. .

Chapter One Hundred Eighty-four

. .

A Journey Like No Other

. .

Steward Jeremiah Davis motioned for the Grants to enter the Thatcher Shipping Pullman Car, "Welcome and congratulations, Sergeant Grant and Mrs. Grant. I am Jeremiah Davis and it is a pleasure to serve you. Let me take a moment to show you the amenities available? We have fresh towels, additional blankets, and water carafes with tumblers. There are multiple bell pulls in the Pullman-in the bedrooms, this parlor and dining section, as well as in the w/c. Since this is a relatively brief journey, I won't unpack your luggage, but if you will direct me, I will gladly hang your clothing for tomorrow."

"Thank you for offering, Sir, but we can take care of that," Elizabeth explained. "We would appreciate a pot of tea now, please?"

"As you wish, Ma'am. If you will give me your breakfast order now, I will gladly provide it when you pull the bell in the morning?" Steward Davis handed Nathan a leather-bound menu opened to Breakfast and Brunch, then questioned, "May we also prepare a boxed lunch so you can enjoy that at your leisure upon arrival? We have the makings for chicken salad and my wife will happily prepare a gourmet version I guarantee is delicious. Shall we?"

Glancing at Elizabeth, Nathan pointed to waffles with syrup, fresh fruit, and sausage. At her nod, Nathan placed the order, adding coffee and ginger ale as he agreed to the boxed lunch, "That would be wonderful, Sir. Thank you in advance. You said your wife though? Does she travel with you?"

"Oh yes. We reside in Hamilton, but whenever Mr. Thatcher's Pullman is requested we travel with it and are available at a moment's notice. I serve as a caretaker when parked on a siding for shorter trips and we maintain the car, keep it stocked, etc. Since we have a staff compartment at the end of the railcar, we can readily respond to any needs." Chuckling, Steward Davis explained, "I have served with Mr. Thatcher for many years, although usually on his business journeys, yet, I believe it has been well over a decade since I last saw you, Mrs. Grant."

"I believe so. I do remember you know Lloyd Hudson well, don't you? I seem to recall meeting you at my family's Hamilton home."

"Indeed I do. Lloyd and I go back many years." Steward Davis backed away and, with a slight bow, explained, "I will leave you now and will place the tea on a cart outside your door shortly. As I mentioned, please pull the cord whenever you need something or when you are ready for breakfast. Have a good night and a wonderful honeymoon trip."

. .

As the door latched shut, Nathan quickly added the inside lock then turned to embrace his Bride. "You are stunning, my Love. I could hardly keep from kissing you as we made the rounds of our guests!" With a tender, unhurried kiss, he held the back of her head then, pulling away he lifted the veil fabric and asked, "May I help you remove your veil? As ethereal as you look, actually almost angelic, it couldn't be comfortable for you."

Elizabeth responded by turning in his arms, "Thank you, Honey, I'm glad you like it. Yes, please help? The wreath is pinned in a few places. Shall I sit down so you can see better?"

Laughing, Nathan answered, "You forget how tall your husband is, dear wife. Now, let me look."

Nathan carefully removed the hairpins and lifted the wreath and veil off Elizabeth's head, setting it on an armchair. "There. Is that freeing?" He reached to the back of her head and fluffed her curls. "I love to do this and am thankful I am now free to do so!"

Stepping back an arm's length, Nathan requested Elizabeth turn in place as he studied his Bride from head to toe and back up again, "Your dress is gorgeous, Honey. The lace is exquisite and I love the style. It sort of combines some of the modern styles with a touch of elegance."

Giggling Elizabeth faced her husband, placing her hands on her waist. "So you like it? I wanted to show you my waist today and not hide it behind a blouson."

"Well, you succeeded as your figure is beautifully enhanced by your dress. I noticed…"

Stepping close to Nathan she blushed, admitting, "That's all I wanted."

Reaching up to his neck, she loosened the fasteners on his serge collar and unbuttoned the top couple of buttons. "Thank you for suffering the tight collar today, my handsome Mountie. There," she affectionately patted his chest, "is that freeing?"

