Chapter 119
A New Lifelong Friend
. . .
"There are lots more stories, Son!" confirmed Edward. "Although, way too many to cover in one evening! And some are, let's just say, rather difficult."
Nathan could tell Edward was troubled by what he was about to divulge.
"I suppose the most recent use of the Ballroom has been to house our returning soldiers from World War I or The Great War, as many call it. During this most recent mobilization period from 1916 to our current year of 1918, many, many soldiers have passed through this very Ballroom to transition back into society. It's a brutally difficult thing for them to do after seeing the horrors of war. Of the 620,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders who have been mobilized, 67,000 have been killed and 173,000 wounded, meaning 39% of those mobilized to date have been casualties. Most of the soldiers are between eighteen and forty-five years of age, although our Prime Minister tells me thousands who serve are younger or older, as many lie about their birth date to enlist. He shared with me that the oldest recorded is eighty, while the youngest recorded is known to be merely ten years of age." *124
Everyone gasped.
"That was my reaction as well; just heartbreaking! The average age of Canadian soldiers is a mere twenty-six years of age. Very humbling. I won't go into their list of injuries, as many are devastating, with so many losing multiple limbs. Many of them aren't ready to return to the security of their families, while some have no families to return to due to deaths or simply being alone. We're blessed and honored to do what we can to help."
"Yes, we are, indeed! And so, the returning soldiers come here for an interim, really as long as they need," explained Victoria. "It varies with each individual person. But we see that they have medical and psychiatric help and gradually try to do whatever is necessary to assimilate them back into society, little by little. But Edward is right. Many of their stories are quite devastating."
"What Edward and Victoria won't tell you, I'm afraid, falls to me yet again," interrupted Luciana. "I say, tell it like it is! Edward and Victoria provide our men with food, clothing, and free lodging, a safe space, if you will. They also provide complete mental and physical rehabilitation when needed while securing good-paying jobs for those interested, literally providing them with everything needed to restart their civilian lives. More are expected soon, am I not right, Victoria?"
"Yes, Luciana, that's correct. But the group we were expecting in January will now arrive in February instead due to a change in their release dates."
"That's a very noble endeavor," thanked Archie, who was particularly interested, as he had served in the British Navy.
Once a military man, always a military heart.
"You are serving in a way few people are able or willing to do. I'm sure God is pleased that you are so graciously intervening. I can't even imagine what this means to these returning soldiers," mused Nathan.
"The problem is whatever we do, it's just a drop in the proverbial bucket. It's a societal problem of epic proportions and evidence of the harsh aftermath of a war that never truly goes away," admitted Edward.
"Yet doing something is much better than nothing, Sir!"
"Yes, Son, that is certainly the case! I only wish our government could do more to ease their long-term burdens. Moving to more local matters, not too long ago, I believe, in 1915, there was a catastrophic fire at the Catholic Orphanage, Montreal's largest orphanage. The entire complex literally burned to the ground in a matter of hours. Victoria was the only one of us with the presence of mind to act immediately. Without any hesitation whatsoever, my brilliant wife arranged for the children, along with their caretakers, who also had no place to go, to all be moved to this Ballroom that very night," remembered Edward.
"They stayed here for months until the massive building had been rebuilt to Edward's exacting specifications," added Victoria.
"Again, with Edward's own funding," interjected Luciana. "Although, he would never admit that."
"Luciana," urged Edward. "None of this is about us, nor money."
"I know, dear Brother, but credit where credit is due! Besides, this is family we're talking to."
"Just make sure it stays family, my dear Sister!"
"Of course! I'm as discreet as they come!"
Nathan thought he might have detected the beginnings of either an eyeroll from Edward, just like Allie's, or the onset of a migraine, while Millicent did her best to restrain a giggle.
Unfazed, Luciana soldiered on.
"Meanwhile, Edward and Victoria provided all their food and clothing during that extended time," she added conspiratorially with no remorse at all.
"That's quite enough, Luciana!" warned an embarrassed Edward.
"Hmph! Men!"
"More importantly," offered Victoria. "All of us, including Luciana, were hands-on in offering the children plenty of love and stability. Millicent also helped every spare moment she could, whenever she could get away from her law practice."
"I remember the children were given the same free reign throughout the house as my siblings and I had growing up, using our former playroom and taking their meals with the family," noted Millicent.
"But the part I loved the most was that it mattered not that the family is Protestant and the caretakers and children were all Catholic, nor that things were broken," continued Millicent. "To my parents, people in need are people in need and are all treated the same. That's a beautiful lesson they've repeatedly taught us through their many giving actions. And as far as Mother is concerned, broken objects can always be discarded, mended, or replaced if needed. People can't. It's that simple!"
