"How about this, I'll tell you a secret about me, if you tell me a secret about you," Elizabeth smiled coyly. The flirty banter with Nathan was so easy and natural. The joy they shared and their evergrowing love freed their hearts to open up and share more as they relaxed after their family picnic.
They savoured this stolen moment alone, all thanks to Allie who had distracted Jack with wild berries to pick and enjoy. Having returned from their honeymoon, Nathan and Elizabeth found themselves working on navigating the newness of their married life. Balancing work, family time, and still a great desire to date one another. They were so grateful for the week long honeymoon they had enjoyed because of the Coulters generous gift. It had taken a lot more effort for them to find a few moments to themselves here and there since returning home to real life. They were learning to make the most of each of them them as well as cherishing the time as family of four all together.
"I'll go first," Elizabeth added seeing Nathan's somewhat surprised but happy reaction to her proposal. They sat so close it was hard to think straight to come up with something to share.
"I haven't stopped thinking about your kisses since the very first one," she finally said breathlessly, glancing down again at his lips.
"Oh really? I'm not sure that counts you know. It's not really a secret," Nathan replied teasing her while leaning in even closer.
Their lips met in a sweet and warm kiss. There was nothing holding back now from this expression of love.
"Your turn," Elizabeth whispered, breaking the kiss.
"I can't wait to be your date to the wedding tomorrow," Nathan replied with a smile. The only wedding he and Elizabeth had attended together was their own and he relished the idea of walking Elizabeth to the church, sitting beside her while their friends vowed forever, dancing with her at the reception.
"You know, I'm not sure that really counts either, Constable," Elizabeth flirtatiously replied. "But I'm excited too." Her mind wandered to walking down the aisle to her distractingly good looking Mountie mere weeks ago.
"I guess that makes it my turn again. Speaking of weddings, I kept…do you remember the photo Carson took of us at Clara and Jesse's wedding?" Suddenly Elizabeth felt nervous as she actually confessed this secret. "I kept the photo. He said it was a keeper. And it was. You are a keeper," she added softly. Looking up into Nathan's blue eyes, she only saw love. There was nothing to worry about. No fear to get in the way. Just unconditional love.
A smile played on Nathan's lips. "That is a good one. I guess on that theme, I kept the star I pulled from your hair. At my birthday party, I pulled the star from your hair, and I kept it." Now it was Nathan's turn to feel a little nervous. What would she think of that? But when he looked up, he saw her blue eyes full of love and joy.
Leaning in again they shared another kiss. It seemed every kiss was sweeter than the last. All these years of holding back, it was a lot of kisses to make up for. If only she'd known how good this love could be, maybe she would have listened to her heart sooner. But there was no changing the past, all she could do was determine to make the future, their future the best it could be, moment by moment.
"We found blackberries!" Jack's happy little voice startled them. Nathan and Elizabeth tried to turn their attention to Jack and Allie and the prized bucket of blackberries but they stole glances at every possible moment. The laughter of their children, the sweetness of the fresh berries, the warmth of the sunshine. It was a moment worth remembering for all of them.
Later that evening they sat together on the front step, under the stars. Elizabeth leaned on Nathan's chest while he held her in his arms. Allie had excused herself after reading Jack's bedtime story saying she had some more reading of her own to do. She had headed back up to her own room with a book and a lantern. They couldn't help but grin. Her not so subtle attempts to give them time alone were endearing.
As they cuddled together, Elizabeth asked, "So any more secrets you'd like to share?" There was one more he thought it might be time to say.
"I..uh..I visit Jack's grave from time to time," he said quietly. Elizabeth was a little taken back but somehow not entirely surprised. "The first time was when I first arrived in town. I wanted him to know…to know that I was there to watch out for you and his son." Nathan's voice was full of emotion.
Elizabeth turned to look him in the face as he continued talking. Her eyes were filled with tears but more because of the good heart of the man who sat beside her than the pain of losing her dear Jack.
"And ever since, I try to get there when I can," he continued. Elizabeth thought back to times she had noticed the grass trampled down around his grave. She had assumed maybe Bill or Lee or someone had been around but now she knew.
"I left a note there once not too long ago. It was gone the last time I went by though. I guess the wind probably carried it away."
Elizabeth sat silently listening, letting him talk. She had the note. She had seen it but Jack's grave and wanting to preserve it from the elements but not break anyone's confidence, she had brought it home and tucked it away without unfolding it. She opened her mouth to tell him when they heard little footsteps down the stairs behind them.
"Mommy, I'm thirsty," Jack said sleepily, rubbing his eyes.
"I better.." Elizabeth wanted so much to continue talking but she had to get Jack settled back in his bed first.
"I know." Nathan answered with a small smile. "I'm glad I got to tell you."
"Nathan, I love you." Elizabeth replied with a new depth, her eyes glistening. He rose to his feet and walked into their home behind her, closing the door. She smiled up at him and squeezed his hand. "Good night. I'll be up soon."
