It's on my mind, I've got, I've got it all
And I wanted you to come inside.
It only takes just a second when you understand you're out of time
It only takes just a second when you understand you're out of time
-Mercy Mercedes "The Perfect Scene"
A year ago, the promotion to Inspector was what he wanted. He would have taken the position without hesitation.
But that was a year ago. Things had changed. He had changed.
Ally had changed.
Just how much his niece had changed hit him as he listened to her sing her solo. She had a beautiful voice. Something that no one had discovered before this. Despite her early struggles, she had made friends here. She looked truly happy.
At least she had until he had told her that the promotion would mean they'd have to leave Hope Valley.
If he took the position, she would go through with it. Her words had told him that much.
But would she be happy again?
Would he be happy?
That's what it came down to and he knew the answer. It was the reason he could never find any real excitement over the news since the Superintendent had told him of the offer. It was why he had hesitated in telling Ally in the first place. Had hesitated about telling everyone.
Like Ally, he didn't want to leave here. Hope Valley had become more than just a temporary posting. This town had become a home. He had slowly made connections with the people here. Meaningful connections which he hadn't done since he was a lad growing up. Then there was Elizabeth. She was a good friend, perhaps more than that, though it was complicated.
Until he was faced with the prospect of leaving Hope Valley, he hadn't realized how much he had come to feel at home here. Truth be told, he didn't really want to leave here even for an investigator promotion.
Life had a way of changing things, and he was accepting the fact that it had changed what he wanted in life and what he wanted was right here in Hope Valley.