Elope

"When it's right, you can just feel it." - Elizabeth Thornton, Home for Christmas

Elizabeth took a glance at her ring, then laid her head back on Nathan's shoulder, content to take in this moment and remember it for the rest of her life. She didn't want to break the spell of how joyful she felt, wrapped in the embrace of her brand new fiance. But even as joyful as she felt knowing that she and Nathan had a beautiful future promised together, that future invaded her mind.

"Nathan, how would you feel about finding Joseph right now?" she asked.

"Well, don't we have to make some plans before we talk to him?" Nathan asked.

"I don't want to wait any longer. The only things I need are you, Jack and Allie. Nothing else matters to me."

Nathan looked deeply in her eyes, and she held his gaze, refusing to let him question her resolve in this matter.

"I think your parents would be disappointed you didn't at least tell them before we married. And Rosemary would never forgive you. Are you sure you want to get married right now?" Nathan asked.

"I've never wanted anything more than to be your wife and start our lives together. We've wasted - I've wasted enough time already, let me make up for that. I'll get the children if you get Joseph."

There was no doubt in her voice or body, and Nathan had nothing left to argue about. "Okay, let's get married!"

They mounted Newton and Sergeant and made their way back to town at a trot. Elizabeth was tugged in two directions, wanting to spend as much time as possible enjoying this moment, while also anxious to start the next stage of her life as a wife once again.

As promised, Elizabeth went straight for the children, returning to her home without even stopping in town to stable Sergeant, just leaving him by the front door. Allie and Jack must have been watching from the window, and spilled out the door, Allie wearing a look of concern.

"Why isn't Dad with you? Did something happen?" she asked.

Elizabeth gave her a smile to assuage her fears. "He went to go find Mr. Canfield. And you should head home and change into your nicest dress. We have a wedding to go to!"

"Are you serious? Are you getting married today?" Allie asked.

"Yes. We didn't want to have to wait even one more day to make our family official."

Allie whooped a cheer that could be heard in Benson Hills. Elizabeth shushed her as quickly as possible, but it wasn't in time, and Rosemary stepped out onto her porch.

"What's going on?" Rosemary asked.

Elizabeth tried to give Allie a warning look, but the teen didn't catch this in time either. "Dad and Mom are getting married!"

Allie's words stopped Elizabeth from shushing her again. She hadn't believed that Allie would be so quick to start calling her 'Mom,' but it had come out with zero hesitation, and it took her breath away.

Rosemary's own squeal of delight brought Elizabeth back to reality. "Oh Elizabeth! That's wonderful news! May I see the ring?"

She rushed to Elizabeth's side to examine the ring on her finger. "Oh, it's just perfect! When are you getting married?"

"Oh, um," Elizabeth tried to think of an excuse to leave her friend out, knowing she would make a big production out of what she hoped to make a small affair.

Allie actually checked in with Elizabeth before she said anything this time, but Jack was the one to spill the secret. "We're going to be a family today!"

Rosemary's eyes widened and she stepped back. "Today?"

Elizabeth gave Rosemary the same explanation she gave Nathan. "I don't want to waste anymore time. We've been talking about a future together for so long, and it's time to start living it."

Tears glistened in Rosemary's eyes at Elizabeth's words. "Well then, let's get you married! We don't have much time, but may I at least offer you a wedding gift?"

"A gift?" Elizabeth drew her brows together as she considered her best friend's words. "What kind of gift?"

Rosemary linked her arm with Elizabeth's. "Allie, can you handle finding a nice church outfit for Jack and one for yourself? I'm going to get your mom ready for the best day of her life."

Allie accepted the assignment while Rosemary instructed Elizabeth to find her favorite white top. "I will be there in two minutes."

As soon as Rosemary suggested a white top for Elizabeth, she knew exactly which she should wear. She had always loved her lace top Julie had sent her for her birthday several years ago, but it had gained a treasured place in her heart when she had worn it the night she finally told Nathan how she felt about him. It seemed like the best choice; a beautiful blouse, a history of both good and bad memories, and the opportunity to make the most wonderful of good moments while wearing it.

She had slipped on the blouse just as there was a knock at her bedroom door, and as soon as she opened it wide enough, Rosemary rushed in, already talking a mile a minute. "Luckily for you, I knew that I would need this one day. I couldn't save that sparkly mess they called a bodice, but I did manage to improve on the awful poof of a skirt. Oh, that blouse is wonderful! It won't be a wedding gown, but at least it's white, and Nathan hasn't seen you in exactly this outfit."

Rosemary revealed a white long straight skirt, with a bottom tier of flowing lace she suspected would start about halfway down her calves. "It's beautiful. Where did you get it?" Elizabeth asked.

"I thought you'd know. It's the bottom of that terrible tulle monstrosity. As I promised, I made lemonade out of lemons."

Elizabeth considered a moment. "Rosemary, it's lovely. And I know we don't have any time. But I don't want to start my marriage to Nathan wearing something that was meant for a wedding to another man. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, but I was thinking of wearing this." Elizabeth held up a sky blue skirt she had just bought and hadn't had a chance to wear yet. It was the latest fashion, a pleated, solid color that stopped three inches above her ankles.

Rosemary gave her a serious appraisal. "I guess that could work. Go ahead and put it on, and we can see it all together."

The blonde stepped out of Elizabeth's room to let her change. Elizabeth let her back in a minute later, and Rosemary looked it over with the height of scrutiny. After a minute of silent examination with her lips pursed tight, Rosemary finally declared it a beautiful combination. "Let's be honest, Nathan won't be looking at your clothes. But he will notice your hair, so what should we do with this?" Rosemary asked.

Elizabeth shook her head. "I'm sure the children and Nathan are wondering where I am. All Nathan was going to do was get Joseph and meet me at the church. I'll put in a new barrette, but that's all."

With a huff of disapproval, Rosemary gave one last suggestion. "At least let me touch up your makeup."

Elizabeth gave a sigh, but agreed. She found the hair clip she had worn to Mike and Mei's wedding, and did a slightly more elaborate twist before she put it into her hair. Rosemary brushed a light touch of blush across Elizabeth's cheeks, and declared her ready.

"Let's check on the children, and get you to the church!" Rosemary smiled brightly at her friend.

"Yes. Let's do it!"

Outside her house, Elizabeth found Jack in his light brown pants, checked blue shirt, and suspenders. "Oh Jack, you're just as handsome as Mountie Nathan."

"No, Dad!" Jack said.

Elizabeth looked to Allie, who was dressed equally as beautiful in her yellow dress she had worn to Nathan's birthday. She had to address this, even if she didn't want to ruin this day. "Allie, did you put Jack up to this?"

Allie gave her a solemn shake of the head. "No, actually Jack started calling Dad 'Dad' a few weeks ago. I told him he shouldn't do that yet, not until our family was official."

"Yeah! But you said our family will be official now, didn't you Momma?" Jack said.

Elizabeth gave him a huge smile. "Yes, we're going to be a family. Just as soon as we can get us all to the church and say the words in front of Pastor Joseph."

"Yes! Let's go!" Jack said. He didn't need anymore prompting to go running off, and Allie chased after. Elizabeth and Rosemary followed at a more sedate pace, but no less excited.

"It's finally happening," Elizabeth murmured to her friend.

"Yes, it is. And this is exactly what you deserve my friend."

I had a different idea in mind for E up until earlier this week, so this story is much more "hot off the press" than I had really wanted to do, but I'm sticking to my schedule. Happy reading!

Up next: Fishing