The next morning, Elizabeth, Faith and their kids were at the Coulter home for breakfast. Once again, Lee and Carson were off playing golf. After breakfast, Joe, Maggie, Abby, and Jack watched the Cars movie in the Coulter playroom while the women remained in the kitchen having a second cup of coffee.
"So?" asked Rosemary.
"So, what?" asked Elizabeth.
Rosemary rolled her eyes. "Elizabeth! You are making a habit of taunting me! You know very well what! How was your date?"
Elizabeth smiled at her friends.
"It was incredible. In the morning, Nathan took me to the stables to meet his horse Newton. We rode the trails together and it was the most natural thing in the world. I had forgotten how liberating it is to ride. I'm actually thinking about buying the horse I rode. He's a retired NYPD horse and he's very gentle. That would be great for teaching Jack how to ride one day."
"Didn't Jack work in the NYPD mounted division?" asked Faith.
"He did. And I actually asked Kurt, the stablemaster, to find out the horse's history for me."
"Oh Elizabeth! Maybe Jack has ridden that horse. Wouldn't that be a sign?"
"A sign? What do you mean Rosie?"
"Oh come on Elizabeth! You just happened to come across an NYPD mounted division horse while riding with Nathan? I think it's a sign that Jack approves of you and Nathan."
Elizabeth had tears in her eyes. "Well, we shall find out what Kurt says."
"Fair enough. How was your night in the city?" said Rosemary.
"Perfect! I finally told Nathan about my family and he wants to meet them. Tootsie was marvelous just like you said it would be, Faith."
"Carson and I loved it!"
"When we got back to my house, Nathan didn't want to come in because it's getting harder to leave. I do agree with that." Elizabeth took a deep breath. "And then he told me he was in love with me."
Rosemary squealed so loud that all four kids suddenly looked up at her.
"Sorry kids! I'm just so happy for Auntie Beth. Please continue."
"And then I told him that I was in love with him too."
Now both Rosemary and Faith were squealing.
"Oh my goodness! I'm so happy for you Elizabeth!" said Faith as she wrapped her friend in a hug.
"Love is in the air! Do we have to start planning a wedding?"
"Rosemary!"
"Elizabeth! You and Nathan are absolutely perfect for one another! And you're much older and wiser than you were when you first met Jack. Why wait?"
Faith giggled and gave Elizabeth a sympathetic look.
"Rosie, we haven't discussed anything like that. All we did was profess our love for each other. We have kids to consider and households and careers."
"Oh Elizabeth!" Rosemary said as she playfully swatted Elizabeth's arms. "All of those details can be figured out easily once you and Nathan talk. The four of you were meant to be a family. I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason and this is now your time to be happy with Nathan."
"I won't argue that, Rosie. This is the happiest I've been in a long time and I cannot picture my life without Nathan and Allie in it. They complete me. As for where we go from here, we will just take that one step at a time. This is all probably very new for Nathan and I don't want to rush him or scare him. So, that is that."
Elizabeth put her arm out over the kitchen table and both Faith and Rosemary put their arms on top of Elizabeth's, giving her the silent support she needed.
"Wake up Al. You're going to sleep the entire day away!"
Nathan said with a chuckle as he gently shook Allie's shoulder. He was sitting on the edge of her bed and had been watching her sleep for a few minutes. Emily's brother Miles had come down with a stomach bug overnight so Cat had texted Nathan immediately asking if he still wanted Allie to stay over. Nathan didn't want Allie or himself to catch the bug so he drove over to Cat's house at 3am and brought Allie home. Allie hadn't really slept much up until that point so she was making up for it now.
"Ugh, Uncle Nathaaan it's early!"
Nathan laughed again. "No Sweetie, it's 10:30 already. It's time to get up. You can take a nap later if you'd like. Come on, I've got brunch downstairs. And I'm tired too so we will both nap this afternoon."
Allie groaned and finally acquiesced. "Ok fine."
Nathan stood up and waited until his niece got out of bed. He walked Allie to the bathroom to wash up and then went downstairs to finish preparing brunch. A few minutes later, a much more alert Allie walked into the kitchen and sat down.
"Yum! This looks and smells great Uncle Nathan!"
"I thought you might like it."
Allie quickly spread some cream cheese and lox on a whole wheat bagel and then added a slice of tomato and some lettuce. Nathan watched her and finally made the exact same sandwich for himself. Nathan then served some cut up fruit to both himself and Allie as well as some of his homemade coleslaw. Both were drinking unsweetened iced tea. They ate in silence for a few minutes.
"Sooooo how was your date last night?"
"Fine, thank you."
Allie gave Nathan an exasperated look. "Really? That's all you're going to say?"
"Tootsie was a very funny show. I think you'd like it so we should try to go see it sometime."
"Ok! How was dinner?"
"Delicious. We went to Carmine's and had baked ziti and a salad." Nathan looked at Allie and took a deep breath before continuing. "Well, there was one more thing."
"What was that?"
"Well, when we got back to Miss Elizabeth's house, I may have said something pretty serious to her."
Nathan smiled as Allie's eyes started to widen.
"What did you say to her?" Allie asked but was practically screeching.
