Author's note: Thank you to all you lovely readers who've supported this story! It was a joy to write, and I hope you enjoyed this version of Nathan and Elizabeth. God bless!

Five Years Later

"Daddy's home!"

Elizabeth looked up at her son's excited proclamation. Three-year-old Nate was practically bouncing up and down with joy, pointing out the window as Nathan walked toward the door. She gave a soft gasp when she saw who was with him. Hurrying to the door, she reached it just as Nathan pulled it open.

"Allie!" she exclaimed, tears filling her eyes as she wrapped her daughter in a hug. "We weren't expecting you until tomorrow!"

Allie grinned. At eighteen, she was truly a woman now and had just finished college. She had decided to follow in her mother's footsteps and become a teacher. "I wanted to surprise you," she said, laughing. "You should have seen the look on Dad's face when I walked into his office!"

Nathan was grinning from ear to ear, happy to see his girl home again. "Such a wonderful surprise," he said, giving her a hug as well.

Nate tugged on Allie's skirt, demanding a hug of his own. Allie scooped him into her arms and held him close. "Hi, Nate!" she said. "How are you doing, buddy?"

"Good," he said, resting his head against her shoulder.

Jack came from the back room, smiling at his sister. "Allie!" He put his arms around her and Nate, and Nate giggled at the group hug. Looking around, Allie raised a brow. "Where is Kathleen?"

"She's playing with Fred, Lily, and James," Elizabeth answered. "We can probably call her." She went to the front door, shading her eyes and searching for her daughter. Sure enough, she was playing with the Coulter twins and Fred in their front yard. Lee and Rosemary had built a house about thirty yards from the Grant house, and they had once again become neighbors. Elizabeth still chuckled when she thought of Rosemary's shock at having twins five years ago, and her pleas to Lee to build them a bigger house as soon as possible. Lee had complied, and within six months of Lily and James's birth, the Coulters had moved into their new home. Elizabeth loved having them close by. Their children played together all the time and were best friends.

Cupping her hands over her mouth, Elizabeth called Kathleen. Her daughter came running, her dark curls bouncing with each step. Elizabeth smiled as Kathleen halted beside her. "Yes, Mama?" she asked, her wide blue eyes curious.

Elizabeth felt a rush of gratitude, as she often did, that her precious Kathleen had made it through the early months without much illness. At three months old she'd caught an infection that had put her in the hospital and scared Nathan and Elizabeth more than anything up to that point. Thankfully she had recovered relatively quickly, and they hadn't had another incident since.

"There's a surprise for you inside," Elizabeth said. Kathleen perked up and ran into the house, squealing when she saw her big sister. "Allie!" The hugs continued, making Elizabeth chuckle. She heard a cry from the bedroom and made her way there. Their nine-month-old daughter Ella was standing in her crib, looking at Elizabeth with her big blue eyes that looked just like Nathan's. Both Nate and Ella had been named after their parents, but Elizabeth had insisted that their little Elizabeth be called Ella, while Nathan had wanted little Nathan to be Nate. They wanted their namesakes to feel like their names were still their own, so the nicknames had been born.

"Hello, my sweet girl," Elizabeth cooed, picking Ella up and patting her back. "Did you have a good nap?"

Ella smiled at the attention from her mother, and Elizabeth carried her to the living room where the rest of the family was gathered. She spotted Bill at the door, leading Eva into the house. Smiling warmly, Elizabeth went to greet her mother-in-law. Eva had come to Hope Valley three months after Kathleen's birth and never left. Nathan was thrilled to have his mother nearby, and there had even been a little bit of reconciliation between her and Archie when he'd come for a visit four years ago. He made his way to Hope Valley to see his family about once a year.

William and Grace made a point of visiting two or three times a year, delighted with their growing family. Elizabeth was thrilled that their children had all four grandparents in their lives and that they had the chance to form strong relationships with each of them.

Bill escorted Eva to the settee, helping her sit, then smiled at Elizabeth and held out his arms. "Let me see my little goddaughter," he said, making a face at Ella. She squealed in delight, holding out her arms to Uncle Bill. Elizabeth relinquished her, then felt Nathan's strong arms encircle her from behind. As they watched their family together, she could feel Nathan smile against her hair.

"We're blessed," he said simply. "We have a beautiful family, wonderful friends, and the best place in the world to call home."

Elizabeth turned in his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck. "And we're all happy and healthy…" She grinned as his face inched toward hers. "...and more in love than ever."

"That we are," Nathan whispered before his lips claimed hers. Elizabeth let herself get lost in his kiss until they were interrupted by giggles and squeals from their children.

"Eww!" Kathleen and Jack said in unison, while little Nate chortled gleefully.

Allie just shook her head, a smile on her face. "I see you two still kiss each other all the time," she teased.

Elizabeth laughed. "Someday you'll have your first kiss, Allie, and then you'll understand." She watched in amazement as crimson stained her daughter's face and a shy look entered her eyes. Walking over to Elizabeth and Nathan, she glanced back to see her siblings occupied with Bill and Eva. "Can I tell you something?" she whispered.

Nathan's eyes held wariness, but he nodded. "Yes…"

Allie's eyes went from shy to sparkling. "I told Robert I was coming home, and since he is on break from the Mountie Academy, he said he would pick me up so that I could surprise you both." Her cheeks darkened. "On our drive here, he told me he's liked me for years, and then asked if he could court me once he finished his training and came back to Hope Valley. Apparently this town is now big enough for two Mounties."

Nathan narrowed his eyes, but he shook his head in agreement. "He's being assigned here to train under me."

"Good," Allie said with a smile. "Because I said yes. And then...he kissed me." She sighed happily, and Elizabeth hugged her close.

"I'm happy for you, Allie," she said. "Robert has turned into a fine young man." She glanced at her husband and bit back a laugh. He looked positively mutinous. "Allie is an adult, Nathan," she said, placing a hand on his cheek. "And Robert will be good to her."

"He'd better," Nathan said protectively. "Or I can have him sent far, far away from Hope Valley."

"Dad!" Allie exclaimed, her eyes wide.

Nathan chuckled. "I'm kidding, Allie girl," he said. Giving a little frown, he amended his statement. "Kind of."

Allie hugged them both. "I'm so glad to be home," she said, kissing their cheeks before going to her siblings once more.

"Our Allie is all grown up," Elizabeth said with a sigh.

Nathan let out a breath in resignation. "She is." He suddenly laughed, and Elizabeth looked up at him in bewilderment. "What?"

Still chuckling, he drew her into his arms once more. "What is it about this town that makes the Mountie and the schoolteacher fall in love?" he asked, winking at her.

Elizabeth blinked in surprise before a slow smile spread across her face. "Why, I couldn't say, Constable. But I'm certainly glad it happened for us."

"So am I, Mrs. Grant," he said, his eyes caressing hers. He slowly leaned down to kiss her again, and Elizabeth leaned against him, loving the way he made her feel. After six years of marriage and raising five children, they were more in love than ever. Elizabeth knew their love would last a lifetime.

They had both suffered tragedy and heartache before finding each other, but they had risen from the ashes and learned to love and hope again. Elizabeth's heart was completely and irrevocably Nathan's, and she knew his was hers. She sighed against his lips, lost in the moment with him.

This was what made life complete.