Chapter 142. Back in Hope Valley

On Friday morning, when Henry's car pulled up in front of the Hope Valley infirmary, Bill and Mike were already waiting there. Fiona climbed from the driver's seat, and gave them a little wave, obviously relieved to be home. Both the men approached the car, and surveyed the patient, slumbering in the back.

Mike looked at Faith, as she climbed the stairs, for the wheelchair. "What'd ya do, knock him out again?"

Faith laughed, and told them, as she wheeled the chair down the stairs. "No. It's only a mild sedative." She looked at Bill and shrugged. "The car made him sick, the poor guy."

Fiona chuckled under her breath. "It wasn't pretty."

Bill nodded, knew himself, that a head injury caused dizziness and even vertigo, and any motion, such as a car ride, would certainly amplify that. He opened the back door and leaned inside the car. He gently shook Jake's shoulder. "Jake. Wake up, sleepy head."

His attempt was unsuccessful, so Mike leaned in next. "Jake! Jake! Wake up."

Faith told them. "I'm sorry, he might've had a little more than necessary. He kept taking the bottle when I wasn't looking." She laughed, and then glanced at Fiona. "I think he was embarrassed, and trying to save face, in front of present company."

Mike looked in at Jake, still wearing that huge bandage. His head was completely laid back on the seat, his mouth wide open, and he was snoring. "Save face? I'm not sure that worked out so well for him."

Fiona giggled. It was true, Jake was a mess. But, somehow, she found him adorable. She climbed in the back seat next to him and made her own attempt. "Jake, Jake!" She shook his shoulder good. "Wake up."

Jake's mouth closed and his head lifted just a smidge. He smacked his lips, made a sound like his mouth was a desert, then laid his head back again.

Faith only smiled. "Well, fellas, you'll just have to use your muscles." She told them.

Fiona stayed inside and pushed from the back, as the two men lifted, one from each side. Faith managed to scoot the wheelchair under his bottom, once they got him up and turned. And, just like that, Jake was out of the car.

When his back hit the wheelchair, Jake roused a little, and took a fluttering, rather woozy look around. "Heyyyyyyyy, Bill!" He sang out loud and raspy. His eyes, nearly crossed, made their way up to Mike. "Miiiiiiiiiike, ole buddy!" Jake said even louder, with a lopsided smile.

Bill chuckled. "He's gonna have a pretty good headache in a couple hours."

Fiona corrected Bill, with a shrug. "He had a pretty good headache already."

During the ride home, neither she nor Faith could bear to watch him get sick. So they'd made the decision to give him a little something. What they hadn't counted on, however, was his taking too much. They hadn't had time to calculate his size, and then, well, when he kept stealing the bottle, they'd had no way to measure how much he'd taken. But they'd both been thankful when he finally passed out; he'd finally gotten some relief.

For, it had been a long few days in Brookfield. Fiona had hardly left Jake's his side, nor had Faith. And this morning, she and Maggie had finally agreed, he was up to being transported. So, on the way home, when he started to feel sick, rather than turn around, Faith had done the necessary.

Now, in his current state, it was going to be a chore transferring him to the bed, but at the same time, perhaps it was better that he would be out for most of it.

As the men pulled the wheelchair backwards up the stairs, Faith held the door open. And Fiona returned to the car for the bags.

When they got Jake inside, Faith made the last adjustments, and then, with Mike and Bill's help, they transferred him to the bed. Fiona pulled the covers up high, and gently touched his stubbled face.

Jake's eyes lazily fluttered open and he tried with all his might, to focus on Fiona. "Hiiii, Sweetssss…" but, his voice trailed off into sleepy oblivion.

"He'll be out for a while yet." Faith whispered, as she stood at Fiona's shoulder.

"It's probably for the best." Fiona replied, thankful that he was home now. She pulled the chair up next to him and sat. She kept her eyes on Jake, as she reflected back on the last few days. He'd been in and out of it, confused at one time or another, but somehow, he'd always known who she was. And he'd been happy each and every time he'd realized she was there. For that, she was grateful.

Most importantly, he seemed to be making steady improvement. In fact, she'd been ready to bring him home on Thursday, but Maggie had felt uneasy, and so, they'd respected her professional opinion. She had been the first one to treat him, and had seen him at the worst of it, after all.

