Final Epilogue
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August 1930

The Honeymoon Cottage, Whitefish Lake, Montana

Allison Grant Stanton slowly rocked on the swing and looked over the lake. Her head was resting on her groom's shoulder and, with his head leaning against hers, Cody had fallen asleep.

Allie kept the swing at a steady rhythm and watched the distant sail boats. Her mother had taken a photo of similar sailboats the first time Allie had visited Whitefish Lake with them and Allie had kept it above her desk at home and at college. It was now packed and would be awaiting their arrival in Union City upon their return from their honeymoon. Thinking of that photograph sent Allie down memory lane. As she recalled her parents return from their honeymoon in this very cottage, she was amazed that they had written her a note every day they were apart from her. Knowing her happiness with Cody, Allie teared up to think her parents loved her that much that they thought of her daily, even while on honeymoon.

Yet Allie knew that she had been thought of and prayed for, and loved, every day since her mother had died. Uncle Nathan had told Allie that she was his 'heart's first love' even before he became her guardian. He had repeated the endearment the night of her first brother's birth, assuring Allie of her place in his father-heart and their family. When she went to college, four years ago, he had repeated the confession and just a couple days ago, her Dad had whispered it to her right before he walked her down the aisle to meet Cody. 'Always remember, dear Allie, you are my heart's first love.' In spite of the unusual circumstances of her family, Allie knew she had always been loved and she sent an arrow prayer of thanks to the Lord for that truth.

Her mom, Fiona, had loved her and lived up to all Allie had hoped a mother would be. Allie and she had a bond of mother and daughter, sister and friend, teacher and confidant all in one. If she compared her family to others, her Dad and Mom always rose to the top. No other friends had the ease and depth of relationship that hardship and challenges had forged in the Grant family. Her younger siblings would reap the benefit, but never quite understand the bond Allie shared with her parents.

Smiling she recalled her brothers and sisters. Davy-boy was now ten and was beginning to resist his nick-name, preferring just 'Davy.' But, as Allie was the one to bestow his nickname at his birth, he allowed his parents and Allie to still use the name, but only in private! He was handsome, tall and strong, brave and protective. Yet, like their dad, Davy was introspective and contemplative and a deep thinker while also devoted and loving. Allie loved being Davy's big sister!

Abbie-love and Gracie-love were the next to arrive. With cherubic faces, twinkling blue eyes and dark chocolate curls, they were full of sugar and spice. Abigail Jayne, the oldest by ten minutes, was the introvert, always watching and listening with a quiet sweetness, but like her father, not quick to speak. She weighed her words, then spoke with thoughtfulness and kindness. She was frequently upstaged by her twin, Grace Lydia, but never seemed to mind. Full of joy and laughter, Gracie was the family comedian and beloved for her funny-faces, comments and antics. Even at eight-years-old, and talking non-stop, no one knew how she had the energy as they all struggled to keep up! Gracie was the life-of-the-party yet genuinely charismatic too.

It was Gracie who was most affected by the arrival of her adorable brown-eyed brother though. For some time, she was not happy to have all the attention diverted to her little brother, Andrew Timothy. Yet Abbie was the one to bestow his nickname and eventually was the most attentive older sister you could hope for. If little Baby-Drew whimpered it was Abbie who immediately called for her mother or father. As Allie's parents had said more than once, God mercifully allowed four years after the twins before Andrew arrived. Not only did Nathan and Fiona need time to handle twins, but Drew was a handful. He never really learned to walk, he just went from crawling to running! And he had been running now for four years. Always wanting to climb the fruit trees, play ball or tag, go fishing, tumble on the lawn or slide down the banister, Drew kept his entire family on their toes and laughing!

As Allie thought about it, she acknowledged her home was filled with laughter and love and singing! The Grants were a happy family.

And now, Allie would be starting a new family with Cody Stanton. She glanced down at her diamond and wedding band, remembering when she had first met her husband. In his final weeks of vacation, Cody had come to Hope Valley to visit his best friend, Robert, before heading to teacher's college with an interest in geography, history and current events. Allie had been working her final month at the switchboard before heading to college to study journalism, creative writing and art. When Robert and Cody entered the Mercantile, joshing with each other, Cody had stopped still when he saw Allie. Her sweet smile lit up her face and her dark eyes twinkled but they both were speechless. Robert looked back down the aisle at his friend and laughed. "The sugar is down this aisle, Code." Allie remembered Cody had shaken his head and whispered for only her to hear, "Oh, I don't think so!" By the time Robert had retraced his steps both Allie and Cody were blushing.

Although Robert and she had remained good friends, Allie was grateful she had listened to her father's advice and not made any decisions about boys in her younger years. Robert had started to date Anna. Allie knew she had loved Robert as a first-love, smiling as she recalled her label of like-liking someone, but when Cody Stanton arrived in Hope Valley everything changed. Robert had introduced them and invited Allie to join her schoolmates for ice cream that evening. Allie had gladly agreed, wanting to know more about this tall, blue-eyed fellow with the handsome face and mop of blonde hair that fell into his eye once in a while. Allie was smitten and only more so when she heard the childhood tales from the Hope Valley school days right before she had arrived. She noted that Cody and she shared some common experiences as she learned he had lost his parents and been adopted by Mrs. Abigail Stanton, plus moved and knew the challenge of forming new friendships in a new place and school. Allie also heard about Cody's bravery sticking up for truth and right, even as a young boy. The more she heard about Cody Stanton the more she wanted to hear.

