Chapter Sixty-Six
"Elizabeth, is anything wrong? A Butler came to my door saying I should come here…"
"Darling, everything's wonderful. Look, Pierre sent up a Breakfast for us, to the likes I've never seen before! Look at all this Nathan!"
"My goodness! It sure looks wonderful! And it's very thoughtful of him! But…"
"Here, sit, let's eat!"
"Are you sure, Elizabeth?"
She ran to kiss him Good Morning, "Of course, I'm sure. Here, sit!"
"Oh, and Pierre is sending someone to get all the Flowers so we won't have to worry about them. He says the Train Station owes him a favor and he'll send them to us in the Train's Refrigerated Car, and for us just to pick them up at the Station after we get home!"
"And Nathan, that makes me so happy. They're just so beautiful, I didn't want to leave them here!"
He took her hand, and she looked directly in his eyes, "Darling, with all my heart, thank you! Thank you for everything! This entire weekend has been beyond perfect. I've never experienced anything like it; I've never been cherished like this, and I love you all the more for it if that's even possible."
She got up and tenderly took his face in her hands and began showering him with kisses and he pulled her to his lap so his lips could meet hers. She ended up staying there and they ate their breakfast together, caring for each other, feeding each other, laughing with each other, teasing each other…
After they had eaten every single bite they could, and it all was delicious, including the Eggs Benedict, and the Belgian Waffles with Strawberries and Cream, they realized they had to get things ready to be taken to their Car.
"Oh, Nathan, look at this rug. Do you like it?"
"It's beautiful. I love the colors…"
"Perfect, it's my favorite and I sketched it out. Do you think Pierre could tell me who makes it? I'd love it for our home!"
"Of course, Darling! He'd probably even order it for you. I know he's constantly having to replace things in order to keep up the high standard of the Hotel. And I also know because he buys in such large quantities, he gets great pricing! All we have to do is ask."
"Darling, do you need me to do anything?" asked Nathan
"Yes," and she smiled, lowering her head. "Will you put on my Charm Bracelet for me?"
He smiled his answer back to her and she ran to get the beautifully wrapped package for them to open together.
He couldn't help but laugh watching her tear into the package, "I think you just might be a little excited. Is this what I'm to expect at Christmas?"
"This is exactly what you should expect at Christmas!"
The paper crinkled as she unwrapped the package.
She was trying her best to hold onto the beautiful ribbon...
"Oh, Nathan, it's even more beautiful than it was in the Jewelry Store, and look at the Charms, Darling! They're perfect! I finally have a Charm Bracelet!"
And she threw her arms around his neck, "Thanks to you, Darling, I have a Charm Bracelet!"
"Well, I wish I'd known it would make you this happy because I would have gotten it for you a long time ago! Here let me put it on… Your starter Charms really are beautiful, Elizabeth!"
"But my Love, you heard the Salesclerk, now all my Charm buying falls to you!"
"I like that, and I accept your Mission with all Seriousness, Honor, and Valor!"
"You'd better, it's a very serious Mission I'm entrusting you with…"
"Just trust me, you won't be disappointed!"
And she doubted if this man could ever disappoint her.
He kissed her, then placed the Bracelet on her tiny wrist and she immediately started shaking it like a child, trying to see how much noise she could make!
"You keep that up, and the rest of us may have to stick cotton in our ears!"
"Oh, you just wait…you haven't heard anything yet!"
"Well, I have everything in my suite ready, what about you, Love"
"Everything's ready except a few personal items, I still need to pack, which will take me all of 3 minutes…"
"I'll call for the Valet while you finish that…"
Standing in the Lobby with Pierre, both Elizabeth and Nathan felt bittersweet about leaving.
"I must tell you, the Le Havre is just as perfect, if not more so, as the Hotels my Sisters and I stayed at in Europe. And my Father saw that they were the very best. So that's a huge compliment!"
"Merci Beaucoup!" and Pierre gave a formal bow to show his gratitude.
"Pierre, we can't thank you enough. Our stay has been splendid. You've gone above and beyond."
