The Grants and Thorntons stood at the train station, nervously awaiting the train arrival. Elizabeth's parents and her sister, Julie, were due to arrive today. Elizabeth was conflicted over seeing them, they had not been very supportive over her relationship with Jack and were equally not as supportive over the cancellation of her wedding to Lucas, whom they had found a more suitable prospect for their daughter. Nathan seemed less nervous than she did, she wondered if it was the Mountie in him. Nathan nor her father had yet told her about their phone call.

She saw the travelers start streaming out of the entrance to the tracks, and heard her name echo through the station, "ELIZABETH!" Before she could fully brace herself, a whirlwind topped with red hair had run right into her and grabbed her tightly.

"Julie! It's so good to see you, I'm so happy you could come."

"It's not every day your sister is engaged for the third time!"

"Julie!" Elizabeth admonished. She heard Allie giggle beside her.

"This must be Allie, aren't you a picture." Julie hugged her tightly.

Next, she made her way over to Nathan who was holding Jack. "Sister, how is it you find the most handsome men in the territory! You could save some for the rest of us. And how are you my handsome little nephew and godson." Julie squeezed Jack's cheeks.

Nathan started to say, "It's nice to officially meet you." However, it came out more as, "It's nice to...official...ooomphh!" as Julie grabbed on tightly and squeezed.

Elizabeth just looked on and chuckled half in humor and half in embarrassment. It was clear Julie had not changed one bit, and she loved every minute of it. Her heart started pounding though, as she saw her parents slowly entering from the doorway.

"Mother, Father! I can't tell you how happy I am you came." Elizabeth went over to meet them.

She kissed her mother's cheeks and gave her father a light hug.

"Please, I want you to meet my fiancé, Nathan, and his daughter, Allie." Elizabeth led them over to her waiting family.

Her father instantly went towards Nathan. "Son, it's nice to finally meet you in person." He gave Nathan a strong handshake. Elizabeth looked on in surprise.

"You're my grandad!" Jack exclaimed.

"That I am Jack. It is good to see you looking so well."

Nathan put Jack down and William Thatcher bent down and gave Jack a hug.

Grace came up behind her husband, "And I'm your grandmother Grace." Jack came up to her and hugged her legs.

Allie hugged onto Elizabeth, taking in the scene.

William and Grace looked over towards them, "You must be Allie dear, it's nice to meet you." Grace said. Allie smiled back at them and gave them a nod.

Grace next stepped over to Nathan. "Chief Constable Grant, it's a pleasure to meet you and welcome to the family." Grace shook his hand softly and Nathan gave her a smile.

They all got loaded into the two taxis waiting to take them to town. The Thatchers were going to stay at Nathan's house. Over the last week they had been working on moving all of Nathan and Allie's necessities over to Elizabeth's house. The guest room was almost officially turned over into Allie's room. Elizabeth was sleeping with Little Jack in his room, Allie was in the guest room turned her room, Charlotte was planning to stay with the Coulters, Archie would soon be arriving and would stay in Elizabeth's room with his wife, Nathan was staying with the Canfields up to the wedding, and Tom would be staying at the hotel. Somehow, they had made the crowded accommodations work, though it did make Nathan start to think about inquiring with Bill on any available land they might purchase to build a larger family home.

They were able to crowd into Elizabeth's house for dinner this night, since Archie and the Thorntons had not yet arrived. The rest of the family would be coming into town in two days, at that point, dinners would need to be moved to the saloon.

Elizabeth was shocked at the ease with which her father and Nathan conversed, it was as if they had an understanding.

Once everyone had retired for the night, Nathan and Elizabeth took advantage of the nice night air on the front steps.

"Okay, out with it Chief Constable, why do I feel like this was not the first time you and my father have talked."

Nathan gave her a sheepish grin and pulled her close. "Well, I may have called to ask for his blessing prior to you asking me to marry you." He chuckled.

"Why didn't you tell me."

"So much happened that night, I just never got the chance to tell you."

"Nathan Grant, you are always full of surprises."

"You can bet on it sweetheart," and he pulled her in for a kiss.

"So..."

"So?" He asked.

"It seems the phone conversation went well, based on the ease with which you all have been talking tonight. What did he say when you asked for his blessing?"

"Well, he first told me he wasn't fond of you marrying a man in the same profession that took your first husband," Elizabeth was about to say something, Nathan put a hand up. "But, he then thanked me for standing by you during everything with Jack. He called me son, and said he could tell I put my family first, which is a rare trait. He welcomed me to the family and called me son."

Elizabeth's mouth hung open for a few seconds and then she lit up into a huge smile.

"Nathan Grant, you are an amazing man, I'm so lucky to be marrying you, and I'm so glad my family sees what a gem you are as well."

Nathan's cheeks reddened a bit, but he pulled her in for a long kiss to show his thanks.

The next couple of days saw the merging of the Thatcher/Thornton/Grants. Archie was not very comfortable around either Charlotte or the Thatchers, but Mary immediately warmed to everyone, so he let her do most of the talking.

The days were spent with everyone helping with wedding preparations, taking Jack to his clinic appointments, and readying the Thornton house for all its new occupants. They were at a week out from the wedding, and with everyone's help, it appeared everything would be ready for the big day.

Nathan had been able to start his vacation a week before the wedding and would be off through their honeymoon. Elizabeth was relieved that there would be no more away missions around their wedding, not that Nathan would agree to any this close to their nuptials.

The Thursday before the wedding Nathan and his dad found themselves alone in Nathan's house, grabbing the last few boxes they wanted to move over to Elizabeth's. Archie seemed deep in thought, as they were taking one last look to make sure they had grabbed everything they wanted to move over.

"Dad, you okay, you seem to have something on your mind."

"Son, I'm sorry I wasn't there for you growing up. I see the father you are to Allie and Jack, the father you didn't have to be, but chose to be, and well, Nathan, you are the father I wish I could have been to you. I'm proud of you son." Archie grabbed Nathan's shoulder and squeezed.

Nathan fought the lump in his throat, "Thanks Dad."

Archie took a long pause, "Son, umm, are there any questions you may have for me, with your wedding approaching?"

"Questions?" Then it dawned on him as to what his father was referring, his eyes got wide, and he cleared his throat.

"Oh, Dad, no. Mountie training probably answered more than I ever needed to know." As awkward as this conversation was, it touched him that his father was trying to make up for lost time. He could never thank Elizabeth enough for helping him mend this relationship he never thought he'd be able to have in his life. But he was happy he had the rest of their lives to show her his appreciation.

"Well, know that I'm here son, I want to be here for anything you may need. I may not have been a great husband, but hopefully there is some wisdom I can impart from a man who's spent the latter part of his life making up for past wrongs."

Nathan stepped up to his dad, and embraced him, "Thanks Dad."

"I love you son."

"I love you too Dad."

Later that night Nathan recounted this encounter to Elizabeth as they wound their day down, well, most of the conversation.

"Nathan, that's wonderful. I'm sure that meant a lot to you."

"You know this past week I've been thinking a lot about my blessings in life. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined I'd have my father and mother at my wedding. To be honest, there is a time I never even imagined myself getting married."

"I remember. Nathan, let me say, you are most definitely that kind of guy, and I'm so happy you didn't give up on love." They gave each other a knowing smile. He pulled her in and ended the night proving to her how much that 'kind of guy' he was, by kissing her with all his heart.