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Nathan & Elizabeth: An Epic Love
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Chapter Seventy-eight
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The Grant Wedding
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Part II
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"Eleanor, hurry, we need to finish our touch-ups in order to meet Archie and William in our carriage!" nudged Grace, calling for her through the front door.
"Coming, Grace!"
With a look of marvel remaining on her face, Eleanor turned and went back inside, but Elizabeth took one look at her and knew something had just happened and was still on her mind.
"Eleanor, are you okay?"
"I am more than okay, Dear! It's just…it's just that the most beautiful thing happened! I was standing out from the front porch praying that the hole of missing our Collie in Nathan's heart would somehow be filled today, so that his Wedding Day would be perfect. And just after, two cardinals flew by! But the odd thing was that they circled back and landed on your porch step right in front of me, both chattering away as if they were frantically trying to tell me something."
Elizabeth's face paled.
"The cardinals were male and female, weren't they?"
"How did you know, Dear?"
"Because this has happened before," beamed Elizabeth. "The visit simply means Jack and Colleen are here with us, Eleanor! Just as we had hoped they would be. They are both giving us their blessing. How wonderful that they appear today, of all days, on our Wedding Day!"
"Oh, I'm so glad, then! I hesitated to say anything as I didn't want to upset you!"
"Oh, no, Eleanor, they don't upset me at all. In fact, it's quite the opposite. The birds visiting us give me such peace, and the fact they have shown up today will please Nathan, too! He will immediately know what they mean!"
"But how do we tell him, now that he's already left for Rose Valley?"
"I'll tell him at the Altar!"
"But how, Dear?"
"I promise, I'll find a way," and Elizabeth kissed her soon-to-be Mother-in-law. "You know, Eleanor, Nathan and I like to think Jack and Colleen are together in Heaven – do you think that is just wishful thinking on our part? And is the whole idea too far-fetched?"
"We're all family, Elizabeth, and will be officially so in just a little over an hour. I don't see why that wouldn't be perfectly plausible. Outside, I got the distinct feeling they are together today, and I personally don't know your beloved Jack. But they are definitely here with us to celebrate!"
"Now, that you've seen our messengers for yourself, I hope the thought gives you and Archie comfort as well!"
"Oh, it does, Dear Daughter," assured Eleanor. "Very much so!"
"Eleanor, Dear, I have your bag as our carriage is here," explained Grace as she took Eleanor's arm. "Oh, and Elizabeth just gave us these beautiful Pashmina shawls to keep in the carriage in case of a chill later this evening when we return for the Reception!"
"How lovely, Elizabeth! Thank you so much! And I must say again, my Son is very blessed to have such a stunning, thoughtful Bride!"
Both mothers kissed the Bride, offering private messages of good wishes as they hurriedly left the rowhouse to enter their carriage.
"Darling Daughter, you look as beautiful as a Princess. Just remember our talk. Love him well, Sweet Child," whispered Grace, radiantly.
"Dear Elizabeth, you look positively exquisite, and my son is so blessed to love you. My humble advice to both you and the Groom is to always love with an open and forgiving heart! When a couple does that, everything tends to work out in a miraculous way," whispered Eleanor, her face full of love for her new daughter.
"Come! Look how lovely the carriage looks laden with all those beautiful flowers!" mused Grace.
"The wild roses are particularly lovely!" enthused Eleanor. "With lots of Elizabeth's favorite lavender!"
Both Archie and William were already waiting for their wives outside the carriage to assist them in stepping up.
"My, you Ladies look stunning – the most beautiful mothers of the Bridal Couple I've ever seen," complimented Archie.
"Totally agree! You both look stunning, and Arch and I are very blessed to be your escorts," bragged William. "You know, this is the most excited, I believe I've ever been to attend a Wedding!"
"Eleanor and I thank you two for the lovely compliments! But rightfully so about being excited, my Dear! This Wedding, this marriage, feels perfectly meant to be," agreed Grace, touching her husband's face. "So, how can it not be lovely?"
