The days of summer continued to pass for the residents of Hope Valley with the simple excitements of everyday life. Viola made no mention of leaving, and neither Elizabeth nor Nathan brought up the subject. Both were content to give Viola a chance to heal, confident that once she did, she would make plans to leave their home. For now, despite the simpler way of life than she was use to, Viola had found a place in the Grant household. Jack enjoyed having Margaret for a playmate and the two cousins were often together. Laura even watched Margaret as well as Jack on occasion, allowing Viola to accompany Elizabeth into town without her daughter. The few hours to relax giving Viola time to concentrate on her own healing as she spent the time at the café, chatting with Abigail while the woman worked in the kitchen.
Work on the Coulter home progressed steadily. Rosemary and Elizabeth were excited about soon being neighbors again. Though he had not said anything to Elizabeth, Nathan felt relieved that there would soon have neighbors nearby. It would be good to have someone to go to if something happened, especially for Elizabeth and the children when his job took him out of town.
Dylan was a frequent guest at the Grant's dinner table as he continued to strengthen his relationship with Ally. The preteen seemed to be more comfortable spending time with her birth father with someone else present and so their time together occurred with one or more family members present. If it bothered Dylan, the man showed no indication. Like Viola, Dylan seemed content in Hope Valley, working on the Coulter house, spending time with the Grants, at church and having regular chats with Pastor Zeke. A few of the men he worked with even asked him to grab a bite of eat with them on occasion after work, offering to go to the café instead of the Saloon if he joined them.
Florence and Ned continued their wedding plans. They were planning a small celebration, both of them saying they were not as young as they use to be. A simple celebration with their closest friends and family was what they wanted. Their age however did not dampen their enthusiasm about adding two children to their lives. With Bill and Zeke leading the discussion, the prospect of Ned and Florence adopting Evelyn and Eric was presented to the girl as the wedding was now less than a month away. Though no one had anticipated much resistance giving Evelyn's actions when Ned had got sick, none of them anticipated Evelyn breaking down into tears. It was Zeke who got over his surprise first, moving to kneel beside Evelyn's chair.
"Why the tears, child?" Zeke asked softly, not wanting to make assumptions about what the tears were about. His hand was resting on her back.
"Because I thought after the stealing, I had done that no one would ever want to adopt me. I was planning on asking that Eric be given a chance to find a home without me. I didn't want to ruin his chances of finding a new family."
"When one shows true repentance, showing forgiveness and Christian love is expected in the eyes of God. Everyone here knows your actions were done out of the desperation of survival. None of us want you to keep paying for a bad choice that you have repented and made atonement for," Zeke told her. "Others have forgiven you sin of stealing. It is time that you forgive yourself Evelyn."
"How?" the child asked.
"By giving the burden to God and making better choices from now on," Zeke told her. "Choices like helping out at the Mercantile when Mr. Yost was sick."
"He had been kind to me. It seemed like the right thing to do."
"It was," Zeke confirmed.
"I have liked having you around the store, Evelyn," Ned said, speaking up from where he was sitting across the table with Florence. Their hands were linked, offering comfort to one another like Zeke was currently offering to Evelyn. "Florence and I both have. I know at first, it was simply because Judge Avery had ordered you to do community service, but I hope now it means more to you than that."
Evelyn looked across the table at him. "It does. I like being there. I like feeling like I am doing something good. That people see me than just some poor, orphaned, thief."
"You are so much more than that choice, child," Florence told her. "I have not always been kind with my words. In fact, I think some might have considered me a bit snobbish at one time. I do not think even Ned could have fallen in love with that version of me," she said, smiling over at Ned.
Ned was currently looking up at the ceiling, trying to look innocent.
Florence patted his arm. "It's okay. Looking back, I am not happy about some of the things I said," she told him before looking across the table at Evelyn. "I have learned though that we truly can put bad choices of our past behind us through our present actions. Mine was with how I voiced my opinions. They were hurtful though I did not realize it as the time. You made a bad choice trying to take on a task much too big for a girl of your age. But your actions since then are truly who you are."
"You two really want to adopt me and Eric?" Evelyn asked.
"We do," Ned and Florence replied together. It was Ned who continued. "We might not know Eric personally, but the fact that he is your brother is enough of a reason to give him a home as well. Besides, Miss Walsh at New Hope Orphanage has had only nice things to say about Eric."
It was Bill's turn to finally speak up. "This is your choice Evelyn. No one will make you go with Mr. Yost and Mrs. Blakeley if you don't want to. You can still join Eric at the New Hope Orphanage, if you want?"
