AN: This update is later than I had hoped to put it up as today is my guaranteed day off. However, I was finishing and posting my When Hope Calls one shot this morning and then I spent some time with family. However, here is your chapter of this story for tonight.
After making sure both he and Ally were adequately bundled up against the cold, Nathan picked his daughter up in his arms.
"You ready, My Rose?" Nathan asked Ally as she sat on the settee.
Ally nodded, a smile on his her face. For the first time since she had seen the decorated house when he had brought her home, Ally seemed genuinely happy about something. Nathan just hoped it was not because she had gotten her therapy session cancelled.
Ally held her arms up to him and Nathan scooped her up in her arms. He carried her to the door. Reaching out, Ally pulled it open part way and then using his foot, Nathan kept it open enough to slip through.
"At least carrying you back inside will be easier," Nathan joked.
"If my Christmas Wish comes true, maybe you won't have to carry me around much longer," Ally commented, as Nathan walked away from the house with her.
"Your Christmas Wish?" Nathan inquired.
Ally nodded. "My Christmas Wish is that I will have feeling in my legs by Christmas," she told him. "Dr. Shepherd said it might take a little while to walk again even if the feeling comes back, but I would be satisfied just with that. I know it is not a wish that Santa Claus or even you could grant, but they say Christmas is the season of miracles. Perhaps I will get my own miracle."
Nathan nodded. He was afraid to hope himself, but he would not try to talk her out of that hope. Perhaps Ally would get her miracle. She definitely deserved one.
"Just having you is my miracle," Nathan told her.
"Dad," Ally said, dragging the word out. She ducked her blushing face against his shoulder.
Nathan chuckled before asking, "So, where would you like to go?"
"Would it be safe to go to the river?" Ally asked. "I know you are worried because my biological father is out there, but I would really like to see the river. I've missed fishing."
"I think it would be all right to take a quick walk out there. We cannot linger though. I do want to get back before we start losing light."
"All right," Ally said.
The two fell quiet as Nathan headed for their usual path to the river. His eyes continually scanned their surroundings as he walked. His ears listened for any indication that they were not out here alone. About half way to the river, Nathan caught sight of a figure walking parallel to them. Though the figure had a translucent look to him, it was definitely a dark-haired Mountie who kept pace with them. Nathan thought of the day he had found little Jack in the woods and the flash of red he had seen. The toddler had been insistent that his Dad had told him to stay put until he was found.
The translucent Mountie looked in his direction, touched his fingers to the brim of his hat with a nod, and then faded away.
Nathan relaxed. He had seen pictures of Jack Thornton Sr. in Elizabeth's house. He was sure it was the face of the Mountie he had just seen. Apparently, his son was not the only one that Constable Thornton was looking out for in Hope Valley.
Though he remained aware of his surroundings, Nathan felt confident that he and Ally were safe. Soon, they reached the river bank. There was only a faint sound of moving water from the few spots that the flowing water had not quite frozen solid.
"It is peaceful out here," Ally said, her gaze on the river. "Thank you for bringing me here."
"You're welcome," Nathan told her. He gave her a few moments to enjoy the scenic areas. "We should start back," he said reluctantly with a glance at the setting sun. Perhaps they had a guardian angel out here with them, or perhaps he was just so exhausted that he was seeing things. Either way, Nathan did not intend to be out in the woods with little or no light.
"All right," Ally said. "Can you bring me back on Christmas Day?" she asked as Nathan started toward their home, a light scattering of snowflakes starting to drift to the ground. "Even if we don't do our traditional fishing trip, I would like to come out here."
"Weather permitting, I will," Nathan promised.
The two of them had gone fishing on Christmas Day every year since Ally was five. Granted, that first trip, Ally spent more time throwing things in the hole in the ice instead of fishing, but they had been there together. Nathan did not plan on this being the year they broke that tradition. He would find a way for them to spend a little time fishing on Christmas Day.
The morning of the twenty third, Lee headed into town. He had seen Nathan ride by the house on Newton on his way back from rounds not long ago. Lee hoped to catch Nathan at the livery. He felt like it would feel less like an ambush at the livery than in the Mounted Police Office, especially as the plan was for Bill to be back up. The judge planned on already being in the livery when Nathan returned from rounds.
In town, Lee parked his car near the livery. Getting out, he made his way into the building. Though he knew how to ride, he did not do it as much as he had when he was a kid. He preferred transportation that you did not need to worry about wearing out, like his motorcycle or his car. Still, there were times when those were not practical and a horse still was. Still, he did not ride enough to make owning his own horse practical, though as Rosemary enjoyed riding from time to time, he had bought her one. His eyes naturally sought out the horse now. He had a sugar cube in his pocket for the horse but first he had a dinner invitation to extend.
