Nathan was a nervous wreck as he waited for news of the baby's arrival; he was upset he hadn't been there when labour started. He was upset he had missed even one minute of this important event; what if something had gone wrong and he wasn't there? Ned had been the one to tell him he was needed, although when Nathan saw him standing outside the Mountie office, waiting for him to return from his rounds, he had known.
He arrived at the house, windblown from the fast ride, begging the gathered crowd for an update. Despite everyone assuring him labour was progressing as it should and that mother and baby were both doing well, he was still anxious. He glanced around the crowded room and was happy he had others to share his worries with, but he wasn't particularly good company because he was worrying. He knew his neighbours and friends would understand, and he was grateful, as always, to be living in Hope Valley.
The hours passed slowly as labour continued, and he lost count of how many cups of coffee and tea he was offered, the number of times he was offered food or something to eat. He couldn't eat or drink. His stomach was in knots and would remain that way until he knew everyone, and everything was all right. Faith had been downstairs once to get cold water, and assured everyone that mother and baby were fine and told him not to worry. How could he not worry?
When sitting and waiting got too much, Nathan stood and started pacing, unable to remain seated a moment longer. Everyone he passed gave him an understanding look or a reassuring pat on the arm, and while he appreciated it, it wasn't helping. Looking around the room, he smiled as he made eye contact with the people gathered there but couldn't see the only person he wanted to speak to.
"Outside," mouthed Lee Coulter when their eyes met, and he tilted his head toward the back door. Nathan nodded; grateful his friend had understood who he needed to see. "Why don't you get some air, too," Lee suggested, coming to stand beside him. "I'll distract anyone looking for either of you and if anything changes, even the slightest change, I will come and get you both."
"Thanks, Lee, I appreciate it," Nathan said as he walked toward the back of the house. As he passed through the kitchen, he grabbed two soda bottles from the counter and took them with him.
Nathan stepped outside and stood still momentarily to allow his eyes to adjust to the darkness, he heard a voice to his left.
"I couldn't stay in there any longer. I know everyone means well, but I couldn't take it another minute."
"It's okay, everyone understands. There isn't one man in that room that hasn't been in your shoes," Nathan said, handing his son-in-law the cool drink, "we know how you feel."
"I don't know how you all did it, and more than once," Cody said, running his hands through his hair. "How did you cope when Elizabeth went through this...not once but twice?" his voice incredulous.
Nathan laughed, pleased for the release of his tension. "I don't know. At the time, I thought I would lose my mind with worry, that I would go mad from being unable to do anything." Nathan touched his son-in-law's shoulder, "Once your baby is born, and you hold them in your arms, it will be worth it, I promise."
"What about Allie? I want to be there with her, but Mum, Faith, and Elizabeth wouldn't let me stay in the room." Cody said, shaking his head, "she needs me."
Nathan bit his lip to keep from dismissing Cody's concerns too lightly, his frustration wasn't funny, and he remembered his own experience when Elizabeth gave birth to their son William and then their daughter Eliza. He remembered begging Faith to allow him to stay with his wife and be by her side and her refusing, allowing Rosemary to remain instead. Nathan had been sent downstairs frustrated and complaining to wait with Lee, Bill, Allie, and the others for what had seemed like days.
"Women have been having babies since the dawn of time; they know what to do, and Allie has the best people there supporting her."
"I know that, Nathan, but I want it to be me."
"I know, son, I know," Nathan said, his voice gentle as he spoke to the remarkable young man before him. He and Cody had been close since he returned to Hope Valley with his mother, Abigail Stanton. Abigail and Cody had left Hope Valley so Abigail could care for her mother, but a few years ago, after her mother passed, Henry Gowan went to her and brought them home. When Nathan heard Abigail and Cody were coming home, he worried how Cody would respond to him as he had been close to Nathan's predecessor, Jack Thornton. There was no need to worry; Cody gravitated to Nathan just as he had Jack, and the two formed a bond of deep friendship and respect. It helped that Abigail and Elizabeth were so close, and she had moved on with her life with him.
