***A friendly warning….this chapter is going to be emotional. Keep tissues ready!***

A few days later….

"Elizabeth? Elizabeth…" Abigail said, touching her arm.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Abigail. What is it?"

"Are you feeling ok? You've been very quiet."

"Just a lot on my mind, I guess."

"Such as a certain handsome, blacksmith husband?"

Elizabeth blushed, sipping her coffee. "Yeah. He's always on my mind lately."

"As he should be. You are newlyweds and distracting thoughts are completely normal."

She was certainly distracted. There was nothing like knowing that she would see him in just a few hours, wrapped up tight in his arms, enjoying his kisses….

However, that wasn't all that was on her mind. She had received a letter from Julie, finally. After over two years of no contact or response, she finally wrote to her. But for some reason, Elizabeth couldn't bring herself to open the envelope.

"Mama!" Sammy said, pouting as he ran to her side.

"Hi, baby. What's that pout about?"

"Travis and Kyle won't let me play with them! I want to play kickball too."

Travis and Kyle were two older boys, about ten years old that had just traveled from the overfilled orphanage about one hundred miles away.

"Let's go let Miss Mary and Miss Cat know, okay?"

"I wanna go home. I want Daddy."

"We need to stay a few more hours. Maybe you should take a nap, sweetie."

"Can I stay with you?"

"Of course, but you need to close your eyes."

"Will you sing, Mama?"

"Oh, alright." She picked him up and laid him down. "Close your eyes now," she told him gently.

"From this valley they say you are leaving

We shall miss your bright eyes and sweet smile

For you take with you all of the sunshine

That has brightened our pathway a while

Then come sit by my side if you love me

Do not hasten to bid me adieu

Just remember the Red River Valley

And the cowboy that's loved you so true."

"I've forgotten how well you sing, Elizabeth. That was lovely."

"Thank you." She looked down at her son in her arms. She rocked and ran her hands through his hair as he slipped into sleep.

….

A few hours later, Elizabeth, Helen, and Sammy headed home to cook dinner. Elizabeth had a ham ready to go and some potatoes and beans.

As they walked in the door, she saw Julie's letter on the counter.

"Mama? Who's that from?" Sammy wondered.

"My sister, Julie."

"Aren't you gonna read it?"

"Maybe later."

"I gonna go play."

"I go!" Helen said, following her brother into the living room.

Elizabeth stuffed the letter in her apron pocket once she tied it around her waist.

Jack came home about two hours later to a home smelling of ham and buttered potatoes. His mouth watered thinking of eating his wife's food.

"Dat!" Helen ran over and hugged his knees and giggled when he picked her up and kissed her neck.

"Hi, Daisy girl. Did you have a good day?"

"Ya. Miss you."

"I missed you too. Where's Sammy and Me-Me?"

"Supper."

"Cooking supper? Maybe we should go see them."

She nodded, her dark curls bouncing. So they walked in the kitchen. Sammy was sitting on the counter watching Elizabeth stir the beans on the stove.

Something was wrong though. Elizabeth was stirring but she wasn't watching or listening to Sammy chattering beside her. She stared out the window, not blinking.

"Elizabeth? Sweetheart, what's wrong?"

She startled when she heard his voice and wiped her cheek with a quick flick of her hand. "Hi, dinner is almost ready if you want to clean up."

Jack put Helen down and lifted Sammy down too. "Why don't you two go play for a few minutes?"

They scampered off and Jack walked closer to Elizabeth. He took the beans off the heat and the spoon out of her hand before turning her to face him.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong? Please tell me." It hurt him to see her struggling.

She handed him a letter, unopened from her apron pocket.

"From Julie?"

"Yes."

"You haven't read it? Elizabeth, it's been so long. I'm surprised you haven't read it ten times over by now."

"I'm scared to open it. Jack, what if she says that they don't want us to come for Thanksgiving or that I'm not welcome there anymore? What if something horrible has happened and that's why she finally wrote me back?"

