Author's Note: This is the second part. If you haven't read the first, go back and read it!

Her eyes shot open. Sweat dotted her forehead. Soaking droplets caressed her temple. Her chest heaved, gasping at the breathlessness panic had stripped from her. The bleak and endless night vanished into the still room. Blinking back the racing beats, she stared blankly at the room around her. Through the window the sun encompassed the trees in a golden hue, catching their lush greenery in their rhythmic rustlings. Gentle touches of afternoon sunlight fluttered through the white curtains, catching the breeze upon their unfurling lace. Books lined the shelves, their vibrant bindings dulled by use. Toys scattered across the floor, shadowing the woolen rug in long silhouettes. Wood spindles creaked behind her resting frame. Her chest rose, blocking the nightmare away.

A yawn, not her own, broke her from the reality once lived. A soft chin wiggled against her chest. Its chubby cheek, pink and warm, flattened in a yawn to reveal the gummy grin. Darkest wisps of curls clung to the tiny head. Wiggly eyes twitched the translucent eyelids fighting a hopeful dream. Her finger smoothed the tiny back, soothing the restless child. Dark blue-gray eyes opened wide, their glistening pools evaporating the nightmare from sight. Black lashes lowered against the dozing dreams, soon bringing the baby's soft snores close to Nan's ear.

Giggling chortles drifted through the open window and the sounds of children tickled the room. Allie's strong voice laughed between the jovial squeals chasing after her. Flutters of Nan's heart lifted her from the rocking chair. Despite the desire to remain in the silence of the sleeping baby, the reminder of those outside moved her from the solace of the nursery. Descending the creaking stairs, she soaked in the solitude confines of home. Musings' footsteps carried her beside memories flourishing into sight. How her heart soared to find her heart's home in the novel-like bliss, discovering its presence vivid and near. Framed memories scattered across the dimly lit walls lured her further into the clutter of toys, furniture, and his leather chair. Darkness was only challenged by the afternoon light floating in through the open doorway. Pressing into the wood, her bare feet crept across the toy-scattered floor. Her foot caught on the fishing pole just inside the door before looking up to see Allie's giddy grin chasing two of her younger siblings. Nan smiled, feeling the tenderness provoked by the simple remembrance.

Entering the summer light, she raised the blanket around the baby's face resting upon her chest. A gentle whimper only disturbed the slumbering child for but a moment as she came to the far end of the porch. Cradling him carefully, she sat down upon the porch swing that had been caringly built. Her attention turned to the woman she sat beside, taking in the blissful grin the woman offered as she peacefully rested in the summer evening.

"I hope you didn't mind me bringing the children?" The woman's gaze never wavered from her friend. Blonde curls caught the sunlight, framing her tanned features in warm shadows. A soft breath followed her thumb caressing the lacey white blouse loosely hanging over her beautifully rounded tummy.

"I never discourage a visit from you, Rosemary." Nan squeezed the woman's hand. "Thank you for watching the children, I don't know what I'd do without you."

"My pleasure. Nathan said you weren't feeling the best just yet."

"Tired," Her chin pulled in to kiss the soft spot on the newborn baby's head, "but grateful."

The woman's rosy complexion blurred as Nan's gaze drifted to the picket-fenced yard before them. Sunlight fluttered across the top of the tall grass. Butterflies danced atop the daisies, dandelions, and Queen Anne's lace. Barefoot children darted across the grassy dirt, urging those who chased them onward. The phonograph played softly through the open window, but the music did not begin to compare to the joy that bubbled up inside Nannette's heart at the scenery playing out before her. Her dearest friend's laughter chimed as they watched their children run around the sloping yard backdropped by the rolling coast beyond. Rosie's bright smile flashed at Nannette in the wake of Lee's stumble over the ground and the children's outburst of humor. Giggles of sunshine and squeals of joy fluttered around the tall grass from the brood of children that were the Grants and Coulters.

