The children were ready for the last day of school however Elizabeth was not. She had been busy with everything going on and she didn't get everything accomplished that she wanted to. Nevertheless, she would make this last day as wonderful as possible for her class. She had visited the cafe that morning to bring a treat for the class to take with them as they left that day- her favorite chocolate chip cookies.

The class spent the day with a fun project. Elizabeth had asked them to write or draw about their summer vacation. What they liked to do or what they had planned. It could be anything. She planned to hang them up around the classroom as the parents came to pick up the children later that afternoon. Later after lunch, the children would play games until the end of the day.

"Mrs. Thornton, is it time for lunch?" Opal asked. Elizabeth had been looking out the window at the birds flying by and she wasn't keeping track of the time.

"Oh yes. Lunch time children," Elizabeth said as she rung the cow bell on her desk.

Elizabeth sighed as she watched all the children head outside for lunch and recess. She would miss coming to the school house and seeing all their smiling faces all summer. Although she probably would see some of them with spending more time with Nathan and Allie at her house. Then it hit her. When Opal had called her Mrs. Thornton. That could be one of the last times she would hear her class call her that. She walked over to the back of the school house.

She stood by the open doors and looked at the plaque. She rubbed her hands over the words 'Jack Thornton School'. She was staring at the plaque and she didn't hear Nathan walk up the steps to the school and step beside her.

"Are you ok?" Nathan asked.

Elizabeth turned and looked at him, a little startled but happy to see him, "I am. I just realized when Opal called me 'Mrs. Thornton' that the children may not call me that when school starts next year."

"Elizabeth, I know we never talked about it but I don't expect you to change your name if that is not something you want. Your son has the last name Thornton so if you would like to keep that name as well, I would understand."

Elizabeth looked at his eyes and saw nothing but truth and understanding. She knew that he meant what he said and he would never hold that against her. It made her love him even more, if that was even possible. Elizabeth could hear the children talking outside. "Would it be ok if we talk about this more after dinner?"

"Of course. I just came by to bring you this for the last day of school." Nathan pulled a small bouquet of wildflowers from behind his back. "I picked these from our land when I was doing my rounds."

"Our land. How wonderful that sounds." Elizabeth took the flowers from his hands and put her hands around his neck and gave him a short, light kiss. Both of them wanted more but they realized they were in the schoolhouse so it would have to wait.

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After dinner, Elizabeth started to do the dishes as Nathan went upstairs to read a book to Allie and Jack. Jack fell asleep as they were reading the book and Allie went to lay down on Elizabeth's bed. Nathan said he would come get her when it was time to go home. He longed for the day when he wouldn't have to go home to their separate homes and they could all be together like this.

Nathan walked downstairs and saw Elizabeth starting to pour glasses of apple juice. Elizabeth handed Nathan a glass as he came towards the table and he smiled and held out his hand to her. She took his hand and the two of them walked over to the settee. Elizabeth took a sip looking out in front of her, not at Nathan. Nathan set the glass down on the table and waited for Elizabeth to start. There was obviously something on her mind and he would give her all the time she needed.

After a few minutes, which Nathan thought seemed like an eternity, Elizabeth spoke. "We didn't talk much about the future before our engagement. Not really."

"Elizabeth, is everything ok? I know this all happened quickly so if you want to take some time and a longer engagement, then I…"

Elizabeth cut off Nathan by turning to him quickly and putting her fingers over his mouth. She then reached out and held both of his hands in hers. "No, Nathan. It's nothing like that. I can't wait to be your wife. The quicker the better, I say," Elizabeth said with a smile.

Nathan leaned over and kissed her briefly and then sat back so she could continue.

"Jack and I made lots of plans. We talked about everything. We dated for a long time and I have a feeling we would have been engaged for even longer had he not been called away to the Northern Territories. I think part of me knew that our time was limited but I was grateful for the time that we had. And once I realized I was pregnant with our son, how could I regret any part of our quick marriage?"

"Of course you don't. Everyone knows that you loved Jack. Elizabeth, what is this about?"

"Falling in love with you wasn't easy. I fought it the entire way. But once I decided to admit my feelings for you, I knew it was forever. We don't have to have everything decided today because we have our whole lives ahead of us. I am not sure how I am so sure of it, but I know what we will have a wonderful life with our children and grandchildren on that land with the house you are going to build." Both of them sat with tears in their eyes at Elizabeth's confessions.

"When we get married, I will become Elizabeth Grant. I hope that you will allow me to adopt Allie and I would like you to adopt Jack. I would like to change Jack's name to Grant as well so we can truly start this time of our lives as one united family. I think the best thing for all of us would be to plan a small ceremony over the summer before school starts again but I know that this is your first wedding and I wouldn't want to take anything away from you. So whatever you want to do is what we will do."

Nathan stood and walked to the fireplace, looking at the photos sitting there. Elizabeth sat on the settee looking at him and she wondered what he was thinking about all she had shared. She stood and walked over to him hesitantly. "Nathan?" She asked as she put a hand on his back.

Nathan turned and smiled, putting both hands on her neck, pulling her towards him. He kissed her softly but the passion grew between them. Nathan pulled back after a few minutes and moved the hair from Elizabeth's face. "I never thought I would be married, let alone have a wedding. I agree, I just wanted to be married to you."

"I will talk to Rosemary and see what we can do to get the wedding done quickly. Can you talk to Bill about the adoptions if you are ok with adopting both of the children?"

"More than ok. I love the idea of us all being a family together. It will take a little while to build the house though. Should Allie and I move in here?"

"Actually I was thinking. Would it be ok if Jack and I moved in with you?"

"Really? Of course it would be ok but why?"

"I have lived in this row house for a long time. First as a single woman. Then for a short time with Jack. Then as a single mother. I want our marriage to be a new beginning for all of us. I think until the new house is built, I would like to start new in your row house. What do you think?"

"That sounds perfect. Allie and I will start to clear out our extra room for Jack so we can be ready whenever that day comes."

The two of them were going to talk about a few more things but Allie came downstairs asking if she could go home and go to sleep. Nathan said he would take her home and the two of them said good night to Elizabeth.