Chapter One Hundred Ten: Mothers, Sons, & Daughters
"Rosemary, I think we've covered everything Violet should need! At least for the next six months. And I'm sure she can stay in Jack's Bassinette, till you get her Crib and the rest of the Nursery Furniture."
"I called my Designer in Union City, and she's putting a rush on the Crib I saw. Oh, Elizabeth, it's just perfect for my little Angel! She also gave me the name of the best Baby Boutique and they're sending me a catalog so I can order some frilly little things for Violet, and they also are going to rush the order, as soon as I get it placed."
"Just don't go overboard on the clothes, Rosemary. Remember all those cute little outfits, Jack outgrew before we could even get him into them? That's how fast they grow!"
"I know. Look at her. She's already grown so much and it's only been a month! Elizabeth our furniture is going to be delivered to our Homes next week! Well, except for the Nursery! I can't believe it's coming so soon."
"I know, it's both wonderful and terrifying at the same time!"
"You know, little Baby Violet takes so much of my time, I worry about Frederic. As soon as I try to read him a story, she cries and wants to be fed, and Lee has to finish it."
"I know it must be hard with two. I'm still juggling with the same problem but on a different level. I don't want Allie to think I give all my time to Jack. I just don't want her to ever feel there's a difference. Oh, my goodness, Rosemary, you won't be able to oversee our Wedding!"
"I absolutely will! I've talked to Lee about getting some help with Violet and Frederic, since we've got the houses to fix, too. And I think he's found someone that might be good. It's the Erwell's daughter from Benson Hills. She's decided not to go to college for a year or so, and is wanting to find something in the area, but preferably not in Benson Hills."
"But, Rosemary, does she have experience with Children at all!"
"Elizabeth, I'm not an inept Mother. Of course, she does. Mama's not going to leave her Angel with just anyone is she Little Doll? No, she's not! Nor her Brother! We just love our Big Brother, don't we? Can you say Frederic?" and Rosemary finished her Baby talk with Baby Violet only to start making funny faces at her Daughter lying in the Bassinette, cooing away.
Then she jumped back into her conversation with Elizabeth.
"She's the oldest child of eight and she's assisted the teacher at school in Benson Hills since she was sixteen. She loves Babies, and she seemed to love Frederic. She's right pretty too. And yes, my six-year-old Son noticed! Should I be worried? Oh, and I'm thinking she just might be perfect for Michael!"
"Sounds like you've made your decision. What's her name?" asked Elizabeth.
"Essie. Essie Erwell. Can you imagine giving a child that name to go with Erwell? But she is just darling! Maybe it's short for something beautiful. I'll have to remember to ask her!"
"Oh, I know her. I met her at a School Function once, and you're right, she is pretty! Let me think. I believe her full name is Esther Erwell. Yes, that's it! But she doesn't like it and uses Essie instead! So, there's your answer!"
"Elizabeth, can I ask you a personal question?"
"Rosemary, you don't even have to ask…"
"Well, I don't want to ask Carson. But how long…I mean how much time…I mean…"
"Should you wait before you have…? Well, I wouldn't know Rosemary. Remember, Jack was already gone before I had Little Jack."
"Oh, Elizabeth, I am so terribly sorry. What was I thinking? Forgive me."
"Don't be silly. I happen to know from a book, it varies depending upon the couple, so I do think it's something you need to run by Carson. Rosemary, he's a professional and he's there to answer questions like this. So, let him do his job. Things would go so much more smoothly between the two of you if you would just open up to him!"
"I suppose you're right! Are you getting excited, Elizabeth?"
"Rosemary, I can't believe you just asked that!" then she blushed, and quickly added, "excited, scared, and panicked all at the same time! I mean Rosemary, it's been so long for me, which might be good because I don't want to bring that into our marriage. But I have to admit. Look at me, Rosemary, I've had a child. My body isn't the same as it once was."
"Elizabeth, look at me. You are beautiful and Nathan is crazy in love with you. Head over heels in fact! Elizabeth, what was between you and Jack stays between you and Jack. What will be between you and Nathan stays between you and Nathan. Think of it this way. It's like an actor or actress taking on the role of a new character. You start all over, with a clean slate. This is your's and Nathan's slate together. It's only about the two of you. Nothing else enters in. Period."
"You can't possibly know how much I've needed to hear someone say that! Thank you for that, Dear Friend. That, I'm writing in my Journal, as a Rosemary LeVeaux Coulter gem!"
