AN: This is my contribution to the September Heart Storie3s #HSbreakup. Thank you for reading! Jill
"I can't say I am surprised by your news. Although I am surprised by the timing, I thought there was no rush to leave now you're Governor." Elizabeth spoke softly, her tone giving nothing of her emotions away.
"That's what I thought, too, but things change, and Elizabeth, you have made it clear there is nothing to stay for."
Elizabeth watched Lucas stand up from behind his desk, an artificial smile on his face. The smile he had used for everyone during his run for Governor and the one he gave to people he cared nothing about unless he could use them. She shouldn't be surprised to see it directed to her. Her value and use to Lucas were over. Her connections to Thatcher shipping and Hamilton, her tragic history as the widow of a beloved Mountie were no longer needed for his campaign...or his life. She should never have agreed to keep their breakup a secret while he ran for office.
Elizabeth should be devastated over her broken engagement. People would expect to see her heartbroken. Instead, she felt relieved. There was a lightness in her chest instead of the tight, heavy feeling that had settled there over the last six months. There was shame and guilt, too. Shame for not telling people her relationship with Lucas had broken down and for standing by the side of a man she didn't love, pretending she did.
The blinkers had been removed from Elizabeth's eyes the night she had surprised him at the Queen of Hearts and overheard him on the telephone. She had known Lucas was running for Governor, of course; he had convinced everyone it was because he wanted to do the right thing for Hope Valley. Listening to his conversation with his campaign manager, she realised his desire to be Governor was selfish; Lucas was using the platform to increase his public profile to run for higher office. She had shuddered when she heard him refer to her as his access to the "society and sympathy votes." In that moment, she saw him for who he truly was, and any feelings she may have once had for him disappeared.
Elizabeth had confronted Lucas and had refused to allow him to make excuses as she had previously. When he realised she couldn't be swayed, he begged her to remain engaged to him purely for appearances. She had left him standing in the middle of his office, calling her name as she walked away. Elizabeth was torn; she knew the current Governor was corrupt and evil and needed to be removed from power, but was Lucas any better? He was using the position for personal gain, yes, but he wasn't doing anything illegal. Lying about having a fiancé wasn't a crime.
Elizabeth had gone to Bill for advice. Bill had been angry on her behalf, disgusted that Lucas was using her. Bill had been furious when he heard Lucas wanted her to continue letting him do that. When Bill calmed down, he conceded that Lucas becoming Governor was the lesser of two evils; what Bill didn't say was that he would be happy to see Lucas leave Town and Elizabeth alone. Elizabeth returned to Lucas and agreed to continue their engagement until the election results; they would go their separate ways regardless of the outcome. She had grieved then for what she had lost, saddened when she realised her pain didn't come from losing Lucas; it came from those she had hurt by her choice of him.
"Have you nothing to say to me, Elizabeth? No tears. No sadness at the end of our relationship."
Elizabeth ignored the mocking tone in his voice, eager now it was finally over to be out of his presence; she had come to despise him. She stood and smiled at him, not the fake smile he gave her, but a genuine, radiant, and happy smile. She was pleased when she saw his eyes narrow, his mouth tightening behind his beard. Good. She had displeased him with her reaction.
"Nothing but to hope you get all the happiness you deserve," Elizabeth said, leaning forward to gather her basket from the floor where it rested at her feet. "I would arrange for your things in my home to be returned to you, but I realise those things don't matter to you. This, you can have now." Elizabeth slid her engagement ring off her finger as she spoke, placing it on the corner of his desk before walking away.
Elizabeth stepped out of Lucas' office, closing the door behind her without looking back; she inhaled deeply and let her breath out slowly. She hadn't felt this free, this much like herself in years.
Elizabeth stood in the middle of the Saloon, turning in slow circles, taking in the room. Lucas had made many changes after a fire destroyed part of the building. The changes were an improvement; it was a much more 'family-friendly environment. Elizabeth closed her eyes and allowed herself to remember what the room had looked like before the fire, before Lucas, when it served as her school room.
She had been so confident back then that she had found her calling and could genuinely make a difference in the children's eyes through education. She had been enthusiastic, optimistic, and incredibly naive about life in a frontier town. Her lips curled into a smile as she remembered her shaky beginning, only made successful because of Abigail Stanton, Bill Avery, but most of all, her husband, Jack.
