A/N: After watching a few episodes for inspiration this weekend, it occurred to me that I was leaving out Elizabeth's journal dialogue. I've decided to leave that out for now, rather using actual character dialogue to convey what's going on in the story. Just wanted to share my thought process here. :) AND WARNING - this chapter ends with a cliffhanger of sorts that some of you may be a little shocked by. Just hang on - let it develop. After all, it is HOPE Valley, right? ;)

My dearest Elizabeth,

I want you to know that it was a very hard decision to leave Hope Valley, even if just for a short while. I felt compelled to accompany my mother back to Aberdeen, not just to ensure her safety - as you know she can take care of herself quite well - but to say goodbye. When I left to join the Mountie's I really didn't anticipate returning, but knowing my home will no longer be there to return to still brings me some amount of sadness. I have come a long way since leaving home, and I need to bid farewell to the boy that left so I am able to return to you as the man who I've become. I hope you understand. I will miss each day that we are apart and each night I will dream of the beautiful smile that awaits my return.

Before I left that I needed to talk to you about something important. I wish I could have had that conversation before I left, but everything happened so fast that we didn't have time. When I return, it will be the most pressing issue on my mind.

I leave my heart with you, Elizabeth. Until I return...

Jack

Elizabeth read Jack's letter for the fifth time. He had been gone five days, and she read the letter each morning to feel like part of him was still with her. She folded it back up and placed it in her coat pocket before setting out to town. She stopped by Abigail's before going to school.

"Good morning, Elizabeth. How are things going these days?" Abigail asked, greeting her with a smile.

Elizabeth took a deep breath and shrugged off her coat, placing it on a hook near the door.

"Oh, Abigail, I have a confession."

Abigail motioned for Elizabeth to have a seat on the couch.

"I honestly thought that it would be good for Jack to travel with his mother, but..."

"You miss him?" Abigail finished.

Elizabeth nodded.

"I know it's only been a few days, and I thought that preparing the children for the Christmas pageant would help keep my mind off things, but it hasn't done enough. I miss Jack terribly, of course, but what I miss most is having him to lean on. I know that makes me sound weak, but I didn't realize how much his support has meant to me until he's not here. I must sound silly."

"Of course not, Elizabeth. You sound like a woman who has realized where her heart lies. That's exactly how you are supposed to feel about a hus...well, about the man you want to spend the rest of your life with."

Elizabeth grinned.

"I love my sister dearly, Abigail, but..."

"I understand, Elizabeth. Believe me. I know I'm not Jack...but I'm here for you all the same."

Elizabeth hugged her friend, grateful for her support.

"And I don't know what I'd do without you," she said, gratefully.

"Have you heard from your parents yet?"

"No. The letter should be there soon if it hasn't arrived already. I feel like it was cowardly of me to write a letter instead of sending a telegram, but there was just so much to say..."

"And a letter gives you a little more time to wrap your head around the whole situation," Abigail smiled.

Elizabeth chuckled and nodded.

"Do you expect they will come here to Hope Valley?"

"I'm not sure. I doubt my mother will. Even though she seems to be doing well lately, I don't think father would want her traveling all the way here. Although, I can't see my father coming to Hope Valley, either. I just don't know what they will do anymore. They were very angry when Julie ran away. I can't imagine her current circumstance will make them any more pleased."

"Surely you don't think they would abandon her? This is their grandchild, after all. Their first."

"Oh, Abigail, I wish I could be certain they wouldn't do that," Elizabeth sighed, seemingly defeated. "But I just don't know anymore. The life they wanted for my sisters and I is not the life Julie and I have chosen. After I sent Charles away after his proposal, I think my parents realized that I wasn't going to choose that life. They seemed very disappointed in their letters after that. Perhaps, since I haven't sent news of any other...arrangements...they still hold out hope, but this with Julie-it is a firm confirmation that she has chosen her own path."

"Well, I will pray that the Lord will guide their hearts and minds to do the right thing," Abigail reassured her.

"Thank you, Abigail. I think that is the absolute best thing we can do right now."

Elizabeth rose from the couch and gathered her coat.

"As much as I would love to stay here and have you reassure me - I really must get to the school."

"Have a good day."

"Thank you, Abigail."

"Good morning," a voice called as it's speaker opened the door, nearly bumping into Elizabeth.

"Ooh," Elizabeth exclaimed, barely jumping out of the way.

"Oh, Elizabeth, I'm so sorry. I didn't know you were standing there."

"It's alright, Julie, I was just leaving. I have to get to school early. There's a lot to do in the next couple of weeks."

"Good morning, Julie. You seem to be in good spirits this morning," Abigail smiled.

"I had a wonderful night's sleep. And Tom will be busy helping Mr Fredrickson make some repairs to his house the next few days. Thanks to my amazing sister, I finally feel confident that everything will be okay."

