He saw her before she stepped off the curb.

She was still beautiful as ever.

It had been too many years and yet not long enough to forget her.

She saw him but turned away.

He was still handsome as ever.

It had been too many years but not yet long enough to forget him.

They locked eyes.

And now there was no place for either of them to go so they just stood there, as the crowd of people passed around them.

In all places, they had to reconnect at an intersection of a busy roadway.

Someone pushed Elizabeth causing to catch herself.

Someone pushed Jack causing him to look away from her.

When he looked back up, she was gone.

When she looked to where he was, he disappeared.

And just like that, they were out of each other's lives.

When she entered the boutique she had to catch her breath.

The sales lady asked if she was ok.

She wasn't but she would be in time.

Or maybe she never really had been.

When she looked out the window, the corner was quiet.

Maybe she imagined him there.

No, her pulse racing and her shortness of breath told her that he was very real.

When he entered the restaurant he had to catch his breath.

The hostess asked if he was ok.

He wasn't but after a moment, he would regain himself again.

Looking back to the curb, it was vacant.

Maybe he imagined her there.

No, her bright blue eyes and loose curls that fell from under her hat told him she was very real.

The boutique was quiet as she browsed for what she couldn't remember needing to find.

A hat? A scarf? What was it?

The sales lady asked if she needed help.

More than she knew.

The restaurant was bustling as Jack took a seat across from his future wife.

She was drinking water and looking down at her menu.

This wasn't going to be awkward at all.

When she left the boutique with a hat, scarf and a pair of shoes, she was still unsettled.

She looked back to the intersection to see it empty.

Her pulse slowed a little bit as she walked down the line of shops, wanting to grab something quick to eat as her stomach rumbled.

The salad was stale but he still ate it.

She was talking about her assistant but he wasn't paying attention.

And then she was bringing out some day planner and it got even less interesting.

He looked back out the window at the intersection.

What was he hoping to find?

When she entered the restaurant it was cool and comfortable.

The hostess led her to a small table, for one.

It didn't bother her as she set her bags down and ordered a glass of water.

It was big but not big enough.

He saw her curls first.

His breath hitched for a moment.

She saw his scar on the back of his neck first.

Her breath hitched and never became regular again.

She watched him.

His back was against the chair.

But she knew he saw her by the way he went stiff, deliberate with his movements.

He felt her behind him.

She was starting into his back.

It felt warm and cold at the same time.

His movements were timed, one, two, three.

The woman got up and went to the bathroom.

It was quiet all around her.

She looked down at her menu, not hungry.

The chair across from him was empty.

Now he could look back.

But what would he do?

She wanted to know who the woman was.

But it had been years.

He was allowed another life.

She was alone.

And it shouldn't matter.

But somehow he found himself wondering if there was someone.

But it had been years.

She was allowed another life.

"Jack, don't leave me."

"I'm not enough."

"You are everything to me."

"Be happy Elizabeth."

His eyes found hers first.

Nothing had changed.

And yet everything was different.

God, he was still everything.

God, she was still everything.

"Jack Thornton. Pleasure to meet you Miss Thatcher."

"Likewise Mr. Thornton. Elizabeth, please."

"Call me Jack."

"Jack it is."

"Elizabeth it is."

How long at it been?

He couldn't tear himself from her.

She didn't want to leave him.

It felt so good.

And yet, so empty.

The woman returned to her seat.

And like that he had turned from her.

Again.

He couldn't look back again.

His heart ached.

Her sandwich sat untouched as she tried to look away.

He paid the check and placed the tip on the table.

She stood first, wrapped her light coat around her.

When she looked up, they were leaving.

She was going to be gone again.

Could he bear it again?

He was going to be gone again.

Could she bear it again?

One more glimpse.

When he did, her head was turned and he saw the barrette.

The silvery, butterfly sparkled as the sun hit it.

"Oh Jack, it's gorgeous."

"It's not much…"

"No! It's beautiful."

"Let me…"

"How do I look?"

"Like my forever."

He had to get out of here.

She had to get out of here.

And then he was gone.

And she couldn't hold herself together.

Her eyes watered as she reached for a tissue.

And then she was gone.

As he parted from her, he broke down against the side of the building.

His body hurt and his eyes strained in the light.

"I'm a good man."

"It's not about being a good man, but the right man."

"Sir, I would do anything for Elizabeth."

"Of course you will which is why you will take the money and say goodbye."

The light hurt Elizabeth's eyes when she exited.

The air was warm but the breeze caused her goose bumps.

When she walked down the street, she almost knocked him over.

He recovered, took a breath and adjusted his eyes.

His suit jacket felt warm but he felt the breeze through his hair.

When he made his way down the street, he almost knocked her over.

She felt his hand on her waist.

He felt her breath on his cheek.

It was both awkward and wonderful.

He missed her like crazy.

She missed him terribly.

When he adjusted his suit jacket, he noticed her smile.

When she fixed her skirt, he noticed her smile.

Like old times.

There was nothing they wouldn't do to go back.

"Oh Elizabeth, fancy seeing you here at the carnival."

"Ah, Mr. Thornton, trying your luck at ring toss?"

"Maybe. Want to make a small wager?"

"With me?"

"Sure. You win and I get in that dunk booth."

"And if you win?"

