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Nathan & Elizabeth: An Epic Love

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Chapter Thirty-Nine

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Aftermath

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Breathless, Finn was the first to the bloody scene, with Andrew and Zane rushing in just behind.

Given the way Nathan was crouched so low, practically lying over the assailant, when they first entered, for one horrific moment, they thought their Chief was the one who had been shot, especially since the screams were coming from his assailant underneath him, who was still very much alive.

Though intent on completing his task of securing said assailant, sensing their presence, the Chief still let them know.

"I'm fine. Not hit. Just getting the cuffs secure. We have a shoulder wound, with bullet embedded, upper right quadrant."

Once Finn carefully assisted him in lifting the prisoner, it was much easier to see exactly what had happened.

By the time their Corporals got there, it was utterly clear to all that the Chief Inspector had bravely opted to shoot the gun out of his target's hand, with his bullet intentionally going into the assailant's shoulder, keeping said assailant alive, rather than shooting to kill.

Each of them knew there had to be a good reason that, in a split second, their Chief had chosen that much more dangerous and riskier path.

It was a living lesson that each one was taking to heart, questioning themselves if they would have had the courage to do the same.

Still, Nathan was choosing to leave his assailant's cuffs behind him due to the extreme level of criminality and higher risk of escape, despite the criminal's pronounced degree of pain.

"Gentlemen, though this stays with us only, meet the real Casimir Shaw!"

"Sir, how did you do that?" whispered an astounded Finn without the prisoner hearing, who was in agony over his shoulder.

"Angles, Finn! Huge assist when done right. But you must be sure before it's attempted," he murmured low." I'll show you how when we get time, but it takes lots of practice and must be carried out with assurance in a split second!"

"I can totally see that!"

"Alex, call Christian, make sure the Deputy Commissioner and his wife are okay, and get an update regarding my earlier call with him. Also, thank him for the warning. He saved my life. Tell him I have the real Casimir Shaw, alive, though we aren't announcing that to anyone, and that the prisoner is looking at shoulder surgery, right upper quadrant. Then, call in a rush order for Level 1 prisoner reinforcements from Union City. Let them know we won't be able to move him till he recovers at least a day, possibly more."

"Yes, Sir!"

"Finn, take everyone but Bill and Alex with you to guard the prisoner while Dr. Carter is removing the bullet. No one takes their eyes off of him under any circumstances. Understood? Also, the Doctor needs to know to return the prisoner to jail as quickly as possible, even if we have to set up a mini trauma/recovery unit in the jail. She isn't safe without him fully constrained. Above all else, keep her safe. Also, be aware that there could be an attempt by his colleagues to free him, so take all necessary precautions. Be especially vigilant till our relief comes. Make sure that he is completely covered 24:7 till said relief arrives, and even after with at least two of our own present along with them at all times!"

"Yes, Sir, got it! Let's get him to the Infirmary!"

"Oh, and Finn, again, under no circumstances do we release the prisoner's name to anyone!"

"Got it, Sir!"

As soon as the men left, Bill did something he had never done before, he embraced Nathan, almost in tears.

"This one was way too close, Son!"

"Yes, it was, Bill! How did you know to come?"

"Allie!"

"Thank God for my Girl!"

"What can I say? You've trained her very well, indeed! How did he enter?"

"Came through the front door like he owned the place. I was upstairs calling Christian to protect Hal and Emily, who told me to get out. I came down the back stairs immediately, heard someone toward the front door, then saw the gun pointed at my heart, but at the same time, saw his scar above the right eye. Knew it was Casimir. Kept him talking and shot from behind your column. He didn't see it coming. But we need him alive, Bill!"

"I'll take care of this mess. Here comes the family! I don't want Jack seein' all this blood."

"I'll go outside."

"Not without me, you're not! Nathan Grant, you are NOT leavin' my sight. Period! And I mean it. Not for a single second! Do you understand me?"

Nathan nodded, still in shock, masked so well that only Bill could have recognized it.

"Hey, Jack!"

"Papa! Papa! Did you get the bad guy?"

