Elizabeth's mind drifted as she stood in her kitchen. She was making supper, chopping and stirring and mixing but that was all second nature by now. Oh how times had changed since she arrived in Coal Valley all those years ago! Things just kept changing but change didn't feel scary to her anymore. It felt right. Letting go and holding on and knowing when to jump.
She chuckled to herself. When to jump indeed. Just last night she found herself in a situation she never could have imagined. She and Nathan stood together looking down at a wagon full of hay. "Do you trust me?" He had asked her quietly. She only nodded and wrapped her arms around him. "Hold on!" He has said and she had no plans on letting go. And then they jumped. Freefalling into the soft bed of hay was inexplicably thrilling. Not just the jump.
Actually she feared that was the least of her thrill because when she thought back all she could remember clearly was his strong arms around her holding her close to him. And the kiss they shared in the hay. It was filled with love, heated by the excitement of this most unusual situation they'd found themselves in. Somehow both sweet and intoxicating.
Elizabeth looked down and realized she wasn't actually getting much accomplished in her supper preparations. She blushed at how easily distracted she was by this man. But she needed to hurry to have supper ready. Allie and Jack were playing outside and Nathan would be home any time.
Supper together had become a daily routine for them ever since Allie's ill fated visit to see Dylan. A heartbreaking experience for all of them and yet their own bonds had only deepened.
Once again Elizabeth's mind drifted. She allowed herself to think back over the last few months. So much had happened recently and while not all of those memories made her smile, the thought of Nathan did. He had been by her side through it all. Her strength, her rock, her home, her shoulder to lean on. And she had been given the chance to stand by him too. A good man shouldn't face the world alone either and so she happily found herself by his side often. Good and bad, everything they'd been through seemed to already confirm what her heart had known for far too long. This is love. This is a lifetime kind of love.
Not too long ago that would have terrified her but not now. She had realized something so important and yet so simple - she loved him either way. So she could live in fear, locked away from him or she could run to him with her heart wide open and experience all the joy of loving him. It was an easy choice these days.
Nathan was surround by paperwork. After last night's events and the arrests that followed, there was a lot to do. He was determined to focus and get this work out of the way so he could get home to Elizabeth and the kids but his thoughts betrayed him. Thoughts of lying in a wagon full of hay with Elizabeth and sharing the most incredible kisses with her there. In all his daydreams of her, that had never come up but he was happy to have it as a memory. He finished the last of his paper work, filed it away, and headed out.
As he neared the row houses, he could hear laughter. It was the laughter of two of his favorite people, Allie and Jack. Their bond was so sweet. Like they were made to be sister and brother. Nathan had to admit, thoughts of family life together were never far from his mind. Coming home to Elizabeth to enjoy supper as a family after work felt like a dream come true. They had taken one wild leap together, maybe it was time for another.
When he got closer, he could see Allie and Jack playing in front of Elizabeth's house and then, right on time, Elizabeth stepped out onto the porch to let them know supper was almost ready. She simply glowed in the golden hour sunlight. At first she didn't see him approaching and he took the moment to admire her.
He adore Elizabeth. It was true, his heart had belonged to her for a long time but it seemed this love just kept getting sweeter. He noticed the way she wrapped her arm around Allie's shoulders and walked inside with her. She loved his girl. And he loved Jack like his own son. And then he was caught.
Elizabeth's face lit up. "Oh Nathan! I didn't see you there! Come inside! Supper should be ready."
"Hi dad!" "Mountie Nathan!"
Nathan wasn't sure how much love his heart could hold but it must be a lot. "Hey Mountie Jack! Hi Allie!" he replied as he reached the steps.
"Hello Elizabeth," he said much quieter and closer as they met in the doorway. The closeness was almost too much to handle and both their minds and eyes went to the other's lips.
"Jack helped me set the table", Allie's words broke the spell between them and they tried to remember how to act naturally as they made their way over to the table.
No one was quite sure who enjoyed these family dinners more. They were filled with laughter and stories and teasing. Everything a heart needed to feel whole.
After dinner, Nathan and Elizabeth tidied up the dishes together. She had tried to insist she could do it on her own but Nathan couldn't resist the time together. They washed and dried mostly in comfortable silence, enjoying the closeness this simple activity brought. In the living room, Allie dramatically read a story to Jack that brought giggles from the boy.
After a game of checkers, which Nathan suspiciously lost to Jack, Allie volunteered to help get Jack ready for bed. Elizabeth agreed and she and Nathan took the chance to sit on the steps under the stars. It was their favorite place. Of all the place's Elizabeth had been, nothing was better than on the steps next to him.
