Season's End: The Finale We Wanted
This is my very first fanfiction! Like many others, I was disappointed in the When Calls the Heart Season 8 finale… so I decided to rewrite it based on what my initial expectations had been. If someone tells you a fictional story that breaks your heart, throw it out and write your own, I say! Reality is heartbreaking enough, and our favorite characters can't help the lines they are given.
Please note that I don't dislike Lucas. I actually rooted for Lucas through seasons 6, 7 and the beginning of 8 — but the story they told led many of us to Nathan and a lot of people are hurting over that. Just hoping this might help bring some healing. It was cathartic for me to write.
Other things to note: I used a few of the more significant lines from the sneak peeks. Bill's words to Lucas are inspired by The Notebook. Changed the order of a few events and excluded others for time's sake. Also, I started to get a bit delirious by the time I hit the middle… so things get sillier than they should. Seriously though, how many times can Jesse get lost?
There also *might* be a special appearance from our other, other favorite Mountie, #GhostJack… so be on the lookout for that.
Love and blessings to all.
Elizabeth stood on the porch in shock for several minutes as Lucas' footsteps receded down the road. By the time she came to herself again and looked after him, he had already disappeared from view.
She took a deep and steadying breath as the first large tears splashed down her face. The initial shock had passed, and the natural sting of rejection was setting in. Somewhere inside, she could feel a chapter closing — a chapter she could never bring herself to read in full. She stared at the ground through blurred vision a while longer before finally turning around and retreating to the solace of home.
As Elizabeth shut the door behind her, she expected to find the comfort that her warm and peaceful house had always provided… but for the first time, the space felt as cold as the autumn air outside. As though a veil had lifted from her eyes, it dawned on her that she kept her home much like her heart — a space only large enough for herself, her son and the memory of her lost love. Everyone else, she had kept at arm's length, only allowing them to stay for a brief visit before shutting them safely on the other side of the door. Outside, they couldn't hurt her… and yet, here she was, inside her home — the rest of the world at a distance — and still hurting.
Interestingly, it was Rosemary's face that came to mind at this moment. A friend shut out. A friend pushed away. A friend sent out in the cold. But Elizabeth quickly shook her head, unable to process the avalanche of pain and accusation that seemed to rush at her from every direction. Exhausted, she made her way to her bedroom, knowing that thinking would produce no progress tonight. She prepared for sleep, going through the motions like a woman in a trance. When she finally lay down, she stared at the ceiling, a few more tears rolling from the corners of her eyes.
"Jack," she whispered to the empty room. "Jack, I miss you so much. I didn't think it would still be so hard after three years, but I need you now more than ever. I'm so lost…"
After a short while, Elizabeth's whispers subsided into sobs, her sobs turned to soft whimpering cries, and her cries faded into the black silence of sleep.
She was walking slowly down the road in town, uncertain of her destination. Where had she been headed again? Her head felt foggy.
"Elizabeth."
She stopped dead in her tracks as a cold wave of shock traveled from the top of her head and down her spine. She instantly recognized the voice that had called her name, but she also knew it was too good to be true. She spun around breathing heavily, casting a few furtive glances from building to building. From where had the voice come?
"Elizabeth."
The call sounded farther away this time, as though it hailed from the outskirts of town.
"Jack?" Elizabeth let out a bewildered cry, heart pounding as she broke into a sprint. She had never felt so wild and desperate in all her life. "Jack, please tell me where you are!"
A few unfamiliar townspeople stopped to wonder at the frantic schoolteacher as she passed, but her senses barely registered their presence. Elizabeth single-mindedly raced for the edge of town, unclear of her direction but willing to run forever.
That's when she saw him. Standing beneath the trees, near the bridge where she and Lucas had raced their horses only a few months prior… was Jack. His red serge stood out like a shock against the brownish tint of autumn, and Elizabeth's heart exploded inside her chest.
After a brief and overwhelming pause, she raced full throttle toward him, but suddenly, he seemed even farther away. It happened several times. She would run, and instantly he would be farther… or off to the right… or deeper into the trees.
"Stop running, Elizabeth," Jack said firmly.
Out of breath and overcome by sobs of frustration, she instantly obeyed.
"Jack, I need… to hold you," Elizabeth gasped.
"Don't you see, my love? You can't hold onto me, any more than you can hold onto the colors of spring."
"Jack, no," she said, shaking her head and sinking to her knees. "It hurts too much."
