AN: I think this is a chapter people have been waiting for - at least the ending. Thanks to Katie to for taking time out of her holiday plans to make corrections. Hope the background for the family owning the cafe helps that storyline feel better for you, even though I didn't have a chance to ask before posting.
To my USA readers, Happy Memorial Day weekend. Be safe while celebrating and enjoy your alcohol responsibly!
As soon as the door shut behind the rest of her family, Elizabeth made a beeline for the closet. Nathan chuckled as he watched his wife. "You remind me of Ally on Christmas morning. She prefers to go for the tree rather than the breakfast table."
"What can I say, a surprise is always a big temptation for me," Elizabeth replied, not letting her husband's amusement deter her actions. Reaching the closet, she opened the doors. Hanging in the closet was a lovely mauve gown and a tuxedo. Elizabeth gasped as she reached out and touched the smooth silk of the gown. "It is beautiful," she murmured.
Reaching past her, Nathan pulled an envelope from one of the tuxedo's pockets. Opening it, he found a sheet of paper and what appeared to be two tickets. Unfolding the sheet, he began to read the words written there.
Dear Elizabeth and Nathan,
I apologize now if I am being overbearing but it is just the mother in me. I know your marriage did not start out as conventional but even during that first visit to Hope Valley I could see the love it contained. The two of you should be able to enjoy that love a little. I know Elizabeth will enjoy the tickets to the theater and Nathan, I hope you do as well. Knowing that you might not have packed for such an occasion, I have provided clothes for the evening should you choose to go. I have arranged for Madame Belle to stop by at three to check fit and make any necessary alterations.
Merry Christmas!
Love,
Grace and William
"What are the tickets too?" Elizabeth asked, her eyes still on the gown. Nathan had no doubt she would look lovely in it.
"A Christmas Carol," Nathan told her, after a glance at the tickets. "Kind of ironic, isn't it? With Rosemary doing her own production?"
"No matter how hard she tries, Rosemary won't be able to make it quite the same," Elizabeth said. She finally turned from the gown to face him. Reaching out, she grabbed his forearm and looked up at him. "Oh, Nathan, I know dressing up fancy isn't exactly your thing but please tell me we can go! It has been so long since I have attended the theater."
Nathan chuckled. Reaching up with his free hand, he laid his palm gently against her cheek. "I think your mother knew by mentioning that she knew you would enjoy it that I would not be able to refuse you," he replied. "Of course we can go, but let me warn you now that Ally is going to want to hear all about it."
"Good, because I am going to want to talk about it, I am sure," Elizabeth replied, letting go of his arm and moving closer to embrace him. "I also have no doubt you are going to look very fine in the tuxedo."
Nathan smiled, wrapping his arms around his wife, letter and tickets still held in one hand. "I hope you know how to fix the bow tie because I don't."
"I do," Elizabeth said, the words slightly muffled as she relaxed against him. Neither one moved for a while, just content to be in one another's arms.
With his chin still resting on the top of Elizabeth's head, Nathan noted the time on the clock by the bed. Remembering the last part of his mother-in-law's note, Nathan let out a little sigh, reluctant to make the suggestion he was about to make.
"Though I would be quite happy to stay just like this for hours, it is twenty of three," Nathan stated, lifting his chin from his wife's head.
"So?" Elizabeth inquired, her voice revealing no concern.
"Your mother said that she arranged for a Madame Belle to stop by at three to check the fitting of the clothes," Nathan reminded her. "You did say you wanted to go, so ignoring the front desk when the call up that we have a visitor might not be the best course of action."
Elizabeth gasped, letting go of him quickly as she stepped back. "Oh, there is no way I can unpack in twenty minutes!" she gasped. "Whatever will Madame Belle think when she sees the room this way?"
Nathan refrained from laughing. Though the name meant nothing to him, it was clear that in Elizabeth's Hamilton social circle, Madame Belle was an important person. "Maybe that we just arrived and haven't had a chance to unpack yet," Nathan calmly replied instead. "Would it be better to look like we were in the process of unpacking when she arrives, or should we just wait until she leaves to unpack?"
Elizabeth stopped looking around the room frantically and her gaze settled on him. "You are laughing silently to yourself, aren't you?"
