Chapter 45: Hat Parade Sunday Part I
Despite staying up late, Millicent got up bright and early and quietly went down the stairs into the cold kitchen to fix everyone her special Banana Pancakes, with little chunks of Bananas sprinkled throughout, a special treat for Sunday Breakfast!
But she wasn't about to stop there!
The Syrup had to be special, too, and every bit as good as the Pancakes!
About fifteen minutes later, after having slipped downstairs to add wood to the fire, Nathan stood, leaning up against the kitchen doorway, cheekily and secretly observing his Fiancee as she intently focused on the task at hand, adding first, four large knobs of butter and then, almost a cup of brown sugar into the hot iron skillet.
He remained silent because she was a pure joy to watch!
A warm feeling spread through him like the noon sun, seeping into your pores on a cool summer day.
Other than his Mother and Colleen, he had never had a woman to shower him with attention, looking after him, tending to his needs, and most importantly loving him.
Although he wasn't at all used to it, he felt more loved than he ever had.
And all he wanted to do, in turn, was take care of Millicent's needs and pamper her in a thousand ways to show his love for her.
He couldn't help but be proud, as she had worked hard to learn to cook, and she had admittedly done it for him.
Estella's lessons had paid definitely paid off.
She knew exactly what she was doing, and was in total control, stirring, masterfully turning the butter and the sugar into a luscious liquid with the richest shade of caramel, in no time at all.
There were a hundred thoughts going through his mind and the softest of smiles on his face.
His blue eyes were sparkling, but intent, taking in every single thing about her.
He was commanding his memory to capture every single detail about this woman he loved more than life itself.
At this point, he wasn't even sure how he was going to breathe without her.
She had always been his best friend and they had always loved each other.
But this falling in love as a couple was very new, yet still so very old in so many ways.
'We simply need more time, or perhaps we just need to not ever be apart again…' mused Nathan.
Their love had always been rooted in admiration, friendship, and an attraction that had been undeniable, even since childhood, from the very first time they had laid eyes on each other.
Both knew it.
But neither could explain it.
Their love was just there.
Always had been.
And both knew, always would be!
It was as though there had been a magnetic field around them, throughout their lives, drawing them closer and closer into each other's orbits, until they finally had become a single orbit of one, falling so very deeply in love, together, the exact place where they were always intended to be.
They simply belonged together.
And when they least expected it, God had seen that they found their way to each other in the way He had intended all along.
Nathan watched as a slight wisp of hair fell from her loosely combed twist, knowing if he barely touched that comb, that within seconds, she would look like a perfect angel, with her silken blonde tresses falling round about her shoulders, framing her beautiful face in an ethereal, seraphic sort of way.
His angel.
The look that he cherished and was his alone.
The words 'Oh, how I love her!' coursed through him.
She was humming softly, standing there with her back to him, in her velvety slippers, and her beautiful velvet robe covered in a floating layer of purple crocheted lace.
The name of the tune escaped him, but he thought it had to be the most beautiful collection of notes he had ever heard, smiling, remembering how the four of them used to sing together so many years ago, first as children and later as teenagers.
And then it had tragically stopped…
The music, the songs, everything had stopped.
It had been too difficult to breathe, or to think, or to function.
The loss of Colleen had been unexpected and monumental.
But by God's grace and each other's love and support, they had made it through.
They were still making it through.
He continued to watch her silently as she added what appeared to be cinnamon, followed by a couple of splashes of Banana Liqueur and Vanilla.
She then took several bananas she had already peeled, sliced them evenly into the medley inside the skillet, and carefully tumbled them all together, causing the blend's scent to waft through the kitchen, surrounding him with the most heavenly aroma.
And so, he waited patiently, intoxicated by her, and by her concoction, till she came to a stopping point.
She couldn't see him.
But little did he know, her face turned away from him, wore the softest of smiles too, as even without sight, she felt his presence.
The presence that always warmed her very soul and filled her with all the best of things life has to offer!
