Chapter One-Hundred Twenty-Six: Honeymoon Day One - A Unique Gift to the Groom
Sunday, the Day after their Wedding and Wedding Night had pretty much come and gone!
Except for Nathan going out the back way to the Chicken Coop to feed the Rooster, Hens, and Chicks, and then on to the Barn to feed Newton and Sargent, letting them out to pasture for exercise and grazing, the Couple had stayed inside their entire Sunday, sleeping some, relaxing some and mostly just enjoying being alone with each other.
After Nathan's Brunch, they had simply snacked a little off and on throughout the late afternoon and evening, but by dark, they both realized they were ravenous.
They had spent most of their hours comfortably sitting in front of the crackling fire, both reading separate books.
Even though it was June, evenings at the Lake still were cool, and even sometimes chilly at night. George had warned them, and had cut more than enough firewood for them to be comfortable the entire week!
At times, Elizabeth laid her head in Nathan's lap and at other times, Nathan laid his head in Elizabeth's lap. Other times they held hands with their hands not holding their books. Sometimes they just sat side by side touching the length of their bodies together.
But mostly, they sat curled up with each other, as close as could be, reading between a little flirting, kisses, mini massages, and "I love you's."
They were still incredulous that they not only had the entire week alone together, they still were marveling that this was forever.
They would be living the rest of their lives with each other!
It had been the perfect do-nothing day followed by the perfect evening, snacking on cheese and crackers, sipping shared glasses of their favorite red wine between them, neither even noticing which glass they happened to pick up!
Nathan was reading G.H. Clarke's latest book, A Treasury of War Poetry, a collection of British and American Poetry from the World War. It had just been released and Felicity had pulled strings to get him an early copy. A signed copy at that! (*79)
Since he was putting the finishing touches on his own latest book about to be published, and because Nathan needed to have it ready by the time they reached New York City, more specifically his Publishing Firm, he was hoping to find a few appropriate, but unusual passages he could use to enhance and support his own script.
Elizabeth was curled up in her Husband's arms, reading Sarah H. Bradford's "Harriet, The Moses of My People," in an effort to better understand the personal trials and civil rights issues of the Black people. She fully intended to include what she learned in her fall history lessons for the entire class. But, it was especially important to her, as she was teaching Trevon and Taleisha's children, that Tyrone and Laila had access to history that specifically involved them. It was her goal to see that the Children would learn their own history, while at the same time share it with the rest of the Class so that all the Children would learn as well. (*80)
The book was so interesting, but she had been reading off and on for a while and was now getting a bit distracted with thoughts running to her handsome Husband, who was totally oblivious he was being closely watched, lost in his own reference work.
She reached up, grazing the edge of his pronounced jawline, enjoying the now almost 24-hour growth of his beard.
"Who would have known my Husband could look so handsome in his reading glasses?"
He grinned reaching up to remove them.
"I've found they just help prevent eyestrain when I'm doing more labor-intensive reading like this! Mostly when I'm in work mode."
She took his glasses, laying them carefully in their case on the Table in front of them, folding the case and snapping it shut, so there wouldn't be a chance of them getting scratched!
"Finding anything useful?" she asked.
He closed his book shut with a wink, and gave her his full attention, holding it up to show her all the marked pages!
"Actually, this is my second time through, and I've already found more than I can use. Really great passages, too. Better than I could have hoped for. You know, it's so nice to have Felicity and her Book Shoppe in Hope Valley. She's so knowledgeable. If it hadn't been for her getting me an early copy, I'd be waiting along with everyone else. And now having read them, I hate to think about my Book being published without having these to include. They just tie everything together so perfectly, even making my theme more pronounced."
"Turn around," Elizabeth instructed.
He did and then laid back into her, as she drew up her arms around his shoulders, and stretched her hands to gently massage his temples.
"Oh, don't stop. That feels wonderful. You know, Elizabeth, with these finds, I have a really good feeling about this Book…" and he rested his own hands on her arms.
