Fall passed quicker then Kate thought it would. Despite at least one of them writing to Jack almost every other day, they only had two other letters from him by the middle of December. The first snow fall came before Christmas, which Bill said was always a sign of a hard winter to come. Rosemary and Clara were hard at work designing Elizabeth's wedding gown. Kate celebrated her birthday with all her friends, Abigail officially adopted Cody and Becky, and somehow Kate felt they were falling into a normal life without Jack. That was until the Christmas tree went up in the center of town again.
"Must that tree be so monstrous?" Kate muttered practically having to step on the stairs to the mercantile as the stagecoach went by. The tree leaving only enough room for the coach to barely squeeze through let alone someone walk along side it.
"My, you are particularly sour this morning." Abigail said walking beside her.
"The whole house was sour this morning, even Rip took my toast off me plate and growled at me when I scolded him, and Elizabeth was so short last night." Kate frowned.
"Usually people tend to be in better sprits around the holiday season."
"Why is there such a big tree in the middle of the road?" Kate asked.
"Weren't you listening to Rosemary after service Sunday? It's a wishing tree, the town put it up this year. Bill and Lee cut it down and put it up this morning."
"A wishing tree?"
"Yes, there's ordainments in the saloon, and the hope is that everyone will write their wish on one and hang it on the tree. If someone can make the wish come true, they do so and take it down." Abigail nodded. Kate glanced over at the few ordainments already hanging from the big tree.
"That's silly" Kate shook her head.
"Kate, you love Christmas, it's always your favorite time of year, what has you so out of sorts?" Abigail asked gently.
"I suppose I just haven't found the Christmas sprite yet." Kate shrugged.
"Well, how about coming in for some hot chocolate and gingerbread?" Abigail offered as they stopped outside the cafe.
"No thank you."
"It's not like you to turn down cookies, are you sure nothing else is bothering you?" Abigail asked reaching out to smooth Kate's hair.
"Yes, I should go, I promised I would help with dinner tonight." Kate nodded.
"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow." Abigail gave her a smile as Kate headed towards the row houses.
"Abigail!" Rosemary waved from down the street making her way over.
"Good evening Rosemary."
"Have you seen how full the tree is already!" Rosemary beamed, she had taken over the town Christmas again this year.
"I did, it looks wonderful as soon as those wishes start coming true" Abigail nodded.
"Oh it's going to be such a wonderful Christmas" Rosemary clasped her hands together looking around. Lee and his men were on ladders hanging up decorations all over town.
"I hope so" Abigail sighed softly
"You are here early" Abigail smiled at Elizabeth the next morning as she walked into the cafe early.
"I couldn't sleep well. I thought I would run some errands in town right when everything opened, try to avoid the crowed town." Elizabeth said pouring herself a cup of tea in the kitchen while Abigail started making breakfast.
"You seem just as grumpy as Kate was yesterday, what is going on with you girls?" Abigail asked leaving the stove and gently ushering Elizabeth into a seat at the table before sitting down across from her.
"I suppose we have not been in the best of spirits."
"I should say not. Yesterday she was grumbling about a Christmas tree."
"Christmas is a week away and we haven't even talked about getting one of our own yet. Oh Abigail I was awful to her the other night, I just feel so short tempered. The children at school are excited and they take everything out of me. By the time we get home in the evening I have no patients left for Kate." Elizabeth sighed.
"Oh now Kate understands, She's just as concerned about you. Christmas is hard when we can't be with the ones we love." Abigail said soothingly.
"I'm trying to be strong, but It's so hard. All I do is pray and worry."
"And that is all you can do. But maybe you shouldn't let Jack not being here ruin your whole Christmas? Surely you girls can celebrate together. Even if it is a quiet year. That's what Jack would want, not you beating yourself up over him being gone." Abigail offered.
"I have been so awful to Kate, we haven't done any of the Christmas things we usually do. She hasn't asked and I haven't offered. I feel like we were doing better since Jack left but, lately it's gotten worse.
"Elizabeth, I think you are being to hard on yourself. It's ok to miss Jack, and still be able to celebrate."
"I wish I knew how."
"Well, you can start by giving me your list, and going back home to find a Christmas tree with Kate." Abigail said firmly taking Elizabeth's basket from her.
"Oh no, I couldn't ask you for that."
"Nonsense I was on my way to the mercantile as soon as Clara gets here anyway." Abigail shook her head.
