Chapter Thirteen: Together
"Miss, do you need any help? You need to be ready within the hour in order to leave and meet the Train to retrieve Master Nathan!"
Millicent laughed as she hugged Essie.
"I'm afraid he really is all grown up, Essie. It's Constable Grant, now! But, why don't you just call him Nathan! I'm sure that's what he'll want!"
"Oh, my, such happy memories of you children together. You know Hendrix and I've known forever the two of you belonged together! Why, soul mates, that's what you are! We all could see you two were meant to be, from the time you were young ones! Even both sets of your Parents saw it! I'm just grateful the two of you have finally seen it!"
"Yes, after all these years, thank the good Lord up above, we've finally come to our grown-up senses!"
"Well, it's about time, Miss! I've never seen you as excited as you've been since that phone call! More alive, more exuberant than you've ever been! Why it's like you've been on cloud nine the entire time since! Hendrix and I couldn't be happier for you and for Master…"
They both burst out laughing together!
"I know! Here I am calling him a child! But Miss Millicent, I'm sorry, he's just always going to be Master Nathan to me. I'm afraid he's just going to have to get used to it!"
"I promise, Estella, he's an honest to goodness grown man. A very tall, very handsome grown man, I might add! You'll see! Allie's growing up fast too. She really is such a beautiful child! She looks a lot like Colleen, only with lighter hair and coloring."
"If you stare at that photo any longer, Miss, you're going to stare a hole into it! Now, come, let's get you dressed. He's going to be here in just a bit! No drooling over that photograph then. You'll have the real thing to drool over. Come, time's a-wasting!"
"Essie!" but Essie let that chastisement fly right over her head.
Shaking her head, Millicent set the oval silver picture frame back in its designated spot on her dressing table, and got up to make a final selection among her outfits.
She had narrowed it down to three but wasn't getting much further than that!
"I was telling Hendrix what a wonderful job Nathan's done raising her. You're going to love her so much, Essie!"
Essie had picked up the photo frame, finally putting on her glasses and adjusting them so she could see the photograph better.
"Well, I've loved those Grant children since your Young Man was ten years old! My goodness, Miss! This is the first time I've seen the photo with my glasses on. He's even more handsome than I remembered, and Miss Allie's the spitting image of her Mama at that age, except like you said, she has much lighter hair. But those features. You sure can tell she's Miss Colleen made over! She looks tall, too, just like her Mama. Why I love the little thing, already!"
Essie had tears in her eyes remembering her precious Colleen.
Millicent noticed and reached up to give her a hug.
"Essie, you're going to have to start wearing your glasses. That's what they're for. To help you see better. Besides they look wonderful on you!"
Estella fidgeted nervously. She had to admit the glasses helped, but she just didn't feel comfortable in them. It wasn't that she was vain, but she just hated for one person in particular, to see her in them. It was like an admission of old age to her.
So, most of the time she just kept them in her pocket.
But, she had to admit, they had come in handy with her theater work, and since Hendrix wasn't there, she had used them often to read her scripts while rehearsing!
Although Miss Millicent had no way of knowing that.
"You know, Allie's not so little anymore, Essie! She's slender and yes, she is very tall for her age! Just like Colleen and Nathan. And the sweetest thing is, she loves to fish just like all of us did growing up!"
"She's like a gift to us Miss, a gift from God and Miss Colleen. I just want to smother her with hugs. Oh, enough of this crying!" she sniffled.
"For now, Miss Millicent, back to these outfits!" she insisted as she reverently laid the picture frame back in its favored spot on Millicent's dressing table.
"She is a gift, Essie. A beautiful gift! And although she's a lot like her Mother, we have to be careful and let her be herself, too. Allie being Allie would be very important to Colleen. This may sound strange, but, I honestly already feel like she's mine."
"Of course, you do, Miss. That's not strange at all. You and Miss Colleen were just that close. If the situation were reversed, and you had a child, Miss Colleen would feel it was hers, too. You'll be the best Mama for her. This was meant to be, Miss. But, we're never going to get you ready for Master Nathan if we keep this up! And you most certainly don't want to be late for him, today of all days!"
