After briefly giving chase, a breathless Lucas returned to the Junot's apartment, alone.

The couple led him to the living room and waited as he sat on the couch and composed himself. Lucas leaned forward, with his elbows on his knees and his forehead in his hands. After a couple of minutes, he wiped his brow with the back of his hand, leaned back in his seat, and took a deep breath.

"I couldn't catch her," he said with a sigh. "I exited the building and saw her running east toward the Rue de Bac. I tried to reach her, but she jumped into a cab. I called out, but I don't think she heard me."

"Perhaps she's returned to your hotel?" Adam suggested.

"No. As the car pulled away, I noticed it didn't turn left as it would have had it been returning to the Ritz. I went straight on to - who knows where?"

"Oh, dear," Clarice responded.

Lucas paused and shook his head. "It's just not like Elizabeth to run away like this. Clarice, are you sure this is just over a haircut? Did I do something – something else to upset her?"

Clarice took a seat across from Lucas. "I probably shouldn't be saying this Lucas, but you're right. It's not just over a haircut. It's more."

Lucas looked over at her. "What?"

Clarice touched Lucas on the forearm. "Elizabeth was worried about not giving a good enough appearance to stand by your side."

"Not giving a good enough appearance? What on earth do you mean?" Lucas asked.

"At dinner parties and events you will attend as your business expands." Clarice continued.

Lucas looked very confused. "That's preposterous. Why on earth would she think…."

"She told me that when you arrived at the restaurant to have breakfast with us, she was in the women's lounge, and there were a couple of women talking about her."

"Talking about Elizabeth? Who was talking about her?" Lucas said, a flash of anger appearing on his brow.

"One, she said, knew you – or at least knew of you. The other did not. The one that didn't, she apparently said some unkind things about Elizabeth's apparel being out of fashion and said the wife of such an important man should take care to look better."

"Poppycock!" Lucas exclaimed. "My wife is stunning!"

"Yes, she is. But Elizabeth didn't see it that way. Elizabeth told me that they upset her, but she knew they were right. She then told me about how the Thatcher family always had to dress so formally in Hamilton. It went with her father's job. Hope Valley is a small community and often not at the head of fashion, but she knew you'd be seeing people from around the world and felt she needed to modify her appearance to give you the greatest chance for success."

Lucas shook his head as he considered what she'd said. "That explains why she was crying when she walked out of the women's lounge." He sighed with exasperation. "I wish she would have talked to me. I love her appearance and everything about her."

"I know you do, Lucas," Clarice said. "And, I think Elizabeth knows that too – but she sees it as you being selfless. She didn't think investing in a few new pieces for her wardrobe was a bad idea and even giggled over the idea that she could take the dresses back to town and have one of her friends; Rose Marie…?"

"Rosemary," Lucas corrected.

"Yes, Rosemary – Elizabeth was going to have her examine the dresses and see if she could make a pattern from them that could be used to sew some more. She was honestly excited – that was, until the scissors made their appearance."

"And then my thoughtless mouth made its appearance," he blew out a stream of air.

"Lucas, don't beat yourself up," Adam said. "I'm sure it was a shock. You didn't say anything."

"Precisely. I was so surprised I didn't say anything of value, and now, my wife's in a strange city she hasn't been in since she was a child - going where? Remind me. What's on that end of town?"

Adam leaned against the wall opposite Bouchard. "Um, there's some parks and museums. There's the Senate. Hey, there's a thought! Maybe she's going to complain about Coco to the French government," he chuckled with a wink towards Clarice, whose friend Chanel was.

"Adam, stop!" Clarice scolded. "This is serious. Elizabeth's out there and…."

"Alright, alright. Notre Dame…."

"She wouldn't go to Notre Dame without me," Lucas responded. "That's planned for the day after tomorrow."

"Okay, then. St. Germain. The Institut de France. Sainte Chapell-."

Lucas raised his hand in the air. "Wait, back up. That's right. The Institut is just down the road."

"Oui, er yes," Adam replied.

Lucas tapped his index finger to his temple and smiled. "I know where she's at," he said as he stood up from his seat and began to walk to the door.

"You do?" Clarice asked.

