CHAPTER 29
It was a tumultuous few days.
Carson and Faith came two or three times a day to check on her, they wanted to make sure that Elizabeth was recovering. Lee and Rose brought snacks or took the children for short walks. Bill and Abigail were very concerned about Elizabeth, she was like a daughter to them.
The children from school all came for short visits, but Robert was the most affected by it all. Now that he saw her recovered, Robert was smiling, he had been too scared to think that Elizabeth would die. Nathan had time to talk to Elizabeth in private. He told her that as a man he had to do this, it was a difficult decision, but he had to make it for them... she looked at him with pleased eyes, she didn't seem to understand what he was explaining:
- Nathan! I don't think I understand.
- Elizabeth... please listen and don't misjudge me.
- No, Nathan! You contacted him even though my father never accepted Jack or agreed to my coming to Hope Valle?
- Yes, my love. Yes, I did. I sent a telegram warning your father of your accident with the snakes; as your husband and as the town mountie it was my duty, as there was no reply...
- I knew they wouldn't answer, because you did it Nathan. Elizabeth was really upset about this and Nathan realized that he might have made a big mistake. She continued: They didn't care about me, not even when I gave birth in the middle of a blizzard in a cabin four years ago, why do you think they would care now?
- Lizbeth, I can see that you're very hurt by them, but I needed to talk to him man to man.
- And did he answer you? She asked with a changed voice and a frown... She had long since stopped looking for the love of her family, she was really hurt by the attitudes of everyone there.
- As there was no reply to the telegram, I used Bill's office and called him. With Bill as my witness. Look, my love, I started the conversation by introducing myself as the town mountie, your husband and little Jack's father. I told him about Alien, about your accident, and that you were in a coma.
- I could just imagine his reaction. I'm sorry if he was rude to you. Unfortunately, my father can be cruel sometimes. Elizabeth lowered her eyes in shame.
Nathan pulled his wife into his arms. That sweet, gentle woman had been hurt by her own family, but she hadn't yet realized that he, as her man and her husband, would defend her from everything and anyone or anything that might endanger her.
- Calm down, my beautiful wife... look, I'm your husband, but he's your father; I needed to do what a real man would do, that's what my mother taught me... I wasn't asking for his permission, I only informed them of our marriage, and asked for his blessings, as I spoke of his state of health, but I made it clear to him that I wasn't asking for money either, because my family I would support and look after with great love.
"My beloved, I want you to know that you and our family are my most precious treasure. Every day by your side is a gift that is worth more than words can express. My life is won".