Chapter 41: The Train Ride Home

There, in the private car of the train, Little Jack slept on the small bed across from Elizabeth. She sat on the cushioned seat by the window with her carry-on bag next to her. For a long while, she sat gazing out the window at the passing countryside, deep in thought.

Then, she looked over at the bag next to her and reached inside, pulling out a handmade book bound by ribbon. Elizabeth had taken all of Allie's drawings for Jack and created a book of sorts. She gazed at each page as she turned to it. The front cover was the drawing of the original one sent with the Thorntons that depicted the four Grants at the small home in Rock Creek, followed by Allie's depiction of Newton and Sergeant that she mailed to them. Next, was Allie's second drawing sent with the Thorntons of her and Nathan fishing, which was followed by Allie's drawing that she had mailed of her baking in the kitchen with her grandmother. Then, there was Allie's drawing of all of the Grants working around the Rock Creek home, and it ended with the last drawing sent with the Thorntons of Allie and Little Jack playing by the rowhouses. As Elizabeth closed the homemade book, she smiled to herself, reflecting on the genuine love between her son and Allie. They truly had a natural bond from the beginning. It made her heart smile and she knew that these two would have no problem becoming siblings if that were to come about down the road.

She put the book into the bag. She took hold of a bundled group of letters. She held them in her hands. Allie had shared so much of herself these past three weeks, between her original sent letters and the ones that she mailed to Elizabeth. It was obvious that the young girl loved the relationship that they still had with one another, but also still very much yearned for a mother figure in her life. That was obvious in the things she shared with Elizabeth and the joy that she found in the projects that she did with her grandmother. Elizabeth only hoped to nurture what was becoming rooted within their own relationship and continue to help developing what Nellie Grant had instilled in her granddaughter this past summer.

Elizabeth placed the bundle back into the bag, and she pulled out the leather folder that sat there. Inside, she pulled out the picture of Allie and Nathan, and she caressed each of their faces before turning over the photo to read the back. She smiled to herself as she returned it to the folder and she pulled out the dinner invite. Elizabeth was looking forward to this more than she could communicate. She missed Nathan and loved this new, budding relationship between them. As she replaced the invite, she pulled out the wooden disc with the engraving on it and Nathan's acrostic poem for her. She read it again and giggled. She loved how Nathan expressed his love in his quiet but natural manner.

Encouraging to everyone

Loyal to all who know her

Intelligent and witty

Zealous about everything she does

Amazing in all things

Beautiful both inside and out

Enthusiastic about life

Tenaciously holding her own

Hopeful in all situations

Once she was finished looking at each item carefully, she placed them back into the leather folder, closed it up and hugged it closing her eyes and smiling. This growing relationship with these two individuals, something that she ran from for the longest time, filled her with so much peace and joy. Elizabeth sighed deeply and decided to rest alongside her son during the long train ride home. She put the folder into her carry bag and scooted herself out of the cushioned seat and walked over to the small bed. Elizabeth nudged Jack over slightly, and she took a place next to him. Instantly, as soon as she settled in, Jack nuzzled up next to her. Elizabeth smiled contentedly and closed her eyes, going fast to sleep.

Elizabeth awoke as she felt the train slowing down. She sat up and looked around the train car and then back to Little Jack. She stroked his light blonde hair, leaned down and kissed his cheek. Then, she nudged him slightly and called out his name to wake him. As he stirred, he opened his eyes and looked at his mother.

"Mama, are we home?" he asked sleepily.

"Almost, sweet boy, almost," Elizabeth responded, smiling down at her young son.

Jack sat up quickly in response and excitedly said, " I get to see Allie and Mountie Nathan!"

Elizabeth chuckled and nodded her head. The two stood up and quickly got their things together. They were almost set when the train came to a complete stop. The train porter stopped by their room to assure Elizabeth that he would meet her outside with her luggage.

She grabbed their carry bags with one hand and Little Jack's hand with the other. They exited the train, and immediately her gaze fell upon the Grants standing there on the platform waiting for them. She couldn't release Little Jack's hand fast enough for him to run over to them. Allie stooped down to his level and opened her arms to welcome the little boy. Instantly, Jack ran into her arms and she picked him up and swung him around as he hugged her tight and giggled.

Elizabeth and Nathan stood there looking at their children, beaming, with tears in their eyes. And then, their own eyes met and locked. Time froze at that moment. It wasn't until the porter came up beside Elizabeth with her luggage that the moment was broken. Nathan responded to the porter first by gesturing towards the wagon and grabbing some of the luggage himself. Elizabeth followed the two men as she gestured for Allie and Jack to join her.

After the luggage was loaded into the wagon, as well as the children, and Nathan had tipped the porter, he turned to Elizabeth.

"Hi.", he said with a smirk and a sparkle in his eyes.

Elizabeth smiled brightly and responded, "Hi!"

He opened his arms, and she jumped right into them, hugging him tightly. He stood there holding her, stroking her hair and chin on her head.

Nathan whispered, "Welcome home. I've missed you, Lizbeth. "

With her face still nuzzled against his chest, Elizabeth smiled and responded, "I've missed you too, Nathan. It's good to be home. "

The two were interrupted when Allie cleared her throat and asked, "Can we go now? Jack and I want to play for a little bit before dinner. He's been cooped up in that train too long and needs to run around a little bit. "

Elizabeth and Nathan laughed and broke apart. Nathan helped her into the wagon and then got into it himself. Then, the two families rode off to their rowhouses together.