Chapter 75: Packages & More: Part II

When Allie returned back downstairs, having changed and washed for dinner, she was surprised to see that Nathan had set the big table, and had even lit candles.

"Dad! This is fancy!"

"Just missing your Momma, Allie. This is what she would do! So, I thought we would too!"

"It's very pretty! I love the candles. But Momma would have flowers too!"

Nathan chuckled.

"You're most certainly right about that! But tonight we'll make do with our little plant!"

"It's okay. I like eating at this bigger table too! But if Momma can't be here, at least Uncle Bill should be!"

"He's gone to Buxton, Allie, on business. Left the office right before I went to see Faith. Here, have a seat, Kiddo, everything's ready!"

"This looks yummy! Miss Minnie's Chicken Pot Pies!"

Nathan chuckled.

Leave it to Allie! His daughter had figured it out before she had even sat down! Wait till he told Minnie!

Once seated, they joined hands as Nathan said grace.

"Dear Father, thank You for the food we are about to eat, and for Minnie who prepared it. Thank You also for the gifts we received today and for the gift of Millicent. We're missing her terribly, but with your help, we're making it through. Be with her tonight. Help keep her strong and let her know we love her so very much and miss her the same. Amen!"

"Amen!"

"Speaking of Buxton, Allie, does Saturday afternoon work for you to make a trip there too?"

"Really?" asked Allie with eyes widened.

She was exuberant at the very thought!

"Yes, remember we promised the Yosts a ride in the new car and Dinner at Buxton? I saw Florence in the Café today when I picked up our dinner, and she says Saturday night is perfect for them. And since Dr. Carter has cleared me to drive, if it works for you, we're going to Buxton next Saturday!"

"Yay! This is the best news! Now I can't wait for Saturday!"

Nathan smiled, grateful the trip would distract his daughter and help ease the burden of missing her Momma!

"Tell me all about school, Allie."

"It's okay. I love Mrs. Nelson. She's a good teacher, as good as Mrs. Thornton, and she keeps the boys in line! She sees right through them every single time, and they're getting frustrated they can't get one over on her! Tomorrow all the boys are bringing a lot of toads to class to get back at her! I think they've got a hundred!"

"That's impossible! Toads are in hibernation right now!"

"I know, Dad, but they got them!

"Allie, that's not at all right! They could kill those toads, if not handled properly. How in the world did they get them? And that many too?"

Allie cleared her throat.

"Don't say I said, but they dug them up from around the pond!"

"They what?"

"Don't kill the messenger! I told them not to do it, that they'd probably kill the toads, but they don't care, Dad, as long as they stay alive long enough to scare Mrs. Nelson! It's supposed to happen tomorrow morning, just after the bell rings!"

And don't you think Mrs. Nelson should be warned?"

She sighed heavily.

"I was afraid you'd say that, Dad! I suppose she should, but then if I do it, that makes me a snitch, and they'll all be mad at me!"

"I tell you what, you just leave it to me to take care of. That way you're not involved! But, Allie, always tell me when you know something that shouldn't be happening. It's my job to uphold what is right. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir! But if you do anything, they'll still know I told you!"

"Not the way I'll handle it, I promise!"

"Shew! That's a relief!"

"Hmm," noted Nathan, as an idea began to form in his mind.

These young boys were going to learn a lesson they wouldn't forget if it was the last thing Nathan Grant did!

But he wasn't about to say anything to his daughter.

Better that she does not know a single thing about what is going to happen!

"Do you have any tests coming up, Allie?"

"No, Sir! Not till Wednesday and Thursday of next week. But I ran into Mrs. Thornton today."

"You did? Are you ready for us to talk to her?"

"No, Sir! I don't think so. At least not yet. But I'm still praying about it!"

"Well, you let me know. I'll be happy to go with you when you're ready. You know your Momma's been gone almost two weeks, which means we'll see her in four more!"

"I can't wait! But, Dad?

"Yes?"

"It hurt me really bad when, well you know, when all that other stuff happened. But you were right! Now, I'm so glad that dream didn't work out."

"What do you mean, Allie?"

"We wouldn't have Momma," she answered sadly. "She would still just be Auntie Millicent!"

Nathan reached for Allie's hand.

"Allie, deep in my heart, I know this is the dream God wanted for us. I can't even imagine your Momma not being in our lives."

