Chapter Fifty-Seven

Nathan, in his red serge, glanced at his timepiece. He had been sitting in the Café for going on twenty minutes now, waiting for Rosemary, who was definitely running late. And she had been the one to insist on meeting with him, telling him she had important information.

He was on his second cup of coffee and was getting a little concerned because he was supposed to go to the school to walk Elizabeth into town promptly as soon as school let out.

That didn't leave them much time to discuss anything in private, because after Nathan walked Elizabeth back into town, the three of them were to meet with Sophie and Lucas for their first official Wedding Planning Session.

Nathan had protested that there was no need for him to intend, or Lucas, for that matter. But Lucas made it very clear to all that he intended to play a key part in all the planning and had insisted Nathan, as his Best Man, be there with him. So, the Best Man had reluctantly acquiesced to the Groom's request.

Ten minutes later, Rosemary came rushing in to the Café, "Nathan, I am so sorry! We had a customer from out of town, and she just kept buying, which is good, but finalizing the purchases just took so much time. I do apologize!"

"No worries, Rosemary, as long as we can get our conversation in before I have to go pick up Elizabeth for our Planning Session, or I suppose I should say the Bouchard Planning Session."

"Oh, that! I can't believe I let Elizabeth talk me into that! And I don't mind telling you, I am not a bit happy about it. But, she says it's the Christian thing to do. However, I want you to know, I'm only doing this for you, Nathan, and for Hope Valley! Just to help Sophie, so she can have her perfect Wedding and be accepted by the townspeople!"

"I appreciate that Rosemary. What did you want to talk to me about?"

She looked around, cleared her throat, then very surreptitiously pointed to her own engagement ring.

"Oh, great, what have you found out?"

"Shush, Nathan, you can never be too careful…" she warned in a whisper.

He lowered his voice to a whisper, "But, Rosemary, there's no one in here but us…"

"Still," she whispered back, "Walls sometimes have listening ears, and one can never be too careful!" She waved her hand emphatically in the air to reinforce her point.

"Why don't we move to the front far corner by the window, so we can see if anyone enters. That way we'll be away from the kitchen, too. And we can talk so we can hear each other!"

"That's perfect, Nathan! I should have thought of that!"

He held her chair, and as he did so, he could tell Rosemary was definitely ready to tell her story. They walked to the front corner table together, where he reseated her in front of the window and took his place across from her.

"We have a bit of a dilemma. Elizabeth told me this story about a ring that belonged to her Granda that is the only ring she has ever cared anything about. She even used the word love. It's a ring her Granda wore on her right hand, almost like a cocktail ring, but not a cocktail ring! Although it did sound like it was fairly large. She loved it from the time she was a child, and she said when her Prince came she wanted him to give her a ring just like that. Her Granda said, just send him to me and I'll see that he has it, but of course Granda has passed. The poor thing even left the ring to Elizabeth in her Will, but after she passed, it could never be found! So, the problem is, according to Elizabeth, it doesn't exist!"

"Well, it may exist, perhaps it just hasn't been found yet."

"Apparently Mrs. Thatcher and her Sisters combed Granda's house after she passed and they've never been able to find it. So, Elizabeth has given up on that as a possible option."

"Then, I'll have to find the Jeweler who made the ring."

"Well, how are you going to do that?"

"I'm not sure. Elizabeth's Mother was very kind in helping me plan the menu for our first date. From everything I've heard, I was pleasantly surprised. But, I can't ask her Mother for help with the ring till I ask her Father for her Hand! And Rosemary, another thing, I don't think you're going to be able to make a trip to Hamilton."

Rosemary's face fell, "I know you're right. I even asked Carson if I could travel to the East Coast, and he said absolutely not, that that was much too far, for me to plan a weekend trip instead. Of course, I couldn't tell him where or why. But I don't think that would have mattered. And I was looking so forward to that trip."

"We'll do it another time after you and Lee are settled in with both Frederic and the Baby."

"You promise, Nathan?"

"I promise. We were looking forward to you two traveling with us as well."

