Chapter 132

Memories Old & New

. . .

To say Bill was on Cloud Nine was a massive understatement, but the truth was, Adeline wasn't at all far behind him.

There was pure joy overflowing at the Foster home, and even though she was losing a daughter to Hope Valley, Catherine was seemingly just as thrilled for the couple as they themselves were.

She would miss her Addie terribly, but her daughter's happiness was more important to her than any personal loss. Thankfully, she would still have her sister and friends here in Ile-À-La-Crosse to help get her through the loneliness of missing her only daughter. Plus she was already planning to write Addie weekly letters and place weekly phone calls so they could stay in touch.

But who knew? Perhaps someday, she would even join Bill and Addie in Hope Valley.

Catherine had learned over the years no one could ever predict what the future would bring.

It was only the present that mattered, and she believed with all her heart it should be lived fully.

After a hearty breakfast cooked entirely by Catherine, Bill realized his soon-to-be mother-in-law was quite the cook! At the table, he couldn't help himself from asking her question after question, grilling her on how she had prepared everything in a way that elevated each dish so highly.

"You'll just have to watch me, Bill! I don't go by recipes. Never have. My mother taught me years and years ago. So, it's a little of this and a lot of that! But I do suppose my secret arsenal is my spice cabinet."

"Oh, Mother's spice cabinet goes far beyond the norm. She uses a lot of little-known Cree spices, endemic to the area."

"I'd love to see them. Seriously, this is the best breakfast I've had in a very long time. And I'd give anything to be able to replicate it all back home!"

"Then tomorrow, you watch me," smiled Catherine. "You'll have it down pat in no time!"

She paused, not wanting to appear bossy, but she didn't like the pair to feel as though they had to stay and entertain her all day, either.

"Why don't you two get bundled up and let Addie show you our fair town, Bill? Maybe get some riding in. The people are exceptional, and I'm sure they're all going to want to meet the newest member of our family, my son, and my daughter's new fiancé!"

"Oh, that's a wonderful idea, Mother! I'm sure Bill is missing Fireball something crazy after traveling all this way by train and car."

Then she turned to Bill.

"The countryside is stunning, though the town's so small, it won't take us long to see. But what we do have on Main Street is quite lovely! And Mother's right about everyone wanting to meet you! The rumor mill has already started full speed ahead, based on the calls I've received this morning about the strange car sitting outside our home!"

"In addition to her library, Addie can show you all the spices I get at the general store, then you can get a complete assortment there to take home with you. I promise to show you how to use them all before you leave! I'll even write out a cheat sheet for you with all the various uses! And if you're really good, I'll add my secrets," she teased.

"That's perfect!" smiled Bill, thrilled to garner more cooking secrets.

Nervous, Catherine didn't know quite how to ask what else was on her mind but decided just asking it outright was best.

"You two, not to be nosy or pushy! It's just that I couldn't help but wonder what your plans are for Christmas?"

Bill looked at his Addie and could see in her face that she couldn't possibly leave her mother alone for Christmas. In reality, neither could he. But they were also on a time crunch, as they needed to be traveling back to Hope Valley, so they could catch that train to Montreal the day after the Holiday with the rest of the townspeople.

"Catherine, if it's alright, we thought we'd stay and have Christmas Breakfast here with you, then spend the morning opening our gifts together before we leave to catch our train in Union City and get on back to Hope Valley. Normally, I would prefer us to stay a lot longer, till New Year's Day even, but we have Nathan and Millicent's Wedding in Montreal on New Year's Eve, and we have to catch our train for there from Hope Valley the morning after Christmas."

"Say no more! I totally understand. I just can't tell you how delighted I am that I get you both for another entire day and Christmas morning too! I couldn't possibly ask for more. I was so afraid you'd have to leave before the big day. Thank you, Bill, for understanding. I've never had a Christmas…"

She started to say without her daughter, but her face clouded over as she suddenly realized she wasn't counting those years when her Addie was gone, and their Christmases had been anything but.

Yet, even then, Catherine had made the long, arduous trek to the prison all three of those Christmases just to spend the allotted single hour she was allowed with her daughter.

Six hours there and six hours back, all to be together one meager hour. But the twelve hours of travel had been worth it each and every single year. There was no way Catherine was going to leave Addie alone in that dark, awful place on Christmas Day.

Neither one of them could have stood that!

For Addie, those visits with her mother had been her lifeline.

Tears came to both Mother and Daughter as their bittersweet memories came flooding back over them, with the two of them behind bars together, having their makeshift Christmas limited to that single hour for three Christmases straight.

