The late Summer sun had already dipped behind the horizon leaving a golden haze over Hope Valley. Little Jack was tucked into his bed already and Allie was expected home at any minute. With only one more week until her final year in Elizabeth's classroom, there was no time to waste. She soaked in every moment of the fast fading Summer with her friends, particularly those who would be moving away for college this week.
Elizabeth picked up her yarn and began to knit, working on a blanket for the baby that would join them this Winter. Nathan sat carving another toy to add to Jack's collection. This one was of their loyal and loveable Scout who was, at the moment, asleep at the end of Jack's bed. In fact, there was rarely a night when he chose to sleep anywhere else.
Elizabeth knitted a few stitches and then noticed a mistake. Pulling out the offending loops, she tried again. Once again, her mind drifted and before long, she realized there was another mistake. Nathan glanced up from his work and seeing her correcting another row of stitches, he ventured to ask, "Is there something on your mind?"
"Cake. Chocolate cake. It's all I can think about. Oh I would just love a big slice of chocolate cake," she said desperately.
Nathan chuckled, "Is baby making a request?"
"Apparently!" Elizabeth acknowledged, tenderly rubbing her growing belly. Now comfortably into her second trimester of pregnancy, Elizabeth had moved beyond the stage of sickness and into the world of cravings.
A few of her favourite outfits were getting snug as the little life within her blossomed but the loving glow in Nathan's eyes as he admired her softly curving form, and he admired her often, made Elizabeth feel beautiful.
"Well, let me see what I can do," Nathan said, standing quickly and placing a kiss on Elizabeth's forehead before disappearing out the door. Elizabeth was left staring at the closed door wondering where he was off to.
The urgency and late hour of the knock at the back door of the cafe brought Joseph and Minnie quickly to answer. They had been preparing ahead for the morning rush when they were interrupted by Nathan's arrival.
"Nathan, come on in. Is everything alright?" obvious concern was written on their kind pastor's face.
"Yes…well it's Elizabeth. She needs…" Nathan paused, suddenly realizing the humour of his next words. "She needs chocolate cake."
His request was met with chuckles from both the Canfields. Nathan joined with a laugh of his own.
"I remember those days," Minnie said with a gentle smile. She looked up at Joseph who seemed to be reliving the same fond memories, a soft smile on his face.
Placing her hand on Nathan's arm, she spoke again, "You're a good husband…and father. Let me see what I have." Then she turned and disappeared into the cafe, quickly returning with a single, large slice of dark chocolate cake.
Before long, Nathan walked back through the door, that one precious piece of cake in hand.
"Oh Nathan, thank you!" Elizabeth exclaimed. She hopped up from her place on the couch where Allie had just finished filling her in on the evening's activities.
Thanking him with a warm but quick kiss, Elizabeth took the piece of cake and made her way to the kitchen for a fork. Nathan joined her at the table while she ate.
"Is it good?" he asked after watching her consume a few bites one after the next.
"Best cake ever," she replied with emphasis between bites.
Chocolate cake had always been Elizabeth's favourite. The rich and decadent flavour. The velvety yet fluffy texture. She savoured every delicious bite until…it was all gone.
Sheepishly, Elizabeth looked across the table, only to find Nathan watching her, an amused grin on his face.
"I'm sorry. I didn't even share a bite," she said apologetically.
"Lisbeth, I didn't get the cake for me, he responded, taking her hand and tenderly drawing her around the table. Elizabeth carefully sat on his knee and kissed him with sweet, chocolatey kisses.
Allie quietly slipped up the stairs to give them a little alone time. While occasionally their public displays of affection embarrassed her slightly, she loved their love. She loved how happy it made them. She loved how easily they could be lost in the moment together. She loved the family their love had created. It was well worth the brief moments of embarrassment.
The next day, Nathan arrived home after work with a large box and in it was a cake he'd ordered from Minnie during his late night visit the evening before. He was once again rewarded with a warm and passionate, yet hurried kiss from Elizabeth who was anxious for a slice of the chocolatey temptation he'd brought home.
