Elizabeth stood staring into her wardrobe, wearing only her chemise and pantaloons, a combination of nerves and excitement filling her. She felt like a blushing teenager about to go to her first dance. The anticipation of her date with Nathan had been building all day. How she, a grown woman twice married, could feel butterflies at the very thought of going on a date had her shaking her head as a small grin tugged at her lips.

Nathan had taken Allie and Jack over to the Canfield's house. Joseph and Minnie had been delighted at the prospect of watching the children. Elizabeth had taken advantage of her husband's absence by trying to figure out what to wear for their date, but when she surveyed her dresses, nothing seemed quite right. She wasn't sure how long she had been standing there looking at the various dresses she owned.

With a huff, Elizabeth planted her hands on her hips. "What does one wear on one's first date with a husband?" she asked out loud, a hint of frustration in her tone.

"I'm partial to that pretty green dress you wore to Allie's graduation," a voice answered from behind. "Though I suppose it's not very practical in the dead of winter."

Elizabeth spun around, a hand flying to her heart. Nathan was leaning against the frame of the open door, watching her with a smile. Her heart jumped into her throat. Nathan always knocked before entering their room. He'd never caught her in any state of undress. A hot blush filled her cheeks as she realized just how intimate the moment had become, simply based on her wearing only her undergarments.

"The door was open when I came up," Nathan explained, pushing up from the doorframe and coming toward her.

Elizabeth's eyes widened the closer he came. She felt rooted to the spot as she began to shake. She glanced around for something to cover herself, but Nathan was standing in front of her before she could find anything suitable.

"Hey," he said, his voice gentle. He placed his hands on her shoulders. She trembled at his touch, but whether from panic or desire, she couldn't say. Nathan drew her into his arms, holding her tenderly. "You're safe with me, remember?"

How did he know exactly what to say? Elizabeth slowly relaxed against him, letting her arms slide around his back. She took a deep breath, then another. Her shaking gradually ceased as she stood ensconced in the warmth of Nathan's embrace.

"I'm sorry," she said, feeling the need to apologize for her reaction. "I was startled."

She felt him smile against her hair. "Elizabeth, you have nothing to apologize for. I probably should have said something when I first saw you. But…" He chuckled lightly. "You looked prettier than a picture. I selfishly wanted to watch you."

Her blush darkened. "I suppose it's not the end of the world that you've seen me dressed like this," she murmured, burying her face deeper into his chest. "Though it feels a little embarrassing. I don't know why. We are married, after all. There's nothing inappropriate. And it could have been worse." She swallowed, realizing she was babbling. "I guess the thought of being seen in such a way scares me." There. She had admitted it.

Nathan stilled. Elizabeth pulled back slightly to look up at him. Her mouth dropped as she took in his red ears. "Are you blushing?"

He smiled self-consciously, running one hand through his hair while the other remained on her back. "Umm." He made a noise as if he was clearing his throat, the red color seeping into his cheeks. "Elizabeth, there's something you need to know."

He looked just as embarrassed as she'd felt, and somehow that soothed away her fears. It felt right being held by him in such an intimate manner, though she noticed he seemed to be studiously keeping his eyes on her face. "What is it?" she asked, her voice soft. Seeing him in discomfort made her forget her own.

He coughed slightly, his nervousness clear. "When you were sick, I was your main caregiver," he said. "Faith helped where she could, but she wasn't able to be here nearly enough to care for your...uh...more delicate needs." His face was now rivaling his deep red shirt in hue. "You needed to be bathed and changed and cleaned…" He stopped suddenly, his eyes closing. "I'm sorry."

Elizabeth's lips parted as she stared at Nathan. Though he didn't say the words, she knew exactly what he meant. Her body wasn't a mystery to him. He had seen everything.

She wasn't sure if that terrified her or relieved her.

When she had married Jack, she'd been the picture of maidenly beauty. She hadn't experienced trauma or pregnancy or any number of things that might have made her insecure about her body. But Nathan had seen a body that had carried and birthed her son, a body that was slightly distended with another child. She had stretch marks on her stomach, hips, and breasts. And after she had been attacked, she'd lost some of her sense of self-worth when it came to her body image. She no longer felt like the beauty she had once been. The fact that Nathan had seen her as she was now made her feel conflicted inside.

She hoped they could have a full marriage one day, and she knew that would mean letting him truly see her as she was. The knowledge had made her nervous, but now that she knew he had already seen her, some of the pressure slipped away. Yet the fact remained that she didn't know what to think.

Nathan seemed to sense her struggle. He opened his eyes and reached up to cup her face in his hands. For almost a minute, he simply looked at her, the love shining from his blue gaze enough to melt her heart and make her forget her fears. Then he smiled, his thumbs gently skimming her jaw.

"For what it's worth," he whispered, "I think you're beautiful."

Elizabeth's mouth dropped once again as his hands left her face and he turned to walk to the door. How did he always know exactly what to say? His affirmation went directly to her heart, spreading warmth through her limbs. His words were a balm to her wounded heart.

He accepted her just as she was. He loved her just as she was. He had picked up on her biggest insecurity and with one loving sentence dismantled it completely.

