A/N: Thank you so much for following along with Nathan and Elizabeth on this journey! It has been a pleasure to write this story. I hope you enjoy this final chapter. God bless!
June 1929
The Grant household was in a flurry of excitement. Allie and Cody's wedding was in one week. The entire community of Hope Valley was helping to put on the wedding of their beloved Mountie and reporter. Elizabeth and Allie had their heads together most nights, along with Rosemary, as they finished the final details for the wedding.
Allie graciously involved Aurora and Mia in the wedding planning as well, though the two girls were still quite young. Aurora was thrilled to be a part of it. She loved Allie dearly, looking up to her almost as a second mother. After a particularly busy Saturday morning, she could tell that both her sister and mother were feeling tired. She put an arm around each of them.
"Is there anything I can do to help you feel better?" she asked.
Her mother smiled, kissing her cheek. "You are such a sweet girl, Aurora," she said fondly. Her smile widened. "Why don't you and Jack pick some berries? I have a couple sessions with some clients, but once they're done it will be about time to start dinner. Then I can make a cobbler for dessert."
Allie grinned. "That sounds delicious!"
Aurora nodded, bouncing on her feet. "I'll go get Jack," she said. "We'll pick mountains of berries!" She dashed off to find her brother. It took some time, but eventually she came across him in the barn hayloft. He was reading, clearly lost in the story. Aurora grinned impishly, then pounced and tickled his bare feet. Jack yelped and shot up.
"Aurora!" he scolded, though there was laughter in his eyes.
She smiled at him innocently. "Mom asked if we could pick some berries," she said. "She wants to make a cobbler from them."
Jack licked his lips. "Cobbler? Count me in!" They scampered down the ladder from the loft, then found some baskets to gather the berries. Soon enough, they were heading toward the berry patch in the woods.
Aurora walked with her older brother, happily humming to herself. Things were moving along. Allie and Cody would soon be married, and the entire summer spread before the Grant children, promising fun and laughter. Their father was taking them on a camping trip soon after the wedding. Aurora couldn't wait. She loved their yearly camping trips. It always involved fishing, an activity she had become quite good at. Mia and Ella didn't care for it, but Aurora could catch fish as well as Allie, Jack, and Nate. She was even teaching Christine the basics, though her youngest sister wasn't quite ready to fish on her own.
She skipped along, basket swinging. "I can't believe Allie's wedding is so soon!" she exclaimed. Her face shadowed slightly. "I'm just sad she is going to be moving out."
Jack chuckled. "Cody built her a real nice home," he said. "I think she's excited to live there. Besides, it's only half a mile away. Their property is right next to ours."
"I know," Aurora replied. "That makes me happy. At least they won't be far away." She sighed happily. "I can't wait to be an aunt!"
Her brother laughed. "They might want to wait a little while, you know," he said. "Maybe they'd like some time to themselves."
"Or maybe they want to be parents right away," Aurora countered. A thought struck her, and her eyes lit up. "Oh! Maybe they can even have a baby before Christmas!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands in excitement.
Jack laughed again. "That's impossible, Aurora," he said, with all the confidence of a thirteen-year-old. "It takes nine months for a baby to grow. Allie won't be able to have one until next spring at the earliest."
Aurora frowned. Something wasn't right about that. It couldn't take that long for all babies to grow. Her parents had their tenth anniversary last November, and Aurora had turned ten a few weeks ago. She counted on her hands. Her frown deepened. "But I was born six months after Mom and Dad married," she protested. "So it didn't take me nine months to grow."
Jack pushed some low-hanging branches out of the way. "That's because Mom was already pregnant with you when she married Dad," he said.
Aurora stopped in her tracks. "What?!"
Her brother froze as well. Aurora stared at him, all the color leaching from her face. "What do you mean Mom was already pregnant with me when she married Dad?" she repeated, her voice strangled.
Jack's mouth was working. "I…I probably shouldn't have said anything," he stammered. "Forget it, please."
Hands planted on her hips, Aurora glared at her brother. "Jack Thornton Grant, if you know something, you tell me right now!"
