It was almost an hour later when Nathan finally left the room him and Gabriel had occupied. His friend seemed more relax now. There had seemed to be a peace about him as he had told Nathan that after the leave he had taken for the wedding and getting settled into his new life at the orphanage, he would return to duty. Gabriel had confessed that what scared him more than what might happen if he returned to duty, was not returning and being left always wondering if he could still do the job. Perhaps the resignation was not far in the future, but Nathan knew that his friend would be more at peace if that resignation came after returning to duty.
Stepping into the kitchen, Nathan was surprised to see Lee at the stove. Glancing toward the small kitchen table, Nathan spotted Elizabeth and Billy sitting there. Billy had a sketchbook and pencils scattered in front of him but was now looking at Nathan, who could read the silent question there.
"Gabe is fine," Nathan told him. "You can go see him," he added with a nod toward the room he had just left. Though Gabe had said he was going to sit for a few more minutes, he had told Nathan to leave the door open, so Nathan knew Gabe would not mind Billy coming to him. In fact, it would probably be good for the both of them.
"Are you joining us for dinner, Lee?" Nathan asked as he made his way to the table and his wife.
"We are," Lee replied. "You know how Rosie, gets. She could not wait to see Lillian's dress. She and the girls are upstairs gawking over it now."
Nathan smiled, placing the mugs on the table he moved behind his wife.
"I also brought in the rest of Lillian and Gabriel's things. They are in the sitting room."
"Thank you, Lee," Nathan said as he looked down at his wife. "And why aren't you up with them?" he asked softly, as he began to massage her shoulders. "Lee looks to have dinner under control."
Elizabeth sighed at the feel of the massage even as she tilted her head back to look up at Nathan. Nathan thought she looked a little pale.
"Those stairs seemed too daunting," Elizabeth told him.
"Are you feeling okay?"
Elizabeth reached up to pat one of his hands that massaged her shoulders. "Just tired," she told him.
"Well, you are not doing another thing tonight," Nathan told her. "Perhaps we should use the bedroom downstairs until the baby comes."
"What if Jack cries and neither of us hear him?" Elizabeth asked.
Nathan chuckled. "I think you would hear Jack cry from the barn with that mother hearing of yours," he told Elizabeth, who smiled. "However, Ally is upstairs as well. She would come get us."
"Lillian and I will be upstairs at night for the coming week as well," Gabriel chimed in, coming into the room with an arm around Billy.
"I think I am out numbered," Elizabeth murmured. "No steps sounds like heaven tonight," Elizabeth added.
Nathan stopped the massage and placing a kiss on the top of her head. "I will bring down our pillows and things we will need," Nathan told her. "You can sit here and entertain Gabe and make sure Lee does not burn dinner."
"Hey," Lee protested from the stove.
Nathan looked at him briefly with a grin before leaving the kitchen. As he headed upstairs, Nathan debated on whether to go get Faith or Carson just to make sure everything was okay with Elizabeth. She had been feeling tired toward the end of the day, and Nathan knew she was entitled to feeling that way. She was carrying a baby around with her that she could not put down. He had never seen her this pale though. Knowing that Elizabeth would tell him he was worrying too much, Nathan made the decision that he would make the ride into town to ask one of the doctors to make a house call. For his peace of mind, if nothing else.
Upstairs, he heard voices and laughter coming from one of the spare bedrooms. Stopping he knocked on it.
"Is everyone decent?" Nathan called through the door.
"Is Gabriel with you?" Rosemary answered back.
Nathan smiled. Women and their wedding superstitions. "No, he is still downstairs."
"Come in then," Rosemary said.
Nathan opened the door. Ally, Bridget and Ivy were on the bed, eyes focused on Lillian. The red head was standing on a chair in the middle of the room, while Rosemary put pins in the skirt of the dress she wore. Despite Lillian's height, her adoptive mother had apparently been a bit taller if the dress was any indication, though Lillian was more slender. Despite the needed alterations, Lillian was still lovely in the ivory color silk dress. The modest bodice was covered with silver lace. The silver lace also made the sleeves, which were not practical for a winter wedding but would have been fine for a June wedding. Or a July wedding, which had been when Lillian's adoptive parents had gotten married. The full skirt flared out from the v-shaped waistline.
