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Nathan & Elizabeth: An Epic Love
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Chapter Twenty
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Family Celebration
Part One
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"Jack's so cute!" gushed Allie, just like a proud big sister would, carefully watching ahead to make sure he was okay.
"And he's at that awkward age where whatever he does isn't enough. I'm terrified when Bill and your Dad are basically teaching him to walk with Pal now, and he automatically wants to gallop instead while totally skipping, trotting, and cantering in the process!"
"We kids!"
"Yes, you kids who think you are invincible!"
"I used to tell Dad, I knew I could fly! Thankfully, he caught me before I jumped out of Mrs. Harris' big old Oak tree!"
Elizabeth gasped!
"Allie, how old were you?"
"About five, I think!"
"And you climbed a tree all by yourself!"
"Yes, Ma'am! I sure did! But I was a real tomboy. Planned to be a Mountie just like my dad! I was pretty high up, too, when Dad found me. I thought he'd be proud of me, but all I can remember is this look of utter terror on his face, which I didn't understand at all. As for me, I was just glad he was home so I could jump in his arms! I was getting hungry!"
The two laughed together.
"And did you jump?"
"Yep! Dad caught me and held me like he was never going to let me go!"
"Did you get a lecture?"
Dad was really quiet all through dinner and the rest of the night. But after he read me a story when he tucked me into bed, which happened to be about falling (I think he made the story up because even though he was holding a book, I don't think he showed me any pictures, which I desperately wanted to see!), he got real serious. 'You know, Allie, climbing trees is lots of fun, but there's a rule that goes along with your tree climbing. I have to be there to catch you when you actually climb, got it?' 'Always?' 'Absolutely no climbing unless I am there!' 'None!' he added. I wasn't happy but agreed. He didn't realize it, but he was really cramping my style. I had to seriously regroup. I had been climbing in three different trees by then pretty much all day long, almost every day!"
Elizabeth burst out laughing.
"Oh, Allie! Please, do not give that Little Guy up there any ideas! So far, no tree climbing, thank goodness! Because all I can see with that one is four broken limbs! I'm sure it's just a matter of time, though! You know, it's really true that girls mature a lot faster than boys. Here, even at five, you relied on something inside that must have been common sense. I have no doubt Jack would just jump and ask a million questions later! But you know what, even with all that uncertainty, sometimes I miss experiencing the adventure of it all."
"Miss what, Mrs. Thornton?"
"The faith and innocence of a child, which it seems both my children are too rapidly losing. I could just cry at the thought," she admitted, looking like she was beginning to do just that. "The truth is I'm not ready for either of you to grow up!"
Elizabeth reached for Allie, placing her arm around the girl's shoulder for comfort as though she could keep her from growing in doing so, and even though she was carrying her father's change of clothes, Allie returned the show of love by shifting a bit and putting her closest arm around her teacher, or was it her mother? Or both?
Allie wasn't quite sure.
But after a single day, something sure did feel a whole lot different…
"Mountie Nathan! Mountie Nathan!" rushed in Jack for the second time today. "I'm back to take you to dinner!"
"You are!" Nathan, still in his Serge, acted surprised while lifting Jack to the ceiling, eliciting gasps of laughter from the boy.
Allie and Elizabeth hurried in behind him to see what all the laughter was about.
"Mountie Nathan lifted me to the ceiling! See, I can still touch it!"
"Wow," said a basically speechless Nathan. "Jack, look at our girls!" (*47)
"Wow," said Jack, looking first at Nathan to make sure he was doing everything right, then looking at his Mama and Allie. (*48)
Nathan then kissed Allie, "You, Young Lady, look absolutely beautiful, and that dress? That might just be the prettiest dress I've ever seen you in. Allie, it's perfect!"
His daughter simply beamed, suddenly believing she just might be that pretty since it was coming from her Dad!
But then it was Elizabeth's turn, and instead of words, they simply embraced, having missed each other, and for the very first time in front of the children, kissed each other passionately, causing Allie to cover Jack's little eyes.
Of course, he separated her long fingers, peeking through, not about to miss whatever goodness this was!