Nannette's attention flickered over to the road at the sound of horse hooves clipping along the sunburned earth. Her breath caught at the sight of the red serge atop the tall, majestic horse Newt. It was not the serge that caught her breath, but the man who had come to own her heart, her dreams, and her soul. The man whose blue eyes were only a portion of the beauty she found in his strength, and his steadfast love. That crooked smile spread ever so gradually over his lips and melted his eyes as he stopped beside the picket fence. Swinging himself from the saddle, he then crouched to meet the gaggle of children running towards him. His strong arms scooped one of them up and kissed her chestnut hair. Wiggling brows reacted to the curly-haired girl's story. His lips pressed against her cheek, her giggles scrunching her little body closer to him.

Steady steps moved them closer to the porch, but soon the girl's focus returned to the games of the yard. Her muddied feet wiggled her loose from his grasp. For the longest of seconds, the Mountie watched the children run about the yard, but when he straightened, Nathan glanced up at the porch. His arched brow widened the crooked grin.

Her heart swelled with each boot's step towards the porch. Only for a second did his gaze leave her with a look across the field towards Lee and the two clans of children laughing in pure joy. His blue eyes swept up to Nannette with an ease and comfort that sent goosebumps dancing across her skin. Tipping his campaign hat, he winked at her.

"Mrs. Grant." Came Nathan's strong, yet vulnerable voice.

"Mountie Grant." Came her flirtatious smile. "Keeping to your rounds?"

Boots thumped softly as he came up onto the porch, dropping the campaign hat to his chest. "Bored to distraction."

Her eyebrow lifted mischievously. "Seems you're easily distracted."

His presence swept into her personal space as he closed the distance between them. Brown hair nearly tickled her nose as his lips brushed the top of the slumbering baby's head. Scents of pine and leather enveloped her senses. Blue eyes lingered a moment longer on their sleeping child before sweeping up to meet her. Blurry peripheral vision faded in the closeness of the freckled, suntanned nose. Long lashes barely moved. A loose curl fluttered in the breeze across his forehead. With glittering eyes, he smiled before placing a soft kiss upon her lips. Her heart melted in his tender touch, pulling her deeper under his strength. He drew back but an inch, till the tip of his nose grazed hers. Black and gray speckled in swirling heat from the blue eyes holding her complete attention. "You're a happy distraction."

Warmth burned her neck, shooting giggles into her lungs. The smile that preceded it was incapable of being hidden. She caught Rosie's amused glance, but her attention was not gone from Nathan for long. "I love you too." She breathed.

His lips caressed her lips again, this time a little longer and a little stronger, before pulling back. His broad shoulders swung softly around, but the mischievous grin did not go unnoticed.

"Daddy!" Colleen's little feet pounded up the steps and jumped into her father's arms once again. Nathan's strong arms wrapped around her tight, yet gently. Her beaming smile with dimples to boot shone brightly over her father's shoulder as he spun her around.

Little Finley's hand grasped his Father's fingers and jerked him down the steps with a shout. "Help, Daddy, help us get Unc!"

"What did he do?" Nathan's voice mimicked concern.

"He's the dwagon!" Cried Colleen beside his ear, still clinging to his neck.

Nathan's jaw dropped enthusiastically. "No! Not the dreaded dragon."

Nanette and Rosie broke into chuckles as Nathan darted around the yard. Hunched he was in his pursuit with Colleen atop his shoulders and seven other children running around him. Lee's expression lit up with raised paws, flashing white teeth, and playful growls.

"Oh Lee, watch out for your back!" Rosie cried out.

Lee straightened with a sarcastic huff and an unbelieving glance at little Edmund. "Would I hurt my back?"

Little Edmund nodded enthusiastically.

Lee's jaw dropped jokingly before scooping up the boy with tickles. "No, not me. Such confidence little boy, such confidence!"

Rosie fell back against the swing with a laugh, watching her son crumple into a fit of giggles in his father's arms.

As the giggles faded in Nannette's lungs, she breathed a sigh of contentment. Nathan's laughter touched her soul as she watched the life they had built together. The pain of the lifetimes before were distant memories. From the loss of the past, they had grown a life of joy, hope, and love. A love that fought for truth. A love that fought for unity. A love that enraptured the soul and built dreams into reality. A love that placed God at the center, and from that came the purpose of life. A love that fought against the nightmares to awaken the hopeful spring crying out to be lived. From God's grace came, not just the hope of happiness, but the beauty of living in a happiness that surpassed all understanding.

