Chapter 42- Charlie and Nate

"Did you realize this is really our first time alone... together. Away from town?" Charlotte's statement almost caused Nathan to choke on the last bites of his second sandwich.

Charlotte looked over at him and grinned. Taking a little pleasure in seeing she had caught him off guard with her candor.

"I miss Allie like crazy and can't wait until she gets back next month, but this... this is nice too," Charlotte continued. "You and me. It's kind of like an official first date."

The warm afternoon had suddenly become stifling to Nathan, and he reached up to undo the top few buttons of his blue shirt. Hoping the action would allow a summer breeze from the lake to cool him off and clear his mind.

Nathan glanced over at Charlotte, catching her eyes raking over his body. Following the path his fingers had just made down the edge of his shirt. A flush coming to her cheeks that was not caused from the hot summer day.

"So, if this was a first date…" Nathan began. "Shouldn't we get to know each other better."

"Nathan, you already know me better than anyone. You probably even know me better than I know myself."

"I don't know everything. Like what is your middle name? We've never talked about that."

"Marie. Charlotte Marie. What's yours?"

Nathan smirked and shook his head slightly. "Archibald. My full name is Nathaniel Archibald Grant."

"After your dad?"

"Yeah. I guess I was always a little ashamed of that growing up. Given the circumstances."

"There is nothing to be ashamed of Nathan. I think it is a very fitting name for you."

"Oh, you do?"

"Yes. Archie comes from a word that translates to genuine or precious. And I know Grant is your family name, but it usually means big."

"So, you're saying my name means I'm genuinely big?" Nathan joked.

"Give me a minute here. The last part is my favorite," Charlotte's grey eyes sparkled. "Your first name… Nathan. It means gift of God."

Charlotte smiled at Nathan. "See why I think it's fitting, is that you, Nathaniel Archibald Grant, are my big, genuine, and precious gift from God."

It was Nathan's turn to blush. He didn't know if he would ever get used to someone making him feel this way. Special, adored, cared for, and above all loved.

"Okay. My turn," Charlotte began. "What is your favorite color? I think I already know."

"How can you know? I don't even know if I have a favorite color."

"Everyone has a favorite color."

Nathan took a deep breath and stared out over the rippling water in front of them. For their lunch today, he and Charlotte had chosen to not sit under their normal shade tree, but rather on the flat boulder at the edge of the lake that had a beautiful view of the waves lapping against the shoreline.

"Blue." Nathan finally answered.

Charlotte grinned.

"What?" Nathan questioned. "Is that what you thought I would say?"

"It was," Charlotte admitted. "Well part of me was thinking maybe red, but I knew blue had to be your favorite."

"How did you know that?"

"Because you and I are so very similar."

"Your favorite color is blue too?"

"It is." Charlotte nodded. "Some of my favorite things are blue. This lake. The sky."

Charlotte turned then towards Nathan. "But I think my favorite blue is the shade I see when I look into your eyes. I don't know if there has been a single day since we met that they haven't haunted my thoughts."

"Really?" Shock came over Nathan. "I didn't even know if you noticed me that first day on the platform."

A chuckle came from Charlotte. "Oh, I tried not to. Especially after everything I had just been through, but you are hard not to notice. Being my hero, swooping in to save me from my falling trunk. And then later that night when you woke me up from one of my nightmares. You and Allie have been my saviors from the very beginning. Banishing the darkness with your light."

"You were hard not to notice too," Nathan admitted. "I was still healing after all I had been through with Elizabeth. But when I first saw you get off the stagecoach... I knew you were someone... special."

What Nathan didn't say aloud though was the admission that while it hadn't exactly been love at first sight, what Nathan realized now was that it was deeper than that. What Nathan had instantly felt for Charlotte was a sense of belonging to a place he never knew he wanted, but somehow always needed. It was his home that carried a heartbeat.

"You're kidding me!" Charlotte laughed. "I remember my reflection in the mirror once I got to my row house that first evening in town. I may have been hard not to notice, but it would have been for all the wrong reasons. Days on the run did not have me looking my best."

"You have always been beautiful to me," Nathan said, stopping Charlotte's negative thoughts in their tracks. Nathan believed his statement wholeheartedly. He usually found Charlotte most beautiful not when she was all fancied up, but when she wasn't. When she greeted him in the morning, eyes still heavy with sleep, her hair all a mess, laughing about something that happened years ago or in her classroom the day before. Nathan found Charlotte most beautiful when she wasn't trying to impress anyone. When she chose to take down the walls she had built for everyone else except him. That's when he couldn't take his eyes off her.

Charlotte nervously reached up trying to tuck wayward strands of her hair back into the braid she had styled that morning. "I'm sure I'm just as big of a mess today as I was a year ago when we first met. Especially after that ride up the mountain. My hair is all over the place."

"If you want, I can fix it for you." Nathan offered.

Charlotte's jaw dropped in shock. "What do you mean you can fix it?"

"I mean I can re-braid it for you."

"You know how to braid?"

