I know I said this story was only going to be two parts… I lied. Anyway, I really wanted Allie to meet Hannah and see her uncle in better spirits. I also wanted to wrap the story up a bit more and add one last Nathan and Allie moment.

Hence, a short, additional, finishing chapter.

I am so glad that you guys liked this story (and Hannah's character). I hope it made you feel a bit better (and offered you some comfort) about Nathan's situation. Nathan is a strong character, he will get through this just fine.

P.S. Thank you Joy Marks for pointing out that Colleen was spelled with 2 l's. I went back and fixed it (hopefully lol)

Allie woke up early the next morning. Opal and Emily were still asleep. Quietly collecting her things, Allie tiptoed down the stairs and over to the table near the front door. She grabbed the pencil and pad from near the phone and wrote a note.

Thank you so much for having me over. I had a lot of fun. I apologize for leaving so early, but I wanted to get home before dad left for work. I already told Emily last night that I am leaving earlier. I hope you don't mind. Thanks again for your hospitality! - Allie.

She put the pencil down and leaned the notepad up against the telephone. Then, she quietly exited through the front door. The sun had only just risen as she walked down the street. The town was still completely silent. Aside from the sound of the birds chirping and the wind rustling through the leaves of the trees. The morning breeze was cool. A quick shiver went up and down Allie's spine. The scent that filled the early morning air was crisp and fresh. Allie took a deep breath. Reaching the back door of her house, she gently turned the doorknob and walked in. Nathan always kept the back door open when Allie wasn't home, just in case she needed to come back for something. Noticing that her father's campaign hat was still hanging by the door, and judging from the silence in the house, she assumed that he must still be asleep. She silently walked upstairs with her bag and blanket and put them in her room. On her way back, she stopped at Nathan's bedroom door. She put her ear up against it, held her breath and listened. She could not hear anything. Straightening back up, she slowly turned the doorknob and opened the door just enough so she could peek through the crack. Nathan was still quietly asleep, so Allie closed the door as quietly as she could and went back downstairs to start breakfast.

Later, Nathan opened his eyes and took a deep breath. His conversation with Hannah yesterday lifted his spirits. Getting up, he ran his fingers through his hair and went over to the closet to change. After changing, he draped his serge over his shoulders and went downstairs. Reaching the end of the stairs, Nathan looked up in surprise.

"Allie...?" He questioned.

Allie turned around. "Oh, Hi Dad!" She said cheerfully.

"What are you doing here so early? I thought you were staying over at Emily's for breakfast. Is everything alright?" Nathan asked, concerned.

"Everything is just fine!" Allie chimed, "I just wanted to come home and make you breakfast."

"At seven in the morning?" Nathan asked, one eyebrow raised. "Usually I have to drag you out of bed for school at this time." he teased.

Allie turned away from her father back towards the stove. She didn't mind the teasing today. She smiled. He seems to be happier today. I wonder what happened at dinner... Allie thought. She decided not to pry, for now, she was just happy that Nathan seemed happier.

After finishing breakfast, Nathan helped Allie clear the dishes.

"How was dinner yesterday?" Allie asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"It was fine," Nathan said simply.

"Who were you with?" Allie inquired cautiously, not looking up from her work. She was drying the dishes as Nathan washed them.

"An old friend from when I was a kid. Hannah. You don't know her..." He began, "Actually... would you like to meet her later today, after school? I told her I would see her off this afternoon. I'm sure she would love to meet you. She was one of your mother's friends as well." He said calmly.

"Sure, that sounds nice," Allie replied. She tried to contain her composure on the outside, but inside she was excited to meet her.

Finishing the last of the dishes, Nathan walked over to the door and put on his stetson. Allie followed him, grabbing her school bag and lunch on the way.

"Thank you for making breakfast," Nathan said as he walked out the door. "Would you like me to walk you to school today?" He asked, shutting the door behind him.

"No, it's okay. I told Emily I would stop by her house on the way to school and we would go together." She said, cheerfully.

Nathan smiled and laid a proud hand on her shoulder. "Have a good day," he said as he quickly kissed her on the cheek. Allie smiled and turned on her heels, running down the line of rowhouses.