"You have no idea! It is such a relief!" Nathan grinned, "I can breathe!"

"I know. Could we have a cup of tea and catch our breath for a bit? I feel as though we have been on display and in conversations for hours." Searching his face, she added, her eyes twinkling, "You must be especially tired, plus you were prevented from enjoying those desserts!"

"You are right! That's what's missing-the desserts that Mr. Durand promised!" Nathan tweaked her nose, then retrieved the basket given to them by the Hotel. "Let me help you with that…" Nathan adjusted the chair as Elizabeth sat on one side of the table.

Elizabeth reveled in Nathans' attentiveness and the small ways in which he showed her preference. He had always done that she realized, allowing herself to remember touches she hadn't dwelt on for a long time.

"What is your smile about, Lisbeth?" Nathan asked as he withdrew a plate of appetizers from the basket.

"You, Honey. I'm remembering the many times you politely allowed me to go first, walked on the street side, held my chair, and guided me with a hand to my back. You probably do those things to Allie too, but you make me feel cherished."

"Those are rather small gestures, Lisbeth. They are what any man should do for a woman. Speaking of what a man should do, did you enjoy Jack's little bow? We've been working on that!"

"You mean after we danced? It was adorable. He is going to learn so much from you, Nathan. What a privilege…"

A light knock interrupted them and Nathan rose to answer. In the hallway was a wheeled cart containing a tray of tea cups and a cozy-covered teapot, a silver-domed plate of cheeses and grapes, along with a covered basket of scones and croissants, a silver bowl of fruit, and rolled linen napkins. A bucket of ice containing a bottle of champagne and a couple bottles of ginger ale was visible on the lower shelf. Since the steward had already disappeared down the corridor, Nathan carefully lifted the tray and entered the compartment to set it before Elizabeth, returning to collect the bucket, then latching and locking the door again as Elizabeth began to pour the tea.

"This is a wonderful treat! Maybe we should save some for a midnight snack too?" Nathan wiggled his eyebrows as he took a bite of cheese on a savory herb scone and watched his Bride.

"Are you inclined to need midnight snacks, Nathan? I've never heard you mention them before."

Laughing, and with a teasing look, Nathan explained in a low voice, "I've never before needed extra energy in the middle of the night…"

Elizabeth frowned momentarily until her eyes widened with understanding, even as her cheeks flushed pink. Whispering, she chided her groom, "Nathan!"

"What?" Nathan glanced around the compartment and returned her gaze, whispering as she had done, "No one is here and the night is all ours-no interruptions, no children needing our attention, just the woman I adore..."

"True, my handsome groom, isn't it good that this bride adores you too?"

"Mmmm… that makes me very happy…" He reached for a plate of cake and handed a fork to Elizabeth, adding, "So does this!"

"Someone said they hadn't encountered a chocolate wedding cake layer before ours. The pieces we served each other were from the almond top layer, so let's see how this tastes!" Elizabeth took a small forkful of the chocolate layer and rolled her eyes with delight.

"That's hardly a substantial bite, Honey. Indulge! It's our cake!"

Giggling, Elizabeth forked a larger piece and commented, "Our day, our cake, our night…"

With lighthearted banter, the couple polished off the plate of cake and tasted some grapes, then began to cover the food items, close the tins, and cover the teapot.

Softly Nathan inquired, "Shall we prepare for bed?"

"First, dear husband, I have a gift for you." Elizabeth stood, found a box hidden behind their luggage, and handed it to Nathan.

"Oh? Where did this come from?"

"Hudson delivered it when he brought our luggage earlier today. Open it, Honey!"

Elizabeth sat facing him to observe his reaction to her gift and was not disappointed. Nathan tore the paper off and raised the lid in a flash, but upon seeing a dark blue silky item he slowed to a stop. "What is this?"

"Lift it out and see."

