Hi Hearties,

Sorry this has taken me so long to write. I suspected I may need some time to start writing again and well I did. I hope you enjoy this Epilogue, I found it somewhat cathartic after the finale as this is one way I could have pictured J&E having a happy ending.

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy it.

Epilogue

Hope Valley, Elizabeth's POV.

After I returned home from our honeymoon at Fort Clay, time seemed to slow as I waited for Jack to return. One night, while I was waiting, a Mountie rode into town to inform me that Jack had died. It sent me into a downward spiral for forty-eight hours until I was notified it was a case of mistaken identity. It wasn't Jack who had died after all. Jack wasn't due home for another two weeks, so I took the first stage coach out of town and headed back to Fort Clay.

To say our reunion was blissful was an understatement. When I first found Jack out on the grounds in front of the living quarters at Fort Clay, he pulled me into his arms and I cried. I saw tears welling up in his own eyes and he kissed me like there was no tomorrow. Once my cries subsided he began to apologise for everything that had happened. I of course insisted that an apology wasn't necessary, after all, it was no fault of his own. He nodded in agreement, but I noticed the burden that hung over him from what had happened.

It was then I noticed the injuries he had sustained from the landslide and I regretted that I hadn't been gentler while kissing and embracing him. I didn't think he was ready to discuss the incident yet, so I didn't question him about it. In saying that, I wasn't ready either. I had been burdened with so much sadness that week. I was just elated to know that he was alive.

Jack took my hand and we walked to the Superintendents House where he was still staying, realising that we needed the privacy that could be obtained there. Once we entered, he closed the door behind us and he leaned his forehead on my own before his lips found mine again. He lead me to the bedroom and it was a few moments later I realised the depth of his injuries. As I carefully removed his clothing I gently kissed his beaten and bruised body, before returning my lips to his. He was also gentle with me in his love making, not for himself but because he knew it was what I needed after everything that had happened.

Before I had arrived at Fort Clay, Jack's initial plan had been to return to Hope Valley the following day. The Mounties had relieved him of his duties early after they realised I had received the news that he had died. The two of us were eager to return home so that's what we did the following day. It would have been a wonderful trip home except I wasn't feeling so well. However, I was so elated over the fact of having him with me that I brushed the nausea aside.

When arriving back in Hope Valley we were greeted warmly by most of the town who had waited for the Stage to arrive. After spending time with our friends, who were excited to see Jack and the both of us together, we headed back home.

I was overcome with a sense of security and felt safe knowing Jack was back with me in our little row house. We quickly ended up in the bedroom and spent the evening entangled in each other's arms.

We briefly went back downstairs to eat but I felt too elated at having Jack home to eat. We went back to the bedroom and Jack wrapped his arms around me as I lay my head on his chest. We lay in our new feather bed that he'd surprised me with when I'd returned home from Fort Clay the first time. It was almost midnight and the more we talked about the past few weeks the more Jack realised how unwell I had been while he was away, and he grew concerned. I drew circles on his chest with my finger, careful not to aggravate his cuts or bruises as we both lay in a comfortable silence. Neither one of us wanted to sleep, only wanting to bask in our love for each other. Jack offered to make coffee and we went back down to the kitchen again. After he brought me a cup I realised I couldn't possibly consume the liquid as my stomach churned just from the aroma. I rushed out the front door and stood on the porch as I breathed in the fresh air. By the time Jack had put down the pot of coffee and had rushed after me, I was already starting to feel better.

When he got to my side I noticed the worried look on his face which suddenly changed to one of recognition. I thought for a second and considered what all this nausea and ailments I'd been experiencing could mean. He gave me the biggest smile, his dimples popping, and I knew he'd come to the same realisation as I had myself - we were going to have a baby. He twirled me in his arms right there on the front porch of our row house, but quickly put me down as he realised it caused my nausea to return. His arms however didn't leave my waist and he placed his hand on my stomach and thanked me for making him a Father. I reminded him it wasn't all my doing, and I told him how proud and excited I was to be carrying his child within me.

Jack kissed me passionately and I was glad it was midnight as we stood on the porch for some time kissing just in our night clothes. However, if Rosemary had seen us, I'd suspect she would have forgiven us in this instance.

