Confetti covered every surface, balloons fluttered to the floor, and streamers sagged from the ceiling. The party had long been over, but the saloon wasn't empty. There among the many tables and chairs, the small sliver of cake still left over, and the record player that had now gone silent were two people. Two people who were very much in love.
"What are we going to do with all the balloons?" Nathan asked, a broom in hand as he glanced across the room towards Elizabeth.
"I'm not sure," Elizabeth muttered, but it was clear her mind was somewhere else. When she looked over at Nathan, her blue eyes cleared and a shy smile suddenly appeared on her face. "It's a shame we never got to dance together tonight." At her confession, Nathan's lips tilted up and his eyes sparkled.
"Well." He set aside the broom and slowly stepped across the room. "I can fix that." He stopped right in front of Elizabeth, hands in his gray suit pockets. "The Charleston or the waltz, m'lady?" His raised eyebrows and crooked smile melted Elizabeth's heart.
"With you, I'll dance anything," was her reply. "But I was hoping for something a little more romantic than the Charleston."
"The waltz it is." Nathan reached past Elizabeth's shoulder to start the record player. Then, he held out his hand. "May I have this dance?"
"Always." Elizabeth laid her hand in his as a slow serenade echoed through the saloon. Nathan led her to the middle of the floor and held her close.
"I love your dress," he said after a moment, looking into Elizabeth's eyes as they swayed gently in time with the music. "You are so beautiful."
"Why thank you, Constable." The love in Nathan's eyes suddenly made her feel breathless. She twirled her skirt a bit as Elizabeth gazed up at him. "You look quite dashing yourself."
The two smiled at each other, their foreheads slowly coming to touch on a silent cue.
"I love you, 'Lizabeth," Nathan whispered. Elizabeth closed her eyes as she listened to his low, gentle voice. "Thank you for making tonight so special for Allie."
"Of course," Elizabeth replied, eyes still closed. "I love her. Just like I love you." Then, Elizabeth felt a gentle pressure against her lips as Nathan gave her a sweet kiss. After a moment, Elizabeth blinked her eyes open and met his gaze.
"Why did I wait so long for this?" she asked aloud. "Why did I wait so long to love you?"
"We can't make up for the past, 'Lizabeth." Nathan's eyes filled with understanding, his thumb gently rubbing the back of her hand which he held over his heart. "We just have to make the most of the time we have." Elizabeth nodded, his words working their way into her heart. She closed her eyes again, leaning her head against Nathan's chest, the rhythm of his steady heartbeat making her forget everything except this present moment.
"Do you trust me?" he whispered in her ear.
"More than anyone," was her immediate reply.
"Then hold on tight." And before Elizabeth had time to do anything more than grip Nathan's hand in her own, he was dipping her backwards, so deep that her feet were barely touching the ground. Nathan's arms held her securely and seemed to promise to never let her go. Elizabeth had never felt more safe. She had never felt more loved. This wonderful, impeccable man made her feel as though anything was possible. As if tomorrow held no worries. Only hope.
The music soon faded, but neither seemed to notice. As the stars aligned above the streets of Hope Valley, Nathan and Elizabeth swayed together to the tune of a silent melody.
It may have been the '20s, but this love between Nathan and Elizabeth? This was timeless.
Author's Note: Thanks so much for reading! I hope you all enjoyed it and feel free to leave a comment! Have a great day, everyone!
Nathan's line: "We just have to make the most of the time we have." is a reference to his conversation with Rosemary in the first episode.