Chapter 161: A 'Typical Morning'

In the dawn of early morning, Nathan opened his eyes, still comfortably holding his beautiful wife in his arms just as he had done most mornings since their marriage.

Yet in the span of a few hours, while escaping last night's Ball, nothing was the same.

Everything was different and in a most wonderful way.

Everything was deeper, fuller, richer.

Their love was deeper, fuller, richer.

They were truly one with no holding back because finally, thanks be to God, his troubled wife was at peace, free from the sorrows of her past.

She had at last broken away from the constant tension and grief she had carried for so long and was now happily ready to live in the couple's beautiful present, while dreaming of their new family's many future possibilities.

"Can a woman possibly be any more beautiful than while sleeping," Nathan wondered aloud, in a reverent whisper?

He had always thought that the answer was no, especially if the woman was his Lisbeth, as he loved nothing more than to watch her sleep. But this morning, something was so new, so fresh, so foreign, so unfamiliar, but so desirable.

And it was wonderful!

She was truly aglow, from the inside out.

But more than that, her face was etched with total contentment, creating an aura of peace and a softness about her that he had believed with all his heart was there but longed to see.

His hand automatically fell to where their babies grew.

She wasn't really showing to others, but in the morning light, he could see and feel a tiny curve that hadn't previously been there.

Thankfully, the bout of morning sickness she had experienced so violently early on, had lessened to a degree. But the good Dr. Jenkins assured her that the nausea and vomiting would be back in full force since SHE was certain she was carrying twins, instructing her to enjoy the brief reprieve.

Nathan marveled as he could feel the tightening of her tummy, while getting as close to his babies as he could by laying his hand across them, without disturbing his wife, a treasured perk of her sound sleeping.

To think they had created a living being or as Elizabeth would say, two living beings was overwhelming to him.

The fact that Dr. Jenkins seemed to concur only cemented their now joint belief they were being gifted with two.

He had wanted them to have a baby more than anything, but he had never expected it to happen so quickly.

Given their family histories, he had suspected they might eventually have twins, though as much as he desired that, he had been fearful of that very thing because of the added risk.

He couldn't imagine losing Elizabeth. He just wanted her safe. Along with their babies.

That was his constant prayer.

Though now that their dream was becoming a reality, the very thought filled his being with an excited anticipation he had never known before.

Miraculously, their family of four was very quickly growing to six!

And truthfully, he couldn't wait! Now that it was a given, he was most grateful.

He wondered if their babies would have his wife's eyes, or perhaps his. But when it came to color, surely they would be blue as both parents had blue eyes, although of differing shades. Would they have dark hair like his, or lighter like Elizabeth's?

Genes were a funny thing. Might they even favor Allie or Jack? It was possible with both. Even though Allie was genetically his sister's, he and Colleen were twins. Surely there was a bit of him thrown into her gene pool too!

He hoped there would be instant love among the siblings when they finally arrived! He believed there would be, based on Allie's and Jack's jubilant excitement and profound wish for brothers and sisters. They were overjoyed about the news, although Allie wanted a brother and Jack wanted a sister. But he also suspected there would still be an adjustment phase for both.

He wasn't sure how all that was going to work out!

But just the thought of watching the four children grow up together as siblings was beyond amazing.

Thinking about the perfect night he and his wife had just experienced caused him to chuckle low.

No, they hadn't gotten much sleep last night, but what they had experienced instead, had been much better than any and all dreams either had ever had.

When they had finally fallen into slumber, they were both completely spent in each other's love, a magical, wonderful place to be.

But their sleep, what little they had gotten, had been deep and restful.

Thankfully, enough so for him to be completely alert and able to manage this most important workday.

Trying to gently wake his wife, he slid a pillow under her head, as a substitute for his chest, carefully extricating himself from the firm grip of her slender arms.

He carefully lifted them from around him, silently slipped out of bed, and tugged open one side of the heavy drapes for a bit of light.

'There! At least I can see enough to make it across the room. Though barely,' as he cautiously placed one foot in front of the other. 'But I hate to wake her.'

He moved quietly to their rather large water closet and closed the door so as not to disturb Elizabeth. But having turned on the light, he looked into the mirror and realized his wife wasn't the only one with a glow. A broad lop-sided grin filled his face.

