Author's Note: Hello everyone! I am quite sorry for taking so long to update this story, but I have returned. I can only hope you will enjoy this chapter. I know it is a bit short, and I hope you can forgive me for it. I promise I will work extra hard on the next one.
Chapter IX
Rosemary placed the last of her bags next to the door, humming as she looked around the room. Twirling on her heels, she started singing a song from her time as an actress, silently taking in her surroundings in order to make sure she had not forgotten anything. After such a long time, Rosemary could not believe they were finally going on their trip.
"Oh, Los Angeles!" Rosemary cooed as she started dancing around the room, thinking about the many adventures she would experience alongside her husband. "Chile, Rio de Janeiro, New York! Oh! I should start practicing my Spanish! ¡Buenos días! ¿Cómo estás? ¡Muchas gracias!"
"What are you doing?"
Rosemary nearly sprained an ankle at the fright. She immediately spun around, a hand over her heart, but the shock on her face was replaced by embarrassment when she recognized the person standing by the door.
"Lee!" she exclaimed, now laughing as she tried to picture the scene her husband must have seen when he had walked in. "I didn't even hear you come in!"
"Yeah, I noticed." Lee teased her with a knowing smile, "I couldn't help but notice your sashay."
"Oh, stop teasing me!" Rosemary told him, waving both hands in the air. "Can't a girl have fun?"
"Oh sweetie, you can have all the fun you want." Lee told her with an amused smile, and Rosemary clasped her hands in front of her legs as he approached her. "I am just really happy about this. It's good to see you so excited."
"Oh sweetheart, I'll be excited to go anywhere in the world as long as you are by my side." Rosemary told him before planting a quick kiss on his lips. Then, she wrapped her arms around Lee's left arm. "So, are we ready to go?"
"Absolutely. I've already talked to Jessie. He's going to make sure everything goes smoothly while we are away." Lee informed his wife, who smiled softly at that. "He already knows who to contact if something goes wrong. I also told him where we'll be staying just in case he needs to contact me."
"Lee, we are going on vacation. There will be no working during our holidays." Rosemary warned him with a stern look on her face. "Besides, Jessie has been working with you for a long time. I'm sure he will be just fine."
"Oh, I know; I just wanted him to know I'll be reachable in case something happens." Lee said, his smile never leaving his face. Then, he motioned for the suitcases by the door with a hand. "So, are you all set?"
"Oh yes, absolutely! Those are the bags we need to take with us." Rosemary informed him, and Lee observed the five huge cases placed by the entrance of their house. "Now, before you say anything, three of those suitcases are for me, and one is for you."
"OK… What about suitcase number five?" Lee inquired, and Rosemary smiled widely at the question before tapping her husband on the chest.
"That's for the gifts we are going to buy. I actually have two smaller bags upstairs because I know we will bring plenty of things for everyone too." Rosemary promptly added, "So, could you be a dear and take those to the car while I go to our room?"
"Do I have a choice?" Lee asked back, and Rosemary laughed lightly at that before kissing him on the cheek.
"Thank you, dear."
With a chuckle, Lee turned to the suitcases while Rosemary giggled. Still, instead of going up the stairs, Rosemary snaped her fingers and left the house. With quick steps, she approached Elizabeth's rowboat, and knocked on the door.
"Hello!" Rosemary sang as she opened the front door, and a wide smile framed her face when she spotted little Jack on his playground. Elizabeth was standing in the kitchen, apron around her waist, with Allie by her side. "Oh, hello girls!"
"Rosemary!" Elizabeth greeted, "Is everything all right?"
"Oh yes, everything is fantastic!" Rosemary answered, her smile widening as she approached her dearest friend. "We are finally ready to leave! I just wanted to say goodbye to you and little Jack."
As she spoke, Rosemary took a shortcut, and picked baby Jack up before making her way to Elizabeth and Allie.
"It's time? Oh, I'm so sorry, we lost track of time." Elizabeth said, her voice dropping a little. The teacher shared a look with her student while Rosemary chuckled at that.
"Oh, don't worry about that. Besides, it's not as if I'd leave without saying goodbye." she pointed out before turning to Allie. "Could you please take baby Jack outside for a moment, Allie? I need to talk to Mrs. Thornton."
"Sure! Let's go baby Jack." Allie immediately responded; arms raised so that she could gather Jack in her arms. Moments later, the young girl was already carrying the little boy outside. Rosemary watched her go before turning to Elizabeth.
"So…"
"Before you begin, let me just say I hope you and Lee have a great time." Elizabeth said before smiling softly at her friend. "You two definitely deserve to go on this trip. I am sure you are going to have the best time of your life."
"Thank you. I will do my best." Rosemary laughed at that, causing her friend to giggle as well. "However, I want you to make sure you enjoy these next few days too."
There was a moment of silence.
Elizabeth made a confused face.
Rosemary shook her head.
