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A HOPE VALLEY CHRISTMAS
Epilogue II
"Happily Ever After"
"Love never fails.
Now faith, hope, and love remain – these three.
(But) the greatest of these is love."
I Corinthians 13:8 and 13*
. . .
The following Saturday, lying on an old tattered quilt in the flower-strewn meadow surrounding their new house, a feeling of pure bliss descended upon both husband and wife.
A glorious August sun shone brilliantly high above them, eliciting just the right amount of autumn heat as a balmy breeze blew over them, caressing their every care away.
The tensions of all their busyness over the last eight months as well as their frustration at being apart simply dissipated into thin air.
They were finally together, and that was all that mattered.
And though their bodies were exhausted, both for different reasons, it was as though they were somehow renewed, with their happily ever after so close, right within their grasp, just around the corner.
Relaxing and holding hands together had been so rare, that it felt like an exquisite gift straight from heaven.
With Nathan still having worked every spare minute of the past week putting the final touches on building their new home, Elizabeth had been missing her husband more than ever before, needing his touch. Although truth be told, Nathan was missing his wife just as much.
Yet he was also consumed by a profound responsibility, driving him to get his family into their home before winter's inclement weather arrived.
He and the townsmen were finally so close to having it all done!
Thankfully, they had finished the last of the trim work last night, to Elizabeth's delight, although even that had taken them longer than expected!
All the trim work, that is, except for that pesky back staircase!
Nathan regretted deeply that his new arduous work schedule at the Academy, coupled with the strenuous task of using every spare moment of his day to build their new home, had left room for only minimal family time.
Yet, he had missed his entire family as much as they missed him.
So, throughout the past summer months, Nathan had found himself running to see those he loved at home for a few stolen minutes during the day, or Elizabeth would bring the children to their father for a well-deserved break, either at the Mountie Academy or here at their building site.
To say life had been hectic and a little off-kilter over the last few months for each member of the family was putting it mildly.
The couple longed for each other and for their whole family to be together again, living their normal day-to-day lives.
And today, they joyously realized they were almost there...
On this Saturday, the Grant Family had collectively decided that a picnic on their new grounds was in order, so they could spend a bit of family time together prior to their big moving day, which was rapidly approaching, the following week.
A grateful Nathan sat on their picnic quilt behind his radiant, but exhausted wife, sometimes holding her up, sometimes placing his arms around her, other times massaging her back or neck, but always simply showering her with love.
How he adored her!
Next to them was an empty picnic basket, with the remaining contents of its delicious picnic food spread out, around them. The children had already hurriedly eaten and were off excitedly exploring their new property that held the possibility of so many new adventures to be had. Elizabeth was still nibbling at her food, as small bits were about all she could manage these days.
The soon-to-be Lady of the House was busy smiling as she watched Allie and Jack run back and forth with Romeo and Juliet, the family's Old English Sheepdogs, chasing each other around the huge wrap-around veranda of their new house.
"Look at them play! It warms my heart. I remember my sisters and me doing the same thing on my Grandmother Thatcher's porch. I know you added that veranda for me, Dear Husband, and I love you dearly for doing so!"
She had only mentioned her beloved grandmother's wrap-around veranda once, but her husband paid attention to detail, and that's all it had taken.
She turned her face back and up toward him, somehow managing to kiss him passionately, although a bit upside down.
She giggled, while he chuckled.
"I could go for another one of those, Babe," hinted her husband, and though it took a little effort on her part, she happily complied.
"Who knew an upside-down kiss could be so fine?" he chuckled.
"You! But back to our gorgeous porch. It means the world to me, Nathan! Thank you, my Darling!"
"You can thank me any time with a kiss like that, my Love!"
She had been doing remarkably well, yet still, he worried.
How could he not?
They were so close to so much more than just moving into their new home!
"Happy, Mrs. Grant?"
"Uhm…deliriously! You make me so very happy, Darling. If I had to choose a single word, I'd say jubilant!"
Nathan slipped his hand behind him, trying to blindly open their second picnic basket. Finally, he managed with dexterity, pulling out a bouquet of Elizabeth's favorite purple and lavender roses mixed with white orchids, just like her Bridal bouquet, and flashed them in front of her.
"Happy Official Eight Months and One Week Anniversary, Darling!"
"Nathan, you already gave me my beautiful leather journal and exquisite gold pen! But as these are my favorite flowers, and identical to my wedding bouquet, I won't complain. I love them so much! They are just beautiful, Darling!"
"Your journal and pen counted for our perfect eight months together. But this is now, and I love you an awful lot, Elizabeth Grant, enough for a weekly anniversary, especially till our big event!"
She giggled.
"You won't hear me complaining, Love! Because I love you an awful lot too, Nathan Grant!"
"How could I possibly forget our simple little family wedding that turned into the biggest spectacle Hope Valley has ever seen?
"I know I certainly can't! How many young ladies do you know who would become betrothed on their first official date, and meet that same man at the altar a mere six days later? Positively scandalous!" teased Elizabeth.
"Positively magnificent! At least we gave our parents enough time to get here."
"With a whole minute's notice before they had to board their trains," she teased.
"Well, there was that! I don't think our parents are ever going to let me live that one down. Are they? At least they all made it in time, though!"
"I thought Rosemary was going to have an absolute coronary when we told her we were getting married New Year's Eve, Nathan. She thought we meant 1920, the following year!"
"Oh, I remember that conversation well. In fact, word-for-word. When she realized we meant six days, she shrieked, 'Six days? I must have six months at the very bare minimum! This is positively insane! Why, it's just, just absolutely impossible!' And then there was something about 'If we survive this, and that's a big if, I'm going to need medication and psychiatric therapy when this is all over. A vacation, too! And you two are paying all the expenses!'"
Through all this, Nathan was replicating all of Rosemary's expressive mannerisms, while at the same time mimicking her exact voice, making his own as shrill as he could with all of her inflections.
"I don't mean to mock that sweet woman at all, as you know, Sweetheart, I love her dearly. But you've got to admit that was quite the dramatic theatrical scene, except she wasn't acting. I thought we were doomed forever!"
Elizabeth laughed hysterically till she could laugh no more.
"Stop, I can't even catch my breath!"
"Does this help?" asked her husband mischievously kissing her.
"So much better! Nathan, you've got Rosemary pegged to a tee! How did you make your voice falsetto just like hers?"
Her husband just shrugged, but with a twinkle in his eye, as Elizabeth continued.
"You and your hidden talents! That's exactly what she said! And how she said it, too! Who knew you have the gift of impersonation, Dear Husband? But please don't dare share your talents with her. It took me six of these past eight months to make it up to her, and I do NOT plan to go through that ever again!"
