The following day Nathan awoke to the smell of coffee and his wife singing. Memories of the night before brought a smile to his face as he prepared for church. His wife appeared deep in thought as he drew her close. Judging by the blush that appeared, he guessed she was having similar thoughts to his. It still amazed him that even after seven children and 11 years of marriage, their passion remained the same as from the very first. After a very satisfying kiss and exchange of morning greetings, they sat down to breakfast to talk about the day ahead. Before long, they headed up the stairs to the church.
Afterward, the families settled around on the ground to have a church picnic eating the leftover food from the reception and dishes others had brought. Winter would soon be making itself known, so they wanted to take advantage of the beautiful fall weather while they could. The older children had the younger ones engaged in games under the direct supervision of the men. The ladies sat under a tree, happily enjoying lemonade and lively conversation.
"How did your evening go last night, Elizabeth?" Abigail asked slyly.
"You mean after Bill and Lee sneakily returned my gracious wood donation?" Elizabeth said with a smirk.
"Bill told me what happened," Abigail said.
"Well, he needs to watch his back because I will find a way to get payback," Elizabeth said, laughing.
"Lee told me what they did when he got to the church." Rosemary chuckled. "But you appear to have still had a nice evening, judging by the smile on your face."
"Oh, we did," Elizabeth said a bit breathlessly. How was Michael and Holly last night?"
"They were really good. Ariel and Holly went down shortly after dinner, and Michael and Patrick roughhoused with Lee."
"Well, Nathan and I owe you a night when you are ready for it." Looking over at the sleeping baby on the blanket, she asked Rosemary, "How is my namesake doing?" Rosemary had adopted Christopher shortly after the twin's 3rd birthday, then she got pregnant with Patrick and three years ago had given birth to Ariel, then little Ella joined the family eight months ago.
It was a pleasant afternoon overall, and a few hours later, families headed home to spend the rest of the day together.
Rosemary called that night after dinner, reminding Elizabeth about the ladies' tea at the saloon after school to discuss moving the newlyweds into their new home and upcoming holiday festivities.
"I haven't forgotten about it, Rosemary. Some of my older girls will watch the children at our house."
"Have you figured out a way to get back at Bill yet?" Rosemary chuckled.
"No, I don't want to rush it either because I want him to sweat wondering when I'm going to," Elizabeth said. "Though retired Mountie he may be, He won't see it coming," She planned on getting Allie to help devise a plan because there was nobody better at it.
"How is Nathan doing with Allie being married now," Rosemary asked.
"I haven't asked, hoping that he would bring the subject up, but then we got distracted. I thought I would after the children went down. I don't think it's hit him yet, but as we begin to move her things from the house, it will. I want to make sure he is mentally prepared before that happens."
Later that evening, Elizabeth prepared tea and listened to the sounds of Nathan putting them to bed. Not for the first time had she felt some baby fever, but she quickly tamped it down. Though she and Nathan would love any child they were blessed with; it would be nice to someday be able to go off without worrying about what to do with the children. From the day they began courting, they always had children as part of the mix, unlike when she and Jack had courted. The beauty of watching Nathan with their children, especially when they were babies was enthralling. Then the loving, gentle, protective care he displayed during her pregnancy pulled at her. Elizabeth did not doubt that he meant it when he said he thought she got more beautiful with each child. She believed it simply because, in her eyes, he grew more handsome with each addition to their family. Whether doing dishes, making breakfast, or chopping wood, he always kept her enthralled as she watched him. That was the secret to their spark if she was honest. Though watching him chop wood was her secret guilty pleasure. Then thinking about Bill's shenanigans yesterday, maybe her secret was not so secret after all. She giggled as she thought about that and Nathan's words.
She felt arms go around her as Nathan's scent enveloped her. "Care to share with the rest of the class, Mrs. Grant?" he teased.
"Just thinking about the many things I love about you. Plus, that whole woodchopping thing, Inspector," Elizabeth answered. "I have tea steeping and thought we could sit on our porch for a bit."
"That sounds serious, Lizbeth," Nathan said. "Is something wrong?"
"Why did you do something that I should be upset about?" She asked, brow raised in a silent question. He saw that spark of amusement that let him know she was teasing.
"I'll take that as a no, and I'll meet you out there," Nathan said, picking up the tray.
As they settled on the swing with their tea, Elizabeth turned and said, "We were distracted last night, so I didn't get a chance to see how you were doing after the wedding. Did you have a nice walk through town?"
Nathan smiled sadly as his eyes grew soft and began to glisten. "It was, but I'm not going to lie; I wanted to scoop her up and hide her away." Elizabeth chuckled at that.
"You think I'm joking, but I had it planned out," Nathan said with a laugh. "I don't know how I will face Cody in the office now that he's her husband. I don't even want to think about the fact that she has one. I look at her and still see that 10-year-old who skipped school to go fishing. To make it worse, as I'm putting the girls to bed, I realize I still have four more to go." Nathan said as he ran his fingers through his hair. She could always tell when he was overwhelmed.
She set her cup on the tray and clasped his hand with hers before laying her head on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Nathan, I will be there to help you get through it. Maybe you should talk to father about it since he had 3 of them."
"How is it that you're her mother and are so calm about it?" Nathan asked.
"I think it's because fathers are the protectors, especially over daughters," Elizabeth said.
"Well, let's see how calm you are when it's your turn with the boys and a young lady catches Jack's eye, for example?" Nathan teased.
"That's not going to happen because he is going to be a Mountie," Elizabeth said as if it should be obvious.
"What does that have to do with anything?" Nathan asked incredulously.
"Mounties frown on them getting married, and he will be too busy for women," Elizabeth said smugly. "Besides, Jack isn't even interested in girls right now."
Nathan didn't have the heart to tell her that Jack was noticing them differently now, though not any one girl.
"Sweetheart, let me point out a few errors in your thinking. First, have you forgotten that you have been married to two confirmed Mountie bachelors? Not to mention both Constables in our town are married. Then, of course, Patrick, Gabe, and even Bill married. So, your logic would not hold up in that regard."
"Fine, but Jack is still too young to think about any of that," Elizabeth said.
"I hate to disillusion you, my love, but your son is going to be 14 in a few months, and trust me, he has begun to notice the opposite sex."
"How do you know? Has he said something? Who is it?" Elizabeth asked, clearly distressed. Nathan laughed and said, "Elizabeth, how old was Allie when she began like-liking Robert?" Nathan asked, amused at the warring emotions on her face.
But I'm not ready for any of that, Nathan," Elizabeth said, panicked at the thought of a girl taking her baby boy. Nathan laughed and just gathered her to him as she processed his words.
Pulling back, he looked into her eyes and said, "Now you know how I'm feeling, sweetheart. My reality is your future. So, we will be there for each other because it will only worsen as reality gets closer. I'm going to struggle with moving day, I know it, so don't go far,"
"I won't, Nathan. Is there anything I can do to make it easier?" Elizabeth asked.
He pulled her onto his lap and said, "Just let me hold you for now?" She nodded and snuggled against him as they sat listening to the night sounds and communed as one; no words were needed.