"I will never tell," Nathan said, with a completely straight face.
Elizabeth laughed lightly. "Maybe I am overreacting," she admitted. "It's just that everyone my mother knows shops at Madame Belle's shop. I just don't want to end up being gossip tomorrow."
"Well, if your mother was worried about unpacked bags being gossiped about, I think she would have stayed to help us unpack, don't you think."
Elizabeth nodded. "You make a good point," she admitted.
"So, why don't you step into the water closet and freshen up a bit before she arrives, so you feel presentable. I will call down and see if it is possible to get some light refreshments from room service in case Madame Belle wants something while she works."
"All right," Elizabeth replied, seeming a bit calmer. Remembering her mother's whispered words, she claimed the box from the shelf in the closet. "My mother said this was from just her so I will just see what it is while I freshen up," she said, her feet already taking her in the direction of the water closet.
Giving her reaction, Nathan had an inkling as to what Elizabeth thought might be in the box. "You know I heard once that the secret to a good marriage is to not keep secrets from one another," Nathan said lightly as he watched her disappear into the water closet.
"I will share when the time is right, Mr. Grant," Elizabeth replied, looking in his direction before shutting the door. There was a pretty flush to her cheeks which Nathan rejoiced in, given how pale she had looked during most of the train ride east.
While Elizabeth was freshening up, Nathan arranged for some refreshments to be available and made sure the bags were out of the way. The bellhop with the refreshments showed up just before the call from the desk that Madame Belle had arrived. Nathan gave permission for the lady to be shown up. Hanging up the phone, he was about to let Elizabeth know the seamstress was on the way up when his wife stepped from the water closet.
"Madame Belle is being shown up," Nathan told her. "So, what exactly am I supposed to do during this visit?" Nathan asked, unsure of the correct terminology.
"Simply try on the tuxedo and follow Madame Belle's instructions. She'll make sure the garment fits you like it was designed exactly for you," Elizabeth assured him.
"Sounds simple enough," Nathan replied as a knock sounded on the door to the room. Turning, he went to answer it.
During the next hour, Elizabeth struggled not to laugh at how out of place Nathan looked. As amusing as it was to her, she had a feeling it was anything but to him. Still, he did all that was asked of him without complaint, including taking the tuxedo on and off several times as Madame Belle made the alterations there in the room.
Fitting her gown, was easier, as the woman had made gowns for Elizabeth before. There were only a few alterations to be made, which was completed on the first ry.
While Nathan changed back into the tuxedo for what Elizabeth hoped for his sake would be the last time today, she sat at the table sipping lemonade and making small talk with Madame Belle, much like she had when she would shop for all her dresses at the woman's shop. They talked of fashion and of the people they both knew. She was thankful that the seamstress made no mention of Lucas, whom she had met briefly when they had dropped Jack off with her parents for their honeymoon. They had not been in the shop long when Lucas had somehow insulted Madame Belle, who had calmly asked Elizabeth to not bring him back to her shop. Elizabeth had been too embarrassed to ask for details from either one of them, and as Madame Belle had not picked the subject up, neither did Elizabeth.
The click of the water closet door brought the conversation to an end. Both women looked in that direction as Nathan stepped out again, looking stiff as he held his arms slightly up from his side.
"Well?" Nathan asked, as Madame Belle got to her feet.
"Turn slowly, please," the woman requested, her experienced eyes taking in the fit of the garment as Nathan followed the request. As he faced her again, Madame Belle smiled. "Now I am satisfied for you to tell people you got the tuxedo from my shop."
"Thank the Lord," Nathan murmured softly as his posture slumped. Realizing that the seamstress might find the reaction offensive, Elizabeth watched the apologetic expression replace the relief. "I do appreciate the time you put into this and the fact that you came to the hotel to do this," he added quickly.
Madame Belle waved her hand dismissively, an easy smile on her face. "Most men find my fittings tedious, but you, my dear, did so without complaining." She looked toward Elizabeth. "This one is definitely a keeper, my dear."
Elizabeth beamed. "I think so too," she replied immediately taking pleasure in being able to make Nathan blush at the exchange of words.
"Do we owe you anything, Madame Belle?" Nathan asked.
