BONUS CHAPTER

Chapter VI. The Wedding

Elizabeth sat before the mirror of her dressing table. She looked down in wonder at the ring on her finger, and smiled to herself. For this was something she never thought would happen.

It was a very beautiful ring and had belonged to Nathan's grandmother. Someone in the family had excellent taste, for it was elegant and timeless, and even more beautiful than anything Elizabeth would have chosen for herself. An unexpected treasure, just like the man she was going to marry.

She brought her eyes up to her reflection in the mirror. She inspected every line on her face, most of them put there by adversity, some of them by her own actions, or bad choices. But, somehow, through it all, she had survived. And more importantly, she and Nathan's love had survived. And now, at thirty-five, she was getting a second chance at happiness. Her heart swelled with anticipation and gratefulness at the opportunity she'd been given.

Yes, she was nervous. Yes, there was fear. But those feelings were no longer consuming, and no longer associated with Nathan Grant. Instead, she felt only the normal anxieties of a bride on her wedding day. For he had showed her, over the course of the last nine years, how secure and steadfast his love truly was.

Elizabeth smiled to herself in the mirror, and thought back over the last week. It had been one of the happiest of her entire life, certainly of the last decade. She'd almost forgotten what it was like to be happy, but Nathan had been the one to remind her. Turns out, he was a pretty funny guy, and Elizabeth just got him. So there had been a lot of laughter, and a lot of joy. He'd shown her just how much fun love could be.

They'd spent most of the last week discovering one another. And that had included a lot of kisses. Tender kisses that made her stomach mush, fun kisses just because, and kisses that made it difficult to part ways, at the end of an evening. But through all those kisses, she'd learned one thing about Nathan Grant: the man could kiss! Oh yes, he was an excellent kisser. He took all of his deep emotions and wrapped it in the tender caress of his soft lips. It just left her breathless and wanting more. And when he turned the kiss passionate, which he'd done a few times in the last week, her knees went to putty. Her heart fluttered even now thinking about him, and his kiss.

And then, there was his touch, that was like fire. He had touched her frequently over the last week, a hand hold here, a caress of the cheek there, or a palm at the small of her back. But her favorite touch was at the end of the night, when he'd let his hand ever so slowly trace down her arm, all the way to her hand. It got her every time.

Just then, the door opened and Julie entered Elizabeth's bedroom. She took one look at her sister, seated before the mirror, somewhere off in la-la land, and she scolded. "Elizabeth! What are you doing just sitting there? You're getting married today! There's so much to do!" And she moved about the room in a frenzy.

Elizabeth just smiled at her energetic, excited younger sister, but she was also deeply grateful. For she'd come at a moment's notice, and had been wonderful with all the arrangements.

"Elizabeth!" Julie put her hands on her hips, hoping to wake her up this time. "Seriously?" And they smiled at each other in the mirror. "Fine! I'll go run your bath." And she left the room as quickly as she'd entered.

But as Elizabeth watched her go out the door, she remembered the conversation they'd had, over the pillows of her bed, the first night she'd arrived.

Julie had looked her over, searched her face, and confessed. "I never liked Lucas."

Elizabeth had been slightly shocked, for Lucas was a successful businessman, just the kind of man Julie usually preferred. "Why didn't you tell me?" But she knew why, probably the same reason so many others had balked in telling her. Her horrible attitude, way back when. "Well, you can tell me now. What tipped you off?"

Julie pursed her lips. "It was the way you talked about him. Remember, you came for a visit just after you two started courting?" Julie looked her sister over. "There was just something missing. Like you were settling for something mediocre or lackluster, and you knew it." She smiled sadly. "And I didn't want you to settle."

Elizabeth laughed. Settling, is that what Julie saw? More like running and hiding. Even over the course of the year they'd been engaged, Elizabeth always knew she could never marry Lucas.

