Chapter 91: First Morning in Montreal
After a deep rest-filled night, Nathan woke early, just like he usually did, but this time he was stretching out on his huge new bed.
He was happily waking up to no cases to organize or any other of his new cumbersome tasks as Chief Inspector, nor as with his past job, morning rounds to make.
Ensconced by huge fluffy goose-down pillows, he was also surprisingly, thanks to Millicent, covered in one of the quilts he had used as a boy.
Last night when he first saw the quilt, he had been overwhelmed with love, immediately recognizing it as one of the many his mother had made when he was younger, which made it a treasure to him.
His fiancée had casually lain it across the foot of his bed in a lovely effort to make him feel at home.
Love for his mother and love for his soon-to-be wife overflowed within him.
And it was that love causing him to once again consider how very blessed he was to have a Christian mother who had been willing to sacrifice everything for him and his sister and had often done so.
But he couldn't help but realize, also, how the most important woman in his life, measured up to his own mother in every way, as he had fallen in love with the most beautiful, benevolent Christian fiancée a man could have.
The scripture passage of Proverbs 31: 10-12 came to his mind:
"Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her (and that he already did completely) so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life." (*85)
Millicent lifted him up in a way he had never experienced before.
And he knew he was truly safe, only with her, a fact that made him marvel over how it actually felt to now have that knowledge.
"Thank you, Mother! Thank you, my Darling Millicent. Mission accomplished, Love!"
The family quilt was an intricate design called the Laundry Basket, a pattern from his Aunt Riona, who long ago had moved to what eventually became known as the Territory of Alaska in 1912. As it was so unique, she had sent it to his mother to try. He remembered all that from his mother's early quilting years when she quilted out of necessity to keep her family warm.
He also remembered his mother's great pride at finally mastering the difficult pattern, and how she had announced this was an indoor quilt only. No picnics allowed with this treasure! And no outdoor camping tents! Yet, she never could settle on a particular room to use it in, as she never thought it really matched its surroundings the way she had hoped.
So, the quilt, although magnificent as well as a family treasure, had been shifted from room to room, with each member of the family using it at one time or another.
The masterpiece was truly a work of art, made in beautifully patterned fabrics of muted blues and greens. Ironically, the quilt looked like it had been made all those years ago specifically for this room and this room alone, as it somehow blended perfectly into the surrounding luxury.
There was no doubt now that this particular quilt had finally found its home!
As Nathan opened his eyes more fully, adjusting to his new surroundings with the morning light streaming in, he suddenly realized this was the Master Bedroom he and Millicent would soon be sharing as Husband and Wife, at least whenever they were in the city of Montreal.
That thought brought a brilliant crooked smile to his rugged, still sleep-filled face.
His Wedding Day was almost here!
He would soon be marrying the woman of his dreams, this most gorgeous, spirited woman of depth, both inside and out, who would always take his breath away.
Allie would also legally have the mother she had always dreamed of and already adored.
The prayers of all three had finally been beautifully answered, in a way none of them could have ever dreamed, whereas God had patiently seen a beautiful family all along.
Still, Nathan was surprised at how well he had rested, this being his first night in his new room, his new bed. He was amazed as this was the largest, most comfortable bed he had ever slept in. Yet he was already feeling right at home, even though his entire rowhouse could have fit inside this suite of rooms, with space to spare.
He was a big man and had to admit he liked having the comfort and freedom of the large space.
After all, it wasn't the size of the space, or how fancy it was, but the love found within its walls, a lesson he was re-learning every day, and in this Suite of rooms, he clearly felt the love.
The large Bedroom Suite was quite elegant, filled like the quilt, with his favorite earth colors of blues and greens, reminding him of those in the Dining Room, yet very different and much more varied in the number of hues and tones used.
In fact, overall, it was much more masculine.
All the tones were complemented perfectly by the light and medium brown tones of the furniture.
The softened, muted colors were reflective of nature which he loved, but with French Antiques scattered among plush cushioned sofas and chairs that were more Country English in style with their plump pillowy down upholstery in beautiful paisleys and coordinating checks mostly in blues, but with a subtle thread of green popping up here and there throughout. That green was further echoed via the many large green tree-like plants that were found sporadically within the area, giving the space an outdoor garden-like feel.
