Chapter Twenty-Five: Family Engagement Dinner – Part I
As Lloyd, the Bradfords' Chauffeur, pulled up to the elegant Montreal Canadian Pacific Railway Depot, he, along with Edward and Victoria, collectively moaned.
A crowd of photographers had already gathered, and they all knew the reporters wouldn't be far behind.
"Edward, I absolutely refuse for these newspapers to ruin our welcome for Sophie and Archie!"
"What are you suggesting we do, Darling?"
"I think we just plaster big smiles on our faces, and walk right through them like we don't even see their cameras, so we can greet our friends ourselves, just like we planned. If we don't, Archie and Sophie are going to have to forge their way through the photographers on their own, and I most certainly don't want that!"
"You're right, Victoria. Lloyd, can you get us as close as possible to the platform?"
"Yes, Sir, I'll take the VIP detour. If we're lucky, we might even be able to pick up the Grants without the newspaper photographers and reporters heading that way! I'll do my best!"
"Thank you, Lloyd."
And Edward leaned back into his seat.
"Victoria, my Darling, are you feeling all right?"
"Why do you ask, Dear?"
"I've been very concerned. I don't think you're getting enough rest. I know you've been restless all through the night, now, for quite some time!"
"Oh, Edward, I'm so sorry. I've tried so hard to not disturb you."
"I'm your husband, Victoria. I am there to be disturbed when you need me. Is there anything wrong?" he asked with concern written all over his face.
"I've been dreaming a lot lately, Darling. You're right. I just need some rest. I'll be fine," she patted his hand and smiled brilliantly to convince him.
Unconvinced, he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly.
"You are the most important thing to me in the world, Victoria, and when you're not rested, I'm not rested. We need to replace these dreams you're having with ones that allow you to get some sleep, my Darling!"
She laughed, as she caressed his face.
"You know we Cree and our vivid dreams! I love you, Edward, so very much! All these years later, and I still don't know what I ever did to deserve you, my Darling!"
"I'm the one who can't figure out how I've ever deserved you, my beautiful Victoria! I'd be nothing without you, and you know that!"
She smiled lovingly at her beloved husband, with a heart full of love, both feeling exactly the same.
"Oh, look! There's Archie and Sophie. Please pull over quickly, Lloyd," instructed Victoria.
Lloyd did so expertly, jumping out and opening their door.
"There are a couple of photographers running from the Main Depot Building, so get ready, Sir, Ma'am," he warned.
Mr. and Mrs. Bradford held their head high, and headed straight toward their guests, hurrying to meet them.
"Sophia, I'm thrilled you're here," and Victoria wrapped her in her arms. "Look how beautiful you look!"
Sophia Grant did indeed look beautiful, elegantly attired in her navy travel suit with matching coat, and feathered hat, and Archie in his navy three-piece suit, overcoat, and dress hat, looking very dapper, indeed!
The men hugged as the women finished their greetings, then Archie kissed Victoria on both cheeks, and Edward greeted Sophia in the same way.
"Welcome! So excited to have you here with us," exclaimed Edward.
"But we've got to run or we're going to be overtaken by the photographers. Lloyd will get your luggage. Let's head toward the car!" instructed Victoria.
The two couples moved as fast as they could aiming for the Limo, with Edward holding the door, and rushing them in.
He jumped in at the last minute as the photographers' bulbs started flashing!
"I think we made it! So sorry for the inconvenience Arch! They never stop! Are you alright, Sophia? Victoria's used to this, I'm afraid!"
"Yes, Edward, I'm fine. We're just so thrilled to see you both. And our Children! Is this not the most wonderful news ever?"
"Yes, it most certainly is! They're both on Cloud Nine, Sophie. They're a sight to see. So very much in love! And they have no idea about our surprise. None whatsoever!" smiled Victoria.
"That's wonderful news! I was so afraid they'd catch on somehow."
"Oh, Edward, we have a couple of surprises that we had to bring in the Freight Car. Do you think I can jump out and make sure they get to the proper place?"
"Of course, Arch! As soon as Lloyd hops in, we'll head in that direction! Are you all hungry?"
"Maybe a little," admitted Sophia. "But it's all my fault! I was so excited about arriving, I couldn't eat much of my breakfast!"
