The Sixth Visit
"Uncle Nathan are you alright?" Allie asked gently as Nathan forcefully placed the teapot on the stove.
"Yes!" Ally jumped at the tone and volume of his answer. Nathan, realizing that his mood was affecting her, closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I mean yes, I am going to be fine." He continued to prepare dinner with a lot cooler demeanor than he had previously had.
They ate dinner in silence and then Ally asked if she could go to bed early, clearly exhausted from the day's events. Nathan stopped her as she began to go upstairs, "Ally!" She turned with a curious look on her face. "Come here." She came down the stairs slowly not sure what he wanted. He simply enveloped her in a tender hug and just held her. Ally smiled and clearly began to relax in his arms. He kissed her head. Then he spoke, "I am so glad you are safe. Thank you for following directions today and being a good example. I am so proud of you." Ally pulled back, smiled, kissed her Uncle on the cheek and ran up to bed. He heard the door close.
He proceeded to clean up the kitchen. Finishing up, He called to Ally and let her know that he was going to the office to take care of some things he was unable to do during the day's events. She didn't answer due to the fact she was immersed in her book or asleep, he didn't know.
Nathan grabbed his uniform and walked to the office. He was so busy with the paperwork, he didn't notice that it was getting rather dark. He knew he would have to get home soon.
He walked back to the house, still upset about what had happened. The thoughts about what he had witnessed and potentially witnessed were weighing on his mind. He knew he had to talk to someone but Bill was home, probably asleep. Maybe if he talked to Jack, he would feel better. He was certain that Jack had been irritated at Elizabeth at least once in their relationship. But this was so much more serious. He needed a Mountie's perspective.
"Hey there Jack," the mood he was in prompted a bit of familiarity since this was the fifth or sixth time (he lost track) he had visited him in his resting place. "I am sorry to say this," Nathan sat down, "but I completely lost my temper today," he paused, "at Elizabeth of all people." Imagining the shock on Jack's face, Nathan proceeded to tell the story of the events on the mountain top. His heart began to pound more and more heavily as he relived the moments of Emily getting lost, Elizabeth leaving the safety of the cabin, hearing the tree fall, trying to determine if their voices were calling out of fear or urgent need, and finally confronting Elizabeth about what he perceived as foolish and reckless.
"Can you believe she did that?!" Nathan shouted his anger returning, "I was handling the situation! She has a child! She…I…." The emotions were coming like a tidal wave. Nathan covered his face and began to quietly sob, as he felt his heart shattering. "I almost caused her death too," he whispered through the tears.
It took a few minutes before he was able to calm himself down. He sat in the darkness allowing it to cover him like a blanket. He felt somewhat better, now that he had released a lot of that frustration. But he still had some things to work out. Was this all because of the events of the day? Or did it have to do with his frustration over Lucas and Elizabeth. She did not understand why he had been so angry at her. He knew that he needed to explain. Maybe Bill would have more insight on this situation. Maybe he could tell Bill about Ft. Clay. Bill would know how to approach Elizabeth. She was like a daughter to him.
He slowly stood and walked back towards the house. But first he would check to see if Bill was still awake. If not, then Nathan would talk to him tomorrow.