As the title suggests, this story is marked by twists and turns, so brace yourself. Let me know in the comments what you think.

Chapter 1: To Be Rained on With You

Rain drummed on the roof of the jail as Nathan prepared to lock up. It was late, and the sky had long since gone dark. Working late had become a bit of a habit now. It didn't matter. He would do whatever he had to do. Nothing was slow or easy these days.

Locking the door behind him, he shoved the key in his pocket and readjusted his hat. As much as he didn't want to go out in the rain... it had to be done. His eyes moved towards the Saloon, and he remembered a night long ago.

The excitement over Allie's adoption still made his heart race as he stood from the table that he and Bill shared. Bill seemed just as pleased, and even retracted the normal fee for his services. Nathan felt his heart swell at the gratitude that he felt for the friendship that he shared with Bill. He and Allie had never been able to boast of having such caring friends and neighbors before.

Making his way through the crowded Saloon, he saw Elizabeth. Catching his breath, he came forward and struck up a conversation with her. He couldn't quite remember what was said, but he quickly found himself asking the intended question. Would she consider attending Allie's adoption ceremony?

The ceremony would be beautiful. Allie would be surrounded by all of the friends she had made and role models she had found here in Hope Valley. Nathan was grateful that his dearest friends would be there to share it them as well. Bill, who had helped him through difficult times and was quickly becoming like a father to him, and Elizabeth...

Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth. Austen's words rang true for Nathan as he thought about her. Perhaps someday, his feelings would be returned. The beauty of Allie's special day caused the flame of hope to leap within his chest.

As Nathan passed the infirmary, he steeled himself, half-expecting to run into Elizabeth and her pretty pink umbrella. He'd finish her sentence, and they'd look into each other's eyes for a moment before life went on. But he wasn't ready to watch her rush away.

"Walk with me" he heard himself say. And she did. They walked side by side down the boardwalk together, just as they had many times before. Her eyes sparkled as she glanced up at him and smiled.

"I miss our conversations Nathan" she said softly. "Are you shutting me out again?"

Her voice was kind and caring. This time, she wasn't angry with him for his silence.

"I guess it's been a long time" Nathan admitted, before glancing towards her. "I'm sorry... And I miss our conversations too."

Elizabeth nodded and smiled again. She looked so peaceful and happy under that pretty pink umbrella.

"Jack has been asking about you too" she murmured. "You and Newton don't pass by the house much anymore."

Nathan nodded knowingly. "I guess I just hadn't thought about it..." he admitted. "Jack is getting so big. I'd love to see him again."

Elizabeth gave a faint laugh, her eyes full of memory. "He loves you" she pointed out. "He always has. Ever since you first held him in your arms and made him laugh with your silly faces, he's always been drawn to you. Perhaps Mountie's should include babysitting as part of the training."

They both laughed, and it was the first time Nathan had really laughed in a long time. Elizabeth saw his smile, and a look of contentment came over her countenance.

"He's not the only one that adores you" she pointed out. "Allie does too. You're a wonderful father to her Nathan. I know it can be difficult to do it alone, but I admire your strength. She looks up to you, and always will. You should be proud of yourself and her."

Nathan felt a lump forming in his throat as he turned to respond. "Thank you" he murmured, his voice husky with emotion. "That means so much to me. You have no idea..."

Elizabeth nodded reassuringly. " I do" she said quietly. "I understand Nathan."

They stopped and Nathan saw the short walk toward her house, where he had told her that she mattered to him. Where he had apologized for missing their scheduled meeting. Where she had warmed his serge for him by the stove and helped him to put it back one.

Some much memory for one place. He dared not go any closer for fear that his moments with her would end too soon.

At last, he spoke. "Lizabeth" he began, taking a deep breath once he had. "I want you to be happy, more than anything, and I'm sorry for everything I've ever done that hurt you. I just want you to know that I miss you. I miss you so much. And I don't know how I'm going to make it without you..."

Elizabeth smiled sympathetically and laid a hand on his cheek to comfort him. "Everything will be alright Nathan" she assured him. "Just wait and see."

Nathan swallowed and shook his head. "For how long?" he asked, his voice full of despair. He felt his heart begin to sink. Would this empty place in his heart ever heal?

Elizabeth brushed a tear from his face with her thumb. "I promise" she whispered. "Someday..." Looking past him, she saw the light flowing from his rowhouse and nodded in that direction. "It looks like Allie has dinner waiting" she noticed. "And we should probably both get out of this rain... Come on."

The faint rumble of thunder woke Nathan from his dream. Sitting up a bit breathlessly, he took in his surroundings and glanced towards the window. The sight of the rain flecked glass slowly caused the reality to sink in.

It wasn't real. His hopes for Allie's adoption ceremony. The sight of Elizabeth beneath the pretty pink umbrella. Their entire conversation and his painful confession. None of it was real. The Elizabeth in his dreams didn't exist.

Nathan couldn't stop the tears that silently streamed from his eyes. The only sound that could be heard was the rain pattering overhead. Quickly wiping his face, he turned over and hugged the blanket closer, as if to push away the loneliness that made him feel hollow inside.

What wasn't said throughout the day seemed to manifest itself in his dreams. He would try to be patient and wait for the pain to go away. His heart longed to know when that would be.

Maybe it would never happen. Not completely anyway.

Because nothing had been the same since Elizabeth had left him alone in the jail.