"Don't worry, we have a late lunch ready at home, so we can get you both settled. I've also got our best guest suite ready for you. Your usual one, close to us! I'll pop in from time to time to make sure you have everything you need…"
After dropping off Archie to finish his business with the person responsible for the Freight Car, and waiting till he was satisfied that things would be done exactly as he had requested, Lloyd brilliantly maneuvered the Limousine, outrunning the press, and getting his charges back inside the gates of the Bradford Mansion in record time!
"Geoffrey, please see that the Grant's luggage is taken to the Blue Guest Suite. We'll manage lunch from here," Victoria smiled.
"On my way, Ma'am!"
"This way, Sophie," smiled Victoria as she put her arm around her best friend, and led her to the Sunroom, for their lunch.
The men followed busily chatting away, about some new business venture that needed attention.
"Tori, this looks divine. You shouldn't have gone to all this trouble!" exclaimed Sophia.
"It was no trouble at all. If you can't do something nice for your friends and family, it's a sad day, so you two just sit and enjoy!"
"Victoria, is this our favorite lunch?" asked Archie, glancing at the sideboard. "However do you remember these things?"
"The secret goes back to my copious note system," she laughed. "Edward says it's the bane of my existence or is it the bane of your existence, my Darling?"
"I tell you, I believe the woman writes in her sleep, when she gets any that is!"
They all laughed, for they knew it to be true. No one was as organized as Victoria! But then again to accomplish all that she was responsible for, she had to be, even with all the help she had.
The couples chatted, as the server started the delightful meal with Salmon Mousse Canapes, followed by a Spicy Tomato Bisque with Cheese Points, and the main course of Sophia's favorite Sweet Bourbon Glazed Veal Meatballs over Wide Homemade Noodles, followed by a Layered Fruit Salad covered in Champagne Dressing, and Archie's favorite dessert!
It was a Malted Chocolate & Stout Layered Cake, a recipe straight from the Emerald Isle, with Vanilla Ice Cream on top.
The couples chatted non-stop, catching up from their last visit together. Also, of course, the Bradfords filled in the Grants on the news of the moment, as related to Nathan and Millicent. Which they were most delighted to hear!
"Victoria, every bit as good as the cake my mother used to make! Yours just gets better and better, every single time I have the pleasure of devouring it!" laughed Archie. "Thank you, for remembering!"
"My pleasure, Archie! If it will get you down here more often, I'll personally bake the next one myself!"
"Now, that, Lovely Lady, is an offer, I may not be able to refuse!"
"Did you hear that? Do I have witnesses, Edward?" nudged Sophia. "Did my Archie really say that?"
"You most certainly do have witnesses, Sophia! And yes, he really did say that! Heard it with my own ears, right here at this table. Going to be mighty hard to renege on this one, Arch!"
After the couples finished their reunion, over their delicious and elegant luncheon in the Sunroom of the Bradford Estate, which also happened to be Sophia's favorite room in the whole place, the men retired to the Billiard Room to play a game or two.
"Victoria, finally we're alone! I've been so worried about you.
Are you still having the nightmares?"
She nodded, not wanting to admit it to her best friend, or her husband.
Sophia took Victoria's hand.
"I know what it's like. And it's horrible. I went through the same thing with Colleen for the longest time after she left us, but the nightmares did eventually get fewer and fewer until the bad dreams seemed to turn into better ones. At least most of the time. I'm worried, that these you're experiencing just seem to have popped up out of nowhere! Did something happen?"
"The kidnappers are to be released mid-January. I think that's it, but then I'm not sure," with a frustrated look on her beautiful face. "And to make matters worse, Sophie, Edward confronted me in the car on the way to pick you up. I thought I wasn't disturbing him, but all this time, he's known I'm not sleeping. As much as I wanted to spare him, I'm going to have to tell him tonight. I've never kept anything from him, and I can't start now!"
"No, sweet friend, you can't. But let's talk it through together first, so you'll be settled before the two of you talk," suggested Sophia. "And Tori, of course, the kidnappers getting out would be enough to trigger these! Not that that's it, because I trust your intuition. But it would most certainly be enough!"
The two women were bonded by many things, but most of all by the loss of their beloved children.
As were the two men.
And that was an irrevocable bond!
It was one they had kept private, with none of their children knowing about the Bradfords' son, Edward, only the two couples.
But despite their differing socio-economic statuses, there were other commonalities.
Victoria and Sophia were both beautiful, strong, accomplished women, and they had both felt like sisters from the moment they met.
