There was no rush to the midday meal in the private dinning room of the Amaryllis. After being separated from each other, all were content to enjoy each other's company despite the anticipation of what the evening would bring. Like their supper the night before, Jack would not touch his own plate but showed interest in eating what his mother was eating. Elizabeth indulged her son, sure that doing so would not lead to it being a long term thing.
When the dishes finally were cleared from the table, Archie excused himself to do a little work. He instructed Nathan to find him when he and Elizabeth were ready to head home so that he could take the kids to his apartment. Nathan assured his father that he would.
With the meal done, Jack wanted his story from his mother. Elizabeth obliged, leading her son to the settee in the corner of the room. With Jack snuggled next to her, Elizabeth held up the choices of stories that she had brought with her. Jack immediately pointed to the homemade book his mother had made about a little boy and his duckling. Elizabeth beamed at her son's choice. Placing the other books aside, she put an arm around Jack and opened the paper cover of the book and bean to read.
"Sometimes I wish I was still that little," Ally said a little wistfully, watching Elizabeth and Jack.
The words caused Nathan to look away from the site to his teenage daughter. It was hard to believe that she had been with him for eleven years now. She had been about Jack's age when he had first taken custody of her and very clingy.
"I might miss being able to snuggle with you in my lap, but I do love the young woman you are becoming, Ally," Nathan told her.
Ally blushed, looking from her mama and brother to look at him.
"I am very proud of you and you will always be my little girl," Nathan added as she looked over at him.
"Well, your little girl wouldn't mind some time alone with you before you and mama head home alone," Ally told him, her cheeks flushed. "Can we go for a walk?"
"After all the time I spent on a train these last couple of weeks, a walk sounds like a splendid idea," Nathan told her.
Nathan interrupted story time long enough to tell Elizabeth that he and Ally were going for a walk. He kissed both his wife and his son's cheek good bye. When he turned, Ally was standing nearby with his coat. Accepting it from her, he put it on and then ushered his daughter toward the door.
"So, tell me what you have been up to while I was gone," Nathan requested, as they stepped outside and started walking the now familiar dirt roads of their little town. That one question was enough to get Ally talking, meaning that he could listen and make occasional comments without having to engage in a conversation.
Though they passed several people they knew, Nathan greeted them with a silent nod. Seeing father and daughter together after their absence, no one tried to disrupt their time. A smile and a nod offered themselves in acknowledgment to his return.
Though they didn't discuss their direction, Ally and Nathan's footsteps lead them out to the little white building that now served only as a church to the small community.
"I miss my schooldays there," Ally said, as they paused, looking at the old one-room schoolhouse. "Given that I skipped my first day of school there and unknowingly insulted my teacher in front of her that seems strange to say."
Nathan chuckled. "You scared me that day," he told her. "Not to mention I was sure the people of this town were going to think the Mounties sent a totally incompetent officer to take the town heroes place, given that he couldn't even keep track of his own niece."
Ally looked sheepish as she looked up at him. "Sorry, Dad. I wasn't thinking about that. I was just thinking about the kids making fun of me. At least at Fort Clay and Fort Simpson I was with other Mountie kids. They got me. The idea of facing a schoolhouse full of 'normal' kids scared me."
Slipping his arm from hers, Nathan put his arm around Ally and pulled her close. "I wish you had shared that with me then, Ally, though you were just as 'normal' as the rest of them. We all grow up in different circumstances but deep down, we all want the same things - to belong and to be loved. I hope I have always made you feel liked you belonged with me and were loved."
"You did," Ally assured him, resting her head against him. "It was just that you had been so sad for a while before coming here that I didn't want to make you sadder by telling you my fears. I wanted the 'fun' Uncle Nathan to come back and though that took awhile, I am glad it finally happened." Ally tilted her head to look up at him. "Mama missed you very much while you were away. I think even she is ready to fully embrace our new family, just like I have. At least I know you won't be alone when I go off on my own now."
Nathan swallowed hard to keep the tears at bay. It had been he and this little girl against the world for so long.
"I still have a few years left before I am letting you run off on your own," Nathan said, when he finally had his emotions under control. "Even then, know you are welcome to come back whenever you want."
Ally nodded, finally releasing him. With her arm tucked back into her father's, they walked back toward the pond to walk around it.
"Do you think you will stay here in Hope Valley? Will this place always be my home to come home to even if I find my dreams somewhere else?"
Nathan looked around. Though it was changing, the same peace and serenity that had welcomed him to this little community more than four years ago still existed. He had made deep connections here, just like Elizabeth had. Now, without the Mounties having some say about where life would take him, he could choose to stay right here if he wanted. Even then though, no one knew what the future held.
