Chapter 55

The guests of the Thatcher's goodbye party started to arrive before Nathan and Elizabeth made their entrance. William and Grace were the gracious hosts welcoming everyone near the doors of the ballroom. Viola and Julie were already in the ballroom mingling with their friends and guests. The Thatcher sisters were known for their beauty and charm. Once the last guest arrived, Elizabeth and Nathan made their descent down the stairs, arm in arm. Allie was holding Elizabeth's hand and Nathan held little Jack in his arm. They were the perfect family. They posed, smiling, at the bottom of the staircase for photographers. Elizabeth had warned Nathan that their photo would probably be in the society pages of the newspaper the next day. After the pictures were taken the family joined the party.

Allie and little Jack found the other children on the terrace playing games and other activities. Their parents were only steps away inside the ballroom but they knew it would be more fun playing than the boring adult conversations and dancing. Snacks and drinks were available because one of the maids was attending to the children. Allie did want to dance at some point but she knew that she would later in the evening

Grace and William left their post at the doorway to say a few words before the band started playing. Grace was wearing a more muted rose gold dress instead of her traditionally bright and colorful ensembles. She started her speech, "As many of you know, my daughter Elizabeth chose to go West to teach eight years ago. I didn't support her decision at the time and it took me quite a while for me to accept that she wouldn't return to Hamilton. I didn't support her first marriage and after her husband's untimely death so soon after they married, I hoped she would come back home but she didn't. Due to my disapproval of her life choices, I have in essence lost my middle daughter until now. My daughter came home with her new husband and their children for a visit and I realized just how much I was missing in her life because of my actions. I didn't even know she had gotten remarried until the Prescott party. Having time to reflect over the past few days and getting to know my daughter, Nathan, Allie, and little Jack during this time has been an honor. I know that it is time for me to humble myself in their eyes and apologize for everything that I have done in the past and promise to be a better mother and grandmother in the future. I don't want to miss another big moment in their lives or the birth of our future grandchildren. Even though it's still early, Nathan and Elizabeth will be adding to their family in the new year. Congratulations to the happy couple and new beginnings for all of us. I'm looking forward to coming to Hope Valley next year to meet my newest grandchild." Elizabeth was surprised that her mother would admit she was wrong in front of all her friends and guests because keeping up appearances was always so important to Grace. Elizabeth accepted the hug her mother offered and Grace stood before Nathan and said, "I truly mean it when I say welcome to the family. I can see that you love my daughter and grandson. You have and will continue to make them happy for years to come." She then gave him a hug that expressed her genuine feelings and not some stiff formal greeting.

The band started playing and Nathan lead Elizabeth onto the dance floor. Elizabeth looked gorgeous in her gold dress with red floral embroidery. The gold flowing sleeves stopped at her elbow. The colors of her dress seemed to pay homage to her husband's profession with the gold, red, and black stitching. With Nathan dressed in his black tuxedo the color of her dress popped and they looked the picture of elegance and made a very striking couple. Nathan gathered Elizabeth in his arms for the slow song that the band was playing, it was a song meant to be shared by couples because the distance between the partners was almost nonexistent. Elizabeth rested her head on Nathan's shoulder as they swayed to the music. Elizabeth wondered why her mother had allowed the band to play such an intimate song but as she opened her eyes and looked at her mother, she could see that she was smiling. She had wanted all of Hamilton to see the love that her daughter had found with Nathan.

The party and dancing went on for several more hours. Nathan danced with Allie, Julie, Grace, and Mary a few times and even Viola had requested a dance. Seeing her mother accept Nathan meant that she had to get to know her new brother-in-law as well. While Nathan was dancing with her family she danced with her father, his step father, and Sir Lionel. She even shared a couple dances with Tom who was invited as Julie's guest. Charles asked her to dance for old time's sake but she refused. "Charles, your interference in my life when I was courting Jack cost me so much time that I can never get back. Our friendship died a long time ago and I'm not going to let you cost me any more future happiness," Elizabeth said before turning and walking away from her old friend.