"Well, I suppose that's just going to have to do! But at least we'll have a trip to look forward to later. As far as the ring goes, it sounded rather complex. Overall it was oval in shape with large diamonds around the edge, then a platinum tiny rope-like band on the top of the ring and more diamonds around the inner side of that. And this… Elizabeth was very specific about this. The large diamond in the center was actually round according to her Granda, but Elizabeth said she was always convinced it was oval. Oh, and there were two epaulets on either side of the ring, each of which encased a diamond. And they appeared to lift the setting of the ring up off the band. See, I told you complex."

"Yes, it does sound like that. So now, I'm going to have to ask her Father sooner rather than later, and then talk to her Mother to see if she at least knows the Jeweler who made it."

"But is that very likely?"

"Maybe. You know people who have a lot of jewelry tend to buy their pieces from one trusted jeweler. So maybe it's not going to be as hard as we think. That is if Mrs. Thatcher or one of her Sisters knows which Jeweler their Mother used."

"How do you always know what to do?"

"Well, I don't always. But it is part of my training. I think we can do this. It's just the timing I'm concerned about. Say we find the Jeweler, then how long is it going to take him to duplicate the ring? The other question is: has he kept records detailed enough, so he can duplicate the ring? I would hate to just go on our description and then it not turn out right. I think we have to find the jeweler and hope he has the information he would need to recreate the piece."

"So, you're not discouraged?"

"No, not at all. It just makes things a little more difficult. But between the two of us, I think we can do it. And you did great, by the way, to get that much information. I think we're on the right track. But, did Elizabeth not suspect anything?"

Rosemary beamed at Nathan's compliment, "No, not at all! She was telling me about the Lucas Ring Debacle, which I am furious about by the way! And she mentioned it made her wonder what kind of ring you'd choose. I told her I'd be dropping hints like crazy, but of course, that isn't her style. She said she didn't even know what type of ring she would want, because she had only ever wanted the one ring, and she would never be able to have that ring. Then she told me the story of the 'missing ring!' It was a thing of beauty to see all that information come out that we needed so badly, without even prompting her!"

"You really did do great! I owe you a big one, Rosemary. But I do have to leave to pick up Elizabeth or we're never going to make it to this Wedding Planning Session, although I think you Ladies could handle everything just fine without us men there. Only Bouchard would want to take over planning his Wedding from his own Bride. Helping is one thing, but doing it? Oh, well, are you just going to wait here?"

"Yes, I've got some paperwork to go over before we meet."

"Okay, you get yourself some coffee, and Elizabeth and I will pick you up on the way back!" and he reached to kiss her on the cheek. "Thank you, Rosemary!"

"Perfect, Nathan, I'll be here, busy as a bee! Toodles!" and she waved him away.

Nathan had to rush to make it to the Schoolhouse on time, but he was very pleased with the information Rosemary had been able to get. It might not be easy to make it all happen, but he was determined to give Elizabeth the ring of her dreams.

And apparently, her Granda's ring was it!

A challenge had never deterred Nathan Grant before, and it most definitely was not going to on something this important.

By the time Nathan reached the steps of the Schoolhouse, everyone else had left for the day.

"How are my two beautiful Girls?" he asked, smiling broadly, just happy to see them.

Allie was working on some of her homework and Elizabeth was grading papers at her desk.

He reached down to kiss Allie first, "Dad, I'm not so sure I'm beautiful. Mrs. Thornton is, but I think I have a long way to go."

"Allie Bean, that's not true! You are absolutely beautiful just the way you are. Remember, you're my…" and he mouthed the word 'Princess!' to his Allie Bean.

"Allie, when a Gentleman tells us Girls, we're beautiful, that's our cue to say 'Thank you, kind Sir!' and she demonstrated it by saying it directly to Nathan and reaching up to give him a kiss! "And Sweetie, there is not a girl in Hope Valley who's more beautiful than you! So, as in the famous words of our very own Allie, 'You're just going to have to accept it!'"

Allie finally had to let out a little laugh! She liked it that her Teacher had just quoted her!

