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Nathan & Elizabeth: An Epic Love
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Chapter Fifty
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Capital City
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Part V
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Jeanette was fairly silent during Nathan's second secure limousine ride en route to the safehouse he was taking her to, though she repeatedly expressed sincere gratitude all over again for something he had done that she was so appreciative of.
Still, she seemed exhausted yet hopeful, as though her mind was still assessing whether or not all this was really true or just a dream she would wake up from.
Once inside, Nathan gave her a tour of her new home.
"Jeanette, though this place is nice, I realize it's nothing compared to the mansions you typically live in. But it is beautiful, quite serviceable, and more importantly, as secure as it gets," noted Nathan, after having completed their tour of the entire space where she would now be residing.
"It's perfect! Truly perfect. More than large enough but not so large for me to feel lost in. I love all the cheery shades of greens and yellows mixed with the white, as well as all the books in the library and the plants that are everywhere. The place feels alive! And I can't tell you how wonderful that feels to me. Oh, and that copper in the kitchen, now that does make me feel like I'm home, as our cooks refuse to cook with anything but copper. Meaning that wherever we are between our homes, the one thing you can always count on is a copper kitchen! I also love that the entire place overlooks healing waters of blue. At least that's what I'm going to think of them as."
"Just promise me you will always notify Jonas before you go outside, even if it's on that sleeping porch overlooking the water or just outside to the front porch, promise?"
"I give you my word! I will always notify Jonas first!"
"And Jeanette, always, always with the sunglasses and blonde wig. So those three things: Jonas by your side, sunglasses, and blonde wig!
"Jonas by my side, sunglasses, and blonde wig!"
"We fixed your clothes for sleeping tonight, but the nurse who will be assisting your new doctor is planning to help procure whatever you need as far as clothing and food go. I believe there are some catalogs and magazines you can glance through and mark whatever you like. Do you have any questions?"
"When will I be hearing from you again, Nathan?"
"I'll phone at least weekly, always on my secure phone. Your phone is just as secure, meaning it will only dial out to my office directly via line 1 or, in case of emergency, to the Deputy Commissioner's personal assistant, using line 2. Don't hesitate to phone either of us if you need something or just want to hear a familiar voice."
"I appreciate that, and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate everything you've done for me. Someday, when I'm allowed, I will show you and your family properly, as well as the Mounties, just how very grateful I am."
"No need for that. Seeing your face more relaxed is enough, thanks! This is our job, you know!"
Nathan smiled and turned to leave.
"Best of everything, Miss Jeanette Au Coin Vanderbilt! It's a pleasure now having met the real you. I will be keeping you in my prayers. And again, I wish you all the best on your engagement with the Governor! I truly believe the two of you make a great couple! Every time you look at that stunning ring, know he is constantly with you, even when he can't be physically during this ordeal, though that too will change eventually. And for both of your sakes, I hope that's sooner than you think."
"Thank you, Nathan, for being our champion! That means a lot. May I at least give you a hug?"
"Of course, you may! Sleep well tonight, Jeanette, and sleep in tomorrow. You are finally safe and protected in a home that can truly be your delight and healing space, where you make all the other rules, as long as they fit in with the few ones we've already discussed that will keep you safe. And Jeanette, especially enjoy watching that beautiful lake out there. I believe those waters really will serve as healing waters, and I'm so very pleased you have them…"
Though Nathan and his Security team had to rush somewhat, they were all thrilled to have made it to the Train Depot just in time to catch the earlier 10:30 PM Train, especially when they realized the Station was able to match their accommodations to the same as their previous reservations.
"You hungry, Chief?" asked Reid.
"You better believe it. Give me a few minutes, and I'll see if I can't rustle us up a late meal in the Dining Car!"
Since neither he nor his Security team had gotten a chance to eat, luckily, Nathan was able to arrange a late dinner so they could all privately decompress together over a meal, then after, retire to their sleeping quarters without feeling starved.
"It feels like you sure accomplished a lot in the time you had, Sir!" noted one of the quieter men as they ate their meal.
"Thank you, James, but I couldn't have moved through so fluidly without your help and the entire team's help. It would have slowed me down a lot had I had to find my own way and been concerned about Security for Miss Au Coin and myself all at the same time. So, a huge thank you to you, good men! In fact, without all of you there, I don't even think we could have accomplished it all in one day!"
"Our pleasure, Sir!" agreed the men in various ways.
"Especially to squeeze in some shopping as well," winked Evan.
