Chapter 145- Growing Together
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays friends!
I hope your lives over the past six months have been blessed beyond measure and full of exciting things. My time has been occupied by family, work, traveling, weddings (not mine), babies (also not mine), and so many other adventures… Including!… Writing more about Nathan and Charlotte's love story past my original intended "ending"- Chapter 144. Their continued story (that I've envisioned for almost as long as the beginning 3 seasons of 'So This Is Love') wouldn't seem to leave me be, and when I was able to find time over the past months, Nate, Charlie, and Allie's story still kept finding ways of bubbling to the surface and onto my computer screen.
While, I've been writing, I never really intended to continue posting on the FanFic site as I felt I left the Grant family in a very good and a very happy place for all of you readers. But about a week ago, on my own re-read of the Christmas chapters following the Season 11 finale, a thought came to me- if the show WCTH ends after this next season or continues for 5 or 10 more years, I doubt viewers will ever be able to see Nathan as an expecting father. Personally, reading these chapters showing him in that light I think are special as a reader to experience (at least in my opinion) and because of that, I felt the need to share it with you all as well. Consider it my Christmas gift to those of you who still (after my long break) love Sarge and Mrs. Nathan.
I plan to release this next 'Christmas Special' of "So This Is Love" over the month of December, ending a few days before Christmas. I hope you enjoy following along with this Grant family as they continue "growing together" and experiencing all that life has in store for them this Christmas as they prepare to add a baby into their happy home and celebrate a year of married life!
Hope you are excited to see what's in store. ~With love, Chanda.
"What in the world are you wearing?" Nathan chuckled at his wife as she joined him in the barn to help with morning chores.
"Don't you like it?"
"Are those my…"
"Suspenders?" An amused smile swept over her face. "Yep!"
Charlotte modeled her outfit, spinning and twirling in front of him. The action caused Nathan to laugh even harder. Almost doubling over as his belly began to hurt.
He shook his head as tears began to stream down his cheeks. "I can't believe you are wearing my suspenders."
"Listen, Sarge," Charlotte said, placing her hands on her hips. "I swear this baby bump grew overnight and now none of my clothes fit. Up until this morning I could get by with some of my looser skirts and dresses, but now…" She waved her hands in an animated fashion over her expanding belly. "Now you have this treat."
"And what a treat it is." Nathan's eyes shone with such love and happiness at his wife and their growing family.
"The only thing that fits right now is my dark grey dress, which needs to be washed, and then this pair of trousers. But they don't fasten anymore over this little one, so I had to improvise and borrow your suspenders to keep my pants from fallin' down."
"Good thing I married someone so adaptive." Nathan sauntered closer. "You know what I've heard suspenders are also good for?"
Charlotte decided to play along. "What else are they good for?"
"This." He smirked as he reached forward, his hands wrapping around the suspenders to pull Charlotte closer as he kissed her thoroughly.
When he drew back, he smiled seeing his wife still lost in their kiss. Her eyes lingered closed, and her lips parted ever so slightly.
"Yeah…" She whispered breathlessly. "Yeah. They're good for that too."
Nathan laughed and gave her one more kiss before returning to his task of cleaning out the horse stalls as Charlotte began feeding. Nathan kept a watchful eye on her as she tossed flakes of hay to the horses and carried their buckets of oats. Part of him wanted to tell Charlotte that he could take care of the chores, but he knew better. His wife wasn't going to sit around for the rest of her pregnancy and do nothing. To suggest that she become a lady of leisure was sure to stir up an argument that he didn't feel like taking part in.
There were plenty of beautiful blessings they had been able to experience together so far with Charlotte's pregnancy. The way her body changed to create a safe place for their child. The way she seemed to glow. Radiating from within with a different kind of light. But the one thing he wasn't fond of was the sudden mood changes Charlotte would occasionally experience. His wife's usual even temperedness, would rapidly swing one way or the other, leaving him in a wake of uncertainty.
One example was last Friday when he came home from work. Allie was staying in town with friends, and he had been late for dinner due to an unexpected call from Buxton that came in right before he left for the day. Nathan arrived home and stopped to roughhouse with Remi who greeted him at the door, before heading into the kitchen to give Charlotte a kiss after a long day. She had been rather distant and unresponsive, which was a first for him.
"Something wrong?" He asked.
"How come the dog comes first?"
