Chapter 47 Allie

Nathan is in his office talking to his mother on the phone. Maura, Julia and Bill are coming back in several days so they are in Hope Valley for the Christmas stroll. He finishes the call and Elizabeth comes in and says "Did you see they are putting the tree up outside, I guess we are almost ready for the Christmas Stroll". She asks him "How is your gingerbread jail coming along?" 'Funny Elizabeth I checked with Opal's Mom it is all done, so I think I may be ready" he replies. "How are you doing? "He asks. She gives him a look and says "I still have to finish the school house and I promised to help paint the town ornaments with Victoria. Oh wait, I forgot to tell you. I had a call from my sister Julie and she is coming for Christmas, My parents are traveling and she wants to see what a Hope Valley Christmas is. Nathan Christmas won't be so simple this year." "I know" he says "honey; I think there will be a lot of people". Elizabeth stops herself and says "I need presents for Julie, what will I do?" "Stop right there, let's call my mother and give her a list I am sure she won't mind" Nathan states. With that he calls Cape Fullerton and Bill answers. "Bill", Nathan says, "Nathan is everything OK you just talked to Maura" Bill asks. Nathan responds "Yes, yes everything is fine Elizabeth is hoping she can get a couple more presents" and with that he passes the phone to Elizabeth who gets engrossed in a conversation with Maura. Nathan hears from outside yelling "Constable, constable" and with that he runs out.

Nathan sees the problem the Christmas tree has toppled and is lying flat in the street. He runs towards the tree and it is eerily quiet. He then sees someone trapped under the tree; he processes this as he continues to run forward as he would for any emergency. He is almost there when his heart stops and he slows for a second as he realizes the person trapped is Allie-"NO, NO, NO" he silently screams. She is laying there so still in the mud with her eyes closed. Nathan hears nothing as he concentrates totally on Allie. He picks up her hand and goes softly "Allie, baby, it's me Dad, Uncle Nathan". There is nothing. He wants to pick her up and cradle her and out of nowhere Carson appears. "Nathan", he warns "Don't move her, we need to stabilize her." Nathan looks at Carson in a fog. "Nathan" he says more forcefully, "We need to stabilize her before we move her so she is safer. Stay with me Nathan you know this, you can do this" he says in a commanding voice. With that, Nathan snaps to Mountie mode and nods. Carson has sent someone to get the stretcher and they rush up with it. Carefully the men in charge of the tree at Carson's command lift the tree off Allie. Nathan and Carson position the stretcher under Allie and as gentle as could be they lift her and take her to the infirmary. Nathan is oblivious to everyone in the street except for Allie.

Lee has rushed up and seen the accident and is swamped with guilt as it is his men who were putting up the tree. He realizes what happens and goes to look for Elizabeth who is just coming out of the jail. She sees the commotion and Nathan helping, but doesn't comprehend what has happened. Lee says, "The tree slipped and Allie got caught under the tree, they are taking her to the infirmary." Elizabeth turns to him and says I must have misunderstood, who got hurt?" Lee just looks at her until her face crumbles and she says "NOOO, not Allie". Lee holds her for a minute and says "Elizabeth you have got to pull it together Nathan will need you." With that she pulls herself back, straightens her back and says are they in the infirmary and rushes down the street.

Meanwhile in the infirmary Allie is still out cold. Carson with Nathan's help strips off her clothes and boots. One boot has to be cut off as the ankle is rapidly swelling. "Just do what you have to Carson, just take care of my baby" Nathan implores. Cleaned up Allie lies there and Carson sends Nathan to clean up as he is all mud too. He strips off his red serge and his boots and looks at his pants. Elizabeth rushes in the door and up to him with questions in her eyes. He hugs her with one arm and brokenly says "Carson is taking care of her while I clean up—she's not awake Elizabeth, my baby is not awake." Elizabeth says sternly "Nathan look at me, pray and believe she will be fine, we will get through this together. What can I do? Nathan chokes out "Go check her while I get some clean clothes I can't go in there like this." Elizabeth opens the infirmary door and sees Jesse and tells him to go get clean clothes for Nathan at the jail. "Now go wash up, I will stay with her." Elizabeth says.

Elizabeth goes around the corner and her heart breaks as she sees Allie lying there without moving. Somehow she seems smaller and younger than the Allie she sees every day at school. Stiffening her spine she takes Allie's hand and gently says "Allie, honey it's Miss Elizabeth, your Dad will be right back". Elizabeth looks at Carson who is cleaning the various cuts and scrapes and bandaging them. "Carson?" Elizabeth asks. "I don't know Elizabeth it's too soon I am still examining her" Carson replies With that Nathan comes in clean but shirt out and unbuttoned as he didn't want to waste any more time away from Allie.

He sits and holds Allie's hand and then takes Elizabeth's in his other hand. "Carson?" he asks, "Still checking Nathan. Just keep talking to her." Carson responds. Elizabeth sees Nathan take a deep breath and softly says "It's Dad, come on Allie wake up we have lots to do for Christmas." He continues on remembering Christmas's past and happy memories they have shared, fishing and camping. Elizabeth chimes in about some school stories and Nathan looks at her devastated. Elizabeth can feel Nathan's anxieties coming off him in waves although he sits quietly and talks softly to Allie. With Carson's permission he strokes her hair and continues to tell her story after story. The pain in his eyes is devastating to see. Carson finishes his exam and bandaging Allie and sits back. Nathan just looks at him with a question in his eyes. Carson motions for them to move away from Allie for a minute. Nathan says "Baby I will be right back in just a minute."

Stiffening his spine he straightens and looks at Carson. "Just tell us Carson he pleads whatever it is" Nathan begs. Carson responds "Well she has lots of bumps and bruises and lots of cuts and scratches which should be fine. I don't know if her right ankle is sprained or broken, I can splint it for now, but I would like to x-ray it when she wakes up I don't really want to move her. We will know more when she wakes." " Carson when will she wake up?" Nathan presses. "Nathan, you know we have to watch for a concussion and she will wake when the brain wants her to. In the meantime keep talking to her, play music anything to let her know she is there" Carson responds Nathan looks devastated