Julie continued. "And then, when I came for a visit here in Hope Valley, just after you got engaged, I knew. Sure, he was nice enough. But he treated you like a conquest he'd won, a challenge he'd conquered. It was unnerving." She put her hand out and gently touched her older sister's cheek. "You are not a prize to be won, but a gem to be treasured." She smiled across the pillows. "And a treasure is how Nathan sees you, has always seen you. It's written all over his face, every single time he looks at you. Even back then, I saw it. He was so obvious, even though he didn't mean to be."

Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears. "He's the real treasure, Julie." She was so grateful for such a man.

Julie smiled at her wise older sister. "Yes, he is. And I'm so happy for you." Her face was so sincere. And then, in true Julie fashion, it turned mischievous in a blink. "Plus, he's totally hot! Wow!" She drawled it out long, and they both laughed out loud. "Now there's a union I can get behind!" And the two sisters dissolved into a mess of giggles, just like old times.

Now, Elizabeth stood and walked to her closet. She let her eyes roam over her wedding dress. She'd not had time to get anything as fancy as she had the first time. But then, that wouldn't have fit her now. Nor would have it fit her union with Nathan. No, this dress was perfect. Understated and simple, but elegant, and lovely. It her just right. Simply beautiful. Just like her Nathan, just like their love.

Julie entered the room again in a flurry. She grabbed a robe and a towel, then folded her hands. "Ready to get ready?"

And Elizabeth nodded. Oh yes, she was ready. More than ready.


Nathan stood together with his father, under a tree near the wedding site. Needless to say, he was nervous. But at the very same time, he'd never been so sure of anything in his life, apart from adopting Allie. He looked out over the field behind him, and tried to wipe the smile off his face. But it had been impossible ever since that first kiss he'd shared with Elizabeth. The smile was stuck.

All these years he'd focused on two main goals: keeping the town safe, and raising Allie. Now he had a second chance at love, and a family: with Elizabeth, and Jack, as well as Robert and Allie. And maybe even future children. Was that even possible? He looked up at the tree branches high in the tree above him. He was only thirty-seven, and Elizabeth only thirty-five, so yes, it was entirely possible. Elizabeth and Nathan hadn't even broached the subject in their few meetings with Pastor Joseph, but it was one they would certainly need to discuss.

They just hadn't had the opportunity to talk through everything quite yet. They'd covered where they would live and where they should go on honeymoon. Those things had been worked out fairly quickly. And then the rest of the time they'd spent sorting out the misunderstandings of the last nine years, so they could enter this marriage whole. Ready and new, as a couple.

"Dad?" Allie's voice broke him out of his reflection.

Nathan turned. "Allie girl."

She looked him over. "Wow, Dad. Just wait till she sees you."

He looked down at his smart navy blue suit. It was a nice one, three pieces, paired with a crisp white shirt and light blue tie. "You think she'll like it?" He asked. Though somehow, it was still Allie's opinion that counted most.

"She's going to love it." Allie smiled up at him. "Though, if it's worth anything, I think you look fantastic."

His mother walked up right behind Allie. She overheard the conversation and added her two cents. "Wow, son. You are one handsome fella." Not to mention the happiness that shone on his face. He was absolutely glowing as he stood there waiting under that tree. "And Allie's right. You look fantastic."

He leaned down and greeted his mother with a kiss on the cheek. "Hi, Mom." He paused and looked her over as he stepped back. "You look fantastic, too."

He gave Allie the same kiss on the cheek. "You look beautiful. Both of you."

Allie giggled. "But nothing compared to what Elizabeth is going to look like." She told him with a broad happy smile. Elizabeth had repeatedly asked Allie to call her by her first name, when she'd done her teaching internship at the Jack Thornton school. Back then, they'd practically been colleagues. But Allie had never felt good about it, until now. Now it just felt right, just as did everything about this wedding and this union. As if everything that had been wrong had been turned right side up again.

Archie glanced up and noticed Lee approaching. "Looks like it might be time, son."

