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Chapter 22
A Christmas Themed Wedding
The next day, Elizabeth made sure to speak with Charlotte privately about what Nathan had pointed out.
"Charlotte, I want you to know that Jack and I held no ill will towards you not making the wedding before. We both understood that it was extremely short notice, and you had hurt yourself," Elizabeth said as she was dusting off the table where Jack's pictures were sitting again.
Charlotte looked around uncomfortably, but one of the things that she had always admired about Charlotte was that she was rarely embarrassed by most topics of conversation and wasn't at all shy about talking about hard issues.
"I will admit that I was a little afraid of how you felt about it. It's also why I told Nathan that I didn't have to attend your wedding things," Charlotte said.
Elizabeth looked surprised about her having talked to Nathan already.
"Well, you're always welcome," Elizabeth said with a gentle smile.
Charlotte smiled back.
"I do think I will come around more often. Don't expect me to move in, but I would like to see Jack and Allie more," Charlotte explained.
"They both would love that," Elizabeth said with a smile.
Charlotte nodded back.
"I have to say that I think Nathan was the right man for you to be with...after Jack...he's impressed me in just a short amount of time. He is the type of man Jack would want for you, and I'm glad you found someone," Charlotte said with emotion, but also with love for Elizabeth.
Elizabeth looked at her in surprise.
"I know it's surprising hearing me, the perpetual widow, say that about moving on, but I still believe that no other man would deal with me and my problems, especially with my lack of cooking," Charlotte said with a tease to her eyes.
Elizabeth giggled, "Charlotte, all you have to do is find a man who can cook."
"That's even more rare!" Charlotte said.
Both women were laughing.
The day before the wedding was seen busy moving Allie and Nathan's trunk things into Elizabeth's row house. It was crowded and they were having issues trying to determine what went where, and there was arguing about tight spaces,epic teenage eye rolls that Nathan felt would challenge Allie's eye sockets in keeping her eyes where they needed to be, and a lot of frustration. Some of the things in their trunks were being stored with Archie and Ruth until their house could be built.
"It's kind of a good thing that most of my furniture burned to a crisp," Nathan whispered into Elizabeth's ear as they looked out at the cramped living room of her row house. They really hadn't added much, but it was looking tight and would be difficult until their home was built.
Elizabeth gave him a look at the 'burned to a crisp' comment, but had to admit that it was a problem.
"We need a big house," Elizabeth said, "with a lot of room to grow."
Nathan just smiled lovingly at her.
Nathan and Elizabeth had been nearly inseparable when Nathan had time off. On the last evening before their wedding, Elizabeth had surprised Nathan when they were in the church, with Allie and Jack playing in the back pews, with her wedding present for Nathan.
She handed over a large delicately wrapped box.
Nathan looked at her in suspicion.
"That looks like a guitar," Nathan said without even opening it.
Elizabeth just smiled and eyed the guitar, telling him to open the wrapping.
Nathan shook his head, but opened it anyway. Nathan had to admit being surprised about the present. Because it was a guitar, there was no hiding a full guitar shape when you wrap one, but Elizabeth had somehow managed to find HIS guitar. The one he sold off years ago. It had his finger oils where he had strumed and played for years. It had his etchings in Irish on the handle. The names Colleen, Allie, and Nathan were carved gently into it.
"Wh...wh...where did you find this?" Nathan asked.
"When your house burned down with your new one inside, I asked Gabe where you had sold this one. And I had both him and Bill use their contacts to find it," Elizabeth said.
Nathan couldn't adequately describe how much he loved this present and what she had done to find it.
"This was going to be my Christmas present, but since we're getting married, I thought you would like it before then," Elizabeth explained.
Nathan just pulled her into his arms and kissed her hard showing his gratitude.
"That's Dad's old guitar, Jack, he's really good at it, and will teach us both how to play it," Allie said loudly as she and Jack had walked over to see what Elizabeth had gotten Nathan.
Nathan and Elizabeth both separated slightly before looking down at their children.
"What makes you think I will let you touch it?" Nathan asked Allie.
"Because you love us," Allie said simply, as if it were the most obvious reason in the world.
Elizabeth smirked up at Nathan at Allie's answer. Elizabeth then looked inquiringly between Nathan and the guitar. Nathan sighed before picking it up and tuning it. Then he started playing an Irish Christmas song in the first few notes. Allie, Elizabeth, Jack all started singing the song in Irish. Nathan joined in during the chorus.
