Dorcas Lane awoke with a start. Her dream had her convinced that Gabriel Cochrane had left to expand his business, and had not been courting her for the last three months. Mostly, it had her convinced that he did not propose the night before. She had only look at the beautiful garnet ring set in gold on her left hand to reassure her that her dream was false. She was, indeed, engaged to Gabriel Cochrane. He had even talked with Sydney, her adopted son, before asking Dorcas, to assure him that nothing would change between his ma and himself.

Before making her way to the breakfast table, Dorcas took off her engagement ring. Today was a big day, and not the right time to share such wonderful news. On her way downstairs, Dorcas stopped at Sydney's door.

"Sydney?" she asked as she stepped into his room, "May I speak with you for a moment?"

"Sure Ma," He replied.

"Sydney, I wanted to ask you, how would you feel about Mr. Cochrane becoming part of our family?"

"I thought he already was a part of our family, Ma."

"What I mean to say is, how would you feel if Mr. Cochrane and I married?"

"Ma, I have seen the way you look at him, and how he looks at you. Do you think he would allow me to call him 'Pa'?"

"Sydney, I think so indeed! I can think of little else in this world that would give him such pleasure. And, never fear, my love for you will not change. You are my one weakness."

Sydney smiled and blushed with pleasure, secure in the knowledge that Dorcas would do anything for him, even put aside her own happiness for his benefit. Gabriel Cochrane had already talked with Sydney about the possibility of marrying Dorcas, and although Dorcas knew nothing of their conversation, Gabriel knew that one word from Sydney would be enough for Dorcas to say no. Fortunately for everyone involved, Sydney and Gabriel were the best of friends, almost from the time Gabriel first stepped in the post office. Sydney did not take to men easily, but he and Gabriel had no problems connecting.

"Well then, now that that's settled, shall we walk down to breakfast on this special day?" asked Dorcas.

Once everyone was assembled in the kitchen, including Thomas and Margaret Brown, now in her second trimester, Minnie served breakfast. This was the last breakfast Minnie was to serve at the Post Office, for tomorrow she would marry Alf Arless and Laura or Miss Lane would do the honors until another girl could take Minnie's place. After giving it much thought, Miss Lane decided to ask Alf's sister, Sally, to take Minnie's place in the post office. Although training Sally would take time, Dorcas knew that the girl would work hard for her, and that giving her a place would ease Alf and Minnie's burden.

Minnie served them with tears in her eyes. She had finally learned the art of suppressing some of her emotions, and was truly a young lady. She was going to make Alf the best wife that ever there was.

Dorcas suddenly has a thought. Minnie would be awfully hurt if the news of her engagement was shared without Minnie there. Dorcas resolved to share the news that evening with her post office family.

Gabriel came into the Post Office looking for Miss Lane.

"Dorcas, might I speak with you for a moment?"

"Of course, Gabriel. I have some things I wish to discuss with you as well," she replied smilingly. "Won't you please step through?"

As Gabriel passed into the parlor, Dorcas queried," What is on your mind, Gabriel?"

"I was thinking about last night, and when we might share the news with everyone here?"

"I thought this evening would do. I do hate to eclipse Minnie of her wedding, but I fear that she will be hurt if I share this after she is married."

"Then it is settled. We shall tell them tonight."

"Yes, please come for tea, we can tell everyone then." Dorcas invited, as Gabriel had been living at the Golden Lion Hotel. He had moved there once their courtship became official. They did not need malicious rumors started in their name.

"Gabriel, before you go…"

"Yes, Dorcas?"

"Are you sure about this? I know I am not Liza, but I , I…"

Gabriel kissed Dorcas with such passion that, were it not for his embrace, she would have fallen to the floor.

"Dorcas, there is nothing in this world I am more sure of than my love for you. I cannot wait until I can call you mine, my darling," he replied, as she sought to regain her breath.

She looked up at him with tears in her eyes, knowing this love was true, unlike anything she had experienced with Timothy, James, or Mr. Delafield.

With Sir Timothy, it was young love. While she would never forget the joys of a first love, Dorcas now realized it would never have worked, regardless of social class. James Dowland, Sydney's biological father, had at one time attracted Dorcas, but their relationship was not meant to be on many levels. Mr. Delafield, who swiftly passed through Lark Rise and Candleford, really was a momentary distraction for Dorcas. All three of these men lacked what Gabriel Cochrane had: the ability to make Dorcas feel like a whole woman.

