After a long, eventful day and very busy evening, Nathan and Elizabeth were finally able to settle down and rest. The kids were in sleeping in their new rooms, Scout insisting on being with Jack (or rather, Jack insisting on Scout being with him). They were snuggled up on the settee, Elizabeth's head resting on Nathan's shoulder and just enjoying the silence.

Yes, they were now husband and wife, but they'd yet to be able to enjoy the physical intimacy that comes with marriage. There was such a beautiful peace between them, at the moment, but Nathan was couldn't help but wonder just what would happen when they went up to bed. They were both exhausted, but he was fairly certain that would change for him and wondered if it would for her.

At the same time, Elizabeth was wondering the same thing. She held off on a cup of chamomile tea because she didn't want to pass out the moment she hit the bed. She wanted to go and wash up after all of the moving and organizing that happened this evening, but she didn't want Nathan to think she planned to just go to sleep. Knowing him, he'd put the cot up and sleep down here just to keep from bothering her. No, she'd somehow have to let him know what was in her mind.

Mustering up the courage to continue to be bold for her love, Elizabeth turned towards Nathan. There was time enough for her to get freshened up before Gabriel showed up and they could retire. She put her hand upon his cheek and leaned in close to him, making her intentions clear with a smoldering kiss. "I'm going to run upstairs and freshen up..." She kissed him again. "And, then I'll be back down to wait for Gabriel with you."

Nathan's heart kicked up. He pulled her close for one more kiss, and found he couldn't even put two words together. He tried to convey with his eyes what he was feeling. Finally, in a low, husky voice, he said "I'll be waiting right here."

He watched her walk slowly up the steps, a small smile curving her lips. He ran a hand through his hair and blew out a breath. He was so relieved that he'd taken the opportunity to bathe at his, now former, house on the last trip he'd made there this evening. With everyone over here, Elizabeth hadn't gotten a chance to do the same. Right then, he vowed to take her on a proper honeymoon as soon as Higgins was dealt with and they didn't have to worry about the kids being unsafe.

xxxxxxxxx

As it turned out, Gabriel arrived before Elizabeth made it back downstairs, and Nathan was grateful. It was awkward enough for him to deal with his, now married, friend's ribbing that he hadn't wanted Elizabeth to pick up on it. He bid a hasty goodnight and slipped upstairs, checking on each of the kids before he gave a light knock on the bedroom door before he entered. He was seriously praying that he wouldn't find his wife - his wife - sound asleep.

The sight that met him took the very breath right out of his lungs. Elizabeth's hair was slightly damp, and far more curly than usual and she was wearing a filmy white nightgown, if you could even call it a nightgown...as he could almost see right through it. She was at her dressing table, finishing up her evening routine.

She looked over at him in surprise. "Nathan? Is Gabriel already here? I didn't even hear you come up the stairs." She then got a good look at his face and felt her cheeks warm. When he said nothing, but stood there staring, she bit her cheek to keep from grinning. It was absolutely thrilling to realize the affect she had on him. She mentally thanked her dear friend, Rosemary, for slipping this gown into her things sometime today. "Nathan... Honey?"

He started the second time she called his name. She'd said something and he had absolutely no idea what it was. The room felt like it had a giant roaring fire in it...he soon realized that fire was coming from him. He still couldn't speak because his brain had shorted out.

As Elizabeth slowly stood, she nodded to the door and whispered, "You're going to want to lock that."

"What?" Lock. The door. "Oh!" And he turned to do just that. What he didn't expect was how close she'd be when he turned back around. She stood right in front of him.

She moved in even closer and, with a small smile, slowly pushed his suspenders down off of this shoulders. As she pulled his shirt tails from his waistband, she dared to place a soft kiss on his lips. Before he could sink into that, she pulled away and began to undo the shirt's buttons. She was finally going to get her hands on his bare chest, which she'd thought about endlessly since the day she'd barged in on him shirtless.

The sparks were definitely flying. Nathan felt as though he was going to incinerate while Elizabeth took her sweet time with his buttons. Once she was finished, he slid the shirt off and she quickly slipped her hands up underneath his henley to pull it over his head. She seemed to purposely let her hands linger on his chest, driving him even more crazy.

