A/N: I am so sorry for the delay in updating stories this week! It was a very busy weekend/week, and it's shaping up to be another busy few days. I'm hoping to get New Dawn posted this weekend, but not sure if that will happen. Just a heads up! In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Gabe was thrilled to have a plan in place for a new home. Jack's land was now officially his and Colleen's. He had talked things over with his wife, and they decided to start building their home in March, when the ground would be starting to thaw after winter's freeze. That was four months away, but having a date in mind made it easier to live in a small house for the time being.

He had asked Nathan to design and build the house for them. His brother-in-law had been honored by the request, happily saying he would do it. He was already making sketches and asking Gabe and Colleen question after question about what their dream house should look like. The Kinslows spent hours talking about the house, writing down their ideas to give to Nathan. Gabe loved how Colleen lit up when she described the different things she wanted in their new home. Most notably, she shyly said she wanted their bedroom to face the east, with a large balcony attached so they could drink their morning coffee outside their room and watch the sunrise together. Gabe wasn't sure why that little detail warmed his heart so much, but it did.

One afternoon, Gabe took Allie with him on a trip into town. He had a list of ideas for Nathan and wanted to give it to his friend without delay. Nathan seemed just as excited about the project as Gabe was, and Gabe knew the two of them would spend many long hours together in the spring to construct the home that would belong to his family.

Before they could reach Nathan's woodshop, Allie suddenly stopped walking. Gabe looked down at his daughter. She was wearing an intense look of concentration. "What is it, sweetie?" Gabe asked.

Eyes wide, she looked up at him. "Kitties!" she exclaimed.

Kitties?

Gabe listened for a moment, but he couldn't hear anything. "Allie, why do you think there are kitties?"

"Kitties!" she said again, tugging on his hand. Gabe followed, wondering where she would lead them. She pulled him into the space between two buildings, taking him around the back of one of them. Soon Gabe could hear sad mewling sounds. Moments later, a box came into sight. Three tiny balls of fluff were nestled against each other, meowing loudly.

Allie went right up to the box. She reached inside. All three kittens pounced on her hand, licking her fingers and looking up at her with large, pleading eyes. One was a tortoiseshell, another a gray tabby, and the third was a calico. They were beautiful kittens. Gabe wondered who would have abandoned them like this, in Hope Valley of all places. He didn't have time to wonder for long. Allie soon turned her own large, pleading eyes on him, and Gabe instantly knew he was in trouble.

"We take kitties home?" Allie asked, both of her hands buried in soft kitten fur. "Pwease, Daddy?" Her brown eyes were fixed on him. Gabe flashed back to the moment he'd first known he loved Colleen, as an eight-year-old child when she looked at him exactly the way her daughter now looked at him, pleading for him to help her with a box of abandoned kittens.

"What are the odds?" he muttered to himself. "I couldn't refuse Colleen then, and I can't refuse Allie now."

"What?" Allie asked, tilted her head. Gabe's under-the-breath words were too low for her little ears. He shook his head, a total goner.

"We can take them back to the house." He held up a finger when Allie shrieked with excitement. "But," he said, emphasizing the single word, which caught his daughter's attention. "We might not be able to keep them, Allie. Your mama is trying to care for you and Daisy, which is a big responsibility. We can take care of these kittens for now, but we might have to try finding homes for them."

"Okay," Allie agreed easily. Gabe wasn't sure if she comprehended his words, based on the sheer delight in her eyes at the thought of bringing the kittens home. With nothing else to do, Gabe lifted the box into his arms, while the three kittens mewled their disapproval at being moved.

"Let's see if your Uncle Nathan is home," Gabe said, motioning with his head for Allie to follow him. They soon made it to Nathan's apartment above his shop. When Nathan opened the door, his eyes immediately went to the box in Gabe's arms.

"Taking in some strays, Gabe?" he asked, his eyes twinkling. He glanced at Allie, then looked back at Gabe with understanding in his eyes. "A repeat of twenty years ago?"

Gabe chuckled, walking into the apartment. "Something like that."

Nathan laughed. "Oh, I wish I could see Colleen's reaction when you bring those babies home!"

Raising a brow, Gabe set the box on the table. "I don't suppose you want a pet?" he asked.

Peering into the box, Nathan began petting the little furballs. "They are adorable," he admitted. "But I don't have time to care for a cat. I'm going to have to pass."

"I thought so," Gabe admitted. "Though it didn't hurt to ask."

"We keep kitties?" Allie asked, bouncing on her toes.

Gabe saw Nathan hide a smile behind his hand. Crouching in front of his daughter, Gabe shook his head gently. "I don't think so, Allie. We'll hold onto them for a few days and see if we can find them some homes, okay?"