"My pleasure, Nathan! I should tell you our Kitchen restocked your Food Hampers for you with our best Delicacies. So, do be sure to eat on the way home. Our Garage filled your Car with Gas and Oil. And don't forget to pick up your beautiful Flowers at the Train Station! I think that's it!"
"That is so very nice of you. Thank you! But, Pierre, the Front Desk can't seem to find my Bill, and I'd like to pay before we leave."
"That, mon ami, is because there is not one!"
"No, Pierre, I can't let you do that…"
"Nathan, I would not even have the Le Havre if it weren't for you, and you know that! None of the other Constables had been able to help us until you came along. Millicent and I would have been left with nothing. You saved me, my family, my business. You are my dear friend and my guest. You will always have a Suite here waiting for you and for Elizabeth. Of course, I'm hoping there is a Wedding Invitation for us soon, and then perhaps you will choose the Honeymoon Suite instead of two separate ones!" and Pierre said that with a sly smile.
Both Nathan and Elizabeth blushed.
"You and Millicent will get that invitation, Pierre. Before very long, we promise," and Nathan smiled down at Elizabeth.
"Tres Bien! I want you to know that if you do not visit us again soon, Millicent and I both will be deeply offended, and you don't want that. We French like to take care of those we love!"
Pierre walked them to their Car, kissed Elizabeth, and helped her into her seat.
Nathan and Pierre stood talking for a few minutes longer, then with broad smiles, they both firmly shook hands, and pulled each other into a hug.
Pierre stood there in front of his beautiful Le Havre and waved them on their way!
They had timed their departure well! Most people were in Church and traffic was minimal. Nathan drove them around the Town Square to see the magnificent Christmas Tree one last time, and then on through the center of the City.
They were loaded down with packages, and on their way home to Hope Valley and the children...
"Not much longer till we're home, Elizabeth! We should be there in about a half-hour, I think! Has the weekend been everything you dreamed it would be, Darling?"
"So much more than I could ever dream. There was a part of me that just wanted to stay forever, and another part of me that was glad to be coming home to the children. But, I've never ever had a weekend like that, Darling! Promise me we'll go back to the Le Havre soon…"
"I promise, Darling. How about for our First Anniversary?"
"You really promise?"
"I really promise, and I don't break my promises, Darling. You can count on that..."
When they finally reached Hope Valley, Nathan and Elizabeth looked at each other and smiled. They were home and minutes away from seeing Allie and Jack. And of course, Frederic, too!
Everyone who was out and about in the Town waved and called out greetings to welcome them back!
And everyone immediately knew that their trip had been a successful one because Nathan and Elizabeth couldn't seem to wipe those broad smiles off their faces!
As Nathan and Elizabeth pulled up to the Coulters' rowhouse, they could see three faces at the window, jumping up and down with excitement! The Couple grabbed the bags of presents they had separated out for the children and the Coulters and ran up the steps together with the children rushing out on the porch to grab them.
Elizabeth hugged Jack and Nathan hugged his Allie Bean, then Elizabeth hugged Allie and Nathan hugged his Big Guy!
Then they switched again, the children were beyond excited and Frederic was determined to be a part of it, too, so both Nathan and Elizabeth added him in on the hugs rotation.
There were a lot of smiles, a lot of laughter, a lot of kisses, a lot of hugs, and a whole lot of love!
Rosemary and Lee were anxiously awaiting their turn, till they finally realized there was not going to be a turn unless they got in line with the children!
"Oh, Elizabeth, you're positively radiant! I don't even have to ask if you had a good time. It's written all over your face! Welcome back!"
At the same time, Lee was trying to talk to Nathan, "Welcome back, and boy were you two missed! Did the Car do okay for you?"
"Everything was great, Lee. No problems whatsoever. And I'll get it filled back up with gas and oil tomorrow! Everything go okay with the Town?"
"Aww, forget the gas and oil! I'll have one of the boys take care of it at work, tomorrow. Looks like you had a great time…and the Town is fine, I passed everything off to Aaron when they got in last evening."