'Okay, I have a very important question to ask, that is if I'm allowed, and if it's too personal, just tell me and that will be fine. Both or either one of you may veto my question if you feel it necessary, and I'll not be hurt."

Elizabeth and Nathan were now standing in front of Allie, with their arms around each other

"Sure, what is it, Mrs. Thornton?"

"Well, I've noticed your Dad calls you Allie Bean quite a lot and you can tell when he says that he loves you very much! But, since I am going to be Family, do I have to wait till after we marry for my Daughter to tell me the story of how 'Allie Bean' came to be?"

Allie got up and gave her soon to be Mother a kiss, "No, Ma'am, since you're going to be my Mother, you get to know everything!"

Nathan released his hold on Elizabeth and smiled as he watched the two scooting onto one of the benches to sit together.

"Everything, Allie Bean, even all the bad stuff?" he teased. "She may back out!"

"Oh, especially the bad stuff," interjected Elizabeth in mock horror. "A girl needs to know what she's getting herself into. Besides we girls stick together!"

Allie grinned and nodded her head in agreement.

"Well, you see I've always been the tallest girl for my age in every class I've ever been in. And sometimes the kids would make fun of me and call me Beanstalk, I guess because I was skinny, too. It used to make me really mad. And sometimes it even made me cry. But Dad, well he was Uncle Nathan then, but Dad told me a story about a Princess and a Beanstalk. He said the Beanstalk was the main center of the Kingdom, and all the Beans were Citizens of the Kingdom, but the Bean at the very top, the tallest Bean, was the Princess Bean and she got to look down at all the other Beans in her Kingdom and watch them grow. But no matter how tall they got, she would always be the Princess Bean, just like I will always be his Princess Bean. So that's why Dad calls me Allie Bean, his Princess Allie Bean. After that, it didn't bother me at all if the kids teased me, because I was Dad's Princess, the best and tallest bean of all!"

"Allie, that is the most beautiful story. Now I know I'm speaking to a real live Princess!"

"But you can't tell anybody. It's a secret that only the three of us know!"

"Oh, I'd never think of it! It's a Father-Daughter secret and almost a Mother-Daughter secret. And that's sacred!" and she bent to kiss her soon to be Daughter. "Now I know and we have a secret! Pinky promise?"

"Pinky promise!"

Allie was thrilled that her soon to be Mother wanted to know about something that was so very important to her. It might just be a pet name to some people, but that name was from her Dad and it meant the world to her. And only she and her Dad have ever known, but now the woman who was going to be the Mother of the Princess knew too!

"Okay, let's try this again! Are my two smashingly beautiful Girls ready to go check on Jack and then the two of us to go on and visit Sophie and Lucas for their Wedding Planning Session?"

"Wait a minute," said Allie. "Mr. Bouchard is going to plan his Bride's Wedding? He can't do that. That's up to Miss Johnston!"

"Well, apparently Mr. Bouchard wants to make most of the Wedding Arrangements," explained Elizabeth.

"Dad, tell him to man up! The Bride always plans most of the Wedding! Everybody knows that. Even kids know that!"

'Allie, where did you hear that, that first part?" asked Nathan, fully in Dad mode.

"From the boys, Dad! They tell each other to man up all the time…"

"They do, do they?" Nathan looked thoughtful and more than a little concerned.

Elizabeth cleared her throat and said in her Teacher's voice, "Schoolboys will be schoolboys! Come, we better walk fast!"

Allie skipped ahead, and Elizabeth whispered to Nathan, "Actually, my Darling you did tell him to man up. But, I think Allie's right. You may have to do it again!"

"If it gets me out of a Bridal Planning Session, you better believe I'll do it again! And, pray tell, why in the world are little boys saying, man up?"

Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh, and she reached up to give him a kiss for all his troubles, and his 'boy' worries.

"You forget, Elizabeth. I was one of those little boys!"

With that and the look on his face, Elizabeth burst into full laughing mode!

After they checked on Laura and Jack, they helped Allie get settled and headed back to town, picking up Rosemary at the Café.

