"Secrets" in 'Anything for Love' A one shot story for 'When Calls the Heart'

"How about this, I'll tell you a secret about me, if you tell me a secret about you," Elizabeth said with a flirtatious smile on her face.

Nathan gave her a slightly skeptical look with his crooked smile. 

"Oh, that's quite a deal," he said. "Ok, well, who will go first?"

"Hmmm, I will. Let's see." Elizabeth said with a beaming smile she could not contain. "Well, do you remember those flowers you gave me a while back?"

"Yes."

"Well, I may have hung them to dry and even pressed a few of them. I have most of them in a vase on display in my room and the pressed flowers I put in a frame on my wall."

Nathan's eyes grew very large at this confession. "Really!?"

"Yes," Elizabeth laughed. She felt a little self conscious, but it also was so wonderful to share such a lovely secret. 

"And um, can I see them?"

Elizabeth laughed, "well one day you will."

Heat grew in both of their eyes at that flirtatious reply and Elizabeth's cheeks reddened some. Elizabeth was implying that they would share a room one day and he loved the sound of that. He had wanted to make her his wife for years. Nathan couldn't help but kiss Elizabeth after hearing such a lovely and flirtatious admission. 

"Ok, it's your turn," said Elizabeth. 

"Hmmm," Nathan thought for a moment. "The first time I saw you, I thought you were incredibly beautiful. I felt a little guilty for thinking so."

Elizabeth squinted her eyes at him, "I'm not really sure that's a secret Nathan."

"What?!" He exclaimed with pretend offense. "I thought I hid my attraction to you pretty well, at first at least."

"Um, not so much, but that's ok, I thought you were very handsome and I think I was tripping over my words a little bit."

"You? No, you were stunning and perfect, as always!"

Elizabeth laughed and took Nathan's hand in hers. 

Just then, Jack came running back over to their blanket, with Allie trailing behind him. "Look at how many blackberries we found, Mom," Jack exclaimed! He was so excited to share their haul. 

"Wow, that's really great you two," Elizabeth praised!

"Can we go home and wash them," Jack asked?

"You know, maybe that's a good idea, I need to get to work soon. I have a few people to visit today on the outskirts of town," Nathan said with some sadness marking his voice. He was so reluctant to leave Elizabeth's side and today had already proven to be everything and more, that he had been dreaming of for such a long time!

"Alright, let's pack up then," Elizabeth said, a bit crestfallen as well. 

Nathan, Allie and Jack were putting everything back into the wicker picnic basket and Elizabeth was removing the stones that had held the blanket in place. Nathan suddenly had an idea. He went behind Elizabeth and in his deep, rumbly voice, he whispered into her ear, "how about we continue this exchange of secrets tonight after dinner?"

Elizabeth inhaled sharply at the pleasure of his nearness and the feel of his warm breath caressing her ear. She shook her head yes and Nathan smiled down at her, very happy to see that they were both so affected by each other's presence. 

Later that night, Nathan had been walking home. He still had his surge on, but it was Unbuttoned, showing his white Henley beneath. Elizabeth happened to be having a quiet moment on her front porch while presumably Jack took a short nap inside. He didn't want to disturb her peace, but he couldn't help but stop to spend a few moments alone with her. 

"Elizabeth," he said quietly with a sultry crooked smile on his face.

"Nathan," Elizabeth exclaimed!

She quickly placed her journal beside her on the step, jumped up, and went straight into Nathan's arms. He was a little surprised at how comfortable they were so quickly after their confessions, but not at all upset about it. He wrapped her up in his arms and then leaned down and kissed her.

"Hello handsome," she said pulling back and looking into his sparkling eyes.

"Hello darling," he said, returning her smile and joy.

She breathed him in and seeing that gesture was his undoing. He pulled her close and pressed his lips to hers again. He was gentle, but passionate. She could tell that he was still holding back though. After a few moments, he stopped, trying to slow his breathing.

"Is everything ok," she asked?

"Yes, I just," he stuttered trying to calm down, "I feel like I have to hold myself back some. Kissing you is rather intoxicating you know."

"Really, well, so is kissing you," she said dreamily!

"Would you like to go home and change and I will start on dinner," asked Elizabeth?

"Actually, I was wondering if I could show you something, I think it will count as one of my secrets."

"Oh, yes, of course," she said excited about that prospect. 

"Here, let's have a seat first,"

he said as he led her to the porch steps.

