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Nathan & Elizabeth: An Epic Love

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Chapter Seventy-six

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Friday of Wedding Week

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Part VI

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Allie and Drucilla pulled with all their might as Elizabeth breathed in as tightly as she could, to make her waist as small as possible.

"There," muttered Allie, completely out of breath, as was her Mama. "I think we did it!"

"Success at last," concurred Drucilla.

"Victory! We did do it! Now, the hard part's done! The rest is a piece of cake in comparison."

Drucilla gathered the next item, handing it to Alli,e who took her Mama's soft, more natural hoop that would give just enough body to her gown and got down on the floor for her to step into.

"That finishes all the undergarments, Mrs. Thornton. Would you like us to help Allie next and then give you two some private time before I return and we put on your more cumbersome Wedding Gown?"

"That sounds perfect, Drucilla! I can't wait to see Allie in her gown! I put it here in my closet for easy access!"

"Are you ready to step into your undies, Miss Allie?" asked Drucilla with them in hand.

"They are so beautiful, too! Yes, I'm ready!"

Drucilla helped Allie as Elizabeth watched, making sure everything was perfect.

"Goodness, you are right, Allie, they are truly beautiful! And fit you perfectly."

"I'm just glad there's not a corset in sight!"

"Oh, and this goes on last just to give your skirt the slightest flounce!" explained Elizabeth, lovingly assisting Drucilla in dressing Allie.

When they finished with that, Drucilla discreetly left.

"I'll go reorganize a few things in Jack's room to give Mother and Daughter a few moments of privacy," smiled Drucilla, gently closing the door after her...

Elizabeth took Allie's hand.

"Let's just sit a moment before we finish dressing. I wanted us to have some alone time to talk together. Well mostly to give you a chance to ask any questions that you may have, no matter how big or how small!"

"I don't know. It took me a while with all that happened, but, now, I know how much you love Papa!"

"Oh, Allie, I've never loved anyone so much in my life! The truth is, I loved Jack with all my being, but we were young and hadn't experienced much of real life yet. Because of losing Jack and grieving so very much, I was afraid to have another great love. And my love with your father was so great from the beginning, I think it made me feel guilty, too, for not having been able to love Jack in that same way."

"Is that another reason why you ran away from Papa?"

"It is! I knew from the moment I met him that he would be my lifetime love, and that was pretty scary given everything I'd been through!"

"When you first met Papa, what other things did you think about him?"

"I thought he was devastatingly handsome and ever so polite and kind," reflecting further, Elizabeth let out a low chuckle. "Allie, you won't believe this, but when I left his office that first day, this is exactly what I thought: 'That is one impeccable man!'"

The two giggled together, knowing exactly now where that word had come from and how long it had been thought about.

"How did you finally decide and know without any doubt that Papa was the one you would marry?"

"I simply couldn't live without him, no matter the risk! That's how much I adored him, loved him, and needed him!"

"How did you feel when you finally decided you would marry him?"

"Happier than I have ever felt in my life! I think my feet never touched the ground for a full week, if not more!"

"I remember your jubilant smile, Mama, that never seemed to leave. But Dad had the same smile, too! Everyone saw it with both of you!"

"Knowing that he was smiling too made me even happier," admitted Elizabeth.

"What was your first Wedding like, Mama, to Constable Thornton, if it doesn't hurt to talk about it, that is?"

"Oh no, it doesn't hurt! It's a wonderful memory. But do you want the ugly truth? Our Wedding was an unmitigated disaster!"

"Really?"

"Seriously! The Church caught on fire and had to be fumigated and repainted the night before the Wedding! The paint was still drying when I walked down the aisle to Jack, and my gown was so big I was sure I'd get paint on it. Mother was unable to travel at the time. But my father came, along with Julie. And he gave me away, though he wasn't thrilled with my choice, as he and Jack had quite a bit of contention between them. The church was full, but our town has grown so much that our Wedding today is going to be huge in comparison to what it was back then!"

"Are you afraid of getting married again?"

