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Chapter Ninety-five
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Making Plans

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Entering the Cottage after the Concert, Nathan, Elizabeth and Allie shivered. Although warmer than the frigid night outside, the Cottage was not as warm as they would like, so Nathan shed his overcoat and Tuxedo jacket and quickly built a fire. Elizabeth reached for the blanket on the back of the sofa and wrapped herself in it after removing her coat. "Shall I made some tea, Nathan?"

"Yes, please. Thank you." He said smiling at her retreating form as he crouched and added more logs. They had begun an evening tradition without realizing they were doing so! It felt good.

Warming beside the fire and enjoying cups of tea, the family discussed the concert and passed along the many compliments to Allie. Having hugged, kissed and prayed with Allie, Nathan and Elizabeth sat together on the sofa and watched the glowing fire. His arm around her blanketed shoulders, Elizabeth had cuddled up to him and found a place where she alone fit. Their connection sent warm shivers through them which drew them to hold on even more tightly!

"Thank you for so easily interacting with all our friends tonight, Elizabeth. I am so proud, in a good way, to have you beside me and to have you show interest in the ones here in Regina that are becoming so close to Allie and to me. It's not the same as Hope Valley, but we are finding an extended and loving family here in the middle of a city!" He leaned his head against hers, inhaling the fragrance of lilies and smiling.

"It's my pleasure, Honey. They love you and therefore I love them right back!" Elizabeth giggled. "Plus, I think some of them will become my friends too!"

"I hope so." Nathan turned his head, kissing the top of Elizabeth's hair. "Have I told you how stunningly beautiful you are tonight, my Love?"

"A few times," Elizabeth looked up, her eyes twinkling, "Yet, I could hear it over again anytime, Sergeant Grant. And have told you how breathtaking you are in your tuxedo? I am sure there were ladies present who could have fainted dead away when they caught sight of you!" Elizabeth batted her eyelids. "I almost did!"

Blushing, Nathan only commented. "A likely story. What a pair we'll make, the two of us fainting dead away to see each other dressed up!"

Giggling and feeling quite bold, Elizabeth whispered, "Dressed up, or dressed down…"

"Elizabeth!" Blushing, Nathan only gasped aloud, but tried valiantly not to think about any kind of dressing regarding his Elizabeth! That time would come, but he couldn't allow himself to contemplate that yet. Changing the subject, Nathan asked, "Did you see Jared hug Allie? Was it alright that I didn't interfere?"

"Yes on both questions, Honey. It was an innocent and appreciative gesture on his part. Of course, Allie will have plenty of daydreams built on that hug I'm guessing!" Elizabeth patted Nathan's hand which she held in both of her own. "I think your approach was right. Sometimes we can inadvertently send young people towards each other by overreacting to them, although I don't think we need to worry about those two. I do sense a future for them though. Do you?"

"I'm not sure I am ready to admit that yet, but I do appreciate what I am learning about Jared Blake and he does have eyes for our Allie!" Nathan chuckled low. "Did she tell you he gave her a bookmark for her birthday? They had hardly met by that time! I can't wait to see what he gives her for Christmas…"

"Oh, Nathan! That is so sweet. She deserves the extra attention, and dare I say 'love?'" Elizabeth giggled, then changed the subject. "Honey? We have some things to discuss. First what are your plans for a Christmas tree? Where can you procure one here on the plains?"

"I actually asked Peter about that a couple weeks ago and he said there are some candidates we can cull from the woods behind the brook." With memories of a special tree-cutting in years past, Nathan questioned. "Are you interested in joining us this year?"

"I would love to! We might not have time to trim it entirely, but we could start. The only problem is we have a busy weekend. Any ideas?" Elizabeth played with his hand in her own.

"Well, the only time to do it this weekend is Sunday afternoon. If we leave the Samuels soon after dinner clean-up, we can return here, bundle up and begin our search in the daylight. Allie will probably want to join us and I can arrange with the Samuels for transport to and from Youth Group in the evening. Did you bring warm boots?"

"I did!" Elizabeth laughed. "Too many years of uncertain winters in Hope Valley to forget to travel with boots at this time of year! That sounds like a lovely plan to find a tree together. Where are your ornaments stored?"

"I really could use more storage space in this little cottage, but the carton is in the barn, hidden under a tarp. So, at least they're on the property."

"Do you remember when we decorated your tree in Hope Valley?" Elizabeth asked softly.

"I'll never forget it. I was offered the Inspector promotion that morning, we found the perfect tree together that afternoon and decorated it together in the evening." Nathan paused looking into the fire, with a blushing face. "There have been so many times I wanted to kiss you and wish I had that night."

"There were so many times I wish you had… I know you couldn't because you respected me too much, but I also remember the next day you were ready to leave."

"I didn't think you wanted me to stay. In spite of what you said, I thought your main concern was Allie's happiness. Later I could think of that as sweet concern, but I was always confused by your behavior towards me. I stayed for Allie, but it was hard for me, Elizabeth. I needed to give you space and time to heal so I held back from you. And then, when you eventually chose Lucas, I was in agony. I kept wondering what would have happened if I had kissed you that night…"

"And now?" Elizabeth hardly breathed out the question. "Do you still want to kiss me, Nathan?"

