(05-13-2018) Okay, here it is. Let me know what you think! This chapter is the longest I've posted so far.

"He has amnesia and he had broken bones that had been set properly by the man who found him." I followed the doctor down the hallway as he spoke. "He did have wounds on his arms, legs, and torso, naturally, having tumbled down a rock face." I tried to steady my breathing as it seemed we passed by room after room after room. "As far as we know, he only knows he was a Mountie and was married. There wasn't any identification on his coat, though it was checked over many times." He stopped outside of a door, finally. "You may stay as long as you please, Mrs. Thornton. Do you have any questions?"

My mind raced, but one question was in the front of my mind, "How does he know he was married?"

"The ring on his left hand, but according to him, he doesn't know who she is. But in his sleep, he always says-"

"Elizabeth," my voice cracked saying my name.

"Yes," he said, "I'll go in first and you can come in after me. Again, stay as long as you like." I took a breath as he walked into the room before me; I stayed in the hall. My stomach churned again and again as he spoke, "Constable? I hope now isn't a bad time for you. But there is someone here to visit you. She may help to jog your memory." I saw him turn to me, my cue to walk in.

I took a breath, my heart ready to come out of my throat. What if it wasn't him? What if it were someone else? What would I do then? I couldn't go through that heartbreak again. Not again. I could have emptied the contents of my stomach right there and then, but swallowed it down.

Like they had minds of their own, my feet moved. Right, left, right, left. My gaze focused on the floor before me. Right, left. I saw the foot of the bed, barely able to hear over the sound of my own heartbeat.

I finally looked up, and the eyes looking back at me were ones I was far too familiar with. "Hello." he said, standing from the chair he was seated in wincing, "Sorry, a bit sore.". He gave me that half smile that melted my heart just as it did six years ago.

"Hi," I breathed. I felt light. So, so light. Over this past year, a year of heartache and confusion, with the tiniest bit of happiness. Jack was standing before me, in one piece.

"Is this the man you were hoping to see?" the doctor asked me.

I didn't look away from my husband, "Yes,"

The doctor took a breath, "Well, I'll leave you two to chat." He gave me a nod, "Good day, ma'am." and he exited the room.

I was frozen right where I stood, "So…" Jack said, "We're friends?"

I had to remind myself to breathe, "In so many words."

He nodded, "Ma'am, I may not know much because I can't remember anything. But judging by the matching rings we both wear, I'd say we are what is considered more than friends?"

A sob came out of me and I covered my mouth, not able to stop the tears. But I didn't move. He looked at me apologetically. "I'm sorry." I said, "I'm just… so, happy to see you." I put my hand on my chest.

He put a hand up, "No, don't apologize. I'm sorry, I don't… that I can't… I want to remember." he shook his head, putting a hand on his forehead. "They told me this would be difficult."

"And I don't want you to think you have to remember anything," I said to him and he looked back up at me. "I just need you to know, that you being safe is the most important thing."

He smiled at me now, "You're name wouldn't happen to be Elizabeth, would it? They say I say that name in my sleep."

"It is." I cleared my throat.

"Beautiful name, for a beautiful woman."

I laughed, "Jack Thornton, I'm glad to see you haven't lost your ability to make me blush." I took in a breath. "I've been… I can't even put it into words on how much I've missed you."

"Really?" He looked surprised. "Is that my name? Jack?" he asked, "No one has been quite sure." he put his hands in his pockets.

I nodded, "Constable Jack Thornton."

"And you are?" he asked.

"Elizabeth Thornton."

"Mrs. Elizabeth Thornton?" He replied and it sent a chill down my spine hearing him say my name again. I nodded, "Well, Mrs. Thornton." he said it again, causing me to take a breath, "Would it be alright if I asked you some questions?"

"Of course." I nodded and he gestured for me to sit. We were a good six feet away from each other and I only wanted to touch him. To be sure he was real. That I wasn't dreaming.

Wincing at the pain as he sat, he began, "So, how long have we been married?"

"Going on a year and five months," I answered.

"That's all?" He seemed shocked, "How long were we courting?"

"About four years."

His eyes widened a bit, "That long? And you stuck around?"

I laughed, I couldn't help it. He searched my face, seeming to scan over every inch of me. "What is it?"

"Do that again." He said.

"Do what?" I asked, confused.

"Laugh. Laugh again." He said, "Please."

"Well, I don't know… It's just an automatic thing."

He sat and thought for a second, "No matter, it'll happen again." He gave me a smile. That smile. That damned smile. "Are you alright?"

I blinked, "What?"

"You seemed… fixated on something."

His mouth. I was staring at his lips and his perfect teeth.

"Oh," I lowered my gaze. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." He came a bit closer. If I could have, I would have jumped at him and hugged him so tight. I wanted to breathe him in and feel his warmth.

He was scanning me, "What is it?" I asked, shifting. Why was I self-conscious around him?