"Well, thankfully, she did come around. Eventually," reminded Nathan with a wink.
"Finally, but let's not forget, because of her, we really did end up with Hope Valley's most beautiful wedding ever!"
"And unbelievably, the largest too, Love! How in the world did we go from planning a Family Wedding of twelve to the largest wedding Hope Valley has ever seen?"
Elizabeth giggled at the memory, which had been rather traumatic at the time, especially for her Groom, who much preferred his privacy.
"I suppose the townspeople just wanted to show us their love. It was all rather sweet when you think about it. Besides, how could we say no, Nathan? Those people are our family too!"
"You're right. They are, and we could never have said no. They would have probably stormed the church! Besides, in the end, I got to marry my Bride, and that's really all that matters to me!"
To prove it, he deposited one of his princely kisses at her ear.
"Me too! I wanted to marry my Groom so badly that I didn't even see any of the people when I was coming down the aisle. Only you, my Prince!"
"That's a good thing for a husband to know, Mrs. Grant! But mighty high standards, I'm afraid!"
"Oh, you're more than up to the task, my Love! You prove that each and every day I wake up beside you!"
He was touched by her admission. He knew these past months had been hard on her in more ways than one, both physically and emotionally.
Not to mention the hormones that were running all over the place.
Yet she never complained.
"Now, the reception was an entirely different matter. Nathan, I wanted to laugh so hard when I saw our adorable son I could have cried. Remember Jack showing everyone his new Mountie uniform, even the Commissioner and all the Superintendents? And the look on his grandparents' faces when the little guy very determinedly told them he was never ever taking it off? At least, we got out of that little unpleasantry by escaping on our Honeymoon! Mother said it took all four grandparents, Bill, and Allie, too, to finally get him out of that outfit, a full three days later! Believe me, I've been there for Jack's obstinance from birth, and it's not a pretty sight. But you've seen it now too. Though, we both know you handle it tons better than I do. It's almost like you two have a language all your own! And I just can't understand what I'm doing wrong!"
He detected the slightest bit of wonder and the teeniest bit of jealousy in his wife's tone.
He laughed it off, fearful of another hormonal outburst.
"It's a male thing, Darling! You're not doing anything wrong. But you have to admit, Lizbeth, Jack made one precious, if not precocious, Junior Groomsmen! Although, I had to sneak that uniform away from him in the middle of the night after we got home to hide in my office, or he'd still be wearing it!"
"Isn't that the truth!"
"You know, I still can't believe all my superior Officers came to our Wedding on their own accord, surprising us."
"Except only the Commissioner is superior now, my Darling!"
He chuckled nervously.
"I'll admit, all that goes with my new position still hasn't sunk in quite yet! I'm still marveling that the promotion even happened. It's my dream job, Lizbeth, and I'm so very grateful that we can stay here in Hope Valley. The Officer's Saber Arch was quite an honor. Actually, in fact, that's one I've never even seen before! Usually, it falls to the lowest men on the totem pole to fill that dubious honor! It was a really special moment. Besides our kiss, that's my favorite photo. It was hard to say who looked happier, the Bride and Groom, our children, or the Officers who weren't supposed to be smiling, but were!"
"It truly was such a beautiful moment! Escaping the Saber Arch reminds me, remember how we had to tear ourselves away from our Wedding Reception?"
Nathan chuckled at the thought.
"Given by your father, no less," he added.
"Seriously, Nathan, if you hadn't kept nudging me, we would still be there, chatting and dancing!"
"No doubt! But remember, even then, we barely made it to our Train on time, and in the snow, too! Your father's private passenger car, our Honeymoon Suite, was about to roll out of Hope Valley, right before our very eyes!"
"Thank goodness you knew the conductor and caught him before they actually left us standing there!"
"In the end, it was worth it, though," he reminded her with a raised eyebrow and a second wink.
"Was it ever, my Darling Husband! That entire night was perfection."
"Perfect, except for all those millions of buttons down your back. Leave it to your mother to choose the gown with hundreds of buttons! And pearl ones, too. Those things were slipperier than tadpoles. Hey, you don't think she did that on purpose, do you?"
His wife giggled, raising her eyebrows.
"Well, my Love, you didn't exactly give her a lot of time to choose!"
"Lizbeth, I almost panicked when you turned around, which is huge because a Mountie never panics! Never!"
"You quickly recovered and managed beautifully, Love. In record time, I might add, given your daunting task!"
"Well, there were a few major incentives if I recall," he grinned.
She chuckled, remembering their first night of passion together.
"I don't think we saw the light of day till three days later when we reached Banff," mused Elizabeth. "Which, by the way, is the most beautiful place I've ever seen. Oh, and those little Talley-ho wagons were so adorable!"
"Not sure you can call them wagons, Love! Those rickety carts seemed more like deathtraps to me, pretty much straight up the mountainside and back down again. Quite unsteady, but I have to admit I didn't mind the very close quarters. Especially since you were practically on my lap the entire time!"
"And hanging on for dear life! That, my Darling, was the very best part! Although, I must admit, highly improper," she blushed. "Never tell our parents about that, whatever you do, Nathan Grant. Mother would have a coronary!"
"Well, we were married, and when in Rome," he rebutted with twinkly eyes. "I do really hope we can take the children there next season to teach them how to ski!"
"I believe, unwittingly, we brought a couple of those home with us," she grinned.
"Apparently so," smiled Nathan conspiratorially, falling in love with his wife all over again, rubbing her tight tummy. "I still can't believe we are so blessed!"
She laid her hand over his.
"Neither can I, but I'm so thankful. You know, I prayed for these two from the moment we got engaged," she admitted hesitantly.
He chuckled.
"That's funny, I might have done some similar praying myself!"
"Really, Nathan?"
"Really, Darling! There was no reason to wait. We have more than enough love to offer."
"We absolutely do! You know, the whole two weeks were perfect, the most romantic honeymoon ever! And you, my Love, were the most attentive husband ever. I think that was the official beginning of you spoiling me, which by the way, I like very much!"
"Oh, no, my Darling! I beg to differ. That would be our first date!"
"Oh, you're right! How could I forget? The sleigh and my favorite meal with my favorite champagne! The teacher stands corrected. That first date was definitely the moment you began to spoil me. It was also the most romantic proposal ever, and wow, did you ever surprise me!"
Elizabeth held up her hand, flashing her ruby and diamond ring in the sunlight.
"You know, you're going to have to add two more diamonds soon," she teased.
"Already taken care of. We just have to make a trip to Union City when you feel well enough to travel!"
"Are you serious? I was teasing!"
