Chapter Sixty-Four
Nathan and Elizabeth had danced every single dance so far! But the orchestra was taking a short break, and they thought they would find a table to sit and eat their dinner, so as not to waste any dancing time.
"How about that table in the far right-hand corner, Darling?"
"Perfect!"
"Would you like to find another Couple to eat with us?"
"No, just you. You're all I want…"
"Well, that's pretty amazing, because you're all I want!" and he took her hand and led her to the table that he had spotted.
As he held her chair, his hand brushed across her bare shoulder, and both felt the resulting electrical charge.
"That was some spark!" and that was pretty much all she could say about that because she was still shaking.
He bent and whispered in her ear, "You, are driving me insane in this Gown. You do know that, don't you?"
"That was the intention, Constable Grant!"
"Well let's just say you've masterfully succeeded! You know all night, I've tried to find the perfect word to describe how you look tonight. And there simply aren't any. I can't come up with a single word that does you justice, and I've thought of quite a few words…"
"I'll help. Let's see you've used beautiful, exquisite… How about chic?"
"Not enough. You were chic last Sunday in your Riding Clothes."
"You remember telling me that?" and Elizabeth sounded surprised because she was.
"Of course, I remember telling you that. How could I not?"
"I remember every single thing you wore that day, and I want to go riding again real soon on the condition, you wear the exact same outfit…oh, and don't forget the Cowboy hat!"
"My grungy ranch clothes?" he asked incredulously.
"The grungier, the better! What can I say? Apparently, I love grungy. Well, I suppose I should say I love grungy if you're wearing grungy."
"Why, Elizabeth Thornton, are you flirting with me?"
"Sure took you long enough, Constable."
He had a comeback, but the waiter came at that exact moment and interrupted them to take their orders.
"How would you like your Steak Ma'am?"
"Medium well, please!"
"And you, Sir?"
"The same, Thank you!"
"Is Red Wine okay, or do you prefer Champagne?"
"Elizabeth? Two Champagnes."
"There's another piece of Clothing that drives me crazy as well…"
"And what might that be?"
"Your Vests."
"And why would that be?"
"Wear one, and I'll just show you, Darling."
"Note made on that one, my Darling! You do know you're going to be held to that."
"I hope so…"
"Well, know so."
"May I ask you a question?"
"Anything…"
"Well you've seen two of my Dressing Robes now, and I've seen none of yours. Will you at least describe your Robe to me?"
"It's blue…"
"Stop, I can't take it!"
"You love blue!"
"Yes, but it drives me crazy on you, because of your blue eyes, and then you just look so irresistible, I don't stand a chance!"
"Second or third Note made. But if you think I'll ever buy a robe in any color other than blue, especially after we get married, well, now after that little slip-up, that's just not happening."
"Well, that isn't nice…"
"Oh, my Darling, that will be very nice, for me at least! You just gave away your Ace!"
"Hmm, well I expected you to play fair…"
He reached over and whispered in her ear, "What we're talking about here? Not a chance!"
And she started giggling, trying to cover that she was going crazy thinking about all the blue Robes she was going to buy him after they married!
"Don't look now, but here comes Bill with his Date…"
Nathan stood, "Bill you two come join us!"
"Nathan, this is Adeline Fost…"
"AJ, it's you! You look gorgeous!" and the two women were deep in conversation within seconds, leaving the men completely out.
"I was going to say, this is Adeline Foster, my Date!"
"Bill, we're not going to get a word in. How do you two like your steaks?"
"Medium well."
"Is Champagne okay for both of you?"
"Perfect!"
"Excuse me and I'll go tell the Waiter," and Nathan was off on his mission.
When he returned Elizabeth and Adeline were still talking nonstop.
Bill just threw his hands up, not knowing what to do, except to let the two Ladies talk it out! But as always, he was impatient and decided to interrupt instead.
"Adeline, Dear, can you two stop talking long enough for me to introduce you to Nathan? And then you can start right back in again."
"So sorry," and the beautiful blond offered her hand to Nathan and shook it firmly. "Hello, I'm Adeline, otherwise known as AJ. So very pleased to get to meet you personally. There have been an awful lot of nice things said about you tonight! And I must say you're at the top of Commissioner Blake's list for sure!"
"Thank you! A real pleasure to meet you…" and Nathan took her hand, not understanding what he should call her.
"I suppose I prefer Adeline now, but AJ's okay too!"
