Chapter 122- When The Bough Breaks
*Hi friends. As I mentioned a couple chapters ago… this is when "everything changes" for the Grant family and my Season 11 story arc/theme is introduced. I feel like I have dropped some hints so far as to the direction I was planning to take for what Nathan and Charlotte will have to work to overcome this "season", but I will be interested to see if you all figure it out by the end of this chapter… let me know your guesses!
To temper what's coming I tried to include a short and sweet little moment between husband and wife as well as one of my favorite Allie scenes I've put together so far (I think I say it all the time, but I love writing her character and this chapter is no different).
With my schedule over the next few days, this will be the last chapter I'm able to post before 'So This Is Love' is the featured story on Sunday Night Serge this weekend. I know everyone is busy and has a life outside of FanFic, but I would love if you could join us and be a part of the discussion. I know Nathan with "another woman" who is not Elizabeth is hard for some people to read about, but I'd still love if you could be a part of the event. If you need more information on how to access the Zoom link, please PM me and I will get you connected (or set you up with the higher powers who can).
In prep of SNS, I put a little "About Me" (plus selfie pic… haha) in the author bio section here on FanFic (if that sort of thing interests you?). It's a blurb that give a bit of a background on me, some of my passions, and why I started writing this story.
Now I just need to find time to re-read the past 100 plus chapters of this story so I'm ready for all your questions and colorful commentary Sunday night as we get to talk about Nate and Charlie!
Can't wait to "meet" you all then and thank you in person for your love and reviews for this story. (Hugs)
With summer vacation upon them, Charlotte was in the first week of hosting riding clinics for a few of her students whose parents had taken her up on the offer for lessons. Nathan surprised her when one Saturday he began constructing a round pen beside the barn. It quickly came together and had made a safe place for the kids to become more comfortable with the horses and their riding. Charlotte also found it was where she could exercise Realta. Using groundwork to maintain their bond and keep the horse in shape while not being ridden. Thankfully, they had been able to confirm Realta's pregnancy last week when the veterinarian from Union City was passing through town. As soon as Allie heard the news she began searching through her book, The Origin and Meaning of Names, for a few ideas on what to call Realta's foal when the time came for its birth.
Currently Charlotte had Bandit on the end of a long lead line, gently guiding the horse in circles around her as Angela worked on her posture and riding position. "You're doing a wonderful job, Angela." Charlotte said.
"Mrs. Grant, I feel like I'm flying!" Angela beamed.
Charlotte couldn't help but smile as well seeing the look of joy on Angela's face. Even though Bandit was only slowly walking around, she understood why Angela would feel as though she was soaring. There was a freedom one felt from the back of a horse, that was unlike any other experience on this earth. And for a girl like Angela, who when on her own two feet always had to use the help of a guide stick or friend, having the freedom of movement from the back of a horse truly did have to feel like flying.
"You're doing so well, baby," Minnie added from where she and Allie leaned against the fence to watch. Minnie and Joseph had brought Angela and Cooper up to the ranch for not only their next riding lesson, but also to drop the kids off with the Grants for the next couple of nights. Charlotte appreciated the trust that the Canfields had in her and Nathan with their children. From what she had heard, that wasn't always the case, especially when it came to Angela.
Allie wanted to host another campout for her friends like they had done in the backyard of the row houses last spring. Currently Joseph and Cooper were helping Nathan set up the tents in the front yard between the porch and the garden. Charlotte had convinced him it would be probably easier to use a few borrowed tents from the Mounties, then attempt to construct a homemade version over the clothesline like they had a year ago.
"The others should be here soon," Charlotte said. "What do you say we untack Bandit and give him a good brushing before they arrive?"
"Once we brush Bandit, can I give him a sugar cube?"
Charlotte chuckled as she signaled the horse to stop. "I think he would like that."
The first night of the campout was fun. The kids fished for their dinner down at the river and then Nathan helped them clean and cook their catch over the campfire. As the stars came out, so did the marshmallows and stories. Charlotte tried to steer the conversations away from spookier tales. She had heard the story of Allie and the 'haunted house' and didn't want any sort of repeats happening under her watch.
The kids had fun trying to point out the different constellations and identifying them. "Wow" they said over and over, seeming to be looking at the night heavens for the first time. Many had no idea that the stars had names.
The adrenaline had been pumping pretty fast and it took a while to get them all bedded down and quiet. Once they did settle in, it didn't take long for sleep to come.
