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Nathan & Elizabeth: An Epic Love
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Chapter Sixty-five
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Wednesday of Wedding Week
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Part II
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Later that evening, Rosemary finally caught the Judge in her sight, coming toward her on the boardwalk.
"Bill Avery, just the man I needed to see! You are responsible for getting Elizabeth and Nathan dressed appropriately, and into town for our surprise 'Fish Fry Street Party' celebrating their Wedding in just two-days-time," ordered Rosemary. "Oh, and you have to keep it the Surprise it's meant to be!"
"How in the world am I supposed to do that?"
"Bill, you are a Mountie and a Judge—figure it out! You just have them here by 6 PM, and make sure they are not a minute late! Are we understood?"
Bill just scowled while Lee rolled his eyes and shrugged his shoulders. He wished he could rein in his wife, but knowing that was hopeless, all he could really do was offer Bill empathy.
"What about the kids?" growled the Judge.
"They're with their grandparents in their suite!"
"You didn't tell them, did you!"
"Of course not! Jack would have blabbed it all over the place!"
"Well, you got a point there! I don't know Rosemary!"
But the look of import she shot Bill's way made him quickly reassess that statement!"
"All right, all right! I'll at least try…"
Practicing what he would say during the entire walk to Nathan's rowhouse, Bill knocked on the door, but there was no answer.
Then he realized Nathan's parents were already in town, along with Allie and Jack.
So, the silence meant that Nathan must be at Elizabeth's.
"Well, this ought to go well!" Bill mumbled as he sped up his walk to Elizabeth's.
Once there, he knocked loudly.
But Bill didn't wait for them to open the door and quickly did it himself to find Nathan and Elizabeth kissing and innocently canoodling on the other side. (*130)
"What in the blazes are you two doin'?"
"Bill, what does it look like we're doing? This is the first moment we've had alone the entire day! And we are taking full advantage of it with some well-deserved alone time! Leave!" ordered Nathan, practically pushing the Judge out the door.
"Just a minute. You two aren't gettin' rid of me that easy!"
"No, we are getting rid of you, period, Judge! No matter how hard you make it!"
"Elizabeth?" asked Bill pitifully.
"Sorry, Bill! I'm with Nathan on this one, and we aren't budging!"
"Well, you have to budge!"
"Bill, we are adults, and we are staying put," insisted Nathan. "This is probably the only private time we are going to have till our Honeymoon!"
"But Rosemary…"
"We don't care if Rosemary is entertaining the King of England. We aren't going!" iterated the Chief firmly.
"Then I'm stayin'! Just continue on with what you're doin', and I'll just make myself at home," waved Bill as he unceremoniously plopped himself down on Elizabeth's settee.
Nathan and Elizabeth both shot daggered looks at the Judge, daring him to continue to interrupt them.
"Go, Bill, to whatever this is Rosemary is having now!"
"Are you two really this dumb? Are you both really as dumb as a box of rocks to boot?"
"What are you talking about, Bill? We just want to be left alone! And now, please! Unless you want me to bodily throw you out!"
"You wouldn't dare!" shrieked the Judge.
"You bet your boots I would and will! Just watch me!" insisted Nathan in his most threatening voice.
"Now, calm down here! And you two listen to me good! I don't ask for much. But I am askin' for this, and I expect you both to humor me! Though both of you need to dress a little nicer, casual but nicer than this!"
"Since when did you become the fashion expert, Bill," sneered Elizabeth, completely miffed now that he had not only interrupted their private moment but had also insulted their choice of clothing.
"You two listen to me and you listen real good! The entire town has pretty much threatened me with my life, not to mention Rosemary, if I don't see that you two are appropriately dressed for a casual street party and follow me back to town. Now, it doesn't take a genius, or shouldn't, why two days before your Weddin' the distinct pleasure of your company is desired by the people who love you! Now, Elizabeth, go get dressed, and please, do somethin' to your hair. Nathan, go home, spruce yourself up, and that includes shavin' and somethin' a whole lot better than that 'whatever that is' to wear! As soon as your fiancée changes, I'll escort her to your house, and I'll even let the two of you walk together ahead of me, but just know I'm holdin' a gun on you from behind! Now, are we perfectly clear?"
