Chapter 38- Smile a Smile for Me

"May I cut in?" Nathan gently asked the children who surrounded Charlotte on the dance floor.

"What are you cutting Mountie Nathan?" Little Jack looked up at him, a very confused look upon his face which caused Nathan and Charlotte to chuckle.

"Jack, it's just an expression," answered Anna. "Mountie Nathan was wondering if he could dance with Ms. Thompson."

"Of course, you can join us!" Exclaimed the little boy.

"I think Uncle Nathan and Ms. Thompson want to dance this next song by themselves. How about we go and check out the dessert table instead?" Allie held a hand out to the child.

"Can I have a slice of pie?" Jack asked Allie as he took her outstretched hand.

"I think that can be arranged," Allie answered as she started to lead Little Jack off the dance floor, before pausing for a moment and turning back towards Nathan and Charlotte. "Uncle Nathan, is it alright if I spend the night at Opal's?"

"If it's alright with Opal's mom, it's alright with me," Nathan answered.

"You two have fun," Allie winked. "Happy Birthday Ms. Thompson."

"Thank you, Allie." Charlotte winked in return before turning to face Nathan.

"May I have this dance?" Nathan asked, holding out his left hand in invitation.

"I thought you'd never ask, Constable Grant," Charlotte answered, placing her hand into his.

Nathan paused a moment before taking Charlotte into hold.

"Are you sure?" Nathan whispered. "The last time we tried to do this in public…"

"Nathan," Charlotte interrupted as she stared up into his intense gaze. "I'm ready."

Nathan released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

"Good," Nathan smiled as he took a step forward and closed the space between them. The record on the gramophone was changed to a slow, intimate arrangement of 'Waltzing Matilda'. The opening piano notes of the song ringing out true and clear into the night.

When Nathan wrapped his arm around Charlotte's back and pulled her into his body, her breath caught, and eyes closed.

"Charlotte." Nathan's voice was low and thick with emotions. "Are you alright?"

Charlotte's eyes fluttered open. Their grey hue pierced a path straight to his heart. It wasn't fear Nathan found within them this time, but desire.

"I'm more than alright. I'm home. With you. I'll always be home."

"Me too."

And with that, Nathan led them through the steps of the waltz. They hadn't danced like this since their own private ball on Christmas day, but with Charlotte as his partner, Nathan didn't even think about the choreography. He just moved them across the floor in slow and rhythmic movements. The rest of the couples seemed to clear from around them and step to the side, allowing Charlotte and Nathan to be the only two dancers on the floor.

Soon enough, their proper form gave way to a more intimate hold. The lustrous sound of a violin was added to the piano music as the song began its crescendo. Nathan again moved their entwined hands to rest on his chest as Charlotte leaned forward to lay her head on Nathan's shoulder, her fingers finding their way to twirl into the curls at the edge of his collar.

Nathan and Charlotte used this waltz as communication between body and soul. Expressing what seemed too deep for words.

As the music faded to the gentle crackle indicating the end of the record, Nathan leaned forward and whispered into Charlotte's ear, "I have another birthday present for you."

"Is it those dirty dishes I promised to help you clean when we got back?" Charlotte winked, causing a laugh to escape Nathan.

"No… nothing like that. Although I wouldn't turn down your help. Even though it is your birthday."

"I'm sure that could be arranged, but you have me intrigued. What else could you possibly surprise me with?"

Nathan guided Charlotte's arm to loop through his as they quietly left the dance floor and began walking home. "Well, Ms. Thompson, you're just going to have to wait and find out."

"Wait here," Nathan directed Charlotte to sit on the back step of her house. "I'll be right back."

Nathan turned and disappeared into his row house. Charlotte heard some shuffling around before Nathan cracked open the door and peeked out.

"Can you close your eyes?" He asked. "I want this to be a surprise."

Charlotte squinted one of her eyes in a questioning glance but complied to Nathan's request.

"Are they closed?"

"Yes… They are closed," Charlotte answered. "Now what is this all for?"

"It's all because of a promise."

"A promise?" Charlotte's head tilted to the side, but she kept her eyes closed.

"A promise I made to you at Christmas. That you would be the first person I play for."

A gasp escaped Charlotte as she opened her eyes to reveal Nathan standing a few feet in front of her. The worn strap from her father's guitar hung over his shoulder.

"When did you learn how to play?" Charlotte questioned.

"Carson has been giving me a few lessons here and there. Teaching me some of the chords and different strumming patterns."

Charlotte's jaw was still set ajar in shock. Nathan learned how to play her dad's guitar!

"Well Nathan Grant," she finally began. "What are you going to play for me tonight? Happy Birthday?"

Nathan chuckled. "I was actually thinking of a little tune that I once learned from a beautiful woman."

"Oh really?" Charlotte raised her eyebrow.

"Well, you told me that you hadn't celebrated your birthday since your parents passed, so I thought we should let them be a part of your celebration again. Didn't you say that your favorite songs were the old Irish tunes your mom taught to your dad when they were first married?"

"You remembered that?"

"Charlotte Thompson. Everything about you is pretty unforgettable."

Charlotte blushed and Nathan took that as his cue to begin his careful strumming. Nathan's focus turned to his fingers, placing them in just the right spot to ensure that the chords were played correctly.

There's a tear in your eye and I'm wondering why

For it never should be there at all.

With such power in your smile… Sure a stone you'd beguile.

So there's never a teardrop should fall.

When your sweet lilting laughter's like some fairy song.

