Faith walked with Carson down Hope Valley's main street, pushing their four-month-old son in his carriage. Little Benny was wrapped warmly against the chilly December weather. A light snow was falling, dusting the tops of buildings and accentuating the Christmas decorations that were going up all over town. Rosemary was in charge of the Christmas festivities again, and she and Lucas were working together to collaborate on the best Christmas celebration the town had seen yet. Faith could see them standing outside the saloon, Rosemary holding a clipboard and talking animatedly, Lucas smiling patiently as she continued to talk with her hands waving in the air.
Faith smiled at Carson. "I'm so excited for the wedding next week!" she said. Lucas and Fiona were getting married a few days before Christmas and spending the holiday in San Francisco for their honeymoon.
"It will be beautiful," Carson said. "I don't think we've had a wedding at Christmastime before. The church will already be decorated, as will the saloon. They don't have to worry about that part of it." He looked at Lucas and Rosemary. "I'm surprised he took on such a large role for the town Christmas celebration with his wedding next week."
Faith nodded. "True, but Fiona has been planning most of it, and Clara and I have been helping her." She smiled. "We have it under control. Lucas has been helping quite a lot too. He manages to find the time to plan both events. Though I'm pretty sure Rosemary has a good handle on the Christmas festivities. It's always been her strong suit."
"True," Carson agreed. "And if I know Rosemary, everything will be bigger and better this year."
Baby Benny gave a little cry, and Faith peered into the carriage. The little boy looked up at her, eyes wide. "I think he's hungry," she said.
"Why don't we go into Abigail's?" Carson suggested. "Then you can feed him and we can get something to eat as well."
"Sounds good," Faith said. They walked the few steps to Abigail's, and Faith pushed the carriage next to the door, then pulled Benny into her arms. Carson held the door for her, and they walked in. The cafe was mostly empty at this time of day, so they settled into a couple of chairs and waited for Abigail to take their order. Faith wrapped herself and Benny in a shawl, then began nursing her son. Abigail walked up from the kitchen, a welcoming smile on her face. "Hello, Faith, Carson," she said. "What can I get for you?"
"Two specials, please," Carson said. He leaned back in his seat and glanced toward the kitchen. "Do I see Henry back there, Abigail?" he asked with a little grin.
Abigail blushed but kept her composure. "Yes, you did," she said matter-of-factly. "He's helping me with the cafe today."
Faith raised a brow. "Henry is helping in the kitchen?" she said. "I didn't know he could cook."
"He couldn't a couple months ago," Henry said, stepping into view. "But Abigail is a good teacher." The pair shared a smile, and Faith hid a smile of her own, amazed at how far they had come. Henry was a real-life redemption story, and he and Abigail had been courting steadily, which had been the talk of the town. Faith was happy for them. After all they had been through, their story was inspiring.
"That's great, Henry," Carson said. "We look forward to trying your cooking."
"Coming right up," Henry said, making his way back to the kitchen.
"Can I get you some tea or coffee?" Abigail asked.
"Tea would be lovely," Faith said.
"Coffee for me," said Carson.
"And can we get a couple of your blueberry scones?" Faith asked.
Abigail laughed. "Of course," she said. "I'll be right back."
The door opened as Faith lifted Benny to an upright position and began patting his back gently. Fiona came into the cafe, spotted Faith and Carson, and quickly sat with them.
"Sorry to interrupt," she said, sounding a little breathless. "But I was wondering if you could come over in about an hour to help me with some last-minute wedding details, Faith. Clara is coming too."
"Of course," Faith said, rubbing Benny's back. "Can you watch Benny for a little while after we eat?" she asked Carson.
He smiled. "I'd love to. You ladies can have all the time you need."
"Oh, thank you!" Fiona said. She gave a little laugh. "Who knew planning a wedding could be so time consuming?"
"Oh yes," Faith laughed. "It certainly can be. But it's also a lot of fun."
"True," Fiona said. Her eyes took on a shine. "And I know it's going to be a wonderful day. I can't wait to marry Lucas. He's such a wonderful man, and I just know we're going to be happy together."
"Of course you are," Faith said.
"The two of you are pretty perfect together," Carson agreed. "We are excited for the wedding. Faith and I were just talking about how we've never had a Christmas wedding before."
"Oh, it's going to be lovely!" Fiona gushed. "Lucas and Rosemary have already started decorating the saloon, with lots of help from the townspeople, of course. And Elizabeth and the children are in the process of decorating the church, and it looks stunning already! They are doing a wonderful job."
"They always do," Faith said. "It's going to be a lovely wedding."
