Chapter 81: Home to Allie
As Nathan, Millicent and Bill got settled into their Suite on board the Train, with Security across the hall, Bill couldn't resist a dig at Nathan's expense.
"Thirty years I've been ridin' this Train back and forth, and not once in all that time have I ever been offered a Suite! I'm stickin' to that guy there like a glued-on monkey. My word, what a fancy uniform won't get you! I guess I'm gonna have to start wearin' a robe non-stop since I'm merely a Judge!"
Millicent tried to stifle a laugh, as the two boys went at it.
"Bill, don't you dare blame me. I told them we didn't need this. It's only a short ride to Hope Valley, but you're the one who insisted! They're going to think I'm some sort of sissy who has to be pampered, thanks to you!"
"Okay, time out boys! The three of us have a lovely Suite to spend the next few hours in, and I for one am happy to have it. But I'm even happier to be here with you two. Now let's make up. Who wants Coffee?"
"Sounds good," answered Nathan as he moved his luggage by what would have been his sleeping quarters, and then came up behind Millicent to kiss her cheek.
"If you don't mind, I'm going to change out of this uniform. The Commissioner is a stickler – when in Union City, his men are to wear the Uniform no matter what!"
"Of course not. You'll relax so much better in something comfortable! I'll ring for the Coffee. Bill?"
"Sure, count me in. But do you think they can bring some of those sweet rolls with the nuts on top and the caramel fillin' in the middle?"
"Bill, didn't you just have the biggest breakfast ever in Union City?" asked a shocked Nathan.
"Do you know what the rolls are called, Bill?" asked a gentler Millicent.
"Sure! What I just told you. Sweet rolls with the nuts on top and the caramel fillin' in the middle!"
Millicent was about to roll her eyes, but Nathan did it for her as he gave up and entered his sleeping quarters to change.
She had to giggle.
"What's so funny?" asked a scowling Bill.
"If you must know, you, Bill! Now, I've got to find out what these things are really called!"
"They'll know. If they don't, tell them the ones Judge Avery likes! I am known in some quarters!"
Millicent sighed and picked up the phone to communicate with the kitchen staff.
"This is The Edmonton Suite. Could we have some Coffee with some of those Sweet Rolls with nuts on the top and the caramel filling in the middle?"
"Are you kidding me, Ma'am? That has to be Judge Avery's order. He can't ever remember the name. Those are the Caramel Pecan Rolls we keep just for him. We might as well go on and send the whole dozen. If we don't, he'll just keep ordering them every five minutes! Tell him to take the rest home with our compliments till the next time! That way it'll be over and done with! At least till he boards again! Help us all!"
"Thank you," offered Millicent, and then as she hung up the phone, she squinted her eyes and shook her head adding, "I think!"
"Judge Avery, they are called Caramel Pecan Rolls and they are sending you the whole dozen to take home with you! I take it this is an ongoing issue."
"Of course, it is," he freely admitted. "I'll tell you right now, Millicent, a single man has to do everything he can to take care of himself. They aren't gonna miss those Sweet Rolls with nuts on the top and the caramel fillin' in the middle. And the passengers won't even know they were there in the first place."
"Well, since they stock them solely for you, I suppose you're right! Now, repeat after me, Bill. Caramel…Pecan…Rolls. Have you got it?"
"Why I can't remember that. I'll just keep callin' them those Sweet Rolls with nuts on the top and the caramel fillin' in the middle. Why it's a whole lot easier!"
"Bill, has anyone ever told you that you are very rigidly set in your ways!"
"Not the 'very rigidly part,' but the other all the time. I take it as the highest compliment!"
Millicent had to squeeze her lips together to not react.
"You just wait till you've had Essie's cooking for a few days! I haven't seen a Sweet Roll yet that can touch hers!"
"Is that a threat?"
"No, Judge! Just a delicious fact! You'll see..."
After Nathan changed, he and Millicent sat together on the settee by the window, astounded, as they watched Bill, their chaperone, fall asleep after polishing off five of his 'Sweet Rolls with nuts on the top and the caramel fillin' in the middle.'
And no, he hadn't offered them a single one!
"He wanted a sixth, but said he had to save seven for home," whispered Millicent. "Nathan, we have to do something about his personal life. This man needs help! All he has is rolls!"