Before she could do another thing, he put his arms around her and yanked her to him, taking her mouth in a searing kiss. He divested her of the filmy gown and carried her to the bed, their bed where the two finally, physically, became one.

xxxxxxxxxx

Nathan woke early and momentarily forgot where he was. He was in his own bed, but...Elizabeth. His wife lay in his arms, her head resting on his shoulder. He took a deep breath and sighed, a goofy smile on his face. Memories of last night flooded back, and he sighed again. How any of this was even possible, he hadn't yet figured out, but here they were. He knew that he should get downstairs and check in with Gabe before he left, and no doubt the kids would be up before long...but he really wanted to savor this first morning waking up with his wife.

He suddenly realized that they'd never put on any pajamas. His eyes shot to the door, was it still locked? If Jack were anything like Allie was at his age, he could show up at the door at any time now. He gently tried to ease his arm out from under Elizabeth, as he really didn't want to wake her.

Suddenly feeling bereft, Elizabeth's eyes slowly opened. "Nathan?" she called, softly. She looked up and slowly smiled at what she saw. Her husband, in the altogether, checking to see if the door was still locked. Now, this was a glorious sight to wake up to, and she would never grow tired of it!

Nathan froze at the sound of Elizabeth's voice. When he looked back and saw the appreciative grin on her face, he said, "Don't be starting something you can't finish, Mrs Grant."

"And, just why can't I finish it? It's not even fully light out, Mr Grant."

The door was locked. He quickly located pajamas and set them next to the bed, where he eagerly slipped back in beside his wife. "Lizbeth, what's the earliest that Jack has shown up in your room?"

She looked at the clock and then turned back to her husband. With a saucy grin, she said, "Oh, I think I've got more than enough time to finish this." So she did...and Nathan wasn't at all sorry.

xxxxxxxxx

The newlyweds donned their pajamas and Elizabeth crawled into bed while Nathan put on some slippers and went downstairs to see if Gabriel was still there. He found his friend making coffee.

Gabriel turned and smirked at Nathan, but didn't say a word. "Don't say a thing, Kinslow." Nathan warned, but his grin said something else entirely.

Gabriel laughed, then said, "In all seriousness, I'm really happy for you. I wouldn't trade my marriage with Lillian for anything. I never realized how lonely I'd been until I got to wake up with her in my arms. Do you want some coffee, or do you plan to sneak back upstairs and be with your wife until the little one demands otherwise? Bill plans to be here soon, at least for a little while."

"I'll hold off on the coffee, thanks. Um, but why is Bill coming here? Is he just being nosey?" Nathan asked with a frown.

"Nathan, I think, in his old, crusty way, he just wants to give you and your bride as much time together as possible without you having to play guard."

Nathan's eyes widened. "Huh. Well, I guess I can't argue with that. Thanks, again, Gabe. For everything. I'm sure that your wife is long past ready for you to return home." He headed for the stairs, and turned back. "Hey, please call and update me as soon as you hear any news from Headquarters. Oh, and when are reinforcements due in town?"

"I expect them to arrive mid-morning. By about 10 am. Now, go back up to Elizabeth, and Lillian is planning to pay a visit to Hope Valley in a couple of days." Gabriel said as he took his coffee up front by his cot.

Nathan didn't plan to waste any time. "I'll let Elizabeth know about Lillian's visit. And, thanks again, man." He said and quickly went upstairs. As he entered their room, he saw that Elizabeth had fallen back to sleep. He slipped into the bed as quietly and gently as possible and slid his arms around her. She immediately snuggled in and sighed in her sleep. He smiled. Despite all of the current challenges, he was finally where he was meant to be and with whom he was meant to be with.

xxxxxxxxx

The sun was fully up when the newlyweds were awakened by two missiles hitting their bed. One was decidedly furry. "Dad! Mama!" Jack called. "Uncle Bill is here and there's bacon!" Elizabeth and Nathan both blinked at Jack and laughed. Jack narrowed his eyes at Nathan. "You know, you don't have to share a room with a girl, right? You could be in my room, if you want."

Elizabeth bit her lip, trying not to burst out laughing while watching Nathan try to field this comment. Her husband merely chuckled and ruffled Jack's hair.

"Wow, Mountie Jack, that's a really generous offer...but I don't think I'd fit in your room and your mom was really lonely, so I thought I'd stay with her. She's not a bad girl to share with, as far as girls go. When you get older, you'll understand."

Jack rolled his eyes. "You guys keep saying that..." Before Nathan could answer, both he and Scout were off to see Bill about some bacon.

