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Chapter One hundred Twenty-five

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Assurance, Acceptance and a Party

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Having decided to invite the menfolk and the children on a walk before their birthday dinner party, Peter had managed to give Nathan and Elizabeth a few welcome moments of privacy by requesting that they keep watch over the simmering meal.

Bundled against the cold, William, Bill, Zach and Hudson walked ahead with Allie and Jack while Peter held Archie's arm briefly and whispered for him to wait for a moment until the others were out of earshot.

"Archie? I owe you an apology. I didn't even think of you when I commented about criminal activity and law-obeying citizens, nevertheless I am afraid I may have offended you. Carol just pointed it out to me. Please forgive me for my insensitivity? I appreciate you, Archie, and see how God has mightily worked in your life. I am, and all of your family is, proud of the man you are, you know?"

Archie stopped, immovable, and stared at the Commissioner. "Proud? I doubt it, Peter. You know how I failed them all. They have forgiven me and I will be eternally grateful for that, but to be proud of me? Me?"

Even as he spoke he recalled Nathan saying that he was proud to be seen at Depot with him! Suddenly searching Peter's face, Archie inquired. "Do you really think so?"

"I know it, Archie. After you departed from your last visit, Nathan said that very thing when we next had dinner. You can even ask Allie if she remembers." Peter assured Archie. "Nathan loves you, forgives you and is proud of you, his father."

"Nathan, ah… Yes, I do recall him saying that himself. But now, with William Thatcher here? The contrast is stark. His success and my failure? His wealth and my lack thereof? It's as though we hail from different planets!"

Chuckling, Peter shook his head. "Unfortunately we are all human, firmly rooted on planet earth with all it sorrows, sin and sadness. However, God loves us all equally and sees our repentant hearts, not our status or job or bank account. Please don't lose sight of God's love, Archie. None of us is worthy to stand before a Holy God without what Christ has done for us."

Contemplating the truth he had momentarily forgotten, Archie changed his direction. "You are right. Thank you." Inhaling deeply, Archie forged ahead. "Since we arrived, I haven't had time to tell you how thankful I am for all you have done for my family, Peter. All the financial support over so many years, and now the house for Nathan? I am flabbergasted and can't find the words to express my gratitude. I can never repay you and words are insufficient, but thank you, Peter, from the bottom of my heart."

"Archie? You already thanked me profusely in your letters and you are most welcome. I am happy that Carol and I had the means to assist your families in their time of need. I am sure you would have done the same. Let's not talk anymore about it. We gave to God and He gave to you!" Peter hesitated then opened wide his arms. "I appreciate you, Archie."

Accepting Peter's hug, Archie only whispered, "I struggle to believe that, but I appreciate you and all you have done too."

Having glanced back and noticed Archie and Peter conversing, William began to slow his steps and as they began to approach again, William stopped and waited for them. "Archie? I haven't had any time to talk with you yet, but I want to congratulate you and thank you for your two wonderful sons. Especially Nathan, although Grace is also impressed with Zachary. I cannot tell you what a blessing Nathan is to me and to our family. We are prayerfully hoping that Elizabeth will soon become a Grant and we can 'officially' call all of you our family!" William chuckled as they walked.

Excusing himself, Peter hurried ahead to catch up with Bill and Allie who walked arm-in-arm, slightly behind the others.

For the second time in this excursion, Archie came to a standstill. William retraced his steps and turned. "Archie? What is it?"

"I find it hard to believe that you, William Thatcher, will be proud to become a part of our family, in spite of the stellar man my Nathan has become. When you gain him, you gain all of us with our wretched past. I am sorry for you that you will be connected." Archie was sincere, yet his voice trembled in the presence of this man beside him.

"Archie!" Exclaimed William. "You have some misconstrued notion of my importance or station in life. Who I am as a man, is very similar to you. We are both men who have failed our families but are seeking to have God 'restore the years the locust has eaten!' (*75) I haven't shared with you yet, but God used a few of Nathan's poems to turn my life around. Maybe on the outside I looked successful or worthy of admiration, but I can assure you I've had my struggles, one of which has been neglecting my family. God is in the process of restoring my marriage and repairing my relationships with my daughters."

"You? You and Grace seem so relaxed and in love…" Archie was incredulous. "You've had struggles?"

