"Hotdogs for Christmas dinner!" Ally promptly squealed in delight. "I think that is the most excellent idea!"
Nathan and Elizabeth, having fallen asleep on the couch, their heads on the other, had come up with the hotdog idea spur of the moment. A big Christmas feast would take too long to throw together. And with the Coulter's coming over in a matter of moments, roasting hotdogs in the fireplace would be a fun treat for all the children.
"What's the most excellent idea, Ally," Lee remarked as he opened the front door. Nathan quickly moved to help Lee divulge himself of the presents he was carrying.
"Hotdogs for dinner!" Ally squealed again as Lottie, Millie, and Spencer joined her. Jack proceeded to start squealing even though he had no idea what he was squealing about.
In a few moments, everyone had their coats off and the children were carefully sitting in front of the fire, roasting sticks in hand. Lottie helped Millie and Ally helped Little Jack. The adults in the room were able to sit back and observe the laughter and merriment.
"I will take afternoon naps more often if it means no fuss dinners," Rosemary chuckled. "Honestly, Elizabeth, I came straight home and would you believe it, I fell fast asleep upstairs. Lee fell asleep on the floor."
"I also fell asleep," Elizabeth admitted then looked to Nathan. As if reading her thoughts, Nathan gave an imperceptible nod. Elizabeth continued on, "But not before deciding upon a wedding date."
Now it was Rosemary's turn to squeal. "Oh Elizabeth! Do tell!"
Elizabeth smiled. "Valentine's Day."
"Oh, goodness," Rosemary gasped, "that is not much time!"
"We did it before," Elizabeth reminded Rosemary, thinking back to her wedding with Jack. "In fact, this time I do believe we would have more time."
"And as long as Opal and Robert don't burn the church down, we'll be fine." Ally yelled from the fire, aware of the conversation taking place behind her. "They both have told me the story before about practicing lighting candles and then the fire occurring. What is it with everyone and candles anyway?"
"Actually," Lee spoke up, "how sold are you on getting married in the church you two?"
Nathan and Elizabeth shared a glance. "Truth be told we hadn't talked about it. We had picked a date. That was as far as we got."
"Well," Lee cleared his throat. "I have an idea. It involves Rosie's Christmas present."
"What does Sweetheart?"
Lee walked over towards the pile of presents and presented Rosemary with a tubular container. "Open it."
Rosemary unrolled the paper inside and smiled broadly. "Oh, Lee! The Hope Valley Theater of the Performing Arts!"
Lee kissed Rosemary's lips. "I promised you, Rosie, I would build you a theater. Now I know it has taken a long time to do it but I talked with the men at the mill. I shared that I wanted to make this happen in time for Valentine's Day, even though winter is one of the worst times of year to build in." Lee turned back towards Nathan and Elizabeth. "What would you both think to having your wedding there?"
Nathan smiled. "I love it! It would be a perfect occasion for the town to come together."
Elizabeth smiled as well. "It is also a place that can be you and me." She wistfully looked away. "The church and school, while I love it, will always remind me of Jack. In the best of ways. But for our wedding day…"
"You want something unfettered by the past," Rosemary finished knowingly. "I think this theater would be the perfect place for that."
"I have to agree," Elizabeth nodded. "So Lee, thank you! We accept and gladly."
As Rosemary poured over the plans and Nathan momentarily ran over to the fireplace to help with a hotdog emergency, Elizabeth pulled Lee aside. "Can I talk with you about something?"
"Of course, Elizabeth," Lee answered. "Is everything alright? I did not mean to spring the theater idea on you like that."
"Oh that's not what I wanted to talk to you about," Elizabeth reassured Lee. "I wanted to talk about something else."
"Oh!" Lee looked back in surprise. "What is it?"
Elizabeth paused for a few moments before speaking. As she did, there was a sheen of tears in her eyes. "Ever since Jack passed away, you have been there for me and Little Jack. You have been like a brother to me and a loving caregiver to my son. I hope you know that."
Lee tenderly put his hand on Elizabeth's shoulder. "I know. It has been a pleasure and honor to do that. I'm also not going anywhere, even though you have that man in your life." He motioned over to Nathan who had Jack on one side of his lap and Spencer on the other. Both boys had roped Nathan into roasting his own hotdog.
"I was wondering, Lee," Elizabeth turned away from the very attractive picture of her son and future husband and instead faced Lee once more. "Would you walk me down the aisle on my wedding day?"