He let out a sigh of resignation. Regret shone from his blue eyes, so like hers. "I don't remember many details," Jack began. "I wasn't quite three when Mom and Dad got married. My memories are hazy. I do know Mom was sad a lot at first. She seemed scared before marrying Dad." He frowned. "I remember that she was courting Mr. Bouchard, and then all of a sudden she got married to Dad. By the time you were born, she seemed happy again."
Aurora blinked, her mind trying to fit the pieces together. "She was courting…Mr. Bouchard?" she asked, stunned. Helen and David's dad was not someone she could see her mother like-liking.
Jack nodded, shrugging. "I guess she decided she liked Dad better," he said.
"But…but…Jack! This is awful!" Aurora said.
Jack frowned. "Why?"
She began to pace, her mind whirling. Mom always said she was a smart girl, but Aurora suddenly wasn't sure she wanted to be so smart. The possibilities going through her head were nauseating. "If Mom was pregnant with me when she married Dad, and if it was as sudden as you say, then she got pregnant while she and Mr. Bouchard were courting! Does that mean Mom cheated on him with Dad? Did they get married because she was pregnant?" None of the scenarios seemed pleasant. Another one dawned that made her recoil. "Am I Mr. Bouchard's daughter?" she whispered.
Jack shook his head vehemently. "Aurora, you know our parents and you know Mr. Bouchard," he said. "You know they would never do anything like that."
She was shaking. "Then what gives, Jack?" she asked. "Something isn't adding up. Mom was pregnant with me outside of marriage. Either she and Dad didn't wait, or I am someone else's daughter and he married her because she was pregnant." Neither option sat well with her. Clutching her basket of berries, she backed away. "I need some time to think."
Before her brother could protest, she turned and ran through the trees. She found the treehouse her father had built for her and her siblings. Climbing up the ladder, she let tears fall. Confusion wrapped its heavy claws around her.
Was Nathan Grant her father? A small sound of dismay left her body. He had to be!
Her thoughts tumbled over themselves until Aurora was exhausted. Eventually, she fell asleep, but she found no comfort in her dreams. An unknown face haunted her, one that sneered and frowned. She tried to run from him, but he gave chase. Terrified, she let out a scream.
"Aurora!"
She jolted awake, crying. Her father knelt beside her, worry written all over his face. "Aurora, sweetheart, what is wrong?" he asked, gathering her into his arms.
Aurora wept, clinging to him. She buried her face in his chest, trembling with emotion. "Please tell me you're my dad," she whispered.
He pulled back, staring down at her in shock. "Of course I'm your dad," he said, wiping the tears from her eyes. "I always have been. Just like I'm Allie and Jack and Mia's dad."
She stilled. Allie and Jack and Mia had different fathers. Nathan had adopted them as his own. Did that mean…?
Aurora began shaking again. "But are you my father? My real father?" she whimpered. "Jack said Mom was pregnant with me when you married her."
His eyes closed briefly. "Aurora, you are my daughter in every way that matters," he said, holding her close. "I promise you, I have always considered you my own."
So she wasn't truly his. The knowledge tore at her. She began crying again. Great, heaving sobs shook her, making her feel weak. One question burned in her mind. "Who is my father?"
Nathan pulled her close. "Sweetheart, that is something that should be answered with your mother present. Come on. We'll go talk with her now." He scooped her into his arms as if she weighed no more than Christine. He kept his strong grip on her as he climbed down the ladder and started for home. Aurora felt safe in his arms. Her life might be turning upside down, but with her Dad holding her, she felt like a small child once more, protected in the comfort of his embrace. She gripped his shirt in her hands, taking deep breaths and trying to convince herself that everything would be okay.
Elizabeth sat at her desk, writing a report after meeting with one of her clients. A knock sounded at the door. Blinking, Elizabeth looked at the clock. There were no more counseling sessions scheduled for today. Heart dropping, she wondered if it was an emergency case. Over the years, there had been several women who ran straight to her clinic after experiencing an assault, overwrought and understandably distressed. She hurried to the door.
