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Nathan & Elizabeth: An Epic Love
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Chapter Eighty-two
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Interlude:
The Grant Wedding
The Grant Wedding Reception
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As all the Wedding Attendants, Families, and Guests began to find their chosen transport from the many beautiful carriages that Lee had so diligently provided for their way back to Hope Valley, there was even an official military component that thrilled the attendees as it related to their Chief Inspector.
The entire Mountie Brigade mounted their Horses and fell into the identical formation as when they came, but this time with the purpose of leading the caravan of carriages back to Hope Valley for the Wedding Reception to follow.
There was one variance, and that blaring exception had to do with getting Newton home, as his Master was now in the Bridal Carriage with his new wife.
However, leave it to the Mounties to not only take care of that technicality but also do it in style!
Staff Sergeant Valen, who had originally ridden Sergeant in place of his horse so that both the Bridal Couple's Mountie horses could be in attendance at their Wedding Festivities, took his Chief Inspector's place, allowing both the Grants' Mountie horses to be upfront, but guiding a saddled though riderless Newton as the actual lead of the procession back to Hope Valley in honor of his master, the Groom, their Chief Inspector.
In other words, to honor both the Groom and his steed, it would be Newton who would lead everyone home from this most important Wedding celebration, bridging the gap, to the second Reception celebration of the evening!
And Newton took charge, leading the way with pride, just like his Master would have done...
Without a doubt, it was obvious that everyone had been thoroughly enchanted by the stunning yet laid-back evening with both the Wedding and Adoptions the entire town had been longing to see.
The Grants and the Grant Family were both now official!
Indeed, everyone had been thrilled to be a part of these important events and were so thoroughly delighted with all their expectations surpassed, in the most charming and informal of ways, which shouldn't have surprised them at all, knowing the Bride and Groom.
It was just that Grace and her usual formality had been the wild card that could have tilted things in the other direction!
But for once, Elizabeth's very formal mother had listened and only finessed things while, for the most part, honoring the Bride's and Groom's wishes.
And because of that, even she, along with everyone else, was positively delighted with how everything had gone, pleased to have given the Bride and Groom what they wanted with just a few of her own enhancements added in!
"I couldn't have asked for it to have been any more perfect! Even with our surprise visit from Scout! This entire evening has been perfectly imperfect, which is so very much our Bride and Groom!" mused Grace in retrospect, who had hosted it all. "And our Jack, what could have possibly been more darling?"
"Agree, Grace! You positively outdid yourself! It was all perfect, just the way it was meant to be," complimented Eleanor. "And those cardinals, arriving as if on cue! They meant the world to all of us!"
Even Viola, ever the royal and social Lady Etherington, couldn't think of a single thing she would have done differently.
"The whole evening, including both services, was simply charming!" complimented Viola. "Jack correcting the Judge was memorable! Not to mention he and Tori 'helping' Little Goldie!"
"And don't forget, Scout," chuckled Archie.
"Well, let's hope our sister forgets those three little interventions! No matter how adorable we might find them to be. I found Scout to be very well-behaved, considering! Despite all that, this Wedding reeked of both Nathan and Elizabeth! Though it started out with all the mandatory military pomp and circumstance our Groom was bound to, it ended up being anything but for the duration, which is exactly what the two of them wanted! Their Ceremony was everything - so beautiful, so very romantic, and informal, laid back, but profound. And elegant two! The whole evening was just full of love for each other and for Allie and Jack! I never dreamed that a Wedding or even our niece's and nephew's Adoptions could be so beautiful, just by being true to oneself. But this was, and now that's exactly how I want my Wedding to be as well," declared Julie. "And what can I say? I personally loved the added pomp of the Mountie procession and their arrival. And how romantic is it they are leading us home in the exact same manner?"
"Quite impressive, Jules! Though the love was even more so. Why, you could feel the love from the entire town throughout," mused Lionel. "Which is quite remarkable as I don't know a single soul from here!"
"Everyone had the best time, which is, indeed, quite amazing, as Weddings aren't everyone's cup of tea! Pun intended!" noted William.
"William!" cried Grace, aghast.
William chuckled.
"Sorry, Dear, but I couldn't resist that one! Though Weddings are sometimes tedious, especially for us men, I've got to say, I wouldn't have missed a second of this one!" admitted William with a contented smile. "Extremely well done, Grace!"
