Chapter 49 Night
It was a long night for Nathan as he didn't get much sleep and Allie was none too happy to being woken up as she is a sound sleeper. So when Carson arrives at the infirmary he finds a tired Nathan and a cranky Allie. Carson orders "Nathan go get some food for yourself and Allie and maybe we will all feel better." After breakfast Allie's spirits revive. Carson checks her over and is pleased that there doesn't seem to be any lingering effects of the head injury. He gets her up to try walking on her ankle and with support from Nathan she begins to test it out. For the next several days she will have to use a crutch to help her and Allie quickly realizes she will need it. Carson says "She can go home if she stays off her feet most of the day and she can get up for a little the next day. He suggests she miss school for a day or two and Allie is thrilled with that recommendation.
Lee arrives with his car to take her home and with some fuss she leaves the infirmary. Standing in the street is a brand new Christmas tree, fully upright and it is getting decorated. "Dad can I put one ornament on it please" she says. With a resigned look, Nathan carries her over to the tree and she hangs an ornament. "Home now", he says and off they go.
Once home Elizabeth and Little Jack and Rosemary arrive to help get Allie settled. They get her set up on the settee and prop up her leg. Nathan is just thrilled to have her home. Little Jack is very careful of her leg and they play a little. Rosemary has brought over soup for lunch. Seeing Allie getting tired Rosemary leaves taking Little Jack with her. Elizabeth suggest Nathan get changed and rest a little after his difficult night. He asks if she is sure and Elizabeth just shoots him a look. Allie wants to take a little nap and Nathan goes upstairs for a little rest. He falls into a deep sleep as he is exhausted.
While Allie sleeps Elizabeth straightens up a little and then hears Allie stir. She sits with her and Allie asks "Miss Elizabeth was my Dad really scared last night?" Elizabeth replies "We all were Allie; we didn't want anything to happen to you." Allie says "I think I saw him cry when I woke up," and Elizabeth replies, "they were tears of joy Allie, he loves you and doesn't want anything to happen to you". Allie says "I was pretty mean to him during the night when he kept waking me, I feel bad now". Elizabeth says, "I am sure he knows Allie."
There is a knock on the door and Opal and her mother stop to see Allie. Allie is thrilled to see Opal and they chatter away about the accident. Elizabeth chats with Opal's mom who is relieved Allie will be fine. Nathan awakes with a start and quickly washes up and runs downstairs. He comes to a dead stop when he sees Opal and Allie laughing and talking. "Hey girls" he says and moves to the kitchen and says hello to Opal's mom. She says "Nathan we are so glad Allie will be OK, anything I can do to help or sit with Allie please let me know." He thanks her and then remembers to check on the gingerbread house of the jail for next week's Christmas Stroll. "It's almost all done she says and I have made little Mountie cookies too" she replies. Elizabeth looks up and says "Oh I was supposed to start on the school gingerbread house, but with Allie I forgot". Opal's Mom say, "Let me make it that won't be a problem and I would love to help". A relieved Elizabeth says yes.
Allie is tiring and Opal and her mom leave. Nathan checks on her and she hugs him and says "Dad, sorry if I have been cranky". Nathan says "Allie it's all fine, I am just glad you will be fine and I know you are still sore". She drifts off to sleep.
Nathan finds Elizabeth in the kitchen and surprises her as he puts his arms around her and says "Thank you for helping me through this. I was so afraid last night and having you there and sharing the pain helped me so much. It's been me alone for so long, I can't tell you how much it means to me to be able to share it." Elizabeth is overcome and says "Nathan I have been alone too and it is so wonderful to have someone to lean on also". They kiss each other in partnership as they both realize how special it is to have someone with you on life's journey to rely on. Elizabeth says softly "I love her too Nathan and I was so worried". He lightly kisses her and says Elizabeth "I know it's like we are already a family and they are both our children. Thank you for this gift". They receive comfort in each other's arms.