Nathan sat on the front bench of Hope Valley's school and church. He rested his elbows on his knees, studying the floor between his feet at as he shared the details of his offered promotion with Pastor Joseph.

He and Elizabeth had agreed they could use his counsel so while she made a visit to see Faith, Nathan dropped by to speak to their kind and wise pastor.

"Well, Congratulations Nathan. That's a great honour. I know you've served this town faithfully. I'm glad to hear you're taking time to decide. I respect that."

Nathan smiled briefly in response to his words and then looked away again. He had been wrestling with this decision since the phone call two days ago. The Mounties needed an answer quickly so there was no time to waste. Before he could speak again, Joseph continued.

"It is a big decision. You have a family to consider now too. I know you've raised Allie for many years but a wife and son really changes things. You can't just make decisions on your own now."

Nathan nodded acknowledging the truth and weight of Joseph's words. His gaze unconsciously moved to the front of the church where he and Elizabeth had exchanged vows less than a year before. Up until his request to be stationed in Hope Valley, Nathan had generally gone wherever the Mountie's assigned him. It wasn't that way anymore.

"Plus…" he paused wondering if he should share their recent news but then he couldn't keep the smile from his playing with his lips. Jospeh tilted his head quizzically as he watched Nathan's changing expressions.

"Plus, we'll be welcoming a new member of the family before too long," Nathan's smile now broad and reaching his eyes, even this uncertainty was not able to dampen his joy over the new little Grant growing safely in Elizabeth's womb.

At this Joseph stood and crossed the room to shake Nathan's hand and pulled him into a hug, patting him on the back. "That's wonderful news! Wonderful! Gives you even more to consider though, doesn't it?"

"Ya, it definitely does," Nathan replied as he let out a sigh. "It really does," he repeated, mostly to himself. The two of them sat again on the bench.

"I was offered this position before. Not long after I came to Hope Valley." Nathan continued to explain.

"And you turned it down then?" Joseph asked, hoping to gain more insight.

"I…" Nathan paused again, unsure of how much he wanted to share but knowing his pastor was trustworthy, "I knew of Elizabeth before I came to Hope Valley. I knew she was the widow of another Mountie who had served in Fort Clay. I didn't feel I could leave at that time. I wanted to make sure she was safe." Nathan had never come close to sharing even that much with anyone besides Elizabeth and he found his heart and shoulders felt a little lighter as he did.

"I think you made the right decision to stay then," Joseph chuckled. Nathan grinned boyishly and agreed. If he hadn't stayed. If they hadn't gotten to know each other. He had certainly made the right call back then.

"This time, things have changed. Now she would be going with you. What does she think about it?" Joseph asked, this voice more serious again.

"She says she'd go anywhere with me," Nathan said with mixed emotions in his voice, part love and admiration and part fear of making the wrong choice and hurting his devoted wife. "But I don't want to take her away from here. Her home, the people she loves, her students. She's insisting I should take it if it's what I want. It was at one point. I worked hard toward it when I was younger." Nathan was back to analyzing the wood grain of the floor at his feet as his voice trailed off.

"Nathan, I can't make this decision for you but I can pray with you as you and your wife decide together." Joseph put his arm around Nathan's shoulder in support.

"The Lord will go with you if you stay or if you go. Hope Valley would sure miss you. But it would be Capital City's gain." Joseph patted Nathan's back again and then stood to walk back to his office.

He took a few steps before turning back and adding "'A man's heart makes plans, but the Lord directs his steps.' Let Him guide your steps, Nathan. You'll know."

"Thank you, Pastor. I appreciate that. I think I need to go find Elizabeth," Nathan stood as well and walked briskly toward the door.

"Congratulations!" Dr Carter nearly squealed in excitement. "You're having a baby!"

Elizabeth knew her sudden announcement to Nathan was based on suspicions but having Faith confirm their great news filled with heart with joy and her eyes with happy tears.

"How far…I mean…Will…uh…When will the baby arrive?" Elizabeth finally managed a cohesive sentence, her mind tangled up in the thrill of what was to come.

"Well based on what you said and what I think…" Faith flipped through the calendar counting weeks, "Your baby is due February 14. You've got yourself a little Valentine!"

Wishing very much for Nathan to be here to share this moment, Elizabeth was startled when the door to the doctor's office swung open. Faith stepped out of the curtained off exam area and quickly returned with Nathan following, then left to give them a little space to celebrate.

The tears in her eyes mixed with a glowing smile on her face had Nathan's heart and mind racing. "Are we…?" he managed to ask before she dove into his arms.

"We're having a baby, darling, a baby!" Elizabeth said against his chest as she held onto him tightly.

Nathan pulled her away enough to kiss her with a desperate and glorious kiss filled with all the hope and joy and relief of this wonderful moment.

Stepping around the curtain, they were greeted by Faith who was now seated at her desk. She offered them heartfelt congratulations. "Elizabeth, come see me anytime you'd like…or if you need a little help with that pesky morning sickness."

They thanked their doctor and stepped out into the sunshine, barely hiding their precious secret behind glaringly obvious smiles.

"Let me walk you home," Nathan offered, wanting to take extra precautions to keep his wife and the baby she carried safe, among other reasons.