"Grace and I have had our share over the years and we grew apart and unhappy. It was only recently that we have begun to walk together in the same direction, devoted to each other and our marriage, and to following God! You see, I confess, I was married to my job. My accomplishments boosted my ego and compensated for the lacks I knew I had. By maintaining a façade of prosperity, no one knew the real me and I was full of pride. Actually, I acted a lie because my family suffered for my inattention. Now, I am making every effort to win them back and prove that God has changed me and is making me less selfish. It took Elizabeth's breakdown to unite Grace and me and focus our attention on the Lord, each other and our family."

Archie was quiet as he contemplated William's surprising confession. Maybe this man was real and approachable after all? Maybe they could get along? Maybe… He decided to ask a follow-up question. "Tell me about how one of Nathan's poems changed you?"

William gladly explained his introduction to Nathan's poem, "The Blessing," and the other poems that spoke so clearly to him. He also shared the challenge and concern before him if Julie should marry the cousin of the man he dismissed from his office that day. "So you see, even though the man instigated the issue, I allowed it to escalate and now I have some apologizing to do. I am not an exemplary man, Archie, but rather a flawed one. Please don't put me on a pedestal as if I was someone to admire!"

The two men walked quietly for a while, each lost in their own thoughts. Finally, William broke the silence with another comment. "Archie? I actually admire you. You have turned your life around. Your faith is strong and you have humbly and bravely admitted your failings, allowing us to see the transformed person you have become. You are courageous! You know?"

"I sure don't see myself that way." Archie shook his head. "I am taking one day at a time, calling on God to guide and keep me every step of the way. I have promises to keep and by God's grace I will be faithful to the end."

"Isn't that what we all should be doing, Archie? Endeavoring to remain faithful to the end?" William listened to his own words, then chuckled. "Who am I to give spiritual advice or life lessons?"

"I guess our feelings of inadequacy are more similarities we share!" The conversation had not been long, but it had been what Archie needed. He understood that William was a man with feet of clay the same as his own. William was more than the persona of a successful businessman, he was authentic, a man endeavoring to follow God.
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As the family gathered in the living room mid-afternoon, Jack was bouncing with excitement. "Is it time for cake yet? Will it be chocolate? Will I get more presents?"

"Jack Thornton, Junior!" Elizabeth chided, blushing. "You will have to wait and see about more presents. I would think your new train set was enough for today!"

Looking at his two newest grandfathers, Jack implored, "Do you know if my cake is chocolate? That's my favorite!"

"I can't honestly say yes or no, so I guess we'll have to wait and be surprised, eh?" Archie offered. "Do you like surprises?"

"If the surprise is chocolate I do." Jack declared matter-of-factly. "Do you?"

Archie laughed. "Do I what, Son? Do I like surprises or chocolate or both?"

Grinning, Jack responded, "Both!" Standing in front of Archie and lifting his arms.

Getting Jack settled on his lap, Archie answered with a tickle under Jack's chin. "I like surprises and I really like chocolate! I'm just like you!"

Studying his grandfather carefully, Jack then nodded and agreed. "Yup. Chocolate and surprises are fun for my birthday."

"Chocolate and surprises are fun any day of the year, in my opinion." Archie tweaked Jack's nose.

"Yes, but I wish my birthday was any day of the year." Sighing, Jack added, "It's a long wait."

Taking his conversation with Jack very seriously, Archie nodded. "Yes, it is a long wait to get to your birthday, isn't it? It's too bad we only get one birthday each year."

"Maybe I can have two?" Jack giggled as Archie tweaked his chin again.
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Announcing that everyone could proceed to the dining table, Peter added, "Courtesy of our two artists we have wonderful place-cards, so please find your seat?"

Jack entered the dining room, looking around at all the red balloons and ribbons. "Wow!" Seeing the banner, he pointed. "Mommy, is that my name?" He pointed his finger at the banner. "There! On the 'comotive?"

"Yes, sweet boy. The banner says 'Happy Birthday, Jack!'" Elizabeth assured her son, then directed his attention to a place-card she had taken from the table. "Is this your name as well?"

"Jack! Yes, on a train up there and on that card." Jack grinned. "Look everybody! That's my name!" Pointing to the banner again, Jack wasn't even aware when Nathan lifted him up to sit on an encyclopedia. "Oh! Look… more 'comotives!" Jack jiggled in his seat anxious to get on with the dinner and on to the cake.

