Epilogue
Abigail Stanton couldn't help the proud grin that spread across her face as she watched the ceremony. All the papers had been filed weeks ago so today was just a formality, but it was such a touching thing to witness. Nathan was officially making Allie his daughter. The group gathered in Bill's office was small in deference to Nathan's dislike of crowds and being the center of attention, just the new family, Abigail, and Cody. There would be a larger reception at the café afterwards so that the whole town could celebrate them. It was especially touching to see Elizabeth and young Jack Thornton standing beside Nathan and Allie.
The road here hadn't been an easy one for her friends, but they had weathered the bumps and curves. Nathan overcoming his guilt at being here while Jack Thornton was so cruelly taken away. Elizabeth's grief over that loss and what it meant for her and their son. Her persistent fear that history would repeat itself and her worry that she wouldn't be able to weather losing another Mountie husband. His misfortune at having to face down first an ambush from Allie's father and then another from a disgruntled Mountie superior. At times, it seemed as though the world was coming at them from all sides.
Things had gotten a little off track when Elizabeth's fears had nearly come true. After Nathan and Bill were involved in a shooting during a prisoner transfer, she had first run into Nathan's arms when he returned, and then distanced herself from him during the investigation and trial. It didn't help that Lucas Bouchard had used the opportunity to encourage her worries, but after a few weeks she had seen through his games and worked things out with Nathan.
There had been another quarrel when Archie Grant arrived in town. Elizabeth, at first very protective of Allie, had gone on to encourage allowing the girl to forge a relationship with her grandfather. Nathan, on the hand, was still healing from his own memories of the man and how he had hurt his family. He was adamant that Archie never be given the chance to do the same to Allie. Things got even more tense when Nathan was forced to arrest his father. It had taken both Abigail and Elizabeth to convince him to conduct his own investigation into the theft Archie was being accused of. In the end, he had found the real culprit, and while they were still a long way from the traditional loving family, the Grant men had at least come to terms with the past and started to look forward to where they could go in the future.
And of course, there had been 'the triangle' as Rosemary Coulter had so bitterly named it. Nathan tried his best to give Elizabeth the time and space she needed to work through her grief, nurturing their bond of friendship while keeping his hopes for more to himself. It pained him to watch her seemingly build a relationship with Lucas. It had taken her very loud and public rebuking of Mr. Bouchard's advances for Nathan to realize she was merely being proper and polite, as she had been raised to be, not that she was infatuated.
Abigail's quiet reminiscences were interrupted by Bill's loud banging of his gavel and proud announcement, "I now declare you father and daughter." He chuckled before teasingly adding, "I think this means you have to buy her a horse now, Dad."
Everyone laughed and then there was a tangle of hugs and congratulations before the group made their way down the street to the café. Allie was holding Elizabeth's hand as she happily chattered away to her teacher and Cody, while Jack rode on Bill's shoulders.
"Thank you," Nathan said quietly, looking down at Abigail. They were bringing up the rear of the little caravan, and he paused for a moment so he could look her in the eye. "After Allie, this town is the best thing that's ever happened to me, and you've been a big part of that. You helped me get settled in with Allie, encouraged me not to give up on Elizabeth, pushed me to renew my relationship with my father… You even helped me put my grief and guilt over Ft Clay behind me."
"That's what friends do," she replied matter-of-factly, her face lit with happiness. "I stood by you when you felt alone, and you filled the void in my heart that Jack's death left. We needed each other," Abigail beamed up at him.
"Well, thank you all the same. I wouldn't be who and where I am today without you."
"To quote your friend Mr. Emerson, 'We want but two or three friends, but these we cannot do without, and they serve us in every thought we think.' I don't think I would have allowed things with Henry to progress to where they have if not for your encouragement, nor started those regular fishing trips with Cody without you and Allie. I'd say we're even."
Both smiling, they finished the walk arm in arm in contented silence.
There were the expected shouts of congratulations along with more hugs and handshakes when the group entered the café. Allie was in her element, fluttering around the room to greet all the guests and recounting the ceremony itself countless times. Nathan gravitated towards a corner table, cordially chatting with everyone who made their way to him but trying to stay out of the spotlight.
Once she was satisfied that the food and guests were all settled, Abigail and Henry joined Nathan at his table. The pride in Nathan's eyes was clear as he watched his daughter celebrate. The glow darkened when the café door opened and a late arrival joined the party.
"He has a soft spot for Allie," Abigail reminded her friend, placing a hand on his tense arm. "Perhaps he'll just say his 'hellos' and then be on his way."
"Do you really believe that?" Henry asked skeptically, watching the newcomer scan the room. Lucas offered a brief nod to Nathan before turning his attention elsewhere.
"No," she sighed. "But I can hope. I've warned him more than once already. But once he saw that little mistletoe kiss, he decided it was fair game to increase his advances, despite the discouragement of literally everyone else in town."
