AN: A year ago tomorrow, I started posting this story. I did not anticipate still posting it a year later. It was suppose to be a fairly short story to present an alternative future to the poorly written Season 8 finale. I have gotten a more positive response to the story than I thought I would and I do plan on continuing it for awhile due to that response. I think it is fitting that on the year anniversary, Elizabeth has fully embraced her new life and a new chapter for the Grants is about to begin. Thank you to all my readers who have reviewed, liked, followed or sent me messages here and in the Sunday Night Serge Facebook page. Your support means a lot. I think this chapter has been anticiapted for the last few weeks. I hope you enjoy!
Though a part of him already missed the kids, as Nathan drove the wagon toward home, he couldn't deny that the bigger part of him was looking forward to having the evening alone with Elizabeth. It felt like a dream come true, though there had been plenty of times he thought an evening like this would only be just that - a dream.
However, Elizabeth's blurted out "I love you," in the train station told him that he had been right all of these years - Elizabeth did feel the same about him as he did her. The fact that they had gone through extra heartache and pain to get here did not matter to him. All it proved was that their love was a love that would endure - like his parents' love. Nathan had often wondered why his mother had never remarried. In those last months in Calgary, Amelia had admitted she had never remarried because despite all Archie had put her through, her heart was still his.
Looking to his left, Nathan's gaze found Elizabeth. His wife sat beside him, as close as she could, without actually being in his lap, with her arm wrapped around him. As he gazed into the blue orbs that reminded him of the sky, Nathan felt only peace and love.
"As much as I love gazing into your eyes," Elizabeth told him with a smile, "shouldn't you be keeping an eye on the horse?"
"Cosmo knows where he is going," Nathan replied, not looking away.
Cosmo was contentedly plodding along the road. He knew where home was, and he was ready to get there.
Elizabeth held his gaze for a few moments. She then reached up and placed a hand gently on his cheek. With gentle pressure she turned Nathan's head forward.
"Just the same, I would prefer it if my husband made sure of that," she told him and then settled her head on his shoulder.
Nathan chuckled. "Yes ma'am," he replied, leaning his cheek against the top of her head.
The two continued the ride home in a comfortable silence, just enjoying being with one another. Reaching home, Nathan pulled the wagon to a stop, in front of the front porch. Securing the reigns, Nathan clamored down from the wagon and hurried around to assist Elizabeth from the seat.
"Thank you," Elizabeth murmured, as she took Nathan's hand and climbed down.
With Elizabeth safely on the ground, Nathan reached into the bed of the wagon for his bag. His plan was to take it inside and then take Cosmo to the barn to get him settled. However as he turned from the wagon to head inside, he found his wife standing there, holding her hand out for the bag.
"Let me take that for you," Elizabeth said. "I will put it up in our room and get dinner started while you get Cosmo settled."
His wife's expression told Nathan not to argue with her. Instead of protesting, he leaned in and kissed her cheek. "I appreciate it," he told her and the climbed back up on the wagon seat. As Elizabeth headed inside, Nathan drove the wagon the short distance to the barn. Parking the wagon in its usual spot, he unhitched Cosmo and took the horse inside. Newton immediately whinnied upon his entrance. As his partner's stall was the first one, Nathan paused in front of it.
"Did you miss me, Newton?" Nathan asked softly, rubbing a hand over his nose. The horse pressed his nose into Nathan's hand in response. Nathan chuckled. "Let me get Cosmo settled and I will come spend some time with you," he promised.
As Nathan walked away, Newton pawed the hay in his stall but otherwise remained calm. Nathan gave Cosmo the attention he needed after pulling the wagon. He then went about making sure all the water troughs were clean and full and fed the animals. He would rather spend the extra time now rather than have to come back out to care for the animals later. Nathan also spent sometime brushing Newton though he did not need it. Elizabeth and Ally had taken good care of the horse while he was gone.
Finally leaving the barn, he spotted Elizabeth standing on the front porch. He waved to her in reassurance. She waved back and then met him at the top of the porch steps.
"You took longer than I anticipated," Elizabeth admitted as she reached out and took his hand.
"Sorry. Newton wanted some attention and I chose to just feed and water the animals now rather than have to go back out later," he told her.
