Hi Hearties! Thanks again for your sweet comments! I am so glad you guys are enjoying these stories/chapters :)
Here is a sweet little story to calm your nerves after this Sunday's inevitably dramatic episode.
(I'll try and write another one before the season 8 finale next week)
It was early Sunday morning. Elizabeth and Nathan awoke to the sound of their alarm clock going off. Elizabeth opened her eyes to a gorgeous ray of sunshine coming through the window. Little bits of floating dust glowed as they passed through the sunlight. Elizabeth took a deep breath in, she blew at the ray of the sun gently, causing the glowing dust particles to dance and swirl. She looked over at Nathan, who was also awake but refused to open his eyes yet. She reached over and gently moved a lock of hair from his forehead. He smiled, his eyes still closed, and took her hand, kissing it, then took a deep breath. Elizabeth smiled and was about to get up when she noticed little Jack toddled into their bedroom.
Now sitting up in bed, Elizabeth wondered, "How did you get out of your crib, you little monkey?" she asked, as she reached out to pull him up on the bed with her.
Jack crawled over to Nathan's side of the bed and sat down in between Nathan and Elizabeth. Nathan opened one eye to see Jack playing with the wedding ring on his finger. The light from the window made the ring sparkle, catching Jack's attention. Nathan laughed and sat up next to Elizabeth.
"I see someone is a morning person," Nathan remarked with a smile. He reached over to Jack with his free hand and rubbed his little head.
Allie watched this exchange from the crack in the door. She decided to let Jack go in first to make sure her parents were awake. She figured they wouldn't be too upset if Jack woke them up.
"Allie... are you going to come in or just stand in front of the door all morning?" Nathan asked as he glanced from the door over to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth gave Nathan a quizzical expression and then looked over to the door, where Allie had just cautiously walked in.
"How did you...?" Elizabeth managed to say
"How do you think Jack got out of the crib and opened our bedroom door?" Nathan said in amusement, "He has never crawled out of the crib before, and he can't reach the doorknob." Nathan concluded with a smile.
"I didn't think you were listening when I asked Jack how he got out of the crib," Elizabeth said amused.
"Just because my eyes are closed doesn't mean I can't hear," replied Nathan jokingly.
Elizabeth playfully shoved Nathan's his shoulder, and bit her bottom lip trying to suppress a smile.
Allie, relieved that she didn't get in trouble, just smiled as she listened to the banter between her parents.
"Come here sweetheart," Elizabeth patted a spot on the bed next to her. Allie walked over, she smiled sheepishly.
"Did you sleep well?" Allie asked as she sat down next to her mother.
"Yes, how about you?" Elizabeth asked with a smile. She ran her hand along Allie's shiny light brown hair.
"Yes," Allie responded, looking over at Nathan.
Nathan reached over little Jack with one arm and pulled Elizabeth close. He gave her a kiss on the forehead before getting up and heading towards the closet.
"Alright," Elizabeth started, "Why don't we get you two dressed and ready for church, and then we will have a quick breakfast." She said as she stood up and lifted Jack off the bed.
Elizabeth and the kids went to Jack's room while Nathan finished dressing. Before he headed downstairs, Nathan peaked through the door to Jack's room to see Elizabeth helping Jack into the outfit she had picked for him the night before. Nathan smiled and decided to check in on Allie on the way.
"How are things coming along?" Nathan asked Allie as he watched her brush her hair in front of the mirror in her room. She had already changed into her Sunday dress. It was a light pink dress, with a small tan flower pattern, and a pink sash that wrapped around her waist. In front of Allie were two light pink hair ribbons she had picked out to match.
"Pretty good!" Allie responded confidently. She was tying her hair into two little braids and had wrapped the last ribbon around the ends.
"Could you help me tie my sash in the back?" she asked her father.
"Sure," He responded with a smile.
Nathan straightened up in the doorway and walked up behind her. He tied a neat bow with the sash behind his daughter's back. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he leaned down and gave her a quick kiss on her cheek.
"Thank you!" Allie said in a chipper tone.
She popped up from her stool like a spring and skipped happily over to Jack's room, where Elizabeth had just finished getting Jack and his things ready. Finally, Nathan headed downstairs and started breakfast.
With all the kids ready and downstairs, Elizabeth picked out a white blouse and light pink skirt. She did her hair in a half-up half-down style and clipped it up in the back with a pink barrette. She put on some light perfume and went downstairs. After she reached the end of the steps, she looked towards the kitchen. Nathan had just dried the pan he used to make scrambled eggs and the kids were sitting at the table finishing their breakfast. Elizabeth walked towards the table. Nathan looked back at the sound of footsteps.
"Here," He began, "I saved a plate for you," Nathan said as he pulled a plate out of the warm oven and placed it on the table near Elizabeth.
Elizabeth sat down. "Thank you!" she said graciously.
Nathan walked over behind Elizabeth, placed a hand on her shoulder, leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. Much like he did with Allie before.
"You look beautiful," He said quietly next to her ear before straightening back up.
Elizabeth thanked him and smiled. Little Jack reached his hands out towards Nathan.
"Do you want a kiss too?" Nathan asked, bending down to Jack's level. Jack leaned over and gave Nathan a little kiss on the cheek. Nathan laughed and kissed him on the top of his head before heading towards the living room. Elizabeth laughed in delight at the adorable exchange between Nathan and their son.
After they had finished breakfast, Allie cleared the table and Elizabeth made sure to pack a couple of stuffed toys for Jack so he would have something to occupy himself with during the service. With everything cleaned up, the Grant family descended the steps of their row-house and walked down the gravel road towards the church. Nathan held Jack in one arm and offered his other arm to Elizabeth. Allie skipped by Elizabeth's side as she held her free hand. Linked together, the little family walked in unison as the sound of the morning songs of the birds and the strong ringing of the church bell echoed throughout the little town.
On the way, they met up with the Coulters. They chatted with them about their plans for the rest of the day and agreed to join the Coulters for dinner later that evening. Elizabeth took a deep breath and smiled. The fresh cool smell of the air in the mornings always rejuvenated her. She looked around at the people nearest to her. Thank you, God, for blessing me with amazing friends and family - and a gorgeous morning. Elizabeth silently prayed as they neared the entrance of the church.