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Nathan & Elizabeth: An Epic Love
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Chapter Seventy-five
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Friday of Wedding Week
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Part V
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While everyone in Nathan's house was relaxed and chill, with the guys playing games and razzing a very delighted Alex, Elizabeth's rowhouse was a frenzied pandemonium with a houseful of women, all preparing for the Wedding, vying for makeup, hair, clothes, accessories, and fancy food all at once!
"Viola, what in the world are you doing," asked Julie.
She was down on her knees in the living area, sifting through a myriad of wrapped gifts filling four of her many leather travel trunks, delivered by her Butler, Higgins, royal family crest and insignia included.
"Trying to find our sister's Wedding gifts! I know these are the right trunks with all the Wedding Gifts, but I have to sort out the Honeymoon stuff from the Wedding stuff!"
"Oh my! Are all of these packages Wedding gifts?" asked Grace.
"I know I went overboard, Mother, but these are the crème de la crème Wedding items from Paris, England, Ireland, and Scotland, and I just couldn't resist! Oh, and I added quite a few pieces I got from Italy since we traveled through the countryside there just last month."
"How in the world did you have time to gather all this on such short notice!" asked Grace.
"I was hoping long before they announced, so I just started gathering things to make it true!"
"You didn't…" warned an appalled Julie.
"I absolutely did not," answered Viola vehemently, knowing exactly what her sister was implying. "Hey, if Auntie Agatha suspected it was Nathan all along, I took it as fact. She's never wrong, you know!"
"Well, she wasn't at all wrong! I was there, and every single time I brought up anything related to Lucas, Elizabeth immediately clammed up and changed the subject! I don't know, they just seemed to be in separate worlds, while trying so hard in public to convince all of us they were so in love. Yet, privately, alone with me, Elizabeth wouldn't even discuss the matter of her engagement, much less marriage! She was so stressed that she didn't even seem like our sister! I finally just gave up."
"I'll admit, based on what you both relayed to us, the whole thing was strange! Agatha was so sure that Elizabeth's face followed Nathan everywhere and lit up when they were talking. Which, by the way, was, according to our Agatha, always initiated by our Elizabeth," mused Grace. "It's like our Bride wasn't even aware of her own confusion or what she was even doing, poor child. Yet, seeing the two of them together, now, I can sort of understand things better, since she and Nathan are just so intimately connected! My heart goes out to Nathan, though. Imagine how very difficult her engagement to Lucas was on him because I am sure he has loved Elizabeth from the moment he met her."
"Yet he forgave her and apparently loved her through all of it," sighed Julie, ever the romantic. "Now, that's true love!"
"Yes, it most certainly is! But back to these gifts, I know they won't have time to open everything, but I would at least like to have the ones that are Wedding Gifts out at the Wedding Reception. Besides, I want Beth and Nathan to take these that are personal gifts of pashminas, sweaters, undies, gowns, pajamas, robes, and slippers, etc., with them on their Honeymoon! That is, if I can get them separated!"
"I'll help if you can tell me by how they are wrapped?" asked Julie.
"Well, we started with the ones wrapped in pink being all personal for the Bride, and the ones wrapped in blue all personal for the Groom, but then we messed up and I think the ones in white are also personal. I just don't know which ones belong to whom!"
"That leaves the silver and gold as household?" asked Grace.
"I think so! Yes, because they are all heavier, too! That's it, Higgins! Let's take out all the pink, blue, and white packages from both these trunks, and then you can take the remaining gold and silver packages to the Wedding Reception!"
"Yes, my Lady!"
"But, Viola, Elizabeth's luggage, and I'm sure from what Eleanor was telling me, Nathan's luggage, too, is already crammed full," explained Grace. "I suppose we'll have to pull out the matching trunks I brought them to match their new luggage that your father and I gifted them with for their Wedding. Just explain that the pink ones are for Elizabeth to open, and the blue ones are for Nathan to open. Whereas white is anyone's guess! Though that might be fun, as they can open those together."
"I know Mother, I have the same set of luggage as Lilibet! Let's use my largest piece, and I can borrow one from Rosemary if needed," added Julie. "At least that way, what Ellabeth is taking on their Honeymoon will match! Then, if we end up with too many gifts, we can just send them all in one of their extra trunks!"
