AN: So, once again it is post early or not until like around 11pm tonight. So, this is the last chapter. Thank you to those you braved the unusual 'journey'. I hoped you enjoyed the chapter even if you don't like one of the main characters (I won't call her out again in the notes -hehehe). I also hope you like the ending. It was not the original ending but my betareader did not care for the original ending so I came up with this one. I like this one more myself. This is the last chapter, though for those who want to scream - 'what about the cardinal clip?' - you will be getting a drabble about the cardinal clip shortly.
Enjoy!
Nathan had never cared to be the center of attention. This was no different. He hated having Carson, Bill, Rosemary, Lee and Lucas fuss over him. However, as his injuries protested at almost any movement, Nathan knew he needed his friends right now. Carson kept telling him that bed rest was the best thing for him right now. Nathan didn't think he could get out of the bed on his own even if he wanted to. If he couldn't look after himself, how was he supposed to look out for Ally?
The most ironic part of all of that was that he was referring to Lucas Bouchard as a friend. How could he not though? It was no longer just that Lucas had done the right thing regarding Hargraves. Lucas had continued to be a source of support. Lucas had come to check on him, the afternoon Dylan had ambushed them. If Lucas had not shown up when he did, Nathan knew he would not be here. Dylan had gotten close to having his wish. Nathan only hoped the Mounties caught up with his brother-in-law before Dylan figured out his plan had not worked. He did not want to have to leave Hope Valley, but he would if it was the only way to keep Ally safe. Nathan did not want a repeat of coming home to see a gun pointed at Ally's head.
Nathan knew he needed to thank Lucas for not only saving his life but for his support afterwards. While it did not surprise him that Bill and Lee had been nearby helping Carson, waking up and seeing Lucas at his bedside that first night had been a surprise. The fact that Lucas had been the one to happen by that day, had been surprising as well.
It was a conversation he had not ventured to have yet. Yes, he could blame his injuries. His sore jaw made talking painful. Carson had said he couldn't rule out a hairline fracture, though giving how hard Dylan had kicked him Nathan figured it was a good possibility. He had also been sleeping a lot, sleep being the one thing that let him escape the pain. Nathan knew it wasn't just the injuries though.
Given the events of the past two years, Nathan was still having trouble reconciling the idea that Lucas was turning into a good friend. He was though. Nathan recognized that. He just had not been able to voice it.
Footsteps told Nathan that someone was coming toward his room. He turned his head slowly, the injured muscles of his neck protesting as he did so. Unsurprisingly, it was Ally coming into his room. His niece was already dressed for bed, her robe covering her nightgown. She had a book in her hands.
"I know you are not up to reading to me, but I was wondering if we could continue our tradition by me reading to you instead."
"Good idea," Nathan told her.
Ally climbed carefully up onto the bed. Opening the book, she picked up where they had left off the night before Dylan had shown up. As he listened to her voice, Nathan found himself drifting off toward sleep.
"Good night, Uncle Nathan," Ally told him, her voice sounding distant, though the gentle kiss on his cheek did not go unnoticed.
Nathan wasn't sure if he replied or not before sleep claimed him. When he woke up the next time, the room was dark except for a soft glow coming from the doorway. In the light from a lamp in the hallway, Nathan saw Lucas sitting in a chair just outside his doorway, his head bent over a book.
"What are you doing?" Nathan asked, unsure if Lucas would hear him or not.
However, Lucas looked up from the book. Getting to his feet, Lucas walked toward the bed. "Ally made me promise I would stay near your room in case you needed something tonight. She said the worry otherwise would keep her awake. I couldn't say no to her."
"What is it about my niece that caught your attention, Lucas?" Nathan asked.
Lucas grabbed the chair that had been placed near the wall and sat down next to the bed. "The first time she walked into the saloon, I liked her spunk instantly. Then when she mentioned having a hard time making friends, I guess I saw myself as a child, moving about from school to school as my parents traveled. I did not mean to get her into trouble with that card trick. I assure you. The moment you walked into the saloon to confront me about the incident, I knew Ally had something I did not have - a parental figure that wanted to be engaged in her life. She's lucky to have you, Nathan."
