Chapter Eight-Eight: Important Discussions
As Mr. Thatcher and Nathan walked out of the Ballroom and through the Hallway, then rode up to the Thatcher's Penthouse Suite on the Elevator, not a single word was said.
But instead of making the Situation more tense, Nathan, with his astute ability to read both People and Situations, realized it was just an attempt by Mr. Thatcher to collect his thoughts, and he understood that.
Nathan also noticed that Godfrey had discreetly followed them at a comfortable distance behind, but he had abruptly left them to take the special Service Elevator.
When Mr. Thatcher led Nathan from the Main Elevator, onto the Penthouse Floor, Nathan was stunned at the dramatic difference in this Floor from all the others.
Opulent was the first word that came to his mind, then Magnificent, then Extravagant…well, he was pretty much speechless. Never, before had he seen anything quite like this. In a Museum, perhaps, but not in a Hotel, not even a Luxurious one such as this.
However, it didn't surprise Nathan at all, that Godfrey was waiting at the Grandiose Entrance to the Massive Suite, ready to take Mr. Thatcher's Dinner Jacket and help him slip into a more comfortable one.
Nathan knew without going inside, that the Suite was Massive because apparently, there were only two Grand Entrances on the Floor. What he didn't know was the Thatchers had the entire Floor, and their Servants were staying in Special Quarters also on the same Floor, but with a hidden Entrance, unseen from the Main Hallway.
The Penthouse, itself, was more of a Mansion, than just a Hotel Penthouse!
Since Elizabeth had warned him her Childhood Home was indeed a Mansion, perhaps Nathan should have expected this Extravagance away from Home, as well.
But that wasn't at all his concern tonight! His sole Purpose was to get to know Elizabeth's Father in order to ask him for Her Hand in Marriage. And nothing was going to deter him from that Purpose.
Godfrey led them through a Palatial Living Room into a Grand Hall that ran through the Center of the Entire Penthouse. They walked quite a distance, till Godfrey finally moved aside and opened Ornately Arched Wooden Doors into a Luxurious Study filled with the heady scent of Old Leather and yet another Grand Fireplace, where a Fire was already roaring.
There was a Sumptuous Chesterfield Sofa that lay in Front of the Fireplace, in a luxuriously deep, rich Brown Leather, but it was unlike any Nathan had ever seen before, as it was Curved and Massive with Matching Leather Ottomans placed the entire Length in front of it.
Behind that was a massive Curved Wooden Desk with the largest Wingback Leather Chair sitting behind it Nathan had ever seen, as well as Two Matching Wingback Chairs placed directly in front of it.
Of course, all the Leather in the Study was perfectly coordinated in the same deep, rich Brown Color, with all of it sitting on plush Antique Oriental Carpets of deep Red and Gold.
The heavy Velvet Draperies at each Window were edged in wide Gold Fringe and were held back with substantial Gold Corded Drapery Pulls.
Imposing? Yes, but Nathan was not about to be deterred by Decor.
Nathan politely waited for Mr. Thatcher to determine where they would sit.
He noticed that Mr. Thatcher was headed to his Desk, then abruptly changed his mind, as he directed Nathan to the Chesterfield Sofa, instead.
Nathan smiled a bit, as he realized Mr. Thatcher was really trying to make this more informal, for his sake, although it was totally against every tactic the Businessman had ever used.
Had he sat behind his desk, he would be assuming Total Authority and both Men knew it.
"This isn't Home, Nathan, but I suppose it will have to do. Godfrey, a glass of Port would do nicely for both of us, Thank you!"
Godfrey nodded and immediately went to the very well-stocked Bar that was built directly in front of the Main Window.
He was back almost immediately, serving the Men their Port in heavy Cut Crystal Glasses on a Silver Tray.
He then brought a Silver Box and Silver Lighter on a second Silver Tray, both monogrammed with William Thatcher's Initials, and set them down on the Massive Leather Ottoman that was closest to Mr. Thatcher.
