Author's Note: Again there is a major steam alert in this chapter. I have the section marked.
Chapter 8 – Supper with the Coulters
Supper at the Coulters ended up being a lovely affair. It was Lee, Rosemary, Nathan, Maggie, Frank, Abigail, Minnie and Joseph. Allie took PJ and was with the Canfield children at their house. Knowing that the children were fine, the adults were able to relax and enjoy the evening. They talked about what was going to happen at the service and the responsibility Nathan and Maggie had as godparents. They were all able to enjoy a nice meal and conversation. The group was also able to talk about the upcoming wedding. Frank asked Nathan to stand up with him. Abigail let everyone know that she had asked Clara to stand up with her. Cody was also going to stand up with Frank, but Abigail wasn't sure who else she should have stand up with her because she didn't want to upset someone. Both Maggie and Minnie offered. Abigail said she would let people know, she needed to think about it. Nathan wasn't surprised to learn that Bill and Cody were taking care of the cafe when he asked how both Abigail and Minnie were able to come and enjoy supper.
As Nathan and Maggie walked the short distance to the Canfield house, Nathan was reflecting on how glad he was that people had seemed to accept Maggie and that he had chosen to stay in Hope Valley and truly make a home for Allie. While Maggie took Allie and headed to the Grant household, Nathan picked up a very sleepy PJ and took him back to his parents. Nathan took a few minutes and made sure the boy was asleep before he laid him down in his crib. When Nathan left the Coulter's house after putting PJ to sleep, he needed to think, so he walked to his house and stood on the porch and watched the stars.
As he looked at the stars, he said a prayer. He prayed that Elizabeth could find the help that she needed and be a mother her son needed. He also prayed for him and Maggie. His desire for a child of his own had gotten so strong that it took him back at times. As much as he loved Allie, he wanted a child of his own. He would love them the same, but there was something about having a child of his own with his wife. He had all but given up on that dream, then Maggie happened. Now the desire for children was so strong it was scary. The last thing that Nathan wanted was to put pressure on Maggie, but he knew what he wanted. Nathan also prayed for guidance on the case. He knew he would figure it out. He also knew that it would just take time, but he hoped that nothing else happened while he worked to figure it out.
As Nathan was standing there, leaning on the pillar of the porch, Maggie came out and stood by him. Nathan moved her to stand in front of him, with his arms wrapped around her tiny frame. At that moment, Nathan was struck with an image of a very pregnant Maggie and another little one running around. He smiled and sighed as he interlocked his fingers across her abdomen. Maggie heard him sigh and felt his fingers.
"What are you thinking about there, my handsome husband." Maggie asked, softly.
"Our future." Nathan answered.
Maggie sighed as she leaned against Nathan's solid frame. They stood there together like that until Nathan felt Maggie shiver. Nathan led them inside and over to the kitchen stove. He stoked the fire and insisted that Maggie stand there and warm up. Maggie made some hot cocoa while she stood there warming up. When it was ready, they sat on the couch with Maggie leaning against Nathan's chest again.
"Thank you." Nathan said.
"You are welcome." Maggie said. "I picked up stuff to make it because it was something that my grandmother did for us kids on a Friday night. It was her way of trying to make a special evening when we didn't have a lot of extra. Even though we have plenty now, there was a time before and right after my mother died that we struggled. There was about five years there that my father was worried about the business and if he had made the right decision. What I didn't know was that my parents had refused to take money from my grandfather to make our life easier. It was my grandfather who set up the trust funds. While he and my grandmother were married, they lived separately. My grandmother stayed with us most of the time while my grandfather mostly stayed in the Hamilton area."
"I am sorry." Nathan said. "But thank you for sharing. I am also glad that you feel comfortable sharing and/or introducing your traditions to Allie and I."
"Do you and Allie have any traditions?" Maggie asked.
