As the train came to a stop, Nathan felt heightened anticipation for this first leg of their holiday honeymoon. His beautiful wife slept peacefully with her head on his shoulder; he knew the past week had taken a toll on her, with all the hustle and bustle surrounding Jack's birthday and Christmas. He hoped they were both able to get some rest between the activities he had planned for them over the next week. He gently nudged Elizabeth, and her eyes fluttered open with a look of confusion at first.
Yawning, Elizabeth muttered, "We're here already? I was having strange dreams. I'm so sorry I slept so long."
Nathan stood and situated their bags as people began exiting the train. "I'm glad you got some sleep," he responded, lovingly. "I didn't mind riding the train with a beautiful woman resting on me." He took her hand and their bags, leading them to the platform where Inspector Matthew Reynolds, dressed in his serge, was waiting to take them to the cottage on Nathan's property.
As they drove, Matthew explained, "Becky and Nick are out of town on holiday with his family, so you will have complete access to the big house as well as the cottage. Also, you can use their car as needed while you are in Union City the next few days."
"Inspector Reynolds, this is so kind of you. I hope we can have dinner together while we are in town," Elizabeth remarked, as they pulled up to one of the most beautiful vintage homes she had ever seen. They pulled into the back where a lovely cottage was hidden, surrounded by a beautiful array of trees and other plants that were perfectly manicured by who she assumed was the staff he spoke of previously. Still having a hard time picturing Nathan living such a grand life, Elizabeth felt determined to enjoy and learn all she could about Superintendent Nathan Grant.
They said their goodbyes after Matthew helped put their luggage on the porch. When he had driven away, Nathan scooped Elizabeth into his arms and walked her over the threshold of the cottage. Even though their luggage was still outside, he couldn't help but carry his wife into the bedroom and gently place her in the middle of the large bed. Suddenly realizing they were alone on their honeymoon, Nathan leaned down and kissed Elizabeth with passion he had been holding back all day for when they were finally alone. He shrugged off his winter coat and helped her do the same before he worked her hair out of the pins that held it up on her head. Soft brown curls fell across her back and shoulders, and Nathan breathed her in as he left a trail of kisses along her neck. Getting lost in one another was the perfect start to their honeymoon they had both envisioned.
Lying in her husband's arms as he softly snored, Elizabeth took time to finally take in her surroundings. It felt a little strange to be in bed during the afternoon, but they had barely slept the night before after packing late then making the early train. Although the cottage was about the same size as her row house in Hope Valley, the layout was more open and cozy. A fire had been lit to keep the place warm for their arrival, and beautiful antique furniture added to the classic look and feel of the place. A few paintings on the wall piqued her interest, but she made a mental note to look closer and ask about them once they were out of bed. Even though she had napped on the train, Elizabeth felt her eyes grow heavy as she let herself drift into a contented slumber.
Waking up suddenly from a strange dream, Elizabeth turned over only to find the space next to her on the bed empty. She looked at the clock and realized she would have to hurry to be ready in time for the first surprise she had arranged for Nathan. Noticing her robe on the chair next to the bed, she slipped into it and went to find the bathroom. It was there she found her husband shirtless and shaving, his hair damp from taking a bath. She caught her breath, still amazed at the attraction that overwhelmed her every time she looked at him. He gave her a crooked grin and wiped the excess shaving cream from his face with the towel that hung over his shoulder.
"Why did you let me sleep so long?" Elizabeth asked, kissing his bare shoulder and hugging him from behind. "Now we only have 30 minutes until your surprise. I'm not sure if I have time to bathe."
Chuckling, Nathan turned around and kissed her head. "If you are referring to my all-time favorite roast chicken dinner being made by Shirley in the main house, I might already have figured out that surprise by accident when I ventured over there while you were sleeping. But the good news is, she is running behind, and you have about an hour still. Why don't you take a leisurely bath and get ready while I make a few calls?" He pulled on a white Henley, then grabbed a light blue dress shirt and began fastening the buttons as he left her to get ready while making some of his own secret arrangements for the next day.
Soaking in the tub helped Elizabeth feel refreshed, and once her hair and makeup were perfect, she slipped into a long lavender evening dress she had borrowed from Rosemary to use for dinners in the city. She wanted to make a good impression on Shirley and the other part-time house staff, and decided it was an appropriate wardrobe choice. She entered the main room of the cottage, just as Nathan was getting ready to put on his tie and jacket. His jaw nearly hit the floor when he saw her.
