Chapter 50 Family and Christmas Prep
The next few days go by in a blur. Allie continues to get better as with most children she bounces back pretty fast and wants to do more than Nathan feels comfortable with. Back to Hope Valley come Maura, Julia, Bill and Julia's trusted helpers William and Joseph. They are stunned to hear about Allie and her grandmother and Julia rally around her to ensure she continues to mend. Arriving from Hamilton is Elizabeth's sister Julie who jumps right in to help with the preparations for the Christmas Stroll. Rosemary has several meetings to ensure all the details are taken care of and both Julie and Maura are heavily involved in the helping. Christmas spirit is alive and well in Hope Valley. The tree is decorated and lit and even Allie is given permission to view it. Final preparations are being made for the Christmas stroll and everyone is caught up in Christmas preparations.
Maura finds time to have individual heart to heart talks with Nathan and Elizabeth about Allie's accident. She questions Nathan as to how hard it was for him. First he tries to brush her off saying it is all good now. Like a good mother she presses him and finally Nathan admits, " Mom I was so worried about her I knew I loved her, but I think I never let myself understand how deeply I felt. I was scared and prayed so hard. I can't imagine my life without her." Wisely Maura counseled, "Nathan I think you always worry if you are a true parent for Allie and worry you don't love her as much as Colleen would. Nathan I have seen you with Allie and you are truly her parent and champion. You love her with your whole heart and that is a true parent" With than Nathan pulls her in for a hug.
Alone with Elizabeth, Maura questions her about Allie's accident. Elizabeth tells her how wonderful Nathan was during the crisis and how present he was for Allie. Elizabeth comments "He's such a wonderful Dad; he was so calm with Allie, but I know how broken he was inside. When I saw those lone tears slide down his cheeks, my heart just crumbled. We were both so worried, but we are so thankful how it all turned out" Maura thanks Elizabeth for supporting Nathan during this difficult time. Maura says " It's so comforting to know he has someone to share his life, both the good and bad things. Thanks for loving my son" Maura and Elizabeth embrace.
Nathan hardly gets to see Elizabeth except in passing as they are both pulled in many directions between family and Christmas preparations. One evening Nathan asks his mother to stay with Allie and he goes to Elizabeth's and as luck would have it Julie is out helping with the Christmas stroll. Nathan is so thrilled to have Elizabeth alone with only Little Jack sleeping he hugs her and gives her a lingering kiss. "So much for simple" he says with a laugh and an eye roll. "I know I have doubled the amount of family and friends this holiday". He continues to Elizabeth "You are going to get your wish for a full house this year for Little Jack." "Nathan are you OK with all this?" she asks. He says "Yes we are blessed that so many people love our children and want to spend time with us. However, I wouldn't mind some alone time like now with you. I miss just us".
With a sparkle in her eye Elizabeth say "Little Jack is sleeping so we are alone now". Nathan says "I better take advantage of it" and with that he pulls her close and kisses her face softly many times saying softly "I have missed this." Elizabeth winds her hand around his neck and plays with her hair. He kisses her neck and buries is face in her hair and finally finally he finds her lips and they both sigh as they are transported in their feelings. "This is what I miss" Nathan finally says. Quietly he also says "Elizabeth after Christmas and you finish your book I think we need a serious talk about a wedding date. It's getting harder and harder to be a gentleman and leave you. I want to be with you" he says meaningfully looking in her eyes. She responds by kissing him passionately. He groans and says "You are not making this any easier." She gathers herself and moves away from him and says "I guess it's a good thing we will be busy and there are so many people around". Nathan looks at her and says "Now if I could only control my imagination". "Nathan" she says warningly. - "I know I know" he says. They finally settle down and with his arm around her they catch up with all that is happening and Julie walks in. "Hello Lovebirds" she says and flounces into the room.
"Julie what is the matter?" Elizabeth says. "I was helping paint the ornaments and they look beautiful—great job Nathan with them. Anyway that Joseph was trying to help and he was getting in my way and I spilled paint on my skirt" Julie says and shows them the red stain. Disgusted she says "He only made it worse when he tried to help. Then he insisted he escort me home like something could happen in Hope Valley" Elizabeth was used to Julie's ramblings and followed most of it, but Nathan just looked a little shocked. Julie turned to Nathan and said "What don't you agree with me?" Nathan looks at Elizabeth for help and Elizabeth says "Julie I think it was nice that Joseph wanted to make sure you were safely home and then she looked meaningfully at Nathan. He follows with "Yes, yes Julie you never know who is around and our lighting is not the best so you can never be too sure". Julie narrows her eyes at Nathan and says "Well that sounds like a Constable talking" and then laughs all is forgiven. Julie says "Let's have some tea and cookies and we can talk". Nathan blanches at thought but Julie pulls him to the kitchen saying "You are going to be my brother and we really should get to know one another better. Think of what I can tell our parents." "Julie", Elizabeth warns. Julie says "What, I shouldn't tell them you have one of the most handsome men I have ever met as your fiancé. On top of that he adores you and is so upstanding that that everyone admires him and he is a wonderful father". By this time Nathan's face is flaming red and tries to choke out "Julie I am nothing like that".
She challenges him and says "Do you adore my sister and my nephew?" "Of course I do" he stammers, "I rest my case" she says. "Oh Nathan everyone has told me about how much the Mounties like you and are having a training school here in the summer. They told me about how wonderful you were with the hostage situation in the saloon. Don't go telling me the town worked together –it was your plan and you were the star. Oh Elizabeth, how do you find them here in little Hope Valley. I have yet to find one for all my looking" she says dramatically. Nathan is so stunned by the quick changes in Julie he just finally bursts into laughter. "What" Julie challenges. "Well when you find him, he will never be bored" Nathan chokes out. "Exactly" Julie says. Elizabeth is thinking of poor Joseph as she bet he has become smitten with Julie and she suspects perhaps Julie is smitten as well, but has covered it all up with all this conversation about Nathan. Nathan finally escapes as he decides he will let the sisters talk. He wonders if he will every understand sisters and Julie's conversation reminded him of how Colleen could zig and zag and sometimes you had no idea what was being said.