A/N I struggled with a title for this series of chapters but a second title that I think could apply would be BILL AVERY, UNWANTED WINGMAN! ;). I hope that you enjoy this chapter as much as I did writing it. I hope that I was able to give you a good enough description that you could see the same scene running through my head as I pictured it.
Elizabeth was surprised at how beautiful and extensive the grounds were when they stepped outside. She could see a cottage and stable in the distance. There was also a profusion of bright flowers scattered throughout and two well-kept manicured gardens.
"Oh, Nathan, this is so beautiful here," Elizabeth said. "Is that a stream over there by those trees?"
"It is, and it has plenty of fish in it. Allie and I fish quite often." Nathan said.
"Well, at least if she skips school again, you won't have far to look this time," Elizabeth said with a giggle.
Nathan chuckled. "Luckily, I haven't had to worry about that. I think having had you as a teacher made all the difference. Her teachers are impressed with the depth of her knowledge regarding various subjects. They said that she was more advanced than most of the others. They struggle with trying to keep her engaged."
Elizabeth stopped and looked at him with a smile and said, "As her former teacher, that makes me happy however I can't take credit for her abilities. Allie has always been very intelligent, with a deep-seated need to understand everything in the world she encounters. If I can accept credit for anything, I unlocked and fostered her thirst for knowledge. Once she came out of her shell, she was such a joy for me to teach. I miss that sparkle in her eyes when I start math lessons and her huge smile when I would give her extra hard math equations."
Nathan smiled, and his eyes softened as he looked at the wonderful, patient, and loving woman. Her love and care for her students, past and present, was always evident. He would never regret accepting that post to Hope Valley. For many years Allie had become locked away inside herself, unseen by others until Elizabeth. She had a gift for seeing deep within each child and drawing them out. He loved that she always found creative ways to teach her students, making even boring subjects seem fun. "I've wondered at times if moving her around so much within the Mounties hindered her until now."
"If you want my opinion, I think the variety of her experiences and educational opportunities are part of that. In fact, I think that we had a conversation about this before." Elizabeth said. "Children do need stability, Nathan, but you and I were able to provide that through working together and setting expectations for her. Despite what she has been through, Nathan, you are an excellent father, and she is thriving under your care. Don't let anyone else tell you any different, including yourself."
"Your opinion means so much to me, Elizabeth. I can't tell you how often I battle self-doubts about raising her, especially the older she gets."
"Well, if you ever need advice or she has questions she isn't comfortable asking you, she is welcome to call her Aunt Rosemary or me. Speaking of which, Nathan, I wanted to talk to you about something."
"Sure, is everything all right?" he asked.
Suddenly nervous, Elizabeth felt a need to sit down.
Nathan sensed it and motioned to a bench nearby. "Why don't we sit and let him run a bit?" Jack quickly wanted down as they settled on it and wandered to a nearby fountain. The girls came running by heading to the stream. Jack called out to Allie, who paused briefly to scoop the delighted boy in her arms, taking him with her. "Was that all right, Elizabeth?"
"Oh yes, he is in capable hands between those four girls. From the sounds of those giggles, he is enjoying himself immensely." Elizabeth said. "Anyway, I wanted to see if you would be okay with Allie calling me Aunt Elizabeth. Now that I'm no longer her teacher, it wouldn't be improper. When I hear her refer to Rosemary that way, it makes me want the same."
Nathan was a bit shocked at the question and the thought of changing how she addressed her former teacher. It may have been an issue if she still called him Uncle Nathan, but now it seemed to fit. "How long have you felt that way?" Nathan asked, curious to know.
"I've wanted to ask you for a while, but I wasn't sure how you would feel about that. I would start to ask, but then in the next moment, I'd chicken out." Elizabeth said with a sigh. "If I remember, you remember times that you felt the same?" she teased.
Nathan chuckled and said, "I seem to recall a few times that the cat had my tongue. But then I seem to remember a few times you were as well." They both laughed, recalling the numerous times they had gone to say something only to change their mind.
"We are a perfect pair, aren't we?" Elizabeth said, chuckling. "It's easy to laugh about them now, but I think it was frustrating for both of us at the time."