"You mean his lack of personal life," corrected Nathan in a low voice.
"That poor man!"
"What are you going to do, Mil?"
"Find him, someone, to fall in love with, of course!"
"But the problem is, that someone would have to fall in love with him too! Right, and there's the rub. Ten minutes with him growling at them, they tend to run!"
"Nathan Grant, Bill Avery is the most lovable man a woman could ever want to meet. A little gruff around the edges, maybe. But I can fix that!"
"You can?" he asked incredulously.
"Of course. I'm just not sure how. Yet," she clarified. "But you can bet I'll figure it out! And soon, too!"
"Uh, Mil, that's taking on an awful lot! Besides I can think of better things to do with our time than transforming Bill's life. I mean we do have a Wedding coming up."
"Not transforming it. Just finding the right woman," and with that Bill started snoring, very loudly.
"Good luck with that! I've never known the man to look at a woman like that. I think there's some huge hurt in his background that he doesn't talk about."
"What are you doing," whispered Millicent, watching as Nathan got up to lift a sleeping and still snoring Bill up to a standing position, wrapping the man's arm around his own shoulder.
"I'm taking him to bed so he'll be more comfortable, and we will be too! That snoring is louder than the Train Engine!"
Millicent giggled, then got up to help Nathan on his mission.
Between the two of them, they placed Bill in bed, while Millicent gently covered him up.
"Look, he's sleeping like a baby!" she cooed.
"Like a baby freight train! I just hope this door is soundproof!" mumbled Nathan in a low voice.
Millicent closed the door lightly behind them and tried to stifle a gasp as Nathan grabbed her around the waist from behind, and swooped her up to deposit her on the settee, sitting on his lap.
"Nathan Grant, did you just get rid of our chaperone?"
"Not my fault! He pretty much did that himself. What was he thinking eating that many Sweet Rolls? The man has no boundaries. But, listen!"
"I don't hear anything."
"Exactly."
They both looked at each other, immediately finding their lips in a kiss, but it wasn't soon till Millicent was slipping off of Nathan's lap.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
"As much as I love sitting on your lap, I'm being proper, Nate. Our chaperone might as well be dead, and I can just hear Essie now!"
"Essie doesn't have to know everything!"
"Oh, but she does know everything, anyway, my Love! Besides I'm right here," she laughed, taking his arm and wrapping it around her, while snuggling into him. See, much more proper!"
"I think I'm going to add 'sitting on husband's lap' as part of the marriage vows. Is that allowed?"
"That, my Darling, would be borderline scandalous," feigned a shocked Millicent who quickly made a laugh-filled correction. "But I'm definitely in!"
He chuckled and bent to kiss her through their laughter.
"I can't wait to marry you, Millie!"
"Technically, we're already married!"
"What?" asked a startled Nathan.
"Remember that time Richard married Colleen and you married me? I think we were like eleven. Colleen and I wore the white drapes from the Breakfast Room for our gowns and veils and we got into so much trouble. We tried our level best to find our Mothers' Wedding Gowns, but they must have been under lock and key. You and Richard raided your Dad's closets and swiped their suit coats, remember? You had to be the minister for Richard and Colleen, and Richard married us. But they made us go second."
Nathan burst out laughing.
"And I almost decked Richard because he kissed Colleen twice! I totally forgot about that!"
"You forgot our first wedding? I'm crushed!"
"Oh, no, now I remember every detail of our 'first' wedding. I was sweating bullets and my hands were so clammy, you had to wipe your hand across your gorgeous drape-gown to get rid of the sweat. But I guess it didn't matter because Richard said we had to get married beyond the creek at this perfect little spot, so we had to wade through the muddy creek, drapery gowns and all. Then when we came to the kiss part, you and I refused and Colleen and Richard were merciless at taunting us. So, we finally chastely kissed each other on the cheek to seal our union. But if I remember correctly, we ended up kissing our noses instead."
"Which by the way, was a very short-lived union, because Essie found the missing drapes and came after us with a vengeance. Remember how mad she was? Even Hendrix couldn't calm her down! Cook was almost as bad. She was running after them!"
