Bill finished sliding the papers that Nathan had just signed across the desk. Placing it in front of him, Bill added his signature to the two already on them. Putting down the pen, he looked across the desk at Elizabeth and Nathan.
"I will send one copy in for final approval of the higher court and one copy will be filed here. As soon as that final approval is granted, they will send the official adoption certificate," Bill told them. "It is simply a waiting game at this point."
Nathan and Elizabeth both nodded. Looking to Elizabeth, Nathan spoke. "Thank you for the gift of letting me adopt Jack, Elizabeth," he told her.
"You are welcome," Elizabeth told him, reaching out for Nathan's hand. "I know Jack Sr. would approve of you as our son's father, Nathan. I appreciate your willingness to leave his last name as Thornton."
"The Thornton name deserves to live on through Jack Jr.," Nathan told her.
Bill watched the exchange with a smile. He could see love on the part of both of them, though Elizabeth was still not quite ready to admit it. Though he regretted his part in her recent scare, Bill was hoping that facing that fear of possibly losing Nathan might help Elizabeth accept her feelings for Nathan. Little things were giving him hope that it might have helped, but he knew that Elizabeth was not quite there yet.
"So, what about Ally?" Bill asked, bringing their attention back to him.
"We talked to Ally about what was going on," Nathan told him. "She has asked for more time to think about it."
"She still is struggling to accept me as a mother figure after how I have hurt her," Elizabeth said, her voice filled with regret.
"Your relationship with Ally has come a long way already, Elizabeth," Nathan said, giving the hand he still held, a squeeze. "Just be patient with her."
Elizabeth nodded.
"I agree with Nathan's assessment," Bill chimed in. "I think she will come around, so I will draw up all the paperwork. When Ally is ready, the papers will be ready to sign."
"Thank you, Bill," Nathan told him. "Is there anything else?"
Bill shook his head. "Nothing else," he told them. "The two of you can head home to your children. Besides, I have a retirement party to start planning."
"You do not need to make a big deal over my retirement, Bill," Nathan protested.
"Maybe not, but I am going to," Bill told him. "Especially after you put it off to save me from dealing with some wet behind the ears replacement these last few weeks. Besides Nathan, after all you have gone through in Hope Valley, a little recognition is the least we can do."
"You have a point. I mean, I do recall the local sheriff tossing me in jail for trying to break up a fight my first night in town," Nathan teased.
"You should have let someone know who you were," Bill countered.
"Maybe so," Nathan conceded. "Or perhaps you should have listened when I said I could explain things."
Bill smirked. "Not my style," he commented. "Things worked out well anyway. When is Gabriel due home?"
"He'll be home in a few days. O'Reilly will be here on Tuesday with the severance papers. By this time next week, I will be a civilian again."
"I like the sound of that," Elizabeth admitted.
Nathan let go of her hand and slid his chair closer to hers. Reaching out, he put an arm around Elizabeth's shoulders.
"This has been hard on you, hasn't it Beth?" Nathan inquired softly.
"It seems silly. I agreed to marry you knowing you were a Mountie. However, I felt relieved when I found out you had chosen to do something else. I know things can still happen but somehow, you being a woodworker feels like you are safer. When you were late, it wasn't just my fear that something had happened to you, Nathan, but it was like I was reliving that day when I was told Jack was gone," she admitted leaning into Nathan and resting her head against him. "You have been my rock these last months, Nathan, and I felt like my world was tumbling down around me once again."
Nathan rested his chin on top of her head. "I am still right here, Elizabeth."
Bill got to his feet. "Let me take care of sending this paperwork out," he told them quietly. "You two take whatever time you need," he told them, knowing that right now Elizabeth did not need any words of appreciation from him. He did appreciate the sacrifice of peace of mind he had made for her. He had not realized until the other afternoon, just how much of a sacrifice it had been for her. However, right now, whether she realized it or not, she simply needed Nathan.
Picking up the papers to be sent to the court in Union City, Bill slipped from his office. He had a feeling it would not be much longer before Elizabeth's heart accepted what they all knew already - she was in love with Nathan Grant. It was the only explanation for the level of fear she felt at the idea of losing him.
Sitting on the train, her head resting on Gabriel's chest, Faith listened to the sounds around her. Most dominant of course was the clickety-clack of the train wheels as it headed west, but there was also the soft snoring of her husband as he slept. That was one of the many things she had found out about Gabriel during their time together these past few weeks. Gabriel snored when he slept. The first couple of nights, the unfamiliar sound had kept her awake. Part of her wondered if she was going to have trouble falling asleep for the rest of her life.
Now though, she found the sound soothing in some strange way. She had no doubt there would be nights in their future where Gabriel would be away on work, leaving her alone at home. She knew that on those days she would miss the sound of Gabriel's soft snoring.
Faith had a feeling she would miss being with Gabriel so much when they returned to Hope Valley. They had not been apart much these last couple of weeks, traveling to and from Hamilton. They had explored several of the cities the train had stopped in both heading east and coming hope. She had enjoyed introducing Gabriel to her family and showing him around Hamilton. Her father had even arranged for them to stay in his neighbor's guest house instead of his own. As they had used their honeymoon for him to meet Gabriel, David Carter had said a little space of their own while they visited was necessary. Faith had appreciated her father's consideration.
