"How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard"

-A.A. Milne

Rosemary hummed happily as she mashed the yams that were to be part of Little Jack's dinner. The rest of the meal was ready, just waiting to be served. She heard a clatter followed by laughter and looked over to see her husband sitting on the floor with a giggling Little Jack, looking at their now toppled over tower of wooden blocks. The happiness on both of their faces brought a smile to her face and a pang of sadness shooting through her heart. Rosemary didn't know if she and Lee would ever be parents to their own child, but if all they had was that sweet little boy in their lives, she knew they would always be truly blessed. They would cherish every moment.

A knock sounded and Rosemary knew that must be Nathan dropping Allie off before heading next door to Elizabeth's. She began to untie her apron as she walked to answer the door. A cheerful Allie and a fidgeting Nathan stood on the porch.

"Hello! Come in, come in!" Rosemary greeted in her ever enthusiastic way.

"Hi, Mrs. Coulter, Mr. Coulter," Allie replied, waving to both adults. Lee returned the welcome.

Allie walked inside but before another word could be said a sudden "Nay'en!" was shouted exuberantly. Little Jack was still unable to fully pronounce most names. Bill and Lee's were the only ones he could get right, but only because they were such simple names.

Rosemary turned to see a blonde-topped body rushing toward Nathan. The usually stoic Mountie's expression turned to one of joy as he dropped down to one knee so he could greet Little Jack at eye level. Little Jack threw himself into Nathan's welcoming arms, Nathan obviously familiar with a tiny body hurling itself at him. Rosemary smiled at the sweetness of it.

"New, New!" Little Jack shouted as he pulled back to look at Nathan's face.

New? New what? Rosemary asked herself. She had no idea what Little Jack was trying to say.

Nathan, however, did, because he smiled and said, "You want to pay another visit to Newton, Jack?"

"Horsey!" Ah, now it makes sense, she thought. Little Jack's face lit up like Christmas tree lights at the mention of the horse. He really did love them, just like his father.

"I'm sorry little man, but we'll have to go visit Newton tomorrow. He's already in bed for the night," Nathan told the little boy who then began to pout. "I promise I'll take you to see him tomorrow." Nathan's tone was so serious, it was as if he were swearing to tell the truth over a Bible for a trial. Little Jack was too young to understand that Nathan was not appeasing him with an empty promise. Rosemary, though, knew that Nathan would take Little Jack to see his horse if he had to walk through fire to fulfill the promise.

Rosemary was so happy for Elizabeth. She had finally made up her mind who she wanted in her life as a partner and was going to fully open her heart. Rosemary had been afraid that Elizabeth might not choose for the dual purpose of not hurting either man and protecting her heart. It was a subject that Rosemary and Lee had discussed extensively together, speculating who she would be happiest with, if she did choose. Lee had been under the impression that Lucas would be the winner of Elizabeth's heart, but Rosemary had been sure it was Nathan. There was just something between them. Her certainty had wavered a bit after Elizabeth had gone to Union City with Lucas, but it seemed she was right all along. Internally, she smiled like the cat that got the canary.

Rosemary noted that Lee had stood up and was stacking the blocks neatly on the coffee table with Allie's help. He really would be a wonderful father, she thought wistfully and sighed quietly. She was pulled from her thoughts by a giggle. She saw that Nathan was making funny faces for Little Jack again. It was clear that he adored the little boy as much as he adored his mother. Little Jack clearly felt the same way, too. It warmed Rosemary's heart to know that Elizabeth and Little Jack were going to be in good hands—the same for Nathan and Allie—if the evening went as she thought it would.

With her usual flourish, Rosemary swept Little Jack up into her arms, earning another giggle, and said, "What do you say we get you your dinner, young man, so Nathan here won't be late for his own dinner?"

Nathan quickly stood, ducking his head to no doubt hide the pink infusing his cheeks. Lee tsked softly at her for embarrassing their newest friend, but winked at Rosemary when she looked over at him. She bit back a laugh. He was right, though, she shouldn't tease Nathan like that. The poor man already looked as skittish as an untamed horse. She noticed that Allie was grinning unabashedly. It was obvious she knew this night could be potentially life-changing for all involved and made no bones about how she wanted it to turn out.

Shuffling from foot to foot and avoiding looking at any one particular person, Nathan gave his thanks for her and Lee having Allie over and his wish that they have a pleasant evening. He told Allie he'd see her later, gave a small smile to Rosemary and Lee, and waved to Little Jack before turning and leaving. It was quiet for a few moments and then Lee said, "Well, I don't know about the rest of you," he grinned at the room's occupants and rubbed his hands together, "but I'm ready to eat! What do you say, shall we?"

Allie agreed eagerly and went to help Lee transfer the dishes from the stove top to the table while Rosemary situated Little Jack into his high chair. They chattered amiably and sat down to dinner.

