Chapter 88: Traveling to a New Life Part IV
Back in their Sitting Room after their twice-interrupted Dinner in the Dining Car, Nathan and Millicent sat down with Allie to talk to her about what had just happened.
"I know that interruptions like tonight and possibly worse will happen time and time again, Allie. But your Father and I will always do our best to keep things private as much as is possible. Although, do you understand that's something we can't always control, Sweetheart?" asked Millicent.
"I understand, but I don't like it. That's just not fair to you, Momma!"
"It's not fair to us, Allie! But I've lived with this my whole life, so I've learned to handle it better with time. It's a huge disruption of our privacy and that's an awful lot. Are you still sure you're willing to deal with all this? "
"Of course, I'm sure. You're my Momma! If you can do it, Dad and I can!"
"It will get easier, Allie with time," promised Nathan. "I really do believe that."
"You know, Allie, if they try to take your picture again, and you don't want them to, just look away, or even turn away. You always have that right. But if you can be strong and look straight into the camera with your head held high and flash a big smile, even better! When I do that, it sort of makes me feel like I'm in control, because I haven't allowed them to upset me."
"That's what I'll do, Momma. Just like you!"
"That's my girl! I love you so much, Angel! I know you can do it!"
"I love you so much, too! We're a family and they can't stop us from being one! Maybe they can take pictures of us in public, but they can't take pictures when we're alone. Those are our pictures. Our real family pictures. Momma, I want to learn photography, so I can take all our private photos. The ones they can't see!"
"That's a splendid idea, Allie! I'll teach you. You can be our family photographer for all of our special private moments, but remember for every picture you take at least two have to be taken with you in it too!"
"You know how to do photography?" asked a surprised Allie.
"I do, in fact, I love to take photos! Always have. I love capturing memories and beautiful views!"
"Your Momma's even shown her photography, Allie!"
"You mean like in Art Galleries?" asked Allie, shocked.
Millicent slowly nodded.
"But you had Miss Fiona to take our pictures."
"That was in case I wasn't able to make it to Hope Valley for your Dance, Sweetheart! But then when I got there, I just wanted to be your Momma!"
"Do you think I can learn to take photos too?"
"I know you can, Allie! Beautiful ones. You already have such an artistic eye with your painting!"
How this serious conversation ended up with Allie finding a new passion along with the assurance she could master it, Nathan wasn't quite sure, except for the magic of Millicent.
Yes, come what may, both he and Allie were in very good hands, and he was so very grateful…
After the couple tucked Allie in, Nathan took his fiancee's hand and led her back to the sitting area.
There he opened the bottle of Champagne that had been left for them and poured the bubbly elixir into their Champagne Flutes.
"To us, Millicent Bradford, so very soon-to-be Grant."
"To us, Nathan Grant, my one and only true love."
They clinked their glasses and took a sip, then set down their Flutes, touching each other's faces instead, their mouths soon effortlessly finding each other's lips. He placed his hands behind her elegant chignon, pulling her closer as she allowed her own fingers to thread through his locks.
"I adore you," he whispered so that only she could hear.
"I adore you completely," she whispered back.
He looked at her, mesmerized, and then as though trying to shake himself out of a stupor, which was pretty much what he was in, he pulled back slightly, with an idea and a boyish grin to match.
He then got up, holding her hand as long as he could, dropping it only when he had to while placing a record on the tiny victrola he had discovered earlier, then he held out his hand with the broadest of smiles.
"Dance with me?"
Her face lit up.
"I can't think of anything in this whole world I'd rather do," she beamed and meant every single word as he helped her up from the settee.
Still, in their elegant formal dress, Nathan took her in his arms, and on the moving train, they moved together in perfect rhythm, slowly dancing around the sitting area, thrilled to be in each other's arms, enjoying their closeness.
The glittery moon and the sparkly stars shone in through the windows, wrapping them in a nuanced light of romance, just enough so that there was an unearthly glow about them.
It was magical.
After a long day of travel prep and the rest spent in actual travel, now was their alone time, and both knew beyond a doubt that this was how each of their remaining nights on their journey to their Wedding would end…
With their First Day on the Train completed, and thankfully a good restful night after for all, Day Two on the Train ended up being an informal, relaxing day with mostly just Nathan, Millicent, and Allie spending time together.
However, Tom and his men still regularly checked in on them and often.
