AN: So, I was just barely able to finish this with everything going on. No promises for an update next week but I will try. I really wish I still had my cushion on this story right about now. Thanks to Katie for a quick look over, this chapter should be relatively free of typos. Hope you enjoy!

Opening his eyes, Nathan realized that it was daytime. Not used to being in bed during the day, it took him a moment to remember why. The memory of yesterday's events and the trip to the hospital came back to him. It had been near dawn when Henry had pulled up in front of the Kinslows' row house. Despite the early hour, Faith was at the door, still dressed with a shawl around her shoulders. Nathan had helped her get Gabriel settled in bed, instructed her to get some sleep herself, and then left. Henry had then driven him home with the promise to put a note on the infirmary door that Faith would not be in and that she could be found at home for an emergency.

His own home had been dark and quiet. Though he had tried to be quiet and not wake Elizabeth or the kids, as he had slipped under the blankets for at least a quick nap, Elizabeth had stirred. She had asked about Gabriel and then told him to get what rest he needed. Her plan was to get breakfast for the kids and then take them outside. As quiet as the house was, Nathan had a feeling Elizabeth had followed through with that plan.

Reaching for his pocket watch Nathan noticed it was getting close to noon. "So much for breakfast," he muttered as he climbed from the bed.

Nathan got ready for the day and then went downstairs. Stepping out onto the front porch, he looked around for his family. He spotted them immediately out by the pond. All three of them were bundled up and watching Nate as the duck stood on the bank of the pond and played used his beak to play with water.

As Nathan started toward them, Jack looked up and spotted him.

"Daddy is awake!" Jack yelled and started running toward Nathan.

Realizing that Jack was leaving, Nate immediately started following. As the duck's shorter legs would not carry him as fast, indignant quacking filled the air. Even as he knelt to greet his oncoming son, Nathan was aware that Elizabeth and Ally, both laughing at the antics of the duck, were following as well. Catching up to the waddling duck, Ally scooped him up as she and Elizabeth continued coming toward him. Meanwhile Jack reached him at a run.

"Morning, Daddy," Jack said, as he ran into Nathan's open arms. "I missed you."

"Missed you too, buddy," Nathan said, wrapping hi arms around his son and standing up. "Were you good for your Mama?"

Jack nodded his head. "Can we go see Uncle Gabe? Mama said to ask you if we can."

Nathan nodded. "I think your Uncle Gabe would love to see you," Nathan said, knowing that his friend would be complaining about taking it easy just as soon as he got enough sleep. "First though, are you hungry for lunch? I know I am starving."

Jack nodded his head as Ally and Elizabeth reached them. Nathan reached out to take the still protesting duck from Ally with the arm not holding Jack. As he held the duck against him, Jack reached out to pet Nate, who immediately calmed down.

"Sorry I left you behind, Nate," Jack told the duck.

"Have you eaten yet?" Elizabeth asked, leaning in to receive a quick kiss hello from her husband.

"No," Nathan replied. "I thought I would see if you all were ready to eat so I had company."

"We were trying to wait for you to wake up for lunch," Ally informed him.

Nathan nodded. "Then I say we have lunch and then go check in on your Uncle Gabe and Aunt Faith," he told his family.

"I was thinking perhaps I could do some cooking for them while I am there," Elizabeth said as the family headed inside. She didn't bother protesting that Nathan still had the duck in his arms.

"I am sure Faith will appreciate that," Nathan replied. "She'll probably also just enjoy having someone else remind Gabriel about taking it easy."

"Is trying to act like nothing is wrong when you're hurt a man thing?" Ally asked. "Because I know, you never liked being told to take it easy."

Elizabeth giggled.

"I have known quite a few women who don't want to be told to take things easy as well," Nathan replied. "I would say it is just a part of most people's personality not to want to do what they are used to doing and being told what to do."

Ally nodded with a thoughtful look on her face.

"Can you keep an eye on your brother while I help your mother get lunch?" Nathan asked, putting Jack down in the living room and handing his son the duck.

"Yes," Ally replied. "How about we build something while we wait, Jack," she told the little boy, heading to the crate in the corner where they kept the toys that were downstairs.

Faith was grateful for the Grants visit that evening. The Grants even stayed for supper, with Elizabeth, Faith and the kids eating downstairs, while Nathan ate upstairs with Gabe. During the meal, Corporal Horton stopped by to let Gabriel know he was in town and would be covering the posting for the next few days. He got a quick report from Gabriel before taking his leave to get settled at the Amaryllis.

On Monday, Faith walked Gabriel to his office. Though limited to office work, Gabriel was more than ready to head into the office. After convincing his wife that he would be fine and that she should go to the infirmary, Gabriel got a report from Horton.

Bill had sentenced the brawler with previous charges to jail time and had him transferred to Union City. The other two arrested had been let go this morning, the two days jail time and fines, along with restitution to the pool hall for damages, and community service, the extent of their punishment. The others involved in the brawl had all been sentenced to community service and restitution for the damages their brawl had caused to the pool hall.