Elizabeth checked over the table to make sure everything was in its proper place. She already knew it was, but it was something to do, helping to keep her nerves at bay. Taking another chance to smooth the tablecloth—which it didn't need—her attention was caught by the lack of rings on her left hand. It was a sight she wasn't used to. Granted, she'd only taken them off about half an hour or so ago, so it was reasonable that it would take her by surprise. She had taken a moment to go upstairs and unconsciously changed into her white blouse and blush-pink skirt she'd worn when she went to introduce herself to Nathan for the first time.

It had been when she was running her fingers through her hair when the sapphire stone of her engagement ring caught her attention. She had stared down at the rings that had been on her finger since the day she'd married Jack for several minutes. It would hurt to take them off, but she knew she couldn't wear Jack's rings while she opened her heart to another. It would be disrespectful to both Jack and Nathan. As difficult as it was, a part of her had said goodbye to Jack in a manner she hadn't until that day. While it saddened her, she also realized how incredibly lucky she'd been to have experienced a love so deep with Jack that it made it so hard to say goodbye to him. Not everyone found that kind of love.

The small drawstring pouch that had once held her and Jack's wedding bands had been safely tucked away in the top drawer of her dresser since the day they had gotten married. She was glad she kept it because it could now safeguard the two pieces of jewelry that would always be dear to her heart. She'd lamented that the band would not have its mate. Not realizing that she'd been pregnant at the time of Jack's passing, Elizabeth had made the decision to bury him with his ring, intending to never take hers off. She regretted it now since he had a child they could've been passed down to, like they had been with him. She supposed that a new ring could be made with the other half of the phrase, but it would be up to Little Jack if he wanted to use her band in the future. If he did, it would be waiting for him, safe and sound with her engagement ring.

The thought of Little Jack being grown up and making decisions about his wedding rings had almost made Elizabeth cry. He wasn't even two yet and she already felt her time with her baby boy was slipping away from her. She couldn't even categorize him as a 'baby' anymore, though. He was walking and talking and looking more and more like his father every day. Soon he would be riding horses, be a student in her classroom, deciding what his future held, and leaving her to start his own life. It felt far away and as if it would happen tomorrow at the same time. Elizabeth had chuckled when she'd realized a tear had dropped down her left cheek. She'd wiped it away and reminded herself that Little Jack, who would no doubt eventually want the 'Little' dropped from proceeding his name, was not leaving her yet.

Heaven help her, Elizabeth was so nervous that her whole body was slightly trembling. She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths to calm herself, and was immediately transported back in time. It was the night she was getting ready for her first official date with Jack that she imagined in her head and how she hadn't been able to stay still she was so nervous. She half expected to hear her sister's voice waxing on about true love and romance novels. The fond memory made her laugh and happened to be what calmed her. She might not have Julie or Abigail to help her with her nerves on this night, but she had a few years' worth of life experience, of joys and heartaches, to remind her she was doing the right thing. The risk she was taking was worth it.

There was a knock on the door and Elizabeth about jumped out of her skin she was so startled. Her anxiety returning with a vengeance, she took another deep breath and walked towards the door. Steeling her nerves, she opened the door. Nathan was standing there, his expression bordering on shy and wondering. She knew it had taken him by surprise when she'd asked him to come to dinner earlier, and he was probably unsure of what this dinner meant. She hoped it would be very clear in due time.

"Good evening, Nathan," she said with a wide smile, stepping back to allow him entry into her home. She noticed that he was wearing what he'd worn the night they had made amends after their disagreement, the night he'd told her she mattered to him. She was momentarily stunned by how handsome he was, something she'd fought against becoming aware of.

Nathan stepped inside and shyly proffered a bottle of red wine. "I hope this is all right. I don't know much about wine," he said sheepishly.

Elizabeth took it and assured him that it was perfect. Nathan removed his coat and hung it on her coat tree. Trying to keep the atmosphere from becoming too awkward, she walked over to the table. Nathan followed. She handed the wine bottle back to him along with a corkscrew and asked if he would open it while she served the food. He performed the request immediately. They worked in silence, her serving dinner and him pouring the wine. She was happy that there didn't seem to be any discomfort between them. They sat, Elizabeth said a short prayer, and they began to eat after sharing timid smiles. The conversation flowed easily. They spoke of Allie, Elizabeth's book, how fast Little Jack was growing, all the new words he was trying to learn, how wonderful it was that Lee was okay after his accident. It was comfortable and something Elizabeth could see happening every night, only enhanced by Allie and Little Jack's addition to the conversation.

Stop it, Elizabeth mentally chastised herself. She had to remind herself that there was always the possibility that Nathan didn't want to be in her life like that. Even though he'd told her she mattered to him, it didn't necessarily mean he loved her and wanted to share a life with her. It was entirely possible that she'd hurt him too much with her outing with Lucas and he only wanted to be friends. The thought almost made her sick to her stomach. What if she was too late?