Kissing Allie's forehead and pulling the covers up to tuck her in like he did just about every night, Nathan couldn't help but marvel at how grown up his little girl had become. It pained him a little to know that soon she would venture out on her own, leaving the safety and protection of their home together. After everything they had gone through, he was full of gratitude that he had been given the privilege of being her dad. Today, Allie had stepped up in a big way. Her support of his new status with Elizabeth, then giving them some much-needed alone time during the family picnic, had meant everything to him. Closing Allie's bedroom door gently, he quietly made his way down the stairs and out the front door. He paused for a moment to take in a deep breath of the late summer breeze, reflecting on the past 24 hours.

As he looked down the row of houses, his eyes rested on the one he had been keeping his eye on since moving to Hope Valley several years prior. Light flickering in the downstairs window was the only sign Nathan needed to quickly close the distance between their residences. He stopped in his tracks right in front of the porch where Elizabeth had confessed her feelings for him just last night. Nathan closed his eyes, remembering what it felt like to touch Elizabeth's lips with his for the first time. He ran his fingers through his hair to calm his racing heart as he remembered the passion of their kisses both last night and during this beautiful day. Suddenly, he felt an urgency to have her back in his arms again.

After putting Jack to bed, Elizabeth quietly went downstairs and began pacing. She had hinted for Nathan to come by after the kids were asleep, but sometimes hints just weren't enough. What is wrong with me? She quietly asked herself out loud. You spent the entire day with him. Isn't that enough? But she knew the answer was a resounding, No! It would never be enough; especially after what felt like wasted time the past few years. She sat down on the sofa and closed her eyes, reliving last night when he told her he had never stopped loving her for a single second. His kisses lit a fire in her that she had never felt before. All she wanted was to be wrapped in his strong arms forever. Suddenly, she was brought out of her thoughts by someone at the front door.

Lightly knocking as not to wake up Jack if he were sleeping, Nathan didn't have to wait long for the door to swing open and reveal the most beautiful woman he had ever known.

"Hello," Elizabeth greeted with an impish grin on her face.

"Hi," Nathan responded while locking eyes with Elizabeth. His body naturally moved to be near hers, like two magnets being drawn to one another. "Is uh, is Jack asleep?" he asked, hoping to end the day without interruptions. He moved closer, not really seeming to care what answer she gave; but silently praying for her to confirm the kids were down for the night.

Pulse racing as Nathan moved closer, Elizabeth nodded while saying, "He had a very busy day."

Nathan grunted acknowledgment of the answer while bringing her into his arms, cradling her face in his large hand, and leaning in for yet another glorious kiss. As his lips captured hers, it felt like time stood still as they both lost themselves in the moment.

Even though they had only ever kissed a handful of times in the span of a day, it felt completely natural to Elizabeth; yet took her breath away at the same time. Her mind was swirling as Nathan pulled away and gazed lovingly at her. "Apple juice?" she asked, unable to form any other words at the moment. For some reason, it was the first thing that came to mind to try and keep him with her for just a little bit longer like before.

Smiling as he remembered the last time they shared glasses of apple juice while both kids slept, Nathan nodded and replied, "I'd love some." He saw the dreamy quality in her eyes as she reached for the door. This was a new side to Elizabeth that he never wanted to let go. He always knew she possessed a great deal of passion, but until now it hadn't all been directed at him.

Elizabeth tried to grab the door to close it, but it took a couple tries to find it with her hand while holding Nathan's gaze. As the door slammed shut, both of them froze and waited to see if Jack stirred at all. Silence filled the room, and both let out a huge sigh of relief. As if they were in a trance, neither one of them moved…just stood there lost in each other's eyes.

Even though he was relieved Jack stayed asleep, Nathan wasn't ready to let go of Elizabeth quite yet. He lightly ran his knuckles down her soft cheek and jawline before rubbing his thumb over her full and inviting lips. A small groan escaped those very lips, making Nathan a little crazy. "Lizbeth," he whispered right next to her ear as he pulled her even closer. He kissed right below her ear, down her jawline, then met her lips with his own in a fiery and passionate kiss unlike any he had given or received prior.

Leaning into Nathan, Elizabeth let herself release years of pent-up feelings for him. Her knees were so weak she stumbled until her back smacked against the door behind her.

They abruptly came apart briefly as Nathan's raspy voice asked, "You ok?"

"Mmmhmm," she murmured, her hands making their way into his hair and pulling his lips back down against hers. She felt his strong chest breathing heavily as his mouth explored every inch of hers.

Nathan's head began fighting with his body's desire to keep kissing Elizabeth. As much as he wanted to ignore it, he softened their kiss and slowly broke contact, keeping his eyes closed to help himself regain control. "I could really use some of that apple juice about now," he admitted, trying to breathe normally again. He opened his eyes just in time to see Elizabeth start giggling.

"Coming right up," she choked out between giggles. "Go ahead and relax on the sofa."

Nathan would have followed Elizabeth into the kitchen to help with the juice, but he felt a little distance would do them both some good at the moment. He knew it was going to be difficult to hold back with her now that they had confessed their love. Nathan would marry Elizabeth tomorrow if he could, but he reminded himself that he had to be patient and take cues from her. Plus, they still had secrets to share; and he wasn't sure how much impact those might have moving forward.

