Chapter One Hundred Seven: Construction Fun & Grant Wedding Plans
It was the last week of March and the weather was still rather chilly, but perfect for the two teams of construction workers, who were working ten-hour days, six days a week, in order to get ahead on the Coulter and Grant Homes.
Nathan and Lee were especially on tight timetables. Lee because he was overseeing the construction of two very large homes and their accompanying buildings, and Nathan because he was juggling a new job along with helping oversee and actually doing a significant portion of the work on their own home.
The plan was to fully complete the exteriors by the middle of April, leaving them the last two weeks of April to move into the interiors, and finish the drywall, flooring, and woodwork. A third team was going to be brought in to complete the staircases along with all the staining and painting.
Also during the last two weeks of April, while the Construction teams worked inside, Lee and Nathan were going to oversee the landscaping on both their properties.
It was hoped that the furniture and furnishings Elizabeth and Rosemary were to purchase this weekend in Union City, would be then delivered by the first week in May, giving them plenty of time to arrange their homes, finalizing any specific décor, fabrics, and furnishings for the interiors, making them into their homes.
It was imperative that everything be done before the last week of May, so both sets of Elizabeth's and Nathan's parents could move in and prepare for the Wedding from there.
Nathan was going to have to move in as soon as their house was livable because Jessie and Clara were anxiously awaiting moving into his rowhouse.
He also felt better about him physically being present vs leaving it empty. But there was a huge part of him that wished he could actually be moving in with Elizabeth and the Children after the Wedding.
But it just wasn't practical, given their particular set of circumstances.
And these days everything appeared to be driven by practicalities.
Both Nathan and Elizabeth were committed to making this whole process go as smoothly as possible for Allie and Jack, as well as both sets of parents.
It had taken a lot of masterminding between the Couple, and a lot of coordination with Lee and the Construction teams, but everything was slowly coming together, so far, as planned.
"Nathan!" Elizabeth was shouting to him as he was up on a Ladder at what would be their new home.
"Lisbeth! Give me a couple more minutes and I'll be right down. Don't want to have to lug this huge piece back up here again!"
"Be careful, Darling! I'll wait right here!"
She watched him as he finished nailing in the board he had been working on.
'How could he possibly look so handsome, and in his work clothes, no less?' she thought.
'How can she possibly look so beautiful in a simple cotton skirt, blouse, and wool coat?' he thought.
He finished his task, smiled, and placed his foot on the next rung down.
"Don't slip, Nathan!"
"I won't slip, I promise," but he did jump off from the fourth rung up!
"Nathan, you're going to hurt yourself before you can even eat the snack I brought you!"
"But I had to get to you for this!"
And right there in broad daylight, well what was left of it, he took her in his arms and kissed her.
"You think that's going to keep me from being angry at you, don't you?"
"Is it working?" he asked hopefully.
"You! I suppose it is. It's just because I love you, Nathan Grant, and I'm allowed to worry! Just be more careful next time…promise me!"
And then she kissed him!
"Want to go inside? No drywall yet, but you can get a feel for the layout and the size of the rooms."
"Yes!"
She sat her hamper down on the porch, and he swooped her up in his arms.
"The woman I love does not walk across this door jamb till I've officially carried her over it after our Wedding!"
"You mean you're carrying me over it every single time till after our Wedding?" she asked nonplussed. "Even during construction?"
"Yes, when we're here together! I think it's a rule or something," and he grinned that lopsided grin that was always going to make her weak in the knees and putty in his hands.
He kissed her and sat her down, reaching for the wicker hamper she had laid down outside, placing it inside instead.
"Obviously we're standing in our entry. That's where our staircase will be. It should end about here. I don't know about you, but as wide as this hall is, I think the actual staircase should be wider than the plans call for and curve out here on the end in this direction. Even if we make them wider, you'll still have plenty of room for furniture and for people to pass through!"
"I love that idea. Yes, wider, please! Nathan is this our Library?"
"Yes, Love. This is our Library. It's big and bright and I love that it looks over the Lake. These three walls will be built in with bookcases and this wall with the huge window will have a built-in window seat with built-in shelving around that! All we need is our Partner's Desk and a couple of Chairs! Thanks to your wonderful Christmas gift, we already have our typewriters!"
