Epilogue 1: Married Life

Chapter 1 – A Fall Weekend part 1 (long)

It was Saturday, the 25th of September, the last weekend of the month and Carol Grant was sitting having tea with Rosemary Coulter at Elizabeth Thornton's house. Allie was playing with JT (Little Jack) on the floor while Goldie slept. The women had made an effort to get together every week, especially when the guys were gone. They had gone to an every other week since school had started. Elizabeth was busy teaching and Carol had been busy helping Rosemary in the newspaper office since Lee needed to dedicate more and more time to the sawmill. Carol had also helped at the cafe on Mondays until Abigail had returned.

Rosemary joined, mostly to keep the peace between the two women. She loved both women and didn't want to have to choose between them, but if it came down to it at that point Rosemary was unsure she could continue to stand by Elizabeth. Things had gotten better since the wedding in June, but it had been tense for quite a while. Carol was a wonderful person who had so much to offer the community and was very quickly welcomed with open arms. Mostly because pretty much everyone could see how happy she made Nathan. Rosemary was so happy that Carol had been so willing to help out wherever she was needed. Carol had admitted to Nathan and Rosemary that it had been hard to leave the Pinkertons, but she was glad she had made the choice for love. Only Bill and Nathan knew that Carol didn't need to work, but chose to because she liked to be busy. Bill had helped Carol with the legal papers she needed to file and the decision was made to keep the account in Union City like Nathan. She did open a small account in Hope Valley where she put her last paycheck from the Pinkertons and money she earned in town.

As much as Elizabeth loved Jack and knew that was who she was meant to be with, she was surprised at how quickly Nathan had moved on. It had taken him two years to declare his love for Elizabeth and then he was engaged and married to Carol in a matter of days. It wasn't that Elizabeth wanted to be with Nathan, per se, but she was hurt that he would move so quickly with another woman. Rosemary had tried to explain to her that it was different because they were obviously so right for each other. Rosemary also reminded Elizabeth that she hadn't made it easy for Nathan, flirting with Lucas and stringing them both along, unwilling to commit to either man until Lucas had forced her hand only to have to be rescued by Jack, again. It was also pointed out that Nathan had started to move on when Lucas had proposed the year before, especially since he had tried to date Mei and then Faith only to find they were all better as friends.

It took Bill, Jack and Pastor Joseph all talking to Elizabeth before she started to warm up to Carol. To her credit, Carol had been nothing but welcoming and warm to Elizabeth from the start. It had helped that Abigail had moved back at the end of August and had quite the stern talking to Elizabeth about her less than welcoming behavior. Abigail was happy to learn of Jack's return but had been appalled when she had learned of Elizabeth's behavior since she had been gone. Jack had also reminded Elizabeth that her actions reflected on him and he had to work with Nathan and wanted nothing more than to keep the peace. Neither man wanted to leave Hope Valley and tried to work together as much as possible but at times Elizabeth made it hard.

The men were gone again. They had been back and forth all summer dealing with the fallout from the arrest of Lucas Bouchard. Jack had also been dealing with everything from the Andrew Hargraves case. The arrest of those two men had led to the arrest of more then two dozen men across the country. The paperwork alone had kept the men busy, not to mention the almost bi-weekly trips to Union City for a few days. Nathan and Carol had managed to go to Toronto for a few days plus the time it took to get there and back. William Thatcher had been kind enough to send one of his personal Pullman railcars for them to use so they would be able to travel in style and enjoy their short honeymoon. Since they had returned, the Pullman sat in Union City ready for Jack and Elizabeth to use anytime they wanted with a twenty-four hour notice to bring it to Hope Valley. At least the ladies knew that the guys' trips to Union City were wrapping up and hopefully it would be the last if not close to it.

Carol looked over at the kids and then back to Rosemary and Elizabeth. It looked like Carol wanted to say something, but instead picked up her teacup and took a sip. Rosemary saw the look on Carol's face when she looked at Goldie. Rosemary reached over and patted the other woman's hand.

"It will happen." Rosemary said. "You have only been married for a few months. Look how long it took Lee and I. I told you how many times we thought there was a little one on the way, only to be hurt when a couple months later I would lose it."

"You never told me that." Elizabeth protested.

Rosemary shot her a quick glare, then turned her attention back to Carol. Elizabeth was miffed at Rosemary that she hadn't shared about her apparent miscarriages like she had shared with Carol. Elizabeth thought she and Rosemary shared everything. Carol was frustrated, but she was trying to hold her temper.

"I know, Rosemary." Carol said. "Nathan and I talked about adopting, but he wants to have the big house first. I just want to give him his own child. He says it doesn't matter but I see the look in his eye."

