The entire drive home to Hope Valley, Rosemary peppered Elizabeth with questions about the Mountie ball. What were the fashions like? What did it look like inside Headquarters? Elizabeth was happy to oblige Rosemary's interest. Nathan had been gracious and had Rosemary sit in the backseat with Elizabeth. That way the ladies could talk without constantly turning around or talking over the vehicle's motor.
"It really was a wonderful evening, Rosemary!" Elizabeth sighed. "Nathan was a great dancer."
"Better than Lucas?" Rosemary cocked her head playfully.
"Much," Elizabeth grinned. "But that I could because I'm in love with Nathan…and told him so!"
"Elizabeth!" Rosemary practically yelled Elizabeth's name. It was quite unexpected and caused Lee to momentarily swerve.
"Rosie!" Lee retorted. "I love you Sweetheart, but"
"I'm sorry, Lee," Rosemary whispered, turning to Elizabeth. She looked intently at her friend. "You told him you loved him."
"I did," Elizabeth blushed.
"And what did he say," Rosemary whispered, doing her best to keep her excitement in check.
"He said he loved me too." Elizabeth continued to blush.
"Elizabeth!" Once again Rosemary yelled and Lee swerved.
"Rosemary!"
"I'm sorry!" Rosemary spoke louder this time.
"Perhaps we need to change topics until safely in Hope Valley?" Elizabeth laughed.
"Perhaps that would be best," Rosemary shot a look at Lee.
"How was your and Lee's dinner?" Elizabeth thought changing the conversation completely away from Nathan and herself would be best.
"It was lovely!" Rosemary proceeded to share about the restaurant Lee and Rosemary had visited, the food they had eaten. "We also made the decision to adopt from the Brookfield Orphanage."
"Rosemary!" Now it was Elizabeth's turn to cause Lee to swerve.
Lee pulled over onto the side of the road. "What in the world is going on?"
"You're adopting?" Elizabeth could hardly contain her excitement. "Oh Rosemary, I am so happy for you, both of you." Elizabeth hugged Rosemary.
Nathan shook Lee's hand emphatically. "That is fantastic!"
Rosemary smiled broadly. "We sent a telegram to Lillian and Grace last night."
"We want to bring them home before Christmas?" Lee interjected. He was clearly as happy and as excited as Rosemary was.
"Them?" Elizabeth questioned.
"Every time we talk about the Orphanage, three sweet children come to mind. So we decided to adopt all of them!" Rosemary beamed as she shared the news. It had been a rough road the last couple of years, watching others in Hope Valley have their own families. For some reason, it had not happened for the Coulter's, though certainly not for the lack of trying.
"Watching you adopt Ally made me realize that I could do it," Lee admitted to Nathan.
Nathan didn't know what to say. He just smiled back. He only hoped that his feelings were reflected in his smile.
"So you are adopting three children?" Elizabeth could hardly believe the news. "That will be an adjustment."
"Yes it will," Rosemary admitted. "And perhaps it is a bit much. But Lee and I fell in love with those children. They all need a home and we have plenty of love to give."
"We asked Lillian and Grace about adopting Mille, Charlotte, and Spencer." Lee sighed. "We will go to Brookfield next week, stay a few days, and then bring them home."
Elizabeth remembered back to Millie and Charlotte. They were sweet sisters who had come into town the Christmas Little Jack was born. Millie had not talked but she had bonded with Henry Gowen. Elizabeth had been told the story of Millie reading aloud; it was heartwarming. Of course, Lee and Rosemary would not separate the sisters. Spencer had also been struggling. He came to town with Grace during their Founder's Day Festival. Lee liked to share the story about Spencer eating pancakes.
"Exciting times!" Elizabeth hugged Rosemary once more. "There will be so much to do before they get here!"
