Chapter 48/Epilogue Pt.7

As he listened to the tune of Amazing Grace Nathan found himself singing the words in his head and when it came to the line saved a wretch like me, he wondered if this was another sign of how far Lucas had come. Bill whispered in his ear "I understand Lucas had become quite a regular at the local church to where he was staying in Vancouver. It sort of made me wonder if he still has his copy of Dangerous Liaisons or has that now been relegated to the trash can. Remind me to ask him some time!"

Before Nathan could reply Paul Blakely came rushing through the side door, his breathlessness telling them that he had been running fast. "Constable Grant! I'm so glad I caught you before you walked into the church. I have a message for you."

"Well I hope it is something important to be interrupting us all at this moment," Bill answered the young man. "There is a wedding about to begin, in case you hadn't realised!"

"I know, and I am sorry. I have asked the bridal party to slow down a bit so that I had time to speak with you."

Nathan knew the young man and doubted that he would be here unless it was for something very important. He was manning The Mercantile and switchboard whilst his mother and Ned were here at the wedding and fortunately he had taken on the steadier ways of the store owner rather than his mother's more meddling manner.

"Catch your breath Paul and then tell me what is happening."

The boy nodded, taking a few deep gulps of air before starting to speak. "I had a call for you from the Mountie Office in Benson Hills. A man called Dylan Parks has escaped whilst being transferred between prisons. They said you needed to know."

Nathan's face went pale as he felt the fear began to rise within him. Bill immediately understood what would be going through his mind and with a reassuring hand on his back simply said, "The paperwork is all complete Nathan, he no longer has any claim to Allie whatsoever."

Relief was his immediate reaction before his Mountie thinking kicked in and he was just turning towards the door when Gabe spoke, "I'll go Nathan. I am guessing they must think he is in this area to be sending you a warning."

Nathan's voice was angry. "I have an agreement that they will tell me if there is ever any problem with him. I can't believe that they have waited until he was so close to here before saying anything. He must have escaped at least a few days ago to be in the Benson Hills area now."

Bill knew he had to calm Nathan for a number of reasons so when he spoke it was in his judge's voice. "Let Gabe sort it out for now Nathan. If there is anything we need to do once he knows the situation then we will deal with it then. Meanwhile you have to be here."

Nathan was about to protest when Bill put up his hand to silence him. "You are the best man at the wedding that is about to begin so you cannot leave until at least the ceremony is over. And don't forget you have a speech to make at the reception." He looked quickly at Gabe who nodded his agreement.

Then to convince Nathan even further he continued, "And I think it is better for you to be where Allie is right now. Even if Dylan Parks manages to make his way to Hope Valley, he will never get past you. Or the rest of us. I know how desperately you will fight to protect your daughter. And she is your daughter Nathan. She has been for a very long time. The adoption papers merely made it legal."

Nathan managed to calm down and realising that they were right he asked Gabe to keep him posted as soon as he knew something.

By this time Lucas had come back through the door and heard the last part of the conversation. "It will be fine Nathan. You have a whole town here that Allie's birth father would have to get through first. And after the ceremony I promise that I won't argue with you going if that is what you need to do, speech or no speech."

Gabe followed Paul out through the door, saying that he would tell Rosemary to wait a few minutes more before proceeding. The hymn was just coming to an end as the groom's party finally took their positions at the front of the church and Nathan had time to settle his mind. He could see the younger bridesmaids coming up the steps and felt his heart swell at how beautiful and grown up Allie looked. Bill is right, he thought, she is my daughter in every way that matters and that is what makes this fear so much greater.

As the girls paused at the top of the steps for their signal to proceed Nathan had a quick look around the church, taking in the flowers that seemed to fill every possible space. It felt as though all the colours of the rainbow were there. It's like summer he thought. Perhaps Rachael and Lucas had chosen that specially, to signify how all the dark days were behind them now and finally they could feel the sun shining down on their life together.

Nathan looked back towards the church entrance as the music began and suddenly there was Elizabeth, the turquoise colour of her dress taking on a different tone than on the others as her dark wavy hair fell down around her shoulders. She looked for him as she stepped into the main body of the room and his heart began racing. "I love you", he mouthed, knowing that she was the only one who would see, her eyes locked on his sending a message back saying that she felt the same.

