Nathan felt like he was in over his head. He had followed Elizabeth's directions since arriving at the school house that afternoon. He had helped rearrange the schoolhouse for the party, at least with the lighter work. Bill and Jesse, who had come to help set up, had refused to let him help with moving the pews out of the way. As Bill had threatened to go get Carson if he tried, Nathan had put up much of a protest. In the end, he ended up helping Elizabeth and Fiona with the decorations and the food. Ally had arrived with her grandfather just as they were about done setting up.

Bill and Jesse had left as the rest of the children had started arriving. Ally was in her element. Having become a social butterfly like her mother had been this past year, his niece had been at the door greeting her guests. Nathan had stood nearby, exchanging a few words with the parents who were dropping off the girls and accepting the gifts that were brought. He placed them on the table that had been set up by the door. By the table of food, Elizabeth and Fiona were helping the children fill plates, get drinks and settled at the tables that had been set up. Nathan marveled at how at ease both women looked.

Nathan felt anything but at ease as the children chattered with one another. What he wouldn't give to be able to hide out at the side of the room and just watch the things take place as his father was doing. He knew his father was excited to be a part of Ally's birthday party. It was in fact the first birthday celebration for his granddaughter that he had ever been a part of.

"Hi, Emily. Hi, Opal," Ally said excitedly brining Nathan out of his thoughts. Cat Montgomery stood behind the two children. "You're the last two to arrive. Let's go join the others."

The three children headed for the food table, leaving Nathan standing at the door with Mrs. Montgomery.

"Here's Ally's gift," Cat said, handing the package she was holding out to Nathan. There were two handmade cards on the top of the package. "The gift is from both the girls though each of them wanted to do separate cards, Melissa and I helped the girls make the gift."

"Thank-you," Nathan said, as he placed the package with the others.

"How are you holding up?" Cat asked. "Marshall use to always disappear when the children's friends started showing up for the parties. He said his own children were enough for him to deal with."

Nathan chuckled. "This is a new experience for me, that's for sure," he told her. "However, Ally is excited about it and Elizabeth has been a life saver both with the planning and today," he added glancing over at Elizabeth as he said the words. She was currently chatting with Opal, Emily and Ally as the last three girls got their food.

"You're in good hands then," Cat remarked. "Melissa is going to be picking up both of the girls after the party."

"Okay, thanks for letting me know," Nathan replied. "Have a good evening."

"You too, Constable," she told him before leaving.

Turning from the door, Nathan looked over at the food table. Elizabeth caught his attention and beckoned him over. He didn't hesitate to go join her.

"Grab some food," Elizabeth instructed, as he joined her, a plate of her own in her hand.

Looking around for Fiona, Nathan saw that she had taken two plates over to where Archie had been keeping an eye on things.

"And you're not looking the part of the brave Mountie, right now," Elizabeth commented.

"Is it that apparent?" Nathan questioned, even as he picked up a plate and started putting food on it.

"To me it is," Elizabeth replied softly. "It reminds me of the look you had at Ally's first sleep over. You were so out of your element that night."

"Like today."

"Like today," Elizabeth agreed. "But just relax. Fiona and I have got this. We'll let you know if we need your help with something. Other than that, just enjoy this experience with Ally. She only turns twelve once."

"Thank-you," Nathan told her. "I really appreciate this."

"You're welcome," Elizabeth told him.

The two of them enjoyed their food with the children. After eating, Elizabeth and Fiona organized some games for the children. They played Pin the tail on the Donkey, a couple rounds, of musical chairs, and then finally Simon Says. For the last game, Ally begged her uncle to be the caller. When he agreed, Emily suggested they change the game to The Mountie Says. As her suggestion was followed by a chorus of agreement, Nathan gave in. It was when Rachel, Opal and Ally were the only three left that Nathan noticed Carson in the back of the room taking pictures.

After the games, Elizabeth moved the children to the table with the gifts so that Ally could open them before the cake was cut. Nathan took the opportunity of the commotion to approach Carson.

"How long have you been lurking on the sidelines?" Nathan asked.

"Oh, I wandered in while they were playing musical chairs," Carson replied. "I thought it would be a good opportunity to practice my photography skills, and capture some memories for you and Ally."

Nathan nodded. "Thanks, Carson."

"Not a problem. Although, I should tell you that Ally spotted me taking pictures and asked if I could take one of you, Archie and her. I wasn't sure how you would feel about that so I told her we'd see what happens."

Nathan hesitated. Posing for a picture with his father wasn't something he really wanted to do. However, if Ally wanted a photograph of the three of them, should he really refuse her. There were no photographs of her mother that he knew of. Not knowing where he would be posted, he had thought the photographs would be safer with his mother. Ironically, they had been destroyed by a fire a few years after he had left with Ally. Nathan often wished he had just taken one photograph with him of Colleen for Ally. It would only make sense that Ally would want a photo of her family and despite his past, Archie was her grandfather. Nathan couldn't in good conscience deny her of a photo.

"If that's a photo Ally wants, then I'm okay with it," Nathan finally said.

"Okay, I'll make sure I take it at some point before you leave then," Carson told him.

Nathan nodded and then found a place to sit while his niece opened her gifts. Elizabeth had placed a chair in front of the table for Ally to sit in, and all her classmates were gathered around the chair on the floor.

One by one, Ally opened her gifts. There were the typical gifts - a book or a toy. While other gifts had a more practical purpose. Emily and Opal had worked with their mothers to put together a quilt for Ally's bed. Anna and her mother had knitted a scarf and mitten set for Ally for the coming winter.