"I've come to help my Man pack!" shouted Elizabeth as she opened Nathan's front door.
Nathan laughed from somewhere back in the kitchen and rushed out to kiss her hello, but he was still drying his hands with a towel.
"Uhm! That's a good kiss!"
"And with a dish towel no less. But I do aim to please! There's really not that much to pack, as most everything stays. Unless you see anything you think we need to take with us!"
"Actually, I do. I want that Corner Cupboard to put in the Keeping Room. And your two leather Club Chairs – those need to go in our Library! This piece, too. I love it. We'll find a place to put it! Oh, and Nathan, you can't leave these needlepoint stools! They're beautiful and I bet your Mother did them."
"She did, and I had forgotten that! Oh, she wouldn't have been happy with me!"
"Let's bring the blue dishes too; they're perfect for our Breakfast Dishes. And definitely all your quilts! Darling, why don't you tell Jesse and Clara, you need to stay here until the furniture arrives. I don't want you sleeping on the floor!"
"You haven't heard, have you?"
"Heard what?"
"Clara had her baby today! A big, bouncing baby boy! Rumor has it that they've named him Jesse, Jr. but they're not exactly sure what they're going to call him."
"No! I have to go see her! Is everything okay?"
"Everything's perfect, but now you see why they need the house more than I do!"
"I suppose you're right! But that still doesn't mean I like the thought of you sleeping on the floor! Let's go through the rest of the things so we're sure we don't overlook anything."
"I was going to ask you about my Kitchen stuff. Do we need any of it?"
"Yes, let me go through all that right now!"
"Don't I even get a second kiss, first?"
"You definitely get a second kiss first, second, and last!"
They laughed and snuck in an extra one.
"One more month, soon-to-be Mrs. Grant and you're all mine!"
"And here I thought you were all mine!"
"Oh, that works too! In fact, I like that very much!"
She grabbed his hand and pulled him into his kitchen…
They kissed again and then set out on the business of sorting through the cookware first.
"All the copper goes with us," instructed Elizabeth.
"Yes, Ma'am. That will make my Mother very happy!"
Then she collected a few other pieces, she also felt they needed to keep.
Mostly pots and pans that were different than hers.
Then they started sorting through the kitchen utensils.
"Most of these we have, but it's nice to have extra, especially if both of us are cooking," she explained. "Oh, and don't forget your copper tea kettle!"
"Got it! What about these canned goods?"
"Definitely yes! Ready to head upstairs?"
"Perhaps you'd better take a peek…"
He climbed the stairs behind her.
"Of course, all of Allie's furniture goes, as it was Colleens and I thought maybe we could put her old bed out in the Workshop and use it as a sort of sofa."
"You just want to take naps out there!"
"When I could come inside and nap with you? Never!"
"Flatterer!"
"Is it working?"
"Always!" and she reached up to kiss him.
"There are a few items stored in the Guest Room," and he opened the door for her.
"Oh, Nathan, this low chest! I love it!"
"It was mine growing up…"
"It's a keeper. Anything else of importance?"
"Well, that's actually the bed Allie used to use and it was also mine as a Child. That's the same one I suggested taking to the Workshop."
"We're keeping it. We can fuss over where it goes, later, Love! I'm not so certain it should be banished to your Workshop. Nathan, what's this?"
"It was Colleen's Dollhouse, passed down to Allie."
"Oh, that definitely goes with us!"
"Nathan, this is your bike!"
"Yes, it is, Lisbeth. We should probably take that for Jack! He'll be big enough to ride it before we know it!"
"He'd love it, I'm sure. Have we overlooked anything, Darling? Are these toys your as well?"
He nodded.
"All those we keep. If Jack's too big for them, we may have a Son one day, who would love those!"
He took her in his arms, "Am I terrible? I hadn't even thought about that!"
"No, Darling, not terrible, but these are family treasures, Nathan!"
"So pretty much all of this goes with us?" he asked.
"Pretty much all of this goes with us! In fact, all of this goes with us, Love!"
He smiled back at her, "That leaves my room and we're done."
He stayed in the doorway, as Elizabeth walked on into his room.
"This is totally you. Your nightstand with your Bible. That's coming, of course. Did you make any of this?"
"How did you know that?"
"Because it's beautiful and it looks like your work."
"I did make it."
"Then it's all coming!"
And that was that.