She pouted. "I want a kitty," she said insistently.

"Good luck," Nathan murmured for Gabe's ears only. "You know how Colleen would get when she wanted something? Allie is exactly like her in that respect."

"So I've noticed," Gabe replied, standing. He placed a hand on Allie's head. "We'll see what Mama thinks, sweetie."

That seemed to mollify the little girl. She stood on a chair and played with the kittens while Gabe and Nathan discussed plans for the new house. After some time had passed, they said goodbye. Nathan kissed his niece and told her to take good care of the kittens until they could find them homes. Allie agreed happily. She seemed to ignore the fact that the kittens wouldn't be hers.

When they reached their row house, Colleen was upstairs putting Daisy down for a nap. Gabe placed the box of kittens by the fireplace. Allie immediately took them out one by one. The tiny kittens began exploring the living room, moving jerkily as their small bodies tried to adjust to movement after being in the small box.

Colleen's footsteps sounded on the stairs. Gabe pressed his lips together, wondering what his wife's reaction would be. He kept his eyes glued on Allie when she caught sight of her mother.

"Look, Mama!" she exclaimed, holding up one of the kittens. "We found kitties!"

"I see that," Colleen said, her voice carefully measured. "Gabe…can I talk to you in the kitchen?"

He finally dared to peek at her. She had a brow hiked up high, though there was a slight smile on her lips. Gabe followed her into the kitchen. Planting a hand on her hip, Colleen looked at the kittens, then looked at him. "Well?"

The single word was loaded with questions. Gabe cleared his throat. "Uhh…do you remember when you found a box of kittens when you were ten?"

"Ye-e-s," Colleen said, drawing out the word.

Gabe smiled cajolingly. "Well, it would seem your daughter takes after you in many ways, Colleen. She found that box of kittens and insisted on bringing them home."

A small hand reached up to hold Gabe's. Allie was standing there, looking between her parents. "Daddy said we find them home," she said. She glanced up at Colleen with big eyes. "Can I keep the kitties?"

Colleen shook her head. "Not all three, Allie," she said gently. She looked at the kittens again, her eyes softening. "But we'll think about keeping one, alright?"

"Yay!" Allie exclaimed, her entire face lighting up.

"Maybe!" Colleen said firmly. "No promises, Allie. Your daddy and I will need to talk about it."

Allie nodded. "That's what Daddy said."

Colleen smiled, looking at Gabe again. "Did you?"

He nodded. "Of course." He looped an arm around her shoulders. "We're a team, remember?"

Her smile grew tender. "Yes, I remember." She looked at their daughter, delighting in the kittens crawling all over her lap. "How is Allie ever going to choose one?"

Gabe grinned. "Does that mean we're keeping one?"

Colleen sighed, though she smiled. "Yes, Gabe." She chuckled. "You know I wouldn't be able to say no to a kitten. I love them as much as Allie does." She took his hand, pulling him to the living room. "Let's get to know these sweet kitties."

Elizabeth dismissed her students at the end of the day, then set about preparing the classroom for the following morning. As she was finishing the next day's lesson on the blackboard, she heard footsteps entering the schoolhouse. She placed the chalk in its spot and turned, wiping her hands against each other. "How can I help…?"

Her voice trailed off and a smile filled its place as she saw Nathan walking toward her. "Nathan!"

"Good afternoon, Elizabeth," he said, coming to a stop a few feet from her. He extended his hand, revealing a shiny red apple resting there. "For my favorite teacher."

She chuckled, accepting the gift and placing it on her desk. She turned shining eyes on him. "You know, usually someone only brings a teacher an apple when they're trying to bribe her with something."

Nathan placed a hand over his heart in mock horror. "Bribe a public figure? I could get locked up for that!"

Elizabeth laughed. The look on his face was so comical, it took her a few moments to compose herself. "I suppose I could eat the evidence and no one would be the wiser."

Nathan grinned. "Excellent. Now, about that bribe…"

Raising a brow, Elizabeth placed a hand on her hip and waited for him to continue. He held up a finger, indicating that she wait, then went back to the door. When he returned, he had a basket slung over his arm. "I had Abigail pack some of her famous spaghetti and meatballs," he said, holding it up. "Along with some cranberry orange scones." His look became endearingly shy. "That is, if you're open to sharing a meal with me."

Touched by his ability to go from playful to humble in a matter of moments, Elizabeth placed a hand on his arm. "I would love to," she said softly.

A happy smile lit Nathan's face. He placed the basket on the table. "Wonderful." Pulling a blanket from the basket, he spread it over the floor in front of Elizabeth's desk.

She stared. "What are you doing?"

He glanced at her. "Setting up."