Peter invited Bill, as Jack's godfather, to give thanks as the family took hands around the table.

"Dear Heavenly Father, What a marvelous day and celebration. We thank you for this growing boy, Jack, and ask your special blessing on him today and in is sixth year! May he know Your love in increasing measures. Thank you for the meal spread before us, for all the cooks, artists and helpers, and may we be a blessing to Jack and to each other today. Amen."

"Elizabeth, if you would hand me Jack's plate please? I'll serve our birthday boy first." Carol directed, then served as each plate came her way.

"This smells wonderful! I can't wait to dig in, eh?" Nathan patted Jack's back. "But first, may I cut up your slide of beef, my boy?"

As Jack sat back, he examined his Nathan's face contentedly, while Nathan's arms encircled him and cut his meat. "Thank you." He politely commented before hungrily attacking his food.
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Declaring he was finished, Jack glanced around the table, noticing some others still had food on their plate. In a stage whisper, Jack spoke to his mother. "Mommy, do we have to wait for everyone to be finished?"

"Yes, Son, we do." Elizabeth patted her son's hand. "Be patient and let your meal settle a bit, then we'll see if there is any dessert today. Okay?"

"Wait!" Alarmed, Jack's eyes widened. "You mean I might not get cake?"

"Just you wait, sweet boy. Just wait."

"It's hard to wait." Jack sighed again, raising and lowering his shoulders for emphasis. He stared at his Uncle Bill who still had a forkful on his plate, but made no move to eat it. Jack asked pointedly. "Uncle Bill? Are you going to finish your plate?"

Trying not to break a smile, Bill leaned forward and eyed Jack. "I'm thinking about it, but I don't know yet. Should I?"

Nodding, Jack declared, "Yes, you should. Right away!" He began to scan the plates to find the next person who wasn't finished.

"Son, when your mother said to be patient, she meant sit quietly and wait. I don't think you should try to hurry people, okay?" Nathan spoke softly to Jack.

"But, doesn't everybody else want cake too?" Jack implored.

"They probably do." Endeavoring to distract him, Nathan made a suggestion. "Let's see how good you are at counting. Can you tell me how many people are around the table?"

Nodding enthusiastically, Jack counted. "Ten plus... four. What's that?"

Chuckling, Nathan slowly counted to arrive at fourteen. "…Nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen! Good job, Buddy. Can you tell me how many are ladies?"

"Six!" Jack declared triumphantly.

"And how many are men and boys?" Nathan asked as he handed his and Jack's empty plates to Allie to bring to the kitchen, winking. "Thanks, Allie."

"Oh dear. Where is Uncle Bill going? I have to count him…"

Within a few moments the table was cleared and a song began in the kitchen. Soon Elizabeth rounded the corner bearing a very special candlelit cake, quickly followed by Allie.

"…Happy Birthday to you!"

Jack was excited just to see the candles and clap to the song, but when the cake was set before him, his jaw dropped and he gasped. "That's a train!" Without looking away, Jack exclaimed. "Look, Daddy, it's a train." Clapping his hands with glee, he examined the cake top as Nathan slowly turned it around so Jack and the family could see every side. "I love it!"

"Daddy Nathan and Allie made that train just for you, Jack. Isn't it wonderful?" Elizabeth patted Jack's blonde waves. "Isn't it perfect for a boy who loves trains?"

Nodding vigorously, Jack looked at Nathan, then at Allie who stood on Nathan's other side. "Thank you for my train cake. I love it!"

A miniature gingerbread steam engine sat atop a chocolate frosted cake. Allie had outlined the windows and doors, drawn a design on the round front and placed a red candy in the center to look like a headlamp. She had traced a pattern on the front cow catcher and drawn the spokes of the wheels and the rounds attached to the boiler. On the side of the cab Allie even identified this engine as number five!

"Allie and Nathan, this is incredible. What a great idea and a magnificent little sculpture too." William was standing in his place to get a good view. Laughing he admitted, "You can make my birthday cake just like this one!"

Grace and the ladies laughed. "Boys and their trains!" Patting her husband's arm, she added, "They never grow out of them!"

Carefully Nathan lifted the engine off the cake and set it on a plate to keep it safe, asking Jack's permission to pass it around the table so everyone could see it.

