The Coulters happily opened their home to the Thatchers. On Sunday, William and Grace attended church in the building that Jack Thornton Sr. had seen fit to have built as a school house for Elizabeth. Having been in Hope Valley for Elizabeth and Jack's wedding, William greeted those he remembered and introduced his wife to them. Pastor Owen had resumed visiting their church on occasion and gave a lovely sermon. After the sermon, the Grants and Coulters took Elizabeth's parents on a picnic at a little lake in the foothills of the mountains. Though Gabriel was on duty, Bill did join the two families and Elizabeth noted that Bill seemed a little younger to her than he had this past year. It was then that she truly realized just how worried the older man had been about her. The guilt that had become an all to familiar feeling made itself known in that moment. Bill was yet another person, whom she had been unkind to in her fear. Despite that, she still had his support.

Yet another example of the kind of love she had run from in her fear of being hurt. Ironically, she had just been hurt in another way.

Though Nathan had to work on Monday, William spent the day seeing 'the sights' with Ally as his guide. Jack tagged along with them, the boy enjoying the time with his grandfather. Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Grace spent the day together at the house. That evening during supper, William extended an invitation for the Grants to come to Hamilton at Christmastime. Before Nathan or Elizabeth could reply, Ally had chimed in about having expected to finally spend a Christmas with Grandpa Grant. Nathan explained to his in-laws his past relationship with his father and how things had changed. William response had been to invite Archie to join them in Hamilton as well. Nathan had promised that he and Elizabeth would discuss it and let them know soon.

Tuesday was much the same as Monday. When Wednesday arrived, William and Grace packed up their car with lighter hearts than when they had come. Yes, their daughter had been through yet another heartache, but she was healing now. They felt confident that Elizabeth was in a good place and both grandchildren had captured their hearts.

With the Thatchers gone, life at the Grant household fell back into the pattern that had been established. Visits with friends were the only interruption to that pattern, whether it was being invited somewhere or hosting their friends. Elizabeth once again felt like a part of the community instead of just a spectator. Despite going to church or interacting with her friends, Elizabeth still avoided venturing into town. The idea of facing people in general seemed overwhelming somehow, especially without Nathan at her side.

One night soon after her parent's visit, Elizabeth found herself unable to sleep after being woken by one of Jack's nightmares. After sitting with her son and holding him until he fell asleep, thankful that she had not had to disturb Nathan, Elizabeth had climbed back into her bed. Staring up at the ceiling in the dark, the guilt had hit her. The guilt of putting her son in the situation that he even had these nightmares. The guilt she had felt, when Ally had ripped up the invitation and stormed from the school. The guilt, at seeing the pain in Nathan's eyes that day at the jail. The guilt of the pain she had caused Bill and her other friends. The guilt of not being able to fulfill her late husband's last wish for her.

Knowing that those feelings were not going away just staring at the ceiling, Elizabeth slipped from bed. Going downstairs, she quietly made herself some chamomile tea to help soothe her troubled emotions. While sipping on it, she was able to assuage some of her guilt by reminding herself that she had made amends with many she had hurt. She reminded herself that Jack was now in a good situation. Her son would know love as he grew up. He would have a good example in Nathan of how to grow into a good man.

No, everything had not been solved. She could not change what her actions had caused. However, life was getting better. She was healing. Perhaps in time she would even be able to find a way to truly make amends with Nathan. She had accepted so much from him and she had apologized, but only with words. Elizabeth knew that she wanted to start showing her husband how she felt about the kindness, compassion and love he had shown her.

Having been calmed by the tea, Elizabeth rinsed the cup and headed back upstairs. She was hoping she could fall asleep then. However, walking down the hallway, a drawn out shout of 'no' made her pause. There was such anguish in that one word that it tore at Elizabeth's heart. She had a sudden desire to comfort the person who was feeling that torment.

Elizabeth recognized Nathan's voice. She glanced at the closed door to his bedroom. No other words drifted out to her. The door did not open. Walking forward, she pressed herself close to the door listening. She could hear the rapid breathing of someone in distress. Apparently her son and she were not the only two in the house suffering from nightmares.

Knowing she should probably knock instead, Elizabeth reached out for the doorknob. The smooth knob turned in her hand, the door not having been secured.

