Author's Note: Thank you to WCTH1, Kat Cavanaugh, Tonya Aggoune, rsuzymitchell, Guest 21, Joan Jones, Lil641, Ann Leonard Dalton, Ljd21690, Karen Pearson, metacaroliner, naroz, Linda Walker, Robin Sobieralski, Loretta Sua Chang, Sue Marie, Sindie, SLH, eatanygoodbookslately, Terry S, Taylor, Angie Carter, Lexi, , Teresa, kankerich, scifigrl10, Tammy Weil, Linda Merris, Wanda Maudlin, Jamiwa, Lillian Hazaz, cheryl8485, Chgrgal, TexanLucaBeth0509, Minniefish45, Estes Susan, rsuzymitchell, and guests (as well as my Facebook friends who don't review here and any I missed), for continuing to support and review this story! I hope to have it complete by the series premier on March 6th at 8PM/7C (so excited!) and will be publishing slightly shorter chapters than the norm (for me) to get us there. This chapter will have a little angstiness to it, so you are forewarned.

Fun fact: The Corsican was an actual ship that traveled between Liverpool and Montreal and according to reports did hit an iceberg in August 1912. It was stuck at sea for a little while but made it back to shore safely, though some college students disputed the story of the ship's captain and other passengers that all was calm. The students said that the time after hitting the iceberg was terrifying and 19 feet of water had pooled below as well as hundreds of tons of ice on deck. I ran into the story researching TransAtlantic cruise lines to Montreal. How could I not incorporate it?

One other tidbit, while wearing kilts is not as common of an Irish practice as it is for the Scottish, my research indicates it is sometimes done. Now...as to whether or not Nathan will actually wear one...stay tuned! Thank you again, and please leave me a review and let me know what you think!

Peter and Helen were amazed as they watched the son they'd known all of his life suddenly transform into a completely different person. Oh, perhaps not completely different because Lucas had always enjoyed helping people. But, seeing him as a parent was a new experience for both of them, and they marveled at how well he had adapted to that role.

Their first viewing of his parental finesse happened upon arrival at the family's home in Montreal. Elizabeth made her way directly to the nearest telephone to check on Rosemary while Lucas cared for Jack.

"But I want to go with mommy," the hungry child said, reaching toward the door.

"Mommy has to make a phone call, and she will be right back. Meanwhile, I thought I heard something that needs to be taken care of."

Jack frowned and looked around. "What is it, papa? I don't hear anything."

Lucas walked in a circle, tilting his head all around as if he were listening for something, then he stopped. Narrowing his eyes, he walked slowly toward Jack and pretended to listen.

"Just as I suspected," he said to the wide-eyed little boy who didn't know what was happening.

"What is it?" Jack asked.

"Shhh…." Lucas responded, bending over and picking him up. He raised Jack in the air and put his ear to the boy's stomach. "There it is! Do you hear it?"

Jack shook his head. "I don't hear nuffin."

"You don't hear that?" Lucas said. "Why, it's your tummy! It's telling me to feed it! Do you want to go see if Mommy has a snack in her purse for your tummy?"

Jack smiled and shook his head. "Yes, papa. I want to see."

Taking the little boy into his parent's dining room, he sat him down at the table and began to rifle through Elizabeth's handbag, oblivious to anyone in the room but Jack, until he found a box of animal crackers to feed him.

"Here you are," Lucas told his son, who immediately reached for the box.

"Thank you, papa," Jack said, pulling out a rhinoceros cracker and biting its head off of it. He showed the cracker to Lucas and laughed. "I bit its head!"

"Indeed, you did," Lucas smiled, playing along. "Now, only a few. You don't want to spoil your dinner."

"Yes, papa," Jack replied.

While their grandson and son played with the animal crackers, Helen looked on in disapproval. She was tempted to tell Lucas that the only thing that was in danger of being spoiled was his son, but Peter's touch on her arm and an admonishing shake of his head held her back.

"Jack is his son," Peter whispered. "Let's just observe. We might even learn a thing or two."

Elizabeth came into the room, appearing a little pale, and Lucas immediately moved to join her. "What did they say? Did you get ahold of Lee?"

