As it was just the three of them right now, Lillian had set the table in the Grant's kitchen. Placing a plate of cinnamon raisin pancakes next to the plate of sausage, Lillian took the third empty chair. The pancakes and sausages for Nathan, Elizabeth and Ally were staying warm on the stove. Nathan said he and Ally were going to eat in with Elizabeth as soon as the three of them settled on a name for Baby Grant.
Gabriel led the little group with the blessing. He choked up a bit when he realized that a week from now the three of them would be a family. His family. Gabriel truly felt blessed. His friend had a wonderful family that he was a part of and soon, he would have a family of his own.
If Lillian or Billy noticed Gabriel's struggle to get some of his words out, neither of them commented on it. After they had all said Amen, they began filling their plates. That was as far as they got when footsteps caught their attention. All three pairs of eyes turned to the doorway that Nathan and Ally soon appeared in. Standing in front of Nathan, Ally wore a huge grin.
"So does that little girl have a name now?" Lillian asked, voicing the question that they all wanted answered.
"She does," Nathan told them. He rested his hands on Ally's shoulders. He looked down at his daughter and told her, "you go ahead and tell them," Nathan instructed.
Still grinning, Ally said, "Seeing as her god father was the one that helped bring her into the world, we agreed it would be nice to name her after Mr. Gabe. Her name is Gabriella Joy!" Ally announced excitedly.
"That is such a sweet name," Lillian exclaimed.
Once again, Gabriel felt a wave of emotion come over him. Though he was happy, a realization suddenly hit him. If it wasn't for his training as a Mountie, he would not have known what to do last night. Elizabeth would have had to give birth with either a drunk doctor or no one with any medical training. If the bleeding had not been stopped, she could have possibly died. Little Hope back in Brookfield may not have survived if he had not been there as well. They were lives that had been impacted if not saved because of the training he had.
Were there people in the future who would be impacted if he quit being a Mountie? Yes, he had wanted to see different part of the country when he had chosen to be a Mountie. That had not been the only reason though. He had wanted to be a Mountie so that he could help people - both directly and indirectly.
If he quit, were there lives that would have been saved if he had not?
"Gabe, are you okay?"
Nathan's voice cut through his thoughts. As he became aware of his surroundings, he realized that his friend was kneeling beside him. Nathan's hand rested on his upper arm. Looking past Nathan, Gabriel saw the worried expressions on Lillian and Billy's faces. Still by the doorway, Ally looked upset.
"I thought you would be happy about the name," Ally said, tentatively, clearly thinking that she had done something to upset Gabriel.
"I am," Gabriel replied, trying to reassure the young girl. "I'm more than happy. I'm proud that you all wanted to name your new member of the family after me."
"That was Ally's idea," Nathan said, still kneeling next to Gabriel's chair. "However, I could not think of a more fitting name. So, the question remains, what was with that little episode? Are you feeling okay?"
"I feel fine," Gabriel said, almost automatically. "Yes, I am a little tired, though probably less so than you."
"I could use a nap," Nathan admitted.
"Physically I am fine. It just hit me that if I did not have the training I have, last night could have turned out differently."
Lillian reached across the table, holding her hand out to Gabriel. Reaching up with the arm that Nathan did not have his hand resting on, Gabriel took it.
"You did have the necessary training though. Elizabeth and Gabriella are both fine, not to mention little Hope back in Brookfield."
"And if I quit? Does that choice potentially put other lives in danger?"
Lillian squeezed the hand that rested in hers, even as Nathan replied.
"Whether you resign or not, does not change the fact that you already have that training, Gabriel. If an emergency arrives, you will still know what to do, whether you are wearing the serge or not."
Gabriel nodded, seeing the truth in Nathan's words.
"The uniform does not make the man, the man makes the uniform," Nathan said, repeating words that their lead instructor had told in his welcoming speech their first day of training. "Nothing can change the person that you are Gabriel."
"Thank-you," Gabriel said, knowing that he had needed to hear those words. To remember what their instructors had emphasized during their training - that what they had to teach them would not matter if the values and the morals that their profession embraced were not already a part of who they were. "I needed that reminder."
Nathan patted his arm, as he got to his feet. As he took a step back, Ally rushed forward and threw her arms around Gabriel. Releasing Lillian's hand Gabriel hugged his god daughter back.
"I am going to make sure that Gabriella knows exactly what a great god father that we have as soon as she is old enough to understand," Ally told him.
"You are going to make a wonderful big sister," Gabriel told her.