"No fear whatsoever, and no doubt either – not a single one! But that's because I am marrying your father, and he is the only man in the world for me!"

"That's pretty wonderful!" smiled Allie.

"It really is, especially to be so certain – no nerves either! Can you believe it?"

"I can, because Papa isn't nervous either!"

"That warms my heart to know, Allie!"

"Mama, what do you think is the most important part of marriage?"

"That's easy – trust! Which means you always have to be honest with each other, no matter how difficult things get! I was young, and I didn't think I had the right to tell Jack what I needed and wanted. I was hesitant, too, because I knew when I married Jack that the Mounties would always be first with him. I came second. I should have been brave enough to tell him I needed to come first, yet I wasn't. But with your father, I have no doubt he will always put me first, along with you and Jack, and that's an extraordinary thing, Allie! Also, we just have that complete openness and understanding between us, that most of the time we don't even have to say the words! We just know what the other is feeling and needs."

"Is that being a soulmate?"

"I think it's a large portion of it."

"What would you say is the second most important thing in marriage?"

"Believe it or not, affection – a married couple should always show their affection for each other, to each other. And they should always build each other up, even though they'll go through hard times because all couples do, as life is hard. Sometimes couples need to debate or even argue with each other but never in a vicious way – they must always do it with love, and they mustn't go to bed angry with each other, ever!"

"That sounds like a good rule! But, I can't see Papa ever staying angry at you!"

"Nor me him!"

"What do you love most about our new family, Mama?"

"I love most that we just fit together perfectly, and that we love each other so dearly. I also know that our love for each other will only keep growing and growing! All four of us have experienced great loss, Allie, and I think that makes us appreciate each other all the more. Honestly, I think we make the best, most beautiful family ever! Not that I'm prejudiced or anything!"

Allie laughed with her Mama!

"What traditions do you want us to have?"

Elizabeth thought a moment.

"Maybe this is more of a family trait than a tradition! But I want to see us always be open with each other so that we can tell each other anything without keeping any secrets. Because that way we can always help each other as much as possible! As for traditions, I want us to decide all those as a family!"

"I like both of those, Mama!" and Allie placed her head contentedly on her Mama's shoulder, to which Elizabeth opened her arms wide and held her daughter.

"Mama, what advice would you give me at my age on love?"

"I would say to be wise and think with your beautiful, brilliant brain, and even to reason, in spite of the love you might feel. But in the end, I would say, also follow your even more beautiful heart filled with all that love! Evaluating both together will never fail you."

"Which one wins over the other?"

"Always the heart, Dearest Daughter!"

"I love that, Mama! And I love you so very much!"

"I love you, Allie, more than you will ever know, and as your father would say to the moon and back, a million times over…"

Back at Nathan's rowhouse, Judge Avery offered William and Lionel Cuban cigars they couldn't refuse while at the same time introducing the two men to everyone.

Nathan noticed that instead of being stuffy, Lionel was doing his best to fit in as one of them, and that was to be admired.

"Hey, Lionel, come over here and play checkers with us!" shouted Lee.

"Watch them, Lionel! They take their checkers very seriously," warned Nathan.

"Good grief! They're keeping tallies!" noted Lionel, beginning to believe his almost brother-in-law.

William started to follow Nathan and Jack to help them upstairs.

"You're fine, William! Sit and relax with the men," offered Nathan. "Jack and I've got this. We'll run upstairs and get this young man in uniform in no time flat! But first, what do you say? Let's take care of some business down here. Want to help me, Jack?"

"Yes, Sir! But will we fix my medal, too, Papa?"

"Absolutely! What we need to do first, though, is pass out these gifts."

"Can I help, please?"

"I'd love that. Can you carry these for me?"

Jack took the basket Eleanor had fixed and carried it behind Nathan, first to the Commissioner, then the Deputy Commissioner, then the Chief Superintendent, then his Uncle Bill, and last but not least, his new Uncle Gabe!

Then Nathan handed the two he was holding to Jack to give to his Grappa and his Grandpapa.

