So those random days off I thought I was going to use to work on this? Someone at work is out with Covid, so that time off I was offered because we had excess staff with a doc out on vacation? Yeah, guess what happened there... Thank you yet again for your patience.
As you clearly realize, it is their wedding night and honeymoon. I think we all know what I've tried to show and imply here without going beyond the limits of the rating. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I do!
Chapter Fifteen
Nathan couldn't stop the smile that spread across his face. He thought it might be permanently imprinted there, and all because of the woman beside him. Elizabeth was snuggled against his side, seemingly dozing contently after their long day. He shifted his arm and hugged his wife closer, softly kissing the top of her head where it rested against his shoulder. His wife. Even thinking the words made his heart skip and soar.
They were on their way to the resort for their honeymoon weekend, being driven by Mr. Thatcher's own chauffer, Walter Kane. Nathan had suggested they hire a car, rather than taking the man away from his wife and new baby just to drive them an hour out of town and turn back, but both Mr. Kane and William had insisted. And the Mountie in him did find a sense of comfort being driven by someone the Thatcher family obviously trusted.
Nathan looked down, frowning, as he felt Elizabeth stiffen and shudder. "What's wrong?"
She looked up sheepishly. "I was thinking… What if I had listened to my fears instead of my heart? What if I'd married…?"
Nathan flinched as a physical pain shot through his chest at the thought. "Should I be offended you're thinking about him on our wedding day?" he teased, trying to lighten the mood.
Elizabeth turned swiftly, placing a long, gentle kiss on his lips. Then she reached up to caress his face, smoothing the tension away. "You are the man I want, Nathan Grant—today, tomorrow, and always. I love you, and only you."
"So what brought about those less than pleasant thoughts?" he asked gently.
Elizabeth sighed as she snuggled back into his arms. "I was thinking about how happy I am," she said quietly against his chest. "It feels like everything is right in the world, that nothing can hurt me now that I have you. And then I realized how close I came to losing it all. If I had given in to my fears, let myself be drawn in by all of the gifts and grand gestures…. I wouldn't have this."
"What kind of wedding would you and Lucas have had?" He had had many nightmares about that very thing as he watched the suave businessman court Elizabeth. It was always 'nothing but the finest' for her, a sentiment Nathan whole heartedly agreed with but an expense his budget would not allow for. But it turns out she didn't need the finer things; she just wanted the right things.
Elizabeth laughed dryly. "Nothing like ours, I can assure you." She sighed again, shaking her head. "I'm sure Lucas would have insisted on a formal high society wedding, all the glitz and glamour that you and I worked so hard to avoid. It would have been a circus, and a show I'm sure he would have expected my father to pay for."
Nathan and William, on the other hand, had several disagreements over who would pay for their wedding, most of which Mr. Thatcher had won. He saw the paying for dresses, tuxes, flowers, and food as a way of making amends to his daughter. He hadn't put anything towards her first wedding and had barely tolerated her groom. William recognized that he hadn't been the best father, but he was an excellent businessman. Investing monetarily in his daughter's wedding was his way of showing support. This was a venture he believed in, a deal he wanted to see succeed.
"I imagine there would have been lots of bridesmaids representing the finest Hamilton families, regardless of whether they were my friends or not. He would have wanted to wait until after the holidays, so we wouldn't have to share the attention with anything," Elizabeth continued. "And I am certain that Jack would not have been part of the ceremony. Lucas would probably have suggested he not even be there."
Nathan shook his head. To him, it was more meaningful to share the day only with the people closest to them. He couldn't even imagine not having Allie and Jack beside them.
"I'm sure we would have fought over the honeymoon plans, too," Elizabeth admitted, frowning again. "Lucas would have wanted something for just the two of us, like a months-long trip around Europe—or the world—and again at my father's expense. I obviously would want Jack to accompany us."
"You really think he would expect you to leave your child behind?" Nathan asked, appalled.
