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Nathan & Elizabeth: An Epic Love

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Chapter Forty-nine

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Capital City

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Part IV

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A very happy Edna McCoy returned from her blitz of a shopping spree back to Mountie Headquarters just as the Chief Inspector was finishing his interrogation of Jeanette Au Coin Vanderbilt.

Jeanette was drained even though Nathan had been very considerate about putting her through, reliving all her horrors in the least painful way possible. And though nervous about seeing Lucas again, she was beginning to get excited to know their dinner was actually happening, and in just a matter of minutes!

"Mrs. McCoy, if you don't mind, would you care to assist Miss Au Coin, to help fit her with all your new finds?"

"Oh, I was so hoping I would get to do that. I do want desperately to see how she likes her new outfit. Though I know she will look positively dazzling in it! How could she not?"

"I can't tell you how much I appreciate you going shopping for me. I'm afraid this dress doesn't have the best of memories! Quite frankly, I'd like to donate it and never see it again!"

"Then consider it done, Miss Au Coin. I can drop everything off by my Church Charity on the way home. It's right on my way!"

"Oh, thank you! That's so nice of you! You know, I never imagined I would be getting to wear something brand new today when I woke up this morning! This is such a luxury! And I owe it all to the Chief Inspector and you, dear Mrs. McCoy!"

"Ladies, I'll leave you both to it. We'll make preparations now to be ready to leave as soon as you have changed, Miss Au Coin…"

For security's sake, without actually saying so, the Chief Inspector directed Jeanette and Mrs. McCoy back into the interrogation room to use as their dressing room since the room was a secure one without any windows or additional doors other than the one Nathan and his team were guarding.

As the two ladies finally emerged from the room, both were beaming.

"Miss Au Coin, you look lovely, and Mrs. McCoy, what beautiful selections you've made!"

"Everything suits me perfectly! It's quite clear Mrs. McCoy has very good taste, and I cannot tell you the difference this makes in a girl's spirit! Thank you so very much for thinking of this, Chief, not to mention paying for it! And to you, Mrs. McCoy, for doing all the shopping!"

"My Dear! It was my absolute pleasure. You just enjoy your dinner tonight!"

"I surely do hope so!"

"Thank you again, Mrs. McCoy! You did a splendid job, and your services are very much appreciated!" thanked the Chief.

"My pleasure. Just let me know if you ever need any other assistance, Chief Inspector Grant!"

"That, I will definitely do!"

Nathan watched as the kind lady left, then turned to Jeanette. Since they were now back inside the interrogation room alone, he used her first name.

"Jeanette, before we leave, do you have any questions?"

"Are you taking me back to Abbingdon, or are you really planning to take me to that secure place you mentioned?"

"Jeanette, you have been very forthright in your answers, and I appreciate that very much. Believe me, I know because I did my research before coming here. I have always had the sneaky suspicion you were the victim all along and not the perpetrator. As it turns out, that is exactly what you've proven, along with what I've uncovered. Everything matches. But you have got to stop thinking of yourself as the criminal here since you are clearly the victim. Because of all that, there is no more Abbingdon for you as long as you do what I ask of you. You are now fully remanded into my care and custody, which also means you and your safety are my responsibility. If, for any reason whatsoever, you break our agreement, then and only then would you return to Abbingdon. And I simply can't see you allowing that to happen."

"No, Nathan, you have my word that I will do every single thing you ask for as long as it takes. I could never go back to a place like that ever again! Right now, I have to heal in order to survive, and in order to heal, I have to reconcile these awful feelings inside of anger, self-doubt, worthlessness, and even fury for what CS and his men have done to me. Perhaps my spunk has been a little over the top at times, but I do need a bit of it back to feel like myself again and have the strength to get past all this if that's even possible. I hate to ask you, yet again, for another favor, but could you possibly contact my parents and let them know I'm alright but can't get in touch as of yet."

"Jeanette, your father and I have spoken at length, several times in fact. He understands and even highly approves of what we are doing here. He also understands there can be no contact until the Shaws and their cohorts are all rounded up and safely behind bars. The moment that happens, your father will have a high-caliber security team at the ready for me to transfer you to. He did ask me to tell you one thing, though."