"Yes," Lucas replied. "If I know my wife, I do." He turned back toward the door and patted his coat pocket, then stopped. Turning around, he smiled sheepishly at Adam. "I don't suppose you would loan me a few francs, would you?"

Junot looked at his Canadian friend and raised his eyebrow, "You don't have any money?"

Lucas shrugged. "I gave all of the cash I had on me to the Missus."

Adam crossed his arms in front of him and smirked. "Married for two weeks and already has you trained."

Clarice elbowed her husband. "Adam, just give him the money."

"Yes dear." Adam replied, handing Lucas some money. "That enough?"

"That should suffice," Lucas replied. "I'll repay you tonight when we see you again."

"You don't need to repay me," Junot replied.

Lucas cocked his head to one side. "No?"

"No. Consider it your wedding present," Junot responded.

Lucas looked at the meager amount handed to him and chuckled. "Um…thank you for your generosity. I see not much has changed."

"Get going before I take it back," Adam smiled. "And remember, this is for Elizabeth, not you. You still owe me twenty dollars on that poker game back in New Orleans."

Lucas laughed. "Won it fair and square. I can't help that you couldn't read my bluff."

"Hmph!"

"Tell Elizabeth we look forward to seeing her tonight, Lucas," Clarice said.

"I will. Thank you, Clarise. Adam."

Nathan secured Pilot in his stall and picked up a couple of apples. Handing one to Emily, Nathan fed her horse while his fiancée fed Newton, both looking at the other through the sides of their eyes with sweet smiles on their faces. A minute or two later, they linked hands and walked out of the stables, heading back to the hotel. They both felt so happy.

"Would you like to come in and see if Gustave has any ratatouille left?" she asked as they reached the Queen.

"Sure," Nathan said, holding the door for her. "What's in ratatouille anyway? I've been afraid to try –"

"SURPRISE!" a bevy of townspeople shouted at the couple as they entered the restaurant.

Nathan and Emily stopped in their tracks and looked around, noticing immediately that the restaurant had been hastily decorated with ribbons and streamers as well as flowers. A large hand-made sign was hung overhead that read Congratulations on your engagement, Nathan and Emily!

Nathan's eyes narrowed, and he started to ask how anyone knew when Allie stepped forward, grinning from ear to ear as the crowd began to mingle again. Nathan laughed. "I should have known!"

"Let me see it!" Allie said, taking Emily's hand and then hugging her with excitement. "It's prettier on than it was at the jewelry store."

Emily smiled, "You helped him pick it out?"

Allie shook her head. "Nah, I was just there to supervise as he looked at rings. I was making sure he didn't do anything dumb."

"I just wanted a female opinion," Nathan said. "It's the first time I've ever picked out an engagement ring – and it'll be the last."

Emily admired her ring and then leaned up and kissed Nathan gently on the cheek. "You can count on that, Mr. Grant," she responded.

Elizabeth sat at the far end of the expansive room, looking blankly at the same spot on the table she'd been staring at for the past fifteen minutes. Her hands twisted a tear-soaked handkerchief as she considered what she'd done. She had known the moment she decided to run that she was doing the wrong thing, but at the time, turning back didn't seem to be an option. She was mortified by so many things -the haircut, the look of shock in Lucas's eyes, and the fact she'd ruined their trip to Paris by embarrassing her husband in front of his friends. How would she ever face them again?

As she was pondering this, her trance was broken when a soft, deep voice whispered in her ear.

"Bibliotheque Mazarine, has always been a very nice library to visit, but I favor the one in Hope Valley more."

She closed her eyes and the tears began to flow. "Oh, Lucas," she said, turning toward him and wrapping her arms around his torso. "I'm so sorry."

Lucas wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. Gently, he caressed the back of her hair, comforting her. "Now, now, you have nothing to be sorry for, my love," he softly replied, kissing her again. "Nothing at all."

"Oh, but I do!" she exclaimed, a little too loudly, as she pushed away from him.

A shhh was heard from somewhere in the gallery and Elizabeth shrank back. Lucas quickly took a seat next to her, holding her hands and giving her his full attention, knowing she would need to talk. "Lucas, I ruined everything! All I wanted to do was to buy a few new dresses, something more modern so that I could look better for you and your clientele, and I before I knew it, I was in a stylist's chair getting makeup and hair done. I told him only a trim, and he…and he…." Lucas handed her his clean, dry handkerchief as she began to weep.