Nathan and Charlotte weren't sure who was the first one up in the morning. They were both usually early risers, but the camp was already astir when they opened their eyes. The sun was not even up yet as they crawled from under their blankets to stoke the morning fire. The kids and Remi were running and tumbling about in an early morning game of tag.
"Can we fish again?" Timmy asked.
"I think today you all are taking a nature hike with Mrs. Grant while I go into town for my morning rounds," Nathan responded.
The boy groaned, making it clear he'd rather fish.
"Look," said Charlotte. "If you truly want to be a woodsman, you need to know all about the outdoors, not just how to fish."
That seemed to satisfy the youngster. He ran off to inform the others that they were going to learn how to be woodsmen. A cheer went up and husband and wife clinked coffee mugs together to signal a small victory won.
As planned, while Nathan was in town doing his rounds for the day, Charlotte took the kids on a walk around their ranch. She didn't take them on too long of a hike. She knew that even though they were active, many of the children were not used to long treks up and down hills. Plus, she didn't want the younger kids or Angela to feel like they were slowing the others down.
By the time they returned to camp, everyone was weary, and no one argued about resting while Charlotte prepared their lunch. She took her turn at the frying pan. The mouthwatering aroma of bacon filled the campsite while the kids lounged in the grass along the river. Every once in a while, one would brave the cold, by placing their tired feet into the shallow water for a few minutes at a time and then quickly return to dry ground when their toes became too chilled in the mountain stream.
"Mom! Come join us."
Charlotte looked up at her daughter perched twenty feet above on a thick branch. After their lunch of bacon sandwiches, apples, and cookies, they had all made their way to the hill under the maple tree. She supervised some of the older children climbing into its limbs, while others played around its base and in the swing.
"I'm not dressed for climbing trees, Al."
"Since when has a skirt stopped you from doing something in the past?"
Charlotte noted the smirk on her daughter's face as she laid down the challenge.
"Please." Allie begged. "You can see forever up here."
"Wait a minute. I can't do it like this." Charlotte bent over, grabbed the back hem of her skirt, and pulled it up between her legs, shoving it into her belt before pulling herself onto the first branch. The children cheered her on as she scrambled higher, making her way up through the branches. Finally reaching Allie, she perched herself on a strong limb across from the girl and braced her back against the trunk.
"The ranch is beautiful from up here." Allie whispered in reverence.
Charlotte looked out at the property they called home and, like Allie, was taken aback by its wonder. This was her life. It just didn't seem possible.
"There's Sergeant Grant!" Paul pointed.
The children shouted and whistled to draw Nathan's attention up the hill to where they were. He rode towards them and dismounted. Angela, with her newfound love of horses, offered to take care of Newton for him, to which Nathan gladly accepted. Remi bounded over to him next, expecting her usual tussle with Nathan upon his return home. When he reached the tree, he looked up, hands planted on his hips. "What's this?" He saw his wife aloft and laughed. "You too?"
"They challenged me." Charlotte shrugged.
Allie winked at her and then began to climb down, ushering her friends with. When the kids all came to the base of the tree Allie looked back up at where Charlotte still sat on her limb. She grinned mischievously as she turned her attention back to Nathan. "You're going to have to get her down, Dad. She's stuck."
Charlotte laughed when she saw Nathan unbuckle his Sam Browne belt. Handing it and his serge to Allie he started up the tree to join her. As he neared, he glanced back to the ground. The kids had scuttled off towards the barn to take care of Newton, leaving the pair alone in the tree. Nathan climbed on and when he was just beneath Charlotte, he slid his hand up her calf, feeling slowly along the shapely curve of her leg. His action seemed to knock the wind out of Charlotte's lungs, bringing a delicious smile to Nathan's lips as he leaned forward to give her a kiss. "Hi."
"Hi." She replied breathlessly as Nathan shifted to straddle the branch beside her.
"Seems like you've kept things together on the home front while I've been gone."
"I don't know… Apparently, I'm stuck in a tree and all our charges are running amok," she teased, earning a chuckle from her husband.
"Looks like a storm's coming," Nathan nodded at some clouds building to the west over the mountains.
"I noticed that too. We should probably move our camping indoors for tonight."
"Do you think the children will be disappointed?"
"Nah." Charlotte playfully leaned her shoulder into his. "What kid doesn't like to make forts out of the living room furniture?"
"I don't know… I've never done it."
"Never?!"
Nathan shook his head.
"Well that ends tonight, Sarge." Charlotte squeezed his leg slightly where her hand had been resting. "Let's take down the tents before the winds pick up and then get things arranged inside. We can roast sausages in the fireplace for dinner and then maybe later we can even make some popcorn for a snack."
