Made For Each Other

Chapter 7

It was Wednesday morning when Elizabeth lay in bed before the light of day had fully woken her, a smile on her face as she softly hummed Let Me Call You Sweetheart. Jack was coming home from the Northern Territories, lifting her off the ground, kissing her passionately and telling her "I am home". Then just like that they were on Jack's land with him showing her the blueprints he had drawn up of the house he would build for her and all the Thornton clan that he planned on having to fill all four bedrooms. Then flashing to a night scene where they were dancing under the stars by candlelight with a small music box Jack had carried with him into the Northern Territories to remind him of her, playing the song that she hummed along to.

As clarity won over sleep, Elizabeth felt a pang of disappointment realizing that once again it was just a dream. Reaching for Jack's picture on the bedside table she looked at it for a moment before pressing it to her chest, "Oh, Jack, I still miss you so much!" her heart cried.

Now fully awake Elizabeth's mind began racing with a jumble of thoughts and questions. It was only three days before her wedding to Lucas, why was she having so many dreams about Jack? Hadn't she made peace with Jack's death and accepted that it was time to move on and let herself find love again when she had taken off her wedding ring?

Why didn't she want Lucas to build her a house to live in?

Yes, Little Jack had been asking questions and, yes, Abigail being here again stirred up many memories, but hadn't she and Lucas also just shared a wonderful evening together the night before?

And once again the haunting thoughts from Friday night began to flood through her mind. "What if Lucas isn't the right man for me. What if we aren't made for each other?"

All this time she had viewed all the romantic dinners and things Lucas did to make her feel special and wanted as the sign that he was the one for her. Yet if she was honest, she knew that they didn't spend that much time talking about the deeper things in life. As she had told Abigail last night, she felt uncomfortable talking to Lucas about Jack or the loss she felt when he was taken from her. She never took him out to Jack's land, never told him how hard it was to raise Little Jack knowing he would never know his real father. She hadn't even told him that one of the reasons she wanted to stay in Hope Valley was so that little Jack could be raised in the footprints of where his father had walked and how she hoped that one day little Jack would be able to live on his father's land. She had never told him she still had the blueprints Jack had drawn up for the house he had planned to build, all in the hope that one day when his son was no longer little he may use them to build a house for the love of his life.

The words she had said to Jack when he was having a hard time opening up to her about his experiences in the Northern territories played through Elizabeth's mind. Jack had said it was in the past and that she wouldn't want to hear about it. Her answer had been, "but we are a couple and successful couples share everything with each other. Even the hard things." The irony struck her that she was now the one who wasn't sharing everything with Lucas.

If she were to be honest about what was, rather than just what she wanted things to be, she would have to admit that Lucas and herself liked and wanted very different things out of life. Lucas loved adventure, seeing new places, taking chances, and trying something new, just for the sake of trying something new. Already she had found herself feeling that his surprises and grand gestures were over the top and, at times, frustrating. What would it be like when they were under the same roof and she didn't have her teaching to keep her busy.? With Jack she had never worried about such things, she knew that wherever he was that's where she would want to be too. What if Lucas decided to move? Would she be happy any place just because he was there?

But before she could take the time to answer all her own questions Little Jack came running in for their morning cuddle. So, breathing a silent prayer as she snuggled her little Man, she asked the Lord, Please make Lucas content to stay in Hope Valley and make him a good father influence for little Jack. And give me peace, as I have already made a commitment to be his wife and the wedding is only three days away. Finally I ask you for help to make it through this last day at the school that I love! Amen.

Elizabeth managed to hold herself together as she handed out the children's end of school grades and gave them each a word of encouragement as to the personal progress she had seen in each one of them between the beginning of school to now. Then it was almost time for family and friends to arrive and for each student to present either a song, short essay, or poem they had worked on during the school year. The whole town was invited so she and the children along with Pastor Joseph quickly set up chairs in front of the schoolhouse, making the steps the stage.

Of course all the families that had students in the class came, as well as Abigail and Laura with little Jack. Rosemary and Lee with little Goldie. Molly, Faith, Fiona, Mei Sue, Florence and Ned, along with Henry, Lucas and Bill all made their appearance to show support as well.

