Bill's Reaction – chapter 37 – Draft 1
Elizabeth awoke Monday morning with a dreamy smile on her face. She had hoped her date with Nathan would go well, but it exceeded all her expectations. When Nathan had said goodbye and left the first time, she was already celebrating in her heart, but she felt something was missing, but she couldn't describe it.
His return and the magnificent kisses they had subsequently shared filled that void she couldn't describe and made her feel like a fairy tale princess. She had not known that Nathan was the romantic type, and she was elated with this new knowledge of him!
Nathan was right – last night was a first date like no other. While she loved the easy interaction he had with Little Jack and her parents, what she appreciated the most was their hearts connected as one. More than a couple on their first date, they looked like a family. The only person missing to complete the picture was Allie.
Suddenly, she recalled Nathan's comment to her about 'bringing Bayfront Park to the lady' and how he knew the significance of that special park. She resolved that, if possible, she would take him there before returning to Hope Valley. She wanted the world to know she had found love again.
She sighed at the thought of strolling that park on the arm of Nathan Grant. Ever since her teen years, she had secretly wished to go there with the man she fell in love with. It had been a missed opportunity with Jack – she did not intend to make the same mistake again. She smiled to herself at the thought.
As she got up to start the day, she went to check on Little Jack first thing as she always did. She was surprised to find Little Jack was not in his bed and the bedroom door was slightly ajar. Elizabeth panicked. Was she so elated last night that she forgot to shut the bedroom door tightly?
Quickly slipping into her housecoat and slippers, she left the room in search of her son. She breathed a sigh of relief when she found him safely entertaining his grandparents in the parlour.
"Good Morning, Elizabeth!" Grace greeted her. "I hope you weren't too startled when you found Little Jack missing from his bed. I intended to leave you a note, but regretfully never got back to do so."
Elizabeth breathed a deep sigh of relief. "Mother, I am so relieved it was you. I was beginning to think either I had neglected to shut the bedroom door tightly or Little Jack had figured out how to open it."
"I'm sorry to have alarmed you, Dear. I was walking by the room and I heard Little Jack stirring. I quietly opened the door, tip-toed in and brought him out. He ate a good breakfast and has been entertaining your father and I ever since. Isn't that right William?" Grace replied.
The gleam in her father's eyes put Elizabeth on high alert.
"What exactly has my son been telling you that was so entertaining?" She inquired through slitted eyes and a slight smirk on her face.
Instead of replying to Elizabeth, William looked over at his wife, winked at her and asked, "Grace, who was it that Little Jack said tucked him in last night and read him a sto'wee?"
Grace smiled at William, "Well, Dear, I believe he said it was someone he called 'Mon'tee Nat'an'. Do you know anyone by that name, William?"
Both parents had a good chuckle. Elizabeth let her parents have their fun. She knew they were teasing her because they loved her and they both found Nathan to be a most acceptable suitor for her and potential step-father to Little Jack.
Cringing at the thought of how Little Jack spilled everything he knew about her date with Nathan, she was very thankful the boy did not witness how the evening ended.
Elizabeth replied, "Well, I see I will need to have a chat with my son about the importance of keeping confidences." Elizabeth reached over and gently tapped her son on his nose, to which he giggled in response.
William and Grace both laughed and simultaneously replied, "At his age, good luck with that, Dear!"
Once the good-natured teasing had subsided, both parents confirmed how much they liked Nathan and hoped they had a lovely evening together, once Little Jack had been tucked in for the night. They were obviously fishing for details.
Elizabeth confirmed the evening was indeed lovely, but didn't share anything further.
William's gaze sombered. In a serious tone he asked, "Elizabeth, did Nathan answer your questions about the inquiry coming up on the 15th?"
Elizabeth gasped. With all the fuss she had made before the date about Nathan not telling her about the inquiry, she never even mentioned it while they were actually together. Then she also realized, she never even asked him any questions about why he was in Hamilton. She also forgot to inquire about the incident regarding the Hope Valley citizen, one of her own neighbours.
Replying to her father, she said, "Well, we never really got around to discussing that, Father."
William, knowing how bothered she had previously been about the inquiry notification, looked at his daughter with raised eyebrows and said, "Oh really? I'm glad to hear it."
Grace spoke up and innocently asked, "How long will Nathan be in Hamilton, Dear?"
A flustered Elizabeth turned bright red and quickly responded, "My goodness, so many questions! We didn't discuss any of it!"
Suddenly feeling overwhelmed, and not knowing exactly why, she rose and ran up the stairs to get properly dressed, leaving her shocked parents and son behind in the parlour.
It wasn't long until there was a knock at her bedroom door. Figuring it to be her father again, she called out, "Come in Father; the door is open."
