A couple of days had gone by without any news on the whereabouts of Thomas Higgins or even movement on the claims by Hamish Moriarty. Bill was determined to track down Moriarty and have a conversation with him, but he knew he'd have to be careful to not interfere with the investigation. It was one thing to go after Higgins, another thing completely with Moriarty.

Moments later, Rosemary bustled in, followed by Gabriel, Nathan and Elizabeth. The kids were all safe with the Canfields and Lee.

All eyes were momentarily on Elizabeth as Nathan pulled out a chair for her. She thanked him, then looked around, rolled her eyes and said, "Really, everyone, I'm fine! You can all stop treating me like I'm going to break. Yes, I'm tired of looking over my shoulder. But, I'm alright." She looked over and grabbed Nathan's hand. "Besides, I have all of you and it means a lot to me."

Bill cleared his throat. "Um, sorry, Elizabeth. We should know better. Of course you're fine. So I think that someone needs to have a private conversation with this Hamish Moriarty fellow. He knows something and if he indeed met with Higgins, then I think his claims of neglect are, indeed, false. Which, we already know they have to be."

Nathan interjected, "Bill...you know that..."

Bill held up a hand. "Yes, Nathan, I know that trying to get to Moriarty could be considered interfering with an RCMP investigation. Which is why we need to make sure that whomever talks to him could not be considered as someone who is interfering. Which means that neither you nor Gabriel can do it. Also, none of my Mountie contacts can, either."

They were interrupted by the ringing of Bill's phone. He got up and went over to his desk to answer it. Bill picked up the phone and turned his back to the group while talking. None of them could really hear what he was saying, just words here and there. It was about Hargreaves, for sure.

Elizabeth had no idea just how hard she was gripping Nathan's hand until he leaned close to her and whispered, "It's going to be okay, Lizbeth."

"What?" she started. Looking down at their hands, she eased up. "Oh! I'm so sorry, Nathan!" she whispered back to him.

"It's alright, Sweetheart, I think I can handle it." he replied in his low, quiet voice.

Sweetheart. Her eyes grew wide with wonder and a warmth spread through her. He'd never called her anything like that before, and she loved it. Her mouth curved in a small smile. The two of them just gazed at one another until Rosemary coughed, quite dramatically. That brought her right back down to earth. She could feel her cheeks flame because she knew that they were being watched.

Nathan flashed that half smile at her, his eyes twinkling. She still felt warm all over, but figured that Bill was about to dump ice cold water on them as she watched him walk back over to the table and sit down.

They all looked at him anxiously, and then he smiled. It was a devilish smile, but a smile nonetheless. "That was Superintendent O'Reilly. He said that the Moriarty claim has been tabled, at least for now, because everything that Andrew Hargreaves has done since Lucas was shot is now being examined - very closely." He paused to let that all sink in.

A wave of relief washed over Elizabeth. She was praying that the whole thing would be dismissed. Jack wasn't here to defend himself. And, his son shouldn't be denied the pension that Jack had earned.

"That was the good news. The bad news is that Higgins is still missing." He looked directly at Elizabeth. "I know that you're getting antsy, but we shouldn't get too comfortable until we know where he is and have the means to hold him accountable. He's become a desperate man, and desperation makes people dangerous. Especially men like him."

Elizabeth sighed. On the one hand, she was tired of having to be so careful in every move she made. Of not being able to just let Jack play outside or sit on the porch in the evening. On the other hand? She absolutely dreaded the idea of Nathan and Allie going back to their house. Dreaded it. It made her heart ache just thinking about it.

"I know you're right, and after what happened with Jeanette, being careful doesn't sound like too much of a sacrifice. If I'm being honest? Thomas Higgins scares me more than she did." She shuddered.

Nathan gave her hand a squeeze. There was some discussion in regards to contacts in nearby towns. Bill and Gabe decided to do some extra reconnaissance on rounds to see if they could flush out anything that way. They all decided that roughing it wouldn't work too well for a man like Higgins, who was used to the finer things in life, but they couldn't ignore the possibility that he could be holed up somewhere in a hunter's cabin.

