AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is a rewrite of season 9 had Elizabeth chosen Nathan. While this is a Nathan and Elizabeth story, there will be side stories for all the characters. There will be 12 "episodes." Some episodes may have a couple of chapters while other stories will have more chapters. Unlike those in charge of the TV show, I think the storylines with Elizabeth and Nathan together would be much more interesting. Enjoy!

Episode 1

"Home. It is such a subjective word. I am sitting in my old room where I grew up. I called this home for so many years. But it doesn't feel like my home anymore. My home is in Hope Valley. My home is with Little Jack and more recently, Allie and Nathan. After realizing that life is too short and tomorrow isn't guaranteed, I decided to let Nathan into my heart. And it has been more than I could ask for. My heart was broken after Jack for so long. Being with Nathan has helped my heart heal. True to his word, Nathan wrote a resignation letter to the Mountie's. When I found the letter, I knew that I couldn't let him. As much I was afraid to lose him, I had to trust God that he would keep Nathan safe. The Mountie's didn't want to lose Nathan either and a compromise was made. Instead of Nathan going out on missions, he would only be given overnight missions. He would also train new Mountie's who have graduated from the academy who need a little more help, in Hope Valley.

While it took me too long to open my heart to Nathan, it was worth the wait. My only regret is hurting many people in the process…"

There was a knock on Elizabeth's door.

"Come in" Elizabeth said.

"I'm sorry to disturb you Mrs. Thornton, but there is a telephone call" said Ruth, the house keeper.

"Thank you Ruth. I'll take it in here" Elizabeth said.

Ruth nodded her head and left the room.

"Hello" Elizabeth said.

"Is this the famous writer, Elizabeth Thornton?" said Nathan on the other line.

"Why yes it is. Is this the impeccable Constable Nathan Grant?" Elizabeth teased back.

"You know what? It is" Nathan teased. Both of them laughed.

"I'm so excited to see you and Allie. What time do you think you'll be here?" Elizabeth asked.

"My parents put Allie on a train to Union City. I'll be leaving for Union City soon. I'll grab Allie at Union City. We should be there tomorrow morning." Nathan said.

"Perfect. I can't wait to show you two where I grew up. And for you two to meet my family" Elizabeth said.

"Exciting for you. Anxiety for me. Especially with meeting your father, the shipping magnet" Nathan said.

"His bark is worse than his bite" Elizabeth said.

"Wonderful" Nathan said in a sarcastic tone.

"Oh. Can you do me a favor? Can you go see Lucas? His mother sent a letter regarding when my book is arriving to Hope Valley" Elizabeth asked.

"Sure. I'll go see if he has the letter" Nathan said.

"Thank you." Elizabeth said.

"I have to go now, I have a line behind me to use the telephone." Nathan said turning his back so no one could hear what he was saying.

"I'll see you tomorrow. I love you" Nathan said.

Elizabeth smiled on the other line. "I'll see you tomorrow. Goodbye" Elizabeth said. She hung the receiver. While Nathan has said I love you many times, Elizabeth has not said those words yet. She is falling in love with Nathan. But Elizabeth only spoke those words to one other man in her life, Jack. She wanted to make sure those words are meant from the heart.

Nathan hung up the receiver and walked outside. While Elizabeth has never said the words I love you yet, Nathan could feel that she loved him. Nathan knew he had to tread lightly with Elizabeth when it comes to matters of the heart. Nathan was patient. He would wait for Elizabeth to say those words as long as she needed.

While standing outside by the mercantile, he saw Rosemary pacing back and forth by the newspaper. Curious as to what she was thinking, Nathan went over to see what was on Rosemary's mind.

"Hi Rosemary." Nathan said.

"Oh. Hello Nathan. How are you today?" Rosemary asked

"I'm fine but it seems like there is something on your mind" Nathan said. Nathan noticed that Rosemary was holding a pickle jar with half the pickles missing. He also noticed a certain glow coming from Rosemary. Nathan knew what this meant. His sister ate pickles when she was expecting Allie.

"I just have a lot on my mind" Rosemary said.

"I see. Have you talked to Lee about your thoughts" Nathan asked.

"No. He is in the middle of the mayoral race. I don't want to distract him" Rosemary said.

"I don't think whatever is on your mind would distract him. I think he would be over the moon to hear what is on your mind" Nathan said with a sly smile.

"I don't think it is good timing to tell him what is on my mind. He's running for Mayor. And I'm running the paper. Things could get complicated" Rosemary said.

"If there are two people who can work anything out, it's you two" Nathan said.

Rosemary smiled. "You're right. I will tell Lee when the time is right"

"Good. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go see Lucas" Nathan said. Rosemary nodded and went inside to see Lee.

