Chapter 126

A Busy Day for All

. . .

Nathan waited patiently outside Millicent's door, so they could walk downstairs to breakfast together, marveling that this home would be his home in nine days, with one bedroom suite between them instead of two.

"My, you look nice!" she enthused as she opened her door with a broad smile. "Good morning, Love!"

Nathan stood before her in his navy suit and a crisp white shirt, looking impossibly handsome. He was wearing one of the many navy-blue ties she had given him over the years, this one being in her favorite paisley. And he had even added the matching handkerchief to his upper pocket, making him look ever so debonair!

"Good morning, Babe. Thanks, but you look scrumptious!"

She was wearing an Edwardian lace blouse in white with full sleeves gathered just above the wrists and tied with azure blue silk ribbons, matching her long silk skirt, which was cut slim on the bias and fell behind her in loosely pleated gathers.

She wore oval sapphire drop earrings trimmed in diamonds and a matching bracelet that intermingled with the roughly cut diamond bracelet from Auntie Luciana that she always wore. It was the same mined diamond bracelet she had left in Nathan's pocket that had gotten him through missing her when they had been apart, along with her white silk scarf and an elegant bottle of parfum she had left on his nightstand.

At her slender feet, she wore simple silk lace heels that perfectly matched her skirt, a new trend from Paris.

She was the picture of elegance even in this her day outfit. Overall, the blue complemented her blonde hair and still somehow made her green eyes pop.

'She couldn't possibly look bad if she tried,' he mused as he couldn't help his wandering eyes from taking all of her in.

"Scrumptious?" she asked tenuously, aware of his gaze.

"Hm? Oh, it's a new definition for the word our daughter taught me!"

"Good daughter!" laughed Millicent.

He chuckled, drawing her close to kiss her lips.

"I can't believe I'm going to be away from you the whole day long," he moaned.

"You could stay and help me unwrap gifts," she teased.

"Hmm, I would, but I think I'd better go with our daughter! After all, it was your father's invitation."

"Um, hmm! I thought not! Though lucky for you, our daughter really does need you. But my Darling, you are only loved more when apart, if that's even possible! Besides, I have a special surprise for you tonight."

"For me? I'd better hurry and get this day over with quickly!"

"So, I take it you'll be content for Anna, my assistant, and me to open presents? We'll have them out ready for you to see after your surprise tonight. How's that?"

"That's perfect! Not that I don't want to open gifts with you, but the truth? Less time unwrapping means more time doing something fun with you!"

"And so diplomatic, too," she teased to his responding chuckle.

He playfully kissed her nose, then offered his arm to proudly walk her down the stairs.

Chatting about their party, there was much laughter between them as they shared secret insights from last night one to the other…


Hendrix was at the Dining Room door to greet the couple with a smile.

"Good morning, Miss, Sir!"

"Good morning, Hendrix! Thanks for waking us," offered Nathan, tapping him on the shoulder.

"My pleasure, Sir. Breakfast will be served momentarily. In the meanwhile, would you like some coffee?

"Always!"

"Tea for me please, as usual, Hendrix," smiled Millicent, giving her Butler a chaste kiss on the cheek, which totally took him off guard.

"Er…well…er…coming right up, Miss!"

Millicent's kiss may have rattled Hendrix a bit, but it also delighted him, as Nathan couldn't help but notice Hendrix's smile when he turned his head away toward the sideboard to pour their beverages…


Frustrated back in Union City, after pulling out every possible sapphire that could be used as a sapphire-diamond engagement ring, Bill became more and more nervous.

"Theo, this isn't workin' at all. I best be goin' along my way now."

"Wait! You said her eyes were cornflower blue?"

"Yep, all of these stones are way, way too dark. If I'm gonna do this, the stone has gotta' match her eyes! And they're a much lighter, prettier blue."

Bill could get lost in those eyes just thinking about them!

"Hmm. Cornflower blue. Wait a minute, I think I have the perfect ring in the back, but it's vintage, and I'm in the process of cleaning it. If you'll give me just a few minutes, I'll finish it up while you wait and polish off your coffee."

"Then let's get to it!"

Bill looked around him, feeling like a fish out of water.

"Hey, Theo," he called to the back. "While you're doin' that, I'll look at a few diamonds just in case."

Within a few minutes, Bill felt like he had looked at every single diamond ring in the store, feeling increasingly like this whole shopping jaunt was a terrible idea.

Nothing stuck out to him. They all looked the same. And he was determined her ring needed to be special; it needed to look like it belonged on Adeline's hand.

