Reaching the end of the fifth chapter in the book, Gabriel closed it. With Nathan still out, Ally had asked Gabriel to carry out the bedtime tradition of reading out loud. It wasn't the first time that Gabriel had filled in for Nathan but he knew that with Ally getting older, the opportunities to spend time like this with her was slipping away.
"I think that is enough for tonight. You should try to go to sleep," Gabriel told his god daughter.
Ally was under her blankets but sitting up with her back against the headboard. At the foot of the bed, Billy was siting cross-legged at the foot of the bed, already in his night shirt.
"Dad isn't home yet," Ally stated, the worry clear in her voice.
"He will be soon. Your Dad knows the area and how to handle himself out there and remember the last we looked it hadn't even started snowing yet," Gabriel told her.
"Could you check again?" Ally asked.
"Yes," Gabriel said, placing the book on the night stand before getting to his feet. Turning he headed to the window. Cupping his hands to block out the light in the room he peered outside. There was still not a snowflake to be seen.
"No snow," Gabriel stated, turning back to the bed. He returned to the bed and sat down on the edge again. "Now let's get you tucked in," Gabriel told her.
Ally gave a sigh, but moved away from the headboard so that she could lay down. Gabriel reached out and tucked the covers up around his god daughter. Leaning over, he kissed her on the forehead.
"I will send your Dad in when he gets home," Gabriel promised her, knowing that he wouldn't be going to sleep until he knew Nathan was home safely. He had a feeling Elizabeth wouldn't be either.
"All right," Ally replied. "Goodnight, Billy," she added, looking down at the boy she had just met tonight but was quickly becoming friends with.
"Good night, Ally," Billy replied. "I'll say a prayer for your Dad before I go to sleep," he told her. "I vaguely remember nights like this, worrying about my dad when he was away."
Ally nodded. "It's hard," she agreed. "It's also hard losing a parent. I was lucky. I had Uncle Nathan there for me. It's hard for me to remember when he wasn't there," she confessed. "I'm glad he became my Dad and I'm glad that you have Mr. Gabe there for you now. He was there for me and my Dad when we needed him too."
Billy looked to Gabriel. "I'm glad he's in my life," he said. "Though I'm not too proud of the first impression I made," he said looking down at the quilt.
"First time I met Mama, she had been helping Dad look for me because I skipped school. When asked how I liked my teacher I said she was a bit bossy and smelled like chalk. I didn't realize she was standing right there."
"At least you didn't bite her," Billy said quietly.
"You didn't even leave a scar," Gabriel said, holding up his hand. "It is all forgotten. However, it is time to get you tucked into bed too," he said, standing up.
"Yes, Gabe," Billy said. Since the decision had been made for Gabriel to take guardianship of Billy, Gabriel had suggested that Billy drop the Mountie title and just call him by his first name. It was still a mixture of whether the title got used or not.
Billy climbed from the bed. Gabriel put out the lamp on Ally's night stand, and taking Billy's hand led him from the room. Stepping into the hall, he pulled the bedroom door shut and then looked down at Billy. "So, are you sleeping in your own room, or the cot in my room?" he asked, grateful to Elizabeth for having the two options though he knew it had meant extra work for her.
"The cot," Billy said. "At least for tonight. Maybe tomorrow I will be brave enough to try a separate room."
"Billy, you are very brave," Gabriel told the boy, giving the boy's hand a gentle squeeze as he started across the hall to one of the two bedrooms currently not occupied in the Grant house.
Gabriel got Billy tucked in under the blankets and then headed out of the room.
"Don't close the door all the way, please," Billy requested as Gabriel started to pull the door shut.
Gabriel stopped with the door about half way shut. "How is that?"
"Thank-you," came the quiet voice from inside the room.
"I'll be just downstairs if you need me, Billy," Gabriel assured the boy before stepping away from the door.
On his way downstairs, Gabriel checked in on Jack who he had put to sleep before starting to read to Ally and Billy. The little boy was still sleeping peacefully, still too young to be troubled much by Nathan's absence. As attached as the boy had gotten to Nathan though, Gabriel was sure that would change as Jack became more aware of the dangers of the world around him. Gabriel hoped that the little boy would stay unaware for a while yet.