"I'm serious. I might have set aside a few matching ones when I designed that for you, hoping there would be more children," he admitted.
"That's the most romantic thing I've ever heard!"
Nathan wiped the tears from her eyes, then left a trail of feathery kisses down the back of his wife's slender neck, which was according to her the only slender thing left on her body!
He couldn't help remembering while clasping his hand over her ring, and bringing it to rest across her heart. Their first date truly had been magical, with the both of them even more certain than ever before, that their future was here now, unable to wait any longer. He remembered how desperately both desired, both needed the other that night, how ecstatic both were they were finally moving forward together from their somewhat troubled past into their glorious new future.
"Uhm! I am thoroughly enjoying looking over this beautiful countryside, but Nathan, Love, can you help me lie down? I think my back has a catch."
Nathan was instantly up on his knees, carefully helping his wife to lean back on a couple of pillows.
"Are you sure you're alright, Lizbeth?"
"Of course, I'm perfectly fine."
He wasn't convinced, but she was adamant.
"Are you hungry for anything?"
"Maybe just a cookie," she asked a bit guiltily. "Oh, and a drink of our Lemonaid. I do believe yours is better than mine!"
He poured her a fresh glassful, then handed her a chocolate chunk cookie, breaking it into small pieces and feeding it to her along with sips of the cold beverage. The cookies were her favorite again, now that, thankfully, her cravings for pickles dipped alternately in both ketchup and mustard had finally passed.
He and Allie had never said a word, but every single time his Mama reached for her pickles, ketchup, and mustard, Jack let out an emphatic "Yuck!"
His Mama had smiled through her son's critiques for the most part, but with her hormones all over the place, the last time it had happened, she burst out crying and ran clumsily from the room with her husband gathering a tray of her awful essentials and following her to their bedroom, leaving Allie to console Jack.
And in the manner of true love, he sat on the edge of their bed, dipping her pickles exactly as she preferred, and feeding them to her one by one.
But the truth was, he wasn't sure anyone in the family would ever be able to look at a pickle again, much less eat one!
Nathan stretched back out on their lawn, but with his torso upright and his arm bent so that his head could rest on one hand, watching her intently, making sure his wife was not overly tired.
"I'm fine, Darling! Really, no need to fuss!"
"That's odd, and here I thought constant fussing over my wife was included in my very personal vows to you. Yep, I'm positive I wrote that in! Do I need to call witnesses?"
"Very funny," she grimaced.
Suddenly, both children were standing breathlessly in front of them, grinning from ear to ear.
"Dad, may Jack and I go down to the stream, please?"
"Only if you're very careful, Allie. You're familiar with being around slippery stones, Jack is not. So, hold his hand tightly, and whatever you do, don't let him slip!"
"I won't, Dad! I promise! Come, Jack, let's go look at our stream!"
"But me can twim, Daddy!"
"Well, let's not try it today, Son! Stay with your sister! You and I will swim in our stream another day!"
When they had gotten home from their Honeymoon, as soon as was possible, Nathan adopted Jack as his son, and Elizabeth adopted Allie as her daughter, forming an official, beautifully blended family of four.
Rosemary and Lee became Allie's godparents and legal guardians, just as they were for Jack, and Allie's Uncle Bill and Auntie Julie became Allie's honorary godparents, just as they, also, already were for Jack.
With all of the Grants living in Nathan's now crowded rowhouse, even with its three bedrooms, the four had easily transitioned into living together as one loving family.
The children had come together, totally thrilled to finally be a real brother and sister to each other. In fact, they acted as though that had always been the case. Allie adored Little Jack, and he, in turn, adored his 'Awee,' following her every move.
They spat occasionally, usually when Jack messed up something of his sister's, but much less than most birth brothers and sisters do, always ending with hugs. The truth was, they were already as thick as thieves, defending each other to the hilt when needed.
"'Our stream,' I love the sound of that, Nathan. It's just so picturesque and beautifully provincial out here!"
"It is, Lizbeth. You can see the children and the dogs love it already. You know, this whole day has been so wonderful. We've been blessed with unusually great weather for an August day!"
"The food is so delicious and just look at our beautiful new home. I could lie here and look at your handiwork all day long! I can't believe we're all going to be together again, living here in just a matter of days."
"That, my Darling, is the very best part! But, about the land, we're truly blessed Bill gifted it to us. The more I'm out here, I keep discovering wonderful new spots that are just amazing!"
"You just love having your own fishing stream," she teased.
"You've got me there! Never did I dream that would be possible. And I'm proud to say, it's a beaut, too!"
"Is everything pretty much finished?"
"The Barn and Stables are completed. We're just waiting to bring the horses out when we move in. The house will be completely finished by Tuesday night after we finish installing that back staircase. That is if the spindles arrive as planned on Monday. If they don't, Lee has promised to send one of his men to pick them up at Buxton, early Tuesday morning. But before we workers leave the house Tuesday night, I promise everything will be ready for the cleaning crew to start bright and early on Wednesday morning. Don't forget our furniture from Union City is to be delivered on Thursday."
"I can't wait for that. We're really going to get to move into our new home this coming week. We're all so excited! The land, our home, it's just all so beautiful, so peaceful. But I still can't believe you built all this with your own bare hands, Nathan."
"Well, I did have a lot of help, my Love. Don't forget, the entire town has pitched in whenever they could. I couldn't have done it without them!"
She reached to touch his hands.
"Well, those callouses say otherwise, Darling. I know you've borne the bulk of the work."
She took his roughened hands, kissing several patches of thickened skin.
"I'm just so glad you're happy with it, Lizbeth. It was built with the utmost love."
"And received with such. I couldn't be happier, Nathan! I'm positively thrilled with everything you've done. We'll have to picnic frequently next spring to explore our land, and get to know it better!"
"Definitely," agreed Nathan.
"I'm not so sure we'll know what to do with all that space inside, though!"
"I'm sure with the children plus the two little ones coming, we'll fill it up without any problem!"
"Especially with two of everything!"
He smiled thinking of the cradles he had made that were locked away in their new barn.
Elizabeth hadn't seen them yet because he wanted to surprise her, and thankfully, she hadn't thought to ask.
"Nathan, I know this is out of left field, but why does food always taste better outdoors?" mused Elizabeth, reaching for a piece of fruit to nibble on.
Nathan chuckled.
"It does, doesn't it? That's actually why I built you a garden terrace. We can eat there, overlooking the stream, when the weather is good. I suppose it has something to do with all this fresh country air and getting back to nature. Just wait till I catch you a fresh trout," he teased.
"As long as you clean it, Baby, that sounds perfect!"