"Nathan," Elizabeth called out softly, not sure if the apparent nightmare had awoken him or not.

"Elizabeth?" came the soft reply from within the room.

The confusion and surprise in Nathan's voice did not surprise Elizabeth. The other times she had come seeking him out, she'd had a crying four-year-old with her. This was the first time she had come into his room alone. Not that there was anything wrong with that, she reminded herself. They were married. The restrictions on their relationship were self-imposed and not niceties of society.

"I heard you call out," Elizabeth explained as she took a tentative step into the bedroom.

She could hear Nathan's rapid breathing more now, though her husband remained in his bed. His usually neatly combed hair was disheveled from sleep and probably his fingers given the current way he sat up in his bed. His knees were drawn up and elbows rested on his blanket-covered legs. Though he now looked in her direction, his fingers were still in the hair at his temple as he held his head in his hands.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you," Nathan told her, sitting up straighter.

"I was already awake," Elizabeth assured him. "I couldn't sleep so I had some chamomile tea. I could go make you a cup if you would like?"

"Thank you, but no," Nathan told her. "I will be fine. Go back to sleep."

Elizabeth knew she could follow those words and nothing further would be said of tonight. She also knew that if she did so, nothing would change in her relationship with her husband. Hadn't she just admitted to her mother that she had wanted more? That she wanted the comfort of Nathan's arms more but that she had nothing to give back. Well, here was a chance for her to give back. Here was a chance for her to offer comfort in Nathan's moment of distress.

Instead of retreating from the room, Elizabeth went forward. With a boldness that she had forgotten was in her, Elizabeth climbed into the empty side of the wide bed that Nathan slept in.

"Elizabeth?"

While the first time he had said her name, it had been said with the confusion of someone in the transition of sleep and wakefulness, Elizabeth heard the surprise in it this time. She didn't let it stop her. Staying on top of the blanket, Elizabeth settled beside Nathan. Reaching out, she let one hand slide across his back soothingly, before resting it on his shoulder. She felt the tenseness in his muscles, a tenseness that though her presence may have contributed to it, was not all because of her nearness. Nathan's breath caught, even as he rested his hands on his still drawn up knees.

"You have been there for me these last few months, Nathan. Share this burden with me," Elizabeth requested softly.

"You've been through so much, Elizabeth. I don't want this to cause you further pain," Nathan replied, the cryptic answer not saying much but telling Elizabeth quite a bit.

Something inside Elizabeth told her that whatever had disturbed Nathan's sleep was not recent. That when Nathan said he did not want to cause her further pain, he was not referring to the pain caused by Lucas but pain that he felt he had caused. Which meant that what had disturbed Nathan's sleep had to do with a particular subject from their past?

"Is this about Fort Clay?"

Crossing his arms across his knees, Nathan slumped forward. The reaction was the only confirmation that Elizabeth needed.

"Nathan, I meant what I said," Elizabeth told him quietly. "Fort Clay was not your fault. You did not ask Jack to take that assignment nor did you know what would happen."

"If I had just followed orders then no one would have had to die in my place," Nathan said softly, the words slightly muffled as his head still rested against his arms. Still, Elizabeth could hear the anguish in them. The same anguish she had heard when he had called out.

It was then that Elizabeth finally understood why Nathan had kept this to himself like he had. She finally grasped the courage it had taken for Nathan to take a post where he would need to face the widow and friends of a man whose death he felt responsible for. A pain she had probably made worse by demanding answers from him as publicly as she had.

"I am so sorry, Nathan," Elizabeth said. The apology caused Nathan to look up in surprise. "I am sorry that in only seeing my own pain and my own desire for answers that I was blind to the pain you felt. I do not apologize for wanting answers but I do apologize for the manner in which I sought them. I should have shown you the same compassion that you have extended me since the day me met."

"I never wanted to hurt you, Elizabeth. I never wanted to take Jack away from you," Nathan told her, his gaze holding hers in the dimly lit room.

"Don't you see, you didn't, Nathan? You simply did your job. You made your choice and you dealt with the consequences. Taking that assignment away from you, was your superior's way of punishing you. Jack could have refused the assignment but he chose not to. His call of duty was too great for him to turn down the offer but that was Jack's choice. Not yours."

