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Nathan & Elizabeth: An Epic Love

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Chapter Sixty-three

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Tuesday of Wedding Week

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The next morning, Nathan was so concerned about Elizabeth that he called to see if they could meet at the Café and have breakfast together.

Though Julie was still in bed, she agreed to watch Jack as he continued to sleep, and Elizabeth left to hurriedly meet the man of her dreams.

But when she opened her front door, there he stood with that lop-sided grin she adored!

"Good morning, Beautiful!"

"Good morning, Handsome!"

Just that short exchange was more than enough to light their world on fire. He offered his arm, and she proudly took it, starting their jaunt into town. Both were thrilled to be together, even if it was just going to be for a meal.

"I feel very honored, you know!" chuckled Elizabeth.

"You do? And why is that?"

"I know you've had an awful lot on your plate at work. And from what I gather, it's all rather intense, even though I don't know exactly what it entails. I also know you are adjusting to an awful lot of changes in your personal life."

"Really?" he grinned. "Like what, for instance?"

"Well, you are getting married three days from today, and you are officially becoming a father to a little boy who absolutely adores you!"

"That little boy, who happens to be our little boy – well, let's just put it this way. He and I are perfectly fine! It's my Bride I was wondering about this morning. How is she feeling?"

"Well, for the record, she absolutely adores you as well!"

"That's very good to know!"

"But she's feeling everything a Bride should feel, my Darling! All of it! The amazement, the excitement, the wonder, truly all of it! Except for the nerves. Astoundingly, there are none!"

He chuckled.

"Everyone keeps asking me, too! But it's the same, Love – astoundingly, there are none!"

"Nathan, you aren't nervous about after, are you?"

"After our Wedding? No, not really. Are you?"

"No. But I need to tell you this. And please don't be embarrassed."

"Elizabeth, I don't think there is anything you could tell me that I'd be embarrassed about."

"Good! Because I feel the same. I've explained to you about what a short time Jack and I had as a married couple and that our Honeymoon was a campout on the road to the assignment he chose to take, which quite frankly was more romantic in theory than in the reality of it all. But I know having Jack makes it seem, well, otherwise. I just want you to know all of this is fairly new to me, too. And no matter what, it feels all new. I guess what I'm trying to say, is, that we are in this together!"

He cupped her chin, though they were still walking.

"Lizbeth, we are absolutely in this together, and I have no doubt we are going to be spectacularly fine!"

She giggled.

"Spectacularly fine! I love that!"

They walked a few more steps, till she turned to him.

"Thanks for putting me to bed last night! And for caring enough to check in on me this morning! I don't think many men would do that."

"Well, this man had to know you were okay before he started his day. And this man also needed to see for himself that it was true, too!"

"But I know this has to be the busiest week ever at work for you."

"It is. But Babe, you and the children always come first! You do understand that, right?"

"I'm beginning to, and it's quite an extraordinary experience as well as a gift beyond measure! I love you, Nathan!"

"And I love you, Lizbeth!"

"You make me feel cherished, you know?"

"Then, if that's the case, Darling, I'm doing my most important job in the world correctly! At least, let's just say that I'm headed in the right direction…"

After breakfast and kissing Elizabeth goodbye outside of the Café, the Chief wanted to stop by his old office to see how Finn was faring with his prisoners.

But he also realized he needed to submit his report from yesterday to Headquarters first. Then, after, he'd check in with Finn again. Though he knew Finn had already submitted the firing for processing, he was handling the arrest portion, as all three arrests involved a classified case.

So, instead, he headed to his office first. But Bill called out to him, coming from the Livery.

"Nathan, last night turned out nice."

"Yes, it did, Bill! Thanks for getting those carriages lined up. And can I tell you I'm personally thrilled that you are our new neighbor? But just so you know, the original offer still stands to join us!"