"If your preference is Adeline, Adeline it is. And that is a beautiful name, by the way! I'm Nathan!"
"A pleasure Nathan!"
"Oh, AJ, how am I ever going to switch to Adeline? But I do love it and it suits you. Just clear your throat every time I forget!" warned Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth, you can call me anything. I'm just so happy to see you!"
"Nathan, I think we need to fill you in. I'm a breeze from Bill's past, and no we weren't really an item, but we should have been! I don't like to talk about my past, because I got into a whole lot of trouble trying to do the right thing, and ended up perjuring myself to protect my Mother as the bad guys threatened her life. Oh well, Bill can fill you in on the story and all its details. Bottom line, I had to go away for a while, and I just… I don't know."
"Adeline, let me fill it in because I do know. My father has had to 'go away' on two separate occasions, for quite a long time. It doesn't sound like you did anything maliciously. It sounds like you were protecting your Mother, and that's an admirable thing. What I'm trying to say is, despite doing a poor job of it, you don't owe anyone an explanation, least of all us. If it's good enough for Bill, it's good enough for us. Welcome to our Family, Adeline!"
And Nathan reached to kiss her on the cheek.
A tear trickled down Adeline's cheek, "That means more than you'll ever know, Nathan. Thank you for that!"
"What I do want to know, is how did you all reconnect. Sounds like there's got to be an interesting story there somewhere…" prodded Nathan.
Adeline's face lit up, "Actually, I think I owe it to Elizabeth! I understand she was trying to get Tess and Bill together… But, Elizabeth, Tess has only ever been interested in Harlow, the one who got away! And Bill knew Harlow and got them back together."
"But how did Bill find you?" asked a very curious Elizabeth.
"He didn't. Tess did. I had asked Tess for a job just after I left Hope Valley and she didn't have anything big at the time, except for me to help a bit around the ranch, so I did that for a while, but we became good friends during that time and kept in touch. So, she phoned me and told me Bill was interested in seeing me and that's all it took. The rest is history!"
"You two look so happy, and I am thrilled for both of you! How could I not have seen it? Full disclosure, I actually thought Bill and Tess were going to be the couple. But, I'm so very happy it turned out this way instead!"
"See, I told you I didn't need a matchmaker!" growled Bill.
"Bill, you sort of did. Apparently, if it hadn't been for Tess, you wouldn't have found Adeline!"
"Well, you do have a point! I guess!" but he was never going to outright admit it!
Elizabeth rolled her beautiful blue eyes.
The Waiter came with all four Dinners and served them, leaving linen napkins and silverware, along with all the necessary condiments.
"Excuse me, I'll get the Champagne!"
Bill volunteered to pray amid all the noise, "Dear Father, we thank You for helping me find Adeline and we thank You for getting the four of us together tonight. Bless this food we pray, Amen!"
And three Amens responded!
The couples were immediately comfortable with each other and the Ladies decided to stop talking long enough to at least eat part of their meals.
Funny how things have a way of working out!
Just before they finished their meal, the Orchestra returned, so they got to listen to beautiful live music as they ate the remainder of their meal!
"This has been heavenly!" said Adeline.
"It truly has been," agreed Elizabeth. "Best surprise ever!"
"Elizabeth, I think my suite is next to yours, so we'll definitely see each other at the Hotel, but you two go on and dance. I can tell, it's in your blood!"
"Wait, a minute, I'm not a dinosaur! I can dance, too! Adeline, may I have this dance?" asked a somewhat surly Bill, who was trying so hard to be sweet.
Both Elizabeth and Adeline had to smile!
"I thought you'd never ask!" responded Adeline, taking Bill's hand and the smile on Bill's face was priceless!
The two couples walked out to the Dance Floor together.
When the music started softly playing, Nathan brought Elizabeth's hand to his lips and looked deep into her eyes with his own eyes sparkling, full of love for her.
And at that moment every other Dancer dancing on the Dance Floor faded completely away, and the two of them were alone again, in their own beautiful world of love. They would always be alone, even on a Crowded Dance Floor, as long as they were together!
With the Foxtrot, they were supposed to be dancing cheek to cheek, but with their height difference, it was more her cheek to his chest and his cheek to the top of her head! And it was perfect! They fit each other in a way that made her feel totally protected and loved.
Elizabeth realized she had never been so comfortable with a Dance Partner.
And she also realized what a magnificent feeling it was to know they would always be in their own world, whenever they danced. That dancing together, for them, would always be special.
