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Chapter One Hundred Eighty-one
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A Memorable Celebration
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Having stepped into the ladies room to freshen up and re-apply her lipstick, Elizabeth rejoined Nathan in the Hallway, taking his arm and whispering, "Okay, my handsome Husband, I'm ready to celebrate!"
Mr. Durand waited at the Ballroom entrance and nodded for the bridal couple to wait while he made his way to the head table to notify Bill Avery who had agreed to act as Master of Ceremonies when the need arose. The musicians quieted with a signal from Mr. Durand.
Standing, Bill rang a cowbell, remarkably similar to the one Elizabeth had used in the Hope Valley Schoolhouse!
As guests quieted, Bill grinned and announced, "Let us stand as I present to you our dear Staff Sergeant Major Nathan Grant and his beautiful Bride, Elizabeth Grant!"
Applause filled the Ballroom as the bridal couple made their way to the head table.
As the applause quieted, Bill continued, "Elizabeth and Nathan, we are honored to celebrate with you today and offer our heartfelt congratulations!" Nodding to Joseph, Bill continued, "We will begin with a Pastoral prayer, then the wait staff will circulate with selections of appetizers, at which time we will introduce the Bridal party and those additional Mounties who participated in the Lance Arch a short time ago. Please enjoy our quartet as you enjoy your dinner of multiple courses. Toasts will be shared before the cake is cut, along with other dessert choices, followed by dancing initiated by our Bridal couple, attendants, and families! At this time, please let me invite Pastor Joseph Canfield from Hope Valley to stand and give thanks."
"Let us bow our heads together," Joseph invited each guest.
"Dear Lord,
We are delighted to be here to witness the vows of Nathan and Elizabeth. We miss them in Hope Valley but can clearly see your plan to move them and settle them here in Regina. Even as we give thanks for the wonders You have wrought, we also give thanks for this place and this food, reminded that You heartily approve of wedding feasts.
Thank you for the Thatchers who are so generously hosting us this weekend.
Bless this food to our bodies and fit us for continued service to You and to those You bring into our lives.
We rejoice and give thanks, praying in Your Holy Name,
Amen."
Still somewhat awestruck by the elegance and size of the Ballroom, guests enjoyed the delicious and sometimes unfamiliar flavors as they continued to converse with fellow guests, comment about the room, ceiling paintings, décor and colors, palms and plants, flowers, musicians, wedding service, and the stunning Bride and Groom.
Surveying the room, Elizabeth spoke to Allie who was seated beside her, "what do you think, Sweetheart? Does all of this meet your expectations?"
"Oh, Mom! It far exceeds what I have dreamed about. Everything looks beautiful and it is such fun to know that my Hope Valley friends as well as Academy friends are experiencing it too. We will have a year's worth of conversations from this weekend." Allie paused, looking from her new mom to her dad, "Are you pleased?"
Nathan grinned, "I am, but a pastor marrying us in a stable would have been fine with me! You, Elizabeth?"
"I am pleased. Yet, I would have been happy with far less if I was still marrying you, Nathan, and with Allie and Jack we were becoming a family!"
Nathan placed his fork on his plate and wrapped his arm around Elizabeth as she spoke, "How was Jack after you came to get him, Honey? All of us adults and sweet Allie did our best, but he was not to be comforted. How did you do it?"
Chuckling, Nathan admitted, "every child is different, but a tantrum is a tantrum. I held him close as I responded to his questions truthfully and reassured him we would return. I told him we needed to be brave together. Distraction also helped! He watched me shave and there were three other Mounties on the team!"
"I think it is your masculine presence too. Jack looks up to you so much."
"I'm sure that helps. We fellas need other fellas sometimes, you know?" Whispering into her ear, Nathan confessed, "Today is not one of those times though. Today I need my woman!"
The tapping of a glass, which grew into multiple taps, interrupted their confessions and leaning forward Gabe reminded the couple, "We need a kiss!"
Glancing at the guests, Nathan looked back at his Elizabeth then cupped her face and captured her lips with his. When they separated, Nathan waved his hand to encourage them to do it again, and when the tapping began, Nathan happily obliged.
Laughter spread around the room as more friends tapped their glasses, repeating the traditional request a few times over.