Nathan reached over and tucked a piece of Charlotte's hair behind her ear. "Have I mentioned lately how much I enjoy doing life with you, Charlie?"
"Maybe a time or two." Her eyes shimmered with love. "You make me happy, too, Nate. I hope you know that. This life with you and Allie, it's more than I could have ever dreamed."
Nathan's touch skimmed along her face to Charlotte's chin, tilting it up slightly in order for his lips to capture hers.
"So…" Nathan mumbled. "How exactly did Allie expect me to get you down? Because if you remember correctly… that was the part I had trouble with growing up."
Charlotte tilted her head back and laughed, remembering her husband's story from his childhood of climbing trees with his sister. She entwined her hand into his. "How about we do it together then?"
"I think that's a good idea. It seems to be serving us well in other areas." He winked and they began their descent. As Nathan jumped down from the final branch, he turned back to the tree and reached for his wife. Charlotte leaned towards him, resting her hands on his strong shoulders. Her body brushed his as he lifted her down, and she felt life coursing through her. The sensations wild yet familiar.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"You're welcome." He grinned, and her mouth went dry. When he didn't take his hands from her waist, her heart beat faster and faster. "Seems the swing is free at the moment… care for a turn?" He questioned, tilting his head in the direction of the suspended wooden seat beside them.
Charlotte glanced towards the mountains and noted the ominous clouds building and she pulled herself out of his arms. "We should really…" But before she could continue, Nathan caught Charlotte and set her in the tree swing.
"Hang on," he told her before she could stop him, and he sent her flying. The exhilarating rush made her laugh. Which only caused Nathan to push her higher. Finally with the first flash of lighting in the sky, did they stop their play in order to get the kids rounded up and their campsite moved indoors.
"The children seemed to have a great time out at the ranch," Joseph said the next afternoon as he and Nathan carried some lumber towards the Coulter's worksite. "It is all they can talk about today."
"Charlotte and I had fun, too." Nathan replied. "She makes me feel like a kid and I don't know if that is a good thing or not. I mean… I'm in my thirties… I should…"
Joseph interrupted. "Age has nothing to do with it. From what little I know about your past, it seems you may not have experienced the most normal of childhoods. I believe your wife has figured that out as well and wants to make sure you don't miss out on those opportunities now."
Nathan smiled and simply nodded his head in agreement. He had noticed that about Charlotte. His childhood was something he didn't allow himself to dwell on or feel sorry about, but like Joseph mentioned, Charlotte seemed to take it upon herself to make sure Nathan now had the opportunities to take part in these small childlike things. She didn't see it as being juvenile. It was her way of sharing moments with him that allowed Nathan to replace the hurt and sometimes regrets of his past with new, precious memories as they continued to build their life together.
"The house is coming along quicker than I had expected," Nathan commented, taking a drink of water as he looked over the home that was being built for the Coulters.
"Many hands make light work."
"Just a few more finishing touches and then it will be ready to start painting and moving in." Many of the town's people had been pitching in all day, assisting with various tasks to help get their mayor's new home closer to the finish line. It was late afternoon and things were winding down for the day. Charlotte and Allie had left for home about an hour ago, while Nathan stayed to finish some projects and clean up.
"I think Lee and Rosemary are ready for a bit more space for their family."
"I'm not sure having more space is going to help them with the lack of sleep they seem to be experiencing."
Joseph chuckled. "You are probably right. I remember those days of my babies being babies. You and Charlotte need to make sure to get plenty of rest now, because it will be years before you both sleep through the night again."
Nathan knew that Joseph's statement was meant to be lighthearted, but it seemed to have the opposite effect on him. Noting the change in Nathan, Joseph squeezed his shoulder in a strong reassuring manner. "Remember son… With God, all things are possible."
Nathan placed a hand over Joseph's that still rested securely on his shoulder. "Thank you, Joseph."
"I liked having all my friends out here the past couple of days," Allie said as she and Charlotte worked alongside each other in the garden after returning from helping on the Coulter's new house.
"I liked having them here too," Charlotte replied.
Allie was quiet a moment which caused Charlotte to stop her action of weeding to look over at her daughter. "What is it, Allie?"
Allie just shook her head. "Nothing."
Charlotte straightened. "It doesn't sound like nothing." She said, brushing the dirt from her hands onto the gardening apron she wore.
"I don't know… it was just… nice having other kids here at the house."