Their torrent of tears, still there to this day, smote Bill's very soul. How could they not?

These two were such good, honest people.

In Addie's case, perhaps she had even been too honest to the state's solicitors, naively not realizing her direct and thorough manner might get her into trouble, especially since Bill knew they had been looking for a scapegoat.

With all the real criminals running loose, how had the Judge's own Justice system ever allowed this to happen?

"I don't know what to say to either one of you. I truly don't. But I'll tell you both this. I vow I will spend the rest of my life doin' my level best to put so many wonderful memories in both your lives that those awful ones of the past will eventually be forgotten, or at the very least minimized as much as is humanly possible."

Bill got up from his chair to embrace both women, holding them to him as though he would never let them go.

Because now, these two beautiful, elegant ladies were his family.

He felt blessed beyond measure, taking his new role most seriously…


For their Honeymoon, Nathan splurged and was, for the first time in his life, outfitted with a more than proper wardrobe.

The couple laughed with excitement as they walked to the car with Angelo himself and two assistants loaded down behind them with the rest of their packages containing all his new clothes.

But the reality that they were for his new life with Millicent was the best part of all!

"Thank you, Angelo! Everything is perfect and feels so wonderful to wear as well. I've never had my clothes fit so perfectly or be so comfortable before!"

"Just enjoy! Now that I have personally fitted you, whatever you need, I can do it blindly. So just call, and I'll have everything sent to you. It's been an absolute pleasure to meet you, Sir!"

"The pleasure is all mine and thank you so much for the suit you chose for our friend. That is going to mean more than you can ever know. Merry Christmas, Angelo!"

"Buon Natale!" the Italian responded most heartily. "Merry Christmas!"

The group of Italian tailors waved as the couple got in their limousine, and Albert slowly pulled out into traffic, with security, as usual, both in front and behind.

"Your meeting with the architects is in twenty minutes, Sir, which gives us just enough time to get you there," assured Albert.

"Thanks, Albert. Milli, can you come with me?

"I'd love to come with you. Besides, I know that building very well!"

He reached to kiss her, their first private kiss of the day, both needing the other desperately…


As the couple walked with the architects through the old building designated for The Montreal Royal Canadian Mounted Police Headquarters, Division of Inspection, both Nathan and Millicent were amazed they were going to be working so closely together.

Only a shared terrace separated them.

It was apparent that the run-down building clearly needed some tender loving care. Still, a significant amount of money had been set aside to more than take care of that. And thankfully, the architects' exterior rendition was nothing short of stunning, as was the refurbishment of the terrace the two buildings shared, along with the costs incurred.

Nathan's office would be positioned toward the front of the building on the second floor, much the same as Millicent's, which meant that they both would be looking out onto the same beautiful side of The Queen's Park across the street, the same massive park their Townhouse overlooked, but from the far end.

"I'd like us to keep as much of the charm as possible, both outside and inside," expressed Nathan, as he felt it was essential for the Headquarters to fit in with the neighborhood.

"Of course, Sir! We'll make that a priority," assured the head architect.

Once their walk-through was completed, the team sat on folding chairs, which had been brought in and placed around a large conference table, so rickety that it had been left behind, to review the interior plans and incorporate Nathan's detailed and somewhat lengthy input.

Just like the Hope Valley Office, the Chief Inspector had many specific suggestions in order to maximize his team's efficiency, which were all readily received by the architects. In fact, embarrassed, the professionals were kicking themselves for not having thought of their Boss's ideas in the first place.

"Your ideas are all very well thought out and doable, as well, Sir! As you requested, there will be a lot of similarities between the Hope Valley location and this one."

However, it was Millicent who noticed something essential and rather shocking about the building itself that wasn't included in any of the drawings that the architects had utterly missed in their review.

"Hmm. In all these plans, I don't see the arsenal rooms."

"Arsenal rooms?" asked Nathan.

"Yes, at least that's what Mr. Bennet called them. But he was terrified of the war effort and really built them as safe rooms."

"Safe rooms?" asked John, the head architect.

"Yes, John! Specially designed steel-lined rooms which could be locked and secured from re-entrance by a special interior locking system."

"But we haven't seen anything like that at all, and my entire team and I have combed this place from top to bottom over this past week."

"We passed the hidden entrances during our tour, but I assumed you already knew of them, or I would have said something."

