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Nathan & Elizabeth: An Epic Love
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Chapter Twenty-One
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Family Celebration
Part Two
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Back in Hope Valley, the 'Grant Family' was thoroughly enjoying their fancy evening out at the Café.
"Joseph, I don't know how you and Minnie did it, but that's the best Ribeye I've ever tasted, cooked to perfection!"
"Would you believe it's all Minnie? I try, but I can't grill to save my life. Lucky you, she handled the grill tonight and not me!"
Nathan chuckled.
"Well, our compliments to the Chef and the Grill Mistress!"
"I'll pass that one on!" grinned Joseph.
"Dad, can I take Jack outside for a short walk, then just come back here and sit outside before our dessert?"
Nathan glanced at Elizabeth to make sure it was okay, then answered his daughter.
"Yes, Allie, stay close by, but first, tell me about your blue dress. It's so beautiful, and I don't think I've ever seen you wear that particular shade before. I'm sitting here trying to figure out why because you look so pretty in it. How did we miss that color all this time? And what is the color called?"
"It's called periwinkle, Dad, the same as Mrs. Thornton's dress, though you can't tell it as much since hers is a designer print, but I'm not sure what it's called."
"You know, I'm not sure either, but Mrs. Coulter will definitely know," giggled Elizabeth. "And I'm sure we will hear all about it!"
Elizabeth and Allie exchanged a secret look that made them both break out into giggles!
"But it looks like the pattern is some sort of paisley embroidered over the white background," Elizabeth finished. "We'll share about the other part after we've had our fashion lesson!"
Nathan chuckled, not doubting for a moment that Rosemary, with all her fashion expertise, would be giving them a very fine lecture indeed!
The empire dress looked beautiful on Elizabeth, in her new more modern midi length she was growing more and more accustomed too, as Nathan seemed to prefer that length on her. The style was more than dressy enough for a fancy dinner date, especially with her grandmother's diamond drop earrings, which she had chosen to wear, along with her grandmother's single-strand diamond bracelet. The bodice of the dress was cut with more white showing than paisley but with a rolled piping around the lower boat neckline done in the same periwinkle paisley design as the fuller skirt, which fell just below her raised bodice. The sleeves which flared out just below her elbows, were also mostly white with the same rolled paisley trim of the bodice. But on the hem of the skirt, the implied border of paisley widened with row after row trimmed in a rolled border, but this time made of white! The reverse arrangement of pattern versus white on Elizabeth was both unusual and truly stunning!
Allie's dress was a solid periwinkle in a light fabric that gave the appearance of a beautiful summer eyelet. The V-necked bodice was rather simple in style, with a white collar bordered in a silky periwinkle ribbon with a matching wide bow that was beautifully tied at the very end of her neckline, which had a white placket of fabric stretching from one side of the V to the other under her collar. There were no buttons that you could see from the front, but instead, a row of tiny pearl buttons ran down the back, practically touching each other. The bodice was fitted with elbow-length sleeves that were cuffed in white and buttoned with the same tiny pearl buttons. The waist was pulled taunt with a built-in sash of white, showing off the full gathered skirt that fell mid-way down, ending at the perfect spot to show off her new white leather ballet flats. The dress was a classic and suited Allie to a tee, making her look just adorable!
"Periwinkle! Hmm! I definitely could tell you two coordinated, though. And both of you have to wear this shade more often because it suits you both perfectly! I love the paisley on you, Elizabeth, as well as the solid shade on you, Allie. You two couldn't have chosen better!"
"I got it at Mrs. Thornton's favorite shoppe, Dad, in a room full of clothes that come straight from Paris!"
"From Paris? That's impressive!"
"They're slightly worn but in perfect shape, stunning, and a bargain, too," explained Elizabeth.
"Sounds like my kind of place to shop," grinned Nathan.
"You'll have to go with us sometime, Dad, and help us choose our clothes!"
"You won't be too embarrassed to have me tagging along?"
"Dad, we could never be embarrassed of you. Except maybe your Dad jokes," here, Allie rolled her eyes. "Oops, Jack and I better leave for our walk. We don't want to miss a single dessert. Have fun, you two!"
And off the two went hand-in-hand out the front door.
