Thank you everyone for continuing to read my stories. A couple months ago, my best friend died and I have had a really hard time. I have tried to keep busy with other friends who knew her. I wasn't able to pick up these stories but I have read every comment that was left and I appreciate them all. I am hoping to get back into these but the updates may be slow so bear with me. Love to you all!

--

"Allie, can I talk to you for a minute?" Nathan called out to Allie behind their row house. Allie loved to take her book out there with a blanket to read. She looked up as Nathan called to her and set her book down on the blanket as she walked to the house. Nathan went and stood by the settee and motioned for Allie to join him.

"Is everything ok Dad?" Allie asked as she sat down. Nathan smiled at her as he sat down as well. He loved how she called him Dad and he made a note to never take it for granted.

"Everything is fine Allie. In fact I think it is better than fine. I wanted to talk to you about something before I make some changes around here."

"What do you mean changes? We aren't leaving Hope Valley are we? I thought everything was going well with you and Mrs. Thornton. We can't leave, we can't…" Allie looked like she was going to cry but Nathan moved closer and put his arm around her shoulders.

"Allie, I am going to ask Mrs. Thornton to marry me. For us to all be a family. I want to make sure that you are ok with it since it is you and me kiddo."

"Really?" Allie looked up as she wiped the tears from her eyes. "When?"

"I was thinking about tomorrow. Do you want to help me plan it?"

"Of course I do! We have so much to get done! I'll be right back." Allie leaned over and gave her Dad a hug and ran up the stairs to get a few things. Nathan laughed as he watched her. He took out the ring, ready to show Allie when she came back downstairs.

--

Elizabeth walked down the stairs after putting Jack down for his nap. His naps were getting shorter and less often as he got older but he would still take one if he had a busy day. Elizabeth knew her little boy was getting bigger and would start school soon so she would enjoy the days when he took naps while she could.

Elizabeth got a glass from the kitchen and filled it with apple juice. She took the glass over to her desk and took out the stack of papers from the drawer. She had two journals sitting there on top of the papers. One was the journal she kept with her daily observations and thoughts. The other journal was a plan of sorts of the novel she was writing. Ideas she had and chapters she planned to write. She had a few chapters already written and now that everything was going well, she had started again.

She kept working on the novel until the sun started to set. She hadn't even noticed the time until she looked up and saw how dark it was getting outside. She turned on the lamps in her row house as she heard movement upstairs. Jack must be waking up, she thought. She set her pages and journals back in the desk and looked at the photos there. One was of Jack in his serge and the other was a photo of her and Nathan. Her past and her future. She smiled as she walked to the stairs.

--

After dinner, Nathan walked down the lane towards Elizabeth's row house. He had spent the afternoon with Allie after taking a short break to do rounds. Everything was set for tomorrow and he had butterflies as he walked with a lantern in his hand. As he got closer to Elizabeth's row house, he heard singing. He looked up and saw the window to Jack's window was open slightly and he recognized Elizabeth's voice. It was a beautiful song even though Nathan couldn't quite make out the words.

Nathan took the letter out of his pocket and slid it under the door. He looked up at the window again and kissed his hand, blowing a kiss towards what he hoped would be his family soon. He turned and walked back home to get a good night sleep.

--

Elizabeth walked back downstairs after putting Jack to bed. After working on her book she had made dinner and played with Jack for a little while before it was time for bed. She had to read him three stories before he finally went to sleep. Elizabeth had a feeling it wouldn't be long before she went to bed herself. She went over to her bookshelves to get a book to read before bed and she saw an envelope on the floor by her door.

'That's strange,' she thought. Elizabeth didn't see it earlier and she wondered who it was from. She walked to the door and picked it up. She immediately recognized Nathan's handwriting and heard his voice saying her name. Smiling, she opened the letter:

Elizabeth, I think the two of us need some time alone together. Will you meet me at the Mountie office in the morning? Allie will come by to watch Jack so we can go for a ride. I will pack a lunch so all you need to bring is your beautiful wonderful self. I look forward to seeing what the day holds for us. Nathan.

Elizabeth wasn't sure what Nathan had planned but part of her knew that this date was different. She forgot all about the book and almost ran up the stairs to her room. She started looking at all the dresses in her closet, determined to choose the most perfect outfit. She held the outfits in front of her one at a time until she fell asleep in a pile of dresses. Dreaming of her handsome Mountie and the ride into the future.