"Oh, Lisbeth, what have you done? This is so silky and soft..." Fingering the fabric, Nathan was confused, "Is this for you to wear?"

Giggling, Elizabeth responded, "Oh no! It is nightclothes for you, Honey, and they are a far cry from Mountie-issue!"

"I've never worn anything like this…" He lifted out the pajamas and robe. "Wow! These are so luxurious!"

'You, my husband, will be so elegant…" she whispered, "…and tempting!"

Nathan's head shot up at that suggestion, 'Tempting?' he questioned silently. Mesmerized by her beauty, he loved catching the pretty blush that tinted her cheeks. 'What was that look? Longing? Desire?' Nathan momentarily wondered, 'Is this one of the surprises and delights to which Gabe had referred?'

Standing, he made his way towards his suitcase, opened it and lifted out a beautifully wrapped and beribboned gift. Returning to the table, he handed his gift to his Bride, explaining, "This is my gift to you, my Love. I actually looked for something pretty and lacey to give you, but it was embarrassing when I couldn't tell the saleswoman what size I needed," Nathan blushed, pausing his confession, "and I was absolutely not going to ask for anyone's help regarding something so intimate! Maybe we can choose something together the first time?"

"We can do that, Honey." Elizabeth patted his hand then, having no idea what would fit this size gift box, questioned, "So what is this?"

"Well, it is something for you to wear…" His eyes twinkling, Nathan gave her his endearing half-smile, "Open it, my Love."

"Oh, Nathan! "Poème D'amour Parfum, from Paris!" (*110) What a thoughtful gift…" Elizabeth admired the elegant, clear glass bottle, pulled out the faceted glass stopper and sniffed the fragrance. "Oh! This is light and sweet and lovely."

"I like the lily of the valley scent, do you? Will you try it on? The saleswoman said that the scent may change with each wearer."

Nathan watched as his Bride dabbed a tiny drop of perfume onto her wrist, rubbed them together and lifted one wrist to inhale the delightful floral scent, before holding out her other wrist for Nathan to sample.

As Elizabeth nodded and began to whisper her appreciation, Nathan took hold of her wrist, closed his eyes and, breathing in deeply, began to plant kisses over the fragrance and making a trail up her arm.

"Oh!" Elizabeth gasped with a small squeal of surprise and delight.

He ascended to her elbow, then retraced his kisses back to her wrist and into the palm of her hand. Only then did he raise his gaze to meet that of Elizabeth, who met his love-filled eyes with her own.

Huskily, Nathan asked, "May I assist you with the buttons of your dress, Lisbeth?"

"Let me help you first, my Love?" Elizabeth stood and held out her hand for her husband. "Then you can help me with my dress."

Accepting her offer, he wordlessly faced Elizabeth. She unbuckled his dress belt, unbuttoned his brass buttons, then helped Nathan shed his serge. Lowering his suspenders to his hips she pulled him towards the sofa and motioned for him to be seated. Kneeling in front of him, she untied and removed his dress shoes and socks before looking up at him from below her lashes.

"I'm reminded of last night when I was privileged to do this for the first time." She set the shoes aside and stood as, remaining seated, Nathan wrapped his hands around her waist, drawing her between his knees, close to himself. Placing his cheek against her bosom, he inhaled her scent and listened to the rhythm of her heartbeats while she ran her fingers through his soft hair.

Leaning back and looking into her smiling face, his voice thick with emotion, Nathan voiced his request, "Turn, and I will undo the buttons for you."

Slowly he unbuttoned the back of her lacey bodice and helped her slip it down her arms. When she laid it on the sofa beside him, Nathan was grateful to see the silk under-layer was fastened with hooks easier for his large hands to maneuver.

He kissed the nape of her neck, then began to expose her soft, creamy skin and upper back until she stopped him and stepped back.

"Not yet, Honey. Let me freshen up and I will meet you in the bedroom. Please wear your new pajamas?"

"Oh? Alright…"

Nathan watched her disappear into the second bedroom, then scooped up the pajamas and went into the main bedroom to change, continuing to marvel at the softness of his new sleepwear!

