Chapter 84: Montreal Here We Come
"Chief, Matt and I together can get the luggage. You two go on inside and take a break," insisted Kyle. "You've got to lock up everything too!"
"If you two are alright without me, I would like to go through the house one last time and make sure we haven't missed anything. I also have to drive the car to the stables, so it can be parked under a roof. Thank goodness, there's an empty area toward the back that just fits, or at least we think so!"
"Oh, that's great, I'll get to see Serena and Cookie again!" enthused Millicent.
"Yes, you will, Love!" smiled Nathan.
"And Matt, don't forget to take the Guitar!" winked Millicent.
"Really? You want us to take this?" asked Nathan.
"I absolutely want us to take this, Love, and so does Allie! Your girls are planning to be serenaded non-stop on the Train! Besides, what's a honeymoon without the Bride being serenaded by the Groom?"
Nathan chuckled as they walked into his living room, where he sat down his guitar case by his luggage, with Matt and Kyle following closely behind.
"Guys, afraid all this goes. My stack, Millicent's stack, and Allie's stack. You sure you don't need help?"
"Naw, we've got this, any particular car for these?" asked Kyle.
"Why don't you put ours in Lee's and yours in Henry's? That will help keep it all separated when the luggage is taken on board to be distributed."
"Sure thing. We'll scoot this stuff out on the porch and load from there to give you two a few minutes in here," directed Matt.
As the men did that, the couple climbed the staircase, with Nathan leading Millicent from behind...
Nathan went to check his room, while Millicent checked Allie's and hers.
"What was I thinking? Mil, I almost left your perfume!"
Millicent laughed from across the hall, that laugh he adored.
"You won't need it now, my Love," she called. "You have me, you know!"
He chuckled.
"I'm packing it anyway! Then I'll have you and your perfume!"
"I love you to the moon and back! But you're way too adorable, you know?"
"I'm not sure I've ever been called 'adorable' before. I mean you know, it's not really a word in the Mountie Manual," he teased coming across the hall to grab her waist from behind, as she stooped over searching for Allie's blue ribbons.
"Nathan Grant, you about scared me to death!"
He chuckled again, realizing he was doing a lot of that around her.
"Never! What have you got?"
"Here, found the ribbons, but you know, I'm not sure about this other thing. Allie left Cuddles. Do you think she meant to?"
"I highly doubt that, Love!"
"Our daughter may be trying to act all grown-up, but she hugs him sometime during the night every single night I've slept with her."
"Then I vote Cuddles accompanies us to Montreal!"
"I do too! Ready for a Train Ride, Cuddles? It's a long one!"
"Do we need to get anything else, Babe?"
"Not a thing, Baby! We, women, did our packing very efficiently!"
He looked at her like he wanted to take her into his arms right then and there, but instead, he grabbed her hand and directed her toward the stairs with Allie's blue-beribboned Cuddles in her other hand...
Downstairs, Nathan kissed his fiancee, although only briefly, as both had things they had to do.
But those quick kisses were important too, as tiny connectors that helped to fill in those moments touch wasn't possible.
"Not to mention, you did my packing too! Which I'm very grateful for!" insisted Nathan.
"I love doing things for you!"
For the first time he could remember, the only thing Nathan had packed was a satchel with his items that were more of a personal nature, along with his toiletries.
"Mil, do you mind checking the kitchen?"
"On my way!" smiled Millicent after she had deposited Cuddles into Allie's bag along with her blue hair ribbons.
Nathan grinned and slipped behind his desk,
He didn't need her to check the kitchen at all.
He just wanted to distract her.
At the desk, he opened a drawer and lifted out a tiny but long deep purple velvet box, trimmed in gold banding with a tiny gold fastener in the center.
The box was very old, and it held an original letter of verification under its mound of inner velvet for the stone it possessed.
Hiding it behind him, he silently strode into the kitchen.
"Everything looks good to me. The ice is all drained, the dishes up, and no food left to draw any mice whatsoever, Nathan! I think we're ready!"
He slipped up behind her once more and bent to kiss her neck.
