On Tuesday morning, after their daily alphabet lesson, Elizabeth opened centers for her children to play in. She glanced over at Allie, who was still sitting at her desk, thumb in mouth. A tiny spark of hope lit inside of Elizabeth as she watched Allie take in the children playing around her. She didn't reach for her crayons. She looked at her classmates excitedly playing with the materials that were zoo themed, her eyes bright and curious.

Elizabeth went to the closet, pulling out a giant stuffed gorilla she had found yesterday at a local store. She brought it to the pretend center, which she had turned into a play zoo. Opal was there playing with a stuffed giraffe. Elizabeth sat beside her on the floor, engaging the child in play. She pretended to be fully invested in their little game, but she cast glances at Allie as she did so.

The little girl was watching with wide eyes. Her thumb had left her mouth. Slowly, she rose from her seat, looking around as if afraid someone would notice. The other students were busily engaged in play. Allie looked back at Elizabeth and started shuffling her way over to the pretend zoo. Every so often she would stop, hesitate, look at her desk, look back at Elizabeth, and take a few more steps. Elizabeth all but held her breath, praying the child would make it to the center.

She did. Coming close to Elizabeth, she sat on her lap, eyeing the large gorilla.

Opal's eyes lit up. "Are you going to play with us, Allie?" she asked, her little-girl voice hopeful.

Allie glanced back at Elizabeth. Elizabeth smiled at her encouragingly, handing her the gorilla. "What do you think, Allie? Would you like to play with Opal and the giraffe and the gorilla?"

"Yes, please," Allie said, her voice barely over a whisper.

Elizabeth drew in a quick breath, doing her best not to start crying for joy. She recognized the enormity of the step Allie had taken. A lump grew in her throat, and she hugged Allie close. "You're going to be okay, sweet girl," she whispered.

Allie smiled, holding up the gorilla. "Opal and I are going to play zoo," she announced, sliding off Elizabeth's lap to move closer to Opal and the giraffe.

Elizabeth's hands went to her heart, her throat working as she watched Allie and Opal play together. Eventually Emily wandered over, wanting to join in the game. Allie took a tiger from the large basket of animals, offering it to Emily. Emily took the toy and sat beside the other two girls, jumping right into the game.

Standing, Elizabeth wiped away a tear that escaped. Seeing Allie playing with two of her classmates made her happier than she thought possible. It wasn't just a step in the right direction; it was a leap.

Allie played with the two girls for the rest of center time. When the second center time came around, she chose to stay at her desk. Elizabeth knelt beside her, smiling gently at the small girl. "Allie honey, don't you want to play with your friends?"

Shaking her head, Allie pointed to her paper. "I want to draw pictures for my friends. I'm drawing zoo animals." She pointed to the page where the beginnings of animals were drawn. "A giraffe for Opal and a tiger for Emily." She looked up at Elizabeth. "Is that okay?"

Elizabeth blinked rapidly to keep tears from falling. "Oh, sweetie, that's more than okay. I'm sure Opal and Emily will love the pictures."

Allie beamed, going back to her coloring. Elizabeth managed to keep herself together the rest of the day, but by the time Nathan showed up to take Allie to her appointment, Elizabeth felt like an emotional mess. The rest of the kids had been picked up and Allie was packing her things. Nathan took one look at Elizabeth and his eyes widened in alarm. "Elizabeth! What's wrong?" he asked, coming toward her.

Elizabeth met him halfway, burrowing into his arms. She couldn't stop the tears from coming or the sobs from shaking her. Nathan held her tight, murmuring words of comfort as he stroked her hair.

Eventually, her sobs lessened. "I'm sorry," Elizabeth said shakily.

Nathan reached up, wiping the tears from her eyes. "What happened?" he asked, placing a hand on her cheek.

She sniffed. "Allie made friends today."

Nathan blinked. "That's wonderful! But why were you crying?"

She laughed, understanding his confusion. "I guess I didn't realize just how much I wanted her to come out of her shell. When she did, it felt like a huge emotional release. She still has a ways to go, but she played with two friends at center time, and then drew pictures for them later. She was so proud to present the pictures to Opal and Emily, Nathan. They all exchanged hugs, and the girls asked her to play with them tomorrow. Allie said she would." She smiled. "I think she's turning a corner."