Essie wiped her tears and sniffles.
"Which outfit have you decided to wear? We've got to get you ready! Plus, we have to get you bundled up for this cold weather. Albert will be chomping at the bit to make it to that Train Depot on time! And you know him, he'll want to leave a full half-hour earlier than he needs to!"
"Essie, I can't decide. It has to take his breath away! It just has to!"
"Miss Millicent, that man's not even going to be looking at what you're wearing; he's going to be breathless looking at you face, if you ask me! If he even has time to look at your face at all, while he's kissing you, that is!" she added with a knowing look.
Millicent giggled like a school girl!
"You're something else, Essie! The blue, the green, or the lavender?"
"I call it like I see it. You're what's going to take his breath away. You could wear a potato sack, and he wouldn't even notice. You laugh, but I know I'm right! The Man is going to have other things on his mind than to worry about what your wearing, Miss! But since we have to choose, I'd say the new lavender one is best - you just shine in that! And that huge purple hat with those wintry velvet violets spilling around that brim to match, well, it's just divine! I think that's my favorite one of all! Plus, your purple velvet coat and kid gloves will pair beautifully. But like I said, since that phone call, you've not only been floating, you've been positively radiant! The two of you are just going to be so happy to see each other, that's all that will matter, Child!"
Nathan glanced at Millicent's massive bouquet of gorgeous white flowers as he was trying to decide what he should wear.
The florists had outdone themselves.
The bouquet was truly spectacular, exactly as he had envisioned it.
Then suddenly, it became crystal clear to him what he should wear.
His navy suit Millicent had selected for him in Benson Hills, but with a different tie.
He chose a plain white French-cuffed dress shirt with simple gold cuff links, then started on the monumental task of selecting just the right tie.
He thumbed through the silk ties he had packed and chose a deep purple one with wide navy and lighter purple stripes on the diagonal, that Millicent had sent him for his last birthday, and then he pulled out the matching silk kerchief.
He hadn't yet had a chance to wear them.
As he placed the fabric around his neck and began to knot his tie, he glanced in the mirror and couldn't help but smile, thinking of Millicent selecting this particular tie for him.
She had always loved him and taken care of him, even in ways he didn't know he needed.
There, perfect.
Now, to calm his excitement.
He couldn't even remember ever being this excited before!
In an hour, his Train would pull into the impressive downtown Montreal Canadian Pacific Railway Depot, an elegant central hub of travel, where Millicent would be anxiously waiting for him!
Nathan had been instructed to ring the Conductor as soon as he finished dressing, who would then send the Steward to pick up his luggage and deliver it just outside the platform when he deboarded, leaving Nathan not having to transport anything but Millicent's gorgeous bouquet!
Conductor Matherson had already been gracious enough to offer the Constable two gratis suites on his and Millicent's return trip, if he could postpone their leaving from Sunday to Monday, as that was the first block of time the suites would be available.
Nathan had agreed, so the arrangements had been confirmed.
The gratis suites were a very pleasant and unexpected surprise for their return trip to Hope Valley!
At least their partial return trip to Hope Valley, as Millicent wanted to see Allie to tell her their wonderful news together in person.
She also felt she should spend some time with Allie, to help her adjust to their new reality, giving her a chance to ask questions and just start to feel more comfortable with her as part of their Family.
She would, however, have to return back to Montreal within the week, to reorganize both her Business and Charities to include their new personal life, wherever that would end up being.
He had arranged for Millicent to have her same suite on her way back to Montreal, along with securing two cabins for her security team, as he just felt the Train was overall safer than traveling by Stagecoach.
And her safety was of paramount importance to him.
He was already dreading the day, she would have to leave.
With all the changes that would be taking place, Nathan was determined for Millicent to not feel any pressure whatsoever.
This was their new life together, and he was resolved that Millicent would not have to make all the sacrifices.
But, beyond their short-term plans, they really had not had the time to discuss any specifics.
