Here is it, the last chapter...
Kate was right about Abby drawing a crowed around town. In the rare moments she wasn't being doted on by Jack, Elizabeth or Kate she was being doubly as loved and cuddled by her Aunt Abigail or Aunt Rosemary or Uncle Lee. Even Bill loved spending time with her once she got past the true baby stage and could walk and giggle at him as he made faces at her. Charlotte Thornton made more frequent visits, popping up every 3 or 4 months to spend a week with the family. Even Aunt Agatha and their cousins made the trip from Hamilton to spent Abby's first Christmas with them. Elizabeth made frequent trips to the school leaving Abby with Abigail, or sometimes taking the baby with her. Kate finished school graduating top of her class in the providence and Elizabeth handed her her certificate with tears in her eyes as the whole town cheered for her.
"I am so proud of you." Elizabeth whispered hugging her tightly.
"Well, I did have the greatest teacher and big sister. I couldn't have done it without you." Kate smiled.
"I am proud of both you." Jack smiled gathering them both into his arms as Abby hugged Kate's legs.
"Abby too!" She cried always hating to be left out of anything the three adults in the house did.
"How are we going to fit more people into the family hug?" Kate giggled poking Elizabeth's stomach gently where she was just starting to show with their second child.
"There is always room for all of us." Jack smiled.
"Abby! Abigail Thornton where are you!" Elizabeth called walking through the field. Her hands on her hips as she scanned the horizon her little girl trailing after her. The unmistakable thud of hoofs rattled the grounds as a horse galloped into view coming closer before a little girl with red/brown hair slid off the bare back landing neatly at her feet.
"Hi Mama" She grinned sheepishly, behind her the toddler streaked in delight running up to pet the horse who lowered her nose to her.
"Abigail does your aunt know you have taken Gracie out?" Elizabeth asked firmly. Her oldest daughter had a habit of taking the horse from the stable without asking.
"Sure, she asked me to. She said I should get all my practice in riding her because she won't be for a while anymore and Gracie will get restless sitting in the barn all fall."
"Oh she did did she?" Elizabeth asked raising an eyebrow but losing the stern look on her face.
"Yes, she said something about married women not riding horses when a certain time came." Abby shrugged. Elizabeth smiled at her daughter, still to young to know exactly what was going on. Abby was a mixture of all the adults she grew up around. She had Elizabeth's red hair and gentle personality, mixed with Jack's kind eyes and sweet smile and willingness to help, but she also had Kate's wild and adventurous heart. When she was young before Kate was married, Abby would constantly be trialing after Kate wherever she went. Abby insisted on riding bareback with no shoes, her long braid flying behind her most days. Elizabeth secretly loved that her ten year old was so wild at heart, and Jack more then encouraged it most of the time.
"Well bring her back and wash up, it is almost time for supper." Elizabeth said scooping up her two year old into her arms.
"Sure Ma" Abby hopped back onto Gracie with ease.
"Mama I want on Gracie!" Lily demanded from her arms.
"Please, Ma. I'll hold her!" Abby promised.
"Hold her tight" Elizabeth said slipping the toddler onto the horse in front of Abby. Abby held tight to her sister as Elizebeth reached out petting Gracie's nose as she nuzzled her. The mare was getting older there was no denying that, but she was as gentle as the day Jack bought her for Kate's birthday. Elizebeth never worried for a second about her children riding Gracie around so often. Unlike Sargent who was easily excited and high spirited even in his old age, Gracie was always calm and easy.
"Let's go home Gracie" Abby said giving her a gentle nudge and the mare started off slowly towards her home as if she knew she had a young rider on her back. Lily squealed with joy as Abby held her with both hands not bothering to hold the reigns, Gracie knew the way home. Elizebeth shook her head with a chuckle. Of her four children Abby and Lily were the most alike and could often be found together. Jack always said where there was one, the other was sure to follow. The reminded Elizabeth so much of her and Kate when they were younger. She watched them slowly disappear towards the house down the path as she made her way up the porch steps to her own house. As she opened the door she was greeted with the unmistakable smell of dinner.
