Chapter 50: Adoptions, Dinner, & Intrigue
Hope Valley, being Hope Valley, word had gotten out about the Coulters' adoption of Oliver, Sadie, and Sophie.
Now, it should be noted the citizens of Hope Valley did not stand on ceremony and wait for invitations.
They simply arrived for the celebration, to help and support their own!
Most of the townspeople were already filling the Judge's Chambers before the Coulters even arrived!
Florence had set up a gift table, to hold all the gifts everyone brought!
And because there were three children, there was quite a mound of beautifully wrapped presents, both in blue and pink!
Unknown to Rosemary, Florence, who was a one-woman registry service ahead of her time, had also directed everyone as to exactly what they should purchase.
In her own inimitable way, she was making sure Rosemary would have a very good start, along with what Millicent had already gotten, to care for the children, as easily as possible, at least in the beginning.
Florence and Ned had even ordered fancy cribs as their gifts to the girls, and a trundle bed for Oliver.
Bill, Millicent, and Nathan had gone together and purchased the matching dressers, chests, and toy chests with table sets for all three.
Elizabeth and Charles had ordered four rocking chairs, one for each of the two bedrooms for the children, and two for downstairs.
So, by the end of the week, the children's rooms would have all the furniture they needed!
Thanks to Millicent, Florence, and the women of Hope Valley, Rosemary was soon going to have every single thing she needed as a new mother, even beyond the furniture!
Mollie had galvanized a team of the ladies to make Refreshments, and Minnie had made a Cake which sat in the very center of a beautifully laid table, with a huge Punch Bowl to the side.
Lucas had also provided chilled champagne for the adults, along with the stemmed flutes for serving.
Millicent had taken the last half-hour after finishing the adoption paperwork perfecting the room, and before leaving to change, she had arranged the flowers Nathan had ordered.
The room looked stunningly beautiful, almost as though a wedding were taking place.
With one exception that is, or should we say three?
Early that morning, Bill had tried his orneriest to wrangle the three huge Teddy Bears, but the Bears had won and gotten the best of him! Instead of being transported by the Judge to his Court Room, they were delivered, instead. But once there, they were carefully placed as charming décor throughout the area!
The two Pink Bears were arranged on the Gift Table, while the Blue Bear took center stage on the table with the Cake and Beverages.
By the time Millicent had gone home and changed out of her work outfit, there was not a single chair left for her, Allie, or Nathan on their arrival. So, the three stood at the back of the room, leaving only the reserved seats for the Coulters and their immediate guests.
But standing was a small price to pay for Nathan because Millicent looked absolutely gorgeous in her red velvet dress with beaded shimmery black bands of trim tied at her high turtle neck. The sleeves were three-quarter length in velvet but almost touched her wrists with the added bands of trim and ruffled lace. The dress tucked in at her tiny waist and fell into a circular skirt, which was trimmed in two rows of the same elegant sparkling black bands, and then fell into a draping train at the back.
She wore her Pearl Drop Earrings and her Emerald and Diamond Engagement Ring as her only jewelry.
Millicent looked stunning as always, and without meaning to, she even looked regal, but never unapproachable.
Her smiling face drew not only Nathan in, but everyone else she met as well!
Just after the Grants arrived, Rosemary and Lee entered with Elizabeth, Charles, Little Jack, and Eliza Jade!
Rosemary was carrying Sadie and Lee was carrying Sophie, and each had Oliver's hand between them.
Oliver was excited but shy, while his sisters decided they couldn't be bothered by the whole event and decided to sleep their way through the entirety of their adoptions.
Well at least for most of the night!
But as Bill rose, Rosemary and Lee didn't have the time they wanted in order to talk with Nathan and Millicent, and were, instead, only able to quickly give each a warm kiss as they entered.
Now, it's safe to say the entire gathering of people was as shocked about Elizabeth's entourage as they were about the Coulter adoptions!
In fact, they knew more about the latter than they did about the former!
As apparently, Elizabeth and her clan were keeping much to themselves, and really hadn't gotten out and mingled with the townspeople at all.
And because of that, there was a buzz of rather loud whispering that was clearly heard by all.
Elizabeth appeared to be a bit nervous, but Charles held his head high, and remained calm, holding the hands of their children with each of his own hands.
Lee and Rosemary were overcome when they saw the crowd of people waiting for them, along with their beautiful surroundings and the pile of gifts!
They hadn't any idea that the entire town would be there to support them, much less celebrate with a party, but they were truly thrilled, and both were already shedding tears of joy.
They were finally parents, and tonight was all about making it legally binding!
The Coulters and their children were going to officially be a Family…
Bill waited for the Coulter Entourage to take their seats, and then he began, as the crowd became silent, anxious for the Ceremony to start.
"Welcome all, to this most auspicious occasion!"