"Well, I know Father is anxiously awaiting it. He said something about needing at least a dozen copies for his Friends at his Club. Of course, he's hoping to get all of them autographed!" she laughed. "Knowing Father, he'll have you signing Books the entire time we're in Hamilton."
He laughed, "Ah, I don't mind, as long as it makes him happy."
"Nathan, I might as well tell you this, Father and Mother are planning to throw quite the Party for us just after we get there. They want to show you off, and quite frankly I do too. I want all my old friends to meet my handsome Husband. But, Darling, I think they're wanting it to be more than just a Wedding Reception for us. I should warn you, it will be a huge, gigantic society affair."
"Knowing your Parents, I'd expect nothing less! But what do you mean about 'more than just a Wedding Reception for us?'"
"I know you don't like making a fuss about your books, but you are Father's favorite published Author, and little old me, their Daughter is about to be published. It's just that they're wanting to celebrate our Books, too." She explained trying to get him to understand.
"Well, I don't have a problem with that. I want to celebrate you, too!" he smiled proudly.
"Darling, I'm the novice. You're the very successful multiple times Best Selling Author. It's you they want to focus on. And Nathan, the press will be all over it. They normally attend our Parties, but with you there, they'll be out in full force! And I know how you love your privacy. I'm just afraid your cover's going to be entirely blown."
"Really? Hadn't even thought of that. I mean I've done the big Book Tour in New York before, and there was media. But you're right, that was before the Books were so successful. I suppose I don't mind adding Hamilton into the know along with New York."
And then he realized what she was trying to say!
"Okay, you're asking me, am I ready for my secret being known in Hope Valley and our own area?"
"That's exactly what I'm asking, Darling. I just want you to think it through. If it ends up being like I think it will, it's inevitable that the news gets back to Hope Valley, and your cover is blown."
"Of course, I'd prefer it not to be. Even Felicity hasn't figured it out yet! And you know me, I'd much prefer to keep it private."
"I know that and I respect that. But, Darling, from what I'm learning about the popularity of your Series, I don't think there's any possible way for you to keep it under wraps any longer. Can you handle that?"
He thought a moment, then reach his arms up to her and pulled her face down to his, bringing her lips within a hair of his own.
"Maybe we won't have to. But, with you my Darling, beside me, I can handle anything."
Their gentle kiss grew while at the same time, he was pulling her down even closer to him, with both scooting, and stretching out till they were lying side by side on the extra deep sofa, with their arms wrapped tightly around each other, and their breathing growing more rapid and shallow by the second. Their kiss deepened and deepened, bringing them fully back to each other without a care in the world.
"You were saying," he asked in a low raspy voice.
"Only that I adore you and I'm the Happiest Woman in the whole wide world."
"Between their deep kisses, he finally took a deep breath, "That's good! So very good! Because you're making me the Happiest Man in the World. Oh, how I love you, Elizabeth Grant."
He lightly moved his fingertips along the length of her back, easily stretching its entire length with his very long arms and fingers, teasing her till she thought she could stand it no more.
And as though he sensed it, he flattened the palms of both hands, using both to deeply massage her back sensuously, making her think she never wanted to get up.
"Where did you learn to do this?" she begged.
"I don't know. Maybe, you, my Beautiful Wife, bring it out of me."
"Well, never stop. I'm going to have to insure your hands!"
He laughed, "You mean my famous pitcher hands?"
And she started laughing like a teenager.
"Hey, it's not that funny!"
"I was just remembering how cute you looked out on that field. The other Pitcher and the Relief Pitchers, well, they couldn't hold a candle to your pitching. I mean it was pretty obvious even to me, and I'm not that knowledgeable! But, Nathan, I don't know why this thought came to my mind. It just jumped out at me, that if the game had been a pageant instead, you'd definitely be the winner, hands down! Darling, no one on either team came close to you at all in the looks department. You were drop-dead gorgeous in comparison."
"Drop dead gorgeous, eh? I don't think anyone's ever said that before. Not even my own Mamma!" he laughed.
