I only started watching WCTH a year ago and became obsessed with it. After the Season 5 finale, I turned to fan fiction because I was so angry with how they wrote the last two episodes. I've read every alternate ending out there but I decided a while ago to write my take on what I would want to see happen with Elizabeth in Season 6 (I realise it's a bit late :) ).

If you've read my other stories you know I am a huge J&E fan so I decided to write this in its entirety before posting so I don't get hate mail with the direction it goes. Just bear with me, keep an open mind and try and get to the end. I promise it will be worth it (at least I think so).

Don't worry there's no amnesia/coma storyline here … I've had enough with that one :) I've tried to put a different spin on it and the bonus is it could very well happen. Maybe not in Season 6 (although I'm still optimistic) but it could come around in Season 7 (if the show gets renewed). My writing style is a bit different as I'm trying to keep it true to the show.

By the way, the first few chapters are a bit sad, but there's light at the end of the tunnel ;)

From the Season 5 finale …

Elizabeth rushed out of the café. Abigail stood there in surprise, before everything sunk in. She raised her eyebrows, before following her friend.

Elizabeth was hanging over the porch railing, taking in some deep breaths.

"Sorry Abigail. I'm fine now" she said, as she turned back to face her.

"The smell of coffee made you nauseous?"

"It's never happened to me before."

"It's happened to me. You've been tired and rundown, loss of appetite, the headaches …"

"And now the nausea …"

"Elizabeth. You're going to have a baby."

CHAPTER 1

It had been just a few weeks after Elizabeth had found out that she was probably expecting. As each day passed, she was more convinced that Abigail had been correct.

With Abigail by her side, Elizabeth had gone to see Carson and he had confirmed that in all likelihood Elizabeth was pregnant. She couldn't quite believe it and at the time she thought it was too good to be true.

Elizabeth was back teaching now, but she was finding her days exhausting. When she got home, she had to light the stove, prepare dinner, do her laundry, tidy up the house, eat, do any additional schoolwork that she had brought home before retiring to bed. Usually she got as far as turning on the stove before she sat down on the couch only to drift off to sleep and not wake until morning.

Elizabeth was still in the habit of calling in at the café for breakfast so Abigail would try her hardest to force feed her a decent breakfast and at the minimum send Elizabeth on her way with a packed lunch. Without that food, Elizabeth would have certainly withered away.

As the weeks rolled around, Elizabeth's symptoms eased and she noticed the first swelling of her belly. Although only subtle, it was enough for her to see that what she had hoped for was coming true.

She stood in front of the mirror in her bedroom staring at her baby bump, with tears rolling down her cheeks. Although excited in some ways, the prospect of having a baby on her own was daunting. She was supposed to be doing this with Jack by her side and so the tears continued to fall.

Once she began to show, Elizabeth thought it was about time to let some of her other friends know. Only Abigail, Faith and Carson had been aware of the pregnancy so far. The prospect of telling her friends was met with some uncertainty. Truthfully, Elizabeth wasn't sure how they would react. They all loved Jack, so she hoped they would all be happy and supportive of her.

On the morning that she had decided to break the news, she had asked Lee and Rosemary to meet her at the café on Saturday morning. When she arrived, they were already waiting.

Elizabeth pulled off her coat and hung it on the hook by the door but as she walked toward their table, Rosemary glanced up at her and her eyes almost bulged out of her head.

"What? What's wrong?" Elizabeth said as she glanced down at her blouse, worried that she had missed a button or spilled something down the front of it.

"Are you … Do you have something to tell us?" Rosie said still staring.

"Well, yes. That was why I asked you both to breakfast."

Elizabeth had neared the table and was standing in front of a chair and was about to pull it out to sit down.

"You're pregnant!" Rosie exclaimed loudly.

Elizabeth glanced around the café to see several other people now staring at her as well.

"Well, yes" Elizabeth said meekly.

"I knew it!" Rosie said, standing up to give Elizabeth a hug. Lee stood up as well, coming around the table to offer Elizabeth his congratulations.

"Didn't I tell you, Lee. I knew something was going on" Rosie said, smacking her husband on the arm.

"You sure did, Rosie." Lee smiled with a shake of his head and a shrug at Elizabeth.