And your eyes sparkle bright as can be.

Oh then laugh all the while and all the other times smile

And then smile a smile for me.

As Nathan became more comfortable with his playing, he looked up to Charlotte who was indeed smiling a smile for him. Then to his surprise her voice joined with his to sing the chorus of the song. Singing in her pure, dulcet tone.

When Irish Eyes are Smiling sure it's like a morn in spring

In the lilt of Irish laughter, you can hear the angels sing

When Irish hearts are happy all the world seems bright and gay

but when Irish eyes are smiling sure they'll steal your heart away.

When they finished their impromptu duet, tears were steadily streaming down Charlotte's cheeks as she was overcome with emotion.

Nathan, concerned, removed the strap of the guitar, and set it beside them as he took a seat next to Charlotte and pulled her into her side as she continued to cry gently.

"I didn't realize I was that bad," Nathan joked, trying to make Charlotte smile and lighten the mood.

It seemed to work as a small chuckle came from Charlotte.

"No… it was perfect" she sniffled beside him. "I'm sorry. I was just reminded of an Oscar Wilde quote I thought of when I first came to Hope Valley and was talking to Elizabeth."

"The truth is rarely pure and never simple?"

"No, not that one. But of course, you would know the works of Oscar Wilde too," Charlotte lightly laughed as she began wiping the tears from her cheeks. "Life with you will never be unadventurous or mundane Mr. Grant."

Nathan looked over to Charlotte. Her words 'life with you will' and calling him "Mr. Grant" hit him hard in the chest. Was Charlotte finally coming around to the idea of becoming Mrs. Grant?

Charlotte turned to face Nathan's gaze. "The quote I was thinking of is, 'You don't love someone for their looks, or their clothes or their fancy car, but because they sing a song only you can hear.'"

"Well, it's good to know my new music skills are better than my looks or the red serge."

Charlotte smirked. "I don't know. The looks and suspenders aren't half bad either."

Nathan laughed and then shifted, reaching beside himself to pick up a package Charlotte had not seen him bring out. "I have one last present. Actually, I have had it since Christmas, but I didn't know if we were in the right place for it to be an appropriate gift at that time. After everything we've been through, experienced… and felt over these past six months… I don't know. I think tonight may be the right time."

Charlotte took the small, delicately wrapped package from Nathan. Slowly untying the string and pulling back the gift's paper covering.

"Nathan," Charlotte gasped. Tears again threatening to spill forth from the corners of her eyes.

"Do you like it?"

In her hands Charlotte held another picture frame. It was like the one Nathan had carved for her to hold the picture of them and Allie from the Christmas dance. But this frame. This one held a more intimate photo. It was a picture of her and Nathan as they had shared the last piece of chocolate cake in the shadowed corner of the party. Nathan had obviously just said something funny, as Charlotte's eyes and nose were crinkled from laughter and a big smile spread across her face. It was a look Charlotte had never seen on herself before. Pure happiness in photographic evidence. And Nathan. Her dear, sweet Nathan. He was standing close, looking down at her laughter with the most adoring and loving expression on his face.

"I love it. Thank you!" Charlotte leaned over and gently kissed Nathan's cheek before letting her head rest on his shoulder.

They sat there in simple peace and happiness. Nathan gently rubbing his hand up and down Charlotte's arm. Keeping her body pulled close to his.

"Happy Birthday, my love," Nathan broke the silence. "I hope your day has been as special as you are."

"It has been my favorite birthday so far."

"So far?"

"For some reason I think every birthday I get to spend with you is going to become my favorite."

Nathan turned and placed a gentle kiss on Charlotte's forehead. "I feel the same way."

"Maybe next time though…" Charlotte lifted her head and looked at Nathan. "Don't try to burn down the café baking a cake."

It was Nathan's turn for his jaw to drop. "Who told you?"

"I'm sworn to secrecy." A mischievous smile spread across Charlotte's face.

"Who told you?" Nathan's fingers moved to Charlotte's sides where he knew she was most ticklish. "Tell me."

Charlotte wiggled and giggled against his onslaught but did not reveal her source of information. Finally, she was able to move just outside of his grasp and stand in front of Nathan.

"Speaking of cake… what do you say to sharing a second birthday slice with me as we do those dishes? I'll wash. You dry?" Charlotte reached out a hand towards Nathan.

"Sounds perfect," he answered, threading his fingers into Charlotte's as she led them across their backyard to his door. It was so easy for Nathan to love Charlotte that it frightened him. He never felt as though he had been very good at anything. Especially love. But in that moment Nathan realized he had never wanted anything as much as he wanted to hold Charlotte every waking minute. And every night while they slept. The question for Nathan had ceased to be "How do I love her?" and instead had become, "How could he ever stop?".

Nathan prayed with every ounce of his being he would never have to find out.

The Waltzing Matilda arrangement I pictured for Nathan and Charlotte's dance, is one of my favorite songs. It's slow, intimate, and oh so powerful. I felt it was the perfect fit for this special moment between them.

This song version comes from the movie Deadwood. You can find it by Googling Waltzing Matilda Music by Reinhold Heil. Hope you love it as much as I do.

Also, I want to point out… even though Gustave made dinner, he wasn't the one cleaning up this time. Nathan and Charlotte know that true romance is in sharing those small everyday moments (like doing the dishes together) that add up to a lifetime of love. Not just candlelit dinners in fancy dresses and "tonight should be about us." superficial lines. I'm looking at you Elizabeth and Lucas!