Hard Time (Part Eleven)

Randall Sr. and Jr. sat in complete disbelief at what had just transpired. Chris had always been more of a free spirit, but Vance was not one to speak out. Ever. Vance always rode the middle of the stream and never really took a side to anything. Not to mention the fact that Vance was right. Lydia Lyons would have sided with Elisabeth. Lydia had always been fair, and gave everyone a chance no matter their misdeeds. She had often given the prisoners cookies on birthdays before her death. She had always been kind to each and every one of them, treating them as equals.1

Randy Jr. drew in a sharp breath. "I don't know what to make of this, dad. Maybe...maybe Vance and Chris are right. Elisabeth isn't the kind to lose her head over anything. Maybe there really is more to Scott than we know. I remember he tried to be polite at the prison, but we never even gave him a chance. You know that if Mom would have been there she would have at least talked to him."2

"What the hell son? Are you seriously going over to their side? Elisabeth has CLEARLY lost her head on this one. I know that she never has before, but there is a first time for everything. I WILL NOT believe that my own daughter could fall in love with a cold blooded criminal. I will not believe that. Believe what you want, but you all are very wrong. And I'm very disappointed in all of you." Randall Sr.'s voice rose as he spoke.3

"Dad, maybe for the first time in your life you are wrong." Randy Jr. spoke quietly and went outside to join the others. Randall Sr. looked at the picture of his wife over the fireplace. In his heart he knew his sons were right. Lydia would have given Scott a chance. Oh how he missed his wife! Randall Sr. buried his head in his hands, his eyes welling with tears.4

............ 5

Elisabeth was counting down the minutes left in her shift. She could not wait to talk to Scott. Chris would not answer his phone at all last night, making Elisabeth a little miffed. She wanted to know what had gone on between her closest brother and her dearest love. After what seemed to be forever, the buzzer sounded and the next watch came on duty. Officer Lyons headed up the stairs directly for Scott's cell.6

"Hey there beautiful!" Scott smiled his slow smile.7

"Hey there handsome!" Elisabeth smiled back and took his hand through the bars. "So you talked to my brother yesterday?"8

Scott nodded, his eyes shining. "Did he tell you what happened?"9

Elisabeth shook her head. "No, he wouldn't answer his cell last night. What did you guys talk about?"10

Scott rubbed the back of Elisabeth's hand with his thumb. "Me and you. We talked about faith and God. I told him how much you have done for me...how much better I have become since I have met you, my love, and we talked about how much I love you."11

Elisabeth smiled and kissed Scott through the bars. "I love you too."12

"You didn't even let me get to the best part yet!" Scott's eyes shone again. "Your brother is actually cool with the whole thing now. He told me to take care of you, and I am going to make that a promise. I'll take care of you, and I am going to love you forever."13

"Are you....really? He really said that..he really...wow! Oh Scott, this is great!" Elisabeth smiled and kissed Scott again.14

"It is," Scott said, "It is." In the back of his mind, Scott was thinking about how close Christmas was. His plans were coming along great. All he needed was the ring. He could hardly wait to surprise her.15

.........16

When Elisabeth got home, her dad was waiting for her. "Elisabeth, we need to talk." he said calmly.17

"Ok, come on in." She said slowly. Randy Sr. followed his one and only daughter into the apartment. Elisabeth motioned to the couch and he took a seat. Elisabeth sat in the easy chair across from him.18

"Elisabeth, it has never been easy for me to admit when I am wrong. But in this case, I am. I am wrong to try to tell you what to do with your life when I know that you are perfectly capable of living it. I'm asking you to forgive me."19

Elisabeth sat in shock. "Dad...of course I forgive you! Does this...does this mean that you'd be willing to....Could you.." Elisabeth tried to finish.20

"Bethie...this does not mean that I approve of the relationship. I still don't like Scott. I still don't want you to see him. I don't think I ever will," he said calmly. "But thank you for forgiving me. I better go." Randall Sr. got up from his seat and left the apartment. Elisabeth put her head in her hands trying to make sense of it all, but she couldn't. Why wouldn't he see how amazing Scott really was? 21