"That smells wonderful" She smiled wrapping her arms around her husband from behind as he was cooking fresh caught fish on the stove. Jack turned in her arms smiling at her. Jack had grown out his beard a bit, he had a scuffle now that had some grey hair starting to grow in. He was still strong and muscular but not as much as when they were first married. Mostly because he had stepped away from the mounties. He was called away again when Abby was a baby and missed an entire summer at Hope Valley fighting up north. It was hard for Elizabeth but near impossible for Jack to leave his wife and newborn daughter. When he came home he stepped down from the mounties, it wasn't his dream anymore, he had a new dream. Bill Avery had stepped down from town sheriff, and Jack took his place. He took care of the town, farmed on their land and never had to leave his family for more then a day again.
"We did do a good job fishing if I do say so myself" He smiled giving her a quick kiss. It was a habit, but one neither of them took for granted.
"The boys outside?" Elizabeth asked.
"Of course they are, was Abby out on Gracie again?"
"Of course, she said Kate asked her to take her out. Something about married women not riding horses after a while." Elizebeth beamed at Jack as she said this. Jack smiled back but raised hie eyebrows at her.
"Elizabeth Thornton you will not say anything until your sister does" Jack said as if he was speaking to a young child.
"Oh of course not, but why she hasn't told me already is beyond me!" Elizebeth said going to the back door.
"William, Tommy, get washed up for supper" She called as her two boys jumped down from the apple tree they had been playing in.
"Hello" A voice called from the front door.
"Abigail come on in" Elizabeth smiled.
"I brought pie" Abigail entered the kitchen. They years had been kind to her, she had more gray hairs and more wrinkles around her face, but her eyes were still merry and her smile gentle and kind.
"Thank you" Elizabeth accepted the pie giving her a hug. Jack kissed her cheek as the boys came tearing into the house. Eight year old William and six year old Tommy laughed tossing a ball between them stopped as they entered the kitchen.
"Hi Aunt Abigail!" Tommy cried giving her a hug, William joined him quickly after tossing Jack the ball to be put away.
"Hi boys, I brought you cherry pie for dessert" Abigail laughed as the boys cheered. They called her aunt but truly she was a grandmother to Elizabeth's children. Elizabeth glanced out the window as the rest of their family arrived. Kate was walking up the path with Abby holding her hand and skipping along. Next to them walked Eric, Kate's husband for almost a year with Lily perched on his shoulders. Eric had come into their family about 2 years ago and Elizabeth couldn't imagine a better fit. He was good friends with Jack and always kind and helpful to Elizabeth. Their children loved him and he loved spending time with them. He was so good to Kate, he was the calm to her crazy storm. He loved to make her laugh and was always so sweet to her. Before he had asked Kate to marry him he had come to Jack asking him for his blessing and Elizabeth knew how much that had meant to Jack.
"Hello, come on it" Elizabeth greeted them as the door. She gave Eric a warm hug before he slipped past her to shake Jack's hand and greet Abigail and the boys.
"Hi, I brought the pan you wanted, and the vegetables" Kate said entering the house. Elizabeth took them from her quickly pulling her sister into a tight hug.
"Oh! Hi, miss me?" Kate laughed but hugged Elizabeth back just as hard.
"I can't hug my sister? How are you? Anything new?" Elizabeth asked ignoring the look Jack shot her. Kate glanced around the room as Abigail came to greet her with a hug.
"Since I saw you a few hours ago? No, nothing to note" Kate shrugged as the boys bounded over to her and Eric.
