After Jack had fallen asleep, Elizabeth quietly went to her room to change and brush her hair. Now that she knew she'd been a mess the entire time, she was a bit self-conscious about things. Soon she found herself on the porch, looking up at the stars, grateful the moon wasn't so bright tonight. There was something magical about a sky full of bright stars. Hearing the gravel crunch, she looked over and smiled while letting out a deep sigh.
"Hi," she said once Nathan came into view.
"Good evening, beautiful." was his reply. Sitting down next to her on the porch, he chuckled and pulled her close, "You realized it too, huh?"
"Realized what?" she asked, not sure where that comment had come from. She felt his lips on her hair and starting to groan with embarrassment.
"Jack was kind enough to point out that my hair was funny, and looked like his when he woke up. I am so embarrassed." she confessed, putting her face into his chest. She pulled back to look at him when she felt him start to laugh.
"Well at least you didn't get, "Next time can you not look like you were standing in the rain for an hour?" from your teenage daughter," he told her.
"True, but you also don't have to see Rosemary first thing in the morning asking for an explanation."
"You win," Nathan smiled, giving her cheek a quick kiss, "So what do you plan to tell her?"
"What would you like me to say?" she teased back.
The word 'home' suddenly popped into her head and she realized that was the word that described how she was feeling. An overwhelming sense of belonging and love, while also feeling safe and protected. Exactly where she needed to be. Nathan noticed the puzzled look that crossed her face but decided to wait before asking about it.
"Well, I spoke with Allie, or rather Allie spoke with me, and she is very happy for us." he leaned in and gently pressed his lips to hers and was surprised when he felt Elizabeth begin to take it deeper. When they finally broke apart, Nathan could see tears in her eyes.
"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" he asked worriedly.
Shaking her head, she whispered, "Happy tears, I promise."
Taking a deep breath, hoping to get her voice back, she explained, "I've always associated the word home with a physical location or a place even, and while that is true, I now believe it's something you can feel when you are with someone. I think most of the time we are in our homes with that person, so it seems like one and the same, but I know the difference now. Nathan, you feel like home to me, and you know what it's the most wonderful feeling. It's been missing from my life for so long, I didn't even realize it, but now that piece of the puzzle is in its place and I feel complete now. It's been a long time since I could honestly say that, so thank you, Nathan." And with that, she leaned towards him and captured his lips with hers.
After a few moments, they pulled apart and at the same time whispered, "I love you."
They sat together, watching the stars for a while, relishing the feeling of just being together. Feeling Elizabeth try to hold back a yawn, Nathan knew it was time to say goodnight.
"What would you like to do tomorrow?" he asked, "I have the entire day and want to spend it with you."
"Oh, well, you and Jack have a riding lesson in the morning, and then maybe afterward the four of us can have breakfast at the Café." Elizabeth suggested.
"I like the sound of that, and maybe I'll have a surprise for the four of us later in the afternoon. I want to spend time with Jack and Allie, but I also want to make sure you and I have time to be together as well. Who knows what the next day will bring." Nathan said with a wink.
"I would love that, Nathan."
Standing up, Nathan put out his hand to help Elizabeth stand up. "You know, I have this tiny little voice in my head that is telling me not to leave, because I will wake up and find this has all been a dream"
Knowing exactly what he meant, Elizabeth put her arms around his waist and held as tight as she could. She didn't want the day to end, either. After a few moments, she felt Nathan take his hand from her back and brought it to her chin. Slowly he lifted it up until he could see the stars shining in her eyes. She was beautiful. His lips found hers once more, and gently he began to kiss her. The taste of her lips was like nothing he'd ever experienced before, and he found himself craving more and more. Feeling Elizabeth pull him tighter, he sighed as the kiss became deeper and deeper. Soon, his mind starting going blank, and he could feel reality slipping from his grip. He felt himself responding differently to the emotions coursing through him, and abruptly he pulled back, startling both himself and Elizabeth.
Running his hands through his hair, he took a step back and cleared his throat. Seeing the desire in Elizabeth's eyes wasn't helping any, but he knew if he felt her lips one more time, things would get out of control very quickly.
Elizabeth smiled at him, trying to calm her racing heart and catch her breath, understanding what Nathan was trying to say. After a few moments things calmed down and Nathan couldn't help the grin that was pulling at his mouth.
"Good night, Elizabeth," he said
"Good night, Nathan" she responded before adding "Be safe"
"Always" he told her and headed home.
Making her way up the stairs to her room, Elizabeth looked into Jack's room and smiled to see him sound asleep. Knowing he was safe, she went to her room and was grateful when sleep finally came because she knew, no longer would her old dreams haunt her, but they'd be replaced with something even better.
Feeling the sun on her face, Elizabeth opened her eyes and smiled. Today was the first day of the rest of her life, even though she didn't exactly like that phrase, but it seemed appropriate for today, and she was going to make the absolute most of it. The thought of spending time with Allie, Jack, and Nathan filled her heart with such calming peace and joy, she felt tears begin to form in her eyes.
"Mommy, is it time for my riding lesson yet?" she heard Jack calling from the hallway. Looking at him, she smiled and held out her arms, hoping he'd come to her for a morning hug. He had started resisting affection from her lately, and while it was yet another painful reminder that he was growing up, she did the same thing every morning and loved that he always came to her.
"Good morning, Honey Bear, did you sleep well?" she asked.