I couldn't agree more, Elizabeth. I would give anything to be part of that pair,' Nathan thought. "If that is something you are okay with, Elizabeth, I don't see an issue with it. Somehow, I don't think that Allie will either."
Elizabeth smiled big and said, "Then that is settled. With your permission, I will talk to her privately."
"Consider my permission granted, Elizabeth," Nathan said. "Oh, I meant to tell you that we have been invited to the O'Reilly's for dinner, children included. Will that affect the timing of the slumber party events?"
"Not at all, my good man. It will fit right in and give Rosemary and me extra time to prepare everything. Will you be attending the festivities again?" Elizabeth's voice taking on the formality of Hamilton Socialites for effect. She almost broke character at the brief look of panic on his face.
"I believe there will be manly activities in the library with Jack. Then we will move our festivities to my study after he's asleep." Nathan said, affecting a similar tone to hers. They ended up laughing as they enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere that surrounded them. She had missed that when they moved away from Hope Valley though they did tease each other during phone calls.
"So, what is your schedule like for the week?" Nathan said. "I don't know if I mentioned it yet, but I'm assigned to be your driver he said with a smile.
"Really? I don't think I have ever had my own personal driver before. Does that mean you're my bodyguard for the next four days?" Elizabeth teased but was excited by that turn of events.
"I'm not sure if you remember Lizbeth, but I always have been," Nathan said softly, struggling to keep from revealing the double meaning behind his words.
"Well, I'm afraid it's a very tedious morning full of meetings. I'll bring the itinerary down with me when I go upstairs to get dressed, so you'll have it."
"That would be great, Elizabeth. Having the schedule will help me be of more assistance to you. Not to mention I hate being in the dark when I'm doing an assignment." Nathan said with a chuckle. "I take my job very seriously, especially when it involves you." Elizabeth couldn't look away as he finished that comment. There was a softness in his gaze that drew her in and held her spellbound.
"Where should I send the thank you note?" Elizabeth said huskily. Nathan and Elizabeth were caught up in the feelings coursing through them. As she finished her words, a force seemed to pull them towards one another. As one, they look down at each other's lips and then returned to their shared gaze. They were abruptly ripped from that spell by the girls and Jack as they ran back toward them. Both abruptly scooted a bit away and scrambled to regain their composure and desperately wondering what, if anything, that near kiss could mean for them in the future.
Nathan cleared his throat and said, "Is anyone else going to be with us in the morning?" He desperately prayed that her answer would be no.
"No, It will just be us tomorrow. Rosemary is taking the girls out for some more girl bonding. Bill and Lee, of course, will be watching out for Jack. So, you will be stuck with only me for company."
"Stuck isn't the word I would use to describe being with you, Elizabeth." Nathan said before teasing her by adding, "Unless, of course, you plan to be unpleasant, bossy, or even worse, a lousy conversationalist?" She chuckled as he accented his words by raising a brow as he looked at her.
"Well, Inspector, I believe I could ask the same of you?" Elizabeth said, matching his raised brow with one of her own, causing them to laugh again.
"From what I see, we are just going to have to see how it plays out," Nathan said as he stood up and held a hand out to her, his crooked smile on display. Elizabeth returned his smile and placed her hand in his as he helped her stand. Elizabeth noticed that he held her hand for a bit longer than necessary before reluctantly releasing it. She smiled as she began to wonder if there was still a chance for them to be a family.
They headed towards the house, walking side by side companionably with the girls and Jack scampering around them. Elizabeth and Nathan looked at each other briefly, shared a smile, and then focused on herding the girls and Jack upstairs to get ready for their dinner with the O'Reillys. She had just entered her room with Jack when there was a knock on the door, followed by Rosemary entering.
Looking at the dress Elizabeth had laid on the bed, Rosemary said, "Elizabeth, I don't think I've seen this dress before, but it will look so pretty on you."
"Thank you, Rosemary; Julie sent it to me a few months ago. I'm glad that I decided to pack an extra dress." Elizabeth said. "Shouldn't you be getting ready?" Elizabeth asked, knowing that they would have to leave soon.
