Nathan sat behind his desk reading the details of a new file that had arrived that morning when a flash of red at the door caught his eye. A polite knock was quickly followed by the door opening and a man already familiar to Nathan stepped inside. Nathan stood at attention to greet his superior.
"Superintendent O'Rielly, nice to see you, sir," Nathan said with a nod, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Constable, always good to see you," he replied with a friendly smile.
Nathan couldn't help but notice the difference between Superintendent O'Rielly's visits and Superintendent Hargraves'. He pushed that thought aside but it was quickly replaced by another. What was he doing here? Last time he stopped in Hope Valley was…was when he was offered the Inspector position in Union City.
Nathan noticed him look about the office with a smile. "What is it, sir?" he questioned.
"I was assigned here to Hope Valley at one point. Constable Thornton had requested a transfer but by the time I arrived to replace him," Patrick O'Rielly paused and chuckled, "Well needless to say, his feelings about the place had changed."
Nathan nodded and smiled, realizing it was for a very worthy cause that Jack had chosen to make his home in Hope Valley. Much the same reason he and Allie had put down roots here years before.
"I took the position he turned down and eventually, I was made Superintendent." Then the visiting superintendent grew more serious. "I was sad to hear about Jack's passing."
"Yes, he was a good man," Nathan agreed solemnly. Both men stood silently for a moment thinking of the way a simple decision or two can change a life entirely.
Superintendent O'Rielly cleared his throat and spoke again. "I'll get to the point, Constable Grant," he began with a professional yet kind voice, "You've been offered an Inspector position once more. In Capitol City. They need your response quickly but if I might say, it's an overdue honor, Constable. You're one of our finest." He concluded by handing Nathan some official papers and shaking his hand heartily.
Nathan accepted the papers and did his best to formulate a proper response, a rush of conflicting thoughts clouding his mind at the news. "Thank you, sir. I'll consider this and be in touch soon."
And with that, Nathan's surprise visitor was gone leaving him to work through his many thoughts. The first thing that came to mind was placing a phone call, turning down the position immediately, and never telling Elizabeth anything. He didn't want to add any stress to her life. He knew her feelings on leaving Hope Valley, specifically for Capital City and it was not the favourable choice.
But he couldn't. She was his wife, his whole world, and this decision would be made together, even if he was quite sure he knew the answer. Nathan glanced at the clock. It was a little early to head home but he was well aware he'd be useless to continue any work here.
Picking up his hat and placing it on his head, he stepped out into the street. The warmth of the early May afternoon was so welcome after a long cold Winter but Nathan barely noticed the good weather. Nor did he notice the lovely lady across the street.
"Constable!" he heard called out in a flirtatious voice. Turning, he smiled broadly at the sight of Elizabeth hurrying across the street to catch up to him.
"Hello ma'am, are you in need of assistance?" he asked with mock formality.
"Oh I am. I need you," she said barely above a whisper with a kiss on his cheek. She held onto his arm as they began to walk together.
Realizing the time, she asked "Are you headed home already?"
The light and joyful feeling of flirtation dissipating quickly, Nathan stopped and turned toward Elizabeth. "We need to talk, Lisbeth."
She could see the seriousness and concern in his ocean blue eyes. Trying desperately to see far enough into their depths to know what was troubling him, Elizabeth held his gaze for a moment.
"Allie and Jack headed home after school to complete their homework before supper but the school should be empty. Would you like to go there?" she offered, hoping for a place to talk unlikely to be interrupted.
Nathan agreed and reached his hand out to take hers as they walked the path together. How could he ever ask her to leave this school? The children she loved so dearly? He couldn't. He wouldn't. He'd tell her the news but he'd tell her he was turning it down.
Inside the school house, Elizabeth walked to her desk and turned to face the rows of seating, mostly out of habit. Nathan sat on the front bench and tried to decide how exactly to begin.
"So what is it, darling? You seem concerned. Has something happened?" Elizabeth spoke before he had to chance.