"I appreciate that! I really do, Son! But, you know, the more I thought about it, this seemed a whole lot smarter! We can work on things together, share meals, and do all the family stuff together we want, but then still have our privacy when needed! And who knows? If my confirmed bachelorhood ever takes a dive, it might be nice to have a house!"

"Are you trying to tell me something, Bill Avery?"

"Naw! I just see you and Elizabeth so happy together, and it makes a guy want that, you know? But hey, not just with anybody. I learned that the hard way. It has to be THE ONE or NO ONE! That's my motto!"

"I totally get that. It was no one else but Elizabeth for me!"

"I knew that from the beginnin'! For both of you, too. That's what was so confoundin'!"

"Bill, just so you know, I'm serious about the house – I'm paying for your house or the land! Your choice!"

"Nathan, I've had a lot more years to wheel and deal, plus you've got your family, which also happens to be my family, to take care of!"

"House or land, Bill! Figure it out! You need to decide soon, though, because Lee is going to put together a couple of building teams while we're gone for our Honeymoon. Which means if you decide on your plans, we could all three start building at the same time, as long as Lee knows to hire a third team. He thinks he can have them done that way before winter…"

As Nathan walked up the staircase to his office, Alex met him at their entrance with a cup of coffee, black like the Chief liked it.

"Good morning, Chief Inspector, Sir!" and per protocol, Alex dropped his initial formal salute for the day.

"Good morning, Special Sergent! At ease!"

Alex handed his Chief his cup of coffee, briefing him as they walked along Rosemary's Mountie Hall of Fame!

When they walked into the Chief's office together, Alex couldn't help but notice the stunning new painting on the Chief's credenza.

Thankfully, he caught himself before he said anything, realizing who most likely painted it.

Though, of course, Nathan noticed his personal assistant's glance.

"Allie painted that! It's my favorite of what she's done so far."

"It's quite beautiful. She's very talented, Sir!"

"Yes, she is, and she gets it all from my sister, her mother. Collie was a professional artist and a really good one, too! It's amazing, but her talent seems to have been passed on from mother to daughter, as Allie has had no formal training. Sadly, there's just never been anyone around well-versed enough in art to pay to help her! I've always felt bad about that, as she's clearly gifted."

"Sir, she is very gifted! And I'm not even sure I can help her, but I would be more than happy to try, though I most certainly wouldn't allow you to pay me."

"You paint, Alex?"

"I do. Pretty much from the time I could hold a pencil. My grandparents on my Mother's side dabbled in art when they weren't hard at work all day long. I think painting was their escape in the evenings and on the weekends. In addition to their mentoring, I've been fortunate to have been a part of formal classes throughout most of my schooling as well. I prefer oils but occasionally use watercolors, too. I love doing charcoal sketches. It seems I got the sketching part from my grandfather! Have volumes of journals with nothing but sketches. And don't get me started on sculpting. That might be my favorite of all!"

"That's pretty impressive! And you're sure you wouldn't mind helping her?"

"No, not at all! It would be my pleasure, Sir!"

"Let me run it by her and see if she can work it in with school starting soon. She takes advanced classes and stays fairly busy with her coursework, trying to work it all in. Plus, as you've probably gathered, she's the town's social butterfly!"

"You clearly adore her, Sir!"

"That I do! Up until now, it's always been just the two of us! She's been the joy of my life! The best thing I ever did was to become her Papa. She'll always be my number one daughter! And that girl is flat-out remarkable, too. Probably could work rings around us, if I'm being honest. She can hold her own in the Mountie world with both her Uncle Bill and me. And at the same time, too. So that pretty much says it all!"

Alex chuckled because, somehow, he could totally believe that was exactly the case.

The truth was, as hard as Alex had tried, he couldn't get Allie's beautiful face out of his mind. Nor her feistiness and spunkiness. Though he knew some wouldn't understand that, he did and even admired her being innately so forthright. Of course, he had not breathed any of that to a single soul. Not even Peyton or Jacques, who now lived with him!

But as hard as he tried, he couldn't stop these feelings that were inside him.

