Elizabeth stared at Nathan, mouth gaping. He looked back at her calmly, unflinching, letting her take the time to absorb the significance of his words. She could hardly believe her own ears. Had Nathan truly just said what she thought he'd said?

Conflicting emotions swirled through her. Part of her wanted nothing more than to tell him yes, to cling to the solution he gave her, to be able to keep her job and to avoid the disgrace that would come from being unmarried and pregnant. She knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Nathan would treat her well. He would be a good husband and a good father to her children. But another part of her resisted. She couldn't possibly accept his offer. He would be giving up too much and receiving nothing in return.

"I can't," she whispered, shaking her head. "You deserve a wife who will love you wholeheartedly, Nathan, not a broken woman who can't figure out her own feelings. I've hurt you too many times already, and I can't promise that I would ever be able to love you the way you deserve to be loved. You would lose your chance to find someone who's right for you. You would be sacrificing too much. I can't let you do that."

"Yes, you can," Nathan replied steadily. "I love you, Elizabeth. I want to be there for you." His grip on her hand tightened slightly. "This isn't a decision I made on a spur of the moment. It's something that's been on my mind since you told me about the baby."

Elizabeth started in surprise. "It has?"

Nathan nodded. "I thought about it the whole time I was out of town. But I didn't think anything would come of it because you and Lucas were together. I didn't think it was my place. But now…" He looked down as if gathering his courage before continuing. "You and I are friends. That won't change if we marry. What would change is that you would be able to keep your job. You wouldn't have to raise your children alone. We could do it together. You wouldn't have to face public humiliation and shame for being pregnant without having a husband." He paused, his gaze never wavering from hers. "And this marriage would be whatever you want it to be. If our relationship never moves past friendship, I would accept that. I will never pressure you for more than you're willing to give."

She couldn't help staring once again. "You would give that up?" she asked, stunned. "You would be willing to have a platonic marriage?"

Nathan nodded, not a hint of hesitation in his eyes. "Yes. If that's what would make you comfortable."

"But...but…" Elizabeth stammered for words. "Don't you want the chance to have children of your own? If you marry me, that might never happen. Would you really be able to give that up?"

Nathan smiled slightly. "I never expected to fall in love," he admitted. "I thought my life as a Mountie would mean a life without marriage and children. But when Colleen died and I became Allie's guardian, I realized how much I loved children. I became a father the day Allie became mine." His eyes softened. "I can assure you that I will love Jack and your unborn child as much as I love Allie. I would consider all three of them to be my own children." He stopped, searching her eyes. "If that's what you want. I have no intention of replacing Jack, Elizabeth. He will always be little Jack's father. But if you're open to it, I would love him and raise him as my own son. And I will be a father to your unborn child as well, loving him or her just as much as Allie and Jack." He smiled. "So regardless of whether I ever become a biological father, I will have children of my own. I already have one, and if you marry me I'll have two more."

Elizabeth couldn't speak. His sincerity was evident, and she couldn't help contrasting his response with the response she'd gotten from Lucas. They couldn't have been more different. But more than that, Elizabeth's heart thawed slightly as she realized what marrying Nathan would mean for her children. Jack would finally know what it was like to have a father. Her baby would be born into a family that showered it with love and affection, despite the circumstances surrounding his or her existence. She knew what her answer should be, simply based on what would be best for Jack and the baby.

She also knew it would be best for her. Nathan loved her. He had proven that over and again. He could provide for his family and he would be a faithful husband. She knew he would continue to love her. And as she had realized on the dock just days before, she knew she had made a mistake in choosing Lucas. Elizabeth didn't believe she was in love with Nathan, but she wondered if she could get there someday. He was a good man with a heart of gold, a man who was willing to sacrifice his own dreams in order to protect her and her children. A small voice inside cried out for her to accept his offer, to let him love her, to let him free her from shame and humiliation.

But though her heart prompted her to say yes, still her mind resisted. How could she rob Nathan of the chance to find true love? If he married her, he would be throwing away his chance to find a woman who loved him equally and truly. He would be throwing away his chance for a love-filled marriage, the kind every person dreamed of having. She'd never imagined he would be open to a chaste marriage. How could she say yes? How was that fair to him?

"You deserve real love," she whispered, reiterating what she'd said before. "You have so much to give. I can't let you waste it on me. I wish I could promise to love you in return, but I can't. I don't know if I'll ever be able to give you my love." She sniffed, tears springing to her eyes. "Maybe we only do love only once. Maybe Jack was my once in a lifetime love. You should find your lifetime love, Nathan. Don't throw your life away on me."

Nathan studied her, his eyes soft and full of a love that took her breath away. "And what will you do then?" he asked, his voice quiet. "When you've lost your job and have no way to support yourself? Will you go back to Hamilton?"