"Oh, how I've missed you! You look ravishing, Lizbeth! Positively ravishing. Hope you've got me something great to wear, Allie Girl, because do I ever need to look good! Jack and I are not at all sure we deserve to be near girls who look as beautiful as this, much less take them to dinner!"
Both Elizabeth and Allie laughed, both loving his words, one in the ways of a daughter and the other in the ways of a woman completely head over heels, hopelessly and irrevocably in love.
"Here, Dad, these are the clothes I brought you. They sort of blend in with both of us!"
Nathan looked from his daughter to the woman he loved, and immediately knew there was something different, it was as though there was no tension, just an exploration of love in this new relationship everyone was doing their best to fit into.
Though it dawned on him, this now felt easy, not like the struggle between the two in the past.
This was a falling into familial love – comfortable, nice, and ever so easy.
He kissed both again very quickly.
"Got to hurry and change! I don't know about you two, but Jack and I are starved! Let me go make myself presentable. Would you three be more comfortable going and waiting for me at the Café? You could get an appetizer," suggested Nathan.
But he smiled to find three heads of various sizes, all shaking negatively together in unison.
"We'll wait for you, Dad," assured Allie.
"Because it won't be the same without you, Darling!"
"I want Mountie Nathan too, but can I fill in another 'ficial form?" asked Jack.
"Maybe after you go home and change. Jack, the Mountie Office is officially closed tonight. Now it's family time, and we're getting ready to celebrate!" winked Nathan.
Nathan started into the back, having taken his clothes from Allie, but Little Jack simply followed him.
"Jack, Mountie Nathan needs his privacy," cautioned Elizabeth.
"But he needs my help, Mama!"
"No worries! We men will be back in no time!' and there was that lopsided grin that she couldn't have rebutted had her very life depended on it.
And so, Jack continued on, in his mission of 'helping' the taller Mountie, as Nathan simply leaned down low enough to put his hand on Jack's shoulder, leading the boy into his water closet where he was going to get ready for their celebration….
As Nathan sponged the weariness away of the day behind him, then brushed his teeth, shaved, and combed his hair, Jack watched intently in utter amazement.
Just outside his door, Nathan could hear Elizabeth and Allie talking in low voices sprinkled with intermittent laughter and even sporadic giggles.
"Our girls are happy together, Jack! Thoroughly enjoying each other's company, and it warms my very soul!"
But in the washroom, the whole time he was getting dressed, Jack was asking him hundreds of questions about each and every single thing he was doing, with Nathan patiently responding, void of any frustration whatsoever.
"But why did you cut yourself, Mountie Nathan?"
"Oh, I didn't cut myself. It's called shaving, Jack. You see, when you get much, much older, I'll teach you how, okay? But that's a long way away. If you did that now, you would cut yourself, and it would hurt, and we'd probably end up visiting the doctor. So, we don't want that now, understood?"
"Yes, Sir! I have to wait till I grow more. But I have to wait on everything! And it's just not fair!"
"Waiting's hard, isn't it, Big Guy?"
Jack twisted his mouth into a frown and sniffled in confirmation.
"But now you have me to come talk to about all that, Jack, man to man! You see, Jack, I was once a little boy just like you!"
His little face brightened as though the weight of the world had just lifted from his shoulders.
"You were?"
"I was, and since I made it through all those growing pains, now I'll help you do the same! Deal?"
"Deal," but in addition to shaking Nathan's offered hand, for good measure, he reached up and hugged his Mountie, too.
Just that the two felt close enough to share in this most private moment spoke volumes to how far they had come in a matter of relatively little time.
But Jack desperately needed a father, someone to show him the mysterious ways of not only being a man but also being a good man and, hopefully, a great man. And though Nathan's humility would never allow him to claim that title for himself, many would say he was indeed that and more. But he most certainly would give Jack every opportunity to do so because that's what a good father did!
Still, Jack was intrigued by just watching this tall man, wanting to know more, while Nathan was more than ready to teach him, love him, and be his dad.
Without words directly expressing that on either's part, both understood exactly that these intimate moments together were important.
Both somehow knowing each of them were already beginning to mean the world to each other…
Finally ready to greet his girls, Nathan led Jack back into his office with a twinkle in his eyes.
