.

Nathan & Elizabeth: An Epic Love

.

Chapter Fifty-five

.

Saturday Surprises:

Home & Family

.

Part V

.

Both Grace and Julie were astonished at how graciously Allie had stepped right in during Elizabeth's absence and was making them feel totally at home and very much pampered.

The Thatcher Family was thoroughly enjoying their time with this very grown-up and gifted girl for her age.

And each of the three couldn't help but be impressed.

They could clearly see that Jack worshipped the ground she walked on, and that Allie loved him just as much.

Sitting around the table with Bill, Allie, and their Jack just suddenly and surprisingly felt like home to all three of them.

"We have chocolate cake, Grandpapa, along with Miss Minnie's scrumptious coconut pie, and we have Papa's favorite assortment of homemade chocolates. What may I get each of you!"

"Oh, I'd like some of each!" winked William.

"William!"

"Well, she did ask, and I for one, am answering!"

"Small pieces, Allie, Dear! Very small pieces for your Grandpapa, who is supposed to be watching his caloric intake!"

"Nana, what would you like?"

"I would like to have a small sliver of coconut pie, as that is my favorite!"

"Coming right up, Nana! Auntie Julie, what about you?"

"I'm with your Papa, the chocolates sound divine to me!"

"My favorite, too!"

"And who wants coffee, and who wants tea?" asked Bill. "I'll take care of serving those, Allie!"

"Thanks, Uncle Bill!"

As the new family sat around the perfectly set dining table, everyone began to relax even more, feeling almost like they had always been family. All three were astounded that they felt no difference whatsoever between Allie and Jack.

Was it possible to become family in less than a single hour?

Because that seemed to be exactly what was happening.

As Bill regaled William and the Ladies with one wild tale after the other, Allie reined him in when she knew he was embellishing just a little too much, all to the delight of her new family.

No one could dispute their new granddaughter and niece, was beautiful, considerate, intelligent, kind, loving, mannerly, and already family. And they were beyond impressed!

"Jack, why don't you show Grandpapa, Nana, and Auntie Julie some of your new toys?"

And though Jack was shier than the last time they had seen him, Allie loosened him up, with that suggestion alone, which promptly found him snuggling in their laps, as she knew it would.

Instead of being stiff and sullen, everyone thoroughly enjoyed each other's company, and even Bill was shocked to find there was a whole lot of laughter around the Grant Table.

"Allie, I must ask. What are you planning to be when you graduate in a couple of years?" asked William.

"Yes, Allie, I've never heard you say," noted her Uncle Bill.

"Well, art will always be a huge part of my life, and I definitely want to have a family of my own someday, even though Papa says not to even think about it till I'm forty!"

Everyone laughed.

"Very smart, Papa!" enthused William. "Did you hear that, Julie?" to which both Allie and Julie playfully rolled their eyes at the same time and started laughing.

"But Grandpapa, I've only recently decided about my career, so Mama and Papa don't even know yet."

"Sounds very new. Are you certain of your choice?'"

"Very much so, Sir! I am going to be a veterinarian – both small and large animals! Hope Valley really needs that. And Uncle Bill, I realized when Scout got sick, I wanted to really know how to help him."

"That's an admirable undertaking, Allie! And I love that you just plain out said I am going to be, not I want to be, or hope to be. But I am going to be a veterinarian! I know it's a difficult course to complete, but I have no doubt from what your Mama has told us you will succeed at anything you set your mind to! Have you thought about schools?"

"I haven't yet, Sir! As I haven't really had time to research them. But I do know I want to go to the very best because I want my education to be the very best!"

"Wise girl! Do you mind if I do a little research for you?"

"I'd really love that, Sir! I'm hoping Mama can find me some special courses that might help me get a jumpstart ahead of the curriculum."

After that serious moment of sharing, the jokes and laughter started again, but this time with Jack falling asleep against his Grandpapa's shoulder.

"You all continue while I tuck this little guy in!"

"I'll come help, Grandpapa. I know his night routine and where all his clothes are!"

"Thank you, Sweetheart…"

Even though it was still summer, Bill started a fire in the fireplace as the night was a bit chilly. Everyone moved into the living room and curled up with afghans, and that was when the story-telling really began.

"William, who knew you could beat me in the tall tales department! You've got some great ones!"

"Oh, nobody could beat you. None of mine are action stories like yours!"

"Just as good though!"

"They are, Grandpapa! I love stories of all kinds. Especially business ones. Because I need to learn all about business, too, since being a vet is also running a business!"

"Finally, one of my children wants to learn my craft! Allie, I am your new mentor, and by the time I'm through with you, you will have the best Veterinary Hospital in all of Canada! And that's a promise!"

"Oh, my," said Grace. "And he means that too, Dear!"

"Good luck, Allie," eeked her Auntie Julie, making a face. "Father means business, no pun intended!"