The following day Jack became very attentive which I initially found adorable. I also found myself being very attentive to him as I hardly allowed him out of my sight. He quickly picked up on this and after discussing it, we realised we needed some time together before returning to work and we decided that this would be a good time to go to Chicago.

Chicago was everything we dreamed it could be and more. Thankfully my morning sickness subsided quickly, and I enjoyed our time there. In time we were glad to return to Hope Valley and things started to return to normal. However, every time Jack left town, I was worrying about what could possibly happen and it caused me a lot of anxiety. Jack became so concerned about me that he even considered quitting the Mounties. The whole time I stood my ground, making sure he wouldn't quit because of me. As hard as it was to deal with the anxiety, I also felt terrible thinking he would quit because of me. My anxiety also caused me to feel I wasn't brave enough to be married to a Mountie as I constantly worried over him. Jack however, informed me of all the reasons as to why he thought I was brave and thankfully I started to believe him.

As soon as we returned from Chicago, Jack started building our house with the help of many of our friends in the community. Even my parents came out to Hope Valley to see the house go up and Father helped with the building during this time.

We were both surprised when our first child Matilda Elizabeth was born in our row house, a few days shy of us moving into our new home. Jack was disappointed with himself since he didn't have the house ready for us, but neither of us were disappointed in the fact we had a honeymoon baby. We never regretted as to how early she entered our married lives. It was quite the opposite, it was such a joy to bring this baby into our family, a child that was a little piece of both of us.

Once Matilda was four months old, Jack found out he had a permanent placement here in Hope Valley. This gave me much relief and we went to dinner at Abigail's to celebrate. Abigail babysat for us that night, however, our romantic dinner go quite as planned. I was quite unwell and spent most of the evening running in and out of the Café with Jack following closely each time. I can't say the night was a total disappointment however, as it was that night we realised another Thornton baby was on the way.

Throughout my second pregnancy I spent as much time as I could on my writing. During the end of my pregnancy I received the news that a publisher had picked up my writings. Jack was so proud of me that I think he was even more excited about it than I was.

Soon after, our second daughter Abigail Grace made her way into the world. Our two girls were only twelve months apart and although they were like chalk and cheese, with Abby being quite the tomboy, they were still the best of friends.

Two years later our son Thatcher Jack Thornton arrived. Jack came up with the name Thatcher much to my Father's delight. Little Thatcher was much welcomed by the entire Thatcher family as were the girls, but I know my Father was pleased to finally have another boy in the family, especially since he'd only had daughters.

Almost four years passed and just when we thought our family wasn't going to grow any further we were surprised to have our fourth child Charlotte Rosemary enter our lives. Although she was unexpected, she was an answer to prayer as we had been longing for another child. Charlotte, being the youngest, became our families' little princess. Her older siblings doted on her as did Jack. She was very unlike her namesakes however and in fact grew up to be more like me than Charlotte or Rosemary.

The children quickly grew and once they were all of school age I returned to teaching full time. Matilda, or Tilly as we fondly called her, went off to nursing college in Cape Fullerton after graduating, but we were pleased when she returned to Hope Valley to work in the now busy Infirmary.

Abby, our little tomboy, surprised us when she decided she wanted to become a designer. She worked with her Aunt Rosemary before becoming business partners with Emily Montgomery when they took over Dottie's business when she retired.

Thatcher followed his Father's footsteps and went off to the Academy to become a Mountie. It filled Jack and I with fear, but we knew it was Thatchers calling just as it had been Jack's and his Father's before him. Thatcher was elated as his first posting was in Cape Fullerton. Jack and I couldn't help but be amused by the irony but prayed daily that he would be safe there. We were so scared and proud of him at the same time and were glad whenever he returned home to visit.

Charlotte was a writer and wanted to be a teacher just like myself. She begged us to let her go to teacher's college in Hamilton where I had attended, and we knew we shouldn't stop her. It was hard to let her go, especially since she was our youngest, but we knew we had to, just like my parents had allowed me when I first headed West to the frontier. We knew Charlotte would be safe in Hamilton as she lived with her Aunt Julie, Uncle Tom and her two cousins, and also had her Grandparents near-by. After completing her studies, she returned to Hope Valley and taught at the same little school house that Jack had built, where we had married and where I'd taught and educated many young minds including my own children. It was nice to have our three daughters here in Hope Valley with us, although we dearly missed Thatcher.