"You are going to make a lovely bride," Nathan told Lillian.
"Thank you," Lillian replied.
"Sorry to interrupt you ladies," Nathan said, his eyes finding Ally. "Ally, I want you to listen for your brother. Your mama is feeling tired and I do not want her to have to come up for him. I am going to move some of our things to the downstairs bedroom so we can sleep down there for the time being, and then I am going into town for the doctor. I may be overreacting but I will feel better if Faith or Carson gives Elizabeth a check up tonight."
"I thought she looked a little pale," Rosemary admitted.
Nathan nodded, secretly glad he was not the only one who thought so. "Elizabeth says she is just tired, and maybe that is all it is, but I would rather be sure. There is no need to wait on dinner for me. You all eat when it is ready."
"All right," Rosemary replied.
"Don't worry about moving things," Lillian said. "We can get the downstairs bedroom ready as soon as Rosemary finishes pinning the dress," she volunteered. Rosemary and all three girls nodded their consent.
"Thank you," Nathan told them. "I will go tell Elizabeth where I am going then, and let her tell me it is not necessary."
Pulling the door shut, Nathan headed back downstairs. Being Hope Valley's Mountie, a coming baby and his best friend's wedding were going to make for a very busy next couple of week's. Nathan knew that it was all worth it though. He loved this town and his family and he would not give them up for anything.
In the end, Nathan did not ride all the way into Hope Valley. He stopped by the Wolfs home and asked to use their telephone. A short conversation with Carson and the doctor promised to come out to the Grant's home as soon as he finished his last appointment. With that promise, Nathan returned home, coming into the house just as his family and friends were finishing grace.
"Carson will be by when he finishes with his appointments," Nathan said, the words directed toward his wife, though still loud enough for everyone at the table to hear.
"I still think it is not necessary," Elizabeth told him. "However, I will consent to a check up for your peace of mind."
"Thank you," Nathan told her.
"Would you like us to wait to start so you can change?" Lee asked.
"No. Go ahead and start eating. I am going to go change before sitting down though," Nathan replied.
"Dad bite?" Jack asked, holding up a bit of potato on his fork to Nathan.
Obliging his son, Nathan took the small bit of food.
"Thank you, Jack," Nathan told him. "I'll be back shortly," Nathan said addressing the others at the table.
Nathan went upstairs and finally changed out of his uniform. Going back downstairs, he took his place at the end of the table opposite of Elizabeth. A plate, with a metal dome cover placed over it, was waiting for him.
"Thank you," Nathan said to those gathered, unsure of who was responsible for the thoughtful gesture. More than likely more than one person had contributed.
Though the conversation started out with Lillian and Gabriel's trip to Hope Valley, it had soon changed to discussion about the fast approaching wedding. Things covered in telegrams were reviewed and further plans made. Artificial flowers were going to be used, and Rosemary assured Lillian that the ones she had ordered had arrived. Wanting to be a part of the plans somehow, Elizabeth volunteered to make bouquets and flower arrangements. Lee promised to bring the materials by the next day.
"Did you want to use the schoolhouse for the ceremony?" Elizabeth asked, knowing it had already been decided that the reception would take place at the Queen of Hearts.
"We were thinking we would just do the ceremony and the reception at the Queen of Hearts," Gabriel said. "There is no reason to have people traipse through the snow."
"Especially if it decides to snow that day," Lillian said.
"Mama helped make the saloon pretty for Mr. And Mrs. Flynn wedding," Ally supplied.
"And we will do so again," Rosemary promised. "I ordered some very realistic looking ivy to go with the flowers you chose, Lillian. Dottie sent some tulle, lace, ribbon and satin material from her bigger shop in Union City as well. She said to use whatever you wanted and we can send the rest back. Fiona said she would be happy to help."
"Mrs. Bouchard said Mr. Bouchard will not recognize his own saloon," Ally supplied, getting laughter from around the table.
"Lucas also located the arch that Kevin and I made for Jesse and Clara's wedding in his store room if you want to use it," Nathan informed them. "He is also willing to keep the saloon closed Friday night so we can start setting up."
"I hope the early wedding is not going to cause issues," Lillian commented, having been the one to suggest an eleven a.m. ceremony time. "I just thought it would be good for people to be able to get to their homes before dark."