"All of Hope Valley knows you'll never meet a more loving, giving couple than Rosemary and Lee Coulter, and we are here tonight to celebrate with them their greatest joy, the birth of their new family. We welcome you Oliver, Sadie, and Sophie, as each of you becomes a part of us, as well as citizens of Hope Valley."
Joseph stood, and opened his Bible.
"Let us stand for the reading of God's Word."
"The Good Book tells us in Matthew 19:14-19:
14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (*33)
"Shall we pray?"
Dear Heavenly Father, we gather here tonight to celebrate the Coulters and their new Family. We ask your richest blessings upon them, as they band together to form a family that aspires to be pleasing unto You in every way. We pray for their strength, their love, their wholeness, into one dependent loving unit on You and each other. And most of all, we pray for your guidance. Keep your hand upon each of them we pray, each parent, Rosemary and Lee, alone and together, and each beautiful child, Oliver, Sadie, and Sophie, who are brought here tonight before You to be placed in your hands and their new parents' hands. We also humbly ask that You help each of us to lovingly do our part in supporting this new family in each and every way that is needed and also in the many ways You would have us to do as loving friends. We ask all these things in your most Holy Name and for the Glory of your Kingdom, Amen!"
There was a resounding Amen, and as Joseph instructed the audience to be seated, he took his own seat by Minnie and his children.
From the back of the Court Room, Nathan quietly walked to the front, picking up his guitar on the way, that was standing in a corner, the one he hadn't played since Colleen had died.
When he reached the front of the Court Room, he sat on a stool, and lightly began strumming.
Allie looked up at her Momma in surprise.
Millicent placed her arms around her daughter, who was standing in front of her, both their hearts beating rapidly, amazed that Nathan was actually playing his guitar, as they proudly watched from the back together.
"Oliver, Little Jack, and Eliza Jade, would you like to come sit with me as I sing?"
All three children responded although Eliza Jade required some urging from her Father. But with Little Jack offering his hand to her, the three came and sat on the floor in front of this man with the musical instrument, a man Little Jack already loved. All three children watched Nathan intently, as he smiled and strummed his guitar.
"Are there other children who would like to come join us?"
All the children in the room, even Allie's age, happily came to the front and gathered to sit on the floor with the little ones.
"I'm going to need your help. After I sing the chorus, I want you to sing it with me. It goes like this," and Nathan sang a cappella, teaching the children both the words and the tune he wanted them to sing.
"Father we thank Thee, Father we thank Thee, Father in Heaven, we thank Thee."
"Are you ready? Here we go…"
His voice resonated with a clarity and a depth that was rich, but so plain, it was even childlike and thus hauntingly beautiful in its raw simplicity.
Simple notes, simple words.
Simple enough for a child to understand.
Can a little child like you
Thank the Father fittingly?
Yes, oh yes! be good and true,
Faithful, kind, in all you do;
Love the Lord, and do your part;
Learn to say with all your heart,
Refrain:
Father, we thank Thee,
Father, we thank Thee,
Father in Heaven, we thank Thee.
For the fruit upon the tree
For the birds that sing of Thee,
For the earth in beauty dressed,
Father, mother, and the rest,
For Thy precious, loving care,
For Thy bounty everywhere,
For the sunshine warm and bright,
For the day and for the night,
For the lessons of our youth—
Honor, gratitude, and truth,
For the love that met us here,
For the home and for the cheer,
For our comrades and our plays,
And our happy holidays,
For the joyful work and true
That a little child might do,
For our lives but just begun,
For the great gift of Thy Son, (*34)
After the first verse, Nathan sang the chorus and repeated it again, with the children singing along.
He then added the chorus after each verse, with all the children doing their best to sing the words with him.
By the time, they all got to the end, the children had joyfully mastered the chorus, even the little ones, and he led them in singing it one more time, full of the love and zest that only children can bring.
There was a purity in their voices. A touching purity.
And it rang throughout the Judge's Chambers, bringing the gathering together, united as one, supporting the new Coulter Family, the sole purpose of the night.
A most special event, where two loving and nurturing adults were offering their love and lives as parents to three children, who were totally alone in this world, and in so doing this simple act, creating a beautiful interconnected family for life, and all the complexities therein.
The families of Hope Valley understood the depth of this beautiful act in this simple song, leaving all the mothers crying, and truthfully, most of the fathers, too.
Nathan bowed his head and had the children stand and take a bow.
The audience gave him and the children a standing ovation, but Nathan deferred it all to the children around him.
Then he quietly led them back to their seats, as he returned to stand by Millicent, who took his hand and squeezed it tightly, simply whispering two simple words, with a radiant smile.
"Perfect, Darling!"
