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Chapter Thirty-Four
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Celebrations
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Part V
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In preparation for Hope Valley's special Moonlight Street Dinner & Dance Party gifted by the Mounties for appreciation of using Hope Valley as an extended Mountie base, there was an anticipatory party feel in the air like no other!
The day was beautiful as well as hectic. By 3 PM, a team from Union City had wrapped the new huge gazebo in lighting and decked it out in a full complement of bunting along with additional Canadian Red Ensigns, which served as the country's national flag, along with additional Royal Canadian Mounted Police Standards. The same was done throughout the town, creating an air of both festivity and patriotism. (*78) (*79)
And since this was a party to last through the midnight hours, lighting was also hung diagonally across the streets of Hope Valley, providing ambiance as the summery night approached.
Stalls of all kinds were brought in from Union City, serving candies of all sorts, candied apples, cotton candy, ice cream sundaes, and all kinds of popcorn, but all in a gourmet sort of way!
Beautiful tables dressed to the nines with pristine white tablecloths, surrounded by classic, comfortable chairs, were set up around the town square, many overflowing into parts of the streets that were seldom used.
There was almost a carnival feel in the air, but elevated to a newer, much higher level of elegance and sophistication, never before seen in this beloved and quaint town.
Elegant flowers were brought in from Union City, flooding the boardwalk and decorating the beautiful new and very large gazebo, as well as the storefronts and the tables that were already carefully set for the massive crowd that was expected.
As promised, tables were also set in The Queen of Hearts and The Café, but they were being served by waiters brought in from Union City so as to give the Hope Valley staffs a break, allowing them to fully enjoy the party with everyone else!
A sophisticated Orchestra was set up, partially spanning both ends of the interior wall of the massive gazebo/stage, already playing all the current tunes and many other older, beloved ones.
And as if all that wasn't enough, a very large dance floor was positioned directly in front of the gazebo...
Excitement was exploding as the golden sun slowly lowered itself as though it were a sweet kiss from God, sending well wishes to all on this special evening while highlighting the perfection about to be experienced as people began to arrive from all over in droves.
"Look at this, Lee! The town looks positively magical!" enthused Rosemary.
"That it is. I've never seen it look more beautiful. But Rosie, doesn't Goldie need her sweater on?"
"And cover up this beautiful dress! No way, Papa!"
"Okay, for now! But when it gets chilly, that sweater is going on, my girl, beautiful dress or not!"
"No, Papa, when it gets chilly, I'm going to daycare, which is open late tonight, to take care of me and all my friends," explained the Mayor's wife, speaking in baby talk for their daughter.
People from Hope Valley, Benson Hills, Brookfield, Buxton, Rock Creek, Union City, and far beyond were arriving, thrilled to be attending this different Moonlight Street Dinner & Dance Party, excited to find out exactly what all that entailed.
Allie more than kept her part of the deal with the Deputy Commissioner, as not a family nor child of Hope Valley was missing!
All this, before the specified start time of 6 PM...
Soon, Mounties began arriving from everywhere as far as Cape Fullerton, and as an extra surprise for the new staff members hired to serve in Hope Valley, their parents had all been invited and brought in.
But the local Mounties at the bequest of the Deputy Commissioner were lined up with the Chief Inspector and all his men beside him. Judge Avery stood on the other side of the Deputy Commissioner for introductions. Together, all of them formed a receiving line that would stand there long enough to welcome everyone. Then, most of the evening, the men would mingle with their comrades, catching up and enjoying their time together.
Two very long dining tables had been elegantly set up for all the Mounties to eat together, along with their spouses or dates and families.
And the men's excitement over seeing them so unexpectedly was genuine and thrilling as each set of parents arrived one after the other, seeking out their sons, ready to celebrate with them.
But sadly, for the Deputy Commissioner and the new Chief Inspector, as designated hosts, their responsibilities wouldn't end till the last guests had left. Both men were just thankful Emily and Elizabeth would be able to dine beside them, and both were hoping to squeeze in a dance or two before the night was over. Other than those two exceptions, both men were clearly on duty for the duration…
By six PM, the party was in full swing, or so everyone mistakenly thought, with all of Hope Valley present.
