She didn't know what was worse, the deafening silence surrounding them or the look of utter grief and guilt etched into the contours of his handsome face. Elizabeth dared to glance over at Jack as he pushed his slice of shepherd's pie around on his plate. His broad, strong shoulders were slumped, lacking the confidence and poise she had grown accustomed to. His beautiful, clear eyes, were cloudy and dark, unable to look away from the scratch on the table and up at her.

She knew he felt guilty, blaming himself for Doug's death. They both knew that Doug wasn't old enough, experienced enough to handle the task of the Northern Territories division leader. But Jack had turned down the promotion and his friend had been promoted to Corporal. And as they both continued to pretend to eat, Elizabeth could see the thoughts racing through Jack's mind as clearly as if he had typed them up on the typewriter sitting on her desk.

What if he had taken the promotion? What if he had been with the mountie squad during the ambush? Would things have turned out differently? Or would it be Jack's memorial service tomorrow instead of Doug's? The last thought sent a shiver down Elizabeth's slender spine.

Elizabeth knew that Jack had turned down the promotion because of her. She knew when he first told her, that warm spring night on the steps of the saloon porch, she should have said something: that she was proud of him, that she would support him, that she didn't want to be a hindrance to his career… that she loved him. Elizabeth knew they should have talked about the potential assignment in further detail. But she couldn't bring herself to do anything other than kiss his dimpled cheek. It had been selfish to leave it at that, but Elizabeth, if she was honest with herself, was relieved when he turned down the assignment. It meant that Jack would be safe and by her side. It was selfish, to be sure, but at the time, Elizabeth couldn't have cared less.

Many nights since then, however, Elizabeth began to wonder why Jack never mentioned Superintendent Collins' offer until after he declined. After all, Jack was a good mountie, one who had all the qualities of leadership, moral fiber, and the dedication required to rise through the ranks of the Royal Mounted Police. He should have been thrilled! He should have raced to tell her the news. So why wasn't he? Why did Elizabeth hear about his potential promotion in passing? The answer came suddenly to Elizabeth one evening as she kissed Jack goodnight and walked through the front door of her house.

She and Jack, once they had admitted to each other their true feelings, had never shied away from displays of affection. Sweet endearments like "sweetheart" and "my dear" passed through their lips. The gentle interlacing of their fingers as she and Jack strolled through town, all encompassing hugs, a quick peck on the cheek or forehead… passionate embraces in the privacy of the row house. She and Jack never shied away from showing each other just how much they loved one another.

But after the settlement flood, a subtle shift had occurred in their interactions with one another. It had been hard for her, seeing the man she loved so close to death and unable to do anything but sit and wait and pray. It was the most helpless Elizabeth had ever felt in her life. The sudden reminder that Jack might not always be in her life sent Elizabeth into a panicked frenzy that she often had to talk herself down from. Even when Jack had fully recovered, Elizabeth had been uncharacteristically clingy, desperate to keep him in her sight as often as possible.

Jack, Elizabeth realized, had picked up on her change in behavior. He began to give her more detailed accounts of his schedule, where he normally would be during certain times of the day. And if for whatever reason, Jack had to go out of town, he made sure to let her know when he was due back. Jack's hugs became more frequent, his kisses more passionate. His hand gripped hers a little tighter, as if she were a skittish bird that may flap her wings and fly away at a moment's notice.

Elizabeth was afraid of losing Jack. And Jack was afraid that he was losing Elizabeth to her fear.

Jack didn't bring up Collins' offer for fear of hurting her, fear of leading her to believe that his career was more important than their relationship, fear that her affections may begin to wane. Perhaps that is what hurt Elizabeth the most: Jack's lack of faith in the strength of her affections, her love and commitment to him. What's more, her track record on the matter substantiated those fears. No, Elizabeth thought, that's what hurt the most.

In worrying for him, in trying to keep him safe, Elizabeth had hurt Jack more deeply than any flood, fire, or mining disaster ever could. That is what cut Elizabeth to her core. She wouldn't hurt him anymore.

"I love you, Jack," Elizabeth's voice was soft and warm, like honey mixed into warm cinnamon tea, "You know that, don't you?"

Jack looked up from the table for the first time all evening. His eyes landed on her face as a weak smile graced his lips, not even true enough to bring out those dimples Elizabeth so loved to kiss.

"Of course," was his simple reply, "I love you, too."

Elizabeth couldn't bring herself to smile back, "Do you really? Do you really know how much I love you?"

Jack's smile quickly turned into a sad frown. Elizabeth set her fork onto her plate and placed her slender hands delicately into her lap. She took a deep breath and answered for him, "Because if you did, I think you would have told me about Superintendent Collins' offer."

Jack's frown turned to a scowl, "Elizabeth."

