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Chapter One hundred and Twenty-nine
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More Precious Than Gold
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Jack's comment about not wanting to miss things was a good introduction for Nathan's final gift to Elizabeth. Kneeling before her he leaned one hand on the chair and stretched to find the box he had hidden behind it. As he placed the golden-beribboned gift on her lap, Nathan spoke softly, "This, my Love, is for you."
With motherly intuition, Ruth and Grace instinctively spread their arms wide, motioned to quiet the room and nodded to Nathan and Elizabeth. Everyone stilled and watched.
Elizabeth sensed the solemnity and the joy in this gift and, searching Nathan's eyes, blushed a pretty pink. The box wasn't the shape she expected, but knowing her relationship with Nathan, nothing had been as expected! She slowly untied the wide golden ribbon and unfolded the wrapping paper. "Nathan! Oh, Honey! This is beautiful… a jewelry box of my own… and with Cardinals… our two Cardinals together… it's just so perfect…" Tears formed as Elizabeth tried to express herself.
Nathan wiped her tears with his thumbs as he tilted her face to kiss her forehead. Leaning back on his heels, he let his hands fall to her forearms. "Open it."
Inside the box, which was lined with dark green velvet, Elizabeth saw two tiny envelope packets. One had an 'N' written on it and the other an 'E' which she held to her chest. Lifting the other one she asked, "Is this one from you or for you?"
"It's for me to give to you, but open that one first, please?"
As Elizabeth unfolded the envelope she was unaware that Nathan had changed his position. He was now on one bent knee, his eyes focused on her even as he unfolded the paper packet he kept hidden in his palm. As she began to read silently, Nathan spoke the same words aloud.
"Lisbeth?
May I have this moment for the rest of my life?"
"The clock ticks away the minutes
and the hourglass sand sifts through an hour.
The sun's path lights a day
while the moon marks a month.
The calendar page displays a year
of past, present and future.
Yet, of all this time, that which I treasure most
is when I am loving you.
Near or far, and for always,
my heart is yours, Lisbeth."
"May I cherish this moment for the rest of my life?"
Nathan took Elizabeth's left hand in his and continued as she lifted her eyes to meet his.
"I love you with all that I am and ask you to be my wife.
If you answer 'Yes,' I am a man most blessed.
My dearest Love, will you marry me?"
"Yes!" Elizabeth's response came with a sob as joyful tears spilled and they came together in a long and loving kiss, wrapped in each other's arms.
The loving couple were unaware that gasps and sighs and their family's joyful tears filled the room as they watched. Allie, crying herself, had to hold Jack in a tight hug to keep him from interrupting this special moment.
Upon parting, Elizabeth stretched out her fingers and Nathan placed her ring, sliding it over her knuckle before kissing it and looking at her. He watched her stare at the diamonds on her hand. One larger, centered round diamond was set between two smaller matching diamonds. It was simple, not small nor overly large, and just perfect. She glanced into Nathan's adoring eyes. "Does this represent the children, Honey?"
Grateful she understood and so full of joy that his Elizabeth now wore that promise on her hand, Nathan nodded as he allowed his own tears to overflow. The lovers were lost in each other's gaze until a soft applause began to surround them.
Finally escaping Allie's hold, Jack ran to them and excitedly questioned. "Are you going to marry Mommy?"
Nathan and Elizabeth smiled, then Nathan turned to hold his arm out to Jack. "Jack, may I have your permission to marry your precious Mommy? I promise I will always love and take care of her."
"Permission? Mine?" Momentarily serious, Jack questioned. "Will you be my Daddy?"
"I will. Your Daddy and Allie's Daddy."
"Yes! Yay!" To be sure, Jack paused to check again. "You'll be my Daddy and I will be your boy?"
Nodding at Jack, Nathan responded "Yes, Son," then looked at Allie who by then had joined them and knelt beside her father. "I have your permission too, right Allie? We will be a family, together?"
Nodding, Allie wept and could hardly choke out, "Yes."
Once she collected herself, Allie whispered through glistening eyes as she sought Elizabeth. "Will you be my Mom now?"