Nathan had been puzzled. "What do you mean? When has Remi ever come first?"
"Now! Always! You always greet her before you come to kiss me."
Nathan took a moment to answer. Then he said, very softly and not accusingly at all, "That's because I can't get past her until I do. She's always right there at the door-"
"And I'm not- is that what you are saying? The dog thinks more of you than I do?"
Nathan laughed until he realized that Charlotte was being serious. "Oh, you're not kidding me?"
"This isn't a laughing matter, Nathan."
He saw the tears building in the corners of her eyes. "I'm sorry to be late, Charlie. I know it makes things hard for you with dinner and trying to guess what time I may be home."
She whirled around. "Do you think I care for a moment how hard and dry these potatoes and carrots get? Or how cold and- and?" She dissolved in tears, turned from him, and ran into the living room.
Nathan pushed a hand through his hair and stood stunned. Wondering what had just happened. He remembered then Lee and Carson both telling of similar experiences they had with their wives. Carson explained it as something called 'pregnancy hormones'. The doctor said that Charlotte was experiencing a lot of changes in her body as the baby grew and developed and part of that could cause her to suddenly be overcome with different emotions that were uncharacteristic of her personality. She could cry more. Or become easily upset over something that seemed trivial.
Remi whined at his feet and stared up at him, seemingly also confused at Charlotte's reaction to their normal play. Nathan scratched behind the dog's ears and shook his head slightly. He coaxed her to follow him, and they went for a walk outside to think. When he returned a short while later, he dished up the dinner Charlotte had made into two bowls and carried them both into the living room. Charlotte sat in the overstuffed chair, her legs pulled up underneath of her, looking into the flames in the fireplace as she brushed tears from her cheeks.
Nathan set their dinner bowls down on the cedar chest that had acted as their dining room table in the early days of living in this house. He turned back to his wife and gently took her into his arms and held her close as she cried into his shoulder. He said nothing, instead simply stroking his hand through her hair.
"I'm sorry," Charlotte finally murmured when she was all cried out.
"Want to talk about it?"
"It was silly. I really don't care if Remi-"
"No, not that. About what's really bothering you."
She pulled back slightly from his arms. "The stew?"
Nathan kissed her tearstained cheek. "I'm sorry about the dog. I'm sorry I was late for dinner. But I don't think that is the real problem here. Can we talk about it?"
A muscle jerked in her jaw and the silence between them seemed endless. "When you were late-"
"I've been late before. You know unexpected things come up sometimes that I can't control."
"I know, it's just…"
And then it was as if a light turned on for Nathan. "Oh. You thought… You thought something had happened to me?"
Charlotte silently nodded her head. "When I heard you come in the door tonight. And the amount of relief I felt for having you home again. Knowing you were safe. I was just overcome with emotions and then when you were playing with Remi and didn't understand how worried I had been… I guess- I was angry that you didn't see how it affected me. Not knowing where you were all this time. Not knowing if you were safe or lying in a ditch somewhere hurt or… Worse."
"Charlie," Nathan brushed back a piece of hair from her face. "I'm sorry I didn't think about that."
"No, it's fine-"
"No, it's not. I need to remember it's not just Allie and I anymore. I also need to think about you… And this little one."
Charlotte placed her hand over his that was lovingly rubbing over her stomach. "For a moment there I think I understood a little of what it had to feel like for Elizabeth. After she lost Jack. Or how it felt for Colleen and even you, faced with raising a child by yourself. It was just these thoughts and fears that bubbled up out of nowhere tonight and they took on a life of their own. And instead of talking to you about them, I lashed out, and for that I'm sorry."
"I'm glad that you told me. Maybe we should talk to Florence and Fiona and see how much work it would be to get a phone line all the way out here. It would be a benefit for the community, if they need something while I'm off duty, but it would also be there to hopefully bring you a little piece of mind."
"Really? Do you think we could?"
"It's worth a try." He brushed the last of Charlotte's tears from her face. "Now, what do you say to a little dinner?"
The other reason Nathan didn't mind Charlotte helping with morning chores was he understood that in just a few months, this quiet, quality time with her would be harder to come by as they shared their time with raising Allie and taking care of a baby.