"You," she said almost breathlessly, "are going to slip up behind me someday, and literally make my heart stop! You pretty much do that to me even when I see you coming!"
He grinned that sly crooked smile of his.
"Now, that's very good to know," he mumbled between their kisses. "Come with me!"
"Where are we going?"
"If I tell you, what fun would that be?
"Nate! Where are we going? We have to go eat with Allie and catch our Train!"
"That can wait, my Love. This won't take long, I promise."
Thankfully, they still had their coats on from Church, because it appeared they were headed toward the backyard.
But Nathan had that look in his eyes full of boyish charm, and Millicent could tell whatever this was, that it was very important to him.
And that told her everything that mattered.
Nathan opened the back door, and just like that night so many nights ago, with an excited but puzzled look on her face, he helped her to sit on the stoop, but this time in broad daylight.
"Remember when we sat out here during your last visit?"
She nodded, as the memories came flooding back over her.
That had been such an innocent time. Before the shooting. Before their world had literally been turned upside down.
Nathan seemed choked up, as his throat worked.
"I remember every word that was said that night we sat out here, every kiss as well, and every single touch. I felt like the most blessed man in the world. I still do and always will with you by my side."
Nathan hesitated and she knew this was somehow very important to him, so she wouldn't question why they were sitting out in the cold when they should be on their way to the Café.
Instead, she would relax with this man she loved more than anyone in the world, and listen, living this moment with him in its entirety.
"My Darling Millicent, I'm so grateful that you are here and we're starting this journey to our Wedding, our marriage, together. I adore you, have always adored you, and will always adore you. Only you."
He paused again, with a far-away look in his eyes, inwardly marveling at the gift of her.
"I know you don't need taking care of, you're quite capable of doing that yourself. As long as there's Security that is," he added with emphasis. "Yet I plan to do just that. I want more than anything to take care of you, love you, laugh with you, share our lives, and keep you safe. I promise to always do whatever it takes to make you happy, to make us happy together as a couple."
She reached for his hand.
"I know most people would say I'm not the most open person in the world, but Millicent, with you from the first time I met you, there's been this connection that I've never had with anyone else, a trust, where my heart, my words just come tumbling out without even having to think about them first."
Millicent touched his face with tears in her emerald eyes, reflecting the tears in his glistening pools of blue, both knowing the depth of truth that statement held.
But knowing he still had more to say, she waited silently.
"What I'm trying to say is that I cherish you, Millicent Bradford, and it's my greatest life's honor that you have agreed to be my wife. I promise to continue to cherish you each and every day of my life."
She reached to kiss him, lovingly, tenderly, but also most passionately.
Both knowing for whatever reason and without a doubt, they were exactly where they were supposed to be.
As they drew apart for breath, he hesitated before he spoke again, but drew her to him, as he felt and pre-empted her coming chill from the cold.
He wrapped both of his arms around her to warm her.
"About this marriage, I've never been so sure of anything in my entire life. I'm not at all nervous about what's to come. Not even with the big Wedding. I'm just so happy, so overjoyed, that I literally have to pinch myself to be sure all this is really happening!"
He paused to collect himself and get his words exactly right.
"The bracelet you left me was literally my physical lifeline to you, getting me through the rough days, rougher nights, long weeks, and nearly two almost unbearable months apart. I kept it with me always in the pocket over my heart. But I can't tell you how many times I ran those diamonds through my fingers, thinking of you, loving you. You know, I had completely forgotten, but one night while I was holding them, I remembered the diamond my Great Grandmother left for me to someday give to the woman I fell in love with. But when I found the diamond, I was astounded, because it's the exact same identical rough mined diamond as those of your bracelet. Only it's much larger. I put it in my pocket along with your bracelet and took it to the Jeweler in Union City where I purchased your necklace. He was astounded at the match, and with me telling him whatever we did had to be simple, this is what we came up with together to match what you already have!"
He showed her the velvet box he had hidden by his side, which elicited a gasp of surprise.
"The Jeweler prioritized making this piece, and then had it delivered to our hotel before we left. I could have given it to you then, but I wanted to wait till we were here in Hope Valley because this is where we came after our engagement and this, will be our first home together."