"We have some around the holidays." Nathan said. "But most of them have only really become tradition since we have been here in Hope Valley. While there are things we have always tried to do, it has been hard as we moved around. My life was very different before I came to Hope Valley and I realized that it wasn't the best life for Allie."
"Where were you stationed before you came here?" Maggie asked.
"Before I took Allie in." Nathan said. "I was on the officers track and moved every three to five months and also took other tracking assignments."
"And after you took Allie?" Maggie asked.
"I had to withdraw from the officers program." Nathan said. "So first we were in Calgary while I worked things out. We then moved to Union City. After about eight months, we moved to Cape Fullerton for about a year and then it was a series of different forts. Before we came to Hope Valley the longest that we had ever been in one place was thirteen months. I now see how hard that was for Allie and why she had become withdrawn. So when she asked that we put down some roots and stay here, I couldn't say no. I turned down an Inspector job just a few months after we arrived here because Allie was upset and didn't want to move again. It was only then that I saw how hard all the moving had been on her."
"And how long have you been here?" Maggie asked.
"Just over three years." Nathan said. "We came the end of August 1916. I turned down the Inspector job that Christmas."
"Would you ever consider moving somewhere else in the future?" Maggie asked.
"It depends." Nathan said. "I promised Allie that she could finish school in Hope Valley. Superintendent O'Reilly knows and agrees that Allie needs the stability after all we have been through. After that, we will have to see where we are and how we feel. O'Reilly told me I can stay here as long as I want, even after Allie graduates, as long as I am willing to take short term tracking assignments in the area. The longest I have been gone in the last three years is three weeks. Why? Would you want us to move closer to your family? What about the house I am building? I have already purchased the land. I saw Hope Valley as a place I would always have a home."
"I don't know." Maggie said. "I love this little row house, but I can also see us outgrowing it. I do love it here and the views are amazing. Rosemary was telling me about where Lee is building a house and told me that you have a plot nearby. But I miss my family. They are all in the greater Toronto area. I mean they are all within two hours of the house our parents had and my sister now has. I would love to live here long term, but what about your career? Do you think that you would leave the Mounties?"
Nathan set his cocoa down and wrapped his arms around his wife.
"I am sorry." Nathan said. "I didn't realize how hard it had been for you to leave your family. We can make plans to go back and visit. I know that Allie is excited to have more family. As far as my career goes, it is what it is. I would leave the Mounties if that is what you want. There are plenty of other things that I can do. We would be fine."
"Depending on how things go." Maggie said. "Do you think that we can go next summer when Allie gets out of school?"
"That sounds like a good plan." Nathan said. "I would suggest that we go at Christmastime this year, but I don't know about leaving the Valley if they are going to continue the Christmas festival. I will talk to Rosemary and Fiona and then we can talk. We will have to include Allie, but if they are going to no have the Christmas festival because of the mess with the saloon, then I don't see why we can't go at Christmastime."
"Okay." Maggie said. "And you will be able to get the time off."
"Depending on when we go." Nathan said. "I might be able to work while we are gone and even while we are in Toronto."
"Okay." Maggie said. "Then I won't worry about it and once you have a better idea of things, we can sit down and talk. Thank you for agreeing. I guess I didn't realize how hard it was going to be to leave everyone. Don't get me wrong, I love you and I am glad I agreed. But it is still hard to be where I don't know anyone and am having to start over making friends."
"I am sorry." Nathan said. "It has been only Allie and I the last ten years. Moving around has never been hard for me, especially after Colleen's death. Maybe it is because until I came here, I didn't really have a connection with other people. I knew them and they knew me, but it was all surface level. Well, except Gabe Kinslow, we have been close since we were in the academy together."
"Oh." Maggie said. "But you made connections with people here?"