"They ended up with more mud on them than we did. But Hendrix didn't even try to calm Essie down after he found out Richard had taken his white shirts and cuff links for us 'grooms' to wear under our suit coats. Come to think of it, he might have been madder than Essie. Oh, and we used his Family Bible because we knew if our mothers found our Family Bibles missing, we'd never be allowed out of the house again! He was madder about us using his Bible than his shirts and cuff links! But thank goodness, he didn't tell our parents!"
"Oh, I almost forgot! Colleen snitched your mother's pearls to wear, but Mother was wearing hers, and I had to go pearless! We did manage to nab our Mothers' dress shoes but then could barely walk in them. At least we didn't get them muddy, because you and Richard carried them across the creek for us. We were prissy little fashionistas for sure. Remember, I broke Mother's heel and reeled my ankle just before it was our turn to walk down the aisle, so you had to come to pick me up, and walk me hopping down the aisle, while half-way carrying me to the altar that we made out of a mound of pinecones."
"How could I ever forget that? Come to think of it, we were very authentic. Richard and I racked our brains about what to do for the rings and finally, we found two loose hex nuts in Dad's workshop to give you and Colleen as rings. But they were super dirty, so we had to polish and polish those things till they were shining! I think we used wax. I mean, they were for our Brides after all!"
"Nathan Grant! That gobbley-gook is why those nuts got stuck on our fingers! It took two weeks for Colleen and me to get them off, and that was after soaking them in everything we could find. Plus for that whole time, we had to hide our left hands, so they wouldn't see that their little girls had gotten married. And believe me, hiding your left hand for two solid weeks is no easy feat!"
"I can't believe you all took them off after all that work!"
"I was eleven with a nut bolt around my finger which half the time was turning it blue! But I will tell you a secret."
"What kind of secret?"
"I still have mine, Love! My ring I mean."
"Seriously? I can't believe that!"
"It's true. It's in my jewelry chest on my dressing table with all the rest of my jewelry. I think if it were lost, I'd be more upset than if all my other jewelry was taken!"
"Let me get this straight: you have kept a nut bolt that I gave you when we were eleven in your jewelry box mixed with diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and who knows what else for all these odd years?"
"Yes, I most certainly have!"
"No wonder I adore you! That's absolutely priceless, to keep our first ring after all these years. You're a girl after my own heart! And I don't think I could possibly love you more, Mil!"
They snuck in a quick kiss, mixed with chuckles and giggles before Nathan remembered more.
"Oh, and Richard and I got into so much trouble with my Mom because we cut her prize roses for your bouquets. She was madder than a wet hornet. I had to wash dishes for a whole month! But it was almost worth it because she made Richard muck the stalls every afternoon after classes. He was so mad!"
Nathan was laughing so hard, as was Millicent and it felt so good.
Finally, their laughs turned into loving smiles, and a more serious tone, once again.
"To my child bride and my soon-to-be real bride, I couldn't have possibly chosen better. Not then, and not now…" and Nathan bent to kiss his Bride and Bride-to-be.
"Umm," mused Millicent. "I love you, Nathan Grant!"
"Oh, there is no doubt I love you. I can barely exist without you, as was just proven!
Then he kissed her once more, a real kiss, the one they both had dreamed about while apart."
"Wow!"
"That's to make up for your less than enthusiastic bridal cheek slash nose kiss back in the day! And no, just so you know, there will be no cheek slash nose kisses for the Bride this time around," but then he paused. "Well, maybe nose!"
Millicent giggled, while she stretched to run her fingers through his hair.
"You make me so happy, Love!"
"I've never been happier in my whole life, Millicent!"
He raised her hand to his lips.
"I'm so glad you're here. You know, in Union City I was thinking about homes and how they're always a part of you. When Allie and I lived there, the people were really good to us, and we'll always love the place because of that. But it was different when we moved to Hope Valley. Everyone knew everybody and everyone looked out for each other. It was a change. A nice one eventually, but still a change. Something we had to adjust to. Will you be able to adapt to all that, Mil? Union City is tiny compared to Montreal, and Hope Valley is minuscule in comparison."
"I know what you're saying and you're right. But I love Hope Valley, Nathan. I'll be fine, however, I do worry about you and Allie adapting to Montreal for part of the year."
"Are you kidding? You're the one giving up everything. I already love Montreal, and I meant it when I said we could live there full-time. Besides the Commissioner is thrilled for us to have offices there. Speaking of which, I have a big surprise for you!"
"You do?"