He held out the velvet box to her with a look of total love etched throughout his face. His eyes sparkled almost mischievously, while his smile radiated his love for her.
"You already have my heart, Mil, and now you have a piece of my family history as your engagement present."
"Engagement present?"
She opened the box to reveal a fine-linked platinum chain with a substantial rough-cut diamond that had been shined to perfection, sparkling as it dangled almost like a glistening rock charm, to go with Auntie Luciana's bracelet of similar, but much tinier diamonds.
"I adore you, my Darling Nate, with or without this. But this is perfect and so beautiful. That it's from you and your family means the world to me!"
He bent to kiss her, excited for her to receive this familial token of love, that he had the Jeweler personalize for her.
He was so happy, that he was about to burst with love and the realization that their future together was here, now, in the present.
Not some distant far-off thing.
"Nate," her voice caught in awe. "Which side of your family is this from?"
"My Mother's Grandmother in England. My Great-Grandmother! She passed before Colleen and I were born. I suppose that's why I had forgotten all about having this. But don't you see Mil, she already knew that you were the one. She chose you for me too. These diamonds prove that! They're a perfect match, just like us."
"That's so beautiful! You've got to admit, this is not a commonly seen type of diamond cut at all. I wish we could have met her. Oh, my goodness, Love! She had and you have such exquisite taste. This is just so very elegant! I love the simplicity of it! It's so natural, like a piece of earth, left unrefined, which makes it even more special," she mused.
"It's just a simple tiny platinum chain, with a single dangling rock of a diamond to match your bracelet that you entrusted me with. As I said, you gave me a lifeline by leaving me that bracelet. And now I'm giving one similar back to you, to make a pair together. Every single time you look at this diamond, know that you have given me the happiest engagement, unexpected, unequaled, and unparalleled full of pure joy and infinite love. Know that my heart is with you, and only you, forever and a day. But the most magical thing of all is that you and I get to polish our life together just like cutting and polishing the shape of this old diamond into whatever we want it to be."
She squeezed his waist and laid her head on his shoulder, finally not having to worry about which one it was.
A single tear stained his coat shoulder, as he so lovingly, so gently, so tenderly wiped the others away from her beautifully radiant face.
They sat there together with Nathan holding her, both still in the moment, alone together.
"Listen!"
"I don't hear anything at all, except our hearts beating."
"Exactly. It's just you and me, and it's perfect!"
They sat silently, till Millicent had to once more look down at her new bracelet.
"I will treasure this, Nathan, always. Our life will change as we grow together, but your Great-Grandmother's diamond will always stay the same. It will be a constant the same as our love. And this pair of bracelets now stay on my wrist together. My greatest honor in life, is you, Nathan Grant. That you asked me to be your wife, that you will be my best friend as always, but also my husband, my lover, my partner. You're my everything and always will be!"
The diamond might not have been huge by Bradford standards, although it was quite substantial nonetheless, the size wasn't at all what was important to Millicent.
Her Fiance had taken the time to think of a meaningful gift tied to something that she loved, and that also had significance between them personally, as well as both sides of their families.
The rough diamond was just right, proportional to her Auntie's bracelet she always wore, much larger than those tiny diamonds, yes, but the exact same diamond cut and type, as though they had been mined together and had just found their way back to each other.
Much as Nathan and Millicent had lovingly found their way back to each other as something much more than the best friends they had always been.
She was amazed.
"How can this even be," she whispered.
"I think my Great-Grandmother was a very wise woman. She chose you for me before we were even thoughts. And that's pretty remarkable!"
He hooked the bracelet around her wrist along with Auntie Luciana's, and she kissed the top of his head as he did so.
Then he bent lower to kiss her slender wrist.
"My heart, Mil, is, has always been yours. It will always be yours, and yours alone. I'm sorry it took me so long to see it."
"Sh! No regrets. We're together now. Don't you know that it's your beautiful heart that I love," asked Millicent meaning every single word.
He nodded in affirmation because he felt the exact same.