With all three kids tucked in bed, Gabriel headed downstairs. He found Elizabeth sitting at the small table by the kitchen stove. She was taking a sip from the tea cup in her hands as Gabriel entered the kitchen.
"All three kids are in bed. Jack is sleeping but I'm not sure when the other two will fall asleep."
Elizabeth nodded as she swallowed her sip of tea. "Thank-you. Those stairs seem to get harder every day."
Gabriel nodded. "I understand."
"I have green tea. I needed something warm to drink," Elizabeth said, putting the tea cup down. "I put a pot of coffee on as well. Nathan will want something warm to drink when he comes home. I can get you a cup," she said, moving to lever herself up out of the chair.
"No, you stay put," Gabriel told her, motioning to her to stay in the chair. "I can get my own coffee," he told her heading for the cupboard to get a mug.
A few minutes later, Gabriel was sitting down in the chair across from Elizabeth.
"Where is Billy sleeping?" Elizabeth asked, reaching out to take the cover off a tin of sugar cookies she and Ally had baked the evening before. She pushed the tin closer to Gabriel as she waited for an answer.
"On the cot," Gabriel replied, as he took a cookie. "Which doesn't surprise me. Giving the limited living space I have, we're in the same room at Brookfield as well. Right now he's on a mattress on the floor but I need to see about getting a frame built as he's going to be staying with me long term."
"Don't stress yourself out," Elizabeth advised. "Most parents have months to prepare for a child and you barely had any time at all. Even when Lee and Rosemary took in Bridget and Ivy those two girls had their belongings with them. From what Nathan told me, Billy had very little with him but you are making sure his immediate needs are met. You are doing fine, Gabriel."
Gabriel took a deep breath and let it out slowly. It was a relief to hear those words from someone.
"Thanks, Elizabeth," Gabriel told her. "Billy said he might try sleeping in the other room tomorrow night. I think he realizes you put extra effort into making him feel comfortable."
Elizabeth smiled. "I can tell he's a very perceptive child," she told him. "I won't be offended if he wants to stay with you. Kids need stability and these last few years, Billy hasn't had that. Right now, you are his stabilizing force, Gabriel, just like Nathan was for Ally before they finally settled here in Hope Valley."
"Sometimes I feel like I'm in over my head," Gabriel confessed.
Elizabeth laughed. "That comes with the territory of being a parent," she assured him. "By the time I was this far along with Little Jack, the excitement had worn off and I was just terrified of how I was going to be able to raise him alone. I couldn't bring myself to start getting the nursery ready because of that and because I was missing Jack. But things turned out all right. I had Abigail, Bill, Lee and Rosemary to help me through that first years and now I've got Nathan by my side for not only Jack but this little one," Elizabeth said, rubbing her round belly. "You will soon have Lillian by your side to help raise Billy and in the meantime, you will find there are plenty of people around you that will willingly lend a hand."
Gabriel nodded. He thought of Tess who had stopped by after hearing that he was keeping Billy and told him to keep the mattress. Eleanor, who kept sending baking to him. Maggie's willingness to watch Billy whenever he was away. Grace had sent dinner over to him from the hotel via Chuck on a couple of evenings that he had worked late so that he didn't have to cook. Then there was Lillian, who was a source of support for him and was slowly working on gaining Billy's trust so that she could be a source of support for the boy as well.
Yes, Elizabeth was right. He wasn't alone in this endeavor.
"How are you feeling these days, Elizabeth?" Gabriel asked, ready to get the conversation off of him for a little bit.
"I'm doing well. I have to remember that I don't have the energy I did, carrying this little one around all the time. However, I feel fine and Nathan and Ally are wonderful about trying to make things easier for me. In Nathan's case perhaps a little too easy at times," Elizabeth added.
Taking a sip of his coffee, Gabriel smiled. If there was such a thing as being too protective of those you love, Nathan was guilty of it. He had been that way since Gabriel had first met him.
"I know it comes from love, though," Elizabeth continued. "When I do find myself starting to loose patience with Nathan's help, like when he arranged the rides to and from the schoolhouse for me, I remember how I felt going through my first pregnancy alone and remind myself to be thankful that he is here."
"I'm sure Jack would have been just as over protective as Nathan is if he had been there," Gabriel said. He still remembered the love with which Jack Thornton had spoke of Elizabeth while they had been serving up North.