Elizabeth nodded in acknowledgment even as she led him toward the door. "Your bag is in our room and I put dinner in the oven - chicken pot pie."
As he stepped into his home for the first time in the last couple of weeks, Nathan's stomach grumbled at just the thought of the home-cooked meal. "That is my favorite," he confessed.
"I know. I asked Ally," Elizabeth said, looking up at him. Still holding his hand, he led him to the kitchen. Walking to the small shelf where her own journal full of recipes she had collected since coming to Hope Valley sat, Elizabeth pointed to the little wooden box that Amelia Grant had collected family recipes in for years. Though his mother had written down a handful of simple recipes for him when he had left home, and added to it over the years, the box had only come into their possession after her death. When Elizabeth had moved in, Ally had taken the box to her room. Nathan had not questioned the choice, or try to talk Ally out of it. He knew that it had been Ally's way of keeping something special. "She even gave me your mother's recipe for it and brought the box out. All Ally said was that the recipe box really belonged in the kitchen but I knew it was her way of saying she was ready to share something special with me."
Nathan wrapped his arm around Elizabeth's shoulders, seeing the pure joy on her face. "Just a sign that we are a family in every way now," he murmured.
Elizabeth leaned into him. "I think she was just waiting for an indication from me that I was in this relationship fully. After the losses Ally has already suffered, I get it. Seeing that box sitting there though, makes my heart sing with joy every time."
Stepping out of Nathan's half-embrace, Elizabeth moved to the oven. Grabbing a lamp in one hand, she opened the oven to get a look at the pot pie there. "It is fine for now. I'll check it again in another twenty minutes," she said, closing the oven door. "I had Bill come supervise me with it so I knew it would taste good. It just needed to be baked when we got home. My cooking has come a long way since I first came out west but I wanted tonight's dinner to be special."
Nathan stepped forward and placed his hands on her waist. "Just spending it with you is going to make it special, my Beth," he told her, looking down into her eyes. "I love you."
Elizabeth gazed up at him, a wistful smile on her face. "And I you, Nathan Grant," she replied without hesitation. "I planned on us coming home alone, having the pot pie in the oven, and telling you those words for the first time while we sipped wine on the settee in the sunroom. You have waited patiently for so long to hear those words. I wanted it to be special, but then I just go and blurt it out at the train station."
Nathan wanted to laugh. It seemed silly to him because they were the words he had wanted to hear. He didn't care about the setting. He bit back the laughter though because he could see that this was something that truly bothered her.
"Hearing those words was still special, Beth," Nathan assured her. "The fact that you were not afraid to say them in public means a lot to me too."
"Truly?" Elizabeth asked, the one word question a plea.
"Truly," Nathan assured her. "Though sitting on the settee and enjoying a glass of wine with my loving wife before dinner, does sound pleasant."
Elizabeth's face brightened with a smile. "Go have a seat. I will bring the wine," he told them.
Releasing her, but placing a quick kiss on her lips before doing so, Nathan headed for the sunroom. He sat on the settee, stretching long legs out in front of him. Soon, Elizabeth joined him, handing him a wine glass. She settled beside him, snuggled against his side with one of his arms about her shoulders.
"Just don't let me forget about the pot pie," Elizabeth told him.
"I won't," Nathan told her. "We can't let pot pie go to waste."
The two shared a soft chuckle and then began to talk while sipping on their wine.
"I think he finally fell asleep, Grandpa," Ally said quietly from the arm chair she sat in, stroking the feathers of the duck that sat in her lap.
Jack had been fine most of the evening. They had played games until it was time for dinner. Archie had let the children help him make a casserole. While the casserole was cooking, Archie helped Jack, challenge his sister, to Old Maid. Archie had then taken them to the café for dessert. Upon returning from the café, they had created a blanket tent in the living room, as all three of them were going to 'camp out' for the night. Jack had made it halfway through his bedtime story before he broke down missing his mama. Picking the boy up, Archie had started walking circles around the room while rubbing Jack's back - just like he had done with Nathan when his son was Jack's age. Nate had been following Archie until Ally had picked up the duck and sat with him in the chair.
