped onto my jacket. He pulled me in and set his lips on mine. I could taste that he'd been testing the cocoa.

"You don't know what you do to me, Elle."

My heart was fluttering in my chest at his words. "I think I've got a pretty good idea." I gave him a wink, popped up on my tiptoes, and resealed my lips on his, savoring their taste. I knew I'd be craving it all too soon. "I'm going to go change. You finish the hot cocoa so we can get going." He bent down to peck my lips one more time before releasing me.

After shedding some of my layers (and feeling infinitely more comfortable) I met Jude at the bottom of the stairs. He had on a black peacoat with a maroon scarf wrapped snuggly around his neck. A matching beanie held down his curls.

"I didn't peg you for someone who'd purchase matching accessories." It was finally my turn to poke a little fun at him.

"Didn't buy them. Mum knitted them for me a few years ago."

Seriously? "Of course she did. Is there anything your mom can't do?"

"Nope. She's a pretty special woman." A rosy blush was building in his cheeks, and it reminded me of how much I adored his family and the way they loved each other. They may have been broken at one time, but they sure knew how to put themselves back together.

"Shall we?" He handed me a thermos of hot chocolate, and I followed him out to his car.

During the entire ride to the theater, I watched Jude drive. I don't know why, but I absolutely loved watching him. His face would get this really serious look on it when he drove, like he was trying to be extra careful. I'd like to think it was because he wanted to ensure our safety. Can't really have a relationship without two beating hearts.

He had his left arm resting on the center console, so I grabbed his hand and held it in both of mine in my lap.

"You drive awfully carefully, Jude. I don't think I've ever seen you go a hair over the speed limit."

He pulled up to a stop sign and turned to me. "Precious cargo, love."

He really knew how to shoot an arrow right through my heart.

"Does that mean you drive recklessly without me? I seem to remember you didn't wear a helmet when driving your motorcycle till quite recently."

"I don't mean to sound arrogant, but I think you'd be pretty heartbroken if anything were to happen to me, and it'll never be my intention to break that heart of yours."

"Are you sure you have to work? I mean, you've had a nice, long career. Maybe you can retire."

"Yes, Elle, nine years is a wonderfully long career. A lifetime really." He winked at me as he pulled the car into a parking space.

We entered the theater hand in hand, and I soaked in my surroundings, etching them into my memory. The theater looked exactly as every diagram I'd ever seen in college. The only modern touches were the lighting and the space heaters.

Jude and I took our seats, and we were luckily placed near one of the heating units. It was toasty enough that we could remove our hats and gloves. We placed them under our seats and then chatted quietly as the rest of the audience filled in.

"See? We've got a perfect heating element next to us. Should keep us nice and warm the entire evening." He put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me in close.

"You don't see the electric kind often, but, given the Globe's history, I guess they thought it might be bad luck to use the ones with live flames," I said.

He laughed and then reached back under his seat to grab his thermos of cocoa. Once he was finished drinking, I looked over to him.

"Can I have a sip?"

"You don't like yours?" He had genuine confusion written across his features.

"Haven't tried it yet, and I'm just feeling lazy and yours is already open."

He rolled his eyes, but handed it over anyways. "You might not like it."

"Why wouldn't I like it?" I took a sip, and it took nearly everything I had not to spit it back in the thermos. "What the hell did you put in here?"

He was holding back his laughter, tears nearly threatening to burst from his eyes. "I wanted to make sure they'd keep us extra warm, so I spiked them. Mine's got whiskey in it. I put some orange liquor in yours. I know how much you love those chocolate orange candies you get at Christmas."

I didn't deserve such a wonderful human being.

"You're really something incredible, Jude Anderson."

"I want tonight to be perfect for you, Elle. I love you." He leaned into me and placed a kiss on my lips.

"I love you too."

And with that, the lights dimmed, and the play began.

Now, here's the thing about Romeo and Juliet. Some people will say, 'they're just two stupid teenagers who acted on impulses and ended up causing six deaths in the span of three days.' But then there are others, like me, who will say 'but the love they had for each other was genuine and true and pure and once in a lifetime.' Sure, Romeo moved on from Rosaline in like under an hour, and yes, Juliet may have been feeling rebellious because of the pressures put on her by her parents, but, in the end, the two of them were willing to die for each other. They would rather end their earthly lives than live a life without the other. If that's not love, I don't know what is.