"Me neither! But Dad, I don't hate Mrs. Thornton. I just still feel bad. And I don't think she's very nice to Momma, either!"

"Perhaps that will change with time. Allie, sometimes in life, we have to go through difficult things before we can see life clearly enough to get to the place where our lives are supposed to be."

"Dad, I'm going through really difficult things with Robert!"

And there was Allie's famous eyeroll!

But her Dad could still tell she was deeply hurting.

"You are? Anything you want to talk about, Sweetheart?"

"No, you're a guy, Dad. I don't think you'd understand."

"Well, you could try me. Maybe being a guy helps! After all, Robert's also a guy."

"Well, he like-likes Anna. I'm pretty sure he does. How can you compete with someone who spits water between her teeth?"

Nathan choked, but for Allie's sake quickly recovered, covering his face with his large napkin!

Finally, he regained control of himself.

But seeing Allie's hurt, he remained silent, not knowing what to say, not being sure he should say anything at all! Why couldn't Millicent be here? She would know exactly what to do and say in a heartbeat!

"Aren't you going to say anything, Dad?" asked Allie, pleadingly.

"Yes, I am, but to be honest, I'm not sure you'll want to hear it, Allie."

"I'll listen anyway. I'm desperate, here! I just don't know what to do!"

"If Robert is the right person, if he is God's dream for you, then he'll be in your life forever. But if he's not God's dream for you, then God will have a better dream, just like He did with Momma! Don't you ever forget that, Allie!"

Before Millicent came into their lives, Allie would have been mad at her father for even thinking such a thing, much less saying it out loud. Besides, she wouldn't have understood it at all. Nor would she have wanted to!

But after having painfully lost her beloved Elizabeth, to later gain her even more beloved Millicent as her Momma, she at least now understood what her dad was trying to say.

"But Dad, he used to like-like me. I know he did!"

"I know he did, too. And he still may, Allie. You and Robert have the luxury of time. You're still quite young and I know you don't want to hear that. But it's true, Sweetheart! Try not to worry too much. I believe everything will work out for the best! I really do!"

Nathan almost bit his tongue on the next words that he was sure he was also supposed to say.

But being the good father he was, he said them anyway.

"Besides, Allie, there may be other boys that like-like you too. And you may even find at some point, you like-like them too!

"Well, we do have our dance coming up in December!"

"Yes, you do!" muttered Nathan, almost regrettably. "And lots of different boys will be there."

"I know, Dad! Boy, Miss Minnie's Chicken Pot Pie is really good, Dad!"

And just like that, his daughter changed the topic of conversation!

"Yes, it is! Wait till you see Miss Minnie's Dessert," chuckled Nathan, as very different thoughts were running through his head, even though he was thankful for the change in discussion.

After all, the dance wasn't a couples' one. The girls were going together, and the boys were going together. Then they were all going to share dances together, while heavily chaperoned.

That at least, a father should be able to live with, whether he liked it or not!

'Oh, Millicent, I need you!'

Truthfully, he hadn't liked the idea of the dance at all. Allie was way too young in his mind. But Millicent had reminded him that the two of them had attended similar dances at Allie's age, and had survived just fine, even having had fun together!

Therefore, she insisted, Allie deserved to go too. Since deep down, he knew she was right, he had agreed.

Albeit reluctantly, ever the protective Dad!

Poor Millicent, she was going to have her work cut out for her, as Nathan knew he was an obstinate father who hated the idea of his little girl growing up.

But he also knew Millicent would help maneuver both father and daughter through this arduous growing process with lots and lots of loving finesse.

And for that, he was most grateful…


After their elegant dinner in Lucas's private quarters, the entire Bouchard Family was surprised the meal had gone so smoothly.

It had had a real family feel, despite Lucas's earlier confusion and objections.

However, Juliette sensed that Lucas was still struggling with something. And as a mother, she understood what it was. So, she was more than willing to wait out any discomfort or dislike, no matter how long it took!

After their dessert, she suddenly made a suggestion.

"John, Darling, and my dearest Nettie, if you both would be so kind, I'd like to help Lucas clear our dishes."

"No need, Juliette, I'll have Gustav take care of all this!" insisted Lucas much too quickly, not at all wanting to be left alone with this new person, who was now his stepmother!

"You have to be exhausted from your travels, Darling!" interjected John Henry, with a loving and concerned look. "Shouldn't you be resting?"

"I'm fine, my Darling. I want to do this," she smiled with a wink.