"Good night, my love." Nathan replied. He turned and slowly climbed the stairs to their room. It felt good to tell her but he wished there was more time to talk.
After pouring a little cup of apple juice for Jack and tucking him back into his bed, Elizabeth read one more short story to her sleepy boy. Seeing his eyes flutter shut, she slipped away and into her room. Nathan's even breathing told her he was already sleeping as well. From a pretty box in her closet she pulled out the picture Carson had given her, and a folded up letter.
Tiptoeing back downstairs, she leaned the photo against one of Little Jack. She'd find a frame tomorrow. Tonight, she needed to see this letter. Carefully unfolding it, she saw Nathan's familiar, masculine writing.
"I want you to know that I love her.
The truth is I have for a long time and I plan to for the rest of my life. I will protect her, cherish her, and walk through life beside her if she gives me the chance. I plan to ask her soon but I wanted to tell you first.
I promise to love Jack and raise him as my own if she will have me.
My devotion to them is as constant as the stars."
The heartfelt confession filled Elizabeth's eyes with tears once more. She needed to tell Nathan she had seen this note. She would have tonight if Jack hadn't interrupted. Tomorrow. It was going to be a beautiful day.
Nathan waited in the living room, ready to walk with his date to the church. When she came down the stairs, she took his breath away. She wore a beautiful dress but what caught his eye was her bright smile and the light in her eyes when she looked at him.
Elizabeth was sure she'd have the most handsome date at the wedding. She hoped she'd be able to pay a little attention to the ceremony and speeches but she was quite sure she'd be distracted today. What a thing to attend a wedding with the great love of your life. To remember your own vows, dream of the future, and savour the present.
The conversation lulled as they neared a bench on the way to church. With more than a few minutes to spare, Elizabeth suggested they sit.
"It's my turn to share a secret," she started. "I saw the note." Nathan was glad they were sitting because he was not expecting that. It wasn't that he was upset, just surprised. "I took it home with me but I didn't read it until last night." Nathan watched Elizabeth's face closely and what he saw made him smile.
"This secret is sounding more like a confession," he teased gently.
"Nathan! I just…" Elizabeth felt caught but looking up, she saw the humour in Nathan's eyes and smiled back at him.
"It's okay, Elizabeth. I always knew there was a chance you'd see it. I meant every word. I even followed through and look at us now." He winked and reached for the ring on her left hand.
"I know," Elizabeth replied glowing. "I have another secret."
"Well, do tell!" Nathan's lightness and confidence was infectious.
"I told Jack about you. When I visited his grave early this Summer. I told him that I believed…" Elizabeth took a deep breath "I believe we share a deep love. A special kind. The kind that doesn't come around all of often."
"I believe that too," Nathan agreed, taking both of Elizabeth's hands in his. "I love you with all my heart."
They found themselves caught up in a sweet and tender kiss before even realizing the townspeople that had begun passing by, headed toward the wedding.
"I guess we better get to the church and find a seat," Nathan said with a lopsided grin. Elizabeth giggled and took his hand as they began to walk again.
Nathan and Elizabeth danced together at the reception. Nathan would never get over the feeling of holding her close. Elizabeth would never take for granted the feeling of his arms around her. They were completely lost in this moment together.
"I'm so glad you couldn't bring yourself to leave Hope Valley," Nathan said, gazing into Elizabeth's eyes.
"Oh…I guess I have another secret," Elizabeth replied as they continued to sway to the music.
"Another? I thought it must be my turn by now," Nathan joked.
"You're up next." Elizabeth teased. "I didn't stay just because I didn't want to leave Hope Valley. I do love this town, my life is here. But it's here with you, Nathan. I knew it wasn't right to go when my heart would be staying here." Elizabeth knew Nathan needed to know the real reason she had stayed behind that night but she also knew she had caused hurt in the process. It was a journey, a process. Following her own healing heart wasn't all pretty. But it was needed. As she glanced across the dance floor to Fiona and Lucas dancing together, she smiled knowing that a great love is what everyone deserves.
Looking back up at Nathan, she again saw the same unconditional love in his eyes. It hadn't really dawned on her that he wouldn't know why she stayed. That he'd assume it was just about the town. And then her mind turned to the Christmas when Nathan almost left Hope Valley. She remembered the promotion he'd turned down. "Wait…do you have a secret to share too?"
Nathan had always assumed that Elizabeth had stayed simply because she loved Hope Valley and wanted to raise Jack here. He hadn't let himself hope that it was because of him. Not even with the amazing love story they now shared.
"I stayed for you too," he replied. "I stayed for Allie of course, and the town we love, but really, I stayed for you. I couldn't tell you then but now you know my secret."
They danced throughout the reception, taking in every wonderful moment together. Both were sure that life would never stop giving them more chances to learn about each other, more ways to fall in love, and more dreams and hopes and secrets to share.