Chapter 146: A Hearty, But Extravagant Welcome

"Dad, may I ride to Granda's and Granddad's house with Arabella? Please? Pretty please?"

"I promise to watch over her, favorite Brother-in-Law, and my nephew too! Come here, you Little Munchkin!" cooed Julie as she grabbed Little Jack, with Mountie Bear, from his father's arms!

"Julie," chastised Nathan. "You need to watch that 'favorite' stuff in front of Anthony. You're going to hurt his feelings!"

"He already knows!" laughed Julie. "I talk about you all the time!"

Nathan rolled his eyes just like his daughter always did, then he looked around for Elizabeth, but she was in a deep conversation with Viola!

"Allie, promise me, you'll be on your best behavior!"

"I promise, Dad. I'll help Auntie Julie watch Jack too!"

"That's good of you, Allie. Thank you, Sweetheart! But mind your Auntie Julie! You too, Jack!"

Jack grinned as broadly as he could!

"K Daddy! I good!"

Nathan kissed both his children and watched as Julie took off to their designated limousine while carrying Jack and holding on to Arabella with Allie on her other side since she was the older one.

It amazed Nathan how close Allie and Arabella had already become, even with their age difference.

He was also surprised to see how good Julie was with the three of them!

It was nice to see them together.

And to know Allie finally had the Brother, Cousin, and Aunties she had always dreamed of filled Nathan's soul with gratitude.

Not to mention Elizabeth as her mother!

The four Grants all just fit together like they were made for each other, each wondrously happy, another miracle of their union.

Allie was happier than he had ever seen her!

And Jack seemed happier too, more independent, except for his Allie, of course, whom he followed nonstop!

"What's that look, Son?" asked Archie. "A penny for your thoughts!"

"Allie's growing up so fast, Dad. I wish Colleen could see her now!"

"Oh, make no mistake about it, she does, Son! She absolutely does!"

Nathan smiled and wrapped his arm around his father's shoulder.

"And she's so very proud of what you've done, Nathan!"

"I hope so, Dad! I truly do!"

"Dad, I think Father and Mother are saving you a place in the first car!" smiled Elizabeth as she walked up to nudge them into action.

"Then I'd better get going, and fast! Don't want to be left behind!"

"See you in a bit, Dad!" waved Nathan.

"Looks like it's just you and me left, my Darling!"

"Just the way I like it, Lisbeth!" and he placed an arm around his wife.

"Come, there's our car!"

They walked arm in arm, both savoring every minute of being alone.

Because Nathan, in particular, knew it would be short-lived, with all the hubbub that was sure to come!

But when the couple reached their designated limousine, Nathan was shocked to see that it was for Elizabeth and him alone!

"Mother takes care of everything, my Love! And she very much considers this trip a part of our honeymoon!"

"Remind me to kiss your mother!"

Elizabeth giggled as the chauffeur helped her, then Nathan, into their car.

Nathan sat and wrapped his arms around his wife as she snuggled into him.

"I love you, Mrs. Grant!"

"And I love you, Nathan Grant! Not that I don't love my children, but I love alone time with my husband too!"

"Same, my Love!" he smiled down at her, starting to relax. "And since your Mother said so, this definitely is part of our honeymoon, am I correct?"

"You are absolutely correct, Husband!"

He smiled and looked out at his surroundings as they rode along for several miles.

Hamilton.

This was where Elizabeth was raised.

How could he not love the place too?

"Look, Baby! That's where I went to Lower Level School! Upper Level is just past that garden and play area. I taught there, too!"

"Very nice, Lisbeth! I don't think I'd ever want to leave! It looks like a College Campus. Does it bother you to not have this fancy type of facility to teach in?"

"Not at all! My days teaching there were awful. The children were so entitled, and not one person cared about learning anything, no matter how hard I tried to make my lessons interesting. No, I'll take my little one-room schoolhouse any day of the week!"

Nathan smiled and reached to kiss her forehead.

"That's my Girl!"

"Just another mile or so, and we'll enter town. I hope you like it! I'll admit, I do sometimes miss the shoppes. Oh, and the restaurants. They're so good and lovely too!"