"Want to? All the time." Pausing Nathan sent a prayer for the right words. "However it is my turn to say I can't. Not yet, Lisbeth. Maybe soon, but not yet. I am still remembering your public kisses with another man. I wish I could forget all those, but they are still with me."

"Oh Nathan…" Elizabeth's voice caught as she fought tears. "I am so sorry…"

"Oh, I know you are, my Love. I don't doubt you or your love now." Nathan assured her. "I just am not ready to kiss you until we have made a life commitment."

"Okay. Just know that when you are ready I will be waiting. I am not going to leave you, ever, and I will try to be as patient as you have been with me."

They stared into the flames for some moments until Elizabeth whispered. "I hate to have to explain this, but with Lucas it was physical attraction and some desperation to prove what wasn't really there in our relationship. You saw our entire relationship, Nathan. It was all surface and trying to be happy."

Elizabeth gulped. "With you, Nathan? I long to kiss you to express my love, to fulfill my longing for you, you dear man. A longing to be with you, to connect and show you how deeply I adore you."

"Then, please wait for me? Wait with me?" Nathan whispered back.

"I will, my Love. The waiting will make our union more sweet." Elizabeth lifted his hand to her lips, gently kissing his palm. Quietly she changed the subject. "Don't we need to discuss my return as well? What are your thoughts?"

"My thoughts are one thought. The sooner the better!" Nathan cleared his throat then continued. "How about you? How soon do you think you can be ready to return?"

Laughingly, Elizabeth responded. "Yesterday."

"Ah ha! Well, it's good to be on the same page for this idea too, but seriously. A week or two or a month or…" Nathan let his thoughts trail off. "Hopefully not that long?"

"If you could prepare in two weeks I am certain I can do the same. Two weeks puts us right before Jack's birthday and Christmas though, and I would like a final Sunday to say my farewells. I was thinking Jack and I could catch the train on Monday, December twenty-seventh. That way we arrive on the twenty-ninth, a couple days before New Year's. Do you think that would work? I have to ask Peter and Carol if they would mind. I know Bill will be here then, so Jack can sleep in my bedroom."

"Okay. Did Peter and Carol mention the house renovations they have scheduled for the week of the tenth?"

"No… What are they renovating?" Elizabeth asked nervously. She loved staying with Peter and Carol.

"The plan is to reduce the size of the three bedrooms and reconfigure to make additional bedrooms. Peter asked me to help him with a floorplan and I believe they have chosen one and will begin the second week of January. We'll need to make other arrangements for you by that time."

"Oh! Maybe my father knows this?" Elizabeth had a sudden thought. "He told me he wants me to accompany Mother and David to tour apartments in the new hotel opening downtown. He may be planning ahead!" Elizabeth began to get excited. "Maybe they want to have a place here in Regina?"

"Oh? I think I better talk to Peter and then call your father. I need to know my future at Depot so I can decide about purchasing a house. The sooner I acquire one the better for you and Jack. Allie and I are fine here for the time being."

"Oh, Nathan! Do you plan to buy a home for us?" Elizabeth moved from Nathan's side to turn towards him, but kept hold of his hand.

"Well, we'll need a place to live eventually so rather than rent, it makes sense to purchase, right?" Nathan added a comment. "My guess is that homes in Regina are not difficult to sell."

"Oh! Do you have any ideas about what you would be looking for?" Queried Elizabeth.

"Not downtown! Maybe with a small amount of land, yet an easy distance to the Academies. I'm thinking four bedrooms. What about you? Allie and Jack need their own rooms until any other children would be old enough to share and we need a room that can double as a guest room. Do you need a dedicated office for your writing pursuits?" Nathan asked curiously.

"Oh, Nathan. You really are thinking ahead! This means so much to me… I never thought about an office for me. I mean if we had a room that was a library that could also be office space when needed, or I could keep my desk in our bedroom. Do you need some workshop space? I know you don't have that here and that is a sacrifice you are making. Oh… and Allie's art?"

"There is a lot to think about. I think we would need to take a house as it came, then add additional spaces according to our family needs. We can start small, eh?"

"Ah, Nathan? We haven't talked about this. Do you want more children?" She gazed intently into his eyes and saw the longing and the moistening.

His voice hoarse, Nathan, nodded. "I do. Do you?"

"I do, Honey. I want to bear children for you, for us. Little Grants to enlarge our family. How many children do you want?"

"I'm not sure it works that way. We can't just place an order for the number we want! I can say this though. I will gladly accept as many as the Lord chooses to give us and be a happy family man." Nathan gave his half-smile then whispered. "A part of me is incredulous that I am even voicing these things aloud…"

"I love that you are open to however many children God gives us. They will be so beautiful, Nathan, and I hope a good number of them have your blue eyes." Elizabeth reached up to stroke his cheek.