Pouring the amber liquid into two clear glasses, Elizabeth still felt her lips tingling. She licked them to try and extinguish the flames, then took a few deep breaths to calm herself; but when she turned and saw Nathan Grant smiling at her from the sofa, her heart began fluttering once again.

"Yes, by the way," Elizabeth said while handing Nathan his glass of apple juice.

"Yes?" Nathan asked inquisitively as he took the glass and she sat next to him on the sofa, giving them appropriate distance to remain more focused as they conversed.

"I had a talk with Jack this afternoon... about us," she continued. "And so I would love to go with you to the wedding."

"Well, that's great." Nathan set his juice down and rested his arm on the back of the sofa. "How did he um, how did he take it?"

"Do you want the good news or the bad news?"

Nathan chuckled. "Um, the good news."

"He's thrilled about spending more time with you and Allie." Elizabeth divulged matter of factly.

"Now the bad news." Nathan gestured with his hand for her to continue.

"He thinks you and I are boring." She smirked a little, revealing Jack's only complaint.

"Boring?" he spat.

"Mmhmm." she nodded, smiling.

"Us?" Nathan feigned offense as Elizabeth shrugged. "We're not boring."

"I know." she agreed emphatically.

"We've got... we've got secrets." he insisted. "Secrets aren't boring."

"So did you come up with one?" she questioned, leaning on the edge of her seat.

"I have, yeah." he reported. "But you go first it was your idea."

"OK, fine." Elizabeth nervously laughed, putting down her glass and gathering courage. "When I was a little girl my sister, Viola, told me that if I kissed a potato I would find my heart's desire."

Nathan's heart sank. "You kissed a potato?"

"I kissed a potato."

"Huh." Mind racing, he wasn't sure what to do following her unexpected confession.

"I didn't even get a puppy." Elizabeth rambled. "My mother was allergic. It was very disappointing. Viola never lets me forget it."

"Your secret is you kissed a potato?" Nathan wasn't sure how to proceed, knowing what he had planned on sharing. "That's... that's more of like an embarrassing story I'd say than a secret."

"OK, your turn," she replied, somewhat annoyed.

"I... I can't now," he stammered.

"You have to," she insisted.

"Well, not after what you just said," he explained, feeling unsure of himself.

"Nathan. We had a deal." Elizabeth wasn't about to let him off the hook.

He sighed, composing himself and trying to get the words out. "You remember when I was offered that inspector position in Union City?"

"Yes, you turned it down," she remembered.

"You were the reason that I wanted to take it." Nathan revealed, speaking slowly and deliberately explaining the details while noting the surprised look on Elizabeth's face. "Things were complicated. I found myself falling for you and it felt wrong because the reason I asked to be assigned here was to protect you after..." he couldn't form the rest of the sentence, but she finished it for him.

"After Jack died," she acknowledged softly.

Slowly nodding, he swallowed and looked away. "Yeah, I'm sorry, I messed this up. You-you wanted something funny and I…"

Taking a breath, Elizabeth knew she had to match his vulnerability with some of her own. "I never wanted anyone to know this, but I dreaded the idea of a new Mountie coming here. I was convinced I would despise whoever it was just because they were alive, and Jack wasn't."

"And then you found out that Jack took my place at the training mission." How had he dared hope this all would work out so easily? A pang of guilt still sat heavy on his chest whenever he thought about Jack replacing him on that mission.

Leaning forward, she looked into his eyes and unequivocally insisted, "Nathan, you are not responsible." Regret pricked at her heart, thinking of all the time they had lost because of her fear. "If I hadn't been so afraid of what I was feeling for you…"

Gratitude began swelling in his heart for the choice he had made to turn down that Inspector promotion. "If I hadn't stayed, if I hadn't gotten to know you…"

Emotion percolating beneath the surface nearly erupted as she contemplated, "Here we are."

Feelings and emotions surrounded Nathan, and he reached out to run his fingers down her short chocolate curls, letting his thumb and fingers play with a strand while nearly whispering, "I love you."

Hearing those words spoken freely from the man she had been in love with for so long, caused the dam to break and emotion to finally release. "I love you, too." Her voice was barely audible, and nearly cracked; but they were finally able to speak what had been buried in their hearts.

"This was a fun game. We should play this game again." Nathan leaned closer as they both started laughing, trying to lighten the mood.

"Maybe not." But even as she said it, Elizabeth knew that these talks were vital in building a relationship that would last forever.

Deep conversation over apple juice seemed to be their thing. Elizabeth was still emotional after their heartfelt declarations of love that followed their exchange of secrets. They sat in silence just looking into each other's eyes, basking in the feelings that had been brought to the surface.

Trying to be pragmatic once again, Nathan took Elizabeth's hand and gave it a squeeze. "It's getting late," he conceded.

"I know," Elizabeth sighed, standing up and leading Nathan to the door. "See you tomorrow, Constable."

They stepped onto the porch, and Nathan turned to face her one last time before going home. He leaned down and ever so lightly brushed her lips with his. "Goodnight, beautiful," Nathan murmured before reluctantly tearing himself away from her and walking home. It was the perfect ending to a day that neither one of them would ever forget.