When they sat, Nathan stalled a little, laughing out some of his nervous energy. He blew out a breath and reached up to unbutton his surge pocket, the one that rested over his heart. 

He pulled some things out and covered them with his hands. 

First he showed her a small picture of he and Allie. 

"Oh, that's so sweet," Elizabeth said taking the photo and looking at it closely. 

She didn't notice at first, that he was holding another photo. 

She saw him move out of the corner of her eye and looked over. She was pleasantly surprised to see a similar sized photo of herself smiling with Nathan. 

"Oh, is this from Jesse and Clara's wedding," she asked?

"It is," he said, studying her for her reaction.

"You know," she remarked with a bright smile, "I have a copy of this photo as well. I keep it in my room." Then her eyes grew large when she realized what she had just admitted. 

"That's really sweet Elizabeth," Nathan said gently, showing her that she had no reason to feel embarrassed in front of him. They both realized the intimacy of Elizabeth keeping such momentoes in her own room though. The moment was charged with intense heat and longing between them. It turned out that they were actually very sentimental when it came to each other.

"Nathan," Elizabeth breathed. 

"Yes," he managed. 

"How long have you kept this photo over your heart?" 

Nathan looked down, his face reddened some. 

"Honestly, I asked Carson for the photo a few days after the wedding. I put it here in this pocket then. When I clean my uniform, I keep it in my top dresser drawer. Afterwards, it goes right back in here," he said as he placed his hand over his heart. They locked eyes. Sharing a whole conversation just in looks for a moment.  

Elizabeth suddenly noticed a small glint of sunlight reflecting on Nathan's hand and looked down. 

There was a corner of something shiny glinting out of his partially closed hand.

"Nathan, what's that," she asked?

"Oh," he opened his hand flat and resting on his palm she saw a small golden star.

"Is that," was all that Elizabeth could say. 

"It's uh, it's the star, from my birthday," Nathan said. 

"The one that was in my hair," she asked? 

"Yes."

Elizabeth inhaled sharply and looked back in Nathan's eyes. Her's were watery now and his were filled with emotion as well. 

"Nathan?"

"Mmmhmmm."

"I love you, I love you so much!" Elizabeth said as she grabbed him by the sides of his open surge and pulled him in for a long, wonderful, heart melting kiss. His return of love for her was evident as well. He showed her love in the way that he held her now. In how he tenderly brushed her hair back. In how he pulled her in closer, subconsciously intending to always keep her safe. In the way that he rested his forehead on hers now, as their quick breaths mingled in the air together. 

Nathan had shown his love for Elizabeth in many wonderful ways over the years. He had waited so patiently for her, always selflessly serving her, loving her unconditionally. Keeping her close to his heart, even when she was only offering him her friendship. Knowing that he would love her completely for the rest of his life, even if she never returned the sentiment. He was hers, always!

He was ready now to put his heart in her hands. He knew that he could trust her. He knew now that she would keep his heart safe and that he would spend his life doing the same for her. 

There would be time ahead to share many more secrets with each other. 

Other secrets like the fact that there was one more item resting in the surge pocket that covered his heart. An item that he had begun carrying again since their confessions the night before. He had stopped carrying it when she began courting Lucas officially. 

Since he was certain of her love now, he began carrying it with him again this very morning. Now he was waiting for just the right moment to give this item to Elizabeth, along with a very important question. 

For now, they were sharing this wonderful moment together. Incredibly thankful that they had finally found each other, right here on these old porch steps.

When Calls the Heart - The Kiss

This is everything that I would really love to hear Elizabeth say to Nathan in a fanfic scene, following the events of Episode 11 of Season 11, just before their first kiss. 

The kiss - When Calls the Heart

"Hey," said Nathan, walking up to Elizabeth, who sat on her back porch with 2 cups of coffee beside her. She had hoped that Nathan would be able to come by tonight, after filling out the paperwork regarding everything that had happened with Shaw and her and Rosemary's kidnapping. She had smiled and hummed to herself while pouring his coffee. She even put 3 iced biscuits on a plate for him and poured a small dollop of milk in each of their cups. She was pleased that she knew how Nathan liked his coffee, and what snacks he enjoyed. Being able to please him with this knowledge warmed her heart. 

She left her back door open, in case the children woke up and needed her, and sat on her back porch, under the stars, hoping that Nathan would be able to join her tonight. 

