Author's note: sorry for the delay in updating. I've been crazy busy with work and real life that it took me over a week to finish this chapter. I appreciate all the reviews and like seeing all the new followers.
Chapter 54
The next few days in Hamilton were full of events planned by the mothers or their friends. From teas, to dinner parties, even a few theatrical performances, Nathan and Elizabeth were in demand. Everyone wanted to be seen with the newest couple in the Hamilton elite. It was exhausting, but they knew they would be returning to Hope Valley soon.
Julie, Elizabeth, and Allie went shopping a couple afternoons while Nathan and little Jack were shown Hamilton by William. Nathan was more than a little surprised that William would take time off to play with his grandson and to get to know his new son-in-law. It was nice to see William interacting with little Jack and wearing casual clothes instead of the suits he usually wore. They even went for a horseback ride. Little Jack always loved being in the saddle with his dada.
The ladies had shopped for new clothes for the children and Elizabeth bought herself a few new items for after the baby came and while she was pregnant. She didn't want to jinx anything but she bought a few things for the baby as well. The one afternoon they spent most of the time looking at things for the house. They were combining two houses into one but Elizabeth wanted some new furnishings and household goods that would be hers and Nathan's and not just hers or his. Everything for the house would be sent out on the next train. Elizabeth planned on calling Lee and asking if he would arrange delivery to the new house once it arrived in Hope Valley.
William and Julie were making the visit to Hamilton very enjoyable and the children were having so much fun. Nathan had to admit that despite having to get dressed up so often that he was tolerating the gatherings more than he expected. He loved the music and danced with Elizabeth at every opportunity. Watching the theater performances were amazing except for the opera. He just couldn't get into that genre of music. He even managed to stay awake during the ballet.
Julie had taken him and Elizabeth to a dance club where they ran into Tom. Nathan soon learned that Tom was Jack's little brother and a good friend of Julie's. Elizabeth told him that they were bad influences on each other at the beginning but now they had found that they were better suited as friends than a couple. Tom told Elizabeth, "I'm happy you found love again. My brother loved you very much, more than he ever loved Rosie. He would not have wanted you to be alone. He would have wanted you to live and love again." Nathan was curious and asked, "who is Rosie?" Elizabeth realized that no one had ever told Nathan about how Rosemary came to Hope Valley. Tom piped up, "Rosie was Jack's fiancée but they broke up a while before Jack was assigned to Coal Valley. Shortly after Jack and Elizabeth started courting, Rosie showed up wanting Jack back. Let's say things turned out for the best. Jack and Elizabeth took longer than Rosie to get married but Lee and, Rosemary are perfect for each other." Nathan looked at Elizabeth and she nodded, before admitting that Rosemary is Rosie. Nathan couldn't believe his wife's best friend was once engaged to Jack. It definitely was a small world and seemed to be getting smaller.
Each night, Nathan and Elizabeth would put their children to bed before they would fall into bed themselves exhausted from all the excitement of Hamilton. They knew that the visit was going to be ending in a couple days before they boarded the train to go home. They were so excited to get home and to move into their new house. Elizabeth had decided that they would have to get the baby's room ready soon after they moved in so they wouldn't have to worry about delays due to weather.
On the second last day, Grace had arranged for her and her daughters to have a girl's day. Grace had invited Mary and Allie as well. She hoped to mend the fences that she had inadvertently broken with her disapproval and relentless need to control everything. She saw how her husband had taken to Nathan and the love he showed to little Jack and Allie. Allie seemed enthralled with her newest grandfather and all the stories he told her about Elizabeth and her aunts growing up. Grace knew that she would have to work harder if she wanted a real relationship with Elizabeth and her family. She wanted what William had and wasn't sure how to get it. Viola had always done everything that was expected of her and it was so easy for Grace to influence her. She didn't have that influence on Elizabeth or Julie, much anymore. Julie was becoming more like Elizabeth. Grace felt like she was losing her daughters and knew that she would have to be the one to change if she was going to have any sort of relationship with her youngest two daughters.
The ladies day out started with lunch at a five star restaurant where Allie was in awe and she tried foods that she never had before. Next was a trip to the salon and spa for some pampering. It was a luxury that everyone enjoyed and the end results were spectacular. Grace was hosting a goodbye party for Elizabeth and Nathan that evening. She wanted everything to be perfect and hoped that she could make Elizabeth see that she was trying prior to the event. Tonight, she was going to be a gracious hostess but she wanted to show Elizabeth and Nathan that the party was her way of showing her support. She was going to do something she rarely did. She was going to let them have the spotlight and just be in the background supporting their marriage and family.
When the ladies returned from their day out Elizabeth sought out Nathan and little Jack. She found Nathan in the library reading a classic with little Jack nowhere in sight. Nathan saw her surprise and said, "your father took him into the kitchen for a snack. I think that's code for cookies. He is really good with him Elizabeth. William mentioned possibly coming to Hope Valley for Christmas or New Years and staying until after the baby is born." Elizabeth was very happy to hear that her father was bonding with little Jack and Nathan. He was a great father and she hoped an even better grandfather. She gave Nathan a quick kiss before sitting down next to him and putting her head on his shoulder. She needed a rest before the party but wanted to be close to him. She soon fell asleep so Nathan put down his book and shifted them both so she would be more comfortable resting in his arms. They stayed that way for almost an hour before William and little Jack returned with Allie in tow. William had given Allie a snack as well when she had returned. Then they had sat at the table and played a game while little Jack watched.
William smiled at the sight of his daughter and her new husband snuggled together. He knew love when he saw it. It reminded him of him and Grace before she became so involved with what everyone else thought. He missed those days. He cleared his throat and said, "Nathan, Elizabeth, it is time to start getting these two and yourselves ready for tonight's party. The caterer and decorators are hard at work already. We can't have the guests of honor being too late." Elizabeth smiled up at her husband and they both stood up. They each took a small hand and walked upstairs to get ready. Instinctively Elizabeth knew that Nathan would get little Jack ready while she helped Allie. Though it was easier to help Allie than dress a squirmy toddler. Elizabeth and Allie put on the dresses they chose for the night and touched up their hair. Elizabeth added a bit more makeup before she added jewelry. Elizabeth let Allie choose a necklace and bracelet to wear for the evening. Just as they were finishing up Nathan appeared with a perfectly dressed little Jack. Nathan was dressed in a tuxedo but his tie was still untied and the top buttons of his shirt undone. Elizabeth went to him and finished the task for him knowing that it probably was something that he wasn't used to or little Jack hadn't wanted to cooperate long enough for him to finish without assistance. Now the entire Grant family was ready for their Good Bye to Hamilton party.