"I know, my love — and I wish more than anything that I could be there to help you through this. But being on this side of things gives some perspective," he smiled gently. "Loving you was the most important thing I did with my life… but our love was special because it made us stronger. It made us better. It was never meant to keep us frozen in a single season. It was so much more than that."
Elizabeth wept quietly as she listened, fixated on his face and hanging on his every word.
"God never owed us anything," Jack continued. "But He gave us each other. He used our love to grow us and shape us in order to prepare us for His greater plan… and there is a beautiful plan ahead of you, Elizabeth."
Jack's eyes were shining as he shook his head with emotion. "You've always listened to your heart. Your instincts have always been true. Don't fail to follow them now. Stop running. Don't hold too tightly to the past… And never stop fighting for love. Look inside. You'll see what's there."
Elizabeth knew he was right, and even now, she could feel him slipping away from her. A final pang of fear gripped her heart as she looked at Jack one final time. She etched all of his features into her mind, even as they began to blur.
"Oh Jack, I love you so much," she whispered with everything in her heart.
"I love you always, Elizabeth. Tell Little Jack I love him too, that I'm sorry I can't be there and that I'll always be watching over you both."
And there she was, back in her room, staring up at the ceiling. It was early morning, and Little Jack had not yet awakened. As the memory of the dream washed over her, Elizabeth rolled onto her side, curled into a ball and wept.
Elizabeth hadn't cried like that since the week of Jack's funeral. Suddenly all her feelings were as fresh and raw as they had been during those first dark days. Jack's words had shattered the defensive barrier that time had built around her heart, and she was grieving all over again.
This time, she wanted the grief to help her grow.
Robert was scheduled to watch Little Jack later that morning, so Elizabeth resolved on starting her day. She quickly dressed and fixed her hair before checking in on Little Jack. When she opened the door to her son's room, she saw that he was already awake in his crib and playing with his favorite bear. He smiled brightly as his mother entered.
"Oh hello, my sweet boy!" Elizabeth said smiling. She picked him up and hugged him tightly, pressing her lips to his head. "My morning sunshine, I love you so much… and so does your daddy."
Elizabeth's heart panged as she looked down at Little Jack's crib, remembering a conversation from the past. Jack had promised to build a crib for their child someday — a labor of love he never had the opportunity to begin.
She shook herself from her sad thoughts and attended to her son. She dressed him for the day and prepared his breakfast while he played with his toys. After cleaning up the dishes, she sat down to read two picture books with him, absorbing his smiles as a form of therapy. Then came Robert's knock at the door.
Elizabeth had planned on heading to the schoolhouse and finishing her lesson plans for the upcoming year, but she realized that might be counterproductive after the night she'd had. After leaving Robert with some instructions, donning her beige coat and kissing her son goodbye, she decided to take a walk and clear her head.
It was no mistake that she soon found herself at the bridge.
A part of her had wandered here to feel closer to Jack, and to recall the details of the dream that were already fading from memory. It also seemed like the best place to grieve her broken relationship with Lucas and process his words from the night before. She considered how her indecision must have hurt him… must have hurt everyone. Lucas. Nathan. Allie. Rosemary. Again, her best friend's face swam into her mind. How crestfallen Rosemary had looked the day Elizabeth sent her away.
For the second time that morning, Elizabeth again found her face wet. She touched a hand to her cheek, a bit stunned that she had any tears left to cry.
Whatever she would decide to do later, she knew this: she needed to apologize to her best friend. The healing would start there.
Elizabeth paced outside the Coulters' front door for several seconds, pondering what she should say. What could she say, really? She briefly thought about baking a fast batch of muffins and bringing them with her as a peace offering, but she knew she couldn't bake her way out of this apology. It needed to come from the heart, and she couldn't put it off another minute. She'd already waited too long.
Elizabeth swallowed, overcoming any remainder of pride and mustering her courage to step onto the porch. As she raised her hand to knock, the door suddenly swung open. Both women took a step back in surprise.
"Elizabeth!" Rosemary exclaimed. She had just been about to leave for her … Lee's ... office, and certainly didn't expect to find her estranged best friend on the doorstep.
"Rosemary, I'm so sorry." All of Elizabeth's words rushed out at once. "I've behaved horribly. I don't know how I ever doubted your intentions or your friendship. I was too afraid and too wounded to acknowledge that you were right about Nathan and Jack… so I pushed you away. Will you forgive me for lashing out the way I did?"
"Oh, of course I forgive you!" Rosemary said with her signature bright smile, a feature that had been notably absent since the argument. "And I hope you'll forgive me if what I said was too blunt."
