Chapter Fourteen: Home in Montreal
As Albert pulled up to Millicent's Townhouses, her own and the one next door that was used for Business Guests and Events, Millicent squeezed Nathan's hand.
"Welcome home," she smiled.
He smiled and reached to kiss her.
"Thanks for having me! Even though I did invite myself!"
"You can invite yourself anytime you want! You, Love, have a standing invitation!"
And she reached up to kiss him to prove it.
When Albert opened their door, Nathan started to jump out to get his own luggage but was quickly shot down.
"My pleasure, Sir! Don't even think of it!"
Nathan grinned, and helped Millicent out of the Limo, instead.
"You're going to spoil me, you know!" he whispered.
She laughed and insisted on carrying her huge bouquet spilling over on one arm, while gripping her hat-brim between her kid gloved fingers, with her other hand holding tightly onto his.
She knew a huge welcome was awaiting Nathan, and he was going to need his hands, and probably his arms, free, especially if she knew Estella!
In her excitement, she practically pulled him to her front door, where Hendrix and Estella were not so patiently waiting.
It had been four long years since they had seen him!
Which had been entirely too long.
As soon as the door opened, Estella had her arms wrapped around him before Nathan knew what was happening, and she was already crying.
Nathan wrapped his arms around his Miss Essie, patting her back tenderly, kissing her cheek, trying his best to soothe her.
"Please don't cry! Look at you. You look wonderful! It's so good to see you, Miss Essie!"
Of course, this made her cry even more.
Loud 'boohooing' crying.
"My Master Nathan…Constable Nathan, I mean" she managed through her tears.
"How about just Nathan, Miss Essie?"
She was jubilant, "It won't be easy, because you've gone and grown up on me, but I'll certainly try!"
Millicent couldn't help but smile, she knew that Grant charm would work on Essie!
"Hendrix, a pleasure to see you again, too," and Nathan held out his hand with a huge smile.
"Why you certainly are all grown up into quite the Young Man! I've missed you, Son!"
Instead of shaking his extended hand, Hendrix just brushed it aside and grabbed the Constable in a firm and lasting bear hug.
"Just wonderful to have you with us, again, Sir!"
"Well, you two, I hate to break this up, but Nathan is going to be here all week, so there will be lots of time for all of us to catch up. But for now, he has to be exhausted. We need to get him settled and make him comfortable!"
"Of course, Miss! Your Coat, Sir!"
Hendrix helped Nathan out of his Top Coat, Scarf, and Gloves, then Nathan turned to help Millicent out of her Coat, while Estella took her Hat, Scarf, and Gloves.
"Sir, this way," and Hendrix directed them toward the Living Room.
Millicent was still holding his hand.
"Would you care for a glass of wine while we sit and talk?" asked Millicent.
"That would be nice, but don't go to any trouble."
"I'll get it, Miss, and it's no trouble at all, Sir!" declared Hendrix.
Nathan and Millicent had barely gotten settled, before Hendrix had returned with a very nice bottle of select red wine and two crystal stemmed wine glasses on a silver tray, leaving it for Nathan to pour. Estella had also produced a beautiful tray of finger foods, that she had prepared and had waiting in the kitchen. All for their long-lost guest of honor!
"Thank you both! This looks wonderful! But not nearly as wonderful as seeing the two of you, again!"
They both beamed, thrilled to be remembered, as Nathan poured their two glasses of wine, and Hendrix walked over to the fireplace to stoke the fire into a roaring one!
Hendrix returned to grab his Miss Millicent's bouquet of flowers, and then he and Estella quickly excused themselves, smiling from ear to ear, closing the ornately carved mahogany double doors behind them, overflowing with happiness for this young couple they loved so!
"Well, that wasn't very subtle!"
"They're so excited to see you again! None of us can believe you're here. Having you with us just makes us all so very happy, Nathan! But none more than me, Love!"
He kissed her forehead.
"To true love, our wonderful past, and our beautiful present and future, Millicent!"
"To true love, our wonderful past, and our beautiful present and future, Nathan!"
They clinked their wine glasses, and then made themselves comfortable on the plush sofa, in front of the fire.
"How was your trip? I want to know every detail!"
"I missed you every single moment, but other than that, it was quite wonderful. I think Conductor Matherson could tell I was hopelessly in love and he took pity on me! Gave me the Royal Suite, no less! So, I was in very comfortable, and appropriately elegant surroundings for my dreams of you."
She reached up to kiss him.