"Does this fit the bill?" he asked.
"You look so handsome, Dad, and you really do coordinate perfectly with all of us!"
"That navy suit is my favorite! You look amazing! Allie and I are so ready for dinner."
Unlike the specter of that devastating evening from two years ago, tonight, the four of them were committed to each other, and only each other, because their love was real, solid, and complete. No one on earth could rip it apart or even tear a single stitch.
In no time at all, they had become an instant family, and tonight was the result.
Nathan offered each of his girls an arm.
"Jack, would you like to get the door?" he asked, his ocean-blue eyes twinkling like stars.
"Yes, Sir!" he answered proudly. "I get it! I get it!"
And just like that, the smallest of the four led his family out onto the Boardwalk as a real family, never to be broken asunder.
"Look both ways before you cross the street, Jack," warned Nathan, though not many people were out.
"This is so exciting," smiled Elizabeth. "Our first family dinner together in a restaurant!"
Little did they know this was going to prove to be a week of many firsts that would impact all of them.
As elated as Nathan was about this family celebration of theirs tonight, as he stepped through the door of his RCMP Office out onto the Boardwalk, turning to lock the door, a transient sense of melancholy came over him, though he had no idea why.
But as he finished locking up and turned back around smiling at the three people he loved most in this world, more than life itself, he was simply filled with their love, happiness, and pure joy…
As the family crossed the street, Nathan and Elizabeth held back, allowing Allie and Jack to go first, who by now were chattering away as they, together, entered first, hand-in-hand.
Next came Nathan and Elizabeth, smiling, arms around each other, as only two people who are in love can do.
Yet, there was no one to greet them, and odder still, there appeared to be no one in the Café!
Soft music was playing.
A pair of candles were burning brightly on a table for four in the center of the Café as though it were set specifically for them.
And so, the family of four gravitated toward that very table, beautifully decorated with a white lace tablecloth and a beautiful floral centerpiece of wildflowers spilling over the table, bigger than the original hundred Nathan had hand-picked for Elizabeth for their first date.
"Oh, Nathan, these are just like the wildflowers you picked for our first date!"
"And thanks to Scout, you only got the pleasure of three Cosmos, I believe!"
"It was totally the thought that counted; besides, I can't complain since I got hand-picked roses plus an entire rose garden that night, too!"
Nathan reached down to kiss her at their special memory together.
Then he quickly seated Elizabeth, with Jack watching his Mountie very carefully to understand what he should do for his Allie.
"Thank you, Darling!" smiled Elizabeth radiantly up at him, now seated from her chair.
Being a quick study, Jack did the same for the beautiful girl who was as surely his sister had she been born of the same mother, holding her chair for her, then ever so gently pushing it in.
"I did it, Allie!"
"You did perfect, Jack! Thank you!"
The two 'men' then sat, and almost instantly, Minnie appeared with her 'wait staff' behind her, holding cut-crystal pitchers of iced water.
"Welcome to our private Café, 'Grant Family!' I have my A-team in Joseph and Cooper, who will be assisting and serving you tonight. But as you will notice, there are no regular menus from which to choose. Instead, you have a detailed personal menu on this night of wonderful celebration! I have personally cooked a very special meal for you, which I hope the four of you will enjoy very much! I hear Grilled Ribeye Steak is a favorite for all four of you, and that happens to be our entrée of the evening, grilled to perfection and your personal preferences out back. Additionally, you will have my mother's special Baked Sweet Potato Explosion, literally exploding with all kinds of gooey goodness, along with sides galore, and the largest Tossed Salad with my special homemade dressing like no other, as well as a variety of other salads to select from as you can see. Topped off with my buttery homemade rolls! Afterward, we'll offer a litany of desserts, which are detailed on the second page of your menu if you'd like a glance for a tease! I assure you all, you do not want to miss a single one, and what you don't finish eating here, the rest will be boxed up for you to take to both your homes! Enjoy!"
"Oh, and by the way, the Café is closed to all but you this evening. Joseph and I felt very strongly this needed to be a night of private celebration! Enjoy – it's our little gift to you!"
