Chapter XI: On the Road to Forever

"We are what?" Elizabeth asked, looking downright befuddled.

A slow smile spread across Nathan's face. "Going on our honeymoon, 'Lizbeth."

"Honeymoon?" She parroted.

"Yes. Isn't it a natural thing for the bride and groom to have one right after their wedding?"

"Ermm… I guess…"

"You guess?" Nathan asked, leaning towards Elizabeth. What had come over her so suddenly?

"When did you… how did you… how?" She was really lost for words.

"When did I plan it?"

She could only nod.

"Right after I put my ring on your finger," he said, tipping his head and cupping her cheek. Instinctively she leaned into his hand, loving the comfort it provided. "Do you know you look absolutely adorable when you're completely bewildered?"

"I just thought if we were eloping, that was going to be the end of it," she said sincerely.

"'Lizbeth… I would never cheat you, or us, for that matter, out of a honeymoon. Don't you think that after half a decade we deserve one?"

"Half a decade?" Elizabeth's nonplussed inflection had Nathan snickering.

Smiling gently, yet with a touch of shamelessness, he said, "Yes, sweetheart. Half a decade of attempting to bury my feelings for you. Half a decade of you silencing your heart. Half a decade for us to finally get together."

"I… ah…" Elizabeth became a bumbling mess again.

Emboldened by the fact they would be married in four days, he said, "I could show you why we deserve a honeymoon."

He didn't give her time to react. Sliding his warm hand behind her neck, he swooped in, greedily taking her mouth in another enticing kiss. Elizabeth touched his chest with nervous fingers and grabbed a fistful of his shirt. She held on because she could feel herself sinking deeper and deeper into this frenzy of desire that she had never, ever, felt before in her life.

And that, for Elizabeth, was the crux of the matter.

Fueled by the knowledge their lives would be forever intertwined in just a few days, Nathan poured everything into the kiss, letting himself be led by the all-consuming love he felt for her. They were soon a tangle of lips, arms, and hands, lit by a fire that had the potential to blaze out of control.

"Nathan… I…" Elizabeth broke free from the kiss and tried to catch her breath.

Breathing heavily, he said tenderly, "Sweetheart, something's going on. Talk to me."

His eyes were always so gentle, so soft, so full of love when he gazed into hers. She was indubitably mystified as to how she could fall in love with him over and over again. They had known each other for over 5 years, or half a decade as he very well put it. How could she still learn new things about Nathan every single day? How could she fall for him even more deeply with each passing sunset? How was she going to survive their wedding night if he rendered her senseless with just one kiss?

The thought that had been on her mind for a while, the one that tortured her every so often, burst forth with no warning. "How experienced are you?" She blurted, a blast of heat suffusing her face.

Still under the spell of the heady sensations he always succumbed to whenever they embraced, Nathan struggled to regain his composure. Hoarsely, he asked, "What do you mean?"

"I know so little of your past before you arrived in Hope Valley… and you know all there is to know about my romantic past... you see, there was really only Jack, and I…" Elizabeth had never felt herself ramble so much. She was also turning a fantastic shade of puce.

"I think I know what this is about," his lips curved into his charming lopsided grin.

"You do?" She swallowed.

Nathan knew himself to be a sensitive man. She was nervous, even though she invariably threw herself into their hugs and kisses with as much passion as he did. He could tell that even though Elizabeth had been married before, she was anxious about their wedding night. For some reason, knowing she felt that way, struck a chord of masculine satisfaction within him. However, in the spirit of full disclosure, he felt he had to come clean and be completely forthright about his past. Or lack thereof.

"There's never been anyone in my life." He looked her straight in the eyes.

"But…" Elizabeth's expression was something to be reckoned with. Surprise and shock didn't start to describe what she felt. "How is that possible?"

She was unable to articulate her surprise that someone as handsome as he was and who kissed like he did didn't have a past.

Nathan looked downwards, grinned and laughed softly. Elizabeth had indeed articulated her thoughts out loud, amusing Nathan, and mortifying herself in the process!

