Chapter 146. Family Ties
When Julia, Faith, and Fiona returned to the infirmary, laughter met them at the door. The curtain was all open, and Nathan, Allie, and Jake were in high spirits.
Nathan was in the middle of doing an impersonation - a commanding officer's voice, someone he and Jake obviously both knew. The hilarious imitation had Allie in stitches, even though she didn't even know the man. She was nearly falling out of her chair, and Jake was almost in tears, laughing so hard.
Faith glanced at Julia. "I never realized Nathan was so funny."
Julia smiled proud. "Oh yes, he's very funny. He's got a very clever sense of humor." She motioned with her hand. "As you can see." And just by looking at him, she was overcome, and started to laugh.
Fiona took one look at Jake and started cackling. The laughter was quite contagious, especially after the day they'd had.
The three ladies approached, joining in the laughter, and watching Nathan. He stopped briefly when he realized they were there. But when he saw their faces, laughing along, he finished.
When the laughter died a little, Allie told them all. "You should hear him do Uncle Bill. It's hilarious."
"Allie!" Nathan told her, between chuckles. No way could he do Bill. If even a wind of it got back to the older man, he would never live it down.
When it was obvious Nathan wasn't going to do it, Jake tried. He changed his cadence, and gave that lopsided grin. "Nathan, there are two sides to every coin." Laughter erupted again, he'd done a pretty good job imitating Bill.
Allie tried too. "Hickam, the law…is a curious thing." More laughter, she'd done a pretty good job too.
Jake tried again. "Troublemakers have a way of…" Jake stopped in his tracks when he heard the door open. It was a good thing too, because when everyone turned to see who it was, there was Bill, carrying in plates from the cafe.
Without even looking at them, Bill finished Jake's sentence. "…making themselves known." And the group burst into laughter. Bill looked them over one by one. Then he looked at at Jake. "Nice try, Jake. But I don't sound that old, do I?"
"No, no, definitely not." Jake looked like a deer in the headlights. "Sorry, Bill."
"You're lucky you already have a bonk on the head." Bill pursed his lips and told Jake. "And I'm not allowed to add another."
The group chuckled at Bill's humorous comeback.
But then Bill did something even funnier. He stood up straighter, slung his shoulders back, and picked up a stool. He hoisted it up on his shoulder, just as Jake had done with the log on the day of the baseball game, and he carried it over to Fiona. He set it down in front of her, then he did the perfect impersonation of Jake's deep voice. "For you, Darlin'." Then he turned and walked out of the infirmary.
Everyone, sort of in shock, watched him go, but as soon as the door clacked closed, they burst into laughter. They looked around at each other, hardly sure what had just happened. Jake looked at Fiona, who tilted her head at him affectionately, as she laughed. His eyes sparkled as he laughed with her, across the distance.
Allie told him. "Oh, he got you good, Uncle Jake."
Nathan chuckled deep and resonate. "Yes, he did." He looked at Jake. "Never mess with Bill."
Jake told them all in between chuckles. "I won't make that mistake a second time."
Faith replied, in between cackles. "I think we all consider ourselves warned."
When the laughter died down again, Nathan made the observation. "It feels good to laugh though, doesn't it?"
Faith agreed. "It is the best medicine." And she looked around the group of friends. She couldn't wait for Ben to arrive in Hope Valley, and join this group.
Nathan glanced at the clock, which Julia noticed. Finally, he and Allie stood. So, Julia stepped over close to her brother, and bid him good night. Then the Grant family said their good byes to all, and exited the infirmary.
As they walked home as a family, Julia shared the latest news with Nathan and Allie.
"Faith said that Jake will recover just fine. He's doing better everyday, though he still has some bouts of confusion here and there. And he still doesn't remember anything from the day of his injury." Julia reported.
Nathan could understand that. His recollection of his own injury was a blur for a very long time. Even now there were parts he couldn't remember, like the explosion, for example. "It'll come back to him, eventually. Though it might be in choppy bits."
Julia looked up at Nathan, as she held his arm. "She's planning to release him on Monday, if all goes well. But he still needs to take it easy another week or two. And no riding for at least a month."