Allie and Cody had been inseparable from the moment he arrived back in Town, getting to know each other when their parents spent time together. As they grew older, the relationship deepened into a romantic one. With their parents' blessings, they married on Allie's twentieth birthday; although Nathan had worried, they were too young, they convinced him it was the right choice for them. Cody had been accepted as a Mountie and was moving away to do basic training, and Allie wanted to go with him.
Cody and Allie left Hope Valley immediately after the wedding so Cody could complete his training. After graduation, he received his first assignment, which was in Brookfield, the next Town over from Hope Valley, serving with Gabriel Kinslow, a family friend. Nathan suspected that Bill Avery, former Mountie, forensic inspector and now Judge, had played a part in the posting, but Bill denied it each time he asked. Whether Bill had pulled strings or not, Nathan, Elizabeth, and Abigail were grateful to have their children as close to home as possible.
Now, two years later, his oldest daughter was about to become a mother to the first grandchild in the Grant and Stanton families, although sometimes, it felt like Cody and Allie's child belonged to the whole Town. The Townsfolk had watched the two of them grow up and had first-row seats as their romance blossomed. Everyone Nathan met lately had told him how pleased they were Allie had come home to have the baby.
The feeling around this baby reminded him of Cody and Allie's wedding, which had been unusual, given that the whole Town had been invited. The ceremony and reception had to be held outdoors to accommodate the number of guests who attended. As usual in Hope Valley, everyone rallied around and contributed something to the day, making it extra special. Nathan suspected the Baptism would be the same, only now they would have to accommodate Brookfield residents, too. Cody and Allie had quickly found their way into the hearts of the residents in their new hometown.
Cody let out a long sigh, bringing Nathan out of his musings. To distract Cody, Nathan asked, "Have you and Allie thought any more about a name? The last time we spoke, the list was pretty long."
Cody laughed, "We are okay if it is a boy," he said, smiling. At last count, if we have a daughter, she will have about seven middle names. Minimum. Allie wants to honour every woman who has ever meant anything to her."
Nathan laughed and shook his head, thinking of his kind-hearted daughter. He knew if their child was a girl, she wanted to name her Colleen after her deceased mother, and Cody agreed. Allie also wished to use the baby's middle name to honour Cody's birth mother, Anna Hastings; her stepmother, Elizabeth; her Mother-in-law, Abigail; her grandmothers, Grace Thatcher, and Nellie Grant, plus their close family friend, Lillian Kinslow. The list continued with Rosemary, her daughter Marigold, and all her childhood friends. Nathan knew Allie meant well, but the child couldn't have that many middle names.
"I am sure your Mum and Elizabeth will talk her out of multiple middle names," Nathan said, knowing it would be down to them to do it. Cody, like himself, would do anything to make Allie happy.
"What if I can't do this?" Cody asked quietly. "What if something goes wrong? What if I'm not a good father?"
"Cody, the fact that you are worried about this tells me you will be a wonderful father," Nathan assured him. "Nobody gets everything right, but if you try and do the right thing, set the right example and love them with all you have, you won't go wrong."
"I wish there was a manual that told me how to do this."
Nathan chuckled; Cody had done very well in basic training because he liked to follow the rules and do things the right way. Luckily for Cody, he also had a strong desire to do the right thing, which unfortunately wasn't always the same thing. He could use his head and heart when doing his job, which made him compassionate and just.
"There isn't a manual on how to raise a child, Cody, but I agree with you; it would have been nice to have one when Allie was growing up. I didn't know what I was doing even half the time." Nathan said as he lowered himself to sit on the back verandah, leaning against the post. "There is no instruction on how to love your child either, Cody; you just do, and it's unconditional. I know your child is already in your heart," Nathan stated.
"It is. I fell in love with that baby the moment I knew it existed, and that love has only grown as the time for them to arrive has gotten closer." Sitting next to Nathan on the steps, Cody smiled and looked up into the night sky. "It's funny, isn't it? Love. You think you love someone with all your heart, like your family and friends, your wife and then when a child comes along, they have your whole heart too."
Nathan smiled in the darkness, remembering how many times he had watched Cody reverently touch Allie's growing baby bump, Allie telling him how Cody spoke to the baby every night, just as he had done with his children with Elizabeth. "Your heart, your love just keeps expanding, Cody. It doesn't have any limits, and there is always enough. When your next child comes along, they will have your whole heart, too. And the one after that."