"I know I said it before, but I mean it. You are very beautiful." I blushed again, "Not just outside, but from your behavior as well, I can tell you are beautiful on the inside."

I took a deep breath, the tears brimming in my eyes, "How do you mean?"

"You are being cautious to not to say too much to take me off guard, considering my memory is lacking. You're holding yourself together very well, but I can see it in your eyes how much you care. And, you're on the edge of your seat holding yourself back when I can see you just need to be held tight."

I was speechless.

"It's alright you know. No matter how much it hurts me to not know who you are, it hurts all the same seeing you have clearly suffered. I think it would benefit us both." He stood up and held his right hand out to me. Slowly I took it with my left. He was so warm and I felt every callus on his hand. They fit together as they always did, so perfectly. He stepped closer, letting go of my hand and put his arms around me.

I melted into him, embracing him and holding him tight. I can't imagine what he thought of me as I sobbed into his shoulder. He matched my grip with one of his own. I felt like all of my pieces had been fit back together and all of my worries had been lifted away.

We didn't move for a while as he just held me. He had no idea who I was, and yet he still held me as if we'd never spent a day apart.

I sat on the small sofa in the parlor of my parent's grand home. I nursed my tea as Julie sat next to me and my mother across from me.

"And he didn't remember anything?" Julie asked.

I shook my head, "Not a thing."

"Did you tell him about the baby?" My mother asked, now.

"I wanted to so badly, but I feel like that would have been too much for him to take in one day," I said.

"He needs to know." She said back.

"I know that. But I only just saw him again for the first time today. He didn't know who I was… I can't just say to him, "By the way, we have a daughter." That is too much for anyone to handle. Even Jack." Why did I always have to defend him with her?

"Elizabeth." My father came into the room, "I had that telegram sent, it should make it to Mrs. Stanton first thing in the morning."

"Thank you, father." I sent a telegram to Abigail telling her it was Jack and that the doctor's said he could leave in a few days if he wished.

"Oh, Elizabeth." Julie put her hand on my arm, "I'm so happy for you! It's a miracle he's here."

"I prayed to God every night and he heard me. I just hope that Jack decides to come back to Hope Valley with me. He said he wouldn't mind and he wants to see if it'll bring back his memory. I don't want to force anything on him." I put my teacup down as the clock struck nine o'clock. "It's late, I should get to bed."

"Late?" Julie asked, taken aback.

I laughed, "Yes, late. I'm still on home schedule."

"Having a little one does that to you." My mother cut in.

"You'll understand someday, Julie," I said taking her hand and giving it a squeeze before I stood up. "Goodnight, I'll see you all in the morning."

"Goodnight, dear." my mother said and Julie gave me a nod.

My father spoke up though, "Oh, Elizabeth, as you know, I have connections with the Mounties, and I asked about Jack's horse."

"Sergeant?" I said.

"Yes, they had him at one of the posts nearby, and they are sending him to Hope Valley in the morning. They actually were planning on giving him to you after he was found also being cared for by the man who found and also cared for Jack. Whether it was Jack in the Hospital or not. The horses marking indicate that it was his horse."

I sighed, happy to know Sergeant was also safe. I hate to admit it, but through everything, I'd completely forgotten about him. "I'm so glad to hear that."

I usually would climb into bed and say my prayers from there, but this night was different. I knelt on the side of my bed, just as I had been taught when I was a little girl. I folded my hands and placed them on the bed before me.

"Thank you, God. Thank you for hearing my prayers and bringing my husband back to me. I will forever be grateful and thank you every night for him. Also, thank you for my wonderful family by blood. Although, many times we don't see eye to eye, their hearts are in the right place. Thank you for everyone back home in Hope Valley, Abigail, Rosemary, Lee, all of my students and everyone else. For them supporting me through everything. Thank you for my beautiful daughter. She is the light of my life, if and when Jack gets his memory back, I know he'll adore her just as much."

I was crying again, but this time they were quiet happy tears. "And finally, thank you for every day. Whether it be the worst day it could possibly be or the best day in the whole world. Thank you for every waking moment. I am so grateful to you, that I wake up every day and get to lead my life how I wish. God bless everyone that may come my way, be that they are good or evil. Amen."

With the sign on the cross, I stood up and climbed into bed.

I slept soundly that night. More-so than I had in a very, very long time.

Thank you all for being patient. I really wanted this one to be good! I hope you liked it! The last section meant a lot to me to write. I don't pray nearly as often as I should. But I do make it a point that no matter how my day went I thank God for every now and again. If you don't believe in God, but in something/someone else, or nothing at all. You do you! Alright, hope you liked it!

I also wanted to say that I am truly grateful for all of your support in this story and I only write it because you all read it. God bless you all. See you all at the next chapter!

ALSO if you haven't already, go follow my "When Calls the Heart" account _when_calls_the_heart_