"I'm just deliriously happy!" he admitted aloud, smiling into the mirror. "Like never before! I never knew life could be so wonderful. Yet that's exactly what it is! "

But as he shaved, his happy thoughts turned to more practical ones related to the critical mission he was facing this very day.

At least, by now Sophie and Lucas were safely guarded inside Bill's cabin by the new Mounties he had requested, and the telegraphed faux 'money' had been locked safely in the Hope Valley Bank's safe as evidence, under twenty-four-hour watch in an effort to catch the perpetrators.

For some reason, it was the appearance of the woman in Hope Valley that rankled him. The 'pretty woman' as Bill called her. Nathan had expected the man to show, and quite frankly he had even expected more than one man, but not someone of the opposite sex.

He knew from experience, even Mounties tended to see the best in a woman, which ironically allowed them to get away with a lot more.

However, on a brighter note, the Hamilton plan he had formulated was solid, and the Commissioner had seen that there would be more than enough reinforcements at each Bank.

Everything just had to be implemented in a timely manner according to plan.

Another positive was that William's friends had been most cooperative last night prior to the Ball, yet something still bothered Nathan.

This sting just seemed too easy, even though he had gone to great lengths to meticulously coordinate all of the faux heists to be held staggered one after the other, at each of the four remaining banks.

If he ended up being right, there would be at least one arrest at each of the five Hamilton Banks (they would circle back to arrest Laurent Baffier at the Hamilton International Bank), as well as the two suspects in Hope Valley, by day's end.

But over the years, Nathan had learned that the best-laid plans of mice and men often went astray. Yet it was his job as Commanding Officer to ensure that didn't happen. There just had to be a missing piece, as experience had taught him there was always a missing piece.

And it was his job to find it.

But what?

Splashing his aftershave all over his cleanly shaven face, he wondered aloud.

"The problem is, will I find that missing piece in time…"


Walking back into their bedroom, a resolute Nathan, with a plastered smile on his face that automatically exuded love, opened the second drape to allow additional light into their room which would hopefully and gently awaken his still-sleeping wife.

He was determined that Elizabeth wouldn't see the concerns hidden behind his smile, as he was certain she was already worried about his day, and that was the last thing he wanted.

He sat down lightly on the edge of the bed, with one leg on the floor and the rest of his body leaning over his gorgeous wife.

"Wake up, Sleeping Beauty," whispered Nathan, an apropo phrase he had used quite often when waking her.

He grinned as she moaned and pulled the covers up over her eyes.

Nathan had to chuckle as she peeked out from under her covers and squinted tightly, then struggled to open one barely slitted eye.

But seeing him was more than enough to produce the most radiant smile on her face, and in turn on his, as he grabbed the part of the cover off that was halfway hiding that smile.

Elizabeth Thatcher Thornton Grant was finally free from her confusion, and she was more content than she could ever remember being in her relatively young life.

And because now both had nothing to hold back, last night had been the most intimate night of their short marriage, one they would never forget!

"Kiss me, Darling!" she demanded in a still sleepy voice.

"It will cost you, Love! I've got to have a relatively quick breakfast and get to the base," he explained, but instantly met his wife's demand.

"Lisbeth, you are going…to get me…in so much trouble."

She only gave a half-smothered giggle in response, as she was otherwise occupied with his lips.

Needless to say, Nathan was right!

His wife most certainly did get him in trouble as far as time was concerned.

And lots of it.

Exactly as she had intended…


As the couple scurried around hurriedly getting dressed, er or re-dressed as the case may be, Nathan had to regroup as he realized his still sleepy wife had helped him put his Henley on backward.

"This will never pass regulation my Darling," he grinned. "Now for my boots! Where in the world are my boots?"

Elizabeth giggled.

"I'm afraid they're sequestered. I may know where they are, but I want you close. And you simply can't leave without your boots! What will you give me if I tell you?"

"An extra kiss and I'll hold your hand all the way down the staircase to the Breakfast table!"

"Okay, that will get you one boot!"

She held the polished boot up just outside his reach, but he playfully lunged and grabbed the boot before she could even move an inch further away, in the process spying where she had hidden his other boot.

