Hello my fellow Hearties! I decided to write this happy little fanfic when inspiration struck me around 2 am last night (shouldn't have had that large green tea so late lol) anyway, this idea has been swirling around in my head for a couple days now, and I decided to write it down before the season finale airs (just in case Nathan and Elizabeth aren't endgame :(…).

The idea was that Elizabeth and Nathan are already married at this point and are out for a leisurely Sunday afternoon picnic (Nathan has finished his mountie duties at this point, so he is not just dropping work for the day lol).

This is the first fanfic I have written and I have been writing term papers and studying for finals all week, so if it sucks, I sincerely apologize haha. Anyway I'll shut up now, hope you enjoy this little 2 am one shot and it brings a smile to your face. Let me know what you think and I may do another one in the future.

P.S. No copyright infringement intended, original characters belong to "When Calls the Heart" and "Crown Media"


It was a calm Sunday afternoon, Elizabeth looked around at the lovely scenery as she walked down a dusty path with Nathan. With Allie and little Jack just a few paces ahead of them, the golden light above shone through the tree branches in a lovely patchy shadow pattern on the road. Every-time they walked through an exposed ray of sunlight it felt like the universe was giving them a warm hug. Nathan carried a picnic basket in one hand and gently held Elizabeth's hand in the other. Allie and little Jack ran to a level spot near the pond and put their things down claiming a place under a big old oak tree.

"Dad can I go set up the fishing pole by that rock over there?"

Allie asked as Nathan laid the blanket out and Elizabeth sat Jack on the blanket with her

"Yes of course, but why don't we eat first and then we can set it up together, you don't want to scare the fish away with the sounds of your stomach grumbling"

Nathan joked. Allie rolled her eyes, but couldn't keep a little smile from escaping her lips.

"Allie, why don't you help me lay out the picnic?" Elizabeth suggested, as she held jack with one arm and pulled out a few things from the basket with her other free arm.

They laid out their sandwiches and snacks and had their fill before Allie, Nathan and little Jack headed over to the edge of the pond.

"Make sure you keep an eye on Jack!" Elizabeth said as she pulled her journal out of the basket.

Nathan quickly pulled little jack onto his lap and helped him hold the fishing rod.

Elizabeth wrote:

"There is something about summer afternoons. After church, the sermon sinks in and you feel rejuvenated. The air is warm, but cool enough to be the perfect temperature. The birds are chirping, tiny flowers are scattered along the grassy clearing, and the sounds of children laughing; my children, makes me feel like there really is nothing better in this world."

There was a sharp squeal of excitement. Elizabeth looked up. Allie had just caught a little fish on her line and was reeling it in. Jack was clapping and squealing as he smiled from ear to ear. Elizabeth smiled as she watched her little family together by the pond, she never could have imagined anything quite so wonderful.


Later, Elizabeth lounged on the blanket with Nathan by her side propped up on his elbow. They watched as Allie and Jack ran in the clearing collecting little wild flowers.

Nathan watched and then looked down at Elizabeth who was still tentatively eyeing the kids. He examined the lines of her beautiful face. What did I do to deserve such a beautiful wife and children? He thought. He gently brushed a curl from her profile and tucked it behind her ear. Elizabeth looked up and smiled at him as she reached her arms over his shoulder and pulled him into a gentle embrace. Now lying next to each other Nathan gently tilted Elizabeth's head down and kissed her on the forehead, on the tip of her nose, and finally on her lips. Elizabeth giggled and then turned her head to check on the kids.

"Allie is such a great big sister" Elizabeth remarked,

"She has always wanted a little brother or sister" Nathan paused, "I regret to say that before we came here and met you she was alone more often than I would have liked - I think her desire for a complete family stemmed from her desire to find stability and to always have someone there for her. Especially when I wasn't able to physically be there with her sometimes because of my job. That is partially why she is so protective of the people she is closest to."

Sometimes people who have experienced the most loss and heartache can have the most love to give, Elizabeth thought, smiling knowingly as Nathan looked over to where their kids were playing.

Allie had a nice small bouquet of wildflowers in her hand, and little Jack had just grabbed a fistful of grass and was happily running towards Elizabeth and Nathan. Once Jack reached them he proudly tossed the crumpled up grass onto the blanket in front of Elizabeth.

"Thank you so much Jack!" Elizabeth chimed as she gave jack a little kiss on the cheek.

"Wow great job!" Nathan said with a grin as he reached over Elizabeth's shoulder and playfully rubbed Jacks little blonde head.

Allie had joined them on the blanket and was tying the bouquet of flowers with her spare pale blue hair ribbon. She placed the bouquet into the basket and pulled out a couple little flowers and gave one to little Jack and one to Elizabeth.

"Hey where's my flower?" Nathan teased as he grabbed Allie's arm and pulled her onto the blanket beside him giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.