"Haha, Julie! I most certainly do mean business," to which everyone laughed, knowing business was his life…

"I don't know about you three," declared Lee. "But that meal we just ate is one of the best meals I've ever eaten. It's definitely in my top three, if not the top!"

"So good," agreed Nathan. "That was the best, most tender Chateaubriand I've ever had!'

"I'd have to agree!" smiled Elizabeth. "I'm so full. All I want to do is go home and go to bed!"

"Why don't you curl up by me as I drive home?" suggested her fiancé.

"Sounds like the perfect plan!" she cooed.

"You know I'd be hard-pressed to choose my favorites from that meal because they all were! We have got to return and soon!"

"Agree, Rosie! We don't get out enough, and you know, the four of us need to see that we pencil in a few date nights here and there," suggested Lee.

"Count me in, Lee! I'm in total agreement! I promised Elizabeth that I wanted to marry her to court every single day of my life, and I plan to keep that promise!"

"Nathan, that is so lovely! No wonder my best friend is head over heels in love with you!"

The three smiled at Rosemary's fervor as the four of them got in the car and headed back to Hope Valley with a Security car both ahead of them and behind them…

The ride back to Hope Valley was very comfortable and, thankfully, uneventful, except for both ladies sleeping most of the way, using their men's shoulders as pillows.

Nathan pulled up first in front of the Coulters, where Mollie was keeping Goldie, who had long been put to bed.

"Now, if I can just rouse my sleeping wife! Nathan, when the ladies sleep like this, you know your car rides like a dream!"

"Pretty good test for sure!"

"Thanks for letting me drive her. She really is a dream!"

"Any time, Lee! Do you need help?"

"Thanks, but she's rousing! Enough to walk, at least!"

"We'll do this again real soon! Good night, Lee!"

Nathan waited till their friends were safely inside their rowhouse and then pulled down to his own to pick up Jack.

"Baby, do you want to wait here or go inside?"

"Inside, to say goodnight to Allie and make sure Jack behaved!"

"Inside, it is. Lizbeth, thank you!"

"For what?"

"For knowing I needed your strength earlier!"

"You always have that, my Darling! Always!"

And sitting there under the moon and the stars, the two clung to each other, lips entwined, tenderly caressing each other's faces, till they realized Church was coming very early in the morning!

The two walked in, with Elizabeth clinging to Nathan.

But as he opened the door, though he had never met two of the three new people sitting in his living area, he instantly knew.

"Mrs. Thatcher, Mr. Thatcher, Julie, welcome! It is so wonderful to finally meet all three of you!"

"And it is finally wonderful to officially meet you, Son," declared William, rising to shake hands with his new Son and very much impressed with what he was seeing.

In one phone call and one glimpse of real life, William knew this man was a man's man, and what you saw was what you got: authenticity and honesty, not to mention honor.

"Mother! Father! Julie!"

"Elizabeth, I must say your fiancé's welcome is much kinder than yours!"

"Oh, Mother, I'm so sorry! You know I don't mean it that way! I just wasn't expecting you all until Thursday night! Welcome! Nathan is right; it's so wonderful to see you! And this is the love of my life, Nathan Grant!"

Nathan took Grace's hand and kissed it, causing her to open her mouth in surprise.

How could she have misjudged this man so horribly without even having met him? He was dashing, handsome, mannerly, and extremely polite. He had also raised his daughter, who was obviously more outgoing than him but was exquisite in every way!

Suddenly, every wonder was gone. Because a mother knows these things, this was her daughter's true love, the man unquestionably she was meant to be with. And what a handsome, gentle man he was!

And no, not in a million years would Grace have thought of another Mountie being 'gentle.'

But Nathan was gentle and refined. Not at all, some rough country bumpkin. She chastised herself for even having ever entertained the possibility.

Nathan then moved on to Julie, offering her a kiss on the cheek and an embrace.

"Lovely to meet you, Julie. Elizabeth has told me so much about you! And I must say I love hearing all the stories. But to be fair, I am anxiously awaiting your versions!"

"Oh, I love this man already! And you shall have them, Nathan, each and every one! Oh, the stories I can tell. Dear Sis, you are now toast! How I've longed for this moment!"

But Grace was not giving this new son of hers away quite that easily. As Elizabeth kissed her mother, Allie's new grandmother scooted over next to her, wrapping her arm around the child.

"Your beautiful Allie has taken such wonderful care of us! She has given us a tour of your lovely home. Fed us dessert with coffee and tea which has won your father's heart forever! Nathan, come sit on the other side of me."

"I'd be honored, Mrs. Thatcher!" as he bent to kiss Allie, then moved to the other side of Grace to sit where she had directed.

"Well, that's never going to work! Why don't we start with 'Grace' and work our way up to 'Mother' by Friday!"

"That sounds perfect, Grace! It really is such an honor to meet you, and I can see where Elizabeth gets her beautiful looks!"

"Flattery will get you everywhere, Son!"

"No, it's just the truth. Look at your cheekbones and hers and Julie's as well!"

"He's absolutely right, Grace! I've told you that since the children were born!"

