Elizabeth had been in the cafe a couple days ago when she learned of Clara and Jesse's plans to leave Hope Valley. A relative of Clara's had written to her and asked them to visit. The relative lived on a farm and had been injured. Clara said they were going for a visit but Elizabeth could tell by the way she said it that Clara wasn't sure when or if they would be returning.
Elizabeth walked to town that morning to say goodbye to Clara and Jesse but also to give Clara a letter that she had written last night to thank her for everything she had done to help her after Jack's death and while she was a new mother. She walked over the cafe hoping to find Clara there to have a few minutes alone with her.
She walked into the back room of the cafe just as Clara was walking down the stairs with a suitcase. There were a few boxes by the bottom of the stairs as well.
"Elizabeth, good morning. I was hoping to see you before I left."
"I'm glad. I brought a letter to give you before you left. You don't have to read it now, I just wanted you to have it and I hope you will keep in touch once you get settled."
"I will, I will send you a letter with our address as soon as we arrive. I have something for you too."
Clara reached into the top of one of the open boxes and pulled out an envelope and handed it to her. Elizabeth looked at her puzzled, but opened the envelope as Clara nodded at her unspoken question. When she did she gasped at the photo she saw. It was a photo from Clara and Jesse's wedding. It was Elizabeth and Nathan standing facing one and other, with a bouquet of flowers between them. It was after Elizabeth had caught the bouquet, but it looked like it could easily had been a photo from what would be her future wedding.
"Where did you get this? It's wonderful."
"Carson gave it to me with the rest of the photos. I knew I wanted to give it to you, especially after you and Nathan got together. I am so happy for the both of you Elizabeth. You opened yourself up to love again, the love Jack would have wanted for you."
Elizabeth reached out and hugged Clara, thankful for her friend but sad that she would be moving away.
"Carson also said he would make a copy for Nathan if he wanted one," Clara said.
"Thank you. I will ask him about that."
Jesse walked into the cafe and saw the two women talking, "Sorry I don't mean to interrupt. Are these the rest of your bags?"
"Yes, these are all of them," Clara said.
Jesse took a couple of boxes and Mike walked in as well taking the rest. Clara and Elizabeth walked out behind them. Elizabeth saw Nathan standing outside the Mountie office with his hands behind his back. He looked very official standing there, but she could see a small crooked smile that she knew was just for her. Jesse loaded the rest of the bags into the wagon as Clara hugged everyone standing there to say goodbye. After a few more minutes, the two of them climbed into the wagon and waved as they rode out of town. Elizabeth walked over to where Nathan was standing as he walked down the two steps to meet her.
"Standing guard?" She asked.
"Something like that. I need to get started on my rounds. Can I come by later?"
"I hope you will," Elizabeth said. She reached out for his hand and squeezed it as he smiled and walked towards the livery. He wanted nothing more than to take Elizabeth in his arms and kiss her, however he was in uniform and there were so many people standing in out in the street right now. He promised himself that he would make up for it later.
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Later that night after Elizabeth had put Jack to bed, she sat on her porch with her journal. It was a clear night with not a lot of wind so it was nice to sit outside. She left the door slightly open so she could hear if Jack woke up. She was writing in her journal about Clara and Jesse leaving and her memories about the two of them. Elizabeth was thankful to know them and she couldn't wait to get the first letter from them to find out how they were settling in on the farm.
She heard a noise in the distance which caused her to look up. Her Mountie was walking towards her from the direction of the livery. He was still in his serge but he had unbuttoned a few of the buttons at the top. He smiled as soon as she looked up in his eyes and she smiled as well. She set down the journal on her side and stood to greet him. As he held out his arms to her, she put her head against his chest and he put his chin on her head. The two of them stood like that, listening to each other's heart beats.
"I missed you," Elizabeth said.
"I'll quit tomorrow," Nathan said.
Elizabeth pulled back, startled. She could see the look on Nathan's face that he was teasing, even though he had offered that before. She playfully hit his arm and said, "Oh you. It would be nice to have a whole day together though."
"Maybe we can plan a day for us to spend the whole day together now that you are on summer break. I can ask Bill to take care of the Mountie things and we can do whatever you want."
"You'd do that?"
"I'd do anything for you, Elizabeth," Nathan said as he reached out and put his hand on her cheek. Elizabeth pushed up on her toes and reached her arms around his neck. The two of them kissed lightly, aware that they were standing in the street in front of her rowhouse. It may have been light, but both of them could feel the passion starting. As Elizabeth pulled back, she took Nathan's hand and led him to come sit on the steps with her.
"I want to show you something," Elizabeth said as Nathan sat down. She reached for her journal and pulled the photo from between the pages. She handed it to Nathan and he looked down at it with surprise.
"Wow, I didn't even know Carson took this photo."
"You remember when it is from then?"
"Of course I do. The wedding. Did Clara give it to you?"
"She did. She said she was happy for both of us. She also said Carson would make you a copy too. I was going to go and ask him about that tomorrow."
Nathan nodded as he continued to look at the photo. He smiled and handed it back to Elizabeth. "I think this photo is proof," Nathan said.
"Of what?"
"That we are exactly where we are supposed to be. Moving forward." Nathan took Elizabeth's hand and played with her engagement ring. "Becoming a family. I can't wait until we have another photo like this from our wedding."
"Me too, Nathan. Do you ever feel like we were meant to end up here? Like everything in our lives led us to this moment?"
"I do," Nathan said. "See I already know my line."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes and she moved closer to him and put her head on his shoulder. Nathan put his arm around her and they sat looking out at the town. Nathan eventually had to go home as it was getting late. He kissed her hand and then a light kiss to her lips, like it was something he had done forever and would continue to do for the rest of his life. Elizabeth sighed as she watched him walk to his row house. She picked up her journal as she heard a noise from Jack upstairs. She walked inside just as Nathan turned to see her close the door.
