Nathan sat patiently in Superintendent O'Reilly's office. Nathan stared out the window as he sat waiting. It was just beginning to become spring. Nathan enjoyed the season of spring. Spring meant new. After having to be hidden away all winter, the flowers, the animals and even people come out of hiding.
Nathan looked around his superior's office. There was a book case full of books while the other bookshelf held important mementos such as awards, medals and photographs of him and other Mountie's. Nathan scanned his eyes over to O'Reilly's desk. Nathan saw there were framed photographs on his desk. They were of his family. He knew that O'Reilly has two boys and one girl. He had a picture of his one son in his official RCMP photograph. He had a picture of his other son which looked like to be on his wedding day. Nathan smiled and looked down at his own wedding band. O'Reilly also had a picture of his daughter holding a baby. That must be his Grandchild Nathan thought to himself.
Nathan scanned the rest of O'Reilly's desk and saw a folder. The top of the folder said Thornton, Jack. Nathan looked behind him to see if anyone was coming in. When he noticed that no one was entering the room, he picked up the file and opened it. He saw a picture of Jack Thornton. He only looked a couple years younger than Nathan. Nathan knew of Jack Thornton. The Mountie who saved other Mounties during the awful disaster. While saving other Mounties, Constable Thornton sacrificed himself. Constable Thornton was a hero. While Nathan did not know Constable Thornton personally, their paths were going to cross.
"I apologize for the wait Constable." O'Reilly said shutting the door. Nathan quickly put the file back where it belonged and stood up.
"No apologies needed, sir. I know you are a busy man and I'm honored that you took time out of your busy day to see me" Nathan said saluting the Superintendent.
O'Reilly saluted back. Nathan waited until O'Reilly sat back down before sitting down.
"Now I wanted you to come see me today because I have some good news. Your request to be reassigned to the Hope Valley post has been accepted." O'Reilly said.
Nathan smiled. "Thank you so much sir"
"I knew Jack Thornton when he was alive. He was a good Mountie and a good man. He loved the little town of Hope Valley. I put a lot of thought into who should get this posting. And given the situation with your sister, niece and brother in law, I think you would be a nice fit for Hope Valley." O'Reilly said.
"Thank you for taking the time to consider me for this posting. I have heard stories about how much Jack Thornton loved that town. I will protect it with my life as Jack Thornton would have done.
O'Reilly nodded his head.
"And his widow still lives there. She had a little boy a few months back. Shame that his son will never meet his father.
Nathan nodded sadly.
"I'm telling you all this because I want you to know the importance of this posting." O'Reilly said.
"I understand Sir" Nathan said.
"Good. I just need you to sign here and here." O'Reilly said. Nathan signed the pages.
"Finally, I want to assure you that only certain people know about this posting. Your main file in Headquarters has been put into a sealed vault. The only way your brother in law could find you, your niece or your sister is by going from town to town. And that would take him many years to do." O'Reilly said.
"Thank you. My family's safety is of the upmost important." Nathan said.
"I know. Good luck Constable Grant. I'll be checking in." O'Reilly said putting his hand out. Nathan stood up and shook his hand.
"Thank you sir. I won't let you down" Nathan said. Nathan saluted and left the room.
Nathan walked back outside and mounted Newton. He made a mental promise to Constable Jack Thornton to look over his town and his family.
As Nathan headed back home, he thought about Dylan Parks. Nathan never liked Dylan even when Colleen brought him home the first time. But for Colleen's sake, he tolerated Dylan. The only good thing that Dylan ever did in his life was help create Allie. As time went on, Nathan started noticing that Colleen wasn't herself. She used to be this fun outgoing person who turned into a meek and quiet woman. Nathan knew that this was because of Dylan. Although Nathan never saw any bruises on Colleen or Allie, he knew that Dylan liked to drink and gamble. Nathan had finally had enough. He took Colleen and Allie with him when he was reassigned to his next posting. Dylan was furious. But being away from Dylan gave Colleen her courage back. Nathan served Dylan with dissolution of Marriage papers. Colleen and Dylan were soon divorced. Everything seemed to have calmed down until one day Colleen came home to find her whole new house destroyed with obscenities written on the wall. Dylan went into hiding and hadn't been seen since. When the opening in Hope Valley became available, Nathan requested the transfer. This was going to be a beginning for all three of them.
Nathan tied Newton up next to the cabin they were temporarily staying in. It was a hidden cabin that only Mounties knew about. Nathan did his secret knock. Colleen cracked the door open. Seeing it was Nathan she opened the door and smiled at Nathan.
"Well?" Colleen asked.
Nathan closed the door.
"Well what?" Nathan asked.
"Don't you well what me. Did you get the transfer?" Colleen asked.
"What transfer?" Nathan asked.
"Nathan, I don't care how old you are or if you are a Mountie, I will give you a noogie." Colleen said.
Nathan laughed.
"Yes. We got the transfer." Nathan said.
"Wonderful!" Colleen said hugging Nathan.
"What's wonderful?" Allie said coming out from one of the rooms.
"Uncle Nathan got the transfer!" Colleen said.
"Good job Uncle Nathan!" Allie said hugging him.
Nathan smiled. He looked at his sister and niece. Allie was the spitting image of her mother. Allie had her blue eyes. And even through Colleen has brown hair now, growing up she had dirty blonde hair like Allie has now.
"This is going to be a fresh start for all of us." Colleen said. Colleen and Allie went over to the stove to finish dinner.
Nathan went into his room and pulled out boxes. He looked through his dresser drawers to see what clothes he wanted to keep and which ones to give to charity. Suddenly, Nathan saw her scarf. Angela's scarf. Nathan sat on the bed and put the scarf to his nose. It still had a faint scent of his wife's favorite perfume. Nathan couldn't believe that it had been two years since he lost Angela. They were only married for eight months until she got sick with yellow fever. As quick as it started, it quickly ended.
Angela's death broke Nathan. They had been childhood friends. Nathan had a crush on her growing up but didn't have the courage to ask her on a date until Colleen pushed him to do it. By that first date, Nathan was already head over in heels in love with her. And much to Nathan's surprise, Angela was too. She waited until he finished the RCMP academy to marry. Before her death, they had planned on starting a family. Her death made Nathan appreciate life because it could be gone in an instant.
Nathan put the scarf back into the drawer. He sat on the bed and looked at his ring. Nathan wasn't sure if he ever wanted to marry again. Colleen had tried to set him up with nice women but they didn't have that special soul that Nathan found in Angela. Nathan came to the conclusion that unless a special woman comes into his life, Nathan would not give marriage a second thought.
A/N: This story loosely follows seasons 6, 7, and 8.