"Yes! The big news is the Mounties have bought an old building not far from yours overlooking the park. All I know is that it's in your neighborhood. Maybe we'll be able to have lunch together!"
"The Wallach Building?"
"The Commissioner didn't mention the name."
"Babe! It has to be the Wallach Building. It's the only one that's been for sale over the last five years and still is now. Are you serious? You're really not teasing me?"
"No, my Love. I wouldn't tease you about a thing like this. I was so excited when the Commissioner told me. But like I said, I don't know exactly which building, it is."
Millicent took his face in her hands and kissed him hard.
"Sweetheart, this is a sign. That's the white brick building with black trim that sits next to the left of mine! It's Gothic Revival and beautiful. A bit rundown right now but it just needs some loving care!"
"You're sure it's next to you? I'd love that! We could go to work together!"
"I'm positive! Nothing else in our neighborhood is for sale. It has really huge windows, so you'll get lots of sunlight, and Nathan, there's a passageway between the two buildings that we've turned into a shared park-like space. It's not huge, but it's nice. There's a fountain, and in the summer, wrought iron tables and chairs are brought in with big bright umbrellas for the staff! It's so nice. Quite a few eat their lunch there, so they can enjoy the outside."
"Do you eat out there?"
"No, Security won't let me. But maybe that can change if you're there with me?"
He noticed how hopeful she was, and didn't want to discourage her, but he also didn't want to give her false hope.
"We'll look into it, I promise! And I'll do my best. But Millicent, this means we'll be next door to each other and can eat lunch together when we get lunch that is! Even if it's not outside. I don't care where we eat, as long as I'm with you. I would have never dreamed the building could be next door! Wonder if the Commissioner knew?"
She caressed his cheek.
"I'd say he did. This is a gift. A gift to you and me! And it's a wonderful one!"
He grinned that lop-sided signature grin.
"There's no doubt, Millicent, we are truly blessed, and no doubt we belong together. Everything has just fallen into place so beautifully."
"I will never forget your phone call that day after Thanksgiving. I think my heart practically stopped."
"Mine too. But, Mil, I was never so sure of anything in my entire life. Never."
"I could tell in your voice that you were certain. That moment and that certainty changed my life. I think, if I'm totally honest, it was the very first time I felt alive. Like finally, I was in the right place, with the right person, where I was meant to be all along. And I didn't have to just trudge through life anymore, not feeling whole."
"Never had a moment felt so right. I was changed too, in ways that are hard to put into words, because they were so sacrosanct."
She smiled while playing with his long slender fingers, knowing exactly what he was saying because she had experienced the same thing, all because of him.
"I have another surprise," he whispered, kissing the side of her neck.
"You do?"
"Yes, I have the final set of our house plans to show you."
"Really?"
"Yes, the refined ones with all the changes we discussed after."
"But really, I thought the original ones were fine."
"They were fine, and the new ones are basically the same with the few improvements we talked about later. I also came up with the idea of a sleeping porch off the bedrooms looking over the river, and I widened all the porches facing the river. I thought the lower one might be a nice spot to have outside meals. It's just such a beautiful view."
"That sounds really lovely!"
"There were a few other things, but not too many. Once we approve them, Lee will see that building is started as soon as the weather allows. He thinks with any luck at all, he can have us in by April at the latest, so we would have at least a month to get settled prior to Allie getting out of school and us all leaving for our summer honeymoon on Prince Edward Island."
Millicent sighed.
"My favorite spot in all of Canada! I can't believe you're taking us there."
"It's going to be a truly wonderful summer with the whole family there taking care of Allie, and you and me in our little cottage by the sea!"
He kissed her forehead.
"With you, a slice of heaven right here on earth, my Love…"
Just before their Train was to arrive in Hope Valley, Nathan knocked on the door of Bill's sleeping quarters, but there was no answer.
So, he opened the door.
"Bill, we arrive in Hope Valley in ten minutes! You might want to freshen up!"
"What…" asked Bill, rubbing his eyes.
"You've slept the whole way. Time to get up!"
"Hey, Nathan?"
"Yes? What do you need?"
"I just had the weirdest dream. That Millicent found someone from my past, and…that's all I can remember."
"She's right here, Bill. But you know, it might not be such a bad thing to find that secret love of yours. And fair warning, Millicent is on a mission to do just that!"