Of course, the kid left the door wide open. Elizabeth shot a look that direction, then leaned in to Nathan. "Nice save there, husband.", she whispered, then kissed him slow and tender.

Nathan's eyes stayed shut for a moment after that. "You really need to stop playing with me, Mrs Grant, or I'm not going to make it through a single day without constantly thinking about getting you alone."

Her lips curved in a satisfied smile and she rolled over and got out of the bed. She liked the sound of that...yes, she did.

xxxxxxxxx

Bill was there and he did, indeed, have bacon. Also some eggs and hashbrowns. "Good morning, newlyweds!" he said to Nathan and Elizabeth as they arrived downstairs. Allie was right behind them.

"Bill? What's all that?" Elizabeth cried as she noticed various items from what looked like food dishes to household items lined up on nearly every available table surface.

He looked over his shoulder from his place at the stove. "Oh, well, word has gotten out about your marriage and those are all folks way of sending you well wishes. Now, there are plenty who are insisting on throwing you two a reception as soon as possible."

"What are we going to do with all of this food? I don't know if I have room to store it all." She looked at Nathan, then an idea came to her. "Maybe we could share some of it with your fellow Mounties. Oh, and Gabriel."

"Great idea. That reminds, me, Lizbeth, Gabe said that Lillian is due to arrive for a visit in a couple of days. I know that you'll want to see her." Nathan said, as he took a seat at the table.

Allie looked around, nosing into the dishes and packages. "It looks like we could feed an army." She came over to sit down.

"Speaking of feeding an army...let's eat" Bill said.

Jack, who was already sitting at the table, said "Uncle Bill, we're not an army, we're just a family."

Bill chuckled. "That we are, Jackaroo, that we are."

Nathan felt his heart lift. They were finally a family, in every sense of the word. This is how it was supposed to be, and it felt right. He and Allie were home. He looked over at his girl, and her hazel eyes were bright with unshed tears. She flashed him one of her big smiles and mouthed the words, "I love you, Dad."

From her seat next to Nathan, Elizabeth watched him mouth the words back to Allie. Her throat grew tight. She reached a hand over to Nathan's and held on tight.

He looked at her and leaned over to lightly kiss her cheek. Allie quickly broke the spell when they heard her mutter, under her breath, "Guess we're gonna have to get used to that."

The adults laughed. Jack laughed, too, even though he had no idea what was so funny. He saw his Mama and Dad holding hands and frowned. "Do Mamas and Dads hold hands all the time? Dad..." he whispered loudly, "Girls have cooties."

"Jack!" Elizabeth admonished, trying hard not to laugh. "Girls do not have cooties! Where did you even hear that?"

"Daycare. My friend told me." Jack said as he shoved an entire piece of bacon in his mouth.

Allie sat there, smirking, and Nathan ran a hand down his face - very obviously attempting to cover his grin. He was pretty sure that every five year old boy since the beginning of time thought that girls had cooties.

Bill coughed and quickly got up to pretend he had something to do at the stove.

Elizabeth looked at Nathan and raised an eyebrow. He quickly wiped the smile from his face and said, "Hey, Jack, if you're finished with your breakfast, why don't you and I go and take Scout for a walk? We can talk, man to man."

Jack's eyes grew wide and he sat up straighter. "Okay, Dad!"

xxxxxxxxx

After breakfast was finished and cleaned up, Elizabeth followed Nathan upstairs and watched as he strapped on a holster and put a pistol in it. "Is that really necessary?" she asked nervously.

He turned and took her in his arms. "Until we know where Higgins is, even a sighting, then maybe not. Though, I will still probably make sure I'm armed while we're out." He then pulled on a light jacket to conceal the weapon.

"Lizbeth, as far as Jack goes, he's a five year old boy who just started daycare. He may be the son of Elizabeth Thornton, but he's still a five year old boy. I can remember thinking all girls had cooties. I didn't even know what a cootie was. Don't worry, I've got a plan. By the time school starts, he'll be rolling out a red carpet for every girl there."

She put a hand on his cheek and gazed lovingly into his eyes. "I love you, Mr Grant.", she whispered huskily.

"I love you, too, Mrs Grant." He barely got the words out before her lips closed over his. He reached a hand around her neck and pulled her closer.

Elizabeth's heart started racing. She finally pulled away before the Cootie Police showed up. "It's a long time until tonight..." she said wistfully.