Still, he wasn't having any luck. And now his one last hope was instilled in a single vintage ring that still needed to be cleaned?

He needed to do precisely what he had started to do on the train earlier this morning, head straight back to Hope Valley while somehow getting her eyes out of his mind once and for all.

But as he prepared to do just that, Theo came out from the back with a huge grin on his face.

He didn't say a word, only sat the matching cornflower blue velvet box down in front of Bill, motioning for him to open it.

As skeptical as the Judge was, he couldn't resist, letting out a low whistle once he saw the ring inside, while promptly hugging Theo so hard, it practically knocked him off his feet, even though the man was quite large.

"This is the exact same cornflower blue as her eyes. This is it! It's perfect, Theo! Just perfect."

"I doubt any woman could resist this one. I'll even throw in the two diamond bands, two for the price of one, although I admit that cornflower blue sapphire is a rare gem, coming in a bit pricey."

He hated to admit it, but Bill knew the price didn't even matter at this point.

"This is my one chance. Make me the best deal you can give me. You and I know each other too well to bicker back and forth and dally-wag here! So, make your very best offer a great one, Theo!"

"Bill, I could never bicker with you," insisted the jeweler as he turned to make some calculations.

"Throwing in the diamond bands at two for one, with a friend's discount added in for the sapphire, this is what it all comes up to."

Bill's eyes widened as he saw the number, and he swallowed in shock.

Paler than usual, he slowly looked from the paper to the ring and back again, in deep thought.

"Well, anyone can see I'm gettin' a good deal on those diamond bands," he declared.

But the truth was all he could see was Adeline's beautiful cornflower eyes, along with this ring on her hand.

Suddenly he knew. Price really was immaterial. This was for the woman of his dreams, and he was going to need everything he could muster for his arsenal to try to win her back.

"I'll take 'em! All three of 'em. Put 'em back in the box and wrap 'em quickly before I change my mind! Time's a wastin' and I best be gettin' on my way."

Theo did just that after completing his task, handing Bill the most elegant package the Judge had ever seen, wrapped in silver and gold, with the same-colored silk ribbons.

"Thank you, Theo. Couldn't have done any of this without you, Friend."

"Good luck, Judge. Want a piece of advice?"

"Not sure," answered Bill honestly. "I mean, this whole thing is totally out of my wheelhouse!"

"You're a good man, Bill. A good man who happens to be in love. You've got this! Just remember to listen to her. Sure, make your case as you legal people do, but don't forget to listen to her! She's the key this time around. Her feelings are what matter now, not yours."

"Hmph, probably sage advice! Especially for a Judge to hear. 'Listen, don't pronounce.' I like it! Thanks, Theo! You're a true friend."

Relieved, Bill shook Theo's hand, taking his fancy box and bag with him.

Theo watched from the doorway, praying a quick prayer that all would go well for his friend, as the Judge hurriedly drove away…


"Dad! Momma! Uncle Hendrix, Auntie Essie!"

An excited Allie burst into the dining room with incredible enthusiasm and an armload of kittens, lighting up not only the faces of everyone delighted to see her but the whole room too!

Though before she could say hello to everyone, her dad cautioned her.

"Allie, the kittens go back to the laundry room right now, as we're eating our breakfast here in the dining room."

"Yes, Sir! Sorry. May I be excused?"

"Yes, you may," agreed Nathan. "Wash your hands when you're through, and hurry back."

Nathan watched as Allie left, then directed his attention to Edward.

"Good morning, Edward! Have you and Allie eaten breakfast?"

"Yes, Son, we're both as full as can be. But some coffee would be nice."

"Coming right up, Sir," smiled Hendrix.

"Thank you, Hendrix! Good morning, Estella! And how's my darling Millicent?"

Edward bent and kissed his lovely daughter.

"Good morning, Father! Please have a seat," directed Millicent.

As Edward sat beside his daughter, Allie soon came bursting in once again, this time without her kittens.

"Allie, did you wash your hands?" asked Nathan patiently.

"Yes, Sir!"

"Come here, Sweetheart," enthused Millicent.

Millicent stretched up and hugged her daughter, giving her a sweet kiss as she straightened a lock of her hair.

"Did you and your cousins get any sleep at all last night?"

"A little Momma. We had so much fun, though!"

Allie then hugged her Dad, followed by her Auntie Essie, and last but not least, her Uncle Hendrix.

She ended up standing between her Dad and Momma.

"Allie, why don't we excuse ourselves while everyone else finishes breakfast and get you dressed properly for your outing," suggested Millicent.