"He is a wonderful father." Elizabeth said. "He has been great with JT, even since Jack has been back."

Carol just looked at Elizabeth and gave her a weak smile.

"That is because he wanted so badly to be the boy's father." Carol said sharply. "But you refused to return his love. Your mistake was my fortune. I have insisted that Nathan continue to be there for JT because he wouldn't understand if Nathan was suddenly gone from his life."

Elizabeth huffed and turned to look at JT and Allie. Absent-mindedly, she touched her stomach for the umpteenth time that day. Rosemary and Carol both noticed.

"Well …." Elizabeth sputtered.

"Save it." Carol said. "I don't want to rehash the past, but Nathan has been open about everything that happened from the time he was at Fort Clay. Bill also filled me in a bit on the history between the two of you, as well as with Jack. Just know that I trust Nathan, implicitly and he trusts me. There is nothing we don't share with each other. I mean other than caseload stuff that is confidential."

Carol knew the other woman was trying but it appeared that what Carol wanted more than anything came so easy and naturally for her. She was in the family way after being with Jack for less then a month when they were first married and if Carol wasn't mistaken, Elizabeth was carrying a second "honeymoon" baby. Elizabeth had been with Jack only a week more than Carol had been with Nathan, so Carol was feeling stressed.

"I know what will make you feel better." Rosemary said.

"What?" Carol said.

"Let's take a day and go to Benson Hills next week." Rosemary said. "I have some business there and you could come with me. We make a day of it. Shopping, lunch and a bit of business, I think it would be great for you to meet this client anyway. We can close the office for the day."

Elizabeth huffed. She couldn't remember the last time that Rosemary had invited her to go shopping.

"I will think about it." Carol said. "It depends on when Nathan gets back and what happened while they were gone. I promised Nathan to not make any plans while he was gone. Normally, I would jump at the chance to get out of town for the day, but when Nathan asked the other night for me to hold off on making any plans until he got back, I had no choice but to agree. He didn't say why, but it sounded important. All he said was that he had news to share."

"I wonder what that is about?" Rosemary said. "I hope that you aren't leaving. But you are right to agree to that when Nathan asked.. Just let me know what the plan is. I can even push the business back a day or two. As it stands, I had planned on going on Wednesday since it sounds like Lee needs the car on Monday. If we have to push it to next week if needed."

"I don't think we are moving." Carol said. "Nathan was pretty insistent that we stay here for Allie and I know that his command knows that."

Elizabeth didn't want to think about Nathan leaving, so she changed the subject. She was still not happy that he had moved on so fast. As she sat there for a moment she smiled as she thought she was going to have something that Carol couldn't give Nathan. She knew it wasn't right for her to be gleeful about them struggling to get pregnant, but she thought it was what Nathan deserved for moving on with another woman so fast.

"I am grateful the guys were able to arrest Lucas after what he did." Elizabeth said. "However, I am not thrilled with all this time away. I thought Jack said it would be better and he wouldn't be gone so much after being gone for five years."

"You know the Mounties can't promise that." Rosemary said. "Besides. It is only a couple of days every other week. It is still better than the year he spent in the Northern Territories. At least he can call you each evening. We all want both men back here and home safe, but when the Mounties call they have to go. You have been a part of this long enough to know that, so I don't know why you are surprised."

"I suppose." Elizabeth sighed. "It is still hard."

Rosemary and Elizabeth started talking about something else, while Carol continued to watch JT and Allie. Carol shook her head and turned her attention back to the conversation at the table.

"How are the plans for the house coming?" Rosemary asked.

"Good." Elizabeth said. "Jack and I were up there last weekend and the foundation had been laid. The area for the stable had been staked out. Jack thinks if the weather stays nice and they are done traveling they might even get some of the framing done yet this fall."

"That is good." Carol said.

"How is your place coming?" Elizabeth asked.

"Nathan and some of the men have gotten the land cleared and leveled." Carol said. "We are hoping to finalize plans and stake things out this coming week."

"Mum." Allie said, coming over.

"Yes, Allie-girl." Carol said.

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow when she heard Carol address Allie. The only person who had called Allie that was Nathan. She had tried once and been informed it was a special nickname for only her father.

"Can I head over to Angela's?" Allie asked. "She promised me another piano lesson this afternoon."

"Yes." Carol said. "Be sure to thank her and Pastor Joseph. Let him know that I will pay him next week."

"I will." Allie said.

Allie gave Carol a hug, waved to the other two before grabbing her bag and jacket as she went out the door.

"I didn't know she was interested in playing the piano." Elizabeth said.