Then she turned to Lucas.

"No, I insist Lucas, unless you'd prefer us to share a cup of coffee, instead?"

With his father standing right there, Lucas knew he wasn't about to get out of this one!

"That would be delightful," he responded with a slight bow of his head, after seeing his father's look, although not heartily.

Juliette was trying her best to not make her presence awkward, but somehow Lucas couldn't help but feel out of place here in his own living quarters!

And Juliette instinctively knew it.

She kissed her husband and daughter goodnight.

"I'll be up soon my Darlings! It's so good to be home with you!"

For in Juliette's mind, wherever they were together, they were home. Despite the fact, that John Henry's first wife had pretty much left them homeless.

"Don't be late, ma Cherie!" and John Henry raised her hand to his lips for a final kiss goodbye.

"See you soon, Mama?"

"Absolutely," as she kissed them both. "Now scoot!"

Even Lucas realized the odd word had never sounded so lovingly.

Which made him suddenly more nervous than ever!

"Please make yourself comfortable, Madame. I'll ring for some Coffee, or would you rather have a glass of port?" asked Lucas, in a very formal tone.

"That would be lovely."

She didn't want the port, but she instinctively knew Lucas needed it to feel more relaxed.

When the tray was brought, and the drinks served, a heavy silence descended upon the two.

Juliette took advantage of it by thoughtfully selecting her next words, as Lucas sat down on the settee across from her.

"Lucas, let's be frank with one another. I know this has to be difficult for you. Terribly so! You're meeting someone you probably would prefer not to have in your life at all. And I understand that, completely. But I want you to know right upfront, I will never try to replace your mother. That's simply impossible!"

"My mother. A woman I understand who has been despicable and threatening to you. She even ran you out of your own home!"

"That's not at all important, now, Lucas. That's in the past. We are all human, and when we're hurting, we all do things at times we would have chosen to do differently if we could."

Lucas nodded, for her words were truer than she knew where he was concerned.

And here was this woman who technically was his stepmother, excusing his own mother's less than acceptable, even horrid actions.

"Let's be honest, they were horrendous actions," insisted Lucas. "Deplorable, even!"

"Lucas, your mother's actions have been completely forgiven."

"How can you possibly forgive such repulsive behavior?"

"This might be hard for you to believe. But your mother and I have both loved the same man. And in that, there's a kindred spirit of sorts, whether we like each other or not! I owe her respect, Lucas. How could I not be forgiving?"

Lucas was so thunderstruck, that he remained silent as Juliette continued.

"You are my husband's firstborn, Lucas. You are his beloved son, and I want you to know that I respect that as much as I respect that Antoinette is his second-born, his beloved daughter. It's an odd thing, I suppose for someone who's not married to understand, but you are as important to me as my own flesh and blood, because you are quite simply, the flesh and blood of the man I love with all my being. Don't you see? I couldn't possibly love him without loving you."

Lucas was leaning forward, staring at the floor before him.

"I…I…don't know how I fit into all this," he interjected, in a low, soft voice.

"I'm not here to take anything away from you, Lucas. I'm here only to support you, to love you. You are a part of my family, Lucas, our family, equal in every way to your sister."

"But she is not my sister!" he responded much more vehemently than he had intended. "Toni is only my half-sister, and I admit, although I wasn't gracious at first, I have come to accept her. She's a mere child! None of this is her fault!"

"She is your sister, Lucas, and I love your name for her, by the way. You see, I don't believe in halves for families. A family has to be all in to be a family, or it will never ever succeed. There is no fault to be had here for anyone, as I see it."

"You might say I've never had much of a family life so that I wouldn't know," he responded, curtly.

"From what your father has said, I understand that. And I'm so very sorry. But, Lucas," and Juliette reached to take his hand. "You do now have a family, whether you choose to be a part of us or not, you indeed are a part of us."

"But now, as a step-child, where your family is concerned."

"You are indeed not!" retorted an aghast Juliette. "The very idea is offensive if you'll pardon me. Make no mistake, half of you is not our son. All of you is our son, Lucas, as much as you are your mother's son, you are our whole son. Not our half son. And that goes for your father and me both."

Lucas glanced up, wanting to make a biting retort but saw such kindness and sincerity in this stranger's eyes that he was taken aback and did something he had never done before.

Was she offering to be a second mother?

His eyes began to water, and in that instant, he became that lost little boy he had always been.