He stretched to kiss her, then bent to kiss her ever-expanding tummy, twice.
"Welcome to your new home, Little Munchkins! Your beautiful, brave Mama is going to learn how to clean a fish."
"Afraid you three will have a long wait for that one!"
Elizabeth reached to caress his hair, moving that one wayward curl off his forehead while still running the remaining strands through her fingers.
"I love you so much, Dear Husband. I think my heart might burst!"
"Enough to clean my fish?"
"Well, as Bill would say, I'm afraid the jury's still out on that one!"
He grinned that lop-sided grin of his, disarming the last of her reserves.
"I know what you mean about bursting with love, Lizbeth. I adore you so much!"
She gave him a similar look of complete adoration.
"I don't know which of us has this love bug worse," she admitted.
"Oh, I think it's an unequivocal tie," he grinned.
"I'm so glad that it is," she cooed. "In my book, that's the very best kind of love, an all-encompassing kind of love."
"Me too!" he added with his boyish charm.
"Especially in a Fairy Tale sort of love," he teased.
"Nathan Grant, you read my Journal!" she laughingly chided.
"Not intentionally. It was open, and what can I say? I couldn't help but see a few lines."
"I'm teasing you. We are a Fairy Tale! And this beautiful new home just proves it! I just want to stay here, and not have to go anywhere else for a very long while. I love that you built our home to look old like it belongs here and has been here forever. It's so beautiful, elegant, and homey all at the same time. Even my parents are going to love it. I'm also glad we painted it white. It's truly us, perfectly us, Love!"
"Agree, which reminds me, you are under strict orders from both Carson and Faith to not lift a single thing when we do move. And I'm going to be hovering over you, making sure you don't!"
She pouted, and he bent to kiss her clavicle.
"I may have recruited spies to assist me, too!" he added as an additional reinforcement.
His warm breath tickled her collarbone, eliciting a helpless giggle.
"Contrary to what people think, Dear Sir, I am not an invalid!" she pouted pulling him closer to her while still running both hands through his lustrous hair.
"You most certainly are not. But the mother of my four children is still not lifting her finger," he whispered. "Understood?"
She ignored what he was saying, and instead concentrated on what she was feeling very deep inside.
"You know, Chief Inspector, if the children weren't here, you'd be putting yourself in a most precarious position!"
"I wish!" he teased, but then his voice grew serious. "Elizabeth, you look awfully tired. Are you really sure you're alright?"
"Thanks for that! Just what every pregnant wife as big as an elephant wants to hear when she's trying to flirt with her handsome husband!"
"Elizabeth, I'm serious. Are you sure you're feeling alright?"
He had seen that look before on women who were about ready to deliver, causing him to be very concerned.
"Darling, it's just my back and the fact that I can't breathe, but I'm eight months pregnant now, and as I said, as big as an elephant! It all comes with the territory. I'm perfectly fine. If I could breathe, that is. But we still have a way to go, so no cause for alarm!"
"You, say nine months. Carson and I say eight months, which is much more likely to be closer to our delivery date, Love. And though I hate to remind you, that time is already here! As of today, we are a full week past!"
"You two worry like a couple of old mother hens! Besides, these two Little Ones know their Mama has to oversee our move. They are not going to interrupt a process as monumental as that. And, yes, Love, I know, no lifting!"
"Poor Baby!" teased Nathan, as he stood up. "Resting is such sweet sorrow!"
"Where are you going, Nathan?" asked Elizabeth, puzzled.
"I'm calling for Allie and Jack and the dogs to come back."
"Do we have to?" she pouted.
"I think we need to head back into town, Lizbeth."
Nathan cupped his hands around his mouth.
"Allie, Jack, we're ready to go! Romeo, Jules!"
Allie and Jack had named the dogs, but Nathan refused to call a dog of his Juliet, so he came up with Jules! Little did he know that was the childhood name for Elizabeth's sister Julie, and he was going to get all kinds of grief when she revisited, which his mischievous wife delighted in not telling him.
"Oh, no! Nathan, I think...I think I just...had...a con...contraction!"
"I knew something was happening! Are you, alright, Love?"
She nodded her head yes, but looked like she was in pain.
"It's strong! Really strong...especially for a first one!"
He cupped his hands again and called as loudly as he could.
"Allie, bring Jack, now! Romeo and Jules, come quick!"
The children heard the urgency in their Dad's voice this time around and came running with Romeo and Jules close behind.
"What's wrong, Dad?" asked Allie.
"Your Mama's not feeling well. Can you please put the food in the baskets? Elizabeth, Darling, let me help you up."
"Nathan, I think you're right. I need…need to go see Carson! Quickly!"
He helped his wife up, as carefully and quickly as he could, but when he did, her water broke, flowing everywhere. Thankfully, Allie was occupied with the baskets, and Jack was busy playing with the dogs, so they didn't even notice.
"Thank goodness, we didn't wait to purchase the car," and he swooped a panicked Elizabeth up in his arms, carrying her there as fast as he safely could.
"Allie, there's no time to get the food," he called. "Just leave everything and get Jack and the dogs into the car, quickly please!"
"Yes, Sir!"
He placed his wife in the front seat as comfortably as he could, the whole while calming her and comforting her.
"Listen, Love, everything is exactly as it should be. We're having our babies, my Darling!"
"But what if I..."
"You're doing perfectly, Lizbeth. Everything is going to be alright! We'll be at the Infirmary in no time at all!"
He glanced back to make sure both the children and both the dogs were safely in, then jumped in the car and took off as fast as he could go.
"Mama, are you alright?" asked a concerned Allie.
"Yes, Sweetheart, our babies are coming! And quickly too!"
"Me want a sisser," insisted Jack contritely.
"Jack Thornton Grant, now is not the time. Whatever God has decided to give us is what we'll have, Son," explained his Mama one more time.
"But me don't want a budder! Me want a sisser, like Awee!"
"I tell you what, Jack, we just need to be happy because we're finally getting our babies! Everything is going to be alright no matter what Mama has. We're all going to love them just like we love you. Come here, and let me hold you," soothed Allie, knowing her little brother needed to be loved and quietened at the same time.
Elizabeth moaned.
"Grip my leg, Darling! Hold on tight!"
Nathan, with both hands on the wheel, kept glancing nervously at Elizabeth, making sure she was okay with each moan...
After a few bumpy roads accompanied by louder moans and a few gasps with groans, the entire Grant Family made their way to the Hope Valley Infirmary in record time!
"Allie, jump out on your side and open your Mama's door while I come around to get her."
Their now-worried daughter completed her task before a rushed Nathan could reach the door to help his wife out of their car.