"It is something new." Carol said. "We were going through some of the trunks her grandmother had sent and there were piano books in there that had belonged to Colleen. When Allie learned that her mother had taken lessons when she was young, she wanted to learn."

"I think it is wonderful." Rosemary said. "Allie has a wonderful voice and another piano player would be a nice addition to things. It might give Angela a break from time to time if Allie does well."

"I play the piano." Elizabeth said. "I have asked Jack if we can get one when we get the new house. I miss playing."

"That is nice." Carol said. "I am sure Jack will make it happen. Nathan is so excited about Allie's lessons. He had already included a music/drawing room in the plans for the new house."

Elizabeth looked at Carol with a raised eyebrow and a slightly agape expression.

"Why would he want something like that out here?" Elizabeth asked. "I mean I can see it back in Hamilton."

Rosemary shot Elizabeth a warning look. Elizabeth's comments didn't faze Carol. She just smiled and continued.

"Nathan is excited to be able to have a place together where we can all share our artistic talents." Carol said. "Allie and I both paint. Nathan plays guitar and can pick a bit at the piano and now with Allie learning, it only seemed appropriate. It will also be a place where we can all have a quiet place to write or study since it will be connected to the library that Allie has insisted we have at the new house. She wants a place to keep all of her books, other than in a trunk."

"I didn't know Nathan played guitar." Elizabeth said.

"He hadn't in many years, but started up again." Carol said. "I bought him a new guitar while we were in Toronto. He had been looking at it for two days in the window of the shop across from my old apartment. So, I asked if he played and wanted it. He was so excited. He even played for me on the train back. He has even been teaching me to play a little. He has had Bill over several times to play since we returned. He has such a beautiful voice, so does Bill."

"I am so happy for you." Rosemary said. "After the impromptu duet at Jack and Elizabeth's vow renewal, I have been after him to do a formal duet with me at church."

"But he doesn't want the attention." Carol finished.

Rosemary just laughed.

"Exactly." Rosemary said. "You should invite Jack to play as well. He learned to play guitar when he was a child and also has a wonderful voice."

"I will mention that to Nathan." Carol said. "I am sure he would love for Jack to join him and Bill some time. Bill has been trying to convince Nathan to play more."

"Maybe I will have to talk to Jack and see if he wants his own guitar." Elizabeth said.

"I am sure he would." Rosemary said. "His old one was ruined before he came here and he just never replaced it."

The ladies continued to talk and the conversation turned to the construction of the houses and what each was going to look like. Elizabeth was also thinking of all the things she had learned that afternoon. She had known Nathan for almost five years and never knew he was musically inclined. She had also been surprised to learn Jack played guitar. She knew he could sing, but not play. Elizabeth was wondering how she never knew those things about the most important men in her life. Even Bill played and sang. She didn't know that either. She wondered why? Elizabeth tried not to show it but she was jealous of the information that Carol and Rosemary knew about the men in her life. She wondered why the three had kept those things from her.

The ladies were interrupted when Goldie woke up wet and hungry. Rosemary excused herself to go deal with her daughter. Rosemary gathered her items and daughter before heading back to her home next door.

Shortly after Rosemary excused herself, Carol did as well telling Elizabeth she had letters to finish and supper to make. Elizabeth tried to get her to stay a bit longer but Carol said that she had fruit and veggies she still needed to can and she wanted to be able to make Nathan's favorite snickerdoodle cookies for him before he got home the next afternoon. Carol then stood up, hugged JT goodbye and left back to her own row house.

After Carol shut the door, JT looked at his mother, then walked over to her.

"You sad?" JT asked, patting her leg.

"Just a little sweet boy." Elizabeth said. "I miss your Daddy, but he should be home tomorrow. How about we make him some muffins?"

"Cookies." JT said, jumping up and down.

"Fine." Elizabeth said. "We can make Daddy some cookies."

"Nafan, too." JT said.

Elizabeth sighed.

"Yes, we can share with Mountie Nathan." Elizabeth said.

JT continued to jump up and down clapping his hands.

Elizabeth thought to herself, maybe she could figure out how to use the cookies to share her "little" secret with Jack. It had been so hard to not shout it on the phone the night before, but she wanted to see his face when she told him. Faith had pretty much confirmed it the day before and Elizabeth was so excited to share the news but knew she needed to share it with Jack first. Faith had warned her to be cautiously optimistic, but given her history it was the most likely explanation for her symptoms. Faith told her to come back if there were other concerns otherwise to check back in another month or so for her to be able to say more definitely. Maybe that was why Elizabeth had been so grumpy about Jack being gone. She briefly put her hand to her stomach and smiled. She knew in her heart that she was expecting again and couldn't wait to see Jack's reaction.