The things a woman only dreams about, hoping and praying they exist…
How could just the sight of her, the very thought of her, conjure so much elation within him?
He wasn't at all sure how, but he was sure that she did.
Just the sight of her, the thought of her.
How could just feeling his presence conjure so much elation within her?
She wasn't at all sure how, but she was sure that he did.
Just the sight of him, the thought of him.
Whether by feeling, by thought, by sight, by hearing, or simply by an unseen presence.
Every single time…
This most magical feeling exploded within both of them.
Taking them to places neither had ever experienced before.
Places that were theirs alone.
Perfect places they never wanted to leave.
And the real miracle was that those magical feelings only grew to be more intense with the passage of each day…
He watched as she splashed the slightest bit of golden rum into the pan, and expertly tilted the heavy skillet ever so slightly to light the flame that instantly erupted, burning off the liquor and leaving only a hint of its flavor behind.
As the flame completely subsided into oblivion, he could stand their separation no more.
For a larger, even more, intense flame flared within his heart.
She stirred the blended medley in the skillet, completing her Banana Flambe Syrup from scratch.
Then Millicent placed a lid over the scalding skillet, enabling the caramelized concoction inside to remain liquid and meld all its flavors together.
She then quickly moved over to the counter, lifted an egg beater, and began beating her bowl of cream with every bit of power her slender hands could muster.
He slipped up behind her and spread his hands along her waist.
His fingers literally tingled at the touch of her, and his desire was fanned into raging flames of love for her, and her alone.
He slipped his arms around her waist but realized that she was at a critical point with the cream, and couldn't be disturbed, so he just held her waist instead and closed his eyes behind her, savoring her scent, her touch, her feel, her presence.
When the cream was whipped, despite her being heavily distracted, she turned, and not a word was said.
He only noticed her shining emerald green eyes reflecting the deepest depths of the ocean.
But unknown to him, her index fingertip was dipped in the leftover cream from the beater, and she playfully lifted it to ice the length of his nose!
While almost simultaneously, her lips desperately found his, just as his waiting lips were every bit as desperate.
There was no time for words.
Not even a single one.
Besides, there was no need…
"Millicent Bradford, these are the best Pancakes and Topping I have ever had. You have to write all this down for me! I've gotta put this on our breakfast menu tomorrow morning!" declared Bill.
"I love them, too, Uncle Bill! Dad sorry, but these Pancakes are waaay better than ours!"
"No offense taken, Sweetheart! Sadly, it's true. There's no comparison. And, yes, you two, these are fantastic, but just wait till you taste Millicent's Tropical Pancakes. They are to die for!" winked Nathan.
"Momma, will you make them for us?"
"I most certainly will! Whenever we can get all the fresh fruit! Though we might have to wait till we're in Montreal to find everything."
"Don't forget! I'm comin', too," smiled Bill. "Think you could make those when I visit?"
"I'll make sure to fix them for you, Bill, and it will be my pleasure!"
"You know I'm lookin' forward to the Wedding Trip there. Been a long time since I've visited the big city. But love the place. Got a few Mountie Buddies there I want to catch up with, too!"
"You just wait till you taste Essie's cooking and all her Austrian specialties. Talk about wanting recipes! Afraid she's got me beat!"
"I wouldn't say beat!" grinned Nathan. "Essie's just had a lot more experience."
"Well, I for one, can't wait. Do either of you happen to know a Superintendent Malcolm Stiles? I believe he's still based there in Montreal."
"Know him? He's the one who helped us home from Church, after that newspaper debacle! How do you know him, Bill?" asked Nathan.
"Why he was raised in the same little town as me and we went through the Academy together. Got in all sorts of trouble," grinned Bill. "Sort of lost track, though, when he went the Superintendent route and I went the Investigator route. He's as good a man as they come and a great friend! Would love to see him! Can't believe he hasn't retired."
"I'm sure he'll be thrilled to see you, Bill, and I personally am thrilled to finally have someone who can give me all the inside scoop on your many escapades!" teased Nathan. "He was sure kind to us, though. I'll get you his number, so you can call him ahead of your trip. By the way, Ladies, when you finish those Pancakes on your plates, we Gentlemen are cleaning up today, so you two can get ready for Sunday Service!"