"This Wedding is the perfect celebration right in the middle of nature under the heavens, of a couple who have always been meant to be. I know I sure thought so the very first time I saw them together. In fact, I mistook our beautiful Elizabeth for Nathan's wife! Nothing this evening could possibly feel more right than this union," smiled Archie, reaching for Eleanor's hand.
"So very true! As much as I'm excited about this beautiful Wedding, I'm just as excited about the beautiful life they'll have together after, both as a couple and a family we share together," mused Eleanor. "And that makes this evening all the more special…"
"Elizabeth! I know we have to be ready to leave in just a few moments in our carriages," began Rosemary urgently. "But we Attendants wanted to give you this as one last token of our well-wishes for an exquisite marriage!"
"You all have done so much already! And the package is so beautiful!"
"Open them, Ellabeth," nudged Julie. "We don't have much time! Though you might want to just take a peek inside that bigger one!"
"Now you're making me nervous. After all, my teenage daughter is right here beside me, you know!"
"They only let me see part of it. It was the robe, I think, but what I saw is really beautiful, Mama!"
"Why do I always feel like I should proceed with caution, especially when my two sisters are involved," laughed the Bride.
Though she took Julie's advice very seriously and just peeked into the bigger box, that was obviously something to wear.
"Oh, it's a luscious cloud of lavender chiffon and silk and so very beautiful, I can already tell! Thank you all very, very much! Though I'm afraid to see how much is or isn't there in respect to the gown, she teased. "As I'm not at all sure I can trust you, given some of your previous 'gifts!'"
"This one's something else, Elizabeth, beyond beautiful, I assure you," smiled Lillian. "Both the robe and the gown!"
"That's a relief to know, Lillian, especially coming from you, whom I trust implicitly!"
"Well, I never," admonished Rosemary in her shocked persona, which caused the Bride to giggle, along with everyone else.
"Thank you all, my Dearest Friends and Sisters! Now that Lillian has given the okay, I'll love taking it out on our Honeymoon and being thoroughly surprised!"
"Now, hurry, open the smaller one," urged Viola. "And just so you know, there will be lots more to open on your honeymoon, as well, from all over Europe! So have fun with that, too! The matching trunks have already been sent to the station with your luggage."
Elizabeth kissed her elder sister.
"How lovely, Viola, and so very sweet of you to do – that will be ever so much fun! Oh, and this! Oh, my goodness, what a beautiful sterling silver frame for another of our favorite Wedding Photos when we return. This is so lovely. I especially love that it, too, has our combined initials with our Wedding Date at the bottom of where the portrait will go! I cannot thank you all enough. It's all just wonderful!"
"Come, Jack," nudged Allie. "Mama, Jack, and I have this smaller present for you to also take on your Honeymoon!"
"Oh, how exciting! Let me see," and their Mama, the Bride, tore enthusiastically into the package from her children.
Though, when she saw what was inside, she had to fight to hold back tears.
"We thought you and Papa might like a photo of us to take with you. And we got the smaller frames to match your Wedding Picture Frame!"
Elizabeth gathered her children to her, loving on both.
"This could not be more perfect. Thank you, my two love bugs! Your Papa and I both will love having these beautiful photos of our favorite people in the world with us! It's the loveliest thought ever and makes our Honeymoon perfect already…"
Moments later, two beautifully flower-adorned carriages in the wonderfully rich and romantic floral colors of the Wedding pulled up to the Bride's rowhouse.
The first was for the Bridal Attendants, who, by now, were full of camaraderie and excited chatter: Lady Viola Etherington, Matron of Honor; Julie Thatcher, Maid of Honor; Rosemary Coulter, Matron of Honor; and Lillian Walsh, Maid of Honor.
The four genuinely liked each other, having thoroughly enjoyed their time together throughout the day, but all were even more excited about the ceremony and party coming after.
Rosemary, however, was suddenly in a bit of a dither.
"Rosemary, whatever's wrong," asked Lillian.
"I planned for Goldie to ride to Rose Valley with me, of course, and now she's insisting she wants to ride with Jack, Allie, and Tori in the Bride's Carriage! I just can't believe my little girl is so independent that she doesn't even want to ride to the Wedding with her Mama!" bemoaned Rosemary.