Distracting her with the promised kiss, he turned her around and grabbed the second boot, holding them both up in the air victoriously!

"Don't look so glum, Mrs. Grant!"

"Now that was positively unfair, Chief Inspector!" she pouted.

"And you hiding my boots is fair?"

"Yes! That was the only thing I could think of this early. A wife has to do any and all things she can to keep her man at home!"

"Even when that man has to go to work to protect mankind and thereby make money to provide for said wife and family?"

"Well, I suppose you might have a point!"

But then she lunged toward him.

"Hold me," she ordered, but he already was.

"Are you worried, Babe?" he whispered into her ear, rubbing the small of her back.

"A little," she admitted tenuously.

"Darling, please don't be. Don't waste the energy. The Commissioner and I have got everything under control. This case is more a matter of the intellect than the physical. We have a huge team with lots of back-up. Sure, I'll admit, a piece or two might be missing, but I'll figure it out!"

"Dinner?" she pleaded, as though she needed the confirmation as a firm reassurance he would be coming back to her.

"Dinner! That is if you don't mind a romantic midnight picnic in Granda's apartments?"

"Hmm, I like that idea! We won't tell anyone?"

"It's our little secret if you can corral us some food!"

"Oh, no! That mean's I'll need Godfrey as an accomplice, but he will use the utmost discretion, I'm sure!"

"Oh, no for me too! I forgot. I promised to meet with Godfrey before I leave for work."

"Wonder what for?" she asked curiously.

"Not sure. But think about it! Possibly something to do with a certain woman he seems mesmerized by these days?"

Elizabeth giggled.

"Is that my perceptive husband or my romantic husband speaking?"

"Both! Here, turn around. You've got a lock of hair escaping your clasp."

"Only you would notice that. I love you as big as the world and beyond, Nathan Grant! Just promise me you'll be extremely careful today," she pled.

"Of course, I'll be careful. I've got a midnight picnic date, and I, my Darling, do not intend to miss that!"

He took her in his arms, and offered his beloved wife even more loving assurance…


As the couple began to descend the Grand Staircase with a bubbly Allie and talkative Jack, and Miss Bertie in tow, loud voices wafted up to them.

"I'm not going to tell you this but once, Ashton, Thatcher Enterprises is not interested," stated William forcibly. "And don't ever try to discuss it with me again. Do you understand me?"

"William Thatcher, you know as well as I do that this is a great deal. One that won't come around again any time soon," shouted the man, his voice escalating louder with each word. "You gave me an oral agreement, and I'll turn everything over to my Solicitors if you keep this up! Expect to be sued!"

As they reached the bottom of the Stairs, Nathan motioned to Elizabeth and Miss Bertie to take their wide-eyed, now fearful children on through to the Breakfast Room.

"I did no such thing! Is that a threat? In my own home?" thundered William in response. "How dare you! You know I've done nothing wrong!"

"Call it what you may!" the man sputtered, engulfed with anger. "We have an oral agreement!"

"Excuse me, Father, may I be of assistance?"

The stranger paled as he noted Nathan's Officer's uniform, but his anger was still palpable, and about to blow!

One good look and Nathan was instantly thunderstruck. He had no idea who this man was. But without doubt, he had seen those eyes before. If he were a betting man, he would bet his life on it! He was that certain.

"Thank you, Son, but this gentleman was just leaving, never to return again."

"You'll regret this if it's the last thing I do, Thatcher!"

"Sir," voiced Nathan in a calm voice of steel. "Making threats in front of an Officer of the Law is never a wise move even if this weren't my Father-in-law you were threatening. I suggest you do as you've been asked instantly and leave the premises, never to return."

"But I still have business to discuss," he spat.

"No you don't! Let me make this perfectly clear, I have nothing to discuss with you, business or personal!" interjected William.

"This isn't over, Thatcher! I promise you that!"

"Your 'business,' such as it is, is done here! I wish to conduct no business with you, neither in my home nor my offices, ever! If you have anything to discuss with me, take it up with my Solicitors. If this happens again, I give you my word I'll have you arrested for harassment!" answered William insistently.

Nathan took the man firmly by his arm and escorted him through the Front Door Godfrey already had open.