"Don't act all surprised Ms. Thompson. Who do you think has been doing Allie's hair all these years?" Nathan smiled, relishing in Charlotte's astounded reaction.

"I guess…" Charlotte was stupefied. "I guess I never really thought about it. I'm sorry. I should have realized."

"There is nothing to be sorry about. I can't say I'm great at some of the newer styles Allie has asked me to help with in the past couple of years, but I like to think I mastered the art of braiding over the past decade or so."

Charlotte paused, still staring slack jawed at Nathan. "You wouldn't mind then? Helping with my hair?"

"Mind? Not at all." Nathan flashed Charlotte one of his lopsided grins. "Come over here."

Nathan shifted on the boulder. Directing Charlotte to turn and sit in front of him. He carefully untied the thin dark leather string that she had used to hold the plait in place. Then gently threaded his fingers into Charlotte's glossy curls, he unwound each of the interlaced strands. Nathan heard Charlotte's breath catch and he paused his actions.

"Are you okay?" Nathan asked, his own voice breathless and raw at the intimacy of what he was doing.

"I'm more than okay." Charlotte reached her right hand back to touch Nathan's. Giving him assurance that he could continue.

Nathan's focus again turned back to his task at hand. Combing Charlotte's curls with his fingers before beginning the plait, expertly weaving each piece of hair into place until he finished the braid, tying the leather strip at the end.

"There." Nathan said triumphantly as he leaned back slightly to take in his handy work. "I think that looks pretty good if I do say so myself."

Charlotte's fingers reached back and ran down the length of the braid Nathan had so effortlessly put together.

"Wow! You really are good at this. I'll be sure to let Fiona know if she ever needs an assistant at the barbershop, she should look no further than you." Charlotte's joke earned a chuckle from Nathan.

"How about we keep this little secret between you and me?" Nathan asked. "My hair styling services are reserved only for my girls."

"Hmmm… I like the sound of that. My girls." Charlotte shifted then so she leaned back into Nathan's chest. Which caused Nathan to instinctively wrap his arms about her shoulders, pulling her closer to him.

They sat there for hours. Looking out across the beautiful landscape in front of them as they continued asking questions. Learning more about each other's pasts and favorite things. Their most embarrassing moments. Their biggest triumphs.

They also relived each of their initial days in Hope Valley. Nathan telling Charlotte about his first case helping recover Lee's stolen payroll and then later sharing about Allie skipping her first day of school.

Nathan had Charlotte laughing uncontrollably as he retold the moment he found Allie returning from her fishing trip.

So, tell me how was school today?

Oh, you know…

No. I don't know. That's why I'm asking.

It was like any old school day. Take boring and then multiply by two.

And how did you like Mrs. Thornton? Your teacher.

Oh. Bit bossy. Smelled like chalk.

Charlotte clutched her side as tears pooled in the corners of her eyes from laughing so hard. "Is that how Allie described me too that first day? A bit bossy and smelled like chalk?"

"Actually, no," Nathan answered. "She was wondering if we could invite you to dinner at the cafe. I told her you were most likely tired from your long journey and that the Coulter's were giving you a ride home, but maybe we could ask another time. Allie spent all of dinner at the cafe talking non-stop about you. Predicting how much fun you two would have together. Part of me had hoped, after the pain and disappointment Allie had experienced with Elizabeth, she wouldn't have been so instantly drawn to you. I quickly realized though, that you were nothing like Elizabeth. You wouldn't hurt Allie. You wouldn't hurt us."

Charlotte swallowed the lump in her throat as she looked off into the distance remembering back to the magnetic pull she had immediately felt towards Allie and her uncle. "I remember the first time I saw you two together. You were on your way to pick her up from class and Allie rushed down the path towards you. Dropping her books as she leapt into your outstretched arms. Do you want to know what I felt at that moment? It was jealousy. Pure jealousy."

"That I was giving Allie a hug instead of you?" Nathan tightened his arms around Charlotte as he nuzzled his cheek closer to hers.

"Well, that," Charlotte giggled. "But more so I was jealous of your wife."

"Ah! That's why the next day you wondered if my wife was waiting at home while Allie and I went fishing. You thought I was married!"

"I could clearly see that Allie was your daughter. And I just knew that there was no way, with your chiseled jaw, unbuttoned shirt, and those deep blue eyes, that you could possibly still be an eligible bachelor."

"Surprise. I was." Nathan smiled.

"Is it horrible of me to be thankful that Elizabeth missed her chance with you?"

A laugh came to Nathan. "No. I wouldn't say it's horrible. Because since you came to town Ms. Thompson. I've been pretty thankful as well that Elizabeth… how did you say it? Missed her chance?"

As the sun began its descent over the tallest mountains to the west Nathan felt Charlotte's muscles stiffen slightly against his body.

"What is it?" Nathan gently whispered. He could tell Charlotte's mind was racing.

Finally, she broke the silence with a small groan in anguish before starting, "I didn't want to talk about him anymore, especially after such a wonderful afternoon, but Nathan I think we need to talk about the morning of my birthday when you thought the card from Megan was actually from Beck."