"Grandmama said I should change, but I didn't have anything at her house that was just right. She said you'd know what I should wear, Momma."

"I know the perfect thing! The new navy dress that matches your coat and outerwear will be just right for business. Plus, you'll match your Dad and Grandpapa, too! Excuse us, please!"

Everyone nodded yes, with a smile, as Millicent rose and touched Nathan's arm. Although all were trying to be discreet, no one could miss their eyes meeting in a beautiful exchange of deep love before she sighed and gently kissed his cheek. As she gathered her daughter, Allie waved to everyone before they turned to leave.

"That young girl of ours is something else, Nathan," complimented Edward. "She's been such a delight for us all!"

"Yes, she most certainly is 'something else,' Edward," winked Nathan. "I just hope she hasn't been too much trouble!"

"Not at all. We've all enjoyed Allie immensely, including Luciana! William woke early this morning and took the children for a short trail ride before breakfast. He says Allie has the potential to be a great rider, although she's already bored with walking. My boy says it's all he can do to keep her from trotting."

"Don't we know it! Afraid Millicent and I have our hands full with that same complaint every single time she goes riding. We're doing our best to hold her back a bit since we want to be really sure she's ready."

"Of course. Very wise of the both of you. I do hope my granddaughter doesn't tire out too much today from her late night. We've got a jam-packed schedule to follow."

"Here's your coffee, Sir!"

"Thank you, Hendrix!"

"Allie does sleepovers without any sleep and goes full steam ahead the next day! I'm sure she'll be fine, Edward. She's been looking forward to visiting a couple of your businesses since you visited us in Hope Valley."

"You know, Millicent was the only child who was ever interested in learning anything at all about my businesses. Richard was always too busy with his latest project. Then of the younger two, William is so entrenched with his medicine, and Pippa with her art. So, it's a real honor today, Nathan, to be sharing something with Allie that's so important to me."

"What about Jackson and Maggie?" asked Nathan. "Aren't they interested?"

"I think since they've grown up surrounded by the businesses, they aren't quite as excited by them as your daughter," winked Edward. "I know Allie's still so young, but she has that analytical, inquisitive mind that could also be interpreted as a business mind, just like Millicent, actually!"

Nathan thought about what Edward was saying, and he was right about his assessments from what Nathan had seen.

Richard had always been disinterested in learning from his father.

Although they loved each other, they were like oil and water. Richard wanted to make his own way, apart from his father, and honestly, one couldn't fault him for that.

It was their push-pull Father-Son relationship, that had driven Richard to make his legal firm a raving success on his own prior to taking over his father's business accounts. And as his brother, Nathan knew that had been of utmost importance to him.

"I certainly can see that analytical and inquisitive mind in both Millicent and Allie," agreed Nathan.

The four kept chatting about things both past and present till finally, Millicent reappeared at the door.

"Ta Da," she announced, quickly moving over to the side to proudly present her beautifully dressed daughter.

"Allie, you look beautiful!" admitted Nathan, struck at how grown up she looked in navy.

"You'll be the bell of my businesses, mon Chou," smiled her grandpapa, which caused his granddaughter to beam with pride.

Allie was so excited to finally be seeing some of her grandpapa's businesses, and though she didn't know exactly why, she wanted more than anything to make him proud of her today…


Having kissed her family goodbye, Millicent stood at the back door smiling and waving as Nathan and Allie got into the back seat of Edward's limousine.

Edward motioned to Lloyd, his driver.

"Please take us by the wharf first, Lloyd. That is, if the traffic isn't too cumbersome. I want my granddaughter to see the Granary before we head on to its headquarters and processing plants."

"Of course, Sir!"

As the limousine pulled out of the Townhouse's drive, Allie could barely contain her excitement, grinning and waving furiously at her Momma through the window.

Nathan wasn't quite as excited as he blew one last kiss to Millicent, who was still standing at the back door.

He hated to leave her, even though he would have had to open more Wedding gifts, but both wanted Allie to have this special day with her Grandpapa, and Nathan was proud to be included.

"Where are we going first, Grandpapa?"

"We are going to the Waterfront first, Sweetheart. I want to first show you an integral part of Montreal. It's where all our goods that aren't manufactured here are brought in to us from all over the world by ship. It's also where the things we make or process here and sell to others leave our city and are taken back out and distributed to the world by ship!"

"I know what that's called. That means commerce, Grandpapa! Mrs. Nelson taught us about that!"