Elizabeth nodded. "Honestly, yes. I am almost comfortable leaving him with our family for a night or two, so I can get to know my new husband, but I am certainly not going to leave him with a nanny for weeks or months at a time! My sisters and I may have been raised mostly by a governess, but our parents were always there. If they traveled, we went with them. I can't imagine not sharing that kind of experience with my son."
"And you think Lucas would have agreed to that?"
Elizabeth shook her head, skeptic. "Lucas probably would have made another grand gesture, like taking me away for our wedding night or weekend and arranging to have Jack return to Hope Valley with a nanny while we were away.
Nathan frowned, unfortunately in full agreement with her. "I can't see you going along with that…"
"If he sent my child away, AND didn't give me the chance to say good-bye?" Her eyes flashed with ire at the mere thought. "I would have sent word for them to be held at the nearest stop and gotten on the next train to go get my son. I don't like to use my father's name and influence for my own benefit, but sometimes money helps. And I would not allow my child to be sent away."
Nathan held her closer. "I guess it's a good thing you married someone who feels as strongly for your son as you do. I couldn't go without him any more than I could Allie."
Elizabeth smiled and relaxed back into his arms, watching the last of the setting sun glint off her wedding rings. "Did I mention how much I love these?" she asked. "Now I get to have you and the children with me all the time."
Nathan beamed, thrilled that she knew the meaning of the gems. He held his hand up beside hers and watched his own ring gleam. "Do you have any idea how happy this makes me?" he asked. "This says 'I'm taken.' It shows the world that I am all yours."
Elizabeth grinned, reaching out to gently tug the ring from his finger. "I don't know if you saw this or not…"
Nathan saw a flash of red as she held the ring up. Taking it from her, he turned it around to examine more closely, now seeing the tiny ruby embedded inside.
"That's my birthstone," she explained softly. "So, you can keep a piece of me, too."
Nathan caught his breath, his eyes locking with hers. Unable to stop himself, he pulled her into a kiss, telling her without words how much it meant to him. Breaking away after a few minutes only because he needed to breathe, he held her close, pressing her cheek against his racing heart.
Elizabeth took the ring back and slid it once again onto his finger. "Perfect," she breathed, giving him a quick kiss.
"Yes, you are."
They arrived at the resort just after sundown. Mr. Kane parked in the circular driveway in front of the main lodge, and they were quickly greeted by the resort owner, Josiah Campe.
"Welcome, Sir, Madam, to The Retreat at Willow Lake," he called joyfully. "Let's get you settled in your honeymoon suite. It's the charming cabin set back there in the trees."
Mr. Kane offered to drive them, but Mr. Campe declined. "There are no motorized vehicles beyond this driveway," he explained. "The cabin is only accessible by the footpath from the main lodge, by horse, or with a carriage. I know it's a chilly night, but I thought we'd take the carriage up."
Nathan and Elizabeth thanked Mr. Kane for getting them to the resort and bid him a safe trip back to Hamilton. As he pulled away, Mr. Campe returned with the horse-drawn carriage. He removed a large hamper from the back and, refusing Nathan's help with their bags, insisted they settle in. "You'll find some blankets in the bin there. They are wrapped around a couple of fire-warmed bricks, so you'll be nice and cozy." Once they were seated, he tucked the bricks at their feet, adding extra warmth.
When Elizabeth exclaimed over the beauty and craftsmanship of the quilts, Mr. Campe explained that they came from the trading post across the lake. There were a few local items for sale at the lodge, but he suggested they follow the trail out to the trading post for more selection. "If you need a bit of fresh air," he added with a wink.
The path to the cabin, a single lane just wide enough for the carriage, wove through the trees. Nathan and Elizabeth admired the stars shining above the branches and listened to the sounds of nighttime in the forest—the call of an owl, the chatter of squirrels, and in the distance, the howl of a wolf. They were so lost in the peaceful landscape, warm blankets, and loving company that they didn't realize they had reached their destination until the carriage stopped.