She shook her head no, then stood beside Jack's chair, running her hand across the boy's head. "Lee was out picking up some medicine for Rosemary at Benson Hills since Ned didn't have it in stock. She came home yesterday, and Minnie said she's in a lot of pain."

"Shall we gather our things to return home?" Lucas asked.

"Lucas!" Helen responded. "You've just arrived!"

Elizabeth looked at Helen then took her husband's hand. "Minnie said it won't be necessary. Rosemary's sleeping quite a bit, and the Canfields and Campbells are taking care of Jonathan, so there'd really be nothing for us to do except sit around. So, she encouraged us to enjoy the rest of our time away and said she'd see us when we returned home."

"What exactly happened?" Peter asked.

"They aren't sure," Elizabeth replied. "Lee found her unconscious just outside the office door by his desk. She has a fractured skull."

"Oh, my!" Helen replied. "That's quite serious."

"Yes," Elizabeth said. "And from what Minnie said, it sounds like Rosemary's going to have a bit of a long recovery before she's back to normal. If she gets back to normal."

Peter shook his head.

"You said she was found outside the door by Lee's desk?" Lucas asked.

"Yes. That's what Minnie said."

"That's kind of odd. I've never seen them use that door," Lucas replied.

"I know. That was one of the puzzling things. They don't typically use that door," Elizabeth responded. "At first, they thought there might be some foul play – something about Wyman Walden and Darius Judson –"

"Judson?" Lucas said.

"Yes," she responded. "However, both Judson and Walden have alibis. Judson was at a board meeting for one of his businesses near Edmonton, and Wyman Walden was with Joseph – as was Julius Spurlock. Plus, Bill and Nathan scoured her office and the outside, and they saw no evidence of anyone else being there. Rosemary doesn't remember anything, so it's a mystery what happened and appears to be an accident."

"Oh goodness," Lucas said, shaking his head. "Poor Rosemary and Lee. This is just terrible. When we get home, we need to do anything we can to help them."

Elizabeth squeezed his hand. "I knew you would feel that way, and I agree, of course. Rosemary's been my friend through the good times and bad. And I'm going to be a friend to her, no matter what."

"Nathan, sweetheart, would you come here for a minute? I want your opinion on something."

Nathan took a deep breath and got up from his chair to see what 'wonderful idea' Emily had come up with now for their upcoming nuptials. He was trying to be patient and go along with whatever she wanted, knowing that they were only going to go that way once and wanting very much to make it special. But in the past five days, he'd okayed a wedding cake that he'd detested, picked out flowers that he didn't really care about, and agreed to reception favors that he frankly didn't want to spend the money on – and the list just continued. Until this point, he'd been able to maintain an outward sense of calm and peace, but inside, he felt a building tension that piqued every time he heard the words "Nathan, sweetheart…." Less than three months, and it would all be over. He could make it that long. He placidly walked up to her and smiled.

"Whatcha got?" he asked, putting his hand on her back.

"What do you think about these? They're only $7.95, on sale from $10.00."

Nathan looked over her shoulder at the catalog she held in her hand. He saw some plaid fabric in the same pattern as the kilt. He was afraid to ask, but he had to know. "What is it?"

"Horse blankets. One for Newton and one for Pilot. I figured since it's December, we could have them wear them as they pull us away in a carriage after we've said our vows."

"A carriage?"

"Yes, to take us to the Queen for the reception. And, I thought perhaps dark green harnesses as well, to match your jacket," she replied.

Nathan's dropped open and his face grew flush as he struggled for words. "You…you want me and the horses to match," he said by way of a statement.

Emily smiled. "Yes, I thought it would be cute. What do you think?"

Nathan looked at the catalog and then at Emily. "I think, um…I think – I think I need to go do something I um…I forgot to do."

"Something you forgot to do?" she said, surprised. "What?"

"Oh, just something. I….I um will be back a little later," he said, backing toward the door. "After I, um…do the thing. But save that thought! We'll talk all about it when I return."

Lee arrived home after the drive to and from Benson Hills, the medicine bottle in hand. Entering his home, he nodded thankfully toward his preacher's wife for being there for Rosemary while he was gone.

"How is she?"

"Sleeping," Minnie replied. "She woke up about a half-hour after you left complaining her head hurt and was madder than a hornet at me for not running to get you – even though I told her you had gone to get her medicine. Then, the pain must have gotten pretty bad because she threw up most of the soup I made for her."

