*SPOILER ALERT if you have not watched the season 8 finale
Okay Hearties, this is a slightly different fanfic idea that I have had for some time now (basically since the beginning of season 8 lol). Originally I was going to have this mystery character give advice to Nathan about Elizabeth. But since Nathan is heartbroken (and no longer with Elizabeth), I decided to write this in a way that comforts Nathan's character and hopefully heartbroken #TeamNathan fans as well :)
In my mind, this takes place about half a year after Elizabeth decided to be with Lucas (So Nathan and Lucas are on decent terms)
I hope you guys like it. Let me know what you think!
P.S. Part 2 coming soon - I will be posting part 2 as a second chapter to this one, so 'follow' the story if you don't want to miss it! ;)
P.P.S. Please DO NOT comment anything negative about the cast, writers, characters or anyone else involved with the show. To quote Thumper from 'Bambi' "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all" ;)
Nathan walked towards the saloon after the end of his rounds and reached for the doorknob. He paused for a minute listening to the hustle and bustle of people on the other side of the door. He didn't really want to go into a room full of people right now, but decided it may be a good distraction before heading home. Besides, he hadn't checked on the saloon yet so he could do that too. He opened the door and looked around the busy establishment. He decided to sit down at a lone table in the corner and order some tea or coffee or something. Sitting down, he took off his campaign hat and placed it over to the side on the dark mahogany table. He let out a sigh and gazed down. His eyes wandered over the intricate veins and ridges in the wood.
"What can I get you Nathan?" Lucas asked in a friendly tone, interrupting Nathan's thoughts. Nathan quickly looked up.
"Oh... um, just some coffee please," He responded, trying to force a genuine smile.
"Are you okay?" Lucas asked, concerned "You looked distant there for a minute, I didn't mean to startle you"
"Yea, no I'm fine, I just have a lot on my mind," Nathan said. Lucas didn't look convinced, but decided not to pressure Nathan for answers.
Following Lucas with his gaze, Nathan's eyes wandered about the busy saloon. He observed a few men at the dart board having a friendly competition. Looking around the room, he saw a few groups of people having dinner and engaging in lively conversation - Nothing out of the ordinary. Lucas was at one end of the bar serving drinks to a couple of the workers from Lee's mill, and a few other men were walking past the bar towards the door. Suddenly, at the other end of the bar, someone caught his eye.
She had long, brown, wavy hair that reached down below her waist. A few of the front pieces of her hair were tied back behind her head with a thin maroon ribbon. Something about her was familiar. She was wearing a dusty-orange and brown dress with what appeared to be a white collar. He couldn't see very well because she was standing with her back towards him. The bottom back half of her skirt was a little dirty and she had a small brown purse slung across her slender body. She must have gotten off the stagecoach recently he thought. She was talking animatedly to another woman who Nathan recognized as one of the townsfolk. Just then, a waitress arrived with his coffee.
"Thank you," he said pleasantly before glancing back to where the girl had been standing. Much to his confusion, the girl was no longer there.
He looked around the room, but couldn't see her anywhere. She couldn't have just disappeared into thin air in two seconds, He thought, quite frazzled that he lost sight of her. Annoyed, Nathan finished his coffee and put his stetson back on before walking over to the bar to talk to Lucas. Maybe Lucas knows who she is, he thought. Nathan knew if he didn't talk to Lucas he would be wracking his brain all night trying to figure out who the girl was and why she seemed familiar.
"Lucas.." He started, "There was a girl here a few minutes ago..."
"Trying to pick up girls Constable Grant?" Lucas interrupted teasingly, trying to lighten Nathan's mood. It didn't work.
Nathan just raised his eyebrows unamused and continued, "She was standing just away from the bar, long, dark, brown hair, dark orange dress, she had a purse slung across her body, slender, not very tall..." Nathan described.
Lucas was tempted to crack a joke, but restrained, figuring Nathan was clearly not in the mood. The two of them were on relatively friendly terms, Nathan had been nothing but respectful and cordial, and Lucas got to know him enough to sense when something was bothering him. Not that Nathan was ever great at hiding his feelings, especially from people who knew him well.
"Oh yes, she just arrived on the stagecoach about half an hour ago" Lucas informed.
"Do you happen to know her name?" Nathan asked.
"Yes, she booked a room... let me just see," Lucas said as he pulled out the record book from under the counter and flipped through the pages. "Her name is Hannah Green," Lucas concluded.
The first name sounded familiar to Nathan, but the last name didn't ring a bell. "Do you mind if I ask what room she is in?" Nathan asked cautiously.
"Taking into account that you are an upstanding citizen and a man of the law, no, I don't mind - She is in room 3," Lucas answered.
"Thank you," Nathan said with a tip of his hat.