"Warned him how?" Nathan asked, truly curious. Abigail was probably the most even-tempered, fair-minded, and compassionate person he'd ever met. For her to be pushed far enough to say something to Bouchard…
"I told him that if and when Elizabeth decided she was ready to open her heart again was completely up to her, and that she didn't need pressure from anyone else. I also reminded him that should Elizabeth decide to try love again, she was under no obligation to entertain his attentions, no matter how much time and money he has invested in trying to win her over." She frowned briefly across the room. Lucas was talking to Fiona Miller but unabashedly watching Elizabeth where she stood with Allie and a group of girls. "Of course, he ignored me. If not for Elizabeth's little outburst, I can only imagine how far things would have gone.
Nathan and Henry both chuckled quietly as they recalled the scene last fall. Everyone on Main Street had heard Elizabeth shouting at Lucas when he organized a 'pretend date' for them under the guise of dinner to celebrate her book being accepted by a publisher. She had berated him for neglecting to acknowledge her repeated refusal to see him romantically, assuring him she would not accept any further invitations no matter how innocent. She had accused him of stealing her manuscript not to assist her, but rather to garner attention for himself by 'helping' her get published. A few people had cheered as Elizabeth marched determinedly down the street to the Mountie office and used the phone there to call the publishing company, taking control of things herself.
In an attempt to smooth things over, Lucas had convinced his mother to make a visit to Hope Valley. It had caused Nathan and Allie both a few moments of agony when Elizabeth suddenly called off their first family dinner date at the café because it coincided with Helen Bouchard's arrival. Thankfully, as soon as they were away from town and nearly to the rowhouses, Elizabeth had explained that she didn't want the Bouchards to cause any kind of a scene and ruin the evening. She suggested they go on a picnic instead, somewhere it could be just the four of them. And while Elizabeth had met several times with the other woman to go over her manuscript, it wasn't long before she'd contacted the publisher again and asked for a new editor, as Helen Bouchard seemed more interested in pushing her son's agenda than keeping to Elizabeth's vision for her story.
"If he could find a worthy cause to apply this much persistence to, he could really make a difference in this world," Abigail suggested. The three of them watched as Lucas greeted Allie and her friends, producing a small package and handing it to the girl. While Allie opened her gift, he moved closer to Elizabeth. "It really is only a matter of time before she lets go of propriety and slaps him."
"I thought she was going to with that whole book reading fiasco," Henry admitted with a smirk.
When Lucas had foolishly tried to make amends for his mother's visit by inviting Elizabeth to hear Virginia Woolf in Union City, she lost her temper again, railing at him for suggesting she put her job and reputation on the line by going away on an unchaperoned overnight trip with a man who was not-and never would be-her husband.
"Then he tried to argue that she'd gone camping with Jack before they were married," Henry added, shaking his head. "The chill and ice in her tone when she reminded him that Jack's reputation was more respected than his ever would be, and that they had been accompanied by twenty-some school children… If I were on the receiving end of that much ire, I would have been run."
Nathan shrugged, still watching the pair across the room. "He just can't seem to understand that Elizabeth doesn't want or need a man to give her things. She can take care of herself. She wants respect, not to be a spoiled little trophy piece."
"It seems to me he's backed off the gifts and is trying to just charm his way into her life now," Henry pointed out. When Nathan sighed heavily, he continued. "It makes sense that Lucas would try the friendship route now. He went all out trying to sweep Elizabeth off her feet but got nowhere, because she doesn't need or want grand gestures again. Meanwhile, Nathan here made his interest known but settled for the friendship she was able to offer at the time. Now their companionship has grown into something more, so Lucas thinks he can do the same thing."
"Despite the fact that Elizabeth and I have officially been courting for weeks," Nathan grumbled.
"Nathan, what are you doing?" Abigail asked a moment later as the man shot to his feet. Following his heated gaze, he saw Lucas had placed his hand on Elizabeth's arm.
"Something I should have done a long time ago," he replied tersely. It was obvious to him that Elizabeth was getting uncomfortable. Each time she stepped away from Bouchard, the man followed, by now nearly backing her into a corner. Allie and her friends had tried to break in, calling for their teacher to join them, but Lucas had interceded.
Everyone watched in surprise as their usually calm and collected Mountie stalked across the room, his face darkening the closer he got to Elizabeth and Lucas. When he reached them, he didn't say a word. Ignoring Bouchard's protest as he was pushed aside, Nathan drew Elizabeth into his arms, one hand cradling her face as he kissed her. The entire café went silent. To their continued surprise, the kiss went on, Elizabeth wrapping her arms around Nathan's neck as his tightened around her waist.
When the pair parted at last, still embracing, no one said a word. Florence stared at them, aghast. Lucas's mouth was opening and closing but no sound came out. Allie was bouncing up and down in clear delight. Abigail and Henry shared a smug smile. Bill nodded, clearly proud of the couple. The only person who didn't seem to care what had just happened was Jack, who seized the opportunity to grab a handful of cake and cookies before anyone caught him.
