Chapter One Hundred Five: Belated Valentine's Day for the Family

Nathan and Elizabeth had raced back home from Nathaniel's and both were exhilarated with their special day.

What a magnificent Belated Valentine's Day it had been!

But little did Nathan know, his Valentine's Day wasn't quite over.

Elizabeth had plans too, but some of her plans included the Children! And some maybe not so much!

They stabled their horses at the Livery and decided to walk home arm in arm.

Thankfully they had made it back to Hope Valley right at sunset, just in time for the Children's dinner.

The beautiful colors flashed across the sky before them, creating the perfect masterpiece and ending to their special day together.

They had never been so happy, as now everything was very real before them.

They had a home. It was their second home, but it was their first home together, and both could now see they were going to be together as a married couple, and a family, very, very soon. With furniture they had chosen together for them and their Children. Those already here and even those to come.

"I've never felt so happy!" beamed Elizabeth.

"Me neither, Love! It just all became so very real!"

She nodded and clasped his hand, with her arm still looped in his.

"I love you, Nathan Grant. With all my heart I love you!"

"I love you, Elizabeth Thornton! Completely!"

His eyes crinkled and sparkled and she knew, just as she was, he was about to burst with joy!

"Darling, I think I'd better take Allie home tonight. She's fine now, and you don't need to be fussing over her any longer. I think it's too much for you."

"No, not tonight. She stays with me tonight!"

He looked at her quizzically.

"And just what do you have up your sleeve?"

"I was thinking that maybe it would be better for Allie to just stay with me. Till we're married, that is."

"And leave me all alone?"

"Would you mind terribly?"

"Darling, I don't know how to be alone without Allie. And we just came so close to losing her, Lisbeth, that I don't think…"

And then he saw it in her eyes. She was still scared too. She came close to losing Allie, too. And so did Little Jack.

"I just thought that you're going to be working so much on the house, that maybe it would be easier for you to take your meals with us at my house, and maybe, just sleep at your house?"

She looked up sheepishly at him.

"Aha! Now I understand. Old Dad's being sent to fend for himself, while his Women and his Big Guy get to be a Family!"

"Well, yes, something like that!"

He reached to kiss her forehead.

"Can I think about it? This is pretty big, you know!" he asked, not feeling at all confident about where all this was going.

She smiled and nodded. She would give him the time he needed to think this through. It was logical and it made perfect sense, at least to her.

And she knew it would eventually, to him too…

Nathan and Elizabeth both smothered Allie and Little Jack with kisses and hugs on their return.

"Laura, did everything go okay?" asked a very concerned Elizabeth.

"They both did beautifully. No problems at all. Allie and I read to Jack most of the afternoon."

But as she spoke, Laura ran to the front door to don her coat, scarf, and gloves.

"I'd better run and try to catch my Dad at the Mercantile, now. He had a load of vegetables to bring into Mr. Yost. And I don't want him to have to make two trips!"

"Of course! You go! Bye, Laura and thanks, again!"

"Bye, Laura!" called out Allie.

"Bye-bye!" waved Little Jack.

"Well, tonight Children, we're having a Valentine's Party! Since the Measles interrupted our original one," explained Elizabeth. "An Italian Valentine Party!"

Little Jack clapped his hands at the word Party!

And Allie asked, "Does that mean Spaghetti or Lasagna?"

"Neither. It means Pizza!"

"What's that?"

"It's a surprise, but your Granda assures me you will love it! She and Grandpa had it on their last trip to Italy and Granda had Cook to send me the recipe!"

"But what is it?" asked a curious Allie.

"It's a surprise!"

"Do you need any help?" asked Nathan.

"Why, yes I do. Allie, Sweetheart, will you play with Jack?"

"Yes, Ma'am. We're good!"

"You, Darling, follow me to the kitchen!" she said pointing to Nathan.

"But don't I even get a kiss?" asked Nathan.

"One, and then you work…"

"Well, that's not fair!" he complained as she pulled away to put on her apron, and then tied a second one around his waist.

"Here's the dough I made last night. It's the crust," she explained.

"So, it's like a pie?" asked Nathan.

"Maybe an open pie," suggested Elizabeth. "You get to make toppings while I work with this."

"What do you mean toppings?"

"First crumble and fry this sausage. Then just drain it and set it aside on the stove."