"Seriously, and allow your Wife a moment of pride, you were without a doubt the most handsome Man on the Field, no matter which Team was up!"
"You're supposed to be critiquing my Pitching abilities, Babe! But, I think I get what you're trying to say! Bottom line you only have eyes for me!"
"Good take! And you better believe it! But I can't promise if somebody more handsome comes along. A girl can't always be responsible for her actions, you know."
"She can't, can she?"
She shrugged her shoulders, "What can I say?"
"That you'll always be responsible, and even if all those Hamilton boys you left with broken hearts appear, you'll still only have eyes for your handsome Husband? That would be a good start!"
"But, what if those guys I left with broken hearts in Hamilton, have outgrown their gawky stage and gotten really handsome, too, and still pine away for me? I suppose it would only be socially proper, for me to at least recognize them, right, Babe?"
"Sure, that's right. As long as you're recognizing them while you're introducing them to me!"
"Oh, that's how that works!"
"That, my Darling, is exactly how it works!"
"Will you cordially shake their hands?"
His face broke into his most crooked of grins, "Oh, I'll shake their hands alright, and if they flirt with you, I'll shake their hand real proper like, Ma'am!"
"You wouldn't!" she exclaimed in mock horror!
He raised his eyebrow, "How can I help it if all your city slicker beaus have sissy hands?"
"Well, when you put it that way…but should we warn them your hands are trained as lethal weapons?"
"Nah, I'll only use them if absolutely necessary," he laughed.
"That's what I'm afraid of! It's exactly your definition of 'necessary' that I'm worried about!"
"I'll make you a deal! If any of those Beaus come on to you? You just send them to me."
"And they won't know what squashed them, right?"
"Something like that!" he winked. "Hey, you think I can wear my holster with my Tux?"
"Oh, I'm sure that would be Mother approved!"
"Hey, your Mother, and I are best buddies, she'll be fine with whatever is necessary. You just need to be sure you behave yourself flirting with all those old Beaus! How many are there, again? Just so I can be prepared."
"Oh, there were so many, I can't even remember."
"That's good. They can't have been that memorable if you can't even remember them."
"Oh no, are you going to be one of those jealous Husband types I've heard so much about?"
"Absolutely, Love," totally shushing her by playing with her lips till she caved and kissed him herself.
He chuckled, "Totally got you!"
"That is so unfair, Nathan Grant!"
She sat up and he moved, laying his head in her lap, looking lovingly up at her.
"Hungry?" he asked.
"Are you?"
"Ravenous!"
"In that case, I'd better get us something," she laughed. "I can't have a ravenous Husband unless it's me he's ravenous about."
"Oh, he's that, too," and he kissed her neck to prove it, never wanting to stop.
She laughed and pretended to get away from him.
"I have to go perform my Wifely chores."
"That's what I thought you were doing, Love!" he whispered.
"Food, Darling. Food!"
Elizabeth insisted Dinner was her turn.
"At least let me help. I don't think I can bear for you to leave me," begged Nathan as he wouldn't let go of her hand.
"I'm not going anywhere, Love. Just across the Room," she laughed.
"But it's such a big Room!"
"Poor Baby! But, you left me and fixed me Brunch!"
"Doesn't count; you were sleeping! Didn't miss me at all!"
"I missed you terribly. I knew the instant you were gone!"
"You were sleeping soundly, Sleeping Beauty!"
"I knew it in my sleep. Honestly, I did!"
He pulled her down to him, "Now, how am I supposed to believe that?"
"My body just instinctively moved to your empty spot, and that my Darling is proof beyond proof!"
"Yep, that was sort of adorable! Though not at all sure it would hold up in a Court of Law," he teased.
She started to tease him back, but his lips stopped hers, making her totally forget about teasing or plundering for food!
"I could be a huge help over there in that big Kitchen," he flirtatiously suggested.
"What could you do?"
"Pretty much this."
"But, I'd never get anything done," widening her eyes and opening her hands wide too, with a shrug.
His sparkly eyes told her it didn't matter if they ever got anything done!