Evelyn reached up and wiped tears away. "The Mores have been nice to me. It would be nice to be able to see them from time to time. I like Hope Valley. I like Mr. Yost and Mrs. Blakely. I would like to have a home with them."
Florence let out a sigh of relief and rested her head on Ned's shoulder. Ned was beaming.
Pastor Zeke had produced a handkerchief for Evelyn and the girl was wiping away the rest of the tears.
"I think you and Eric will be happy with Mr. Yost and Mrs. Blakey," the pastor told her. "I will check in on you, just like I have while you are with the Mores. Also, my door is always open to you."
Evelyn nodded.
"I'll get the paperwork ready," Bill said. "I will also talk with Miss Walsh about Eric getting to Hope Valley after the wedding. Though the rest of the community service arrangement will finish out as usual, you will not have to stay with the Moores once the adoption paperwork is filled out after the wedding."
"I get to be with Eric early?" Evelyn said, the hope clear in her voice.
"Yes," Bill told her, a smile finally gracing the stoic expression he had been wearing.
Getting to her feet, Evelyn made her way around the table. Whether it was because he was closer or because Evelyn felt closer to Ned than Florence, the girl threw her arms around Ned's neck.
"Thank you," Evelyn said as Ned wrapped the arm that he was not holding Florence's hand with around the girl.
The store owner wore a huge smile of his own.
Running out of reasons to stall the trial of the man who stole from the Queen of Hearts, Bill finally held the trial. As the arresting officer, Gabriel came from Brookfield for the trial. The Brookfield Mountie brought Eric with him to visit with his sister. The news of the pending adoption was met with little fanfare from the boy. However, Evelyn was happy about it and so Eric said he was sure it would be fine. To help the upcoming transition, the Mores invited Ned, Florence and Paul to join them for dinner so they could get to know one another better.
Along with Gabriel, the Clearwater Mountie who had first spotted the man in Clearwater was also in town. Lucas quipped that with the two Mounties staying at the Queen of Hearts his patrons were even afraid to argue over a card game for a change.
The trial itself did not take long. Bill cast his sentence and arrangements were made to transfer the thief to Union City. The transport wagon would be there the following morning which meant one more night of having someone on guard in the jail. Tyler offered to take a shift but was told to go home. As Nathan was told the same, he and Tyler headed home together, the Randall cabin being along the same road that Nathan had to take home.
"I wonder what headquarters will have for my next assignment," Tyler commented as he walked beside Nathan who was leading Newton. Icarus was bedded down at the livery as there was no proper shelter for the horse at the cabin.
"Well hopefully it won't be too far away," Nathan commented. "You know we'll look out for Rachel and Autumn for you if you need to be out of town."
Tyler nodded. "I am well aware of that. It was a relief seeing just how much this town had embraced her already when I arrived here," he confessed. There was a slight pause before he continued. "I have some leave time saved up but I do not want to use it too early and have to be away if something comes up or if it is closer to the baby's due dat. Carson however does not think Rachel will make it the full nine months. At least he seems confident that the baby is healthy and should be fine if born at any point now."
"I am sure things will work out fine."
"I hope so. Rachel has been through much already," Tyler said, shaking his head slightly, a far away look telling Nathan that for the moment his fellow Mountie was lost in his thoughts. Nathan did not rush him. "Rachel and Gilbert were so happy together. I want her to have a child to remember him by. Does that make sense?"
Nathan gave a small smile as he met Tyler's gaze. "It does," Nathan assured him. "Every time I look at Little Jack, I see a bit of Jack Sr. looking back at me. Elizabeth will always have that piece of Jack to remember him by, and I am grateful for that and yet I still feel like he is as much my son as he is Jack's."
Tyler nodded. "Gilbert said much the same about Autumn. I could never quite grasp that sentiment back then. I do now."
"Some things you cannot understand until you experience them for yourself," Nathan commented before the two Mounties fell into a comfortable silence.
They were almost at the little lane that led back to the Randall cabin where the two men would part ways when Rosemary appeared from the trees from the lane. Already at a brisk walk, Rosemary broke into a run when she spotted them.
"Is something wrong?" Tyler asked her.
"Rachel thinks she is starting labor. The contractions are not close together, but she asked me to get Carson or Faith just in case. I didn't want to leave her but I also didn't want her to stress out about me not getting a doctor."
Nathan turned to mount Newton, already speaking. "The two of you go be with Rachel," he instructed. "I will ride into town and get Carson or Faith."
"Thank you, Nathan," Tyler replied even as he continued on his way home.
