Late Summer 1919
"What a beautiful view." Nathan mused out loud to himself and Newton, his trusty stead. Sometimes Nathan couldn't help himself, he just had to stop for a moment and take in all of God's Grace and Beauty. It was a time he took for just himself. To reflect upon his many blessings. He was so lucky to have Allie in his life. His daughter meant the world to him. How lucky he counted himself that now he could indeed call Allie his daughter! It had been almost a year now since he had finally been able to adopt his niece and make her his daughter officially.
Nathan was so thankful that circumstances had brought them to Hope Valley. It was a beautiful and close knit community of wonderful people. Nathan had long dreamed of finding a place just like this to raise Allie. However, as a Mountie he realized that finding a place long term would be a long shot. Especially a place like Hope Valley. Many of his assignments kept them moving from one place to another. He wanted to provide a better childhood for his Allie, even if that meant leaving the Mounties. It was something that weighed on his mind heavily during their time at Fort Clay. Before the incident. After the tragedy at Fort Clay that befell some of his comrades, Nathan beseeched God for answers. He was supposed to have had that assignment with the recruits. Nathan had been under a disciplinary action that kept him from being allowed to lead the group. The man who took his place had been killed. Why had God spared him his life but taken the life of a man who had just as much to live for? It was something Nathan, Constable Grant was having a hard time coming to terms with. When it was decided that Jack Thornton's post in Hope Valley would finally be filled Nathan knew what he had to do. He had taken this man from this community, from his family. In Nathan's mind there was only one thing he could do. Take the Post himself.
Nathan nudged Newton along. "Come on Newt, it's been a long day of rounds. Time to head back into town." It was now getting on to being early evening and soon the sun would be setting in the western sky. Nathan continued to take in the beauty of this place and count his blessings. He thought about all the memories he and Allie had made here in just over three, almost four years now. Could it really have been that long now? He thought to himself. Four years in Hope Valley? This place he realized had become one of his greatest joys. How could a place he and Allie loved so much also bring him so much sadness, and a sense of loss? He tried not to think about it. He had too many blessings in his life to worry about a broken heart, he chastised himself! Nathan was a stronger man than he gave himself credit for. He felt himself weak but he was not. He choose to stay in Hope Valley for Allie. Every morning as he faced another day in Hope Valley he wondered if he could do it. Could he walk out that door? Could he walk his little girl to school? Could he see her? The woman he loved and not want to touch her, embrace her, take her hand? Will she smile? Can I smile back and not be crushed into a million pieces?
Nathan shook his head free of the memories as he approached the hitching post in front of the Mountie Office. As he dismounted and hitched up Newton he noticed that the Dress Shop still seemed to be open and quite lively at the moment. He could just hear the laughter coming from the shop. Nathan smiled to himself, "Wonder what Rosemary is up to now?" He ask Newton. Rosemary was very busy as the editor in chief of the Valley Voice but always found time for the dress shop too. One never knew who may need Rosemary's expert advice!
Nathan hung up his hat and grabbed the clipboard from the wall. Making himself comfortable he began the mundane task of writing out the report of his rounds that day. When he finally hung the clip board back on the wall he realized how late it was getting. He grabbed his hat and started for the door. As he made his way out Bill approached. "Hey burning the midnight oil tonight?" Bill inquired. "It's not quite that late Bill, but yeah I guess time did get away from this evening. Now I just need to get home to Allie. I don't want her to worry." Oh Allie, I don't think she's home." Bill stated. "Why wouldn't she be at home Bill.?" Nathan ask with concern.
"Well I'm not sure what's going on at the dress shop this evening but as you can see there's a crowd over there...of women! Bill added." Nathan glanced in the direction of the shop, noticing the activity. Bill continued. "Earlier Allie came running past my office. I yelled at her from the open door. I told her to slow down, where was the fire! She hollered back the dress shop. "The dress shop?" Nathan mumbled quizzically. "OK I will go get her. We need to get home. Thanks for the heads up Bill." Bill watched as Nathan and Newton walked off in the direction of the dress shop.
"Oh that's hysterical", Florence laughed. When Rosemary composed herself she ask of Florence, okay now it's time for a funny story about Ned! And remember the younger ones here tonight." "Oh really Rosemary like I would ever!" Rosemary just smiled , cocked her head and pointed at Florence in warning.