"That makes me so happy. That Suite is their very best and you deserve it!"
Nathan smiled, "If we start our return trip to Hope Valley on Monday instead of Sunday, Conductor Matherson has confirmed two gratis Suites for us!"
"Now that's marvelous! I get you an extra day in Montreal, plus two gratis Cabin Suites? Absolutely!"
He placed his arm around her and held her hand in his other hand, just taking in her scent, reveling in their closeness!
She rested her head on his shoulder and didn't even move, when there was a soft knock on the double doors, behind them.
"Yes?" she called.
Estella opened the double doors for Hendrix, who was carrying a large cut crystal vase filled and overflowing with Millicent's fresh bouquet perfectly arranged in it.
"Miss, I thought you'd enjoy having these close by."
"How thoughtful! Thank you, Hendrix. Thank you, Estella."
The flowers brought their distinct, pronounced, heady scent into the room, once again, as well as their beauty, happily mingling and perfectly blending with Millicent's own exotic mix of perfume.
Again, Hendrix and Estella smiled knowingly, just so thrilled to see their Mistress happy with the Man they had both loved since he had been a Little Boy!
"I really can't believe we're all together again! This is just great. I'm looking forward to catching up throughout the week!" reiterated Nathan. "And I have lots of pictures of Allie I want to show you, both, too!"
And with that Hendrix and Estella were both positively delighted!
"We can't wait to see them, Sir," enthused Hendrix on Estella's behalf. "And we can't wait to meet our Little Girl!"
"Afraid she's not so little anymore, Hendrix. She's getting taller every day!"
As the two smiled and closed the doors once again, Nathan and Millicent snuggled in a bit closer.
"Back to your trip…we got interrupted on all the detail!"
Nathan suddenly remembered, and reached into his inner suit coat pocket, smiling down at her with twinkly eyes.
"Here's all the detail you'll want," he winked.
He handed her the envelope with Darling written across it in his own distinctive handwriting.
She looked up at him, full of love with just his one written word.
"Open it, Darling!" he urged.
She raised her hand to caress his cheek, with her eyes glistening.
"No one's ever called me Darling before…not in this way."
He leaned into her.
"That's because I'm the only one who gets to do that…which makes me the Luckiest Man in the world!"
He tilted her chin toward him and watched her perfect lips till his own lips meshed with hers in pure joy.
Her hands were shaking, and not wanting to tear the envelope, she got up to get her letter opener from her desk in front of the far set of windows.
But she came back to him instantly and snuggled back into him, anxiously ready to see what he had written to her.
She carefully took his letter out of its envelope, and both eagerly and silently read his words of love to her.
Darling Millicent,
I'm dining alone with only thoughts of you, wishing you were here with me to share this delectable meal in a most elegant setting.
But I'm sure there will be many romantic dinners this coming week, as well as in our lifetime to come.
I've watched as four elderly couples have chatted and even flirted, sharing their desserts - such a wonderfully intimate thing to do.
I can actually see that that is us, many years ahead, as excited to be together as we will be tomorrow evening.
Perhaps even more so, after spending a lifetime of love and passion with each other.
I don't know how the particular logistics of our lives together are going to work. I only know they will.
And I am completely assured the path we are about to take was exquisitely laid out for us by a Higher Power, perhaps, before we were born.
I am so very grateful for, and honored by your love, as with it, I am a man blessed beyond measure.
I'm counting the minutes till we are together, my Darling.
For I do love you with all my being, my heart, and my soul.
Forever.
Yours,
Nathan
She was crying softly, so he just held her, while she gripped his letter.
When she could finally get her words out, she selected them carefully, wanting them to be just right, as she looked up to him through her tears.
"Darling, this is our very first love letter, and it's divine! It's your heart and it's everything I could ever desire. You are everything I could ever desire. I will treasure this always as our first."
"First of many more to come, Love," promised Nathan. "Whenever we're apart, and maybe, sometimes when we're together, too! You know, even notes can be love letters!"
This was an important moment and they both knew it, as it was the first time they were really speaking about their future together.
"You are my everything, Millicent. My breath, my reason for going on. I can't imagine living without you, nor would I want to. We may not have seen it, but our love was always there, growing into this. I see it all so clearly now. And I'm certain our love will continue to grow and grow into the wonderful life we're meant to live together."
He wiped her tears and bent to meet her sweet lips.
She placed her arms around his neck.
"You are my heartbeat. My one true love! I'm so deliriously happy. I didn't even know this kind of happiness existed," she whispered. "I really didn't! Not till your phone call! And then the happiness just came flooding in!"
