Elizabeth's fever broke two days later. Her throat still burned and her lungs felt like fire had scorched them, but she grew stronger with each passing day. Nathan was by her side every moment, keeping her company and continuing to nurse her back to health. The only time he left the room was to prepare meals or to give her privacy when Faith came to check on her.
During one such visit, a week after Elizabeth woke up, Faith held a stethoscope to her lungs and gave an approving nod. "You're getting there, Elizabeth," she said, giving her friend a smile. "We weren't sure if you were going to pull through. You came close to death several times."
A memory tugged at Elizabeth's brain. Someone else had told her that. She frowned. But that wasn't possible. She had been unconscious for most of her illness, and Nathan hadn't mentioned how close she was to dying. The memory hovered at the peripheries of her mind, but she couldn't quite access it.
Faith was still chattering on. "You're fortunate you had Nathan here with you the whole time," she said cheerfully. "He made sure you were well cared for. I don't think that man left your side through your entire illness."
That brought Elizabeth's eyes to Faith. "He didn't?" she croaked. He'd been with her the whole time?
Faith nodded. "I've never seen him so broken." She placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "He was terrified of losing you."
Again, a memory tried to break free, but Elizabeth couldn't bring it to the surface. She dimly saw someone weeping in her mind's eye, but she couldn't bring the image into focus. She focused instead on Faith's words. "He was?" she whispered.
Faith gave her a knowing look, her hand still resting on Elizabeth's shoulder. "That man is head over heels for you," she said softly.
"I know," Elizabeth admitted. She felt the barriers she had placed between her and Nathan crumbling. His love, tenderness, and patience had removed the bricks one by one. She was still terrified of losing him, but her illness proved anyone could go at any time. Nathan had almost lost her. If what Faith said was true, Elizabeth wondered if her husband could have recovered. Again, the image of a weeping man filled her mind, fuzzy and out of focus. She squinted, but it vanished from her mind.
Her hands went to her stomach. "What of my baby?" she asked, worry filling her. She hadn't felt the child move since she'd woken up.
Faith paused, glancing her way. Her mouth worked, and she looked down again. Dread filled Elizabeth. "Faith?"
Her friend sighed. "I don't know," she said. "Nathan told me he felt the baby moving before you woke up, but that was the only movement there's been. Your illness took a toll on your body, Elizabeth." She swallowed. "It'll be a miracle if the baby survives."
Throat tightening, Elizabeth stared at the young doctor. "Is there any way to tell for sure?" she asked, her voice rasping.
Faith pursed her lips. "It's still a little early, but maybe I can hear if there's a heartbeat," she said, reopening her bag and pulling out her stethoscope. Elizabeth held her breath as Faith placed it on her stomach, listening for several moments. Surprise lit her features. When she smiled, Elizabeth felt a sudden rush of weakness in her limbs. She fell against her pillow. "The baby's alive?"
Faith's smile widened, offering her the stethoscope. "Hear for yourself." She placed the earpiece in Elizabeth's ears. Moments later, the soft thumping of her baby's heartbeat filled them. Gratitude pierced her heart as tears flooded her eyes.
"Thank God," she whispered, a hand going to her heart. "She's alive."
Faith smiled, raising a brow. "She?"
Elizabeth shrugged, smiling back. "I have a sense that it's a girl." She couldn't remember why. Yet another memory tried to take hold but wouldn't crystalize in her mind.
Nathan reappeared in the room as Faith took her leave. He thanked their friend with a smile, then came to the bed, taking the chair he'd been living in for the last two weeks. He smiled at her, holding up a steaming bowl. "Rosemary brought over a big pot of chicken noodle soup this morning," he said, holding a spoon to her lips to feed her. "It's much better than mine."
Elizabeth chuckled, then ate the spoonful he offered her. "Yours is good too," she said, smiling at him.
He grinned, the tips of his ears turning red. "That's sweet of you to say." He continued feeding her. Though she felt perfectly capable of feeding herself, Elizabeth ate willingly from his hand, her appetite finally returning. She enjoyed the companionable silence between them. Nathan had been very attentive to her every need, but there was also a look in his eyes that she couldn't quite decipher.
Wariness...mixed with hope?