Cody had been drawn to Allie as well and by the end of his summer visit with Robert, Cody and Allie had decided they wanted to concentrate on their studies, but write exclusively to each other until they could see each other again. By their final years of college, they were courting and planning a summer wedding! Their move to Union City would allow Cody to teach his favorite subjects in the secondary school and Allie would have opportunities to work at the UC Gazette. She was grateful for the training and experience she'd had working for her Aunt Rosemary at the Valley Voice and knew some of her articles there had been instrumental in getting her into college and now into this new newspaper position.

Thinking about her father- and mother-in-law's visit to Hope Valley for the wedding, Allie was grateful that Abigail had actually met her Dad, though briefly, before she had departed to care for her mother. Abigail's first impression of Constable Nathan Grant proved they would have been great friends and Allie later learned that Abigail was horrified at the situations that her dad and the town went through at the hands of Lucas Bouchard. She was also disappointed in Elizabeth Thornton and had confided in Allie that she would never have advised a friend to become involved with such a man. Abigail and Elizabeth were no longer as close although Allie wondered if that might change someday.

Elizabeth Thornton was courting Shane Cantrell, the father of Philip, a former student. Evidently Shane had become a well-respected manager in a large city construction business and had run into Lee Coulter on a customer's job site. When Lee had offered him a position running the construction side of Coulter Lumber, Shane had happily returned to Hope Valley. When Liam, his son, visited he wanted to see his former teacher, Elizabeth Thornton, and Shane and Elizabeth got to know one another again. Currently love was blossoming and there were hopes that a marriage would be forthcoming.

Allie's thoughts returned to her mother-in-law who had been God's provision for Cody. Abigail Stanton had corresponded with Pastor Frank Hogan when he had departed Hope Valley and, when Abigail's mother passed away, Frank had quickly solidified their relationship! Abigail and Frank married four years ago and were now living in Union City where he oversaw an orphanage and children's hospital while serving as Chaplain as well. Abigail fit into his ministry work perfectly as she had a heart for children and a deep faith. Allie gave thanks that Cody had been raised by such a woman, and over the last few years, by Pastor Frank as well.

As Cody stirred, he awakened and looked at Allie. "Sorry, Sweetie! I fell asleep," He shifted after kissing the top of her hair and yawned. "What have you been doing while I napped?"

Allie smiled, cupping his face with her hand. "I've been remembering."

"Remembering good things I hope?"

"Both good and wonderful!"

"And am I included in these remembrances? Especially in the wonderful ones?" Cody lovingly tweaked her nose.

"You are in the good and wonderful memories, dear Husband, whom I adore, by the way!"

"Whew! So relieved to know that." Cody squeezed Allie's shoulders. "Tell me one of the wonderful memories?"

"I was thinking about how God blessed us with wonderful parents. Your mom and Pastor Frank are so precious and I am thankful for their care and input into your life."

"And for me? I give thanks daily for my sweet family and for Dad and Mom, their strong love and faith. They have been such good examples of how to love and how to live. Dad trusted God through tough circumstances but look at his position now? He is well-respected in the Mounties where he is doing something he loves and his second book of poetry and his third novel, "The Heart's True Home" have both done very well. Plus, God has given Him a beautiful, precious wife and family."

"And Mom? She prayed for Dad for a few years before they began to become friends and more. She had various careers, but eventually became the photographer she loves to be and with that and our family she is so fulfilled." Allie paused. "I can depend on their life lessons when I look to our future, you know?"

"Mmmm. I do. God has blessed us both with our families and with each other! As we begin our new life together and we are asking God where to go from here? We know He has led us to this point and we'll trust Him to be with us each step along the way."

"Amen."

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The End.

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Author's Note:
This story began as a one-shot to resolve some not-to-be-believed scenes in the Season 8 Finale, and to restore hope and support our favorite character, our beloved Mountie hero, Nathan Grant.

When I first introduced this story I wrote:
"We cannot change what life has given us in the past, because we can never go back. We cannot change the choices others have made, but we can grow, learn, heal and start to live our new direction from this moment forward. Every difficulty in relationship is not resolved to our satisfaction. Yet, as we learn to forgive, being honest with ourselves and open to others, we can find love, restored hope and fulfillment in community. Plus, God may even bring unexpected joys for us along the way."

Over this past year, I believe this story has grown to fulfill those words and I thank each of you readers for your faithful partnership along this journey. I would love to hear from you!

Now, I have but one continuing story about which I am excited! The story is "Beyond What We Could Dream" and moves a newly-promoted Nathan, along with Allie, to the Mountie training academy in Regina, while leaving a broken Elizabeth in Hope Valley to reap the consequences of her choices and learn from them. I will give you the hint that God is at work answering prayers and eventually Nathan and Elizabeth begin to correspond. I invite you to join me on that, sometimes surprising, road to healing and love!

All God's best and, again, thank you!
Eilie