AN: Happy New Year's to all of my readers! I am posting this before going to bed as I have another long word day tomorrow. Hope you all enjoy!
Elizabeth stood behind the curtain that hid her from view to those gathered in the dining area of the café. Along with those who had helped with getting ready for the wedding, which had ended up including the Canfields, the Weise's, Ned and Florence, Molly, Faith, Carson, Laura and her father, and Fiona had also been invited to the wedding. Despite it being last minute, and a holiday, everyone had shown up. Elizabeth was touched by everyone's support.
"Are you ready?" Lee asked, as he stood next to Elizabeth ready to escort her down the aisle to Nathan. Giving the tough advice he had given her recently, tough both for him to give and for her to hear, Elizabeth could think of no one better to have escort her down the aisle in the absence of her father.
Elizabeth nodded without hesitation. Yes, she was ready to join her life with Nathan's. To face life's ups and downs with him. She was not sure why it had taken her so long to see a future with him but suddenly it seemed impossible to envision a future without him.
Lee held his arm out to her. Elizabeth slipped her arm through his. With his other hand, Lee patted her hand as he gave a nod to Abigail. Peeking around the curtain, Abigail gave Rosemary the nod to start the record of the wedding march. As the traditional song began, Abigail gave Cody and Robert a nod and the two boys parted the curtain.
Before her was an aisle formed by ribbon tied to two lines of chairs. Elizabeth let her gaze go down the aisle expecting to see Bill, Ally, Little Jack and Nathan standing at the end of it. They were all enough to make her smile even more, but the sight before her melted her heart. Nathan was squatting down behind Little Jack, one hand on the toddler's shoulders. Little Jack held the wooden Mountie that Nathan had carved him for his birthday. As everyone got to their feet, Nathan said something to the boy and pointed in her direction.
"Mama, pretty!" Little Jack exclaimed, causing everyone to giggle. For Elizabeth, it was the best compliment she could receive today.
Looking up from Nathan and Little Jack, Elizabeth looked at her destination. There was Bill, looking just about as proud as any father could, but the figure standing beside him made Elizabeth gasp.
There was Jack Sr., clad in his dress uniform. His eyes locked with hers.
"Lee, do you see him?" Elizabeth asked softly, wondering if it was only she that Jack was appearing to or not.
"I do," Lee whispered back to her.
Jack Sr. gave them a smile and with a nod of his head disappeared.
"I think Jack was trying to tell you that he approves, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth could feel tears stinging in her eyes. Tears of joy, because right about then she could never remember feeling as happy as she did right then.
Lee took a step and Elizabeth followed his Lee, walking down the aisle to her future.
Ally's face hurt from smiling so much but the girl continued to smile. She couldn't help it. She was so happy. Her dream of having a traditional family was coming true. Mrs. Thornton was about to become her mother.
Mother. Ally knew a piece of her heart would always belong to the mother she could barely remember, but like Mrs. Thornton had room in her heart for a second husband, Ally knew that there was plenty of love in her heart for a second mother. She had tentatively asked Mrs. Thornton the night before if she could call her Mama like Little Jack. Her teacher's response had been to immediately hug her as she told her 'I would be honored'. Though it would not change her feelings for her biological mother or the father that had raised her, Ally was ecstatic to have a mother again. A mother who could guide her through her teenage years. Someone who could understand her in a way that her uncle never could, despite his best efforts.
Looking from Mrs. Thornton to her Dad, Ally saw something that made her even happier than the thought of getting a new mother - the smile of pure joy on her Dad's face. The prayer she had prayed the most over these last few years was for Uncle Nathan to be happy again. She had seen glimmers of that prayer coming true before the sadness had descended again. As he got to his feet, one hand still holding Little Jack's, Ally knew that prayer had come true as well.
Mrs. Thornton reached them. Ally felt the woman's gentle touch on her cheek as she acknowledged her before turning to face the groom. As Judge Avery started the ceremony, Ally found herself reflecting on everything that had happened in less than a month. It had been a roller coaster of emotion. The one constant in her life being her Dad, just like he had been for as long as she could remember.