"This one was just exactly as it should have been with Little Jack's corrections and all," chuckled Archie, proud of his new grandson.
"Oh, the way he stuffed that ring pillow under his arm and 'pitched' those rose petals was a sight to see!" admitted Lee. "But Goldie would have never walked down that garden path without Jack and Tori!"
"I've never in my life seen a more beautiful site for a Wedding," mused Eleanor. "The colors in that sunset were just indescribable! I'm hoping our Allie can recreate and paint them for us to remember!"
"Well, don't forget, we will have photos coming too, and I'll be sure to get you copies of all of them," promised Grace. "But oh, to have a painting of that and from our granddaughter. We'll have to hint to our talented girl for sure!"
"I'll hint, too," offered Julie. "But right now, I'm ready to party!"
"Aren't we all, Dear Sister," confirmed Viola with a broad smile. "Oh, and that tenor, Mother, was the perfect added touch! His voice was just incredible!"
Though the entire town was massively looking forward to the celebration to follow, they were also sad about leaving this enchanted spot now known as Rose Valley!
The consensus was that this had already been the loveliest of nights, never to be forgotten.
And truly, the night was just beginning, with the entire Valley ready to celebrate…
Knowing that after their Wedding and Adoption Ceremonies, he would be craving a moment alone with his Bride before the onslaught of people at their Reception, Seth and his men had become Nathan's accomplices in crime, though not a single word had been said to anyone!
Holding his Bride close on the way to their unknown destination, curiosity was about to get the best of her.
"But, Darling, where are we going? This is away from town, including our Wedding Reception!"
"The fact is, I'm kidnapping you, Mrs. Nathan Grant! I do promise to have you back for our party, though I have it on good authority that the Bride and Groom should be the last to arrive!"
"You do, now?" she asked amusedly.
"I do, and my information is correct, as I have verified it through our Wedding Planner. Although she almost had a stroke that the question was even considered, much less asked! Particularly by me, the Groom."
His Lizbeth sighed blissfully.
"I'm so happy that I'm not even going to grill you about where you are taking me!"
"You must be tired! Or sick?" he asked, feigning alarm.
"No, no, my Darling, not at all, to either one. Unless you consider 'lovesick?'"
He chuckled.
"Do you have any idea how difficult it was being away from you since last night?" he whispered, his breath warm on her ear, causing her to swallow hard. "Why I couldn't even talk to you over the phone!"
She snuggled in tighter, reaching over and wrapping her arm around his.
"My own word to describe the entire situation was 'excruciating,' and even that probably didn't begin to cover it," she admitted.
"Excruciating works! But just for the record, my Love, the wait was more than worth it. You are the most beautiful Bride this world has ever seen!"
She laughed.
"If true, my Love, it's all for you!"
"Your gown looks iridescent by the coach's lamplights. But your face is otherworldly with a golden glow – as radiant as the most beautiful angel in existence!"
"That is going to get you extra points, Husband of mine!"
"In that case, let me keep going."
But words ceased as their lips met, ever so softly at first, while slowly needing more till their kiss became increasingly urgent, morphing into a full crescendo of flurried passion.
"Is this heaven?" asked the Bride, laying her head on her new Husband's strong shoulder.
"It must be, my beautiful, Darling Wife…"
After some distance of just relishing their alone time together as new husband and wife, Elizabeth looked up at her handsome husband, wonder written across her face.
"Is it okay that everything feels perfectly sublime?" asked a very serene Bride.
"It's our Wedding Day! There is nothing better than that to inspire awe, my Love," assured the Groom. "I've never been happier in my life!"
"That fills my heart, Dear Husband, and it's the exact same for me, you know!"
The two smiled at each other, letting their new status sink in, if that was even possible.
"Oh, my goodness! Our Cabin! You are taking me to our Cabin!" shrieked the Bride upon recognizing where they were.
"Well, partially ours! I'll admit I did try to buy it for you as the rest of your Wedding Gift, but Mr. O'Rourke refuses to sell it since he still uses it each fall in hunting season. And apparently, he is quite the hunter!"
"It was a beautiful thought, though! And thank you for thinking of trying to make it happen from the bottom of my heart. But will he mind us using it from time to time?"