"Thank you" Elizabeth gave her a smile.
"You are strong Elizabeth, even when it doesn't feel like you are. And remember you have all of us to help you." Abigail said gently giving Elizabeth's hand a squeeze.
"I don't know what I would do without everyone in this town." Elizabeth smiled as they got up from the table.
"Luckily you won't have to find out. Now go on and find Kate" Abigail said. She stood in the window watching Elizabeth leave before putting on her coat. Breakfast could wait five more minutes. She hurried across the street knocking on the door to the jail before going in.
"Abigail" Bill said standing up from his desk surprised to see her.
"I need a favor, a big one" Abigail said firmly closing the door behind her.
"What kind of tree?" Kate asked walking beside Elizabeth as they wondered though the woods outside town. Rip trotted ahead smelling around and barking at squirrels and rabbits that dare peek their heads out.
"A big one, one that will make the house smell good." Elizabeth smiled dragging the ax behind her.
"And we can decorate it, with popcorn and cranberries and ordainments? And peppermint sticks?" Kate asked. Elizabeth grinned, they past week they had both been seeming to avoid anything about the holiday that was approaching. But since Abigail had talked Elizabeth into embracing the holiday season, they had both felt lighter and happier.
"Yes, though maybe we should put them on the higher branches or Rip will have a feast" Elizabeth laughed making Kate giggle.
"How about this one" Kate stopped in front of a big evergreen.
"It certainly is big." Elizabeth said looking up at it.
"Rip likes it." Kate said was they watched Rip sniff around the bottom of the tree.
"Alright, should we try to cut it down then?" Elizabeth asked hardly able to hold the ax up from the ground.
"Yes, can I have a turn with the ax?" Kate giggled as Elizabeth clumsy picked it up holding it out.
"At this rate, we maybe be switching between us every other swing." Elizabeth said making Kate smirk.
"You should have just asked Lee to cut it down." Rosemary cried as Elizabeth told her and Abigail about their adventure the next afternoon over tea.
"Well, we wanted to do it ourselves, and we did. We cut it down ,dragged it home and put it up" Elizabeth smiled.
"And how long did it take you?" Abigail asked.
"Three hours" Kate muttered. Abigail chuckled as Rosemary looked horrified.
"Well, your lucky you didn't freeze to death" Rosemary frowned at them.
"I promise you, if we needed help we would have gone for Lee." Elizabeth said which reassured Rosemary a little.
"So are we getting into the Christmas sprite a little more now?" Abigail asked.
"Yes, thank you for forcing us into it. It seems it was just what we needed." Elizabeth said as she and Kate shared a smile.
"No forcing necessary, I knew it was there the whole time. You just forgot." Abigail gave them both a smile.
"Laura and Anna are coming over to make Christmas cookies this afternoon." Kate smiled.
"Well, I will have to try some, you seem to make them better and better every year."
"Anything is better then the first year when Elizabeth burnt them black." Kate giggled.
"In my defense.. That was my first time ever using the stove when Abigail wasn't home." Elizabeth said.
"If I remember correctly, even if I was home you managed to burn everything." Abigail said making Kate and Rosemary laugh harder as Elizabeth pretended to pout.
"Oh come now, you have green so much better, you don't even need me to feed you two anymore." Abigail soothed her.
"Oh I haven been meaning to remind you, neither of you put a wish up on the tree yet." Rosemary said when they calmed down from their laughter. Elizabeth and Kate shared a glance.
"You must have something you want for Christmas" Abigail pressed them.
"It seems selfish to ask for Jack to be with me at Christmas, when he is working so hard to keep others safe." Elizabeth said softly.
"Well there is nothing wrong with being a little selfish sometimes if you ask me." Rosemary said firmly as she crossed her arms.
"Elizabeth, you are one of the most selfless people I know. You of all people deserve to have a Christmas wish." Abigail said gently.
"She's right." Kate nodded softly.
"We will see." Elizabeth sighed.
"Kate, Elizabeth!" Rosemary called as they walked through town early the next day.
"She want's us to put a wish on the tree" Kate whispered seeing the orpiment Rosemary was waving in her hand.
"Well, maybe if you just put yours, you did want those boots after all, why don't you wish for those?" Elizabeth asked.
"Because that's a silly waste of a wish." Kate frowned a little.
"No it isn't, it's what you want isn't it?" Elizabeth asked. They had stopped a few feet away to talk quietly and luckily Lee had kept Rosemary from coming closer to them.