"'Lizbeth, I was a very shy young boy, who grew up to be an awkward adolescent. A girl might have planted a kiss on me at some point, but I probably ran for the hills in embarrassment. I left my childhood home at 17. The desire to become the opposite of what my father was paved the way for me to become a Mountie. You know how solitary that life can be, even surrounded by your comrades. Before I could even start thinking about having a girlfriend, I took over Allie's tutelage and she became my life's focus. Then we started moving around so much, it just never happened."

He paused for a second, contemplating his words, until he finally asked, "Do you want to know what's real and true?"

Elizabeth looked at him, waiting silently for him to answer his own question. Her eyes were so wide and clear it took all his strength not to drown in them.

"I always knew when I fell in love, that would be it."

"What are you saying?" she asked in a barely audible whisper.

"I knew when it happened, it would be only once, and it would be forever."

"Nathan..."

He patiently let her gather her thoughts and take her time in saying what she wanted to say. He simply took her hand in his in a comforting gesture.

Taking in his soothing expression, she said bravely, "I'm scared."

"What are you scared of?" he asked in a whisper. "You can't be scared of me. 'Lizbeth, you will always be safe with me."

"I have never, and I mean ever, felt what I feel when you hold me in your arms."

Fully understanding the subtext in her words, his lips quivered into a half smile. "That can't be bad, now, can it?"

"Yes, but…but… how are we going to approach…that is… how?"

"Sweetheart. Stop." He took her face with both his hands, looked deeply into her eyes, as he gently stroked the tender flesh of her flushed cheeks. "It will be beautiful because it's us."

Elizabeth was about to say something, but Nathan put a finger on her lips. After she fell silent, he skimmed that same finger over the trembling curve of her mouth. "And you don't have to worry about anything. Love and instinct will be our guides."

She smiled tremulously, letting out a very shaky breath. Elizabeth closed her eyes and breathed deeply, doing her best to calm the intemperate surge of feelings coursing through her. In the end she simply had to trust and let herself be led by the love they had for each other. She finally felt the tension easing from her body, her shoulders softening, and her overall body language lightened.

"Don't you want to know where I'm taking you?" Nathan asked casually, attempting to assuage her mood further.

"Surprise me," she replied, regaling him with a brilliant smile.

Raising his eyebrows, he said, "I thought you didn't like surprises."

"I might like them with you," she responded, looking at him through her lashes.

"I do believe, soon-to-be Mrs. Grant, if you're flirting with me, we must be out of the woods?"

Elizabeth had to laugh. "Yes."

Wrapping an arm around her shoulder, he cuddled her against him, giving her a gentle kiss on the forehead.

"Only one thing, though," Elizabeth said quietly, thoroughly enjoying Nathan's warmth and gentle strength.

"What is that?"

"How will I know what to pack if I don't know where we're going on our honeymoon?"

"Hmmm… you do pose a good question. If I tell you what to pack, it might give away the surprise. I could have Allie pack for you. It could be one of her maid-of-honor duties," he suggested.

"That sounds like a plan…Speaking of maid-of-honor duties, I need to organize the dress shopping trip with Allie," Elizabeth said happily.

"How about the four of us go together to Union City tomorrow? I know I had mentioned taking Jack to Benson Hills, but I don't want you girls to travel alone. I could ask Lee to borrow his car, and that way little Jack and I could do our thing and you and Allie could do yours. We can have lunch and make a whole outing out of it."

"That sounds wonderful. Only one thing…"

"What."

"Who drives?"

"Me, of course."

"You never learned!"

"Who says?"

Elizabeth sputtered. "Nathan! Remember our failed lessons?"

"'Lizbeth, I did learn. Lee took pity on me at one moment in time. But, for the record, your teaching should be for children only, not for grown men who know what to do."

Slanting her eyes she said, "Nathan Grant, you take that back!"

