Nathan could hardly believe the judge's words. Jesse Walker's rights had been terminated! He had custody of Ally—and was even her parent in the letter of the law now. He had joked with Elizabeth once about being a parent. But now, he really was!

The courtroom was so noisy. Every one was thrilled with the judge's ruling. People were either congratulating Bill or coming over to congratulate Nathan. But Nathan moved away. There was a person he needed to acknowledge first and foremost.

"Thank you Miss Davenport," Nathan approached Emilee with an outstretched hand. "You have no idea how thankful I am."

Emilee genuinely smiled. "Constable Grant." Emilee took Nathan's hand. "I just apologize that you and your niece have had to go through all this. It was not right. It was not fair. I am only glad that I could play a part."

Judge Greene approached Emilee and Nathan. "Constable Grant, I believe this is for you." Judge Greene handed Nathan papers. Ally's birth certificate. Papers stating Nathan Grant was Ally's parent.

Her Dad

"Thank you, your honor," Nathan choked back his emotion. "Both of you."

Emilee stood up. "I understand that there is a train heading out tonight and I am afraid I must catch it. I would have liked to have met your niece."

"I will tell her all about your kindness and strength. It took a lot to come here I am sure."

"Actually," Emilee admitted. "It was a long time coming. Jesse Walker conned me for far too long. I wasn't going to let that happen to someone else."

Emilee and Judge Greene said their good-byes to Nathan. Next, Bill came over to Nathan. He clapped the Mountie on the back.

"I'm going to make sure that Jesse Walker gets on the train out of here." Bill looked at Nathan. "What are you still doing here?"

Nathan made a move to leave but paused. "Bill."

Bill simply nodded. "Don't mention it. Now go!"

Nathan practically ran out of the room. His heart was the lightest that it had been since Wesley Campbell had come into town. His eyes immediately caught sight of Elizabeth, who had stepped outside and was talking to Clara and Rosemary.

Elizabeth shot Nathan the biggest smile. That was all Nathan needed. He ran over to Elizabeth and picked her up in his arms. He twirled in a circle, delighted by Elizabeth's laughter. Nathan put her down and kissed her lips with passion.

"Now who is doing a public display of affection," Elizabeth blushed.

Nathan kissed her again. "Let's go tell Ally!"

Ally had tried to enjoy her day. She had caught the biggest fish. Opal's mom had made a special lunch of fried chicken. Ally had then gone home and had tried to read a book. But she rarely turned the page or was conscious of what she was reading. She needed her Uncle Nathan home.

She heard the door open. Ally turned to see Nathan walking in, his face red.

"No!" Ally screamed.

Nathan rushed over to Ally. "Ally, Ally, Ally….."

"I can't go away Uncle Nathan!" Ally sobbed. "I do not want to go with him!"

Nathan knelt in front of Ally. "You aren't, Ally Girl!"

Ally did her best to stop sobbing. "What?"

Nathan smiled. "The judge ruled in our favor Ally. You do not have to go with Jesse Walker."

Ally threw her arms around her uncle. "Really!" Ally squealed.

Nathan picked her up and twirled her. "Yes….really!"

Ally broke away. "But what won't stop him from trying to do this again?"

Nathan encouraged Ally to sit on the settee. He revealed the papers that he had folded and placed in his red serge pocket.

"Well," Nathan started slowly. "The judge stated that because your father abandoned you for years, he severed his parental rights." Nathan showed her the documents and allowed her to read them. "It's all laid out right there."

Ally took her time and read them. "So this means he will never come back again right?"

Nathan nodded. "That's right. He can never take you away from me, from Hope Valley, or from wherever you want to be."

Ally looked at Nathan. "Why did he come here Uncle Nathan?"

Nathan weighed what he should say. Did he really want Ally knowing that she was a pawn in Jesse Walker's scheme?

"He thought by having you in his life," Nathan spoke carefully, "good things would follow. He wasn't a happy person. He cared more about money and his lifestyle."

"That's not why you love someone," Ally remarked.

"No," Nathan agreed. "It is totally not."

Ally suddenly got shy. "These documents make it appear as if you are my dad now….is that true?"

Nathan looked Ally in the eyes. "Yes. But nothing has to be different."

"What if I want it to be different?"

Nathan remained silent. Ally clearly was choosing her words carefully.

"Uncle Nathan, I haven't told you this before but there have been a couple of times where I wanted to call you Dad. " Ally looked sheepishly at her uncle. "I mean, you've been like my dad ever since Mom died. You measure my height. You've cleaned my skinned knees. You've spanked me. You make horrible dad jokes…."

Ally continued. "What if I want to call you Dad?"

Nathan's eyes brimmed with tears. "I would say," Nathan cleared his throat. "that that would be absolutely okay with me."

Once more Ally gave Nathan an enormous hug. "You sure about this?"

Nathan smiled. "Yes."

"I love you…..Dad."

"I love you too, Ally." Nathan kissed Ally's temple.

Elizabeth had witnessed this entire scene from the doorway. Her heart was full to bursting as it was but then, when Ally had called Nathan "Dad", Elizabeth had broken down sobbing herself. What a beautiful moment between two people that meant the world to her.

"I have to see Miss Elizabeth!"

Elizabeth heard Ally's statement and she quickly brushed the tears from her eyes. She stepped inside so Ally could see her. Ally practically ran into her arms as well.

"Uncle Nathan is my dad! I get to stay in Hope Valley….with my Dad!"

Elizabeth hugged Ally fiercely. "I am SO happy for you!"

"I have to go tell Mr. Lee and Miss Rosemary! I have to tell my friends!" With that, Ally practically ran out of the house.

Nathan stood up and approached Elizabeth.

"Honestly, Elizabeth," Nathan grinned his crookedest smile. "Her calling me dad was the best feeling in the whole world."

Nathan looked up, realizing that they were underneath the mistletoe. He took Elizabeth in his arms once more. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For standing by me and Ally through all of this." Nathan took Elizabeth's cheek in his hands. The electricity between the two of them was palpable. He had never been this intimate with Elizabeth before and he was all about it. "I couldn't have done this without you. Ally couldn't have either."

Nathan dipped his head down and kissed Elizabeth slowly yet passionately.

"Ally was right," Nathan said when he finally broke away. "I do think this is going to be an even better Christmas."