"Let's go see Jesse and Clara's Baby!"
The Baby was beautiful and big, with rosy red cheeks.
"He's beautiful, Clara! But so big! Was the delivery difficult?"
"At the time," laughed Clara. "We still can't believe he's finally here! Poor Carson's upset that Rosemary and I delivered in reverse order, from what he predicted!"
"Well, in his defense, I don't this Rosemary was the most forthcoming patient he's ever had, either!"
Clara laughed, "That's what I figured!"
"Jesse, I should be able to move into the new place in the next day or so, so you all can get settled into the rowhouse with the Baby," offered Nathan.
"Nathan, that would help us so much. We'll move in just after."
"Not sure who I'm going to get to help move, but I'll start working on getting someone!"
"You don't have to worry about that Nathan. We've got a team of men to move you and the women are going to come in and clean after we load everything up. So, no worries!"
"They'd do all that?" asked Nathan.
"Always do when there's a move. It's Hope Valley!
Elizabeth had insisted one of the beds was to be set up for Nathan to sleep on till their furniture came next week.
It seemed the entire town had turned out to help Nathan move. And the Ladies came out in droves to clean his rowhouse after the men had moved the furniture out.
They also assured Elizabeth, they'd do exactly the same for her rowhouse, when she was ready. Just let them know when…
But the huge surprise was that all the women also insisted they were coming to clean the Grant's new home, after construction was complete, and before their furniture was delivered!
That in itself took a load off both Nathan and Elizabeth, and they were truly so grateful for the help.
This meant sawdust and other messy construction collateral would be swept and mopped away, and everything would be pristine in the Grant Home, both floors, even before their beautiful furniture arrived.
The added help was literally an answer to prayer, as Nathan and Elizabeth had no idea how they were going to work all that in before the delivery.
But tonight, Nathan and Elizabeth were sitting on the dusty floor on an old quilt, in their brand-new empty living room, enjoying their very first fire in their beautiful fireplace, with a bottle of Wine and some Crackers and Cheese.
They were all alone for the first time today, after a very busy and hectic workday that had included work, moving, juggling the Children's needs, and working on the new house. Nathan hadn't even eaten since a quick lunch on the go.
Both were exhausted.
"This is really beautiful, Isn't it Lisbeth? Can you believe we're sitting on our Living Room floor?"
Nathan was holding her from behind, with his arms around her.
"Our home is beyond anything I could have imagined Nathan. It's the most beautiful home in Hope Valley!"
"It is, but not nearly as beautiful as you, my Darling."
She turned and kissed him with feathery little kisses all over his neck and face, and he could resist no longer, drawing her closer.
"Do you realize how hard it's going to be for me to sleep here alone, in our home, without you here with me?"
"In one month, Darling, I'll be here with you, every single night for the rest of our lives."
"That is pure Heaven, and that is what's keeping me going. I want all four of us right here where we belong, in our Home, all together."
"This being alone has been hard on you, hasn't it Love?"
"Harder, than I expected, even. But Lisbeth, you were right. We did the right thing by keeping the Children together. I've only been home to fall into bed, and that wouldn't have been any kind of life for Allie, but even with tucking Allie and Jack in every night, I still miss them. It's just that we belong together, and the waiting is hard, I'll admit. I just keep telling myself that it's all going to be worth it!"
"So very worth it! But, why does this feel like a stolen moment?"
"Because it's exactly that – a stolen moment for us to be together in the middle of all this chaos! Lisbeth, I was wondering, would you like to go on a date with me Saturday to Buxton? I thought it would be nice to go for Dinner. We could leave about noon. That would give us enough time to do a final check on the flowers, pick up our Wedding Bands, then have a romantic Dinner with just the two of us. Does the French Café sound okay?"
"Darling, the entire outing sounds like perfection. We've barely seen each other over the last month. At least not alone! And things are going to even get more hectic as our Wedding gets closer. Plus, we've got to finish and furnish the house and entertain our Parents. And that's with saying nothing about the actual Wedding Prep! Please, please, please, let's run away to Buxton! I need this so badly. I'll get Laura to stay with the Children. I'm so excited, Love! And we'll be checking things off our list as well!"
"Now, I can't wait till Saturday! It's a date, Lisbeth."
"And possibly the last before our Marriage," she said sounding a little forlorn.
"Oh, but there will be many dates after, my Love! That, I promise!"
