Lost Lambs
The day was stormy, with large gray over-cast clouds seemingly full to the brim of condensation, that could spill over at any moment, and drown the world below.
'Just like my heart, full and still ready to spill. What a mistake that was, and would be still!' thought Nathan.
It had rained off and on all day.
Unfortunately, the rain was at its worst just after Nathan left on Newton to make his afternoon rounds.
Both Master and Horse were drenched.
But they trudged on determined to complete their task at hand: afternoon rounds come rain or snow.
The Constable had promised the Tanners that he'd keep a close watch on their farm while they were visiting Mrs. Tanner's Family in Benson Hills, even though their farm was far off his scheduled roadmap for rounds.
But Nathan being Nathan still occasionally included them, just to keep a lookout for them and make sure things were going well.
As Nathan and Newton neared the Tanner Farm, there was a clamor of thunder and Nathan noticed a brilliant flash of lightning, that he could see in the distance, hurtling to earth, just barely missing a little black lamb that the Tanner children adored.
"Whoa, Newton! Let's get that little lamb back to its Mother where it belongs! Here Marigold! Come here, girl!"
Nathan cupped his hands around his mouth to make his voice carry further in the storm, but Marigold was terrified and stood cemented to the spot just beyond where the lightning had struck and left its scorched mark on the earth before her.
Lost and terrified.
Nathan couldn't help but think of Elizabeth who seemed every bit as lost and every bit as terrified as Marigold…only her lightning bolt had been Jack's death.
Yes, Elizabeth put on a brave front, but Nathan knew her.
He truly knew her…and all was not well.
How had Marigold gotten to this awful place, alone?
How had he and Elizabeth gotten to this awful place, together, yet now alone, completely separated from each other?
Nathan waded through the muddy stream winding between him and Marigold, balancing and slipping a couple of times on the muddy moss-covered rocks, but finally making it through to scoop the little wayward lamb up in his arms and carry her through the treacherous storm to the shelter of the barn and her waiting Mother.
Nathan could hear the poor Mother bleating through the wind, calling for her little Marigold, who had been lost, frozen with fear.
Bleats that were full of worry and panic, even need for her lost Child.
When he finally made it into the warmth of the barn, Marigold's Mother came running toward her wayward baby lamb, and immediately began to smother her with kisses, before starting to clean her and warm her.
Nathan smiled.
All was well for Marigold.
But what about Elizabeth? He had to figure out a way to reach her. He had to.
How he had no idea.
It was a conundrum he had often pondered over the last few months, but always without arriving at any plausible solution.
All he wanted to do was put his arms around her and carry her to safety, too, just like Marigold.
But it seemed he could do no right in Elizabeth's eyes.
Perhaps she was actually happy with Lucas.
Perhaps it was too much to think she could truly forgive him.
Perhaps she really wanted a less complicated life, one that didn't include him.
"Maybe, I'm seeing it all wrong. And if that's the case, Newton, that she's somehow truly happy, then we have to be happy too!"
But Newton neighed vociferously, clearly disagreeing with his Master!
Whether it was Elizabeth, the weather or a combination of the two Nathan wasn't sure, but knowing his Steed as one, he had a strong feeling it was Elizabeth.
After all, Newton had happily gone along with Elizabeth on her mad chase after Robert.
Newton had always been a sucker for a beautiful lady, especially one as beautiful as Elizabeth, and he even missed being petted by Little Jack.
"Okay, Buddy, then you tell me what to do because I'm at a total loss here!"
With rounds finally completed, Nathan dismounted Newton in front of his office, tied him to the railing, and tried his best to shake himself out, before entering his Office.
He just wanted to change to dry clothes, sip a hot cup of coffee and spend some time alone to think.
He had to come up with something and he had to come up with it quickly.
"Finally, some time alone!" Nathan voiced aloud.
But when he opened his door, his office was anything but a place of solitude…
"Where have you been?" Bill asked gruffly, sitting behind his desk.
"Where do you think I've been, Bill? On Rounds, just like every other day about this time!"
"Nathan, we've gotta talk!"
"Sure, what about?"
"You."
"Me? Whatever for? Nothing to talk about, Bill!"
"Sit!" commanded Bill brusquely. "I beg to differ."
Nathan sighed deeply and reluctantly did as he was ordered, sitting in one of the chairs across from HIS desk, as Bill was sitting in Nathan's OWN chair behind his OWN desk!
