AN: So that I don't forget to post the update tomorrow here it is a little early. Hope you all enjoy!
There was not much talking going on at the table Lillian was at. She was still at the Royal Brookfield. Grace had taken Christian and Vincent home to have dinner with Eleanor and Mary Louise. Lillian had remained in town with Billy and Maggie, who had returned after delivering a set of healthy twin girls. She had told Grace that she would come home as soon as the last search parties were in. Maggie was currently trying to convince both Lillian and Billy to eat with only moderate success.
Two older Mounties were seated at a table across the room. Lillian recognized one as Staff Sergeant Oakley from Clearwater. She did not recognize the other officer who had only just arrived. As Oakley was doing most of the talking, Lillian figured she was bringing the other man up to date. All of the Mounties, especially those coming in from searching, wore grim expressions. That did not help Lillian's already frazzled nerves, though she was trying to put a brave front on for Billy.
"Constable Grant!"
The exclamation brought Lillian's attention back to Billy, who had left his chair and was heading for the door. Maggie was already on her feet following Billy. Lillian glanced out the window to find that Nathan Grant had indeed shown up in town. Through the window she could see Nathan talking to Constable Anderson. Chuck and Joe were also with them.
Getting to her feet, Lillian headed toward the door. She stepped onto the boardwalk in time to see Nathan kneel down so that he could gather Billy into a hug as the boy rushed toward him.
"I found him, Billy," Nathan told the boy as he hugged him tightly.
The words took Lillian's breath away. She was almost afraid to believe what she had heard. She felt lightheaded even as a strong arm looped around her waist.
"Are you okay, Lillian?" Chuck asked, as he stood beside her, partially supporting the pale looking Lillian.
"Did I hear that right?" Lillian asked, looking at her friend without answering his question. "Did Nathan find Gabriel?"
"He did," Chuck assured her, his arm still securely around her. "Nathan spent the day searching. Dr. Shepherd was with him and is still out at the cabin with Gabriel. The doctor does not want to risk moving Gabriel tonight. I was going to go have the kitchen get some soup ready to send out with Nathan, but I do not want you collapsing on me."
Lillian took a couple of deep breaths. Gabriel had been found. Dr. Shepherd was with him. The fact that the doctor did not want to move Gabriel told her things were still serious, but at least Gabriel had been found. At least he was no longer alone out there.
"I will be fine," Lillian told Chuck, taking a step away to prove her point. "Go see about the soup."
"We will keep an eye on the young lady," a voice behind her said.
Lillian glanced behind her to find Staff Sergeant Oakley and the other older Mountie standing behind her. It was the new comer that spoke.
Chuck gave a nod of acknowledgment and then headed inside.
"I am okay. Really, sir," Lillian said. She did feel a bit more settled, the initial shock having passed.
"Super Intendant Patrick O'Reilly, Miss Walsh," the recent arrival informed her. "I was Gabriel's training officer, ma'am. He has looked out for my family in the past, so it is about time I can return the favor, though I wish it was not necessary."
"Thank you, sir," Lillian said graciously.
O'Reilly offered her his arm, and Lillian slipped her arm through his. She let the Super Intendant escort her over to where a small group had gathered around Nathan. Billy was still close to the man's side and Nathan had one arm protectively around the boy. Lillian could immediately see the closeness that Gabriel had said had quickly formed between Billy and Nathan. She understood immediately why he had asked the Grants to be Billy's guardians.
After most of the townspeople were dispersed, some to gather the extra blankets Nathan had requested, Nathan gave his report to his two superiors. Lillian was a bit surprised that the conversation took place with her and Billy there but then she recalled O'Reilly's comment of a few moments ago. As far as the Super Intendant was concerned, she and Billy were Gabriel's family. He felt the two of them had a right to hear the report, and trusted Nathan to omit for now anything that might be too upsetting for either Billy or herself.
After hearing the report, Oakley stated that a few Mounties would be sent out tomorrow to see if they had any chance of following the robbers from the cabin. O'Reilly added that Nathan should not feel obligated to continue the investigation as there were plenty of other officers available to continue that line of work.
"Is there anything else needed out there tonight, Constable Grant?" O'Reilly asked.
"Dr. Shepherd wanted a wagon available, in case transport becomes necessary," Nathan replied.
Lillian read the underlying meaning in those words. In case Gabriel's conditioned worsened and he had to be transported to the hospital.
"You can take ours," Lillian volunteered. "We can make do without it and Smoky for a bit."
"Thank you, Lillian," Nathan told her.
"Can I come with you, Constable Grant?" Billy asked softly, looking earnestly up at Nathan. "I want to see, Gabe."
