CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Winter was coming even faster than expected.
And the Holidays would be here before you knew it!
But Nathan's mind was elsewhere. He had been extremely busy planning his first official date with Elizabeth.
'It has to be perfect. We both have waited so long,' Nathan thought to himself. Although, in his opinion, the place or what they did wouldn't matter at all to him, as long as he was with Elizabeth.
"But Elizabeth has been through so much hurt. Please, God, help me make this special for her. A night for her to remember the rest of her life. You know her heart, help me know what she would want and need."
It was a tall order to fill, Nathan knew, but he was determined for Elizabeth to have her perfect night. She deserved nothing less.
After his prayer, the place finally came to Nathan. He knew Elizabeth would feel more comfortable if the location were private, away from prying eyes. The perfect spot had been there all along, how could he not have seen it? He had even contacted the owner, who was more than thrilled to give his permission. That had been a pleasant surprise and relief for Nathan.
Access was now a problem, given the current weather situation. It was one problem that Nathan hadn't anticipated. But Lee seemed to have an answer for part of that, and he was even willing to speed the process up. Surprisingly, everything was right on schedule.
Rosemary was working on the 'ambiance.' She had assured Nathan, "It is not about decor, it's all about the ambiance, my dear Nathan. You just leave it to me!"
Then there was the 'What,' what would they do? It had to be so romantic that it swept her off her feet. He wanted Elizabeth to know just how very much he adored her, both the Hamilton Elizabeth and the Hope Valley Elizabeth because both were one and the same, and he wanted her to know he loved all of her.
Suddenly Nathan knew the three activities for their night, actually four activities, given their transport.
Their meal required Nathan to make a call to Hamilton. It was the only way he could be confident he was creating the right menu. He had been pleasantly surprised by the gracious response he had received and the kindness in which it had been offered. As there was not enough time for letters, there may have been a couple of wires from Hamilton with Elizabeth's favorite recipes!
The menu Nathan had selected for Elizabeth, included all of Elizabeth's favorites, and most, Bill had never done before. But after a little fuss, and since it was for Elizabeth, Bill had agreed to provide the desired catered dinner with all the fixings. He had even agreed to confer with Gustav, and perhaps ask him for some help if needed.
'Miracles never cease!' thought Nathan.
Nathan had selected a bottle of vintage champagne he thought Elizabeth would like, and knew would go well with the meal. It also happened to be one of several champagnes Elizabeth's Mother had recommended.
Nathan had worked tirelessly throughout the week to make everything fall into place for their special night. He was thankful that all the tasks involved in creating this perfect first date had helped him take his mind off work and place it entirely on Elizabeth.
The loss of Mountie Crawford would never leave him. In fact, he was still struggling, wondering if he could have done anything differently, and if it would have made a difference in saving the Constable's life. But the capture of Packer Johnston and his gang had shown Nathan that he had to keep moving forward. He had to do his job, and he had to once again fully live the life he had been given.
And what a life it was going to be! Unbelievably, one that included Elizabeth by his side. He couldn't fathom anything more perfect, and for the first time in his adult life, he was thrilled and excited, just thinking about his future with her.
"Oh, no! I haven't asked Elizabeth yet!" Nathan was even determined that the request for their date be unique.
Instead of asking Elizabeth directly, he asked Ned Yost to engrave a single formal invitation that he had designed. When Ned finished his task, the invitation was even more beautiful than Nathan had imagined!
Nathan had selected a Gold Script that literally danced across the Ivory Parchment. He had personally hand-delivered the envelope to Laura while Elizabeth was at the schoolhouse, teaching.
Nathan smiled and even laughed when he received Elizabeth's RSVP under his door. She had included a folded page with the following quote from the Poet Rumi: "You've so distracted me, your absence fans my love." (4*)
He had placed it behind the cover of his Bible, along with another poem he kept there, that was very important to him. Elizabeth's addition to her RSVP brought a smile to his face every time he thought of it, and probably always would!
Ned also had ordered extra lanterns for Nathan, and a huge bouquet of winter flowers that Nathan had selected himself. He had planned to order extra ornaments, as it was so close to Christmas, but Rosemary assured him that was not necessary, she was already taking care of all that.
