A chilly breeze blew through the station as Nathan stood waiting for the train to arrive, reminding him that winter was right around the corner. His gaze landed on the spot where, only a week ago, he had knelt and proposed to Jenny Bouchard. He couldn't stop the smile that spread upon his face as he remembered her surprise and acceptance. He was never more certain of anything in his life- he wanted Jenny to be his wife, and for the first time that he could remember, he was truly looking forward to what the future had in store.

A quick call to New Orleans and Judge Avery was soon on his way back to Hope Valley for the ceremony. Grant could think of no one else he would rather ask to be his best man. Nathan was only sad for Jenny that her brother wouldn't be there for the wedding.

The shrill whistle blew, breaking Nathan out of his reverie. It wasn't long before the train pulled into the station, and the passengers began to disembark. It was a busy stop for the Canadian Pacific Railway service. As more and more customers stepped down upon the platform, none familiar, Nathan began to become nervous at the thought that his friend had missed the train. But eventually, he saw his grumpy face, and immediate relief washed over him. Leave it to Bill to be the last one off.

"Do I want to know why you look so sullen?" Nathan asked as the two shook hands.

Bill rolled his eyes. "If you had to listen to the snoring I did for several nights, you might be a bit cranky, too." Avery set his suitcase on the ground and straightened his clothes. A long stretch followed before he retrieved his case. "That's better," he added, then he smiled. "It's good to see you, Consta..." Bill stopped, his friend beginning to open his mouth in correction. "I'm sorry….Inspector Grant. That will take some getting used to. I still can't believe you decided to join the Pinkertons."

"We already had this conversation a week ago- in-depth, as I recall. My focus has changed, and while I will always love my time with the Mounties, some things are more important than the serge."

The men walked through the station as they talked, ending up in front of the Queen of Hearts Taxi. Bill looked around for the driver and then saw Nathan holding a set of keys. He looked at him with curiosity. "Where is he?"

"George got a job in Edmonton and took off last week. The car belongs to Lucas, so I borrowed the keys."

Bill raised his eyebrows. "Wait. You're driving?!"

Grant grinned. "Let's just say that Jenny has been a good teacher. Now, don't be afraid," he said as he saw the hesitation in Avery's eyes. "I know what I'm doing."

"Famous last words," the judge said nervously as he loaded his luggage into the back of the car and got into it.

Nathan chuckled. Starting the vehicle, he looked both ways behind him for traffic before pulling out of the spot. "Thanks, Bill, for coming up for the wedding and for being my best man."

"I couldn't let you stand up there all alone, now, could I?"

"I guess not," Grant replied as the vehicle rolled down the street. Both men immediately thought about Lucas and the fact he was out there somewhere, devoid of all of his friends and family. They wondered where he could be.

The gentle tinkling of fine china and the soft squeak of the breakfast cart rolling into his room finally caused Lucas to stir. He wasn't used to sleeping until past noon. Still, the combination of nausea from his pain medication, discomfort from his injury, and the luxurious Supima cotton sheets and pillowcases upon which he slept made him want to stay in bed.

He had been at the Falkenberg's estate ever since being released from the hospital three days prior, as ordered by Annie's father, who wished to repay the courageous man who saved his daughter's life in every way possible. And although Lucas protested the move, he wasn't able to do much as it took very little morphine to make him an incoherent mess. Sam Peterson brought over some of his clothing, and at least on this temporary basis, Lucas was being treated like a king in one of the most prestigious properties on the North Shore of Long Island.

He rolled over, eyes blinded by the sudden intrusion of sunlight coming through the now-open blinds.

"Please leave the cart here, Thomas," Lucas said, his eyes being closed. "I will try to nibble on something once I'm awake."

The light flicked on in the bedroom, and the sound of clattering glass was heard even more.

"Thomas is running an errand for Sophia," the familiar voice said. "I am to take care of you today."

Lucas turned his head toward the cart and squinted. "Tilly! What are you doing here?" he asked, pulling his blanket closer to his chest.

"I believe I've already answered that question."

"But….you can't - this isn't right. I…. I'm hardly dressed."

Tilly grinned. "You're in your pajamas, silly."

"Yes…but I'm all unbuttoned…" he said, reaching to button his pajama top, which lay open due to the bandage across his chest.

"That's dressed enough," she said, carrying him a cup of freshly brewed tea made exactly how he liked it. She reached for his hand and tugged it away from the shirt. "I've seen a man's bare chest before. Remember, I have a brother and a father – although the king would never…."