He pulled her over to his lap.
"It's the same for me, Milli! I have to keep pinching myself to reassure myself this is real. I adore you and only you. Don't ever doubt it, my Love!"
She placed her hand on his heart and sat silently listening to each beat.
"We're really going to do this, aren't we?" she asked, radiantly.
"We're really going to do this…in fact, we're doing this right now," he vowed.
As he reached for her, their breathless, pulsating kiss was one of commitment, overflowing with desire and raw passion.
It was everything missing in their lives, yet they had finally found all of it and more, with each other!
Their hunger for each other was tangible, and their love was palpable throughout the room.
Their joy too huge to contain!
"Let's call our parents and share our fabulous news," suggested Millicent excitedly.
"Something tells me they may not be that surprised!"
They both laughed.
"Darling, I think we were the only two who didn't know! Just a second. I'll bring the phone from my desk! Who first?"
"Let's call your parents first, but I still need to talk to your Father privately, later on," reminded Nathan. "Man to Man! It's the honorable thing to do."
Millicent couldn't help but flash the most brilliant smile!
"I wish they were here, but they're at their place in Toronto. Father's overseeing a new Steel Plant there. He thought they were cutting safety corners, and decided to step in himself. We should be catching them before dinner, so it's a perfect time!"
"Clayton, hello, it's Millicent…yes, fine, thank you, and you?… That's great! Clayton, are Mother and Father available for a quick chat?"
"Yes, Miss, they're having aperitifs alone in the Library. I'm sure they'll be thrilled to hear from you! One moment, Miss!"
Millicent covered the mouthpiece, "He's getting them now!"
Nathan smiled, "Let's hope they're happy!"
"Are you serious? They're going to be elated!"
They waited as Clayton made the long trek to the Library.
"Father, I have a surprise for you and Mother! Are you both sitting down?"
"My Dear Millicent, I always quake a bit when you start our conversation like that! Yes, Mother and I both are sitting down, although I certainly hope, for once, we won't need to be!"
"No, not at all Father! I just want you both comfortable! Nathan is in Montreal with me and he'd like to talk with you."
"Nathan?" He asked pleased but surprised.
"Nathan, how good to speak with you!"
"Thank you, Sir! I hope to speak with you more privately soon, but Millicent and I did want to share our news. I'm in Montreal with her now. And to put it bluntly, Sir, we're in love!"
There was sheer pandemonium on the other end of the line, with thrilling exclamations of happiness and joy!
"A world of congratulations, Son! Welcome to the Family, as if you already aren't a part of it! Finally, you two see what Victoria and I've seen all along! We couldn't be more thrilled! Here, Victoria is grabbing the phone!"
"Nathan, I truly couldn't be happier! When did this all come about? I knew Millicent visited you in Hope Valley!"
"Yes, Ma'am, she was a huge help to me! But truthfully, I realized that I was hopelessly in love with her after she left. And I must say, I am completely and totally in love with her now and forever. I think I always have been. Your daughter is my everything, Mrs. Bradford. I can't believe we haven't realized it before now!"
"Oh, Edward and I have known that forever, Darling. But sometimes God works in mysterious ways and lets you both know when you're ready. We couldn't be happier, or more thrilled. You two belong together without a doubt, and always have! Oh, how I wish we were in Montreal to see you both and celebrate with you! Edward, Is there any possible way?"
Edward could never resist his beautiful wife, especially when she was looking at him with those questioning, yearning dark eyes!
"Let me speak to Nathan, Dear!…"
"Nathan, will we be in the way if we head to Montreal?"
"Not at all, Sir! We'd love that! In fact, we would very much love to see you both, and I'd particularly love to speak with you privately, Sir!"
"Son, we'll start out early in the morning, by Train, that will be quickest. We'll arrive tomorrow evening. Look forward to seeing you!"
"That's great, Sir. Looking forward to it! But, Millicent would like a few words!"
"Father, you're really coming?" asked Millicent incredulously.
"How could we not? This is as important as it gets! We're so happy for you both, Baby! Of course, we'll be there to help celebrate!"
"Thank you, Daddy. I've never ever been so happy! I love Nathan with all my heart!"
Edward chuckled.
"We can hear the love in your voices, Sweetheart! Don't worry about meeting us at the Train Station. I'll have Lloyd pick us up. Perhaps you and Nathan can come for a late Family Dinner at the house after we're settled in, just the four of us! And in case you didn't know, Richard will be there early Tuesday morning on some business. I know he and Nathan will want to see each other!"
