The next day, after church on Sunday, Elizabeth and Joseph had one of their talks.
"Elizabeth, there are two issues I want to discuss with you. The first is forgiveness." Joseph said.
"Okay." Elizabeth said.
"You have asked for forgiveness from everyone else. But now I think it is time you forgive yourself." Joseph said.
"I don't feel like I should forgive myself for how I treated people." Elizabeth said.
"But you have asked for forgiveness from other people. It is time to forgive yourself. While I don't condone the way you handled your grief, you had a valid excuse for your behavior. You'll need to pray for the strength to forgive yourself." Joseph said.
Elizabeth nodded.
"And the second issue?" Elizabeth said.
"Admit to yourself that you are in love with Nathan." Joseph said.
Elizabeth sat in silence.
"I know you are afraid to love him, but Elizabeth, you can't let fear prevent you from loving someone. You need to put your heart on the line." Joseph said.
"I don't know if my heart could take it if something were to happen to Nathan." Elizabeth said.
"But you don't know the future. When Jack went to the Northern Territories, there was a high possibility that he may be killed, but he wasn't. But when he went to his training mission, there was a low possibility that he would be killed, but he was killed. Life just happens." Joseph said.
Elizabeth nodded.
"I don't know if I'm strong enough to be with Nathan." Elizabeth said.
"You need to find the courage." Joseph said.
"I don't know how." Elizabeth said.
"I know that you'll figure that out." Joseph said.
After saying a prayer together, Elizabeth and Jack started walking home.
"Looks like it might rain Jack." Elizabeth said. It looked like it was going to be one of those summer rains where it rained but it would be muggy.
Jack smiled at her. Elizabeth smiled back at him. His smile reminded Elizabeth of his father.
"Come here." Elizabeth said picking Jack up. She kissed him all over. Jack giggled.
When they arrived back home, Elizabeth fed Jack lunch. Elizabeth realized that a nap sounded like a good idea.
"Do you want to lay in mommy's bed and take a nap?" Elizabeth asked Jack.
"Yes" Jack said excitedly.
Elizabeth picked up Jack. She grabbed a couple of blankets for them to put over themselves while they slept.
Jack laid on one side of the bed while Elizabeth laid on the other side.
"Sweet dreams my precious boy." Elizabeth said.
"Night, night." Jack said and he closed his eyes.
Elizabeth smiled and closed her eyes.
xxx
When Elizabeth opened her eyes, she wasn't in her bed but laying on a blanket on Jack's land. She stood up and looked around. Suddenly, she felt someone walking up from behind her. She turned around and saw a man in a red serge.
"Jack?" Elizabeth said.
"I've missed you." Jack said.
Elizabeth ran to Jack and Jack ran to her. When they finally reached each other, they kissed. After a passionate kiss, they broke apart.
"How are you here?" Elizabeth asked.
"I'm either a figment of your dream or maybe I'm here to visit you." Jack said.
Elizabeth hugged Jack.
"I'm just glad you are here." Elizabeth said.
"I've come to talk to you about someone." Jack said.
"Who?" Elizabeth asked.
"Nathan Grant." Jack answered.
"What about Nathan?" Elizabeth asked.
"That you need to open your heart to Nathan. I know that you are in love with him." Jack said.
Elizabeth didn't say anything.
"Elizabeth." Jack said sternly.
"Why would you want me to be with someone who disobeyed orders that ultimately led to your death." Elizabeth said.
"Close your eyes." Jack said.
"Why?" Elizabeth asked.
"Still stubborn as usual. Close your eyes." Jack teased.
Elizabeth sighed and closed he eyes.
"Now open them." Jack said.
Elizabeth opened her eyes; they were no longer at Jack's land. They were at a run-down house.
"Where are we?" Elizabeth asked.
"It's an orphanage." Jack said.
