Author's note: This chapters starts with a three alarm steam alert. If that is not your thing, scroll down and the end of the steam section is marked.

Chapter 12 – Honeymoon

[WARNING! Steam alert ahead. If not your thing, skip down to the break]

Nathan turned his head when he heard the water closet door open. He couldn't believe the sight before him. Maggie stood there in a silky white nightgown that barely came to her mid-thighs. She also had a long flowy robe that was almost sheer.

"Wow." Nathan said., standing up.

Nathan stood there with his mouth agape as Maggie walked toward him. She stood in front of Nathan. She reached out and ran her finger down Nathan's henley clad chest from his Adam's apple to the waistband of his pants. It was Nathan's turn to shudder. Since Nathan seemed frozen in place, Maggie reached forward and unbuttoned his pants and pushed them down his hips. Slowly Nathan reached up and pushed the sheer robe off Maggie's shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. He then buried his hand into her hair, pulling her to him. He then kissed her quite passionately. With his hand not in her hair, he wrapped it around Maggie, pressing her body to his. Nathan stepped out of his pants and kicked them off.

They broke apart long enough for Maggie to pull Nathan's henley over his head and drop it on the floor. Maggie then pressed her body against Nathan and could feel his growing excitement. Barely breaking contact with her lips, Nathan surprised Maggie by scooping her up and carrying her to the bed. He gently paid her down and then climbed in next to her. He raised up over her and looked her in the eye.

"You okay?" Nathan asked, low and huskily. "We can still stop if you want."

Maggie reached up and put her hand on Nathan's muscular chest, near his heart.

"Love me." Maggie whispered. "I am yours."

Nathan smiled at Maggie. She sat up to kiss him and a few minutes later, Nathan pulled the silky nightgown over Maggie's head and dropped it to the floor in a puddle of fabric. They continued kissing and exploring each other's bodies, removing the remaining articles of clothing between them. Nathan looked at his stunning wife laying there naked and he once again sought her eyes asking for permission. In response to his unvoiced question, Maggie shifted and gave Nathan open access.

Slowly and carefully, Nathan entered his wife, giving her time to adjust. He kept looking at her face for signs he needed to slow down or stop. Maggie arched her back, pushing Nathan deeper and causing a moment of pain. Nathan stopped, but Maggie encouraged him to continue. It didn't take long for them to climb to the mountain peak and fall over the edge together. Nathan fell back into the bed covered in a fine sheen of sweat. He turned his face to his bride as he caught his breath.

"Wow." Nathan said, gravely and low.

Maggie rolled over and laid her left hand on her husband's chest. She watched as the light danced off her ring as he moved her fingers across his chest.

"You, my husband, are amazing." Maggie said.

Nathan took Maggie's hand and held it against his chest.

"I hope I didn't hurt you too bad." Nathan said.

"The pain was momentary." Maggie said. "But well worth the pleasure."

"Glad to hear." Nathan said.

They were both laying on their sides when Nathan rolled onto his back. Maggie rolled over so she was on her stomach. She started to dance her fingers across Nathan's taut muscles. Nathan felt his excitement growing again. Maggie also noticed and continued to tease her husband. They would come together two more times before falling asleep wrapped in each other's arms.

[End of Steam alert]

… … … …

The next morning, Nathan would wake to Maggie using his chest as a pillow. He carefully extracted himself from under her, taking care not to wake her. He pulled on some underwear and a henley before grabbing his journal and Bible. He quietly went to the other room. He stoked the fire in the fireplace. It wasn't that it was all that cold in the room, but it did help to take the damp chill out of the air. Nathan stood there for a moment and watched the rain hit the large windows.

Deciding some coffee would be good, he went back and slipped his new pajama pants on before calling down and ordering the coffee. He pulled the bedroom doors almost shut before sitting down and opening his Bible. Once had had some coffee, Nathan poured out everything from the previous day onto its pages. He wanted to make sure he never forgot a single detail of one of the greatest days of his life. He also used it to process everything he was feeling since there were so many new things he had experienced in the last day.