"I did, Jack! But we have to remember to thank God for helping me. Mounties always need help, Jack!"

Even as nervous as Elizabeth was, her heart melted that Nathan was keeping it real for Jack without letting his little mind glamorize everything.

Nathan hugged the boy as he turned, from behind, so he could get him back outside without seeing all the blood, at the same time motioning his head for Elizabeth and Allie to step back out onto the boardwalk as well.

"Allie Girl, those Mountie instincts of yours were spot on! Great job! You, Young Lady, may have just saved your Papa," and he stretched to kiss her, touching her face so tenderly.

"I love you so much, Papa!"

"To the moon and back, Allie Girl! To the moon and back a thousand times. And don't you ever forget it!"

Then Elizabeth could stand back no longer, rushing toward him, enveloping him with kisses, not caring at all that the children were right there, seeing every single one.

"Nathan, are you absolutely sure you're okay?"

He gave her that tender look that melted her heart.

"I give you my word, I am fine. I'll admit, this one was close. Very close. But, thankfully, God was with me."

"We prayed and prayed! Joseph led the entire Café in prayer, and he prayed for Hal and Emily as well."

"I'm so glad. I needed it, and they really needed it every bit as much, Lizbeth! I'll tell you what I can about it when things calm down! Thank Joseph for me if you see him before I do."

Having kissed him thoroughly, Elizabeth couldn't let go, with both her arms still tightly around his waist.

"Who was it?"

"I can't say, Babe, but it's as big as it gets!"

She nodded, putting two and two together.

He cupped her chin.

"Hey, I am fine, Lizbeth! I am really fine! But, are you okay?"

"I will be! I promise I will be! Just still shaky!"

"I understand. That's to be expected, and I'm so sorry!"

"No, Nathan! You have absolutely nothing to be sorry about regarding your job. We are in this together!"

Nathan smiled wanly and knelt to speak with both Allie and Jack.

"Listen up, you two, everything is alright now, but how about a second camp out at Allie's tonight?"

"Yay!" shouted Jack. "Can Uncle Bill come too?"

"You better believe your Uncle Bill will be there," assured Bill, standing as close as he could, covering Nathan while still trying to give him some privacy.

"Lizbeth, do you mind taking the kids to my place for the night, as it's a bit more secure? I won't come home without Bill to chaperone."

"Jack and I will need to get our things. Is that okay?

"Only with Lee and tell him gun drawn, without letting you out of his sight," ordered Nathan.

She nodded.

"But you three are staying here with me till I can get Lee to escort you as well, understood?"

"Yes. I think I actually prefer it that way tonight!"

"Good, Love!"

"Sir, excuse me," interrupted Alex with notes. "The Deputy Commissioner and his wife are safe; the two perpetrators in their security team were apprehended as they attempted to draw their guns for no known reason. Though it is clear their intent was to shoot the DC."

"Thank, God, they are both safe! Were the two on Emily's team?"

"How did you know that, Sir?"

"Her team has to be upgraded to his level as well, given their automatic access to him. At least till some things are resolved. Explain my logic to Christian so he can get the switch made as quickly as possible."

"Yes, Sir! This next piece of information you won't like, Sir! But the DC has ordered you and your family to be placed under extra security this weekend to be continued till further notice. Your team is classified security and arrives ASAP from Headquarters."

"Got it! It's my family I hate it for, but I was sure that was coming! Call Christian back and tell him I will be calling him on the secure line within the half hour, but for now, ask him if they have any info as to why CS was alone. Also, ask him if they've completed a sweep of the area. I'm concerned we may need additional reinforcements if they think more of his men are close by."

Alex hesitated as he glanced at Allie and Jack, which, of course, Allie noticed, even in the dark, but then he turned so they wouldn't hear.

"Sir, I cleaned up the blood. I thought everyone would be more comfortable, as well as more secure inside."

"Yes, thank you, Alex. I'll feel much safer with them being inside. But they stay downstairs for easy escape…"

When all was said and done, including a temporary team of two brought in from Buxton to guard both entrances of Nathan's house till his classified security team could arrive, Nathan and the people he loved were finally as secure as they could currently be.

