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Nathan & Elizabeth: An Epic Love
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Chapter Eighty-five
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The Grant Wedding Reception
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Part III
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The Wedding Cake Cutting:
Standing now before their huge Cake, first, in order to ensure his Bride's safety, Nathan took three large steps back and elegantly withdrew his saber in one swift movement.
Everyone, including the Bride, clapped!
"How do I help?" asked his Bride.
"Tell me where to cut, and then just place your hand over mine, Love!"
"Why don't we start on this lower corner?"
"Looks good to me!"
The saber was drawn through the stunning square-tiered Wedding Cake, representing their family of four, followed by the Bride removing the first generous slice to a plate.
The Groom then first took the tiniest bite between his fingers so as to politely not muss his Bride's gorgeous face or her gown, then carefully fed her.
"Oh, my goodness, this is scrumptious!" moaned the delighted Bride.
Then the Bride reached for a bigger bite, but what the Groom didn't see was that she also had scooped extra hidden icing onto her finger, and as soon as she placed the bite in his mouth, she took her finger and ran it down his nose, giggling as she left a trail of icing, to their Guests' delight!
"Why does this feel like 'Déjà vu,' my Darling?" (*205)
But now it was war, and as she bent to remove the icing from his nose, he scooped his long index finger onto the plate, being careful to get only the white icing, then carefully decorated her own beautiful nose with icing to her enormous surprise and the crowd's delight!
"But you said…" she began innocently.
"Ah, but you opened the floodgate, my Love. All is fair when that happens, remember?"
First, she tried to give him an innocent, then a resigned, attempted, but failed stern look, knowing she was the real culprit who had left him no choice!
Suddenly, they both broke out laughing as the mothers laughingly swooped in to help Minnie cut and serve the rest of the cake.
Then, after a loving but playful kiss from his Bride with icing now all over both their faces, the teacher's gal students were fondly remembering a slumber party where the now Mrs. Grant had shockingly iced their Constable's nose with cupcake icing so long ago! But how could they not love this joint re-enactment even better?
If this was love, they were wishing for exactly the same thing someday!
Now, watching the two as Bride and Groom, playing with each other on their Wedding Day, after moments of every other emotion possible having been felt throughout the day, it was obvious all was just as it should be in the Grants' world, and truly in everyone's, even despite icing everywhere.
Why shouldn't love be laughter and fun?
Perhaps everything was even more perfect because of that scrumptious, smeared icing…
A Bit of Business:
After the cake, the dancing started all over again.
But the Bride and Groom had responsibilities to fill, though right now they were finishing their cake with their children and parents.
"Nathan and Elizabeth, Henry wanted to talk to you for a minute, and I need Nathan's signature," reminded Bill, who was carrying his packet of legal documents. "William, I need you to come, too, if you will!"
"But of course!"
"Excuse us, Kiddos! You two have fun with your grandparents, then we'll find you again before we leave," winked their Papa.
Jack took off to visit some of his daycare friends as the Commissioner and his wife walked up to talk to their grandparents, which left Allie standing off to the side alone.
Though not for long.
"Allison Rose!" whispered Alex softly, causing Allie to jerk her head back to see if it was really him.
"You look so beautiful. Well, you always look beautiful, but tonight especially so!"
"Thank you, Alex. We all love our gowns. You can't help but feel like a Princess in them!"
"They are beautiful too, but Allie, the truth is you'd look beautiful in anything! I see they are starting the dancing back up. Would you like to dance with me?" he asked, though a bit nervously.
"Oh, I'd love to," and that was when Alex first offered his hand, along with a broad smile, and Allie happily placed her own hand into his, with both suddenly feeling tingles, though not quite sure what it was or if the other one was feeling it too.
Nathan and Elizabeth happened to be coming that way, but both smiled encouragingly, and the two smiled back, both grateful, then moved on to the dance floor as quite a crowd was gathering to dance.
"You were very gracious, Husband."
"I'll have to update you, Wife, but the three of us had a good talk. And the truth is, it was way past time."
"Well, all I know is that our daughter is very, very grateful about whatever happened in that discussion. And I want you to know, your Wife, without knowing the specifics, knows enough to be very, very proud of you, my Darling Husband!" and she reached up to show him with a loving kiss.
