Author's Note: There was some confusion in my last chapter that I wanted to clear up. Nathan & Allie are the same characters from Season Six of WCTH. I wanted to find a way to bring the characters from seasons six & seven into the mix, so that was my way of doing so. I had Abigail say something about Nathan as a suitor, as a nod to the love triangle currently on the show, just as a silly reference, nothing serious. Francine is also canon, she is from S04 E06, Heart of a Teacher, and I love adding her into my stories as well. I love hearing your thoughts and love your feedback, so without further ado, enjoy the chapter!
(Elizabeth's POV)
It had been about a week since Thomas had been born, so Jack & I decided it was finally time to introduce him to the Coulter's. Last I had heard from Abigail, Rosemary & Lee were finally settling in with Colt, and I was relieved to hear that.
Thomas had been pretty easy going so far. He didn't cry much, just whined a bit if he needed something. I was so thankful that Jack & I were still able to get some sleep while raising our first newborn.
After getting Thomas settled in the carriage, Jack & I began our walk into town. We were taking our time, because we had a few stops to make on our way. Jack wanted to meet the temporary mountie, and I was intrigued as well. I also wanted to stop in and see Francine, just to check in and see how she was doing in Hope Valley so far during her stay.
We stopped into the jail first, where we found both Bill and the new man in red.
"Jack, Elizabeth, I'm surprised to see you out in town. I was just on my way out actually." Bill leaned over the carriage and smiled at our son. "Hi little Thomas."
"We're actually on our way to see Lee & Rosemary and wanted to stop in here first." Jack then turned from Bill, who headed out the door, towards the new guy. "Constable Jack Thornton, pleasure to meet you."
"Constable Nathan Grant." The two shook hands and Nathan continued. "So you're the mountie I'm taking over for, temporarily."
"That's me, and this is my wife, Elizabeth, and our son, Thomas." Jack gestured to me and I shook hands with Nathan. He seemed kind, but also quiet and reserved. Similar to Jack when we first met, but less grumpy about being in Hope Valley.
"Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Thornton."
"You can call me Elizabeth, it's nice to meet you Constable Grant."
"Nathan is just fine also." Nathan smiled and turned back to Jack. "So Jack, is there anything I should know about the town? Other than what Bill told me?"
"Not that I can think of. I just wanted to introduce myself and let you know that if you have any questions to let Bill or myself know. And thank you for being available. Hope Valley is in good hands with you here while I'm on leave."
"It's no problem. I'm the guardian of my niece, Allie, so I completely understand wanting to be there for your family. Congratulations to you both, by the way."
"Thank you, he is such a sweet boy." As if on cue because I said that, Thomas started to whimper. So I picked him up and began rocking him in my arms. I turned to Jack, realizing what the problem was. "I think he's hungry, Jack." I looked back at Nathan and asked, "Would you please excuse me? I need to go into the backroom to feed Thomas." The backroom was where Jack used to sleep before we got married, but now it was where Bill stayed.
'By all means," he gestured to the open doorway and I went inside, shut the door, and took care of Thomas. While inside, I overheard Jack & Nathan talking.
"So how are you liking Hope Valley so far?"
"It's very quaint, not like other towns I've been to before. Allie & I move around quite a lot, but now that she's getting older, I'm hoping the RNWMP will give us a more permanent placement soon."
"How is your niece adjusting to the move so far?"
"I think she's doing okay, that's what she tells me at least. I haven't heard much from her teacher, but she's new too. So I wouldn't blame her if she hadn't picked up on anything yet. I just hope Allie's not causing too much trouble."
With that, I popped back out front and got Thomas settled back into the carriage. "I overheard about Allie, and I can talk to Francine about her when we go visit her after this."
"I don't want to put that on you Elizabeth."
"It is no trouble at all, I promise." I looked at Jack and asked him if he was ready to go, and he said he was ready when I was. "It was very nice to meet you Nathan. You and Allie should come by for dinner sometime."
"I would like that. It's certainly been a little challenging to make friends here."
