Celebration

Elizabeth clung to a squirming Jack as the results were announced. When the radio announcer stated Lucas had won, everyone cheered. She jumped up and hugged Jack with great excitement. He squirmed some more, and she put him down so that she could embrace her friends. Jack quickly ran up to Allie and they danced around the room.

Elizabeth finished hugging Rosemary and looked around. She didn't know what to do. She was so happy, yet she stood there alone amongst the crowd. Her eyes searched for, well she wasn't sure. She felt suddenly alone and a little bit lost. As her friends embraced their loved ones or significant others, she suddenly felt very emotional and vulnerable. She quickly checked to see that Allie was okay with Jack if she stepped out for a minute.

Allie and Jack danced past her, "Allie!" Allie turned, "Yes Mrs. Thornton?"

Elizabeth forced a smile, "Could you watch Jack for a little bit while I step outside?"

"Of course!" Allie and Jack resumed their jig and ran to find other children to join in the fun.

Elizabeth walked outside and took a deep breath. An unbidden tear rolled down her cheek. She wasn't sure what she was feeling, happiness for the town? Sadness that she can't be with Lucas and celebrating with him? Or loneliness that the one person she wanted to celebrate with was mysteriously not there?

She saw the light over at Henry's office and took a deep breath. She walked towards it and lightly brushed the tears from her face.

What she didn't see what the tall Mountie standing in the shadows near the Queen of Hearts. Nathan had stepped outside once the announcement was made. He was happy and relieved that Lucas had won. Now the matter of water in the area was going to be taken care of. But he didn't feel like joining in the celebration. He picked at some stray dirt in his nails as Elizabeth walked out. He noticed the light trail of tears on her cheek but didn't dare do anything about it even though his entire body ached to comfort her.

He watched her walking to Henry's, admired the way she carried herself, the slight sway of her hips, her tall straight back. He tore his eyes away from her while he gathered his wits about him and enjoyed the beautiful night while the group inside celebrated.

Elizabeth walked quietly out of Henry's office. She felt much better, it always helped to bring others up when you are feeling out of sorts. She caught sight of Nathan just before she got to the door. She jumped; she hadn't seen him there. "Nathan!"

Nathan, lost in his own thoughts, also jumped a bit. "Hey there," he smiled. "You need to be careful when you sneak up on someone who carries a gun."

Elizabeth smiled, "Ha. Ha. Well, I wouldn't have been startled if you hadn't been so quiet." She clasped her hands in front of herself, mostly out of habit. Then she quickly pulled them apart. Why was she always trying to keep him at bay?

Nathan's smile sort of dropped as he watched her hands assume the familiar pose. He looked away.

Elizabeth was in no hurry to leave. "Um Nathan," He looked at her again. "I, uh, well, it seemed that, uh, the other night, you acted like you had something to say to me. But you didn't finish. I was wondering if everything is, well, if it's okay, between us?"`

Nathan just watched her. His jaw clenching and unclenching as he processed what he should say. "Well," as shyness overtook him, he looked at his shoes for a moment. "I guess I was just going to ask if you were alright." He put on a forced smile. What did he want to say? Well, that was easy, but was she ready to hear his declaration of love? It was too soon, he decided. She had three weeks to approach him, but he had made himself unavailable so that he would not put any pressure on her.

"Oh, I see." She turned to go in the Saloon. But then she quickly turned back. After her conversation with Henry, Elizabeth suddenly felt a burst of bravery and boldness take over. She walked over to Nathan and lightly kissed him on the cheek. She quickly turned away from Nathan's shocked expression and went to walk into the Saloon. She got only a few inches when someone caught her arm mid-stride.

Nathan was gently pulling her towards him with a warm smile on his face. She smiled back at him as he pulled her closer into his arms. They simply held each other in the dim lights. As people came walking out still cheering, he slightly jerked his head towards the library, and they ran towards it giggling like a couple of school kids.

Elizabeth suddenly stopped, "Jack! I left him with Allie!"

Nathan, feeling a bit like cold water had been dumped on him, suddenly turned.

Elizabeth ran back to the Queen of Hearts and pushed her way back into the room. Allie was still there with Jack. "Allie, thank you so much. Come on Jack, lets go home."

"I wanna go wif Allie." Jack whined as he gripped her hand harder. Allie shrugged and smiled.

"I can take him home Mrs. Thornton if you would like to stay out a little longer." And they were off before she could protest.

Elizabeth simply walked back out and found Nathan still outside chatting with Lee and Rosemary.

"Yes you must come over for some tea while we put Goldie down. I will see if Elizabeth…Oh! Elizabeth!" Rosemary waved and called out to her. "You must come over and have tea with us. We have so much to talk about."

Elizabeth shyly smiled at Nathan. "Well, okay. Are you coming as well Nathan?" He grinned in response.

"Well, I guess so since Allie is already on her way home. I saw she had little Jack. So I assume she is putting him to bed?"

Elizabeth shrugged. "I am not sure, but since we are going that way we can help."

Rosemary clapped, and said, "Wonderful!" Lee gave Nathan a questioning look but said nothing. They left quickly to prepare for their guests.

The street was nearly empty. Nathan stood awkwardly with his hands in his pockets and kind of rocked on his heels. "So, does this mean we are possibly courting? Because if we are not, this is going to be an awkward evening."

Elizabeth put her hand through his arm and gave him a warm smile. "I think that it is a good possibility."

They walked the empty street, hand in hand into the night. "You realize the entire town is going to know about this by morning, don't you?"

Elizabeth grinned, "Since when do I care about what the town thinks about our relationship?"

He stopped and turned her towards him. "Then we might as well make it official."

He looked at her with her brown curls around her shoulders. Her wide eyes reflecting a warmth directed at him that he had longed to see. Her lips turned up into an alluring smile. "Oh Elizabeth," he whispered as he leaned into her with a soft kiss.

Yes there was definitely a reason to celebrate.