When he put the empty bowl down, he handed her a glass of water. It was warm, and he had mixed it with honey to soothe her throat. The sweet gesture was almost her undoing. Before she could analyze the feelings coursing through her, he gave her a gentle smile and looked down at his hands. "Elizabeth, do you remember anything before your fever broke?"
She frowned, concentrating on his question and thinking back. "I remember waking up a little before I started getting better," she said, wondering why he would ask. "But not much else before then."
He gave a little nod, his eyes shadowing briefly. "Good. I was worried you might remember the pain, but it sounds like you don't."
Her eyes narrowed. There was something more, something he wasn't telling her. He stood, going to the window and opening it a crack to let fresh air into the room. Even though the late January air was cold, Faith had told them to open the window a few times each day to let air circulate and rid the room of sickness. Nathan came back to the bed, the shadows in his eyes gone. They were replaced by a sunny smile. "Allie and Jack are coming home today," he said, his voice almost too bright. "It'll be good to have them home again."
"Yes," Elizabeth said, her heart suddenly aching. She missed their children. "Jack stayed well?"
Nathan nodded. "Yes. He is fine. Rosemary said he was wondering why he couldn't be with us, though. He's excited about coming home today."
"I'm sure he is," Elizabeth said, a smile softening her face.
Nathan crouched by the bed, putting himself at eye level with her. "I have a surprise for you," he said, his eyes twinkling. "Are you ready to get out of bed?"
"Is that a trick question?" Elizabeth asked. "I've been in bed for two weeks!"
Nathan chuckled, pushing the covers aside and helping her to her feet. Elizabeth's cheeks tinged pink as she realized she was only wearing a nightgown, but she resisted the urge to put on a robe. Nathan was her husband, after all. He was allowed the intimacy of seeing her dressed like this. She let him lead her down the stairs, one arm around her waist to support her while his other hand held hers. She felt weak after being in bed for so long, but she knew Nathan wouldn't let her fall. She had complete faith in him.
They came to the bottom of the stairs. Elizabeth's brow furrowed as she saw two white sheets partitioning a section of the room connected to the kitchen and living room. She glanced at Nathan. "What's this?"
He smiled, leading her to the partition and pushing it aside. Elizabeth gasped. A tub of steaming water sat in the middle of the small room. Beside it on a small stool was a bar of soap and some wash rags. Elizabeth's hands went to her mouth. "A bath?" she whispered.
Nathan nodded. "I thought you might want one after being sick. The water should be at a good temperature by now. It was boiling when I first poured it in." He stuck a finger in the water. "That feels right." He smiled at her. "You deserve some pampering after your ordeal. Take as long as you need. I'll be in the living room. Call if you need anything." He pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek, then vanished behind the makeshift curtains.
Elizabeth paused for a moment, feeling suddenly shy about undressing and bathing with only sheets to shield her from view. Letting out a breath, she deliberately tucked the thought away and prepared for her bath. Nathan was a gentleman. She had nothing to fear from him.
She lowered herself into the steaming water, a small sigh escaping as the warmth soothed away all her exhaustion. It felt heavenly to soak in the tub. She relaxed against the metal wall, closing her eyes and letting the water work its magic. Elizabeth stayed in long enough for her skin to wrinkle and the water to turn tepid. Once it did, she took the soap and methodically washed her hair and body before rinsing it all off and climbing out of the tub. She shivered as she looked around for a towel, but none were within reach.
"Elizabeth? Are you done?" Nathan asked. He must have heard her come out of the tub. She felt a moment of panic as she realized just how exposed she was, but she forced the fear back. She knew she was safe with Nathan. Nevertheless, her voice shook slightly as she answered him.
"Y-yes," she said, her teeth beginning to chatter.
Nathan's arm appeared between the curtains, holding a fluffy white towel. "Here you go," he said.
Elizabeth took it, murmuring her thanks, and he retreated once more to the living room. She wrapped the towel around herself and froze.
It was warm. Very warm. Relishing the feeling against her wet skin, she buried her face into the white, fluffy material. It felt so good.
"Nathan?" she called. "Did you warm the towel?"
She could hear the smile in his voice. "I did. It's something my mom used to do for me and Colleen. I carried on the tradition with Allie, and I thought you might like a warmed towel since it's a chilly morning."
