AN: I'm always amazed by your kind reviews! It just inspires me to write even more!
"I don't know why Rosemary always needs to make such a production out of everything." Lee sighed as he and Jack walked back into town. "I think new years would have been just fine without all of her...plans."
"It's just Rosemary's nature, Lee. She has a flair for the dramatic." Jack laughed. "And I mean, it could be fun. Elizabeth is having a wonderful time with the art contest, and the children's program."
"Yeah. Well, I'll say one thing for Rosemary. She never does anything halfway."
"She can be a bit...stubborn." Jack smiled at his friend.
"Now, that, is an understatement my friend." Lee laughed. "But such is life I guess. I mean, I love her, but sometimes, she can be a bit...much."
"Well, you seem up to the task of loving her." Jack said. "Believe me, Rosemary needs someone calm and level headed to balance her out." He didn't have to add that that was one of the reasons that he and Rosemary had ultimately not worked out. Of course, he was thankful for that now, as he had found Elizabeth, and though he had loved Rosemary, that was nothing in comparison to the all consuming love he felt for his beautiful, stubborn, perfect school teacher fiance.
"You know, I think that we're making real progress on that house of yours. I wouldn't be surprised if all the work was actually finished within the week."
"Eh. I don't know. We are getting close, though. After the wedding Elizabeth and I will have to do something to thank everyone who helped." Jack thought aloud.
"Mountie Jack!" Gabe called, and Jack and Lee stopped walking as the teenager caught up to them.
"Hey Gabe, I thought you went home an hour or so ago." Jack said.
"I did. But I wanted to talk to you, I er, wanted advice." Gabe said, kicking the dirt.
"Sure. Walk with us." Jack said, and the three men resumed walking. "What did you want to ask, Gabe?"
"Well, you see, there's this girl, this real swell girl that I wanna, well…"
"Court?" Jack said with a knowing smile.
"Yes! And I know that she likes me too, you see, I already kissed her. But I want to ask her real proper like to be my girl, and I dunno what to do." Gabe explained, running his hand over the back of his neck.
"Who is this girl?" Jack asked, though he already knew.
"Cassandra." Gabe said. He spoke the name as if it were a beautiful song.
"She's a right fine girl, Gabe." Jack nodded.
"She's more than that Mountie Jack, she's beautiful, and sweet, and kind, and gentle, and I want so bad for her to be my girl." Gabe said. "But how...how do you ask a girl to court you?"
"Well Gabe, do you think she'll say yes?" Jack asked, pausing their walk.
"Well, I'd like to think she will." Gabe said, his face scrunching up.
"Gabe, if you know Cassandra well enough to want to court her, then I think you've probably got the answer to your question in your heart." Jack said.
"Huh?"
"You want the way you ask her to be your girl to be special, right?"
"Right."
"So you've got to make it special for her. What does she like?"
"She loves flowers, especially those little pink ones that grow out in the fields during spring. And she loves to read too, mostly those books that Miss Thatcher sometimes lets us borrow from her collection. Her favorite is Anne of Green Gables. She also likes animals, and her favorite color is red, and she loves to sing, and she has the most beautiful voice." Gabe said dreamily.
"Let's pay a little visit to Miss Thatcher, Gabe. I know she has an extra copy of that Anne of Green Gables book. I think with a little persuasion, we could convince her to let you have it." Jack said.
"What would I do with it?" Gabe asked.
"You'd give it to Cassandra as a gift. And maybe on the inside front cover, you write her a little note." Jack said. "And maybe that note is how you ask her to be your girl."
"Mountie Jack, that's a real good idea!"
"Hold on a second Gabe. If you're old enough to be courting a girl, and getting a job at the mill, I think you're old enough to call me Jack." Jack said, and Gabe's eyes went wide.
"Oh, I don't know sir." Gabe said.
"I think it's only fair, Gabe." Jack said with a smile.
"Well, if you say so Sir- er, Jack." Gabe nodded, and shook Jack's extended hand.
"Well, come on then Gabe, let's go visit Miss Thatcher." Jack said.
"Best of luck to the both of you. I've got a lot of things to finish before the festivities tonight." Lee said. He clapped Jack on the shoulder first, and then Gabe too. "If I don't want Rosemary to yell at me, I've got a heck of a lot to do."
"Jack… I want to thank you. For being so nice to me, and my family." Gabe said. "I don't...well, I don't have my pa around any more, but you're always there when I need help, or advice."
"It's not a problem Gabe." Jack assured him.
"I guess I sort of see you like a pa." Gabe said, looking down at his feet.
"That's a real honor, Gabe." Jack said. "Miss Thatcher and I are real fond of you too." THey walked along together until they reached the cafe, and then Jack peeked in the window, and saw Elizabeth sitting at the table with her back to the door. He held up his hand to silence Gabe, and then turned the handle quietly to sneak up behind her, and put his hands over her eyes.
"Jack?" Elizabeth asked, and Jack let her go. He sat in the chair next to hers.