"She does go to daycare, and they do seem to grow up so fast there," consoled the Bride. "But she'll be perfectly fine, Rosemary! Allie and I will see that she is. She'll sit in the seat across from Allie and me, between Jack and Tori, with the sides fully enclosed, and the carriage doors shut tightly. We are not going to let anything happen to our beloved Goldie. She is simply going to have the time of her life. Besides, you'll be in the carriage right ahead of us if we need you. Just enjoy the ride to Rose Valley and the companionship of all the other lovely Attendants with Goldie's beautiful mother having the time of her life!"
"Well, when you put it that way, that's exactly what I'll do. Goodbye, my precious Little One," and Goldie's Mama covered her with kisses. "You be good for Allie and your Auntie Elizabeth! Mama will be right in front of you if you need me."
And so, it was settled, though as the Carriage Driver helped the women into their elegant carriage, Rosemary kept looking back longingly at her Goldie, obviously experiencing more separation anxiety than her daughter who, most regrettably for her Mama, seemed to be experiencing none…
The Bride's carriage, the most flower-embellished of all, intertwined with romantic pinks, fuchsias, and rose-tones coupled with rich lavenders, and purples, was positioned right behind her Attendants.
The Bridal Carriage now consisted of not only the radiant Bride, Elizabeth Rose Thatcher Thornton, calm, relaxed, and deliriously happy all at once, with her beautiful and excited daughter as originally intended, Allison Rose Grant, who was her Special Maid of Honor, but also all the children in the Wedding, including Jack Thornton, her son, Escort for the Flower Girls and Ring Bearer, (though how many rings he was bearing the Bride had no idea, as that little number had been kept a top secret), as well as Lady Victoria Etherington, known as Tori, niece of the Bride and Flower Girl, and Goldie Coulter, the smallest, sweetest Flower Girl of all!
The happenstance actually ended up being quite lovely, and Elizabeth and Allie couldn't have been happier to have Jack and the smaller ones with them while waiting to leave.
"This is actually perfect, Mama, with all the little ones attending you!"
"Yes, Sweetheart, it most certainly is! Allie, you look so very, very beautiful! And the Little Ones truly are so adorable together!"
"Our family's all together, now! Except for poor Papa, of course!"
"I cannot wait till we see him, Allie, and we are all together again!"
"Forever, Mama!"
"Yes, Daughter, forever and a day! I am so elated! I've never been happier in my entire life, and I hope this day is the same for you!"
"Oh, it is, Mama! Jack and I are going to be officially brother and sister. Plus, we both get the family we have always wanted and that's just about as special as it gets!" smiled Allie, cheerily kissing her Mama's cheek as Elizabeth took her hand.
Spirits in all the carriages, from the Bridal Couples' Parents to the Bridal Attendants to the Bride's Immediate Party, were high and full of a heady anticipation for this most special event.
Though the evening had started out as a tiny family event, because of the immense love for this couple and family throughout the entire area, it had grown and grown, like wildfire, to be the largest Wedding Hope Valley had ever seen, and in all probability would ever see…
Next to arrive in Rose Valley, not far behind the carriage carrying the Bride's new Mountie friends and wives of the top Officers, came the beautifully draped Parents' carriage coordinating so perfectly with all the rich and romantic pinks, fuchsias, lavenders, and purples of the Wedding flowers and Bridal Attendants.
This elegant carriage included the Father and Mother of the Bride, William and Grace Thatcher, the Father and Mother of the Groom, Archeford and Eleanor Grant, as well as the Earl of Etherington, who was more than happy to be doing the honors of escorting the mothers.
All five couldn't have been more supportive of this evening's event, whereas both sets of parents were nothing short of ebullient!
Poor Lionel was just thrilled his family had made it in time to be a part of the celebration, as it had been touch and go whether or not they would be able to make it at all for most of their trip.
As the carriage driver brought their horses expertly to a stop, the orchestra began playing the classic Pachelbel's Canon in D, chosen by the Bride and Groom as their own processional music, which honorably included their parents, now beautifully, softly, and most respectfully ringing out over the Valley, as a hush fell over the crowd in appreciation, taking it all in. (*153)
The Bridal Couple had specifically chosen this particular piece, first of all, because they loved the music, but also because they loved the lyrics to the treasured music piece as well.