Bill and Gabe had walked close enough to the church when Elizabeth had requested the guitar from them (they had been storing it in Bill's office for safe keeping). Both men smiled at each other when they heard Nathan start to play, and their smiles broadened when they heard the song.
Both were happy and hopeful about the family that would be joining together the next day.
The next morning Elizabeth woke up with Jack and were enjoying the quiet before the wedding hustle and bustle. But their morning was interrupted almost immediately. The Thatchers, Rosemary, Florence, Faith, Fiona, Molly, Cat, and Charlotte were all at her house within minutes of each other before Elizabeth had even finished her bowl of fruit for breakfast.
Each person held a bag full of things for them to use for their preparations.
Each person was talking loudly over each other, so Elizabeth had a hard time understanding them.
But Jack was soon being cared for by William, while she was whisked away to her bedroom to get her hair and make up started.
Nathan's morning was much more calm. He and Allie had woken up and ate breakfast without disturbance from anyone else in the saloon. Gabe was doing the morning rounds, while Bill was helping with last minute set up. Lucas was directing where the wedding decorations needed to go.
"Need any help?" Nathan asked Lucas as he watched Carson tying white bows and ribbons to the red and green Christmas decorations.
"Nope. Julie Thatcher gave me very strict instructions about what to do, and where things go, and who I'm allowed to let help. I am quite certain she will know if I don't follow them to the letter," Lucas said as he raised a clip board with Julie Thatcher's handwriting on the paper attached.
Nathan could read just past Lucas' fingers. DO NOT LET ALLIE OR NATHAN HELP!
Nathan couldn't stop the smirk and the chuckle that rose to his lips.
"Good luck, Lucas," Nathan said with a teasing glint as he eyed the clipboard.
Lucas nodded in acknowledgement, but there was the hint of an embarrassed flush to his cheeks.
Nathan turned towards Allie and gestured behind him to their fishing hole.
Allie beamed and nodded her agreement. She went inside quickly to get their gear, but was back out in a flash and with him to go fishing.
They walked in companionable silence for the trip. Both of them went about getting their lines in the water.
"How are you feeling? After today, it's no longer just us," Nathan asked Allie in a whisper.
Allie looked down.
"Honestly? Part of me is a little unsure. It's always just been us. You and me against the world. But I also know how lonely we both were, and I've wanted Mrs. Thornton and Jack to become our family as well, and that excites me," Allie admitted.
Nathan flicked his line before looking at Allie.
"I want you to know that we're still a team. I don't love you any less, and I won't love you any less than Jack or any other children that come along. You're my daughter, and you'll always be my first child in my heart," Nathan said with a loving look at Allie.
Allie's smile was as wide as it would go.
"I love you, too, Dad," Allie said as she wrapped her arms around Nathan in a hug.
Nathan easily brought his arms around Allie.
"Mrs. Thornton-Jack's grandma-said something similar," Allie said as she pulled away.
Nathan nodded in acknowledgement.
They fished happily for a few more minutes before Allie would be needed back to get ready.
As they walked past the row houses, they both looked up to see Elizabeth standing at her bedroom window with curlers in her hair. She was wearing a bathrobe and drinking tea. She met their eyes and smiled at them both.
Nathan and Allie both smiled and waved gently back. Then Nathan led Allie down the path, like normal. Seeing each other in that moment, had only confirmed that they were doing the right thing. Neither of them had been particularly nervous about choosing to get married or about how quickly they were getting married. Both felt a sense of calm and peace.
When Nathan and Allie returned to Hope Valley they both looked around in surprise. The red and green decorations of this year's Christmas Festival had all been added to with accents of white and silver for the wedding that afternoon. The decorations added a sophistication and class to the already warm and homey feeling that the Main St. decorations had already achieved.
Both looked around them in awe as they watched many of the citizens of Hope Valley putting up the last of the added decorations.
Both looked over at Bill who was standing outside of his office.
"Never underestimate the influence of a Thatcher," Bill said as he noticed their looks.
Both nodded with a grin.
"Especially Julie on Lucas," Nathan added in a whisper as he watched Lucas double checking Julie's list.
"I have to admit, that would be an interesting coupling. And I love that he already has a honey-do list, and they've talked all of three days," Bill admitted in a whisper back.
Nathan chuckled lightly before leading Allie back into the saloon where Ruth had taken over Gustav's kitchen for the wedding food and cake.