"People will let you in if you open yourself up to them." Jack interjected. "Trust me. But yes, we should get going." Jack put his hand on the small of my back and we walked back outside.
Next was Francine, who was staying at the saloon for the time being. I found her sitting at a table there, working on grading schoolwork. It reminded me of when I had Jack take a test there and then we began goofing off. So much so, that everyone in the saloon started to stare at us, which made me blush.
"Francine, it is so good to see you." Jack pushed Thomas while I hurried over to Francine and gave her a hug. "This is my husband, Constable Jack Thornton, and our son, Thomas."
"It is so good to meet you, Jack. I've heard great things." Jack shook her hand and then gave us some space to talk for a bit.
"So how are things at school? Do you need any help at the library?" I think part of me was itching for a reason to get back to school already, but I also knew Francine could handle everything just fine. Plus, it was nice having quality time with Jack and Thomas, especially before my family arrived soon to meet the baby.
"You were right about the children, they are all such sweet hearts. Of course, there are disputes here and there, but they're just the best. There is one student I'm worried about, Allie Grant. She's skipping school and doing magic tricks in exchange for the kids' money and lunches. I don't know how to bring it up to Nathan."
"Hmmm, why don't I talk to Jack about it? We're having Nathan & Allie over for dinner soon, so I can talk to her about it then."
"That would be wonderful, Elizabeth, thank you."
"Of course, you're my friend, and I want you to feel like you can make yourself at home here."
"As much as I want that too, I just don't want to get too attached before I have to leave again."
"Some of the best friends are separated by distance." I gave Francince a look, because I was referring to us. "You've been so kind to me all of these years. Especially when Thomas Higgins tried to get me out of teaching."
"Well, I wasn't too kind then, but you were right. 'Bad things happen when good people do nothing.'" Francine had this look in her eyes, and I could tell where this was going. "Elizabeth, your heart is made of pure gold. You are one of the kindest people I've ever met. You are so giving to everyone around you. I'm so thankful that you kept pushing me back then and now I can call you my friend."
"Oh Francine. Thank you for saying that. If you ever need anything, you know I will always be here. Besides, I'll have to introduce you to the ladies of Hope Valley soon. They would be delighted to get to know you."
"You really think so?"
"Of course. You are a gem too Francine and anyone in town would be lucky to get to know you, I know I am." I placed my hand on her knee and then stood up. "Now I should get going. Rosemary & Lee are probably wondering where we are. It was so good catching up, Francine."
"You as well, Elizabeth." We hugged once more, then I met Jack up front, and we headed over to the Coulter's house.
(Lee's POV)
"Rosie, honey, Colt looks fine. Besides, this is more about seeing our friends than how our one month old looks." I pleaded with Rosemary, who was paranoid that Colt would spit up on the newest outfit she had made for him. She was feeding him and then was going to put him down for a nap before Jack & Elizabeth arrived with Thomas. We were going to have lunch together & catch up, and we were both looking forward to meeting the new baby.
I knew Rosie felt bad that she wasn't there for Thomas' birth, but from what Abigail had said last time we saw her, Elizabeth wanted it to be more of a private moment between her and Jack anyway.
"Okay, if you're sure. It's just that Colt's about to meet his cousin for the first time and-"
"And he's a baby who won't even remember this moment, and neither will Thomas." I put my hand on her shoulder, reassuring her that she need not stress over this lunch.
"Oh Lee," Rosemary said, giving me 'that look', "I suppose you're right." My wife then smiled wide at our son, "Time for a nap Mr. Coulter."
The two headed upstairs and I heard Patrick's music box play, indicating that Rosemary was rocking Colt to sleep. Ever since I remembered the music box in the attic, it had been smooth sailing with Colt, and his schedule was becoming much more regular, which Rosemary and I were both immensely grateful for.
Rosemary came back downstairs, just in time for us to hear a knock at the door. "Oh, I'll get it!" Rosie practically skipped over to the door, proceeding to open it and squeal. Elizabeth put a finger to her lips, reminding her dear friend that they had a little one with them as well.
"Lee, he is so precious. Come take a look at him. Little Thomas."