"Yes and no." Nathan said. "While I have been more open with the people of Hope Valley than ever I have at any posting, they still don't really know me. No one knows that I am a writer. Or that Colleen was my twin. I never have told anyone how she died. Only a handful of people know about my father and that is because he was here a few years ago. But even then, I didn't get into things with people. It has only been in the last month that people realized that I sang and no one knows that I play guitar. Only Lee and Rosemary know that I speak Gaelic and that is because PJ was upset and without thinking, I started singing to him in Gaelic like my mother used to sing to Colleen and I. People also don't know that I speak French, while I think Bill might have figured it out. But like I said, I don't share things about myself much. I want to share more, but I have been hurt in the past and I am talking more than Elizabeth. I tend to be cautious about what I share."
"That is understandable." Maggie said. "You don't have to share, but how did Colleen die?"
Nathan looked at the stairs and then back at his wife.
"Maybe another time." Nathan said. "I have never told Allie the whole story and honestly she doesn't need to know as it will only hurt her."
Maggie sat up and looked at her husband. She could see the pain on his face and his eyes also showed the pain he was remembering. She gently reached up and brushed the lock of hair that had fallen over on his forehead.
"It is okay." Maggie said. "If it is too painful to talk, you don't have to."
Nathan closed his eyes and swallowed as the memories washed over him. Maggie continued to run her fingers through Nathan's hair until she saw his face relax and the storm in his eyes calm down.
"I am sorry." Maggie said.
"It is okay." Nathan said. "Sometimes I feel like I am right back there and other times I can talk about Colleen and be fine."
"I understand." Maggie said.
Nathan was glad that Maggie didn't push him to talk about it. He wanted to share with her, but at the same time he didn't want to scar her with what he knew. He drank the last of his cocoa before it was completely cold. Maggie took the mug and stood up. She picked them up and took them to the sink. She knew that they both had painful memories to share, but also realized it probably wasn't the best time to do that. She hoped that Nathan would share with her, but she wasn't going to push him to do it.
After a few moments, Nathan stood up. He checked the front door, then the pot belly stove and saw that it was ready to light if needed. He turned and saw that Maggie was banking the cook stove fire. He walked to the stairs and waited for his wife. She turned down the lamps and grabbed the last one. Once the downstairs was closed up, they headed up to their room. They knew it was going to be a long weekend, especially with the baptisms. While Nathan was technically off duty that weekend, he probably would work on the case some and at least check in at the office.
Nathan quickly washed up and changed for bed. Then he sat up in bed and watched as Maggie tried to tame her wild curls. She was trying to pull them into a braid. He loved her curls and he loved to watch her to try and tame them. As much as he loved to try and run his fingers with them or pull on a curl and watch it bounce back, he understood why Maggie braided it at night.
"I can help if you want." Nathan said.
"Thank you." Maggie said. "But I think I finally got it. Some days are easier than others."
Nathan watched as Maggie made a thick braid down the back of her head, then when she was done, she let it hang down her back. Nathan was amazed at how thick and long her braid was. He smiled and wondered again how he had gotten so lucky. He said a quick prayer that they would have a little girl with her mother's curls. When Maggie joined her husband in bed, she saw the smile on his face and wondered what he was thinking about. He hadn't moved or even turned to look at her when she crawled into the bed. So Maggie scooted close to her husband and ran her fingers under the hem of his henley, dancing her fingers across his stomach. She felt his muscles twitch and a moment later, Nathan reached up and captured her wrist with his large hand. He still hadn't looked at her, but he closed his eyes and let out a slow breath.
"Don't start unless you are willing to finish." Nathan said low and huskily.
"I am more than willing to finish." Maggie said.
"Oh is that so." Nathan challenged.
… … … …(Steam Alert)… … … …
Maggie moved to straddle Nathan. She tugged at his pajama pants and Nathan lifted his hips so Maggie could pull them down along with his underwear. She dropped them on the floor and moved up Nathan's legs, so she could reach his torso. Maggie looked at her husband coquettishly.
"Unless you need a night off." Maggie said, teasing Nathan.
Nathan looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Why would I need a night off?" Nathan asked.
"I just thought you might need some time to recover after the last couple of days, old man." Maggie teased.