There had just been that instant, unexplainable connection, that few ever experience. But they had it. They were sisters at heart. And they had nurtured and cherished one another from that very first time they saw each other.
Likewise, the men, Archie and Edward, had somehow connected over business, ironically enough, as unknown to most, Archie had a keen sense for business. That is when he applied his brilliant mind to it.
And when the two men had been in their Swan Hill homes, they had spent many a Saturday, sailing together, bonding as friends and brothers in a way neither had ever experienced before.
Edward had stuck by Archie through his gambling problems and had never failed him, even going to visit him regularly, when he had been away.
He had even had the foresight to have Archie's criminal record expunged, and had gone to great lengths to do so. As it had been a first-time gambling offense, Edward had been insistent that his friend needed to be able to start over fresh, with no baggage, and had pulled the strings to make it happen.
Both Sophia and Archie had deeply appreciated that because it gave them hope they could rebuild their lives. It also let them know they still had their best friends at their side, and always would have!
On the other hand, Archie had been there as a sounding board when Edward had no one to turn to, because, it was, indeed, truly lonely at the top. Somehow, Archie had always been able to give Edward a different, unique perspective, and often an innovative one, that helped Edward see things in a new light, offering a solution to one of his many work problems!
But beyond that, the two men just enjoyed each other's company.
Whether it was playing billiards, riding a couple of Archie's newly acquired horses, or sailing on the river, they were constantly learning from each other.
Yes, the Bradford and Grant friendship had been one of the highest highs and deepest lows.
Yet, they had weathered through each and every single storm, together.
All those experiences, good and bad, had grown into the four of them, along with their children, truly being family.
They trusted each other implicitly and took care of each other.
"It's always the same, Sophie. We're in a dark place, I can't make out where it is or even what it is. It's very old and decrepit. But there's room after room after room, and it's all dark. Very dark. My Baby Edward's there, but he's all grown up. He has a hollow look on his face. His eyes, which were so bright, are dull and empty. Like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. I reach out my hand to console my Sweet Boy because he seems so troubled and so alone, but just as I'm almost able to touch him, he turns and runs into the darkness, into another room. I frantically call after him and search for him, but it's too late. The rooms just become a maze, a dark maze. I can't find him! And I can't help my son! God help me, I can't even help him in a dream, Sophie!"
Victoria broke down in tears, and Sophia just wrapped her arms around her, letting her cry.
Sophia knew grief and this was grief, it didn't matter how many years later.
Victoria cried for a good twenty minutes.
Sobbing really.
"There, there! All that's out, and that's a great start, Tori! You're going to sit down with your husband this afternoon and tell him everything you've told me. It will help, I promise. It really will. God bless him, Archie has had to listen to nightmare after nightmare of mine, but I think his listening is what's kept me sane! Edward will listen too, and it will help!"
Victoria nodded.
She dried her eyes.
"Oh, Sophie, let's not talk about this anymore. I just can't bear it! Let's talk about our Nathan and Millicent. They're the bright spot in our lives right now!"
"You'll get no argument from me on that," winked Sophia.
Albert brought Nathan and Millicent home from the 'Farm' early enough to give them a full two hours to rest a bit, bathe, and change for dinner with their parents.
Up in his Guest Suite, Nathan also snuck in a call to his daughter, on an extra phone Hendrix had brought him.
"Allie, Sweetheart, it's Dad. How are you doing?"
"Hi, Dad, I'm so glad it's you, I've been waiting by the phone for an hour!"
"Are you okay, Baby Girl?"
"Yes, I just miss you! Are you okay?"
"Yes, Sweetie, I'm great. I just miss you too. How did your Geography test go?"
"I made a hundred! So, now we get to do something special in Union City, right?"
"Absolutely! That's great, Allie! How do you like your new teacher now that you've gotten to know her better?"
"We love her, Dad! At first, everybody made a pact to not like her much, because of Mrs. Thornton, but she caught onto us really fast, and she was having none of that. I guess you'd say, she shamed us into liking her. But now that we know her, we love her. She's funny and tells exciting stories! And I don't know, she just does things so differently than…"
"Sweet Girl, it's wonderful that you love her too. You can have two good teachers. There's nothing wrong in loving both of them."
There was silence on the line.
"Allie, what's wrong, Sweetheart? You know you can tell me anything."
"I'm just not sure I love Mrs. Thornton anymore. She hurt us bad. Everybody says so even at school. And Uncle Bill does too! It's embarrassing, and it hurts all over again!"