Since Millicent had gone through everything with a fine-tooth comb before she had left to change, the Judge knew the paperwork was in exemplary order, so his usual worries of needing to double and triple-check himself during a proceeding were thankfully, non-existent tonight.
"At this time, I'd like to ask the Coulters to join me, along with Elizabeth Thornton, Charles Kensington, Jack Thornton, and Eliza Jade Kensington. And I would also like to ask Millicent Bradford and Nathan Grant, along with Allie Grant to join me as well."
Of this group, Millicent and Nathan had no idea why the Judge was calling them to come upfront, but they did as he asked, and stood over to the side, apart from the others, with Allie, not wanting to interfere.
"Will you all please raise your right hands? You, too, Oliver. That's perfect!" as Oliver proudly watched his new Dad and did exactly what he was doing.
"Does everyone Swear to tell the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?" asked Bill. "If so, please say I do!"
Everyone raised their right hands, and answered: "I do!"
"Court is officially in session!" pronounced the Judge with a huge smile on his face.
"Leland Blaine Coulter and Rosemary LeVeaux Coulter, is it your intent to adopt Oliver Hans Andresen, Sadie Amalie Andresen, and Sophie Ellinore Andresen?"
"Yes, it is Your Honor," answered Lee for both he and Rosemary.
And yes, it was Millicent who had prompted her clients to use the correct address for the Judge, because Bill was right: no one in Hope Valley ever addressed him correctly, preferring just plain Judge instead!
"What will you give these children?"
"All the care, love, and nurture they need and more, along with our complete financial support."
"Is it your intention to provide a secure and loving home for all three children?"
"Yes, Your Honor, it is!"
"Oliver, do you and your sisters want Lee to become your Daddy and Rosemary to become your Mommy?"
"Yes, Honor!" which made Bill smile again, in spite of himself."
"Oliver do you and your sisters want to have me as your Uncle Bill, Elizabeth as your Auntie Elizabeth, Charles as your Uncle Charles, Millicent as your Auntie Millicent, and Nathan as your Uncle Nathan?"
Bill pointed to each, with Oliver watching.
When he got to Millicent, Oliver's face broke into a huge smile, then he shyly shook his head yes.
"Oliver do you and your sisters want to have Allie, Little Jack, and Eliza Jade as your cousins?"
He shook his head more vociferously, as children recognize children, and in this case, Oliver was already friendly with Allie, as he had ridden on her lap in the car, all the way to his new home.
His determined head shake was so adorable, it caused everyone to laugh.
Allie was beaming!
"And I do believe that's a yes! I hereby Decree that Oliver Hans Andresen, Sadie Amalie Andresen, and Sophie Ellinore Andresen are now Oliver Hans Andresen Coulter, Sadie Amalie Andresen Coulter, and Sophie Ellinore Andresen Coulter, the Son and Daughters of Leland Blaine Coulter, their Father, and Rosemary LeVeaux Coulter, their Mother."
The 'Andresen' was left in at Millicent's suggestion because the Coulters didn't want to take anything away from their children, insisting they only wished to add their name to what was already their children's Norwegian heritage.
"I also hereby decree that Oliver, Sadie, and Sophie Coulter are now the Nephew and Nieces of Bill Avery, Nathan Grant, Millicent Bradford, Elizabeth Thornton, and Charles Kensington and the cousins of Allie Grant, Jack Thornton, and Eliza Jade Kensington.
At this point, Bill asked an unexpected question, at least for Nathan and Millicent, as this portion was usually conducted separately from the actual adoption proceedings.
"Who are to be the honorary and legal Guardians of these children?"
"Honorary Guardians are Bill Spencer Avery and Elizabeth Thatcher Thornton, Your Honor!" stated Lee, very succinctly.
"Who are to be the legal Guardians in the event Lee and Rosemary Coulter are tragically unable to fulfill their parental duties?"
"Nathan Alexander Grant and Millicent Alexandria Bradford, soon-to-be Grant, Your Honor! If they will be so kind as to accept this tremendous responsibility that we regretfully are springing on them."
The Coulter's hadn't asked as they had been interrupted by Elizabeth in their home, and then Bill had started the program for tonight without giving them a chance to do the same.
Nathan and Millicent were shocked.
They had assumed it would be Elizabeth to raise the children for Rosemary if needed, but Rosemary's eyes were pleading, and she slipped over to stand with them, saying the things she had planned to say in private. Lee went to stand with her, as well.
"You, Millicent, have made it possible for us to even have our children, and you, Nathan, you've been an example to us from the first day you came to Hope Valley. You drove us to the Orphanage and gave us strength, supporting us. You both took the time to care for Oliver, Sadie, and Sophie through our first night at home together. We see the beautiful young lady, Allie has become, and we want the two of you to raise our children if the need ever arises, with the same love and care. That is if you can find it in your beautiful, giving hearts to do so. We know with you both, they will be in the very best of hands."