She then playfully pushed him back into the soft-down pillows of their massive Sofa and turned to prepare their Dinner.
He got up behind her.
"And just what do you think you're doing?"
"Helping you," he said matter-of-factly.
"I love you for that, but all I have to do is scrounge for food that's already made and put it together! Besides, it's my turn. You cooked me an entire meal. Stay! Read! Oh, and I forgot, Father left you a huge box on the Dining Table. Why don't you get that, while I find us Food!"
"Glad he left it on the Dining Table and not the Entry Table, which come to think of it, you can't even see!"
"I know, inundated with Gifts! We are going to have to bite the bullet and start in on those at some point in time!"
"Yeah, I figure if we open twenty a day, we'll be here till School starts!"
She laughed, "Sorry, Darling, but you're not far from wrong. I've never seen so many Gifts in one place in my life! And you do know, there will be more in Hamilton!"
"Are you serious," he asked rather alarmed at the thought. "Good grief, I'm going to have to build another house!"
"At least a second Barn to store them all! Or Newton and Sargent are going to be living mighty fine!"
He laughed and walked over to their massive Dining Table.
"Lisabeth, you know what this is? It's a bit heavy. You're right about the huge part, too!"
"Haven't a clue! But Father said to be sure you opened that package before anything else and for some odd reason before Dinner!"
Nathan grabbed the elegant Package and carried it back to the large low Table he had designed himself, in front of his already favorite spot to sit, and quietly opened the Card attached to the Gift, having no idea what to expect.
"Every Man needs his own fully stocked Humidor, and as you have two Houses, you need two. A larger and more formal one has been placed in your Library in Hope Valley. Which of course can be moved to your preference of location, but as that is yours and Elizabeth's special spot to work, it does seem to belong there as you will see. And yes, my Daughter loves the scent of Cigars. She was my only Daughter who would read stretched out across my Study Floor, whenever I brought one out. Man to Man, Father to Son, and don't tell Grace! She hates them passionately and would not be happy with me at all for doing this, so I had to do it on the sly! But from one Man to another, just enjoy, Son!"
Father was handwritten underneath the card with several broad stroked lines under for emphasis.
Nathan couldn't help but shake his head and laugh.
"What is it, Nathan?"
"Your Father and I have very different ideas about 'needs,' but, I have a sneaky suspicion it's a fancy Humidor, stocked full of your Father's very expensive Cigars! Let's see if I'm right!"
Nathan untied the wide Ribbon, then unfolded the fancy paper, and was shocked. William had commissioned a very rustic-looking Humidor that perfectly matched the earthy and rustic Lodge!
That he hadn't been expecting. A Humidor, yes, but something much fancier!
"Wow, your Father does have good taste. If I were going to make one for the Lodge, which I wouldn't, it would be exactly like this. Masculine and rough-looking. At least Nathaniel, Bill, and Lee are sure going to enjoy having it here. Not sure about Aaron!"
Then he opened the first drawer, and just as he suspected, it was filled to the brim with only the best of Cigars, every type imaginable! The same with each subsequent drawer!
"This is quite impressive, but Elizabeth, do you really like the scent of Cigars?" he asked dubiously, not knowing whether or not it was something she would still enjoy as a Grown Woman.
He only knew his Mother emphatically did not appreciate the scent! And apparently, neither did Grace!
"Immensely, don't ask me why. I know it's odd. I used to always traipse into Father's Study when he smoked one. Mother hated it, so did Viola and Julie! They could not for the life of them understand why I loved it so!"
And then he remembered asking William for Elizabeth's hand back in the Hotel at Regina.
"I feel bad with this wonderful Gift, but I'm just not that much of a smoker! The occasional celebratory Cigar and that's it! It's just not really my thing, at all. Your Father must have assumed because I did partake of his Cognac and Cigars, but that was only being polite to win your hand, Love! It was actually comical because your Mother waltzed in and had a fit, chastising your Father something about liquor and smoke. She made Godfrey immediately direct me to the Lavatory to freshen up before I came to propose!"