"Elizabeth, I have half a mind to turn right now and head straight home to Lee and Frederic!"

"Rosemary, Sophie's really nice and Nathan and I are going to be there with you as support. You've done this a million times. You are the Pro. Come on, this is going to be a breeze! I promise."

Elizabeth should have known by now, never make a promise that's going to prove impossible to keep. Especially to Rosemary! Because Rosemary had an excellent memory, and she would hold it over you till your dying day!

The three had smiles plastered on their faces as they entered the Queen of Hearts, and yes, Rosemary's smile was more than a bit forced, but she had at least managed to put it there and join the Best Man and Matron of Honor in their effort to assist the Bouchards in their Wedding!

Sophie ran to the front door to greet them, full of excitement. She hugged the two women and took Nathan's hand. He smiled and shook her hand in return, quite sure that's not what she meant at all, but he thought that was best for now. They still barely knew each other.

"Thank you three so much for coming. I've never been so excited. Lucas wants us to go to his Private Quarters for our discussion if that's alright with the three of you…"

"As long as you get me a table big enough for me to spread out all my forms and notes…" instructed Rosemary.

But when Lucas took them to his Private Living Quarters a table was no longer the main concern, they were shocked.

The décor hit them in the face. It was quite opulent, more opulent than any of them had ever imagined, even for Lucas. It took them a moment to take it all in.

Then Rosemary snapped back to the business at hand and realized there was no large table to be found anywhere!

"Lucas, I must have a very large table…" Both the intensity and timbre of her voice re-emphasized her need.

"Of course, at your Service, Ma'am! I will handle it immediately."

He called one of his workers to bring the large corner round table from the Saloon, back to his Private Living Area, and throwing an ominous stare in Rosemary's direction, he added, "And apparently, it is imperative that you do it now, if not ten minutes ago!"

But back to décor.

There was more red in these apartments than even Rosemary had in her entire house, including her wardrobe. Very old oil paintings literally covered the walls and every table that was there held a large sculpture on top. The color scheme was a deep dark masculine red, almost burgundy, with burnished gold scattered everywhere.

Elizabeth couldn't help but think, 'I hope they're not planning to have children while they're living here!"

All in all, the rooms were strikingly beautiful, but they looked more like a museum than a place someone lived.

And although all of his three guests could appreciate the finer points, none would choose to live there, even his soon to be Wife.

Actually, poor Sophie, who liked soft pastel colors and loved to be surrounded by them, was more than a bit troubled about possibly having to move into these quarters with her soon to be new Husband.

But she would wait to cross that bridge when it came. Today her bigger concern was not having her Bridal Wedding Plans hijacked by her Groom! Every single time she had brought up something Wedding-related to discuss with him, he had given her his very vocal opinion, which each and every single time had been very different from hers. In fact, you might say the opposite of hers.

And Sophie was beginning to feel really stressed from it all.

However, Lucas was extremely proud of the art collection and décor that he had put together himself and spent the time while waiting for the larger table, to explain the various pieces to his audience.

Soon his workers appeared with a large table that they set in the center of the room. Rosemary breathed a sigh of relief and began spreading out her volumes of necessary and vast information.

Lucas and Nathan gathered chairs around the table, and everyone took a seat, with the Gentlemen helping seat the Ladies.

"As your Wedding Coordinator, I officially call this our first Planning Session for the Johnston-Bouchard Wedding to order. We have a lot to cover in a very short period of time, and because of that, it is imperative that we streamline everything. And with a target date of Christmas Eve, we are going to have to complete most of this in one Session! I want to start by asking the Bride, what does your Dream Wedding look like?"

"Lots of pink everywhere and definitely pastel colors mixed in. I want to wear white and I always wanted my Bridesmaids to wear varying shades of different pastels. Like a pastel rainbow! But since all my friends are in San Francisco, Elizabeth do you mind to wear pink? And I'd love to have pink roses everywhere," enthused Sophie.