"And that is?" she asked the Chief Inspector as though she were consumed with dread but was also desperate to hear her father's exact words.

"He asked me to tell you, and I quote, "Please tell our dear Nettie, her mother, and I love her very, very much, indeed, and are so thrilled she is away from those horrid criminals, out of that dreadful place, and finally safe!"

Jeanette broke down crying, and Nathan handed her his spare handkerchief.

"I…I thought he was angry…with me. Or worse yet, ashamed. Especially since he didn't visit me or write me!"

"I assure you your father and mother both desperately wanted to do all the above as well as phone you constantly, but we explained that it wasn't in your best interest to do so and highly urged against it with a list of detailed reasons a mile long as to why. So, the fault is ours in trying to maintain your anonymity and safety, Jeanette, and is in no way through any fault or oversight of their own. The fact is, your parents love you very much and can't wait to see you and have you home again with them!"

"Even if that means Lucas and I are able to work things out?"

"Yes, even that, I believe. That is, if, as you yourself said, Lucas is able to humble himself. Are you ready to see him?"

"I'm so nervous and frustrated that I don't even know how to act around him!"

"Want some advice?"

"Please, Knight in Shining Armor! And I say that with deep gratitude, not at all flippantly."

Nathan grinned that lop-sided grin.

"Just relax and be yourself. You see, he already is in love with all of you, exactly as you are…"

As the Security Team made sure everything was cleared in the Governor's Office, Governor Bouchard asked them if it was possible to first speak to the Chief Inspector prior to bringing his guest in.

"Lucas, what did you want to see me about before meeting with…" began Nathan.

"I just needed to see you first, Nathan, as a friend! Do I look alright? Does the office look romantic enough?"

Nathan chuckled.

"You're nervous? You look fine, like your usual formal self, Lucas, without a hair out of place. However, you might want to relax a bit. The flowers are a lovely touch, as is the very nicely set table in the corner for your meal. Just try not to burn the place down with all these candles."

"Hey, you said make it romantic, and that requires candles, in my book!"

"Yes, I did say that! But even though I'm halfway teasing, you do have to admit this many is a bit of a fire hazard! Lighten up, Governor, and relax. You've got this!"

"Is she alright, Nathan?"

"Seriously? Frankly, she's been through an awful lot of horror, Lucas, and it's going to take her time to find herself again. The truth is, she's rather pale and has lost a lot of weight, but we got her new clothes that fit, so her looks aren't quite as jarring as when I first saw her. Just be gentle with her and understand she's changed because of what she's been through. But she's a fighter and is determined to find her way back to herself and I believe to you. Having said all that, I do know she's very much still in love with you."

Lucas sighed heavily, so relieved to hear Nathan's words.

"Can you make sure my tie is straight?"

"Lucas, if I so much as touch a tie, it's doomed! You'd better go with your own instincts there, but yes, it looks pretty straight to me! Any other questions?"

"Please tell me she doesn't have to go back to Abbingdon. I don't think I can bear the thought!"

"No, Lucas, she was very honest and open, and I got what I needed. I'll be taking her to the place I have secured, which you cannot know under any circumstances, as we've discussed. But a little bit of brotherly advice. This time together you have is going to pass fast, and quite frankly, she needs you. So, if I were you, I wouldn't waste another moment. We'll be outside if you need us. And you have till 9 PM. Good luck!"

"Nathan, thank you! I can't tell you how much this means!"

"Happy to be able to help, and Lucas, I do think I understand how important this is for the both of you. I truly hope and pray it goes well for the both of you…"

As Nathan led Jeanette into the Governor's office, Jeanette paused in the doorway.

"Jeanie!" called a shocked Lucas when he saw her first appear.

Though Nathan had tried to prepare him, he wasn't at all ready for the woman who stood before him.

"I've lost a lot of weight," she explained softly, barely so he could hear. "But if you don't welcome me, I'm turning around and not coming back."

That was when he rushed and folded her in his arms, both still standing in the doorway.