"You can't delay your conversation anymore, Elizabeth." she pointed out, without bothering to go around the bush. "I understand it's not going to be easy. Perhaps it's going to require more than one attempt to be successful, but you cannot continue pretending it's not affecting you."
"Rosemary…"
"No, please, let me finish. If there's something I've realised when Lee got hurt," Rosemary purposely interrupted her friend before reaching out for Elizabeth's hand, "is that we cannot take things for granted. We cannot… We cannot take the people we love for granted because we never know when something might happen."
Rosemary tried not to focus on the moment when she had spotted Lee lying in the middle of the forest, so immobile, so quiet. She definitely tried not to recall those long hours at the Infirmary, during which she had prayed to God over and over again to not take her husband away from her.
"I know that losing Jack was tremendously difficult for you. It still is, and that's completely understandable." Rosemary continued, her voice growing softer as she looked at Elizabeth in the eye. "But I've told you before; sooner or later you are going to have to decide."
Elizabeth took in a shaky breath, and Rosemary squeezed her hand.
"It's curious that you are saying that." the teacher began, dropping her eyes for a moment before looking at her friend in the eye. "Last night, Allie was telling me about her fears regarding Nathan's job, and when I went to bed, I remembered…"
Elizabeth paused for a moment before taking a deep breath.
Rosemary waited.
"There was this time when I told Jack "what can happen to you, can happen to me". I have no idea why I remembered that, but now that you are here, telling me that…" the teacher let out a shaky breath, and Rosemary did not dare to move. "I guess you are right."
"Elizabeth, you can go at your own pace." Rosemary reassured her friend, "What I am saying is that you cannot ignore it. You need to talk to Nathan. You know that."
Elizabeth pressed her lips into a thin line, and Rosemary smiled at that. She knew exactly what was going on through her friend's mind. That was why she gently pulled Elizabeth forward, holding both her friend's hands as she did.
"Don't be afraid." Rosemary nearly whispered, the smile never vanishing from her face. "No matter what you decide, I will be here, supporting you all the way."
With that said, Rosemary threw her arms around her friend, clearly taking Elizabeth by surprise. Rosemary offered her a strong squeeze, took a deep breath in, and then released her friend, stepping back as she dropped her arms.
"Now, let me go say goodbye to baby Jack." Rosemary continued, clasping her hands as she spoke. "Lee and I will be on our way in a jiffy, and I want to say goodbye to my godson. Oh, and don't worry! I already have some things in mind I want to bring you."
"Oh Rosemary, that's not necessary."
"The more reasons for you to save your breath, because I am going to bring plenty of souvenirs for you!" the former actress exclaimed. "And don't you worry; we will be back before you know it."
"Don't forget to write." Elizabeth reminded her, and Rosemary nodded at that. "Oh! Wait! Allie and I prepared something for you and Lee." with that said, Elizabeth walked towards the table behind her, and grabbed a white bag that was tied up with a pink ribbon. "I just figured you two might enjoy eating some sandwiches on the way. We added two cupcakes just in case."
"Oh, thank you so much!" Rosemary thanked her, touched by her friend's gesture. Without thinking twice, she hugged Elizabeth again before whispering. "Just don't forget what I told you."
It was only when Rosemary felt Elizabeth nod against her cheek that she stepped backwards. Smiled widely, Rosemary twirled around on her heels and made her way towards the front door. She was actually surprised when she spotted Lee playing with both Allie and baby Jack.
"Oh, honey, is everything ready?"
"Yes. I'm just waiting for you." Lee answered as he threw a ball in little Jack's direction. Then, he stood up and turned to his wife. "Are you ready?"
"Absolutely! Oh, and Allie, thank you so much for the sandwiches and the cupcakes." Rosemary added as she turned to the younger girl, who simply smiled at her. Then, Rosemary gathered baby Jack in her arms, and kissed both his cheeks. "Look after your mama, my sweet boy. We'll be back before you know it."
Jack looked at her with his big, blue eyes, babbling in response, and Rosemary laughed wholeheartedly. Gently, she put the boy down, and he immediately reached out for the ball before turning to his mother.
"Well, I guess it's time to go." Rosemary eventually heard herself say before widening her eyes in surprise when Lee revealed her sunglasses "Oh, Lee, thank you! I'd hate to leave these behind."
"Have fun!" Elizabeth told them, and Lee winked at her.
"I'm pretty sure we will." he laughed, and Elizabeth smiled widely at him. Rosemary chuckled.
"Well, I know I am ready because unlike someone, I have been brushing up on my Spanish." Rosemary teased her husband before throwing both Elizabeth and Allie a kiss. Placing her sunglasses on top of her nose, Rosemary did a glamorous twirl before dancing her way to the car.
It was time for her and Lee's adventure, and Rosemary was certain it would be much better than what she was expecting.