Abigail arrived with their food. "Hello, Fiona," she said. "Is there anything I can get you?"
"Can I get a couple of pastries to go?" Fiona asked. "I'm about to head home to do some more wedding planning."
"I'll get those for you," Abigail said. "We're all looking forward to your wedding, Fiona."
"Thank you," Fiona said. "We're almost done with the planning. Faith and Clara are going to help with final details today."
"Wonderful," Abigail said. "I look forward to seeing it." She left to package up the pastries. Within a minute she was back. "Here you go," she said.
"Thanks, Abigail," Fiona said as she rose from the table. "See you in a little bit, Faith."
"Bye," Faith called after her. Abigail looked at Benny with a smile.
"May I hold him?" she asked.
Faith handed her the child. "Of course!" she said. "I know how much you love babies."
"Do I ever!" Abigail said. "It's been so wonderful being a grandmother to little Violet, and I feel like Benny is family too, just like you and Carson are."
"We feel the same way about you, Abigail," Carson said.
"I love that Hope Valley is one big family," Faith said. "Everyone here loves and cares for each other. This is what a community should be."
Nathan sat with an arm around Elizabeth in the church, watching as Lucas and Fiona professed their wedding vows. The church was beautifully lit with candles and the lights on the Christmas trees. The pews were decorated with garlands of pine and holly, and the whole atmosphere was perfect for the wedding. Fiona was radiant in her wedding gown, and Lucas looked happier than Nathan had ever seen him.
Pastor Owen beamed at the couple. "I now pronounce you husband and wife," he said. "Lucas, you may kiss the bride."
Lucas grinned and leaned forward, kissing his new bride. Nathan clapped along with the rest of the congregation as Lucas and Fiona came down the aisle wearing matching smiles.
"What a beautiful wedding," Elizabeth said with a sigh. "It was lovely."
"You and your students did an amazing job decorating," Nathan said, looking around again. "This place is stunning."
"Thank you," Elizabeth said, standing with a little difficulty. She was at the stage in her pregnancy where it was getting harder for her to stand easily from a sitting position. Nathan took her arm, securing it through his. Elizabeth smiled her thanks. Allie and Opal walked out of the aisle, each holding one of Jack's hands, and they went out to congratulate the bride and groom. Nathan and Elizabeth followed a little more slowly.
"I'm starting to waddle," Elizabeth said wryly. "I forgot about that part."
Nathan chuckled. "It'll only be for two more months," he said. "How are you feeling?"
"Oh, I'm fine," Elizabeth said. "Just feeling like my stomach can't stretch any further, and this baby still has some growing to do." She patted his arm gently. "It's all a part of the process. You're right, it's only a couple more months."
They walked down the steps together, coming to where Lucas and Fiona were greeting their guests. "Congratulations!" Elizabeth exclaimed, hugging Fiona while Nathan shook hands with Lucas.
"Welcome to the married men's club," Nathan said with a grin.
Lucas chuckled. "Thanks, Nathan." He put his arm around Fiona. "We're so glad you could be here to celebrate with us."
"Wouldn't miss it," Nathan said. "We'll see you at the reception."
"We'll be there soon," Fiona promised.
Nathan and Elizabeth walked slowly toward the saloon, taking in the beautiful December day. Elizabeth breathed in deeply. "This air feels so refreshing," she said.
"It's not too chilly for you?" Nathan asked, feeling his protective instincts rising. He thought it felt a bit too cold.
"Not at all," Elizabeth answered. "This feels perfect." She eyed him sidelong. "It probably helps that we're enjoying it together."
"Together is the best place to be," Nathan said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
Elizabeth smiled at him. "Yes it is."
It was only three days until Christmas, and Elizabeth bustled around the house as best she could, getting Christmas tree ornaments out and placing them in the living room. Nathan was out with the children finding a tree for their home, and Elizabeth wanted everything ready to decorate once they got back. Placing the last box down, she gave a relieved smile and went to the kitchen to prepare hot cocoa for her family. It was very cold out and starting to snow, and she knew they would need something to warm them up. She put the kettle on to boil, humming Christmas songs as she worked. Mentally she began going through a checklist in her head of all the things they still needed to get done.
"The Nativity!" she cried out loud. "I knew I forgot something." She headed back to the storage room, rummaging around until she found the set. She pulled it out and took it to the living room. Carefully, she took each piece from its box and set it up on a table. The wooden set was beautiful, carved with love and care. Nathan had made it for her birthday, and she adored it. Once it was set up, she stood back and looked it over. Nodding with satisfaction, she went back to the kitchen to finish the cocoa.