"He's good with that and was actually delighted we'd be stopping by tonight!"
"This is perfect, Nathan. At least we will have a little time alone to recharge before we face all the noise of celebration again!"
"Just for a few moments, but yes, absolutely alone, as I have dared Security to make a sound!"
She giggled.
"My, you mean business, Chief Inspector!"
"Absolutely, I do. This is our Wedding Night, and I don't know about you, but I am counting the hours till we board our Train later tonight!"
"Oh, me too! There are no words. Now, that will be heaven for certain!"
He chuckled, mesmerized, unable to grasp how anyone could possibly be this beautiful.
His breathing quickened as his brow furrowed, and he tried earnestly to figure it out, but then it dawned on him at the exact moment she said it.
"I've never been this happy or felt so free!"
"And it shows perfectly because you have never looked more stunning, my Darling!"
Their carriage rounded a curve in the clearing, bringing them to their destination.
Elizabeth clapped her hands at the familiar site.
"You even have a fire in the fireplace!" she marveled upon seeing the smoke spiraling from the chimney.
"I thought you might be chilly from having been out in the night air all evening. And I'm glad that I did because, in that stunning gown, I know that at least your incredibly beautiful back probably needs a little warming up!"
She blushed, realizing he had noticed all on his own, causing her to feel like a schoolgirl all over again.
As they pulled up to the cabin, or as close as the carriage could get, the Groom jumped out, then lovingly lifted his Bride down.
Together, they walked arm in arm toward the cabin, this tiny, rugged place that had come to mean so much to them over the years.
As he opened the door, he picked her up and carried her inside, with her thoroughly kissing him as he did so.
But when he sat her down, she became overwhelmed with emotion and began crying, as she had never expected what was awaiting her.
"You did all this for me?"
"With some help, yes!"
"But Nathan, the Fire, the Lavender Roses, the Hors d'oeuvres, the Music, our Apple Juice!"
"And champagne, too, if you prefer!"
"Our Apple Juice is perfect!"
"Dance with me, now, Darling, privately! Our real first dance as Husband and Wife!"
He took her in his arms, holding her so close that their hearts seemed to beat as one.
And there was that floaty feeling all over again, their closeness infusing the both of them in a brand new, inexplicable way…
Exquisite notes playing from the gramophone, a song that Elizabeth had never heard before, filled the room melodiously but without words.
"The song is called 'Wedding Song,' otherwise known as 'There is Love.' I thought it suited us perfectly as there is so very much love here with us!" (*179)
Suddenly, her Husband started singing the beautiful words, softly serenading his Wife, filling in the blanks for her heart, mind, and soul:
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He is now to be among you at the calling of your hearts
Rest assured this troubadour is acting on His part.
The union of your spirits, here, has caused Him to remain
For whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name
There is Love, there is Love.
A man shall leave his mother and a woman leave her home
And they shall travel on to where the two shall be as one.
As it was in the beginning is now and til the end
Woman draws her life from man and gives it back again.
And there is Love, there is Love.
Well then what's to be the reason for becoming man and wife?
Is it love that brings you here or love that brings you life?
And if loving is the answer, then who's the giving for?
Do you believe in something that you've never seen before?
Oh there is Love, there is Love.
Oh the marriage of your spirits here has caused Him to remain
For whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name
There is Love, there is Love. (*180) (*181)
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"That may be the loveliest song I've ever heard, Darling! Both the music and the words!"
"It's based on Genesis 2:24," explained her new Husband. '"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife…'"
"And they shall be one flesh," finished his new Wife. (*182)
Then she began again, and he could tell seriously so from the look on her face.
"You know, before, I was so…"
Nathan just held her, knowing she had more to say.
"I was so young and so nervous. Scared, really, if I'm being perfectly honest."
"That was then, Lizbeth; this is now."
She smiled at him through her serious musing.
"I just can't believe the difference. It's as though we are already so connected that there simply isn't anything to be nervous about!"
"Exactly that, my Love!"
Both sighed.
"Today is our day. Tonight is our night. As is every day and night after, my Darling!" smiled Nathan so lovingly.
She smiled back flirtatiously, wanting him so badly.