"I want you to be upfront with me, and I'm not gonna settle for anything less. You hear me?"
"Yes, Sir. I hear. What?"
"I want to know what's going on between you and Elizabeth."
"Nothing."
"Yeah! That's pretty evident. I want to know what went down to cause this 'nothing,' and I want to know right now."
"Nothing important."
"Nathan, sometimes you can be closed tighter than a rotten clam! I'm here to help a couple of friends, and you happen to be one of them, and I might add I'm not leavin' till I get what I came for. I have as long as it takes."
"Well, I don't!"
Bill didn't say a word, and instead gave Nathan his death stare.
Neither man spoke a word for a good ten minutes, both waiting the other out.
"I want you to know I've been asked to perform a Wedding Ceremony this evening and I'm none too happy about it. Now, out with it."
Nathan's heart lurched and sank.
And Bill saw by the look on his ashen face.
"You told her, didn't you?" he asked incredulously. "You told her you loved her, and she ran! Straight into Bouchard's arms!"
Nathan sat pale, but stoically without saying a word.
"Nathan, you told her you loved her! And I now know when it happened. Right before that oil disaster. Right when she started flirting with Bouchard. Which I couldn't believe!"
"Bill, stop. If I did, a lot of good it did. Now lay off! If Elizabeth…" but he couldn't say the words.
"Let me tell you something, you have about three hours to do something, or a few lives are going to be ruined. Yours being one of them. To say nothing of Allie's, much less we mention Elizabeth and Little Jack. And God help me, it looks like I'm the one that gets to make this mess official. Do something, and I mean now!"
Bill rose from his chair, and literally stomped to the door, but then he softened as he turned around.
"Nathan, you're like a Son to me and Elizabeth is like a Daughter, and those Children, well, don't get me started! I'm here to tell you, you better get moving and you better get moving fast! You have till tonight at half-past six. Not a minute more."
Nathan couldn't even look at Bill.
He was sicker than he had ever been.
Physically, emotionally, and mentally sicker than he had ever been.
"How could she do this, Bill?" the words were barely eeked out in almost a whisper.
"Nathan, you're smart. You'll figure this out. I'm counting on you and so are Elizabeth, Allie, and Little Jack! Now, get on it!"
With that Bill slammed the door.
"Always one for the dramatic exit," murmured Nathan sardonically to Maxx, the big long-haired stray Collie who had adopted the Mountie Office as his home, and who was now more asleep than awake at his feet.
Nathan's body slumped over in his chair, eyes closed, as he ran his hands through his wet hair.
He then jumped up to try to make himself look more presentable, and change into a drier Serge, so he could go and maybe…
But he couldn't.
Nathan knew he couldn't.
Elizabeth knew he loved her unconditionally.
He had made that abundantly clear again when they had discussed the Fort Clay fallout in private, standing right here in this office, sometime after the debacle on Main Street.
He had told her the entire story.
He would have gladly given his very life, had it meant Jack would still be with the woman Nathan now loved more than life itself.
He would have given everything, his life, his love for her, had he been able to save Jack.
He had tried his best, but it hadn't been good enough.
The pain had eaten away at him over the years.
It had turned him into a shadow of his former bubbly self.
Nathan had come to Hope Valley to make sure Elizabeth and the townspeople were safe after their great loss.
True he had requested to be transferred here, but he had never in his wildest dreams expected to fall in love with Jack's widow.
But fall in love, he did, deeply and hopelessly.
He had also told her that true love was always worth fighting for, that he was fighting for them, and always would.
Still, there had been no reaction, but at least she had heard the words.
His mind went back to last week and another incident that cut him to the core.
He had found Little Jack who had wandered off from Laura, looking for his Mama, as Nathan had correctly suspected. The toddler had only made it a short distance from the house, but he had gone toward the pond, and Nathan shuddered to think what might have happened.
"Jack, Big Guy, it's Nathan. Can you come to me?"
Little Jack had been dangerously close to the Pond's edge as he came into Nathan's sight, and Nathan had been terrified the Child was going to slip and fall in before he could reach him.
But when Jack turned at hearing his Mountie Nathan's voice, he came running, calling out "Daddy!" "Daddy!"
Nathan ran to him, swooped him up, with tears falling, and smothered him with hugs and kisses.
