It was Saturday and Allie sat on the couch reading her newest novel while her dad was out on his morning rounds. Usually, Nathan didn't have rounds on the Saturdays, but Bill was out of town that weekend, so Nathan had wanted to do a quick ride around to Hope Valley to make sure everything was in normal working order. And Allie knew that he would make a stop a few doors down before he arrived back home for lunch. Not that she minded, of course. Seeing her dad and her teacher happy together was Allie's literal dream come true.
The clock had just struck noon when Nathan opened the front door.
"Hey Dad," Allie greeted him, briefly looking up from her book.
"Hey Al." Nathan took off his hat and hung it by the door before running a hand through his hair. "Were things alright here while I was gone?"
"Yep!" Allie replied cheerfully. "I took Scout out right after you left and then I've just been here reading." She held up her book for emphasis. "Do you want me to get lunch ready?" she asked then.
"Actually, I'd like to talk to you about something first," Nathan said quickly. Allie was just about to swing her legs off the couch when his tone stopped her.
"OK," she replied slowly, drawing out the word. "Is it serious?" At her question, Nathan hesitated.
"I'll take that as a 'yes'," Allie said for him, reading the answer on his face.
"Let me just go change and then we can talk," Nathan answered instead. "I'll be down in a minute."
"OK," Allie said again, but as she watched her father go up the stairs, she couldn't help feeling concerned. What in the world does he want to talk to me about? And why does he seem so nervous about it? Allie and Nathan talked about practically everything, except maybe Allie's secret crush, but that was a story for a different time. Allie couldn't think of anything that was so serious that her dad would be anxious to tell her. Except maybe…
Allie's mind flashed back to the last time she'd had an awkward conversation with her dad.
"Mrs. Thornton and I," he had started, obviously struggling to come up with the words, even though Allie already knew what he was going to say. Nathan had been nervous enough about telling Allie that he and Mrs. Thornton were a couple, but he seemed even more nervous now. That must mean that this question was even more serious. That only leaves one question, Allie thought, her breath catching. And I already know what my answer is going to be.
Allie suddenly heard Nathan's footsteps descending the stairs and she hurriedly made her face go blank. She might as well let her dad ask the question first, even if she had already guessed what it was.
"So, Allie," Nathan started awkwardly, as he sat down on the couch next to her. "I've been thinking about something for a while. I mean, I guess for a couple months now. But, I just stopped by Mrs. Thornton's and I guess it made me think about it more."
"OK," Allie said slowly, when Nathan abruptly stopped talking. She bit her lip to hide her smile.
"Well, I guess, I've been thinking a lot lately about what it would mean for me and Mrs. Thornton to take the next step," Nathan haltingly continued. "But I wanted to talk to you about it first." Allie just nodded, unable to speak as her hands started shaking in anticipation.
"So, Allie," Nathan finally kept going. He looked as nervous as Allie felt. "I was wondering… How would you feel if I asked Mrs. Thornton to marry me?"
There it was. The question Allie had always hoped and dreamed and prayed her dad would ask her. But nothing could have prepared Allie for how it would feel to actually hear it come from Nathan's lips. All the waiting, all the wishing, all the sadness and joy suddenly exploded inside of Allie, her heart overflowing with more emotion than it seemed able to hold. And Allie just burst out crying. She just couldn't help it.
For a second, Nathan froze, unsure what to do. He wasn't sure what reaction he'd expected, but it hadn't been tears. However, his fatherly instincts took over an instant later as Nathan wrapped Allie in his arms and held her close.
"It's OK," he whispered softly, lightly stroking her hair. "I'm here. I've gotcha. I'm not going anywhere." Nathan rubbed Allie's back in slow circles as sobs continued to shake her body and her tears soaked Nathan's shoulder.
"I'm sorry," Allie finally choked out, tears still streaming down her cheeks.
"Hey, hey," Nathan said gently. "You have nothing to be sorry for, OK?" Allie just nodded into his shoulder. Slowly, her tears lessened and she sucked in several deep breaths, each one steadier than the last. Finally, she eased back so she could meet Nathan's gaze.
"Are you OK?" Nathan asked quietly, as he reached up to tuck a wayward strand of Allie's chestnut hair behind her ears.
"I'm way better than OK," Allie replied, with a teary smile. "I've waited so long for you to ask me that question," she said. "You have no idea how many nights I've prayed and cried and wished for you to ask me this."