He gently kissed her lips and pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her. "Whatever it says, we will get through it together. But we won't know unless we open it."

"Me-Me! Supper?"

Elizabeth stepped back and smiled at Helen. "Dat can help you wash up and then we can eat."

"Sammy too?"

"Sammy too."

Later, they gave the kids a bubble bath, put them to bed, and then made tea before he brought up the letter again.

"Will you read it, Jack?"

He sat down on the couch with her and opened the letter.

As he read, Elizabeth watched his face, hoping for a clue about what was in it.

"Honey? What does it say?"

He looked at her, then back to the letter, and then he folded it and put his arm around her.

"We need to go to there, Elizabeth. Soon."

"Why? Jack, is it my parents?" His words were scaring her.

"Elizabeth, its Viola."

"Vi? What's wrong with her?"

He handed her the letter and pulled her closer, knowing she was going to be needing him soon.

Dearest Elizabeth,

Please come home. We need you, Mom needs you. Elizabeth, Viola is sick. The doctors say its cancer in her uterus. They say she is too sick to operate and there is nothing they can do to save her.

Charles is beside himself with grief and thankfully little Charlie is too young to understand what's happening. I don't know what he will do when she's gone. I don't know what any of us will do.

Please come, Beth. I beg you. I love you.

Julie

Elizabeth buried her face in Jack's chest and let her tears flow.

He held her tighter and rubbed her back. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I'm so sorry."

"I need to go, Jack. I have to get there before she…." She couldn't let herself finish the thought.

"I know. I'll see to stage and train tickets for us tomorrow."

….

Two days later the four of them left on the stage toward Aberdeen where they would hop on the train to Alberta.

The kids enjoyed the train ride which helped because Jack only had Elizabeth to worry about. And he was worried. She was very quiet and he had seen her crying a few times.

He understood losing a sibling. It was very hard to get through.

"Sweetheart?" He reached over and grabbed her fingers. "Elizabeth."

She looked at him, her eyes bloodshot and puffy. She hadn't slept in almost twenty four hours. "Jack, I don't want her to die," she croaked out, her hand covering her mouth to stifle a sob.

The kids slept on the seat facing them so they hadn't heard.

He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her hair. "Of course you don't, sweetheart. It's one of the most difficult things to go through and no one should have to."

"Maybe the doctor is wrong?"

"Maybe but Julie sounded pretty sure in the letter."

He held her for the remaining hours of the train trip until the whistle blew and the train slowed.

"ALBERTA! ARRIVING NOW IN ALBERTA!" the porter announced to the train car.

Once they were off the train, Elizabeth took the children to the depot to use the washrooms while Jack waited for their trunk.

When they returned, he noticed she looked a bit more refreshed than before. "Maybe we should find some place to eat before heading to your parent's home."

If it were up to her, she would go straight there, wanting to see her sister.
However, the children were probably on the verge of starving. "Yes, if I'm correct, there is a café just down the block."

Jack arranged for a porter to take their trunk into the depot and they would return later to get it.

Elizabeth ate a few bites of her meal while the children devoured theirs. Jack watched her, that concerned look on his face.

Finally they were in a carriage, their trunk in tow, on their way to her parents home. When they pulled in, Jack tried not to act surprised at the size of the home. She had told him her father was a very important man in the city so it stood to reason that they had money as well.

"This your house, Mama?" Sammy asked.

"Not any more, sweetheart, but it used to be."

"Wow! Big."

"Yes."

As Jack helped everyone out of the carriage, a tall, dark haired, well dressed man, about his age came outside the door.

"Beth?"

"Charles." He rushed toward her and hugged her, instantly putting Jack on alert. He knew this must be Viola's husband but he seemed very familiar with Elizabeth. Jack's wife. "I'm so sorry, Charles. How is she?"

He shook his head, his eyes filling with tears. "It won't be long. I just needed to come outside for some air."