"That's all, Papa!"

"That's just the first basket, Son! We've got a few more! Can you help me shake everyone's hand?"

That was when Nathan showed Jack exactly how to be gracious, thanking each of his attendants privately with a personal comment tailored to each one of them, along with a handshake and embrace, followed by Jack doing the same with a sweet 'thank-you,' 'handshake,' and 'embrace,' just like his Papa.

William watched with admiration, knowing his grandson couldn't be in better hands.

Taking a second basket, Nathan and Jack did the exact same with Finn and the rest of Nathan's team, as well as his Security team, though their packages were differently shaped, which, of course, Jack noticed and announced to everyone.

"These boxes are different than our first basket!"

"That's because the gifts are different but similar, Son! And all are given with the same gratitude and respect!"

"Papa says they're all the same because we're giving them with grat…grati…"

"Gratitude and respect," prompted Nathan.

"Tude and respect!" finished Jack proudly.

"Make sure your Uncle Lee and Uncle Lionel get theirs!" reminded his Papa.

Nathan had ordered an extra one as soon as William told him about his European in-laws' plans to come.

"But Nathan, I'm just representing family!" insisted Lionel.

"And that's extremely important! But what I'd like you to do at our Wedding is even more important. Lionel, will you please escort the Bride and Groom's mothers for us?"

Lionel stood and embraced Nathan.

"It would be my great honor!"

"Thank you, Brother! And Lee, I think you got stuck with the hardest job of all, managing all those carriages for tonight! Huge thanks to you, too!"

"No worries! Learned a lot in the process! Rosie says I'll now be better prepared for Goldie's Wedding, and I almost choked! I mean, whatever happened to being two years old?"

The men who knew Rosemary chuckled big time!

"Good grief! We'll all be nervous wrecks for that Weddin'! Might not be a bad idea to kidnap you and get you and us out of town at the same time when that one comes along," declared Bill, dead seriously.

"Tell me about it!" moaned Lee.

Outright laughter broke out, particularly since those who knew Rosemary knew they wouldn't dare be in Lee's shoes for that grand event – not in a million years!

"Guys, the remaining gifts are for the rest of our Security Team, who will be rotating through over the next few minutes to get some food and enjoy the party! Please make them all feel welcome!" urged the Groom. "I want to say a heartfelt thank you to all of you who have come from far and wide to make our Wedding Day so special, as only you could do! Though Lionel definitely takes the win for traveling the longest distance!"

There were lots more chuckles, but things quickly got serious as Nathan spoke again.

"To have my father, Archeford Grant, my adopted father, Judge Avery, my new father, William Thatcher, my new brother, Lionel Etherington, my son, who will be Jack Thornton-Grant in a few hours, and last but not least, my beloved Mountie brothers, and I am including my Security Team with them, I am exceedingly blessed. And for all of you, as well as your good wishes, presence, and support, I am most grateful!"

Everyone clapped, ever respectful of this man who, without knowing it, was naturally a born leader.

Jack whispered something to his Papa, who bent low to hear.

"But I don't have one, Papa!" noted Jack in a theatrical stage whisper.

Then Nathan grinned from ear to ear.

"Oh, yes, you do! Shall we let Jack open his first? He actually has two to unwrap, though!"

Nathan walked to the corner behind his desk and grabbed two packages, one instantly identifiable, which thrilled Jack.

"Fishing rods! Papa, I got fishing rods!"

"And something else, Jack! Every fisherman needs a tackle box!"

Jack rapidly tore open the paper.

"It's got my name engraved on it! My new name!"

"And our Wedding Date/Adoption Dates!"

"I love it, Papa! Can we go fishing now?"

Everyone laughed.

Only a six-year-old would think fishing was more important than a Wedding Ceremony!

"Let's plan that when your Mama and I get back from our Honeymoon, Son!"

"Now, do you want to announce for everyone to open their gifts?"

"Everybody, open everything!" called Jack with gusto.

There was a happy rustling of paper throughout the room, then elated comments.