Elizabeth smiled, remembering Jack. She remembered the first time she had seen him, riding into a melee at the mine, standing up to Henry Gowan. Her smile grew wide as she remembered his interest in her turning to anger when he found out she was why he was assigned to Coal Valley. Despite their rocky start, he had become her first true love. Jack's death while on a training mission for the Mounties devastated her. She had found out about their child after he was killed, and only through the support of her friends had she survived her pregnancy, the birth and raising her son alone. She had devoted her life to teaching the children of the now-renamed Hope Valley and raising her son.
Elizabeth opened her eyes and surveyed the room again. The sign that had united the Town, a piece of wood found in the mine after it collapsed, killing over forty men, no longer hung for everyone to see. The hastily etched words, "Forgive me, Pa," had divided their miner's widows, each wanting the message to be meant for her. Elizabeth and Jack had located the sign after it was stolen, returning it to Abigail, the rightful owner. Abigail had hung it up in the Saloon where the patrons and students could see it each day. It had been charred in the fire and then mysteriously disappeared, just like the wooden sign in the library. Lucas hadn't bothered to look for either of them, showing how little he cared for the community of Hope Valley or its people. Elizabeth shook her head and hurried out of the building, needing to escape her memories and Lucas.
Elizabeth knew she couldn't run from how she had behaved with Lucas or that she had allowed herself to be lured in by him. Elizabeth barely recognised the girl she had been in the woman she had become. When had she changed? When had she decided she was ready to move on from Jack? Why had she settled on Lucas Bouchard, who was so different from him?
Nathan Grant, Hope Valley's Mountie, was why she had chosen to spend the rest of her life with Lucas. Nathan had fallen in love with her and her son Jack. He had told her so, and when he did, she had run from him. Because of her fear of losing him like she had Jack, Elizabeth had run from his love and the life they could have had. Losing Jack had crushed her. If she admitted she was in love with Nathan, allowed him and his daughter Allie into her life, and something happened to him, she wouldn't recover. She had hidden behind Lucas, pretending to care more for him than she did, defending his behaviour to those around them. She had used their relationship to shield her from her feelings, to stop her from running to Nathan and throwing herself at his feet, begging for his forgiveness.
Now the election was over, and he would be gone, she couldn't hide behind Lucas any longer.
Elizabeth strolled through Town, smiling at people she passed. She knew this simple exchange of greetings would only last for a while. When people found out about her and Lucas, she would be the subject on everyone's lips. At least her son was with Rosemary and Allie at the Coulter's home. He and Allie were 'helping' Rosemary with her new baby, and while Jack would be of little assistance, Allie was a great help to her and Marigold. Elizabeth had all morning to herself; having not known how long her 'meeting' with Lucas would take, she had arranged to bring home lunch for everyone at the Coulters.
Elizabeth found herself standing before the library, the building Lucas had donated and where he had arranged intimate dinners for them. Despite Lucas's connection to the library, somehow, she always associated the room with Nathan. Elizabeth's eyes flicked up as she entered the library, seeing the space where the carved wooden sign used to hang. It had hung there for months until it suddenly disappeared one day. People had noticed and asked about it, but Elizabeth claimed to be as surprised as they were that it was missing. Elizabeth didn't need the sign to remember the message; it was carved into her heart. "Always do what you are afraid to do." The words haunted Elizabeth because she had spent so much time doing the opposite.
Elizabeth sat at the table in the middle of the library, resting her head on her folded arms. What she wouldn't give to be able to go back in time, erase the last year of her life and make braver choices. How different her life would look if she had been honest with Nathan when he told her he loved her.
Nathan sat astride Newton, a frown on his face as he watched the flurry of activity inside the Queen of Hearts. Mike was rushing back and forth, loading boxes into Lucas's car. Nathan watched Lucas stride from the building, dragging a large trunk behind him.
"Going somewhere?" Nathan asked, curious about his trip. It looked like he was going to be away for an extended time. Despite his attempts to allow Elizabeth to move on with her life, his first thought was how this would impact her and little Jack.
"Yes, I am heading to Union City. Now that I am Governor, it makes sense for me to be there."
"How long are you staying?" Nathan frowned in confusion; Lucas had promised he would remain in Town if he were elected.
"Permanently. I don't intend on returning to Hope Valley to live." Lucas smirked at Nathan, "I am sure that will please you."