"You've always told me the absolute truth when I needed to hear it the most. What else are friends for?" Elizabeth asked, her shining eyes reflecting her best friend's.
Rosemary threw her arms open, and Elizabeth crashed into her with a healing hug that immediately mended their hearts and their friendship.
"I guess I shouldn't be surprised at Lucas letting me go. Anyone could see that something was happening with Nathan," Elizabeth said, casting a guilty glance down at her tea. Rosemary had invited her in to talk and was setting a plate of cookies on the table. She eyed her friend carefully.
"I have to admit… there did seem to be something between the two of you when I stepped onto the porch yesterday," Rosemary smiled, still treading lightly. "There's always been a bit of a spark, but… I don't know. Something just felt different."
"Oh Rosemary," Elizabeth sighed, cradling her head in her hands. "I was mortified. Nathan came over to deliver Florence's bridal bouquet, and he looked so cold that I offered to warm his serge at the fire. When it was ready, I helped him put it back on… but then I found myself starting to button it as well! It's something I used to do for Jack. I never thought it would feel so natural to care for someone else that way."
She paused a moment and took a deep breath. She was about to reveal more aloud than she had even allowed herself to acknowledge privately. Her face turned a deeper shade of red.
"At first I told myself that it was only habit… but Jack and I were married for such a short time that there's no way it could have been."
"Oh Elizabeth," Rosemary said, sitting across from her friend and taking her hand. "People come into our lives, some for a reason, others for a season, and some for a lifetime. Jack was a season, and it was glorious. Now it's up to you to decide who might be here for a reason or perhaps even a lifetime… and once you've settled that in your heart, you'll be able to throw yourself into that person's arms with all of your being. It sounds like you may be deciding once and for all?"
"I'll have to face it sooner or later… but I'm so afraid. I had a vivid dream about Jack that really shook me," Elizabeth said, looking down and recalling another memory that suddenly seemed significant. "And a few nights ago, the thunder woke Little Jack and I found myself singing him this lullaby that I haven't heard since my mother sang it to my baby sister. I just feel so lost."
Rosemary smiled gently and spoke what she knew to be true.
"You lost your husband, Elizabeth, but you will find your way. It's there inside you, rooted deep in your heart, same as that old lullaby you sang to Little Jack."
Elizabeth entered her home to find Robert playing with Little Jack and his trains.
"Hi, Mrs. Thornton," Robert said, jumping up cheerfully. "We had a great time. Oh, and Mr. Bouchard came by with a package while you were out. Thought I was the one delivering mail these days…"
He shrugged and handed Elizabeth a parcel. She stared at it for a moment.
The book. The reason.
Jack had been in her life for a season. Lucas had been in it for a reason — to help awaken a long-hushed dream and make it reality. She would be forever grateful, and she needed to tell him that.
She also needed to speak with Nathan.
"Robert, would you be available to watch Little Jack again tomorrow?"
"I was hoping you'd ask. Trying to save up to buy my own horse, you know… and I'm always the right man for the job," he repeated his catchphrase with a confident smirk. "See you tomorrow, Mrs. Thornton."
Elizabeth spent the rest of the evening playing with Little Jack and attempting to work on her lesson plans. Eventually, she finished them… though her head had been so muddled with anxious and invasive thoughts that she wasn't quite sure what they said. Some interesting school days lay ahead of her.
As she brushed her hair in the mirror that night, she felt a strange sort of resolve creeping into her heart — something she hadn't felt in what seemed like years.
Tomorrow she would make the wrong things right. Tomorrow she would not allow fear to steal her joy. Tomorrow she might just be brave enough to fight for love.
Elizabeth awoke feeling much lighter than she had the morning prior. She dressed in a pretty blue that brought out her eyes and spent a few sweet hours with her son.
When Robert arrived, he sat down to read a book with Little Jack. As Elizabeth stepped out the door, she looked back at the boys proudly. Robert had grown so much over the years, turning into a responsible, nurturing young man whom she trusted implicitly with her son.
She smiled again, shut the door behind her and began walking toward the center of town. Today was Carson's send-off, and she didn't want to miss the opportunity to say goodbye. Instantly, she thought of Faith and sent up a quick prayer. This would be a difficult day for her, and it made Elizabeth's heart rend just thinking about it.
By the time she arrived, everyone else had already assembled, though Faith notably stood at a distance. Nathan was absent too, still searching for Jesse who had gone missing two nights before. Jesse was terrible with directions and regularly lost his way, so initially, the town hadn't thought much of it. He had never been missing this long, however, and people were starting to worry.
