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Chapter One hundred seventeen
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There He Is!
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Staff Sergeant Major Nathan Grant, stood at ease on the Regina train platform, a bouquet of red roses hidden in his hands behind his back. He looked like a prince and attracted many glances as travelers and greeters wondered who the lucky lady was. Nathan was oblivious to all the observers as he stood watching the track, waiting to hear the rumble and whistle.
As he first caught sight of the steam arising even before the train rounded the distant bend, his heart began to palpitate with increasing speed. Briefly he wondered if he was matching the revolutions of the giant wheels on the tracks, before he realized they were slowing down and his heart was definitely not!
A wide smile spread across his face, deepening the laugh lines around his mouth and crinkling the lines around his eyes. Those crystal blue eyes were fixed on the locomotive as it reached the platform, until he figured out which car was the Pullman. He concentrated on the windows of that railcar as the train halted with a screech amidst plumes of steam. Unable to see into the car due to the reflection of the sun, Nathan focused his attention on the stairs.
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Onboard, Elizabeth could hardly breathe. Bill had Jack in his arms in order to allow her to greet Nathan first so, undistracted, Elizabeth only had to search the platform for the most handsome man there, tall, strong and hers!
Waiting behind her father, Elizabeth caught a glimpse of Nathan as she ducked to look out the windows. He was a sight for longing eyes!
The stationmaster met the Conductor for a brief consultation, then the conductor set the extra step on the platform and reached up to help the passengers disembark.
"There he is!" Elizabeth gasped as she let her father and the conductor guide her steps to solid ground. Within seconds she leapt forward and ran to Nathan with open arms. Colliding into him, she embraced him as he wrapped his arms around her and their lips met, sending sparks and shivers between them. Nathan lifted her in his arms and held her to himself, not even thinking of any audience as he swung her from side-to-side. As their lips parted, Nathan whispered huskily, "Lisbeth," before burying his face in her shoulder.
Still held high in his arms, Elizabeth responded, "Nathan! My dearest Love!"
Feeling her feet back on the platform, Elizabeth placed her hands on both sides of Nathan's face and kissed him soundly.
Having emerged from the railcar ahead of Grace and Julie, Hudson was at the steps to assist Bill since Bill carried Jack.
Jack was overwhelmed and took in all the sights around him, until Bill pointed and exclaimed. "There he is!"
Jack immediately followed Bill's directions and, focused on his Mountie, waved wildly, shouting "Daddy Nat'n! Daddy Nat'n!"
Jack's call carried over the sounds of the station to Nathan and he glanced up to see Jack waving. Even though he had kept Elizabeth in his embrace, upon seeing Jack, Nathan quickly released her, handed her the roses, then squatted just in time to catch Jack as he ran from Bill into the open arms of his Nathan.
"Daddy Nat'n! You are here!" Jack wrapped his little arms around Nathan's neck and couldn't contain his excitement. Tears glistened in his eyes, even as they filled Nathan's.
"Oh Jack! My Buddy! I have missed you so much!" Nathan nuzzled his face into Jack's neck causing the little boy to giggle with unbridled happiness.
Jack leaned back and wiggled his nose against Nathan's in a new display of affection which caused Nathan and everyone who now stood around them to laugh. Nathan tweaked Jack's nose, then lifted the little boy into his arms and stood.
"Well, Son! You are a sight for sore eyes! And I'm not just referring to those of Elizabeth and Jack." William approached with open arms to encircle Nathan and his grandson. "Good to see you!"
"You too, William. Welcome back, Grace." Nathan bent so he could kiss her cheek and exchange hugs.
Elizabeth stepped closer to Nathan, but allowed Bill to embrace him. Both men were moved, knowing what this reunion meant to them all.
"Hey, my boy." Bill mumbled into Nathan's shoulder.
Nathan could only speak his name, "Bill."
Recovering as quickly as he could, Nathan looked at Elizabeth with an embarrassed, crooked smile not even realizing just how much she loved to see that expression.