Another Shhh was heard from down their row, so Elizabeth lowered her volume.

"And then…and then….I went into your friend's apartment and embarrassed you in front of Adam and Clarice by acting like some big baby about it all, and I…."

Elizabeth's speech was cut short when Lucas captured her mouth in a lingering kiss. When he finally drew back, Mrs. Bouchard seemed to have temporarily forgotten what she was upset about, but Lucas's words reminded her.

"Elizabeth, first of all, you've ruined nothing," he said softly, brushing his thumb over her cheek to dry her tears. "We've been traveling for two weeks, and it's been wonderful, at least for me. I hope for you. But, for a variety of reasons, all of them good, we've barely slept. With the stress of the wedding, having Jack stay with your family, and just so many changes so soon, it's quite understandable that you would feel a little overwrought at yet another change, particularly one you explicitly stated you didn't want."

Shhh

"Shhh yourself," an annoyed Lucas snapped toward the man two seats down who had elicited the sound. The man picked up his book and walked away, but Lucas focused on Elizabeth.

"Second, Adam and Clarice are not just my friends. They're your friends too. They love you, as I knew they would. And contrary to what you may think, you didn't embarrass me in front of them at all. Clarice told me about what those women at the restaurant said concerning you and how they upset you, which believe me if I had known…."

"I didn't want you to know," she replied.

"That may be, but as your husband, I need to know when you're upset and what has upset you. And well, we were all just concerned when you left in tears, and we didn't know where you went. It worried us. It worried me, mon chéri," he said, taking her hand in his and kissing it, then placing it next to his heart. He raised the other hand and brushed her hair away from her face.

"I'm sorry," she sniffled, raising her hand to his face and caressing it. "I didn't mean to scare anybody. It's just…."

"I know you didn't mean to, darling, and I'm not angry. It's just you ran away before I could tell you that…."

"Sir, I'm sorry to interrupt," a young library worker who had suddenly appeared next to them said in French. "We've just received a complaint that you and the young lady are disturbing the other visitors, so if you're going to continue to talk, I must ask that you leave the library."

Lucas opened his mouth to say something, and his eyes fell upon the man who had been sitting next to them just moments before. The man bore a scowl on his face, and Lucas knew that to object would only make matters worse. Thoughtfully, he glanced at Elizabeth then nodded. "It's alright. We'll go," he replied. Satisfied, the worker walked away.

Lucas stood and offered his arm to Elizabeth, who was gathering her things. "Shall we?" he said with a warm smile. She took his arm and rested her cheek on his shoulder as they exited the room and the building. Outside, the couple stood in the middle of the courtyard of the Institut de France, and Elizabeth turned to face Lucas.

"You weren't finished speaking in there," she said. "Please continue what you were saying and be honest with me. Don't try to sugar coat it because I'm upset."

A twinkle appeared in Lucas's eyes. "I told you, I'd never be anything other than honest with you, my love." He took a deep breath and looked out toward the street and then at his pocket watch. "But instead of telling you, I think I'll show you."

"Show me?"

"Yes," he nodded with a soft smile. "Follow me."

"Where are we going?" she asked as they walked toward the curb.

He stopped and looked at her. "I'm going to show you the most beautiful sight in Paris."

He led her to the nearest taxi, opened the door for her, and then joined her in the back seat.

"Where to?" the driver asked in French, peering at his passengers over his shoulder. Elizabeth was already snuggled next to Lucas, resting her head on his shoulder as his arm pulled her to his side.

Lucas turned his face toward the man. "Versailles."

Nathan and Emily were inseparable during the party thrown in their honor, and the Mountie was surprised at the sheer number of well-wishers that had come out to celebrate their engagement. In truth, he had spent the majority of his time in Hope Valley as well as his life working alone or attending to things related to Allie, so even he was surprised to find the number of friends he never knew he had. And not only him, but in the short time that Emily had been in town, she had quickly connected with several of the ladies and had even gained the respect of some of the men.

