Chapter 11

The snow had begun falling again a short while earlier, small flurries gliding past the window while he and Elizabeth had been upstairs talking. Now when he looked outside Nathan could see that it had gotten much heavier and judging from the leaden look of the sky this was set in for quite a while. The prediction of Lee's lumber men had proven to be right, no-one would be travelling any distance until after Christmas unless it was absolutely necessary.

Whilst he knew that Lucas had his own selfish reason for driving over here he still said a silent thank you to the man for bringing Allie to him. The thought of spending Christmas Day without her had been weighing heavy on him, something that he had always promised himself that he would do his utmost to avoid. Now they would be spending it here with all these people and a picture of a loud rumbunctious gathering came into his mind, children laughing and adults chatting in the aftermath of a meal spent around a table filled with love and kindness.

Suddenly he realised that it would mean Allie and he would be sharing this special time with Elizabeth and Jack, something that brought joy to his heart. It may not be how he had always imagined their first Christmas together would be but in a way this seemed even more appropriate for he knew that families were more than just husband, wife and children. They were about love and caring, being together with people who mattered to you. It was the most important thing for that is where you truly find your home.

Lillian had turned back to her ledger, a pencil gripped between her teeth and lines of worry and concentration clear on her forehead. Nathan knew how intensely she believed in what she was doing for the orphans who came through her door. There was more to caring for them than just providing food on the table and a roof over their heads.

This was a magical place, made possible by two women who had their own loss and heartache as children. For Grace the years after their parents died had been hard, moved from one orphanage to another, never having a family of her own. Lillian had been lucky, adopted by a wonderful couple whose home he was standing in now, yet filled with the anguish of not knowing what had happened to her sister.

Good people could make such a difference in a young child's life, he thought. It wasn't about toys and nice clothes, they came and went, but deep down having even just one loving parent was worth more than anything else they could be given. His mind drifting to a picture of the future he knew how much better it would be for Allie and Jack to have two parents who loved them. Who loved each other.

He spoke softly, not wanting to wake the sleeping child by the window nor startle Lillian from her work. "What is he like, the brother? Joe."

Putting down the pencil she turned towards him, a pensive expression on her face for a moment before she spoke. "Very quiet. But then they all are. The little outburst from Chloe at the breakfast table was the most I'd heard her say. Then, of course, she started speaking in here."

Taking his time to ponder what she said he finally nodded, knowing what he had to do to coax some information from the boy. There was no point in frightening him, he had learnt from experience it simply made most children shut down. The boy's trauma was so fresh that it would take something different to help him to open up to answering any questions.

"I'll take it easy on him, don't worry. As you said, we have time to get to the truth and if what I believe is true then there are not going to be any repercussions after. It will just be a matter of officially closing the case and putting the file away."

The look of relief on Lillian's face told him just how concerned she had been for this family and what the consequences of action against any one of them would have on the others. "Thank you Nathan, I understand you have a job to do but I also know that you have a big heart, one that sees things in more than just black and white. These children need that."

Reaching out for the door handle he nodded back towards Chloe who had turned over under the blanket, a soft snoring sound coming from her mouth. "I'll send someone else in to sit with her for a while so that you can have a break. I do appreciate you being here, I know it made my conversation with her so much easier."

Upstairs in the hallway Abigail had said nothing, sipping the rest of her coffee as she sat mesmerised by the snowflakes as they stuck against the window and fascinated by the uniqueness of each one. It is just like people, she thought, each with our own character that individually seem so distinctive yet when put together create something entirely different. Something far greater and more wonderful.

A gentle pat on her knee by Elizabeth brought her back from her musing and she smiled at her friend, eager now to share with her what had been decided.

"Bill and I are getting married". She stated it in such a matter of fact way that Elizabeth didn't know how to respond, conscious that her mouth had fallen open but nothing came out. Eventually she managed to splutter some mono-syllabic words, almost guttural in their sound as she tried to take in what Abigail had said.

Trying hard to keep herself from laughing the older woman wasn't surprised, the reaction not far different from what she expected although being Elizabeth she had thought there would be perhaps a little more fluency to her words. Gathering herself together Elizabeth sat more upright, her mind still reeling at what she had been told but the questions finally finding some form. "Would you like to explain how that has happened? Have you and Bill actually had enough time to talk about it properly?"

There was no doubt that Elizabeth believed the two of them belonged together but the speed with which they had suddenly reached this point worried her. They had been apart for quite some time and people can change, needs and desires can alter as you get older and find that what you want from life is no longer the same.

Abigail looked at her seriously now, the amusement that had been there before gone. "We have talked, hesitantly at first I will say. Then gradually it got easier as the barriers we had put up over the years seemed to melt away."

At the look on Elizabeth's face Abigail quickly corrected herself, "okay, the barriers that I put up!"

There was a doleful expression in her eyes as the thought of so much time wasted made her pause. Finally with a small sigh she looked up, "He's a good man, Elizabeth, and he cares deeply. Not just for me but for those who matter to him. Whomever needs his help. I guess he and Nathan are a lot alike."

Elizabeth let out a laugh, surprising Abigail as it contrasted completely with the tone of her voice when she spoke. "You are right, they are both men who feel things deeply. They are protectors who will always put others before themselves. When I think of what Bill did for Martin I can't help but compare that with Nathan taking Allie in, how they have always given so much of themselves to others no matter what the cost to them may be."