"That's so sweet for Allie to give us a moment alone," complimented Elizabeth, all at once feeling and looking quite sultry.
"Come here, you Beauty, you!" whispered Nathan.
He placed his hand at her neck, not realizing it slipped inside her wide collar, but Elizabeth didn't at all mind.
Their lips came together in an even more passionate kiss than the one earlier in front of the children, both desperately needing the other. So much so that one kiss just wasn't enough, and so they kept kissing, one after the other, until both needed to breathe.
"It's like I need you more than the air I breathe," admitted Nathan. "I've never experienced that before."
"Not like this. That's for certain. Nothing has ever been like this. Nathan, I'm so in love with you! I just want you to know that you are my world, and we, along with our children, are a complete family together. I would follow you anywhere!"
"I know you are and have always been my home, Lizbeth, my world. It's so wonderful to finally be able to say that, to hold you, to hold your hand, to kiss you. I find myself having difficulty concentrating, as one thought of you sets my head spinning."
"I hope in a good way."
"In an extraordinary way, my Love. It never stops till I see you again! Thanks, for taking Allie to Buxton. You can clearly tell she had a grand time!"
"Oh, Nathan, she helped me more than I helped her, I'm sure. But we did have the grandest time together! In her sweet, caring way, she made me totally forget that horrendous hour before we left."
"I'm sorry about that, about your hour prior to Buxton," ventured Nathan, not wishing to talk about Elizabeth's conversation with Lucas but feeling like he had to let her know he was there for her in case she needed to.
"Don't be. Other than feeling like such a fool, I'm glad I know because everything is now out in the open, and what I felt inside all along is certain and known to be true as well. Both of those things are so freeing!"
"Elizabeth, you were never a fool!"
She placed her hand on his cheek.
"Yes, my Darling, I was! Don't you ever give me a pass on the mess I allowed and helped create! We all suffered because of it, but I give you my word, no more!"
He kissed her once more, with nothing between them, scooting closer to her, both leaning toward the other.
"I love you more than I imagined my heart could possibly love, Nathan!"
"I've always loved you in that same way, Lizbeth, and till my dying day, always will! Hey, we have music," he noted as he rose from his chair. "Dance with me, Elizabeth!"
He held out his hand, helping her up, and just like magic, took her in his arms exactly like before, as though she fit only there, holding her close with their entwined hands touching his heart.
She had never been held that way on the dance floor by anyone else, and it literally took her breath away, making her feel like she was some priceless jewel that belonged to him alone.
As the music played and the words of the song that could have been written for them flowed through to their very souls, they moved in perfect rhythm together, as though they really were made only for each other, and this was just yet one of many signs given them.
This was their fate, whether one believed in it or not, they were each other's as surely as a rainbow of promise comes after the storm, their love had also survived the roughest of storms, yet now they were experiencing the most beautiful rainbow that was ever created by God's Hand.
Their eyes never left each other, and without a word, they just kept writing letters of the most exquisite love to each other, just the two of them back to that world that consisted of them alone, their eyes, their lips, and their touch telling a love story for the ages.
The music with words reflecting their own love was playing "I Can't Believe That You're in Love with Me," with Nathan unable to not sing the words to her in a low whisper of a melody, singing the words to her of the very song they were dancing to, another most romantic thing she had never experienced before except with this man who had absconded with her heart long ago…
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Yesterday you came my way,
And when you smiled at me,
In my heart I felt a thrill you see,
That it was love at sight and
I was right to love you as I do.
Still I never dreamed that you could love me too.
Your eyes of blue, your kisses too,
I never knew what they could do.
I can't believe that you're in love with me.
You're telling ev'ry one I know
I'm on your mind each place we go
They can't believe that you're in love with me.
I have always placed you far above me.
I just can't imagine that you love me.
And after all is said and done,
To think that I'm the lucky one.
I can't believe that you're in love with me.
Skies are gray. I'm blue each day
When you are not around.
Ev'ry thing goes wrong, my dear I've found
But when you're by my side I fill with pride
For I'm so proud of you
It all seems too good to me to all be true
Your eyes of blue, your kisses too,
I never knew what they could do.
I can't believe that you're in love with me.