"You always know the exact thing to say that I need to hear and when I need to hear it. I love you so, Lizbeth!"
"Precisely the same, Love!"
As they walked on to meet Bill and William, Henry walked up to walk the distance with them.
"I just wanted to warn you two. I tried to rein our Governor back in but had no luck whatsoever!"
"Oh, no! Lucas has gone overboard with our gift, hasn't he," noted Nathan, stating it more as fact than question.
"Way overboard, I'm afraid, and in my opinion, it's probably just his way to make amends. But I'm apologizing for him in advance. Thank you both for including me in your Service. I wouldn't have missed this for the world!"
"We both are so grateful you came all this way to be here, Henry! It wouldn't have been the same without you. And I need to thank you for that day in the Livery. You were right on, and I should have been more gracious."
"Elizabeth, you were in no state to be gracious. I was just glad to have been there as support."
"You're a good man, Henry, and we love you," and she reached over and kissed his cheek.
"I suppose I should also apologize that my Wedding Gift is not nearly as extravagant as our Governor's, but still, I hope you love it, as it was chosen and is given with a whole lot of heart and even more love!"
"We'll love whatever it is, Henry," assured Nathan. "Because it came from you!"
Before the trio knew it, they were in the corner where Bill and William were patiently waiting for them.
"I'm going to go and see if my goddaughter is still sleeping. You all have a great and well-deserved Honeymoon, you hear!"
"Will do, Henry!" beamed Elizabeth.
"And you enjoy your time being home in Hope Valley before you have to go back to Capital City. Wait, keep this between us, but when we return, our family will be coming to your place. So, the four of us will be seeing you there soon, as well!"
"Now, that just made my already perfect day even more perfect! Looking forward to it! Just let me know where, and I'll get you all set up!"
Henry waved and took off to check on Goldie while the Bridal couple sat down to take care of some business.
"Now, you two, this paperwork is all completed, just as you and William discussed. I only need your two signatures, Nathan and William, right here."
"And I need to thank you for doing this, Darling! I know it means a lot to Father," smiled Elizabeth.
"You can say that again, Lilibet! It's such a weight off my shoulders. Finally, I have someone I completely trust!"
"I appreciate the vote of confidence, Sir…"
"Father," nudged William.
Nathan smiled and corrected.
"I appreciate the vote of confidence, Father! But let's not need to use any of this for a very, very long time!"
William patted his new Son's shoulder.
"That means we are done," announced the Judge. "And though I hate to bring this up, you all are runnin' it mighty close on checkin' in at your Train! What else do you have to do?"
"My bouquet toss! And I thought if you parents didn't mind, we'd take Allie and Jack in our carriage to the Train Station with us, and then you all would bring them back. That includes you, Bill!"
"That sounds perfect, Lilibet," agreed her father. "Let's go get this bouquet of yours tossed…"
The Groom's Thank You and the Bridal Bouquet Toss:
"Allie, Alex, excuse us for interrupting, but we thought you and Jack might like to go in our carriage with us to the Train Station so we can say a more private goodbye. Then, after that little interruption, you and Alex can pick up where you left off back here," explained her Papa.
"Thank you, Sir! You and Mrs. Grant have a wonderful Honeymoon. And don't worry about us at all. We know all the rules and will abide by every single one!"
"You're a good man, Alex. And I'm not worried at all! I trust you both!"
"We appreciate that so much, Sir!"
"Now, we'd better take our leave. Seems my Bride has a bouquet to toss, and I have a thank-you speech of sorts to make!"
Nathan kissed his daughter's cheek, who came with him, and shook Alex's hand, who went to stand with Peyton and Angela.
As the Groom escorted his Bride to the front door with their daughter and still wide-awake son, the orchestra began playing "Beethoven's Ode to Joy, Symphony #9" to quieten the crowd. (*206)
"My beautiful Wife and I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all of you for sharing this most special day," and Nathan looked so lovingly at his Lizbeth, realizing the momentous words he had just spoken. "You've given us so much love and support for which we are deeply grateful, both today and over the years. Without all of you on this special day, our Wedding could not have possibly been as memorable or as wonderful! We are especially blessed that you chose to celebrate with us in such a remarkable and unforgettable show of support. We are also truly blessed by simply having all of you good people in our lives, day in and day out! Continue to enjoy the party - your party - for as long as you can make it last! We pray that everyone has safe travels home and that Hope Valley continues to support our families and children as you always do, but this time with a bit of extra care while we're away on our Honeymoon Travels. Know that you all are in very good hands under Staff Sergeant Finn Valen's leadership and our fine Men! Everyone, stay safe!"