Rosemary shared her findings. She'd learned that the Higgins family had basically disowned him. They wanted nothing to do with him, and none of them had heard from him since not long after the incident with Elizabeth.

Bill said that he'd spoken to Henry Gowen, and that Anna was doing very well. She'd not seen, nor heard from Thomas Higgins and no one at school had mentioned him. They'd been visited by his replacement, who seemed like a very nice gentleman. Gowen had taken the liberty to pointedly warn Anna to let him, or law enforcement, know if she saw, or was approached by, him again. That she should not believe anything that the man claims.

A sigh escaped from Elizabeth's mouth. "I should've told her. Anna." She turned to Nathan. "You were right. The older girls need to know about this kind of thing. It's not fair of me to allow any of them walk into this kind of situation when I have the means and experience to at least inform them that they don't have to just take it. I may need to speak with their parents first, though."

It was Rosemary's turn to speak up. "Elizabeth, it was traumatic for you, and now you're in the middle of potentially having this man come for revenge of some sort. Once you get to the other side of this crisis, you can have a meeting with some parents. You will have our full support when you decide to do it. I'll say this, though, if a parent says no now...just wait until that young woman is about to go out on her own and speak with them then."

Elizabeth glanced at Nathan and he nodded. She trusted his judgement as a parent of a teenaged girl. She knew he would agree.

The meeting concluded. Bill and Gabe left to go on their extended rounds. Rosemary, Elizabeth and Nathan walked out together. Rosemary put a hand on Elizabeth's arm.

"Okay, you two. Lee and I are going to watch your kids this evening. You two are headed to the Cafe for a private dinner. Minnie and Joseph are there and have closed the place for a couple of hours, just for you. No arguments from either one of you. They're expecting you."

Elizabeth's mouth dropped open in protest. "Rosemary, I..."

With a frown, Rosemary said, " Ee-liz-a-beth...what did I just say?"

Nathan smiled and put his arm around Elizabeth. "What she means to say, Rosemary, is we'd love to and thank you for your generosity. Right, Sweetheart?"

"Uh..." He'd pulled out the 'Sweetheart' again... and, was that a calculating smirk on Rosemary's face? As Nathan steered her towards the cafe, she called, "Thank you, Rosemary. Thank Lee for us, as well."

They could hear the trill of Rosemary's laughter as they started walking. After they'd gotten a little ways away, she said to Nathan under her breath, "I know what you're doing, Constable. I'm onto you. By the way, it's working."

With feigned innocence, he said, "Me? I'm not doing anything..."

She bumped his shoulder. "Mmmm hmmm..."

xxxxxxxxx

The cafe was quiet and smelled heavenly. Joseph came out to greet them when they arrived. There was a table beautifully set for two in the center of the room. "Nathan, Elizabeth! We're glad that you were able to come. Minnie and I want you to know that we're here for you, Elizabeth. No matter what you need. Day or night. We're right sorry for what you're going through."

Elizabeth was surprised when she didn't feel uncomfortable that the Canfield's knew. She'd never wanted anyone to know about this - as if it somehow made her look weak or, worse yet, culpable in some way. She realized that was what Higgins and other men like him wanted. They aimed to make women feel small, helpless and isolated so they'd give in.

"Thank you, Joseph." she responded.

Nathan shook Joseph's hand. "We really appreciate this, Joseph. And, thanks for keeping an eye on Allie while she's been with Angela today."

"Now that is not at all a problem. Your Allie is a joy to us and the best of friends to Angela. She is always welcome in our home. Now, why don't the two of you take a seat right here, and we'll get started on your dinner."

Dinner began with a green salad, then they were treated to some of Minnie's barbecued pork with scalloped potatoes and green beans. They finished with apple pie, vanilla ice cream and some coffee.

Elizabeth groaned and sat back. "You're going to have to roll me home at this point."

Nathan chuckled but looked pointedly at her. That one word, so easily referred to in their conversations. 'Home'. Since they'd officially become a couple, he and Allie had spent more of their time in the Thornton's home than their own. And it just felt right. They hadn't been together very long, yet...