The morning was spent with the family playing every Board Game that could be found on the Train, with Nathan beating every single game except Chess. There, Millicent beat him three times in a row, and he was beginning to see he was going to have to improve his game. Allie thought it was hysterical, as she still hadn't completely mastered the game and was used to seeing her Dad win handily.
"Dad, play your guitar for us, please! We have a whole half-hour before lunch."
"Would you like to go get it for me in my room?"
"May I?"
"Yes, I would appreciate that, Allie!"
As Allie proudly went to get her Dad's guitar, Nathen was wondering what to play.
"I'm happy with anything you'd like to play! I was just hoping you would play something today," smiled Millicent.
'Here, Dad! Will you play, Frere Jacques, please, since we're going to Montreal?"
Nathan chuckled.
"A French Song for a French City! Do you know what the song is about?"
"Not really! Just that it's fun to sing, especially if we do it in a round, like at school!"
"Well, the song is about a French Monk, called Brother John, who has overslept and is called upon to sound the prayer bells. The 'les matines' refer to the Christian Liturgies that were sung at the Monastery in the early hours of the morning before sunrise."
"Hmm. I know the French words but I'm not sure I remember the English words," commented Allie as she scrunched up her face.
"'Frere Jacques, frere Jacques,' is Brother John, Brother John," explained Millicent, who then continued translating the words for her Daughter.
"'Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?' is 'Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?' and 'Sonnez les matines! Sonnez les matines!' is 'Morning bells are ringing! Morning Bells are ringing!'"
"So, it's Brother John, Brother John, Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping? Morning bells are ringing, Morning Bells are ringing. Ding Dang Dong. Ding Dang Dong!"
"You've got it, Allie," exclaimed Nathan and Millicent in unison.
"Can we sing it together?"
Nathan played the introductory chords, and the three began singing in English, then French.
"Brother John, Brother John.
Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
Morning bells are ringing! Morning bells are ringing!
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.
Frere Jacques, Frere Jacques,
Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?
Sonnez les matines! Sonnez les matines!
Din, dan, don. Din, dan, don." (*80)
"Dad! You and Momma sound beautiful together!"
"That's what I keep telling her, Allie! Your mother has a beautiful voice!"
"I think you two might be biased."
"No, you sing beautifully, Momma, and you and Dad sound so great together!"
"What can I say? Out of the mouths of babes!" winked Nathan.
"Dad, I'm not a Babe!"
"You're my Babe," he laughed reaching out to tousle Allie's hair. "Besides I'm agreeing with you. I think your Momma should sing with me in Church!"
Allie first blushed but you could tell she liked it, then she burst out in agreement with her Dad.
"Momma, please sing with Dad in Church! That would just be so cool! Everyone would love it!"
"We'll see," laughed Millicent although still hesitant, as she had never sung publicly except in their Church Choir as a teenager.
But then security had become such a distraction to everyone, she had simply bowed out gracefully.
"Can we sing this song in a round? Dad first, then Momma, then me!"
And so they sang together in Allie's desired rounds.
Nathan first in his baritone, with Millicent joining in on the second round taking lead, and Allie on the third in her own sweet and very enthusiastic tone.
"Talk about good voices, Allie! Yours is lovely! You should sing out more at Church, Sweetheart."
"Thanks, Momma! I'll try. This is so much fun! Can we sing this every day?"
"You might want some different songs, Allie," suggested her Dad.
"But please, this one too!" she begged.
"You win, Daughter! I don't see why we can't start with this one since you love it so."
They sang and laughed, and sang some more having all the fun a family should have, till suddenly it was time for lunch, which, given everyone clamoring to see them since the word had gotten out they were on board, now had to be served at the banquette in their Suite.
But no one seemed to mind, as the three were spending time together and enjoying it immensely.
And that was all that mattered...
Their second afternoon found Nathan re-reading more of the Ranch History, with Millicent needlepointing a beautiful rendition of their intermingled initials in blues and metallic gold threads, as well as helping Allie with her painting.
"Momma, do you paint?"
"I've dabbled a little, but I'm afraid I'm not nearly as talented as you and your Mother, Allie! But I do love to sketch!"
"I can show you how to paint!"
"I'd actually love that! Maybe there's hope yet!"
The afternoon was so relaxing and idyllic that they all marveled at how all three just so easily meshed together, and so contentedly too.
Watching Allie show Millicent how to paint warmed Nathan's heart with so much pride and so much thankfulness.