Suddenly, she heard grass crunching under boots and looked over to see Nathan walking up to meet her on her back porch. He was wearing a solid blue shirt, brown pants and brown suspenders. Her heart leaped at the sight of this gorgeous man before her.

"Hi," she breathed with a flirtatious smile. Nathan's heart warmed at the sight of her beautiful face and rosy cheeks.

"How are you?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.

"Oh, I'm a little shaken, but really thankful that we're all safe now. The kids are upstairs, sleeping in Jack's room."

"That's good. I'm glad they're together," Nathan said as he took his designated seat beside her. He looked down and saw his mug of coffee and the plate of biscuits and smiled. He was so happy to see that she had thought of him and was eagerly waiting up late to see him.

"Me too," she said warmly.

Nathan looked up at Elizabeth and said, "Elizabeth, I was really worried about you today."

"I'm alright now. You kept me safe.

You know, it got me thinking though."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. There's something, well a lot, that I need to say." 

"Alright."

"Nathan, 3 years ago, when I thought you had been shot, a gripping fear took root in my heart. I honestly felt, well, too paralyzed to move forward. I realized, that somewhere along the line, I had fallen in love with you."

Those last words came out in a rush. 

Nathan's eyes grew large and his mouth opened slowly. He was surprised, but at the same time, he had felt that this was what had happened all those years ago between he and Elizabeth. He had felt that she was in love with him too and that she was too afraid to let him in. 

Elizabeth continued, "That fear, it just, it took root so deep that I couldn't imagine fully giving my heart to you, and then, losing you. Honestly, it wasn't just that you're a mountie. That's dangerous and scary, but my biggest fear was really, just the depth of my feelings for you and the intensity that I felt between us. I saw a lifetime, one that we could have. It would be full of joy and trust, and family, just everything. But then I thought, what if that was cut short. I was afraid that I would be so shattered that I wouldn't be able to put the pieces of my heart back together again. And then where would that leave Jack, and Allie? How would I be strong enough for them."

Elizabeth looked down for a moment, trying to gather courage needed to push forward with her confession. She took a deep breath and then met Nathan's eyes again. He was so patient, just quietly allowing her to take her time with him, in every way. She drew from his strength and felt emboldened to continue.

"I know now that I moved forward with Lucas to protect myself."

At that, Nathan and Elizabeth now had matching tears in their eyes.

"And that really wasn't fair. Not to any of us. I didn't think I would be strong enough, to stay away from you though. I am ashamed of my actions. Of making decisions in fear. Of hurting you. Of hurting all of us."

Elizabeth's voice broke terribly and tears poured from her eyes, falling from her face and soaking her beautiful white lace blouse.

The blouse she had worn when Nathan had told her that he loved her, all those years ago. He wondered if she put it on for him this evening. To get things right this time. 

"Elizabeth, it's ok, you don't have to," Nathan began, trying to protect Elizabeth, as he always did. It tore him up to see her in such pain. 

Elizabeth put her hand up though, "no, I have to say this," she said. She stood and walked into the yard a couple of steps. Nathan stood and followed her, watching her eyes and then following her lips as they moved.

She continued, "that day when I came to the jail and I told you that I wasn't in love with you and that I had been looking for Jack in you. You were still pursuing me. Your heart was still so open. I couldn't think of any other way, to make you stop pursuing me.

But it really wasn't true. I always saw you. I just didn't want to examine too closely how I was feeling. I chose to push it all away and just, try to follow a different path. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for breaking your heart and for making decisions in fear."

Nathan shook his head once and looked deeply into Elizabeth's eyes. He wanted so badly to pull her into his arms and make it so that everything was ok. He wanted to melt into her and become one. He could feel his heart mending at every new detail that she shared with him though. He knew this was such a difficult moment, but that in the end, it would bring so much peace to their future. He so wanted a future with her. He wanted everything that she had spoken of. Family, joy, trust, romance, everything. She was his best friend and he was totally and completely in love with her. 

Elizabeth continued, "I don't think I was completely aware of everything that I was doing at the time. As I look back though, I see that I was adding layers to a wall that I had built between us. 

And then last year, when I heard about the hostage situation and I thought that maybe you had died again. I completely fell apart. Actually, Henry found me. He told me that I should evaluate my feelings and be honest with myself. So I did. 

