Chapter 112- Old Love, New Love, This Is True Love
*Okay… was hoping to get Faith and Carson's wedding tacked in here, but… "Flirty Nathan" kind of stole the show at the end of this chapter and I decided to break it up into a couple of posts.
And since many of you have mentioned you enjoy super flirty Nathan… I didn't think you would mind too much. I adore creating moments for this couple that they can laugh, joke, and love with one another. (I may have channeled a little bit of myself into Charlotte's shortcomings this chapter… let's see if you figure out what I'm absolutely no good at… maybe I'd be better at it with a Nathan Grant in my life- a girl can wish.)
Also, if I don't get another chapter posted before Sunday's S9 TV Premiere… Stay safe out there, friends. Do what you feel comfortable doing. As you know, for me… I will not be watching, and I've had to jump off pretty much everything social media as to not let anything S9 derail my train of thought and what I want to continue creating with this story.
Know that your mental health and happiness are worth so much more than TV ratings.
The next morning at the train station in Calgary, Constable Warren Tremblay took time to tell each of his new friends from Hope Valley goodbye. Fred had grown attached to Warren and had been the Constable's shadow all morning. Rosemary fussed over the young man, promising him she would begin pouring through some of her old contacts to see if there was just the woman for him. Lee offered that if Tremblay ever wanted to give up his life with the Mounties, he could always have a position working for him to which Archie agreed, offering Warren a spot with the construction business he was starting with Joseph in Hope Valley. Maise worried, like any mother of a Mountie does, whether it was her own son or one of his brothers in arms. She wanted to make sure Warren had enough food for the journey and the right clothing and supplies. Tremblay assured her he did. He had been trained by her son, after all. Bill shook his hand and wished him well on his adventures.
Charlotte was next in his line of farewells. Warren removed his hat and enveloped her in a rather gargantuan hug, that lifted her feet off the ground and made her look like a doll cradled in the arms of a bear. Her squeal of surprise caused them all to chuckle.
"I'm going to miss you, Warren," Charlotte commented, when Tremblay had set her back on her feet. "You're a good man. Your mom and sisters did a fine job with you." She reached forward and cupped his cheeks in her hands. "Please, take care of yourself."
"I will," he offered her a friendly smile, removing her hands from his face. He gave her palms a reassuring squeeze before turning to face his mentor, extending his hand to Nathan. "Sergeant Grant, thank you for allowing me to tag along this weekend."
"The pleasure was ours," Nathan tugged on Warren's outstretched hand bringing him into an affectionate embrace between two comrades. Charlotte noticed Nathan whisper some extra words of wisdom and encouragement to Tremblay, before stepping apart and patting him on the shoulder. "Well, we shouldn't hold you up any longer. I think the train for Edmonton is leaving soon and ours is scheduled in about fifteen minutes."
"I have one more thing to do before I leave," Warren replied, looking at Nathan. "If that's still okay with you, sir?"
Nathan swallowed the lump that was in his throat, but when Charlotte looped her hand into his and leaned into his side, he nodded his head in approval.
Warren grinned and then moved a little further down the platform to where Allie had been standing to the side of the group. She had been trying to keep herself preoccupied with different tasks associated with their luggage or checking their tickets, so she didn't have to think about Tremblay's impending departure to the unknown North.
When Warren reached her, he touched Allie's shoulder, making his presence known. "Goodbye, Miss Allie. Thank you for being my partner last night for the Mountie Ball."
"It was nothing," she answered shyly, Warren's widening smile bringing a flush to the girl's cheeks.
"Nothing, huh?" His eyes hinted at teasing.
"That's… ah…" Allie stumbled "Not nothing… But not something… But…"
"Whatever it was, I was happy to have you by my side throughout most of the evening. You were a lovely companion." He said with sincerity, his voice deep and convincing.
"You were lovely, too," Allie whispered, before her face flushed a deeper red in embarrassment.
"I think that's the nicest thing anyone has ever said about me." Warren was looking directly at Allie. His eyes didn't scorn or mock her. There was an understanding and softness in his expression. "Allie, after our discussion the other night, about you wanting to know more about Alberta's local flora and fauna, and other things, I thought this may be of some use to you." Warren reached into the inside breast pocket of his coat and produced a book- or rather, a manual. "We use this in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It contains many facts about Alberta, including its vegetation, animals, and their behavior, the peoples and their way of life, and industry. It also has a few sections on outdoor survival, weather forecasting, emergency first aid, and I thought you might find the information interesting and helpful."
Allie took the book into her hands, turning it over and flipping through the pages, stopping to skim certain sections.
Warren's warm chuckle broke Allie away from her entrancement. "I take, that you like the gift?"
