Here's the final chapter to this story. Thank you to all who took the time to review. I appreciate it more than you know. Enjoy!

After her conversation with her father Elizabeth had felt as though a huge weight had been lifted her shoulders. There was a part of her that regretted that she hadn't done it sooner, that thought had she done it sooner Jack would never have doubted her and he would have walked through those church doors whether or not Charles had been down in one knee. At the same time she knew that there was a lot to learn from their time apart and how it had taught them both much about each other, and about themselves. That it was their separation that determined their conviction of their love for each other. She wanted so much to see him and tell him about the conversation she had with her father, as much as she wanted to write him she knew it was a face to face conversation they had to have.

With her mother resting, Julie out on an errand that Viola had sent her out to Elizabeth had some time to herself. She had left her father in his office knowing he had much to do for work before the wedding festivities began and he would be caught in the social whirlwind that she knew deep down he didn't really enjoy. With a book in her hand she sat in the gazebo that overlooked the lake in their property. Growing up the gazebo was one of her favourite places to read and write. Being so close to the lake it was a little too close to nature for her sisters so it almost guaranteed time at the gazebo meant time to herself. It was where her father would always find her. She smiled at the many times they had used the gazebo to hide from some event her mother was hosting. She wanted Jack to see that part of her life. That as blessed as she was to grow up with much, she wasn't all about the frills, high teas and formal upbringing. She wanted him to get to know her family the way she knew and loved them. She prayed that a time would come when they would al just give each other a chance. Most especially her father and Jack.

"Penny for your thoughts," a familiar voice said softly breaking her reverie. Elizabeth gasped and turned to find Jack Theodore Thornton standing there dressed in his Sunday best grinning at her.

"What are you doing here?" she asked still in shock.

"I thought I'd come and see my girl and offer myself as her escort for her sister's wedding." He answered,

"I hope that's okay," he added as she threw her arms around his neck happily. Jack's arms automatically wrapped themselves around her waist pulling her in close and tight.

"I am so glad you are here," she murmured into his chest.

"I was always going to come. I would never have left you to do this on your own. We're in this together." Elizabeth looked up at him,

"Do you remember a couple of weeks ago I left Hope Valley for a couple of days?" Elizabeth nodded,

"I came here. I came to speak with your father. I told him about how I felt about you. About what my intentions are. I told him that I loved you, and that I needed his blessing to continue to court his middle daughter because I knew how important it was to her to have his blessing. That I would do anything to make you happy and how I couldn't imagine a future where you weren't a part of it." Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears.

"You did that for me?" she asked in a whisper,

"I did it for us. Elizabeth, there's nothing I wouldn't do for you. If I thought for a moment moving back to Hamilton, taking a job with your father would truly make you happy I would do it."

"I would never ask you to do that Jack, all I've ever wanted was you."

"I know that, but I also want you to know that I would do it if it meant we got to be together."

"Oh Jack," she murmured leaning her head against his chest once more tightening her arms around him.

"Wait, he gave me his blessing an hour ago. Is that..."

"Because Jack came to see me. As he stood before me I realised just how much he loved you and I wasn't going to stand in the way of your happiness." Her father answered as he appeared. He had sent Jack to the gazebo upon his arrival.

"Oh Daddy," Elizabeth cried walking into her father's embrace.

"I just want you to be happy Beth, and I can see he makes you happy."

"He does," she replied looking from Jack to William.

Whilst Elizabeth went to get ready for dinner she left Jack and her father at the gazebo, both already dressed for the evening. Her head was spinning at the revelation that had unfolded before her. Happy that Jack and William were willing to get to work on getting to know each other. As she descended down the stairs with her sisters he stood at the bottom of the stairs waiting his arm ready for her. She smiled widely at him taking his arm,

"You're beautiful Elizabeth Grace Thatcher,"

"You're quite handsome yourself Jack Theodore Thornton," She squeezed his arm as he dropped his lips to her forehead.

"I am so glad you're here."

"Me too,"

As they sat down to dinner with the immediate family, there was a part of Elizabeth that was nervous knowing the last time she and Jack were in a similar setting he ended up leaving her. Sensing the change in her demeanour he took her hand from under the table and placed it on his leg giving it a gentle squeeze. She looked at him and smiled somewhat hesitantly. Knowing the thoughts that plagued her he leaned over and kissed her temple, his hand sliding down her back.

"Sweetheart, I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. We are in this together. If I am going anywhere I promise you, you will be in tow." He whispered in her ear trying to reassure her. He saw the tears pool in her eyes as she nodded,

"You and me remember?" Jack reminded her,

"You and me," she replied.

Whilst everyone had missed their subtle exchange, William did not. Jack had told him about what had happened between them after Charles had appeared and proposed to Elizabeth. He could see that there were wounds that they were still healing from and Jack's compassion for his daughter only strengthened his resolve that he would support them in any which way he could. She had certainly found the man that would love her with all of his heart and look at her as though she was the sun, the moon and the stars.

After dinner they had retreated to the ballroom. Julie was asked to play the piano. With a grin she began to play what she knew was Elizabeth's favourite song. It was the song that played the first time she and Jack had danced. Elizabeth rolled her eyes at her sister assuming she was teasing her as always. Jack chuckled and held a hand out to her,

"I believe she's playing our song, it would be sacrilege to not dance." Elizabeth laughed,

"Well if you're going to be dramatic about it." She answered taking his hand allowing him to pull her close to his chest. As they danced it felt as though they were in a world of their own, and to those who watched them, all they saw were two people devoted and hopelessly in love with the other.

"I'm here Elizabeth, today and if you'll have me for the rest of our lives." He looked deeply into her eyes as he spoke from his heart.

"I know I said I would wait until you were ready, and I will. I just want you to know, without a shadow of doubt in my mind I want to marry you and that there is no one else I can see a future with. So when you're ready, I'm ready."

"Jack, I'm ready. I've been ready," she answered softly but unwavering, without missing a beat Jack got down on one knee and held out the engagement ring that he had been holding for months. Elizabeth inwardly gasped,

"Elizabeth Grace Thatcher, will you marry me?"

"Yes, of course I'll marry you." Jack grinned like he never have before slipping the ring on her finger before standing to his feet wrapping his arms happily around her.

"You make me so happy," he stated as his gaze held hers,

"And you make me so happy."

Within moments her whole family had gathered around them. She guessed by their reaction that they knew what was coming, she dared to think that they may have been part of the his plan. As her father wrapped her into a firm embrace he kissed her forehead,

"I couldn't imagine another man more worthy of your love Beth. In the short time I have gotten to know Jack from when he came to see me, to watching him all afternoon with you, there's not a shadow of doubt in my mind that he loves you in a way I had always hoped and prayed for you girls. I'm so sorry that I didn't give him a chance."

"Thank you Daddy, that means the world to me."

That evening before they retired to bed Jack and Elizabeth had gone for a short walk and ended up back at the gazebo. The rest of their evening had gone well, she could see that they were all warming to Jack, her parents most of all.

"Thank you Jack," Elizabeth said as they sat side by side watching the moonlight, her head leaning on his shoulder as his arm was draped around her shoulder as she snuggled into him.

"For what Sweetheart?"

"For knowing how important it was for me to have their blessing, for coming here and talking to my father before I came. For loving me that much,"

"There's nothing I wouldn't do for you Elizabeth,"

"I know, that goes both ways too you know."

"I do Sweetheart," he promised.

"Good, because we're in this together."