But as Nathan escorted the still-mumbling man outside, at least eight newsmen jumped out with cameras from behind the large shrubs, taking photo after photo of none other than him. Reporters with pens and notepads shot questions, as the unwanted guest disappeared into his carriage in a hurry, livid that he had been ousted and in front of the news media.

"What's it like to be famous, Sir?

"Are you writing a new series?"

"When will your next book be published?"

"Are you leaving your job to write full-time?"

"Have you ever thought about writing just fiction?"

"Ready for the Best-Sellers List, Sir?"

And on and on it went, until Godfrey touched Nathan's elbow, discreetly directing the astounded man back inside.

Then Godfrey calmly, but firmly turned to address the newsmen gathered on the Thatcher's front lawn.

"The Chief Inspector has no comment, and you are invading his privacy, as well as his family's. We ask that you quickly leave the Thatcher premises as this is private property! Thank you, and Good Day!"

Inside, William was shocked about the outburst of reporters and photographers, but no more than Nathan.

"I'm sorry, Son! I didn't at all mean for this to happen. I'm just so sorry!"

"No worries for now. We'll deal with the photographers and reporters later, Father. But, more importantly, who is the man I just escorted out?"

"The one I told you about who keeps trying to ensconce himself into our social group. That, is Asher Johanne, the mystery man of Hamilton, and note I did not say Hamilton Society. He and his distasteful excuse for a wife have done everything to claw their way into our lives and the lives of our friends, pulling every back-handed trick in the book!"

"What do you know about him, Sir?"

"Very little. I even paid to have a background check done on him!"

"What did you find?"

"Absolutely nothing, Son. No family history, no work history, no anything! And I distrusted him even before that puzzling revelation."

"I'll run it again and make sure it's done comprehensively. Do you have anything I could use?"

"I have a whole file of mumbo jumbo on the man. I doubt any of it's true, but there is a photo of both him and his wife."

"That would be helpful! May I ask how it came into your possession?"

"He applied to be a member of our Gentlemen's Club, but it was a unanimous nay! Something told me to keep the file, as insurance so to speak, as I'm the President."

"If you can get that file for me, I'll take it into work, and at least have a starting point to go on, although something tells me his real name is not Asher Johanne."

"I'll go get that file now, Nathan. I have it locked away for safekeeping."

"Thanks, Father!"

As William left for his Study, Nathan and Godfrey stood silently, neither at all sure about the reason for the earlier argument between the two men.

"Haven't a clue, Sir," nodded Godfrey in response to Nathan's questioning glance.

Nathan sighed deeply.

"Hey, are the two of us going to be able to still have that talk later, Godfrey? I can give you a half hour before I leave if we eat quickly!"

"Breakfast is ready, Sir. I would be most appreciative. But do enjoy eating with your family, first…"


Nathan sweetly kissed Grace and his Mother as he entered the Sunroom, where breakfast was spread out.

"Daddy, mean man gone?" cried Little Jack pleadingly.

"Yes, Son, all gone!" smiled Nathan lifting his little boy onto his lap to ensure he felt safe.

"That man mean, Daddy! He souted at Grandad!"

"Yes, Son, He was not nice at all, but that won't be happening again. So don't you worry!"

"Pomis?"

"I promise!"

"Good, I wuv ou Daddy. I wuv ou Grandad!" Little Jack added catching sight of his grandfather from the hall.

"I love you, too, Jack!" smiled Nathan reassuringly.

"I love you, too, Son!" echoed William as he came bounding through the door. "Nathan here is the folder I promised. Feel free to use anything. I might even be able to get you a second file from our Yachting Club, and a third from our Hamilton Business Association."

"Would appreciate that! The more we have, the better," smiled Nathan as he reached to kiss Elizabeth.

"Dad, are you alright?" asked a concerned Allie.

"I most certainly am, Sweetheart!"

"Are you and Arabella ready for your big day of shopping with Auntie Julie?" asked Elizabeth.

"We can't wait, Mama!"

"You three have loads of fun! But both of you be sure to mind Auntie Julie, okay?"

"Sure, Mama!"

"Oh, we'll have fun alright, Sis!" assured Julie. "Prepare for your bank to be broken, Nathan Grant!"