Truth be told, he had never even had a mother.

At least, not at all in the traditional sense.

"I'm afraid I don't deserve this! You see, like my mother, I've done some really terrible things. Truly horrific things. Some much worse than what she did!"

And suddenly, without any other recourse, tears began flowing down his face as he bowed his head.

Silently, Juliette moved to the settee to sit beside him and, without thinking, took him into her arms.

Yes, he was a man not so much younger than her. But Juliette only saw her husband's little boy battered by an uncaring mother. And her heart bled.

Shaking in her arms, Lucas continued to cry.

Juliette might not know to what extent, but she was offering him something Helen, the woman who bore him, never had, not even as a toddler.

She didn't say a word till his tears stopped.

"I'm sorry," he choked. "That's never happened before. I'm so ashamed."

"There's nothing to be sorry or ashamed about, my dear Lucas. I'm glad we're having this talk!"

"Unbelievably, so am I. Here you are being so very kind to me. You have no idea how much I wanted to hate you. Loathe you, even!"

"I might have a semblance of an idea," she smiled. "I'm not naive, but, my dear Lucas, Life is much too short for hate or loathing. I can't promise I can make up for your losses in growing up. But I can promise you I love you and will always be there for you if you need me."

"But, I've done really awful things. Things I can't even talk about. Things I may end up in prison for having done."

"All of which I understand you're making right. That's noble, Lucas. All of us have made mistakes. But we don't develop our character in good times, nor mistake-free times. Instead, it's the fire that hones us, strengthens us, and even lets us know who we are. You're going through that now, and it's extremely difficult. You may even feel lost. But ultimately, you will find yourself, along with peace, and that's worth more than anything in the world."

Lucas looked at her, but she could tell he still felt desolate.

"Lucas, your father and I will be with you every step of the way. And so will Antoinette!"

"You would do that for me?"

"I absolutely will. Lucas, I couldn't live with myself if I weren't here to support you through this!"

"But you haven't done anything as bad as I've done!"

"No," she answered honestly. "But I left my daughter in the care of a relative who turned out to be the head of a Syndicate. What mother does that? Think of the risk I as her own mother placed Nettie in. You can't imagine how inadequate that's made me feel as a mother, and even as a human being!"

"You couldn't have known. I didn't even make the connection, and as I'm sure you know by now, I was heavily involved. And I feel terrible about that."

"Let's call this whole thing a truce! Let's just stop worrying about the past and show each other all the love we possibly can moving forward. Because, after all, isn't that all we can really do for each other? To love and show our love?"

Lucas wasn't sure, as he really hadn't experienced much love in his life, and now he had found out the lack of love in his own parents' marriage, had not been what his father had wanted at all. Still, except for John Henry's love, he didn't even really know what love was. And he certainly didn't know what maternal love was, at least not firsthand.

But he was pretty sure that was what he had seen tonight when Juliette met her daughter.

"Your daughter…my, er, sister, saved my life, you know."

There he had said it. Not half-sister. But sister.

"Would you not have saved her life had circumstances been reversed? She loves you, Lucas. You should hear her talking about you with such pride!"

"I know. And I now know I love her," he finally admitted out loud.

"Don't you see, Lucas? We are family, whether you want to think that or not. It just is. We are never deserting you, no matter your decision, no matter your future, you are a part of our lives. This is forever. Now, as I see it, we are now a family not of three but of four. And that means we take care of each other."

"You know, you are quite remarkable! Not at all what I was expecting."

Lucas looked concerned, puzzled even.

"I truly wanted to loathe you," he admitted again.

"And do you loathe me?"

"Not at all, to my shock."

Juliette chuckled.

"Then that's more than I've hoped for!"

Lucas straightened his posture, but his words were soft, almost not heard.

"What do I call you?" he asked, almost shyly.

"Anything you want to call me. Except for stepmother, that is!" she smiled. "Most people would say Juliette, and that's okay if that's what you wish. But I would hope we become much more than just first names to each other. At least at some point."

"May I think about it, Juliette?"

"Lucas, I would love nothing more…."


Later that night, on the phone with her Momma, Allie chatted like a house on fire, barely letting Millicent get a word in edgewise.

Finally, after filling Millicent in on every single detail of life in Hope Valley, including school, Allie moved to her presents.

"I loved my new dresses, Momma! They fit just right and I can't wait to wear them! Thank you so much!"

