AN: Thank you everyone who has supported me along the journey of writing my very first fan fiction and very first story. Thank you so much for your patience (especially at the end when I was so slow posting updates).

Thank you to all the members of SNS - your interest, kind words and dedication to making sure people were able to find and read our stories and for taking the time out of your own busy lives to organise challenges and catch ups.

Jillian

Nathan helped Allie from the car, waiting by her side as Anna and Opal straightened her dress. Quinn stood beside him, holding Avery's hand as they waited for Allie. Nathan had seen Rosemary hurry inside when they approached, giving the signal to those waiting to get ready for their entrance.

Isobel and Rosemary stepped outside the Church and took charge of the younger children involved in the wedding party, ensuring they were in their places and ready. Quinn handed Avery to Isobel and focused her attention on Nathan. Although it was Allie and Cody's day, she knew how hard this was for her husband, despite him pretending it wasn't.

Quinn looked on as Allie whispered something to her dad, making him smile and nod as he touched her cheek. Nathan turned to her then and smiled the crooked smile she loved. She smiled back at both as they walked toward her, as Anna and Opal took their places at the bottom of the stairs to the church house.

"Are you two ready?" Quinn asked, looking at their beaming faces.

"Yeeees," Allie drawled, but from her response, Quinn could see she was holding something back.

"What is it, Allie? Are you feeling okay?" Quinn said, frowning as she put her hand against Allie's forehead to see if she felt warm. "You don't feel warm, and while your cheeks are flushed, I hoped that was excitement."

"I just needed to check that you weren't upset that I didn't ask you and Dad to walk me down the aisle. It has nothing to do with how I feel about you, Quinn, but it felt like it should just be the two of us today... like it was at the beginning."

"Allie! Of course, I understand. I agree with you; this is how it should be, and I would never be upset by that."

"If you understand, then I am ready. I can't wait; this moment has taken forever to get here."

"Well, let's go!" Quinn said, laughing. "Let me go ahead so I can get the best view of the two of you."

Kissing first Allie, then Nathan Quinn hurried toward the Church, and after a quick word with Anna and Opal, she hurried inside. Entering the Church, her eyes roamed over the pews, looking for her children. She smiled at each of them in turn, waving at the little ones where they sat with Isobel. Footsteps approaching her drew her attention away from Harry, and she looked up to see Cody before her.

"Can I escort you down the aisle, Quinn?" he asked.

"Thank you, Cody," Quinn said, taking his arm and walking with him. "How nervous are you?" she whispered as they walked to the front of the Church.

"You mean you can't feel my arm shaking?" he joked. "I'm surprised my legs are holding up."

"You'll be fine, although I am looking forward to seeing your face when you see Allie," she teased. Quinn regretted her teasing when she saw tears well in Cody's eyes before he quickly blinked them away. She tightened her hand on his arm before smiling apologetically, "I didn't mean to upset you."

"You didn't; it's just...today has taken forever to get here, and the anticipation is killing me."

"It will be worth the wait, I promise." As they reached her seat, Quinn took a moment to speak to Abigail, and between them, they made sure the groomsmen and Cody were all picture-perfect and ready for the wedding to begin.

Rosemary sat at the piano and began playing, signalling to the crowd it was time. Quinn's heart swelled with love as she stood alongside their friends and family, watching Avery and the others stroll down the aisle.

Quinn held her breath as the curtains drew back for a second time, and she saw Allie standing there with her father. Quinn smiled at Nathan, who had caught her eye, before quickly looking at Cody. His reaction was everything she had hoped for. Tears filled his eyes again, and his face was lit up with a beautiful smile. He was mesmerised by his future wife, and Quinn knew everything else had faded away; there were only the two of them at that moment.

The service seemed to go quickly; once Nathan joined her, the words, the vows, and the shy 'first' kiss seemed over in just a few moments. In what felt like a heartbeat, Quinn was holding Nathan's hand as they followed Abigail, Allie, and Cody down the aisle and outside the Church, laughter and cheers from the congregation ringing in their ears.

