There was a cake in the center of the table with the decorations placed around the fireplace. Elizabeth had wanted Jack's first birthday to be perfect so she tried to get everything set up early. She looked around the room with her hands on her hips. She hoped everything would go well today. She had asked Bill, Rosemary and Lee to come celebrate this afternoon. Elizabeth had asked Nathan and Allie as well but after the conversation she had with Nathan yesterday, she didn't know if they would come.

Elizabeth heard a soft noise coming from upstairs. Her son was awake so it was time to get the birthday boy ready. Elizabeth walked up the stairs and into his room. He was sitting up in his crib looking at her.

"Hello my sweet boy. Did you know today is your birthday?" Jack giggled at his mom talking to him. "Let's get you ready," Elizabeth told him as she lifted him out of the crib.

Elizabeth dressed him in dark pants with suspenders and a light blue shirt. Elizabeth looked at Jack, realizing how big her son had gotten. Sometimes she wished she wasn't doing this on her own, but on days like this she was so happy to be a mother.

She walked down the stairs carrying Jack as she heard a knock on the door, Rosemary coming in shortly after. "Hello! How is everyone on this beautiful day?"

"Wonderful Rosemary, the birthday boy just woke up from a nap and he is ready for his party."

Rosemary greeted Jack by tickling his stomach and he smiled at his aunt. "I thought I would help you with the food for the party. I brought over some sandwiches."

"Thank you Rosemary. I was going to cut up some fruit to go with the sandwiches. The cake is ready and on the table."

"Elizabeth, you did such a beautiful job on the cake. Lee said he would be over in about a hour or so. He had to check on something in the office. Is there anyone else coming today?"

"Bill should be coming over soon."

"Oh, I thought you would have asked Nathan and Allie to come." Elizabeth lowered her eyes, holding her son a little closer. "Elizabeth, is everything ok?"

Elizabeth raised her head, putting a smile on her face which Rosemary instantly recognized as fake. "Yes of course. I will just put Jack down on a blanket and then we can finish getting ready."

––––––––

Bill was sitting at the kitchen table with Jack on his knee. Jack was laughing as his godfather bounced him up and down. Rosemary and Lee were sitting across from them, watching the pair with a smile. Elizabeth was pouring coffee for her friends before they would sing Happy Birthday. There was a knock at the door and they all looked at way. "Who could that be," Elizabeth said putting down the coffee and walking towards the door.

Elizabeth opened the door to see Nathan and Allie. Allie was holding a gift in her hand and Nathan was holding a bouquet of wildflowers. She looked at Allie and then looked at Nathan with hesitation. "Hello."

"Hi Mrs. Thornton! Thank you for inviting us, can I go see Jack?"

"Yes, please come in."

Allie skipped over to the table, setting the gift on the table and saying hello to Jack. Elizabeth closed the door and Nathan was still standing next to her.

"Elizabeth, these are for you. I know its Jack's birthday, but I thought today it might be nice to do something for you. You have done an amazing job raising your son this year and he is a wonderful little boy," Nathan said handing the flowers to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth smiled taking the flowers, "I didn't think you would come."

"Elizabeth…"

Bill called from the other room, "Hey you two, I think the birthday boy is ready for his cake and presents."

Nathan smiled and held out his hand to lead Elizabeth to the kitchen. Elizabeth blushed. She walked over to the table and got a match to light the candle on Jack's cake. Bill handed Jack to Elizabeth and she held her son in her lap as everyone sang Happy Birthday. Elizabeth looked around at everyone in the room and smiled as she helped her son blow out his candle. Everyone clapped and even Jack joined in the fun.

Then it was time for gifts. Rosemary and Lee had given Jack books and new clothes. Elizabeth was not willing to admit it, but her boy was growing up and Rosemary wanted her to have some bigger clothes for when he needed them. Bill handed Elizabeth a box with a compass inside. He explained that the compass had been Jack's and Bill wanted his son to have it. Elizabeth put one arm around Bill and gave him a hug.

"Open our gift!" Allie said, putting the gift in front of Jack. Jack tapped the top of the box in excitement.

Elizabeth opened the box and saw two wooden figures. She gasped as she pulled a horse out of the box, admiring all the detail. Jack reached for the Mountie figure that was next to it. "Nathan did you make these? They are extraordinary!"

"I thought Jack might like to play with them. They can be a reminder of his dad."

Elizabeth started to get tears in her eyes. It could have been the gifts or maybe it was just the emotion of the day. Her son was one. She may not have thought she would be doing this on her own, but she was glad to have everyone in this room to support her.

––––––––––

Nathan and Allie had left the Thornton house at the same time that Bill had left. Rosemary and Lee had stayed to help clean up. Nathan had offered to help but Elizabeth said she was fine. Nathan knew that she had been hurt by their conversation yesterday but Nathan hadn't made a decision yet as to whether he would take the promotion yet. He told Allie that he needed to go on a short ride to check on someone out of time. Allie questioned why it needed to happen today, but Nathan just said that he didn't want anything to interrupt their fishing trip in the morning. Allie said she would go home to read and Nathan said he wouldn't be gone long.

Nathan got Newton from the stable and set off towards the edge of town. He had changed into his Mountie uniform before leaving. He didn't want to tell Allie where he was going because he didn't want to worry her. He needed some time alone to make the decision. Nathan knew that either way it would change their lives forever.

He kept riding until he arrived at the place that he thought would be the best to make this decision. He jumped down from the horse and tied the reins to a tree. Nathan walked through the gate and glanced at the tombstones as he passed them. He wasn't sure where the one he was looking for was. He walked about halfway into the cemetery until he saw it.

CONSTABLE JACK THORNTON

Nathan took off his Mountie hat, holding it in front of him. He bowed his head for a moment, saying a silent prayer. Then he began to speak out loud.

"Constable Thornton, you don't know me but I came to Hope Valley after you passed. I came after I heard about Elizabeth and your son. I also came to Hope Valley to make a better life for Allie. She has been through so much in her young life and she has really blossomed here. You probably already know that I was offered an inspector position. It would be a huge change for everyone. I thought that is what I wanted when I applied last year, but now…." Nathan paused looking up at the sky.

"I know that Mounties do not turn down promotions like this. It would be seen as disobeying an order and I would likely never receive an offer like this again. But what if that was ok? What if Allie and I are destined to be here? And then there is Elizabeth. I don't have to tell you how special she is. Do you think she would take a chance on another Mountie?" As Nathan asked the last question, there was a breeze of wind that went around him like a hug. He could feel the answer to all of his questions and he knew what he should do.

"Thank you Jack."