Large plump pillows abounded in both blues and greens and were comfortably scattered everywhere, some even on the floor in stacks within rolling wooden frames, serving as ottomans!
To say the pieces were comfortable was quite the understatement, as Nathan had actually fallen asleep lying on the broad sofa last night while attempting to read a bit before going to bed.
In addition to the furniture, the rooms contained every imaginable comfort a Master Suite could possibly have, including two massive fireplaces that anchored the rooms and provided warmth throughout.
The huge pillows now surrounding him on his bed were also made of the softest goose down, while the enveloping linens were so soft, they felt like silk against his calloused hands. He was lying in the middle of 'bed comfort' personified.
Astounded at how luxuriating it all felt, he was sure the linens had greatly added to his restful night's sleep.
In addition to his old quilt, it had not gone unnoticed that Millicent had placed his Bible and a few of his favorite books on the nightstand closest to him, a huge bouquet of his favorite wildflowers on his dresser, and a second on the low table in front of the sofa in their Sitting Area.
She had even placed back-ups of all his favorite toiletries in his Water Closet, having seen them while she had been caring for him after the shooting in Hope Valley.
To further make her fiancé feel at home, she had placed individual photos of Allie and her around the rooms, as well as one of the three of them together, and his favorite of the couple's Engagement photos by his bed, all in silver frames
She had also seen that Essie's assistant had unpacked and put away his clothes, leaving no luggage in sight, prior to him ever entering the room, while she had spent her time tending to Allie, making sure her daughter felt welcome in her new home.
How could Nathan not feel loved and at home?
Millicent clearly treasured both him and his daughter, who was already part hers and would upon their marriage legally be so.
Obviously, this room was the most elaborate of all the bedrooms in both Townhouses, which he should have expected, given it was their Master Suite. And without a doubt, this was the most elegant room he had ever slept in, overlooking the stunning park he had loved since serving in Montreal, never dreaming that someday he would live in a house on its perimeter.
Yet, in more ways than not, he still felt at home, although the most important part for him was still missing.
The most important part, being, of course, the most important person in the world to him.
How he longed for Millicent to be with him as his wife, lying beside him in this massive bed, sharing his moments with her, sharing life with her.
He was so ready to declare his love and pledge his vows to her in front of the world that, at times, he felt he was ready to implode within.
But, as a couple, thankfully, they had finally reached that point where their Wedding Day, now only about a week and a half away, was becoming a wonderful reality to both of them.
They could now relax in the assurance their union would be happening very, very soon.
They were now in the down-home stretch, and thankfully they would be spending that time while waiting for their new life to begin, together in the same city and house, chaperoned by Estella and Hendrix, enjoying their first Christmas together as a family.
And just like their excited Allie, neither could wait for those remaining days to pass and for the Grant Family of three to become an official family.
But for now, Nathan was craving some pre-breakfast Coffee.
Having early Coffee had become a habit of his, as usually in Hope Valley, he would go downstairs before Allie wakened to lay a new fire in the fireplace and warm the downstairs. Then he would get the stove hot and ready for him to cook breakfast later for his daughter. After that, he would return to his room upstairs to have his daily devotions and dress for his workday before waking Allie to get dressed for school, as well as the breakfast he would soon have ready.
He slid out of bed, sinking his toes into the massive plush oriental rug stretching out from under his bed to cover most of the room. Then he slipped on his worn leather slippers and grabbed his somewhat now ragged robe, something he would have to remember to replace for his Honeymoon.
He hurried into his expansive Water Closet where he washed his face, brushed his teeth, and combed his unruly hair, but without shaving; that could wait till after his Coffee.
Thankfully, yesterday after their arrival he had been able to convince Security that with him upstairs, the Guard, who normally stayed in Millicent's Hallway during the night shift, would be better served to man the main staircase from the first floor with a second Guard covering the back staircase, also from below.
There were more than enough guards outside monitoring the upstairs balconies and downstairs terraces.
He felt that Allie would be frightened to wake up in the middle of the night to see a stranger outside her door, and frankly, since he was always armed, Nathan preferred his family to have the privacy he could afford them instead.
The Chief of Security had to agree that Nathan's recommendations were actually an improvement over what they had been doing.
And both Nathan and Millicent were thrilled to know they'd have that much of a higher degree of privacy as a family together, than what they would have had previously when in the City.