"Looks like we're going to have to go the trunk route for both of them, Sis! Especially since there are so many presents," admitted Viola. "Luggage is never going to do, nor will one trunk! Besides, won't they need room for the new things they buy on their Honeymoon for themselves as well as the children?"
"That's a valid point! Hadn't thought about that," admitted Julie.
"Yes, Viola, to taking both trunks! Which reminds me, I need to see that Allie and Jack have appropriate luggage for travel as well," noted Grace. "I'll have to call tomorrow and have my shoppe in Hamilton send two more sets so that the children will be ready for their big family trip to Capital City! Everything happened so fast that I didn't even think of the children needing new luggage as well!"
"Thank you both for the help!" sighed Viola. "Higgins, can you please go upstairs with Julie to get the trunks we need?"
"Viola, Elizabeth, Rosemary, and Lillian are already upstairs," warned Grace. "At least, please announce yourself loudly, Higgins!"
"But of course, Ma'am!"
As Higgins went upstairs with 'Miss Julie,' Grace answered the door.
"Hello?" she asked.
"Good afternoon! I'm Drucilla Valor, the hair and makeup specialist from Buxton, and this is my team with me!"
"Yes, my daughter said you would be arriving, Miss Valor. I'm Grace Thatcher, Mother of the Bride. Please just go up the stairs. Or wait, maybe we should set up the hair and makeup stations down here on the first floor and let everyone change upstairs after you are finished."
"Yes, I actually prefer that, since I believe the lighting will be better down here."
As Drucilla and her team set up their stations around the dining table, Grace looked back out front before closing the front door, excited to find Allie and Eleanor on their way, both loaded down with Mother-of-the-Groom wardrobe-essentials.
Grace embraced her granddaughter, who had waited and walked with her Gramma.
"Eleanor, what are you doing out there?"
"Grace, I tried my best to get ready at Nathan's, but it was a lost cause! I finally just packed up my things and followed Allie bringing them all here, if that's okay?"
"Okay? That's perfect! We thought you were coming here to get dressed with us, to begin with!"
"I was, but then I thought, now that's silly since everything was already there at Nathan's. But, as I said with a houseful of men, it didn't quite work out that way!"
"Come on in, right now! We're thrilled you are here! I want you to meet my daughter and granddaughter from England."
"Viola, this is Nathan's mother, and already my dear friend!" explained Grace with a brilliant smile.
"Countess Etherington! I'm Eleanor Grant, mother of the groom!"
"Eleanor Grant? Eleanor 'Celeste Mayes' Grant? The Celeste Mayes?"
"Oh, my! I hope I'm one and the same!" smiled Eleanor. "But, however, did you know, Dear?"
"I cannot tell you how much I've wanted to meet you! My mother-in-law adores your work, as do I. Believe me, I've seen every photo and read every magazine review, as Lionel's mother has them all. The Programs to all your plays, too, and she has framed every single original poster. Which are quite stunning, by the way, in our Gallery of The Theatre. Why, there is even a display of all your costumes, both acting and dance, in the Theatrical Museum of London. I've taken my daughter there as she is quite interested in the Arts! And what can I say? You are just enthralling! They say no one that's come after you begins to match your talent!"
"That's so lovely! Thank you, my Dear, but I'm sure that might just be a bit of an exaggeration by some who are rather loyal to me! How is our dear Maude doing? I haven't seen her for the longest time!"
"As best as she can be! Though she's had a rather difficult time since Lionel's father passed. She lives with us and has been ever so helpful in helping me find my way! She's a true patron of the arts and does quite a bit of fundraising still – it's her passion, as you know! I try to help in any way I can. But in truth, she is teaching me everything as it is all so different from here!"
"How well I know that, Dear!"
"Oh, no! Now, Maude is going to be so disappointed she didn't come with us to spend time with you!"
"Give her my best, and I'll be sure to write her a little note before we leave!" promised Eleanor.
"That would be so wonderful! And perhaps we could take some photos together to frame and put in our Gallery?"
"I'd be delighted to do so as a special gift for Maude!"
"That's absolutely wonderful! She'll be thrilled, as am I!"
Hearing Eleanor, Elizabeth came down from upstairs to greet her, along with Rosemary and Lillian.
"Oh, Happy Wedding Day to the Bride, Dear!" smiled Eleanor, embracing her almost new daughter-in-law heartily.
