CHAPTER 63
It was a sunny morning when a knock came at the door of Jack's house. There stood Rose and Lee, who had arrived early to pick Elizabeth up before she left for school. Elizabeth walked slowly down the stairs and into Lee's arms, where they smiled and talked non-stop. Lee had this young woman as her sister, and it was good to see that apart from her broken hand, there was nothing wrong. Rose, on the other hand, got a hug she deserved, with all the excitement of a best friend. Jack had noticed a basket carefully placed on the sofa, but hadn't asked;
That's when Rose, taking his hands, spoke up:
- Lee, I can't wait any longer.
- Elizabeth, I'd like you, Lee and I want you to meet our son Lucas, and she went into the nap room and picked up a beautiful baby who was sleeping there and placed him in Elizabeth's arms.
The child snuggled into her arms and slowly opened his eyes and smiled, bringing his hands to her face in adoration of the woman who was carrying him.
- We want you and Jack to be Lucas' godparents and guardians. You would do us the honor. Lee said.
Elizabeth had tears streaming down her face, Jack came up behind her and hugged her. He could see his wife's emotion, and he himself was also very emotional. Rose was nervous, and afraid she wouldn't accept it, so she spoke:
- He wasn't born by us Elizabeth, but we love him very much, but if you and Jack think that because he's adopted, it wouldn't be appropriate for you to be his godparents, Lee and I will understand.
Elizabeth gave her teacher look, and Rose shivered, poor students having to face that...
- Rosemary Leveaux Coulter! One more word and I'll wash your mouth out with soap and water.
Elizabeth was angry and Jack, looking at Lee, could only smile.
- Rose, Lee... Jack and I were very honored and said yes. Who wouldn't want something as cute as that?
And little Lucas, feeling protected and loved there in her arms, grabbed her neck, stood up on Elizabeth's lap and began to shower her with kisses.
Tears welled up in Rose's eyes; her little one now had a family who loved him and, above all, a baby that everyone loved.
The christening would take place in a few days, they would just have to wait for Bill to return so that they could arrange the guardianship documents.
Soon Aunt Elizabeth, Charlote and Tom arrived and with Jack, they all went to school.
The morning at school was a lively one, with Tom first lighting the stove and chopping wood, which Charlote was very pleased to see was working so well. Charlote remarked to Aunt Elizabeth how lucky she was to meet Lizzie, and that she was a sensational person and was setting her son on the right path.
- I know what that's like, Charlote... If there's anyone who can set your son on the right path, it's Elizabeth. She has the gift of kindness. Your son is a good boy too, he just got carried away with his anger.
- Yes, but it almost cost Lizzie her life or her honor.
I don't understand how she lets you call her Lizzie, she never liked that name.
- She doesn't know, laughed Charlote. But they hadn't realized that Elizabeth was behind them.
- I do know, Charlote... Elizabeth Thorton laughed.
- I... I like putting nicknames on the family.
- It's fine with me, I like the sound of your voice.
Aunt Elizabeth went on to say that she never liked it when her father called her that. And Elizabeth, looking at the floor, spoke:
- It's just that he spoke in a strange way. It gave me the creeps. And whenever he called me that, he'd look at me from head to toe, analyzing me, and he'd have that little smile...
Aunt Elizabeth's eyes widened and she took Beth's hands and asked:
- Did he do something to you? Did your father do something he shouldn't have? Elizabeth Marie Thorton, don't hide anything from me.
- No, ma'am, whenever he did that I ran out of the room. Sometimes because of that, but always my mother punished me by leaving me locked in my room for days. Sometimes when I was younger he tried to scare me, but I always ran away. So I went to college and slept there.
- I came to Hope Valle when I started to get scared of him and Charles, the two of them always looked at me strangely and spoke softly.
- Oh, my darling. I wanted so much to be with you, to protect you during these years, but now your family is here, neither I nor your uncle will allow this to happen again.
- And neither do I, because you're my daughter too. Charlote said, hugging her daughter.
The children began to arrive, and from the back Tom, Charlote and Aunt Elizabeth were following the lesson. She was explaining about Thomas Edson and his invention of the light bulb and the twenty-eight children, aged between six and seventeen, were fascinated by the story. She managed to hold their attention. Aunt Elizabeth and Charlote, as retired teachers, were very proud of the young woman.
Meanwhile, Jack was making his rounds when he spotted three gentlemen riding slowly down the hill with two injured men on their backs; he acted quickly to provide assistance and ensure the safety of everyone involved, taking them all to Carson's infirmary. It was good to know that Hope Valle had her own doctor; in addition to the two injured mounties, he noticed that Bill was too and that worried him, and he still had to think about his mother's despair. He checked on Bill, and soon saw where his wound was, he had a high fever, but would still ride a few kilometers to the infirmary. The other two were unconscious, but Wynn brought Jack up to speed. Jack moved one of the riders carefully, keeping a safe distance, while drawing their attention to indicate that he was there to help while the injured were being treated by the professionals Dr Carson and Nurse Faith, Jack continuing the investigation to better understand what had caused the incident on the hill. He had taken statements from Wynn, Bill and Frankison, if there were more, he would have to wait for those two to wake up, to gather information about what happened.
When Charlote arrived at the ward and discovered that Bill was injured and had been taken for surgery, a flood of emotions swept over her, especially the fear of death. When she received the news of the surgery, her heart leapt, and a sense of panic overtook her. She imagined the worst possible scenario and struggled to hold back the tears. As time passed and the surgery continued, despair could take hold of her. The feeling of helplessness in the face of a situation that was beyond her control could be overwhelming. Amidst the fear and worry, Charlote could feel resentment towards the situation that put them in this position. She might wonder why this had to happen and why Bill was going through something so terrible. Charlote might feel an overwhelming sense of helplessness in the face of the situation. She would like to do something to alleviate Bill's suffering, but finds herself unable to do more than wait and pray, she couldn't afford to lose another husband.
That's when Faith appeared and told her that everything was over and that she would soon be allowed in.
Bill saw his beloved
With her hands shaking, she was crying copiously;
He dragged his body on the stretcher over to her, and their eyes met.
- "Are you all right?" she whispered, her voice trembling with worry.
He caught sight of his beloved and smiled.
- I'm a judge and years a policeman. He said in a shaky voice. There have been many difficult moments in my life as a mountie.
Charlote, in a trembling, loving voice:
- My love, even in this moment of pain and suffering, I want you to know how much I love you, your courage and determination; you are the best of men. And gently caressing the face of that wounded man, holding his hand with affection and with tears in her eyes, but with a voice full of determination, she continued:
- My love for you is eternal. And bending down, she placed a soft kiss on Bill's forehead. Charlote realized that she loved this man, and could not lose him without expressing her love.
Bill looked at Charlote, his eyes alight with love, and in a trembling but loving voice:
- My dear, even though I am going through a time of pain and weakness, there is something I need to say. You are the foundation of my life, the reason I keep fighting. And with his eyes fixed on hers, Bill pulled her into his arms.
Carefully, Charlotte shifted her position due to the injury, as she realized that Bill, whose face showed signs of pain and strain. She leaned gently over him, her eyes fixed on his, conveying love and compassion. Gently, she placed a caressing hand on his face, stroking his agony-worn skin.
Charlote whispered tenderly:
- My love, even in your pain, even when everything seems to be against us, know that I am here. You are not alone. Bill, his eyes full of gratitude, brought his trembling hand up to Charlote's face, gently caressing her cheek. The touch was soft, full of love and affection. Bill smiled faintly:
- You are my refuge. And he kissed Charlote softly.