"Father, Mother! I can't believe you're here!" called Alex, genuinely gob-smacked that this was really happening.
"Give your mother a hug, Son! There was no way we were missing a celebratory evening with our son! And it looks like the party is already beginning," smiled Alex's beautiful Irish mother, Maureen, who still had a bit of the brogue, along with the greenest ethereal eyes.
"Father! Welcome!"
"Alex, I told our mother you might rather I make myself scarce…"
"Oh, fiddlesticks! We are your parents. Ignore the fact your father is in his uniform. You are in yours too, and the two of you just need to accept the fact you have chosen the same profession, and that, my Loves, is that!"
"As usual, Maureen, you're right. I'll be on my best behavior if you'll be on yours, Son!" countered his father.
"Truce, Papa! I think I can manage that! Come, let me introduce you both to my new bosses, the Chief Inspector and the Deputy Commissioner!"
Patrick just smiled with those twinkling eyes of his, "You do know I'm already colleagues with both of them, right?"
"Can you just pretend tonight?" grinned Alex. "Not really, but can you at least downplay all that just a tad? I've got to get back into the receiving line right now!"
"I'll do my best, Son," chuckled Patrick O'Reilly, Chief Superintendent, as he and his wife started going through the welcoming line with Judge Avery at the very beginning...
In the meantime, Peyton spotted his mother, looking to Nathan, who nodded with a slight grin, giving him permission to leave the line as he had just done for Alex to greet his parents a few moments ago.
"Mama, I can't believe you're here!" shouted Peyton, lifting her up off the ground and swinging her around.
"Son, I wouldn't have missed this for the world!"
But Minnie had seen the exchange.
"Joseph, I can't believe it! My best friend, Mattie's here!" shrieked Minnie through tears.
"Go! Go hug her!" nudged Joseph. "Angela and I will be right behind you!"
Minnie ran as fast as she could go, and that was when Mattie saw Minnie.
"Oh, Peyton, it's Minnie! I can't believe this!"
"Minnie, who?"
"My best friend from college, that's who!"
By now, both friends were laughing and crying while running toward each other!
Meanwhile, Joseph led Angela to where the two women were greeting each other.
"I just can't believe this, Mattie. I lost your address during our move here to Hope Valley, and I can't tell you how much I've missed you!"
"I wondered what had happened. Here I got a letter every two weeks and then nothing. I had no idea where to send mine because they kept coming back to me! Oh, where are my manners? This is my son, Peyton!"
"This is little Peyton? Oh, my goodness. He's one of our new Mounties!"
"And this is our daughter, Angela, Mattie. She's grown quite a bit too!"
"Hi, Mrs. Hubbard! Hi Peyton," Angela added shyly.
"Hi, Angela, I'm so glad you're here tonight for the party!" smiled Peyton, whose smile upon seeing her had brightened and broadened.
Mattie and Minnie both noticed, both confused, but both still smiling.
"You know each other?" asked Minnie, surprised.
"Yes, Mama, we've met briefly, and then Peyton was introduced yesterday at the Mountie Introduction Meeting for the town," explained Angela patiently without going into further detail. "Remember?"
"Oh, Angela, you have grown into a beautiful young lady! So beautiful!" smiled Mattie, giving Angela a great big hug. "Peyton, I can't believe it! Here I was worried about you not knowing anyone, and you not only came to a town where my dearest friend lives, but you found her for me as well! I can't tell you how much this means to me!"
"Mama, I hate to leave you, I really do. But will you be alright to stay with the Canfields until our receiving line is over? Then I'll come find you to sit by me for dinner at the Mountie tables!"
"Come with us, Mattie! We already have our family table, so you can come to sit with us till Peyton finishes," invited Joseph, thrilled to welcome both mother and son to their fair town. "Our table's not far from the Café. Just come find us when you're ready to seat your mother, Peyton!"
"That's so nice of you. Thank you, Sir. I'll be sure to find you," and he smiled at Angela, which Angela felt while biting her lower lip, hardly able to breathe.
'Could this really be happening,' she thought to herself.
Whereas Peyton was pretty much thinking the same thing…
As the streets of Hope Valley filled to overflowing, the Deputy Commissioner allowed all of his men to relax.