"Of course, Father! Just so glad you all will be here. Dinner late tomorrow, it is! Love you both!"
"Can't wait to see you both, and congratulations, Darlings!" called Victoria!
"Thank you! Goodnight, Mother, goodnight, Father!"
"Goodnight Mr. and Mrs. Bradford. Looking forward to seeing both of you!"
Millicent hung up the earpiece.
"Well, that went as wonderfully as it possibly could have, Love!"
"Yes, it did! I'm thrilled they're coming to Montreal! And on such short notice, too," agreed Nathan. "I know that's not an easy thing for them to change plans at the last minute!"
"I know! They're doing it for you, Darling! Now, if we just had your parents here, too, everything would be perfect," wished Millicent.
"Yes, it would, but here or not, they're going to be beside themselves when they hear our news! You know how they both adore you!"
"It's still a pretty big deal! A lot for them to take in. I hope they're really happy!"
"Try delirious," laughed Nathan.
Nathan confidently placed the call to the Ranch as Millicent sat excited and nervous beside him!
"Mother!"
"Son, so good to hear from you. We've, well, I've been worried about you. How was Millicent's visit to Hope Valley?"
"It was wonderful Mom, she helped me a lot with her wisdom!"
"That girl has a beautiful intelligent head on her shoulders! You'd do well to realize that, Son!"
"I do realize that, Mother! What if I told you that's why we are calling?"
"We? We, who? Don't you dare play games with your Mother! You know you're not too big…"
Nathan laughed.
"Mother, Estella's already threatened me with that! I'm in Montreal with Millicent and we have some news I think you're going to want to hear!"
"Archeford! Glory be! They've finally come to their senses!"
Archie came running, knowing his wife's words could only mean one thing.
"What's going on here? Your Mother's too excited to talk!"
Nathan and Millicent both laughed.
"Dad, Millicent and I have exciting news! We are together. We're both hopefully and hopelessly in love with each other!"
"Well, about time you two realized it! Congratulations a million times over, although that's hardly news! We knew you two would wake up someday! Anam Cara, that's what you are and always have been! It's an ancient Irish Soulmate kind of love, Son, that opens the two Soul friends up to infinite possibilities in love that the two individuals never ever imagined alone! My, it's going to be a blessed and wonderful life together, the two of you are going to share! And you're Mother and I couldn't be happier!"
"Go raibh maith agat, athair, mathair!"
And there was Nathan's third language he seldom used, but knew well, as had Colleen - a mix of Gaelic Irish often spoken in his home as a child, saying "Thank you, Father, Mother!"
Now spoken in the utmost respect for his parents, on this, the occasion of his and Millicent's most special news!
He was offering it as a profound thank you to both his Father and Mother, and it was proudly received as such.
"Nathan, I'm still crying my tears of happiness, Son, but I want to speak to my Daughter!"
"Mother wants to talk to her Daughter!"
Millicent was instantly in tears, too, for she knew the meaningful depths of that comment coming from Nathan's Mother who lived every single day with the loss of her much loved only Daughter, Colleen.
She took the phone, trying her best to speak, but words failed her, so she listened as his Mother spoke.
"Darling Millicent, you've always been part of our family, but to officially welcome you as a Daughter makes our hearts soar. We love you Child as our own from this day forward. And Archie and I will always side with you, no matter what the situation is!"
Everyone was laughing except Nathan!
"Hey! That's not even logical!" he teasingly complained. "Or remotely fair!"
"Sorry, Son! That's you're new reality!" confirmed his Dad.
"Mr. and Mrs. Grant, I can't think of a family in the world I would want to be a bigger part of or love more! We wish you were here so we could all celebrate together! Is there any possible way you could visit us for a couple of days?"
"Archie, could we possibly get away?"
He saw the longing look in his wife's eyes, and leaned in to the mouthpiece!
"We'll make it happen, Children! Let's say by Friday at the latest! We'll let you know as we get closer to the time!"
"That's phenomenal, Dad! Mother, can't wait to see you both! The whole family will be here, except Allie! And by the way, she doesn't know as Millicent and I want to tell her together, in person! So don't let it slip! But she wanted me to be sure and give you her love!"
"That's lovely, Son! Give our Little Girl our love, too! We'll keep your secret and see you both soon! You've made an old couple happier than they ever dreamed they could be!"
"Love you Mother, love you Dad!"