"No, Mademoiselle Bradford. This is the first we're hearing about their existence. It did puzzle us that the exterior dimensions didn't match the interior's, but we thought that had been done on purpose for some reason, perhaps to house mechanical equipment. However, we never once thought about there being legitimate space to use. Do you happen to know where the spaces are?"

"Yes, Sir! They're in the back right-hand corner on both floors."

"Ah, that explains it! Perhaps, we could simply break through and incorporate those areas into what we already have."

Nathan was thinking, deep in thought, but quickly spoke up.

"John, we need to leave both safe rooms, and the less said about them, the better. Can you check both areas and ensure the highest degree of modern security, including updating the locking mechanisms, if needed? Also, Millicent, can you show us the hidden entrances?"

"I think so. It's been a while, but I rarely forget. Especially something as unusual as this was."

The team all rose and followed the couple to what they now knew to be the first-floor safe room.

Millicent placed her hand on the wall, running it horizontally as high as she could reach toward the bookcase, in line with the top shelf, till she felt a slight difference. However, no one could see any visible imperfection or variation.

With her palm extended outward, Millicent firmly pressed the area three times, and suddenly the built-in bookcase swung back, causing a very thick, heavy steel door to open into the enormous safe room right before their eyes. The space it led into was much larger than the architects had envisioned and could have genuinely housed an arsenal of weapons as well as a large group of people. There was even an attached water closet at the far end of the room and a kitchenette beside it. Though, of course, there were no exterior windows.

"Darling, is the one on the second floor exactly the same as this?" asked a flabbergasted Nathan.

"Yes, Mr. Bennet told me they were identical in every way. He felt a safe space was necessary for both floors. He seemed almost paranoid about the matter. But all in all, he was a most brilliant man, so I just passed it off as an idiosyncrasy of some sort."

"If you don't mind my asking, why did this Mr. Bennet share all this with you, Miss Bradford?"

Millicent hesitated to answer till Nathan nodded.

"You see, my father is a well-known businessman, and because of that, my family and I happen to receive many death threats each and every single day. Mr. Bennet wanted me and my security team to know about the rooms in case we ever needed them for our protection while at work next door. My father's company also supplied the heavier grade of steel Mr. Bennet required. I know it was made specifically to his specifications, much more than double what is normally used. Stronger, in fact, than even Military steel, surpassing grade 3. This gentlemen, is the strongest steel ever made. It's 1,000 N grade steel, as opposed to the usual best, which is 490 N grade steel. It's approximately 2.7 times the yield strength of what we typically see as the best. Plus, a highly secret technique was used adding chromium and tungsten to make this steel the most impenetrable ever made."

John and his colleagues were flabbergasted, having no idea Millicent would know anything whatsoever about steel, much less be able to discuss it as though she made it herself, which, unknown to the architects, wasn't very far off the mark.

Nathan could only beam with pride. Edward was right. His daughter really did know her steel!

"I see," nodded the head architect, now thoroughly impressed and beginning to see the value of these hidden rooms. "You're quite remarkable, Miss Bradford, with your knowledge. I'm ashamed to admit it, but the truth is, it far surpasses our own!"

Amazingly, all could clearly see this impressive young woman certainly knew her steel. How she knew, only Nathan understood. He could only continue to smile at her proudly.

"You, Millicent Bradford, are undoubtedly the most amazing women I've ever known," he whispered in a low voice.

He marveled to think they belonged to each other!

"John, the fact that these rooms exist stays here between us. I'll discuss it with the Commissioner and only the Commissioner. I want both safe rooms iron-clad as far as general security and I'd also like them to be assailant-proofed. Have your team review them with a fine-tooth comb and reinforce them with the latest security wherever it's needed. But say nothing to anyone."

"Yes, Sir, Chief Inspector, you have our word…"


Bill had taken Catherine's advice and prepared a quick winter picnic of sandwiches, cheese, and fruit for him and Addie to eat later down by the lake, which he carried in a small wicker hamper.

"The livery's this way, Sweetheart! I usually ride Whitelace, but I'm sure we can find something spirited enough for you," Addie grinned, not letting on that her chosen mount was just about as spirited as a horse could get with the exception of maybe one other steed in the livery.

"Can't tell you how excited I am to be gettin' back up on a horse. I've been missin' Fireball like somethin' crazy."

Inside, it didn't take Bill long to know which horse was his.

"That one!"

"Are you sure? Squire's a handful! The feistiest thing in the whole town."

"Good, we'll fit together like pigs and mud. Never met a horse yet I couldn't ride!"

