Nathan sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes fixed on his bride, taking in her beauty as she finished preparing for what was sure to be a memorable day ahead.
"I'll never get tired of being your wedding date," he said with an easy smile on his face.
Elizabeth caught his gaze in the mirror, a look of sweet surprise on his face when she realized he was watching her. Her cheeks flushed and eyes shone at his open appreciation. "And I'll never get tired of being by your side," she replied genuinely.
It seemed this was the year for quick weddings in Hope Valley. Nathan and Elizabeth's were first down the aisle. Unlike the two of them, who frankly surprised no one with their hasty trip to the altar, Mike and Mei had shocked everyone when they announced their own engagement and expeditious wedding just a short time later. And now, their friend and Governor was marrying another of their friends and his beloved Suffragette on New Years Eve. A beautiful way to end the year celebrating together and begin a new year with one more man and wife in Hope Valley.
As Elizabeth clipped back her hair, her mind drifted to that moment on the train station platform. She had told Lucas she couldn't give him all of her heart. It wasn't easy to say. She felt profoundly remorseful but she was finally being honest in that moment and he seemed to recognize that too. Seeing him with Fiona a few times this Fall when he was in town, she could see this was a deeper and greater love that they shared than she had ever had with him. And she already knew fully and thoroughly that her entire heart and more belonged to Nathan. She blushed again as she glanced up and caught him still watching her in the mirror.
Bundling up the kids and then themselves in extra layers for the outdoor ceremony, they made their way over to the Coulters'. While Rosemary was already at the site of the wedding, Lee had been helping with last moment preparations in town and volunteered to drive the Grant family to the lookout where the happy couple would exchange vows.
An outdoor wedding in the Winter. It was unique. It was romantic. It was grand. Somehow it seemed just perfect for Lucas and Fiona. But, as weddings tend to do, this special day and the love in the air caused Nathan and Elizabeth's minds to drift back to their own wedding day just a few months before as they drove toward the scenic venue of the day's nuptials. The heartwarming surprise of the town showing up for their wedding despite almost no notice, the precious vows exchanged, the way they rode off together on Newton into their future.
Celebrating with another couple was the perfect time to look back and remember. Although only four months had passed, they felt they'd already lived a lifetime as Mr and Mrs Grant. Having faced Hargraves news about Jack and the work that followed to clear his name, then gotten through Nathan's first assignment as a married Mountie and the fear Elizabeth had faced and conquered, and just recently celebrated their first family Christmas all together within those months made it hard to believe it was such a short time. Of course, their deep love and connection over the years leading up to their wedding also seemed to cause the timeline to blur.
Arriving at the wedding location, Elizabeth couldn't help but notice how gracefully Allie exited the vehicle and then demurely went to meet her friends. Their girl was growing up. How long would it be before Nathan walked her down the aisle? Elizabeth intentionally put that thought aside. It wouldn't do to have her in tears at her former fiancé's wedding. Inwardly, she giggled at the way people would gossip about that.
Slipping her hand into Nathan's arm as he carried Jack with the other, they made their way around the beautiful clearing that was all set and ready for the wedding. It was a beautiful day in every way.
"Oh look! They have booths set up serving hot drinks. What a lovely idea!" Elizabeth said with a childlike excitement.
Nathan grinned. Weddings always made her giddy and joyful. Well not always, he remembered the strained and painful look he noticed on her face during Ned and Florence's wedding and the grief she seemed to carry leading up to Clara and Jesse's. But recently, it was clear her love for these special days had returned. He knew much of that came from the healing of the grief she had carried for many years over losing Jack and he was grateful for that healing, but he hoped he may be the cause of some of her recent shift toward joy as well.
Seeming to read his thoughts, Elizabeth looked up at him and said "I'm just so happy you're my forever wedding date." Then she planted a kiss on his cheek and continued walking.
Leading his wife toward the steamy drinks, he took note of the hand painted sign displaying the simple menu of options.
"Tea?" Nathan question, scrunching up his face.
Elizabeth laughed and swatted his arm playfully. "There's hot apple cider too," she said with a knowing grin and a sparkle in her eyes.
