Hi guys, I know I have been missing in action…I have had a lot going on and it is only recently that I reconnected with writing. My apologies in advance if this chapter is a little on the slower side for how we left the last one, but it will pick up in the consequent chapters.
The characters belong to the creators of the show. And now that I know Henry is probably in touch with Abigail, I, too, have hope…a little more than usual .
I also apologise to those who do not ship Henrigail. These are just my thoughts and imagination. For the rest of us on this ship, the adventures shall remain…
"Welcome back Abigail!" Elizabeth exclaimed as she ran to hug Abigail. Abigail welcomed that hug with a tighter grip on Elizabeth. As they separated, Abigail sighed, and Elizabeth looked at her closely. "Would you like to talk?" She asked Abigail.
"Yes…" Abigail whispered slowly as she nodded. "But later. I need some time to finish things up at the restaurant and to gather my thoughts too." She continued.
"I understand. Whenever you are ready." Elizabeth replied and gave Abigail a reassuring smile.
"Abigail!" Bill called as he joined Elizabeth and Abigail at the restaurant porch.
"Bill…" Abigail replied.
"Good to see you again!" Bill said and smiled widely at the two women.
"Yes, it's good to be back! How was the restaurant while I was away?" Abigail asked.
"Oh, it was wonderful! Take some rest and we can talk about it later. You seem tired." Bill noted.
"Yes, it has been a long and hard journey." Abigail said and bill nodded.
"In that case, I will let you rest, and we can talk about the restaurant tomorrow." He said, smiling.
"Thank you, Bill." Abigail said appreciatively as Bill walked away. Elizabeth turned to look at Abigail again.
"Are you alright?" she asked Abigail. Abigail nodded slowly and looked down sadly. "Do you want to talk about it?" She asked Abigail.
"Not now…I have a lot on my mind. I need to clear my thoughts before I say anything." She said and Elizabeth blinked at that as she nodded. With that, Abigail excused herself to go to her house. Elizabeth was left there staring at the place where Abigail stood.
"Mrs. Thornton!" shouted Cody from afar. Elizabeth smiled widely as she recognized the voice. She turned around to see Cody, running towards her. She opened her arms wide as he ran right into her hug. She hugged his tightly and let go only a few seconds later. They sat down on the porch as Cody excitedly relayed to Elizabeth how his training went and the other boys he met during his training. He was also appreciative of Elizabeth's help in helping him go to that training school. Elizabeth was as proud as a peacock when she heard of his experiences.
"I am so happy for you, Cody…" Elizabeth said gently.
"Thank you, Mrs. Thornton." He replied and glanced away thoughtfully.
"What are you thinking about?" Elizabeth asked.
"Uhm…well, there is something I need to say about mom." He spoke.
"Sure, what is it Cody?" Elizabeth asked gently as she lowered her head to his level.
"I think she is unhappy." Cody replied.
"Why do you think that?" Elizabeth urged him on.
"May I please share something with you, and you promise not to tell mom that I said all this?"
"Of course, you can my dear. What is bothering you?" she asked.
"I think mom has been unhappy for a long time." Cody said.
"Why do you think that is?" She asked him.
"I think it is because of Mr. Gowen." He said and that caught Elizabeth's attention.
"Have you spoken to your mom about it?" Elizabeth asked.
"I tried but she said she was alright." Cody said and Elizabeth smiled at him.
"Do you know what a lovely and caring boy you are?" She said and Cody's cheeks turned rosy. Elizabeth realized that he was becoming shy and she laughed lightly. "Sweetheart, I know you care for your mom and love her very much. She will feel better very soon, Cody. I promise. I will speak to her."
"You would?" Cody asked and Elizabeth nodded with a smile. Cody smiled back at her and hugged her gratefully. "Thank you", he said and excused himself to go and play with his friends. Elizabeth looked at him as he disappeared out of her sight. She sighed and pursed her lips. She needed to speak to Abigail as soon as possible. She was worried for her friend.
THREE DAYS LATER
"Elizabeth!" Rosemary called out to her as Elizabeth was passing by the restaurant that evening.
"Hi Rosemary" Elizabeth replied as she walked towards her.
"How are you? And how is little Jack?" She asked.
"Oh, he is fine, thank you. He is getting cheekier by the day!" Elizabeth said and Rosemary chuckled at that. "Where is Abigail?" She asked.
"She is at the restaurant. They are having a peculiarly busy day today!" She said as she turned around and saw both Bill and Abigail running around, helped by Clara.