"But there are more important things in life then a pair of shoes" Kate shrugged.
"Not when your fourteen with food on the table and a roof over your head. You should have to be worrying about such big things." Elizabeth sighed.
"I'll put my wish on the tree." Kate nodded as they continued over to Rosemary and Lee.
"Merry Christmas!" Lee greeted them with a smile.
"It's not Christmas yet." Kate said softly.
"Well tomorrow is Christmas Eve, And you both have to put a wish on the tree." Rosemary said handing them both an tag for the tree.
"Rosemary" Elizabeth shook her head.
"Elizabeth! I will not hear another word of it. Write it down an put your wish on the tree!" Rosemary said firmly. Elizabeth found she didn't have the energy to argue with Rosemary.
"Alright" Elizabeth sighed taking it from her. She and Kate both turned their backs to each other writing their wish on the cardboard.
"Come on then" Rosemary linked arms with Elizabeth pulling her over to the tree as Lee and Kate followed.
"Why is Rosemary doing this? Elizabeth will just be all the more sad when it doesn't come true." Kate whispered to Lee.
"Because, sometimes, good people deserve to have their Christmas wishes come true." Lee said softly giving Kate a wink.
"Well, we will leave you to it then." Rosemary said leaving them at the tree as she and Lee turned away.
"Ready?" Kate asked. Elizabeth nodded as she held up her tag with her wish written on the back of it. Kate held up her own and they hung them side by side on the tree. Elizabeth closed her eyes repeating her wish to herself taking a deep breath. 'I wish Jack was here with me for Christmas'
"I sure hope my name on that thing." A voice whispered right into her ear sending shivers down her spine. Had she not instantly recognized the voice she might have screamed. She spun around so fast finding her face just inches from his.
"Jack!" Elizabeth didn't know if she was going to laugh or cry, she couldn't believe it, he was really here and suddenly his lips were on her's. Kate had heard her cry and turned around gasping to see Jack pulling Elizabeth to him in their kiss.
"Merry Christmas Elizabeth" Jack whispered when they stopped to get a breath.
"Jack!" Kate squealed grabbing his hand and he pulled Kate to him lifting her off her feet in a hug as he wrapped his other arm around Elizabeth who was looking at him like she still couldn't believe he was really here. Jack closed his eyes as he held the most important people in his world in his arms.
"Are you staying?" Kate asked as he pulled back from both of them a little.
"I'm afraid it's only for a few days. I have to go back up the day after Christmas." Jack said softly.
"What?" Elizabeth asked her face falling.
"I was offered the chance to come home for Christmas. I didn't want to miss out on a chance to see you, but I didn't have enough time to write and tell you it was only for a few days." Jack said.
"It's alright, we're just glad your here now." Elizabeth said giving him a smile.
"Did everyone get that chance?" Kate asked.
"No, I think someone here pulled a few strings at headquarters on my behalf." Jack said raising his eyebrows.
"Who?" Kate asked.
"The is only one person in town I know who has pull with the mounties." Jack glanced at his office.
"Mr Avery!" Kate cried.
"We must do something special for him to thank him." Elizabeth said.
"And something tells me he didn't come by the idea all on is own." Jack said nodding to the Cafe where Abigail was watching them from the porch smiling big.
"Abigail" Elizabeth smiled shaking her head at her friend. Abigail's smile told them Jack was exactly right.
"I promised Abigail I would help her in the cafe this afternoon." Kate said turning back to Jack and Elizabeth.
"You go on, Jack and I will come by for dinner." Elizabeth said. Kate glanced at Jack.
"It's alright, I'm not working so all my days here are just for you two." Jack assured her with a nod.
"Abigail made roast for dinner, I'll make sure you are saved a plate Jack" Kate smiled at him.
"Sounds good." Jack grinned.
Elizabeth quickly walked into her row house with Jack right behind her closing the door firmly. They had both been eager to get out of the center of town and away from watchful eyes. As soon as Jack had the door closed they stepped towards each other as he held her in his arms resting his forehead against her's.
"It's so good to have you in my arms again." Jack breathed.
"Prove I'm not dreaming" Elizabeth whispered opening her eyes to look up at him. Jack leaned in kissing her, making up for the months of kissing they had missed. He ran his tung over her lips and she opened her mouth to him. They had never kissed this way before, but they both needed it so badly as he explored her mouth and she moaned against his lips feeling his strong hands on her back as her knees went weak. He was somehow rough and gentle at the same time and they were both gasping for air when he pulled back.