The most important thing he had for Elizabeth, Nathan had purchased long ago, on one of his many trips. It had been before Nathan was sure Elizabeth would ever really be with him. But he had known even then that he loved her. And always would. He had purchased it for her then and hid it in his closet, where he was sure Allie wouldn't find it, saving it for just the right time to give to the woman he loved.
The other gift was actually for both Elizabeth and Little Jack. He had designed and made it himself. The project was very intricate, and he had stayed up late each night over the past month, patiently working on it. He had even started the project long before he and Elizabeth had officially become a couple, as well. But he knew no matter what happened between them, he wanted Elizabeth and Jack to have this, something to bring them joy during their Holiday Season, both this year and in future years to come. Thankfully, by this time, he had all the woodwork and painting done, but he still needed to pick up a few trinkets, in addition to the ones he had already made.
Now, after all this planning, the weather was simply not cooperating, and transportation had to be completely revamped. Nathan had finally found a solution, but it meant an unscheduled trip to Buxton and a much longer return trip at night to Hope Valley, so no one would see what he was bringing with him. Nathan had arranged with Kevin to provide a hiding place until it was needed.
Elizabeth was getting more and more curious. "Rosemary, I know you know something about all this, and it's simply not fair to leave me in the dark."
Rosemary just smugly looked at her, "Not a chance, Elizabeth, not a chance!"
"But, Nathan and I haven't even spoken about it. He sent me a formal invitation with an RSVP, Rosemary, and it says formal dress. I never imagined that from Nathan. But then he has been full of surprises! Can you at least help me with what to wear? I have no idea where we're going. I have no idea what we're doing. I only know the date, the time, and that it's formal dress. Help!"
"Well," said Rosemary pensively, "Perhaps I can at least help you with the formal dress part. Come, show me what you have...No! Wait a minute, Elizabeth! You are NOT wearing something old for your first date with Nathan! I have a better idea. New beginnings require new attire. Let's go to the Dress Shoppe! There are two perfect gowns. You can select the one you like best! Hurry, let's go while Laura's still here!"
"Oh, Rosemary, it doesn't even matter what we are going to do. If Constable Grant requires formal dress, then without a doubt, this is the perfect gown!" Elizabeth proclaimed.
"Do you think he will like it?" she asked excitedly.
The gown she was wearing was a beautiful shade of teal, a color that looked gorgeous on Elizabeth, but one she had seldom worn. The top of the bodice and shoulders of the long sleeves were made of handmade lace in ecru. The bottom portion of the bodice and bouffant sleeves were made of the teal silk, and gathered in lace-trimmed bands just above her wrists. The teal part of the gathered skirt almost reached the floor, with the back gently trailing the floor. The skirt gathered in a pouf at the front, and split, as though it were almost an overlay, with a panel of ecru lace peeking through. She felt like a Princess in it. And looked like one, too!
"Elizabeth, you look like a perfect vision. Nathan will love it! That gown comes to life on you. I think it was truly made for you. You really do look like a Princess! Do you have a handbag?"
"I do have a tiny silver bag of Mother's that might go well enough," remembered Elizabeth. "Do you have anything that would go better?"
"I think we just might…I know I selected one to match the gown. Finding it is the only problem!"
Rosemary went rummaging in the back and finally brought out a small ecru lace handbag embroidered in the same teal color as the gown she had on. The lace matched perfectly.
"Here it is, Elizabeth, a perfect match!"
"It is a perfect match, and it's beautiful, Rosemary. I'm so terribly excited! But...it's just...just that this is my first date...in a very, very long time."
"Elizabeth Thornton, are you nervous? I mean you did go to Union City with Lucas."
"Rosemary, how many times do I have to tell you that wasn't a date! Is it awful that I am nervous, Rosemary? I've wanted this for so long, but what if I don't meet Nathan's expectations?"
"Hmph," retorted Rosemary. "You already do meet every single one of his expectations, and more! Elizabeth, the man adores you, and nobody knows that better than Lee and me. He has taken most of this week and worked tirelessly to give you the perfect first date. And I will tell you this much. You, my dear Elizabeth, are going to have the time of your life!"
"It's just been so long for me, Rosemary. I'm not sure I'll even be any good at this."