You're telling ev'ry one I know
I'm on your mind each place we go
They can't believe that you're in love with me.
I have always placed you far above me.
I just can't imagine that you love me.
And after all is said and done,
To think that I'm the lucky one.
I can't believe that you're in love with me. (*49)
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But then he got that devilish grin as though he knew what song was coming next, and by the glint in his eyes, she was sure not only that he did know but that he had also planned it.
She only smiled without saying a word, though he knew she knew and didn't even care if he was walking a rather dangerous line, because he could sense she couldn't wait such was their connection of reading each other's minds.
And so, clearly, his music, entitled "It's Three O'Clock in the Morning," began to play…
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It's three o'-clock in the morn-ing,
We've danced the whole night thru,
And day-light soon will be dawn-ing,
Just one more waltz with you,
That mel-o-dy so en-tranc-ing,
Seems to be made for us two,
I could just keep right on danc-ing
for-ev-er dear with you.
There goes the three o' clock chime,
chim-ing, rhym-ing,
My heart keeps beat-ing in time,
Sounds like an old sweet love tune,
Say that there soon will be a hon-ey-moon.
It's three o' clock in the morn-ing,
We've danced the whole night thru,
And day-light soon will be dawn-ing,
Just one more waltz with you,
That mel-o-dy so en-tranc-ing,
Seems to be made for us two,
I could just keep right on danc-ing
for-ev-er dear, with you. (*50)
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When he finished the words, while the music was still playing, she rose on her tiptoes, kissed the tip of his ear, then whispered ever so powerfully, yet ever so sweetly, too.
"You, Nathan Grant, better make no empty promises, my Darling! Especially when you mention that particular H word! Because, without follow-through on something as serious as that, there will be dire consequences if you get my drift!"
He chuckled, both finding their lips crashing into each other's, while still laughing through their perfect and ever-novel kisses so full of desire and longing.
Those first two songs they had each memorized, never to be forgotten as they continued playing over and over in their heart, so much so that had you asked them what the third song was that was playing, they wouldn't have been able to tell you.
They only knew they were moving perfectly together to the beat of whatever it was, as their mind were still on a most important word…
At home, Bill was just finishing his dinner when his phone rang.
"I refuse to answer that crazy phone at this ridiculous hour of the night! So just go away!"
But because the phone kept so persistently ringing, he realized Nathan might need him and finally rushed over to pick it up.
"Avery, here!" barked Bill, just in case it wasn't Nathan, who should still be at dinner about now.
"No names, friend. Afraid I'm on a hotel phone, not my secure line!"
That, along with Bill immediately recognizing the voice of his good friend from their good old Inspecting days was more than enough to know who was calling without tipping their hand.
"Talk about a blast from the past," mused Bill. "What an absolute joy it is to hear that old familiar prankster voice again!"
"Same here. But isn't it about time we grew up?"
"Speak for yourself. But that's a never for me," teased Bill.
Both men chuckled through the phone line.
"Am I interrupting anything?"
"Just finished dinner! But my caramel apple pie can wait. This is much more important, my friend!"
"That it is! Hey, I'm sure the both of us could stand to lose a pound or two! Just a heads up about a certain meeting that will be happening soon, fairly close to you – I hope that's a fairly big hint, but can't really say much more. What is it they say? Advancements are always difficult?"
"Got it! And all is very well."
And with that, Hal knew Bill understood.
"Things have been pretty crazy here for my young friend, though," admitted Bill. "You know I'm not allowin' you to take him away! No matter how much you beg! So don't even entertain that as the remotest of possibilities. You hear me?"
"Wouldn't think of it! But there will be changes, lots of them to be direct, though they are ones I believe you'll like very much."
"Hey, what about that talk we had a year ago? I'm startin' to feel guilty, takin' all that money since the space hasn't been used this whole time."
"Glad you brought that up. We checked your schedule with your secretary and saw no cases, so tomorrow's going to be a big day around your place. Also, I assure you, no more guilt!
"Well, I'll be! If I'm readin' this right, glory be! It's about time!"
Hal chuckled.
