Chapter 11 – Reception
After taking an extra minute, Nathan and Maggie joined their guests. Abigail and Minnie had made finger sandwiches, cookies and had chilled bottles of soda pop. Nathan smiled when he saw the bottles of Dr Pepper and ginger ale, two of his favorites. There was even a small cake for them to cut. Nathan led Maggie to the front of the room.
"We want to thank you all for coming." Nathan said. "I know that there is not a lot of room, but we can spread out into the church if we need. A special thanks to Frank and Abigail for all the work you did to make today happen. Also a special thank you to Carson for taking photographs."
"We know today is about us joining our lives." Maggie said. "But we need to remember that this marriage is not only about Nathan and I. So Allie, can you come here?"
Allie walked up and stood in front of her Dad and Mum.
"So we each got you a gift to signify our new family." Nathan said.
Nathan reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box and handed it to Allie.
"Open it." Nathan said.
Allie undid the ribbon and opened the box. She saw the small charm and immediately hugged her dad.
"It is a new charm for your bracelet." Nathan said. "It has today's date engraved on it. I am sure if you ask your Uncle Gabe he will put it on your bracelet later.
"Thank you, Dad." Allie said.
"Allie." Maggie said. "When I was talking to your dad about what to get you, he mentioned you didn't have pierced ears. When I asked if he would be willing to allow you to have them, he said he would if you wanted. So my gift to you is to go with you and have Dr Shepherd pierce your ears. I have even brought the diamond earrings my mother had picked out for me and my grandmother gave me when she took me before my thirteenth birthday. They will now be yours to keep and pass on."
Allie went to her Mum and hugged her. She then looked between her parents and Carson.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you." Allie said. "When can we do it?"
Maggie looked to Carson.
"Allie." Carson said. "Dr Faith and I will be ready to do it anytime after your parents get home next week. May I suggest Friday after school."
"Okay." Allie said. "Thank you both again."
"You are welcome, Allie-girl." Nathan said.
"Now." Maggie said. "Let's have Frank say a prayer so we can have a bite to eat."
"Heavenly Father." Frank prayed. "Thank you for this time of fellowship. We ask that you bless our time and all those here. Be with those who couldn't join us today. Please keep Nathan and Maggie safe as they travel this evening. Bless this food to our bodies and bless the hands that prepared it. Amen."
"Amen." Nathan said. "Thank you, Frank. Everyone grabbed a plate and spread out. Once everyone has had a chance to eat, I have a surprise for my bride."
Everyone laughed when they saw Maggie make a face at Nathan. When Nathan just smirked at her, she swatted his arm. Nathan's response was to pull her close and give her a kiss which brought a round of applause. People started getting food and finding a place to sit. Nathan and Maggie sat at a table that was pretty central, so people could come and go to talk to them. Peter and his wife came and sat with them.
"Nathan." Peter said. "Congratulations, again. Anne and I are so happy for you."
"Thank you, so much." Nathan said. "Anne, I am so glad you could join us."
"Thank you for inviting us." Anne said. "Like I told Peter, there are worse places where this little one could be born and I wouldn't miss seeing you get married."
"Thank you." Nathan said.
"So when is that little one supposed to make their appearance?" Maggie asked.
"Doctors say any day." Anne said. "But I said I have at least ten days yet."
"She hasn't been wrong yet." Peter said. "Which is the only reason I agreed to let her come."
"How many children do you have?" Maggie asked.
"This will be number six for me." Anne said. "But we also adopted my two nephews after my sister and husband died in a cholera outbreak a few years ago."
"Wow. Eight kids." Allie said.
"It is not so bad." Anne said. "The two boys are twelve and fourteen. Our girls are nine, seven, five, five and three."
"So you think it is another little girl?" Nathan asked.
"Not sure this time." Anne said. "Last time I kept going back and forth, we ended up with the twins."
Nathan and Maggie laughed. The afternoon continued and Nathan and Maggie visited with lots of the guests. Nathan also made a point of introducing Bill and Peter. They got talking about golf and Anne just rolled her eyes and muttered 'at least it wasn't baseball' which brought some laughs from those that heard.