Then she whispered to both of them.
"Elizabeth understands and agrees this is the right thing to do."
Nathan and Millicent looked at each other, then imperceptibly nodded in agreement.
"We would be deeply honored, Rosemary!" accepted Nathan for the both of them.
Rosemary handed Sadie to Nathan and Lee handed Sophie to Millicent.
Nathan and Millicent, carrying their infant girls went to stand by Rosemary and Lee, back in their spots before the Judge.
Millicent and Nathan reached for Oliver and placed him between them.
"I hereby decree that Bill Spencer Avery and Elizabeth Thatcher Thornton are honorary Guardians and honorary Godparents of Oliver, Sadie, and Sophie Coulter."
"I also hereby decree that upon their signatures in this final and legal document, Nathan Alexander Grant and Millicent Alexandria Bradford are legal Guardians and legal Godparents for Oliver, Sadie, and Sophie Coulter, and in the event said Leland Blaine Coulter and Rosemary LeVeaux Coulter are tragically unable to fill their parental responsibilities, they will automatically assume said parental roles."
"Will the Parents, Honorary Guardians and Godparents, and the Legal Guardians and Godparents all please sign said documents verifying these decrees as such?"
It didn't take long, and the joy of the entire group of six, signing the legal documents, couldn't be contained!
These four Godparents were thrilled to be a part of helping this family, happily completing the task at hand in record time for the Coulter Family!
Instantly each of them turned to hug and/or kiss both Lee and Rosemary after they signed, as well as Oliver, and his sleeping sisters.
But by now, Sadie had started whimpering and Sophie quickly followed, till both transitioned into loud cries of hunger.
But the Judge had one final decree, so he simply raised his voice, allowing it to be heard through the babies' cries…
"By the power vested in me, I now formally Decree these three Adoptions are Complete and Irrevocable in the eyes of God and the Laws of this great country."
"May our new Parents and their new Children love each other incessantly, snuggle repeatedly, and thoroughly enjoy their wonderful new life together, as a true family!"
"And Rosemary and Lee, one last word: if you ever feel nervous or ill-prepared to be a parent, just look around this room."
"You have all you need, in each of your hearts and in us, the people of Hope Valley!"
"Thank you, Millicent Bradford, for making tonight possible! This Court Proceeding is officially adjourned! And Hope Valley, get ready to party!"
Everyone clapped.
Many were crying, and there were kisses and hugs galore, with congratulations coming from all directions!
Everyone quickly engulfed the new Parents and their Children with lots and lots of love in addition to their congratulations and well wishes!
And party they did!
"Beautiful Ceremony, Judge!" complimented Joseph.
"You did great, too, Pastor! We can always count on you for the perfect Scripture! And your prayers can't be beat! You give us a direct link to the Man Upstairs, Joseph, and for that, we are very grateful!"
Joseph just smiled shyly, shaking the Judge's hand.
Minnie started cutting the cake and everyone lined up, as Fiona took photos of the Parents and Godparents with the Children.
"I want you two to eat a piece of Cake, have a flute of Champagne, and exit! This is your night. Lee and I have stolen enough of it. And we can't thank you enough for everything you've done. From the very bottom of our hearts!" declared Rosemary.
Nathan and Millicent handed Lee and Rosemary their children back as soon as their pictures were taken, in order to allow the Coulters to have their first Family Photo taken, and also to let the proud parents show off their children themselves to those who had gathered.
"Everything Rosie said and more. Thank you isn't enough, and we'll add to that in time. For tonight, our heartfelt thank you!" thanked Lee.
"Nathan, that song was something else!" called Ned from a few yards away!"
"Thank you!" smiled Nathan, but he was wanting desperately to be able to make a swift exit.
Accolades were not something our Mountie enjoyed.
While the couple was standing there, Molly walked over with a tray of Cake and Champagne.
"Rosemary ordered that you are to eat and drink this, then exit! And I'm to see that you do!"
"Well at least let us stay for the toast!" teased Nathan.
"Technically, Bill's already done that! So, you two hurry and scoot! And Millicent, we are going to miss you so very much. Just you hurry back to us, you hear?"
"I most certainly will!" promised Millicent, with a literal pang in her heart. "You all take good care of Nathan and Allie for me!"
"We'll indeed do that, and Millicent we're so excited about coming to Montreal for your Wedding!"
"That's wonderful, Mollie! We'll see you there!"
But Millicent's pang was no more than the ones in Nathan's heart and Allie's heart, as they watched her converse with Mollie.
And in the distance, Bill was feeling much the same, as he walked over to Millicent and Nathan, too.
"You two skedaddle! Allie and I are going to party!" ordered Bill as he wrapped his arms around his niece.
"Bring her home early enough to have dinner with us, Bill!" instructed Nathan.