Elizabeth looked around. There were children playing outside. But they looked dirty and unfed. Jack led Elizabeth into the house where there were more children. Jack led Elizabeth into a room. There were fifteen kids in one room. In the corner, there was a little girl who was reading a torn-up book. Her dress was dirty and her face wasn't dirty, but Elizabeth recognized her.
"Allie?" Elizabeth said.
"Yes." Jack said.
"What is she doing here?" Elizabeth asked.
"In this case, Nathan never disobeyed orders and was sent to Fort Clay for the mission. He was killed in the landslide. Allie's grandmother couldn't care for her and Allie's father ran off, so she was sent here. A terrible place where the boys get hit and bad men come to do bad things to the girls." Jack said.
Elizabeth started to tear up.
"Knowing that this is where a little girl could have gone had Nathan not disobeyed orders and was killed, disgusts me. If my death prevented Allie from ending up here, then I am fine with that." Jack said.
Elizabeth closed her eyes. When she opened them, they were back at Jack's land.
"Elizabeth, my death wasn't in vain. It prevented Nathan from being killed. Allie wouldn't have lost another important figure in her life. Our little boy has you and I know you are doing a great job." Jack said.
Elizabeth smiled.
"But I know that my death caused you to put up walls around your heart." Jack said.
"Your death shattered my heart." Elizabeth said.
"And that's why you won't open your heart to Nathan." Jack said.
Elizabeth nodded.
"Do you love Nathan." Jack asked.
Elizabeth didn't say anything for a few seconds.
"Yes. I fell in love with him a long time ago. But after he was almost shot, I was afraid to love him. It would be too hard if I lost Nathan like I lost you." Elizabeth said.
"Elizabeth, you risked your heart on me. There was always a chance I may not come home one day but I'm glad you risked your heart. Being with you was the greatest joy of my life. And I'm sure you feel the same way." Jack said.
"I do." Elizabeth said.
"You need to find the strength inside that I know you have and risk your heart again. The reward is worth the risk." Jack said.
"What do you mean?" Elizabeth asked.
"Turn around." Jack said.
Elizabeth turned around. The house that Jack dreamed of building was built. Jack led Elizabeth to the window. When Elizabeth looked inside. She saw many children around the Christmas tree. Nathan and Elizabeth were cuddled on the couch watching the children. Elizabeth smiled at the thought of Christmas with Nathan and her family.
Elizabeth looked at Jack who smiled back.
"Looks like you will have a clan of your own. And Nathan knows how important I am to Jack that he lets him keep the Thornton last name. So, we did get our Thornton clan after all" Jack said.
Tears filled Elizabeth's eyes.
Jack looked at his watch.
"Elizabeth, it's time for me to go." Jack said.
"Will I see you again?" Elizabeth said.
"No. We are only allowed visit." Jack said.
"I miss you so much." Elizabeth said.
"Me too. But open your heart to Nathan. And remember, I'm always in your heart but it is time to move on." Jack said.
Elizabeth nodded.
"This isn't goodbye, it's until we meet again. Live your life. I can't wait to hear about it." Jack said. The two gave each other a final kiss. Jack put his hand on Elizbeth's heart.
"Goodbye Elizabeth, I will always love you." Jack said.
"Goodbye Jack." Elizabeth said.
xxx
When Elizabeth opened her eyes, she was back in her room. Jack was still sleeping. Elizabeth looked at her rings and smiled. She got up from the bed and headed downstairs to ask Rosemary to watch Jack. As she opened the door, Rosemary was ready to knock.
"Rosemary, I was just about to come see you." Elizabeth said.
"It was the strangest thing. You suddenly popped into my head and I decided to come over." Rosemary said.
"Do you mind watching Jack for an hour?" Elizabeth asked.
"Of course." Rosemary said.
"Thank you." Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth left her house and headed toward the cemetery.
When she got closer to Jack's grave, she saw Nathan standing in front of it.
"Nathan?" Elizabeth asked.