"What is it?" Came Rosie's loving voice pulling Nannette from her thoughts.

"This." Nannette looked out across the field, then back to the sleeping baby on her chest. She kissed the top of little Artie's head, snuggling close. "What did I do to deserve this?"

Rosie's knowing smile spread gently across her face.

"This life, Rosie." She glanced around the yard to the distant fields that swept into the rising bluff. Framed by the porch's roof and the sun's golden glow, her world ran around the yard in fits of giggles and shrieks. The baby on her chest gurgled softly, nestling his head into her comforting embrace. His tiny fingers curled against the lacey blouse. "I never would have dreamed this to be true."

Wistful, yet overpowering gratitude fell over her heart. It took her breath, but it could not steal her heart, for the Mountie in the yard had already stolen it a thousand times over. "He chose to love me, Rosie. He chose to walk in love with me. Despite everything, we get to live this beautiful life. What did I do to deserve such a man that loves so powerfully, so sacrificially?"

"You stayed." Rosie's eyes warmed. "You chose to see Him for, not what he was, but who he is."

Nannette's eyes teared up. The lump in her throat was not of pain but of pure gratitude to God for building up a man as strong, and vulnerable as Nathan. "And yet, I still can never love him as much as he deserves."

Rosie chuckled softly before putting a delicate hand on Nanette's hand. "If you loved him anymore, you wouldn't be able to see straight."

A giggle bubbled up in Nannette's heart. "I know, he simply deserves the world."

"Nettie." Rosie's gentle voice called to her. "You are his world."

Nannette's eyes lowered from Rosie's smile to Nathan playing in the yard. She shook her head. "And he's mine."

Newt's quiet neighing pulled at Nannette's heart as she watched the horse eat the tall grass beside the fence. From the brokenness comes the strongest of loves, the deepest meaning, and the richest hope. Through the pain comes the understanding of the worth of the simplest things: the worth of a godly man's character and the worth of a child's love. From the wreckage comes the true worth of protecting those who are irreplaceable.

"Thank you, Rosie."

Rosie looked at her with a questioning glance. "For what?"

"For being there for us."

Rosie's smile melted Nannette's heart. "Thank you for loving our Nathan."

Nathan's back leaned back in a comedic grunt. His features scrunched as the dragon was slain. Nannette's gaze caught hold of Nathan's attention. The red serge dulled in the evening light. A loose curl fell across his shadowed forehead, but those blue eyes embolden in a smoldering glance that stole her heart. "It wasn't hard finding the reasons to fight for him."

His lips brushed against the hair poking out in all directions in its damp plumage smelling of rose water and lilac. Nathan's calloused fingertips swept across the rascally face softened into a momentarily angelic slumber. "Goodnight, son."

Arched was his back as Nathan turned to the other bed. The girl's brown curls strewn across the white pillow. Her wide, glossy eyes were closed tight while a small fist clung to the scratchy cotton sheet pulled under her chin. His thick thumb smoothed the chubby dimples above her knuckles as he leaned in to kiss the top of her curly head. A whisper came in a hush. "Goodnight, cricket."

One slit poked her black pupil's gaze through the thick lashes for the quickest of seconds. Her body moaned wearily in its turn to her side. "Love you, Papa."

"I love you, too." He whispered, but her snores were the only reply as the curls toppled across her rounded cheek and chin.

Straightening from the bedside, he took the lamp from off the bedstand. Its wick flickered in a crackling dance, his shadow catching its light and falling upon the scarred floor and far wall. A lazy gaze scanned the sleeping children as the Mountie stood in the middle of the room. Silent were the prayers that he sent up to God, one for each child. Prayers for Allie, and her little sister Colleen. Prayers for Finn, and prayers for their baby brother, Artie. A prayer of thanksgiving. A prayer of guidance. A prayer of protection. A prayer to stay little for just a little longer. A small grin tugged at the corner of his lips before he withdrew to the doorway, his socked feet barely making a sound with each step.

Long fingers ruffled the locks upon his head. A tight squeeze pinched the bridge of his nose as weary shoulders stretched the knot from his neck. A yawn cut short as his gaze lifted. A still form leaning against the doorframe stopped him in his tracks. Blue was the knitted shawl wrapped around the slightly hunched shoulders. Brushed out-curls cascaded upon the white nightgown's hand-stitched embroidered collar. Backdropped by the lantern in the hall, her still form watched him with unhurried ease.