Elizabeth handed Ally the gift from her grandfather. Ally unwrapped the gift and paused, looking down at it. Holding up the framed photograph, she started to ask, "Is that-"

"That's your mom and your Uncle Nathan," Archie told her. "I told you that you looked a lot like her. I believe your mom was sixteen when that was taken, which would've made your uncle about fourteen. I thought you would like a picture of your mother."

Ally handed the picture to Elizabeth and then made her way over to her grandfather. "Thank-you, Grandpa," she told him as she hugged him.

"You're welcome," Archie told her, hugging her back.

Elizabeth gave the two a few moments before she called out. "Ally, you have two more gifts to open then we can cut your cake."

Ally let go of her grandfather and headed back to her chair.

Nathan recalled his conversation with his dad's friend. The friend who had actually taken the necklace Archie had been accused of stealing the last time he was in Hope Valley. The man had told Nathan that Archie had kept a picture of him and his sister with him while he was in jail.

"Is that the photo you had with you while you were in prison?"

"It is," Archie replied. "Looking at that picture every day is what made me decide that I was really going to change the next time I got out. It's the only one of the two of you that I have but I think Ally needs a picture of her mom more than I do."

"Thanks, Dad," Nathan said, reaching out and laying a hand on his father's shoulder as laughter broke out among the children.

Nathan and Archie looked toward the sound to see Ally modeling a pair of sunglasses.

"I love them, Miss Miller. Thank-you!" Ally said.

"You're welcome."

"Okay, one last gift," Elizabeth said. "I thought your uncle's should be the last," she said as she handed the last wrapped present to Ally.

Ally took off the sunglasses and placed them carefully on the table. She then reached out for the present Elizabeth was handing her. Like all the other gifts, Ally eagerly ripped the paper off of it. There were gasps of surprise as the gift was revealed and they weren't just from Ally.

Ally was quiet for a minute as she looked at the wooden box she held in her hand. Reaching out, she let her finger trace the carved vine that went from one rose to another. She knew her uncle had made it. She had watched him work on other projects before, fascinated by the things he could create. Now, she had something of her own that she could cherish. She counted the roses, on the lid to the box and came up with twelve. Twelve roses, for her twelfth birthday. Opening the lid, Ally admired the little compartments of different sizes. As well of the velvet tray to hold rings. She now knew what her uncle had meant at breakfast this morning.

"Do you like it?"

Ally looked up to find her uncle standing beside her. She looked up at him.

"I love it! Thank-you," she said, handing the box to Elizabeth so she could give her uncle a hug.

Nathan wrapped his arms around her, briefly before telling her, "I think your friends are ready to sing "Happy Birthday" to you."

Ally took a step back. "This has been the best birthday ever," she told him happily before leading the way to the table where the cake that Bill had made sat.

As the parents started to come pick up the children, Bill and Jesse reappeared. With Carson's help they started to put the schoolhouse back in order. Nathan helped Elizabeth take down decorations while Fiona made sure that dishes got back to the correct people.

"I'll come by with the photographs once I have them developed," Carson told Nathan as the doctor prepared to leave. The only child left at the schoolhouse was Ally.

"Thanks, Carson," Nathan said. "Ally is going to love having photographs from today. I'm glad you thought of it, even if the rest of us didn't."

"You're welcome," Carson replied. "And remember, you should still take things easy for a few days. Give the bruising time to heal."

"Yes, doctor," Nathan replied, as Carson left.

Archie offered to escort Fiona home, and she accepted.

"Should I be worried about that?" Nathan asked as the two left the school house, leaving only Nathan, Elizabeth and Ally in the building. Nathan wasn't sure when Bill and Jesse had left but he didn't see them.

"I wouldn't. Fiona can handle charmers like your father," Elizabeth replied.

"You think my father is charming?" Nathan asked her.

"Yes," Elizabeth replied. "Lucky for you, I'm attracted to men who are more sincere with their words, which is why you always had the edge on Lucas."

"Now you tell me," Nathan replied.

Elizabeth laughed as she looked at the table of gifts and things left over from the party. "I didn't consider how to get this stuff back. There is too much stuff for us to carry."

Nathan followed her gaze. He hadn't considered that part either. Before he could come up with a suggestion another voice spoke up.

"I've got the wagon waiting outside to take you and this stuff home," Jesse told them, standing inside the door.

"Thanks, Jesse," Elizabeth said, picking up some of the things to carry out to the wagon.

Ally followed Elizabeth's lead while Jesse made his way over to Nathan.

"Bill wanted me to tell you he's sorry he didn't say good-bye. He intended to come back with me when we went to get the team and wagon, but there was some kind of commotion at the saloon. He told me to tell you not to worry about it. That he would take care of it."

"Commotion?"

"It didn't sound too serious," Jesse told him. "I think they just needed someone to diffuse the situation."

Nathan nodded, deciding he would do as Bill said, and let the older man deal with it. Bill would send for him if he decided he needed him.

"Okay then. Let's get this stuff into the wagon and get everyone home," Nathan said, moving to gather some of the presents that were left.

"Don't carry too much," Jesse said. When Nathan glanced at him, Jesse shrugged. "Bill told me to make sure you don't do any heavy lifting."

Nathan smiled. It was nice to have people who cared about him, even if they were annoying at times. Nathan grabbed the quilt from Emily and Opal. "I wouldn't consider the quilt heavy lifting, would you?" Nathan said, as he headed for the door.

Jesse chuckled even as he gathered an armload to take out to the wagon.