"Wow," was the only thing that would come out of his mouth as his eyes drank in her beauty. "You look simply stunning, my love. How did I get so lucky to have such a beautiful wife? You've never looked lovelier, and my love for you grows each day we spend together." He reached out and caressed her jawline, then looked into her beautiful shining eyes.
Lost in her husband's deep blue eyes, Elizabeth was almost ready to cancel their dinner plans until her stomach growled loudly, breaking the mood and sending them both into a fit of giggles. "I guess I must be hungrier than I thought," she sputtered, trying to regain control. She began tying his tie for him, admiring the beautiful black and blue woven silk she assumed he had kept in a closet here in Union City. Excited to see a glimpse of his former life, Elizabeth wondered what it would have been like to be a Superintendent's wife. Somehow, she knew it would have been an honor and privilege to be by his side during his service. Pushing aside any feelings of regret, she finished straightening the tie and helped him with his jacket. "There," she said as she stood back and admired him. "You are the most handsome man in all of Canada."
With a smirk, Nathan replied, "Only Canada? Not the entire world?"
"Well, I haven't been to a lot of other places in the world in quite some time," Elizabeth teased, then reached up and kissed his lips soundly. "We better not keep Shirley waiting. Shall we go?"
After slipping into their winter coats, they made the short trek to what Nathan called the "main house". Shirley adored Elizabeth, and they spent the entire dinner engaged in conversation about the years Nathan and Allie spent in Union City. For the most part, Nathan just enjoyed listening to his wife, and basically second mother, as they formed a bond he knew would only get stronger over time. After they had cleaned their plates of roast chicken and potatoes, Shirley placed slices of her famous apple pie in front of them with steaming mugs of coffee.
Taking Shirley's hand, Elizabeth smiled. "Thank you so much for this wonderful feast. Nathan wasn't lying when he said you are the best cook he's ever known. I'm glad we got to talk on the phone last week and you agreed to make this 'surprise' dinner."
"Yes, Shirley; thank you for this wonderful meal, and for taking care of everything for me here." Nathan stood and began clearing the dishes to wash.
Shirley began putting away leftovers, and added, "Elizabeth, I'm thrilled you have come into Nathan's life. All of those years he lived here, I never could understand how a man like that could remain single; but now I see that his heart was always with you. I know you have plans tomorrow, but I will make sure you are fed well on Sunday."
They both thanked her again, and once the dishes were put away, they said their goodbyes and hurried back to their little love nest for a quiet evening together. Nathan had a hard time falling asleep, excited for all he had in store for his bride the next day. When he heard Elizabeth's steady breathing next to him signaling she was asleep, he finally was able to relax and eventually drift off.
Dripping in sweat, Nathan grabbed his injured leg as he sat up in bed. It was the first nightmare he'd had since getting together with Elizabeth, but he knew this evening's festivities were most likely to blame…that and being back in the city surrounded by the memories. Grateful he hadn't disturbed his wife's sleep; he put on his robe, went into the small kitchen, and put a kettle of water on the stove to heat up the tea from Dr. Burton that he had brought with him.
A cold shiver caused Elizabeth to wake up early on their first morning in Union City. She missed her husband's body heat the moment she realized he wasn't next to her. Looking over the fireplace, she realized it could use a few logs. Wrapping her robe tightly around her shoulders, Elizabeth stoked the fire and placed two fresh logs in the middle of the burning embers. She sat in one of the chairs near the fireplace, watching the flames get bigger and allowing the warmth to spread over her. Nearly falling asleep while sitting, the sound of footsteps from the other room alerted her senses.
Nathan appeared with two steaming mugs in his hands. "Sorry if I woke you up, sweetheart," Nathan apologized. "Here is peppermint tea if you would like some before our busy day. My leg was bothering me, so I am drinking what Andrew gave me before we left." He motioned to the fire. "Thank you for putting more logs on, it was my next agenda item."
"It wasn't a problem. Thank you for the tea." She took the warm mug from him and used it to warm her hands. "Sit with me." She motioned to the chair beside her and he readily accepted.
Sitting in silence sipping tea for a few minutes was very soothing, and words weren't needed as they each contemplated the day ahead. "I want to finally let you know what plans we have tonight," Nathan spoke, finally breaking the silence. He put his mug on the hearth of the fireplace and took Elizabeth's hand in both of his, kissing the palm of it before looking into her beautiful eyes. "Tonight is my final Mountie Christmas Ball, where I will be honored for my years of service on the force. I get to wear my Superintendent Uniform one more time, and most importantly, get to escort my beautiful bride in what I hope is a magical night for us both."