"I don't think I can think about that right now," he laughed. "I need to know I can raise this one first."
"You will be fine, and remember, you aren't doing this alone. You and Allie are a team and a strong one at that. Lean on each other and lean on your family. We are here for you any time."
"Thank you, Nathan, for everything you have done for me. I have been lucky to have good men in my life after I lost my father, men I could respect and who taught me the right way to behave. And now, I get to call you, the best men I know, family."
Nathan swallowed over the lump in his throat at Cody's words. He considered Cody family and loved him just as he did his other children. He opened his mouth to tell Cody this but was stopped by the most beautiful sound in the world.
Cody and Nathan looked up at the bedroom window, eyes wide. The sound of a newborn baby's cries drifted down to them. Nathan glanced at Cody and saw the shock on his face. Now that the moment he was waiting so impatiently for had arrived, he was frozen to the spot.
"Go, son, go and meet your child; I am sure they can't wait to meet their dad," Nathan urged. Nathan knew there was still a lot to be done for Allie and the baby, but Cody needed to be there with them now; Allie would want him there as soon as possible. He didn't think Faith could stop him even if she tried.
"Dad," Cody breathed, marvelling at the title. Leaping to his feet and grasping Nathan's arm, he said, "You have to come with me, Nathan. Allie would want you there, too."
Nathan started to argue, but Cody wasn't listening. He was staring at Nathan. "Come on," he said, urging him to his feet and dragging him up the stairs. As they approached the back of the house, the door flew open, and Lee stood there beckoning them inside, a huge smile on his face.
"Congratulations, young man, although I might have to stop calling you that now you're a father."
"Thanks, Lee," Cody said, his voice full of awe. "I can't believe I am a father."
Cody and Nathan tried not to be rude to those offering congratulations, and thankfully, Lee stepped in and cleared them a path, understanding their need to be upstairs. Nathan ushered Cody ahead of him, and the two men took the stairs two at a time, eager to get to Allie. As they reached the top of the stairs, Cody paused, "Should we wait or knock?"
The door opening answered the question for him. Rosemary and Faith stood before them, both smiling widely. Nathan felt the tightness around his heart begin to loosen; they would act differently if something were wrong.
"Ready to meet your baby, Cody," Faith said, motioning him forward.
"How's Allie?" He asked without taking a step.
"She did an amazing job, Cody, and she is fine. Tired but fine."
Cody exhaled loudly; his relief evident. He could breathe again, knowing Allie and the baby were fine.
"Let us give you some room, Cody, Nathan," Rosemary said, stepping out of the room to make space for them.
Cody stepped forward eagerly, desperate to see his wife and child. Nathan held back, not wanting to intrude on such a special moment for the new family. Cody paused when he realised Nathan wasn't beside him and turned, "Come on Grandpa, let's meet them together."
Nathan felt his heart lurch. Grandpa. It is such a small, simple word, but its impact on him and his heart was huge. Like Cody, he already loved this child, but he knew there was something special about the relationship between a child and its grandparents. He bowed his head for a moment and swore that he would do everything in his power to protect this child, keep them from harm, and show them every day how loved they were.
Nathan followed Cody inside, smiling as the young man carefully accepted a blanket-wrapped bundle into his arms, cradling it as though it were the most precious thing in the world. Cody's face was radiant with love and joy as he stared down at the baby, and Nathan knew he was making his own promise to his child, like his moments before. Cody leaned down, gently kissed the baby's head, and then did the same to his wife. Nathan could see them whispering, marvelling at the gift they had been given.
Walking toward the bed, he stood beside Elizabeth who was also watching the new family. Taking his wife's hand, Nathan looked at her and saw tears of joy at the sight before them. Nathan also felt tears in his eyes as he witnessed the happiness before him; love for this new family overwhelmed him for a moment. He had meant what he said to Cody: there was always room in your heart for more love.
Abigail smiled at him from the other side of Elizabeth, nodding, but not saying a word. She also wore an expression of delight as she stood, hands clasped to her chest. The three new grandparents stood, united in their love for the young family before them.