Nathan and Millicent hung up the phone, elated, with huge smiles on their faces, both feeling the immense love and support they had just been given by both sets of parents.
He traced her lips with his index finger.
"See, I told you so! They adore you!"
Then he kissed her in a way that clearly told her he adored her most of all!
"Mil, I just noticed, that's one of Colleen's paintings over your mantle!"
"It somehow helped me to have it there. But I can take it down, if it bothers you, Darling…"
She watched him carefully for a reaction as he got up to inspect the painting closer.
She followed behind him and put her arm around his waist, as he stood there in front of the fireplace, gazing up at the huge canvas, that was his Sister's work.
And although she surmised, he had never said the words since Colleen's death, as he was so private and they were simply too painful, Millicent knew Nathan had lost much more than a Sister.
He had lost his Twin.
His other half.
The beautiful, vibrant creature he had shared everything in his life with from his very beginning in the womb, throughout his life, till the very moment she was taken in death.
He had been holding her one hand, with Sophia holding the other, tears streaming down both their faces.
And it had been as though a part of him died in that instant, along with his beloved Twin.
She was the person he adored most in the world, and he was the person she adored most.
They communicated in a shorthand only the two of them understood, practically having their own language.
Colleen was the person who completed his thoughts, just as he completed hers.
It had been and still was an epic loss.
Only Millicent, being best friends to both, understood just how intimately close that relationship was and just how devastating the loss had been, and still was.
She was also astute enough to know their relationship still existed, even though separated, with one on Earth and one in Heaven.
The bond between them was still as strong, and always would be.
She understood that better than anyone, because she had lived their lives with them, loving them both, and she too had lost.
She had lost her very best friend.
"I always loved this one. Her subtle use of color was so unexpected, as she was normally anything but subtle," he mused.
"She had her subtle moments. I think they were just overshadowed by her more vivacious ones! I miss her every single day, Nathan!"
He nodded, "I know you do. I do, too, after all this time. No, don't ever move her painting. The piece belongs right here. I need to get the paintings I have out too. It's time Allie sees her Mother's talent, and time her Brother starts enjoying his Sister's work again! Why did I ever put them away, Milli?"
"Because it was just too painful at first. It took me a while, too. But finally, I just missed her so much, and you weren't here, that I just needed her surrounding me in whatever way she could, and this was a way. It was hard at first, but as time went by, it actually seemed to help."
They walked back to the damask sofa and sat down there, together, feeling a myriad of emotions, but right now, they were both mostly missing Colleen.
"Do you really think she knows…about us…that we're together?" asked Millicent thoughtfully.
"Absolutely. Looking back, I think she knew all along! If our parents did, and even Estella and Hendrix, Colleen most certainly did! And she's happier for us than we can imagine! I'm sure of it."
"That makes me so very happy! Like she knows and she's giving us her blessing!"
They kissed through their tears, remembering a part of them that physically was no longer with them, but was very much still a part of them in their hearts and every other way!
And in Allie, the Child they both adored.
The one breathing, living piece of Colleen they had left in this world.
"You know, I owe you an apology," whispered Millicent.
"Not possible!" winked Nathan.
"Very possible. Even more than probable! I had Albert pick up all the food to make you your favorite meal tonight, and then realized I wouldn't be able to tear myself away from you to cook it!"
"Good call! How about we cook it together one night?"
"You'd do that?"
"I'm not a Chef by any means, but I can do as I'm told, especially if the person telling me what to do, is you, Love!"
He grazed his lips against her neck, and she gasped.
"Oh, my!" she whispered, and to think I almost cooked alone!"
He chuckled.
"What a waste that would have been!"
"Totally…"
The heat of their soft lips together took them to a place they never wanted to leave.
"Uhm…total bliss. You, Darling…are total…bliss," Nathan finally managed to get the words out in a most gravelly voice.
She could only caress his cheek.
"How did we not…"
He put his index finger to her mouth.
"Shh! None of that matters…we're together now and from now on!"
He held her and she knew his words were true and they sat there together in perfect peace, for the longest of times, neither saying a single word, knowing neither would ever be alone again.
"You have to be hungry, plus you need to call our Allie! I don't want to leave you, but I'll go get our food ready while you make your call! I wish you could tell her hello for me, Darling, but it's best we wait!"
"Do I at least get a kiss?"
"Not a chance I was leaving without a kiss," she laughed. "Although I do have to make my way to the kitchen for your surprise!"
"I get a surprise?"
"Yes, but first, we need to loosen that tie and get you comfortable," and she started doing just that!