Her husband and daughter were on the other side. Elizabeth nearly sagged in relief, but then she took in the looks on their faces. Nathan's was serious, while Aurora had clearly been crying. Heart plummeting for a different reason, Elizabeth gathered her little girl into her arms. "What happened? What's wrong?" she asked, her heart racing.
Aurora dissolved into tears, clinging to her. Elizabeth looked up at Nathan, searching for answers, but her husband wore a look of sorrow that pierced her. He gently placed his arms around both of them. "Let's sit," he suggested softly. He led them to one of the comfortable sofas, settling Aurora between himself and Elizabeth. He looked at Elizabeth over their daughter's head. "Do you remember that conversation we were going to have with Aurora after the camping trip?" he asked.
Elizabeth's mouth dropped. They had long planned on telling Aurora and Mia about their biological father and the circumstances surrounding their conception when the girls each turned ten. Last year, they had told Mia. She had taken the news surprisingly well, and Elizabeth suspected it was because both of her biological parents had died. She was happy with her adoptive family. The news hadn't rocked her. Elizabeth had hoped Aurora would take the news equally well, but a sinking sense of dread in her stomach told her that wouldn't be the case.
"What happened?" she whispered, afraid of the answer.
Nathan rested a hand on her shoulder. "Jack let it slip that I'm not Aurora's birth father," he said quietly. As if to punctuate his words, Aurora let out a wail.
Elizabeth closed her eyes. The news must have been a shock to their daughter, if Aurora's reaction was any indication. She slipped an arm around her, pulling her close. "Aurora, honey, your dad has been your true father from the moment he married me. He's loved you and cared for you just like he has every other child in this family."
Aurora sniffled, snuggling against Elizabeth. "I know," she said, her voice small. She reached out a hand to Nathan, who took it and clasped it against his heart. Her blue eyes were red with tears. "But why isn't he my birth father? Why did you marry him when you were pregnant with me if he isn't my dad?"
Swallowing, Elizabeth tightened her hold. "Aurora, the story is a hard one," she said cautiously. "I want you to know before we go any further how much we both love you." She looked into her daughter's eyes. "We love you so much, sweetheart."
Aurora trembled. Nathan wrapped them both in an embrace again. Elizabeth took a deep breath, knowing how much this moment would impact their little girl. "What is my job, Aurora?" she asked.
Her daughter blinked, clearly surprised. "You're a counselor," she said. "You help women who've been assaulted or abused."
Elizabeth nodded. "Am I good at what I do?"
Aurora looked even more confused, but she nodded. "You're the best," she said, a small smile peeking on her lips.
Elizabeth gazed into Aurora's eyes. "Do you know why I'm good at my job, sweetheart?" she asked softly.
The little girl glanced between Elizabeth and Nathan, uncertainty in her expression. "No…"
Elizabeth steeled herself to admit the truth. "I'm good at my job because I know what those women have gone through," she said quietly. "Over ten years ago, I was raped, Aurora. It was the worst night of my life. I was hurt and scared. I wasn't sure how to go on afterward." She looked at Nathan, a little smile tugging at her lips. "Nathan was there for me throughout the whole ordeal," she said. "He's the one who found me that night. He's the one who caught the man who raped me, putting him in prison for life. He was my best friend, a shoulder to lean on. He proved just how much he loved me in those awful months." She drew in a breath. "But his greatest act of love came when I discovered I was pregnant."
Aurora went still, staring up at her. Elizabeth continued. "I didn't think I could raise an infant and a toddler on my own. I knew I was going to face public judgment for being pregnant without being married. Your father offered to marry me, providing me and Jack with a safe home." She paused. "Providing you with a father who adored you."
"I have from the very beginning," Nathan assured her, planting a kiss on Aurora's head. "You have been such a joy, sweet girl."
Aurora's face was blank. "I'm the daughter of a rapist?" she asked. Elizabeth felt a chill run through her at the monotone the girl's voice. She hadn't acknowledged either Elizabeth or Nathan's words.