"Oh, no," Lee said. "I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"It was no problem, Mr. Coulter. Everyone just wants her to feel better."

"I know and appreciate that," Lee replied. "And, it's Lee. I'm thinking about hiring a private nurse until she gets back on her feet again. I hate the idea of burdening you all with taking care of her."

"Lee, it's no burden. We love Miss Rosemary, and we are willing to do anything to help her and you. Besides, the Lord always has a way of blessing those who make their lives a blessing to others. I just wish there was more that I could do."

"You're watching our little boy," Lee said. "That alone is a blessing we will never be able to repay you for."

"Hey," she said. "That's what friends are for."

Nathan walked up to the barbershop door, taking a quick look around before entering. In all of his years in Hope Valley, he hadn't spent a lot of time chatting with Fiona, but for a couple of reasons, he thought she might have the answer to his problem. For one, she was a woman, but she thought like a man. Also, as a barber, she talked to all sorts of people about a variety of things and would probably have a well-rounded way of helping him understand what was happening in his life. Someone had to because the more time passed, the more lost he became.

"Hey, Nathan," Fiona said as she hung up a dustpan on the wall after cleaning up from her last customer. She wiped her hands with her apron. "Can I help you?"

Nathan looked around the room for some kind of an excuse for why he had come, hoping to make the encounter seem casual. "Yeah, I um…I was thinking…a shave," he said, twisting his neck slightly.

Fiona looked at him curiously. "You don't look like you need a shave to me."

"I don't?" Nathan replied.

"No, in fact, you look like you just shaved. I could go over it again if you like, but you look fine."

"Okay," Nathan nodded as he took a seat in the barber chair. "How much is a haircut?"

"Fifty-five cents."

Nathan looked surprised. Since she was around twelve years old, Allie had always cut his hair, and the last time he'd had it done professionally was before they came to Hope Valley. "Really? That much for a trim?"

"For a trim, it's thirty-five cents," she said, running her fingers through the back of his hair to assess what needed to be done. "Does Allie cut your hair?"

"Yeah," he replied.

"She does a good job," Fiona responded. "And, unless you want a much different look, your hair doesn't look like it needs cutting either," which Nathan knew was true since she'd just cut his hair four days before. Fiona leaned against her barber's cabinet and crossed her arms.

He took a deep breath and brushed his hands over the top of his legs. "Alright, how much do you charge for advice?"

Fiona tilted her head. "You want advice? From me? On what?"

"Women."

Fiona raised her eyebrows. "Women," she repeated flatly. "What about women do you need to know?"

"How to understand them," Nathan said. "I mean, I thought I did. I've grown up around women all my life and then had Allie…but…."

Fiona smirked, "Having problems with Emily?"

Nathan took a deep breath then closed his eyes, a slight smile appearing on his face. "Yeah. How'dja know?"

"A guess. What's wrong?" She asked.

Nathan paused for a moment considering his words. "I wouldn't say there's really something wrong – it's just since we got engaged, she's turned into this completely different person."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, I mean, she's off in her own little world picking out cakes and decorations…."

"So, there's conflict over the wedding? " Fiona surmised. Nathan stopped talking, and she continued. "That's normal. All couples go through that to some degree, I think."

"She wants me to wear a skirt!"

Fiona gasped and she was speechless for several seconds. Finally, she blinked. "Emily wants you to wear a – a skirt?"

"Yeah. Okay, it's a kilt. And, I was okay with that at the beginning because of tradition… Her father wore it when he married her mother."

Fiona nodded. "I thought she was Irish, not Scottish."

"Yeah, well, apparently there are some Irish who also wear kilts, and her father was one of them. And, since he can't be here, she wants me to wear the kilt as a way to honor his presence."
"I see," Fiona replied. "Well, that's sweet, I guess."

"But that's not all," Nathan said. "Now, she wants the horses to match the kilt."

"She what?"

"She wants to purchase blankets for the horses that match the kilt. Next thing she's going to want me to dance a jig! Fiona, I don't know what I'm going to do. First, it was small stuff, but right now, I feel like our wedding has turned into this huge extravaganza, and I don't know how to rein it back in. All I know is this isn't me. I thought she'd understand that. I guess I thought I knew her better," he trailed off at the end.

