A/N Sorry for the slow updates lately. I've been experiencing a severe flare with my Psoriatic Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. Part of it actually involves bad tendonitis of the Bicep in my right arm, which is my dominant hand. Due to the brain Fog over the past two weeks, plus personal struggles as well, I just haven't been able to break through the writer's block that has hung over me. I'm trying to get the stories moving along, but I beg patience as it is still a struggle. Some stories may not see an immediate update but rest assured I will be finishing them. I have a goal by the end of summer to have at least 3 of them finished and a good buffer for the others. Please don't give up on me or these stories because there is so much more to come.
After having a leisurely breakfast together, Nathan went to get Elizabeth's suitcase so that she could change into something more suitable around company.
Matthew came and, after examining her, agreed that she could go downstairs for a while as long as Nathan carried her. But she could only be there for two-hour intervals to ensure that she would rest for a bit after that. If she continued to be doing well after the next two days, it would increase. Since Patrick's office was toward the back and quiet, it was decided that she would be placed there to prevent her from being startled by the noises of the household as everyone went about their day. Besides, they would be reviewing the case, and Elizabeth wanted to listen and see if she could help fill in the gaps.
"Elizabeth, I would like to start your therapy this afternoon. Charlotte, I would also like to spend some time talking with you and Tom as well. Would you be amenable to starting out the three of you together? At some point, I will also be bringing John into it after a few sessions. Eventually, though, I will be talking with you all individually. If you need to talk at any time of the day, let me know. As I stated before, I am with you until you are well on the road to recovery, physically and mentally. With that said, I will need to arrange accommodation in Hope Valley. Is there a hotel or boarding House?"
"You can bunk with me, Matt," Bill offered.
"Tom and I will need somewhere too for a while,"
"Don't you have to get back to the ranch, and Tom get back to Hamilton for work?" Elizabeth asked. "I would love to have you, of course, but I don't want you to …." Elizabeth said, tearing up.
Charlotte interrupted her. "Lizzie, if there was one huge takeaway from our ordeal, it is that family needs to be together. Tom and I discussed it, and we are selling the ranch in Aberdeen and moving to Hope Valley. I don't want to miss out on being with the grandchildren; it is also where Jack's buried. Who knows, maybe even down the road, I may return to teaching if a position opens."
"Ma's right, we want to be near you and Jack and the rest of your family," Tom said with a smile.
"Well, if you're sure, Nathan and I decided to use my rowhouse so his would be available. Why don't you take it over since it has two bedrooms? It will already be furnished, so you have time to decide where your ultimate place will be." Then recalling Charlotte's cooking quickly added, "You can eat your meals with us, though." Tom grinned, and Charlotte rolled her eyes at the remark.
I know the children will be excited to have their Nana Charlie close by," Nathan said reassuringly.
"I have to admit it would be ideal to work with you all in the same location. Recovery won't be easy, but it will happen." Matthew said.
Before anything else could be said, Jameson and Tim arrived with photos for Elizabeth to look at. They were of various Mounties of similar coloring, including the two suspects of being on the train. Though the two men had already identified them, it strengthened the case that Elizabeth could do the same. After scattering them in no particular order, Nathan approached the desk with Elizabeth and sat her in Patrick's chair. It hadn't taken long to pick the two out of the twenty photos.
"These are the two from the train that broke into my stateroom and kidnapped me from the train," Elizabeth said, her voice shaky and a bit shrill. Nathan put a comforting arm around her.
Matthew took that moment to step over to talk to her. "Elizabeth, can you tell me what is going through your mind as you look at their photos and what you feel?
"I'm thinking back to that night and remember how I was terrified that they would find Jack—then recalling how helpless I felt as everything went dark from the chloroform. Watching the train pull away with my son on board and not knowing why the Mounties were involved was one of the worst things I have ever experienced. I still have nightmares of Jack calling for me, and I can't get to him. When they told us, they intended to kill Jack Thornton's bloodline…." Elizabeth stopped, unable to continue as memories threatened to overwhelm her.
Feeling Elizabeth trembling, Nathan immediately picked her up and sat her on his lap, cuddling her close as she cried. He just held her and stroked her back, murmuring reassuring words that she was safe. It didn't go unnoticed that his touch seemed to have an almost immediate calming effect on her. After a few minutes, the trembling stopped, and her breathing returned to normal. Well, normal for Elizabeth anyway because she could only draw shallow breaths due to her injuries. He could see her distress and anxiety had caused her to aggravate them, and was in a bit of pain. He quirked a brow at her, silently asking if she needed something for pain.
"I'm okay, Nathan, thank you for asking," she replied softly, smiling and kissing his cheek, trying to reassure him and erase the worried look in his eyes.
"You have nothing to worry about, Elizabeth. "Bill stated. "They are locked up and will be for a while."
Recalling Nathan telling her about teasing Bill, she said, "Thank you, Honey Pie, that means a lot coming from you." The others laughed at the look of shock that came over his face. Then he gave her a smirk and chuckled out of sheer happiness that she was even attempting to tease him, more than willing to let it slide. However, he did give Nathan a side-eye glance.
"Tim and I had already identified them," Jameson said. "Yours is the final nail in their coffin. Not only did they kidnap you, but they also attempted to take Jack and Allie when they were hiding in Brookfield. We had moved them the day prior, and Sam, Tess, Chuck, and the sisters were prepared, so they were easily caught without any problem. Henri had been with them and got away."
