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Nathan & Elizabeth: An Epic Love
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Chapter Seventy-four
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Friday of Wedding Week
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Part IV
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As Nathan entered his rowhouse, Eleanor and Archie were thrilled to see him looking so happy!
"Mission accomplished, Son?" asked Archie.
"Mission accomplished, Father! And I can only imagine how happy my Bride is that we were able to pull off this surprise!"
"It was such a lovely thing to do, Nate," assured Eleanor proudly.
"I just wanted our Wedding Day to be as perfect as it could be for her!"
"Which only shows your extraordinary love! And since the Calvary seems to be arriving soon, Son, why don't you take this as your quiet time, alone to do what you need or want to do."
"Elizabeth actually sent me a letter via William and Jack, though she insisted her father be the official caretaker!"
"Then you relax and read your letter! Archie, come help me get things ready in the kitchen for the onslaught of men to come!"
Realizing this would probably be the last few private moments alone with his parents, Nathan stopped them, first embracing and kissing his mother, then the same with his father.
"I love you both immensely and it means the world to me and my entire family that you are here!"
"There's nowhere else we possibly could be, Son! You sit and read that all-important letter from your Bride!" suggested Archie.
"And speaking of love, we can't begin to express our love and pride for you, Nathan. You are everything a mother and father wish their son to be and, oh, so much more! To know you are marrying the woman of your dreams is everything, knowing that now, your life will be complete in every way! And in case we haven't said it enough, we love you to the moon and back, a million times over, Son!" beamed Eleanor.
Nathan couldn't help but smile as he heard his parents once more speak their cherished childhood words of 'I love you' - the same magical words that he had passed down to Allie, and now to Jack to express his love.
"The exact same back to you two! I love you both so very much! And your magical words are now a continued tradition with Allie and Jack!"
"We couldn't be prouder of that," insisted Archie. "But more importantly, today, we couldn't be prouder of you, Son!"
"That means the world, coming from the two of you! I have to say, though," and Nathan choked at the thought. "I miss Collie so terribly. It's like she should be here, today of all days!"
Eleanor wrapped her arms around her son with tears in her own eyes.
"But she is, my Darling Boy! She is right here with us, in your heart and ours!"
Nathan finally broke down, crying as his mother held him, all three grieving for their beloved daughter and sister, whom they longed for and missed more than ever on this most special family day.
Eleanor held her son till he had calmed, then took charge!
"You, sit! And read your letter from your beautiful Bride! Come, Arch!"
Archie patted Nathan's shoulder, then moved on into the kitchen with his wife, leaving their son in privacy…
In total quiet, Nathan sat down in his leather chair, stretching his long legs out on the matching ottoman by the small fire his father had built in the fireplace more for ambiance than heat.
His hand ran tenderly across his Lizbeth's writing on the envelope, just like he had done across her signature on his copy of the book she had written an inscription on. That seemed like so long ago, and he couldn't help but marvel at how things had changed.
And then he carefully opened the envelope.
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My Darling Nathan,
Never have I ever regretted honoring a tradition of any sort so horribly! And I'm writing this, only moments after our last kiss. Which thankfully or mockingly or both, I can still taste on my lips.
Another words, my Love, it is you I still have with me, as though your sweet lips are still on my own. And that, in and of itself, is quite a remarkable thing!
Because being away from you, and all that is you, is excruciating, even for just this one night and partial day. Though I know I am the one to blame, as I am the cautious Bride, who insists on following this horrid Wedding rule on the off chance that there might be merit to its rumor of good luck and fertility, or worse, the alternative!
So, in spite of all that, (and no, normally I am not superstitious, but our Wedding felt way too important to risk), let me just go on record, that being apart from you is pretty much like robbing me of the air I breathe.
More importantly, everything that is the essence of you, is suddenly gone and each of my senses begin to mourn, missing you in ways that are difficult to explain.
I can no longer envision, except from my vivid memory, the myriads of colors and hues that burst forth from your azure eyes, arousing dreams and wishes that set my heart aflame every single time I gaze into them.
Without you present, I can only conjure your masculine scent of leather that never fails to surround me with comfort, but also a certain noble sophistication (the thought of which I'm sure you'll disdain), the rugged musk of your well-groomed horse that always transports me to some adventure we are galloping off on together, as well as all the grounded scents of nature especially that of fresh pine that somehow always calms and relaxes me.