Once all three of them were seated, Rosie eagerly fired questions at her.

"When do you think you are due?"

"I'm just over three months, so I should be due in April sometime."

"That is wonderful news. Are you happy about it?"

"Yes. A bit overwhelmed but happy" she said, subconsciously putting her hand across her stomach.

"Jack would be thrilled."

Elizabeth nodded her head slowly. "I'm sure he would have been" she said as her eyes met the table.

"Well, we are both here for you whatever you need" Lee said gently, bringing Elizabeth's eyes back up to meet his.

"I appreciate that. Thank you."

"Have you told your parents yet?" Rosie asked.

"No. I will telegram them soon. I know what they will do though. They will try and drag me back to Hamilton to have the baby so I'm considering waiting for a little while longer."

"But what if they show up here?"

"I don't think that will happen unless they get worried about me. I'm just trying to sound as normal as possible in my letters to them."

After breakfast, Elizabeth headed home. She had lesson plans to prepare for the following week but instead she found herself upstairs, staring at her spare bedroom. It was full of a few boxes and other things so she decided to move them downstairs and go through them.

After carrying them down, she returned to the room with a broom and began to sweep up the dust. She cleaned the window, where some cobwebs had been and wiped down the windowsill. She stared around the room and decided it would need a fresh coat of paint before she did anything else to it. All in all, that was a good start.

She went back downstairs and opened the first of the boxes. It contained a random collection of keepsakes. She decided to pack them away in a smaller box and put them at the back of her cupboard instead.

When she opened the second box, her breath caught. It was the box of Jack's things that Bill had given her from the jail. Most of it was unimportant, but she found Jack's medal that he received a few years back.

There was his sketch book and some pencils at the bottom. Elizabeth pulled out the sketch pad and flicked through the blank pages before something caught her eye. At the back were a bunch of pictures of Elizabeth that Jack had drawn. The tears welled in her eyes as she stared at them.

She quickly shut the sketch book, put it back in the box and closed it back up before putting it straight under the stairs along with the last remaining box. She pulled out her handkerchief to wipe her eyes and then grabbing her shawl she went for a walk.

After only a few days, the whole town knew about Elizabeth's pregnancy. Between the people that overheard Rosemary's announcement in the café to Rosemary herself, by Monday morning Elizabeth's entire class knew. They excitedly greeted her, asking all about her baby and when it was due.

"Will you stop teaching when you have the baby, Mrs Thornton?" Cody asked.

"What are you going to name the baby?" Emily said eagerly.

"Do you think it will be a boy or girl?" Laura called from the back.

"Who will be the baby's Papa?" Opal asked and the whole room went quiet.

Elizabeth felt the tears beckoning but after she took a deep breath she answered all of their questions at once.

"I will have to stop teaching for a little while, but I should be back after the summer break. I haven't picked any names yet and I'm not sure if it is a boy or girl." Elizabeth paused before she answered the final question. "Mountie Jack is still the baby's Papa. That will never change."

The class seemed to be accepting of those answers, so Elizabeth changed the subject to one which she knew would distract them and had all the students pull out their readers. As she got Laura to begin reading out loud, she thought back to Opal's question and decided how she would make sure her baby knew about his or her father.

That week, Elizabeth ordered some paint and brushes for the nursery. She called into the mercantile on Friday to check for her mail and found that her paint order had arrived. Elizabeth stared at the large paint tin wondering how she was going to walk it home.

"Elizabeth, why don't you ask Lee to drop it home for you? He has his car after all" Katie Yost suggested.

"I guess, you're right. I didn't expect it to be quite that heavy."

"I'm sure Lee wouldn't mind."

Katie bundled the brushes up and handed them over. Elizabeth placed them in her basket before walking back out of the mercantile and heading for the saw mill office.

When she stepped inside, she was surprised to see it empty. Not wanting to bother Lee, Elizabeth decided to just head home carrying the paint on her own. She walked back to the mercantile, picked up the paint tin from a concerned Katie and began to slowly walk home.

Moments after Elizabeth left, Carson came in to check his mail.

"Carson, are you busy right now?" Katie asked.

"No, I was just on my way home."

"Elizabeth just left. She was carrying some paint with her. I really think it was too heavy for her to carry all the way home."