"Dinner is very casual tonight!" she teased. "No tie required."
"I like casual!" he winked. "And I like you loosening my tie."
"So glad you do! You'd better get used to it, as I'll be doing that a lot because I love loosening your tie! But you're going to flip over your meal!"
"Now, I can't wait!"
She finished taking off his tie, laying it on the table by her flowers, playfully pulling him up to her.
But he wasn't laughing.
He took her in his arms.
His fiery, fervent kiss took them both off guard, as it rocked them to their very core, blocking out even the room around them.
They could taste the sweetness of the wine they just drank, and feel the heat from the touch of each other's hands on their bodies.
He could smell the heady scent of her perfume made only bolder by the scent of her bouquet of hydrangeas, orchids, and roses filling the room.
That combined intoxicating scent of jasmine, white lilies, and violets that always surrounded her.
She could smell his rustic scent of leather and the woods!
They could even hear each other's rapid, but shallow breathing, while all they could see were the visions of each other inside their own minds.
When they finally parted so each could quickly grab a breath, Nathan lifted the single comb holding her hair up in a French Twist, which allowed her long blond hair to fall down around her shoulders.
She threw her arms around his neck, and he drew her face to his chest, running his long slender fingers through her silken hair.
"This is bliss, you know," he whispered hoarsely.
"Total and complete bliss!" she whispered back.
She finally sighed and grabbed both his lapels.
"It's getting late and you need to call your daughter before she's tucked in. Here, let's get you out of this suit coat…"
She helped him out of his jacket, kissing him lightly as she finished, and carefully hung it on the silver coat rack by the door.
"The living room is yours, Love!"
He joined her to kiss her again, before she turned to leave, not sure he could be without her or without her touch even for just a few moments.
"Please don't be gone long. I don't think I can bear it!"
She kissed his neck lovingly and tenderly, "I promise, it won't take long."
He smiled at her, then turned with that promise, deciding to be brave.
He missed Allie whenever they were apart, and was hoping she had had a good day.
He rang the operator and asked that the call's location not be announced, only that the call was for a Miss Allie Grant from her Dad!
"Allie, Sweetheart, it's Dad! How are you?"
"I'm good, Dad! Church was good, but long. Opal and I made cookies after we ate! Uncle Bill's asking where you are. But I told him I didn't know!"
"Tell Uncle Bill, he shouldn't be prying information out of my Daughter!" teased Nathan.
Allie laughed, "You know Uncle Bill, Dad. He thinks he has to know everything!"
"How right you are about that! Oh, Allie, how did your fish taste? And what kind of cookies did you make?"
"It was the best Grouper I've ever had. The Weiss's thought so, too! The cookies were Chocolate Chunk, but I wasn't going to tell you, since those are your favorite! Oh, Dad, can I go to the Cafe for a mid-morning snack tomorrow with my class? The new teacher is taking us as a get to know each other, but all the parents are supposed to sign a note that it's okay."
"Of course, you may!"
"Oops, sorry, Dad! "May I!"
"Sounds like a nice way to get to know her! Ask Mrs. Weiss to sign a permission slip for me too, when she signs for Opal. Are you about ready for bed, Sweetie? School comes early you know! And you've got that math test!"
"Almost, we're going to read a chapter of our book and then go straight to bed, I promise. But Dad, don't worry about that math test. I've studied a lot, so I'm good!"
"I'm sure you are, Sweetheart! But good luck, anyway!"
"Thanks, Dad! Are you doing good?"
"I'm great, Allie. I just needed some time away. Not from you, but from Hope Valley, without having to worry about working. But I do miss you, Sweet Girl!"
"I miss you too, bunches, Dad!"
"Your Grandparents both send their love!"
"That makes me happy. I'm writing them a letter to post tomorrow."
"They'll love that! Sweet dreams, Princess. Wish I could tuck you in! But we'll talk tomorrow! Love you to the moon!"
"Love you to the moon, too, Daddy! Goodnight!"
"Goodnight, till tomorrow, Allie!"
He hung up the phone with a smile, as Millicent walked in carrying a tray full of cardboard cartons!
"You didn't!"
Nathan was in shock!
"Oh yes, I did! All your favorites from Chang's! How's Allie?"
"She's great. Big math test tomorrow, but she says she's ready, and if I know my girl, she is!"
"That's wonderful! I'm glad she's busy! It'll help the time to go faster while you're gone!"
"She gets to do a big art project tomorrow after her test. And sometime during the morning, her class is going to the Cafe for a meet and greet with their new teacher."
