Chapter One Hundred Nine: Introductions and Déjà Vu

Nathan drove home from Union City, with Elizabeth between him and Carson, in the front seat.

Since they were leaving earlier than the train, Carson decided to ride home with them.

But truth be told, he wanted to stay with the Baby and make sure his newest patient tolerated her traveling well. He had worked too long and too hard for anything to go wrong now!

Lee and Rosemary, along with Baby Violet, were riding in the back seat, as it was more comfortable and offered more room.

Surprisingly, Elizabeth and Nathan noticed Rosemary was just as quiet as on their trip down, which was almost a little disconcerting.

It certainly was a new persona for Rosemary!

She simply couldn't take her eyes off her Daughter, and neither could Lee.

When they finally arrived in Hope Valley, Nathan let Carson out at the Infirmary.

"Carson we would never have made it without you! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!" and Lee meant every single word, getting out to shake Carson's hand, then he just enveloped him in a big bear hug instead!

Rosemary rolled down her window and reached through to give Carson a kiss, "I know I was a horrible patient, and I'm so sorry. Sometimes, I just can't help it, but Carson, I'll love you forever for getting me through this and you getting Little Violet here. Thank you to the moon and back!"

"My pleasure, Rosemary. But, I do hope when we go through this again, you'll at least listen to me!"

"Again?" asked an aghast Rosemary. "Oh, of course. Now that I know the ropes, I solemnly do promise, Dr. Shepherd!"

Carson laughed, "Bring Little Violet by the Office, around 9 o'clock Monday morning."

"We'll be there Carson! And Carson, I really do love you! So does Violet!"

"I love you, too, Rosemary! Both of you! And I'm going to remind you of that the next time you get mad at me!"

After a very long and torturous ordeal, Doctor and Patient had made their peace.

When Lee climbed back in the car, he couldn't help remember, this was almost an exact re-enactment of when they brought Frederic home.

"You're thinking about Frederic, aren't you, Sweetheart?" asked Rosemary softly.

Lee nodded with tears in his eyes, "We are so very blessed, Rosemary!"

She took one hand away and placed it on Lee's hand, and nodded with tears falling down her cheeks.

"I have never been so happy in my entire life, Lee Coulter! We have both a Son and now a Daughter! All our dreams have come true…"

Well, you can imagine the commotion as people on the Boardwalk realized Rosemary was holding a baby!

"It's our Baby Girl!" yelled Lee. "Meet our Daughter, Violet Elyse Coulter!"

Everyone started shouting congratulations! Along with Welcomes for Violet. Then they all started clapping, mixed with more shouting!

Rosemary waved with her free arm and looked positively radiant, through her tears.

"Cigars tomorrow, for everyone!" announced Lee.

Nathan and Elizabeth went in first to prepare the Children for their Surprise.

They were instantly deluged with hugs and kisses from the three Children, along with hugs and kisses from Adeline too. And lots of tail wags and licks from Rex and Reggie!

'Bill's gone to get Dinner for everyone! He should be back any moment. And the Children did beautifully, by the way!"

"Thanks so very much Adeline, for you and Bill doing all this!" and Elizabeth hugged and kissed her once more.

"Oh, we had so much fun! Auntie AJ and Uncle Bill are the best!" bragged Allie, and that made Adeline so proud.

"Where's Mama and Papa, Uncle Nathan?" asked Frederic, anxiously.

"They're coming in just a minute, Frederic. Kids, Elizabeth and I need you all to sit down. We have something very important to tell you."

And Nathan continued…

"Frederic, your Mama, and Papa have a very special surprise for you, and for you too, Allie and Jack! We have presents, too, but this one is extra special!" explained Nathan. "Are you ready?"

"But you need to be really quiet. Can you do that?" asked Elizabeth.

All three Children nodded as Lee and Rosemary walked in with Baby Violet.

Frederic ran to Lee with wide eyes, "Is this my Baby, Mama?"

"This is your Baby, Frederic. Your little Sister, and her name is Violet!"

"Can I see, Papa?"

Allie and Jack ran to Rosemary to sneak a peek of the Baby, too.

"Let's let Rosemary sit down first, so she can get Violet situated. She's sleeping right now," explained Elizabeth.

The Children cleared enough space for their Mama and Auntie to do just that.

And as Lee sat down holding Frederic, next to Rosemary, Allie and Jack gathered round.

As well as Adeline.

"Oh, Rosemary, she's absolutely beautiful!" cried Adeline. "Can't wait to hear the details!"

But then Adeline noticed Elizabeth motioning toward the Children.

"Oh…we're just so happy she's here!" she quickly corrected herself.

