Chapter 95- A Happy Christmas

*Happy New Year!

Sorry, this took me a while to write up this chapter… it has been a busy few days on the home front this week… and a busy day for Nathan and Charlotte on their home front too it seems… Haha!

Alright friends… I'm just going to put this out here so I don't have to keep adding the Author Note at the top of my chapters… These two are married now and… ENJOYING being married (if you catch my drift) … let's just assume most chapters at least through the rest of their honeymoon (and probably past) are going to have a certain level of Steam Alert… This is just where we are at right now (and where I'm at writing their story) … Hope you don't mind…

"What's under the drape with the bow?" Charlotte asked, for the first time seeing a rather large package stashed behind their Christmas tree.

"You know. I'm not sure," Nathan's brow furrowed. "That wasn't there yesterday when I left the house."

"There's a tag," Charlotte stated, inspecting the package closer. "It says, To: The Grants From: Hope Valley ~Merry Christmas."

"What in the world?" Nathan said, shuffling the package from behind the tree. "Did you know about this?"

"Have I known about any of these surprises?" Charlotte quipped. "Why don't you open it? I've been opening gifts from you all day. It's time you had a Christmas present."

Nathan pulled on the ribbon and string, before removing the heavy cloth that had been covering the parcel. Revealing beneath a brand-new gramophone and a few music records.

Nathan and Charlotte looked at each other and smiled. "Rosemary," they laughed in unison.

They moved the gramophone to the corner where the guitar rested and started one of the Christmas records. Nathan took Charlotte's hand and spun her into his body, leading them in a simple waltz around their living room. They swayed easily together. Nathan even humming along to the music.

"Can you believe this is our life?" Charlotte asked quietly, her head resting against his shoulder.

"Doesn't quite seem real, does it?"

"I know it won't always be this easy or happy, but if our pasts have taught me anything, it's that I'm going to savor each moment that we have like this. You and me."

"You and me," he echoed, tilting Charlotte's face up to his. Staring into each other's eyes.

"Always," Charlotte stated, her lips curving into a smile.

"Always," Nathan murmured against her jawbone, the words grazing across Charlotte's skin. "You and me, always." His whisper mingled with the kisses he brushed along her throat. Charlotte closed her eyes, arching her neck backwards. She drifted away with him as they held one another until the record ended. A grumble from Nathan's stomach providing a final note to the music, earning a hearty laugh from the couple.

"Oh, my goodness, Nathan," Charlotte giggled. "I'm a horrible wife. I never did get around to making you breakfast this morning. What do you say we have some actual pancakes for lunch?"

They worked together easily in the kitchen. Charlotte walking Nathan through each step of the recipe to make her buttermilk pancakes. Showing him the right amount of batter to put into the skillet and then how to tell when the pancakes were ready to flip. Charlotte let him work at the stove while she warmed the maple syrup and washed up a few of her mother's Christmas dishes that were packed in the dining room.

Nathan stacked the finished pancakes on their plates, only a few slightly burnt, and then he and Charlotte ate standing at the kitchen counter talking about the house and what else Nathan had planned for its design. Charlotte listened to Nathan's dreams for them and his excitement for their future together. She occasionally caught herself gazing at him, simply relishing in his enthusiasm and joy for their family.

"What?" Nathan questioned after catching her staring. "I'm boring you, aren't I?"

Charlotte reached over and touched his forearm. "Not at all, Nathan. I'm just simply enjoying watching you be so completely happy and excited about something."

"It's because of you," Nathan placed his hand over Charlotte's that rested on his arm. "All of this wouldn't mean anything to me without you and Allie."

Charlotte leaned forward and kissed him, tasting remnants of the maple syrup on his lips.

"I have one more surprise for you, if you're up for it?" Nathan mumbled against her kiss.

"There's more?" Charlotte's eyebrows raised.

"Mmmhmmm," he hummed. "I'll grab our coats."

Nathan quickly disappeared to the front hallway and returned with their jackets, gloves, and scarves. Taking Charlotte's hand, he led her through the kitchen to the back entry and they readied to go outside. When Nathan opened the door, something caught Charlotte's attention.

"Is this?" She asked, her hand gliding along the door frame in front of her. "Is this the same board from your row house?"

Nathan nodded. "It's where I've marked Allie's height ever since we decided to stay in Hope Valley."

"It's wonderful, Nathan. Now we can continue the tradition with Allie, here. And… with our future children, too."