Touched by his gesture, as well as the story behind it, Elizabeth whispered her thanks, uncertain whether he could hear her or not. She stood there for several moments, dripping water all over the floor, and was shocked by a realization that rocked her to the core.
She loved him. Mouth gaping, she stared in the direction of the living room, all her reservations falling away like so much dust.
How could she not love this man? A dawning realization crept through her, starting in her heart and spreading throughout her body. He had loved her, held her, and cared for her ever since she'd been attacked. He had taken her misery onto himself, sheltering her from pain and giving her a home. Giving her a father for her children. Giving of himself each and every day. Loving even when he despaired of her loving him in return.
She was tired of lying to herself, tired of running from her own heart. The last of her walls crumbled away, and she finally admitted the truth to herself. She was deeply, completely, irrevocably in love with Nathan Grant.
Like a strike of lightning, the vision she'd had while sick flashed before her eyes. Jack's visit. Nathan weeping at her bedside, holding her hand protectively in his. Her late husband prodding to find out why she wouldn't let herself love her current husband. Her admission of love for Nathan. The baby girl she carried in her womb in Jack's arms.
A hand flew to her face, her breathing picking up. Her heart had known before her head caught up. A tiny giggle escaped her as she let the truth wash over her.
She was in love with her husband.
As if brought forth by her thoughts, his hand appeared through the curtains as he gently said her name to alert her to his presence. This time, he was holding her robe. She took it, their fingers brushing as she did so, sending jolts of electricity through Elizabeth's entire body. As she stepped back, she realized he'd warmed the robe too. She quickly finished drying herself and slipped into the warm, comforting material, tying it securely with the sash. Her mind whirred, knowing she had to find a way to tell Nathan.
She wanted to find a special moment, but it had to be soon. He deserved to know the truth.
Their children came home that night, both of them hugging Elizabeth tightly as if they would never let go. She held them just as tightly. "I've missed you both," she whispered, feeling tears sting her eyes as she held them.
"Mama," Jack whimpered, burying his face in her neck. "Don't get sick again. Pwease."
She rubbed his back. "I'll do my best, sweet boy," she said, a lump in her throat. After several long minutes, Jack wiggled down and went to repeat the hug with Nathan. Elizabeth was left with Allie. She slid both arms around the girl, pulling her close. "How are you, sweetheart?" she asked.
Allie met her gaze. "I'm alright. Better now that I'm home." She looked at the locket around Elizabeth's neck, a smile tugging at her lips. "We need to get those pictures taken."
Elizabeth smiled back. "We will, Allie. Maybe we can have Dr. Shepherd take those photos now that we're all well."
Surprisingly, Allie's eyes welled with tears. Elizabeth looked at her in shock. "What's the matter, sweetheart?"
Allie buried her face in Elizabeth's chest. "I thought you were going to die," she cried, her words muted against the fabric of Elizabeth's dress. "And I wouldn't be able to tell you the things that are in my heart."
Elizabeth pulled back slightly in order to see Allie's face. "What things?" she asked, hardly daring to breathe.
Allie licked her lips before plunging ahead. "That I love you too, very much. That I want us to have the close relationship we had before." She bit her lip, looking down. "That I want to call you Mom." The last words were spoken so quietly, Elizabeth barely heard them. But they penetrated her soul and made her heart sing.
They could truly be mother and daughter now. "Oh, Allie," she whispered. "That makes me so happy." She wiped away a tear on her daughter's cheek. "I would be honored if you called me Mom."
Allie gave a half-laugh, half-sob, burying her face in Elizabeth's chest once more. Elizabeth looked up to see Nathan a few feet away, holding Jack but gazing at her with a tender look on his face. Her heart nearly exploded with the love she felt for him and for their children. It seemed things were finally falling into place.
When Allie pulled back, Elizabeth met her with a wide smile. "Why don't we celebrate tonight?" she suggested. "I'll make a cake, since we're all back together again and healthy."
Allie eyed her, though her eyes glowed with excitement. "Are you sure? You still look a little pale."
Elizabeth chuckled. "That's because I haven't seen the sun in over two weeks. Being up and about today has made me feel stronger. My legs have already stopped wobbling as I try to walk." That last statement was intended to prompt a smile from Allie. It worked. The girl grinned and started chattering about how excited she was to be home and to be with family again.
