Rosemary Coulter was a bustle of activity as she and the ladies of Hope Valley put the final touches on the decorations for Nathan's retirement party. Present, to help with the heavier lifting and chores that required height, were Jessie Flynne, Lucas Bouchard, and Sean Thornton, the town's resident librarian, theologian, and nurse to his wife Dr. Faith Thornton. Sean also doubled as a sort of morale booster whenever someone felt down. He would charm everyone with his fantastical stories about Irish folklore and mythology, as well as some humorous anecdotes of his childhood in Castlemaine, but he noticeably steered clear of talking about his life in-between childhood and his arrival in Hope Valley, and to those who knew, it was clear why he did.
"Sean, when are Lucas and Nathan supposed to return from fishing", Rosemary looked satisfied with the decorations and was ready to put them to use.
"It should be anytime now", Sean replied, his Irish-Aussie accent having taken on a more Canadian tone, "but then again, they might be lost in conversation".
"Well then you better go find them Mr. Thornton".
Sean chuckled, gave his wife a peck on the cheek, and went off to find his friends.
Rosemary, having finished her work, went to sit with Elizabeth on the porch.
"What are you feeling Elizabeth"?
"Not sure right now".
"It's not a sad thing that Nathan is retiring".
"I know, it's just that from the first day I met Jack, I've never lived a single moment without a mountie being a part of my life. With Nathan retiring it's like our story is changing".
"Elizabeth, your story changed when you remarried".
"I know, but it used to be the story of a teacher and a mountie".
"And now it's the story of a retiring teacher and a retired mountie".
"Retiring "?
"Oh please Elizabeth, everyone knows your getting tired. You're ready to spend every waking moment with your lifetime. I mean, that's why Allie is back, right? After the school year ends Allie is going to be the new teacher, then Hope Valley will have a new chapter in the story of "The Mountie and the Teacher".
"Rosemary, sometimes i think you're a prophetess".
"Oh I definitely am. God gave me a gift you know".
The retirement party was a resounding success. Nathan, to his chagrin, was the center of attention, and everyone was congragulating him and thanking him for a job well done. He was happy though, happy to be with friends and family, and happy that a good mountie was replacing him.
"Daddy", Nathan opened his resting eyes. The sun was setting, his friends had gone home. Lily was resting her sleeping head against on his knee. He leaned down, picked her up and held her close.
"Did you have a good day angel", she knodded and yawned.
"Daddy, can you tell me a story"?
"A story...hmmm, what kind if story"?
"Tell me about when you met Mama Charlotte". Nathan smiled and chuckled.
"You always ask to hear that story Lily-bug".
"I love it".
"You love Mama Charlotte alot, huh"?
Lily yawned and nodded".
"Alright sweetie. Well, as you know, I met Mama Charlotte the day before I married mommy. It's also the day i met Uncle Tom".
12 Years Ago
Nathan Grant was just locking away his revolver and ammo pouch when someone knocked on the office door. He turned to see an older woman standing in the door way, her dark hair graying, dressed in riding pants, a brown leather duster, and a sad smile on her face.
"Hello, can I help you"?
"Are you Nathan Grant"?
"Constable Grant, yes ma'am. I'm still on duty".
The woman threw her head back in exasperation, but her smile was not one of annoyance.
"You sound just like Jack".
"Ma'am "?
"Sorry", she said, stepping towards him and offering her hand, "I'm Charlotte Thornton ".
At that moment it clicked in Nathan's mind. This was Jack's mother. Now he could see the resemblance, it was so strong it was surprising that he hadn't thought about it.
"Ma'am, it's a pleasure to meet you".
"For me as well Nathan, it's not everyday you meet someone that's worthy of being your son's successor".
Nathan blushed an almighty red at the compliment.
"Mrs. Thornton, I'm afraid you think of me much more highly than I deserve".
"Mr. Grant", the tone that Charlotte Thornton used made Nathan feel like a school boy again, "If you're good enough a man to make my Elizabeth and grandson happy, and to protect this town, then i would call that a worthy successor to my son. Now come here and give me a hug".
As Nathan and Charlotte embraced for the first time, Nathan felt, for the first time, that Sargent Jack Thornton was affirming his relationship with Elizabeth.
"Mom, Elizabeth is marrying him, not you".
Outside, Nathan could see a young, blonde haired man with a fiery redhead at his side. From the pictures Elizabeth had shown him he knew that this was Julie Thatcher or, going off of the ring on hers and the mans left hands, Julie Thornton. Which made the blonde man Tom Thornton.
12 Years Later
Nathan felt Lily drift off in his arms. Carefully he stood and carried her inside. When he came back outside Elizabeth was waiting for him with a cup of hot cider.
"Here's to us, Mr. Grant".
"May we be as happy at the end of our days as we are right now, Mrs. Grant". As husband and wife sat back in their chairs, watching the evening sun going down, they were ready for the next chapter of their lives.