Thank you all for your reviews and feedback and I am so happy that you are all enjoying this story so far. I really did not enjoy the direction the show took in season 8 and the way the portrayed Elizabeth. I am a huge Elizabeth and Nathan fan, so please try to keep that in mind as you read this chapter. Here you go. Enjoy!

Nathan left his house, deep in thought and decided the take the long route to Elizabeth's house in order to have some quiet alone time to clear his head. Was putting the decision of his future in Allie's hands the right move? Would she really do what was best for him? Was she old enough to really make the right choice? He had only gotten into this mess because of how much Allie loved and cared for him. Nathan really hoped that she would make the right choice. Nathan knew how much Allie loved and respected Elizabeth, but its hard to let go of the hurt sometimes. Nathan decided that regardless of how he felt about Elizabeth and what he wanted, Allie was his daughter, and her happiness was more important than his own. Whatever Allie would choose he would live with.

By this point Nathan had reached Elizabeth's house and was pleasantly surprised to find Elizabeth outside playing with Jack and Laura on the front steps.

Elizabeth: Hi Nathan.

Nathan: Hi Elizabeth, hi little man.

Elizabeth: Jack says hi to Mountie Nathan

Jack shyly waived hi and both Elizabeth and Nathan smiled.

Elizabeth: Good boy. Laura would you mind taking Jack round back for a couple of minutes so I can talk to Nathan alone?

Laura: Of course, Mrs. Thornton. Jack come let's go run around and have fun in the back.

Jack took hold of Laura's hand and Nathan and Elizabeth watched as Laura expertly and lovingly walked him away from his mother.

Elizabeth: Allie decided not to come?

Nathan: I'm not sure yet. It's complicated.

Elizabeth: Why? What happened?

Nathan: Can we maybe go inside so I can explain this properly?

Elizabeth: Of course.

Elizabeth opened the door, walked inside and sat down on the couch motioning for Nathan to do the same. Nathan felt bad because Elizabeth looked visibly worried, and he honestly did not know how she would react to his deal with Allie.

Elizabeth: Nathan, talk to me, please. What is going on?

Nathan: Elizabeth, the first time I saw you, you took my breath away. You were a beautiful woman, put together, so poised and well adjusted to life and I was completely blown away. Then I found out that you were Jack Thornton's widow and my heart sunk knowing that you were already in love with someone else. The more time I spent with you, got to know you regardless of my brain kept saying that you belonged to someone else, you were already taken, you were a married woman, my heart just kept falling deeper and deeper in love with you. Despite my best efforts to hide my emotions Allie figured it out and although I initially thought she would be against the idea of me courting her teacher she was so happy and supportive. Once I realized and acknowledged my feelings for you it did take me some time to gather up the courage to tell you how I felt. I knew that you still wear your rings from Jack and as much as it hurts seeing them on you I really hoped that when I told you how I felt, especially as it had been over 2 years since you lost Jack that you would be able and willing to really love me back. That day I was so nervous, was I doing the right thing, was I ruining our friendship and Allie saw me pacing back and forth and she told me not to worry, that the whole town knew that Mrs. Thornton loved me. She gave me the emotional boost I so badly needed that day. I was so positive that when I told you I was in love with you, you would return the feelings.

Elizabeth: And then I didn't.

Nathan: Not only did you not tell me you were in love with me, you just rode away leaving me hanging not sure what had happened but what I did know is that my heart had been ripped out of my chest, torn and shredded into a million tiny pieces.

Elizabeth: Nathan, I'm so, so sorry. My intention was never to hurt you, believe me please. I promise.

Nathan: I know. I really do. I knew it back then too Elizabeth, but it doesn't mean those words, or lack there of, or your actions didn't kill me, regardless of how hard I tried to let your actions be okay. Elizabeth, what did happen that day?

