Thunder crashed outside as Elizabeth opened her eyes. It had been raining most of the night and Elizabeth had only been asleep for a hour before waking up to the sounds outside. It had been a long day but even with the weather outside it was the best day of her entire life. Elizabeth rolled over in the bed and saw her husband sleeping next to her. Her husband. How wonderful that sounded. Elizabeth couldn't believe how quickly it had happened and she wouldn't have it any other way. She sighed and thought about what had happened the day before.

Last night, Nathan had come by her row house as she sat on the steps after putting Jack to bed. Nathan had stayed behind in town after the capture of Casmir Shaw. He had to call headquarters to let them know what had happened and that the Mounties who had come to town would be transporting him back to Capital City. Lucas was also traveling there to see that justice was done in the case after Janette was injured. She was staying behind in Hope Valley so Faith could look after her.

"Hi, is everything done?"

Nathan walked over to her with his hands in his pockets. He had changed out of his serge before coming over to Elizabeth's house. He had a blue shirt on that Elizabeth loved with a few buttons unbuttoned. "I called headquarters and Shaw has left town."

"What's wrong?" Elizabeth asked. She could always tell when there was something Nathan wasn't saying.

"Elizabeth, are you happy?"

Elizabeth stood up from where she was sitting to stand in front of Nathan. "I am. I have never been happier than when I am with you. Are you?" Elizabeth looked a little hesitant. They had been through a lot today. And Elizabeth knew that she had put Nathan through more than what he should have had to go through.

"Elizabeth, you make me feel things I have never felt before. We have been through so much together. I can do anything as long as you are with me. I feel like I need to say more to you but everything I try, we keep getting interrupted," Nathan laughed at the thought of all the interruptions.

Elizabeth laughed too but then got serious. "I know. There are things I need to say to you too. Nathan I love you. I'm sorry it took me so long to say it, but all I want is for us to be together with our children. I am ready to move forward with you."

"Marry me."

"What?"

"Marry me. I don't want to wait to start our future. I want to live in a row house with you and Allie and Jack. To wake up with you every day and come home to you every night. We have faced so many things together over the last year. I was so worried when I thought something could have happened to you tonight. I need you and I hope that you feel the same. Marry me so we don't have to be alone again.

Elizabeth walked closer putting her hands on Nathan's chest. He looked down at her, waiting for an answer. Nathan was nervous that maybe he had spoken too soon. He thought she was ready after she helped him with Allie. Things seemed different between all of them that day. Elizabeth smiled and moved closer, pressing her lips against his. He raised his eyebrows in surprise as the kiss continued. Then Nathan put his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. Elizabeth pulled back slightly and looked in his eyes.

"I can't think of anything I would like more than to be your wife. But there is one thing I would ask."

"What's that?" Nathan asked her.

"Can we get married tomorrow?"

"Are you sure?" Nathan looked at her with the biggest smile Elizabeth had ever seen.

Elizabeth kissed him again, more passionately than the first time. Pulling back she said, "What does that tell you?"

The ceremony was small and in Bill's office. Joseph and Bill stood there to lead the ceremony with Allie and Jack standing next to them. Elizabeth had also asked Rosemary and Lee to come as witnesses when Elizabeth and Nathan had told them about the engagement. Rosemary asked Elizabeth if she was sure she didn't want the big church wedding but Elizabeth looked at Nathan and said all she wanted was a marriage. Rosemary had offered to watch the children for a couple days so they could have some time alone. Nathan and Elizabeth walked to Elizabeth's row house after the ceremony, ready to start their future.

Back in their bed, Elizabeth looked at Nathan with the curl of his hair over one eye. Elizabeth couldn't imagine being more in love with him than she was in this moment. Last night had been amazing. Both of them had been nervous but they found their way together. As the storm continued outside, Elizabeth decided that she wouldn't be able to fall back asleep and decided to get some tea or water from downstairs.

Since the wedding had happened so quickly, Elizabeth didn't have a chance to buy any new clothes for the ceremony or a new nightgown. The things she usually wore were old but comfortable. She had spent so many years alone, buying new night clothes wasn't a priority. Right now though she wish she would have bought something and put it to the side for such an occasion.

Elizabeth saw their clothes from the previous night lying on the floor. She saw Nathan's henley on the ground at the end of the bed and she picked it up and put it over her head. It was still a little chilly in the house with the storm outside so Elizabeth looked for a blanket or shawl in her room. There wasn't anything. She remembered cleaning up before the ceremony so everything would be perfect when her and Nathan came home. She saw Nathan's serge jacket hanging over the arm of the chair in her room. She smiled and put it on. She put her nose in the lapel of the jacket, the scent reminding her of her husband. Elizabeth smiled looking at Nathan before walking out of the room and down the stairs.

Elizabeth walked into the kitchen and got a cup of water. She stood in front of the window, sipping her water and watching the storm. Her wedding flowers that Nathan had surprised her with were in a vase on the counter. She smiled as she saw them and then continued to look at the storm. The rain was so loud on the roof of the house that she did not hear the footsteps coming down the stairs. Elizabeth didn't realize Nathan was behind her until she felt his lips on her neck. She put down the glass and leaned back into his chest as his kisses continued behind her ear.

"You know, I have never liked this serge jacket but I am a big fan of it right now."

Elizabeth turned to face Nathan. He had pulled on his pants from the day before with the suspenders hanging at his side. He didn't have a shirt on since Elizabeth had taken his henley. Nathan looked at her and saw that all the buttons of his henley were undone. He hooked one of his fingers in the V that the shirt created, realizing that Elizabeth didn't have anything on underneath.

"So that's where my shirt went. I was wondering where you and my shirt went to when I woke up. The serge was a surprise," Nathan said with a wink.

"I didn't want to wake you, but the serge reminded me of you."

Nathan walked closer, putting his arms around her under the serge. "I thought I was more than the serge to you?" Nathan said teasing her.

"Oh you are definitely so much more," Elizabeth said as she pressed her body against his.

Nathan pushed his serge off her shoulders and put the serge on the chair in the kitchen. He leaned down and kissed her just like he had when they had come home. Elizabeth put her arms around his neck and the kisses continued to burn. Nathan pulled back with a mischievous smile and had an idea. Elizabeth tilted her head and wondered why he had stopped. Nathan leaned down and picked Elizabeth up, putting her over his shoulder.

"Nathan, what are you doing?" Elizabeth said laughing at him as he started towards the stairs.

"I think it's time we continue this upstairs, Mrs. Grant." Nathan carried her to their bedroom where the two of them didn't worry about the storm outside as sleep was the last thing on their mind.