"You do not," the woman replied. "The Thatchers took care of all expenses. Told me to tell you it was their Christmas present to you. Feel free to go change into clothes you feel comfortable in, Nathan. I will just collect my things and be on my way. The hotel staff will help arrange my transportation."
Nathan said a farewell to Madame Belle before quickly disappearing back into the water closet. Elizabeth helped the seamstress gather her belongings and then saw her to the door. Closing the door behind her, Elizabeth turned to face into the room. The tuxedo and gown were hanging once again in the closet but nothing else had been unpacked. Not liking the idea of living out of her luggage for the next few days, Elizabeth moved toward the bags Nathan had moved to one corner of the room. She was relieved that she and Nathan had packed the bags for their hotel stay and the rest of their things in a trunk that her parents had taken to their home. Still, they were not going to unpack themselves.
It wasn't long before Nathan came out and started helping her with the task.
"Elizabeth, would you mind if supper is room service tonight?" Nathan asked as they put clothes away. "Between traveling, dinner with your folks, and that tuxedo fitting, I just don't have it in me to put on dress clothes and a tie and eat in that fancy dining room tonight."
"I get it," Elizabeth admitted, glancing over at her husband who had donned his everyday clothes for Hope Valley. "But I have a different suggestion than room service. There is a little café about three blocks from here called the Shining Star Café. The atmosphere there is very casual and the food was always simple home cooked fare. I spent quite a few afternoons there growing up as a friend's parents owned it. Last I heard, Margaret was running the café herself with her husband. I haven't been back there since the first time I came home after leaving for Coal Valley."
"That sounds like something I can handle," Nathan told her. "But from what I have seen of your family, it doesn't sound like something any of you would know about," he commented. "No, offense."
Elizabeth chuckled. "None taken. I understand, but the Shining Star Café was started by a good friend of Richard Montclair's. The Montclairs are good friends of my parents. Matthew Chastain's parents ran and operated a winery and the two men met at college. Upon graduation, Matthew officially refused to enter the family business and was disowned."
Seeing Nathan shake her head, Elizabeth expected him to say something. When he didn't she continued. "Matthew came to Hamilton, staying with Richard Montclair while working. He met Abbey shortly after. Abbey's dream was to reopen a café that her parents had been forced to close a few years earlier. That dream also became Matthew's, who married Abbey and then saved to buy the building the café had been in. Though Richard offered to help his friend out, Matthew refused, wanting to prove to his parents that he could start a business on his own. Margaret was three when her parents finally opened the Shining Star Café. Renovations were done by the Montclairs construction company at material cost, the only help Richard would accept from his friend. The Chastains also accepted the offer from the Montclairs to pay for schooling for their two girls, allowing Margaret and Elise to attend the same school as us. Richard Montclair always holds business meetings at the café and uses his influence for people who otherwise would not bother eating at the café to frequent it. Even my father uses it for some business meetings. As teens, my friends and I enjoyed spending time after school there. To me, it felt like a break from always being on display in society. I think our parents were happy knowing that the Chastains would provide adequate supervision for us while in the café."
"Apparently a part of you was longing for the simpler way of life like you found in Hope Valley even while you still lived in Hamilton," Nathan remarked.
"Apparently so," Elizabeth admitted. "Those times at the café were always special to me. Bringing Lucas there never crossed my mind. I knew he wouldn't understand and just think the place beneath him."
"Well, I think it may become my favorite place in Hamilton," Nathan said, reaching out for her hand and giving it a comforting squeeze.
Elizabeth smiled. "Good. Let's finish unpacking and then contact Harold for a ride over. It is much too cold to walk even that short of a distance."
"All right," Nathan agreed.
With plans made, their task took on a new sense of purpose and went quickly after that. A quick call to Harold's room and the driver promised to meet them promptly outside with the car. Having picked up Elizabeth at the café many times when she was younger, Harold knew exactly where he was going. Nathan and Elizabeth invited Harold to join them for the meal. He declined to eat with them, but did consent to having his own meal at the counter while he waited to drive them back.
The Shining Star Café was the same as Elizabeth remembered it. Other than a fresh coat of paint, nothing had seemed to change.