"Thank you, Eleanor! So glad you are here! There you are, Allie! How is my Groom doing, you two? I've been missing Nathan so terribly!"
"He's missing you, too, my Dear," answered Eleanor. "Very much so! He was getting ready to dress Jack as I left. And I might as well tell you those men passed out celebratory cigars, so we may have to just fumigate your Groom, as I so hate the scent!"
"No worries with Ellabeth! She always sat with Papa at night when he read his paper and smoked his occasional cigar when we were little!" grinned Julie, always the tattletale.
"Thank goodness William stopped all that nonsense after my continuous complaining!" admitted Grace. "But if there are cigars, I'm sure he is having one now!"
"Well, I threatened all those men with their lives if they dared take out a second one!" declared Eleanor.
"Mrs. Thornton, if you don't mind, we need to start with makeup for all, then I'll do hair, and then we'll help each of you dress," began Drucilla.
"Thank you, Drucilla. That sounds perfect!"
"I'll take the Bride and her daughter, followed by the mothers, and my assistants will do the Attendants, whichever adult pair wants to go first, as we'll finish with the children!"
"Viola and Julie – you two go first, and that will give Lillian and me time to finish laying out the clothes for everyone upstairs!" instructed Rosemary.
"Rosemary, wait just a moment before you two go! I have gifts for you and all my Attendants. Can you all gather around first?"
"Gifts! You don't have to ask twice. Ooh! They're wrapped so beautifully, too!" declared Rosemary, clasping her hands together enthusiastically.
But then Elizabeth realized she was going to come up short for Viola and Victoria, not knowing just what to do, but when she looked at the tags on the last two gifts added, which her mother had placed on top before she could apologize, there were her sister's and niece's names!
"Viola, this one is for you, my dear elder sister, and Tori, my darling niece, this one is yours!" she said, thoroughly surprised until she saw her mother's look of love as she stood with Eleanor.
Elizabeth mouthed, 'Thank you!' and then sorted through the rest of the gifts.
"This one is for my dear friend Lillian; it was clearly a deep and instant friendship at first glance and just keeps growing! This one is for my best friend, neighbor, and partner in crime, Rosemary, and this one is for our sweet, sweet Goldie's first Wedding to participate in ever! And this one is to my special Maid of Honor, my beautiful daughter and dearest one ever, Allie!"
Elizabeth paused before addressing all those around her together.
"To have my dear mother, Grace, and Nathan's mother, my new dear mother, Eleanor, here with us today, along with my beloved sisters, Viola and her beautiful daughter, Tori, all the way from England, my sister, Julie, from Hamilton, my wonderful dear friend, Lillian, from Brookville, my best friend, Rosemary, and her darling daughter, Goldie from right here in Hope Valley, and last but certainly not least, my beautiful, extraordinary daughter, Allie, I am so very humbled. For your love, your forgiveness, your patience, and your constant support and understanding, I am ever so grateful. Without you, my life would be void of all the colors you add! You are my support, the women I love the most; the ones who push me to be and do better, and it's all of you together who make this life of ours worth living! I am beyond abundantly blessed and ever so grateful for my beautiful garden of friends!"
Elizabeth went around the table, embracing each one while offering a private word of thanks to each.
"And these two are for the beautiful women who brought Nathan and me into the world. We are so very grateful you did!"
"Darling, for us?" asked Grace.
"Absolutely, you two are the most important of all! We wouldn't even be here without you!"
To prove it, Elizabeth got up and kissed both Grace and Eleanor, whispering for them to read the note she and Nathan had compiled together.
"Thank you for mothering, loving, and supporting us through it all! Always, with all of our love, Elizabeth and Nathan Grant," read Grace from the note. "This is lovely, Darling, with your Wedding Monogram and Wedding Date below it.
"What a beautiful note! So lovely to be remembered, Elizabeth!" agreed Eleanor. "This will be a treasured keepsake."
"Open everyone!" she enthused. "And I hope you love them!"
As all the girls excitedly unwrapped their gifts, everyone was thrilled.
"Oh, my goodness, these are antique pearls with a gold rose charm and oval monogram charm! And our initials are on one side of the oval and your Wedding date on the other," then Viola shrieked as though she were a teenager again. "There's a second bracelet of the same gold roses as the charm, but all linked together! How perfectly lovely!" complimented Viola, who was clearly thrilled though she was quite possibly the most difficult to please of all.
Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that, based on Viola's reaction, she had chosen very well indeed.
"I thought you all could wear the pair of bracelets today for our Wild Rose Garden Wedding!"
"So very beautiful," smiled Lillian. "And so appropriate, too! I've never seen anything like these."
"Just exquisite! And something we'll wear again and again! I love them!" raved Rosemary.
"They will be treasured, Elizabeth," chimed in Eleanor. "Truly treasured!"
"Indeed, they will be," assured Grace.
"So unusual, too, which I absolutely love! Right or left arm?" asked Julie.
"Left, I think," offered the Bride. "As I think the left side is supposed to bring positive energy?"
"Yes, my Dear! Positive energy, healing, and even self-love, too," iterated Grace.
"As well as nurturing and receiving!" added Eleanor. "Which is all perfect for our Grant Wedding!"
"I love that! Left it is!" decreed the Bride, as everyone put on their antique one-of-a-kind pair of 'Wedding Bracelets' in preparation for the momentous family occasion, which had now erupted into the entire Valley's celebration, just about to occur…
After Rosemary passed around the fancy trays of elegant hors d'oeuvres one last time, and with their hair and makeup done, the Bride rose to go upstairs to finally put on her gown.
"Allie, will you come with Drucilla and me to help me dress?"
"Me? Are you sure, Mama?" asked Allie, realizing this was a very special honor.
"I am very sure!"
Allie's face broke out into a broad smile as she got up to walk up the stairs with her Mama, their arms around each other!
"I get to see your gown!"
"You do! And I hope you love it!"
"I know I love our Attendant gowns, so I'm bound to love yours!"
As they went into Elizabeth's bedroom, Allie and Drucilla caught sight of the Bridal Gown hanging on the wardrobe door.
"Oh, Mama! This is extraordinary! Papa is going to faint!"
"It is splendid, Mrs. Thornton! Positively splendid. Do you have instructions from the Designer?"
"I do. Let's see – here they are!" smiled Elizabeth, collecting the set of instructions from her Bible to hand to Drucilla.
"I'm so glad you both love it! But wait till you see the veil! When I tried it on, I felt like a fairy tale Princess. There was absolutely no question when I first saw it. I knew this was my gown. None of the others compared!"
"It's perfect. Is it from Paris, too?" asked Allie.
"You have a great eye, Allie! It is straight from Paris and the most stunning of all the gowns Rosemary and I looked at. Even the shoppe owner, Mademoiselle Isabella Montague, said she thought this one was her favorite of all time, as it's so simply but elegantly styled!"
"I can certainly see that," enthused Drucilla. "And believe me, I've seen more than my fair share of Wedding Gowns, but nothing like this!"
"Oh, and Isabella named her shoppe 'Happily Ever After!'"
"That's super sweet! Mama, now that we're alone with Miss Drucilla, I have a love letter from Papa for you. Would you like to read it before we get dressed?"
"Oh, Allie! That's so romantic and wonderful! He was thinking about me too! And this is perfect timing!"
"Papa's always thinking about you, Mama! Miss Drucilla and I will just run downstairs and see if we can help out down there while you read. Just call when you're ready for us to come help you dress!"
"Allie," and Elizabeth hugged her daughter before she left. "Thank you so much for bringing me this!"
Allie nodded, beaming, then turned to go back downstairs with Miss Drucilla...
Elizabeth excitedly plopped down on the edge of her bed but then crawled up on top of the covers and rested herself on the pillows against her headboard, wanting to be as comfortable as possible while reading.
Before she began, she kissed the envelope, then opened it with a loving smile on her face.
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My Darling Elizabeth,
Leaving you just a few short moments ago, admittedly from coercion and not at all by choice, due to a Bridal tradition that is new to me and far beyond my comprehension, leaving me rather 'flummoxed' as Allie would say, was particularly difficult – even more so than I had imagined.
But then again, I left you only because it was important to you and to make you happy. The truth is: I would do anything, rightfully within my power, to always choose your happiness, especially over my own bewilderment! I suppose because I love the fact that you alone hold the immense and unique power to bewilder me pretty much at will. And as that power is one of your many wonderful charms, I ask only that you never lose it!
As I walked the short distance home, under the brightest stars I've seen, I like to believe to herald our Wedding, surrounded by your exquisite perfume, my thoughts were all of you.
