I realized after I wrote and posted the last chapter that earlier in the story I had mentioned that no one knew where Julie was. I forgot to explain why she is back in the picture. I will mention it during this chapter.

Elizabeth woke early the next morning. Julie and their parents were arriving in the late afternoon on the stage. She was going to have breakfast with Jack at the café before he headed out to do his rounds. She was going to have a dress fitting with Clara, work on some wedding plans and help Abigail with the special dinner she had planned for her family that evening. It would be the first time her parents would meet Charlotte Thornton. She hoped Charlotte would be feeling better today; she missed the party yesterday because she wasn't feeling well.

Elizabeth stayed in bed for a few minutes, remembering the romantic evening she had with Jack. They spent their time together discussing their hopes and dreams for the future. More images of their family ran through her mind as she pictured their children running around by the pond while she and Jack watched. They also practiced feeding cake to each other with the leftovers from her party cake. They had each promised each other they wouldn't try to shove the cake into the other's face. She hoped Jack would keep his promise because if he didn't all bets were off.

She quickly dressed, checked the room across from hers to make sure it was ready for Julie. Charlotte had moved to the saloon earlier this week so Elizabeth could have time with her sister and eventually, Jack. Everything looked in order so she went downstairs to check her basket. She was going to work on the name cards for the reception while she was at the café. She found the cards, calligraphy pen and ink. As she closed the basket, she heard a knock on the door. Picking up the basket and her shawl, she opened the door to find Jack waiting for her with a bouquet of flowers. He handed the flowers to her and gave her a quick kiss.

"Thank you, Jack. They are beautiful. Let me put them in some water and then we can go to the café."

Soon, they were walking over to Abigail's. "One more week, Sweetheart. Just one more week and you will be my wife. You will be Mrs. Thornton." Jack squeezed her hand.

"And you will be my husband. I can't wait. I hope this week flies by."

"Me too." He agreed as they walked up the steps to the café.

"Good morning!" Abigail greeted them. "Have a seat." She nodded towards the table in the kitchen. "Would you like some coffee?"

"Yes, please." Jack said and Elizabeth nodded in agreement.

"But I can get it if you have customers." Elizabeth said as she walked to the stove to get the coffee pot. She filled two cups and brought them to the table as Abigail took a plate out to the dining room.

When she returned, she put together a platter of eggs, bacon, biscuits and scones. She set it down on the table, poured herself a cup of tea and joined them. They talked about the picnic last night and how plan for the wedding were going. Soon, Jack stood up to leave.

"I better get going on my rounds. I want to be finished so I can be here when your family arrives." He leaned down to give Elizabeth a kiss. "Bye, Sweetheart!"

"Have a good day, My Love!" She reached for her basket to pull out one of the place cards she had already done. She wanted to show Abigail.

"Oh, that's beautiful work, Elizabeth. "

"Thank you!"

"How are the rest of your plans going? Any problems?"

"Well, I hate to jinx myself, but as of right now, there are no problems."

"You have the whole town behind you. If anything were to go wrong, we will all be here for you to help out"

"Thank you, Abigail."

"I hear Julie is coming with your parents today. What happened?"

"Well, apparently she has been in Ottawa this whole time. She applied to the same college I did, only she got into their nursing program."

"Wow!" Abigail said, surprised. "She wants to be a nurse?"

"Yes, and apparently she is doing well with her classes. She got all A's"

"Good for her. How did your father take it?"

"My mother said he almost fainted. Then he got himself together and asked how she was paying for it. Apparently she took out a loan. No one really knows how she got it but she did. Father then said he would pay off her loan and pay for the rest of her education. Mother said Julie protested at first but soon realized she wasn't going to win that battle. Since Father paid for my education he intends to do the same for her."

"It sounds to me as if she has grown up a lot."

"It does. I plan on finding out more, later." Elizabeth smiled. "I will let you know what I find out."

Just then Clara came down the steps. "Good Morning, Elizabeth! Are you reading for your dress fitting?"

"Yes I am. Abigail, how is your breakfast crowd? Would you be able to join us?

"Last check on the dining room a few minutes ago show there were no customers. Let me double check and then I will put the close sign on the door. I had planned to try on my dress too."

Soon, they were in Elizabeth's old room. They decided Abigail would try on her dress first. It was made of yellow satin with pink roses embroidered in. The dress had a lace on the sweetheart neck line. She would carry a small bouquet of white roses and yellow carnations. Elizabeth would have a bouquet of yellow roses and white carnations. Abigail looked stunning in the dress. Very little altering needed to be done to it.

