CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

"Allie, I've got Gravy to make for the Biscuits. Would you mind terribly to set the table for six? You do such a good job with it!"

"Love to Mrs. Thornton, it's so much fun to set it pretty!"

"Well, I'm leaving that part all up to you, Allie," and Elizabeth smiled lovingly at her and shook a bit of Salt and Pepper over the Sausage grease in her pan.

"Did you and Uncle Nathan have fun last night, Mrs. Thornton?"

"Yes, Allie, we did. It was wonderful. We'll tell you more about it later after we eat, and your Uncle is here too. We have a surprise for you and Little Jack later on in the day."

Allie beamed! And Elizabeth wondered just how much the girl knew about two people starting to court. But that was somewhat rhetorical, as she would soon find out just what she knew and what she thought about it. Elizabeth couldn't help but smile.

There was a knock at the door, and Elizabeth knew it was Nathan. Rosemary and Lee would always walk right in after they knocked a couple of times.

"Allie, can you watch Little Jack for a few minutes?" she moved the pan from the fire and decided she could start on the Gravy after seeing Nathan.

"Oh, my, I do have it bad, don't I?" she muttered to herself.

Opening the door, she feigned disappointment.

"Oh no, I thought you'd wear your tux all day!"

Playing along, Nathan grabbed her and pulled her close to him, whispering, "And I thought you'd wear that gorgeous gown all day!"

They both were happy remembering. Then they started laughing together.

"Here, you've got a little flour on your cheek."

He brushed it off and kissed the spot.

"Rosemary and Lee are coming too, is that okay? They're really excited about the sleigh and want us to have Lunch with them later at the Cafe. Are you up for that?"

"Absolutely! Today is a play day for the children and the adults!" Nathan proclaimed.

And then they could wait no longer, and they reached for each other and lingered hungrily in a lengthy kiss.

"I'm still in Heaven, you know," Elizabeth whispered.

"Me too, Darling. Me too!"

"Come, I've got to check the Biscuits and my Quiche."

"Quiche? Yum."

"You'd better wait till you try it. I sort of improvised, trying to remember what Cook did. No promises!" as she threw him a skeptical look.

As soon as Nathan reached the kitchen, both children were clamoring for him. He swooped up Little Jack in one arm and hugged Allie with the other one. They were so excited to see him, and he seemed just as happy to see them.

She took out the Biscuits, which were golden brown, and then reached in for the Quiche. It looked beautiful. It had risen perfectly and was the perfect deep golden color around the edges she wanted. She set them on the table, along with the Sausage, and covered them with cloths. Then she returned to making her Gravy.

"Oh no, I forgot the Coffee!"

"Here, I can make it!" offered Nathan. "Just show me where it is."

She handed the Coffee to him and left him to it.

The Gravy was demanding her full attention, but it felt so natural for both of them to be working in her kitchen together, she couldn't help but smile.

"Mrs. Thornton, would you like me to set out the Jams and Juices?"

"Yes, Allie, that would be perfect."

And in walked Lee and Rosemary, after a brief knock.

"I cut up some Apples and made a Breakfast Salad. I hope that's okay," announced Rosemary.

"How lovely, thank you. That goes perfectly with our meal!"

"Breakfast is served," announced Elizabeth as everyone grabbed a seat around her table. She put the Gravy in a bowl, and placed it on the table, along with the hot-house Tomatoes she had previously cut and the Oatmeal, she was hoping Little Jack would eat."

"Nathan, would you lead us in prayer?"

"Of course." and they all gathered hands.

"Dear God, we thank You for the friends around this table, who are like family. We thank You for Your many blessings, which are too numerous to count, and we thank You for the food we are about to receive and those who prepared it. May we always have grateful and loving hearts. In Your Name, we ask. Amen!"

They all smiled at each other, said "Amen," and started their meal.

"Elizabeth, the Quiche is excellent; it's definitely a keeper!" beamed Nathan.

"You'll have to show me how you did it, Elizabeth. It's delicious!" Rosemary complimented.

"Love it, Elizabeth!" Lee added. "And the Apple Salad goes perfectly with the Quiche and Sausage, Sweetheart!" He reached over to give Rosemary a quick kiss.