Threading her hand through Nathan's arm, Elizabeth questioned. "This is Julie, Honey. Do you remember meeting her at Jack's Christening?"
"Hello, Julie. It is lovely to see you again, although I believe I was a bit distracted during that event." Nathan bent to receive her kiss on his cheek and offer one of his own since his arms were full. He grinned at Jack, then at Elizabeth. "Of course, I may really be distracted this week and beyond now!"
William reached back and drew an older man towards the family group. "Mr. Lloyd Hudson, let me introduce Sergeant Nathan Grant. Nathan, please meet Hudson, our dear family friend."
Shifting Jack to his other arm, Nathan extended his hand for a welcoming handshake. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Sir. Am I correct you prefer to be called 'Hudson?'"
"Yes, please, Sergeant. Wonderful to meet you as well."
"And that is the very last time you will call me 'Sergeant,' Hudson. I am Nathan to you from now on." Nathan grinned. "Welcome to Regina!"
William caught the glance of the stationmaster and stepped aside to follow the man's direction to the moving trucks and a couple porters who had the family's luggage loaded on a cart, awaiting directions. William withdrew a freight manifest from his pocket and excused himself from the family to confirm arrangements, followed by Hudson.
Nathan bent to kiss Elizabeth again, although this kiss was just a sweet and momentary brush of their lips. Their eyes spoke volumes as they lingered, lost in each other's gaze.
Bill was the one to interrupt. "So how are you, Son?"
"Me? Relieved, excited, delighted and very happy to have all of you finally here!" Nathan grinned and squeezed Jack who was watching his every move. "How was your journey? You were on time, so may I assume it was uneventful?"
"It was, Nathan. We actually enjoyed our time together and were very relaxed. I think we all rested well too, knowing the busyness would begin upon arrival." A flash of a red uniform caught Grace's eye. "Oh, here is Peter! Hello, Peter! So good to see you again."
"And you, Grace." He kissed her gloved hand, then looked up to see a lovely redhead watching them. "Hello. Miss Julie, correct? You were very small the last time I saw you in Hamilton! Welcome to Regina!" Peter kissed her gloved hand as well, then turned to Elizabeth. Peter opened his arms to give her a hug. "Welcome home, my dear. So happy to see you."
"And me to see you, Peter. Let me introduce a special little man to you. Peter, please meet my son, Jack. Jack, Sweetheart, meet Mr. Collins. We are staying at his house!"
Exhibiting his excellent manners, Jack put out his right hand, though he kept his left around Nathan's neck. "Hello, Mr. C'llins."
"I am so happy to meet you, Jack." Peter shook the little hand. "Now, Allie calls me Grampa Peter, could you do that too?"
Jack glanced at his mother, then nodded. "Grampa Pet'r. Okay." Looking around he then asked. "Where is Awlie? Will I see her?"
"You sure will, Son. Allie is still in school but she can't wait to hug you as soon as she gets home." Nathan explained. "Speaking of which, how shall we transport everyone. Will you all come back to our house first and then go to settle a bit at the hotel? Dinner is scheduled at the main house for half-past six to give you a little time to find your way around the suites."
William arrived back at the family grouping at that moment, so spoke up. "Hudson will remain with the gentlemen who are already loading the trucks over there." He pointed to a crew of about six men scurrying out of a boxcar and loading cartons into the awaiting vehicles. "Oh, hello Peter! Thank you for coming. Shall we get our luggage into your and Nathan's cars? Maybe you can help me, Bill, as we determine which luggage is yours and Elizabeth's so that can go in Peter's car? If you don't mind Nathan, can we use yours to bring our personal luggage to Le Chateaux after we stop at your house?"
Once all the arrangements were made, William explained. "They will unload my car for Hudson to drive and Bill has volunteered to stay with Hudson since he knows his way around Regina somewhat. Elizabeth? Peter and the Stationmaster have arranged for the Mountie wagon to transport Sergeant to the Collins's so he's in good hands." He pointed to a couple men in red serge. "I think that is all and we can head home as soon as they load the trunks."
