It has been a few months since Bill has been out of town being treated for fluid in his lungs and pneumonia. No one has seen Bill while he has been gone, except for Molly, Elizabeth, and sometimes Faith.
It is a summer day in Hope Valley, and the news around town is that Bill's condition is not progressing as well as the doctors hoped it would. Doctors have said Bill has a mass on his lungs as well, the size of a pea, which is also causing breathing issues for Bill.
During the months Bill has been away his attitude toward getting better has come to a halt. Bill's patience is wearing thin with everyone, especially with the doctors. He wants to go back home to Hope Valley and have Faith treat him for the last 3 weeks of treatment that he has left to do. The doctors in Benson Hills denied Bill's wishes to have Bill go home since his condition has not improved, now that Bill has refused any more help from the doctors.
Hope Valley
Molly runs into Elizabeth at the saloon to give her an update on Bill."Excuse me Elizabeth, can I have a word with you."
" Do you have an update on Bill?" asks Elizabeth.
"Yes, I do, " Molly says with a concerned look on her face.
"Is Bill, ok?" Elizabeth asks concerned.
Molly explains that she talked to Bill's doctors without Bill's knowledge when all of a sudden, the saloon doors open up and in walks Bill.
"Bill, what on earth are you doing here, you should be in Benson Hills?" Molly exclaims.
Bill mumbles – " I could not take another day in that horrible and dark place anymore Molly!" I signed myself out and came home against the doctor's wishes. And do not ask me to go back there either, says Bill to Elizabeth and Molly.
He walks away going up the stairs in the saloon and goes into one of the rooms to rest before he starts dealing with paperwork in his office.
The next day Bill retreats to his office to get some paperwork taken care of. He also wants to hide from everyone who is concerned for his health.
Four hours pass by, and Bill is still in his office when Elizabeth barges in.
"Bill, you need to come with me right now!" Elizabeth says sternly.
" I have no time for Elizabeth, I have paperwork that needs to be done, '' Bill replied coldly. "I want to be left alone as well, so please leave, " says Bill.
"Bill! There is something wrong with your health and why are you refusing to continue treatment? Elizabeth asks concerned.
"Elizabeth, I want everyone to leave me alone!" Bill grumbles " I have work to do so please leave."
"There is something else going on and I want you to tell me," Elizabeth asks with tears in her eyes. She refused to leave until she got some answers.
Bill sat in his chair, not saying a word tuning out Elizabeth and her concerns.
"BILL!" are you listening to me," yells Elizabeth. She watched as Bill buried his face in the palm of his hands. Elizabeth could see that Bill was visibly upset, which was unusual for Bill.
"Bill, what is going on, please tell me," Elizabeth begged.
Bill composed himself and handed a letter to Elizabeth from the judge addressed to his doctors without Bill's knowledge. The letter acknowledged that Bill was unfit to be a judge if his health continues to get worse especially if he does not get any more treatment. Bill began coughing out of control that he almost passed out.
"I am going to go lay down," says Bill, "you can stay here if you want but I am leaving." Bill gets up from his chair and quietly leaves the room.
After Bill left Elizabeth read the letter again, unsure what could happen to Bill's future. She realizes there Is one thing in the letter that will help Bill get better. Elizabeth runs over to the saloon to catch Bill before he goes to lie down.
"Bill, come with me," Elizabeth says sternly.
"Elizabeth, please I am tired and want to be left alone." He starts walking up the stairs to his room.
"No, Bill. You need to come with me now." Elizabeth says again.
Bill could see that Elizabeth looked concerned "Is it little Jack? Is he ok?"
"Please come with me and Molly." Elizabeth motions to Molly who just walked in the saloon.
A few minutes later Molly was driving the three of them to a pond near Hope Valley. Once they arrived at their destination Elizabeth and Bill both get out of the car seeing a waterfall and a small pond
"What are we doing Elizabeth, I am tired and not playing any games here…" Bill asks.
"Bill, the letter that you got explained there was a cure for your health issues, why are you fighting this?" Elizabeth asks. "You were to get better. The cure for your health was right under your nose the entire time."
"What do you mean?" Bill, exasperated, starts walking away.
"This is where the doctors said you should go. Take a look around Bill, you have the beauty of life all around you. Why don't you want to get better? I am confused so please explain." Elizabeth asks concerned.
Bill was hesitant to explain why he is refusing help.
"Come on Bill, you owe me and the ones who care about you an explanation of why you are giving up on life," Elizabeth asks again.
Finally, Bill explains that when he was in the Benson Hills hospital being treated for his illness, there was an old acquaintance there with him who was also sick with the same illness. Bill was deeply upset by his friend dying of the same illness.
"I came home to die, Elizabeth because nothing can help me, not even medicine." Bill, visibly upset, started to cry.
" Bill, that is so not true. There is a cure, and you are the only person who can cure yourself. Did you really read that letter completely? I understand you are upset about your friend not making it at all, but you have to fight for your life. Yesterday I talked to the doctor, and he explained to me that your case is very treatable, and if you want to live it is up to you. Your friend's illness was too far gone to be treatable. But your case is very treatable. See this pond, Bill? This pond has healed so many people." Elizabeth rubs his right shoulder hoping her words get through to him.
"Come on Elizabeth, this is insane. No water can cure anyone!", Bill said angrily.
"Seize the day Bill," Elizabeth said excitedly.
What? says Bill confused.
"Bill, you have to believe what the doctors are telling you. I will leave you with the letter and this pond. It is up to you." Elizabeth leaves, going back to the car where she and Molly go back to town.
Bill stands there in front of the pond pondering what he should do. Twenty minutes go by and Bill is still by the pond. Bill reads the letter again when all of a sudden, he realizes something.
I have so much to live for, he whispers. She was right. "SEIZE THE DAY!" Bill yells. One word in the letter put a smile on Bill's face. Family. Family and faith will cure you; the letter reads.
Bill stands by the pond, faces backward, and falls into the pond. Thirty minutes go by and Bill feels like a new man. Like a weight is lifted off his shoulders.
He leaves the pond and goes to the saloon. Inside he finds Elizabeth, Molly, Faith, and Lucas sitting around a table.
"Bill, why are you all wet?" Lucas asks.
"Long story Lucas," Bill growls. Elizabeth has a smile on her face and so does Molly and Faith.
A few days later Bill goes to the saloon. He asks Elizabeth for some privacy and takes her upstairs to his room to talk.
In his room, Bill mutters, "Seize the day and family."
What did you say, Bill?" Elizabeth asks.
Bill composes himself. "Thank you, Elizabeth. Faith and the doctors gave me a clean bill of health. There is no sign of pneumonia, and I am cleared to go back to work."
"Oh, that is great Bill. I am so happy for you." Elizabeth walks up to Bill giving him a big hug.
"You were right. I had the power to save my own life and I have you to thank for helping me see that. Family is what we all need, and my family is here in Hope Valley. Family means a lot to me." Bill smiled as he started to relax.
Elizabeth mutters, "Seize the day, Bill. Seize the day. Remember that and take that with you. The Hope Valley community loves you. We all love you, Bill." Elizabeth walks out of Bill's room smiling,
As Bill closes the door behind her, his eyes well up with tears and he mumbles, thank you. Bill looks at a photo of Molly on the table in a frame and again says thank you.