"Yes, thank you!" Allie beamed at Tremblay. "But won't you need this? For your posting up North?"
"I have it all up here," he tapped a finger on his forehead. "Don't you worry."
A sharp train whistle reached their ears, soon followed by a conductor further down the tracks making his last call for the northbound train to Edmonton.
"Goodbye, Allie," he nodded his own dismissal before pausing a moment to place a brotherly kiss on her cheek. Pulling back with a slight smile, replacing the hat he carried in his hand, Warren picked up his bag, turned and left, waving back over his shoulder to his friends.
A week later, after Sunday service in Hope Valley, the Grant family, as well as some of their closest friends and neighbors, sat in the pews of church as Joseph presided over Archie and Maise's vow renewal. The ceremony was simple. The couple wore their Sunday best, only accessorized by one beautiful, ruby brooch and the brightest of smiles. Angela played a few of the pair's favorite hymns on the piano and Allie read a passage from the Bible.
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Colossians 3: 12-14
Charlotte squeezed Nathan's hand that rested easily on her thigh, drawing his attention to her for a moment, she gave him a reassuring smile.
"She'd be happy today," Nathan whispered, his eyes slightly glistening with unshed tears. Charlotte knew exactly the 'she' he was referring to. "Colleen always thought Mom and Dad would find their way back to each other. I wasn't so sure."
"There seems to be a lot of Colleen in Allie. Always the optimist." Charlotte commented. She loved continually learning more about the type of woman Nathan's sister was. Oftentimes, Charlotte found herself longing to have had the opportunity to meet Colleen. She had a feeling they would have quickly become close friends and confidants if for no other reason than the mutual love they shared for Nathan and Allie.
After the modest ceremony in the church, the guests all piled into various vehicles to make their trek to Nathan and Charlotte's house for the reception. Every day after work, since their return from Calgary, Nathan and Charlotte had spent time with Lee, Joseph, and of course Bill, learning how to drive a car. They both seemed to pick it up rather quickly, and to Nathan's surprise, a Mountie issued vehicle had arrived for him on the Thursday evening train.
Minnie and Bill had helped Charlotte prepare the reception luncheon. Roasted chicken, one of Archie's favorites, complemented by a smorgasbord of wonderful side dishes, were all served family-style around the large dining room table in their home. After the meal, Minnie's famous chocolate cake was cut and served along with some punch and a platter of Charlotte's snickerdoodles, which Nathan had helped his wife make that morning before church.
The children, basking in all the sugar, were let outside to explore the property and brush the horses, while the adults sat and enjoyed lovely fellowship and stories together until it was time for those in town to make their journey back to Hope Valley.
Charlotte and Nathan stood side by side on the steps of their front porch with Allie saying goodbye and waving until every last one of their family and friends had left for the evening.
"That was fun! I liked having everyone here." Allie commented.
"Me too," Charlotte added, tugging gently on Allie's braid that seemed to be askew from her after lunch adventures with the others.
"Except I'm not excited to wash all those dishes." The girl crinkled her nose, earning a laugh from her parents.
"Don't worry too much," Nathan chimed in. "All of them are already done except those that we used for dessert. There isn't much left to clean up, but why don't you get some water running and the dishes all stacked up by the sink. Your mom and I will take it from there."
"We will?" Charlotte teased, pulling back slightly from his arms as Allie quickly disappeared into the house to complete her task before anyone changed their minds. "Since when did I agree to this arrangement?"
"Wasn't that a part of our vows? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, through dirty dishes and suds, I promise to love and to cherish you, all the days of my life."
Charlotte tilted her head back and laughed with affection. The action drew Nathan to her, and he planted a kiss on her lips.
"Today was special," he whispered, as they swayed in each other's arms. "I never knew this… a house full of people we love… would ever be in the cards for me."
"Well, it is, Nathan." Charlotte reached up and ran a hand through his hair. "This is the life you created for Allie. You should be so proud of all you have accomplished."
"No," Nathan's brow furrowed slightly. "I wasn't the only one who had a part in this, Charlotte. Us. The true love we share. I have a feeling twenty-five or so years from now we are going to be in the exact same spot. Celebrating with a house full of family and friends. Some who were here tonight may only be a memory. A piece of our hearts." He placed a hand on her stomach and rubbed gently. "But maybe… just maybe." A reserved smile grew across his face. His eyes twinkled with hope. "There will be a few new ones as well."
"Nathan, I…" Charlotte's gaze dropped.
"Oh, I know maybe not now." He reached up, pushing her thick braid back off her shoulder. "But someday." He placed a reassuring kiss on his wife's forehead and led them back into their home.