As they were exiting, Mr. Campe came around to talk to them. "You won't be disturbed out here, at least by the staff and other guests. I can't promise the wildlife will behave, but I suspect you can handle them. There's a telephone on the table in the parlor—you can call the lodge for room service or assistance, and to be connected to an outside line for personal calls. I understand you have children at home so feel free to check in on them if you need to. My daughter was out here a bit ago to light the fire and the stove, so it should be nice and warm for you inside. There's plenty more firewood in the bins just outside the back door should you need it. I know it's a bit late for dinner, but if you're hungry, there are sandwich things and snacks in the kitchen. Tonight's special was my wife's roast beef, so I'm sure that's what she sent up. You're going to love it. Coffee and tea are in the cupboard next to the stove, cream is in the icebox, and sugar is in the canister on the counter. Just make sure you close it tight—we don't want any little visitors inside for you. You're welcome to join us for meals at the lodge or have them delivered here. The kitchen is open from 6am until about 9pm, but if you think you'll need something outside of those times, we can make arrangements. If you decide to go hiking or venture out to the trading post, there are maps and such at the front desk." He stopped, smiling. "I think that about covers it. Feel free to call or walk down if you need anything."
With another wink and friendly wave, Mr. Campe drove off, leaving Nathan and Elizabeth alone at last. She had only managed a few steps when Nathan swept her up into his arms. "I believe there's a tradition about carrying your bride over the threshold," he explained, nuzzling her cheek as they approached the door.
"Are you going to do this again at the row house when we get home?" she teased.
"And again, when we get the new house built," he promised.
Setting Elizabeth on her feet and locking the door, Nathan wrapped his arms around her as they surveyed their "honeymoon suite". A cheery blaze burned in the large fireplace, while small lamps offered the room a warm glow. The furniture was simple but comfortable, in earthy tones that seemed right at home nestled in the woods as they were.
Elizabeth's eyes kept straying to the telephone on the table, and she couldn't help the small sigh when she realized it was nearly the children's bedtime.
"You want to call them, too, don't you?" Nathan asked. He sat on the loveseat, hugging her against his side as he picked up the receiver. After assuring whoever answered at the switchboard that everything was even better than they'd expected, he asked to be connected to the Thatcher house. It took a few minutes for the call to go through, and Nathan happily greeted Mr. Christiansen before asking to speak to Allie and Jack.
"Hi Dad!" Allie exclaimed when she picked up. "Are you so bored you're calling home already?" she teased.
Nathan laughed, holding the receiver so Elizabeth could hear and talk as well. "Very funny, kiddo. And here we thought we'd call and say good night because we missed you. Maybe we'll just talk to Jack then…"
Allie laughed. "I love you Dad. And you too, Mom. Is the resort as beautiful as Aunt Julie said?"
"It's amazing," Elizabeth replied. "Our cabin is nestled in the trees, and if you look out beyond the lodge, you can see the moon shining on the lake. I imagine there must be all sorts of fish in there to be caught in the warmer weather. We will definitely have to come back here as a family."
"Mama!" they heard in the background as Jack realized they were on the phone. There was shuffling on the kids' end as Allie got him settled in her lap and held the phone for him. "Hi, Mama! Hi Daddy Nathan! I love you!"
They looked at each other in surprise.
"Did he just...?"
"He said my name!"
Allie laughed. "We've been working on "L'" and "TH". That's the first time he's said them right!"
Elizabeth and Nathan both had tears of joy in their eyes as they leaned together to say, "We love you two both so much!" After the usual instructions to behave and listen to their grandparents, they bid the children good-night and sat on the couch, watching the fire and just enjoying being together. The content silence was broken by the rumbling of Nathan's stomach.
"Are you hungry?" Elizabeth teased, her hand sliding down to his belly. She tried to ignore the flutter in her own when she realized how easy and familiar it was to touch him.
Nathan shrugged, trying not to show the almost electric charge he'd felt when she moved her hand down his chest to his abdomen. "I do like roast beef," he replied, staring with exaggerated longing towards their little kitchen. "And it's been hours since we ate at the reception…"
"Come on," she laughed, getting to her feet and pulling him up beside her. "I'll see if I can manage something for you."