"Because he had a sense of modesty about him, something that is being lost in this modern age," he mumbled.

"Listen to you. You sound like an old man."

Lucas was still a little sore, so she reached out to help him as he began to rise and took the cup from her. "I am an old man."

"Nonsense," she chuckled. "Now sitty uppy and have some breakfast."

Lucas sat up in bed, his hair a glorious mess and his expression somewhat childlike. "I don't want to eat anything right now."

Tilly raised her eyebrows and sat on the edge of his bed. "That's what you've been saying for the past three days," she replied, running her hand through his hair. How do you expect to get stronger if you don't eat?"

Lucas shook his head. "I can't help it. The medicine makes me feel ill."

"Well, they are dropping you back to just aspirin today, so that should help." Tilly put her hands over his hand and lifted them and the teacup to his lips. "Drink. It's ginger tea. It will help soothe your stomach."

Lucas looked up at her trustingly and drank. He closed his eyes as the soothing liquid coated his parched throat. "That's good," he said.

Tilly was pleased. "My mother would make it for us when we were sick as children. She made it from fresh ginger with a drizzle of honey."

He nodded appreciatively. "Your mother sounds like a kind woman."

"She is."

"This is nice."

"Good. Now, hold the cup while I prepare the rest of your breakfast, and then I'll change your bandage."

"Tilly, you…."

"…Don't have to do it, I know," she said, standing and walking to the tray of food and lifting the lid. "But I want to. You deserve someone to care for you, to pamper you."

"I don't know about that."

"Lionel, you are always so down about yourself. Don't you know you're a treasure of a man?"

Lucas just stared at his teacup.

"Fine. Don't answer me. But you are. Do you think you were never pampered?" she asked, as she dipped out some oatmeal with bananas, honey, and cinnamon on it – the most nutritious bland food she could think of for an upset stomach.

Lucas considered the thought and how foreign being doted on felt to him, even from her servants. "I do not believe so. Not that it's required. I believe I've just been on my own for most of my life. Some sort of lowly vagabond."

"You come from somewhere, " Tilly said, raising her eyebrows. "I mean, even though we do not know much about you, I believe you come from a wealthy family."

Lucas tilted his head. "What makes you say that? Are you going by Sam's fascination with my shoes?"

"No. Wealthy people donate to second-hand shops all of the time. You can get a lot of nice things in those places – so I don't base it on externals, entirely. You are both well-read and well-spoken, showing your education was very important to whoever raised you. Plus, there is the general way you carry yourself. You have a dignity to you – but not at all stuffy. You're…classy."

Lucas laughed. "That doesn't mean I am wealthy. There are many people of less means that are dignified and many wealthy men who….for lack of a better word, are pigs."

"That's true. And I didn't mean to infer that to not have money means you don't have class. I would take Joe the butcher to the chief chef at the palace any day," Tilly continued. "But, you're a gentleman, Lionel – in a world where gentlemen are becoming increasingly rare. In terms of looks, your skin is flawless, and your hands smooth, which tells me whatever it is you have done in life has not required you to work outside. And your sense of style and manners are impeccable. You are smart and kind…."

"Again, not characteristics exclusive to the wealthy."

"No. But the formality in which you speak, I don't typically hear that in some of the lower classes. I believe you had a mother who was big on words."

"Isn't that most women?" Lucas joked to cover the embarrassment he felt due to all of her praise.

"Oh, look who is being prejudiced now."

"I was just joking," he responded. "I have the utmost respect for women – especially the one in whose presence I currently abide."

Tilly smirked. "Continue."

Lucas chuckled again as he took another sip of tea. "It's just I wasn't aware that I would be in the presence of a real-life Madam Detective this morning. You've been studying me."

"I have," she responded with a smile.

Lucas looked at her and there was a brief moment of awkward silence as he wondered what else she thought about concerning him. He lowered his head with a shy grin. "Did I mention this tea is good?"

"Yes." Tilly walked to him, carrying a wooden tray to his bed. "You did."

As she leaned over to place the tray, Lucas set the tea on the nightstand and attempted to help her. The movement caused their faces to draw very close to one another. Both immediately looked at the other's lips and then caught their breath. Looking up into each other's eyes, Tilly bit her lip and backed away, and Lucas lowered his gaze to the tray.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to."