"I'm so glad, Allie. You are very welcome! It was my pleasure. They just looked like you! Did you like the colors?"

"Yes, Ma'am. Loved them all. I especially like the plaid. It's so different than what all the other girls have. Oh, and we loved our chocolates, too! Our Hershey Kisses! So very yummy!" (*63)

"I'm so glad! Kisses for my Girl! Just don't eat too many at once!"

"I promise! I'm going to take some to share at school tomorrow!"

"That's wonderful! I hope everyone enjoys them!"

"They will, I'm sure of it!"

Finally, Nathan had to nudge his daughter with a gentle reminder.

"Allie, you'd better say goodnight and get ready for bed. You have school tomorrow, you know!"

"Momma, I guess I have to go, but I love you to the moon!"

"I love you to the moon and back, my Angel! Sweet dreams! And have a good day at school tomorrow!"

Nathan smiled hearing Allie use their goodnight endearments to include Millicent, just as she had when they had been together.

They really were already a family!

"Talk tomorrow?" implored Allie.

"Absolutely, Sweetheart!" reassured Millicent.

"I'll be up later, Allie, to read with you!" promised Nathan.

"Okay!" usually, she would have flown up the stairs, but tonight she was missing her Momma, and instead hugged her Dad for comfort.

"It won't be too long till we see your Momma, Princess," and Nathan kissed the top of her head in encouragement. "Just a month to go. You go get ready!"

He held the earpiece longing to talk to Millicent in privacy.

"I heard that!" teased Millicent.

Just hearing her voice, Nathan fell in love all over again.

"Darling, finally! I can't tell you how much I've longed for this moment. How are you doing?"

"Missing you desperately, but trying my best to concentrate on everything that needs to be done! Oh, before I forget, Essie and Hendrix send their love! And Albert says hello, as well as Tom and Matt!"

"Give them my regards as well! Tell them Allie and I are looking forward to seeing all of them in Montreal."

"Allie said you got your Hershey Kisses!" (*64)

"Each and every one! They're delicious, Love, but how I would love to have your lips against mine in the place of your tasty chocolates. Not that your chocolates aren't great too! Quite the sweet substitute Millicent Bradford! But I love the promises of things to come even more!"

Millicent chuckled over the phone.

"You did notice there were a thousand chocolate kisses to share, didn't you?" she teased.

"Oh, yes, my Love, I definitely did! Which means you owe me an actual thousand kisses!" countered Nathan with twinkling eyes. "I even have the contract in your own handwriting, Barrister Bradford, and I plan to fulfill it if I have to take it to the highest court in the land!"

She giggled.

"That could be bad! Most of the judges know me, my Love, and would probably side against me since I give them such a hard time with my cases!"

"See, even more insurance that I win!"

"Oh, you've won my heart already, Nate. I promise you won't have any problem collecting!"

"That's a relief!"

"Can we just make our honeymoon last forever?"

"You better believe our honeymoon is going to last forever, Darling! No matter where we are. The two of us will see to that!"

"Do you know that I can still feel your lips on mine from our last kiss? Is that not amazing?"

"Yes, that is amazing, and I do know! It's exactly the same for me, Mil. At the oddest times, every detail of that kiss comes back to mind as if it happened moments ago. I can feel my arms around you, the soft touch of your lips, your silky hair against my skin, and the scent that's you filling me all over again. I think it's that memory that sustains me. Yet, is it terrible that remembering just makes me long for the real thing all over again?"

"No, not terrible at all! I long for your kisses too, my Darling. Constantly! In fact, I simply long for you! The nearness of you!"

"What I would give to be with you right now!"

"And don't laugh, but just to even stare at you, instead of Colleen's painting. Although, I'm so very grateful for that painting! She captured your essence, your humility, your strength, your kindness, Nate. It's almost like, at least thankfully, I have pieces of you here with me!"

"I'm afraid, I've worn your diamonds away! My hand goes to them constantly!"

Millicent giggled.

"Maybe you'd better not ask me how wrinkled your Serge is! It seems to be the only way I can sleep!"

"I don't care, Millicent. I adore you!"

"The feeling is totally mutual, my Love!"

"We're souls mates, Mil! And I wasn't even sure that existed before you. But now I know!"

"Yes, both of us have always been the most independent of creatures, you know that, Nathan, but together…"

"We are just our truest selves!"

"We've always been drawn together, too," she mused.

"We've always been strong equals to each other, as well," he noted.