"This is a dog. Say it with me, little Jack; dog." Elizabeth heard Allie instruct, and she took a peek at the living room, smiling at what she saw. Allie was sitting on the floor, Jack by her side, holding his dog toy in her hand. Jack was staring at her, his eyes wide and curious, while Allie was waving the toy in front of him. "You can do it! Dog!"
"Dog!"
Elizabeth had to stop herself from laughing at her son's enthusiastic voice. He was progressively learning how to repeat small, short words. The word 'dog' was definitely the new one on his list, and Elizabeth could not be any prouder.
She knew Jack was too.
As she heard little Jack babble baby things to Allie, Elizabeth returned to the stove, and checked on her stew. She looked down at the food for a moment before Rosemary's voice echoed in her mind. To think her friend had left only a few hours before.
Don't be afraid.
As she remembered the moment Rosemary had told her those words, Elizabeth looked to her side. Her eyes settled on Jack's picture, and she unconsciously licked her lips. Without thinking about her actions, Elizabeth approached the stand before picking up the frame.
Jack's smiling face and proud stance looked back at her. Elizabeth felt a pang against her chest, and ran the tip of her finger down Jack's cheek. God, she missed him so much. Little Jack's gurgle behind her undoubtedly made her think of how blessed she was for at least having her baby boy with her.
Open your heart to the possibility of love again.
However, if this were a date, I would take your jacket. I would also pull your chair for you. And I might even gently brush your hand as I pass you your glass…and hold your gaze for longer than normal.
I just want to let you know I admire your courage; going up there, after Emily. You followed your instincts, and if you can't do that, then you're in real trouble. Elizabeth, I…hum… I just want you to be safe, because… Because you matter to me.
"Oh Jack…" Elizabeth whispered as she looked at her late husband's eyes in the photo, "What I'd give to hear your advice… You'd know what to do…."
All of a sudden there was a knock on the door, and Elizabeth turned around. Both Allie and little Jack also went silent. Elizabeth put the frame down, and walked to the entrance of her house, sending Allie and her son a smile as she crossed the living room.
She felt her heart skip a beat when she opened the door.
"Nathan…"
The Mountie stood in front of her, hat shielding his eyes from the sun, his face blank. However, even though there was no expression, his eyes told a different story. The intensity of his gaze was enough to cause a shiver to run down Elizabeth's spine.
Shifting her weight on her feet, Elizabeth hold the door handle with more strength than necessary.
"Hi."
"Uncle Nathan?"
For a moment, Elizabeth had completely forgotten about the two people behind her. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Allie grabbing little Jack's hand, and slowly led him towards the door. Once they were close to her, Elizabeth automatically picked her son up before turning to the man in front of her.
Her whole body was trembling, and she had no idea why.
"Ms. Weise told me Allie was here." Nathan explained his presence at same time he grabbed his hat, playing with it as he spoke. "I'm sorry for the trouble."
"Oh, no, it was no trouble at all." Elizabeth promptly responded, shaking her head as she spoke. "Allie was of great help. She helped me with little Jack, and she had the idea of us preparing a snack for Lee and Rosemary."
"Oh, have Mr. and Mrs. Coulter left already?" Nathan inquired, and Elizabeth nodded at that. "I'm sure they will have fun."
"Yeah, they left a few hours ago. Rosemary couldn't really wait any longer." the teacher responded. "I'm pretty sure she has already bought a couple of souvenirs even though they probably haven't gotten very far from Hope Valley."
"Uncle Nathan, are you leaving again?" Allie asked all of a sudden, voice small, and both adults turned to her. The Mountie immediately bent down on one knee, and stared at his niece in the eye.
"I just got here. Let me take a breather before you have me dashing off into the sunset." he teased Allie, which resulted in a wide smile as a response. Elizabeth could not help but feel the corner of her lips curling upwards as well. Then, Nathan looked her way, and her heart skipped another beat.
Baby Jack babbled in her arms.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome." Elizabeth forced herself to say, her chest tight. Nathan eventually straightened up, and even though he was standing on the steps in front of her, he still managed to look so incredibly tall.
"I… hum…" Nathan stumbled in his words, which came out as a surprise because he looked so poised. "Elizabeth, I…"
"Yes?" Elizabeth heard herself murmur, unconsciously pulling little Jack closer to her. Nathan glanced at his niece before he gazed at the baby before him. It was only then that the Mountie turned to the teacher.
The words that escaped from his lips made her whole world both implode and explode at the same time.
"Take a walk with me."
Her throat was dry.
Her heart was hammering against her chest.
Oh Jack… What I'd give to hear your advice… You'd know what to do….
Her breathe was stolen on that very moment.
"What did you just say?" she breathed out, and this time, Nathan straightened up his back, his caerulean eyes fixed with hers.
"I need to talk to you." he said, looking amazingly self-assured. "Take a walk with me."
To Be Continued