Now completely awake, Elizabeth tried to process the unexpected information her husband had just given her. "It sounds wonderful, but how will I get something to wear and my hair done…I have so much to do in such a short amount of time."
"Darling, don't you fret. Rosemary helped me get a dress made for you here, and your final fitting is this morning. I'll have you drop me off with David and Matthew, who have taken care of my uniform and will run me through everything I need to do tonight at the ball. You can take the car and do all of the errands necessary to be a beautiful princess."
Her stomach filled with butterflies, knowing it would be an event-filled day. "I'll get ready to go right now, but what were your plans for breakfast?" Elizabeth wondered.
Standing and picking up both empty mugs, Nathan eagerly replied, "I'm taking you to one of my favorite restaurants where all of the Mountie's eat. Dorothy's was a staple when I worked at headquarters." Just thinking about Dorothy's apple pie made his mouth water. He couldn't wait to show Elizabeth everything he loved that helped him through their years apart.
Clutching her purse tightly, Elizabeth wondered if keeping Nathan in the dark about this appointment was the right thing to do. Suddenly, she needed his large hand holding hers, and his reassurance that everything would be alright. No one knew she had scheduled to see Dr. Davis while in Union City. She remembered Rosemary seeing him before and during her pregnancy with the twins, as well as later when she began having woman health concerns years after they were born. Luckily, he still had a practice in Union City; although in his older age, he had stopped traveling to the smaller communities. Elizabeth hoped to get some answers and prayed she could find a way to tell Nathan whatever she found out today. After breakfast, where she was barely able to eat any of the delicious food, she dropped him off at Mountie Headquarters. She drove the short distance to meet the doctor, before she had her final dress fitting and did some shopping for everything else she needed to be ready for the Mountie Christmas Ball.
"Mrs. Grant?" the young nurse called out from the doorway, pulling Elizabeth from her thoughts. "Dr. Davis is ready to see you now."
Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth stood and followed the nurse down a long hall to an examination room. She had been unsure what to expect when she secretly called and made an appointment a few weeks before, but Dr. Davis was a kind and gentle man who was very sensitive as he performed the delicate exam. Once Elizabeth was fully decent again, Dr. Davis explained his findings and how it would affect her. As much as she tried to hold her emotions inside, tears streamed down her face, and she longed for her husband's warm embrace as she processed the news. It would be a long day, but she decided to try and focus on the evening ahead.
Her beautiful gown fit perfectly and needed no alterations, which was a blessing since things at the doctor had taken longer than she'd expected. Next, she found a pair of shoes and hair clips that matched the embellishments on her dress sleeves. Once her shopping was done, she drove back to the cottage to rest for a while before having to get ready for the evening. After waking up early and having an eventful day, she knew a nap would help her feel refreshed enough to dance the night away with her dashing husband during his last night wearing the red serge. He had promised to be back in time to pick her up, and she encouraged him to spend time with his friends and colleagues, knowing it was a special night for all of them.
Approaching the cottage dressed as Superintendent Nathan Grant, nerves nearly got the better of him. A decade earlier, his serge was the main relationship barrier between himself and Elizabeth. He hadn't donned a uniform since reconnecting with and marrying her, and he prayed no bad memories or feelings spoiled the evening. He waved as David drove away, took a deep breath, then opened the front door and stepped inside just as Shirley was about to walk outside after helping Elizabeth get ready.
Smiling, the older woman gave him a look of approval. "You always were the most handsome Mountie I'd ever seen. Your wife will be out in just a minute, and I predict you two will be the talk of the town tonight. I'll see you tomorrow at dinner, Superintendent."
"Thanks, Shirley…for everything." Nathan placed a kiss on her cheek and saw her outside where her ride had appeared to take her home. Back inside, Elizabeth was just stepping out of the bathroom. He had to remind himself to breathe as she walked toward him, her eyes inspecting him closely from head to toe. She had never looked more radiant, dressed in a flattering long-sleeved burgundy evening gown that touched the floor and hit her curves in all the right places. Swallowing hard, Nathan reached for her hands and pulled her close.