Nathan didn't reply immediately; he was shocked at Lucas's admission. Was Elizabeth intending to follow him to Union City? His stomach clenched at the thought of it, of not seeing her every day, not being a part of her life, even if only a small piece. Allie would be devastated, too; she had been much quicker to forgive Elizabeth for choosing Lucas over him, than he had been, and she would miss her teacher very much.
"It depends on how you are leaving things." Nathan had tried to be a friend to Lucas, to treat him as he would anyone else in the Town. It had been a struggle, but he had done it for Elizabeth.
"Quickly, Nathan. I am leaving quickly and cleanly. Once I sell the Queen of Hearts, my personal ties with the Town are cut. I will simply be its Governor."
Nathan watched as Lucas walked away from him, calling out to Mike to help him load the trunk into his vehicle. He was no closer to understanding what Lucas's move meant for Elizabeth, and he knew that was a deliberate evasion from the man. Nathan shouldn't have expected anything else. Lucas had always been elusive, and where the truth would serve, he would manufacture something, usually to make himself look better.
Nathan was torn. He wanted to find Elizabeth and understand what had happened between her and Lucas. He wanted to know if she was leaving too. Was she at home packing hers and Jack's things? Was she going to take her time and let Lucas settle in before they followed him to Union City? What did it mean for her relationship with Lucas if she was staying in Hope Valley?
Nathan knew he had to quash that surge of hope that flared inside him. Even if Elizabeth was staying and wasn't with Lucas, it didn't mean anything for the two of them. She had run from him when he told her he was in love with her. She had told him she loved him but wasn't in love with him. She had chosen Lucas Bouchard...but she wouldn't leave him and Allie alone. She was always there, asking after them, inserting herself into their lives, giving advice on how to raise Allie even when he hadn't asked for it. All of that had to mean something, didn't it?
Nathan clicked his tongue, urging Newton forward. He needed to do his rounds, which would allow him to process what he had heard. Nathan hadn't told many people about Elizabeth's response to his declaration of love, only Gabriel, his fellow Mountie and best friend, and Dr. Faith Carter. He and Faith had grown close while she treated him for a shoulder injury. There had been a time he had entertained a relationship with Faith; they had gone on two dates, and that was all it took for them to know they were better friends than romantic partners. Faith was a wonderful woman, but the chemistry and attraction between him and Elizabeth weren't there with Faith.
"Elizabeth! Are you all right? I saw Bouchard driving out of Town."
Elizabeth turned to face Bill, smiling, pleased he had found her. His presence was always so comforting and solid. She could always rely on Bill; even when she had been at her worst, he supported her.
"I am fine, Bill. I am relieved it's finally over, and I no longer have to pretend." Elizabeth meant every word. "I am not looking forward to the explanations and apologies I have to make, but it will be worth it to have it done."
"Who are you going to start with?"
Elizabeth's mouth turned up at the corner, part grimace, part smile. "I am going to start with Rosemary and Lee. They have been the ones to mind Jack so often for me, not knowing it was because I wanted him away from Lucas." Elizabeth stood and walked to him, wrapping her arm around his and leading them outside the library. "I know you already accepted my apology when I came to you, but I need you to know I am so grateful you stood by me despite my horrible behaviour and poor choices."
"I'm just glad to have the old Elizabeth back. I missed her."
Elizabeth said goodbye to Bill after walking with him to the Café to collect food for lunch at the Coulters.
Rosemary opened her mouth to speak the moment Elizabeth stepped inside. Elizabeth shook her head quickly, pleased when Rosemary stopped talking. Her friend had obviously heard about Lucas; someone would have telephoned her. She did not want Allie to hear about him leaving Town until she had time to think about what she wanted to tell people.
"Is it true?" Rosemary asked quietly, standing close to Elizabeth as she unloaded the food onto the Kitchen table. "Lucas left Town?"
"Has he already left," Elizabeth asked, smiling. She held up her bare left hand to show Rosemary she was no longer wearing her engagement ring. "I do hope so."
"Why don't you seem even a tiny bit upset, Elizabeth? Maybe you're in shock. Why don't you sit down." Rosemary fussed around Elizabeth, wrapping an arm around her as she led her to a chair.