"Nathan, I'm not a fragile doll all of a sudden," Elizabeth put her hands on her hips in mock frustration.

"Well maybe I was just hoping for a few more of those kisses," Nathan whispered in her ear.

"In that case, let's head home!" Elizabeth giggled.

On the way they spoke of their baby's expected Valentine's arrival and Pastor Joseph's encouragement and support.

"I think I know what we should do," Nathan turned to face her as they reached their steps. "Want to sit for moment so we can talk?"

Elizabeth nodded and sat on the top step. Nathan gently helped her get settled, unable to help himself from wanting to take extra care of her. Elizabeth noticed and only smiled to herself, appreciating the tender heart of her brave man. She slipped her hand into his and waited for him the speak.

"Elizabeth, I know this is a very big decision. It impacts our family and our future in a big way. But I think…"

Nathan sat at his desk and picked up the phone, "RCMP Headquarters in Capital City, please."

It felt like an eternity listening to the phone ring as he waited for someone to answer his call. He had rehearsed the words. He knew what to say. He knew this was the right decision but that didn't make it an easy one.

Finally there was a voice on the other end of the line, "Constable Grant, It's good to hear from you. In fact, I was just about to call you."

This wasn't going how Nathan had anticipated and momentarily he found himself tongue tied. "Uh, you were, sir? What is it?" he asked.

"Yes, we've been doing some restructuring. Shifting things around a little. You know how it is. Anyway, I was about to call to inform you that you won't be needed in Capital City."

Nathan struggled between feelings of relief and disappointment.

"Oh. I wasn't expecting that, sir. I will stay in Hope Valley then. I have loved serving as their Constable and will continue to with honor." Nathan tried to sound professional while his mind once again reeled with the unexpected information.

"Constable Grant, you're still being promoted. You just don't have to move," he heard through the phone.

"I…I'm still being promoted, sir?" he asked, unsure if he had heard correctly. How could this be?

"Yes, we need you out there, in the west. This new position of Inspector comes with a raise in your pay and more duties. You know that of course. They're talking about assigning another Mountie to the area to help with every day duties. Will all of that that be acceptable?"

Nathan nodded, lost for words, and then realized he needed to actually answer, "Yes, yes sir. Thank you for letting me know." Nathan hung up the phone and leaned back in his chair, his thoughts running wild.

They didn't have to leave. Or give up the Inspector promotion. After all their prayers and conversations and the decision they had come to…Nathan was immediately reminded of the scripture Pastor Joseph had quoted 'A man's heart makes plans, but the Lord directs his steps.'

Looking back through the years, Nathan could see that truth in his life time and time again. Situations, even ones that seemed like a loss at the time, had all worked together better than he could have planned. Good had come from even his darkest moments and greater blessings than he could have imagined from his best moments.

He closed his tear filled eyes and prayed a prayer of genuine thanks before picking up his hat and making the short walk home. He couldn't wait to tell Elizabeth about the unexpected turn of his phone call.

Later than evening, with hints of Summer in the night air, Nathan and Elizabeth found themselves drawn to sit on the front step once again, under the stars.

"So you ended up with the best of both. A promotion and getting to stay in Hope Valley," Elizabeth remarked once again, still pondering the joyful news Nathan had shared when he arrived home that afternoon as she took in the beautiful landscape before them.

"I was thinking earlier today, I always went wherever I was assigned before. Maybe that wasn't good for Allie. At the time, I just…" Nathan's guilt weighed on each of his words.

Elizabeth turned to look into his eyes, glistening in the glow coming from their open door. "Nathan, every decision you made lead you here," she spoke with love and conviction. "You did the best you could. Allie was and will always be blessed to have you for her father. Allie, Jack, and our baby."

Nathan pulled Elizabeth close, placing kiss after kiss on her hair and forehead before trailing kisses across her cheek until their lips met in a tender kiss. "I love you, Lisbeth. You always see the best in me."

"I love you, Nathan. You are the best man I've ever known. I would follow you anywhere…but…" she paused with a playfulness in her voice.

"But?" Nathan questioned with feigned accusation.

"But I love our life here. This town is special," Elizabeth finished, leaning her head onto his shoulder.

"You know I agree. There's still no where else I'd rather be than here - this front step, with you," Nathan replied before placing one more kiss on Elizabeth's forehead.

"Our baby will love Hope Valley too," Elizabeth spoke softly into the night.

"And will be loved by Hope Valley too," Nathan added.

"Does Rosemary know?" he asked with a chuckle, knowing how impossible it was to keep anything from her.

Elizabeth laughed. "No, I wanted to talk to Faith first. I had to duck into the mercantile and the barber shop today to avoid her in the street," she concluded with lighthearted exasperation.

It was Nathan's turn to laugh, imagining his dear wife doing everything she could to avoid her best friend in public. "Well I think you can tell her now," he said when he was through with the laughter.

"First, we have to tell Allie and Jack," Elizabeth was surprised at the emotion that caught in her throat at those words. Jack wouldn't be the baby anymore but he'd be thrilled his birthday wish was on the way. What about Allie? She made a wonderful big sister. Would she be happy to take on that role to a new little one?

"Tomorrow, at breakfast, okay?" Nathan asked, shaking Elizabeth from her thoughts.

"Tomorrow," Elizabeth replied with a kiss.