Epilogue Three Part II. A House where Love Lives
Nathan led Julia back to the hall, through the kitchen, the pantry, back door entryway, and then, out the back door. Now, Julia had seen and overheard enough to know that Nathan had put in some sort of garden behind the house. She'd even seen Archie's men working back there, including Jimmy, on several occasions. So, she knew right where he was taking her before they got there, even if she let on that she didn't.
They walked hand-in-hand down a pretty little path, that led from the back door, to the entrance of the garden. Julia smiled up at him, as he opened a little gate and said, all charming. "After you, my lady."
Julia looked up and inspected the entrance curiously, as they passed underneath. The wooden archway, that went up and over their heads, looked familiar. "Wait a minute. Is that the arbor, from our wedding?"
"Yes, it is." He told her with his crooked smile. On each side of their wedding arbor, a wooden picket fence had been added, which went all the way around the perimeter of the garden. "And our arbor is just waiting for someone to plant a creeping rose or ivy, to climb it." He raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps the lady of the house?"
Julia looked around her and giggled low. The garden was beautiful, the ground had been prepared, but not much was planted yet.
"In fact…" He brought her hand up to this lips and placed a gentle kiss across her knuckles. "If I can be frank with you, Mrs. Grant: you have quite some work to do." He smiled playful at her, as he took a step back and extended his hands on either side. "This garden is your's, for the planting."
Julia loved the idea, just like Grandma Rose's garden at Aisling. "It's lovely, Nathan. I can't wait to fill it." She turned in a circle and took it all in. So much ground to plant, so many possibilities. She came back around to him. "I can't help but hope, though, that you'll plant with me sometimes?"
Nathan took her hand and led her down a path, through the garden. She had to walk fast to keep up with his long, excited strides. "I did plant something already." He told her, on the way there.
The path culminated in a round flowerbed. In fact, the stones made a circle here, making that round flowerbed a sort of middle. Then, from that stone circle, the path went out in several directions.
Julia inspected the small plant that was planted right there, in the middle of that round flowerbed. And she realized something.
In fact, she turned around in a circle again, inspecting the distance from this middle flowerbed, to each corner of the garden. And it hit her.
Julia looked up at Nathan, and could tell by the smile that he wore, that it was true. "The Middle." She told him softly.
He shoved his hands in his pockets, and nodded.
She turned that circle again, and saw that his measurements were just about perfect. She gazed at him again, standing there, looking so coy. She narrowed her eyes. "Did you…measure?" She could tell by his face that he had. Just like Sully. "You did. You measured, didn't you?" She asked him with a playful smile.
Another nod, accompanied by a little smile, that belied the truth, and pointed out just how well she knew him.
Julia squatted down and inspected the small, young rose bush that was just beginning to unfold its roots, just starting to let them go down into the rich, dark earth of their garden. For this was no ordinary rose, smack dab in the middle.
How perfectly fitting. Though, this place wasn't really about the rose at all. But about what it represented: a place for them to meet, if ever they were out of harmony in their marriage. It had worked for Grandpa Sully and Grandma Rose, and it would certainly work for them. This was their place to meet in the middle. And it was just perfect.
Julia patted the damp earth next to their rosebush, and then straightened. She gazed contentedly at Nathan as she brushed her hand on the side of her skirt, not even caring for the dirt it left behind. It was impossible to take her eyes off him now, when she realized what he'd done. And the care with which he'd done it. Aisling II, the art studio, their arbor, their garden, this rosebush, the Middle.
He hadn't just asked her to join alongside of his life, already in progress, headed in a certain direction. No. He'd built a whole new life, and intertwined the two of them, together, as equals, in the center. He'd completely uprooted the old, and planted anew in fresh, rich, dark soil, for the long-haul.
Julia couldn't close the distance fast enough. And he didn't even have time enough to work his hands out of his pockets before she crashed into him. Her lips found his instantly, and she communicated, the best way she knew how, her love and unending devotion. Her soft hand rested gently on his cheek, as she let her lips move over his. And once he got those hands free, he pulled her in tight against him. He devoured every bit of her devotion, and took it as affirmation that she liked the life that he'd built for them. For what had been a dream, was now the blessing that he wanted to sink every bit of his energy into. Their love, their family, this house, their vision. It was what he'd always longed for, and she was his perfect equal. His one, his person.