"I am sorry, Billy, but not tonight," Nathan told the boy. "I promise you that if Dr. Shepherd still does not want to move Gabe tomorrow, then I will come take you and Miss Walsh out to see him tomorrow evening."
"Is he going to die?"
There was a quiet, collective gasp among the adults gathered. Billy's question was one that was on everyone's mind but none had wanted to ask it. Lillian was thankful that it had been directed to Nathan as Lillian was not sure she could have answered it.
Kneeling down again, Nathan placed a hand on each of Billy's shoulders.
"Gabe is very weak right now. He has been without food and water longer than someone should. However, Dr. Shepherd is going to do all he can for him and I will be there to help him, but I cannot be concerned about you too. The best thing you can do for Gabe, is to stay here with Maggie tonight, and I promise you will see Gabe tomorrow."
"You promise?"
"I promise," Nathan assured the scared boy.
Though he did not move away from Nathan, Billy glanced over his shoulder at Lillian briefly before looking down at the ground.
"I do not want to hurt Miss Maggie's feelings but could I stay with Miss Lillian tonight?" Billy asked quietly. "I can tell everyone is relieved Gabe was found but I am still worried. Miss Lillian will be worried to because she loves Gabe too."
Lillian felt her eyes fill up with tears. Billy had asked to stay with her, and called her Miss Lillian. The boy had also admitted to loving Gabe, which considering all he had been through, was a huge step for him.
"I think that arrangement will make Gabe very happy," Nathan told Billy.
As Billy tuned to come toward her, Lillian finally slipped her arm from O'Reilley's, which she was still holding on to. As Billy put her arms around her, Lillian wrapped her arms around him as too. Billy finally trusted her and that was at least something good to come from all of this.
Billy lifted his head and looked at Maggie. "You are not mad that I do not want to stay with you, are you Miss Maggie?"
Lillian saw that the British nurse had tears in her eyes as well. "Of course not, Billy. I think you and Miss Lillian can be a comfort to each other tonight. I will go get some of your things for you so you can go with Miss Lillian."
"Thank you," Billy said. "I do not want to go back into those rooms until Gabe is home."
"You do not have to," Lillian assured the boy clinging to her as Maggie headed toward the living quarters behind the Mounted Police office, having already gotten the key off of Joe.
"If you will excuse us," O'Reilly said, speaking for himself and Oakley. "We have some things to take care of. Happily, we can let everyone know that the search parties will not be necessary tomorrow."
Nathan and Lillian acknowledged the words as the two officers headed back toward the hotel. Nathan moved close to Lillian, and put an arm around her shoulders.
"Where are your coats?" Nathan asked, making Lillian realize that neither her nor Billy had bothered putting on coats.
"In the hotel," Lillian admitted.
An arm still around her shoulders, Nathan guided Lillian and Billy, who still clung to her, toward the hotel. Inside, he pulled a chair near the fireplace and seated Lillian in it. Billy stood next to her, his arms still around her.
"I'll get your coats and once you have warmed up some, I will walk the two of you out to the house and hitch up the wagon," Nathan told her.
"Thank you," Lillian replied, pointing to where her and Billy's coats were.
The mood inside the hotel had shifted. Like Billy had said, people were relieved Gabriel had been found. That was a good thing. However, from Nathan's words Lillian could tell that Gabriel was not completely out of danger yet. Billy had picked up on that as well, so while the search was over for the Mounties and the townsfolk, Lillian's worry wasn't. She could take comfort though that Gabriel was at least being taken care of tonight. She knew that Dr. Shepherd and Nathan would take good care of him and she would see Gabriel tomorrow. Nathan's promise meant as much to her as it did Billy.
With Chuck taking care of Newton, Nathan walked Lillian and Billy out toward the orphanage. He had picked up the tired looking boy and Billy was soon asleep with his head on Nathan's shoulder. Joe had promised to have the blankets and food waiting at the hotel for Nathan after he got the wagon from the orphanage.
Reaching the orphanage, Nathan carried the sleeping boy upstairs while Lillian told the others the news. Going to the room the boys used, Nathan carefully placed Billy on the single bed. Sitting on the side of the bed, he removed the boy's shoes, undid the top button of the shirt and then pulled the blanket up over him. Nathan hoped the boy would sleep well now that Gabriel had been found.
Standing up, he headed out of the room. He met Lillian in the hallways outside of the room.
"I'll need to keep an eye on him tonight. He did not sleep too well in that room the last time he was here but I do not like the idea of him being in a room by himself either."