During the working day, Miss Lane asked Thomas to bring Margaret to tea that evening. Similarly, she asked Laura to ask Daniel.

After closing the post office, Dorcas prepared for tea. While she changed outfits for something more formal, Dorcas decided to put on her engagement ring.

That night, Laura, with her vigilant eyes, noticed that Miss Lane and Mr. Cochrane seemed to have something secret about them. It took her by no surprise then, when Miss Lane said after dinner, "Thank you all for coming. I suppose you all are wondering why we are all gathered here. Minnie," said Miss Lane, turning to the maid, "We have all seen you grow up, here at your post. Now it seems that you are embarking on a new adventure. I would like to wish you all the happiness in the world. And now, if you all will indulge me for a moment, I would like to something, rather unconventional. Minnie, you are like a daughter to me, and I would appreciate it if you would allow me to do a mother's part by you. I want you to call me ma, if you so choose, and I want you to feel that this post office is your home, and know that you will always be welcome here."

With that, Minnie stood, crying, for not even her own mother had invested so much in the young girl's life. As Miss Lane embraced Minnie, everyone else raised their glasses and toasted, "To Minnie!"

"And now, for other announcements," Miss Lane said, after everyone had somewhat settled down, "I would like to say…"

"Dorcas, if I may?" interrupted Gabriel, giving Miss Lane a knowing look. She responded with a pleased expression, nodded and then sat down. " I would like to make an announcement. I have not lived long here in Candleford, yet there is no other place I would be so willing to call my home. I have decided to stay here, in town. I shall sell my machine, and I shall continue on in the Forge.

"When I came to you all, I was a broken man. I thought I knew love, only to be deceived by my own blindness. Miss Lane has helped me past all that, and to learn how to truly love. After getting to know her better, I have grown as person. For that, and for the unmistakable love I have for her, I have asked Miss Lane to marry me, and she has accepted."

With that, everyone cheered, and congratulated the happy couple.

"Forgive me, Miss Lane, if I am intruding," said Thomas Brown, "But about the post office, what will happen to it?"

"I have contacted the Post Master General. He knows of my work, and how this Post Office and I are inseparable as long as I am living. Because of my years of service to Her Majesty, and to the Postal System, he has allowed me to remain as the Postmistress."

After dinner, Gabriel joined Dorcas and Sydney in her private parlor.

"Mr. Cochrane, Ma said it might be okay if I called you 'Pa'. Would you mind?" asked Sydney.

"Well now, Sydney, this is quite unexpected. But I would consider it an honor if you would give me a father's place in your heart. Maybe we should wait for you to call me that, however, until you think about how it will affect your relationship with your biological father."

Once Sydney went on to bed, Dorcas and Gabriel were left alone.

"Dorcas, I was wondering, when would you like the ceremony to take place?"

"Oh I don't know, six weeks from now, maybe? I haven't really got that much to plan, and yet I don't want others to think we are marrying in a hurry."

"Well my darling, six weeks it is. And I can hardly wait as it is. I should leave now, before I am unable to. Goodnight, my darling," said Gabriel, rising, and kissing her as he left.

"You know that if it were up to me, you would never have to leave, my dear. I love you so much. Six weeks will go by quickly, and then you need never leave me. Good night for now," replied Dorcas, leading him to the door.

"Till tomorrow, then."

Once Gabriel left, Minnie sought Miss Lane in her private room.

"Ma'am?" asked Minnie, "did you truly mean that I might call you Ma after this?"

"Yes Minnie. I have watched you grow up. I consider you my daughter, much in the same way I consider Sydney my son. I hope you will allow me to love you in this way."

"Oh yes, ma'am! I had always wanted you to be my mother. It seems so strange, that everything I ever wanted is finally coming true!" Minnie giggled.

"I think I know what you mean, anyway, I hope you go straight to bed, and get some sleep. You will need it for tomorrow, it will be a long day," replied Miss Lane, with a certain twinkle in her eye that Minnie did not understand. "Good night child. Tomorrow will be here soon enough. Don't lie awake looking for it."

"Yes Ma'am, Good night."