"How about I take you to La Belle's?" he asked with twinkling eyes.

"Nathan Grant! You know LaBelle's? That's my very favorite restaurant! But how do you know it?"

He grinned.

"I was stationed in Hamilton on an undercover mission, just after the Academy. The job was awful, but I actually loved the town! The Commissioner and his wife took me there as a thank-you when the mission ended."

"You're holding back! I can't believe you didn't tell me!"

"You didn't ask!" he answered with twinkling eyes.

"That's not even fair! I didn't know to ask, my Love!"

"Aren't you going to show me the Post Office," he chuckled as they came up to a huge museum-like building.

"I love its Gothic architecture. Sort of ominous!" laughed Nathan. "Like I feel right now."

Elizabeth playfully hit his shoulder.

"Now you're just being a show-off! And no, you do not feel ominous!"

"I don't know! One has to hold their own when their wife is a bonafide Princess!"

"You! It's not like I'm Lady Viola or Julie or something!"

"And I'm so very glad you're not!" he declared.

It was then their lips met, and Elizabeth mumbled something.

"We're missing…the Gothic…architecture!" she hissed between kisses.

"I…don't care…one…bit!" he responded with fervor.

Leaving the two otherwise occupied while they missed several major buildings of note!

But when they came into the shopping area, Elizabeth was alert again, as though there was an internal built-in signal, sitting up on the edge of her seat to look out the window!

"Husband deserted for shopping!" teased Nathan, who was enjoying seeing her so excited and was surprisingly enjoying being back in Hamilton again.

She was leaning over him to look at all her favorite stores, which happened to be on his side of the road.

He held her waist carefully to stabilize her, marveling at the way he felt every time she was in his arms or even by his side.

Just to touch her was everything!

How could he not be happy to be back in Hamilton?

He was coming back with his family!

And that was everything that mattered.

As he watched his wife, he was filled with amazement. How different his life was from the last time he was here in Hamilton. Love had entered his world and made him happier than he had ever known he could be.

"Look, Nathan! That's where Mother ordered my Wedding Gown!"

"It was perfect, Love! She has very good taste!"

"Very expensive taste! I hope you're not off-put by how elaborate everything is here!"

He smiled, not knowing what to say because he had had this same conversation in his head more than a few times.

Especially after meeting her parents in Regina.

It was obvious, even to him, that their wealth was very great indeed. And then there was all the expense of the wedding. But what he had tried to do was concentrate on their goodness, not their wealth.

And delightfully, he had found he genuinely loved them, in spite of their wealth.

But today was the day that their wealth would smack him right in the face like no other.

Was he ready?

Could anybody of meager means truly ever be?

Nathan was an inward thinker, always had been, as he had been alone most of his life in one way or another, but with Elizabeth, he was beginning to open up, even about nonessential thoughts. She had taught him that. She had taught him to share his feelings and even his emotions to a degree.

Sharing them was important to her, and so sharing them had become important to him.

But today, he made a conscious decision to relax and enjoy this time alone with his wife.

"Oh, Nathan, that's Dr. Jenkins' Office!"

"Do you think we can call for an appointment this afternoon?"

"I think that's perfect. I'll do it as soon as we get settled," she smiled.

Then she sat back and leaned against her husband's shoulder, feeling that now, after all these years, her life was complete and on course, exactly as it should be!

For the rest of the trip, they sat there together, in silence, speaking a love with only touch that was so strong, no words were even necessary…

As they drove up the long driveway to the Hamilton Estate, Elizabeth's eyes shone, glad to be visiting her old homeplace again!

Nathan swallowed while sitting in the luxury of the limousine as he saw the opulence evident even in the stone driveway and the perfectly manicured lawns surrounding it!

Without realizing it, he held his wife's hand a little more tightly.

'Dear God, help me to be kind. Help me to understand this different lifestyle or at least to accept it.'

"Are you alright, Darling," asked Elizabeth, looking worried. "I'm sorry. I know this is a lot!"

They looked deeply into each other's eyes, and he clearly saw the longing she had for him to feel comfortable.

He nodded.

"Yes, Lisbeth, I think I am."