Surprising everyone, Nathan stood and helped Elizabeth to stand beside him! He wrapped his arms around her and dipped her back as she emitted a tiny squeal, then the Groom gave his Bride a resounding kiss before helping her stand once again. With a slight bow, Nathan happily gave their friends what they wanted! After all it was his wedding day!
As family and friends returned to their meal, Nathan and Elizabeth took their seats again and Elizabeth questioned, "Was the Wedding Arch what you expected, Honey? You looked surprised at one point."
Chuckling, Nathan explained, "I was surprised! I've only heard of the kiss for passage being required at the final lances before we exit, not every time. I need to ask whose idea that was, not that I'm complaining!" He wiggled his eyebrows at his Bride.
"So it wasn't protocol?"
"Oh, no, the Wedding Arch is not official. I wanted it to show our Hope Valley visitors a Mountie formation, plus it was easy since we had so many Mounties participating in our ceremony here at Depot."
"Well, we certainly have enjoyed a lot of kisses!"
"Oh, and there will be many more to come," Nathan whispered.
"You promise?" Elizabeth glanced up through her eyelashes.
"You can depend on it!"
As if on cue, the tapping of a glass started at the hand of Wes Murphy, who innocently looked around the Ballroom while refusing to look directly at his officemate!
"We may have our instigator!" Nathan grinned at his friend and kissed his wife again.
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Once the delicious soup and salad courses were enjoyed, and second helpings of the entrees drew to a close, Bill Avery stood and rang the cowbell to get everyone's attention. "Excuse me for interrupting all the kisses, but we have some toasts and well-wishes to share. Miss Allie Grant, our Maid-of-Honor, will you please begin?"
Draping his arm around Elizabeth, Nathan and she listened intently.
Taking a handkerchief in one hand and a piece of paper in the other, Allie stood, a slight, pink blush enhancing her beauty. "Thank you, Uncle Bill. I have prayed for this day for so long that I can hardly believe it is here. I want to share how special my parents are to me."
"Dad, my Uncle Nathan, made me his own when I was four years old and has sacrificed so much so he could care for me. He became my friend as we moved around together. He called our moves an adventure and we became a team! I know most of you don't know but my dad is 'impeccable' and I am so proud of all he does. I have never doubted his love."
Elizabeth looked at Nathan adoringly and rested her hand on his leg as Allie continued.
"My new Mom, who at that time was Mrs. Thornton, began as my teacher in Hope Valley and made school so enjoyable that I learned a lot. She also showed me how to make friends and I'll be forever thankful for that. Since I didn't have a mother, she helped me with things, like baking cupcakes for my first sleepover. She was always on my side and encouraging me."
"Then came Christmas Day when she said 'yes' to Dad and my prayers were answered and my dreams came true. You see I always wanted a big family and…" Allie choked up and needed a moment to clear her voice, "I have always wanted a big family and now I have a mother, a brother, three sets of grandparents, plus a lot of real and adopted uncles and aunts. I love them all."
Allie lifted her glass of punch and continued, "To Dad and Mom, the best parents God could give me!"
Most of those in the room held a handkerchief in one hand while they lifted their glasses and toasted, "To the best parents God could give Allie."
Nathan pushed back his chair and moved to hug his daughter, welcoming Elizabeth into their embrace as they whispered how they loved each other. Suddenly a little boy hurried from Lee's protective hand and wrapped his arms around Nathan's and Allie's knees, saying, "Me too!"
Nathan scooped a happy Jack onto his lap, allowing the little boy to cuddle into his Daddy's strong arms as the toasts continued.
Clearing his throat, Bill stood and shook his head. "Never doubt the power of love! We'll now hear from the Best Man, Zachary Grant. Zach?"
"How can I follow that, Sweetheart? Because of Nathan and Elizabeth, I also have a big family now."
"I can attest to Nathan's and Elizabeth's beautiful relationship as I have observed it these past months. Their commitment is true. Their love is all encompassing. Their generosity is commendable and their hospitality is heartfelt, warm, and welcoming. I thank the Lord for them and for all the family. Join me as we raise a glass to Nathan and Elizabeth and their great love!"
"To Nathan and Elizabeth and their great love!"
Bill stood again inviting the Bride's sister to take the floor to be followed by Mrs. Rosemary Coulter, "Next, Miss Julie Thatcher?"
Julie stood smiling, "We must have a funny story from my sister's youth. With three sisters you can imagine the shenanigans we got into, but the most relevant to today was that we played dress up, alternating who was the bride. Our older sister, Viola, told Elizabeth she needed to practice kissing and if she kissed a potato she would get her heart's desire!" Julie paused while the audience laughed.