"Someone needs to buy that boy a compass," Elizabeth muttered as she took her place next to Rosemary.
Lucas was there, pretending to be lost in chatter with Molly and Florence, though his eyes kept glancing nervously toward Elizabeth. She was tempted to stare at her shoes and avoid eye contact altogether. That would be the easy thing to do… but she felt she owed him more than that. She deliberately lifted her gaze, smiled and gave a gentle nod of acknowledgement. He nodded briskly in return.
When Carson came out to say goodbye, everyone's attention turned to him. They each thanked him heartily for his service to Hope Valley. They all valued his friendship. Some of them owed him their lives.
Carson took all their words to heart, but none more so than Minnie's. The words she had spoken to him in the café earlier that morning added value to his existence.
"Thank you, Carson, for helping to get that bitterness out of my heart."
Those words would remain with Carson the rest of his days, serving as a constant reminder to act with kindness and put others before himself.
Hope Valley had meant so much to him. In many ways, it had helped remove the bitterness from his own heart after losing his wife… but it was time to move forward. Seasons — even great seasons — aren't meant to last.
With a final look to the infirmary and the beautiful blonde woman who stood beneath its awning, he boarded the coach and took his leave.
The gatherers were just beginning to disperse when another event drew them back together. Nathan's bright red serge had come into view… trailed by a chilled and disheveled Jesse. Everyone cheered as the two men's horses rode up to the crowd.
Clara ran to meet her husband with tears in her eyes.
"Jesse!" she cried as her husband jumped off his horse and pulled her into his arms. "You're never going on another survey again. You should literally never be alone in the woods. How do you get so turned around?"
"I'm so sorry, Clara," Jesse said, shaking his head. "I tried using trees as landmarks this time, but then I realized there were trees all around and got really confused. I wandered in the wrong direction for two days, living on seeds and wild berries until Nathan found me."
Clara thanked the Mountie heartily and then led her husband home, holding his hand so he wouldn't get lost on the way. There, she would give him a warm meal and a lesson on cardinal directions.
Elizabeth looked at Nathan, impressed and relieved.
"I'm glad you're alright," she said with a smile and slight sigh. "Nathan, may I speak with you later?"
"Anytime," he said, raising his eyebrows in surprise. A conversation with Elizabeth could always mean something very good… or something very bad. He tipped his hat nervously and steered Newton in the direction of the livery.
Elizabeth turned just in time to see Lucas pressing his lips together in displeasure. He pivoted quickly and headed to the café for a soothing cup of chamomile. It felt unnatural to watch Elizabeth talking to Nathan without holding something in his hands. Why hadn't he brought his teacup to the send-off?
Elizabeth decided to follow him. She needed to speak with Minnie about Angela, so she would take the opportunity to make things right with Lucas as well. She stopped to talk with Rosemary for a few moments before walking toward the café.
By the time Elizabeth entered, Bill was already serving Lucas a steaming cup of tea. Lucas' eyes glinted with pleasure… until they turned to the door and took in Elizabeth. Lucas thanked Bill and cast a nervous look down at the table before greeting the lady.
"Hello, Lucas," Elizabeth said with a nervous smile.
"Hello, how are you today?"
"I'm… okay," Elizabeth shrugged with a reassuring nod. "Lucas, I want to thank you for everything you said the other night. You were right, and I'm so sorry for treating you the way that I did. You've been nothing but kind and patient with me. You helped bring one of my life's biggest dreams to fruition, and I will forever value everything that you gave me."
Lucas gave a sad smile, looking down to his quickly cooling tea. He appreciated her words, but he also understood that his own assumptions had been correct. She was not in love with him, and he would need to accept it. He looked up at her.
"I will always value our time together, and I feel grateful to have played a role in helping a deserving author publish her first of many books," Lucas replied graciously.
The door to the café opened again, and Elizabeth turned to see a Pinkerton walking toward Lucas' table.
"Thank you, Lucas," she said with one last meaningful look. "I'll leave you to your meeting."
He nodded and briefly watched her walk away before greeting the man in front of him.
Lucas was considering selling the saloon. He had always been a bit of a drifter, and with Elizabeth out of the picture, he considered whether it might be time to try a fresh start somewhere else. The offer the Pinkerton presented was generous… but his heart was still gripped with indecision.
After the Pinkerton had gone, Bill came back to the table.
"What was that all about?" he asked.
