AN: So, I started proofing this before book club but didn't get done. Then I got to adulting with my bills seeing as I am going to the beach for a few days at the end of the week when they are do and did not want to have to pay them then. So, now I finally have this chapter proofed and ready to post. Polar opposite of the chapter for the other story I posted on last night...
"I will make sure the wedding presents head back to Brookfield with Grace and Chuck," Nathan assured Gabriel as the two placed the last of the gifts in the back of his wagon.
Most of the guests had left by now. Jesse and Mike were helping Carson with the gifts which Carson and Faith had been given. Despite the suddenness of the couples wedding, their friends had come through with showing their joy for the couple. A few people had even shown up at the wedding for gifts for Gabriella. Those had been sent to the Grant home when Lee had taken Elizabeth and Gabriella home about an hour ago. Laura had stayed to keep an eye on Jack.
"I appreciate it," Gabriel told him. "So, you gave me directions to the cabin you all fixed up for me and Lillian, but do you expect us to ride our horses out there?"
Nathan smiled even as Henry Gowen took his cue. "Transportation is my contribution," Henry told Gabriel, holding out the key to his car to Gabriel. Henry nodded to the car parked behind the Grant's wagon.
"Eleanor brought the bags you and Lillian packed and they are already in the car," Nathan told him.
Gabriel smiled as he looked between the two men. "I could not ask for better people in my life," he commented, shaking hands with Henry and then giving Nathan a hug.
"Enjoy your time with Lillian," Nathan told him as he released his friend. "Billy will be fine with us for the next couple of days."
Gabriel nodded even as Billy came hurrying over.
"Constable Grant!" Billy called. It was the most excitement that Billy had displayed, causing both Nathan and Gabriel to wonder if some of Billy's natural personality was finally showing through.
"What is it, Billy?" Nathan asked.
"Can Matthew join us for our indoor camp out tonight?" Billy asked. "I would like to spend more time with him and the Kinslows are leaving on the afternoon train tomorrow."
"If it is okay with Matthew's parents, it is fine with me," Nathan told the boy.
"Thank you," Billy said, turning and rushing back into the saloon.
"Ally, Opal, Billy, Matthew, Jack and Gabriella," Gabriel ventured, naming each of the children that would be at the Grant's house that night. "Are you sure you know what you are getting yourself into my friend?"
Nathan waved a hand. "It will be fine. Five of the six kids will be in the living room with me and if Elizabeth needs help with Gabriella I will just be a call away," Nathan replied, sounding very confident. "Besides, if having Matthew there will help distract Billy from the fact that you and Lillian are not there, then any headaches it causes me will be worth it."
Gabriel nodded, looking in the direction of the Queen of Hearts into which Billy had disappeared again. A sudden wave of doubt washed over him. As much as he wanted some time alone with Lillian was it really fair to Billy? Especially so soon after his abduction?
A hand came to rest on his shoulder. Gabriel looked over at Nathan.
"I will keep a close eye on Billy," his friend assured him.
Gabriel nodded. Nathan did not need to say it for Gabriel to know it. However, it still helped to hear the words. "However, if-"
Nathan did not let him finish.
"If Billy truly needs you in the next couple of days I know exactly where that cabin is," Nathan told him.
"Thank you," Gabriel told him.
"You are welcome," Nathan replied. "Now go find your bride, say your good-byes to the family, and get out of here."
Gabriel chuckled. Leave it to Nathan to put it so bluntly.
Gabriel had done exactly what Nathan had instructed him to do. He had gone back into the Queen of Hearts and found Lillian. Together, they said good-byes to his family. Though they would see them soon in Brookfield, they had also said good-byes to Chuck, Grace, Eleanor and the kids. With the cabin get away a surprise, Gabriel and Lillian were delaying their return to Brookfield until Tuesday while the others would head back tomorrow so the kids could be back in school on Monday. Eleanor had assured Gabriel that if Nathan found himself in over his head with the kids, she would bail him out.
Now, as he brought the borrowed car to a stop in front of the cabin, Gabriel smiled. He was not sure who exactly was responsible, probably Nathan, but a large Do Not Disturb sign had been nailed to the door. Despite the whirlwind wedding, the people in Hope Valley wanted to make sure that he had some alone time with Lillian following the ceremony today. He was thankful for that.
Getting out of the car, Gabriel hurried over to the passenger side. Though Lillian had already opened the door, Gabriel held his hand out to her to help her from the passenger seat.