"That's my dream! Just be yourself and forget the fancy surroundings!"

"I'll make you a deal, Darling! How about I focus on you?"

"I love that! And I'll focus on you!"

Her smile was beaming.

They sealed their promise with a lengthy, most passionate kiss, firey even, given where they were sitting, but it was a pledge of commitment to each other instead of their opulent surroundings.

And needless to say, neither wanted their alone time to end.

When their lips finally parted, they were looking up at the Thatcher's Estate Grand Entrance together.

"You didn't tell me you lived in a Palace, Princess!" he teased, although it wasn't far from the truth.

"Well, you know we Princesses!" she laughed.

As their chauffeur helped them out of their car, the entire family was already waiting for them at the top of the steps, standing on the wide portico of white stone, with six white Corinthian Pillars made of marble, magnificent in their size!

Nathan smoothed Elizabeth's hair, then held her hand as they climbed the massive steps together.

They smiled up at their families standing there with their children, ironically looking right at home!

"Dad, isn't it pretty?" called Allie.

Nathan chuckled; his daughter was never phased by anything, not even something as grand as this, or so it would seem.

"Yes, Sweetheart! It is very pretty!"

'Nathan Grant, take a page from your daughter!' he told himself.

And suddenly, he completely relaxed.

Then he turned and nodded to Elizabeth with a broad smile.

"Welcome home, Love!" he whispered.

She stopped to kiss him on the steps right there in front of everyone to oohs and aahs!

"It's home only because you're here with me, Darling!"

By the time they reached the portico, everyone was laughing and in a festive mood, ready to celebrate being all together again!

But no one, except of course the Thatchers, was prepared for what was waiting inside...

The Great Entrance Hall was nothing short of magnificent!

There was no other way to describe it!

Four elegant and massive crystal chandeliers, with exquisite and numerous pendalogues attached, hung brilliantly from the beautiful coffered ceiling, causing the light from above to dance over all who dared to enter!

The walls were lined in the palest of blue damask silk.

Large Crystal sconces matching the huge chandeliers were interspersed along the walls, alternating between very important pieces of art, causing colorful prisms of light to reflect brilliantly around the entire entry!

Rich blue Oriental Rugs trimmed in gold, lined the large boarded mahogany flooring.

The furniture was all Antique English, exquisitely carved in the elegant Windsor Court style.

Majestic flowers in cut crystal vases held court as well, appearing to be everywhere there was a spot to put them!

Though ironically enough, given his trepidation, despite the entry's grandness, all Nathan could feel was the love and the happiness everyone was experiencing at being home again!

But truly, there was no time to even look, as the entire entrance was lined with formally dressed servants on both sides from end to end.

William and Grace led the way, introducing each of the Staff Members to the Senior and Junior Grants, with the exception of Elizabeth, who needed no introduction.

Elizabeth embraced those who had been in service during her tenure in Hamilton, and there were even tears for some.

"Darling, this is my governess, Alberta Maylor! She was the only one brave enough to stay!"

"Bertie, it is, Sir! Brave I was, Miss! I'm afraid you've got quite the handful there, Chief Inspector!"

"Don't I know it," grinned Nathan conspiratorially.

And with that one trim sentence, Nathan had completely won the Governess over.

"Darling, Bertie is going to be helping us with the children while we're out and about!"

There was something about her kind face that made Nathan melt, and somehow, he knew instantly that his children couldn't be in better care.

By this time, Jack had lovingly reached for his Dad, so Nathan took him and shook the remaining waiting hands with his other hand.

The servants immediately loved the children, except perhaps for one or two of the older ones, who seemed to be dreading the chaos!

But Nathan had no doubt his children would soon win them over!

To no one's surprise, except perhaps Nathan's, they were all quite impressed with Elizabeth's new handsome husband.

Although their standards had been set high, he had passed with flying colors...

After meeting the entire staff, the family retired to the main sitting room, where the staff had prepared all sorts of fancy and delicious finger foods, including sandwiches and sweets, along with a variety of drinks.