The crowd broke out into spontaneous applause, hating to see the Couple of Honor leaving but also happy for them to get to go on their long-awaited Honeymoon!
"And now, if the single ladies will gather, I believe my lovely Bride has a Wedding Bouquet to toss!"
As all the single ladies quickly gathered, Elizabeth stole a look, then turned and tossed with all her might, making a perfect toss with everyone again erupting into applause when they realized her stunned and ecstatic baby sister, Julie, had gloriously caught the bouquet!
The two sisters hugged with a little private giggly dance of their own, and then the Bride and Groom waved one last wave to more applause and shouts of goodbye and safe travels, etc., were made by their guests!
"Again, keep the party going all night long," grinned Nathan just before their exit, to lots of applause and shouts of "Happy Honeymoon!" and "Well Wishes!" along with even more dancing!
The Grand Party would undoubtedly and enjoyably continue long into the night, if not till breakfast in the morning, to all their Guests' delight…
The Bridal Couple Depart for their Honeymoon:
The Bridal Couple's Families, Attendants, and Spouses all followed them to the Train Station for a more private goodbye, as well as their ever-present Security Team, who would be (hopefully) discreetly joining them on their Honeymoon.
At the Train Station, everything was a blur, as the Train had arrived a few minutes early and wanted to leave a few minutes early.
"Thank goodness our luggage has already been taken care of," noted Nathan helping his family out of their Wedding Carriage.
"I'm glad we had the private time with you children while riding here!"
"Us, too, Mama!" agreed Allie as she gathered Jack close and went to find their grandparents.
"I know this is hard on them, but it is for us too," whispered Nathan. "I think they'll be fine with each other and their Grandparents and Aunties once we leave, Darling. Please don't worry!"
The Bride and Groom first said hurried goodbyes to all their Attendants and Spouses, including the Mounties' Top Brass, along with handshakes by the Men and quick embraces and kisses between the Ladies.
"Chief, you are officially off duty, and your only charge is to enjoy your beautiful new Wife and this Honeymoon of yours! There will be plenty of work to do as soon as you get back, and we'll be hitting the ground running, so relax, and that's an order!" smiled Conrad.
"We'll check in on your Men frequently, Son, as will both Victor and Christian, so no worries there, as well," assured Hal. "And when you do return, Conrad and I will spend the day personally briefing you to get you all caught up! So do not worry about a single thing!"
"Nathan, thank you for talking with Allie and Alex. I don't know any details, but I can tell by the looks on their faces they are both very happy, indeed!"
"Appreciate that, Patrick! I'd like to fill you in on all that when I get back and get your input as well, but I'm sure Alex will fill you and Maureen in on the gist until we return. They're great kids, and I couldn't have hand-chosen anyone better than your son!"
"We feel exactly the same, Nathan, about Allie," assured Patrick. "Maureen and I love your daughter already! The truth is we couldn't have chosen better either!"
Next came the Parents and Lionel, Viola, Victoria, Julie, Lee, Rosemary, and Bill, along with kisses and hugs for all!
"We cannot thank you parents enough for giving us the perfect wedding! And Mom and Dad, since you two will be gone when we get back, we'll call with updates! And Lionel, Viola, and Tori, so wish you could be here when we return, too, to have more time to spend together. We definitely need to make that happen on your next trip," suggested Nathan. "Just let us know when!"
"A pleasure having met you, Nathan! Welcome to the family, and we look forward to getting to spend more time together soon!" smiled Lionel. "We're just thankful we made it to Hope Valley in time and got to experience this special day with you two!"
"So are we, Lionel! And we can't wait to tear into those trunks and unwrap all those presents from Europe," thanked Elizabeth. "Viola, my best Wedding gift was you! I love you so much! And Julie, too. So, glad you'll at least be here when we return, Jules. Thank you all for everything!"
"Lee, thanks for all this hard work you've done for us. The carriages couldn't have been more streamlined. Much appreciated, Friend!"
