Elizabeth, Sophie and Rosemary finished their breakfast about an hour after Jack Jr. and Lee left. Elizabeth helped Sophie get ready for the day. They were going to tour Hope Valley and then go to the Strawberry Festival. As Elizabeth was getting Sophie ready, she was telling Sophie that they were going to see the town where Elizabeth and Grandpa Jack fell in love. Sophie loved hearing about Grandpa Jack. Elizabeth did too. She would talk about Grandpa Lucas once in a while. Elizabeth knew Sophie liked hearing about Grandpa Jack and Grandma Elizabeth because it sounded more like a fairytale, where as her love story with Lucas is filled with happiness, sadness and grief. Elizabeth wanted Sophie to hold onto fairytale love as long as she could.

Once Elizabeth got Sophie ready, she got herself ready. Elizabeth looked in the mirror. She looked a lot different from when she first arrived in Hope Valley. She dyed her hair but there was still gray hairs. Her face had a wrinkles. She remembered a conversation she had with Jack. She had asked him if he would still love her when she was old and wrinkled. He laughed and told her of course he would still love her. He said that wrinkles showed a life well lived and that when he would look at them, he would see the life they shared together. Elizabeth smiled and a tear ran down her cheek. Elizabeth wiped away the tear and composed herself.

Elizabeth Sophie and Rosemary got into the car and Rosemary drove off. While driving, Rosemary told Elizabeth the updates made to Hope Valley.

"After the railroad was put in, people from all over flocked to Hope Valley. As the more people came, we had to expand. There were so many people who were affected by the depression that they were looking for work. Lee's business boomed. He hired more people. Those people built homes and lived in them. The town started recovering from the depression and the town decided to let more investors invest in Hope Valley. There were some of us who wanted to keep the town as a small town and there were others who wanted to move forward. It was decided that the town council would vote on who could invest in Hope Valley."

Rosemary pointed along the strip.

"We call this the new Hope Valley. We allowed a movie theatre, a post office, a hardware store, restaurants and small clothing boutiques to be built. Roads and streets were built to accommodate the number of people and families. Now, we're heading towards what is known as old Hope Valley. There is the saloon which was turned into a community center"

Elizabeth pointed for Sophie

"Look Sophie, that is where I first met Grandpa Jack"

Sophie looked out the window in amazement. Elizabeth and Rosemary smiled. This is the Hope Valley that Elizabeth remembered. Ned's mercantile was still there. The Mountie office was there but was given a makeover. Some of the shops were boarded up, which made Elizabeth sad. But the sadness was only brief when she saw Abigail's Café was still in business.

Rosemary drove all the way to the end of the street where the courthouse was located.

"And this is the town's pride and joy. A lot of time and money was put into this courthouse. As the town grew, so did the town. After Bill passed away, we needed a new Judge and Nathan was perfect for the job. Speaking of Judges, over there is Judge Grant's office." Rosemary gave a coy smile to Elizabeth.

"I don't want to bother him" Elizabeth told Rosemary

"He would love to see you and it wouldn't bother you at all. Sophie, how would you like to go to the candy shop we saw and get some candy for later" Rosemary asked Sophie

Sophie nodded her head in agreement. Elizabeth knew she couldn't get out of this. Elizabeth sighed.

"Okay. But only 10 minutes"

Rosemary squealed "We'll be back in 10 minutes"

Elizabeth got out of the car and waved goodbye to Sophie. Rosemary drove off. Elizabeth headed towards Nathan's office. Elizabeth was quite nervous about seeing Nathan after so long. Would he recognize her? What will his reaction be? Suddenly, Elizabeth remembered this was Nathan. Her pen pal, her confident, her friend. Though she wasn't comfortable about the word friend. Nathan wasn't just a friend. He wasn't some platonic friend who she never crossed her mind. Lately, he crossed her mind a lot. Maybe it was because she was coming back to Hope Valley or maybe something else. Elizabeth didn't want to analyze her thoughts any further. Elizabeth went through the door that had the word Judge over it. There was no one at the reception desk but saw an office door open in the back. Elizabeth approached the door and knocked on it.

"Come in" Nathan said. Elizabeth got a chill down her spine. It had been quite some time since she heard his voice. She walked into the office. Nathan looked up. A smile started to form on his face. It seemed like Nathan didn't change a bit. He still had his crooked smile. He had few wrinkles and his hair was salt and peppered around the sideburns. He still had a full head of hair.

"Elizabeth "Nathan smiled

"Hello Nathan" Elizabeth smiled back

Nathan got up from his desk and went over to Elizabeth. They hugged. Elizabeth remembered how Nathan's hugs were so comforting. Elizabeth couldn't but help notice but he smelled like Cinnamon, which made her feel at home. After the embrace, Nathan looked at Elizabeth.

"You haven't changed at all."

Elizabeth blushed "Sure, except for the wrinkles and gray hair"

"You looked just as pretty as the first time I saw you" Nathan said

Elizabeth blushed again

"Why don't we have a seat" Nathan said motioning. Elizabeth sat on the couch and he was on the love seat that was located across from the couch

"I'm sorry that I couldn't make your party yesterday." Nathan said

"It's fine. I saw Allie and she told me that you had been going to law school these past few years"

"Yes I have. After I found out that I couldn't be a Judge without a degree, I signed up for law school. After Sarah passed, I knew she would want me to do this, so I did." Nathan said with a smile

"I'm proud and impressed by you Nathan." Elizabeth smiled

As they were smiling at each other, a knock came on the door.

"Pardon the interruption sir, but there is Mountie here needing for you to sign a warrant" His assistant told Nathan

"Okay. I'll be with him in a few minutes" Nathan told his assistant. The assistant nodded her head and left the room

Elizabeth rose from the couch.

"I better get going. Rosemary and my Granddaughter are waiting for me. We are going to the Strawberry festival. Will you be joining the festival?" Elizabeth asked Nathan

"I can't. I have court and other paperwork to do. I'm sad because I love the festival. Such a great tradition." Nathan told Elizabeth

"My Granddaughter is excited for it and so am I"

"You both have fun" Nathan told Elizabeth

As Elizabeth was walking toward the door, Nathan asked Elizabeth a question.

"Elizabeth, before you go would you like to have dinner with me tonight? At Abigail's café, I kind of own it now"

"So you're the silent partner?" Elizabeth teased

"I don't think I could be any other kind of partner" Nathan teased back.

"Elizabeth thought for a moment. "Yes Nathan, I would love to have dinner with you tonight"

"Great. I will pick you up around 7:00 tonight?"

"Perfect" Elizabeth smiled

Nathan smiled and got closer to Elizabeth. He took her hand and told her:

"I think your wrinkles are beautiful. They tell a story about you and I can't wait to hear them"

Elizabeth looked Nathan in the eyes. "Thank you. I'll see you tonight" Elizabeth whispered

Elizabeth left the office. Elizabeth saw the local newspaper laying on the assistant's desk. She took it from the desk and started fanning herself with it.