Nathan took a deep breath. Charlotte was right. He had been putting off this discussion for long enough.

"Why did you open it?" Charlotte asked gently.

"When Ned handed me your card all I kept replaying in my mind was your reaction to me the night after you received Megan's letter that included Beck's note last year. When you thought Beck knew where you were and that he had come for you. I was concerned that if this one was from Beck, that it would hurt you all over again."

Charlotte shifted, pulling slightly away from Nathan in order to turn and look at him. "And what would you have done if it had been from Beck?"

"I'm not sure."

"Would you have told me?"

"Would you have wanted me too?" Nathan questioned.

Charlotte paused, turning her focus back to the lake. "I'm not sure actually. Every part of me just wants to pretend that what Beck did never happened. It's like this past year I've kept trying to box up these pains and emotions, to stack away in a closet deep inside me. And then suddenly. Because of a memory… or a touch. It's like I open that closet door and all that baggage comes tumbling out, burying me under the hurt all over again."

"Charlotte, I need to tell you something..." Nathan began to confess.

But he was interrupted when Charlotte continued, "You, more than anyone, have seen how much I've struggled with this. And you've been there for me every step of the way. Supporting me through it all. You and Allie are the reason I am healing. Without you…"

Charlotte shook her head. "But Nathan, I'm not sure if it is your job to always save me from feeling these emotions. I think it's time I stop burying those memories. Time that I stop hiding from them. They will always be a part of my past."

Nathan reached over and gently rubbed Charlotte's back in reassurance.

"If I knew then what I know now… that all that pain and hurt I experienced. That it would lead me here to you and Allie," tears collected in the corners of Charlotte's eyes. "I would live through it again knowing you were what was waiting for me on the other side…"

"Charlie, sweetheart," Nathan reached over to Charlotte, gently lifting her chin so she looked into his eyes. "You will never have to relive that pain. Not while I'm here."

Charlotte instinctively leaned forward. Wrapping her arms around Nathan's neck. Letting him hold her tightly in his embrace. Reveling in the rush she felt when Nathan would fold her into his arms. Letting out a sigh of relief knowing that she would always be safe there. Safe with him.

Nathan was the one. The one Charlotte thought she would never find. Nathan was Charlotte's rock that never crumbled. The ear that could never hear enough. He was her teacher, friend, and number one fan.

Nathan had climbed the walls Charlotte had so carefully crafted, just so he could be the one that guarded her heart.

Charlotte gently released her hold around Nathan's neck and pulled back slightly to rest her forehead against his. In the movement, Charlotte's hands slid down Nathan's shoulders, coming to rest upon his biceps. Enjoying the feel of Nathan's powerful muscles under her fingertips.

"Charlie?" Charlotte questioned, gazing up to Nathan through her eyelashes. "Did you just call me Charlie?"

Nathan hadn't even realized he had said it aloud. It had been a nickname for Charlotte that had circulated in his head for some time now. "I'm sorry. I'm sure it sounds silly..."

"No." Charlotte stopped Nathan. "I don't think it sounds silly."

"If you don't like it…"

"I love it." Charlotte leaned away so she could see Nathan more clearly. "I love it because you chose it for me. But if you get to call me Charlie. I get to call you Nate. Deal?"

"Deal" Nathan smiled as he took Charlotte's hands into his.

Charlotte's eyes drifted down to where Nathan's right thumb had gently started rubbing back and forth over the ring finger on her left hand.

"Thank you." Charlotte began. "For everything. For coming to find me this morning. Holding me. Comforting me. And then bringing me up here to the meadow. For our talks. And that's not just today. Every day I spend with you makes me wonder if I could ever feel happier than I do in that exact moment. I think that's what it is supposed to feel like when you are living life with your best friend. And Nathan. You are my best friend. I hope you know that."

A huge smile came over Nathan's face as he reached his left hand forward to cup Charlotte's cheek. "You are my best friend. I hope you know that too."

"Hmmmm…." Charlotte blissfully hummed as she turned back to rest against Nathan like she had for much of the afternoon. "I think Charlie and Nate had a great first date."

A belly laugh escaped from deep within Nathan. "I think you're right. And I can't wait to see what's next in The Adventures of Charlie and Nate."

Nathan leaned forward and placed a feather light kiss on Charlotte's cheek as the two watched the sun set over the mountains to the west. The white fluffy clouds that had floated through the sky all day, filtered the waning light. Casting wondrous shades of pale pink and vibrant orange rays through the heavens. God painting another masterpiece in his sunset. Showing Nathan and Charlotte that no matter what happens, every day held the possibility of ending beautifully.

I hope you all enjoyed Charlie and Nate's "first date" as much as I loved bringing it together. So many important talks and sweet moments in their day at the meadow.

I think that remembering her first official date with Nathan is a great memory to replace all those bad ones that had started Charlotte's day.

Also, for all my SuspendersUnbuttoned friends… I hoped you loved Mr. Grant becoming a little "hot" and feeling the need to unbutton his shirt on their date. I don't think Charlotte minded one bit. She is one lucky lady :)