"Nathan, this is my first and only watch," noted Conrad, the Commissioner. "Sarah has been after me since they came out to get one! Believe me, this will be put to very good use every single day with my hectic schedule!"

"Son, ditto! Can not tell you how much I've wanted one of these, and this is a gorgeous one. I love the gold and the simplicity!" complimented Hal, the Deputy Commissioner.

"I've wanted one, too, and just couldn't bring myself to make the splurge. Can not tell you how useful this is going to be! I love that you engraved the date, but with each of our initials and rank on the back of the face! This is very, very special, indeed," thanked Patrick, the Chief Superintendent.

"Son, what a keepsake. I think this might just have become my most treasured possession!" admitted Bill, overcome with emotion.

"Buddy, this is the absolute best! Will cherish it, period, but that it's from you takes it straight to the top," smiled Gabe.

But the most incredulous of all were the fathers: Archie and William.

When Archie opened his gold watch, he couldn't help but shed tears. The same was true of William, who was also struggling.

"Thank you for fathering, loving, and supporting us! Always, Nathan and Elizabeth Grant. With my initials large at the top and your Wedding Date below. I love this more than I can say! This is a treasure, Son, above all others, a true treasure," thanked Archie with a tremulous voice as his son embraced him.

"Mine is perfectly the same but with my initials large at the top. Nathan, what a meaningful gift. Your father is right; it is one to be completely treasured. There is no better word. Thank you from the depths of our hearts for including us, Son," and William, too, had tears in his eyes as Nathan also embraced him as his new father.

Now it was Nathan's team's turn, including his Mountie and Security teams.

"We could not be happier! What a special gift! A gold compass that actually works," enthused Finn on behalf of all Nathan's Mountie team. "And to have them all elegantly engraved with our three initials is perfect for us to keep track of them, along with the gold chain to attach them with. This is not only a beautiful gift but a much-needed one as well, and as useful as it comes! We can't thank you enough for including us, Chief!"

"Sir, this is a magical gift that we will put to very good use every single day! Security teams are rarely included, except for the four men in this room who have them and have been so good to us. Like them, you, Chief, have treated us equally from day one, and for that, we are most grateful. Everyone who has opened their gift so far is elated, as I'm sure the remaining Agents will be as well. On behalf of us all, a huge thank you for a beautiful but most useful gift," complimented Reid, Nathan's Head of Security.

"Gentlemen, I am so thrilled you love your gifts! Enjoy. And enjoy the food, the Judge's celebratory cigars, and the games, but mostly the companionship of each other! My Son and I have a Wedding to get ready for, if you'll kindly excuse us as we go dress!"

Everyone clapped, quickly carrying on with their party, knowing they, too, would have to change very soon, as Nathan led Jack upstairs…

"Papa, can I help you dress first?" asked Jack as they reached the top of the staircase.

"Is that what you prefer?" asked Nathan, surprised as Jack had been itching to put on his new uniform all day.

Jack nodded yes, following his Papa into his bedroom as he held the door open for the boy.

"First, let's hang my uniform out over the closet door so we can make sure there is not a single spec of lint on it."

As Nathan began to inspect his Serge, Jack was frustrated because he couldn't see clearly.

"I tell you what, let me move the chair over so you can stand in it very carefully, mind you, and help me check everything!"

"Yay!"

Nathan moved the chair with a smile and then lifted Jack up in it, and though it was such a little thing, Jack was thrilled to help.

"No lint, Papa! But Papa what is lint?"

Nathan struggled to keep a straight face.

"Just little pieces of fuzz, Son! I think the Dress Serge passes, so next, we have to make sure all the medals are aligned perfectly."

"What does 'a line' mean?"

"It means we have to make sure everything is in order and in a perfect line for each row."

"Oh! But you've got so many, Papa!"

Nathan sighed.

"More to see to, for sure! What do you think? Are they okay?"

"That one, Papa. It needs to be straighter!"

"Good eye, Son! It sure does. Here, let me fix it!"