Dinner was served and everyone ate their fill of fresh caught fish. After dinner Eric and Jack pulled out the chess board to settle the rubber match they had going from last week. William perched near them watching their every move. Of all the children Will was the most like his father. He had his dark hair and sharp features. He was brave, sarcastic and dreamed of being a mountie just like Jack was. Elizabeth and Abigail sat near them on the sofa sipping tea and chatting. Tommy sat at Abigail's feet reading his book. Sometimes Elizabeth swore Tommy was more Abigail's son then her's. He was always so calm and soft spoken. He hated when his older siblings bickered and was always trying to make everyone smile. As an infant he would scream if anyone besides Jack, Elizabeth, Kate or Abigail came to close to him. Anyone else in town so much as look at him and he would start to wail he was such a shy boy. He started school this year at six years old and he dearly missed his days with Abigail, who cared for the two youngest children since Elizabeth had gone back to teaching full time the year before. He would run to visit her at lunchtime and after school. It warmed Elizabeth's heart to see them together, she often wondered if Tommy was God's gift to Abigail because she would never have real grandchildren of her own. Kate sat at the piano Abby next to her and Lily in her lap and played. She played duets with Abby, who was almost as good as Elizabeth and Kate were despite never having the lessons they did. Lillian was content to sit in Kate's lap sucking her thumb, her belly full and bedtime quickly approaching. It was their Sunday night tradition, church together in the morning, a relaxing afternoon and then all coming together again for a big family dinner in the evening. It was Elizabeth's favorite part of the week, it left them all feeling refreshed and at peace and ready to start a new week on Monday. Eventually Lilly slid from Kate's lap and crawled into Elizabeth's. William gave up watching the game and went to sit by Tom reading over his shoulder and talking to him. Kate abandoned the piano and went to sit by Abigail to have tea and talk. After a while Abigail left and Eric and Kate went home after hugging everyone and Jack and Elizabeth gathered up all the children getting them ready for bed.
"Take a walk with me?" Jack asked later that night as the children were tucked into bed. Elizabeth smiled at him dimming the lamp in the living room as she put on her shawl and wrapped herself around his arm as they went out. The house was quiet, the children all sleeping, only Abby up reading by the lamp in her room. They never went far so they could always hear if they needed something, but they still loved their night walks. Today they whispered to Abby that they would be outside and Jack lead her to the pond between their house and Kate and Eric's. Jack and Eric had built Kate's house on Jack's land after Eric had bought a piece of it from him. Jack didn't need all the land and Eric had just proposed to Kate and was looking to build a house for them to live in. They were close enough that from Elizabeth's house she could see the lamp light coming from Kate's window at night, but far enough that they felt they had privacy from each other. It was perfect for them to both keep their own house and still be close. Elizabeth could see a light by the log Jack had placed by the pond so many years ago. As they drew closer she saw the dark figure of her sister sitting on the log by the lantern.
"What's this?" Elizabeth asked turning to Jack. He simply gave her a smile and a small kiss.
"See you later." He whispered gesturing to Kate and turning to go back to their house. Elizabeth finished the last few steps joining Kate on the log wrapping her shawl around her. The summer night was just chilly enough to enjoy the warmth of the extra layer.
"What is this about?" Elizabeth asked giving Kate a knowing look.
"I know you already know." Kate said turning to her with a smile.
"But I want to hear you say it"
"I'm pregnant" Kate whispered beaming, Elizabeth squealed throwing her arms around her sister.
"I can't believe you didn't tell me sooner" She said when she released her from her grasp.
"We just found out yesterday morning. I wanted to tell you yesterday afternoon but the children were everywhere. And then I was going to tell you today before dinner but Abigail got there before me. We don't want everyone to know yet, just you." Kate said. Elizabeth gave her a sad smile.
"I understand that, I am very happy for you! What does Eric say?"
"He is excited, I'm excited. A bit nervous but we're happy" Kate smiled giving a content sigh.
"I am happy, I can't believe I'm going to be an Aunt!" Elizabeth laughed.
"And I will need a lot of help" Kate nodded.
"Oh nonsense, you were there every step of the way with my children, especially Abby. You will make a wonderful mother." Elizabeth said.
"Only because I have you to look up to" Kate said as they gave each other a smile. Elizabeth threw her arm around her sister's shoulders and Kate lay her head on her shoulder leaning into her. There was always something about their relationship that no matter how old they got, Kate would always be the little sister and Elizabeth would always be the older sister.
"You will be there, when the baby is born?"
"I wouldn't miss it for the world" Elizabeth promised.
"Remember when we first came here, Coal Valley. It was just you and me against the whole world, no one but each other." Kate said.
"Now look at us, Jack is going to have to build us a bigger dining room table soon." Elizabeth smiled.
"We certainly aren't alone anymore" Kate agreed with a laugh.
"You will always always be my favorite sister though." Elizabeth whispered.