Elizabeth was touched that Julie credited her for the happy change in her mood. The first few days in Hope Valley, Julie had been quite depressed. She began helping Abigail right away and poured herself into her work. Even Elizabeth was impressed with Abigail's assessment of Julie. She was very hard-working and actually showed some affinity for serving others. Elizabeth could hardly believe how her very over-privileged and frivolous sister had managed to domesticate herself so suddenly. When she tried to imagine her other sister Viola as a waitress in Abigail's cafe, she couldn't suppress a chuckle.

"I'm glad to hear it, Julie. Well, I really must be off now. I'll see you this evening."

"Goodbye, dear sister. Have a wonderful day."

"You, too," Elizabeth laughed. It seemed Julie's happy mood was infectious.

As she walked towards the school, she heard Ned Yost call out to her.

"Elizabeth? Elizabeth?" he called, breathlessly catching up to her. "It's a telegram from Jack. It just arrived. I thought you'd want it right away."

"Oh, thank you so much, Mr Yost. I appreciate it," Elizabeth smiled.

It was short, as telegrams were, but it was so good to know that Jack and his mother had made it to Abderdeen.

Elizabeth, we have arrived in Aberdeen. Hope to see you soon. Jack.

Elizabeth clutched the telegram to her chest.

"Oh, Jack. Not soon enough," she sighed.

"Oh, hello Cody, you're sure up early this morning," Elizabeth greeted the boy as he passed with Rip at his side.

"Rip wanted to go out. I think he really misses Mountie Jack."

"I'm sure he does," Elizabeth agreed, bending down to rub Rip's head. "He'll be home soon, boy. I promise."

She directed her attention back to Cody, "I know Constable Thornton is sure grateful you agreed to watch over Rip while he was away."

"I don't mind. Plus, he promised me fifty whole cents for it when he gets back."

Elizabeth chuckled.

"Wow. Now I see why you're so keen," she teased Cody. "Well, run along back to Abigail's and have your breakfast. I'll see you at school in just a little bit. We have a lot to do."

"Yes, Miss Thatcher," Cody nodded.

Elizabeth smiled as the boy walked back to Abigail's with Rip. Even the poor dog missed Jack. She shook her head and continued on to the school. She busied herself the rest of the day with preparations for the Christmas pageant. The pageant had become an annual tradition in Hope Valley, but this year's would be the best ever, of course, as Rosemary had determined to make it more fabulous than ever before with a grand festival celebration. While most of the town was waiting for Rosemary's return from honeymoon to get the plans underway, Elizabeth was wasting no such time. She knew that if she had the children well on their way preparing before Rosemary returned, that it would definitely put the woman's worry about that part to rest. She was also aware that if she had already begun teaching the children their parts it would be very difficult for Rosemary to make major changes. She wasn't sharing that reason with anyone, though.

After a long day of lessons and pageant preparations, Elizabeth was tired when she made her way back to town that afternoon. She stopped by the mercantile to pick up a few things before going home.

"Oh, Elizabeth, it seems you are quite popular today. This letter just arrived for you."

"Thank you, Mr Yost," Elizabeth replied, taking the letter from him. She noticed the handwriting immediately and felt a lump in her throat. She paid for her items and left the store. As she turned the letter over in her hands, she decided to go to Abigail's to open the letter. She anticipated needing a friend.

"Hello, Elizabeth. I didn't expect to see you this afternoon," Abigail greeted her.

"I received this today," she said showing Abigail the letter. "I thought maybe I might need some advice after reading it."

Abigail nodded and motioned for Elizabeth to sit.

"From your parents?" Abigail asked.

Elizabeth nodded. She unfolded the letter from the envelope and read out loud:

Dear Elizabeth,

When we received your letter we had hoped the big news you spoke of was your decision to return home. We had hope that Charles might ultimately convince you otherwise. After Charles returned from seeing you the last time we finally accepted the fact that you would not be marrying him. This disappointed us, but we remained hopeful you would eventually come to your senses and come home and leave all that foolish schoolgirl nonsense behind. It appears that this will not be the case. And now your sister has foolishly run off and followed in your footsteps. To say we are utterly disappointed would be an understatement. I knew that associating with men beneath your station would get you two into trouble. I only wish you would have seen it yourselves. While your mother and I regret the decisions you girls have made, we hope to give you one last chance to see your foolishness for what it is.

While Julie's situation can not be undone, she can be sent to Buffalo to live with your mother's sister. She would be well taken care of there and would be able to live a very peaceful and dignified life.

Unfortunately, Charles has already moved on and is engaged to Priscilla Wellington. They are to be married in the early spring. But do not worry, Elizabeth, for there are plenty of other suitable gentlemen for you should you not delay in your return.

We hope to see you both for Christmas. Simply send us word of your impending return and we will arrange to have you both brought back to Hamilton.

Sincerely,

Your Father

Abigail gasped.

"Oh, Elizabeth," she began, seeing tears pouring from Elizabeth's eyes.

She wrapped her arms around the younger woman and whispered, "shh. It will be alright."

Elizabeth was heart-broken. In letter after letter she had poured her heart out to her family. She knew her family didn't agree with her decisions, but she had thought they at least supported her. Given the shock of Julie's news, she had prepared herself for a poor reaction from her father, but this - this was more than she could bear. If only Jack were there...