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There was not a dry eye in the house as Elizabeth gave her heartfelt rendition of 'Danny Boy' that evening. Rosemary couldn't help but be in awe of her strength. Elizabeth had always been strong and it was one of the many qualities she admired about her friend, but seeing her standing before them singing her heart out for her Mountie she redefined strength.

After the performance the kids had gathered around her in a group hug, sensing and knowing that their beloved teacher needed their love and support. That they too were under instructions from Mountie Jack to take care of Mrs Thornton and make sure she was never too sad. That she never felt alone.

Abigail stayed behind until she and Elizabeth were the last ones in the school house. She knew that Elizabeth just wanted to go back home and wallow, and she would allow her that. Just as they were about to head out the door Opal had run into the school house,

"Miss Thatcher, I mean Mrs Jack" both Elizabeth and Abigail smiled at the sweet little girl before them. They both had a feeling that Mrs Jack was going to stick and Elizabeth didn't mind. Even if the mention of Jack's name tugged at her heart longing for him.

"Yes Opal,"

"I wanted to give you Brownie to keep you company and keep you safe while Mountie Jack was away. I was going to give him to Mountie Jack but he said you would probably need him more." Opal held her beloved bear out to her beloved teacher. Elizabeth bent down so that she could be eye to eye with Opal taking her offering,

"Thank you Opal. I tell you what, I think Mountie Jack did such a good job in making sure that I am well taken care of that I probably only need Brownie on the weekends. You can have him for the rest of time, after all Mountie Jack would want Brownie to take care of you too." Opal nodded and wrapped her arms around Elizabeth's neck. Elizabeth returned her hug with great affection.

"Would you like some dinner before you go home?" Abigail asked as they closed the school house before leaving.

"I don't think I can deal with the sympathetic glances tonight. I appreciate that everyone just wants to be supportive, I just I don't think I can do it tonight. I just want to climb into our bed and stay there. At least for the night. I'll return to civilisation tomorrow." Abigail smiled at her friend in understanding. She wouldn't have blamed her if she wanted to take the week off to wallow but the following day was a Monday and that meant it was a school day.

"Why don't you take tomorrow off. You certainly don't have to stay indoors but a day to process might be good. Rosemary said to tell you she can cover you at school tomorrow." Elizabeth nodded gratefully.

"I would love the day. Please tell her I said thank you if I don't see her before you."

"I will. Do you need anything?"

"My husband?" Elizabeth answered with a grin bringing out a chuckle from Abigail.

"If I could, I would in a heart beat."

"I know. Thank you Abigail. For everything."

"You're welcome Elizabeth." Abigail walked Elizabeth to her door and hugged her goodnight assuring her that if she needed anything that she was there.

Elizabeth walked through the door and immediately felt Jack's absence. She locked the door behind her and without turning on the lights she walked straight up to their room stripping off her clothes and letting them fall to the floor. She slipped under covers in only her underwear closing her eyes imagining it were Jack's arms that enveloped her instead of the duvet. She took his pillow and hugged it close breathing in his scent as tears uncontrollably down her cheeks.

Meanwhile Jack had set up camp, he still had half a day of riding until he reached headquarters. He was grateful that he had some time to himself before he was surrounded by hundreds of Mounties. He wanted some time to reflect on the last few days. He wanted time to cherish the new memories he created with Elizabeth. He could still smell her scent on him and he tried to commit that smell to his memory knowing it would soon be lost from his clothing. He could still feel her touch and it brought tears to his eyes knowing that she was missing him just as much as he was missing her. He reached into his satchel to pull out his notebook to write her a letter. He smiled as an envelope fell out of it recognising her handwriting immediately.

"My dearest Jack,

As I write this you are asleep beside me. In a few hours we will be saying our goodbyes and the thought of that makes it hard to breathe.

To imagine that you won't be here for me to wake next to, to not walk with, share kisses with, makes my heart hurt in a way it never has before.

I love you Jack Theodore Thornton. I suspect I have loved you from the moment I met you but it pales in comparison to the love I have for you today that seems to just keep growing as seconds pass by. You Jack Thornton have made me a hopeless romantic. You have made my dreams come true, even the ones my heart hadn't yet shared with my head. I love that I got to be your wife. That God destined it to be so.

I don't want you to worry about me. I'll be okay. I will miss you terribly and long for you all the time we are apart. It's somewhat bittersweet to finally have you as my husband, only for a day before you leave but I am so grateful we got to stand before God and commit our lives together.

I am so proud of you Jack. I want you to know that you're doing the right thing. You are called to be a Mountie and the same God who called me to teach at Hope Valley is the same God who called you to fight the good fight. Bad things happen when Good people do nothing and you my love are doing something. God will honour that.

Know that I am praying for you every second of every day. When you miss me, close your eyes and imagine me in your arms hugging you tightly.

I love you Jack Theodore Thornton, with all my heart, today and forevermore.

Your wife, Elizabeth

Jack found himself sobbing missing her terribly but comforted that she understood. That she released him, that she was proud of him, and that she loved him. He needed to see the words and he could almost hear her voice as he read her letter. In the envelope he also found a lock of her hair held together by a ribbon. He held it in his hand and brought to his lips before tucking inside his serge jacket, close to his heart where she lived.

Elizabeth awoke at dawn whilst it was still dark light was beginning to break through and all she could think about was this time the day before her husband was in their bed making love to her. She found herself hugging his pillow closer to her. On the arm chair in the corner of the room she saw that he had left his sweater out for her. It was the blue one she loved to see him wear. She rose from the bed only to grab it and put it on. As she picked it up a letter had fallen from between the folds. With shaking hands she picked it up from the floor and sat on armchair to read,

My dearest Elizabeth

You're in the bathroom right now getting ready and we've just spent the morning making love. I figured whilst you were in there I'd write you a quick letter to tell you that I love you.

I can see how strong you're being for me. I can hear your muffled sobs coming from the bathroom as you try and compose yourself before we leave for town.

I've never met anyone who's as brave as you and I am so proud that you are my wife.

The days ahead will be tough and nothing is harder than knowing I will be leaving you.

I know that this town will keep you safe and will go above and beyond to ensure you are loved and taken care of.

I promise you that I am coming back to you. Elizabeth Grace Thornton you are my life. You are my home and it is you I will always come to and it is you I will always come home for.

I love you with all my heart, today and everyday for the rest of our lives.

Your husband, Jack

At the bottom of the letter he had sketched her small hands on top of his, their wedding rings on. It captured them perfectly. She held his letter to her chest and climbed back into bed not ready to face anything.

Elizabeth spent most of the day in bed and only left it when her stomach grumbled at 3 in the afternoon. As she got downstairs, dressed in nothing but Jack's sweater she realised that Abigail had been over. There was a basket of food sitting on her table filled with some of her favourite things. She grabbed a biscuit and ate it plain as she grabbed her notepad and began to write to Jack.