AN: So, less than a week until the season 3 premier! I'm so, so excited! So I channeled some of that excitement into this chapter :D
Days had never seemed to pass so slowly, and yet so fast for Elizabeth. Sometimes she seemed to be caught up in a daze of wedding plans, and other days seemed to drag on endlessly until she never thought that they would end. The wedding date was set. February third. Sixty five long, long days left until she could marry Jack. The winter was predicted as one that would be bitterly cold, but snowless, making it possible to continue the work on their home. They had, in two weeks, completed the foundation, and had made so much progress that Elizabeth was amazed. Lee told her that the project was driven by Jack's love for her. She had only blushed and smiled.
"Elizabeth?" Clara said, waving her hand in front of her friend's eyes. "Elizabeth? It's like you're a million miles away from here."
"I'm sorry Clara, I was just thinking."
"About Jack?" Clara asked, with a twinkle in her eye.
"Yes. About Jack." Elizabeth laughed. "Sorry."
"Don't apologize. I understand." Clara said wistfully, and her thoughts briefly flickered to Peter. "Are you sure you want me to make your wedding dress Elizabeth? Surely your family knows someone-"
"No. I want to pay for the dress entirely on my own. And I've seen the work you are capable of Clara. I think you could make something so incredibly beautiful. But if you don't want to-"
"No, that's not it...I actually began drawing some things, when you mentioned to me that you might like me to...well, see for yourself." Clara said, handing Elizabeth a small stack of papers. Elizabeth gasped, and her face broke into a wide grin as she observed them.
"Clara these are all so beautiful." Elizabeth sighed, and then she came upon one in particular that she couldn't seem to look away from. "This one."
"I was hoping you'd say that." Clara grinned. "It's going to look so lovely on you. And it shouldn't cost much, see I've written down an estimate there-"
"That's very reasonable. And I'll pay you for your work-"
"Not this time. This time, the work will be my wedding gift to you." Clara said with a wave of her hand. "And maybe when the women of Hope Valley see this dress, they'll want to have me make something for them. It's good for business really."
"Thank you, Clara. That's very sweet." Elizabeth said. She still couldn't take her eyes off of the sketch. If it was so beautiful on a page, she could only imagine how lovely it would be when it was made real.
"Don't mention it. I'm going to go get Abigail. She's very good at helping me take measurements." Clara explained. Elizabeth nodded, and kept staring at the pictured. She imagined wearing it, walking down the aisle towards her handsome mountie. She could hardly wait to see the look on his face when he saw her- but she would have to wait. For sixty five long, long days.
"Let me see which one you chose!" Abigail said as she entered the room. "Oh, it's beautiful. Isn't Clara talented? Elizabeth you're going to look so beautiful in this!"
"Thank you, Abigail!"
"Now let's get those measurements." Clara said, and handed the measuring tape off to her mother in law.
"Where is our handsome bride groom today?" Abigail asked as she wrapped the tape around Elizabeth's trim waist.
"He stopped by before he made his rounds, and said that when he was finished he was going to go work on the house." Elizabeth said. "He's determined to finish it before the wedding, even if he has to do it single handedly. Something about providing for us."
"It's a man thing. Noah was always the same way. That's what led us out here to the mine." Abigail said with a dreamy smile. "From what I've heard, he's drawn help from about half of the townsmen on any given day."
"That's one of the things I love about Hope Valley. Everyone is so kind to each other, so willing to help." Elizabeth smiled. "It really is like...one big family."
"Still no word from your parents?" Abigail asked. Elizabeth looked down at her feet, and adjusted her hair so that Abigail could measure her bust.
"No." Elizabeth sighed. "A letter from Julie came this morning though. It was very...cryptic. I don't think she knows about the engagement. It's very peculiar."
"Well, I'm sure that your parent's will come around. I don't think that any parent that loves their child can truly cut them out of their lives." Abigail said with a shake of her head.
"I hope your right. But even if you aren't, I know I'll never regret marrying Jack." Elizabeth said firmly.
"I know you won't. You two...You're made for one another." Abigail said. Elizabeth grinned, and looked down at her ring again.
"We are." She nodded. "It's true."
…
"At this rate, this house'll be finished before New Years!" Lee laughed, and drove another nail into the wood.
"I don't know. I estimate that as the holidays grow nearer there'll be fewer volunteers." Jack shrugged. "But no matter what, this house will be done by February third."
"Well, you can count on me to be here when you need me. I'd hate to see a pretty girl like Elizabeth forced to spend her wedding night in a prison cell." Lee teased, and Jack rolled his eyes. "Speaking of, will the two of you take a trip somewhere? Or will you stay here, christen the bedroom?"
"Stop." Jack rolled his eyes.
"Stop what?" Elizabeth asked as she drew near with a basket.
"Being a jerk." Jack explained with a good natured smile at Lee. He wiped his brow with his sleeve, and pressed a kiss to Elizabeth's lips. "What are you doing out here?"
"I missed you." Elizabeth shrugged. "And I thought you boys might like some cookies? It's the least we could do to thank everyone for helping."
"A right good idea." Lee said, and took one of the cookies. "Mm. Hey boys, The bride to be brought cookies!" Quickly people began to surround them, and took cookies from the basket.
"That was very thoughtful of you, Elizabeth. Thank Abigail for us?" Jack said as he ate one. Elizabeth smiled slyly, and stepped towards him, as if she were going to reveal a great secret.
"Abigail didn't make these...I did!" She giggled, and Jack looked at her in disbelief. "Are they really good?"
"Better than good, Elizabeth. They're amazing!" Jack grinned, and kissed her again.
"I've been practicing. This is the first batch I made without Abigail's assistance." Elizabeth explained.
"I told you that you could do it." Jack said proudly.
"A Thatcher never backs down from a challenge. Not even one as daunting as baking." Elizabeth smirked. "And look at all the progress you've made here! I can hardly believe it's the same house I saw yesterday! I'm so grateful for all of the help you've been receiving."
"Me too." Jack grinned. "So, what have you been doing today?"
"Oh, this and that. Taught the children about stars today, then I went back to Abigail's, made these, and settled on a wedding dress with Clara." Elizabeth said.
"Wedding dress?" Jack asked, taking another bite of his cookie.
"Yes. She's making it for me." Elizabeth grinned. "And it's beautiful too."
"I can't wait to see it." Jack said softly.
"Sixty five days." Elizabeth sighed. "It seems so far away."
"It'll be here before you know it. And then you'll be coming back here every night, to our home." Jack grinned.
"Hey Thornton! Stop talking to the pretty teacher and get back to work!" Lee called good naturedly. Elizabeth blushed, and kissed him on the cheek.
"I'll let you boys get back to it then. I'll see you tonight?"
"Count on it." Jack said. Elizabeth smiled, and took the empty basket and headed back to town. The walk was pleasant and peaceful, and she couldn't wait until this was the walk she had to make each day. She made her way back to the cafe, and entered through the back door.
"They loved the cookies Abigail!" Elizabeth called. She set the basket on the coffee table, and went towards the kitchen.
"I told you they were good! Your baking has come a long way." Abigail smiled over her shoulder. "Oh, there's a telegram for you. I left it on the table." Elizabeth went, and took it in her hands. She felt her heart beat accelerate as she read who it was from.
"It's from my father." Elizabeth said nervously, and tore open the envelope. As she read it the paper nearly fell out of her trembling hands.
On our way to coal valley (Stop) First stage tomorrow (Stop) Hope to talk sense into you (Stop)
AN: So there was another chapter! Another coming soon!