"Hey, I really appreciated that. My father wasn't the best example in the world, but one thing I remember is that whenever he was gone on a trip, even a short one, he always brought my sister and me a little something. It was never much, but it meant a lot to us. And I wanted my own children to know that even when I have to be gone, I'm still thinking of them. Elizabeth, too, for that matter!"
"We can all tell you've got a bad case of love, Sir," chuckled Reid. "Though we also can totally see why! She's absolutely lovely, Sir!"
"Thanks, Reid, she really is very special!"
"Well, sir, that works both ways because we can clearly see she is very much in love with you as well!"
"That's very nice to say. It may have taken us a while to sort through everything, but I think that's just made this all the sweeter and all the more appreciated, too!"
"Woah! I was hungrier than I thought," admitted James. "Glad you thought of this, Sir! The food's very good, too."
"Figured we all needed something to eat as well as some time to just decompress and relax after our long workday."
"Sir, the men here are very excited about the trip for your Honeymoon. We should be getting advance details on Monday. But since we're all here, we would love to hear anything you can share with us," admitted Reid, the one who was in charge of Nathan's classified Security team. "That is if you don't mind. Of course, everything stays with us."
"I don't mind at all. I think all of you are going to be very pleased, that is if you like the beach. Because we are going to a privately owned island, which I'm hoping is going to make your job a lot easier and allow you guys some downtime, as well as Elizabeth and me."
"You've got to be kidding," grinned Evan. "That's like hitting the jackpot!"
"It's off the coast of Washington State, and from what I've heard, it's pretty wonderful too! I know there is a main house which, from the way it was described, is more like a huge hotel, though it's currently used as a single dwelling. I do know there is an entire wing for staff, a private wing for Elizabeth and me, that is if we choose to stay there, and there's a third wing to house all of you."
"Sounds luxe, but where would you and the soon-to-be Mrs. Grant stay if you didn't stay at the main house?" asked Michael.
"That's just it. Apparently, we have lots of options. From what I understand, there's a Gardener's Cottage right on the beach that we could opt to stay in instead. It has several smaller cottages around it, all with sea views. We were thinking they might offer a little more privacy and, if I'm being completely transparent, a little more of what we're used to. I mean, Elizabeth was raised in a mansion. I, however, was raised on a horse ranch, meaning a big old farmhouse that we dearly loved, though believe me, we were working in the barns more than we were in our home. And no matter what we did to that roof, did it ever leak! My mother called it the 'Charming House of Rain.'"
"Your mother obviously was a great sport, Sir! But this island, now we can't wait!"
"Oh, are any of you boaters?" asked the Chief curiously.
"Boats, too?" asked Reid. "Have been on sailboats from the time I was a child!"
"There are a few smaller sailboats, but they could be huge for all I know!"
"Small is a relative term for sure when you are talking about sailboats, which come in all sizes!"
"There's a yacht, too, that they apparently take from island to island, as well as the mainland ports when needed."
"Well, I, for one, cannot wait," exclaimed Michael. "Like the boss, I've been on boats since I could walk. And Evan is pretty experienced, too. What about you, James?"
"That would be a yes! Served in the Royal Navy. Can't believe we get an opportunity to get our sea legs back."
"Looks like it's unanimous, Sir!" grinned Reid.
"That's great, and although I don't know all the activities there, I do know there are lots of beautiful horses, so all of it should be a lot of fun for all of us…"
After their long train ride, Nathan and his security team arrived in Hope Valley at 8:30 p.m. Friday night. Given the time difference, Nathan was elated to see Elizabeth and the children excitedly waiting for him, with the safety of their own security team!
Although she could hardly bear not running into his arms, Elizabeth held back and allowed the children to rush and greet Nathan first.
"Papa! Papa!" Jack called over and over, rushing to jump into his open arms. Jack landed earliest, but only because Allie held back making sure the Little Guy was first.
"I missed you, Papa! Did you miss me?"
Nathan lifted him up high to Jack's ever-present giggles!
"I missed you and Allie and your Mama so very much!" grinned Nathan.
"Hi, Papa! Wait till you see our surprise! We all missed you lots, too," said Allie, giving her Papa one of her gregarious hugs as only she could.
Nathan gathered the children to him as he kept them from the train, anxiously leading them to Elizabeth.
She rushed into his arms, and they kissed each other passionately, both thrilled to be together again!
"How was your trip, Darling?"