"Now, it's good!" assured Jack.

"Okay, Serge, check! Medals, check! Now for the Trousers!"

"But why is my red uniform called…"

"Jodhpurs?" asked Nathan.

"Yes, Sir! That! But you called my navy uniform trousers."

"Because they are cut tighter and straight down, which makes them more like regular trousers."

Nathan scoured the front two pant legs, allowing Jack to do the same. Then he turned the wooden hanger so they could inspect the back of the trousers."

"These look good to me, Papa!"

"Great job, Jack! I agree. They look good to me, too! Now, before I dress, we need to check my dress boots and make sure they are polished to perfection!"

Nathan lifted Jack down from the chair, and Jack went straight to his Papa's boots, which had been set out earlier by Eleanor and Allie.

Jack squatted down on the floor to inspect both boots very closely.

"They're good, Papa!"

"But we didn't turn them over and check the bottom soles!"

"We have to do that?"

"We do, Son!"

Nathan had a piece of fine-grit sandpaper, and because he didn't want Jack to get his hands dirty, he showed him how to clean his soles without letting him touch anything.

"Now, they are perfect, Papa!"

"I believe you are right, Jack!"

"Now, can you dress?"

"Now, I can dress. Henley, first; Socks, second; Shirt and Tie, third; Trousers, fourth; Boots, fifth; and Serge and Belt, sixth. And later downstairs, Weapons and Cap, last!"

Jack watched intently as Nathan changed, and though the Groom wasn't used to dressing with an audience, he understood why Jack was so mesmerized.

"Now, I'm going to dress just like you, Papa!"

"Exactly, like me, Son! Okay, Jack, how do I look?"

"You look like a great Mountie, Papa! A really great one!"

"Jack, that's the nicest compliment I've gotten all day! Now, let's go across the hall to your room and get you dressed just like this!"

Jack enthusiastically ran ahead of his Papa to his new room, so ready to get in his uniform. Especially now that he had observed his Papa and knew exactly how he was supposed to do it!

Inside Jack's bedroom, Nathan sat down on the edge of the boy's new bed, as Jack was insisting, he wanted to dress himself.

Nathan coached from his seat, making sure everything was done just so, but Jack was glowing with pride that he was now able to do this himself after having carefully watched his Papa get dressed.

"But I need help, now. My medal's crooked."

"Come, Son!" and Nathan carefully worked to make sure Jack's medal was regulation perfect.

"How do I look, Papa?"

"You look like a great Mountie, Jack! And I assure you, both of your Papas are so very proud of you!"

Jack beamed.

"Jack, I thought we should have a talk, just you and me, man to man. Would that be okay?"

"Sure, Papa!" and Jack climbed up to sit beside Nathan.

"Do you have any questions you want to ask me?"

"Will you teach me to play Baseball the right way?"

"The Ty Cobb way! There is none better! By the time I get through with you, you'll be the best pitcher in all of Hope Valley!"

"Good, that will be so fun! Papa, will Pal be jealous of Thorn?"

"I don't think so because we're still going to be riding Pal for a long time, right? Plus, we will always love Pal and take great care of him because he's part of our family forever. Right?"

"Right!"

Jack thought for a minute.

"Papa, now that I have fishing poles and a tackle box, will you teach me to fish just like Allie?"

"I most certainly will. And Allie will help us. How's that?"

"That's really good! But will Mama fish, too?"

"We'll have to work on that one, Son! But hey, the three of us will have so much fun, maybe she'll decide to join us! What do you think?"

"I think she will! But my Mama doesn't know how to do anything like that!"

"Well then, you and I will just have to teach her!"

"Yes, but I don't know if she can learn that kind of stuff! Boy stuff, I mean. 'Cause she's a girl!"

Nathan couldn't stifle his chuckle.

"Well, your sister's learned, and she's a girl who just reeled in a 21-pound Bass, which is a monster of a fish! We men in the Grant family will have to defend our title!"

"What does that mean?"