"Have you tried talking to her about it?" Fiona asked.

Nathan shook his head no.

"Well, that's where I would start. You've got to be honest with her. Tell her how you feel."

"But that'll hurt her feelings," Nathan said. "I don't want to do that. This is the wedding of her dreams."

"Perhaps, but wouldn't you rather have the marriage of both of your dreams than a wedding that starts your life together on a foundation of dishonesty and holding back?"

Nathan knew she was right. He knew Bill was right. With the wedding still over two months away, it was better to clear the air now and deal with the repercussions than just allow it to build and be miserable on his wedding day. He dreaded the thought of it.

Thanking Fiona for her advice, he stood to leave, having an additional thought as he reached the door.

"Say, what are you doing on December 26th?"

"Your wedding day?" she asked.

Nathan shook his head yes and then stood in the doorway, talking with Fiona about the possibility of her doing Emily and Allie's hair before the wedding. He would have to okay it with them, but with Emily's job and Christmas and all of the other preparations, he thought perhaps it would be one less thing his bride-to-be would have to think about. Plus, Allie liked Fiona and would get a kick out of having her hair done by a professional.

Fiona smiled and then laughed as Nathan told her some story about the last time he'd tried to do Allie's hair for her before Florence and Ned's wedding. Of course, she already knew since she was the one who 'fixed' his handiwork, but she was glad to listen, noting the Mountie seemed less tense than when he walked in.

While they stood there talking and laughing, Emily and Allie came walking down the street from the rowhouses to the Queen to pick up some of Gustave's dessert for their dinner that evening. As they reached the door to the restaurant, Emily stepped back, letting Allie go first, and then glanced down the street just as she was about to go inside. Her heart sank as she saw her Mountie chatting with the beautiful Miss Miller. She watched them laugh and even saw Fiona lean forward and hug him.

"Are you coming in?" Allie asked.

Emily looked down, hiding the tears that were filling her eyes. "I'm sorry, Allie, I need to go. Extend my apologies to Na…to your father."

She turned and walked away.

"Peter, he must be told. I don't think it's fair to Lucas to…wait! I think he's coming." Helen said, shutting off the discussion with her husband somewhat abruptly.

Lucas had heard their muffled whispers as he descended the marble staircase and made his way toward the West Tea Room where they often gathered that time of day, and he smiled a bittersweet smile as he considered how little had changed since the days he'd lived with them. They were always in their own little world, and he'd often come upon them just like that and find them talking about him – but then he might not hear anything about it – or, they might unveil some life-altering news to him right away. He wondered what it would be this time.

"Well, Elizabeth and Jack are both down for a nap. I thought I might come down and…catch up," he said, walking into the room and finding them in their usual seats drinking tea. He quickly picked up a cup and popped in his usual five sugar cubes. "Would anyone like a refill?" he asked.

Helen looked down at her cup. "If you don't mind, I believe I will have another cup."

Lucas nodded and picked up a fresh cup. "Father?"

Peter looked at Helen knowingly and shook his head. "I'm afraid not. But the two of you enjoy."

Lucas considered that an odd statement but didn't press. Dropping five cubes of sugar into Helen's cup, he poured the hot tea in as well with a little cream, like she liked it, and came to join them.

"So, what have I missed?" he asked, handing her the cup and taking a seat in a chair next to them.

"Missed?" Peter asked.

"Yes. What is it that I must be told? " he said, looking between the two of them. "I'm no longer a child. If there is something that I need to know, then just go ahead and tell me. I'll find out sooner or later."

Helen pursed her lips and looked at her husband, who nodded. "Well, I suppose you're right. We do have some news – some, I hope you will agree is good but some not so good…."

"But not terrible," Peter quickly interjected, smiling his charming smile toward his son. "We don't want you to worry."

Lucas lowered his cup to the table and looked toward them with concern. "What is it? You're scaring me."

Helen took a deep breath. "A couple of weeks ago, your father wasn't feeling well, so he went to the doctor who ran some tests. The tests indicated diabetes mellitus."

Lucas looked to his father. "You're diabetic?"

