Elizabeth loved being Elizabeth Grant. Elizabeth loved being married to Nathan. She had never laughed or loved so much in her life. Every day she was learning something new about Nathan. She learned after one night of swing dancing that he was a great dancer. She watched Nathan during one of his trials as a Judge and learned that he really loved being a Judge. But what she learned most about him is how much he loved her. There would be times where she would fall asleep on the couch and he would carry her to bed. On Valentine's Day, he set up a romantic horse ride that led to a tent set up with rose pedals leading to a dinner. But she knew that he really loved her when he agreed that for those 3 months of leave, they would travel throughout Canada and give educational curriculum to towns that had little to no education structure. Nathan told her that they could stay in a rusty run down shack as long as they were together for those three months. Elizabeth's knew her life was beautiful.
As happy as Elizabeth was, she knew that Jack Jr. was not happy. He didn't say anything but she knew her son. Elizabeth knew that he was trying to redeem himself for Andrew's death. When he pulled out of Lucas's inheritance, she was given notice. She didn't say anything to him. Later, she found out that the Andrew Guff Memorial was going to be built by anonymous donation. Elizabeth knew that her son had donated the money but didn't say anything to him. She also knew that he was upset because Katherine had been seen around town with Peter Waltz. Peter Waltz was a lot like Lucas Bouchard. He had a lot of money and used that to his advantage. Elizabeth couldn't judge Katherine because she had fallen for Lucas that way.
The day before the park was to open to the public, Elizabeth and Nathan took Sophie and Nate to the library. One activity that Nathan and Elizabeth liked to do was read a book together and discuss each chapter. And since Sophie was such a vicarious reader, she loved the library. While they were at the library, Elizabeth saw Katherine near the entrance. She was looking at a picture of Lucas Bouchard. Even though the library has expanded from its one room days, Lucas was the one who gave the town its first library. There is a picture of Lucas. Apparently, after Lucas had passed, Nathan was the one who encouraged the library to put up his picture. Nathan told her that he wanted to bury the hatchet with Lucas and he did give the building for a library which did benefit Hope Valley so Nathan lobbied for a picture to be put up for him.
Elizabeth walked over to the Katherine.
"Hello" Elizabeth said
Katherine turned toward Elizabeth "Hello Elizabeth"
After a moment of silence, Katherine asked Elizabeth a question.
"Is this your late husband?" Katherine asked
"Yes. My second late husband, Lucas" Elizabeth said
"He was quite the charmer." Elizabeth said
Katherine laughed "You seem a little irritated by that fact"
"It was a quality I liked when he used it on me but not on other people."
"Oh" Katherine said quietly.
"But I do have to thank him. He helped move on." Elizabeth said
Katherine nodded her head "From Jack Sr., right?"
Elizabeth shook her head. "No. Nathan helped me with that. He helped move on in my life. When we were first courting, it was so magical. He had money and with that came expensive gifts and extravagant grand gestures. I loved the gifts and grand gestures that I thought that meant I love Lucas. Once we were married, the grand gestures and gifts died down. And then it was just Lucas and I. And I realized that my love for him was more of a sibling type of love. I thought as the years went by, that I would eventually fall in love with him. I do love Lucas but not in the way I love Nathan. Jack Sr. was my first great love. I thought you only get those once and who was I to have two great loves in my life? Lucas was just moving on. I try not to have regrets in my life but sometimes I wish I could do things differently."
Katherine had tears in her eyes. Elizabeth put her arm around her.
"You deserve a second true love Katherine. Don't just move on. Do you understand?" Elizabeth said
Katherine nodded her head. After a few minutes, Katherine composed herself and thanked Elizabeth for her help.
Nathan saw Elizabeth and walked over to her with Sophie and Nate in tow.
"I found a couple of books we might like and Sophie found some books for herself and Nate" Nathan said
"Sounds great. Once they were out of the library, she gave Nathan a passionate kiss.
Nathan was stunned. "What was that for?" Nathan asked
"Just because I love you" Elizabeth answered
"That's a good answer. Maybe when we have some alone time I can show you how much I love you." Nathan said with a wink.
"Nathan!" Not in front of children" Elizabeth said
"Right. Sorry!" Nathan said with a wink.
They walked hand and hand back to the house with the kids in tow.