"Okay. I'll fire up the oven for you first."

"Thank you, Love!"

"Perfect. Now, what do we do?" he asked.

"We cut up green peppers, onions, tomatoes, and then we grate something called Mozzarella cheese! Ned ordered it for me last week."

"Sounds pretty good!"

"Oh, you just wait," smiled Elizabeth, as she shaped four 'Pizzas' in the shape of fairly large hearts. "Oh, and can you heat up that jar of homemade Tomato Sauce sitting there?"

"Sure, I'll put it on now."

"Oh, and Love, can you add some oregano and basil to the sauce. About a teaspoonful and a half of each. No, make that just a teaspoonful of each. Not sure how the Children will like it."

"Okay, spices in the sauce. The sausage is drained. Now, what can I do?"

"The fun part! Let's put these crusts in the oven undressed for about five minutes, just to barely cook them through. And then we take them out and get to play!"

"Play what, Darling?"

"First, we dress each crust with the sauce, then the sausage, then the veggies, and last but not least we smother it with the grated cheese! But Mother said we have to get the oven super-hot for the last bake!"

"And then what do we have?"

"We have a delicious Pizza!"

"Pizza! Can't say I've ever heard of it, but if Grace says it's good, I'm sure it is!"

"Here, let me get those out. Can you add some more wood?"

Nathan piled on the wood to get the oven as hot as possible.

Elizabeth laid the crusts on her kitchen table, along with all the toppings while Nathan continued to stoke up the oven's fire.

Then the two of them went to work on topping their new-fangled Pizza crusts.

"Goodness, this sauce smells good!" exclaimed Nathan.

"Wait till we get all the toppings on!" teased Elizabeth.

When they finished piling on the cheese, both looked at each other, not sure just what they were creating, but they both decided to trust Grace and get on with it.

But within minutes in the oven, the most delectable scent filled the house, bringing both Allie and Little Jack straight into the Kitchen.

"We also have special Ginger Ale drinks tonight to go with our Pizzas!" announced Elizabeth, as she set them on the table.

"Whatever Pizza is, this smells delicious!" remarked an expectant Allie. "I can't wait!"

"Dewishes!" chimed Little Jack.

Elizabeth peeked in the oven and nodded to Nathan.

"Oh, and we need to cut them into pie-shaped pieces because we eat them with our hands!"

Allie looked at Jack wide-eyed, "We're going to love Pizza, Jack! Whatever this is we get to eat with our hands!"

"Hands?" asked Jack.

"And here are the plates, Love. Let's take them off the pans so nobody gets burned."

"Lisbeth, these look wonderful!"

"And smell it too, Dad!"

"Yes, they do, Allie Bean!"

Finally, everyone's Pizza was sliced, and Nathan and Elizabeth each set two of them on the table.

"Let's pray," said Elizabeth, and they all joined hands.

"Dear Father, we thank you for our Family, and we are so very thankful to You for giving Allie back to us, and helping both Allie and Jack to get over their Measles. We thank you for Granda and Grandpa and their sharing of this new recipe with us from their trip to Italy. May you bless this new food to the nourishment of our bodies, and may you help us to always share love, especially at this, our Family Table. Amen!"

"Amen" "Men"

"Amen! That was a beautiful prayer, Darling."

"Thank you, Love!"

"How do we eat this?" asked Allie.

"Like this!" and Elizabeth grabbed a piece, bending it in the center, and showed them how it should be eaten.

"Oh, my goodness! This is delicious! Really delicious. And it's just called Pizza?" asked Nathan.

"Pizza. Apparently, you can do different toppings, but since ours is sausage, it's a Sausage Pizza!"

"I love it! Do you think we could have this for the girls at a Slumber Party?" asked Allie.

"I think it would be perfect for a Slumber Party!" agreed Elizabeth.

"Wuv it, Mama!"

"Thank you all. So, our Pizza's a unanimous success! We'll have to try different kinds, later on," suggested Elizabeth. "Granda did good!"

Rex and Reggie had been left in the living room, but even they were scratching at the kitchen door, wanting in on whatever this thing called Pizza was.

Nathan looked questioningly at Elizabeth.

"It's fine, Darling. Let them in. They deserve a bit of a piece too!"

Then it was truly unanimous, because Rex and Reggie loved Pizza as much as Allie and Jack!