The truth was they weren't lessening but instead growing stronger, no matter how much he tried to subdue them.

The whole thing was a no-win situation, and Corporal O'Reilly knew it.

Yet still, he was strongly drawn to this girl, who was like no other he had ever met.

"Oh, Alex, will you please get Christian on the secure line and tell him I have a report that the DC might want to hear."

"Yes, Sir! I'll do it right now…"

"Sir, Christian and the Deputy Commissioner are on your secure line, Chief!"

"Thank you, Alex!"

Nathan waited till Alex closed the door behind him.

"Good morning, Sirs! I have some interesting information. But first, I have to apologize, especially to you, Deputy Commissioner Blevins, as I realized that I handily ditched my Security Team yesterday without even thinking!"

"Having a 24-hour security detail is a difficult adjustment, Son! It's been one of the hardest things I've ever had to get used to. Emily still hasn't fully adjusted, but she does try to work within the constraints, especially since that episode on the train, where, if you had not warned us, could have ended in both our deaths! For your warning, we will be eternally grateful, as are our children and parents who are still living. Why don't you tell me your news, and we'll circle back to the Security issue?"

"Yesterday, I had planned to send Staff Sergeant Valen to check on Constable Everett Howell of Benson Hills and Rock Creek, but by the time I was able to arrive at our RCMP, Finn had already gone to check on him that morning and would have fired the man then, and there had he had my permission to do so beforehand due to lack of work and attitude. Meanwhile, Staff Sergeant McKenzie met with me. On his way to our appointment, Garrett confronted Everett while nosing around at the site where I had arrested Marius with all the stolen goods he was planning to hand off to Hargreaves. Garrett offered to help with whatever he needed as the area is clearly under Garrett's jurisdiction. Of course, Everett, though nervous, said he was looking for a campsite for his Boy Scouts, which Garrett knew was a lie as Everett had refused to form a Boy Scout Troop for his towns since he had told Garrett's sister who lives in Benson Hills, he was much too busy for anything like that."

Nathan paused.

"The unbelievable thing was that Finn had earlier noticed a jagged scar on Everett's right palm and asked him about it, saying it looked very painful. Again, Everett got nervous, which Finn thought was very odd. Of course, the moment I heard that, I immediately, without even thinking about my own security, took Bill and Finn with me for Finn to fire him and me to arrest him as directed for Shaw's men. There's something else beyond that, I had reported Everett to Hargreaves before, more than once, and firmly got told to mind my own business each time. It suddenly dawned on me that Everett was double-dipping, not only as a shill for Shaw but as a minion for Hargreaves. He was now under my jurisdiction and something close to seething came over me, that someone so closeby could be so heavily involved in both our classified cases."

"I knew it could be dangerous, and I did warn both Bill and Finn that he wasn't going to take his firing and arrest lightly, that it indeed could prove dangerous. What we didn't expect were two supposed "Mounties," quite inebriated, meeting with him in the saloon. Nor did we expect Everett to attempt to take his own life in the middle of everything."

"Nathan, Christian here! We've run the two names through our files, and they are impersonators, though we aren't sure why they would go to all the trouble to get dressed up just to meet with Everett. Unless they were feeling the pressure because of all the arrests we are making."

"Shaw's underground circle has to be running scared. As it's a conflict of interest for me to do so, who do you plan to interrogate the three?"

"We're going to send a classified Special Forces Agent out later today to handle that in Union City. Staff Sergeant Harris is sending a transport team to Finn as we speak, and they will take the prisoners back with them to be interrogated in the secure room there," explained Hal.

"Thank you, Sir! That's actually a relief. I was so focused on taking care of the case at hand, the truth is I forgot all about my own Security detail. And though, in their defense, they came after me, by the time the team got to their horses and saddled up, they were quite a way behind us. It's my blame, not theirs. I won't let it happen again, Sir!"