She laughed and lovingly placed her hand on his rugged jawline.
"How Chivalrous of you! Occasional is good enough for me. Besides without this Gift, I'd never have known that story! Father has a way of wanting to share his good things, if he likes you that is, and Darling, I've never seen him take to anyone quite like you! You can pass them on to your Guests, and Father need never know!"
"Well, that's good to know! I'd hate to hurt his feelings. You know, he even signed the card 'Father!'"
"He did? You have no idea how happy that makes me. He really does love you Nathan, and not to defend him, but he truly does mean well!"
"It's just that this is such an expensive Gift!" fretted Nathan.
"You know, he can afford it, and I hate to say that, but just remember he's giving with his heart. It's not the cost to him and shouldn't be to you. Why the fact he had to go behind Mother's back to get it, is a pretty big deal, in and of itself! Mother misses nothing! It's the thought, and the truth is he loves you and just wants to give you something special, Man to Man."
"You're right. It's very kind of him, and I am grateful. You know, surprisingly, he was right at home on our Fishing Trip. Fit right in. I believe he would have stayed the entire week if he could have and been perfectly happy. You should have seen him when he caught that fish, Elizabeth. He was positively jubilant!"
"Oh, I wish I had seen that. You know…I can't remember ever seeing Father jubilant, maybe happy, but not at all jubilant! To be honest, my memories of him are of conducting some Business Deal, always being interrupted during Dinner, or being called away from a Family Celebration or a Society Party. I used to resent it, but then as I got older, I realized it couldn't be much fun for him, either."
"I'm sure it wasn't. If I know one thing, he loves you and his Family. Maybe he just got caught up in making more money. He's alluded to that, actually. I'm sure it's a vicious cycle. From what he says he has a lot of people depending on him. You are, at least, going to get to see the pictures of your Father jubilant with his fish! George, who is quite the Photographer, by the way, took quite a few shots. And you'll get to see your Father's Fish personally, or at least the lacquered version. He still can't decide where he's putting it. Although, I've never seen a Man so proud!"
"Let's hope the Office, I can't see Mother allowing that monstrosity in the House! But I can't wait to see it ready to hang! I did notice George taking pictures yesterday, right along with Carson, but had no idea that he was a Photographer, too."
"I should have mentioned it – just forgot, Babe. When I saw how great his pictures were hanging in the Cottage, I asked him if he'd mind assisting Carson, and he was thrilled. I figured the more Photographers, the more Photos and perhaps even better Photos we'd have of our Wedding! I think it made him feel included, too."
"That was a very nice thing for my thoughtful Husband to do! Very considerate of you! Now, I'm more excited than ever to see our Wedding Photos! Nathan, where should we eat, over here, or in front of the fire?"
"I prefer by the fire, but here, let me carry the Trays!"
He jumped up to do just that, kissing Elizabeth first, "Thanks for fixing this. It all looks delicious!"
And it did, Elizabeth had made an assorted platter of meats, an assorted platter of veggies, and an assorted platter of salads, from their Reception Dinner, and it all looked really wonderful.
"You know, we were talking so much with everyone at the Reception, we barely got to eat, so this looks extra good, making up a bit for missing out on the real thing!" suggested Nathan.
"Shall I open Champagne or Wine?" he asked.
"Let's try the Wine. It's already chilled. Oh, I forgot the Chilled Seafood!"
"Need help?"
"No thanks, Love. The Tray's in the Fridge! I've already fixed it. I even mixed some into a Ceviche! If you'll get the Wine, that will be perfect!"
"Yum, that looks good!"
Nathan uncorked the Wine, then grabbed their glasses, and added them to the Tray.
As Elizabeth sat down on the edge of the sofa, Nathan scooted in too, and they smiled lovingly and took each other's hands.
"You pray, Sweetheart!" directed Elizabeth lovingly.
