AN: Hello Friends. My apologies for the delayed update. Up until this point, I had my chapters pre-written in advance and now I am writing in real time. Life plus a bit of a writer's block with this particular chapter has caused the delay. Rest assured, the story isn't going anywhere and I've got a nice long roadmap planned out for the story. I hope you enjoy and thanks as always for the Reviews!
One week later, it was the first weekend of November and Fall's first cold front was passing through the area. Elizabeth shivered slightly as she got out of the shower and dried herself off. Little Jack was napping late so Elizabeth had taken advantage of the time to get ready for dinner with her parents that night. She was nervous to be introducing them to both Nathan and Allie for the first time. There had been no love lost between Jack and the Thatchers. So Elizabeth hoped that Nathan would not meet a similar fate when meeting her parents since he was also in the same line of work. She had given Nathan fair warning but it didn't seem to phase him in the slightest.
Elizabeth knew that having Nathan and Allie meet her parents was necessary if they were going to move forward together. While they hadn't yet explicitly discussed marriage, Elizabeth feared that something was holding Nathan back. She and Nathan had talked around the subject the morning after little Chloe Wesley had been found. Elizabeth had felt really good knowing that Nathan wanted to have more children. But they hadn't specifically talked about marriage or any kind of timeline yet.
"Get a grip on yourself. You've only known the man for 3 months!" Elizabeth said to herself rather unconvincingly.
Still, Elizabeth had recently purchased Sergeant once Kurt had confirmed with his contacts that Jack had indeed ridden the horse during his mounted division days. It seemed a bit serendipitous that she had connected with Sergeant because of Nathan. Elizabeth saw that as a sign and just couldn't say no to Kurt. Now Elizabeth had her own horse. She knew she would still ride Sergeant and teach Jack how to ride one day if things between her and Nathan didn't work out. But right now she really just wanted to be able to join him on his regular morning rides.
As scary as it seemed to be moving so fast, Elizabeth also knew how right things felt with Nathan. She was without a doubt scandalously in love with Nathan Grant and his little girl too. Elizabeth had finally come to peace with that. With a sigh, she slipped into her robe and began to blow dry her hair. She then changed into a dark green wrap dress with tall chocolate brown suede boots.
It was a stark contrast from her family dinner with Archie and Carole Grant the week prior. Dinners at the Thatcher home weren't usually formal but they weren't exactly casual either. Tonight would be no exception.
"Mama! Mama!"
Elizabeth smiled to herself and quickly said a thankful prayer that Little Jack had impeccable timing with his naps. She went into Jack's room and quickly changed him into light brown pants with a dark green sweater. Elizabeth enjoyed color coordinating with her son and could only imagine what it would feel like to "twin" with a little girl one day. She remembered the fun she had had growing up with two sisters whenever they'd wear identical outfits. Elizabeth's thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell. She playfully tickled Jack as she picked him up and carried him downstairs.
"You Little Man are not the only one with impeccable timing!"
Little Jack giggled at his mother.
Elizabeth opened the front door and her breath caught. Nathan looked exquisite in a light brown tweed three piece suit. He wore a simple light blue shirt underneath the vest. He wore dark brown loafers and a knee length brown wool coat with buttons open over the suit. The suit wasn't formal or expensive looking but it wasn't cheap either. It was quintessential Nathan Grant. Elizabeth quietly wondered if there was anything he didn't look good in.
"Hello Elizabeth. Hi Buddy!" Nathan said with a smile as he quickly stepped forward and put his arms around both Elizabeth and Jack. He quickly leaned in and gave Elizabeth a kiss on the lips. Then he moved his head slightly and kissed Jack's forehead.
"You look beautiful as always, my love."
"And you look handsome as ever. I love this suit on you, especially the vest. I don't think there is anything you can't pull off."
"Oh, you'd be surprised." Nathan said with a chuckle.
"Hmmm. Whatever you say Detective." Elizabeth looked at him from under her lashes.
"Are you ready to go, sweetheart? Allie is waiting in the car."
"Let me just grab our coats and bags and we will be all set. Oh! We still need to move Jack's carseat into your car for the night."
"Actually, Gabe and Lillian had an extra one that they got as a gift but couldn't figure out what store it came from. So, they've held on to it in case they have a need for more than one in the future. In the interim, they've allowed me to borrow it for Jack. It's already set up in the car."