"Can't wait to go to Union City and order our furnishings this weekend!"
"Do you think Rosemary is feeling up to it?"
"Are you kidding, she's chomping at the bit! In fact, tonight, we're working on our Wedding Plans. Is there any way you can possibly meet with us?"
"I think that can be arranged. When do you need me?"
"Well, I only brought you a snack, hoping you could come by 6:30 or 7 and eat Dinner with us at Rosemary and Lee's!"
"Let's make it 7. I should be able to finish what I'm working on by then. Let me show you the rest of the first floor. Do you think the living room and dining rooms are big enough?"
"They look grand to me! But you know what I really want to see? The Kitchen and the Keeping Room! I think that's where we'll live with the Children, Darling. Oh, I love that there are so many windows!"
"I agree! I love all the light that will flow through this entire house. It's going to be big, Lisbeth, but also light and airy."
"And comfortable and homey!"
"And full of love! With you decorating it, I have no doubt it's going to be perfect. Exactly the way a home should be!"
"Nathan, this kitchen is big enough to have a party in! I love it! But what is this?"
"I thought you needed a pantry to store things in," explained Nathan.
"I hadn't even thought of that. How did you figure out a way to do it without covering any of the windows?"
"It wasn't easy but I talked to Lee about it and the architect took a look at it via telegram, and this is what we all came up with. Is it okay?"
"It's perfect. I can see how easy this will make it when I'm cooking. And to have a window added in, it's just wonderful."
He took her hand, "I have another surprise," and he walked her toward the dining room.
"Your Mother suggested I do this for you!"
"When have you been talking to my Mother?"
"She called me at the Office one day, just to make sure Allie was really doing okay!"
"That was really nice of her," but Elizabeth seemed surprised. "Nathan, I have a confession. I think I've misjudged my Mother, or maybe she's just really changing for the better!"
"I've only really known her since Regina. But Elizabeth, you wouldn't believe the questions she had about Allie, and Jack of course, too! She was genuinely concerned about them, and you. She was ready to come and help you if you had needed it. But by that time, I thought the two of us were handling everything okay, and that you didn't need the extra stress of a visit. I didn't mention it because you told me later how stressed you were about the Gown."
"She was going to come?"
"Yes, I actually had to talk her out of coming. And I guess I should tell you my Mother called with the same offer."
"She did? Both of them did? I'm just not used to having support like that. I mean it's lovely! But, Nathan, do you think that's why my Mother found my Gown instead?"
"What?"
"I'll explain it all tonight! Maybe I've been judging her too harshly."
"Well, what I'm about to show you was all her idea. Believe me, I didn't even know what she was talking about. But, apparently every proper home, according to your Mother, needs one. Although, personally I don't see how it applies to us, because we are most certainly not having a butler!" laughed Nathan. "Unless, of course, Godfrey wants to come live with us!"
"Now, you've got me intrigued!" and Elizabeth laughed too.
"Welcome to your butler's pantry!"
All Nathan and Elizabeth could do was to each other and laugh!
Because thanks to Grace, there was apparently a second, more formal pantry, according to her, now placed between the regular pantry and the dining room.
"You know," cried Elizabeth practically gasping for air. "As much as I hate to admit it, this really is a good idea, especially for entertaining! I can keep extra China in here, and all the serving pieces that we won't use that often. We just can't show it to anyone, Nathan, nor tell anyone what it's called, or we'll be laughed out of town!"
"But that's better than your Mother visiting our house for the first time and not seeing it, don't you think!"
She threw her arms around his neck, "You are one smart son-in-law! This butler's pantry may have just saved our Wedding! Mother would have gone on and on and on had you not done this!"
Then she kissed him, and admitted, "Although I hate to admit it, I really do like it. Just don't show it to Rosemary. She'll have to have one too! And don't you dare tell Mother I like it!"
"Actually, Lee has already seen it, so don't be surprised if Rosemary already has one!" cautioned Nathan.