When she pulled back just slightly, she looked up into those crystal eyes, full of love as wide as the sky behind him. "I love you, Nathan Grant. And I love what you've built for us."
The corners of his lips turned up, which made her's turn up too. She told him more. "I will fill this garden." She gave him one dimple, and then the other. "And I will fill it with flowers. Get ready. Get very, very ready." And somehow, he knew, she wasn't just talking about the garden. But his life, and their life, together. Hadn't she filled his life with flowers since the first day he met her?
"Wildflowers?" He asked. And oh, how he hoped.
"Aren't they the best kind?" She replied, with a playful smile.
"Yes. Yes, they are." He answered, on the way to her lips again. And he kissed her back, this time gentle and tender, drawn out, long, but passionate. She suddenly wished they weren't standing in the middle of this garden, but somewhere else entirely. Her hand still rested on his cheek, but she let her other one come to rest right over his racing heart. And it was racing indeed, just like hers.
When he finally let go of her lips, Nathan smiled mischievously down at her, so she braced herself for the teasing she saw coming. "Mrs. Grant. If you wouldn't mind…behaving yourself… a little bit." He raised his eyebrows for effect. "I'm really trying to finish this..um, tour."
Julia put her head back and laughed out loud. And he joined her.
There they stood, for a good long moment, holding onto each other and sharing a laugh, right there in the middle. Until Julia finally called him out. "This is my fault?" She teased him back, met him tick for tack. "I'm the one to blame, for you being so…charming?"
He leaned down close again, and her eyes went immediately to his lips. Like a moth to flame. "No, I'm definitely to blame. I can't help myself…you have a certain effect on me, Mrs. Grant." He told her just above a whisper.
She brought her eyes back up to his. "As do you…on me."
Though his eyes stay on her, he took one step back, put a little distance between them. But he was completely unable to wipe that adorable smile off of his face. "I guess, if we're to ever finish this tour, we should keep going." He held out his hand.
Julia gave hers, and Nathan tucked their two hands close to his body, as he led her through the rest of the garden. On the western side, there was a simpler gate that led out, in the direction of the barn.
They exited there and followed the stone path to the little stream. They crossed the wooden footbridge Jimmy and Joseph had built, and continued on the dirt path.
The barn sat at the edge of their meadow, and it wasn't altogether finished yet. In fact, a crew had been up here all week, trying to get it done before their move-in date. But, there were just not enough hours in the day, and Nathan was not willing to cut corners, nor would he allow the men to overwork themselves. So, the crew had resigned themselves to continue working for the next few weeks, until everything was finished. And besides finishing up the barn, there were two corrals to build, too.
On the other side of their barn, a second meadow stretched out long and made a perfect pasture for grazing. A fence was already started, and built about a third of the way around. That would be a project for Nathan, over the spring, before they left for Peggy's Cove: finish up that pasture fence. Archie had already committed to helping him, and Julia knew that Nathan was looking forward to the father-son time that project would afford them.
Nathan led her inside, first through the stable side of the barn, which was large and mostly open. The outer doors were not yet built, nor were the stall separations or doors. "We should be able to fit about 6 stalls here." He told her as the walked along. "We will also have a tack room, an office, and a few other rooms for supplies." He also showed her where he'd planned a large open space for working indoors, as well as a hayloft.
Julia looked it all over with interest. "How long before the horses can come up?"
Nathan's eyes went back to where the stalls were not yet finished. "A few weeks, I imagine."
Julia raised an eyebrow and teased him. "And the mule?"
That stopped him in his tracks. How did she know he'd talked to Jed about a mule? "Jed's getting me one." He told her, then he furrowed his brow. "Wait a minute. How did you know that?"
"I didn't." She told him with a chortle. "I just saw one in my daydream, remember? This house, this barn…" She looked him over. "…and a mule."
How could he forget? He'd packed a picnic that day, just after she'd been hurt at the oil rig barracks. They'd spread out a blanket next to the stream and dreamed together. Julia had seen all of this: the big white house, the barn, horses, and even a mule.
She had laid right back on her back, closed her eyes, and dreamt it all: I see a big white house, with a porch that stretches all the way around. And big tall windows to let in lots of light. And there are beautiful hand-crafted wooden doors with a lovely curly, fancy G on them. There are flowers, lots of flowers, planted all across the front….And set a little ways from the house there is a huge barn for the horses, and a mule. I don't know why there's a mule, but maybe you do?