Elizabeth felt tears come to her eyes. Nathan was always so thoughtful and thinking of ways to make her life easier. She knew that he also loved Jack as if he were his own son. Overcome with emotion, Elizabeth leaned forward again and used her free hand to pull Nathan into another kiss.
"Kisses! Mama kiss Nat'an!" Little Jack squealed as he clapped his hands.
Elizabeth and Nathan broke apart and laughed.
"Yes baby, Mama kissed Nathan because she loves him very much. Just like she loves you very much."
With that, Elizabeth smothered Jack's face with kisses until the little boy had had enough and pushed his mother away. Nathan looked on amusedly as he continued to keep his arms around Elizabeth and Jack. Elizabeth handed Jack to Nathan as she walked over to the closet to retrieve the coats. She put on her own coat while Nathan helped Jack with his. Elizabeth then grabbed her purse and Jack's diaper bag and they headed out to the car. Nathan opened the passenger door for Elizabeth and then opened the backseat door to place Jack in his new carseat. He finally walked around the car and slid into the driver's seat.
"Hi Allie!" Elizabeth said as she buckled her seatbelt.
"Hi Miss Elizabeth! Hiya Jack! We get to take another trip together today."
"We certainly do, sweetheart. I'm excited for you and your uncle to meet my family."
Allie leaned back against her seat with a pensive look on her face. Nathan backed out of Elizabeth's driveway as Elizabeth turned around to make sure Allie was ok.
"Is everything ok, Allie?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes"
"That doesn't sound very convincing, Allie-girl. What's wrong?" added Nathan.
"What if Miss Elizabeth's family doesn't like me?"
Elizabeth gasped and reached her hand back towards Allie. The young girl reached out and held on to Elizabeth's hand.
"Now Allie, you listen to me. My family may come off as a bit intimidating at first but I promise you that they are loving and kind and will be very welcoming. If you feel uncomfortable at any point tonight, I want you to tell me or your uncle right away. Can you do that for me, Allie?"
"Yes, Miss Elizabeth!"
"Ok good!" Elizabeth squeezed Allie's hand and turned around to face forward again. The quick drive into Manhattan was uneventful. As they approached the Thatcher townhouse on the Upper East Side, both Elizabeth and Nathan began to get nervous. Elizabeth because she knew that her father and Jack had not gotten along. Nathan because he was about to meet the wealthiest people he'd ever met and because this meeting might determine his future.
Similar to their theater date, Elizabeth directed Nathan to a parking garage in the upper 60s between Lexington and Madison Avenues. Nathan noted that it was a fairly easy commute to the Thatcher Group building down near Times Square. William Thatcher would no doubt have his own car and driver to take him each day.
Once the car was parked, Elizabeth led the group to an elevator which they took up to the street level. They then walked the two houses over to the Thatcher home. The home was three stories with ten steps leading up to the front door. Nathan knew that the home must have cost several million dollars at least and only the wealthiest had homes like this in NYC.
"Well everyone, welcome to the Thatcher home. This is where I grew up!"
Everyone seemed to be in awe except for Elizabeth. She led them up the stairs and rang the doorbell. Elizabeth smiled at Nathan and Allie. "My family are the only ones who live in this house. And yes, The Thatcher Group owns this building. It was one of our first acquisitions."
The door was finally opened by an older gentleman in a morning suit.
"Miss Elizabeth! It's about time you came back for a visit. And my goodness, look at how big Master Jack has gotten."
"Hello Gilbert!" said Elizabeth as she hugged the older gentleman. Little Jack squealed from being squished between them. Nathan and Allie followed Elizabeth inside the house. They stepped into a beautiful entryway.
They chuckled and Elizabeth held her arm out motioning for Nathan and Allie to join her.
"Gilbert, I'd like you to meet two of the most important people in my life. This is Detective Nathan Grant and his daughter Allie."
Nathan's heart burst at Elizabeth introducing Allie as his daughter. With only a few weeks until Christmas, he was still hopeful that the adoption would be completed by the holiday. It would be the perfect Christmas present for Allie.