"He truly has! I suppose it's just hard to see in one's self. But I love the compliments and am proud to fully accept them, Nathan! Tell me about your uniform, Nathan. It isn't one I'm familiar with."

"That's because it isn't typically seen, Mother," explained Elizabeth proudly. "Nathan has been promoted to a level just under the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner in the Mountie hierarchy, which is a huge honor but also a ton of responsibility."

"I must apologize. I'm afraid we've been in Union City due to me being called in to conduct a classified interrogation there, or we would have been here to welcome you."

"No worries, Son, I better understand than anyone when duty calls!"

"Grandpapa, Nana, and Auntie Julie, I hate to say goodnight, but I think that you adults probably need some time to speak. Will I see you tomorrow?"

"Absolutely, Allie, Dear, tomorrow and every single day we are here!" assured her Nana.

"That's wonderful! It's been so lovely to meet you all! Oh, and Papa, before I forget, oops, Uncle Bill, your Ty Cobb team won!"

"Yes! By how much?"

"Do you have to ask?" squirmed Bill.

Nathan chuckled.

"That bad, huh?"

"Pftt!"

"Goodnight, Nana," and Allie kissed her on the cheek. "It's so lovely to finally meet you!"

"The same, Dear Child! Thank you for taking such good care of us."

"Goodnight, Papa! Love you to the moon and back!"

"Love you to the moon and back, too, Princess!"

"Goodnight, Grandpapa! Can't wait for you to teach me all about business!" and she kissed him on the cheek, while hugging his neck.

"I can't wait either, Allie! We are going to have so much fun together!"

Allie beamed, then moved to kiss her new Auntie Julie.

"Auntie Julie, maybe we can paint some while you're here?" she asked while kissing her Auntie's cheek.

"I'd love that, Allie. We'll compare styles! You and I are going to get in a lot of fun trouble together!"

Allie giggled, then walked over to kiss her Mama.

"Love you, Mama! So glad you're home. Jack is sound asleep upstairs in his bed!"

"I love you, Allie! Thanks for taking care of your new family for me, as well as tending to Jack all day!"

"I love them already, Mama!"

"What! Am I last?" teased grumpy Uncle Bill.

"Last tonight, but never least, Uncle Bill! Love you! Thanks for helping me with the coffee and tea!"

"Love you, Little Mountie!"

Allie offered one last smile and waved at the steps before walking on up to get ready for bed!

"She is beautiful, Nathan. An absolute gem," remarked Grace, meaning every word.

"Thank you, Grace! She's the best, and I am so blessed to have her in my life!"

"I believe we all are! And that's after just spending an evening with her! She is just lovely!"

"I appreciate you saying so. That means the world! Now that we adults are alone, what would you like to ask me? Anything is fair game," assured Nathan.

"I do have one burning question, Nathan, if you won't think I'm impertinent for asking. Because having met you, I have no doubt whatsoever that you are the man who is meant to be with my daughter! But when did you fall in love with her?"

"The truth is what I always give. So that's an easy answer, Grace. The moment I met her when she walked into my Mountie Office for the very first time."

"And Elizabeth, when did you first fall in love with this wonderful man?"

"The same! The moment when I first saw him, that day I walked into his Mountie Office. But I was so confused, Mother, so full of grief, and so overcome with this love for him that has been like no other I've known that I lied and simply ran away, which I will regret to my dying day."

"So, I was right about your Mr. Bouchard and you being a mere convenience for each other."

"We have both since admitted it, so yes, you were absolutely right!"

"And yet this Prince of a man forgives you and loves you still!" marveled Grace.

"I never stopped loving her, not for a single second, Grace, not once during the entire time she was with him. I think deep down, I understood it and believed that fate would find us together in the end. With a love so great, how could it not?"

Grace reached to pat his arm.

"That must have been most challenging and difficult for you, though I can see you are a man of great fortitude, for which I am very thankful. My daughter is very blessed to have found you and your great love!"

Then she turned to Elizabeth.

"My advice, Darling, is not to think of the past but to move forward together! Oh, my goodness, your ring is William's Grandmother's ring from England! Wherever did you find it?"

"No, Mother, it isn't. It's identical, but the unbelievable thing is that it is Nathan's Great-grandmother's ring from Ireland!"

"Two Great-grandmothers with the same ring? This must be fate. There is no other way to explain it, but let me see it, my Darling! Come sit with me!"

So, there sat Grace, with Nathan on one side and her daughter on the other, studying the ring intently in utter amazement.

"It's simply exquisite, but you two, this is not a coincidence. This is pure fate!"

"I believe your mother is right, Elizabeth. What are the odds of that ever happening? A couple has two Great-grandmothers in two different countries in the same long ago time period, who were engaged to be married with identical engagement rings and wedding bands, too, I'm assuming?"

"It's pretty miraculous, isn't it, Father?"

"Pretty miraculous, indeed! And even more miraculous that this is the man I myself chose for you all those years ago…"