"For later, Sir!"
"Thank you, Godfrey!"
'Unusual Thatcher Travel Essentials,' Nathan thought to himself.
This was a World he knew a little about, but had never wanted to be a part of.
However, here he was.
He had fallen in love with Elizabeth Thatcher Thornton, and this, he had to keep reminding himself, was part of her World, which meant it would now be part of his, no matter how reluctantly.
Godfrey nodded to Nathan, and Nathan could have sworn, he detected both an almost imperceptible nod and a slight smile of encouragement.
Godfrey then quietly departed the room and closed the Massive Double Doors behind him.
And then the Conversation began…
"Nathan, I want us to start out on the right foot. No more Mr. Thatcher, it's William!"
"Thank you for that, Sir!"
William gave him a stern look.
"Thank you for that, William. It's what I very much want, as well," and Nathan looked directly into the eyes of Elizabeth's Father, without any hesitation.
"I do need to ask you a few things. And yes, of course, I probably do already know most things about you, and even your Parents," he said pointedly. "I do my Homework, so to speak."
"But you need to hear those things from me," offered Nathan.
"No, not necessarily, just a few blanks I need to be filled in…"
"Ask anything, William. I'm pretty much an open book. In fact, my entire Life is pretty much an open book."
"First, let's get this out of the way. I like your Parents a lot, and yes, I know about your Father's past. But, you know what I like? I like his present. And truthfully, I'm not sure that what I've done in my own Life is any better or any worse than he did. So, let's just leave it at that, never to be discussed again."
"I very much appreciate that, Sir," and Nathan meant it.
"However, I don't know where Allie fits in. Elizabeth told me she was your Daughter, and basically, that's all I know. There's no record of a Marriage, so I would be remiss to not say I'm a little puzzled."
"Allie is the light of my Life. She is my Daughter in every way that counts. She's just not mine biologically."
"Then, who does she biologically belong to and why do you have her, if you don't mind my asking?"
"Of course not. You have every right to ask and to know. She is my Sister's Daughter. Colleen died in Childbirth when Allie was Four Years of Age. Allie doesn't know that her Mother actually gave birth to Twins that night, as both were Stillborn. After that, Allie's Father was nowhere to be found. Mother and I were the only options for Allie, and it all happened at a time when Mother was extremely busy learning to run the Ranch alone. She was already quite overwhelmed with that undertaking. Obviously, we discussed Allie's future together at length, but the Ranch was so isolated, no School, or even any Children close by, so the only obvious solution was for me to take her and raise her. When you get to know my Daughter, you'll realize how full of Life and how very inquisitive she is, and she needed other Children and lots of Activity. Also, Colleen and I were extremely close, and she asked me to promise to take care of Allie. And I did promise."
"A Man of Honor. Then, that, Nathan, explains my bigger Question."
"And what Question is that, William?"
"Why you didn't take the posting in Coal Valley."
That comment surprised Nathan.
"How did you know about that, Sir?"
"Because I don't forget faces and because I'm the one who requested you to go there. Seven Years ago, I poured over a stack of Files with Photos of the most highly recommended Mounties, trying to select the right Mountie, the best Mountie, to protect my Daughter on her latest Venture, and I realized today at Lunch, that all those Years ago, I chose your File with your Photo. You were the Mountie I selected. I chose you, Nathan."
"William, I didn't know that. I did, however, just recently, realize that Coal Valley was actually Hope Valley and that I had been stationed to go there when my Sister died. Of course, with Allie Four Years of Age, it was just impossible for me to take her so far away from her Grandmother. We were all grieving so horribly, and I had to learn very quickly how to Raise a Child!"
"So, you didn't even make the Connection to Hope Valley?"
