If you haven't had a chance to check out the recent Instagram post (3/31/25), "Nathan's Chair," on my IG site (journalingheartie) take a minute to read through the compilation of drabbles that fill in the gaps of the time jump from E11 to E12—one drabble for each month missed, November through May, with a bonus for June.
IG's Whencallsthemusic (WCTM) inspired the idea, and a handful of writers wrote a drabble (or two) around what we've all come to see as "Nathan's" chair. My contribution was January, and other writers included WCTM, SimplyStories, maggienhawk, WCTHaesthetics, and ghostwriterheartie. Maggienhawk did the visual work to bring these drabbles together beautifully.
This short story, "Elizabeth's Chair," is a continuation of that theme, another June moment, that occurs immediately after Chapter 3: Where You Go, I Go in this story "New Beginnings"
Chapter 4: Elizabeth's Chair
Elizabeth stirred, attempting to find a reasonable position to continue sleeping. Even in her groggy state, she couldn't help but wonder how a hospital chair, of all things, could feel so inhospitable to any semblance of comfort. Still, this location had been entirely her choice, a decision made during her silent conversation with Nathan when Little Jack had asked for his Mountie Nathan to sleep beside him.
Normally, Nathan would've insisted Elizabeth take the bed, but he knew, instinctively, that as a mother, the most important thing to her—especially last night—was their son's comfort. So, with Jack asking for Nathan, a plea that thoroughly melted her heart, she was more than happy to spend a few hours in a chair instead.
Now awake, Elizabeth couldn't have been more pleased—neck kinks and all—to have slept in the chair, especially since it offered the perfect view of her two favorite boys. In a matter of seconds, her chin quivered, overcome with emotion. Before Allie's birthday party, Nathan had said in passing, "Wouldn't it be nice to just make time stop for a moment?" Surprisingly, this was just such a moment.
Certainly she didn't want to be there in the hospital, but the image before her was priceless. And she was struck, once again, at how her heart could simultaneously feel such opposing emotions—fear for the uncertainty with Jack's diagnosis and, yet, overwhelming love for the man beneath the serge who'd held her little acorn through the night.
In the stillness of the early morning, Elizabeth memorized this picture, both heartbreaking and healing. Nathan, a giant beside their small boy, created a protective frame, turned fully on his side. Jack, curled against him, rested with his back to this self-sacrificing father figure, his small hands positioned beneath his head. The blanket was pulled tightly around their son, tucking him in snugly. Nathan's tousled hair brushed gently against Jack's temple, a soft contrast of brown to blond. His arm lay across her honey bear's shoulder, extending around his waist to hold him close—offering a quiet promise of safety and warmth.
Even amid the sterile white of the hospital room, Elizabeth found herself enveloped in a quiet peace. Silently, she offered a humble prayer of gratitude for the blessing of this beautifully blended family.
As Little Jack shifted, Elizabeth started to rise, thinking he was probably waking for the morning. But Nathan, apparently sensing the movement, lovingly tightened his arm around their son. She watched as Jack's small body relaxed again, nestled within his father's embrace, and soon his breathing returned to a steady rhythm. Elizabeth quietly brushed away the tears that had begun to fall.
I don't deserve him, was all she thought, her blue eyes fixed on the man who had devoted his heart to her since coming to Hope Valley—her greatest love—who, just last night, had chased her and Little Jack down to follow them, along with Allie, into this realm of uncertainty.
But I'm everlastingly grateful, she murmured to herself. Without realizing it, she stared at Nathan, feeling that something felt different. It didn't take long to realize why—his eyes were closed.
Naturally, she hadn't spent much time around this Mountie when his striking blue eyes weren't open and telling their own story. She smiled, hopelessly endeared. He looked so adorably human. Nathan's long legs were curled up beneath Little Jack, and the cozy warmth of her sweetheart's presence drew her in. She found herself mirroring his breaths, just as she'd done earlier in the week.
One breath. One heartbeat.
Elizabeth inhaled softly the moment her thoughts wandered, drifting helplessly as she imagined what a night in Nathan's arms might feel like. She closed her heavy eyelids, breathing deeply, his woodsy scent surrounding her. Just like Little Jack, Nathan held her close, as if to shield her from the darkness that so often interrupted even their waking hours.
She envisioned nestling into the warmth of Nathan's chest, feeling safe and at peace, the gentle rise and fall of their bodies offering a comforting reminder of their shared love. Pressing a kiss to his hand, she silently vowed her everlasting devotion and affection, before softly moving his hand to her heart. With such inviting dreams, it was no surprise that Elizabeth, too, soon fell back asleep—easily forgetting about her inhospitable hospital chair.