"I have been making this for years!" Gustave protested.
Ruth glared at him.
"Well, you've been making it WRONG for years," Ruth rebutted and didn't move.
Gustave glared at her back for a long moment, but Ruth still didn't move. Gustave went out into the dining room to protest to Lucas.
"Mrs. Grant has taken over my kitchen," Gustave told Lucas when Lucas had silently asked why Gustave wasn't working.
Lucas and Gustave both looked at Nathan and Allie.
"Good luck with that," Allie said with a wave as she went upstairs.
"Ma won't go anywhere until she's done," Nathan said.
"What do you suggest we do?" Lucas asked.
"Do it her way," Nathan said as he walked up the stairs just behind Allie.
Gustave sighed heavily as he went back into the kitchen to help.
Ruth showed him how her recipes went, and made Gustave sign a paper saying he wouldn't stray from them, before she went upstairs to get ready herself. Archie helped her get ready, before getting ready himself.
Allie was with Nathan still in their rooms. Clara had designed a navy blue dress with a gold shawl and sash that matched Mounty jodhpurs. Allie was brushing her hair when Nathan came out from behind his screen in his formal boots and jodhpurs and his undershirt with suspenders.
Their eyes met in the mirror, and they smiled.
Nathan came up behind her, grabbed her hair brush, and kept brushing it. He then went about giving her a long French braid down the middle.
Gabe gently knocked on the door and said who it was. Nathan told him to enter.
Gabe smiled at seeing Nathan tying up the ends of Allie's hair.
Growing up with all sisters, Gabe had known how to braid hair from a young age, and he had kept that skill quiet until Allie was living with Nathan after Colleen had passed. It was when Allie was fussing because Nathan couldn't put her hair correctly that Gabe gave Nathan a crash course on different braids and hair styles.
Nathan and Allie had stopped full on braid sessions because it was always hard for Allie to get up for school. Usually, they only had enough time for a few brushes before throwing it into a ponytail before Allie was being dashed to school.
Gabe came in already wearing his formal surge.
"How were the rounds?" Nathan asked as he finished tying off Allie's braid.
"I'm not letting you know," Gabe glared at him.
Nathan looked concerned back.
"It's your wedding day. You can read the reports when you are back on duty," Gabe insisted.
Nathan just rolled his eyes.
Gabe grabbed Nathan's surge and held it open.
Nathan stepped into and then buttoned up the formal wear.
As the townspeople and the guests were returning into town with their formal wear, Archie was escorting Ruth slowly down the stairs and out into the street where the chairs for the guests were placed outside Bill's office. Due to how many people they wanted to attend, they knew that the church was just too small. The ceremony was taking place outside with many warmers and lanterns lining the street. The women in the party with William Thatcher were using the Coulter's car to get to town without the mess of mud and wet of snow.
Eventually, it was time for everyone to be in their places. Nathan was standing with Gabe and Allie on the boardwalk with Bill in the middle. The guests were seated on blankets and hay in the street. The raised platform allowed them to be seen and heard by everyone.
Ruth and Archie were sitting in the front row. Grace Thatcher eventually sat down across from them in a very nice winter dress and fur.
As the people of Hope Valley and their friends and family were slowly filling in, Lee was seen driving his car to the edge of the aisle and pulled close to the aisle. Everyone waited with bated breath as Jack stepped out with his pillow for the rings. Julie was just behind him in a dress of scarlett red.
"Jooie," Jack said as he looked up at his aunt.
Julie smiled lovingly down at him.
"Walk towards Nathan and Allie," Julie said in a whisper as she pointed down to where he needed to go.
Jack turned and saw them both.
"Nat'han! Awwie! R'chee! Granma Roof!" Jack said happily and excitedly. He walked quickly up the aisle, but did an about turn where Archie and Ruth were sitting and held his arms up to be in Ruth's lap.
Everyone was laughing and shaking their heads. Archie picked Jack up and gently placed him in Ruth's lap, and grabbed the pillow with the rings and handed them up to Gabe. Gabe untied them quickly and placed them in a pocket securely. Julie and Rosemary followed the path to where they needed to stand on Bill's other side.
Finally it was William and Elizabeth's turn.