"Your Granda sent along the story of how Pizza was invented. Want to hear it?" asked Elizabeth.

Allie vociferously nodded yes, so Jack did too.

"Apparently, from her notes, Pizza was invented on June 11, 1889 to honor the Queen Consort of Italy. Her name was Margherita of Savoy, so the man who actually made the Pizza for her named it 'Pizza Margherita.' He took a crust, garnished it with basil and tomatoes, then smothered it with mozzarella, all of which happened to be the same colors as the Flag of Italy, her beloved country. And that's how Italian Pizza became really well known!"

"That's so interesting!" said Allie. "And that's another Queen to learn about, too! I'll have to write Granda and thank her for Jack and me."

"Oh, Allie, she would absolutely love that!"

Conversation was lighter than usual, because everyone was busy, hungrily devouring their Pizza.

And not surprisingly, by meal's end, there were very few leftovers.

"This is our best Party ever!" declared Allie.

Valentine Pizza was definitely a grand slam hit!

"Why don't you three go on in to the living room? I'll clean a little and then bring you some cookies and milk in a bit? Sound good?" asked Elizabeth.

"Sounds great. But two can clean faster than one. Afraid you're stuck with me, Darling!"

"Thank you, Love. I won't argue with that at all."

Allie took Little Jack, and they both gathered Rex and Reggie, and then went in the living room to play with their Pups.

"Dinner was perfect, Lisbeth. Thank you!"

"I think we make a pretty good team. You helped quite a bit, you know!"

"Yes, even if I didn't know what I was making!"

She reached up to kiss him, "Well you followed directions perfectly! Happy Valentine's Day, Love!"

He hugged her around the waist, "The happiest of Valentine's Days!"

They quickly finished cleaning up, and hurried to the living room to spend some quality time with Allie and Jack, but not before Elizabeth reached into her pantry to grab two beautifully wrapped Valentine gifts that she handed to Nathan. Then she reached to grab two more packages that were about the same size.

They snuck in, watching Allie reading to Jack along with Rex and Reggie.

Allie looked up and smiled when they walked in, "We're just finishing up our last chapter."

"Go ahead, Allie. You all finish it. Your Dad and I will listen."

And so, she did, but she, along with Jack had caught sight of the presents Nathan and Elizabeth were carrying, so they decided to speed the reading up as quickly as possible!

Nathan couldn't help but grin.

Leave it to his Allie to figure out a way!

When Allie officially finished, maybe a line or two short of the entire story, she excitedly asked "What are those?"

"You both were sick on Valentine's Day, so your Dad and I didn't get to give you your presents. Would you like them now?"

"How about the two smaller ones Elizabeth's carrying first?" suggested Nathan.

Elizabeth read the tags and gave Jack his, then Allie's hers.

Both Children ripped into their packages and opened their boxes together, which held beautiful hand-knit scarves and sweaters in red scattered with white hearts!

"These are beautiful! Thank you! I love them," and Allie reached to twirl Jack's scarf around his neck.

"Look at us Jack, we look really cool!"

"Cool!" mimicked Jack.

"I have two more!" reminded Nathan.

"Jack's youngest so he can go first!" suggested Allie.

"That's awfully sweet of you, Allie! Okay, Jack, here you go!" and Elizabeth handed Jack's second package to him.

Little Jack might have been little, but after both his Birthday and Christmas, he was in rare present opening form, as he had had lots of practice!

So, he immediately ripped into his package, and was immediately thrilled with it's contents, throwing paper, tissue and ribbon everywhere so he could get to his present.

Nathan had carved and painted him another toy Horse with its separate but matching Mountie. These, however were much larger than the ones he had been able to fit into the Christmas house, and Jack was thrilled, holding one up in each hand!

"Mountie! Horse!" he screamed.

Then he ran straight to his Na'tan to give him a big sloppy kiss, then to this Mama, who got the same!

"Your turn, Allie Bean!"

Allie smiled at her Dad and quietly took her package, and she was thrilled too, although perhaps a little more reserved in her response.

"This is great!"

It was a book on Queen Margherita of Italy, and a stack of drawing pads.

"Can't wait to learn about this Queen, and I really needed the drawing pads."

"Look underneath, Allie. Granda sent you something."