A grin spread over Nathan's face. She was right, but he couldn't get over the fact that she was saying exactly what he was already thinking. "Yes, it is, Lizbeth." They heard footsteps on the stairs, and stepped further apart.

"Dad! Dad! Scout says he's ready to go! Mama, I washed up, see?" The boy held out his hands to show Elizabeth. "I even helped Uncle Bill finish cleaning up. C'mon, Dad! Scout's waiting!" He reached out a hand to Nathan, who took it and looked back at Elizabeth.

"We won't be too long or going too far." He said as Jack pulled him downstairs.

"Be safe!", she called after them.

They passed Bill, who was sitting at the kitchen table with paperwork. He was obviously planning on being their back up today. He made a mental note to check in with him when the kids went to the Canfield's later on.

Man, boy and dog went out the front door and started walking into the field. Nathan found a good fallen log and led Jack over to it and sat down. He gave the dog plenty of lead to roam. "So, Jack, man to man? Girls don't have cooties. Do you even know what a cootie is?"

Jack frowned, thinking hard. "Um, no. What is a cootie?"

"There's no such thing, son. Sometimes boys just get nervous around girls because they're different than us. By the time you're older you'll learn to appreciate those differences, but there's no reason why you can't start trying to do that now. Girls and women should be treated with the greatest respect, because that's what God wants us to do." He watched the boy ponder what he was saying.

"What's respect?" Jack asked.

"It's being kind and considerate. Using the manners that your Mama has taught you. Listening when they speak. Sometimes it means opening a door for them or even defending them when someone else is being mean. I don't mean with fists, but standing beside them so they know they're not alone."

"Okay. Is that why you hold Mama's hand? Respect?"

Nathan sighed. The boy just hadn't been around his mother married - ever. He thought for a minute, then said, "Jack, you spend a lot of time with your Uncle Lee and Auntie Rosie, right?" When Jack nodded, Nathan went on. "Well, they're married. They hold hands or kiss sometimes. How about Mr and Mrs Canfield? Well, your Mama and I are married now like they are..." He watched as it dawned on Jack.

"Oh." Jack looked at Nathan, almost with new eyes. "I get it. I'm sorry what I said about girls and cooties." Jack's eyes got a little misty. "I should 'plogize to Mama, and maybe Allie, too."

Nathan leaned over and pulled the boy onto his lap. "That's a great idea. That's respect and good manners and I can assure you, neither your Mama nor Allie have cooties."

"Thanks, Dad."

He put the boy down and stood. "We should get Scout back home. I think that you and Allie are going to spend some time with the Canfield's this afternoon."

Jack slipped his hand into Nathan's as they began to walk back home with the dog.

Back at the house, Elizabeth and Allie were sorting through the food and gifts that had been dropped off.

Allie sneaked a look at Elizabeth. "Mrs...I mean, Mom..."

Elizabeth's eyes shot towards Allie. "Allie, you don't have to..." she started.

Allie put her hand on Elizabeth's. "No. Mom is definitely what I want to, what I've always wanted to, call you. It's old habits that die hard. About Jack, well, don't take this the wrong way, but I don't think that he's used to seeing how a mom and dad interact at home. Specifically, you. I probably would've had the same problem at his age, if my dad had gotten married and so quickly."

Elizabeth considered what the girl was saying and was, once again, impressed by the incredibly mature insight she had. Nathan, for being a young, single parental figure and also a Mountie, had done a fantastic job of raising her. Allie was never going to be a young woman who shied away from life. Elizabeth saw some of her old self in the teen. Until Jack died, she'd been the same way.

"I think that you may be right, Allie. That's a very astute observation. I think that him starting daycare and making new friends has added to this."

"Oh, I'm sure you're right about daycare. I think that there's a particularly mouthy boy around Jack's age there. Well, my dad will set him straight and in the best way. Just you wait and see." She smiled as she picked up a package wrapped in a dishtowel.

Almost seconds later, Jack burst through the front door, then stopped himself. He looked back at Nathan, who nodded, then he went over to Elizabeth and Allie. "Mama, Allie...I'm sorry for saying that girls have cooties. Dad told me there aren't any cooties and it's dis...um..." He looked at Nathan.

"Disrespectful, Jack." Nathan said, hanging up Scout's lead on the coat rack.