"She already is to, Jack," Nathan said. "Which reminds me, we should all probably get our breakfast eaten, so I can go bring Jack home as Lee and Rosemary are going to have visitors arriving this afternoon."
Lillian gasped. "That's right! Grace and Chuck will be here with the children today. I forgot with everything else that happened." Lillian paused before looking up at Nathan. "Where is Eleanor going to stay?" she asked. The original plans had her in the room downstairs here at the Grant's home.
"Eleanor can have the master bedroom," Nathan said easily. "I will make sure enough of mine and Elizabeth's stuff is out so that I won't have to disrupt her often."
Lillian looked relieved.
"Ally why don't you grab the plates and silverware, and take them into the bedroom," Nathan told her. "I will be in shortly."
"All right," Ally said, finally letting go of Gabriel and going for the requested items.
"Lillian, Elizabeth and I were talking and as Gabriel is god father to both Ally and Gabriella, we wanted to know if you would be willing to be their god mother."
Lillian hesitated in answering, her expression one of surprise. "Doesn't Ally already have a god mother?"
Nathan shook his head. "When Colleen asked me to be Ally's god father, she told me that when I got married, that person would become her little girl's god mother. That never happened and though Angela and her husband became Ally's guardians and Gabriel took my place as her god father, I never picked a god mother."
"Then I would be honored to take on that role," Lillian said, a genuine smile on her face to be included in yet another way into Gabriel's world.
"Thank you," Nathan told her. Still standing between Gabriel and Billy's chairs, Nathan knelt down and looked over at Billy. "How would you like to be Gabriella's honorary uncle, Billy?"
"Really? Aren't I too young?"
Nathan shook his head. "Being an aunt or an uncle has nothing to do with age."
"Besides, my brother Matthew has two nephews who are about a year older than he," Gabriel said, thinking of Evelyn's twin boys. The twins were the only children his oldest sister and her husband had been blessed with, despite the couple wanting more children.
"Besides, family is what you make of it." Ally added "Technically I am her cousin, however I am claiming her as my little sister," the girl added.
"Being Gabriella's honorary uncle simply mean promising to be a good role model for as she gets older."
Billy nodded. "I think I can do that," he said seriously.
"I know you can," Nathan assured him, mussing the boy's head before getting to his feet. Grabbing a tray, Nathan placed the food Lillian had prepared, three glasses and the pitcher of milk from the fridge onto it and headed for the downstairs bedroom as Gabriel, Billy and Lillian returned to their breakfast.
After the noon meal, Lillian found herself alone in the Grant sitting room with Billy. Elizabeth, Jack and Gabriella were all napping. Little Jack had laid down next to his mother in her bed and fell asleep, and Elizabeth had asked for him to stay there. Though Nathan had slept most of the morning, Nathan and Gabriel had headed into town. Nathan to make phone calls to family members about Gabriella Joy Grant's arrival while Gabriel wanted to send messages to his family just to verify their travel plans. Ally had tagged along, wanting to share her joy with her friends about her baby sister.
Lillian was sitting at Elizabeth's desk making and reviewing lists of things that needed to be done this next week. Billy was sprawled out before the fire reading a book. She paused when she got to the one listing the wedding party. It was a short list. Nathan was to be best man and Grace the maid of honor. As Angela was bringing her children, her little girl Alicia, who was five, she would serve as flower girl. Alicia's older brother, Stephen, would be the ring bearer. She and Gabriel had decided not to try to include any other attendants given the short notice. Gabriel had bought Alicia some dresses for Christmas as Angela had said her daughter was growing like a weed and her current dresses were getting short. One had been a pretty, white dress for Sundays. Alicia would wear that for the wedding. Stephen would simply wear his Sunday clothes.
The only question mark was someone to walk with Lillian down the aisle, or well the staircase in this instance. Lillian knew Chuck would do it without question. They had grown up together and he would soon be her brother-in-law. However, after her father had died, Lillian had always just figured that if she got married she would make that walk alone. However, recent events had her considering another option. She had spoken to Gabriel about it, who liked the idea. She had gone back and forth between whether she wanted Gabriel to speak of it or do it herself.
Turning in her chair, Lillian looked at the young boy. It seemed only appropriate to include Billy in the wedding somehow if he was willing.
"Billy, can you come sit with me on the settee a moment?" Lillian asked getting to her feet. "I want to talk to you about something."
"Of course, Miss Lillian," Billy replied, closing his book. He let it sit on the floor as he got to his feet and moved toward the settee.