They laughed again.
"I'd better go, or you're never going to get to come for Dinner. Eat your snack and I'll go help Rosemary get everything ready. Lee's going to keep the Children at my house after we eat, so I guess we'll be eating and working at Rosemary's!"
"Thanks for visiting me and thanks for the Coffee and Cheese and Crackers! Oh, and an Apple, too. Just what I needed!"
She fed him a few Crackers with the Cheese spread on them, then kissed him Goodbye.
"Actually, it was you I needed," he called.
She flirtatiously turned back to ask, "Am I allowed to walk OUT of our house without being carried?"
He laughed, "Not on my watch!" and playfully ran behind her and began scooping her up, carrying her through what would be their front door, then plopping her down playfully on the front porch!
"Would you all care for your dessert in the Living Room, so we can get busy working on this Wedding?" suggested Rosemary.
"Perfect. I'll grab the Coffee," offered Nathan. "And Delicious Dinner, Rosemary, thank you!"
"My pleasure. It's nice to have someone who appreciates my cooking, Nathan!"
"Hey, I appreciate your cooking! And I'm not exactly chopped liver if I do say so myself," and then Lee stopped himself, remembering that this was all about pregnancy hormones and not at all about any presumed oversights.
Nathan caught his eye and winked.
If ever a man deserved a medal for surviving a pregnancy, in Nathan's eyes and just about everyone else's in Hope Valley, it was Lee Coulter!
"Kids, let's go next door!" and Lee counted as Jack, Allie, and Frederic all appeared as if by magic.
"Hey, I want kisses!" demanded Nathan." And hugs too!"
"I'm first, Uncle Nathan!" and Frederic plopped a big one on Nathan, then Elizabeth and his Mama and Papa.
Next came Little Jack, who pretty much did the same, but of course, he had to climb up on his Na'tan's lap too!
Then finally Allie.
"Allie, are you sure you're feeling okay?" asked her concerned Dad.
"Yes, Dad, I'm fine. I just miss you while you're working on our house. But I understand. Can I come to see you tomorrow evening after school?
"I'd love that Allie, but there's so much traffic out there now, with everyone coming by to see the houses, why don't you come with Elizabeth?"
"Okay, we won't stay long. I just want to see you work! And I want to see our house, too!"
"Of course, you do! And, I want to see you! I'll look forward to it. Your visit will be my special treat for the day! And I'll show you everything! But we still can't see the bedrooms because the staircase isn't in."
Nathan sat Jack down and Allie kissed him again.
Then all three children left with Lee, now much happier and ready to go.
And no, Lee did not forget to compliment and kiss his beautiful and very pregnant wife goodbye!
Poor Lee, he had learned his lessons the hard way, yet no one, including the Carson, knew how much longer he had to go!
"Okay, I officially call this Planning Session for the Grant Wedding to order!"
Rosemary took her planning sessions very seriously, indeed.
Nathan looked at Elizabeth, then they both melted.
"And we're having none of those lovey, gooey eyes at each other, either! There's no time for that!"
"Sorry, Rosemary. We'll try to do better," pronounced Nathan, as he tried to look serious, but failed miserably.
"And cut out those sparkly eyes, too! It's too distracting for a pregnant woman!"
Nathan looked at Elizabeth wide-eyed…
She rolled her eyes and shrugged her shoulders!
But then stepped up to the plate to defend her man!
"Rosemary, Nathan can't help that his eyes are sparkly. Are you sure you're up for this?"
"Of course, I am. Sorry, Nathan. Let's get started."
"We have the date and venue for the Ceremony. Check!"
"And you two have already had your session with the Pastor to discuss your order of service and vows. Check!"
"Elizabeth and I have already placed the order for the flowers. My only concern is if we've ordered enough. I'd like the Gazebo area you are planning to use to be smothered with flowers, too!"
"So, flowers ordered. Check!"
"Which brings me to the Gazebo. Nathaniel is taking care of that. So, Check!
"But Rosemary, we want the Gazebo to look rustic and natural, not contrived!" emphasized Elizabeth.