Nathan turned Lee's way, and his friend gave him the once over. "Well you shine up like a new penny!"

Nathan responded, with a chuckle. "What, this old thing?" Because Lee knew exactly the lengths that Nathan and Rosemary had gone, to find this perfect suit. Nathan had wanted something classy and out-of-the-ordinary to marry Elizabeth, so he'd asked Rosemary for help. And well, that had required a few trips to Benson Hills, until they'd found the one.

And the silver lining of those trips was Nathan's budding friendship with Rosemary. It turned out they had a lot more in common than he'd realized, plus she understood him pretty well, being the daughter of a Mountie. Nathan was apparently a lot like her father, and so the friendship was completely natural, however unexpected.

Lee chuckled too, remembering how determined his wife had been to make sure everything about today was perfect.

Lee glanced at Rebecca, Archie, and Allie, and offered his greetings.

Then he looked down at his watch once more. "Nathan, It's time."


Nathan stood at the end of the aisle, with Joseph. On his other side, Gabe stood in support, as groomsman. The men stood waiting just in front of the beautiful wooden arbor that Archie had built, as wedding gift. Allie and Rebecca had decorated it with flowers, and Emily and Opal had added bows left over from Allie's wedding. Rosemary had seen to the arrangement of the benches from the schoolhouse, in two straight rows. And that had left a perfect aisle just down the middle, leading to the arbor, with the dock just behind.

The view on the lake, with a reflection of the brilliant fall foliage, was breathtaking. The bright yellows and reds, and the myriad of oranges, was just beautiful. And it wasn't just on the crystal glass of the water. The hills were brilliant splotches of color, as far as the eye could see. In fact, they were surrounded on all sides by color, the rolling hills of autumn hues, became a most perfect wedding backdrop.

The weather was beautiful and had cooperated perfectly. The sky was clear and blue, and the clouds added stark white contrasts in the from of cotton fluffs. Everything about the scene and the wedding venue was idyllic, just as Rosemary had hoped.

This would be a wedding to remember.

Nathan's gaze was fixed as he watched his car make its way from row house lane, all the way along the path, to the pond. Parked tucked behind a tree, he averted his gaze once Bill climbed out. He knew who would be next, and that very knowledge made his heart race. He looked down at his feet and drew a deep and ragged breath.

Gabe noticed and whispered. "Just don't forget to breathe, old friend."

Nathan chuckled and gave him a side glance. "That your golden nugget of marriage advice?"

Gabe smiled big, imagining all that was waiting for his friend, who had been in love with Elizabeth about as long as he'd been in love with Lillian. "That's it. The one thing you can't forget to do. For the next 24 hours, at least." He smiled that mischievous Gabe smile. "Just breathe."

But Nathan had to admit, it was good advice. Because that was the one thing he was finding hard to do, as he noticed all the heads turn and follow a certain form, as she neared the wedding venue.

But first, Julie walked the aisle, with a lovely bouquet of flowers, and took her place on the bride's side. Then Rosemary walked down and did the same, smiling from ear to ear, all the way.

Only when Joseph gave a nod and Paul Blakely began to play Nathan's old classical guitar, did he finally look up at her.

And there she stood. His Elizabeth. More beautiful than she'd ever been, and positively radiant. Her hair was in a sweeping updo, with soft tendrils falling all around, and a few long waves, that fell across her shoulder. She was breathtaking, and he shifted his weight to make sure his legs would hold.

As she walked toward him, he felt every disappointment and every insecurity fall away. Every time he'd second guessed himself, or misunderstood, or discounted his own worth. All of it was blown away, as chaff, in the wind.

And all that was left, on this beautiful, perfect, wonderful fall day, was them.

A man who was not perfect, but loved deeply and forever. A woman who had been fearful, but was now stronger than she'd ever been. Both had been gripped by love, and that love had brought them together. Yes, the road had not been easy, and the path had not been straight, but love had been the greatest, stronger than all the rest, and had won out in the end.

