When Hearts Shine Bright
The First Date Part I
"Dad, you have been sitting with a goofy grin on your face for who knows how long. Your coffee's getting cold. What's going on?" Allie asked curiously. She had never seen her dad this way. Not even when he had been actively pursuing Mrs. Thornton's affections years ago.
It was early morning and Nathan hadn't slept a wink. He couldn't wait to see Elizabeth that afternoon after his rounds were done. He desperately wanted to look at her beautiful face. Had he imagined it? Was Elizabeth finally looking at him with love in her eyes? Nathan sighed. All he wanted to do was shower her with I love yous from sunrise to sunset. And of course, his heart raced at the thought of kissing her once again.
Last night's memory was as vivid as it was fleeting. He hadn't been able to resist the magnetic pull she had on him. How could he not kiss her after finally hearing the words he'd been longing to hear from her for so long? But, was it real? He needed to kiss her again as much as he needed to breathe to live. He needed confirmation he hadn't imagined that heart-stopping embrace. He fantasized about feasting on her lips while tangling his fingers in her thick mane of hair. Nathan swallowed convulsively. He needed to keep himself in check, otherwise it was going to be a very long day.
Once more his ruminations took him back to the one who held his heart. He was powerless. All he wanted to do was think about Elizabeth and plan all those things he had missed out on over the years. He wanted to go horseback riding with her, sit by their log, and continue pouring out words of love and affection to each other. He wanted dinners and strolls, conversations over banana bread, muffins, and apple juice, and outings with their children. He wanted to walk around town holding hands. He wanted to boast he finally got the girl!
Knowing Elizabeth had bestowed the precious gift of her affection upon him was the headiest sensation he'd ever experienced. Well, aside from kissing her, of course. Helplessly wrapped up in the memory, he let himself drift once more to the fantasy of tasting those lips again. He would hold her tenderly as he pressed her closer…
"Dad."
"What…" he replied absently, still lost in his romantic musings.
"Oh my gosh Dad! You have it bad! Did something happen last night?"
Allie's outburst snapped Nathan out of his daydream. He felt a rush of warmth creeping up his face and the neckline of his serge suddenly felt tight.
"Why would you think something happened last night?" Nathan asked his daughter, clearing his throat and taking a gulp of coffee. He grimaced as he realized it was already cold.
"Well, Robert found out from his parents and told Emily, who told Angela, who told Opal, who came running this morning to tell me. Apparently, you and Mrs. Thornton were the talk of the governor's celebration ball last night? Is there anything more you might want to tell me?" Allie asked as she smiled cheekily, excited to find out if indeed something happened between her father and schoolteacher the night before.
Smiling softly and looking downward, feeling just a bit shy in front of his daughter, he admitted, "Elizabeth told me she loves me."
Allie leapt from the dining room chair squealing excitedly, throwing herself in her dad's arms in a bear hug. "I knew it! I knew it! I knew it!" She jumped up and down as she hugged him tightly. It was difficult not to get caught up in her excitement. Suddenly, Allie stilled. "You did tell her you love her too, right?" She looked at him dead in the eyes, traces of a frown on her face.
"Yes," Nathan said, his economy with words more than evident.
A wide smile spread across Allie's face as she continued to squeal, jump, and hug her father.
"Allie, stop, you don't have to make such a fuss…." Nathan's attempts at calming her down were useless. He loved Allie's exuberance, and her happiness was the joy of his heart.
"Well, Dad, this is my dream come true! So, when are you getting married?" She sat back down in a ladylike fashion. If she was going to have this conversation with her father, she needed to demonstrate she could behave like a lady.
"Allie. We haven't even been on a first date yet." It took all his strength to keep from his daughter how much her question affected him. If it were up to him, he'd marry Elizabeth tomorrow, but they owed each other the romance that comes with a courtship. Lord knew he had dreamed of courting Elizabeth and now he would be able to do so.
"Oh Dad, please, ask her out today! I would so love to help you plan that date. It has to be perfect!" Allie's eyes were full of that special spark of hers. Nathan couldn't deny her anything when she looked at him that way, but he still had to talk with Elizabeth before acquiescing to Allie's request.
"Let's see how it goes today. I'm seeing Elizabeth this afternoon after rounds."
He didn't say no outright, so that was as good as a yes to Allie. She couldn't wait to tell her friends!
"I'll see you later, kiddo. Stay out of trouble, alright?" Nathan kissed the top of his daughter's head as he took his hat and headed out for rounds.
As soon as her dad stepped out of the door, she squealed once again and clasped her hands together eagerly. Could this be it? Would her heart's desire of a family with Mrs. Thornton and little Jack happen at last? Allie jumped from her seat. She needed to go see Angela and talk to Mrs. Coulter. There was much to do!
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"I never thought I'd get to do this…" Nathan said, his voice raspy with emotion, framing Elizabeth's face with his hands.
They had just conquered what had once been the unsurmountable barrier of Elizabeth's memory of Jack and Nathan's chosen profession as a Mountie. Knowing that her heart and her mind had found resolution to this predicament showered his heart with peace. He'd almost lost hope this moment would arrive, but the Lord rewarded his patience and purity of heart. Cradling Elizabeth's face while he swam in the depths of her clear blue eyes was the ultimate reward.