"That was my hope as well, Mrs. Grant," Nathan stated, leaning down to place a sweet kiss to his wife's forehead.

"Was this my surprise?"

"No… your surprise is in the barn."

"The barn?" Charlotte gave a quizzical expression, but let Nathan take her mittened hand and lead her across their backyard until they came to the side door of the big red barn. When Nathan opened it and ushered her in, Charlotte's senses were immediately enveloped with the sights, smells, and sounds of her childhood on the ranch. The warmth, the sweet smell of the hay, and the familiar noises of horses moving and shuffling about.

Horses?

There were multiple stalls on either side of the center aisle. In the first, was Newton, who nickered and pawed the floor in recognition of her and Nathan. But just across the alley, was a new horse. The most beautiful palomino mare, Charlotte had ever seen. She had the smallest, white star on her delicate forehead and her body had perfect confirmation and form. A deep hip, smooth sloping shoulder, and strong topline. She was alert and Charlotte instantly knew by the way this horse carried herself, she was something special.

"Nathan," Charlotte gasped, moving to run her hand over the filly's forelock. "She is stunning!"

"Do you like her?" He questioned, coming to stand beside Charlotte. Wrapping his arm around her back as they leaned into the stall door. "I told Tess Stewart what I wanted for you, and she brought this pretty girl over with them before the wedding."

"She's the most beautiful horse I think I've ever seen."

Newton whinnied in rebuttal of Charlotte's declaration.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Newt! I'll correct my statement. She is the most beautiful mare I've seen. You are still the most handsome guy in my book."

"Are you up for a bit of a ride around the property this afternoon, Mrs. Grant?" Nathan asked. "I think we could all use a good stretch of the legs."

"Yes," Charlotte's eyes grew wide in anticipation and excitement. "Of course!"

They had quickly saddled the two horses and Nathan and Charlotte spent the rest of the afternoon riding around their property. Exploring its beauty and talking about the future.

As they rode back to the homestead, Charlotte reigned in the mare and patted her on the neck. The palomino had to be the best trained horse she had ever sat on. A subtle shift of her seat backwards, and she stopped. If Charlotte leaned forward, the filly stepped out. A slight turn of her shoulders in either direction, and the horse's body followed.

Nathan chuckled.

"What?" Charlotte questioned.

"Since that first day I watched you ride on our way up to the meadow I knew this was the life that suited you. You're a natural. Especially on top of that horse. Although, I will miss us riding double on Newton here, I'm glad you obviously are enjoying your Christmas and wedding present."

"She's wonderful, Nathan. She's so responsive to everything I ask of her."

"Have you picked out a name yet?"

"I'm not quite sure. I know it's not very original, but I was thinking about 'Star', seeing as she has that small white star on her forehead. And I was also remembering the story of the Christmas star, its light leading everyone to Bethlehem."

Nathan thought on it for a moment and then suggested. "How about 'Realta'? It's the Irish word for star. Makes the name a bit more unique."

"Realta," Charlotte said the name out loud and liked the way it sounded.

"What do you say girl?" Charlotte leaned forward and asked her mount. "Do you like the name Realta?"

The horse tossed her head slightly.

"I'll take that as a yes," Charlotte giggled. "Realta, Newton, and Bandit. Quite the trio they will make in that barn."

"We put in a few extra stalls. Just in case we need to expand the herd down the line," Nathan winked.

Charlotte knew what Nathan was alluding to and smiled in return. This really was more than she had ever expected for a future. A loving husband. A bright and kind daughter. A supportive community and the most beautiful home and property to put down roots and grow into. Hopefully fulfilling their dream of 'expanding the herd' if it was in God's will for her and Nathan to have more children.

"There is one last place I want to stop before we go back to the barn," Nathan said, directing Newton to the right up a small hill. Charlotte knew instantly where he was leading them and soon enough it came into view along the now bare aspen grove at the edge of the clearing.

Their tree swing.

Nathan pulled Newton to a halt, and easily swung his leg over the gelding's neck, tying the horse's reins to a nearby branch. Charlotte and Realta joined them a moment later. They walked hand in hand to the swing. Nathan bending to brush the snow from the wooden seat, before Charlotte sat down and he gave her a gentle shove. He kept pushing lightly against her back, watching as she rose higher and higher. The breeze of her rushing by was cold on the late December afternoon, but neither seemed to mind.