"I can't believe you told that story!" Fiona exclaimed. But it is that time ladies. "We should have done this an hour ago! Okay Elizabeth it's time for your dress fitting and unveiling! And let me just say I am so happy and honored to be here. It is such a treat to be here for this. How kind of you Elizabeth to let us all be a part of this day!" Everyone agreed and raised a glass to Elizabeth, the Bride to be. "Honored! I'm the one who's honored! Thank you all for coming. You have been my friends for so many years now. You've been there for me always. All of you. In the happiest of times and in the worst moments of my life. And to my youngest friends here today. My students. Girl's, it means the world to me that you are here. You are every bit as important and I love each and everyone of you!" Elizabeth blotted at the tears escaping from her eyes, noticing as she did so one certain little girl crying just as much as she was. Allie swiped at the tears sliding down her cheeks with the back of her hand. When their tears were somewhat mopped away the two locked eyes and Elizabeth mouthed "I LOVE YOU ALLIE."
With speeches over Elizabeth was whisked away by Clara and Rosemary, who would help her don the dress that she would soon wear to marry Lucas Bouchard. The dress had to be spectacular. And it was. Even Elizabeth had never seen a dress so sparkly. The dress was the lightest of blushes. So blush you still may think it white. Lucas had secretly told Clara and Rosemary to buy whatever materials they needed, including the latest patterns from Paris. Elizabeth emerged from the dressing room to a room full of ….ooze's and awe's and then thunderous applause. Elizabeth spun around and took a bow! The ladies then rushed Elizabeth with hugs and kisses and congratulations.
The night was finally winding down. As the ladies left, each one congratulated Elizabeth once more wishing her and Lucas all the Best and saying how excited they were for a Christmas Wedding!
When everyone had left and Elizabeth was finally able to take a breath she noticed that Allie was still there. "Allie what's wrong? Why are you still here? Did you walk here by yourself?"
"Yes. I wasn't sure I wanted to come but then I decided if Opal, Anna, Emily, and the other girls were coming I might as well too. But they had already left." "I see." Elizabeth stated. "Are you okay though? Are you sad?" "Yes a little. But not for me. For my Uncle Nat...I mean for my Dad. He still loves you." Elizabeth wasn't quite sure how to respond. "Allie I know how much you care about and love your... Dad, but I'm sure he wouldn't want you to be sad for him.
"Excuse me Elizabeth, Clara interrupted. We need to finish getting that dress pinned and then Rosemary and I will help you get out of it. We'll be waiting for you in the back. Elizabeth smiled. She knew Clara was aware of what was going on. Elizabeth looked down at Allie once again. "I know you know that Allie, but I also realize that it's hard not to be sad when the people you love are sad." Allie shook her head in agreement. "That's why I'm sad too Allie. I love you, and if your sad I'm sad. Allie please know that no matter what I will always care about you." Elizabeth reached for Allie's hands. "Always remember that my sweet Allie. No matter what."
"Does your Dad know where you are." "Probably not." "Well I don't want you walking home by yourself. If you can wait just a little bit longer I will walk you home. Is that okay Allie?" Allie shrugged her shoulders and looked up at Elizabeth with a tentative smile but agreed to the arrangement.
"Elizabeth", Rosemary sing song-ed as she emerged from the back room. "Are you ready to finish getting this gown pinned up?" Rosemary, suddenly feeling a bit awkward as she took in the site in front of her, retreated back behind the curtain just out of site, but continued to peek through a space between the panels. "I love you too Mrs. Thornton. I'm sorry if I've not been very nice to you." Elizabeth, tears in her eyes pulled Allie into her arms. Oh Allie, you have nothing to feel sorry for. I know how protective you are of your Uncle. You love him."
"Mrs. Thornton", Allie questioned. "You said that because you love me you are sad when I'm sad. "Yes of course Allie!" "My Uncle is sad. Are you sad for him too? " Yes Allie I am sad if he's sad. I care about you both." "So...you love my Uncle too!?" Elizabeth could feel her heart sink to floor! "What can I say that won't hurt this precious child." Elizabeth panicked. All Elizabeth could think to say was the truth. "The truth shall set you free." Elizabeth quoted in her head. You can't go wrong with the truth. It was just between she and Allie anyway. Elizabeth looked down into Allie's imploring eyes. "Yes Allie. I love your Uncle Nathan."