Dressed in the Superintendent version of a red serge dress uniform, Nathan was more attractive than ever before to Elizabeth. She was beginning to picture more clearly what his life looked like in Union City, during the same time she was having her struggles in Hamilton with her parents. He was highly respected among the Mounties, his staff, and all of his friends and neighbors who knew him; but most of all, he was the most brave, selfless, and honorable man she had ever known. As he gathered her into his arms, trying not to ruin her hair and makeup, Elizabeth almost broke down in tears, wanting to tell him about her appointment with Dr. Davis mere hours earlier. Shaking off the emotion, she turned her attention to the handsome man in uniform who was all hers.
Pulling back, Nathan admired his wife more closely. "That is some dress," he offered, a blush making its way up his neck. "Are you sure we can't just stay in tonight?"
Elizabeth reached up and brushed her lips against his, then murmured softly, "As tempting as that sounds, I spent a really long time preparing to look like this; and besides, this is my one chance to attend a Mountie Ball as the wife of a Superintendent. Don't take that away from me."
Her lips were too tempting, causing Nathan to capture them in a long, deep kiss that made them both a little weak in the knees. He knew they needed to leave in order to be on time, so he reluctantly kissed her hand and reached for her favorite long winter coat and helped her put it on. "After you, M'lady," he said while motioning toward the door.
Inside the ballroom, Elizabeth began getting a better picture of Nathan's influence and the respect he and his position received. She couldn't help but feel proud to be on his arm, only wishing she had been there for a lot longer. Having missed lunch, dinner was a welcome sight and just as fancy as any meal she'd ever been served in Hamilton. At the executive table, she saw her husband come alive as he interacted with the other officers. All of the other wives made her feel welcome and expressed how happy they were that their beloved Grant had finally settled down. After dinner, they took to the dance floor where she learned that she had married a prolific dancer. It was one of the most enjoyable evenings she could remember.
Back in his element, Nathan felt some nostalgia; but surprisingly, he felt completely at peace with his retirement. Elizabeth fit in with everyone and charmed even the crustiest officers. Her beauty was unmatched, and holding her in his arms as they danced, Nathan had never known such complete contentment and joy. As they honored him and the other retirees, he noticed tears escape Elizabeth's eyes, and had a hard time keeping his emotions in check. He observed his wife beginning to look tired as they made their rounds to say goodbye but reasoned that it had just been a busy week; however, he began to worry when she stayed completely silent on their drive back home.
Once the ball was over, Elizabeth knew she had to confide in Nathan. It was unfair to keep life changing news from him; but wanting to be back home first, she remained quiet to stop herself from just blurting it out. While reflecting on the amazing event they had just attended, with a smile on her face and warmth in her heart, Elizabeth slipped her hand in Nathan's and rested her head on his shoulder for the remainder of the drive.
Once inside the cottage, Nathan smiled at the roaring fire he knew Shirley had made sure was lit so they stayed warm. He couldn't have imagined the night being any better. Having Elizabeth there when he was honored for his 30 years of service at the Mountie Ball was icing on top of a very large and delicious cake. Gratitude for his new life filled his entire soul, as he contemplated forever with the woman of his dreams. Unbuttoning his serge and slipping out of his shoes, he sat in a chair by the fire waiting patiently for his wife to finish in the bathroom.
Looking in the mirror, Elizabeth's hands trembled as she washed them as thoughts swirled through her mind. How do I just drop something like this on my husband after a night like tonight? At first, her resolve started to wane, but then she remembered the gift she had gotten Nathan to help her more gently break the news. She slipped out of her heels and unpinned her hair, letting it flow down her back, and loosening the tension in her neck from the tightly pulled strands that had been placed on top of her head in a flattering updo. Before joining her husband near the fire, she found the gift bag she had tucked away and took a deep breath.
His wife's barefoot steps behind him brought Nathan out of the trance he had been under as he watched the orange flames dance in front of him. His heart skipped a beat when he turned and saw her curls hung loosely over her shoulders. He noticed the gift she held and felt confused. "I didn't know we were doing gifts tonight," he stammered as he stood to face his beautiful bride.
"No, sit down," Elizabeth murmured while sitting on the hearth facing her attractive retired Mountie Superintendent husband. A little shiver went down her, taking note of the unbuttoned serge jacket and the stubborn wild curl in the middle of his forehead. Clearing her throat and trying to focus, she just began saying what she had been holding in for hours. "Nathan, my love, I have to tell you something. I waited until after the Mountie Ball, so you could have that moment to only reflect on your outstanding career and service."
His heart dropped, and a feeling of fear started creeping into Nathan's chest. He grabbed Elizabeth's free hand and squeezed it tightly. "You are scaring me. Is everything ok, my darling?"
