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Nathan & Elizabeth: An Epic Love
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Chapter Twenty-Two
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Family Discussions
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Part I
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"Bill! Is everything all right?" asked Nathan, answering the door.
"The truth? I believe so, but the three of us need to talk."
"Can it wait? We've had a wonderful, perfect, but emotional night!"
"I truly wish it could wait. Not a fan of doin' this now, either. But it seems I'm on a voluntary mission with a deadline, Son, that can't be missed, if you get my drift. I'll be as quick as I can!"
"Of course, come on in!'
"So, everything went well?" asked Bill, knowing about the big family celebration.
"Perfect, Bill," smiled Elizabeth, getting up to kiss his cheek. "Here, take that seat since it's more comfortable! Can I get you some apple juice?"
"Apple juice? Eh! Why not?"
Elizabeth gave Nathan a private smile, both knowing the lovely yet significant power of that simple drink.
"Any more information, Bill?" asked Nathan.
"Lots, but I'm afraid most of it's top level. I'll share every ounce of it I can, though."
"Appreciate that! Looks like we'll at least have an interesting week. Hey, is there anything I need to do in prep for my appointment with the Deputy Commissioner on Wednesday morning?"
"Well, we're gonna do most of that as soon as Elizabeth sits back down with us, Son!"
"We are? Okay, but don't forget I'll be in Buxton all day tomorrow. Then I won't have a chance to see you on Wednesday till after rounds. The problem is, I have no idea when the Deputy Commissioner will arrive, and I was hoping you'd be able to greet him till I get back from rounds. Problem is I don't when he's arriving. Also, I need to spiff up the place a bit. Which means I'll have to spend tomorrow night cleaning the Office, and you know what a mess that is."
"No! No! No!" Bill added emphatically, getting louder each time. "I mean…I mean, I'm takin' care of all that! Hey, it's the least I can do to help you out. Don't even come by the office tomorrow because if you do, they'll just load you down with more work! And I'm serious about this Nathan, I want you well-rested, and comin' in on Wednesday mornin' after rounds with a clear head for the Deputy Commissioner, you hear me? It's important."
"And you'll see that the Office looks decent?"
"Absolutely, and I'll take care of Hal! Don't you worry about any of that! You don't even need to go into the Office tomorrow mornin', Son, 'cause I'm tellin' you the same thing will happen. You get yourself straight out of town, and I'll handle the Mountie Office. You're officially on leave tomorrow, well short of your Buxton detail, that is!"
"Here you go, Bill! Some delicious ice-cold apple juice!" served Elizabeth with a smile.
"Thanks, Elizabeth! Is this Jack's favorite?"
"It's sort of becoming a favorite for all of us!"
"Bill, what's up," asked Nathan, knowing Bill was hiding something, as he reached for Elizabeth's arm, helping her sit down by him on the settee.
"Okay, let's start over! Elizabeth, help me out here. This is what I need and you two need to see that you give it to me, understood?"
"If you say so, Bill! We're listening," sighed Nathan.
"I know I'm repeatin,' but I need both of you to hear all this together. Nathan wasn't allowed to tell you this, Elizabeth, but I am, so here goes. Just know all this doesn't leave this room, as even what I am tellin' you two is highly confidential. Understood?"
"Understood," answered Nathan and Elizabeth together.
"Our Constable has a big deal appointment Wednesday mornin' at 10 AM sharp with Deputy Commissioner Hal Blevins. Now that's about as big as a deal there is because Hal, my old Inspector buddy, is now second in command of all the Mounties, just under the Commissioner!"
"Nathan, this is hugely important!"
"Yes, Elizabeth, I'll answer for Nathan. This is huge and you are correct, it's hugely important! To be completely honest, I think this is bigger than any of us know. Nathan has orders to report to Buxton for the day tomorrow, all day. As I just told him, I forbid him to enter that Mountie Office because if he does, whether it's early before he leaves for Buxton or late when he returns from Buxton, he'll walk into a huge pile of extra work and trust me on this, I need him well-rested and clear-headed Wednesday mornin' for his meetin' with Hal. Understood?"
"Understood, Bill," noted Nathan.
"Do I have your word?"
"Yes, Bill, your advice makes sense. You have my word!"
"Good."
"Now, Nathan's gonna take care of rounds on Wednesday mornin' while I'm catchin' up with Hal. We'll be watchin' for you and will meet you in front of the Saloon, Nathan, as soon you arrive back into town, and both of us will walk with you to the Mountie Office then for your meetin' with Hal. Does that work?"