"I want my daughter to eat with us, Bill. And you, too. This is a special meal for the four of us!"
"I'll see that she's there. But you two don't need an old Codger like me. Go, now! And just have fun. You both deserve it!"
"Yes, we do need you! You be there for dinner too!" insisted Millicent.
Nathan helped Millicent with her coat, then began to usher her through the maze of people, trying to escape before everyone came up to them to say their goodbyes.
Tom with his Team met them standing just inside the door.
He, Bill, and Gabe still didn't know for sure when Lucas's colleagues were arriving, but the word was tomorrow night sometime.
Collectively, they were taking no chances, and so Tom, instructed Kyle and Lance to stay with Allie and Bill, and he and Matt would follow Nathan and Millicent back home to Nathan's rowhouse.
Millicent couldn't help but notice, so she looked at Nathan whose body language wasn't giving away any information.
"You're worried," she whispered.
"A little, yes," he admitted.
Back in the Grant kitchen, Nathan shed his suit coat and put on an apron over his dress shirt, while Millicent also found one to put on.
"Please let me be of some use. I can't just sit out there alone."
"Then sit here with me in the kitchen, Love! This meal is for you! Besides, you look like a Princess in that red velvet. And tonight, it just so happens, Princesses are not allowed to help! Sorry, but that's the rule!"
"The Roast Chicken smells wonderful!"
"It does, doesn't it," he winked. "Crispy Roasted Potatoes too!"
"Yum!"
Nathan had left Bill's office much earlier in the afternoon, before the Adoption Ceremony, giving him enough time to prepare most of tonight's dinner, even paying attention to detail in setting the table perfectly and getting out his Mother's old china and crystal.
Tonight, they were eating at the dining table, where he had slipped a full bouquet of a dozen long-stemmed red roses in, and placed them in the very center of the table, all for Millicent.
But back in the kitchen, having checked everything, Nathan walked around behind Millicent's chair and bent down to kiss her neck.
"All I have left to do is to pop Bill's Yeast Rolls in when he and Allie get here, remove the Chicken and Casseroles from the oven, and the Gelatin Salad from the Icebox. And we'll have our meal! Oh, and the wine, which is already chilled! And that means, Miss Bradford, you are mine for the next twenty minutes or so…"
He was already playfully untying the neck strings of her apron, raising her from her chair as she laughingly resisted, to then embrace her and slyly untie her apron's waist strings, till said apron was dropped on the kitchen floor!
"Why, Nathan Grant! You just removed my apron! And so slyly, too. But you still have yours on, which I kind of like!"
"You do, do you?"
"Yes, I think we might just make fantastic co-chefs," she teased.
But the whole time she was misleading him, she was busy surreptitiously untying his apron strings.
"You mean me as a lowly sous chef!"
"Does it really matter as long as we're together? I just offered to be your sous chef!"
"You did, didn't you? No, it doesn't matter. Not at all. Nada! I'll be anything in the kitchen you want me to be if that means I get to be with you!"
"Hmm, let me think! There, got it!" and she lifted up his apron high into the air in victory!
"Hey! You just stole my apron!"
"Sort of," she grinned. "And aren't Inspectors supposed to notice things like that? Especially a Chief Inspector?"
"Not when you're around to distract them! I tell you what. You think while we do this, Miss Bradford!"
He swooped her up in his arms without warning, amid giggles galore, and carried her to the settee in the living room.
"First piece of furniture we get together, is a more comfortable Sofa!" insisted Nathan, as he placed her down on his settee.
"Uh-huh…"
But both were gone, totally lost in each other, neither caring how comfortable or how uncomfortable this current settee was at this particular moment.
"Are you going to miss me?"
"Terribly so, Love," and he measured into the air to show her how much.
"Only that much? I am deeply offended."
"That much times infinity…"
"Now that sounds more like it! But couldn't it be this much times infinity," and Millicent spread her arms as wide as she could.
"It could," mumbled Nathan between kisses. "But it doesn't matter when it's times infinity. It's all infinity!"
"I don't know. I think I like bigger…"
"How about this big," and Nathan leaned up and opened his arms so wide, he lost his balance in his precarious position and fell off the settee onto the floor, upending the low table in front of it!
Millicent threw her hand to her face and immediately leaned down to try to help him up, but instead fell on the floor too, on top of him.
"Are you okay? You're not hurt?"
And while Millicent was frantically asking if he was okay, and trying to remove herself off of him, to regain her composure and at least some semblance of order and dignity, he started laughing.
"This is so worth the fall!" he teased, as Millicent turned crimson.
"Thank goodness, the candle wasn't lit!" she noted, trying to change the subject.
"You are adorable when you get rattled," he mused.
And that's when Bill and Allie walked in…
Bill cleared his throat, and Allie screamed.