Tilly studied the shy way he retreated and considered how gentle he was with her feelings. This was a very good man. "No apologies necessary. I didn't mind."

A small grin appeared on Bouchard's face as he decided to shift the focus back to her. "Well, I believe you are just projecting all of your good qualities onto me," he replied, casting his gaze toward her. "You're beautiful, and kind, and unpretentious, and smart, and while you have a dignity about you – you're not at all stuffy either. In terms of classy, I would pretty much say that you are the definition of the word."

Tilly looked at him and grinned. "Keep talking that way, and I just may keep you."

Lucas looked down and smiled, then raised his eyes to hers again and took another sip of tea.

Nathan and Bill arrived in Hope Valley, and Avery quickly settled into a room at the Queen of Hearts. After taking a short time to unpack, the judge walked to the window and looked out at the mostly barren town that he'd called home for over a decade and shook his head. In the distance he could see the scarred remnants of the land around them, but in front of him, an eerie quiet. The town itself had not been touched directly by the fires, but it might as well have been. So many hopes and dreams had gone up in smoke. What a shame. Hope Valley had once lived up to its name, providing the people who visited it with an uplifting spirit and a warmth unlike any other place – now, it was dead. But at least the people survived. They were what was important.

After cleaning up, Avery made his way to the Mountie station to talk to the temporary officer that headquarters had sent to fill Nathan's vacancy. Then, he visited with Joseph for a bit. The pastor was his normal, encouraging self, but Bill could tell that the impact of all that had happened was weighing on him. He was a pastor, after all, and his people were hurting.

"God made me an under-shepherd for his sheep," Canfield finally confessed. "And even though I know there was nothing I could have done to stop any of it, it still feels like failure that I wasn't able to."

"Nathan went through the same emotions," Bill said. "But I think sometimes we take on more than it's our responsibility to have."

Joseph chuckled. "Listen to you. I never took you to be a theologian."

"I'm not," Bill said firmly. "I have just learned, or shall I say have been learning, to let go of the things I can't control. It's easier said than done, but I think it's the right approach. You're here to see people off now. That's your job, and that's enough."

Canfield nodded. "Very wise words, Bill. Thank you. I will miss Hope Valley. We were happy here, and we had a real sense of community."

"Yes, we did. Yes, we did."

After breakfast, Lucas got up from his bed and went to the bathroom adjoining his bedroom to clean up. Due to his incision, he had been instructed to wait for several days before taking a bath to keep the wound dry. Despite the fact that he had taken 'sponge baths' every day since he'd been out, Bouchard was certain that he positively reeked and couldn't wait for a soak. Today, he had been given clearance to do so.

Turning on the water to the tub, he went back into the bedroom and spent some time picking out what he wanted to wear that day. He denied to himself that he was spending any extra time on this task, but the truth of the matter was that he wanted to make a good impression on the Falkenbergs, and he wanted to please Tilly.

Finally settling on a pair of navy trousers, a matching vest, and a white shirt and tie, he set his clean clothes over on a seat at the side of the bathroom and began to undress. Testing the water temperature as it neared the top, he mused how good it would feel to soak for a bit in the luxurious tub. He then turned and began to gather the supplies necessary for the bath. Noticing the butler had already set out a fresh razor and shaving foam and that clean towels were on a rack above the furnace vent, ensuring they would be warm – he assessed that all he needed now was shampoo.

Standing buck-naked in the middle of the room, he opened the bathroom cabinet and then let out an inadvertent shout. "Yes!" he said, his heart actually speeding up over the surprise in front of him. They had it—his Bonnefoy Frères Shampoo, which he had found difficult to get ever since his mother had wasted his entire supply on making him a bubble bath.

"I have missed you, my friend!" he said with a smile. Snatching the bottle from the cabinet, it suddenly dawned on him that he remembered something about his mother, and in his excitement, he was beginning to leave the room when, suddenly, the bathroom door swung open. Lucas turned and, in one moment, stumbled, grabbing a nearby washcloth from the bathroom counter in a futile attempt to cover up.

"T-T-T-Tilly!"

Tilly's eyes widened at what she had seen, and she immediately put her hand over her eyes. "I-I-I I'm sorry, L-L-L Lionel…. I heard you shout and was afraid….."

"NO! I'm f-f-fine!" he said, crossing his legs in front of him as his face, ears, and chest turned beet red. "I just…."

