Send Me the Moon

by wearehopevalley

Summary:

Story starts at the end of season 11. Picking up two days later.

Chapter 1

And now you're mine.
Rest with your dream in my dream.
Love and pain and work should all sleep, now.
The night turns on its invisible wheels,
and you are pure beside me as a sleeping amber.

No one else, Love, will sleep in my dreams.
You will go,
We will go together, over the waters of time.
No one else will travel through the shadows with me,
Only you, evergreen, ever sun, ever moon. 

The leaves rustled outside as the wind blew the curtains. Stepping in front of the window she saw the bright tapestry of colors as the morning dawn was upon Hope Valley. That is what heaven would look like she thought as peace fell over her.

Before Hope Valley, she didn't know what she believed in. Her family didn't attend church even though everyone was baptized. They would celebrate holidays, and birthdays and go to church on Christmas Eve. Prayer was not something she did often. And the time she fell to her knees sobbing uncontrollably asking God to save him. It wasn't answered. For her son, she hoped there was a Heaven.

"I need to talk to you about your late husband." The words still ran through her mind. She had postponed the meeting until this afternoon. Two days after Hargraves had come to town giving her a surprise she hadn't expected. What could he have to tell her about her husband? This year would be the seventh anniversary of his tragic death.

Her eyes welled up with tears as she walked outside. She had the morning free with her son spending the night with her closest friend Rosemary Coulter. Wrapping her shawl tighter she walked quickly towards town. She couldn't decide where she should go as her mind raced. The main street was unusually quiet at this time. Looking between the café and Queen of Hearts she made her decision and walked to the building and quickly inside.

"Can I have a hot chocolate and a breakfast special?" Elizabeth asked the waitress as she sat at a table near the entrance of the Queen of the Hearts. She needed time to herself and if she went to the café her good friend Bill Avery would want to talk.

While she waited she remembered about the bookshelves at the far wall. It had been a while since she had browsed the hotel book selection. She hoped there was something there to borrow as she was an avid reader. The Story of Dr. Doolittle was something she could read at night with her son Jack. Next, she grabbed a new mystery The Mysterious Affair at Styles by a new author Agatha Christie. She signed her name listing the books on the sign-out paper. Remembering how just last year she had suggested that idea for the hotel's small library for their guests.

"Elizabeth, your food is ready." The new waitress she didn't know said as she placed her food on the table. Another small change that made her realize how much time had passed. There was a time when she knew every detail about this place.

"Thank you. How much do I owe today?" Elizabeth asked as she sat down at the table.

"No charge. It is on the house." The waitress smiled.

"Thank you. But I really should pay. Please tell me what I owe for breakfast." Elizabeth asked as she opened her clutch bag.

"I'm sorry I can't accept. Lee has it written in the book that your account is always taken care of. No exceptions to the rule." She smiled and left to greet a couple who had just walked in.

Elizabeth ate her breakfast quietly enjoying the view looking out of the window. She could see the sun shining brightly with the sky a deep shade of blue. A cloud she could swear looked in the shape of a heart across the street. A red cardinal sat on the ledge not far from her window. It was beautiful she thought and smiled as she watched it fly high up in the sky crossing over the heart cloud.

There were only a few hours left before she had to meet Hargraves at the schoolhouse at noon. She left a tip for the waitress and left heading to the library. Keeping busy would help her focus on something other than the meeting. It needed a quick pickup and even though cleaning wasn't a favorite activity it would be a much-needed distraction. 

Time passed quicker than she would have liked. She couldn't believe it was already 11:30 am as she looked at the clock. Elizabeth hadn't gotten as far as she expected. Instead, all she had was a bigger mess. On the table were two large boxes of books that were delivered last week. Piles of books were all scattered around the floor. She had just finished dusting and washing down all the bookshelves. Minor things others wouldn't notice but she liked to close the library for a week in the fall each year to do the deep clean and get the new orders cataloged. After a few more minutes Elizabeth had finished sweeping the floor. She put away the broom and gathered her items. She looked around one final time before locking up. Tomorrow she would come back for a few hours and hopefully finish the rest.

---

 

Looking across the street she saw Nathan Grant, the town Mountie standing on the porch dressed in his serge uniform. She waved and smiled as he waved back. Debating if she should go and talk, she crossed the street towards him.

"Good Morning. How are you?" Nathan asked as she walked up the stairs and stood next to him.

"Tired and stressed. I don't know what to expect today." Elizabeth sighed.

"Yeah, Hargraves isn't known for being the bearer of good news. Would you like me to come with you?" Nathan asked unsure what he should do.

"Thanks for the offer. However, this is something I should do alone. Your history with Hargraves will only make things more tense." Elizabeth turned to look at Nathan looking away.

"He hates me. It goes beyond work. It is personal somehow." Nathan said confused.

"Maybe you should ask him. Request a meeting and try to figure out if there is something else. I am not sure how long he will be in town." Elizabeth knew from her own experience avoiding the hard talks only made things harder.

"That is true. I will think about it." Nathan said cautiously as he saw Hargraves leaving the café.