"Momma, Dad! Are you alright?"
And that's when they both rolled over to lay side by side on the floor, still laughing!
"What just happened?" asked Millicent.
Then both started laughing again, and once Bill and Allie saw they were alright, they joined in!
"I have to put Bill's rolls in the oven!"
"I can do it!" offered Bill. "You look a little busy!"
"No, I have to do it!"
"Stubborn as a mule, you are, Chief!" using his new nickname for the Chief Inspector.
But Bill pulled Nathan up, anyway, so they could both help Millicent up.
Once they got Millicent up off the floor, Nathan tried to help her fix her mussed hair, and they both got tickled all over again.
Laughing, Nathan took her hand and pulled her into the kitchen, took her into his arms, and whispered.
"Beyond this much," stretching his arms as far as he could, but this time with his feet firmly planted on the floor! "Times infinity…that's how much I love you!"
Their kiss was first passionate, then later it exploded with laughter and love, all of it spilling over into the entire house, filling the Grant rowhouse with everything it had been missing…
In the living room, Allie and her Uncle Bill just chuckled.
"I think they must love each other an awful lot, Uncle Bill!"
"Allie, I think you're right!"
Nathan poured the wine, then lit the two tapers on their dining table, as the finishing touch.
He stepped back to wrap his arm around Millicent.
"The roses, the table, it's all beautiful Darling. Thank you for going to so much trouble to make everything so special!"
He kissed her forehead, and then seated her, along with Allie.
Then he turned to bring in the Main Course, with Bill assisting with the sides.
And just like that dinner was ready…and Bill and Nathan seated themselves, offering their hands to their family in a circle of love.
"Dear Father, we thank You for your many, many blessings. We thank You for each other, and for the Grant Family the four of us have become and the great love we share. And for the Coulter Family that is now official. We ask You for grace and strength, as Allie, Millicent, and I have to be apart. We humbly ask for your help and your wisdom. We also ask You to bless this meal, our last dinner with all of us together for a while. Help us to have grateful hearts, filled with each other's love, in place of hurting hearts. Amen!"
Nathan squeezed both Millicent's hand and Allie's hand, as they all said Amen.
Millicent reached to kiss Nathan's cheek, then Bill's cheek, and she winked at her Daughter across the table.
"I want to add this one thing," spoke up Bill.
"That you keep includin' me in your family means the world to me! For that, I thank you, and I must say, Millicent, I will miss you just about as much as these two. You're already like a daughter to me, and a colleague too! Can't wait to come to Montreal for that huge Wedding and get you back here at least for part of the year!"
"Bill, I'm charging you with taking good care of these two!"
"You have my word!"
Nathan carved the Roast Chicken and served it with the Crispy Roasted Potatoes surrounding it, along with the homemade dressing he had made.
Then they passed Allie's favorite Corn Pudding, and Nathan's Mother's Green Bean Casserole.
"Oops! I forgot the Salad. Be right back!"
A few minutes later, Nathan returned with a smile on his face, holding a tray full of individually molded Gelatin Salads on Leaf Lettuce.
"Strawberry and Banana, for you, Darling!"
"My favorite. Thank you, Love!"
"The meal's not fancy, but I hope it's delicious," smiled Nathan.
"The meal is perfect, Darling. And it looks delicious! I can't believe you went to all this trouble!"
He reached to kiss her.
"I had to make up for our lack of an oven the last few days!" and there was that lop-sided grin of his.
"And you have done that so beautifully!" bragged Millicent who was thrilled to be gifted with that grin she loved so much.
"Can we talk about something else," asked Bill, having flashbacks over the memories of their oven debacle.
Everyone laughed, especially Allie!
"The Ceremony was beautiful, Bill."
"Thank you, Millicent. But it was all because of you!"
"Bill, did you know they were asking us to be the legal guardians?" asked Nathan.
"Sorry. Yes, they called when you were gone for lunch. But it wasn't my place to say. Rosemary and Lee had fully planned to discuss it with you, but she said Elizabeth interrupted just as she and Lee came downstairs to do so."
"Oh, yes, when we left early this morning after Elizabeth arrived," surmised Nathan.
"And then I guess I didn't give her a chance to do it prior to getting started tonight. But you two will be great Godparents and Guardians if that time were to ever come. Let's just hope it won't for Lee and Rosemary's sake!"
"Yes! Let's pray the guardianship is never needed, although we'll be there if it is! But being Godparents will be so much fun! That means we get to do special things for all three of those cuties on all their special days!" said Millicent, excitedly.
"Can…may…I help, Momma?"
"Absolutely! We'll have so much fun, Allie figuring out fun things to do for the three of them. And your Auntie Rosie also mentioned tonight, she's hoping you can help her some with the children, while I'm back in Montreal!"