"Allie, listen to me. Your teacher is human and she made a lot of mistakes that she is now very sorry for. If you and I don't forgive her, that makes us no better than her! I'll pray tonight that you'll be able to truly forgive her? Okay? And you pray the same! God will help us, Allie. I'm sure of it!"
"Have you, Dad? Forgiven her, I mean."
"Yes, Allie, I truly have. Though I'll admit it's taken me a while to get over the hurt, but Sweetie, now, I am over the hurt, and I want you to be over it too. We'll talk about it more when I get back home, okay?"
"I'll try, Dad."
"I have a big surprise for you when I come home!"
"Will I like it?"
"Baby Girl, you will love it! I promise! Best surprise EVER!"
"Wow! That's exciting! I'll try to do better, Dad. But what should I say when people do ask me about Mrs. Thornton? It happens all day long! And I hate it!"
"Just say that's not something I talk about, except with my Dad!"
"I hadn't thought about that! Okay, I'll try it tomorrow. I really don't want to talk about any of it anymore! It just hurts too much."
"Then don't. You know, Allie, people can't make you talk about things you don't want to talk about in public. Problems are for families to discuss and resolve at home; they should stay private between us. We are a family, you know!"
"I know!" she sighed. "Dad, do you think Mrs. Thornton still loves me?"
"Oh, Sweetie, I absolutely know she does. And I know deep down you love her too. Let's just pray for her to feel better and find her new life. Hey, how did yours and Opal's art projects go?"
"Mrs. Weiss has them both hanging in the dining room, but she's going to give me mine to bring home when you get back! She really likes them, and says she wishes she could keep mine too!"
"That's quite the compliment! Sounds like you and Opal hit your art project out of the park. Can't wait to see it. Allie, is there anything special you'd like me to bring you from my trip?"
"I'd love some new books, and maybe, a charm for my bracelet from someplace you've been that's really cool!"
"I think both those things can be arranged. Consider it done! Do you feel better and ready to tackle all those private questions tomorrow?"
"Yes, Sir! I'm just going to say 'I only talk about that with my dad, but thank you for your concern!'"
"That's perfect, Princess! Remember your prayers and try to have fun at school tomorrow! It won't be long till I'll be tucking you in myself! And Allie, that's the part I miss the most!"
"Me too, Dad. I love you to the moon!"
"Love you to the moon, too, Baby Girl. I want a happy Allie when I call tomorrow night!"
"I'll make sure you have her, Dad!"
"That's my Girl. Sweet dreams!"
"Goodnight, Dad! And I'm so glad you called. I feel better already!"
"Me too, Sweetheart!"
Nathan hung up his earpiece and wondered, with sadness in his eyes for a moment, if Allie would ever truly recover from the hurt Elizabeth had unintentionally inflicted.
He had done his absolute best by Allie. He was trying his best to be both Father and Mother to her. But even then, there were times, that just wasn't enough.
And then a beautiful thought came to him.
Millicent would be there to take over when his words failed, and she would give Allie a woman's perspective, in a way Allie could understand, and in a way, he, as a man, never would.
And with that thought, he realized with certainty, that with Millicent's help, Allie would quickly heal.
Sadly, Allie was now without a mother figure, as Elizabeth had once been that for her, but in Millicent, she would now have a real mother, one who would always, always, put her first!
Suddenly, his heart was filled with gratitude for this woman he loved, who was going to make such a wonderful difference in both of their lives.
He was only now just beginning to comprehend what it meant to have a wife and mother in the family.
And that tiny bit of comprehension was glorious.
Allie was right, they would now be a complete family unit.
He only hoped he could give Millicent as much as she was giving him and Allie!
Now to take his hot bath, that Hendrix had already drawn!
He stuck the toes of his right foot into the water and quickly drew them back.
"Ouch! That's hot! How can that still be so hot?"
And then he realized Hendrix had waited till his call was through, to fill the tub.
Nathan quickly grabbed his robe again.
"Well, that's going to take a few minutes to cool down!"
So, he grabbed the silver-framed picture from his nightstand, that Millicent had given him and sat down in one of the easy chairs to look at it and to think.
Her beauty astounded him.
How in the world had he never focused on that before?
Had he not seen it?
There probably wasn't another man in the world who wouldn't have!
Maybe he really was that turtle, Bill had implied he was, where love was concerned!
'Well, Bill, I've finally caught up,' he mused. "And with the right woman!"