"We've always made each other laugh!"

"And we've cried with each other in grief."

"A strong unit of one together through it all!"

"We can disagree, even fight, yet the love is always there," he mused.

"Always has been; always will be!" she agreed.

"The friendship is always there, too."

"So true! We are totally ourselves together, too, without pretenses."

"I love that, Mil, whether we're feeling wonderful or horrible."

"Or happy or angry."

"I don't think there could be a better foundation for a marriage, my Love!"

"Nor do I!"

"You are my everything, Millicent…"

After Nathan paused, unable to speak for a moment, he continued.

"My rock, Mil, and I'm not ashamed to say it. You are and will always be everything to me."

"I love you completely, Nathan, more than you can even imagine. I hope someday you'll know."

"I do know now, Milli, you surround me with more love than I've never known before. Millicent, I've been thinking, and I owe you a huge apology."

"Whatever for?"

"It's you who is bearing the burden of preparing everything for us, and I don't like that you're left with so much to do alone!"

"Darling, I'm not burdened. Just exhausted. But it's going to be so worth all the work because we get to be a family!"

"But we should be sharing the responsibilities equally, yet with me here in Hope Valley, that's impossible."

"It's all right, Nate! I promise. Don't give it another thought!"

"I can't help it, Mil."

"I have news!" she interjected in the cheeriest of voices.

"What kind of news?"

"I had the first fitting for my Wedding Gown!"

"And…"

"And absolutely nothing! You, the Groom, get to know nothing at all until I walk down that long aisle! But can I ask you a question?"

"Of course, any question whatsoever!"

"I'm worried that our Wedding is getting to be too much. Too fancy. Too many people. I'm afraid it's become the social event of the year, and every single time I say the word 'simple,' everything just gets bigger and fancier! And I do mean everything!"

"Babe, I just want to marry you. I don't care how or where, just so we get the job done!"

"But, Baby, our mothers have gone a bit crazy even over the phone, and I can't rein them in at all! Just imagine what it's going to be like when your mother actually arrives in Montreal, and the two of our mothers are together, nonstop! Everything just seems so big and so fancy. I sort of wish we had just eloped!"

"Don't tempt me! But Millie, I understand that you and your family have a social obligation to share an elegant Wedding with your friends. And then there are our families to think about who would never forgive us if they weren't included. Not to mention Auntie Luciana. Why she'd never ever forgive us! Or let us live it down. And her wrath is not wrath I care to evoke! Why she would find a way to stand up and object at our own Wedding wherever we had it, had she not been invited! At this point, let's just let them have their fancy Wedding if that's what pleases them! The two of us still get to have our simpler one by just focusing on each other, and keeping our vows between the two of us in our hearts and minds!"

Nathan then chuckled and continued.

"See we can control some things, if only in our minds! But, hey, I suppose 'elegant' is required since we men will be in our fancy dress uniforms, which does include our dress boots, I'll have you know!"

"Ah, dress boots? I'll have to up my heel game!"

By this time, both were laughing.

"Seriously, Mil, what I'm trying to say is don't worry. I will be happy, however, our Wedding happens, as long as it just happens! You are all that matters, my Love. As I've told you before, when you come down that aisle, everything else will completely disappear. I promise!"

"Even those hundreds of people?"

"Especially those hundreds of people!"

The two laughed together.

"How do you always know how to make me feel better?"

"Because I love you! It's that simple. No matter how extravagant or fancy things look on the outside, our Wedding is really just what's in our hearts. It's just you and me, a meeting of your heart and my heart, pledging our vows to each other for eternity. You and me, Mil, that's what matters."

"I love you so much, Nathan! Just don't say I didn't warn you when you get to Montreal!"

Nathan chuckled again.

"I promise, whatever happens, it's just you and me, always!"

"Just you and me, in fancy dress, with open hearts. Along with fancy boots and heels, of course!" teased Millicent.

"Exactly that, Miss Bradford! Don't forget, you leave the church by my side as Mrs. Nathan Grant!"

Millicent shrieked in sublime happiness.

"Mil, are you alright?"

"You make me more alright than I've ever been in my life, Nathan Grant! Leaving the church as your wife is the most wonderful part. That's been my life-long dream!"

A million indescribable feelings washed over Nathan.

"Mine too, my Darling, I can barely breathe without you here! You've been the very best part of me from the beginning! Nothing can change that, Mil, not in a million years."