"Besides missing all of you, it was a very productive one for the Mounties. So, time well- spent!"
He smiled and reached out to touch her face, thrilled that he could do so!
"Papa, Mama drove us to Buxton and here tonight! She's a really good driver!" shared Allie.
"Sounds like another famous shopping trip to me!" he teased.
"How about we get your luggage and take you home?" smiled Elizabeth.
"Sounds heavenly to me…"
As the family walked Nathan into his rowhouse, they made sure he closed his eyes.
"Keep them closed, Papa! This is a pretty big surprise," warned Allie.
"Surprise!" yelled everyone.
"Great day! This is beautiful. And Allie, the blue and white paint blends perfectly with everything you did before! How did you two get all this done in three short days? Especially since it included a shopping trip?"
"Most of the whole town helped us, Love! Every single room in the house has a fresh coat of paint, while some have wallpaper, and everything looks just beautiful. We hope you love it and can't wait for you to see it all!"
"Let's set all this down for later so you can give me the grand tour!"
"Mama thought we should have what she calls accent walls! That way, some of the walls are blue, and some of the walls are white, but it really works. Look, my Mama's art is even prettier than ever! Isn't it beautiful, Papa?"
"It's stunning, Allie! I can't believe the difference the paint makes!"
"I hope you don't mind, Love, but I had the whole kitchen done in yellow, as I've always wanted a cheery yellow kitchen!" explained Elizabeth, who was so pleased with her lovely new kitchen.
"It's beautiful and very cheery! It just opens up this whole back room. Makes it look so much bigger, too!"
"That's what we thought, Papa! We even did the washroom in blue and white, too, like the living areas, but mostly white with blue and white paper that Miss Florence and Miss Mollie hung!"
"This is amazing! Absolutely amazing! The whole place is so much brighter."
"And come upstairs to see our bedrooms, Papa," urged Jack, excited to show off his new room!
He chattered all the way up the steps, then on into his new room at the very end of the hall.
"I picked navy like your pants, Papa! And I love it! Because now I have a Mountie room!"
"You sure do, along with a big new bed too! This is the best, Jack! I might even have something downstairs to go in it!"
"Can we get it now?"
"Not till your Papa sees Allie's room and his own room, Jack!" insisted his Mama.
"Papa, look, I finally got my lavender room with touches of that mint green I love!"
"Allie, this is beautiful! And your new comforter and drapes match your Mama's furniture and quilt perfectly. I love it, and you know what? She would too. Definitely fit for our Princess!"
Allie beamed with pride.
Across the hall, a smiling Elizabeth opened the door to the master room for Nathan to see.
"I loved the blue and white so much from downstairs that I pretty much stuck with the same colors here, too. Though I added touches of beige and green for you because I remembered you saying you love to be surrounded by the colors of nature."
"Lizbeth, this is perfect! I love it all, even the new comforter and drapes. The wallpaper, too. I would never have dreamed of wallpaper, but it makes all the difference!"
"I hope you love our new room," she whispered as the children went back downstairs. "Is it not too feminine?"
"I love OUR brand-new room, and I love YOU ever so much, my Darling! How happy I am to be home, and now, to see that you've prepared all this for the four of us is the best gift of all! I don't know how you accomplished it, but you've captured both of us perfectly in what will be our own master bedroom, otherwise known as our very happy refuge…"
Downstairs, Allie and Jack had not only begun to wonder more and more why there were packages next to their Papa's luggage, but they were now trying to guess what was in them!
"Papa, are these presents for us," asked Jack, awed at the thought.
Allie knew to wait for their surprises, but she seemed just as excited!
"To show you how much I missed you all, this is for Jack, this is for Allie, and this one is for Allie. And let's see, this one is for Jack! Then this pair - this is Jack's, and this is Allie's! Open these first, so Mama won't think I've gone mad and overboard with presents, as I hate to get in trouble my first night home!"
The children laughed while Elizabeth cleared her throat.
"It may be a little late for that one, Love!"
Nathan just chuckled as she wrapped her arm around him.
Allie and Jack tore into the packages their Papa had just handed them!
"Look, Mama, I got a venture book!"
"An adventure book, Son, and what a good one your Papa chose to read to you! Did you remember to thank him?"
"Thank you, Papa! I can't wait for you to read it to me! Can I look at the pictures?"
"You sure can, Jack! Hope you enjoy it."
"Papa, I love this art book - it's like having my own painting class! Thank you so much!"
"I hope it's a big help, Allie! Just happy you like it!"
