Chapter 94- Christmas Past, Present, and Pancakes?

*First off, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Here is the continuation of Nathan and Charlotte's honeymoon- so there will be some slight steam (nothing like the last chapter) but I want to put that statement here. We do get super flirty Nathan and Charlotte though, which is fun to write for their characters.

I also want to say this (a few of you dear readers already know), but prior to me starting my daily Christmas wedding chapters a few weeks ago, I had found myself in a bit of a "funk" and wondering if I still wanted to continue with this story. With the new WCTH promo (hot air balloon) and all the one-shot Lucas fics that were popping up on here, I was feeling a bit defeated and drowned out. While I pushed past that and worked diligently at writing the last ten chapters, with the new clips and sneak peaks coming out this weekend over Christmas… I unfortunately have found myself right back in that funk.

I had assumed that Nathan would not find love this season in the real WCTH and I thought I had more time to finish my moving-on story before he got his real one. When that became clear this weekend it wouldn't be the case, I took it harder than I thought I would.

I want Nathan to move on and be happy (that's why I wrote this story), but seeing it actually happen and the way it is… I found myself torn. (I don't want to get all yea or nah on this post of why or why not I like the clip that was shown… there were just certain aspects that rubbed me wrong on it- ex) where it happened- the saloon- why not out while they were riding or at the café or ANYWHERE else! - there were a few other things that buttered my biscuit, but like I said… I don't want to make this chapter about that. I've spent enough time stewing on it over the weekend and I know we all have different opinions and ideas and I want to respect those).

I don't want these author notes to be a woe is me. I just felt as though I owed it to you, my dear and faithful readers, to let you know where I'm at going forward. I hope like the last funk… I can push through it. But in reality, as we get closer and closer to S9 airing… I've become more and more unsure. I started this story right after the S8 finale with a "clean slate". I could create what Nathan's future was with a love story that I thought he AND ALLIE deserved.

I have found such a beautiful community here in FanFic and social media, but to try and preserve that "clean slate" as long as I can… I've decided more than likely I will need to take at least a step back from the social media side of the equation, so no further clips/pictures come in to skew this story of Nathan and Charlotte or what I'm trying to create for them. When this writing is complete, I can finally ride off into the non-WCTH sunset I think I need.

We are still technically in my "Christmas Special" and I have promised another "season" of this story and I never go back on my promises. Since the beginning I've had a very detailed plan of where I was with these characters and where I wanted them to go. To not finish writing that story I think would be a disservice to you, these characters, and ultimately myself and all the blood, sweat, and tears I've put into writing.

Much love to you all (and sorry for the downer of an Author Note… hopefully my actual chapter makes up for my crappy attitude). Onward and upward from here…

Nathan reached lazily across the bed for his wife, but instead of finding her warm body his arm was met with empty space. He slowly opened his eyes to take in his surroundings. Judging by the lack of a flame in the fireplace and the amount of sunlight streaming through the lace-covered curtains of their bedroom, it was already mid-morning.

How in the world had he slept in so late?

A smirk played across Nathan's face as he raked a hand through his hair until it stood half on end. Who was he kidding? He knew exactly how in the world he had been able to sleep in so late.

Even though he and Charlotte were now married, Nathan hadn't allowed himself to believe that she was fully ready to take that next step together. Just because it was their wedding night and wedding nights have- expectations- he never wanted Charlotte to feel pressure to do anything she wasn't ready to do.

He had been truthful last night in telling Charlotte he was scared. Not so much because this would be his first time, but more so because he was afraid of hurting her in some way. Scared that his actions would cause her to remember the past. Seeing Beck and not him.

But in his vulnerability, he was rewarded with her confidence and support. They were honest with one another. Completely. The result had been a slow, delicious exploration of each other. Their bodies. Their emotions. All of it had come together in a way Nathan could have never imagined. The connection he and Charlotte shared was something indescribable, and one Nathan knew neither of them would share with anyone else all the days of their lives.

"Make love to me, Nathan. Be my first… my only."

And make love they did. Multiple times throughout the evening and early morning hours. Which was most likely the reason why Nathan had slept in so late.

But where was his wife now?

Nathan leaned up on his elbow and saw a folded card resting on Charlotte's bedside table, next to the picture of them and the original bouquet he and Allie had given her. His name scrolled across the front of the card in her careful handwriting. He reached over to take the piece of paper into his hands. Opening it as he leaned back against the pillows.

Nate…

Sorry I wasn't here when you woke up.

You looked so peaceful, I wanted to let you sleep in.

Join me in the kitchen when you're ready.

I realized this morning that out of all the coffee

we've shared together over the past year,

I've never made you breakfast!

That changes today.

Pancakes?

Love,

Charlie

As if on cue, Nathan's stomach grumbled. He could already smell the coffee that she had brewed, its nutty aroma wafting up the stairs. He sat upright, languidly stretching his limbs, wincing as his bare feet touched the cold wood floor beside the bed before he quickly got over the initial shock.