She unconsciously glanced around the room. "In here?"

He nodded, suddenly looking uncertain. "Is that alright?"

Elizabeth nodded immediately, kneeling beside him and placing a hand on his shoulder. "Of course it is, Nathan. I was just surprised." A smile worked its way onto her face. "I've never had someone ask me to dinner in the schoolhouse before."

Nathan's features relaxed. He leaned forward, placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, then started unpacking the basket. "So you're saying this is an original date?" he asked, his tone light and good-natured.

Elizabeth began helping him. "Yes, this is definitely original," she responded. Her mouth watered at the smell of Abigail's spaghetti. "Mmm. This smells delicious."

"I've not had it before," Nathan admitted. He shot her a smile. "You know how predictable I am with my orders at the cafe."

She chuckled. "That I do. Does this mean you're branching out?"

His look was warm as he gazed into her eyes. "I've had some inspiration for doing so," he murmured.

Butterflies hit Elizabeth's insides hard. She gasped audibly at the sensation, placing a hand over her stomach. Nathan's eyes traveled there before looking back up at her, his crooked smile stretched across his face. Elizabeth had a feeling he knew exactly the effect he was having on her. She looked down, blushing lightly. Searching her brain for something to say, she uttered the first words that came to mind.

"How is business?" Since she was studiously avoiding his gaze, she heard rather than saw the smile on his face as he spoke.

"Good," he replied. "I have orders coming in daily. There was even one from a wealthy businessman in Benson Hills. He ordered a dresser and wardrobe for his wife's Christmas present. I'll have to make that one a priority to get it done in time, but I think it can be done. I'm excited about that, actually. It's a very detailed order, one that will allow me to stretch my creative muscles."

Elizabeth did look at him then. His face was glowing. The excitement he felt was emanating from him, telling Elizabeth exactly how much he loved woodworking. After they said a blessing over their meal, she watched him thoughtfully while taking her first bite of spaghetti. Swallowing, she placed her fork on her plate. "You're truly happy with what you do," she commented. It wasn't a question. She was simply stating a fact.

Nathan nodded. "I do," he agreed. "There was a time I wondered if I would ever be able to pursue my dream. Now that I'm living it, I'm happier than I've been in a long time." He reached out, capturing Elizabeth's hand in his. "But I'm not just happy because of the job. I'm happy because you didn't give up on us. You chased me down even when I was stubborn." He squeezed her hand before letting go, though his eyes remained locked on hers. "Thank you for fighting for us, Elizabeth. I would have run from love if you hadn't pounced on me that day in my shop."

Elizabeth blushed furiously, even as butterflies continued to flit through her at his short but sincere speech. "Pounced?" she asked, her cheeks turning even darker. "I wouldn't exactly say I 'pounced'."

Raising a brow, Nathan looked at her in amusement. "No? What would you call it then?"

Stuttering, Elizabeth tried to find a word that sounded more dignified. "Persuaded?" she ventured finally, glancing up at him with her face burning.

Nathan laughed. "Semantics," he teased, winking at her. "But whatever it was, it worked." His face slowly went from playful to serious. "Semantics aside, thank you for not giving up," he said softly. He lifted his hand, placing it against her cheek. Elizabeth was sure he could feel the heat still residing there, but she leaned into his touch anyway. Nathan's eyes were tender and genuine as he gazed at her. "I love you," he murmured, his thumb lightly brushing against her chin.

She melted, her lips curving up into a gentle smile. "I love you too." She didn't think she would ever tire of saying those words to him, nor would she tire of hearing them.

Their eyes continued to communicate their feelings, blue looking into blue, until Nathan finally let his hand fall to his side.

"I suppose we should eat," he said, though he made no move to lift his fork.

Elizabeth laughed quietly. "I suppose so." She let herself continue to drink in the look of love on his face, though she responded to his words. "Abigail makes the best spaghetti in town."

"I'm sure she does," Nathan replied. "She's renowned for her delicious food. Though honestly, I could sit here for hours and just look at you."

Color crept into her cheeks again, but she didn't look away. "That's very sweet. The feeling is mutual, by the way. You have a very handsome face."

It was his turn to blush, which lent him an innocence that Elizabeth found endearing. He suddenly seemed to find his plate fascinating. "Shall we eat?"

She chuckled. "Yes."

They turned to their food, sharing conversation and laughter as they always did with their meals together. Elizabeth felt entirely relaxed with Nathan. She was happy and content, two feelings she never would have thought to experience again a mere nine months after Jack's death. Now as she sat in the school he built, with the man he had befriended in the North, the man who was her second love, Elizabeth silently thanked Jack for the part he had played in bringing her and Nathan together.

It was his final, great gift to her.