"No, I won't." His eyes turned an even more luminous shade of blue as he tried to hide his mirth. A lifetime of teasing the future Mrs. Grant might not be enough.

"Could we at least take turns driving?" she practically pleaded.

"Convince me."

"Constable Grant, I have an excellent driving record, as you very well should know from the time I attempted to teach you."

"That's not the type of convincing I was referring to," he said huskily.

The door slammed open, and Nathan was disappointed he couldn't get Elizabeth to persuade him the way he wanted to. It was Allie, asking if they wanted to join the Coulters for dinner that evening. Of course, they couldn't say no, and Elizabeth might have been a tiny bit relieved at the reprieve. When he had said "convince me" it took all she could do to ignore the connotations of his words. She was nervous, it was undeniable, but there was also this small burning light of excitement deep within her heart. It was the light she knew he could fan and ignite with just one touch. Sunday might not get here fast enough, she thought, as they walked hand in hand over to Lee and Rosemary's.

XXXXXX

Soon after the Coulters said goodbye to the soon-to-be Grant family, Rosemary plopped down on one of their cushioned chairs, sadness evident in her eyes.

"Rosie, what's going on?" Lee asked his wife. He had an idea, but with Rosemary he could never be too sure. It was better to let her have her say instead of speculating.

"I think Nathan and Elizabeth are eloping."

Lee was surprised his wife went straight to the point. He raised his eyebrows, looking at her quizzically, as he took a seat opposite her. "I have an idea how this makes you feel, but if that's what they want, we've got to respect their decision."

"I can understand intellectually both Elizabeth and Nathan have much simpler tastes. I could also tell, while planning the wedding to Lucas, Elizabeth wasn't into it at all. Not only because of her change of heart, but also because she simply does not gravitate toward the usual wedding frills. But she's my best friend, and it's her wedding… and I know Lee, I know, this is it. Do you see how they are together?"

Lee smiled fondly. The way Elizabeth and Nathan were with each other did remind him of Rosie and him when they first started out. At the risk of sounding like a hopeless romantic he said, "They're truly meant for each other."

"I just wish there's something I could do for them. Something that wouldn't send them running, even though that means controlling all my natural instincts! I only know I want to celebrate them as they deserve, and have everyone join in. They're Hope Valley's mountie and schoolteacher, everybody loves them!"

"I might have an idea," he said placidly.

Rosemary immediately sat upright. "You do?"

"Yes. Let me talk to Nathan tomorrow morning. He's borrowing the car to go with Elizabeth and the kids to Union City. It could very well be wedding related. I could get a feel as to what their plans are and when. Let them have their private wedding. That shouldn't be messed with. But nothing says we can't plan a cake and champagne toast for them after their ceremony is over."

Rosemary's smile could've lit up Hope Valley and all its surrounding cities. "Lee, I knew there's a reason why I married you. You're absolutely brilliant!"

Her mind was running at a mile a minute. She'd have to talk to Gustave and Minnie about teaming up to make a cake big enough to feed the entire town. She'd also have to enlist Florence and Molly's help to get the word out. Mike could set up tables and glassware and assist with the champagne toast. Thank goodness the rumors of prohibition were still that, just rumors! Even a small celebration needed to have a bit of bubbles!

Rosemary rubbed her hands together in unadulterated joy. This was something she could do, and she knew deep in her heart her best friend and her dashing fiancée would love it.

XXXXXX

Elizabeth and Nathan agreed upon taking Friday off from work. Bill already knew plans were in motion for their elopement on Sunday. He was more than agreeable to take over Nathan's duties not only for the day, but until they got back from their honeymoon. As for Elizabeth, since Joseph was officiating their ceremony, it was only natural for Minnie to know the lay of the land. Since she'd hired new help at the café, she had happily offered to take over responsibilities at the school. Elizabeth was relieved Minnie had the availability, and that her students would be in capable hands.

