Chapter Seventy
It was Thursday and Carson had finally released Bill to go back to work, Judging duties only!
Of course, Bill hadn't even heard that part! In his mind, he was cleared for work. But Adeline had listened very closely to the entire conversation, and she was watching Bill like a hawk, popping in and out of his Judge's office, making absolutely sure he stayed put there!
She had also dared Nathan and Aaron to let him step one foot in the Mountie Office, or there would be consequences to pay, for all three of them! And all three knew she meant business!
Even Tillie was scared…
Everyone in and around Hope Valley had gotten the word, they were to stop by the Café, anytime tonight after they ate, for Dessert, to meet Adeline and help celebrate the Couple's Engagement. And everyone in town and around town was coming. No one was about to miss this momentous occasion!
"Rosie, Sweetheart, don't you think we have enough Decorations?"
"Lee, you can never be too festive! This is an Engagement Party for Adeline and Bill! And the entire town is coming! Keep hanging those Balloons! Hop to it!" and Rosie waved her hand like she meant business, and she did!
Since the Café was already decked out in its Holiday Finery and Emeralds were Adeline's favorite stone, Rosemary was piling on the Green everywhere, with Balloons and Streamers stretched across the entire Ceiling.
She had also insisted Lee and Jessie bring even more Greenery into the Café, as well as two large Christmas Trees to set just outside the Entrance.
Even Clara, who had been quite satisfied with the before picture, was amazed at the difference Rosemary's refined touch made to the overall decor. Everything sparkled and just looked like a Party ready to happen!
Clara, Elizabeth and Felicity were arranging the long Table of Desserts, with a huge Engagement Cake in the center that Clara had baked and decorated earlier that morning. She had made a Sugar Ornament that looked almost identical to Adeline's gorgeous ring and used that as the Cake Topper. Clara was becoming an extraordinary Baker and an even better Cake Decorator!
The most beautiful Sugar Cookies of every size and shape, were spread across the Dessert Table, surrounding the Cake. They were iced in Christmas Colors and decorated with Silvery Sugared Crystals and Beads! And the Table was literally laden to overflowing with them!
The Drinks Table included, Coffee, Wassail (both with Brandy and without) and Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows for the kids!
Clara had even taken the Café's huge Gingerbread House and adapted it specifically for the Engagement Party! She had added a Sugar Bride and Groom that looked amazingly like Adeline and Bill!
Christmas Carols were playing softly in the Background.
And everything looked and felt amazing…
Nathan and Elizabeth, Lee and Rosemary, Aaron and Felicity, along with Jessie and Clara, were all dressed in their Holiday Party finest! And the Children looked adorable. Allie was wearing a dark Green Velvet Party Dress trimmed in White Lace, with a matching Bow in her hair, and the Boys were wearing little Velvet Suits in the same Dark Emerald Green that had little Velvet Bowties, and Shorts with Long Knee Socks stretched over their little knees.
All were patiently waiting for the guests of honor to show, who were due anytime!
Nathan was holding Little Jack and Allie was flitting around the Café, straightening chairs and making sure nothing was out of place. Frederic was trying to help, but spent most of his time sneaking cookies from the long Dessert Table!
Finally, only ten minutes early, the Couple of Honor was there, which gave the Ladies just enough time to look at that gorgeous ring again!
Bill was dressed to the nines in a dark gray suit with Emerald Green tie, and Adeline looked stunning in a deep Emerald Green Gown in heavy satin, that was void of any trim, except for the wide bands of the same fabric that bordered the neckline, sleeves, and hem. It was simple and elegant, and it suited her perfectly.
As she moved her hands, the Green of her Emerald flashed and the Diamonds surrounding it sparkled!
'Adeline, it's one of the prettiest rings I've ever seen!" complimented Felicity, as she gave Adeline a huge hug. "We're so happy for you and Bill!"
"Were you completely surprised?" asked Elizabeth.
"Shocked would be a more accurate description!" replied Adeline, laughing.
Bill just smiled with them as he moved over to the Men standing just inside the door!
"Feeling better, Bill?"
"Much, thanks, Nathan! And thanks for doing all my running. So ready for next week, when things can get back fully to normal!" and Bill winked.
"Let me hold my Godson!" and Nathan passed Little Jack to his Godfather's good arm.
"Hey, I heard the Doctor say you still had to take it easy for a while!" cautioned Aaron.
"Yeah, but I'm not telling AJ that!"
"Hate to tell you this, Bill, but that woman already knows, and your toast!" laughed Lee.
"Adeline, it really is the most gorgeous ring! I just love the Emerald with the Diamonds. How did Bill choose it?" asked Rosemary.
"Well, I had no idea, but turns out he called my Mother just after he got to Union City and asked for my hand…is that not the sweetest thing ever? And she was the one who told him of my lifelong love for Emeralds, as well as my ring size!"
"But how did he get the ring?" asked Elizabeth.
"He went shopping in Union City before I arrived!"
"Where did he find it?"
"A little Jewelry Shoppe named Erlington's, I believe," answered Adeline.