Talk about excitement – Nathan knew with Allie in the picture, that would be the 'be all,' 'end all' of excitement, with all three of them together!
Of course, Millicent didn't have a clue, but Nathan was determined to find the perfect Engagement Ring this week, even if he had to comb through all of Montreal to do it!
However, he wasn't at all sure HOW he was going to tear himself away from her long enough to do so!
And to do it without her knowing was going to be even trickier, as Millicent seldom missed the smallest detail!
He didn't know how, but he did know that somehow, he was going to accomplish his secret mission, suspecting it was going to require quite a bit of cunning and subterfuge to do so!
But he was most certainly up for the challenge!
This week was definitely a week of big, wonderful, life-changing plans for three people who couldn't have deserved it more!
And Nathan could not wait…
"I'm so sorry, but the Train appears to be running at least twenty minutes late, Miss Millicent!"
Her disappointed face couldn't be hidden.
"Thank you for checking, Albert!"
"There's a comfortable-looking bench over there," he suggested, as he nodded in the direction toward the main Depot Building, fully knowing she would refuse to go inside, which was much more conducive to waiting.
She hesitated.
"We'll still be able to see the Tracks in full view, Miss, and they assured me this indeed, is where Constable Grant will arrive. You can't possibly stand here for a full twenty minutes to half-hour or perhaps even longer!"
Millicent sighed.
"I suppose you're right, Albert. As long as you're sure we can see his Train clearly, when it arrives. Did they say why they're running late?"
"There was a mechanical issue that had to be repaired during their 2 A.M. service stop, Miss. The gentleman in charge assured me everything was repaired to satisfaction," he added reassuringly.
"Thank you, Albert. That's very good to know!"
"Miss, if I may say, I've never seen you look so happy, and it's so very good to finally see!"
"Thank you, Albert. You're a dear!"
"I sincerely mean it, Miss. you work much too hard. All of us are ready for you to start thinking about yourself for a change. You know, when you get to be my age, you begin to realize life passes quickly, and the things that really matter don't always come along that often. So, when they do, you grab them with all your might and hold on to them for dear life!"
"Oh, I'm doing that Albert! My entire life, no one has ever measured up to my Nathan. I never dreamed I could be this blessed, or that it would ever really happen."
"Want a piece of advice, Miss? As long as I've known you, you've always put your work, your charities, and other people's needs first, but now, it's finally time to put your own needs first, and those of your Young Man. Your work, and even your charities, as important as they are, have to become a distant fourth."
"Fourth?" she asked more puzzled than ever.
"Yes, Miss. you mentioned his daughter, Miss Allie, I believe?"
"Yes, you'll love her Albert!"
"Well, now as I see it, you have to start taking better care of yourself, Miss, that's number one. And that's so, secondly, you can take the very best care of Constable Grant, and, thirdly, his beautiful daughter! Although, I know you well enough to know you won't like this, that leaves your work and charities coming in fourth, dead last! But, you're finally getting that Family you've always dreamed about, Miss Millicent! And that Family supersedes work and charities every day of the week!"
"Albert, do I really put everyone else and everything else behind my work and charities?"
"Miss, you even put yourself behind them, and it pains those of us who love you, to see it! You're a beautiful, giving young lady who deserves complete happiness! Yet you never allow it, because after work and your charity work, there simply isn't time. Even the few dates you've had are all to your charity events, never something for just you or even your young man. Please don't be angry, Miss. I know that, because I drive you everywhere, and I'm saying this out of love."
Millicent sat there quietly, thunderstruck, never having realized the situation was quite that dire.
"I know I'm driven, but…am I really…that bad? I mean I've tried to have a life. I really thought I was trying. It's just never seemed to work."
"I'm only suggesting that you give yourself and those you love as much time and attention as your work and charities demand. When is the last time you took a day to just relax? I know that it's been a very long while. In fact, I can't remember you ever having a day like that. You see, Miss, people don't demand our time and attention as much as they should, but our loved ones are the ones who need it the most, and can also benefit the most. They also give the most back to us. But we have to give ourselves time and attention in order to be able to give the same to them."