Allie, still reeling from the fact she could have easily lost her Papa, had talked Jack into having his tent in her bedroom in an attempt to give the three adults the privacy she knew they would need to discuss all the ramifications of the evening.

"We're in good hands with Benji and Lawrence. They'll even wait with us till we're ready to leave for Buxton and travel back with us," announced Nathan after touching base with both of his colleagues.

But on his way back inside, he stopped at their cupboard to grab a couple of pillows and quilts for the Judge that were kept in the bottom cabinet base.

"Make yourself comfortable, Bill," stacking the pillows and quilts on one end of the settee the Judge was sitting on.

"Quilt or throw, Beautiful?"

"This throw is plenty, Love, since you built the fire."

Sitting in Nathan's big leather chair, she scooted over, inviting him to join her there.

He tucked his large body in beside her, wrapping his long arm around her without even thinking about it, but as soon as he did and she snuggled in beside him, both Bill and Elizabeth could see he visibly relaxed.

"My bed has clean sheets, if you'd like to go, try to get some sleep. Bill's got the settee, and I can take this chair."

"Nathan, we are not letting you sleep in a chair!"

"What? I've fallen soundly asleep many times right here in this very spot," he winked. "The most comfortable spot in the house, as far as I'm concerned."

"Besides, nice try. But you aren't getting rid of me that easily. Maybe later, but not till we talk."

"Told you that malarkey wouldn't work!" muttered Bill. (*93)

"Then let's talk about what a wonderful day we're going to be having tomorrow, though that's now actually today. And I hear it's the weekend, so let's just make it a wonderful weekend while we're at it."

"After the week we've had, it has to be a wonderful weekend! The most wonderful weekend ever!" beamed Elizabeth.

Nathan smiled that crooked grin of his.

"I like how you think, Babe! The most wonderful weekend ever! What if we just commit here and now to make it so, no matter what?"

"I love that idea! Consider us committed. But, Nathan Grant, are you hiding something from me?"

"Me? Would I do that?"

"That's quite debatable," she looked at him skeptically through narrowed eyes, knowing she was far from figuring this man out and might never accomplish that task, as it seemed he was always surprising her with how wonderful he truly was.

"Nathan, she isn't gonna rest till we at least give her somethin'," motioned Bill with raised eyebrows.

"Okay, here's something! In the morning, Bill and I are making his famous chocolate chunk pancakes for all while you sleep upstairs with the kids. Then we head out to Buxton for the day in that beautiful new luxury car you must have seen Hal driving around town," he hinted with sparkling eyes.

"But I thought that car went back to Regina with him and Emily," she responded, deliciously confused as far as the men were concerned.

Bill chuckled.

"Do you two even talk?'

"Bill, that's exactly what we're attempting to do now," glared Nathan, though playfully so. "I mean, I have been sort of busy!"

"What am I missing here? Why do I feel like you two talk in code when I'm around, even when we are talking about the snazziest new car Hope Valley has ever seen, which can't be classified information, nor top secret! Hey, I'd settle for a car, period. Any car! Though that one was maybe the most beautiful one I've ever seen," she added longingly.

"Are you gonna tell her? The suspense is killin' even me!" groused Bill.

"That 'snazziest new car Hope Valley has ever seen,' as you call it, happens to be our new car, Lizbeth!"

"What? And you all didn't think that might be something that would interest me?"

Bill and Nathan both chuckled.

"I wanted to surprise you!"

"Well, consider me surprised! Shocked even! How is that car yours or ours, as you say?"

"It's part of the package deal of being Chief Inspector. It has the latest security features out there. Seems the car they had ordered for me, which apparently was almost as nice but not quite, is on backorder until spring. Christian found this beauty right in Union City, so Hal ecstatically drove it to Hope Valley, which was brand new, off the lot for me, instead."

"Though the man was tempted to abscond and take it with him!" chuckled Bill.

"That he was. He plans to order a couple just like it for him and the Commissioner as soon as he returns to Regina!"