When you aren't around, my hearing no longer entertains the luscious mystery of 'will he' or 'won't he' burst out randomly serenading me with those rich notes of some random, yet perfectly placed, love song, while drawing me into a sweet dance when, I least expect it - oh how I miss the void of not having those all-important questions infusing my being!
Nor do I have anyone to care enough, nor pay attention to detail as it relates to me, to fix the scrumptious Italian delicacies I hunger for from my childhood, transporting me back to one of my favorite flavors and memories, that you alone realized I needed and made happen!
Then there is that all-missing touch of my soulmate that is infused with a love I can't fully explain, while leaving me with butterflies and this heady floaty feeling, not to mention the very real electrical sensations we share at the beginning of every touch, no matter if accidental or slight as in barely there!
The truth is, I experienced butterflies that first day I met you and have every single day since, perhaps not knowing exactly why, but definitively assured, nonetheless, that you would play a most important role, if not multiple roles in my future and the future of my son.
That was never more proven than on the day Little Jack was christened, and in order to relieve me, you held him and played with him. I was sure there would be cries and was ready to rush back to relieve you and take him in my arms again, but there were none. Instead, I heard the sweetest giggles in the world reverberating throughout the room so joyfully, as though my baby too, knew even then, you were his Papa.
My heart melted that day watching the two of you together! How could it not?
You may not know this, but for a while after you first arrived in Hope Valley, I was sure there was a Mrs. Grant and therefore I checked all those feelings arising within me. That is until that day outside the schoolhouse, when you told me Allie was your niece and not your biological daughter. I cannot tell you what a relief and secret delight that news was to me.
How I admired you that day for being man enough to become a single parent at such a young age and with such a difficult job. But your unquestionable love for Allie was written all over your face as was your concern in your need to find her, and I thought how blessed she is to have this caring man as her father.
I realize that I insinuated myself into your life in all the ways that I possibly could, and Allie was a big part of that, as I understand now that my interest in her from the beginning went way beyond that of her teacher. I simply fell in love with her, and I realize now, at the same time, with you. Yet you never once complained of my jumping in, nor even interfering when I clearly shouldn't have. The truth was that co-parenting Allie was always easy, natural, and assumed between us. There were many times I marveled at just how easy and how totally in sync we were about not only that, but so many other things as well.
Often, we didn't even need words between us. Somehow, we just miraculously knew what the other was thinking, was feeling. I've never experienced that with anyone else, though I always have with you.
Then there was that day you came to the schoolhouse and brought me that beautiful plaque you had carved as a thank you for me helping with Allie (again you had listened to detail and remembered), not only of my favorite poet, but my favorite saying, too, which also just happened to be the lifeline I needed to eventually accept the risk of completely loving you. I cannot tell you how grateful every single day, that I am for that gift and what it has meant in giving me you, my family, and my life back. So, if I haven't thanked you properly enough, I give you my word, I will do so most intentionally on our Honeymoon!
Another day I'll always remember was that moment at the library when you came charging in upon hearing the bookcases fall to the floor along with all their books. In cleaning them up, our hands touched, which elicited an electrical spark that ran its course throughout both our bodies. I know you felt it too. Though at the time, neither one of us seemed to know what to do with it.
No, I'm not sure that's true, as we both knew I was mired in grief, and I simply wasn't ready to move on since my heart was still firmly with Jack. But you miraculously understood from that moment on, there was something magnificent between us, and to be patient with me, that eventually I would be more than ready to be yours. It was like in that moment, you knew whatever it was that we had was something worth fighting for, even when I, myself, wasn't strong enough to do so.
That beautiful day at the dock is so memorable for me, too, because I was rather despondent about my capabilities as a writer, and due to some criticism, though I hope it was meant to be constructive, I was leaning toward giving my dream up altogether. And there you appeared on Newton, looking like my handsome knight ready to rescue me. You stood there and confidently assured me you instantly saw me as a writer, and you also saw beauty in my writing. You made me believe my name did belong on that book cover. And then, you saved me from writer's block, by simply and profoundly asking me: 'What's in your heart?' With those four words, I instantly knew what I was meant to write.
As I watched you ride away, you left me confident and surrounded by joy, by giving me my dream back. I went home and wrote and wrote and wrote. Or perhaps I should say, that because of you and your great confidence in my abilities, the story within me which had been such a muddled mess, instantly wrote itself.