Once Elizabeth's gaze was fixed on Nathan, nothing could stop her. In the past, she'd given into fear, and guilt, and shame. But all of that was broken now, and had no more hold. It too, was blown away, like chaff on the wind. Now, she gave into only one thing: love. And it would be the story of her life from this day forward.

As she came closer, Elizabeth was taken over by deep, abiding affection, for this man, who was so ridiculously handsome standing there. She'd never seen a gentleman look so fine in a suit, not even in her Hamilton days. And his deep ocean eyes were fixed only on her. Her heart swelled with love, and her eyes filled with tears, as she walked toward him, and all that he offered her. For it was all right there, so bravely displayed, for all to see.

When she and Bill got to the end of the aisle, Joseph asked. "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"

Bill replied. "I do, on behalf of her family."

And then Elizabeth turned just slightly and hugged him. "Thank you, Bill." She whispered.

As she pulled back, Bill held onto her a moment longer, and quietly replied. "You're welcome. But I want you to know, I wouldn't have given you away to anyone else."

Elizabeth smiled up at him, thankful for the friend who had always looked out for her. "I know. And I'm grateful." She smiled. "I love you, Bill."

"Ditto, kid." He said softly, as he kissed her on the cheek. Then he turned and placed her hand in Nathan's.

Then Bill took his place right beside the groom, for he was also the best man.

As they turned to face Joseph, Nathan couldn't take his eyes off of his bride. And he told her, in a whisper, under his breath. "You are breathtaking."

Elizabeth looked up at him from under her long lashes, and wiped a lone tear. She couldn't respond or even answer, so taken she was.

Joseph looked at Nathan, then Elizabeth, and began the ceremony. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today, to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. Though the road hasn't always been easy, these two, Nathan and Elizabeth, have made the decision to merge their two paths. Here. Today. At this juncture. From this day forward, they will walk the road of life together, as one, loving and honoring one another."

Joseph nodded to Rebecca, who stood from her place next to Archie in the second row, and walked to the front. She read from a small piece of paper, folded in her hand. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, love always perseveres. First Corinthians 13, verses 4 to 7." Then she smiled at the bride and groom, wiped a single tear, and returned to her seat.

Nathan kept Elizabeth's hand in his, and caressed her knuckles softly with his thumb. Joseph said quietly. "Nathan, Elizabeth, will you please turn and face each other?" They did.

Joseph smiled, as he spoke. "Nathan and Elizabeth, as you stand here before friends, family, and God, I ask you to declare your intentions to join in the sacred covenant of marriage."

Joseph began with the bride. "Elizabeth, do you take Nathan to be your husband, to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him, as long as you both shall live?"

Elizabeth smiled up at him as she softly vowed. "I do."

Joseph turned to the groom. "Nathan, do you take Elizabeth to be your wife, to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her, as long as you both shall live?"

Nathan gazed down at her, heart full to overflowing as he promised. "I do."

"Now, Elizabeth, please, would you state your vows?" Joseph asked.

Elizabeth took Nathan's hands in both of hers, and her eyes shone as she vowed. "I, Elizabeth, take you, Nathan, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward…" She swallowed down the emotion that was thick in her voice now. "For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part."

Nathan's eyes were full as he gazed at her. Joseph asked. "Nathan, would you please state your vows?"

Nathan shifted and held her hands in his now, as he promised her. "I, Nathan, take you Elizabeth, to be my wife," As he said that last word, her eyes filled with tears and her breathing became shallow. "To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part."

"Could I please have the rings?" Joseph turned to Bill first, who placed a ring in his hand. Next, Rosemary gave him the groom's ring.

"The wedding ring is a symbol of unending love." Joseph held the rings up for the crowd. "The circle shape reminds us that God's love has no beginning and no end. And so it is, with your love for one another." He continued. "Wear this ring as a reminder of your vows today, and your never ending devotion to each other."

