Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
Friday, December 24, 1920
Everyone was talking about how much fun they had, spending the day either playing in the snow or watching the kids play. There was also an undercurrent of the slight odor of liniment as well. Then, of course, everyone was talking about Nathan and Elizabeth earlier in the day, too. Jack had charmed everyone just like his father would have.
As they had gotten changed for dinner, he kept talking about all the new friends he made, old and young alike. He had also asked her if it would be okay if he called Minnie and Joseph aunt and uncle. As always, she simply said if it was all right with them. She knew that he only bestowed that honor on the people that were really special to him. He had never asked for Lucas or Nathan, but she had a feeling he saw Nathan in a different light, different from everyone else and far more personal. If she were honest, she did as well.
Elizabeth had beamed with pride as people came over and complimented her on how sweet and polite he was. Nathan, Joseph, and Minnie heard the same things about Allie, Cooper, and Angela, making them just as proud.
As expected, Minnie and Joseph were thrilled to be Jack's Uncle Joseph and Aunt Minnie and readily accepted the title.
Dinner was wonderful, and the food was delicious. The ladies had outdone themselves with the creative ways that they had used the food that was brought so that it would feed the most people. Everybody had full bellies by the time it was gone.
At the mention of dessert, the groans were loud, even from the children, so Gertie suggested some dancing. As the music started up, Elizabeth and Jack were the first to hit the dance floor with him standing on her feet. It was something they regularly did at home, and both of them loved it.
At first, his delighted laughs had people watching. Soon, they were joined by Nathan and Allie, Joseph and Angela, Minnie and Cooper, Gertie and Harry, Janice and Harold, Bill and Faith, and even Abbie and Gracie joined in. It didn't take long before other mothers dragged their sons to the floor or fathers were twirling their daughters.
After a couple of songs, people began to switch around. When Allie switched off to dance with Jack, to Nathan's chagrin, Bill was already claiming Elizabeth while Gertie approached him. He could see that Faith was dancing with Harold, and Harry was dancing with Janice.
A little while later, when another switch happened, Elizabeth tried to ask Nathan, but he was already spoken for by another lady who earlier had told Elizabeth if she had been younger, she would give her a run for her money with Nathan.
Of course, Nathan and Harry were dealing with similar comments and advice like "Son, you need to get her under some mistletoe and plant one on her."
At the end of an hour, a halt was called so that Jack's birthday cake could be brought out. Though it was already cut up and plated, Jack received the first piece with a candle for him to blow out, which made him happy.
Both couples were frustrated as they had not been able to share a single dance with each other. Even after the dancing stopped, Elizabeth and Nathan had been teased about earlier with comments like "What are you waiting on, Son," and "Why haven't you snatched that handsome Constable up yet?" Making them laugh and wonder the same thing. The pull between them had grown even stronger to the point that it was getting impossible to resist. But every time they tried to talk, they got interrupted.
Then the dancing started back up, and just as Elizabeth went to ask Nathan, Allie got there first, so she took the opportunity for another with Jack.
Currently, they were standing at the opposite end of the room, looking at each other longingly. As another song played, Gertie counseled as she passed by with a knowing look, "I think you should go over and ask Nathan to dance."
At the same time, Harold approached Nathan and suggested that he ask Elizabeth. As a result, they make their way slowly across the room and meet in the middle.
"Would you care to dance?" Elizabeth asked softly her hands out in invitation.
"I was just about to ask you the same," Nathan said as he reached for her and pulled her close. For the first few minutes, nothing is said between them as they just enjoy the closeness. Their eyes were closed, and the only sounds between them were mutual sighs of contentment as each was trying to work up the courage to reveal what was in their heart.
Standing close by watching are Bill, Joseph, Gertie, and Harold. Gertie leaned over to Joseph and said, "Get those rings ready, Pastor, because it won't be long now."
The next song was a slow one, and their eyes remained closed. Nathan pulled her a bit closer and began to caress her back, unaware of what he was doing. While subconsciously Elizabeth began to play with the hair on the nape of his neck.
Nathan suddenly pulled back, grabbed her hand, and pulled her to the side of the room. As he started to say something, Faith and Harry approached and pointed out that they were standing under Mistletoe. They remained standing there expectantly with arms crossed, looking at them.
Faith got impatient. "Well, go on, Elizabeth, what are you waiting for?"
Elizabeth complied. As the kiss ended, both were somewhat dazed.
"Well, Harry, I guess our job's done here," Faith said and led him away, leaving them alone.