"Thank you, Lee, for everything! I sure do owe you! We really did have a great time! Wish you two could have joined us."
"Who's ready for Gift time?" asked Elizabeth in her Teacher's voice.
The answer to that question was a clamoring "ME!" "ME!" "Me!"
"Let the boys go first, Mrs. Thornton! They've been extra excited!"
"Allie's right about that!" agreed Rosemary.
"I have an idea, how about we do them all at the very same time? I'll set everything on the table and you take the bag that has your name on it, okay?"
"Sounds like fun!" answered an excited Allie.
"Allie, yours is here; Jack, yours is here and Frederic, yours is here! One, Two, Three, grab!"
The result was controlled chaos, which was much better than sheer chaos!
The children tore into the wrapping paper and ribbon within seconds and they were over the moon when their presents were completely unwrapped!
Allie went crazy over her Science Lab and Book of Scientific Experiments, Volume I and II. Jack was so excited about his Mountie costume he put his hat on and wouldn't let anybody catch him to put on the clothing part until he eyed Nathan and ran up to him saying "Me, Me!"
"Come here Big Guy, let's get you dressed in your uniform, so you can look just like me!"
Frederic had his outfit completely on and was running around going "Choo Choo!" "Choo Choo!" "Choo Choo!" "All Aboard!"
As I said, controlled chaos to the nth degree! The boys hadn't even noticed their books yet!
And poor Allie was trying to look through her books in the middle of all the commotion and noise!
Rosemary was delighted with it all, watching the children in their excitement!
"Mama, we're all dressed!" said Nathan as he brought his little Mountie to his Mama.
"Jack, oh Jack, look at you! You look so big. And now you have a Mountie Outfit just like Nathan!"
And Little Jack pointed to himself and said "Na'tan!" "Na'tan!" "Me Na'tan!" and that little smile was as broad as it could be!
"There's definitely a resemblance with that hat on, for sure!" and Elizabeth couldn't help getting the giggles.
And remembering what Adeline had said, she added, "My two little Mounties!"
Which only made her giggle more! And Nathan gave her a questioning, but teasing frown.
"Lee, Rosemary, you two are next!" summoned Elizabeth. "First you get scrumptious Belgian Chocolates! Next, you get Books, and I believe these two are ones I've heard you recently say you wanted to read! And you've got gorgeous Flowers coming within the hour!"
Lee went straight for the Chocolates! So, Rosemary decided to grab one, too!
"Oh, these are so, so very good!" exclaimed Lee, as he moaned.
"Hey, save some of those for me! Don't you dare eat that whole box!" threatened Rosemary. "Pregnant women need their Chocolate! And I'm serious, too, Lee Coulter!"
"Yes, Dear!"
"And, I forgot, we have to have some Christmas cheer! Matching Snowmen Holiday Scarves for the two of you with a little matching one for Frederic!" announced Elizabeth.
"Oh, Elizabeth, these are adorable! We'll be a matching Family, Lee! I love it! Here let me look at the Books... You remembered, Elizabeth, these are exactly the two books we wanted! Thank you, sweet, sweet Friend!
And of course, Rosemary and Lee put on their Holiday Scarves, waiting to catch their little Conductor, so they could wrap him up to match!
"Allie, I forgot these for us! Catch!" and she threw Allie the cutest Reindeer Scarf. "And Allie, do you think you can catch Jack, this one's his."
"Sure, Mrs. Thornton! I love these. We'll look just like a real Family!"
"That's the idea, Sweetheart! Darling," Elizabeth called to Nathan. "I think I have something that belongs to you!"
And she jumped up and tossed his adorable Reindeer Scarf around his neck!
"Very Dashing!" said Nathan, tongue in cheek.
"Nathan, that's hysterical! Dashing Reindeer, why didn't I think of that!"
"You can't get one by you, though!" and he bent to kiss her. "Let's see, everyone has one but Jack!"
Which called for another tackle of that young lad!