"Dear Father, how do we begin to thank you for our many, many Blessings of this most special week? Our Wedding Week. Our hearts are abundantly full with love and gratitude. Thank you most of all for the Gift of each other, may we always be pleasing to you as Individuals and as a Couple and Family. Please be with Allie and Jack! Our Parents too, probably need all the help they can get right about now. Do direct us always, oh God, in Your Wisdom. We thank you for the Food Elizabeth has prepared for us, and we ask that you bless it to the nourishment of our bodies. In your most Holy Name, Amen."
"Amen!"
"This, my Love, looks wonderful!"
"I can't take much credit other than the Ceviche, even though I just mixed a few things together and added a few spices and tomato juice to all that, but it does look scrumptious! Oh, and you have to taste Godfrey's special Tropical Sauce for the Shrimp. It's the best ever. We had it at my Bridal Party!"
"That I did get a taste of at our Reception. It's amazing! Do we have the Recipe?"
Elizabeth laughed, "Darling, not only do we have all the Recipes, now, so does everyone else in all of Hope Valley, and all of our other scattered Guests beyond! I don't know how Mother talked Godfrey out of that one! She must have blackmailed him over something."
Nathan chuckled, clearing seeing his new Mother-in-Law as being totally capable of something like that!
"Our industrious Mothers and their Grant Wedding Recipe Book! How could I forget?"
Elizabeth laughed and shook her head.
"You know, Lisabeth, the Ceviche is perfect. I'd be happy for you to make that any time you like! It's really wonderful!"
"Perfect! It's on our Menu List, then! Nathan, do you really think the Children are alright?"
"Yes, Love, I really do," he lifted her chin with his hand. "Our Mothers raised us! They'll do fine with their Grandchildren!"
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows at that so high, Nathan had to laugh.
"Sorry, Babe, forgot about all the governesses you ran away, but Grace is trying hard now! And my Mother has a degree in Mothering. After all, she survived Colleen and me, together! Which was no easy feat, by the way!"
Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh at her grinning Husband.
"You know when you throw that crooked grin at me, I don't stand a chance at anything! I'll agree to whatever you want!"
"Oh, that's very good to know," he laughed with what now was a wicked crooked grin!
"Seriously, I'm sure Allie and Jack are still missing us a bit. But, I think they're so happy for us to be a Family, being apart this week won't be too hard on them. Besides, the Grandparents apparently have all types of activities planned with them, so, I don't even think they'll have much time to miss us!"
She smiled tentatively, "I'm sure you're right, but will you please keep telling me that?"
"Every single time you need to hear it! And don't forget, they're also excited about our trip to New York, so they've got that on their minds, too!"
"That's true. I keep forgetting! Now, that's really exciting to think about that! Especially, now that we have new Luggage, and a Trousseau to die for, thanks to our Mothers!"
"You know, Darling, it was the cutest thing ever watching Allie and Jack go from table to table at the Reception!" remembered Nathan.
"Oh, I know! At first, I thought they were just excited to visit with everyone, but they were showing them their Adoption Certificates! It was just the sweetest thing ever! Although, that wasn't the only sweet thing," smiled Elizabeth.
She looked up at her Husband to gauge his response to the words she was very carefully about to choose, and he narrowed his eyes, sensing what was coming next.
"It was so sweet watching you watch our Daughter dance, too."
"Sweet? I was ready to leave my beautiful Bride and break in to tear Allie away from Robert!"
Elizabeth laughed at the memory, trying so hard to keep from it!
"But, you didn't and I was so very proud of you!"
"I didn't because my Bride wouldn't let me!" he winked. "Is this going to get worse?"
She giggled, "Maybe you should ask Father! But, my Love, admit it. They looked so sweet together, dancing at least a foot apart, smiling from ear to ear! We have nothing to worry about, where Allie's concerned. You've raised her perfectly."
"No, we don't have to worry about Allie at all. It's Robert, I'm concerned about! You seem to forget I was his age once, and I know exactly what that young man was smiling about!"
"Darling, he's a Good Boy! Besides you don't want her to be devoid of Friends."
"Not Friends. Just maybe Boyfriends!"