"That's lovely, Nathan. Thank you, both! Allie are you about finished?"
"Yes, Ma'am. But Momma, I was thinking. Do you think Robert will think I look stupid in my hat?"
"He will think you look beautiful in your hat! You just wait and see! Let's go get ready!"
As soon as Millicent and Allie left and walked up the stairs, Nathan turned to Bill.
"Can you say 'Robert on the brain?'" asked Nathan. "It's Robert this and Robert that!"
"Hmph! Can you say 'Millicent on the brain?" retorted Bill. "It's Millicent this and Millicent that!"
"Bill! You know that's different! Millicent and I are fully grown adults. Robert and Allie are not!"
"Yet…"
And yes, it's safe to say, the new Chief Inspector, who was now in full-blown father mode, made a succinct verbal objection and summarily glared at the Judge…
"Allie, how are your cramps, Sweetheart?"
"All gone this morning, just like you said, Momma!"
"That's great. Now you'll get to enjoy our Sunday!" smiled Millicent as she hugged her daughter.
This week had been the first time for Allie to remember having a Momma to help her dress, and truth be told, Millicent's attention to detail had shown through beautifully.
For one thing, she had seen that Allie's hair was perfect, adding ribbons or barrettes or hair combs each time before she left the house.
She had also French Braided her hair in a single loose braid down her back that Allie loved, always adding a ribbon, sometimes lacing it inside the braid, an attention to detail Allie often overlooked on her own.
Secretly Nathan loved the French Braid, too, as he loved his little girl in a braid!
This was a dressier one than he could manage, one that he wasn't very good at, but it reminded him of Colleen and Millicent when they were that age, as that was exactly how they had worn their hair.
Millicent had also seen that Allie's clothes were color-coordinated, fitting pieces together that Allie had never thought of.
Today, she had helped Allie choose a white blouse to go under a Navy apron-like dress, and added a Navy Velvet ribbon at her neck, along with Navy tights, tying it all together.
And for the first time, thanks to their Mother-Daughter shopping trip in Union City, Allie now had the special undergarments most young girls, her age, were already wearing.
"Allie, you look absolutely beautiful!"
"I love my hair tied back with the same ribbon as my hat. And I haven't worn this dress for a long time. It just seemed too fancy, but it isn't is it, Momma?"
"No, not at all. Especially for Sunday Morning Church Service! That's when you want to put your best foot forward. I personally think it's just another way to show our respect."
"Anna always dresses really nice, even at school."
"Yes, from what I've seen, she does and there's no reason why you can't too. You know, Allie, clothes don't make the person. I think they just help us look better and feel better about ourselves. But always remember, it's what is inside our hearts that count."
Allie nodded.
"Momma, most all the kids have really nice clothes, but Jake and his sister Maddie don't. They don't even take off their coats at Church because they're too embarrassed. Come to think of it, neither do their parents. Do you think we could maybe get some clothes for them too?"
Millicent wrapped her arms around Allie.
"I think that would be a wonderful thing to do. You show them to me, so I can tell their sizes, and we'll go talk to Florence tomorrow, to see what we can gather. Now, I'd better finish getting myself ready!"
"Do you need help, Momma? I wish you could wear something so we can match."
"I'd love help, Allie! Let's see, how does this work? Do we match enough?"
Millicent pulled out a Navy Blue fitted dress with a cut velvet bodice meant to look like lace with a scooped neck. The ruched skirt in satin fell straight to the floor and slightly flared out into tiny little pleats at the very bottom.
There were Navy bows in wide satin at the bottom of the scoop neck, and each of the three-quarter length sleeves, as well as a larger one that fell from the waistline.
"Momma, that's so beautiful! You have the prettiest clothes. Everybody says so!"