"So, what do we do now, Constable Grant?" Elizabeth asked demurely.
A lazy smile spreading across his face, Nathan said, "Well, first we do this…." He drew her face to his, sliding his fingers into her silky mane of chestnut curls. He felt the blood rushing through his veins as he claimed her lips in a rapturous kiss. He'd never tire of kissing Elizabeth and a lifetime wouldn't be enough to show her just how much he loved her.
Nathan's breath caught in his throat and his pulse skyrocketed as he felt her kissing him back, coaxing and shaping her lips to his. As she tilted her head and wrapped her arms around him, she invited him to deepen the kiss in a more intimate fashion. Sinking into their embrace it was easy to forget where they were. After longing for Elizabeth for so long, it exhilarated Nathan to know that she wasn't immune to him, surrendering in his arms as easily as he did into hers.
"As much as I don't want this kiss to end-" Nathan started to say as he tore his lips away from Elizabeth's.
"Then don't let it end just yet, Nathan," she whispered, her intoxicating breath on his skin.
Elizabeth hadn't felt this way since… well, since ever. She wasn't an innocent in the ways of passion, having lived the most wondrous love, courtship, and marriage with Jack. But this was different. Her engagement with Lucas didn't compare either. While she still couldn't quite put into words the overwhelming emotions when Nathan kissed her, she did know her heart finally felt open, joyful, and overflowing with love for the impeccable Mountie.
Giving her a lingering kiss on the corner of her lips, Nathan held her tightly against him and said, "There will be more, 'Lizbeth…but if we don't stop, I will forget what I wanted to ask you."
"Oh," she responded intrigued, "what is it?"
"I want to ask you out on a date. Two, actually."
Elizabeth legs turned to jelly as she saw the corner of his mouth curve in a way that was so his. The corner of his eyes crinkled as the smile reached his loving gaze. Thank goodness Nathan was holding her tightly. She didn't trust she could keep up her perfect posture while he kept looking at her that way.
"Just two?" was her coy reply.
"Well, for starters." He chuckled at the way her mind worked.
"Hmmm… right answer… Well, Constable Grant, I accept these dates. May I ask what you have in mind?"
"I was thinking we should have that dinner, just the two of us…"
"The dinner we never got to have?" Elizabeth asked gently, looking down briefly.
"Yes…" he said, lifting her chin with his forefinger. "But please, I don't want you to be sad."
"I don't think it's quite sadness," Elizabeth replied. "I'm just frustrated with myself for not accepting immediately that time around."
"Everything happens for a reason 'Lizbeth." With his eyes, he asked her not to dwell on those particular memories.
Elizabeth let it go for the time being. She knew there were many things to talk about, but she didn't want to spoil the moment. Changing the subject she asked, "So? Dinner at the café?"
"Unless you prefer Gustave's."
"No, let's go to the café. I don't need fancy trappings. I just want to spend time with you."
"That's all I want too, 'Lizbeth… to spend all the time I can with you." Nathan would give her anything she wanted, but he had to admit he was pleased she had chosen the café instead of Gustave's. He didn't want any memory of Lucas Bouchard lingering in the air on their first official date.
"And what about this second date you mentioned?" Elizabeth asked lightly, her eyes sparkling as she did so.
Nathan gently released Elizabeth from his embrace. He wanted to hold her hands for his second request. At his touch, both looked down. Nathan held her hands lovingly, his thumbs caressing her tenderly, and immediately they were transported to another moment in the past. The gentle touch of his weather-worn hands and the memory of that night made Elizabeth's breath catch in her throat, tears threatening to spill forth.
"Darling, are you alright?" Nathan immediately noticed Elizabeth's sudden mood shift.
"Yes," her voice broke, "It's just that I remembered that game… I thought it was silly, but Fiona was right. I instinctively chose the man I was meant to be with, but I didn't want to recognize it."
Not trusting his voice, Nathan simply drew her into his embrace once again, his chin laying gently on top of her head. He could tell Elizabeth hadn't made peace with the memories of the past and the events that led them to this moment. As much as he wanted to put a pin on it and focus on their future, he knew they needed to have those difficult conversations to find full resolution.
Still, all Nathan wanted was Elizabeth's happiness. At this moment he wanted to keep things light and carefree, so he chose to momentarily ignore the memory of the hand holding game, and said, "If I were to suggest a second date… one that involved an outing with both of our children, would you agree to it?"
Her heart swelling with a joy that Elizabeth never thought possible, she looked up at Nathan and whispered, "Nothing would make me happier."
She stepped into his arms once again, hugging him tightly, her cheek on his chest. Elizabeth dared to admit to herself it was within Nathan's arms where she felt fully loved, cherished, and protected. As they held each other in silence, unbeknownst to one another, Elizabeth and Nathan both thanked the Lord, and each other, for second chances.
A/N: When Calls the Heart and its characters are property of Hallmark media. No copyright infringement intended. Just playing in the sandbox while we await season 11 to premiere!
On an aside note, I want to thank all the readers who have left such lovely comments on Under the Brilliant Sun. A special shoutout to the Suspenders Unbuttoned IG account. It's thanks to the challenge they extended that I started writing for this fandom. Elizabeth and Nathan are truly a wonderful source of inspiration.
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