"No, Sir! No, William, not till a few months ago, when our Judge was going through my Personnel File, helping Commissioner Blake for the Awards Ceremony tomorrow. Judge Avery, Bill, asked me why I hadn't told him I had been assigned there, before. And I told him I hadn't been, that I had Orders to go to Coal Valley, not knowing at all that it was one and the same, now Hope Valley."
"That had to be a bit of a Shock. How did that make you feel? Finding out, I mean."
"Devastated. Completely and utterly devastated. You see, I love your Daughter more than Life itself, and to realize that we would have met all those Years earlier was a shock! It was very difficult for both of us to discover the Truth and acknowledge all those lost Years."
"And yet, you both have moved past that loss."
"Yes, we worked through it and we have moved past it. We're committed to making each and every single Day count with each other, to make up for all that lost time. The Past is gone. We can only control our Present and our Future, both of which you play a key role in, William."
"But, Nathan, you're both Adults. Why would you even go to the trouble of talking with me, much less ask me for her Hand, which is why I assume we are here?"
"Yes, that is why we're here. I am asking you for your Daughter's Hand in Marriage, William. You're her Father and you deserve that Respect. I couldn't possibly do this any other way. Also, because I want you and Grace to be a part of our Lives. Elizabeth wants that, too. We want you to be a part of Allie's and Jack's Lives. And if it's not too presumptuous to say so, we want to be a part of your Lives."
"I very much appreciate that, Nathan, I do. I can see how much you love her, but I suppose I need to share something. I was not happy with her first choice. Perhaps it was because that particular Mountie was not 'MY' first choice, or perhaps Jack and I just got off on the wrong foot. But, the truth is, we clashed. And I didn't have the know-how or even the desire to try to fix it. There was a petulance about him. And for the Life of me, I couldn't see him with my Daughter. Yet, there he was. How have you come to terms with all that, if I may ask?"
"No disrespect to Jack, but I'm not Jack. I will tell you, yes, I'm getting an Award or two tomorrow, and the irony is I don't even believe in Awards. I believe a Man does his job to the best of his ability, succeeds at it, and then goes right back out there to succeed again. I understand Jack was a good Mountie, perhaps even a great one, but I also understand, being a Mountie was his Life. Of course, it's my Life, too, but the difference is my Family comes first and will always come first. Elizabeth comes first."
"You know, I could say those are empty Words…"
"Yes, you could…"
"If it weren't for your Allie. You've already proven that, in the most difficult of Circumstances, I might add. And now that I've seen you with Elizabeth and her Son, I know you mean that for them, too. That's really all a Father can ask for."
"Thank you for that, William."
"What about your Income? I know a Mountie's Salary is not that substantial. How do you propose to take care of my Daughter? She does have rather expensive taste at times. Maybe, not so much now, but still, she appreciates the finer things."
"No, for that matter, my Mountie Income is not as substantial as I, nor any other Mountie, would like it to be," laughed Nathan. "Both Elizabeth and I live rather simply in Hope Valley. But there are other Sources of Income. I do get a monthly Income from the Horse Ranch. It's actually in my name and it's done quite well under Mother's leadership. We share the Profits equally. I've always lived rather frugally on my Mountie Salary, without touching the additional Income, allowing it to draw Interest and Compound."
"You said Sources, as in multiple."
"The other Source," and Nathan hesitated, "Is probably, the only area of my Life that is not so much an open book. In fact, I've tried very hard to keep that part of my Life closed. Let's just say it's one I don't often speak of. In fact, no one in Hope Valley, not even Allie, knows, except of course your Daughter. And I'd prefer to keep it that way, between us if you don't mind."
William nodded, but with a puzzled look on his face, not sure what to expect next.
He laughed, "Here, I'm the one who's supposed to keep you on your toes and off-balance. Yet I'm the one who can't wait to hear this one!''
Nathan laughed too, "Do you ever read Historical Books?"
"All the time, my favorite genre, actually…wait, a minute, Grant! What's your middle name, Son?"
"Alexander."
