Chapter 88- It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
*For those of you that asked after the last chapter- Yes, I am a fan of Heartland! It was where I was first introduced to Kevin McGarry. I have always loved that show. The scenery, the people, the storyline. I even visited the area on vacation back in 2017 and saw the ranch, Maggies, and other places where they have filmed. Simply beautiful.
When the train arrived in Union City early the next morning, Nathan had a few hours to run errands and call Archie with instructions for later that afternoon while Gabe and Bill stayed at the train station to watch over the cargo.
Before Nathan left for Potter's Creek, Rosemary had given him a "small" list of supplies and last-minute items she needed for the wedding… and other things… she wanted Nathan to pick up on their way back to Hope Valley. When Nathan received the list, he swore his eyes almost fell out of their sockets at the extensive and varied number of items he would have to dash about Union City to get before the train again pulled out of the station.
Thankfully, Rosemary had been forward thinking and called ahead to all of the shops and already detailed exactly what she would need from each store. It was a saving grace, because to be honest, Nathan had no clue the difference between Venetian lace and Chantilly lace. The moment he would walk through the door, each shopkeeper already had the supplies packaged and ready for him to pick up and take back to the train station.
Charlotte and Nathan had worked together over the past few weeks, planning, and making their family's Christmas presents. For Archie a homemade toolbox. For Maise a beautiful new apron. They had helped each other with the gifts. Charlotte cutting and nailing pieces together for Archie's present. Nathan, trying his best, with Charlotte's guidance, to sew a few of the sections of the apron together with the stitch she had taught him one afternoon in their physical therapy sessions.
Because Allie had certainly started transitioning from a girl to a woman, Charlotte and Nathan thought it best, most of her Christmas presents this year were clothing befitting a young lady. Nathan and Charlotte had found a few pictures of dresses, blouses, skirts, a coat, and even a pair of trousers they thought would be Allie's style. Clara had just finished making the last pieces a few days before Nathan left for Potter's Creek.
For Allie, they had also chosen to continue the tradition of adding to her charm bracelet. Nathan and Charlotte had scoured through all of the supply magazines in the Yost's store looking for a charm to give her. None had seemed just right as a representation of what Allie had experienced this year. It was Nathan who finally had an idea of what he thought would be perfect. They called a jeweler Ned had suggested in Union City. After detailing what they wanted for the charm, the jeweler had agreed it would be no trouble for him to make something like what they were looking for.
The jeweler was Nathan's last stop in town. Mr. Garnett quickly produced a small square box from behind the counter.
"Here you go, Constable Grant," he said, handing the package to Nathan. "Hope it is exactly what you were looking for."
Nathan removed the lid to the box and pulled the tiny silver charm from within. "It's perfect, Mr. Garnett. Thank you."
"Not a problem. It was a fun little project. You come up with another idea next year, I'll be happy to make it for you," Garnett stated as Nathan paid and turned to head back out the door.
Arms laden with bags and packages from Rosemary's supply list and Allie's present tucked safely in his coat pocket, Nathan rushed through the streets and made it to the station just in time. Gabe and Bill helped him add the supplies to the rest in the boxcar with only a few minutes to spare before the train started pulling out of town.
Gabe disembarked the train in Buxton. From there he would ride the rest of the way to Brookfield for a few days before joining them again for the beginning of the wedding celebrations and Christmas in Hope Valley next week.
The train continued and arrived at the depot a little after three in the afternoon. Archie and Joseph were there with a wagon and Lee had also come with his car. They unloaded the supplies they had traveled with into the awaiting vehicles. While Archie and Joseph took the wagon west, Bill and Nathan jumped into Lee's car to head to town.
As Lee pulled his car to a stop in front of Bill's office, Nathan couldn't take it any longer. He needed to see his girls. "Bill. Lee. Are you okay unloading the car here? I miss my family."