Nathan was grateful that William had everything so well organized as he only had eyes for Elizabeth and Jack, although he was fine to drive them home. With the back seat of his vehicle filled with the Thatcher luggage, Elizabeth would happily sit in the passenger seat with Jack on her lap.
Nathan kissed her again as he held the door, then helped Jack climb into his mother's lap and, tucking in her skirt and coat, he handed Elizabeth's roses back to her and closed the door. "So, here we are! Are you ready to go to my house, Jack?"
Nodding, Jack clapped his hands. "And I see Awlie too, right?"
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No sooner had the vehicles pulled up to the Collins's house, then Jake emerged to assist the men as they unloaded Elizabeth, Jack and Bill's belongings.
Carol stood beaming in the doorway. "Hello, everyone! It is so wonderful to see you all. Come in, come in. If we go right down the hallway into the front room, we will stay out of the way of the gentlemen. Here, let me take your coats." Catching a glimpse of Julie, Carol introduced herself. "Julie, correct? Please call me Carol as we are all family and on a first name basis? Okay?" Carol opened her arms to give Julie a welcoming hug.
"Thank you, Carol. Lovely to meet you and this is a lovely home." Julie quickly glanced around in appreciation.
Blushing, Carol only said, "Thank you," and took in an adorable little blonde holding tight to his mother's hand. Carol leaned over and reached out her hand. "And who might this big boy be, eh?"
Unbeknownst to Carol, she had made a friend for life as Jack basked in the fact that he was now 'big.'
Elizabeth knelt beside her son and introduced 'Gramma Carol' to Jack. He shook her hand, but quickly let go of his mother and went to Carol to hug her knees as he looked up at her. Unbeknownst to Jack and the other family members nearby, Carol was now another accepted grandmother to Jack.
Allie's familiar voice called from the hallway having entered the house with Irma Cook. "Hello! Where is everyone?"
"Awlie!" Jack screeched and took off into the hallway from which they had just come. "Awlie!" Jack launched himself at his friend's waist.
Equally as excited, Allie wrapped her arms around Jack. "Hey, Jack! Welcome home! I missed you so much!"
"Awlie, I missed you!" Jack grabbed Allie's hand and pulled her towards the living room. "Come see everybody."
Arriving at the door, Jack introduced Allie to Gramma Carol since she was the only one he hadn't known. "This is Gramma Carol." He announced proudly.
"Yes, you are right, Jack. Gramma Carol is my Gramma too!" Allie grinned. "Jack, may I hug your Mommy?"
Jack nodded and let go of her hand, although he stood close by and gazed at his Awlie.
"Hi, Mrs. Thornton." Allie's eyes filled and her voice caught. "I'm so glad you are finally here. I've missed you." Allie embraced Elizabeth and held her tightly. Giggling, she finally let go, though with an explanation. "I don't want to let you go now that you are back."
"We will have many hugs now, Sweetheart. Let me introduce you to my sister. Julie? Please meet Nathan's daughter and my former student, Allison Grant. She is known as Allie. Allie, Sweetheart, this is my sister and you may as well call her Aunt Julie just as Jack does."
Allie immediately embraced Julie and called her by name. "Aunt Julie! I remember seeing you when you came to Hope Valley. I remember your copper-colored hair! You are very pretty." Allie admired her Aunt Julie who was blushing a pretty peach color. "You are an artist, right? You'll have to come see my drawings down at the Cottage."
"First, thank you for the compliment, Allie. I'm delighted to see you." Julie laughed. "I've heard you are an artist as well, so we will have fun together this week won't we?"
Allie nodded, then realized the Thatchers were standing nearby. "Oh, Mrs. Thatcher! Welcome back. And Mr. Thatcher! I hoped I would see you again. I'm so glad you are both here and we'll have Christmas together too."
"Sweetheart, it is I who am thankful to see you again. I told my wife all about you when I got home and then I was jealous when she came back without me." William gave Allie a second hug. "We are here now though and I am as happy as you are."
Grace placed her arm around Allie's shoulders. "My husband is correct, however neither of us could wait to return to Regina!"