"I've received a tempting offer on the saloon. I'm inclined to take it," Lucas stated honestly.
Bill sat down across from him.
"Lucas, I can't tell you what to do, and God knows I was a bit of a drifter myself before landing in Hope Valley," Bill said. "But will you do something for me? Just picture your life — 10 years from now, 20 years from now. What's it look like? If it's somewhere else, great. Go! But if it's here with people who care about you… well, I think you've found yourself a home."
As Bill's words set in, Lucas' smile began to brighten. It was true. Hope Valley had become his home in a way that no other town ever had been. One romantic disappointment could never change that.
"Now," said Bill, "can I get you anything else?"
Lucas thought a moment. Before ending his relationship with Elizabeth two nights before, he had enjoyed a strong Assam tea to give him courage. Yesterday morning, he'd been in a blue Earl Grey mood. Earlier today, he'd needed chamomile to calm his mind. Now, with a brighter disposition, he decided it was time for his favorite — Lemon Zinger.
Lucas would be okay.
Elizabeth exited the café and walked toward the jail without looking back. She had been afraid of this conversation for too long, and it was time to be brave — as brave as she had been chasing after Robert's runaway horse several weeks prior.
"I bet on Nathan's horse that day," Elizabeth thought. "I'm ready to bet on it again."
She paused at the door to the jail and took a deep breath. After everything she had said to Nathan, this would require humility. What could she do but come with her hat in her hand?
As soon as she opened the door and said hello, Nathan stood up from his desk with a nervous but hopeful look. He had been anticipating her arrival, and no matter what she had to say, he was happy to see the woman he loved in his office again.
"Nathan, I don't know where to begin," she said with a guilty smile, recalling her words by the pond.
Nathan gave a slightly sad chuckle and looked down toward his desk before meeting her eyes again.
"But I wanted you to hear this from me before you find out from anyone else," Elizabeth continued.
Nathan braced himself, his heart stopping for a beat. Ever since Elizabeth and Lucas had started courting, he'd tried to prepare himself for a potential engagement announcement. He still hadn't given up hope that Elizabeth might recognize her true feelings… but there had always been that devastating chance. Still, if she was happy, Nathan would do his best to be happy for her. He steadied his breath and continued to hold Elizabeth's gaze bravely.
"Lucas ended things with me the night before last because…" Elizabeth paused, her cheeks turning pink. "Because he could see that my heart was elsewhere."
Nathan was too stunned to respond. This had not been what he was expecting.
Elizabeth continued. "There's something I've known for a while but haven't been able to say," she repeated her own words again. "I…"
At that moment, the door to the jail burst open and Florence rushed inside.
"Constable!" Florence cried with a flushed face. "One of those Pinkertons is at the mercantile threatening Ned. He wants to buy the store, and Ned won't sell. I slipped out the back door to find you. Please come quickly." She waved her hand to hurry him.
Nathan cast another look at Elizabeth. His heart was in his throat, and he so wanted to continue their conversation — but he knew this was urgent.
"Oh Florence, master of interruptions," he thought to himself.
"Go. We'll talk later," Elizabeth said. "A hero's work is never done."
Nathan smiled one last time before rushing out of the jail and over to the mercantile.
Elizabeth had more errands to run before heading home. She went to the livery to check in on Sergeant and then walked to the schoolhouse. School would start the next day, and she needed to put the final touches on her classroom.
Her heart sank when she saw Mr. Landis, the district's superintendent, already waiting for her. She spoke with him briefly and briskly, reiterating her intentions again and assuring him that one bright, eager student would not hinder the other children. As she watched him leave, she sent up another prayer and felt an inexplicable peace settle in her heart. The people of Hope Valley were different. They had always come together to overcome challenges in the past, and something told Elizabeth this challenge would be no different.
As she exited the school building, Robert came rushing up to her. Out of breath and frantic, his hurried words ran together.
"Robert, slow down," Elizabeth said. Her maternal heart was pounding in her chest, but she needed to understand the situation. "What's happened? Is Little Jack ok?"
"Mrs. Thornton, I only turned my back for a minute to get Little Jack's lunch when I heard him cry. "He had tripped and hit his head on the corner of your writing desk. There was a cut on his forehead, and I didn't know what to do…"
"Where is he now?" Elizabeth said, eyes wide with concern for her son.
"Constable Grant happened to be walking by and heard Little Jack crying," Robert said. "He came in to check on us and offered to stitch up the wound while I ran to find you."