"Lee and I are staying home with the children. The girls and I want to do some baking, and I already have dinner. I called and spoke with Carol earlier and let them know about it. So now I think we must get you ready to show Inspector Nathan Grant what he is missing out on." Rosemary said, adding a wink.
Rosemary zipped up the back as she stepped into the dress and pulled it up. The dress was a deep lavender with 3/4 length sleeves, white lace stitching on sleeves, and bodice. It was not an overly fancy dress but would work for a dinner engagement with friends.
"What do you have planned for your hair this evening."
"I thought I would leave it down tonight," Elizabeth replied. She put her teardrop pearl earrings in her ears and added the matching bracelet. After dabbing a bit of her perfume on, she turned and said, "Well, how do I look?"
"I think that you look beautiful, and so will our host," Rosemary said knowingly. "Are you ready to head downstairs because your adoring fans await?"
Elizabeth chuckled and then, getting into character, said, "Then let's not keep them waiting, darling." Once again, affecting her Hamilton society tone creating a case of the giggles in both of them.
They were still trying to compose themselves as they headed downstairs. It felt so good to be able to just enjoy the moment. As Nathan watched her walk down the stairs, he was struck dumb at how beautiful she looked in her dress. He always loved seeing her wearing any shade of purple. He could recall many significant events between them when she wore that color. Though one, in particular, was a double-edged sword, the good outweighed the bad. He would never forget how it felt when she ran into his arms.
"Mrs. Thornton, you look so pretty," Opal said.
Elizabeth hugged her and said, "Thank you, sweetheart," Nathan stood near the bottom of the steps wearing the suit he wore to Clara and Jessie's wedding. Bill also looked handsome, ironically wearing the same suit when he walked Clara down the aisle.
"Are you ready, Elizabeth?" Bill said gruffly.
Elizabeth chuckled and said, "I am, and can I say that I'll be the envy of all the ladies with the two of you by my side, Bill."
"I would say that we are just as lucky, if not luckier, to have such a beautiful woman on our arms," Nathan said softly as they moved away from the others and headed to the door. Bill had commented, but Elizabeth wasn't paying attention because her thoughts were momentarily scrambled by the look in his eyes as he said it.
Thankfully Bill came to the rescue and said, "Nathan, why don't you drive us tonight since you are more familiar with the city." Before adding with a smirk, "I'll wait here with Elizabeth while you get the car."
He hadn't missed the interactions between the pair one bit. It was apparent to the others that the attraction was still very evident. It was why Rosemary arranged the dinner the way she had. He was only attending because it would have been too obvious otherwise. Besides, they would have to spend the day alone tomorrow since he was assigned to be her driver. Patrick and Carol were also determined to see these two finally get together. Bill just raised a brow when Nathan briefly glared.
"I'll be right back, Elizabeth," Nathan said, a bit frustrated. He had hoped that Bill would have driven them tonight so he could be with Elizabeth. But on the heels of that thought, he realized it wouldn't have mattered either way. Elizabeth would still be in the back seat regardless of who drove.
Bill leaned over and said, "How are you doing, Elizabeth being here with Nathan and Allie again?"
"It's been very nice seeing them and all of us together in one place," Elizabeth replied. "By the way, please don't get involved in whatever schemes Rosemary has cooked up. Whatever happens or doesn't with Nathan and I is for us to figure out."
"There isn't any scheme Elizabeth," Bill said, trying to look innocent. "I just know how much you have missed them."
Elizabeth laughed, "Bill, I wasn't born yesterday, and when it comes to romance Rosemary always has something up her sleeve. For that matter, you have been known to have a few of your own from time to time."
"I don't know what you are referring to because I don't have time for schemes," Bill said
"Elizabeth smirked and said, "Well, one, in particular, comes to mind, or have you forgotten your investigation into the mysterious flower delivery on my steps? If I recall correctly, I had asked you to leave it alone, but you didn't, and it led to your two prime suspects engaging in a public rivalry." She just raised her brow and folded her hands across her chest as she waited for his response.
Bill chuckled, gave her a side hug, and said," Well, you have me there, I suppose," He was spared from saying anything else because Nathan pulled up. Bill helped her get in the back before smirking at Nathan and taking the seat beside him. Nathan sighed and thought, 'It's going to be a long night.'