"Thank-you," Lillian said as she took his hand and stepped from the car.
Gabriel shut the door to the car as Lillian looked around. "It certainly seems secluded," Lillian commented.
"As this is the most privacy that we are likely to get any time soon, I intend on enjoying being here alone with you these next couple of days," Gabriel told her, taking Lillian's hand as he started toward the cabin.
Lillian nodded quietly as she let herself be led to the cabin. Pausing outside the cabin door, Gabriel opened it. He then swept Lillian up in his arms and carried her over the threshold of their home for the next few days.
Other than the initial sound of surprise, Lillian was quiet. As Gabriel placed her on her feet inside the cabin, she surveyed the place quietly.
Their Hope Valley friends had come through again. Despite not having had occupants over the winter, the cabin had been cleaned and spruced up for the new couple's use. Though the furniture showed some wear, it was serviceable. Mint green curtains hung in the windows. Wood sat in a bin near the fireplace for the chilly nights. Beside the wood bin was a sharpened ax, though with the wood that had already been stacked out beside the door Gabriel doubted he would need to use it. Still, it was nice that someone had sharpened the ax just in case. A flowered tablecloth covered the table and Gabriel had been assured the kitchen cabinets and the ice box had been stocked with essentials. Several vases of flowers had been placed around the living space to give the large room a lived in feel.
"Given the time frame they had, this is more than I would have expected," Lillian said softly as she stood with her hand around Gabriel's waist.
"Our friends have certainly done all they could to make our wedding special," Gabriel said, giving his new wife's cheek a kiss. "Let me go get the bags from the car, "he told her.
Lillian nodded as Gabriel let go of her and headed back outside. What little light there had been was starting to fade. Gabriel knew they would need to light lamps soon and was thankful that he had wood for a fire.
Returning to the cabin, Gabriel found that Lillian had moved from the main room. Heading toward the room that the door was open to, Gabriel found Lillian in the cabin's main bedroom. She was standing halfway between the door and the bed. Lillian had her arms wrapped around herself and her head was down.
Concerned, Gabriel let the bags fall from his hands and took quick, long steps toward her. Stepping in front of her, Gabriel saw tears streaking down Lillian's face.
"Lillian, what is wrong?" Gabriel asked as he reached out and pulled Lillian close to him.
"I do not know," Lillian managed in a shaky voice. "I should be happy. I am happy. I am married to the man I love. The ceremony and reception were lovely despite being put together quickly and me dropping the ring. The whole community pulled together to give us our special day and give us our own little retreat for a couple of days. The moment I walked into the room though it was like a down pour of emotion came over me - the joy, the stress, the fear of the unknown. I also realized that as long as the day has been there is still more expected of me. Something that I know nothing about and all I can think of is what if I am a disappointment to you?"
"Oh, Lillian," Gabriel said, rubbing her back with one hand even as a soft laughter escaped him. He placed a kiss on the top of her head.
"I know I am being, silly," Lillian said, still crying, her head hidden against Gabriel's chest.
"No, you are not being silly," Gabriel told her, still rubbing her back as he held her against him. "And I know I should not laugh at your distress but I was just so relieved that it was not remorse about marrying me given the whirlwind that these last couple of weeks have been that I had to. As for your fears about tonight, there are no expectations from me. You can lay down and go to sleep right now if you want to. I will even sleep in the other room if you need me to," Gabriel told her.
Gabriel stopped rubbing her back and with that hand gently lifted her head so that he could look in her eyes. "You said 'I do' to me today. We pledged our lives to one another. Nothing we do or do not do tonight will change that. I am sure all the preparations for today and the day itself has taken a toll on you. However you want to spend tonight is okay with me."
"What did I do to deserve you?" Lillian asked, finally freeing one of her hands and reaching up to wipe tears from her cheeks as she tried to get control of her emotions.
"I have asked myself that at least a dozen times today about you," Gabriel told her, his hand reaching to take Lillian's in his own.
Instead of replying, Lillian pressed her lips against Gabriel's. Gabriel could taste the salt from the tears she had cried. Lillian's emotional turmoil tugged at his heart and he vowed to do whatever he could to make her feel relaxed and cherished tonight. His desires did not matter, only hers.
Though he kissed her back, when Lillian pulled away, Gabriel did not try to prolong the kiss. It was not that he did not want to. What he wanted was to continue kissing her while he undid the buttons on the back of her dress but Lillian meant too much to him. He wanted her to feel ready the first time that they came together and not pressured because she thought that it was expected.
