Chapter 59

The week before school started was a blur. Nathan had been busy with work and the horses and buggy had arrived. He arranged for extra feed to be delivered at the same time. One horse was a draft horse for the buggy and the other was a gentle mare for Allie to ride. Nathan would harness the horse and get it hitched to the buggy every morning before saddling Newton. They'd have breakfast together and then he'd leave for his rounds and Elizabeth would take the children to the school house to prepare for class. They were settling into the new house and new routine quite easily.

Once school started, Laura would come to the house to watch Jack. At least it would be closer for her than before because their farm wasn't too far from the new house. Elizabeth hadn't decided if she was going to ride with Allie or take the buggy once school started. Nathan had started teaching Allie how to ride her own horse instead of riding with him. Little Jack who used to ride with Elizabeth now rode with him because Elizabeth's baby belly was a little more rounded than before.

The first day of school was so special. It was great to see all her students and it was the first time that she would welcome new students as Mrs. Grant instead of Mrs. Thornton. She missed seeing Robert in the back of her class but knew he wasn't too far away yet. This year there were six new students. A couple were younger siblings of current students and the other four were from new families that had recently moved to Hope Valley. Elizabeth and her students welcomed them and tried to make them feel at ease in the classroom.

With each passing day the weather began to cool and the days felt like they were getting shorter. Elizabeth and Nathan were busy with their everyday life but they always made time for each other. That night after they had put the children to bed, they started talking about Christmas and what they wanted to get or make for the children. They both wanted to make it special because it was their first one as a family. They still had a few months but anything that needed to be ordered or made would take time. Elizabeth knew that Nathan had started on the crib and that it should be done within the month depending on how much time he spent on it and the detail work.

While they were sitting on the sofa in each other's arms Elizabeth felt a strong kick. It was the first time she had felt more than just fluttering. She grabbed Nathan's hand and placed it on her belly hoping that the baby would kick again so he could feel the life they had created together. The baby didn't disappoint and kicked twice under Nathan's palm. The smile on his face was wide and he was in awe of his wife. He looked down and placed a kiss on her lips. He then said, "I've been blessed more than I thought possible when I met you. You have given me everything I ever wanted and never thought I could have. You've even given me more than I ever imagined needing. I love you, Elizabeth." He told her that daily but he would never take her love for granted. Elizabeth replied by telling Nathan that she loved him too.

Elizabeth started to yawn so Nathan carried his wife upstairs and put her to bed before going back downstairs to make sure that the stove had enough wood and the doors locked before joining his wife for a good night sleep. That night he slept with his hand on her belly cradling their baby. The closer Elizabeth got to her due date the happier Nathan felt. He loved Allie and little Jack but this baby would forever merge their families together through their love.

The weeks continued to pass and the days grew colder. Elizabeth had decided that they would start using the buggy every day because mounting Sargeant was getting difficult as her belly grew. She had been grateful for the maternity clothes that she had bought in Hamilton but had forgotten to order a coat. Luckily Rosemary had one delivered quickly and Elizabeth stayed warm on her daily trek to and from school with Allie.

Rosemary and Elizabeth continued to make wedding plans though usually it was just agreeing to whatever options Rosemary had put in front of her. The wedding would take place outside near the creek behind the house. Elizabeth hoped that the weather would cooperate because early spring was always unpredictable. Rosemary wanted to have everything organized and planned before Christmas and before the baby was born. She knew that Elizabeth would be way too busy to think about the wedding then. Rosemary had sketched out a design for Elizabeth's gown and Elizabeth was in awe of her friend's talent. It would be spacious enough to hide any lingering baby belly but it looked amazing. They agreed that for this ceremony Nathan would wear his dress uniform like he did at the first wedding reception. Rosemary had agreed to make new but similar dresses for herself and Allie and Julie. Elizabeth wanted her sister beside her this time as well.

Elizabeth had phoned Julie and told her about the second wedding and asked if she would help with school before and after the baby was born. Julie agreed and said that she would arrive just before Christmas and stay as long as Elizabeth needed her. Elizabeth also talked to her father and he told her the same thing he asked if she could rent them one of the empty row houses for a few months because they would arrive with Julie and stay until after the wedding. He told her that Julie could stay indefinitely and he would okay for the rent on the row house for Julie. Elizabeth told him she would rent the house right away because she didn't want someone else to move in. She knew her old house remained empty but Nathan's had been rented by one of the new families.

Elizabeth then placed a call to Nathan's mother and told her about the second wedding. She was invited as long as she knew that Archie would be there and that any trouble would be unwelcome. Elizabeth knew that Allie had already told Archie about the wedding and he was going to be there and was coming a bit early to meet his newest grandchild. She hoped that they could get along for the sake of their son and grandchildren. She knew that Archie would do anything to make Allie happy so she trusted that he would be on his best behavior but outside Hamilton who knew what Mr. and Mrs. Prescott would do. Elizabeth felt a cold chill run through her and hoped it was just a cool breeze as fall was turning into winter.