When she had fallen through the ice, Ally had thought she was going to die. Seeing the red serge, just like when she saw Uncle Nathan in uniform, gave her hope that maybe things would be okay. Waking up in the infirmary and seeing her Dad in such distress, she had known even before she asked that she was still in danger. His reassurance that she would not be alone no matter how things had turned out, had given her peace. Since then, her recovery had been full of every emotion she could think of - pain, despair, hope, frustration, anger, forgiveness, gratefulness, joy and love. She had felt them all over the past few weeks as she saw the community come together for her and her Dad. Her biological father had once again threatened them, and while she did feel bad for her grandparents she was relieved that she never had to worry about him again. Uncle Nathan was the only father she needed and now she would have a mother too.
Though her arms and legs were feeling tired from standing, Ally was determined to stand through the whole ceremony despite Dr. Shepherd having placed a stool for her to sit if need be. It was only when Bill gave the instruction of 'you may kiss your bride' that Ally finally gave into her protesting muscles and sat. Despite the pain though, she was smiling as her Dad kissed her new mom.
Little Jack came over to her. The toddler grabbed a hold of her skirt as he leaned against her, watching the two adults in curiosity. Ally wondered exactly what the boy understood about what was happening. Did he realize that his life was changing? Would he call Uncle Nathan Dad or continue calling him Nathan? Her Dad had said that he did not want any of them to coach the boy at all. If Jack chose to call him Dad at some point, it would make him happy, but if Jack stuck with Nathan than he was okay with that as well.
"May I now present to you, Constable and Mrs. Grant," Bill announced.
Applause erupted among those gathered. Her new parents stood together for a few moments, Dr. Shepherd taking a picture but instead of walking back down the aisle like most new couples do, her Dad led Mrs. Thornton, no he led her Mama, over to where she and Little Jack were.
"Are you all right, Ally?" her Dad asked her, the concern clear.
Ally nodded. "I am fine," she assured him. "Just got tired."
Her Dad nodded. Stepping closer, he placed a kiss on the top of her head. "Make sure you do not push yourself too far," he told her quietly.
"I will be careful," Ally assured him.
"Can I get some family pictures?" Carson asked coming up to them.
"Yes, please," Elizabeth replied.
Ally insisted that the crutches not be in the photos. Bill obliged, taking the crutches and placing them off to the side as Carson arranged the rest of the family around Ally on the stool.
Smiling for the camera, her family around her, Ally thought that this was a wonderful start to what wound hopefully be a very Happy New Year.
Though the day was probably the happiest day of his life, Nathan still did not enjoy being the center of attention. The fact that Elizabeth was at his side and was beaming through everything made enduring that worth it. Still, more than once during the long reception, he had slipped out the pocket watch that Elizabeth had given him to see if enough time had passed that he could gather his family and head home.
They had decided to move into the row house that Elizabeth had been occupying for the time being. Knowing that Elizabeth had more memories to let go of in her home than he and Ally did in theirs, Nathan was fine with the arrangement. He knew Elizabeth could not be asked to give up those memories overnight while he and Ally were use to moving from place to place. As long as they had each other, he and Ally would be fine no matter where they called home. Lee had taken charge of making sure that the necessities that Nathan and Ally were needed were moved to their new home. The rest would be sorted through and moved in the days to come.
Despite the short notice, their friends had gone all out on the meal. Carson and Minnie had been asked to do the cake, and Nathan was amazed at what they had done on the short notice. Looking down at Elizabeth as she stood with the piece of cake to feed him, Nathan knew what she was going to do before she did it. However, he took no action to stop her as Elizabeth put her finger in the frosting on the edge of the cake and then put it on his nose. She was laughing as she did so, and Nathan thought the sound was pure music.