She felt Nathan let out a sigh of relief. "I'm so happy to hear that, Elizabeth," he said. "That means the world to me. My little girl is making friends again."

Allie walked back into the room, and Nathan released Elizabeth. They had agreed to keep their feelings to themselves for now, especially since everything was so new. Nathan didn't want Allie to be confused by their relationship, which Elizabeth understood. She wondered if they would be able to keep their feelings hidden from Hope Valley for the foreseeable future. It felt like a monumental task.

Nathan was looking at her with a smolder in his eyes, and she knew that he wanted to hold her again. But he exercised self-control and stepped back. "I'll see you tomorrow," he said.

Elizabeth nodded, feeling a little breathless. "Okay."

He took Allie's hand, smiling down at her. "Ready to go, munchkin?"

Allie nodded, a smile on her face as well. "Can we have Miss Thatcher over for dinner tomorrow, Daddy?"

Nathan grinned, looking at Elizabeth. "I think that can be arranged, Allie. What do you think, Miss Thatcher?"

"I think that's perfect," Elizabeth said, a smile tugging at her lips.

"Yay!" Allie cheered. "Can we invite Uncle Jack too?"

"Of course we can," Nathan said easily. "We'll make it a little party."

"And can we have mac and cheese?" Allie's big eyes were hopeful.

Nathan chuckled. "Yes, munchkin, we can have mac and cheese. Now say goodbye to your teacher. We have to get you to an appointment."

"Bye, Miss Thatcher," Allie said, letting go of Nathan's hand to give Elizabeth a hug.

"Bye, Allie," Elizabeth said, returning the hug. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay," Allie said.

Nathan rested a hand briefly on Elizabeth's shoulder, unable to keep from touching her. "See you tomorrow," he said softly.

Elizabeth nodded in return as butterflies burst in her stomach. She was already looking forward to that dinner.

Dr. Fiona Miller was young, much younger than Nathan was expecting a therapist to be. He sat on the floor, Allie in his lap, as Fiona placed toys in front of the little girl.

"Pick some to play with," Fiona said, smiling at her. Allie looked up at Nathan, who gave her an encouraging nod. She slowly reached for a teddy bear, holding it to her chest tightly.

"Would you like to build a tower with me?" Fiona asked. "I have some pretty castle blocks you might like."

Allie's ears perked up at the word "castle". She nodded, scooting off Nathan's lap but staying close by. Fiona picked up a bucket and placed it in front of Allie. Smiling, Allie discarded the bear and began digging in the box, stacking the blocks together to make a castle.

Fiona looked at Nathan. "It's time," she said quietly. "Are you ready?"

Nathan felt a pit in his stomach, but he nodded, bracing himself. Fiona gave him a sympathetic smile, pulling another box from somewhere behind her.

"I'm going to give you some cars to put in the castle, okay?" she said gently, looking at Allie. Allie continued to build, but she nodded her agreement.

Fiona handed her some cars one by one. Nathan held his breath, knowing one car would look exactly like the one Colleen had died in. He wasn't sure if he was emotionally ready to see that, much less knowing how his daughter would react.

The therapist picked up the car that he knew would trigger Allie. He felt his jaw clench as he saw it, memories flooding him. Fiona handed the car to Allie. She placed it in her castle, then froze, staring at it. She gave a little whimper, backing into Nathan once more. "Mama," she whimpered, her voice broken. She climbed into his lap, burying her face in his chest. Nathan held her close, his throat working as his eyes locked on the small car.

Fiona was watching them both, a compassionate look on her face. She gave them a few moments before speaking. "Allie, why did the car make you sad?"

"Mama got hurt," Allie wailed into Nathan's shirt. "She never came back."

Nathan felt as though a knife was twisting in his chest as Allie's tears soaked into his shirt. He smoothed her hair with one hand, rocking her back and forth. He felt tears spring to his own eyes, and he didn't bother trying to hide them. His tears fell into Allie's hair. The two of them grieved together for several long minutes. Fiona sat quietly, allowing them a sense of privacy.

Eventually, Allie lifted her arms, putting them around Nathan's neck and nestling her face in his shoulder. "I miss Mama," she said sadly.