Socked feet slid into their place before her bare toes. "You should be resting. Today was a long day."

A sigh dropped her shoulders, but her head shook nonetheless with a wry grin. Without hesitation she leaned into his side, finding comfort in his presence. Her one hand tucked under her chin and rested upon his chest, while her other arm wrapped around his waist. Long was the breath that lifted the pressure from her shoulders before its exhale drifted slowly into the room once more. "I'm exactly where I should be."

Setting down the lantern beside his feet, he pulled her closer to his side. His fingers caressed her arm, rhythmically smoothing the cotton sleeve stitched with delicate blue flowers. Honeysuckle drifted from her silken hair, the scent of honey biscuits oddly mixing into what he had come to know as the presence of his wife.

"Promise?" He strained to see her cuddling his chest.

Lifting her chin, her warm gaze drew up to search his weather features. The long nose and sharp chin blended against the backdrop of the stubbled jaw and wrinkled lips. "Always." Tiptoes brought her lips upward to hover beneath his, but the breath's space between them closed without his hesitation. Her fingers smoothed the side of his neck as his hand rested upon her waist. Previous fatigue set within her bones evaporated in the spark his presence ignited within her heart.

Her forehead drifted to his chin, the weary sway finding strength in the steadfast, yet gentle pressure of his arms holding her up. Words ceased to hold power when his nearness was what offered the strength her soul craved. Heavy blinks grew slower as her body drifted into a weightless comfort. Inside the doorway of the room where their four children slept quietly, they stood silently in the center of the house they had built into a home. Content, she listened to his heartbeat thump beneath her ear, the clock downstairs ticking the seconds away, and the outside breeze creaking the hand-hewn timbers of the cabin's walls. It wasn't the life she had pictured all those years ago, it wasn't the journey she had planned to carve. But resting in the arms of her husband, surrounded by their children they desperately loved, she found solace in the beauty of a fractured path. A path that had brought her safely into the present, and safely into the arms of the only man she could ever fathom to entrust her broken heart. The path that had brought her safely into the arms of her Nathan.

In the darkness, she had remained still as her father kissed the top of her head. Without stirring, through the slits of her eyes, she had peeked to see him wish her younger siblings goodnight. Tucking her hand beneath her temple, Allie now watched their silhouettes standing in the doorway. A single lantern's luminous glimmer framed them in a magical glow. Her mother's head rested softly upon her father's chest. The strong arms of her father caringly wrapped her mother in his embrace. Breathless was Allie's sigh fighting to smother the yawn. Drowsy blinks grew heavier until their forms blurred into the ticking of the distant clock. Content, she drifted into the slumbering peace, safely watched over by the parents who had chosen to love her.

Author's Note:

It is with a heavy heart that I bid farewell to the Grants and their story, but it also with a heart of peace that I let go of this story with a heart overflowing with gratitude. What started a year and a half ago late one night from a heap of giggles, now has sprung up into a story that hopefully has given others joy and entertainment. I know this was a sad one and hurt to read at times (half from sadness and half from what in tarnation is the writer thinking?!). However, I cannot begin to tell you the immense joy that y'all have given me in reading, leaving reviews, and encouraging me to continue. You don't even know me. I don't really even know you. But in these pages I have left my heart and in your comments I have felt your gracious kindness. It is with a humble heart that my heavy, metaphorical writing pen is laid down. I love Nathan and Allie's story, and I'm grateful for how it impacted my life, but here is where my journey with them ends. There just isn't enough time in the day to keep this story going. Regardless, I will always be grateful to the group of people who read a few chapters and encouraged me to keep sharing this story. Even if it seems like it is just in a small way, you all have changed a portion of my life by reigniting that passion for writing that I thought I had lost. So, thank you. Thank you for your time, thank you for your kindness, thank you for your graciousness in overlooking my writing flaws, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving a stranger hours of your time to tell one of the many stories this group has written about the Grants. Thank you for giving me the space to turn my hurt into positivity.

Forever and Always a McGarry,

PursuingHireath39