As she poured the cocoa into mugs, she heard the front door open and her children's voices fill the house.
"Mama, Mama! Come look!" Jack shouted, running into the kitchen and grabbing Elizabeth's hand. "We got a big tree!"
Elizabeth allowed her son to pull her to the living room where Nathan was steadying the tree in a stand. Her mouth dropped. "Did you find the biggest tree in the forest?" she asked, eyeing the massive pine.
"Yup!" Allie and Opal said in unison with big grins. "Isn't it perfect?" Opal asked.
Elizabeth smiled. "It certainly is." She clapped her hands. "Now, why don't we bring some hot cocoa out here and drink it while we decorate the tree? I've got all the decorations out and ready to go."
"Sounds good to me," Nathan said. "It was very cold out there. Your hot cocoa sounds like just the thing to help us warm up."
"I'll help you," Allie said, skipping to the kitchen. She grabbed a tray and placed the mugs on it, then walked carefully back to avoid spilling.
"Thank you, Allie," Elizabeth said as her daughter set the tray on a table.
"No problem," Allie responded. She opened a box and carried it to the tree. "Let's get decorating!"
The next hour saw the Grant family laughing and talking together as they placed ornaments and lights on the tree, enjoying the hot cocoa and one another's company. Nathan stepped back and slid an arm around Elizabeth. "This is amazing," he said quietly, watching as their girls helped Jack put an ornament on the tree. He pressed a kiss to her head. "We have each other, three wonderful children, and a fourth child on the way. Life is good."
"Yes, it is," Elizabeth agreed.
Nathan smiled. "I see you got the Nativity set up."
Elizabeth nodded. "I did. It's a beautiful set, Nathan. I look forward to having it out as one of our Christmas traditions, especially since it reminds us what Christmas is really about."
"That it does," Nathan said. Raising his voice so that the children could hear, he said, "It looks like it's almost done!"
"Almost," Opal said, peering into the last box. "There are a couple more in here, but then we'll be done!"
"Who wants to put the star on the top?" Elizabeth asked, taking their Christmas star from its box.
"I think Jack should do it," Allie said. Jack beamed at the suggestion.
"That's a wonderful idea," Nathan said. "Come on, Jack!" He hoisted the little boy over his shoulders, settling him there. Elizabeth handed her son the star. Jack reached up and set the star on the highest bough. The girls clapped and cheered him, and the little boy grinned and ran over to his sisters when Nathan set him back on the ground.
"Great job, Jack!" Elizabeth said. She smiled mischievously at him. "Are you almost ready for your birthday?"
"Yes!" Jack said. "I can't wait!"
"Only two more days," Opal said, bouncing up and down. "Wait until you see what we got you, Jack!"
"What?" Jack asked, wrapping his little arms around Opal's waist.
Elizabeth chuckled. "You're just going to have to wait until your birthday," she said, tweaking his nose. "Auntie Rosemary and Uncle Lee will be coming with Bella and the twins, and so will Uncle Bill and Auntie Abigail, and we're all going to have a big celebration together."
"When, Mama, when?" Jack asked, blue eyes wide.
"Like Opal said, only two more days," Elizabeth said, picking him up. He was getting big, and it was harder to hold him with her stomach growing. She placed him on her hip. "Two more sleeps, and then we celebrate you," Elizabeth told him.
"And only three more sleeps until we celebrate Christmas!" Allie said joyfully. She spun around in her excitement. "I love this time of year! Jack's birthday and Christmas! What could be better?"
Two days later, on Christmas Eve, Elizabeth was putting the finishing touches on Jack's birthday cake when she heard the front door open.
"Yoo hoo!" Rosemary called out. "We're here!"
Elizabeth put down her spatula and wiped her hands on her apron as she went to the front door. "Hello!" she said, grinning at her friends and their children. She gave Rosemary a hug, then bent down to talk to the children. "Allie, Jack, and Opal are in the living room with Uncle Nathan," she said. "Why don't you go see them?"
"Okay!" Bella said, taking Joy and Patrick by the hand and leading them to the living room. The twins were just starting to walk, and they toddled slowly alongside their big sister. Elizabeth could hear the welcome greetings from her kids as they all met up, and she smiled at how good of friends they were. Allie and Opal were so good about playing with the younger children, and it warmed her heart that they all got along so well.
"Where shall we put the gifts?" Rosemary asked, motioning to the parcels in Lee's arms.
"Rosemary!" Elizabeth exclaimed, taking in the amount of gifts they had brought. "We said to keep it simple!"