"So, what plans do you have now that you're engaged, Nathan? Will Emily be moving here permanently, or will we be looking for another Mountie?" Florence Yost asked as she and Ned, Molly, and Faith stood and socialized with the couple.

Nathan looked a little uneasy. "Well, we're still working out the details right now. With Allie entering her junior year, we've agreed that we don't want to uproot her so that I can move East, so, for now, we're going to try to handle the relationship long-distance for a while."

"Yes, I promised I'll call at least twice a week, and we can always write," Emily echoed.

"Yes, we will write," Nathan agreed.

Florence smiled hesitantly, "Well, that sounds…challenging, but you two are in love, so you'll make it work."

"Exactly!" Molly echoed. "As long as you have love, that's all you need."

Faith remained quiet.

The taxi pulled up to the Palace at Versailles around a half-hour after leaving the Institut, and, despite having visited when she was a child, Elizabeth's eyes widened as she realized how large the compound was.

"Lucas! We can't possibly see all of this in the few hours left in the day," she said as they exited the cab.

Lucas paid the driver and rejoined his wife, placing his hand on the small of her back and leading her toward the right-hand entrance beyond the gilded gates. "We're not going to tour the entire facility, just certain parts."

Elizabeth asked no further questions, following Lucas's lead.

"Deux billets s'il vous plait," Lucas said to the attendant who passed him two tickets to enter the grounds. "Now, I'm sure you're wondering why I've brought you here," Lucas said, leading Elizabeth into the section of the palace known as the king's State Department.

"The thought has occurred to me," she replied as they entered the Hercules Drawing room. Dark and ostentatious, the area was decorated with marble paneling and painted ceilings accented by gold leaf throughout. Marble busts of various historical figures from the centuries and paintings of mythological scenes adorned the walls and nearly every open space.

"When father was working in Paris, this is one of the first places I went to as an eleven-year-old boy on our first stay in France. The President of France at the time, Félix Faure, was throwing a benefit for the Tsar of Russia, and my parents were invited. The event organizers had assured them that other children would be coming and that we would be entertained. My father really promoted it to me, and I was very excited about going. When we arrived, however, there were no children other than the Tsar's one-year-old daughter Olga."

"Oh, Lucas," she replied, pouting.

"I know. It sounds like another one of my sad childhood stories, but I assure you this one has a happy ending."

She caressed his face and looked lovingly into his eyes. "Okay, please continue," she replied.

"Well, when I found this out, I was disappointed, of course; however, Helen trained me well enough that I wouldn't make a fuss. I sat like a little gentleman among all of the adults in the room throughout dinner and a few speeches that happened after. However, an eleven-year-old boy can only stand so much, and the moment they broke for cocktails, I tugged on my father's sleeve to get his attention while he was speaking with the Tsar. A woman, whom I didn't know, turned to me and gruffly told me what my father was dealing with something important and that I should just run along. Of course, I took that to mean I wasn't important which hurt my feelings. I'm not sure where mother had gone at the time, but there really wasn't any place for me amongst the adults, so I meandered off on my own."

"Where did you go?" Elizabeth asked.

"Well, when we were being escorted to the main dining room, I noticed a room down that hallway, full of books. So, that was the first place I went."

"Now, that doesn't surprise me," Elizabeth smiled.

"No, I suppose it doesn't. However, believe me when I tell you that my parents were less than thrilled to find that their eleven-year-old son had been rummaging around the king's manuscript collection."

"Oh, no! You didn't!" she laughed.

"I did," he smiled, continuing to lead her through the facility. "I gathered a stack of books (the king was fluent in English) and took them down the hallway with me to find someplace quiet to read." He opened a door leading to a small courtyard. "I cut through here to avoid the dinner party and disappeared for hours. Mother and father were so busy for a time that they hadn't realized I'd gone until Grand Duchess Olga's nanny asked my mother where I was. They looked around the room for me, and I was nowhere to be found."

"What did they do?" Elizabeth asked.

"They sent out a search party!" he replied with a measure of excitement. "Some of the President's assistants as well as my mother and father and the facility's staff came looking for me and apparently poured through every room on this side of the facility. Mother was frantic-worried. Father was too. Finally, it was a little after midnight, and father was the one who found me," he stated as they entered another room which was smaller than many of the rooms but no less ornate. "In here."