"Oh, Allie-girl," Nathan said, his heart breaking. "I do too, honey. So much."

Allie sniffed. Fiona handed Nathan a tissue, and he instructed Allie to blow. She did, then gave three quick shuddering sniffs, settling back into his lap, her head resting against his chest.

"May I ask you a question, Allie?" Fiona said gently.

Allie rolled her head to look at her, giving a barely perceptible nod.

Fiona reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry if this question makes you sad, sweetie. But it's to help you get better, to not feel so sad anymore, okay?"

"Okay," Allie said quietly, sticking her thumb in her mouth.

"Do you know what happened to your mama, Allie?" Fiona asked, her voice soft.

Allie's lip started shaking. "She died," she whispered. "She went to heaven. Uncle Nathan says she has to stay there."

Nathan closed his eyes. Allie hadn't called him 'Uncle Nathan' in a long time. She only slipped once in a while.

Fiona's brow creased. "Uncle Nathan?" she asked, looking up.

Nathan nodded. "Allie is my niece. I adopted her after Colleen died."

"Oh, I see," Fiona said, scribbling something on a pad of paper. "I'm sorry. I assumed you and Allie's mom were married."

"It's a common assumption considering she is my daughter now," Nathan said. "Don't worry about it."

Fiona nodded, then focused her attention back on Allie. "So your mama is in heaven," she said quietly. "How does that make you feel?"

"Sad," Allie said, sniffing. "Daddy says she's happy there, but I miss her. I want her to be here with me."

Nathan's heart ached more with every passing minute. He wanted to take Allie's pain away, but he knew it was impossible. His daughter needed to process what had happened, and that meant she had to feel her feelings.

"I understand, Allie," Fiona said. "I lost my mom when I was a little girl too."

Allie looked at her fully. "You did?" she asked.

Fiona nodded. "I did. And I was sad for a long time. I started keeping to myself and stopped playing with my friends. I didn't even want to talk to my brothers and sisters. It took me a long time to start being happy." She leaned forward. "But do you know what helped me become happy again?"

Allie shook her head, lifting it from Nathan's chest. "What?" she asked, sounding curious.

Fiona took Allie's hand in hers. "I realized my mom would want me to be happy. She was watching me from heaven, wanting me to find happiness and joy and friendship. Me being happy would make her even happier."

"Really?" Allie asked, sitting up straight. "Mama wants me to be happy?"

Fiona nodded. "She certainly does, Allie. She wants you to have friends and be yourself." She smoothed Allie's hair. "That doesn't mean you won't still feel sad at times. You'll always miss your mom. But you keep living, sweetie."

Allie leaned against Nathan again, putting her thumb in her mouth. "I have friends at school," she said.

Fiona smiled. "When did you start playing with those friends?"

"Today," Allie said. "We played zoo. They're nice."

"Do you like them, Allie?"

Allie nodded. "Yes."

"Are you going to play with them tomorrow?" Fiona asked.

Allie hesitated. "I like coloring," she said slowly.

Nathan leaned around her. "Munchkin, you can color at home anytime. When you're at school, wouldn't you like to play with your friends?"

"Maybe," Allie said, still sounding hesitant.

"Tell you what," Fiona said, smiling at her. "You see how this week goes at school, and then next week you come see me again and let me know how it went, okay? You do whatever makes you comfortable at school. Playing, coloring - whatever you'd like. Can you do that for me?"

Allie nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

Fiona reached down to squeeze her hand. "Wonderful. I'm excited to talk to you again."

They all stood, and Nathan held out his hand. "Thank you, Dr. Miller. I appreciate this."

"Of course," she replied, shaking his hand firmly. "Call if you have any questions."

"I will," he said, taking Allie's hand. "Come on, munchkin. Let's go home."

They said goodbye to Fiona and walked to the car. Allie was quiet for most of the ride home. Right before Nathan turned onto their street, Allie spoke. "Daddy?"

"Yes, Allie?"

"Do you think Mama wants me to be happy and play with my friends?"

Nathan swallowed the lump in his throat. "Yes, sweetheart. I think Mama would want that very much."

Allie nodded, a reflective look on her face, a look that went beyond her years. She was quiet again, clearly thinking as Nathan pulled into the drive and unbuckled her from her booster seat. He lifted her into his arms and headed for the front door.

