Jessie couldn't help laughing at the situation she found herself in. Here she was, a reporter from Capital City, trying to get an interview with the Governor, for her final story at the Gazette. Instead, here she was, sitting in a booth, spilled coffee all over her clothes, sharing a delicious scone while laughing harder than she had in a long time, with the Governor himself. Having met, and even been friends with, many politicians in during her life, she had found ways to read their different personalities. To know who was genuine and who was not. She was proud to say she'd been correct about almost all of them. However, the man sitting across from her didn't really fit into any of her normal categories. In fact, she was having a hard time trying to figure him out at all.

When they had met earlier, she had been so nervous, that she didn't notice how attractive he was, or how he couldn't take his eyes off her. She did remember the spark that went straight to her heart when they shook hands, but that was it. Now, it was her turn to be unable to take her eyes off him. Knowing that she wasn't the kind of woman he would be interested in, she decided to enjoy this rare opportunity and let her fantasy's take-over. What did she have to lose anyway?

To say, Lucas had been mortified at not only running into Ms. Harrison, but spilling his coffee all over her, would be an understatement. Especially considering everything that had happened today. It was her laugh that broke through to him. He'd never heard anything like it before, and wished he could hear it over and over and over again.

"I guess that means this was the wrong outfit to wear after all." she said. Looking down at her blouse and watching the coffee drip down to her skirt and onto the floor.

"Ms. Harrison, I am so very sorry. There is no excuse for what happened, please come with me into the kitchen and see if we can get you cleaned up." Lucas said, guiding her back towards the kitchen, where they managed to clean up most of the mess, but the evidence was still painfully obvious.

"I assume you are staying here at the Hotel, and will want to change, please take my jacket to cover it up, if you like." Lucas was pulling off his jacket as he spoke.

Jessie smiled, saying, "I don't mind, besides after this morning, do you think I am going to let you escape again."

"Yeah, about that…"

Holding up her hand to cut him off, Jessie flashed him a bright smile and said, "It's over and forgotten. How about we start all over again, Governor?"

"I'd like that very much."

Extending her hand, she introduced herself again, and accepted his introduction as well.

"What brings you to Hope Valley, Ms. Harrison?"

"Governor, please call me Jessie, I am more likely to answer to that name anyway."

"Then you must call me, Lucas." he told her.

"Oh, I can't do that sir, you are the Governor and that title demands respect."

"Well, maybe in Capital City I am the Governor, but here, in Hope Valley, I am just Lucas, please."

"Very well, Lucas," she emphasized, "is there a place we can talk and let these people get back to work?" followed by an unconscious wink. One that she would berate herself forever for doing.

Lucas felt his heart stutter a little when he saw her wink. It was shortly after that, his heart suddenly felt whole and complete. Like he'd found something he didn't even know he was missing. Surprised at the feeling, he tucked it away for later and said, "Yes, we can go to my office if you'd like?"

"How about we go back to that booth, Lucas. Truth be told, I would love a cup of peppermint tea and maybe a scone?"

"Of course, after you." and together they walked to the now, infamous booth.

Having once again explained her request, Jessie felt the sweat start to form on her hands, in anticipation of his answer. She had been so sure this was the right thing to do, she hadn't considered what would happen if he said No.

"So, you want to print my side of the story, on the front page of the Capital Gazette, as your final piece of journalism? There has to be more than that." It wasn't that Lucas was going to say no, he almost said yes after her first sentence, but he had a strange desire to know more about this beautiful woman sitting cross the table from him.

Looking down, and tracing shapes on the table, Jessie decided to just lay it all out there. She told him about the unwanted advances, the favors for her stories being on the front page. How she and others in the office had experienced similar things with him.

"I didn't see it at first, but it has become so uncomfortable that I have plans to turn in my resignation. When he asked me to do a story on you, and one that wasn't flattering, and told me it would be on the front page, it felt like a sign. I had been about to hand in my resignation when he offered it to me. So I've decided to beat him at his own game. He wants a story about you, and I want to tell it. It just might not be the story he wants."

When Lucas heard this part of the story, all he saw was red. Determined to make this editor, this person, accountable, who was taking advantage of the women who worked for him, not to mention what he was doing to Jessie. That in and of itself brought out a rage he wasn't aware was in him.

"Who is your editor? I can have him removed from his position immediately. I can't abide behavior's like that, and will do all I can to bring him to justice."

"Lucas, that's not what's important right now. Right now, you need all the help you can get if you're going to stay in office for the next three years. There will be time for whatever needs to happen soon enough." Jessie told him. Hoping she'd believe her and not let it become a distraction.

"Very well, but don't think I am going to forget about this, Jessie." he said, trying to tamp down the anger that was coursing through him.

"Thank you, Lucas. Really. This whole thing has changed my perspective on life and who I want to be. I've decided to get out of journalism for good, and start my life over. Live the life I want, not the one I was trained for growing up."

They both sat there for a few minutes, lost in each other's eyes, and were startled when a waitress came over to refill their tea. Once the tea was poured, Lucas simply said, "Jessie, I'd be happy to give you an interview for your story. I do, however, have two conditions. First, I will answer your questions, but you must also answer mine. And second, it's not done in an office, but all around Hope Valley. I'd like for you to get to know this wonderful town.

"Uh, Dad, where did you put the baseball stuff?" Allie called to him.

It was followed by a muffled reply, but she couldn't decipher his reply, so she repeated the question.

"It's up here, Allie, I'll be down with it in a minute." Nathan called.