Archie looked down at Jack. His grandson's eyes were closed and his cheek tear stained as his head rested on Archie's shoulder. Reaching the opening for their blanket tent, Archie placed the boy gently on top of his blanket formed with quilts. Thankfully, Jack didn't stir, not even when Nate, who had squirmed away from Ally, snuggled up beside him, his head rest on Jack's chest. Though Archie had planned on the duck sleeping in his crate, right then he didn't have the heart to move the duck. Climbing from under the blanket stretched between chairs, Archie got to his feet.
"As I've said before, that kid has a set of lungs," Ally quipped.
Archie smiled. "That he does," he agreed. "Let's hope a good rest will agree with him. What would you like to do before you and I call it a night?"
"Could you tell me a story about Mom and Uncle Nathan when they were kids?" Ally asked.
"Sure," Archie said, his smile growing bigger. He wasn't sure if he enjoyed telling the stories more than Ally enjoyed hearing them or vice versa. "How about we go sit on my bed? We can leave the door open to listen for these two but we hopefully won't disturb them."
Ally, a smile equaling Archie's, nodded her agreement. Grandfather and granddaughter headed toward the apartments one bedroom. Though the blanket and pillows were out in the living room, Ally and Archie sat side by side on the bed. Archie told Ally two funny stories about his son and daughter. It was remembering stories like these that had helped keep his spirits up during his incarceration. Sitting there with his granddaughter, Archie remembered sitting on his bed in his cell, wondering if he would ever get to see his granddaughter. He had known Nathan was not going to see him in jail. His son had been too hurt by his actions. Other than the letter to say that Colleen had passed and he was taking custody of Ally, Nathan had never written to him. That had always been Colleen. Knowing that if he wanted to fix things with his son that it was on him, Archie had started to talk to the prison chaplain about the process of forgiveness and how he might go about getting family to forgive him for his mistakes. The chaplain had told him that the first step was asking for God's forgiveness and then the second was figuring out how to forgive himself and resolving to put that way of life behind him. It hadn't been easy, but he had gotten there. After getting out, he had found his friend, Donnie Edmonds, who had been released earlier. He had asked his friend if it was possible if he could pay back some of the money he had owed him. He hadn't thought twice when Donnie had paid him, but perhaps he should have. Perhaps if he had, Donnie wouldn't have ended up back in jail. Then again, perhaps Nathan being part of the process of proving his innocence when it came to the missing necklace from Benson Hill had been the only way his son could accept that he really had changed.
"Grandpa, are you all right?"
Ally's question broke through Archie's thoughts. Looking down at the girl beside him, Archie noted the worried look she wore. Wrapping a hand around her shoulders, he gave his granddaughter a half hug.
"I am fine," Archie assured her. "Just got lost in my own thoughts. Where was I with the story?"
"You had gotten to Uncle Nathan hiding some of Mom's things so she wouldn't go on her first sleep over," Ally reminded him.
"Ah yes," Arche said, "So, Nathan thought if he hid things important to Colleen his sister wouldn't go spend the night with her friends. I think he was about five at the time and he idolized your mother . . . "
Nathan awoke from his slumber with a very peaceful feeling. He could not remember a time when he had felt this happy. A weight on his chest brought his attention to the brown head that was using him for a pillow. That act itself was not totally new but the feel of her slender fingers on his bare chest was. With the hand wrapped around her, he ran his fingers across the silky material of the new nightgown Elizabeth wore.
After supper, they had taken care of the few dishes together. At Elizabeth's suggestion, they had decided to take the chocolate-covered strawberries she had asked Bill to make, to the settee in the living room to enjoy. Nathan had agreed to it. Elizabeth had handed him the tin of the treats and told him to go relax on the settee as she just wanted to change into something more comfortable.
He had not put up a protest, thinking it had been a long day for the both of them. As he had settled on the settee, he had undone a second button on his shirt and helped himself to one of the strawberries. They were just too much of a temptation to wait. Nathan had just finished the treat when he heard footsteps approaching.
Having expected Elizabeth to change into one of her usual nightgowns and be wearing her robe, Nathan felt his jaw dropped when he saw her. The sleek white material of the knee length nightgown clung to her body like a second skin. He didn't have to imagine the curves of her body as they were all on full display for him. The short sleeves of the nightgown had lace lining them, as did the hem of the nightgown. A sheer material billowed behind her from a cape wrapped around her shoulders. As the cape was see through, Nathan knew it couldn't serve any practical purpose but wouldn't deny it added to his wife's sensual appearance.