Other than that, things had been fairly quiet around the area. After giving the report, Horton headed out on rounds, taking Apollo at Gabriel's request. Though the horse had been cared for by others over the weekend, he had not been ridden. Gabriel knew the horse would appreciate some exercise. Though he had given Vincent a few riding lessons, Gabriel still did not feel comfortable with the lad riding alone. Gabriel made a mental note to ask Nathan or Elizabeth if they would be willing to take Vincent out riding on occasion while he was recovering. It would give Apollo exercise and Vincent some practice riding.

Though Monday seemed to go by quickly, by Tuesday the novelty of being out of the house had ended and even the office seemed confining. When Nathan and Vincent showed up on their way to saddle up Apollo for a ride, Gabriel was grateful for the distraction. He even ended up walking to the livery with them both to see his partner and to simply get out of the office.

On Wednesday, Gabriel's distraction came by the way of Superintendent O'Reilly appearing in the office just after one o'clock. After exchanging greetings, O'Reilly instructed Gabriel to step outside with him. Doing so, Gabriel found that Corporal Horton had been busy rounding up folks who were in town. The street in front of the Mounted Police Office was crowded with the folks whom he served. As he surveyed the gathered crowd, Gabriel found Nathan and his family in the gathered crowd. The expression on Nathan's face was enough to tell Gabriel that whatever was going on, his friend knew about it.

Gabriel's curiosity piqued even more when Faith and Vincent stepped up on the boardwalk next to O'Reilly. The proud look that his wife and son wore told Gabriel that this gathering wasn't a surprise to them either. Before he could ask any questions though, his superior started speaking.

"Thank you all for taking time out of your busy days to join us here. A few of you know exactly what this gathering is about," O'Reilly said, addressing the crowd. "The rest of you probably feel as lost as your Constable here beside me." He paused as a ripple of laughter passed through the crowd. "As I do not want to take you away from your work for too long, let me get onto the reason I asked you to gather. With the growth of Hope Valley and the surrounding area the posting covers, the RCMP has made the decision to assign a second officer to this posting. As Constable Kinslow will be the senior man here, it has been decided to promote him to Sergeant."

O'Reilly motioned Gabriel forward for the rest of the presentation, bestowing upon him the new rank insignia. The two Mounties saluted and shook hands before O'Reilly presented Sergeant Gabriel Kinslow to the gathered townsfolk. The crowd erupted in applause as Faith stepped up to Gabriel's right side. As she wrapped his arm around his waist, Gabriel put a hand around her shoulders. Vincent stayed off to the side, clapping along with everyone else.

When the crowd had quieted down again, O'Reilly spoke. "Corporal Harold Mayne will be arriving late next week to take his posting here in Hope Valley," he informed the gathered town folks. "He will be bringing with him one of our recent graduates from the Academy who will do their field training with Corporal Mayne. I hope you will welcome them both to Hope Valley," O'Reilly said. Gabriel did not miss the fact that the Superintendent looked right at Bill as he said the last part nor the fact that Bill stared back at O'Reilly.

As the impromptu ceremony came to an end and the crowd dispersed, Gabriel found himself being approached by neighbors and friends, wishing him congratulations. The more people he spoke to, the more the surprise of the whole ordeal wore off and the reality of the promotion sunk in.

That evening, Elizabeth was setting the table when there was a knock at the door. "I'll get the door, Ally," she called to her daughter who was keeping an eye on the cooking food. Nathan was out in his shop. As he was only staining some completed pieces, he had taken Jack out with him. The little boy had been ecstatic at the rare opportunity to join Daddy in his wood shop.

Placing the cutlery in her hand on the table, Elizabeth headed for the front door. Opening in, she was surprised to find Ned, Florence, and Rick Mortin standing on her front porch. A foreman at the shoe factory, Mr. Mortin was relatively new to the area, but Elizabeth had gotten to know him well as he had spearheaded the opening on the new school. A father of two himself, the man had been elected as President of the school board. It was he who spoke now.

"I do apologize for the late hour but our meeting just adjourned a short time ago, and we have a matter that the three of us would like to discuss with you that is important. May we have a bit of your time, Mrs. Bou- I apologize, Mrs. Grant," Rick said catching himself on the name change, as Elizabeth's last interaction with the man had been when she was forced to resign as a teacher.

"Please, Elizabeth," Florence said from her spot just behind Rick. "I understand the school board is the last organization you want to hear from after what happened but can you just hear Mr. Mortin out please?"

Though about to say no, Florence's request changed Elizabeth's mind. She had known the woman since first coming to Coal Valley and their relationship had come a long way since that first meeting. Nodding her assent, Elizabeth stepped aside and motioned the three of them in.

"Have a seat in the living room. I am just going to go check on Ally and our supper," Elizabeth told them as she shut the door behind Ned, who was the last to enter.