As she did so, Nathan tilted his head to kiss the palm of her hand. Then chuckling he shared in amazement. "How do we do it? How do we begin talking about finding a Christmas tree and end up discussing our future children?"

Elizabeth shrugged. "We are condensing months of courting into a few days together, Nathan. I think that's why!"

Incredulous Nathan sighed long and breathy. "In less than one week, we have moved from animosity to planning a future together. Is it reckless to be moving so fast?"

Giggling, Elizabeth responded. "There is no set timeline, Honey. We will proceed at the pace that fits us, our lives, our future family. Seeing how far we have come, and how quickly, gives me hope for every tomorrow ahead of us!"

Again they quieted, considering all that had been revealed and discussed. This time Nathan introduced another question, chuckling. "So we discussed Sunday, but what about tomorrow? I have an errand to run downtown and we need to get groceries. Do you want to come with Allie and me? I was thinking maybe you could go with her to see the window displays we saw the other day at R.H. Williams and I could meet you there?"

"Oh, I would love to do that with Allie. Then we could get groceries afterwards. Maybe pick-up sandwiches at the Victoria Café for lunch? What time is the visit to the Home?" Elizabeth inquired.

"According to the Barrows, the visit to the Home for the Aged is at half-past two because most of the elders are finished napping by then. I don't think the program will be longer than an hour, then some time to interact with the residents. We should be back here by four o'clock."

"Since we'll be out in the cold in the evening, should we make some soup?" Elizabeth paused thoughtfully. "Or I could make a meatloaf and baked potatoes would be piping hot and fill us up. That might be better. What do you think?"

"I like the idea of meatloaf. We can add the ingredients to our list for the morning. I also need to replenish breakfast supplies and get some bacon. Could we bake extra potatoes and use them to make a potato-corn chowder with bacon for Sunday evening?"

"That would be delicious. Maybe Allie and I could bake an apple crisp or something like that on Saturday? If we get cream we could whip it for the top! Does that sound good?"

"You are speaking my language, Honey! Dessert always sounds good…"

"Oh! I forgot. Of course!" Elizabeth giggled. "Dessert…"

For Saturday morning's breakfast Nathan made oatmeal, cutting up apple chunks and adding raisins. Inspiration came as he stared at a jar of orange marmalade and he decided to stir in a tablespoon to liven up the oatmeal.

"This is delicious, Dad. What did you add that's so different?" Allie inquired.

"It is good, Nathan." Elizabeth agreed. "Is this a special recipe?"

"It is a made-up-on-the-spot recipe. Does it work?" Nathan was uncertain.

"I would make this again, Nathan. What did you add?" Elizabeth took another spoonful.

"Whew! Success! A spoonful of orange marmalade!" Admitted Nathan with glee. "I figure we add that to a lot of dishes, so why not?" Nathan ate a spoonful. "Well, I'll be! That is delicious!"

After Nathan dropped off Elizabeth and Allie at the Department Store, he made his way to the Jewelers to collect the order he had placed yesterday afternoon.

"Sergeant Grant! Hello! Your order is prepared just as we discussed. Please come to this display counter?" The jeweler opened a long, narrow box and turned it towards Nathan.

"Oh! This looks lovely." He lifted the bracelet out of the box to double-check the order of each charm. "Exactly as I requested, Sir. Thank you so much! I will return again for charms for my daughter and for my sweet Elizabeth! You will make her very happy with this bracelet. I can feel it!" A dreamy expression crossed Nathan's face. "Thank you so much." He finally returned to full attention. "Could you possibly gift wrap this for me?"

"I would be glad to. Silver or gold, or red or green?"

"Gold please? With a golden ribbon? That will be perfect!"

As they packed the car with groceries, Elizabeth made a suggestion. "We have time, Nathan. Shall we eat at the Victoria Café? Maybe we could get some soup?"

"Sure. We can do that! Let's go! We get to introduce you to a new restaurant, Allie-girl!"

Allie looked around, judging the atmosphere, the chatter and laughter and the menu. "Oh, I like this place, Dad. Doesn't it remind you of Abigail's? The fragrance of baked goods is a lot like Miss Clara's specialties too!"

Deborah waited on their table once again and, remembering their previous visits, Nathan decided to set the record straight by introducing his daughter and adding, "You met Elizabeth, the woman I am courting, earlier this week. We have found a favorite eating establishment, so we may become regulars now!"

"Pleased to meet you, Miss Deborah." Allie looked at her father. "This is where you had coffee with Miss Bell, right Dad?" Innocently Allie explained. "Miss Bell is my music teacher and Dad's choir director. She's the one who told us about this Café!"

Beginning to understand a little more and become less worried, Deborah was relieved that this handsome man wasn't dating two women at once. This family-in-the-making seemed very loving and sweet and Deborah relaxed. Sighing as she walked away with their order, she concluded that Mr. Nathan left good tips and had always been friendly and kind, so Deborah planned to treat this family well whenever they stopped in.

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