Chapter 4 – Reception
As Nathan and Carol walked around the corner and toward the hotel, the entire town erupted into cheering and applause. Nathan and Carol were surprised to see so many people. Even some of the residents who lived further out came in for this party. Nathan was so touched, he had to stop and wipe a tear.
One of the men saw Nathan and called out.
"Three cheers for the Constable." The man called.
"Hip hip hooray." The crowd called, three times.
People lined up so Nathan and Carol could greet their guests as they made their way to the table set for two near the steps to the hotel. Nathan and Carol were overwhelmed with the turn out and the greetings that they were getting. Once they were seated, Bill was the first to step up.
"Welcome everyone." Bill said. "We are gathered here primarily to celebrate Nathan and Carol and their wedding, but we also need to acknowledge all the Mounties that arrived this morning to help us out. Three of the men have been here since Sunday, but the majority of them arrived this morning. I don't want to talk about the case at this celebration, but it is enough to say that Hope Valley is safe at the moment, as well as the larger valley area. So enjoy the evening and take a moment to thank the other Mounties in town for all that they have done and coming to help us in our time of need."
The crowd applauded Bill, but he held up his hands to motion for silence again.
"Before we get ready to eat." Bill said. "Let's have a round of applause for all the ladies who worked quickly to put this potluck together. I also invite Joseph up here to say a prayer before we eat."
While the people applauded, Joseph made his way to the front and stood next to Bill. Once the crowd started to quiet down again, Joseph held up his hands.
"Let's bow our heads and pray." Joseph said. "Heavenly Father, we have much to celebrate tonight. First the joining of this man and woman as husband and wife. Second, all the Mounties that have come to our town. Finally, for all of the wonderful food that has been prepared. So please bless this food to our bodies and the hands that prepared it. Amen."
"Amen." Echoed through the crowd.
"We will let the guests of honor go first." Bill said. "First the newlyweds, then the Mounties and their families. Thank you."
Nathan and Carol stood up and went to get their plates. The Mounties lined up after them. Rosemary made her way over to turn the Victrola on to have a little background music. It didn't take long for everyone to have their plates and start to enjoy the food that had been brought. Nathan and Carol were enjoying spending time feeding each other small bites of food. They had made sandwiches and there were several salads to choose from and between them, they took a small bite of each. Nathan also grabbed one of each type of the cookies. Carol just shook her head when she saw his plate.
"Like cookies much?" Carol asked.
Nathan just gave her a lopsided grin and then leaned over to kiss her.
"Be good or I won't share." Nathan teased.
"Share?" Carol said. "I was just going to swipe one, like this."
She reached for one, but Nathan caught her hand and brought it to his mouth to take a bite. After taking a bite and giving her another grin, he turned her hand so she could take a bite.
"You are naughty." Carol teased.
"You just wait and see." Nathan said, with a flirty smile and wiggle of his eyebrows.
Carol laughed and shook her head. People were loving watching the interactions between the two as they ate. Jack and Elizabeth weren't seated that far from the newlyweds.
"I am so happy for Nathan." Elizabeth said.
"Me too." Jack said. "Even if it was a lot quicker than anyone thought, I am happy they are happy. With both us being newlyweds, you ladies might be raising children together."
Elizabeth smiled. She wanted nothing more than to grow her family and give Jack more children. She also knew that he couldn't wait to experience that with her.
"I would love that." Elizabeth said. "I know that Nathan has Allie, but he has also expressed in the past how much he wanted a child of his own. He took custody of Allie when she was four, so never really got to experience things like other parents."
"Kind of like me, right now." Jack said. "I can't wait to see you carry my child."
"I was huge with Jack." Elizabeth said.
"I am sure you were beautiful." Jack said. "Because in my eyes, you will always be gorgeous. So I don't care how big you get, the fact that you are willing to go through all that to bring another child into the world is more than I can say."
"Hopefully next time, you are here." Elizabeth said. "And I can give birth in my own house and not in a hunter's cabin in the middle of a blizzard with only Rosemary and Abigail."