"At ease, Gentlemen!"
"Tonight's party is to honor both you and Hope Valley! Go find your loved ones, bring them to our tables, and find your places. There will be photographers coming around to our dinner tables to take family portraits throughout the evening! Tonight is your special night, so just have the best time ever!"
"Chief Superintendent O'Reilly, you and Maureen are the heads of the second table, along with Judge Bill Avery and Staff Sergeant Valen at the opposite end. Chief Inspector Grant, you and Elizabeth are the heads of our first table here, with Allie and Jack seated beside you, whereas Emily and I will be sitting at the opposite end."
All the men yelled "Maintiens le Droit!" together, tossing their Stetsons up into the air, then elatedly, they did as their Senior Commanding Officer had just commanded. (*80)
Little did the Mounties know, that was the signal for the party to literally explode…
Instantly, as everyone was seated, there was controlled chaos done more elegantly than can be imagined.
Hal quickly kissed Emily, exchanging a look of love that only they understood, then proudly led her to their end of the first table, where Bill interceded, kissing his dear friend's wife on the cheek, giving her a warm, welcoming embrace.
At the head of the first table, Nathan gently touched Elizabeth's shoulder and reached to kiss her ever so sweetly on the cheek. He then kissed Allie and Jack while also tousling his son's hair, who were both beyond excited for this party to start!
"Papa, you're here!" announced Jack excitedly.
"Welcome! I am Jack! And thanks to all of you for so patiently waiting for me!" apologized Nathan in a low voice but with a confident, radiant smile.
"We've been absolutely fine! Allie's taken Jack to greet all their friends. And I've been talking with Emily and Maureen, which was a fascinating conversation in and of itself!" assured Elizabeth, who was thrilled to have conversed with both ladies, espousing their advice and wisdom.
"I'm so glad, Lizbeth! They both are extraordinary ladies."
"And so lovely and wise. I learned a lot and have made two new, dear, lifetime friends in the process! They've even recruited me to serve on the planning committee for the next Mountie Ball!"
"That's absolutely wonderful! Now, I feel much better for having had to leave you."
After a long chat with the Deputy Commissioner and his wife, the Judge moved to the second table to greet Patrick and his wife, Maureen, at the head of his own table. There, he shook hands with and embraced Patrick, then kissed his wife's cheek, warmly chatting with them for a few moments before noticing Staff Sergeant Valen and taking his place to sit by him at the opposite end of the table.
Now, with everyone in their proper seats for dinner, the night was truly about to begin…
First, there was a loud drum roll from the orchestra housed in the gazebo!
The outdoor drapes that had been hung inside the gazebo railing briefly closed, then reopened, with the orchestra transitioning to the cheeriest classical music ever heard, resounding in sheer delight throughout the town.
As if by magic, a band of jugglers suddenly appeared, prancing in all directions through the large crowd, who received them so excitedly by clapping loudly to show their appreciation. The attention to detail was amazing as each juggler was dressed in similar outfits but all in different color combinations, with each juggler juggling not only different items but items of different colors to match their outfits!
Next came a group of tumblers, marching and rolling down the street, who were accompanied by men in similar costumes riding monstrously front-wheeled bicycles, called 'penny farthings, high-wheelers, or ordinaries,' weaving in and out, somehow miraculously balancing them in the process from sitting up so very high above everyone else! (*81)
A few minutes later, an even larger band of mimes appeared, dressed all in black and white, but walking in different directions from the jugglers while telling various pantomiming stories to each of the various tables as they moved. Unlike the tumblers, this group was accompanied by men, also dressed as mimes, who were pantomiming stories with their hands while riding their unicycles to and fro!
The crowd was intrigued, clapping even more and more, wondering what could possibly come next.
But no one could have ever expected what it would be!
"Look!" yelled the children and even a few teens, along with quite a few adults.
A small battalion of Mounties appeared, or was that large? Or huge? Or gigantic? Or gargantuan?
However, these weren't Mounties like any who had ever been seen before. These Mounties were in huge Red Serges with huge Navy and Yellow-striped Jodhpurs with gigantic Stetsons and even bigger 'Boots!' What was most unique of all was that the huge and extremely tall Mounties were on stilts, seemingly walking everywhere while towering over all the people in Hope Valley.