"Elizabeth." Nathan said.
"What are you doing here?" Elizabeth asked.
"It's the strangest thing. I was doing my rounds and suddenly I ended up in the cemetery. I was just paying my respects to Jack." Nathan said.
Elizabeth gave a sad smile.
"I'll let you have your privacy." Nathan said as he turned to start walking away.
"Nathan, wait. I want you to hear this." Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth turned to Jack's headstone.
"For 3 years, I have been engulfed in my grief over losing Jack. I didn't think that I would ever be myself again. Jack Jr. was born and he filled my heart but there was always something missing. It was love." Elizabeth said. Elizabeth removed her rings and put them on Jack's headstone.
"But I found love again." Elizabeth got closer to Nathan.
"I didn't think love would come in a red serge, but it did." Elizabeth said. Elizabeth caressed Nathan's cheek.
"Nathan. I fell in love with you a long time ago but my fear prevented me from seeing it. But now I can see clearly. Nathan, I'm in love with you." Elizabeth said.
Nathan closed his eyes and a tear fell down his cheek. He took Elizabeth's hand and kissed it.
"Elizabeth, you don't know how long I've waited for you to say this. I prayed that you would find the strength and it looks like you did." Nathan said.
Elizabeth smiled. Nathan let go of Elizabeth's hand.
"Cora asked me to move to Union City with her." Nathan said.
Elizabeth frowned.
"Are you going with her?" Elizabeth asked.
Nathan didn't say anything but nodded his head slowly.
Tears filled Elizabeth's eyes.
"Elizabeth, it would be a fresh start. There is so much hurt between us." Nathan said.
"Please, stay in Hope Valley." Elizabeth said.
Nathan smiled and wiped the tears away from Elizabeth's eyes.
"We are just two ships passing in the night." Nathan said.
"I'm sorry." Nathan said.
Elizabeth nodded her head. Nathan walked away wiping tears away from his eyes. Once Nathan was out of sight, Elizabeth fell to the ground and sobbed. It started to rain but Elizabeth didn't care. Elizabeth realized that she ran out of time with Nathan. After Elizabeth's crying had subsided, she took her rings and put them in her pocket. She walked back home. Once inside, Rosemary saw her.
"Elizabeth! You are all wet!" Rosemary said.
"He's leaving Rosemary." Elizabeth said.
"Who?" Rosemary asked.
"Nathan. He is leaving. He wants to be with Cora." Elizabeth said.
"Elizabeth, go clean up. I'll make you and Jack dinner." Rosemary said.
Elizabeth nodded. Elizabeth went upstairs and changed. She dried her hair with a towel and went downstairs. Rosemary put soup on the table.
"What happened?" Rosemary asked.
"I told Nathan that I was in love with him. He told me that he was moving to Union City to be with Cora." Elizabeth said.
Rosemary gasped.
"I asked him to stay." Elizabeth said.
"And he said no." Rosemary said.
Elizabeth nodded.
"It's my own fault. I waited too long. He found someone else." Elizabeth said.
"I'm sorry Elizabeth. Is there anything I can do?' Rosemary asked.
Elizabeth gave a sad smile.
"No. I would just like to be alone now." Elizabeth said.
Rosemary nodded. She hugged Elizabeth and gave Jack a kiss goodbye.
After dinner, Elizabeth played on the ground with Jack. But all she could think about was Nathan.
"Mommy sad?" Jack asked Elizabeth.
"Yes. Mommy sad." Elizabeth answered.
Jack went over to Elizabeth and gave her a hug.
"I love you." Jack said.
"I love you too sweetie." Elizabeth said.
After playing for a few more minutes, Elizabeth put Jack to bed. Elizabeth cleaned up the kitchen. She sat at her desk. Elizabeth thought about everything that had happened between she and Nathan. Elizabeth concluded that Nathan's happiness was more important than her own. She took out a piece of paper and wrote a letter to Cora.