"Perfectly, Bill! Thanks for the heads up. Now, I won't have to worry about him sitting alone somewhere waiting for me. So that's a relief!"
"Since I don't know all the particulars and am limited on what I can say about what I do know, Elizabeth, I need you and the kids to be at the Café by around 10:30, Wednesday morning. I'm gonna call you and ask you, Allie, and Jack to come meet the Deputy Commissioner. Will that work?"
"Sure, Bill, the children and I will be there, and we'll wait there for your call! Thanks for including us! I want to meet the people important to Nathan's work."
"Good! Well, it's important to me that all three of my family meet my long-time Buddy! And since he's now such a big wig, I know you will, but just to be sure, you might want to dress up!"
"Bill!"
"That's alright, Darling! Understood, Bill. We'll all three be spiffed and polished!" giggled Elizabeth.
"This, Young Lady, is not a laughing matter!" he chastised the teacher.
Elizabeth cleared her throat.
"Sorry, Biil! You can rest assured we'll all three look presentable!"
At this point, Bill sat down his apple juice and started pacing.
"Bill, what is up? You only pace when you're thinking about something difficult, or you're nervous! You're making me nervous!"
"No, Son, whatever you do, don't you be nervous! I'm more than nervous enough for both of us! Hal is my friend, and I love him dearly! But it's still important everything goes well! The truth is I'm nervous about what I've got to talk to you next because, technically, it's none of my business, but we're family, and when I say I need to know, I really need to know."
"Got it. Bill, it's just us. Relax and sit down. Just talk to us. Tell us what you need to know, and we'll respond to the best of our abilities."
Bill sighed heavily and did as Nathan requested, well, at least the sit part.
"I know you turned down the inspector's position a couple of years ago, and I know why you did it."
"Bill, Allie and Jack are upstairs!" warned Nathan in a low voice, as he didn't want Allie to know he had turned down the job solely for her.
"Sorry, but I do know. What I need to know tonight is two-fold. Let's say that same position came open here in Hope Valley, and this is all hypothetical here, would you be willin' to take it?"
"Of course! In a heartbeat! Being an Inspector has always been my goal. It's how I think and what I want to do with my career. It's where I feel I can contribute most to the force."
"Good, having worked with you all this time, I agree! Now, this next question is the tough one. Let's say you are an Inspector, but eventually, God forbid, you had to relocate, would you be willing, if absolutely necessary."
"Bill, Elizabeth and I love each other, and this is our home, our children's home!"
"Wait, Nathan," Elizabeth held up her hand. "I can answer that for Bill!"
"I want Nathan to be fulfilled in his career, and that's more important to me than anything else related to this conversation. Wherever Nathan's career takes him, in whatever position he chooses, the children and I will follow and support him completely, and that's an absolute non-negotiable!"
"Elizabeth!"
"I mean it, Nathan! You have given up so much for all of us these past few years. And I won't have it again! Besides, I am happy when you are happy and when I'm by your side. The truth is, I realize now it doesn't matter wherever the place is where we happen to be! It only matters that we're together, that our family is together, and that we love and support each other."
Bill's eyes glistened, as did Nathan's, who was overwhelmed by Elizabeth's profound expression of love.
"That's exactly what I needed to know, you two! That is exactly what I needed to hear. That's quite beautiful and profound, Elizabeth! I don't think you could have answered it better. You know, I love you both, and I know with my entire bein', you are makin' the right decision here. Honestly, if you're askin' me, I don't believe my family will ever be leavin' me, and I pray you don't, but I had to know if it happened what you would do! I'm gonna go and give you two some privacy. Nathan, safe travels tomorrow! I'll see you when you return from rounds Wednesday morning,' and Elizabeth, I'll call you and the kids at the Café between 10:30 and 11 AM to come meet Hal at Nathan's Office."
"Perfect, Bill! We'll be there waiting! And Bill, thanks for loving us and taking such good care of us," smiled Elizabeth, giving him a hug and kiss to show her love and gratitude.
Nathan and Bill then gave each other the kind of warm hug a father and son would give each other.
"I can't say I understand all this, but I know you're going to bat for me whatever it is. Just know we love you and appreciate you, as well as all this extra work you've taken on. I just hope we get that help we've been needing!"
"Me too, Son! Me too! Goodnight, you two! See you both Wednesday mornin'!"
