The next day, Carson and the extra Mounties who had remained in Brookfield, left the little town. The Mounties who had been set out to try tracking the criminals came back saying they had lost the trail. Though people would be put on alert in the surrounding area, for now there was nothing more that could be done. While Staff Sergeant Oakley and most of the other Mounties headed back to Clearwater, Super Intendant O'Reilly set out for Union City, wishing Gabriel and Lillian best of wishes with their upcoming wedding plans. Though the request would go to Oakley, O'Reilly had instructed the Clearwater Staff Sergeant to grant any request for further time off that Gabriel put in.
Once again, Constable Davor took on the regular patrol of Brookfield. Gabriel was relieved that Brookfield was in good hands while he took a break. Perhaps if he chose not to come back, Davor would be given the post permanently. As soon as the thought came into his mind, Gabriel pushed it aside, not wanting to dwell too much on the subject. If he were honest with himself, the idea of resigning felt just as daunting as the idea of returning to duty at this point. Gabriel knew he needed to talk things out with someone, preferably another Mountie, but he was not quite ready to have that conversation. Perhaps when he got to Hope Valley, he would have the courage to bring the topic up with Nathan.
The subject he did try to focus on was the wedding. The Tradeaus were kept busy with sending and receiving telegrams. Not that the couple minded. They were happy to send messages to help the joyous occasion come together. Gabriel's parents responded to his telegram inquiring when they could be in Hope Valley for a wedding the same day the inquiry was sent. The response was that they could be there with a week's notice but did ask why the sudden rush. As his parents had not been informed of his disappearance, Gabriel was not about to inform them about it in a telegram. Instead, he simply sent a reply that he would explain when they were together and that he would send another telegram when the date had been sent.
Plans were discussed between friends and family in both Brookfield and Hope Valley. Rosemary sent a telegram saying that not only would she be happy to help with the dress but that she and Lee would be happy to open their home to Lillian, Grace and the children. Nathan sent word that Pastor Zeke would happily perform the ceremony and that Lucas had offered the use of the Queen of Hearts for the reception. Abigail assured them that she and Gustav would coordinate and make them whatever wedding fare they desired in her first telegram. Her second telegram the following day, listed a few options and the assurance that they could discuss it further upon their arrival. Gabriel and Lillian had both chuckled over Abigail's exuberance about the menu and Lillian told Gabriel about the Christmas she and Grace had been stuck in Hope Valley.
Hope Valley will make it a special day, Rosemary had promised in one telegram.
The following Tuesday, a crowd gathered outside the Mounted Police office to see Gabriel, Lillian and Billy off. The wedding had been set for eleven days from then. The bride and groom were heading to Hope Valley to be a part of the preparations. Grace, Eleanor and Chuck were going to bring Vincent, Christian, Mary Louise and Fred on Saturday, a week before the wedding. Gabriel's parents were planning to arrive a couple days before the wedding. Most of the town had shown up to see the happy couple off.
"Maggie and I are organizing a party for when you two come home. Ronnie does not know it yet, but we will be using his hotel," Joe told Gabriel and Lillian after hugging them both good-bye.
"You do not have to do that, Joe," Gabriel told his friend.
"Yes, we do," Joe replied, taking a step back so that he could stand next to Maggie. "While we understand why you are going to Hope Valley, we all want to celebrate the occasion with you too."
"Thank you," Gabriel said simply, knowing that there was no talking Joe and Maggie out of their plan. He also had a feeling that he would have plenty of help. Ronnie probably even felt the same way Joe and Maggie did, though Gabriel had a feeling that the hotel owner would put up a fuss just for the show of it.
A few others stepped forward to say good-bye to the happy couple, send best wishes with them. Even though she would be joining them in Hope Valley, Grace hugged her sister good-bye and then gave Gabriel a hug.
"I am so glad you are okay," Grace said, as she wrapped her arms around Gabriel. It was the first time in the last week that Grace had expressed any indication of her own worry during Gabriel's disappearance to anyone other than Chuck. "I grew up without a family and now that I found family again, I am not ready to say good-bye to anyone," she confessed her voice trembling.
Gabriel hugged the young woman that would soon become his sister-in-law a little tighter as he rested his chin on the top of her head.
"I do not plan on going anywhere," Gabriel told her softly. "I still have a little sister to give away in a couple of months."
Grace's head suddenly lifted, and though she remained in Gabriel's brotherly embrace, she looked over at her sister. "We have not discussed who was going to give you away," she told Lillian.
Lillian smiled. Grace had been frantic the last few days trying to remember every detail that needed to be covered, knowing that plans would be started without her in Hope Valley. "I have given it some thought," she told her sister. "We will discuss it when you get to Hope Valley."
"All right," Grace consented, seeming only a little more relieved.