Nathan leaned down, his forehead pressed to Elizabeth's. "I'm sorry," he started to apologize. "I know we weren't going to say anything about us today, and I know I should have just let it go but…"
"Enough was enough," she replied with a smile, her eyes filled with understanding and relief at his rescue. "I guess our secret's out…"
Lucas finally regained some semblance of composure, and it was his turn to scowl darkly at Nathan. "Now who's putting her reputation on the line?" he accused. "At least I had the decency to keep our kisses private!"
Elizabeth shook her head as she turned around, unconcerned. "There were no kisses," she reminded him. "And my reputation will be just fine."
Lucas scoffed. "What happened to all your assertions that as a teacher, you can't partake in acts of…what did you call it? 'Lewd public affection'? But now it's proper to kiss a man in front of the entire town?!"
"It is when that man is her fiancé."
Someone gasped, nearly everyone gaped, and Nathan beamed proudly as he added, "I asked Elizabeth to marry me, and she said 'yes'."
Lucas was shuffled further aside as everyone rushed forward to congratulate the happy couple.
Allie wove her way through the crowd, her smile radiant as she scolded her father. "You swore me to secrecy, made me promise not to say a word, and then you go and make a big scene!"
Nathan shrugged, blushing slightly. "I'm sorry. It just kind of happened…"
Elizabeth reached for the girl's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "We really did want to make today just about you and your dad. We have plenty of time to celebrate us later."
"And the fact that you are able to consider that is a blessing in itself," Nathan added, humbled by her strength.
Allie's grin grew even bigger. "Are you kidding? This is the best present anyone could have given me! I didn't just get a dad today- I'm getting a family!"
"So, where's the ring?" Rosemary demanded. "There is a ring, right?" She looked at Nathan expectantly, her foot tapping impatiently.
Elizabeth laughed as she tugged on a slim necklace chain around her neck, pulling it free of her blouse. A gold band dangled from it, the modest diamond glinting in the lamplight. "I didn't want to draw attention away from Allie and Nathan, but I couldn't bear to leave it at home. But since everyone knows…" She reached up, unfastening the chain and holding up one side to let the ring fall into the palm of her hand. Nathan took it, sliding the band back into place on her finger and placing a kiss just above it. Then he released her left hand and lifted her right, taking the necklace from it and reclasping it around her neck.
"So, are you going to tell everyone how and when it happened?" Abigail teased as she and Henry finally reached the happy couple. They too had been sworn to secrecy the night before when Nathan and Elizabeth came to the café to share the news.
"We were out at the dock over the pond," Elizabeth explained. "That's where we were standing last year when Nathan asked me what's in my heart, and now that I am certain who and what I want…"
"She informed me that we should get married," Nathan interrupted, snickering as he drew Elizabeth to his side again. "Didn't even give me the chance to ask."
"And were you planning to propose?" Lee asked after everyone had stopped laughing.
"I was," he admitted, pausing to smile softly at his fiancé. "I was building up the nerve to get down on one knee when she told me she wanted to share her life with me. To be a family- her, me, Allie, and Jack. After that, it was easy."
"I hate to break up this touching scene," Bill interrupted. "But I think someone is all partied out." He nodded across the room to where Jack had fallen asleep, his cheek pillowed on a slice of cake and a crumbled cookie clutched in his hand.
"Oh no!" Elizabeth gasped.
"Oh dear," Abigail chuckled, already heading to the kitchen for a damp rag.
Nathan's long strides crossed the room quickly. He eased the little boy out of his chair and started to follow Abigail but paused to look back at Elizabeth. "Why don't you help Allie get her gifts and things together while I get this guy cleaned up, and then I'll carry him home."
"What a day, huh?" Abigail said quietly as she helped clean Jack's hands and face. "Did Allie ever do anything like this?"
Nathan laughed softly as he tenderly moved the still sleeping child to his shoulder despite the crumbs and damp spots on Jack's shirt. "Once or twice. And I can't tell you the number of times I had to carry her and our catch home when she dozed off after fishing."
"And are you prepared to do it all over again?" she asked, reaching up to drape Jack's coat over him. "You do realize that between Allie, Jack, and Elizabeth, not to mention any future Grants that come along, your life isn't likely to be quiet. Are you ready for that?"
Nathan glanced behind her to see Allie and Elizabeth waiting in the doorway. His eyes were glowing and his smile broad as he leaned down to kiss Abigail's cheek.
"Thanks to you and this wonderful town, I am."
I had a few more things I wanted to say with this story, so... BONUS CHAPTER! :-) Hope you all enjoy (especially you, Dawna).
Here's to a happy, healthy, and for those of us still struggling Departies, healing New Year!
:-) Katie