"Rosemary, I'm not in shock. I cannot remember the last time I felt this happy. Lucas and I were over a long time ago." Elizabeth quickly and quietly explained what had happened between her and Lucas, apologising for lying to her friend. "Initially, he gave me something I needed: security and safety. Eventually, he gave me the time to truly get over Jack and realise I was ready to move on, but not with him." Elizabeth shook her head when Rosemary started to speak, hushing her friend. "I should never have been with him. I was never myself with him. I never let myself be vulnerable, not with him."
"You're right. If that's how you felt, you shouldn't have been with him," Rosemary agreed, lips pursed, still processing what she had heard. "That's the thing with love, Elizabeth. It's about sharing yourself with the other person and being able to be your true self with them, and them knowing they can do the same thing with you. It's knowing you can trust that person with anything. That's where the security is. That's what makes you safe. You can't have those things if you aren't true to yourself."
Elizabeth blinked back tears as she listened to Rosemary. Her euphoria at no longer being with Lucas evaporated as she thought of how much time she had wasted with him, how much of herself she had changed and compromised to be part of that life, pretending it was what made her happy. Pretending Lucas made her happy. She was fortunate that her friends in Hope Valley were true friends and hadn't distanced themselves from her, given how she treated some of them. Her friends were owed an explanation and an apology for her behaviour, although she suspected some of them had always known what was in her heart.
"So, what is next, Elizabeth?" Rosemary narrowed her eyes and asked, "Who is next?"
"I Know who it should be," Elizabeth said, her fleeting glance to Allie full of guilt. "I don't know if I can do that yet. There is so much between us, Rosemary when there is nothing between us. How can I ask him to trust me again after I broke his heart? I don't deserve his forgiveness. I don't deserve him."
"That's the second correct thing you have said today. The Elizabeth who ran from Nathan didn't deserve him; the old Elizabeth, my true friend, did and does." Rosemary reached over and took her hand. "Apologise, and then give him time. You will have to be the one who risks being hurt; you can't expect him to do that again."
"What are you doing?"
"Allie, I…um…it's nothing," Nathan explained, stepping away from the window. He could feel the heat in his cheeks at being caught staring out the window. He made a point of checking for Elizabeth before leaving the house. So far, he had managed to avoid speaking to her, seeing her only in the distance.
"Is it? Obviously, Mrs Thornton wants to talk to you, and you are avoiding her. I love you, Dad, but you have hardly left the house except for work. It would be nice if things could go back to normal." Allie's eyes flashed as she said, "I thought she was your friend. Aren't friends meant to be there for each other?"
Nathan frowned; he didn't think Allie noticed what he was doing. As usual, his daughter was very wise, showing him how grown up she was. He still wasn't comfortable talking about Elizabeth with her. He also hadn't thought he was letting Elizabeth down. Anyone who knew their history would know why he wasn't there for her, supporting her through the Town gossip, whispers and speculation.
"Allie, Mrs Thornton and I are friends…but there are things you don't understand."
"I know you loved her. I know you loved her even when she got engaged to Mr Bouchard. I think you still love her." Allie turned to collect her things so she could head to Town. "It won't get any easier until you at least clear the air."
Nathan knew Allie was right, but he still couldn't go to Elizabeth. He wasn't avoiding her because he didn't care what she wanted to say. He cared too much about what she had to say. Each time he had seen her, each time she looked like she wanted to say something to him, he had walked away…and she let him. For once, Elizabeth was respecting his boundaries and not trying to insert herself into their lives. He should be happy about it.
"You can't stay in your office forever, you know. You have to come out sometime."
Nathan looked up, and seeing Bill standing in the doorway with two cups of coffee, he threw down the pen, giving up on his paperwork. "I get out. I go on my rounds every day."
"The ones that are now taking you all day to do?"
Nathan knew Bill was half teasing him, and up until now, he had resisted prying when Nathan said he didn't want to talk about Elizabeth. Gabriel hadn't kept his thoughts to himself when called to talk about Elizabeth and Lucas's broken engagement. Nathan had kept his own counsel, refusing to talk about his feelings, providing only the facts he knew. Nathan knew Bill had spoken to Gabriel, but Nathan maintained his silence around Bill, hurt that his friend had kept Elizabeth's secret.
"They don't take all day," Nathan protested weakly. "Besides, I haven't left today for my rounds. I am going after lunch."
"So, you have finally stopped hiding?"