She'd opened one eye and looked at him, as she'd inquired about that mule. And he'd been floored. In fact, he'd nearly stopped breathing as she perfectly described the house he'd already drawn out on drafting paper. And she'd gotten it all right, right down to the G on the front door, and that mule in the barn.
And even now, she still remembered his mule.
She watched him as it registered. "I don't even know why you need a mule, though I do like them." She told him plainly.
He replied with a shrug. "For working." He smiled at her. "And I do like them too. Jed's gonna get us a gentle one."
"I can't wait to meet him." She smiled sideways. "And to work at your side."
Nathan reached down and took her hand again. He pulled it in close to his heart. "Nothing could be better motivation." He smiled at her for a moment, and then asked. "Jules, can I show you something else?"
Julia chuckled. Wasn't that why they were here, on this tour? "Of course, Lawman."
Nathan led her back out the way they'd come, and around the side of the barn. He pushed open a door, and they stepped inside. Light streamed in through the bare windows, illuminating everything in the room.
As soon as she realized where they were, Julia said softly. "Your workshop." And she smiled, content that he'd still built one. Mainly because he'd designated a workshop on his house plans, but then put in an art studio instead.
She let her eyes go around and take in everything in this workshop of his. The room was filled with tools, a large number of them hanging on the wall, in neat rows. His worktables were placed around the room, as well as several ongoing projects.
"It's a very fine workshop." She told him as she took a turn about. Another outdoor chair was in process to the left, rectangular boxes sat in stacks to the right. Julia picked one up and inspected it.
"Flower boxes, for the front porch." He told her. "Dad and Jimmy have been busy." She looked down at the two neat stacks, there were at least six already done.
"Looks like I'll soon have more work to do." She told him with a smile, thinking of the garden.
He liked having her here, in his workspace. "I'll help you." He smiled. "It will be my turn to work alongside you."
"I would like that." She replied. Then Julia set the flower box back in its place. "These are lovely, Nathan."
Another project was laid out on his work table. Julia approached and picked up one piece, the wood was light in color, and had just been sanded. She ran her fingers over the soft surface of the grain.
He was watching her now, and stepped closer. "Spice shelf for the pantry." He explained.
"That will be very nice, too." She set it back down exactly where she'd found it, and tilted her head. "I just love the smell of fresh-cut wood, don't you?"
"Yes, I do." He told her, as he took another step closer.
She looked down at the cut pieces on the table, and told him absentmindedly. "It smells like…you." Nathan had brought that scent home for the last few months, in addition to his usual scent of fresh mountain air and pine. And she had welcomed it, something about it was warm and familiar now, made her feel at home.
"Really?" He asked on a chuckle. That knowledge brought him another step closer. Something about her, all feminine and delicate, standing against the backdrop of his workshop, was suddenly intriguing. He leaned down and kissed her on the neck, right next to her collar.
She turned around in the small space she now found herself, sandwiched between her handsome husband and his worktable. "Nathan." She told him on an exhale, before she sucked in air.
He was visibly amused, and she was visibly flushed. The natural light streaming in made her look even more beautiful. He reached up and let his thumb trace over a few of those freckles, as he confessed. "I like having you in here."
"Really?" She used his same question, with that same flirtation. "You don't find it too…distracting?" Or was she the only one who felt it? Were they ever going to finish this tour?
He chuckled and searched her face. "Is that what I'm being now? Distracting?" That word seemed to follow them.
"Decidedly." She whispered, as she tilted her head in an accusatory fashion. He was definitely doing it on purpose, flirting with her, she could see that now.
Nathan slowly pulled her into his embrace, and held her close. Julia snuggled firm against him. She laid her cheek near his heart, against the ripples of his chest, and closed her eyes. "What happ…are you okay, my love?"
"I've just missed you." He confessed. He'd been working so hard these last weeks, they'd hardly had any alone time, just the two of them. Even when she'd come up to surprise him, there had usually been a crew, or Archie. Save for that time with the blanket and the fireplace. But they needed more times like that, where they could just steal away and be together. Moments when they could make the most of the way they just couldn't get enough of each other.
"You have been working very hard." She told him, as she held on tight. "And I've missed you too."