Millicent smiled, "Well, I have the advantage of living in Montreal and the Shoppes there are constantly getting in new things. Allie, if you'd like to help open all those tiny hidden hooks and eyes, I'll finish my hair. And we'll be ready in no time!"
"Wow, this is a lot of hooks!"
"It most certainly is! I'll tell you a little secret. That's why I don't wear this one very often. It's a bear to unhook and hook back!"
"Momma, can I ask you a question."
"Of course, anything, Allie. You can always ask me anything, and I'll answer you as best as I can," smiled Millicent as she ran her brush through her hair.
"Does it bother you Mrs. Thornton is coming back?"
"Oh, no, Sweetie. It doesn't bother me at all."
"But…I guess I thought…I don't know."
"Allie, I know your teacher hurt you and your father badly, and I am very, very sorry for that. But I honestly don't believe she ever meant to."
"You really don't?"
"No, Sweetheart, I really don't. I think she was going through a really bad time, herself, and got confused. You do know she loves you and your father, right?"
"But how can she? She really hurt us."
"Sometimes we hurt the people we love the most. It's wrong, but we're human and sometimes that happens. Your father, you, and I, the three of us, are just going to have to work really hard to not let that sort of thing ever happen in our own family. Promise?"
"I promise!"
"Little day-to-day things are always going to happen, but nothing ever like you went through with Mrs. Thornton. And I promise you that, Allie. I love your father and you with all my heart. And that's forever. Do you understand that? My life isn't even complete without you or your father. I belong with the two of you."
"I know you do, Momma. We all belong together. I just don't know if I can be nice to her…"
Millicent got up and tilted Allie's downcast face toward her.
"I have faith that you will be able to do that. I really do, Allie. I want you to truly love Mrs. Thornton, again."
"But, won't that hurt you?"
"Not at all. It will make me very, very proud of you, Allie. And I know that's going to take some time. There's no rush. You take all the time you need, but I have faith you will get there. You know why?"
"Why?"
"Because your father has raised you to see past the hurt, and taught you to care for people, even if they have hurt you. Maybe even, especially when they've hurt you. I also know deep inside you have a loving and giving heart that's going to help you do that. God is going to help you, and I'm going to help you, too. Anytime you need to talk to me, I will be there, even if it's through a phone call or a letter till after the Wedding. And after that, Allie, I'll be here all the time for you, along with your father. We both love you so very much, and we're so very proud of the young lady you're becoming."
"Momma, will you still be nice to her even if she's not nice to you?"
"Yes, I will. Truthfully, I know I'm probably not her favorite person right now, but I'll give her whatever space she needs, and I'll be there for her when and if she wants to be friends. I'm hoping she does. Even if she doesn't, I'll pray for her and be there for her in whatever way she needs. It's what we as Christians do! I know she loves you and your dad, Allie, and if that's all she can give right now, that's enough for me!"
"I love you, Momma!"
"I love you so very much, Allie! You, my daughter, are in my heart forever and ever! And nothing is ever going to change that…"
Nathan and Bill, in their Sunday best, were sitting on the settee, chatting about Nathan's new job progression, when Allie came down the steps in front of Millicent.
Both men stood, with Bill letting out a low whistle, followed by Nathan walking to the foot of the stairs to greet them.
"Wow! Look at you two! I have the two most beautiful women in all of Hope Valley to escort to Church this morning!"
"I proudly second that!" declared Bill from across the room, with an awestruck face.
Allie was growing up into a beautiful young lady, and Millicent was simply stunning, as always!
Nathan took Allie's hand, as her Momma smiled behind her, so proud of her daughter.
"Allie you truly are so beautiful, and so grown up in your hat!" complimented her Dad as he reached to kiss his Daughter on her cheek.
Allie, smiling, stepped down and stood by her Uncle Bill, to watch her parents.
Her father glowed, as he took her Momma's hand and shook his head in amazement.
"You are absolutely stunning, Darling!"
Nathan was in his Navy suit and her favorite paisley tie, so the whole family did indeed perfectly match.
"You look dashing, Love! Why you're even wearing your kerchief," she smiled, surprised that he would do that in Hope Valley.