Just like that day, more recently, you courageously came to the schoolhouse and asked me 'Elizabeth, what do YOU want?' again, when I needed a reality check so badly, you centered me, just like that pivotal day on the dock. You gave me the strength yet again, though in a completely different matter, to do what I knew I had to do. I lashed out at you so horribly that day, and lied to you in such a hurtful, almost vindictive way, and for that I am so deeply sorry.
All you said was that you hoped my decision would make me happy and for ME to 'be safe!' Your words were heartfelt and sincere, even though I was trying so hard to push you away. But they cut through me like the sharpest of knives. I instantly knew all those times I had told you to be safe, I had really been telling you I loved you, that I was in love with you.
Though in this instance, I knew that by you telling me to 'be safe' you were respecting the wrong choice that I insisted I had made and that you were removing yourself from my life, so that I could have what I said I wanted, when that wasn't at all what or who I wanted. The bottom line: I couldn't begin to imagine my life anywhere without you in it, whether you left me like that time you were going to take the Inspector's promotion in Union City, or me leaving you by going to Capital City. Either way I was devastated at the very thought of us being parted!
That was not even an option in my world.
The void would have been ghastly and more painful than I could even imagine!
There is one other instance, I'm sure we'll talk about it when the time is right. A moment when my visceral self, took over. And that's when I thought you had been killed while transporting your prisoners. I knew in my heart that day that I loved you intensely, but the thought of losing you was just too much. Having lived through it with Jack, to even allow that possibility was truly insurmountable from my viewpoint, and so I manufactured distance between us, and cowardly ran away. Even now, thinking about that day I cry. And yes, thanks in large part to you, I am indeed a writer, but that day, I still cannot write about and am not sure I ever will.
There are so many other things I could address here, but no matter what they are, when you are missing, I am left with a profound feeling of emptiness, as though I am completely off-kilter and only half alive!
I knew you were my 'Great Love,' early on, again, so great that I was fearful and ran away. Then when I no longer had you, I found myself feeling empty and wishing for a 'Great Love,' all over again, knowing deep inside, only you would do.
That was when I had to come to terms with the fact that you, are, and have always been, my 'Great Love' or as Rosemary would say, my 'Lifetime Love!'
I am so very thankful for the many ways you make me feel this great love, this lifetime love of ours, every single day.
Though now, having confessed and experienced our love together as a couple, I see that you are so much more than I initially could comprehend, making our love even deeper than I understood, a soulmate love if ever there was one:
You are constantly building a foundation of implicit trust, binding us together indelibly in the most beautiful and wonderful of ways.
You ensure too, that we create an environment of total respect around us so we can always support each other, no matter what!
You communicate openly with me in a way that each of us can tell the other anything and everything, without ever once being judged.
You push the two of us to empathize with each other as a couple, by sharing your deepest-most feelings with me, going so far as to even explain the reason behind them, while always nudging and sometimes appropriately urging me to do the same, so that there is nothing left unsaid between us.
You make sure we share our values to each other and present a united front, when need be, to the children and others.
You commit to us, your family, first even when you are your busiest; you make the effort to give of your time to care for me and nurture my desires and needs, as well as tend to the needs, and wishes of our children. You let us know we are your top priority – how can we possibly not do the same for you?
You support me vigilantly in my dreams and my personal growth, and that's such a huge gift that most couples never truly experience or learn to share, not to this degree!
Your humility and patience throughout all my travails have taught me what true forgiveness really is and you've shown me how to do the same by forgiving me in the really big things such as all my past mistakes, making me know without a doubt that any future disagreements we might have, we'll work through them easily, allowing our love to grow by teaching it to be resilient! You assure me that together, we will always get through any obstacle that comes! There is such security and self-worth in knowing that!
As I've mentioned previously, you pay such attention to detail, that you seem to inherently know when to give me the affection and support or even space that I need before I know that I need it, both emotionally and physically – I hope and pray I will always do the same for you!
But most importantly of all, you add such a sense of endless adventure to my life – by making each and every single day a grand adventure, letting me know we'll never get stagnant or stuck and that's so very exciting!
With all these attributes, these virtues, how can we not live our best life together, as a couple, and a family, in this our grandest of loves?
What I'm trying to say is, you make me feel more secure than I thought possible and more enthused than ever to live this life with you and only you! Our love is not only a 'Great Love,' but a 'Grand Love!' or perhaps something even greater if we could only figure out what! But for now, that in turn, gives us the 'grandest of visions' for both our beautiful future together as a couple and a family.