Elizabeth came around first and then said in a rush, "Nathan, I am in love with you, and I hope with everything in me you still love me,"
"Lizbeth, I never stopped loving you."
"Finally!" Bill and Joseph say at the same time, drawing their attention.
"Now that that is settled, can you help us make a couple of wishes come true?" Joseph asked.
"What do you mean?" Nathan inquired.
"Well, this was Allie's wish." Joseph took the ornament out of his pocket.
Nathan and Elizabeth smiled when they read it. "Sure, that one already came true," Nathan said happily.
"Well, maybe you can help me make Jack's wish come true," Bill said, holding up Jack's wish.
Nathan and Elizabeth's jaw dropped, and eyes widened as they read Jack's wish. By now, a crowd had formed, and Faith and Allie stood by, smirking, knowing what fulfilling Jack's wish would entail.
"As you can see, it would require a little assistance," Bill said as he held up a marriage License, and Joseph held up the rings.
They look at each other, getting lost for a moment. Overcome with love for each other and their children, Nathan lifted an eyebrow in question. Elizabeth smiled softly, cupped his cheek, and nodded in reply.
Allie ran over to where Jack was still playing with Zach and Cooper. "Jack, I need to show you something,"
As they approach, he asks, "What's going on?"
"Our Christmas Wishes are coming true. My dad and your mom are getting married, and we will be brother and sister."
Knowing the four needed a private moment the others left to quickly prepare for the ceremony.
"Is it true?" Jack asked. "Allie is going to be my sister, and Mountie Nathan is going to be my Daddy."
They nodded in response, too overcome with emotion to speak.
Because of the quickness of it all, at their request, Joseph would lead them through the standard marriage vows.
Minutes later, when Joseph asked, "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" Jack proudly spoke up and said, "I do," as prearranged by Bill. Prompting some awes and chuckles.
Once everyone was seated with some punch, Harold and Gertie stood up, asking for everyone's attention.
"On behalf of the town, Gertie and I would like to offer an old Irish blessing to the happy couple," Harold said.
"Elizabeth and Nathan,
May love and laughter light your days and warm your heart and home. May good and faithful friends be yours wherever you may roam. May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures. May all life's passing seasons bring the best to you and yours."1
Gertie then stood up, approached Jack and Allie, and placed a hand on their shoulders, smiling down.
"In honor of Jack and Allie, I have another blessing my Irish grandmother would say for children.
"Jack and Allie, May lucky stars above you, Sunshine on your way, Many friends to love you, Joy in work and play. Laughing to weigh each care, in your heart a song-and gladness waiting everywhere All your whole life long!
May you have:
A world of wishes at your command. God and his angels close to hand.
Friends and family, their love impart and Irish blessings in your heart.
May God grant you always a sunbeam to warm you, a moonbeam to charm you, a sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you. Laughter to cheer you, faithful friends near you, And whenever you pray, Heaven hear you."2
Then she gave them a hug and a kiss on their cheek before returning to stand by Harold.
After she rejoined him, he asked everyone to raise their glass in a toast, "To Nathan and Elizabeth and the new Grant Family."
As the dance resumed, Joseph and Bill shared the story of how their getting the children's wishes came about. Then Bill explained just how they were so prepared to perform the marriage right down to a marriage license and rings.
"That was all Joseph's idea, actually."
"The rings are absolutely beautiful and so unique. Where did they come from?" Elizabeth asked, looking at Nathan's.
"I'll let Bill explain because there's a special meaning behind them; I think you will appreciate them," Joseph said.
Bill blushed a bit but replied, "Well, I got them from a friend of mine in Benson Hills shortly before we came here. I started to go originally with plain gold bands, but then I saw these. So obviously, copper and silver represent the two of you. But the gold that wraps around the two, keeping them together, represents your love that has passed through the refiner's fire and remains strong. I figure with everything the two of you have dealt with getting to this point should be represented. Now, the two outer gold bands on either side represent God's love, protection, and promise to always be with you. That way, in times of trouble or when you are overwhelmed by fear, you have a reminder of that because even when you are weak, you are strong."
No one said anything as Bill finished. Suddenly, Elizabeth got up and, with tears in her eyes, came around to his chair. He stood up as she approached, and she hugged him and, after thanking him, told him just how much his thoughtfulness meant to her. Then she hugged him again, adding a kiss on his cheek before stepping back so Nathan could also say thanks.
