New Hope Orphanage was always a flurry of activity as soon as the sun made its appearance. The morning of the twenty-second was no different. With the news from the telegram shared, the mood was lighter than it had been the day before. It also meant that breakfast squabbles took place, the children seemingly no longer on their best behavior. Lillian handled it with the same grace that she always had, playing mediator as she guided the children through their disagreement. She hoped the experience would instill knowledge in the children that they could use to handle life's difficulties once they left the orphanage.

Preparations for the wedding the next day continued. Lillian, Abigail, and Elizabeth headed into town to make a plan for what needed to be done there. The actual decorating couldn't take place until after the hotel dining room closed for the evening, but Lillian wanted to be sure they were prepared and would have everything they needed. Abigail met with the kitchen staff to finalize the menu.

Lee had volunteered to help Eleanor keep an eye on the children, allowing Rosemary to concentrate solely on the dress alterations. By the time the women returned from town, the dress was ready to try on.

"It's perfect," Lillian breathed, as she looked in the mirror. The look on the young woman's face was all the gratitude that Rosemary needed but the words helped.

"You look lovely," Eleanor said, speaking the words that Rosemary and Elizabeth were thinking. "All four of your parents are probably looking down and smiling, just like they will be tomorrow when you say 'I do'."

Lillian sighed. "I wish I had someone to give me away tomorrow. If Chuck wasn't in England, I could ask him."

"What about, Joe?" Eleanor said. "Like me, he's watched you grow from a girl to a capable young woman."

"Do you think he would?" Lillian asked in a wistful voice.

Eleanor nodded. "I'm sure of it."

Lillian's eyes drifted to the clock. Taking in the time, she made some calculations. "If I left now, I could get into town about the time Joe closes the store."

"Then let's get you out of this dress," Rosemary said. "We don't want the whole town seeing you in it before tomorrow."

Lillian laughed as she let Rosemary help her out of the wedding gown. Then after donning the clothing she had on before, she headed downstairs. Eleanor, Abigail, and Elizabeth assured her they would keep an eye on the children and have supper on the table. As Lillian wrapped her cloak around her, Eleanor even told her to invite Joe to supper tonight. Having already been thinking along those lines, Lillian simply agreed to do so as she left the house.


Despite the fact that it was past the younger children's bedtime, all the occupants were still gathered in the sitting room of New Hope Orphanage. Lillian had known that the children wouldn't stay in bed knowing that Gabriel would be arriving at some point. Joe had joined them for supper but left shortly after.

"I'll wait for them in Gabriel's apartment," Joe told Lillian. Needing someone else in town with access to the office and his apartment in case of an emergency, Gabriel had chosen the store owner not long after arriving in town. "I can have the place warm for him when he gets home."

Though Lee was reading from a book of fairytales, no one was really paying attention to the story as instead they listened for signs outside of someone approaching the orphanage.

At the sound of a car motor approaching, everyone was on their feet. Lillian was the quickest, reaching the door first and throwing it open. Not even bothering with a shawl or her cloak, she rushed out onto the porch as Henry's car came to a stop in front of the house. Spotting Gabriel in the backseat, Lillian rushed forward. Her fiancé had only managed to open the door by the time she reached the vehicle. Leaning in, Lillian put her arms around Gabriel. Hearing a moan, she tried to draw back but Gabriel held onto her.

"It's just a cut. I'm fine," Gabriel told her.

"As long as you don't break any of those stitches," Carson interjected from the driver's seat.

"Stitches?" Lillian said, pulling back enough to look into Gabriel's face. "That sounds like a serious cut."

"Which the doctor has already treated," Gabriel assured her. "I am just happy to be home."

"I am too," Lillian told him.

"Welcome home, Mountie Gabriel," came a chorus of childish voices from behind Lillian.

Reluctantly, Lillian finally moved back from Gabriel and stepped aside so that the kids could see the beloved Mountie.

"What a lovely welcoming committee," Gabriel said with a smile. "I hope you have all been good for Miss Lillian."

There was a chorus of yesses. "We helped her make sure that everything is ready for your wedding tomorrow," Mary Louise informed him.

"If you are up to it, that is," Lillian added quickly.

With his uninjured arm, Gabriel reached out for Lillian's hand. "Nothing is going to stop me from marrying you," he promised her.

Lillian's felt heat rush to her cheeks despite the cold. She hoped her charges didn't notice the blush. The concern was pushed aside as Gabriel let go of her hand and started to get out of the car. She immediately moved to help him.

"Be careful of your arm," Lillian said, concern lacing her voice.

"You sound like a certain doctor I know," Gabriel said lightly with a glance over to Carson who had gotten out of the car on the driver's side.

"The more people reminding you of that the better," the doctor replied.

Meanwhile, Allie, who had welcomed her father back with a hug first, let go of Nathan and turned to the man she considered another uncle. "I'm sorry he hurt you because of me," she said, the words muffled against Gabriel's coat as she hugged him.