"I love the Oatmeal, Mrs. Thornton. What did you add to it that makes it different?" asked Allie.

"A touch of Brown Sugar, Allie. I have the hardest time getting Little Jack to eat it. I thought that might help."

"Here, Jack, watch me…" and Allie took a big bite of Oatmeal. "Yum! So good. Would you like some too, Jack?"

Watching Allie eat the Oatmeal evidently had done the trick. Because Jack reached out to Allie for some of hers, which she gladly shared.

As soon as Allie had given him the bite, he said, "Yum!" very loudly and decisively!

The adults around the table couldn't help but laugh, and Elizabeth marveled over Allie's success.

The second bite Allie offered him was quickly eaten too, followed by another loud "Yum!" And then, the third. The adults were trying so hard not to laugh again, but it was impossible. Little Jack was loving his audience and kept asking for more. He kept at it till Allie's entire bowl was gone, and each bite was followed by a loud "Yum!"

That was one problem solved!

"Elizabeth, let's clear everything. Lee and I are going to drop by his office before we meet back up for Lunch."

"Of course, thank you, Rosemary."

Rosemary nodded knowingly.

Allie had Little Jack, so Elizabeth and Rosemary quickly cleared the table. Then Rosemary washed the dishes, while Elizabeth dried them and put them away.

"Elizabeth, I don't think I've ever seen you so happy."

"That's because I don't think I've ever been this happy. My heart is truly overflowing. At times, I think it's even going to burst. Last night was so special, Rosemary. Actually, it was beyond special. I've never had a night like that. I just can't even talk about it yet. Does that make sense?"

"Of course, it does. You're processing it and storing everything as beautiful memories. I'll be here when you're ready. I do have so many questions. But I know all that's between you and Nathan for now. And that's how it should be. The Girl Talk will come later. You know, Elizabeth, have you thought about how you're going to tell Allie and Little Jack?"

"No. I just think that when Nathan and I are together, alone with them, the right words will come. I know Allie loves Little Jack and me, but she has always had her Uncle to herself."

"Oh, I don't think you have to worry about that! Allie's a smart girl. And if you must know, she and I have discussed this very thing. If you and Nathan hadn't finally worked out that first date, we thought that together, we might just hurry it along a bit! She already knows you make each other happy. And that's what she wants for both of you. I think she's been ready for it to happen for a long while now! And truthfully, though she hasn't said, I think she's ready for a Mother in her life. She really doesn't remember much about her own Mother, you know."

"Allie was only four when her Mother died. My heart aches for her that she had to go through all that, especially at such a young age. I can't imagine how Nathan has managed it all."

Reaching to give Rosemary a quick kiss on the cheek, Elizabeth said, "Thanks for sharing that. It does make me less apprehensive."

And then more lightly, "So, you and Allie are thick as thieves, with you sharing your matchmaking expertise!"

"Something like that! We girls have to stick together! That was quick, all done! Lee, let's go!" directed Rosemary as they walked into the living room where Lee and Nathan were in some in-depth discussion.

'Wait, Rosemary, we're in the middle…of something. Yes, Dear! Nathan, to be continued. See you at lunch!"

"See you both then. Bye, Lee, bye, Rosemary!"

"Well, that was sudden!" Nathan whispered to Elizabeth, standing in the doorway.

She grinned and pointed to the children playing in the corner.

"Oh!" coming toward her and giving her a hug. "Are you ready?"

She nodded, with a huge smile on her face.

"Allie, can you bring Little Jack over to the settee?"

"Sure, is everything okay?"

"Yes, Sweetheart. Mrs. Thornton and I just want to speak with you both."

That put the broadest smile on Allie's face, Nathan and Elizabeth had ever seen.

"Quick, Little Jack. This is really important. I think we're having our first Family Conference!"

Both Elizabeth and Nathan looked at each other with widened eyes.

"We're ready!" announced Allie breathlessly and expectantly.

Now Elizabeth and Nathan were not at all sure they were ready!

Clearing his throat, Nathan took Elizabeth's hand, "Allie, Jack, you both know we love you more than anything, right?"