"Hopefully he sleeps well," Nathan said with a nod. "You look like you could use some sleep too."
"I have had a couple of restless nights," Lillian admitted. "Nathan, how bad off is Gabriel?"
Nathan glanced at the sleeping boy. His even breathing said he was still sleeping, but even so, Nathan moved Lillian a few steps away from the doorway. Protecting Billy by not going into details was one thing, but Lillian was a different story. Elizabeth had made him promise to tell her the truth of a situation, no matter how bad it was. She said it was the only way she could properly face it. If he was in Gabriel's position, he would want someone to be completely truthful with Elizabeth. Lillian deserved the same consideration.
"Gabriel was still tied up when we found him and though he did try to open his eyes when we spoke to him, he was not alert. Between the cold exposure, dehydration and lack of food, Carson did not want to add more stress to his body by trying to move him. Gabriel was swallowing water, and Carson was hopeful that once he was able to get some water in Gabriel and warm him up that he would come around. There did not seem to be any serious injuries, but he is going to be in some pain for the next few days after being bound as long as he was."
Lillian nodded as she wiped away a few tears.
"The best thing you can do for him right now Lillian is to keep an eye on Billy and get some sleep so you are rested. Gabriel is going to need you to be strong for him when he comes home."
"Why did I fall in love with a Mountie?" Lillian said in a shaky voice. As if she realized what she had said, a panicked look came over her face as she looked at Nathan. "Oh, I did not mean that. I love, Gabriel. I want him in my life no matter what that brings. I do."
Nathan reached out and enfolded Lillian in a brotherly embrace. "I know you do, Lillian, and you are not feeling anything that the wives and fiances of other Mounties have not felt before as well. Our job brings with it a different set of challenges than most people have to live with. As much as we would like to, there is no protecting our loved ones from those challenges. Just know that you are not alone. Nor will those who are a part of this brotherhood and their families judge you for your fear or doubt."
For the first time since she had heard Gabriel was missing, Lillian allowed herself to release her pent up emotions in a torrent of tears. She clung to Nathan's uniform jacket as she sobbed against the red serge. Nathan supported her against him with one strong arm around her waist as the other hand rubbed her back soothingly. He did not try to put a stop to the tears. Gabriel was in good hands with Carson. Lillian needed this opportunity to break down. To let herself feel what she needed to feel so that she could be strong for Billy when she needed to be. So that she could give Gabriel the support he was going to need in the weeks to come.
Eventually though, Lillian's tears came to and end. It took a little longer for her breathing to return to normal. Even then, she remained still in Nathan's embrace for a couple more minutes. Nathan remained quiet, his hand still continuing its soothing motion on her back. He planned on giving Lillian whatever time she needed.
"I am sorry," Lillian finally murmured, as she finally pulled away.
"Do not be," Nathan told her. "You are allowed to break down along with the rest of us," he told her.
Lillian nodded.
"Are you going to be okay now?" Nathan asked her.
Lillian looked up at him. Though the worry was still there in her expression, there was also a peace that had not been present before.
"I will be," Lillian told him. "Thank you for letting me cry on your jacket."
"I think that is part of what these jackets are for," Nathan told her, managing to get a small smile from Lillian.
"Can you wait here, one moment?" Lillian asked him.
Nathan nodded. As Lillian headed down the hallway, Nathan walked back to the boys' bedroom. Billy was still sleeping peacefully. Approaching footsteps caught his attention. He looked away from the room to see Lillian coming toward him again.
Stepping away from the room again, Nathan met Lillian. The young woman was holding a necklace out to him.
"Will you please give this to Gabriel to hold on to?" Lillian asked, placing the chain with a small garnet heart in his hand. "He gave that necklace to me on our second date. He told me that he wanted me to have a piece of his heart near mine until he proposed. This time, I want to him to have a piece of my heart until I can be with him."
Nathan nodded as he put the necklace safely into the breast pocket of his jacket. "I will gladly pass along that message," he told Lillian. "I am going to go hitch up the wagon. Thank you for letting us use it. No matter what, you will hear from me tomorrow."
Lillian nodded. "Thank you."
Nathan headed for the stairs, while Lillian headed for the bedroom where Billy slept. Nathan spoke briefly with the children, Grace and Eleanor before heading outside. Eleanor gave him a small sack with some food she had put together to him. Nathan knew it was her way of feeling like she was doing something. He also knew it would taste better than any of the can food that was left at the cabin.
Stepping into the night air, Nathan headed for the barn. Now that he had done what he could to comfort Lillian and Billy, Nathan was anxious to get back out to the cabin and see how Gabriel was doing.