"You wouldn't dare, Bill Avery!"
"You try me!"
Then, for good measure, the Judge added one last threat, which he meant.
"And just so you know, I have handcuffs with me, too! How are you gonna explain that one to your children, your parents, your in-laws, your men, your commanding officers, and the entire town?"
Nathan and Elizabeth glared at the Judge, then Elizabeth screamed, knowing they were now doomed to whatever new community event Rosemary had dreamed up this time, both fiancée and fiancé madder than a couple of hornets ready to sting via multiples jabs, whoever got in their way.
And the Judge was first on their list, with Rosemary a close second right behind him…
Convincing the Bridal Couple hadn't been pretty, but the Judge had done it.
"Elizabeth, you look beautiful!"
"Thank you, Bill!" she replied curtly, still furious that she and Nathan had lost their alone time.
"Let's go get your fiancé, and you'll feel better. Besides, Elizabeth, a whole lotta people have traveled a whole lotta miles to celebrate this big Weddin' event. Now, you and Nathan can be as selfish as you want these next two weeks of your Honeymoon, and truly, I hope you both are. But tonight is about sharin' with all the people who love you!"
"Hmph!" she growled, still not at all amused.
Bill offered his arm, but she refused to take it, so he took her arm and wrapped it around his anyway.
"I didn't agree to that!"
"Nor did I, but it seems we are in the middle of this fiasco together," groused the Judge.
They walked to Nathan's in silence, with Elizabeth still steaming!
Bill let the two of them in, and there sat Nathan, madder than Bill had ever seen him, which was pretty mad.
"Okay, at least you're both presentable. We've got ten minutes. So, I'm gonna go fix me a cup of coffee in the kitchen, and you two young'uns go at it like hormonal teenagers if that's what you want!"
As soon as Bill closed the door to the kitchen, both Nathan and Elizabeth burst out laughing while wasting not a single solitary second of getting back to where they had left off when Bill had so rudely interrupted them.
"Hey, ten whole minutes. And just so you know, if I have to come after this street fish-fry, or whatever it is, ends, and break out a window tonight to get your attention after everyone goes to bed, that's exactly what I'm doing," announced Nathan.
"Promise, Baby?" whispered Elizabeth, needing reassurance before she allowed herself to dream.
"Promise, Babe! Count on it. Come here, you…"
Walking behind the Bridal Couple, who were miraculously all happy again, Bill chuckled, though he did keep his right hand on his gun and his left on his handcuffs all the way into town.
They were going to be five minutes late, but hey! He had done his best and given the duo enough time, so at least the guests of honor were now in a good enough mood to enjoy their guests and the evening!
"Oh, Nathan, look, everyone has come, and it all looks beautiful!"
"Hey, Love, this shindig can't be all bad! They've got the dance floor lit! Don't forget to pencil me in, Lizbeth!"
"Nathan, will you be okay? I mean, this is a lot of people, Love."
"Yes, but they are people who love us. Besides, it's a fish fry, and Bill says they're using my Dad's batter recipe, which is the best I've ever had! What could be better?"
"Alone time," they both chorused together.
"But that's coming, Love! And as long as we don't have to make speeches, I'm good!"
"Well, maybe a tiny thank you at the end, Darling!"
"Already figured that out – when you're Irish, there's something to cover pretty much every situation! So, no worries! A tiny thank you, I can handle, Love! But do you think we can hide out part of the night? I do have a certain star I need to return to you! Well, not return exactly, but at least let you see where it now resides!"
"Sounds intriguing! Where do we start with this surprise party thing?"
"Since we have a gun and cuffs at our back, first we kidnap Rosemary with a smile in front of Commissioner Doneghy and Deputy Commissioner Blevins, lock her in the dungeon, then just dive in!" he teased.
"I like that plan, and I completely concur. And yes, my best friend is going to get a lecture, with both love and our new reality, like never before…"
As the couple walked into the crowd, Bill still behind them, but now with a big old smile replacing the growl on his face for having succeeded in accomplishing his most difficult mission, everyone stood and clapped until Nathan motioned for everyone to sit and then called out greetings.