"A lesson you must remember as you start your own family, my Dear. It helps you to focus on what's really important," reminded Victoria. "Because in life, untoward things tend to happen, including breakage of cherished items. But it's the family, the people around you, who are important. Never forget that. Not the things that surround us!"
"Indeed, Mother, we certainly intend to do just that, don't we, Love!"
"Absolutely! It's strange, but I've always taught Allie the same thing," admitted Nathan. "People come first; things are secondary!"
"Nathan, Mother still stays in touch with many of the children who stayed with us."
"That's why everyone loves your mother, my mother included. She's so caring, giving, and loving," complimented Nathan. "As is my own mother. I do believe that's why they're such great friends."
"Thank you, Son," his mother stretched to kiss his cheek.
"Thank you, too, Son," added Victoria. "I'll admit I fell completely in love with the children. They are just so precious and such a joy. They'll be in my heart forever. I often still visit them, and it's just amazing how far they have come. You'll meet them, Nathan, on our Christmas Eve Day of service. I'll introduce you to each of them. Well, the ones who are still there, though I keep in touch with the ones who have outgrown the place as well."
"I look forward to it, Victoria. It will be an honor!"
"So, there you have a few examples, Son," smiled Edward, "as to what this Ballroom has contributed over the years. Though this entire remarkable structural feat has served as the most memorable of backdrops to many, many more events, too numerous to count. There is even a series of logs somewhere recording its history of events and uses. I'll have to see if I can locate them for you."
"That would be wonderful, Sir," offered Nathan, genuinely interested and already feeling very differently about this room and its formality.
"For me, Darling, to add to what Father said, this place always seems to elicit an aura of intrigue and mystery from its inhabitants at each and every glance, nudging the eye to ponder and surmise what figurative splendor could possibly lie behind this myriad of magnificent arches, which, personally, have always intrigued me immensely. All appearing stalwartly the same, uniform and unbudging in their exacting dimensions. There's a sturdiness, almost a calming reassurance about them, making me feel whatever happens within these walls will work out. Does that make sense?"
"That makes perfect sense, Darling," and he lifted her hands to his lips while falling more and more in love with her.
He knew from what she had said that she loved this room, and having now heard these stories, he was proud to understand why.
Suddenly, the room's formality no longer mattered, and he saw the space in an entirely new light.
A welcoming light…
"Before we return to the Dance Floor, Nathan and I want to sit a bit longer and say how perfectly wonderful tonight is. We also want to thank you for giving us this celebration of our love as well as celebrating with us," noted Millicent, who got up to kiss and embrace the mothers, along with Auntie Luciana, as well as the fathers.
Nathan also got up to stand beside her, kissing the ladies and shaking their fathers' hands, both ending in embraces, too.
"We are so very grateful. From the bottom of our hearts, we both thank you!"
"Well, I'm afraid we men haven't done much at all except to pay for it. Right, Arch?"
"And proud to do so," smiled Archie.
Everyone laughed as Nathan was touched, pleased Edward had included his father.
"This is our distinct pleasure, Son," offered Sophia as Nathan helped seat Millicent again. "It's been a pure delight!"
"We were so pleased to do this, Sweetheart! Sophia and I just wanted this to be a night for the two of you to remember with beautiful memories to cherish your entire lifetime," explained Victoria. "We also wanted to give you an opportunity, Nathan, to meet the people of Montreal since you will be living here part of each year."
"Oh, Mother, we will cherish these memories without any doubt! Both of us also appreciate the décor. It's absolutely stunning! I don't believe I've ever seen everything look so perfect together," complimented Millicent.
And she was right.
For tonight, the entire space could not have been more elegant or festive, but oddly, in the simplest of ways.
The added decor was natural and understated, especially since the sophisticated room itself reeked of elegance even in lieu of anything being added, given the room's inherent formality.
"Well, now, the décor, you owe all to me!" announced Archie proudly.
Everyone laughed.
"Pray tell," teased Sophia, but lovingly.
"Well, the man does have a point," agreed Edward. "The truth is, Archie was the one who offered a word of profound wisdom when it was needed the most. Your mothers were so intent on giving you two the perfect night that they were working much too hard. It was Arch who reminded them that the two of you are in love, and no matter what they did, it would still be the perfect night for that reason alone!"
"Very wise, Dad!" agreed Nathan. "And very true!"
