The horses needed to go to the livery for the night. Nathan and Elizabeth walked back to Elizabeth's row house from the livery. The two of them held hands as they walked closely together. The two of them stopped often to exchange kisses and look into each other's eyes. Nathan had been planning to ask Elizabeth to be his wife for a long time and he couldn't believe she was finally his fiancé. While they were walking, Elizabeth held her left hand in front of her admiring her new ring.

"Oh Nathan, this ring is perfect. Where did you find it?"

"My mother sent it to me. It was my grandmother's ring."

Elizabeth stopped walking and turned towards Nathan. She looked down at her ring and then back up in his eyes. He could see tears which showed how much it meant to her that he would want to share this with her.

"My grandparents were married a very long time. My grandmother loved this ring and never took it off. She only gave it to my mother right before she died. She left a letter with it saying that she wanted it to stay in our family and that she hoped one of my mother's children would have it. After Colleen died, my mother held it for me hoping I would get married one day. When I wrote to her about you, she wrote back saying that this ring would be yours one day. I thought about getting you a different ring that would be only yours but when I really thought about it, I knew that this was the one. You will be part of mine and Allie's family and this symbolizes that you already are."

Elizabeth reached up her hand behind his neck and pulled him closer to her. It was a quick kiss that caught Nathan by surprise. He smiled and looked around to see if anyone was watching. He held Elizabeth's hand and pulled her over to a small collection of trees on the side of the path where they would be hidden. Once they were out of view of anyone who would walk by, Nathan pulled her closer to him with a hand in her hair and one on her waist. He kissed her, molding his lips to hers. The two of them stood with the kisses getting deeper and more passionate. Elizabeth reluctantly pulled back, putting her head on his chest to catch her breath.

Nathan pulled back and said, "let's go tell the children." Nathan kissed her hand with the ring on it and the two of them continued their walk to the row house.

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Allie was watching Jack play with his toys on the floor in front of the settee while she glanced out the front window. She knew that her dad was going to ask Mrs. Thornton to marry him today. She didn't say anything to Jack about all of them being a family. She didn't want to get his hopes up in case something happened. Allie was already nervous that she wouldn't get everything she had hoped for.

Allie saw Nathan and Elizabeth turn around the corner and she ran over to sit on the floor where Jack was. She didn't want them to see her watching for them. She sat anxiously until she heard the steps on the porch.

"Allie, Jack, we're home," Elizabeth said. Nathan squeezed her hand as she said 'we're home', and Elizabeth smiled back at him. The two of them were excited for the day when they all would truly be home in one house.

"Hi, did you both have a good time?" Allie said with hope in her eyes. Nathan laughed and walked over to the children. Elizabeth walked behind him with her right hand covering the ring on her left.

"Why don't you kids come sit here? Elizabeth and I have something to tell you," Nathan said.

Allie jumped up and fell down on the settee. She helped Jack sit next to her and she looked at both of them. Elizabeth sat next to them, nodding for Nathan to explain.

"Elizabeth and I want you both to know that you are the most important people in our lives. Allie and Jack, we want the best for both of you and we hope you will be happy by our news. Today, I asked Elizabeth to marry me and she said yes."

"You did?" Allie asked, looking at Elizabeth.

"I did sweetheart," Elizabeth said holding out her hand so Allie could see the ring.

"So we are really going to be a family?"

"That's right Allie," Nathan said, kneeling in front of the kids. "Is that ok?"

"It's definitely ok! It's all I wanted. When you became my dad, it was the best day and you have done a great job. But now I get a mom and a brother too!" Allie fell into a hug with Nathan and he almost fell over trying to balance the two of them.

"Jack, are you ok if mama and Mountie Nathan get married?"

"Married?" Jack asked.

"Yes, Nathan and Allie will live with us. Allie will be your sister and Nathan will be your dad," Elizabeth explained trying to explain.

"Yay!" Jack jumped over to Allie and Nathan and the 3 of them fell into a pile. All of them were laughing and Elizabeth smiled. Yes, Allie was right. This was the family they all needed.

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After dinner, Allie offered to put Jack to bed. Nathan and Elizabeth wanted to call their parents. The two of them called Nathan's mother first. She was very excited for them and thrilled that Nathan had decided to give Elizabeth his grandmother's ring. Nathan's mother promised to write to Elizabeth telling her more about the ring and Nathan's childhood. Elizabeth promised to write as well about the children and the wedding plans.

The call with Elizabeth's parents was different. Nathan had asked Elizabeth's father for his blessing so he wasn't surprised however they were definitely more guarded in their congratulations. Elizabeth invited them to come visit Hope Valley, however her mother began to tell her all the things she had to do in Hamilton that would prevent her from traveling. After her mother left the room, Elizabeth's father said he would like to come back as soon as work allowed it. He asked both of them to keep him updated with wedding plans so he could make the trip.

As they hung up the phone, Elizabeth became quiet looking at her ring.

"Are you ok?"

"I thought my mother would be more excited for me."

"Elizabeth, I know you wish she would visit and see our life here. Your father was happy for us I believe. We can call her again once we make more plans and maybe her thoughts would change. What is important is that we will be married. I will talk to Bill tomorrow about the land and we can start building a home for all of us. Dream of that, our future."

Elizabeth reached out and put her hand on Nathan's cheek, "You are a good man Nathan Grant."

"If I am it's because of you, Elizabeth."

After a moment of looking at each other, Elizabeth asked, "did you want to try and call Archie? Do you know where he is working now?"

"I am not exactly sure but he did give Allie an address that she could write to him. I will ask Allie to include a note from me the next time she sends a letter."

The two of them sat on the settee, enjoying each other's company, until Allie came back downstairs. Nathan said good night to Elizabeth so he could take Allie home. Nathan and Elizabeth made plans to see each other in the morning which made it easier for Nathan to leave. Allie walked out to the porch so the newly engaged couple could share one more kiss.