"It will be all right," Gabriel told her. "Lillian and I have discussed this. We are not looking for perfection. We simply want to be with most important people in our lives."
Grace smiled. "I thought May seemed awfully close and here we are planning a wedding in two weeks."
"You and Chuck can get married with us if you want," Gabriel teased.
"Not a chance," Grace countered quickly. "May will come soon enough."
Gabriel chuckled. "That it will," he assured her. He placed a brotherly kiss to the top of Grace's head before finally releasing her.
Moments later, Lillian was in the saddle on top of Benson and Gabriel was on Apollo with Billy behind him. With final waves, the trio set out for Hope Valley. As he rode, Gabriel glanced back. Those gathered were dispersing and only Davor, in his red uniform, stood out front of the Mounted Police office.
When he returned, those rooms behind the jail would no longer be his living quarters. The plan was for him and Lillian to share her current room, which was the house's master bedroom, until the addition was completed. Billy would have the currently empty bedroom for his own, with the understanding that if there were guests, he would bunk with Christian and Vincent and let the guests use the room. Gabriel knew that Billy was nervous about having a bedroom of his own, Lillian had assured him that the extra bed in the boy's room would be ready for his use if he needed to ease into the transition of having his own room. Christian and Vincent had both told the boy he was welcome to use their room anytime he wanted.
"You're not having second thoughts are you?" Lillian asked, catching Gabriel's backwards glance.
Gabriel looked from the disappearing town to his soon to be wife. Letting go of the reigns with one hand, Gabriel reached out a hand to Lillian. His fiancé took his outstretched hand in hers.
"No, not second thoughts," Gabriel assured him. "Just thinking about how things will be different when I return. It will be a transition but it is one I am happy to make."
"Good," Lillian replied. "I use to think that by choosing to look after orphans I would have to give up the dream of a husband and children of my own. Thank you for loving me enough to allow me to do both."
"Any time," Gabriel said easily, an amused smirk on his lips.
Lillian broke her gaze with Gabriel to look back at the boy riding behind him.
"I am also glad that you are a part of that future as well, Billy. The three of us are going to make a wonderful family that will grow in our love and God willing, in our members."
"Thank you, Miss Lillian," the boy said quietly.
Gabriel felt Billy hold him tighter as he leaned his head against his back. This was the family he had held on for, in the pain and darkness out in that cabin. Lillian and Billy were who he had most wanted to come home for. Being a Mountie use to make his life feel fulfilled. Now, Gabriel knew that without Lillian and Billy even being a Mountie would not achieve that feeling. He could live without the job and deep down, he knew he would continue without Billy and Lillian as well. He had seen enough examples of that kind of bravery that he would find a way. The simple truth was though, he hoped he never had to search for the strength to do that. With Lillian and Billy by his side, Gabriel could not help but feel that the rest of his life would fall into place as God saw fit. He simply needed to pray for guidance in the decision he needed to make soon. He had been avoiding the question of returning to work, but he could only avoid it for so long.
By the time that the Grant home came into view, all three members of the trio were ready for their journey to come to an end. An icy wind had crept up, and all were glad that it was blowing against their backs as they covered the last length of their journey.
Nathan was making his way from the barn toward the house, his serge a bright splash of red against the snow-covered landscape. Seeing his friend in uniform, brought on an onslaught of memories. The first time he had put the uniform on in training. His and Nathan's rocky start of a relationship. Graduation day with Nathan at his side. Some of the silly mistakes he had made under the watchful eye of Patrick O'Reilly. Though Patrick had always steered him clear of mistakes that would have resulted in someone getting hurt, his training officer had been more than happy to sit back and watch him make other mistakes. Patrick claimed it would let the lesson sink in better while keeping Gabriel humble. Gabriel had never been able to prove that theory wrong.
Gabriel recalled his accomplishments and the cases that had not turned out so well. He remembered the faces that go away. The man who had shot him. He saw Jack Trenton's leering grin and Walter's concerned face.
The instructors at the academy had tried to prepare them for some of the hardships they would face on the job. Back then though, Gabriel did not think that any of them really thought anything would happen to them. They had thought themselves invincible.
Gabriel no longer felt invincible. There were a lot of times that he just felt plain lucky.
"I am glad to see you all under happier circumstances. Hope the ride wasn't too hard," Nathan said, cutting through Gabriel's thoughts.
"The ride was not too bad. Just cold," Lillian replied.
"Well, Elizabeth said she was going to have hot chocolate, coffee or water for tea ready for when you arrived," Nathan told her, even as he stepped up to Apollo. "What do you say, Billy? Are you ready for some hot chocolate?"
"Yes, Constable Grant," Billy replied as he reached out to let Nathan help him down from the horse.
"The hot chocolate is good," Ally announced having come out the front door having been watching for their guests.