Allie just shook her head. It had been a very long time since she'd seen this side of her dad. True, it would come out once in a while, and maybe more so during the last few months, this time felt different, and she couldn't be happier. Although her practical side did remind her that it wouldn't always be like this, laughing and playing and spending the entire day together, she decided to take it one day at a time and enjoy every minute she could. Carpe Diem.

"Allie, I can't find your glove, do you have it?" Nathan called, coming down the stairs.

"Got it right here, Dad." she said, waiving it in front of him. "Oh, and I put the drinks in the ice box so they'd be cold by the time we have our picnic"

"Thanks, Allie. I appreciate that."

"Dad, can I ask you something?"

"Of course"

"What makes today so special? Not that I'm complaining or anything, but why are we doing all these things with Mrs. Thornton and Jack?" she asked.

"I am not sure there is an actual reason, Allie. It just seemed like the right thing to do after yesterday." her dad replied.

"But wouldn't you rather spend the day with Mrs. Thornton, doing, I don't know, whatever you do?"

"I think, kiddo, there are a few answers to that question, and it's possible that each of us have a different answer, but from my perspective, the idea of spending time with the three of you for an entire day, kind of like a family, felt like the right thing to do. Maybe get a taste of what's to come."

"What do you mean, 'what's to come'?" there was a hesitancy in her voice that Nathan picked up on, and admitted to himself caused a little worry.

"You say that as though it's a bad thing." Nathan told her, trying to figure out what was going on in her head, like he did when she was little.

"Honestly, I know what I want the conclusion of this chapter to be, and I will try very hard to make sure it happens, but as you know. Life is uncertain, and we have to, what is it, Carping Days? Or whatever that phrase of yours is."

Allie rolled her eyes, knowing her Dad was teasing her. "It's Carpe Deim, Dad"

"Right, that one." he said with a grin.

Not sure how to exactly ask this next question, she blurted out, "Are you saying you'd like to marry Mrs. Thornton?"

For the rest of her life, Allie would never forget the look on her dad's face when she asked that. His eyes lit up, his cheesy grin came to his face, and he simply said, "I do."

"Huh." was all Allie said thoughtfully before picking up her baseball glove, pointing to the bag with the rest of the equipment and said, "Let's get going."

Nathan wasn't exactly sure what just happened, or even what she had meant by that answer, so he called out, "Allie, wait. Are you okay? Is this okay? You know that your thoughts and opinions matter just as much as mine do in this, right?"

"That's a lot of questions, Dad, and I really don't think Mrs. Thornton would approve of the sentence structure, but yes to all of them. And thank you for checking. I want the same as you do, only don't wait another five years, okay?" She walked back towards her dad and together they hugged. Pulling back slightly, she added, "I like this version of my Dad, and would rather have him around than the other one."

With that, she reached up and kissed him on the cheek before heading back to the door.

"Now come on, let's go." she said.

Elizabeth was sitting on the front steps watching Jack excitedly telling his Uncle Lee and Goldie about everything that had happened that morning, and how much fun it was. She couldn't ever remember seeing her son this excited before, and it made her mother's heart so happy. Hearing footsteps coming from the other direction, she was shocked to see Lucas and another woman walking towards her house.

"Lucas, is everything okay?" she asked, her voice filled with worry as she took in the woman walking next to him.

Lucas hadn't planned on seeing Elizabeth again that day, but then again, it was a day full of surprises, and it wasn't even 10 o'clock in the morning. Coming to a stop in front of her, Lucas smiled and introduced her to Jessie, explaining who she was and what they were doing.

"Buddy!" he heard from further down the street. Looking up, he smiled as Jack came running towards him. This little guy would always have a very special place in his heart, and he secretly hoped Jack felt the same way.

"Hey Buddy," Lucas said, picking the little boy up in a big hug, "How have you been?"

Jack proceeded to tell him everything that had happened that morning, everything from his riding lesson and Pal going fast. He glanced at Elizabeth with questioning eyes about that but decided to inquire later about breakfast and how they were going to play baseball and have a picnic.

"That sounds like a fun day, Buddy." Lucas, told him, while setting him back on the ground. He was crouching down in front of Jack and took hold of his hands. "Jack", he said, pointing to the woman standing next to him, "I'd like you to meet a friend of mine. This is Ms. Harrison"

Glancing at this new person, he decided to be shy and went to hide behind his mom. He began tugging on her arm so she'd kneel down, and he could whisper, "Mom, can I say hi?" Giving him permission, Jack slowly made his way back to Lucas and held his hand out to the lady, "I'm Jack." he said.

"Hi, Jack." Jessie exclaimed, crouching down so she could look him in the eyes, "It's so nice to meet you."

"Thanks" Jack said, getting shy again before running back to his Uncle Lee. Lee had become the person Jack shared everything with lately, even going so far as to making sure they went over every night before bed, so they could talk. Elizabeth would try to apologize, but Lee would stop her, saying how much he looked forward to that part of the day. Giving the man a hug, Elizabeth had whispered her thanks. Every day she was reminded that Jack didn't have a father, but every day also reminded her that he actually had a lot of fathers, which was just fine with her.

Having said goodbye, Lucas and Jessie continued their walk, passing Nathan and Allie as they were walking towards the Thornton's.

"Constable," Lucas said with a slight nod.

"Governor." Nathan answered with the same nod, followed by a slight smile from both of them.

Elizabeth had seen them exchange greetings, and a question came to her mind, wondering if she should tell Lucas about her and Nathan. Placing that thought aside as well, she smiled as she wanted her son run towards the Mountie and his daughter, yelling their names as he went.