She nodded slowly trying to fully understand what he was saying, sad that she never once realized she had been shutting everyone out, including herself.
"Truthfully, Miss, those very people we truly love - well, when we give our time and attention to them, they are the ones, in turn, who feed our very souls!"
"You're speaking from experience, aren't you, Albert?"
"Yes, Miss, I am. A very painful experience. You see, Miss, a long time ago, when Grace and I first married, I spent all my time trying to make the very best living I could for her, when all she wanted was me, my time, my attention.
"But I couldn't see that, too proud I suppose. I was the Man of the Family with certain responsibilities! We had our first Child and I thought that meant I was supposed to work even harder, so I did. But one night I came Home late from work and our Flat was empty. No Grace, no Baby. I was beside myself. I called everyone I knew, but no Grace, no Baby. A week passed. I was distraught. I had lost everything that mattered to me."
He paused, then with a heavy heart continued.
"Finally, a month later, I could stand it no longer, and frankly by that time, I could barely function, or even work at all! I traveled to Saskatchewan where her Mother lived, and sure enough, Grace and Little Franz were there. I had never been so relieved in my life, till I saw Grace's face. Her dark empty eyes haunt me to this day, for I was the one who had put them there. Dead they were, Miss. It wasn't easy winning her back. It took most of a year. But she and Franz were my life. So, I did what it took."
"But, from that moment on, I became my number one priority, because some messed up sense of what I had valued most had caused this mess. I couldn't allow myself to ever let that happen again. I had to change my priorities and learn to live happily myself, so I could give to Grace and Franz, to help them be happy, giving them not only my love and attention, but mostly my time."
"Was it worth the upheaval, Albert? Did it all sort out?"
"Oh, a million times yes, Miss! And with each child after: Franz, Elizabeth, Alberta, Edgar, Curtis, and Eugene, I learned to spend less time at work, instead of more, focusing on my growing Family. Work was always there, and though I still worked hard, I just learned to not let it control me. Don't you see, Miss, work will consume all of you, if you let it. But, for a love to survive, and a Family to survive, neither one of you can allow that to happen!"
Millicent, the workaholic, the perfectionist, had tears in her eyes as she flung her arms around Albert.
"Very sage advice, Albert. I give you my word, I'll take it to heart. I had no idea there was no balance whatsoever. But don't you think maybe I've just poured myself into my work and my charities even more because the right person simply wasn't there for me?"
Albert smiled broadly and winked, "Yes, Miss, the Constable wasn't there, but he's about to be here in a matter of minutes!"
"And everything changes! I give you my word, I'll do right by Nathan and Allie, Albert! They mean the world to me! I won't let either one of them down, not because of work or charities or anything!"
"I have no doubt, Miss! Sometimes we just need to see what's so very hard for us to see in our own lives. Just remember to do right by yourself, and the rest will all fall into place."
Millicent kissed her Chauffeur's weathered cheek, then lovingly placed her hand there.
"You've always been like a wise Grandfather to me, Albert. Not that you're that old, but thank you for that, and for sharing your wisdom with me! I just didn't realize…I was quite that work and charity focused! But it has been an awfully long time since I've had any fun in my life! Except when I visited Hope Valley! That was wonderful!"
With a smile on his face, Albert took his Mistress's elbow to help her up.
"I think I hear the rumblings of a Train coming, Miss!"
That brought the most jubilant smile to Millicent's gorgeous face.
Millicent stood, breathlessly, taking Albert's arm as he guided her to the closest spot the officials would allow them to stand and wait for the Train.
At that exact moment, behind them, the doors opened across the back length of the elegant Montreal Canadian Pacific Railway Depot's Main Building, and a crowd of people, waiting for Business Acquaintances, Family members, Friends, and Guests, hurriedly converged onto the platform.