I realized I could still feel the silk of your lips on mine, which always lifts me to some higher, enchanting place as though we are the only two in this world of ours. It's those lips of yours dancing across my own that always promise more adventure, making me crave more of you and more of our love, its joy, and its desire, confident in knowing there is never enough, but always more in reserve. Though not at all easy to put all these feelings into words, it's your kiss that comforts me, electrifies me, and makes me feel like I finally belong, all at once.
Funny, even my arms feel as though they are still holding you. Or perhaps they are simply aching because you have vanished.
The truth is, as I walked home, I couldn't help but think back to that very first day you charged into my Mountie Office to say hello and introduce yourself. I thought you were the most beautiful, most intelligent (and yes, I could tell by your eyes), and most stunning woman I had ever seen. But then you spoke, wishing me well, which I knew, even then, was so difficult under the horrific circumstances, and that was when I saw your strong yet gentle, caring spirit, despite your own pain, which proved to me you were every bit as beautiful inwardly as outwardly.
From that very first day, there was an importance, a feeling of calm and connection that instantly came over me whenever you were near. A sense of life being fuller and richer simply because you were in it. A smile from you and Hope Valley suddenly became my permanent home. Though in reality, even back then, it was you and you alone who was my true home.
I suppose I knew, without truly knowing, that you completed me, and I could only hope I did the same for you.
Between us, there are so many beautiful memories.
Thinking back to the day I held Jack at his Christening, I only remember how doing so felt so natural. How could I not help but fall in love with him? The truth is, how could I not help but fall in love with you? As beautiful as I already knew you to be, you took my breath away that night, a vision in cream loveliness – angelic was the word that kept floating through my mind – just as you floated so lovingly through the room.
You both melted my heart that night in one fell swoop.
Time and again, I remember thinking how easy it seemed for you to help co-parent me with Allie, even from our first day together in Hope Valley and all the many times since, no matter the circumstance. Somehow, from that first combined effort, I never felt alone. Then, holding your son for the first time, I realized how easy it was for me to help you with Little Jack. He has been a pure delight, firmly planted in my heart, never to leave, just as Allie has firmly been planted in yours.
There was another connection that happened repeatedly and never failed to warm. That was when I would stumble upon Jack and you talking with and petting Newton. It was almost as though Newton understood how very important both of you were and are to me. There has clearly always been a connection. One that I marveled at because Newton is extremely hard to win over. Yet Jack had no trouble whatsoever!
And the truth is neither have you, my Love, as evidenced by the day you stole my Mountie horse to save Robert from his novice ride, which is a felony, by the way! How tremendously proud of you I was that day. But also overcome with admiration and a deep love for you with your invincible bravery, strength, and take-charge attitude no matter the danger.
Another day I will always remember was the awful fear I felt when I heard the commotion in the library, knowing you were there. But that fear turned to instant relief once I saw you were alright, and that relief turned to something quite spectacular that I had never experienced before – that sensation of a shock that resulted when our hands touched ever so slightly. I know we both felt the strength of it surging through our bodies that day, not to mention thankfully, every day since!
I knew at that moment that we were meant to be, but I also knew your heart wasn't free, that it was completely full of your love for Jack, as it should have been. I fully respected that, resolving to be patient and give you the time and space you so desperately needed to heal from your massive grief. While at the same time, I dealt with my own feelings of possibly betraying Jack, my Mountie brother, because of the depth of my growing feelings for you. Only after the resolution of both would it be possible for us to be together.
At Christmas, though, I may have made the biggest mistake of my life by not pushing a little. I wanted desperately to kiss you when you were helping us decorate our tree. And I will always wonder if I had only been brave enough to do so, would that have been enough – to make us both see we belonged only to each other? Did I use Allie's being there as an excuse for not doing so, or was the timing still off?
Every single time you have said 'be safe' to me is emblazoned in my memory, and, yes, I know exactly how many times you've said it, along with when and where, because each time you said the words made me feel that you loved me.
As did the Birthday Party you and Allie gave me. Do you realize that is the only party I have ever been given, except, of course, for childhood birthday celebrations? To know that Allie and you cared enough to do that for me meant everything, Lizbeth. Jack's card meant the world also – our world – yours and mine and our family's world together!
Strings everywhere from our first meeting on, though, also even before we knew each other, but all of them drawing us together in the most beautiful and wonderful of ways.