Next, the sound of running water hitting the floor captured his attention. "Oh, my…." He said, looking at the tub which was beginning to overflow. Tilly couldn't help but look up again as Lucas streaked across the floor and promptly slipped in the wetness on the tile. Not thinking, she ran to help him and followed the same path. Hearing the shouts, the maid came running and, upon seeing a completely nude Lucas with his legs pulled up to his chest and Tilly in her wet silk dress scrambling to her knees to turn off the faucet, promptly swooned. Having heard the commotion, the butler arrived, having just returned from his errand, just in time to catch her and see the spectacle in front of him. He was followed by Ari Falkenberg, who simply stood there, with arms folded in front of him, and gawked. Bouchard suddenly felt dizzy and rested his head on his knees.

"I-I-I can explain, Ari," Tilly said, standing up from the floor after turning the bath water off.

"Perhaps you should change first?" an amused Falkenberg replied. "And allow Mr. Berrymore to bathe alone?"

Tilly turned to Lucas and touched his arm. "Are you…."

"Fine!" he said, mortified that she and they all were still there and wishing to disappear.

"I will see you downstairs then," she responded, stepping away and out of the room.

"I will gather some additional towels, sir," the butler said, "And will clean up this water after you are done."

"Thank you, Thomas," Lucas replied, after which Thomas shut the door. Lucas laid back on the wet tile floor and stared at the ceiling; so much for a good impression.

After that, the afternoon was very quiet, with Lucas and Tilly largely avoiding each other so they could both recover. The Duchess and Annie took a ride into town, and Lucas stayed behind in the library at the estate, attempting to read one of his favorite novels to get his mind off of things. It was of no use, however. His mind was spinning, with thoughts of the incident, with thoughts of his injury, with thoughts of the memory of his mother's actions, but mostly with thoughts of Tilly.

You've embarrassed her! How could you be so clumsy? Now, she knows you're just a fraud. How could you have ever persuaded yourself that you could be friends? You're not good enough. You should just go away.

Across town, Tilly wasn't in much better shape.

Why did you just have to barge in there? He'll probably never speak to you now. You've violated his privacy and embarrassed him, and now he'll probably leave you—just like Michael did—only this time, he will have been driven away and not just cheated.

At the estate, things were quite a bit different. After hearing her story, Ari Falkenberg was busy trying to mollify his wife.

"But we don't even know who this Lionel person is, Ari! We were tasked with protecting the princess."

"And we have done so – and he has done so," Ari replied. "We now know his story that the poor chap has probably been through something terrible – Tilly thinks in the war, perhaps….which is why this is a perfect opportunity. Listen, Ottilia cares for him very much."

"And if it turns out he is a married man?"

"The two of them have kept an appropriate distance," Ari replied.

"Except for this afternoon," she responded.

"An accident. I've already explained," he replied. "She was concerned for him, and he looked like he'd seen a ghost. Purely an innocent accident. Besides, I don't think he is married."

"Why would you say that?"

"Because there is just something about him. When a man truly loves a woman, it changes who he is. This young man carries himself in a certain way. He has clearly been raised with some breeding, and that shows. But a man with a wife will either preen like the man who has won the grand prize at some great contest or have a dour disposition that he carries with him everywhere and I see neither of them in him. He may have loved, but I do not believe he has lived the life of a married man."

"Are you saying marrying me changed you?"

"Absolutely."

She cocked her eyebrow. "In which way?"

He walked to her side. "I shan't say, but you might be happy to know that most of the men at the club call me 'Fortuitous Falkie.'"

Sophia's lips curved into a pleased smirk. "Fine. You may ask."

"Bravo! I will do so tonight at dinner. Thank you, dear," he replied, kissing her on the cheek.

"You're welcome. But you will be the one to answer to the king for anything that goes wrong."

"Of course."

The afternoon rolled by swiftly, and soon, it was time for Nathan and Jenny's rehearsal dinner. The entire town turned out for the event, which didn't say a lot in itself since the population had dwindled to around 25 people by that point – but each person was there because they wanted to celebrate their former Mountie and his bride-to-be's future. The fact it was occurring in a venue that only months before was to be used for another such occasion but was cut short by tragedy was a looming undercurrent that all tried to push away.

"It certainly didn't take long for Gustave to get the kitchen up and running again," Helen remarked as dinner was wrapping up. Gustave wasn't needed in Montreal for his new position for another week, so he decided to stay and help out for the wedding.