And he sealed that promise passionately, with a very, very long kiss…
Saturday couldn't come quickly enough for Elizabeth and Nathan, but it finally came.
Elizabeth fussed and fussed about what to wear, and after some time of going back and forth, Allie suggested, "This one! It's stunning!"
"Thank you, Allie! And is that a new word you've added to your already extensive vocabulary?"
Allie grinned, "Yes, Ma'am. Also, I know Dad loves you in blue!"
"He does, does he? I'll have to wear blue more often, then!"
"Oh, he loves you in everything. He just thinks you look extra beautiful in blue!"
"I'll definitely remember that, Allie. Thank you for sharing! Oh, Allie, can you hook this?"
Allie looked at her Charm Bracelet and quickly figured out how to latch it securely.
"There, it's perfect! And you look perfect, too. Really beautiful, Mrs. Thornton!"
"You know, Allie, we're family already. And in a few weeks, we're going to officially be family. Mrs. Thornton sounds so formal like we're at school. And soon it's going to be Mrs. Grant! What would you like to call me, Allie?"
"I'd like to call you Mom!"
"Oh, Allie, that's what I was hoping you'd say! Why don't you just start calling me that, if you feel comfortable, I mean."
"Oh, Mom!" and Allie hugged Elizabeth as her Daughter, so tightly neither wanted to let go!
Allie looked up at her Mom, "But, I know I can't call you that at school. I'll just keep calling you Mrs. Thornton, or Mrs. Grant, there. I think it would be better with all the other kids there!"
"You know, Allie, I think you're right. But, I want you to still know that whatever you call me when we're at school, I'm still your Mom," and Elizabeth reached down and kissed her Daughter.
Allie smiled, "Mom, would you mind hooking my Charm Bracelet? I'll go get it! I think I want to wear it today, too!"
"You run to get it and I'll be happy to hook it for you!" and Elizabeth's heart was so full as she smiled after her Daughter.
Allie scampered back with her own Charm Bracelet, and Elizabeth hooked it.
"There you go!"
And then they both heard the knock on the door.
"It's Dad! I'll go let him in. And you can make a grand entrance, Mom!"
And off she went!
"Why am I feeling so nervous?" questioned Elizabeth aloud. "I guess because this is the first formal date we've had in a while."
Alli ran down the stairs and jumped into her Dad's arms at the front door!
"Dad, you look so handsome and Mom looks so beautiful!"
Nathan noticed the new name but dared not say anything. He just hugged his Daughter, then sat her down.
Then he walked to the bottom of the staircase as Elizabeth was coming down it.
"You look positively stunning!"
"I told her that too, Dad!"
Elizabeth smiled, but Nathan still hadn't taken his eyes off her.
He took her hand and led her down the last few steps.
"Are you ready, Love?"
"I'm so ready, Darling! But let's say goodbye to the Children first. Jack, Mama's leaving!" she called.
Little Jack came running from the kitchen with Laura, followed by Rex and Reggie.
"Jack, wait, you've got strawberry jam all over your face!" called Laura, who was trying to tackle him before he ran into his Mother's dress.
"Whew! Got it! You are one fast little boy!" she laughed.
"Come here Son!" directed Elizabeth, but Little Jack flew to his Na'tan, instead.
"Well, now we know who rates!"
"It's only because he hasn't seen me much!"
Nathan picked him up and kissed him, then passed him to Elizabeth.
"My, you're almost getting too big for me to hold Jack! This is not good!"
Elizabeth smothered her Son with kisses and hugs, then did the same to Allie.
"Oh, Laura. I got a book on training Dogs, so you and the Children might want to read it and see if any of it works with Rex and Reggie! It's there on my desk. We'll be late, so don't worry!"
Nathan took her hand and led her to Lees' car, both still waving to Laura and the Children.
"Are you ready, Lisbeth?"
"I am so ready, my Love!"
They sat happily and silently in the car, as Nathan drove them through Hope Valley.
But when they were finally out of town, Elizabeth scooted over closer to Nathan, resting her hand on his leg.
"We get the whole day together, and I couldn't be happier!"
"Same, Darling! We've needed this for a long while."
"A very long while. Lisbeth, have you ever thought you'd like to learn to drive?"
"I haven't really thought about it, but I suppose with the new house being out so far, I should."