Nathan remembered those rules, too. "Good luck keeping him down." He told her. "I had cracked ribs to slow me down, but Jake gives me the impression that he thinks he's nearly back to normal."
"Yes, but he's not. He's still fragile." She reported. "We might all have to work together to keep him in rest mode, for at least another week."
Allie asked. "Do we need to make a schedule? Florence is really good at that. I could ask her."
Julia replied to Allie's thoughtful suggestion. "I don't know if he needs anything that drastic, but I'll talk to Faith about it tomorrow, and let you know. That's a great idea, though, Allie." She looked up at Nathan. "I offered to do the night shift with him, tomorrow night. Is that okay?"
"Of course. Anything he needs." Nathan replied.
"That will be his last night in the infirmary. Mike has agreed to watch over him, once he's released and back home." She paused. "But staying tomorrow night will give me the opportunity to spend some time with him, and catch up."
"It's a great idea, Julia." He told her, with an understanding smile.
"I can stop by his apartment everyday after school." Allie offered. "See if he needs anything."
Julia smiled at her. "He would love that, Allie."
"I can bring him coffee in the morning." Nathan piped in.
"He would love that, too." She smiled up at her husband. "You know, he thinks of you as a brother now."
"Well I count him as a brother, too." Nathan admitted.
And then, he slowed their cadence to a stop, just in front of the house. He had more he wanted to say, and he turned to face his wife.
"Julia, I cannot imagine what it's like, to have only…two people left. And I know you know this, but I want to remind you one more time: you have a lot more family now." Allie stayed right by his side as he told her. Julia looked at both of them. "And I believe that a bond of love can run just as deep as blood. Our family tie is strong, and special." He looked at Allie, then back at her.
Julia's eyes filled with tears. "Thank you for reminding me, Nathan." She was filled with gratefulness for these two, who were the most valuable kind of family. Plus, she had bonus family, in the form of in-laws.
"I know it's not blood, but family is what we make it. We decide how deep our family ties run, and I think they run deep, and are just as wonderful." He smiled shy, hoped she was getting it. "You have me, and Allie, and Mom, and Archie, all added to your family tree." He reminded her.
"And that means the world to me." She paused. "I'm sorry I don't have much family to offer you, or Allie." She admitted.
He shook his head. That didn't matter a lick to anyone. "Like I said, our family is what we make it, Jules. We get to decide." He searched her face. "Blood or not, doesn't matter. We are tied by love."
Julia gazed at him and she slowly nodded. He was so wonderful, and everything he said was true. Families came in all shapes and sizes, and she was grateful for hers. Love was what really mattered.
Allie piped in. She slid her arm around Julia's waist and took her place under her arm. "I love you, Mom."
Julia's eyes spilled over as she looked down at her daughter. "I love you too, Allie girl." Julia tried out that endearment that she'd always, always wanted to use. She just didn't know if it would be okay. But judging by the look on Allie's face, it was more than okay.
Allie looked up at Nathan. "I love you, Dad." And Nathan stepped forward and pulled them both in against his chest. Right next to his heart, into his loving embrace.
"I love you too, Allie girl." And he held them for a long time. A sweet, tender, family embrace. And it would be the first of many.
Day by day, they would build on the foundation that had been formally established the day of Allie's adoption. September 5, 1919. And they would build on the marriage covenant that had been established just two days later. September 7, 1919. And both were strong and stable, a solid support to build their future.
When Nathan finally stepped back a little, he realized how emotional this had been, for all three of them. Julia wiped one eye, Allie did the same, and Nathan sniffled and cleared his throat.
And, he realized something important. This is what he had dreamed of, for so long. Someone to complete their little family. Someone who fit with he and Allie, and would enrich their lives. Someone he could build with. And here she was, standing in the middle of their little family circle, holding onto both of them, as though she needed them as much as they needed her. He felt a tear go down one cheek as he looked back and forth between his girls. And he held onto them.
He wanted to say more but couldn't get the words out.
Julia glanced up at him, and the look on his face, was one she never wanted to forget. She reached up and wiped that lone tear. Then she left her hand on his handsomely stubbled cheek. She loved that perfect mix of softness and prickliness. It was just like life.