Lee's face registered surprised. He found himself unable to say anything. Elizabeth continued on. "I really do not know if my family will make it here to Hope Valley for the wedding. But even if they do, I want you to walk me down the aisle, Lee. As I said, you are like my brother. You really have been there in ways my own father was not. You also embraced Nathan when he first got here. I have heard the stories about how you insisted on investigating the payroll robbery with him being less than thrilled. You tried to engage him in conversation when he would have none of it. But you didn't give up on him. I don't feel like you are just my friend anymore; you are our friend. So would you?"
All Lee could do was nod. The words would come later.
Elizabeth smiled. "Thank you my friend."
Nathan stood up from the fire. All the children had asked for something to drink and Nathan had recalled there was a pitcher of apple cider in the icebox.
"Lee, would you give me a hand?" Nathan gestured towards the glasses.
"Oh sure!" Lee grabbed the glasses from the shelf. He noticed how seamlessly Nathan fit into Elizabeth's kitchen. He knew where everything was almost better than Lee knew his own house.
"I want to help build the theater," Nathan spoke up. "If that is alright with you."
Lee laughed. "You thought I wasn't going to ask you? Believe me, I am involving every man in Hope Valley in this project. Especially if we want to get it done in time."
Lee proceeded to share his ideas with Nathan. The timber he wanted to use, the design and how there would be an upstairs with dressing rooms. How there would be room for a piano and yes, a stage. Lee confided how he wanted the Hope Valley Theater for the Performing Arts to be a place for all sorts of events. Weddings, yes. But plays and concerts and video showings.
"I'm thrilled your wedding is going to be the first event there. As much as I am the proud husband of the Rosemary Levoix, I don't want to be accused of nepotism either."
Nathan chuckled. "Of all people, Lee, you would be the last person to be accused of that." Nathan paused. "I wanted to say something else."
"Shoot," Lee answered.
"I want you to be my best man."
Lee's face once again registered shock. That really was the last thing he had expected. Just as been the case with Elizabeth, Lee was rendered speechless.
"I know you and I are developing a friendship, Lee," Nathan said, suddenly shy. "I want you to be a best man as a sort of promise of what we are building, of what we will be. Plus, you are like a brother to Elizabeth. At least I know she thinks of you that way."
"She mentioned that to me," Lee's voice cracked. He made a pretense of needing something to drink but as he sipped the apple cider, he knew that was not the case. Lee was overcome with emotion. Up until this last year, family had been a difficult topic for Lee. His brother had long been deceased and he had had a strained relationship with his sister. But that had changed. Suzanna was in his life. Yet tonight, Lee Coulter was reminded of how family encompassed so much more than blood. Family was also who you chose. Just as he had chosen Millie, Lottie, and Spencer, Elizabeth and Nathan had chosen him.
Lee enveloped Nathan in a brotherly hug. So he would walk Elizabeth down the aisle and then instead of sitting down, he would just stand with alongside Nathan. No, it was not conventional but since when had Lee Coulter been a conventional man?
"Oh Elizabeth!" Rosemary gushed as she put pieces of yesterday's Christmas cake. "I am so excited to plan your wedding. If you'll let me. Now I know you will want to do a lot yourself, but I would be honored if I could make your wedding dress. Is that alright that I want to?"
"Rosemary," Elizabeth laughed, "you know it is. What with teaching, I won't have that much time. However, I was hoping you would be my matron of honor as well. Or is that too much on your plate."
"Elizabeth, I would be honored!" Rosemary promptly squealed.
"You are my dearest friend, Rosemary," Elizabeth smiled. "You helped deliver my precious boy. You have helped me remember to be a woman as well as a mom. There is no one else I want standing by my side. However…" Elizabeth paused. "There is one thing."
"What is that," Rosemary questioned. 'Name it and it is yours!"
"I haven't talked to Ally set about being a bridesmaid but on that actual day, I would like her to be standing right next to me. To show her that as much as I am marrying Nathan, I am becoming a family with her as well. Is that alright?"
"Elizabeth," Rosemary hugged Elizabeth. "That is more than alright. That moment is important for Ally and Nathan and you in becoming a family. I would not want it any other way. And once you ask her, oh, how wonderful it will be to design a dress for her."
Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief. Even though she had known Rosemary would respond in the way that she did, Elizabeth was thrilled that it had been so.
"Miss Elizabeth!" Ally's voice broke through Elizabeth's reverie. "Would you come sit by me and eat some cake?" Ally held up a piece of cake. "I grabbed one for you."
"Absolutely Ally!" Elizabeth walked over towards her future daughter. Many people would say step-daughter but there was no step-daughter about it. Last night's conversation about adopting Ally had proven that point. On Valentine's Day, the four of them would become a family. Blended and perfect.