How could there be this much happiness?
And to think, it had been there with Millicent all along.
Of that, Nathan was certain!
Victoria was right about God's Timing.
Nathan might never understand it fully, but he was so very thankful for it!
He had never imagined that love could be like this, and yet, here it was!
Each day, he was marveling and reveling in Millicent and their love together!
He glanced at his timepiece.
"My, I've got to get ready!"
He had taken a quick nap earlier, and somehow had misread the hour!
He was dangerously close to the time they needed to leave!
At this point, he was in speed mode, not yet panicked, but close!
His call with Allie had taken longer than usual, too. But that was okay. She needed him.
He still had time if he hurried.
He took a quick 'still steaming hot' bath, which left him with red skin all over his body!
Now all he had to do was quickly brush his teeth, shave his very shadowy face, put on his scented after shave, quickly comb through his hair, and then dress! He could do it! And would!
Oh no! The dress tie! That abominable formal tie that he would never get the hang of!
Nathan hated to do it, but there was no way he was going to get his tie tied correctly in time, so he picked up the house phone to call for Hendrix's assistance, but he was already at the door!
"Sir, may I be of assistance with your tie?"
Hendrix had been concerned that he wasn't already downstairs, ready to leave, and was giving him a gentle reminder.
"Thank you so much Hendrix. I was just getting ready to call you. I misread the time after my nap, and my phone call with Allie ran a bit long, so I'm terribly behind."
"Let me get your Tux, Sir! I've already given it the brush over. But, Sir, the Bradfords' always dress for dinner, and you mustn't be late. I dare say tonight is extra special, as they'll be celebrating your engagement to Miss Millicent!"
"Thank you, Hendrix," responded Nathan as he finished shaving, then started taming his dark hair.
"Let me help you, Sir!"
"Hendrix I can dress myself!"
"With all due respect, there isn't time, Sir. Albert has already rung once and Miss Millicent is waiting for you downstairs!"
Nathan was mortified, he hadn't been dressed by anyone since he had been five years old! He eyed Hendrix warily. But if that's what it took, he'd allow it tonight, for Millicent!
So as both men worked hard at dressing the one man, who was none too happy about being dressed by someone else, they finally got the job done, with Hendrix completing the tie perfectly in record time, and Nathan literally running down the stairs, putting on his jacket.
"Your shoes, Sir!" called Hendrix from the top of the stairs.
And there Nathan stood on the stairway in his stockinged feet!
Nathan just slapped his hands against his face and plopped himself down in the middle of the staircase to both collect himself and put on his shoes.
He was tying one and Hendrix, was tying the other as furiously as a shoe could be tied.
What made matters worse, Millicent instinctively knew there was a commotion with something wrong, and came running to help.
And just as Nathan glanced up, he found her standing at the bottom of the staircase, by this time, watching the whole debacle, and trying her best not to laugh!
"I'm so sorry to be so late, Mil!" he looked at her, totally frazzled, with a lock of his hair falling down on his forehead.
Which of course endeared him more than ever to Millicent!
"It's alright, Love! It's our parents! They'll understand! Come, maybe we'll get lucky and be able to blame it on the traffic!"
He groaned, as they raced to the Limo.
"By the way, Darling, you look like a real-live angel! Wow! You really do!"
"Albert, please try to find us some traffic, to make us late!" begged Millicent.
"But, Miss don't you want me to bypass the traffic to get you there on time?"
"You can do that?" asked Nathan. "If you can do that Albert, I'm buying dinner for you and your wife at any restaurant you want! You name it!"
"No need, Sir, but I'll get us there. Haven't missed a deadline in thirty years and I'm not about to ruin my record tonight!"
"Thank you, Albert! You just saved my life. My Mother would throttle me if I'm late to my own Engagement Dinner!"
Millicent now was giggling, seeing the whole thing as being very funny!
But knowing Sophia would indeed throttle him, and not ever let him forget it, she understood his wariness.
"Breathe! In and out…in and out…" she instructed calmly.
He took her hand, and his breathing instantly calmed down.
"You really do look like an angel!" he complimented her again, breathlessly.
And she did.
She was dressed in a gown with a full-flowing ethereal white skirt of silk organza floating out about her. The fitted velvet bodice with square cut neckline and more white organza at the bottom edge, was in Emerald Green Velvet, just like her ring. It had three-quarter length sleeves. The skirt was made of so many layers of silk organza, it was no longer sheer and the gown moved in a way that made it look like she was literally floating when she walked!