"What…"
Thankfully, Henry and Lee were at the Hope Valley Train Depot to transport Bill, Nathan, Millicent, and the Security Team to their rowhouses.
After hugging and welcoming Millicent, the men quickly loaded everything, as the only heavy loads of luggage were the Lady's, Tom's, and Matt's, and rightfully so, as they had traveled all the way from Montreal, and were going to have to travel back again!
Henry took Bill, Tom, and Matt in his car, while Lee drove Nathan and Millicent in his.
"Lee, why don't you take us to my house, and I'll get our car to go get Allie," suggested Nathan.
"That works! You all ready?"
"We're ready! Been missing our girl, Lee!" smiled Millicent, anxious to get started.
Finally, Lee got behind the wheel as Nathan helped Millicent into the front seat, and he slid into the back seat.
"Rosie will have a fit that you're here, Millicent. She's missed you like crazy!"
"It feels so good to be back in Hope Valley, Lee! How are the children?"
"As energetic as I've ever seen a toddler and two infants be. We adore them, Millicent, and every single day Rosie and I say a prayer thanking both God and you for finding them for us!"
"I can't wait to see Rosemary and them, Lee!"
"I know you and Rosie are going to be a bit busy tonight, so if you don't have time to stop by, you'll see them in the morning at Church. Rosie's got all those cute little outfits you sent pressed and ready for them to wear!"
"No doubt, our godchildren will look precious, Lee! And I'm putting first dibs on holding them, just so you know!"
"So noted!" laughed Lee. "There's usually a line a mile long! But you're first!"
Nathan and Lee chatted till finally, they could see the rowhouses.
"And here we are! Home sweet home!" announced Lee.
"Thanks, Lee. We owe you one!"
"My pleasure, Nathan. Millicent great to have you two back! Especially since we've only had to miss this boy here for three days!"
"Thanks, Lee. Will you tell Rosemary to just come on over around six if she can?"
"Oh, she'll be there with bells on! Nothing's keeping her from this," laughed Lee. "I won't forget though. I can't. She'll be drilling me at the door!"
Nathan and Millicent laughed as they waved Lee off.
"Those two are the perfect match," smiled Millicent.
"I'll say. Lee would be lost without her, and she would go crazy without Lee," winked Nathan.
"You pegged that right! Let's go get Allie right now, Love. I can't wait a minute longer to see her…"
After storing their luggage just inside his door to save time, Nathan helped an excited Millicent into their car.
"Babe, Allie's going to totally lose it when she sees you!"
"I've missed her so much, Nathan! I had to be here for her dance."
"Ugh, don't remind me!"
"Hey, we'll get through this milestone together. Everything's going to be all right, I promise."
"Just keep telling me that!"
"I will tell you that as many times as you need to hear it. It's funny, but it feels nice to be in our car again. I love it, even more, Nathan! I've never been able to ride in something like this before, and it feels so freeing."
Nathan was driving with his left hand and holding her hand with his right. The couple had seldom been apart since their reunion. And when they were together, without even realizing it, they were touching.
"It's really wonderful to be back home!"
Nathan turned to smile at her with the use of that word.
"What? It's true, Love, wherever you and Allie are, I'm home!"
"And wherever you are, we're home…"
At the Weiss's house, Allie heard her Dad's car and came running from inside with Opal following close behind.
It took all the control she could muster, but Millicent stayed in the car to surprise Allie and give her some time with Nathan.
"Dad, I missed you so much! Did you have a good trip?" as she took a running leap into her Dad's arms.
"I had a wonderful trip, Allie! But I missed you! And I have a surprise for you, too!"
When he finally put Allie down, Millicent could wait no more.
As Allie turned and saw her, she gasped.
"Momma! You came! Momma!"
And although she tried to dampen her running leap, she almost knocked her Momma over in the process of hugging her.
Nathan ran and steadied the two from behind, as they both laughed and cried.
"Best surprise ever! Momma, you came to help me tonight!"
"I most certainly did! I couldn't have my daughter going to her first dance and not be there! Now, that would have made me cry. I also brought you something from Montreal for tonight to go along with your dress!"
Allie shrieked.
Opal came up closer to hug Millicent and Nathan.
Millicent was still carrying a small box in her hand, which she handed to Opal.