Following Nathan and Charlotte's example for how to have a bachelor and bachelorette party, Carson and Faith chose to host a skating soiree at the pond in town. Something that everyone could enjoy and partake in together. The snow had been cleared from the ice for the skaters, while games and fire pits were set up in the yard by the church for anyone else who wanted to join in the festivities.
Rosemary, in true Rosemary fashion, spearheaded the party planning and by the night before the wedding she had assigned every Hope Valley resident to a task in preparation of the evening at the pond celebrating the town's doctors. Charlotte had been put in charge of the roasted marshmallow station and was sitting around the campfire pulling together the supplies when a brown box was placed directly in front of her.
"Oh," she gasped in surprise, before looking over her shoulder to see Nathan standing beside her. "What's this? I thought I already had all the supplies I needed. Did I forget something?"
"I think so." Nathan mischievously grinned.
Charlotte's eyebrows furrowed in question, but she lifted the lid on the box. "Skates?"
"There's a skating party this evening, isn't there? I thought you may like a pair for yourself. These used to be Colleen's. Mom found them when she was going through some old things. I think they should work. You and my sister are about the same size."
"I've never skated before. I don't know how."
"I'll teach you," Nathan's chest puffed up in pride. "There's nothing to it."
"Nothing to balancing on two thin blades on a sheet of ice? Sure." Charlotte scoffed. "Nathan, I'm too old to learn new tricks."
"You are not." He softly chuckled. "Just look at this past week, we've both learned how to drive a car. And how many other things have we learned to do together? That we've taught each other?" Nathan wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. Earning a bright flush to his wife's cheeks.
"I planned on spending the evening right here, watching everyone else from the warmth of the fire."
"I have a better idea," he snuggled in close. The hard muscles of his chest and thighs pressed into her. Suddenly the winter chill disappeared, replaced by a new heat. "How about spending the evening in the warmth of my arms instead?" Nathan kissed Charlotte's neck, causing her to shudder and let out a soft moan.
"Are we still talking about skating, Sarge?" Charlotte murmured.
"Partially." He grinned into her cheek.
Later that day, as the party was getting started, Nathan helped Charlotte into the old pair of skates before he took her hands and led her onto the ice. She was shaky and unstable and envied how easy her husband made it look skating backwards in front of her.
"Where did you learn how to skate anyway?" She questioned, never taking her eyes off her feet for fear they would slip out from underneath her.
"Nan and Pop. They had a small pond about this size not too far from where they lived. One year Santa delivered a pair of ice skates to Colleen and me. We spent all winter on that pond skating with the other kids in the neighborhood. As we grew up, it became harder to find time to go with other responsibilities and chores, but I think once you learn how to skate you never forget."
"That's reassuring." Charlotte quipped. Her fingers digging into the palms of Nathan's hands.
"I taught Allie how to skate, the first year she lived with me. The town I was posted to at the time was by a lake that froze over hard enough in the winter."
"I have a feeling it's easier to learn when you're younger. If anything, it's because you're closer to the ground that falling doesn't hurt as badly."
"Yeah, you may have a point." Nathan's eyes twinkled with mirth as he gave her a lopsided grin. "But you are doing okay, for your first time. Are you ready for me to let go yet?" Nathan started to ease his hold on Charlotte and skate further away, extending his arms, putting a little distance between them.
"No!" Charlotte gasped, trying to cling more desperately to Nathan. But her overreaction made her lose her concentration at the same time Carson and Faith raced by. Suddenly Charlotte's legs went out from underneath her, and she fell hard on her bottom. In a desperate attempt to save Charlotte, Nathan had become tangled with her skates and tumbled after her. Both ending up together in a heap.
"Are you alright?" Nathan asked with concern as he brushed a piece of escaped hair back off Charlotte's face. "I'm sorry, I should have made sure you were ready before doing that."
"Yeah, I'm fine. Doesn't seem like anything is broken," Charlotte answered, twisting her wrists and ankles to make sure everything was in working order. "Nothing too hurt. Except for my pride."
A grown woman sprawled on the ice. What a sight I must be, Charlotte thought as she noticed others looking over at where they had fallen. Before anyone felt the need to come and assist them, Charlotte moved quickly and tried to stand back up.
"Charlie, wait," Nathan tried to stop his wife, but as soon as she put her blades back on the ice, she slipped and fell down again beside him.
"Ow!" Charlotte laughed, twisting back into the comforting arms of her husband as she gently rubbed her backside that was beginning to get sore. "It seems I already have an ice pack for my bruised bottom, but I may need a hot bath for these aching muscles later."
"I will gladly assist with that," Nathan flirtatiously grinned and she knew he was speaking the truth. "But first, let me help you."