As they rushed outside, Quinn blinked as her eyes adjusted to the bright sunshine. Her eyes roamed the crowd, looking for the two surprise guests. Nathan's parents had arrived late the night before, insisting it was too late to disturb everyone, they decided to go straight to the Queen of Hearts before attending the day's ceremony and festivities. Allie had resigned herself to not having her grandparents in attendance, and Quinn couldn't wait to see her reaction when she spotted them. Cody and Abigail had a similar surprise when Becky arrived the day before the wedding after saying she couldn't make it. Allie and Becky had hit it off immediately, and Quinn was pleased for the two women that they forged a bond so quickly.

"Grandpa!"

Quinn heard the excited squeal and turned to see Allie throw herself into Archie Grant's arms; her surprise evident. Quinn wondered if Archie's hearing would recover from Allie's squeal in his ear when she saw her grandmother standing behind him.

"Mummy," Avery called to her. "Who is the man Allie's hugging?"

Quinn knelt beside her daughter and said, "that is your grandpa, Archie. You did meet him when you were much smaller, but you probably don't remember him."

"That lady with them is your grandmother," Nathan explained, kneeling beside her. "They have both been looking forward to seeing you and your brothers."

Allie drew her grandparents forward toward her parents, talking a mile a minute to them as she asked about their trip, saying how wonderful it was to see them and introducing them to Cody all simultaneously.

"Avery, you were wonderful! You did such a good job." Allie lifted her little sister into her arms and kissed her cheek. "Are you ready to say hello to Grandma and Grandpop?"

Quinn stood with Nathan and watched as their youngest daughter said hello to Nathan's parents, hiding her face in Allie's shoulder, shyness overcoming her natural exuberance.

"It was beautiful," Nathan whispered into Quinn's ear. "I think Allie liked the surprise."

Quinn laughed, "I think that's a definite yes. I am not surprised she didn't see them in the Church; she only had eyes for Cody." Quinn chuckled before adding, "I doubt Cody would have noticed a herd of elephants; he was so nervous until Allie arrived."

"It was the same for her; the moment we stepped inside the Church, and she saw him, her whole body relaxed."

"What about you? Have you relaxed?" Quinn knew Nathan had been wound up all morning; he was excited and concerned, happy and sad at the same time. He wanted all the happiness in the world for Allie but wanted everything to stay the same, too.

"Dad, Quinn! Come over for a family photo, please." Allie called, and Quinn and Nathan walked toward the bridal party, following Allie and her Grandparents, ready to take their place with the group posing for Mike.

Nathan never did answer her question.

After the photos were taken and Allie and Cody were congratulated by their guests, Quinn and Nathan led the way to their home, where a large tent had been set up outside the barn, ready to host everyone. Rosemary, Elizabeth, Faith, and Fiona arrived shortly after they did, having volunteered to help bring out the food and drinks for the buffet.

The reception was lovely, and Quinn was pleased that the lunch was relaxed and full of laughter and joy. The youngest children were amusing themselves by playing on bales of hay and other items Nathan had set up nearby so their parents could still watch over them. Everyone else had spread around the tables they had set up, enjoying the variety of food from the buffet. Allie and Cody spent time with each table of guests, Allie making sure to reacquaint everyone with Archie and introduce her grandmother. Quinn knew Monica Grant was like Nathan, shy with those she didn't know, but as predicted, the Hope Valley Townspeople welcomed her with open arms and she was soon chatting as if amongst old friends.

When everyone had finished eating, the formal part of the afternoon started as Allie and Cody stood together and thanked everyone for coming. The happy couple did not want too many formalities, although Allie had asked her father to speak, and Cody asked Abigail too. Quinn felt Nathan tense beside her and knew he was worried about the speech he had to make. Her husband hated to speak in public; being naturally shy, he always felt uncomfortable standing up in front of groups of people.

When Mike, who was sharing the role of Master of Ceremonies and wedding photographer with Fiona, called out to Nathan, he squeezed her hand before smiling and walking toward Allie and Cody. Quinn watched as Nathan nervously reached into his suit pocket, collecting the speech he had so painstakingly written.

Quinn sat back in her chair, watching Nathan, and when their eyes met, she winked, earning a quick smile from him before he dipped his head to the paper in his hand. When he looked back up at the crowd, some of his nerves had disappeared.

