That morning, Nathan bathed, shaved and put on his best suit. He was ready for battle. He went downstairs to have some breakfast. After having breakfast and reading the paper, he headed toward the courthouse. Nathan's heart was pounding. There have been difficult cases in his law career but none of those made him nervous like this. Nathan did not know how the Judge would rule. Nathan knew Allie's bet interests were for her to live him. But what if the Judge decides that Allie should be reunited with her father? Once Nathan reached the courthouse, he took a deep breath and went inside.
Once inside, Nathan was looking at the directory to find the courtroom. Nathan was fully focused on the directory that he did not notice the man approaching him.
"Nathan?" A voice said.
Nathan looked over at the man. Even though he was a lot older than the last time Nathan had saw him, he would always recognize him; his father.
"Archie? What are you doing here?" Nathan asked.
"I came to support Dylan and testify on his behalf if needed" Archie said.
"Of course, you did. Birds of a feather." Nathan said. Nathan started to walk away.
"A daughter needs to be with her father." Archie shouted at him. Nathan kept walking.
"If you had stayed with me, you would have been better off." Archie said. Nathan stopped and quickly walked back to Archie.
"If I had stayed with you, I would have turned out to be gambling drunk who disappointed his family." Nathan said harshly.
Shocked by what Nathan had said, Archie did not say anything. Nathan walked away and found the courtroom.
Inside the courtroom, his attorney was already sitting at a table. Nathan sat down at the table next to Jennifer.
"Are you ready for this?" Jennifer asked.
"Yes." Nathan said with confidence.
Jennifer smiled.
"Good. Me too." Jennifer said.
After a couple of minutes, Dylan came into the courtroom. He was wearing a wrinkled collard shirt with a tie and coat. He sat down at the table that was to the left of their table. Dylan and Nathan locked eyes. Dylan gave Nathan a smirk.
The Judge came into the court room and everyone rose. Just as she said she would, Jennifer brilliantly articulated why Nathan should be granted full custody of Allie. On the other side, Dylan gave a jumbled-up explanation of why he should be given custody of Allie.
Nathan tapped on Jennifer's shoulder. She came down to his level.
"He is drunk." Nathan whispered in Jennifer's ear. She nodded.
After his jumbled speech, Dylan was put on the stand and sworn in.
"Good morning, Mr. Parks." Jennifer said to Dylan.
"Good morning." Dylan said.
"Now, in your application you said that you would be able to support Allie financially. But according to my records, you are currently unemployed. Is that correct?" Jennifer asked.
"Yes. But I have been given a job opportunity in Hope Valley." Dylan said.
"By whom?" Jennifer asked.
"A Mr. Bouchard." Dylan said.
Nathan sat back in his chair. This all made sense now. Bouchard was trying to get Nathan out of town by using Dylan.
"And the last time you saw Allie she was a little girl?" Jennifer asked.
"Yes." Dylan answered.
"Why is that?" Jennifer asked.
"Her mother and I split. And I have had trouble with my drinking. But I have it all figured out." Dylan said.
"Really? Can you take the contents out of your coat pocket, please." Jennifer said. Dylan stared at her.
"Your honor." Jennifer said. Dylan started taking out the contents of his coat pocket. There were cigarettes, some change and finally a flask.
"How much have you had to drink today, Mr. Parks." Jennifer asked.
Dylan didn't say anything.
"That's alright. From the smell on your breath, I would say more than just that flask." Jennifer said walking back to the table. Dylan went back to his seat. Jennifer called Nathan to the stand next. As Nathan was being sworn in, Archie took a seat in the courtroom. Jennifer asked Nathan questions about how Allie was doing at home and at school. Nathan told her that there were good times and bad like any normal family. Jennifer asked Nathan about his career and what he wanted for Allie in the future. After Jennifer was done questioning him, it was Dylan's turn.
"According to the will, you only have to stay in Hope Valley until Allie is done with the school year." Dylan asked.
"Yes." Nathan answered.
"And after she is done. You want to take leave Hope Valley?" Dylan asked.
"Yes." Nathan said.
"How is that in the best interest of Allie. Taking her away from the home she grew up in?" Dylan asked.
Nathan knew that someone had coached Dylan through this part.
"Before I came to Hope Valley, I had my own law practice. I would like to get back to my practice. I have clients who are counting on me. But things may change. I don't want to say yes, we are going to stay in Hope Valley forever if that isn't true. Right now, Hope Valley is Allie's home. Wherever Allie is, that is my home." Nathan said.
"Oh." Dylan said. Nathan could see Dylan was expecting that answer. Whoever coached Dylan didn't tell him what to do after that response.
"You never liked me, that's why you want custody of Allie. For revenge." Dylan said.
"Dylan. It's no secret that I never liked you. But if I believed that you have changed, I wouldn't be fighting you for custody of Allie." Nathan said.
"You come in here all high and mighty but in reality, you didn't talk to Colleen for years." Dylan said.
"That is true. I didn't talk to her because of you. And also because of my pride. Not talking to my sister before she died will be one of the greatest regrets of my life." Nathan said.
Dylan went silent. He went back to his seat and sat down quietly. Nathan left the witness stand and went back to his seat.
"Your honor, before you rule, I would like to read a letter from Allie Parks onto the record." Jennifer said.
Nathan had a confused look on his face. When did Allie send a letter? How did she know who to send it to?
"I'll allow." The Judge said.
"Dear your honor,
My Uncle Nathan is the worst chopper of wood, has the worst jokes and his food is burnt. He was not made for farm life. But he learned all of this for me. My Uncle may not be perfect, but I know he loves me. When my mom died, I thought I was going to be alone forever. But my Uncle Nathan has taught me that you are never alone in the world. I don't remember a lot about my father except for that when he would fight with my mom and make her cry. Maybe one day when I get older, I'd like to get to get to know him but not right now. I am hoping you will take my interests into consideration and let my Uncle Nathan be my guardian.
