(No One's POV)
"Oh Elizabeth, he's wonderful." Frank, Cody, and Abigail came by to see the baby a couple days after he had been born. They wanted to give Jack & Elizabeth time to get settled in before bombarding them.
"Thank you. I still can't believe I did it."
"Just like you taught us Mrs. Thornton, we can do anything we put our minds to."
"You've got a point there, Cody. Are you excited to meet your new teacher soon?"
"I'm excited to get back to school in general. Even just a few days away is making me sad. I can only play baseball with Robert so many times before it gets boring." Elizabeth & Abigail chuckled at that remark.
"Some things never change I suppose."
"Indeed they do not." Thomas began to cry, which meant he was getting hungry. Abigail and Cody excused themselves and headed downstairs, where Frank was talking to Jack & Bill.
"His middle name is William… after me? Jack, you didn't have to do that." Bill couldn't believe he had a child in this world named after him, it was such an honor.
"We couldn't think of a better man to honor with his middle name. Besides, it worked out that William also just so happens to be Elizabeth's father's name. But between you & me, we thought of you first."
"Congratulations again, Jack," Abigail and Cody got to the bottom of the stairs and Abigail linked arms with Frank. "We don't want to overstay our welcome, so we'll head out and give you all some time. I left you a basket of food on the counter. Please remember to eat."
Jack smiled at his dear friend. "With your amazing cooking, how could we forget? Thank you so much Abigail," He shook hands with Frank, "Good to see you again, Frank, see you later Cody!"
"Bye Mountie Jack! Bye Bill!"
"Bye Cody."
Things with Abigail & Bill were still interesting. As co-owners of the cafe, but Abigail happily remarried, they tried to keep their conversations to a minimum and usually only business related. But they'd have to figure something out soon, since they'd both be all over Thomas Thornton now.
"How is my precious family doing up here?" Jack asked as he entered their bedroom. Thomas was almost done eating, and Elizabeth fixed her dress.
"We are doing just fine. How are Bill & Frank?" Jack kissed Elizabeth and sat on the bed with her.
"They're good. I guess Frank is going on a trip for a few days soon and Bill is honored to have played a part with Thomas' name."
"Let's just not tell my father that. He'd be disappointed to know we didn't think of him first. That reminds me, did you send the telegram to Hamilton?"
"I did indeed. The Thornton's and the Thatcher's are all aware of their newest family member."
"I feel like we should plan something so everyone can meet him."
"Why don't you leave that to me? You've got enough to worry about."
"Jack, you are just as much a parent as I am. I'm okay, I promise. A little tired, a little sore, but I'm doing just fine."
"I know, but you still do more. You carried him for nine months, you did all of the work getting him out, and last I checked, Thomas can't get milk from just any old chest." Elizabeth blushed and laughed at that last part.
"Okay, point taken. I think it'd be nice to have everyone here. Crazy, but nice. I don't even think my parents have met your mom yet."
"Then it's settled, huh, Thomas?" Jack picked him up and held him up high. "You're gonna meet your great big happy family." Elizabeth raised her brow. Half for holding their newborn up high and the other for what he said. "Okay, Thomas, it's big. It's a big family. But it's our family."
(No One's POV)
The town had seen a lot of big changes lately. The Coulter's and the Thornton's both had children now, Abigail & Frank were married, and the temporary mountie and teacher would both be arriving today. Clara & Jesse were busy at work through it all. Clara was splitting her time up between the dress shop and Abigail's Cafe, and Jesse was running the Sawmill while Lee was on paternity leave. Lee would be coming back soon, but there would always be something else to do.
Clara & Jesse decided to spend some more time with each other and go for a canoe ride. They had heard some stories from Jack & Elizabeth and thought they'd give it a go themselves. It was a gorgeous day, but surprisingly not too hot for July.
"It is such a beautiful day today."
"Not as beautiful as the woman I'm on the canoe with." Jesse continued to paddle the canoe, but turned around to look at the woman he was courting.
"Jesse, you're too much."
"Oh, you want me to stop?"
"No, I suppose not." Clara blushed as Jesse stopped the canoe in the middle of the lake and set the paddles inside.
"So I have something to tell you. Now that Jack & Elizabeth are in their new house, a rowhouse has opened up… and I've been approved to take over residence there."
Clara's eyes grew wide. "Jesse, that's incredible!"
"There's just one problem. I really don't want to move into yet another place all by myself. I really want this to be our home." Clara looked at Jesse, her eyes full of curiosity and wonder. She opened her mouth to speak, but Jesse continued. "But I don't want to rush things, or have you move in before we even put a ring on it…" Clara's expression changed, as Jesse simultaneously pulled a small box out of his pocket, "So I figured it's about time I did put a ring on it." Jesse opened the box in front of Clara. "Clara Stanton, will you marry me? I'd kneel, but we're in a canoe."
Clara laughed amongst her happy tears. "Jesse… yes, yes, of course I'll marry you." Jesse put the ring on her finger and they passionately kissed each other. "I love you so much."
"I love you too, fiancée."
(Abigail's POV)
Because Bill was busy preparing for his next trial that would put him out of town for a week, I was in charge of greeting our new members of Hope Valley off of the stagecoach. With Gowen out of office for a variety of reasons, I was also the acting Mayor, so it made sense that I be the one to see to it that everyone was taken care of.
I waited outside the drop off spot, and watched as the carriage pulled into town. Out came a man dressed in mountie red, and a girl about Cody's age with him, as well as a woman Elizabeth's age who came out last.
"Good afternoon. I'm Abigail Stanton, I'm the acting Mayor of Hope Valley and I also run the cafe in town. I presume you're our temporary mountie?"
"Nathan Grant, at your service." Nathan reached out and shook my hand, as he tucked his hat under his arm. He was a handsome young man. Had Elizabeth not already met and married Jack, I'd consider him quite the suitor for her, if I was being honest. "And this is my niece, Allie."
"It's nice to meet you, Allie."
Allie didn't make eye contact with me, and Nathan had to give her a little nudge to respond. She did not seem pleased to be here, but I'm sure she'd come around. "Hi."
I turned to the woman next to them. "Then I'm guessing this is your wife?"
"Oh no, we just came in on the stagecoach together. Met at the train station in Union City and realized we were going to the same place. I'm Francine Fessler. I'm the substitute teacher for Elizabeth Thatcher. We actually took the board exams together back in the day."
"My apologies Francine. What a coincidence that you know Elizabeth, she'll be thrilled to know you're here. She just had her son, Thomas, with her husband, Constable Jack Thornton."
"Thornton. I knew she had gotten married, I just forgot what her last name was now. I look forward to catching up with her as well. I've heard great things from her and about Hope Valley."
"There will be lots of time for that, I'm sure. Here, let me show you all to the saloon, so you can get settled in."
I was fond of Nathan, Allie, and Francine already, so it was sad remembering that their positions were only temporary. I prayed that night that we could find a way for them to stay.
Author's Note: I've been writing like crazy, so let me know your thoughts on anything you'd like to see. Of course, I'll be following the epilogue of my original story, but I still need fun stories to fill in the gaps, so let me know your thoughts on things.