Nathan reached down, grabbed his trousers from the floor and put them on as he walked over to the fireplace to set another log onto the dying embers, stoking it to bring the flame back to life and heat their room and the upstairs.

He turned, taking in the evidence of his and Charlotte's prelude. His suit jacket and vest lay right inside the doorway. Her beautiful wedding gown, a delicate pool of lace fabric, was a few feet further into the room. Closer to the bed lay Charlotte's thin chemise, that Nathan had painstakingly slowly removed over her curves as he touched and kissed his way along her body.

One item of wedding clothing seemed to be amiss from his inspection. The sound of bowls and measuring cups being shuffled around downstairs gave Nathan a good idea as to where it may be.

His bare feet crept quietly down the stairs. He could hear Charlotte's humming coming from the direction of the kitchen. At the doorway to the room, he crossed his arms and leaned easily against the wood frame. Content to just watch his wife move gracefully in front of him. Searching about and finding various ingredients in the cabinets and icebox before bringing them back to the kitchen island where she was working away on breakfast.

Nathan's missing dress shirt engulfed her smaller frame, its hem dipping just low enough to cover parts of her body he had come to know intimately throughout the night and early morning. Charlotte had rolled up the sleeves, so they were out of her way; cuffed just above her elbows. A light dusting of flour contrasting against the blue color of the material. Her long, wavy hair skewed and ruffled from his fingers, lay loose about her shoulders and back. A permanent glow affixed to her freckled cheeks from where his morning stubble had marked a path along her sensitive skin during their lovemaking.

Suddenly, Charlotte pursed her lips and rested her hands on her hips, glancing at the countertop. "Alright… If I were a whisk, where would I be?"

The question and her actions made Nathan chuckle. The sound caused Charlotte's face to lift, realizing for the first time she was no longer alone in the kitchen. Her gleeful, charming grey eyes held his gaze.

"Well, good morning, sleepy head." She playfully chimed. "About time you woke up."

"Seems I was tired and needed the extra rest," Nathan commented, pushing himself off the door frame to walk towards his wife. "I didn't sleep much last night."

"Oh, no!" Charlotte tried to conceal the smirk on her face; turning towards Nathan as he came to stand beside her. "Why was that?"

"I think you know perfectly well why." Nathan quipped, earning a giggle from his wife. He reached forward placing his large hands on Charlotte's hips, pulling her closer to him in order to give a good morning kiss.

"Do you always come down to breakfast in just your trousers, Mr. Grant?" Charlotte bit her bottom lip.

"Not usually," Nathan laughed. "Seems as though someone stole my shirt this morning."

"Really?" Charlotte played coy. "A thief in our home? And on Christmas Day nonetheless! Who would do such a thing?"

"I have a suspect in mind."

"Do you plan on doing an investigation, constable?" Charlotte's eyebrows wiggled.

"A thorough one," Nathan's hand skimmed down the lapel of his shirt from the collar to the first closed button, flicking it open in one smooth motion before continuing onto the next. His lips following close behind, tracing a path along her exposed skin.

"Nathan," Charlotte gasped, her fingers curling into his already unruly bedhead. "What about the pancake batter?"

"Save it," he murmured softly against her skin as the last button came unfastened.

"Thanks to you, I don't believe there will ever be a time in the future when I think of pancakes and not instantly blush," Charlotte commented later as she and Nathan dressed for the day.

"And I'm going to take pleasure knowing it is my cooking skills putting that blush onto your cheeks.," Nathan chuckled, pulling up his suspenders as he leaned over and placed a sweet kiss on Charlotte's nose, then to her lips. "They were some really good pancakes, if I do say so myself."

Charlotte laughed and shoved his arm playfully. "Okay, Mr. Grant. What's on the agenda today?"

"I've been having fun making it up as we go," Nathan wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling Charlotte closer to him.

"Me too," Charlotte agreed. "But what about that house tour you were going to give me? I want to see everything you built for us, Nathan. All of it."

"Seems I tried to do that last night, but someone distracted me…"

"I promise to be on my best behavior. At least for a few hours, anyway," Charlotte winked. "Where do you want to start?"

"How about in here?" Nathan directed his attention to their bedroom.

"The bed is another one of your creations, isn't it?" Charlotte asked.

"Yes. It was one of the last projects I was able to finish up this week. The wood is from a large maple that needed to be cut down on the back edge of the property. Actually, the whole house is made from trees that once grew on the ranch. Lee offered his mill to help make them into lumber."

"The fireplace?"

"Stones from the creek bed. Collecting them was one of the first things Joseph and I did early this fall, before it got colder, and the river froze over. The same ones are on the larger fireplace in the living room."

"They are beautiful. Such different shapes and colors."

"I thought you might like them," Nathan smiled watching Charlotte discover their home.