"Nathan, when we return, I'll be Millicent Alexandria Bradford…"
"I think that's good," he interrupted. "I was thinking that you should keep your name. Everyone professionally knows you by Bradford. It just makes sense to do so," he smiled, then looked down at the ground before them.
But she turned and cupped his chin, drawing his face toward her.
"I'm not finished, my Darling Nate. When we return, I'll be Millicent Alexandria Bradford Grant, Grant being the most important part of all!"
Without hesitation, they took the time for their lips to meet one last time before leaving Hope Valley, kissing their past regrets completely away, while looking only toward their glorious future.
When they finally parted, but with their foreheads still touching and their arms still holding each other, as though they couldn't bear to part, that crooked grin of his swept across his rugged face to stay, as his eyes shone with love.
"Are you sure?"
"As sure as I am about marrying you! I wouldn't have it any other way. My profession will just have to adjust to my new name. If my clients don't, it's their loss!"
Quiet-turned, reserved Nathan let out a loud whoop that could be heard throughout the neighborhood, and if we're honest most of Hope Valley!
Her name had just been something they hadn't really talked about in any detail. And he had just assumed that she would keep her own name, at least definitely professionally.
But she wasn't doing that; she was going to be a Grant.
"I can't wait till we're married, Mil!"
"I can't wait either! I also can't think of anything in this whole world that could be more exciting or perfect, nor more wonderful."
"Not a single thing in the world, my Darling! You ready to grab lunch?"
She smiled her answer, and he helped her up from the stoop, drawing her close, with each wrapping their arm around each other's waist, as they headed back into the rowhouse.
"Nate, thank you for making me always feel so cherished!"
He bent to kiss her forehead.
"That is now, in addition to raising Allie, my most important job in the world…"
By the time Nathan got their car parked at the back of the Stables and Millicent had said one last goodbye to Serena and Cookie, reassuring them she would be back before they knew it, the couple was literally racing against the clock!
As Nathan and Millicent, along with Matt and Kyle entered the Café, Allie came running, and all the patrons broke out clapping!
Nathan turned a brilliant red, as Millicent turned pink.
However, they, as well as their Security Team, were very much relieved to find everyone's meals had been ordered and were being kept warm in the kitchen!
After saying quick hellos to their neighbors and friends, they sat down at the table Allie had chosen, which happened to be the largest table in the Café!
"This is great, Allie, there's room for all of us," smiled Millicent.
"You all hungry? Let me go get everything," offered Bill. "You all are going to have to hurry! And I do mean hurry!"
"Sorry, Bill! We still have time," assured Nathan. "Shall we pray, while Bill gets the food?"
Everyone joined hands, including Tom, Matt, Kyle, and Lance. They then all bowed their heads as Nathan led the prayer.
"Dear Father, we thank you for the bountiful food we are about to receive, and we pray that it will nourish our bodies as you intend. Bless the hands that prepared our meal. And Dear Father, we have a very special request that you will provide us with safe travels, as well as those from Hope Valley coming after us. Keep us all safe and in the center of your will, we pray. And we won't fail to give you the thanks and the glory. In your most Holy Name, Amen!"
"Amen!"
Bill, Minnie, and Clara were instantly at the table with more trays of food than a battalion could have eaten!
"Oh, Bill, you're sending us off in style," declared Millicent.
"Ordered these T-bones for this exact occasion! Eat up and enjoy you all!"
"These are the largest T-bones I've ever seen. Where in the world did you find them," asked Nathan.
"From the Culver Farm. Best Beef this side of Toronto! We've got Loaded Potatoes, Corn Pudding, and the biggest Tossed Salad you've ever seen. And if you all don't hurry up, you're gonna have to take your dessert with you! Now, eat!"
And of course, everything was topped off with Bill's Famous Yeast Rolls!
"Can you eat with us, Bill," asked Millicent, ever attentive that Bill was included.
"In just a few minutes. Got one more thing I have to do. Little Mountie there is saving me a seat! You all go on and eat! I won't be long!"
The meal was as delicious as it looked.
And true to his word, after Bill finished cutting their dessert, he sat down and enjoyed the meal with his family and friends.
"Your meals just keep getting better and better, Bill!"