"You still need to tell me that whole story." Jack said.
"Remind me another time." Elizabeth said. "But you should hear Rosemary tell it."
"Oh, I will get that version as well." Jack said. "But I want to hear it from you first."
"If that is what you want." Elizabeth said. "Remind me to tell you later tonight."
"I will." Jack said. "Just so you know, I want to hear every story that you have of JT from when I was gone. So if you remember one while I am at work, write it down. I have missed so much, but that doesn't mean that I can't know some of what happened."
"I will do that." Elizabeth said. "Talking reminds me that I need to get a letter off to Abigail. I miss her so much. I thought she would have come back after her mother passed, but I also understand why she didn't."
"Changing the subject." Jack said. "I know I owe you a proper honeymoon, but I was wondering if we let Nathan and Carol take time off first. I know that Carol has to go back East to get her stuff to move here, so I was going to suggest to Nathan that he goes with and they turn it into a honeymoon."
"I think that would be great." Elizabeth said. "We got a honeymoon, just not the one that we had originally planned. Besides, I can't imagine being away from JT for that long. I have only ever been away from him for a night. I don't think I could leave him for over two weeks."
"Maybe we can take a family trip then." Jack said.
"I wouldn't mind that." Elizabeth said.
"Give me a chance to talk to Nathan and also see what is going to happen with the case." Jack said. "A lot of things are going to depend on that."
"I know." Elizabeth said. "I honestly don't want to think about that man again."
"Hopefully." Jack said. "He will soon just be a bad memory."
"I admit not everything was bad." Elizabeth said. "But as I have had time to reflect, I realize that he pushed me to do things I wasn't ready for. I was actually dreading getting married until you showed up. Now, I couldn't be happier."
"I am glad you are happy." Jack said. "I hope that we have many more happy years ahead and we can move past the five years we were apart."
"Me too." Elizabeth.
The couple turned when they heard a whistle. Jack smiled, because he saw Gabe step up to the top of the steps in front of the hotel.
"As the best man." Gabe said. "I have a few things to say."
Nathan put his hand over his face and shook his head. He wasn't sure what Gabe was going to say, but he was pretty sure that he was going to be embarrassed. Carol just put her hand on Nathan's back and rubbed small circles. From what Nathan had told her about Gabe, she was excited to hear this man.
"So for those that don't know." Gabe said. "I am Gabe Kinslow and I am the Constable in Brookfield. Nathan and I met on the first day of training. My initial thoughts of him were what is this lanky, awkward teenager going to have to offer the Mounties. Nathan was nineteen and looked all of fifteen at the time. I was just a few days past my eighteenth birthday, but looked more like I was in my mid-twenties. I remember one of the instructors asking him how old he was and Nathan stuttering through the answer. I then felt bad for him and offered to be his friend. We spent everyday together training and helping each other learn. He taught me to ride better and how to fish.
Later I was able to teach him how to cook and braid hair, thanks to my sisters making me learn. When his sister died and he took in his niece, now daughter, I thought he was a little crazy. He explained to me that he understood not having anyone in the world and he never wanted Allie to feel like that, so that was why he couldn't leave her at an orphanage, like many of our superiors suggested. He removed himself from the officers track and took a different path so he could be there for Allie. He asked for this assignment so that he could give Allie a home. There were other reasons, but the biggest thing was that he wanted a place where Allie could find herself and a small town with a loving teacher was just the thing. They have now made this place their home. A home that they open to Carol.
So Carol, welcome to the family. We might not see each other all the time, but we are there when it counts. You will now always have a brotherhood to help you if you ever need it. I know that you will make Nathan a happy man, because I have never heard him so discombobulated as I did over the last week on the phone when he called – several times."
That brought laughter from the crowd. Most of them had seen Nathan tongue-tied around Elizabeth, and could imagine how much worse it was with a woman that was his soulmate.
