Chapter 40 The Big Ask
Saturday arrives and Nathan has checked and double checked with William and Joseph the plans and all appears ready. Nathan has told Elizabeth what time he will pick her up and tells her to dress warm. Nathan has been nervous and jumpy all day and Maura finally approaches him and says "Nathan, something tells me this is a big date for you, I hope I my thoughts are correct." "Mom, I am not used to sharing, but you may know me too well," he replies. Maura follows "All the best honey, I want only good things for you". "Mom I haven't told you anything" he says, her only reply "Is a Mother knows."
Nathan picks up Elizabeth and they walk to the livery where she is astounded there is a sleigh ready for their evening. Nathan helps her in and tucks a fur blanket around her. "Nathan this is such a surprise where are we going?" she asks. He says "Relax and enjoy the surprise."
With that off they go over the snow covered road several miles out of town to a clearing Elizabeth has never seen before. When Nathan stops the horses she sees a lone fir tree beautifully lit with all white lanterns. Before the tree is a fire pit with a fire already started and seats in front of the tree. The clearing is surrounded by numerous lanterns to light up the evening. Elizabeth's face is one of awe. She asks "Nathan this is so beautiful, how did you do it." "Elizabeth I can't take credit, I had lots of help, but I wanted this to be special," he replies. With that they leave the sleigh and they find wine waiting for them. Nathan suggests "Let's sit before the fire to keep warm and enjoy our wine." They sit and relax and talk for a bit and then Nathan goes to retrieve a picnic basket packed with food. Everything is included for them to have a lovely dinner, hot soup to warm them, a lovely dinner that had been kept warm with wrapped hot coals. All the details had been taken care of. Last was a lovely chocolate torte cake slices they shared.
Elizabeth says "Nathan this was unbelievable, I will never forget this evening." From the sleigh Nathan pulls out his guitar and sings some songs with Elizabeth. She sighs contentedly and says "Oh Nathan this is such a wonderful evening."
He plays one last song for Elizabeth which is a ballad that he has written just for her telling her of his love for her and hopes for the future. Elizabeth listens wonderingly and when the last chords die down she reaches for Nathan and says "Thank you thank you and kisses him passionately". Nathan returns the kiss as passionately and they revel in their love and passion for one another. Nathan finally pulls away and gets down on one knee and says "Elizabeth, from the first time I met you I was struck by your beauty and goodness and my feelings for you have only grown over this time as I learned what a truly loving , giving wonderful person. I want us to become a family with you and Jack and Allie and myself. I want to build a life with you and build on the loving foundation we have begun. I want to walk through whatever life has for us as your partner. I will love you and honor you all the days of my live." During this narrative Elizabeth sits forward and clasps Nathan hands and watches with tear filled eyes as she looks at his heartfelt earnest blue gaze. "Nathan, of course I will marry you and I look forward to all of us starting our new family," she tearfully replies. With that Nathan shows Elizabeth the ring, a beautiful center diamond with two smaller diamonds on the side. He slides the ring on her finger and he lifts her up and kisses her passionately. Elizabeth returns the kiss with a passion of her own.
Pushing his hands through her hair he says "Elizabeth you have made me the happiest man." "Oh Nathan I love you so much and the ring is beautiful" she cries. He picks her up and twirls her in a circle and they are both laughing and crying when he sets her down as they kiss once more and then embrace each other. Neither of them has had an easy path to travel and they are so thankful they have reached this special place together. Words cannot adequately express the happiness that spills from them.
They sit in an embrace in front of the fire, whispering and sharing confidences and kissing until reluctantly Nathan says "We should get back."
When they get back to his house they find his mother and Allie and Jack as expected by they are joined by Julia and Bill and the Coulters. Allies sees her Dad first and both Nathan and Elizabeth are just glowing with happiness. Allie screams "Dad" scoops up Jack and runs to Nathan. He gets down on one knee and says "Allie"—she is crying now and says "Jack see we are really going to be a family all of us right Dad, right Miss Elizabeth?"
By this time Elizabeth had knelt as well to join the circle and Nathan says "Yes honey we are, what do you think?" "Dad, I have been wishing for this for months and told Jack about it, he will be my brother now and I told him he will have the best earth father, Dad and I will have the best earth mother. We both have heavenly parents, but now we will have earth parents to love us," Allie says in a torrent of words. Nathan and Elizabeth are crying as she says this and they are all hugging and kissing each other. Nathan and Elizabeth say "Allie and Jack you are right we will become a family".
The rest of the adults are stunned into silence and witness this pure honest emotion of love and belonging from Allie and Nathan and Elizabeth. After several minutes of hugs the mood lightens and all the adults come forward to congratulate the lucky pair. Maura and Julia welcome Elizabeth into the family and thank her for her love of Allie. Maura says, "Someday Elizabeth you will watch your son be this happy as he has found his soulmate. Thank you for loving my son."
Nathan is being hugged by Rosemary who says "Nathan we love you and know this is wonderful path for you and Elizabeth. You are a special man." Rosemary's voice quivers with emotion and Nathan is holding back tears. "Come on Rosie give him some space," Lee says as shakes his hand and says "I agree with everything Rosie says we couldn't be happier."
Bill finally steps up to both Elizabeth and Nathan. He hugs Elizabeth and says" I am so happy for you." He then pulls back and says to Nathan—"you know I thought of Jack as a son and it tore at my heart when he passed, but Nathan you have found your own path here in Hope Valley and I couldn't be more pleased that you and Elizabeth have found each other—your love and caring is wonderful to see. I know in my heart this family is meant to be". The house is filled with love for these two individuals who have come from such different and broken paths to find one another and forge a new path together. It is a miracle!