"Cleaners, painters if needed, and a secure phone line are all happening tomorrow, my Friend! Also, the same down the street, if you get my drift beginning tonight till tomorrow night or as long as it takes. Oh, and there's furniture and equipment already there that's at the ready when the cleaners and painters are through. They'll contact the movers. So, you don't have to worry about doing any of that."
"Loud and clear! Do you need help?"
"I sure could use an overseer on all of the above for both sites! And it would be a huge help if that overseer could keep a certain 'person of interest' whom we've overloaded as of late, away from both places. Got it? Is that doable?"
"Got it, and consider it done!"
"Also, you might not want to make any dinner plans tomorrow!"
"Wouldn't think of it!"
"One other thing, Dear Friend, does our 'person of interest' have any, let's say, 'personal interest' in someone I may not know of?"
Bill chuckled.
"Well, you do happen to know the 'person of personal interest' our 'person of interest' is interested in, though not previously connected to 'said person of interest!'"
"Got it! Then can you do me one more favor tonight if we talk a little hypothetically for a bit?"
"Absolutely!"
"Let's say our 'person of interest' was going to be experiencing a couple of huge changes this week all in one day. Would the 'person of interest's personal interest' be willing?"
"I believe so. But you need me to be certain, don't you?"
"I hate to ask, but yes, I do. In fact, I need you to be very certain on both fronts!"
"I understand. Anything else?"
"This is bigger than usual, and that's about all I can say. Lots bigger, probably bigger than you can imagine, as there's an awful lot going on."
"Got it! Do I need to get back with you?"
"Only if your talk doesn't go well with either party."
"Got it! Looking so forward to seein' you and all of your news!"
"Me too, more than you can know, Dear Friend! Greatly appreciate the assistance because I trust your judgment as well as my own…"
Back at the Café, as if they had a built-in six sense, Allie appeared with Jack just in time for dessert to be brought out!
Joseph and Cooper each wheeled a cart, loaded with beautiful and unique desserts, placing the carts one at each end of the 'Grant's' table.
"Oh, my goodness," remarked Elizabeth. "This looks heavenly!"
"And just think, we get to share," winked Nathan, not trusting her for one second.
"You mean I have to share?" she shrieked, teasing him back.
He just smiled and nodded.
"That we do, and you, of all people, would not want to set any bad examples for our children, right?"
"Me? Of course not! I share."
"Well, that wasn't exactly what I was talking about!"
"Aha! Are you scared, Constable?"
He chuckled.
"Quaking in my boots! That is IF I had them on, Mrs. Thornton!"
She laughed.
"What's first?"
"I don't care as long as it's chocolate and goes in my mouth instead of on my nose!"
"Well, you're no fun!"
"Later, in private play," he whispered.
"I like the sound of that, Constable! In that case, I'll be on my very best behavior for now! Here, this looks delectable – try this gooey confection!"
She placed a bite of chocolatey goodness into his mouth in the form of Fudge Mousse.
"How's that?"
"It looks delectable because it is delectable, my Dear! Here, try it, and you'll see!"
He fed her a bite, and she was swooning.
"This is really good, Chocowate, Allie! Did you eat some?" asked Jack.
Allie pointed to her mouth, unable to speak.
"Mama, Allie can't even talk," giggled Jack. "Her mouth is full of chocowate!"
"Jack, your face is pretty full of chocolate, too," nudged Elizabeth, reminding her son to wipe his mouth.
"That's okay as long as you got a little inside your mouth, isn't it, Son," grinned Nathan.
"Dad, Jack got quite a bit of chocolate inside! Probably half and half," explained Allie, quickly taking up for the little guy. "But do you think Miss Minnie might give us some of the recipes so I can make them at home?"
"It never hurts to ask. Maybe you and Angela could bake or cook something together!"
"That would be fun. I just had never thought about that! And I don't think she ever does much in the kitchen, either. But I think she could do it if we cooked or baked together!"
"Mountie Nathan, why does Allie call you Dad, but I have to call you Mountie Nathan," asked Jack, sticking his lower lip out like he might start to cry.
Panicked, knowing what he wanted very much to say but not knowing if his Lizbeth wanted him to say it, Nathan's mouth turned dry as his face paled. But Elizabeth's hand touched his thigh, directing him to look at her, and just by the look on her beautiful face, he knew.
"Jack, would you like to call me Dad, too, just like Allie?"