"You are the daughter of Nathan Grant," Elizabeth countered. "You might have been conceived because of rape, but you are a child of love, Aurora." She placed a hand on her cheek. "You were my greatest blessing in the midst of darkness."
Aurora stood, wrapping her arms around her body. "I need to be alone," she said, shaking. "Can I stay here for a while on my own?"
Elizabeth hesitated. She didn't think it was a good idea to leave Aurora by herself, not after such a big shock. "I'd prefer if you came to the house with us," she said. "If you need some time alone, I'll make sure your siblings don't bother you."
Nodding, Aurora turned and walked quickly from the room. Elizabeth sagged against Nathan, burying her face in his chest. "That did not go well," she muttered against him.
Nathan's arms came around her. "That conversation was going to be hard no matter what," he said gently. "But Aurora now knows the truth. She's going to need lots of love and support over the next few weeks."
Elizabeth nodded. Her throat began to tighten convulsively. "Oh, Nathan," she cried, bursting into tears. She clung to him, heart aching for the child whose life had just been thrown into confusion. Her husband held her close, smoothing her hair and murmuring words of comfort. After some time, she pushed up and gave him a watery smile. "We should probably head to the house and make sure Aurora's siblings aren't bothering her," she said. As they stood, she gripped Nathan's hand, needing his touch. He slid an arm around her waist, drawing her close as they walked to the house.
When they reached it, Elizabeth went straight to Aurora's room to make sure her daughter was alright. Mia answered the knock. Relief swept through Elizabeth. Maybe Aurora had confided in Mia. With a little start, she realized they hadn't yet told Aurora or Mia that they were half sisters by blood.
She smiled at her red-haired daughter. "Is Aurora doing okay, Mia?"
Mia blinked. "I don't know. I haven't seen her."
Elizabeth froze. "What? She's not in the room?"
"No," Mia replied, her curls bouncing as she shook her head. "I haven't seen her since she went to pick berries."
Dread curled around Elizabeth. She began methodically searching the house. The children eventually joined her. Everyone was calling for Aurora by the time they'd looked in every room. When it became obvious that the girl was not in the house, several of her siblings raced for the barn. Elizabeth fought rising panic. Where could Aurora be?
Nathan looked equally worried. When Nate burst through the door and reported that their sister wasn't in the barn, Elizabeth nearly broke down.
Their daughter was missing.
Nathan wasted no time in organizing a search party. He sent Jack, Allie, and Mia to alert their neighbors. Within ten minutes, the Coulters, Shepherds, and Canfields were gathered in the Grants' living room. Jack then rode to town to ask help from their friends there.
"Do you have any idea where she might have gone?" Carson asked, eyes worried.
Nathan shook his head. "Mia already checked the treehouse. Aurora wasn't there." He swallowed, fear rising inside. "We need to search in all directions. She could be anywhere."
Lee placed a hand on Nathan's shoulder. "We'll each take a direction," he said. "We all have sidearms. Whoever finds Aurora, shoot twice into the air. That will be the signal to come back to the house." He looked at Faith. "Faith, you stay here in case Aurora needs medical care when we get back."
Nathan shivered at the thought of his daughter needing a doctor. He prayed fervently that she was alright. Lee continued to give instructions. Nathan was thankful for his friend taking over. He felt too shaky to direct things.
Just as everyone was heading off, more people came riding in from town. Lee stopped and gave more instructions. Nathan and Elizabeth were surrounded by friends who wanted to help. Aurora was much-loved in their community. Everyone there was worried for the little girl. Everyone wanted to find her safe and unharmed.
A loud bark sounded through the fog in Nathan's brain. He looked down just as two paws planted themselves against his thighs. Millie barked again, as if she sensed something was wrong. She'd been Aurora's protector from the very beginning. He knew the dog was missing her young mistress already.
An idea sprang to mind. He grabbed Elizabeth's hand, tugging her toward the house. "I just thought of something! Come, Millie," he called.
Elizabeth followed him in total trust. He knew how scared she was, but her faith in him helped him to calm slightly. "We need a dress Aurora wore recently," Nathan said. Millie trotted beside them as they walked into the laundry room. Elizabeth found one of Aurora's dresses. Nathan took it and held it to Millie's nose.