Elizabeth inhaled sharply. She hadn't thought that far ahead. But he was right; she wouldn't be able to support herself without a job. Teaching was her calling. If she gave that up, what did she have left? And the thought of going home was out of the question. She knew her parents would understand if she told them her story, but she would be subject to even more scrutiny and speculation in Hamilton than she would be in Hope Valley. She also knew without a doubt that her parents would try to marry her off to cover her disgrace. They would think that was simply what must be done.

Gentle pressure on her hand brought her back to Nathan. She looked at him, her tears beginning to spill over her cheeks. Nathan reached up to wipe them away, compassion written on his face.

"You said it wouldn't be fair to me," he said softly. "But what about you, Elizabeth? Nothing about this situation is fair to you. Through no fault of your own you were assaulted by a man bent on revenge. Through no fault of your own you found yourself pregnant. You're facing the prospect of being judged and condemned for something that was outside of your control. That's not fair. You're facing the reality of raising that man's child on your own while people look at you and think you did something wrong. That's not fair. You're on the verge of losing the job you love because we live in a world that punishes a woman for the appearance of indiscretion, regardless of whether it's the truth or not. That's not fair. You should be able to keep doing what you love. You're an amazing teacher who changes the lives of your students for the better. We need people like you teaching our children."

Elizabeth trembled. What he said touched her heart. He was breaking through her defenses. But she had one last objection.

"What about Allie?" she asked, hands shaking. "She has avoided me for the last two months. She never walks to school with us, only with Opal. She only speaks to me when I ask her a direct question. I don't think she would be happy about us getting married."

"You're right," Nathan admitted. "She won't be happy. But she will accept it. Maybe this will allow the two of you to mend your relationship. Allie did want us to get together. Maybe this would help soften her heart toward you again." He smiled gently. "Any other objections? I know this is sudden, Elizabeth. It's a huge decision, one that will impact your life and my life and our children's lives. But we don't have much time. If this is going to happen, it has to happen this evening. Mr. Landis will follow through on his threat in the morning."

Elizabeth's throat constricted. "Nathan, I want to say yes. But…" She hesitated, sniffing as she tried desperately to regain some control of herself. Nathan waited patiently for her to continue.

Taking a deep breath to fortify herself, Elizabeth looked him in the eye. "Do you realize what this is going to do to you?" she asked. "To your reputation? Mr. Landis already accused you of being the father of my child. Others will think the same. Us getting married suddenly will raise eyebrows regardless, but once people realize I'm pregnant, they're going to think we got married to cover the fact that I'm pregnant because of you. It could impact how people see you. Are you really willing to live with that judgement?"

"Yes," Nathan said. Once again, there was no hesitation or tremor in his voice. He looked calm and serene, a shelter in the storm. He didn't say anything else. He simply watched her, his invitation clear, waiting for an answer.

Elizabeth had nothing more to protest. She sat silently, debating within herself. The love Nathan was offering her was so deep, so sacrificial, she couldn't comprehend it. He was giving her a way out of her predicament while taking no thought for himself. He was willing to take on the unmerited judgement that surely would come. He was offering her a lifetime together with him, a lifetime in which they worked in tandem to raise the three children between them, a lifetime in which she knew he would continue to love her, no matter what that looked like.

Nathan's deep blue eyes gazed into hers, ever patient and gentle. Elizabeth fell into their depths, feeling her unworthiness. After everything she'd put him through, she didn't deserve a love like his. Deep, fervent, unconditional. It would have served her right to spend a lifetime in the shallow depths with Lucas.

Instead, she was being offered the chance to receive a love unlike any she'd known before. A love that gave without asking anything in return. Tears filled her eyes once more. She felt a longing inside, one that she couldn't define. She felt something else as well, something that sprang gently to the surface of her consciousness: a desire to let herself rest under Nathan's love and protection, to finally stop running, to take a chance on a future with him. It terrified her while also making her feel safe. The paradox made no sense, but she knew she would have a good life with him, regardless of whether she ever fell in love.

The circumstances that threw them together were awful, filled with pain. The road ahead wouldn't be easy. Elizabeth was under no illusions. She might be safe with Nathan, but there were bound to be difficult times ahead as they tried to navigate family life together. It would be difficult knowing he was in love with her while she couldn't offer him what he wanted. Theirs would be a marriage of convenience more than anything else. But she couldn't deny the relief that filled her as she spoke the words that would change her life forever.

"I'll marry you."

Nathan squeezed her hand, looking at her tenderly. "Alright." They sat for a few moments taking in the fact that their lives were about to be joined. Finally, Nathan stood, releasing her hand. "I'll go talk to Bill. I can ask him to meet us at the Coulters' house after dinner if that works for you. Maybe he can perform the ceremony there."

