A/N: This chapter starts to set up several future stories.
The rest of the holiday week was a whirlwind for the future Grant family. The day after Christmas, Elizabeth and Nathan had shared their engagement news with the Coulters, the Kinslows, the Shepherds, their parents, and Elizabeth's sisters. True to form, serial planner Rosemary was shocked to find out the wedding was on Valentine's Day. Once Elizabeth had calmed her friend down, she assured her that it wasn't going to be a large wedding so not many details needed to be worked out. Rosemary agreed to help with whatever was needed to make Elizabeth's day special.
Nathan had to work for most of the holiday week as the detectives alternated who got holiday weeks off. A string of recent luxury home robberies had also started to keep him and Gabe occupied as they did not have many leads yet. The robbers were very clever at not leaving a trace or a pattern so far, though two robberies during the holiday week had appeared to be related since both families were away at the time. Nathan and Gabe were just thankful that nobody had been hurt yet but Nathan had an inkling that this case wouldn't be going away anytime soon. Meanwhile, Elizabeth was enjoying her holiday break and spent the week with Little Jack and also with Allie whenever Nathan was at work.
The week went by quickly and since Nathan had worked most of the week, he and Elizabeth had decided that they would spend New Year's Eve and New Year's Day together as a family. They wanted to start the new year off together since they knew they'd officially be a family soon. The plan was for Nathan and Allie to sleep over at Elizabeth's house so they could all be together at midnight. Allie would sleep in her usual guest room and Nathan would sleep downstairs in the den.
After enjoying a pizza dinner and cupcakes that Elizabeth and Allie had baked, the foursome put on their matching buffalo plaid pajamas and watched The Parent Trap. Little Jack only lasted about halfway through the movie so everyone said good night and showered him with kisses before Elizabeth took him upstairs to bed. She then continued the movie with Allie and Nathan. By the time it was over, Allie was also yawning causing Elizabeth and Nathan to exchange a glance. Nathan put his arm around Allie's shoulders and pulled her close.
"Hey Al, are you sure you don't want to go to sleep now?" Nathan asked quietly.
Allie rolled her eyes. "No Dad. You promised me last year that I could stay up until midnight this year."
Nathan laughed. "I know and I intend to honor that promise. However, I can tell that you're tired and it's only about ninety minutes until midnight. It's already way past your bedtime. So, if you'd like to call it a night, it's ok with me."
"I'll be fine, Dad. I want to be up with you and Elizabeth at midnight."
At Elizabeth's suggestion, Allie had dropped the "Miss" from "Miss Elizabeth" shortly after Nathan had slipped the engagement ring on her finger. The girl hadn't yet decided what to call Elizabeth after the wedding but both Elizabeth and Nathan had told her to take all the time she needed to think about it. They were both open to any discussion on the matter.
Elizabeth watched the exchange between Nathan and Allie with amusement. Nathan finally put his hands up in the air in mock surrender. Fifteen minutes later, Allie was fast asleep on the couch in the den. The adults just smiled and shook their heads.
"Nathan, should we put her to bed?"
"I'd like to 'Lizbeth but, I did promise her she could stay up for the ball drop. It's a big deal at her age so she can discuss it with her friends in school. Why don't we let her lie here and I'll try to wake her just before midnight? She's a fairly heavy sleeper so I don't think we will bother her if we talk."
"Ok sweetheart"
Nathan got Allie situated with a pillow under her head and covered her with a light blanket. He then moved to the other side of the L-shaped couch and put his arm around Elizabeth.
"We've still got plenty of time before midnight. What would you like to do?"
"Can we talk about the wedding?"
"Somehow I knew you were going to bring that up."
"Nathan Grant!"
"Shhh. We have a sleeping child here." Nathan replied with a grin.
Elizabeth pulled him to her and gave him a passionate kiss that threatened to grow deeper. They reluctantly pulled apart.
"Soon," Nathan said while catching his breath.
"Yes soon,"
Elizabeth grabbed her small notebook that she'd been using to track wedding related lists.
"So, we've settled on The Brookfield Inn as the wedding reception venue. Since The Thatcher Group owns the property, it's all ours on Valentine's Day and Father is covering all costs so that will include the catering and the wedding cake. We just need to go for a cake tasting in the next couple weeks to choose the flavors and cake style."
"And I've called Pastor Joseph Canfield and he's available to perform our wedding as well. We can get married at the church and then head on over to the Inn for the reception." Nathan added.
Elizabeth turned the page in her notebook. "I'll add the Canfield family to the guest list. I'm so glad we decided to make the wedding child friendly. So many of our friends have children and it just wouldn't be the same to exclude them. Plus Joseph and Minnie were such a great resource to me after Jack died. I'm so glad they'll be part of our special day too."
"I agree, sweetheart."
Elizabeth flipped the page back. "We should talk about the wedding party. I know we said small wedding but, I still feel like we have so many people that should be included. What do you think, Nathan?"
"I think that Allie and Jack should stand up with us. There are four of us getting married, not two."
"I agree and they can walk down the aisle together and maybe exit with us?"
"I love that sweetheart, just like I love you." Nathan said as he leaned in to kiss Elizabeth.
"Nathan, we are never going to get done." Elizabeth mock scolded as they pulled apart. Nathan lifted his eyebrows and smiled.
"Ok you win. I'll be good for now. Wedding party?"
"Well, I have two sisters and two best friends who are like sisters. Four people standing up there with me seems like a lot for a small wedding."
"I won't argue that, 'Lizbeth. What does your gut tell you?"
"I'd like Rosie to be my matron of honor and Faith to be my bridesmaid. I really do think Viola will understand not being part of the wedding party since we've just reconciled."