"I am lucky to have her," Nathan countered. "So, is Ally the only reason you've been hanging around these last few weeks."
"She was the reason I didn't go along with Hargraves," Lucas admitted.
Nathan was glad Lucas had not tried to lie to spare his feelings.
"However, seeing you after Hargraves inquiry was the first time I saw past the strong, confident, always do the right thing, Mountie persona and saw the person inside the uniform. You looked like you were carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders that night and I guess I wanted to help ease your burden a little. You have given so much to this town but ask for so little in return."
"Why were you there that afternoon?"
Lucas smiled as he looked down at the ground. "This might sound silly, but I was simply checking in on you. You seemed tired when you left the saloon after dealing with that fight. Something inside me was saying to check in on you."
"You saved my life that day, Lucas. Thank you."
"You have saved mine in the past. You will probably have the opportunity to do so again in the future. It was the least I could do."
"Can I ask a favor of you, Lucas?"
"Anything," Lucas replied without hesitation.
"Can you take Ally out to find a tree? I am not going to be up to it this year."
Lucas nodded. "Of course I will. You listen to Carson and rest and heal up. I will help Ally get ready for Christmas."
"Thank you," Nathan replied, feeling his eyelids getting heavier again.
"Get some sleep," Lucas said, getting to his feet again. "I will be right outside the door if either you or Ally needs anything."
Nathan knew he should respond but pain and the call of sleep were winning out. Closing his eyes, he let sleep claim him again.
Nathan rested against the pillows that propped him up. A book of poetry lay beside him. He had read several of the poems before putting down the book. Instead, he now watched the fading light outside his bedroom window, imaging in his head what the sunset might look like. It had been several days since he had seen a sunset or a sunrise, easily the longest stretch he had ever experienced.
There was a knock on the door. He turned his head slowly in the direction, unsurprised to see Lucas standing in the doorway.
"You have a visitor," the man announced, a smile on his face.
Lucas stepped aside, and another figure took his place in the doorway - Elizabeth.
Nathan was so surprised to see her that he tried to sit up quickly. The effort caused his injuries to protest. With a groan, Nathan sank back against the pillows, closing his eyes as he waited for the pain to ebb. When he opened his eyes again, Elizabeth was perched on the edge of his bed, facing him.
"You have definitely looked better," Elizabeth told him, reaching out to place a hand softly against his right cheek.
"Bill, Lee and Rosemary promised they would not tell you," Nathan said. "I did not want you to worry."
"None of them said anything," Elizabeth informed him.
Nathan was perplexed for a moment. If none of them told Elizabeth what had happened, why had she suddenly chosen this time to come home. The fact that just enough time had passed for Elizabeth to make the train trip from Hamilton if she had left the day after his encounter with Dylan. If none of them had said anything, who had told her.
Realization hit him. The one person there that evening, who he had not thought to ask for a promise not to call Elizabeth.
"Lucas," Nathan said.
"Yes," Elizabeth confirmed. "I am glad he did," she added. "It was time for me to come home. It is time for me to stop running from my fear and admit that I love you, Nathan Grant. I don't know what the future will hold for us but I do know that hiding from finding out is in contradiction of Jack's final wish for me. Jack wanted me to open my heart to love again, Nathan not to live in fear of the pain it might bring. You asked me to have dinner with you and I never gave you an answer. Well, if that invitation is still open, I would like to say yes."
"I think it may be awhile until I feel up to taking you out, Elizabeth," Nathan told her.
Elizabeth smiled back at him, her hand still against his cheek. "I can wait," she assured him. "In the meanwhile, I plan on being around to help you and Ally. I plan on letting Molly finish out the last few days of school before the holiday break so I can be available. Ally told me she and Lucas are going to find the perfect tree soon. Afterwards, Jack and I can help her decorate. When you are ready to be up and about, you will find a festive house waiting for you."
"Elizabeth, are you sure?" Nathan asked, feeling like it was too good to be true.