Excitement was in the air, but none more so than for Millicent Alexandria Bradford…
As the Steward grabbed his luggage, Nathan glanced in the mirror of his cabin one last time, now in his black dress overcoat and black leather gloves.
Although never concerned about his looks, this time it was very important to him.
He had to look his best for Millicent.
He ran his long slender fingers through his dark hair, restraining a wayward lock, pushing it into place.
Then he grabbed her massive and significant all-white bouquet of hydrangeas, cymbidium orchids, and roses, all Millicent's favorite flowers, as well as her luscious chosen scent of perfume.
With the flowers there, he breathed in her scent, and he felt as if he didn't see her right now, this moment, he might self-implode.
Surprisingly there were no nerves.
Just pure excitement.
He was ready.
To hold her in his arms.
To kiss her.
To love her.
To bring her completely into his life, welcoming her as the woman he loved…
The loud clamoring noises of the rumbling Trains filled each of the multiple tracks, coming and going, while at the same time joyful shouts and exclamations rang out, of traveling passengers, being reunited with their particular group of loved ones, greeting them in the large open area, for everyone to hear and see, as part of an ongoing continuum of joyful exchanges!
Millicent was fervently watching the exit platform of Nathan's Train, where a Conductor seemed to be assisting all the people exiting the passenger Cars, but there was no Nathan.
She was ready to edge closer and ask the Conductor if a Constable Grant was on board.
But something suddenly told her to look to the Car behind.
And there, stood Nathan Alexander Grant, standing tall on the Cabin Car platform, with the biggest of smiles on his rugged face, carrying the most massive bouquet she had ever seen in her life!
His free arm was holding onto the long handle above him, and he was leaning out, straining his eyes over the crowd to find her, standing two steps above them, towering over them along with his added height.
He had never looked more handsome.
His face changed from searching to jubilant as he caught sight of her, a pure vision running as fast as she could toward him, holding onto her huge purple hat with one hand, using the other to propel her forward to him as fast as she could go.
She had never looked more beautiful.
He gasped at the sight of her, jumped down and took two, maybe three, quick paces towards her, and as he did, without even taking his eyes off her, he laid her flowers down on his luggage, but by that time, she had jumped into his arms and he lifted her up, now with both his hands on her tiny waist, twirling them around and around together, holding her as close as he possibly could!
Never, ever wanting to let her go.
To finally have her in his arms was everything.
Feeling dizzy with their love, he finally set her down, and as soon as he did so, his sparkling blue eyes quickly searched her brilliant green ones which were clearly begging yes, and with her mouth slightly open in anticipation, their hungry lips immediately found each other's lips, with his one hand tightly around her back holding her close to him, and his other hand pulling her huge hat brim down around them, as they hungrily and very passionately kissed for the very first time.
Both could feel the electricity shooting through their bodies as soon as their lips met, and both were astounded at its force.
Their kiss deepened.
Yet, there was no awkwardness, no nervousness.
This was their love. And it was most certainly meant to be!
There was only hunger one for the other.
Needing each other as they had never needed anyone before.
Both were indeed weak from the havoc, this, their first kiss was creating, neither having experienced anything at all like it before.
Millicent's body felt as though she were floating in the air, and it was Nathan who was holding her up.
But he felt as though his own body might fail as well.
His only desire was wanting to fall into her even more, pulling her closer to him, had it been possible.
The softness of her lips against his, the warmth of his lips against hers - they couldn't possibly part nor think about separating.
They couldn't even think at all.
He could taste the sweetness of her lips, as butterflies flitted throughout her body.
His heady scent of leather and the woods engulfed her, making her feel safer than she had ever felt in her life.
Her luscious scent of white hydrangeas, orchids, and roses wafted over him, but this time they weren't the flowers. It was her, in his arms, where she belonged.
They could feel what had to be the warmth of each other's very hearts in this most important joining of their lips.
But as their kiss deepened even further, with his hand drifting to her neck, their very souls were laid bare, and they trembled, floating in each other's arms.
Unknown to them, this moment had been building for their lifetime, and it was more incredible, more perfect, than either could have ever imagined!