The Coulters were actually leaving the next day as their plans had been set before the proposal so that they would miss the wedding, but they were there for the dinner. Bill was getting in some time with his godson as he didn't know when they might get to see each other again. Little Jack was sitting in the chair next to him at the table, with Jo on the boy's other side.

"This beef is remarkable," Jenny remarked, enjoying the classically spiced tenderloin Pepin served as the main dish. "I can't wait to see what he has concocted for dessert."

"While we wait, I think it's maybe time I should let you in on our honeymoon plans," Nathan said as he turned to his soon-to-be bride.

"Do tell," Bill responded, bringing a slight scowl from Grant before he smiled at Jenny again.

Upon seeing he had her full attention, Grant continued. "I thought perhaps we should take a trip to the East Coast. I've never been to New York City and ..."

"New York!? Oh, Nathan, I have always wanted to go there myself. That sounds like a wonderful honeymoon trip. Thank you." She paused, seemingly lost in thought, and then continued. "Do you think maybe...?"

Taking her hand, Nathan gently squeezed it. "I don't know, sweetheart. It's a big place with a lot of people. But there is always a chance that if Lucas is there, we could run into him. Still, I don't want you to get your hopes up."

"Of course not," she quietly replied. "It will be a splendid time together," she said, leaning forward and kissing his cheek.

Nathan took her hand under the table, rubbing its soft flesh with his thumb. "Allie will be spending some time with my parents while we are away, then joining us in Montreal when we return from our trip."

"New York. Too late for baseball season, or you could see that new guy they've hired, Babe Ruth. He's really something," Bill said.

"I've heard about him, and you're right," Grant replied.

Bill then thought for a moment. "You will be there during the Armistice Day parade. I heard that old 'Black Jack' Pershing will be there this year."

"General Pershing will be at the parade?" Nathan replied, his eyes lighting up. The man was a hero in Grant's eyes.

"So I heard," Bill responded.

"Wow."

"Then we will make sure to be there so you can see him," Jenny told Nathan, seeing the excitement in her fiancé's eyes. "Just think, in two days, we will be married."

"The two longest days of my life," Nathan replied, causing Bill to groan and roll his eyes as the former Mountie leaned over to kiss his intended.

Dinner at the Falkenbergs was very formal. The hosts carried on much of the conversation as Tilly and Lucas remained quiet. Lucas was thankful that the day's early incident had not been mentioned, and eventually, he engaged in a little discussion about the stock market with the older gentleman, impressing the man with his business knowledge.

"Have you ever considered working for a bank?" Falkenberg asked, causing Sophia to clear her throat. "What?"

"I do not wish to dissuade your conversation, but I do not believe Mr. Berrymore is here for a job interview. Please change the subject," Sophia said.

Ari looked at her for a moment and then caught her drift. "Oh…yes….I apologize."

"Not necessary," Lucas replied, taking a bite of his dessert and then wiping his mouth with a napkin.

"Let's move on to something more pleasant. Tilly…."

"Yes?" she said, raising her eyebrows.

"Next week is the annual Armistice celebration," he said, then turning toward Lucas. "Second year."

Bouchard nodded, and Ari continued. "Ottilia is our special guest at the event; even though most people do not know her identity as of yet – she is still there representing her family whose service was instrumental during the Great War – and as such, she will be with us on stage as we unveil the scholarship we are granting to Veterans starting this year."

"That sounds wonderful," Lucas said. "Many of the men returning have had a difficult time finding work. Furthering their education is likely out of their means both financially and emotionally."

"Yes, it is. Our bank has worked hard to help families whose soldier-husbands have defaulted on their loans, but that comes at the price of personal dignity. By offering the scholarship, we can overturn some of that—give the men the hand-up that they need and allow them to make a difference in their own lives.

That said, Mrs. Falkenberg is throwing a ball as part of this celebration, given that we will be entertaining guests, among whom will be the great General Pershing…."

"Oh, my!" Lucas said.

"We were wondering if you might be Ottillia's escort to the dance?" Ari finished.

Lucas furrowed his brow. "Escort?"

"Her date," Sophia continued.

Lucas opened his mouth to say something, but Tilly interrupted. "We don't date, Sophia. We conduct ourselves as friends since Lionel doesn't…."

"I know, I know. My mistake in phrasing it that way – but you do go out as friends, is that not correct?"

"Yes."

"I….I'm afraid I have no formal wear," Lucas said, thinking of all that a ball would entail.

