Chapter 147. Happily Ever After

When Julia came back down from tucking Allie in, she went straight to the kitchen to help Rebecca. But Nathan and his mother were just finishing the last of the dishes, so there wasn't much left to do. "Wow, sorry I took so long." Julia excused herself, as she took a rag and wiped the table.

Nathan smiled at her. What she'd been doing was much more important than washing dishes. "Don't think twice about it. Mom and I have been catching up, over these bubbles." And Nathan snuck up behind her, and placed a perfect dollop of suds, right on the end of Julia's nose.

She tilted her head, and just laughed at him. He seemed quite proud of himself, so she playfully started to swing that rag she held, into a perfect switch. As soon as he saw what she was doing, he took off toward the salon. But she was quick, and got him good. Placed a perfectly whipped switch right on his backside. He whooped and jumped up in the air, which only made them laugh harder.

"Oh no, you didn't." He called out as he changed directions, and headed straight for Julia now. As soon as she realized she was being chased, her eyes got huge. Julia turned quick and bee-lined for the kitchen, took refuge behind Rebecca who was wiping her hands on a dishtowel.

Nathan came to a skidding halt just in front of his mother. "Nathan Grant. What're you gonna do if you catch her?" His mother wanted to know, before she gave up her daughter-in-law.

Nathan smiled crooked, chest heaving, attempting to catch his breath. He spoke with that same slow cowboy drawl he used at the ranch. "I'm'll kiss her cross-eyed." Julia made a quick mental note, to go directly to the mercantile first thing, and order him a cowboy hat.

Rebecca took a glance over her shoulder, it was easy to see that Julia liked the sound of that kiss. So, she did a cute little spin to remove herself from the middle. In fact, she exited the kitchen completely.

That left the newlyweds alone, with little distance between them, gazing at each other, chests still heaving.

Nathan didn't waste much time, he blocked her exit and grabbed her around the waist. Nathan kissed her like she'd just made another dream come true, because truly, she had. You see, he'd snuck up the stairs and overheard her conversation with Allie. Another unspoken prayer had been answered - one he'd only said in the deep recesses of his heart- in that new mother-daughter tradition they'd started.

When he finally ended the kiss, he let his forehead rest against hers. As she caught her breath, Julia tried not to notice how dangerously close his lips still were. She straightened a little more, and cleared her throat. She prayed her voice would work. It did, though just barely. "Maybe I should say good night to your mother."

He nodded in that slow, sexy way he did. Julia turned and sought out her mother-in-law, who was just pulling out a book from the bookshelves. On the way there, Julia straightened her skirt, and tried to slow her racing heart.

When Rebecca turned and noticed Julia, she told her softly. "I think I'll turn in now. Might read a while in bed." She held up Nathan's favorite book of poetry.

Julia nodded and cleared her throat again. "Thank you for taking care of Allie, while we were gone."

Rebecca tilted her head and smiled at her daughter-in-law. She had her own appreciation to offer. "Thanks for loving Nathan, and Allie, so well."

Julia smiled back. "The joy is all mine. Trust me."

"All the same, I'm thankful." Rebecca looked down at the book in her hand, and then back up at Julia.

Julia wondered. "How long can you stay?" She hoped to spend more time with her mother-in-law. This was an extremely important relationship, and Julia wanted to invest in it.

"A week, maybe ten days." Rebecca answered. "It depends on Charlie, whether or not he needs me." Oh yes, Charlie definitely needs you, Julia thought to herself. But instead of answering, she just nodded.

"I hope we can spend some time together." Julia told her mother-in-law.

"How about a girl's lunch this week?" Rebecca asked with a contented smile, she'd been hoping the same thing.

"How about two girls' lunches this week?" Julia offered.

"Sounds good to me." Rebecca tilted her head again and smiled.

"Okay." Julia said, unable to hide her own smile now.

Rebecca tucked the book under one arm, and hugged Julia hard. She wrapped her daughter-in-law in her arms, and held her tight. She hadn't meant for it to be like that, but something about the moment, got ahold of both of them. "Well, then…good night, Julia." She told her softly.

"Good night, Mom." Julia replied.

And as she spoke that moniker, something in Julia's heart shifted. Some young girl's long-forgotten hope came alive - a hidden desire, that had fallen on barren earth and been abandoned - came to life again. As her lips spoke the word, hope sprung up from its resting place.

