Chapter 3 – Party Time
"I am very proud of you." Nathan whispered. "That was very mature how you handled Mrs Thornton."
Allie smiles up at her dad.
"She really is happy." Allie said. "That is all we can ask for."
"Yes, she is." Nathan said. "And when did you get so wise?"
"I have my moments." Allie said, with a smile. "But honestly, Mom came to me in a dream last night and told me Mrs Thornton is with who she belongs."
"Mom say anything else to you last night?" Nathan asked.
"Just to trust there is something for us as well." Allie said. "You are not surprised."
"No." Nathan said. "Your mother told me as much also. She told me I need to open up and be a friend."
"Mom always knew what to say." Allie said.
Nathan nodded and gave his daughter a hug. It wasn't weird to either of them that they dreamt of Colleen or that she had spoken to them. They had an understanding between them that other people might not have understood, but both Nathan and Allie firmly believed that their beloved sister and mother was there with them and they talked to her at times like she was.
…. …. …. ….
Both Jack and Elizabeth had seen the exchange between Nathan and Allie even if they couldn't hear what was said. They exchanged a look and knew the other wanted to help Nathan find his own happiness.
People had already started moving toward town and the hotel. Since it was nice the celebration was going to be outside as well as inside. Jack, Elizabeth and the rest of the wedding party hung back for a little bit and while Fiona got some pictures. Everyone's favorite picture turned out to be the first official portrait of the Thornton family of three, too bad they wouldn't be a family of three for very much longer. Little Jack insisted on getting one with just him and his daddy, then another with Nathan and one with Allie. Fiona even took one of the Coulter family as they hadn't had taken since having Goldie.
Once the photos had been taken, inside and out, the group moved over to the hotel and main street. Bill and Nathan had blocked off most of main street so they could stay out of the hotel for as long as possible, since no one knew when Lucas would be back or how he would react if he came back. Even while trying to relax, both Nathan and Bill were on alert. Little did they know Jack was just as much on alert. The children played in the street as people gathered around one of the many tables that had been set up. The ladies had made several varieties of sandwiches to go along with the cookies and cupcakes that had been made.
Once everyone was over at the hotel area, Jack and Elizabeth circulated among the groups of people, thanking them for coming. After about twenty minutes of people mingling and getting plates of food, Lee stepped up on the top step in front of the hotel. He clapped his hands to get people's attention.
"Let me be the first to welcome you." Lee called out. "This morning, I was shocked beyond belief when I saw Jack at Elizabeth's house. As I am sure many of you were when he walked in the church. Let me just say, I can't tell you how wonderful it is to have my best friend back and to experience fatherhood together is even greater. As many of you know, I was one of Jack's groomsmen five years ago with Bill serving as best man.
Today, I was the best man as Bill had the important job of walking the bride down the aisle. I spent the better part of the day trying to figure out what I was going to say since the previous speech prepared is useless."
There was laughter among the people as they knew that Lucas had asked Lee to be his best man when Elizabeth had asked Rosemary, even though they never really spent time together.
"There are so many things I want to say." Lee continued. "But it boils down to I am just happy that Jack is back. I look forward to working with him again. To see his smiling face as he watches over the town we all love. Only this time when Elizabeth finds trouble like, Jack won't be alone in having to rescue her."
Again there was laughter from those who knew the history between the couple.
"So." Lee said. "We are blessed to have two of the finest Constables protecting us that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Welcome home, Jack and congratulations to you and Elizabeth as you restart your life together."
There was quite a bit of applause as Lee went up to hug both Jack and Elizabeth. Once the applause died down, Rosemary stepped up to where Lee had been.
"When I first came to town." Rosemary said. "One could say that Elizabeth and I weren't on the best of terms. But afterwhile, we started to be friends and today I don't think I would be able to have a better friend than Elizabeth Thornton. We have weathered many storms together, including one where we were stranded in a hunter's cabin in a blizzard, but that turned out pretty good in the end."
Rosemary smiled at Elizabeth and then looked over at Little Jack. Elizabeth's gaze had also followed to Little Jack and Jack knew that there was a story there that he was going to have to get.