As discussed the night before, Rosemary's phonograph had made its way to the café. Neither Nathan nor Elizabeth could think of a special song on the spot and so had let Rosemary select the song for their first dance. As Nathan stood with Elizabeth in his arms, the song To Have, To Hold, To Love began. He may never have heard it before that day, but as he swayed to the music with Elizabeth he knew the song would now be very special to him.
When that song was done, Bill cut in for a dance with Elizabeth. Going over to where Ally sat, Nathan helped the girl up. With Nathan helping supporting her, he shared part of a dance with his daughter. When Ally was sitting back in her chair, Little Jack held up his hands to Nathan.
"My turn," the toddler told him not wanting to be left out.
Smiling, Nathan obliged the boy. Picking him up, Nathan danced with the little boy. Jack laughed, enjoying the moment. Jack's laughter drew everyone's attention to him and just like when Elizabeth was at his side, Nathan did not mind that the boy had made them the center of attention.
The afternoon wore on as the gathered guests talked and danced. Though he managed a few dances with Faith, Carson also spent time getting pictures during the reception. He wanted to make sure Nathan and Elizabeth had pictures to remember this day and to share it their family that could not be there given the short notice.
Eventually, Nathan made the suggestion that they get the kids home and start thinking about what to feed them for dinner. Elizabeth agreed and the newly weds started making the rounds to say good-byes to their guests. However, as they went to gather their kids, Nathan and Elizabeth got another surprise.
The kids were at a table with Bill. Jack was sitting on Bill's lap, the wooden Mountie and horse prancing on the table before him. A tired looking Ally sat beside him, her head resting on the judge's shoulder.
"I think it is time to get one young lady home," Nathan commented as he and Elizabeth approached them.
Before anyone else could reply, Little Jack spoke up.
"Unc Bill spend the night," Jack announced, looking up from his Mountie to look at Nathan and Elizabeth.
Bill smiled. "That is right," he said, hugging his godson close. "I am going to spend the night with the kids at Elizabeth's home tonight. Lee is getting the car so he can drive us out there," he said, nodding in Ally's direction. "The two of you will have a dinner waiting for you at Nathan's house. Rosemary made sure you have the necessities for an overnight there, Elizabeth and there is enough furniture left for you two to spend a cozy, romantic night together."
"Bill, you do not have to watch the kids," Elizabeth protested. "Everyone has already done so much."
"I want to," Bill told her. "You and Nathan might not get a proper honeymoon, but you should have this first night to yourselves."
Nathan looked down at Elizabeth, a feeling a desire filling him. As she looked up at him, Nathan saw that feeling mirrored in her gaze.
"Thank you, Bill," Nathan replied. He looked over at Ally. "You behave tonight," he told her.
Her head still resting on Bill's arm, Ally looked up at him. "I will be good for Uncle Bill," she told him.
"Uncle Bill?" Nathan questioned.
Bill met his gaze, a look of happiness on his face. "Little Jack calls me that. There is no reason that Ally and any other children that come along shouldn't either. I think I prefer it over grandpa anyway."
Nathan and Elizabeth chuckled and then Nathan turned to Elizabeth. "Are you ready to go then?"
"Yes," Elizabeth told him.
Nathan and Elizabeth headed to retrieve their coats. As they walked, Nathan reached up and undid the bow tie.
"You could not even wait to get outside?" Elizabeth asked an amused smile on her face.
"I contemplated taking it off right after the ceremony," Nathan told her, causing Elizabeth to laugh.
The two bundled up against the cold. Elizabeth changed her shoes for her boots to make the walk to the row house. The new couple did not rush. Instead they walked silently, arm in arm, enjoying just being with one another. A soft snow started falling at hey walked, adding to the magic of the moment.
As Bill had said, there was a dinner waiting for them. Gustav was just finishing setting the table for them as they walked inside.
"Perfect timing," the chef said, seeing them. "Dinner is ready. The champagne is there in the bucket of ice and the house is nice and warm for you. Enjoy your evening, Constable and Mrs Grant," the man said before going past them and disappearing outside.