"Papa, lift me! Lift me!"
And Nathan did just as Jack requested, so he had as clear a view as possible of all the magnificent stilted 'Mounties!'
The applause was so loud, it was almost deafening.
Everyone was elated with the show being put on, one surprise after another!
There was so much laughter and so much joy from all ages; there simply couldn't have been a more delightful or more fascinating beginning to this most unique party!
Many people got up to interact with the performers, while others visited the stands to get pre-dinner drinks, or visit with friends they hadn't seen in a while.
But whatever people chose to do, everyone was already elated with the evening, thrilled they were here getting to experience it all!
Little did the party attendees know, all this, though, was only the prelude…
Suddenly, the band softened their music, then moved into a crescendo, signaling something very special was about to happen, causing people to return to their tables and await the surprise.
"Papa, this is the best party I've ever been to," exclaimed Allie, about to pop with excitement.
Then, she excused herself to speak with the Deputy Commissioner at the end of their table.
"Thank you, Sir! You were right," whispered Allie. "This is the absolute best ever! But I already know your favorite!"
"You do," asked Hal, surprised because he hadn't told her his favorite when they had spoken last night.
"The mimes!"
"Now, how did you know that, Young Lady?"
"I'm a Mountie's daughter, and you mentioned Paris!"
Hal reared back in his chair and chuckled along with Allie's proud Papa at the head of this table and proud Uncle Bill at the next table!
"She's got that one right! I think the girl's a born Inspector, Nathan!"
"If you only knew, Sir," called out Nathan, so very proud of his daughter.
"What do you think, Jack?" asked his Papa.
"This is the bestest party I ever saw, Papa!"
"Agreed, but there's another surprise, I believe, coming in just a moment!"
Jack clapped, looking everywhere to see, until Nathan pointed him to the gazebo stage.
"But Papa, the curtains are closed!"
"Three, two, one, open sesame!" chuckled Nathan, and as if by magic, the draperies opened with a flourish of jazz music and a swish of the curtains. (*82)
The spotlight centered on the lone Mountie standing in the very center of the stage, though there was still some light.
"Let the Magic Show begin, Hope Valley!" introduced Sergeant Gabriel Kinslow in a loud, booming voice.
"Uncle Gabe!" shouted Allie, who by now was back in her seat, which prompted Jack to shout out the same thing.
"That's my fan club," Gabe deadpanned. "Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls! Gather around and be prepared to be more amazed than you can imagine. Tonight, we enter a world that takes us into a new realm far beyond the ordinary that binds us. It's a place where reality no longer exists, and the only limitation is your very vivid imagination! Come along with me…and YOU shall see for YOURSELF!"
"Our magician is extraordinary, a master of his craft among masters, and here tonight, on this very stage, he will manufacture dreams and weave them into untold mysteries that will leave you stunned!"
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, I present to you the best, the greatest, the most magnificent Magician of our time, a true pioneer of the field, the Master Magician, Harry Houdini!" (*83)
Gabe held out his hand welcoming the great magician, who walked out in awed silence, perusing the audience, turning slowly so the crowd could see his hands were securely handcuffed and locked in chains behind his back.
The magician then turned back to face his audience with a knowing smile on his face.
Suddenly, he seemingly swung his golden handcuffed arms up high over his head in one fell swoop, dramatically and slowly lowering them to the front. But before he could get them down to his waist, he broke them apart in mid-air, swinging his freed arms out high, with the chains now split and hanging down from his arms, to thunderous applause.
But the bigger conundrum was that on closer look, the golden handcuffs had completely disappeared from both his wrists and the now unbound chains. The magician even turned his pockets inside out to show his audience they were not on his person.
So the magician and his assistants, waving long gold silk scarfs across the stage, encircled Gabriel, who was still on the stage, standing off to the side with his arms behind his back, but when the magician spun him around, there were the same golden handcuffs miraculously locked on Gabe's wrists that had previously been on the magician's own wrists!
The applause just got louder and louder!