He held her so tightly, holding the back of her head to him as closely as he could, but all she could do was hold on to him for the balance her frail body still needed.

"Are you okay?" he asked, realizing as soon as he said it he shouldn't have.

"No, my Love! But I'm so happy to see you. Though I wasn't sure I would be."

"What do you mean, Babe?" asked Lucas.

"This has been unbelievably hard, and I needed you terribly during all this. I understood you were in an awkward situation, but I was in a really horrific one, and you were the only one I needed to help me through it. When they took me away from you, I thought you never wanted to see me again."

"I am so sorry, Darling, as I made every wrong decision I could possibly have made, all of which I deeply regret. But the truth is I never once stopped thinking about you. Nor did I ever stop missing you."

"But, Lucas, you were ashamed of me."

"No, never ashamed of you. Worried about what the situation would do to my new career, yes!"

She pushed him back, staring at him in a furor, then slapped him and turned to walk away.

"Jeanette! No, please don't leave," he begged as he ran after her.

"I don't wish to be with anyone who puts me second behind their career. No matter how much I might love that person."

"Please give me a chance to explain! Please tell me all about you. I wasn't there for you when I should have been, but I'm here now, and I love you and I need to know everything. I am completely and totally in love with you and only you, Jeanette! Please, please, please give me a chance!"

"May I sit somewhere?"

"Of course! Here, the settee is the most comfortable. Let me help you there!"

"Lucas, I'm sorry. I will share with you when all this is said and done, but it's a very ugly story, and the truth is, I don't even know if you'll want to be with me when you hear it."

"Did you…did they…"

Lucas's eyes widened as he suddenly understood what she meant, the very thought filling him with anger, horror, and pain, but surprisingly, he immediately switched his focus, turning all those counter-productive emotions instantly into concern for her.

"Yes, over and over, tragically! And I have to heal from all that in every way. If you don't think you can deal with this and help me heal, and if you don't think you can ever look at me again in the same way as you used to, then I'm asking you to let me go now. I can't go through being back with you only to be dropped, yet again, for someone else because our story isn't perfect, isn't pretty."

He knelt down in front of her.

"You listen to me, to each and every word I have to say. Because I mean every single one of them with all my heart. Our story is beautiful and perfect, just as you are. Whatever has been and whatever comes our whole life through, we are in all of it together, and that is my vow to you."

She began to cry softly.

"And you are certain?"

"I am absolutely certain, my Darling! You are and have always been the only woman I've loved, and you always will be, Jeanette. There is no other. There can be no other, only you!"

"But what about your job as Governor?"

"Well, the truth is every single one of my constituents would be lucky to have you as their First Lady. If they can't see that and accept you as the wonderful, caring person you are, then I'll simply find a new job."

She breathed in.

"But I could never ask you to do that, Lucas!"

"You aren't. That very moment you left, I made up my mind that with the help of Nathan, I would make this right for us somehow. And that's exactly what I'm working toward. I love my new job, Sweetheart. I do. But I love you so much, infinitely more. And as long as we're together, nothing else really matters!"

"I have an awfully lot to work through in all this coming time while I will be by myself. Are you perfectly sure you won't change your mind?"

"Darling, I couldn't change my mind if I wanted to, and I do not wish to ever! Despite the awful things I said in lashing out at you, that was anger and frustration speaking as we were being pulled further and further apart by outside forces. I'm here with you now and for the long haul, meaning until the day I die…"

As romantic music continued to play in the background of the Governor's office, carefully selected to reflect songs that were meaningful to the couple, Lucas walked Jeanette to their beautifully prepared table.

Taking Nathan's advice, Lucas began serving the dinner himself, starting it by opening a bottle of champagne, Jeanette's favorite.

She startled at the pop, making him ache with pain over what she had been through while wanting and not wanting to hear every detail at the same time.

"You remembered, mon Cheri!" she recovered, placing a smile of gratitude on her still beautiful, but pale face.

He poured the delicious bubbles into their flutes.

"How could I possibly forget, Nettie? I even remember exactly where we were when we danced to every single one of these songs. I play them often, you know!"