"I'll admit that reminder served to re-focus us," confessed Sophia. "And made us determined to keep everything simple. After all, with the many gorgeous Chandeliers, not a whole lot was required. We simply added flickering candles to the Candelabras, which we strategically and heavily placed throughout, and truthfully not much else was needed at all."
"In honor of you, Nathan, we brought the outdoors inside, attempting to balance the room's formality, adding the plethora of lush greenery, pinecones, and holly berries you see everywhere," explained Victoria. "And in honor of you, Millicent, we brought in the mounds of Christmas Poinsettias, each thought to resemble the Star of Bethlehem, all in white since you love white flowers. Juxta positioned against the room's innate formality, I believe nature's material is even more stunningly impactful, softening the room and creating a true overall blended setting. We truly hope you love it!"
"We do, Victoria," nodded Nathan. "The décor reflects us perfectly, and we thank you for doing that. It is quite ingenious, yet elegant too in a woodsy sort of way."
"Though tonight, given the celebration, the ambiance of romance was purposely heightened just a bit more than usual, mostly attributable to the thousands of golden stars, seemingly hanging on invisible threads, that are falling from this massive ceiling above us, cascading downward in varying lengths, all somehow magically twinkling away," pointed out Victoria. "And that was all Sophia's idea! Although we won't tell our secrets as to how we made it all happen!"
"We hope our stars rival the twinkling stars shining brightly in the outside sky, currently shimmering magnificently across the icy Skater's Pond with Professional Skaters, which was all Victoria's wonderful idea, I might add," smiled Sophia.
"How exciting! We'll have to go see the Skaters, Darling," enthused Millicent.
"Topping everything off, we wanted the whole room to be tinged in a shimmering film of sheer gold, just like Millicent's gorgeous golden gown, which though totally unplanned, is a most gorgeous circumstance, fitting perfectly with the room's decor," noted Victoria. "We couldn't have planned it better, Darling!"
"Millicent is breathtaking and, as always, the most beautiful woman in the room, along with the three gorgeous ladies who are also with me right now."
"Very diplomatic, Son," laughed Luciana. "But you're allowed to exclude us as long as you take the best care in the world of our darling girl!"
"Oh, Auntie Luciana, that is a given. You have my word!"
Nathan sealed the deal with a wink to Auntie Luciana and a sweet kiss for Millicent.
"Everything is positively amazing, and as Nathan said, so us! Thank you both, Dear Mothers and Fathers, as well as Dear Auntie Luciana!"
Victoria spoke up for all the parents.
"Formal, informal, or both, tonight's celebration is simply about family, and by family, I mean the Grants and the Bradfords, as well as all our many friends celebrating with us tonight. My Darlings, we are so blessed to have a beloved daughter and son who have fallen hopelessly and hopefully in love. Tonight, we're all here for one thing only: to honor your wonderful Engagement, wishing you well, your whole lives through!"
She wiped a couple of tears, as did Sophia and Auntie Luciana, then continued.
"You are so very loved, our dear children, more than you can ever know. We, parents, couldn't be happier or prouder. But just remember, the stars here tonight, just as the stars in the heavens, go with you to always light your way…"
Later, on the dance floor, Nathan and Millicent were in the middle of a waltz, smiling at each other in singular accord.
"I've never been happier, Darling!" grinned Nathan with his signature lop-sided grin. "I do admit, though, I'm not quite sure how to manage the remaining days till our wedding."
"We fill them with celebrating Christmas for Allie, Darling, and us. It will be our first Christmas together as a family, which is exciting and extraordinary! I'm certain the Holidays will take some of the Wedding anxiety and impatience away and allow us to create new memories as a couple and a family, even before our much-awaited union."
"Of course, you're right, Mil. Then just after Christmas, most of Hope Valley will arrive for our big day! And we'll be so busy with so many Wedding and Travel activities that time will literally fly!"
"Our Wedding really is happening, Nate, and thankfully the time is much nearer than we realize."
"You make very valid points. New Year's Eve will be here before we know it! Just think, all the people we love will be here to support us and share in our joy. And that means everything, my Love."
Nathan bent to kiss her forehead as they continued to dance; he kissed her so tenderly, even reverently, not wanting to ever let her go.
"Neither have I ever been happier, my Love!" she responded breathlessly. "Let's just enjoy every single glorious moment we have together till our Wedding Day."
"How you always know exactly what I'm thinking, what I need, I'll never know. But I love you all the more for having that uncanny gift!"
"Nathan, I know that tonight is very different for you than for me. And much more difficult. But except for your intimate and perfect proposal, which is ours alone forever to cherish privately, I believe tonight is the most special night of my life. At least to date," she added coyly.