A little while later, Gertie saw Bill smiling, just standing in the corner, watching Elizabeth and Nathan talking to Joseph and Minnie.
She nudged him with her elbow to get his attention when he looked at her, she had a smug look on her face and said, "See, all you needed was to prime that pump and turn up the heat."
Then, after giving him a wink, she headed off to celebrate a job well done with her friends, leaving Bill shaking his head in amusement.
It had been a long day for everyone as Nathan walked Elizabeth and the kids back to the house where they stayed with Faith. They left the party shortly after the toast to spend some time together and get the children to bed. Harry would walk Faith home later after the party to allow them time alone since they would not be sharing a bed until they got back to Hope Valley. The doctor's house only had two bedrooms, so the kids shared one of the rooms while Faith and Elizabeth shared the other. They didn't want to displace anyone or create a lot of work for anyone. It wasn't an ideal situation, but they were just happy to be together, and the rest could wait for one more day.
They spent a bit of time talking about events of the day before getting the kids ready for bed. As Elizabeth and Allie sat talking, Jack had gone over to Nathan and climbed up on his lap. "Mountie Nathan, since Allie is now my sister and you are my new daddy, does that mean I can call you Dad like Allie?"
"Is that something that you want to do, Jack?" Nathan asked.
Jack nodded. "Mama already said it was okay when I asked her. She told me that I needed to ask you."
Nathan was choked up, with eyes glistening, he rasped, "I would love nothing better, Jack."
Knowing that Allie and Elizabeth would need to have their own conversation, Nathan took Jack into the bedroom to get him ready for bed.
"Allie, I want you to know that it is completely up to you what you want to call me. Obviously, in school, it would be Mrs. Grant, which will take some getting used to, won't it for both of us? But how about while you think about it, you call me Beth. It is a special nickname that only my father and my sister Julie use. But just know that if you ever want to refer to me as Mom or Mama like Jack, it's fine with me." Elizabeth said, giving her a hug.
Allie gave her a smile of relief. "I really appreciate your understanding and giving me the option. Everything has just happened so quickly. I really like that you are giving me a name that is so special and the time to really think about what I feel comfortable with." Then she gave Elizabeth a hug and said, "I love you, Beth."
"I love you too, sweetheart." Elizabeth said, "I think it goes without saying, though, that I already love you just as much as if you were my biological daughter. I think I have since the first time we met, and you said I was bossy and smelled like chalk."
Allie rolled her eyes, and they giggled, recalling that day. "In fact, you, my sweet girl, are the icing on the cupcake I got by marrying your dad."
"You sure you don't mean the icing on dad's nose." Allie teased before getting up and going to get ready for bed herself as Nathan came back carrying Jack.
Elizabeth let him know what they had agreed on for now for Allie to call her. With that done, they spoke a little more about the changes that would happen when they got home. When Allie returned fifteen minutes later, they could see that it was bedtime. Jack's eyes had already been listing at half-mast for the better part of an hour, and Nathan could now see a similar look in Allie's. After tucking them in and kissing them goodnight, Nathan and Elizabeth left since Jack insisted that he wanted Allie to read his bedtime story to him.
"Okay, Jack, this is the last story, and the title is Christmas Morning," Allie said.
"It's Christmas, it's Christmas!" I heard Chloe say!
I stretched, got up, and went with her to Mama and Annie's room.
"Wa-" we didn't get the words "wake up" out before we realized that they weren't there.
"Mama, Annie, where are you?" I called with my biggest cub voice. They couldn't be gone on Christmas!
"Get dressed and come downstairs, we're in the kitchen," Mama called back. I was relieved to hear her voice!
We went back to our room and put on our matching red skirts and red Christmas shirts. My shirt said Merry and Bright, and Chloe's shirt said Let it Snow. When we were dressed down to our socks and shoes, we went downstairs.
When we got downstairs, we saw all types of yummy foods, including our favorite, cranberry sauce! Dinner couldn't come soon enough! Mama and Annie were preparing dinner, but first we had to eat a special breakfast. They were making pancakes with snowflakes made with confectioners' sugar.
"May we open presents before breakfast?" I asked.
"Sure," Mama replied.
We hurried to the tree. Amongst the presents, there was one long one with both of our names on it. Annie said we could open it. The paper flew off as we tore at it. Inside, there was a sled!
After breakfast, we bundled up and went whizzing down the hill in our new sled. We had so much fun!
Allie finished the story and closed the book, setting it on the nightstand. As they were snuggling down in preparation to go to sleep, Jack recalled that Santa was coming that night.