"Well, I will be doing the same, though I'm afraid Abbingdon's is devoid of any music whatsoever."

"Jeanette, I am so deeply sorry!"

"Non, non, mon Cheri! I promise to make up for it and will listen on repeat! It's wonderful to hear them now. It truly is! Thank you for thinking of them!"

"To us, Nettie! May our future be all the wonderful things we've always dreamed it would be, with a honeymoon beginning in Paris and taking us all over Europe!"

"I can toast to that! But alas, there is no longer an engagement ring, nor I suppose, sadly, an engagement, as it seems to have been as broken as I now am!"

"Ah, but there is, my Darling! I happen to have kept it all this time."

"Lucas!"

That was when he knelt on one knee.

"Jeanette Au Coin Vanderbilt, this ring I purchased only for you, and I didn't have the heart to do anything but keep it just for you. For I believed with all my might, somehow, someway, someday, our timing would be perfect, and this would be back on your finger where it's always belonged. Please, say you will marry me as soon as we get through all this. And we will get through it, Darling! I have no doubt. But in the meantime, I want you to have no doubt that even while we are physically apart, we are firmly together, never to be broken again. Don't you see, without us together, even if only in spirit, this adventure called life is not at all an adventure? It's nothing unless it's you and me. With the two of us finding our way, life becomes the grandest adventure of all. Our only limit is the sky above us! I love you, Nettie. I have been hopelessly and madly in love with you, and only you, my whole life through. Please marry me, and let's live our grandest and best lives together, experiencing one adventure after the other, over and over again!"

Tears were falling down her face. He was serious. He wanted her.

And the truth was, no matter how difficult their path had been, her heart had always wanted only him!

"Do I get an answer," he nudged.

"Yes, you do get an answer, but have you really and truly thought this through?"

"Constantly. I am more certain about this, about us, than anything in my entire life. I can't do this life without you, Nettie. I can't. But as long as I know we belong to each other again, I believe, I know, we both can get through this interim of being physically parted temporarily because still our hearts will be intertwined and then after, we will step into our glorious future together. Can you do that with me?"

"Oh, Lucas! Yes! Yes! Yes!"

He placed the humongous ring on her finger, though now, it was much too big.

"It's okay! It fits perfectly – I'll tie a ribbon around it so that I won't lose it! It's just as beautiful as I remember it being, Darling! And I know it will brighten my darkest day. But also, my brightest one as well!"

And then, somehow, their lips met each other's, sealing their new commitment with a kiss full of love, passion, and tender care all at once, leaving no doubt they were each other's beautiful fate!

After that rapturous yet real beginning, dinner, all her favorites, was a complete blur, consisting of shared memories, new hopes, and new dreams.

There was never a single moment they weren't communicating, even when they were feeding each other their food. Though he noticed she couldn't eat much at all.

"It's just our diet has been meager and rather bland. This is wonderful, but in small bites for now! Thank you, Lucas! It's all perfect, as are the beautiful purple orchids, my favorite! I can't believe you remembered every single thing!"

"How could I not where you are concerned, my Darling? I love you, Jeanette!"

"I love you, Lucas, so very much!"

"Dance with me now!"

So, instead of dessert, they danced in each other's arms, one beautiful dance after another, until he could tell she was tired and weak.

And so, he lifted her and carried her to his settee.

Then he lowered himself to sit beside her and gathered her frail body in his arms, feeling alarmed at what she had gone through to make her end up so fragile both emotionally and physically, but also full of gratitude that Nathan was finding a way out of this nightmare for the both of them.

"I love you all the way to those stars and back, just like that night we watched them from our tent," he whispered, smothering her with the gentlest and sweetest of kisses.

His words made her cry softly into his shoulder. Still, they also made her believe that other than tonight, the happiest memory of her entire life, which also happened to be one the two of them had created as a couple, though brutally scarred and hidden so very deeply within, was at least, thankfully, still there as a flicker existing somewhere inside her.

And maybe, just maybe, assured by that dazzling ring that was once again on the finger it had always been meant to be on, together, they would make it burn into a living and loving fire of her memory once again, completely eradicating all that had happened since to mar it…