After so much talk about Nathan and Elizabeth being "just friends," I thought it might be fun to do a one-shot of their story inspired by the experts on friendship - Friends. Just some silliness to hopefully give you a smile as we wait for Season 11.
Elizabeth leaned back on the pillow and gazed over her head through the window. She looked up at the sky with its unrelenting blue and found herself wishing for rain. Anything to take her off of what felt like a stagecoach speeding down a mountain and out of her control.
When they were at the station she'd been so close to telling Lucas how she felt. Even if she wasn't quite sure how to verbalize it, she knew everything felt wrong. Instead, she had simply said that she was too exhausted to go with him to the convention that night. That she would be supporting him here in Hope Valley and would see him after the election.
What she wanted to say was that she wasn't able to give him her whole heart. But at the last minute she lost her courage, and had quickly kissed him goodbye, wished him well, and smiled and nodded when he said they would be married soon and would never again have to part. Elizabeth was grateful he hadn't seen her shiver as his words sent the cold fear down her back.
"I got off the train," she said to Nathan, just hours later. She couldn't wait to find her friend and talk to him about it, to try to make sense of her sudden pivot. He had helped her, as he always did, to feel normal again, to feel sane.
But now, here it was, her wedding day. She was going to be the Governor's wife and move away from Hope Valley. It would be like moving back to Hamilton and truly becoming her mother. And she felt powerless to stop it.
Elizabeth swung her legs over the side of the bed and onto the floor, stretching her arms wearily over her head. Rosemary and Florence would be here any minute to help her get dressed, and she needed to be at least somewhat awake.
With a sigh, she stood up on the cool wooden floor and walked to her closet. Two wedding dresses, side-by-side. One, the ridiculous meringue. And the second one, the one that Rosemary had managed to fashion out of her own wedding dress and some quick notions and lace that they had hurriedly purchased from Benson Hills.
It was a beautiful dress, and thanks to Rosemary's expertise with a needle, it fit her perfectly. But as Elizabeth ran her hands over the smooth fabric and the intricate lace, she found herself feeling nothing.
Without thinking, she moved her hands to the other dress, the one she had thought unspeakably silly until she had looked up and seen the softness in Nathan's eyes in the doorway. In the space of a second, she'd gone from feeling absurd to feeling like the most beautiful woman in the world. Because that's what he saw when he looked at her.
Elizabeth moved her fingers gently over the bows at the shoulder, over the beadwork at the bodice, and down to the layers of tulle at the skirt. She smiled, remembering how when Rosemary and Nathan had left, she had moved to the mirror to see if the dress had actually transformed into something beautiful. She was astonished to find it suddenly made her feel like a princess – albeit a very flouncy, fluffy, ruffled princess – and it reminded her of dress-up when she was a little girl. It was the kind of wedding confection a young girl would dream of.
It was another revelation of sorts. She had chosen her wedding dress to look good next to Lucas – to be understated, sophisticated, worthy of his mother's discerning eye for fashion. She hadn't chosen from her heart.
What's in your heart, Elizabeth? And why was Nathan's voice forever in her head?
A knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. She pulled her robe from the closet and wrapped it around her quickly, instinctively looking into Jack's room as she stepped onto the landing. Then she remembered that LJ had spent the night with Nathan and Allie, at his own request. Rosemary had agreed, thinking it would be a good idea for Elizabeth to get a good night's sleep before the big day. Elizabeth had to admit that LJ would find all of the wedding preparations incredibly tedious.
As she walked down the stairs, she smiled, knowing that the three of them had probably had a warm evening together making cupcakes or cookies, reading in front of the fire or playing games. Her little boy adored Allie and revered Nathan. Elizabeth knew that LJ was instinctively drawn to Nathan in the red serge – she'd spent so much time making sure her son didn't forget his father that she realized she'd unconsciously connected him to Nathan. She couldn't be sorry about that. In fact, it gave her great comfort that Jack had such a good man to look up to.
As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she stopped and closed her eyes, wondering why it was that she felt she would so much rather be there in Nathan's row house having breakfast with them, than facing her wedding day.
This was supposed to be a woman's happiest day. The day of her wedding to Jack had been so wonderful, filled with excitement and wonder, with anticipation of every day into forever spent with the man she loved. Elizabeth had managed to rationalize her lack of excitement about marrying Lucas by remembering that her hopes and dreams for her life with Jack weren't realistic. Things simply don't work that way. Her choice of Lucas was safe. Stable. Predictable. Welcome to the real world, Elizabeth.
Another knock sounded on the door and this time, Rosemary simply opened the door and walked in. "Were you still in bed?" she said, carrying what looked like suitcases into the living room. "On my wedding day, I was up at dawn! I was so excited I couldn't sleep!"
Florence came through the door after Rosemary, with Fiona bringing up the rear, looking apologetic and shrugging with a smile. Elizabeth had to smile back. She felt great affection for Fiona, and knew first-hand what the juggernaut of Rosemary Coulter could be.