"She's beautiful, Auntie Rosie!" bragged Allie. "I already love her!"

"Love her!" piped Jack.

"I love her, too, Mama! But, how did she get here?"

"God delivered her to us in Union City!" explained Rosemary, without missing a beat.

Although Elizabeth was not at all sure how long that explanation was going to work!

Nathan caught Elizabeth's glance, and winked, as he agreed.

"Oh, look, Violet opened her eyes!" whispered Allie.

And sure enough, they were wide open, as though she was looking at each Child.

Allie took her tiny hand, and Violet just cooed.

"I think she likes you, Allie!" said Rosemary softly. "She's your new Cousin, you know!"

"And Jack's too. But she's Frederic's Sister," added Allie. "Just like I'm Jack's Sister."

Elizabeth and Nathan smiled at each other on hearing that.

"Where did she get her little outfit, Auntie Rosie. And her blanket's so soft and beautiful," asked Allie, curiously.

"A very nice friend of your Dad's had his Staff to buy them for us and brought them to the Hotel!" and Rosemary smiled at Nathan in gratitude.

"She looks like you, Auntie Rosie!"

Rosemary just beamed and added, "Just like Frederic looks like Lee!"

"We can live with that, can't we Son?" teased Lee as he tickled his Son.

"Papa, you're funny!"

Then there was a knock, "What's all the commotion in town? Something about a new Baby Girl!"

It was Bill loaded down with hampers full of Dinner.

"Lee, congratulations! You, too, Frederic. Not every day a boy gets a Sister! Let me look at this Little Violet! Ah…she's a real beauty, Rosemary. A real tiny beauty! Welcome to the Family, Little One!"

"Oh, no, Lee! I just realized I have nothing for Violet at home. Absolutely nothing, Not even a bed!"

"Honey, we'll make it all work, I promise!"

"They don't need much at first, Rosemary, just milk and a lot of love. Nathan can bring Jack's bassinette for her to sleep in," offered Elizabeth.

"Why don't I go upstairs and get that now?" asked Nathan.

"That would be great, Darling. Thank you!"

"Need help, Nathan?" asked Bill.

"No thanks, Bill. It's not heavy at all!"

"You know, I think Rosie's awfully tired. If you all will excuse us, I think I'll take my Family home and pamper them a little!" suggested Lee. "Little Man, let's get you bundled up first!"

Both Adeline and Elizabeth understood.

The Coulters had just expanded their Family and they all needed to get acquainted with one another, privately.

Nathan came downstairs, "Why don't I just take this on over to your house, so you'll have it when you need it?"

"Perfect, Nathan. We're headed in that same direction."

"And I'll carry this hamper over, so you'll have your Dinner when you're ready for it!" added Bill.

"Bill, take Frederic's bag, too!" suggested Adeline.

You would have thought the Coulters were traveling to a home far away, the way Elizabeth and Adeline acted, but they knew it was best!

The new Family desperately needed some quality alone time together!

"Send Lee over, if you need anything at all. Even if it's just to help hold her! We'll be right there!" assured Elizabeth. "Rosemary, are you ready for this?"

"Surprisingly, I am! I just want to climb into my bed with my Little Boy and Baby Girl! Maybe take a quick nap!"

Adeline kissed her, "Of course, you do. Sounds heavenly! You go and enjoy your Family, but don't forget if you need us for anything, we'll be right there!"

"Oh, Frederic, here's your present to take with you, and don't forget Ollie!"

"Thanks, Auntie Beth!" Frederic was still having trouble saying Elizabeth, so they had come up with Auntie Beth as a short-term solution.

Nathan and Bill walked back into Elizabeth's rowhouse with delicious odors filling the air.

Adeline and Elizabeth had set out the spread of food: Fried Chicken & Milk Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, and the Children's favorite, Corn on the Cob! Bill had even added a Butterscotch Pie for Dessert, along with some of Allie's and Jack's favorite cookies! And some Mile-high Biscuits to go with that Skillet of Gravy he had made.

"Oh, this looks delicious, you two. Thank you so much!"

"Nathan, will you pray for us?"

And everyone gathered hands.

"Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for our safe journey and for the safe arrival of Little Violet Elyse. May you bless her throughout her life and bring her much joy. We thank you for the Children and our two Family members here who graciously stepped in for us and cared for them. We thank you also for their gift of delicious food. May you bless it to the nourishment of our bodies. Amen!"

"Amen!" "Men!"

"I'd ask how your trip went, but we've got a pretty good idea, given Rosemary's surprise!" summarized Bill.