"Thank you, all, for coming out to celebrate our Wedding Week with us! Two more days and our happy day arrives! Elizabeth and I are deeply honored. And having a town fish fry is right at the top of our list, given the Grant's love for fishing. But we're here also for all of us to enjoy each other and have fun together. The truth is, when it's a fish fry using my Dad's secret recipe, it's pretty impossible not to have a boatload of fun! Because it's the best I've ever tasted. And it's impossible to stop with one serving. Everyone enjoy!"
Rosemary came rushing to the Bride and Groom.
"Now, we knew you wouldn't want a big hoopla, but this is for everyone, you two. Although I must show you the most darling non-Wedding Wedding cake I've ever seen!"
She dragged them through the center of the crowd and straight into The Queen of Hearts, where there was a round table in the center of the Dining Room with a tiered cake full of fishing paraphernalia!
"Oh, look, Darling! Here's an exact replica of the wicker tackle basket Allie gave you for your Birthday!" noticed Elizabeth.
"My goodness, it looks like the real thing!" admitted Nathan.
"Since you both love chocolate, the entire cake is chocolate but with Elizabeth's favorite Cherry Ganache in between the layers. So, the only thing I ask you to do tonight is to, at some point, cut your cake! Oh, and say a tiny word of thanks at the end if you think you can manage that!"
"Got it covered, Rosemary; I'm Irish!"
Rosemary laughed.
"And apparently English and Italian too! With maybe a little Scottish thrown in, according to your mother, whom I dearly love, by the way!"
"Rosemary though I admit, we planned a quiet evening alone together, thank you for honoring us! We plan to scold you later," warned Elizabeth. "Quite a lot, actually!"
"Oh, Elizabeth, you two will have plenty of time together on your two-week-long honeymoon! This evening, everyone just wanted to show you both our love! Besides, there's dancing under the stars! How much more romantic can you get!"
"I have to admit, she does have a point there, Darling…"
In the middle of everything, there were two very long tables set beautifully, though casually, full of family, Mountie Top Brass, and Nathan's team of men, with fresh fried fish being delivered by plattersful at a time.
"Bill, I've never seen so much food!"
"We've had people cooking all day long, Son! This is just the beginnin' – we've got enough fish for three towns, baked beans, roasted corn on the cob, home fries, both sweet and white potatoes, macaroni and cheese, cole slaw of every kind, and the best corn fritters and hushpuppies in all of Canada!"
"So, Dad's making those too?" asked Nathan.
"You better believe it, and I've had three or four, well maybe nine or ten of each! Those things are the best I've ever put in my mouth, and whether he knows it or not, he's givin' me the recipe for both!"
"Well, good luck with that one, Bill!" warned Nathan.
"We've also gotten about every kind of salad and dessert known to man!"
"Oh, this Bride is sticking with the chocolate, cherry ganache Wedding Cake!" assured Elizabeth, flirting with her Groom.
"And this Groom is in total agreement with his Bride. Bring it all on, Bill! We are ready!"
"This might be the biggest and best ultimate fish fry I've ever seen, just going by the food alone. Not to mention, it looks like the people are pretty special, too," enthused the Commissioner.
His Deputy Commissioner grinned and spoke up in confirmation.
"Well, you've got that right, Sir! I have never met a town that takes care of its own like this one. Nor one that makes complete strangers feel more welcome…"
After literally everyone was stuffed, the kids began playing corn hole, tug-of-war, and a plethora of races while some of the adults played chess and checkers on the boardwalk.
Everywhere one looked, there was a new activity cropping up.
But the majority of the adults made their way into The Queen of Hearts to watch the Pre-Wedding Cake cutting.
There as Nathan and Elizabeth cut the cake together, with the knife Rosemary had attached fishing lures too, so that it would match the cake, no holds were barred, both deciding to have some fun with the whole thing.
As they cut it, Nathan first offered his Bride a bite of chocolatey gooeyness.
"It tastes divine! Your bite's next, Husband-to-be! Are you ready?"
Nathan opened his mouth to taste the bite between her fingers, which she gave him, but while he was moaning in delight over it, he never saw it coming.
As she ran a generously sized glob of cherry ganache down his nose, just like at the slumber party so many years ago.
