"What time does the train get in?" Julie asked.

"We'll walk over in about an hour," Elizabeth said, putting the water on to boil. "We'd love to have you come with us. You can meet the charming Archie Grant."

"I would like that." Julie was at the table with Jack, coloring with pencils. "Jack, Auntie Julie wants the red pencil, please," Julie said, reaching for it. When Jack looked her right in the eye and hid the pencil under the table, Julie said petulantly to Elizabeth, "Sister. Jack won't let me use the red pencil."

Elizabeth laughed and knelt down next to Jack. "It's important for us to learn to play together, isn't it, Jack? Here, you take the blue one. Let Auntie Julie have the red one." Elizabeth made a face at Julie. "Honestly, Julie. He's two."

Julie frowned at Elizabeth. "I needed it for my flowers."

"It doesn't help our red pencil situation that Jack insists on drawing the red serge morning, noon and night," Elizabeth said, kissing Jack's cheek.

Julie smiled. "Awww, he loves his dad." She looked at Jack and said, "Maybe he'll become a Mountie."

Elizabeth looked distressed. "Oh, Julie. Bite your tongue. I finally get my husband back after a whole week. It feels like it's been a year."

"So, how are you going to tell him?" Julie whispered, leaning over her teacup.

Elizabeth smiled, her cheeks going pink. "It's pretty simple. I just... tell him."

Julie rolled her eyes. "You've obviously never handled event planning, sister. These things must be orchestrated. Like a symphony." Julie tilted her head, liking the sound of that.

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. "Hopefully minus the audience." She shook her head. "No, Nathan and I live a relatively uncomplicated life. No symphonies. I was going to ask Archie and Allie, and you if you're here, to watch Jack. Then I'll take Nathan out to the porch swing, and I'll just tell him." She laughed softly, "It's going to be hard enough not to blurt it out at the train station."

Julie sighed. "Well, it's not how I would do it, but that does sound sweetly like the two of you. You're kind of perfect for each other, you know?"

Her eyes going soft, Elizabeth said, "Yes. I do know."

Julie laughed and bent down to whisper to Jack. "There she goes again..." then she stood to fill her cup. "Well, on the love front, I have some news."

Elizabeth's eyes brightened. "Lucas?"

Julie smiled and raised her chin, "I have a date."

Elizabeth clapped her hands. "That's wonderful! How did he ask you?"

"He didn't," Julie said. "I did what you told me. I was direct and asked him."

Elizabeth frowned. "I never told you that."

"Oh? Then I guess it was my idea," Julie said, laughing. "In any case, it worked."

Elizabeth said, "What did you say?"

Julie used her formal tone. "I said, 'Lucas. We spend hours together every day. I enjoy your company. We have a lot in common and you make me laugh. I think we should have dinner together.'"

Elizabeth's eyes went wide. "Julie! You didn't!"

Julie grinned. "I did."

"And what did he say?"

Julie sighed a little. "He said, 'I thought you'd never ask me,' and then he bowed and kissed my hand. It was actually quite romantic."

Elizabeth shook her head, her mouth open. "Well, you two are made for each other."

"And I was thinking, if the dinner goes well, that you could invite us over for supper here. Just the four of us. Sometime." She looked up at Elizabeth.

Nodding, Elizabeth said, "We can do that. And Nathan and I were talking about it - Sunday is Archie's birthday, and we want to have a party for him next week. We'll invite the town to introduce him to those he hasn't met, and it can also be our housewarming." Elizabeth sipped her tea. "Since you're such a modern woman brazenly asking men out on dates, why don't you and Lucas come together?"

Julie smiled. "That's a lovely idea. I will ask him."

Elizabeth looked at the clock. Suddenly her heart started racing a little. She took a deep breath and said, "Julie, I'm nervous. Why am I nervous?"

Taking her hand, Julie said, softly, "It's not every day you tell a man he's going to be a father..." She looked at Jack and smiled, "In the same week you've told him that he's become a father." She laughed and squeezed Elizabeth's hand. "This is a big week for Nathan! Better get the smelling salts ready," she said, winking at her sister.

They heard Allie's door close down the hall. "Finished with my homework. It's time to go, isn't it?" she said, excited. "I can't believe I'm going to see Grandpa again. And that he's coming to live with us!" Allie said. She reached her arms around Jack and said, "He's your Grandpa too, and you're going to love him, Jack. He tells great stories."

"Bumpa. Stowee." Jack said, still coloring his picture.

Elizabeth sighed and looked at Julie. "New words every day. He's going to be using full sentences soon!"

Julie put her arm around Jack and hugged him. "They do grow up."

Allie already had her coat on. She said to Jack, "We're going to see the big train, Jack!"

"Twain," he said, smiling up at her. She lifted him off the chair and took him to the coat rack to get him dressed warmly for their walk.

Elizabeth laughed and said to Julie. "I guess we're going. She's pretty excited to see her grandfather again."

Julie looked at Elizabeth from under her lashes. "And you're not at all excited to see your husband..."

