Mountie headquarters had been turned into a winter wonderland. Everything was a mix of green and gold. Candles added a romanticism to the space. A stringed quartet was playing. Waiters were walking around with flutes of champagne. Mounties were dressed in their finest serge; it was the time when the epaulets were more decorative and fancy. The women in attendance were also dressed in their finest. But in Nathan's eyes, no one was more beautiful than Elizabeth.

Nathan furtively glanced at her up and down. The dress she was wearing highlighted her figure in ways that Nathan could hardly imagine. He had always found her attractive but tonight, she was showing more skin than she ever had—not that Nathan minded. Her hair was up and it reminded Nathan of another evening in their story. The evening of Little Jack's christening.

Elizabeth was holding onto his arm. Nathan was so proud to have her by his side. It wasn't because she looked gorgeous. It was because she was Elizabeth, a woman who was falling in love with him—a man raising a young girl on his own. A woman who had chosen him despite her husband having been a Mountie. A woman who had chosen him even though he often tripped over his words and had waited two years to ask her out. A woman who had helped him through Ally's custody battle.

Lee was right. He was in love with Elizabeth Thornton.

"Constable Grant!" Superintendent O'Reilly came over towards Nathan and Elizabeth.

"Superintendent," Nathan shook the superior's hand. "It is good to see you Sir."

"And you as well." O'Reilly returned the handshake with a firm grip and a smile.

"You remember Mrs. Elizabeth Thornton?" Nathan smiled as he introduced Elizabeth.

"It is wonderful to see you again, Mrs. Thornton." O'Reilly nodded.

"It truly is beautiful in here," Elizabeth motioned around the room. "My classmates will love hearing all about it."

"This is the vision of my wife and many others. I will relay your compliments to her." O'Reilly turned towards Nathan once more. "I was disappointed when you turned down the inspector job. We really could have used you around here."

O'Reilly paused before continuing. "But it does seem like it was a good decision." He smiled as he departed. "Enjoy your evening you two."

Nathan sighed and whispered sensually in Elizabeth's ear. "It wasn't just a good decision. It was the best decision."

Elizabeth was loving her evening. Mounties that Nathan had worked with throughout his career came up and talked with them. It was a great way to observe and learn about the Mountie.

Her Mountie.

"Mrs. Thornton?" Elizabeth heard her name behind her. She turned and gasped.

"Superintendent Collins." The man who had been Jack's mentor.

"It has been a lont's g time," Collins reached for Elizabeth's hand and clasped it.

"It certainly has." Elizabeth looked at Nathan who was still in the middle of another conversation.

Collins motioned to the chairs close by. "Would you sit with me?"

Elizabeth nodded. She would still be in eyesight of Nathan. They always had a way of finding each other in a room regardless of proximity. Elizabeth knew that if she needed Nathan, he would be by her side.

Collins sat down and made sure Elizabeth was settled before he spoke. "I am so sorry that I was not there for Jack's funeral. My wife was terribly sick and I couldn't leave her."

Elizabeth smiled in reassurance. "I understood. Your apology was not necessary then and it isn't now."

"I heard you had a little boy."

Elizabeth beamed at the mention of Little Jack. "I did. His name is Jack."

"A fitting tribute to his father," Collins choked as he spoke. "How old is he now?"

"He is almost two."

"And you have raised him alone?"

Elizabeth thought about her answer carefully. "I have been blessed with a wonderful family in Hope Valley. Little Jack and I have had so much care and support. I have been alone in many ways but as to raising him alone…no"

Collins gestured in Nathan's direction. "I see you have another Mountie in your life."

Elizabeth blushed. "It's new."

Collins shook his head in disagreement. "Perhaps. But I also saw the way he looked at you when you came in. I have seen that look before."

"Sir?" Elizabeth looked confused.

"I saw it when Jack spoke about you." Collins smiled. "I have never met your Mountie but his strength of character appears evident."

"Would you like to meet him?" Elizabeth stood up, meeting Nathan's gaze. Nathan managed to find his way out of his conversation and approached Elizabeth and Superintendent Collins.