Nathan wrapped his arms around her, preventing her from walking the few feet into the kitchen corner. "Why don't we work together? Then we can eat twice as soon."
Throughout the meal and as they cleaned up, they were constantly holding, touching, and leaning on one another, at once excited and shy. Both of them were very aware of what was expected to come next. Finally, as the kisses and caresses became more heated, Elizabeth stepped back. "Perhaps we should turn off the lights?"
Nathan paused. "Elizabeth? What's wrong?"
"I don't want you to be disappointed," she admitted, her eyes downcast. "I've had a baby."
"I know," he chuckled. "He's kind of hard to miss and part of the reason I fell in love with you."
She tried to smile back but couldn't meet his eyes. "I've carried and nursed a child. That leaves marks. What if you don't like what you see?"
Nathan put his hands on either side of her face, resting his forehead against hers but not forcing her to meet his gaze. "Elizabeth, you are the most beautiful woman I've ever met. I love your son, and if nurturing him left scars on your body, I welcome them. They're a sign of your love and sacrifice. If anyone has reason to be nervous, it's me. You've been married. You've done…this before. What if I don't…what if I can't…please you? I know what to do, but…what if I don't do it right?"
Elizabeth finally looked up. "We're quite the pair, aren't we?" she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Yes, I have been intimate with a man. Three years, a pregnancy, and childbirth ago. I'm not the same woman I was then. I don't expect things between us to be the same, and I'm not looking to compare." She took the small step needed to close the last of the distance between them. "And I don't think there's a 'right' way. There's just you, and me, and how we feel about each other."
One kiss led to another, and they found their way, letting nature take its course.
Elizabeth sighed, smiling as Nathan gently moved her hair over her shoulder and softly kissed the side of her neck. She couldn't help the giggle that escaped when she heard his quick inhale of surprise.
"It's a zipper," she explained. "A new invention."
"I've seen them before," he replied, running his finger down its path to the base of her spine. "I just didn't expect to find one on your dress."
Elizabeth blushed. "Mother was scandalized when she saw it. Apparently, the assumption is that it encourages 'loose behavior' by making it easier for clothing to be removed. But as Julie pointed out, you would probably appreciate it, rather than having to deal with dozens of tiny little buttons."
"Julie was right," Nathan replied quietly, slowly easing the zipper down, careful not to snag the fine material around it.
She watched in the mirror as he concentrated, shivering as his touch moved down her spine, his breath warm on the suddenly sensitive skin of her back. With her dress unfastened, he reached for the laces of her corset, easily untying them.
Elizabeth turned quickly, desire making her bold. "My turn." His vest was already unfastened and pushing it from his shoulders, she set to work on the rest of his buttons.
Elizabeth woke as Nathan gently kissed her cheek and slid out of bed, watching silently as he crossed the floor and went out into the other room. She thought she would feel shy waking beside him, nervous or even embarrassed, but discovered she was completely comfortable with the intimacy. Last night had been…incredible. Once they'd gotten past their nerves, they found just how perfect they could be together. She glanced at her suitcase beside the bed and the silky nightgown and robe that Rosemary had gifted her with, neither of which had seen use. Tugging the quilt more snugly around her, she smiled contently as Nathan came back into the bedroom, the slight tang of smoke with him as he'd gone out to check the fire and the stove.
"You're cold," she murmured, seeing the gooseflesh rise on his skin as he dropped his robe on the chair and got back into bed. Pulling the blankets over them both as she wrapped her arms around him, she whispered, "Let me warm you."
Author's note: As my anxiety over the new season ramps up with all the promos and previews, I intend to continue MY version of how things should have gone. No, I will not be watching. Yes, I will be taking my frustrations out on darker Lucas here (I have never liked his character, but really cannot stand Saint Lucas they are now portraying on the show.) And yes, it means my story is likely going to remain focused on Elizabeth and Nathan. I know there are many great characters who have gotten lost in both the show and my version; I guess I just NEED to see Nathan get the kind of love and attention that Hallmark and the writers have refused him.