Reaching up, Robert ran a finger around the collar of his dress uniform. Who would have figured he would need the thing in such a remote outpost as Fort St. John but yet all four Mounties were standing in the Mounted Police Office in them. Also, in the office with them was a traveling pastor who had simply been passing through their community when he had crossed paths with Elias out on patrol. The next thing Robert and the other Mounties knew, they were being asked to stand as witnesses for a wedding ceremony between Elias and Bethany. As the union had already been approved by Elias' superiors when they had gotten engaged, it was simply a matter of Shaun reporting the union.

Robert felt a hand come to rest on his shoulder. "The groom is the one that should be nervous, not you, Wolf."

"I'm not nervous, it's just this thing is uncomfortable," Robert told Andy, who chuckled as he shrugged his shoulders.

"You get used to them," Andy said, nonchalantly. "I also think they just feel better after wearing them a few times."

"Another torture for the new guy," Robert mumbled, not particularly happy with the chuckling at his side again. Looking around the office, his eyes fell on Elias and Shaun. The former had his uniform jacket unbuttoned at the top and looked a bit pale. Their commanding officer was facing Elias, his words to the other Mountie barely a murmur. "Looks like the groom is nervous."

Andy looked in the direction of the other two Mounties. "That he does. It might be a good thing that this is all coming together quickly. He might not survive actually planning a wedding." Andy paused. "I might not survive him and Bethany trying to plan a wedding," he added.

"You're going to eventually be living with the two of them, at least for a while," Robert reminded him.

Though all four Mounties had shared one cabin while Bethany's length of her visit was uncertain, her marriage to Elias meant she would be here long-term. Elias would of course move back in with his wife. Though the newlyweds would be given a week alone in the cabin, Andy would eventually move back into his room in the second cabin, giving Shaun and Robert the other cabin to themselves again. Sgt. Delaney had told his men he would discuss accommodations with headquarters and see if something else could be arranged when spring finally arrived.

"Or you and I could just remain roommates," Andy suggested.

"I want my room back," Robert said quickly. "Sir," he added, realizing the comment could come off as insubordination, especially as they were in uniform. "Sorry, Corporal, but you snore."

"I would like to argue that I don't, but you are not the first one to tell me that," Andy replied just as Shaun raised his voice to get their attention.

"Can someone bring a chair over here," Shaun commanded.

Robert glanced back at his commanding officer and the groom to see that Shaun had a hold of Elias' arm and appeared to be supporting the younger man. Elias appeared to be paler than he had before, though Robert wasn't sure how that was possible. The groom also seemed to be struggling to breathe.

Beside him, Andy sprang into action. The Corporal grabbed one of the desk chairs and hurried over to the other two men. Shaun sat Elias down on the chair, instructing the younger man to lean forward and to mimic his breathing.

"I'll go see what is keeping our bride," Pastor Hawke said, heading for the door.

Though Bethany had a limited wardrobe, she had insisted on wearing her best dress and fixing her hair. Wâpanacâhkos had offered to help the bride. The woman had also offered to get together a meal to celebrate the union.

"It won't be fancy, but we celebrate you Constable Moreau," wâpanacâhkos had said, before taking Bethany's arm and heading into the cabin. The Cree woman's daughters had followed her but were soon seen coming out and heading off, clearly on some mission.

"This is crazy. I don't know how to be a husband. I'm going to let her down."

Elias' panicked words broke the silence that had fallen over the Mounted Police office.

"You are right on all three accounts," Shaun replied, kneeling in front of his fellow Mountie. He had one comforting hand on Elias' back, the gesture in seeming contrast to his words.

Elias groaned, raising his head enough to hide his face in his hands with his elbows on his knees. "I'm going to be sick."

Just in case, Robert picked up the pail they used as a trash can and placed it near his fellow Constable.

"There is only one thing that is important today though," Shaun continued. "Do you love Bethany?"

"Yes," Elias replied though he didn't lift his head from his hands.

"Well, she clearly loves you. She followed you here when you broke things off and she stayed. Montreal bred or not, she clearly just wants to be with you. The two of you will learn how to be a husband and wife together. As for the crazy part, well, if the Academy didn't cure you of that, nothing will."

"Thanks a lot," Elias muttered, though he did lift his head and managed a small smile.

The door to the office opened and Pastor Hawke poked his head in. "Is the groom ready?"

Elias nodded, pushing to his feet. "Ready as I'll ever be," he replied.

"All right," the pastor said stepping inside. "We have some more witnesses. It'll be a tight squeeze, but a wedding is always best celebrated with friends and neighbors, especially in the absence of family."