"It's nice to meet you Sir. Miss Allie. If Miss Elizabeth is bringing you here, then I know you are important. I am Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher's butler. Please do not hesitate to ask for anything while you're here. Can I take your coats before we head into the living room for drinks?"
Nathan greeted Gilbert and shook his hand. Then everyone handed over their coats and bags and followed Elizabeth into the living room. The Thatcher living room looked like it was larger than the first floor of Nathan's house.
"How?" Nathan said to nobody in particular.
Elizabeth laughed and reached up to kiss Nathan on his cheek. "It's ok, sweetheart. Come with me."
Nathan looked around the large living room and was struck by how different it was from his house or even Elizabeth's. The room was definitely set up for entertaining primarily. The centerpiece was two very large grey leather couches facing one another surrounded by all different types of chairs throughout the room. A large glass coffee table between the couches already worried Nathan since the kids were there. Matching glass end tables were situated at the ends of each couch. A fully stocked bar with four stools sat in one corner and glass shelves with hand-blown glass knick knacks sat in the other corner. The room was definitely not kid friendly.
The foursome sat down in a row on one of the couches with Jack on Elizabeth's lap. The little boy seemed to be just as much in awe as Nathan and Allie were.
"I'll give you a tour once we say hello to Mother and Father," whispered Elizabeth.
As if she had overheard, Grace Thatcher materialized at the entryway to the room.
"Darling!"
"Hello Mother"
Grace stood still so Elizabeth stood up while still holding Jack and walked over to her mother. Nathan and Allie quietly followed with Nathan's arm around Allie. Elizabeth gave Grace a kiss on the cheek.
"Who is this young man? Surely this cannot be Little Jack."
"Little Jack is not so little any longer. He will be turning two next month."
Nathan noticed that Grace Thatcher did not even reach for her only grandson nor did Little Jack reach for her. She finally tapped Jack's arm gently while Jack tightened his little arms around Elizabeth's neck.
"Well hello Jack. You need to tell your mother to bring you by more often."
Sensing the unease in the room, Elizabeth quickly changed the subject.
"Mother, I'd like you to meet Nathan and Allie Grant. They have quickly become a very special part of our lives."
"Hello Nathan and Allie. Welcome to our home." Grace said as she extended a hand to Nathan and then to Allie.
"Mrs. Thatcher, it's a pleasure to meet you. Elizabeth has told us a lot about you and your husband." Nathan said as he shook Grace's hand.
"All good things I hope!" William Thatcher's booming voice from the doorway added.
"Hello Father!"
Jack started fussing at the loud sound of his grandfather's voice. Nathan quietly reached over and lifted the little boy out of Elizabeth's arms. Jack was immediately content again as Elizabeth walked over to William and greeted him with a kiss on the cheek. She then looped her arm into William's and walked him over to Nathan and Allie and Jack. Nathan continued to hold Jack while he put his other arm around Allie's shoulders, comforting both children at once.
"Father, this is Detective Nathan Grant and Allie."
"Hello Nathan, Allie. It's a pleasure. Please call us William and Grace. Shall we all have a seat?" William motioned the group towards the two leather couches. He and Grace sat across from their daughter and her family. Gilbert came in with a beautiful charcuterie board and a basket of mini breadsticks. He quickly left to retrieve drinks. Before she could start small talk with her parents, a loud voice was heard coming from the entryway.
"Hellooooo!"
"In here sweetheart!" answered Grace.
A positively giddy Julie Thatcher appeared in the doorway along with Charles Kensington. Julie was wearing a camel colored leather pencil skirt with a matching silk blouse and black heels.
"Beth! It's been too long since you've visited the house! I miss you!"
"Julie! I know. Me too!"
The room watched in amusement as the two sisters ran to each other and shared a long hug. Elizabeth finally pulled back and gave her childhood friend Charles a quick hug as well.
"Charles, Julie, I'd like you to meet Detective Nathan Grant. Next to him is his little girl Allie. Of course you know Little Jack over there on Nathan's lap." Elizabeth said while giving Nathan a tender smile.
Nathan stood up to greet Julie and Charles with handshakes and looked bewildered as Julie immediately pulled him and Little Jack into a hug. Elizabeth tried to stifle a laugh. When they broke apart, Nathan and Charles shook hands and exchanged greetings.