"Oh, Son, you don't know how much I wish…I do love you, Jack, just like my Son."
No one had heard it but Nathan, and it would never leave Nathan's memory.
Or his heart.
His promises to Jack, Sr., his love for Elizabeth, for Allie, and for this little boy – this was everything Nathan had ever wanted.
Minus Elizabeth.
For she was now coupled with Lucas.
Nathan sat holding Little Jack for a few moments, reassuring him, loving him, and then he reluctantly carried him back to Laura.
But once at Elizabeth's rowhouse, Nathan had stayed and played trains with Little Jack, waiting with Laura till Elizabeth got home so he could tell her himself what had happened, as Laura had been so nervous about telling her alone.
He didn't want to be there. It hurt too badly. But it was his job, and this was personal.
So, whether she liked it or not, he would complete his task, while giving Jack the security he so desperately needed.
Nathan never asked where she had been, but he instinctively knew it was with Lucas, and the flood of red that came to her face, verified that. But even so, Nathan would never think less of her. Elizabeth was a good Mother, and she couldn't possibly have known Little Jack would have needed her at that moment and would wander off in search of her.
At first, she had been upset and flustered that Nathan had been waiting for her, but then of course became even more so when she realized she could have lost her son.
And no, he hadn't mentioned the "Daddy" part.
But now, he had less than three hours.
And although he didn't know how, he had to try.
He had to do something.
After straightening himself up, Nathan said a quick prayer.
"Be with me. Give me the words Elizabeth needs to hear."
He first took Newton to the Livery to give him a rest, and slowly headed on foot to Elizabeth's rowhouse, trying to conjure the all-important words that needed to be said.
As he stepped up to Elizabeth's front porch he saw huge bouquets of expensive flowers practically covering the entire porch, and as he knocked on the door, he noticed there was silence from within.
But just as he thought no one was home, the door opened, and it was Elizabeth herself standing in a living room also full of exotic flowers.
In an instant, Nathan noticed her favorite Lavender Roses were missing. And there were none of the natural wildflowers she loved so much. There also was a plethora of greenery she particularly disliked.
She always said that flowers should stand on their own, without being encumbered by ugly greenery, so that their true beauty could be properly enjoyed.
But his eyes could evade her no longer, and as he turned them back to her, he was absolutely stunned at how beautiful she looked.
She was dressed in what he now knew had to be her Wedding Gown, and her hair had been pulled back into a low bun.
She had never looked more exquisite.
She was wearing large pear-shaped diamond earrings, a Wedding gift from Lucas he assumed, and his heart sank even further.
Then she smiled faintly, obviously a little embarrassed.
"Nathan. Come in," she offered softly, without meeting his eyes.
"I know you must be busy, so I won't take much of your time," he announced wanly.
She directed him to the big easy chair and she herself sat down very primly on the edge of the settee across from him.
They both looked down. They both knew what this discussion was about. They both knew it had to happen.
As always, they could speak in code without actually speaking, and that was the case today. In this critical conversation, as much was said without words as with words. Both knew this conversation alone held the potential to be life-changing.
And then Nathan took charge and looked at her until she had to look back at him, into his sparkling translucent blue eyes.
"I love you more than life itself, Elizabeth. I love Little Jack as my own Son. I would do anything in this world to make you happy and give Jack the best upbringing a child could have. But you, Lizabeth, are my everything, my sun, my moon, my stars. You are everything good in my life. You are what makes my life worth living."
"I'm getting married at half-past six."
"I have three questions. Are you in love with Lucas? Are you truly happy with Lucas?"
She looked down, "That's two questions. What's your third question?"
"Do you love me?"
"I will fall in love with Lucas in time, given marriage. And yes, I will be happy."
"Do you love me, Lizabeth?"
"I care for you."
"Do you love me, Lizabeth?" and he looked straight into her own beautiful blue eyes, without wavering.
She didn't answer.
"Tell me you don't love me," he all but dared.
"I care for you deeply, and I am so very grateful for your friendship. I will miss that, terribly."
And just as he knew, she couldn't say the words that day in the woods, she still couldn't, for they would both know the words would simply be a lie.
They both knew their hearts were full of love for the other.
That couldn't be denied.
"Oh, Lizabeth. I will always be a friend to you till the day I die. And truthfully," Nathan got up ready to leave.