"N.A. Grant! I can't believe it! That's you? I've read every single thing you've written. You're a phenomenal Writer. How in the World did you get into that? You're known everywhere."
"That's why I like to keep it quiet, Sir! Elizabeth doesn't even know just how popular the Books have been. They're just not something she's that familiar with. Being a Mountie is my Profession. Writing I do on my own time because it's just something I love to do."
"That's quite a financial return on a Hobby, Son! And I'm asking you, if you can support my Daughter?" and William just burst out laughing raucously and couldn't stop.
"Well, back to your Question, the Incomes from the Ranch and the Books are all stashed away, some in Investments and some just there for future use when needed."
William was still trying to stop laughing.
"Just wait till I tell my Friends this…this is wonderful! Here I thought I was getting another Mountie for my future Son-in-Law and I'm getting a famous Author instead! My favorite Author, to boot! Oh no, you said between us! If I have to, I'll respect that, Nathan. But, boy, I sure would like some bragging rights!"
"Well, actually, William, you're getting both a Mountie and an Author. Maybe, when you're officially my Father-in-Law, we can see that you have those bragging rights, at least a few," grinned Nathan, conspiratorially.
"The answer to your Question is yes, Son. A resounding yes! Welcome to the Thatcher Family, N. A. Grant! This is quite extraordinary! But Nathan, seriously, even if you weren't 'N.A. Grant,' which I'm thrilled you are, I'd still welcome you wholeheartedly as Nathan Grant, the Mountie. I've never seen Elizabeth so happy. Grace adores you already. Apparently, you charmed her on the Telephone, and she's not that easy to win over. I think she'd have my hide if I said no."
Both Men stood up and shook each other's hand firmly, sealing their future together as Father-in-Law and Son-in- Law.
"I just can't get over this! You, 'N.A. Grant,' are going to sign each and every one of my Books, you do know that, don't you? And maybe a few extra for my Friends!"
"My pleasure, William!"
"Now, see how easy that was? When two Men are direct with each other, they get things done. What do you say, we Celebrate?" and William sat back down with Nathan, offering him a very expensive Cuban Cigar that Nathan knew was even more expensive than the ones that had been given out at the Bouchard Wedding.
Suddenly Godfrey appeared. Nathan had noticed that William had reached to summon him.
"Godfrey, I think some Cognac is in order. The best we have!"
"Yes, Sir!"
In seconds, Godfrey was away to the Bar, locating the very best Bottle of Cognac they had.
He returned with two filled Club Glasses and a Carafe of rich Golden Cognac, on yet another Silver Tray, and set them down in front of the two Men.
"Will there be anything else, Sir?"
"No, thank you, Godfrey. Nathan and I are fine."
Godfrey removed the first Silver Tray, then quietly exited.
Cognac was not Nathan's favorite, but it was fine if that's what William preferred. So, Cognac it was.
"A Toast to my new favorite Son-in-Law."
"Favorite?" asked Nathan.
"Wait till you meet your Brother-in-Law Lord Something or Other from Merry Old England!"
Nathan laughed, "Then, I'll be happy to take the title of Favorite. If you'll allow me to add to your Toast. To my new Favorite Father-in-Law, my one and only Father-in-Law!"
Both Men laughed and lit their Cigars to enjoy with their Cognac.
William got an odd look on his face, "You know Nathan, I've never said this before, even to Grace. But, I really haven't felt like I've had a Son-in-Law before, not one where we had anything in common. I like you and I like you with my Daughter. Honestly, I can't believe I'm saying this, but all the Concerns I had, they're gone! Thank you for being so open with me. I'm not really used to that. It seems like People always have an Ulterior Motive with me. That's why I like your Parents, they're two of the few People I've met who don't expect anything in return except Friendship. They're just themselves and I really appreciate that. Grace and I both do."
"Thank you, William, and thank you for this time together. But I do want you to promise, that you and Grace will be an active part of our Lives. That's so very important to us."