.............22

Over the next two weeks, Scott planned his proposal with the help of Officers Sanger and Benton. It was Nightwatch 2 and Sanger was on patrol. He made a quick stop by Scott's cell. Scott was awake.23

"How's it goin, Kendrick?" Sanger greeted the inmate.24

"It's goin." Scott said. "Christmas can't come soon enough. Think of it, only two more weeks and I ask Elisabeth to marry me!" Scott beamed.25

"I came by to give you something. This is something me and the other officers pooled together for," Sanger reached into his pocket and pulled out a little black box. Inside it was a beatiful tension set diamond ring.26

Scott's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "You...you guys did this for me?"27

Sanger smiled. "Yes. Keenyah managed to get Elisabeth's ring size. She also helped us pick the ring out. Then we all pooled together money to pay for it."28

"I...thank you!" Scott was full of emotion. "Elisabeth is going to love this! Tell everyone thank you from me. I really mean that."29

Sanger smiled again. "I'll be sure to do that. We're all excited for it. Even Warden Daniels is getting excited for it."30

Sanger left the cell. Scott went back to his bed and sat down, staring at the ring. It was perfect...just like Elisabeth was to him. He smiled then, excited for what was to come. He could hardly wait for two more weeks.31

...........32

Everyone in the prison was acting wierd lately. Elisabeth couldn't help but notice that everyone was being secretive. Even Scott was being secretive. What was going on that everyone knew about that she didn't? 33

"Keenyah, do you know what is going on here? Everyone keeps on looking at me and smiling, or they will be talking and then I come by and they stop? What's going on?"34

"I don't know. Maybe they are expecting you to do Half-Breed today for Christmas or something." Keenyah nodded at Elisabeth's Santa hat. "Or maybe you should sing "Let it Snow!""35

Elisabeth put her hands on her hips. "Keenyah. I'm serious. Everyone has been acting this way this whole week, and even part of last week. What is going on? I want to know."36

"Lyons, girl, I am not at liberty to say, so don't waste ya breath on me. I am not gonna say a word." Keenyah laughed and moved on to the next cell to check it.37

Elisabeth rolled her eyes and moved on to a cell across the hall. She could hardly wait to see Scott today. Because it was a holiday, she would be allowed to eat with him. Elisabeth smiled. She had picked out a present for Scott. It was a framed picture of them on Thanksgiving. She wished she could have picked something better, but the prison would only allow certain gifts. Her thoughts were interrupted by the buzzer. Time for Cell block J!38

Elisabeth was dissapointed when she arrived on the tier. Scott was not in his cell at all. She went over to Officer Benton to see what the deal was.39

"He's been put in seclusion." Benton said. "He tried to pick a fight with Diablo."40

"Wait...what? Scott would never do something like that unless he was provoked. Is Diablo in seclusion too?"41

"No. Scott picked the fight himself. Sorry Elisabeth." Benton said and walked away. Elisabeth felt almost near tears. She had been looking forward to this day ever since Thanksgiving. Then she felt anger towards Scott. How could he mess up like this when he knew how much this meant to her?42

Elisabeth was in a bad disposition for the rest of the day til suppertime. While she was moving the guys down the hall towards the mess hall, Benton pulled her aside. "The Warden needs to speak with you."43

"What for?" She asked annoyed.44

"Just come with me." Benton took her arm and pulled her down the hall. He stopped outside of one of the visitation rooms. 45

"This isn't the Warden's office. What is going on?" She demanded. Benton said nothing, but opened the door. Elisabeth nearly lost her breath. The room was decorated with lights,trees--the works. All of her friends and colleagues from the PCF were there. More importantly Scott was at the middle of the room wearing a green shirt and black pants. He smiled.46

Elisabeth walked in the room. "Scott....what is all of this?"47

Scott just kissed her and said, "I love you, you know that?" Elisabeth nodded. "I've been planning this for weeks." He got down on one knee and pulled out the ring box, opening it so that Elisabeth could see the beautiful ring inside. "Elisabeth Marie Lyons.....I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me?"