AN: Okay, so I will be working most of the day so you get an early update of this story today. Enjoy! For those i did not have a chance to respond individually to your reviews for the last chapter, I do appreciate and thank you for leaving them!
I cannot remember a time that I have ever been so relieved for the weekend to come. It has been hard looking out at my students and seeing Ally's missing seat. Ally remains in the infirmary under the watchful eyes of both Carson and Faith. The two doctors have been doing house calls for other patients, limiting the number of people that Ally sees. Other than myself, the only other visitors that have been allowed are Bill, Constable Kinslow and the ladies from the café when they bring meals. Abigail, Clara and Minnie have been faithful to their ministry, continuing to make foods to tempt Ally's most of the time lacking appetite.
Ally's classmates made get well cards for her on Wednesday. It was nice to see the smile on her face when I brought them by that afternoon, though she grew tired after going through about half of them. Nathan had promised to make sure the others were shown to her when Ally was feeling up to it. This afternoon, Constable Kinslow came by with a note from Ally for her classmates. There were some tears as he read it to the class, some of them in my own eyes.
Though Ally's absence at school has dampened my spirits, I have also felt a lightness this week that I can only assume has come from ending my courtship with Lucas. As much as I thought that being with Lucas was something I had wanted, I can see now that I was just searching for something that felt familiar. A part of my old life. The life I grew up in back in Hamilton and the sweeping romantic gestures that Jack had always managed. But Jack did not fall in love with the pampered, rich girl that first came to Coal Valley. In fact, when I think of those early days, I am reminded of the friction between us that was caused by the world that I came from. As being in Coal Valley changed me, Jack and I became closer. He fell in love with the woman I became out here. Being with Lucas was drawing me further from that person. The person that Jack had loved. I may have lost Jack but I do not want to lose who I was when I was with him.
Lucas seems to be doing okay after our breakup as well. There is a spring in his step that I had not realized was missing. His easy smile is back. He nods politely when we pass each other in town and I am glad there are no hard feelings between us. We both realized that what we had was not what neither of us needed. I think we will both heal from the disappointment of our failed courtship sooner rather than later. Perhaps even quicker than Nathan has healed from my rejection of his love.
Nathan has returned to work though he is not putting in the hours that he use to. Not that any of us expect him too. Still, there is something reassuring about seeing him back in his red serge, either walking through town or on Newton. It brings a sense of normalcy and security to our little town. Something that we all need following the events of this week.
With all that is going on in his life right now, Christmas is probably the last thing on Nathan's mind. However, in true Hope Valley fashion, the town is coming together to make sure that the holiday is special for the Grants. For the first time in a while, there is no wishing tree because the whole town has only one wish this season - to show Nathan and Ally that they are not alone during this difficult time.
Elizabeth put her pen down and looked down at the words on the page before her. Christmas was quickly approaching. They had a little over a week until the holiday. She had Monday and Tuesday left with her students before the holiday break began. She had asked the students to turn in their writing assignments related to A Christmas Carol on Monday as Tuesday would be a half day and Elizabeth knew from experience that not much actual school work would get done.
On the twenty third, the town was planning a pot luck at the Queen of Hearts in honor of the Grants. A collection had been taken up to help Nathan meet any expenses that Ally's care was or would cost him. Special treats were being made and packaged as gifts. The school children had been doing odd jobs to buy Ally a gift from all of them. Elizabeth had no idea what it would be as they had wanted to keep it secret. Rosemary was making a new jumper for Ally. Elizabeth herself was helping with the quilting of two quilts that the ladies of Hope Valley were making. One in earth tones for Nathan, and another in brighter colors for Ally. Bill had already informed Nathan that he would be providing Christmas dinner for them and several people had volunteered to help him with it. Knowing her cooking, though now edible, was nowhere near Bill's and the others' standards that was one project that Elizabeth was staying out of.