"Allie, what will Santa do since our tree and stockings are in Hope Valley?"
"Well, he will deliver them there, and we will get them when we go home," Allie replied. "But we really should get some sleep because we have another long day ahead of us."
"Okay," Jack replied sleepily as he cuddled closer. "I love you, Allie. I'm glad you are my sister now."
"I love you too, Jack. I love that you are my little brother." Allie replied before closing her eyes and falling asleep.
Nathan and Elizabeth had been right outside the bedroom and had listened in. They snuggled together on the settee in front of the fire, hating that they would still have to say goodnight and separate.
Nathan chuckled as he thought about how quickly Allie came up with a response for Jack about Santa. "Can you believe how quickly Allie came up with a response to tell Jack about Santa? If that had been me, I would still have been trying to come up with something. Is it a female thing?"
Elizabeth giggled. "If it makes you feel better, I would have struggled a bit, too, and Jack would still be asking questions. I think, in this case, Allie is a Jack whisperer. He adores her and thinks the sun rises and sets because of her. The other day, he was giving me a problem about making his bed. I mentioned that Allie always makes hers, and he did it without another word. It's so sweet how much they love being together, considering the age gap. It shouldn't have been surprising that Jack wished for Allie to be his sister."
"I know what you mean. I once told Joseph that I thought Allie would be most happy to take Jack and move in with the Canfields." Nathan said, playing with the wedding band on Elizabeth's finger as he held her hand. "At least now I get to come with them and won't be all alone in the rowhouse."
"Nathan, there was something I wanted to talk with you about. I want you to know that as far as I am concerned, we are equal partners in parenting Jack, and I hope that you feel the same about Allie. I think it's important that we maintain a united front with them, especially if we are blessed with other children."
"I feel the same way. In fact, if you think about it, we already do that for the most part with Allie, at least lately. Jack, too."
Elizabeth thought about what he said, and she realized it was true. They already operated as a team and lately had referred to them as the kids. "You're right," Elizabeth replied with a smile.
"Now that is settled, we are also going to need to figure out logistics of blending our households at some point," Elizabeth said. "Do you have a preference about which rowhouse?"
"We can move into yours. But since we only have a little time before Harry brings Faith home and I must go back to the Mountie Office…" Nathan said as he closed the distance and captured Elizabeth's lips in a deep, searing kiss.
A few minutes later, he pulled back with a groan as they heard footsteps stomping loudly on the porch. They pulled apart and adjusted themselves quickly as Faith and Harry walked in.
"Sorry to interrupt," Harry teased. "But the party began to break up shortly after you left."
Elizabeth and Nathan blushed, "That's okay."
Since neither couple seemed eager to part just yet, Elizabeth invited them to join them in front of the fire to chat.
As Faith and Harry hung up their coats, Elizabeth noticed Faith seemed a little preoccupied, and Harry was smiling dreamily as he stared at Faith. Looking over at Nathan, she could see he noticed as well.
As soon as Faith and Harry sat down on the settee across from them. Elizabeth brought it up. "Anything interesting happen after we left?" Elizabeth asked with a brow raised.
Faith laughed and then, grabbing Harry's hand, said, "Well, I guess you two inspired romance because a few couples began to use the Mistletoe."
"Oh yeah? Anyone we know?" Nathan teased.
Faith blushed as Harry, looking a bit sheepish, replied, "Ma, Bill, Joseph, and Minnie might have caught us kissing under it."
"Might or did?" Nathan asked, amused, looking over at Faith.
Rolling her eyes, Faith answered, admitting, "They did."
"Really?" Elizabeth said with a huge smile on her face. "Do tell."
"We were standing over in the corner out of the way, talking as people began leaving. We hadn't realized we were standing under the mistletoe."
"Which, considering how much mistletoe Ma had Ms. Martha, Ms. Loretta, and Ms. Betty hang, we should have. In fact, I would say there was enough that just about everybody at one point stood under it." Harry said wryly, breaking in. "Eagle Creek's merry band of matchmaker's success rate is legendary around these parts."
"Well, Elizabeth and I can't argue there," Nathan said, reaching for Elizabeth's hand.
"I can't believe that we didn't figure out what they were up to before now," Elizabeth chuckled.
"I had an inkling when they sent us on the sleigh ride," Nathan said, and Harry nodded in agreement.
"They had a goal in mind, that's for sure, and now are smugly satisfied that their perfect record is still intact," Harry said as he reached for Faith. "But this time, I am glad they decided to use their skills for us."