"Yes, Ally. I can see a future here with Elizabeth. Raising Jack and maybe another child or two. Hope Valley had been good to us. It feels like home."
"Good," Ally said. "I have already seen more of Canada than a lot of my peers. Opal and Emily always talk about wanting to see other places but even though I want to go to college, part of me always sees myself settling back here. This is the one place that I have felt that I truly belonged over the years. Perhaps it won't happen. Perhaps I will fall in love with someone and we'll settle elsewhere. Maybe I will still even end up with Robert," she admitted, a blush coming to her cheeks. "Even if that is what life has in store for me, it doesn't seem scary if I know I can always come home to Hope Valley."
"Home is where the heart is," Nathan murmured quietly, thinking about Elizabeth standing at the front of the schoolhouse saying those words their first Christmas in Hope Valley.
The two walked in silence for a while, just enjoying being with one another and with nature. As their approach startled a rabbit hiding in the brush along the pond, the two paused momentarily to watch the rabbit scurry off to a new hiding place.
Taking a step forward after the rabbit had disappeared from view, Nathan decided to ask a question that was on his heart.
"Ally, I know all to well that we can't turn our feelings for someone off simply because logic or life circumstances say we should. Loving someone who doesn't love you back can be very hard. So, I was wondering, how are you doing with the situation with Robert?" Nathan asked delicately, telling himself not to press the subject if Ally brushed it off. Though he had been Ally's confidant for many years, he did understand that there were some topics that a young woman may not want to discuss with their father.
"It still hurts a little," Ally admitted. "Kind of like when he was spending time with Anna but not quite. That time felt like a rejection. That Robert liked Anna but didn't like me. This is different. Robert isn't pushing me away because he doesn't like me but because he cares about me enough to not want to stand in the way of my own dreams. Logically, I know he is doing what he thinks is right though I still care for him, so it hurts. Does that make sense?"
"It does," Nathan assured her.
"I sent my first letter to Robert. I tried to keep it upbeat and talked about things happening here in Hope Valley. I thought he might like that though I do hope he is making new friends at his new post. I also hope he gets a good training officer. I have met some Mounties at your postings that are so gruff that I wouldn't want them as a training officer," Ally commented. She got a sheepish look even as Nathan chuckled. "Sorry that wasn't a very charitable thing to say."
"It wasn't, but I know exactly what you mean," Nathan assured her.
"He said he would write back if I chose to write. I hope he says he is settling in and making new friends. That is what I should want for him, even if I didn't like his choice regarding us. I figure that I need to follow your example. If I care about Robert, like you always cared about Mama, then I should show that in my actions toward him even if he makes choices I don't like."
"That is a very mature choice young lady," Nathan told him. "I am proud of you."
"Maybe wait to say that until we see how I react to getting a letter back from him," Ally admitted sheepishly.
Nathan gave her a small smile. "Even if you tell me you hate me in an outburst of emotion, I will still be proud of you for taking this step. Life's choices are not always easy to make, but you are making some good ones already."
Ally smiled proudly at the compliment.
"How did I get so lucky to get you as my Dad?" Ally asked.
"I have asked the same thing about you being my daughter more than once, my little rose," Nathan told her.
As Ally asked him about his trip to Hamilton, Nathan was more than happy to turn the conversation back to matters of a lighter nature.
When they returned to the Amaryllis, Elizabeth and Jack were still on the settee though Jack had fallen asleep. Elizabeth sat looking down at him as she silently stroked the boy's hair. With an arm around Ally, Nathan watched his wife and son silently. It felt good to be home.
Elizabeth looked up. The smile she gave him made Nathan's heart skip a beat. In her eyes was an unabashed love. While he had seen that look before while she was gazing at her son, this was the first time that Nathan had seen it directed at him. Remembering her declaration of love at the train station, he knew that this had been worth the test of his patience all these years.
"Did you two enjoy your walk?" Elizabeth asked quietly.
"Yes," Ally replied. "It was nice to have Dad all to myself for a little bit."
Elizabeth gave the sympathetic look to the girl. "Sharing him must be hard for you after all those years of having him to yourself."
"At times, " Ally admitted. "I like having a Mama and brother too, though. I have a feeling that sometimes I am probably going to feel selfish and want him all to myself."
Nathan chuckled. He hoped his daughter would never out grow wanting to spend time with him.
"I can understand that feeling, Ally," Elizabeth told her. "Know that if you ever want a fishing trip or anything to be just you and your Dad, you speak up and I will make sure Jack understands."
"Thank you, Mama," Ally replied. "I can make it up to him by letting him have his own guy time with Dad while you and I bake or something, as well."
"I would enjoy that time with you as well," Elizabeth told him.
"Are you ready to leave, Elizabeth, or would you rather Jack finish his nap?" Nathan asked.
