Nathan, Bill, and Gabe were called to see Patrick about an important discovery on the Jewelry case. Lillian came to visit while Gabe was tied up. The morning and afternoon got away from everyone, and soon, it was time to get ready for the presentation dinner. After ensuring that the girls and Mrs. Potts knew the special arrangements made for the evening, Elizabeth headed upstairs to get ready. She decided to get Jack dressed first but found Rosemary had already beaten her to it, and Mrs. Potts showed up a few minutes later to collect him. Thankfully it didn't take Elizabeth long to get ready herself. Elizabeth took one last look in the mirror and headed down to join the others. Since Mrs. Potts would be going with them temporarily, the O'Reilly's daughter, Sandra, would watch the older girls until she returned.
They arrived at the event, and Nathan came around and opened Elizabeth's car door. He still couldn't believe he was here with Elizabeth as her escort. It felt like it was a wonderful dream until a gentle breeze blew, and her perfume wafted toward him and reminded him that it was real. Though it wasn't her usual color, the red dress was becoming on her. She and Jack made a striking pair dressed as they were. Her hair hung down her back, and she had decorative combs placed among her tresses. She wore simple jewelry of diamond earrings and a small diamond necklace.
As they walked in, they were greeted by many dignitaries, and Nathan tried to stand back. But whenever he did, Elizabeth would gently stop him by quickly introducing him as her escort, always including him in the conversation. When they entered that ballroom, and she drifted around, she kept her hand on his sleeve.
Nathan saw many eyes on him that looked envious as they watched Elizabeth glide around the room, comfortably talking. Finally, they managed to make their way to the main table where the guests of honor were sitting. As he drew closer, he saw that Gabe was already there with Lillian.
As he helped her get seated, Gabe said, "Well, look at you, Inspector Grant. You clean up pretty good." The O'Reillys, Bill, Chief Superintendent Collins, and the Coulters rounded out the table. Nathan could feel the eyes of many people looking at him, but being with those at his table settled him a bit.
Sensing his discomfort Elizabeth reached over and touched the hand on his lap. He looked at her in surprise, and once again, she whispered, "Ignore all the others and pretend you are out to dinner with friends. Before she could say anything else, Commander David Taylor stepped up to the microphone and began.
"I want to thank everyone who is here tonight before we get to the dinner and dancing portion of our evening; there are a few important things I would like to do first, especially since one of them involves a time schedule." He began. "In a few moments, you will understand what that means. As a Mountie, it is never easy for any of us to leave loved ones behind. But it is also hard for our loved ones who watch us leave, never knowing if we will return from a mission. We worry about whether our families can survive or what will happen to them. When I was a young Mountie and our first child was born, I prayed daily that I would live to see them grow. Over the years, we have had many generous benefactors who help the Mounties by giving back through donations and assistance wherever needed. But our guest of honor has a more personal understanding of the sacrifices and family's needs. I am pleased to introduce a founder of the Thornton Foundation, Mrs. Elizabeth Thatcher Thornton. Immediately all those who were Mounties stood up, honoring both her and their Mountie brother.
As she approached the podium and shook hands, everyone at that table could see the Hamilton Socialite she had been raised to be. Those who knew her intimately knew that Elizabeth preferred the simplicity of frontier life over Hamilton. Nathan couldn't believe how beautiful she was dressed as she was. But as he looked at her, he remembered her as she was every day when she taught school, attended church, cared for her son, cleaned her house, or set up the library. As she approached the microphone, the applause died down, and everyone was seated. The speech that she had written suddenly didn't seem enough anymore. Looking around at the sea of red and other Mounties, she knew she wanted to speak from the heart. Then looking at Bill, Nathan, and Patrick then, thinking of Jack, the words began to flow.
"Thank you so much for the warm welcome, and I would like to begin by thanking a few special people here tonight. First, I want to thank Superintendent Patrick O'Reilly, Judge Bill Avery, and Chief Superintendent Collins for serving on the board of directors for The Thornton Foundation." There was applause, and then she nodded to Bill, who had stood and gone out the door as if to get something.
"Without their assistance, I couldn't provide help where it was desperately needed. Before I continue, though, there is someone else I want to introduce you to who will help with the presentation. When the door reopened, Nathan saw that Jack was with him and wearing a little tuxedo with a red bow tie. At that point, Jack stole the show.
"Mama!" he said. Patrick had arranged for a chair to be placed beside Elizabeth, which Jack placed him on so he could stand beside his mother. Jack stood next to his mother and looked out at the sea of red. Jack said in delight, "MOUNTIES! Mama, look at the Mounties." Everyone laughed at his comment.
"I would like to introduce you to my son Jack Thornton Jr. who, as you can tell, loves Mounties." She said. There were many chuckles and a few awwws from the audience.
"My papa was a Mountie." He said. There were various Ohs and how sweets and even laughter as people fell under the famous Thornton charm.
"That's right, my sweet boy, just like your papa. As you see, my son and I know firsthand everything Commander Taylor discussed. My husband showed me what a Mountie goes through each and every day. I saw the toll it took on him when he returned from the North once it had been secured. I could see how it had tormented him. While he told me about a lot of it, there was more that was unsaid that I could see at times in unguarded moments. But there are other Mounties who serve in towns all across Canada. They may not have many commendations or medals you can see; however, they have as much impact on the future as those who fight in the north."
Before she could say anything else, Jack spotted Nathan and Gabe. "Mountie Natan."