"No apologies necessary, Nathan! Let's move forward. I remember a similar instance when I first had to adjust as well. But, having said that, I cannot stress strongly enough that it cannot happen again. You are far too important to us in your new rank and role to ever take a risk like that moving forward. And I know this is going to be extremely difficult for you because it was for me, but Nathan, you have to think of it as directing multiple scenarios of grave and vast importance, just like this one and many even much more so, all at once, but across our country, and from afar! That is your new role as Chief Inspector. We simply cannot risk, heaven forbid, you being shot or worse. Are we understood, Chief Inspector Grant?"

"We are, Sir! And I assure you, it won't happen again…"

At Elizabeth's rowhouse, Elizabeth and Julie were leisurely sharing a cup of coffee while reminiscing over their childhood antics, but the tide had suddenly changed with Julie bringing up some painful topics.

"Ellabeth, I didn't say anything when I was here the last time, but to tell you the truth, I was alarmed for you."

"What do you mean, Julie? Whatever for?"

"I don't mean to bring up painful things. But you looked different, like you were a shell of your former self, playing a part. Do you realize every single time I brought up Lucas's name, you changed the subject?"

"I did?"

"You did. I just couldn't understand why you were with him, much less planning to marry the man. Especially when your letters became filled with Nathan's name more and more. But believe it or not, Auntie Agatha and our parents had it long figured out before me!"

"It's a long story, Julie, and one I don't wish to particularly get into during my Wedding week. But I will say my love for Nathan was so great that it terrified me, and the fear of losing him like Jack just became greater and greater with time. The truth is I wasn't strong enough to resist our love on my own, so I planned a life similar to what I knew back in Hamilton that would exclude him and Allie. It was the stupidest thing I've ever done in my life."

"I agree, though I guess a small part of me can understand it. But Elizabeth, I tried so hard to see the love there between you and Lucas, and it wasn't there from either of you. Am I not right?"

"Sadly, you are! Just learn from this, Julie. Always, always listen to your heart and follow it. Not your brain and not people's expectations. The truth is I've never been so happy in my entire life as I've been with Nathan. And to think I almost threw it all away is an unbearable thought!"

"Oh, it shows, Sweet Sister! You positively glow at the mention of his name! I do so hope I find that kind of love. I wouldn't mind mine being as handsome as yours either or as kind and loving! When did you know?"

"From the moment I met him!"

Elizabeth's phone rang.

She answered, then covered the mouthpiece, whispering to Julie.

"It's Rosemary, and she's frantic!"

"Rosemary, slow down. What are you trying to say?"

"I need you and Julie to get dressed up right now and come to The Queen of Hearts immediately. Elizabeth, did you forget that we are having a luncheon to welcome Katie back to town? And it starts in ten minutes! Hurry!"

And with that, Rosemary hung up her phone, leaving Elizabeth nonplussed.

"What welcome lunch for Katie Yost? Oh, typical Rosemary! She probably forgot to tell me! Hurry, Julie, we have to dress to the nines and appear for a luncheon that apparently starts in ten minutes!"

"What?"

"Ten minutes!"

"Well, when in doubt, wear white, Sis!"

The sisters scurried upstairs and started sifting through their clothes, hoping to find something dressy enough to meet Rosemary's strict fashion standards.

Though Elizabeth was still mumbling.

"I just wish for once Rosemary could remember to tell me ahead of time when we're having one of her numerous town celebrations! Good grief, there are so many, I can't possibly keep up…"

Back in Nathan's office, since he was going to be gone on his Honeymoon for two weeks, he placed his weekly secure phone call to Jeanette Au Coin Vanderbilt in her safe house a few days early.

"Black Spider!" he greeted, shaking his head. "Still can't believe that's the name you chose!"

"Knight in Shining Armor! What a pleasure to hear from you!"

"Nor that one either, for that matter! I knew I should have chosen my own name. How are you, Blackie?"

"Hey, you, Sir, are lucky it wasn't 'Boy Scout!'"

"That I am – how are things going?"