"I'm not accusing you of anything, Jack," Elizabeth cut him off before Jack could begin to rebuke her statement, "I'm apologizing."

Jack's scowl morphed into a confused gaze at the woman across from him, "What on earth are you apologizing for?"

Elizabeth sighed and glanced down at his hands, resting on the table. Those beautiful, strong hands that built a church and school for her and the community of Hope Valley. Those talented hands that illustrated books and painted carnival signs. Those rough, well worked hands that held her with tenderness and reverence. She reached over and clasped his left hand in both of hers, rubbing her fingers along his ring finger. How she desperately wanted to slide a wedding ring onto that finger.

"I know that you turned down Collins' promotion because of me. I know that you were worried what my reaction might be," Elizabeth dared to chance a look at Jack. His eyes were narrowed as he focused on their joined hands, "I need you to know that it's okay if you want to take the promotion. I need you to know that I'll follow you anywhere you need to go. I need you to know that I love you, and nothing you say or do could ever change that."

"Stop," Jack's words cut through Elizabeth's thoughts as he lifted his hand out from under hers, a look of disgust marred his handsome face, "Stop trying to make me feel better about all of this, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth didn't stop. She shook her head as Jack stood up from the table and began to pace around the living room, "No. Jack, You need to understand that this isn't your fault. Doug's death is not your fault."

Jack began to run his hands through his short brown hair, "Stop."

Elizabeth didn't stop, "I know you feel guilty about this but you're not the one to blame here. You need to-"

"STOP!"

Elizabeth stopped. Tears welled in her eyes at the sight of Jack, the love of her life. His hair was disheveled, his face red with a mix of emotions: anger, disgust, pain, sorrow, guilt. His beautiful dark green eyes wet with tears.

"I'M THE REASON DOUG DIED! I TURNED THIS PROMOTION DOWN! I'M THE ONE WHO'S RESPONSIBLE!"

"YOU TURNED DOWN THAT PROMOTION BECAUSE YOU WERE AFRAID I WOULD RUN AWAY!"

Jack stopped dead in his tracks. They stared at one another for a few moments, or minutes, he wasn't quite sure. Elizabeth's cheeks were flushed pink and her nostrils flared with passion. It was an odd sight, her sitting in the dining chair with perfect posture and fire in her eyes. He loved her all the more in that moment. And just like that, all his fears and doubts crept up into the forefront of his mind. Would she be able to handle the life of a mountie's wife? Was she truly happy in this wilderness town? Would she ever look back and wonder what it would have been like if she had said yes to Charles?

And suddenly, he knew, he truly understood that she had found him out. She knew the thoughts rattling around in his head: his desire to accept Collins' assignment offer, his desperate need to do his job, the worry that had kept him from coming to her with news of the promotion the first time… the fear that kept him from proposing.

Jack took a breath and slowly lowered his large and suddenly heavy frame onto the chesterfield sofa. He lowered his head into his hands and took a deep, shaky breath. Jack couldn't seem muster up enough energy to say anything, and so the silence engulfed them once again.

He felt more than heard Elizabeth's footsteps, moving closer to him. Jack heard the rustling of the fabric of her skirts and felt her sink onto the couch cushion and a gentle hand came to rest on his thigh.

"Jack," Elizabeth's voice was soft and raw with emotion. She placed her other hand on the back of his head, playing with the strands at the base of his neck, begging him to look up at her. Jack complied. The sight of her broke his heart.

Elizabeth was crying now, silent tears falling down her beautiful face and onto her soft, full lips. It was plain to see that her heart was breaking… for him. Love radiated through her, though, and it was all Jack could do to remember to breathe.

"I can't even begin to tell you how sorry I am for how much I hurt you when we were in Hamilton with my family."

Jack lowered his gaze, unsure of how to get Elizabeth to stop talking about those few days. The way she seemed to fit like a puzzle piece in the shiny, glittering world of Hamilton while he stuck out like a sore thumb.

"I cannot tell you how horribly sorry I am for not defending you to my father," Jack was forced to look back up at Elizabeth as she cupped his chiseled face to look at her, "You are the single most amazing man I have ever met, Jack. You're so smart and brave and selfless and kind. I try every day to be a better woman so I might be worthy enough of your love one day. Though I don't think I will ever be."

Her, not worthy of him? He was the lower class farm boy turned mountie. He was the one society looked down upon. And not matter how well he did as a mountie, Elizabeth's father would never approve. He would never gain the man's blessing to marry Elizabeth.

"Elizabeth," he began, a silent plea to stop.

Elizabeth ignored it, "I'm sorry for Charles. I'm sorry I carried on and flirted with him. I'm sorry I ever gave him any idea that I had eyes for anyone but you. I'm sorry that he came here and asked me to marry him, in the very church you built so I could have a place all my own to teach. I'm sorry you had to see any of it."