"Come to me, my Darling Wife-to-be!" and to the delight of the clapping crowd, Nathan thoroughly kissed the love of his life, smothering her face with the same delicious cherry ganache on his nose.
They kissed and laughed and kissed some more, making more of a mess than ever, till finally, Rosemary offered them large napkins to start cleaning each other up.
Allie watched with a smile on her face, unknown to her, with Alex behind her.
"They're very much in love," whispered Alex. "And they seem perfect for each other."
Allie nodded.
"They are, to both comments. I think they have been from the moment they met," she admitted.
At about that time, a cleaned-up Bride and Groom walked over to their daughter.
"You two do realize you are the same two who chastised me dearly over flying ice cream sundaes once upon a time."
"Oops, we did do that, didn't we? We most definitely owe you one for that, Allie," winked Elizabeth. "And we won't forget to repay!"
"And I actually owe you another apology, Allie, because I forgot to tell you Alex is quite the artist! He was bragging on your painting in my office and offered to give you lessons if you can fit them in with your school schedule," clarified her Papa.
"Really?" asked Allie, not wanting to sound too interested or too surprised, though inside, that was exactly what she was feeling. "That would be…nice. If you're sure…we wouldn't be…imposing?"
"No, not at all," and Alex swallowed, unable to believe this was really happening. "I'd love to teach you. Though I'm not sure how much I can help because you are a very, very gifted artist, Allie!"
To which Allie blushed profusely, but the truth was, so did Alex.
All of a sudden, the honored Bride and Groom were bombarded with hugs, congratulations, and well wishes from all those around them, leaving Allie and Alex a little space to talk a bit, though both shyly so.
Outside, Peyton, with Angela, was way ahead of them all. As soon as he heard about the surprise party for his boss and his fiancée, he took action that very day:
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"Rev. Canfield, Mrs. Canfield, I just heard about the surprise "Pre-Wedding Fish Fry Dinner, and I thought since it was a function we'd all be attending together, would it be alright for me to ask Angela to go with me as my date?"
"Oh, Peyton, I don't know. She's still so young," resisted Minnie.
"Minnie, Angela is 17, and she will most likely be going to college after graduation this year. You were 17 when I first asked you out, and we only had one chaperone. But this is even better. The whole town will be there as chaperones, including us. And the way I see it, I can't think of another young man I would rather choose for Angela's first date to be with. What do you say, Minnie?"
"Oh, Peyton! It's not you, it's me. But Joseph is right. I couldn't choose a nicer young gentleman to ask her out for her first date! So, hurry and ask her quickly before I change my mind!"
"Thank you, Rev. Canfield! Thank you, Mrs. Canfield. I promise I will take the very best care of her!"
"We know you will, Son! And both of you have a good time while you're at it because I do not doubt that our daughter will be thrilled to say yes!"
Peyton left them with the biggest smile on his face, on his way to find Angela immediately!
It took him all of ten minutes to find her sitting in the park on the swing with Allie.
"Angela!"
"Peyton!"
"I'd better get back to check on Jack! I don't think you two need me for this!"
"No, Allie, you stay," insisted Angela.
"No, Angela! I think Peyton needs to talk to you alone!" she insisted, emphasizing the word 'alone.'
"As a matter of fact, Allie's right! I do need to speak with you alone, Angela. Thank you, Allie, for understanding!"
"See you soon, Angela!"
Allie nodded with a smile to Peyton and went on her way.
"What's up, Peyton? What did you need?"
"Angela, I like you, and I've liked you quite a lot since the moment we met. I just talked to your parents and got their permission, so I had to find you. Will you please go to the Surprise Fish Fry with me as my date!"
"They said yes?" she asked incongruously. "Even Mama?"
"They did, Angela! She did, too, though she did tell me to hurry and ask you before she changed her mind. I couldn't be more proud if you would say yes!'
His eyes were pleading with her, and she could feel them, along with his slight feeling of nerves.
She reached out, searching for his hand, wanting them connected in some way as she gave her answer.
He finally realized that she was reaching for him and wrapped his hand around hers.
"Yes, Peyton! I would be so honored to go with you!"
And the broadest smiles they had ever smiled suddenly appeared on both their faces.
"We are having our first date, Angela, and just so you know, I hope it's one of many!"