All in all, it had been a lovely honeymoon. Faith wished it did not have to end but she knew it soon would. They both had jobs to go home too. Gabriel had his duties to protect the town and she had patients that would be missing her. Then there was Vincent. Faith had seen how much that boy had idolized Gabriel when she lived in Brookfield. She had gotten to know the lad while preparing for the wedding. She could see why Gabriel wanted to adopt him. Every child deserved to have family and Vincent was quickly running out of time for that to happen.
Without moving her head, Faith focused on the scenery passing by the window. There were not many landmarks to go by to judge where they were, but Faith figured they had to be getting close to Clearwater. She just hoped Chuck had remembered he was supposed to pick them up in his uncle's car. Otherwise, getting from Clearwater to Brookfield where their wagon was waiting was going to prove to be a trial.
"Don't worry. Chuck will not forget us," Gabriel commented softly.
Shifting only enough so that she could see her husband's face, Faith found that Gabriel still had his eyes closed.
"Just how do you know I was worried about that?" Faith asked, though in reality she was in awe with the fact that he had tuned into her thoughts.
"Because before every stop you have worried about us arriving to find a mistake with the arrangements. You even worried your brother would have the wrong time for the train in Hamilton."
Faith felt the heat rise in her cheeks as she rested her head back on Gabriel's chest. She could feel the vibrations of his soft chuckle before she felt him place a kiss on the top of her head.
"Face it, Sweetheart, you are a planner and when you cannot be in control of those plans you worry. I find it kind of endearing actually," Gabriel informed her. "However, I have known Chuck long enough to know that he keeps track of his schedule very well. Barring a veterinarian emergency detaining him, Chuck will be waiting at that station for us. If he cannot be there, he would have sent someone else. I will not be scrambling to figure out how to get us and our bags to Brookfield."
Wrapping an arm around Gabriel, Faith snuggled in right. "My Dad told me that I had found the perfect balance for my personality in you because you took things as they come. He was right. You know just how to ease my worries."
"I've already had some practice doing so, Mrs. Kinslow," Gabriel whispered. "But even when it means little sleep for me, it is all worth it because you are in my life."
"Having you in my life is worth putting up with your snoring," Faith countered.
Gabriel chuckled again. "Nathan did try to warn you that I snore if you remember."
"That he did," Faith agreed. "I am actually starting to find it kind of soothing."
"Don't bother convincing Nathan of that. He will think I bribed you into saying that or something."
"I think I prefer it being something just between the two of us," Faith told him.
"There are quite a few things that should stay just between the two us. Like your birthmark."
Overwhelmed with contentment, Faith sighed. Yes, they had gotten to know one another quite well over the last few weeks. She knew she would not soon be forgetting it.
Lillian stood on the porch, waiting for Grace to walk home with the children. Chuck had gone to Clearwater to meet Gabriel and Faith's train. Though she had spoken with the teacher, knowing that Gabriel wanted to leave for Hope Valley the following day, she had yet to mention anything to Vincent despite the telegraph that Gabriel had sent the day before. Glancing down at the telegraph, she read the words again.
Have not change our minds. Hope to take Vincent with us when we leave.
Lillian and Grace had discussed the situation after putting the children to bed last night. While they did not want Vincent distracted at school, they also did not want to put pressure on him by breaking the news to him after Gabriel and Faith got here. Saying no to a perspective adoption directly to those who wished to adopt you would be hard for any child to do. Not that either of them thought Vincent would refuse. The boy idolized Gabriel. He had for a while now. Gabriel's transfer to Hope Valley had bothered Vincent though the boy had tried not to let on.
Grace and she had decided to tell Vincent about the proposed adoption right after school. That would give the boy a little time before Chuck arrived with Gabriel and Faith to think it over, if he needed it. It also meant that the boy would have time to go say good-bye to any classmates he wanted, though Vincent had always seemed to stay distant from the other children in the area. He and Christian had been as thick as thieves until the other boy got adopted. The two still sent letters back and forth regularly. If not with the other children in the orphanage, Vincent was often alone in his free time. The teacher had assured Lillian that Vincent engaged with the other boys during recess at least.
Perhaps that would make Vincent's transition to Hope Valley easier if he had no strong friendships he was leaving behind. Lillian's other fear was that it would isolate him more from those his own age. Only time would tell but she intended to share her concerns with Gabriel and Faith before they left the following days.
Soon, Grace and the children were in sight, making their way from town. To Lillian, nothing appeared out of the ordinary. She could hear the childish chatter of the younger children though she could not make out the words at this distance. Vincent walked at the back of the group as usual. Nothing about his demeanor seemed to indicate that he felt anything was different. Perhaps Grace had not even informed Vincent that they wanted to talk to him alone yet.
Lillian remained on the porch. Soon, she and the children were exchanging greetings as the children heading inside to put away their school things and join Eleanor in the kitchen. The housekeeper always had a snack and a glass of milk waiting for the kids before they went off to do their chores.