You see, Julia had always wanted a mother. Dreamed of what her own mother would've been like, or how it would've been to know her. Imagined what their relationship would've been like.

Now, she had a mother, in Rebecca. The Lord had brought redemption, to a most improbable prayer. And Julia had eyes to see it. She longed to explore the relationship with Rebecca. She wanted to strenghten that bond, that was already forming so beautifully between them. And she desired to know the fullness of it, even if distance separated them.

Nathan finally managed to un-cement his feet from the floor. He'd been on his way up to Allie's room to tell her good night, when he'd witnessed this interaction between his mother and Julia. He'd stopped cold, been unable to resist watching them. In fact, he'd been so touched, that he couldn't quite get that swallow to go down. As the two women pulled out of their embrace, he sniffled, and headed on up the stairs.

Julia climbed the stairs behind Rebecca, but headed into her and Nathan's room. It felt the slightest bit strange to enter, she had to remind herself that she lived here now.

Their room was just as they'd left it. The bed was neatly made, their beautiful quilt tucked tight at the corners. And her things were peppered around the room, just as Nathan had placed them. He'd opened her suitcase next to the dressing table, and already hung up a few of her honeymoon dresses. She reached out and fingered the fine lace of her wedding dress, also hanging in the closet.

Then Julia slowly undressed, rifled through her suitcase, and found her nightgown and robe. Once she'd changed into them, she sat down at her dressing table. She reached back and slowly pulled pins from her hair. And as she sat there, she was struck once again, by the beautiful carving that Nathan had made her. She ran her fingers over the intricate details of the roses, the rosebuds, and the thornless vines.

Then something sitting just in front of her, caught her attention. Perched upright against her perfume bottle, was the photograph young Teddy had taken of her and Nathan, in front of the Glenbow Falls. The hotel must have given it to Nathan, and he must have placed it here, when he'd dropped off their bags.

Julia picked it up and brought it closer, inspected it carefully. She thought it a beautiful photograph - a real keeper, her father would have said. The mist was rising all around them, as she and Nathan stood together on the rocks. Nathan had his arm around her, was leaned in close and looked genuinely happy. Her long braid fell across her shoulder, and her hand fell naturally on his chest. Julia remembered back, they had been somewhat in discord when this photo was taken. But even in the midst of a rocky place, they seemed happy.

Julia raised her eyes, and stared at herself in the mirror. What was it about a mirror, that begged reflection? She did have a lot to look back on, didn't she? Not only the last two weeks, which were incredible, but even today. Today had been a very long day, a lot had transpired since they'd boarded the train in Edmonton this morning. She remembered the anticipation she'd felt, as she'd followed Nathan through the train, to their sleeper car. She'd been excited to go home. She and Nathan had even discussed how anxious they were to see Allie and Jake, Rebecca, Archie, and all their friends. Little did they know what was waiting for them in Hope Valley.

They'd simply lounged all day in their sleeper car. Nathan had even ordered their lunch "dine in", something about staying in sounded nice on their last day of honeymoon. He'd been so tender as they'd made love to the gentle motion of the train. Then she'd snuggled in close and they'd napped in each other's arms. When the whistle had sounded its first warning for Hope Valley, she'd had absolutely no inclination to get off. Maybe it was a premonition, maybe a small part of her didn't want to share Nathan's attention, maybe she just wanted to draw it all out a little longer.

Now though, Julia felt spent - emotionally, physically, even spiritually. She'd prayed so many times today: for healing, for humility, for forgiveness, for peace. And now, at the end of the day, she prayed for wisdom. Wisdom to be the wife that Nathan deserved. And she prayed for strength, strength to overcome her fears. For today, she had been confronted once again by that ruthless opponent called fear. She'd been seized by it, when she thought she could've lost Jake.

Yes, today, Julia had wrestled with the fear of losing someone. And even though it was Jake that she'd been afraid to lose, somehow the fear translated to Nathan, too. For Nathan was the most important person in her life; he was her match, her person. Just like Henry was Daanis' person.

And sitting there, staring at herself in the mirror, Julia couldn't help but be confronted with yet another truth. If anything ever happened to her Nathan, she didn't think she could ever love again. For her, there was only Nathan. He was her one and only. Her true love.

She looked down at the picture, still clutched in her hand. Even at their worst, she and Nathan were wonderful together. And that undeserved blessing, she would never take for granted, for as long as she lived.

