I'm so happy that you all loving my new story! It's uplifting to know that most of you are still interested in it! I do apologize for the errors but please don't feel like you need to correct it. I do my best to make it enjoyable. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews! They do mean a lot to me!

Chapter 7

It Is Time

Christmas morning Jack had woken up first. He started the coffee and put the Christmas scones on the coffee table in front of the fireplace.

The smell of the coffee woke her up. She put her robe on and tied it closed. She slid her slippers on and brushed her hair and went to the kitchen but Jack caught her before she got there. He kissed her and said, Merry Christmas Bella! She said, Merry Christmas hon. It just came out without her thinking but didn't retract it. He smiled and said, I like it! She kissed him once more and asked for a cup of coffee. He grabbed her a cup and led her to the living room.

They sat on the sofa and talked about their favorite past Christmas'. Jack was elected to pass out the presents. He stacked hers by her and his by his side of the sofa. He sat back down and told her to go first. She says, no we will take turns but I will go first.

She opened the first gift, it was a beautiful blue shawl. She kissed him and said, it's beautiful and I love it. Thank you. He replied, I saw it and thought it would match your eyes beautifully!

He opened his first gift, it was a new leather sketchbook binder with a snap strap to keep it closed with his name in gold letters on the bottom right corner. He kissed and hugged her and said thank you. I was truly needing this.

Her next gift was a pair of wool-lined winter boots. Jack I was going to buy myself a pair of these the next time we went to town. I saw them in the window at the store. Thank you so much. I know I saw you looking at them that day. I was walking across the street to meet you for lunch.

His next gift was some canvas, paints, and brushes. Oh, Bella how did you know I could use these? Well, I figured out you were the one who painted the backdrop for the Founders Day play. How, he asked? Well, you were the only one in town who could draw so I figured it had to be you and Rosemary let it slip one day that you used to paint all the time at home growing up. Thanks, Bella for not making a big deal out of it. You're welcome, Honey. Ok, enough of this gushy stuff.

Her last gift was a silver locket. Oh Hon…., I love it! He says, open it. She opens it and there are 2 pictures, one of him and one of her that he had drawn as if they were looking at one another.

His last gift was a scarf that she had made. He says, now I have something to keep me warm, thanks Bella. This has been my favorite Christmas in a very long time, how about you Bella? It has for me as well. When I first got here I thought I was just going to be an old-schoolmarm but now my future looks very promising.

Jack, I'm glad you got out of your head and came to find me. Promise me that the next time you start getting back into your head you will come talk to me. It would save us a lot of headaches. I will Bella.

He says I have something I want to show you before we start our day. He pulls out his sketchbook and opens it up to the page he wants her to see. He hands it to her. She looks at it and realizes what it is. She gasped, oh Jack, it's the moon over the ocean in Vancouver! How do you know that? See the docks you've drawn? I recognize them. I've been there many times. The sunsets and sunrises are more beautiful than I have ever seen. He turned the page and sure enough there they were on every page. Oh, hon I love them. Now when I think of them I can see them in your drawings! Can we have them framed? Anything you want Bella. I had to draw them to show you when I found you.

They get changed and ride to Phillip and Lydia's. She has her new winter boots on to keep her feet warm. After a nice Christmas dinner Jack asks, hey Bella want to take a walk with me? There's a pond out behind the barn. I'll bet it's frozen. Sure, Hon, I'd go anywhere with you! They bundle up and head to the pond.

Phillip had put a bench out there for him and Lydia. They took a seat and just took in all their surroundings. After a few minutes of holding each other, he asked, want to try the ice? Are you sure it's safe Hon? I'll check to be sure but with the temperature, I'm sure it is. Be right back. He steps out on it a little bit at a time until he is out in the middle. He bounced a few times to show her it was safe.

He slides back to her and holds out his hand to her. She takes it and follows him back out onto it. He starts shuffling his feet around as if skating and she follows. Pretty soon they were sliding around the ice together.

He turns to slide around her and she squeals, Jack you're making me dizzy, stop! He stops in front of her and drops to one knee. She gasped. He pulls the ring box out of his breast pocket and says, Bella, you are my heart and soul. You are the air I breathe. When I thought I had lost you, I couldn't picture my life without you. I couldn't go on without you because you have my heart. Since we've gotten back together my future has a whole new light. It's you, you're my light in the darkness. He opens the box and says, Bella will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? She touches his cheek and says, yes Jack I will! He stands, takes her left glove off, and puts the ring on her finger. They kiss slowly but passionately. Everyone comes out of the barn whistling and hooting! She turns and says, you all knew about this? They all yelled yes, we sure did! Jack leads her off the ice. Everyone hugs the newly engaged couple and congratulates them.

Christmas came and went, New Years was spent sitting around a campfire discussing wedding dates and planning. They decided on April 23rd, 1910 in Pine Springs. They both agreed they didn't want a long engagement. They wanted a small intimate wedding with just their closest friends and family. If William Thatcher wouldn't come then Wynn Delaney would give her away.

Aunt Elizabeth would make her a simple wedding dress, nothing frilly or super fancy like in Hamilton. She had become a simple country girl and didn't want anything that resembled high society. She knew it had to stand out and be pretty, that was just fine. Her mother was upset that they weren't getting married in Hamilton but understood it was her wedding. Her parents didn't know if they would be able to make it because Viola and Lionel were expecting their first child.