Allie watched from a distance, happy for them both but feeling just a little bit sad at the same time.
It was never going to be just Angela and her ever again, at least not in the same way. And both Angela and Allie knew it.
Everything seemed to be changing! Her family was a great change, but why was this best friend thing so hard? The truth was Allie felt like an outcast with no place to go.
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Back at the party, all the couples, including Peyton and Angela, suddenly began to meander to the dance floors in front of the gazebo-like pavilion.
Rosemary brought in the same Band from Union City that Hal used last week since they had been such a great hit.
"I can't get over how perfect that Gazebo is for so very many things!" mused Rosemary aloud. "Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, Hope Valley cannot thank you enough!"
"Our pleasure, Rosemary, and it's quite wonderful to see you put it to such good use!" assured the Deputy Commissioner.
All the wonderful scents of the fish fry were still lingering in the evening's warm air, mingling with the myriad of luscious fragrances from the many flowers Rosemary had strategically adorned the entire town with.
The sun, having just dipped beyond the horizon, caused the lights strung across the streets to become brighter, along with the fairy lights twinkling in the town's trees.
The overall effect was magical.
William and Archie had already asked their wives to dance, both couples thoroughly enjoying themselves.
All four were good dancers, but it was clear to all that Eleanor was a pro, retired or not. She positively owned the dance floor, as all could clearly see.
"I have an idea, Nathan! I'll dance with Father and give Mother a break while you dance with your Mother and give your Father a break."
"But I want to dance with you!"
"That will come, my Darling!"
He nodded as Elizabeth kissed him on his cheek and walked to her father.
Taking his fiancée's cue, he went to his own parents.
"May I interrupt, Dad!" asked Nathan.
"Only because you are the Groom, Son! You two enjoy!" winked Archie.
What proceeded was pure magic.
Everyone in Hope Valley could tell Nathan and his mother were professionals, as they clearly took off and owned the dance floor together like no other.
The pair glided across the floor so that everyone dancing stood back in awe and simply watched the intricate steps mixed with profound love between mother and son.
As their dance ended, Nathan wrapped his arms around his mother and kissed her in front of all.
All of Hope Valley clapped furiously in applause for the show they had just been given.
Both nodded in acceptance, but then Eleanor found Elizabeth and delivered her to her son with a flourish.
Everyone clapped again as the Bridal Couple began their dance together.
Nathan took Elizabeth's hand, holding it next to his heart as he always romantically seemed to do when he danced with her. He pulled her close. And together, they began to sway, together as one unit, ever so lovingly.
He quickly led her to a corner of the floor where they could feel they were alone now that many, many couples were also enthusiastically dancing.
And suddenly, the cares of the day and the days to come were all gone.
For this was their time alone, as though no one else existed.
They exchanged soft laughter and whispers of love known only to them as they reminisced together, feeling the immediacy of all the treasures to come, dreaming of their many adventures to be.
The stars twinkled like the many diamonds in her ring lying upon his strong shoulder, a testament of their unique love story forevermore.
And so, they danced, and danced, till at long last the night was coming to an end, and the Bridal Couple stood back in the center of their massive dance floor, hand-in-hand, to thank the crowd, composed of all the people they loved.
Nathan began.
"Since an Irishman always has an Irish blessing or two or three or four up his sleeve, I'm going to combine a few: May the dreams you hold dearest be those which come true. And may the kindness you spread, 'such as tonight to Elizabeth and me,' keep returning to you. May the blessings of each day be the blessings you need most. And for each petal on the proverbial shamrock, 'together, we wish you this,' Good health, good luck, and happiness 'with much love' for today and every 'single coming' day." (*140)
"And a heartfelt thank you, too, from Elizabeth, Allie, Jack, and me to you all, who mean the world to the four of us!"
Elizabeth lifted herself up on her tiptoes to kiss her fiancé, who had said every single thing that needed to be said, as evidenced by the energetic and loving applause from all…
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139. "Canoodling," generally applies to embracing, caressing, and kissing between a couple; silly sounding word applies to innocent show of physical affection. Earliest origin 1860s. Public Domain Information.
140. "Compilation of Irish Blessings," handed down from Gaelic generation to generation. Public Domain Information.