"Rosie, why don't we let our friends inside first?" I guided Rosemary out of the way of the doorway, allowing Elizabeth to step in with Thomas, and Jack was right behind her. I shook Jack's hand and pulled him into a hug. "How are you doing Jack? How's fatherhood?"
"It's amazing. Although, Elizabeth is the real champ."
Elizabeth smirked and blushed at Jack, as she handed Thomas to Rosemary. "Jack, you are just as wonderful at being a parent; we've been over this."
Jack whispered to me then, "Women are amazing, we certainly don't give them enough credit."
"You're telling me." We smiled at our wives, then back each other and walked over to where the girls were with Thomas.
"See Lee? I told you, he's so cute." Rosemary had Thomas up on her shoulder, and was bobbing up and down a bit with him.
"He's about the same size as Colt, but that's also due to Colt being born earlier than expected… Our boys are really something, huh?" I put my arm around Rosemary's waist and looked at the new Thornton, while Elizabeth & Jack were together watching us, with pure joy. All of us were a big family, and it was strange to think that we didn't live next door to one another anymore.
Thomas began to whimper, so Rosemary passed him back to Elizabeth, who rocked him back to sleep, and set him into the carriage. "He's just tired, we've been 'out on the town' today." Elizabeth said as we all sat down to eat.
"Oh yes, so I've heard." I passed the green beans to Jack and continued. "How is the new mountie, Jack?"
"He seems like an alright guy. Reminds me a bit of myself when I first arrived?"
"Well he wasn't upset for his posting, that's for sure," Elizabeth teased Jack, and he poked her with the green bean bowl and smiled at her. Their teasing certainly didn't stop once they got married, but their love always shunned through.
"What I was going to say was he seems reserved and focused."
"I just hope his niece settles in well. When I spoke to Francine, the new teacher, she mentioned Allie Grant has been acting out at school. We're hoping to have the Grants over for dinner soon, so fingers crossed I get a chance to talk to her then."
"I have no doubt you'll get through to her. You have a way with words, regarding those kids." Rosie replied. It was crazy to think about the odd past and dynamic that was our friend group, but at this point, Elizabeth & Rosemary were about as close as sisters… even if they both shared Jack in common, in one way or another.
"Lee, are you heading back to work soon?" Jack asked, while the women started talking more about Francine and some tea party they were going to have soon with the other women in town.
"Probably. I've gotta talk to Jesse about it. He recently got engaged to Clara, you know?" Rosie and Elizabeth both turned towards us hearing me say that, getting all excited, then focusing back on their conversation with one another. "He's been such a big help at the sawmill, and I wanted to show my appreciation. So either a promotion or a raise is in order… or both."
We continued eating and talking, and by the end of lunch, we could hear Colt crying upstairs. Rosemary stayed downstairs to clean up lunch, with Elizabeth's help, while I went upstairs to get Colt from his crib.
When we got back downstairs, Rosemary was holding Thomas again, but when she saw I had Colt, she passed him back to Elizabeth. I handed Colt to her, and the two women introduced the boys to one another, who were virtually unimpressed. Thomas was barely awake and Colt was fussing, the whole thing was very anticlimactic, but Rosemary seemed satisfied, which was all that mattered to me.
The Thornton's headed back home shortly after that. Knowing that we lived so far away from each other now and both had newborns, that was going to inevitably mean less time with one another. We'd have to actually plan events like this to make time for get-togethers moving forward.
I could tell Rosemary was sad to see her friends go, but I reassured her that we'd see them again soon. Even if she didn't, I'd be back in town soon, so I could check up on Jack, Elizabeth, and Thomas when I was nearby, which helped her feel better.
With both of us so far from home, Rosie & I relied on the Thornton's to be our family away from home. But with the birth of my son, it got me thinking that there was someone I ought to reach out to. It was a long time coming, but something I thought I'd regret not doing if something were to happen to me. Only time would tell what things would be like moving forward.
Author's Note: I already have the next two chapters outlined, I just have to get to writing! Hope you enjoyed seeing the Coulter's and Thornton's together once more, and also reading more about the Grants & Francine!