"That worked" Elizabeth whispered smiling.
"I'm sorry I can't stay for longer" Jack said softly resting his forehead on her's still holding her tightly.
"I will just take you for as long as I can. I'm so glad your here." Elizabeth smiled.
"Where's Rip?" Jack asked looking around the row house happy to see that not much had changed.
"Probably out back sleeping on the porch." Elizabeth chuckled opening the back door as Rip came running in jumping and barking around Jack who sunk to his knees laughing as he pet him.
"Hey boy! Hey look at you!" Jack laughed as Rip ran circles around Jack and Elizabeth.
"It's so good to have you home." Elizabeth sighed sinking back into his arms again.
"There he is!" Rosemary sang as Jack and Elizabeth made their way into the Cafe a few hours later as she pulled him into a hug.
"Hey Jack" Lee said shaking Jack's hand giving his friend a pat on the back.
"Alright there Jack?" Bill asked.
"Yes sir." Jack nodded.
"Jack! It's so good to see you" Abigail cried coming from the kitchen hugging Jack tightly. Kate grinned watching them all.
"Abigail, am I right in thinking you and Bill had something to do with me being able to come home for the holidays?" Jack asked looking between the both of them.
"She was struggling Jack. Elizabeth is so strong and brave, but she needed you. If it were up to us we would have asked for you to stay. But I know that's not what you want. You are still needed up north, but you were needed back here for a few days. They both needed you. And they will be alright again after you have to go. We will all make sure of that." Abigail said softly.
"Thank you" Jack whispered giving her another big hug again.
"Constable Thornton!" Cody cried coming down the stairs.
"Hey there he is! Wow look how tall you are" Jack chuckled as Cody ran to him.
"Kate, where did your wish go?" Elizabeth asked as Kate walked beside her and Jack as they walked past the tree on their way home that night.
"It came true so I took it down." Kate shrugged.
"It did? But I thought you were going to wish for those new shoes you wanted from the catalog." Elizabeth said frowning a little. She had the new shoes tucked away in a box under her bed for Christmas and she was really hoping Kate hadn't gotten them already somehow, though she couldn't imagine how.
"No, I wished for something else." Kate shook her head turning to Elizabeth and Jack a slight smile crossing her lips watching Elizabeth wrapped around Jack's arm as he held her close.
"What did you wish for?" Jack asked.
"I can't tell you." Kate bit her lip.
"Sure you can, if it already came true." Jack pushed her a little
"I wished that you would come home for Elizabeth for Christmas." Kate said softly.
"You gave up your wish for me?" Elizabeth asked her face softening.
"Well I knew want you would wish for. And two wishes are better then one right? I mean look it came true. Besides it wasn't giving up a wish, I missed Jack too." Kate shrugged trying to act like it was no big deal.
"Oh Katie" Elizabeth gave her a smile.
"Look at the little wild one trying to act so tough when really she's just a sweet little sister" Jack teased holding out his arms. Kate laughed trying to run but he caught her in one quick stride holding her to him as he and Elizabeth kissed her cheeks over and over.
"No! No! Let me go! Oh my gosh you guys!" Kate laughed trying to squirm away. Jack set her down as the three of them laughed trying to catch their breath in the cold air.
"Katie, your falling asleep sweetie" Elizabeth whispered patting Kate's shoulder as she sat at the floor by her feet. After a big Christmas Eve dinner with Abigail, Cody, Rosemary, Lee and Bill they had settled on the sofa by the warm stove. Elizabeth and Jack on the sofa with Kate sitting at their feet petting Rip. They were swapping stories of Christmases growing up but Kate's head was getting heaver and heaver on Elizabeth's knee. Kate yawned putting her head back her eyes clearly heavy.
"It's nearly midnight, why don't you go up to bed" Elizabeth smiled brushing back her hair.
"Will you come back in the morning Jack?" Kate asked standing up.
"Of course, as soon as the sun is up." Jack assured her as Kate gave him a hug.
"Good" Kate smiled giving Elizabeth a hug.
"Good night" Elizabeth whispered as Kate climbed the stairs.
"I can't get over her, she looks like, God Elizabeth I have only been gone a few months and she looks all grown up." Jack sighed shaking his head.
"Well she did turn fourteen while you were gone" Elizabeth smiled.