Then Rachael appeared and still he couldn't take his eyes off the woman he loved. Lucas's whisper in his ear broke him from his trance, "You were right, my friend, my legs have turned to jelly." With that the connection was gone as gasps from the congregation greeted their first sight of Rachael who looked like every girl's dream bride. "She is beautiful, Lucas", he whispered. "You are a very lucky man."

Lucas kept his eyes on the woman who was about to become his wife, tears forming in his eyes, before managing to reply "It will be your turn soon Nathan. Before you know it."

It was only then that Nathan looked at the man who was walking beside Rachael and immediately he turned back to Lucas, "Who is that?" There was a manner about the man, as though he was familiar with this being here in Hope Valley, and yet he was certain he had never met him before.

"That is Rachael's uncle, her mother's youngest brother. I will tell you about him later."

As the sound of Mendelssohn's Wedding March filled the room all eyes of those gathered together to finally celebrate the union of two people were turned towards the bride. This is how it should be, Nathan thought. Nobody has the right to tell someone that they can't be with the person they love. He found himself becoming a little teary eyed and when Elizabeth took her place across from him he could tell she was feeling as emotional as him.

The ceremony was as perfect as Lucas had wanted. The couple exchanged their vows, each choosing to focus on their future together with no mention of what had happened in the past. Nathan found himself switching off as his mind began to wander to what was happening elsewhere with Dylan Parks. A nudge in his side from Bill made him look towards Joseph whose hand was outstretched before him. "The rings please Nathan."

Nathan fumbled in his pocket, his fingers suddenly seeming so big as he struggled to reach the rings that had managed to slide down to the very bottom corner. He tried again, impatience making it even more difficult until Bill's voice was there beside him again, the calmness he got from it slowing him down and finally he managed to grasp both and bring them out, finishing with a flourish of his wrist as though that was his plan all along. Joseph gave him a big smile as if to say "I know" whilst making it seem as though this had been the plan all along.

Finally the bell of the church rang out as they turned and to the strains of Beethoven's Sonata No.20, being played by the pianist brought in by Lucas for the occasion, the newlyweds made their way down the aisle of the church and out into the crowd of well wishers gathered there.

Mary held back to allow Elizabeth and Nathan to walk out together, taking the arm Bill offered whilst behind them Rosemary walked with the girls, encouraging them to give little bows to the congregation as they passed each row.

Elizabeth could see that Nathan was concerned about whatever had caused Paul Blakely to come over and for Gabe to go rushing off and she needed to find out what was going on. It wasn't normal for one of the groomsmen to leave the wedding before the ceremony had even begun.

"What has happened, Nathan?" she asked, as soon as they were able to step away from the people around them. "Where has Gabe gone?"

Nathan checked to make sure that Allie wasn't close by. He was relieved to see her happily chatting with her friends on the other side of the steps, Bill standing just a few feet away in an outwardly casual manner but what he knew was him being on full alert. "It's Allie's birth father, Dylan Parks. He escaped during a transfer to a new prison and they believe he is heading in this direction."

Elizabeth let out a gasp of shock before quickly composing herself. "They must have people out looking for him."

Nathan nodded, "I'm guessing so. The call came from Benson Hills so they will already be after him. Bill and Gabe both said I should stay here with Allie but I can't. Can you understand that? I have always played down what people say about my Mountie skills but I am one of the best trackers they have. If anyone can find him, I can."

She nodded, knowing that it would not be an easy decision for him to leave Allie but it was something he had to do. He was protecting his family in the best way he knew how. "Of course, you must go. What are we going to tell Allie? We can hardly hide the fact that you are missing from the reception."

"She is used to these sudden calls, Elizabeth. It has been a part of her growing up. Just tell her I will be back as soon as I can. And keep her close. I can't let him get to her."

Elizabeth nodded her understanding, her grasp of his arm a bit firmer as if to reassure him. But watching her Nathan sensed that there was something else on Elizabeth's mind. It was not anything she had said but he could see it in her eyes. The way her look occasionally darted across to where Lucas and Rachael were standing with her family. "Is there something wrong? You keep staring across that way as if you are troubled."