Nathan leapt up, as if springs were tied to his feet instead of skates. He held out his hand and Charlotte took it, holding her breath as Nathan attempted to help her to her feet. The skates again slid out from underneath, and she fell once more on her bottom. Sending them both into a fit of laughter.
"Leave me to wallow in my shame, Nathan," Charlotte joked in a dramatic fashion. "I'm just going to crawl over to the edge of the pond to get on some solid ground. It can't be any worse than trying to stand on these things."
"Oh, no you don't," Nathan knelt over her. "I'm not going to give up on you and I'm certainly not going to let you give up on yourself."
His rich, low voice made her insides do funny flips.
"Let me try lifting you by the waist," Nathan reached around her sides before hoisting her easily to her feet. Clutching Charlotte's body tight against him.
Her legs wobbled slightly, whether it was because of the ice, or the way Nathan held her- Charlotte wasn't quite sure. She clung to him with her arms around his neck, so close she could see the flecks of silver in his blue eyes.
"Don't let go this time, please." Her voice, soft and intimate.
"I promise." Nathan vowed. "Let's try it a different way. Slip your arm around my back." He shifted so that one of his arms looped behind her to encircle Charlotte's waist. "How's that feel? Better?"
Charlotte nodded her head in agreement as her hand clutched the fabric of his wool coat.
"Good," Nathan squeezed her side in reassurance. "Now let's see if we can take a turn around the pond. All you have to do is slide one skate forward, then the other."
Feeling ridiculous, Charlotte lifted her right foot, then the left. Taking one awkward step and then another. Shuffling forward across the frozen pond. "It's working! I'm skating!" She said in surprise.
His entire body shook with laughter. "Usually, we glide a little. You're more stomping than skating. Are you mad at the ice?"
"Hey, it took the first swing, remember? I'm just getting a little retribution."
They both chuckled, their breath coming out like clouds in the cold air, as they inched toward the other end of the pond as one body. As Charlotte felt more secure in Nathan's strong arms, she relaxed and began to pick up a little more on the gliding technique her husband demonstrated. Occasionally, when others quickly darted by Charlotte would almost lose her balance, but Nathan was quick to steady her with a firmer grip around her middle. After a while, Charlotte's skates were starting to feel more like extensions of her feet instead of a weapon meant for her demise.
"Do you still wish you would have stayed up by the fire roasting marshmallows and gossiping with the others instead of being here with me?" Nathan cocked his head, smiling down at Charlotte, causing her pulse to quicken as he stared into her eyes and shifted his hand a little lower to her hip.
"I have no regrets." She answered firmly. "By your side is where I always want to be."
"Even if at times it leaves you a little battered and bruised?" Nathan teased.
"Worth it." Charlotte confirmed, echoing Nathan's words to her from the Mountie Ball after kissing so passionately in front of a room full of spectators.
"I'm glad you think so," Nathan stopped them and turned towards Charlotte, taking her hands to keep them steady. She wobbled slightly without the strength of his arm around her, but she managed to stay standing. "Easy there. I don't want you to fall again." His voice sounded low and throaty, and it made Charlotte's legs quiver.
"As you know, it's too late for that," She smiled up at him as their eyes locked. "I've already fallen."
They both knew she was talking about more than their tumbles earlier on the ice. Nathan swept forward, capturing Charlotte's lips with his. It was a tender and restrained kiss, given how unbalanced they both felt tonight and the public setting.
"That'll have to sustain us for now," Nathan said when he withdrew his mouth from hers. "How about we take a break from skating and go enjoy some of those marshmallows?"
Charlotte's eyes sparkled. No doubt, like him, she was recalling the first time they had roasted marshmallows together at the backyard campout they had with Allie and some of the other children. When Nathan had moved closer to Charlotte, running his thumb across her lip to remove the sticky remnants of the marshmallow from her face. Nathan remembered how much he wished in that moment he could lean forward and kiss her. To trace the contours of Charlotte's mouth, taste the fullness of her lips pressed to his as they danced across one another. He knew she had felt it too. The magnetic pull to one another as she leaned in slightly, her gaze shifting from his eyes to his lips until Timmy Lawson had to spoil their shared moment when he asked if there were any more marshmallows.
As if reading his mind and not wanting to face any more interruptions Charlotte suggested. "How about we call it a night instead? Allie has her sleepover at the Canfield's with some of the other girls, and I may have stashed some of those extra marshmallows in a jar at home. We could light a fire and…"
"Have I mentioned lately how brilliant my wife is?" Nathan skated backwards then, pulling Charlotte with him.
"I have my moments," she teased, feeling secure in Nathan's hands as they skated to the edge of the pond and bid everyone goodnight before heading home for an evening without interruptions.