Chapter 54/Epilogue Pt.13

Nathan flicked the soapy water off the shaving brush as he reached for the towel to wipe his face dry. Standing on a stool beside him Little Jack was copying his every move, a bowl improvised as a basin, spare brush and lollipop stick for a razor in front of him. These were the times he cherished the most. Not the big fun times but these moments when in the simplest of ways he was helping this boy to grow and learn. To teach him that it was in the everyday things that life really mattered.

"Are you done there? Stretch up to the mirror and make sure that all the soap is off your face, then wash and dry your hands. We still need to have a bath and get dressed."

Their suits were hanging on the door of the wardrobe, brushed down from being worn yesterday, while clean shirts were laid out on the bed. Lucas had wanted to have different suits made for all of them but, as Lee had related the scenario to him, Rosemary had put her foot down, claiming it a ridiculous waste of money. "New ties and kerchiefs will suffice" she had stated, hands on hips, in that way she had of declaring that the subject was closed and not to be discussed further.

Checking that his own face was clean he turned towards the door, telling Little Jack to get his shoes from his bedroom and follow him downstairs. There was definitely some polishing to be done with them after all the running around and skidding across the dance floor Jack had done the day before.

He could hear Bill and Gabe laughing and chatting in the living room as they were getting themselves ready for the wedding. It was clear that the younger man was not particularly pleased to be dressed up like a turkey at Thanksgiving, as he described it, for the second day running.

"That makes four times this year, Bill" he said, with frustration clear in his voice.

Nathan guessed that they had reached the point of doing their ties, something he knew Gabe was hopeless at, as Bill replied, "Here, let me do that before you make a total mess of it. Besides, don't forget that one of those times was your own wedding."

There was a different tone to Gabe's voice when after a small pause he replied, indicating that his frustration had dissipated and in its place was a sense of reflection. "I know Bill and I did in fact wear my serge, not a suit, so I guess it doesn't count. Lillian was adamant that I should as she wanted everyone to know how proud she was to be marrying a Mountie. I'm just surprised that Elizabeth didn't do the same."

As soon as the words were out of his mouth he regretted them, seeing the sadness on Bill's face as memories of another wedding came immediately back to him.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. I forgot for a minute that Jack wore his Mountie uniform when he married Elizabeth. Of course Nathan wouldn't want to do the same."

Nathan had come downstairs and stood listening, the other men too busy in their conversation to notice. "Actually, it was Elizabeth's decision, not mine. I told her I would wear anything just as long as we were finally getting married. Hell, I'd walk down that aisle naked if that was what she wanted!"

His last comment made the other two men burst out laughing but Little Jack's voice suddenly made them stop as they realised he was standing behind Nathan, his eyes open wide in astonishment at what had been said.

"You're going to church with no clothes on?"

The look of incredulity on his face made it difficult to stop themselves from laughing again as Nathan scooped him up in his arms. "No, I'm not Jack, but you will be if we don't get you washed and dressed soon."

The little boy giggled as Nathan spun him around, his love for his soon to be son clear for the others to see. The whole town knew just how important this day was to both of them, how deep was the relationship between them.

While Bill poured coffee from the freshly brewed pot Nathan added some cold water to the tub that was still a bit too hot for a little boy's tender skin. "In you get….and no argument today. Your mum will ask me if you had a bath and I can't lie to her on your wedding day."

"You shouldn't tell lies ever. Pastor Joseph says that it is wrong to tell lies."

"And Pastor Joseph is right, Jack", Nathan replied, nodding seriously but with a slight twinkle in his eyes. "That is why when I tell you how much I love you and how glad I am that we are to become family you know I am telling the truth."

Two wet soapy hands reached up around Nathan's neck, pulling his head downwards before a wet kiss was placed on his nose. "I love you too Daddy. And I love mummy and Allie. And daddy Jack."

Nathan felt his heart swell as the realisation hit him that today what he had dreamed of for so long was finally going to come true. This family that he had held in his heart for so long was becoming real and ahead of them lay a life full of so much love and warmth that he had to close his eyes to stop the tears of joy from falling.

"Come on then, out you come". Nathan words were brusquer than he intended as he struggled to keep his emotions in check. "It's my turn next. Uncle Gabe will get you dried and wrapped up in that big towel. You were up so early this morning that I think a little lie down on the sofa may be in order."

Little Jack scrunched up his face as though he was about to protest but before he could say anything Gabe had taken him from Nathan.

"You get yourself bathed while I look after this little fellow. We can't have the most important person in the wedding party falling asleep at the reception can we."

Bill had been topping up the hot water again while this had gone on so now Nathan quickly stripped off and stepped in. When a mug of coffee was placed in his hand he let himself relax back into the water, determined to take a moment to cast off all the worries of the world so that he could enjoy this day completely. He wanted to make sure that everything was how Elizabeth wanted, today and for the rest of their lives together, and that began with how ready he was for this day to be the best for all of them.

It was a scene of total calm and ease that Lucas walked into a short while later, not what he had expected knowing how much this day meant to Nathan. Head leaning back against the end of the bath the groom had a relaxed and contented look on his face, that of a man for whom life was just how he wanted it to be. So serene did it seem he was, in fact, that he didn't even move when Lucas closed the door behind himself.

At the table Bill and Gabe were quietly reading over something in front of them. Gabe's best man speech, no doubt, and he was certain that Bill would be putting in his penny's worth on what should be included. There was such a sense of connection amongst them all, a deepening and understanding of what friendship meant, ever since the Christmas spent in Brookfield. What had started out as a tragedy for the Scott children had begat a community of people who all cared deeply for each other. Lucas felt truly blessed to have been accepted into this group of people he was privileged to call his friends.