Soon, Abigail was helping Elizabeth into her dress. Her dress was off white satin with lace covering the whole dress. She also had a sweetheart neck line and the dress had buttons shaped like rosebuds going down the back. She would be wearing a lace veil attached to a tiara. The dress fit beautifully.

"Oh, Elizabeth, you look breathtaking. Jack is going to be blown away when he sees you." Abigail had tears in her eyes as she looked at Elizabeth.

"You really think so?" She said, trying to imagine the look on his face when she walked down the aisle to him.

"I don't think so, I know so. He may even faint." Abigail replied.

Elizabeth giggled at the thought of that. "Well I am not sure I want that." Elizabeth turned to Clara. "Thank you so much for this beautiful dress. It is exactly what I wanted." Elizabeth reached for her bag so she could pay Clara.

"You're welcome. And put your money away. This is my wedding gift to you. Not to mention free advertising. I am hoping the women of Hope Valley will love your dress so much that they will come see me for a pretty dress of their own."

"Thank you, Clara. That means a lot to me." Clara and Abigail began unbuttoning her dress. Once Elizabeth was done changing she took her wedding dress, which had been hung neatly in a dress bag and took it home, to hang in the closet of her spare room. She would dress for her wedding in her own house, with Abigail, Clara, Julie and her mother with her.

The afternoon went by quickly. Elizabeth was keeping herself busy with her names cards. Soon, she heard the back door open and Jack walked in. He had changed from his uniform into a suit. She got up to greet him. "Jack! How was your day?" She kissed him hello.

"It was fine. How was yours?" Jack hugged her. They walked over to the table and sat down. He picked up one of the cookies that sat on a plate.

"My day has gone well so far. I had the final fitting for my dress. I worked on the place cards and discussed some final details of the wedding with Abigail. Now we wait until my family arrives and hope my good day continues. With my parents, especially father, you never know what could happen."

Jack put one hand on her cheek and caressed it, the other grabbed her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Don't worry, Elizabeth. Nothing is going to keep us from getting married. I won't let it, not when we have come this far."

"You are right, Jack. What is the worst my parent can do? Threaten to cut me off financially? Well I meant what I said back when you first proposed. I don't need their money to be happy. I am beyond happy with my life here in Hope Valley and with you." She kissed the hand that was holding hers. "I am not going to let anything ruin this time for us"

Just then, they heard the stagecoach approach. They got up from the table, went outside at approached it. The door opened and Julie stuck her head out. Jack gave her his hand to help her down.

"Sister!" Julie yelled out. "It's so good to see you." She walked up to Elizabeth and gave her a big hug.

"I am so glad you could come, Julie." Elizabeth returned the hug, then looked up to see her father helping her mother down from the coach. "Mother, Father! I am so happy you are here." She walked over to give her mother a kiss, while Jack shook her father's hand.

"Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher. I hope you had a pleasant trip" Jack said. He went to shake hands with his future mother-in-law.

"A handshake, Jack? Come now, we are going to be family in one week's time. Please call me Grace." She leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Jack blushed but returned one to her.

"Yes, Jack. Let's forget the formalities. Call me William."

"OK, William and Grace. How about we go into the café and have some tea and cookies. Dinner won't be for another few hours."

"Of course, Jack, but first we have a surprise for you and Elizabeth." William said as he put his hand back into the coach. Soon, a lady had come out through the door.

Elizabeth let out a yelp. "Aunt Elizabeth?" She quickly came over to her aunt and gave her a huge hug and a kiss. Then she noticed Uncle Wynn coming out of the coach. "Uncle Wynn! What a nice surprise. I am so glad you could both come."

"There was no way I could miss my namesake's wedding, especially since she followed in my footsteps in more ways than one." Elizabeth laughed at the comment.

Elizabeth let go of her aunt to give her uncle a quick kiss, then she motioned Jack to come over for introductions. "Jack, this is my aunt Elizabeth Delaney and her husband, Wynn." Jack shook both of their hands. "Aunt Elizabeth became a teacher and her first assignment was in the west. While she was there, she meet Uncle Wynn, who is also a Mountie.

Jack's eyes widened in surprise. "Wow! Now I know why Mrs. Delaney said you followed her footsteps in more ways than one." He turned to Wynn and said. "It's always a pleasure to meet a fellow Mountie."