"Sweetheart, hold on to Jack in the waiting room, please, till Uncle Bill gets here."
"Yes, Sir! But Dad, is Mama going to be alright?"
He could see the worry in their daughter's eyes.
"Yes, Princess. Mama is fine. We just have to get our babies here! Jack, you be good for your Sister!"
"Es, Sir!"
Nathan carried Elizabeth straight into the Infirmary as fast as he could safely move, talking to her the whole time in a low, calm steady voice, doing his best to keep her calm.
"You've got this, Darling!"
"But Nathan, the babies, it's too early!"
"No, we're a full week past the eighth-month mark. That's a very good thing, Babe. Carson says so."
Then he called the Doctor.
"Carson, we need help!"
Dr. Shepherd came running.
Thankfully, he had returned to Hope Valley to proctor Faith for her Residency.
Nathan was most grateful as Carson had quite a bit of experience delivering twins. He was even qualified to do a Cesarian if necessary.
Forbid the thought, but it gave Nathan comfort knowing that if there were complications, Carson knew exactly what he was doing.
"About how far apart are the contractions?"
"Five minutes apart, lasting for about a minute each. Her water broke probably about fifteen minutes ago."
"Molly, call Faith, get her here, stat!"
"Yes, Doctor!"
"Elizabeth, let's make you comfortable. Everything is perfectly normal. I'm going to prep you for delivery," instructed Carson, ever so calmly.
"Don't leave me, Nathan!" she cried. "Please don't leave me!"
"Wild horses couldn't drag me away, my Darling," his hands were wrapped around his wife's. "We're in this together, and I'm here for as long as this takes. Oh, Molly, can you please call Bill or Rosemary to come and look after the children?"
"Calling them right now, Chief Inspector! Dr. Faith is on her way."
Nathan's new title had been given to him just after the couple had returned from their Honeymoon, which had been a real blessing, especially to Elizabeth, who no longer had to worry about him being in the thick of day-to-day skirmishes. The bulk of his time now was spent training recruits and overseeing major cases across the country. But even more importantly, it truly was Nathan's dream job, a position created to maximize his unique and extraordinary talents.
"Thanks, Molly!" barked Carson.
"Yes, thank you, Molly! Elizabeth, are you okay?" asked Nathan, trying his best to remain calm. "Press my hand as hard as you need, Love! I'm right here!"
"Elizabeth, has your back been hurting worse than usual?" asked Carson.
"Yes, but I thought it was just…because I was lying on the ground for our picnic…but…but it hasn't…let up…at all!"
"Elizabeth, this won't take long. With twins, the births are generally much faster, especially since your contractions are so close already. However, this delivery is going to feel a lot different than your last pregnancy. How much pressure are you feeling?"
"Lots, I feel like…I can't…breathe."
"The shortness of breath is worse because of the excess pressure from both babies. There's much more pressure with two! All that's normal, and always a little worse just before delivery. Just hang in there! Everything's going to be fine!"
"Carson, can she have ice chips?" asked her concerned husband. "Her mouth looks so dry."
"Thank you, Love," moaned Elizabeth through parched lips. "I am so, so dry!"
As for Nathan, he held on tight to Elizabeth's clasped hands, using his other hand to comfort her in any way he could, while praying the whole time too.
"Molly, bring some ice chips, please, and a damp towel for Elizabeth's face," ordered Carson.
"Yes, Doctor! Coming right up!"
Faith rushed in, and greeted Elizabeth, blowing a kiss from the foot of her bed, while at the same time intently listening to Carson's update as to where they were.
"Ready?" whispered Faith.
Carson nodded.
"Elizabeth, it's time! I need you to push right now with all your might. Push as hard as you possibly can…
After a single piercing scream, tears ran down Elizabeth's face as Carson delivered the first of the twins. While Nathan wiped his wife's tears, the whole while telling her how proud he was of her and how very much he loved her and their new baby, Faith took the baby to clean, then wrapped it in a warm blanket and carefully handed the newborn to its proud father. Nathan, ready to cry at the sight and touch of his firstborn, proudly held the little bundle up for his wife to see, both of them instantly falling in love with their tiny baby.
"Lizbeth, everything's perfect, ten little fingers, ten little toes, and so beautiful, too! Our first tiny miracle baby is here, Darling! Look what a magnificent job you've done!"
He kissed her still-parched lips, as he lovingly brushed her damp hair back from her face.
"We did it!" she beamed.
"You did the bulk of the work, my Darling, and beautifully too. But yes, by God's grace, we created this little miracle together!"
Nathan had insisted on calling their babies miracle babies in the womb, as they had been conceived so quickly on their honeymoon. Both had been shocked but ecstatic when they first heard the wonderful news. The children had been elated, too, although Jack had been a bit dubious at times, which was normal for someone so young who couldn't fully comprehend what was happening.
Also, up until now he was the little one of the family, and although it was the furthest thing from the truth, there were times, Jack was loathe to turn over his youngest position to others, feeling he wouldn't be quite as important. And no amount of reassurance from his Dad, his Mama, or his sister seemed to help!
His struggle was real, but his parents were hoping and praying all that would change once he saw his new siblings.
Nathan bent to kiss his wife again, ever so reverently, while holding their baby most carefully with one strong arm and still holding his wife's hands with his free hand.
"Look at that," laughed Faith. "This man's a pro already, Elizabeth!"
Elizabeth looked up at Nathan with tears of pure joy still in her eyes, and answered, "I know, Faith. He is the best father in the whole world!"
Elizabeth didn't have to ask whether the baby was a boy or a girl. She could tell by the color of the blanket, and she was just beyond thrilled!
"Elizabeth, the good news, is with twins, there is only one labor," explained Carson. "Which means we're done with the hard part. Now, all we have to do for this next little one is to wait till I say push. Just don't push till I tell you to. The second baby generally has a much easier birth, so try to relax as much as you can for now. I think you've got at least a good fifteen minutes before anything happens, so use it to relax as much as you possibly can."
"May I have more ice, Carson?"
"Of course. Just not too much. I don't want you to go into a chill before this one's born."
"Nathan, the baby seems to be sleeping, so here's a crib in case you need it," suggested Faith.
"Thanks, Faith, but the three of us are doing just fine like this!"
Elizabeth whispered something into her husband's ear.
"Lizbeth, Darling, didn't you promise me we wouldn't do that," he reminded her ever so gently.
"But it just suits so perfectly! Please, Love? Please!"
He grinned his lop-sided grin and bent to kiss her once more, knowing he couldn't refuse her.
After this, how could he possibly deny her anything, ever?
"Has she brought the ice chips?" asked a parched Elizabeth.