He let his hands caress her back as he held her. And he drank in the smell of her, found comfort in her scent of wild roses. The last few days she'd been in bed when he got home, and he'd snuggled in close to those roses. But, now, holding her like this felt like heaven.
"I love you Julia Grant." He whispered into her sandy waves.
That was one thing she would never ever doubt. For though she loved hearing him say the words, he rarely ever needed to. Because his love was evident, proven - in everything he did, whether action or deed. This house, her studio, their bedroom, the garden, their rosebush. His actions spoke of his love, so his lips didn't have to.
She pulled back and looked up at him. Sky met ocean, as they gazed into each other's eyes. A moment of connection, that, as always, opened a horizon of possibilities between them.
"I love you Nathan Grant." She returned his sentiment, though she raised him one. "With all of my heart."
He brought that one hand up to her cheek again, and traced over those freckles. He kissed her softly on the hair line, then pulled her into his embrace once more. Even tighter this time.
He loved the feeling of the rise and fall of her chest against his. And her heart beat that seemed to race right along, in cadence, with his. He adored this closeness, this melded together feeling, this physical exchange of sentiments.
When he finally let go of her, he kept her hand in his, and led her out the door. They stood a moment at the edge of the meadow, shoulder to shoulder, and looked out over their land.
Then Nathan led her back across the little foot bridge, toward the house. He showed her the pretty red chicken house Archie and Jimmy had built for her.
Then he brought her around the big wrap-around porch, and pointed out where the flower boxes would go. Then he led her up on the porch, where they found their place, at each other's side, on their swing. Nathan put his arm around her, drew her into his side, as he put them into motion.
She loved this swing, and this view, and sitting here with him, like this. She could grow old right here, one beautiful day at a time.
"Just imagine the chickens pecking around out there, in the yard." Julia told him and she laid her ear against his shoulder.
He must have been reflecting too, because when he looked down at her, there was a handsome contentment written on his face. He looked younger, resolved, fulfilled. "Or better yet, our children playing."
And she let those words go down deep into her heart, as she snuggled in closer.
About twenty minutes later, Julia heard an unmistakable growl in Nathan's belly. After it sounded off a second time, Allie came bounding out the door.
"Oh. There you are." She told them, as she looked them over. Her mom and dad were so cute on the swing together.
Then she asked that typical teenage question, one that mom's all around the world hear, at a certain hour of every day. "Hey…" She shifted, not sure how to ask. "What's for dinner?" So, she too, was hungry.
Julia lifted herself from Nathan's cozy chest, and sat up straight. She looked back and forth between the two of them, her hungry wards. Then she realized she had absolutely no idea what was in the icebox, or pantry, or in the dry stock. "Well what is there…to cook?" She asked Nathan.
"Everything should be pretty well stocked. Shall we take another tour and find something that suits you?" He asked.
Then Julia had a fun idea. "Why don't we all three cook together?" Allie's face lit up, showing that she liked the idea. "Our first night in our new house? We could spend time together in our fancy new kitchen?"
Images flashed in Nathan's mind, of cooking with Julia in Airdrie, or at the row house. Or the old days when he'd cooked with Allie alongside. The kitchen was always more fun when shared.
"Wonderful idea." Nathan told them both, as he stretched his long legs to standing. He extended his hand to Julia, who stood up next to him.
And the trio went to the kitchen, had a look around, and started assembling what they would need to make Allie's favorite dish: Chicken Pot Pie.
Pretty soon the chicken was boiling, the vegetables were chopped and cooking, and Julia was rolling out dough. The conversation was light and fun, and covered a myriad of topics. From baby Ellie's latest milestone, to Faith and Julia teaching biology at school, to Nathan's preparations for the next tracking class. Allie shared that Katie Yost was coming for a visit soon. Julia mentioned the latest update from Jake, all about wedding preparations. And Nathan told them about Ben, who would be back from Hamilton in a few days. Julia couldn't help but smile then, for she knew Ben's reason for that particular trip to Hamilton - he'd gone to see Faith's father about his daughter's hand.
While the chicken pot pie bubbled in the oven, Julia and Allie rolled out biscuits. Nathan set the table, and then washed up a few pots and pans. Whatever he could find to do, he kept busy, because the smell that filled the kitchen now, was just too tantalizing.