On the twenty fourth, Elizabeth planned on having Abigail, Bill, Rosemary and Lee over for Jack's birthday party before the school concert at the church. The kids had mentioned cancelling it as Ally would not be able to sing with them but Elizabeth had assured them that Ally would want them to still have the concert. That she might even be well enough to be in the audience that night. If she wasn't, the kids had decided to meet outside the Grants home before the concert and sing a song or two. An idea that Elizabeth had been happy to agree too.
Assuming of course that Ally was out of the infirmary and home by then. If she wasn't, then Elizabeth suppose they could have their mini concert outside of the infirmary.
As she thought over those plans, it occurred to her that there was no canceled plans due to her break up with Lucas. The two of them simply had not talked about plans for the holidays. Elizabeth realized that she had not even officially invited Lucas to Jack's birthday party, though with the exception of Bill, her guests had been informed of her plans for the celebration.
Bill.
Elizabeth knew her relationship with her son's godfather was one of those which she needed to repair. They had grown apart this past year. Though Bill had come to see Little Jack, she realized she and him had talked less and less as the year went by. She wanted to blame it on the fact that she knew Bill did not approve of her relationship with Lucas but she knew that was not the only reason. As her fear of what she felt for Nathan had set in, Elizabeth had started putting distance between herself and Bill as well, only going to him when she had wanted information concerning Nathan.
That needed to change. Even if there was no repairing her relationship with Nathan, Elizabeth knew that she needed Bill's comforting, fatherly presence in her life.
Finishing the round of passive exercises with Ally's legs, Carson pulled the blankets up again. Though there was no sign of the feeling returning to the limbs as of yet, Carson knew that it was important to keep the limbs limber.
"What is the point of this?" Ally asked, dejectedly.
Carson was worried about the girl's increasing bouts of sadness. The get well cards from her classmates had helped her spirits for a while, and both Constable Kinslow and Faith were able to get her to smile when they were around but other than that Ally seemed depressed. Carson knew that her emotional well being was just as important as her physical. It was why he had told Nathan to pick two of Ally's friends to come visit her this afternoon. Carson was hoping that seeing her friends would raise Ally's spirits.
"The point is to keep your joints flexible and mobile," Carson replied, as he Ally flopped her arms down on top of the blankets he had pulled up.
"But if I can't walk what is the point."
"I have not given up on the possibility that the feeling will return to your legs. There is a lot we do not understand about the brain and how it works and your body is still healing. Besides, even if you do have to use a wheelchair, if your knees do not bend, your legs would be stuck straight out in front of you. That would look kind of silly wouldn't it?"
Ally nodded slightly her consent.
"Dr. Shepherd, could you help me sit up so I could work my Christmas writing assignment for school. I know I have been told not to worry about keeping up with school while I am healing but as Mrs. Thornton has been nice enough to read the chapters they have been reading in class to me, I would like to have that assignment done before Christmas."
"Of course," Carson replied, moving to retrieve the extra pillows from the other bed. "Just remember-"
"If I feel any eye strain or a headache to stop and rest. I know."
Carson didn't comment on the annoyed response. He was more than use to it from his patients by this time in his career. Instead, he simply helped Ally sit up, pillows propping her up, and gave her some paper, a pencil and a board to write on.
While Ally worked on her project, Carson moved to the desk and the medical journal that laid open on it. He wasn't sure how much time had passed when Faith entered. His fellow doctor put down her bag and immediately went to the sink to scrub her hands.
"How is Cooper?" Carson asked, knowing that Faith had gone to the Cannfields to see the boy. Minnie had reported that he had woke up with a sore throat.
"A mild case of tonsilitis. I gave him some medicine and told Minnie to keep him in bed for a few days. Minnie said he had tonsilitis last winter as well."
"Well, if he recovers in a few days, I would not recommend surgery quite yet. We should keep track of the infections though. If it keeps recurring, they may need to come out."
"We?" Faith asked, the curiosity clear in her voice.