'Thank you, God, for allowing me to finally see that it was Millicent who was missing from our lives all this time.'
The three together were simply the happiest they had ever been because they were truly alone as a family.
Now all three meals were being served in their Suite, as that is what was most prudent and what the three of them had voted to do.
They valued their privacy much more than intermingling with staring guests.
But even in their Suite, Dinner was still formal because Allie wanted to dress up every night.
True to their word, Colin and the Stewards did their best to make everything extra special, and very much a formal affair en Suite!
As the family dressed each night for Dinner, the Stewards brought in a long folding table with leather folding chairs, that were set in the center of the Sitting Area, with all the furniture in the way pushed toward the back.
They set the table each night with the finest china, crystal, and silver on a lace tablecloth that had to have been a French Antique, along with Linen Napkins monogrammed with the Train Line's initials.
Candles and Fresh flowers were brought in each night, depending upon what was available at each stop.
All in all, everything was quite elegant, and no one, not even Allie missed the Dining Room.
Then after Dinner, all was removed and everything was quickly put back to order, as normal.
Tonight, Allie's Uncles, in their tuxes, joined them for Dinner.
Millicent was wearing a chic Teal Sheath Gown that was very simple but with sparkling fringe trim that danced out about her as she walked.
Allie wore a Mint Green Knitted Dress that was also a shift, but a-line in shape with wide layers; Millicent had a pendant necklace that matched perfectly, which she gave to Allie, and to complete her look Allie wore the Silver Charm Bracelet that her Dad had given her.
Both looked truly beautiful.
The night began with everyone thoroughly enjoying the evening, even much more so than the previous one in the Dining Room!
The men relaxed, not having to be on edge and ready to pounce, enjoying their time getting to know the Chief, Miss Bradford, and their favorite niece even better.
Here the family was all together, without the worries of being recognized by strangers or having photographers snap their pictures at the most inopportune private moments.
They could simply relax and enjoy their time together.
But even privately, after a long delicious Dinner, all were perplexed by Allie's big question of the day, which seemed to pop up each day, usually in the form of multiple questions, multiple times throughout the day.
"I just don't get it," she mused.
"Get what, Allie," asked her Dad, unable to hazard a guess as to what her concern would be this time.
"All these buildings we pass, Dad. Why do we call them buildings if they are already built? Shouldn't they be called something else?"
No one had an answer, but they couldn't help the laughs that escaped despite their best efforts.
Leave it to their Allie to question everything...
Day Three on the Train consisted of a game match between Allie and her Dad, along with her Uncles.
"Checkers is the game of choice, and we play till the death," warned Tom.
"Oh, I'm a whiz at Checkers, Uncle Tom! This is great!"
"She seriously is, Tom! You might want to rethink your game of choice!" warned Nathan.
"I love this, Uncle Tom. Please, let's play for promises," enthused Allie.
"Allie," warned her Dad.
"They're just promises, Dad!"
"You, Young Lady, make sure they stay 'just promises.'"
"Yes, Sir!"
"Nah, we're not scared, Chief. Maybe Little Chief can teach us a thing or two," declared Tom, his game face on.
Millicent spent the day with them too, cheering them on, but for the most part, she sat alone at the desk, going over every single detail of Bill's friend's case.
Finally, toward evening's end, she felt she knew AJ, but not at all from what was written in these court records.
Instead, it was from what was not written there, and it was what was missing that horrified her.
Late afternoon, Nathan slipped up behind her, rubbing her shoulders and neck.
"You've been at this all day! Can I help?"
"Oh, that feels so wonderful!"
She sat silently just marveling at the relaxing of her muscles under his trained and very skilled hands.
"Nathan, I'm so frustrated. I don't understand this case at all. This woman should never have gone to prison!"
"What do you mean?"
"Her attorney dropped the ball. There is an old law that's not often needed, that's still in effect. But in this case, it's key."
"What's the law, Darling?"
"When bribery threatening personal harm is involved, the person is more or less exonerated, especially when it involves the threat of death to self or a family member. And sadly, both criteria were met in this instance!"
"But what does this mean?"
"Reference to that Law in Court would have released her from actually serving any prison time at all. She might have still been charged with a criminal act, but it would have most likely been a forgiven one. Yet, nowhere in this file is that Law or forgiveness of any kind for that matter mentioned at all. Not in any of the Court Documents! She should have never served time, Nathan. The Judge should have caught it even though her attornies didn't. What am I going to tell Bill?"