"That did sort of eclipse everything else, as far as excitement goes, but thankfully, before Violet made her unexpected visit, we did get both sets of furniture and furnishings ordered. And they assure us everything will be here in plenty of time before our Parents arrive. Although, Adeline, you may have to help me put everything together!"

"Be happy to! Don't worry Elizabeth. We'll see that it all gets done!"

"Oh, Nathan, your Mother called yesterday when Aaron and I were in the Office. Nothing serious, but she said she needed to talk with you, and wanted you to give her a call."

"Did she say what it was about?"

"No, she didn't. She assured me everything was okay, and not to bother you. But, I'll admit, she did sound a little nervous."

"That's strange. Mother seldom gets nervous. Maybe I'll head to the office after we eat and give her a call."

"Aren't you two even gonna ask about Hope Valley's Weekend Pizza Nights? Since you gave me the idea?" asked Bill.

"How are your Pizza Nights going, Bill," asked Nathan, with a grin.

"Well, they've been total sell-outs both on Friday and Saturday Nights for both weekends! We're gonna have to start making Pizza at lunchtime now! Everyone's gone crazy for them! And Gustav is about to bust! Why, he even came in and ordered one, tryin' to figure out how to make it!"

"And of course, you did the Christian thing and helped him, right?" and Nathan pointedly looked in the direction of Allie and Jack.

"Yes, I did, I fixed him a really special one!"

"Uncle Bill, that was really nice of you to share with Mr. Gustav," complimented Allie.

"Why, thank you, Allie!"

Adeline just drew her hand to her face, because she had actually seen the 'special pizza' Bill had served him, as she had refused herself to do so, because of its, shall we say, very poor quality!

To change the subject, Elizabeth spoke up, "Bill, this might be your best Fried Chicken yet! But I could live on the Biscuits and Gravy."

"Special spices for the Fried Chicken Batter, and the Gravy, you just have to stir and stir and stir! But it's worth it in the end!"

"Dad, did you and Mrs. Thornton buy the furniture for our new house?" asked Allie.

"Yes, we did, Allie, and we got you a beautiful wardrobe that will work perfectly with your Mother's bedroom furniture!"

"And a desk, with a pretty chair in lavender to match your quilts, Allie! I wanted you to have your own comfortable place to study," explained Elizabeth.

"I'll love that. Thank you both! I can't wait to see them!"

"I have pictures I'll show you as soon as we finish eating!"

"May I see, too?" asked Adeline.

"Most definitely," smiled Elizabeth. "In fact, I'll show you all the furniture we selected. I have pictures and fabric samples!"

"Why don't we have Dessert in the Living Room? Especially since there are some gifts in there that need to be unwrapped!"

"More Art Supplies. This is great! Oh, and a new book on Queen Margherita of Italy. I love it! Thanks so much!" and Allie was truly thrilled.

But not more so than Jack, who was already busy placing his second set of Mounties around the Fort Bill and Adeline had given him. These Mounties technically were reconnaissance Mounties who went out on dangerous missions, although Jack was too little to understand that.

"Here, Adeline this is from the four of us for keeping the kids," explained Elizabeth. "We bought it at the same place we ordered our Furniture. And Adeline you have to go there the next time you're in Union City. It's wonderful!"

Adeline opened a beautiful silver tray, "Oh this is perfect to set my Crystal on! Look, Bill!"

"It's beautiful, Darlin'. Just beautiful!"

"Thank you, Elizabeth! Thank you all!"

"Well, we should be the ones thanking you, but you're most welcome! Bill, I wonder what's taking Nathan so long."

"He'll be back before you know it, Elizabeth. Probably had a lot of catching up to do with his Mother."

But when Nathan returned, he looked a bit dazed.

Adeline immediately noticed, and prodded Bill to get up.

"We'd best be going, so you two can get settled back in and ready for work tomorrow. Let's say goodnight, Bill!"

Nathan kissed Adeline goodbye, while Elizabeth kissed Bill. And then Allie and Jack kissed and hugged them both.

"Goodbye! and thanks so much for taking care of the Children and Pups for us!" called Elizabeth as they left.

"Allie, Sweetheart, why don't you and Jack go upstairs and get ready for your baths. Your Dad and I'll be up real soon to help!"

Allie smiled and took Little Jack's hand and led him upstairs.

"Darling, what's wrong?" asked Elizabeth as she took Nathan's hand.

"My Mother had some interesting news for me. I might as well just come out and say it, although it's rather difficult for me to even think about, much less talk about. When Dad went to prison, Colleen and I thought Mother divorced Dad. She went to the Lawyer's several times and came back after her last visit and told us everything was okay, not to worry. We thought that meant the divorce was final."

