Chapter 67- I Don't Want To Live On The Moon

*If you haven't realized we have come to our "season finale" … which may be more like a 2-hour special at the rate I'm going writing these chapters. Lots of content, people. (Not sure if you will think that is a good thing or bad thing) Haha...

So here is the next chapter before we go to a "commercial break".

Also, I had a terrible time, coming up with a name for this chapter, so I took a little inspiration from one of Kevin's Cameo videos he did earlier this year, where he sang Sesame Street's "I Don't Want to Live on The Moon".

The last lines of the song go like this:

So if I should visit the moon

Well, I'll dance on a moonbeam and then

I will make a wish on a star

And I'll wish I was home once again

Though I'd like to look down at the earth from above

I would miss all the places and people I love

So although I may go I'll be coming home soon

'Cause I don't want to live on the moon

No, I don't want to live on the moon

Nathan leaned back on the trunk of a nearby tree, his campfire blazing strong and warm a few feet away. He and Newton rode much farther than Nathan had originally planned, but hopefully at this pace, he would be in Fort MacLeod earlier than anticipated. The sooner he got there. The sooner they could arrest Beck. And the sooner he could get home to his family.

Nathan reached over to his saddlebag and pulled out the paper sack his mom had packed for his journey. He quickly polished off one of the sandwiches and an apple but worked hard to savor each bite of Charlotte's snickerdoodle.

The air was cold tonight, signaling that fall was in full swing and winter would soon be around the corner. Nathan shifted against the trunk of the tree, pulling the collar of his serge tighter around his neck to ward off the damp breeze. There was a thick fog seeming to settle into the low-lying areas of the landscape. In the morning, a heavy frost would be coating every surface. He had always enjoyed this time of year in the past. The crispness. The colors of nature. When the days became shorter, Nathan's focus seemed to shift from less work to more home. With fewer daylight hours, he always made it a point to spend more time with Allie, reading, playing games, or just sitting in front of the fire. He could sum it all into one word. Cozy.

He looked forward to the day when Charlotte could become part of that.

Most nights, visions of their future together would fill Nathan's mind and tonight was no different.

After a day pouring through paperwork and making rounds in the community, Nathan relished in the feeling of riding up their long path. A soft glow filtering from each window of their home. He would see to Newton before making his way across the yard from the barn towards the house. The smell of dinner wafting to him as he climbed the steps of that big porch she had wanted, which was currently decorated with cornstalks and pumpkins they had grown in their garden. Before Nathan would be able to turn the knob to their front door, it would swing open.

"Daddy!" His little girl squealed in delight. In one motion, Nathan expertly swung her into his arms as he walked into the house. Her wavy chocolate brown hair falling out of her braid. Just like her mommas always did.

"Hi Dad! Did you need me to go untack and feed Newton for you?" Their son asked, coming to join them in the front hallway from the living room.

"Thanks for the offer, but Newt has already been taken care of for the night." Nathan replied ruffling the boy's hair, causing a longer piece to fall over his right eye. Just like Nathan's always did.

"Daddy, momma is making roast beef tonight! She knows it's one of your favorites and wanted to surprise you after a long day at work," His daughter leaned in, cupping her hands around Nathan's ear, she not so quietly whispered, "It's a secret, so mommy told me not to tell you... Oops."

The guilty look on his daughter's face as she instantly realized her slip up made Nathan tilt his head back and laugh.

"Hmmmm, doesn't seem like much of a secret anymore, does it?" Charlotte entered the hallway from the dining room, wiping her hands on the front of her apron.

Nathan would never get over the feeling he had whenever she came into the room. Happiness. Astonishment that this was their life. Ultimately love. Unconditional love that seeped into every nook and cranny of this house and their family.

"Welcome home," Charlotte leaned forward, her left hand resting on their daughter's back, her right hand gripping Nathan's bicep. She leaned in and pressed her lips against his. Tender, but welcoming. The warmth of Charlotte's kiss instantly heated his chilled body from head to toe. Nathan felt Charlotte's lips, still pressed against his, curl slightly into a smile, understanding the effect she had on her husband.

"It's good to be home," Nathan smiled in return, eyes still closed, relishing in the moment.

"Your nose is freezing!" Charlotte squealed, as Nathan slowly trailed his kiss along her cheek, down to the spot on Charlotte's neck just below her ear.

"I know," Nathan chuckled, as he nuzzled his nose into Charlotte's hair towards the nape of her neck. "That's why I'm trying to warm it up."

Charlotte's playful laugh filled the space around them.

"Later, constable," Charlotte leaned back, her eye's sparkling. A wry smile spread across her face before she turned her attention to the children. "How about you two run upstairs and get your daddy's heavy flannel shirt. I think it's on the back of his chair by the fireplace in our room. In the meantime, I'll help him get out of this cold serge."

"Hmmmm… I think I like this idea," Nathan wiggled his eyebrows at Charlotte as he set their daughter back down onto the floor so she could help her brother with their assignment.