"That's what I was thinking. I honestly think you and the Children are going to need a car to get back and forth to school. I don't want you having to hitch a wagon each morning and deal with all that. A car would actually be safer and so much easier. Would you be okay if we chose a car together to buy before school starts next year?"
"Of course, if you think we should. I guess it would be a lot more convenient. How do you think of all this?"
"I've thought a lot about it. I want my Wife and Children to be as safe as possible."
"You know Jack and I've never really had anyone to take care of the two of us."
"Well, you do now. Do you have anything you want to tell me?"
"Oh, yes, I do! Oh, Nathan, Allie called me Mom for the first time this morning!"
"Yes, she did let that slip to me at the front door, although she just said 'Mom looks so beautiful!' like it was no big deal that that was your new name," grinned Nathan.
"It was such a beautiful moment, one I'll remember forever."
"That makes me so happy, Lisbeth!"
"Also, it was our Daughter, who said she should still call me Mrs. Thornton, or Mrs. Grant, at school, because of the other Children."
"Smart Daughter we have there!"
"That she is. She's super smart, Nathan. Sometimes I think she's bored in class. That's how smart she is. She definitely keeps me on my toes!"
"Darling, there are sandwiches, chips, and drinks in the Hamper in the back seat, if you want to stop and eat a bite!"
"Yes, please! I'm starved."
"Then, let's pull over here and eat some lunch!"
Nathan pulled over in a rather scenic spot and got outside to get the Hamper for Elizabeth to sort through.
"Nathan, this is perfect!"
"Want to spread a blanket and stretch our legs a bit?"
"Yes, please!"
It was almost ironic, as a previous picnic with someone else, suddenly flashed through her mind. It had been beautiful and almost surreal, as though she was an actress in a play. It should have been very romantic, but somehow it had completely missed the mark. She realized now that she had felt stilted and not at all herself. She had loved the idea of it, but it just hadn't felt quite right.
And it didn't touch her heart.
But today, the day was beautiful, and she was with the man she loved.
Nathan spread out not a white linen tablecloth but a red-checkered one, and he took out matching checkered linen napkins instead of white ones, a bottle of their favorite Red Wine instead of Champagne, and hearty Sandwiches, instead of tiny little Finger Sandwiches. He also had an assortment of Bread and Cheeses he had placed on a rustic wood piece, instead of a silver platter, and he had stopped and bought a box full of all her favorite Cherry Desserts, instead of Chocolate dipped Macaroons, which she had never liked. Macarons, yes, those she loved! But never Macaroons.
Then he said, "Excuse me!" and got up and walked to the car, reaching into the back-seat floorboard where she couldn't see.
"For you, Darling," and he handed her the most beautiful bouquet of Wildflowers she had ever seen, kneeling down on one knee to kiss her. The flowers soon fell to her side as he took her in his arms, lifting her over on his lap.
And she realized in that instant, that before Nathan, she had never known what a real romantic picnic was even like.
This was everything she could ever desire…
They traveled on to Buxton, nourished, refreshed, and renewed.
Both somehow knew, deep in their hearts, there would be many, many more romantic moments just like the ones they had just had, throughout their whole lives through.
What they had found with each other was indescribable.
Never had two souls been more closely meant for each other.
They were exactly where they were supposed to be – together!
They rode on in mostly silence, as both felt completed with the other near.
Then Elizabeth realized she had also forgotten to tell her other news.
"Darling, I got some really good news this morning by telegram."
"What was that?"
"My entire Family is coming for our Wedding. Julie and Tom; and even Viola and her Family! They're all coming with my Parents!"
"Lisbeth, that is wonderful news!"
"It's the very first time since before I came to Hope Valley that we've all been together. When I've gone home, it's never been with all three sisters there at the same time."
"It will be so good for all three of you to be together again for our Wedding! And now you'll have all the Matrons of Honor you wanted! And a Flower Girl to walk in with Frederic!"
"Oh no!"
"What, Darling?"
"I can't let Julie and Viola stay at the house with your Parents there, too?"
"Why not?"
"You have no idea. You think my Parents were hard nuts to crack, well, don't even try cracking Julie and Viola. Something just happens when those two are together. I'll have to reserve them rooms at the Queen of Hearts. I simply will not put your Parents through that. Besides, I think Father and Mother will enjoy having Archie and Madeline to themselves!"
"Your parents? Somehow, I'm having trouble envisioning my Father chatting with a real Lord from Merry Old England! What am I talking about? I can see it alright. It's the conversation that would go along with it that makes me shudder! Whatever you think is best, Darling, I'll support you completely!"