Elizabeth watched the emotions play across Nathan's face. How well she knew him. He'd latched onto the word home. She knew it and she now wondered if it really was time to bring up what she was thinking about since the meeting at Bill's office. She then decided to free up Minnie and Joseph, then talk to Nathan somewhere on the way home. Maybe out back by the park.

After thanking the Canfield's profusely, they bid them goodnight and stepped outside. Elizabeth grabbed Nathan's hand. "Nathan, it's a lovely night, can we go sit on the bench by the park and talk for a few minutes? There's something I want to say and you know what's going to happen when the kids get back... home."

He smiled as he well knew that they'd be lucky to get a few minutes alone before Gabe showed up. "I'd like that, Lizbeth."

She couldn't help but notice that he kicked into Mountie mode a little as soon as they were outside again. Keeping a keen eye out for Higgins. Nothing seemed amiss. They settled on the bench and Elizabeth turned towards him.

"I'm kind of nervous to bring this up, but I need to and I want you to hear me out completely before you say anything. Please?"

He reached for her hand, stroking his thumb across it. "Of course. Take your time." Maybe this was about Higgins and he'd listen to her, no matter what.

"I know that we talked the other night about waiting to discuss our next steps until the Hargreaves and or Higgins issues were dealt with. The Hargreaves issue seems to be somewhat resolved for now, but we have no idea just how long it will take to even find Higgins, let alone figure out how or if he's even involved with Moriarty's claims. Also, either way, I suspect that Thomas Higgins will always despise me for my part in ending his reign of terror."

She looked him directly in the eyes, so he understood that she was dead serious about this, had put some real thought into it. "Nathan, I do not want to give that man even one more second of my life. He's already taken enough from me. Do you understand what I'm saying? There will always be uncertainty in life. If we start to shrink back from those things that hurt, then our greatest risk is possibly never experiencing our greatest joy * . I am ready, finally to not shrink back from great love. I am ready to move forward with you. With us joining our lives, our families. I want to experience that greatest joy and that's spending the rest of my life with you."

Nathan wasn't sure what he expected, but it was never in a million years what he just heard. He was stunned and more than a little thrilled. "Can I say something now?"

Elizabeth nodded, vulnerability clear in her eyes.

"There's a part of me that still wants to make sure you're certain but, at the same time, I can actually see it in your eyes. I have to clarify, are you wanting to just get engaged and married later or...

She smiled, with a distinct glimmer in her eyes. "Oh, I want about a five minute engagement, Nathan. This whole thing with Higgins? With you and Allie basically living at our house? What on earth are we even waiting for? If this goes on for six months or, God forbid, six years? How much more will this take from our lives? How long before we become a constant fodder for gossip? No. I don't want to pressure you into doing anything, but I did want to let you know where my head and my heart are."

Nathan sat for a moment, processing. She was right. Higgins was basically running their lives right now. And, being a Mountie, he knew that investigations could sometimes take months or even years. Purposely missing people could be hard, if not impossible to find. He didn't want to wait years to live his life with Elizabeth.

He took her other hand in his. "You don't have to pressure me into anything, Lizbeth. I love you and you know that I've had forever with you in my mind for a long time. True, I'd long ago resigned myself to that never happening." He paused.

"You know what? I have another secret for you. Do you want to hear it?" he asked.

She smiled, delighted. "Yes! Why, yes I do!"

"Remember last fall when I told you that Faith had broken things off with me right before that dance when we first heard the radio?"

She nodded, realizing that it had been the first night when she'd been forced to realize that he'd given up on love and she was wondering if she were to blame for that in some way.

"Faith told me that there was 'something in the way'. That there had ' always been something in the way.' I apologized to her and said that I didn't know what was wrong with me. She said that there wasn't anything wrong. It took me quite awhile to realize that the 'something' was really a 'someone' and that someone was you and my love for you."

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears and she leaned in and brushed her lips lightly over his.

Having none of that, he put a hand behind her ear and pulled her closer, turning the kiss more passionate. They were out in public, and even though the playground was empty, they pulled back in an effort to keep things decent.