"Do you mind if I put on something more comfortable before we sit down to eat?" Nathan asked as he helped her off with her coat.
"No. Go ahead," Elizabeth told him.
The coats and winter garments were hung on the hooks and Nathan went upstairs. Walking into his room he saw both a fancy looking box with a card on top and a suitcase that had to be Elizabeth's. Walking over to the bed, Nathan picked up the card.
Congratulations, Constable and Mrs Grant! Compliments from the staff of the Queen of Hearts.
Lifting the lid, Nathan saw the box was filled with chocolate-covered strawberries. Nathan smiled. The gift might have been given under the guise of the whole staff but Nathan knew who was really behind it. The sweet gift was clearly Lucas' way of saying that he wished him and Elizabeth the best. The sentiment was appreciated.
Nathan changed into casual clothes and then went downstairs. He sent Elizabeth upstairs next, telling her the suitcase was on the bed. He made no mention of the gift, wanting her to find it herself.
"That was a sweet peace offering," Elizabeth commented as she came downstairs.
"It was," Nathan admitted.
The two sat down to dinner. They enjoyed the food and one another's company. After dinner, the couple made hot chocolate and sat, cuddled up, on the settee together. Once the hot chocolate was finished, cups were set aside.
The first kiss was just a casual, quick kiss amiss their conversation. Soon though, the conversation was abandoned, and the kisses became more passionate. Nathan loss himself in the feel of his new bride's lips against his as she leaned up against him. He gave no protest as she slipped his suspenders from his shoulders. Nathan barely noticed his shirt coming untucked from his pants. He could not, however, suppress his gasp of surprise as he felt Elizabeth's hands on the bare skin on his stomach. Not only was it the first time Elizabeth had touched his bare skin other than his hands or cheeks, but it was the first time he had experienced such an intimate touch from another person period.
Though he did not do anything to stop her, his hands still resting on Elizabeth's back, Nathan could feel his anxiety increase again. Elizabeth had been married before. She had more experience in this area than he did, which was exactly none. Yes, he knew what he was expected to do, his mother having had that particular embarrassing talk with him in the absence of his father, but he had no experience.
What if he did something wrong? What if he hurt, Elizabeth? What if she did not find his actions satisfying? Would she be comparing him to her late husband?
"Nathan, are you okay?"
Nathan could feel Elizabeth's breath on his face as she spoke the quiet question. He could see the concern in her eyes which were so close to him. Her whole body was near him as she had turned in his arms as they continued to sit on the settee. He was starting to become aware of how awkward their position really was.
"I am fine," Nathan told her. "I am just feeling a little out of my element," he admitted, not at all afraid of feeling vulnerable to this woman who had become his wife. "I have never had someone so close as we are now," he said.
Elizabeth smiled. He felt her hands moved sensuously up his stomach to his chest, the movement pulling the fabric of his shirt up with her hands. He could feel the air move gently across the exposed skin.
"It feels nice, doesn't it?" she told him as he pressed her lips against his again.
Nathan returned the kiss, savoring the taste and feel of her lips for a few moments, before breaking away and placing kisses down Elizabeth's neck. He heard her gasp of pleasure and his heart beat a little faster.
"It does," he admitted, as he lifted his head. "I just hope you are not disappointed with my inexperience," he told her, looking into her eyes once again.
Elizabeth smiled back at him, a mischievous glint in her eyes that otherwise spoke desire. "I think we will be fine," she told him. "I am a teacher after all."
Nathan smiled, "That you are," he admitted, kissing her neck one more time before slipping out from under her. He held out his hand to her. "Shall we take this to a more comfortable piece of furniture?"
Elizabeth smiled as she put her hand in his. "See, you are getting the hang of this," she teased him as he helped her to his feet.
Nathan led Elizabeth upstairs to his room, his anxiety melting away at her teasing but accepting words. Her response to his anxieties assured him that Elizabeth was not looking for perfection. She wanted only him, just like his only desire right now was for her.