As soon as Nathan shut the door behind Bill, he turned to Elizabeth standing beside him with her arm wrapped around his. Without a word, he most tenderly began showing her how much her impassioned plea had meant to him.
But his sweet tenderness quickly became impassioned, as did hers, and they found themselves leaning against the wall by her front door, both breathless, both needing each other as never before, both knowing their children were upstairs, both making themselves pull back.
Nathan's voice was low and raspy.
"We can't kiss like that, Love!"
"But, someday?"
"Someday, soon, you have my word!"
"I love you, Nathan!"
"I love you, Lizbeth! Our love just keeps growing and growing, and I don't even know how! Come, let's sit, and let me just hold you…"
"Dad, Mama! Jack's pretty sleepy if you want to come tuck him in!"
"Come with," begged Elizabeth.
"I'd love to," bending to kiss her forehead.
Neither had missed the fact that Allie had just naturally referred to them both as her parents, their parents.
"Oh, look at you, Jack, your sister has done a great job getting you ready for bed!" exclaimed Elizabeth.
"Allie read to me too, but now I'm sleepy. Papa! You came!"
"I'm right here, Jack! Are you ready for Dreamland?"
Jack smiled at his new Papa and nodded yes as he reached for him.
Nathan sat down on the edge of the bed, with Elizabeth standing by his side.
"Papa, I heard you sing with Allie. Can you sing to me?"
"What would you like me to sing, Jack?"
"Do you know any songs about horses?"
"I think I do, but it's a lullaby I sang it to Allie when she was a baby. Do you mind that? I mean I know you're a big guy and all!"
"That's okay, I was a baby once too!"
"Oh, I remember this one, Dad, it's called "All the Pretty Little Horses!" It was my favorite of all!" (*51)
"It sure was, Princess! Your Mama and I used to sing that one together with you when I visited. And later, I sang it to you over and over, every single night! Why don't you sing it with me for Jack?"
"Is that okay, Jack!"
"Yes! Please sing, Allie! Please!"
"Alright then! I'll start. But maybe we can change it up a bit, too, to make it special, just for Jack! How about let's replace 'Baby' with 'Big Guy,' Allie?"
"Got it, Dad!"
"But can you hold me, Papa, while you and Allie sing?"
"I can, Jack!"
Nathan switched places, moving to sit with his long arms around Jack as Elizabeth sat, seating Allie in front of her on the edge of the bed where her Dad had been.
"Ready, Allie?"
"Ready, Dad!"
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Hush-a-bye, don't you cry
Go to sleep you little Big Guy
When you wake, you will have cake
And all the pretty little horses
Blacks and bays, dapples and greys
A coach and six white horses
Hush-a-bye, don't you cry
Go to sleep you little Big Guy
Way down yonder, down in the meadow
There's a poor little lamby
Bees and butterflies flitting 'round his eyes
He's crying out for his mammy
Hush-a-bye, don't you cry
Go to sleep you little Big Guy
When you wake, you will have cake
And all the pretty little horses
Blacks and bays, dapples and greys
A coach and six white horses
Blacks and bays, dapples and greys
All the pretty little horses
Hush-a-bye, don't you cry
Go to sleep you little Big Guy
Go to sleep you little Big Guy
All the pretty little horses (*52)
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After the first verse had been sung, Elizabeth gasped. Even though this was the second time she had heard them sing, she was struck by the harmonious blending of Nathan's and Allie's voices, causing her to realize all over again how beautifully they sang together. She was trying to think back over her childhood but couldn't remember ever singing with either parent. What a special gift Nathan and Allie were giving Jack!
Elizabeth wasn't at all sure she was going to be able to hide her tears, which Nathan noticed as he sang, loving her all the more.
Jack's little eyes were so heavy, but he was determined to stay awake and hear his song to the very end!
As Nathan and Allie sang the last line, he hugged Nathan.
"I love you, Papa!"
"I love you, Son!"
"I love you, Allie!"
"I love you, Jack!'
"I love you, Mama!"
"I love you, Son!"
"He's out like a light!" whispered Nathan, placing him on his pillows. "I'll tuck him in; you two go on downstairs and relax a little…"
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51-52. "All the Pretty Little Horses," the song, considered to be an old lullaby is commonly thought to be of Africa-American origin. An early published version is in "A White Dove," a 1903 story for kindergarteners by Maud McKnight Lindsay (1874-1941, a teacher from Alabama and daughter of Roberts B. Lindsay; in the story a little girl sings to her baby brother. Public Domain Information.