"Thanks, Tom, that means a lot comin' from you!"
"He's right, Bill. This is about as delicious as it gets," agreed Nathan.
"Everybody ready for dessert?" asked Bill.
After a chorus of yeses, Bill got up to fix their Dessert Tray.
"Bill, I think I'll help," piped in Millicent, who clearly had an ulterior motive.
She followed him to the kitchen, ready to leave her parting advice.
When they reached the kitchen, she was relieved to see that Minnie and Clara were out in the restaurant area waiting on tables.
"Bill, I've done a lot of thinking. I really do think you should call this woman you love."
"Hey, keep it down. No one knows about that!"
"I'm sorry. I'll be quieter. But. Bill, our Wedding is the perfect opportunity for you to reconnect. Promise me you'll at least call her and if it goes well, bring her to Montreal with you. There are plenty of bedrooms in the guest house. So, it won't be a problem at all to add one more."
Bill sighed heavily.
"I don't know, Millicent. She might not even want to speak to me."
"But you won't know till you try! Besides, what woman in her right mind wouldn't want to speak to you, Judge?"
"Well, I guess there is somethin' to that," he pondered. "Okay, I'll call her. But I'm not promisin' anything else, you hear?"
"Loud and clear. That's all I ask!"
But Bill could tell by Millicent's beaming face, that she was actually hoping for much more!
She turned to hug him, and the Judge started sputtering.
But he took her into his arms anyway, and it was clear to Nathan who could see the look on Bill's face from his place at their table, that Millicent had already won Bill's heart.
"Thanks a million, Bill! This is a very good thing! And I just have a feeling she might love to come to our Wedding! What woman wouldn't want an exciting trip to Montreal?"
"Well, when you put it that way. Here, make yourself useful and grab a tray!"
"And you think I can't! Load me up, Judge…"
"We have Nathan's favorite Chocolate Cake for Dessert and Little Mountie's favorite Cinnamon Vanilla Ice Cream, home-made I might add!"
"Thank you, Bill," nodded Nathan.
"Thanks a bunch, Uncle Bill! This is the best! Momma, everyone said to tell you goodbye. And they'll see us at our Wedding!"
Millicent smiled.
"That's lovely, Allie!"
She loved that her daughter always called it 'our Wedding!'
"Good grief, where did everyone go?" growled Bill.
"Home, I guess, Uncle Bill! Everybody's so full, they probably have to go and take a nap!"
"Now, that's what I like to hear. If food puts you to sleep, you for sure know it's good!"
Allie giggled.
"Is Cat comin' to the big Weddin,' Tom," asked Bill.
"As a matter of fact, she is, and as my Date, too, I'm proud to say!"
"Way to go! You couldn't find a nicer woman, well, present company excluded, that is."
"Bill, one woman at this table is taken while one is still a little girl who is much too young to even be thinking about stuff like that," warned Nathan with a menacing look.
"Congratulations, Tom! I think you two make a lovely couple," complimented Millicent, hoping this might turn into something long-term for both her friends.
But then she decided to add in a little reminder for Bill.
"Who knows, Bill might even surprise us and follow suit," winked Millicent, also trying to distract Allie's ever-protective father.
Bill grumbled something under his breath, which Millicent chose to ignore.
"Well, boys, we might as well confess too! We're not exactly coming to this Wedding dateless either, at least for the reception," admitted Matt.
"Oh, that's exciting. Do we get to know who is with whom," asked Millicent, not wanting to pry, although she was pretty sure she already knew the answer.
But still, she thought it would be good for the boys to actually say their names!
"I'm bringing Faith," announced Matt.
"And I'm bringing Fiona," smiled Kyle, like the cat who had swallowed the canary.
"And drumroll, please, I'm escorting Laura," announced Lance.
"You boys did good! I take it that's why these Ladies have looked so happy, recently," teased Nathan, although it was the truth.
Being the investigator he was, he had pretty much figured it all out, but it was nice to hear them admit it.
"I'm impressed! You couldn't find better young ladies anywhere! Oh, Bill, did you bring that file I need," asked Millicent.
"What file?"
"The case file! You know, that special one I need to take to Montreal with me!"