"Nathaniel says there are wild rose bushes all around the Lake and he's sure they will also be in bloom, as well as lots of wildflowers everywhere," reminded Nathan.
"I'll call the florist tomorrow and order more flowers for the Gazebo area, but tell her you want it rustic and natural. Check!
"We already have the flowers for the dinner tables. Check!
"But we've still got to do the bouquets."
"We only need a bridal bouquet and one for Allie."
"You what? Your, attendants, Elizabeth. We'll all need bouquets!" said a very emphatic, and almost outraged Rosemary!
"Rosemary, we just want this to be simple! We thought it would be better to just focus on the four of us as a family."
Rosemary was about to blow, and Elizabeth was worried that her blood pressure had shot up dangerously high, being pregnant and all.
"Rosemary, this isn't helping little Violet. And you're scaring me! This is nothing to be upset over."
"Well, you just put a dagger in my heart! Elizabeth, you simply have to have attendants! You can still focus on the family, but you both have people who love you and need to be a part of this wedding to celebrate it with you!"
Elizabeth looked at Nathan. This was not going well.
"I have an idea," announced the Wedding Planner.
"What is it Rosemary?" asked Elizabeth.
"Tell me who you would have IF you were having attendants, like every NORMAL bride!" she added as a very pronounced dig.
"Well, aside from Allie, you know it would be you, Adeline, Felicity, and Laura!"
"I can live with that. And I love that you're including Laura. That child would be thrilled to be in your Wedding and you know it!"
"But then I'd also have to ask Julie. I know Viola won't get to come all the way from England! At least I don't think she will. Although I would love it if she could! And then there would be her daughter as a flower girl if they both came. I'm just not counting on it, but, I am counting on Julie!"
Elizabeth looked pitifully at Nathan.
"Darling, this is your Wedding and you do exactly what you feel is right. I'm perfectly fine with or without attendants. It's totally your decision."
"I do know exactly what I'd want them to wear," and Elizabeth looked dreamily away, picturing it in her mind. "Long flowy dresses in a natural light shade, a shade or two lighter than my Gown, with big straw sunhats, and fresh flowers around the brims and bouquets to match. Really casual, like a garden party on the lawn, but oh so pretty! I want the flowers to be the only splash of colors in the whole Wedding! Everything else natural."
"That sounds absolutely delightful Elizabeth. I can see it now, with all of us stretched out around the Lake, standing under the setting sun!" and Rosemary was happy again just thinking about the gorgeous picture that would make!
"Oh, Nathan! What should I do?"
"Exactly what you want to do, Darling! With no pressure from anyone!" and he glared at Rosemary to make sure she got his point.
"And if you need more time to think about it, that's fine too!" he added. "Either way, we can still focus on the four of us for the actual Wedding."
Elizabeth sighed heavily.
"You know I'd elope and marry you with just you and me there if you asked!"
"I know, Love!"
"If you're sure…"
"And I am. It's completely your decision. Whatever you're comfortable with, I'm comfortable with."
"I want our Family and Friends there with us, Nathan! We only do this once and the setting is all natural and perfect. Having the people we love with us isn't going to take that away, or make it more formal. Not if we keep everything more casual! It will just make it more of a Family Wedding. The people we love should be there too! So, Attendants, it is!"
"But not fancy!" she added emphatically for Rosemary's benefit.
"Well thank the Good Lord!" shrieked Rosemary. "Neither of you will regret this! I promise! Laura alone will be the happiest girl on earth!"
Not to mention Rosemary was feeling pretty thrilled with this decision herself…
"So that means the bridal bouquet, 4 Attendants' Bouquets, and possibly 6 if your Sisters come, plus a smaller one for Allie, so she won't be overwhelmed. Oh, also a basket of rose petals in case your niece comes. Check!
"Coronet for Allie, and a smaller one for your niece, if she comes. Check!"
"And Bride's Attendants. Check!"
"And Rosemary I want them all natural!"
"Understood. Natural, they will be! Okay, moving down the list…"
"Orchestra booked. Check!"
"Tents & Dance Floor ordered. Check!"
"Tables, Chairs selected. Check!"
