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Chapter One Hundred Seventy-seven
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The Wedding Day Begins
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Nathan awakened as a ray of morning sunlight crossed his face. His eyelids fluttering open, he saw the source was a sliver of space between the window frame and the drapes. Rolling onto his back he stretched his arms and legs, threading his hands together behind his head and crossing his ankles.
He closed his eyes as awareness flooded over him. 'Today is our wedding day! A day I have hardly believed was possible…'
The groom let his thoughts travel to his first introduction to the serene vision standing just inside the doorway of the jail. '"Hello!" The softness of her voice was mesmerizing, like fleeting, melodious notes that floated into my heart and ignited a longing to hear more of her song.'
'When I turned to look at her I was captivated by her beauty, her poise, her slender form, and those eyes, blue like sapphires, with a hint of purple. In response to my questioning "Ma'am?" she had clearly enunciated, "I'm Elizabeth Thornton."
'I hardly know what I spoke, probably some perfunctory greeting as I told her my name. I do remember saying that I never knew Jack but by all accounts he was a fine Mountie. I recall she corrected me and stated that Jack was a fine man.'
Remembering conversations since then, Nathan was grateful that Elizabeth had confessed the same about him as both a Mountie and a man. 'Fine…' His mind wandered to other milestone moments, 'When she told me to call her Elizabeth, when Allie went missing on her first day of school… Thank you God, that Lisbeth was willing to help me search for Allie although it wasn't a very auspicious start to their relationship!'
'"Smelled like chalk!"' Nathan chuckled softly thinking of Allie's comment on what should have been her first day of school in Hope Valley. 'Yet, it was in those early days, trying as they were, that I believe I first fell for Elizabeth. She was so kind and attentive to Allie when we met after school those first weeks. It was then that I was impressed with her teaching skills and how much she cared for her students. She interacted with the children so lovingly and was so encouraging. What a blessing Elizabeth has been to us, both Allie and me.'
'She helped me sort through Dad's visit and Allie's desire to meet him, in addition Elizabeth helped host Allie's first sleepover, icing the cupcakes, and my nose!' Smiling, Nathan wondered if he could get away with a swipe of wedding cake frosting on Elizabeth's nose today! He vowed to look for an opportunity.
Nathan stared at the ceiling, observing the path of sunlight as it traversed the bedroom, when he suddenly and sharply drew in his breath. The beam of light crossed to illumine Colleen's painting hanging on the back wall above his desk. The painting of a mother and baby, with two hazy figures in the doorway was highlighted and, at this moment, Nathan was full of wonder and thanksgiving. Was this a message from the Lord? On this wedding day, was this God's confirmation, His promise of additional children to come?
'Oh Lord, Your will be done for our future family and, in the meantime, thank you for Your many blessings… Allie, Elizabeth, Jack, Mom and Dad, Zachary, the Thatchers, Bill, Peter and Carol, Kinslows, Wes, all the friends from Depot and Knox, all the friends who traveled here from Hope Valley… I cannot name everyone for whom I am thankful. Lord? You know...'
'I commit this day to You and pray that you will make Elizabeth's day sweet as she prepares. Make our wedding and celebration memorable, and a beautiful blessing to all in attendance. Thank you for last night and the precious commitment we visually portrayed in the foot washing. I will never forget it and I imagine the others who witnessed it won't forget it either.'
'I commit Elizabeth's and my marriage to You. Keep us growing together and close to you. Guide us as we learn to love each other as a married couple and let no fears come between us. Protect and provide, guide and bless us as we travel as well as those remaining behind and caring for Allie and Jack.'
'Help us as we become a family, living together in this lovely home. Guide us as we raise our children…' Nathan chuckled to realize he had come full circle in his prayer and studied Colleen's painting, closing his prayer with a simple, 'Thank you, Lord. Amen.'
Hearing some movement in the hallway, he rose, bathed, and dressed, then followed the fragrance of coffee to the kitchen.