Gabriel put his fingers under Allie's chin and gently lifted her head for her to look up at her. "I will always do anything I can to protect you, and this was not your fault," he told her, his voice firm but laced with compassion. "Do you understand me?"

"Yes," Allie replied, her eyes bright with unshed tears. "I love you, Uncle Gabe."

"I love you, too," Gabriel replied, before placing a kiss on the top of her head.

"How about you all make your way back inside as half of you are not properly bundled up against the cold," Eleanor called out from where she was standing on the porch. "I have refreshment for the travelers, and it is time for you kids to be getting to bed."

There was some grumbling, but the kids and adults started moving toward the house. Gabriel had his good arm around Allie's shoulders, while Lillian had her arm around his waist as she stayed carefully at his other side.


In the house, the children were able to spend a few moments with Gabriel before Abigail and Elizabeth instructed them to go upstairs for bed. As Jacked asked his father to tuck him in, Nathan excused himself to do just that, leaving Lillian, Carson, Bill, and Gabriel at the table for Eleanor to serve. While drinking coffee and enjoying the eggs and sausages that Eleanor had quickly put together for the group of travelers, the three men answered Lillian's questions - Gabriel having promised after the Sinclair incident not to keep any information that wasn't classified from her. When Nathan and Elizabeth joined them, Eleanor placed a plate and a mug of coffee in front of the other Mountie and asked Elizabeth if she wanted coffee or tea. Elizabeth asked for tea. Abigail had chosen to retire to her room.

An hour later, plates were cleared, mugs empty, and questions on both sides answered. When Gabriel tried to hide a yawn, Lillian spoke up.

"You need your rest. I shouldn't have asked so many questions. This could have waited," Lillian said.

"Maybe but I did need to spend some time with you," Gabriel told her, leaning over and kissing her cheek in deference to their audience.

Beside him, Lillian blushed but kept focused on practical matters. "Eleanor went out to start a fire in the stove in the cottage a little while ago so it should be warm for you and Nathan, Elizabeth," she said.

"I appreciate that," Elizabeth replied.

Knowing that Bill already had a room at the hotel, Lillian looked to Carson. "You will join us for the celebration tomorrow, won't you?" she asked, knowing that she couldn't leave him out now that he was in town. She had thought briefly of inviting him in the first place despite not having had contact with the doctor since the Christmas she and Grace had stayed in Hope Valley.

"I don't want to intrude."

"It is no intrusion. You've always been kind to Grace, me, and the children in our care," Lillian told him. She looked over at Gabriel. "And you were willing to go out with the Mounties to rescue my fiancé in case a doctor was needed," she added, the love clear in her eyes as she looked at Gabriel. Shifting her gaze back to Carson she added, "we would be honored to have you share our special day with us and the least we can do is give you a decent meal before you head home."

"I would be happy to help you celebrate," Carson replied.

"Did you get a room at the hotel already?"

"No. I am going to sleep on a cot at Gabriel's place. It'll let me make sure he doesn't try doing anything he shouldn't."

"Who me?" Gabriel asked lightly, to a gentle sound of chuckles.

"Well after tomorrow, I can make sure he follows doctor's instructions," Lillian replied. "Which means we all get some sleep."

Good-byes were said. Lillian held on to Gabriel a little longer than was probably necessary, but no one said anything. As Carson pointed the car toward Brookfield, Lillian stood on the porch with Elizabeth. Nathan had taken what he and his wife would need for the night out to the cottage after promising Gabriel he would be at the Mountie's residence directly after breakfast so the two could get ready for the wedding celebration.

"I wish I didn't even have to let him go as far as in town tonight," Lillian said softly.

Elizabeth put a hand around Lillian's shoulders and pulled the other woman close. "Tomorrow night you won't have too," she reminded her softly.

"Are you ready to call it a night, Elizabeth?" Nathan asked as he approached the porch steps.

"Are you going to be all right?" Elizabeth asked Lillian instead of answering her husband's question.

Lillian nodded. "I will be," she assured her friend. "I will just make sure everything is in order inside and call it a night. I definitely do not want to fall asleep during my own wedding."

Elizabeth chuckled. "Even if you don't sleep, I doubt that will happen," she said. "Good night, Lillian."

"Good night," Lillian replied. Nathan had come up on the porch, and the redhead turned to him. "I haven't taken the time to thank you for bringing Gabriel home."

Nathan shrugged his shoulders. "It is what family does," he told her.

"Just the same, thank you," Lillian said, stepping forward to give him a sisterly hug.

"You're welcome," Nathan told her, accepting the gesture. As she took a step back, he moved toward the door to hold it open for her. "Good night, Lillian."

"Good night," Lillian replied, as she stepped into the house.

Nathan pulled the door shut behind her. Moving toward the window, Lillian cupped her hands around her eyes to peer out into the night. She saw Nathan escorting Elizabeth down the steps and toward the cottage. Only when they had disappeared into the darkness did Lillian move from the window and prepare to head to bed herself.