As soon as everyone was seated, Godfrey and an under-butler served the Coffee, Tea, and Lemonade. Then they distributed the trays of tiny bites from the high sideboard onto smaller silver trays, placing them where the family could most easily access them, depending upon where they were sitting, throughout the huge room.

Of course, everything was of the very finest! The Coffee was freshly ground from the most exotic of beans, the perfectly brewed Tea had little pink baby roses floating in it along with its cubes of sugar, and the Lemonade was decorated with fresh slices of candied lemon and clutches of fresh spearmint!

There was no detail left undone, leaving quite the elegant spread!

"All of this is here at your leisure," announced Grace. "Why don't we grab a bite, then take everyone to their rooms so that you can get comfortable first? Then for today, lunch will be served in the observatory as a come-and-go affair for your convenience."

"That would be wonderful, Mother. I'd love to get the children settled!"

"Mama, cookie!"

"Jack's favorite word," laughed Elizabeth as Nathan reached to get him his favorite sugar cookie.

"Allie, Arabella, would you like something to eat?" asked Grace.

"Yes, please, Granda!" answered Allie, after Arabella nodded yes to her because she was too shy to speak up.

"Godfrey, please help my granddaughters choose the very best of our offering," directed Grace with pride.

"Of course, Ma'am! My pleasure! Come, Miss Allie, Miss Arabella!"

And it really was as though Godfrey loved both girls, although it had taken Miss Allie to get Miss Arabella to warm up to him.

Sadly, like Godfrey, Arabella had been raised believing there was a distinct and distant separation of gentry and servants.

But his effervescent Miss Allie had blurred all that, both for her Uncle Godfrey and her cousin, Miss Arabella!

At first, Viola had been terrified, but when she saw the smiles on her daughter's and the family butler's faces, she decided to let it be.

Which was a significant moment of growth for Lady Townsend, as it had been for all involved!

"Your home is lovely, Grace! Just beautiful!" complimented Madelyne as Godfrey helped the girls select their food.

"Thank you, Maddie! I know it's a lot, more museum-like than most homes, but truly, it's just our home! And we're just so happy to share it with all of you! Just feel as though it's your own!"

It seemed to cut the formality to hear her Mother downplay their surroundings, and Elizabeth was very proud that she had!

Although Viola and Julie were completely apoplectic! What had happened to their society-conscious mother? She seemed like a totally different person than the one they had grown up with!

"That goes for me too," smiled William. "Nice to have my family under one roof again! My entire family and that includes you and Madelyne, Arch!"

"Nice to be included, Will!" grinned Archie.

Nathan and Elizabeth shared an amused glance at their father's shortened names for each other.

"Never in my life would I have thought someone would be brave enough to call Father 'Will,' whispered Elizabeth. "Yet he loves it!"

Nathan grinned back at his wife.

"Anthony, how have you been keeping busy since your return?" asked William.

"I've been riding your Stallions every single chance I could get, Sir! But that Blackie, he's impossible!"

"You'll have to join him, Nathan! Maybe you can calm Blackie! He's quite the challenge!"

"I love a good challenge, Sir!"

"You've been longing to ride, now's your chance. Why don't you two do a jaunt after Lunch? Arch and I might even join you!"

"What, Father? Not running to the Office as soon as you're home?" teased Julie.

"I'll have you know my present 'company' is more important. But I wouldn't mind offering a tour of the company business later on!"

Everyone laughed.

"Old habits die hard, Father," teased Viola.

"Yes, my Darlings, I'm afraid they do!"

"At least give our guests a day of rest, William," smiled Grace, slightly chastising her husband but with love.

All the girls noticed and were looking at each other, nonplussed at the change in both their parents!

This Grant Family had obviously been a good influence on them. In more ways than one!

After chatting till everyone was through eating their refreshments, Grace stood...

"Follow me," smiled Grace, happy to be of service. "Let's get everyone settled in for their stay!"

"Grace, Darling, first we'd better show them the first floor, so they'll be able to find their way around the place!"

"Of course, William! Why don't you do the honors?"

"Excuse us, please! Viola and I have had this tour more times than we can count!" laughed Julie as she, Viola, and Anthony ascended the elegant staircase together.