"Have I done something wrong?" Billy asked nervously.
"No, you have not," Lillian assured him, knowing the question came from his insecurities created by the traumas of his young life she did not make light of the question. The only thing Billy needed from her was reassurance when he had those doubts. She knew in time he would be less worried about making mistakes. "I just wanted to ask you something," she added patting the cushion beside her.
Billy sat down on the settee. While only a couple of weeks ago Billy would have sat apart from her, now the boy sat down right close to her. When she reached out to put an arm around his shoulders, Billy leaned toward her. As horrible of an ordeal as Gabriel's abduction had been for all of them, Lillian knew Billy's sudden trust in her was one of the positive things to come from it. She had hesitated making that observation to Gabriel not sure if he was quite ready to look for the silver linings of what he had gone through. His comment the night before that her marrying him sooner had been the only good thing to come from it, had gotten her thinking that perhaps it was time to have that conversation when the opportunity arose.
"Billy, when a woman gets married, usually a father or a male member of her family gives her away. Other times, she just has someone important in her life escort her down the aisle."
Billy nodded. "I remember Grace saying you had not figured out who was going to walk you down the aisle yet before we left."
Lillian smiled. The boy had been listening to that conversation. "That is right. However, I have been thinking about that, and I would really like it to be you that walks with me. Granted, I am getting married in a saloon, and my aisle is going to be a staircase, but I would still like you to be at my side. This union is not just about me and Gabriel. You are a part of it too and I think you should be a part of the ceremony. Gabriel likes the idea as well. What do you think?"
Billy opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. Instead, he turned and wrapped Lillian in a hug.
Lillian wrapped her arms around him, holding the trembling body close to her. Though she did not think he was crying, it was obvious that some kind of emotion was overwhelming him. Holding him, she gave the boy time to sort through his emotions.
"I thought you and Gabe did not want me to be a part of the wedding. I was actually a little afraid that Gabe might change his mind about keeping me after the wedding."
"Oh, Billy, what made you think that?" Lillian asked.
"You and he have been so busy making plans. Plans that did not seem to include me. I guess I was just starting to wonder. Also Justin at school said that newly married couples do not want kids around. With what he said and then plans for me staying with the Grants right after the wedding had me scared but I did not want to say anything."
"I wish you had," Lillian soothed, rubbing the boy's back. "Gabriel asked my opinion about taking you in before he made his choice to keep you with him, Billy. I am happy to have you part of my family. Yes, I like the idea of having a couple of days with just Gabriel after we are married but after that, I am looking forward to the three of us going back to Brookfield and starting our lives together."
Billy shifted his head and looked up at her. "Would you ever consider adopting me?"
Lillian nodded without hesitation. "If that was something you wanted, I would be honored too. So would Gabriel. Have you thought about being adopted, Billy?"
"Yes, especially being back here with Ally. She is so happy with her blended family. Sometimes I think I would like that too but then I feel guilty for wanting it. I do not want my parents thinking I do not love them even if they are in heaven."
"I do not think your parents would ever think that. I think they would be happy to know you belong to a second family. There is no rush to make that choice though, Billy. Whenever you are ready, Gabriel and I will be right there for you. We do not plan on going anywhere. If you never quite feel ready, know that we both love you just the same."
Billy nodded a smile coming to his face.
"I would be happy to escort you on your wedding day, Miss Lillian," he told her.
"Wonderful," Lillian told him. "I was thinking I would make you a new shirt for the occasion. I need to talk to Rosemary to see if I can get the material, but how would you feel about a red shirt so that you will match Gabriel's dress uniform."
Billy nodded.
"As soon as someone gets home, you and I will go see Rosemary, all right?"
Billy nodded again and then rested his head against her as he hugged her. The two were quiet for a while before Billy asked. "Miss Lillian, why do you and Mrs. Thornton always use Gabe's proper name?"
Lillian laughed. "Well, Mrs. Thornton uses it because Ally told her that Gabriel's mother is not fond of the nickname. Which I guess is a good reason for me not to use the nickname either. However, I have always used it because I like the sound of it better."
"Do you think Gabe's mother will not like me because I use the nickname?"
"I do not think it will be a problem," Lillian assured him. "I can help you ask Mrs. Kinslow if you would like?"
Billy shook his head. "That is okay. Maybe I will ask her myself though if she seems like a nice person."
"From how Gabriel has described her, I am sure Mrs. Kinslow is a lovely person," Lillian told him, though she was suddenly worried about what her future mother-in-law would think of her as well. Would she approve of the work she did?