"You two are the greatest joys of my life." Julia wanted them to know. She paused and looked down at Allie, too, as she said it. "I hope you know that."
Another tear rolled down Nathan's cheek, and she wiped that one, too. "What's happened?" She asked as she searched his face.
But Nathan just shook his head, sniffled, and pulled them back in close to his heart. He held them both again, unable to put it all into words. But somehow, they understood.
And when the family hug finally ended, he took both of their hands, walked up the front steps, and led them home.
When the trio entered the house, Rebecca was busy in the kitchen, stirring something that smelled delicious. Archie was sitting on the sofa. But as soon as the door opened, both came to greet the newlyweds, finally home from honeymoon. Archie hugged his son, and since Rebecca had already seen Nathan when he dropped the luggage, she made a bee-line for Julia. She wrapped her daughter-in-law in a tight, warm, affectionate embrace, and told her. "Welcome home."
Julia buried her face in Rebecca's shoulder, and held on tight. When Rebecca finally pulled back, she replied. "Thank you, Rebecca."
Rebecca waved her hand. "Jules, please. Call me Mom."
At that, Julia could only nod. Could this day get any more emotional?
Next, Archie wrapped Julia in a warm embrace. And he told her, just like Rebecca, "Call me Dad."
When he let go of her, she tried it out. "Okay, Dad." It would take some getting used to.
Rebecca asked. "I made dinner. Is anyone hungry?" She looked over the three of them, they looked resolved and happy, but spent. What had happened since Nathan had dropped off the luggage?
"Yes! I'm starving." Allie replied.
"Me, too." Nathan said, happy now.
"Me, three." Julia added, with a raspy voice.
"Well, then, you came to the right place. Wash up and take your place at the table." Rebecca returned to the kitchen, to finish serving up the dinner.
They did what she asked, washed up, and then helped her carry things over. They each took their place around the table - Nathan, Julia, Allie, Archie, and Rebecca.
They enjoyed a nice dinner together, their first one as a family, since the wedding. Somehow, they each seemed to recognize the significance, even if no one made mention.
Around the table, the banter was fun and light. They talked about the honeymoon, the ranch, Daanis, the Glenbow Manor Hotel, and the beautiful rides they took. Julia and Nathan shared about the wonderful places they'd visited on the ranch, places Rebecca and Archie knew well. And the garden - Julia mentioned how much she liked Grandma Rose's garden.
Then they talked about everything that went on in Hope Valley, while they were gone. Rebecca and Allie filled them in on all the news and town happenings. Archie gave them an update on the house build. Then they discussed Jake, and his injury, and Fiona and Faith's rush trip to Brookfield.
After removing the empty plates, they retired to the salon. To celebrate their homecoming, Rebecca had made a peach pie, and she served it with tea and coffee.
And when the last cup was empty, and everyone seemed talked out, Archie stood and said his good nights. Nathan accompanied him to the door, and told him he would come up Monday, to see the progress on the house.
After Archie left, Allie announced that she was heading to bed. She said goodnight to Nathan and Grams, but Julia accompanied her upstairs.
Allie had read in books about mothers who helped their daughters undress for bed, but she'd never had anyone to do that for her. Sure, her Dad had done it when she was small, but once she'd reached a certain age, he'd let her do it alone. But now, as if it was perfectly natural, Julia came.
She helped Allie undress and put on her pajamas. Julia even brushed her hair. Then, she tucked her in the bed and said a prayer.
For the first time in her remembrance, Allie had a mother to put her to bed. She asked Julia, with hopeful eyes. "Is this how it's going to be every night?"
Julia smiled down at her. "Well, only if you want."
Allie didn't waste a second. "I want."
Julia smiled sweetly and told her. "Okay, then. It'll be the first of our mother-daughter traditions."
Allie's jaw dropped slightly. There would be other mother-daughter traditions? Her eyes got misty, and her voice sounded funny as she replied. "Okay."
Julia touched her cheek lovingly. "Good night, Allie girl."
"Good night, Mom." And Allie watched all the way, as Julia slowly exited the room.
But at the door, Julia turned back one more time, looked at her daughter snug in the bed, before she left through the crack in the door.