"My pleasure, Nathan! And I'll be checking into everything I can on those houses of ours like we discussed!"
"Much appreciated, Lee!"
"Rosemary, thank you for everything, and yes, I'm referring to our Wedding and all the Celebrations," began Elizabeth. "But most of all, for the constant friendship and support that got me here!"
"It was written in the stars all along, Elizabeth! Nathan is your lifetime love! Always has been. And I think deep inside, both of us knew it. You and he have always been perfect together, even though we may have fought it a bit because of his uniform, which was perfectly silly on my part. But finally, the two of you are about to start the life that was meant for you, full of your greatest love and all the splendor it brings!"
The two embraced tightly.
"Please check after the children as much as you can!"
"That goes without asking, my Dearest Friend! You just relax and enjoy being with your new Husband! Lee and I couldn't be happier for the both of you!"
"Bill, no more poetry secrets from you," teased Nathan, embracing his second father. "We'll discuss that little embarrassing blunder when we return, but while we're gone, take care of my Men and, most importantly, our Children, too!"
"Both your Men and your Children will be fine! Have I ever failed?"
Nathan shook his hand as he pulled away and flashed that lop-sided grin of his.
"Not once, Judge! At least, not since that infamous night in jail!" chuckled the Groom, along with the Judge and all the Mounties...
A Final Goodbye with the Children:
But the bulk of the Bride and Groom's time was spent privately with their children.
"Now, you two be good for your grandparents and Auntie Julie," urged their Papa.
"We will, Papa! We promise."
"We love you both so much! Jack, you mind your sister, too, you hear!" ordered his Mama.
"I will, but can I sleep with Allie?"
"Allie, are you sure?"
"I'm sure, Mama," and then to remind her Mama without Jack hearing, she mouthed that Jack would do better with her.
"Okay, Son, if you aren't a bother to Allie. And do not keep her awake all night, Young Man!"
"I promise I'll be good. I love you, Mama and Papa!"
"I love you both, too!" added Allie.
"We love you both the most in this world! We promise to call, and the time is going to go really fast," encouraged their Papa. "Besides, you two need to start planning our Capital City trip because that will happen almost as soon as we return! Allie, why don't you choose a day and take Jack to the library to gather some information on things that interest you two?"
"That sounds like fun! I will, Papa!"
Both children cheered up at that thought, and as the Conductor made the last call to board, both Nathan and Elizabeth hugged and kissed their children one last time, drawing them extra close, all four trying hard not to cry.
"Perhaps this is harder to say goodbye because we've just become an official family," lamented their Mama.
"But don't forget, we are now an official family forever, so that's a very grand thing to be most happy about!" added their Papa in further encouragement. "We Grants will sail through this with flying colors and be leaving together on our first family vacation for Capital City before we know it!"
"But, Papa, who will pitch with me?"
"Your Uncle Bill and your Grandpapa are going to fill in, Son!" assured Nathan with a wink.
Jack nodded through his sniffles.
Both sets of Grandparents quickly stepped in, although tears from all fronts were now being shed, while together, the Bride and Groom turned to run and board their Train.
At the steps, Nathan swooped Elizabeth up in his arms, being careful of her veil blowing in the wind, and carried her up to the platform.
There they stood waving to all as the Train slowly pulled out, but especially to their beloved Children while smiling at all the shouts of loving goodbyes and well wishes from all!
They stood there experiencing such a myriad of emotions, all understandably so, while waving till the Hope Valley Station and all the people they loved had grown tinier and tinier in the distance….
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205. "Déjà vu," a French term that translates literally as 'already seen,' referring to the feeling that you've experienced something before, even though you know you haven't; the term originated in 1876 when French philosopher and parapsychologist Émile Boirac coined it in a letter to the editor of Revue Philosophique de la France et de l'É Domain. Public Domain.
206. "Beethoven's Ode to Joy, Symphony #9," from the poem An die Freude ("Ode to Joy") by German poet Friedrich No. 9inD minor, Op.125, is a choral symphony, the final complete symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven, composed between 1822 and 1824. It was first performed in Vienna on 7 May 1824. The symphony is regarded by many critics and musicologists as a masterpiece of Western classical music and one of the supreme achievements in the history of music. One of the best-known works in common practice music, it stands as one of the most frequently performed symphonies in the world. Public Domain.