While Nathan headed toward town, Tyler walked toward the cabin he now shared with Rachel and Autumn. The only thing slowing his steps was his awareness of the woman walking with him. Leaving Rosemary behind was not a neighborly thing to do.
Reaching the cabin, Tyler stepped inside only to have to arms wrap around his waist. Looking down, he saw that Autumn was hugging him. Despite his concern for Rachel he took a moment embrace the little girl.
"Everything is going to be all right," Tyler assured Autumn, a silent prayer going through his mind. He was aware that it was a promise that was really out of his control to keep.
"Mommy is moaning," Autumn told him.
"I know. There is some discomfort with bringing a baby into the world. I promise though, she will be just fine."
Rosemary stepped closer at that time, resting a hand on the girl's shoulder. "How about we read a book together while your Papa Tyler goes to be with your Mommy," she suggested.
Autumn looked up at him.
"I think that sounds like a good idea," Tyler told her.
Autumn nodded as she released him. A low moan came from the bedroom, causing Tyler's heart to skip a beat. Though he knew it was part of the birthing process, it still hurt him to hear Rachel's pain.
Letting Rosemary take Autumn, Tyler headed for the bedroom. Stepping inside he saw Rachel lying on the bed. Her facial features relaxed as the contraction passed. Spotting Tyler, Rachel gave a small smile.
"You are home," she said, her voice full of relief.
Tyler nodded crossing over to the bed. Perching on the side, he took Rachel's hand. "Nathan rode into town for one of the doctors. In the meanwhile, I am here. I can deliver this baby if it comes to that," he assured.
"I think we have time," Rachel told him. "The contractions aren't strong yet and they are still a bit apart. I am glad to have you here though. What if it is too early?"
"Carson is confident that the baby has a good chance at this point," Tyler reminded her. "Everything is going to be all right."
"Now that you are here with me, I think I can believe that," Rachel replied, reaching up to remove the hat that Tyler still wore.
Rachel was right about them having time. By the time that Carson arrived, her water had still not broken though the contractions were closer together. Shortly after Carson's arrival, Elizabeth showed up. Nathan had gone home and sent his wife off to be a comforting presence to her friend. With Elizabeth's arrival, Rosemary had headed home. She packed a few things for Autumn and took the girl with her for the night. Tyler promised to send word when the baby had arrived.
Faith arrived next, ready to assist with the birth. With two doctors present, breaks were able to be taking. As the night crept on, that proved to be a good thing. Elizabeth even managed to convince Tyler to leave his wife's side for a few short periods. However, Tyler was at her side when the baby finally made its appearance just before three o'clock in the morning.
"It is a boy," Carson announced as he held the baby in those first moments. The infant's cries were a wonderful sound to all involved.
Carson handing the infant to Faith, who was waiting with towels. She cleaned the infant off, wrapped it in a blanket and handed him to Tyler. Sitting at Rachel's side, Tyler held the baby so she could see the baby even though the birthing process wasn't quite over. Rachel did have a chance to touch a finger to her son's cheek for a brief moments before the after birth started to pass.
Finally, the birthing process was over, and Tyler passed the infant to Rachel.
"Do you have a name picked out?" Carson asked, as he wiped his hands on a towel.
"Autumn and I said that we wanted to name the baby Gilbert Paul after his father," Rachel said, her eyes on her newborn son. She looked up at Tyler as she continued to speak. "However, I think he should be named after both of his fathers - the one who gave him life and the one who will teach him about life. So, I am going to name him Gilbert Joshua Randall."
"Are you sure?" Tyler asked, a lump forming in his throat.
"I am positive," Rachel told him.
Tyler leaned in to press his lips briefly against Rachel's in a sweet, short kiss. He then gazed down at the boy in her arms and rested a hand gently on his son. "I am proud to share a middle name with you, son," Tyler told him. "You share your first name with a great man too. Your mama and I will make sure you know all about him when you get older."
"That sounds like a good strong name for him to grow into," Carson replied. "Now, I think we should all try to get a little bit of sleep with what is left to the night. I will leave you in Faith's capable hands, Rachel while I escort Elizabeth home."
Rachel nodded as her eyes found her friend's eyes. "Thank you for being here with me tonight, Elizabeth."
"I am happy I could be," Elizabeth told her. "He is a handsome baby, but Carson is right. You need your rest. I will check on you later in the day."
Rachel nodded, her eyes going back to the infant in her arms.
"I will be right back," Tyler told her, getting to his feet to see Carson and Elizabeth to the door, while Faith stayed with mother and child.