"I love pink, Sophie. And even if I didn't, I would be happy to wear pink as your Bridesmaid, or I should say Matron of Honor. Your Wedding Day is all about your wishes, Sophie," added Elizabeth, to help drive home the point to a certain over-zealous Groom.

"That sounds positively beautiful, Sophie! Really beautiful…" pronounced Rosemary. "But Sophie, since your Wedding will be on Christmas Eve, would you like some Holiday decorations added as well?"

"Only wreaths on the front doors, and a few large Christmas trees in the room. But I want them trimmed only in pink, with ribbons and pink roses. Pink glass ornaments would be okay for the trees, too, and also wherever else you think we need them. But that's it. No red and green or traditional Christmas, except of course our Wedding greenery."

"Excuse me, don't you Ladies think that might be a bit too much pink everywhere? And Sophie, Precious, with your blonde hair, you'll look so much better in ecru. Ecru lace, I think. And pink roses are so overdone, my Treasure. I've always wanted white gardenias everywhere! The scent alone will be magnificent. You'll love it, Lambie!" and all could see that the Groom was very explicit in his wishes, just as poor Bride had already experienced first-hand.

Rosemary cleared her throat and looked straight at Sophie, "Sophie, what else have you imagined for your Wedding," and she placed a significant degree of emphasis on the 'you' and 'your' parts.

"I would love an arch at the front where the ceremony will be done, and I'd like it be be covered in Baby's Breath and the tiniest of pink roses. I also want everyone to be given pink fans, so they can use them to be comfortable at the Wedding, because, you know how stuffy it gets in a crowd, even in winter, and then they can take them home to keep! And I want long tapered pink candles everywhere!" Sophie's eyes were glistening remembering her childhood Wedding dreams.

"Excuse me, Sweetheart! Arches are really so overdone around here! Why don't we bring in a gazebo and stand in that with the Minister or Judge Avery. And everyone does Baby's Breath, why don't we use ivy instead? Green ivy with glossy green magnolia leaves and white magnolia blossoms. And the men won't want to hold pink fans, why don't we think of something both the women and men would like? Oh, and definitely gold tapered candles…I think that would just be perfection!"

By this time, Sophie was not only shedding a tear, she was shedding several, and Rosemary was staring Lucas down, while Elizabeth got up to comfort Sophie.

Elizabeth didn't know what to do with Lucas, but Nathan could see as the Best Man, he'd better step in quick, or there would be no Wedding to plan.

Perhaps Allie had been right.

Nathan stood, "Lucas, can you come with me for a moment? I think we need to get a drink…"

"But Nathan, this is very important! We need to pl…"

But his Best Man's look clearly told Lucas, 'we' did not need to plan.

Lucas rose like an obedient child and followed his Best Man, who headed straight for the Saloon.

Nathan grabbed the most private table he could find, ordered a couple of beers, and sat for a minute without saying a word.

Lucas looked puzzled, "Why are we out here?"

"Lucas do you love Sophie?"

"You know I do. I love her with all my heart."

"Lucas, then man up and let your Bride plan her Wedding! You have her in tears. And as your Best Man, it is my responsibility to tell you this. If you don't man up and butt out, there will not be a Wedding!"

"What do you mean?" asked Lucas with widened eyes.

"Lucas, you made your Bride cry. Sob would be more like it. Sophie simply wants to have the Wedding of her dreams, just like every woman wants to have the Wedding of her dreams. We are the Grooms, we don't get a huge say, a little, but not huge. And certainly not the entire thing! First, the Bride plans what she wants, then we get to tweak it or add to, but not till she's finished with what she wants."

"But Nathan, I don't want my Wedding to be tacky, like everybody else's!"

"Lucas, if you love her, it doesn't matter if your Wedding is a circus! We men need to be focusing on travel plans for your Honeymoon, and things like that. Now, granted, you're a fine restaurateur, so I would say Sophie would be fine with you helping her with the food and champagne. But Lucas, you're driving her crazy. Do you realize you changed every single thing she wanted. Every single thing…"

"No, I did not!" denied the Groom vehemently. "Okay, so I did. So now what do you do to fix it?"