As Shakespeare's Juliet has so aptly stated, 'Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodnight till it be morrow,' I do believe that the only way I was able to say goodnight to you, earlier, my Love, is knowing that our morrow is our Wedding Day! (*152)
My heart literally jumps with joy writing those beautiful words.
I am excitedly counting the minutes till we are Husband and Wife, as I literally can't wait to be Mrs. Nathan Grant, and for the world to know me as such!
From a 'Great Love,' to a 'Grand Love,' or something even greater, that may more appropriately fit.
But for now, 'grandly yours' in every way,
Always and forever, Your Soulmate Lizbeth
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Nathan ran his fingertips over her signature, then folded the letter with tears in his eyes, but a solemn, sweet smile on his face.
"Our happily ever after is here, my Darling, now, on this very day, filled with wondrous possibility and more love than can be imagined…
Suddenly, the Grant Home was filling to the brim with Mounties, lots of camaraderie, games, and even more gusto, along with a little cigar smoke, compliments of Judge Avery's gifted pricey and hard-to-come-by Cuban cigars for all, celebrating the big event.
"Hey, Little Mountie!" greeted the Judge.
"Hi, Uncle Bill! Hi, everyone! You all do know you're going to reek of smoke at Papa's Wedding, right?" asked Allie bluntly.
"I told them the same, Allie," insisted her Gramma. "But they wouldn't listen to me either!"
Nathan got up and hugged his daughter!
"We haven't dressed yet, so it shouldn't be too bad! And everyone just gets one celebratory cigar for that very reason! After each finishes their one cigar, out they go! Because I do not think reeking of cigar smoke will make your Mama very happy. Even though it was your Uncle Bill's idea!"
Allie rolled her eyes, then they landed on the chessboard.
"You've got that right! Uncle Bill! Hey, do you need help with your next chess move?"
"No! No, no! No help required. In fact, the Judge does not need any help at all. I'm clobbering him quite fine just as it is, thank you," enthused the Commissioner, his more knowledgeable opponent.
Allie noticed the Deputy Commissioner and her Grappa were playing checkers with a vengeance, as they were now upping it to five out of six, with her Uncle Lee trying one of Bill's Cuban cigars, while studiously strategizing and waiting to play off against the official champ!
Alex's father had a card game of some sort going with Finn, and a few others, though Allie didn't see Alex, so she refocused on her Uncle Bill and the Commissioner, not knowing her missing person was in the kitchen getting more food.
But when Alex heard Allie's voice, he quickly appeared, though still unknown to Allie.
"But don't you want a fair game, Sir? I mean, I love my Uncle Bill, and all, but he's not that good at chess!"
"Neither am I! So, I'm counting this as a win, whether or not," declared the Commissioner, nearing victory.
Finally getting the picture, Allie grinned and shook her head, then turned her attention back to her father, spotting Alex in the process as he nodded to her and smiled, then quickly joined his father and Finn.
"If you gentlemen will excuse me," offered Eleanor, who had been playing hostess. "This Mother-of-the-Groom has got to get dressed! As this is one Wedding, I do not intend to miss!"
"You'd better not miss this one, Mother!" winked Nathan.
"Papa, Mama is thrilled with her surprise! Grandmama even ordered Auntie Viola a complete Bridal outfit, and Tori, too! So, they are going to be in the Wedding with us!"
"Oh, good, that solves my problem of having an extra groomsman!"
"Are you okay?" Allie asked her father, just wanting to make sure before she left.
"I am doing so okay! Having everyone here means our Wedding is just around the corner, Princess! Are you ready?"
"Well, obviously not dressed, but so ready! I just wanted to check in on you, first. But Papa, this smoke is getting really bad!"
"I suppose it is! Hey, we need to open the doors, at least. I'll get the back if you get the front! Then I'll walk around to meet you on the front porch for a bit of quiet!"
Nathan opened the back and then ran around the side of their house as Allie opened the front and sat down on their front porch swing.
"Are you doing okay, Allie?" asked Nathan, coming up to the porch and sitting down beside his daughter.
"Doing great, Papa! I'm so glad we had our time alone this morning! And thanks for letting Jack and me tag along to meet Auntie Viola and Uncle Lionel. I don't want you worrying about anything at all. We're all going to do great together as a family. I just know it! And Papa, I want you to know it too," assured Allie.