Lillian, having dismounted, laughed. "I may just have to try the hot chocolate myself."
"I made plenty," Elizabeth said as she stood in the doorway of the house now.
Gabriel had remained silent. His emotions felt too much in turmoil to trust his voice right now. As he turned after dismounting Apollo though, he found his friend standing there with open arms. As Lillian grabbed Apollo's reigns from the other side, Gabriel let go of the reigns and embraced his friend.
Feeling Nathan's arms around him, all the emotions that Gabriel had been trying to ignore the past week came bubbling to the surface. Gabriel saw the red of Nathan's serge, the telltale symbol of a Mountie. Being a Mountie had not just been a job. It had been his calling. His way of making a positive difference, in a world where so many tragic things happened. Those things had been hitting a little too close to home lately and it had him running scared from that calling. It was not that he did not want to be a Mountie but that he was scared of what might happen if he continued.
Unable to hold back the tears, Gabriel hid his face against the shoulder of that red jacket. Nathan said nothing even as his friend supported him in a brotherly embrace.
"Ally, could you come help me get the horses settled?" he heard Lillian ask.
"Yes, Miss Lillian," Ally replied, though Gabriel could hear the worry in her voice. Worry that he was causing.
Taking a deep breath, Gabriel let it out slowly, trying to calm his emotions.
"Anything you do not need right away can stay out in the barn. I will bring it in later," Nathan told them, though his arms stayed comfortingly around Gabriel.
Whatever response that was given was not audible though Gabriel did hear Elizabeth speak to Billy.
"Come with me, and I will get you some hot chocolate, Billy," Elizabeth said. "I am starting to get cold standing here."
"All right, Mrs. Grant," Billy said hesitantly.
"Gabriel will be . . ."
Elizabeth's words faded away. Gabriel assumed it was because she and Billy had gone inside.
Gabriel knew he was worrying people. It was his responsibility to be the strong one for both Lillian and Billy and here he was falling apart. Gabriel tried to pull away from Nathan's embrace, but his friend kept his arms around him.
"Let yourself feel what you need to feel, Gabriel," Nathan told him, quietly. "Lillian and Billy are fine right now and they need you to allow yourself to heal emotionally. I know that is not going to happen instantly, but this is the start of that."
Nathan's quiet words led to a fresh bout of tears that Gabriel could not hold back. Right then, he did not try to vocalize what was going through his head. Like Nathan had said, he just let himself feel what he needed to feel.
Eventually, the tears were spent and getting his breathing under control was easy. Without a word, Nathan changed his hold on him and led Gabriel into the house. Leading Gabriel through the foyer, to the dining room and then to the bedroom and home office at the back of the house. The room had been built on the ground floor in case Nathan's mother ever made her way to Hope Valley as there was no way she would be able to navigate the stairs. As of yet, it had not been put to use as a bedroom, but as the spacious room had a settee and coffee table in front of the fireplace, along with an oak desk next to the window it did get use. Nathan used it the most, talking to people who came to the house to talk to him or getting paperwork done at home instead of in town. Elizabeth would use it for her writing when she wanted quiet away from the children that her desk in the sitting room did not allow. On occasion, even Ally would retreat to the room to work on her schoolwork.
Right now, it would give Nathan and Gabriel a quiet and private place to talk.
As Nathan guided him over to the settee, Gabriel noticed a fire had already been started and there was a tray with two mugs sitting on the coffee table. Apparently, Elizabeth had anticipated Nathan bringing him into the room and had brought them in, or sent them in with Billy. Gabriel took a seat on the settee, absently removing his hat, gloves and coat. For now, he placed the items on the settee and took the mug that Nathan held out to him. The hot mug felt good in his hands, and Gabriel held the cup up to inhale the aroma of the coffee. The familiar smell had a calming effect on him.
Picking up the second mug, Nathan took a seat on the settee next to Gabriel. "Whenever you're ready to talk, I am ready as a sounding board," his friend told him. "We are sitting here until you talk to me, Gabe. I have a feeling your wedding plans have allowed you to push other things aside, and while your wedding is important, so is the rest of it."
As he lifted the mug to his lips, a small smile came to his lips. Nathan knew him so well. Even without the impending wedding, a trip to Hope Valley was exactly what he needed right now.
Gabriel took a few minutes to collect his thoughts. The silence between him and Nathan was comfortable and natural as both men sipped on the hot liquid in the mugs.
Still looking into the flames of the fire before them, Gabe finally started to put his emotions and thoughts into words. They came out in a jumble and Gabriel did not bother trying to organize them. Not for Nathan. His friend would understand anyway, as Nathan understood him in a way that no one else did or perhaps could. Their experiences as a Mountie, though different, had exposed them to things that other family and friends had no reference for.