"Nathan," Elizabeth smiled and put her hand on his arm. "I would like you to meet Superintendent Collins. He was Jack's mentor and friend. Superintendent, this is Constable Nathan Grant."

Nathan's eyes communicated so much depth, concern, compassion. "Superintendent."

"Constable Grant," Collins's demeanor instantly put Nathan at ease. "You have an amazing woman here—a woman of great strength and courage."

Nathan looked lovingly at Elizabeth. "I couldn't agree more."

Collins knew that he needed to continue making the rounds. "I am happy to see you doing so well, Mrs. Thornton. He would be too."

Elizabeth looked into Nathan's eyes. "Constable, may I have the honor of this dance?"

Nathan tried to not burst out laughing. "Aren't I supposed to be the one to ask you?"

Elizabeth put her arm in his as they headed out onto the dance floor. "Well, I do feel like I needed to make it up to you. Because there was this one time when you gave me the saddest look."

"Well," Nathan twirled Elizabeth onto the dance floor. "When you put it that way…"

Elizabeth allowed herself to be swept into Nathan's arms as they danced. She was safe and secure. Having Nathan's hand on her back holding her, his eyes looking deep into her own. In this moment, she was not a teacher or a mother. She was a woman, Nathan's girl, and that alone.

"It was nice to see Superintendent Collins," Elizabeth spoke as she danced.

"Was it?"

"Yes," Elizabeth said simply.

"I didn't mean to bring you somewhere that would cause you pain." Nathan continued to dance but he really wanted to take Elizabeth off the dance floor and talk to her.

"You didn't," Elizabeth paused a moment. "I promise."

It was a simple conversation but it spoke volumes. Nathan knew that he didn't need to ask anymore. Elizabeth had enjoyed the encounter for what it was but the night was still about her and Nathan.

"This has been such a wonderful evening," Elizabeth sighed as the music stopped. "I don't want it to end."

Neither did Nathan.

In hopes of prolonging the evening, Nathan asked if Elizabeth wanted to enjoy a moonlit stroll back to the hotel. Walks were quickly becoming a pattern of theirs. Elizabeth had readily agreed. After the heat of a crowded room and dancing, the colder air would be invigorating.

Nathan and Elizabeth walked slowly down the streets, taking in the stars. Neither said anything for a while. Both were storing up these memories to share and remember. Rosemary wanted to know every detail. Ally wanted to know every detail. But Nathan and Elizabeth also wanted to remember for themselves alone.

Union City had a beautiful Christmas tree in the center of their town. There was an empty bench right in front of it. Elizabeth paused. "Do you mind if we sit for a little?"

Nathan nodded. "You don't want to go back yet either?"

Elizabeth shook her head. "Not really. But I also love taking in the magic of Christmas trees. Savoring these moments."

Nathan sat down and rested his arm on the back of the bench. Elizabeth sat down next to him, realizing how well she fit in the crook of his arm. Nathan's fingers rubbed the shoulder of her coat making that part of Elizabeth's body extra warm.

"Thank you for today," Elizabeth spoke out loud.

"Oh Elizabeth," Nathan whispered into her hair. "You don't need to thank me."

"I want to thank you for the flowers at least."

Nathan was thankful Elizabeth couldn't see him blushing. He had never sent flowers to a woman's room before. He wasn't experienced in how women would respond.

"Okay those you can thank me for," Nathan teased. "I wanted tonight to feel like a date. I wanted to remind you, Lizbeth, of how special you are to me."

Nathan shifted and by doing so, Elizabeth shifted as well. The two were facing each other. Nathan stroked the side of Elizabeth's face with his gloved hand.

"I love you Elizabeth."

Elizabeth's eyes lit up. "I love you Nathan Grant."

Nathan immediately brought Elizabeth's face to his, kissing her intensely. Neither pulled away. In this moment they were two individuals who had declared their love. Two individuals who had had experienced great pain and great loss. Two individuals who had opened their hearts to the possibility of love. And what a love it was going to be.