"Mama, may I stay with Allie?" pled Arabella.

"Of course, my Darlings! Enjoy your tour..."

And so, the others set off, with William leading them through every opulent and cavernous room on the first floor, and needless to say, there were many!

By the time they made their way back to the Grand Hall, the Grants were worn out and ready to be shown to their rooms upstairs.

"This is the second Master Suite, Madelyne, and it goes to you and Archie. It's next to our own bedroom. I hope you'll be comfortable!"

When Grace opened the double doors into the suite, the Grants were flabbergasted.

It was the most beautiful, and yes, most opulent (for that was the only word) room they had ever seen, much less stayed in!

The entire room was done in gold with a bevy of beautiful complimentary purples, and the whole effect was absolutely stunning.

"My, I'm afraid this is much too fancy for us!"

"Nonsense, just enjoy! Harold has already brought your bags and unpacked them. I hope everything is satisfactory. And if you need anything at all, just call for William or me, or ring the buzzer on your night side tables. Any time, day or night! Promise?"

"I, ah…I promise!" stuttered Madelyne, overcome that this was going to be her room.

"We'll see you when you are rested!"

And Grace closed the doors gently behind her...

Inside their room, Madelyne just stood in one spot just inside the door, both mesmerized and overcome.

"Arch, never in my life did I imagine we would be staying in a room like this! It belongs to royalty with all this purple and gold, not to mention this fancy furniture! Not us!"

"Maddie, don't you know? You are royalty! You are everything a man could ever want. And I am the luckiest man in the world to have you! Especially after what all I put you through."

"That's in the past, Archeford! But this is too nice for me!" she insisted, still having not moved an inch.

"Nothing is too nice for you! Don't you know, Honey, that I would give you all of this and more if only I could? If you wanted it, that is," he added cheekily, knowing full well that this would be the last thing she would ever want.

Madelyne burst out laughing.

"Oh, Arch, never in a million years! But I suppose it could be fun pretending! What do you think?"

"Queen Madelyne, I think that's the best idea I've heard in a very long time!"

As both embraced the other, it might have been a good thing their Son couldn't hear his parents' childlike giggles…

Bertie was determined that she would get the children settled in their rooms, but Nathan and Elizabeth insisted on tagging along.

"Look, Mama! I put Montee B in bed!"

"Will you be alright in your new bed, Son?" asked Nathan.

"Es, Daddy. I big!"

"That you are, Son!"

Both Elizabeth and Nathan kissed and tucked in their son for an early nap, as all the excitement of their arrival had literally worn the Little Guy out!

He was fast asleep, even without a story.

"I'll take great care of him and watch over him, Miss. Just like my own!"

"I know you will, Bertie!" and Elizabeth gave her old governess a hug.

"Thank you, Bertie! We really appreciate that!"

"It's my joy, Sir! This house hasn't had a child since Arabella. To have two more…well, this is an absolute delight…"

"Wow, this is a really cool room, Mama!"

Elizabeth didn't tell Allie this was her old room. Not yet, at least. She wanted her to get comfortable in it first.

"Just enjoy it, Allie! There's a little balcony, and if you open that far window, you'll get the best view of the garden."

"That will be fun. But look at all the books! I can't believe it!"

"Read as many as you like! This is your room to do as you please for the next two weeks."

"Allie, your Mama and I want to thank you for all your help with Jack on the Train. We really appreciate it, and we want to give you a little gift to have here in Hamilton."

"A gift? But I'm Jack's sister. It's just my job, Dad!"

"Yes, it is. But you went above and beyond that!" insisted her father.

"What you did, Allie was actually babysitting! And we want you to have this as a thank you!" explained her mother.

Allie sat on her bed, clutching her envelope.

"Aren't you even going to open it, Sweetheart!"

"I was just thinking, Dad," and Allie started to cry. "It's just that I've never been so happy!"

Elizabeth sat down beside Allie and wrapped her arms around her.

"Don't you know, my Princess? You make your father and me so very happy! We're so very proud of you, Allie, and I don't think we tell you that enough!"

"You don't have to. I already know!"

Nathan tousled Allie's hair.