"As long as my girl is alright, I do know it, Sweetheart!"
Nathan hugged his daughter and kissed her forehead.
"I'm sorry, excuse me! I…I didn't mean to interrupt!"
Nathan and Allie both looked up to find a startled Alex who thought Allie had walked out on the porch alone, as he had seen her father go out the back.
Embarrassed, he wasn't sure what to do.
"Alex! Don't…don't go. Come, join us if you like," offered Nathan.
"But I don't want to interrupt at all, Sir!"
"No, no! You're not. But, if you don't mind, let's all sit for a minute. And Alex, we aren't at work. This is personal, so you are not on any spot at all. I've just been thinking for a while that the three of us might need to have a chat together. And since Elizabeth and I are going to be gone for two weeks, this might be exactly how and when it's meant to take place."
Alex sat down nervously on the chair across from the swing, with Allie, now just as nervously, sitting in the swing next to her father.
"First, let me go on record: I'm not match-making here. But I am a Mountie who notices things, and I think that the two of you might like to get to know each other better and become friends, but I seem to be standing in the way, as well as our jobs, Alex. Am I right about this wanting to be friends, thing?"
Alex breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
"Yes, Sir! With all due respect, very much so, Sir! Allie seems to be a wonderful person. One I would like very much to know better and be friends with. I've only hesitated because of our working relationship, Sir!"
"Then let's do this: our professional life is at work, while our personal lives are at home. So how about the three of us let work be work and personal be personal? Do you two think that is doable? I'm game if the two of you are."
"Yes, Sir!" answered Alex and Allie in unison, with utter relief in both their voices.
Nathan smiled.
"But there are rules, and here we go:
No night dates – those come much later when Allie is older and will always be chaperoned. But that doesn't mean the two of you can't socialize or dance with your friends or each other if you so choose at community events. Or even tonight at our Wedding Reception. But Allie arrives and departs with family, always.
Get to know each other as friends during the day, but in public and in town.
Breakfast and Lunch 'dates' at The Café or Soda Fountain are fine if you choose.
Riding together is also fine if the two of you so choose, as long as you both always ask and let us know first where you are going and for how long. And by 'us,' I mean Allie's new Mama or me.
As for the art, that, too, is fine to do together if you so choose, as long as it's done in our home and not Alex's cabin."
"Are the two of you in agreement and willing to abide by these guidelines?"
"Yes, Sir! They are more than fair. I very much agree to abide by and follow each one exactly as you have suggested," stated Alex most solemnly. "I will never disrespect Allie or you or the soon-to-be Mrs. Grant."
"I believe that with all my heart, Alex! And that's why these guidelines were developed solely for and with the two of you in mind, as I know and trust you both implicitly. And I am honoring that trust by giving you a high level of latitude together."
Nathan looked at both.
"Now, the day dates, riding, and artwork in tandem do not apply to anyone else. Are we understood, Allie?"
"Yes, Sir! I also promise not to take advantage of these guidelines, which are really our new rules we've agreed on. But, Papa, as far as the rules not applying to anyone else," and here Allie looked down, blushing. "I don't want them to apply to anyone else!"
"And neither do I, Sir!" confirmed Alex quickly, offering Allie all the support he could muster given the situation.
"Then, I can say the two of you are on the same page and have chosen very well, indeed!"
"Sir, should we wait to put these rules and guidelines into effect when you and Mrs. Grant return from your Honeymoon?" asked Alex, wanting to be certain of what he should and shouldn't do.
Both Alex and Allie seemed to be waiting with bated breath.
Nathan looked at them both one more time, remembering the overwhelming feelings and even need that entirely infused him in a desire to get to know Elizabeth from the first time he met her. Of course, he and Elizabeth were much older than Alex and Allie, but the feelings of needing each other's friendship were still there. And, that, no one could relate to more than this Groom, knowing that even if he wanted to, which he didn't, he couldn't stop these two standing in front of him from drawing closer, even though they were on a different timetable.
"Sir?"
"That…that is a most thoughtful offer, Alex, but we are leaving Allie and Jack in Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher's care, as well as their Auntie Julie's. I trust you both, as well as them, that we can move forward as is. In fact, I've already briefed William on the rules and guidelines on the off chance the three of us were able to discuss this. And he assures me that all three will be more than happy to manage in our stead till we return. Follow the rules, get to know each other, and enjoy the journey of a special friendship, you two!"