"Put away your things, children," Grace called as a reminder as the children disappeared into the house. "Eleanor is waiting for you in the kitchen," she finished as she stopped opposite of Lillian.
"Miss Grace said you wanted to talk to me," Vincent said, meeting Lillian's gaze as he came up the steps. "Have I done something wrong?"
Lillian gave the boy a sympathetic smile. Though he did not speak of his previous stays in other orphanages, Vincent's demeanor since coming to them indicated that they had not been the most positive. The boy had always aimed to please them and had never complained. Not even when his shoes had been too small shortly after arriving in Brookfield.
"No," Lillian assured him, reaching out to lay a hand across his shoulders. "You have done nothing wrong. In fact, I hope you will think what we are about to tell you as something positive. Let's have a seat."
Silently, Vincent let Lillian guide him to the bench seat on the porch. Grace moved to the railing, bracing her hands on the railing as she stood opposite of them.
"Mountie Gabriel and Dr. Carter spoke to us before their wedding, Vincent," Lillian said, using the titles that Vincent used for the two adults. "They expressed a desire to adopt you if you are willing, now that they are married."
Lillian was not sure what kind of reaction she expected, but Vincent gave no visible reaction at first. For the first moments after her announcement, the boy remained silent, looking first at her and then at Grace.
"They should adopt a younger child," Vincent finally said.
"They do not want a younger child, Vincent," Lillian said softly as she gave his shoulders a squeeze with the arm that rested across his shoulders. "They want you."
"Mountie Gabriel and Dr. Carter are hoping for children of their own, but they want you to be a part of their family as well, Vincent," Grace said. "Wouldn't you like to be a part of a family?"
"I resigned myself to it not happening," Vincent admitted. "I know the two of you will always be there for me. I accepted that would be enough. That I would need to take whatever job I could get to support myself when I turned eighteen. Maybe even something that I could send back to help you all out at the orphanage. Joining the Mounties would have allowed me to do that. I actually planned on applying at seventeen so I would be less of a burden to the two of you."
"You are not a burden, Vincent," Lillian told the boy. "No child should ever feel that way, and I do not want you to either. You have actually been a huge help to us, but this is a good opportunity for you. Every child should have people they can call family."
"When I left my last orphanage I was scared and alone," Grace told the boy. "Having only yourself to rely on is a scary feeling. Now, Lillian and I will always be here for you Vincent, but finding family fills a hole inside of you that you do not even know was there until it is filled. I experienced that when Lillian found me and gave me family again. Mountie Gabriel and Dr. Carter are offering that to you."
"I have looked up to Mountie Gabriel ever since that incident with the baseball. He treated Christian and me as frightened kids rather than bad people who were purposely trying to hide things. He could have accused us with simply the burnt baseball as evidence but he gave us time to come to him. I never thought he would consider taking me in."
"Until he was married, he really couldn't, even if he wanted to," Lillian said. "Mountie Gabriel would make a wonderful father figure for you though."
"I wouldn't know, Miss Lillian. I never knew my father," Vincent said.
Lillian looked to Grace. All they knew about Vincent's family was that he was placed in the system when he was five when his mother and grandparents took ill and passed. Nothing was known of his father, whom neighbors had said was never spoken of by the family.
"Did your mother ever say anything about your father to you, Vincent?" Lillian asked.
Vincent looked down at his shoes. "All she ever said was that she made a mistake in being with him but that her mistake gave her me. She said she had always loved me and that I made the mistake one worth making."
There was a slight pause and then Vincent spoke again.
"I remember getting out of bed about a year before my mother and grandparents died. I couldn't sleep, and I went in search of her. I remember my grandfather saying, 'well he is dead now, which means you and Vincent are safe'. I heard my mother crying and instead of going to them and went back to my bedroom. I always figured that the 'he' was my father and if my grandfather said we were safe now, it meant that he was not a good person."
Lillian wrapped both arms around Vincent, who let her pull him close. "Your mother would be happy to know you will finally be with a new family Vincent. That is, if you want to go. You do not have to. Grace and I will not make you go with them if you do not want to."
"I still find it hard to believe that someone would want me, but I also know this very well could be my only chance at a new family. Though I have to admit, the idea of living with my hero is a bit daunting," Vincent said.
"My adoptive father was my hero while growing up," Lillian told him. "I remember sitting and watching him work on his drawings for hours at end. The relationship you already have with Mountie Gabriel is a wonderful foundation for the two of you start with."
"Dr. Carter," Vincent began. He stopped and lifted his head to look over at Grace. "Would she be Dr. Kinslow now?"
Grace smiled. "Possibly. Most married women do take their husband's name. We'll have to ask her how she wants to be addressed now but Dr. Carter is fine for now."
"Well, she has always seemed nice. I think she would treat me kindly."
"I know she would, "Grace said. "Miss Lillian and I would not consider sending you with anyone that we did not think would treat you with love and respect."
Vincent nodded. "I am getting a family," he said, the words barely above a whisper as his eyes glistened with unshed tears. He laid his head back against Lillian's shoulder. Neither she nor Grace said anything else for now. It was big news for the boy, and for now they just needed to give him some time to process it.
