Chapter 51: That's a Keeper
Two Saturdays following Faith's Thanksgiving engagement, Elizabeth and Rosemary arranged a surprise bridal tea for her at the inn. She and James had decided not to wait long to get married, so they chose the last Saturday of November. Faith had asked Fiona to be her maid of honor, so the ladies arranged with her to help get Faith to the inn for the tea that afternoon. The inn had already been decorated earlier in the month for the Thanksgiving dinner, and the town had decided to leave the beautiful autumnal decorations until December. So, all that Rosemary and Elizabeth needed to do was set up the menu with Gustave for the occasion.
Lee had stayed home with the twins, and Nathan offered to come over with Jack to keep him company and help him out. As Elizabeth was just about to climb the steps to the Coulters' home to drop off Jack and pick up her friend, she heard her name called out from behind her. She turned with a bright smile on her face to find Nathan and Allie approaching the Coulter home as well. Immediately, Jack released Elizabeth's hand and gestured for Nathan to pick him up. Nathan chuckled and took the small boy into his arms. Allie waved at Jack and gave Elizabeth a quick side hug to greet her.
The four went up the steps together, and Elizabeth rapped on the door softly. Rosemary answered the door after a few moments, holding Ian on her hip as Lee was in the kitchen cleaning up Evie in her high chair. Rosemary smiled, stepped aside as she opened the door wider and gestured for her friends to come in. Little Jack wiggled in Nathan's arms, going straight for the box of blocks that the Coulters had in the corner of the living room. The others chuckled, and Rosemary followed her "nephew". She grabbed a small blanket off of the chair and laid it down on the floor, gave Ian a kiss on the cheek, and then placed him on the blanket. She handed him his rattle and placed a few blocks around him. As Lee finished cleaning up Evie, he walked over to Rosemary and handed their daughter over to her. Rosemary nuzzled her daughter for a moment, kissed her on the cheek as well, and then sat her next to her brother on the blanket. Rosemary got Evie's rattle and handed it to her as well.
When Rosemary settled the twins on the floor with their rattles and blocks, she stood and went over their agenda with Lee. As Rosemary rambled on with her instructions, Lee listened attentively and nodded his head at the appropriate times as Elizabeth and Nathan looked at one another with smirks on their faces at the exchange. Once she concluded, Rosemary leaned in and gave her husband a kiss and squeezed his shoulder. Then, she walked over to the coat rack, put on her coat, and gestured for Allie and Elizabeth to follow.
Before she left, Elizabeth reached over and grabbed Nathan's hand and gave it a squeeze. "Thank you for watching Jack while we do this for Faith. I do appreciate it.", she said as she looked intently into Nathan's blue eyes and then over at Jack on the floor playing. Nathan smiled and gently squeezed her hand in return. "It's my pleasure, my love. We are going to have a good time with the kids, I think.", Nathan responded. They remained like that for a minute, holding hands and staring at one another, until Rosemary looked over at Lee and gestured with her eyes to do something. Nodding, Lee walked over to Nathan and slapped him on the shoulder and said, "Nathan, what do you say we go over and join the children in the living room?"
Nathan, in response, looked away from Elizabeth and answered, "Sure thing, Lee." He squeezed Elizabeth's hands once more, gave Allie a side hug, and followed his friend into the living room. Elizabeth waved, and Allie called out, "Bye Dad. Bye, Mr. Coulter, Evie, and Ian. Bye, Jack. See you later! " The three ladies made their way towards the inn.
Once they got to the inn, they went right to work setting up the finger sandwiches, teapot, teacups, plates, and silver at each round table. The desserts were set up at a long table on the other side of the room. Just as they finished the setup, Molly and Florence walked in, followed by Mary Wolf, the Weise, and the Lawson ladies. The five women found a seat at one of the tables and instantly poured themselves some tea and started chatting. Allie, Maggie, and Opal went and sat at a table of their own, almost copying the actions of the adults exactly.
Next, Cat and Emily Montgomery came in, and Cat joined Florence and Molly's table, while Emily joined the other teen girls. Minnie and Mei came in next and sat at a new table. Anna and Laura walked in together, and they joined the other girls at their table. Rosemary and Elizabeth took their spots with Minnie and Mei.