"That means we have to try to catch one just as big, if not bigger! It's sort of like a race, and right now, Allie has beat us all! But we'll challenge her again!"

"Will she be mad if we beat her?'

"No, she'll just try harder to beat us again the next time, but the truth is she's in a pretty secure spot right now because there aren't many 21-pound bass out there, which means it's going to be very hard to beat her!"

"But can I try?"

"We're both going to try! Grappa, too!"

"Papa, when we go to Capital City, will we have fun after we get off the train?"

"The four of us together? Absolutely, we'll have fun! We'll do all kinds of things together. We'll go to the wharf and watch the boats come in and go out. We might even get to ride one. We'll go eat at nice restaurants, some fun ones too! And we'll do all the touristy things, like visit the museums and parks. But you're most excited about riding on the Train, aren't you?"

Jack nodded enthusiastically.

"I love Train rides best of all."

"Well, the Train ride to Capital City lasts an entire day, so you get two days total of riding on the Train, and that includes sleeping too. How does that sound?"

"Pretty great! Can I go see the Conductor?"

"Yes, that, or maybe we'll get the Conductor to visit us. Would that be good?"

"That would be really, really good!"

"Will I have a room with Allie on the train?"

"We'll see if we can't arrange that!"

"Papa, I was wondering, why do you love my Mama and me?"

The innocently loaded question took Nathan off guard, and so he thought a moment about how to explain his love so that a 6-year-old could understand.

"I fell in love with your Mama the first time I saw her," and Jack watched as his Papa's face simply lit up at the very thought. "She was and is the most beautiful person I've ever seen, both inside and out. You see, in addition to her beauty, I love the way she cares for people, including you and Allie. I also love that she always tries to do the right thing. She's always fighting to make the world a better place, and I love that, too. Your Mama's my very best friend, Jack! We can talk about anything and understand it from each other's point of view together. We love being with each other, and we love being with you and Allie, too!"

Nathan paused a moment to let all that sink in.

"Your Mama's been extra special to Allie, and they've just sort of naturally become mother and daughter, just like you and I have sort of naturally become father and son."

"But how, Papa?"

"The very first time I held you when you were just a baby at your Christening, you and I just hit it off when you laughed at my corny faces, and in that very first moment, I knew you were a part of me. And then, as you got older, you always petted Newton, and Newton allowed it, but you and I were the only ones he allowed to do that, making it clear he loved you, too, just like he loved me. Then Allie fell in love with you when she started babysitting you. And now you even love Scout, and he loves you, too! Then there's the beautiful birthday card you made for me. You saw our family just like I did and drew it so perfectly from your heart, the same family Allie saw, the same family your Mama saw. But you brought us to life, Jack, right there on that page. You know, your picture is one of my greatest treasures, Jack, one I will keep forever because you were able to draw the most important thing."

"What was that, Papa?"

"Our love for each other and all our animals! It's all right there in your drawing, and I feel it every single time I look at your work. You see, you drew our family, Jack!"

In all his innocence, Jack smiled proudly.

"So, see, you fit with me, with my daughter, with my horse, and with my dog. You are a part of me, Jack, that I also knew I would never be able to live without, just like your Mama. You see, Jack, you and your Mama make Allie's and my life so much brighter, so much sweeter, so much more important, and we hope we do the exact same thing for you and your Mama! We belong together, Jack, and I think God planned that a long, long time ago, making us a very special family because the bottom line is that the four of us love each other very much! And I think God knew we also needed each other to be a family and live our best lives."

Jack was quiet, placing his head on Nathan's arm, which caused Nathan to wrap him within his strong arm, and then he drew the boy to him, enfolding him in a father's love.

"Is it okay if I love you as much as Mama?"

"It is, Son! Just as it is okay for Allie to love her Mama as much as me!"

"I love you so much, Papa!"

"I love you to the moon and back, Son, a million times over!"

"But will you love me that much forever?"

With tears in his eyes, Nathan drew the little boy even closer, tousling his hair while holding him tightly.

"Forever, Jack, I promise, with all my heart…"