"With you by my side, it sort of feels required," he winked.
And he reached to kiss her gently, holding her to him with his hand at her waist, making sure he didn't disturb her large hat, now hanging over his head.
"I adore you, Millicent Bradford. And if it takes a kerchief to look proper by your side, so be it!" he grinned.
Her radiant smile was all the response he needed, telling him she adored him completely, too.
And the magic between them was so strong, it was clearly felt across the room…
The four quickly bundled up to face the cold and walked to Church together with the Ladies in their hats.
Every woman in Hope Valley they passed, was not only in a festive mood, but they were also all wearing their winter hats, too, looking very elegant, indeed!
"My, the Ladies are lookin' mighty nice!" declared Bill.
"Yes, Bill, and we need to find you a Lady Friend!" laughed Nathan.
"Now, how do you know, I don't already have one?"
"Touche, Bill. If that's true that is!" laughed Millicent, looking up at Nathan, skeptically.
Bill just grinned, and Allie was already smiling at Robert just outside the Church!
"Look, Darling! He likes her hat!" whispered Millicent.
"SHE doesn't need any matchmaking help, nor encouragement, Love! We need to stick to Bill!"
Millicent giggled and playfully swatted her Mountie's hand, remembering exactly how she felt about one said Nathan Grant at that age.
But thankfully, the Barrister was smart enough to not even think about bringing that up!
As they walked into the Church, Millicent was amazed that every single woman was wearing a beautiful hat, and as soon as they saw her everyone began clapping, for she had been the inspiration with her hat at their Surprise Engagement Party.
Millicent blushed and nodded, as Nathan led her to their seats, with Bill and Allie just behind them.
Angela started playing a medley of old hymns on the piano, and as the well-known melodies rang out through the Church, her little brother rang the last bell to signify the starting of the morning service.
It was then that Joseph got up and stood behind the pulpit.
"Let us come together to worship our Lord…"
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says:
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (*23)
And I might add, particularly this morning, to glorify God in your attire, which our Ladies have banded together, and so elegantly done.
For that, we Gentlemen thank you!
Let us pray!
"Dear Heavenly Father, we come into your presence with joy in our hearts and a spirit of thanksgiving for your many blessings. For new friends and old, for new relationships and old, as well as for new beginnings each of us encounter every single day. We ask You to open our hearts, our minds, our very spirits to your divine Word. Humble us and place us exactly where You would have us to be."
With that, Joseph sat down behind the podium and Angela began softly playing a beautiful old hymn, one that Millicent recognized.
Her heart swelled as Nathan squeezed her hand, smiled, and rose.
Millicent was shaking, she was so shocked, as Nathan, both confidently and shyly, walked to the podium.
He was doing this for Millicent.
'Could it be…?' she asked herself, and she said a prayer knowing this was entirely out of Nathan's comfort zone, especially now, not having Colleen playing piano for him.
Why this would be the first time for him to sing publicly since Colleen's passing…
In a clear rich tenor, Nathan began singing an old Irish poem that had been set to music. It dated back to the sixth century and was a prayer of protection, taken from Ephesians 6:16-17. (*24)
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light
Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, and I thy true son
Thou in me dwelling and I with thee one
Be thou my buckler, my sword for the fight.
Be thou my dignity, thou my delight,
Thou my soul's shelter, thou my high tow'r
Raise thou me heav'nward, O Pow'r of my pow'r
Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise
Thou mine inheritance, now and always
Thou and thou only first in my heart
High King of heaven, my treasure thou art
High King of heaven, my victory won
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O ruler of all
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O ruler of all. (*25)
There wasn't a dry eye in the house.
Only Millicent, Allie, and Bill knew Nathan could sing like this.
And truly only Millicent knew just how hard this had been for her Love.
He was taking a massive step forward, and slowly becoming whole again…
And she was infinitely grateful!
Oh, how he sang!
Everyone else was both mesmerized and astounded.
This was their quiet Mountie.