A gentle snore from the sofa told him that Little Jack was asleep, snuggled under the light blanket that had been placed over him. As Lucas opened his mouth he noticed Nathan's eyes finally open, one finger against his lips to tell him to stay quiet.

"He needs a little nap if he's going to last the day", he whispered, "if all the running around the children did yesterday is anything to go by."

Nathan reached out for his towel, pulling himself up and out of the bath with as little sound as possible. After such an early start and, undoubtedly, little sleep last night he knew that the boy's reserves of energy would run out very quickly without this. And he wanted all his family to enjoy every moment of this special day.

"I come bearing more goodies, these ones from Gustav", Lucas said softly as he placed a damask linen covered basket on the table. "He believes that no day is set up properly without croissants and confiture d'abricot to start it off. The man has his funny ways but his heart is always in the right place, especially when it comes to romance, and I can tell you that there is probably no-one more excited about today than him. I wonder if it has stirred the embers of the feelings he had for Mary when we were younger. They certainly seem to be getting closer each day so, who knows, your wedding may not be the last of the year in Hope Valley!"

Nathan excused himself to go upstairs and quickly dress while Lucas unpacked the basket, a sheepish look on his face as he pulled out a teapot and tea caddy. "I wasn't sure Nathan would have one so I brought my own. But then I forgot the cup and saucer to go with it.

"In the cabinet by the door", Nathan answered, coming down the stairs in trousers and shirt, his jacket laid over his arm along with Little Jack's clothes. "They were my sister Colleen's. I wanted to keep them packed away for when Allie is older but she said it makes her feel that her mum is a part of our life here if we use all these things. So be careful or you will be searching the country for a replacement if you break anything!"

The last line was delivered with a grin on Nathan's face and with the sound of laughter from the other men there was stirring on the sofa. Little Jack stretched up, his hair still a little damp from his bath was now sticking up at the front, his face wrinkled on one side where he had slept against an embossed cushion.

Bill rushed straight over to gather him up, thinking as he looked down at the sleepy face just how like his father he was. With Nathan's guidance he was confident that he would grow to be just as good a man as both pf the men he loved as sons. The bitter sweetness of the day was not lost on him when he saw that Nathan had placed the carved wooden Mountie on top of the pile of Jack's clothes. This was the little boy's most treasured possession, carved by the one man he loved more than any to represent the other who would have loved him so much.

Licking his finger he pressed the wayward strands of hair back into place, before turning him around towards Nathan who was holding out his clothes. "Trousers on now and then I think we'll leave your shirt until after you've had a croissant".

Looking at the thick jam dripping from the pastry in Gabe's hand he quickly added, "Perhaps I should be doing the same!"

When finally they we all ready Nathan saw no point in waiting around the house any longer. He had a funny feeling that Elizabeth was not going to be one of those brides who would be fashionably late for her wedding. If anything she might even be there waiting for him, after all she had been the one to propose. Glancing down at the twine ring that he still kept on his finger he thought about the significance of something so simple, so everyday, and how it represented the circle of love that would be this family they were creating. Today was the start of something much greater than just two people coming together in marriage.

"You're deep in thought Nathan". Gabe was standing beside him, watching his friend and recognising all the emotions that would be going through his head right now, for it had only been a few months since he had been in that position.

"You're not getting cold feet are you?"

Nathan laughed, knowing that Gabe already had the answer to that. "Nope, just wondering when those wedding jitters I keep hearing about are going to kick in?"

The others laughed and almost in unison replied "You wait, they'll come!"

There was almost a festival atmosphere in the town as they headed towards the church with people stopping them along the way to wish Nathan well and express their joy at what was happening today.

Word had spread quickly yesterday that a solution had been found to the teacher situation and the church bells would be ringing out once again the next day. There was great relief alongside the happiness everyone felt for the couple. Although it had not been spoken of too often, it was clear there was a feeling of guilt amongst many that it was only because of their sense of duty to the children of the town that this day had taken so long to arrive.

Many of the women gave admiring glances towards their Mountie, noticing that he looked even more handsome dressed up out of his serge as in it. In fact, the sight of these four good looking men and small boy walking along towards the church was something that made even strangers to the town stop and watch.

To Nathan it was like being in a dream. He spoke with people but in his own head there was a different conversation going on. Finally they were almost there, their dream just a finger's touch away, and yet still he could feel a nervousness running through his veins. An innate sense of disbelief that true happiness was within his grasp.

"I promise, everything is going to be just as you and Elizabeth requested, my friend", Lucas said encouragingly, having seen a tenseness in Nathan's demeanour the closer they got to the church.

"We really did listen to what you want, even Rosemary, so you have nothing to worry about. Just relax and enjoy your day because, take it from me, it is something you will never want to forget."

Nathan looked sideways at Lucas with a half smile on his face, before turning his neck to look around. Down the main street was the Mountie Office, a place where he had experienced good and bad times here in Hope Valley. The café, saloon, infirmary, mercantile. All places that he and Elizabeth had shared so many moments together. This was home and there was nowhere else either of them wished to raise their family together.

Just as he was turning his gaze back towards the church he spotted Ned rushing down the steps at the front of The Mercantile. In his hand was an envelope, a telegram, and at the sounds of the shopkeeper's words Nathan felt an stabbing pain begin to grow in his stomach.

"Nathan! Nathan! This just came for you."