Nathan caught his daughter's eye when she finally tore her gaze from her husband and child.
"How are you, sweetheart?" Nathan asked softly, not wanting to spoil the mood.
"Tired," Allie laughed. "Exhausted. But happier than I ever remember being." Settling back against the pillows, she smiled at Elizabeth and Abigail, "I couldn't have done it without the two of you."
Cody looked up and said, "Thank you both for being there to help Allie bring our son into the world."
"Your son," Nathan murmured, squeezing Elizabeth's hand; they had a Grandson. Allie and Cody had a son. "Lucky for this little one, he is a boy; at least that way, he won't end up with a million middle names."
Allie laughed at her father, "That's true, but our next child will have to be a girl, so I get to use some of them."
"Have you decided on a boy's name," Abigail asked.
Cody and Allie's eyes connected over their son's head, and Allie nodded, telling him to share it.
"Nathaniel Peter Hastings, Stanton," Cody announced proudly, looking at their parents where they stood together. "We couldn't think of a finer name or finer man to name our son after. Peter is for the brother I never got a chance to meet, who I know was also a good man because my mother raised him. Hastings is my original surname. I wanted Nathaniel to remember my parents and understand he has a connection to them, too."
Nathan heard Elizabeth and Abigail sniff back tears as they watched Cody walk toward his father-in-law and place Nathaniel in his arms.
Nathan stared down at the tiny bundle in his arms, holding him tight as he looked upon his Grandson's face for the first time. "He looks like you, Allie and your mother," he said softly, his voice thick with unshed tears. "He's beautiful," Nathan said, smiling at his daughter as she beamed back at him.
"He is," Elizabeth agreed.
"And only two middle names," Abigail teased. "But two perfect ones."
"You don't mind about Hastings, Mom?" Cody asked. He hadn't discussed the choice with his adoptive mother, and he hoped he hadn't hurt her with it.
"I love it, Cody. It's wonderful. Your parents loved you and Becky and would never have willingly left you both. Their illness robbed them of the chance to raise the two of you and watch you grow up. I am eternally grateful that you two found your way to Hope Valley into my family and heart.
Nathan looked down at his namesake in his arms, knowing he should share this little bundle with others, but he was reluctant to let him go. He reached out and touched Nathaniel's hand, stroking the soft skin where it had escaped his blanket. At his grandfather's touch, Nathaniel opened his fist and gripped Nathan's finger, holding it tightly. Nathan breathed deeply, feeling his heart expand with love once more.
Nathan looked away from the baby, hearing pounding feet rushing up the stairs. His son had arrived a million miles an hour, the only way he ever did.
"Shhh," Elizabeth cautioned her son, "you don't want to scare the baby."
William froze, eyes widening as he nodded to his mother. "Sorry," he whispered as he turned around quickly. "Don't make any noise, Ellie; you'll wake the baby," he instructed, using his nickname for his sister.
Nathan grinned at Elizabeth as she tried her best to hide a laugh. Their daughter was the opposite of their boisterous son. Eliza was delicate and careful. Graceful was an odd description for a small child learning to walk, but it was the perfect word for how his daughter carried herself.
Nathan knelt carefully, holding Nathaniel close to his chest as he lowered himself so the children could see their nephew.
"Oh, Daddy," Eliza said, her voice worshipful. "He is so tiny."
"When can I play with him?" William asked, ever practical.
Nathan smiled at his children, "Yes, he is, Eliza, which is why we must be very gentle with him." Looking at his son, he said, "he is going to be little for a while yet, you will have to be patient a bit longer."
The children nodded in agreement before they went to visit with Allie. Nathan passed Nathaniel to her as the children climbed onto the bed, sitting on either side of her. Nathan stepped away, wrapping his now empty arms around his wife as they watched their family.
"I love you, Nathan," Elizabeth whispered, smiling at him as she indicated toward the bed where their family sat. "I just want to freeze this moment to remember it forever. It is as perfect as I think it is, isn't it?"
"It's better," he replied. "And this is just another perfect memory we will keep adding to the ones we have already made."