"Yes, Uncle Nathan, I do, and I think Little Jack knows that too."

"Well, it's true. And you both are very, very important to both of us. As Elizabeth and I have grown very important to each other. In fact, we care very much about each other."

"Well, Uncle Nathan, we already know that. But do you have anything important to tell us?"

It was all Elizabeth could do not to laugh, so she cleared her throat instead. But she was leaving this to Nathan, who gave her a somewhat helpless look.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, we do." he continued valiantly forward. "We wanted you two to be the first to know. Mrs. Thornton and I are courting. I asked her last night, and she accepted. We hope you two are okay with that and are even happy for us."

"Is this official?" Allie questioned. "Because Jack and I have been waiting for this for a very long time, and we need to know it's real."

Nathan and Elizabeth both looked at each other, trying to be as serious as they could without laughing. They answered at the same time, "It's official!"

Allie lifted Jack up and carried him over to them, and all four hugged each other in total excitement and happiness.

"Jack and I have talked about this, Uncle Nathan, and we were getting worried that you might never ask Mrs. Thornton! And in the meantime, we're growing up!"

Elizabeth couldn't help but let out a tiny laugh, and Nathan coughed.

"Allie, do you understand what courting means?" asked Nathan softly when he was finally able to pull himself back together.

"Of course, I know. It means Jack and I are going to be Brother and Sister! And you will be our Parents!"

"Well, Allie…" and Nathan cleared his throat again. "Yes, it probably means that. But that comes down the road, way down the road. After courting, then after an engagement, and then after marriage." Nathan was using his hands, making big motions to emphasize what he was saying, trying to make sure Allie really understood.

"Oh, I know Uncle Nathan. I know there are a lot of formalities. But in the end, we're going to be a Family. And that makes us as happy as we can be! I've told Jack all about it, and he's really excited too!"

"Well, then that's settled. Do you have any questions for us?"

"No, I'm pretty much up on everything. And I keep Jack updated, too. But, we both want you to know, we're not ready to wait forever. You two need to hurry things up because Jack and I've been ready for a long time. And we're not getting any younger, you know!"

Elizabeth couldn't help it as she turned her face, and a small, strangled sound escaped her mouth. Nathan couldn't even look at her. Instead, he cleared his throat, yet again, and soldiered on, while trying to keep his mouth from turning up at the sides.

"Okay, Allie, duly noted. Mrs. Thornton and I will try hard not to waste anyone's time," he stated formally. "But you and Jack might need to be a little patient with us. After all, there are a lot of grown-up things we need to muddle through. Can you two be patient, Allie?"

"Oh, I guess a little," though she sounded none too happy about it! But she turned to hug Elizabeth anyway and then stretched to give her a kiss on her cheek.

"Jack and I are really, really, really happy, Mrs. Thornton!"

Elizabeth was beaming, and she bent to kiss Allie on her cheek and hold her close. Allie was already in Elizabeth's heart, and she was very quickly becoming her daughter.

Nathan had Jack in his arms, and Little Jack, as though he knew the seriousness of the moment, was wrapping his little arms around Nathan's neck. Then they all heard him say, "Wuv you!"

And everybody, except Little Jack, who was grinning broadly and playing with Nathan's face, started to cry tears, full of joy.

After a few minutes of hugs and tears all around, Nathan put Little Jack down, spread his arms wide, and spoke in an exaggerated voice as though he were the ringmaster at a circus.

"Now for the big surprise! Who wants to spend the day riding in a sleigh?"

Their excitement couldn't be contained. Allie was running and grabbing coats, scarfs, and mittens. Little Jack was chasing after her, as excited as he could be!

Nathan whispered to Elizabeth, "Welcome to my world. I'm never quite sure who the parent is."

"Oh, don't look at me! You're in charge of all 'Family Conferences' from here on out!"

He scrunched up his face. "Well, that's not fair!"

"Here, this will make it all better!" She reached up to give him a sweet kiss. Then she burst into uncontrollable laughter and buried her face in his chest, so the children wouldn't hear.

All he could do was hide his face with his free hand and shake his head. "Thank goodness that's over!" he whispered.

Which made Elizabeth laugh all the more.