"That's the same Jewelry Shoppe where we got my Charm Bracelet. The entire Shoppe was so lovely! Everything was extraordinary!" said Elizabeth excitedly.
"I just still can't believe it's all real! I've never been this happy in my life! And the ring, well that's just icing on the cake," and Adeline was clearing looking at her Bill with a face full of love!
All the Ladies noticed it and they couldn't help but let out a collective sigh!
"Here, Bill, you come and stand with Adeline right here just inside the Door, so you can welcome everyone to the Party, and they can see you both and spend a few minutes with you. But stand back a smidgeon so people can pass to and fro in front of you! And whatever you do, Bill, don't forget to introduce your Fiancee to everyone!" directed Rosemary, ever the one in Charge!
But she sure did know how to make things run smoothly, and to Rosemary, there was nothing better than a good Party! It just had to be done right, in her mind!
Promptly at eight pm, there were floods of people at the Door and Rosemary spread her arms wide and proudly announced: "Let the Party Begin!"
And Begin it did!
Ned Yost was first in line, and he went straight to Adeline, "It's lovely to have you back in Hope Valley, but no leaving us this time! We've always needed someone to keep this guy in check! But we will help you in any way you need!"
Bill grunted and shook Ned's hand, "I did pretty good, didn't I?" he asked.
"I'd say you hit the Jackpot!" answered Ned and Adeline blushed profusely.
Florence and Molly were next and they wanted a peek at this ring they had heard so much about…
"It's simply stunning!" admired an almost speechless Florence, which was definitely a first!
"Everyone's been talking about it, and it's even more beautiful than they described. And look at you, Adeline! You look simply stunning!"
Both offered Adeline huge hugs with kisses as they moved through the receiving line, to mingle with the others, and give someone else a chance to move through the Receiving Line.
Next, came the Williams Family, with introductions all around, followed by hugs for everyone.
Everyone could tell Adeline loved children, because she knelt down, so she could be eye level with `Laila and Tyrone. Whatever she said to the two, got her a hug and left them in all smiles, running off to see Allie, Frederic, and Little Jack!
Trevon and Taleisha immediately loved Adeline.
"Now Adeline, you're going to have to work on this man of yours! He promised me a Cook-Off after the Holidays, and I'm counting on you to make sure it happens, and you Judge, better be shaking in your boots!" Taleisha teased.
"Consider it done, Ladies' Honor!" promised Adeline, as she gave Taleisha a huge hug and wink.
Lucas and Sophie were next.
"Bill, how are you feeling?" asked Lucas
"Good as ever. You know how these women fuss!"
But they could clearly hear Carson, who happened to be next in line, loudly clear his throat!"
"Judge Avery, I just want to thank you with all my heart for agreeing to walk me down the aisle. It means the world to me!" and Sophie gave Bill a huge hug to let her know she meant it and you could tell Bill was very flattered.
"And I'm dying to see this ring I've heard so much about… Oh! It's truly spectacular!"
"Thank you, Sophie! And so is yours. Bill and I are so looking forward to your Wedding. Let us know if there's anything else we can do to help!" and the two women hugged.
"Carson, you may have to tie him down, so please don't totally release him yet. I still think he's overdoing it a bit!" begged Adeline.
"Between you and me," and Carson leaned in conspiratorially, "I think we've done better with him than would have normally been possible, and that's all because of you Adeline. So, thank you for making my job a whole lot easier!"
"Carson, with your beautiful Faith gone, and yes, Bill has told me all about her, I want you to come to Dinner tomorrow! You promise, me…" begged Adeline.
"I promise," and Carson leaned in to give her a kiss. "Congratulations you two, we all are thrilled for you!"
There were many, many more introductions and many, many more conversations and congratulations throughout the night for the Happy Couple…
Literally everyone had shown up, and everyone was relaxed and having the best of times. And nobody wanted to go home.
Poor Clara and her helpers had been busy the whole night through, running back and forth, tirelessly replenishing the Cookies and Drinks.
Carson even captured a photo of Adeline and Bill cutting their cake, amidst lots of teasing: "Just you wait till the real thing!" "Won't be long, Judge!" Engagement Cake tonight, Wedding Cake tomorrow!" along with quite a few others that were shouted out!
"Bouchard's the one who should be shaking in his boots, he's only about a week away!" teased Bill and the crowd roared with laughter.
But Lucas took it in stride, smiling at his beautiful Sophie, he shouted back, "You all wish you were so lucky!"
He did retaliate, though, but only Nathan saw it, by clinking his glass, which was immediately followed by everyone else clinking their glass and calling, "Kiss," "Kiss," "Kiss!"
And believe it or not, if you'd been standing there, you might have seen Bill, the Charmer, blush a bit, as he reached and drew his Fiancee to him, to thunderous applause!
All in all, a perfect night for Bill and Adeline, as she was welcomed to Hope Valley and their engagement was celebrated.
Throughout the night, It had crossed many of the townspeople's minds, that if Bill was the Leader and Soul of the Community, and he was, the community now had a new First Lady!
And they were welcoming her with open arms!