"Go on…"

"We were wrong. Mother had the papers drawn up, but she just couldn't go through with it, so she kept the documents at the Attorney's but refused to have him file them. 'Just keep them on standby, for the Children's sake, in case I actually need to file at some point.' And that's what he did. Lisbeth, Mother and Dad aren't divorced. They're still married!"

"I know this is a shock, but Darling, perhaps it's a good thing. You, yourself, said you could see they still loved each other."

"But, he almost destroyed her, emotionally, financially, in every way."

"But he didn't destroy her. She's tough and she survived."

"Lizbeth, I can't watch him do this to her again! I just can't! It's déjà vu, all over again!"

"Nathan, maybe he won't do this again. Maybe he's learned his lesson. With all he's lost over the years."

"That's what Mother thinks. But I'm not so sure. She's 58 and she's going to open her heart up again to be hurt?"

"Nathan, love is always a risk. If their love has lasted through all this, it's got to be real. Maybe we're just going to have to trust them both, and pray that they know what is best."

"He's living with her, Lisbeth. And they didn't even tell me."

"But Darling, they're telling you now."

"I was 17 the last time Dad went to prison. How could he do this to us again? I was so angry, I wanted to kill him. I wanted to kill my own Father."

"But you didn't kill him, Nathan. You were strong."

"That's why I joined the Mounties. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I joined the Mounties instead of killing my own Father. And I poured everything I had into doing what was right. Lisbeth, he wasn't even with us when we lost Colleen. Mother and I went through that alone. It took me years not to hate him, but the resentment remained. Until you helped me work through that. Then I forgave him. And now everything is back as it was."

"No, it's not! It absolutely is not back where it was. You have grown. You are stronger. In fact, you're the strongest man I know. And Nathan, you're Father has changed. Why he writes his Granddaughter every single week. And now, he always slips a little note in for Allie to read to Jack and Jack can't wait till their letter comes. Archie looks at your Mother with so much love. You know he does, and she clearly loves him, too! We can't stand in the way of that. We have to pray about this and allow God to open our hearts to accept your Father fully, believing this time, he's going to do the right thing by your Mother, and by you, Darling."

He took her in his arms.

"You are my everything, Lisbeth. And deep down I know you're right. Just please help me to get there before they come for our Wedding."

"I will, I promise. You know, on a lighter note that's one less room to be occupied!"

"Cute! Did you have to remind me of that?"

"It made you smile…well, sort of!"

He brought his lips close to hers and whispered so closely against her lips she could feel him breathe his words on them, "I adore you, Elizabeth Thornton! I positively adore you!"

And then his lips touched hers and they fell away together to a place meant only for them…

On Monday, Nathan had an interesting and most productive day at work.

As he was reviewing his new caseload, he randomly picked up the top two cases from each Province, instead of taking one stack and working his way through as he usually did.

But on this morning, he read through his new stack of Top Twos.

And instantly, he saw they were connected, something he might never have picked up on had he worked through the individual Province reports, separately.

First, the items taken were very similar, always some type of equipment. Expensive equipment in a similar price range. And none of the pieces had ever been located. Where did they vanish to?

Second, the suspects in each case were always middle-aged males, and oddly enough they all spoke in a Scottish brogue.

Third, the robberies always occurred at one particular chain of Dealers, which oddly, had a Scottish name.

By lunchtime, Nathan had clearly figured it all out.

It was a scam, a huge one, the 'robbers' were stealing from themselves! Moving equipment in the night, taking it to one of their other locations, and then the next day reporting the equipment stolen from the original location, collecting insurance off of what was stolen, and deducting it from their taxes! Plus they were still selling the original equipment that was presumed stolen!

It was quite a lucrative side business, indeed.

One that the Chief Inspector was about to put a complete halt to!

But before he did that, it dawned on him, what if there are more cases just like this?

So, he skipped lunch and poured through his stacks.

But Bill and Aaron had missed him at Lunch! So, Bill came trudging into his new Office.

"Brought you lunch. We missed you. What are you up to?" asked Bill, nosy as ever.

"Bill, you won't believe this. I think I've just cracked a huge scam ring across several Provinces."

"Tell me the details."

"Well, normally I go through an entire caseload stack by each individual Province. But for some reason today, I just took the top two Cases off each stack. They're all connected, Bill!"

"How could you tell?"

"1st: Similar items and similar priced items stolen (all very expensive equipment).

2nd: None of the stolen equipment was ever found.

3rd: The Suspects for all the cases were middle-aged males.

4th: The Suspects all had a Scottish Brogue.

5th: The Robberies always occurred at one particular Chain of Dealers in the dead of night.

6th: The Chain has a Scottish name."

"And there you have it, Bill!"