"And why would that be, Miss Bradford?" he asked curiously.
"I'm getting to introduce and share the man I adore with all the important people in my life, many for the first time," she reached up to caress his cheek with her slender hand.
"But you do happen to have the home-court advantage," teased Nathan.
"Having grown up here, that I do," she admitted. "Yet another advantage is that I've known most of these people my entire life. I know all that's different for you, my Darling. But…"
"Shhh! I'm teasing. I owe you an apology, Mil," he offered as his face clouded with guilt.
"No, Love. You couldn't possibly…"
"Yes, I do, Darling! I was afraid I'd feel out of place tonight with all these hundreds of strangers. But the reality is that both you and our mothers have gone to great lengths to ensure that isn't the case. I'll admit that meeting all these people was really overwhelming to me at first. But I'm thrilled to confess, thanks to you, they are rapidly becoming acquaintances and even friends."
"Oh, Nathan, that makes me so very happy!"
"You met all of Hope Valley, as well as the entire Mountie force and their wives in Union City, charming them all! You even sat on the dais with me when you were exhausted after a long journey. And you did all that for me without a single complaint."
She had tears glistening in her eyes.
"But I loved doing that for you."
"The truth is, although I didn't think it was possible until tonight, I love doing this for you, too, Millicent!"
Her throat caught as he continued.
"Having been raised in a rustic old ranch house, obviously, I don't have full home-court advantage in this mansion of mansions, but I've at least had the honor of being familiar with this home over the years. Besides, I love its people. Despite its grandeur, it is very much a home, Mil, and for that, I am very thankful."
"Well, I love that rustic old ranch house you were raised in, and just as that will also be my home in ten-days-time, this, such as it is, will also be yours and Allie's."
"I see that, feel that, now. Oh, Mil, how could I not? I've gotten to dance the night away with the woman of my every dream, showing our love to the world. I'm grateful that because of your family, this is a world I've been acquainted with, although I'll admit, in the past, it has never truly been mine except for looking in from the fringes. But tonight, because I love you completely, I understand now that this world is part of our ever-expanding world together. And nothing is more important than that."
"Then this is home, too?" she asked hesitantly, almost afraid of the answer he would give.
He smiled so brilliantly with complete understanding of her need for him to be comfortable.
"This, my Darling, is now home too because you are here. You and Allie are now my family, as well as each and every Bradford! And that becomes official in just a few days when we become legally bound together for all eternity."
"And I can't wait! I love you so very much, Nathan Grant!"
"Oh, how I love you, too, Millicent Bradford!"
He drew her closer to him, marveling that, surprisingly, as he had admittedly feared, he hadn't felt uncomfortable during this entire evening.
"Short of sorting out a bit of overwhelm regarding all this room's formality, I haven't felt uncomfortable once this entire evening. How could I, with beautiful, considerate, loving you by my side? Also, more important than any formal setting, tonight's overall mood is joyful and supportive. I'm awed, but all your friends seem genuinely honored to be taking part in this, our special evening."
She sighed, so very thankful. She had prayed for this very thing, prioritizing his comfort above all else. And her prayers had just now been most gratefully answered…
As the couple looked out over the Ballroom, they couldn't help but notice the many resolute, influential male citizens of Montreal and beyond who made up the heart of the area's most powerful Business Community. They were formally elegant in their tuxes, and all proudly accounted for, including the Prime Minister, who had all taken time out of their busy schedules to celebrate the Grant/Bradford Engagement.
What an honor that was!
While their partners, who made up the city's social scene, were simply stunning, wearing their best jewelry and very elaborate Holiday ballgowns in jeweled tones of green and red purchased from the various Couture Houses of Europe, many from France, just like Nathan's poem suggested.
But most importantly, men and women alike were all having a splendid time.
Unbelievably, it seemed as though the entire city was in this one massive Ballroom, Victoria having admitted that total attendance had reached four hundred instead of the original three hundred she had strived to maintain.
Clearly relaxed and thrilled to be celebrating Nathan and Millicent's Engagement, the guests kept coming up to the happy pair, couple after couple, even interrupting their dancing just to get in a private word.
Still feeling the need for a bit of privacy for just the two of them, even if for just a few moments, Nathan gently cupped Millicent's elbow, attempting to discreetly steer her off the dance floor once more, away from the crowd to the vast wall of glass doors ostensibly to see the Skaters, though really just wanting to steal a quiet moment for the two of them alone.