"I've heard of dogs being used to find missing persons," he said. "Usually they're trained, but Millie and Aurora are close. She might be our best shot for finding our daughter."
Millie sniffed the dress, whining slightly. Nathan patted the dog. "Let's go find Aurora, Millie," he said. Millie barked and rushed for the door. She sniffed the air, then ran off in the direction of the trees. Nathan and Elizabeth followed as quickly as they could.
Millie led them into some thick brush. It was nearly impossible to pass through. Nathan felt a flicker of doubt the deeper into the bushes they went. Millie plowed ahead, undeterred by the undergrowth. The two adults kept calling Aurora's name, until finally they pushed through the brush and came to a sudden drop. Nathan halted, whipping out an arm to keep Elizabeth from falling. The ravine wasn't deep, but it was enough of a drop that it would hurt to fall.
Their dog barked frantically, staring down into the ravine. Nathan's heart stopped beating when he saw the crumpled form at the bottom.
"Aurora!" he whispered. At his side, Elizabeth cried out, falling to her knees.
Nathan didn't stop to think. He began making his way down to his daughter. It took a few minutes before he safely reached the bottom. Aurora was lying on the ground, blood streaking her hair. It looked as if she had hit her head when she fell. Suppressing a cry, Nathan touched her cheek. "Aurora?"
Her blue eyes fluttered open. "Daddy?" she whispered.
He gathered her into his arms, tears falling from his eyes. "I'm here, sweet girl. I'm here."
"I fell," she said, blinking slowly. Wincing, she looked at him. "My head hurts."
Nathan stood, holding his precious bundle carefully. "We're going to get you home," he said gently. Slowly, step by cautious step, Nathan made his way back up the ravine.
Elizabeth was nearly beside herself when they reached the top. She wrapped them both in her arms, crying freely. "Oh, my girl!" she sobbed. "I was so scared."
"Mama," Aurora said, holding out her arms. Elizabeth hugged her, though the girl remained in Nathan's arms. "I'm sorry," Aurora said, looking contrite. "I wanted to be alone, but I didn't pay attention to where I was going. I didn't realize there was a ravine here until I fell."
Elizabeth hugged her tighter. "I'm just glad you're alright," she said.
Millie barked, jumping around the three of them. Aurora smiled, letting her hand hang down so the dog could lick her fingers.
"Millie was worried," Nathan said lightly as they began their trek back home. "She's the one who found you." He glanced at Elizabeth. "Can you take my side arm and shoot it twice?" he asked.
Elizabeth did as he asked. Aurora shuddered as the gun blasted. "Why did you have to shoot?" she asked.
Nathan smiled. "Our friends have been looking for you," he said. "Everyone was worried."
Aurora's brow furrowed. "Everyone?" She sighed, leaning her head against Nathan's shoulder. "Do they know who I am?"
His heart clenched. He hated that his sweet daughter was doubting her worth because of the circumstances surrounding her conception. "Yes, Aurora, they know exactly who you are. And they love you. Many of them supported us in the months leading up to your birth. They are our true friends." He looked directly into her eyes. "You are as precious to them as the other children in this town. Your worth is all your own, sweetheart. It's not based on who your father was."
Aurora relaxed against him. "Truly?" she asked, her eyes wide and full of little-girl desire to believe him.
He nodded. "Truly."
That was proven over and over in the hours that followed. Carson and Faith made sure the cut on Aurora's head was stitched up and that it was clean and bandaged. A flood of visitors made their way into the house to see Aurora and tell her they were happy she was alright. Nathan watched as tears slipped down his daughter's cheeks, tears of happiness and of knowing she was loved for who she was.
He had a feeling her healing had already begun.
Three days later, Aurora was well enough to be up and about. Her brothers and sisters were attentive to her every need. Nathan and Elizabeth sat the entire family down, having decided it was time for them to know the truth. Allie and Jack were already aware of the events that brought Mia and Aurora into their family. The younger children accepted it without too many questions.