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"Good morning, Groom!" Gabe grinned as Nathan entered the Dining Room with his steaming coffee. "Carol, Allie, Lillian and Zach have prepared a breakfast feast to keep you energized for the day!"
"Hi Dad," Allie came to him and snuggled under his arm, "How did you sleep?"
"I slept soundly! I guess joy and peace settled over me until the morning light awakened me! How about you, Allie-girl?"
"I asked Gramma Carol for some coffee latte because I was so excited it took a long time to finally fall asleep."
"Understandable, Honey, with your Hope Valley friends here and your Maid of Honor duties. Oh! May I ask you a favor to please give a small gift to Elizabeth? She probably won't want to have it on our Honeymoon for fear of losing it, but she can keep it with her jewelry at the apartment while we're gone. Let me get it." Nathan disappeared, returning with a small gold box. "Thanks, Honey."
"Can the delivery girl ask what it is?"
"Sure, she can ask…" He settled in his seat and grinned as he reached for the platter of eggs. "This feast looks delicious! Thanks everyone."
"Daaaddd!" Allie rolled her eyes slightly, "Will you please tell me?"
"It's a charm for her bracelet."
"Oh! I like that and she will too! I never asked, but do you think I can wear mine today?"
"I think it might be too distracting, you know? Too noisy?"
"I guess you're right."
"What kind of bracelet is too noisy, Allie?" questioned Lillian.
"Dad has given me a charm bracelet and added charms since our first Christmas in Hope Valley. He gave one to Miss Bess too," Allie giggled, "although our charms don't match!"
"That sounds lovely." Lillian commented, "Nathan you are a great girl-Dad."
"That he is," interjected Ruth.
"So, is everyone all set on who is driving with whom?" Nathan glanced around the table as he took a forkful of cheesy scrambled eggs.
"Yes, you'll drive Allie to the Hotel when you go to lunch with Zach, I'll bring Lillian, you, and Zach to the Chapel, and Archie drives Ruth, Carol, and Peter." Gabe explained, adding, "you said you asked Bill to offer to transport some of the Thatchers, so other than that, their family is for them to sort out!"
Allie piped up, "Grandad said I can go with Miss Bess! He said Jack will go with the Coulters and Patrick so he'll be happy!"
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Nathan was forbidden from helping with washing up on this special day, so after breakfast he called Gabe aside. "Gabe, thank you so much for traveling so far to participate as my Groomsman. Part of me wishes I could have been at your wedding, but my life would have been drastically different if I had! Now, I'm so thankful for the road I am on."
"Elizabeth and I discussed a thank you gift for you as you know it is always a challenge to purchase for a Mountie. Now, with the uncertainty of the timing of your relocations, we decided on a treat since you'll be in Hope Valley for a while." Nathan handed Gabe an envelope, saying, "Make a memory!"
Taking the envelope, Gabe held it up, "Shall I?"
"Please."
"Oh this is perfect, Nathan! Lillian and I will enjoy a special dinner at the Café in your and Elizabeth's honor. Thanks for my thank you gift!" Gabe stood to hug his Mountie Brother.
Seated again he inquired, "So, how are you really? Ready for the ceremony and your honeymoon?" Gabe searched Nathan's face yet found no trepidation. "Any questions?"
"I have had plenty of offers for advice, so not really. I have a feeling that all the suggestions will go right out the window at the speed of the train when I see her and realize she is really my wife! I'm trying not to think about it yet, though… you know…"
"You're probably right. Just be prepared to be surprised, and delighted!"
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While Nathan waited in the car, Zach escorted Allie into the Hotel and up to the Thatcher's apartment. Giving her a hug and reminding her to make sure that her Grandmother and Aunt Julie always knew where she was, he called his hellos from the doorway, saying, "See you at the Chapel!"
"Oh! Is that Zachary?" Elizabeth could be heard from inside the apartment.
"Yes, it's me." Zach turned back towards the apartment asking, "How is our beautiful Bride today, my sister-in-law-to-be?" Zach kissed Elizabeth's cheek.
"I'm excited, but fine. How is Nathan? Did he sleep at all last night? I was worried about him."