A baby. Nathan knew whenever he thought about it a smile spread across his face. Charlotte called him out on it often enough. He couldn't help himself. He was excited about this next chapter of their lives, but he wasn't the only one. Allie was over the moon to be a big sister. His parents were thrilled about the prospect of having another grandchild to love on. Nathan swore not even two minutes after being told the news that he and Charlotte were expecting, Maise sat down and started knitting a pair of baby booties. Archie, on the other hand, seemed a little more reserved.
Nathan understood his father's reaction and thoughts. Archie didn't have a chance to watch Allie grow up through most of her childhood and now having the opportunity to experience everything from the start with this little one made him a bit overcome with emotions.
Even Dylan had been happy for their family when Nathan told him the news one weekend when he came to visit Allie in Hope Valley. Nathan wasn't sure he was ready to admit it to himself, or anyone else, but he found himself enjoying being with Dylan and having him share a meal around the Grant's table and spend time with them out at the ranch occasionally.
"I've been thinkin'..."
Charlotte's voice pulled Nathan out of his inner thoughts. He looked up from his task of scooping to see her leaning against the door to the stall he was working in. "That usually doesn't bode well for me." He teased, earning him a scornful look from his wife as she flung one of her leather gloves at his face. He caught it in his hand and then came to wrap her in a playful hug. "I'm just kidding Mrs. Nathan." He whispered against her cheek as he held her close. "What were ya thinkin' about?"
"You know I'm not usually one to enjoy shopping, but I don't think I have a choice. These trousers are one of the last things I can fit into, and even they won't last much longer. Then what happens? I just walk around without clothes on?"
"I wouldn't complain." Nathan wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, earning him a poke in the ribs.
"I'd be careful, Sarge. Or you are going to land on Santa's naughty list this year."
"A risk, I'm willing to take," Nathan chuckled and went back to his task of finishing the chores.
"As I was saying. I need a few clothes that can fit both me… And this one into." Charlotte looked lovingly down at her belly, running a caring hand over the bump. "I should have been thinking ahead and ordered some fabric from Ned, or had Clara make me a few things, but there really isn't much time for that now. I was wondering what you thought about Allie and I driving to Union City to go shopping on Saturday."
"Sounds like a great idea. That way we can also pick up the charm we ordered from Mr. Garnett for Allie's Christmas present."
"That's the thing. I was thinking about this being a girl's trip. Maybe inviting Rosemary, Patricia, Minnie, and Angela to come with?"
Nathan felt a small smile grow across his face. One driven by the pride he had in his wife. This was the first time, since she moved to Hope Valley almost two and a half years ago, that she felt comfortable enough, on her own, to venture outside the safety of town without him. It was just another step of Charlotte gaining her independence back from what had been stolen away by Beck.
"I think that would be a great idea. Allie and Angela have spent quite a bit of time together over the past few months. And I think you will find Rosemary and Minnie to be better shopping companions than me."
"I don't know about better, but certainly more opinionated."
Charlotte looked at herself in the reflection of the bedroom mirror. She wore a new deep plum-colored dress that she had purchased the day before in Union City on the shopping trip with Allie, Angela, Minnie, Little Patricia, and Rosemary. The women had such a lovely and productive day both Christmas shopping and finding some new clothes that Charlotte, and her growing baby bump, would fit into.
"Are you ready?" Nathan called up the stairs. "If you don't hurry, we're going to be late for church. Allie's already outside."
"I'll be right down," she said, pulling her old coat on, and smiling to herself at the way the little bump protruded from its opening as it had grown too big to allow for the jacket to be fastened.
When she reached the bottom of the stairs, Nathan was standing there waiting for her. A disapproving look upon his face.
"What?" She questioned. "Is it the new dress? You don't like it?"
"Oh, no. The dress, and you, are beautiful. It's just this…" He pulled on the edges of her coat. "It doesn't close anymore. How are you and the baby going to stay warm? It is December, in Alberta, remember?"
"We will be fine. I promise."
He shook his head before producing a package from behind his back, placing the parcel into her hands. "Open it."
"What have you done now?" She untied the string and tore away the brown paper. A note card lay on top of the tissue. In Nathan's handwriting, it read: "For my beautiful wife. To keep you warm when I cannot. All my love, Nate." She lifted the tissue and pulled out a forest-green wool coat. "Nathan, it's gorgeous." She quickly removed her old jacket and Nathan helped her into the heavy overcoat. It had lace trim and a smart belt, with a hem that reached just below her knees. It was the most beautiful coat Charlotte had ever seen and more importantly, it left plenty of room for her expanding stomach.