Elizabeth laughed and said yes, Jack, that is Mountie Nathan. This brings me another special thank you. I have been fortunate in the Mounties that had been assigned to our town. First, it was my husband, Jack Thornton, followed briefly by Patrick O'Reilly, Bill Avery, and finally, Nathan Grant. These men have influenced our community. It was because of my husband and Patrick that the Tolliver Gang was captured. Jack built the school and church with his reward money. Then Jack became a mentor to the young children who, to this day, are impacted by his example. Then Constable Nathan Grant came to our town a year after my husband was killed. He helped me with one of my students who wanted to quit school and become a Mountie. Now understandable, you could understand that the last thing I wanted to do was encourage a student to join, knowing the required sacrifices, sometimes involving the ultimate one.
I will admit that when I first met Jack, I never fully understood that call, but Constable Grant helped me see that it's about making the world a better place, and in my opinion, there is nothing nobler than that. I've also seen this noble motivation in action with Constable Gabe Kinslow, who not only served with my husband but watches over the town of Brookfield. I have seen him mentor the young boys of the New Hope Orphanage there, helping them find their way. In between, there is Judge Bill Avery, who has stood fast and watched over the town, sometimes alongside the Mounties and sometimes in the place of the town Mountie. Because of these men, I know that should my son choose to follow in his father and grandfather's footsteps; he will do it with an understanding of what it means. My husband never knew that he was going to be a father, but thanks to these men and all of you that wear the Serge, Jack will know him. He will know his father by observing the wonderful men that wear that Serge because of the traditions and code that you live by. That code was the reason I created the Foundation in his honor. So, before I proceed, would all active and retired Mounties in the room please stand?"
"For those sitting, please join Jack and me in applauding those who refuse to compromise and always Maintain the Right." Elizabeth and Jack began applauding as she looked at Bill, Gabe, and Nathan with tears in her eyes, so very proud to have them. The men sat down, and Patrick brought the envelopes which contained the letters to the recipients.
"Generous donations from various benefactors support the foundation. The foundation also receives funds from the author A J Grant who wishes to remain anonymous but has generously pledged all proceeds from selling their books to our foundation. The Thornton Foundation helps Mountie widows and children with things they may need, such as a home, training, or other opportunities approved at the board's discretion. We also help schools in outlying areas receive the educational materials necessary to provide a good education for its people."
"But tonight, we are here to award the recipients of a grant for a full scholarship to some children whose fathers were killed in the performance of their duties. The first scholarship is awarded to Anna Patterson to attend Teacher College. She is the daughter of Constable Patterson and his wife, Jane." The girl came up, and Elizabeth handed the envelope to Jack, who gave it to Anna. It continued like that until all five recipients had been awarded their scholarships. Elizabeth said, "Thank you to all who have made this evening possible, and congratulations to all our very deserving recipients."
"Bye, Mounties, and Tank you," Jack said with a smile giving a Mountie salute. Every Mountie in there stood and gave him one back. All could see the little boy's character and knew that his father had to be very proud of him. It gave them hope that their families would go on if something happened. Nathan was quick to go over and pick the boy up, so proud of the little boy and the woman that was raising him. He was in love with her before, but he was even more so after watching her. "Mrs. Potts is waiting outside to take him home. Would you carry him for me, Nathan?" Elizabeth asked.
"I would love to." The trio was utterly oblivious to the eyes that watched them walk out. Nathan was so distinguished, carrying the little boy looking at him like he hung the moon. His mother appeared to be doing the same. Before long, they returned together, and dinner began. When it came time for dessert, there were two choices. One was a decadent chocolate cake; the other was a yellow cake with cherry topping. Elizabeth had been torn, so Nathan had suggested they share both.
Finally, the dancing began, and Elizabeth turned to Nathan and said, "Would you care to dance?" Nathan knew that she was reenacting the night of the Founders Day dance.
"Yes, I would, Lizbeth," Nathan said softly, "I would like that very much," standing up and holding out a hand. They were completely unaware of the eyes on them because they were in their own bubble. When they first started dancing, he looked around the room because he hated being the center of attention, and there weren't many couples dancing yet. Seeing his nervousness, Elizabeth pulled him closer and said, "Just focus on me, Nathan." She smiled tenderly at him, eyes soft, and he happily complied. Being closer to her, he could smell the intoxicating scent of her perfume again and became enthralled both by it and the sparks shooting through him as they touched. He could tell that she was having a similar reaction.
Occasionally Bill would cut in to annoy Nathan, as did Gabe, twice. It threw Nathan off because he didn't see them coming before it was too late. But Nathan was able to return the favor by cutting in with Lilian when Bill usurped Elizabeth. Nathan noticed that Elizabeth kept stealing glances at him while dancing with them, making him feel better. Lillian and Elizabeth just exchanged amused glances as Bill alternated between cutting in trying to aggravate his boys.
At one point, when they could see another charge from the men coming, they grabbed Rosemary, Carol, and Ann and headed to the ladies' room, where they laughed at the antics of Bill, Nathan, and Gabe. After about 15 minutes, Elizabeth said, "We better get back to the table before they mount a search party looking for us."
When they returned to the table, the men looked chagrined, and things calmed down afterward. Nathan and Elizabeth shared a few more dances and then decided to call it a night. Since Lee had driven that night, Rosemary decided to sit up front leaving Nathan in the back with Elizabeth. No one spoke on the drive home as they were all tired and talked out.
A few minutes later, Nathan felt a weight on his arm and looked over to see that Elizabeth had snuggled up against him. She looked up as she put her head on his shoulder and asked softly, "Is this all right?"
He nodded and put an arm around her to cuddle her close, and 5 minutes later, he realized that she had fallen asleep.
He suddenly wished the drive home was much longer because, too soon, they were pulling into the driveway, and Rosemary was waking Elizabeth up. She helped Elizabeth out of the car and, after a quick goodnight, helped her upstairs to her room. Nathan and Lee weren't far behind.