"I am just so happy that the Elizabeth most of us knew and loved has returned to us." Rosemary continued. "Not that the Elizabeth of the last few years was so bad, but just different and not the person that I knew she could be. I think the reason that she has gone back to the woman that I knew was because her lifetime love returned to her as she has long wished for. I see the difference of him being back just one day has made in her. I know that I had said that Jack was only a season, but that was when I thought he was dead and I had tried to convince Elizabeth that another was her lifetime.
I stand corrected and freely admit I was wrong and Jack is truly her lifetime. The other two men who have been in her life the last few years were there for a reason and one was a season. One showed her that she could open her heart again and therefore I believe he was the reason. I wish him the best and hope that he finds his own happiness one day. The other man, he was a season. He showed Elizabeth what she was truly seeking and that was someone that supported and understood her. And no matter what I personally thought of either of the gentlemen, I always tried to be supportive and I hope, Elizabeth, that you know that I only wanted what was best for you and Little Jack.
To Jack, I am sorry I ever doubted Elizabeth's love for you. In those early days, she told me that she didn't think that you were really gone and you would come back to her. At first I let her believe that, even after the funeral. Then as time went along, being her best friend, I tried to get her to move on. So I am sorry that I pushed her to move on when she felt that you were still alive. I am sorry for all the heartache that it has caused because I was wrong and Elizabeth was right from the start. She said she would have felt it in her soul if Jack had really been gone and she didn't feel that way. She was broken hearted at the potential that you were lost to her, but she kept saying he will come back. So Jack, welcome home and I am so sorry that I ever doubted the love and connection that the two of you have."
Rosemary walked over to the couple.
"You are totally forgiven, Rosie." Jack said. "You were just trying to be a good friend to Elizabeth."
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "You are truly one of the greatest friends I have ever had. I forgive you as well. I know that you were trying your best with the information that we had at the time."
Rosemary hugged each of them before she went back to the top step.
"Now." Rosemary said. "I think it is time for the couple to share a dance together."
Jack and Elizabeth came over to where the Victrola had been set up. People gathered around as Jack led his wife to the center. They looked at each other and together they whispered 'finally.' Before laughing.
As the music started, Jack led Elizabeth on the small makeshift dance floor on the packed dirt of main street. They were just so happy to be together again, they didn't care that it wasn't the fanciest wedding. It couldn't have been a more perfect day for them to celebrate the love that was still so evident between them. The celebration that was happening around them was perfect for them and that was all that mattered. The only thing that would have made it better would have been having their families there, but at that point, they both understood that it wasn't worth waiting so that could happen. One thing that Jack didn't tell Elizabeth was that he wanted to get the vow renewal done incase Bouchard tried to cause trouble. He didn't think that the man was that stupid, but he didn't want to take any chances. Jack knew that they had been legally married, otherwise he would have been with her the night before, but to renew their vows in front of their friends made it harder if Lucas did try anything.
As Jack danced with Elizabeth, the grin on his face grew. He was thinking that he was going to get permission from headquarters and take the honeymoon that they had never gotten to. Not that he wanted to be away from Little Jack for two weeks or so, but he would if that was what Elizabeth wanted. Elizabeth put her hand on Jack's cheek.
"What are you thinking about?" Elizabeth asked. "You have a dreamy smile on your face."
Jack looked at Elizabeth and wiggled his eyebrows.
"You are incorrigible." Elizabeth said, with a smile.
For her part, Elizabeth blushed and put her head on Jack's shoulder as the image of his naked body from the night before came back to her. Jack and Elizabeth finished their dance and shared a kiss to the applause and excitement of those gathered.
Once the Victrola was started and people were encouraged to dance. Still feeling guilty about the way she had treated Nathan, she went and stood by him. She waited a moment as he had been talking with someone, but when Nathan turned and looked at Elizabeth, she smiled and held out her hand.
"I believe I owe you a dance." Elizabeth said.
Nathan was stunned for a moment and then looked up to see Jack smile and nod. Nathan then led Elizabeth to the dance floor.
"I hope we can still be friends." Elizabeth said. "You are still the father of a student and will be working with Jack."
"I would like that." Nathan said.
"I know I said it last night." Elizabeth said. "But I truly am sorry for the way that went with us. I never wanted you to get hurt and I especially didn't want Allie to get hurt. Please don't shut yourself off, I am convinced there is someone for you and you alone. I was always going to be Jack's."