Sincerely, Allie Parks."
Tears were forming in Nathan's eyes. H e cleared his throat and took a sip of water.
"I also have support letters from a Mrs. Thornton, Allie's teacher, and some members of the community who can testify to his character." Jennifer said.
Jennifer gave the letters to the Judge. The Judge looked at the letters. After reading the letters quickly, he was ready to rule.
"While I always try to reunite children with their biological parents, even though Mr. Grant is not a biological parent, he has acted as a biological parent to Allie. It is in the best interest that Mr. Grant have full physical and legal custody of Allie Parks until she is of age at 18." The Judge ruled and banged his gavel.
Nathan was elated. Nathan hugged Jennifer. Dylan stormed out the courtroom.
"You did it!" Nathan said to Jennifer.
"No Nathan, you did it." Jennifer said. They both walked out of the courtroom. As Nathan and Jennifer were talking outside the courtroom, Dylan came over to him.
"This isn't over Nathan. One way or another, I'm going to see my little girl!" Dylan shouted.
Two Mountie's came up behind him.
"Dylan Parks?" One of the Mountie's said.
Dylan turned around.
"What?" Dylan said.
"You are under arrest for armed robbery." One of the Mountie's said.
The other Mountie put him in handcuffs and led him away.
Jennifer smiled.
"You did that?" Nathan asked.
"The Mountie's have been looking for Dylan for a long time. I may have told him that he would be here. Let's just say the next time he wants to see Allie; she'll have graduated from college." Jennifer said.
"I don't know what to say except, thank you." Nathan said.
"Take care of yourself." Jennifer said grabbing his arm. Nathan watched Jennifer walk away. In another life, he could see himself ending up with someone like Jennifer. But Nathan liked this life.
"Nathan." A voice said.
Nathan turned around. It was Archie.
"Even you cannot ruin my day." Nathan said.
"I'm sorry son. I did not know how horrible Dylan was as a father. He was the only one to reach out to me after your sister died." Archie said.
Nathan didn't say anything.
"Nathan, I want to get to know my granddaughter.' Archie said.
Nathan smiled.
"Have a nice life, Archie." Nathan said walking away. Nathan was ecstatic about getting custody of Allie. Nathan was supposed to leave early the next morning but he decided to do an overnight stagecoach ride and surprise Allie.
Nathan went back to his hotel and packed his items. He ordered food to eat on the stagecoach. Nathan went to the stagecoach platform and waited for the stagecoach. A family who was heading just past Hope Valley would be riding with them. The stagecoach arrived and they all got in.
Nathan chatted with the family as the stagecoach went along. He spoke mostly to the husband who had similar interest as Nathan. As it was getting late, everyone started to shut their eyes and go to sleep, including Nathan.
Nathan woke up at the sudden stop. Nathan opened his eyes and saw that stagecoach had stopped in at the platform in Hope Valley. Nathan got out, got his suitcase, paid the driver and said goodbye to the family inside the stagecoach.
Nathan went home to change. He took the book for Elizabeth out of his suitcase and put it under his arm. He went to get the dog from the neighbor and walked over to Elizabeth's house. As Nathan got closer to Elizabeth's Allie saw him. She ran over to him. Nathan got down to her level. He put the dog down.
"So, what happened?" Allie asked.
Nathan smiled.
"Really?" Allie said with excitement.
Nathan nodded.
Allie hugged Nathan and he hugged her back.
"I want you to know how much I love you." Nathan said.
"I love you too." Allie said. That was the first time Allie had told him that she loved him. And it was the most amazing feeling.
After hugging, Nathan looked at Allie.
"How did you know where to send the letters?' Nathan asked.
"I found your attorney's address. Mrs. Thornton helped me get other letters and we sent them off." Allie said.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Nathan asked.
"In case it didn't work." Allie said. Allie ran ahead of Nathan to tell Elizabeth the good news. Allie went inside to pack.
"I haven't seen her that happy, in a long time." Elizabeth said.
"I haven't been this happy either in a long time." Nathan said.
Elizabeth smiled.
"I got you this as a thank you." Nathan said giving her the book.
Elizabeth took the book out of the brown bag.
Nathan smiled wide.
"Emerson. First edition. Nathan, this must have cost you a lot." Elizabeth said.
"I knew how much you would enjoy it." Nathan said.
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. Nathan smiled at Elizabeth and his heart fluttered.
Allie came racing out of the house. She kissed Little Jack on the head and hugged Elizabeth. As Allie and Nathan walked back home, Allie skipped. Nathan suggested they build make something special for Elizabeth for Christmas to thank her for all her help. Allie agreed.
A few nights later, as Nathan was sleeping, he heard a crash coming from outside. Nathan woke up and grabbed a gun he had found in Colleen's belongings. He kept it near him after the barn and stable fire. He did not know what Lucas's goons would do to him or Allie.
Nathan opened his door and slowly walked out.
"Uncle Nathan." Allie who was holding a baseball bat came closer to him.
"Go back to bed." Nathan said.
"No. I'm your back up." Allie said.
Knowing there was not time to argue, he told Allie to get behind him. As they were heading over to the crash, Nathan grabbed a lantern that was lit and handed it to Allie. There was a crash and then what sounded like a moan. Nathan quickly opened the door and stopped.
"Who is that?" Allie asked.
Nathan looked at the man on the ground who looked right back at him.
"Allie, meet your grandfather." Nathan said.