"Won't Fireball get jealous," teased Addie as they saddled their horses.

"Nah! Not of Squire. But you, Darlin', are an entirely different matter," he chuckled. "You know what they say: nothin' comes between a man and his horse, much less a woman!"

"Looks like I'll have to remember to be extra nice to Fireball!"

"Give that boy a turnip and you've got a friend for life!"

"A turnip?" she asked, rolling her eyes.

"Yep! Turnips are his favorite. He loves those things! Just like me."

"I see! That explains it! I was just going to ask who gives their horse turnips?" laughed Addie.

"Whoa, Boy," called Bill, as the horse raised up before Bill could mount. "You and I need to come to an understandin' here. I'm tryin' to impress my girl, and you're givin' me a hard time. That's just not goin' to work!"

The horse calmed down and allowed Bill to mount as though he understood what the Judge was saying.

But then when Bill gently pressed his flank and clucked, telling him to go, the huge horse took off like lightning.

Addie chuckled as she turned Whitelace around and winked at the livery hand.

"This ought to be a lot of fun…"


After touring the countryside till they were too cold to go further, Bill and Addie headed back into town, tying up their horses to the hitching post.

After grabbing two big mugs of hot coffee to warm them from the local Café, the couple contentedly began their tour of the town on foot.

Addie knew everyone, and they all stopped to meet this new man in town.

They clearly loved his fiancée and were especially thrilled to meet the Judge who had won her heart (which had already made the rounds), see her new ring, and hear about their happy engagement.

When Addie showed her fiancé the library, her library, Bill realized just how much she was giving up, all for him.

"Addie, I'm afraid we have nothin' like this in Hope Valley, but we do have a small library in town that Cat Montgomery is goin' to learn how to run. Perhaps, you could help train her. And…"

Bill hesitated.

But this was the woman he loved; if he had to put up the money himself, he would.

"And perhaps, if you're interested, we could enlarge the place into a real library like this. If you wanted, you could run it with Cat helpin' you. Does that interest you at all?"

"Oh, Bill! So very much! I love my work. I truly do. It's so different from my accounting, and I needed that change desperately. My library training was the one thing that got me through all those dismal days. Spreading cheer to people through all sorts of books means everything to me! I'd love to continue doing that more than you can know!"

He could see the excitement and hope in her eyes, as well as the depth of how much this place meant to her.

He drew her to him, standing right there by the circulation desk where she had worked every single weekday since her incarceration had come to its end.

"I promise you, I'll see that you have whatever you need to make you happy in Hope Valley! And if it takes an honest-to-goodness library, then that's what you'll have!"

To think of all the wasted time they had been apart, that was the least he could do!

He wasn't sure he would ever forgive himself for not being with her all these years because he knew their separation lay entirely on his shoulders.

"Thank goodness, this place is closed," he murmured, although he wasn't sure it would have made any difference.

He kissed her passionately mixed with light feathery kisses all over her face and neck, and she kissed him back just as fervently before they both turned, contented, arm in arm, with his free hand covering hers and Addie's head resting on his shoulder, to return back out to the wintry cold together.

Outside on the boardwalk, it was snowing lightly, but that only added to the romance of the town.

"What next?" she asked brightly, thrilled to be sharing the little town that had healed her.

"How about we go to the general store and get those spices before we forget?"

"Bill Avery, you just want to show up all the cooks of Hope Valley," she teased.

"Exactly! I do have my chef's reputation to uphold, you know. But I also have a little Christmas shoppin' to do, although I brought most of it with me!"

She only heard the first part.

"Bill, am I going to destroy that sterling reputation of yours?" she asked him most seriously.

He instantly knew she wasn't talking about his cooking.

Her words took him aback that she would still think like that. But how could she not?

He took both of her hands while standing there on the boardwalk and brought them to his chilled lips, kissing each of them reverently.

"You, my Darlin,' are only gonna significantly improve whatever callous reputation I've garnered over these past years! You soften me, Addie, and make me a better man, which means I'll be a better Judge."

She smiled, first tentatively, then genuinely.

"I love you, Bill Avery, just the way you are, with all my heart!"

"And I love you, Addie Foster, with all my bein' and then some…"


At the Townhouse, Nathan was dressing in his uniform for a night of work, while at the same time, Millicent and Allie were dressing for dinner with Sarah and Scotty.

As soon as Millicent completed her ensemble and styled her hair, she checked in on Allie.

"Sweetheart, do you need any help?"

"Can you tie this sash in the back, Momma?"