Tears began spilling down her cheeks, which she was sure wouldn't help the anxiety her husband was clearly feeling. Swallowing away some of the emotion, Elizabeth kept talking. "I didn't tell anyone this, but I made an appointment with the doctor who delivered Lee and Rosemary's twins. He works here in Union City and is a specialist for women who have trouble getting pregnant, have complicated pregnancies, or have any other women-specific health concerns. For the past several weeks, I was worried something was wrong; but I didn't want to worry anyone until I knew for sure. My appointment was this morning after breakfast. I wanted to be sure that my childbearing days were done, before giving up any hope we could expand our family. Now I have answers, and we can move forward." She handed him the bag, watching his eyes search her face as he took it from her.
Still perplexed, Nathan carefully opened the bag with soft tissue paper on top, pulling out a soft tiny blanket. "Is this a gift for Colleen?" he asked, his mind not processing the message Elizabeth was trying to give him.
Shaking her head from side to side, Elizabeth softly took Nathan's face in her hands as she moved to sit on his lap. Then, she carefully placed his hand on her stomach. "Nathan Grant, you are going to be a father. Somehow, I missed the signs of pregnancy by explaining them away. It has been sixteen years since I've gone through that process, and I was dealing with grief throughout my pregnancy with Jack. I honestly thought I was going through the change of life; but instead, our baby was actually growing inside of me. Can you believe it? This tiny miracle we created will be the perfect missing piece to our family puzzle."
Now completely in shock and overcome with emotion, Nathan clung to his wife as sobs began wracking his entire body. His dream of having a biological child of his own, with the woman who was the love of his life, was actually coming true! He felt Elizabeth gently stroke his back as he cried, as well as whispering loving words in his ear. Once he could speak again, Nathan caressed her face. "Are you sure? Is this real?"
"Yes," she answered assuredly. "Next summer, a new little Grant will be joining our family!" His beautiful, piercing eyes bore into hers as he looked for confirmation.
Helping Elizabeth off his lap, Nathan knelt down and hugged her. He put his head against her still-small midsection, then turned and planted a kiss there, before softly speaking. "Hey there little one, I'm your daddy." A few more tears escaped as he stood and pushed the hair from Elizabeth's face, tucking it behind her ear. He pulled her as close to him as humanly possible and covered her mouth with his, softly at first, then with a fierce passion that caught them both a little off guard. She began pushing his jacket off him as they moved closer to the bed. He abruptly stopped mid kiss and pulled back. "How are you feeling? Should we be doing this right now?"
Turning around and holding her hair up, she chuckled. "Can you help me out of this dress? I can barely breathe, and it fits right now, but not for long since I'm nearly out of my first trimester already. I thought my waist was expanding slightly because of all the wonderful food we've been preparing together." When she caught him staring off into space, Elizabeth patiently turned back around and snuggled back into his loving arms. "Nathan, I promise the doctor said this pregnancy is perfectly healthy, and we can continue all normal physical activity as long as I feel up to it…and right now I do!" She pulled his suspenders off his shoulders and untucked his Henley with a seductive grin on her face.
Satisfied by her reassurances, Nathan could no longer resist his wife's tempting invitation. He carefully helped her out of her beautiful evening gown. She had been so stunning in at the ball, that it caused all of the men to stare at her and left him awe that she was actually his. Nathan knew it would probably take a while for the news of impending fatherhood to fully sink in, but his focus turned to expressing the love they shared together in their romantic little honeymoon cottage on a cold winter's night.
When Nathan had finally fallen asleep, Elizabeth stared at the ceiling and replayed in her mind scenes from the day. Her visit to Dr. Davis had been one of the scariest moments of her life. She was sure he would tell her that she was too old to give Nathan the one thing she knew he wanted…a child. A few weeks after their wedding when her monthly didn't come on schedule, Elizabeth let herself hope she was pregnant for a few days. When she had some spotting later that week, she assumed it was just a light one that would be followed up by heavier bleeding the next month. She had been so busy teaching school and celebrating the holidays that she hadn't even paid attention to the on and off nausea and exhaustion. Her clothes had started feeling tighter, but she had been baking more, and her age didn't allow her to keep weight off as easily as she once had. Dr. Davis was able to tell right away that their baby was already nearing three months along, and she was able to determine that she conceived just days after their wedding. Oh no! Elizabeth suddenly thought to herself. If I thought telling Nathan was difficult, how on earth are we going to tell Jack?!