Bill started to grumble, but Lee was the first to speak up. "Yeah, of course Nathan. When we're done unloading some of this in Bill's office, I'll take the rest to Rosie as I'm assuming the remaining boxes were all things from her list she gave you for Union City."
"Thanks Lee," Nathan said, as he picked up his small travel bag from the back seat of the car and quickly started walking home. "I appreciate the help."
Allie had become cold sitting on the front steps, so Maise suggested they go inside and make a batch of hot chocolate to warm up. The past week had turned cold in Hope Valley, the loss of Nathan to his assignment seemed to usher in a bitter wind that chilled Charlotte to the bone.
She had wanted to meet him at the train depot, but Lee insisted, with Bill and Nathan, it didn't leave much extra room for anyone else in his car. He would deliver Nathan back to the row houses as soon as possible. Charlotte again peeked under the cuff of her long sleeves. The watch on her wrist confirmed what she already knew. Nathan was late.
She pulled the heavy wool scarf tighter around her neck as a shiver ran down her spin. Charlotte hadn't talked to Nathan since Tuesday when he had first arrived in Potter's Creek. His voice told her the investigation wasn't going as planned and while she knew he wouldn't be able to give her the details over the phone, she had prayed fervently since the call that things would turn around for him with the investigation and he would return safely to her.
With his delay, her mind raced. Did something bad happen with the investigation? Were the other Mounties someone Gabe, Bill, and Nathan could trust? Was there trouble on the trail? A derailed train? A robbery in Union City? A car accident?
Have faith, my child.
Charlotte smiled as a sense of comfort settled into her soul. Nathan was alright. He'd be here soon. She looked down at her left hand and twirled the silver band on her finger. Still after all this time, it seemed like a dream. The 'I love you's', the kisses- the sweet, delicious, and sometimes passionate kisses-, the engagement, and soon to be wedding. What never seemed possible, was coming true.
"You're a sight for sore eyes."
Charlotte's gaze shot forward.
"Nathan!" she cried, dashing to where he stood at the edge of the road in front of her.
Nathan dropped his travel bag on the ground and flung his hat carelessly behind him a split second before Charlotte leapt into his arms. The impact of the collision knocked the pair slightly off balance, but he steadied them together. Wrapping his arms low around her back as hers encircled his neck. Pulling her body close, Nathan lifted Charlotte's feet ever so slightly off the ground and twirled them in a small circle.
"Nathan," Charlotte couldn't help giggling with glee as he swung her around. "You should put me down. Your injury! I'm going to hurt you."
"You will never hurt me," Nathan's voice was husky in her ear. But he obliged and set her feet back on firmer ground.
"I've missed you," Charlotte couldn't hold back the tears of joy that shed down her cheek to where it was firmly pressed against Nathan's. "I'm so glad you are home."
"It feels so good to be home," Nathan turned his head slightly, placing a tender kiss on Charlotte's cheek, before trailing his lips lower, taking her mouth with a purpose and passion.
"Phew," Charlotte breathed out as their lips parted and her eyes fluttered open. "Gosh darn it. That kiss almost makes you going out of town on assignments worth it."
Nathan chuckled, their breaths visibly mingling together in the cold weather.
"I said almost, constable," Charlotte crinkled her nose. "Don't get any funny ideas that I want you to take more of these assignments than necessary. I much prefer you here. In my arms. Where you belong."
"I couldn't agree more," Nathan's lips brushed softly against her temple. "I love you."
"I love you," Charlotte felt the rise and fall of Nathan's chest and knew his breathing was as labored as her own.
The low rumble of an automobile approaching, drew the pair slightly apart. Lee slowed the car to a stop beside them.
"Told ya I'd get him home to you as soon as possible," Lee winked at Charlotte.
"Thank you, Lee," Charlotte smiled in return.
Lee started to put the car in gear again, but then stopped. "Oh, Nathan. I forgot to ask earlier. Rosie keeps bugging me to find out what you want to do for your bachelor party. Should we do what we always do? Night at the saloon?"