"I certainly can. Did you have fun with your cousins?"

"We had the best time! Thank you for letting me have them here."

"This is your home, Allie, and they're your cousins. Any time you want them here, they're welcome, Sweetie!"

Allie smiled brilliantly.

"Momma, I don't really understand why Dad can't come with us tonight."

"Well, he's working tonight, Sweetheart!"

"I wish he didn't have to work while we're here in Montreal. He works too hard."

"I know he does. But whatever he's doing tonight, I know it's something he felt strongly about and really wants to do."

"Will he be safe?"

"Totally safe."

"You promise?"

"I promise. You know, Allie, there can always be unforeseen circumstances in life for all of us, and they can pop up at any time, but the one thing I've learned is that your father is trained to be prepared for those very things."

"I know. Dad's really great at what he does. Even Uncle Bill says so! And so does Uncle Gabe."

"Well, they're right! Your Dad IS really great at what he does. Which means you and I need to have faith in him. But I honestly don't think we have anything to worry about tonight," she winked. "Here, come sit, and I'll fix your hair."

As Millicent was brushing Allie's hair, Estella knocked at the door.

"Come on in, Essie!"

"Do you two need any help?"

Millicent glanced up at Essie, nodding slightly.

"After I finish this, would you mind helping Allie with Persia and the kittens while I make an important call?"

"What time do you need Albert, Miss?"

"We need to leave by half past six. Our reservations are at seven."

"Then we have plenty of time to play with those precious little kittens," smiled Essie.

"They are the cutest," declared Allie for the hundredth time. "Jackson and Maggie each want one. But if they take one, little Jacques and Margie will want one too! And that would be four I'd lose! I hate to say no, especially to my cousins. It just feels like that would be selfish, even though I'll miss those little things so much."

"Well, sharing is an excellent thing. It's a good thing to make other people happy too. Besides this way, all the little kittens would still stay in the family."

"I hadn't thought of that!"

"But of course, we'll have to wait till the little ones are weaned from their mother's milk," smiled her Momma in encouragement. "So, we have a bit more time to enjoy them before that happens."

"Which ribbon do you want, Allie-girl?" asked Essie.

"I think the big red one, Auntie Essie. It looks pretty and Christmasy!"

Essie smiled and handed the prettiest red one to Millicent, who deftly attached it, then, using her fingers, fluffed it into a beautiful bow!

She put her chin on Allie's shoulder, glancing at her daughter in the mirror, then kissed her cheek.

"See how beautiful you look, Allie?"

"That's because of you, Momma!"

"No, my Love, that's because of you – you're beautiful, Allie, just like your mother!"

"You're Momma's right, Allie. You look just like her and a little bit like your Momma, too!"

"Really?"

"Really!" smiled her Auntie Estella. "You have your Mother's beautiful features but your Momma's lighter coloring."

"Thank you, Auntie Essie!"

Allie smiled, looking in the mirror for one last glance, and reached up to kiss her Momma's cheek.

"I'm so happy!"

Her Momma smiled brilliantly, with Essie doing the same.

"So are we, Angel! You make us so happy, Sweet Girl…"


Once Millicent was alone, she hurried downstairs to the Guest Townhouse, so she could speak privately on the phone.

"Geoffrey, it's Millicent. Could I please speak with Mother?"

"But of course, Miss! She's currently in the Library with your father and the Grants. I'll just be a moment."

"Thank you, Geoffrey! I hate to interrupt, but I really do need her."

"No problem, Miss!"

As Millicent waited, she said a quick prayer.

"Please, Dear God, help us find the words to Colleen's Lullaby, for Allie's sake! This means so much to our daughter. And I personally would love nothing more than for her to have them for this Christmas Eve night."

Millicent sat there waiting, reviewing her Christmas list for Allie, but the Lullaby was the only thing still missing.

Suddenly, there was Victoria's beautiful, warm voice.

"Millicent, Darling, what a pleasant surprise! What can I do for you?"

"Mother, Hendrix and I spent the morning trying to find the lullaby Colleen and I wrote together. Do you remember? She sang the same song to Allie, but the poor girl was too young to remember the words. We went through my old trunks of school papers, but oddly, although everything else appeared to be there, we couldn't find the lullaby. Do you have any idea at all where it could be?"

Victoria heard the urgency in her daughter's voice and realized that this meant a lot to her daughter, and she was sure to Nathan as well, not to mention her new granddaughter.

"Oh, Millicent, I'm so sorry. I'm afraid this is all my fault…"

. . .