"Silly, when I say Nathan has thought, he has thought of everything, even that. So, stop worrying and get ready to be treated like a Princess. Nathan pretty much looks like Prince Charming personified anyway, so there is that! Just relax and enjoy being with each other, alone, finally. That's what a first date is all about. Although I do think this one's going to hit the ball out of the park, so to speak! There won't be any nerves with you and Nathan, I promise."
Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh.
"Leave it to you, Rosemary! You're right. All I need is Nathan. But, I will admit, I can't even begin to imagine what he has planned. Especially if it's that fabulous! I mean, we're in Hope Valley! I have been so excited trying to figure it out. And truthfully, now that you've gotten me past my jittery nerves, I really can't wait till Friday evening. Now, you've got me so curious. I still can't see that there are that many options around here, though."
"Oh, don't you worry your pretty little head about that!"
Elizabeth hadn't said anything to her best friend, but she knew there was something else on her mind that was much more pressing than the location of this much-awaited first date.
She knew it was time, and she knew she had already committed to Nathan fully in her heart.
She also knew Jack would understand. So that evening, back in her little house, sitting with their child in her arms, she told Little Jack a story, and somehow she knew her beloved Jack was listening in, watching over them, smiling down at them.
"Once upon a time, there was a handsome Prince, who happened to love Horses, just like his Son, the Little Prince. Long ago, before his Son was born, the Prince met a beautiful Princess and they immediately fell in love. He loved the beautiful Princess so very much, he asked her to marry him and she said yes! To show the world their love, the Prince gave his Princess this beautiful diamond ring. Then when he married the Princess, he gave her another band of gold to go with her Diamond Ring, and that band of gold told the world they not only loved each other, but they were going to be with each other forever. The Prince and Princess were so very happy and then they were given the greatest gift of all: a Little Prince, who meant the world to them. But the Prince was a very special Prince, and God needed him to help Him in Heaven before the Little Prince was born. So, the Prince had to leave his beautiful Princess and Little Prince-to-be and go to Heaven. But both the Prince and the Princess knew they wanted those beautiful rings that meant so very much to the both of them, go to their Little Prince. You see, the Prince and the Princess also knew that someday their handsome Little Prince would grow up and become a Big Prince, and he would meet another beautiful Princess and take those same rings and ask her to marry him and the two of them would live happily ever after."
"You see, my Darling Little Prince, these rings have always been yours, and Mama's going to put them in a very safe place for you until you meet your own beautiful Princess. Your Father and I love you, Son. More than you'll ever know."
Little Jack watched closely as his Mama slipped the rings off her finger and into the red velvet box, sitting beside them.
Elizabeth bent to kiss her Little Prince and handed him the closed red box to play with on her lap. She had thought she would cry, but she could feel Jack's love and smile surrounding them. And instead, she smiled radiantly back at him.
Friday evening finally came, and there was even more snow, a lot of it. It had snowed heavily most of the day, but the snow had finally let up a little.
Rosemary was helping Elizabeth get dressed, while Lee watched Allie and Little Jack at their place. The children were going to spend the night at the Coulters. Nathan had truly thought of everything.
"Elizabeth, you look glorious! Are you ready for Nathan?"
"I am so ready, Rosemary! But how Nathan's going to manage anything in all this snow, I'll never know. I know...have faith! My dear Rosemary, thank you again for taking care of Allie and Jack. You and Lee are family, but also the very best friends ever! I love you for everything you've done to make tonight special, even the things I don't know about. Because knowing you, I'm sure they're all perfect!"
Rosemary took her hands and kissed her lightly on the cheek.
"Hair is perfect, the gown is perfect, and you are positively glowing! Remember, this is your special evening with Nathan. Relax and enjoy it! Just enjoy each other. I'm scooting out the back door, so I won't be in the way when Nathan arrives. Don't forget your bag and your wrap. Brrr! It's so cold outside!"
Finally, Elizabeth was alone, with not a single nerve in sight! She was just filled with a heady excitement, she hadn't experienced since her first date with Jack. And a longing for the man she loved, who would soon be by her side. Then everything would be right in her world!
Oh, the anticipation!
(4*) The Poet Rumi: September 30, 1207-December 17, 1273, Public Domain