Elizabeth felt the wind knocked out of her. She looked over and saw the smile on Nathan's face as he reached out and brushed the hair out of her face as they laid side by side in the hay wagon. She did not hesitate when Nathan had asked her to jump from the saloon balcony. Elizabeth trusted him with everything she had, including her life. He had saved her in more ways than she could count.

"Are you ok?" Nathan whispered. He was aware that they could still be in danger. Elizabeth nodded, reaching out and touching his chest. Both of them looked into each other's eyes. Nathan wanted nothing more than to kiss Elizabeth in that moment. They had been interrupted so many times over the last few weeks. But he needed to make sure she was safe first. "I am just going to check that everything is ok, wait here. Give me one minute."

Elizabeth grabbed his hand as Nathan started to sit up, "Please be careful." Nathan leaned back down and kissed her hand. "I will. And I will be back for you. I promise."

The trouble was over quickly after that. The other Mounties that had come to town had captured Shaw thanks to Nathan's quick thinking and plan to arrest him. Bill had found Rosemary in the saloon when Nathan had found Elizabeth. No one in Hope Valley was harmed as a result of the strangers in town. Once Nathan was sure that the danger was over, he went to the hay wagon and helped Elizabeth down. Lee offered to walk Elizabeth home and Nathan told her that he would stop by later to see her. She gave him a hug and Elizabeth walked towards the row houses.

–––––––––––

Elizabeth was sitting at her desk, writing in her journal. Allie and Jack were both sleeping upstairs. She had checked on them both when she got home. After everything that had happened with Allie recently, Elizabeth was glad to have her there and to know that she was safe. Elizabeth hoped that in the future, Allie would be here more as they worked to become a family.

She heard a knock at the door and got up quickly. Only one person would be knocking on her door that late. She opened the door and found Nathan standing on the road in front of her house. Elizabeth left her door open and walked down the steps to him. "I am so glad you are ok." Elizabeth went into his arms and he placed his chin on her head.

"Elizabeth, I was so worried when I heard you were in that saloon with Shaw."

"I am ok Nathan. You found me. You saved me."

"Yes, when I thought you might be hurt, I realized something."

"What was that?"

Nathan pulled back and looked in her eyes. "I don't want to be without you. I want us to be a family with Allie and Jack."

"Nathan, I love you. I always have. I was afraid to open my heart and I ran from you when you told me you loved me all those years ago. When you went to Rock Creek, I knew that I could lose you even if we weren't together. I don't want to be without you. I love you."

Nathan slowly bent down, pressing his lips against Elizabeth. The kiss started slow and then moved to passionate. The emotions of the last few years and the danger of today were put into that kiss. Nathan pulled back first and put his hand against the side of her face. "We weren't interrupted."

"Finally," Elizabeth said as she giggled.

Nathan reached into his pocket, pulling out a ring. He had bought it after the prisoner transfer where Elizabeth hugged him in the street. He kept it in his drawer in his room after she started courting Lucas, thinking he would never have the chance to give it to her. Nathan started carrying it around again after Elizabeth said that friends don't look at friends the way they do. He saw Elizabeth's eyes go wide as he put the ring on her finger. He leaned down and kissed her again.

"You know, you never asked me a question and I never said yes," Elizabeth smiled.

"I know, but you were gonna."

Elizabeth grabbed Nathan by the shirt, pulling him in for another kiss as a promise for their future.

––––––––––

The next day, Nathan came to Elizabeth's house. Rosemary and Lee had already taken Allie and Jack to town so Elizabeth could finish getting ready for the day. Elizabeth hadn't told any of them what was happening, just that there was a meeting in Bill's office this morning that they all needed to be present for. When Elizabeth opened the door, Nathan was standing there in the same shirt and vest that he had worn on Easter. Elizabeth was wearing a coordinating skirt with a white shirt.

"Hi," Elizabeth said, excited for the day.

"Hi, are you ready to go?"

"Yes."

"And no one has any idea?"

"No, it is going to be a complete surprise."

Nathan helped Elizabeth put on her jacket and put out his hand. Elizabeth took his hand as she shut the door to her row house. She was leaving the house as Elizabeth Thornton but she would return later today as Elizabeth Grant. She had butterflies in her stomach as she looked down at the ring on her hand and up at the man who would soon become her husband.

Nathan stopped at the end of the lane before they got to Bill's office. He walked Elizabeth over behind one of the buildings to have some privacy. He took her by the waist, spinning her towards him. She smiled as she went into his arms. "What are you doing," she asked, smiling the entire time.

"I wanted one minute to kiss you before we are in front of everyone. Before you become my wife."

Elizabeth's heart sped up. Nathan's wife. She couldn't wait for that but they took the minute for the kiss. It was sweet and tender as they realized anyone could walk by. After the kiss, Elizabeth reached out for Nathan's hand and the two of them walked towards their future together.