Gratitude welled up inside. She moistened her lips, then called his name. "Nathan."

He stopped, turning to look at her with one raised brow. She kept her hands at her sides, resisting the urge to shield herself in any way. "Which of my winter dresses do you like best?"

His crooked smile appeared and his eyes scanned her body, love and longing evident in his gaze. She sensed he would like nothing more than to take her in his arms again, but he showed an admirable restraint. Instead, he put his hands in his pockets and backed toward the door. "The blue one," he said quietly. "It matches your stunning eyes." He smiled once more, then slipped from the room to give her privacy.

Elizabeth pulled the sapphire colored dress from the wardrobe, then stared at the door where her husband had vanished. A smile crossed her face as she put on the dress and readied herself for the evening.

For the first time in a long time, she felt utterly secure.

Nathan kept Elizabeth close to his side as they walked the path toward town. He sensed a change in her, a lightness that hadn't been there before. When he had walked in on her in her underclothes, he'd worried that she might shut him out in fear. Instead, she seemed to possess a freedom that put a sparkle in her eyes and a skip in her step. Her arm was threaded through his. She seemed to enjoy his closeness just as much as he enjoyed hers.

He breathed a prayer of thankfulness as they walked, delighting in the woman beside him. He was determined to court her properly. Though they were married, she deserved to be courted and wooed. Nathan had every intention of making sure this date was only the first of many that would last the rest of their lives.

"I have to admit, I'm glad we're finally getting that dinner," Elizabeth said, smiling up at him. The sparkle grew.

Nathan's heart heaved in his chest, responding to her immediately. She was always beautiful in his eyes, but when she was happy, her beauty was amplified tenfold. His breath caught, momentarily blocking his ability to respond. Instead, he smiled back, giving his heart time to settle back into its normal rhythm.

"Me too," he said. The simple words felt inadequate to express how he felt about finally going on a date with Elizabeth. He felt the same excitement he had when she first agreed to dinner with him. That date-that-wasn't ended in disaster. This one would only bring them closer. It felt a little bit like redemption.

Nathan held the door for his wife as they entered the café. They smiled at friends and neighbors as they wove their way through the tables, finding a seat in the corner. Most people smiled back.

A few didn't. In fact, some turned away completely as they walked by.

Nathan pretended not to notice, hoping Elizabeth didn't either. When they sat, she looked around the room, shaking her head slightly. "I guess we are still being speculated about."

She had noticed.

Nathan reached out, taking her hand. "Does it bother you?"

She considered it a moment, then nodded slowly. "A little bit. It hurts that people I thought I knew would assume the worst without knowing what happened." She smiled slightly. "But then it also makes me take a look at my own heart. How would I react if I saw someone in our circumstances?" She lifted one shoulder. "How do I know I wouldn't act in a judgmental manner as well, no matter how unintentionally?"

Nathan raised a brow. "You're extending grace by thinking of what your reaction might have been?"

She smiled sheepishly. "I figure I can't judge them either, if I don't know how I would react in their shoes."

Shaking his head, Nathan reached for her hand. "You are an amazing woman, Elizabeth Grant."

Her smile bloomed once more. "Elizabeth Grant," she said, ending their last name on a little sigh. "I love the sound of your name joined to mine."

Nathan's heart lurched again. This woman could have an impact on him with the smallest of things. It amazed him.

Clara came by, smiling at them happily. "Nathan, Elizabeth! Good to see you. It's been a while."

"Hi Clara," Elizabeth said, giving her friend's hand a squeeze. "How are you?"

"Good," Clara responded. "I've been busy, but I like it that way." She glanced behind her, catching a woman's harsh look at the Grants. Returning her eyes to Nathan and Elizabeth, she lowered her voice. "I don't know what happened between you two, but I want you to know I support you wholeheartedly. I've always thought you belong together." She shot another look behind her, almost glaring at the judgmental customer. "And I know you two have nothing to reproach yourselves for." She lifted her chin. "I just want you to know that. And I want you to know that Jesse and I will be there for you if you need anything."

Nathan's throat constricted and he felt tears sting his eyes. Clara's support meant a lot. Elizabeth must have felt the same way. She stood and hugged the younger woman. "Thank you, Clara," she said softly. "We appreciate that."

"We certainly do," Nathan agreed.

Clara smiled at them in sympathy. "Now, what can I get for you?"

Elizabeth ordered spaghetti with meatballs, and Nathan asked for the pork chops. Clara took their order to the kitchen.

Nathan leaned back, smiling at Elizabeth. "Here we are," he said, feeling a twinkle in his eyes. "I can't believe we haven't shared a meal together one on one until now."

Elizabeth laughed. "It does seem strange, doesn't it?" she admitted. "We've known each other for almost three years and have never eaten alone together." Her smile turned shy. She gazed at him through her lashes. "I hope we can make this a regular occurrence."

His heart leaped again. He reached out, taking her hand in his. "I'd like that very much," he said, the words barely over a whisper thanks to the emotion in his throat.

Elizabeth regarded him with steady eyes, a touch of regret in them. "I'm sorry it took me so long to realize you are my lifetime love," she said quietly. "I intend to make it up to you as we spend our lives together."