After about an hour, Nathan called everyone back together.
"As mentioned." Nathan said. "I have a surprise for my bride. But first, I must thank Rosemary for helping me to be able to do this. She didn't know why she was helping me back in July, but I am grateful for her help. After my first conversation with Maggie. I knew what song I wanted for our first dance."
Maggie gasped as Nathan pulled her close. Rosemary went through the open doors and started playing The Rose of Tralee on the piano. Nathan and Maggie dance on the small makeshift dance floor , but it couldn't have been more special and everyone was moved. The people who watched were all amazed at how skilled a dancer Nathan was. As Rosemary finished the song, everyone applauded. When she came back into the other room, Maggie left Nathan's side and went to Rosemary. She hugged her tight.
"Thank you so much." Maggie said, her voice heavy with emotion. "My mother used to sing that to me."
"You are welcome." Rosemary said. "Glad I was able to do it."
Abigail then turned on the Victrola and invited others to join the dancing. She went over and took Frank's hand. He pulled her close and they swayed together in the corner. Nathan and Maggie shared another dance and then Nathan danced with Allie, while Maggie danced with Bill.
After six or seven dances, they took a break and cut the cake. It was fun watching Maggie smear frosting on Nathan's cheek. She then kissed him and licked the frosting off. Nathan turned bright red, but he didn't say anything, because he loved Maggie. They continued to visit and occasionally dance. It was a lovely afternoon and everyone had a nice time. At five thirty, Bill came over.
"Time to say goodbye." Bill said. "Henry has already picked up the luggage and delivered it to the train station. There are two of the taxis outside – one for you two and one for Peter and Anne."
"Thank you." Nathan said.
Nathan and Maggie got up and started their goodbyes. They thanked Frank and Abigail again. They also thanked the Coulters. When they spoke to Carson, he promised to have the pictures done when they got back. The next person was Gabe.
"Go. Enjoy." Gabe said. "I got this. Allie and I will be fine. I will also keep those two rookies in line. I promise the town will be safe without you for a few days."
"Thank you, brother." Nathan said. "Remember, Allie does have a bedtime and if anything happens, she can go to the Canfields."
"Relax." Gabe said.
"I will be fine, Dad." Allie said. "Maybe we should be more worried about Uncle Gabe behaving."
"I am sure Bill will keep him in line." Nathan said.
With one last hug from her mum and dad, Allie smiled as she watched them leave. She was going to miss them for a few days, but she knew it was going to be okay. Nathan and Maggie left first and then Peter and Anne a few minutes later. Gabe and Allie stayed to help Frank and Abigail clean up. The Coulters headed home to have an early night since PJ really didn't get a nap. Gabe and James were dismissed and they both went to change out of their dress uniforms before going on rounds.
Everyone else headed home or to the cafe for supper, not that anyone was overly hungry. It was more, it had been such a lovely day and no one wanted it to end. Even those not at the wedding had been happy for their Constable. It seemed like Elizabeth was the only one who was determined to be unhappy. People also understood why Nathan and Maggie had chosen to keep the wedding a small affair. As much as they all wanted to celebrate the couple, they accepted that Nathan wasn't comfortable with that and that he was also trying to keep this from being interrupted. The people of Hope Valley knew that there would be another time to celebrate their beloved Constable.
… … … …
Nathan and Maggie were greeted by Conrad who assured them that their luggage would be taken care of and there would be a car waiting for them in Union City to take them to the hotel.
"Thank you." Nathan said. "You have been wonderful in helping take care of things."
"Are you sure that you don't want a private car?" Conrad asked. "I know that there is one available."
"Thank you, but no thank you." Nathan said. "My friend Peter and his wife Anne will be traveling back to Union City, so we will just sit with them."
"Just had to check." Conrad said.
"Again, thank you." Nathan said.
They sat with Peter and Anne while they waited for the train. It was nice to visit with the couple. Maggie and Anne really seemed to get along and both husbands were pleased. The couples continued to visit even after boarding, having decided to share a large semi-private table. The guys took coffee while the ladies had tea when offered. The steward also brought a plate of finger sandwiches and cookies.