"I had a visitor today. Superintendent O'Rielly," Nathan began. He took a deep breath before continuing, "Lisbeth, I've been offered a promotion to Inspector again."
Elizabeth smiled as pride and love swelled in her heart. He deserved this honor…so why did he seem so hesitant to share the news? And then her smile faded as she remembered. Last time he was offered this opportunity, it meant moving. Leaving Hope Valley.
The realization filled her eyes with unshed tears. "So where are we moving?" she asked with a wobbly smile.
"Lisbeth," he started again, fighting with his own emotions, "we're not. I'm turning it down. I could never ask you to leave Hope Valley. I couldn't ask Allie to move…or Jack. And I love this town too. I'm not taking the promotion."
"But Nathan," Elizabeth was reaching for his hand when the school door opened.
"Oh! I'm sorry to interrupt you two. I was just coming to study in peace," Pastor Joseph said with an easy smile on his face and a laugh. Then seeing the faces of the couple in front of him and their obvious turmoil, he set his books down.
"Is there any way I can help?" he offered sincerely.
Nathan and Elizabeth glanced at each other and nodded their silent agreement to share the offer with their pastor.
"We just got some news. Some big news," Nathan started to explain, a look of worry etched in his furrowed brow.
"Some good news," Elizabeth took his hand and added in softly, offering her support. Nathan looked down at the floor and shook his head.
"I can see you have a big decision to make. I'll be praying for you both. If you want to share more, you know where to find me," Joseph spoke with kindness and then moved past them to his office at the back of the building.
"Let's go home. The kids will be wondering why I'm not there yet. We can talk later, okay?" Elizabeth tried to say calmly while her mind still reeled from all that this would mean for them.
The walk home was a quiet one. Allie and Elizabeth prepared supper together while Nathan helped Jack with the toughest questions of his math homework. They ate together in relative silence, not wanting to discuss this news with their children just yet but unable to think of any other topic to speak about.
Allie seemed to notice. Of course, she always did. For the vibrant young lady that she was, she seemed to have an old soul in many ways. She offered to help with dishes to ease the load from her quiet and concerned looking mother.
Only Jack appeared entirely unaware of the awkward lack of conversation around him as he told silly stories and asked about his next chance to ride Pal. With every word from the innocent boy, Nathan's decision became more and more sure. They couldn't leave this place.
After a long evening, Allie led Jack up the stairs to bed, taking a book for herself. It being a Friday, she hoped to stay up a little extra late to finish the story she was reading.
"Apple juice?" Elizabeth asked with a gentle smile.
Nathan chuckled. Yes, another talk was in order. He hadn't even had to chance to share where his posting would take them.
Elizabeth soon joined Nathan on the couch with two glasses of their favorite juice and a plate of cookies. Cookies always helped.
She took a deep breath and asked again, "So where are we moving?"
Nathan considered arguing once more that they were not going anywhere but knowing she deserved to know he instead simply stated, "Capitol City."
Elizabeth's eyes grew wide. At first Nathan wasn't sure if she would cry or be angry but then she giggled, "Seems like I can't avoid that city."
Nathan breathed out a laugh and then shook his head again. "Lisbeth, I know you don't want to leave this town, your home. And I know you certainly don't want to leave to be in Capital City. I think you've made that quite clear in the past. I can't accept their offer."
The words were barely out of his mouth before Elizabeth began speaking, "Nathan, let me be clear about one thing. You are my home. Wherever you are is where I want to be. I would go to the ends of the earth to stay by your side. You deserve this honor. You wanted this promotion at one point if I remember right." Elizabeth spoke with such love that he knew she was sincere.
"I love you, sweetheart," was the only reply Nathan could manage as emotion restricted his voice.
Elizabeth kissed him tenderly and whispered "I love you too" against his lips, her heart filled with a bittersweet storm of fear, love, sadness, and joy.