Elizabeth: When you told me that day you loved me, my heart was pumping so fast, a part of me knew that I was in love with you for a while already, but this was the first time a man, someone I cared about, someone I was in love with had told me they loved me since Jack had passed. And my heart just exploded. In that moment I just couldn't hear those words from someone other than Jack. It made me feel like a fraud. Like a cheater. Here I was married to Jack Thornton but the person telling me they loved me, wanting me to say it back was not Jack it was you. I just panicked and ran away. I ended up choosing Lucas because my brain was telling me that loving another Mountie was wrong on so many levels, but my heart was never into it, I was never in love with him. But by the time I realized that it was okay for me to be with you, to be with another Mountie, I had not only hurt you, but I had hurt Allie as well. And despite my honest intentions Allie is still visibly upset and hurt. Nathan please, I'm begging you please, is there any way in the world you can forgive me for the way I have treated not only you, but Allie as well?

Nathan turned so his whole body was facing Elizabeth. He took her hands in his and Elizabeth was happy that instead of being petrified or feeling like she was betraying Jack, this just felt so perfect, but it was the look on Nathan's face that scared her the most.

Nathan: From the bottom of my heart I completely forgive you.

Elizabeth let out the breath that she didn't even realize she was holding in, but the feeling of relief quickly disappeared when she noticed that Nathan looked down and then away.

Elizabeth: But

Nathan: But is that enough Elizabeth?

Elizabeth: I'm not sure I follow.

Nathan: I love you, Elizabeth. I really do.

Elizabeth: I know you do Nathan. I've never doubted that.

Nathan: And I've never had any reason to doubt that you love me, but I do have reasons to doubt whether or not you will allow yourself to love me going forward.

Elizabeth: I told you I'm all in. I told you I want this. I told you I want us to be a family.

Nathan: I know you did. And as much as I do believe you, a part of me still has doubts and that part is telling me to proceed with caution but my heart is telling me to just ignore it.

Elizabeth: Okay, now I'm really confused.

Nathan: The point I'm trying to make, is this. I love you, I want to be with you even though you have hurt me in the past because with all of my heart I completely forgive you. Even with that said I still have some doubts as to how this will end, and if it will go the way I really hope it would. But for me my love for you is worth it, and I want to try this, and see where it goes despite my doubts. The problem Elizabeth is that if I still have doubts how is it possible for Allie not have the same or similar feelings as I do.

Elizabeth: So you forgive me, but your not sure Allie has.

Nathan: Yeah.

Elizabeth: So I'm guessing your conversation with Allie earlier did not go over well.

Nathan: It didn't go bad persay, it just didn't necessarily go the way I would have liked it to either.

Elizabeth: So are you saying that you really want to be with me but Allie still is not okay with it and therefore you are choosing her over me?

By this point Elizabeth was visibly upset and frustrated and Nathan was at a loss as how to continue. He felt that telling Elizabeth about the deal with Allie was his only right move. But at the same time he realized that Elizabeth was starting to feel as if he was putting Allie first and her second and that definitely was not a good start to any new relationship. He had to fix this, and fast.

Nathan: Not exactly, if you don't mind can I please explain what I had in mind and why I chose this before you react and get upset.

Elizabeth: As this sounds like something I may not like, and I am starving, would you mind if we continued this conversation over dinner?

Nathan: Of course, I didn't realize how hungry I am but it really does smell delicious.

Elizabeth: Okay great lets go sit down.

Nathan: What about Jack? Does he also need to eat.

Elizabeth: I fed him earlier because I didn't know how this dinner would go or if you and Allie would show. Which I guess now we know you're here and she opted out.

All of a sudden Nathan remembered their deal and panicked. Where was Allie? What time was it? And why hadn't she shown up.

Nathan: Elizabeth, if you don't mind, would you be able to tell me what time it is.

Elizabeth: 7:00

Nathan: Oh wow! It's later than I though.

Elizabeth: It's only 7, that's not so late.

Nathan: I know, but I really should be going. I'm sorry.

Elizabeth: Going, but you've only been here for an hour.

Nathan: Elizabeth, I'm really sorry. I'll try and look for you later to continue this conversation.

Without waiting for a response Nathan stood up, turned towards the door and before Elizabeth could process what happened Nathan left. Just like that, he picked up and walked out. As soon as the door closed behind him Nathan began to cry. He had really believed that Allie would come, that she would understand how much he needed this, needed Elizabeth. Right now he just needed time to himself, time to think. What would his next move be? Would he ignore his promise to Allie? Or would he tell Elizabeth that Allie comes first?