Elizabeth was wearing a long warm dress of ivory, and her hair was up in a simple manner. No veil. Her flowers were winter flowers. And really despite the simplicity of the outfit, her hair, and makeup, it was her beaming smile that made her exquisite. She was ethereal because she was so happy and it showed. Everyone who knew her from before Jack, knew that she had, indeed, found her lifetime love. And everyone who knew Nathan, also knew that despite the fact that it had taken him so long to find his first love, that doesn't make it less deep, less important. He had never intended to marry or have a family. When Colleen had passed, Ruth had a feeling deep down that Allie would be her only grandchild. So, when Nathan had admitted to falling in love with Elizabeth and dreaming of a future with her, Ruth had been shocked, but also hopeful. At least until this past spring and into the summer. Nathan may have waited to bother with even thinking that he wanted a family, but once he had, it would have crushed him to lose it. Especially to lose her by her choosing someone else. Despite not having been IN love before Elizabeth, Nathan had loved people deeply and lost them. Archie to gambling, then prison...twice. Colleen to a car accident he had witnessed and had held her as she died (who gets over that?). Many nameless Mounty brothers over the years, and when Gabe was in the Northern Territories, Ruth had prayed every time she could that God wouldn't take Gabe away in that manner. Bill had once described Elizabeth as someone who looks before she leaps. But Nathan had built a fortress around him and Allie and made rounds and double checked security before even thinking about dipping a toe into untested waters. Which is why she was so angry and cold towards Elizabeth for a long time. Nathan had opened himself to her, and he would only open himself to her. If Elizabeth had continued with her path towards Bouchard and had chosen him, Nathan would have closed himself off to romantic love and a family because he would have been deeply hurt by her. Adding moats and gates to the already locked and heavy doors. Everyone else could see that Elizabeth was making the wrong choice. But Ruth wasn't sure she could trust her to realize that and fix it. And she felt that it was too little too late, when she had gotten her letter over the summer. In fact, Ruth had tried to throw it out without reading it, but Archie had pulled it out of the can and opened it right away. Archie seemed to have a high opinion of Elizabeth for helping him with his reconciliation with Nathan and Allie last year. But Ruth pointed out that THAT Elizabeth wasn't the one she had seen and met this year and she wanted Nathan and Allie away from her, because they needed to be around the people who actually loved them, when Elizabeth did something hurtful and stupid. Archie had argued that Ruth was giving him a third chance and with less reason to do so.
"Nathan trusts me because of Elizabeth," Archie would always end. "She deserves another chance."
Ruth had always rolled her eyes and sighed heavily.
When it became apparent that they needed to return to Hope Valley to get Bill and Gabe's help with Nathan, there was no way in Hell Ruth was going to let Allie near Elizabeth without her present, especially if Nathan needed help when he got home.
So, they packed up and came back, and Ruth, despite being homebound, watched Elizabeth and Jack and Allie like a hawk. Elizabeth had kept her distance. Archie would speak about how they interacted in the Mercantile. How her little boy was the sweetest and how could a bad person raise such a special little boy.
When she had asked to talk about the new school year and to apologize, Archie encouraged Ruth to allow it and to allow Jack to come with. Archie knew that Ruth's weak spots were small children. So, when Ruth and Jack were finally introduced, Ruth saw what Archie was always talking about. Jack was a sweet, well behaved, happy little boy. Ruth's heartstrings couldn't not get attached to him, and she opened her heart to him from the moment he was in her arms.
When Jack called her Grandma, it was the best and the worst thing to have to hear. On one hand it made her happy, but she also knew that while Jack absolutely shouldn't be punished for Elizabeth's behavior, Ruth still wasn't quite ready to accept Elizabeth's apology, and with Nathan still gone, they might leave when he got back. When they found out about Nathan's memory loss, Ruth immediately saw that the younger, unjaded version of Nathan was back. And while he struggled with his memory loss and how long it took him to get them back, he somehow knew that Elizabeth was where his heart was.
Ruth had wondered if Elizabeth would try to reestablish their relationship, but she kept it professional. Never seeking him out specifically unless she needed to talk about Allie. And if she were to admit it, it was her persistence in keeping his boundaries when he couldn't remember he had them, that made Ruth start to respect and see Elizabeth as the person everyone around them said she was. Which is why when Nathan's memories came back hard and heavy she admitted to having gained a sliver of respect for Elizabeth when Nathan had asked.