"First a bath," Rosemary said to Florence, pointing to the large tub off from the kitchen. "Use the rose petals in that jar, and the lavender salts. Not too hot!" Then to Fiona, she said, "You can set up over there in front of the mirror. Elegant, understated hair and makeup as we discussed."
Finally, she peered at Elizabeth, who was looking fairly overwhelmed and bedraggled at the foot of the stairs. "Oh, my, my. We need to turn that frown upside down! This is your wedding day!" The last two words were said with outstretched arms as if Rosemary were standing on a large stage, and Elizabeth finally had to laugh.
As Elizabeth sank down into the warm, fragrant water, she released a long breath and closed her eyes. Rosemary was moving furniture and setting up tables while she regaled the women with stories of Gustave and his wedding preparations. "He thought that meat was supposed to go in the trifle! Can you imagine that? It's like a comedy!" Elizabeth moved further into the water to give herself the silence to think.
She was working hard at convincing herself that what she was doing was right. If you only give half your heart to someone, only half of your heart can be broken, right? When Jack died, she'd been so lost. Elizabeth had decided that it was precisely because she'd given her whole heart to him that she'd been completely shattered.
So actually, it's a blessing to know I can't give my whole heart to Lucas, isn't it? He can never break me the way Jack did… the way Nathan would…
Elizabeth's eyes flew open and her breath caught. Stop. Nathan and I are just friends. Close, dear, loving friends. He's the one I want to tell things to first, the one I look for in a crowd, the one who makes me laugh like no other, whose praise means the most. Isn't that the definition of a true friend? My friend. My best friend.
Her breath began to calm. I've made my decision, and I'm sticking by it. This is right for me. I will never lose myself to love again. I can't. I'm marrying Lucas.
The morning flew by in laughter, tea and cookies, and conversation. The air in the small row house was blooming with sweet fragrances and the warmth of curling hair, and finally, Elizabeth was standing in front of the full length mirror hardly knowing herself.
"Oh, Elizabeth," Rosemary sighed with satisfaction. "Could you be any more beautiful?"
Rosemary's dress was truly stunning, and Elizabeth thought she looked every inch a Governor's wife.
Within the hour, that is exactly what she would be.
Nathan looked over at LJ as he stood on the bed trying to tie his kerchief in the bedroom mirror. "Here," he said gently, "Let me help you."
LJ gratefully let his arms fall to his sides. He closed his eyes in exasperation. "Why do we hafta get all dressed up just so people can get married?"
Nathan laughed softly. "That's a good question. I don't know. I suppose it's to show respect to the people getting married."
"Can't we just tell them we erspect 'em without havin' to wear a tie?"
"Believe me, I wish we could," Nathan said, twisting his head a little in defiance of his own necktie.
Jack narrowed his eyes at Nathan, "When you get married, you won't make me dress up, will you?"
Nathan put on his most solemn look and saluted. "That's a promise, Mountie Jack."
Jack saluted him back and giggled.
Nathan scooped him up and flew him like a bird through the bedroom door. Allie was waiting on the landing for them, and if anything, her scowl was more pronounced than Jack's.
"I can't believe she's actually marrying Mr. Bouchard. I thought they were on a break, and now suddenly they're getting married. It just doesn't feel right."
Nathan gave Allie a sad smile. "When we love people, we have to abide by their decisions. Whether we think they're right or not."
Allie let out a deep sigh and mumbled under her breath. "She doesn't love him. She loves you."
Nathan raised an eyebrow and looked back at her as he started down the stairs with Jack. "That's not always enough, Allie. It should be, but it's not." He turned and touched her cheek affectionately with an outstretched finger. "Let's go. I don't want to be late."
Everyone was there. The entire town had turned out, and due to Lucas' new position, there were a fair number of dignitaries from around the territory. If Elizabeth had wanted a small ceremony, she had not gotten her wish.
Nathan had closed off the roads into town and the service was being performed by Joseph in the middle of the street in order to accommodate all of the guests. People had brought their chairs from home, and in addition to all the chairs from the saloon and the cafe, there were just barely enough.
A large trellis was just at the town square, covered in flowers that had been shipped in from Union City. A small string quartet dressed in tuxedos was set up off to the side to perform the wedding march. When Elizabeth emerged from the car around the back of the cafe and peered through the window, she thought her heart might beat right out of her chest.
"He said it would be modest!" she wailed as she looked in panic at the spectacle in front of her.
Rosemary shrugged. "Maybe this is modest by Capital City standards," she said, somewhat apologetically. "Lucas' situation has changed, Elizabeth. He has an image to uphold. He's the face of the Territory now."
Elizabeth sighed and looked around for a chair, but of course, there were none. She walked quickly into the kitchen, found the small sofa there, and flopped down into it.
"Elizabeth! Don't wrinkle!"
"I hardly care," Elizabeth said sullenly.
Finally, Rosemary saw what she should have been aware of all morning. "You're not happy at all about this wedding, are you?"