"I'm on it" Carson said as he ran out of the store and down the road that led to the row houses.

He could see Elizabeth in the distance, just about to round the bend. He ran toward her, catching up when he saw her stopped in the middle of the road with the tin of paint at her feet.

"Elizabeth!"

She glanced up at him. "Hi Carson."

"Katie said you might need a hand. How about I carry that for you?"

"It's okay, Carson. I'm almost home."

"Nonsense. You're not even a quarter of the way home yet. Allow me" he said. Without allowing her to refuse, he swopped down and picked up the handle of the paint tin and proceeded to walk beside her.

"Thank you."

"What is the paint for?"

"The nursery."

"You're planning on painting it yourself."

"Yes."

"Why don't you let me organise some people to help? We could knock it over quicker that way."

"It's okay. I don't mind doing it on my own."

"You really need to be careful of the paint fumes, Elizabeth. Please let me help you."

Elizabeth was exhausted from her week at work and at that moment she would have agreed to just about anything.

"Fine. That would be helpful. Thank you."

Carson and Elizabeth chatted the rest of the way home. He deposited the paint in the room that Elizabeth had emptied for the nursery before going on his way.

He went back home via Lee's office, the café and the saloon so by the time he returned home he had a handful of volunteers to help paint Elizabeth's nursery the following morning.

Elizabeth had been up and was finishing off her breakfast when there was a knock at her door. She was surprised to see Abigail, Faith, Rosemary, Carson, Lee and Frank all waiting outside on her porch.

"Hello. What's this?"

"We are your painting crew" Carson said and only then did Elizabeth realise the men were wearing older clothes.

"And we are your entertainment while they paint" Abigail said as she walked in with a basket of scones and muffins.

The party of her friends proceeded into the house, the men going straight upstairs while the women got settled around the kitchen table. Rosemary put the kettle on while Abigail set up her basket on the table. Faith ushered Elizabeth to a seat and before long the ladies had distracted her enough so that she forgot what was going on upstairs in her spare bedroom.

She got a whiff of paint fumes at one point and was grateful that she didn't have to endure them upstairs in the small room.

"What are you going to do for furniture for the nursery, Elizabeth?" Rosemary asked.

"I had a look at the Sears catalogue the other day and they have a crib that I was thinking of getting. I'm in no rush with that. I just thought if I got the painting done, it would have plenty of time to air out by the time the baby arrives."

"That's wise" Abigail said.

After just a few hours, there were footsteps on the narrow stairs and Lee reappeared.

"Elizabeth, we're almost done. Would you like to take a look?"

Elizabeth stood up and eagerly went upstairs to see their progress. The dusty room had been transformed into a clean, bright room with the pale yellow paint she had selected.

"Oh, you've all done such a good job. That looks perfect."

"The roof looks a bit dark in comparison but I have some white paint next door that was left over from our painting. Would it be okay if I use that?" Lee asked.

Elizabeth looked up at the ceiling and agreed with Lee.

"It would look better if it were white but don't go to too much trouble."

"Nonsense. It won't take us long."

"I can't thank you all enough for your help."

"We're happy to help, Elizabeth. It's the least we could do" Carson said.

Elizabeth nodded and walked back downstairs. The least they could do for their friend's pregnant widow, was all she could think. She couldn't help the watering in her eyes.

"Are you okay, Elizabeth?" Abigail asked when she saw her return.

"Yes, I just need to get some air. I will be back in a moment" she said as cheerfully as she could before leaving out the front door. She walked around the corner of the house and leant up against the wall.

It was never supposed to be like this.

Elizabeth had her hand on her stomach when Abigail came around the corner.

"Elizabeth …"

She turned to look at one of her best friends.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing. It's silly."

"How you are feeling is not silly. Tell me?"

"It was never supposed to be like this. Jack was supposed to be here. We were supposed to pick the colour of the nursery and paint the room together. Jack was meant to build a crib for our baby with his own hands. He was supposed to be by my side to feel the baby kick for the first time. Jack was always meant to be here" she began to cry, as Abigail stepped forward putting her arms around her.

"Oh Elizabeth, I know. He was meant to be here for everything, but we can't bring him back." Abigail had tears in her own eyes.

Deep sobs now wracked Elizabeth's body.