"Opal, I got this for you in Montreal. I thought you might want to wear it tonight for the dance!"
"Oh, Miss Bradford, that's wonderful. I'm sure I'll love it! I can't believe you remembered me. Thank you tons!"
And Opal hugged Millicent again.
"I could never forget you, Opal! And you are most welcome. Just enjoy!"
By this time the Weiss's came out on their porch to watch all the excitement.
"We can't thank you enough for taking care of Allie! If you'll wait, just a second, we've got something for you!" suggested Nathan.
He opened the back door of his car and removed a big box.
"This is for all the Weiss's, with huge thanks for taking care of Allie for us!"
By this time, Nathan had to hand the gift to Mr. Weiss, because Mrs. Weiss was hugging and chatting with Millicent.
"Look what we got!" nudged Mr. Weiss.
"Oh, Nathan, you two shouldn't have! We love having Allie with us."
"But it's still extra work. I hope you enjoy this!"
Mr. Weiss deposited their gift inside and retrieved Allie's satchel, giving it to Nathan, who placed it in the boot of the car.
"She's welcome here any time! The girls love spending time together," exclaimed Mrs. Weiss.
"Could you all have lunch with us at the Café?"
"We'd love to, Millicent, but I've already prepared everything. So, you three go and enjoy your family time! We'll take a rain check for later!"
Nathan shook Mr. Weiss's hand, and Millicent kissed Mrs. Weiss on the cheek, as Allie said goodbye to Opal.
Both girls were jumping up and down, so excited about their coming Dance, they could hardly wait!
Once in their car, Nathan and Millicent waved exuberantly as they drove off with a joyous Allie to the Café for their family lunch…
At the Café, Nathan grinned as Allie pulled her chair up next to Millicent.
"What am I? Chopped Liver?"
"Dad! I haven't seen Momma forever, and I saw you three days ago!"
"Oh, excuse me! How quickly they forget you!"
"Dad, I could never forget you!"
"I'm just teasing you, Allie. I'm as excited as you to have your Momma here!"
"Does this mean we all get to travel to Montreal together?" asked Allie, as it slowly dawned on her.
"That's exactly what this means. The three of us will board that train tomorrow and head to see your new family, Allie!" grinned Nathan.
"This is the best thing ever! Oh, look, there's Uncle Bill. He looks strange!"
"Allie!"
"But he does, Dad. Look, he might be sick."
"It's those 'Sweet Rolls with the nuts on top and the caramel fillin' in the middle," stated Millicent and Nathan in unison.
"What?" asked Allie with a scrunched-up face
"Your Uncle Bill had quite a few of his favorite Sweet Rolls on the train," explained Millicent, bending her head to Allie's conspiratorially.
"Oh, that explains it. Uncle Bill has no restraint when it comes to food."
"What can I say? Out of the mouths of babes," interjected Nathan.
"Dad, I'm not a baby!"
"I didn't say you were, young lady!"
Allie sighed, then smiled at her Dad, as she held her Momma's hand, something Nathan would have liked to be doing right now.
"Millicent, welcome home," smiled Minnie. "It's so delightful to see you here!"
"Oh, Minnie, it's great to be here and great to see you too! I'm just so happy to be with these two, I'm thrilled to be back. How is Joseph? And sweet Angela and cute-as-a-button Cooper?"
"They are as active as ever. Those three, and between us, it's mostly Joseph, but the three together are certainly wearing me out. Why I have to come to work to get some peace!"
Everyone laughed, while Millicent reached in her purse.
"I brought this from Montreal for Angela to wear tonight."
"Oh, that's so lovely for you to do! She will be thrilled. We've had quite the go-around about which dress to wear tonight."
"Momma and I had a hard time choosing too!"
"I bought her one and made her one, and she likes the one I made, while I prefer the one I bought. And the men in our house are no help at all! What can I get you three for lunch? We have a Meat Loaf Special with Creamed Corn and Mashed Potatoes that's pretty tasty! And Bill's back there making up a batch of his yeast rolls, too!"
Nathan glanced at Millicent and Allie, who were all in on the special.
"You've sold us, Minnie! Three specials, it is!"
"Coming right up. Let me get you some Coffee and Iced Tea while you wait!"
"Momma, that's so nice of you to remember Opal and Angela. They don't get many extra presents besides their birthday and Christmas, that is."