With the drawstring bottoms loosely hanging on his hips and the pajama top open, Nathan was seated on the bed, hands clasped between his knees. He stared, seeing nothing, while trying to think, when he turned to see his wife. Her white, lacy confection hugged all her womanly curves and he froze, speechless. Although he had been trying to remember the fatherly advice he'd received, his mind now went completely blank. Only as Elizabeth began to glide towards him, could he stand and reach out his hand to invite her closer.

She gasped as she saw his open pajama top and tentatively placed her palms flat against his muscular chest. Her touch sent tingles and sparks through Nathan and he watched her face as she gently traced his well-defined form.

She hardly whispered a soft, "Ohhh…"

When she raised her eyes to his, he read love, admiration, and desire to match his own so he did the only thing he could do. Nathan embraced his Elizabeth, pulled her onto their marriage bed with him and kissed her with a passion they had never known.

. .

Neither wanting to break the enchantment, they exchanged soft words of "I love you" as they held each other close and drifted off to sleep.

Some hours later, and never having experienced sleeping with someone in his bed, Nathan felt Elizabeth's slight caress on his chest and awakened with a start. For the briefest moment he blinked then remembered the intimacy they had shared and he looked down at his beautiful sleeping bride. Nathan was awestruck. Elizabeth was his. They shared a union, a knowing like no other and, silently, Nathan thanked God for this precious gift.

When Elizabeth moved her head from his arm, Nathan realized his arm was asleep so he slowly tried to lift it over her head to adjust his body to face hers. When she didn't stir, he slowly rolled towards the edge of the bed and stood, grabbing his pajama bottoms and tiptoeing into the parlor. Stepping into the w/c he brushed his teeth, having neglected that evening ritual, and freshened up. When he emerged he turned off the parlor lights and slowly made his way back to their bedroom. With his hand on the hurricane lamp's switch, he heard a soft voice.

"What are you doing, dear Husband?"

"Oh! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to awaken you. I thought I would turn off the light so we could sleep better…"

"Please don't. Maybe turn the wick lower, but leave the light on? Are you coming back to bed?"

"Of course." Nathan adjusted the lamp to a softer light and made his way to the bed. When he looked into her face he saw unabashed admiration and felt his neck warm.

"Come back to me, my Love. I've missed you since you left our bed and, in spite of the train rocking me like a baby, I can't sleep without you. Let me hold you in my arms and kiss you."

Marveling at his wife's desire for him, Nathan only whispered, "I'm here," as he climbed back under the sheets.

. .

"What time is it, Honey?" Elizabeth's sleepy voice whispered warm breath against Nathan's chest, uncertain if her Bridegroom was awake or not.

"Hmm?" Sleepily, Nathan hummed his response. "I'm thinking between seven and eight because we are slowing to a stop and it's probably Brandon." He slowly allowed his eyelids to open, then shifted to lift her face, "Good morning, my Love."

Moving to be level with his loving glance, Elizabeth spoke softly, "G'morning to you, Honey."

Nathan brushed the curls from her sweet face to reveal she had closed her eyes as he played with her hair, so he twisted a curl around his finger. "Have I mentioned that I love your curls?"

Giggling, Elizabeth answered, "Only a dozen times so far, but I am not tired of hearing it!"

"That's good because I have only just begun!" Nathan moved to kiss her cheek, then caress its softness before burying his hand in her curls once again and pulling her head against him. Hesitant, Nathan questioned, "Are you okay? Was our time all that you hoped for?"

Lifting her face so she could search his eyes, Elizabeth breathed out, "Each of our times are more than I could hope for or even imagine, Love. You are so gentle and kind and caring… You are perfect for me. Just perfect…" Elizabeth found his lips and kissed him, first a feather light, almost teasing touch, then with increased desire for her husband.

Reassured, Nathan allowed his desire to match that of his wife.

. .