Alex and Allie both stood, thrilled to know they didn't have to wait two weeks to get to know each other better!
"Thank you, Sir! We are so grateful, and we give you our word, that we will do exactly as you have outlined. And Sir, may I introduce Allie to my parents tonight as my new special friend?"
"That is commendable, Alex, as parents need to know the important things in their child's life no matter the age."
Suddenly, one last thought came to the Groom's mind.
"One last thing," and he held up his index finger for emphasis. "This is new to me, Alex. But no matter what, this is still my Little Girl, who is my world. I asked Allie to love me and be patient with me as we maneuver through this new venture, and she agreed. I'm asking you, as well, to give me grace, patience, and respect as we muddle through all this together, and I'll give you the same. Because I'm sure we'll all three make mistakes, but I believe that together, on the same page, we can get through whatever comes!"
Nathan rose to stand across from Alex and Allie, the two men almost matching in height.
"You already have all three, Sir, both personally and professionally! And you also have my word!"
With Allie looking on, the two men she cared for most, both smiling, shook hands on all they had just discussed and agreed on, causing her heart to swell with pride while lurching a bit in the best of ways.
She might not know what to call all this just yet, but the feeling was absolutely splendid…
As the three looked up, they couldn't help but grin, seeing Jack come running ahead of his Grandpapa and his Uncle Lionel, who were carrying the lad's uniform, boots, and medal.
Of course, Jack was wearing his ever-present Mountie Stetson!
"Papa, Papa! Now, I get to dress just like you!"
With that statement, Jack jumped into Papa's arms and then noticed his sister standing there!
"I love you, too, Allie, but Mama wants you to come get dressed at her house!"
"Love you too! Coming, Jack!"
Then Allie turned to their Papa.
"Love you, Papa, and thanks for talking to Alex and me!"
Nathan nodded and kissed his daughter.
"Given the timing, I think it was meant to be, Allison Rose!"
"Oh, Alex, let me introduce you to our Grandpapa and my Uncle!"
William and Lionel immediately bent to kiss Allie's cheek on arrival while Nathan held his arms securely around Jack.
"Grandpapa, this is my special friend, Alex O'Reilly! Alex, this is my Grandpapa, William Thatcher!" announced Allie proudly. "And this is my Uncle Lionel. He's The Earl of Etherington from England!"
"Hello, Sir! Very pleased to officially meet you outside of work!" smiled Alex, greeting William first with a firm handshake, then he turned to Lionel.
"Wonderful to meet you, Sir," and Alex offered his hand again, this time to Lionel to shake.
"Likewise, Son," agreed William. "And you take excellent care of my granddaughter, you hear? Or you might just have both her Papa and her Grandpapa to answer to, as well as her Uncle! And since I've had three daughters to have already gone through this with more times than I can count and one still to go, you do not want to mess with me!"
"Yes, Sir! I would expect nothing less, Sir! Allie, the guys are going to razz me something awful, so I'd better get back in there, but see you at the Wedding?"
Allie, nodding, beamed a yes, and Alex turned with a smile on his face to go back inside, with William and Lionel following, and taking Jack in with them.
"Yuck, this is smokey," announced Jack to copious laughter inside.
But outside with Allie and her father alone again, Allie spoke.
"Thank you ever so much, Papa, for trusting me and for trusting Alex! It will help to have someone I can talk to over the next two weeks about missing you and Mama!"
"Allie, you have been and are the best daughter I could have ever asked for. And I really do mean it when I say you mean the world to me. That's how much I love you and always will! To the moon and back, a million times over, Princess! Always!"
The two did one of their famous almost running hugs, though they were standing fairly close to each other on their porch.
"To the moon and back, Papa! Always and a day! Happy marriage and happy family on this most important day of your life!"
"Our lives, Kiddo!"
"Our lives, Papa!"
Nathan, smiling after her, stood alone and watched as Allie took off with Security to her Mama's, turning back a couple of times to wave, though his mother, loaded down with her Wedding attire, suddenly ran out the door calling after her granddaughter to wait up…
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152. "Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodnight that it be morrow," is a line from the play 'Romeo and Juliet,' written by William Shakespeare, in 1597, in Act 2 Scene 2; is an example of an oxymoron, or figure of speech, that contains two opposing ideas; here Juliet is expressing the simultaneous pain of parting, coupled with the pleasure of anticipating her next meeting with Romeo, which is to be their Wedding. Public Domain Information.