However, unknown to them, this is where Eugene Carreau, the famous tenor Grace had hired, stepped in and began singing with the orchestra and harpist as his accompaniment.
His rich tenor voice was nothing short of awe-inspiring, fitting perfectly with nature as though the hills themselves were ringing out, serving as background music while the Bridal Couple's Parents were being honored and escorted to their seats:
You are my love, my life, my best chance to live free...
my eyes when I watch the sun setting over the sea,
my lungs when the cool breeze blows softly into me,
You are my ears when I listen to Canon in D.
My happiness you were, you are and always you will be...
When you laugh, when you sing, when you cry and when you dream
When you are near or when you are far, you always will be, always were
and always are, mi cario, my soul mate,
My number one weakness and my greatest strength.
When you were born,
while you live and long after you die, you were,
you are and always will you be mine.
My sweetest sweet, my dearest dear, my only trust and hope after God and my freedom of all fears.
Always my Love, no matter how far or how near
The oceans so vast as far as one
can see under the sky so blue and
beyond all the mountains' highest peaks.
So far, deep and long my love for you, so strong and lasting, so real and true (*154)
Now, with all eyes on this honored carriage, first, the Earl of Etherington was assisted down by the Mayor, as well as the Fathers, William and Archie.
Then the three men stepped aside as Lord Etherington first assisted Eleanor Grant, the Mother-of-the-Groom, down from the carriage, looking stunning in a deep Rose-colored gown that was simply elegant, accentuating her tall, slender figure, as well as her dark hair, which was much like her son's, but with its striking silver streak down the right side.
She carried a small silver evening bag and wore her new pearl and gold Wedding bracelets along with her classic pearl drop earrings and long single-strand necklace, stylishly knotted low. Her slender feet were clad in dressy, though classically simple heels that perfectly matched her gown in color and fabric.
She wore a wrist corsage of perfectly matching wild rose-colored roses, gifted to her by her Son, the Groom, and was a stunning picture of simple elegance.
It was clear to all that Eleanor's striking beauty needed no real adornment, as it simply shone through via her goodness. One look and you couldn't help but want to get to know her, nor could you help but fall completely in love with her earthy honesty at the same time.
Though this was only her third day to be in Hope Valley, she was already much loved, as she was so open and friendly, as well as beautiful, charming, and surprisingly, most sophisticated!
As she took Lionel's arm, with Archie walking slightly behind them as was customary, she paused and smiled warmly, waving to the many guests, then turned to her honored escort, signaling with a slight nod that she was ready.
The oddity was that few, if any, in town knew her remarkable history, thinking she was just a rancher, but the Earl of Etherington, being British, did indeed know her real identity and the incredible fame her talent had earned with it.
The truth was it was the Earl, who was the nervous one to be escorting this beautiful woman, famous in all of Great Britain and Europe, on his rather royal and hard-to-impress arm.
Little did Hope Valley know their Eleanor was as at home on the most important stages of her home country, the same as though she was expertly riding her horse through Hope Valley!
But to Eleanor, that was another name, another time. She lived completely in the moment and, short of still grieving for her cherished daughter, was thoroughly content in her present. She was also most grateful to be seeing her beloved Son marry the love of his life and her beloved Granddaughter finally have the Mama she had always wished for! On this day of days, her heart was full to overflowing.
Yes, as Eleanor Celeste Mayes Grant saw it, adorably known as Ellie by her affectionate husband, there was much to be thankful for as related to this happiest of Weddings!
Once they were seated, Lionel kissed both her cheeks in the European way, bowed respectfully, and took his leave to return to the carriage, as Eleanor reached for her husband's hand.
Archie lifted his wife's joined hand with his, kissing it ever so reverently, love for his Ellie written clearly across his ruggedly tanned face.
Next, Lionel returned to the carriage to help Grace Thatcher, the Mother-of-the-Bride and his own sophisticated mother-in-law, down from the carriage, kissing both her cheeks as he did so.