"China, Crystal, Silver, Linens chosen. Lucas and Sophie have agreed to handle all that for us as it comes in, along with their gift of prepping and serving all the food and drinks. So, Check!"
"Yes, but I drew the line at them paying. That was just way too much. I was planning to handle the cost, myself. But apparently, William is insisting on taking that on," explained Nathan. "It's still awfully nice of Lucas and Sophie to be willing to prep, prepare and run all the food service for us! A very nice and thoughtful Wedding Gift, Darling!"
"Yes, Darling! And I'll buy the hats for the attendants from Sophie to help her out as well. Although, Rosemary who should do the flowers, Sophie or the Florists?"
"The Florists, and I'll add that to my list right now; we'll also have Sophie to send them directly to the Florists when they come in."
"So, hats. Check!"
"Hat coronets. Check!"
"Wedding Dinner. You do have your menu, right?"
"We do, and we should warn you, it's a mix of elegant and down-home. Elegant, but comfortable and natural, too. So, don't be shocked!"
"What is your main course?"
"Well, the elegant part is filet and lobster. But it's all going to be cooked on two huge grills, there in front of everyone! There's also a third grill for a fish fry, using Nathan's own recipe!"
Rosemary looked as though she was about to have a coronary.
"Are you absolutely sure?" pleaded Rosemary.
"Yes, we are. We don't want anything to feel stuffy. We want there to be a combination of elegance and deliciousness in the appetizers and main courses, as well as the sides. Besides, the Children won't want to eat Filet and Lobster. And a lot of the adults won't either. So, we're mixing it up. Some of the sides are elegant and some of the sides are more, shall we say, good down-home cooking! Sort of like what Bill and Adeline did, but with our touches. And don't be aghast, Rosemary, we'll still have Servers for the appetizers and main courses. But the sides will be served family-style, on the tables."
Nathan smiled at Elizabeth, proud that she was standing firm.
"Well then! Wedding Dinner or should I say Wedding Surf, Turf, and Turf? Check!
"Rosemary, we promise, everyone's going to love it!" laughed Nathan.
Then he decided he'd better add for assurance, "You will, too. You'll see!"
And Nathan winked at his dear friend.
What he didn't tell her, was that this particular fish fry was going to be a lot different than most and would include bites of Fried Fish from the Lake, along with bites of fried Shrimp, Squid, and Scallops that were being shipped in, but all done in his batter recipe, then placed on platters as appetizers for the Wedding.
However, he preferred to let Rosemary find that out at the Wedding. Elegance would remain intact, but with perhaps a bit of a country flair! Just not quite as country as Rosemary was imagining.
"Oh, did you all think about lighting? You know Hope Valley people stay late!"
"Yes, I have that all taken care of with the Tent Company."
"Good! I'll add it to their list."
"Lighting. Check!"
"I just thought of this, which could be a problem. Nathan, are you wearing a Tux or your Dress Uniform?"
"I was planning on wearing my Tux," but he looked questioningly at Elizabeth. "Is that what you prefer, Darling?"
"I thought it was, and Darling, you do look so handsome in that Tux! But, the more I think of it, I'm less sure. Nathan, you had your Uniform on when you proposed to me, so it just seems fitting that you have your new Officer's Uniform on to marry me. And don't ask any questions, but it may also have something to do with all that gold you hate! Besides, I'll never hear the end of it, if Little Jack doesn't get to wear his uniform!"
"Well, now I'm totally confused, but if that's what my Bride wants, then Dress Uniform, it is!"
"Oh, goody, we get a Military Wedding," and Rosemary clapped her hands with glee!
"No, we get a Uniformed Wedding," Nathan corrected. "Elizabeth is marrying me, not my job! Just as I am marrying her, and not her job!"
"Of course, you are!" agreed Rosemary. "Nathan, Lee, and I have discussed this along with Nathaniel. And we all three agree, that you should have your Attendants in Uniform. Both Nathaniel and Lee know you'd have them as your Best Men too, but we all feel very strongly that if you're wearing your Dress Uniform, all the men should be wearing Uniforms as well. Lee and Nathaniel will be more than happy to usher everyone, and then bring your Mothers' down the aisle."