They decided that Jack would wear his dress uniform to save on buying a new suit. She was approved to finish out her teaching contract for the year.

Spring was on its way. The children were helping with all the decorations. Invitations were sent. Confirmations had arrived. From Coal Valley were Abigail, Bill, Lee, Rosemary, Mrs. Weiss with Opal and Brownie, Cat Montgomery with Gabe, Miles and Emily, and Hattie and Laura were allowed to travel with Cat. Uncle Wynn and Aunt Elizabeth got everyone private compartments to travel on the 4-day trip. Arrangements were made for their stay.

From Hamilton, Julie would come and bring her dress as Maid of Honor and the 2 Bridesmaids dresses for Lydia and Abigail. The simple suits for Tom, Jack's brother the Best Man, and for Lee and Bill. Her mother wanted to make sure she had all the clothes for everyone. Opal Weiss and little Sarah Ethridge would be Flower Girls, one from each school. Little Andy Delaney was a Ring Bearer.

Jack's mother would make the trip with Tom. It was all coming together. Everything was set. They had a month and they would be married. They would be living in her home for now. Jack said it would be nice to get out of that tent. He had already moved most of his belongings in. He just kept his clothes and sketch pads. Elizabeth had already found a place for all his items. Bill had sent the picture and it hung above the fireplace.

School was going great, they had their winter field trip and will have their spring field trip after the honeymoon. The children were thriving and learning. She was proud of every one of them. It was now a week from the wedding.

She received a telegram from her father stating that they wouldn't be able to attend due to Viola's due date approaching. He wished them well and asked for them to come to Hamilton this summer for a wedding reception. Jack held her while she cried. She was hoping that her father would be there to give her away. He didn't have any words so he just held her, and let her know he was there for her. Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Wynn were due to arrive that afternoon. Jack felt she needed them right now because they were more like her parents than an Aunt and Uncle but until then he was there. Julie will be arriving tomorrow. Those from Hope Valley would be arriving on Thursday. He couldn't fathom how a father could choose between 2 daughters. This was to be one of the best days of her life, and now crying because her parents weren't even going to be there. He hoped he would never have to. He made a decision then that he would strive to be there for all his children and not put one above the other.

A couple hours later her Aunt and Uncle came in. Elizabeth was still crying in Jack's arms. Her Aunt mouthed, what is wrong? Jack mouthed back, her parents weren't coming. Her Aunt sat down next to her and gently pulled her from Jack's arms. Elizabeth never even looked up. She just kept crying and saying, their not coming over and over. Aunt Elizabeth rubbed her back and said, shhhh. We will get through this Beth Dear. We knew this was a possibility, right? Yes, but I thought they would want to be here for me. Viola still has another month. They could come and then leave right after. Mother could stay with her and let father come. I know it's their first grandchild but this is my first wedding, my only wedding. All little girls want their daddy to walk them down the aisle and give them away.

Beth Dear, look at me. She looks up into her Aunt's eyes. We have always thought of you as a daughter. Uncle Wynn will be honored to take his place. I think he was hoping that your father wasn't going to be able to come so he could do it. Jack never asked your father for his blessing, he asked your Uncle Wynn. Wynn gave him his blessing. Do you think your father would have given it to him? No, you and I both know he would not have. Wynn knows the man as well as the Mountie. He is worthy of you. Jack is listening and watching as he reaches up to wipe the tears in his eyes.

Elizabeth got up and walked into her Uncle's open arms. I love you my Little Beth. You haven't called me that since I was 16, she whispered. Well, I felt you were too big to be my Little Beth anymore. Never, Uncle, never. After a good long hug, she stood up tall and motioned for him to bend down with her finger like she used to. He did, knowing she wanted to kiss his cheek. She whispered, I love you Uncle forever! Now he had a lone tear because history was repeating itself with her.

Jack is standing in awe over the scene before him. He's seeing a high-ranking decorated Mountie Officer crumpled to an ordinary man. This was proof that crying didn't mean you were weak but a man with a heart. He would have loved knowing this man when he was a boy. His father was a great father and man but he had lost him when he was 10. He grew up with his Uncle as his role model but the man before him would have been a great role model for him. He thanked God he was in his life.

The next day Jack and Elizabeth spent the day walking and talking about what they wanted as husband and wife, how they would parent their children, and how they would deal with disciplining their children. Neither would parent with an iron fist. They felt that being able to calmly discuss the issue would work for them. They knew there were going to be times when they would have to be tougher on their children but they would do it together. There would be no playing one against the other. They wanted to parent as a team.

They discussed what they expected from each other. Elizabeth says, Jack, as the man of the house you are the leader. I have no problem following but can I ask one thing? Bella, I know what you are going to ask but go ahead and ask. Before you make a final decision about our future, will you at least discuss it with me? Bella, I'm not here to control our lives. I'm here to work as a team. So yes, if I can I will. I have no control over where headquarters sends me so if that happens then that I can't discuss or change it. But I do promise that I will always take your feelings and opinions to heart before I make a decision.

Jack asked, is there anything you need to deal with today? No, everything is done except for the cooking and I don't have to deal with that. All we have to do now is just show up, Hon!