Nathan grimaced. When were the men in this town going to realize that their bachelor parties always seemed to fall a bit flat? And awkward.
He turned toward Charlotte. "What are you doing for your bachelorette party?"
Charlotte groaned. "Rosemary keeps asking me the same question and I kept telling her I didn't want to think about it until you got back. Personally, I've never been invited to a bachelorette party, but I have heard about some past ones in Hope Valley and I'm not sure. They don't sound like my cup of tea."
Lee spoke up. "What was it you suggested for Jesse's bachelor party a few years ago, Nathan?"
Nathan squinted trying to remember back to the planning meeting of the Hope Valley men for Jesse. "A baseball game?"
Lee clapped his hands together. "That was it! A baseball game."
"But you told me that wasn't what people did at bachelor parties…"
"No… no… no…" Lee shook his head slightly. "I actually think this could work for both of you. Nathan, you and I know that the men on our own do a horrible job at these parties. But with Rosie's help… we could have it be a boys versus girls game."
"What about Nathan's shoulder?" Charlotte asked. "He really probably shouldn't be swinging a bat right now or throwing a baseball around."
"Oh," Lee's face fell. "I hadn't thought about that."
"Well," Nathan interjected. "What if instead of playing, Charlotte and I are the coaches? We could have Team Groom and Team Bride? By then the crew from Brookfield will be in town and they can be a part of the game too. It gives us a few more players."
"I like it," Lee nodded his approval. "And I actually think Rosie would approve of it too. She's always campaigning to play games at these things."
"Charlotte?" Nathan looked over at his fiancé. "What do you say?"
"It's a good idea and I think it would be very appropriate for the two of us, but there is just one thing."
"What's that?" Lee questioned.
Charlotte looked up at the sky and watched as steam from her breath floated in between them. "I think you guys are forgetting it is winter. What if it snows?"
"It's been a mild winter," Nathan pulled Charlotte closer. The warmth of her body seeping into his side. "I'm pretty good at predicting the weather around here. It's not going to snow."
"It snowed." Nathan deadpanned as he handed Charlotte her morning cup of coffee and walked in through the back door to sit at her kitchen table. Sophia, Mary Louise, and Allie were still fast asleep on the floor of Charlotte's living room. They had been "camping" there since the Brookfield guests had arrived two nights ago.
"I noticed," Charlotte chuckled. The valley had awoken to a couple inches of new fallen snow this morning. "I guess mother nature has a bit of a sense of humor after you said that you were 'pretty good at predicting the weather'."
"What are we going to do about the baseball game today? Everyone was so excited to play."
"Nathan, you've lived in Canada your whole life. Since when have you been afraid of a little snow?"
"I haven't, but I've never heard of baseball being played in the snow." Nathan raised his eyebrow.
"I actually think it may be fun," Charlotte leaned over to kiss Nathan's forehead as she took a seat in the chair beside him. "Kind of makes me wish I was playing and not just coaching for this game."
"I'm not sure how I feel about this whole boys against girls thing."
"Why not, constable? Afraid we're going to beat you?"
"Actually?" Nathan smirked. "Yes, I am. And since it's Team Groom against Team Bride… you realize if we lose, Bill loses."
Charlotte scrunched her nose. "Well, there is that."
"Look at the positive Bill," Jesse patted the judge on his shoulder. "At least no one twisted an ankle this time."
"Bah humbug," Bill grumbled before taking a drink of his hot cider.
"Told you he wouldn't take it well," Nathan leaned over and whispered in Charlotte's ear.
"He's going to blame you forever for that batting order you put together, Coach Grant," she commented. "He still thinks it would have made more sense if you switched around Carson and Gabe."
"And what do you believe, Coach Thompson?"
"You may never know," Charlotte quipped, elevating to her tiptoes to place a playful kiss on Nathan's cheek. "I'm just kidding. That's the same batting order I would have put together too… to give Team Bride the win."