"So, Bessie, oh sorry, Elizabeth, took a potato from the pantry and practiced diligently until that potato needed to be thrown out! Although it took some time, I believe all her practice may have been worth it because Elizabeth now has Nathan, her heart's desire."
As Julie sat, Rosemary stood and commented, "I thought you were going to say, she now has her real life potato!" Laughter encompassed the room until Rosemary continued, "Elizabeth and I have been best friends for more than a decade and I've seen her through many life choices, challenges, and changes. What I can attest to is that I have never seen Elizabeth as happy and fulfilled as she is now with Nathan. He truly is her lifetime love, her great love. Let us toast Elizabeth and Nathan and their great love."
"To Elizabeth and Nathan and their great love!"
"Now, Constable Gabriel Kinslow?"
Standing, Gabe, began, "Thank you for humoring us as we all had something to add to toasts for this great couple. Nathan and I trained together here at Depot, forming a steady friendship ever since. Although we don't see each other often, we can pick up as if we had never been apart and that is a loyal, rich relationship. Elizabeth, I don't know if you are aware, but Nathan has patiently loved you since his earliest days in Hope Valley. He bears bodily scars from times he has served and protected those dear to him and you have a prize in this man. If he loves and cares for you and Jack even a portion as much as he does for sweet Allie, you are extremely blessed. Thank you for making him so happy."
Gabe sat down and Bill rose again, "Thank you, Gabe. From what you have heard this evening, you know that Nathan and Elizabeth are beloved by many." A ripple of applause spread throughout the room. "I gave Nathan a memorable introduction to Hope Valley, by throwing him in jail because he tried to break up a fight in the town's saloon. Mind you, he was not in uniform and I didn't know who he was until he introduced himself from behind bars! We have had a unique relationship ever since and I have been proud to know Nathan, to work with him, and to become his friend. Actually, he is like a son to me and I am grateful that he and Allie have welcomed me into their family."
"My relationship with Elizabeth goes back as many years as Rosemary's does and when little Jack was born, I became Jack's Godfather. So the marriage of these two dear ones gives me much joy and to me is meant to be! I can also testify to both Elizabeth's and Nathan's happiness together and, along with Allie and Jack, they make a beautiful blended family. From profound losses-a sister, a mother, a husband, and a father-God has made the Grant family strong and an extraordinary example of God's love and of earthly love. Let us raise a toast to the Grant family!"
"To the Grant family!" Murmurs circulated around the room and guests appreciated all that was shared.
For Nathan and Elizabeth, they felt loved and blessed.
"Oh," Bill held up his hand, "one more thing! It is time for our Bride and Groom to cut their wedding cake."
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As Nathan and Elizabeth stood behind the tiered confection, they held the knife and together cut a generous slice to share. Nathan served Elizabeth a fork full, then set the fork on the plate and in one swift motion, swiped a finger-full of icing from the piece and deposited it on Elizabeth's nose. Grinning and very pleased with himself, Nathan then kissed the icing off and wiped her nose with a napkin, commenting, "Delicious!"
Elizabeth had not been prepared, so giggled joyfully.
Facing the guests, Nathan spoke, "If you think I was the first to do that in our relationship, you would be mistaken. Allie and some of her school friends can attest to the fact that it was actually, Elizabeth, their teacher, who first decorated my nose!"
Blushing prettily, Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders and nodded her head in agreement. As she raised a forkful of cake to feed Nathan, he wrapped his large hand around hers to guide the portion and prevent any mishaps.
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Happily, Nathan filled his dessert plate from the selections the wait staff offered and, although Elizabeth had declined most of the delectables, Nathan fed her from his plate.
"Dad must love you very much, Mom. He rarely shares his dessert. Of course, he can probably get a second helping since he is the Groom!" Allie giggled and asked her parents, "Did you try this one? It's like fudge!"
"Allison Grant! Do not give away your father's secrets now…"
Giggling, Elizabeth placed her hand on Allie's arm, winked, then turned to her husband, "Oh Nathan, it is no secret that when second helpings are available in desserts you will be standing in line!"
The ringing cow bell interrupted their conversation and everyone followed the sound to find William Thatcher standing in front of Bill at the end of the head table.
"Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen…"
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