Fiona had invited Faith over to the barber shop to practice a possible updo for the wedding and then lunch at the inn afterwards. Fiona twisted Faith's golden tresses on both sides and joined them together in a simple bun at the back of her neck. She left a few strands of ringlets to flow from the sides. She placed two small pearl combs that belonged to Faith's mother on each side above the ear. As Fiona completed the updo, Faith looked at her reflection in the mirror.
"Fiona, this is it! It is absolutely beautiful.", Faith told her friend as she looked at her through the mirror. "I may not know what I'm wearing yet, but I would love it if you did this with my hair for my wedding day." Fiona placed her hands on her friend's shoulders and smiled sweetly. "It would be my absolute pleasure. Now, what do you say that we take this beautiful style down and give you something a little more simple for the day? We need to go soon, though. I'm famished! ", she said with an exaggerated expression. Faith laughed at her friend and nodded.
After Fiona had fashioned Faith's golden tresses on both sides with combs, leaving them flowing down her back, the two walked over to the inn. As they walked in, the crowd of women joyfully shouted "surprise." Faith, completely surprised, placed her hand over her heart but at the same time wore a bright smile on her face. She turned, hugged Fiona, and thanked her for the gathering and her part in it.
Before the party went into full swing, Faith walked around, greeting each guest with a smile, hug, and word of thanks. By the time she had finished, tears filled her eyes. She was truly overwhelmed with the love and support that she had in this little town that she decided to call home so many years ago. The women enjoyed the tea, the food, and one another's company.
As the party was ending, the teen girls had gone for a walk around town and then over to Opal's house for some girl time, while most of the women had left except for Elizabeth, Rosemary, Fiona, and Faith. They all sat at the table discussing the wedding plans.
"I still have yet to find a dress. I really only want something simple. My schedule doesn't allow me to go shopping really either.", Faith mentioned to the others.
"Faith, I could help make you a dress if you'd like.", Rosemary offered as she put her hand on Faith's hand.
Faith smiled, patted her hand, and responded, "Oh Rosemary, that's so kind of you to offer that, but your hands are already full with the twins and the newspaper. I'll find something, even if it's used. "
Elizabeth's face lit up after what Faith said, and she exclaimed, "That's it, Faith! I have an idea if you're possibly game. The dress that I wore for Little Jack's baptism, I only wore it for that event. Would you like that dress to be your something borrowed? "
The three women looked at Faith, eagerly awaiting her response. She thought about it for a moment and then smiled from ear to ear. "I love that idea, Elizabeth! I would be honored to borrow your dress and wear it on my wedding day, Elizabeth!", Faith said enthusiastically.
"And your mother's pearl hair pins, earrings, and necklace can be your something old!", Fiona added confidently.
"You're right, Fiona!", Faith happily answered, as she looked at her friend.
"Well, that's something old and something borrowed. You let me take care of the new and blue. And Florence and Molly have already offered to handle yours and Fiona's bouquets, as well as James' and whoever he has as best man's boutonnières. You're having the service at the church, so that's easy enough to decorate. And, you're having the reception here at the inn, which is already decorated. I think that you're set, then!", Rosemary smiled and said matter-of-factly.
Faith looked happily at the three friends before her and responded, "You ladies are the best! I truly appreciate everything that you're doing! It means so much to both me and James. " She got up from her spot at the table, went around and warmly embraced each one.
As she pulled away from the hug from Elizabeth, she grabbed her hands and gave them a little squeeze. "Elizabeth, I almost forgot! Carson sent me a package of supplies recently that he thought the infirmary could use, and he included an envelope with your name on it. Would you like to follow me back to the infirmary to get it?", she said.
"Ok sure, although I'm not sure what Carson would be sending me.", Elizabeth answered.
Fiona said her goodbyes and walked back over to the barber shop as Rosemary and Elizabeth followed Faith over to the infirmary. When they got inside, they followed Faith to her little home upstairs. Faith grabbed the envelope off of her entry table and handed it over to Elizabeth. Elizabeth took it from her and then looked up at the other two women.
"You don't have to open it here, Elizabeth. I just wanted to make sure that I didn't forget to give it to you again.", Faith responded to Elizabeth.
"No, I have no problem opening it in front of you two. I'm just still puzzled as to what he would be sending to me, of all people.", Elizabeth said with a confused look.
