Chapter 50
Nathan couldn't believe the number of hands he shook and all the young women his mother had introduced him to. He knew Elizabeth and Julie had been right. This was his mother's attempt at getting him involved in Hamilton's high society. Nathan was getting restless waiting for Julie and Elizabeth to arrive. He looked over at the clock and saw it was almost seven. Allie could tell her Uncle was growing uncomfortable being put in the spotlight. She reached out and squeezed his hand offering her support. He was her rock and she was always his when he needed her.
After Nathan and Allie left, Julie and Elizabeth dressed carefully with purpose. They wanted to show off a little bit. Julie made sure Elizabeth looked spectacular. The dress was a bit more extravagant than necessary but Elizabeth was going for the dramatic effect of the reveal. Julie looked gorgeous as usual but this time she toned down her outfit just a bit so that Elizabeth would truly shine. Elizabeth made sure little Jack was dressed in his little tux. He was a mini version of Nathan minus the gloves. Without a hair out of place the sisters and little Jack began the short car ride to the Prescott residence.
A few minutes to seven, Nathan looked up and saw a couple enter, the woman reminded him of Elizabeth. He wondered if these were his in-laws. His mother excitedly introduced, "Nathan, I'd like you to meet our friends, William and Grace Thatcher, their daughter Viola, her husband Sir Lionel and their children." Nathan nodded and shook William's hand. Before he could say anything, his mother turned to Grace and asked, "Grace, I thought you said that all your daughters were attending. Where are Julie and Elizabeth? I wanted to introduce them to my son." Nathan tried to hide his smirk but couldn't, earning him a glare from Allie. It was like she was saying keep it together. Grace responded, "Julie and Elizabeth will be here shortly. Elizabeth and Julie are coming separately. Elizabeth just arrived in Hamilton after a long journey from the west. She is a teacher in a small town close to Union City."
Just then the bell rang again and Nathan breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Elizabeth's voice. Julie was the first one he saw though. Grace said, "Here is Julie, Elizabeth can't be far behind." Julie walked gracefully towards them and kissed her mother's cheek. Julie just smiled as she was introduced to Nathan and casually kissed his cheek, "Good to see you again Nathan, Allie. I hope you had a pleasant train trip. The train from Hope Valley can be tiresome unless you have good company." The mothers looked stunned. Grace recovered first and chided Julie, "Julie, that was completely inappropriate." Julie ignored her mother and then Mary, Nathan's mother asked, "How do you know my son and granddaughter?"
Julie played her role beautifully and answered, "I met Constable Grant at little Jack's christening over two years ago. My sister lives in Hope Valley as well. Nathan and Allie were guests at the christening. Nathan and Elizabeth have become good friends and we all spent a lot of time together when I was there a month ago. Allie and Nathan feel like part of the family. I always wanted a brother." Julie looked at Allie and they shared a smile. Allie gave Julie a hug before Mary or Grace could say a word. They were both surprised that their children knew each other.
Grace wandered how close Nathan was to her daughters if Julie was comfortable enough with him to kiss him on the cheek. She wondered what was taking Elizabeth and little Jack so long because they had shared a car with Julie. Moments later Elizabeth appeared in the foyer holding little Jack's hand. Elizabeth looked gorgeous and Nathan's reaction was one of awe. He didn't think that his wife could be more beautiful than the day he married her but she managed it. She truly glowed and the dress made her look more radiant than ever before. Nathan knew that he was one of the luckiest men in the world to have found such a rare gem like Elizabeth. Grace looked at Mary and announced, "Mary, Harvey, I would like to introduce you to my middle daughter, Ms. Elizabeth Thornton and her son Jack."
Nathan stepped forward and little Jack ran to him calling "Dada". Nathan scooped him up and offered his free arm to Elizabeth. He smiled and turned to his mother and confidently said, "Mother, I would like to introduce you to my wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Grant and my stepson Jack!" Both Mary and Grace were at a loss for words. They had both planned parties to introduce or reintroduce Nathan and Elizabeth suitable eligible young men and women. They would have to turn their parties into something else like a celebration of the marriage of their children to save face. Neither woman wanted to be humiliated in their own homes. Allie turned to Elizabeth and threw her arms around her. She was so happy to have all her family in one place and she secretly loved seeing the look on both of her grandmothers' faces when her Uncle said, "my wife."
Grace and Mary both huddle close to their husbands and talked quietly amongst themselves. Nathan handed little Jack to Julie and led his wife towards the empty dance floor. The band had been waiting patiently to be prompted to start playing. Julie motioned them to start. Nathan and Elizabeth heard the violins start and they could tell the dance was a waltz. Nathan and Elizabeth expertly glided around the dance floor in perfect harmony. The guests couldn't help but stare as the couple executed every move with ease. Before long other couples joined them on the dance floor. The next dance was livelier, the band at Julie's request played a tango. Julie knew that Nathan and Elizabeth would be able to keep the tempo and prove how in sync they really were. The tango started playing and Nathan and Elizabeth were one of the only couples who braved the dance. Both sets of parents were surprised by the grace and passion that they saw on the dance floor. It was truly a beautiful sight.
After the tango, they saw waiters handing out glasses of champagne. Mary and Grace along with Harvey and William went towards the band. Mary asked for everyone's attention and started making her announcement, "Friends, I would like to thank you all for coming. It was so kind of you all to come tonight to welcome my son and granddaughter to Hamilton. Tonight, is also special because Grace and I would also like to announce the marriage of my son, Nathan Grant and Grace's daughter, Elizabeth Thornton. Please join us in a toast to celebrate their happiness. Presenting Mr. and Mrs. Grant, may you have a lifetime of joy and all the best in years to come!" Grace and Mary hoped that the speech would be enough to make the society matrons less skeptical about the true nature of the parties.
Julie couldn't help but laugh at the way the mothers had scrambled for a solution to the problem. She knew that there would be gossip as to why the mothers didn't know about their children's marriage beforehand. Julie knew that Nathan and Elizabeth would have some explaining to do the next day. Out of the corner of her eye, Julie noticed Charles trying to make a quick exit. She wondered if her mother had promised Charles another chance with Elizabeth. She knew Elizabeth had turned down Charles once before but Grace was relentless and she knew Viola wanted Charles and Elizabeth together as well. This time Julie knew that Charles didn't have a chance. Elizabeth and Nathan were soulmates.
The party went on for a few more hours and fun was had by almost everyone. The Hamilton elite got to know the newly married couple. Some of couples knew Elizabeth from childhood and others only knew of her from her mother or sister. When not making small talk, Elizabeth and Nathan were on the dance floor. Julie borrowed Nathan for a few dances while Elizabeth danced with Allie or little Jack. Before the night was over Elizabeth also danced with her father, William was proud of his daughter. He could see that she was as happy or happier than the last time they danced at her wedding to Jack. Out of earshot of his wife, William told his daughter, "Elizabeth, watching you tonight I can see that you have found something special with Nathan. I look at the two of you together and I see bliss. You are meant to be together. I see how you look at each other and how you touch each other. The simplest joys in life are the moments you have with the person you love. You have that. I see him with little Jack and how you are with Allie. You are a family and your love will give me more grandchildren as well." William gave his daughter a kiss on the cheek before he took Nathan's hand and welcomed him as part of the family. She knew that was her father's way of giving them his blessing.