"Sorry, best to hold off on that now, Elizabeth, until we get the second one here," suggested Carson. "We're getting closer."
Nathan whispered a possible name to their baby, and everyone laughed because whatever Nathan had suggested, the sweet little thing threw both arms up in the air, like 'Yes!'
"Whatever name you two have concocted, that's conclusive proof your new baby agrees," chuckled Carson. "I'm not sure I've seen anything quite like that from a baby who's only minutes old!"
After about fifteen minutes of mother and father cooing over their precocious newborn, with Elizabeth still desperately craving ice, Carson and Faith could tell it was time for her to push again.
"Push, Elizabeth, push now, as hard as you can. Give it everything you've got...
The standard process was repeated a second time ending in the awaited arrival of the Grants' second baby.
Everyone was relieved that both babies were at last here, beautiful and apparently healthy, though very small as expected, which was normal for twins, especially at eight months plus one week.
Both parents had tears of joy in their eyes, and when they could elevate Elizabeth a bit more, Nathan placed their firstborn child in its mother's arms, while he got acquainted with the second tinier one in his own arms, seated on her bed, as close to his wife as he possibly could.
It was as though he was mesmerized with his eyes going from his wife to each of their babies, and back to his wife again.
"What a miracle this is! If only Allie and Jack were here by us. This is our family, Lizbeth! Our very own circle of pure love!"
Elizabeth placed her free hand on her husband's cheek, and at that moment no one else was in the room for either of them.
They were one, as everyone else was still as could be, fully in awe of the immense love between these two parents and their new babies, along with overwhelming joy!
The four sat quietly together getting acquainted.
The parents marveled over their tiny miracles that were finally here, intently watching their every movement, listening to their every tiny gurgle, and touching them ever-so-gently so they knew without any doubt just how much they were adored.
Molly finally interrupted to bring Elizabeth, to her delight, a glass of water loaded with ice chips.
"I don't think I've ever seen more happiness in this room! Congratulations, you two. Job well done, Parents!" and Carson meant it with tears in his own eyes.
"Thank you, Carson and Faith. You too, Molly. I think we've made you run entirely too much today. But, on behalf of Elizabeth and me, as well as our Little Ones, thank you from the depths of our hearts."
"Perfectly said, Darling! Getting acquainted with these two, I think we have the four most beautiful children in the world," cooed their mother.
"I know we do!" and her proud husband reached to kiss her once more, smoothing her hair back again, telling her how very much he adored her.
"You have never looked more beautiful, Darling!"
They simply let their eyes do the talking, while their hearts overflowed with that special parental love only a new father and mother can experience together with their newborns.
"Elizabeth, can I get you anything, now that this part is over?" asked Faith ever so gently.
"No, Faith. Thank you, but I have everything I need right here."
Then she turned to Carson.
"Carson, they're so, so tiny. Are you sure they're going to be okay?" asked a worried Elizabeth.
"They are perfectly healthy, Elizabeth, just much smaller, because they're here about three weeks earlier than they're supposed to be. But don't worry, I promise, they'll catch up very quickly."
"We just want to be sure we're giving them everything they need, Carson," explained Nathan.
"We'll go over all that in just a bit, but right now, would you like to hear their official stats?" winked the Doctor.
"Please," begged both Nathan and Elizabeth in unison.
"For Baby A, time of birth is 3:32 P.M., weight is 4.2lb, and height is 17.25in. This one's going to be tall!"
"Faith, would you like to do the honors for the next one?"
"My pleasure!"
"For Baby B, time of birth is 3:47 P.M., weight is 3.9lb, and height 17in. which is all very good, too!
"Can Allie and Jack come in to see them?" asked Elizabeth anxiously.
"I'm sorry, but I'd rather not expose them to any possible childhood infections going around just yet. You four are going to be our patients, secluded here for a few days. I know it's hard, but I really think it's best to wait for visitors till after you take them home. We just need to concentrate on building their stamina first, by keeping them warm, exposure free, and making sure they are eating well. We can do all that better if we're here together. Besides, exhaustion is going to set in soon, Elizabeth, and remember taking care of two new babies at the same time with two other children at home is a real handful. You need your rest as much as your babies need theirs."
"Then I need to go tell the children," offered Nathan.
"No, Nathan, please don't leave us! Not yet," and Elizabeth frantically grabbed his arm. "Do you think we can get Bill or Rosemary to explain it to them?"
"I'll call them both now."
But Carson interrupted.
"No, Nathan, you sit right back down with your wife and little ones. You two don't need to worry about anything. Just enjoy each other and your beautiful babies. We'll take care of everything else…"
Having stayed the entire four days and nights with his wife and new babies, Nathan Grant had quickly and admirably learned how to be a father of two babies at the same time.
Since the babies were doing so well with their feedings, and Elizabeth had quickly learned all the tricks of feeding two, four days later, as promised, Nathan and Elizabeth Grant finally got to take their newborns home to meet their big sister, Allie, and big brother, Jack.
Having only gotten to speak to their parents over the telephone, Allie and Jack were so excited they couldn't wait a single minute longer, so they watched from the window and ran to the car to greet both their parents and their new siblings.
Rosemary watched, smiling proudly, from the doorway, every bit as excited as the children.
Nathan got out of the car and picked up Allie first in a big bear hug, leaving a kiss on the top of her head, then Jack, lifting him up to the sky, followed by a kiss.
"Your Mama and I have missed you two so much! Are you ready to meet your babies?"
"Can't wait, Dad!"
"Es, Daddy!"
"Let's help your Mama out of the car, first!"
"Hi, Sweet Ones! Oh, how your Mama has missed you! Come here and give me kisses!"
Allie kissed her Mama first, followed by Jack, who wasn't sure he liked seeing his Mama holding somebody else, especially two somebody else's who were smaller than him!
"Lizbeth, do you want me to get Rosemary to help us carry them in?"
"I'm alright, Love! I'll carry this one if you'll take the other."
"Nathan still wasn't convinced, but placed one twin in his arm, while helping Elizabeth out of the car with the other hand.
"Me see!" insisted Jack anxiously.
"They have to stay covered, Jack, till we get them inside," explained Allie.
"Why?" asked a contrite Jack.
"Mama will explain it to us later, okay? For now, let me help you inside so we can meet them, okay, Little Brother?"
Elizabeth mouthed, 'Thank you, Dear Allie!' as Rosemary held the door for all.
"Welcome home! Allie and I fixed lunch for you to have whenever you both get hungry," and she hugged and kissed her best friend.
"Oh, thank you! And Rosemary, we can't thank you enough for taking care of the children all this time. But get ready to be pampered, because we sure are going to try," smiled Elizabeth.