Nathan and Elizabeth shared a smile over Allie's exuberance. It felt good to have the children home.
Allie worked with Elizabeth to make a chocolate cake for their dessert. Once it was cooling on the counter, Jack asked Allie to play blocks with him. Since the toys were upstairs, the two children decided to play in their room.
"Will you be alright without us for a little bit?" Allie asked, holding Jack by the hand and tilting her head at her parents.
Nathan smiled. "I think I can handle helping your mom with the frosting for the cake. You two go play."
Your mom. The words warmed Elizabeth thoroughly. As the children tramped up the stairs, she turned to Nathan, glowing. "Finally," she said, uttering the words softly.
Nathan smiled, knowing exactly what she meant. "Time heals all," he said, gently touching her shoulder.
In light of her newfound love for her husband, the touch sent waves of awareness running through her. She caught her breath, but Nathan had turned to the counter, peering at the directions written on a small recipe card. "How exactly do we make this stuff?"
Elizabeth came up beside him, feeling completely at ease with him despite the sensations filling her. "It's easy, really," she said. She showed him how to mix the butter with the soft sugar and cocoa, adding a little cream until it all came together. Within minutes, they had a creamy chocolate frosting ready to place on the cake.
Nathan wore a look of intense concentration as he smeared some frosting onto the cake. Elizabeth bit back a laugh. He looked like a soldier plotting a battle. The laugh came out anyway, though it sounded choked.
Her husband glanced at her, raising a brow. "What's so funny?"
She grinned. "You look so serious, Nathan. There's an art to frosting a cake correctly."
He frowned, studying his work. "There is? What's that?"
Feeling a surge of playfulness overtake her, Elizabeth dipped her finger into the frosting and smeared it on his nose, much like she'd done the first time they frosted treats together. He froze for the briefest of moments, staring at her as if he couldn't believe what had just happened.
Elizabeth felt laughter bubbling up inside. It spilled out of her in torrents, all the stronger from the confusion on Nathan's face. He swiped at the frosting on his nose, his lips twitching despite his surprise, and he cleaned it off with a small tea towel. As Elizabeth laughed, the confusion on his face changed to wonder. By the time she regained some control of herself, there were tears in Nathan's eyes.
Blinking, Elizabeth wondered if she had somehow offended him. "Nathan…"
He shook his head, stopping her as if he had known what she was thinking. "Elizabeth, do you realize this is the first time you've laughed in months?"
Her mouth dropped, awe filling her. "It is, isn't it?" Her life had been devoid of joy for too long. How fitting that he was the one to bring it back to her.
He nodded, cupping her cheek in his hand. "It's the most beautiful sound." His eyes were full of love, taking Elizabeth's breath away. Their eyes locked, electricity charging the air between them. Nathan's breathing changed. Elizabeth saw his eyes drift down to her lips before darting back to her eyes. He looked almost guilty, as if the thought of kissing her was wrong. She found herself looking at his lips, wondering what they would feel like against hers. Nathan saw her look. His lips parted, surprise on his face and hope in his eyes. As if drawn by some outside force, he slowly leaned toward her, his eyes trained on hers, silently asking if this was what she wanted.
In response, Elizabeth slid her arms around his neck, inviting him closer. Their eyes drifted shut in tandem. Nathan's lips touched hers softly, as light as butterfly wings. Even that light contact sent sparks shooting through Elizabeth's entire body. Nathan drew back slightly. Their eyes locked again, communicating a thousand feelings that words could not express. She could feel the wild beating of his heart. It matched her own.
Nathan drew in a ragged breath. "Was that okay?" he asked, his eyes full of vulnerability.
Elizabeth slid a hand to his cheek, feeling the day's growth of stubble against her palm. "More than okay," she whispered.
Nathan cleared his throat, looking nervous. "That was my first kiss," he admitted. "I don't know if I did it right."
Something burst inside Elizabeth, sending waves of emotion through her. She was his first kiss? The admission made her feel special and increased the awe inside. "You did fine," she said, laughing softly. She winked, suddenly feeling bold. "And you'll get better with practice."
A slow grin crossed Nathan's face. "Is that so?"
She nodded, feigning a serious expression. "Yes. Practicing something is the way to perfect it."