"Why don't you take a seat and I can make us some tea.", Rosemary nodded and guided Elizabeth over to the couch as Faith set about putting water on for tea. Elizabeth turned the envelope over and cautiously opened it. She could see that there were a few things inside, so she carefully pulled out the letter that was inside to see what Carson had to say about what it was he had sent.
Elizabeth opened the letter and read it silently to herself as Faith brought the teacups over and placed them on the table before taking her own seat in the chair.
Dear Elizabeth,
I hope that this letter finds you doing well. I know from my contact with Faith and some of the other Hope Valley community members that you have had quite a hard journey over the past year. My friend, I am so sorry for that.
Yet, I have also heard that God has given you beauty for ashes as well. I have heard that you and Nathan have found one another, and that the relationship is quite serious. I always believed that the two of you would wind up with one another. I believe that you could see it from the very beginning.
I took this picture at Jesse's and Clara's wedding, and I remember saying then, "That's a keeper." I took that picture because I wanted you both to have a memory of the beginning of the road. Then, I knew your path went in a different direction, so I held onto it.
And now, here you are, and I feel that it is time to share this picture with you. You and Nathan together, as I said back then, "That's a keeper." You two are good for each other. I wish you both the best for the future.
Take care, my friend. I look forward to hearing about a wedding announcement in the very near future.
Blessings,
Carson
Elizabeth let out a deep breath as she folded the letter back up and placed it back inside the envelope. Then, she slowly pulled out the photographs that were inside. Carson had included two copies of the photo of Nathan and Elizabeth at the Flynn's wedding reception. The tears that Elizabeth had been holding back now came flooding down her cheeks as she gasped and covered her mouth as if in shock, despite the fact that she knew what she saw. Rosemary and Faith looked at one another in confusion.
"Elizabeth, what is it?", Rosemary asked, concerned.
"That's a keeper.", Elizabeth smiled and whispered as she handed the photo to Rosemary. Faith peeked over at the photograph as Rosemary took it from Elizabeth.
"Oh Elizabeth! What a treasure this is! That is so thoughtful of Carson to send this to you.", Rosemary responded, as she gently touched her friend's arm.
Elizabeth nodded and said, "It is very thoughtful. And I love this so much. Why, why didn't I see it back then? If only... ", Elizabeth said as Rosemary stopped her mid-sentence.
"Elizabeth Thornton, you stop that right now! You can't go back in time or even think about what could or should have been! Focus on today and what you do have. A beautiful son and a wonderful relationship with an incredible man and his daughter who will soon become part of your family. You, Elizabeth, have been blessed in this life. You've had the opportunity to have three amazing relationships. No more dwelling. No more fear. Do you hear me?!", Rosemary said as she sternly looked at Elizabeth.
As Faith sat there, shocked at the serious tone that Rosemary had taken, Elizabeth looked at her friend and nodded. "You're right, Rosemary, I have been incredibly blessed. I can't dwell on what could have been if I hadn't been so blinded by fear. I'm thankful for my time with both Jack and even Lucas. More importantly, I'm grateful that Nathan and I got a second chance to find one another.", Elizabeth said as she wiped away the tears. She took the photographs from Rosemary and placed them back into the envelope.
"Rosemary, do you mind if we stop by the mercantile on the way home? I would love to get a couple of frames for these. I want Nathan to have the other copy that Carson sent.", Elizabeth asked her friend.
"Oh absolutely! I need to pick up a few items anyway. Faith, thank you so much for the tea and hospitality!", Rosemary said as she got up from her spot and took hers and Elizabeth's teacups to the sink. They hugged their friend and made their way down the stairs, out the door, and over to the mercantile.
A little while later, they returned to the Coulter home. The twins and Little Jack were down for a mid-afternoon nap while Nathan and Lee were in the kitchen. When the two ladies walked in, the men turned and smiled.
"Hi sweetheart! I thought that I'd help you out and make dinner, and Nathan offered to help since all the kids had laid down for a nap. How was the bridal tea?", Lee asked as Rosemary walked into the kitchen and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Aww, thank you Lee! The tea was wonderful! Faith was absolutely surprised. We planned for the wedding while we were there too.", Rosemary answered.
Elizabeth walked up to Nathan chopping vegetables at the counter and gave him a side hug, and he leaned down and kissed the top of her head.
Once he finished the vegetables, he placed the knife in the sink.