"I think I'll play with Opal and Emily tomorrow," Allie announced. "For Mama. I want her to be happy."

Nathan's throat closed. He hugged Allie close, feeling tears threatening once again. "I'm so happy to hear that, Allie-girl," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "And I know your mama is happy too."

Elizabeth arrived at Nathan's the next evening for dinner. Before she could knock, the door opened and Allie beamed up at her. "Hi, Miss Thatcher!" she exclaimed, giving her a big hug. "Thanks for coming."

Hugging her back, Elizabeth smiled. "Hi, Allie. It's good to see you again. I'm so glad you had fun at school earlier!"

Allie had played with her friends without any prompting from Elizabeth. She even talked more than Elizabeth had heard from her before. She wouldn't say Allie was chatty, but it definitely appeared that she was starting to come out of her shell.

"Come in," Allie said, taking Elizabeth's hand and pulling her toward the kitchen. "Uncle Jack is already here talking with Daddy."

Elizabeth let herself be pulled to the kitchen. Nathan glanced up, his eyes lighting up when he saw her. "Hi, Elizabeth," he said warmly.

She blushed under his intense gaze. "Hi, Nathan." They were lost for a moment, until Jack cleared his throat. Elizabeth's blush darkened. "Hi, Jack," she said quickly.

He chuckled. "Hello. Good to see you." He looked between Nathan and Elizabeth. "You know, Allie was telling me she wanted to show me some of her toys in her playroom." He smirked, giving them a knowing look. "We'll do that now. The mac and cheese will keep in the oven for a good while." He winked at them, holding out a hand to Allie. "Come on, Allie. Let's go play with your toys."

Allie's eyes lit up. "Can you tell me a story while we play?" she asked, her eyes wide and hopeful.

"I'll tell you two stories," Jack promised.

Allie let out an excited yelp, taking his hand and pulling him toward the stairs. "Come on, Uncle Jack! This will be fun!"

They vanished down the stairs, leaving Nathan and Elizabeth alone. They smiled at each other shyly for a few moments, both feeling the change in their relationship and reveling in the new possibilities before them.

"You look lovely this evening," Nathan said, coming around the counter to give her a hug.

Elizabeth melted into him, loving the feel of his arms around her. "Thank you, Nathan."

He pulled back, reaching down to take her hand and leading her to the sofa. They sat, turning slightly to face each other. Nathan kept his hold on Elizabeth's hand. "How was your day?"

"Good," Elizabeth said. "My students had an amazing day, and it was a joy to my heart seeing Allie engaged in play again." She looked at him. "How did her therapy session go yesterday?"

Nathan leaned back against the couch. "Much better than I was expecting. There were tears, but I think Dr. Miller broke through to her. Obviously there's a very long way to go, but the foundation has been laid. The therapist was clearly very good with children and knew what she was doing. She even established a personal connection with Allie, which I think really got Allie's attention. She emphasized that Colleen would want Allie to be happy, and somehow that struck a chord." He smiled. "I'm hopeful, Elizabeth. Allie is starting to break out of her shell. She's becoming the little girl I've always known."

Elizabeth squeezed his hand. "I'm glad, Nathan."

"Me too," he said softly, raising his hand to cup her cheek. "I have you to thank as well. Dr. Miller will have a lot to do with her recovery, but you've been working with Allie as well. You're the one who first got her to open up. You have no idea how much I appreciate that."

Elizabeth felt herself melting once again under his gaze. "I might not have known her long, but I love Allie very much. She's a special child." She looked down, then glanced up at him under her lashes. "Her father is pretty special too."

Nathan's eyes burned with a smoldering fire. He leaned forward, intent on kissing her, when Allie called to them from the basement.

"Daddy! Miss Thatcher! Come play with us!"

Nathan closed his eyes, resting his forehead against hers. "Her timing…" he muttered, shaking his head.

Elizabeth chuckled softly. "It's alright, Nathan." She licked her lips, feeling uncharacteristically bold. "Maybe we can pick this up again once Allie is in bed."

Nathan pierced her with his gaze. "I'm holding you to that, Miss Thatcher," he said, his voice low. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "And I'm looking forward to it."