The wedding went by in a blur for Allie. From the moment they had rushed from the house, not wanting to be late for the Church everything had happened so quickly. Allie had taken her place with Lily and helped walk her down the aisle. The faces in the crowd were hard to distinguish as she walked, focusing on the altar at the front of the Church. Allie didn't know many of the guests attending as Faith and Fiona, Adam and Joshua's families were there from other Towns. It wasn't until she had reached the end of the aisle and turned to watch her stepmother, Faith and Fiona walk in that she saw him.
When she saw Cody Stanton in the crowd of wedding guests, her stomach flipped over, filling with butterflies, and her cheeks reddened. Allie was pleased to see the admiration in his eyes as he looked at her in her wedding outfit. He smiled broadly at her, unconcerned with who might see him. Allie smiled shyly in return, then dragged her eyes away from Cody and watched Quinn walking toward her.
Allie knew Quinn had seen the direction she was looking, and a soft smile lifted the corners of her mouth as she winked at her. Allie had to bite her lip to stop the laughter inside her from escaping. She looked away from Quinn and found her Father's eyes this time.
Allie could see her Father was studying her, an inscrutable look on his face. She knew the moment he saw her watching him, he sat straighter, his blue eyes lost that faraway look, and he smiled at her. Allie tried to decipher the emotion she had seen in his eyes; it wasn't sadness, she decided, was he only lost in thought or nostalgia, perhaps?
Looking away from her Dad, she smiled at Quinn as she joined her at the altar, and they turned to watch the brides enter the Church.
The wedding was beautiful, Allie thought. Faith and Fiona were glowing, and the two grooms, Adam and Joshua, were smiling broadly. Allie was sure she had seen tears in Adam's eyes as he watched Fiona as she walked toward him, appearing to float down the aisle in her ivory gown.
After the ceremony, when the two couples were pronounced husband and wife, Allie followed them down the aisle and outside. She laughed as she watched the guests shower them with rose petals as they ran down the stairs of the Church. Her mother stopped beside her, laughing, trying to avoid getting caught up in the celebration.
"Come on, Allie, let's find your Dad and avoid this mayhem," Quinn said as she grasped her hand. The two women stepped quickly down the stairs and walked to where Nathan waited for them.
Allie grinned as her Father gave Quinn a quick kiss before greeting her. She was so pleased her Father and Quinn had found each other; she couldn't imagine him with anyone else, not anymore; they were perfect for each other. She would miss them both so much when she went away to school.
"Hello, Allie," a voice said behind her, and she turned, glad of the interruption to her melancholy thoughts.
"Cody, Hi." Allie said, suddenly shy, and she wasn't sure why. She had seen Cody and knew he was there. He had asked to escort her to the reception, so of course, he would find her after the wedding. Some of her nerves came from knowing she hadn't told her Father about her date with Cody yet, and this wasn't how she wanted him to find out.
"Hello, Sir, Mrs Grant," Cody continued, greeting her parents. Allie was blushing furiously now. What was her Father going to do when Cody escorted her away?
"Hello, Cody." Quinn greeted him with a smile as if she hadn't seen him a few hours before.
"All set, Cody?" Nathan asked, looking at Cody with a smile.
"Yes, sir," Cody replied, a tentative, grateful smile on his face.
Allie looked at her Father, confused. What did he mean by his question? Clearly, she was missing something. She looked to Quinn for an explanation, but she shook her head and shrugged, unable to explain either.
"Well, if you two are ready to go, Quinn and I will see that everything is fine here and meet you at the reception." Nathan smiled at Cody again and then at his daughter. He could see the confusion in Allie's eyes and nodded at her, smiling to let her know it was okay; he knew Cody would explain. He and Allie could talk later.
"You know about the date then?" Quinn said, glancing at him as they watched the two young people walk away; her turn now to try and interpret the look in his eye.
"Cody told me about it when I gave him a lift to Town," Nathan explained, filling her in on the conversation.
"How do you really feel about it?" Quinn asked, her voice soft as she reached to take his hand.
"I don't know. I think Allie is too young for this kind of relationship, but she isn't. She's not a little girl; she is a young woman." Nathan sighed heavily. "Very soon, she will leave home to start her new life studying, and I see it as the first step to losing her. I think that's what I am objecting to, not Cody."