"Minnie, we don't what to say! This is simply spectacular and so very thoughtful and wonderful of you to do," smiled Nathan earnestly with sheer amazement. "Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, all four of us!'
"It's perfect, Minnie, more perfect than we could have ever imagined!" assured Elizabeth.
"I love it," smiled Allie. "Thank you so much, Miss Minnie! And I can't wait for dessert!"
"Is it chocolate?" asked Jack.
"Jack, you will have more chocolate than you can possibly eat!" assured Mrs. Canfield.
Jack clapped and smiling, the other three joined in giving the Chef a round of applause before their dinner was even begun!
"You four just enjoy, as nothing could please us more, and might I say, we've never seen a nicer or more handsome and beautiful family…"
At home, Bill had puttered around all evening trying to figure out what was really going on with the Mounties.
"What am I doin'? When I've not been straightenin' up things, I've been pacin'! Gonna make me some coffee and sit down to drink it while I think and eat a bite!"
Since he had brought an entire meal from the Café, he put his version of what he called coffee on the stove and began sitting out his dinner, doing exactly what he had said he would do.
However, it did take him a few extra minutes to get his coffee strong enough, even with the doubled amount of coffee beans ground and already in the pot!
When it was finally at that thick sludge stage, which to him was just right, he sighed a huge, contented sigh, then half-spooned and half-poured himself a huge mugful and sat down to drink it with his meal.
"Father, whatever this is goin' on, just please don't let us lose Nathan! Not sure I could handle that. Especially not now that I'm finally gettin' my family together! Oh, and thank You for this food. Looks like Minnie has outdone herself again! Amen!"
Little did Bill know Minnie had given him the exact same meal she was giving the 'Grant Family,' but with Bill's favorite caramel apple pie instead of their vast dessert selection.
Minnie knew exactly how Bill liked his Ribeye Steaks, and she also knew he was a treasured part of the family she was serving dinner to tonight…
Back at the Café, Joseph and Cooper brought out two trays, one for each end of the table, of small, tasty bites.
"Since your server tonight happens to be your pastor, I promised Minnie I'd even throw in a pastoral grace as a bonus!" which caused the entire table to laugh, given the way Joseph had said it.
"We would love that, Joseph!" assured Elizabeth.
"Shall we all bow our heads?" asked Joseph.
"No, no! We have to hold hands first! Allie says so!" interrupted Jack, frantic that everything be done just so.
Allie was trying extra hard to keep a straight face, as were Nathan and Elizabeth.
"Of course, how in the world could I forget that? You let me know, Jack, when everyone is ready. Okay?"
"Let me see," but this time, instead of making everyone (primarily his Mountie and his Mama hold up their hands), he jumped out of his seat and circled the table to make sure!
"Okay! As soon as I hold hands with Allie and Mountie Nathan, we can start!"
So, Jack sat down once more, and grabbed his two favorite people's hands.
"Ready, Pastor Canfield!"
"Dear Heavenly Father, we come to You on a most special evening of celebration, where two beautiful families are coming together as one, even more perfect family. We thank You, particularly for bringing them together with the great love you have given each of them. We pray that You continue to wrap Your arms of love around them as they learn to love each other even more in all the best possible ways. Bless both them and their love as they enjoy this first dinner together outside their home, together. Collectively, we thank You for the food that is about to be eaten. May each of them enjoy it to the fullest, as it also sustains them with what we hope is delicious nourishment in the hours ahead. We ask these things most humbly in Your most Holy Name. And all of God's people said, Amen!"
"Amen!" chorused those around the table.
"Beautiful prayer, Joseph! Thank you," thanked Nathan.
"Minnie says these are appetizers," explained Joseph, "and I am here to assure you each of these bites is better than the last! Enjoy!"
"Thank you, Joseph, these look scrumptious," grinned Nathan.
"Absolutely beautiful, too!" added Elizabeth.
"Enjoy," smiled Cooper, serving Allie and Jack.
"Thanks, Coop, they look yummy!" expressed Allie enthusiastically, as only she could do.
"Thank you, Cooper," grinned Jack, following Nathan's and Allie's lead.
Nathan fed his Lizbeth the first bite, while Allie helped Jack pick what to try first.