"Nathan, we're almost here!"
"Yes. The Florist comes first. Ready to check out our Wedding Flowers?"
"Yes! Let's do it!"
Nathan slowed the car and pulled in directly in front of the Florists'.
He came to the other side of the car and helped Elizabeth out, and they walked into the Florist's Shoppe arm in arm.
"Hello Mrs. Thorton, I presume, and Chief Inspector Grant! I'm Constance. Mother's not feeling well today, so I'm filling in. I'm her eldest Daughter and we've been doing Flowers since I was a child. We're so happy you're both here. We have so much to go over with you, and I've ordered samples of your Flowers, so you can see the real thing instead of just looking at pictures! But, I must say now I know why the Chief Inspector is so particular when he orders flowers. You are absolutely beautiful! And so lovely to finally meet you!"
"Thank you, so much, Constance. How kind of you to say!"
"Why don't you two take a seat here, and make yourself comfortable. I'll be right back with the floral samples. Oh, and the tea is hot. Help yourself to a cup!"
Elizabeth poured herself a cup, "Darling?"
"Yes, please. Thank you!"
"The Chief Inspector is Mother's favorite customer. She's never forgotten the time you picked up all her groceries and helped her across the street! In fact, she was the one who insisted I have actual flower stems to show you."
They spent the next hour going over the gazebo, bouquets, coronets, flower arrangements, and the garlands they were now adding on.
By the time they were through, both Constance and her customers felt completely happy with what had been designed.
"Do not worry. I'll be helping Mother do these myself, and I promise everything will look very natural, just like it belongs on that gorgeous sounding property of yours! We'll actually come that morning and set everything up. And I should mention, we always bring extra flowers in case they're needed somewhere. From what you've both said, I don't think we should use any greenery at all. Just loads and loads of natural flowers, with a few of your favorite lavender roses mixed in, along with real lavender! I do have one idea, though. I'd like the Bridal Bouquet to be a bit different than the others, and Chief Inspector, if you'll peruse our Shoppe for a bit, I'd like to have a few moments with the Bride alone!"
"Yes, Ma'am," and Nathan bent to kiss his Bride on the cheek and then walked far enough away from them that he could no longer hear their low voices.
"I think we need Orchids as the center of your Bouquet. Either Orchid-colored, cream, or white. But I think we should have all the other natural flowers, along with the Lavender Roses and lavender, mixed in all around them."
"But won't that look too fancy. We really don't want fancy."
"No, not at all. Not the way I'm talking about doing them. Let me sketch it out both ways for you, so you can really see what I mean."
And she did, then she grabbed a set of colored pencils and penciled in the various colored flowers in both bouquets, quickly coloring them all in.
"I can't believe it. You're right this one is beautiful and it looks so natural. I would never have thought orchids could."
"My Mother's taught me well. She always insists on each Bride having a different flower in her bouquet, so it's unique. She also believes no flower is fancy. All flowers are just natural to her. And when I look at you, with your love for lavender roses, I just see orchids. Are you convinced?"
"I am totally convinced. I've always loved orchids, but I didn't even know we could get them in this area. Perhaps, I should show you this. It's a fabric swatch that came with my Bridal Gown."
"This is perfect! I can't tell you how much that helps us. Let me find a plain ribbon that matches, so I'll know exactly what to order for the ribbon we use. That swatch also helps me know exactly what orchid color to use. I think you're really going to be happy with everything. Because, if we don't wow you, we're not going to be happy!"
"I can't tell you how excited I am now. Oh, and I should tell you there are wild rose bushes all along the lake that should be in bloom. I'm just not sure of the exact color."
"They should be rose-colored for this area. We don't see many deep reds in the wild. So, we should be good. The wild rose bushes should blend in beautifully with what you're chosen."
Nathan started walking slowly back toward the Ladies.
"I think we're finished, Chief Inspector!"
"I'm so happy with everything, Nathan!"
"That's wonderful. If anyone can do our Wedding Flowers beautifully, it's Constance and her Mother. Of that, I'm certain! Constance, thank you so much for helping us today. We know this project has taken lots of work and we appreciate it immensely!"
"It's totally our pleasure! Thank you for giving us the opportunity. And we do give our word, you will not be disappointed!"
They all shook hands, and Nathan started to help Elizabeth back in the car, where she turned and reached up to kiss him. Constance watched through the window.