The door squeaked when it opened and Elizabeth heard a voice ask her, "Does the 'come in' apply to mothers, too?"
A tearful Elizabeth ran over to her mother, gave her a big hug, and profoundly apologized for her rude behaviour. "Mother, please forgive me. I don't know what came over me. I just suddenly remembered so many things and–" Elizabeth stopped talking suddenly, not even knowing how to explain what she was feeling.
"Elizabeth darling, of course I forgive you. I have some understanding of what upset you. Now will you please forgive me?" Grace reached up with her hand and wiped Elizabeth's tear-stained face, before continuing, "Your father and I meant no harm by teasing you. It was just our way of letting you know we approve of your Nathan."
"When you first told me you had fallen in love with another Mountie, I admit I was shocked. Over this last while, I've gotten over that because of what I see in you, Darling. I have seen first hand your face light up whenever you mention Nathan's name in conversation. Your face beams when you are expecting a call and your father's phone rings."
After a brief pause, Grace continued, "As you know, Elizabeth, I was reluctant to leave the two of you alone on your date, due to propriety. Well, from the time he stepped foot in our home, your Nathan was polite and just as gracious as could be. In our brief conversation Nathan came across as a true gentleman. The way he took charge caring for Little Jack – cleaning the mud off him and never once chastising him, was very endearing. He is a kind, gentle man who obviously loves both you and your son with all that he is. Based upon what I saw firsthand and the stories your father has shared with me, I grew to trust him very quickly. Elizabeth, I guess I'm confused with why this bothers you?"
Elizabeth leaned against the armoire behind her and deeply sighed before answering her mother's question. "Mother, everything you just said is true. Nathan is the kindest, gentlest man I've ever known. As I told you the day we were at the club, I hurt both Nathan and his daughter, Allie, very badly. Mercifully, Nathan has forgiven me; I have yet to speak to Allie."
"Nathan and I had a wonderful evening last night. The whole evening went better than in my dreams. Nathan confirmed he is willing to give 'us' a chance, and I'm so grateful, but we didn't talk about how exactly we're going to move forward. I know my future with Nathan now depends on my ability to make peace with Allie. The poor child has faced so much loss and trauma in her young life and then I came along and burst her dreams. What if I can't make peace with Allie?" Elizabeth cried before reaching for the handkerchief that had been returned from the laundry – Nathan's handkerchief that she unwittingly brought with her from Hope Valley was comforting her, again.
As she dried her eyes, she continued, "You and father asked two very appropriate questions – questions I should have had answers to. For some reason, the fact that I didn't even think to ask the questions, made me suddenly feel overwhelmed. I just can't be unworthy of Nathan – or Allie, for that matter."
Grace looked across the room and saw the door was still open. She purposely walked across and closed the door tightly. Returning to her daughter, they sat down on the settee and Grace took her hand.
"Elizabeth, you are neither unworthy of Nathan nor I suspect his daughter. You said you made some mistakes – we all do. You and Nathan have made things right. Now, you need to make things right with his daughter – I believe you said her name is Allie?"
Elizabeth sniffed and nodded, "Yes, it's Allie."
Grace nodded her understanding and continued, "Darling, how did you feel when you first woke up this morning? Before you found Little Jack missing, of course."
Elizabeth didn't respond in words. Immediately, the same dreamy look came over her face and she wore the biggest smile Grace had ever seen on her daughter's face.
Seeing the expression on Elizabeth's face, Grace continued, "Elizabeth, any man who can put that look on your face wants this relationship to work as much as you do. My mother's intuition is telling me your date was so personal in nature, that you and Nathan really communicated. All of the sudden he's offering you a future together. A future I am guessing you both have longed for."
Grace smiled, "Everything was fine until your father and I good-naturedly teased you and then asked a couple of innocent questions. You only became overwhelmed when you realized you didn't pay any attention to what you previously thought was important and started to focus on what is really important – your future with Nathan. It's a beautiful thing that you and Nathan were able to enjoy being together and growing closer in the bond of your hearts. As your relationship deepens and you grow as a couple, there will be plenty of time to pay attention to those less than important issues."
"The best advice I can give to you is this – pray for strength and wisdom, make an honest, reasonable effort to make peace with Allie and take it all, one step at time. Don't allow the as-yet unresolved conflict to become a larger issue than it is. Her father has forgiven you and she will likely take her cues from him. If you have doubts - talk to Nathan."
Grace reached over and gave her daughter a supportive hug. Then, with a slight tap on her knee, she told her to get dressed. "Don't forget, Victoria is coming to visit you, today."
Grace left her daughter alone to finish preparing for the rest of the day.