Nathan was in one of the first stalls, brushing out Newton. Bill was casually leaning against the nearby post making small talk.
"Hello, Lee," Bill said casually.
The greeting made Nathan glance over from his task. He repeated the greeting.
"Hello," Lee said. "I was looking for you, Nathan. I was hoping you would agree to have dinner with me tonight. Rosemary is spending the evening with Elizabeth and I really do not want to spend the night alone."
"I am not sure. Ally is doing better but she still should not be home alone," Nathan said.
"I can come keep Ally company," Bill said. "You deserve an evening out. It would do both you and Ally good."
Nathan was shaking his head. It was clear that the idea of leaving Ally to go out to dinner was not easy for him to contemplate.
"Should I go ask Ally for permission to steal you away for the evening?" Lee asked lightly. He had a feeling he and Bill would have the girl's support in their effort.
The question got a small smile from Nathan.
"She would probably tell you yes," Nathan admitted.
"No one would question your devotion to that girl, Nathan," Bill said. "You have been at her side except for the hours you have been working. She is doing well. I think you deserve a few hours to just relax, don't you."
"And if Parks is in the area?" Nathan asked.
"I will be at the house with her," Bill told him. "I will keep her safe."
"And I will have your back," Lee added. "You are not going to be able to be there for Ally if you burn yourself out. A meal with me is just the thing you need to relax," Lee said, hands open wide and a huge smile on his face.
Nathan looked from Lee to Bill. It was clear to Lee that Nathan was mulling over what was said. He had also learned that in moments like this, it was best to let Nathan do his thinking. Rushing an answer was a sure way to have Nathan decline the dinner invitation.
"You both make good points," Nathan said. He looked at Lee. "I will have dinner with you tonight."
Lee put his hand together and rubbed them a few times. "Great," he said, with far more enthusiasm than Nathan would probably think necessary. However, Lee had always figured that someone had to be the energetic person in the group, and he had no problem with that being him. "I'll be at your house at about six-fifteen and I'll drive us into town."
"I will be at your house at six in case Ally and I need to keep you from backing out of going," Bill commented.
Nathan put Newton's brush down, gave the horse a final pat and headed out of the stall. "I am going to go to the office and do some paperwork," he commented, trying to sound annoyed. His two friends knew better though. They knew Nathan appreciated their friendship even if he was not always the best at knowing how to react to it.
Lee and Bill watched Nathan leave the livery. A few moments after Nathan had disappeared from sight, Lee looked toward Bill.
"That was easier than I expected," Lee commented.
"That is because between still trying to do his job, take care of Ally, and worrying over Parks, Nathan is more worn out than even he will admit. Not much can be done about the first two that we are not already doing. However, I really wish we could find Parks. That man at least belongs in jail."
"At least?" Lee questioned, though he had a feeling he knew exactly what Bill meant.
Bill looked directly at Lee. "Parks deserves jail time for his ambush on Nathan. That behavior is bad enough, but Nathan can put up a fight against the man. The fact that he would threaten a little girl or hit a woman, well that is inexcusable. I would not mind seeing a man like that get what he has coming to him. Hell, I would not mind being given a reason to be the one pulling the trigger."
"Remind me to never get on your bad side," Lee commented. Bill always had made him uneasy when he got the steel glint in his eye that he had now.
"You are safe, Coulter," Bill commented. "You cannot even hold a grudge for two hours with someone."
"My sister might disagree with that," Lee countered, walking back toward Rosemary's horse, Mozart.
"In the end though, you were the one that reached out, were you not?" Bill asked.
"Well, yes," Lee replied, taking the sugar cube out of his pocket and holding it out to the horse.
"My point exactly," Bill said. "If more people were more like you and less like me, the world might be a better place."
Lee laughed. "A bunch of us have your number as well Bill. You might not like criminals, but everyday people are a different story. Your heart is as soft as mine under that gruff exterior."
"I will never admit to it," Bill countered.
"Of course not," Lee said knowingly. "I need to go see if Rosie's present has come in yet. It was supposed to be here yesterday. Ned was supposed to check into it for me."
Bill nodded. "At least with it being late it is easier to keep a secret."
Lee laughed. "Rosie has been searching the house already so you may have a good point. If it has come in, I plan on hiding it in a place that she has already looked."
Bill laughed. "That may just work."
"So, who did you buy gifts for. Rosie said you bought three set of hair clips from the store. She figures Clara and Elizabeth to be two of the recipients but you have got her still pondering on who the third set is for. Is it Abigail?"
Bill shot him a glare that told Lee he had hit the mark.
"It is Abigail," Lee commented.
"Can't a man buy his business partner a Christmas gift?" Bill grumbled.