Nathan stared at Elizabeth for a moment, it was the third time he had heard that said. Nathan finished the dance with Elizabeth over small small talk.
"Thank you." Elizabeth said.
"You are welcome." Nathan said, as he led her over to Jack.
"Surprised that all the single ladies aren't lined up outside the office." Jack said, with a smirk. "If I had been able to dance half that great, Elizabeth would have had some serious competition."
Elizabeth swatted Jack's chest. Nathan turned red and tugged at his collar a bit.
"Oh the single ladies have definitely noticed Nathan here." Bill chimed in.
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "What did Fiona say when you first arrived? Oh that is right, she called you quite the dish."
Jack laughed.
"I have never heard it put quite that way." Jack said.
"Are they teasing you, Dad?" Allie asked, coming over.
Allie had seen her father dance with Mrs Thornton and then start tugging at his collar again. She knew that he was either embarrassed or uncomfortable, probably both since it seemed Uncle Bill was there as well.
"Yes." Jack said. "We are, but we will stop if that upsets you."
"No." Allie said. "Dad just gets embarrassed easily. He used to be much more fun, but whatever. So, what were you teasing him about?"
"That I was surprised that all the single ladies weren't lined up outside the office with how well your father dances." Jack said.
"Oh that is easy." Allie said. "Until recently, they never had the opportunity to see him dance. He taught me and grandma taught him."
"Well then." Jack said. "We will just have to find more opportunities for your dad to relax and have some fun dancing."
"That would be great." Allie said. "Dad works too hard sometimes and until recently never really took time to relax. Uncle Bill made him take some time to relax."
"Then I agree with Uncle Bill." Jack said. "Maybe with both of us sharing the post, he will get more time to relax."
"That would be nice." Allie said.
"Come one, kiddo." Nathan said. "Let's leave Corporal and Mrs Thornton alone."
Allie looked at her dad and closed her mouth. She was going to protest, but she saw the look on his face. He was embarrassed and obviously struggling.
"See you later." Allie said.
She then took her father's hand and led him to the dance floor so they could share a dance. Everyone was having a great time. No one even bothered to go inside the hotel, but left that to the guests that were staying there. Because everyone was having such a good time, Bill and Joseph had talked about starting the fire pit. Bill went and talked to one of the butchers and he went and got some meat for Bill and Joseph to cook over the open fire pit. A few of the ladies had taken it upon themselves to go get different salads and things so that they would have a more complete meal. Because everyone was so excited to have Jack back, they didn't want the part to end. The wedding couple didn't seem to mind as they were enjoying being together again and spending time with friends that Jack hadn't seen in years and meeting other people who had moved in after he had left.
As the sun set, there were several lanterns lit as well as some torches to keep the party going and the bugs down. Most people agreed it was a great party atmosphere on main street as they looked around. Most everything had come from the cafe or was brought from people's homes. Even with services the next day, no one was in a hurry to go home. So they stayed and enjoyed the party. The kids were playing on one end of the street near one of the barricades. They were even keeping an eye on Little Jack. Rosemary and Lee were fine to stay as their daughter was being good and sleeping in her pram, which was rare enough.
Overall, it was a great time to celebrate Jack and Elizabeth as well as the community as a whole. It was the first time that the community felt whole again in a long time. Yes, there had been celebrations over the years, but there was always a hint of sadness to them for whatever reason. That night the sadness was gone and people were really happy for their Mountie and teacher. The atmosphere was truly joyful for the first time in a long time and there were no undercurrents of sadness or uneasiness that had been present in the community over the last several years.
Nathan was even having a good time. Faith had convinced him to dance a couple of times, even though they were just friends and had agreed to stay that way. Nathan also shared a dance with Mei and one with Fiona. Several of the other ladies, married and single alike, had also asked Nathan to dance after seeing him with Elizabeth and then Allie. When not on the dance floor, Nathan was found visiting with Jack, Bill, Lee and Pastor Joseph. Some of the hotel guests had even come out to join the party as it had sounded like a great time.
The party continued until someone drove right through the barricade that had been set up, spewing gravel and sending people running, screaming. Once the car came to a stop, Lucas stumbled out. His suit rumbled and his hair mussed. Nathan and Bill headed toward him and as they got closer they realized that Lucas reeked of alcohol and was in no shape to be driving.