"Really?"
"Yes, really, Angel! That will help you pass your time till we're all here together again! And it will be a huge help to Auntie Rosie! Besides, she insists she's going to pay you. So, you'll also have extra money for Christmas Shopping. Which we'll do together as soon as you get to Montreal!"
"Yay!" exclaimed Allie.
But as excited as she was, just as quickly, her face fell.
"I'm gonna miss you so much, Momma!"
"Me too, Baby! I'm going to miss you so very much! But don't forget, we're going to talk to each other every single night on the phone!"
"My new favorite part of the day…" and Nathan looked up at Millicent, but with such a sad look on his face.
"Now, you three, I want smiles. This is our happy dinner together. Let's enjoy it to the max!"
"Millicent's right you two. Cheer up!" urged Bill. "And pass that Green Bean Casserole! That thing is good!"
"It's an old recipe of my Mother's, Bill."
"One I need. Write it out for me, Nathan!"
"Bill, you must have the biggest collection of recipes…"
"In the whole wide world," finished Allie.
"Well, yep. I just might, my Little Mountie!"
Allie grinned and shrugged her shoulders at her Uncle Bill.
She loved it when her Uncle Bill called her that!
"I'll go get more rolls!" offered Allie.
And off she went into the kitchen.
"Okay, the elephant in the room," Bill began.
"Surprisingly, Elizabeth really was okay with the Honorary Godparent situation. Rosemary said she just explained that they didn't yet know Charles, and were hoping to do so."
Nathan and Millicent looked at each other.
"Good. I'll admit, it was a bit awkward. But Rosemary and I have gotten close, and I should have expected something like this from her."
"That's a relief to know that she talked openly with Elizabeth. I just don't want to encroach on anything, and most certainly not their friendship!" explained Millicent. "Things already appear to be awkward enough."
"That'll pass, Millicent. You and Nathan just ignore the games and get on with your lives."
"That's good advice, Bill. Let's just hope Elizabeth and Charles do the same," agreed Nathan.
"Here are hot Rolls!" announced Allie, and the adults quickly changed the topic of conversation to include Allie.
"Allie, have you gotten everything done you need for Mrs. Nelson?" asked Millicent.
"Yes, Momma, I have all my lessons caught up, now. Being with you today helped!"
"That's great! I'm proud of you, Allie. It was awfully nice of Mrs. Nelson to allow us to have this time together, and I picked up a little something at the Mercantile for you to take to her, if you don't mind, as a little thank you!"
"She'll love that, Momma! She loves it when we do little things for her! I think I want to be a Barrister, Dad, just like Momma!"
"That would be wonderful, Allie!" agreed her Dad.
But then Nathan's eyes were filled with that teasing sparkle.
"Although, I was thinking maybe you'd follow in my shoes, as a Mountie someday!"
"Eh, I like that," interjected Bill. "Why I already call her my Little Mountie!"
"Dad, Uncle Bill, I'm not a boy!"
"You never know, Allie! Women are coming into their own. And there are already a few female Pinkertons!"
"You two Gentlemen, settle down! Whatever you become, Allison Grant, Barrister or Mountie, or anything in between, your Father and I, along with your Uncle Bill, will be very proud!"
"Thank you, Momma!" grinned Allie.
"Hey, Nathan, do you remember that time, old Mrs. Cannabee asked us to arrest her husband for loitering?" and Bill was off regaling his family with a priceless gem of a story.
By the time he ended his long tale, everyone had finished their dinner and laughed till they couldn't laugh anymore!
"Dinner was wonderful, Darling! As good as Bill's convoluted story, which is the ultimate compliment! My compliments to the Chef!"
"Pretty great, Nathan! The best you've ever cooked!" declared Bill.
"Well, I had inspiration, Bill," smiled Nathan as he gazed at Millicent. "Oh, no. I forgot dessert!"
"I'll get it, Dad!"
"I'd better help, Allie! We've got to put it together!"
Bill kept regaling Millicent with stories that were all new to her, causing her to erupt in laughter all over again.
When Nathan and Allie finally finished the dessert, Allie came out first.
"Ta-da!" announced Allie, holding the door open for her Dad.
He carried a tray full of dessert dishes filled with various fruit, but in the very center was a huge pot full of melted Chocolate Fondue.
"Oh, Nathan! Where did you get all that fruit? It looks scrumptious!"
"Well, as they're your favorite and are totally out of season, Florence took pity on me and pulled some strings. She insists they are delicious and I have to say, they do look pretty good!"
"They look wonderful! And Chocolate Fondue, too?"
He laid the tray down and bent to kiss her.
"For you, Love!"
All four chipped in to clean up after their dinner, and in no time at all, everything was back in working order!
"Allie, I think we'd better take a walk…"
"No, I think we'll take the walk tonight, Bill. Maybe down to the pond. Ready to bundle up, Mil?"