Then Nathan had decided to give her a second chance, and not 24 hours later they were all having to choose whether or not to be a support to him. Ruth watched as Elizabeth consistently chose to be there for Nathan. If she were honest, she had thought that Elizabeth would eventually cave under the pressure. That it would get to be too much and she would tell Nathan that she can't be with a Mountie, and leave him to pick up the pieces by himself. It wasn't until Nathan's nightmare about his torture that Ruth truly began to accept that Elizabeth was going to stick around and be a help to Nathan and be in his corner. Nathan had needed someone to ease his nights and worries (for years at this point), and Elizabeth did it easily and compassionately.
As the town and the investigation became more public, as Nathan's days were becoming just as bad as Nathan's nights, Ruth watched as Elizabeth would just hold his hand or rub the back of his head, and Nathan's stress would melt into her caresses and touches. She never offered words to try and comfort him, but she would always reach out a hand to touch him to let him know that she was there for him. It was in these moments where Ruth accepted that Elizabeth was serious about wanting a future with Nathan, messy problems and all.
And although they never talked about it, Ruth had given them her blessing. Gus was right about her being with the people in the car if she hadn't trusted any of them, including Bouchard. Nathan's assessment of him was correct. He was a good man, but they were too different to be close friends, but that didn't mean they couldn't be neighborly and help each other out.
Ruth hadn't been surprised at all when Nathan and Elizabeth came back from their horse ride engaged and wanting to get married in less than a week. Elizabeth would want her family here, and besides one sister who lived in England, most everyone they knew was already in Hope Valley. Nathan would do whatever he could to make her happy, and they both wouldn't last a long engagement. Spring was a long time off.
Ruth was looking between Nathan and Elizabeth as they were beaming with love at each other. She smiled and hugged Jack as he started to babble.
Nathan looked down briefly at his mother. She smiled the same crooked smile and kissed Jack's cheek.
Nathan knew that it was Jack that had started tearing down Ruth's walls for Elizabeth.
In what seemed like no time at all, Elizabeth was standing in front of Nathan in front of Bill's Office. They took each other's hands.
Everyone was quiet with happy anticipation.
Bill cleared his throat before starting, "This is most certainly the best day on this job this far!"
Nathan and Allie smiled at him.
"Nathan and Elizabeth have asked all of us to join them in celebrating their commitment to each other and their bonding of their new family. We are here because two people have chosen to spend their lifetimes together. It is not a decision that was made lightly on either part. They have overcome many obstacles, both in their previous lives and as a couple, and while I was surprised at how soon you both wanted to get married, I am not surprised that you are here together. This feels inevitable. You were meant to make it to this ceremony," Bill said as he looked between them.
Nathan and Elizabeth both nodded at that assessment.
"Nathan and Elizbath have written their own vows and would like to share them now," Bill said loudly.
Elizabeth started.
"Nathan, dearest Nathan, ní féidir leat seilbh a bheith agam ormsa is liomsa mé féin. Ach cé gur mian linn beirt é, tugaim duit an rud is mian liom a thabhairt,ní féidir leat ordú a thabhairt dom, mar is duine saor mé. Ach seirbheálfaidh mé tú ar na bealaí sin a theastaíonn uait
agus beidh blas an milseáin níos milse ag teacht ó mo lámh," Elizabeth smiled.
Nathan smiled at her.
Archie was blinking back tears of pride and happiness.
"Are you going to translate for those of us who don't speak Irish?" Bill asked.
"I found some traditional vows in a book, 'you cannot possess me for I belong to myself, but while we both wish it, I give you that which is mine to give, you cannot command me, for I am a free person, but I shall serve you in those ways you require and the honeycomb will taste sweeter coming from my hand.' I promise to stand by your side through everything that life throws at us and count them as blessings because I get to pass this life with you at my side. I love you!" Elizabeth said firmly.
Nathan was having trouble breathing.
Gabe patted his back slightly.
Nathan stood straight and cleared his throat a few times.
"Elizabeth, I would never ask you to give up any piece of yourself, because everything you are is something about that makes you unique and essentially Elizabeth. I'm not good with words, but I do vow to love and protect you and Jack as much as I love you today. And I vow that my love will only grow, and that will include anyone else who ends up in our family, honorary or not," Nathan said.
Elizabeth smiled up at him.
Nathan and Elizabeth then exchanged rings and the new ring set had many people questioning just how they had gotten them so quickly.
Bill looked at them both with love and pride.