"Thank you, Robert," Elizabeth said, preparing to run home. She forced herself to pause and look at the boy one more time. "Robert, this is not your fault. It could have happened to anyone."
He smiled at her briefly, still looking a bit shaken. Elizabeth squeezed his shoulder in reassurance and rushed home as quickly as her feet could carry her.
Elizabeth was about to burst through the door when she paused on the step. A man's voice was drifting through the open window, singing a familiar song.
Over in Killarney,
Many years ago,
My mother sang this song to me
In tones so sweet and low.
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
Hush now, don't you cry.
Elizabeth had never heard Nathan sing before, but his voice was beautiful and clear. Tears rushed to her eyes, and a sob of disbelief rose in her throat. When Nathan had repeated her words about fighting for love, she had accused Rosemary of tipping him off — but there was no way anyone could have known about this lullaby.
No. This was her sign. This was God's work. This was her lifetime.
Nathan had started singing the same verse again, and Elizabeth joined with him as she walked through the door.
Hush now, don't you…
"Cry." The last word came out in a broken whisper as tears streamed down Elizabeth's face. Temporarily, though, the power of the moment subsided as concern for Little Jack prevailed.
"Oh, my sweet boy," she said quietly, rushing over to the couch and seeing her son asleep in Nathan's arms. A small line of fresh stitches sat above his left eyebrow.
"He'll be fine," Nathan assured her. "After cleansing and stitching the wound, I had Rosemary fetch Faith for a house call just to make sure everything was alright. Should be all healed up in a week or two. He might have a scar story to tell afterward though." Nathan smiled comfortingly.
"I know Mounties are expert seamstresses," Elizabeth said, touching her son's forehead gently and laughing to relieve some of the tension. "A good thing you happened to be nearby. Thank you, Nathan," she said, looking at him admiringly.
"Yeah, well," Nathan paused blushing. "We hadn't gotten to finish our conversation earlier, so I thought I'd see if you were at home."
"Nathan, how do you know that song?"
"Both of my parents are of Irish descent. My grandmother used to sing that lullaby to my mother, and my mother would sing it to Colleen and I at night. It always calmed us when our dad was… away."
He stood and set the sleeping boy gently on the couch. Elizabeth stood with him.
"Oh Nathan," she said with tears in her eyes. "I've been so wrong about everything. I treated you terribly. I ran away from you and threw myself into a relationship with Lucas because I'd been so afraid. For a while, I even used Fort Clay as an excuse to keep you at arm's length so that I wouldn't need to acknowledge what was really in my heart. I am still afraid… that hasn't changed. But I am even more afraid of allowing fear to rob me of life's greatest joys."
Tears glistened in Nathan's eyes now too. He had waited so long to hear these words. He felt sure they had been there, buried beneath Elizabeth's fear and grief, but to finally hear them spoken aloud… In the back of his mind, a hallelujah chorus rang out.
"Nathan, I love you," Elizabeth said. "I think I've always known… but when Lucas told me that love couldn't be forced or demanded, I realized how natural it had been to warm your serge, to straighten your buttons," she said touching the collar of his open serge lightly, "to care for you. I want to care for you always."
They looked into each other's eyes a moment longer, and then — the kiss.
Neither of them knew who had started it. It didn't seem to matter. All at once, they were in each other's arms, expressing all the pent up emotion that had threatened to overwhelm them for months — if not years — on end.
When they finally pulled apart, their eyes stayed closed and they rested their foreheads together.
"I love you too… just in case you needed to hear it again," Nathan said after a moment.
They smirked at each other playfully and laughed with deep relief, feeling lighter than they had in far too long. There was nothing standing between them now, no triangle, no secrets, no uncertainty. Yes, they would have fears to face — but they would face them together.
Nathan stayed with Elizabeth and Little Jack a while longer, basking in the freedom of love, and then left to meet Allie at home. He couldn't wait to see the elated smile this news would bring to her face.
Elizabeth reached up to kiss him once more, softly and sweetly. When she finally said goodnight and closed the door, she turned around to look at her home again.
Somehow, it seemed warmer and brighter in the evening glow than it ever had before. She thought back to every time that Nathan had been in her home through the years and realized that he'd been in her heart just as long. He fit there, as did Allie — in her home and in her heart — the missing puzzle pieces falling into place.
As she carried her son to bed and kissed his hair that night, she thanked God for their family and His perfect plan. Life is never what we expect, but:
"For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
Elizabeth would give herself fully to this life-giving season of growth, new love… and the beautiful lifetime unfolding before her eyes.