"The sessions are hard and long, but they are helping slowly but surely! I can tell it already. The doctor is very patient with me, as is his nurse. Also, thank you, again, for the both of them and the clothes!"

"It's our pleasure!"

"Can I write you a check?"

"Absolutely no checks, Blackie! Not to anyone, you hear me? Checks are dead giveaways – so absolutely not under any circumstances!"

"Yes, Sir! I'll tear them up so I'm not tempted. But you sure aren't leaving me much fun! Though the truth is, just being still without having to panic every other second is actually starting to relax me a little!"

"I'm glad! Debriefing is a slow process for sure. Hey, how's it going with my sub?"

"Now, he's Boy Scout for sure!"

Nathan chuckled.

"I knew you'd get that in somewhere! I suppose, better him than me! How's it going with you two?"

"Well, since I ask him a million questions, he doesn't quite know what to think of me and is constantly reining me in. But I do think he's finding our conversations a bit of a challenge. And I'm hoping a delightful one, since you two are currently the only friends I have in this big old world! How scary is that?"

"This isn't forever, Blackie. Though, you are definitely keeping us both on our toes!"

"He's calling me this week, too, so we can more easily transition over. However, you'll still be missed. You do know I have a million and one unanswered questions!"

"Undoubtedly, but we've talked about why you can't ask them and why Boy Scout and I can't answer them, remember?"

"As I said, you two are no fun at all!"

"We try, but the situation does tend to make it hard. Though I did think of something for when I get back. You love chess, and so do I – how about we do one move a day till one of us wins?"

"I actually love that idea, Knight!"

"Just know that you have to use the white pieces, despite your dark name, because I don't play unless I use the black pieces!"

"What is this? Some death-spiralling wish of yours to let your evil out?"

"Hardly, Blackie! I hate to disappoint you, but it's just plain old habit!"

"Hmph! You know, we might have to bump up that single move each day and make it three moves while we give our updates. What do you say?"

"I warn you, I'm pretty good! So, you might want to change your mind after we start!"

"Well, my father taught me to play when I was six, so you better be shakin' in your boots!"

"You're on! Though my father taught me when I was five!"

His charge did have a certain 'take-charge' way about her that was at times wearing, though he understood the effects of being cooped up away from family and friends.

"I know we can't talk about this, Knight of mine, so I'll be very careful. But have you spoken with anyone nearby lately?"

"That I have. And I warn you, you are in very dangerous territory, Blackie, on two fronts because you know who I belong to, and I know who you belong to, so no more 'Knight of mine' stuff! The name you've chosen for me is in itself bad enough!"

"Oops! I did that 'mine' stuff without thinking! So, apologies given. However, I did purposely choose the name to irk you! But as far as the 2nd territory, it's not dangerous at all if we don't let it be! I was just wondering if 'my parents' still love me?"

"I can't believe you are relegating me to this. But, yes, 'your parents' still love you very much and ask about you daily. Enough said!"

"Thank you! So very much! That's all I needed to know! Can you tell them I love them too, very, very much, and miss them the same!"

"That I can do, Blackie! But my advice moving forward is that you'd better start practicing your Chess moves. Need anything else from me before I go?"

"No, except to thank you again and again and again! Oh, and will the nightmares ever stop, Knight?"

"I believe so, with time! Everyone involved is praying so as well. Here's a trick I've learned that you might want to try. Keep a journal by your bed. When you awaken – write every awful detail you can remember down, then lock it away. By doing that, you are symbolically banishing all of it from coming back to your mind, even in your sleep. Keep doing that till it works. Got it?"

"Got it! Will try it tonight!"

"Boy Scout will be making the next call, though I'm not sure when."

"Not a problem, as I seem to have quite a lot of time on my hands these days. Knight, enjoyed our talk as always!"

"Same, Blackie! Chin up and hang in there! This isn't forever, but remember, it's a whole lot better than our alternative…"

As Elizabeth and Julie walked into The Queen of Hearts, the place was decorated in gold Wedding décor from top to bottom, with lavender and deep rose-pink roses everywhere, even on the outside!