"I think I will help her out. Do you want to join in?" Elizabeth asked.
"Oh, I was helping till now. Lee needs me at home, so I am going there right now. I will get back as soon as I can" Rosemary replied and squeezed Elizabeth's hands and left in a hurry.
Elizabeth walked into the restaurant and true to Rosemary's word, it was buzzing with loud voices and laughter. She immediately got into the kitchen and helped. Abigail muttered a "thank you for your help" every so often. They rushed between the diners and between the pots and pans and they finally managed to get all the orders out and on time. They cleaned up after the last of the diners and they both collapsed on the chairs in the restaurant. Elizabeth offered to make tea after they had their dinner too and Abigail gratefully accepted her offer. Elizabeth momentarily came out of the kitchen with a pot of tea and a couple of cups.
"Ah, that feels lovely!" Abigail said as she sipped some tea. It was a cold and particularly breezy night and a cup of hot tea helped.
"That was a very busy evening I must say!" Elizabeth explained. Abigail nodded as she rubbed her neck. It felt stiff. "Did Rosemary return?" She asked.
"No, but she did send over Florence with a message that Lee unfortunately caught a cold and that she was nursing him back to health, so she wouldn't be able to come over." Abigail said quietly.
"Oh, poor Lee!" Elizabeth said.
"She did help quite a lot earlier on and that was truly appreciated." Abigail said and Elizabeth nodded understandably.
"So, how are you doing?" Elizabeth asked and looked at Abigail closely.
"Exhausted." Abigail said and laughed.
"No, I meant to ask how your trip was to Hamilton." Elizabeth said.
"Ah, that." Abigail said and sat up to look at her gravely.
"Are you alright?" Elizabeth asked.
"I am." She replied, pausing a little to think of where to start. "I met Henry." She said.
"How is he?" Elizabeth asked gently.
"He is fine." She said and sighed. "He is…it was really good to see him. I felt something that I haven't felt in a long time Elizabeth. And the feeling is scary."
"What did you feel?" Elizabeth asked.
"Like I was attracted to him. His touch made my heart…flutter!" Abigail exclaimed and Elizabeth laughed at that.
"That is a beautiful feeling, Abigail." Elizabeth said as she smiled at her friend. "But how do you feel about a possible relationship with him?" She asked.
"I love being with him Elizabeth. He makes me feel loved and respected and trusted. When I am with him, I feel valued and cared for." She said and Elizabeth nodded at her.
"Why do you have doubts then?" Elizabeth asked. Abigail was surprised how well Elizabeth knew her.
"This is an excessively big change in my life Elizabeth. I have been unattached all these years, managing a restaurant and the children…where does he fall in in my life?" Abigail quizzed.
"Abigail, at every step of the way, we will love a person in our lives. It could be anyone, a sister, a brother, a friend even. However, our love for one of those persons will not overshadow our love for another person in our life. You love the children, you love the restaurant, you love hope valley…" Elizabeth said.
"And I still love Noah." Abigail pressed on.
"And that will not change, ever. Even with Henry in your life." Elizabeth urged.
"No Elizabeth. That changes everything. Noah is my one true love." Abigail said.
"Abigail, I know it's hard for you to forget Noah. Trust me, I know…" Elizabeth said, clutching her locket with Jack's photo in it. "I do not ask that you forget about him. I only say that not many people get a second chance at love. You are lucky." She said, her eyes glistening with tears.
"I do not know how I feel about having another relationship again." Abigail said.
"I understand. You should take as much time as you'd like." Elizabeth said.
"And I will." Abigail said.
"On what note did you bid adieu to Henry?" Elizabeth asked.
"On a possibility of reconnection when I am ready." Abigail said.
"That is kind of him to give you time." Elizabeth said and Abigail nodded.
"Yes," Abigail responded. "However, whenever I think of him, I see Noah's face. I love him, Elizabeth. I still do."
"I understand." Elizabeth said gently. "Do think well about it. And you have time to think about it, so do think about it long."
"I will." Abigail said and sighed. Her eyes looked tired. Elizabeth noticed.
"I think you should rest now, and I should go. I requested Faith to watch over little Jack while I am gone." Elizabeth announced.
"Alright Elizabeth. Thank you very much for your help! I really needed it tonight." Abigail said and hugged Elizabeth on her way out.
"Oh, that's what friends are for!" Elizabeth chirped as she walked out of the restaurant. "I'll see you tomorrow!" she said.