"It was my plan to propose to you that day," Nathan broke the silence as he continued to push Charlotte in the swing. "That afternoon we rode out here and we talked about all of our dreams for the future. When we came over here to the swing I had reached for the ring in my saddlebag when you suddenly remembered Fred's adoption ceremony."

Charlotte leaned back in the swing to look at Nathan when she breezed by. "Thank goodness our timing has seemed to improve in the last few months."

"Yes," he chuckled. "Thank goodness."

They stayed on the hill for a while longer. Charlotte finally convincing Nathan to give the swing a try. Trading places so she could push him instead. She relished in the way his face changed doing these small childlike things that hadn't seemed all that common for him while growing up. A look of little boy wonderment, as if he was experiencing these small pleasures for the first time. Charlotte silently vowed to keep finding ways to bring this sort of enjoyment and happiness to Nathan's life throughout their marriage.

When the sun sank behind the mountain peaks, Nathan drug his feet, slowing the swing to a stop. "We better get back to the house. It's going to be dark soon."

"And if those skies are any indication. It looks like a snowstorm will be blowing in tonight," Charlotte lifted her gaze in the direction of the grey ominous clouds building over the mountains. "Better get the horses settled in for the night and make sure there is enough wood stacked by the back door, so we don't have to go out in the worst of it."

"Look at how quickly you've fallen back into ranch life, huh?" Nathan chuckled. "Less than twenty-four hours it seems."

Charlotte playfully pushed against his side as they made their way to the horses. "I hope you're still happy with your decision to marry this cowgirl over any of those rich socialites and officer's daughters I'm sure vied for your attention through the years."

Nathan caught her by the arm, obliging her to stop and look at him. His voice was low and unwavering. "No other woman could fill my life the way you have, Charlotte. I never needed that fancy lifestyle. But I do need you." He kissed her deeply. "I'm very happy with my decision to marry a cowgirl. I think we make a good partnership."

"A partnership," Charlotte repeated, a smile spreading across her face.

He made a soft sound of assent as he enfolded her back into his embrace. "Not very romantic, is it? But I don't want you to ever feel powerless with me. I value your intelligence and your strength. I'd rather you stood at my side as a partner, than in my shadow as anything less."

She tightened her arms around him, blinking rapidly against a swell of tears. "I think that may be one of the most romantic things you've ever said to me."

Nathan kissed her sweetly and then pulled her tighter to him. Holding Charlotte for a long while, until the horses pawed impatiently at the snow.

"Come on. Before we all turn into icicles," he said at last, his hand moving over the curve of her spine. "Let's go home, Mrs. Grant."

'I like the sound of that," she hugged him tighter. "Plus, we still have a few more hours of Christmas to celebrate."

"We do," Nathan pressed one last soft kiss to her temple. "This Christmas and all the Christmases to come."

They rode the horses back to the barn and untacked them. As Nathan worked at cleaning the stalls and feeding Newton and Realta, Charlotte excused herself to prepare their dinner. By the time Nathan came in the back door, she had a simple meal of pork chops and stewed apples started.

"You were right." He commented, stomping his boots, and shaking the flakes from his coat. "The snow is really starting to come down out there."

"I'm glad we're in for the night. Nothing like a cozy evening in front of the fire to wrap up the day.

"That smells amazing." Nathan came over to Charlotte's side at the stove, wrapping his arm around her back and placing a tender kiss to her temple. "I always wondered what it would feel like coming home to a hot meal and a beautiful wife."

Charlotte turned in his arms, "And what does it feel like, Mr. Grant?'

"Warmth. Comfort. Happiness. Love."

"Good," Charlotte raised to her tiptoes, placing a kiss on Nathan's lips. "That's how it's supposed to feel. Now, it's going to be a bit before dinner is finished. Do you want to go upstairs and take a hot bath? Because your nose is freezing!"

"Is it?" Nathan nuzzled his cold face into Charlotte's warm neck and wavy hair. "I couldn't tell."

Charlotte laughed at his onslaught and wiggled against Nathan until she was able to cradle his chilled cheeks into her warm hands. "Yes, it is. Now go. Take a bath, before dinner is ready."

Charlotte had been right; it did feel good to take a hot bath after the cold day riding their property. They both knew Nathan was still recovering from his injury. Long hours in the saddle caused his muscles to get sore from all the weeks he had spent just lying in bed, recuperating. Soaking in the hot water seemed to help ease the aching in Nathan's body and warm his chilled bones.

"Nathan," Charlotte's voice sounded from the other side of the bathroom door.