Following the pastor inside were most of the residents who lived near the settlement. As Shaun took Elias' arm and moved him toward the fireplace, Robert helped Andy move their desks toward the sides of the office to give room for the crowd filing in. Apparently, the impromptu wedding was going to be better attended than the bride and groom had expected.

Once they were done moving furniture, Andy and Robert went to join their fellow Mounties by the fireplace. Robert only took one step before wâpanacâhkos grabbed his arm. "You come escort the bride," the woman instructed.

Robert looked toward Andy, but the other Mountie had scurried away. As Elias still looked pale and Shaun was standing directly behind him, one hand discreetly under an elbow, Robert knew that insisting the commanding officer escort the bride was not an option. Seeing no way out, the young Mountie let wâpanacâhkos lead him toward the door of the office. All he had to do was escort Bethany from the door to the fireplace along the path being left open by the crowd. Surely he couldn't mess that up.

As he stepped outside, Robert couldn't wait to write a letter to tell Ally about today. He had no doubt she would see the romance in the moment even if it was lost on him.


Elizabeth stared down at the blank page of the journal open in front of her. Ally was at school and Tom had asked to spend some time with his nephew since he was off today. Knowing it was good for her son to make connections with his father's family, Elizabeth had happily bundled Jack up and sent him off with his uncle. Normally, that would have given her and Nathan some time home alone, but her husband was outside loading the wagon with the pieces of Jack's old bed. After talking it over with Nathan, they had decided to get rid of the bought bed frame. Later, when the little one she was carrying needed a toddler sized bed, Nathan could build him or her one then. Though it wasn't required at this time, the bed frame would be stored at the newly named Hope Valley Youth Home until it was needed either by them or the New Hope Orphanage in Brookfield. Her husband had been planning on doing the task alone, but now with Jack otherwise occupied, Elizabeth was entertaining the idea of going to her old home.

In some ways, Elizabeth saw it as her final hurdle to escape the darkness she had been living in. As hard as Jack's death had been, she could see now that she had been surrounded by the love of friends and neighbors just waiting for her to do her grieving and be ready to move on. Instead of moving on though, she had chosen to let the fear of loving anyone again dictate her choice. She had been simply a prize to Lucas. Without love on either of their parts, perhaps it was inevitable that the relationship would fail.

Not that it gave Lucas the right to abuse me, Elizabeth told herself silently. And I didn't deserve it, she added. After hearing it repeatedly from others, she was finally accepting it.

If she could face the place where the darkest point of her life took place, then perhaps she could finally put it behind her and go on with her life. The life that Nathan had offered to share with her despite all she had put him through.

Getting to her feet, Elizabeth moved to the hooks by the door and began to don her coat and other winter garments. Nathan had promised to come in and say good-bye before he left. Instead of that, Elizabeth planned on telling him she was coming with him. She was wrapping her scarf around her neck when the front door opened. The dusting of white on his brown coat told her they were getting some snow.

"Were you going somewhere?" Nathan asked.

"With you," Elizabeth replied, trying to sound certain of her decision. She had a feeling Nathan wouldn't take her if she seemed at all unsure.

Reaching out, Nathan looped his hands around her waist and pulled her closer to him. Elizabeth stepped closer willingly as she looked up to meet his concerned gaze. "Are you sure, Beth?" he asked softly.

"Yes," Elizabeth replied, surprising even herself with the answer. "At least I'm certain I am ready to try to face it. I may get there and not be able to go inside, but I've been avoiding going back long enough. The house isn't going anywhere. In fact, it is being used for something positive now. I feel like this is the last thing from my past that I need to face and put behind me."

Nathan didn't offer any words - either for or against her reasoning. Instead, he simply nodded and gently pulled her closer to him. Elizabeth wrapped her arms around him and let herself take comfort from the strength that he exhibited. He placed a kiss on her head.

"No matter what happens today, I am proud of you. Just attempting to face this fear is another step in the healing process. I will be right beside you."

"Thank you," Elizabeth replied, basking in her husband's supportive words. She was reminded again of the difference between Lucas and Nathan and took comfort in knowing that this was what Jack had wanted for her.

When she pulled away, Nathan released her. "We should get going," Elizabeth said. "I need to be back for Milo and Ethan's reading lessons."

"If you change your mind, I will bring you back here and make the delivery later," Nathan told her.

Elizabeth nodded, the words making her feel cherished. She had no doubt Nathan meant them and would not be upset about the extra time doing so would take. "I will let you know," she assured him.