"I think that I'll go wake up Little Jack and then walk him and Elizabeth home. Lee, thank you for having me and Jack over. It's been a great day!", Nathan said as he patted Lee on the back.
"It was, Nathan. You are welcome over here anytime. In fact, why don't you two leave Little Jack and let him sleep for a little longer? Take some time for yourselves and maybe come get him after dinner. Rosemary mentioned that Allie went to spend some time over at Opal's.", Lee said as he looked at Nathan and Elizabeth and then over at Rosemary.
Elizabeth and Nathan looked at one another, and then Elizabeth glanced over at her friend. Rosemary smiled and nodded. "Thank you both. We will take you up on that offer.", Nathan spoke up as he looked at the couple.
He held out his hand to Elizabeth, and she smiled and placed her own smaller hand in his hand. In her other hand, she held the brown bag from the mercantile. They said goodbye to their friends and exited the door and down the steps.
"I have an idea if you're willing.", Nathan said as he looked at Elizabeth as they stood on the rowhouse pathway. Elizabeth looked at Nathan and nodded. He smiled at her with his crooked smile and blue eyes sparkling. They walked in the direction of his rowhouse, and he asked her to stay there for a moment. After a few moments, he appeared with a picnic basket and blanket in tow. Elizabeth looked at him in curious confusion.
"Trust me, it's simple, but it will be nice.", Nathan responded as he took her hand once more and led her down the pathway. Eventually, they found themselves at the pond where Nathan had asked Elizabeth what was in her heart. Remembering that moment, Elizabeth smiled to herself as they approached the small dock. Nathan released her hand and set down the picnic basket and laid out the blanket on the dock. He gestured for her to sit down, and once she did, he followed suit.
"This is lovely, Nathan. A perfect setting on this beautiful fall afternoon. I have something to give you.", Elizabeth said, as she smiled sweetly at Nathan.
Nathan smiled in return and asked, "You have something for me? What is it? "
She blushed and looked down at the brown bag that she had been carrying. "Actually, it was something that was given to me. I simply added to it, in a way of speaking, and now I'm giving it to you. I'll explain more after you open it.", she responded.
She reached inside the brown bag, pulled out a package wrapped in brown paper and tied with twine, and handed it over to Nathan. Nathan took the package and unwrapped it. Inside was one of the photographs that Carson had sent to her, framed inside a beautiful golden ornate frame. Nathan sat there shocked, wearing a thoughtful smile on his face as he caressed the frame with his index finger. "This is absolutely beautiful. How did you get this Elizabeth?", Nathan asked.
Elizabeth looked at the photograph for a moment and then into Nathan's eyes. "Carson sent a package to Faith full of medical supplies that he thought would be helpful for the infirmary and included a letter and two copies of this photograph for me. In his letter to me, Carson basically said that he was happy for us and that he knew from the beginning that we were meant for one another. That's why he took the photograph and said what he did.", Elizabeth told him.
"That's a keeper.", Nathan quietly said to himself as he returned his gaze to the photograph and caressed the frame once more.
"I thought you'd like the extra copy for your home or desk. I hope that it doesn't bring up bad memories.", Elizabeth said, realizing she wasn't sure what kind of things this photograph might trigger for Nathan.
Nathan nodded, sighed, and answered, "No, it's a beautiful photo of both of us. I'm glad that Carson captured this moment. I had forgotten that this photo even existed. This is a special treasure, and I think that I will keep it at work on my desk. I was reminded that this was the season that it was dawning on me that I had feelings for you, but I was fighting it too. I don't think either of us were ready for one another back then. We both needed to figure this all out." He glanced up at her intently, searching her eyes.
Elizabeth smiled and nodded, then looked out onto the pond. She sighed, and Nathan reached over and grabbed her hand. "I love you, Lizbeth, and I'm glad we're here with each other now, not just at this pond, but on this journey together," he said as he gently squeezed her hand. He gestured towards the basket and said, "What do you say? We eat a little something and head back to get our boy."
Elizabeth looked at him, smiled, and nodded. "Our boy", she loved the sound of that. Nathan went into the basket and pulled out a thermos and two tin mugs, which he poured lemonade into each. Then he took out sandwiches that he had quickly made earlier. As they sat eating, they chatted about the events of the day. Once the sun started setting, they packed up and made their way back to the Coulters hand in hand.