After making sure Ally had everything under control in the kitchen, Elizabeth joined her guests in the living room. Florence and Ned had taken seats on the settee, while Rick was in the wingback chair. Crossing to the rocking chair, Elizabeth took a seat and folded her hands in her lap. "What is it you wanted to speak to me about?" she asked calmly.

As president of the school board, Rick was the one to speak. "Mrs. Grant, I have been told that you have been teaching Timothy Lawson since his parents pulled him from the school and filed a complaint against Mr. Standish."

"They asked me and Mrs. Weise to home school their son, yes," Elizabeth replied. Though steady, she could hear the coolness in her own tone.

"I am not here to make issue with that arrangement, I assure you, Mrs. Grant," Rick told her. "Quite the opposite, really. As you are home schooling your stepdaughter"

"Daughter," Elizabeth corrected quickly. "My husband and I have adopted the children."

"Forgive me. Since you are home schooling your daughter, I am sure you are aware that this is not the first complaint brought to the school board since your departure. It is, however, the most serious one."

"I would be furious if Paul was disciplined that way. He has never been a fan of school, but he downright hates it now," Florence interjected.

"Yes, well, the school board is acting now," Rick said. "We have fired Mr. Standish. In doing so, he has revealed to us that he had been told the position would be freed up by people being paid to bring false allegations against you, Mrs. Grant. On behalf of the school board, I offer you our most sincere apologies for believing those allegations and asking for your resignation."

"So, Lucas did pay those parents to make the allegations after I refused to resign when he told me to," Elizabeth mused outside.

"We have not confirmed with the parents, but Mr. Standish's remark was that he knew he should have moved on when the man who orchestrated the position was fired," Ned told her.

"Ned and Florence have always believed in your innocence, Mrs. Grant. They refused to vote for your resignation just so you know."

"Thank you both for that," Elizabeth said, giving her two friends a smile. Ned and Florence both murmured "you're welcome."

"Firing Mr. Standish of course leaves us without a teacher for the older students," Mr. Standish explained. "There are too many children for Ms, Stiles to teach alone, and while Miss Magdon could cover for a few days, she is used to teaching music and art to all the children and not making typical lesson plans. Finding a teacher in the middle of the school year is not an easy feat. I know you owe us nothing, Mrs. Grant, but would you consider coming back at least on a temporary basis. For the sake of the children, if nothing else."

The part of Elizabeth that always yearned to be a teacher longed to go back but the mother in her didn't want to. Though she would never be all right with being forced out the way she had been, the mother in her had enjoyed the extra time with Jack.

"I planned on taking a break from home schooling early at Christmas to go spend time with my family in Hamilton. I am not changing those plans," Elizabeth told him as the front door opened.

Not noticing the guests, Jack made a bee line for his mother. "Daddy let me do some of the staining!" the boy told her excitedly.

"That is wonderful," Elizabeth told him, about to gently reprimand him for interrupting the conversation though. Before she could, Jack noticed the other adults in the room.

"I'm sorry to int'rupt," Jack said meekly.

"It is quite all right, young man," Rick replied with a smile. "That is quite a feat for a young man. Of course you want to tell your, Mama," he told the boy, winning favor points with Elizabeth. Looking from Jack to Elizabeth, the man continued. "I will make sure the class is covered for your extended leave at Christmas time if you help us out. With proper instructions I am sure Miss Magdon could get the children to holiday break."

Elizabeth felt torn. She had hoped the vacation time might be enough of a reason not to take the position. She looked up at Nathan who had moved to the hallway. She had a feeling he could probably read the pleading that she felt.

"I admit I came in near the end of this conversation, but it sounds like you are asking my wife to come back to teach at the school," Nathan ventured.

"We are," Rick confirmed.

"Well, given all that has happened, both with her teaching and personally, I think it might be best if Elizabeth has a little time to think about her choice. Maybe talk over the decision with me if she desires. Could she give her your answer tomorrow?"

Rick, Ned and Florence all nodded, the last two looking relieved.

"That would be acceptable," Rick said as he got to his feet. Ned and Florence followed suit. "Thank-you for your time, Mrs. Grant," he said, shaking Elizabeth's hand.

Elizabeth nodded, not quite trusting her voice yet. She felt gratitude for Nathan as he had given her time to make a choice and made it clear that he would support her decision with his choice of words.

Ned and Florence said good-bye as Nathan showed the guests out of the house. As Nathan returned, Ally came out of the kitchen.

"Supper is ready," the girl announced before coming over to give her mother a hug. "As much as I enjoy being home schooled by you, Mom, if you want to go back to teaching, I am okay with sharing you."

The words brought a smile to Elizabeth's face. "Thank you, Sweetheart," she replied, kissing her daughter's cheek. "Right now, how about we all go eat supper and I'll think about this offer more later."

"Supper!" Jack said, scurrying away from Elizabeth and in the direction of the dining room. The rest of his family followed.