This, their first intimate kiss, was a beautiful bond of their new commitment to each other, and a most profound verification this was exactly the life path that was meant for each of them.
They belonged with and to each other, and it was beautiful, almost overwhelming, that they had found each other at last.
So much so, Millicent had tears in her eyes.
The Couple weren't at all aware of it, but most of the crowd had turned their eyes to Millicent the moment they first saw this gorgeous Young Woman, who looked every inch a Princess, take off in a free for all run to the handsome Young Man, who looked every inch a Prince, standing on the Train's platform searching the crowd only for her, with the largest bouquet of white flowers they had ever seen.
As the mass of people silently watched them come together in the most romantic of ways, their running to each other, him lifting her up and twirling her around and around like a wintry choreographed dance, followed by the most romantic of passionate kisses, with that huge stylish hat creating such an air of mystery, they couldn't possibly look away.
Although they all knew they should, because this was obviously a most profound, private moment between this stellar-looking Couple!
But they couldn't look away, for it was as though a fairy tale or romance novel was coming to life before their very eyes!
And in many ways, it was!
When the crowd started clapping, Nathan and Millicent finally separated their lips just enough to turn their heads and peek out from under and around Millicent's huge deep purple velvet hat brim, to shyly smile at the crowd of people, they now realized were watching them.
Without thinking, Nathan wrapped his arm around Millicent and she, in turn, wrapped her arm around him, and as Nathan acknowledged the crowd with a slight wave of his other hand, Millicent simply beamed!
Nathan then picked up Millicent's flowers to carry for her, since the bouquet was so massive.
As soon as he did so, his luggage was whisked away.
Before either knew what was happening, there were suddenly three Photographers in front of them, snapping away, along with a couple of Reporters shouting out questions!
Nathan shielded Millicent, and the two took off joyfully, running as fast as they could together, holding each other's hand tightly, determined not to let the Photographers and Reporters dampen their reunion, this magic coming together that belonged to them alone.
Even if it had been watched pretty much by the entire Montreal Canadian Pacific Railway Depot!
Millicent expertly and deftly led Nathan through the Depot's maze of Buildings and Rooms to the privacy of their Limousine, parked in front, leaving the News Crew behind as they didn't know her shortcuts and had long since lost them.
It was clear she had done this before.
What the Newsmen didn't know, was that she had access to areas they did not!
Albert was standing, waiting for them with the door open, having gotten word of the Reporters and Photographers.
Nathan helped Millicent in first, then quickly got in behind her.
Albert hurriedly shut their door, being sure to lock them in securely, and took his place behind the wheel.
When they finally were all safe and sound inside, Millicent breathlessly introduced Nathan to her long-time Chauffeur, Albert.
"Nathan, this is Albert, my Dear Friend, extended Family Member, and Chauffeur. Albert LaRue, this is Constable Nathan Grant!"
Nathan extended his hand through the partition.
"A pleasure to meet you, Albert. And thank you so much for getting my luggage."
"My pleasure, and a delight to meet you, Sir! You'll find the staff is about as excited to have you with us, as Miss Millicent! I'm sure not quite as much," he chuckled and winked, watching to see when he could pull out into the lane, "but definitely close. You've made her so happy over the last two days, Sir, that we couldn't wait for you to arrive! Anything you need, just let us know!"
Nathan nodded his thanks, as Albert finally got room to pull out from his parking spot, just in time to elude the team of Newspapermen.
"That was a bit too close for comfort!" said Albert, as he breathed a sigh of relief.
Millicent smiled weakly and laid her beautiful bouquet on the seat beside her, which took up the entire space, and even spilled over onto her!
They had not yet said a single word to each other, and still couldn't, for their lips met again, this time, in the sweetest and most tender of kisses.
He tenderly held her face in his hands, then pulled back just enough to see her beautiful face.
"I'm home, Millicent," he whispered roughly, tenderly caressing her cheeks.
"I'm home with you, Nathan. Wherever you are, I'm truly home," and she snuggled her body against him, laying her head on his chest. "I just can't believe you're really here!"