"I see it, Elizabeth," Nathan told her. "In my dreams, I see the landslide that claimed those Mounties and I can do nothing to stop it. I simply have to stand there and watch as the wave of mud claims then. Before I came to Hope Valley, they were faceless. Just figures in red serge claimed by the Earth. Ever since I saw a picture of Jack in your home, I see his face. I see an accusation in his eyes right before the mud takes him from my sight."

Even in the dim light, Elizabeth saw the anguish in Nathan's eyes as he related the dream to her. She heard the anguish in his voice. It was an anguish that was echoed inside herself. However, for the first time in a long time, that anguish wasn't just for her. She felt the anguish for Nathan as well. To live with the guilt that your actions had brought about someone else's death must be a terrible weight to bear. She remembered the weight that Nathan had carried as he walked into town after Novak had been killed during the botched prisoner transfer. Though she had not given it much thought then, Elizabeth now realized Nathan had felt responsible in that instance as well.

"Jack would not blame you, Nathan," Elizabeth told him, her hand still across his back even as she reached up her other hand to place it on his cheek. "I don't think Jack even stopped to question why the assignment was suddenly given to him. He was just so happy to have it. Jack knew the risks that came with the job, Nathan. So did, Constable Novak. Don't feel guilt for something that is out of your control."

Nathan looked up even as he swallowed hard. Though she had seen pain and tears glistening his eyes, Elizabeth realized that she had never seen Nathan cry. However, in that moment, she knew he was fighting back tears. As a tear started trailing down his cheek, Elizabeth knew he was losing the battle with his tears. After all he had done for her of late, Elizabeth wanted to do something to comfort him. She started with wiping the few tears that had escaped from his cheek.

"Nathan, what can I do for you?" Elizabeth asked softly, hoping he would answer. Hoping that he did not shut her out completely.

The question was met with silence for a few moments. However, shortly Nathan looked back at her. Even in the dim light, Elizabeth saw the tears glistening in his eyes.

"Will you stay with me, Elizabeth?"

Her mother's words came to Elizabeth about how just allowing him to hold her, might be a comfort to Nathan.

"Yes," Elizabeth replied, without hesitation.

Getting up from the bed, Elizabeth slipped her robe off. She felt her cheeks get warm knowing that she was in just her nightgown in Nathan's presence. A glance in Nathan's direction told her that Nathan had discreetly averted his gaze even as he settled back in a lying position. Lifting the edge of the blanket, Elizabeth slid underneath them. Soon, she was nestled comfortably at Nathan's side, her head resting on his shoulder as his arm wrapped around her loosely. Elizabeth sought out his other hand. Finding it, she grasped it in hers as their joined hands rested on Nathan's stomach.

Despite her earlier unease with her attire, Elizabeth found being this close to Nathan extremely comfortable. As Nathan's breathing soon even out with a rhythm of a peaceful sleep, Elizabeth figured that Nathan found her presence comfortable as well. It wasn't long before Elizabeth drifted off to sleep as well.

Nathan was still sleeping when Elizabeth woke in the morning. His arm was still around her shoulders, his palm resting lightly on her upper arm. Though their hands were no longer clasped, they both still rested on Nathan's stomach, Elizabeth's hand on top of Nathan's.

Elizabeth felt totally at ease with the realization that she had spent the night in Nathan's arms. Even now, she felt no desire to flee. Instead, she simply remained where she was, enjoying the warmth and security that the position brought. As no more nightmares had disturbed Nathan's sleep, Elizabeth hoped her presence had brought him comfort as well.

Already feeling guilty about the pain she had put Nathan through, Elizabeth now felt guilt about the way she had treated Nathan at the time of the inquiry. All she had wanted were her answers. She had not stopped to think about how hard the whole incident had been on Nathan. Her cheeks flushed at the memory of standing in the street demanding that he tell her the truth during Bill's parade. It had been disrespectful to both men. She didn't regret wanting to know. She had come to peace with that information and she truly did not believe that Nathan was at fault. It was just an unfortunate series of events. Still, she should have done her demanding in a private setting.