Lucas was sitting at his desk when he heard a knock on his door.

"Come in" Lucas said. Lucas looked up from what he was working on. It was Wyman Wallace and Spurlock.

"Hello Mr. Bouchard" Walden said.

"Good morning, Mr. Walden, Mr. Spurlock" Lucas said shaking their hands.

"What can I do for you?" Lucas asked.

"We would like to buy the saloon from you" Walden said.

"I'm sorry Gentlemen, the saloon is not for sale. I'm sorry you wasted your time" Lucas said.

"I see. We would like to rent out your cellar" Walden said.

"My cellar? What for?" Lucas asked.

"Mr. Bouchard, as you know, the United States has outlawed alcohol. They are in need of alcohol and we want to help them with that. Your cellar would be used to make said alcohol and then to be smuggled into the United States. You would get a cut of course." Walden said.

"You're kidding? The answer is no. This is a reputable establishment. You're lucky I don't call the authorities" Lucas said.

Walden sighed "I thought you would be more receptable to this idea. But I guess I'll try a new tactic"

Walden put some pictures on Lucas's desk.

"It would be such a shame if something were to happen to your friend's widow that you gambled everything for. She remarried and has a 3 year old child."

Lucas's jaw tightened. Walden walked over to the window.

"It would also be a shame if something was to happen to the sweet school teacher Mrs. Thornton. Her son would be an orphan. Or how about Constable Grant. He also has a daughter. It would be a shame if something happened to him. His daughter would be a ward of the state and go into the system. And I heard that the homes in the system are nightmares." Walden said.

"Enough" Lucas said angrily.

"I'll do it. You can rent out my cellar" Lucas said.

Walden smiled "I'm glad you saw it from my perspective. And I am a man of my word, you will be compensated"

"I don't want your money" Lucas said.

"Now let me introduce you to the brains of the operation. She will be overseeing the quality of the alcohol and the shipping" Walden said.

A blonde woman came walking into Lucas's office.

"Mr. Bouchard, let me introduce you to May Sue Calhoun" Walden said.

"Hello Mr. Bouchard. It's a pleasure" said May Sue with a prominent Southern accent.

"Miss Calhoun is from the American south and has many contacts to make our smuggling possible" Walden said.

"I'm very excited to be working with you Mr. Bouchard" May Sue said.

Lucas sneered "If you want to call it working together. If we are all done here, I need to go downstairs and check on everything"

"We'll be in touch" said Walden.

Wyman Walden, Spurlock and May Sue left his office and walked down the stairs. Lucas eventually followed them down. As he was walking down the stairs, he saw Nathan.

Walden tipped his hat to Nathan and all three left the saloon.

"What was Walden doing here?" Nathan asked.

"What else? Trying to buy my saloon, which is not for sale" Lucas lied.

"Do you need help with him?" Nathan asked.

"Nothing that I can't handle. What can I do for you?" Lucas asked.

"Elizabeth wanted me to come over and see if your mother has sent a letter" Nathan said.

"Yes she did" Lucas went into his suit pocket and pulled out a letter and gave it to Nathan.

Nathan smiled "She's going to be excited to get this letter."

Lucas smiled at the thought "When is she coming back to town?" Lucas asked.

"Allie and I are going to go visit her folks in Hamilton. We should be back by the end of the week" Nathan said.

Lucas nodded. For the longest time, it stung when he would see Nathan and Elizabeth together. And although he was happy for Elizabeth, and for Nathan, to extent, Lucas was still jealous that Elizabeth ended up with Nathan.

"Thank you for this" Nathan said and started to walk away.

"Nathan" Lucas said. Lucas wanted to tell Nathan about Walden and his scheme. But thinking about Little Jack and Allie ending up orphans persuaded him not to say anything.

"Safe travels" Lucas said.

Nathan smiled and tipped his hat.

Nathan went back to his row house. He had packed last night but he wanted to double check everything. Nathan zipped up his bags and went downstairs to wait for Lee. Nathan saw Lee's car pull up. As it pulled up to a stop, Nathan saw that Rosemary was in the car.

"I hope you don't mind. But I have an appointment in Union City" Rosemary said to Nathan.

Nathan smiled. "I don't mind at all." Rosemary smiled back at him. Nathan got into the back of the car and set his bags down. Lee began to drive.

"I bet you are excited to see Allie" Lee said.

"I am. She's been gone the whole summer. I can't wait to hear all about her summer" Nathan said.

"Adopting Allie was the best thing I ever did. When she first came into my life, it wasn't convenient and maybe it wasn't the best time to bring her into my life, but I don't regret it for one moment" Nathan said hoping that Rosemary would get the hint.