"This does feel like Abigail's," Nathan commented as he looked around the café from their corner table after they had placed their orders. "I hope the food is as good."
"I am sure it still is," Elizabeth said. She was about to continue but a voice calling out her name stopped her. Looking in the direction of the shout, Elizabeth saw her friend Margaret hurrying in their directions.
Getting to her feet, Elizabeth greeted her friend with a hug.
"I was starting to think you had forgotten about this place," Margaret said as the two friends stepped back from their embrace.
"I am sorry it's been so long," Elizabeth said, not wanting to admit to her friend what she had to Nathan about not feeling comfortable bringing Lucas here. But that was all in the past. "My family and I are visiting my parents for Christmas. My parents actually have them at their house already while my husband and I are sharing a belated honeymoon. Margaret Reed, I would like you to meet my husband, Nathan Grant," she said, motioning to Nathan who had rose to stand beside her. "Nathan, my friend Margaret."
"This is a lovely café you have, Margaret," Nathan said, as he took the woman's hand and placed a kiss to the back of it.
"Thank you," Margaret replied. "It is a pleasure to meet you," she told Nathan. "As for the care, my parent's started it. I waited tables some as a teen and when I expressed interest in running the café, my father insisted I take some business courses. Which I did, and they have come in handy. Running this place is a full-time job, but I love doing it."
"Loving what you do makes work seem a little less like work," Nathan remarked.
"That it does," Margaret admitted. "You two be seated," she added, motioning them back to their chairs. "Dinner tonight is on me. Consider it a late wedding present."
Elizabeth opened her mouth to protest but Margaret didn't give her a chance to speak.
"I haven't yet been able to give my friend a wedding present for one of her weddings. Let me do this."
Elizabeth looked to Nathan who nodded. "We appreciate it," Elizabeth finally told her friend.
"So, you mentioned kids. I know you have Little Jack from your first marriage but how many other children do the two of you have."
"Just one more," Nathan replied. "I've had custody of my niece since she was four and just recently adopted her. After we were married, Elizabeth adopted her too. Ally just turned fifteen in October."
"And Jack is . . . "
"He'll be turning five on Christmas Eve," Elizabeth supplied.
"Oh, I would love to meet them both," Margaret said.
"I will call you when I am at my parent's house and we'll see if we can arrange something," Elizabeth suggested.
"Wonderful," Margaret said. "Perhaps I can catch you up on what is happening with the rest of the old group. Have your parents mentioned anything about Edward Montclair to you?"
Elizabeth could feel the blood drain from her face, her mind going to the worst-case scenario. The last she knew, Edward was still serving as a Mountie. Had something happened to him?
"Oh, Elizabeth, I didn't mean to scare you," Margaret said, catching her friend's reaction. "That was poor wording for me. Of course after what happened to your first husband you would think the worst but Edward is in good health. However, he has finally resigned from the Mounties and has decided to work with a pastor out west to give troubled young boys an alternative to correctional facilities for juveniles. His father has agreed to help fund the venture. Edward wrote to me from Edmonton about it but said he would like to find a place away from the city to run the program."
"That does sound like a challenging adventure," Elizabeth replied. "Not something I think any of us ever imagined Edward doing."
"I think we all expected Edward to simply live off his trust fund and fritter away his life," Margaret admitted. "I used to always fear what prank he might pull next when we were younger. Elise thought his antics amusing though. As he remained single, I think my little sister was hoping he might settle in Hamilton after leaving the Mounties. She thought perhaps she could get him to notice her now that you would no longer be in the picture."
Elizabeth blushed. "Edward had a crush on me when we were younger," she told Nathan. "It was a one-way attraction."
"I certainly can't fault the man's taste," Nathan replied, causing Elizabeth to blush deeper.
At that time their waitress returned with their food. Margaret excused herself so they could enjoy their meal. Elizabeth reiterated her promise to call her in a few days. Alone with Nathan, her husband now wanted to hear more about her life in Hamilton growing up. Over their simple meals, Elizabeth answered his questions while making a mental note to ask Nathan to share more about his own childhood at some point. What little she knew about it told her that it wasn't a conversation for them to have over a meal in a café. Someday soon though, she would ask him to share with her.