"Not to worry," Ari said. "I will set you up with my tailor. One of the best in town – and given you are standing in the gap where our protection is not available, the tuxedo will be 'on the house' as they say."

Lucas looked over at Tilly, his eyes searching to determine how she felt. "Are you okay with this?" he asked.

Tilly smiled shyly. "I would love it if you would accompany me to the ball."

Lucas smiled. "Then, I'll do it."

"Excellent!" Ari replied. "I'll make the arrangements."

The day of Nathan Grant's marriage to Jenny Bouchard finally arrived, and the air was filled with excitement. The happy couple had decided on a modest ceremony, and their guest list was small as Hope Valley had been mostly deserted days before.

Jenny had picked out a simple gown of ivory lace that she found in Union City the previous week. When she tried it on, tears filled her eyes as she looked in the mirror. It was a perfect fit, and her 'something new.' Helen provided the 'something old' by giving her an antique handkerchief that she had carried at her wedding to Martin. Molly loaned her a small Bible, and Florence gave her a garter with a blue ribbon running through it. With all her boxes checked, Jenny checked her appearance in the mirror for the fourteenth time before turning to her mother.

"I'm so happy that you are here with me today, Mother," Jenny said, standing behind a screen and putting on her wedding gown.

"As am I, daughter. So much more than you know."

"It's a dream come true for me as well," Jenny replied.

"I'm sure you're sorry Lydia couldn't be here as well," Helen said.

"Yes. I know she blamed her gout, but in truth, I believe it is bittersweet for her to see me join another family. She wants me to be happy, but her son was once my husband, and now she feels out of place."

"We shall have to remedy that," Helen replied. "I will make sure to invite her to visit Montreal this Spring. She took good care of my daughter, and we shall take care of her."

Jenny stepped out from behind the screen, revealing herself in her wedding gown to her mother for the first time. Helen was overwhelmed.

"You look beautiful, my daughter. Just beautiful!"

"Thank you," Jenny smiled.

"Your father will be so proud, and if Lucas were here…" she cast her eyes downward, not completing her sentence. "I only wish..."

"None of that on my wedding day," Jenny gently scolded with a kiss on the cheek to soften the words. "But I miss him too," she softly whispered.

A light tap sounded at the door. "Come in," Helen offered, smiling when her husband entered the room.

Martin smiled brightly as he looked at his girl, and she didn't miss the tears that filled his eyes. "Pretty as a picture, you are. Both of you. Nathan should be at the church. Are we ready to go?"

"Absolutely," Jenny replied, reminding all three of their missing family member.

It had been a long time since Nathan felt this emotional, but truly, this day marked the change of everything in his life. He would be going from long-time bachelor to married man, from adoptive father to adoptive father of three (once Luke and Jo's adoption was complete), from law enforcement officer to Pinkerton inspector, from frontier Canadian to the son-in-law of one of Montreal's most prestigious and wealthy families – and he would be leaving the Northwest territories behind. He felt certain that he would be able to cope with all of the change, but as the hour of his marriage reached its culmination, he couldn't help but feel a little insecure. Would he be good enough?

Underscoring this fear, that morning, things hadn't gone as smoothly for Nathan as they had for Jenny. First, he couldn't find his suspenders. Then he spilled some coffee on his white shirt. When he got to his tie, he was all fumble fingers.

"Stupid tie," he said as he threw it towards the door just as Bill entered the room. The judge easily caught it.

"I don't think Lucas would appreciate you saying that about his favorite tie," Bill said, stepping closer to the groom.

Nathan paused and nodded. "Yeah, I suppose you're right. Wearing it today was sort of my way of including him in the wedding. It's kind of silly, I know."

"No, it isn't. I'm sure Jenny will be pleased. You and Lucas sort of became good friends there at the end."

"We did. We sure did. I hope he's okay."

Bill nodded, "Bouchard is resourceful. I'm sure he's fine. You, on the other hand…."

"Me?"

"You're not having second thoughts, are you? Your hands are shaking like a leaf," Bill said as he approached and put the tie around Nathan's neck.

"No, of course not. A little nervous is all," he answered as Bill began knotting the tie properly.

"A little nervous. I've seen long-tailed cats in a room full of rocking chairs less anxious than you are."

"Yeah, well….I've never done something like this, so…."