"I can't believe it, I feel like I'm missing it." Jack sighed
"Not really, I suppose we can't put birthdays on hold, but we are waiting for you Jack. Especially me, I feel like we took this huge step forward and now I'm just in limbo waiting for you to come back to keep walking." Elizabeth sighed.
"I know, I am so sorry about that." Jack sighed.
"No, don't be sorry, you are needed up north, I would wait for you forever. I just miss you" Elizabeth whispered leaning into him as Jack leaned back. She put her head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her tightly.
"Hopefully it will all be over soon, then I will be home." Jack said running her fingers through her hair. Elizabeth closed her eyes praying it would be true.
"What do you think our next Christmas will look like?" Elizabeth asked.
"Well, we will be married" Jack said quickly and Elizabeth felt butterflies in her stomach at how sure Jack was of that. She smiled against him.
"What else?" She asked.
"Let's see, the new house should be built, we would be moved in there. Sitting by the fire place. Nice and full from our wonderful Christmas dinner you made." Jack same making Elizabeth giggle.
"Who's there?"
"Well me and you, Kate of course. And good old Rip sleeping by the fire as he does best. Abigail and Cody would have just left after eating Christmas dinner with us." Jack said making them both chuckle.
"Who knows, maybe there's a little baby in the cradle sleeping by the tree." Jack said so softly Elizabeth wasn't sure she was supposed to hear it, but that made her sit up with a start, searching Jack's face.
"Or not? I mean that's probably crazy." Jack shook his head his cheeks turning pink.
"No, no Jack that sounds like the perfect Christmas" Elizabeth quickly making him smile.
"I love you"
"I'll write when I get there." Jack said softly as Kate stood on the steps of the row house watching him saddle up Sergeant. The early morning air was freezing as she pulled her coat and shawl tighter around her. Elizabeth stood by him holding another bag as Jack reached for it. Though he was sleeping at the jail still, Almost all of his waking hours had been spent with them in the row house. So he had come here early to pack up this things he had left.
"Can you come back and visit again?" Kate asked softly.
"I'm hoping the next time I come back it will be sooner rather then later. And it will be for good." Jack told her.
"That would be nice" Kate agreed. It was the day after Christmas, as much as they would like him to stay, Jack had already stayed as long as he could. Abigail, Cody, Bill, Rosemary and Lee had said goodbye to him last night after Christmas dinner, which meant this goodbye was just them.
"Come here, I will be back as soon as I can alright." Jack said softly walking up to the steps pulling Kate into a hug. On the top step she was almost at his hight as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"No more growing up until I get back Little Shadow." Jack whispered.
"I'll try" Kate nodded making him chuckle.
"I love you, I will be home when I can"
"Love you to Jack." Kate sighed letting him go as Jack knelt down to pet Rip.
"You keep an eye on our girls alright old boy" Jack said and Rip almost seemed to nod in agreement.
"Come on boy" Kate called softly making Rip follow her inside as she closed the door behind them leaving Jack and Elizabeth alone.
"I feel like we have been here before" Jack said turning to her trying to make her laugh.
"It doesn't get any easier." Elizabeth whispered clearly trying to hold back her tears.
"I know" Jack sighed pulling her close to him. He closed his eyes taking a deep breath. Sometime in the past few years, he couldn't exactly pin point when. He had started being able to draw so much comfort from her. To smell her shampoo as her hair tickled his nose, feel her soft hands on his neck and her smaller frame under his arms. Something about just having her in his arms made him relax and his nerves leave, even just for a minute. He hoped he was able to do the same for her.
"I love you" Jack whispered.
"I love you too" Elizabeth sighed as he let her go just enough to lean down and kiss her long and slow and deep.
"Be safe."
"I will, I'll see you soon." Jack sighed letting her go as he swung up onto Sergeant. Elizabeth watched until he was gone before going back into the house. Kate was standing by the table waiting for her as Elizabeth hung up her coat.
"He will be back." Kate said softly.
"He will, and in the mean time. I want to get serious about planning the wedding." Elizabeth said sitting down at the table pulling out her notebook.
"How serious?" Kate asked sitting down across from her.
"Well, I will ask Abigail to cook the meal, what should we have?"
"Pot Roast!" Kate smiled.
"Pot Roast?"
"With potatoes and vegetables, and that custard she makes. And Chocolate cake, with the raspberry center" Kate cried. Elizabeth laughed writing it all down.