The outfit, unmistakably showcased her Diamond and Emerald Engagement Ring, which both sets of parents would be clamoring to see!
She truly couldn't have looked more beautiful, or have found a gown more perfect for her Family's Formal Engagement Party.
Besides Diamond Drop Earrings, her Engagement Ring was her only jewelry.
He smiled realizing he had caught Millicent looking at her ring several different times throughout the day, always with an adoring glow on her face!
He could literally feel her happiness and joy, as well as his own!
And it meant the world to him to see her so jubilant.
True to his word, Albert pulled out all the stops, and got them there not only on time, but five minutes early.
Both were so relieved, they took a collective deep breath, grabbed a quick kiss, and put their party faces on!
"Everything's okay, Baby. Just relax. It's our Engagement Dinner with our parents and we're going to laugh about this in years to come. Besides Hendrix said Allie needed you, and that's the most important thing - not this. No matter how and where you got dressed, you look extremely handsome, Love!"
"I adore you, Millicent!"
"I adore you, too! And I'll never tell!" she teased. "This is our little secret!"
All was calm and well again, despite their harried beginning!
Albert opened their door, and Nathan took Millicent's arm as they got out, as happy as a couple could be.
For the first time ever, there was no Geoffrey to greet them. All four parents were waiting just inside the door and as soon as they had heard the limo, they threw the door open, and came outside to greet the couple.
Smiling, Nathan and Millicent ran up the steps and were engulfed in embraces from both sets of parents on the portico.
Archie and Sophia were beyond excited to see them, lovingly embracing and kissing the two, but, truthfully, welcomes and congratulatory exclamations were coming at them from all four very excited parents!
"Let's go inside so Sophie can get a better look at this ring," suggested Victoria.
They all entered the Grand Hall, but everyone immediately took turns grabbing Millicent's hand to see her ring.
"Oh, Son, this is the most beautiful ring I've ever seen, and it looks exactly like Millicent. You couldn't have done a better job!" and Sophia turned to hug her boy.
"Thank you, Mother! We're so excited you and Dad are here," and Nathan kissed his mother again, holding on to her.
"Are we good?" he whispered with his arm around her shoulder.
"Yes, had a wee 'little' problem - but all is good now, Son! Will explain later," she whispered back.
"The ring is even more lovely on Millicent's hand, Nathan, and Sophia's right. It's perfectly Millicent," said Victoria with tears in her eyes.
Nathan put his other arm around Victoria, while Archie and Edward admired the ring and congratulated Millicent.
"We've never been so happy! It's still hard to believe this has really happened," explained a very excited Millicent.
"Let's go into the Library! We all want to hear all about this proposal at Dinner, but we'll let you two relax a bit before that," announced Edward with a wink, as he and Archie led Millicent there, with Nathan behind them proudly escorting the mothers.
"This is true love, Son. Love should never be that hard in the beginning stages," noted Sophia clearly referring to what her son had thought was love, back in Hope Valley. "Not what you went through in Hope Valley!"
Sophia had never been one to mince words and never would be.
She was not at all happy about what her son had been put through, and would have loved to have given one Mrs. Elizabeth Thornton a piece of her mind! As well as one Mr. Lucas Bouchard!
But as angry as Sophia was about the whole mess, she would have been very gracious in her rebuttal to the remaining parts of the triangle, in such a way they wouldn't have even known what hit them!
Only Sophia, could kill people with kindness, and put them squarely in their place at the same time!
"I know that now, Mother! I've never felt this before in my life and it's wonderful!"
"You and my daughter deserve this happiness, Nathan! Enjoy it and nurture it. Relish your love together. Fight for it, if need be. It's the very most important thing in your world!"
Nathan bent to kiss both the Mothers.
"Millicent and I are very fortunate to have the two of you, along with your experience and vast wisdom! Your support means everything to us! And we love that our mothers and fathers are best friends!"
"Always!" replied both Sophia and Victoria with a laugh, as they had said it at the exact same time.
As soon as they reached the Library, and got settled there, Geoffrey appeared with a vintage Champagne.
But this time, he brought the bottle and handed it to Nathan to do the honors.
With one swift movement, he popped the cork, sending it flying across the room, then hurriedly poured the celebratory bubbles into the Champagne Flutes, with Geoffrey's help, while everyone clapped!