"Truthfully, God help me, I will love you till then, too."
And there it was as he continued, that lopsided grin that made her go weak in the knees.
"You absconded with my heart that very first day. Nothing will ever change that," he smiled faintly, but she noticed his eyes were sparkling like the diamond earrings she was wearing.
She almost smiled back at him, but instead quickly averted her eyes away from him, as it was simply too painful.
She rose to walk behind him to the door, wanting to touch him once more, wanting to hold him, wanting desperately to hear his heartbeat, but instead she never once allowed herself to look at him.
Because she knew she couldn't trust herself.
He turned and took her cold hands, crossing his own with hers, and without meaning to, his ring finger rested on hers, as though it belonged there.
"You have given me more love, more compassion, more joy than I have ever had in my life, and I will be eternally grateful," and although his voice cracked, he was able to succinctly get out, "I wish you and Lucas the very best on your marriage. I sincerely do, and I give you my word, I won't interfere. Goodbye, Lizabeth. My darling Lizabeth."
He thought a moment and as hard as it was, he knew as a gentleman he had to properly congratulate her.
"May I kiss the Bride?"
She nodded with down-turned eyes, and he softly kissed her cheek, then turned to leave.
But the fire even in that innocent kiss was there, and both were incredulous that it could be so.
Even Elizabeth had to reach her hand to cover the spot that was still burning as she watched him walk away from her house for the last time.
He never looked back, although his entire being longed to do so.
She finally closed the door, as he was no longer in sight.
Then she crumbled, sobbing hysterically, shrieking his name, as the mournful sounds rang through her Wedding Flower adorned, but empty, house.
Nathan knocked on the Wiece's door.
"Mrs. Wiece, I hate to bother you, but I need to be at the office tonight. Would it be possible for Allie to stay for Dinner if I pay at the Café for your Family? I'd love to give you a break from cooking."
"Nathan, you know that's not necessary!"
"That's the least I can do! You all enjoy your evening," and Nathan bent to kiss Mrs. Wiece's cheek as he handed her the cash for as much food as the entire Family could possibly want.
"Nathan, you look so sad. I'm going to pray for you tonight, starting right now. I don't know what's wrong, but sometimes when things look the worst, well, that's just when they start to get better."
"Thank you for that. But I'm afraid it would take a miracle for this one."
"Then that's exactly what I'll pray for!"
Mrs. Wiece surmised she probably was more on target as to cause than Nathan suspected, for she had seen Mrs. Thornton earlier today at the Mercantile, and she had had the exact same look on her face that Nathan was now wearing.
And if the rumors were true, the unhappy Mrs. Thornton was about to become the unhappy Mrs. Bouchard.
'Yes, Nathan is right. It might take a Miracle, but Miracles happen all the time,' thought Mrs. Wiece.
"Especially in Hope Valley," she smiled to herself, as she voiced the words out loud.
She turned from her door and ran to her phone to start a prayer chain for what she knew was a most urgent matter.
Food was the furthest thing from Nathan's mind, although he hadn't eaten since Breakfast.
But someone else was hungry and thirsty!
"Come here, Boy! At least I can always count on you and Newton!"
Maxx had jumped up in the chair, standing on his hind legs, happily licking his Master's face.
"Let's get you some food and water!"
As Nathan filled Maxx's bowls, it dawned on him he really could do nothing now, but pray that God would direct Elizabeth to do what was best for her life.
He didn't really understand her choice.
If it couldn't be him, he would have preferred her to be with someone else, someone solid like Carson or Hickam, but it wasn't his choice, it was Elizabeth's.
Would he always feel like this?
Like half of him had been ripped away.
Like he was empty inside.
Like it was the worst pain imaginable.
Like his life was ending.
He locked the door, as it was now past closing time, and he lay down on the bed in the first cell, staring at the ceiling.
He prayed some, he thought some, he felt like crying but didn't really know how.
His heart had been broken that day long ago when he had professed his love to Elizabeth, and she ran away.
But even given that, he knew before and after that, she loved him too.
And he knew it now.
Circumstances.
How could circumstances be a living thing, to keep a love as great as theirs apart from each other?
He had meant it when he had offered to quit the Mounties, but somehow Elizabeth never allowed that thought to be entertained.
They really hadn't talked that much with each other during the ensuing months.
She had purposely kept herself rather busy with Lucas.
And maybe he did understand it.