"Children are a blessing" Rosemary said touching Lee's hand. Lee smiled at her. For the rest of the car ride, Lee talked about his campaign and Nathan and Lee talked about baseball. Rosemary was unusually quiet for the car ride. Once they reached the train station Nathan got out the car. He gave a quick hug to Rosemary and a handshake to Lee. Rosemary asked Nathan to give Elizabeth her love. Nathan nodded.

"He's a great guy. I'm glad that Elizabeth found another great guy" Lee said.

"Me too" Rosemary said smiling.

"Now what is this appointment you need to get to?" Lee asked.

"His name is Dr. Banks and he is going to check to see if everything is alright with the baby" Rosemary said.

"Where is he located...?" Lee paused. "Did you say baby?"

Rosemary smiled "Yes"

"Are you sure?" Lee said.

"Lee Coulter! A woman knows when she is carrying a child" Rosemary said.

Tears filled Lee's eyes.

"I'm going to be a father?! Woo-hoo! My prayers have been answered" Lee said. Lee gave Rosemary a big kiss and they hugged each other.

Nathan was watching from afar and smiled. Nathan walked into the train station. He looked around to find Allie. He saw Allie at a bench reading a book.

"Allie!" Nathan shouted.

"Dad!" Allie shouted back. Allie grabbed her bags and ran into Nathan's arms.

"Hi sweetheart. I missed you so much" Nathan said.

"Me too. But I have so much to tell you!" Allie said.

"That's great, but we need to catch the train first." Nathan said. Nathan went over to the board to look for the platform that they needed to go to board the train.

"This way" Nathan said guiding Allie to the correct platform. They both took out their ticket stubs and stood in line.

"You look like you have grown 3 inches since I last saw you" Nathan said.

"Actually, 3 and a half. Grandpa measured" Allie said.

"You saw Grandpa?" Nathan inquired.

"Almost every day. He lives down the street from Grandma. They seem like good friends" Allie said.

"Really" Nathan said. Nathan and Allie gave their ticket and boarded the train. They had their own private cabin.

"Wow. This is nice Dad." Allie said as she put her book on the table and her bags in storage. They sat down at the table.

"I wanted it to special. I haven't seen you all summer!" Nathan said.

Allie smiled.

"Before I tell you all of my adventures, I'm going to use the powder room" Allie said and left the table.

Nathan looked at Allie's stuff and picked up to look at the book she was reading. Nathan flipped through the page when he saw a note inside. He took it out and opened the note. It was a letter to Allie and it was signed from a boy named Thomas. Hearing Allie come out of the restroom, Nathan quickly put the book back.

Allie sat back down at the table.

"So did you make any new friends while you were visiting?" Nathan asked.

"A few. I'm going to keep in touch with a couple of them." Allie said. Not wanting to reveal that he saw the note, Nathan changed the topic. For the rest of the day, Nathan and Allie talked, played a game and took a nap. For dinner, they had a hamburger and fries.

That night, Nathan had a lot on his mind. His little girl was growing up. She was starting to be interested in boys. He would have to deal with that later. Mostly on his mind was meeting the Thatcher's. What would they think of Elizabeth being with another Mountie? Are they going to compare him with Jack? How much has Elizabeth told them? Did she tell them that he was the reason that Jack went on that training mission? Would they find him a suitable man for Elizabeth and Little Jack? All these thoughts raced through Nathan's mind that he hardly slept.

In the morning, Allie put on her best dress and Nathan put on his best suit. He wasn't hungry and hardly ate anything for breakfast. Once they reached Hamilton, they got off the train. There was a man holding a sign that said Nathan and Allie Grant.

"Hey! That's us!" Allie said to the man.

"Mr. Grant. Miss Grant. I'm Daniel, the Thatcher's personal chauffeur. Mrs. Thornton asked that I pick you two up and escort you back to the estate" Daniel said.

"Cool" Allie said.

"Thank you" Nathan said. Nathan was hoping that Elizabeth would be there as well. Daniel put their bags in the back of the car and opened the door for them.

As they drove off, Allie looked out the window. Her eyes grew larger as they went by bigger houses. They finally reached the Thatcher estate. It was a huge mansion. Nathan had never seen such a big house.

"This is huge" Allie said. Nathan started getting nervous. Daniel parked the car and opened the doors for them. They got the bags out of the back.

"Now remember Allie. It's Mr. Thatcher and Mrs. Thatcher. And when we are out in public, it's Mrs. Thornton" Nathan said.

"I know" Allie said.

Nathan looked at the house. What am I getting myself in to? Nathan thought.