Chapter 62

As the week goes on Nathan hears from Gabe who will be happy to stand up for him. He will also stay a few days to cover for Nathan so they can get away for a couple of nights.

Nathan and Elizabeth discuss a short honeymoon and know they will have lots of help with the children if they are away for several nights. After thinking about it Nathan suggests the Lake House that he went to as a child. It wasn't that far and they could skate and walk and just relax. Elizabeth agrees with this and they both hope they can take a longer trip in the summer when both have more time.

After some discussion it is decided that Elizabeth and Little Jack will move in with Allie and Nathan; there is a small bedroom for Little Jack. That will allow Julie to stay at Elizabeth's for now as she is very busy helping Julia with all her new projects. Laura will continue to watch Little Jack at Elizabeth's as he is used to that. Hopefully in late spring the new house, which both are excited about, will be done.

Nathan meets with Lee about lumber for the house and he asks William to find help to start the house as soon as possible. Maura and Julia conspire to ensure the Lake House will be ready for the honeymooners. All is falling into place; however, Elizabeth continues to sense something in Nathan at times. She continues to ask him about it and he dismisses her concern. Honestly Nathan has trouble verbalizing his concerning thoughts.

Elizabeth asks Bill if he sees any difference in Nathan and while he really doesn't see anything he thinks about it. Later he catches up with her and tells her Nathan got kind of quiet after he mentioned how long she and Jack courted and how after the train accident the wedding date got moved up. Elizabeth thanks him and thinks about this and begins to devise a plan.

She thinks about the letters that Colleen had written Allie telling her it alright to let a new Mom in and if Collen had not welcomed Elizabeth into the family and to being a new Mom to Allie, Elizabeth would have more concerns. She knows it will be an adjustment for all. Allie is only used to Nathan, not two parents and she remembers her own mother. Elizabeth doesn't want to replace Colleen; she just wants to love Allie now in this time. Little Jack will have no memory of his father and will grow up with Nathan filling that role naturally so Nathan really has no concerns about this. Elizabeth also knows that Nathan accepts that Jack will always be a part of her life, but she wants to make it clear that this marriage is between her and Nathan. She thinks this might be bothering him.

While Elizabeth had "permission" from Collen to take on a role in Allie's life, Nathan does not have the same gift from Jack.

She decides to write Nathan a letter that he can continue to read through the years as they go through troubles and trials of life and hope it may provide some comfort. She writes:

Dear Nathan,

I sense that you have a little reserve about our upcoming marriage and I know you love me and I love you. I know we will both accept the children as our own so I don't think that holds any concerns for you. However, I wonder if you are concerned that Jack will play a role in our marriage. I can't promise that Jack will not come up in all of our future years. However, I can promise that when we exchange vows I will be pledging myself and my love to you, Nathan Grant. There will only be two of us in this marriage I promise Nathan. I look forward to being your partner in life, raising a family with you and enjoying the intimate parts of marriage that will only be shared between the two of us.

There can be no comparison to my marriage with Jack. We spent so few days together we were just beginning to build a marriage. Already you and I have begun to build our family and I look forward to a long life where we watch our family grow and we mature into our love as well. I am not the same person that was married to Jack, life has changed me, and you love this Elizabeth as much as I love this Nathan.

As I take on the task of becoming Allie's new mother, I receive great comfort from reading Colleen's letters and the strength she had to allow Allie to open her heart to a new mother. What a wonderful gift.

While Jack cannot give you that same gift and I know I have shared it with you, but I want it in writing for you to be able to reread as we go through the years together. He gave me permission to open myself to love again. We both know what a journey that has been for me and you have waited for me to be ready which a gift in itself is.

Jack's words say "Elizabeth if anything happens to me please open yourself to love again. I want you to be happy."

So really Nathan Jack has blessed us both as I have found love again with you, my soulmate and I am unbelievably happy to become your wife. Please know that I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.

All my love,

Elizabeth

With a kiss she seals the envelope and decides how she will get it to him.

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