"I should get going. Just a few minutes before I meet with him." She saw Henry leave behind Hargraves from the café. They were laughing and smiling.

"Good luck. I am here if you like to talk later." Nathan placed his hand on Elizabeth's shoulder for support.

"Thank you," Elizabeth said sighing. She smiled at him and left walking to the schoolhouse.

 

As she got further up the road the mist became heavier something she hadn't noticed earlier. The outline of the schoolhouse ahead was the only clear thing in her view. It had a very mystical dreamy illusion that struck her as comforting as she remembered a memory of herself and Jack and the first promise she had made to him all those years ago.

Don't go.

I'm not going anywhere, Jack. This is where I belong. I have resolved to make this place my home. 

 

The night, the world, and the wind spin out their destiny.
Without you, I am your dream, only that, and that is all. *

Chapter 2

Elizabeth arrived at the schoolhouse a few minutes before noon. The door was open slightly as she walked up the stairs hearing voices inside laughing. As she entered the room she saw Hargraves the Mounties superintendent and Joseph Canfield the town pastor talking on the front church bench.

"Good Morning." Elizabeth said as she walked up the aisle towards the two men.

"Elizabeth, Good Morning. I was asked to join today by Andrew. However if you rather do this meeting alone I will completely understand."Joseph stood up and walked up to meet her. 

"Um, sure that is fine." Elizabeth said feeling a bit of relief for the support.

"Elizabeth. Good Morning. We have never had the chance to be formally introduced. My name is Andrew Hargreaves. It is very nice to meet you." Andrew reaching out his hand towards her.

"I am sorry. I won't be shaking your hand today. You closed the case around Lucas's shooting too soon. I was held up at gunpoint and could have died. Then you have a history with our town mountie Nathan Grant. I don't trust you. Why did you want to see me about my husband?" Elizabeth walked past him to sit on the bench.

"Message received. Business only. I do wish I would be judged on my own actions. Rather than the rumors and opinions of a certain Mountie. As far as the governor, we have talked and that is all I will say on that matter." He moved to stand in front of the bench.

For today's meeting. Your husband Jack Thornton died during his duty. This is service to the community and saving lives with his tragic sacrifice. We will be honoring his life with an award. There are some other details currently being worked out. There will be a ceremony in Hope Valley in two months. I was traveling through Hope Valley and I decided to give you early notice before the official notice delivered in the mail. Thank you for your time today. The information should come in the next two weeks. I will excuse myself." He turned quickly to grab his things and left the schoolhouse.

"That was quick. Why did we even need a meeting today?" Elizabeth shook her head at how much she had stressed over something that was only a few minutes.

"I don't want to speak for him. He sounded like he wanted to meet you today. This isn't something routine from my past experiences. And my guess it's something important otherwise he would have just let the information come by mail. Do you know what else he may have wanted to talk about with you today?" Joseph asked.

"No, I have no idea. Maybe something with Nathan. He was standing next to me when Hargreaves approached me yesterday." Elizabeth was getting frustrated by the exchange that just happened with the superintendent. "

How are you feeling about his message? That award is something rarely given to servicemen. To also have a ceremony will be special for the town. I have heard many stories about your late husband." Joseph could see Elizabeth starting to tear up.

"Jack was a very good man. Almost everyone loved him immediately. We were at odds at first. Both a bit stubborn for our own good." Elizabeth laughed. "I had just moved here from Hamilton to be the new school teacher. I wanted to prove to my family and myself I could do this. Jack saw every misstep along the way. We had the extra weight of the mine disaster. The town was grieving after all that loss. That is also part of what brought us together. We had a common goal to help this town and everyone heal. To remember those lost is one of the reasons the town name was changed from Coal Valley. To bring some hope in from all the darkness."

"God brings people into our lives for a reason. Only time can tell us what that reason is. Your husband will always be a special part in your life. He is the father of your son who will know his father through the stories and memories shared.I understand this award and ceremony may bring up some feelings that you don't know how to deal with." Joseph expressing concern as he could see how in just the past few minutes how distant Elizabeth had become.

"I will be fine. Though thank you for your concern. Also for being at this brief exchange." She felt numb and just wanted to be anywhere but there. The building her husband rebuilt after a fire just days before their wedding. A building that she spent so much of her daily life as a teacher right now just made her feel hollow.

" I am always here if you like to talk. Minnie is also available if you would feel more comfortable with her. I can understand how today is a shock even if it is something good to honor your husband. A bible verse that always helps me is Philppians 4:13. I can do all this through him that gives me strength. Would you like me to walk with you home?"

"Thank you but I will be fine. I just need some time to think about this." She got up and walked down the aisle to the front door. Elizabeth stopped in front of the plaque dedicated to her husband. She brushed her fingers over the name Jack Thornton remembering the day the school was renamed in his honor. His presence was still felt all over Hope Valley which today made her heart ache.

Notes:

I don't have a beta proofreader any mistakes are my own.

Notes:

Sonnet Lxxxi Poem by Pablo Neruda was used in this chapter. The poem is in italics.