Elizabeth nodded woodenly, reality sinking in. The unfairness of their situation pressed in on her. She felt more conflicted than she ever had before. She knew marrying Nathan was the right decision, but she couldn't help the thought that he was giving up so much to protect her.

Nathan placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing lightly. "It's going to be okay, Elizabeth."

She swallowed, looking up at him. He looked so confident and sure. She smiled weakly, trying to draw strength from his words.

Maybe he was right.

"You did what?!"

Nathan had heard Allie screech multiple times over the years, but nothing like this. She stared at him, hands clenched into fists at her side, disbelief warring with anger on her face. "How could you, Uncle Nathan?" she cried. "You decided to marry Mrs. Thornton without even talking to me? Tonight?!"

Trying to diffuse her anger, Nathan placed his hands on her shoulders. "Allie, the circumstances that brought this about are unusual. I promise I'll explain more later. Mrs. Thornton doesn't have much choice. I know this doesn't make sense, and it might not make sense for a while. But I need you to trust me."

Allie stepped back, out of his reach. "Why does she need to marry you?" she asked, her words biting and sarcastic. "Did Lucas get her pregnant and then run away?"

"Allison Mays Grant!" Nathan gasped, shocked at the words that spewed from his daughter's mouth. "That was uncalled for!"

She wilted slightly under his stern look, but anger quickly bolstered her once more. "Everyone knows Mr. Bouchard left town this morning. And now you're marrying Mrs. Thornton?" She crossed her arms. "Seems suspicious to me."

Nathan paused. He hadn't known Lucas left town. But regardless, Allie's estimation of both Lucas and Elizabeth was severely misjudged.

"Allie, Mr. Bouchard and Mrs. Thornton did nothing wrong. He did not 'get her pregnant', as you so bluntly put it. And that's no way to talk about your elders. I taught you better than that, young lady."

Allie sighed, looking down. "Yes, sir. I'm sorry." She blinked back tears. "But Uncle Nathan, why are you marrying her? She's done nothing but hurt you, and now you're getting married?" She choked on a sob. "She hurt me too by hurting you."

Nathan's heart broke a little for his daughter. Wrapping her in his arms, he pulled her close. "I know she hurt us," he said, resting his head against Allie's. "But she regrets that. And she needs me, Allie. She needs us."

"Why?" Allie asked, sniffing against his chest. "Why does she need us and why should we help her after all she's done?"

Nathan sighed internally. Allie's questions were valid. He couldn't discount them. Her reaction was natural and frank. He pointed to the settee. "Let's sit." They did, and Nathan settled an arm around her shoulders. "Allie, what I'm about to tell you cannot be spoken of to anyone else. Mrs. Thornton agreed to let me tell you, but you have to keep it a secret. Understand?"

Allie looked up at him, her brown eyes solemn. "Yes, Uncle Nathan."

He measured his words carefully. Because of his profession, Allie knew more about life than most children her age, but he knew the news would still come as a shock. "Mrs. Thornton is pregnant, Allie, but not because of Mr. Bouchard. She was raped two months ago."

Allie gasped, horror filling her features. Even if she was upset with Elizabeth, she would never wish that kind of pain on anyone. "She was?" she asked, her voice small. "Is she okay?"

"No, she's not," Nathan said honestly. "She struggles everyday. She's scared. She's marrying me because she has no other choice." He pulled Allie closer. "I know this is going to be hard, especially for you and for Mrs. Thornton. But it'll give us all a chance to grow closer. It'll give you and me a chance to practice forgiveness." He raised Allie's chin with a finger. "Forgiveness is important, Allie. You need to try to let go of your bitterness toward Mrs. Thornton. She made mistakes in the past, but now she's hurting and she needs us. Can you try to do that, honey?"

"I've been trying," Allie said with a sigh. "I thought keeping my distance would help. But I still feel so angry inside. How do I let go?"

"You have to pray for the strength to do so," Nathan said. "And you have to make the choice every single day to choose to love. Eventually your feelings will catch up with your actions."

Allie eyed him. "I hope you don't expect me to do that perfectly," she said, sounding wary. "It doesn't sound easy."

Nathan chuckled, thankful for her honesty. "I don't expect perfection," he said, kissing her forehead. "I just expect you to try." He looked at the clock, then looked at Allie. "We can talk more about this later, maybe even with Mrs. Thornton. But for now, why don't you change into a dress? We need to head to the Coulter's soon."

"Alright," Allie said, rising reluctantly. "But if this is a forced marriage, why do we have to dress up?"