"Just think of the wedding night ahead of you," Bill suggested. Nathan muttered something unintelligible as Bill straightened the groom's collar and patted him on the shoulder before handing him his jacket.

"Yeah, that will calm me down," Nathan responded as he donned his coat.

Stepping in front of the mirror, Grant tugged on his jacket, first unbuttoning and then buttoning it again, then checking his cufflinks. "Am I presentable?" he asked after smoothing his hair.

"So handsome I might kiss you myself," the judge teased. "It's time to get over there before your bride shows up. Take a deep breath. It will be over soon."

"Has anyone ever told you that you have a terrible bedside manner?" Nathan asked as they left the room.

"Yes. My ex-wife," Bill replied as they continued on their way to the church.

The ride over only took a couple of minutes, and soon, the Bouchards were standing outside the door with Allie, who had gotten there before them and was impatiently waiting.

"You look beautiful, Jenny," she said, not being able to resist reaching out and touching Jenny's hair, which lay on her shoulders in soft waves.

"Thank you, Allie. I love your dress."

The girl was her maid of honor and had been preparing all week for this day. Rosemary Coulter had helped her find a dress that was just perfect for the occasion and made her look all grown up. It matched the color scheme that had been chosen for the event and was inadvertently a match to her father's tie.

Jo was inside the church, sitting with Gustave, waiting for her cue. She would serve as a flower girl, a job that made her practically as excited as the bride and groom.

Luke's job was to escort lady attendees into the sanctuary. When he walked up to his grandmother in his three-piece suit, he caused her and Jenny to let out a small gasp because of how much he favored his uncle, but it was Martin who remarked.

"It looks like our son is making an appearance here after all," he said, misty-eyed.

Oblivious to their conversation, Luke stuck out his arm to his grandmother and looked up at her expectantly.

"I better take my place," Helen said. Martin quickly pressed his lips to her temple before she entered the sanctuary.

Music began playing within a moment, and Martin took Jenny's hand and placed it on his arm. "Nathan is a lucky…no, a blessed man. I hope you both have many happy years ahead of you."

"Thank you, Father," Jenny replied, her voice shaky as she spoke. Allie turned and grinned before making her way down the aisle.

"We best get this show on the road," Martin remarked. "Shall we?"

"We shall," she responded.

Martin patted his daughter's hand as the bridal march began, and they entered the room.

Walking into the sanctuary from a back room at Joseph's notice, Nathan stood in front of where the pulpit usually sat and rocked back and forth on his heels. When the music changed into the processional before the bride was to come in, his fidgeting became even worse. It wasn't until Bill gave him a hefty pinch on the back of his arm and bumped his shoulder that Grant finally straightened up.

Immediately, his heart softened as little Josephine pranced down the short aisle with great flourish, taking her job as flower girl so seriously that she had run out of pedals about half the way down, and then handed her basket to Mike Hickam before running the rest of the way to take a seat next to her grandparents and Luke. Nathan chuckled, and then a further set of emotions roared through him when Allie entered the room. He knew that one day, sooner than he would want, a young man would come calling for her hand. At one point, he thought it might have been Robert, but they appeared to be destined for an enduring friendship. Whoever it would be, though, Grant would make sure he was a worthy suitor, something he wished his father Archie, who now sat with his mother on his left, had done for Colleen. No sooner had that thought appeared when Allie reached the front of the sanctuary and Angela stopped the processional and broke into the bridal march.

The small crowd stood as Martin and Jenny began walking down the aisle. Even though it was Jenny's second wedding, it truly felt like her first in so many ways. In fact, she and Nathan had discussed on a walk home that week that this was going to be his first time ever experiencing the joys that come with marital bliss and his concerns that she not be disappointed. But her response was that although she had married David, and they had two children, it was going to be almost like a first time for her as well -because truly, this time, it would be with one whom she loved from the bottom of her heart – a heart that now displayed itself by the joyous look and tear-filled eyes that Nathan's bride showed as she drew closer to her groom.

For Grant's part, he was awestruck, and all feelings of inadequacy were replaced by transcendent joy. She was gorgeous and the love he held in his heart just overwhelmed everything else. Everything was perfect.

When the music finished, Joseph stepped forward in his laid-back style and began his exhortation to the bride and groom, but it wasn't just for them. It was for the rest of his parishioners who now went out from this place to seek a new way of life.

"Remember, wherever God takes you, He will also be with you. Whatever you face, you will face it with His presence surrounding you. And whatever the future holds, God means it for good for those who love Him and who walk after his ways.