"I thought I lost you once, Nathan and I ran from those feelings in fear. While running, I almost lost you again. As Lucas pointed out, this last time had nothing to do with you being a Mountie. You could have been a farmer and I still might have lost you this last time. Losing you like I lost Jack scares me, but that isn't because of the uniform you wear. It is because of the love I feel for you."
"I love you too, Elizabeth," Nathan said softly, reaching a hand up to brush it through her hair. He had been longing to know what if would feel like to run his fingers through her hair. Now he knew.
With Elizabeth back in town, Lucas spent more time running his businesses and less time at the Grants. The day after Elizabeth's arrival, Constable Wright, who had been sent to Hope Valley to keep an eye on things and make sure Parks did not make another appearance at the Grants' home, stopped by. Lucas was there when Wright informed Nathan that Dylan Parks had been located by the Mounties. However, in their attempt to apprehend him, Dylan had fired at the Mounties there. One Mountie took a bullet in the arm but would make a full recovery but Parks had been shot and killed. Once again, Lucas saw the difference in him and Nathan. While if Amos Dixon had been shot during the situation at the saloon Lucas would have rejoiced, Nathan felt remorse that the man who had tormented him and his family had been killed.
With things settling back to normal, Lucas started making plans for a get away of his own. It was time for him to get away and evaluate where he was and what he wanted. Traveling always seemed to help him put things in perspective. He had a feeling this time, would be no different.
Should a romance be better able to blossom without his presence than it was all the better.
Before he could leave Hope Valley though, Lucas had one last promise to keep. He had to help Ally find the perfect tree.
Three days before Christmas Eve, Lucas did just that. A soft snow was falling as he and Ally wandered through the woods, looking for that perfect tree. Even her excitement of looking for a tree though didn't keep Ally from wondering if Carson would give her uncle permission to be up out of bed. The conversation kept switching between the two subjects and Lucas just tried to go with the flow of emotions of the young girl.
Eventually the tree was located, chopped down, and wrestled back to the Grant home. Stepping into the house, Lucas and Ally was greeted by fragrant aroma and the sight of Nathan Grant dressed and sitting on the settee. Jack sat beside him as the two flipped through a picture book.
Giving a squeal of delight, Ally rushed forward and kissed her Uncle's cheek. "We found the perfect tree!" she told him.
"You always do, Ally," Nathan replied.
"Big tree," Jack said, looking to Lucas who had managed to wrestle the tree through the front door.
"Yes, I think Ally went for the biggest tree in the woods this year," Lucas commented.
"I would offer to help you with the tree, but I am under doctors' orders not to lift anything heavier than a book for a while yet," Nathan told him.
"It is fine. Hope Valley has gotten use to knowing our Mountie is just lying around," Lucas teased. "So, if Ally puts the tree stand where she wants this tree, I will set it up."
Ally complied and soon the tree was standing on its own.
"Will you stay and help us decorate the tree, Mr. Bouchard?" Ally asked.
Lucas did not want to tell her no. He also did not want to stay where he was not welcomed. "I do not want to impose," he said looking toward Nathan.
"It would be fine," Nathan told him. "I doubt I will be much help with the decorating anyway."
"I made plenty of chicken and dumplings," Elizabeth chimed in from her place by the stove. "You can have dinner with us and then we will decorate the tree afterwards."
"My first time," Jack interjected, clearly not wanting to be left out.
Lucas ruffled the boys hair in response as he nodded. He looked to Ally as he spoke. " I would be happy to join you all then, especially as I will be leaving tomorrow."
The house grew silent at the announcement. It was Nathan who broke the silence.
"Are you finally taking that trip you postponed because of the Hargraves inquiry?" Nathan asked.
"I am," Lucas said. "I put it off because I felt like I was needed more here," he said. He looked toward Elizabeth. "I don't feel like I am needed as much now. It is time for me to take a trip and do some reflecting."
"Are you coming back?" Ally asked.