After a moment of closeness, she found the words to further share her heart. It wasn't that she wanted to leave Hope Valley. It was that she knew nothing mattered more than being together. And Nathan deserved the recognition of this prestigious promotion. In fact, he had earned it many years ago but turned it down to stay and watch over her. And to give Allie roots of course. Allie was grown and almost ready to make her own way. She may leave Hope Valley in the next few years anyway. Jack was so young still. He could handle the adjustment. She was determined to make sure he wasn't held back by his devotion to her once again. This time he would accept the offer but they would go together.
Nathan's thoughts swirled around him. He heard what she was saying, he was touched by her strength, selflessness, and encouragement but all he could see was the terrified, teary woman standing in the classroom as he approached with the words "What do you want?" And what she wanted was to stay in Hope Valley. Right?
Finally he said it, "I know how you feel about moving there. I saw it in your eyes when I came to the school that day. And before long, I heard your engagement was ended." His voice trailed off.
"Darling, you know there's a lot more to that story," Elizabeth replied, looking into the eyes of the man she married. "I couldn't leave because I couldn't give him my whole heart. I never should have let it get as far as I did. I wish I had been brave enough to do things differently. But that engagement didn't end over Capital City."
Nathan hated the idea of drawing such a stark comparison between he and Lucas. He hadn't really meant to bring it up yet it felt so unavoidable right now. For the most part, he understood and accepted the past they all shared. But this promotion brought it to the forefront in a way he had never expected.
As far as they knew, Lucas and Fiona had settled into their life together in Capitol City quite nicely. Their love was strong and true. They absolutely glowed every time they were back in Hope Valley to visit or work. It was clear that everything was as it should be and now suddenly it was all thrown off by the possibility of moving to the same city. A city Elizabeth refused to move to with Lucas.
They sat, cuddled together on the couch in silence for some time before Nathan spoke again. "Let's pray about this. I don't know what's right."
Elizabeth nodded her agreement. She would go anywhere she needed to stay by Nathan's side but they had to be sure that it was the right move for them and only One truly knew what was best.
Together they held hands and bowed their heads as Nathan lead them in heartfelt prayer. The peace that surrounded them was almost tangible. While neither knew which direction to turn just yet, there was a confidence that they would know and they would be alright.
"I'm going to go to bed," Elizabeth said with a dainty yawn.
"Already?" Nathan asked, hoping for a little more time with his bride.
"I'm just so tired. It's been a long day," she said with a weak smile. Placing a warm and loving kiss on his lips, Elizabeth quietly climbed the stairs and got ready for bed. She was already sleeping soundly when Nathan came into the room shortly after.
The next morning, Elizabeth made her way downstairs before the children were awake. An early riser like her, Nathan was already in the kitchen.
"Good morning, beautiful," he said with a smile, moving around the table to give her a kiss. "Freshly brewed. Would you like a cup?" he asked, referencing the mug full of coffee in his hand.
"Mmm yes please." Elizabeth said sleepily.
Reaching to take the mug from Nathan, she took a deep breath inhaling the rich scent of their favorite morning drink and stopped suddenly.
Elizabeth quickly set her coffee down, a sound rose from her throat somewhere between a squeak and a groan, and she ran for the back door. Nathan was left standing in the kitchen entirely confused. Looking around to see what could be the problem, he picked up her mug and sniffed the coffee then the cream. Nothing seemed to be wrong.
Following her outside, he was met with more confusion. Elizabeth turned around to face him, tears on her cheeks and a bright smile that lit up her eyes. Nathan's mouth hung open trying to think of what he should be asking when she suddenly dove into his arms laughing and crying. Assuming at some point there would be an explanation, he held her close and kissed the top of her head.
"We're going to have a baby!" she finally said, pulling away just enough to look Nathan in the face as she spoke.
"A baby?" Nathan's voice was a mix of disbelief and delight. He picked Elizabeth up with twirled her around, joining in her celebration before carefully setting her down. Lowering himself to one knee, he held onto Elizabeth's hips and gently placed a kiss on her belly. Standing again to his full height, he captured Elizabeth's lips in a love filled kiss.
"We're going to have a baby," he repeated quietly, his heart overwhelmed with joy. "We're going to have a baby."