Elizabeth and Nathan danced together with their children before Elizabeth took little Jack and Allie upstairs and put them to bed later than usual. One of the staff helped to make the bedtime ritual easier. Nathan usually helped but he was in deep conversation with her father when she left. She knew that with help she would be back at the party in a few minutes. Little Jack was asleep before she finished reading the second page of his book and Allie was almost asleep when Elizabeth kissed her goodnight. Elizabeth went downstairs and ran into Julie at the bottom of the stairs.

Julie had been the social butterfly that evening dancing with everyone who asked. Julie knew she was going to miss Elizabeth and her family when they left the next day. Julie had gotten so used to having Elizabeth as her sounding board again and having her so close was very nice. She knew that Elizabeth would never leave Hope Valley, even if Nathan had to transfer, she couldn't see Elizabeth and the children leaving their extended family. Though Julie couldn't see Nathan accepting any assignments that would take him away from his family for more than a couple weeks at most. Julie and Elizabeth entered the ballroom and found a table. They were getting hungry so they flagged down a waiter and asked if he could make them a platter of a few of all the appetizers that were being served. Elizabeth was also getting tired and didn't want to overdo it so she was happy to sit with her sister for a while. Julie and Elizabeth were talking and snacking when Nathan found them a few minutes later. He grabbed a couple morsels and popped them in his mouth. He sat down and asked, "is anyone else thinking we should sneak into the kitchen and make ourselves some real food? I'm starving. These bite sized appetizers are great but I need something more substantial. Do you think the chef would make me a steak?" Elizabeth laughed because she was hungry and eating for two so she pulled her husband up and they went the long way to the kitchen. They would see what they could persuade the chef to whip up for them.

After sharing the meal, the chef was nice enough to prepare using what was readily available they returned to the ballroom to say their farewells to the old and new friends they made in Hamilton. They shared the last dance before saying good night. They were one of the last couples to call it a night because they knew that they were leaving the next afternoon. Nathan could tell that Elizabeth was exhausted so being the devoted husband that he was he swept her up into his arms and carried her upstairs to bed. The days had been quite long for both of them and the next day would be equally busy with preparing to leave and getting to the train station on time. Nathan and Elizabeth got ready for bed knowing that that would be the last night they would spend in her childhood bedroom for the quite a while. They had no plans on returning to Hamilton in the foreseeable future. The train ride wasn't something they would want to do with a newborn. Sleep came easily that night as Elizabeth lay cradled in Nathan's strong arms.

The following morning, everyone ate a hearty breakfast before everyone started getting ready for their final departure. Mary and Harvey had spent the night in one of the guest rooms so that they could share breakfast with the family and say their goodbyes. After breakfast, Nathan and William were in William's study with little Jack reading the newspapers. As Elizabeth had predicted, their family picture was on the front page of the society pages. The newspaper had forwarded copies of the photos taken for Elizabeth and Nathan.

Elizabeth and Julie packed their things with Allie's help. Allie was going behind them and checking under pillows, in drawers, under beds, and in the closets to make sure nothing was forgotten. Though they knew that if the staff found anything they forgot, Julie would forward it along. As the bags filled the happier Elizabeth felt. She loved her family but she missed the life she had with Nathan in Hope Valley. She couldn't wait to get home and get moved into the new house. Hopefully Lee had no trouble getting all the stuff from Hamilton into the house without incident.

Nathan and William helped load the car with the luggage while the ladies said their goodbyes. There were hugs and tears. The luggage was in one car and the other would carry William and Julie along with Elizabeth, Nathan, and the children to the train station. William and Julie had both wanted to wave them off from the train platform. William had decided to spoil his daughter and her family by upgrading their private car to a deluxe private car so it would be even more comfortable for the ride home. Nothing but the best for his daughter, her husband, and grandchildren. After many hugs and kisses they boarded the train and headed home waving to two of their favorite people as the train pulled away from the Hamilton station. Always true to their word, Elizabeth knew she would see Julie and her father in a few months.