I realized that day, that even if we were never together, still if anything happened to you, I would be just as devastated. I realized that I do want to spend my life with you. I don't want another day to go by without you. I want to be a family with you and Allie and Jack and I don't want to hide in fear anymore. And I so want to be able to tell you, how deeply I am in love with you. I want to be yours and I want you to be mine."

Nathan moved forward, towards Elizabeth. They had both shed so many tears tonight. It felt like all of the pain and mistakes of the past had been cried out and now, what was left was; forgiveness, deep friendship, love. The kind of love that lasts a lifetime. Nathan leaned close to Elizabeth's face and said in a deep voice, "Elizabeth, I love you, I always have and I always will. There's nothing to forgive." He paused for a moment and then said, "Darling?"

Elizabeth smiled, and took a shuttering breath "yes?"

"Can I kiss you now?"

"Yes, please," she laughed. 

Nathan reached up and gently wiped her tears with his hands. The intimate gesture made Elizabeth's heart flutter. 

Very slowly their lips inched towards each other. Elizabeth rose up on her toes and put her hands on Nathan's chest to steady herself and he wrapped his arms around her back. When their lips met, it was the most blissful feeling they could have ever imagined. Perfect, sweet, soft and amazing. The kiss began to deepen and become far more passionate, Nathan heard a door close a couple of houses down and he realized that he had to protect Elizabeth. They were outside, behind Elizabeth's row house. He didn't really want the neighbors talking about them tomorrow, so he began to slow their kiss and very slowly pull away. He held her face and looked into her eyes. They both smiled and kissed again, just a gentle touch of lips. Nathan placed his forehead on hers.

Nathan pulled back and took a gold ring with a small diamond from his pocket and placed it on Elizabeth's finger. He had been carrying his grandmother's ring for the last month. Waiting for the right time to give it to Elizabeth. He had known for years that he wanted to give it to her and now was the right time.

Nathan slipped the ring onto Elizabeth's finger, he leaned down to kiss her again and Elizabeth quipped, "you know, I haven't said yes." Elizabeth smiled brightly, clearly teasing him.

Nathan looked deep into her eyes and said, "Yeah, but you were gonna!"

They both smiled and Elizabeth pushed forward. She threw her arms around Nathan's neck and kissed him! 

 

Alternate When Calls the Heart scene

"What am I to you? 

Are we just friends. 

Because, Elizabeth, we are not the only ones involved here. We have to think about Allie and Jack," Nathan asked with desperation in his voice. 

At first, Elizabeth's mouth was agape as she was simply stunned by the boldness of his question. 

But after really hearing the sweet sincerity of his concern and love for Allie and Jack, Elizabeth's eyes, softened, her mouth closed and formed into a sweet smile. She stared into his eyes and simply said, "you mean everything to me." She paused, steadying herself with a deep breath, as Nathan swallowed and his eyes grew large. 

Elizabeth continued with the sweetest words. Words that Nathan had longed to hear and had only ever dreamt of until now, she continued "Nathan, I want more than friendship."

Mesmerized by her beauty, the joy he felt in this moment and the shock of her words, Nathan melted, leaning slightly towards Elizabeth, feeling like a strong magnet was drawing his lips to hers. 

Suddenly, Bill's voice broke their reverie, booming loudly from across the street, "Nathan, Elizabeth, we need you," as he waved them both towards the mountie office. 

Nathan stumbled slightly. There was a goofy grin on his face and his eyes were still dazed, pupils huge, swaying slightly he said, "to be continued."

Elizabeth laughed and they both made their way towards the mountie office. 

When Calls the Heart, FanFic, prompt. @suspendersunbuttoned

I think we will get the big talk at the end of the season. This is how I think things may play out, following this week's promt. 

Nathan, "What am I to you? Are we just friends?"

Elizabeth stutters: "No. I..."

"Nathan, we need you," calls Ned from across the street.

"Can it wait?" He slightly growls, never taking his eyes from Elizabeth's. Cue the frustrated look 😂

"No, it's an emergency!" exclaims Ned.

Nathan gives Elizabeth a sad look and says, "sorry," as he takes off towards Ned.

Elizabeth is left standing in the street, alone and totally stunned. She stands rooted to the spot for a few minutes. Bereft of his presence. Searching her heart for the right words to say, the next time she sees Nathan.

At the end of the episode, she is eager to find him.

So much has happened, that they have not been able to reconnect, but this time gave Elizabeth the chance to really think through how she wants to respond to Nathan.

It's night. Elizabeth stands outside of Nathan's office. She steadies herself with a deep breath. The camera pans to her hand on the knob as she finds her courage to push forward. 