Quinn said nothing as they walked back up the stairs into the Church; she wanted to give him time to speak.
"Honestly, I can't fault Cody Stanton; he is a remarkable young man."
"I agree," Abigail said from behind them.
Quinn and Nathan spun around to face Abigail; Nathan began apologising, feeling guilty about being caught talking about her son.
"It's okay, Nathan. I am sure you and Quinn are discussing the same thing I came to talk about. Cody and Allie."
"Yes, we were," Quinn answered. "Not in a bad way Abigail, but we have some reservations."
"I would be surprised if you didn't." Abigail smiled at Nathan, who was standing, still uncomfortable at being caught. "I have some too, and I bet you could describe every one." Abigail sat down in a pew, waving her hand for Nathan and Quinn to do the same.
"I want you both to know Cody is a very mature, responsible young man."
"Abigail, we know that," Nathan rushed in.
"He is also a mix of old and new values."
"I don't understand," Quinn said, frowning, unsure if Abigail was describing something positive or negative.
"When Cody's parents died, he took on responsibility for his sister Becky despite her being older than him. When I adopted him and Becky, he tried to take on the role of man of the house, despite being a child still. As he grew older, he maintained that traditional idea of man as protector while understanding women are perfectly capable of looking after themselves."
Abigail smiled softly at Nathan, "he always saw Jack Thornton as the embodiment of all a man should be, someone who devoted his life to protecting others, who chose a noble profession and who was an honourable man." Abigail smiled sadly as she continued. "He looked up to Jack and watched how he treated Elizabeth and understood that while Jack protected her, she was her own person and had independence in her choices."
Quinn squeezed Nathan's hand; the description of Jack Thornton could be a description of Nathan.
"While Cody may be young for a serious relationship, he would never do anything other than support Allie in achieving her dreams, encouraging her to succeed in life and work, whatever she chooses."
"Please understand, Abigail. It's not about Cody, not at all. It's me. I'm not ready for Allie to leave home." Nathan looked at Quinn and smiled sadly.
"But you will let her go?" Abigail asked.
"Yes. I don't want to hold Allie back or make her feel guilty for wanting more for her life."
"I've encouraged Cody to take this relationship slowly and be friends before rushing into anything because he is young," Abigail explained. "As you know, I intend to stay in Hope Valley, but I'm only comfortable doing that because Cody has someone nearby to look after him." Abigail smiled broadly, "although he doesn't know they will check in on him."
Quinn laughed at the satisfied look on Abigail's face, "won't he be suspicious?"
"No," Abigail said, laughing too. "Cat Montgomery and her family used to live in Town, and Cody is friends with her children. He is always in and out of her house, and she has promised to report any concerns." Abigail tilted her head and said, "she doesn't live far from Sam Madison's sister Bethany, and she takes in female students as boarders."
Nathan's eyes widened; he and Quinn wanted Allie to board with someone, not live in student accommodation. "I don't suppose you know if she has any vacancies, do you?"
"It just so happens I do. And it just so happens she does," Abigail said, grinning. "I do hope Sam remembers to suggest it to Allie," she said with a wink.
Cody walked beside Allie on the way to Town, not touching her, not holding hands but close. Anyone watching the two of them would see an intimacy greater than friendship while still innocent. Allie was pleased Cody was happy to stroll along, setting a pace that meant they didn't catch up to anyone else walking to the reception.
"You look beautiful, Allie," Cody said, his eyes flitting over her face.
Allie felt her cheeks go red, but she managed to thank him. She wanted to say he looked handsome but held back, worrying that was too much. "You look really nice, too," she settled on.
Cody smiled at her, and Allie could see he was blushing too. She wondered if they would ever get over the awkwardness between them. When they had spoken before, they never struggled to find things to say; she usually felt there wasn't enough time to discuss everything she wanted. Now, her mind was blank; she couldn't think of a thing to say to him.
As they walked, Cody's hand brushed against the back of hers, startling her. She looked down at where his hand had touched hers, feeling a tingle. Allie wondered if he would try to hold her hand and waited, disappointed when he didn't.