Now, given his current state, and how sick he'd been from the simple vibrations of the car, Fiona was glad they hadn't brought him home any sooner. It would've certainly been worse for him.

Faith came and sat next to her friend. Jake was sleeping soundly, and looked very peaceful. Fiona let out a long exhale. "Now what?" She asked Faith, in a surprisingly shaky voice.

Faith smiled that sweet Faith smile, to reassure her friend. "Now, he gets better." Just like that, matter of fact.

Fiona looked him over, the white bandage a bit askew, hair sticking out the top. More-than-five-o'clock shadow, that surprisingly, made him even more attractive. His thick lashes rested peacefully on his rosy cheeks. And without taking her eyes off of him, she nodded.

The last few days, every time she looked at him, Fiona was filled with gratefulness. He was going to recover just fine. But she couldn't help but wonder: was this the Mountie life? Par for the course for loving such a man? Being content and grateful that he would recover, this time? She had no idea, but one thing she knew: whatever it took to love Jake Matthews, her heart had already signed on the dotted line.

And the evidence: she'd sat by his side, hardly leaving, except to sleep. For three days. And without even a single change of clothes, only the things Lillian and Grace had generously lent her.

And here in Hope Valley, she'd do the same. Whatever he needed, whatever it took.

After lunch, Jake woke up. He didn't complain of any headache, at least not any worse than normal. Faith brought him a tray, and he was thankful for something to eat. He'd kept nothing down from breakfast, and was thankful for a hot meal from Abigail's. While he ate, Fiona sat beside him. He happily talked with her, seeming to remember absolutely nothing from the morning. Maybe that was for the best.

After he finished lunch, Faith gave him a usual dose of pain medication. And when it took affect, he fell asleep again.

While he was sleeping, Florence came in to the infirmary, she had a delivery for Jake. She'd been holding onto it since it arrived, and wondered if he might like it, while he was recovering. It was thoughtful of her, and after she'd left the package, Florence took the opportunity to sit and chat a while with Fiona.

After Florence left, Fiona noticed the package was open on one end, and she peaked inside. It was a book. She sat the brown-paper wrapped parcel down on her lap, tried her best not to open it further. But, when her curiosity got the better of her, she slowly slid the book out of the package.

Jake had ordered a book on Nova Scotia? She flipped it open and saw the beautiful black and white illustrations. And there was an entire chapter about Peggy's Cove, and the lighthouse at Peggy's Point.

Had he ordered this book because of her? Because she had been curious about his hometown and borrowed a similar book from Allie?

Either way, Fiona didn't feel comfortable opening it further. She slid it back inside the paper, closed it, and set it on the table next to Jake's bed.

About an hour later, Allie came bounding in the infirmary. The door slammed behind her with the wind, and the noise made Jake stir. He blinked his eyes open and looked around. When he saw Fiona still sitting next to him, he smiled.

She moved to the edge of her chair. "How are you feeling?"

"Better, I think." He said. But then, he heard Allie's voice, on the other side of the curtain. "Kiddo?" He called out, loud enough for his niece to hear.

Allie came right around, took it as permission to enter. "Uncle Jake?"

"Hey, Kiddo!" And that was all the invitation she needed, to practically jump into his arms. Allie hugged her uncle good, and though Fiona stepped forward, worried for the slightest moment, Jake didn't seem to mind.

Faith slid the curtain all the way open and surveyed the situation. "Take it easy on him, Allie." Faith said gently with a smile. "He's injured, remember?"

Allie quickly pulled back, concerned, and looked him over. "Sorry. Sorry, was I too rough?"

Jake pulled her back in for another hug. "No way." He told her as he looked at Faith and Fiona, with a mischievous, playful look. "Don't worry about those two worry-warts."

Allie laughed and hugged him harder. Fiona chuckled and glanced at Faith, who rolled her eyes. Though, Fiona couldn't help but think that all this was a good sign, for Jake. He remembered Allie just fine, and their sweet rapport, and even made a joke with her, in his typical Uncle Jake way.

When Allie pulled back she asked. "Are they being hard on you, Jake?"