She finds Nathan there, sitting at his desk with a single lamp lit low. Surge on, but opened to show the man inside. This is not Jack and they both know it! 

At first, she catches him, staring into space. He is thinking about what his next move should be? It did sound like Elizabeth was going to say they were more than friends, but now he just isn't certain.

She asks him if he can talk now. Upon seeing her face, he jumps up, and makes his way around the desk, so he can stand before her.  He stops directly in front of her and slightly leans back on to the desk, so he can put himself at eye level with her. He tightly grips the front of the desk beneath his palms, as he braces himself for the worst case scenario. 

"Yes, of course," he says softly.

Taking a steadying breath, Elizabeth begins, "I...I feel like there are so many things I should tell you, but finding the words is difficult." Pause, she focuses on his eyes now with more steady determination. 

Her words pour out in a bit of a rush now. "There is so much that I need to say, but for now, I want to answer your question from earlier."

She takes a small step closer to Nathan, closing the minor gap between them.

Trying to slow herself now she says, "Nathan, your friendship has meant the world to me . It has been better than I could have ever asked for, or even imagined."

Nathan looks a little worried here and breaks eye contact, he looks down, trying to gain strength, bracing for impact by squeezing the sides of the desk top harder, numbly digging his nails into the soft wood. His initial thoughts are: she is talking about our friendship, maybe that isn't a good sign.

Elizabeth continues, "You have been in my heart for such a long time."

He looks up at her very quickly, his eyes growing huge at the hope her words have brought to him. 

"And I, I don't want to run from what's in my heart any longer. So what I really want to say is, I want more than friendship, I want, everything, all of it.

I just wasn't sure if you...."

Nathan stands, edges closer, placing his hands gently on her arms.

"Elizabeth?"

"Yes," she says, trying to slow her breathing.

"Can I kiss you now?"

She laughs and then sighs, as they smile together the most brilliant of smiles, pausing briefly in this moment together. Breathing each other in.

"Yes!" She exclaims!

Nathan moves very slowly towards her lips, carefully checking her eyes, to be certain that he will not scare her away. When he is sure that she really wants this, that she really wants him, he leans in the rest of the way and kisses her, very gently at first, tentatively.

He stops for a brief moment, searching her eyes and then rests his forehead to hers, as they each try to catch their breath. They both laugh a little, smiling into each other. Then Nathan leans in and kisses Elizabeth with confidence, wrapping his arms around her back, as she brings her arms up around his neck. They melt into one another, at the light of a single, unifying flame. 

End scene

Boxwood Wreath tutorial (using items you already have)

How to put together a small boxwood wreath with materials that you already have around the house.

Step 1. I broke off little twigs from one of our grapevine wreath forms. You could really just go outside and collect a few little twigs though. 

Step 2. I took some floral wire and bent it into a nice little circle of the size that I wanted my boxwood wreath to be. I wrapped the wire around and around until I got an nice thickness of about a quarter of an inch. 

Step 3.  I broke the little twigs into pieces that were about 2 to 3 inches long and hot glued them stacked over each other, onto the floral wire circle, to make a small grapevine wreath form. You could just get yourself a ready-made one at the craft store, but when I went to do that I couldn't find one as small as I wanted it.

Step 4.  Now, you can get yourself some fresh boxwood clippings from your yard or some faux floral boxwood from the craft store, but I prefer preserved boxwood because the brightness of the leaves.  

****A couple of tips: If you do decide to use preserved boxwood clippings, make sure that you lightly mist them, with water, once per month to keep them from getting too dry or crispy. These preserved boxwood clippings can really last forever. Also be sure not to put them outside in the sunlight as that can burn them and they can begin to turn brown****

Step 3

For this particular wreath, I took off a few little clippings, here and there, from my large and medium-size boxwood wreaths that I already had from Target. I made sure to remove them from places that wouldn't be noticed when they were missing, leaving the original wreaths still looking just as full as before.

Step 5.  Get your handy-dandy hot glue gun ready again because all you really need to do is to go round and round your grapevine wreath form, gluing down the clippings.  Make sure to glue them all going in the same direction.

That's it!  That's how I made a virtually free boxwood wreath out of items that I already had around the house!  This size typically sells for about $18-$20, so all in all, I'm really excited to have not spent any extra money on this cute little addition to our 'farmhouse styled' tired tray!