"Oh Allie." Tears began to sting the edges of Nathan's eyes as he looked at his little girl who wasn't so little anymore. "Really?" He reached out and took one of her hands in his. Allie managed to nod, even as another tear escaped down her cheek.
"Really," she said.
"So, you'd be OK if I asked Mrs. Thornton to marry me?" Nathan asked again. "I know it will change things and that it might be hard at times, but I also know how much you've always wanted a family. A mom and a sibling. But if this isn't want you want-"
"It is," Allie jumped in, not even letting him finish. "It really, really is." She reached for her dad's other hand and gave it a squeeze.
"So, you're OK with it?" Now, Allie laughed at the earnest expression on Nathan's face. Her heart expanded as she saw how much he cared for her, asking three times to make sure she was OK with it and even being willing to give it all up for her, even though Allie knew that her dad wanted to put that ring on Mrs. Thornton's finger more than anything.
"Yes," Allie answered, breathless. She squeezed his hands again. "I would love it if you asked Mrs. Thornton to marry you." At her answer, Nathan couldn't help but grin.
"And you know that this isn't going to change anything between you and me," he added quickly, his expression suddenly turning serious again.
"Dad, it's OK if it does," Allie said, a small smile playing on her lips. "I know that things are going to change. You're going to be a husband. I'm going to have a brother. You're going to have a son and I'm going to have a mom." Allie's voice shook just a little bit as she said that last part out loud. "Things are going to be a little different," she said. "But, I know it won't change how much you care about me. You'll still make time for me and it won't change how much you love me." Allie squeezed her dad's hands again. "I know that nothing ever will." Now, Nathan was the one with tears in his eyes.
"I love you so much," Nathan said. "Just like I love Mrs. Thornton and Jack. But you, Allie." Nathan paused when he suddenly got choked up. "You are my world, Allie-girl," he whispered, his voice shaking with emotion. "I don't know where I'd be or what I'd do without you."
"And I don't know who I'd be without you," Allie whispered back, tears flowing freely down her cheeks again. "I love you so much, Daddy." Allie's voice broke when she said his name. She let go of his hands and launched herself into his arms, burying her head in his strong shoulder. For a second, the two of them just sat there, Allie once again thinking how her dad was the most impeccable man in the world.
"Our family is about to get bigger," Nathan said, breaking the silence after a couple minutes. "But you will always be my little girl." At this, Allie chuckled.
"I'm not so little anymore," she teased, leaning back so she could smile at him.
"Don't remind me," Nathan replied, but he grinned, clearly enjoying their playful banter.
"So," Allie said, quickly swiping under her eyes to dry any remaining tears. Then, she smiled mischievously. "When are you going to ask her?"
"As soon as possible," Nathan answered, his face completely serious. Allie couldn't help bursting into joyous laughter. "Well, I've waited five years," Nathan continued and now a lopsided grin lit up his face. "I don't think I can wait much longer."
"Neither can I," Allie agreed. "Do you have a ring?" she asked next, bouncing slightly in anticipation. Allie watched as her dad blushed.
"Yeah," he replied, glancing away, suddenly looking shy. He looked back up after a second. "Do you want to see it?"
"Of course!" Allie practically squealed. Nathan obliged and slowly took a black velvet box out of his pocket. When he snapped the lid open, Allie gasped. Nestled inside was a simple white diamond, in a gold setting, adorned with two smaller diamonds surrounding it on both sides. "It's beautiful," Allie said reverently, as she gently reached out to touch the diamond. Then, she looked up and grinned at her dad.
"Mrs. Thornton will love it," she told him.
"I hope so." Nathan snapped the box closed and let out a nervous breath.
"You have no reason to be nervous," Allie assured him. "Mrs. Thornton will say 'yes' before you even have a chance to show her the ring." Nathan let out another breath, but this time, it was steady.
"Thanks, Al," he said, smiling gratefully at her.
"Anytime." And then Allie leaned over and gave her dad another hug. Nathan immediately set the ring box aside to wrap his arms around her.
Allie knew that her family was about to get bigger. Her greatest wish and her most frequent daydream was within her reach. But Allie would always treasure every single year, every single moment, that she'd gotten to spend with just her dad. She wouldn't trade them for anything. No matter what happened, Allie and Nathan would always have a special relationship. And Allie couldn't wait for them to step into their future. Together.
Author's Note: Thank you so much for reaching! I hope you enjoyed this Allie and Nathan story. If you want to read Nathan actually proposing to Elizabeth, make sure to check out my fanfiction titled "Always". The ring makes another appearance in chapter 4. :)