This story starts after the end of season 7 and after a few of the season 8 spoilers started being released. It's been brewing in my mind for a couple months but it wasn't until I had the courage to share, Love So Strong, that I started typing it up. Due to season 8 already airing my story rewrites the timeline of our couple.
Chapter 1
Christmas in Hope Valley had looked a little different than last year. There was no big carnival or lighted lanterns. This year was more subdued due to the lingering aftermath of the prisoner transfer shooting and the subsequent investigation. The wishing tree made a comeback because the people of Hope Valley had so much to be grateful for.
Bill and Nathan had to go to Mountie headquarters a few times to answer questions and to Buxton to deal with the trials of the O'Rourke siblings. Lucas had decided unexpectedly to spend Christmas with his parents in London and left the beginning of December with no expected return date according to Gustav. Lee and Rosemary had Lee's sister and her family in town for Christmas. Jesse and Clara celebrated their first Christmas as a married couple quietly because Clara was working overtime at the café with Bill so busy with the investigation. Fiona pitched in when she could, helping with waitresses' duties.
The biggest difference was that Hope Valley officially had a new couple courting. Everything changed that fall when Elizabeth was finally forced to deal with how she really felt about Nathan and Lucas. Elizabeth could no longer lie to herself or others when she ran straight into Nathan's arms when she realized that he wasn't the one who had been shot. That day had made Elizabeth realize that by denying her feelings that she was missing out on so much and that she had to let herself live again.
The investigation and trial wrapped up just as the snow started to melt and the promise of spring was in the air. Nathan and Elizabeth had been courting for a few months when Nathan's schedule allowed. With everything going on they relished the quiet time they spent together. They shared family meals together at either her house or his. Allie had been staying with Elizabeth a lot when Nathan had to go out of town so more often than not it was at her house. Lee and Rosemary were always willing to babysit so that Nathan and Elizabeth could go for a ride or have dinner alone.
Elizabeth and Nathan's relationship had been accepted by the town with the exception of Lucas. They were happy that their beloved school teacher appeared to have found love again with the Mountie they trusted with their lives. They loved watching Nathan and Elizabeth with their children and were thrilled to hear that Nathan was planning to adopt Allie. The future looked bright for this potential family.