Elizabeth looked back down at the sleeping boy. Nathan could see the tug of two different emotions on her face - the not wanting to part with her son and the desire to be alone with him.
"I think we should get going," Elizabeth said, looking up at him. "I am sure Jack isn't the only one tired from the long trip home."
"You would be right," Nathan admitted. "Let me go find my dad."
Elizabeth nodded. As he left the private diningroom, he could hear Elizabeth gently trying to wake Jack up.
Nathan found his father in the main room. He seemed to be going over a few last minute things with Gretchen. Archie smiled as he saw Nathan approaching.
"Are you ready for me to take the kids then?"
"Yes, Dad. We are," Nathan replied.
"I've got everything here," Gretchen assured her boss. "Go. Enjoy some time with your grandchildren."
"Thank you," Archie told her before leaving her to managing the Amaryllis for the night. As the two Grant men walked toward the private dinning room, Nathan spoke.
"Dad, if Jack gets too upset tonight, please bring him home. He had a bit of a meltdown with missing his mother around dinner time last night on the train."
Archie clapped a hand on his son's shoulder. "If he misses his mama too much, I will. Ally and I plan on keeping him entertained enough that it will not be an issue. I am hoping Nate might provide a distraction as well. I don't allow a duck in my apartment for just anyone you know."
Nathan chuckled. "I am sure Jack will appreciate it," he told his father.
Walking into the dinning room, they found a still sleepy looking Jack sitting next to Elizabeth on the settee. Ally had gathered the books they had brought for Jack to choose from. She planned on taking them to their grandfather's for Jack's bedtime. Just because he had read it with his mother did not mean Jack wouldn't pick a book a second time.
"Are you ready for your sleep over with Grandpa, Jack?" Archie asked cheerfully to the little boy.
Jack nodded yes in reply, but as Nathan walked closer, the boy held his arms up to his Dad. Nathan obliged, and reached down for the boy. Jack laid his head down on his father's shoulder as Elizabeth stood up. Together, the five Grants left the Amaryllis and made their way to Archie's apartment above the infirmary. As they walked in, Nate started quacking his greeting from the crate he was in. The sound of the duck instantly finished waking Jack up. The boy wiggled to be let down and Nathan quickly obliged.
"Hello, Nate!" Jack exclaimed hurrying toward the crate. "Did you miss me?" he asked kneeling down next to the crate.
From the increase racket the duck made, it was assumed that Nate's answer was yes. Jack soon had the duck out of the crate and in his lap. Nate looked quite content as Jack stroked the feathers on his back gently.
"Well, we should hopefully be able to leave without too much of a fuss," Elizabeth said quietly as she watched her son with his duck.
"I just don't know how long that will last."
"Jack will be fine with me," Archie told them. "I have had some experience with little boys breaking down into tears when things upset them," he said, giving Nathan a knowing look. "When you were Jack's age, you started not wanting to take an afternoon nap but then you would be overtired by the time supper rolled around and the littlest thing would upset you."
Elizabeth giggled at the story even as Nathan felt the heat rise in his cheeks. Instead of responding, he said a final good-bye to both children. Elizabeth did likewise, holding Jack a little longer than she had Ally.
"Can we make pancakes for supper tomorrow and make faces on them before we eat them?" Jack asked. "Ally has never done it with us."
"Yes, my Sweet Boy," Elizabeth told him holding him tightly against her. "We can do that for tomorrow's supper. I am sure your Dad and Ally will love being a part of it."
"Turning food into art is always fun," Ally chimed it.
Nathan waited patiently for mother and son to enjoy their parting embrace. Nate however did not and was soon pulling on Jack's pant leg for the boy's affection.
"Mama, Nate needs me," Jack said, pulling away from her.
"You go take good care of your duck, Jack. I will see you in the morning."
"Bye, Mama," Jack said, letting go of Elizabeth and turning to his duck. "Just saying goodbye to Mama, Nate," the boy told the duck dropping to his knees next to it and stroking the duck's back. Nate gave out a sound that sounded suspiciously like a contented sigh.
Nathan slipped a hand around Elizabeth's shoulders. "Let's go. The kids will be fine with Dad tonight."
Elizabeth nodded. "I know they will." She looked over at her father-in-law. "Thanks for agreeing to watch them."
"No problem at all," Archie said. "I have a feeling Cosmo will be just about ready to take you home by now. Gretchen would have sent Alan to get him from the livery for you."
"You didn't need to do that, Dad."
Archie shrugged. "Seemed like a nice thing to do. You two enjoy your evening," he added with a smirk before turning to the grandchildren.
As Nathan led Elizabeth from the apartment, he had no doubt that his cheeks were just as red as hers were.