"So, if I happened to have this ring in my pocket and offered it to you, what are my chances that I would receive that most favorable response that you mentioned?"

Her heart tripped and rolled, butterflies started to madly flap their wings in her middle. She nodded emphatically.

"You know that we still have to discuss this with our kids, at least in regards to a quick wedding?" he stated. Another emphatic nod came from her and her eyes were fairly lit up with hope.

He reached into his vest pocket and pulled the pouch from it. When he'd removed the ring, he knelt down before her where she sat and took her hand in his.

"Lizbeth, I have dreamed of this day that I'd given up hoping would ever come. I somehow think that I never found love with anyone else because God always planned on me finding it with you. Funny how he manages to work these things out. You told me that I feel like home to you, but you need to know that I feel the exact same way about you. You're my best friend, and I love you with all of my heart and soul. Will you be my wife and spend the rest of our lives walking side by side?"

A tear slipped down her face and she was beaming. "Yes, Nathan. I would be extremely blessed and honored to become your wife. To join our families and make a home together. But, you need to know, Nathan, that I've come to realize that your heart is my home."

He slipped the beautiful filigree ring with the round sapphire, the exact color of her eyes, on her finger. It fit her perfectly. Then he stood and pulled her up into his arms, slanting his mouth over hers in a very passionate kiss.

They pulled back and then Elizabeth threw her arms around him, he held her a moment, then lifted her up and swung her around. It was going to be hard to wait another moment to be husband and wife...for both of them.

They started to walk home, hand in hand, discussing just how they wanted to be married. The where, the when and the who. They also discussed the plan to talk to Allie and Jack as soon as they got home.

"Nathan? You should go next door and fetch the kids. I'd like to talk to them before Rosemary finds out and she'll notice the ring and our faces right away. I doubt she'll be able to contain herself. And, well, I don't want to remove it."

Nathan chuckled. "That's probably a good idea. Though, sometimes Rosemary is more intimidating than my toughest Mountie instructor was!"

That caused Elizabeth to laugh out loud. The man who could hunt down and catch criminals was intimidated by Rosemary. After a moment of thought, she had to agree. "I guess I can see what you mean! She did say that it's a 'gift' that no one can seem to keep anything from her. I think she's right!"

xxxxxxxxx

As they neared the Coulter residence, they looked at one another and, in silent agreement, Nathan broke off and Elizabeth rushed ahead and made it inside before anyone could stop her. She hurried upstairs to 'change', just in case.

About five minutes later, she heard Nathan and the kids come inside. Jack was chattering on about his afternoon and evening with Nathan periodically agreeing or asking a leading question.

Elizabeth ended her faux changing session and slipped downstairs. She was nervous and excited all at once. They had to do this quickly or Allie was going to figure it out first. That girl missed almost nothing and Elizabeth remembered just how much Allie had always wanted this for Nathan. She was praying that it still held true.

Elizabeth joined Nathan on the settee, Jack was on the floor with his toys and Allie came from the kitchen and sat in the chair. She narrowed her eyes at them. Elizabeth squeezed Nathan's hand to get his attention. She was trying to hide her other hand from view.

He glanced at Elizabeth who looked at Allie. Following her gaze, he saw what she was trying to tell him. His girl was suspicious. Nothing got by her anymore. He was in trouble with this one. At least he'd have some back up going forward.

" Well? What's going on?" Allie said, not wasting anymore time. "You two are acting a little squirrelly."

Nathan raised an eyebrow. "Squirrelly, Allie? Really?"

Both of her brows went up, indicating that she was aware of the accuracy of her assessment. "Out with it."

Nathan looked at Elizabeth, she merely nodded. "Jack, Allie. Uh, how would the two of you feel if we were to get married?"

Jack looked a little puzzled and turned to Allie. "We're getting married?"

"No, Jack. Your mom and my dad are getting married." Her eyes suddenly widened and she looked back at Nathan and Elizabeth. " Wait! You're really getting married? Dad! You proposed? I didn't even know you had a ring! Wow, I'm impressed!"