Soon after Tilly returned to Hope Valley and started working at the Infirmary she ended up courting Cody Stanton. He had followed in his Mother's footsteps and was now the Mayor of Hope Valley. Tilly and Cody were married a year later and Abigail, Jack and I couldn't have been more pleased.

Much to Jacks, mine, Lee, and Rosemary's amusement, our second child Abby ended up marrying Johnathan Coulter, Lee and Rosemary's eldest son. It wasn't amusing as such, as we saw how much they were in love, it was just the thought of our long history with the Coulter's. Jack and Rosemary had an even longer history, which made it amusing yet very fitting at the same time. After all, Rosemary was one of my best friends and Jack's best friend was Lee.

Although Charlotte had returned to Hope Valley to teach, we knew she'd had a respectable suitor back in Hamilton who happened to work for my Father. We knew she felt torn between her love of Hope Valley and teaching here and for the man she'd left behind in Hamilton. Jack and I met the young man when he came to visit Hope Valley on occasion and over time we knew our youngest child's heart was back in Hamilton. A place I'd once left, not because I disliked it, but because I was meant to be in Hope Valley to teach, and to be with Jack. We gave Charlotte our blessing and after much tears, she returned to Hamilton to the man she loved and found a prestigious teaching position that suited her well. She insisted however that she marry in the Hope Valley Church, just as her sisters had, and her Father and I. Her husband was more than happy with that idea as he had grown to love Hope Valley which made it much easier on us. Charlotte and her husband always visited Hope Valley in the Spring and every Autumn, Jack and I visited Hamilton to see her and the rest of the Thatcher family that resided there.

Last but certainly not least, it was Thatcher that finally settled down. His initial reluctance to do so likely stemmed from growing up noticing me worry about Jack every time he left town. He also saw how it upset his three sisters and he certainly wasn't immune from the effects of Jack being away either. Thatcher therefore was just as reluctant as Jack had once been to start up a courtship. We knew he had an interest in Olivia Coulter, Lee and Rosemary's daughter, but he never made any effort to pursue anything more than friendship with her. I assumed it was out of fear of dragging her into the lifestyle of having a Mountie as a husband.

Hope Valley grew over the years and the town required a second Mountie. As soon as Thatcher heard word of this he put in a request for a transfer which was duly granted. Jack and I couldn't have been more pleased, and it seemed neither could Thatcher. After being back in Hope Valley for a month we noticed him rekindle his friendship with Olivia and it wasn't long before they were in a courtship. A year later they too were married in Hope Valley's Church.

Years passed, and the family continued to grow rapidly. On one particular day, Jack turned to me and asked, "take a walk with me?" and his familiar phrasing make me smile. We frequently took walks out across our land and on this day we ended up at the log where he had engraved our names in a heart. We sat on the log and looked off into the distance as all nine of our grandchildren played in front of our home. Even our youngest Charlotte had returned permanently to Hope Valley with her husband and children now. My Father had started a business in town and Charlotte's husband knew her heart was in Hope Valley, so he transferred and they both moved into town.

It surprised me that all our children were grown and had still decided to stay here, but Jack reminded me of why we stayed ourselves. It certainly hadn't been because we had grown up here. It wasn't even the fact that it was because we'd met each other here, because we could have moved on in time. We were here because this town and the community of people here were our family and they were now part of our children's family, some quite literally through marriage now.

Jack took my hand in his as we sat on the log. We watched our grandchildren and I reminded him of how much our Thornton clan had grown and he gave me an understanding smile.

"I love you with everything that I am, forever." He told me, reminding me of his wedding vows he'd pronounced to me many years ago as he brought my hand up to his lips.

"I love you Jack Thornton. From chalk dust to eternity, I'm yours."

A/N This fic was always only ever intended to be short as I knew we'd never see a honeymoon and I hope it's also given you some satisfaction to see a happier version of what J&E's life could have been. I will be continuing soon with my fic "A New Season of Love" so please look out for it if you're interested.