"Sounds perfect to me!"
He got her scarf, gloves, and hat, and lovingly helped her on with each of them.
Then he wrapped her in her fur.
He got his overcoat and put that on, and then grabbed his scarf and gloves.
Millicent tiptoed and wrapped his scarf around his neck, then held his gloves, as he took one after the other to put on his large hands.
But when they opened the door, it was snowing, which was not at all a deterrent to these two, although it did warrant them changing from their shoes into boots!
Nathan helped Millicent into hers, then stepped into his own.
"Don't wait up!" smiled Nathan, as he and Millicent kissed Allie goodbye.
And off the happy couple went arm-in-arm to spend their last night under the moonlight together.
Bill and Allie waved, but as they did so, Bill's smile faded.
He got a feeling.
A bad feeling…
One that wouldn't go away.
"Allie, you and I need to pay a visit to your Uncles! Let's get you wrapped up…"
Next door, Bill was talking to Kyle in a low voice, while Allie was chatting with Lance across the room.
"Where's Tom?" asked Bill.
"Nathan had Tom and Matt to follow him and Millicent. Said he just wanted to make sure she was safe," whispered Kyle, so Allie couldn't hear. "I think he's worried that something is up with that case you all are working on. Gabe said something about expecting company to arrive tomorrow night, and Nathan just wanted to be extra cautious in case their schedules changed."
"You two stay here with Allie, don't let her out of your sight under any circumstances. I'm getting Gabe!"
And in a flash, Bill was gone to get Gabe and both their horses…
"I love fresh-fallen snow. It makes everything look so beautiful, Love!"
"Yes, Mil, it does! A coat of iridescent white, unblemished. Wait till you see the moon reflecting on the pond!"
"This looks like a fairyland. Our very own private fairyland!"
"Are you warm enough?"
She snuggled closer into his side.
"Now, I am!"
They walked slowly, with their arms wrapped around each other, enjoying the night, the snow, the silvery moon up above, and the oh so many bright stars!
"It truly is magical, just like our love, Nate!"
His voice caught.
"Yes…Darling…it is! Our love is magical, and deep, and so very real!"
Sauntering, trying to make their moonlit walk last as long as they could, they finally reached the pond, and walked out on the snowy dock, where he wrapped his arms around her, enveloping her into a warm cocoon of safety.
"You, Millicent Bradford, are my Sun, my Moon, and all my Stars put together. You make every single thing in my world shine with a brilliance I've never known."
She reached up to lovingly kiss his cheek.
"You make my heart dance, Mil, just like those beautiful moonbeams shimmering across the water."
"I love you, Nathan Grant. You do exactly the same for me. You make my heart explode with love! You turn my world into beautiful jeweled toned prisms of light, and you make me want to do better, be better. But also with just one look, you make me feel calm, centered, and ready to face my day in a new way. A way that gives my life purpose for the very first time."
Their kiss that ensued was one that rivaled their magical surroundings, and was powerful enough to fuel their very beings when apart.
A rapturous kiss that would stay in their souls forever.
A kiss, that without question, could write poetry, in and of itself.
The mere sight of each other, although their eyes were now blissfully closed, the sound of their loving words reverberating within them, the passionate touch of their lips possessively joined together, the delightful taste of the wine still on each other's tongue, the familiar and beloved scent of each other that would always stay in their memory…
All their senses were full and overflowing.
And all of them shook Nathan and Millicent to their core, the very essence, of each other's being.
The very core, the very essence, of their most magical, deep, and very real love.
They parted just enough for seconds, to see each other's face, parlaying a million words of love in their one adoring look to each other...
Their eyes writing a complete novel of romance for only them to read.
They were standing in their own earthly heaven, as the bright moon glistened over them and the shining stars twinkled round about them, radiating them and the pond in an unearthly golden aura straight from God's Heaven above.
But suddenly, a feeling, totally independent of their intense passion and most foreign to this romantic setting, descended over Nathan.
A feeling that was familiar to him in that he had felt it many times before; an intuitive feeling of dread and possible pending doom he recognized and was even trained to listen to and respect.
Without thinking, he responded.
Immediately.
In a split second.
Doing his best to not alarm her, Nathan instantly turned Millicent, practically carrying her off the dock.
From a distance, the single shot rang out into the black night, splintering the air into a cacophony of explosions, reverberating throughout Hope Valley.
In one fell swoop, as adrenaline surged through his every vein, Nathan pushed Millicent down flat to the snowy ground, and covered her body with his very own…
(*33) Matthew 19:14-19, King James Bible, Public Domain
(*34) "Can a Little Child Like Me?" Lyrics by Mary M. Dodge about 1877, Music by W.K. Bassford 1886, Public Domain