"It makes sense, Darling," agreed Elizabeth. "Who would you want?"
"Of course, Bill, Gabe, Aaron, Lee, and Nathaniel, but if you prefer the Uniforms, that would leave Bill, Gabe, Aaron, and of course the Commissioner, who has been begging for a spot! How many do I need?"
"You would need 5 including Allie, and you would need 7 if my sisters come. Will that be a problem?"
"No, not at all, in fact, quite a few Mounties have hinted for invitations, and there are several of the Superintendents I've grown really close to, who would be more than happy to step in. Just let me know the exact number when we hear from your sisters. And Rosemary, we want Frederic to be the Ring Bearer, and Jack can walk in with him. They do both now have their uniforms! If Viola's daughter happens to get to come, as Elizabeth wants her to be the flower girl, then she and Frederic can walk down the aisle together, and Allie will bring Jack in."
"Frederic will be thrilled, and beyond excited. And this proud Mother will be bursting with pride! Thank you, Nathan!"
"So, Groomsmen and Ring Bearer. Check!" noted Rosemary. "Do you want an Honor Guard?"
"I guess we had the Honor Guards of Honor Guards, didn't we?" asked Nathan, smiling flirtatiously at Elizabeth.
"Yes, we did, Darling," and both were instantly transported back to the Mountie Ball.
Rosemary cleared her throat! Rather loudly, too!
"One thing we could do since it's outside is to just have all the Mounties who attend, line both sides of the aisle as we leave the Service with Allie and Jack. I know Jack would love that!" suggested Nathan.
"Can we? That sounds picture perfect!"
"Honor Guard is your responsibility, Nathan. A perfect ending! Check!"
"And I have an idea. Since all your attendants will be married except, Laura and of course, Allie, why not call all your married attendants your Matrons of Honor, Allie your Junior Bridesmaid, and Laura, your Senior Bridesmaid."
"Are you sure, Rosemary? You know that position is yours!" asked a shocked Elizabeth.
"I know that, Elizabeth, but that just makes it easy for you, and it works! Especially if your Sisters decide to come. I also think you, Nathan, should call your attendants your Best Men, and we'll include the Ushers in with that."
"That actually might help Rosemary, because I want Lee and Nathaniel to be and feel the same. And now, since the Commissioner will be in it, he automatically pulls rank and becomes the one to stand beside me instead of Bill. So, yes, great idea, Rosemary! Thank you for that!"
"You just reminded me, Rosemary, with that picture comment: photos! Both Carson and Fiona have agreed to take pictures," remembered Elizabeth. "Fiona's getting really good with her camera, too and she's thrilled to be included! And Carson was the one to suggest it."
"Photographers: Carson and Fiona. Check!"
"Next, we should discuss your Wedding Rings."
"They being made at my Jeweler's in Buxton. Elizabeth and I will go up on a weekend to pick them up and do a final check with the florist," suggested Nathan.
"Great. Wedding Rings. Check!"
"Final floral check. Check!"
"But, just for the record, I will be doing a final floral check, as well. AFTER you do yours!"
"So Final, Final Floral Check by me. Check!"
Elizabeth and Nathan couldn't help but smile at each other.
"And that my dear Bride and Groom leaves you with only this. I'll take care of everything except asking your Attendants and picking up your rings, which we've already put on your lists. You two will be responsible for both asking them and getting their gifts! So let's be sure to put that on your lists right now!"
"Attendants Invitations Bride and Groom Check!"
"Attendants Gifts Bride and Groom. Check!"
"And that is officially a wrap. We are ready for the Grant Wedding! Hallelujah!"
"Well, not quite. Rosemary do you give me your solemn Wedding Planner promise to not mention the next two things to anyone?" asked a very serious Nathan.
"Sounds delicious! Of course, I do," and Rosemary winked at Nathan, to remind him they already shared secrets she had never told.
He winked back because she had given her word then and kept their secrets, both for him and Elizabeth. And although Rosemary was a bit dramatic for his tastes, he realized he was very grateful for her friendship. It had been unexpected but already cherished. For, as a friend, she was as good as they came!