Lucas met the girl's gaze. "I will be back," he assured her. "I am not sure when, though. I am thinking of visiting a friend in Cape Fullerton for Christmas, and then maybe wander down to New Orleans. I can write to you and tell you all about my travels if you would like," he told her.
Ally nodded excitedly. "That would be interesting," Ally chimed in.
"I never thought I would be saying this, but we'll miss you, Lucas," Nathan told him.
Lucas chuckled recalling something Nathan had told him not long after his arrival. "I bet you didn't. Especially as I recall you telling me I wasn't a good fit for this town."
"You weren't," Nathan stated, not about to admit he has made a bad assessment of Lucas. The comment got chuckles from Ally, Elizabeth and Lucas. "However, I think Hope Valley just managed to change you so you were a good fit."
"Maybe so," Lucas commented, recognizing some truth in the words as well. Hope Valley and the residents of this little town had changed him. He had found friends here. Even a very unlikely friend. Those friendships had changed him for the good. No, he didn't think he would ever possess the innate ability to do the good and selfless thing every time that Nathan seemed to have, but he was learning how rewarding it could be to do the right thing even if it was not necessarily the easy thing.
While Elizabeth finished dinner, Lucas helped Ally bring the ornaments out of storage. The new ones bought in Benson Hills not long ago were added. When dinner was ready, Elizabeth insisted on moving the wing back chair to the table for Nathan to use, insisting he would be more comfortable. Despite Nathan's protests, Lucas did as beckoned, telling Nathan that Elizabeth and Ally outnumbered him.
The talk flowed easily during dinner. When plates were empty, Ally and Elizabeth started clearing the table while Little Jack climbed carefully up in Nathan's lap. Having been cautioned about Nathan's 'sore' side, the boy sat with his back against Nathan's right arm and leaned against him. Lucas thought it a sweet sight even as he got to his feet and tried to help Elizabeth and Ally. He gained a new appreciation for his waitresses as he helped do dishes for the first time in his life.
"Tree now?" Jack asked excitedly when the dishes were done.
"Yes, Jack. Now we can decorate the tree," Elizabeth told him.
The boy slipped from Nathan's lap and hurried toward the ornaments. Ally joined him though before Nathan could get to his feet to move to the settee, Ally was back. She held a tissue wrapped ornament in her hands.
"I know you can't help a lot with the tree, but do you think you would be able to help Mrs. Thornton hang one ornament?" Ally asked, moving the tissue paper to reveal a cardinal ornament.
Nathan looked at Elizabeth. Lucas noticed a blush come to Elizabeth's cheeks. There was some kind of significance to the ornament but Lucas had no clue what it would be.
"Yes, I think I can help with one ornament," Nathan replied, using the table and arm of the chair to help him to his feet.
Elizabeth took the ornament from Ally and walked with Nathan to the tree. Jack was looking through a tin of other ornaments with fascination. Lucas was aware of Ally at his side as Nathan and Elizabeth stood by the tree.
As she did last year, Elizabeth reached up to hang the cardinal on the highest branch, not quite able to reach.
"Let me help you," Nathan told her, reaching up slowly with his right arm to 'help' hang the ornament. Lucas noticed the slight wince of pain the action called though Nathan did not let it bother him. As Elizabeth turned from the tree, Nathan was right there. Unlike the years before, this year, Nathan leaned in and pressed his lips to Elizabeth's.
Lucas found the sight didn't bother him as he thought it might. Grabbing Lucas' arm, Allie gave a little squeal of excitement. He looked down at the girl to see joy on her face even as Jack echoed Allie's reaction. In that moment, Lucas realized that this wasn't just about Nathan and Elizabeth. It was about these two children as well, and he was witnessing the start of a loving family forming.
After the kiss, Nathan and Elizabeth settled on the settee as Lucas helped the children decorate the tree. As he did, a realization washed over Lucas that Nathan was right. If he could 'fit' among what once would have seemed like an unlikely group of friends for him, then he did belong in Hope Valley. Oh, he still felt the pull to travel. However, this time he knew that when his travels were done that for the first time in his life he would have a home to come home to.
A home among friends and maybe someday, real love would come his way as well.