"Thanks for that Groom! Appreciate the vote of confidence!" retorted the Best Man sarcastically. "Right now, you're going to drink your beer, get me some paper and a pen, and tell me everything that you want for a Wedding, but only the things that are really, really, really important to you."

"You don't think we should go back in?" asked Lucas hopefully.

"No, absolutely not!"

Lucas went to grab some paper and a pen. He returned not at all sure about what was going to happen next. He really needed to be in on the planning the Ladies were doing.

Nathan took the pen and paper, then asked him, "What are the most important things to you about your Wedding?"

"I want white everywhere!"

"So noted. But hey, why did you tell Sophie she needed to wear ecru then?"

"Oh, that's because she'll look better in it."

"Lucas, you want white. Sophie wants a white gown. Have you looked at her? She going to look beautiful in white."

"That was really bad, wasn't it?"

"Well, it sure wasn't good! I've got an idea, let's start over from the top. Sophie wants pink everywhere, you want white everywhere. Why don't we do pink and white everywhere? Could you possibly live with that?"

Lucas slightly nodded yes, although very slowly, but Nathan's look gave him no real option, so he reluctantly agreed.

"That's settled. Sophie wants her Bridesmaid in Pink. What color do you want your Groomsman to wear?"

"Black."

"Pink Bridesmaid/Matron of Honor gown and black Best Man suit. I think that works!"

Then Nathan continued, "Sophie wants pink roses everywhere, you want white flowers. How about you have white roses to mix in with Sophie's pink ones. Also Sophie wants Baby's Breath, that's white and you want white. So pink and white roses with babys breath and some green ivy thrown in for you. How does that sound? And no Lucas, I'm not a florist! Don't you even dare say it!"

"Actually, it sounds fairly regal. I like it. How'd YOU think of that?"

"Lucas, you are very fortunate, you have a Best Man who is choosing to overlook that remark," and Nathan threw the somewhat condescending Groom an ominous look.

Then went on, "Sophie wants pink fans for the women. Why don't you pass out cigars for the men to take home?"

"Hey, I like that idea. That's great! Some nice expensive Cuban ones. Let's do it!" and the Groom was very happy with that idea.

"Okay, next Sophie wants pink tapered candles, you want gold tapered candles. Why don't you mix them? Could you live with that?"

"I think I could. I just don't want all pink. I could even live with white tapers."

"There you go," and at that point, the thought came to Nathan's mind, he had just sounded like Bill! "We'll say pink tapers for Sophie and white tapers for you! And there you have your pink and white. Next, Sophie wants arches and you want a gazebo. Why not have Lee to build you an arched gazebo for you to stand in for the actual vows?"

"That's perfect. That's really different. I love it!"

"Now, see how easy that was. We're all caught up with the Ladies. Now all we have to do is go tell the Ladies," said a triumphant Nathan, who had already had more than his full of Wedding Planning.

"You tell them, Nathan. As my Best Man you tell them. It's your job!"

"Thanks!" Nathan's voice was dripping in sarcasm. "But, in this instance, I agree, that's probably best. They might listen to me better, since they're a little ticked at you, right now. But before we go back in there, what else is really important to you?"

"I'd like to oversee the catering and the drinks, obviously."

"Can you do that based off of Sophie's suggestions, just like she's a customer of yours?'

"If I think about it that way, I guess I can."

"Good, what else is important?"

"I want a harp and a stringed instrument orchestra."

Nathan raised his eyebrow, "I'll put it on the list. Anything else?"

"No, that's it!"

"Have you planned the Honeymoon?"

"No...I forgot about that."

Nathan gave Lucas a look of exasperation.

"I'll get it done. Add it to my list," ordered Lucas.

"Honeymoon Plans and Trip – Groom responsible. What else?"

"Can't think of anything."

"What about a Bachelor's Party, since that seems to be a thing in Hope Valley," remembered Nathan.

"I'd like a Gentleman's night at the Saloon."