How could they have known him for three years, and not known he had a voice like this?
His voice was euphonious, resonating both so beautifully and so pleasantly throughout the Church Building and out into the Churchyard, with a rich timbre that reached into your very soul.
Nathan quietly moved back and sat by Millicent, who took his hand and looked at him with so much pride and tears in her emerald eyes.
"For you," he whispered, simply, with so much depth in his own blue eyes, squeezing her hand.
Her Nathan was coming back to her. He was healing, and this was such a gigantic step for him to have taken in that healing.
She couldn't have possibly been prouder or happier!
This was her most special gift, for the thing she desired more than anything was for Nathan to heal, be whole, and truly live again.
It was the greatest gift he could have given her and she thanked God for giving him the courage to do this…
As the final prayer ended, Nathan noticed Millicent crossing herself as was their custom, and it gave him the courage to do the same along with her, feeling he was finally home, bringing this tradition that was inside him, outwardly to Hope Valley.
The custom was a part of him and it strengthened him. He made a mental note to explain the rationale for the action to his daughter, to allow her the choice of the custom as well. For she had been quite small in their other congregations and probably wasn't even aware of it.
As soon as the Service was dismissed, Nathan wanted desperately to have been able to slip out, but it was not meant to be.
Literally every single person in the Congregation, except possibly one, headed straight toward him, surrounding him and Millicent, thanking him from the depths of their hearts.
"Nathan, I had no idea. I've never heard such a beautiful voice, and I have heard lots and lots of wonderful singers. I would just love us to do a duet sometime!" praised Rosemary.
"Amazing voice, Nathan, and that song just doesn't leave you," bragged Lee.
"Thank you both. It's an old Irish poem, Lee, made into a Hymn centuries ago," explained Nathan. "My Father taught it to me when I was very young."
"Chief Inspector, you have a divine voice! I've never heard anything as beautiful as that song! Please sing again and again!" begged Florence.
"Just amazing, Nathan. Amazing," agreed Ned.
"Constable, you have the most beautiful tenor voice I've ever heard," complimented Fiona, as most of Hope Valley didn't yet know about Nathan's new title, assuming Gabe was just there to cover for their Constable while Millicent was there.
"I'm so glad I got to make it to Service this morning. I wouldn't have missed your song for the world," declared Faith, who often had to miss Sunday Service, tending to one of her patients.
Compliment after compliment, all were given sincerely from their hearts to this man they so admired, but who they were beginning to realize they barely knew.
Yes, only one person, had slipped out from his back pew, before the benediction was over. Something was stirring in that person, as he was unable to come to terms with the words of the song he had just heard, much less compliment the person who had sung it.
And yes, Nathan noticed but was not at all surprised.
Instead, he felt empathy for this man who was about to meet his fate.
Had all of Hope Valley, along with one Lucas Bouchard, just put Nathan Grant in a box of their own making, looking at him only as their Constable, and the safety he provided them with?
Had they not seen him as a young man with so very much to offer?
Again, how could they not have known this about him?
How could they have not looked at him as something much more than his Serge?
"Nathan, we needed you and your beautiful words more than you can know. Beautifully and hauntingly done," offered Minnie, along with a hug.
"I prayed at the beginning of the Service that our hearts be opened. You, Nathan, filled our hearts with a longing to be better, to do better. May God richly bless you!"
Nathan smiled at Millicent and Allie, standing with him, each holding his hands.
They were his world.
Nathan couldn't help but choke with emotion, doing his best to quickly recover.
"I believe He already has, Joseph! I'm a most grateful and humbled man, yet so undeserving."
But the squeeze of each of his hands, by a radiant Millicent and Allie, proved otherwise.
He truly was impeccable, and he was their world…
(*23) 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, King James Bible, Public Domain
(*24) Ephesians 6:16-17, King James Bible, Public Domain
(*25) Be Thou My Vision, Irish Folk Melody & 6th Century Hymn, Translated by Mary Elizabeth Byrne, 1905; Verses by Eleanor Hull, 1912, Public Domain