As everyone got seated again, Julie and Charles remained standing. Elizabeth noticed that they were holding hands. Julie spoke.
"Mother, Father, Beth, Nathan, Kids. We're engaged!" Julie squealed as she held up her left hand to reveal a beautiful emerald cut diamond set on a platinum band.
"What?! Oh my goodness! Julie, Charles I'm so happy for you both! I wasn't expecting this so soon but I'm so happy!" Elizabeth said as she engulfed her sister and then Charles in another hug. William and Grace followed with their own hugs for their youngest daughter and her new fiance.
"Darling, I can't say I'm surprised. When Charles asked me for your hand, I gave him my blessing without hesitation even though you haven't been officially dating for that long. You two have known each other for your entire lives and have worked together too so your mother and I knew this would be a great marriage for you both. We are very pleased." William said.
"Your father is right, dear. It's about time you two found your way." added Grace.
Julie hugged her parents again and then gave Charles a quick kiss.
Like magic, Gilbert appeared with a tray of champagne flutes and a bottle of champagne. The group toasted the happy couple and then Elizabeth gave the Grants a quick tour of the three story home. She especially enjoyed showing Nathan her childhood bedroom and he was equally amused to see it. After heading down to the dining room for dinner, Nathan looked around for a booster seat for Jack and finally pulled Elizabeth aside and asked about one.
"Oh my goodness. I was so nervous getting ready for tonight that I forgot. Little Jack will have to sit on my lap. Mother and Father don't entertain young children very often."
"That's ok sweetheart, we can way we can both enjoy our own dinner too." Nathan smiled as he leaned down to give her a quick kiss.
Nathan and Elizabeth spent dinner alternating between holding/helping Little Jack and eating their own meals. By the time dinner was over, Little Jack had worked his way around the table and had spent time in the laps of each adult, including those of William and Grace. Nathan enjoyed getting to know the Thatchers and Charles and vice versa. He couldn't believe that Charles had once been interested in Elizabeth. They seemed so incompatible.
Before dessert was served, Grace decided to show Julie, Elizabeth, and the children her new gowns for an upcoming European river cruise. William led Charles and Nathan back to the living room for a drink which Nathan politely declined in favor of seltzer.
"Nathan, you are a very noble man. You want to be able to drive my daughter and your children home safely. I've only known you for a few hours but based on what Elizabeth has told us and what I've seen with my own eyes, I can tell how much you love her and Jack and she loves you and Allie."
As he was caught off guard by this topic of conversation, Nathan could simply nod.
"Son, I hope you don't think I'm being too forward but my daughter has been through a lot over the past couple years. I haven't seen her this happy in a very long time and I don't want her to be hurt again. I know your line of work is a safety concern but I also get the feeling that you don't take unnecessary risks like her first husband did. That puts my mind at ease. I just want to see my daughter happy. So, what are your intentions with my daughter and grandson?"
Nathan's mouth was now gaping at William Thatcher. This was NOT what he had expected to discuss tonight. He slowly turned his head from William to Charles who raised a sympathetic eyebrow and nodded at Nathan in encouragement.
"Sir um, I wasn't expecting this tonight to be quite honest. We've just met."
"Touche Son. From what I've heard, you and Elizabeth have progressed rather quickly in your relationship. That's understandable given your histories. And when you know you know." William said with a wink.
Suddenly feeling confident, Nathan decided to just be honest. "Well William, I'd be lying if I told you I didn't plan to ask your daughter to marry me. That is my intention. I just don't know yet when that will happen. I'm not sure that Elizabeth is ready yet."
"Nathan, my daughter looks before she leaps. She just might be more ready than you think. But that's your decision to make. But know that when you are ready to ask her for her hand, you have our blessing."
"Thank you, William. I do have something in mind actually so hopefully the timing of it will work out."
"Well, we look forward to sharing another champagne toast soon enough." William added with a smile. He then looked over at Charles and started talking about the Giants win over the Eagles the night before.
Nathan couldn't believe how the evening had gone from apprehension to jubilation in the span of a few hours. The Thatchers accepted him and wanted him and Allie to be part of their family. He hoped that his proposal idea would work and that Elizabeth would be emotionally ready to move forward with him.
In the hallway outside the living room, Elizabeth smiled in relief as she thought about just how bright her future was starting to look.