So, Nathan sat off to capture his prey, and he lifted that little Mountie way up in the air, till he was giggling non-stop!
"Jack, look at what I have for you! Just like Allie's, Mama's, and mine!"
Nathan quickly wrapped the little scarf around his boy, and just in time, too, because that little boy took off like lightning, with his scarf flying behind him! Off for yet another run!"
"Rosemary, please tell me Jack hasn't been like this the entire weekend!" begged Elizabeth.
"No, we had a lot of fun! They've both been as good as gold. Though, I wouldn't have made it without Allie. She really helped me with the boys! And chores, you name it, she did it. She was indispensable!"
"Lee, you want to make a run to the Train Station with me?"
"Sure, if it gets us out of this chaos! Why are we going?"
"Flowers! It's a long story! But, wait, I forgot. I've got to empty the car first!"
"I'll help!" offered Lee.
"Trust me, Lee, you don't want to do that!" and he motioned him to the window. "I rest my case."
Lee let out a whistle, "Wow, you all did some big-time damage! What did you do, shop the entire weekend?"
"How about most of Saturday? Elizabeth is a professional! She doesn't need a lot of time!"
"Eh, we can get it in two shakes! Come on, might as well get started!" The men got their coats and gloves (they were already wearing their adorable new Christmas Scarves!) and went to kiss their Ladies!
"Going out to unload the Car, then we'll head to the Train Station and get the Flowers. Do you need anything?" asked Nathan.
"Would you mind starting a fire, Darling, so it won't be so cold when we go in?"
"Consider it done!" and he kissed his Elizabeth goodbye.
And with their kisses completed, the men went out to start unloading the Luggage and many Packages from the Car…
"Elizabeth, now that the men are gone, tell me about Bill and Tess! I've been dying to know what happened!" begged Rosemary.
"Rosemary, it's the craziest thing, there is no Bill and Tess! We saw them together at the Hotel, but then this Harlow guy comes in who happens to be the Assistant to the Commissioner for the Mounties. Apparently, he and Tess were in love as teenagers and somehow got separated. But it turns out Bill has known him for years, so he contacted him and basically got them back together!"
"Oh, poor Bill!"
"No Rosemary, I couldn't see who he was with for the longest time, because we were separated by the Podium, but finally when we stopped to get our Dinner, there he came and you'll never believe who he was with!"
"Who, Elizabeth, you're killing me with suspense!"
"AJ! Except she goes by Adeline now. Rosemary, she looks great and was really wonderful! Bill brought her and her things back to Hope Valley on the Train today. I think she's perfect for Bill. I can't believe we didn't think to find her ourselves!"
"Well, where in the world is she going to stay? Surely not at the Saloon! I just don't like single women staying there."
"You don't know? She's going to stay above Lee's Office!"
"I am going to kill that man! Why in this world would he not tell me that? Here I've sat, dying to know what's going on and he knew and didn't tell me! Men! Can't live with them and can't live without them! But Elizabeth, how did Bill even find AJ?"
"When she left here the last time, she worked at Tess's Ranch for a while, and they became good friends. They even stayed in touch, so while Bill was calling Harlow, Tess was calling AJ! And just think Rosemary, I know it looks like a failure, but if we hadn't tried to get Bill and Tess, together, neither one would have found their true loves. So I guess we should look at it all as a double success, instead of a failure, at least that's what Nathan says!"
"Yes, I suppose you're both right!"
"Mrs. Thornton, does this mean Uncle Bill has a new Lady Friend?" asked Allie as she looked up from her Book.
"Yes, Sweetheart, that's exactly what it means!"
"Oh boy, we get a new Auntie! Although Auntie Rosie will always be our best Auntie!"
Rosemary was beaming and she reached to give Allie a playful kiss.
"And look, Mrs. Thornton, you have a new Charm Bracelet!"
"Elizabeth, why did you not tell me that? Here, let us see right now!"
And both Allie and Rosemary came closer to inspect her new Bracelet...