Grace, looking quite beautiful and elegant though in a much more formal way, comfortably took her son-in-law's arm, her head held high, with William preparing to walk behind her and sit with her till the Bridal carriage arrived.
As the consummate hostess, ever wishing to make everyone feel comfortable and welcome, Grace took a moment to more formally greet their guests, though with the warmest of smiles and the same excitement written on her face as Eleanor for this most auspicious and lovely family event that now delightedly included all.
Her chestnut hair was swept up and coiffed perfectly in place with a diamond comb, and she had chosen to wear a single-strand diamond necklace to match with a large oval-shaped diamond pendant. Though she paired the pieces with a pair of even fancier diamond drop earrings, that were chandeliered and multi-faceted in style.
She wore a beautiful deep French Blue gown, perfectly complementing Eleanor's deep Rose one.
Her gown was detailed and summery, with multiple layers of sheer chiffon fabric that floated out about her as she moved, with a fitted bodice and loose sleeves that flowed as well. Her heels were of silk brocade, which perfectly matched the under-brocade layer of her gown, which rustled ever-so-slightly as she walked.
She also wore a wrist corsage of her favorite and her daughter's favorite lavender roses, which, next to her gown, appeared to be almost the same complementary color, gifted by her almost Son-in-law, the Groom.
She, too, was the picture of elegance, though in a much more cosmopolitan way.
As Lionel seated her, he smiled, kissed both her cheeks once more, and gave a slight bow, then sat down on the opposite side of her from her husband, who lovingly smiled at her and took her hand as his wife smiled back in the exact same way.
It was clear for all to see that both sets of parents and guests were extremely elated and as supportive as possible, related to this Wedding that was now finally and officially beginning…
Back in Hope Valley, Elizabeth, Allie, Jack, Tori, and Goldie were comfortably settled in their gorgeously decorated Wedding Carriage, truly befitting the Bride, ready to start their journey, when as Scout walked by, Jack suddenly remembered he was missing something.
"Scout," called Jack. "Come quick, or you'll miss our Wedding!"
"Jack Thornton, don't you dare let that dog in this carriage. He'll trample our gowns! Grab him, Jack, and hold him tight while Allie and I gather our skirts up," ordered his Mama.
"But Mama, Scout has to come too!"
"Not a chance, Son!"
But that was when Scout miraculously jumped into the carriage in one single leap, and the women were helpless to remove him.
"Jack, I mean it! If Scout is going with us, you are responsible for holding him tight and keeping him away from our gowns! Are we understood?"
"Yes, Ma'am!" pouted Jack, holding onto Scout's collar tightly.
"Are we ready, Mrs. Thornton?" asked the carriage driver.
"I suppose we'd better go now before Jack includes his and his sister's new horses!"
"Oh, I forgot about…" began Jack.
"Jack! Mama means Pal, Collie, and Thorne cannot go with us! You, Little Brother, are pushing your luck with Scout!" warned Allie.
First, Jack went into pout mode, then after positioning Scout just so that Goldie's tiny feet could touch his fur, he was so proud of his accomplishment that he suddenly began to sing enthusiastically.
"Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence for your shoe!" sang Jack happily and loudly while riding along in the Bridal carriage, with Tori joining in and even Goldie catching a word here and there. (*155)
"I've heard the rhyme before, but where does all that come from, Mama?" asked Allie, most intrigued.
"That? Oh, it's just an old English rhyme that has lasted down through the ages as a tradition for Brides to follow for good luck!" answered the Bride as she breathed a sigh of relief since Scout seemed to be on his very best behavior.
"I'm just glad we've got everything covered!" grinned her daughter.
"Me, too, Allie! Except how in the world did I forget having a babysitter for Scout? Of all things!"
"Don't worry, Mama, at least there will be plenty of room for Scott to roam!"
"Thank goodness! But back to the rhyme - not that I'm superstitious at all, but I do like to follow tradition!" smiled their Mama. "Especially where something as important as Weddings is concerned!"
"Seems like there should be more of a reason for the rhyme, though," rationalized Allie.