An hour and a half after he got up, Maggie wandered out into the sitting room, wearing only Nathan's henley from the night before.

"There is my handsome husband." Maggie said, wrapping her arms around his neck and running her hands down his chest.

Nathan inhaled sharply and then a smile slowly came to his face.

"Morning, Mrs Grant." Nathan said.

"Did you order breakfast?" Maggie asked.

"Just coffee." Nathan said. "I was waiting for you."

Nathan then turned and that was when he realized that Maggie was just wearing his henley.

"I will order some food." Nathan said. "But you put some clothes on."

Maggie gave him a pout.

"What fun is that?" She teased.

"Food first." Nathan said. "Fun later. Since it is raining, we can stay here all day if you want."

"Okay." Maggie said.

And that is exactly what they did. Nathan ordered breakfast for them. After they ate, Nathan spent the better part of the day showing Maggie how much he loved her. They even took a hot bath together in the extra large tub. Afterwards, they sat on a blanket in front of the fireplace where Nathan had finally popped the bottle of champagne. They feed each other bites from the fruit and cheese platter they had ordered. Nathan read to Maggie from the book his head brought, but she had other ideas and kept teasing him. They ended up making love on the floor in front of the fireplace. It was then they decided their master bedroom in the new house needed a fireplace.

Monday, Nathan and Maggie went out and about in Union City. It was mostly for Nathan to show Maggie around. They ended up stopping at several shops, but didn't actually get many things. Maggie found a few small things that she wanted and were on her list to buy. Nathan got a new book and also picked up another journal because he had been doing a lot of writing. They also picked up a couple things for Gabe and Allie. Nathan also found something for Bill. Monday night they went to the fancy restaurant in the hotel. While it was nice to dress up and eat out, they decided that they much preferred one of the local cafes or to eat in their room.

After supper, Nathan felt the need to check in with Gabe back in Hope Valley. He hoped that he was wrong, but he didn't think he was. He felt bad about even suggesting that he call, but surprisingly, Maggie was very supportive. Allie was all excited to talk to her dad. When he asked how their days had been, Allie hemmed and hawed, suggesting that he speak to Gabe. Nathan sighed. He knew something had happened. Gabe came over and picked up the phone.

"What happened?" Nathan asked. "Is everyone alright?"

Maggie came over and sat in Nathan's lap so she could hear when she heard his questions and the tone in his voice.

("More or less everyone is okay." Gabe said. "Nothing broken and the bruises will heal.")

"Again." Nathan said. "What happened?"

("It was yesterday." Gabe said. "After services, Elizabeth happened to overhear a couple of the ladies talking about your wedding. She flipped out and was yelling at everyone. Bill tried to calm her down and she pushed him. She then came at me, screaming I lied to her. When I tried to defend myself, she slapped me. I ended up with a black eye and a few scratches from her nails. She wouldn't even listen to Rosemary.

She was so hysterical and screaming at everyone, that Carson made the decision, with Bill's blessing, to sedate her. Cat Montgomery took Little Jack and Gabe Montgomery tried to talk to some of the children that witnessed it, but everyone was pretty upset. It has been a pretty long couple of days, but we thought things were getting better this evening, but then Elizabeth started screaming about how you lied and needed to be kicked off the force for killing Jack. She was also screaming how she was going to make you pay for ruining her life. She also was screaming that Maggie will never be Allie's mom and she would always hold that place in Allie's heart.

Carson had to sedate her again about twenty minutes ago. She wasn't making sense and we were afraid that she was going to hurt someone. She had been combative this morning when she was still pretty out of it, so they dismissed it, but she was once again combative this evening. She threw the bowl of soup at Bill and pushed Faith. Besides the sedation, they have put her in restraints for the time being. Carson is hoping to reduce sedation slowly starting tomorrow, but keep her medicated until they speak to her father and plans can be made to get her the proper help. I got all the reports so far done. Bill did let us know that her father is on his way and would try to reach him along the way.