"Mama, may we see them," begged Allie. "Please!"
"You may not only see them, Sweetheart; you may hold them if you like."
"Oh, I'd love to, Mama! But they're so tiny! Will you show me how?"
Allie caught the hang of holding them very quickly and was being very careful.
"What are they, boys or girls? And what are their names?" asked Allie excitedly, as Rosemary had promised to keep that part of the news secret till their parents could tell the children together.
Elizabeth had even made sure the twins were dressed in yellow, and wrapped in pale yellow blankets, so as not to give the surprises away.
"Allie and Jack, meet your little brother Nathan Alexander Grant, II, but we're going to call him Nate," introduced their father. "Nate, meet your wonderful big sister Allie, and your wonderful big brother, Jack!"
"He's so cute," bragged Allie. "I love him already!"
"Just precious," agreed Rosemary. "Look at this beautiful little face. And I love his name. Just perfect!"
"Well, my Darling wife had to twist my arm on that one a bit," admitted Nathan.
"But my Darling husband finally came around, thank goodness! Doesn't he look just like a Nate?"
"He most certainly does! He's Nathan made over," agreed Rosemary.
Jack just stared, not sure at all what to think.
"Jack, would you like me to help you hold him?" asked his Mama, but her son quickly shook his head no.
"Tell us about our second baby," begged Allie. "Is it a boy or a girl, and what is its name?"
"You do the honors, Darling!" nudged Nathan, stooping to kiss his wife's forehead, and then the baby's too.
"Allie, Jack, meet your little sister, Lilibet Alexandra Grant, but we're going to call her Lily," explained their Mama proudly. "Lily, meet your beautiful big sister, Allie, who also has two l's in her name just like you, and your handsome big brother, Jack!"
"I love that, Mama! I can't believe it! We got a boy and a girl! That's so perfect. We got everything we wanted! Jack, you got your sister, and I got my brother, but we really got both! Don't you love her, Jack? Look how tiny she is! She's so adorable, Mama!"
Allie was so thrilled, she was close to tears.
"She is so beautiful, and her name is beautiful, too, Elizabeth! How in the world did you come up with that?" asked Rosemary.
"Lilibet is what my father called me growing up, and I thought Lily went perfectly with Allie."
"Jack and Nate go together well, too, right, Buddy?"
Jack took that as an invitation and climbed up onto his Dad's lap, snuggling in, clearly ignoring the question, but claiming his dad as his own for all to see.
That was when both babies woke up at the exact same instant, expanding their tiny lungs to the max, demanding to be fed!
Jack covered his little ears, and Allie got tickled watching her little brother.
"They're tiny, but real babies, Jack. I'm afraid we'll be hearing a lot of those cries until they can learn to talk like you, their big brother," explained his ever-patient Dad.
But Jack was silent, so Nathan just held him, doing his best to make the little toddler feel loved by hugging him tight, kissing him, and tickling him, which did finally elicit several spontaneous giggles.
Though suddenly, Nathan could see that something had shifted in his son.
Jack had grown serious.
"Daddy, me have...deer!"
"Deer?" asked Nathan.
"He means 'idea,' Dad," explained Allie.
"Idea? Yes, Son? What's that?"
Thinking Jack had now decided to magnanimously accept his new brother and sister, Nathan breathed a precipitous sigh of relief.
Although Nathan was seldom wrong in interpreting human nature, as his son pled in earnest, this, indeed, was unfortuitously one of those times.
"Daddy, can we pease take 'em back?"
That was when Elizabeth carrying Nate, did her best to hold back her laughter, as she bent to kiss her husband and firstborn son.
"I love you so! And you too, Jack!"
After, she joined Rosemary carrying Lily, and Allie as they all slipped, giggling, into the kitchen, leaving the befuddled head of the family to answer Jack's most serious question.
Yes, without a doubt, life was going to be a lot of fun, filled with tons of adventures, love, and laughter for the Grants, now officially the full-fledged Grant Family of six…
Knowing the new parents desperately needed a moment or two to themselves, Carson and Faith visited the Grants' rowhouse later that evening on the pretense of a house call.
Florence had brought dinner in earlier for the entire family with more than enough for the doctors to eat too, and since the meal was already on the table, they happily joined in eating with the Grants.
It was clear to see that Allie was excited as could be about her new baby brother and sister, while Jack was not at all sure.
Instead, the Little Guy firmly planted himself on his Daddy's lap, even though Nathan was already holding Nate. His poor father wasn't getting to eat a bite, but he quickly signaled to the adults not to interfere.
"Dad, I can hold Jack or Nate," offered Allie.
"Thanks, Sweetheart, but we're just fine!"
Showing Jack that he was still important was more important to his Dad than any meal, and somehow it felt right to include Nate in their little group, now that there were three men in the Grant family.
But as soon as Faith finished eating, to Jack's delight, she took Nate, allowing Nathan to finally enjoy eating a bite with his eldest son, just like old times!
Elizabeth did her best to hide her knowing smile, but Nathan clearly caught it, with a return smile of his own.
Allie then took Lily so her mother could finish eating more comfortably.
After dinner, as soon as Elizabeth fed both infants, Carson and Faith took the babies and rocked them both to sleep.
"Now, go rest," insisted Faith, once the two infants were off to Dreamland.
"Yes, if my memory serves me correctly over the past four days, this nap will last at least an hour, if not two," winked Carson. "Which gives you two parents just the right amount of time for a break of your own. Doctors' orders!"
"But, they might not sleep the full time, and I just hate to not be here if they wake up," worried Elizabeth.
Nathan could tell his skeptical wife was torn, yet he knew she needed the break.
"Lizbeth, Love, you're exhausted, and you're not going to do Nate or Lily any good if you don't get some rest before nightfall."
"I promise we know what we are doing. Board certified! Besides we have Allie and Jack to help us, too," winked Faith.
"Mama, we'll be fine, and I'll run up and get you if Nate or Lily need you," promised Allie.
"But me might need Mama, too," interjected Jack stomping his little foot, almost in tears.
"Or if Jack or I need you," Allie quickly amended with a knowing smile of her own while giving her little brother a kiss and a hug.
"Besides, Mrs. Grant, I have a surprise I need to show you," grinned Nathan.
"I suppose if you promise to come get me, I could manage a few minutes. Will you be alright, Jack?"
Jack nodded his little head up and down, happy enough to just have been asked by his Mama.
Before his wife could change her mind, not wanting her to have to walk the stairs quite yet, Nathan swooped her up and carried her upstairs in his arms.
As he gave their bedroom door a nudge with his boot, Elizabeth saw her surprise, or more accurately her surprises.