Charlotte bit her lower lip and heat instantly rose to her cheeks at Nathan's suggestion, "I said later, constable."

"I'll try to control myself in the meantime," Nathan smiled, taking a step forward and placing his hands on Charlotte's hips as she set about slowly, painfully slowly actually, unbuttoning each of the gold fastens, before running her hands underneath the serge and up Nathan's torso, pushing the jacket off his shoulders in one smooth motion that caused Nathan's breath to catch.

"Here you go, dad!" Their son exclaimed, bounding down the steps in front of his little sister. "We got your shirt like momma asked."

"Thank you both," Nathan answered, taking the warmed flannel his son offered, before quickly placing his arms into the sleeves and shrugging the garment into place.

"Oh! I almost forgot," Nathan moved quickly to the hooks along the wall and to his serge that Charlotte had just hung up. He dug into one of the pockets, before pulling out three envelopes. "Mr. Yost delivered these today. Allie sent us letters from college."

"There is one for each of you," Nathan handed his son and daughter their respective envelopes.

"And one for us," Nathan said, handing the last letter to Charlotte, who almost ripped the envelope from his hand in giddy delight. She thrived on these updates from Allie on what was happening in her life, how classes were going, and when she hoped to come home again for a visit.

"Can we read them now?" Their son questioned.

"How about we eat first and then we can all read them in front of the fire later," Nathan offered. "Does that sound alright?"

The children and Charlotte all nodded in agreement.

"So, what's for dinner?" Nathan asked, winking in his wife's direction. To which Charlotte's only answer was a playful shove on his arm.

The hoot of a distant owl brought Nathan quickly back to reality. Although the vision of their future caused a smile to linger on his face.

As Nathan, replaced the sack of food into his saddlebag, his hand brushed against Charlotte's shawl she had given him in the livery. Nathan pulled it from the bag, running his fingers over the material, relishing in its feeling. He had been caught off guard by Charlotte's gesture. About wanting to make sure he stayed warm and healthy out on the trail. This was the only thing she had at the time to give, and she gave it freely. He held the shawl up in both hands and buried his face into it. Taking a deep breath, noting Charlotte's sweet and heady scent of honey and sandalwood that lingered on the fabric.

He let out an exasperated sigh as he agreed with Allie, why hadn't he asked Charlotte to marry him yet?

Nathan knew the answer.

Beck.

He meant what he had said to Charlotte in the livery. They couldn't let Beck be a part of their relationship anymore. He needed to be dealt with and put away for good. Hopefully in the next few days, it would all be over with, and Nathan could return to Hope Valley, take Charlotte on a romantic horseback ride up the mountain, and finally propose.

Replacing the shawl into the saddlebag, Nathan's hand found the velvet satchel. He had forgotten it was still in there. Why hadn't he left it at home where it would be safer than out on the trail on a dangerous mission?

He carefully wrapped the satchel safely into Charlotte's shawl, placing it at the bottom of the saddlebag, where hopefully it would be okay for the remainder of their journey.

Since it was late, Nathan moved to position his saddle as a pillow and used Newton's blanket as an extra cover against the cold.

When Nathan lay back, his eyes naturally drifted to the sky. The last time he slept under the star was on the cattle drive in Brookfield. The night Charlotte had, unknowingly, curled up against his body. Her head finding its pillow on his shoulder. Wisps of Charlotte's hair had tickled Nathan's cheek as they blew about from his unsteady breath. Quietly her hand had snaked up his torso to rest against his chest, Nathan moving to fold his own hand over hers.

Nathan had relished the feeling of Charlotte in his arms that night. Peacefully resting within his embrace. As much as he had tried, sleep eluded him. Nathan wanted to be fully present for their intimate moment together. Holding Charlotte close. Protecting her. Letting her find comfort and love within his arms.

The moon was now high overhead, illuminating Nathan's campsite. Its glow drew his attention and focus. For some reason its presence tonight made Nathan feel closer to Charlotte. No matter where they were, the same moon was shining on both of them at that moment.

It was as if Nathan could almost hear her voice on the breeze.

"Nathan, wherever you are tonight. I hope you are warm and safe. I hope you know how much you are missed. Hurry home to me. I love you."

A warmth spread through every vein in Nathan's body, and he pulled the blankets high on his shoulders. He turned onto his side staring across his camp to where Newton stood grazing a short distance away.

Just as he was about to drift off into what he hoped would be another dream of his future together with Charlotte, a sense of uneasiness settled into his stomach.

Newton also sensed something was wrong and pranced erratically. Nickering and pawing at the ground with his hooves in agitation.

Suddenly Nathan noted that the glow from the moonlight around them had all but vanished. Turning his surroundings almost pitch black, except for the dying campfire. He shifted onto his back, seeing that a thick bank of clouds had rolled in from the west, covering the moon in their shadows.

His heart sped rapidly. Something wasn't right.