Nathan stood with her. "First of all, it's not a forced marriage. It will still be a covenant in the eyes of God, and that is something that is special even if the circumstances aren't ideal. Second, it conveys respect for the family unit we're about to become. Third, I think Mrs. Thornton would appreciate it."

Allie caught herself as she was about to roll her eyes. Nathan hid a smile, knowing that was the first step she made in trying to forgive Elizabeth. She nodded, heading up the stairs to change. Nathan followed, going into his own room. He stopped and looked around. The rowhouse had only two bedrooms. He couldn't offer Elizabeth a room of her own. Jack would have to share with them or with Allie. When the baby came, there would be even less space. Nathan made a mental note to look into buying land again. If they were to be a family, they would need a home of their own, not a rowhouse rental.

He found the blue suit he'd worn to Jesse and Clara's wedding and quickly changed. Checking the mirror, he straightened the tie that was perpetually askew. Satisfied with his appearance, he went back downstairs to wait for Allie.

He didn't have to wait long. She came down wearing the same dress she'd worn at her adoption ceremony. Her hair was tied back in a braid, and she wore a small smile.

Nathan pulled her into an embrace. "You look beautiful, sweetheart."

Allie's smile grew. "Thanks, Uncle Nathan. You don't look so bad yourself."

Nathan chuckled. "A compliment indeed." He looped an arm around her. "Are you ready?"

"I suppose I have to be," Allie replied. "I still don't like this, but for you I'll do it."

"Thank you," Nathan said, pulling her closer. "That means a lot."

They made it to the Coulter's house at the same time as Bill. To say the older man had been shocked when Nathan explained the situation earlier would be an understatement. Bill hadn't been able to speak for a full minute, a testament to his surprise. But he had agreed readily to perform the marriage ceremony, knowing that it was in Elizabeth's best interest. They all went into the house together. Lee was waiting for them, holding Jack by the hand.

"The women are just about ready," he said. Nathan nodded, his hands beginning to sweat. Nerves tried to take over, but he breathed deeply to dispel them as best he could.

He was about to marry Elizabeth Thornton.

Life was a funny thing. He'd dreamed of marrying her ever since he realized he was in love with her. And now that dream was technically coming true. But it wasn't for the reasons or the purpose that he expected. They would deepen the friendship they had already developed and raise their children together, but that would likely be the extent of it. Nathan accepted that fact. He'd meant every word he said to her.

He would love her every single day, whether she ever loved him back or not.

The sound of footsteps reached his ears. He turned to see Elizabeth walking down the steps, with Rosemary close behind her. His bride-to-be was wearing the white dress she'd worn to Jack's christening, with her hair pulled up in a simple but lovely style.

She was beautiful.

Elizabeth smiled at him timidly when she reached his side. Nathan took her hand, wanting to alleviate the tension he saw on her face. "Are you alright?" he asked softly.

She nodded once. "I think so."

Nathan resisted the urge to cup her cheek, knowing it wouldn't be the best idea in front of their audience. "You look beautiful."

A soft blush graced her cheeks. "Thank you." She then turned to Allie. "Hi, Allie."

"Hi, Mrs. Thornton," Allie replied, giving her teacher a small but genuine smile. Nathan's heart gladdened at the tiny gesture. He knew it would be a long road for Allie to trust Elizabeth the way she once had, but maybe healing wasn't as far off as he feared.

Bill clasped his hands. "Shall we get started?" he asked, looking from Nathan to Elizabeth.

They nodded, stepping forward to stand in front of him. Allie stood to the side with Lee and Rosemary and Jack, the four witnesses to the marriage about to form. Nathan once again felt nerves hit him, and this time they wouldn't leave. Telling himself that was normal, he tried to focus on Bill's words.

His friend kept the ceremony brief, sticking to the basic, traditional formula. Nathan appreciated the simplicity of the marriage vows, the simple "I dos" the only thing he and Elizabeth had to say. When Bill asked for the rings, Rosemary held out two small golden bands. Gratitude swept over Nathan, and he shot Rosemary a smile of thanks. She smiled back, nodding in understanding.

The entire wedding lasted only five minutes. When Bill pronounced them man and wife, Nathan looked into Elizabeth's eyes as he held her hands, searching the sapphire depths to see how she was feeling. He saw many emotions reflected there: fear, relief, nervousness, angst. She didn't shrink from his gaze, but met it with vulnerability. Nathan felt a fierce protectiveness sweep over him, a longing to care for his new wife to the best of his ability.

His wife.

The words exploded through his body. They were now permanently joined together, their two lives becoming one. Nathan drew her gently into his arms, once more offering her his strength. She accepted it willingly, melting against him and letting out a small sigh.

It was done.