Chapter 61
The next morning Nathan goes over to his mother to get Allie. They are in the kitchen and Nathan sits down and after some light conversation says "Allie I want to talk to you". Maura begins to excuse herself, but Nathan tells her to join them. Allie looks at him and says "Dad this looks like one of those serious talks you want to have where we usually go fishing or horseback riding. So what's up?"
Nathan responds with "You know me so well Allie. So here goes, Elizabeth and I were talking and decided we would like to move up the wedding date. That means we won't have the new house built and we would all have to live together in one of our row houses. Now Allie I want to know how you feel about all of this, as it would mean we would be forming our new family earlier than you thought". With a laugh Allie says "Dad you worry too much; I can't wait for us to be a family. So what if we all have to live in one of our houses for now, we can do this" She gets up and kisses him and says "Dad, I want you to be happy as well and I know Miss Elizabeth makes you happy. Now when is the wedding?" Wisely Maura has been quiet through all this as this is a moment between father and daughter and she loved how it played out. She is so happy to see her son with someone he loves and loves him as well.
Nathan responds to Allie, "Well, in about 3 weeks" Allie shrieks and says "Three weeks, that's a lot of planning to do, does Mrs. Coulter know. Where is it going to be, do I get a new dress, will there be a party?" she stops for breath. "Hold on Allie, Elizabeth is telling Mrs. Coulter today and we thought we would get married in Judge Avery's office and have a small party for just our families. Oh, and I am sure you can get a new dress", Nathan responds.
He puts up his hands and says we just want something simple with the people we are closest too. After we build our new house we will have a party for the town. Maura is sitting straight up in her chair and says "Nathan I would love to help" He looks at her skeptically and says "Help, not takeover right". She looks down and laughingly says, "Yes help". How about I have dinner tonight for our group and we can finalize plans. Wisely he says "Let me check with Elizabeth first." Both Allie and her grandmother are thrilled about the wedding and hug and kiss him. Nathan realizes that he better get used to do this.
Over at Elizabeth's, she is going through the same conversation with both Julie and Rosemary; both of them are very disappointed that this is not going to be a bigger affair. Elizabeth is adamant that they want a small simple ceremony with only family and close friends. She too talks about the party after the new house will be built. After much sighs and eye rolls, Rosemary and Julie finally accept the situation. At that point Nathan pops in to offer his mother would invite all for dinner tonight so plans could be finalized. Elizabeth willingly accepts. Realizing he is intruding on "girl time" Nathan wisely retreats and goes to ask Bill to perform the ceremony.
Bill is very understanding of their desire to have a small wedding and will be honored to perform the ceremony. Bill says to Nathan, "The train accident really speeded up Elizabeth's thinking didn't it? I always thought she regretted the time she and Jack spent courting as he was taken too soon and she realizes that all of life is fleeting". Nathan just gives him a nod.
Next Nathan sends a wire to Gabe to ask him to stand up with him and gives him the details he knows now. With those wedding duties out of the way he settles down to work. However he continues to be distracted by the upcoming wedding and Bill's remarks, he keeps turning them over in his mind. He knows Jack will always be in Elizabeth's heart and he has accepted that. However he wants this marriage to be his and Elizabeth's as they build their family together. He is unsure if he should be concerned so he tries to shelve his thoughts for now and gets down to work.
Dinner that night is a jovial affair and the women spend much of the time talking and making plans. It is decided they will go to Union City next week-end to shop for dresses and the planning begins. The men wisely stay out of it and begin to discuss sports and random items. Elizabeth notices that Nathan seems a little quiet and there seems to be a shadow in his eyes. She asks him if he is OK with the all this and the new wedding date and he assures her he is fine and waves off her concern. As the week progresses Elizabeth watches him closely, and for the most part he seems fine. However every now and then he seems different just a little. Putting it out of her mind for now she vows to keep watching for this.
On Saturday the women leave for Union City bright and early and Allie is included as well. Laura will watch Little Jack and Nathan will relieve her when he finishes work.
The shopping trip is a huge success as they find the perfect dress in ivory for Elizabeth, it is understated, but she will look beautiful. Julie will wear a pale, pale blue as will Allie who is thrilled with her new dress. Maura found almost matching suits for Nathan and Little Jack, dark blue with blue shirts. The women return to Hope Valley, tired but triumphant.
Elizabeth finds Nathan at her house feeding Little Jack and when she walks in she is so touched by the scene her eyes fill up. She goes to Nathan and Jack and hugs them both. Nathan sees the emotion in Elizabeth's eyes and asks "Elizabeth?" She responds "I am just having a moment when I see my two best men together, it just melts my heart". "Sweetheart, we love you too" Nathan says holding Little Jack. Allie comes bounding in and starts to talk nonstop about the shopping day to Nathan and tells her all about her dress and how she will wear her hair. She is so excited and Nathan looks at Elizabeth with that same warm look and says "It looks like my two best girls had a great day too".