Her arm around Allie, Elizabeth vowed. "I will, Allie. I promise to always love you and care for you and, if you will have me, be your mom. I will never replace the mother who gave you birth, who gave us the beautiful gift of you, Sweetheart, but I will be your mom and you will be the daughter of my heart."
"Oh good!" Relieved and turning to Jack, Allie spoke softly. "Jack? I'll be your sister and you'll be my brother now!"
"I get a Daddy and a Sister and Brother too?"
Everyone tried their best not to laugh, but Allie took care of the answer matter-of-factly. "I'll be your sister and you'll be my brother. Maybe someday you'll have a little brother or sister too though." Allie grinned and with sparkling eyes looked from her Dad to her new Mom.
The family of four hugged and allowed joyful tears to fall amidst joy and laughter and kisses.
Soon words of 'congratulations' and 'blessings' and comments of 'how beautiful,' and 'so precious,' and 'how privileged we are to witness this' encircled the room. Unaware that Peter had taken the camera and snapped a few photographs of the special moments, Nathan & Elizabeth would later have another precious gift. The gift of remembering the moment forever captured on film.
Allie gently touched the diamonds as Elizabeth, mesmerized by the sparkling diamonds on her hand, twisted and turned her hand to allow the sunlight to catch the gem and send a prism's colors dancing around the room. Lifting her eyes to her fiancé, Elizabeth had a question. "When did you get this, Nathan? While I was home, packing to leave Hope Valley?"
Bill coughed from across the room, but said nothing.
With a half-smile and twinkling eyes, "I purchased that ring on one of my trips to Union City, Lisbeth. I have kept that for you ever since!"
Bill couldn't wait another minute. "Ask him where he kept it hidden!"
Confused, Elizabeth glanced back at Bill then to Nathan. "Where?"
Chuckling Nathan explained. "In the rifle cabinet in the RCMP office."
Elizabeth held her hand to her heart. "Nathan! In the gun cabinet? Was that safe?"
"It was safe from everyone except a certain inquisitive Judge who assisted with an arrest on one occasion. Not much gets past his eagle eye!" Nathan was grinning. "This little packet was hidden behind a loose board for a few years."
"Yes, and I had to remind him to collect it before he moved to Regina!" Bill was exultant and thoroughly enjoying this.
"Bill Avery! You inquired, yes, but I had already retrieved it. I had not forgotten, although I wasn't sure if it would ever be needed." Nathan grasped both of Elizabeth's hands. "I am so thankful you are truly mine now…my wife-to-be!"
Elizabeth extracted one hand to place it behind Nathan's neck and pull him in for another kiss.
"My dearest husband-to-be. Thank you for patiently waiting for me and for planning ahead to purchase this perfect ring. It spoke to you when you saw it?"
"No..." Nathan drew out the word. "I designed it and had it made just for you, my Love. This is our reminder of how our life is beginning as a family. You and I as one, and our first two children."
More tears overflowed as Elizabeth was again reminded of how special, thoughtful and romantic her Nathan was. She patted his cheek and held it tenderly. "Precious and perfect, my Love. Yet you are of more value than these gemstones, and more precious than gold."
Nathan stood and held his hand out to Elizabeth who, reaching for it, curled her fingers around his and stood to embrace him.
Nodding to each other, Ruth and Grace stood while Archie reached over the chair for the jewelry box. Bringing it to the ladies, the family gathered around to examine Nathan's artistry.
"Stunning, isn't it?" Ruth questioned proudly. "He has such a gift."
Archie chuckled, "So many gifts! My son is quite a fella!"
"I told you I hoped we would be a family soon, Arch!" William clapped Archie on the back.
"You did and you are stuck with us now!" Archie teased.
"Yes, all of us!" Zach had joined the groups and peered over his father's shoulder. "Wow! That is fine workmanship. Nathan is amazing!"
Reaching back, Archie wrapped his arm around his younger son's shoulders. "All my children are amazing and artistic! That includes you too, Zach."
While the family was distracted by the carving, Nathan discreetly pulled Elizabeth into the hallway for a few private moments.
"Were you surprised, Lisbeth?"