"How about if we have Viola do a reading?"
"Nathan! That's perfect! You're so clever."
"So, I've been told."
"That leaves Julie. I feel like a reading isn't adequate enough after all we've been through together. She lived here for six months after Jack died and we've always been close."
"What would you like her role to be, sweetheart?"
Elizabeth sighed. "I think Julie needs to also be a bridesmaid. I definitely want Rosie to be the matron of honor as she is my person."
"Ok so that means I need three people on my side too. That's easy. Gabe will be my best man. Lee will be a groomsman. And I'd like Bill Avery to be the second groomsman. He has always been way more than a boss to me. He was my mentor at the academy and has become a friend and confidante over time too. So three people for each of us plus our kids."
"Plus Abby as flower girl and Spencer as ring bearer?"
Nathan smiled and nodded. "I was thinking that Lillian and Carson can also do readings?"
"I think that's a great way to include them. And I have one other idea. At my wedding to Jack, the rice being thrown at us was painful and it felt like it took forever to get it off my body and dress. What if we had limited bubbles instead? Victoria, Joe, and Maggie can be in charge of blowing bubbles after we kiss and start walking up the aisle. And this way all of the kids in our inner circle have a role too."
Nathan leaned in for another kiss and this time Elizabeth didn't hold back except they were interrupted."
"Did I miss the ball drop?"
"Allie-girl you're awake! No, we've got about twenty minutes left so your timing is perfect. Elizabeth and I were making wedding plans. Come here, sweetie."
Allie walked over to the other side of the couch and sat between Elizabeth and Nathan. Elizabeth quickly went over the plans for the wedding party and Allie nodded in approval.
"Where will we all live?"
The adults looked at one another.
"We haven't gotten that far yet, Allie." Elizabeth said with a laugh.
They spent the next half hour welcoming the new year and toasting champagne and apple cider. Nathan and Elizabeth kissed at midnight and then quickly kissed and hugged Allie too. Nathan finally insisted that Allie go to sleep so after more hugs and kisses, Allie went upstairs to the guest room with Elizabeth promising to check on her before she headed to bed herself.
Once she and Nathan were settled back on the couch again with post ball drop Times Square on the tv, Elizabeth brought up the living arrangements question again.
"You know Allie did have a good question. We only have six weeks to decide where to live."
"Where would you like to live, sweetheart? I know this was your dream house with Jack."
"Yes, it was. But Jack is no longer here physically. And this is about us and our family."
"So, we could live here, my house, or we could buy a new house."
"Or we could live in one of our houses now and then buy a new house later."
"That too."
"To be honest, I love this house too. And it has much more space for a family of four that plans to grow. Plus Lee and Rosemary are next door. And Allie is still zoned into the same school so we won't disrupt her routine too much."
"Nathan, are you sure about that? It won't bother you that I lived here with Jack?"
"I could ask you the same question."
"It won't bother me. I do love this house and I always dreamed of raising a large family here. And I want this to be your house and Allie's house as much as it is mine and Jack's so whatever changes are needed to make this a home for all of us, I am willing to make them."
"I'm glad you brought that up. I have a brand new bed and bedroom set in my bedroom. Can we refurnish the master bedroom with that set? Of course I'd want you to see it first and approve of it. But if you don't, we can easily buy a new set together. I just think that's the one room in the house where we should start fresh."
"I agree with that." Elizabeth said as she added "new bedroom set" to her to do list.
"I'll also need to put my house on the market. Though Mom and Dad have been talking about getting a small place out here on Island to be closer to us. They're done with Queens and want to get rid of the apartment. I wonder if they'd be interested in my house instead."
"Oh Nathan, that could solve a lot of problems quickly!"
"Yes, they can take over the remainder of the mortgage and then they'd also be close by when we need babysitters. I know we are getting an instant family with our marriage but I still intend to wine and dine my beautiful wife. I'll give them a call this week."
Elizabeth gasped. "Nathan, what about a honeymoon? We are getting married in the middle of a busy work time for both of us."
Nathan thought for a few minutes before responding. "Well, we already have the honeymoon suite at the Brookfield Inn for our wedding night. What if we took a quick three or four night trip to an all-inclusive in Nassau, Bahamas? The flight isn't much longer than going to Florida and this way we won't be away too long but, we will also have some time alone to start our marriage. What do you think?"
"I have never been away from Jack for that long but I do want to spend some time alone with my handsome husband and that island sounds super romantic. I can talk to Lee about rearranging my class schedule for a few days. And of course The Thatcher Group owns an all-inclusive adults only resort on Nassau." Elizabeth added with a wink.
"Sweetheart, I was going to pay for it. We can go to any resort you'd like."
"It's ok Nathan. Our resorts are actually luxury and top of the line so I'd prefer we went there to avoid any potential issues. Plus it will be good for you to experience some of our properties. Another time we can take the kids to one of the family friendly properties."
"Well, we can use the saved hotel money and buy first class plane tickets instead."
"That sounds perfect! I'll call Father's assistant and have her make the hotel arrangements."
"Thank you, Elizabeth. Don't think I've forgotten that you also wanted to go to Walt Disney World. Maybe we could do that in June after the school year ends and have a family honeymoon too?"
"Nathan, I love that idea! Plus Jack will be a little older by then too so he can hopefully appreciate it more. Happy New Year, Nathan!"
"Happy New Year, soon to be Mrs. Grant."
Elizabeth and Nathan kissed again and finally went to sleep in their respective rooms. In the morning, they kicked off the new year with a bagel brunch with the Coulters and shared their wedding plans so far. Both were looking forward to having a very happy new year.