Lucas could offer her security.
He was safe and he was obviously showing her a good time.
Something he had never had the chance to do.
Nathan finally got up and knelt beside the jailhouse bed and prayed simply but with all his heart.
"Be with her Dear God. Help her to see her path, and if that path is Lucas, help me to see it too. And to accept it, I pray."
And then Nathan went to his desk, and opened the top drawer, pulling out the Bible his Mother had given him when he became a Mountie.
"But, Mother, I have a Bible!" he had said.
"You listen, Son! You need two! One by your bed and one by your desk at work!" she had answered vociferously and there had been no discussion.
One didn't debate your Mother, not if she was the headstrong Mrs. Grant.
Nathan grinned, as he realized that over the years, as usual, she had been proven right.
That Bible in his desk drawer had been a source of comfort many times.
He flipped through the pages, and because he was in such a quandary, not knowing what it was he needed to read, he let them fall wherever they wanted.
"Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away." Song of Solomon 8:7 (*1)
But this he already knew.
"Does this mean I live the rest of my life in this abject misery?" he asked aloud.
And then it was clear, he couldn't change his future, it was dependent on Elizabeth either way.
But he could pray that her future be what was truly best for her…
The clock struck 6 pm.
Nathan remained glued to his chair, praying as he had never before prayed in his life, praying for his Elizabeth, who would no longer be his in a matter of moments.
Not even in his thoughts.
Nathan prayed without ceasing, till beads of sweat dripped from his face.
And then the clock chimed its half-hour.
He prayed still, not knowing what else he could do.
The Wedding Ceremony was starting and there was nothing to do to stop it…
"Elizabeth, don't do this unless you love him more than me."
"Don't do this unless you love him more than me."
"Do not do this unless you love Lucas more than me…"
There was such anguish in his cries.
He was willing her with all his might to be honest with herself.
"Please, Elizabeth if you can't love me more, love yourself most. Don't do this unless you truly, truly can't live without him."
And then he was spent.
A calm finally descended over him.
He could not change anything.
He had done his best.
So, he sat in silence, with Maxx at his feet, both troubled with the heaviness that pervaded the room.
He could take it no longer and started closing up shop.
Maybe a walk would help, or better yet a ride…
As he stepped through his office door, there was an inexplicable fear that surrounded him like nothing he had ever experienced in his entire life.
It was palpable, hanging in the air...
But he made himself take a step forward, then another step till he was down the stairs of the Boardwalk and headed toward the livery to get Newton.
The Saloon and Café appeared to be bustling with people out for Dinner.
As he passed by the Café Allie waved through the window.
'Oh no, Allie's bound to hear…what will I ever tell her?' and what was left of his heart sank again.
Nathan brought his hands to his face.
But the crowd's noise was muffled and all the townspeople sounded so far away, because his thoughts, although he wouldn't allow his eyes to do the same, moved singularly to Bill's office.
Bill was ready, although reluctantly, to start the Ceremony.
He stood behind a small podium in his office now overflowing with the massive bouquets of flowers Lucas had had Gustav deliver earlier in the day.
Lee and Rosemary were dressed to the nines, as the Groom had requested.
But Bill knew them well enough to know the smiles plastered on both their faces were weak at best.
In fact, Bill noticed, it was only the Groom who seemed slightly happy, although even he seemed to be a bit distracted.
As for the Bride, beautiful as always, but more nervous than Bill had ever seen her.
And not surprisingly to Bill, his Godson was nowhere to be found.
For a split second, Bill wondered if he could make a run for it, but Rosemary 'felt' the thought and gave him a look that would kill.
The Groom walked over to his Bride and took her hand, then nervously led her to their places in front of the podium.
Lee and Rosemary took their places beside them as Best Man and Matron of Honor.
There had been no rehearsal, as both the Bride and Groom had been adamant that that wasn't necessary.
The Bride was also insistent that there would be no walking down an aisle.
"I've already done that once!" she said decisively.
Bill prayed a short silent prayer, 'Dear God, help us!'
It was a prayer as much for himself as well as others he loved, but it definitely included everyone in his Courtroom, as well as others who were not.
You see, the Judge was not at all sure he could complete the officiation of this particular Wedding.
But strengthened by prayer, he proceeded with the start of the Ceremony.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here this evening on this most auspicious occasion for the marriage of Lucas Bouchard to Elizabeth Thatcher Thornton."