She also heaved a sigh of relief when she didn't have to sidetrack Rosemary with a flimsy excuse to justify the Union City day trip. She didn't like keeping her best friend in the dark about her plans. Yet an elopement was an elopement after all. She just hoped Rosemary would understand. When she saw Nathan approaching in Lee's car, she shook off her misgivings.

The kids happily climbed inside the car. They were excitedly looking forward to their day in Union City. After taking in the scenery and playing I Spy for a bit, both Allie and little Jack fell asleep in the backseat.

"Poor things, Jack was so excited over the car trip he almost didn't sleep last night," Elizabeth commented.

Nathan chuckled. "Allie was practically bouncing off the walls. I've never seen her so excited. It was also a feat trying to get her to turn in."

"My love, I have never felt so sublimely happy. I know it won't be paradise all the time, but this is what it certainly feels like," Elizabeth said, her tone of voice laced with tenderness.

He quickly flashed her one of his sweet, crooked grins. He knew Elizabeth was aware he felt the same way.

"Hey, I was thinking… we never did discuss where we're going to live," Nathan pointed out.

"Constable Grant, I have firsthand knowledge the reason why we haven't broached that subject is because you're always distracting us with some sort of display of affection," she said pithily, hiding a grin.

"That could very well be true," he responded in a flirty tone.

"If someone told me 5 years ago you would turn out to be this flirtatious, I wouldn't have believed them!"

"I guess you bring out this side of me, 'Lizbeth," he replied flippantly. "But back to the subject at hand… what is your wish regarding our future home?"

"Do you mean right now or in the long run?"

"Both," he said, encouraging her to share her thoughts.

"I know the rowhouses might not be big enough…although I don't mind close quarters. But with the children growing up we might need more space. Not to mention if we have a baby, we might be too cramped in my house or yours."

Nathan's heart clenched. He had known so many years ago Elizabeth was the one. Her words right now only highlighted what he had felt in his gut for so long. The thought of a child, borne by the love of his life, elicited feelings he never knew he was capable of.

Snapping out of his reveries, and keeping his focus, he said, "'Lizbeth... Allie and I are highly adaptable. I know you've lived in the rowhouse for a long time, and you cherish having Rosemary as your neighbor. I don't want to change that. Plus, little Jack is still very young, and it is his childhood home. We could easily move into your house, and we could discuss other options later."

Elizabeth was so thankful for Nathan, and how sensitive he was to her needs and her son's. "I'll tell you what we can do. You and Allie move into what will now be our house. She can take little Jack's room, and I can switch him to the smaller third room. That way they can each have their space. It'll be okay with Jack, after all, he only goes to his room to sleep. He's so excited over Allie being his big sister he can't stop chattering about it when the two of us are alone."

"It's such a blessing how well they get along," Nathan interrupted, voicing his thoughts out loud.

"It is. I will be forever thankful for the day Allie approached me to babysit." Elizabeth remembered that day fondly. It definitely changed her life, and little Jack's, for the better.

"And I will forever be thankful you accepted. In a way, I do think that set up the path for us…"

"You may be right," Elizabeth said jovially. "So we're set then?"

"Yes. For now, at least, but there's something else. I've been talking with Bill. We've spent a lot of time together since the lost bullet incident. He told me if we wanted his land to build our home on, he'd sell it to us at half the price he had been willing to sell it to Madeleine."

"Half the price?" Elizabeth was flabbergasted with the generous offer.

"I was surprised as well and told him so, but he said he's content with his own quarters, and he doesn't see himself taking the time and effort to develop the land. He also does not want to sell to just anybody, and it wouldn't feel right to him for us to buy at the original price."

Nathan grinned, thinking back on his conversation with Bill. "Do you want to know what he said?" He didn't give time for Elizabeth to reply. "He said we are like a daughter and son to him, and if he could gift us the land in its entirety, he would."

"Bill has certainly been full of surprises over the years. I do love him like a father, and he's amazing with little Jack," Elizabeth said, easily misting over.

"I guess we never really know the effect we can have on people. Especially when you treat them with the respect and kindness they deserve," Nathan said pensively.