Nathan nodded and offered her his arm. With a smile, Elizabeth slipped her arm through his. Why had she let fear keep her away from this gentle, kind-hearted man for so long?

Nathan settled her on the wagon seat and then climbed up beside her. With a soft command and flick of the reigns, Cosmo started forward. Nathan kept the horse at a moderate pace as they headed to the youth home. Looping her arm through his, Elizabeth snuggled close to her husband. It wasn't just his warmth she was seeking but the feeling of his strength beside her. Nathan had rescued her that horrible night that Lucas had tied her up and violated her. She could remember him now just sitting beside her, offering her his comfort and strength until Faith had arrived. It was only when he knew she had a doctor and friend beside her that he had left her side. She realized now though, that despite the pain she caused him, Nathan had never stopped caring for her. He had respected her choice and gave her space, but he was always supportive whenever he found a chance.

Elizabeth's hand went to the place where the locket she wore rested, though she couldn't feel the small object under the winter coat she wore. It was there though - now holding pictures of both men she loved and who had loved her in return. She wanted to be worthy of that love and it was time to face and put away this last fear. Now that her old home was the home of Pastor Frank, Edward and their charges, she no longer wanted a natural disaster to get rid of the memories for her. The building was here to stay, and she wanted to be able to go over there and not be overwhelmed by her emotions. Perhaps this visit wouldn't be enough to accomplish that, but it would be a step in that direction.

Husband and wife rode in silence for most of the trip. However, as the wagon approached the final bend before their destination would come into view, Nathan broke the silence. "Do you still want to go through with this?"

Elizabeth nodded, her eyes fastened on the road in front of her. "I need to do this," she finally said, not sure if the words were for her or her husband.

Feeling a hand take one of hers, Elizabeth looked down at their joined hands. It felt like a promise - one to be at her side no matter what. She simply squeezed the hand that held hers in response before pulling it away. Nathan released her hand - reminding her that with Nathan there had never been any pressure or fake dates after she said no.

Lucas' dominant behavior had been there from the beginning. He never accepted that she was still sorting out her feelings for Jack. He had never accepted 'no'. The library non-date was the perfect example. He had orchestrated a date after she had said she wasn't ready. Lucas had never accepted the word no. He had wanted things on his terms and his terms only. Looking back, even his pretense of saying he was letting her go had been a calculated move on his part. He must have hoped that those words would send her running right into his arms - and they had. Watching him walk away from the house that night had brought up the memory and the pain of losing Jack. Suddenly, she hadn't wanted to lose another suitor and Nathan's red uniform seemed like a beacon for that eventuality.

The wagon turned the bend and her old home came into view. Other than a couple of bikes leaning against the house under the cover of the front porch and new curtains in the windows, it looked exactly the same. Elizabeth's eyes remained on the house as they continued forward, memories coming back to her. Seeing it now, she realized that she had never felt any attachment to the building. It had simply been a place to live. The only happy memories that came to mind were ones in which it was just she and her son at home. In hindsight, that alone said a lot.

Nathan pulled the wagon to a stop in front of the house. Having heard their approach, Frank stepped onto the porch.

"Hello, Nathan," the pastor called. Spotting Elizabeth, Frank smiled as he spoke again. "Hello, Elizabeth. It's a pleasure to see you."

"You as well," Elizabeth replied.

As Nathan climbed down from the wagon, Frank approached Elizabeth and offered her his hand. Placing her hand in his, she let him help her down.

"Would you like to go in with your husband first?" Frank asked quietly once Elizabeth had two feet safely on the ground. "Nathan and I can unload the wagon once you've had some time."

Elizabeth nodded. Though he didn't have a lot of the details, Frank knew what had transpired between her and Lucas from his correspondence with Abigail. The older woman had asked Elizabeth's permission to share what was going on. Frank's response had been to relay through Abigail that he was praying for Elizabeth.

"Thank you," Elizabeth murmured as Nathan came around the wagon and joined them.

"Just let me know when you've had enough time," Frank replied, taking his gloves out of his pockets to slip on.

Nathan offered Elizabeth his arm. Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly as she placed her hand in the crook of her husband's elbow.

"Are you ready?" Nathan asked softly.

"Yes," Elizabeth replied, though she felt anything but.

I can do this, she told herself silently. The only thing left in this house is memories, she reminded herself. And I am not alone, she added, the solidness of the arm she held onto assuring her of that.

Together, the two walked silently toward the house that Elizabeth had once called home.