Elizabeth looked around at the beautiful gold gilt moldings and elaborately carved woodwork that adorned the area and the tall four-poster bed along the wall at the center of the room. Immediately, her 'mother's eyes' spotted where the child Lucas had gone.

Surrounding the bed from top to bottom was a rich brocade covering of burgundy and gold thread that enclosed the king at night when he slept.

"You were there, weren't you?" she asked, pointing toward the bed.

"Very good!" Lucas smiled. "Father opened the draperies and found me sound asleep on King Louis' pillow, with one of the king's books open beside me. Faure's chief of staff was nearby when father found me and saw him gently trying to wake me up. Unfortunately, the chief of staff made such a scene at the sight that my awakening was anything but gentle. In truth, the man frightened me and angered my father, who explained to him that his family was most important and that if we weren't going to be respected, he would not be assisting the French government."

Elizabeth's expression showed the tremendous pride she had at that moment toward Peter Bouchard. "And did you leave?"

"A short while later, yes. But not before Faure agreed to a deal with my father at the behest of the Tsarina, who had also witnessed the encounter. Neither father nor mother ever yelled at me for going off as I did, and my father told me that if anything like that ever happened again, I was to tell whoever it was that I was far more important to him than business deals or societal connections and to 'bugger off.' That's about as strong of language as you'll get from my father., so I know he was serious. He was furious!"

Elizabeth smiled and crossed over to Lucas, enveloping him in a tight hug and resting her head contentedly on his chest. "So, you took me out here to share with me that story and to let me know that regardless of what others say, I'm your family, and I'm more important than your business contacts."

"Unquestionably," Lucas responded. "But, there's more. There's something else I want to show you. In the years that followed my arrival at Versailles, I have come to realize the utter vanity of that night. I mean, there we were in an edifice built by kings and an aristocracy so disdainful that they drove their people to violent revolution, honoring a Tsar and Tsarina that were later executed in much the same way, thrown by a French President whose chief remembrance was that he died three years later in, shall we say, an illicit situation with his mistress at the Élysée Palace," he said, leading her through the next set of doors into the Hall of Mirrors. "Nothing that was accomplished that evening was of any lasting importance, other than the impression left upon a gangly little boy who'd wandered off from his parents. And, while men and women pour their entire lives into shaping their worlds, much like the peace agreement that was signed in this very room last year – too often, I've learned, what we invest our lives in is fleeting vanity.

What's really matters is the love we share – which in terms of my feelings for you is endless."

Lucas stopped in the middle of the room and gently grasped both of Elizabeth's arms in his hands, looking at her with adoring eyes. Her heart sped up as she anticipated the kiss that she knew was to follow – however, she was surprised when he instead turned her around to face the inner wall.

She smiled a confused smile and began to turn back toward him. "Lucas, what are you…."

"Stop. Look," he said. "Take it in."

She turned to see her own reflection in the mirrored wall, with her pretty blue Chanel gown and her cropped hair. "I don't understand."

Lucas smiled. "I told you I was going to show you the most beautiful sight in Paris. You, Mrs. Bouchard, are the most beautiful sight in Paris, in Europe, and indeed the world, and I love you with all my heart," he said, stepping toward her and wrapping his arms around her from behind. "And whether your hair is long or short, or you wear the latest fashions or have your face made up in the latest shades – none of that can subtract from or add to your beauty because it comes from within and is shown without in so many ways. You take my breath away."

"Lucas," Elizabeth said, her eyes beginning to tear up. "But, you can't mean..."

"Darling, you're ravishing, and your hairstyle, while not what you wanted, is very becoming. I like it very much."

She looked at herself in the mirror again and twisted her mouth to the side. "Now you're just saying that."

Lucas turned her toward him and looked her directly in the eyes. "I am telling you the complete and honest truth. You look beautiful, and I support whatever choices you want to make concerning your appearance and wardrobe - on one condition – that you do what makes you happy," he said. "Please do not make changes just because you think it will enhance my business opportunities. I feel the same way about that as my father did about me. You are what's important, and if you decided to shave your hair off, it wouldn't diminish my love for you in the least."

Elizabeth had to laugh. "Really?" she asked incredulously.