Now, after leaving you on our Wedding Eve, when I reached home, I found myself unable to walk up my staircase to retire for the night until I first sat here at my desk to collect my thoughts, which were still all of you.
There is this overwhelming desire within me to write you a most important letter, sharing both my feelings and thoughts from the Eve of our Wedding as well as my endless love, gratitude, and respect, which are all yours forever.
A love letter, if you will, to the ravishing woman I will marry on this our Wedding Day, and yes, Love, it is indeed now our Wedding Day, as the clock is already at least five minutes past midnight!
I marvel at just writing those words.
Perhaps that's because I'm dizzy from your scent of Lilies, which still surrounds me, evoking your beauty and instilling within me your gentleness, serenity, and overall well-being, making everything right in my world just by knowing you are there and okay!
Then there's your scent of Vanilla lingering just long enough that I can close my eyes at night after I've been with you and still imagine you are beside me, evoking beauty, grace, and even our romance together.
And though I've never told you this, I know your scent well and recognized it that first day we met, as my mother always had white lilies in her garden and vanilla in her kitchen when baking. Perhaps that's another reason with you, I am at home. Or is that simply another beautiful string from the past, presently tying us together forever?
Just like our great-grandmothers having the same Engagement and Wedding Rings – realizing yet another pair of strings that after your Great-grandmother's was lost in transit, my Great-grandmother's set replaces it. I still marvel at that miraculous circumstance, but I am so thankful it exists as yet another exquisite fated connection through time!
You have brought the most aspiring color and light into my world in ways that I never dreamed would be possible.
I watched you at school that day as you helped Allie see how important it was to be a friend and become friends with the other children. I only fell more and more in love with you. I sensed you were also talking about yourself, which made me feel we were in each other's lives for a reason.
I don't know how, but I also knew with certainty right there in the middle of that conference, that our lives, moving forward, would somehow be incomplete without each other.
I love your spirit of community and your dedication to all the children in Hope Valley. It defines both you and them, my Darling, and the influence you have on them, and our world, in the process, is so vast, it's truly immeasurable. I am so very proud of you and what you do. And always will be. Whether it's teaching, writing, or whatever happens to be next!
But I also love your beautiful smile, which I am so thrilled to be seeing more and more of. And then, though rarer, I love your laugh even more, because it's usually about something we are sharing together! Be forewarned, it's a goal of mine to make you laugh often – to brighten your day and lighten your load.
Dancing with you is one of my greatest joys, as we always dance together as one, like we are meant to be, and so beautifully too! To know that I will be able to dance through life with you is my greatest pride and ultimate joy! As nothing else begins to compare.
So, continue to dance through life with me, my Love! In rain, snow, and sunshine – forever, just you and me together.
I can't imagine my life being complete without your radiance by my side as an equal partner in all things. In this constantly evolving world, I am so proud of your great intellect and great strength. You challenge me, inspire me, and push me to be the best I can be in all things. And I intend to do exactly the same for you.
You are my forever home, Lizbeth! The woman of my dreams, the mother of my children, both present and those to come, and I am so ready to marry you in a matter of hours! I only wish it could be now, instead! I am so excited about all the coming adventures of our life together for you and me as a couple, as well as the children and us as a family!
I want our physical home, both the rowhouse and our new home, to be full of love and so much laughter – a true sanctuary reflecting the all-encompassing love we share - pretty much just as it is when we are now all together!
As a Mountie, I've dedicated my life and vowed to serve with honor and pride by always trying to do the right thing. But it's your love that inspires me to exemplify those values to an even higher degree in all matters of life.
I promise to always put you first, Lizbeth, along with our beautiful family.
I promise to always protect you and your beautiful heart, my Darling.
I promise to honor your dreams and wishes and do my very best to help you fulfill them.
And I promise to love you endlessly as we maneuver this 'Great Love' of ours, as you like to call it. And I do agree, it is indeed a 'great love,' even a 'Grand Love!' Though I personally believe our love surpasses both 'great' and 'grand!'"
What do you say, let's aim for 'Epic'?
Meaning together, we'll create a relationship so fulfilling, so rich, so transformative that the impact of our love changes not only us for the better, and not only Allie and Jack for the better, but all those around us, too, leaving a lasting love story for the ages, that we get to splendidly shape and write together.
We are already so close, my Love!