She shook her head, squaring her shoulders and giving him her biggest smile. "No, nothing that matters right now. I will tell you later. I am going to go and be with Allie. I'll stick to her side so tight that she will be sick of the sight of me." Her attempt to lighten the mood for a moment had the desired effect as he rewarded her with one of his lopsided grins before answering, "I don't think that could ever happen. Certainly not for me and I very much doubt for Allie either."

He kissed her then, with more passion than propriety probably deemed correct in such a public place but neither of them cared. "Be safe, Nathan", she whispered before he turned and strode away in the direction of the Mountie Office.

Lucas was beside her immediately, watching Nathan's retreating back. "I knew he would go as soon as he could. And I understand Elizabeth, if I was in his shoes that is exactly what I would do. You know I will do anything in my power to keep Allie safe so tell me what you need."

"Just enjoy your wedding reception Lucas. The last thing Nathan would want would be for it to be ruined. He would feel that Dylan had won against him in some way. We will gather Allie tight into the fold today and make sure she is ok. I just need to tell her that her dad has been called away on Mountie business, along with Gabe. She doesn't need any more information than that at present. This is a special day for her as well, something she has been looking forward to, and I don't want that man to spoil it."

Taking hold of her elbow he led her across to where the children were all laughing at something Bill had said. "I hope Judge Avery isn't boring you all with one of his jokes," he quipped as they drew near. "We have limited him to only one today so if that was it then you have all saved the rest of us from a terrible fate."

This brought even more giggling from the children and Elizabeth looked at both the men standing with her, thinking how lucky she was to have them here to help deal with this. Lucas wasn't finished, giving an encouraging look towards the other two before he continued, "I don't know if the Judge has told you Allie but your dad and Constable Kinslow have been called away on Mountie business. It is nothing serious but you know what it is like for them when Headquarters wants something. It has to be now!"

He was keeping his voice light and Allie responded in the same way, "I sure do Mr Bouchard. It's been the story of my life!" She rolled her eyes and played to the audience of friends around her.

Lucas was glad that her reaction would be making the situation easier for Elizabeth. He continued, "Well of course you do know that one of the best man's duties is to make a speech at the wedding dinner so we now have a bit of a dilemma." He left that hanging in the air for just a moment, watching her expression as she was obviously trying to figure out what it had to do with her.

"I guess with dad and Uncle Gabe gone then Uncle Bill will have to do it. Is that right?"

Bill knew exactly where this was going, so began puffing out his chest as though he was suddenly someone important before Lucas spoke again. "Well, therein lies my problem, Allie. I'm not sure he is up to the job."

The children had all gathered around them in a circle now, listening to every word being said. It was almost as though Mr Bouchard was speaking to Allie like he would to another adult so that must mean it was very important.

"What I was wondering was if you would do it instead."

Allie looked shocked, before bursting out laughing. "Me? I wouldn't know what to say. There must be someone else who could do it. What about mom…err, Mrs Thornton?"

She looked at Elizabeth who was struggling to keep a neutral expression on her face. "I can't Allie. I am a bridesmaid so it wouldn't be right. I have your dad's speech up here in my head, as I helped him work out what he was going to say. I can write it out for you so that you just need to read it. Maybe with a little change here and there."

Allie didn't say anything, trying to figure out what she should do. She loved getting up in front of the class and talking. Or reading stories and poems out loud to her friends or her dad. Was this really any different?

"Are you sure you want ME to do it Mr Bouchard?"

"I've never been surer of anything else Allie. All four of you Grants are very special to me and it would be my honour if you would do this."

She nodded back at him before Elizabeth wrapped her arms around her. "Your dad will be so proud of you when he hears, Allie. You will be doing this for him too."

They began walking back to where Rachael was talking to some of the guests, others having already started making their way towards the hotel for the reception. Seeing Opal standing there with her parents Elizabeth looked around, expecting to see her son playing nearby.

"Ellen? Where is Little Jack?"

The other woman immediately looked worried. "He went over to join you Elizabeth. You and Allie. I literally watched him until he was only a few feet away."

A feeling of panic began to rise in Elizabeth as she frantically looked around, thinking she would see him darting between the groups of people still gathered about. It didn't take much for him to be distracted so she fully expected him to appear any moment. But there was no sign of him.

"Little Jack!" she cried out, the fear in her voice making everyone turn to look in her direction. "Has anyone seen Little Jack?"