"I know!" Rosemary rambled. "There are rooms to make up, clothes to make sure they have…"
"Rosie," Lee encouraged, "As long as there is love…"
"Lee is right," Nathan turned around to Rosemary and flashed her a smile. "I remember when Ally came to live with me after Colleen's death. I was so overwhelmed. One night, she had a nightmare so bad that she wet the bed. I was out of my element, not knowing what to do. I was a single man worrying about spare sheets and nightclothes. But in the moment of her crying, I just held her. I remember singing a lullaby my sister and I had liked as children. It calmed Ally down. In that moment, I told myself that I would fail many times. But if Ally knew how important she was to me, we would be okay."
Elizabeth was blown away by Nathan's vulnerability. "Something tells me Ally has fared quite well."
Nathan smiled. "Just like Spencer, Millie, and Charlotte will."
Lee clapped Nathan on the shoulder. "Thanks Nathan." Lee took a deep breath. "We should get going. Rosie….do me a favor. Stop squealing."
"Oh Lee," Rosemary laughed. "I'm just so happy!"
Elizabeth nodded in agreement. Happiness was certainly infectious these days.
Happiness was certainly the vibe upon the vacationers arriving home. Ally, holding onto Little Jack's hand, came running across the meadow.
"Welcome home!" Ally gave Nathan a huge hug. "I'm used to you being gone, but for some reason, this felt different than usual!"
Nathan returned the hug. "I miss you too Ally Girl."
"Mama!" Little Jack lifted his arms up into the air. Elizabeth swept him up, peppering him with kisses. "How's my little boy!"
"He was super great!" Ally beamed proudly. "I made sure Opal's mom took good care of him. He got a little scared at night, but I woke up and laid down by his crib, holding his hand. That seemed to calm him down."
Elizabeth hugged Ally. "Thank you Ally!"
Little Jack turned towards Nathan. He began to squirm in Elizabeth's grasp. "Natan!"
Nathan's eyes grew wide. Little Jack had never called him by name, let alone had reached for him. "Hey Little Guy!" Nathan couldn't help but beam with pride at Little Jack's recognition.
"Natan! Natan!" Little Jack kept saying the name over and over again.
"I taught him that!" Ally smiled.
Elizabeth's eyes had filled with tears, watching her son interact with Nathan. The man who she wanted to be his father. She watched Nathan making faces at him, talking with him. If she had had any fears about how Nathan would be welcoming Little Jack into his life—and she hadn't—they would have been gone in that moment.
Truly, it was a family homecoming. Elizabeth would remember this moment for the rest of her life.
Lee and Rosemary quietly watched the scene unfold. Had it really been a few weeks earlier that Lee had hoisted Little Jack on his shoulders, taking him to church? He had known then that Little Jack would soon latch onto Nathan.
As he should.
Lee couldn't help but smile wistfully. He knew he would always have a place in Little Jack's life. But now, Nathan was the top man. Lee was also going to have children of his own to hoist on his shoulders, to play ball with, to parent through life's difficulties.
He could hardly wait to be a father to Millie, Charlotte, and Spencer. Only Rosie knew how hard it had been to not have a son or a daughter to call his own. It had been hard for her as well. They had adopted so many of the town's children as theirs, but they both knew it wasn't the same. Now, their house would be filled with laughter and memories. Not just of Lee and Rosie's making but of the Coulter children as well.
"Unca Lee!" Little Jack waved over to Lee. Nathan walked over with Little Jack. Little Jack reached out and gave Lee a slobbery kiss.
"Lee," Nathan looked intensely at Lee. "Little Jack is always going to need you." Nathan paused before admitting. "And I'm going to need your support too as Elizabeth and I keep moving forward."
Lee smiled. Nathan had no way of knowing the thoughts that had just been circling around in his brain. But truly, Nathan's concern for Lee's feelings spoke, once again, to the Mountie's character, compassion, and concern.
"You have it," Lee choked back.
Lee hadn't known what to make of Nathan upon their first meeting. His payroll had been stolen and he had gone with Nathan to investigate. Nathan had definitely been a man of few words. And frankly, he had continued to be that way—but truly, when it came to Nathan, actions really did speak louder than words. Something told Lee that no matter what, Constable Nathan Grant was in his corner and fast becoming his friend.