With chuckles and giggles, they whispered 'sweet nothings' back and forth, which were actually 'sweet everythings' to both of them, till Millicent realized they had lots of work still left to do!

"Last night it was Wedding questions, but tonight I'm afraid it's Ranch questions. Are you ready, Love?"

"Absolutely. Shoot them at me…"

"Nathan Alexander Grant! Don't you dare say that! Not even in jest! Not ever!"

"I'm so sorry, Darling! Which reminds me: no more sessions with Faith! Just have to lift weights twice a day at home to get my strength back up. But range and mobility are back to normal!"

"That's fabulous news! Just be sure to lift your weights exactly like she said and do not forget!"

"I promise! Anyway, how can I forget? I have a Bride to carry over the threshold!"

"Aww, pure romance! I suppose I better lay off of the cookies," she teased but had Nathan seen her he would have been alarmed at how much she had lost since they parted. "But hey, we'd better focus and get back to the Ranch list, if we're going to get anything done!"

Millicent's list was long and detailed, and it took them a full twenty minutes to go through it all, item by item and back and forth, making decisions at each checkpoint.

"I know this is a lot, but I was stuck, and this is your home, Nathan, our home together with Allie. Now that I know what you prefer, we've got three different teams starting on all this tomorrow!" explained Millicent. "But do ask Allie what color she wants in her bedroom, just so we're sure!"

"Consider it done. It's lavender for sure, but I will ask and confirm! What else can I do, Love," asked Nathan.

"Not a thing for now. But sadly, I promise there will be lots more tomorrow. So, rest up! Which reminds me: how are your nightmares?"

"Much better, Milli! Not as frequent. Only twice last week. You think of everything. I don't know how, but I have to figure out a way to make all this up to you. You're doing entirely too much, and you haven't voiced a single word of complaint. You have to feel overwhelmed. It worries me!"

"No, my Love, don't worry! I'm fine. Being with you will be more than enough reward! I'll admit there are times all this is a bit overwhelming, but I have lots of people helping me. I'll be okay, I promise."

"You're remarkable! I wish I could be there doing all this with you."

"Me too! And that means everything to me, Nathan! It would be fun doing it all together, but I completely understand. We knew it would be this way starting out, but thank goodness, it's just for now!"

"Yes, just for now! I adore you, Millicent Alexandria Bradford, soon-to-be Grant!"

"I adore you, too, Nathan Alexander Grant, soon-to-be husband!"

"I love the sound of that! How is your work going, Mil?"

"Finishing up on my two big cases within the next two weeks! The office staff is adapting well with Hudson leading the charge. Our management styles are actually rather similar, which is a pleasant surprise! How is your work going?"

"Overwhelming! I finally had to relent and allow the Commissioner to send a temporary team to help. They will be here at the beginning of next week, which should help move things along. There are still so many files to catalog and stacks of new ones come in every day. Oh, I almost forgot, Rosemary said Juliette Bouchard arrived today by Stagecoach."

"That makes me happy, for both John Henry and Antoinette! Wonder how Lucas will take it?"

"I'm not sure. It will be interesting. He seems to be glad now that his father is here. And he acts like he's crazy about Antoinette. But not at all sure how he will be with his stepmother!"

"My, that's sure a positive change with Nettie! I don't even know her, but my money's on Juliette with this one!"

Nathan chuckled.

"That's just because you Ladies stick together!"

"Laugh if you must! But, just wait and see if I'm not right!"

"Oh, I have no doubt that you are! Why do I get the feeling that with you and Allie in cahoots, I'm going to be the odd man out every single time?"

Millicent laughed that deep-throated laugh he loved so much.

"Because you are going to be totally outnumbered by females, my Love! But we'll try our best to be kind!"

"Why does that scare me even more than ever?"

"Because it should," she teased. "After all, you are a very wise man!"

"Well, if I'm that wise, I'm sure somehow, I'll manage!"

"You'll adjust! You might even like it!"

"As long as you're here, I'm sure I will love it!"

They both quietened a moment, both missing the other so desperately, till Nathan spoke up.

"The best news of the night is that in just four more weeks the Grants are coming to Montreal! Are you ready, Darling?"

"More ready than you can possibly imagine, my Love..."

(*63-64) Hershey Kiss Chocolates, Manufactured in 1907 by the Hershey Chocolate Company, Derry, Pennsylvania, Public Domain.