He glanced at his two care givers, one a faithful friend, and the other, well…He let his gaze rest on Fiona for a moment. What was she to him? He'd been so confused after his injury, he'd thought she was his wife. Even now, the image of her marrying him hadn't left him, but was still very vivid, though it must've been a dream. Jake was completely in love with her, heart and soul, but where did they stand? He hadn't even proposed yet. In fact, to his knowledge, the last milestone of their relationship was when Fiona defended him, to Elle, and declared they were courting. And the simple truth, the heart of the matter, was that this love between them, felt like so much more. The term courting sounded so casual, compared to what he felt.

He returned his gaze to Allie. "Nah. They're not so bad." He let his glance go over Fiona for a brief second, and he caught that cute smile she made, at his answer.

Fiona announced softly. "I think this worry-wart might step out for a minute, and get some air." She paused and asked. "You'll look after him, Allie?"

Allie smiled big. "Of course, Miss Fiona." She looked at Jake. "We have a lot of catching up to do."

Fiona stepped out and ran a few errands. First, she checked in at the barbershop, though everything seemed in order. Next, she stopped in at the mercantile and picked up her mail. Last but not least, she peaked her head in Henry's office. He was alone, so Fiona sat a while and caught him up on Jake, and his recovery, and the time in Brookfield.

As she stood to leave, Henry stood too. Fiona fished Henry's keys from her pocket, and laid them on the desk. "Henry, I don't even know where to begin, to say thank you." She looked him straight in the eye. "Words are not enough."

He pursed his lips together. He, of all people, knew how hard it was to express certain things in words. "You don't need to say more." He told her. "I'm just glad Jake's okay."

She smiled at Henry, grateful. She stepped forward and placed a sweet, daughterly kiss on his cheek. "I don't know when I'll be back at work." She admitted.

"Don't worry about that." Henry told her simply. "We know where to find you if we need you."

"Thanks, Henry." Fiona slowly turned and slipped out of his office, then she made her way back to the infirmary.

When she walked in, the curtain was still open and Jake's presence seemed to fill the room. He and Allie were laughing, which was good to see.

As Fiona walked toward the duo, she overheard Allie. "You should just ask her."

Fiona's face turned slightly pink. What on earth were they discussing? Surely he wasn't telling Allie about the misunderstanding, when he first woke up…

Jake's gaze was fixed on her, he asked Allie, "You think so?"

Allie looked at Fiona, too, when she answered. "Yes. You should definitely ask her."

Fiona looked back and forth between the two, could feel the heat rising up into her cheeks. Ask her what? Though, she dare not ask.

Jake tilted his head, resolved. "Okay. I'll ask her." He told Allie, though his eyes were still on her. "Fi, I would really like to...have some clean clothes." He smiled shyly. "Would you be willing to go to my apartment with Allie, and fetch me some?"

Fiona let out the huge breath she'd been holding. Was that all? Relieved, she cleared her throat and found her voice. "Yes. Yes, I could do that."

He tilted his head the other way, now curious what she thought he was going to ask. "You wouldn't mind?"

She stepped closer and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I wouldn't mind at all."

He gave a quick explanation of what he would like, and where to find it. Then, Fiona rifled through the bag of his things from Brookfield, and found his keys.

As she and Allie climbed the stairs behind the mercantile, Fiona realized she'd never before seen Jake's living space. With Mike, Fiona had been inside twice, so she knew the apartment's common area, the living room and dining room. But that's as far as she'd been.

Fiona unlocked the door, and entered with Allie. They followed Jake's instructions, walked down the hall to the second bedroom. Allie pushed open the door, and Fiona immediately knew they were in the right place. Jake's familiar, comforting scent of sandalwood and leather, invaded her senses, and surrounded her. She really liked that smell.

Allie lit a lamp, and Fiona took a glance around the room. The bed was neatly made, everything seemed to have a place and was tidy. A bar of soap and a towel hung near the wash bin. Beside it, sat a bottle of cologne, which Fiona walked over and picked up. She didn't even need to open the lid to recognize it's familiar scent. It just smelled like Jake, there was no other way to describe it.

Fiona walked to his dresser, where Allie was already opening drawers. She found the pajama pants he asked for, as well as a clean Henley. Fiona opened a drawer herself, everything was neat and tidy inside the drawers. He was a good folder, did he do his own laundry?