"I take you out. Fancy dinner and all."

"You're on. Let's play."

There was a silence.

But it was comfortable.

It had been forever.

And as she gathered up her things, he helped her, touching her hand.

It was like fire.

When he touched her hand, it was like a fuse had been lit.

It shocked and burned him.

Her eyes were so blue.

His eyes were so green.

He had gotten inside her skin in seconds.

"Tell me you love me."

"I love you Elizabeth."

"Make me yours."

"I am always yours."

"Show me Jack."

"No regrets."

"No regrets."

If they could talk, what would they say?

He grabbed her gently, pulling her close.

She felt his hand on her hip, the other on her back.

He smelled of cinnamon and vanilla.

She smelled of flowers and rain.

Her arms were wrapped around him, keeping him shielded from the passerby's.

What was she doing, this was so wrong.

But no it wasn't.

What was he doing, it wasn't right.

But yes it was.

When she left his grasp, it was empty.

When he let her go, there was a void.

She missed him, wanted him every second of the day.

He yearned for her and yet he couldn't because she wasn't his.

"Congratulations Mr. Jack Thornton."

"On being a Mountie or being in the presence of the most beautiful woman ever?"

"Smart man. Let's go down to the water."

"Perfect."

There was a woman that she didn't know about.

He didn't know if she had someone else.

But she didn't ask as she averted his gaze because it had been too long and she had to get to whatever it was that she was going to.

She was stuck at the point.

He knew he should let her go.

His hand was on hers.

How did he do that so quickly?

It was warm, strong and always fit perfectly, even though he was bigger than hers. Somehow it was always right and could always depend on.

He could always depend on her grace, her charm, her wit. And always her hand. It couldn't have been more perfect as he grabbed it, and luckily she grabbed it willingly. It was her hand when he remembered of everything right between them.

"Elizabeth, your family doesn't approve of me."

"They don't know you."

"Stop, ok? I'm not going to pretend to be someone I'm not."

"That's not what I'm asking Jack, so please don't assume you know what is going on with my family or what I may or may not be thinking."

"I tried."

"Try harder."

"Elizabeth, don't push me."

"I will."

"Don't."

What was the next part?

Where did their story go from here?

His hand was in hers.

Her hand was in his.

Now what?

"Elizabeth."

And with her name being spoken she was right back to the beginning.

"Jack."

And just like that, he was head over heels for her.

When he saw her across the room, she was dressed fancy and he knew she came from money but for some reason, it didn't bother him.

When she saw him across the room, he looked uncomfortable and out of place, but for some reason it didn't bother her.

A friend of Jack's went over to her first, striking up a conversation.

Her eyes met his.

And that's when he knew, that she was going to make his life different from what he thought.

His eyes met hers.

And she knew, forever, there wouldn't be any more dances with anymore suitors.

Was it time for apologies?

To want to know about her life?

Was it time for her to ask who the woman was?

To want to know what happened to him?

None of that seemed to matter.

Because she was here with him.

Because he was here with her.

The rain came down like sheets of ice.

He was leading them through the field of mud and tall grass.

She was screaming in elation as he pulled on her soaked hand.

They reached the abandoned cabin where he pulled in and kissed her hard.

Breathless and wanting, he pinned her up against the cabin wall, moving his hands to her waist, asking for more.

She never doubted his trust or his ability to make sure she was comfortable even when he was passionate with her, which she readily accepted and offered.

Even in a cloud filled haze of need and desire, he kept her safe.

In those times, she always felt one step away from fire.

His hand let go.

Her hand fell back down from her side.

And she wondered what she did.

What she ever did.

How could he explain himself?

There was no real reason, nothing that would justify him walking away from something so perfect.

"Days like this make me want to own a horse."

"A horse?"

"Sure, you don't get to have all the fun Mr. Mountie."

"That's work. I don't ever really get to actually enjoy the horse."

"Well, if I had a horse I would run all over the ranch and heard cattle."

"Well, when I buy us a ranch, I will let you pick out the horse."

"Really, you would do that?"

"In a second."

"When I'm mad at you, remind me of this conversation."

"I'll do my best."

They had said one word to each other.

Elizabeth fixed herself once more and looked at him.

She could look at him all day.

His hair was perfect.

His eyes were bright but slightly grey in the light.

His shoulders looked tight but strong.

And his suit coat was perfectly pressed.

Jack flexed his hand and took a breath.

He could look at her all day.

Her curls were perfect.

Her eyes were bright, blue and gentle.

Her dress was only slightly wrinkled at the bottom.

Everything with her was easy.

It was everyone else that was hard.

Pressure and pain from the outside.

Everything with him was beautiful.

It was everyone around her that was difficult.

Pressure and pain from those who said they cared.

It was almost impossible.

But she thought they could make it.

Weather it, fight it.

"Don't run from me Jack. This isn't goodbye."

"We need space."

"This isn't your choice, this isn't mine. This is everyone else telling us."

"You are young. You don't understand."

"Then tell me! Fight for me, fight for us!"

"I can't!"

"Because you won't try."

He didn't want to be the reason she didn't see her family.

She didn't want to be angry at him.

But when he left her for the last time, she did nothing but be angry.

When he left her for the last time, all he thought about was how her family was the reason he wasn't with her.

And it made him angry.