"I'm almost finished," he called back.

"I laid out some warm clothes for you on the bed. Dinner is ready downstairs as soon as you get dressed."

"Thank you. I'll be down in a few minutes."

Nathan drained the bathtub and toweled off. Running a comb through his damp hair as he walked across the hall to their bedroom. Seeing the clothes Charlotte had laid out on the bed gave him a chuckle.

It seemed Charlotte had one more gift to share with him this Christmas.

Charlotte heard Nathan coming down the stairs. She turned to see him in the doorway of their living room and watched as his blue gaze drifted over her.

"Good evening, Constable." Charlotte's heart performed its now familiar somersault at seeing Nathan dressed in his red serge, his dark hair combed into order, and the hard line of his jaw freshly shaved. He looked dignified and commanding.

And then he smiled, and Charlotte could feel her knees go weak. A flush of pleasure suffused her chest, as warm and glowing as the flames in the fireplace behind her. She met him halfway across the room.

"Charlotte."

She was so aware of him. Of the way he looked, so tall and handsome. Of the sound of his voice, so much deeper and huskier than usual. Her chest rose and fell on a self-conscious breath. His gaze dropped and lingered there for a fraction of a second and Charlotte blushed. She could feel the heat of it seeping over the wide expanse of exposed flesh at her neck and shoulders.

"Charlotte," he said again. His Adam's apple bobbed on a swallow. "You look…" But he only shook his head, seemingly lost for words.

"You approve, I take it."

He made a noise low in his throat. "I more than approve. I stand in awe."

"You've seen me in this dress before," Charlotte reminded him, her cheeks burning. "A year ago, at our own Christmas ball. Tonight isn't so very different."

"Isn't it? It feels a world of difference to me." Nathan's gaze took in his wife. The midnight blue gown hung off her shoulders, where her silky brown waves kissed across her skin and exposed collarbone. The lace material molding around her curves to the place where it connected at her waist to the A-line skirt that flowed gently to the floor.

"It may be the same dress, Charlotte," Nathan moved closer. Wrapping his arms around his wife's waist. "But this is far from the same way we were a year ago on this night."

"You're right," Charlotte brought a hand forward and brushed an unruly piece of Nathan's hair from his temple. "As much as I loved our Christmas ball last year, this one…" Charlotte's voice broke. "This one is special."

Nathan lifted a strand of her chocolate hair and rubbed it between his fingers. "Very special."

"Shall we commemorate it then?" Charlotte asked, moving out of Nathan's arms to the other side of the room. "I saw that you put the camera I gave you on this shelf over here. Let's take a picture to remember tonight."

Nathan just smiled as he went to help his wife set up the camera the same way they had the night she'd given the gift to him. The night before he left for Potter's Creek and the whole Grant family had been together in her living room. For this picture they stood between the fireplace and their tree, arms wrapped around each other's back, beaming a smile towards the lens as Nathan pressed the button on the camera's shutter.

"Now, before we get distracted by anything else," Charlotte raised her eyebrow. "I think we should eat. I pulled this cedar chest that had some of momma's old blankets and quilts over here and placed it between the chair and the couch by the fireplace. I know it's not the ideal dining table, but I actually think it's quite perfect just the way it is."

Nathan couldn't help savoring in the look of pride Charlotte wore upon her face at putting together this evening for them. "I agree, it's perfect."

They sat down, Nathan in the chair, Charlotte on the couch and they enjoyed their simple meal she had prepared for them. As they finished, Charlotte removed the plates to the kitchen.

"We can do the dishes in the morning. Don't want us getting these clothes dirty tonight," she stated, disappearing around the corner for only a moment before returning with dessert.

"Snickerdoodles?" Nathan's voice rose as he reached for a cookie from the platter Charlotte carried. "You had time to bake snickerdoodles?"

"It seemed to take you forever to finish feeding the horses, so I thought I would make these to celebrate our first full day as husband and wife."

Nathan took the platter of snickerdoodles from Charlotte's hands and placed it on the trunk, then at one fell swoop he pulled her to him and across his lap. Wrapping her into his arms, he kissed Charlotte first softly and then with more intensity. Threading his fingers into her wavy hair, slanting his mouth across hers.

"Have you had a happy Christmas, Nathan?" Charlotte asked quietly when they drew back for a breath. Her eyes searching his.

"A very happy Christmas."