"I love when you serenade me! I'll never forget this private moment being alone with you on our Wedding Day, my Darling!"
"Come, I want you to see something."
With the music still softly playing, he took her hand and walked her to the settee in front of the fire.
They kissed as they sat down together, but as she snuggled back into him, he twisted just enough to reach for a long-wrapped and beribboned tubular piece, all in white.
He grinned that lop-sided grin of his that she adored and never failed to melt her very being.
"Since the purchase of this cabin couldn't work, I made another plan. At first, I, too, was disappointed, but it seems there is always a better way. And I do believe this is a much better way. This is part of your Wedding Gift from your Groom, your elated Husband who is so very proud to be married to you in every way."
She took the tubular piece tentatively.
"You have to open it, you know. You start, I'll get our chilled Apple Juice!"
He left to grab their drinks as she slowly tore at the paper around the cardboard tube.
"You know I have absolutely no clue what this is, and it's killing me!"
When he arrived back with their apple juice, he chuckled at her slowness.
"Then you need to open it faster to know what it is! I promise it won't bite!"
She laughed, too, which he loved, sitting their juices down on the table, stretching to kiss her once more.
Then she tore into the package in earnest!
"Nathan, what is this? Plans?"
"Plans that can be modified any way you like them, my Love!"
"But what are they for?"
"Since I couldn't buy this cabin, I got to thinking. There is the perfect spot for a log cabin, as large as you want, right by the river on our property. The view is breathtaking, and it would be there for just us as a retreat when we need it or with our children, too. And don't forget our families and friends or even the kids by themselves when they get older."
"Oh, Nathan, really? You would build that for me?"
"In any design you like!"
"That's splendid! I actually love the idea of a cabin on our land so very much! More even than this! Especially since we can make it exactly how we want it, and it will just belong to us alone with no worries about strangers taking it over. And on our land! Thank you, my Darling – it's the most wonderful idea and lasting present! I love it, and the children will love it! Not to mention our families when they visit!"
"So, you really love the idea!"
"I do - the idea of a cabin on our land could not be more perfect! Nor could my wonderful Husband be more perfect…"
And even in saying the word, she was lost all over again.
"Although fair warning, your 'wonderful Husband' has never built with logs before."
"No matter…"
But that thought was interrupted by several most necessary kisses.
"A Wedding Toast to My Resplendent Bride. May your every dream come true, my Darling!"
"A Wedding Toast to My Handsome Groom. May your every dream come true as well, my Darling, because mine already have come true, in you and our beautiful future together…"
The moonlit ride back into Hope Valley was as romantic as anything that could have been imagined.
Very few words had been spoken between the couple since they left the cabin, as the Bride and Groom were just comfortably on the same page – one of sheer togetherness, savoring the fact Nathan had snuck in a way for them to experience some precious time alone full of romance, before meeting with the onslaught of people enjoying their Wedding Reception.
"Is it my imagination, or are the stars shining extra brightly tonight?" asked Elizabeth.
"I was wondering the same thing, so, no, not your imagination at all! You know, we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day! Or, for that matter, a more beautiful carriage!"
"The entire day and night so far have been perfect! The only hard part was missing you all day!"
"That, my Lizbeth, was the hardest part of all. From the moment I so reluctantly left you last night, I was missing my Bride. Though, as I said, it was well worth the wait to see you like this! Yet I still hold to my theory that I could have seen you seconds before and still had the same incredible reaction! You, my Darling, may have a hard time making up for that one little abominable tradition!"
She laughed.
"Somehow, I think, I'll manage! Since I thought that might prove a sore spot with you, I have all sorts of ideas, you know?"
"Not truly, but I'm intrigued to find out. And for the record, I very much like the sound of that, indeed, Mrs. Grant!"
"Can you just please keep saying my new name over and over and over again?"
He leaned close, whispering "Mrs. Grant," then kissing her lightly, whispering her name louder and louder after each affectionate, longing kiss.
"How's that for a start?"
"If that's your start, can't wait to see your finale!" she teased.
"I promise it will be well worth the wait!"
He pulled her closer to him, kissing the top of her head.
"You do know you can't muss the hair as we still have our Reception to attend!"
"Not real happy about that little rule, my Love, but duly noted!"
"You mean you're worried about our party?"