"Julie!" chided Elizabeth. "Do we have to talk about banks today of all days?"

"Sorry, Sis! Sorry, Nathan!"

Nathan nodded, then froze as it dawned on him what had just been said.

No one he loved would be downtown anywhere close to the banks today if he could help it! Willam's offices had security. so that was a different matter. But absolutely no one else would he allow in the vicinity.

"Girls, would you be too mad at me if I ask your Auntie Julie to stay on the grounds with you today and go shopping tomorrow?"

"Dad, do we have to?"

"You know, I think that's a wonderful idea," intercepted William. "If you three agree to that, I'll have the Yacht ready for you to have lunch in between your shopping tomorrow. Maybe even have the Captain take you on an all-girl's harbor cruise. It will take me today to set it up, but I'll have it all ready by tomorrow. How does that sound?"

"Seriously? Just us? Grandad, you're the absolute best!" thanked an excited Allie.

"Yay, Allie, we can take photos and show all our friends Grandpapa's yacht!" enthused Arabella.

'Thank you,' mouthed Nathan to William, who winked back in acknowledgment.

"Quite the eventful morning already, eh?" grinned Anthony as he entered the room with a smiling Viola on his arm.

"Afraid so," answered both William and Nathan at the same time.

"We could hear the screaming all the way upstairs, Father," added Anthony. "That other man I mean."

"Just a typical morning at the Thatchers!" laughed Julie.

"Julie," prompted Grace, motioning toward the children.

"Just joking!" she laughed reassuringly throwing up her hands.

Once Anthony and Viola were seated, William spoke.

"Let's gather our hands and pray."

As everyone joined hands, all bowed their heads.

"Dear Heavenly Father, we come to You today, thanking You for the delicious food we are about to receive. We pray your blessings on the hands that prepared it. And we thank you for your many blessings, but here we sit asking You for one more. A most important one. Please be with our Son, especially today as he goes about his work. Lead him, guide him, and most of all protect him and bring him safely back to us, we pray. In your most Holy Name, Amen!"

"May God be with you, Son," nodded Archie, but with a heavy heart.

"Thank you, Father!"

Madelyne watched lovingly as Archie beamed at Nathan using the word Father, but she also saw worry etched on Elizabeth's face.

"Okay, enough of this!" she interrupted cheerily. "Our Nathan knows what he is doing, and God will protect him once again, just as He always does. Now, let's allow him to enjoy his breakfast. Smiles everyone…"


After a quick breakfast, Nathan kissed his children, along with his niece, Arabella, goodbye before they left for the playroom with Miss Bertie attentively hovering over them.

With his arm around Elizabeth, the couple watched and waved as the children finished climbing the staircase, waved at the top, then turned out of sight.

Grace and Madelyne were busying themselves in the Grand Entry with getting their coats, along with Elizabeth's.

"Nathan, just be careful! Don't take any unnecessary risks. Allie needs you, Jack needs you, and I couldn't live without you!"

Her eyes were pleading and he hated to put her through this.

"Lisbeth, I won't take any unnecessary risks. Besides, God is with me. I have no doubt I'll be home by midnight, ready for a romantic picnic with the woman of my dreams!"

"I'm holding you to that just so you know! I have to go with our Mothers. I promised I'd visit Auntie Edith with them this morning. I love you, Nathan Grant. More than you can ever know!"

"Try not to worry! Worry only adds lines to that beautiful face of yours! It accomplishes nothing else," he grinned her favorite lop-sided grin.

"You! You know I can't resist that grin! I suppose I'd better try not to worry, then!"

"I suppose so!"

Both laughing, they kissed passionately.

It didn't matter that their mothers were watching discreetly from a distance.

As they drew apart, Nathan winked.

"Why don't I escort you Ladies to the Car?"

"That would be wonderful!" smiled Grace, as she took Madelyne's arm to lead the way, giving their Son and Daughter a little more privacy.

Elizabeth almost cried but was trying so hard to be strong for Nathan.

"I trust you, Love," she promised. " I truly do. Just come home to me in one piece!"

"As God is my witness, I promise I'll do my very best, Lisbeth! My very best!"

"I love you," and they came together one last time, but this time without words, just all-encompassing love…