"By the power vested in me as judge in the province of British Columbia, I hereby pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bri…" was as far as Bill got before Elizabeth threw herself up into Nathan's arms and kissed him hard.
Nathan was only surprised for a moment before he held her so that she was more comfortably situated in his long arms and kissed her back.
Everyone was cheering and laughing.
Carson Sheppard had agreed to help with the photography and he was working a lot with this wedding. Elizabeth and Nathan made an excellent subject. Jack was adorable all on his own, and the rest of the wedding guests and family were going to want pictures with the couple.
As everyone made their way into the saloon for the reception, it was quite more full than normal, but they managed to fit with everyone inside.
The people were serving themselves as they passed through a buffet line. Gustave and Clara were the ones making sure the food trays stayed full. Nathan and Elizabeth had a long table with their wedding party and family nearby. As everyone was sitting down to eat, they noticed that Gustave's normal flavors for this were different, but it was better. Nathan and Allie were hearing the murmuring and both smirked. They both took a bite of their meal and tasted Ruth's recipe. Archie also took a bite and then gave Ruth an exasperated look.
Ruth just shrugged and ate like normal.
"There's a story here," Bill said as he took his first bite and had watched the exchange between the Grants.
"I could smell the food prep. He was doing it wrong," Ruth argued.
"So, she waltzed down into the kitchen and corrected him," Archie added.
"How are you so skinny? With a mother who cooks like this?" Kevin asked as he eyed Nathan.
"You're assuming that he's as good at cooking," Allie said with a headshake.
Nathan flushed red, but nodded at that deduction.
Everyone laughed at that.
But as Elizabeth was looking at Nathan, she had to admit that he wasn't as gaunt as he had been when he returned. He still had some work to do to get his muscle definition back, but he didn't look like he could keel over from starvation either. Elizabeth looked at Ruth. Ruth met her eyes. Ruth smiled first.
The meals were quickly eaten and not much was left. Even Gustave had to admit that Ruth's version was better. Then, they cleared the tables to make room for the music and games.
William danced with Elizabeth first.
"I'm not going to ask if you're happy, because it is very apparent how you feel. I will say that we are all very glad to be here," William said as he looked at Grace laughing at something Allie had said.
Elizabeth smiled.
"I'm very glad and happy you all are," Elizabeth said with honesty.
"We haven't said so, but we are sorry that we didn't take the time to know Jack properly. Or his family. Charlotte is a force of nature all on her own," William added as he looked at Charlotte Thornton as dressed up as she would ever be, wearing a blue dress. It was the first time she had worn a dress in front of any Thatcher.
Elizabeth nodded in agreement.
"She's wonderful," she added with love.
William surprised her by nodding in agreement.
"I've found that the people you've found here are strong, independent, and willful," William added as he looked around.
"Meaning?" Elizabeth asked with skepticism.
"I'm meaning them as compliments. You are each of those things. It doesn't surprise me at all that you've surrounded yourself by friends who are the same. It is why you take care of each other. And you managed to snag the most strong willed mother-in-law in all of Canada," William added as he whispered and briefly glanced in Ruth's directions.
"Father!" Elizabeth gave him a slight head shake.
"It is also a compliment to Ruth and Archie. They've raised Nathan to be accepting of a strong wife. He won't try to change you. Not that you would have let him, but he loves you for the person you already are," William said as they twirled to a close.
Elizabeth smiled back before William released her from his arms. Elizabeth then searched for Nathan amongst the party goers. He had his back turned to her as he was delivering punch to Mrs. Crandall.
Elizabeth stepped up behind him and tapped him on his shoulder. Nathan stood up and turned around. He gave Elizabeth a look as she smiled at him.
"May I have this dance, Constable?" she asked as she held out her hand.
Nathan smiled and nodded.
"Just a fair warning, I don't dance well in crowds," Nathan whispered into her ears.
Elizabeth pulled them into position on the dance floor and smiled at him.
"Don't worry, no one is watching," Elizabeth said.
Nathan gave her a cross look as the music started.
Everyone watched as they started to dance.
Nathan was stiff in his movements, a bit from not practicing much, and a bit from the fact that there were more people in the room than the last dance he had attended where he had danced.
"When was the last time you danced at a dance?" Elizabeth asked in curiosity.
"At a public dance?" Nathan asked as he looked down at her.
Elizabeth nodded.
Nathan looked up, searching his memory.