"Oh, no, not in the least! I was complaining about not getting to muss your hair!"
She playfully hit his chest.
"Later, Love, and you can muss it all you want!"
"Promise?"
"Promise!"
"Now that's an incentive to enjoy our party if there ever was one! I've never seen a gown as lovely, and the way you are wearing your hair up with the veil is utter perfection! No one could look more beautiful, and I could not be prouder to be the one standing by your side tonight!"
"I wanted every little thing perfect for you, Love, including my little backless surprise! Though, I'm so sorry about Jack's antics. You know he was the reason that Scout accompanied us, right?"
"I was fairly certain that was the case," winked Nathan. "But Darling, even with his sweet antics, he was adorable! Besides, he's only six. Given that, I think he did remarkably well!"
"You don't think everyone thought I was a bad mother?"
"You? Absolutely not! As I said, he's six years old and did the things one would expect from a very bright six-year-old. Again, quite adorable things. I mean, I, for one, was very impressed with his pitching skills. Our son is going to the majors!"
"The majors? What's that?"
Nathan chuckled.
"It's the top dream of sons everywhere around the world. Looks like I'm going to have to teach my Darling Wife a bit about baseball!"
Elizabeth sighed.
"I'm afraid I'm lost as far as sports are concerned. Though I did attend a tennis match once," she added proudly.
Nathan winced.
"I can see we've got our work cut out for us, but we'll fix that for sure, Love! It's a requirement that Mamas go to all baseball games, for starters, you know!"
"So noted, as long as I get to sit by you!"
"Uh, sorry, but I'll be out on the field coaching, Babe!"
"Oh!"
Nathan chuckled once more.
"But back to Jack's antics, I do admit, I held my breath till we got those rings on your finger!"
"Oh, Nathan, I shudder to think about what might have happened on that front! I could just see Scout taking off with the pillow and dunking it in the brook or worse!"
"Well, I'm just thankful our rings survived! Jack was exactly where he was meant to be – at our Wedding! And he got the job done in spite of some hurdles," he added consolingly. "Besides, look at what good care he took of Goldie and Tori! The three looked like lifelong buddies."
"They did, didn't they? They were positively adorable!"
"I think they might have just stolen the show!" winked Nathan, ensuring his new Wife felt better about all of their son's antics.
"Speaking of rings – I love my Wedding band so much. You were right, you know. It perfectly matches my bracelet, or I suppose I should say the bracelet you designed for me perfectly matches it! But Darling, the surprise of you and the children giving me this beautiful Keeper Ring in a diamond band that perfectly matches the band of my Engagement ring is just the most special thing ever - such a beautiful thought! Now, I have the love of my entire family right here on my ring finger, which leads directly to my heart! That's quite a magnificent gift the three people I love most in this world have given me!"
He lifted her hand and kissed her ring finger.
"Now, all three rings have my official seal of approval!"
She smiled, snuggling into her Husband, both completely at peace.
"Now, back to the real topic at hand!"
"Hmm?"
"That naughty little backless surprise of yours!" he whispered in a low voice.
Delightedly, she giggled profusely.
"You really, really did notice!"
"From the first second you turned at the Altar! Though 'notice' doesn't begin to cover the matter! That little ploy of yours, alone, my Darling, is going to take hours and hours to sort!"
"Promise?" she asked deliciously but with the taste of deliberated success within her grasp.
Under hooded eyes, that low voice of his grew lower and more than a little raspy.
"You, Mrs. Grant, have no idea of the havoc you've wreaked all evening with that little addition of spice to our Wedding!"
But as they bore their eyes into each other's, he nonchalantly, though purposely, stretched the entire span of his large palm across her bare back, wreaking quite a bit of havoc of his own in payback as his breathless new Wife felt fire like never before, suddenly needing her Husband desperately despite the fact they were traveling in their Wedding Carriage, with Security all around...
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179-180. "Wedding Song," also known as "There is Love," by Noel Paul Stooky, 1971; originated from a prayer Stookey said to God while writing the song for the wedding of Peterr Yarrow. Owned by the Public Domain Foundation. Public Domain.
181-182. "Genesis 2:24," the basis for the second verse of "Wedding Song," by Noel Paul Stookey; "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh;" The Holy Bible, King James Version. Public Domain.