And it occurred to her that would hold true even when they weren't dancing. Their love for each other was so strong, it built a fortress so to speak, where they would always feel safe and cherished.
She thought about the many ways Nathan had cherished her since they left Hope Valley, and she realized they were fathomless because even if she could name every single wonderful thing he had done for her, and she could name them all, any and all spots between those actions were entirely filled with his boundless love.
She also realized that if this Man she loved, asked her to marry him tonight, without a second's hesitation, she would.
She had never been so sure of anything in her life.
As the music slowed, Nathan drew her to him for one last turn, and then the Foxtrot was over, and everyone clapped.
With the next song, the music's tempo completely changed.
Everyone was ready for some dancing fun!
It was time to partner up with three other couples…
Bill and Adeline were still close, so the two couples moved toward each other. Aaron and Felicity saw them and came running, along with Gabe and Lillian.
Voila, they had their own Quadrille, otherwise known as the Waltz Cotillion!
Since Nathan and Elizabeth had more dancing experience, they moved to the lead couple position. The four couples faced a square. There would be five Sets of Figures and each Set would be performed to different music pieces, but all the music would consist of eight-bar phrases, with a brief pause between each Set!
The Dancers had to bow to each other and their Corners during the first eight bars of each set.
Components that made up the Figures to be performed included: Forward & Backward, Going Right & Left, Crossing Over, Set to Partners, Hands Around, English Chain, Ladies Chain, and the Moulinet where the Ladies had to hold hands together and face their Partners.
The Couples performed their Preliminary Bows to their Partner and Corners.
Then Nathan and Elizabeth, as the Head Couple, performed the entire Figure of the 1st Set.
Then Bill and Adeline completed the Set, followed by Aaron and Felicity, who were followed by Gabe and Lillian.
Then Nathan and Elizabeth led in the second set and so on and so on…
The more Bill danced, the better he got. The man had some moves! And Adeline, who never dreamed he could actually dance, was thrilled!
It was raucous fun in their formal clothes, and everyone was laughing and almost crying tears trying to keep up!
The Quadrille or Waltz Cotillion had been just what the four couples had needed for an extra energy boost.
Bill was especially proud of his Boys, never dreaming they would all be dancing together at the Ball, all four with the Women they loved by their sides…
Oh-oh! He had just thought the word 'Love!' Hadn't said it yet, but he sure was feeling it, and it was clear each of his Boys was too!
"Now this is success Boys!" he announced out loud.
And the three Men, his Boys, couldn't help but laugh.
But truth be told, Bill's Boys were very grateful for his romantic interference, or guidance, because obviously, it had worked!
And they could ask for nothing more, than the happiness of being with, and having the one they loved at their side.
They'd never underestimate the Judge's romantic prowess again!
The four Couples were exhausted from their lively Quadrille, and they all wanted to catch up with each other, so they decided to sit the next dance out and find a quiet corner again to do just that.
When they had found their spot and the Gentlemen had seated their Ladies, they sat down by each of their Partners.
"I have one question..." noted Nathan.
Bill got a 'Deer in the Crossbow' look across his face, but he quickly recovered.
"Your speeches were nice, but I know it didn't take you three coming down here a day early to think about what you were going to say for ten minutes… What's up?" he asked directly.
The three men clearly got nervous and looked at each other to figure out their answer subliminally. Then all started stuttering, trying to answer…even verbally tripping over each other as to who would respond first or at all!
Bill was the first to recover, "Nothing to worry about, Nathan. It was just a special project Harold needed help with. That's all!"
'All true,' Bill thought.
"And he just happened to need help from the three of you…the three people I work closest with."
"Oh, no a few other people, too!" announced Bill emphatically.
A little too emphatically Nathan thought.
"I don't know exactly what you three are up to, but consider yourself busted because it sure is something!"
"How about all this snow we're having? Isn't it beautiful…" asked Bill.
Even the women laughed at this one.
No one was buying their nonsense, but Adeline came to the rescue!
"You Men need to find us Ladies some Champagne. Hop to it!" she ordered, while Elizabeth, Felicity, and Lillian laughed as all four Men jumped up and did exactly as they were told!
"Honestly, Men! They're just big overgrown children!" announced Adeline.
"You know, that's pretty much true. I tell you, when Nathan and Little Jack get together, I don't even know which one is having the most fun. Sometimes I think it's the Big Guy!"
All four of the Women laughed together.