Elizabeth looked at her friend, wondering how honest she could be. After a pause, she looked down and said, "I've made a promise. I need to follow through with it."
Rosemary frowned deeply. "But… but you love Lucas, don't you?"
Quickly, Elizabeth nodded. "Yes, of course I do. He's been so good to me, to little Jack. And he loves me so completely, I know he does…"
"But…?" Rosemary asked, focused on Elizabeth's eyes.
Elizabeth could only repeat what she had been thinking in the bath. "If I don't give my whole heart to someone, it can't get broken again."
Rosemary was almost whispering. "But what kind of life will that be?"
Sitting up and taking a deep breath, Elizabeth felt her resolve returning. "A safe life. A life without worry. A calm, uncomplicated life." She shook her head lightly and straightened out the skirt of her dress. "Lucas will be good to me, and good to Jack. He won't be leaving me and in danger… and…" She turned and looked at Rosemary, her face a mask of serenity. "It will be a good life."
Standing up, Elizabeth lifted her chin. "I'm fine. Totally fine. I'm getting married."
Joseph's words were beautiful. Full of the blessings of marriage, the importance of walking through life together in love and commitment. The bride looked lovely, the groom handsome, and the assembled guests felt it was already a picture perfect wedding.
Nathan sat with Jack and Allie in the front row with Rosemary and Lee.
"Repeat after me," Joseph said in a strong voice. "I, Lucas, take thee Elizabeth."
"I, Lucas, take thee Elizabeth."
"To be my lawfully wedded wife…"
Nathan listened as Lucas repeated the words… love and cherish, sickness and health, 'till death do us part. He found himself repeating them in his head as he gazed at Elizabeth. It's finally over. I've truly lost her.
Joseph turned to Elizabeth and smiled. "Repeat after me. I, Elizabeth, take thee Lucas."
Elizabeth's voice was vibrant and clear, and could be heard all the way to those standing in the back behind the chairs.
"I, Elizabeth, take thee Nathan…"
For a moment, not a soul moved in that whole great crowd. And then, a collective gasp. Molly Sullivan, unable to prevent it, said loudly, "Oh!" Florence clutched Ned's arm so tightly, he jumped in his chair. Some of the schoolchildren giggled. Then there was a low chorus of mumbles as people turned to those next to them, wondering if they had imagined it.
And then everyone turned and looked at Nathan.
At first, Elizabeth didn't realize what she'd said. She looked out at the guests, confused by what she was hearing, and then it dawned on her. In horror, she looked at Lucas, who had released her hands gently and was now looking down at his feet in resignation.
"No…" Elizabeth said, shaking her head. "Lucas. I take thee Lucas," she said, looking wildly back out at the crowd. Her eyes landed on Nathan, and she softened, whispering, "Nathan…" Then she looked back at Lucas and Joseph and said, softly, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry…"
Her eyes darted around and landed on the Library. Her sanctuary. A door she could lock. A place to hide.
And she ran.
Always do what you are afraid to do.
"A little late for that…" Elizabeth said to the plaque in an accusatory tone. She was leaning against the locked door, her breath coming in gasps between the hiccups of impending tears. Right now she was so horrified about what she had said, she couldn't even fathom it.
The curtains were all pulled, so the room was blissfully in shadow. Elizabeth knew they would be coming. First Rosemary, then perhaps Lucas? And Nathan? What had she seen in his face? Not anger, or recrimination, or even shock.
Love. She had seen love. And right now, his was the only face she wanted to see.
Finally, fully, completely, Elizabeth knew. She loved him with her whole heart, and whether he was in danger or not, whether he was riding out of town or back to her, whether they were together or apart, he was her soulmate, her lobster, mated for life, her love.
It was a perfect wedding.
Elizabeth wore the meringue, the one Nathan loved on her and that made her feel like a princess. He wore her favorite blue suit, which reminded her of so many treasured moments with him. Allie wore a pretty pink ruffled dress as flower girl, and LJ was the ring bearer. Nathan made good on his promise, and LJ wore his clean play shorts and suspenders. He insisted on wearing his Mountie hat and no one had the inclination or power to talk him out of it.
The church was filled with Elizabeth's students and the friends who had watched them dance around each other for nearly six years. Through it all, it had been Nathan and Elizabeth, always finding each other, always connected, always in love.
The largest bouquet of flowers stood in the back of the church, with a card from Governor and Mrs. Bouchard: "To the happy couple. We each found our perfect match. With much love, Lucas and Fiona."
When it came time for their vows, Elizabeth put special emphasis on Nathan's name, and repeated it, looking out at the congregation, as they laughed in memory of that day. Everyone knew that she would get it right this time, because everyone knew that they were meant to be together.
After they kissed and looked out at the life that lay ahead of them, Nathan turned to Elizabeth and said softly, "How you doin'?" Elizabeth laughed and hugged him tightly.
"You know, no one told me life was going to be this way." She reached up and brushed a lock of hair from his eyes.
Nathan smiled. "How could they have known? We were just friends."