"Clara made it especially for you. Rosemary and Allie helped me pick out the material. We all noticed you wouldn't be able to fit into that old coat much longer." Nathan smoothed the sleeves with his hands. "The dark green suits you, Charlie."
"Thank you," she blushed under his endearing inspection. How was it even after all this time together he still had this effect on her? "It really is a beautiful gift."
"One last thing." Nathan reached over to the hook in the hallway and pulled down Charlotte's grey scarf. The one he loved because it perfectly matched her eye color. "The wind is cold this morning. You'll want this too."
Charlotte reached for it, but he ignored her, wrapping the scarf around her neck. His mouth turned upward in a slight smile as he looked down at her. "Now, you're ready."
Later that night, as they climbed into bed, Charlotte suddenly clutched at her stomach. "Oh!" She exclaimed, shock painting across her features.
"What is it? Is something wrong?" Nathan sat up abruptly next to her. "Are you in pain? Do we need to go see Faith?"
"No. No." She shook her head. "It's nothing bad."
"Then why are you holding your stomach like that?"
Charlotte smiled sweetly at him. "Do you want to feel the baby, Sarge?"
"You mean… You can feel them move?"
His wife nodded her head and took his hand, placing it over her swollen belly. "There. Did you feel that?"
Nathan laughed joyfully. His face filled with wonder and amazement, and an equal dose of excitement and pride. He rubbed his thumb lightly over his wife's stomach. "I never knew you could feel them like that. Have you experienced it before?"
"A little. But it felt more like a flutter. This was the first time your tiny partner here decided to kick me and make their presence really known."
Nathan leaned down and pressed a kiss to the baby bump as he did almost every evening as they prepared for bed. Tonight though, he lingered. Turning to lay his head against the swell in his wife's stomach, his gaze never leaving her's. Charlotte's fingers played in his hair as she watched him rise and fall gently with each breath she took where he rested on her belly. She wanted to sear this memory in her mind for years to come. To remember the look of pure happiness that graced her husband's face as he enjoyed this tender, intimate moment with her and their child.
"Can you hear anything?" She asked. "Are they talking to you yet?"
"They? Do you think there could be twins in there? Or triplets? You know everyone in town was first making bets on if it would be a boy or girl, but now that you are starting to show more, some are wondering if there are multiple babies."
"Oh, are they now?" Charlotte gave a short chuckle as she raised a questioning brow. "That's what every woman wants to know. Not only that they are part of a friendly wager, but that she's getting so big, she must be having at least twins."
"I just can't get over the wonder of it all. This little miracle that you are carrying. Next to marrying you, and officially adopting Allie, I don't know if I've ever been more excited about anything in my life." Nathan felt Charlotte stir slightly, and he moved in the bed to rest his head beside hers on the pillow. "What is it?"
"I hope I don't disappoint you. Or Allie… Or this baby."
"What do you mean? Why do you think you would disappoint us?"
"I'm not sure," she murmured, reaching her hand to feel the strength in his jawline. "I just feel a bit unprepared and I wish there was a training manual or something so I know what to expect. It all feels so new to me and sometimes I wonder if I'll be any good at raising a newborn. Allie was a teenager by the time I came into her life. The prospect of this little child relying on us completely, for everything, feels like a daunting task. I know I have plenty of women in this community that would be happy to give advice and support, including Maise, but lately… I've really missed having my own mom around to talk about things like this."
Nathan studied her for a long moment, mulling over his thoughts and choosing his next words carefully. "I know I'm not your mom and I certainly don't know much about raising a baby, but Charlie- I hope you understand you always have me to lean on. I think it can be a beautiful thing. Us being so new to this but learning about it together. Growing together. Sure, there may be times when we both get disappointed or upset or feel like we are failing at what we are doing, but as long as we love our family and lean on God for grace and direction, I don't think we can go too wrong."
She smiled into the darkness and Nathan could feel the pull of her facial muscles as they formed the smile. He kissed her on the temple, pulling his wife close as he rubbed his cheek against hers.
"Are you ready for an adventure, Charlie?" He whispered to her, unable to hide the excitement in his voice.
"Um-hum," She kissed him tenderly. "But Sarge, I think every day since I've met you has been an adventure. And a very special one at that. This baby is just a part of the next beautiful chapters in our lives together."