"New teacher?"
Millicent looked both alarmed and crestfallen at the same time.
"Oh, no, Darling. Elizabeth is just taking some time off to be with her family and heal."
He took the tray.
"I can't believe you did all this! Where do we want to put it?"
"The living room is more comfortable, especially for Chinese. And we do have that lovely fire," she smiled, but he knew what she was still pondering.
He set the tray down on the low table before them, then sat down by her and took both her hands, looking directly and deeply into her beautiful emerald eyes.
"Millicent, what happened with Elizabeth and me would have happened whether you had been in the picture or not. When all was said and done, I think both of us knew we were no longer in love, no matter how much Elizabeth wanted to think otherwise for a while. It wouldn't have been healthy to start a marriage after all we'd been through. And in the end, she agreed we weren't meant to be. There was just too much pain, as though pain had replaced our love. Everything, all the pain, and even her breakdown could have been prevented had she just trusted me to help her, from the beginning. She didn't Mil. But, you do need to know, just as I told Elizabeth, I will always love her and be there for her and Little Jack, although only as a dear friend. Never anything more."
"I would expect nothing less," she agreed. "She's a really good person, Nathan, who unfortunately had to go through some really bad things. I don't like that she hurt you in the process, but I don't believe it was intentional. I can forgive her completely, if you can forgive her. I can only hope she doesn't look at me as interfering."
"If she does, I'll set her straight, because that is not what happened at all. We were truthfully over long before you came to Hope Valley. We just had to muddle through figuring it out."
"I hate that you both went through that. It's never easy, and what you both had together was deep and true. I know that, and I respect that."
"But, whatever was or wasn't, is completely over for both Elizabeth and me. You are my today and my tomorrow, Milli. My present and my future. Only you."
He reached for her lips, wrapping his hand around her neck, drawing her close to him.
She wrapped her hand around his neck, drawing him close to her.
Their kiss was a healing kiss, a kiss of forgiveness for a mutual friend, with complete and total understanding of the entire situation and each other.
"Don't you see? I already have forgiven her. I could never have come to you, without total forgiveness, and healing, too, my Darling! It wouldn't have been fair to you. I know without doubt, you are the love of my life, my one true love, and I won't play games, pretending we need to take it slow, or some such thing. I don't want to waste another moment. For me, there's nothing to think about. It's always been you, and will always be you. I was just too stubborn to see it, and regrettably got sidetracked. You're the woman I love completely, and you're the woman I'm in love with!"
He gently wiped the tears from her eyes.
"How can I be this blessed?" she asked.
"How can I be this blessed?" he asked.
They smiled together, forehead to forehead, with Millicent determined to stop her sniffles.
"I'm not even a crier, yet I've teared up more today from pure happiness, than I have my entire life! But your food's going to get cold," she choked. "And you know what they say about cold Chinese food!"
"Everything's still very hot, and I know what I say about Chang's Chinese food. Has to be the best in the world, cold or hot!"
She laughed and handed him their chopsticks to break.
"My, this is a feast!" declared Nathan excitedly, as he broke the chopsticks, then freshened their wine.
"There's plenty of ice-cold Ginger Ale too, if you prefer that!"
There were Egg Rolls, Crab Rangoon, Potstickers, Hot and Sour Soup, General Tso's Chicken, Peking Duck, Mongolian Beef, Sweet and Sour Shrimp, Fried Rice, Chow Mein and Eight Treasure Vegetables.
The huge low table was literally strewn with paper Chinese Oyster Pails, peaking out from under and around Millicent's beautiful flowers, towering over them as a makeshift centerpiece!
"Seriously, Mil, each and every one of these is my favorite! How did you know? And to be from Chang's? I think I'm in Chinese Heaven!"
"I just remembered," she smiled. "We have eaten there several times!"
He grinned, "If I hadn't loved you before, you can be sure I would now!"
"I'm so grateful you loved me before. To think, I might have gone through life, thinking you only loved me for my Chinese takeout!"
"Never, only," he teased. "Maybe just a good hefty portion!"
They both chuckled.
"Shall we pray?"
They held hands and bowed their heads for a silent grace.
He fed her the first bite of the Crab Rangoon, between his chopsticks, dipping it in Soy Sauce mixed with Wasabi, with a twinkle in his eye.
"Oh, my goodness, no wonder you like this!"
"I know my Chinese food! What can I say? It only gets better!"