She gasped at their beauty!
"Nathan, these are the most beautiful cradles I've ever seen!"
"I'll carve their names, Nate and Lily, on them as soon as I get a chance. Then they'll really be finished. But I'm so glad you love them!"
"You carved roses in them! I don't even know how you found time to make these with all the other responsibilities you've had these last months!"
"My children and my wife come first and foremost in my heart and my life, Darling. Always!"
He laid her down so tenderly on their bed.
But then remembered the gift he had ordered from Union City and had Rosemary hide for him in his wardrobe.
After fumbling around a bit, he finally found the beautifully wrapped package.
"Our babies' cradles are not the only surprises, my Love!"
He held the gift up for her to see, with his eyes twinkling, so pleased to pamper her after all she had been through.
Then he laid down beside her, first kissing her most properly, most intimately.
"I love you so much, Elizabeth Grant. I just keep falling more and more in love with you each and every day. Even when I think I can't possibly love you more, somehow, miraculously, I do! Thank you, my Darling, for being my beautiful wife, and the loving mother of my four children!"
Their blue eyes met in that ocean of blue that was reserved for them alone, each understanding and recognizing the very depths of their ever-evolving love in a way few couples ever do.
He handed her his gift.
"My goodness, this is too beautiful to unwrap! But how did you do this? Especially since I've been rather possessive of you these last few days, taking up all of your attention and time!"
He chuckled.
"You can be possessive of me anytime! Let's just say I already had this arranged, then I made a call from the Infirmary when you were sleeping. Rosemary met the train and brought it here for me to give to you. And here we are!"
Elizabeth searched her husband's handsome and anxious face.
Her hands trembled while opening the package, somehow knowing this was a monumental gift.
Inside the carefully discarded paper, ribbon, and box, sat another square blue velvet box, the color of both their eyes.
She looked up at him, his bright eyes excitedly urging her on.
She lifted the lid and gasped yet again.
"Nathan?" she asked not sure how to proceed, her hands immediately covering her mouth.
There before her was the one thing she had wanted her whole life, but had never had: the most beautiful golden charm bracelet she had ever seen.
"I've never seen a charm bracelet anywhere near as beautiful as this. How could you possibly know I've always wanted one?"
"Well, that's good, because it's a Grant tradition. The women in our family get charm bracelets to depict all the major events in their lives."
Her fingers picked up the bracelet, holding the golden chain in her hand, using her other hand to start looking through the charms.
"Start here, Love," instructed her loving husband.
"Our first Christmas together!"
The charm was a beautiful oval charm engraved with "The Grants' First Christmas" and the date, December 25, 1918, with two tiny gold cardinals hanging from it.
Then she moved her fingers to the next charm.
"Nathan! The cabin where we had our first date! And our Engagement Ring! You even added our Engagement date December 26, 1918!"
She couldn't believe it, but the cabin looked just like the cabin they became engaged in, and the ring was an exact replica of the one she wore on her finger!
"Oh, our Wedding Day with our Wedding Rings and my Bouquet, dated December 31, 1918!"
By now, she was crying.
"Here's a Honeymoon charm with the dates! This one I picked up in Banff!"
"Oh and a Talley-ho from our Honeymoon, too! Along with our skis!"
She kept attentively and excitedly looking through them like a child at Christmas, delightedly pouring through each and every detail.
"And here's our little row house we're in right now, and our big new house we'll soon be moving into!"
By the time she sorted through the charms for their children, she was a blubbering mess.
There was one for Allie with her name, June birthdate, and Pearl birthstone; and one for Jack personalized for him with his December birthdate, along with this Turquoise birthstone.
There was even a charm for each of their new twin infants, along with their full names and known names, August birthdates, and Peridot birthstones as well.
"This is extraordinary. And so terribly romantic. Our life is right here on this bracelet! What an extraordinary gift! I didn't even know the twins' birthstones. But now I do! Green for rebirth!"
"Rather fitting, isn't it? Given where we are, soon starting our new lives in our new home."
He took her hands, looking deeply into her breathtaking aquamarine eyes, as though he were looking beyond them into her very soul.
"Darling, I want you to always be surrounded by my love and your children's love. And this is my small way of doing just that!"
"It's perfect," she smiled, then became thoughtful. "You know, a charm bracelet is something I've wanted my whole life, yet I've never imagined it to mean so much! You've commemorated all our important moments here to date, as a couple, and a family, including the births of all our children. You even added Nate and Lily, who were just born this very week!"
"Of course I have. There are six of us now," he said the words so sweetly like it couldn't possibly be any other way. "Well, eight, if we count Romeo and Jules!"
He then couldn't help but laugh, when he pointed to the two Old English Sheepdogs already attached to her bracelet, which she had somehow missed.
She hugged him as though she would never let him go.
"You better beloved they're included, although with so much going on, I thought it was best for Rosemary and Lee to keep them today! But I miss them. Can we get them tomorrow?"
"Of course, we can! I miss them too! But about your new bracelet, we'll add to it as we see fit. All the things important to you, go on your new bracelet!"
"This is a treasure, Nathan, a real treasure to me!"
"Just enjoy, Lizbeth! We'll carry the tradition on for our girls, Allie and Lily, as well as any other girls that might come. But I wanted you to have yours first, and what better time than now to commemorate our precious twins?"
His hands framed her beautiful face, holding the wife he adored while kissing her ever so tenderly.
"I adore you, Nathan Grant! You are my greatest gift and happily, the most romantic man I've ever known. I am the luckiest woman in the whole wide world to have you as my husband and as the father of my children. Thank you, my Love! Allie, Jack, Nate, Lily, and I thank you too. We are so very blessed!"
He took her words in, marveling at their new family, then kissed both her hands so lovingly, very succinctly adding his own words to hers.
"I, Mrs. Grant, am the one who is blessed!"
The smile they gave each other was everything, full of understanding, overflowing with boundless love.
He lay back down by his wife drawing her close to him, enveloping her weary body in his strength.
"Lizbeth, this really is a Fairy Tale, isn't it?" he asked suddenly drowsy, needing sleep more than he realized.
"Yes, my Love, the very best kind. Because it's real!" she mumbled with her head against his heart.
Smiling, despite their exhaustion, the two parents contentedly and quickly fell asleep in each other's arms, both secure in the warmth of their love and their cherished, newly expanding family...
. . .
*39. I Corinthians 13:8 and 13, The Holy Bible, The World English Bible, Public Domain
Postlude
Author's Note:
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed "A Hope Valley Christmas," as you create your own personal memories during this Holy Season.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Kwanzaa.
I Hope your Season is Joyful and Blessed!
Written with much love,
Cinda