"I was glad to do it, Angel. I've also got a little something for Emily and Anna. I didn't want to leave any of you girls out, so I remembered to get one for Antoinette, too. I hope she gets to go tonight. But how are we going to get these delivered before the Dance?"
"We can stop by the Queen of Hearts on our way home, and drop off Antoinette's with Lucas or Gustav. Allie, any ideas for the other two," asked her Dad.
"We could stop by Emily's on her way home, but I'm not sure she's there."
"I just got an idea. Tom's sitting over there, and he would be delighted to deliver that one for me!"
Nathan raised his eyebrows, with a teasing smirk on his face.
"Tom likes to get out and about, Nathan!"
'Especially when it's Cat Montgomery!' thought Nathan, not daring to say it out loud in his daughter's presence.
He knew exactly what Millicent was doing, but he also knew Cat had personally asked him about Tom on three different occasions. She had even mentioned Tom had written a few times.
But Nathan would have to wait till Millicent and he were alone before he shared that news, especially with Allie sitting there.
"Oh, wait! I know where Anna is. She's in the library because she has to turn a book report in before the dance. She forgot to do it on Friday!"
"Then we'll stop by the Library, Allie," agreed Nathan.
"I haven't been able to shop hardly at all with all the commotion in Montreal. But I did get to stop by a darling little shoppe one night after I left work. The owner was so kind to keep it open a bit longer after they closed so I could do a little shopping."
"Can you not shop with everyone else, like we did in Union City, Momma?"
"Not right now, Sweetheart! I'm afraid the media buzz is rampant over our Wedding. And I can't go anywhere without the Photographers and Reporters being everywhere. I think it will become easier again once our Wedding is over. We'll see. But Allie, I want you and your Dad to be prepared. It might be a bit rough on us for a while till things settle down."
"That's okay, Momma. You and Dad and I will be together, so it won't matter."
"Allie's right. But I still hate what they're doing, Mil. It's preposterous that the media's badgering you like that."
"I'll admit, it hasn't been a lot of fun. But on the bright side, I had so much work to do, that I wouldn't have had the time to do much, anyway. Things worked out, as they usually do!"
"Mil, in case we haven't said it, Allie, and I are thrilled that you're here with us."
"I'll say!"
"The feeling is totally mutual! Oh, Allie, I almost forgot! Here's a note from you Gramma, who's already in Montreal while your Grappa takes care of the ranch. And another one from your Grandpapa and Grandmama!"
Allie opened the envelopes as Minnie brought them their drinks and a few nibbles.
"This is so cool! They're sending me good wishes for my first dance!"
"This one says: 'Have a grand time my little munchkin, at your very first dance. You're growing up, our beautiful granddaughter. And we're all so proud. Just don't grow up too fast. Your Dad needs his sweet Daddy's girl! I'll see you as soon as you arrive in Montreal and be sure to bring pictures! All our love, Gramma & Grappa'"
"And this one says: "We'll be thinking of you, our new and already much-loved granddaughter, as you attend your first dance! What a wonderful and special occasion! Wish we could be there with you and can't wait to see the pictures! Just relax and have fun, because your Grandpapa already has work for you to do when you arrive. We know you'll be the prettiest one there! And we can't wait to see you in person! Hugs and Kisses, Grandmama and Grandpapa'"
"I get to work with Grandpapa! That's going to be so much fun!"
Nathan and Millicent shared a knowing look, proud of their daughter.
Not many children would select that bit of news as the most exciting from congratulatory notes when a first dance was about to be attended.
While Allie was distracted with her letters, Nathan whispered across the table to Millicent.
"At least, I don't think we have to worry about her work ethic!"
Millicent beamed with pride for both her fiancé and the wonderful job he had done with their daughter.
But suddenly, in a flash, she had an odd feeling that she couldn't shake, seeing something very specific for her daughter's future, as though it were happening in front of her very eyes.
Millicent smiled to herself, without realizing it.
But somehow, she instinctively knew she wasn't wrong.
That little snippet she had just so vividly seen was her daughter's future. One that Allie would choose on her own, without any pressure from anyone else.
And while the choice surprised her Momma a little, mostly, it was crystal clear that this profession not normally open to women would be Allie's path.