"How did you know?" He asked.
"Jack, who else would it be?" Elizabeth laughed. "It couldn't be Abigail, Abigail's hands are much smaller than yours, and none of my students would've just come into the cafe through the back door. So It could only be you."
"Really, none of your students?" Jack said as Gabe came in the back door too.
"Gabe! Oh, it feels like it's been an age since I've seen you! How do you like working at the mill?" Elizabeth asked. She rose from her seat, and wrapped her arms around the boy.
"Oh, it's swell, Miss Thatcher." Gabe nodded.
"I'm glad. Come sit." Elizabeth said, and gestured to a seat at the table.
"Now, we actually came over to ask you for a favor, didn't we Gabe?" Jack asked. The boy nodded, and put his hand over his mouth.
"Well, Go ahead, ask away!" Elizabeth chirped, and took Jack's hand.
"Miss Thatcher, We, well, Miss Thatcher, I wanted to ask you if I could please, that is, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, You see, I wanted to ask if you might help me with…" Gabe said and fidgeted with his hands.
"Gabe, would you just ask me?" Elizabeth laughed.
"Miss Thatcher, There is this girl, and you know her, she's in your class, and she's…"
"Cassandra?" Elizabeth asked quietly with a half smile.
"How did you-"
"I'm a woman, Gabe, I notice things." Elizabeth said smoothly. "What do you need from me Gabe? I'd be happy to help." Gabe quickly relayed the idea that Mountie Jack had given him, and Elizabeth smiled. "Oh, of course! Gabe, I think that's a sweet idea! Oh, I'm sure she'll love it. Here, I'll go get it." Elizabeth went up the steps.
"Gosh, Miss Thatcher is so nice." Gabe said. "Don't you think?"
"Yeah, I'd say that I do." Jack laughed. "And that Miss Cassandra, she seems nice."
"She's the best girl out there." Gabe said defensively. "I wanna marry her someday, Mountie Jack."
"Just Jack."
"I want to marry her, Jack." Gabe said. "But I've gotta ask her to be my girl first."
"That's what we're here for." Jack smiled.
"Here we go. I'm giving you the nicer copy Gabe. And here's a pencil to write your inscription. And some ribbon to tie it up nicely." Elizabeth said as she swept down the stairs and set the items on the table.
"Gosh, thank you Miss Thatcher!" Gabe smiled, and set to work writing in the front of the book. Tonight was the night. He would ask her to be his girl tonight.
….
Elizabeth grinned as the children finished the New Years program perfectly. She clapped loudly, as did Jack beside her. It was all so wonderful. She looked over at Jack, who was smiling broadly, and looking so handsome…
"Let's all thank our lovely Miss Thatcher and her students for the wonderful program!" Rosemary said as she took the stage. "And now, a special treat for you, but especially for my wonderful friend, Lee!" The crowd, who had been standing for the most part, resumed their seats, and Rosemary cleared her throat, and began to croon to the strains of the victrola. "Let me call you sweetheart, I'm in love with you…" Beside her, Elizabeth heard Jack quietly humming the same melody, and she leaned her head against his shoulder and listened to the rich sound of his voice.
"You can call me sweetheart any time." Elizabeth whispered, and Jack very subtly squeezed her knee. "Gosh I love you." She twined one of her arms through his, and then rested her other hand on his chest. She could almost feel the beating of his heart beneath her palm, and it made her grin even wider. She began to imagine how it would feel to have her hand resting on his bare chest….The sound of applause broke her trance, and she quickly joined in.
"Thank you, oh, thank you very much." Rosemary cried, and curtsied repeatedly. "Now, if we'll all go outside, there will be fireworks shortly!" Everyone milled out of the church, and Jack helped Elizabeth out of her seat.
"Shall we?" He asked, and Elizabeth grinned at him. They walked towards the door, but stopped suddenly when they heard a loud voice.
"Oh Gabe! Yes!" Elizabeth turned in time to see Cassandra fling her arms around Gabe's neck. Elizabeth brushed a tear from the corner of her eye, and Jack pulled her outside.
"How sweet are they?" Elizabeth asked as Jack put his arm around her waist as they claimed a spot to watch the new year roll in. "Young love is so wonderful to see."
"Well, we aren't exactly old ourselves." Jack laughed.
"I know." Elizabeth laughed too.
"Ten, nine,"
"I'm so lucky to have you." Jack said.
"Eight, seven,"
"Not as lucky as I am to have you." Elizabeth countered.
"Six, five,"
"This is going to be the best year yet."
"Four, three,"
"Agreed."
"Two, one,"
"Happy new year!" Everyone called out at once.
"It's already the best year of my life." Elizabeth grinned.
"Oh?"
"Because it's starting in your arms."
"Then I think it's about to get even better." Jack said, and leaned in to kiss her soundly.
AN: There was another chapter! I so hope you enjoyed it! We're getting really close to the wedding!