"And, that's how you open a bottle of Champagne: with the confidence of a Mountie!" grinned Nathan. "Couldn't have done that without it!"
Millicent ran over and kissed him.
"You did a magnificent job, Darling!"
"Archeford, you do the toast," suggested Edward. "Your Gaelic wisdom is always the best!"
And so, with Nathan and Millicent standing together with their arms around each other, Archie lifted his Champagne Flute as the others also stood, and in his rich Irish brogue, with all his Gaelic Charm on full display, he proudly began…
"May your mornings bring joy and your evenings bring peace,
May your troubles grow few as your blessings increase!
May the saddest day of your future,
Be no worse than the happiest day of your past.
May your hands be forever clasped in abiding friendship,
And your hearts joined forever in true passionate love,
As well as the deepest, truest, most romantic of loves.
Blessing us with many, many
Grandchildren to love and adore through the years to come!
Your lives are special to us and to God,
As He has touched you both,
Individually and together,
In so many wonderful ways.
May His blessings continue to rest upon the both of you,
And fill all your coming days,
With His Angels of protection at your door and always with you." (*7)
"To our beloved Children who have finally found their way together. May it be the most glorious journey!"
Everyone responded, "Hear, hear!"
The mothers were already openly crying, along with Millicent's tears of joy, and both fathers' eyes were glistening, along with Nathan's sparkling blue ones which were also glistening, ready to spill over.
Nathan embraced his Dad.
"That was beautiful! Thank you, Father."
Nathan usually called Archie Dad, and though, he seldom used Father, Archie relished it when he did.
The four of them stood, drinking their Champagne, while chatting and catching up with each other about a little bit of everything.
Nathan never once let go of Millicent's hand, nor she his, while both sets of parents noticed, along with the frequent loving glances they gave each other!
They also noticed the definitive changes that could so clearly be seen in their now new, growing relationship.
And the beautiful differences in them individually.
Their children were deliriously happy, and it was their parents' joy to see that both were deeply and irrevocably in love.
In many ways, they had seen their children's love for each other build over a lifetime, although this final transition of both Nathan and Millicent realizing that, had happened fairly quickly!
The Bradfords and Grants couldn't have been more thrilled!
Same for the happy couple!
This was finally the fulfillment of what both sets of parents had always seen, as well as the deep attraction and bond Nathan and Millicent had always felt.
"We're just so happy you're here. How was your trip into Montreal?" asked Millicent of Mrs. Grant.
"Lovely, Dear. There was only one small hiccup," and Sophia pointedly frowned at her son, then continued answering her new daughter.
"But all in all, a very nice trip. We were just so excited to get here to be with you two and celebrate this wonderful engagement. Archie and I couldn't be happier!"
"It's just so wonderful to have you both with us. Victoria and I came in by train, ourselves on Monday from Toronto, as well. Wouldn't have missed this for anything!" declared Edward.
"Oh, Sophia, it's just so good to have my best friend in Montreal! Who could have imagined last month we'd be celebrating this beautiful engagement of our children tonight?"
"Millicent and I are just thrilled you all could join us! Thank all of you for coming on such short notice," said Nathan. "We're overjoyed you're all here to celebrate with us!"
"Our pleasure, Son! Wouldn't have missed it for anything," assured Archie.
Geoffrey opened the Library Doors to make his much-anticipated announcement.
"Ma'am, Dinner is served!"
"Thank you, Geoffrey. We'll be right there! Nathan you and Millicent lead the way! We parents will follow!"
"Our pleasure!"
The parents proudly watched as Nathan smiled at Millicent, and then bent his head to kiss her hand.
Millicent was radiant and Nathan's eyes sparkled as he looked down at her.
She looped her arm in his and they led their way to the dining room, smiling and talking in a low voice.
"I can't believe this is our Engagement Dinner, Love! Just our parents and us, which makes it so wonderful! But, is this terrible? I do wish my brothers, my sister, and sister-in-law were here. Although, I'm sure that celebration will come later. I should warn you there will be a huge extravaganza during the holidays to celebrate our Engagement with everyone, if I know my mother!"
Nathan's face slightly blanched at the thought, but he knew Victoria, too, and simply sighed, as an Engagement Party was a total inevitability, with probably several hundred people in attendance!
But after a moment of uncertainty, because crowds really weren't his thing, he realized he would have Millicent by his side, and all was right in his world again…
(*7) Multiple Online Searches, Public Domain