Charlotte took a deep breath. "Why don't we take a break on the steps?"
Allie nodded in agreement and the two women made their way across the yard. They sat down at the top of the steps and Remi bounded over to join them.
"Are you feeling lonely being out here and away from your friends?" Charlotte gently questioned. "I know it must seem very different for you compared to living in the row houses and having Opal and Angela and all the others right next door to play with. Now that we are on summer vacation, you must be feeling a little removed from everything in town. Is there something your dad and I can do to help?"
"I do miss them sometimes, but I still see them when we have sleepovers and when I work in town."
"Then is there something else that is bothering you?"
Allie seemed to contemplate for a moment and then shook her head. "Grandma says I shouldn't talk about such things."
Charlotte squinted slightly at her daughter and then looked off across the meadow and their property. She had a suspicion of what 'things' Maise would have told Allie weren't proper subjects to be discussed, but Charlotte had a different opinion. If Allie, who was a young woman, felt she couldn't discuss these sorts of things with Charlotte, her mother, then who would she turn to instead?
"Allie, I don't want to pressure you to talk if you aren't ready to. But if something's bothering you, or if you have questions, please know I am always here to listen, explain, or give advice. Even if those 'things' normally aren't discussed. I don't want you to feel the need to keep it all bottled inside because the subject isn't considered proper."
"I guess…" Allie sighed heavily. "I keep wondering when are you and dad going to have a baby? You've been married for months… and I just thought by now… I don't know…"
Charlotte couldn't help the sting of color that came to her cheeks. "I seem to forget how much of a young woman you are, Allie. This being a mom thing is so new to me that I think some days I just want to imagine you being my little girl forever." Charlotte instinctively reached for Allie's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "So many times when I look at you I find myself wishing that I could have been a part of your life from the very beginning. I wonder what it would have been like to see your first steps or hear your first words. What it would have felt like to take you to your very first day of school or make you your first dress." She reached over and brushed a hand over Allie's braid. "Thankfully your dad figured out how to do your hair through the years, but I sometimes wish I could have been a part of that too."
Allie's eyes grew misty as she looked over at Charlotte. "You do?"
"All the time." She chuckled. "You see, Allie. You are so incredibly important to me that I look back and selfishly wish I could have filled more of my life with you in it. You and your dad. But as much as I wish for that… that I could have known you both sooner so I could have loved you longer… I have faith that we are put in our different seasons for reasons. Most of the time we aren't able to fully understand those reasons until after the fact, but they are there all the same. Take your life for instance. You were able to spend four wonderful years with your mom who loved you so incredibly much. And then when she passed, I think you and Nathan… well… you became each other's rock. The constant in each other's life. You may not be able to see it, but I think he needed you during that time just as much as you needed him. Maybe more so."
"Really?"
"Really."
"I just always thought I held him back. Especially with his career in the Mounties."
"No. That's something I learned early on about Nathan. His family… they will always be his priority. You will always be his priority, Allie… Our priority."
Allie paused for a moment, seeming to work through some deep thoughts and emotions. "Even if you guys have a baby of your own? I know I'm not really your daughter and…"
Charlotte reached over and gently turned Allie's face so she could look directly in her eyes. She needed to know she had the girl's complete attention and understanding. "You are our daughter. In every way possible." She said firmly, but with an underlying tenderness. "Biological or not, we couldn't love you any more than we already do. If God decides to bless our family with a baby, or another child in a different way, I hope you know that it will never change how we feel about you. Your dad and I would never look at you in a different light because we didn't bring you into this world ourselves. God is so good, Allie. He doesn't give us only a certain amount of love to try and spread around to everyone in our lives. When someone new comes along in a family, we don't divide up the love we already have into smaller portions, we just get to grow more love instead of giving less."
Charlotte shifted closer and wrapped her arm around Allie's shoulders to draw her into her side. Allie moved and looped her own arms around Charlotte's torso leaning her head onto her mother's shoulder. They sat there, quietly swaying in each other's embrace before Charlotte continued. "You should know. Having a baby is something your dad and I have been talking and praying about a lot lately. The desire to expand our family is something that is on both of our hearts. And we know it has been something you've expressed as well. We've seen how wonderful of a big sister you will be and want nothing more than to make that happen. It just doesn't seem to be in God's plan for us right now. Maybe someday, but in the meantime, I don't want us to waste this season we are in. A baby wouldn't make us any more of a family than we already are. You. Me. Your dad. I rather like this trio we make together."
Allie tilted her face up to look at Charlotte. "I do too."