"I know but everywhere I look I'm reminded of him. I go for a walk and I remember where we went when we were courting, where Jack proposed, where we shared kisses and talked about our future. In the house, even though we only lived together for a short time, everything there reminds me of him. I don't know if I can do this."

"What is the alternative though, Elizabeth? You leave Hope Valley and go back to Hamilton with your parents?"

"I don't know" she whispered.

Abigail rubbed her back slowly. "You just need time. Things will begin to fade and it won't hurt anymore."

"I don't want to forget him though."

"You will never forget him, but the smaller things will fade and it will become easier."

Elizabeth nodded as Abigail handed her a handkerchief.

"Come back inside. I will make you a fresh cup of tea."

"I don't want everyone to see me upset."

"They understand, Elizabeth. Come along."

Abigail convinced her to go back inside and as soon as she sat down, Rosemary had a fresh cup of tea in front of her. Elizabeth glanced between her friends.

"Thank you. I'm sorry I'm always upset" she said, knowing Rosemary and Faith probably heard her outburst through the paper thin walls.

"Elizabeth, we expect nothing less" Rosemary said. "Now drink your tea. We need to discuss what your plans are for the classroom."

"My plans?"

"Yes. When do you think you will finish teaching?"

"I'm not sure yet."

"But you expect to return after the baby is born?"

"Yes, I will need an income. Maybe after the summer break."

"So we will need a replacement teacher for just a few months then. I think the ladies in the town should be able to cover things. What do you think Abigail?"

"Between you, Florence and the other mothers, I'm sure the town can manage in Elizabeth's absence" Abigail agreed.

Elizabeth was standing on the grass outside the school house on Monday when she caught a glimpse of red riding out of the trees. At first, she thought it was Jack, before she remembered that was impossible. She stared at the red speck as it rode into town. Jack's replacement.

After lunch, Elizabeth continued with her lesson plan but she was distracted.

"Mrs Thornton? Are you okay?" Cody asked, bringing her attention back to the classroom where she was getting a few strange looks from the older students.

"Yes, thank you Cody. Can you read from page 44 aloud, please?"

She concentrated as hard as she could and when the day was nearing the end, she dismissed class ten minutes early.

As the children filed out of the school house, she slumped into her chair exhausted.

Elizabeth had known a Mountie had been posted to Hope Valley to fill Jack's position. Abigail had told her last week. At the time she hadn't been too bothered because she knew the town needed a Mountie. Now, seeing the red serge in town, she realised just how difficult it was going to be for her.

Elizabeth tidied up the classroom and picked up her books before making her way slowly toward the café. She walked in the back door and saw Abigail hurrying around the kitchen.

"Oh Elizabeth. How was your day?"

"Good, thank you. How about yours?"

"Busy."

Elizabeth stood near the table as Abigail rushed about.

"Would you like me to serve some coffee?"

"Would you mind?"

"No, of course not."

Elizabeth walked over to the urn and filled up the coffee pot before making her way through the café. She offered coffee to each of the diners who all greeted her, smiling as she poured their coffee. Elizabeth heard the door chime while she was talking to Florence.

When she turned around she came face to face with the new Mountie. He was a lot taller than Jack and slimmer but also had dark hair. The bright red of his serge was glaring at her. Elizabeth almost dropped the coffee pot.

"Excuse me, ma'am. I'm the new Mountie in town. Constable Nathan Grant. Could I trouble you for a plate of dinner?"

Elizabeth just stared at him and she noticed that the sound in the café had all but stopped. It seemed everyone was sitting there in silence.

"Sorry. Excuse me." Elizabeth said as she rushed back out to the kitchen past Abigail, put the coffee pot down, grabbed her basket and walked out the back door without another word.

Abigail had come around the corner to see the Mountie talking to Elizabeth. She had seen the surprised look on Elizabeth's face. Abigail couldn't quite believe that out of all the people in town, the new Mountie would have addressed her first.

As Elizabeth passed her, she could see the Mountie staring after her wondering what he had said. The sound of the usual chatter in the café had all died down as everyone watched Elizabeth leave.

Abigail stepped forward once she had gone.

"Please, take a seat. I will bring a plate straight out for you."

The Mountie was still staring after Elizabeth.

"What did I say?" he asked.