"Don't worry, Elizabeth, we did," Lee assured her. "I made sure Rosie got one gift per child."
"Oh, yes, these aren't all for Jack," Rosemary clarified. "Though they could have been if you didn't insist on keeping it simple. There's one for his birthday, and then one for each of the children for Christmas, and one for you and Nathan. We thought we'd bring them over today and place the Christmas gifts under the tree."
"Thank you, Rosemary," Elizabeth said. "Why don't I help you with those, and we can get them under the tree. You can put Jack's gift on the table."
"Perfect!" Rosemary exclaimed. She led the way to the living room, and they arranged the presents under the tree. "Now, do you need help with anything?" Rosemary asked as Lee greeted Nathan and started up a conversation.
"Sure," Elizabeth said. "We can get the table set. The cake is almost ready, and dinner is also ready to go. We're just waiting on Bill and Abigail."
"We're here!" Abigail said as she walked into the kitchen. "I knocked, but since the door was unlocked we let ourselves in. Bill is talking with Nathan and Lee." She placed a gift next to the Coulter's on the table. "This is for Jack. Bill put the gifts we both brought for Christmas under the tree."
"Thank you, Abigail," Elizabeth said, quickly finishing frosting the cake. Abigail and Rosemary set the table, and Elizabeth called out to everyone, "Dinner's ready!" A stampede of feet met them, and soon everyone was gathered around the table, talking and laughing. After grace, the adults placed food on the children's plates, and soon everyone was eating happily and chatting away.
"So, Jack," Bill said, "how does it feel to be three years old?"
Jack slurped a noodle and grinned as his godfather. "I'm a big boy now!" he stated proudly.
The adults laughed. "That you are, young man," Bill said.
"My sweet big boy," Elizabeth said fondly. Jack smiled and took a big bite of his bread, chewing loudly. Elizabeth watched him, eyes tearing up a little as she took in how fast her baby was growing up.
Nathan took Elizabeth's hand, giving it a squeeze. "Are you alright?" he asked softly.
Elizabeth nodded. "Just thinking about how big he's getting. It seems like only yesterday he was born, and now he's three!"
"He's a good boy," Nathan said. "I know you're proud of him. I'm sure Jack would be too."
Elizabeth smiled gently. "I know he would be." She squeezed his hand back. "And I know you are too."
"That I am," Nathan said. "And I love him as if he were my biological son."
"I'm so glad you're here for him," Elizabeth said. "He's lucky to have you as his father."
Nathan looked at Jack, lost in thought for a few moments. "I'm the lucky one," he said finally. With another smile at his wife, he let go of her hand and resumed the conversation he'd been having with Bill and Lee.
Once dinner was finished, Rosemary helped serve dessert. Everyone oohed and ahhed over the chocolate cake. Even Elizabeth could tell that it was the best dessert she'd made yet. "Very good, sweetheart," Nathan said as they were all finished.
"Thank you," she said with a smile. She grinned at little Jack. "Now, why don't we all go to the living room and let Jack open his presents?"
"Yay!" Jack squealed, hopping down from his chair and rushing to the living room with the other children. Lee and Bill carried the presents with them, and set them in front of Jack.
"Here, open this one," Bill told him, handing the boy a gift. Jack giggled and tore the paper from the gift. Inside was a set of building blocks. "Thanks, Uncle Bill!" Jack said, giving his godfather a hug.
Abigail's gift came next, a set of bouncy balls. Jack cackled with excitement over them, thanking Abigail several times.
"Now this one," Rosemary said as Lee handed Jack another gift.
Jack opened it, then said, "Trains!" excitedly. He held up two toy trains, part of a train set that Lee and Rosemary had found in a catalogue. "Thank you!" he said, launching himself into Rosemary's arms and smiling at Lee.
Rosemary laughed delightedly. "You're most welcome, young man," she said.
"Our turn!" Allie said. She presented her brother with a box. "This is from me and Opal and Mom and Dad," she told him.
Jack opened the box and exclaimed, "Tools!" Inside the box was a beautiful set of toy tools that Nathan had made with the help of the girls. Elizabeth had helped paint them. "Thanks!" Jack said. He made his way around the circle of people on the floor, giving each family member and friend a hug. He finally sat in the middle of the circle and said, "I love you all!"
Elizabeth held a hand over her heart, taking in the scene and trying to memorize each precious moment. Her heart was full as she watched her son interact with the people that were most important to her. As she watched, she prayed that little Jack would live a full and happy life, and that they would have many more birthdays like this one.