"Yes, it is." Wynn agreed as the two men shook hands.

"There is no need to be formal with us, Jack." Aunt Elizabeth said. "You may call us by our first names, or if you want, Aunt and Uncle. After all, that's what we will be in a week's time."

"Thank you, Aunt Elizabeth." Jack said, "How about we go into the café and have some tea. You must all be a bit tired from the trip."

Soon they were inside and introductions had been made to Abigail and Charlotte. Elizabeth explained the similarities between her life and her Aunt's. They enjoyed a cup of tea and some cookies before the Thatcher's decided to go up to their room and rest before dinner. Elizabeth, Jack, Charlotte and Julie all walked over to the saloon with Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Wynn so they could get a room. Then Elizabeth and Julie excused themselves to go to Elizabeth's house so Julie could get settled. They agreed to all meet back at the café later for dinner.

That evening with everyone sitting around the table, after dinner had been eaten, the extended family got to know each other. They told stories about Elizabeth and Jack as children, even embarrassing ones. Both of them had red faces numerous times, but they found they could laugh right along with the others. Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Wynn told stories of their life together in the northern territories. Later, while eating dessert, Jack and Winn talk about being Mounties. Wynn asked if he could go on rounds with Jack so he could see how things were in Hope Valley. Jack readily agreed.

The dinner broke up early. The Thatcher family was tired from their long trip and wanted to go to bed. Jack and Elizabeth said a quick goodnight before Jack escorted Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Wynn back to the saloon while Elizabeth and Julie walked back to her house.

"Elizabeth," Julie started. "I am not the least bit sleepy. Would you stay up with me so we can talk? Get caught on our lives since we last saw each other?"

Elizabeth wanted to go to sleep but she could she how much her sister wanted to talk. "Of course we can. Let's get ready for bed, I will make some tea and we can talk, in your room if you like. Since neither of us ate dessert, I have some cake left from the party the children gave me yesterday. Would you like a piece?"

"I would love some. Thank, Sister!"

They had now reached the house. Elizabeth started the water for the tea and both sisters went upstairs to change. They meet each other in the hall after putting on their nightgowns. They grinned at each other and went downstairs arm in arm. Julie went to the table while Elizabeth got the tea and cut two slices of cake.

Once Elizabeth had taken a seat Julie spoke. "I am so glad I found the courage to go face Mother and Father, especially Father. When he saw me, I felt he wanted to kill me, he was so angry. Mother made him calm down so I could tell him why I had to leave and start a new life for myself. It was hard to tell them but I felt they were proud with the decisions I made." She giggled a little. "Well, it took Father a little longer to learn to deal with the thought of me taking care of people illnesses. Something a Hamilton Thatcher would never do." She looked at Elizabeth with an amused look on her face. Elizabeth had a similar expression; they both burst out laughing.

"I think I have seen that face." Elizabeth said. "When he realized I love living in Coal Valley. Oh the horror!" The sisters burst out laughing again.

"Anyway, if I hadn't come home when I did, I never would have known about the wedding." She paused, before she spoke again. "I am sorry I didn't send letters to you, Sister. I was afraid if I did, you would feel obligated to tell Father and I didn't want to put you in the middle. Not when things with Jack were going so strong. I wanted you to enjoy your life here and not have to worry about things back in Hamilton."

Elizabeth got up from the table and walked to Julie. She gave her sister a big hug. "Julie, I can't believe how much you have grown since you left home. I have always loved you but this new mature Julie is someone very, very special."

"Awww! Thanks, Sister. I am so happy you said that. Viola doesn't believe I have changed. She thinks I am playing games."

"Well, I hate to say it but that's our older sister. Don't you worry about her. You continue just what you have been doing."

"Do you want to know what my dream job is when I graduate nursing school" Elizabeth shook her head. "I want to come live here, in Hope Valley. I know your doctor doesn't have a nurse. I think it's time he had one."

"That's a great idea. I would love to have you live here." Elizabeth yawned. "I am so sorry, Julie. I have been up since early this morning. I am so tired. Would you mind if we continued this talk tomorrow?

"Not at all, Sister. I am starting to get tired too." They cleaned up the kitchen and walked upstairs to bed. "I love you, Sister"

"I love you too, Julie. I am so happy you could come to the wedding." They hugged and each went into their rooms.