Elizabeth wasn't particularly excited about sharing the cookies with Nathan, but she couldn't tell JT because he wouldn't understand. All the little boy knew was that he had two Mounties to love and who loved him. The last thing Elizabeth wanted to do was break the boy's heart by saying he couldn't see Nathan. Had it been a year or more ago, even eight or nine months, Elizabeth would have happily made cookies for Nathan with JT.

…..

It had been a long few days in Union City for Jack and Nathan but they had pushed through and wrapped all the paperwork and meetings that had been required of them. They had even stayed late on Saturday, working through supper to finish up hoping they would be dismissed and able to catch the early train back to Hope Valley. Superintendent O'Reilly was happy that things were working out with the two men sharing the Hope Valley posting, and looking after Rock Creek, Eagle Creek and all the area in-between. It would have been a lot for one man, but having two made it easier. The men also learned they would be getting a new recruit around Christmas to make things even easier. Since Nathan had also been promoted to Corporal and technically had seniority in service by a couple of years over Jack, it would be Nathan's responsibility to train the new recruit.

Jack understood why Nathan was considered the senior officer in their posting, but Jack felt that his undercover work should have counted for more. Jack was then reminded that Nathan had been on the officers track before he took Allie and he had also been offered and turned down an Inspector position. Superintendent O'Reilly told Jack if he wanted to be the senior member at a posting he should have taken the Inspector position and went to work out of Cape Fullerton. He also reminded Jack that it had been his decision to stay in Hope Valley with the understanding that he would have to share it with Nathan.

Nathan had been happy about the promotion and the extra responsibility, not just because of the bump in pay, but because it gave him confidence that Hargraves actions had not been held against him. He was still working to find a good balance between work and home. It had also been a huge adjustment having another Mountie in the office. Jack and Nathan might both be Mounties, but they had very different approaches to how things should work and what things needed to be done at what times. It didn't help that Bill thought his way was the only way that things needed to be done and kept sticking his nose in the office. Nathan loved Bill, but there were times that the man infuriated him to no end. Nathan decided to let Jack do things his way and he would do them his way, as long as there weren't major conflicts. They divided up the responsibilities and would each do their assigned tasks while keeping an eye on things as a whole.

One of the first things that had needed to happen that summer was the expansion of the office. The side wall had been pushed out twelve feet, adding more room for a second desk and additional filing cabinets. The room addition had been added, giving the two men each their own space. Nathan got the long narrow room that had been added while Jack occupied the main room. The duo had been working to fix up the room upstairs so one would be able to move up there and leave the main room with the cells open for either to use. It would be nice when they got the third member or when there was a prisoner. They had debated about turning the back room into an office but at Bill's insistence they left it as living quarters. Bill argued it could be used by a visiting Mountie or one passing through or when there was a prisoner and someone needed to be there overnight.

Jack had struggled to get back into a routine of being a Mountie after being undercover for so long and then with the travel back and forth to Union City several times a month all summer, it had been hard to really establish a regular schedule. He had gone back to riding Sergeant for Mountie business and William Thatcher had sent two new horses to Hope Valley for Elizabeth and JT. Jack still had the option of getting a new horse considering Sergeant's age, but Jack wanted to hold off a couple more years if possible. At twelve the horse was still healthy and the duo were good together.

After William had visited in June, he was convinced that JT needed his own horse and to really learn to ride. Jack hadn't been happy with the arrangement at first, but then he saw how happy JT had been with the two new horses and couldn't disappoint the boy. So between everything else, Jack had been giving JT riding lessons on his very own horse. Going to the stable/livery was now part of the daily routine. Because of the new horses, Jack had to expand the stable on the new property from a four stall to a six stall. He wanted the room to expand a bit, especially if he got a different Mountie horse.

Nathan hadn't been the only one struggling to find a balance between home and work. Jack had struggled even more with walking away from the office and leaving things that didn't need to be finished right at that moment. It had caused more than one argument between Jack and Elizabeth. She wouldn't say it, but Jack believed that there was a part of Elizabeth that wanted him to quit, but Jack knew he could never stop being a Mountie as long as he was physically able to do the job. Jack had prayed that once they had wrapped things up with Bouchard and Hargraves that it would be easier all around. Jack had once again expressed his annoyance at the amount of travel and time away from his family in his latest meeting with Superintendent O'Reilly. Once more he had been assured that once they got through the Bouchard/Hargraves stuff O'Reilly would do what he could to honor Jack's desire to be closer to home. It was also part of the reason that O'Reilly felt a third member of the team in the far western part of the area was a good plan.

…..