Abigail still looked confused and it took a moment for Elizabeth to understand why. "You're wondering why I laughed?"

When the other woman nodded she continued, "I was just thinking that I hope as we grow old Nathan doesn't adopt the same gruff exterior that Bill presents to the world. We may know the true them and that they are the softest and gentlest of men underneath but do other people see that? I just don't want to have to spend the rest of my life explaining it to everyone!"

Abigail felt a warm glow spread through her as she marvelled at the way Elizabeth spoke so naturally of a future with Nathan. As though it was a forgone conclusion. There was no trace of the fear that had constrained her for so long. It was replaced now with an optimism that rang out clearly in her voice each time she mentioned his name.

They sat silently for a moment, Elizabeth still trying to understand the impact of this news and wondering what the best way was to support her friend. She trusted Abigail's judgement totally but still she needed to work things out in her mind so that she understood their reasoning for moving forward so hastily. Finally she broke the silence.

"So what exactly did Bill say when he proposed? Did he get down on one knee?" Her eyes shifted downwards then, looking for a ring, before she quickly reminded herself that he wasn't likely to have casually had one in his pocket. To her surprise a sapphire and diamond ring was on her friend's finger, glistening in the light cast out from the lamp on the table beside them. She couldn't help herself blurting out, "He had a ring! Abigail, is there more to this than you have been telling me?"

The sound of footsteps on the stairs stopped Abigail from answering and a moment later Grace's head appeared around the corner, panic in her eyes. "I need your help ladies."

In the big sitting room the tree was now proudly on display. Gabe had brought it in and then hung the lights and popcorn garlands around it for them before one by one lifting the small children up to place their chosen decorations in the higher branches.

The small tree that had sat in the window, it's candles lit until bedtime had been moved to the sidelight by the front door. Throughout the night a small lantern was lit in its place to keep the light shining out into the darkness.

It was a tradition passed down from Lillian's adoptive mother, her Irish forebears having begun this in the 17th and 18th centuries during the time when the British Government was attempting to quash the Catholic religion in the country. Priests were forced to either flee or go into hiding and so during Christmas catholic families would light a candle in their window to let a priest know that they could come in to say mass. When questioned, their explanation for the candles was that it was a way to welcome Joseph, Mary and the Baby Jesus. Over time the tradition changed to become a beacon of hope for any passerby during the Christmas season.

The sound of children was everywhere, their giggles at the joyfulness of the occasion mixed with serious expressions as they took their time selecting from the collection of baubles, birds, and other decorations that were spread out on the table, while the crumbs from gingerbread men who would never make it onto the tree were being trodden across the floor. The wind blowing the snow around outside made it all the more cosy inside as the heat from the fire brought a flush to all their faces.

It was this sight that greeted Lillian as she came out of the office and she knew that these were the moments to treasure, when all the hard work and worry was forgotten. These were the memories she wanted the children to carry with them through life.

Mrs Winters had kindly agreed to sit with Chloe while she slept and a small laugh escaped Lillian as she thought how wise Nathan was for he knew that their housekeeper would never say no to any request from one of the Mounties, especially him. Never one to accept thanks for anything she merely muttered as she had come through the door that she had some meal planning to do anyway so it would suit her just fine to have some peace from the children. Lillian smiled to herself as she nodded as though in agreement but couldn't resist a small thank you and quick kiss on the cheek for the woman who had been such a comforting presence in this house for so much of her life.

Heading for the kitchen to find her sister she could hear Nathan and Bill talking, the tone of their voices serious as though they were trying to deal with a problem. They were both wrapping themselves up in their heavy winter clothing and it was immediately clear that something was wrong.

"What has happened?" She tried not to panic but the seriousness of their expressions told her that this was not going to be good news.

Nathan crossed the room towards her, keeping his voice low. "It's the boy, Joe. I can't find him. We've searched the house and nobody seems to have seen him since the incident with Elizabeth and Lucas. He has disappeared."

Lillian gave a small gasp and Nathan immediately knew what she was thinking. He cut into her thoughts straight away to dispel any guilt she would be feeling. "Do not blame yourself for this Lillian. You have been doing a wonderful job of helping me with Chloe and all the other adults have been taking it in turns to be with the children. Grace and Elizabeth have checked every room while Abigail is through there settling the rest down to hear some Christmas tales from her childhood. They are searching again in case they missed anything. Meanwhile Bill, Gabe and I are organising a search party outside."

At that moment Gabe came rushing into the kitchen, his boots and coat in his hands. He looked at Lillian, his concern for her making it hard to resist walking across and wrapping her in his arms, to ease the pain that he knew she would be feeling. But he knew that wasn't what she needed just now. He could help her best by being out there looking for the boy.

Behind them through the kitchen window was a completely white scene, the wind now whistling loudly as it swirled the snow around, the iciness of it smashing against the window above the sink. The three men knew that once the sun set the temperature would drop even further and in the darkness it would be almost impossible to find the boy. If he was out there through the night, dressed as lightly as the children had been when they'd all rushed outside earlier, then it was unlikely he would survive until morning.

With lanterns lit to signal to each other in the blizzard conditions outside Nathan reached to open the door. As the icy blast blew in he said with more confidence than he was actually feeling, "We will find him, I promise."