Nathan tilted his head back and laughed. The day had been so enjoyable. Their family, their friends, the children of Hope Valley and Brookfield had all had a hand in making Team Groom and Team Bride's snowy baseball game the best bachelor and bachelorette party the town had ever seen.
Now they all were packed tightly into the café. Clara and Minnie had made a simple meal of roasted sausages on buns for the hungry baseball teams to eat after the game. Nothing fancy, but appropriate for the day's activities and the bride and groom.
As the party wound down, Nathan and Charlotte found themselves in the corner, just taking it all in. Laid out in front of them was a community of support neither of them had expected to find one day.
"Did you know that Carson was planning to do that tonight?" Charlotte asked.
"I don't think Carson even knew he was planning on doing that tonight," Nathan answered as his gaze moved from his fiancé to Hope Valley's newest engaged couple who stood surrounded by well-wishers of the community.
"At least this time he didn't lose the ring in the pudding."
"Pudding?" Nathan's eyebrow raised in question as he turned his attention back to Charlotte.
"Oh, you don't know the pudding story?"
"The pudding story?"
"Minnie and Clara told me that right before Carson left for his surgical fellowship, he was going to propose to Faith here at the café with their help. But when it came time, they couldn't find the ring. Clara realized that it may have been lost in the chocolate pudding she made and so Carson dove into the bowl with both hands to find the ring."
Nathan started laughing at the visual.
"Just wait. It gets better. As he's digging around in the pudding, Faith walks in and asks what he was doing, and all Carson could state was that he was 'having some dessert'. Let's just say, the moment to propose had seemed to pass."
"I'm glad it didn't pass them by this time," Nathan commented, lazily rubbing a hand up and down Charlotte's back as they turned back to take in the scene of community in front of them. Allie was in the middle of a big group of children from both Hope Valley and Brookfield playing games on one of the tables. Archie and Joseph were talking to Gabe and Chuck by the door, deep in conversation, seemingly plotting something. Maise was with Rosemary, talking about the last-minute wedding plans they needed to get in place over the next couple days.
"How blessed are we?" Charlotte asked, wrapping her arms around Nathan's torso and resting her head on his chest.
"Beyond measure," Nathan confirmed, tilting his head to place a gentle kiss against Charlotte's hair. "Absolutely beyond measure."
"There have been so many times in my life I didn't think I would ever get to experience this. And I'm not just talking about being the one to walk down the aisle and all the other wedding festivities. I didn't think I'd ever have a life surrounded by all these people who love and support us… but I'm also talking about you," Charlotte tilted her head up to Nathan. His blue eyes matching hers in the intensity of emotions they were both feeling. "I never thought I'd be able to experience this all-consuming love between two people. It's just… I don't know how to describe it."
"I know, love," Nathan's arms tightened around her. "I know because I feel the same way. I may never find words beautiful enough to describe all that you mean to me, but I will happily spend the rest of my life searching for them."
His hand moved along her shoulder, to the nape of Charlotte's neck, threading his fingers under her hair. Her chocolate brown trestles twisted between his grasp as he directed his lips to hers. Charlotte's body responded to his touch, moaning softly and wiggling closer to him. Her action caused Nathan to intensify the kiss, slanting his lips across hers. Charlotte's hands clutched at his back and shoulders, her touch scorching his skin through the cotton shirt he wore. Nathan pulled back slightly, moving his kiss along her cheek, before placing a featherlight kiss on the sensitive skin just behind Charlotte's ear. Her short gasps for air would be his undoing. His hand along her waist traveled up her side and back down again, and he tried to commit every curve of her soft body to his memory.
"I certainly know there are no words in the English language that exist to describe a kiss like that, Mr. Grant," she said breathlessly against his cheek.
"I'll have to take your word for it, Ms. Thompson," Nathan whispered. "You are the teacher after all."