"We do promise, Nathan. It's a funny thing, as you get older, you realize all that work you've done all your Life, for your Family, of course, has actually kept you away from that said Family. I don't want to keep making that same mistake. As young as you are, you've already figured that out. Nathaniel and I were talking about that very same thing, today, and he's had to learn that lesson the hard way. I don't want to be like that. But, you're going to have to help me with pulling back, as I do have an Empire to run. You know what, I want you to teach me and your Dad how to Fish! How's that for starters? I want to see that Lake. Lake Granda! I like that."
"That's great for Starters. You know, I'm just beginning to realize, this allows Elizabeth and me to finally progress forward. Thank you so much for that. I've never in my life felt this way about anyone. Your Daughter's extraordinary, William. Beautiful inside and out!"
William laughed, "Good grief, do you realize your eyes sparkle when you talk about her?"
Nathan laughed, too! "Yes, I've been told that, Sir!"
Godfrey knocked lightly and entered the room to make an announcement, "Sir, Mrs. Thatcher."
But Nathan could see, Grace was not one to stand on Ceremony, at least if it didn't suit, as she edged herself past Godfrey, straight toward her Husband.
"William, it's been entirely too long! Are you crucifying the Young Man?" and then she noticed them totally relaxed sharing Cognac and Cigars. "Oh, I'm sorry for the intrusion, but Gentlemen, there is important Business to be taken care of."
"Come, Darling, sit between us!"
"Ma'am, may I get you anything?"
"No, thank you, Godfrey."
Godfrey nodded, backed out, and closed the Arched Doors once again.
"Grace, meet your new Son-in-Law!" exclaimed a proud Mr. Thatcher.
Nathan noticed she laid down a rather large pleated Manilla File on the Ottoman before her.
"Oh, Nathan, I'm so very happy. Welcome to the Family!" and she reached to kiss her future Son-in-Law.
"I'm truly sorry for interrupting, and Nathan, I hope it isn't presumptuous of me to bring this to your attention."
William nodded to her, encouraging her to continue.
"Grace, I think Nathan is quite happy about progressing in his Relationship with our Daughter."
"Good! Then I need to share something with you. Something, that I hope you won't think awkward."
"Grace, nothing will be awkward between us. You can feel perfectly free to share anything you wish with me, at any time."
Grace smiled, "Thank you for that, Nathan. I realize this is highly unusual, but my Mother was a highly unusual Person, and she adored Elizabeth. When she died, Elizabeth was devastated, and the one remembrance that she wished to give Elizabeth, well, my Sisters and I couldn't find it anywhere. We were frantic, yet we finally had to give up on ever finding it, altogether. But the oddest thing happened last week. One of Mother's Attorney's called me to say they had overlooked a second Safety Deposit Box and he said the Key had been left to me. When they brought me the Box and we opened the Contents, there was the remembrance Elizabeth had so desperately wanted, along with a Letter."
"Granda's ring? Oh, Elizabeth will be elated! She doesn't even know I know about it, but I needed help in knowing what type of Engagement Ring she would like and her friend, Rosemary, did a little reconnaissance for me and later told me about Granda's Ring, that it was the only Ring Elizabeth had ever wanted. I was going to call you, Grace, after I got a chance to talk to William, to see if we could find the Jeweler and possibly have him recreate the Ring for Elizabeth. But, she will be so happy to have the Original. It will mean the World to her. I'll come up with something else for her Engagement Ring. I just need to find something both simple and elegant. A Solitaire, I think. Something that says 'Elizabeth.'"
"You don't understand, Nathan. Granda didn't leave the Ring to Elizabeth, she left it to you."
"How can that be? She didn't even know me."
"She left it to Elizabeth's Prince, using her Words, and she also left a Letter to you. William and I both can clearly see you're Elizabeth's Prince."