Lucas looked at her seriously. "Really," he said, wrapping his arm around her and leading her toward the exit. Then, he smirked. "However, if you do decide to shave your head, please warn me ahead of time so that I won't be so surprised."

She put her arm around his waist, playing along. "Oh, trust me. I will," she said.

"And we might have to get you a hat…you know, for the sake of... Helennnn," he said with emphasis.

Elizabeth laughed at the thought, and Lucas took her by the hands then pulled her into a deep kiss. "Shall we return to our hotel, Mrs. Bouchard?" he asked, when they pulled apart, raising his eyebrows up and down suggestively.

Elizabeth bit her lip, "That sounds like a fine idea," she stated, slipping into the back seat of the car, followed by her husband. "Thank you, Lucas."

"For what? I only told you the truth," he replied.

"Yes, but you made me feel better too," she responded. "I love you so much."

Lucas smiled. "And I, you. More than words can say." He leaned in and kissed her again before being interupted by the driver clearing his throat. The couple pulled apart and giggled. "To the Ritz!" Lucas told the driver with flourish, before settling his lips against Elizabeth's neck, kissing her at a particularly sensitive spot behind her ear that he knew had an effect on her. The driver shook his head and drove on.

Another week passed by and Rosemary Coulter received a letter in her mail that she'd been hoping to receive. Postmarked from Munich, Germany, she could tell it contained a letter as well as something thicker. Ripping open the envelope, she was delighted to find Elizabeth had sent a photograph of her and Lucas in front of the Eiffel Tower. Rosemary was amused to see Lucas mugging for the camera (or more likely for Elizabeth) wearing a cream-colored suit and a newsboy cap upon his head. But, she squealed when she saw Elizabeth's new look. Never in a million years did she think her friend, who had scoffed at the idea of wearing Freedom-Alls, would be sporting a shorter hairstyle and dressed in what appeared to be fine Parisian haute couture. Surely this photo from abroad of the town's favorite newlyweds would do something to boost the newspaper's lagging sales.

Setting down the picture, she picked up the letter and began devouring its contents. She was delighted to hear the joy in Elizabeth's tone though not everything they were experiencing was good.

The realities of war have made their mark throughout the European countryside and have added a melancholy element to what has otherwise been a most joyous time. Burnt-out villages and the shells of the men who lived in them are constant reminders as you approach the cities. The sad realization has hit us that the world my husband remembered so fondly as a child is in many ways gone. In fact, it's all changing. I hope that Hope Valley doesn't change with it.

Still, if it does we know the memories remain. And, even though we've been through our own private war of sorts, we do have our health and each other and are so very, very happy. We are blessed.

The letter continued with news that reports of unrest in Bucharest had caused a change in their itinerary. They'd be traveling to Vienna in the morning and from there would take a Northern route stopping at a few spots along the way before boarding a ship in Calais and sailing to England. All in all, Elizabeth expected them to be reunited with Jack and Elizabeth's family in London on their one-month anniversary. She didn't know what plans her husband had from there, but she knew it would be wonderful.

Folding up the letter, Rosemary smiled at how well things had worked out between the two. With everything they'd been through, they deserved happiness.

On the other side of the street, nobody would use the word 'happy' to describe the mood. Faith had gone through the final checklist of everything they'd need for their trip and had placed a call to Carson telling them what time their train would arrive. She had to leave a message when she was told that Shepherd had been pulled into an emergency but was told he should be free within twenty minutes.

Meanwhile, Emily, Nathan, and Allie had spent a tearful morning packing her things and spending every moment they could together before they would be parted. The coach was scheduled to pick the ladies up around two o'clock, and then it would be months before the couple would see one another again. What made it even sadder was the fact Nathan wouldn't be there to see her off. He was scheduled to help train some new recruits up near Bryan Creek and wouldn't be back until early evening. To get ready, he had to leave at ten. Allie volunteered to go to the stagecoach office in his stead, and soon they were saying goodbye as Emily's Mountie took off on Newton heading North.

When Emily returned to the infirmary, heartbreak was written all over her face.

"He's gone," she said, walking into the room with tears streaming down her cheeks.