Joseph picked up Elizabeth's ring first and handed it to Nathan. This ring had also been his grandmother's, part of a set, with the engagement ring Nathan had given her a week ago.

Nathan gazed down at his beloved Elizabeth, and made another promise. "I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion. All that I have, all that I am, I give to you. And I promise to honor and cherish you, in God's name." And Nathan slowly slid the ring onto her finger, until it nestled right up against the beautiful engagement ring.

Next, Joseph handed Elizabeth Nathan's ring. She held it, and his hand, as she searched the depths of his eyes. She wanted him to hear this promise more than all the others. "Nathan, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion." She paused. "All that I have, all that I am, I give to you." Her voice broke and she took a deep breath. She tilted her head and even gave a little shrug, as she added a promise, in a voice thick with emotion. "I give you all of me." It was something that normally wasn't supposed to be in there, but she just had to add it. And though he never took his eyes off of her, Nathan sniffled, and wiped an eye, touched by the depths of her honesty.

She wiped her own eyes, then continued the vows they'd memorized. "And I promise to honor and cherish you, in God's name." But she wasn't done. Elizabeth kept going. "And…" She said it so everyone knew she wasn't finished. Then she swallowed and continued. "Nathan, just as you fought for our love, and never gave up on me, I promise that I will always fight for you. And our love. I will never give up on you." A single tear rolled down her cheek, and he reached up, and ever so tenderly, wiped it.

Her heartfelt addition left Nathan speechless. He had already been fighting the emotions of this moment, but now, all was lost. His chin gave that unmistakable quiver, as Elizabeth slid a simple gold band on his finger.

Sniffles echoed through the crowd, and wedding guests pulled out handkerchiefs.

"Let us pray." Joseph's voice broke the long, sweet silence. Heads bowed. "Lord, You guided Nathan and Elizabeth to each other, and we are so grateful. We ask You now, to guide them on this new journey, as husband and wife. As they now walk this path together, light their way." He paused. "May they keep their eyes focused on You, and may they know Your truth. Keep their feet firmly planted in Your Word, and their hearts bound together by Your love. This we pray in Your name. Amen."

When he lifted his head, Joseph looked at the bride and then the groom and smiled. "Nathan and Elizabeth, you have proclaimed your vows to one another, and made a promise by the giving and exchanging of rings. And you have done so in front of these witnesses, and before God." He paused and looked out at the audience. "Therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me, under the laws of Alberta, I now pronounce you husband and wife."

That earned a huge smile from Elizabeth.

Then Joseph added another announcement. "I present, for the first time: Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Grant."

Applause and whoops rang out amongst all those who were gathered here together, on this beautiful, perfect, wonderful fall day.

And then…Joseph said the words the groom had been waiting for. "Nathan, you may now kiss your wife."

And the way he looked down at her, when he realized she was now his wife, was unforgettable. Never had he had such a look - of happiness, of contentment, of love. A mixture of pure, honest emotion and that smile that went all the way up into his eyes.

Then Nathan placed a hand ever so lightly on her cheek, and slowly leaned in. And he kissed her. He kissed her long and tender, with emotion that spilled from the depths of his unwavering devotion. And she kissed him back, giving freedom to all the love and affection of the last nine years. Nine years of love, and a thousand years of promise.

Two hearts, that belonged together, were melded together, in the tenderness of that kiss. Two people made better by the melding.

That kiss held all the promise of the years to come, of adventures together, of a life as one, made full. Of mornings waking up to one another, of days walking hand-in-hand, of evenings cuddled together by the fire. Of a future house, built on future land, filled with family - Jack, Allie, Robert, and future children.

And in that kiss was a beginning. A marker of time - where the old had fallen away, and everything new was to come. Where all their possibilities were wrapped up in the knowledge, that whatever lay ahead, whatever was to come, they would do together, as one. As husband and wife, as friends, and as lovers. Just as it was always meant to be.