Elizabeth cut the slices and Nathan and Allie helped distribute them to the family.

"Miss Bess and Uncle Bill made the cake and I helped make the frosting. Dad built the engine and I decorated it, so this is a family effort for you, Jack." Allie had to be certain. "You really like it?"

"I love it! It's perfect!" Looking up at Nathan, Jack double-checked. "Can I eat my cake now?"

"Since everyone now has their piece, then yes, you may, Son. Delicious!" Nathan declared. "You can skip the engine, Honey, but make this cake anytime for me! So rich and wonderful! Thank you, Elizabeth, Bill and Allie. You can open a bakery!"
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After a couple second helpings, Carol suggested. "Let's clear the table before we bring out Jack's presents, okay?" Carol directed and with so many helping hands, the table was cleared of dessert and only a few coffee cups remained.

Hudson and Zach gathered the gifts and placed them on the table in front of Jack whose eyes were widening by the minute.

"Happy Birthday, Buddy!" Uncle Zach patted Jack's shoulder. "Looks like a few people love you!"

Gradually Jack worked his way through the stack of gifts, having received a black motor car, a few horses and a model train station, all to the correct scale of the electric train set. He also opened a pair of red pajamas, some clothing and some story books. To keep from too many gifts on Christmas Day, Jack received the packages of red, yellow and blue Plasticine, a bell on a handle and tied with a red ribbon so he could hang it on the Christmas tree for now. This would allow him to announce the train's arrival along with his voice imitating the whistle and screech of brakes! The prize to cap off all the gifts was from his Daddy Nat'n, a blue and white striped train engineer's hat perfectly sized to Jack!

Once the gifts were open, Jack made the rounds of the room, offering hugs and thanks as reminded by his mother who had kept track of each gift and giver.

"Can we play train now?" He stood in front of Nathan who had received the final thank you and hug from the well-dressed young engineer.

Glancing at the clock and then Elizabeth, Nathan responded. I believe we can play for a short time, maybe one half-hour? Then you'll need to remove your hat and keep it at home while we go to church. Okay?"

Nodding in agreement to the time to play, Jack moved to the train set and began to push his new motorcar around the outside of the tracks while waiting for an adult to start the train. Nathan quickly followed, joined by Uncle Zach and Grandpa Archie. As the train began to move towards the station, Nathan nudged Jack to ring the bell so the train could made a proper approach. Operating the control, Zach allowed the train to slow and stop at the station.

Jack, the engineer, took charge as he looked around for something to represent a man. "You play the conductor Grandpa." Jack directed as he quickly stood to retrieve a figure from the nativity set on the side table, and returned with Joseph and his wooden Mountie. He handed the Joseph figure to Archie and the Mountie toy to Nathan. "You play the Mountie!"

"Jack?" Nathan quickly placed his hand on Jack's arm. "You need to ask permission to use the figure of Joseph." He pointed to it as he explained. "That belongs to the Nativity and isn't meant to be played with. Please ask Grampa Peter if it is okay to use it?"

"Can I Grampa Peter? Please?"

"I think it would be better to return that to the table as it is breakable, Son. Would you please put it back where you found it? Excuse me just a moment as I have just the thing to use instead."

"Thank you, Jack. That was the right thing to do." Nathan patted Jack's back as Peter returned with a toy soldier.

"How about using this to play the Conductor, eh?" Peter handed the bronze soldier to Jack. "Can your Grandpa use that instead?"

"Oh yes. That's even better because the soldier doesn't have his bathrobe on like Joseph!" Jack giggled.

The men all chuckled but decided not to correct the fashion faux pax at the moment.

While Hudson, Bill, Peter and Ruth tackled the stacks of used dishes, Allie and Elizabeth headed into the dining room. They set the table with napkins and silverware and prepared the sideboard for the buffet with plates and serving utensils, until it was time for the Thatcher's and Hudson to return to the Hotel to change clothing for the church service and evening.

Nathan and Allie headed to the Cottage to get dressed while Bill offered for Zach to change clothes in his bedroom while he stayed with Jack until Elizabeth was ready to dress and depart. Having Jack put on his best clothes at the last minute gave the young boy a chance to remain looking decent, pressed and tucked in!
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(*75) Joel 2: 25, King James Version, Public Domain.