"Well, I'm most certainly impressed and shocked. So, you are telling me that is the car we are driving to Buxton tomorrow or today or whatever it is?"

"That's exactly what we're telling you!" grinned Nathan.

His words and his grin leaving the love of his life more flummoxed than ever…

Clang went the crashing pans!

"Bill, can you please be a little quieter? I want Elizabeth to sleep as long as she can!"

"Hmph! You're the only man I know who would push her out of your arms to insist she sleep in your bed while you slept downstairs in a cold leather chair!"

"Bill, I listened to enough gossip when she was with Lucas. I am not about to allow any more fodder for that mill!"

"Then marry the girl!"

Nathan rolled his eyes.

"I can't exactly do it in the middle of breakfast."

"I don't know, I am a Judge," deadpanned Bill, adding yet more chocolate chunks to his pancake batter.

"Cute, Bill. Real cute!"

"I hope you know I am comin' to Buxton with you today. Whether you like it or not!"

"Actually, wouldn't have it any other way, even if we weren't worried about security. You're family, Bill. But if you can occupy the kids (and you are the only one I trust to leave them with), say maybe during a separate lunch with them, that might give me a chance to really talk with Elizabeth about – well – about the past we need to address."

"Say it out loud, Nathan. I refuse to let that particular 'what-if' impact your life any more than it has to, you hear me?"

"Loud and clear, Judge. I just hope she takes it as well."

"If you present it 'as well,' she'll take it 'as well!'"

"That simple?"

"That simple!"

"Papa, Uncle Bill! We get pancakes?" asked Jack, wiping the sleep from his eyes.

Nathan picked him up, lifting him up to the ceiling to the copious giggles the action always elicited.

"We get my famous chocolate chunk pancakes, Jackaroo!" exclaimed Bill proudly.

"Yay!"

"Good morning, Little Mountie!"

"Good morning, Uncle Bill!"

"Good morning, Princess!'

"Good morning, Papa! Is it okay if we're still in our night clothes? Jack was hungry!" asked Allie, kissing her Papa's cheek.

"It's perfect! You both look pretty adorable together!" grinned her Dad, returning her good morning kiss.

"Where's Mama?"

"I hope still asleep. She slept in my bed last night while your Uncle Bill and I slept down here."

"Oh! The door was closed, so I didn't see. I think she was pretty upset about everything last night."

"Then the rest will do her good. What about you, Allie Girl? You okay?"

Allie sighed heavily.

"Yes, Sir! It just takes a while after. That's all. But I'll be fine after we have tons of fun today on our day trip!"

"That's the spirit! Make a list of things you want to do in Buxton, and between your Uncle Bill and me, we'll try to fit them all in."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously…"

While Nathan was introduced to his new classified-level security team at his rowhouse, he had Benji and Lawrence escort Elizabeth and Jack to their house so they could get dressed for their day trip to Buxton.

Elizabeth had also prepared some snacks the day before that she needed to pack in a hamper for their car trip to and from.

"Jack, I laid your clothes out on your bed. Can you please start getting dressed while your Mama fixes our snacks?"

"Yes, Mama!"

But then there was a knock on the door, and Elizabeth heard Rosemary tangling with Benji.

"Seriously, I'm her very best friend in the world. Of course, I'm letting myself in!"

"Ma'am," called Benji, opening the door slightly while blocking Rosemary's entrance to her great chagrin.

"It's okay, Benji, Rosemary is my best friend and lives next door! Come on in, Rosemary!"

"What is going on in this town?"

"You'll have to ask Nathan for the scoop, but a lot from what I saw last night. Though Nathan and Bill couldn't really tell me anything. I just know I almost lost Nathan last night!"

"Oh, Elizabeth! No!"

"I'm alright, Rosemary. Because he's alright! I love him desperately, and I have to learn there will be times like this. But let's not talk about all that. We have both decided this is going to be the most wonderful weekend of our lives! And we are starting it with a road trip with the kids to Buxton, in Nathan's brand-new car, no less!"