While Fiona was lost in her thoughts, Allie pulled out a pair of clean socks and a few undergarments. And last but not least, they found the warm sweater he'd asked for.

Fiona glanced up and noticed a framed photograph sitting right in front of her. She picked it up, but didn't even need to guess. Julia looked so much like her mother, it was rather obvious. Allie piped in. "That's their parents." She told Fiona. "I've seen that one before, at Julia's."

Jake looked a lot like his father, though his dad's hair was curly, and darker. But the strong jaw, the kind eyes, the handsome nose, Jake had taken most of his features from his father. Even that one lone dimple.

Allie went to the closet, opened a door, and pulled out a bag from the bottom shelf. Fiona noticed the things hanging in there: Jake's suits, shirts, another red serge, and his thick Mountie winter coat.

Allie stuffed everything Jake had asked for inside the bag, and left it on the bed, as she closed the closet. Then, she noticed an open crate on the floor. Allie stopped and tilted her head. "Miss Fiona, look." She said, as she bent and pulled one out. A framed commendation, for bravery and outstanding service, awarded to Jacob Thomas Matthews.

"Thomas?" Fiona took it and looked it over. "That was his father's name." She said absentmindedly. Had she even known that Jake's middle name was Thomas?

Allie flipped through the other items in the crate. "It's full of them. Certificates for different specialized trainings, and commendations, awards."

Fiona looked down at the box, nearly full. "Why wouldn't he hang them up?" She wondered.

Allie answered her question. "It's Uncle Jake, remember?"

Fiona pursed her lips and carefully returned the commendation to its box. She took one more good look around the room. A small bookshelf was filled to overflowing with books, and a few more were stacked next to his bed.

"We should go, Allie." Fiona told her softly. Something about being in here, seeing and touching Jake's things, just didn't feel right. Even if the box was left out in the open. "Did we get everything Jake asked for?" Fiona asked.

"I think so." Allie replied. And so they left the exact way they'd come, Fiona carefully locking the door behind them.

When they returned to the infirmary, a huge tub sat just next to Jake's bed, and was nearly filled up. Faith came in the same time they did, carrying the last kettle-full of hot water.

Jake smiled as he sat waiting, on the end of the bed. "Faith says I can have a bath." Relief was written on his face.

"I only said yes after the thousandth time you asked me." Faith interjected as she poured the last potful in. Steam rose off the water, and lofted into the air.

Allie set Jake's bag next to him. She opened it and pulled out the soap she'd wrapped in a towel. Then she left the bag open, for him to access his clothes.

Faith pulled the curtain securely closed, and warned him with a joking tone. "Please Jake, whatever you do, don't drown!" And all three women exited, to the front porch.

By the time they came back in, the curtain was open and Jake was dressed. The big white bandage was gone, and his hair was soaking wet. Faith got onto him for putting his wound underwater, but let it go when she saw how well the abrasion was healing. Faith just shook her head and told him he was blessed with a strong immune system.

Fiona and Allie sat with him a while longer, but when the daylight began to fade, Allie headed home. She promised to come again tomorrow, as soon as her Grams would let her. Jake told her not to worry about little 'ole him, he'd be just fine. But Allie responded by rolling her eyes, in true Allie fashion, and insisted that she had no where else she'd rather be.

Shortly after Allie left, Bill brought three plates from the café. So, Faith and Fiona ate with Jake. He was in a very good mood, jovial and funny, and was especially entertaining. Fiona was pleased to see him act a little more like himself, and couldn't hide her smile, for the rest of the evening.

About an hour later, Bill came back. Fiona assumed he was there to collect the plates, so she carried their dirty dishes over to Faith's desk. "I insist." He told Faith, as she approached.

"Bill, it's really not necessary." Faith replied as she stood, adamant.

"What's not necessary?" Fiona asked, curious now.

"Bill here wants to relieve us tonight, and take the night watch." Faith told her.

"You girls have been sitting with Jake for three days straight." He told them, firm as they'd ever heard him. "Go home. Get some rest." He put up a finger. "I am not taking no for an answer."

Fiona started to protest. "Bill…"

"No arguing." He looked them over, they looked tired. "Have you two seen yourselves in the mirror?"