In fact, when Elizabeth did see Nathan step off the train, she ran to him, because she simply couldn't stop herself. He was in his civilian clothes and looked so handsome, and the soft fire in his eyes told her all she needed to know about how much he'd missed her.

They held each other for a long time and then Nathan took her face in his hands and kissed her, gently. "You are so beautiful," he said.

Elizabeth blushed prettily. "That's very sweet talk. And I was just thinking how handsome you look."

By the time they'd let go of each other, Allie had already introduced Julie to her grandfather and the charm competition had begun in earnest. And although Archie had seen Jack from a distance in Hope Valley, he'd never met him. When Nathan and Elizabeth finally let a little bit of the rest of the world in, they looked over to see Archie with his face near Jack's and Jack's plump hand tightly gripping Archie's finger. Allie had already gotten him to repeat Bumpa, and Archie's eyes were glistening with happiness.

They all walked back to the house, with Julie holding Jack when he would let her, Allie holding his hand when he wanted to walk, and Archie basking in the joy of his family. Nathan and Elizabeth walked behind, talking softly about Jessie and Stella and Sam Hughes and his Marie, and how happy Nathan was to be back in the quiet streets of Hope Valley.

"When we get home, will you sit on the porch swing with me?" Elizabeth said softly. "I've been out there alone all week, waiting for this night."

He pulled her closer. "I imagined myself there so many times, I might not believe it's real," he said, softly.

Archie got settled into his bedroom, and Julie took Elizabeth aside. "Go," she said, her eyes twinkling. "I can handle anything Archie needs. You two go gaze at the moon. And talk."

Elizabeth's eyes widened, and she said, "Thank you, Julie. I love that you're here to share this with me."

Julie hugged her tightly. "I love you, too, sister. There's nowhere I'd rather be."

Elizabeth took Nathan's hand and led him outside. The stars were out, but they were being overpowered by the full moon which was now reflecting on the pond, creating a perfect replica of itself on the surface.

"Finally," Nathan said, dropping down into the swing and taking Elizabeth with him. She curled into his chest in her usual spot, and leaned her head back on his shoulder.

Nathan's arms came around her and he kissed her neck. "I missed you so much," he said softly. "I missed sitting here with you."

Elizabeth put her arms on his and tightened their hold around her. "I'm very glad you're home. The telephone is incredible, but it can't do this." She turned and leaned the few inches to touch his lips with hers. They held there, just breathing and listening to the whispering of the trees.

After a moment she turned back and snuggled into the warmth of his coat. She wasn't quite ready yet, and needed to calm her nerves with some ordinary talk. "Nathan, what you did? Finding Jessie and buying Sunset for her? It was so kind and generous of you."

He laughed softly. "I got a good deal on her. Mr. Bailey had no idea how high I would have been willing to go on the price. Jessie is head over heels for that horse."

"Do you think she'll visit?" Elizabeth said.

"She and Stella may come down for Christmas to see Dad. I told them they could stay with us," Nathan said.

"So, about Stella..." Elizabeth said. "This may seem like it's out of left field, but..."

Nathan laughed softly. "I don't know, Elizabeth. I really tried to figure it out while I was up there. I can't tell whether Stella and Jessie just reminded Dad of Sarah and Allie, or whether they're..."

"Related?" Elizabeth said for him.

"Yeah." Nathan leaned his head back. "There were a lot of years when he was gone on business, or lost to us because of his gambling. I suppose he could have met someone. Stella has exactly his eyes, deep brown. And he certainly feels tender toward them." He smiled. "He said something to me about the fact that he's had a long life and he might need to break it all to me slowly. I felt like that was what he was trying to say to me."

"How does that make you feel? Does it bother you?"

Nathan exhaled. "I've been more bothered for Mom than for myself for a lot of my life. I talked to her when she was here, and she helped me to let go of being so upset for the way he treated her. She told me to deal with my own hurt and leave her out of it," he said, chuckling.

"That sounds like Rebecca," Elizabeth said.

"So, if I leave her out of it," he said, smiling, "Would I be glad to have more family? Yes. You know me, I want to fill this house with family."

The perfect time. The perfect segue...

"Nathan?" she said. "I have something..."

She sounded suddenly so serious that Nathan sat up. He'd been expecting this, and he'd rehearsed it in his head on the train. "I know..." he said, interrupting her.

Elizabeth turned so she could look him right in the eye. "You know?"

Nathan frowned. "Well, I think I know..."

Now Elizabeth's eyes narrowed. "You think you know... what?"

"I think I know how you feel about having Dad living with us indefinitely. I mean, we are still newlyweds, officially, and the house is getting a little crowded..."

Oh, you have no idea, Elizabeth thought, smiling. It's getting more crowded by the day.

"Well, I realized on the train that we should have talked it over before I just flat out told him he could live here with us. And the same with inviting Stella and Jessie to stay here at Christmas." Nathan frowned. "It wasn't fair to you. We should make those decisions together."

"Nathan, I think I suggested your father live here in the first place. I like having your father here. And I'd love to spend time with Stella and Jessie," Elizabeth said. "That's not what I was going to say."