"And with that, Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, the show is just beginning as we move into the world of daring escapes and unbelievable illusions," announced the great performer. "May I have a volunteer from the audience, please?"
And so, the show brilliantly began with every chair in Hope Valley turned toward this master of the stage…
The Magic Show was a hit beyond anything the town had expected and would undoubtedly be talked about for months, if not longer.
For the first real act, two Mounties brought Newton and Sergeant to stand, facing each other in front of the stage. And though Nathan had tried his best to get the horses to allow another Mountie to command their trick, the two horses together refused and would only do it for him. So, Nathan first reassured Jack.
"Jack, the next act is a trick, and I promise that Newton, Sergeant, and I are safe, and we'll be right back, okay?"
"Okay, Papa!"
Nathan winked reassuringly to Jack and Allie, then hurried to the front, where he turned to face the audience, standing between the heads of both horses with an apple in each outstretched hand, the horses facing him while also facing each other.
The Chief Inspector spoke both horses' names commandingly and held out his hands.
"Newton, Sergeant! Bow, please!"
The horses did exactly as he asked and bowed to each other and to him amid thunderous applause.
But again, this was just the beginning.
As there was more – a lot more!
The Great Houdini himself walked onto center stage above and behind Nathan, Newton, and Sergeant and the cage, towering over them. With a theatrical flourish as only he could do, lights with a cloudlike substance were set off simultaneously across the stage and at the same time on the ground before the cage doors that had now somehow dropped in front of our Mountie and his favorite horses. (*84)
The crowd gasped as they watched their beloved Mountie and his two horses disappear right before their very eyes.
Everyone had seen all three just an instant ago. Then suddenly, they were gone as though they, too, were as vaporous as the puffs of smoke!
"They've disappeared!" screamed those up close.
"They're gone!" someone shouted.
"They're really gone!" another yelled.
"Where did they go?" another shrieked.
"Yes, indeed, they are gone," agreed Houdini. "But never fear, I shall return them immediately to the people who love them. Though I need complete silence, as I must concentrate!" (*85)
What the audience didn't see was that Nathan, the real 'Equestrian Master,' was keeping his horses quite calm, though how remains a secret.
Then, there was a moment of deafening silence, with everyone's heart pounding a bit faster than before.
This time, the Master Magician executed more complicated, intricate flourishes and, with the help of his beautiful assistants, set off the theatrical lights with their cloudlike substance one last time across the upper stage as well as in front of the cage doors on the ground before where Nathan, Newton, and Sergeant had been, though now the clouds were all in Serge red! (*86)
Suddenly, those close could see that Nathan, Newton, and Sergeant were standing exactly as they had previously been seen, behind the cage-like bars!
Only then were the cage doors opened fully, revealing them once more, still in their exact same positions, where all three could now clearly be seen by the entire crowd, to shouts, shrieks, and vociferous clapping.
No one but Houdini, his assistants, and the Chief Inspector, along with Newton and Sergeant, of course, knew the secret, making the magnificent trick a phenomenal success and one that stupefied everyone, leaving it the talk of the town for the entire night and even days, weeks, and many, many months to come! (*87)
To say the applause grew to be beyond thunderous was a huge understatement.
The people simply wanted more, which the Master Magician was most happy to oblige, offering one mind-blowing trick after another, though this one remained their favorite, most stupefying of all...
(*88)
But even with the stupendous performance, the gourmet meal served to everyone wasn't at all to be overlooked either, as there were too many selections of the most delectable food to be imagined, all of which were served by cheery, meticulous waiters.
From gourmet burgers and hot dogs to Pigs-in-a-Blanket for the children to a full course meal of Shrimp Cocktail, to a selection of Brown Sugared Baked Ham, Chicken-ala-King, or a selection of every kind of Grilled Steak possible, to every kind of potato dish, to every imaginable vegetable in the form of a specially-made-casserole, to Caesar Salad or Waldorf Salad!
Then along came the desserts from Bananas Flambé, to Chocolate Mousse, to Classic Infused Crème Brûlée, to Lemon Icebox Cake, to Pineapple Upside Down Cake, and more!
And if one couldn't decide what they wanted to try most, they simply got to try it all!