Now, their upstairs would be their haven, unencroached by Security from within.
Although Nathan hadn't mentioned it, except to Millicent, given the kidnappers being released soon, security would be heightened like never before, both for the Wedding and the family here in Montreal, as well as Allie in Toronto with Richard's family, and even for the couple on their Honeymoon.
He was hoping Allie would just take it all in stride as a new norm, so that she wouldn't be aware of the significant increase, nor worried by it all.
Truthfully, he was thankful she would be staying with Richard, Margaret, and their children during their Honeymoon, as they and the grandparents, along with Bill, were the only people he would have trusted leaving her with.
Finally feeling halfway presentable, after throwing a couple of logs onto the fires, Nathan meandered through his Sitting Area to the huge double doors, opening them quietly so that he wouldn't wake Allie, who was hopefully still sleeping next door to him...
But as he raised his eyes and turned around from softly closing the doors behind him, he was pleasantly surprised to see Millicent coming out into the hall through her new bedroom door.
She was as surprised as he was, but with a delighted smile, held up a finger to her lips, reminding him not to wake Allie.
He winked, understanding, and walked to her as quietly as he could, drawing his fiancée into his arms, playfully kissing her multiple times, making both of them feel loved and most definitely at home.
She opened up her door again, so they could slip just inside and not wake anyone, but still, she left the huge door wide open.
"Thank you for making my room so special and for making me feel so at home and so loved!" he whispered. "I already feel perfectly at home! The quilt, the photos, the wildflowers, even my toiletries. Everything was perfect!"
"Mmm," she murmured contentedly. "That was the intention, my Love!"
"I love you so!"
"And I love you so, my Darling!" she whispered back, holding him close. "It's heaven just to be able to see you now, to be held by you. I still can't believe you and Allie are really here. I feel complete, and I'm just so deliriously happy!"
"Me too. I adore you, my Darling. And so does Allie. This is blissful being together. But why up so early? And already dressed," he asked in a low, concerned voice.
She smiled lovingly and stretched to kiss him once more but quickly pulled away, striving to be proper in the wee early hours of the morning.
"Everything's fine, but to answer your question, I know Allie is twelve, and she is more than old enough to dress, but I just…I just wanted to be sure to be there when she first woke up. It's just that it's…it's her first time in her new home, and her new bedroom, and I wanted to make sure…"
He picked up her hand and kissed her Emerald Engagement Ring, then looked up with his eyes still sparkling.
"You wanted to be there to make sure she felt loved, safe, and at home."
"Is that too much?"
"No, not at all, Love!" and he kissed her soft lips once more to prove it before he continued.
"I love you for thinking of her. She will love her Momma being there when she wakes! Not to change the subject, but how do you look so lovely in your split riding pants?"
They were made of cream and taupe tweed, of the latest style, that matched her bulky cream pullover sweater and taupe suede boots, but had they been a similar cut found in the town's wastebin, Nathan surmised she would probably have looked every bit as good!
"You just have that beautiful knack, Mil. Everything you put on looks wonderful, making you look like a model! That's been the case since I first met you as a little girl!"
"I'm not sure about that with all those ghastly winter plaids I had to wear growing up, but what a lovely compliment!"
"I actually loved those plaids," and the look in his eyes proved those words true.
"Thank you, Love! But that's just because you and Richard only had to wear the matching plaid vests, which were mostly hidden by your navy blazers, in place of the blaring plaid dresses Colleen and I had to wear for our classes. I still have to think twice before I wear plaid, even as an adult. But for today, I thought I'd better keep it casual and warm for our tree hunting. You look mighty rugged yourself, so very handsome, I might add!"
She placed her hand on his stubbly cheek, and as their eyes danced together, he could feel his skin tingle at her touch.
"Excuse the rough stubble. I was planning to shave later."
"I love the stubble!"
"You do, do you?"
"I do!" she had to catch her breath, realizing how soon she would be saying those words for real.
Nathan chuckled lowly while realizing the same.
"I do, too. Now, are we married?"
He squinted his eyes just so.
She playfully hit her palm against his chest.
"Where were you going so early, Love?" she asked, curiously.
"Downstairs to the kitchen, as I happen to be in desperate need of Coffee!"
"Not necessary."
"What?" he asked, not understanding at all what she meant.