"Oh, to be young and in love!" she smiled.
Nathan then drove them on to his favorite Jewelers.
"Buxton looks so bright and cheerful, doesn't it, Love?" asked Elizabeth.
"Yes, it does!" and he helped Elizabeth out from the car again, and then into his friend's quaint little Jewel Shoppe. "It's a beautiful spring day, Lizbeth!"
"Chief Inspector Grant, Mrs. Thornton, so very good to see you! And congratulations on the promotion!"
"Thank you, Jefferson! We're here to see our Wedding Bands!"
"They turned out wonderfully, even if I do say so myself! Cannot wait for you to see them. Please have a seat. I'll just be a few minutes."
"Darling, I wonder if we could find something here for our Attendant's gifts?"
"That's a great idea. Why don't we take a look while Jefferson's getting the rings?"
"Look at these gold bracelets. I could do that with a monogrammed oval charm for everyone. That way they could just wear it as a single charm bracelet or add more charms to it and wear it as a regular charm bracelet!"
"That's a beautiful idea. My Mother would love that for sure since charm bracelets are a tradition for all the Grant women!"
"That's what I'm going to do. Do you think Jefferson will have enough?"
"Have enough what?" asked Jefferson, as he sat down the boxes holding their rings on his desk.
"This gold bracelet and this large oval charm?"
"How many would you need?" he asked.
"Let me think, there's Allie, Laura, Rosemary, Adeline, Felicity, and now Julie, Viola, and her daughter, but I would have to get a tiny one for her. Oh, and Nathan, I want to give Sophie one, too!"
"So, that's eight plus a smaller version for my niece from England."
"Like these?" and Jefferson pulled out an identical, but smaller Child's bracelet and matching oval charm.
"That's perfect! These will be absolutely perfect! I'll write out all the initials for you. And I'd like them in a fancy script, please!"
"Most definitely, Mrs. Thornton. Is this suitable or would you prefer this version?"
"I love the first one! It's exactly what I envisioned!"
"You know, Chief Inspector, if you would like to match Mrs. Thornton's gifts, we have matching gold cuff links in the same oval design that we could even monogram in the same script."
"What do you think, Elizabeth?"
"I think it's perfect! We'll have matching gifts for our Attendants!"
"You, know Elizabeth, what if we do those two things and add one more thing to each gift, or would that be too much?"
"What were you thinking?"
"The gold writing pens we gave each other. I cannot tell you how many times I've used mine. It's just been so handy to have in my Serge. It's something so practical that could be used pretty much all the time. I know I always have mine with me."
"Darling, that's a beautiful and practical idea. I love it! But, Jefferson, could you get that many for us? We would need eight for me, because I want Allie to have one, too! But I'll pick up some little toy for my Niece, Frederic, and Jack. Which would mean we would need ten for you Nathan, including Nathaniel, Lee, and Lucas."
"So, a total of 18 gold pens. Would you also like one for the Pastor?"
"What a lovely idea! Yes, please! Should we engrave them, too?"
'They do look lovely with just the initials. Anything else looks too busy. And of course, I'll be happy to do all the engraving free of charge."
"Let's do the initials then, Love!"
"But not before we see our Wedding Rings!"
"Yes, please, Jefferson. I got sidetracked!"
The Couple sat down as Jefferson opened the first jewel box.
"I made a mock-up of your engagement ring so I would get the fit perfectly," explained the Jeweler.
"It's perfection! I don't know how you ever figured that out," complimented Elizabeth.
"I hate to ask you to take off your Engagement Ring, but with all the custom work on the ring, we need to make very sure everything fits you perfectly.
"What do think, Darling?" asked Nathan.
"The fit is perfect, Love, and it's more beautiful than I thought it could be. Jefferson, you're an absolute genius!"
Nathan took her hand in his, inspecting what would be the Groom's Wedding Band for his Bride.
"Look, Lisbeth! You can't even tell it's not a single Wedding band from the bottom or the sides. Jefferson, this is amazing work, thank you!"
"My pleasure, Sir! The rings will meld together beautifully on her finger, and wear comfortably too, almost as though they are one ring. I wanted you both to feel like it was a true Wedding Band. Basically, I've built the Engagement Ring down into the Band."
"They actually feel like one ring!"
Then Jefferson opened up the jewel box that contained the Groom's Wedding Ring.