"Mama?" Sammy said, pulling on her skirt.

"Charles, this is my son Samuel, my daughter Helen, and my husband Jack Thornton. Everyone, this is Viola's husband and our good friend, Charles Kensington."

Jack, holding Helen, stepped forward and offered his hand. "Its good to meet you. I'm so sorry for what you're going through."

"Thank you. It's good to meet you too."

Helen shivered and snuggled closer into Jack's neck. "Cold, Dat."

"Why don't we all go inside?" Jack suggested.

As they entered the home, an older man, gray haired and also well dressed, stood watching. "Bethie?"

"Father," Elizabeth whispered before walking into his open arms.

"I'm glad you're home where you belong," he told her, not even paying attention to the other visitors.

"I need to see Vi. Where is she?"

"In her old bedroom."

Elizabeth held out her hand to Jack who stepped forward and took it. "Jack, this is my father, William Thatcher. Father, my husband, Jack and our children, Helen and Samuel."

"Husband." William said the word and appeared to appraise Jack, his eyes taking in his appearance.

"Yes, husband," Elizabeth repeated. She knew her father hadn't likely heard about her marriage unless Julie told him. "We were married three months ago. Now, the children need a nap soon, will we stay in my room?"

William nodded. Jack offered his hand to his father-in-law. "Its good to meet you, sir, even in these circumstances."

William hesitated but eventually shook Jack's hand. "Beth will show you your room."

Elizabeth showed Jack and the kids to their room. "I'm going to Viola." Jack gave her a hug and kiss.

"I love you. If you need me, I'm here." Elizabeth nodded and walked out of the room.

…..

Elizabeth quietly entered Viola's room. Julie stood by the window, watching the rain fall. Grace, their mother, sat next to the bed, holding Viola's hand while Charles did the same on the other side.

Elizabeth walked over and touched Julie, making her jump.

"Beth," she whispered, hugging her tight and crying into her shoulder.

"Shhh, Julie. It's ok." Elizabeth rubbed her back and held her, just like Jack had done for her. She found it comforting so she thought Julie might too.

Grace stood and hugged her daughters. "I'm glad you're home, Beth."

"Of course I'm here. I needed to see Vi."

Elizabeth walked over and kissed Vi's forehead before sitting in Grace's seat.

Vi opened her eyes and looked at Elizabeth. "Beth," she whispered. "You're here."

"Of course I am. I missed you, Vi." Vi raised her hand and touched Elizabeth's.

"I'm sick."

"I know you are."

"I need you to know something, Beth."

"Tell me later, Vi. You need to rest now."

"I don't have later…Beth…"

Beth sat on the bed next to her and listened. "Go ahead."

"I was so mad at you, Beth, for leaving. I told Julie that she shouldn't write to you. It was wrong, so wrong. I'm sorry. I love you so much, Beth. Please forgive me."

"Shhh." Elizabeth was hurt but she wasn't going to hold a grudge against her sister on her death bed. "I forgive you, Vi. I love you too."

"Promise."

"Promise what?"

"Promise me that Charles and Charlie will be okay without me. Please take care of them."

"Vi, they will be okay. The whole family will take care of them."

Charles sat listening to his wife as tears flowed down his face. It was time and he could tell. She was tying up loose ends, saying goodbye.

She called Julie and Grace over and then asked Charles to get Charlie. "Vi, I don't know if he should.."

"Please. I need to see him."

As she waited, Vi closed her eyes and appeared to be having trouble breathing. "Its ok, Vi. Just a little longer and you won't be in pain anymore." She bent down and kissed her once more and then backed up.

Julie, Grace, and Elizabeth stepped out to give them privacy. Elizabeth immediately walked to her room, needing to see her own kids and husband.

"Sweetheart?" Jack looked up as she walked in the door.

She sank against the door and sat on the floor and wept. "Hold me," she told him. "Just hold me and don't let go."

"I won't. I promise."