"There's a tiny 'upstairs kitchen' at the end of the hall. Come, I'll fix the Coffee!"
He followed her obediently, but was surprised, as the 'upstairs kitchen' was anything but tiny by his standards.
True, it was much smaller than the one downstairs, but definitely not tiny.
His eyes grew large, intrigued by what he was taking in.
To be honest, it was bigger than their rowhouse kitchen in Hope Valley. And very nice indeed. There was a large antique round French table and beautiful wooden caned chairs to seat at least six.
"You mean I get to raid this place every single night?" asked Nathan incredulously.
She caught herself before she laughed out loud, as they were trying to keep their voices low since at least Hendrix and Allie were still sleeping, if not Estella.
"Whenever and for whatever your heart desires! It's well-stocked, and if you think of anything else you'd like in the middle of the night, just let me know, and we'll add it to the grocery list."
"Uhm, I'll have to think about that. May I help you with the Coffee?" he asked.
"Yes, please. Grab your favorite Coffee blend in the cabinet right above you. I'll put the kettle on!"
Nathan opened the cabinet and found a plethora of Coffees and Teas to choose from, as well as a hefty assortment of Breakfast Biscuits above them.
"Is there any Cream," he asked.
"Sure! In the fridge behind that long panel. But I thought you always took your Coffee black," she asked surprised.
"I do unless it's in the middle of the night or before breakfast; then I add a splash of cream. Don't ask me why," he shrugged, but then something struck him.
"Actually, come to think of it, that just started since you came roaring back into my life."
"That's sweet, Love! Maybe, it comforts you when I can't be there to do so," she smiled flirtatiously. "I actually like that, 'roaring back into your life!'"
"That's absolutely it," he smiled back with that flirting glint in his eyes. "You're my Cream!"
"I'd better be lots more than your Cream, Nathan Grant!" she teased. "Now, I'll never forget adding Cream at night! And soon, lots of other things too!"
"You promise?" he grinned, thinking about the possibilities.
"You have no idea, Fiance!" she giggled.
"Mil, I don't think I've ever seen a fridge quite like this. It just looks like your cabinets."
"Our cabinets, Love! It was the idea of a decorator who helped me, and I thought it was a fairly good one. Everything is so hidden that at first glance, you might not even realize this is a kitchen!"
"Is there anything this 'Upstairs Kitchen' doesn't have?"
"It's pretty well stocked with Snacks, and the makings for Sandwiches, along with Fruit, and Drinks. Oh, and Essie keeps fresh Croissants, Pastries, and Jams, too, along with the fresh Milk and Juices. There's enough to make a quick continental breakfast and lots of Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows for Allie, but that's about it. All the real cooking goes on downstairs, although I suppose the three of us could eat continental style up here alone when we want to have a light family breakfast. But for the fancier meals, we'll have to go downstairs."
"Sounds perfect either way! What are you doing?"
"Finding you a few Biscuits to go along with your Coffee! Or would you rather have a fresh Pastry with some fruit?"
"No, thank you, just you and Coffee! Well, maybe a Biscuit or two. But, will you keep me company, please?"
He looked so desperate for her not to leave him, with his eyes practically begging her.
But she wouldn't have been able to have left him had he not asked her to stay.
"Of course, Baby, but it will have to be in here. Essie would have a coronary if she found us in each other's bedrooms!"
"Here is perfect. In fact, anywhere is perfect with you there, Mil!"
"I can't tell you how perfect it is to have you here! My life finally does feel complete and there's this utter peace. I'm so deliriously happy."
The brilliance of her smile was reflected in her beautiful deep Emerald eyes.
Rather than answer back, although all he wanted to do was to quote her love poems endlessly, he turned her around and kissed her desperately, in their place.
"I love you desperately and deliriously, Millie! And I've learned the hard way that I'm only complete with you by my side. How terribly I've missed you all those long weeks!"
"Desperately love you and missed you, too, Nate," she agreed. "So desperately! Less than two weeks and we're Husband and Wife forever!"
"Now that thought is truly heavenly!"
Then because he wanted her so very much, he changed the subject, running his hands through his hair in frustration.
She reached up and lovingly straightened the mess of curls he had just made, which made him feel cherished like never before but also left him feeling as though he was about to become undone…
(*85) Proverbs 31: 10-12, The Holy Bible, King James Version, Public Domain