Jack swallowed hard, the memory of that day blazing through his mind. Still, Elizabeth forced him to hold her gaze. And by God, she was so passionate in her stare he couldn't have denied her any request.

"More than anything," Elizabeth's honey voice cracked, "I'm sorry that I have done nothing to prove just how much I love you. I'm so sorry that I've given you so many reasons to doubt just how deep my love for you is, Jack. I know that's why you turned down the promotion. I know that's why you haven't asked me to marry you. I've done nothing to prove that I'm ready or worthy to be your wife. But God, Jack. I do love you. More than anyone in this world, I love you. And I so desperately want to be your wife."

Jack couldn't help the tears falling from his eyes. Elizabeth wiped them away with a flick of her thumbs.

"I'm terrified of losing you. I won't hide that from you. Every time I see you ride out of town on your rounds I say a prayer that you'll come back to me safe and sound. But Jack," Elizabeth's voice cracked again as she fought to hold back the tears welling up, "I would rather say that prayer every day for the rest of my life than see you rot away at a job that you hate. I'd rather worry about you day and night, knowing that you're doing what you were meant to do, than see you whither away behind a desk. Just because I'm afraid of losing you doesn't mean that I can't handle your job."

Elizabeth removed herself from her spot on the sofa and knelt down beside Jack. Fresh tears welled in his eyes and water now rolled down her cheeks, "I love you, Constable Jack Thornton. I love how brave and selfless you are. I love how kind and smart and funny you are. I love how eat my cooking even though I burn dinner half the time. I love how your forehead crinkles when you're concentrating on sketching or painting. I love how your dimples reach your eyes when you laugh deep in your belly. I love you so much I can scarcely breathe. And I know that loving you means living with the dangers of your job."

Jack stared at the beautiful woman at his feet. Elizabeth Thatcher had laid her soul bare before him, offering up her heart like a sacrifice upon the alter. How did she know him so well? How did she know what he needed to hear? What on earth had he done to deserve such a blessing? He decided that he wouldn't bother questioning it.

Jack cupped his hands around Elizabeth's face and pulled her up into a kiss. She was all to willing to be swept up into the passionate embrace, pulling herself onto Jack's lap. Elizabeth's hands found their way into Jack's mussed hair as his took hold of her slender waist. Elizabeth began to tug on his lower lip and Jack's tongue begged entrance to her mouth. Elizabeth granted it whole-heartedly. Jack leaned back into the sofa and Elizabeth followed, her lips never leaving his.

Jack pulled away, his lungs burning for air. He looked up at the Elizabeth, her face flushed pink, hair disheveled and the waist of her dress wrinkled. Love beamed through her eyes and face and Jack couldn't help the radiate smile that began to dance across his lush, full lips, "I love you, Elizabeth Thatcher."

Elizabeth's smile was nothing short of radiant, "I love you, Constable Jack Thornton. And I think you should wire Superintendent Collins' and accept his promotion offer."

Jack's brow furrowed slightly. For a few brief moments, he had forgotten. He had forgotten all about the telegram that had come yesterday informing him of Doug's death and Superintendent Collins' second attempt to get Jack to accept the position of Division Commander. For a few moments, there was no guilt, no anger or uncertainty, just Elizabeth, their love, and the renewed hope for their future.

"Elizabeth," Jack began to speak but Elizabeth held a slender finger against his lips.

"I'll follow you wherever you need to go, Jack."

"Your entire life is here. Abigail, your students," Jack took a deep breath, "Hope Valley is your home, Elizabeth."

"Abigail will always be my best friend. We can write or send telegrams. And yes, I'll miss my students, but I'm sure there will be plenty of young children traveling up to the Northern Territories. And luckily," Elizabeth's voice sounded off teasingly, "I know a rather talented mountie who is quite good at building churches and schoolhouses."

Jack couldn't help but chuckle at that. He brought Elizabeth in for a quick kiss before she pulled away and looked him square in the eye, "You're my home, Jack. Wherever you are is home."

Jack gave a small, breathtaking smile, dimples and all. Elizabeth smiled back and kissed him softly. He gave another gentle kiss before breaking away and pulling back slightly.

"I will wire Collins tomorrow morning and accept the position," Jack's voice filled with confidence and certainty, "under one condition."

"Name it," Elizabeth replied.

Jack gave a wide grin, "Marry me."

Elizabeth smiled brightly, wrapped her arms around Jack's neck, "Of course, Jack. I thought you'd never ask."

Jack pulled Elizabeth in for a searing kiss…. only to be interrupted by a squeal of delight from next door.

"Well, no need to announce our engagement to anyone," Jack stated jokingly, "Rosemary will have told everyone by day break."

Elizabeth didn't even try to stifle the giggle that reverberated through her chest. Jack soon joined in before pulling Elizabethan for another kiss.