Grandparents' house — Chapter 38

After school, Elizabeth talked to Frankison and Bill and they promised to get everything in order by the time they arrived. Bill still couldn't believe it, it had to be fate. Henry Gowen arrived and, listening to the story, learned all about what was going on. He was amazed to learn that, in all Elizabeth's tragedy, at least one good thing had come out of it, or rather two, laughed Henry. Two parents happy to find their children. Henry would give anything to find his beloved son, whom he hadn't seen for many years, ever since his ex-wife ran off with another man, taking their four-year-old son with her. That's when Henry suggested to Bill that they stay at his house. It was a huge house, the biggest in town, it had five bedrooms, all with bathrooms and plumbing, it was the best house built in the region, because the owners of the coal mine company had done it to buy Henry's favors at the time, and that these men could stay with him, so they could all help each other find their fathers, besides, he would be Gab and Nathan's father and he Henry considered himself a father to Elizabeth.

— Why would you do that, Henry? Bill said with his usual scowl. I'm sorry, but we know you've changed, but why?

— Because the first person in this town to forgive me, give me a chance and give me a hug when I was at my most desperate was Elizabeth. Without her, without her strength or her love as a daughter, an unconditional and unprejudiced love, I wouldn't be who I am today. As for Nathan, well, he could, as a policeman, have come in and taken the heat, but both he and Gab have always had enormous respect for me, as if my past didn't matter, or rather, as a man with a wrong past, but who has paid his debt to society. And to cap it all, for Elizabeth I would do anything in life.

Bill and Frankison were speechless, listening to Henry's emotional account, they knew of his and Elizabeth's friendship and affection, but they didn't know that he had been so marked by it, nor could they imagine the effect of love on a man as evil as he was. Perhaps if it hadn't been for Elizabeth, we wouldn't have this Henry today, even though they knew that several people like Abgail and others had helped him, they now saw that he owed Elizabeth a debt of gratitude and something else she had done that no one ever knew about. So, having decided on the house, which was already furnished and well equipped, they went to Elizabeth's house to let her know and see if there was anything else they could do. They had a lot to think about, and when Elizabeth heard about the house for her children's grandparents who were coming, tears streamed down her face and she ran into Henry's arms and hugged him tightly. Bill and Lee, who were there at the time, were very moved by Elizabeth and Henry's tears. It was at that moment that Bill saw that there was more to their story than anyone knew and that Elizabeth would never tell or boast about.

— My girl, we all love you very much here. You gave me what I needed most on a cold day when I was thinking of leaving or worse. It was you, only you, who made me happy. The only thing left to do now would be to find my son Petrick and then everything would be perfect.

Elizabeth held Henry's face in her hands and with her best puppy dog look said, smiling:

— You, Henry, Bill, and Wynn, you're all my parents. What I've lacked all my life I have here with you. Affection, love and protection. I love each and every one of you very much. And in all my prayers I always ask God that Petrick is safe and well and that you meet again. You'll still be very happy, Dad, with me and your son around and I'll have another new brother. And laughing, Elizabeth snuggled into Henry's arms.

It was decided by the men to pack up some of their clothes, boots and shoes to donate to the mountie's parents, all based on the sizes Elizabeth had suggested.

Abigail was in charge of providing them with stronger, more nutritious food, since Elizabeth had explained what their soup was like and they were thin, not least because they had spent two years in prison. In addition, Abigail was going to send all the meals to Henry's house so that the three men wouldn't have to worry about it, she wanted to spoil Henry a little, he deserved it. Faith had everything ready in the infirmary, to examine them as soon as they arrived, so that they could know better how to feed them and also check for any other illnesses and treat them. The schoolchildren had made a beautiful card for each of them with a message of encouragement and had made a banner to put up where the stagecoach would park for people to get off and, in addition, Opal and Emily had picked wildflowers and made a small bouquet for each of the town's new grandfathers. The town had been buzzing with activity since early morning. There was a great deal of joy that their fathers had been found alive. Little Jack only talked about seeing his soup grandfathers again. Alien was holding little Jack on her lap, she still had memories of her grandfather, as she lived with him until she was seven, she was so emotional that her tears wouldn't stop falling, Elizabeth, seeing the girl's emotion, hugged and kissed her head where she heard a whisper:

— Mom, today is one of the happiest days of my life, I'm going to see my grandfather and thanks to you.

— Alien... I beg your pardon for not seeing and joining the lines and connecting everything before, it's been a long time since you and your father, as well as your grandfather could have been reunited, it was my fault, I'm sorry and forgive me.

— Mom, you're the most perfect person I've ever met. It's been a very turbulent few months, and God only does things in his own time. I love you.

Elizabeth was so surprised, because it was the first time Alien had called her mother, she didn't say anything because she had to make sure she was hearing correctly.

— Alien, you called me mom?

— Yes, mother, that's what you are to me, is there a problem?

— Oh, my child, this is the best day of my life. And so they hugged and waited for the coach. Lilian, who could see everything and was so happy to see the communion and union between the two, went on to say that the children would have two grandfathers, because Gab's father would love them like a grandfather.