"You better be careful," Nathan leaned in playfully, "I could get used to this." Nathan looked back toward the livingroom, briefly relieving their simple evening together. They both smiled but they knew in their hearts it was more than just a line.
"Me too," Elizabeth replied sincerely. Blue eyes gazed at each other. Nathan took a deep breath, full of courage.
"Then marry me." He said, his voice full of emotion. Elizabeth closed the gap between and answered his proposal with a kiss. Passion and excitement and a deep, pure love made this kiss extraordinary.
Still close together, Nathan reached in his pocket and pulled out a ring. It was simple and delicate and so lovely - his grandmother's ring. And it had been in his pocket for sometime now. Carrying it every day, like he carried his love for her. They both watched his hand shake just slightly as he carefully slipped the ring on her finger. Tears filled Elizabeth's eyes and she placed another kiss on his lips.
"I never said yes, you know," she finally said, joy in her teasing voice.
"Ya but you were gonna," Nathan replied, his voice deep and rich.
"Yes," she said simply.
He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. They both laughed and squeezed each other tight. Joy danced around them like fireflies and peace wrapped them like a soft blanket. The relief of knowing they had finally made it. They would love each other forever. It was overwhelming in the very best way.
Suddenly a serious look washed over Elizabeth's face. "What is it?" Nathan asked, noticing the change immediately.
"I don't want to wait." She answered.
Elizabeth sat up straighter and looked Nathan in the eye, "I don't want to wait. I want you to come home to me every day, and to tuck our kids in down the hall every night, and to spend my evenings side by side with you under the stars. I want to be your wife Nathan. To love you completely. And I don't want to wait."
"Then we won't wait. Truth is, I'm not sure I can wait either," he said with a smirk. Elizabeth laughed. It was his favorite sound. Nathan loved to make her laugh.
"Tomorrow?" he asked.
"Tomorrow." she replied.
They were almost giddy. Tomorrow! Elizabeth looked down at her hand and the beautiful ring she wore. Her heart felt so full. She looked back up into Nathan's eyes, then lipsโฆ๐ ๐ด๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ด๐ฆ ๐ ๐ค๐ข๐ฏ ๐ซ๐ถ๐ด๐ต ๐ฌ๐ช๐ด๐ด ๐ฉ๐ช๐ฎ ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ธ. She thought mischievously, after all he would be her husband tomorrow! And with that, she leaned in for one more loved filled kiss.
Allie cleared her throat as she came down the stairs and Nathan and Elizabeth laughed joyfully as their realized their girl had most definitely caught them, snuck back upstairs to give them a little longer, and was now more carefully making her presence known. They both stood and walked toward her.
"I sawโฆI'm sorry" she started "but I'm so happy!" Allie nearly dove into Elizabeth's embrace. "Mama," she said quietly. Elizabeth held onto Allie while Nathan quietly climbed the stairs.
"Family meeting," he said with a grin as he returned with a sleepy Jack in his arms. Nathan and Elizabeth quickly shared their joyous news with their precious children.
"Is that alright with you, Jack? Can I marry your mommy?"
"Yes Mountie Nathan!" Jack replied excitedly.
"How does tomorrow sound?" Elizabeth asked.
"It sounds great!" Allie exclaimed.
"Great!" Jack cheered.
Nathan and Allie said their goodbyes and headed toward their own house for the last time. They made plans to come over for breakfast to make arrangements for their wedding. ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ช๐ณ ๐ธ๐ฆ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ! And she thought a jump to the hay wagon was thrilling!
Elizabeth took a still sleepy Jack back up to his room and tucked him in again. Her heart absolutely sang! As she came back down the stairs, she heard a quiet knock on her door and then it opened and Rosemary peeked her head in.
"I saw your light on. I just wanted one more late night visit." She beamed, her eyes filled with happy tears.
"How did you know?" Elizabeth asked, hugging her friend.
"Lee and I had stepped outside for a moment just as Nathan and Allie were headed home." Rosemary gave Elizabeth an extra squeeze. "I hear we have a wedding to plan - by tomorrow!" Rosemary said with both excitement and slight exasperation.
Elizabeth laughed "Yes but you know I just like things simple. All I really want is to marry him." Elizabeth blushed realizing the frankness of her words.
"Oh Elizabeth, I'm so happy for you." And Elizabeth was happy too. Sublimely happy.
She set the tea pot on the stove and prepared as Rosemary began making a list of all they'd have to accomplish before the wedding tomorrow. She smiled to herself. She truly couldn't imagine anything better.
A few houses down Nathan laid in his bed alone for the last time. Tomorrow, he'd have Elizabeth by his side. Not too long ago, this seemed like an impossible dream but here he was, about to marry the love of his life.