They fed each other bite after bite, laughing between bites, with Nathan explaining each dish with some funny story.
"Are these stories real? Or are you, my Love, just making them up?"
"Now, would I ever do a thing like that?"
She squinted her eyes and raised her eyebrows.
"Hey, my Darling! It's me you're talking to!" she warned.
He chuckled, "Not going to buy my stories, eh?"
"Well, not all of them. Maybe just the adorable ones!"
"Oh, so it's pick and choose, is it? Well, here's an adorable one. Why is Chinese food always carried out in paper boxes like these?"
"Hmm, I haven't a clue!"
"Because the pails are easy to carry, of course, but also because the containers are made in a single piece of wax-coated paper, so each pail can be unfolded flat into a plate of sorts for easy eating, just like a real plate, and they offer even easier cleanup with a simple toss of everything in the trash!"
"Is that true? You should be glad you're getting pick and choose, instead of none at all!" she laughed.
"It's totally true! Mountie's honor!"
She flung her arms around him!
"Whether true or not, you're getting this to make up for it!"
"I'll take this any day of the week over believing some old story! But this one is as true as true gets," he winked!
"Uhm hm!"
"You skeptic you!" and he reached to tickle her in the spot she hated most!"
"That is so unfair! You know all my weak spots," she pouted. "No tickling allowed!"
"Not ever? That would be tragic!"
She laughed and he turned serious.
"This has been the most perfect day I've ever had, Mil!"
"I know! It has been for me, too. I've never been so happy in my life, Nathan!"
"Me neither! And we've only been together for half of it. Imagine what we could do with a full day!"
And with that, they couldn't help but kiss!
Something they had already become addicted to in a matter of hours.
As they lost themselves in each other, Nathan's hand again, mischievously dropped to Millicent's side, in that one specific spot he knew she couldn't stand to be touched, and as his hand moved there, she caught her breath as she doubled over, laughing, quickly getting up from the sofa, and backing away…
"You didn't!"
"Maybe…but I promise I won't do it again, at least not tonight!" he chuckled!
It didn't take him long to corner her, and since experience had taught her, she wasn't at all sure she could trust him when his mischief was at play, she did what she did best…she negotiated.
"I'll take you to Delro's for lunch if you promise not to touch me there…"
"Delro's eh? Nice. Quite the bribe, though. Surprising, coming from a Barrister and to a man of the Law! For how long do I have to promise?"
"Till after said lunch…"
But the Constable could negotiate too!
"That's an awfully long time. How about till breakfast?"
"And why would I ever agree to that?"
"Because you might not get a goodnight kiss tonight, and my goodnight kisses…well, I've been told they're not to be missed!"
His blue eyes were sparkling like she had never seen before, but she held her own in cross-examination!
"And pray tell…just who told you that?"
He walked toward her, but before she could back away, he had wrapped his strong arms around her!
"Did someone really tell you that?" she asked skeptically, but falling limply into him in spite of herself.
"They sure did!"
His lips were dangerously close to hers, and she was having difficulty even catching her breath.
"What woman told you that?"
"Well, she wasn't exactly a woman…per se! Although that could be debatable, because she sure is now!" he spoke in a very low voice.
He was so close now, that his breath was warming her very lips.
And now she was struggling to keep her train of thought.
"Was she beautiful?"
And resisting him, was downright painful.
"Oh, very!"
He moved his lips to the side of her face.
"What…was…her name?" she asked, barely able to speak the words.
He whispered the answer in her ear, and she instantly grabbed his face and pressed her lips against his with a force and urgency even she didn't know she had!
In that kiss, if there had been anything left of him unconquered, he would have been completely conquered and won.
But as there was nothing left of him to conquer, as she had already conquered all of him, she simply whispered back to him.
"Brilliant girl, that ten-year-old Millicent! But such an idiot to have missed out all these years!"
He laughed and pulled her closer to him.
"There are many more to make up for them all, and they're just waiting for you…"
She kissed him again, with him fully enjoying his little game.
"Yes, I win. Breakfast it is, with lunch at Delro's, the swankiest spot in all of Montreal! Why the Wine alone will cost a small fortune. If there's Champagne, you can pretty much double the price of the Wine! And Champagne is sounding awfully good! I wonder if they're serving Lobster…"
She playfully glowered once, but her look of contempt quickly disappeared.
"Hush!"
She commanded his silence, as she totally melted into his goodnight kisses.
Perhaps she had won after all.
Because that Little Girl had been right, the Constable's goodnight kisses most certainly were not to be missed…