"It's beautiful," said Allie in awe. And she was right, it was quite extraordinary.
"Elizabeth, it's the most beautiful one I've ever seen!"
"What do your Charms say?" asked Allie.
"Here, why don't you read them?" and Elizabeth held her arm out so Allie could read the small cursive writing…"
"It's my name and my Birthday! And Jack's name and his Birthday! We're really going to be Brother and Sister! This is the best! The very best ever!" and she threw her arms around her Teacher's neck, and was thrilled to know that Mrs. Thornton really, really, really was going to become her Mother!
Rosemary was crying, and waiting to give her niece a hug, too. Because Rosemary of all people knew exactly how much this meant to Allie.
"Oh, my ever since this pregnancy started, when my happy tears begin, I just simply can't seem to get them stopped! They just come keep coming in floods! I'm just so happy!"
"It's a tradition in the Family, the Grant Family, every female gets a Charm Bracelet. Dad told me it started with his Great Grandmother, my Great-Great-Grandmother! This means you're Family, Mrs. Thornton!" explained Allie
Elizabeth hugged Allie again and kissed her, "Yes, I think we already are Family, Sweetheart!"
"Did you have fun at the Ball?" asked a very excited Allie.
"Oh, Elizabeth, tell us about everything! We've gotten sidetracked from the Ball…"
"The Ball was magical! Pure magic! And Rosemary, I have to say, the Gown you gave me was the most beautiful one there! I truly felt like a Princess and Allie, you were right, there was no contest, your Father was the most handsome Man at the Ball and he looked like a Prince in his Uniform. But the best part…"
"Elizabeth, tell us!" prompted Rosemary.
"Well, it was a real Fairy Tale come to life! Everyone was already inside before we got there because they told your Dad to come an hour later than everyone else had. So, when they opened the massive Doors to the Grand Ballroom…" started Elizabeth.
"Wait a minute!" and Elizabeth interrupted herself. "I need to tell you how everything was decorated first!"
"So the Stage is set... The Carpet was Serge Red, and so was the Runner, and it was edged in Gold and the whole thing ran the entire length of the Ballroom and it was a huge Ballroom – don't forget that, that's really important to the story."
"Gold was literally everywhere! The walls were lined with Golden Branched Trees covered in Twinkly Lights and there were two huge Christmas Trees on either side of the huge Platform up front where the Dignitaries sat. They were covered in the Twinkly Lights as well as bigger Lights. And each Tree had hundreds and hundreds of Golden Star Ornaments! And they gave us the one engraved with our names to take home with us! So, I'll show you when we unpack."
"The trees were wrapped in Garlands of Golden Mesh. The Theme was called "Golden Stars of Christmas," meaning all the Mounties were the real stars! But Gold Stars were everywhere. Thousands hung from the ceiling, at all different levels, through clouds of Gold Mesh!"
"Behind the Dais (or Platform) was a huge Portrait of each Mountie in their Dress Uniform, and the Portrait was edged in Gold. We got to bring your Father's home, but he says I have to hide it, I'll show you, Allie! Well, all those Portraits in Red and Gold lined the Wall behind where we sat, at the front of the Ballroom. It was extraordinary! And all along the front of the big Dais, were Golden Baskets of Red Poinsettias stacked at different heights. It was stunning! Oh, and they lined the Dais with the same Golden Mesh that formed the Clouds at the Ceiling, along with the exact same Gold Cording used on your Father's Dress Uniform."
"And I guess, the only thing I've forgotten to tell you about the décor is that there were literally a hundred or more huge Crystal Chandeliers and all of them had been wrapped in Gold Twinkly Lights that just sparkled throughout the entire Ballroom!"
"Can you all picture it?" asked Elizabeth, hopefully.
"It sounds glorious, Elizabeth!" said Rosemary, who was still tearing up, from her pregnancy hormones.
"I think I can see it and it must have been like a fairyland with Gold everywhere!" said Allie.
"Both of you are exactly right! Now, for the Story of what happened!"