Faith didn't respond and seemed deep in thought, having just hung up with Carson. Emily walked over to Faith's desk and took a seat. "Did you hear me? Nathan left."

Faith looked over toward her. "I'm sorry," she replied. "I just got off the phone with Carson. "Augustus Bates passed away last night."

"Dr. Bates? The man they were sending to Hope Valley while you were gone?"

"Yes," Faith replied. "And, Carson said it could take weeks to find a replacement. That would leave Hope Valley without a doctor."

"Oh, no," Emily replied. "What are you going to do?"

"Only thing I can do," Faith said as her eyes began to tear up.

Emily reached out her hand and touched Faith's arm, trying to bring comfort and feeling more akin to Carter at that moment since she'd know her. Both women were in a similar position, separated from the men they loved due to their chosen careers. It just wasn't fair.

"We haven't really talked about it much, you know, but I know Dr. Shepherd is very dear to your heart and you were so looking forward to seeing him again."

Faith cried a little harder. "I've been looking forward to it since he moved back to Canada. We both were."

"I know," Emily looked on sadly. "Is there anything I can do?"

The training exercise near Bryan's Creek ended earlier than Nathan anticipated, which would allow him and Newton to arrive back in Hope Valley just after sunset. Still, if it weren't for Allie, he wouldn't have gone. The idea of entering town without Emily there was too painful.

The whole afternoon, while he was working on the training field, he couldn't keep his mind off her. Her sparkling blue eyes and blonde tresses, the way she smelled, and most of all, the way she made him feel were as tangible to him that day as if she were right there with him. As he pondered this, he knew the reason why. She was there with him and would be with him wherever he went because she was part of his heart now. She was his one true love.

He thought he'd known love before with Elizabeth, but it was nothing like this. Emily knew him, understood him, and accepted him as he did her. He felt he would move heaven and earth to make her happy and felt a great emptiness inside as he considered how long they'd have to be apart. Could he do this? Or should he quit the Mounties, pick up stakes and move East? These questions and more weighed heavily on his mind when he finally reached the stable just after sunset.

"You did good today, buddy," he said to Newton as he placed him in his stall and poured a scoop of feed into the horse's trough. The horse moved forward and bumped Nathan with his snout, causing the Mountie to chuckle. "Yeah, you know when I'm in a foul mood, don't you."

Nathan walked across to a basket on a chair not far away, retrieved an apple, and fed it to his horse. "Thanks for being there, Newton. You put up with a lot."

"I don't know how he stands it personally," a sweet Irish voice said coming from the end of the room.

Nathan turned to face her and couldn't believe his eyes. "Emily? Why…why are you still here?"

Emily made her way across the stable, "Dr. Bates passed away last night."

Nathan furrowed his brow. "I'm sorry to hear that. What does that have to do with you?"

"Well, as a result, the town was going to be left without any medical help while Dr. Carter was away. Except…Dr. Carter secretly didn't want to come back. She wanted to stay with Dr. Shepherd. She left this town this afternoon, for good," Emily said.

"I see. But I still don't understand. Why weren't you with her?" he asked.

"Well, you see, with Faith gone, this left a vacancy."

All at once, the realization hit him, and even though he tried to fight it, Nathan Grant teared up. "Are you saying what I think you're saying? Because if you're just here until Carson sends a replacement…."

"I'm staying," she said as tears rolled down her cheeks. "I'm moving to Hope Valley and am going to run the infirmary just as Dr. Carter did when she came to town. Nathan, I love you and my place is with you and Allie, and nowhere else."

Immediately, Nathan grabbed Emily around the waist and pulled her to him, kissing her and showing her without words the intense emotions he was feeling inside. With the day having begun on such a sad note – to have it end on such a happy one was almost more than he could comprehend.

That evening, the couple ate dinner together with Allie at the Grant's rowhouse and celebrated the fact that they would soon be a family. Nathan and Emily would soon be one, and Allie would have a new mother. And so it was that the year would end on a high note - with blessings that nobody could have ever foreseen just a year before. Some blessings were already known – and some yet to be revealed. But in the end, in spite of the struggles they went through, the two couples would always agree, 1920 was a very good year.

Author's Note: We're not finished yet. Stay tuned as the Bouchards visit England. Julie will be there ;)