"You are probably right," Elizabeth admitted. "Having someone who loves you so much they annoy you at times while showing that love, is a good problem to have. Preparing for this baby has been easier as I have people to get through all the ups and downs with."
Gabriel smiled. "I'm so glad you and Nathan found each other after the heartaches you've both been through. You have helped Nathan mend a heartache that has been with him since his sister died."
"He and Ally have done the same for me," Elizabeth admitted, before gasping at a sudden kick from the baby inside of her.
"Are you okay?" Gabriel asked, tensing up in preparation of having to move quickly if there was a problem but giving Elizabeth time to respond to the question.
"Yes," Elizabeth told him. "This little one just wanted to remind me he was still there. He seems to want to sleep more during the day and then is active at night which keeps me up," Elizabeth confessed. "Carson thinks the baby is comforted by the movement of me walking around."
"That is as good a theory as any," Gabriel smiled. "So, is Ally the only one that refers to this baby as she?" Gabriel asked.
Elizabeth blushed. "I think so and I feel bad. I know how much Ally wants a little sister but I want to give Nathan a son that is biologically his. I know he loves Little Jack as if he was his own, the fact that he said right from the start that we didn't have to change Jack's last name, tells me that. Nathan started referring to the baby as he almost from the start which tells me what he is hoping for, though I know he'll love a girl just as much."
Gabriel nodded. "I think for Nathan, he already has his little girl, with Ally. On some level, I think he is worried about how another daughter might affect that bond. You are right though. Nathan will love that child whether it is a boy or a girl."
Elizabeth nodded, as she quietly contemplated the insight into her husband that Gabriel had provided.
The two sat in silent for a while, sipping their drinks. They could hear the wind pick up outside as the storm approached. Still, the front door did not open. When Elizabeth moved to get some more tea, Gabriel motioned for her to stay seated and got up to get it for her. While doing so, he checked the window to see if it was snowing yet.
"Did it start snowing?" Elizabeth asked, as Gabriel set her tea cup in front of her.
"Yes," Gabriel admitting, knowing that trying to keep the truth from Elizabeth wouldn't serve a purpose. Until Nathan came through that door, she was going to be worried. "He knows how to handle himself in the elements, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth nodded, though she reached out for Gabriel's hand. Allowing Elizabeth whatever comfort that holding his hand brought her, Gabriel sat in the chair next to her, instead of resuming his place across from her. With his free hand, Gabriel reached for his now lukewarm coffee.
They sat quietly for a bit, comfortable with one another's presence until a scream broke the silence.
"That was, Ally," Elizabeth said worried, as she struggled to her feet.
Knowing better than to convince a mother, even a pregnant one, from going to their child, Gabriel helped Elizabeth to her feet. Together the two of them went upstairs. As they made their way down the hallway, Gabriel noted that both the spare bedroom door and Ally's bedroom door was open. Reaching Ally's room, Elizabeth and Gabriel found Billy already trying to comfort a crying Ally.
"Ally, what's wrong?" Elizabeth asked, crossing over to the bed.
Hearing Little Jack's soft cries from his room, Gabriel left Elizabeth to comfort Ally and made his way to Jack's room. Gabriel turned on the lamp by the door as he entered the room. The little boy was sitting up in the tiny, low bed that Nathan had fashioned for Jack when he had started attempting to climb out of the crib. The slightly raised sides on the top half of the bed kept the toddler from accidently rolling out while sleeping. It was clear Ally's scream had woke him up though by the confused expression on his face, Jack wasn't sure what was going on.
"Hey there, Jack," Gabriel said approaching the bed. "Did something wake you up?" he asked the boy kneeling down by the bed.
"Noise," Jack replied.
"Yes, there was a loud noise," Gabriel told the boy trying to coax him back to lying down. "Everything is okay though," he assured the boy. "Go ahead and lay back down."
With Gabriel's assurances, Jack did just that. The little boy laid down on his side, looking up at Gabriel. Still kneeling beside the bed, Gabriel rubbed Jack's back in a circular motion. He kept up the motion until the little boy had fallen back asleep.