Elizabeth was just as excited to tell it as Allie and Rosemary were to listen to it.
They were both giving Elizabeth their rapt attention…
"When the massive Doors finally opened, your Dad and I had to walk all along that Grand Runner through an Honor Formation of I don't know how many Arched Sabers. And your poor Dad had to look straight ahead, without smiling, but he gave my arm a little squeeze, so I wouldn't be nervous. Well, we walked through the Arched Sabers with everyone clapping for him, and the clapping just kept getting louder and louder!"
"Oh, this is magical," and poor Rosemary was having to wipe her tears away!
"When we got to the very end, the last two Mounties were your Uncle Gabe and Aaron. And they lowered their Sabers to their waist, so we couldn't get through! Your Dad and I had to kiss before they would lift their Sabers and allow us to meet the Commissioner, who was standing at the end waiting for us! So, we kissed!"
"Oh, how romantic!" cried Rosemary, still sniffling.
"I love it!" exclaimed Allie. "Oh, I wish I could have been there!"
"Me too," cried Rosemary.
"Then the Commissioner introduced us to all the Dignitaries, and after that, we had to stand in a Receiving Line to greet all the Attendees at the Ball. Then, we had to go up front and sit with the Commissioner and his wife. Bill, Aaron, and Gabe had to sit up front, too, because they all had to give speeches about your Dad and some were really funny!"
"Then Nathan had to lead me to the Dance Floor and we had to Waltz all alone together to open the Ball! They called it the 'First Dance of Honor!'"
"Weren't you nervous with everybody watching you?" asked Allie.
"No, we just pretended first like we were dancing alone at our Cabin in the Woods and then secondly skating on the Pond together. And those two things really helped!"
"Ohhh…." and that was all it seemed Rosemary could get out!
"What did you dance to, Mrs. Thornton?"
"The Skaters' Waltz!"
"Dad loves that one!"
"I really did feel like a Fairy Tale Princess! And your Dad looked exactly like Prince Charming! But there's more. Just before the end of our Dance, Gold Confetti fell from the Ceiling, just on and around us. It was stunning and simply beautiful!" and Elizabeth spread her arms out wide.
"Ohhh….." and by this time Rosemary was sobbing!
"Rosemary, are you alright?"
Elizabeth was getting worried!
"More…" eeked out a very tearful Rosemary.
"Well, we danced almost every single dance! There was an Orchestra that played the most beautiful music. They even rearranged Christmas Carols for us to dance to. When they took their break, we ate, and that's when we got to see Bill and AJ and they ended up eating with us! When we finally went back to the Dance Floor, I think we Waltzed again, but later we did the Quadrille, a fun peppy Dance with Bill and AJ, Aaron and Felicity, and Gabe and Lillian! We had so much fun together!"
"It sounds like a whole lot of fun!" smiled Allie mesmerized by the whole story!
"Well, there's one more surprise! The Orchestra played "Love Me and the World is Mine" for their last song. And everyone was out on the Dance Floor together, dancing to it! But at the very end of the Dance, hundreds of pounds of Golden Confetti and Golden Ribbon Streamers fell from the ceiling, down on all the Dancers. It was just the perfect way to end the Ball!" and Elizabeth spread her arms out as wide as she could get them!
"The whole thing sounds perfect to me! That's better than one of my Books!" exclaimed Allie.
"Elizabeth, it just all sounds too perfect to be true!" sniffled Rosemary, who was still teary.
Elizabeth hugged her friend with a wistful look in her eyes…
"It almost was Rosemary, it almost was…"
But Elizabeth knew every single moment had been both perfect and true!
Each and every moment, and so much more, had happened just as she said.
And Elizabeth's brilliant smile was reflective of that, as the memories flashed through her mind...
'A Real and True Perfect Romance, one for the Story Books,' she thought.
And Allie hadn't been far from wrong!
The Ball and their weekend together had certainly been better than any Book Elizabeth had ever read!
But only Elizabeth and Nathan knew that.
And that's exactly the way the Couple planned to keep it...