(05-16-2018) Here it is. I dunno, I feel like it could be a bit better.


I could hear the crowd of our friends standing out by the platform. There was no doubt in my mind that there were signs and banners welcoming Jack home. I just hoped he wouldn't be overwhelmed by it.

The stage came to a halt and sure enough, I could see everyone in Hope Valley waiting for our return. "Are they all here… for us?" Jack asked dumbfounded.

I smiled, "For you."

He was mesmerized by everyone outside, "Really?"

I laughed, "Yes, you're loved very much here." I could see Abigail standing with Abby in her arms. I smiled bigger just seeing her.

Jack opened the door and a roar of cheers erupted. He slowly stepped off of the carriage and immediately turned back to offer me his hand. I took it, easing myself down the few steps. His hand was so warm and I didn't want to let it go once my feet hit the dirt, but I did, "Thank you." I said.

My students came running up to us, a couple of the younger ones hugging my legs, the rest standing before us. "My goodness!" I smiled, "Excited are we?"

"We missed you so much!" Emily said.

I could see Jack out of the corner of my eye, taking all of this in.

"We missed you too, Mountie Jack," Opal said, still attached to me. He smiled at her and to every one of them, "Mrs. Thornton has been really sad without you."

I turned so that she was on the other side of me, I felt the heat rise in my cheeks. "Thank you, Opal."

"She really has been, Constable Thornton." Hattie added, "She ran right out of school when that Mountie came and told her where you were."

"Speaking of school, shouldn't you all be there right now?" I interjected, so embarrassed.

Florence came up, "They should. Let's go children." I was surprised to see her teaching them while I was away, but I wasn't about to question it. "Elizabeth, there is no rush for you to hurry right back to school. Take whatever time you need. Rosemary and I switch off on days so not just one of us it constantly there. Only you have the patience for that." She smiled, but I knew she meant it. "It's truly wonderful to see you again, Jack," she said as she herded the children away and to the school.

He nodded, "You as well?" he looked at me for an answer.

"Florence," I reassured him.

Just before they were all gone, Opal let go of me and hugged Jack. She took him off guard, but he put a hand on her back, "I really missed you, Mountie Jack. And thank you for saving my life." She let go, smiled up at him, and ran to catch up with the rest of the children. He looked at me very confused.

"I'll explain later. Come on." I smiled to him and nodded for him to follow over to our friends. Most people had cleared out but Abigail, Rosemary, Lee, and Bill all stayed.

Abby made noise, drawing my attention to her and she reached to me from Abigail's arms. I smiled and took her from Abigail with no objection from anyone. Jack didn't say anything, but I knew he wanted to and that the wheels in his head were turning.

"How was she for you two?" I asked Rosemary and Lee.

Rosemary put up a hand, "We can discuss that later." she said, but not in a way that concerned me at all.

"How overwhelmed are you right now?" Lee asked Jack, resulting in Rosemary smacking him in the arm.

Jack smiled, "Um, a bit." he thought for a second, "Okay, a lot." we all laughed.

"I suppose we should introduce ourselves. Bill Avery." Bill said, extending his hand out and Jack took it.

"Lee." Lee did the same, extending out his hand as well.

Rosemary smiled big, "Jack Thornton. Look at you. You are a sight for sore eyes."

"You must be Rosemary," Jack said going to shake her hand.

I held in a snort.

"I see you've been told about me." Rosemary gave me the eye, but I avoided it.

"All good things, I assure you," Jack said, giving me a wink and I had to remind myself to breathe.

"And Abigail, am I correct?" He said looking at her.

Tears brimmed her eyes and she nodded, "You don't know what a relief it is to see you, Jack." She shook his hand and I knew she wanted to wrap him up in a hug. He was like a son to her and seeing him meant so much to her.

"And this." I said, "Is Abby." I turned her to him and her eyes fixated on him.

He looked at her than to me and back to Abby, "She does look just like you." he laughed, causing me to smile. "Hello, little one."

Abby gave him a toothless grin and giggled, she reached for him. "Dada."

My breath caught in my throat and Jack just looked at me, "Can I?"

"Of course," I answered, "You don't need to ask."

Jack carefully took Abby from me and she didn't fuss one bit as she usually did when someone new held her. It was natural for Jack. The way he held Abby, they were both comfortable. Abby giggled again and leaned into him.

Tears stung my eyes. A sight I never thought I would have the opportunity to see in my entire life. They fit together perfectly.

"We'll catch up with you later." Abigail said, "Come and find me if you need anything" she encouraged the others to follow her lead.

They all agreed and went their separate ways, leaving us in the middle of Main Street. Abby went back to supporting herself upright and caught sight of me again, reaching for me. I took her back in my arms and she sat on my arm. I cleared my throat, "So, uh, we should head back to the house." I said.

I went to go grab my bag but Jack stopped me. "I'll get it. It's the least I could do." He said. I went to object but he gave me a look saying not to argue because I wouldn't win. I nodded and he lifted our things with a wince but didn't make a peep. "Lead the way," he said.

We walked side by side as we made our way to the row houses. Three in and we were standing in front of our home. I walked up the steps and opened the door, stepping over the threshold and into the living room.

Abby had fallen asleep during our short walk so I placed her gently in her bassinet.

"Where… uh." Jack said, wondering where to put the bags.

"Over there is fine," I said. When I was done making sure Abby was all settled, I turned and saw Jack staring at the pictures on our small end table. I went up beside him.

His gaze was fixed on one photo in particular, "Was that our wedding day?" he asked, not looking away from it.

I smiled, "Yes. It was so perfect." I thought back to that day's events, "Well, after the town fixed everything."

That made him look up, "How do you mean?"

"With every good intention, the children were practicing lighting the candles for the ceremony."

"Oh no." he already knew what was going to happen next.

"Oh yes. That's what Opal meant earlier when she thanked you for saving her life. She was still inside the church and you ran in and pulled her out of the burning building. She would have died if you didn't go in for her."

His eyes went wide as they had been more often these past few days. "I did that?"

I nodded, "You did. But after that, everything was ruined. The flowers, the church, everything inside." I sighed, "Including my dress."

"Geez," he said just above a whisper.

"But everyone pitched in and pulled off a miracle putting the church back together with painting and re-building. And Rosemary, good Lord, Rosemary used her own wedding dress to make mine… I could have strangled her when I found out."

"That's incredible… They all came together to help us." He said in awe.

"It's a very close-knit community. More of a family really." I smiled.

We stood in silence for a moment and I scanned over the pictures.

Jack broke the silence, "You look absolutely breathtaking in the wedding portrait."

I gave him a smile, "Thank you." I laughed.

"What's so funny?" he gave me a confused look.

I continued to laugh, "Nothing, only… You had such a hard time undoing the laces of the corset beneath the dress." I shook my head, "I needed to explain to you step by step how to undo it."

He laughed a bit too, "Really? That bad huh?"

I nodded, "You started to tighten it before you even loosened it."

He laughed lightly now, seeming to only be polite as he shifted his weight from one foot to another.

"I'm sorry, this must be awkward to talk about for you. Corsets and weddings and such."

He shook his head, "No, it's alright. I was just thinking. It's like untying and unlacing a shoe, right?"

"Yes," That's exactly how I described it that day to him, to guide him through getting it off. I cleared my throat, "Would you like some tea? Or coffee maybe?" I went into the kitchen, just a few steps away.

"Coffee sounds wonderful right now." and he followed me.


*shrugs* Eh...

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