"That's very impressive, Allie. And now you're going to get to see commerce occurring right before your very eyes."

Allie's eyes widened.

"Dad, does that mean I get to see actual ships!"

"It most certainly does, Allie. Although there will be fewer ships now than in the summer months. You'll also get to see lots of restaurants on the wharf, as well as tiny shoppes. It's quite an active place full of people all year long, but as crowded as it will be, there's even more activity overall in the warmer months."

"This is so, so exciting! Just wait till I tell everyone…"


"Child, Hendrix and I are all caught up with the dishes! Could you and Anna use some extra help with these gifts?" asked Estella.

It had taken a while for Essie to get used to Millicent's new wedding assistant. Although she had been cordial to Miss Anna Levine, their relationship remained professional even during the last month or so she had lived with them.

At Hendrix's insistence, Essie had cooked a special meal to honor Miss Levine's last night staying with them full-time, as the young lady was anxious to return to her apartment, which worked out for everyone concerned since it was going to be crowded for her to continue to live at the house with Nathan and Allie being there along with all their guests from Hope Valley, not to mention the busyness of Christmas as well as all the pre-wedding activities.

But even Essie had to admit, Miss Levine had done a marvelous job. She had been an absolute lifesaver to Millicent, keeping her perfectly organized in the strictest and most efficient of manners, taking over whatever she could to assist the bride in chipping away at her voluminous lists of tasks, wedding and otherwise.

"Oh, Essie, would you, please?" asked Millicent.

"We'd love, too! Wouldn't we, Hendrix?"

Hendrix noted the rather dubious look his Miss Estella had just given him and wisely knew there was no choice.

"Of course, Miss Millicent!" he proffered with an encouraging smile.

"Great! Thank you both so much! It seems such an endless task!"

It suddenly dawned on Millicent why Estella had been so particularly leery of Anna. She was a pretty, younger lady, and she had arrived at a time when her beloved maid had been very unsure about Hendrix's affections and intentions.

In addition to Essie's normal territorialism, she was obviously jealous, so Millicent was determined to fix the latter part once and for all!

"Anna, we have such spectacular news since you've left us! You have yet to hear about Estella's and Hendrix's engagement! We are having another Wedding just after ours, as they are betrothed to each other and will get married in mid-January! Essie, show Anna your gorgeous ring!"

Essie beamed as she showed Anna Hendrix's family ring, telling her all about it.

"Congratulations, you two. I'm thrilled for the both of you. Oh, and this ring, my, it is beautiful and with such a history too!"

And with that revelation, one would have thought Essie and Anna were best friends as they happily chatted away!

Hendrix winked at his Miss Millicent, understanding exactly what she had just done.

Because of her discernment, now, in an instant, the tension was gone, and all was well between the two ladies.

"While the two ladies converse, I need to tell you, though I hate to admit it, another rather large delivery was made just a few moments ago, Miss Millicent. I thought it best we wait to bring them in from the hall until more gifts are opened and ready for display."

"Thanks, Hendrix. That's best. I don't think we could get a single additional box in here. My, the deliveries are endless! Not that I'm complaining at all; the gifts are truly wonderful and given with so much love. These notes are so very lovely and heartfelt. It's just that all these boxes are rather overwhelming en masse!"

"Of course they are, Miss. But once things are sorted and distributed to their proper places, things won't seem so overwhelming," encouraged Essie, glancing up from her conversation with Anna.

"I don't know what I'd do without you and Hendrix, Essie. And Anna, you too! All three of you have been absolute angels! I could never have gotten through all this by myself."

"On behalf of all of us, thank you, Miss. But it's our distinct pleasure," declared Hendrix.

"What we've found that works most efficiently," explained Anna. "Is for one of us to unwrap the gift and the other to document what the item is, along with a good description, and who it is from in one of the ledgers. I'm afraid we're already working on Volume Six, and Volume Seven is there at your table to start."

Estella was already unwrapping a rather large gift, leaving the documentation to Hendrix.

"Well, how beautiful! It's from Sir Alistair Harrington and his wife, Gabrielle. Will you look at this? It's a complete punch bowl set in sterling silver, and it matches your pattern, Miss!"

Millicent and Anna couldn't help but laugh.

Anna held up an identical silver punch bowl set in sterling silver from what they had just opened, with all the exact identical accoutrements!

"This one's from Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Fulbright."

Millicent couldn't help but share her thought through the quartet's laughter.

"Looking at the bright side, with a matching pair, at least no one will ever go thirsty for punch at the Grants!"

Which only brought more laughter…