"Smart daughter! It's specifically meant to ward off the evil eye, which people thought was a curse passed down through a malicious glare that could possibly make the Bride infertile!"
"Oh, no! We don't want that! Because Jack and I want lots of brothers and sisters!" emphasized Allie most definitively.
"Lots? Oh my!" teased Elizabeth, making a shocked face, causing all the children to laugh.
"What are all of your items, again, Mama?"
"Let's see. My something old is your Great-great grandmother's Engagement Ring, Sweetheart. My something new is my beautiful new diamond Wedding Bracelet and Earrings from your father, which I couldn't love more. My something borrowed is my Pearl Necklace with diamond cross pendant borrowed from my mother. And I have a brand-new silver sixpence for my shoe that Viola and Victoria brought me straight from London!"
"I remembered, Auntie Beth!" declared Tori proudly.
"And I'm so glad you did, Sweetheart! Thank you for that, Dear Tori! Not many Brides' have a brand new shiny one, hand-carried from London to put in their shoe!"
"But, Mama, you never did tell us what you have that's blue," mused Allie. "Only that you had something very special!"
"They are special, indeed! Well, I'm doubly covered in the blue department, as I actually have two things that are blue, and both are very, very special to me!"
"What are they, Mama," asked Jack.
"I have two very special blue ribbons. The one is tied to Jack's baby ring, and the other is one that Allie wore in her hair when she was tiny, that is now tied to her baby ring, along with her original ribbon that, of course was pink!"
"You have both our baby rings?" asked Allie, beaming, yet so surprised that her new Mama had even thought of such a sweet thing, much less gone to all that trouble.
"I do! Two of the tiniest gold rings. They're stitched inside the bodice of my gown, next to my heart, exactly where my children always are!"
"That is the sweetest," and Allie kissed her Mama's cheek while Jack, sitting across from them with Goldie between him and Tori, blew his Mama a kiss.
"And now, they're both sealed with kisses! A Bride can't get any luckier than that nor be more blessed!"
Elizabeth couldn't help but think about what she had just said to the children.
Inside, she knew it was true. Never in her life had she felt so blessed, so excited, and so at peace, all at the same time.
Very soon, her Groom would be standing at their magnificent Wild Rose Garden, waiting for her, his Bride, and her breath caught at the very thought.
She had wished for a great love, but even in her wildest imagination, she had not dreamed one could possibly be as grand as this.
Once, she and Nathan had confessed their profound love to each other, it had just grown and grown in unimaginable ways, to new depths!
The Bride couldn't help but smile, thinking back to the love letter she had written last night to her Groom, as well as the letter her beloved Groom had written to her.
It was as though every single word of both letters was emblazoned on her heart.
Together, they were everything.
It was like their love was a pervasive, living, breathing entity that was invincible, ready to face whatever might come together.
And yes, she was certain their already epic love would grow even more, utterly in the most wondrous of ways, just as her Groom had suggested.
Epic, now the couples' choice word they thoroughly agreed on as being most appropriately descriptive of their profound 'soulmate' and 'written in the stars' kind of love…
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153-154. "Pachelbel's Canon in D Major," music composed by Johann Pachelbel, lyrics by Johann Pachelbel and Emily Anne Shulz; though origins and composition date are unclear, the piece is thought to have been written around 1680 or 1696 in the late 17th or early 18th century; the oldest surviving manuscript copy is from the 19th century; though unlikely, the piece is thought to be a wedding gift for the wedding of Johann Sebastian Bach's older brother, Johann Christoph, who studied with Pachelbel, a 17th century German composer who was a virtuoso organist and a major contributor to the development of baroque keyboard music. The piece has become a popular wedding song, often used for the processional and recessional. Public Domain.
155. "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, and a Silver Sixpence in Her Shoe," in full comes from the Victorian-era rhyme or poem that originated in England and refers to the tradition of the bride wearing something borrowed and something blue, etc. Adhering to these traditional rules is said to ward off infertility and implies good luck in the marriage. A sixpence is a British coin worth six pennies that was minted from 1551 to 1967. Public Domain Information.