"It will be fine," Elizabeth assured her. "What can be done will be done on Friday night and you and Gabriel will be in your honeymoon cabin by sunset," she said with a smile.
"Honeymoon cabin?" Lillian commented, even as she looked at Gabriel. "We were going to wait and take a short trip together this summer," she commented.
"This is a surprise to me as well," Gabriel told her.
Elizabeth chuckled. "The two of you need a short time alone together now," she stated. "Especially as you will have four children in the house when you return to Brookfield. The ladies of Hope Valley are sprucing up a hunting cabin nearby for you to spend a couple of nights in."
"Billy can stay with us," Nathan replied. "You will be okay with that, right Billy?"
"Yes Constable Grant," his voice sounding more confident than his expression.
From her spot beside him, Ally put a hand on Billy's shoulder. "We can have a camp out in the sitting room if you want people nearby. Right Dad?" Ally said, glancing to her father.
"We can," Nathan agreed.
A camp out in the sitting room consisted of making a tent out of blankets, throwing sleeping bags on the floor, and spending the night together in front of the fireplace. Roasting marshmallows was usually involved. It was something that Nathan had started with Ally and that Jack had become fond of himself since they had become a family.
Billy nodded, some of the worry disappearing as anticipation replaced it.
Elizabeth smiled as she listened to her baby's heartbeat through Carson's stethoscope. It would not be long until the little one inside of her came out to join them. In the meantime, that sound was very reassuring.
"As you can hear, the baby's heartbeat is nice and strong," Carson said, as Elizabeth removed the earpieces from her ears. "I do not see anything to cause concern though perhaps Mama might need to rest a bit more."
"I hear you," Elizabeth said. "Sometimes Jack has other ideas though when Ally is at school and Nathan is at work."
Carson smiled. "Yes, women do find pregnancy more tiring when there are other children to look after. I know Laura is needed at home as her father is still recovering from influenza but perhaps someone else can come help you out with Jack during the day."
"I do not think that will be necessary," Elizabeth said. "I think Nathan's idea of using this bedroom will help and I will simply keep Jack downstairs for his naps. Besides, with Lillian and Gabriel already here and Grace and the others coming this weekend, there is going to already be enough coming and going."
Carson nodded. "Fine. I am going to talk to Faith about postponing our trip to Union City," he replied. He and Faith had planned on leaving Thursday afternoon for Union City and returning Saturday evening. "Things are fine, but I do not like the idea of both of us being out of town in case that little one decides to make an early appearance."
"Do you think that is likely?" Elizabeth asked, her hands going protectively to her stomach.
"Well, Jack came a little early and you are probably more active than you were with him," Carson told her. "Not to mention, predicting due dates is not an exact science."
Elizabeth looked from the doctor to her large, round stomach. As much as she wanted to hold this little one, she also wanted him safe.
Carson reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Now, do not worry, Elizabeth. You are far enough along that the baby should be fine if it does come. Not to mention, you could be a little further along that we think. The baby is healthy, and other than you being tired, you are healthy as well. That baby knows when it is ready to come into the world even if we don't."
"I still do not want you and Faith to postpone your trip on my account," Elizabeth confessed, even as the baby gave a kick.
Carson patted her shoulder. "Do not worry about us. Perhaps I can get a doctor to come keep an eye on things while we are gone. If I can't, Faith and I will just go when this little one is here."
Elizabeth nodded.
"Now, what do you say we get that husband of yours in here and let him listen to this little one's heart beat. It might keep him from worrying too much."
Elizabeth grinned. "I think he would like that," she replied. "Especially as he has yet to feel this little one kick."
Carson laughed at that. "I guess considering who its parents are, it is no wonder that this baby has a stubborn streak."
"Are you calling me stubborn?" Elizabeth asked, a wry smile on her face.
"You are right. I must have been confusing you with one of my other patients," Carson joked. "Let me go get Nathan," he said again standing up and heading for the door.
As Carson walked to the bedroom door, Elizabeth looked down at her belly. "I want to hold you in my arms little one," she said softly. "There is no rush though. Even more though, I want you to be safe and healthy."
The baby kicked again, as if in response to Elizabeth's words. Elizabeth had a feeling that this little one was not going to have his father's patient nature. Elizabeth just hoped the baby would have Nathan's pretty blue eyes.