The worst part, Little Jack has been pretty much inconsolable since it all happened. We have all tried our best, but it was me that he responded to and I know you might not be happy, but we brought him here and he is currently sleeping on the settee. Bill said he was going to stay for awhile and try to take him back to his place, but if the boy starts screaming again, I said I would keep him here tonight. He has a death grip on that Mountie you carved him and kept mumbling for daddy.")

Nathan sighed. Maggie got up and started pacing the room.

"No, you did the right thing." Nathan said. "Do you want Maggie and I to come home tomorrow?"

("That is entirely your call." Gabe said. "According to Bill, William Thatcher should be here sometime on Wednesday. Like I said, the plan is to keep Elizabeth at least partially sedated until that point. We are all pulling together and trying to keep things as normal as possible for Little Jack. There is not much for you to do here.")

"Let me talk to Maggie." Nathan said. "If we are coming back before the late train on Wednesday, we will let you know. Also as far as Little Jack, his blocks and train. Also the picture of Jack in his room. I remember Elizabeth talking about it and how much he loves it. He should also have a book of stories about Jack and I know he loves that. See if Bill can find some of those comfort items. All else fails, take him to see the horses. He loves to pet Newton and Sergeant."

("I will have Bill look for those things." Gabe said. "I will keep the horses in mind. Sorry to bother you with all of this.")

"No it is okay." Nathan said. "We will talk soon."

Nathan hung up the phone and looked at Maggie.

"We can go back." Maggie said.

But Nathan heard the sadness in her voice, so he stood and went to her. He immediately cupped her face and lifted it to look at him.

"Margaret Victoria Grant." Nathan said. "I love you and promised you we would spend time together. Gabe, Bill and Carson can handle things. Do I want to go home and make sure Allie is okay? Yes. Do I feel a responsibility to make sure Little Jack is okay? Yes. But more importantly then all of that, is the promise that I made to you and my desire for you.

I was going to ask if we could take the mid-day train on Wednesday instead of the late train. Like Gabe said, there is nothing I can really do in Hope Valley other than my normal job. The people that need to be handling Elizabeth are doing just that. I trust them to make the right decisions and keep me informed as needed. Honestly, I don't want to see Elizabeth. Her father is on the way and he can deal with her. I don't need to be there.

But no matter what happens with Elizabeth, it won't change my love for you. I married you. You are the one who I want to build a future with. You are the one that Allie wants in her life. You are the one that makes my heart soar. And after last night, I am not letting you go that easily. Am I being clear enough?"

Maggie nodded and Nathan leaned down and kissed her. When Maggie pulled back, she smiled at her husband.

"Love me." Maggie whispered.

Nathan proceeded to do just that. He spent the better part of the rest of the evening showing his wife just how much he loved her and how much she meant to him. Maggie finally fell asleep, with her head on Nathan's chest. He carefully extracted himself once again. Nathan was going to get up and write, but he ended up sitting watching his wife for over an hour, wondering how he had gotten so lucky. Then instead of writing, he crawled back into bed and held his wife close, completely content with his life for the first time that he could ever remember.

Tuesday, they spent the majority of the day in the hotel, knowing it was their last full day together in Union City. They didn't know how much alone time they were going to get when they returned to Hope Valley, so they were going to take advantage of it while they had it. Nathan was able to call and get his reserved tickets changed to the mid-day train. They spent quite a bit of time talking about what they wanted in the new house and trying to make a plan for when they returned to Hope Valley. They both knew that it was going to take time to find a routine, especially with other things in the air at the moment. Nathan admitted that it was going to be an adjustment for him. He was used to living with Allie, but she had become much more independent since they had come to Hope Valley, so it was going to take him time to remember that he had to check in and consider others before making plans and doing things.