Having completed the unloading of his automobile, Peter Collins entered the living room. "Now, everyone, would you like to sit for a cup of tea, or go right to the Hotel and so you can get acclimated with your apartments before returning for dinner?"
William spoke up. "I vote to go to the Hotel because the sooner we get moved in there the sooner we can enjoy a leisurely dinner. Are you sure Jake doesn't mind driving us over?"
"No problem at all. Jake knows just the entrance for you and the moving trucks may meet us there if we depart now." Peter gave his wife a quick kiss on the cheek and waved for the Thatchers to follow him since they would take both Nathan's and Peter's vehicles.
"I hope you don't mind if I stay behind?" Nathan asked, but only half-heartedly.
"You stay with Elizabeth and Jack. We will see you soon." Peter winked at Nathan and disappeared.
Elizabeth hadn't even shed her coat yet, so Nathan assisted her, sneaking in a kiss as he did so. Hanging hers underneath his, he knelt to help Jack out of his coat, then hugged Allie as she stood beside him with her own. "This is a day for hugs, Allie-girl! Isn't it great?"
"It is, Dad. It really is." Allie replied before taking Jack's hand and heading into the living room.
"Carol? Do you need any help from Elizabeth or me?" Nathan inquired.
"You did all your helping last night, Son. Irma baked the rolls and placed the oil lamps on the table. Jake picked up the floral arrangement earlier, so we can sit together in here for a while. Shall I put on some tea?" Carol offered.
"Let me help you, Carol. Remember I am not a guest in this house now, so I will be glad to assist, especially with this full week of celebrations ahead of us!" Elizabeth blew a kiss at Nathan and headed in to the kitchen with Carol.
Sitting around the Christmas tree with tea while the children enjoyed their snack of milk and cookies, Carol and Nathan took advantage of the quiet to tell Elizabeth about the upcoming meal schedules and menus. "My list is taped to the refrigerator and I think Nathan said his is there as well. So, look them over, and let us know what you would like to adjust, please? The turkey, beef roast and ham have been ordered so we will use iceboxes in both the Cottage and our house. Jake, Irma and I will get groceries Wednesday so everything will be fresh. We can quickly pick-up any extras we need on Thursday when the stores will be more crowded. Here in Regina, the Christmas rush is a legitimate concern!"
"That sounds wonderful. Remember you have a few extra helpers so you only need to explain what you want me to cook or us to help with, even my mother and Julie. We are making quite a crowd this time!"
"And nothing will make me happier than to be surrounded by our big family!" Carol laughed, but it was the truth. Carol Collins was in her glory!
"Mommy? Where's my 'comotive? I want to show Awlie and Daddy Nat'n!"
Elizabeth retrieved Jack's toy tote and handed him the coveted Locomotive ornament, returning to cuddle up next to Nathan on the sofa. They sat enjoying the Collins's lovely Christmas tree watching the children interact and chatting with Carol until they heard the others return from the Hotel. After Bill hugged Carol and Hudson was introduced to her, it was time to convene in the dining room for dinner.
Although tending to go quiet in a crowd, Nathan was invited to pray the blessing over the meal. Taking the hands of those around the table, Nathan prayed.
"Dear Heavenly Father, the giver of all good gifts and the Father of Lights. Tonight we are joined together as a family of your forming, each one a true gift to the other. Thank you for bringing our Elizabeth and Jack back to Allie and me and for safe travels for the entire family. We look forward to great joy and many blessings over the coming days and give you thanks for every opportunity to fellowship together and every meal we will share. Bless each one around this table, bless the food we will enjoy and bless this home in which we gather tonight. Our hearts are overflowing with happiness and thanksgiving as we pray in Your Holy Name, Amen."
"Amen!" Chorused those gathered around the family table.
Nathan lifted Elizabeth's clasped hand in his and brushed a kiss across her knuckles, his warm breath sending sparks and shivers through her as he held her gaze. "I love you, Lisbeth."
"I love you, Nathan." Elizabeth whispered in return. "Very much."