"Those are inspired and true words," Elizabeth murmured, glancing lovingly at her future husband. "Are we buying Bill's land then?" she asked hopefully.

"I think we are," Nathan replied, realizing all his dreams were finally coming true.

Soon thereafter the Grant family arrived at Union City. Allie went off with Elizabeth, while Nathan took little Jack, agreeing to meet at a quaint little café off of Main Street for a late lunch.

Allie was so excited upon entering the bridal boutique, she could barely contain herself.

"Never in my wildest dreams when I was moving around with Dad, did I think we'd find a home like Hope Valley, nor that I would be getting a pretty dress for his wedding," Allie said in an enthusiastic rush.

Elizabeth simply draped an arm around the slim girl and pressed her against her side. "Come, we have to find something lovely for you."

Allie immediately fell in love with a lavender dress. It had cap sleeves and a flowy chiffon skirt. "It's like a cloud! Could I try this on?" she asked eagerly.

"Sure!" Elizabeth said happily, knowing it was perfect for her.

Lindsay, the shopkeeper, kept pulling options for Elizabeth to consider, but nothing felt quite right. Either they were suited for a fancier wedding style, or they were too revealing or poufy for her taste. "I don't know if this will help…but what I'd love is a column style dress. Ivory or an off beige; and definitely not white. I like the new fashion of flutter sleeves. No beading, but maybe lace? I love lace."

The lady smiled indulgently, knowing she might have exactly what Elizabeth was looking for. She showed her a gown that met her specifications and couldn't have been more pleased when she saw her radiant smile.

As Elizabeth made her way to the dressing room, Allie emerged wearing the lavender dress, with the biggest smile she had ever seen on her face. Her spunky, bright girl was blossoming into a beautiful young woman right before her eyes.

"Allie," Elizabeth could barely speak, "you look gorgeous."

"I feel like a princess!" she exclaimed, beaming. Yet, her expression clouded a bit as she continued. "You should be the one feeling that way. It's really your day and dad's."

Elizabeth's eyes were glossy with unshed tears. She had the most selfless of daughters. "Sweetie, it's our day. It's also yours and Jack's. It's the day we officially become a family, even though in our hearts we already are," Elizabeth said, barely able to control the surge of emotions.

Allie sniffed back the tears. "Mama, what did I do to deserve you?" she asked quietly, throwing herself into Elizabeth's arms. "I think my mother sent you from heaven."

And that was it. The floodgates opened for both of them in the dressing room of Lindsay's Bridal Boutique.

Lindsay herself couldn't help but tear up over such a beautiful display of love and affection. In her years at the shop, she had never seen anything like it. She was used to being all over the emotional map with all the brides who had frequented the store. This was one for the books, though; and the bride herself hadn't even tried on the dress yet!

Giggling, they looked at each other, and Elizabeth gently wiped away Allie's tears with her thumb. "Lindsay, we are most definitely taking the lavender dress. We need shoes too, and if you have a matching ribbon, that would be wonderful."

Elizabeth tried on her dress and knew she didn't have to search any further. This was it! It fit her perfectly, and it only needed to be hemmed. Allie's eyes glistened as she took in how exquisite Elizabeth looked. She could already see her dad's goofy grin, the one he always had when he was daydreaming about Elizabeth, when he saw her in that dress on Sunday!

Lindsay encouraged Elizabeth and Allie to take a stroll along the shops while she worked on the alterations and packed everything up. Hooking her arm with Elizabeth's, Allie happily walked along Main Street taking in all the pretty shops. Both were drawn by a beauty salon that was playing fun swing-style music on a piano roll. An advertisement in the window showcased the latest hairstyle trends.

It might do for Allie to get a trim before the wedding, Elizabeth thought. But what about her? It was a new stage in her life, a new era, so to speak. She could do with a new look, and those new shorter hairstyles had been tempting her for a while now.

Acting on impulse, Elizabeth said, "Come Allie, let's go in!"