Charlotte's hand pushed back wisps of Allie's hair to place a reassuring kiss to her daughter's temple. "Why don't you go inside and pour us a couple glasses of lemonade before we get back to work?"
Allie nodded and reluctantly pulled out of Charlotte's embrace. She took a few steps toward the front door but paused for a moment. "Hey, Mom?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
"I love you, too."
"Nathan, I didn't know you guys were still in town." Jesse said as he pulled the lumber wagon to a stop in front of the construction site. "I thought I saw your car leave hours ago."
Nathan turned away from discussing some of the next steps for the house with Joseph and Archie. Bill had also stopped by to check on how things were progressing, although Nathan had suspicions that had more to do with the refreshments Minnie brought over for the workers and not so much to lend a hand. "Charlotte and Allie drove the car home. They wanted to get some gardening done today while I finished with things around here. I rode Newton into town this morning."
"Oh…" Jesse said, a pensive expression coming across his face.
Suddenly sensing something seemed off, Nathan questioned. "Is something wrong?"
"No… no…" Jesse dismissed jumping down from the wagon and coming around the front of the horses. "Just when I was finishing getting these boards loaded at the mill a gentleman rode up looking for you. Said he knew you from years ago and was wondering where he might find you."
Nathan's heart instantly lurched. "And what did you tell him?"
"I said that you had a ranch a few miles out of town and that you had been living there since you got married in December."
Bill moved to stand beside him. Also sensing something amiss.
"Did this rider say why he was looking for Nathan?" Bill questioned.
"No. Not really." Jesse said. "He was a bit taken aback though when I said you were married now. For some reason he asked if it was to the brown-haired woman with the little boy. I told him no, you married our town's other teacher, Charlotte."
Bill and Nathan exchanged sideways glances.
"Did you tell him directions on how to get to the ranch?" Nathan tried to keep his voice calm.
"I did. Like I said… I thought you had left hours ago."
"Dad. Joseph." Nathan said over his shoulder. "I'm sorry I have to go."
"I'm gonna go with you." Bill stated.
Nathan was about to object, but then thought better of it. Whoever this man was, he may be grateful to have Bill along. Both men gathered their things and quickly left to saddle their horses at the livery.
Suddenly Remi arose and looked down the long driveway back towards the road, her head cocked to one side as she listened.
"What is it girl?" Charlotte questioned. "Is it Nathan and Newt coming home?"
Remi was already at the base of the stairs by the time the horse and rider came into view. Charlotte could tell by her bark that whoever was coming was not someone she knew. Remi welcomed most of the townspeople with only the wagging of her tail. As Remi's barking increased, Charlotte rose to her feet and came to stand by the dog. Motioning her to sit and be silent. Remi obeyed rather reluctantly, but she kept a watchful eye at the rider's approach.
Charlotte felt her body tense as she suddenly realized the stillness that seemed to descend upon her home. She no longer heard the birds or the wind through the trees or the babble of the river in the distance. All she heard was the steady clop of the approaching horse's hooves as it pounded with each beat of her heart.
"Can I help you, sir?" She asked, trying to hide the quiver in her voice as the rider pulled his horse to a stop a few feet in front of her.
The man stared at her as if he didn't know what to say. The silence stretched tight. Finally, he forced a stiff smile. "Sorry to gape at you ma'am. I was told Constable Nathan Grant lives here."
"It is Sergeant Grant now."
"You know, I gotta give him credit," he grinned wickedly. "He always was clever."
Charlotte swallowed. "You know Nathan?"
"You could say that."
Remi's low growl at Charlotte's side drew her attention away from the stranger about the same time Allie pushed open the front door with her hip, carrying two glasses of lemonade in her hands.
"Oh," she said, stopping in her tracks at the sight of their guest. "I heard Remi barking, but I thought it was just Dad coming home."
Instinctively Charlotte moved to position herself between the stranger and Allie. Remi followed suit. "Allie, why don't you take those back in the house and pour another glass for our guest. And take Remi with you. I think she's thirsty as well. Why don't you fill her water bowl and wait inside for us please."
Allie's gaze flitted back and forth between Charlotte and the rider. Finally, she nodded and turned slightly, holding the door open she called the dog to follow her. Remi, like Allie, seemed torn on whether to obey orders or stay put. In the end, she followed Allie as they disappeared back into the house.
When Charlotte turned back to the rider, she felt her stomach drop into her boots. The look in his eyes was one that made her heart stop in unexplained fear.
The lull was over. The storm was on them in a fury.