Carson nodded. He had yet to tell anyone other than Ned that he had given up the fellowship to stay while Ally recovered. Now seemed as good a time to come clean as ever.
"Yes, we," Carson said. "They would not give me an extension on my time off. I forfeited the fellowship by staying here."
"I am sorry," Ally replied from her bed.
Carson looked over at her. "Don't be," he told the girl. "I do not regret the decision. I am thankful that I was here when you needed me and there was no way I could leave while you and your Dad still need me. Hope Valley is my home. The people who need my skills as a doctor are right here. Apparently I just needed to go away for a bit for that to really sink in."
Ally smiled. "Perhaps I will try not to grumble so much about treatment from now on," the girl said.
Carson chuckled. "A little grumbling is fine, just don't give up hope," he told her.
"Yes, Dr. Shepherd," Ally replied.
Carson looked back at Faith. "You are not going to mind sharing the practice with me once again, are you?"
Faith's answer was to put her arms around him. It was the only answer Carson needed to know that Faith was happy he was home despite the heartache he had caused her.
Nathan and Gabriel rode side by side as they made rounds on Saturday. As much as his friend's presence brought him comfort, Nathan knew there were others waiting for Gabriel's return in Brookfield.
"Not that I don't appreciate you being here, Gabe, but perhaps it is time you considered heading home," Nathan ventured as they made their way to the part of the road that would lead them past the row houses. "Things have been quiet. The search for Dylan is winding down. Either the guy played it smart for once in his life and is nowhere around or he is going to wait things out. You can't stay here indefinitely. You have a wife to get home to. Not to mention, the kids at the orphanage are probably missing you."
No further signs of Dylan Parks had been found after the Mountie's horse had been recovered. The active search for the man had been suspended though the force was still on high alert. Parks picture was on wanted posters all over the territory as well as the surrounding territories. Constable Mackenzie still remained in Hope Valley and would until Nathan returned to his duties full time. Regional Mounties still patrolled the area around Hope Valley but their fugitive remained at large.
"I have been in contact with Lillian," Gabriel replied. "She and I have both agreed that I should stay here until Ally is back home."
"Carson said if things keep going the way they have been that I can take Ally home on Monday."
"In that case, I will be on my way home on Tuesday. Still, with plenty of time to get home before Christmas."
"As long as the weather holds."
"And that my friend is exactly why I am still here. Someone needs to remind you to stop borrowing trouble. Things are going to turn out okay. Ally is going to be home for Christmas, as will I. As for Parks, we'll find him eventually."
"I just hope he does not find me first," Nathan said under his breath. Gabriel's ears still caught the words.
"Bill will have your back even after I have left for Brookfield and Mackenzie will be around as well. You are not going through this alone, Nathan."
Nathan nodded. As the line of row houses came into view, Nathan groaned.
"The tree, if it is still alive, is still undecorated. Even if she goes home, Ally is probably not going to be in the mood to decorate it and I am not in the mood to decorate myself. I also do not want Ally to come home to an undecorated house. I think that would be even more depressing than spending Christmas in the infirmary."
Gabriel reached over and laid a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Relax my friend. It is covered," Gabriel told him. "I have been by the house to make sure the tree got water. I wouldn't want Ally's perfect tree to lose its needles before Christmas. As for the decorating, Robert approached me yesterday. He, Cody, Opal and Byrony want to decorate the tree and your home for Ally's return home. I told them I would give them a hand this evening. It was supposed to be a surprise for both of you but I do not want you worrying."
Nathan chuckled, mostly in relief. "It can still be a surprise for Ally. In fact, if Carson thinks it is okay, I was thinking it might be nice for a few of Ally's friends to be there when she comes home."
"I think they would all enjoy that," Gabriel replied.
With the weight on his shoulders feeling just a bit lighter, Nathan continued the ride into Hope Valley. He planned on bedding down Newton, checking in with Bill and then spending the rest of the day near his little girl.