"Let's see. This one is for you, Allie! And Jack, this one is for you! If you'd like to open them together!"
Since Allie's was a tiny package, she got hers opened first!
"Oh, Papa, it's a Charm for yours and Mama's Engagement! Look, Mama, how pretty it is!"
"Oh, Allie, I love the oval charm. It's absolutely beautiful!"
"Look what I got!"
"What is it, Jack?" asked Allie.
"It's a Mountie Pillow and a Horse Pillow to put on my new bed! I love them, Papa! Thanks lots and lots!"
"They sure do match your navy, Jack, and your Papa didn't even know what color you chose for your new room! So, that's pretty great!"
"I love them, Mama!"
"I do, too, Jack!" smiled his Mama. "They will finish off your room perfectly!"
"And of this last pair - this is yours, Jack, and this is yours, Allie!"
The kids tore into their packages, as these were the last ones, and they couldn't wait to see what they got!
"I got a Mountie toy and Mountie horse toy to play with, and they match my pillows! Look, I love them! I love them! Thank you, Papa! Will you play with me?"
"Jack, your Papa is tired from his long trip, and you need to wait to play until tomorrow as it's already past your bedtime!"
"Okay, Mama," but the poor Little Guy didn't look happy about it.
"Papa, you found that special artist's brush set I wanted!"
"I did, Allie, finally! I was disappointed they didn't have it in Buxton, but I was elated to find it in Capital City! Which meant it definitely had your name on it!"
"I love the whole set, Papa! I really do. They're so different from what I already have. Thanks a ton for finding it!"
Allie jumped up and gave her Papa a kiss and a hug, followed by a once again happy Jack doing the same thing!
Overall, the children were thrilled with their thoughtful gifts but were most delighted just to have their Papa home again…
To give their Mama and Papa some privacy, Allie took Jack upstairs to read to him from his new book.
Elizabeth poured Nathan some Apple Juice in their new yellow kitchen, then curled up next to him on the settee in their living area, thrilled to have her fiancé back!
"I know it was just three days, but I missed you so much, even with staying as busy as we did!" and Elizabeth made a pouty face to show him just how much.
"I can't believe you got all this done, Babe!"
Nathan tugged at the neck of his shirt under his new uniform jacket, causing Elizabeth to immediately set down her apple juice and loosen his tie.
"There, is that better?"
"So much better! Thank you, Babe!"
He looked around him once more, then pulled her closer.
"I missed you too, Beautiful, so very much! And I just might have something to prove it!"
"Really?"
He reached for the gift he had slipped behind his jacket and into the recesses of the settee cushions.
"Nathan! What's this?" she asked, truly surprised.
"Well, you surprised me with our beautifully completed new home, and I'm surprising you with one of the Grant Family traditions! It also happens to be something I've heard you say you've never had but always wanted!"
"Nathan, even this box is stunning!"
"True, but if I can't spoil you a bit, who can I spoil?"
"Well, you've done a pretty great job of it with the children," she teased. "And here, once again, I thought I was completely left out!"
He chuckled!
"Not in a million years will you ever be left out, my Love!"
When she unwrapped the gorgeous jewelry box,' she was thrilled to find the item inside, even tearing up!
"Nathan, besides my Engagement Ring, this is the very first piece of jewelry you've bought for me, and it's absolutely exquisite! You're right. This is something I've wanted for a very long time. Even back when I was a teenager! Though I must say this is the most striking charm bracelet I've ever seen, and the assortment of charms would be beautiful alone, but with them engraved with our special dates, they are perfectly ours! Here is our Engagement date, our Wedding date, our children's Adopton dates, and, last but not least, our Honeymoon dates. Five gorgeous charms commemorating the five most important events in our lives! The thought is so lovely, but your choice of bracelet and every single charm is just perfect! You couldn't have given me anything I would love more! Our beautiful love story is now right here on my wrist. Thank you, my Darling!"
"And just think, Lizbeth, this is only our beginning!"
To christen their pure bliss of a beginning, they gifted each other with the most intimate and loving of private welcome home kisses, which morphed from a single one into a full complement of them while lovingly embracing each other.
"Finally, Love, we are figuratively and literally at home, not only with each other but in our chosen and now beautifully and lovingly prepared, soon-to-be family abode," grinned Nathan. "I couldn't be happier."
To which his Lizbeth whispered.
"Neither could I! Just one step closer to our happily ever after, my Darling! And I cannot wait…"