"I'm telling you, Girls, remember they're just big overgrown Boys, needing all the love and direction they needed when they were twelve years old. Grab hold of that concept, and you're headed toward relationship bliss! That's my philosophy and I'm sticking to it!"
They all three then piled their hands on top of Adeline's in a commitment that this little piece of wisdom would not ever be forgotten!
The Men returned, a little curious about the Ladies' hands being piled on top of each other in some form of pact or something, but on second thought, they decided to not ask and ignore it instead.
Sometimes you were just better off not knowing certain things, and unknown to them, this was definitely one of them!
The Men had just made a wise decision!
Finally, it was time for the last Waltz of the night, and each of the four Men went to their special Lady and held out their hands to take them to the Dance Floor.
It was bittersweet to think this was the Last Dance of the Ball.
Everyone had had such a grand time with their Partners and with each other.
The Honors given to Nathan had been so special. Everyone was proud of him and his many achievements, but his close circle of friends were especially proud and thrilled for him! Adeline had been a major surprise of the night and a very happy one! And this night had strengthened the bonds between all four Couples.
Each knew this special night was one for their memory books, both literally and figuratively.
A night they would treasure for many years to come.
The Orchestra had been phenomenal, taking requests and playing everyone's favorites, as well as all the Classics. They had even arranged Christmas Carols for the Couples to dance to, which had gotten everyone into the Holiday Spirit.
As the Orchestra began playing for the last time, they chose the beautiful "Love Me, and the World is Mine" written by Ernest Ball and David Reed in 1906:
LOVE ME AND THE WORLD IS MINE
I wander on as in a dream
My goal a paradise must be
For there an angel waits 'twould seem
Yet lo my dear heart tis only thee
Suns may shine to light my way dear
Wealth be mine for aye dear
Queens may pledge their riches too
Yet the world would still be lonely
With such virtues only
Life to me dear mean just you
I care not for the sun to shine
I dare not hope to er'e be mine
I only know I love you
Love me and the world is mine (16*)
Nathan held Elizabeth, knowing every single word was true. As he held her very close and glided her across the Dance Floor in her magnificent Ball Gown, he wanted to remember this moment for the rest of his life. And he was thankful to God for this most special of times, but he was even more thankful for His creation of this Woman who meant everything to him.
Just before the Dance came to a close, the lights dimmed, and hundreds of pounds of Golden Confetti and Golden Ribbon Streamers gently fell from the ceiling, on to the Dancers. Bringing pure delight and joy to all.
It was a glorious sight to see and a perfect way to end the Ball!
Nathan bent to passionately kiss his Elizabeth for the last time at the Official Mountie Ball, and their kiss was everything…
It was late back at the Le Havre and Nathan, still in his Dress Uniform, was restless.
As he looked out over Union City dressed in its Holiday Charm with Lights glistening everywhere, he watched as the snow he had predicted fell gently to the ground, encasing everything in its glistening white splendor.
Elizabeth sensed him there. So, she threw on her Fur Wrap and walked through the French Doors of her Suite out to the Terrace.
"Standing watch?" she asked softly.
"Sort of…" and he enveloped her in his arms as they stood watching the snowfall together.
The Couple didn't see Pierre at the far entrance to the massive Terrace or the four pieced Stringed Orchestra members he quietly directed to their pre-set designated places.
Nor did they see the Champagne Stand filled with ice and expensive Champagne that he had already set up in the far corner, along with the tall crystal Champagne Flutes.
They only saw each other and the breathtaking Christmas scene before them.
But as they kissed, the Orchestra's music, The Skaters' Waltz, which had been their favorite of the night, flowed over them and through them, drawing them into the beautiful Waltz they had perfected in opening the Ball.
Now, it was being played for their Private Ball on a Penthouse Rooftop Terrace for and with only the two of them.
The surprise delighted Elizabeth, and as Nathan held out his hand, she took it and fell into his arms, following him wherever he led her, loving him through each and every step.
Their First Opening Dance of the Ball had been perfection, but somehow as they Waltzed across the Terrace in the cold, this, this was even beyond perfection.
And they now knew that even when you thought something couldn't get any better, couldn't be more perfect, couldn't be more special, be prepared for magic because it could and it would.
When you were in love, truly in love, there were dreams and feelings out there in your realm, that before you may not have known existed or even been able to imagine.
You just had to reach for them together…
And they'd be there.
What a glorious night, indeed!
(16*) Ernest Ball and David Reed, "Love Me, and the World is Mine," 1906, Public Domain