"Cody," Allie asked, "how did my Dad seem to know about this date?"
"I told him when he gave me a lift earlier," Cody explained.
"You did!" Allie squeaked; her voice high. Oh no, what must her Dad think? Was he upset she hadn't told him? Allie's mind raced as they walked together; at least she had spoken to Quinn and knew she would help explain it to her Dad.
"I wanted to apologise for not talking to him first...I wouldn't want to do anything that might make your Father feel I wasn't being respectful or upfront."
"How did he seem?" Allie asked, biting her lip.
"He had some concerns; I understood them. I'm sure he will talk to you about them."
"Great," Allie said with a grimace.
The conversation stalled as they walked together.
"Allie, can I ask you something?" Cody asked quietly. Seeing her nod, he asked, "are you nervous?"
"So nervous," she admitted with a laugh. "I don't know why; we've spent time together before..."
"But this time, it's different. Because it's a date," Cody said, smiling at her.
"Yes," Allie replied simply.
When their hands brushed together this time, Cody took her hand, holding it in his and squeezing it.
"Is this, okay?" he asked, holding up their joined hands.
"Yes," she whispered over the lump in her throat and the butterflies swirling in her stomach.
Once they had overcome their nervousness, the conversation flowed between them again. When they arrived at the Saloon for the reception, they were laughing over a story Cody was telling her. Allie was sorry when he had to let her hand go to open the door for her, although it was probably better he did. She shouldn't announce their 'date' until after she spoke to her Father.
The first person Allie saw inside the Saloon was Robert, followed by Anna. She could feel Anna looking back and forward between them, frowning as she wondered about the two of them. She hadn't spoken to Anna about her date with Cody, wanting to keep it to herself. Allie had avoided talking to Anna about romance before, unwilling to hear about her and Robert.
Robert came bounding up to the three of them, smiling wide. "Hey Cody, Hey Allie," he said excitedly. "The wedding was nice, wasn't it?" Pausing, he frowned, stared at Allie, and said, "you look really nice, Allie."
Allie expected to react to his words of admiration, but she didn't. Her lack of reaction pleased her; there was nothing but feelings of friendship.
"Thank you, Robert," Allie responded.
"Do you have to sit anywhere special, Allie, or should we find a table?" Cody asked
"I can sit anywhere; there won't be any room with the two brides and grooms," Allie said with a smile.
"Are you two here together?" Anna asked, finally giving in to her curiosity.
Allie hesitated, wondering what to answer.
"Yes. Allie agreed to let me escort her tonight." Cody said with a broad smile.
"Oh," Anna said, smiling at Allie. "Why don't we all sit together," she suggested.
As Cody and Robert led the way through the Saloon, weaving between the other guests, Anna took hold of Allie's arm and leaned into her.
"When did this happen?" she whispered incredulously.
"Just the other day," Allie replied, not going into details.
"I had no idea you were seeing each other; Cody spends a lot of time with Robert and hasn't mentioned you being with them."
"We see each other at work; we talk a lot." Allie bristled. She shouldn't be upset with Anna, of course, she was curious, but Allie didn't feel like justifying herself to her friend. Why shouldn't Cody be interested in her?
"Well, I am happy for you. Let's all spend time together before Cody leaves again.
"Let's talk about it later," Allie hedged. She had high hopes for her first date with Cody, and it seemed to be going well, but she didn't want to assume. Her conversation with her Father had to happen too.
"Stop staring at them, Nathan," Quinn whispered. "They are not doing anything untoward."
"I am not staring; I am just making sure Allie is all right."
Quinn snorted; Nathan could barely maintain a conversation with her, Lee and Rosemary. He was entirely distracted by Allie and Cody.
"She is fine," Quinn responded with a sigh.
"More than fine," Rosemary teased. "If that big smile on her face is anything to go by."
"Rosie, stop it," Lee said, laughing. "One day, that will be us, and I imagine I will feel the same way Nathan does."
"Why don't you dance with me; that might distract you?" Quinn suggested, nudging him in the side.