It was also inundated with all the women of the town dressed in their finest party clothes. In the center of a round table in the middle of the room, there stood a small version of a white wedding cake with more lavender and deep rose-pink roses decorating both the cake and the entire table!

Every single one of the guests, including Elizabeth's own mother and daughter, Julie, who happened to be standing with the Bride and had been in on the surprise from the beginning, and all of the Bride's Attendants, including Lillian from Brookfield, shouted out, "Surprise! Happy Bridal Luncheon, Elizabeth!"

She was flabbergasted, as she had insisted to Rosemary a shower or party wasn't at all necessary! But secretly, inside, now that it was happening, she was thrilled to get to celebrate this day that meant the absolute world to her, her coming Wedding Day, especially with all her Lady Friends she loved best. They had chosen to keep things low-key and more Luncheon than Shower, which only made everything all the more elegant and relaxed!

Elizabeth could instantly see these Dear Ladies had gone all out to make everything perfect and perfectly her!

"Relax," assured Rosemary. "You said no games, so there are no games whatsoever! Just a fancy and lovely luncheon with even lovelier conversation from all of us who love you most. And perhaps a gift or two!"

"Oh, I can see a gift or two! Two tables full, to be exact! My goodness, have you all gone mad? I've never seen so many presents! And Julie – you insisting I wore white – I should have known!"

"She was totally clueless, everyone, and so mad that Rosemary had forgotten to tell her Katie Yost was returning today," laughed Julie.

"That, my Dear Elizabeth, is not till next month!" clarified Florence with a wink but also delighted their ruse had worked.

"Here," smiled Minnie. "We need the beautiful Bride to follow me, as you are to be seated right here in our largest golden chair!"

"My goodness! This is more like a throne!"

"And we can't possibly have a Bride without a veil! So, humor us, beautiful Bride," and Rosemary fitted Elizabeth with a short Bridal veil to copious giggles from the ladies.

"And we also can't have a Bride without a bouquet, so here is a lovely bouquet of your favorite lavender roses!" smiled Minnie.

"Oh, Minnie! How beautiful!"

"Now for the Attendants," Rosemary announced. "Each of you has a veil as well, so hop to it! Let's get all of you dressed properly in true bridal fashion before you are also seated in your golden chairs for our fun Ladies Luncheon, which is done up in true Wedding style!"

"Along with a deep pink rose bouquet for each attendant as well, so you can practice carrying and keeping track of them!" explained Minnie with a huge smile. "Though our smallest Attendant happens to be otherwise engaged, and most importantly so, as she is attending her daycare today and is probably napping about now for all intents and purposes!"

Everyone laughed and started chatting about how loving it was going to be to see Little Goldie as part of the wedding!

Of course, the Bride overheard, but she was so excited she simply couldn't connect the dots that, yes, indeed, the whole town was planning to be in attendance at the soon-to-be Grant Wedding, which they wouldn't have missed for the world!

The Bride appeared more anxious to see what they were all having for her surprise luncheon. She lovingly greeted her mother and daughter with kisses, who were sitting next to her on either side, followed by Julie and the rest of her attendants. Then she began to relax, determined to enjoy this special time to the hilt!

The truth was Elizabeth was so delighted that she couldn't help but shed a happy tear.

This surprise celebration of her Wedding with all the women she held close to her heart, including her own dear Family and all her dear Lady Friends from the beloved town they held so dear, was what had been missing from this most joyful week all along!

Now, to express that joy and share it with all these women who were most dear to her meant everything to this beautiful Bride, who was more than ecstatic, ready to marry the man of her dreams in just three short days!

Suddenly, her heart filled with overwhelming gratitude! With this most special surprise celebrating the Bride and all those she held dear, all the beautiful aspects of her Wedding, her marriage, and her new life to follow instantly became so very real and oh, so very cherished and extraordinary…