That's not to mention the many stands of various foods that were available to all throughout the night.
"What a meal," exclaimed Nathan.
"And doesn't it taste even better under the stars!" smiled Elizabeth.
"That it does, Love!"
"Look at the lights," exclaimed Jack. "They're so pretty!"
"They sure are, Jack!" smiled Nathan. "Can you see the North Star shining so brightly?"
"Where, Papa?"
"Right there, Son," directed Nathan, to Jack's delight.
"Look, Goldie! Look at the lights!" pointed Rosemary, who was sitting with Lee at a nearby table.
"She's a full and sleepy, Little Princess. Here, Rosie, let me take her to Daycare. Jack, do you want to come with Goldie and me?" called his Uncle Lee.
"You could play with your toy basket I dropped by earlier," reminded his Mama, attempting to nudge Jack a bit in that direction.
"Can I come back?"
"Why don't you help your teachers with Goldie? Then, Allie, your Papa, and I will come for you. Okay?"
"But I want to stay!"
"We're only going to be dancing. The shows are over, Jack," winked his Auntie Rosie, already at the long table, attempting to nudge Jack further.
"But I love to dance, and I want to dance with Allie!"
"I tell you what, Jack! How about we dance? Then I'll walk with you to Daycare so you can see Lily and help with Goldie. Does that sound fun?" asked Allie.
Jack nodded in agreement.
"Then let's go dance, Jack!"
Those remaining around the table couldn't help but chuckle.
"Well, that took some doing!" declared Rosemary, making her rounds to the Judge's table. "Bill Avery, are you going to ask me to dance or not?"
"Rosemary, may I have this dance!"
"I thought you'd never ask," laughed Rosemary as Bill led her to the dance floor.
"Emily, may I have this dance with my beautiful wife, who has traveled miles and miles to come to be with me?"
"I would be delighted, Dear Husband!"
Both laughing, Hal, then led his beautiful wife to the dance floor.
As their table had somewhat cleared out by now, it was Nathan's turn.
"You are slaying me in that splendid gown! But still, it can't hold a candle to your even more gorgeous face in the moonlight! Dance with me, Lizbeth!"
She loved the way his love for her was laid bare – authentic, full, and all-encompassing – not ever hidden in his words, but on full display.
Without saying a word, Elizabeth gave Nathan her hand, not taking their eyes off each other as he led her to the dance floor.
There, holding her hand tightly clasped in his, next to his heart, just like the first time they had danced together, he pulled her into his arms, and literally swept her off her feet.
Laying her head on his shoulder, both breathless with love, she could only whisper.
"What a magical, magical night…"
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78. "Canadian Red Ensigns," the de facto Canadian National flag from 1868 to 1965; based on the ensign flown by British Merchant Ships from 1707; the three successive forms of the Canadian Ensign bore the Canadian Coats of Arms 1868, 1921, and 1957; was used on land and sea and on all public buildings. Public Domain Information.
79. "Royal Canadian Mounted Police Standards," the RCMP has numerous ensigns, though the Headquarters Ensign or Guidon is the RCMP's traditional regimental flag based on the tradition of British Army Calvary Regiments. Public Domain Information.
80. "Maintiens le Droit," French for 'Uphold the Right,' the official motto of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; the use was first advocated in 1873 and adopted 2 years later in 1875. Public Domain Information.
81. "Penny Farthings, High-wheelers, or Ordinaries," names for huge bicycles with extremely large front wheels and small back wheels. Public Domain Information.
82. "Open Sesame," phrase first appears in the French translation of "One Thousand and One Nights (published between 1704-1717) by Antoine Galland as Sésame, ouvre-toi, meaning 'Sesame, open yourself;' in the story, Ali Baba, overhears one of the 40 thieves saying "open sesame" to gain entrance into the thieves' cave. Public Domain Information.
83-88. "Harry Houdini," originally named Erik Weisz, but known as Harry Houdini, was a Hungarian-American escape artist, illusionist, stunt performer, and aviator noted for his escape acts; remembered as a 'master magician' of great fame or one of the greatest magicians and escape artists in history (3/24/1874 – 11/31/1926), his legacy has lived on despite his early death. Public Domain Information.