"Oh, my goodness, that's delicious as in really wonderfully so," bragged Elizabeth.
"Here, you try, Love," offered Elizabeth, feeding the same bite to Nathan.
"Oh, my goodness!" moaned Nathan.
"Mama, can I have another one just like this one with a cheese cracker? It's so yummy!"
"These are little bites for us to try all of them, Jack! But if we have seconds, we'll be too full to eat our meal. Why don't you try a different bite and see how you like it?"
"Okay. Which one is best, Allie?"
"Let's see…why don't we try this one that looks like a tiny hot dog? It's so cute!"
"I love hot dogs!"
Elizabeth sighed in relief as another Jack crisis was averted, thanks to Allie.
"Can we just stay here and eat all night?" deadpanned Nathan.
"Sounds like that's exactly what we're going to do," laughed Elizabeth…
At last, in his fancy hotel suite in Union City, Deputy Commissioner Hal Blevins showered, then changed into his pajamas, robes, and slippers, hoping for an early turn-in, even though he had stayed at the department working till 7 PM.
But even that late hour wasn't that late for him, as he had tended to work long hours during all of his professional career, especially since this particular day had started at 4 AM.
He smiled, anxious to call the woman he adored, who would have been traveling with him had her mother not come down with a case of the flu just prior to them leaving.
He lifted the phone, "Can you please connect me with my wife in Regina, Mrs. Hal Blevins?"
Though it took a few moments to make the connection, Hal didn't mind, full of loving thoughts of his dear wife.
"Aw! There you are! How I miss you, Dearest Sweetheart! How is your mother doing?"
"Oh, Dearest, it's so good to hear your voice. I can't tell you how you are missed! Mother is much better but still a bit under the weather. She wouldn't come here, though goodness knows I tried, and I was missing you so much, I just decided to split my time, as here I feel you all around me!"
"It shouldn't be too much longer before I get a travel break. I believe we're in the home stretch. What is it? Another week out? You know how the days all run together when you're not with me."
She laughed a laugh full of love for him.
"It's a week. You are scheduled to arrive at you know where, promptly at 5 AM, on the day you know after this coming one. And I will be there personally to greet my handsome husband!"
"No, no, not that early! It's far too dangerous, Emily! Please no…"
"Will you just relax? Christian has everything covered, so no worries there, you hear?"
"I know, but after that last incident, you can't be too careful, Darling! Have Christian use our previously approved standard and move it up a notch. Then I'll be fine!"
She sighed heavily. She hated the attention, but if it comforted him, she would force herself to comply every single time.
"You fuss over me entirely too much, but if it will ease your mind, consider it done!"
"Do I have your word, Babe?"
"You have my word, Baby!"
"Then I can't wait to see that beautiful face of yours. I happen to be looking at that crazy photo of us from Banff. That was one special break!"
"Wasn't it, though? We'll have to plan a re-visit. Tell me, Sweetheart, how are things going for you!"
"Can't talk much as I'm not on a secure phone. But looking forward to meeting up with an old friend tomorrow, so at least I get that much of a break!"
She knew never to mention a name on the phone to him, except Christian's, as they were a given team, but any other name was strictly off-limits for security reasons. "Oh, I'm so glad, and if it's who I think it is, I know you'll have an absolute blast! Enjoy the special time together, my Love!"
"Have I told you lately how very much I love you, Em?"
"A time or two, but I'm always ready to hear that as many times as you want to say it, my Darling!"
"Well, to prove my love, you'd better prepare for a really special surprise that I happen to already have on my person."
"Oh, do I get hints?" she asked, and he could totally see the excited look on her face.
"Absolutely not. Just know you're going to love it and look ravishing in it!"
"Can't wait! But as long as I have you, that's all I need!"
"Same. Love you ever so much!"
"Love you ever so much, too! Goodnight, Baby!"
"Hate to leave you, but I'm on a time crunch with my next call, so better go! Goodnight, Babe…"
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47-48. "Wow," a natural exclamation first recorded as Scottish in origin in the early 16th Century that means very impressed, surprised, or pleased; the word's use as a verb came along much later in the 1920s. Public Domain Information.