And although this wasn't the place, he had imagined he would say it, he could wait no longer.
Holding her in his arms, with his chin resting against the crown of her hat, and its floppy brim nestled against him, he spoke deliberately and succinctly.
"I love you, Millicent Alexandria Bradford! With my whole body, mind, heart, and soul, I love you, and I am hopelessly lost in love with you."
His brilliant blue eyes pierced her own as she looked up at him, and overcome, she could see and feel the sheer beauty, depth, and import of his words, and she cherished them.
She cherished him even more, and she reached to very softly touch his face.
"With all my heart, Nathan Alexander Grant, it has only ever been you. I love you more than my very life, and I will always, always cherish you. You are, and will always be, my one and only true love."
He took her hands, brought them lovingly to his lips and most tenderly kissed each of them, sending jolts of electricity throughout both their bodies.
Then as he bent his face down to her, they kissed each other forcefully and generously with all the passion that had been building up over the last two days.
The passion that was now deep within them, forever to be a part of them.
As they finally pulled apart to catch their breath, they sat silently together, side by side, caressing each other's hands.
"The flowers are exquisite, Nathan. And only you would know they're my favorite!"
"As well as your luscious perfume," he smiled. "It was like you were with me in the Cabin, as soon as they arrived."
He put his arm around her and she nestled in closer.
She reached to kiss him once more.
"They're perfect! Thank you! I've never seen such a beautiful bouquet!"
She picked them up and smelled their scent, moving the massive bouquet onto her lap, spilling over onto Nathan's lap too.
He smiled at her, thrilled to see her enjoy them, and reached once more to softly kiss her.
Even that simple kiss left her with the knowledge that nothing she had experienced before this Man's first kiss, had even been kisses at all. She thought they had been, but now, she knew that simply wasn't true.
He lit a raging fire in her she had never before experienced, leaving her breathless each time his warm lips touched hers.
Her body was responding with feelings she had simply never ever known before, filling her being and heart with pure love.
As Albert pulled the long Limousine out of the Train Station Grounds, onto the busy streets of Montreal, all either could think about was each other, and the electrifying bond they obviously now had, that came at their slightest touch.
And Allie.
"Is Allie okay with your being gone?" she asked anxiously.
"Yes, she misses me, and is quite curious, as I didn't tell her any specifics! Just to not worry, that it was personal! I promised to call every single day, and I did call her last night, but I do owe her a call tonight," he winked.
"I'm so glad we're telling her in person together! Are you sure she's going to be ready for this? For us?" she asked tentatively.
"She's going to be almost as elated as I already am!" he confirmed with sparkling eyes.
He reached down to kiss her forehead, and was overwhelmed with the softness of her skin.
"I'm so happy, I'm going to explode!" he admitted, as he stroked her cheek with the back of his long fingers. "I've never felt this way before, Millicent!"
"Neither have I. Not ever."
She took off her velvet hat, laying it aside, causing him to marvel at all the little blonde tendrils framing her gorgeous face, touching them softly.
"You are the most beautiful woman in the whole wide world!"
"You'd better say that," she teased. "That's exactly what a Man who is in love is supposed to say to the Woman he's in love with!"
He grinned his signature crooked grin.
"Yes! But when I say it, it's true, because you really are the most beautiful Woman in the whole wide world! Without a doubt!"
She laughed, "You know, I've never believed that line before, but coming from you, I might just have to start believing it!"
"You'd better. Because it's the absolute truth!" he grinned. "Milli, I was a fool for not having told you that before now."
"Never a fool. Not you. Impossible!"
They smiled at each other, sitting as closely together as possible, before they glanced out the window together.
But then a cloud came over Millicent's face.
"Nathan, I'm so sorry about the Photographers and Reporters!"
He looked directly into her eyes.
"Shh! Nothing for you to be sorry about, Mil!"
She squeezed his hand, and lifted it to her lips, where she kissed it tenderly.
It meant the world that he understood.