Peter nodded. "Yes. The doctor has put me on a strict diet and advised me to stay away from sugars and starches, which should help keep my sugar levels down."

"But that's fatal!" Lucas replied.

"Yes, well, life itself is eventually fatal," Peter responded. "Son, I've lived a full life and hope to extend it as long as possible. To do that, the doctor advised me to divorce myself from sources of stress."

Lucas immediately looked at his mother, and Peter laughed as Helen rolled her eyes. "Your father and I are doing just fine, Lucas Gabriel Bouchard! So, banish that thought from your mind!" she said.

Peter looked to Helen wistfully. "Yes, ever since your lovely wife's talk with your mother, our life together has been so much better. I've learned where I took her for granted, and she's learned never to shut herself off from me. I can't imagine walking through this last chapter of my life without her at my side."

Lucas looked down, his heart aching at his father's words.

"Nor without you," Peter added. "Which brings me to our second bit of news."

Lucas looked up, the pain visible in his eyes.

"We've decided to retire, your mother and me," Peter said. "And we're selling this place."

Lucas looked surprised. "Selling the estate? But this has been your home for decades."

"Even so, we only had it for entertaining business guests and the occasional party, and if we're both going to be retired…." Peter said.

"Plus, we've decided a change of scenery would do us well," Helen added.

Lucas considered that and nodded, having been hit with so much at once he wasn't sure what to say. "So, you're moving?"

Helen responded as Lucas picked up his teacup again. "Yes, to Hope Valley," she smiled. Lucas set the cup down once more.

"You're moving where we live," he replied.

"Yes! I explained to your father how beautiful the town is and how friendly the people were when we visited and we both agreed."

"And, of course, we'd be near you and your family," Peter added. "I'd get to know my grandchildren, and they'd get to know me for as long as I'm here."

"And, I'd get to see you as well," Helen said. "I may have never shown it, but I have missed you, Lucas. We will be together now. No more business worries to pull us apart. Won't that be wonderful?"

Lucas looked at his mother, whose glistening eyes like windows betrayed the facade she had erected around herself. In truth, Lucas knew she was scared to death at the prospect of losing his father and heartbroken. He reached out and took her hand.

"It will be the most wonderful thing in the world," he said. "You can even stay with us."

"Absolutely not," Peter said. "You have a growing family, and you'll also need your privacy. We will find accommodations somewhere in town or stay in that hotel of yours and have something built."

"Building projects are not 'divorcing oneself from stress," Lucas said. "When do you plan to move?"

"Well," Helen replied, "It will take a little while to get everything packed away here, so we were thinking the beginning of next year."

"Perfect!" Lucas said, "That's enough time for me to find accommodations for you, and I will have a home built for you on our property. There's room."

"Lucas, we do not wish to be a bother," Helen said.

"It's done," Lucas replied.

Lee walked toward his and Rosemary's bedroom to check on his wife and give her the first dose of medicine, which was supposed to alleviate her headaches. After Lucas's experiences with pain medication, he was very careful to ensure that the doctor wasn't prescribing something too addictive. Still, given that the doctor at Union City said her headaches would only last a few weeks, he would have taken anything just to make her feel better.

Opening the door to the room, he heard Rosemary groan as the light from the hallway poured into the room.

"Sh…shut it!" she said. "Light…it hurts!"

Lee closed the door enough to have just enough light to see the medication he was dispensing and look at her.

"No better?" he said softly, knowing that even his voice made her complain of the pain in her head.

She shook her head no. "Lee, it's throbbing. Icepicks."

Lee took a seat on the couple's bed and caressed her arm. "Do you think it would help if I massaged it? I know when my mother used to get a headache, dad would massage her temples."

"No," Rosemary said. "Just stay with me. I don't want to be alone."

Lee leaned down and kissed her forehead but resisted the urge the caress her hair. "The doctor prescribed some medicine that might help. Do you think you can sit up enough to take it?"

Slowly, and with his help, Rosemary sat up and took her first dose, which was in syrup form. She then laid down.

In the morning, she wouldn't wake up.

Upon hearing the news that Rosemary had been readmitted to the hospital, Lucas, Elizabeth, and Jack were on the first train from Montreal to Union City. The trip itself would take five days. They hoped they'd be there in time.