"I noticed this space over here last night. It's a little reading nook, right? With the shelves from your row house and our collection of books?"

Nathan nodded.

"I can't seem to place these rocking chairs though. They aren't from your house, but they look so familiar."

"I wondered if you would recognize them," Nathan grinned. "They are a wedding gift from a friend."

Charlotte raised her eyebrow, still unsure of where the rockers had come from.

"John Bartlett," Nathan stated.

"Mr. Bartlett?" Charlotte was shocked. "But how?"

"I told you I met with John while we were in Potter's Creek. When I told him we were getting married, he wanted us to have these rocking chairs. John said he made them right after he and his wife got married. They spent many nights in front of their fireplace rocking their daughter to sleep or reading to her. Later in life, these rocking chairs were just where they came to be with each other. Sometimes they talked. Other times they were just happy to sit in the silence. As long as they were together, that's all that mattered to them."

"These were in John's living room! Now I remember them!" Charlotte wrapped Nathan into a hug. "Thank you!"

"Those weren't the only things I brought back with me from Potter's Creek."

"What do you mean, these weren't the only things you brought back?"

"Let me show you," Nathan said, taking Charlotte's hand into his, he guided her down the hallway past the bathroom and bedrooms he had shown her the night before.

At the base of the stairs, Nathan pulled Charlotte into an empty room she had walked through that morning to get to the kitchen.

"This is the dining room," Nathan proudly stated. "I know it may not look like much right now, but it does have these big bay windows you wanted."

"It's huge! We could fit a dozen people in here!"

"That's the plan," Nathan pulled Charlotte to his side and planted an adoring kiss to the top of her head. "Kids, grandkids, friends, neighbors. Whoever needs or wants a warm meal, and a loving home would be welcome around our table. It's a place where the kids can do homework, put together puzzles, or play games. A place we can gather together as a family."

Charlotte wrapped her own arms around Nathan's torso. Holding him close. "I like this plan, although… seems to be one wrinkle… where is the table?"

Nathan let out a small groan. "Like I said… This shoulder has put a damper on my timeline for the house, but a large table is the next thing I'm planning on making. That way we can start having meals as a family right here as soon as possible."

"Nathan, you said that there were other things brought back from Potter's Creek. What were they?"

Nathan pointed at a wood crate in the corner of the room. Leading Charlotte to it, he bent down and popped the lock, opening the lid and pulling back some of the sweet-smelling straw the contents of the box were padded with.

"Momma's china!" Charlotte gasped as she sunk to her knees beside Nathan and the crate. Tears streaming down her face.

"When John realized Beck had left town, he snuck into the sheriff's office and your houses. He took and hid away what he thought you may want back someday if he ever had a way of finding you."

"I never thought…" Charlotte was speechless as her hands pulled the plates, bowls, and cups of her past from within the trunk. "I never thought I would see these again. Not after…"

Nathan rubbed her back in a reassuring manner. "Another one of my projects is building you a beautiful china hutch to hold all of these. We can place it along the wall right over there."

Charlotte framed Nathan's face with her hands and pulled him into a kiss. A kiss that she hoped would convey every emotion she was feeling, but unable to say. She wanted it to show Nathan how thoughtful and caring this gesture was. How kind and considerate it had been of him to take the extra time on his trip to Potter's Creek to not only find John but meet him and make friends. Most of all she wanted the kiss to show just how much she loved him.

"This isn't my last surprise for you," Nathan smiled into her lips.

"Nathan, I honestly don't know how much more of your surprises my heart can take today."

"You can handle more than you think. I promise," Nathan helped Charlotte to her feet and started leading her to their living room. This room was a bit more furnished. On the east wall were two built-in bookshelves on either side of a window. A few more leather-bound novels, frames filled with family pictures, and Christmas decorations lined the shelves. In the corner of the room was her dad's old guitar.

Yesterday, Nathan and a few others had moved in the armchair from Charlotte's house and the couch from Nathan's. The furniture sat on either side of the large stone fireplace on the west wall which was flanked by two large windows. The wood-beam mantle was decorated with pine boughs and dried orange slices. But it was the majestic evergreen tree in the corner that drew Charlotte's attention.

"Allie picked it out at our spot," Nathan commented as Charlotte walked over to the tree.

"You found my family's ornaments and Dad's angel!" Charlotte gasped, inspecting the tree's decorations.

"It was all Mr. Bartlett's doing. The rest of us were just the transport in getting it all here."

"No, Nathan," Charlotte shook her head. "Nothing about this is just anything. I never thought I'd have these reminders of my parents back. They were lost. Just distant memories. But you've been able to bring a bit of my Christmas' of the past to our Christmas present. It's so special to have these traditions, but I also want you to know. I can't wait to make new traditions with you in the years to come."

Nathan pulled Charlotte in close, placing a kiss to her cheek before a mischievous smile spread across his lips.

"Can Christmas morning pancakes be one of our new traditions?"