"Marriage is a most honorable estate, and should not be entered into lightly, but with much reverence and trepidation."
Yes, perhaps trepidation was a rather harsh word, but the Judge purposely used it because he particularly wanted this Bride and this Groom to be completely sure of what they were committing to…so he paused, and allowed the couple standing before him to think a moment.
But there was no apparent hesitation, so the Judge quickly cleared his throat and continued on…
"Do you Lucas Bouchard solemnly declare that you know of no legal impediment why you may not be joined in matrimony to Elizabeth Thatcher Thornton?"
"I do."
"Will the Groom please repeat after me? I, Lucas, take you, Elizabeth to be my wife…"
"I, Lucas, take you, Elizabeth to be my wife…"
"To have and to hold from this day forward, for….
A crack of rumbling thunder sounded over them, distracting the Judge and entire Wedding Party with a jolt!
The entire time Elizabeth had been looking into the eyes of the Man she was about to commit her life to, all she could hear were Nathan's words that kept playing over and over in her mind.
'I love you more than life itself, Elizabeth.'
'I love Little Jack as my own Son.'
'I would do anything in this world to make you happy and give Jack the best upbringing a child could have.'
'But you, Lizabeth, are my everything, my sun, my moon, my stars.'
'You are everything good in my life.'
'You are what makes my life worth living.'
'God help me, I will love you till my dying day.'
'Do you love me, Lizabeth?'
'Tell me you don't love me…'
His words played over and over in her mind till she could take it no more.
"STOP!" the Bride was as loud and as clear as the previous clap of sounding thunder.
And there was an immediate collective sigh of relief from the Judge, the Best Man, the Matron of Honor, and perhaps even the Groom.
Elizabeth's voice softened, but it was firm and clear.
"Lucas, I'm so sorry. I can't do this. I just can't do this. I thought I could but I can't. You deserve so much more than I can give you…this isn't meant to be for either of us!"
Lucas slowly nodded, "I only want you to be happy. I…I understand, Elizabeth."
And truthfully, Lucas did understand.
He had known this was a huge gamble.
Even less than his preferred 40% odds, but he had been willing to take the risk, for various reasons, some known only to him.
As hard as they had tried, something was missing.
And both of them knew it.
They had known it from the beginning.
Still, they had tried, and it was only now that Lucas realized Elizabeth hadn't been running to him. She had been running away from Nathan.
Elizabeth turned and literally ran out of the Judge's Office…
"Lucas, I'm sorry you're going through this. I know it's a loss, but there'll be someone out there better suited to you. I know it. And you'll know it!"
"It's okay Bill," and Lucas did a strange thing.
He reached for Bill's hand, handed him some cash, and smirked, "I knew I was playing a losing hand! My odds were poor at best!"
Lee offered Lucas similar condolences and Rosemary quickly gave him a kiss on the cheek, but then both ran out of the office, much further behind Elizabeth than Rosemary would have liked!
"Bill is there a back exit?" asked a slightly embarrassed Lucas.
"Of course. Right this way…"
Bill smiled and waved goodbye, then closed and locked the door, literally yelling, "Thank you, Dear God!"
He quickly turned and followed the entire Wedding Party's exit to Main Street.
Where he couldn't believe what he saw before him…
"Well, it's about time!" he whispered to Rosemary and Lee, as he came up behind them beaming as they watched.
Rosemary was jubilant, "I just knew it. I knew it, Lee! I knew it, Bill!"
Nathan's morose thoughts were drowning out all the life about him, and although he wouldn't allow his eyes to follow, all of his thoughts moved collectively to Bill's office holding Elizabeth's Wedding.
And then he heard it.
"Nathan!"
It was a voice he'd know anywhere, but he couldn't possibly be hearing it, not now. It was too late. It was much too late.
She was now Mrs. Lucas Bouchard.
But when he raised his head, full of trepidation, his heart lurched at what he saw.
She looked like a vision, with the evening light glowing about her, reflecting the joy in her face, and she was running as fast as she could to him.
Without thinking, he took off running as fast as he could to her, hoping against hope.
"I couldn't do it. I love you, Nathan Grant. It's always been you. Please forgive me for everything and please, please, please love me!"
And right there in the middle of Main Street, he took her in his arms and lifted her up by her tiny waist, twirling her around and around.