Elizabeth took it, "I love this! Look how it matches mine perfectly! Do you love it, Darling?"
"I do. I like that it's wider and so substantial looking. I want the whole world to know I'm yours!"
She reached and kissed him.
They worked for the next twenty minutes or so, writing out all the initials of their Attendants, making sure everything was perfect, and that Jefferson was reading their writing correctly.
"Lisbeth, why don't you look around the Shoppe and I'll settle up our bill."
"But I'll pay for the Ladies' gifts."
"No need, I've got it, Darling!"
As Jefferson was busy tallying up everything, Nathan noticed Elizabeth looking at a strand of Pearls. Once when he glanced up, he saw her take out a swatch of something from her purse and put it up as close as she could get to them.
That brought the brightest smile to her face, and it made Nathan so happy to see.
But when she turned around, it was as though she was trying to hide her smile, not wanting him to see she had found something she loved.
But Nathan, ever the investigator, totally knew Elizabeth had found something she very much loved, and he could see she had been looking at the Pearls.
He wrote a note to Jefferson and asked him to collect the Pearls on the top shelf of the back case, add them to his purchases and wrap them elegantly for him.
Jefferson jotted back that the pearls were golden and consisted of a necklace, bracelet, and matching earrings.
Nathan wrote back he would take them all, to please wrap them all in individually in separate velvet jewelry boxes, and keep the three items in a separate bag.
Jefferson quickly went to slip the pieces out of the case along with a few other items, in case Elizabeth glanced back over that way.
Now, Nathan just had to keep her from going back to the back case.
"Darling, can you believe we've gotten all our Attendants' Gifts?" asked Nathan.
"No. It's wonderful. Another thing to check off our list! In fact, I'd better do that now!"
"How are we doing?" he asked looking over her shoulder.
"Pretty well, actually! Oh, Nathan, do you think we might have time to go by the Toy Store so I can find something cute for the three little ones? Then we'll be completely done for our Attendants gifts!"
"I tell you what, why don't I walk you over there, and then come back here and pick everything up for us? That way we'll still make our Dinner Reservations. Let me just tell Jefferson."
"Jefferson, be right back to finish settling up, okay?" he called toward the back room.
"Certainly, I should have all this wrapped nicely by then!" Jefferson said with a subtle grin, as he peeked through his back door.
Nathan ushered Elizabeth out, trying to make it look natural, but a little anxious to get her out of the Jeweler's Shoppe completely.
They walked along the Boardwalk all the way to the Toy Store, where Nathan kissed her goodbye and handed her some cash.
"Meet you back here as soon as Jefferson finishes! I'll bring the car."
As soon as Elizabeth was safely in the store, Nathan turned and walked very briskly back to the Jeweler's Shoppe!
"Chief Inspector! I've got everything wrapped except the Pearls. I thought you should see them first!"
"These are stunning! I've never seen any with a golden sheen before. No wonder Elizabeth fell in love with them. These are the perfect gift for me to give her, Jefferson. I can't thank you enough!"
"These are very expensive, but I did get a really good deal on them and I'm going to pass that along to you! You've been a loyal customer and a good friend. I can't imagine anyone other than your beautiful Bride wearing these! Here's the total price to you."
"Jefferson, I don't know pearls, but I think you're selling yourself short, and I don't want to do that."
"These are actually valued at…" and the Jeweler wrote the appraisal price on his pad of paper and handed it to Nathan.
And Nathan's eyes grew wide, "I had no idea, Jefferson! But that means I'm right. You're not charging me enough."
"This is what I paid and this is what I'm charging you. Don't worry, I'm still making a nice bit of profit. The rest is my Wedding Gift to the both of you! I'll give you the appraisal papers for you to keep, and do keep them for insurance purposes."
"Jefferson, you are the absolute best!"
"Let me wrap these quicky, but very elegantly!" he winked as he went back to his work station.
"Jefferson, does a Groom have to wait till the night before the Wedding to give his Bride her Wedding Gift?"
"It can be given any time, Sir! Totally at the discretion of the Groom!"
"Thank you, Jefferson!"
Nathan sat down at Jefferson's desk and had to just take a moment.
Everything was coming together.
He and Elizabeth would be married within a month.
He had the perfect Wedding Present for her, something he was sure she would love!
And he absolutely could not wait to give them to her.
Now he just had to rush and get these to Henri before he picked up Elizabeth...