"I think I have embarrassed Nathan enough for now." Gabe said. "So if Nathan and Carol could please make their way over to the dance floor, so they can share their first dance as husband and wife."
Nathan and Carol stood up. He led her over to the dance floor. They were surprised to see the piano from the hotel and Angela sitting there. They were even more surprised to see Allie and Rosemary step up next to her.
"This was Allie's idea." Rosemary said. "She thought you deserved something special for your first dance."
Angela started playing "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" and Rosemary and Allie sang the words. Even the crowd was a bit surprised. Rosemary was a true performer and Allie had a great voice as well. Nathan took Carol in his arms. He looked at her and gave her a lopsided grin.
"Just follow me." Nathan whispered.
As promised, Nathan led her across the dance floor and back. Most of the people gathered were surprised at how well Nathan danced as they had never really seen him dance before last week. If they thought he was good last week, he looked great with Carol in his arms. As the song was coming to a close, Nathan leaned down and captured Carol's lips with his own.
"I love you." Nathan said, after he pulled back.
"I love you as well." Carol said. "We are going to have to get my Victrola out here, because I want to be able to dance with you more."
"That can be arranged." Nathan said. "Because I want to dance more with you as well."
Angela started playing a different piece and people joined Nathan and Carol on the dance floor. After three or four songs, Bill cut in to dance with Carol. Nathan reluctantly let her go with Bill. He went to get a drink and have a seat for a moment.
Bill looked at Carol.
"Did you have a good day?" Bill asked.
"It was more than I could have imagined." Carol said. "Everyone worked so hard. I am never going to be able to repay them."
"Just love and take care of Nathan." Bill said. "That will be all the repayment that will be needed. I wouldn't turn down a few more honorary nieces and nephews."
Carol blushed.
"No pressure." Bill said. "But you are a young woman and Nathan is a fit man."
"I hope to give Nathan as many children as God sees fit." Carol said.
"Good." Bill said. "Then I think you will both love the gift I have for you."
"What gift?" Carol said. "What are you talking about?"
"I am giving you and Nathan a piece of property to build a house on." Bill said. "It is close to where Jack and Elizabeth will be building their house, but far enough that you both will have privacy. It is also close to one of Nathan and Allie's favorite fishing spots."
"That is more than generous of you." Carol said.
"You deserve it." Bill said. "I have already spoken to Jack and Elizabeth and they are fine with having you all as neighbors. Lee owns some property near there as well, so they might build a house as well. Especially now that they have Goldie and are looking to adopt at least one more."
"I won't argue with you." Carol said. "Granted, I was looking forward to living in the row house, I thought it was charming."
"You will be there at least through the winter." Bill said. "I doubt that there will be time to get more than the foundations set this fall. Lee has been so busy with other projects."
"Does Nathan know?" Carol said.
"Not yet." Bill said. "I wanted you to know first."
"Then I think we need to tell him." Carol said. "I know he was worried about where we were going to live when we talked about things on the trip to Buxton."
"We can do that." Bill said. "You can tell him when he cuts back in. Which is going to be pretty quick from the look on his face."
Bill spun Carol around and out to Nathan's waiting arms. Nathan pulled Carol back in close to himself.
"So what were you and Bill talking about?" Nathan asked, as they swayed to the music of the Victrola.
"He was telling me how he was giving us a piece of land." Carol said. "It is near where Jack and Elizabeth are building and one of your favorite fishing spots. He also said that Lee and Rosemary own land near there, and that they might be building as well next summer."
"I am not surprised." Nathan said. "But I can't believe that he is giving it to us. I will talk to him. We need to pay him."
"He said he wasn't going to let us pay." Carol said. "He said that the only repayment that he would accept would be for us to give him a bunch more honorary nieces and nephews."
Nathan blushed and ducked his head. Part of him couldn't believe that Bill had said that and the other part was sure that Bill would have said something like that.
"Well then." Nathan said. "I guess we'll just have to do that. You are okay, not being a Pinkerton anymore? I mean you could, but if we have children, then I don't want both of us to have dangerous jobs."