"I was. Yet I knew you would ask so I was trying to be patient! There were a few times lately when I thought this might be the moment, but as we were with the family this morning? I thought that this was not the time because your gift wasn't the expected shape or size." Elizabeth giggled. "But I was surprised when you began to say what you had written and then I looked up and it's all a blur now! A happy, happy blur!" Elizabeth held Nathan's gaze. "Thank you for this gorgeous and meaningful ring, Honey… And thank you for loving me."
Soon the bustle of activity encompassed both the living room and the kitchen as the brunch preparations began.
Rejoining the family in the kitchen, Elizabeth showed her engagement ring to the ladies and received loving hugs from each one. "The ring is stunning, Sweetheart. Obviously Nathan loves you very much and that blesses my heart." Grace hugged her daughter and then released her into Ruth's arms.
"He did well, Honey. I guess you know by now that much of what Nathan does has undercurrents or hidden meanings." Ruth added. "He is sensitive and a deep, thoughtful man and his love is strong and dependable. I am thrilled to have you join our family. You and Jack both!"
Carol and Julie were both admiring the ring at the same time.
"This is elegant in its simplicity, Elizabeth. That Nathan is a keeper!" Julie said appreciatively, blushing as Nathan entered the kitchen.
"Oh he sure is!" Elizabeth grinned at him while she showed the ring to Hudson.
"Congratulations, Bessie!" Hudson waved the spoon in the air. "Nathan? You too. You make a beautiful couple and family!"
Suddenly, William, Archie and Zach were in the kitchen as well, having cleaned up all the wrappings and organized the piles of gifts.
"Let's see that sparkler, Bessie! Beautiful, Nathan." William wrapped his arm around Nathan's shoulders. "Good taste in jewelry and in a wife! All God's blessings, Son. I am overjoyed, as you already know!"
"Thank you, William. I am blessed. That is for certain!" Nathan responded, then welcomed his brother's congratulatory hug. "Well, our family expands, Zach, eh?"
"It sure does and it is thrilling!" Zach leaned back and Nathan saw shining eyes. "God is so good!"
"Amen to that!" Peter interjected. "Congratulations, Nathan. All of this is an answer to prayers, some of which we hardly imagined would come true!" Hugging Elizabeth, Peter and Carol stood together.
Carol added. "And your ring is gorgeous, Sweetheart. A daily reminder of God's grace and His perfect gifts."
"Uh, folks? It's a tad crowded in here. Can you retire to the dining room to wait? Hudson and I will bring in the food soon." Bill flipped another batch of pancakes. "Elizabeth? Remember I still need to see that sparkler on your finger!" He grinned as she hesitated in the doorway. "Go. I'll see it as we eat!" He waved the spatula at her.
Gathered around the table, Peter asked William to do the honors.
"Heavenly Father,
We are awestruck by all your blessings. We are so thankful for so much!
Thank you first for sending your Holy Son to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life, to make the Way for us to be your children, to give us Light and to reveal Truth, and to bless us with Eternal Life.
Thank you that we are all together today to celebrate as a family, united by bonds of love and our shared faith.
Thank you for the delicious feast before us and for the contributions of each one who has made this meal and this day so special.
And finally, we give thanks for bringing Nathan and Elizabeth, Allie and Jack together. Our hearts overflow with happiness and we love them so much.
Bless this food and bless each one around this table today.
In Your Holy Name we pray, Amen."
After the "Amen" circled around the table, multiple conversations began as the platters of cranberry-apple pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon, a bowl of fresh fruit salad, and another of hot fruit compote were passed. Baskets of cinnamon raisin scones, along with clotted cream and ruby red raspberry jam were shared and plates overflowed.
During the meal, William remembered that Nathan's intention was to ask on New Year's. "Nathan? Did you plan on asking Elizabeth today?" William was curious.
"Not until last night. I had been planning to ask on New Year's Eve, but it just seemed right. We've waited a long time, so I am thankful your presence made it even more special today." Nathan leaned over and kissed Elizabeth's cheek. Chuckling Nathan added, "I can't always be predictable you know! Have to have some surprises, right?"
"Grandpa and me love surprises!" Jack grinned at Archie. "Daddy? Are there more surprises?"
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