At the end of the program Elizabeth said her final words of farewell, telling them all how much she had loved being their teacher and how much she would miss them but that they were always welcome to come to her for help and that she might even from time to time be able to fill in for their new teacher if needed. Then Pastor Joseph got up for what Elizabeth believed was going to be the closing prayer, but instead he announced that they couldn't finish this lovely end of school program before letting it be known just how blessed and appreciative they all were to Mrs. Thornton for her many years of dedicated service to this school and the children of Hope Valley. As everyone began to clap, Elizabeth could feel the tears welling up in the back of her eyes, threatening to spill over.

Florence, Abigail, Cat Montgomery, and Molly all stepped to the front and began by sharing their memories of when Elizabeth first arrived in what was then called Coal Valley. Cat and Florence shared how they had first met Elizabeth, dirty and bedraggled when arriving in town two weeks later than expected after being through a stagecoach robbery and walking until she had finally gotten a ride in the back of a wagon. They laughed as they shared how they had been sure Elizabeth would never last in a place like Coal Valley, especially after they had seen her frightened by a mouse! But she had surprised them all and probably even herself by not only staying but also overcoming every challenge. Molly shared how much she appreciated the extra effort Elizabeth had put into helping Rosaleen through her grief after the mine disaster and how she was now enjoying her studies at nursing school.

Abigail shared how it had been Elizabeth who had helped her find a reason to go on after losing both her husband and son, and given the support and encouragement she had needed to take a chance and open up the café. She also thanked her for the love and care she had shown to her adopted children and how it was because of Elizabeth's motivation that Becky had pursued her talent and was now working as an engineer in Calgary.

After the four ladies sat down, many of her current and former students took turns stepping up to share favorite memories or to say a word of thanks for her never giving up on them. By the time Pastor Joseph did say the closing prayer there was hardly a dry eye in the gathering to be found.

After everyone enjoyed some of the refreshments Minnie provided there became quite a line of students and families each sharing a hug or words of personal thanks before heading back to their homes or places of employment. After embracing Allie, Elizabeth unthinkingly reached up and gave Nathan a hug as well. Taken off guard, it took Nathan a second to respond before he wrapped her in his strong arms. Elizabeth immediately felt a strange sense of belonging and feeling of safety she hadn't felt from an embrace in a long time. Pulling away, she hoped she didn't look flushed by the sudden warmth she felt rising within her and quickly turned her full attention back to Allie, unable to look up at Nathan.

Once all but those who volunteered to clean up were gone from the school yard Elizabeth headed back into the building to begin taking down the school decorations and pack up her personal teaching things along with, of course, the cow bell that Jack had given her. She stopped and ran her hand lovingly over the hand carved wooden sign that read "The Jack Thornton School" then walking up to her desk she took one final look around the room so that it would forever be etched into her memories.

After given Joseph a hand with taking down the extra tables and chairs that had been brought over from the cafe, Lucas walked into the schoolhouse and coming up behind her as she was focused on taking down the school decor he put his arms around her and whispered in her ear "just three more days and you will no longer be Mrs. Thornton but Mrs. Lucas Bouchard!", giving her a kiss on the cheek.

Elizabeth felt a knot in her stomach. Did Lucas really expect her to drop Thornton from her name altogether? Turning to face him she said in a tentative voice, "I was thinking I would keep Thornton and simply add Bouchard". Trying to smile she could sense from his expression that this wasn't what he had been expecting her to say. She realized this was yet one more thing that they hadn't actually taken the time to talk about until now but trying to keep him from being hurt she began explaining the reasons why she would want to keep Thornton as part of her name. "Little Jack will always be a Thornton and I don't want him to not have at least one parent with his same last name. Also, I have written a book as Elizabeth Thornton, so it would make sense to keep the name in case I publish another book at some point..." Elizabeth waited hoping Lucas would understand.

Seeming to have adjusted to the thought Lucas answered, "Of course, I wasn't thinking of that, I can see your point with little Jack and your books, so I will simply have to be fine with Mrs. Elizabeth Thornton Bouchard" and he gave her a kiss.

Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief and gave him one of her I really hope I didn't hurt you smiles before he asked her if there was anything she needed help with before he headed back to the hotel to make sure that the rooms for her family were ready for their arrival on the late afternoon train. With only a few things left to do they got all the decorations down before Lucas headed back.

Then Elizabeth slowly closed the door to one chapter of her life. walked down the schoolhouse steps not daring to look behind her.

Note to my readers.

Despite the fact that in the tv show When Calls The Heart Elizabath teaches and plans to continue to teach even after she is married. In the era it is set in, of early 1900s-1920s once a schoolteacher married, her school teaching years would have ended.