"Yep. Di-spectable. I promise I won't say it anymore and I'll be nice to the girls at daycare and school." He kissed Elizabeth on the cheek. "I love you, Mama." Then he went over to Allie and did the same. "I love you, Allie."

Allie grinned. "I love you, too, Jack."

Elizabeth grabbed her boy for a hug and kiss. "I love you, Jack. Now, go be sure you're ready to go visit the Canfield's." She told Allie to do the same. She looked over at Bill, who was at the kitchen table pretending that he hadn't heard anything.

She got up and pulled Nathan around the corner into the front of the house. "I don't know how you did it, but it means so much to me. Allie pointed out that Jack probably just isn't familiar enough with a mother/father relationship in his own house. I think she's right."

Nathan put his arm around her, running his other hand down her hair. "I'd do anything for you, Lizbeth. Allie came to the same conclusion as I did. So, I found a roundabout way to explain that to Jack. He'll be just fine."

She looked at his lips and whispered, "Thank you." Then she went in for a brief, but no less intense, kiss. "I love you."

He whispered back, "I love you, too."

xxxxxxxxx

After Joseph Canfield collected Jack and Allie, Nathan and Elizabeth sat down at the table with Bill, who'd told them there was a meeting about to happen. It wasn't long before there was a knock on the door and Rosemary entered. Gabriel was planning to come by, but might be a little late. Elizabeth was nervous, so she got up and put together some sandwiches for lunch.

Recognizing her friend's anxiety, Rosemary went to join her. Together, they poured iced tea and loaded some bowls with fruit, then set everything on the table. By that time, Gabriel had arrived. By unspoken agreement, everyone ate and made small talk until the meal was finished. Then, Nathan got up to clean the food and dishes away.

He sat down next to Elizabeth and grabbed her hand with a squeeze for encouragement. He could tell that there was news by the looks on everyone's faces.

Gabriel started the conversation. "There's been a Higgins sighting. Well, actually more than one. In Buxton." He looked directly at Nathan and Elizabeth. Reports say that he's unkempt and belligerent. I believe that we're closing in on him...but, he's just too close for comfort. It seems that he was counting on getting a cut of Jack's pension after his family cut him off. I don't know yet how he planned to pull that off. We don't know if he would be a danger to your person, or if he just wanted to make you pay through dishonoring Jack's name and taking that pension money away from you and your son. But - considering that he's made inappropriate advances on you and many other young women, we have to act as though it's a possibility."

Elizabeth sighed heavily. She was so tired of this. This man had already taken so much from her and from others. It was time he was really stopped. Finally, she looked at Gabriel. "Do you think he's watching here and not coming too close because I'm never alone? Can we possibly set him up?"

"No!" Nathan said firmly. "I don't want to use you as bait!" The look in his eyes was frantic. The thought made his blood run cold.

Elizabeth then realized he was reliving the night she'd been held hostage by Jeanette and her goon. She stood and pulled at his hand. Looking around the table, she said, "Can you all please give us a minute? We'll be right back." She looked at Nathan and nodded towards the steps.

Before they ascended, Gabriel said, "We don't know for sure if he's even been to Hope Valley. So far, there hasn't even been a whisper of it and his picture's been circulating. We've even distributed it to more folks."

The two nodded and went upstairs to talk. Once in their room, Elizabeth shut the door and put her finger on Nathan's lips when he started to talk. "Please, Nathan, just hear me out. You've always told me to trust my instincts. And my instincts are telling me that we make a great team and have incredible back up." Her hand caressed his cheek. "If it comes to it, I'm not afraid to fight for my life and for those that I love. Sure, I faced him and he lost his power, but that won't be any good if he doesn't actually pay for what he's done. If he's just out there and we're always wondering if, or when, he's going to strike - well, that's not living. Our kids shouldn't have to keep living like this, and neither should we. Just think about it. I love you, Nathan, and I trust you."

He knew she was right. He did trust her instincts, but that didn't mean it was a comforting thought - putting her life on the line. He looked deeply into her lake blue eyes that were shimmering with tears. He reached out and brought her face to his in a shattering kiss. He loved her beyond all reason. When he pulled back and caught his breath, he said, "I love you, too, Lizbeth. More than life itself. I do trust your instincts. And we can at least talk about it."

Hand in hand, they went downstairs to do just that. Right now, it was a mere idea. But, they were going to approach this as a team.