As Elizabeth came to him, Nathan reached for one of her hands and gently guided her into his lap. "I know I have never seen that nightgown before," he told her.
Elizabeth's cheeks were an attractive rosy pink as she replied. "I had Rosemary make it to surprise you with."
"It is a very nice surprise," Nathan told her, before capturing her lips with his. There was no hesitation as Elizabeth return the gesture. Her fingers found the hair on the back of his head.
The next couple of hours had been spent on the settee with Elizabeth in his lap. In between kisses they had fed each other chocolate-covered strawberries and talked. When they had finally come upstairs, the experience had been like nothing they had shared before. While before Nathan had always felt that though willing, Elizabeth had been holding a piece of herself back, tonight he knew that his wife's entire being was in the actions they shared together.
A soft touch on his cheek brought Nathan out of his thoughts. Shifting his gaze slightly he could make out his wife's face in the pale moonlight that came through the window, neither of them having thought to pull the blind. Only one reason Nathan was thankful for no close neighbors.
"I didn't mean to wake you," Nathan told her softly.
"I don't mind," Elizabeth replied, honestly. "What is on your mind?"
Nathan could hear the sincerity in her voice. This wasn't Elizabeth asking because it was the right thing to do. This was her asking because she genuinely wanted to know.
"You of course," Nathan replied, placing a kiss on her nose that made his wife giggle. "I was just reliving our evening in my mind."
"What if we freshen up that memory?" Elizabeth asked, shifting enough in his arms so that she could place some kisses on his neck just under his chin.
Wrapping her in both arms, Nathan pulled his wife flush to his body. "That sounds like a good idea to me," he told her, more than happy to forego sleep for one night for this experience with his wife.
When Elizabeth awoke the second time, the moon had gone and the sun was in the process of taken it's place. Her head rose and fell with the gentle motion of Nathan's peaceful breathing. She could hear his heart beat beneath her. A quiet sigh escaped her.
If there could be a heaven on Earth, this was it.
Unlike the other times she had let Nathan make love to her, this had been pure bliss for her. Not that she regretted those other times. She had been giving her husband what he needed from the relationship and she had given it willingly. This time though she hadn't just been giving but had been open to receiving the love as well. She knew that being fully open and accepting of Nathan's love was what had made the difference.
This was what she had been robbing them all from in her fear. Lord, please help me to be worthy of this man's love, she prayed silently as she remained where she was, just enjoying this quiet moment. They would both need to get up soon. The animals needed fed, and they needed to get dressed and have their breakfast before Ellen and the children began to arrive for classes. Archie had promised to feed the kids and bring them out in time for Ally to join classes.
"I wish we didn't have to get up."
Nathan's quiet comment made Elizabeth smile. She shifted carefully in his arms so that she could look at him.
"I would be content to stay here with you in my arms all day," Nathan continued.
"No, you wouldn't. Your stomach would eventually have you looking for food," Elizabeth countered.
"Maybe so," Nathan admitted, lifting his head from his pillow so that he could give her a quick kiss. "Still, it is a nice thought."
"I'm sorry . . ."
Elizabeth let the words drift off as Nathan shook his head, a stern but loving look, in his eyes. One that she had often seen when he was reprimanding or lecturing Ally.
"No more apologies, Beth. The past is in the past. Let's close the book and just cherish the good memories and embrace this next chapter of our lives."
Elizabeth nodded. "I am so happy that this chapter is going to be with you," she told him genuinely.
Placing a quick kiss of her own on his lips, Elizabeth climbed from the bed. The air was much cooler than under the blanket next to her husband had been and she shivered.
"This nightgown is not made for cool weather," Elizabeth murmured reaching for her robe to put it on.
"If it is any consolation that nightgown was my favorite part of the evening," Nathan told her.
Elizabeth felt her cheeks grow warm, despite the smile that came to her face. It was nice to know that her husband saw and appreciated her.
"I am going to go start breakfast," Elizabeth told him, tying the sash around her waist.
"I will be down shortly," Nathan told her.
Nodding, Elizabeth slipped her feet into her slippers and headed out of the room. After stopping in the water closet, she would head downstairs and cook breakfast for her husband. A husband who loved and appreciated her.
This was what Jack had hoped for her in his parting letter.