"Oh, kind of like apple juice?" he replied with the same knowing look.
"Yes, but it's hot and spicy," she smirked flirtatiously and then chuckled.
"Two apple ciders please!" Nathan ordered hurriedly, his arm up in the air, two fingers indicating his request. Elizabeth's chuckle turned into a full laugh and Nathan joined her.
Taking their seats with their steaming cups in hand and one very excited little boy by Elizabeth's side, they sat and waited for the ceremony to begin. Elizabeth glanced down at Jack who was happily looking around, taking in the scene around him. He hadn't stopped talking all morning about Buddy getting married in the snow. Elizabeth and Nathan had talked and agreed months ago that Jack could continue to call Lucas "Buddy" if he wanted. Sometimes he did and sometimes he didn't. Elizabeth was struck by the fact that the young Jack hadn't needed a buddy, he needed a father and he had found one in Nathan. Without explanation, she reached for Nathan's hand, overcome by a wave of thankfulness and love.
Before long, a sleigh pulled by beautiful, dark horses arrived. The crowd stood as Fiona elegantly descended the steps of the sleigh and then made her way up the aisle following her bridesmaids.
Nathan turned to look at Lucas. It was always his habit as the crowd watched the bride, to catch the look on the groom's face as he watched her approach. Something Colleen had mentioned to him as a starry eyed teenage girl that had always stuck in his mind.
Nathan smiled. The look on Lucas's face said it all. It was the look of a man deeply in love. Nathan looked down at his own wife. He knew that feeling all too well.
Elizabeth smiled as she watched Fiona make her way toward her groom. The look on her face was a familiar one. One she knew personally. It read of deep and true love. A love where your heart has finally found its home. Elizabeth looked up at Nathan who was looking down at her with love in his eyes.
"He's looking at her like I look at you," Nathan whispered in her ear.
"That's funny because I was just thinking she's looking at him like I look at you," Elizabeth replied for only him to hear.
"Hope Valley really is the place to find true love," Nathan winked.
"There's no place like it," Elizabeth responded and wrapped her hands around his arm, leaning into him. They stole a quick kiss.
After the snowkissed ceremony, the guests and newly presented Mr and Mrs Bouchard headed back to town for a festive reception. Following the dinner, Allie took Jack home and the adults of Hope Valley danced the evening away, celebrating with their friends. Eventually the time came to say good bye and after many sincere well wishes for the Bouchards, handshakes and hugs, Nathan and Elizabeth began their walk home.
"I couldn't help but think about our wedding today," Elizabeth spoke softly.
"I was doing the same," Nathan replied, taking her hand as they walked by moonlight.
"I'm glad Lucas and Fiona found their great love," she remarked.
"I was thinking that too," Nathan agreed again, a smile on his face.
As they arrived at their front step, Elizabeth stopped walking and turned to her groom. "May I have this dance?" she requested, her voice sounding dreamy and sweet.
Nathan grinned and gladly gathered her close against him and began to dance under the stars. Elizabeth softly hummed a tune but not one from the dance this evening. Instead Nathan was sure he recognized the notes from their very first dance this Summer. He pulled her in closer until, in the dimly lit nightfall, it was hard to tell where one began and the other ended. The two were one.
Unbeknownst to them, across town, the newly wedded couple also danced by the glow of the moon. The stars twinkled and large snowflakes began to fall lazily around them like a snow globe come to life.
Elizabeth stopped swaying and placed a tender kiss on Nathan's lips. "I'd marry you all over again, Mr Grant."
"Every day, Mrs Grant," Nathan replied gently, his lips reaching for hers again.
Once inside, Elizabeth set the kettle on to heat. Nathan quietly made his way up the stairs to find Jack fast asleep and Allie lost in the pages of a book. He couldn't help but think that it was only a matter of time before he walked her down the aisle. Somehow time was both a thief and the giver of great gifts.