Stepping into the hallway, Gabriel heard the front door open and hoped it was Nathan. Moments later Ally dashed out of her rooms and down the steps. A glad cry of 'Dad' told Gabriel that Nathan had returned home. As he walked down the hallway, Elizabeth appeared at Ally's doorway.
"She had a nightmare," Elizabeth said, looking up at Gabriel as he stopped at her side. "She said she dreamed Nathan didn't come home and when we went out looking for him we found him buried under snow no longer breathing. She hasn't had a nightmare like that since Nathan and I got married."
Gabriel reached out and gave Elizabeth a comforting one armed hug. "Nathan's home," he assured her. "It was just a bad dream."
"It's my fault," a soft voice said behind them.
Both Gabriel and Elizabeth turned to look at Billy who continued.
"Me being here brought up memories of Ally losing her mother. I'm sorry."
"Oh, sweetheart, it is not your fault," Elizabeth said, slipping from Gabriel's comforting grasp to go to the little boy. Elizabeth knelt before Billy and held her arms out to him. Clearly upset, Billy stepped into the offered embrace. "You are right that the two of you sharing your stories of loss stirred up Ally's emotions but its okay. Talking about those we loss is how we heal and keep their memory alive. I loss my husband and sometimes I still get upset when I think about him but mostly it brings me joy to think about him and believe me, random things can bring up those emotions."
"Ally won't be mad at me?" Billy asked, the words muffled against Elizabeth.
"Of course not."
Gabriel had knelt down beside them and he reached out to lay a hand on the back of Billy's head. "You know what I think Ally is going to remember about tonight," Gabriel said, the words causing Billy to turn his head to look at him. "She's going to remember that you came to comfort her when she was upset. That was a kind thing to do."
"Nightmares are no fun," Billy stated.
Remembering his own recent battle with nightmares, Gabriel understood what he meant. He also was not aware of Billy having any recently, though Gabriel intended to bring the subject up at a later time. If Billy was still having nightmares, he wanted to know about them.
"No, they're not," Gabriel agreed. "How about we all go downstairs," Gabriel suggested, sure that Elizabeth would want to greet her husband herself.
Billy nodded, pulling back from Elizabeth. Reaching out, Gabriel helped Elizabeth to her feet and escorted her downstairs.
Downstairs they found Nathan and Ally still in front of the front door. Nathan was holding a sobbing Ally tightly against him, talking softly to her. Gabriel had a feeling Ally had shared her dream with Nathan as well.
"I'm glad you're back," Elizabeth told Nathan, going over and hugging both Nathan and Ally. "Is everything okay?"
"Yes," Nathan replied. "Ryan Sloane was out hunting when I got to their home and I wanted to make sure I found him to warn him about the storm or I would have been home sooner. However, Ryan and everyone else in my area were safe inside, and it's good because the storm is getting bad quickly. I need to get Newton bedded down, but I wanted to get the rope to run from the porch to the barn in case I need it to find my way back to the house when I'm done out there."
"I'll get the rope," Elizabeth said, moving toward the hall closet where they kept it.
"I'll get Newton settled for the night," Gabriel said, moving to take his coat from the hook it hung on. "You take Ally into the sitting room and warm up by the fire."
"Thank-you," Nathan replied, not bothering arguing with his friend. Letting go of Ally with his right hand he took his service gun out of the holster. "Take my gun with you, just in case you need it. I have both of our rifles in here to use," he told Gabriel.
If he kept a hold of the rope, Gabriel would be fine. However, should he get lost in the storm, firing the gun and listening for the responding gun shots could be the only way to find his way back to the house.
Gabriel nodded, taking the gun before buttoning up the coat he had put on.
"I'll move a chair closer to the fire for you, Constable Grant," Billy volunteered moving for the sitting room.
"Be careful," Nathan told Gabriel.
Gabriel nodded before Nathan headed toward the sitting room, Ally still clinging to him. Gabriel put on his hat, scarf and gloves and then took the long coil of rope Elizabeth held out to him.
"Stay safe," Elizabeth told Gabriel, thankful to him for volunteering to take care of Newton so that Nathan could start getting warmed up.
"I will," Gabriel told her, opening the door and stepping out into the falling snow. The dark square shadow that was the barn sat in the distance but if the snow picked up much more Gabriel knew he would indeed need the rope to find his way back.