"That was Elizabeth Thornton."

Immediately the Mountie understood.

"I'm so sorry, ma'am. I had no idea."

"It's okay. It wasn't your fault. She will come around eventually. Losing Jack has been incredibly hard on her. It has been hard for the whole town. He was stationed here for almost five years, so its expected."

"Of course. I knew this would be a hard post to fill. I knew Jack from my days at the academy. He was a good man. One of the best."

"That he was" Abigail said as she poured him some coffee. "I will be back in a moment with your meal."

Every time Elizabeth made her way about town for the rest of the week, she would see a glimpse of the red serge and feel like she had to move in the opposite direction. At school all the children had excitedly been talking about the new Mountie Nathan which Elizabeth could bear, it was just the sight of him that she couldn't handle. Often during class, she would catch a glimpse of red riding in or out of town and her heart would stop every time.

One night, she sat on her bed staring at Jack's spare red serge that still hung in the closet. She hadn't been able to pack it away, nor any of his other clothes. She went to the cupboard and took out one of Jack's shirts, the blue checked one that was her favourite.

Her intention had been to fold it and at least put some of his things out of sight but as Elizabeth ran her hands over it, she made the mistake of bringing it to her nose, inhaling the scent that he had left behind.

She closed her eyes and she could see him in front of her again, his dimpled smile as he stared at her. His green eyes meeting hers. She collapsed onto her bed, hugging his shirt to her chest as the emotion overwhelmed her.

When Elizabeth woke the next morning, even though she had cried herself to sleep, she realised she had slept probably the best she had since the news of Jack's death. His shirt was bunched underneath her and she realised that it was his scent that had made all the difference. When she made her bed that morning, she folded Jack's shirt up and left it under his pillow.

For church on Sunday, Elizabeth woke up and got dressed in her best outfit and took extra time with her hair and makeup. She knew that Abigail and Rosemary had been worried about her all week so she was going to try her best to appear strong and composed, although she was nothing of the sort on the inside.

Rosemary and Lee knocked on the door to walk with her to church as they had grown accustomed to doing in recent weeks.

"Hello Elizabeth" Rosemary said cheerfully.

"Hello Rosemary, Lee."

Rosemary took her by the arm and they walked toward the church with Lee by their side.

"I have organised some new skirts for you. I know you haven't asked yet, but I'm sure you will need them soon as your little one gets bigger."

"Thank you, Rosemary. I was just thinking about that this morning."

"Perhaps you can call in one afternoon this week and we can see about trying them on."

"That's a good idea."

As they neared the church, Elizabeth could see the Constable standing to the side of the church saying hello to people as they passed. As Elizabeth, Rosemary and Lee neared, Elizabeth couldn't help but avert her eyes and as Lee slowed to say hello, Elizabeth pulled away from Rosemary to head straight into the church. She found Abigail already there waiting, so she took her seat beside her and waited patiently for Frank to arrive to start the service.

"How are you this morning, Elizabeth? You look well."

"Fine, thank you. How are you?"

"Good. Cody made me breakfast this morning."

"How was it?"

"Better than his last attempt at scrambled eggs. At least there wasn't any shell in it this morning" Abigail said with a grin.

Elizabeth smiled back just as Frank emerged to begin the service.

Afterward, some of the ladies had organised a picnic to welcome the new Constable. Elizabeth did her best to appear pleasant but her close friends knew how difficult she was finding it. She walked up to the table at one stage to pour herself a drink when the Constable cornered her.

"Mrs Thornton?"

Elizabeth turned to the voice.

"I just wanted to say I'm deeply sorry for your loss. I knew your husband, Jack, from the academy. He was one of my mentors many years ago. He was one of the best."

"Yes, he was" she said sadly.

"I know how hard it must be for you to see me in town, especially considering I have taken on your husband's post. I hope over time that we might be able to become friends."

Elizabeth just nodded, not able to put her thoughts into words.

"I also heard that you are expecting. Congratulations."

"Thank you."

"If there is ever anything that you need help with, please don't hesitate to ask."

Elizabeth nodded again as Nathan walked away, leaving her alone. Elizabeth placed her drink back down and without a word to anyone, she turned away from the picnic and walked home, going back upstairs to her bedroom and curling up with Jack's shirt in her hands.