"He was killed during our skirmish in the yard, if you recall," Tim said, looking at Elizabeth.
"Were they connected to what happened to Jack? Is it true what Spurlock said, and Jack was killed by his men rather than dying of an accident?" Elizabeth asked.
"I'm afraid we are still trying to figure out if it was even possible, Elizabeth," Patrick said. "But I assure you we won't leave that unanswered.
Elizabeth nodded in agreement. "What about Lucas and Yvette or, I guess, Jeanette? Elizabeth inquired, needing to know where all the players were. She knew that she would have to go back upstairs and lay down soon and knew it would help her rest easier.
"Locked Up. Lucas had complained about his knee from where your bullet hit him. He will have a limp for the rest of his life, but it wasn't life-ending, although as much complaining as he has done, one would think it was." Tim said, rolling his eyes.
"His wife, on the other hand, has been quiet and withdrawn since she was imprisoned. They both believe you died, and we just let them continue to think it is true, and both are feeling smug," Jameson said.
Gabe entered with Patrick. "He is asking to see Nathan," Gabe said.
"What?" Bill said.
"His attorney has submitted a request for an audience with Nathan and a family member," Patrick said.
"To what end?" Nathan said. "I honestly don't know if I could keep my cool seeing him again. He will obviously be trying to bait me the whole time in an attempt to get me to do something that will help him get off, and I don't want to risk blowing this case we have."
"That is why you would be attending as the family representing Elizabeth's interests as her husband and father to Jack and not the Mountie," Patrick replied. "Gabe and I will be representing the Mountie side of things."
"Well, I'll be coming along as legal representation for the entire family since I can't be involved in prosecuting it or be assigned the judge," Bill stated flatly.
"I had already planned that would be the case," Patrick smirked. "Sam and I knew that you would still be in the thick of it but would steer clear of compromising anything."
"What do you think is his goal for asking for this meeting?" William asked, speaking for the first time.
"Plea deal, most likely," Bill said. "It's what I would be doing."
Patrick nodded. "His lawyer has been sniffing around for a lighter sentence and trying to find out who the assigned Judge will be."
"You have got to be kidding, Patrick," Charlotte said as Tom shook his head.
"Absolutely not!" Elizabeth and Nathan said simultaneously.
"There's no way we will ever consider that in this case," William stated flatly.
"Yeah, that's not happening!" Bill growled.
"When will this meeting take place?" Elizabeth said, fear creeping in. Nathan reached for his wife's hand and held it firmly clasped within both of his. He subconsciously rubbed his thumb across her knuckles, gently sending delicious sparks shooting through her even as it calmed her. Eventually, he lessened his grip and rested his left hand over hers after placing it on her lap.
"It will be all right, Elizabeth. Besides, imagine the look on his face when he realizes that you didn't die and that we are married." Nathan chuckled.
"That's the reason we haven't corrected it. They are being held, and only those trusted by us after an extensive background check have access to them. We have had multiple volunteers from Jack's former units and brothers requesting temporary posting here to help bring this group to justice. You should know, Nathan, we also have a few coming on your behalf from Fort Clay."
Nathan's heart warmed at that. As Patrick began to name a few of them to Nathan, he felt relieved because they all supported him when Hargraves was engaged in his vendetta against him. Two of them he and Gabe had been on missions with, and they were excellent, trustworthy Mountie brothers.
"If you are willing, I would like to set it up for tomorrow at 11," Patrick said. "Charlotte, I know you and Tom are probably itching to go, but it is best to stick with Nathan. William, the same will apply to you too. We can't risk any of you saying or doing something that his clever lawyer could use to get him off easy. But don't worry either because they won't be getting off. A judge has already been assigned to the case, but it is being withheld until closer to trial to prevent any funny business. We still have a few people left to apprehend before we can begin to let down our guard, so I can't reveal his name. I can tell you that he is an honest man and is a lot like Bill in respect of presiding over all cases in his courtroom. We couldn't ask for a better one, wouldn't you say, Bill?"
"I would. Elizabeth, do you remember Jedidiah Black?"
"I do,"
"He is a lot like him because the law is the law, and he doesn't suffer fools or lawbreakers. He is particularly sensitive about Women and children getting hurt. This case we have against the Nexxus, particularly the Bouchard's, is rock solid. With all the witnesses and evidence found at Shady Grove as well as the underlings, all scrambling for a deal, Lucas, Jeanette, and the others will be seeing long prison sentences with no parole."
"Just be careful, Nathan," Elizabeth said.
"I will always do everything possible to come home to you and our children. I won't take any unnecessary chances that I can promise you."
"Any news on Hargraves or the Dixons?" Bill asked Patrick.
"Collins got word an hour ago that the Dixons were seen getting off the train in Hamilton, but they quickly disappeared underground. By coincidence Andrew and his family have also gone into hiding." Patrick replied, his frustration evident in his tone.
Elizabeth yawned then, and Nathan carried her back upstairs. Since the others were returning to the station, Nathan decided to lie beside his wife so that he could be near if she needed him. Elizabeth fell asleep within moments, thanks to the pain pill he had talked her into taking a little before they came upstairs. As he drifted off beside her, he counted himself a very blessed and thankful man.