"What do you say we both put on something more comfortable? I can build a fire and we can just relax for a bit?" Gabriel suggested, as he looked down into her eyes, still holding her one hand as his other hand held her close to him.
"I think I like that idea," Lillian told him. "Thank you."
Gabriel nodded, knowing the full extent of the emotion between those two words. He did not reply with words, instead simply placing a kiss on her forehead before finally releasing her.
While Lillian moved to the mirror placed on top of the dresser to begin taking out the flowers and pins in her hair, Gabriel picked up the bags holding their clothes for the next couple of days and placed them on the bed. Removing both his nightshirt and robe from his bag, he headed for the bathroom to change. By the time he came out, Lillian had finished with the pins and brushed out her hair. It hung around her face reminding him of the red surrounding the sun as it set at the end of the day.
"Could you get the buttons of the dress for me?" Lillian asked, a touch of regret in her tone and Gabriel knew she thought she was letting him down.
Crossing the room, Gabriel stood behind her. Sweeping her hair out of the way with one hand, he placed a gentle kiss to the back of her neck before whispering in her ear. "I want you to feel ready, Lillian. I am not going anywhere and you are worth waiting for."
Gabriel then undid the buttons of the wedding gown. "I am going to go start that fire," he told her, as he undid the last one.
"Thank you," Lillian said, the words a soft whisper but filled with emotion.
Slipping from the room, Gabriel went about starting a fire in the fireplace. When that task was complete, he headed for the kitchen to find the lavender tea Elizabeth had promised to send out just in case. Having been through a wedding twice, Gabriel figured Elizabeth had anticipated how Lillian might feel.
Placing a kiss on Gabriella's forehead, Nathan lay the sleeping infant in the basinet. He had moved the bassinet closer to the bed as he would be out in the living room with the other children. Straightening up, Nathan looked over at Elizabeth. His tired looking wife was already snuggled under the covers. A smile graced her face as she looked over at him.
"What are you thinking?" Nathan asked her, as he sat down on the bed next to her.
"I was thinking how sweet it was to watch you with that infant," Elizabeth replied. "It never ceases to amaze me how wonderful you are with our children."
Nathan smiled. "You are a wonderful mother to our children, Elizabeth," he told her, leaning down and kissing her.
Laughter from the living room drifted into the room. Nathan had left Ally in charge of creating their 'tent' for the night out of blankets and the chairs. Sleeping bags and pillows would be placed under the 'tent' in front of the fire place. Rosemary had even made Jack his own child sized sleeping bag for Christmas last year and Jack was happy to finally get to use it.
"I almost wish I was joining you all tonight," Elizabeth said as they broke apart.
"Almost?" Nathan asked.
Elizabeth nodded. "Almost," she repeated. "However I am more than happy to lie in this nice soft bed instead of on the hard livingroom floor, with or without a sleeping bag."
Nathan chuckled. "You deserve a nice soft bed," he told her. "Sweet dreams, Elizabeth. If you need my help-"
Elizabeth had placed a finger to his lips, quieting Nathan.
"There are five children out there for you to take care of. One of who might have separation anxiety," Elizabeth reminded him. "I am capable of taking care of our daughter by myself tonight."
"Of course you are," Nathan replied as he got to his feet.
"Goodnight, Nathan," Elizabeth said, even as she closed her eyes despite the early hour. She had learned with Jack to sleep when she could.
Nathan left the bedroom and headed to the livingroom. The tent had been set up and the kids had been spreading out the sleeping bags and pillows. However, that tasked had turned into a pillow fight for Ally, Opal and Matthew. Billy had retreated from the pillow fight with Jack. Jack was laughing at the antics of the older children.
"If you children want to roast marshmallows you might want to stop the pillow fight and finish setting things up," Nathan said, strolling over to Billy and Jack.
"Yes, Dad."
"Yes, sir."
"Yes, Mountie Nathan."
Nathan smiled at the chorus of responses even as the kids went back to arranging their beds for the night. "How about you two help me get the marshmallows and pokers to roast them on," he said, looking down at the other two boys.
"Marsh'ows" Jack said excitedly as he headed for the kitchen.
Nathan and Billy followed the toddler. Nathan had a feeling that despite the busy day, it was going to be a late night for him giving the energy the kids still had.