Nathan smiled, rubbing her knuckles with his thumb. "The fact that you married me more than made up for it," he replied.

Elizabeth chuckled, lowering her voice. "I didn't have much choice. But I'm so glad we did it." She smiled again. "We found the dawn after the dark. And now we get to spend our lives together, building our family and our dreams one step at a time."

"I think you might have some of the poet in you as well," Nathan said raising his brows and shooting her a sincere smile. "Speaking of building our family and dreams…" He paused for effect.

Elizabeth raised both brows, studying him. "Yes?"

He grinned. "We have a home to build. I already talked to Lee about the lumber, and he agreed to use trees from our land to build it. The lumber for our house will cost us next to nothing." He folded his hands. "Now we just have to plan it." His smile softened. "What is your dream house, Elizabeth?"

She gaped for a moment, clearly not expecting that question. Her brow knitted together in concentration as she thought about it. When she answered, she wore a smile again.

"A real bathroom," she said, a dreamy look on her face. "With indoor plumbing. Can you imagine? No more outhouse, fresh running water to draw a bath, a sink instead of a basin." She clasped her hands together, looking at Nathan in supplication. "I know it would be expensive, but do you think we could have that?"

Nathan chuckled. "Considering we won't have to pay for the lumber, yes. We can most definitely afford a couple of real bathrooms."

Elizabeth gasped in delight. "More than one?"

Nathan's chuckle became a true laugh. "Yes. I was thinking two would be good."

"Oh Nathan!" Elizabeth's eyes were pools of delight. "That would be perfect!" She sat up straighter. "And a sink in the kitchen?"

He nodded. "And a sink in the kitchen."

Elizabeth bit her lip, clearly excited. Clara's reappearance interrupted them briefly, and they took a few moments to enjoy their food before resuming the conversation.

"What else would you like?" Nathan asked. "Nothing is outside the realm of possibility."

"At least five bedrooms," Elizabeth said. "That way each of the children can have their own, and we'll even have another for a guest room." Her cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink. "And if we have children of our own, there will still be plenty of space for them. The younger ones would be able to share if it comes to that."

Nathan's heart tripped at the thought of having children with Elizabeth, but he managed to keep his expression neutral. "I think that's a wonderful idea," he said warmly. "Five bedrooms, two bathrooms. How many stories?"

A contemplative look filled Elizabeth's face. She chewed a bite of spaghetti before answering. "I think I would like it all to be one level. Navigating stairs can be hard for children, and I like the thought of everything being on the same floor." She peered at him, tilting her head. "Is that alright with you?"

Nathan nodded. "I would prefer that as well, to be honest. I'm glad you agree."

"You know what else I would love?" Elizabeth asked, the dreamy look softening her features and making her look like an angel. Nathan couldn't look away if he tried.

"What?" he said, the words nearly a whisper.

"A wraparound porch," she answered. "Wouldn't that be lovely? I've always thought that would be a beautiful place to spend time with family and friends, especially in the warmer months." She blushed slightly. "It probably sounds like a silly dream…"

"Not at all," Nathan said, quick to reassure her. "I think it's perfect. We can add that to our plans."

Elizabeth fixed her eyes on him. "The plans?" Her eyes widened. "Are you drawing up the plans for the house yourself?"

He smiled. "Yes, I am. I've written up a few house plans in the past."

Her mouth dropped. "You have?"

Nathan nodded. "I designed Colleen's house before she married, and I designed the house my mother currently lives in. Carpentry and design was always a hobby of mine." He shrugged lightly. "I find it relaxing."

Elizabeth's mouth curved into a smile. "Three years, and you still manage to amaze me," she said, her eyes light. She placed her chin in her hand as she looked at him. "I can't wait to find out all about you. I'm discovering it to be a wonderful process."

For the countless time that night, his heart again beat out a staccato rhythm. He had thought many times that he was looking forward to getting to know his wife better. Every day revealed something new. It was a journey that would last them a lifetime.

He reached out, taking her hand in his again. "We both have so much to learn. I'm excited to discover more of who you are."

Their gazes locked, and they lost track of time. Clara's presence at their table, along with her discreet clearing of her throat, brought them back to reality. Their friend was grinning from ear to ear. "You two are so in love. It's wonderful to see," Clara said, her eyes alight with happiness. "Can I get you dessert before you go?"

"Yes," Nathan said, smiling at Elizabeth. "We'll take the chocolate cake to go, please. Enough for us and the children."

Chocolate cake was Elizabeth's favorite.

She smiled warmly at him, knowing he had ordered it specifically for her, knowing how much she loved it. "Thank you, Nathan," she said. "I'm sure Allie and Jack will appreciate being a part of our date too, even if it's just for dessert."

When Clara brought their box of cake and Nathan paid the bill, he offered his arm to Elizabeth. "Let's go get our children," he said, his eyes on her and her alone. If anyone shot them more disapproving stares, he didn't see them.

His only focus was his sweet wife.

A/N: I wanted to thank Pharmama and Mamabethany for some pointers and suggestions that have played out and will play out through this story. I appreciate it, ladies!