Allie lifted the pads out, and there was an Italian cookbook full of pizza recipes.

"For my slumber party! This is perfect!"

"We'll have to try the recipes and choose the best ones before your party!" suggested Elizabeth.

"Allie Bean, you look tired. Are you ready for me to tuck you in?"

"I'm okay. I just get tired really easy."

"Of course, you do, Allie. You've been through an awful lot! Want me to carry you to bed?" asked Nathan.

She nodded, and he lifted her up and carried her up the stairs. Elizabeth followed with Jack carrying his Mountie and Horse, one in each hand, and the dogs followed behind them at Elizabeth's feet.

Nathan and Elizabeth bathed both children, washed Allie's and Jack's faces and brushed their teeth, then placed both Children in bed to say their prayers.

Elizabeth helped Jack and Nathan helped Allie try to get to sleep.

"Dad, I miss Mommy," and Allie looked as though she were ready to cry.

"Allie, I know you do. I miss her too. But don't ever forget she's right here in your heart and my heart, and your Grandma's and Grandpa's hearts. How about I give you a kiss from her? Would that help?"

"I think so," she said weakly.

"Here, this one's from her."

Allie smiled.

"And this one's from me!" grinned Nathan.

She smiled, "You're the best, Dad!"

"I love you, Allie Bean, more than you can ever know!"

She nodded and quickly fell asleep.

He kissed her forehead once more, and turned with somewhat of a heavy heart.

'Of course, she misses Colleen more. She just recently saw her again,' thought Nathan, pulling his hands through his hair.

"But someday, you'll understand, Sweet Girl, what a very special gift that was…" he whispered.

"What's wrong, Nathan?"

"Am I that transparent? It's Allie, Lisbeth. She's missing Colleen more since she saw her. I don't feel like I was that much help."

"You, my Darling, are always help, to all of us. And there's not a better parent anywhere. I know this, Nathan. I'm a teacher and I work with parents."

"Thank you for that, but I feel so helpless. Allie's been through so much in her short life, and now this."

"Yes, she has. But look at how much better you've made her life, Nathan. You've cared for her and loved her. That's all anyone can do, and you've done it all beautifully."

She held him, and he clung to her.

"I just want everything to be better for her."

"It will, Darling. I promise I'll do everything in my power to make it so. Allie's going to have a big family for the first time in her life. Both a Father and a Mother and a little Brother, and who knows who else?"

Elizabeth looked searchingly into his eyes, and he realized she was right.

He also realized what she meant.

He could do nothing now, but help Allie through this life-altering experience she had just been through, and soon she would have a whole family to help her. The Grant Family and she would be a most integral part of that, equal to all.

"I love you, Lisbeth. So very much. You are so wonderful. And for the record, I can't wait to have 'who knows who else' with you. Lots of 'who knows who elses' with you!"

"I could say the same about you, you know? Lots of little Grants!"

He finally laughed, "What a day its been! A really wonderful, special day. And I need to think about that!"

"Thanks to you, we have a second home, Love! More importantly, we have each other! And right now, you have more Valentine's Day. You've gifted me, but I haven't been able to give you your gifts yet."

She jumped up, to get two packages from the corner behind the settee.

"Here, take the large one first!"

Nathan unwrapped the big package, "I can't imagine what you have in this!"

But Elizabeth was silent, and when he opened it, he was thrilled.

"Lisbeth, how did you know I needed this? I need this for building our house!"

"Maybe Lee helped," she admitted.

"This is the perfect toolbox, Love. Now, I can put all my tools in one spot and carry them with me. You have no idea how helpful that's going to be. Thank you, Darling. it's perfect!"

"Now, this one!"

Nathan slowly opened the second package.

"Oh, Babe, it's stunning. You made this, didn't you?"

"Yes, it's needlepoint. Home is where the heart is, and my heart is with you."

Nathan choked up, and although he couldn't say anything, he just drew her so very close and clung to her, kissing her with everything he had.

Finally, in a low voice, he said "You are my everything. And I adore you! My heart is always with you, and don't you ever forget it!"

They sat in each other's arms for a good hour, not saying a single word, till it was time Nathan had to go home.

And as they slowly walked to her front door, Nathan reached to kiss her hand with her engagement ring shining brightly there.

"This, Nathan Grant, has been the best Valentine's Day of my life…"