Returning to the Royal Cannaught, Nathan and Elizabeth decided to call it an early night. It had been a long, full day. Reaching the hotel room, Nathan slipped his suspenders from his shoulders as he sat wearily down in the armchair near the window while Elizabeth went into the water closet to change for bed first. Leaning his head back, Nathan closed his eyes. Part of him felt like he could probably fall asleep right then and there.
Nathan remained there until he heard the soft click of the water closet door. Opening his eyes, Nathan lifted his head from the back of the chair and immediately felt his breath catch at the sight before him.
Like the night he had returned home from his business trip in Hamilton, Elizabeth was dressed in a form hugging, shimmering night gown. This one was light blue and had a few more frills than the one Rosemary had made for Elizabeth. Over it, his wife had a sheer, silver robe that Nathan doubted would add any warmth at all. It certainly didn't conceal much of what was beneath it.
In that moment, all the weariness he had felt left him. Replacing it was the desire to show his wife exactly how he felt about her.
Getting to his feet, Nathan took a few steps so that he was standing in front of her. Reaching out, he slid his hands under the filmy, silver robe to touch the silky material of the nightgown. His fingers caressed the curves of Elizabeth's hips before sliding behind her to pull her close to him.
"This was the surprise in the box," Elizabeth informed him in a sultry whisper as she willingly let him pull her close to him. Her hands rested flat against his chest as she gazed up at him.
"It is a very nice surprise," Nathan relied, slowly lowering his head so that he could caress her lips with his. As their lips did a dance of their own, Nathan was aware of his wife pulling his shirt free of the waistband of the pants and slowly undoing the buttons. With the material pushed aside, Elizabeth's gentle fingers on his exposed skin sent sensuous pin pricks of electricity through him. Despite the low moan that escapes, Nathan continued the passionate kiss.
It was only the need for oxygen that brought the kiss to an end. Still, the two remained pressed close together as they greedily drew in the needed air. A little more clearheaded after the kiss, Nathan's thoughts went from his desire to his wife's well-being as he remembered her bouts of sickness on the train.
"Are you sure you are feeling up to this tonight?" Nathan inquired quietly. "I mean, I know you haven't been feeling quite yourself lately. If you are ill, I don't want to make anything worse."
Elizabeth's soft giggle surprised him. It was not the reaction he had expected. She reached up a hand and caressed his slightly rough cheek from his five o'clock shadow. Gazing up at him, there was an amusement in her eyes as well.
"As observant as you are my dear husband, there are still areas in which you are a bit naive," Elizabeth informed him. "I suspect that whatever is causing my morning sickness will resolve itself sometime in August, though if it is like with Jack, the bouts of nausea will diminish before then."
"Have you already seen a doctor then?" Nathan asked.
Elizabeth shook her head. "Not yet," she admitted. "It was still too soon for Faith to be able to confirm anything though I do hope she will confirm my suspicions when we get back."
"Which are?"
Elizabeth placed her other hand on the other side of his face. Standing on tip toe, she placed a kiss against his lips briefly. "As I am not showing, I will forgive your obliviousness," she informed him. "However, I think I am pregnant."
Nathan felt like the world was standing still around him as the word sunk in. Had he heard right?
"Pregnant?" he finally managed to say. "Are you sure?"
"Well, I missed a cycle, and the only other time coffee has made me nauseous is when I was pregnant with Jack. Like I said, Faith should be able to confirm it when we return."
Elizabeth's face blurred as tears filled his eyes. He had never felt this happy. He blinked, trying to clear his vision, the action causing a few tears to leak out onto his skin. Even with his eyes closed, Nathan was aware of Elizabeth kissing those tear drops from his skin.
"I am so elated that I can give you a child that is biologically ours, Nathan," Elizabeth told him. "A bit of you and a bit of me."
Opening his mouth, Nathan realized he was at a loss for words. Maybe it wasn't words that needed to be conveyed right then though. Capturing Elizabeth's lips with his again, Nathan let the emotions swirling inside him be expressed with that gesture. Elizabeth's hands found their way to the back of his head, as she deepened the kiss even further. Without breaking the kiss, Nathan slowly maneuvered them closer to the bed.
Perhaps it wasn't going to be such an early night after all.