Quinn sat back in her seat, watching her husband welcome their guests to the wedding, acknowledging his parents and others who had travelled to be there along with everyone else. Quinn looked at Allie first, then Cody and then their friends as Nathan spoke of his deep and abiding love for Allie and his family before he mentioned his sister, Colleen, and the hole in their lives her absence had left...would always leave. She smiled as she listened to Nathan reminisce about Allie as a little girl, a teenager, and now a married woman, about to embark on this newest chapter of her life. Nathan welcomed Abigail and Becky into their family. Nathan saved his welcome to Cody for last, speaking of his respect and admiration for him as a person and how proud he was to call him son.

There wasn't a dry eye in the crowd when Nathan finished his speech, and Allie threw herself into his arms, tears sliding down her cheeks. Quinn stood when he approached their table, giving him her hug.

"You were wonderful," Quinn whispered.

"It isn't hard to be wonderful speaking about the two of them; the words write themselves."

Nathan held Quinn's hand under the table as first Abigail spoke, then Bill and Lee. Robert and Opal spoke too, short, sweet speeches about their two friends, earning laughs from the crowd as one after the other they told stories about Cody and Allie's childhoods, some their parents were hearing for the first time.

As evening fell, Quinn stood beside Nathan, waiting their turn to say goodbye to Allie and Cody. They were spending the night in Bill's cabin before leaving for their honeymoon the following morning. The cleaning up had already been done by the army of women and men who offered to help them, allowing Allie and Cody to sit with their friends, grandparents and others who wanted to spend time with them. Sam, Avery, and Harry were inside with Isobel; having already said their goodbyes, they were settled in the lounge room with the other children, resting as she read them stories.

Quinn released Nathan's hand as Allie threw herself into Quinn's arms, hugging her tightly.

"Thank you for everything you have done for me today, Quinn. Everything you have ever done for me. I am so happy!"

"That's all I ever want for you, sweetie."

Quinn released Allie into her father's embrace, and while she couldn't hear what was said, there were tears in both their eyes when they stepped apart.

After the happy couple had driven away in a whirl of dust and cheers, the guests started to leave, heading home or to their accommodation. Quinn and Nathan settled his parents into Allie's room and said goodbye to those leaving until only a handful of people remained.

Quinn took a moment to sit, reflecting on how wonderful the day had been, smiling at how happy Allie and Cody were, how perfect they were for each other. Feeling a hand on her shoulder, Quinn turned and saw Abigail standing behind her. She patted the vacant chair beside her, inviting her to sit down.

After Abigail was settled, she turned and met Quinn's eyes with a smile.

"Are you happy with the way everything turned out today?"

"I am, Abigail," Quinn said with a sigh. "I am glad it went well, but I am also sorry it's over."

"I know, although this ending means a new beginning for them."

"I wish that new beginning was in Hope Valley," Quinn said with a sad smile. "Allie being married makes her absence seem more final, and I must finally admit she doesn't live here anymore."

"For now."

"For now?" Quinn asked her, confused. "Do you know something I don't?"

"Only that Hope Valley has a way of getting into your heart and soul. You know what it's like, Quinn. How long did it take for Hope Valley to feel like home after you arrived?"

"Not long at all; meeting Nathan and Allie helped, of course, but even if I hadn't, Hope Valley was in my heart, and I would have stayed."

"And like me, when it is your home, you can't stay away forever." Abigail leaned toward her and smiled, whispering, "There is something about this place that draws people here and brings them back. They'll be home, eventually, but until then, we send them off on their adventures, knowing we are here for them."

Quinn nodded as she listened but didn't respond. She searched the people still gathered, her eyes finding her husband. He was standing with Gabriel, Lee, Bill, and Ned, laughing at something Lee said. The sight of him still made her heart flutter like the first moment she saw him in the livery where she had been talking to Allie. Quinn remembered how devastated she had been when she arrived in Hope Valley after having her world ripped apart. Everyone had made her feel welcome, and she had become whole again with Nathan and Allie's love and support.

Nathan turned toward Quinn, as though he had felt her gaze upon him. He smiled at her, that wonderful, crooked smile she loved so much and lifted his hand in a small wave of acknowledgement. She thought of her children inside her beautiful home, the friends she had made who quickly felt like family, how the Townspeople supported one another, and how Hope Valley had some magical way of helping people heal deep within their souls.

"You're right, Abigail. We will always be here to welcome them home."