"What do I have?"

"It's a complete scam! The owners are 'stealing' from themselves by night, moving the equipment to one of their other locations, in another province. Then the next day they report the same equipment as having been stolen from their original location. Next, they collect insurance on said 'stolen' equipment, and also deduct it from their taxes, both as a loss and missing inventory. Then they sell the 'stolen equipment' at the new location and make the money they originally intended to make off of it. But by this time with all their added scams, they get original sales plus a whole lot more!"

"Pretty devious!"

"Pretty lucrative. A really nice little side business! Although when you look at these numbers, there was nothing 'little' about it."

"Wow! This is incredible."

"Bill, this is just scratching the surface. That's why I skipped lunch. A lot more of these cases are tied in, and a lot more Provinces are involved."

"Here, give me a stack. I'll help! Let's get these shysters!"

"Bill, I appreciate that, but aren't you supposed to be judging somewhere?"

"Had a slow morning. I'm callin' it quits for the day! Give me that stack…"

So, the two men started pouring through the remaining case files.

"Here's another one!" said Nathan.

"Got one here, too!" added Bill.

And so, it went, until case file after case file was added to their growing stacks.

"Okay, that's it! Let's tally them up…"

"Bill, you're not going to believe this. We just busted a multi-million-dollar heist!"

"No, Nathan, you just busted a multi-million-dollar heist. I just helped with the clerical work!"

"It all rather surreal."

"You'd better call Harold now!"

"I am – why don't you stay here, and you can talk to him after? And you do know you're my Best Man, don't you."

"Of course, I'm your Best Man."

"Do you mind sharing the title with all the Groomsmen? It was Rosemary's idea, but it's actually a pretty good one since Elizabeth wants us to wear Uniforms, now. And of course, Nathaniel and Lee are left out on that. So, Rosemary insists they usher and escort the Mothers, but that we'll just call all the Groomsmen, Best Men. Are you okay with that!"

"Pshaw! Sure, I am. As long as you and I know I'm the Best Best Man!"

"Obviously, Bill!" laughed Nathan.

"Commissioner Blake, Chief Inspector Grant here…Yes, Sir!...Thank you, Sir. I'm calling about something huge, Sir, that came to my attention today going through the Province Case Load…

Nathan explained his findings to the Commissioner who was literally beside himself with joy over this discovery!

"This is huge, Chief Inspector. Just huge. Why this alone, pays for your salary and our Academy! Get the particulars to me pronto, and I'll clue the Superintendents in. How do you think we should go about the sting? Have you had a chance to think about that, yet?"

"Yes, Sir. I think we should observe them at all locations, first. Catch them in the act as many times as we can, so we have irrefutable proof. Then co-ordinate our arrests with the Superintendents in charge, so nothing goes wrong. This is too big of an operation for us to miss anything."

"Sound advice. That's exactly what we'll do, but Nathan how did you even put this together?"

"Instead of going through each province's caseload one at a time, I took the top two cases from each Province and looked at them together. It was pretty obvious they were connected, Sir!"

"To you, maybe! We sure haven't connected them. Why, how long has this been going on?"

"We have cases going back to 1910, Sir, just after the Companies were started."

"You've got to be kidding me! Nathan, you're making us look like fools!"

"No, Sir. Just doing my job, Sir!"

"Well, keep doing it! I'll call you back after I've briefed the Superintendents."

"Sir, do you have time for a personal question?"

"From you, of course!"

"Would you be willing to stand up with me as one of my Best Men, Sir?"

"I was hoping you'd ask. My honor, Son! My honor!"

"Thank you, Sir!"

"Oh, and Nathan, if you need to take off early or juggle your time while you're building your house, do it! You're not on a time clock any longer, Son! And maybe I didn't make that clear enough. Go get that house built along with solving all our criminal cases! The Academy will tie you down more tightly to a time table, this fall, so take advantage of your freedom, now."

"Thank you, Sir, I appreciate that! Judge Avery is here and would like to speak to you if you have the time."

"Harold, how's it going?"

While Bill talked with the Commissioner, Nathan thought about what the Commissioner had just told him. Here he was trying to adhere to a tight schedule, and that's not what the Commissioner had intended at all. He'd still complete his work, but having some latitude with his schedule would help him so much with finishing the house. Now he was sure he could get it done on time. And May could be spent with him and Elizabeth preparing their home for the Grant Family and both sets of Parents!

Nathan was proud and grateful for the job he'd been able to accomplish today, but there was something else, still nagging at him.

His Father.

He wanted to call his Dad so badly and read him the riot act over the phone.

But deep down, he knew this was a conversation, the two of them were going to have to have in-person, man to man…