"Sure he can," Lee replied. "I would put my money on the fact that it isn't just the business partner giving the gift this time though."
Bill mumbled something that Lee didn't quite catch as he headed out of the livery.
Chuckling, Lee gave Mozart another rub on the nose before heading out of the livery himself.
Faith hummed softly as she did some dusting. As Ellen Weise would be more helpful in the food preparation for tonight than she would be herself, Faith had volunteered to stay with Ally while Nathan was working today. She knew what her strengths and weaknesses were. Being here with Ally played to her strength. Doing some housekeeping was an extra way she could help out and as Ally was currently taking a nap it gave her something to do.
A soft gasp caught Faith's ear. Turning her head she saw that Ally was sitting up on the settee now.
Putting down the duster she made her way toward the girl. She could hear the elevated breathing.
"Are you okay, Ally?" Faith asked softly as she knelt down beside the settee. Reaching out, she placed a hand on the girl's back and softly rubbed circles.
"I think so," Ally said softly. "I had a dream about the accident. Or maybe it was not just a dream. Dr. Shepherd said it was possible memories from the accident might come back in time. Possibly even while I slept."
"Yes, people have reported recollections of traumatic events coming back while they rested," Faith consented. "Would you like to share what woke you up?"
Ally looked over at her. "Could you hold me while I told you?" the girl asked.
"Of course," Faith replied.
Moving from her kneeling position on the floor, Faith settled herself on the settee behind Ally. Putting her arms around the girl, she held Ally close to her.
"Whenever you are ready," Faith told Ally.
The two sat in silence for a few moments before Ally finally spoke.
"I was in the schoolyard. Just like on the day of the accident. Anna dared me to walk the log. I was about to tell her no, when Mrs. Thornton called out a warning to be careful. Just as I did then, I felt anger bubbling up in me at the warning from Mrs. Thornton so I took the dare. I was about half way across the log, when I slipped on the ice. I fell forward. I felt pain as I hit my head and then there was just a murky haze and cold. I felt fear as I sank but then there was something keeping me from sinking further. I remember seeing a Mountie there, pushing me up toward the surface. But there couldn't be a Mountie under the water, could there have been?"
"Probably not," Faith admitted, though she did not repeat what many of the adults had been wondering since that day. Even Robert himself had expressed confusion about the subject. Robert had said that even though he reacted quickly, he had felt sure he would not be able to grab Ally in time. That he thought she would have sunk below his grasp but he had to try. It had been with surprise and relief that his hand had grabbed a handful of Ally's coat.
"Everything else in the dream fits with what I do remember of that day, though," Ally said.
"It is not unusual for our minds to try to fill in gaps so that things make sense. Perhaps your mind put a Mountie under the water with you because you were thinking of your Dad in those moments."
Ally shook her head slightly. "It wasn't, Dad," she said confidently. "The Mountie's hair was too short to begin with and it was not Dad's face. The eyes were the wrong color as well. Nor was it Gabe, but I feel like I saw the Mountie's face before. I just do not remember where."
"Do not stress yourself over trying to remember," Faith told her. "If it was someone you know, trying to remember might make it harder to remember. There is also a chance that it was just something that your mind made up while you slept to try helping you make sense of what happened."
"Do you . . . "
Ally let whatever she was going to say trail off.
"What is it, Ally?"
"You would probably think it is silly," Ally replied.
"Even if I do, I promise not to laugh at whatever you say," Faith told her.
Ally smiled at the promise. It was enough to give her confidence to share what was on her mind.
"Do you think it was possible that I had a guardian angel that day?" Ally ventured quietly. "Do you think something helped to keep me from sinking below Robert's grasp?"
Faith paused a moment before responding. She was not completely sure she believed in angels but the timing of everything with Ally's accident certainly had been perfect, right down to Carson's arrival in time to perform the surgery.
"I think that anything is possible," Faith told her. "I believe in God, despite not being able to see him. I think God is the only explanation for the things that science and logic cannot explain. Maybe there are angels here with us, helping to fulfill God's will."
Ally gave a little sigh as she leaned her head against Faith and closed her eyes. Looking down, Faith saw the peaceful smile on the girl's face. Glancing back up, Faith's eyes fell on the Christmas tree. Standing beside the tree was Constable Thornton, and with a smile and a nod, the image faded and there was just a tree.
Faith looked back down at Ally. The girl had said the Mountie's hair in the water with her had been shorter than Nathan's but that she had thought she had seen him. Ally had been in Elizabeth's home where Jack's picture was on display. Had Ally seen Jack that day?
With Ally resting in her arms, Faith put the thought out of her mind. There was a lot she could not explain of late and she was not going to try. Ally was still with them. Carson was back home. Everything seemed right in her world and Faith was not going to question it.