Movement from Nathan broke through her thoughts. As he soon stiffened shortly after the first movement, Elizabeth figured he had awoken.

"I am already awake," Elizabeth said softly, hoping that Nathan going still was indeed fear of waking her and not negative reaction to finding her sleeping beside him.

"Did you sleep, all right?" Nathan asked, taking the hand that still rested on his.

"I did," Elizabeth said, shifting so that she could look at him. "Though under the circumstances I should probably be the one asking you that question."

Nathan gave her a small smile. "I slept fine. Thank you for staying."

"You are welcome. I should probably get up so I can help Ally with breakfast," she replied.

Nathan nodded as he removed his arm from her upper arm. Feeling something that seemed like reluctance, Elizabeth climbed from the bed. She didn't bother looking to see if Nathan was watching her as she grabbed her robe from where she had draped it last night. Slipping into it, she slipped out of the room. In the hallway, Ally paused as she stepped from her own room. Elizabeth met the girl's gaze, wondering if her coming out of her father's room would upset her.

"I'll be down to help you with breakfast as soon as I get dressed," Elizabeth told her.

"All right," Ally said before heading downstairs.

Elizabeth went to the room she was sharing with Jack. Her son was still sleeping, so Elizabeth got changed as quietly and as quickly as she could. She then went downstairs. The smell of coffee greeted her, Ally having already put the coffee on. Entering the kitchen she found Ally stirring a mixture in a bowl.

"I thought cinnamon raisin pancakes would taste good this morning," Ally said as Elizabeth walked toward her.

"That sounds good," Elizabeth told her. "I will fry up some ham and put together a fruit salad," she added.

Ally nodded and the two went about breakfast preparations. They worked quietly for a bit, but as Ally waited for the pan to warm up before making her pancakes, she finally broke the silence.

"Beth, I know that what you and my Dad do, I really have no say over, but please don't break his heart again," the girl said, imploringly.

Elizabeth put down the knife she was using to cut up fruit and turned to hug the girl. Pulling Ally into a hug, she rested her cheek against the girl's head. "I promise I will do my best not to break his heart again, "she told the girl.

Ally hugged her close briefly, the promise seemingly enough for her. After the exchange, the two went back to breakfast preparations, their conversation easy and light once more as Ally told Elizabeth about her plans for the day. They were done with breakfast just as Jack came downstairs, Nathan following having helped the boy get ready for the day.

Elizabeth was relieved that breakfast that morning seemed like a typical breakfast in their home. Plans for the day were discussed. As Jack was sitting between her and Nathan, Elizabeth noted that Nathan offered the boy help just as often as she did. Elizabeth knew that this was what her son had deserved all along - a man in his life that actually wanted to be a father figure.

As he often did, Nathan said good-bye to them as soon as he finished eating to head into town. As Nathan said good-bye to Jack and Ally, she found herself wondering if that would change when he started working in his wood shop full time. Being able to set his own hours, would he still rush off in the mornings? Elizabeth supposed that time would tell.

After Nathan kissed both Ally and Jack on the cheek good-bye, she expected him to say a good-bye to her from beside whichever kid he had gone to second, usually Ally. To her surprise though, this morning Nathan stepped up beside the chair she sat in.

"Have a good day, Beth," Nathan told her before placing a kiss on her cheek.

Elizabeth wasn't sure what surprised her more - the kiss on the cheek or the use of Ally's nickname for her. As she looked up at Nathan in surprise, her husband looked from her to Ally. Following his gaze, Elizabeth found Ally looking at Nathan in surprise as well.

"Did I tread on something special between you two?" Nathan asked apologetically.

Ally smiled. "You can use my nickname if Beth doesn't mind," she told her Dad.

Nathan's gaze went from Ally and back to her.

"It is okay with me," Elizabeth replied, looking down at the table.

"Good," Nathan replied. "I will see you all this afternoon then."

"Stay safe," Elizabeth told him, as Nathan started for the door.

"I will do my best," Nathan promised, before he disappeared from sight.

"I will help clear the table," Jack announced, sliding from his chair and reaching for his plate and silverware.

Ally got to her feet as well. "Jack and I will take care of the breakfast dishes and then can I head over to Opal's?"