"See you later!" he called after her.

Still running, Allie called back, "See you later! Love you!"

Nathan smiled genuinely for the first time in a while. He looked down. He noticed the violets he had rinsed yesterday were standing tall. Lifting his chin, with a sense of peace, he headed towards the town.

It was nearing the end of the school day. Allie was getting antsy in her seat. Elizabeth noticed Allie kept glancing towards the door. When Elizabeth finally rang the bell, Allie shot out of her seat and was the first one out of the schoolhouse. Elizabeth watched her in surprise. Following Allie and the others, she looked out, over to where Allie was headed. She saw Nathan and the girl with the long brown hair approaching in the distance. Allie excitedly ran towards them and met up with the pair halfway between the school and the edge of town. Elizabeth watched as the three of them smiled, turned and headed back to town. She would be lying if she said she wasn't curious, but she had to let them be. Quite frankly, it wasn't any of her business. But she still cared.

At the sound of the school bell, Allie shot up from her seat. Grabbing her bag from beside the door, she ran down the front steps of the schoolhouse. Without looking back, she ran towards Nathan and Hannah.

"Hi!" Allie managed to say between breaths.

"Hi!" Hannah greeted with a laugh, "You must be Allie." She held her hand out towards Allie.

"That's me! It's nice to meet you!" Allie looked Hannah in the eye and gave her a confident handshake.

"Likewise!" Hannah responded with a smile. "Nathan has told me a lot about you," she added, looking up at Nathan.

Nathan just smiled and took in the meeting. They started walking towards town.

"How was school kiddo?" Nathan asked.

"It was long but good," Allie responded cheerfully.

"I hear you are a wiz at math," Hannah added, looking over at Allie. Hannah was only a few inches taller than Allie was.

"I like math," Allie said.

"You know... You look a lot like Colleen did when she was your age." Hannah said, looking up at Nathan and then back at Allie.

"Really?" Allie asked with a big smile on her face.

"Really! Your mother was also good at math. She used to help me with my math homework all the time when I was a kid." She continued with a smile.

"I recall you being rather good at math yourself," Nathan added, looking down at Hannah.

"I was okay, but only because Colleen basically tutored me." She responded with a laugh.

Allie grinned from ear to ear. She loved hearing about her mother. The three of them made it to the boardwalk and waited for the stagecoach.

"You know..." Hannah began, a sudden realization in her voice. "I have a couple of your mothers' dolls. She gave them to me when I was little. I know you are a little too old for such things, but I would love to pass them down to you. Your father promised you two would come to visit sometime. I can give them to you then!" She continued excitedly.

It took all of Allie's willpower to keep from squealing. "That would be amazing! Thank you!" Allie exclaimed in excitement. Her cheeks hurt from smiling. Just then, the stagecoach pulled up. Hannah took a deep breath and gave Nathan a long hug.

"Goodbye.." She whispered, "It was so nice seeing you again."

"Have a safe trip... Thanks for everything," Nathan responded, still holding her in a hug.

Hannah let go and empathetically smiled at Nathan before turning to Allie. Hannah held her arms out towards Allie. Allie smiled and quickly hugged her.

"It was wonderful meeting you, Allie. I hope to see you again soon." Hannah said before turning towards the stagecoach. Nathan held the stagecoach door open and offered her his hand, Hannah got in and looked out the window at Nathan and Allie. The driver slapped the reins.

"Bye!" she called out one last time as she waved at the two of them.

"Bye!" Nathan and Allie responded.

They watched as the stagecoach left town.

"Hannah is so nice... She almost feels like a sister," Allie observed.

"Yea, she does..." Nathan confirmed, still watching the stagecoach in the distance.

Allie looped her arm around his. Nathan looked down at her and smiled. After they stepped off the boardwalk, the father-daughter duo walked through town. Thank you. Nathan prayed in his head. Allie was still hugging Nathan's arm silently, the sun was shining, birds were happily chirping. Allie took a deep breath and took in the fresh scents that filled the air.

"I love you, Dad." She said quietly.

"I love you too, sweetheart," Nathan said, giving her a gentle squeeze.

I hope you enjoyed this final chapter. Allie and Nathan never fail to make me happy :)