Nathan was dumbfounded, as Grace took out the letter and the Ring Box and handed them to him.
He set the Box off to the side.
"Do you mind?"
"Oh, no. Please do read it now. We have no idea what's in it! And we should warn you, knowing Grace's Mother, it could be anything," explained William.
Nathan opened the Envelope:
"To My Darling Elizabeth's Prince,
I know Elizabeth has had one Love, but I know she has not yet met her Forever Love, her Fairy Tale Prince who will be by her side throughout her Life's entire Journey.
I ask you, her Prince, to take care of her and love her as I do.
She is a Priceless Treasure, one who has made my Life so much richer and so much better in every way.
And I know she'll do the same for you, but of course, in much more intimate ways."
Nathan, paused, blushing, and then continued.
For the Perfect Life together, there is a Fail-Safe Prescription, written as a Poem by my favorite Poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson.
The Poem also happens to be my favorite Poem of all Time.
Read this every single Day and follow every single Line.
You'll have a Marriage, and most importantly, a Love that will last the Ages, my Darling.
How I would love to meet you! I imagine you as tall, dark and very handsome. Rugged too, but ever so kind and gentle when it is required. And as I've rarely been wrong in my life, I am very confident I am right in my assumptions about you, now.
So, in an odd way, I have met you.
Love her well, my Darling, as I already love you."
Tears came to Nathan's eyes, as he read the title of the Poem…
"This is My Wish for You!"
"This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, Love to complete your life." (*45)
"Nathan, you aren't even reading it. You know this, don't you?"
"Yes, I do. Emerson is my favorite. Elizabeth's too. In fact, this is also our favorite Poem. I placed this Poem in my Bible the night I got Allie and I've read it every single night since, to make sure I gave her what she really needed. So, yes, it's long been committed to memory. I can't believe it was your Mother's favorite, too!"
"She would be so happy, Nathan. And she would say it's a Sign!" said Grace.
"I think it is definitely a Sign," agreed Nathan as he took Grace's hand.
"Nathan, open the Box!" urged Grace.
He reached for it and carefully opened it, and was at first speechless.
"It's beautiful, exactly as Elizabeth described it. We need to give it to her."
"No, Nathan. You need to give it to her as her Engagement Ring. It's what her Granda is saying to you."
"But…" "No buts. This is the Ring Elizabeth wants, and it now belongs to you."
"Nathan, if you knew Granda, you'd know not to even think about arguing with her, or even debating her, because she always won! And Grace is her Daughter…You really don't have another option, Son!" explained William.
Nathan's concern instantly evaporated.
"It must be meant to be…I have to find Elizabeth!"
"Darling, she's in our Guest Suite across the Hall. I brought her up here with me, as I thought you might want to speak with her…"
Nathan could hardly contain himself, as he realized Elizabeth was just across the Hall.
"But I must look like a…"
"Why don't you freshen up down the Hall first? At least get that awful Smoke Scent off of you! Honestly, William, Cigars! What were you thinking?"
"Sorry, Dear!"
"Nevertheless, call Godfrey now to take him there…" ordered Grace with a wave of her bejeweled hand and wrist.
And William promptly complied with his Wife's wishes.
"You rang, Sir?"
"Yes, Godfrey, Nathan would like to freshen up. Apparently, Mrs. Thatcher thinks I've inundated him with Liquor and Smoke Fumes!"
Even Godfrey couldn't help but smile at that one.
"Yes, Sir! Mr. Grant, come with me, please."
"Grace, William, you've been so very kind. I can't thank you enough, and I'm honored and thrilled to have you as part of my Family!"
Grace hugged him, "And we feel the same! Now, go…go…"
"And Nathan, Elizabeth has no idea whatsoever!"
"Thank you! Thank you for that, Grace!" and Nathan bent to kiss her cheek, with a jubilant smile on his face.
(*45) Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), "This Is My Wish for You" (written in the mid-1800s), Public Domain