Just then, the door opened and Nathan entered their bedroom. Julia caught his eye in the mirror and he smiled. He seemed to like seeing her sitting there. She laid the photo back, just where she'd found it. As he crossed the room, he made mention. "It came out nice didn't it?"

"Mmhmm." She drawled slow. She picked up her hairbrush and started working it through her long waves. "It sure did." Nathan stood at the closet now, and undressed. Julia couldn't help herself, but watched him through the mirror, when he wasn't looking.

When she was all done, Julia stood and faced her husband. He stood before her bare chested, wearing only his pajama pants. And his eyes were fixed on only one thing: her.

She stood before him in her robe, and she shone under the sweetness of his regard.

Nathan rasped, "Do you remember…the last time we were in this room?"

Their wedding night.

Julia's eyes became incredibly tender. She reminded herself to breathe. The memory was suddenly fresh as the dew for her, too. And what a sweet memory it was. "Yes." She barely managed.

And somewhere, in the deep caverns of her mind, Julia vaguely remembered a dream. One she'd had so very long ago, it was barely a blur. But in that dream, Nathan was standing before her, just like he was now. Handsome and patient, his heart nakedly beckoning her, calling her, come to him.

And in her dream, she'd gone into his arms.

Had she even realized back then, all that was waiting for her, in that embrace? All that he was offering her? No, back then, she'd had no idea.

But something in the deep recesses of her heart had understood, and had given her the answer: for in her dream, she hadn't hesitated, not even for a second. Not for fear, or reflection, or calculating the risks, or the odds. But she had gone directly into his arms. She'd walked heart-first into all that he was offering.

You see, the gift of true love, love like he offered, so freely and so beautifully, didn't come along very often. And the connection that they shared, was deep, and real, and unique. And the way she loved him too, was not commonplace. Yes, loving a man like him had risks. Yes, it took courage. But wasn't love always somewhat of a risk?

And weren't the joys of loving Nathan, all of the wonderful things she gained by their union, worth every risk? Yes indeed, it was worth it.

He was more than worth it.

Julia shyly smiled at her husband, across the distance. She watched as his eyes sparkled, probably with dreams of the future. A future, where they could face anything, together.

Then she did what her heart had prompted her to do, so many many months ago. Resolved and determined, she didn't hesitate a moment longer. She closed the distance between them, and answered the call of his heart, by simply giving him all of her.

Author's Note:

First I just want to express my gratitude for all who have read, supported, commented, and encouraged my story and my writing. This has been an exciting journey, one that I feel is just beginning. And I am grateful for each one of you.

When I began this story, I thought I would finish it in about 20 chapters, marry the happy couple and get Nathan and Allie happy. Needless to say, as the storyline developed, there was so much to tell, I managed to fill 147 chapters. I hope each one was original and intriguing. Though, looking back, I have to admit, there were times when my fingers couldn't type fast enough, and moments when it just seemed to drag. But maybe that's just the nature of creative writing.

All in all, I learned a lot about writing, about storytelling, and about myself. I never imagined how much I would grow, when I posted those first 10 chapters July 31, 2021. I only wanted to right a wrong, and then put the show behind me. But it became so much more, and for that I am very thankful.

These last two chapters might be the conclusion of True Love Comes to Town (I still hear Bono's voice singing "When Love Comes to Town" every time I type that), but it's not the end of Nathan and Julia's journey. Nor is it the end of mine.

I have a few epilogues planned (one already written), to wrap up some of the side storylines that I created. I hope you will watch for them, and enjoy them.

AND I have to admit, I'm very intrigued by the writing challenge from Nebula2, #FFChallenge, for October. I have a story that's even been waking me up at night. (And it falls in the category that I said I would never write, so: never say never!) You can watch for it to be posted on November 1st! (My private messages on FF, IG, or FB are always open for questions or comments...)

AND (yes there is another AND) I have a novel started, but put on pause, so that I could finish this story. I'm hoping one day it will be finished, and polished, and good enough to find it's way into your hands, and into hands of the general public.

And it ALL started with a man in red serge and his little girl…

Thank you for this journey, Nathan Grant. And thank you, Allie, too, for inspiring me. You two will forever live in my heart, as the starting point, for it all.

Grateful,

SArno (Sara Arnaud)

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21