"I am fully prepared to give up the Pinkertons for our family." Carol said. "Besides, I want to be a good wife. If I need or want, there are plenty of things I can do around here."
Nathan leaned down so that he was right by Carol's ear.
"So when do you want to leave here?" Nathan whispered. "So we can start working on those nieces and nephews for Bill and the brothers and sisters that Allie asked for."
Carol blushed and swatted Nathan's arm.
"A little bit longer." Carol said. "Everyone went to so much work to pull this all together in a couple of hours for us. The least that we can do is stay and enjoy it for a while."
"I guess." Nathan sighed.
They finished the dance and then went to sit at one of the larger tables to visit with people. The moment that they sat down, JT came running over.
"Nathan." JT called.
"Hey there big guy." Nathan said, picking the child up.
Once he got JT settled on his lap, Nathan turned to Carol.
"Carol." Nathan said. "I would like to introduce you to Jack Thornton Jr."
"Hello there." Carol said.
"Hi Miss Nathan." JT said. "You staying now?"
Nathan tried to hide his chuckle at the Miss Nathan comment.
"Yes." Carol said. "I am going to live with Nathan and Allie from now on. We are going to be a family."
"Like Mama and Daddy and me." JT said.
"Exactly like that." Carol said. "I hear you like it when Allie babysits for you. Maybe we will have to have you come over so we can bake cookies together."
"I like cookies." JT said. "Nathan too."
"I know he likes cookies." Carol said, with a smile.
"So you being good for your daddy?" Nathan asked.
"Umm..." JT said. "Grandpa is here."
"I know that your grandpa is here." Nathan said. "What do you think of him?"
JT looked at Nathan and then motioned for him to lean closer, so Nathan did.
"He dresses like Mr Lucas and is about as much fun." JT whispered loudly.
"Well." Nathan whispered. "Maybe he doesn't know how to act. He only had girls, like your Mama. Maybe see if he will play with your train that you got for Christmas or maybe with your Mounties. You will have to show him what to do."
"I can do that." JT said.
"I thought so." Nathan said. "Now, how about you go ask him to play with you. I know that your Mama brought your bag of blocks and Mounties. You can play up on the boardwalk."
"Really?" JT asked.
"Just this once." Nathan said.
"Otay." JT said, and wriggled down out of Nathan's lap.
As they watched JT run to his grandfather, they laughed.
"You were really good with him." Carol said.
"He makes it easy." Nathan said. "He was only about six months old when I moved here and from the first day that he saw me, he was fascinated with the brass buttons on my uniform and petting Newton. No matter what was going on, I always tried to make time for him, since I knew what it was like to grow up without a father. At least he had a good person to hear stories about."
"Just proof that you are an excellent father." Carol said. "If you give our own children half that love, they will be great people."
Nathan smiled.
"I know that Jack is back and everything." Carol said. "But I don't expect you to not be a part of that boy's life. You have been someone that he has looked up to for years. You have to be there as long as you feel comfortable doing that. I am sure that Jack will be there to help our children as well."
"Are you sure?" Nathan asked. "I don't want things to be awkward between us, given my history with Elizabeth."
"It will only be awkward if you make it so." Carol said. "You have been honest with me about your feelings for her and that you still love her, just not the way that you thought. You also told me that you believe that she is with the person that she is meant to be with. Besides, didn't Gabe say that the Mounties are like a big brotherhood. Then that makes Elizabeth and I sisters through you guys. We will need to be there for each other, since we will understand when you have to be gone."
"Thank you." Nathan said. "I know that was asking a lot of you."
"It would only have been asking a lot if I didn't love you." Carol said. "See because I love you and you love this town and the people who live there, I need to love them as well."
"You make it sound so simple." Nathan said.
"Maybe it is." Carol said. "The long conversations I have had with Pastor Joseph this week have shown me that it really might be that simple and we just make things difficult."