"We love you, Allie Bean! Your mother and I both love you very, very much! And it's our job to show you that every single day!"

She sniffled, only able to nod her head up and down.

Nathan watched as Elizabeth just held her.

Finally, Allie calmed and hugged them both.

"I'm so glad we got married!" she said, finally glancing up.

"We are too, Sweetheart!" smiled her parents.

"Aren't you going to open your gift?" asked Elizabeth.

Allie tore into the envelope and shrieked with glee at its contents!

"Money! Wow! I get to do lots of shopping now…"

"It appears we're been given the Blue Room, Darling!"

"It's exquisite, Love, but it's certainly official that your homeplace is a palace of sorts!"

Elizabeth laughed.

"Just be thankful you're not in my old room, my Love! You'd be swallowed in pink!"

"Pink, eh? As in Allie's pink room?"

"Not only pink but 'Bubblegum Pink!' Yes, Darling, that's my room that Allie's in!"

"Really?"

"Really! I'll tell her after she's had time to feel it's hers. The color is perfect for a young girl, but Mother was positively mortified! As I'm sure, you can imagine!"

"I don't know! It looked sort of 'happy!'"

"Oh, it's 'happy' alright!"

Both couldn't help laughing.

"Mother was so embarrassed, she wouldn't allow me to show it to anyone. Only my closest friends," giggled Elizabeth. "And she wasn't even happy about that!"

"You really were a handful, weren't you?"

"Afraid so! I was the rebellious one! Always rocking the boat! But not like Julie; let's make that perfectly clear!"

"Of course not," grinned her husband. "You know something? I can't wait to spend an afternoon with Godfrey and the rest of the Staff and learn all your childhood secrets!"

"You'd better not, Nathan Grant!"

"You think a threat is going to stop me?" he asked with raised eyebrows.

"Well, I warn you, it won't be pretty!" she pouted in return.

"Now, you sound like Allie!" chuckled Nathan. "But for the record, I wasn't hoping for pretty!"

He grabbed her in his arms.

"I was sort of hoping for messy!" he whispered into his wife's closest ear. "A husband needs bribery material, you know!"

"Messy? Oh, no! I'm doomed!"

He chuckled, the warm air from his mouth fluttering through her hair, his closeness making her forget all about the sharing of sordid stories at her expense.

"You know, to be perfectly honest, I'm afraid I may have been even more rambunctious than our daughter!"

"Hm, I'm having trouble imagining that! But you know what? All I want to do is get unpacked and spend the next hour with my wife!"

"We're already unpacked, Darling!"

"Are you serious?"

"The Staff have already taken care of it!"

"Hm! Maybe there's something to be said for having a 'Staff!'"

He chuckled, then scooped her up without any warning and laid her gently in their new bed as a series of very delicious giggles catapulted from his beautiful wife's luscious lips.

"You know, my parents must really love you!"

"Why do you say that?"

"Because they gave your parents the Purple Room, which is the best room in the house, and us the Blue Room, which is the second-best! But Baby, this is new to me too. Because I've never been allowed to stay anywhere except in my Bubblegum room before this!"

"Seriously?" he grinned.

"I think it was Mother's way of torturing me!"

Nathan laughed till he couldn't laugh anymore.

"You know something? I'm loving your mother more and more! And I loved her an awful lot before!"

Elizabeth laughed, and he could see how very happy she was!

"Come here, you!"

In a flash, their eyes became serious.

"Please!" she begged.

"Gladly, my Love!"

But he paused.

"It's just at times, your beauty still overwhelms me. Will that feeling ever go away?"

"It better not, Husband!"

As Nathan held the woman he loved more than life itself, he realized once again what he had really known to be true all along.

But now, his premise had been tested.

Greatly tested!

"Darling, I love you!"

"I love you, too, Lisbeth. With all my heart!"

There, lying in bed with his wife in the middle of the day in her childhood home, surrounded by the most massive and opulent bedroom of beautiful blues he had ever been in, everything became crystal clear, even more so than ever!

It was a life lesson to live by.

One to be repeated over and over and over.

Things don't really matter.

Only relationships do.

For, in the end, love is all that lasts...