Chapter 56: Girl Talk

Elizabeth and Allie walked home from town that fall afternoon after they had picked up Jack at the preschool. Each of them held one of Jack's hands, and they chitchatted about the things that had occurred that day at school. When they returned, Elizabeth set about making dinner, and Allie rallied Jack to help out in a small way as well.

It seemed so natural, the three of them. Elizabeth looked over at one point, watching Allie and Jack together chatting about things, and a sad feeling washed over her. She had wasted so much time running from Nathan and her feelings for him. She wished she could change things, but in reality, she couldn't. All she could do was make the most of the present. She loved these children, both of them, and she was excited for the future with both of them and Nathan.

Once their dinner was ready, the three of them sat at the table, not only sharing their meal but also having a joyful conversation about their day. As they finished, Elizabeth cleared the table as Allie cleaned up Little Jack and took him into the living room to play. When she finished cleaning the kitchen, Elizabeth joined the two in the living room. They played a few games of checkers, with Jack and Elizabeth playing against Allie.

After Elizabeth got Jack ready for bed, Allie went in to read him a bedtime story. The two of them decided to read a little more before retiring to bed themselves that evening.

"Mrs. Thornton, I think I am going to focus on being just friends with Robert. I mean, he's going off to the Mountie Academy in January. And, we've always been pretty good friends.", Allie said as she peered over her book at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth looked up from her book and listened to Allie attentively. She felt that the young girl needed to say something specific, so she closed her book and set it on the end table next to her.

Allie thought for a moment, and then she continued. "I enjoyed hanging out and talking with Cody at the McGuffin's reception. I wish he could have stayed in Hope Valley years ago, before we came. I feel that we would have been good friends if he had.", Allie said, looking deep in thought with her book still open.

Elizabeth shifted on the couch to turn more towards Allie. She still had yet to speak, but encouraged her to continue sharing through her eye contact and body language.

"But, Mrs. Thornton, I'm only going to be 15 years old at the beginning of the year. I have so much life left to experience. And I still need to figure out if I want to pursue teaching or art, or even both. Is it okay to choose me? Can I simply focus on who I want to be for a little bit?", Allie asked, finally making eye contact with Elizabeth.

Elizabeth grabbed Allie's hand and looked intently at the young girl. She said in response, "Allie, choosing yourself, is always ok. It's completely ok to be just friends with both Cody and Robert. They are both finding their places in the world too, whether it be through the Mountie Academy or university studies."

Allie thought about what Elizabeth said and shook her head in agreement. "Mrs. Thornton, can I ask a question? It might sound a little rude though," Allie asked after a few moments of thinking over what Elizabeth had said.

"Of course you can ask me a question. Please don't ever hesitate to talk to me about anything that is on your mind. ", Elizabeth responded as she reached over, grabbed Allie's hand, gave it an encouraging squeeze, and smiled in return as well.

Allie thought about her words for a few moments, took a deep breath, and spoke, "You said choosing yourself is always ok. Why did you choose Mr. Bouchard and not you? What did you find so appealing about him that drew you in that direction?"

Elizabeth drew her hand back from Allie slowly as she thought about her answer. She looked down and fiddled with her own hands and then, finally, smoothed her skirt, took a deep breath and started her answer. "No, I didn't choose me, Allie. I chose fear. And that was a mistake. It's not that I loved Mr. Bouchard more than your dad. I was just so afraid that I ran to what I thought was a "safe" thing. However, this was not the case. Allie, if there's ever any advice that I can give you in life... I'd say, don't be afraid to wait and listen; truly listen to your heart and what the Lord is telling you in His still, small voice."

"Is that what you did when you realized that you loved my dad? Waited and listened?", Allie inquired of Elizabeth as she looked intently at her teacher with her hazel eyes.

Elizabeth looked away for a moment, lost in thought. Then she looked back at Allie and nodded. She reached up, brushed Allie's hair back from her shoulder, and spoke. "I think so. When I had finally quieted myself enough after everything that had happened and was truly listening to God and my heart, I realized it was your dad that I loved and had loved for a very long time.", Elizabeth said in response.

"Allie, I want to say how impressed I am with your maturity and perception. The fact that you know the importance of your youth and what's ahead for you in life and friendships is amazing! Keep hold of that as you go further into life, and don't be afraid to stand true to who you are.", Elizabeth said, taking hold of Allie's hands as she gazed into her hazel eyes.

Allie searched Elizabeth's face and then looked down at their hands. When she met Elizabeth's eyes once more, she said, "Thank you, Mrs. Thornton. I've learned a lot from my dad."

"That you have Allie! Your dad has done a remarkable job!", Elizabeth said as she drifted off in thought.

"I know you miss him, Mrs. Thornton, but he will be back soon enough. "He has two more reasons that will bring him even sooner now," Allie said, clutching Elizabeth's hands and winking at her teacher.

Elizabeth looked back at Allie, chuckled, and responded, "Yes, I suppose that he does. What do you say we head to bed, Allie?"

Allie stood up and extended her hand to Elizabeth. Elizabeth looked at Allie's hand and then at the young girl, who was beaming down at her. She smiled in return, placed her hand in the girl's hand, and stood. Together, the two turned out the lights and went up the stairs.

Allie went to sleep right away, but Elizabeth looked out the window at the moon for a moment before crawling into bed. "Goodnight, my love. We love and miss you so much. Be safe!", she whispered at the moon. Then she bowed her head and silently prayed. As she finished, she looked over at Allie in bed and smiled. She loved her family, all of it, and although she missed Nathan more than anything, she was so very grateful for this time that she had with Allie. She made her way over to the bed, crawled in, snuggled in close to the young girl beside her, and fell asleep.