In the days that followed, Allie bid some of her dearest friends goodbye. The few months of difference in their ages had never felt so long, leaving her with a final year to complete in the small local school while they moved miles away into a new stage of life. The train ride to Hamilton where Allie had only recently returned from visiting had never felt so far.
Elizabeth was resting on the couch, her head on Nathan's shoulder when the soft sound of a guitar being played, punctuated by sniffles, made its way to their ears.
Glancing at each other, communicating with only looks of concern and love, Elizabeth nodded and quietly made her way to the front door. Grabbing her own shawl and one for her daughter, Elizabeth slipped outside.
Finding Allie sitting on the top step, Elizabeth gently wrapped the dejected girl in the light shawl.
"I thought you might be chilly," she offered quietly before lowering herself to sit on the step next to Allie. The coolness of the evening another reminder of the change of seasons.
Allie mumbled a thank you and continued to pick at the strings of the guitar, creating a slow and sad melody.
"Emily and Angela's train left today, didn't it?" Elizabeth ventured, assuming that was the cause of Allie's somber mood. The way her hands dropped from the guitar strings broke Elizabeth's heart for her sweet girl.
"Yes, they're gone and I'm here. They're starting this amazing new life without me. They'll probably forget all about me and Hope Valley," Allie said with expected bluntness, her voice breaking with emotion.
"Oh Allie, they won't forget you. No one could forget you," Elizabeth responded and as she did she felt tears prickle her eyes along with another wave of love for this girl who was a daughter to her in every way that mattered.
"Especially on a day like today, I'm so glad you're my mama," Allie said with a sob as she buried her face into Elizabeth's shoulder.
Elizabeth held onto Allie and quietly whispered a prayer over her. Knowing she needed the soothing release of tears more than words of advice, she let the girl cry. Softly Elizabeth hummed a familiar tune, It is well with my soul. After a few minutes, the tears subsided.
"Would a slice of chocolate cake help?" Elizabeth offered with a smile.
"It's worth a try," Allie replied as she relaxed into a quiet laugh.
Walking back inside together, they noticed Nathan in the kitchen.
"I put the kettle on the stove. I thought you might want a cup of tea. The evenings aren't as warm anymore," he offered to his two most beloved ladies.
Elizabeth thanked him with a tender kiss right next to his lips.
"Thank you, dad," Allie offered with a hug.
"Porch talks are good for the soul, Allie girl," he said against her hair, hugging her a few moments longer.
"We thought we might have a slice of chocolate cake," Elizabeth said with a playful smile, already imagining how good it would be.
"Of course, you are," Nathan laughed. We'll single-handedly pay for Angela's college tuition the way we go through chocolate cakes, he thought to himself with a chuckle.
Elizabeth sliced a thick piece of cake for each of them and then sat down while Allie poured tea. Slowly and deliberately enjoying her first bite, Elizabeth suddenly sat up straight and squealed.
"Give me your hand!" she cried, reaching for Allie who sat next to her as Nathan made his way around the table unsure of what was going on.
Allie rested her hand carefully where Elizabeth placed it on her barely rounded midsection. After a few moments of anticipation and silence, Allie also squealed in delight and hugged her mama. Their joyful laughter mingled with happy tears. Allie sat back in her chair giving her dad space to share the same small miracle.
Realizing what was happening, Nathan placed his large hand across her growing belly and then he felt it. The gentle but undeniable movement of the baby within her, their baby. Overwhelmed with love, he knelt next to her chair and laid his head where he'd felt the tiny kick.
"Hello baby, it's daddy," he said quietly. Rewarded with another movement against his cheek, his eyes filled with joyful tears.
"I think you like chocolate cake like your mama," he laughed gently. Lovingly, Elizabeth ran her fingers through Nathan's hair drawing his attention up to her face.
"I love you, Lizbeth," he said simply, his eyes conveying a deeper and greater message of wonder and awe and thankfulness. Straightening, he carefully tucked a lock of hair behind Elizabeth's ear before pulling her into a warm and tender kiss.
"And I love you, Nathan Grant," she replied.
And so it was, every few days, without him saying a word or her ever needing to request it, a new chocolate cake would come home with her Mountie. And every once in a while, Nathan even got a slice.