"What do you say we escape for a moment, Love," he whispered conspiratorially, which she matched with her single excited and flirty glance.
He chuckled low, again knowing he could always count on this beautiful woman completely 'getting' him.
They both needed real alone time, away from their every move being watched.
But at the same time, each guest was hoping for a memorable few moments with them, wanting desperately to make a good impression on this upstanding handsome new gentleman with the commanding presence who was now part of them.
Sadly, every few steps Nathan and Millicent took, they found themselves deluged by increasingly anxious couples to chat.
"Millicent, you look so lovely standing by this devilishly handsome man. Do tell, where did you ever find him, my Dear?"
"Hello, Charlotta! This is my fiancé, Chief Inspector Nathan Grant. Nathan, Darling, this is Charlotta Ratzhammer, and her husband Jonathan, the best equine veterinarian in all of Montreal, if not the entire province of Quebec!"
"Mrs. Ratzhammer, Dr. Ratzhammer, the pleasure is all mine," nodded Nathan politely.
"It's Charlotta, Dear! And Jonathan. Seriously, wherever did you find this treasure of a man, Millicent?" asked Charlotta absently as she shook hands with a blushing Nathan, holding on a bit longer to his hand than Nathan would have preferred.
"Honestly, Charlotta? In a barn, on his parents' horse ranch, when we were ten years old, just as Father said!" smiled Millicent proudly.
"My goodness, a childhood love that's stood the test of time!"
"Yes, Ma'am! You most certainly could say that," smiled Nathan glancing down at Millicent with twinkling eyes, which only further served to charm his already smitten guest.
"Jonathan, did you hear that? They knew they'd end up together when they were ten years old!"
Both Nathan and Millicent tried to correct that statement, but alas, to no avail, as Charlotta hurriedly prattled on.
"Why that's the most romantic thing I've ever heard in my entire life! Isn't it, Jonathan?"
"Yes, Sweetheart, it truly is very romantic," agreed Jonathan. "Nathan, I apologize for my wife's penchant for detail, as well as her interest in other people's romances. But, since you were raised on a horse ranch, I take it you love horses?"
Millicent smiled, knowing Nathan was now in good hands with Jonathan.
"Yes, Sir! Very much. Haven't met a horse yet I haven't loved," admitted Nathan, his face lighting up. "Even the more stubborn ones that took some time to break!"
"A man after my own heart! In my opinion, those difficult ones always turn out to be the most loyal in the end. My clinic specializes in large animals, but the bulk of my personal practice, and my passion, is in equine medicine. Here's a card if you ever need assistance. Especially with that big ranch, I hear you've acquired."
"I appreciate that very much, er…" hesitated Nathan before calling the man Jonathan.
"Just Jon will do!" he winked, recognizing Nathan's dilemma.
Why his wife insisted on everyone calling him Jonathan when he was raised as Jon, he would never understand!
"Jon," nodded Nathan as the two men heartily shook hands. "Delighted to make your acquaintance. I'm sure we'll be calling on you for your services quite frequently. But even more than that, I look forward to getting to know you better."
"Likewise, Nathan! Likewise! Perhaps we can ride together come spring when you and Millicent return to us. I'd love to see your land! We're not that far away from you. Practically neighbors. At least on the weekends!"
"That's wonderful, Jon, and we'll definitely get together! I'd like that very much. You'll have to show me your land as well!"
There was something genuine about this man, despite his uppity wife, and Nathan knew instantly he could trust Jon with his beloved horses.
Besides instant trust, the vet was a good, down-to-earth man, someone Nathan would genuinely like to get to know better.
Jon was a man he imagined would prefer to be outside riding in nature right about now rather than being cooped up inside hobnobbing with society at the direction of his highly societal-conscious wife.
No, this really was a man after his own heart.
More importantly, right there in the middle of what felt like chaos, Nathan was fairly certain he had just met a lifelong friend…
Finally, stealing a single moment in the middle of the crowd to whisper to each other, something significant was confirmed.
"Ironically, Mil, it's here tonight in this opulent Ballroom, in the midst of all these people, at our own Engagement Celebration, where the simplicity of our love is laid bare."
"That's because our love is simply and clearly about two hearts, not things, and certainly not money," she agreed.
"Nor is it dependent on our lifestyles: past, present, or future," he smiled.
"Our love, Nathan, is simply you and me forging a new path together, along with Allie."
"A beautiful new path, Millicent, known as the Grant Family!"
And with those whispered words, two hearts soared...
. . .
124. World War I, also known as The Great War, Canadian Statistics, Public Domain