"The truth, as always, Darling."
"But this is devastating. Do you really think he needs to know?" she asked searching his eyes.
"Think about it this way. That prison term seems to have kept them apart even after she's been released. Wouldn't this eliminate whatever preconceived need for that perception Bill still has?"
She turned and practically jumped up out of the chair, wrapping her arms around him.
"I love you so very much, Nathan Grant! I can't give her the time she spent in prison back, but I'm almost certain I can help give her dignity back by getting her criminal record expunged, and maybe even get her some type of compensation for all that time taken away from her. I also want to see that she has a happy life with the man she loves, a man who dearly loves her and is family to us which means she also is family to us!"
"I love you so much, Millicent. No one cares about people as much as you! Bill will be thrilled and furious all at once. But they have to know. She especially deserves to know. Truly, they both deserve to know."
"Will you help me tell him?"
"Of course! We'll do it the day after we arrive in Montreal. That will give us some time to figure out how we can best present it to them..."
Needless to say, Allie whipped her Uncles at Checkers, while the men decided never to play for 'promises' again as they were knee-deep and drowning in said promises!
Very detailed, elaborate promises!
In fact, the child had collected more insane promises from them than her 'Uncles' could ever repay!
Well, at least it would take till spring for them to finish, if they even could finish, that is!
But the pressure was on because the men knew their Miss Allie would never let them hear the end of it if they didn't complete them!
That night, Dinner was once again a formal affair, held in the Grant Suite, with all the Uncles in attendance.
Once again, Millicent looked stunning dressed in an Emerald Green Velvet Gown showcasing her Emerald Diamond Engagement Ring as well as her Emerald eyes.
She had helped Allie dress in a pretty little Winter White knit frock that Allie loved and had fixed her hair in a new braided style Allie wanted to try that she had seen in one of the Train's fashion magazines. Wearing her tights and matching ballet slippers, she looked so pretty with her hair fixed in the side braid she had wanted to copy. And a little more grown-up than her Dad was used to seeing.
But even he had to admit she looked beautiful!
Dining this way, even Matt, Kyle, and Lance felt like they were included as part of the family, and it was a really great warm feeling, that changed the way the boys even interacted with each other.
Which Millicent was very pleased to notice.
But once again, after an exquisite meal, all were perplexed by Allie's big question of the day, which seemed to come each night as some fancy Dessert was being served by the Stewards.
"I have a question."
"Well, that's no surprise, Sweetheart," grinned her Dad. "We'd be disappointed if you didn't!"
"I know there's a B.C. and an A.D, 'before the birth of Christ,' and 'after the death of Christ.'"
"Yes?"
"But when did time really begin? Did it begin with God's creation of the earth or was it always there before He did that?"
"Where's a good Theologian when you need him," mumbled Nathan. "Perhaps that's something you should ask Pastor Canfield, Allie."
"Miss Allie, again, you've stumped us all!" chuckled Tom.
And the entire table couldn't help but laugh, as all were thoroughly taken in by their favorite, precocious, all-inquisitive Little Girl...
Day Four on the Train was a Family Affair, with the Uncles taking turns resting up in their Suite but still planning to come to Dinner in the Grant Suite.
After a hearty breakfast for Nathan and Allie, and a much smaller one for Millicent, to Nathan's chagrin, the soon-to-be Grant Family's day truly began.
Allie was getting more excited about reaching Montreal by the minute, so Millicent took time to help her decide which dress she wanted to wear to meet her Grandparents.
"And how do you want to wear your hair?"
"I love the French Braid, Momma. Will it look too fancy if we weave the ribbons through my braid?"
"Absolutely not! That will look beautiful. You might even start a trend in Montreal, Allie!"
At the same time, Millicent chose her own attire and even offered to help Nathan.
Once clothing was decided on for all, the three settled down in the Sitting Area, ready to spend their last full day of travel relaxing, which meant all three chose their favorite books, found their favorite spots, and began reading.
Allie stretched out on the settee by the windows with Cuddles, while Nathan and Millicent sat on the main Settee, by the flowers.
"I love my flowers, Darling!"
"The florist sent some tissue with ribbon, so we can fix them for you to carry home!"
"You said home," she beamed.
"It is home. Anywhere you are is now home for us, Mil!"
She sighed.