Jack shook his head vociferously up and down, now starting to cry.
"Or Papa? Would that be okay, too?" the boy asked through his tears.
Nathan got up and walked over to Jack, kneeling beside his chair.
"Jack, Dad, or Papa, either one is perfect. You call me what you want to call me. Either one is lots more than okay. And either one is my greatest honor for both you and for Allie!"
"But…but…will Papa mind?" Jack looked down at the floor.
Nathan gently cupped the boy's chin, directing his eyes back to look into his own.
"No, your Papa won't mind at all. I'm sure of it!"
"But how do you know?"
"I know because your Papa is my Mountie brother, and Mountie brothers always help each other out no matter what, just like brothers and sisters do. Jack, your Papa is always going to be your Papa forever and ever! Just like Allie's Mama is always going to be her Mama forever and ever. You are the one thing your Papa loves more than anything else and always will. Just like Allie is the one thing her Mama loves more than anything else and always will. Now, Allie's Mama was my sister, so I grew up with her and knew her very, very well. And though I didn't get to meet your Papa, I still know him from all the wonderful things people have told me about him. The truth is for both your Papa and Allie's Mama, I believe with all my heart, they want the four of us to be a family together because we already love each other so very much and it's our love that makes them happy. It never hurts to have a Papa in heaven and a Dad or Papa on earth, or for Allie, a Mama in heaven and a Mom or Mama on earth. Don't you two realize, Jack and Allie, your Papa and your Mama in heaven, will always be a part of our family down here. And family members always, always help each other out, no matter what!"
Jack started sobbing and threw his arms around Nathan's neck.
"I love you, Papa!"
"I love you, too, Son! And I will always, always love you and be there for you to the best of my ability, Jack!"
What Nathan didn't see while soothing Jack was that Elizabeth was sobbing, too, but Allie did.
She quickly slipped over to Elizabeth, who she was now sure was her earthly Mama, and hugged her tight.
"I love you, Mama!"
"Oh, Allie, I love you, too, my beautiful daughter, ever so much! And I will, always, always love you forever and ever. Know that I will be there for you your whole life through in any and every single way I can, loving every single minute of having the honor to do so. And know this with certainty, Allie, because my heart knows it as surely as we are holding each other right now: there is no difference in my heart between you and Jack, I love you both exactly the same! It doesn't matter how either one of you got here. You both are here now, equally, and you both are 100% my children!"
Nathan was soothing Jack as his new Son, while Allie was soothing Elizabeth as her new Mama, then Elizabeth, in turn, began soothing Allie as her new Daughter, which all equated to a whole lot of family love.
The bond between these four was now inscrutable and indestructible.
They were a family in this instant, now and forever, and all four of them knew it in their souls…
Joseph and Minnie, along with Cooper, were all crying as they brought out all the extra boxed-up desserts for each home, though Cooper was trying his best not to show it!
"Minnie, Joseph, and Coop, on behalf of my new family, you have given us a special Family celebratory dinner beyond our wildest dreams, and we are so very grateful, but more than that, you've provided the perfect setting that's given each of us to the other as family. As long as we live, we will never forget this night and be forever grateful!"
Nathan kissed Minnie, embraced Joseph, and mussed Cooper's hair.
"Cooper, I haven't forgotten that baseball game I promised. As soon as I get through this onslaught of work, we'll make it happen!"
"I understand, but that'll be great when we get to play!"
"Yes, it will! Hey, I'm looking forward to it as much as you! And Bill's got us both beat! That man's a baseball fanatic!"
Elizabeth and Allie then did the same, as Nathan picked up a spent Jack, who wouldn't move an inch away from his new Papa.
"Here, Son, how about I carry you home?"
Jack nodded yes and laid his head on his Papa's shoulder.
After saying their thank-you's and goodbyes, Elizabeth and Allie walked out of the Café arm and arm since Joseph and Cooper insisted on bringing their desserts to their respective houses.
And even though Jack was tired, now that he had a Papa here on earth, he couldn't stop asking him question after question.
"Will you leave me?"
"No, Jack, I will always be your Papa! And if I have to go away on business trips, I will call you and bring you surprises, just like I do Allie!"