Jack looked at Nathan and Elizabeth. The former reached a hand out to the boy and said, "C'mere, Jack. Do you have some questions?"

When Jack got to Nathan, he picked the boy up and sat him on his lap. "What do you want to know?"

Jack looked at Nathan, then Elizabeth. "Will we be a family? I thought you were going to marry Buddy, but you didn't. Will this happen?" He just wasn't clear on what engagements and marriage actually meant. He'd never had a dad or a step dad in his life. Just a late father and an almost step father.

Nathan looked to Elizabeth to answer. Didn't want to touch the Lucas subject. He could see why Jack might be a little confused. He'd been very young when Elizabeth and Lucas had gotten engaged.

"Jack, yes, we will be a family. Yes, this will happen. Buddy and I didn't get married because we realized it wasn't the right thing for the two of us. She looked from Jack to Allie and said, "We plan to get married as soon as possible."

Allie grinned. "Like, how soon is 'as soon as possible'? Months, weeks, days?"

Elizabeth glanced at Nathan and, at virtually the same time, they both said, "Days."

Jack asked, "Mountie Nathan, does this mean that you and Allie will stay here always?"

Nathan nodded. "It does mean that, Mountie Jack."

"Yay!" Jack cried.

"We still have some details to figure out and a few changes to be made around here to make room for us all, but it will be very soon. And, it will be a small wedding. Maybe a celebration afterwards with our friends." Elizabeth explained.

Jack wasn't quite finished with his questions. He looked up at Nathan. "Mountie Nathan, Allie calls you Dad. Will you be my Dad?"

Nathan opened his mouth, then closed it, then looked anxiously at Elizabeth for some sort of sign on how to answer. He'd love to be Jack's Dad, but the boy already had one.

Elizabeth eased right in. "Jack? What would you like to call Mountie Nathan? I think that your Daddy Jack would be very happy for you to have someone to call 'Dad'." She wasn't just talking to her son, she thought Nathan needed to hear that from her as well. Her eyes met Nathan's, making it clear what she was saying and to whom she was saying it.

The boy looked from his mother to Nathan. "I think I'd like to call you Dad, like Allie does." Then he looked at Allie with excitement, "Allie, you can share my Mama!" He turned to Elizabeth. "Right, Mama?"

Elizabeth looked at Allie with a little alarm. She never wanted to force that upon the girl. Jack never knew his father, but Allie knew her mother. "Allie, it is completely up to you what you call me. I could never replace your mother."

Allie's eyes were watery and she was suddenly a mess of emotions. She looked at Nathan and he gave her an almost imperceptible nod, granting her leave to make her own choice. To Elizabeth, Allie said, "I think I'd like to call you Mom, then. I called my mother 'Mommy', right Dad?"

"You did, Allie." he confirmed.

"I barely remember her, but from what I do know and what my dad has told me, I think she'd be happy just like Mountie Jack would be happy." Tears slipped down the girl's face and when Elizabeth stood and held her arms out, Allie rushed into them. Her heart had known for so long that this woman would one day be the mother she no longer had. All of the heartbreak of the last few years came out in a rush of tears. Elizabeth held her, stroking her hair and back.

Jack frowned and whispered. "Girls! Why do they gotta cry so much?"

Nathan stifled a laugh through his own choked up throat. No sense in letting the boy see that he was about to do the same as the 'girls'. He leaned down and whispered back. "Let's give them a minute. Why don't we go take Scout outside? Quietly."

"Okay. Um, Mountie Nathan...does this marry thing mean that Scout will be my family too?" Jack asked softly.

"Yes, my boy, that's exactly what it means." Anticipating a shout, Nathan put his finger to his lips and pointed towards the front door. The two quietly exited to give Allie and Elizabeth some time and space.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A/N *Elizabeth is quoting herself from S8 E10 when she gave Katie Yost the same advice about 'your greatest risk may be never experiencing your greatest joy.' The very thing that so firmly pointed towards a N/E ending for S8, but instead we got a protagonist not following her own 'sage' advice. FINALLY we are here!