A twinkle appeared in his eyes. "Then I guess I'll have to practice often if I want to improve." He traced a circle on her cheek, sending her heart into overdrive. "You're a teacher. Perhaps you could give me some lessons."
Elizabeth gave in completely to the feelings inside. She let her hands explore the soft hair at the nape of Nathan's neck. The feel was intoxicating, much like the look in his eyes. "Lesson number one," she breathed, loving the playful closeness they shared. "Follow your instincts."
Nathan smiled. "Duly noted," he said, right before his lips claimed hers again. Elizabeth closed her eyes, delighting in the way her husband made her feel.
My husband. She knew without a doubt that she loved him deeply. Maybe now was the time to tell him. What moment could be more special than their first kiss?
An aching tenderness filled her, a thankfulness for this incredible man in her life. She knew he had waited a long time for this moment. Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to experience the indescribable sensation of being kissed by someone who loved her completely. Someone who loved her despite years of uncertainty. Someone who loved her despite her brokenness. Someone who loved her even when she had pushed him away.
Tears filled her eyes as Nathan's lips tenderly explored hers. She wasn't sure why she had been blessed with a love like his, but she would be forever grateful that he had entrusted it to her.
Nathan felt like he was floating. He hadn't realized how amazing a kiss could be. It joined him to Elizabeth at a level he hadn't known was possible. She tasted sweeter than he had imagined. He'd wondered many times over the years what it would feel like to kiss her. Now he knew.
Follow your instincts. Elizabeth's instructions to him were simple but powerful. Nathan didn't try to think about technique or whether he was kissing her properly. He just let himself love her.
He also realized that he needed to tread carefully. Elizabeth might be open to his kisses, but he didn't want to delve too far too fast. He kept his kisses soft and gentle. He had sworn to protect her heart, and that's exactly what he was going to do. Nathan wasn't naïve. He knew what would happen if they let this go on too long. Though it would be perfectly normal and right, he sensed Elizabeth wasn't ready for that. He half wondered if she would ever be ready. He'd told her if they never came together as man and wife, he would accept that. He was fully prepared to live a chaste life if that's what made Elizabeth most comfortable. He couldn't deny that he hoped she would one day be open to sharing herself fully with him. But if that day never came, he would love her regardless.
She was his wife. He'd promised to love her until death parted them. He would hold to that vow. No matter what.
He pulled away, breathing hard. Though their kisses hadn't been passionate, they had set a fire to him, a fire he desperately tried to get under control. Elizabeth's eyes were slightly glazed as they stared into his. He imagined he looked much the same.
He cupped her cheek in one hand, trying to get a handle on his breathing. He leaned his forehead against hers, his thumb gently skimming her jawline.
"Nathan," she breathed, bringing his eyes back to hers. What he saw there seemed too good to be true. Trying to rein in his feelings, he focused on how she must be feeling.
"Yes?" he replied. The light in her eyes made him hold his breath.
She lifted her hands to his face, tears shimmering in her eyes, her smile wholly for him. "I love you."
The words filled the empty places inside that were hers alone. The ache he'd held in his heart eased. In its place was only joy. When she had first woken up and repeated his words of love, he hadn't known if she meant them or if it was the result of her feverish state, though the fact that she had said his name before the words of love gave him hope. Then when her fever broke and she showed no memory of saying what she said, he had tucked the hope away. Now it broke free once more. Both of his arms gathered her close as he breathed in her sweetness.
"Elizabeth…" He closed his eyes, leaning his forehead against hers once again. "I've hoped for so long, hoped that one day I would hear those words fall from your lips." Tears stung his eyes, tears of joy and of hope. "Oh my love. You've made me so happy."
She laughed again, the beautiful sound a balm for Nathan's soul. Her arms slid around his neck as they simply stood, their hearts joined in full communion for the very first time. Nathan leaned back to press a kiss to her forehead. Elizabeth gave a happy sigh and leaned her head against his chest, snuggling close to him as her arms reached around his waist to pull him even closer.
Nathan rested his head against hers, and as he did his eyes caught sight of the plaque he had given her for Christmas. The words he had spoken to her as a measure of comfort now provided him with the same.
Every sunset brings the promise of a new dawn.
After spending so long in the dark of night, it felt like his dawn had finally come.