Chapter 54 Book Celebration
The holiday week was passing quickly after recovering from Christmas Day. Elizabeth was committed to finishing her first draft of her book and worked every day on it. Respecting her need to meet her deadline Nathan didn't bother her and kept himself busy at work and helping Maura finish up her new house and move some things in. Allie was busy with her friends and helping her grandmother too.
Allie was pestering Nathan to allow her to have a fire pit gathering of her friends on New Year's Eve in their back yard. Since the weather appeared to be holding he finally consented and Allie went off to invite her friends. It soon grew to include Maura and William and Bill and Julia. Both Maura and Julia took over the planning and food preparation and Nathan was pleased to see them all so happy.
He did quickly drop in to tell Elizabeth of this plan and let her know that she was included. Elizabeth, glad to see Nathan, offered her thanks and they quickly kissed. The truth be told they each missed each other, but Nathan was determined he would not try and distract her. Elizabeth appreciated his thoughtfulness as with another longer kiss he left her to her words.
Nathan was just at work on a beautiful sunny day on December 30th when Elizabeth arrived at the jail all happy and excited. She came in and locked the jail door and danced over to Nathan singing "I finished, I finished, and it's all done!" Nathan knew immediately her book was complete and he swoops her in his arms and kissed her passionately. He said "Elizabeth I am so happy for you! You must be thrilled, proud and relieved. "Again Elizabeth dances around his office singing, "Finished, finished, finished". Nathan finally captures her and says "This calls for a celebration, dinner tonight just the two of us". Elizabeth is so elated she doesn't even ask details just agree to it. Nathan says "I will take care of everything, just be ready at 7, dinner just the two of us" Kissing him she agrees and says "I'll ask Julie to watch Jack. Now I am going home to play with my son and relax" "You have earned it" Nathan says with conviction.
Nathan now goes to find William and Bill to help him set up a celebration dinner for Elizabeth. As usual they come through for him and the plan quickly comes together.
The day flies by and Nathan makes arrangements for Allie to stay with Maura who is always thrilled to have her granddaughter. Nathan receives some good news in the mail also that he will share with Elizabeth later at a later date. Before going home he checks the preparations and as usual William and his assistant have pulled everything together quickly. Bill has helped as well and he will do anything to see this young couple celebrate their successes.
Nathan goes home to clean up and change into a new blue suit (courtesy of Maura and Julia's constant shopping) and knocks on Elizabeth's door promptly at 7. She too has a new light blue silk dress on and as always looks beautiful. They laugh at how they coordinated without even trying.
Elizabeth is surprised when they step outside and Nathan has a car waiting. Maura made good on her plan to get a care and Nathan has been practicing so he feels comfortable driving them into town. They pull up at Bill's office and Nathan parks and goes around and opens Elizabeth's door. With a question in her voice Elizabeth says "Nathan?" He doesn't answer just escorts her up the stairs and they enter the Judge's Chamber where the lights are burning low, a fire is in the fireplace and an intimate round table for two is beautifully decorated. Nathan says "I wanted something special to celebrate with you and I wanted us to be alone as we don't have much time for that. This is a big day for you and should be acknowledged" With that Elizabeth turns to him thanking him as she pulls him down for a kiss.
Honest Nathan says "I had help from Bill, William and Joseph. Shall we?" As he gestures to the table. There is a bottle of champagne chilling and deftly he opens it and pours each of them champagne.
Nathan says "A Toast! To Elizabeth Thatcher Thorton for following her dream and never giving up on herself. Congratulations on completing your novel" He raises his glass to her and they both drink looking deeply in each other's eyes. Nathan gets up and puts a romantic record on the Victrola and then brings in their meals. He acts as waiter during this and Elizabeth just chuckles.
Truly touched Elizabeth says, "Nathan this is so lovely and thoughtful and you didn't even have much time to put it together." He again reminds her how special she is and how she richly deserves to have her achievements celebrated. They both eat their meal and chat about their day which usually involves lots of conversation about the children.
When they finish their meal and before Nathan serves dessert he asks "Now that the holidays are almost over and your novel is finished should we talk about a wedding date? Elizabeth whenever and whatever you want is really fine with me. I want you to be happy." They test out some ideas and think maybe spring would be nice. Elizabeth admits she would like a simple wedding as this will be her second wedding. Nathan says "Elizabeth you choose what you want, forget about others; what do you really want?" Nathan says "I don't care simple, big, I just want to be married to you and have my family there" Elizabeth assures him she will think about it and discuss it further with him.
They then go on to discuss where they will live and Nathan is much more involved in this conversation. He has found some nice parcels of land he thinks they should look at and he wants to build a home for their growing family. Elizabeth throws out suggestions for her dream house and Nathan gets busy drawing up plans.
Laughing they realize time is moving along and Nathan then serves an elegant dessert. He then puts another record on and asks for a dance. They dance as one as they lean together with their shared love for one another. Elizabeth feels so pampered as the evening winds down and they drive home.
Allie has been with Maura and Julie has watched Jack who is of course asleep. Nathan goes in for a cup of tea and Elizabeth discusses how lovely the evening was. Julie listens to all the details and then drops the bombshell. She had been talking to Father and he was interested in how this 'little romance" of Elizabeth's was.
Elizabeth cries "Julie, what did you tell him?" She responds "I told him it wasn't so little" and with that she goes off to bed.
Nathan just gives Elizabeth a raised brow look, like what now? Elizabeth says "OK, you were right, I should have called him. Let's call them on New Year's Day and we will wish them well and talk about us. Nathan responds "However you want to do this is fine, but let's tell them we are engaged and will be married in the spring, agreed?" Elizabeth nods yes. He follow with, "Don't be upset if they don't like me; I will eventually win them over. Sweetheart it doesn't bother me what they think of me. As long as we are together and are true to each other we will build the life right for us" With that she comes over and sits in his lap and kisses him. "How do you know how to always make me feel better" Kiddingly he replies, "I get better with practice, it wasn't always this way.