"I am, too, because Harry and I are officially courting now." Faith gushed.
"Congratulations!" Nathan exclaimed, getting up to hug Faith and shake Harry's hand.
"I'm so happy for you both," Elizabeth said, hugging Harry and then Faith. Before she drew back from Faith, she teased with a giggle. "Looks like your idea of mistletoe worked for the both of us."
As they settled back down, Faith asked, "Elizabeth, do you think Rosemary will be upset that she wasn't at the wedding?"
"If she does, then I'm going to remind her that, as she had pointed out, I'm not getting any younger. Then advised that I should tell him how I feel and then drag him in front of Bill or Joseph at the earliest opportunity to perform the ceremony."
"Well, if that doesn't work, then you also have the excuse you were making Jack and Allie's wishes come true," Faith added.
"There's that, too," Elizabeth said, giggling.
Looking at the time, Nathan stood up, pulling Elizabeth up with him. "As much as I don't want to, I'd better get going. We have another busy day tomorrow."
"Actually, I'd better get home, too," Harry said.
Reluctantly, Nathan put on his coat and pulled Elizabeth into his arms before he kissed her one last time, whispering huskily, "Goodnight, Mrs. Grant. I can't wait until tomorrow when I don't have to leave at the end of the day."
"Me too, Mr. Grant," Elizabeth said huskily.
A few moments after having their own private goodbye, Harry grabbed his coat, and then the two men walked out the door.
Elizabeth stood for a minute with the door open, trying to calm the passion that Nathan had stirred up in the short time they kissed. Watching his retreating back, she sighed heavily as she closed the door and locked it before turning to look at Faith. She could see the amusement in Faith's eyes as they banked the fire and headed to their shared room to get ready for bed.
As they lay in the quiet darkness, talking over the day, Elizabeth giggled. "I never thought that I would ever find myself in the situation of getting married and still having to sleep apart on what should be my honeymoon."
Faith laughed. "It is an interesting situation, all right. I never thought I would essentially be a third wheel on someone else's honeymoon. Although I'm sure, Nathan never thought he would be spending his with Bill."
As she finished that statement, they looked at each other before breaking out into a fit of laughter.
"Well, imagine how awkward tomorrow night will be since our children will be with us and the walls are very thin in the rowhouse. The last time I shared my bed with my husband, there weren't any children to have to worry about." Elizabeth said, giggling. Faith pictured it and then giggled herself. Finally, they turned away from each other and fell asleep.
When Nathan got back to town, he was surprised to see Joseph sitting on the porch of the Mountie Office.
"Hey Joseph, I am surprised to see you here. Everything okay?"
"Everything is fine. I just wanted to check in with you and see how you are dealing with everything, my friend."
"Well, come on in. It looks like Bill has already gone to bed." Nathan replied as he walked up the steps and opened the door.
As Nathan took off his coat, Joseph said, "It has been a long day full of surprises."
"That it has. But they have all been good ones." Nathan chuckled. "I have to say tonight was…." He rubbed his neck in an effort to find the right words, but the smile on his face and the look in his eyes spoke of the joy in his heart.
"It sure was," Joseph said. He didn't say anything else because he wanted to give Nathan time to voice his thoughts in his own time.
"I'm still pinching myself to remind myself it really happened, and Elizabeth is my wife, and Jack is now my son. That the four of us are now a family."
Joseph chuckled. "I imagine the current sleeping arrangements are part of that."
Nathan just smiled. "Maybe a little. But I can't even express how glad I am that I listened to all the things you said and finally took the risk. Everything I have hoped and longed for in my heart has finally come true because I did. I don't even know where to begin to express the gratitude in my heart for the gift of your friendship and counsel over these past months."
Joseph stood up and walked over to where Nathan sat, his eyes glistening. Placing a hand on his shoulder and giving it a squeeze, Joseph said, "Just seeing you and Elizabeth happy, finally a family together, is all the thanks I need, Nathan. I'll see you tomorrow." Then Joseph headed to his temporary home, giving thanks to the Father above for His wonderous love and for answered prayers.
By the time Nathan got in bed, Bill was already snoring away. He sent up a prayer of thanksgiving of his own not only for his marriage but for his friendship with both Joseph and Bill. Then, with a heavy sigh of frustration, fell asleep dreaming of Elizabeth.
Notes 1 and 2 are traditional Irish wedding and Blessings for children.