"That's so lovely. And anywhere you and Allie are is home for me, too!"
Allie caught the words and smiled from her perch by the windows.
They always included her, and she loved that.
They really were a family!
A real family.
And they were her family!
The family she had always longed for.
After Lunch, which was served at their small banquette and table by the windows, the three decided to take a short nap in preparation to rest up for their arrival in Montreal tomorrow.
After awaking, they met again in the main sitting area, planning to finish their books.
Except for Allie who had already finished hers, and wanted to paint.
Millicent helped her set up her paints.
Then she and Nathan read, holding hands and each other, while Allie painted.
Just before it was time to dress for Dinner, the two walked over to see Allie's canvas.
"I'm not sure it's ready. Do you want to see it anyway?" asked their nervous Daughter.
"You better believe we do!" smiled Millicent truly excited to see what her daughter had spent the afternoon doing.
"Allie," was all her Dad and Momma could say together.
Had Colleen been in the room, painting, guiding her daughter's hand?
The similarities in artistic styles were astoundingly noticed by both of them.
"This is lovely, Allie. So very lovely!"
"And it's just like your Mom's, Allie. Your painting is so very much like hers," marveled Nathan.
"It really is, Angel. Just beautiful. You have her talent for sure! She would be so very proud of you!"
"Really, Momma?"
"Really, Allie!"
The winter scene on the canvas was so similar to what they were seeing through their windows. The painted snow glistened with patches of green bursting through, and the day's sky sparkled as though it contained hidden stars throughout, that doubtless would soon be making an appearance at night's fall.
The painting practically jumped from the canvas, as though it were alive.
Yet, Allie had no idea how special it was.
She was simply happy to be doing something she loved...
Later that night for Dinner, Millicent dressed in a beautiful Cornflower Blue gown of heavy satin that wowed and was one of Nathan's many favorites. She looked absolutely radiant, and somehow the Cornflower Blue made her Emerald eyes appear even deeper in color. She again accessorized with her Diamond Bracelets and her Pearls.
Allie wore a dress that was a shade lighter than Millicent's and was a midi in length which Allie loved, and since this was their last night onboard, Millicent suggested Allie wear the two pearl bracelets her grandfather had given her, along with her Mother's pearl necklace, which thrilled Allie to no end and made her feel even more grown up!
At Dinner, her Uncles oohed and aahed over Allie's artwork, which made her start to believe her painting might really be better than she thought.
But after Dinner, during Dessert, Allie started fidgeting with her mind elsewhere, preparing to ask her mandatory question of the day, having already peppered her parents with questions throughout the day while painting.
"I was thinking while I was looking out the window and trying to decide what to paint. Why do we have four seasons of weather, and some places only really have one, with no snow whatsoever?"
"Hm!" voiced Uncle Kyle. "Never really thought about it."
"Well, I have another one!"
"Can you please ask us one we can attempt to answer without a Professor's degree in meteorology, Allie?" asked her Dad. "As regrettably, none of us have that!"
"Yes, Sir, or at least I hope you can! Are we living or are we dying?"
"That one I can answer, Allie!"
"Really, Dad? How?"
"With every single breath we take, we are one hundred percent living. And we must live well, Allie, our very best life possible. Living, along with eternal life, is our greatest gift and we must give it our all and do the very best we can. I really believe God expects that of us. For when that moment where we cease to breathe sneaks down upon us, it is only with that last breath we are truly dying."
"You mean as long as we have breath, we live?"
"Yes, I do mean that. Exactly that! And it's up to us to live to the maximum, our very best life possible. Don't ever forget that, Sweetheart."
Allie's face lit up.
"I won't, Sir. I promise I'll never forget! I think that's what we are doing right now with making Momma a part of our family! It's gonna be our best life ever, Dad!"
Millicent bent to kiss her Daughter's cheek.
There was instantly a renewed spirit around their makeshift table on this night.
Together, they were undaunted by the problems their future might bring. Because tonight, those problems didn't matter or even exist. What did matter, was that they were all together.
And they would soon officially be a Family and extended Family too.
Each of them felt a recommitment to this new life they were all forging together, each choosing that life as well as each other, each determined to make the result their very best life possible, making their future together a very bright and exciting one indeed.
And that beautiful future would begin in Montreal, which was excitedly just around the corner...
(*80) "Frere Jacques Lyrics & Translation," Jean-Philippe Rameau, 1683-1764, Public Domain