And when dinner was ready, the trio sat down to their first dinner in the new house. Nathan, Julia, and Allie enjoyed the meal, the conversation, but most of all, being together.
And when they were stuffed full, Julia prepared the wash basin, and they worked together, until every dish was washed, and every surface clean.
Then this trio returned to the front porch, squeezed onto that wooden porch swing together, and watched the sunset.
And when the sky was dark, and the last stitch of color had long since faded, Allie stood and stretched her arms high in the air. She yawned and told them. "Mom, Dad, I think I'm going to bed."
Nathan smiled up at her. "Good night, Allie girl."
And Julia added. "Good night, Allie."
"Good night, you two." Allie replied. "Wish me luck in that huge canopy bed." She said with a soft giggle.
"Don't get lost in there." Julia teased.
"I won't." Allie promised, then she turned and headed inside.
Julia tilted her head so she could look up at her husband. "I think I will turn in, too." She felt rather tired, herself.
Nathan looked out at the view, he just couldn't get enough. Here, the sky's expanse was so vast, and the stars so bright - a million brilliant specks of light painted across an ebony canvas. "I might stay a little while." He told her softly.
Julia leaned closer, and planted a soft, tender peck on his lips. "Okay, Lawman. Enjoy this spectacular view." She searched his face. "But don't stay too long, my love." She whispered, before she stood, paused a minute, but then continued inside.
Nathan watched her go, captivated after that sweet kiss. But still, he had something to do. He sat back on that swing and he gave thanks. For this land, for their house, for his family, for Allie, and for his wife. He thanked God for their love and marriage. And he asked a blessing on Julia and Allie, their life together, this new house, and this new season.
Then, when Nathan's thanksgiving was all poured out, he slowly rose and went inside. He climbed the stairs and went first to Allie's room. A habit he'd had for so long, it would be impossible to break, even if she was fourteen years old now. Something about seeing her safe and sound, asleep in her bed, gave him peace to slumber himself. He placed a kiss on his three fingers, then transferred that kiss to her forehead, brushing his hand lightly over the hair that had been loosed and brushed.
As he turned, he noticed Allie's clothes neatly folded and laid over the chair next to her closet. And only one person folded clothes like that. Julia. She must have come up, and helped Allie into bed. That tradition they'd started was continuing, in this new house. Just as he'd hoped it would. For, if there was one woman he hoped Allie would look up to, and emulate, it was Julia.
On his way out, Nathan left the door slightly ajar, just like he'd done countless times, since the first day Allie came to live with him.
Then Nathan continued on down the hall, past the myriad of photographs that lined the walls - of Nathan's family, of Julia's, of that first Founder's day together, Allie's adoption, and their wedding. And then, for a short expanse, the walls were blank. Space he'd left empty on purpose, for the photographs and memories they'd yet to make. For the family that was to come: their future children, a son-in-law, and maybe even grandchildren.
Nathan slowly turned the knob and opened their bedroom door. Only one oil lamp was lit, on the far side of the room, and it did little to light anything.
Instead, the light was coming from the crackling fire of the hearth, and his wife stood just in front of it. And when he saw her, Nathan's breath caught. As she stood there, in her robe, she was silhouetted by the firelight behind her. And he could make out every outline of her body, each tender curve, and her beautiful legs that seemed to go on forever.
He had trouble sucking in air as he took the few strides to get there. Her loose hair fell all about her shoulders, cascaded long and wavy down her back. Her cheeks were rosy with color, made warm by the flicker of the fire.
Julia watched him as he came. She couldn't quite catch her breath, for he had looked her over and she was now that ever fixed mark. She loved when he looked at her like that, like she was the only woman in the entire world. Desire, longing, and need were written on his face. And she felt it, too.
Nathan pulled to a stop just in front of his wife, and as he searched her face, her mouth fell slightly open.
"Hi." Was the one word that came out of his mouth, all soft and raspy. And oh, how she loved that word. She loved the way it rolled off his tongue and tickled its way into her ear.
"Hi, my love." Was her habitual response, for she knew the words that he loved to hear.
At that response, his heart skipped a beat. And he didn't wait any longer. He bent down and scooped her up, into his arms, in one fell swoop. Julia's hands came around his neck and her breath landed warmly on his cheek.
And he carried her swiftly toward that big bed he'd fashioned, and only the shimmering glint of her robe, was left trailing out behind them.