"I told Miss Elizabeth that I'm in love with her."
Allie jumped up and Nathan was glad she didn't have food in her hand or mouth.
"And how did she respond?"
"She told me that she was in love with me too."
Allie screamed so loudly that Nathan thought that Florence was going to run over to see what was wrong. Instead, Allie gave Nathan one of the biggest bear hugs they'd ever had. Nathan had stayed seated while Allie was hugging him. They stayed like that for a few minutes before Allie pulled back and Nathan could see the tears in her eyes.
"What is it, Sweetie?"
"I feel like my dream is coming true. I'm really happy for you Uncle Nathan. You deserve all the happiness in the world."
"Which a certain ten year old already gives me on a daily basis."
Allie hugged Nathan again. Nathan spoke again when they finished.
"Al, nothing has changed Sweetie. All we did was say "I love you" to each other. Then we kissed good night and parted."
"Uncle Nathaaan, that's just the first step. You two will be married in no time!"
"Allison!"
"Ok ok but isn't the "I love you" usually the step before marriage?"
"Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. We are still in the getting to know one another phase. I don't think either of us expected to fall in love so quickly. There's a lot to talk and think about."
Allie rolled her eyes at Nathan and then smiled. "Ok if you say so, Uncle Nathan."
The Grants finished their brunch in a contented silence and cleaned up the kitchen together. Nathan was about to ask Allie if she'd like to go play another round of mini golf when he received a text from the station. His face went white as he read the text from Chief Avery. Allie knew that look well and walked over to her uncle.
"What happened Uncle Nathan?"
"A five year old girl has been kidnapped and Bill is pretty sure she's in the area. I have to go to work, Sweetie. And I'm not sure how long this will take. Since Grandma and Grandpa are in Florida for a couple weeks, I have to find somewhere else for you to stay."
"I hope the little girl is okay. She must be so scared." Allie said sadly.
Nathan put his hands on Allie's shoulders. "Yes, I'm sure she is. And that's why Bill needs all hands on deck right now so that we can find her quickly. Based on Bill's text, it sounds like her mom kidnapped her from her dad. Bad divorce situation. Why don't you go upstairs and pack a bag for a few days? Just in case. Make sure you have your school stuff too."
As Allie went upstairs, Nathan quickly dialed Elizabeth hoping that she was done with her brunch. He was relieved when she answered right away.
"Well this is a pleasant surprise! I wasn't expecting to hear from you until tonight."
"Hi 'Lizbeth. I don't have a lot of time but Chief Avery just texted and we have a five year old girl missing." Nathan could hear Elizabeth gasp.
"I have to go to work immediately. Would you mind if I dropped Allie off? It will probably be overnight but it might be a bit longer depending on how this case goes. We usually work around the clock until we find the child."
"Of course Sweetheart. I'll take care of Allie for as long as you need. The college is on Fall Break until Thursday so I've got some extra time anyhow."
"You're a lifesaver. Thank you! We will be over within a half hour."
Nathan hung up and quickly went upstairs to wash up and change. He made sure his emergency duffel bag had a couple of changes of clothes in case he had to spend the night at the station. These types of cases were so unpredictable that Nathan liked to be prepared.
Fifteen minutes later, he and Allie were ringing Elizabeth's doorbell. She opened the door immediately with Jack toddling behind her. He got excited when he saw the visitors and ran over to Nathan and held his arms up. Nathan quickly scooped him up.
"Allie, I've got two guest rooms available. Why don't you go upstairs and pick one for yourself?"
"Ok Miss Elizabeth! Jack, come with me?"
"A'wee!" Jack said as he struggled to get down from Nathan's arms. Nathan chuckled and set the little boy down. Allie gave Nathan a hug and then slowly walked Jack up the stairs.
As soon as the children were safely upstairs, Nathan pulled Elizabeth into his arms and gave her a lingering kiss. When they finally pulled back for air, Nathan kept her in his arms but looked straight into her eyes.
"Thank you so much. You're my lifesaver again. I'd have asked my folks but they are in Florida for a couple weeks."
"Nathan, I don't mind at all. I love you and Allie and it's no imposition. I'll make sure she is well taken care of. Now, you on the other hand need to promise me you will stay safe."
"I promise you that I will do everything in my power to stay safe and come back to the three of you."
"Ok good. I love you Nathan Grant and I have no intention of losing you."
"And I have no intention of putting you through losing me. You are the love of my life Elizabeth Thatcher Thornton and we are just getting started building this life together. I'm excited for our future."
With that, Nathan leaned down again and kissed Elizabeth passionately. He reluctantly pulled back when he realized he needed to get to the station.
"I'm sorry. But the sooner I start working on this case, the sooner I can come back to you. I don't know how this will play out but I'll stay in touch via text. Allie doesn't have school tomorrow because of the holiday but she does on Tuesday. I'll give you those details if we come to that point. She also has the keys to the house if needed."
"Take as long as you need, my love. Bring that little girl home safely and then you bring yourself home to me and the children safely. Be safe."
Elizabeth gave Nathan one last hug and a quick kiss. Nathan smiled at her and walked out to his car. Elizabeth took a deep breath and said a silent prayer before closing the door.