"This first thing was apparently my Father's idea, although I suspect William is footing the bill."
"As he should, Darling. Father has more money than he'll ever know what to do with! Let him spend it!"
"Oh, Nathan, come on and tell me!" and Rosemary leaned in closer to him.
"Okay, here's the first one…" and he whispered her the plan, as Elizabeth watched smiling.
Rosemary's face became more and more animated as he told her and her eyes widened…
"That is the most romantic and fun thing to do at a Wedding that I have heard of in my life! You better believe that goes on the list! The whole town will be thrilled! I wholeheartedly approve and remind me to kiss both your Dads when I see them! Oh, but that means flower garlands! And the invitation mock-up has to be altered to an earlier time! Should we say two hours earlier?"
Both Elizabeth and Nathan nodded.
"Yes, that should be fine!" affirmed Nathan.
"Secret Project #1. Check!"
"Secret Project #1: 12-24 Flower Garlands. Check!"
"Change Invitation Arrival Time. Check!"
"The next one occurs after the Wedding just before everyone leaves…so no time changes needed for this one," and Nathan leaned in once more to whisper the details.
Rosemary was elated.
"This is positively glorious! Best Wedding ever. Never to be topped!"
"Well, I wouldn't go that far!" laughed Elizabeth, "Except for the part where I get to marry this gorgeous Man!"
And yet, there was one more surprise, that not even Rosemary, their Wedding Planner was going to know about…
Nathan and Elizabeth, together, tucked in both Allie and Jack, and both immediately fell asleep.
As they walked quietly down the stairs.
Nathan whispered, "I think the Children are still tired from their ordeal."
She looked up at him and nodded, "Yes, but they're getting stronger every day!"
"And we actually survived our Wedding Planning Session with Rosemary!" a fact that was still somewhat surprising to Nathan.
"We did!" agreed Elizabeth.
She pulled him to her big easy chair, "Here, you sit and relax!"
Then she pulled up a footstool and sat on it.
"Darling, are you happy with everything?" asked the Bride.
"Yes, I am. I think every single decision was the right one. I must admit, I was a little surprised about the Dress Uniform, but that's only because I want you to know you're marrying me, the man, not me the Chief Inspector!"
"But I've come to realize I've fallen in love with both!" she pouted.
"Oh, my goodness, Two men? In love with both at the same time? How scandalous!" he teased.
She climbed up on his lap.
"No, Silly! Not when both of them are you!" and she kissed him till neither could breathe.
"Lisbeth…"
"Then, in that case, you're perfectly allowed to love two men, as long as both of those men happen to be the one and only Nathan Grant and the Chief Inspector! Come back here, and make this one last, because, you know I have to go home and get some sleep."
And make it last she did!
"Dream on this one, Chief Inspector!"
As they walked to the door, she realized she had forgotten to tell him her news, so she pulled him back to her settee.
"Nathan, you were right and I was wrong."
"About what, Darling?"
"Mother."
He looked at her, still puzzled.
Then it came to him.
"Your Wedding Gown?"
She nodded, "I can only tell you this. I don't understand it and I literally was in shock when it happened. But, Darling, it was exactly the Gown I had dreamed about down to every last glorious detail! And Nathan, it's even more beautiful than I imagined."
"Oh, Lisbeth, that makes me so very happy!"
And he kissed his Bride-to-be.
"But, Nathan, how did you know? It was a one of a kind Gown. How did I see it exactly as it was in my mind? Possibly even before it was ever shown to anyone. And how did Mother know?"
"I just had a feeling…an instinct, maybe. I've always believed some things are just meant to be. And somehow a way is always found to make them a reality. Just like our love became a reality. Whether God pays attention to the tiny details or not, and I happen to be one that believes He very much does, I had no doubt you'd find your Gown, or as in this case, that your Gown would find you!"
"Remind me to always trust your instincts!"
"I just may do that, Love!" he winked.
"But, now, you've got me really wanting to see you in that Gown! Oh, Lisbeth, how am I ever going to wait till June…"