"I'm not hiding." Nathan regretted his harsh tone to Bill the moment he spoke and was grateful when he ignored it, rolling his eyes. What was it with everyone suggesting he was hiding? "Fine, I was spending a lot of time out of Town, but it's not the same thing."
"Nathan, you need to talk to Elizabeth and hear what she has to say."
"I've heard enough, Bill. I heard her when she told me she wasn't in love with me; I got it when she said I was only a reminder of her dead husband. I listened when she convinced me to stay in Hope Valley, professed her love for Lucas Bouchard, and defended him no matter what he did. I had to watch her...them." Nathan lowered his voice and raked his hands over his face before staring up at him, his eyes clearly showing anguish. "I haven't forgotten any of it."
"I'm sorry, Nathan. You're right." Bill's eyes were compassionate as he looked at Nathan, he had witnessed his pain and knew the depth of it. "Talk to her. Don't talk to her; it's your choice, but hearing her out one final time might give you closure."
"I don't need closure. I need to learn to be satisfied with my life as it is and stop expecting anything more for myself. Stop imagining I would ever have a future with…have a different future. I have to be happy with my life as it is."
"Nathan?"
Nathan froze with his head bent over the paperwork on his desk. She had finally come to see him. He heard the hesitancy in her voice and noted that she stood in the doorway but hadn't come inside. He looked up, unable to read the expression on her face as she was silhouetted in the door frame, her face hidden in the shadow. He made himself stand on shaking legs; to pretend this visit was nothing out of the ordinary.
"Elizabeth, please come in," Nathan invited, his voice neutral, despite his curiosity at the wrapped bundle she held against her chest.
"It's been a while, Nathan. How are you?"
"I'm fine, Elizabeth. How are you? Are you okay now, after…" he let his voice trail off, realising he wasn't sure he wanted to bring up what had happened. He glanced at her face, glad his comments hadn't upset her; in fact, she looked happy, beautiful and nervous.
"You can say it; you can ask me about it. I think you must be the only one who hasn't."
"I don't know where to start, Elizabeth. Aren't you talked out?"
"I am sick of talking about Lucas, but I will never tire of talking to you."
Nathan's heart lurched; this was precisely the type of thing she said that kept hope in his heart. It was all of a sudden too much, much too much. The emotions he had been fighting for so long twisted together inside his chest, and he couldn't keep them inside any longer.
"Why are you here? Now?" Nathan spat the questions at her, not waiting for a response. "What do you want from me?"
Elizabeth stood before him, her face tense as she said, "I want to apologise, I needed you to hear what happened from me, to explain…"
Nathan stared at Elizabeth, regretting his words, angry at himself for letting her see his distress, that she still had so much control over his feelings. He knew he wasn't the only one upset; her cheeks were red, and she bit her lip as she stood there, eyes wet with tears as she tried to answer his questions.
"Lucas and I broke up several months ago. We pretended to be together for his campaign."
Nathan's head snapped back, as though her words had struck a physical blow; that didn't make any sense, that couldn't be right.
"Why?" Nathan asked, his voice hoarse. "Why would you do that to yourself, to..."
"He needed to win the election and be in power to stop Governor Balfour. He was the better choice."
"But not for you?" Nathan asked as he processed what she was saying. Her voice was shaking, and he saw her grip the package she held tighter against her chest; he knew they were no longer discussing the election.
"No. Not for me. It took me a long time to admit I made the wrong choice. Why I made the choice I did."
Nathan silently watched as she stepped toward the desk, placing the package and unwrapping it. It was the sign he had carved for her, the one which had gone missing from the library. He looked at her, confused as to how she had it and why she had brought it to him.
"I took it from the library. I didn't want to share it with anyone any longer. I didn't want him to tarnish what it meant to me."
Nathan watched as she reached out, her finger lightly tracing the words he had so carefully carved for her.
"I wish I had listened to you, had been able to do what you asked. Everything would have turned out so differently if I had the courage you showed." Elizabeth looked at him, her smile sad. "I wish I had told you I loved you too, that I was in love with you. That it was you who made my heart whole again." Elizabeth paused, unable to look at him as she spoke. "I was so afraid I might lose you like I did, Jack, I couldn't. I pushed you away. I said awful, heartbreaking things to hurt you, Nathan, and I am so, so sorry for that." Elizabeth inhaled a shuddering breath, "When I said I was looking for Jack in you, it was a lie. I saw you, Nathan. Always."