"Oh…oh…that file! As a matter of fact, I did. Got it locked in the back. Here I'd better go get it! But why you want to work when you're gettin' ready for a great big Weddin,' I'll never know!"
"Bill, I'll have you know that women can handle more than one thing at a time if you get my drift!"
"Hm?"
"Bill!"
"Oh, yeah! Got it! Be right back. Anybody want another piece of Chocolate Cake?"
"No time, Bill," reminded Nathan.
"Never mind, I'll wrap up the extra Cake for you to take with you," he grumbled, which was exactly what he had intended to do with it all along.
Turning his back to his family, he smiled toward the kitchen.
This grouchy man clearly had a heart of gold, and everyone knew it!
Well, maybe not everyone.
After all, he did have a reputation to keep up!
But, at least his new family sure did…
As Lee and Henry pulled into the Train Station, the mystery of where Bill's Diners had gone was finally solved.
They were all at the Train Station with Flowers for Millicent and Allie, and a huge banner, saying 'Happy Wedding!' across it!
Rosemary and Laura were even there with the Children.
And Millicent waved to Faith and Fiona, too!
But there wasn't time for individual goodbyes, so although Nathan hated speaking to large crowds, these people were his extended family, and he couldn't be prouder of his fiancée and daughter by his side.
The crowd hushed as he began to speak.
"Millicent, Allie, and I can't thank you enough for your many kindnesses toward us. But most of all we thank you for being you and for always being there for us, supporting us, while at the same time showing us your great love. We only hope we can give back as much to you!"
"You give much more!" shouted Hickam.
"This is our pleasure, Nathan," answered Lee. "And we all can't wait to join you in Montreal for that big Wedding we're all anxious to be a part of!"
"We wish you both life's greatest blessings, and we'll all be there in Montreal to show you our support in person," agreed Henry.
"Now, you three better get on that Train before it pulls out without you," ordered Bill, who hugged Allie, and kissed Millicent.
"I'll do my best, Millicent. Because of you, I'll do my best," he promised. "I'll even ask her to the Weddin'!"
Millicent kissed both of Bill's cheeks, positively beaming.
"That's the best Wedding present you could ever give me, Bill Avery!"
Several of the women rushed up to hug Millicent, while Allie's friends all came up by her, including Robert, chattering away.
Although Nathan noticed, Robert was mostly teasing his daughter.
Nathan also noticed Tom saying goodbye to Cat and her children, while Matt said goodbye to Faith, Kyle said goodbye to Fiona, and Lance said goodbye to Laura, all at the same time.
That didn't surprise Nathan.
But what did surprise him slightly, were the cheek kisses each man gave their chosen Lady.
Their boys were clearly smitten.
And neither Nathan nor Millicent missed that each Lady lovingly blushed back.
"Mil, Allie, we'd better board! Goodbye, all!" waved Nathan, along with Millicent and Allie who had joined him.
Nathan led his girls to the platform, where they stood with beaming smiles, waving, with Allie in the front, as the Train prepared to start its journey.
Tom was with them, while Matt, Kyle, and Lance boarded at the second platform.
After the last warning bell, Nathan called out to the crowd who had still been calling out goodbyes and well wishes.
When he began to speak, they again instantly quieted, intently trying to hear him above the noise of the Train.
Nathan might not say a lot, but when he spoke, the citizens of Hope Valley listened.
With his arm lovingly around his Fiancee's waist and his other hand on Allie's shoulder, Nathan made his voice as loud as he could.
"Thank you so much for seeing us off! God bless, and safe travels, everyone! We can't wait to see you all when you arrive in Montreal. Millicent and I promise it's going to be a grand time for all of you!"
Everyone cheered and applauded as Nathan, Millicent, Allie, Tom, and the Boys waved, from the two platforms of the Train slowly pulling out from the Hope Valley Station, heading to Montreal.
A family of three already born needing only to make it official, expanded to Tom, Matt, Kyle, and Lance, as well as Bill who would be following, and Estella and Hendrix who were already there, was on its way to a beautiful new beginning of a wondrous life that could never ever have been imagined…