Chapter Thirty-Four: Nathan

Spoiler Notice: This analysis covers the full events of Chapter 36. If you haven't read it yet, proceed with caution.

Summary

Nathan and Anastasia take an early flight to Washington, where she transforms into the energetic "Travel Anastasia" – all lists, packing cubes, and bossy instructions that exhaust Nathan. He endures it partly because she cheers him up with a spontaneous intimate moment when he gets frustrated with the packing cubes. After landing, a cab takes them to her parents' home. Nathan is terrified of making a bad impression, but Julia and Colin Allen are overwhelmingly welcoming. He notices the house is filled with photos of a mischievous young Stassie, and he privately thinks their future kids will be adorable.

When Julia mentions booking ice time, the mood shifts. Anastasia firmly asks them not to talk about skating during the visit, explaining that her therapist, Dr. Andrews, suggested she find other topics to break the pressure cycle. Her parents, though surprised, immediately agree. Nathan deflects the awkwardness by asking about her childhood nickname "Annie," leading to an embarrassing story about her inability to spell her own name until age eight and a tale of her standing up to a principal at thirteen. Julia gives them matching Christmas onesies, and Nathan feels he truly knows Anastasia better.

Before dinner, Anastasia takes forever to get ready. Nathan pulls her onto the bed for a tickle fight and bargains for a few minutes of second-base fooling around. At the upscale restaurant, they run into James, her former skating partner and first boyfriend. Anastasia is momentarily awkward but then introduces Nathan calmly as her boyfriend – the first time she has used that label. Nathan manages to shake James's hand politely. Throughout the meal, Nathan works up the courage to insist on paying the bill as thanks for the Allens' hospitality, and after a playful argument about who is more stubborn, Anastasia backs him up. As she threads her fingers through his, Nathan realizes he is completely in love with her.

Key Events

Nathan and Anastasia fly to Washington together early in the morning.
Anastasia's travel habits (lists, packing cubes) irritate Nathan, but she smooths things over with a sexual favor.
The couple arrives at the Allen family home; Julia and Colin greet them warmly.
The house is full of photographs showing Anastasia's childhood.
Anastasia asserts a boundary: she asks her parents not to discuss skating during the visit, per her therapist's advice.
Her parents agree and share funny childhood stories, including why they call her Annie and her confrontation with a principal.
The family spends a relaxed day, and Julia gives Nathan a reindeer onesie.
Before dinner, Nathan and Anastasia share playful physical intimacy on her bed.
At the restaurant, they encounter James, Anastasia's old skating partner and first love.
Anastasia introduces Nathan as her boyfriend for the first time.
Nathan insists on paying the dinner bill, with Anastasia calling him stubborn.
Internally, Nathan admits to himself that he is in love with Anastasia.

Character Development

Nathan: This chapter deepens his commitment. He confronts his nerves about meeting the parents and handles the awkwardness of seeing James with maturity. Paying the bill is a formal gesture of gratitude that signals he wants to be taken seriously by the Allens. His private thought about having adorable kids and his final realization that he is in love mark a major emotional threshold – he has moved from infatuation and affection into a conscious, long-term devotion. He also shows his vulnerability when he thanks Anastasia for not letting him spend the holidays alone.

Anastasia: We see multiple sides of her personality colliding. The bossy, list-loving traveler reveals her need for control, yet she is also playful and sexually confident when she calms Nathan's packing-cube tantrum. Most significantly, she sets a healthy boundary with her parents about skating, showing real progress from the post-Aaron slump and following Dr. Andrews' advice. Her ease in introducing Nathan as her boyfriend in front of James demonstrates she is no longer defined by her past relationship. The teasing back-and-forth about who is stubborn showcases a comfortable, equal partnership.

Julia and Colin Allen: They are depicted as affectionate, utterly supportive parents who immediately accept Nathan. Their shock at Anastasia's request not to talk about skating underscores how central that world once was to the family, but they prioritize her happiness without question. Their pride in her fierce childhood moments reinforces where Anastasia gets her backbone.

James: Appears briefly as a benchmark of Anastasia's past. Nathan's initial jealousy is defused by her confident handling of the situation. James himself is cordial but awkward, which highlights that the chapter is not about him being a threat, but about how much Anastasia has moved on.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Control and Release: The packing-cube incident and Anastasia's rechecking of all bags represent her need for order, a coping mechanism for anxiety. Nathan's frustration and her subsequent physical comfort show how the relationship balances control with release.

The "Bossy Anastasia" Persona: Nathan explicitly names this side of her – determined, sassy, and sometimes scary. It becomes a motif for both her strength and the ways she copes with pressure. Even Nathan's hockey team fears her, tying her commanding personality to the social world of Maple Hills.

The "Annie" Nickname: The revelation behind the nickname (she couldn't spell Anastasia) serves as a symbol of her childhood vulnerability, while the story of her making bullies cry and telling off the principal reclaims the name as evidence of her fierce loyalty.

Skating as a Black Cloud: The family's careful avoidance of the subject, initiated by Anastasia's request, symbolizes the emotional weight the sport has carried. The therapist's recommendation to find "other things to talk about" makes the restaurant dinner – a non-skating social event – a step toward healing.

The Onesie and the Reindeer Suit: These holiday garments symbolize comfort, informality, and the Allens' quick acceptance of Nathan. His joke about his "super toasty balls" and the negotiation over fooling around afterward undercut the sweetness with the couple's characteristic bawdy humor.

The Restaurant Check: Nathan insists on paying not as a display of wealth, but as a formal thank-you. The playful argument about stubbornness reinforces the theme of mutual defiance that defines their dynamic – they are both relentlessly themselves.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is the emotional payoff of Nathan and Anastasia's journey. It solidifies their relationship by placing it in a domestic, familial context. Meeting the parents is a classic milestone, but here it's layered with Anastasia's therapy-driven boundary-setting about skating, which shows growth not just as a couple but as individuals. Nathan's internal confession of love transforms the narrative from a college romance into something lasting. The encounter with James, handled without drama, proves that past baggage won't destabilize them. Additionally, the chapter balances humor (the packing-cube tantrum, the onesie, the "Annie" story) with genuine tenderness, demonstrating the book's tonal range.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Anastasia ask her parents not to discuss skating, and what does this reveal about her current state of mind? She follows the advice of her therapist, Dr. Andrews, who suggested she remove the constant pressure of skating conversations to rest mentally and physically. This reveals that she is actively working to recover from burnout and the emotional aftermath of the Aaron situation, and that she trusts her parents enough to set a firm boundary.
How does the encounter with James at the restaurant serve as a test for the relationship? James was Anastasia's first love and skating partner, so his appearance could have created jealousy or tension. Instead, Anastasia introduces Nathan as her boyfriend without hesitation, and Nathan handles the introduction politely. The moment passes smoothly, demonstrating that their relationship is secure and that Anastasia has fully moved on. The episode highlights mutual trust and confidence.
In what ways does the chapter illustrate Nathan's growth from the beginning of the book? Earlier, Nathan was more guarded and uncomfortable with emotional expression. Here, he actively seeks to impress Anastasia's parents, thanks her for not letting him be alone for the holidays, and insists on paying for dinner as a gesture of gratitude. Most importantly, he privately admits to himself that he is in love. This shift from casual hookup to committed partner shows he is now ready to build a future with her, not just share a season.