"Who are you calling old?" Nathan teased back.
"Well." Maggie said, coyly while running fingers across Nathan's lower abdomen. "You are after thirty after all."
Maggie smiled at her husband, then like she had done the other night, she brought her hand up and caressed Nathan's neck. She leaned forward and kissed him. When she leaned back, she ran her hand down his neck, torso and then to his manhood, tapping the tip of it and making it jump. Nathan gasped when she touched his manhood. It sent a bolt of electricity through him. Maggie just smiled when she heard Nathan gasp.
"I mean if you think you can keep up with me." Maggie said. "You know with me being younger and all."
Nathan leaned forward and captured Maggie's lips with his own. He also grasped the hem of her nightgown and pulled it over her head. He only broke contact long enough to remove the garment.
"I am pretty sure that I can handle it." Nathan whispered. "I am a highly trained Mountie after all."
Maggie giggled as Nathan teased her with kisses. Maggie tugged at his henley and he broke contact long enough to allow Maggie to pull the shirt over his head. When he went to kiss her again, Maggie pushed him back against the headboard. She rubbed her hands over his taut muscles. Nathan leaned his head back and closed his eyes.
"My handsome Prince Charming." Maggie said, softly.
Nathan relaxed and let Maggie have her fun. They both knew that Nathan could over power Maggie at any time if he wanted her to stop. Nathan however was through enjoying Maggie's ministrations. Nathan let had been thinking about the case and he couldn't focus with Maggie teasing him, so he let his mind wander. He wanted more then anything to claim his wife, but he was going to let her have her fun for as long as he could stand it. Nathan thought about how different it was than their first night together. That had been amazing, but as the week went on, each and every time got better and better. He loved that Maggie was more then willing to initiate their adult time, but more so that she was willing to take control and make sure he could also enjoy the experience.
Nathan could feel his growing excitement and he wasn't the only one. Maggie was enjoying teasing her husband. She looked up at him, saw that his head was back and his eyes were closed, so she reached one hand down and firmly grasped Nathan's manhood. The action caused Nathan to gasp loudly. She wrapped her fingers around the back and drummed her fingers on Nathan's genital area. Nathan continued to gasp and hiss as Maggie's touch felt like electricity. Then without warning while Maggie still had a hold of Nathan's manhood, she lowered herself onto him. She rocked her hips forward and Nathan moaned.
Nathan grasped Maggie's hips and increased her motions. After a few moments, Nathan sat forward, which drove him deeper into Maggie, causing her to moan and arch her back. Nathan captured her lips with his own and without breaking their connection, he rolled them over and finished climbing the mountain. As Nathan thrust hard into his wife, she moan and arched her back to him. She fingers dug into his hips and even after he had fallen over the cliff, Maggie didn't let go, but continued to stimulate him. Nathan was surprised at how hard he was. He honestly wasn't thinking clearly at that point and just continued to drive his wife deeper and deeper into the bliss she was feeling.
Nathan had barely fallen over the cliff when he felt the pressure building again. So Nathan continued to love his wife and drive them over the edge again. After they had fallen over the edge a second time, did Nathan break the connection between them. He laid next to his wife, covered in a sheen of sweat. He was breathing hard. When he turned to look at his wife, her eyes were closed and the smile on her face was undeniable. Nathan smiled to himself. He was so happy that he was able to make love to his wife.
… … … …(End of Steam Alert)… … … …
After taking the time to recover, Nathan reached down and grabbed his clothes off the floor. He slipped them back on and laid down, facing his wife. She rolled up to face him.
"Thank you." Nathan said.
"Thank you." Maggie said.
"I love you."
"I love you."
Nathan rolled back onto his back and closed his eyes. Maggie snuggled close to her husband, still naked. She pulled the blanket over them and fell asleep thinking about how lucky she was. As soon as Nathan heard her breathing even out, Nathan allowed himself to also fall asleep.