He had not expected the Photographers and Reporters so quickly, although he knew they were a part of Millicent's life, a much-despised part, but a part.
And he loved all of her.
If she had to go through this, she wasn't going to do it alone. He would be Man enough to go through it with her. He didn't know exactly how, but he knew they would muddle through together.
Still holding hands, cuddled together, they rode in silence till they came to an important spot she knew Nathan would recognize.
"Oh, Nathan, look! You can see my Office Building from here. We'll go by tomorrow after you've had a chance to rest up. The renovations hadn't been completed when you were here last. We tried to keep everything as close to the original as possible. Elegant, but fairly simple. I think you'll like it. At least, I hope you will."
"I'm sure I will! I love that old building. It's an architectural marvel! Glad you stayed true to the original. I've always loved that both your Townhouse and Office overlook the Park, giving you space to breathe right in the middle of the city! Maybe we can take a brisk walk through the Park one day?"
"I'd love that. You don't know how much. Although you might have to twist Security's arm. But what can they say as long as you're with me? Let's just do it! You know, I want you to meet every single person within my Law Practice and the Charities, too!"
"Looking forward to it, Love!" and even though normally reticent to meet new people, especially groups of them, he wanted desperately to know the people in her world.
It was of utmost importance to him.
He wanted to know everything about her life.
"I like that, 'Love!'"
He winked back at her.
"That's what you are. My Love!"
"And you, Love, are mine!"
He squeezed her hand and kissed her forehead.
"We've said it to each other many times, but it sounds and feels so differently now, doesn't it," he asked in a low voice.
"Completely, Love!" she beamed up at him. "Perfect, too! I love you so very much, Nathan. I'm so in love with you! I didn't think I could wait a single moment longer for you to be here with me!"
He cupped her chin and bent to meet her luscious, soft, rosy lips, marveling at their sumptuousness.
It was like they had a million kisses to make up for, and both were ready to make that happen.
It was as though it wasn't possible for them to get enough of each other.
They finally parted enough to sit back in their seats, still holding on tightly to each other's hands, with the lengths of their bodies melded together and Nathan's arm around her.
He now had his bearings, and knew they weren't far from Millicent's Townhouse, which was located across the street from the same huge Park, but completely on the other side.
He remembered having to go over a very ornate Bridge, as a large River Tributary ran through the Park, and not far from Millicent's Townhouse.
In fact, the beautiful water could be viewed from her huge windows at both places, her Home and her Office.
They were stunning city views that made you feel you were actually in the country, which was the thing Nathan loved most about them.
"I've opened up the Guest Townhouse next door, so officially you'll be staying there! Or at least sleeping there," she grinned mischievously.
"Ah, yes! We must be proper, Miss Bradford! Although, I seem to remember huge double doors that open, conveniently connecting the Grand Hallway between the Living Rooms and Dining Rooms of both places," he teased.
"You have a very good memory, but don't tell anyone," laughed Millicent.
With that lyrical laugh he loved so much, he was mesmerized all over again.
Falling in love with her more and more!
How could this even be possible?
How much love could there be?
They kissed through their laughter, softly grazing their lips over each other's, sending seemingly never-ending tingles throughout both their bodies.
"Besides, Hendrix and Estella will be there the whole time as chaperones, making it all very proper, my Love!"
"Very proper, indeed!" he grinned.
"Of course, Essie still thinks you're ten years old or there abouts! She's liable to spank if you misbehave!"
"I'll consider myself forewarned, and be on my best behaviour!" he laughed. "I remember she was pretty vicious when she got that paddle out!"
They both laughed, and were overjoyed, knowing they were exactly where they were supposed to be!
Both back then, and right now.
In a way, where they had always been, yet in another way, where they had never been before.
But this was a most wonderful, and perfect place.
It was Heaven.
Together.
Totally and completely together.
Intimately together.
There had not been one single second of awkwardness between them.
Not a single second.
Just excitement and pure elation, mixed with profound joy and happiness over being together, amidst their newfound love emanating round about them…