"Well, I was a teenager. I had grown a foot over the summer and was all knees and elbows and had zero coordination. I tripped over my own feet and her feet and she left me standing mid-dance in the dance hall. I don't really blame her. I've never been much of a dancer," Nathan admitted.
Elizabeth looked at him in horror.
"She left you in the middle of the dance hall? That's rude!" Elizabeth said under her breath.
Nathan gave a slight nod.
"Colleen thought so as well. She bought as much chewing gum as possible the next day, so that when she was sitting behind her in class, Colleen spit the whole wad into the back of her hair, but she was old enough to do it subtly and the girl didn't notice until later that night. She came to school the next day with very short, boy's cropped hair," Nathan said.
Elizabeth looked at him with wide horror in her eyes.
"I'm glad that I fixed our relationship. I like my features," Elizabeth whispered.
Nathan couldn't help the loud laugh that escaped him.
The two talked easily together as they danced. Nathan wasn't a very skilled dancer, but he knew the steps and once he wasn't focused on the crowd, he was passable as a dancer.
Soon the toasts were to be made. Rosemary went first.
"Elizabeth has been my very best friend for a very long time. We have celebrated each other's joys, and mourned each other's losses. Losing Jack was a loss, we all thought Elizabeth wouldn't get over, despite Jack saying that it was okay for her to move on. When Nathan was assigned to Hope Valley, we were all skeptical of this new Mountie taking over our beloved Jack's place. We were all worried that he would try and make us forget Jack, or ignore his impact on the town. But it quickly became clear that while Constable Nathan Grant shared Jack's values and was part of the brotherhood of Mounties, they were completely different people in how they lived those dreams. They both are men of integrity and impeccable character, and they both wear the surge well, but that was the extent of their similarities. Jack Thornton was a bit of a hot head and his career came first. Nathan Grant is a man who sits back and rationalizes every detail and every point before making a decision, and he does it quietly. And Allie has always come first for Nathan. Even before we realized he was her guardian. They are both very special men, and I'm not surprised that both of them found their person in Elizabeth. I am so very glad that you both decided that love is worth fighting for. Because the love you have and share is already admirable and will only grow deeper with each year. To Elizabeth and Nathan," Rosemary raised her champagne flute.
Everyone followed.
Gabe stepped forward.
"I have had the pleasure of knowing Nathan since we were cadets together. I've watched him reel from the forces of change and go from doting uncle to guardian of his niece in quite a short amount of time. I watched him as he had to learn how to be a person after holding his sister in her death and trying to keep it together for Allie. I watched him humble himself in order to be there for her. I've watched them be denied entrance to family events because they weren't technically father-daughter. Since Colleen's death, Allie has been his biggest focus. I've watched them move post-to-post and have teacher and educator after teacher and educator tell them that he either needed to marry, give her up, or stop being a Mountie," Gabe paused as he said this.
Some people were looking at him in shock and offense.
"And for those of us who know Nathan, we know that before Hope Valley all of those things weren't going to happen. Giving Allie up wasn't something he could do when she was four, let alone when he had been raising her and she remembered their relationship. Being a Mountie was also something that he couldn't give up. And any marriage wouldn't be for convenience, and the women they had tried to set him up with, didn't like he was a Mountie or had Allie, and oftentimes it was both. Then he came to Hope Valley, and Mrs. Thornton was needing to talk about Allie's behavior, and he was completely expecting the same lecture he always got, 'children need stability. She needs a real mother and father etc.' and she did start that speech but it ended within her classroom. And then she started quoting some of Nathan's favorite authors and poets to Allie. And when he started to write about how Elizabeth had welcomed him and Allie, it became fairly obvious to me that he was lowering his walls imperceptibly where she was concerned. While I didn't come to know Elizabeth personally until this past year, I agree with Bill. This day seemed inevitable. Your paths. Your choices were being directed to this moment and your life to spend together," Gabe said as he finished.
Everyone cheered and agreed.
The rest of the night went by fairly quickly. Cake was cut. Bouquet was thrown, (Julie caught it). Most of their guests had children and were on their way home, as they were saying goodbye to their own family. The sets of grandparents in the saloon were all watching Jack and Allie for the night.
Nathan and Elizabeth were staying one night alone in Elizabeth's row house. Rosemary had decorated the bedroom to make it more romantic for the evening. Lee had driven them home.
Nathan and Elizabeth were standing on her porch steps outside her door. Elizabeth turned to open the door.