He walked across the floor of the noisy saloon towards the stairs. Reaching the room, he gently knocked on the door. He waited for a minute - no response. He tried again - once again no response. Perplexed, Nathan walked along the hallway back towards the stairs. Maybe she went to the cafe for dinner, he concluded. With a smile and a nod towards Lucas, Nathan stepped out of the saloon and decided to look into the cafe on his way home. Much to his disappointment, she was nowhere to be seen. He said "good evening" to Bill and Clara before heading home.
At home, Allie was awaiting her father's return. Nathan reached for the doorknob of his rowhouse and opened the door.
"Hi dad!" Allie exclaimed as she sprung up from the settee. She ran towards Nathan and hugged him around the neck.
"Hi, kiddo!" He greeted, rubbing her back before letting her go. "Did you have a good time at Opal's?" He asked, walking over to the settee and sitting down.
"Oh yes! Opal and I learned how to make apple pie. I brought some home, would you like some?" She rambled excitedly.
"Thanks for the offer but I think I'm just going to bed tonight..." Nathan began, Allie's smile faded, "I wouldn't mind some tomorrow morning though!" Nathan continued, with a light tone, noticing she was getting concerned.
Allie's smile returned, "Okay!" she said, satisfied. She grabbed her journal from the coffee table in front of Nathan and took it upstairs.
Nathan watched as she excitedly ran upstairs, and smiled. Taking a deep breath, he laid his head back against the back of the settee and closed his eyes. What is wrong with me? he thought. I have come to terms with Elizabeth being with Lucas, and I have nothing against Lucas or Elizabeth. Why does it still hurt? Why didn't it work out with Elizabeth? Is there something wrong with me? Am I being a good father to Allie? I want to put this all behind me, but I feel like I could have done something to prevent this. I should have seen it coming. Am I a bad person? And who in the world is that girl? Millions of thoughts swirled through his head. Trying to free himself from his thoughts, Nathan stood up and went upstairs to change out of his serge before heading to Allie's room for their evening routine.
Nathan finished reading a chapter from the Bible with Allie, and they chatted a little while before Nathan turned the light out. Nathan did his best to put on a good positive attitude for Allie. He loved her more than anything after all and didn't want to cause her to worry.
"Remember to say your prayers." Nathan reminded,
"I will," Allie responded with a tired smile
"I love you, Allie," Nathan said.
"I love you Dad," She responded, and blew him a kiss. Nathan pretended to catch it and beamed a smile at his daughter before walking back towards his bedroom.
Allie laid silently on her back, waiting to hear the door of Nathan's bedroom close. "click", she heard the door close and the sound of his footsteps had subsided. Dear God, she began, Thank you for everything you have given us. I am so thankful for our food, our house, and our friends. I also thank you for my dad. I do have one request though. I know something is different about dad. He seems sad ever since Mrs. Thorton told him that she isn't in love with him. It hurts my heart to see him sad. I know he is trying his best to be happy around me, but he is a bad liar. He never was good at being fake. Please help him feel better. I love him and want him to be happy. - Amen. Allie finished her prayer and pulled the covers over her shoulder. She listened for footsteps, to make sure her dad was in bed and not walking around.
The next morning Nathan awoke with more lifted spirits. He decided that he would go over to the saloon after breakfast and try Hanna's room again. But for now, he got dressed in his serge and headed down for breakfast. He made scrambled eggs for Allie and himself, and made sure to have a slice of pie as well.
"The pie was wonderful Allie!" He praised as he cleared the table.
"Thank you! I'm glad you liked it," She replied with a big smile.
Nathan walked Allie to school. Sometimes she insisted on going by herself, but today she didn't. Elizabeth was ringing the school bell as Allie and Nathan approached. Elizabeth smiled at Nathan. Nathan smiled back and tilted his hat before waving at Allie who was vigorously waving at him in the doorway. Walking towards the town, he decided to stop by the mountie office first and check if he had any calls or messages before heading to the saloon. Nothing new had happened since yesterday, which Nathan was grateful for. An uneventful day is usually a good thing. Walking down the steps from the office he headed for the saloon. He looked down at his feet and kicked the gravel in front of him as he contemplated what he would say if Hanna was in fact in her room. Reaching the door of the saloon, Nathan walked in and quickly analyzed his surroundings before heading upstairs. There weren't too many people, just a few people who had rented rooms above the saloon, or were there for a late breakfast. Lucas was not at the bar, so Nathan decided to head upstairs. As he hit the top of the stairs, a realization hit him - She reminds me of Coleen - but it can't be Her, and this girl's name is Hanna. Nathan's heart rate went up a couple of notches as he walked over to room '3'. Taking a deep breath, he gently knocked on the door as he did before.
"Just a second!" A calm female voice responded from inside. Somehow Nathan felt like he knew her. It made him very anxious, but also her voice calmed him at the same time. He heard short footsteps nearing the door.
Thanks for reading Hearties! I know this is a bit of a slow start, but it will end well I promise (I can't stand a sad ending) I hope you are intrigued and read the next part :) It should be out soon.