Before they knew they were in Union City. Maggie and Anne promised to write and Maggie was looking forward to meeting the children. While Peter and Anne were headed home, Nathan and Maggie headed to the Grand Hotel. It had been the first time they had been truly alone together all day. Nathan was starting to get nervous, so he got quieter. Maggie let him concentrate on driving the short distance to the hotel, even though she wanted to slide across the seat and snuggle into him. She sat there watching things go by.
They checked in and were shown their suite. Nathan was surprised to see a bottle of chilled champagne. They were informed the kitchen would be until midnight if they wanted something. The bellhop let them know that their luggage was in the bedroom, but hadn't been unpacked for them. Nathan assured him that it was fine and they could take care of it themselves. Nathan gave the two of them each a tip and they left. Nathan shut and locked the door, not that he thought anyone would bother them, but he felt better knowing that the door was locked.
The first thing that Nathan did was unbutton his serge, so he felt like he could breath. He was getting extremely nervous. Nathan looked across the room at Maggie who had gone to the large windows to check out the view. He stood there watching her and couldn't believe how beautiful she was. Nathan thought she could easily be the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Slowly, Nathan finished unbuttoning his serge while watching Maggie. He knew that she could see his reflection in the window, but he couldn't see her whole face, just a bit of her profile, but he swore she was smiling at him. He hung the serge on the back of a chair, then went to Maggie and wrapped his arms around her petite frame.
"If I haven't told you today." Nathan whispered. "You are absolutely gorgeous."
"Thank you." Maggie said, leaning against Nathan's solid frame.
"When you were walking down the aisle in that dress." Nathan said. "You looked like an angel floating toward me."
"You looked so handsome standing there in your serge, like Prince Charming." Maggie said. "I had to keep telling myself that you are real and that you are all mine. My very own Prince Charming."
"Prince Charming?" Nathan said. "Haven't heard that one in the past."
"Oh." Maggie said. "It was the first thing that I thought when I saw your dress serge. I mean I have seen Mounties in their dress serge before, but when I saw you standing there in your, my first thought was Prince Charming."
"Fine." Nathan said. "I will be your Prince Charming. But you are going to have to be my angel."
"I can handle that." Maggie said.
Nathan turned Maggie in his arms and held her close. After a moment, he gently cupped her cheek and moved to kiss her. Nathan started slowly, and quickly intensified the kiss as Maggie leaned into him. It lit a fire in both of them. Nathan wanted the kiss to never end, but reluctantly pulled back when he required oxygen. As they stood there trying to catch their breaths, Maggie looked up at Nathan.
"Can you help me undo the buttons?" Maggie said.
Nathan inhaled sharply and stared at Maggie.
"Huh." Nathan said, confused.
Maggie took him by the hand and led him through the open bedroom doors.
"I need you to help me." Maggie said, slowly. "Please undo the buttons so I can put on something more comfortable."
Maggie turned around and moved her hair. Still it took a moment for it to register with Nathan. Slowly Nathan brought his trembling hands up and started to undo the buttons. His fingers brushed the delicate skin underneath her dress, causing Maggie to moan and shudder. Nathan immediately pulled his hands away.
"Sorry." He muttered.
"It is okay." Maggie said. "Keep going, please."
Slowly Nathan undid a few more buttons and when she felt the dress start to slip, Maggie held it up with her arm. She then turned, smiled at Nathan and stepped away. She grabbed something from her trunk and stepped into the water closet. Nathan stood there dumbfounded. Eventually, he sat on the end of the bed and ran his fingers through his hair. He let his suspenders fall from his shoulders and then he undid his boots. He dropped his boots at his feet and sat there trying to process everything. He felt so bereft without Maggie and she had only been out of sight for a few minutes.
Nathan felt light headed as he sat there. It wasn't that he felt physically sick, but he just sat there with so many emotions and feelings at the moment that he was feeling overwhelmed. Nothing he had been told or that he had read prepared him for what he was feeling. He knew that it was new for Maggie as well, but he felt so unprepared to please his wife like he thought he was supposed to.