"Yes. I dreamed that I was riding Pal really fast, and you were there and so were Allie, Mountie Nathan and Scout." he told her, excitement in his eyes.
"You really want to go fast, don't you, Jack?"
"I do," he sighed dramatically, "but you said I have to wait."
Pulling him in for another quick hug, she assured him that soon he and Pal could go faster.
"Can we have breakfast now?" he asked, hearing his tummy start to grumble
"Well, how about we have breakfast with Mountie Nathan and Allie, after your riding lesson at the Café?"
"Can we?"
"Yes we can, but I will make some toast and juice, to keep our strength up, but for now how about you go get dressed in your riding clothes." Elizabeth told him
"Okie Dokie," he said and skipped back to his room.
Once she was dressed and downstairs, she began making Jack's favorite breakfast.
"Yummy!" she heard Jack exclaim as he was coming down the stairs, "eggs and bacon, my favorite"
"Did you make your bed?" Elizabeth asked before he made it to the last step. "Will you go make it, please?"
"Yes mommy." he said, turning around and heading back up the stairs
Hearing a quick knock on the door, she turned around and smiled. "Right on time, Rosemary." she said with a smile.
"Well, I would have been here earlier, but Goldie decided her breakfast looked more enticing on my blouse than it did on her plate." Rosemary said, coming and giving Elizabeth a hug before sitting down at the table. Elizabeth could feel the energy coming off her friend and smiled, pulling down a second tea cup, wondering how long before she broke and told her everything, well almost everything.
"So….?"
Elizabeth was placing the tea cups on the table and looked at Rosemary, pretending to not know what she meant.
"Don't you play that game with me, Elizabeth Thornton. Although, after last night, it was pretty obvious"
"Obvious?" Elizabeth squeaked, "What was obvious last night?"
"Well for starters, you and Nathan showed up at the same exact time, both of you looked as though you'd been out in the rain," she motioned to Elizabeth's hair. "And you are absolutely glowing." she finished with a squeal, clapping her hands.
"I guess I don't need to tell you anything then." Elizabeth teased.
"I'll take that as confirmation, then. But please, do give me the details."
"I would love to, Rosemary, but Jack has a riding lesson this morning and Nathan will be over to pick him up any minute."
"Then at least give me the highlights." Rosemary tried bargaining.
"Well we ended up at the same place, I tripped over a tree, told him what was in my heart, and it rained." was all Elizabeth was going to give her today.
"And was there a kissing?"
Seeing the blush being to form on Elizabeth's cheeks told Rosemary all she needed to know.
"HE KISSED YOU!?" she exclaimed, standing up and putting her arms around her friend. "So you guys are a couple now?" she asked once they had hugged.
"Shhh, Rosemary, the entire town doesn't need to know that." she tried to be firm, but the grin on her face wouldn't go away as she remembered each and every kiss.
"So, are you guys together now?"
"Yes, but please Rosemary, keep it under your hat for now." Elizabeth begged
"Of course, I promise, but Elizabeth, I am just so happy for you." Rosemary said, giving her another hug.
"Auntie Rosemary!" Jack called, coming down the stairs.
"There's my handsome man, come give me a squeeze" Rosemary said opening her arms.
After hugging his Aunt, Jack pulled back and said, "I have a riding lesson with Mountie Nathan today."
"One of these days you are going to have to let me come watch a riding lesson, Jack." Rosemary told him.
"You can come, but not until I can go fast." Hearing a knock at the front door, he ran to open it.
"Allie, Mountie Nathan!" Jack exclaimed, "Can I have my riding lesson now?"
Jacks stomach rumbled again and hearing it, Allie laughed, saying, "Maybe you need some breakfast first, Jack."
"You're probably right, come on, let's have breakfast." the little boy said, grabbing Allie's hand and pulling her to the kitchen.
Nathan smiled as he watched the interaction between Jack and Allie and followed them into the kitchen.
"Good Morning, Nathan." Rosemary said, smiling at him.
"Good Morning, Rosemary, thanks again for dinner last night." he said.
"Oh that was nothing, but we'll have to do it again, soon. For now, I will leave you guys alone. Have a good day!?" and a smile and a wave, Rosemary was out the door.
Walking over to Elizabeth, he leaned down and kissed her cheek, "Good morning, Beautiful." he whispered.
"Good morning," she said, a loving smile forming on her lips as she got lost in his eyes.
"Mama, can we have breakfast now so I can ride, Pal?" she heard Jack say.
Finally able to break away from his gaze, she smiled at her son and said, "We were thinking, how about we go to breakfast at the Café after your riding lesson, Jack?"
"I'd like that" he told her, "But I am hungry now."
Knowing that would be his answer, he loved going to the Café, Elizabeth continued, "How about we have some juice and toast to hold us over until then?"
"Can Allie and Mountie Nathan have some too?"
"Yes they may."
"Goodie" Jack said, scooting his chair at the table closer to Allie's.
Nathan walked over to Elizabeth and quietly asked, "Would you be okay if it was just me and Jack at the riding lesson? I promise we won't do anything remotely dangerous, and I'll have the lead rope in my hand the entire time."
"Of course you can, I think he would love that." Elizabeth answered. "Why don't you go ask."
He couldn't help himself, so her leaned over and gently pressed his lips to hers. "Thank you" he whispered then placed a quick kiss on her lips and turned around.