Allie let go of a shriek as she caught sight of Nathan in the doorway. It had been a long day and this was the first she'd seen of her father since this morning. Elizabeth stood frozen. Not sure what to do. "Had Nathan heard that!?" she questioned herself. Not knowing what else to do she slowly turned towards Allie's Voice. Nathan mechanically released Allie from his embrace and took a step just inside the shop. Elizabeth! In a wedding gown! He could both hear and feel his heart beating out of his chest. At first all he could do was stand there frozen, taking in the beauty of the woman he still loved. He knew the ladies were up to something here at the shop. A party of some sort, but he never let his mind wander to the possibility of it being for Elizabeth. Let alone the fact that he would find her here...tonight, in her wedding gown. He swallowed down the lump in his throat as he realized Elizabeth was wearing this gown not for him, but for another man. She said she wasn't in love with him, but Nathan no longer believed that. In the year since Elizabeth said those words to him, he had come to the conclusion that Elizabeth was just not being true to herself. He knew she felt the same way has he did. And now he hears Elizabeth telling Allie she loves him. Again!
"Hi" said Nathan simply. I hope I'm not interrupting.
"No No. We're just finishing up Elizabeth assured."
"So what's going on?" Nathan ask of Allie, as he shifted a smiling gaze to Elizabeth.
"It's a dress fitting and wedding shower for Mrs. Thornton. She even invited all the girls in school!" She explained.
"Awe I see. Did all you ladies have a good time.?
"Yes. It was fun..."
"had a very nice..." both Elizabeth and Allie spoke up at once.
"Yeah it was so fun...Mrs. Coulter, Mrs. Yost, and some of the other women told funny stories about their husbands!
"Well that I can't wait to hear about!" Nathan Laughed. Turning his gaze back to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth and Nathan just stood for a moment lost in each others eyes. Not knowing what to do, not knowing what to say. Nathan couldn't help but think to himself how easy this could be. To summon Bill right now! Set this aright. Make Elizabeth Thornton his wife...his partner in life, forever! How Nathan wanted to pull her into his arms. Feel her breath beneath his ear...where the high collar of his serge ends. To look down into her woebegone eyes and get lost in them never to return. He knew it was wrong. To long for a woman who belonged to another man. "No! Not belong." Nathan thought to himself. Elizabeth Thornton could never belong to a man! She was her own person. She didn't need a man to thrive. That was one of the things Nathan loved most about Elizabeth.
"With me she would never have to lose herself in order to make me happy!" Nathan rationalized. But he wasn't so sure about her fiancé. Nathan knew he shouldn't stare, but Elizabeth was so beautiful in this gown and so within his reach.
"My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand...To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss."
Nathan almost chuckled to himself as the quote from Romeo and Juliet came to mind. (His sister had loved the play by the Bard.)
His lips were ready. "She's so close." Nathan reasoned to himself. How much he wanted to gently place his lips upon hers...To kiss her so tenderly but so passionately it left them both breathless and wanting more!
"I'm going outside, Dad. It's getting warm in here," Allie complained. "Are you coming?"
"I'm right behind you Allie." Nathan turned and smiled at Elizabeth with a signature Dad look.
As Allie headed for the door she noticed something on the floor. "Look Mrs. Thornton, it's your bouquet from the game we played earlier." Allie informed as she handed off the bouquet to Elizabeth. "You look so pretty Mrs. Thornton. Now you really look like a bride! Doesn't she Uncle Nathan?"
Nathan cleared his throat as Allie left the two of them standing there. "Yes." He whispered, but Allie was Already gone. Nathan lowered his head for a moment and when he had once again captured her gaze with his, he continued.
"Hmm, Elizabeth..." Nathan stammered. "I just want you to know I think you are Beautiful. You look beautiful...in that dress."
"Thank You Nathan." Elizabeth replied quietly. She knew this was hard for him and she didn't want to make it any harder. She still cared about him.
Nathan Smiled and reached for the door. "Oh Elizabeth, Lucas is a lucky man. I only want your happiness...always."
Nathan stepped out into the cool evening air and he took a deep breath. He meant every word he just said. But he also knew, that in that moment...Elizabeth's ultimate happiness lie with him.