"Oh, sorry. So you don't mind if Dad stays here until he decides if he's going to stay in Hope Valley? I don't know how long that will be..."

"Yes, that's fine," Elizabeth said, laughing. "Now may I speak?"

"Yes. Sorry. What did you want to say?"

They were still facing each other on the swing. Elizabeth took his hand in hers. Suddenly, she felt the nerves coming back and actually wished she had planned for Julie's symphony. Her heart was pounding. She took a breath and wordlessly placed his hand over her heart.

Nathan looked concerned. "Elizabeth, what's wrong? What do you have to tell me? Is it terrible?"

She laughed. "No. It's... wonderful." She took his hand and moved it down to her stomach, holding it there. With a shy smile, she said, "You wanted a hockey team..."

Elizabeth watched in wonder as understanding came into his eyes. In fact, she watched them change color in the light of the moon. Then his disbelief took over. Then confusion. Then realization. And then a love that went deeper than any she'd ever seen.

He looked from her eyes to her stomach, then back to her eyes. His breath was coming faster, and he said, whispering, "Are you saying... Elizabeth, are you... Are we?"

She nodded with tears in her eyes. "Yes."

He pulled her to him and hugged her so tightly she could hardly breathe, and when she gasped, laughing, he let go, saying, "Oh, are you alright?" He moved his hand back down to her stomach, protectively, gently holding it.

"I'm fine," she said, laughing softly. "Carson says I'm very healthy. We're fine."

Nathan exhaled sharply. She could barely hear him, he was speaking so softly. "Mine and yours. Ours," he said, and he bent to kiss her. His lips were trembling on hers and she realized they were both crying.

She pulled away and then kissed the tears on his cheek. "Oh, Nathan... You're happy? I didn't know if... if it was too soon."

"I didn't think I could say this after our wedding, Elizabeth, but I have never been happier than I am at this moment."

He held her face in his hands and whispered, barely able to get the words out. "Say it, please. So I can hear it, in your voice... so I can remember..."

Elizabeth smiled. Even by the light of the moon he could see the brightness of her cheeks as she looked into his eyes and said softly, "You're going to be a father. We're having a baby."

He shook his head in astonishment. "I've imagined what this might feel like, but it's nothing like... I can't describe it. It's like there's been something missing inside me and that piece just fit," he touched his chest, "Right here." He kissed her again. "It's like a dream," he said tenderly.

"It is," Elizabeth said. "And we get to watch it unfold every day from now on."

His eyes bright, Nathan asked, "So, when? How long have you known?"

She smiled. "Probably late March. In Spring. I confirmed it with Carson while you were gone, but I knew before you left."

Nathan frowned. "And you didn't tell me?"

Elizabeth shrugged. "If I'd told you before you left, would you have gone?"

He gazed into her eyes, thinking. Then he smiled, and said, "No."

She nodded. "And I didn't want to tell you over the telephone." The tears had stopped, and his eyes were an almost translucent blue. Elizabeth ran her finger across his cheek. "I wanted to see your eyes change color. I needed to see how you felt about it."

Nathan smiled tenderly at her. "And what do you see, angel?"

"That you're as happy as I am. That you know what a miracle this is. That you will love and cherish this child the way I will, for as long as we live."

He took a deep breath, his eyes wide. "I love you." He kissed her cheek. "I love you so absolutely, so... completely. I wish I had a poet's vocabulary right now..."

Elizabeth laughed. "You're doing very well."

It was starting to sink in, and he leaned back into the swing, pulling her gently against his chest. "Does anyone else know?"

Elizabeth gazed up at the moon. "Only Carson and Faith, and..." she laughed softly, "Julie figured it out without me telling her. It's hard to keep something like that from a sister."

Nathan held her tightly, smiling. "Allie doesn't know yet?"

"No." She turned and looked up at him. "Should we go tell her?"

Nathan sighed. "And tell Dad that he's going to be a grandfather... again?"

They knew they would have hours tonight lying in each other's arms in the warmth of their bed to share this joy, just the two of them. But for now, they wanted to widen the circle.

Nathan took Elizabeth's hand and pulled her up gently. He held her again for a moment, and then they walked into the house. Jack was sitting on Archie's lap, showing him his drawing. Allie and Julie were across from them at the large harvest table, gazing at them with soft eyes.

When Nathan and Elizabeth walked into the room, all four looked up at them. Julie smiled at how proudly Nathan stood next to his wife, and the glow that seemed to surround the two of them.

"We have some good news," Nathan said, his voice starting to falter a bit.

Allie, always one step ahead, took one look at them - at Elizabeth's rosy cheeks and Nathan's blissful smile – and her mouth opened and her eyes went wide.

After holding it in for so long, Elizabeth could keep quiet no longer.

"We're having a baby!" she shouted, laughing.

Within seconds, they were surrounded by hugs and congratulations from Allie and Julie.

Nathan looked at his father, and their eyes met. Through the blur of their tears, a silent moment of understanding passed between them. And then Archie stood with Jack in his arms, and walked over to join the celebration.