In that moment, Nathan finally had everything he had ever said he wanted, had finally heard Elizabeth declare her love for him, and didn't know what to do with it. He could feel his heart thumping so fast he thought it would beat out of his chest; his blood was pumping in his ears. He felt tears prick his eyes and blinked them back. After all this time, after everything…it was too much.
"Elizabeth. I can't..." Nathan rasped, his voice strangled with emotion. Ignoring her sounds of protest, he rushed past her and out the door, leaving her alone in the Mountie office. He knew he should stay and talk to her, but he couldn't stop himself. It wasn't until he was cantering out of Town on Newton that he realised his words and actions echoed hers so many years ago. 'I can't'.
Elizabeth collapsed into the chair as Nathan walked away from her. It was over. She had apologised, she had taken the risk and told him she loved him, and he had left. She wasn't sure what she had expected - that they would fall into each other's arms and he declare his love for, whatever it was, it hadn't been this. She knew she didn't deserve his instant forgiveness, but she had hoped.
Reaching for a piece of paper, she hastily scribbled a note, folding it over and wrapping it with the plaque, leaving it for him.
It was dark when Nathan finally returned to the Mountie office; he had taken his time on rounds and then in the livery. He groomed Newton thoroughly as he told him about his conversation with Elizabeth. He knew if anyone overheard him, they would think he had lost his mind, but he didn't care. For once, though, talking to Newton hadn't helped; he was no closer to knowing what to say to Elizabeth than before.
He knew he had to speak to Elizabeth; he couldn't leave the situation as it was. He had to acknowledge her apology so they could move on, but to what, he didn't know. Had her apology been enough? Had she said everything he wanted to hear? No. But she had said everything he needed to hear. He believed her when she said she was sorry, and he believed she was ready for a relationship. He believed her when she said she loved him. He wished he could trust her not to hurt him again.
Entering the Mountie office, he was surprised to see the plaque still on his desk. Curious, he went to it and saw the folded paper. Hands trembling, he reached for it, reading the short sentence written on it. 'Love is worth fighting for.'
Nathan let his finger trace the words, 'Always do what you are afraid to do,' following the same path Elizabeth's finger had taken, feeling a connection to her through the wood. Could he do it? Could he risk his heart again? Could they have their forever?
As he stared at the sign, he smiled. It was time to stop pretending to be honest with himself. From the moment Elizabeth had said she loved him, he knew he wouldn't be able to stay away from her, from the promise of what her words meant. She was the only woman he had ever loved, the only one he ever would love. His heart was hers and always would be.
The hours between her conversation with Nathan and now, seemed longer than the hours that had come before. As the day darkened into night, she focused on Jack, his dinner, his bath, and his bedtime story, but now he was asleep, and she was alone; she grew nervous. What if he wasn't coming? What if he never came?
Elizabeth couldn't sit still any longer; she leapt out of the chair and began pacing. Staring at the phone, she wondered if she could call Bill to come and sit with Jack; she knew he would do it. She knew she had promised Nathan time, but she needed to see him, to make sure he knew she meant what she had said, that she would fight for him, for love.
The knock on the door made Elizabeth jump, and her heart began to race. She'd been waiting for it, praying for it, and could only hope it was Nathan bringing an answer that wouldn't shatter her heart. Elizabeth straightened her skirt and smoothed back her hair; taking a deep breath, she gripped the door handle and threw it open.
Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak but closed it again as Nathan reached out to her. He stroked her cheek before gently cupping her face in his hand. Her stomach erupted with butterflies at his touch, and she was sure he could hear her heart beating. As she stared at him, he smiled, the crooked smile she adored, and she knew everything would be fine. They were going to be fine. She held her breath as he stepped inside and dipped his head toward hers, slowly capturing her lips in a soft and gentle kiss. Elizabeth rose up on tiptoes, sliding her arms around his neck as he drew her close.
When they finally broke apart, Nathan rested his forehead against hers, holding her tight.
"I love you, Elizabeth, with all my heart."
Elizabeth closed her eyes, savouring his words before she said, "I'm in love with you, Nathan. My heart is yours."
"I'm sorry it took me so long to get here." Nathan smiled down at her, grinning when she laughed.
"I think that's my line, Nathan." Elizabeth's smile softened as she reached up and stroked his face, running her hand over the light stubble on his cheek. "Thank you for forgiving me, for loving me."
"Always."