Jack's little face brightened, pondering his next greatest question to his new, very patient Papa.
"Mama, it's been a great night, hasn't it?" mused Allie.
"Oh, Allie, it was the best night I've ever had! I've never felt so much love, nor so much peace. Suddenly, life is remarkable again, and ever so lovely…"
On the way home, Nathan unlocked his rowhouse so Joseph and Cooper could drop off his and Allie's desserts.
Then, the group walked on down to Elizabeth's rowhouse, where Joseph and Cooper did the same.
"Joseph, please tell Minnie I'll be by the Café tomorrow evening after I get back from Buxton to settle up for tonight! Also, please tell her again how perfect everything was and is!"
"Don't worry about the settling. But she'll love to hear that compliment, my friend! But Cooper and I need to go and give this new family some privacy! Have a good night, you four. We'll talk tomorrow!"
"Tomorrow, and huge thanks for everything!"
"Mama, is it okay if I help get Jack ready for bed?"
"You sure?"
"I want to!"
"Please, Mama!" begged Jack.
"You two win. Allie, just call if you need my help!"
"You and Dad relax. Jack and I've got this!"
Jack quickly ran up the stairs before his Mama could change her mind, with his Allie right behind him.
"Jack, be good for Allie! We'll both be up later to tuck you in," called his Mama. "Just let us know when, Allie!"
"I will!"
At the foot of the steps, Elizabeth turned and was immediately in Nathan's arms.
"What just happened," she asked.
"Hmm?"
Elizabeth laughed a little low laugh, "I was certain Jack wanted to call you Dad, because Allie does, and because he's always called Jack Papa, but that wasn't his choice at all!"
"And I was certain that Allie would want to call you Mom, since she always called Collie Mama!"
"Shows how much we know," she giggled.
"Well, we're only the parents! I remember my entire first year with Allie, I was saying over and over, but I'm only the parent, and now, all these years later, I still find myself saying, but I'm only the parent! Does that ever change?"
"Not in a million years, Love! Want some apple juice!"
"Would love some. Can I help?"
"You may, Constable!"
"Good, because I was coming whether or not…"
With their chilled apple juice poured and having taken a sip, the couple sat back against Elizabeth's settee.
Cuddling up next to the love of her life, Elizabeth leaned her head on his shoulder.
They sat that way for a few minutes, Nathan with his arm around the love of his life, both basking in the glow of the evening and all that had happened.
Nathan bent his head to kiss her neck.
Her hands automatically supported his leaning head.
"What you said to both Allie and Jack was so beautiful!"
"I was worried Jack might not understand because I know Allie has even had a hard time with it all, yet it felt like the words needed to be said even if he only grasped them partially, you know?"
"I do! But you know, Love, I think he did understand. I may be totally wrong, but I think that's why he changed his mind at the last minute on what to call you. You helped both of them see their deceased parents were still here with us as part of our family, and I think that's why it felt most comfortable for them to call us by the same name. And I do love that the children are keeping their parents' memories alive through us! Do you think that's possible?"
"Well, I've learned anything is possible when parenting. And to answer your intelligent question more directly. I absolutely do!"
With the children's change of heart still a conjecture without hearing as to the why from them, Nathan and Elizabeth relaxed, instantly needing each other.
"Seems we have to steal our moments when we can get them," she noted breathlessly.
"And let's not waste a single one! I'm so sorry work has been so busy when all I want to do is spend time with you!"
"Shh! None of that's your fault. I understand you have to work, but I don't like top brass inundating you with the entire area's problems without letting you know what's going on!"
"Well, I'm sure you know by now that secrecy seems to be the Mountie way! But hey, enough about my work. I just want you!"
"Funny thing, Love, because I just want you!"
"I love you, Lizbeth!"
"I love you, too, …"
But before Elizabeth could finish her all-important words, there was what sounded like an urgent knock on the door…
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49. "I Can't Believe That You're in Love with Me," a popular song and jazz standard composed by Jimmy McHugh, lyrics by Clarence Gaskill, 1926, Public Domain.
50. "It's Three O'Clock in the Morning," song by Paul Whiteman, composed by Julian Robledo; lyrics by Dorothy Terriss, 1921, Public Domain.