"You may," Elizabeth told her daughter. "Do you mind if I step outside for a few moments while you do the dishes, Ally?"

"Of course not. I'll keep an eye on Jack," Ally told her. With her own hands full of dishes, Ally followed Jack.

Elizabeth stepped out onto the porch. She stood there waiting for Nathan to emerge from their barn. Soon enough he did, mounting Newton as soon as he cleared the barn. As he rode past the porch, Elizabeth lifted a hand to wave to him. Despite the distance, Elizabeth noticed Nathan's surprise at seeing her. He quickly recovered though, and touched fingers to the brim of his hat with a nod as he headed toward town.

Standing there on the porch, Elizabeth watched Nathan until he was out of sight and then headed back inside. She checked on the kids in the kitchen. Jack was standing on a chair in front of the sink. Ally stood behind him, helping him wash the dishes. Though she could have completed the task faster alone, the fact that Ally was letting Jack 'help' touched Elizabeth. Ally was a good big sister.

Satisfied that the children were safe, Elizabeth retreated to her desk by the front window of the sitting room. Though it had been a long time since she had tried to write in it, Elizabeth pulled out her journal, the feeling to write suddenly strong. She wrote until the children came back into the room.

"Dishes are done," Ally told her. "I'm going to Opal's. I'll be back for dinner."

"All right. Have fun, Ally."

"Thank you," Ally replied. The teen kissed the top of Jack's head, gave Elizabeth a kiss on the cheek and was then out the door.

"What about me?" Jack asked drawing Elizabeth's attention.

"What about you, Jack?" Elizabeth asked.

"I want to go somewhere," Jack told her.

Elizabeth smiled. "How about you and I, go for a walk. Would you like that, Jack?"

"Yes," Jack replied excitedly.

Closing her journal, Elizabeth stood up. She held out her hand which Jack happily took. The two of them then headed outside to enjoy nature.

Rosemary stopped by later that afternoon. Worn out from his morning, Jack had fallen asleep on the settee after eating. Knowing that her son had a tendency not to fall back asleep if awoken from his nap, Elizabeth left him sleep there. As a result, she and Rosemary chatted in hushed tones as they sipped tea.

"I liked waking up in Nathan's arms," Elizabeth admitted to her friend.

"So are you going to continue doing so?" Rosemary asked as casually as if she asked how the weather was.

"I would like to," Elizabeth admitted to her friend, unfazed by her friend's question. "However, I am also worried that telling Nathan that, might lead to something that I am not ready for."

"Has Nathan ever pressured you for anything?" Rosemary asked.

"No," Elizabeth admitted quickly. Nathan had always been patient with her. Given her time to think things over while Lucas had always pushed her to see things his way or do things with him.

"Do you think that would suddenly change?"

"Of course not!" Elizabeth said quickly. "Still . . . " Elizabeth paused, trying to decide if she wanted to say more. "I don't know how to bring the topic up with him."

"You don't," Rosemary told her. "All the two of you will do, is make it more awkward than is necessary," she said, getting to her feet. "Follow me," she added as she started for the stairs.

Elizabeth got to her feet, wondering what her friend was up to. After checking to make sure Jack was still sleeping, Elizabeth followed Rosemary upstairs. She found her friend in the bedroom, pulling dresses from her closet.

"Rosemary, what are you doing?" Elizabeth asked.

"Moving you into the master bedroom," Rosemary said. "When he sees your things in the bedroom, Nathan will know that you want to share the room without either of you stumbling over feelings and words."

"And if he doesn't want me to share the room with him?" Elizabeth asked.

Rosemary gave Elizabeth an exasperated look. "We all know this arrangement was out of respect for you. In the last couple of months, I have gotten to know Nathan better than the first few years I have known him. He still loves you, Elizabeth. All you need to do is give him signs of what you do and do not want from him. Now grab some dresses."

As Rosemary breezed out of the room, Elizabeth sighed. She couldn't deny any of what Rosemary had said. Elizabeth also had to concede that this was a better idea then trying to discuss the subject with Nathan. She didn't exactly have a good record with that.

Gathering the rest of her clothes from the closet, Elizabeth followed Rosemary.