As they stilled and cuddled, Nathan broke the silence, "How good of God to create a way to express committed, marital love, this bliss, this wordless bliss. Yet awakening in your arms, pillowed against the soft roundness of you I do need words, as inadequate as they are, my Lisbeth. My dearest love, I more than love you, I adore you. With my heart, mind, and body; with my present and my future, with overwhelming joy and even relief that we are now one, I adore you. Lisbeth, my beautiful love, my wife, my life, I belong to you. I am at home with you. Thank you for loving me." He paused, "I cannot imagine it, but I'm told our love and our loving will become more beautiful every day."

"I believe it will, Nathan. That's what loving is, it's growing and a deepening knowing. We have only just begun to love, dear Husband."

. .

Later, Nathan knelt to place Elizabeth's shoes on her feet and buckled the straps.

Her hands moving off his shoulders, Elizabeth then lifted his chin and felt the smoothness of his freshly-shaved cheeks. She bent to kiss him thoroughly, until chuckling, he pulled back, stating, "If we travel down that road, Lisbeth, we will have to dress all over again."

He stood, admiring her pink cheeks, then kissed the top of her head as he offered, "Let's see if our breakfast has arrived, shall we?"

Seated across from each other, Elizabeth poured her husband's coffee, while he served her a waffle and spooned the fruit over it.

"Would you like syrup as well?"

"I no longer have to fit into my wedding dress, so, yes, please! This is a special treat."

"Do you have a waffle iron? I think I brought one from the ranch, but have never used it. Allie loves pancakes, so that's why I became proficient at my apple pancakes!"

"Well, you will find that Jack also loves pancakes, but if you find that waffle iron, I wouldn't mind having those on special occasions."

"I'll have to remember that." Nathan reached his hands across the table, "Would you like to pray or shall I?"

Placing her hands in his, the Bride responded, "On this first morning together, would you please pray? I can pray at lunch."

"Sure."

"Dear Lord,
We have so much to be thankful for. A beautiful wedding with vows I don't want to forget, our children officially becoming OUR children, our daughter and our son. We thank you for that adoption surprise that perfectly fit into our celebration. Bless Allie and Jack and our loving parents back home.
We ask for traveling mercies for those friends who came from Hope Valley to celebrate with us. There are so many meaningful details that are too numerous to mention right now.
Thank you for this luxurious train journey for us and thank you for all of our love. How I adore my Elizabeth and how grateful I am for her and for her love. I stand amazed.
Now, we thank you for this wonderful breakfast and for this week we can devote to each other. You are so good. Bless our food and our fellowship.
Our hearts overflow with thankfulness and we give you praise,
Amen."

"Amen," added Elizabeth as Nathan squeezed her hands.

. .

Dressed in a traveling suit, Elizabeth stood in front of Nathan, his arms wrapped around her waist, leaning back against his chest as the train slowed and the whistle blew. They watched through the windows as the city of Winnipeg was revealed and the train chugged into the station.

His warm breath sending tingles down her spine as he whispered into her ear, Nathan acknowledged, "I will never forget the hours we have spent together on this train, my Love. They are the happiest of my life so far…" He kissed her neck then nuzzled his face into her soft curls.

A knock on the compartment's door returned their attention to the present moment as the Steward spoke from the hallway, "We have arrived in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Sergeant and Mrs. Grant. You may disembark as soon as you are ready and the porters and I will unload your luggage."

Nathan opened the door, thanking Steward Davis for his attentive care, "We will see you in a week, Sir, although I don't want to wish away a single second of time with my wife!" Reaching out his hand to shake the Steward's, Nathan palmed an envelope into the man's hand. "Thank you for everything."

"My pleasure, Sergeant, Mrs. Grant."

As Nathan leaned over to lift his satchel, the Steward offered, "Let me take that for you, please? You take care of your beautiful Bride!"

. .

(*110) "Poème D'amour Parfum, Paris" is a fictitious perfume. After extensive research I decided to imagine the perfect fragrance for Nathan's poetic heart to give the love of his life.

. .

To be continued...