Willie was only concerned about one thing. "But Aurora and Mia are still our sisters, right?" he asked, looking between his sisters and his parents.
Elizabeth smiled, smoothing her son's downy hair. "Yes, Willie. They are still your sisters."
Her son relaxed. "Good. I love my sisters."
"We love you too," Mia assured him, kissing his cheek. Aurora copied her, and Willie was soon in stitches of laughter as the two girls began tickling him.
Jack leaned against the sofa. "So Mia and Aurora have the same father," he said. "That makes them sisters by blood."
Aurora's mouth dropped. She stared at Mia as if for the first time. "We're blood sisters?" she said, eyes wide.
Mia looked just as surprised, but soon enough, a grin split her face. She laughed, pulling Aurora into a hug. "I knew there was a reason we share such a close bond," she said, nuzzling Aurora's nose with hers the way they'd done since they were little girls.
Elizabeth watched, feeling happiness spring up inside. The truth had a way of setting people free. She'd learned that lesson time and again since she'd become pregnant with Aurora. She leaned against Nathan, her smile genuine and soft.
One by one, the siblings made their way from the living room to the kitchen, where Allie promised to make them a special snack. Soon, only Aurora remained. Elizabeth noticed her daughter staring at the plaque on the wall.
Every sunset brings the promise of a new dawn.
The words were just as dear to her now as they were when Nathan gave her the plaque. She remembered the first time he quoted the line to her, when she was terrified after being assaulted and thought the sun would never rise. Never had she imagined life would turn out so happy after such tragedy.
"You were named for that poem," Elizabeth said softly.
Aurora looked back at her. "I was?"
Elizabeth nodded, coming to stand beside her. She slipped an arm around Aurora's shoulders. "Your father quoted that to me soon after I was raped. It became something of a symbol of hope for us. He made that plaque for me, promising that the dawn would come again." She bent to look her daughter fully in the eyes. "You were our new dawn, Aurora. That's why we named you after the dawn." She smiled. "It is a reminder that light can shine after darkness. Hope rises from pain. Beauty grows from ashes." She kissed her daughter on the forehead. "I would go through that pain a hundred times again if it meant having you in my life, sweet girl," she whispered. "I love you so dearly."
Aurora's eyes misted with tears. She threw herself into Elizabeth's arms. "I love you, Mom," she said, squeezing her tightly. Elizabeth held her close until Aurora pulled back. She then went into Nathan's arms. "I love you too, Dad," she said, gazing up at him. "It doesn't matter that you aren't my birth father. You are my daddy, and that's what matters."
Nathan's eyes were wet as he hugged her close. "You will always be my little girl," he whispered. "I love you, Aurora, and I'm proud to be your father."
She beamed up at him. "I'm proud to be your daughter."
A call came from the kitchen. "Aurora! Allie made whipped cream for the berries! Come have some!"
Aurora squealed in excitement. She grinned and dashed into the kitchen.
Nathan pulled Elizabeth into his arms. "The truth shall set you free," he murmured, smiling.
Elizabeth chuckled. "I had that exact thought not too long ago," she said. She gave him a cheeky grin. "Great minds think alike."
Nathan laughed. "Indeed." He pressed her against his chest. "You know, this life we have together would not have been possible without Aurora. She truly was the dawn for us. Our lives were melded because of her, and because of her we have a wonderful family and a love that runs deeper than anything I once thought possible." He leaned down, pressing his lips against hers in a long, tender kiss. "Thank you for letting me be a part of her life, Elizabeth. Thank you for letting me be a father to her and to Jack, and a husband to you. You took a risk marrying me all those years ago. I never imagined life could be so beautiful."
Elizabeth sighed happily, looking up into his eyes. "Thank you for loving me in my darkest hour," she replied. "You were my strength, Nathan. You helped me go on. That heart of yours is so big, it just keeps growing." She smiled. "I'm the most fortunate woman alive because I have you in my life."
They shared another kiss, delighting in each other. Then, hand in hand, they made their way to the kitchen where their children were laughing and teasing and loving.
It truly was a beautiful life. And there was so much more yet to come.