Final Chapter! Hope you enjoyed Hearties!
Five Years Later (July 17, 1916)…
"Watch me Daddy!" shouted William excitedly as he rode around the yard on his toy horse.
Jack chuckled at his son; the little boy, now five years old, was always full of energy.
"You're doing great buddy!" Jack shouted to William.
Lee walked over to Jack and motioned for his son to join William, "Go join William, Aaron."
"Alright Daddy," said Aaron running into the yard.
Lee smiled as his two year old son joined his best friend for a playdate. Lee and Rosemary had gotten engaged three months after William was born. On July 5, 1911, Rosemary LeVeaux became Rosemary Coulter, the first wedding that Frank officiated in Hope Valley. The Coulters had two children, Lillian Naomi Coulter, born on October 9, 1912, and Aaron Jacob Coulter, born on May 26, 1914, "Happy anniversary to you and Elizabeth," Lee said to Jack.
"Thank you," said Jack humbly, "And happy late anniversary to you both."
"Can you believe we've been married for six years and five years?" asked Lee.
Jack shook his head, "No, but I wouldn't change a minute of these past six years."
Lee followed Jack into the house where Rosemary and Lillian were baking in the kitchen while Elizabeth tended to the babies. Out of all of the surprises that had been thrown at them over the course of their marriage, nothing had prepared Jack and Elizabeth for the birth of not one, but two baby girls two months earlier. Elizabeth had been very concerned at how fast her second pregnancy had been progressing; it was nothing like her pregnancy with William. On May 11, 1916, Jack and Elizabeth first welcomed Mary Catherine Thornton into the world. And then half an hour later, much to everyone's surprise, Elizabeth delivered Charlotte Grace Thornton, though of course she didn't have a name at the time. William loved being a big brother and enjoyed playing peek-a-boo with the girls. Jack and Elizabeth never doubted he would be a good big brother though, considering how involved he wanted to be from the moment Elizabeth and Jack had told her she was going to have a baby, or so they thought.
"Mommy, are Pastor Frank and Mrs. Abigail still coming over for dinner?" asked Lillian. The almost four year old was very close with Abigail as was William.
"She'll be by soon," said Rosemary, "Now go find you brother and William and the three of you wash up for dinner." Lillian nodded and went outside before the three of them ran back into the house just as Frank and Abigail were arriving.
"Afternoon everyone. Happy anniversary to Jack and Elizabeth," said Frank.
"Thank you Pastor," said Elizabeth settling the girls into their bassinets. Elizabeth loved them so much, but if she had thought William was a challenge as an infant, parenting two babies at once really tested her and Jack's faith sometimes.
"Where are my beautiful Godchildren?" asked Abigail excitedly. Abigail was the Godmother of all three Thornton children as well as Lillian and Aaron.
"Washing their hands," said Rosemary.
"And hopefully sleeping peacefully," said Elizabeth.
"Aunt Abigail!" Lillian shouted running towards her godmother. William and Aaron followed.
"Hi Lillian," said Abigail hugging her.
"Are Cody and Becky coming?" asked William curiously.
"Yes they are William. They were spending time with Mr. Cantrell and Ms. Carter," said Abigail. Abigail and Frank had adopted Becky and Cody shortly after they had gotten married six months ago. Elizabeth had served as her Matron of Honor in her wedding as well as Rosemary's wedding. Jesse Flynn and Clara Stanton, Abigail's daughter in law, were close to engagement, though they hadn't announced anything official yet. Shane Cantrell and his son Philip had moved to Hope Valley about a year ago, and shortly afterwards, Shane began courting Faith. There was also Carson Sheppard, who had been hired as the town doctor to assist Faith in medical matters. And of course, there was still Florence, Cat, and Molly, along with their children. And Bill still assisted Jack in Mountie matters.
As Elizabeth watched the rest of the town arrive into her home, she smiled lovingly once more at her girls before sitting down in between William and Jack. Frank said the prayer before everyone helped themselves to the meal in front of them. Elizabeth had been incredibly apprehensive about arriving in Hope Valley, then Coal Valley, seven short years ago, but now, as she enjoyed her anniversary with her husband, her children, and all of the friends she had made over those seven years, she wouldn't change anything for the world.