I am so grateful we are already so emotionally connected, so passionately connected, and all that happened intrinsically without effort on our parts. We trust each other implicitly, and support each other unconditionally, with open communication. And because of all we've been through, we are ready for all the grand adventures life will bring!
Our bond is such an important one, both of us know it will last forever, eternally, on into the next world. And yes, I know marriage won't exist in heaven as we know it down here, but I am convinced our love will keep on living, as I have to believe love simply never dies! I just don't see how it can.
Most certainly, not a love like ours.
All of that both screams and whispers, 'Epic Love!' And I am so ready to create and live that 'great love,' that 'grand love,' that 'epic love,' – whatever we decide to call it - with you, each and every single day of our lives.
Speaking of our Wedding, though I know we originally meant it to be small with just family, I'm glad that our extended family (aka the whole town and valley and beyond, including our Mountie family) will be there as well, as they, too, love us and support us and are therefore part of us.
Still, when we say our vows, deep down, I know it will just be the two of us standing there, opening our hearts to each other in all the ways we've longed for.
My lifetime intent, my Love, is to love you to the best of my ability and beyond.
And my immediate intent is to give you the Honeymoon of your dreams. Two weeks of uninterrupted pleasure getting to know each other in new ways, focusing together only on you, me, each other, our love, and romance.
Two weeks alone together! Sounds quite perfect, doesn't it, Lizbeth?
But I would be remiss not to remind you of a most important promise I made to you the night we became engaged, and that was the promise of marrying you to court you each and every single day of my life! Know my words were not and are not idle, but instead words I plan to live by. I promise and truly will enjoy the honor of courting you all the days of my life, my Darling!
Literally counting the minutes as I cannot wait for you to be my Wife!
Our Wedding is just the beginning of our romance and all our many adventures to come...
Greatly, grandly, and epically yours in every way,
Nathan
The Most Blessed Man in the World as
Your Soon-to-be-Husband
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"Oh, how I love you, Nathan Grant! And I have never been more certain of anything in my life!"
Beaming, Elizabeth jumped up from her bed, folding her letter of love back into its envelope, then holding it to her heart before placing it just inside her Bible.
Then she went to tell Allie and Drucilla that with her heart overflowing with love, she was now ready to dress for her Wedding…
"How do we help you dress, Mama?"
"Well, the stack lying across the bed are all my undergarments, and they are supposed to be in the order I need to put them on. So, I guess we start at the top! Is that right, Drucilla?"
"Yes, Ma'am. That's exactly what my instructions say!"
The three giggled, beginning their job of dressing the Bride in earnest.
"These are the most beautiful undergarments I've ever seen!" mused Allie aloud.
"That's because they were specially made to match my Wedding Gown perfectly!"
"Is this a corset, Mama?"
"I believe Isabella called it a demi-corset."
"Oh, my goodness! I've not even seen one of these!" admitted Drucilla.
"It's supposedly the latest thing from Paris for a backless gown! Apparently, it focuses on bringing in the waist instead of the entire torso like a real corset does, and if we get that thing on, then believe me, it's all downhill from there!" declared Elizabeth, making a face.
Both Allie and Drucilla laughed.
"I'm pretty glad to say I haven't had to wear one of those things yet!" mused Allie.
"Oh, be very thankful!" warned Drucilla.
"What's it like, Mama? I mean, how does a regular corset feel?"
"Like you have a steel rod up your back, with fishbones cutting into you across the front, and you can't breathe a single breath!"
"Sounds like sheer torture!" smirked Allie, wishing to never have to experience it for herself.
"That pretty much covers it, Sweetheart! Take my advice and stay away from them as long as you can!"
"Who knew being a woman was so hard!" laughed Drucilla. "But the truth is, it is!"
"You can say that again, but it does have its blessings as well! Okay, demi-corset positioned! Now, you two have to pull these two cords as tightly as you can! Oh, and Isabella said to be sure to lace them from the bottom up!"
"Yes, that's what it says here, too," smiled Drucilla, setting her instructions down to help Allie.
"I've got that part, Mama. Honestly, it looks like that's the only way to lace them. But if we pull these, we're going to hurt you!"
"No, Sweetie, you won't! Well, you will, but I can take it! I have to, or I won't possibly fit into my gown! Pull, Allie! Pull Drucilla! Tight, tight, tighter…"