Laughing, Zach reported, "You needn't worry! His report at the breakfast table was that he slept well. He'll be right and ready to say 'I do' in a few hours! And I'll be right beside him to nudge him if he forgets his lines!"
With Elizabeth's suddenly widened eyes, Zach amended his comment, "Sorry, if I know Nathan, he will be fine and anxious to get on with it! Don't worry. Any last minute messages for him?"
Blushing, the Bride confessed, "Tell him, I love him and I can't wait!"
Chuckling, Zach patted her arm, "I will tell him, but I believe he has heard that before! Now, I will see you later!"
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Allie had burst into the Thatcher's living room, a bundle of excitement and chatter. After making the rounds to hug all the relatives, along with Hudson and Uncle Bradley, she took a seat and inquired if everyone else was excited too!
When Elizabeth turned from Zach, Allie hopped up again and hurried to hug her, shyly saying, "You become my Mom today…"
"I do and I'm so happy about that, Sweetheart. We become family, officially!"
"I have something for you from Dad. He said you might want to leave it home, but you should open it today." Allie giggled, "I know what it is, although I don't know 'what' it is!"
"So, it's not private to open when I'm alone?"
"Uhh… I didn't ask about that…"
"Okay, take a seat, and we shall see. Everyone knows what day this is, so I can't imagine it would be that private." Elizabeth proceeded to untie the ribbon and open the box, revealing a gold charm of two tiny wedding rings intertwined and another charm engraved with the name 'Grant Est. 3.5.21' in tiny letters. "Oh! This is lovely! Maybe I should surprise him. Hudson, if I give you the bracelet, could you add these two charms at one end? Please?"
"I would be glad to…" Hudson was happy to have a job to do!
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"On to the Bookstore!" Nathan pulled out of the Hotel drive as he explained, "Allie said she was so sad that you, Carol and Peter, and the Kinslows would be leaving after all her friends departed, so I had an idea to leave a book for Mom and Dad to give to her after you all leave. It would be something to enjoy and hopefully take her into another world for a couple of days."
"That's so thoughtful, Nathan. You really know your daughter, eh?"
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"Thanks for having lunch with me, Nathan," Zach looked around the Café, noticing a few familiar faces from last night's dinner. Fortunately, people nodded, but gave them privacy.
"Thanks for coming! By the time you graduated and had some free time, my life filled with pre-wedding activities!" Laying the menu on the table, Nathan continued, "So, are you prepared to depart on Tuesday?"
"I just have to repack my suitcase, adding the graduation gifts, and I should be fine."
"Sorry, Brother, but you'll need to add something else to your bags!" Nathan withdrew a package he had carried in, hidden inside his coat. "This is my thank you for being my Best Man today. It isn't traditional because your relocation requires practical gifts, but I think this is memorable and more useful for you than another tie clasp. Go ahead and open it!" Nathan leaned forward to watch.
"Oh! A Winsor Newton Watercolor set!" Zach unlatched the wooden box and opened it to find a selection of colors and some quality watercolor brushes. "This is marvelous! You already gave me so much for graduation that I hardly think I should accept this!"
"You must! I figured you can find a way to get some good watercolor paper, the salesman said 'Arches?' If you cannot, let me know and I'll mail some to you."
"Thank you, Nathan. I will have plenty to occupy my non-working hours between sketching, writing letters, reading, and now painting! I will be quite productive!"
"Don't forget to soak in the beauty of the Island too. It is charming!"
"That's the part I am looking forward to!"
"I will miss you when I get back, Zach. Yet, I am so thankful for the many times you could celebrate with us and make memories," Nathan took a bite of his sandwich. "I know you haven't even gotten to P.E.I., but… Do you have any thoughts about where you might like to go after your first year? I don't know, but you could put in a word to Peter and he might keep his eye open if you have a preference."
"Part of me wishes I could return to this area, but I don't know what job I would do. I guess I will take one step at a time and ask God to guide me. He certainly has done that, without me even asking! I mean here we are!"
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