Fiona looked at her friend. She had no idea what her reflection looked like, but one thing was true: Faith did look tired. Every night in Brookfield, Fiona had gone to Lillian and Grace's to sleep. And every night when she'd gotten there, a warm bath had been waiting for her. And a warm bed, and clean clothes. Mrs. Winters had even washed, dried, and ironed Fiona's own clothes, for the way home.

But only once did Faith come to the orphanage and sleep in a normal bed. The rest of the time, she had stayed the night shifts with Maggie. Sure, Maggie had lent Faith clothes too, and so had Lillian and Grace. And yes, Mrs. Winters had also cleaned Faith's clothes, for the trip home. But one thing was certain: Faith hadn't slept nearly as much, and certainly not as comfortably.

So while Fiona wanted to protest further, she didn't, for her friend's sake. She realized she had a choice: protest, and it would be her and Faith pulling the night shift. Or, she could back up Bill, and let her friend get some rest. And since Jake seemed to be doing better, it only made sense to take the opportunity.

"I'm with Bill on this one." Fiona said finally. He looked like he'd just won the pot at poker; he raised his eyebrows and smiled lopsided.

Faith's mouth fell open. "What if something happens?"

Bill looked at her straight. "I know where you live." He told her simple as that. "Go home. Take a bath. Rest. Sleep." He told them both. "But, take advantage, and come back here tomorrow without those bags under your eyes."

"Bags?" Faith asked with a furrowed brow.

"Don't listen to him, Faith. It's not that bad." Fiona told her friend. "But, we could both use the rest."

"Okay." Faith said finally, her reluctant but eventual sign of surrender. She looked around her desk, tried to gather her thoughts. Was there anything she needed to do before she left? "Let me go over things with you." She told Bill. Then she raised a finger. "And I'll be back first thing in the morning."

"Sure." Bill told her, again with the lopsided grin. "But take your time coming back. I had medic training in the Mounties, you know."

Once that was settled, Fiona left them, so they could talk over the details of Jake's care.

She went to say good night to Jake. As she approached, he smiled. "Bill's offered to sit with you tonight." She told him, as she stepped right up close to the bed. "So, Faith and I are going home, for the night."

"He's my babysitter, eh?" Jake teased with that one dimple. The way his green eyes sparkled when he looked at her made her stomach do a flip.

His hair was still wet and wavy, and his familiar scent was even stronger. "Yep. But Faith and I will be back in the morning."

Jake looked her over. Then he took her hand, lifted it, and placed her palm flat against his cheek. "I'll miss you." The way he leaned into her touch did things to her insides. "But, Sweets, you don't have to hurry back. You don't have to spend all day here, with me, you know."

She did know, but didn't care. "Okay, Constable." She rather liked it when he called her Sweets. "But let's just play it by ear, now that you seem to be doing better."

He looked at her with that charming smile. "I just don't want you to grow tired of me."

"That's not even possible." Fiona told him with that smile that curved her upper lip. "But we'll see how you're doing in the morning."

He searched her face, and slowly nodded. He let her hand fall with his, down from his cheek, to his chest, and then held it in his lap. With his other hand, he reached over to his table and picked up the book, still wrapped. "This is for you." He told her, placing the package in her hand.

She kept her eyes on him, for a long moment, and finally asked. "What's this?" She looked down at the brown paper.

"A gift." He watched her closely. "A book. For you."

Fiona slowly opened the paper, and slid out the book. "Nova Scotia."

"Last week, with Allie, you were interested in Peggy's Cove." He reminded her. And she couldn't help but feel happy that he could remember that.

She flipped open the book to the chapter on Peggy's Cove, and found a wonderful illustration of the lighthouse. She turned it so he could see. "It's lovely, Jake."

"Yes, it is." He told her quietly. He met her gaze. "That's home."

She looked down and flipped a few more pages. There was plenty to read, and even a photograph of the coastline. She slowly closed the book and brought her eyes back to his. "Thank you, Jake." She told him, as she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.

But as she pulled back, Jake didn't let her get far. He brought his hand to her jaw, and gently pulled her lips to his. And he kissed her sweetly.

As he let her go, he softly whispered. "Good night."

Fiona answered softly. "Sleep well, Constable."

She pulled the book in, and held it against her chest, as she backed up a few steps. Then she gave him one more little wave, before disappearing around the curtain.