Elizabeth Grace was born New Years day just as the sun was coming up. Abigail delivered her, but it was her Aunt Elizabeth to first wrap her up and clean her off and deliver her to her mother's awaiting arms. Later in the afternoon as Kate and Eric slept, Elizabeth sat in the ricking chair in peaceful silence staring down at the infant wrapped contently in her arms. She looked up when the front door opened and Jack silently slipped in beaming at her.
"What have you got there Mrs Thornton?" He whispered with a grin walking carefully to her side and kneeling down so he was level with her.
"Jack, this is your niece, Baby Elizabeth, this is your Uncle Jack" Elizabeth whispered turning the sleeping baby so Jack could see her better.
"Hello there pretty girl, your mama was hoping you would be a girl so she could use that name" Jack smiled softly running his hand over her soft downy light hair.
"You knew they were going to name her after me?" Elizabeth asked surprised.
"Mmmhmm they decided months ago." Jack smiled up at Elizabeth knowing how much it meant to her just from the look in her eyes.
"Katie said she would be lucky if her little girl turned out just like me. She hoped she would just as brave and determined and stedfast as I am, however those qualities might not be so attractive in a toddler." Elizabeth laughed a little adjusting the blanket around the newborn against the winter chill.
"You are so much more then that, You are kind and loyal and generous and thoughtful, any child would be lucky to have traits similar to you." Jack whispered brushing one of Elizabeth's curls behind her ears. Elizabeth smiled softly leaning towards him and he rewarded her with a light kiss.
"Not so long ago Kate was a little baby like this, it feels like just a few years and also a lifetime." Elizabeth smiled rubbing her finger over the babies cheek.
"Well, it was both wasn't it?" Jack asked, Elizabeth looked up giving him a smile, they both turned as footsteps creaked on the floor.
"Hey, your up? How are you feeling? Come sit" Elizabeth said quickly gently standing up from the rocking chair as Kate gave her a smile and Jack hurried to her side taking her arm.
"Come to see baby Elizabeth or grown up Elizabeth?" Kate asked as Jack gave her a warm hug.
"Baby Elizabeth, and you, the kids wanted to come but I told them they had to wait until tomorrow, I figured you needed at least a day before they all descended upon you." Jack smile.
"Thank you, I am looking forward to seeing them though" Kate smiled easing herself into the rocking chair and Jack put a blanket over her lap.
"I will be sure to pass that along, I should get back to them, I love you and she is beautiful, get some rest, I'll see you tomorrow" Jack said softly kissing the top of Kate's head before he gave Elizabeth a quick kiss on the cheek and left.
"I made you some of your favorite, fried chicken and gravy to eat when you feel up to it. And Abigail promised to bring your favorite apple turnovers when she came back tonight." Elizabeth smiled gently shifting the bundle of blanket's into Kate's arms.
"Thank you, so much." Kate said softly looking up at Elizabeth as her sister knelt next to her chair.
"It's just chicken Katie, I had to do something while the three of you were sleeping." Elizabeth smiled brushing her thanks off.
"No I mean, I don't know that I ever thanked you for everything. I don't know that I ever understood what you did until I had her. But you never left me behind. You brought me along with you here, when you could have left me at Grandmother's very easily. I had everything I could need there, but you brought me with you here and gave me all of this. You gave up part of your life for me. And I don't think I would be the person I am or have the most important people in my life if it weren't for you. I don't think I realized the enormity of that until you put her in my arms today. But you are truly the best sister I could ever ask for." Kate said giving Elizabeth a teary smile.
"Oh Kate, I wouldn't want it another way, you and me right?" Elizabeth asked
"Forever" Kate smiled as Elizabeth pulled her into her arms and they both admired the baby girl between them.
I'm crying a little. I am going to miss this story so much! But I am so happy it's finished, I hate when things get dragged out and aren't as good anymore. Anyway thank you for all the reviews and encouragement. I am glad everyone still like the story even when I moved away from the show and made it my own. But it was kind of nice to go along with the show so we could see how Kate fit into everything from the very beginning instead of just shoving a foreign character into an alternate ending and missing out on all of it. The ending where Jack dies will probably be up soon so keep an eye out for that. Also, I love these characters to much to just drop them, so there will probably be something else coming along with Kate after she's done with school, maybe falling in love and running the cafe as well as Jack and Elizabeth being parents together!