Blinking back misty eyes, he made his way down the stairs and was greeted by his darling wife and two mugs of hot chocolate, complete with marshmallows on top. They settled onto the couch, close together. The blanket Elizabeth had returned to him for Christmas was draped over the back of their small couch, a constant reminder of the steadfast love they shared.
"It's New Year's Eve, darling," Elizabeth said and raised her mug to clink against his in celebration. "Can you believe we're starting a brand new year as husband and wife?"
"The first of many," Nathan answered with a confidence fuelled by love and faith.
Elizabeth gingerly began to speak again, "Do you have any goals for this next year?"
Nathan could sense there was a particular subject she was looking to land on. "Well, spending every day with you for a start," he replied with a grin.
Elizabeth smiled and then set down her drink. "Anything else?" she pressed him again.
"And kissing you every one of those days," Nathan continued.
Elizabeth laughed softly and rewarded him with one such kiss. "Obviously," she answered lightheartedly, "but I was thinking about maybe something else you might be hoping for…" Her voice trailed off and her blue eyes grew serious.
"A little baby Grant. Part me, part you." Nathan replied gently, placing his finger on his chest and then hers as he spoke, knowing this was the reply she'd been waiting on.
Nathan adored Allie and Jack but he couldn't help wondering how magical it would be to experience the pregnancy, birth, and raising of a little one created by their love. Elizabeth knew this experience in part but had been forced to face it alone after Jack's death. Nathan had loved Allie since before she was born and counted being her father as one of his greatest blessings. But still to share a child with Elizabeth. It was almost too much to hope for.
Elizabeth curled up to snuggle closely to him. "I'm hoping for that too," she replied, barely above a whisper, as if speaking the words too loud may somehow affect their chances at seeing this wish come true. They sat together for a few moments, silently sending up prayers that they would soon hold a little miracle in their arms.
"A boy or girl?" Elizabeth asked softly, looking up in time to see Nathan smile as he considered, a far away look in his eyes.
Nathan thought for a moment. A boy to carry his Grant name. A girl with Elizabeth's beautiful blue eyes. He was thankful he didn't actually have to decide because both sounded pretty wonderful from where he was sitting.
"I couldn't possibly choose," Nathan finally said with a crooked smile. "Maybe we'll have both eventually."
Elizabeth was so focused on hoping for one successful pregnancy it hadn't yet crossed her mind that the future may hold more than one new baby in the Grant household. That beautiful thought brought teary eyes and a wobbly smile to her face. She leaned in against Nathan's chest, soaking in these shared hopes and dreams.
"I was thinking of something else I'm hoping to do in the new year," Nathan began again. Elizabeth leaned back to see his face. "I'd like to meet your family."
Elizabeth was surprised by this response but it made her heart warm. Of course, Nathan had briefly met Aunt Agatha and Julie in the past but not as her husband or even her fiance or boyfriend. Elizabeth wondered inwardly if her ever-perceptive Aunt had taken note of Nathan. After all it took her only a couple days to realize that Lucas was destined for a bigger stage. Looking back, Elizabeth could see how those words had helped prepare her heart before she could even know what the future held for each of them.
Her parents and Viola and her family hadn't had the chance to meet him at all. They sent kind regards and a nice gift in response to the news of their wedding but that was all. Elizabeth was sure they were all a little stunned by her seemingly reckless choice to marry another Mountie, especially when she had recently been only weeks away from someone they perceived as more suitable. Still Elizabeth loved her parents and family dearly and felt certain they would love Nathan and Allie given the chance to get to know them.
"Maybe we can visit this Summer, while the kids and I are off school." Elizabeth said hopefully.
"Let's plan on that," Nathan answered, and then taking her hand, he spoke again. "And Lisbeth, I wasn't just teasing…spending every day with you is all I really need. The rest is just extra." He looked into her shining blue eyes and then his gaze darted to her lips like they always did.
"And kissing me every one of those days?" Elizabeth asked, low and smooth, catching the change of his gaze.
Nathan answered her with a long and passionate kiss before replying with, "Absolutely." He leaned in for one more kiss and as he did the clock struck midnight and sang its chiming song.
"Happy New Year, hunny."
"Happy New Year, darling."