"Brand new car? That snazzy black and white number that Hal was driving?"

"How did you know?"

"Well, I thought it was Hal's, but I noticed it was still parked in the same spot in front of The Queen of Hearts after he and Emily left!"

Elizabeth giggled.

"That would be the one!"

"Why did you not tell me?"

"Because I didn't know! Not till the middle of last night! I haven't even seen it myself yet. Nathan's been very busy all week, Rosemary!"

"I'll say. I haven't even been able to get through to him!'

"Rosemary!'

"Well, it's my job! Especially with all the Mountie action going on this week!"

"I heard he's giving you all the exclusives!"

"That's true, actually," brightened Rosemary, proud as a peacock over her exclusives. "What can I do to help?"

"Can you check to see if Jack has finished dressing while I put all this in the hamper…"

With Nathan driving and Elizabeth in the front passenger seat, Bill sat in the back by Allie, and Jack snuggled in between them, so excited about their family outing together that despite everything, they were actually beginning to relax.

Security was divided inside two secure black cars, one in front and one in back, while Benji and Lawrence led the way back to Buxton.

"Mama, where did you get your sunglasses?"

"Fiona bought them in San Francisco. I got her some special makeup she wanted the last time I was in Hamilton, so she brought me these as a thank you!"

"They look wonderful, Lizbeth!"

"Thank you, Love!"

"Do you think maybe I could find a pair in Buxton?"

"I know just the place! However, they are a bit pricier here as they are harder to come by than in the bigger cities. But I think we can manage!" assured Elizabeth, turning to smile at her daughter.

"I can't wait!"

"Allie, have you made your list?"

"I have, Papa!"

"Is there anything we need to do together?"

"Yes, Sir. But it's actually Mama and you and me, together, if that's alright?"

"Lay it on me!"

"Do you mind going with Mama and me to our favorite dress shop, Regal Grace? It's the one that has the second-hand room in the back with clothes from Paris, and I wanted you to help us pick out some things, since we have never gotten to do that before in a real dress shoppe! Would that be okay?"

"That would be way more than okay! I'd love to do that with my two girls!"

Allie beamed, and so did Elizabeth, both loving Nathan calling them his two girls!

"Regal Grace just happens to be where the largest selection of sunglasses is, as well. So, Allie, we can kill two birds with one stone, so to speak!"

"I don't want us to kill two birds, Mama!" interjected Jack, about to cry.

"Oh, no, Sweetie. No one is killing any birds! It's just a saying, Jack, that means doing two things at once," explained his Mama with a wink.

"Oh!"

Everyone chuckled, giggled, and laughed, including Jack, as contentment, along with excitement about what was to come, and a whole lot of happiness filled their new car.

"I have never seen a more beautiful car," exclaimed Elizabeth. "Inside and out!"

"It's gorgeous, Papa! I can't believe it's ours. I mean, this is a pretty nice perk!"

Nathan chuckled.

"That it is, Allie Girl! Are you guys comfortable back there," he asked, turning with a grin.

"I'll say! This thing is the smoothest ride I've ever seen!" announced Allie proudly.

"Little Mountie has that right! This is every bit as good as ridin' upfront. Maybe I'll have to drive on the way back so the kids and I can switch places with you two, and you can see for yourself!'

"Can I ride up front, too?" asked Jack.

"You better believe it, Jack, right between me and Allie!"

Elizabeth moved her hand so that it rested on Nathan's thigh.

Since they couldn't really hold hands consistently with him driving, or at least not till he felt more comfortable driving his new car, this would have to do.

Especially since, as long as they were connected in some way, both seemed to relax.

Nathan and Elizabeth glanced at each other, liking Bill's idea for their return trip very much, indeed…

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93. "Malarkey," refers to foolish ideas or insincere or exaggerated talk; though the exact origin remains unknown, the word originated in America during the 1920's, and was popularized by the Irish-American cartoonist Thomas Aloysius ("Tad") Dorgan (1877-1929), who began using it in cartoons on March 9, 1922. Public Domain Information.