(Jack's POV)

The next day came, and I trudged out of bed. My feet still felt like they were made of lead, as I got up to feed Rip. Today, Abigail and I were going to sit down with Pastor Hogan to plan Elizabeth's service, go through her clothes to pick out what to bury her in...and then we were going to tell everyone about Ms. Thatcher's death.

I made myself some coffee, then made my way to Abigail's thinking of how I just needed to take things day by day for right now.

I can make it through today. I can make it through today. Things will be okay. She won't want me to be sad, I have to be okay.

Clara was working in the kitchen when I arrived, and she told me that Abigail was upstairs, which is what I had suspected. I walked up there, to find Abigail in Elizabeth's room. Her clothes were on the bed in piles, as Abigail began to sort and fold them.

"Jack, I didn't know when you were planning on getting here, so I thought I'd get a head start. I hope you don't mind."

"That's okay, I understand," I survey the room and try to figure out Abigail's method. "So what's the plan then?"

"The clothes on the left I was thinking could be given to the less fortunate in Coal Valley. The stuff on the right are things to keep. Maybe give to you or Elizabeth's family. The middle are the things I'm still trying to figure out."

I surveyed the piles, but mostly the middle one. Underneath it all, I saw it. A glimpse of that fabric. "That dress." All I can do is point to it. "I want to keep it. She was wearing that the day we met."

Abigail helps me grab the dress, and all I can seem to do is hold it tight in my arms, as I study it. I try to imagine her in it, shaking my hand for the first time. The warmth I felt from the very start, even through the walls we both had built up. I wasn't happy on that first day, but something about it her, made it...confusing. She gave me another challenge, but a good one at that. This will be all I have left of her… Tears trickle down my face again as that fact hits me once more.

Abigail and I continue to sort, until we came across the one. I point to it, the feeling of everything feeling too real once more. "That's the one. I think she should wear that one," I took a deep breath, pulling myself together, "We wore that on one of our first dates." I imagined holding her in my arms once more, dancing around the candlelight. Oh Elizabeth, if only I could do that once more.

Abigail took the dress and hung it on a hanger, trying to prevent wrinkles and make it look nice. "I think this is a wonderful choice. She would've agreed."

All of these dresses, all of these memories. It's really getting to me. I have an idea for Elizabeth's service, but I don't think I'll say anything about it just yet. Pastor Hogan dropped by, and we all discussed over coffee and biscuits what we wanted Elizabeth's service to be like. It was hard at first, but then I determined that this service would be beautiful and peaceful, just like her.

Next came the hard part. Pastor Hogan called for an emergency town meeting in the church, so that way we could tell everyone about what was going on.

As everyone began to gather, I started freaking out a little bit. I'd rather deal with this on my own. After my father's passing, I couldn't take everyone coddling me just because I had suffered the death of my dad. Now, I was about to put myself in a similar position, as the late beloved school teacher's, now widowed, husband.

Abigail and Pastor Hogan sat in the front row of the pews, and as I stood up, the room fell silent.

"I'm sure you're all wondered why we're all here today. Many of you probably already have some sort of idea as to what's going on…" Tears filled my eyes, and I looked at the ground. "Ms. Thatcher, or technically now Mrs. Thatcher-Thornton, passed away yesterday."

Some people gasped, other than that, it was eerily quiet. You could hear a pin drop. I could see people tearing up, the students in the back were crying.

I quickly sat down and Pastor Hogan rose to speak. "I will be here daily for those who need to grieve. Rosemary has offered to continue to teach, until the town can find a new school teacher. Abigail and Jack have decided to donate most of Elizabeth's belongings to those less fortunate. Elizabeth's service will be held this Sunday. I know this is hard, Elizabeth changed this town during her time here, but I know that God had a bigger plan for her, which meant she had to leave. If any of you need anything, we are all here for each other."

I couldn't take this. Everyone was silent and sobbing. People were hugging each other, talking to me, talking Abigail. The school children didn't understand what was going on. I used this time to run away and leave for Hamilton.