And now, I may ask, who has the rings?"

"I do," Bill stated, reaching into his pocket for the simple rings that Jenny would wear. At the time, it wasn't common for men to wear rings, though a few did as a symbol of their commitment.

"Please hand them to the groom."

With trembling hands, Nathan took them and repeated the vows that Joseph gave him to say, slipping the rings on Jenny's dainty finger. The entire time, Jenny beamed. For the first time in her adult life, almost everything was right. With the exception of her missing brother, she felt happy, she felt loved, and most of all, she felt….safe. And, she knew from experience that personal safety of body and heart was a thing to be most cherished and not to be taken lightly.

"And now, a charge from Scripture to all of you at this last moment that I stand here as your pastor. May the Lord bless thee and keep thee: May the Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: may the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

And may the Lord bless this newly married couple as they begin their journey together for as long as they both shall live. Nathan and Jenny, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Nathan, you may kiss your bride."

Grant smiled a crooked smile and leaned forward, his lips touching Jenny's as they sealed their commitment before all. When the kiss lasted a little longer than Bill felt comfortable with, the judge cleared his throat, causing a small chuckle to reverberate throughout the crowd.

"Friends of Hope Valley, I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Grant," Joseph said as the beaming couple turned to the small gathering, which was on its feet, clapping.

Allie took this opportunity to come up behind them and wrap her arms around both, her own smile radiant.

Congratulations were in order, and their friends and family spent some time with Nathan and Jenny with their well wishes. The weather was nice, and Gustave set out an offering of small sandwiches and desserts for their guests to enjoy. After about an hour of fellowship, people began saying goodbye and heading to their vehicles with promises through their tears to keep in touch with each other. This was the last major event that Hope Valley would see as a town.

Mike and Mei Sou were moving to San Francisco along with Fiona. The two women had become close friends and Fiona had lined up a job for Mike with her uncle's company. Henry had finally asked Abigail to marry him and had left town the week before. Carson had pushed for a position for Faith at Johns Hopkins, so she had caught the train the previous day. Ned and Florence weren't going far. The owner of the mercantile in Union City had decided to sell out, so they jumped at the chance to purchase. Molly would be moving there also to be near her best friend, her daughter would be joining her. And the Canfields were all packed up and headed to St. Louis.

After saying goodbye to Bill, who had agreed to take Lucas's car to a storage facility near where Henry and Abigail would be living, Grant turned to his family, who were gathered in one spot. Putting his arm around Jenny, he sighed. "I guess we should be headed for the hotel," he said as he looked around the town, possibly for the last time. He and Jenny would begin their honeymoon that evening in a hotel in Union City before going to New York the next day.

"I agree," Jenny replied.

"I'll see you in two weeks," Allie said as she hugged her dad and new stepmom. "I can't wait to hear all about the big city."

"Don't get into any trouble while I'm gone," he joked.

Next, they said goodbye to Nathan's parents, who had traveled on horseback from Rock Creek and would be going back with Allie the same way. The couple had gotten along well with the Bouchards until Archie admitted to Martin that he'd spent time in jail for embezzlement. Then things had turned awkward. But at this moment, all was well again between them. Their children were happy, and that was all that mattered.

Jenny spent a few moments with her parents and children saying goodbye, and then she and Nathan climbed into the Queen of Hearts taxi that had tin cans and a just married sign affixed to the back – courtesy of Allie and some of her classmates. It, too, would be put in storage for Lucas to dispose of once he was found.

Waving goodbye, Jenny turned around in her seat and waved to her children, who were standing by their new sister. She was glad that they were so comfortable with their grandparents and she needn't worry about them.

After a few more goodbyes, the town was nearly deserted. When the last car pulled away, Ned put his arm around Florence and pulled her to him as they gazed out at the empty street.

"It's as if it just stopped breathing," Florence said as she lay her head on her husband's shoulder.

"That's because a town is only a piece of land without its residents," Ned said with a sigh.

Entering their business with the now empty shelves for the very last time, Ned walked around and stared as if trying to embed it in his memory.

When a respectable time had passed, his wife spoke up. "Are you ready?" Florence asked quietly, receiving a nod in response.

As they walked back outside, Ned closed and locked the door behind him, placing his hand on the entrance to his life for so many years. Then he turned and took his wife's hand.

"Come on, Mrs. Yost. Let's go home," he said without looking back.