"Goodnight!" Abigail said and gently closed the door to her restaurant. She then took the stairs up to her house. Cody was tucked in already and half asleep. She checked in on him in his room, gently kissed his forehead and walked into her room. She changed into her night clothes and as she opened her cupboard to put in her clothes, her eyes fell on a piece of paper. She opened it and took in a deep breath, clutched it in her hands but then decided to tuck it away in her jewelry box at the back of the cupboard. She gently closed the door to the cupboard and slowly walked to her bed.
Abigail slipped in seamlessly and put her head gently on the pillow. Her bedside lamp was switched on. She lay straight, looking up at the ceiling and after a few minutes, she turned towards her bedside table. On it were two photo frames. One had Cody and Rebecca in it, and one had Noah and Peter and herself. She ran her fingers on the second photograph and felt her eyes sting a little as tears formed in them. She wiped them gently and sniffled before the tiredness took her over and her eyes closed in deep sleep.
MEANWHILE IN HAMILTON
Henry walked into a local store near his workplace.
"Gowen!" called out a scruffy voice of the storekeeper.
"Mr. Charles! How are you today?" Henry responded and removed his hat as he walked towards the counter.
"Never better!" Mr. Charles said as he let out a chesty cough. Henry grimaced at that.
"You ought to get that checked with the doctor." Henry said as he leaned over to the counter.
"Oh in due course…" Mr. Charles said as he looked at Henry, expecting him to state the usual.
"The sooner the better." Henry said and Mr. Charles smiled at him warmly. "Any mail for me?" Henry asked, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
"None, son." Mr. Charles said. Henry's eyes fell ever so slightly in pain. It did not go unnoticed by Mr. Charles. "Perhaps you should write first?" he said, closely looking at Henry's face. Henry smiled at him lightly.
Mr. Charles did not know who it was that Henry expected to hear from, but he knew it was someone very important to him.
"Thank you, Mr. Charles." Henry said as he started walking away.
"Do you need more paper?" Mr. Charles asked him instinctively.
"No, thank you. I do have some at the house." Henry said politely and excused himself. He walked out of the store and walked on the street. It was very cold and Henry put his hands in his pockets to warm them. His coat collar scraped on his neck as he tried to straighten it without his hands. It was a bad idea to not wear a scarf. It was a particularly cold day.
He walked into his office building and towards his desk.
"Henry!" someone called out to him and he turned behind to look at a short chubby man running towards him.
"Mr. Garland!" Henry replied as he waited for the man to stop near him, huffing and puffing. "Are you alright?" Henry asked, putting his hand on his shoulder.
"Yes! Mr. Andrews is asking for you." He told Henry.
"Thank you, I will go and see him." Henry said while Mr. Garland ran again towards the opposite direction. Henry smiled lightly and made his way to Mr. Andrews' office and knocked on the door.
"Come in!" came a voice from inside. Henry walked in. "Ah! Good morning Henry!" called the huge man from his seat.
"Good morning to you too Mr. Andrews." Henry replied.
"Now, Henry, I have a wedding to attend in Ancaster this weekend. Do you remember Mr. Sinclair from The Great Northern Oil Company?" He started.
"Yes, we have been waiting for an appointment with him for a while now." Henry said as he straightened up.
"That's right. I have confirmed news that he shall be a guest at the wedding in Ancaster." Mr. Andrews said pensively.
"That is wonderful news! You could try and pitch him our idea…" Henry started.
"I would like you to accompany me to that wedding." Mr. Andrews said.
"Oh…I am not too sure of that! I do not know anyone in Ancaster." Henry sounded unsure.
"Do not worry about that. My niece is getting married and you shall be my guest." He replied. "I hope you are not occupied otherwise.
"No I am not. However, since you are the president of the company..." Henry started.
"You know this project more than I do." Mr. Andrews interrupted. "It would be best that we are both around to do the pitching." Henry nodded at that.
"We leave on Friday morning. The wedding shall take place on Saturday and Sunday. We shall return on Monday." Mr. Andrews announced with a smile.
"Alright, I will be ready by then." Henry said and Mr. Andrews smiled.
"You are the best we have got in this company, Henry. I trust you fully with this project." Mr. Andrews said, and Henry thanked him for the compliment. "This is a good opportunity for us. Let us try and make this successful." Mr. Andrews said.
"I will do my best." Henry said and left his office.
As Henry sat in on his chair, he thought hard about the project that had been entrusted with him. The Oil company for which he worked is looking for a partnership with Mr. Sinclair's company that would establish them to be the most successful oil company in the East. As he stared long and hard at the file that lay on his desk about the project, he felt hopeful, a little more than usual.