Elizabeth giggled again and whispered, "It's going to be okay. I promise! It's all part of growing up."
"That's exactly it – I can't bear the thought of her growing up! How am I ever going to survive this? I mean before we turn around, she's going to be the Bride!"
"Not for a very long while, my Darling! It's going to be alright. I give you my word! Wife's honor!"
She reached to kiss her Husband, who lifted his hand and soon lost it in her long silken hair, deepening his kiss, drawing her to him with his other hand, totally forgetting about his only Daughterly Wedding angst.
"Oh, my…" and she kissed him again, forgetting all about food.
When they pulled apart, he gently reminded her by selecting a bite to feed her.
"I know. I'm being chastised. Back to Food."
"Point of Clarification. A most important point. You, my Love, are never being chastised."
"Another reason I love you so deliriously much! Nathan, what do you like regarding food that I don't yet know about?"
"Is that a trick question? I pretty much will try anything! And usually like it, too! Allie's the same way. With the rare thing she doesn't like, she lets you know. Basically, I don't think we're going to be much of a problem, food-wise. What about you?"
"I love cooked onions, but hate them raw, so no onions on my Hamburger unless they are cooked!"
"So, noted! Anything else?" he asked.
"Beets aren't my favorite unless they're covered with sugar! So, for me, it's no raw onions and a lot of sugar on my Beets! And, that's about it, I think!"
"Oh, my goodness I forgot, yellow squash! It gives me hives," remembered her Husband.
"Bad hives?"
"Afraid so, I don't even think about it because I'm not crazy about eating yellow squash anyway," he laughed. "Maybe it would work if we covered them in sugar too!"
"We're not taking the chance! But you've eaten Butternut Squash without an issue."
He nodded, "Yes! And I know it's strange, but Butternut Squash seems to be fine. In fact, I love it, fixed about any way there is. But Roasted with Brown Sugar? Well, that's the very best! And actually, one of my favorite dishes."
"Hmm, I'll have to remember that! You're easy, you know. That's about the simplest thing in the world to fix! Let's make a deal. You be honest as we go along and tell me what you love, what you like, and what you don't like! And, of course, what you hate! Deal?"
"If you'll do the same, so I'll know when it's my turn to cook!" he agreed.
"You plan to cook?" she asked incredulously.
"Well, sure, if I'm allowed in the Kitchen!"
"You, my Love are too good to be true! And yes, you are allowed in the Kitchen. I seem to recall we agreed Saturday Breakfasts' were yours!"
He laughed, "Hmm. Can't seem to recall that agreement, at all! But you might want to wait till you taste more of my cooking before you firm up that pronouncement!"
"Are you ready for Dessert?" asked Elizabeth flirtatiously.
"Wonder what that could be?"
"Wedding Cake, with Strawberries and Clotted Cream!" laughed Elizabeth.
"Sounds perfect to me!"
"Good, they left enough behind that you may be eating it all week!"
Elizabeth went back into the Kitchen to bring their Dessert out, and when she sat the Tray down, Nathan took a tiny forkful, offering the first bite to his Wife.
"Yum, this is really good!"
He then took the tiniest strip of icing and placed it on her nose, then kissed her over and over till the icing was gone and beyond, with his Wife giggling the whole time.
They fed each other their Cake, then fed each other the Strawberries with Devonshire Clotted Cream, mostly flirting and playing with each other, until they couldn't wait any longer.
"I'll clean up if you go get ready for bed," whispered her husband, lovingly enticing her to do just that!
"Now that's a deal a Bride can't refuse!" and she pressed her lips against his in her favorite way to kiss, giving him a delightful taste of what was in store for him.
She left him to prepare for Bed, and he began putting the food away and straightening up in general.
His job was completed quickly, so, he sat back down in his favorite spot, bored, being alone, and looked through his new Humidor, selecting a foreign Cigar he had never tried before.
'Might as well experiment!' he thought.
Now Nathan by his own admission, was nowhere near being a Cigar Aficionado, but he knew the proper technique well enough to enjoy one occasionally when he did partake.