"What exactly is that? If I'm going to have to plan it, I need to know what it is at least!" asked the Best Man skeptically.

"Oh, I'll help. It's just an upscale evening for Gentlemen. You know, Champagne, Cigars, the like. I'll think of a few extra things for you to do to help spiff it up."

"Okay, it's on the list. I'll help, but you have to show me. Now, Groom, we are ready to join the Ladies! And keep your mouth shut. I'd better do the talking or they'll throw us out!"

"Not a word. I promise! And Nathan, thank you!"

"Don't thank me yet..."

Poor Sophie visibly tensed when the men appeared at the door of Lucas's Living Quarters.

"Ladies, we come in peace, and I'm our Spokesperson," announced Nathan.

Elizabeth couldn't help frowning at this one, trying to figure out exactly what was going on. It had taken them quite a bit of time to get Sophie calmed down and refocused. She was not about to go through that process again.

Without any spoken objection, the men quickly took their seats.

"Sophie, as the Bride you basically get everything you want. You get your pink everywhere, but would you mind if Lucas could mix in a little white?" asked the Best Man of the Bride.

"No, not at all. That really sounds kind of pretty! For contrast, I mean."

"Sophie, as the Bride you are definitely wearing White. You chose your Bridesmaid color as Pink, and Lucas would like to have his Groomsman in Black. Is that okay?"

"Very elegant," agreed Sophie enthusiastically.

"Sophie, you get your pink roses everywhere mixed with Baby's Breath. But is it okay if Lucas has a few white roses mixed in, along with some ivy, throughout the Baby's Breath?"

"Yes, I like that. I actually love ivy!"

"Sophie, you give your pink fans to the Lady guests, and if it's okay, Lucas would like to pass out cigars, expensive Cuban ones I think, for the men to take home."

"That's a great idea!"

"Sophie, you get your pink tapered candles. But would it be okay if Lucas mixed in a few white ones?"

"That's perfect! There's our pink and white!"

"Sophie, you wanted to stand under an arch for the Vow Ceremony. Would it be okay if your Groom had an arched gazebo made to fit in the Saloon for you to stand in together, instead? You would still have your arches..."

"That sounds beautiful. In fact, I like that idea better!"

"Sophie, would it be okay if Lucas oversees the Catering and the Drinks on the one condition that he treats you as a customer and you make all the final decisions for the food and champagne?"

"Perfect, as long as he listens to me." Now Sophie was the skeptical one, and she gave her Groom a look to match her skepticism.

"I promise to listen, Precious!" but everyone turned to glare at the Groom, who at this point was begging! "Sorry…"

"Sophie, are you okay with a Harp and a Stringed Instrument Orchestra for the Music?" asked Nathan.

"That's exactly what I want!" and Sophie's smile was finally back for real!

"That Ladies, I am very happy to announce, completes all Wedding requests from the Groom, as he is going to be quite busy planning the Honeymoon, and helping me plan his Gentlemen's Night Bachelor Party. And now Ladies, we Gentlemen thank you for your patience and leave everything in your most capable hands."

Sophie ran to embrace her Groom. Elizabeth jumped up and kissed Nathan. And Rosemary was so shocked (and pleased) she unabashedly hugged both Nathan and Lucas, letting bygones be bygones for now, at least!

After some heavy-duty Best Man driven negotiation, the Johnston-Bouchard Wedding was back on track and with the additional details the Ladies had taken care of, the Bouchard Wedding Planning was officially complete.

Now, it was all about the details. And as you know they always say the Devil is in the Details.

But whoever said that originally, didn't know Rosemary LaVeaux Colter and Elizabeth Thatcher Thornton, Wedding Planners extraordinaire!

Although both Planners would put this Session up as one of their most challenging by far! Well, actually Rosemary had a few other choice words for both the Session and the Groom! And Rosemary was NOT going to ever let Elizabeth live her promise down!

But their motto: 'the more challenging the Planning Session, the more perfect the Wedding!' would make all the trauma so worth it, and a most beautiful Hope Valley Wedding!

And Christmas Eve was not far away…