"Aren't I supposed to carry you over?" Nathan asked before Elizabeth stepped over.
She turned to glare at him.
"If it's a new house. I've been living here," Elizabeth reminded him.
"Yeah, but WE haven't been," Nathan pointed out.
Elizabeth just gave him a confused look back.
"Humor me," Nathan said before picking her up and carrying her inside.
"What was the point of that?" Elizabeth asked.
"We don't need anymore bad luck," Nathan said as he gently placed her on the ground.
"Are you really that superstitious?" Elizabeth asked in shock.
"Half-Irish Mountie," Nathan pointed at himself.
Elizabeth gave him a challenging look.
"You're going to see just how superstitious BOTH of those sides are when we plan our house," Nathan smiled at her.
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow.
"Horseshoes?" she asked.
"Fae protectors," Nathan added.
"Rabbit foot?"
Nathan shook his head.
"The house has to be in the correct direction," Nathan added.
Elizabeth shook her head at him before grabbing the champagne that Rosemary had left on ice in a bucket. She opened the bottle expertly and poured out the liquid into two flutes.
"To marriage," Elizabeth said as she handed one over.
"To marrying you," Nathan added as they clinked.
Elizabeth's face flushed, but she drank.
They stood in companionable silence as they finished the champagne.
Nathan seemed to notice Elizabeth's unease with going upstairs.
"We don't have to do anything tonight," Nathan whispered.
Elizabeth looked at him in surprise.
"I can tell there's something about going upstairs that is bothering you," Nathan added.
"It's not that I'm nervous about that. It's just that the ONLY man that has been up in my bedroom…" Elizabeth said with her head down.
"Was Jack...we didn't think this part through," Nathan admitted.
Elizabeth nodded and bit her lip.
"I stand by what I said. We don't need to do anything until you are ready," Nathan said.
Elizabeth sighed.
"It's so ridiculous to make us wait until our house is built. And where would you sleep until then?" Elizabeth said with self recrimination.
"But it's where you have some of your last memories of being with Jack. I won't step on those," Nathan whispered as he kissed her hands.
Elizabeth could feel just how much he loved her with those words and actions. She suddenly felt very selfish for even thinking about it. She sighed heavily, looked at the plaque on the wall, and fortified her nerves. She pulled on Nathan's arms as she walked stiffly to the stairs.
Nathan gave her a long look, but followed her anyway.
Elizabeth stopped just outside her bedroom door.
Nathan held her as she slowly opened the door to their bedroom.
Rosemary had lightly decorated with mistletoe.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes and Nathan chuckled.
"At least it's not a bed full of rose petals or mantle pieces full of glowing candles," Nathan whispered.
"What's wrong with those?" Elizabeth asked.
"Flower petals in general get into places and are hard to clean up," Nathan explained.
"And you would know this how?" Elizabeth asked.
"Allie as a toddler loved to play wedding," Nathan said.
Elizabeth smiled at him with a loving thought of Allie pretending to be a flower girl, and Nathan playing with her because that was what she wanted to play.
"And the candles?" Elizabeth asked.
"Safety hazard. One wrong move and you either have serious burns and/or the place is inflamed," Nathan explained.
Elizabeth looked at Nathan with amusement. Because his reaction to flowers and candles was everything practical. Lucas would have gone overboard with his use of them both. Looking at Nathan she was glad that she had picked Nathan. The man who only knows about the mess flowers are because he has a daughter and he would do pretty much anything to make her happy.
Elizabeth smiled up at him and led him into the room.
They sat on her bed and talked until both fell asleep
Elizabeth woke up a few hours later and watched Nathan sleeping for a bit. He was in his undershirt and long johns but that was as far as either of them got. His stubble was growing darkly. She couldn't stop herself from leaning over and kissing her handsome husband.
Nathan woke up from her kisses and gave her a confused look.
Elizabeth just pointed up where the mistletoe still hung on the headboard.
"It's tradition, Constable," Elizabeth teased before leaning down to kiss him hard.
Their kissing became more inflamed and more impassioned.
"Are you sure?" was all Nathan breathed out.
"Yes," Elizabeth replied in a husky whisper.
They spent the rest of the night and morning making new memories of being married, and Elizabeth realized that Nathan and Jack were different as husbands as well, and that is really what she needed, because when she was with Nathan she wasn't reminded of the small amount of time with Jack.