But without Elizabeth beside him, he didn't know what to do with himself, and she had said she liked the scent…so why not try out his new Father-in-Law's Gift and please his Bride in the process?
He first took out his new guillotine-styled Cigar Cutter, experimenting with it, then made a deft cut at the head of the Cigar, precisely at the seam above the shoulder.
He then, without lighting it, put the Cigar to his lips, and drew his breath through it, not surprisingly, confirming that it 'drew' smoothly, very smoothly.
As if any Cigar of William Thatcher's wouldn't draw smoothly!
He noticed a cedar spill, really just a long strip of Spanish Cedar, which he knew to be often used for lighting a Cigar, but in a very fashionable, more formal way than he was used to, slowly toasting the foot of the Cigar.
He thought he'd give it a try for the first time.
Maybe there was something to it.
Nathan found a very fancy silver lighter, an exact replica of William's own lighter, but engraved with the Groom's own initials, and lit the cedar spill to start the toasting, preparing the Cigar for lighting, by first drying the filler leaves.
He rotated his Cigar during the toasting process, as he had previously seen done, until the entire tip was smoldering, but was totally surprised when the entire foot of his Cigar began glowing, then burst into flame!
"Who knew? This really works!"
He was also pleasantly surprised that by using the cedar spill to light his Cigar, there was an extra measure of spice with his initial puffs, never inhaling.
"A method to the madness, I guess!"
For he knew Cigar smoke was meant to be "sipped" like fine wine, then gently blown out, leaving only the flavor of the Cigar on your palate.
And he had to admit, just as when he had smoked a Cigar with William that night he had asked for Elizabeth's hand, and later proposed, this particular Cigar was every bit as exquisite!
And very much like a fine wine!
Elizabeth's Father had excellent taste, there was no doubt about it!
Maybe this wasn't such a terrible Gift after all! At least he'd have it to offer as a special treat to his Guests who enjoyed them.
Who would have thought?
He sat back, now totally enjoying his Cigar in front of the roaring fire, as it was occupying his mind, helping him to not miss Elizabeth so terribly.
That is until he sensed her presence.
As he glanced over toward the Hall that led to their Bedroom Door, she was standing there like an angelic vision, in a peignoir and negligee, although he didn't know the terms, ensconced in layer after layer of ethereal white chiffon. She was also wearing her new silk slipper bedroom heels.
He only knew she looked otherworldly, like some perfection he had never seen before!
Nathan was speechless and motionless, his Cigar suspended in mid-air.
"Now, that, Darling, was the exact effect I desired!" smiled Elizabeth.
She floated to him, snuggling in beside him, with her many very soft chiffon layers spilling over onto him.
He reached to immediately snuff out his Cigar, but she gently lifted his hand back to his mouth, snuggling in even closer to him.
He hadn't even been able to say a single word, or even move, except to try to get rid of his Cigar, and she loved it.
This was her Husband, and she could not have possibly been any more in love!
Nor could he!
He finally was able to smile at his Wife, trying to get the strength to finish his Cigar before he placed his attention elsewhere, while not wanting to finish it at all.
But looking down at her wicked smile, he got the distinct impression his Wife was enjoying this conundrum of his, very much, indeed.
He put one arm around her, pulling her in, till not a single thing could slide between them, not even a piece of paper.
And if a Man can smoke a Cigar in warp speed, well, that's exactly what Nathan Grant did!
She kept laughing up at him, while he was growing more and more desperate by the minute, till finally that Cigar was going to be done, if he had to stub it out himself, and in one split second, he had her in his arms, with the world's softest chiffon floating everywhere around them, causing him to blindly find his way, as he lifted her and carried her to their rustic Four-Poster Bed.
It was there, he gently placed her.
And every single second of the prolonged wait was worth it…
(*79) A Treasury of War Poetry, A Collection of British and American Poems of the World War, with Introduction and Notes by G.H. Clarke, 1918, Public Domain
(*80) Harriet, The Moses of Her People, Sarah H. Bradford, 1901, Public Domain