When he finally stopped, still holding her tightly, he brought his lips to hers and there was no one else in the entire world for either of them.
He kissed her with all the passion and urgency that had been building from the moment they met, and she kissed him as she had kissed no other. Finally, free to love him for the magnificent man he was. The kiss deepened and deepened and he lifted her to him again.
But there were no words for their lips were otherwise occupied.
And although the townspeople who had come out on the Boardwalk to see the commotion were clapping and shouting for their Mountie and Teacher, Nathan and Elizabeth heard none of it.
It was just the two of them, alone in their very own world, the world that should have been theirs from the moment they met.
But sadly, outside circumstances had intervened, and it was only now, that their world would become a reality.
Talk about joy in Hope Valley?
Well, the townspeople had never seen anything like it.
For there wasn't a person, well maybe one, no not even one, that didn't know these two were made for each other…
But as Nathan and Elizabeth continued their time together oblivious of anyone and everyone else, Allie and Little Jack, who had also been in the Café having Dinner with Laura, came running.
"Dad!" "Mom?" "Daddy!" "Mama!"
Elizabeth was in shock, although for the first time in a long time, a very happy shock!
Had Little Jack just called Nathan Daddy? Had Allie just tentatively called her Mom?
Nathan grabbed Allie with one arm, drawing her close, and then lifted up Little Jack with a wink, still holding Elizabeth with his other arm. Elizabeth wrapped her free arm around Allie as she moved more to the middle.
Then came the Family hugs and kisses galore, as the Grant Family of Hope Valley was officially born!
The skies had cleared, but the crowd's applause was thunderous.
And there wasn't a dry eye in Hope Valley.
Rosemary was sobbing and even Lee and Bill were wiping their eyes.
But somehow, someone had 'borrowed' the Victrola from Bill's Café and wheeled it out onto the Boardwalk.
In no time at all, the most beautifully romantic music was wafting through the streets of Hope Valley.
Nathan's eyes sparkled and he very gallantly asked, "Mrs. Thornton, may I have this dance?"
"This and every other one on my life's dance card!"
"You might want to do a test run with me first," he teased.
"I'll take my chances!"
Nathan and Elizabeth separated enough for him to be able to take her hand and lead her to a spot with just the two of them again.
"Why Nathan Grant, you can dance!"
"Mounties can do things you know, besides 'Mountie-ing!'" he grinned lopsidedly.
"Duly noted," she laughed, as she fell more closely into his strong arms and gave way to him leading her in this their first glorious dance together.
Other couples started filling the street, and soon those who weren't part of a couple also began to pair up, until all of Hope Valley was dancing to the music on Main Street.
Upon hearing the music, even Lucas had sauntered out onto his balcony with what had become his ever-present teacup, and as he stood there feeling partially heartbroken and partially relieved, as well as a bit embarrassed over his loss, Fiona walked up and took his hand, leading him down the stairs and onto the street, to the town's makeshift dancefloor.
Allie was laughing and dancing with her now officially soon-to-be Little Brother.
That is until Robert cut in…
Nathan just smiled as he noticed out of the corner of his eye, and gave a knowing look to his glowing Daughter, as Rosemary and Lee started dancing with Little Jack.
Like-like and love-love.
Of this, he was sure, and joy filled his very soul.
This was his Family and he was Home.
As Elizabeth gazed up at him and read his thoughts, she stretched to whisper in his ear.
"Nathan Grant, with all my heart I love you. And yes, I'm Home, too, my Darling! We're Home together."
What a Couple and what a Family!
These four Grants and possibly more would be…totally unstoppable.
Their lives in Hope Valley would be full of surprises, exciting and deliriously happy ones, for this was a Family that was placed together by God.
As surely as if He had given this Couple Allie and Jack, their Children, by birth together, the four of them were meant to be.
For Nathan, Elizabeth, Allie, and Little Jack had always been a Family of sorts.
Perhaps it just hadn't been official.
Each had experienced great loss, yet each had so much love to give the other, it just couldn't help but bubble over and out.
Theirs was a love that would never be taken for granted, by any of them.
Absolutely no pun whatsoever intended!
And so, the beautiful story of the Grant Family begins…with all the lost lambs in Hope Valley being found and placed exactly where they were supposed to be.
(*1) King James Bible, Song of Solomon 8:7, Public Domain