Her daughter not only had the brains to excel, but more importantly, she also had the moxie and spunk that would take her wherever she wanted to go, and whatever she chose to do, along with her.
"Are you alright, Mil?"
"Hmm? Oh, yes, I'm fine, Love," she reached down and kissed Allie's forehead. "We're all fine…"
The second floor of Nathan's rowhouse was a beehive of happy and flurried activity, as the father paced downstairs, alone.
Despite it not being recognized by him, he cut a handsome figure, already dressed in his best Sunday suit, wearing the tie Millicent had chosen for him that happened to be a favorite of Allie's too.
Nathan, just like he did as a Mountie when he faced a new challenge, was mentally preparing to escort his daughter to her first dance.
'How has this happened? It feels like we built a home together only yesterday.'
'All those nights with both of us crying, missing our mother and sister.'
'Oh, Dear God, why am I not ready for this? I've tried to be. I really have.'
'Help me be happy for Allie, and be the father she needs.'
'Especially tonight!'
It appeared no one was there to hear this father's rumination besides God, but that was wrong.
As Nathan sat on the Settee, staring at Colleen's largest painting, the one he loved the most that truly personified her, his burden suddenly lightened.
"What did I tell you when we last spoke? Sisters should be listened to, you know!"
Nathan smiled.
"I did listen! You told me to be happy, and I am truly happy, Sis. Deliriously so. But this is a big night for our Allie. I wish you could be here with her, with us."
Colleen sat down beside him, this man whom she adored. He was her twin and he was still very much a part of her. And always would be.
He could smell the heady scent of violets that she had selected as her very first perfume. She had loved that scent so much, that she had never even tried anything else. It had been her first and her last perfume, and now always would be.
"Doesn't it make you angry to not be here with her?" he asked, wanting to not be bitter, but needing to know.
"My dearest Nathan, I am very much here with Allie, and with Millicent, and with you. I always will be, just as I said I would. Everything is as it should be."
"But Allie's growing up."
"Yes, she is and that's a beautiful thing. She's taking the first step tonight into a new world. But Nathan, it's just one step. She's still your little girl. And when she takes another step, and another and another and so on and so on, she will still be our little girl, your little girl. Can't you see it? Don't you know Dear Brother, she will always be your little girl? You and Millicent are the ones she will always need most in her life, because you love me enough to do my job for me when I can't, and that's a remarkable gift. But now, you need to learn to freely share your parenting responsibilities with Millicent."
"We already are sharing, Smarty. It's uncanny, but we just all fell into place as a family. Wait, you don't act surprised."
"And you're surprised that I'm not surprised? Really, Nathan, can't you give me some credit?"
"Wait, you knew?"
"My dearest Nathan, there's not much I don't know. Funny thing about Heaven, when you see the puzzle completed, it's hard to get upset about the missing pieces down on earth. Because they're all up there. And they make sense, Nate! In fact, they fit together quite nicely."
"Are you telling me I'm wasting needless energy about tonight?"
"That's exactly what I'm telling you. Besides, don't you know when you drop her off, that I take over?"
"You do? You're going to be there with her tonight?"
"Nathan, you're much too intelligent for that question. I'm her mother. Where else would I be?"
"So, I don't have to worry?"
"Not if you're smart. See the thing is, you and I have always been a team. What you seem incapable of understanding is that even though we're separated by time and space, we're still a team. What can I do to get that through your thick head?"
"I think you finally just did," he marveled, as a huge weight of worry fell from his shoulders.
"Now the nervous part, I can't do anything about, because all good, loving fathers are nervous, melancholy, and reflective on the night of their daughter's first dance. That's normal, Nathan, and the way it should be. It means you've done your fathering well. Now, I'm not supposed to spoil any surprises, but I think it's safe to say, Brother Dear, you'd better buck up, because you'll be going through this very same thing again, a time or two or three."
Nathan couldn't help the smile that crossed his face.
"And don't you dare ask me how I know!"
"I wouldn't think of it. I love you, Colleen! There's not a day that goes by I don't think of you and miss you and long for us to do something crazy together!"
"Me too! But, that's the thing about heaven. You can't be too naughty like you can down here. Even though I must say, we do have our fun!"
She grinned that same lopsided grin as her brother.
"I love you so much, Nate!"
"I love you too, Collie…"