"I suppose I could dance with my wife," Nathan teased her, realising he was being a little overprotective. He wasn't wholly comfortable dancing in front of a room full of people, but he and Quinn hadn't had many chances to dance, and he wanted to hold his wife in his arms; it had been too long. Standing, he held his hand out to Quinn so she could join him on the dance floor.
Quinn rested her head on Nathan's chest as she swayed to the music and moved around the dance floor, content to relax in his arms. It had been a wonderful day. Two of her best friends were blissfully happy, and her two youngest children were cared for by a trusted babysitter, Isobel. Her eldest daughter was on her first date and absolutely captivated by her companion. Rosemary was right; she hadn't seen Allie glow like that before. It made her happy and sad at the same time.
Quinn snuck a glance at the table, not wanting Allie to see her looking, but mostly, she didn't want Nathan to catch her. Not after she had told him to stop looking. Quinn could see Allie was talking, and whatever she was saying had the others laughing. As she watched, Cody sat back and looked at Allie, eyes full of adoration. Nathan would have to get used to this relationship, she thought. This was the start of something important.
Allie didn't want the evening to end, but her parents told her they were leaving soon. They were going via the Coulters to pick up the twins and then on home. Allie had nodded and glanced shyly at Cody, wondering how the evening would end.
"I'm going to walk Anna home," Robert said, standing and helping Anna from her seat. "We'll see you two later."
Anna also said goodbye and followed Robert outside, leaving Allie and Cody alone at the table. Allie had hoped to have a chance to be alone with Cody but didn't think it counted if you were in a crowded room.
"Allie, I've had a really good time tonight, and I hope you did too," Cody was blushing as he spoke. Allie smiled, so he pressed on. "I hope you will agree to see me again, Allie. For another date? Soon."
"I'd like that," she responded with a sweet smile.
"What about a picnic for lunch tomorrow?"
"My family and I are planning a picnic already; we like to fish." Allie's cheeks grew red as she said, "you could come."
"I'd love to if your parents won't mind. I'll bring some dessert." Cody laughed, saying, "my Mum has been cooking up a storm."
Allie approached her Father while Quinn put Sam and Avery to bed. She paused with her hand on the door jamb, running her fingers over the marks he had made in it, measuring her height at different points in her life. The twins had their first marks as well and she loved she could share this with them.
"Come on out, Allie," Nathan called, worried if he didn't, she would hesitate forever.
"You knew I was there?" Allie asked, amused but not surprised.
"Always," he said with a smile as he tapped his palm on the seat beside him, asking her to sit.
"I guess you already know what I want to talk to you about too." Allie wanted him to say yes so, she didn't have to say it aloud.
"I do, Allie. I have talked to Cody and Quinn about it," Nathan responded. He had no intention of making this any harder on either of them. "I've promised not to lie to you, and I won't; I'm not happy about you starting a serious relationship at such a young age. I want you to experience more of life before you settle down."
"I want that too, but I can have both?" Allie responded. "Besides Dad, it's been one date. I don't know what is going to happen, but I want to find out."
"Okay," Nathan said smiling at her.
"That's it! Okay?" Allie asked confused, having expected her Father to fight her on this.
"That's it. Cody Stanton is a respectable, responsible young man. While I would prefer you to have met him in another ten years, you didn't."
"Ten years!" Allie laughed, "I'm glad I didn't wait that long." Biting her lip she said, "so it would be all right for him to join us tomorrow on our picnic."
"Did he offer to bring dessert cooked by Abigail?"
"Actually, he did," she laughed.
"Well, he and the dessert will be more than welcome," Nathan joked, happy when Allie rolled her eyes.
Nathan lay in bed next to Quinn telling her about the conversation.
"Are you sure you are okay with this?" she asked.
'I have to be Quinn, Allie knows her own mind, and Cody is a fine young man. If they do as he promised, and take it slowly, I don't mind." Nathan glanced down at her where she lay against his chest and stroked her hair, "how do you feel?"
"I'm happy for her. Cody clearly adores her and respects her. They were friends first which I think is important when you are young." Quinn ran her hand down his chest and sighed, "it's going to be hard for them to go slow so I hope Allie will be able to board with Bethany Madison. That would be the perfect solution."
"Agreed, now we just need to convince Allie of that."