"Well, there is one more thing I've been waiting all afternoon for," Charlotte shifted and stood in front of him, extending her hand in his direction. "Nathan, will you dance with me?"

He smiled and took her small hand into his. Following as she led them to the corner of the room to change the record. Charlotte easily started the music, the same song that had played for them a year ago in her row house. Its soft, rhythmic melody filling the space around them.

Nathan slowly wrapped his right arm around Charlotte's waist, placing his hand on the small of her back, guiding her gently to him as she lifted their entwined hands into position. Charlotte's memories drifted to a year ago, when Nathan held her like this for the first time.

"Don't close your eyes, darling. Know it's me holding you tonight. And for the rest of our lives."

Charlotte knew Nathan was right that night. She knew that it would only ever be him who held her this way. With closeness. With intimacy. With desire.

On their makeshift dance floor, he guided her with awareness and agility as they twirled and swayed. Charlotte felt as if she could stay forever locked in the sanctuary of Nathan's arms, where his whispers caressed her ear, and his breath massaged her neck.

"I love the way you make me feel," Charlotte purred, echoing Nathan's thoughts so closely he wondered if she'd heard them. "Not just now, but… whenever I'm with you."

"And how is that?" he asked, attending to the slow sway of her hips with a steady hand.

"Wanted. And respected. It's a combination I didn't realize was possible until I met you."

Nathan held her close, smiling into her face and Charlotte curled into him.

"Do you know how you make me feel?" He questioned but did not wait for her answer. "Cherished. As if I finally matter to someone."

Charlotte tilted her head and held his gaze. "You absolutely matter to me, Nathan. You always have and you always will."

Nathan saw the desire hazing in her eyes, and he tilted her face up. He kissed her lightly at first until she angled her body into his with her fingertips curling into the material of his serge. Then he drew her into him and kissed her more thoroughly, giving in to the hunger that had been gnawing at him all evening.

Charlotte closed her eyes and melted as her whole body was consumed in that kiss. Chills ran over her skin and a fire burnt inside her. Nathan's body pressed closer, and she wrapped her arms around his waist. His lips warm and soft, yet fierce and powerful at the same time.

Nathan's fingers slid down the back of her neck, tracing its shape, and every place they touched was electric. Charlotte stopped thinking, letting her body savor the feelings Nathan ignited within her.

The song from the record player had ceased long ago, but Charlotte could still hear the sweet melody. Soft and low. Lyrical and haunting. Nathan pulled back slightly. His steely blue eyes looked at her so long and deep she believed he heard the same music too.

Time spun away from them. It ceased to exist in those moments. They both clung to the powerful strum of energy that flowed between them. It was magic. No other words seemed to exist for the sensations they were feeling in that moment.

"I love you, Nathan Grant," she whispered against his lips. "Merry Christmas."

"I love you, Charlotte Grant."

Nathan had fallen asleep hours ago, lulled into a peaceful slumber from their lovemaking. Charlotte lay in bed studying Nathan's relaxed profile as he slept beside her. The only light in the room was from the smoldering embers in the hearth and a sliver of moonbeams filtering in through the windows. Snowflakes sounded against the glass panes as they floated through the night sky.

She watched the gentle rise and fall of Nathan's broad chest. His breathing; deep and steady. His body, filling their bed the same way he filled her life and heart, completely. Charlotte was consumed with gratitude and filled with an aching humility that this man loved her. So intense were their feelings for one another, Charlotte had often found herself simply overwhelmed with happiness. Especially over the past day, when their lives had been made one. Her past was just that... her past. But the man who lay beside her, and seeped into every fiber of her being, would forever be her present and future.

Charlotte felt the draw to kiss him then. To show Nathan just how much he meant to her. But he looked peaceful. So blissfully happy in his dreams that Charlotte did not want to interrupt. Instead, she leaned over and placed a kiss on the pillow beside his cheek as not to wake him from his slumber. When she pulled back though, she saw Nathan had opened one eye, peeking over at her through his thick lashes. A slow grin spreading across his face.

"Don't waste 'em, darlin'," Nathan whispered as he threaded his fingers into her hair to direct their next kiss where it was always intended. Charlotte's hands skimmed up his sides to rest over Nathan's strong chest. Feeling the rapid beat of his heart as it synced with her own. He pulled her to him, as their love grew in intensity. It had been like this earlier when they'd waltzed, their bodies fitting together, moving together, with magical coordination. Finding pleasure in being husband and wife.

A very happy Christmas indeed.