Elizabeth sat at the end of the harvest table in a way that she had perfected when she was expecting Jack. After dinner was finished and the brownies were passed around, she started feeling a little cramped, so she leaned back in her chair to give the babies lots of room. But then, she found that she couldn't reach her teacup or her brownie on the table. So she held the cup and the brownie suspended for a little while, and then, without thinking, she simply set the cup down on the shelf that the twins had so thoughtfully provided for her. Her belly.

Nathan was sitting next to her, and while the rest of the group conversed in twos and threes around the large table, he looked over at her with the light of the candles dancing in his eyes. If possible, he was starting to frown and grin at the same time, because he was trying not to laugh as Elizabeth calmly picked up her brownie and took a dainty bite, and then lifted her teacup from the saucer and took a sip.

Finally, he couldn't stand it any longer. "Comfortable?" he asked her, stifling a smile.

Elizabeth tilted her head and looked at him. "I'm going to strap a watermelon around your waist and ask you to go through your day without a few quirks," she said, narrowing her eyes.

Nathan raised his eyebrows. "Oh, I've heard about this. Are we getting to the point where I need to watch what I say all the time? Because you know I'm pretty good at not saying anything..." He winked at her, and she couldn't stand it. She laughed and had to move quickly to rescue the teacup.

Elizabeth's laugh moved seamlessly into a pout. "Nathan, look at me. I'm huge. And it's only going to get worse."

He moved his chair around so he was closer to her, and then bent down next to her head. He spoke very softly in her ear. "You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, and you get more beautiful every day. You're carrying our children and keeping them safe as they grow, and for that I will spend the rest of my life being grateful to you."

Elizabeth closed her eyes and sighed. "Oh, that was so good, Nathan. Have you been practicing that just in case?" she said softly.

He kissed her cheek and then pulled away, shaking his head. "No, it just came to me. I think it was driven by self-preservation, but I meant every word of it."

She sighed and handed the teacup to him. He put his arm out for her and she lifted herself upright. "Two more months? Really?" she said, laughing softly.

Nathan frowned. "We're seeing Carson on the day after Christmas. We might just have him check again. The train tickets can be changed right up to the last minute." He held her tightly at the end of the table, while everyone continued with their conversations. Except for Rebecca on the other side of Elizabeth, who was gazing at them now with soft eyes.

Rebecca reached over and took Elizabeth's hand.

Elizabeth looked at her. "I remember this feeling from when I was expecting Jack. This is when I decide there's no way I'm ready and I want to take it all back."

Rebecca laughed softly and moved closer. "Well, first of all, that boat has sailed, sweetheart. And you were just fine with Jack, weren't you?"

Elizabeth was unconvinced. "That was just one baby, this is two."

Rebecca said, "It's easy. You just do it twice."

That made Elizabeth laugh, and all the tension went out of her face. She smiled at Rebecca. "You're the only person I know who can say that with any authority, so I'll believe you. But it sounds a little too simple to be true."

Nathan took Elizabeth's other hand. "Well, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm more than ready. I can't wait to see those two, to hold them."

Rebecca looked at both of them. "Listen, you're going to need help. What would you think about me coming back down when you get back from Hamilton? I can stay as long as you want."

Elizabeth said, "Really? You would do that? Oh, Rebecca, I can't imagine anyone who would make me more comfortable than you. I know I'll have questions and I hate to be calling Carson every five minutes. What if they don't eat the same things? What if they sleep at different hours?"

"They won't, and they will," Rebecca said, laughing. "The important thing to remember is that these little people may be joining the world at the same time, but they're two completely different human beings."

Elizabeth nodded vigorously. "You see? That's what I need. I would love it if you could be here. Just at the beginning. I know you're busy."

Rebecca shook her head. "Too busy to welcome my grandchildren? Never that busy." She paused for a moment. "Does Hope Valley have a pastor yet?"

Nathan frowned. "That was quite a leap, Mom. Why?"

Rebecca leaned in and whispered. "Charlie and I are getting married."

Elizabeth looked at Nathan and just smiled.

Rebecca saw the look on Nathan's face, which was a combination of shock and confusion. She laughed and said, "Should I have him ask you for my hand?"

Nathan shook his head. "No. I'm... I'm really happy for you. I love Charlie, you know that." He looked at Archie down at the other end of the table, coincidentally sitting next to Charlie. "Does Dad know?" he asked softly.

Rebecca whispered, "Not yet. I'm going to tell him after dinner." She frowned a little. "You think he'll be okay with it?"

Nathan just blinked for a moment. "First of all, I have to say that this conversation is a little surreal. You're asking me if my father will be upset if my mother gets married again?" He opened his mouth and then closed it. Then opened it. "I think he'll be fine, but you should probably ask him."

Elizabeth squeezed Rebecca's hand. "So you want to get married when you come down to help with the babies?"

"Yes," Rebecca said. Elizabeth didn't think she blushed, but Rebecca's cheeks did go a little pink.

"We have visiting pastors, but we're never sure when they'll be here. We won't have one for Christmas eve, so we're doing a candlelight service ourselves." Then she stopped and said, "But Bill Avery can marry you."

"The judge?" Rebecca said. She thought for a minute and said, "That would be fine. Nothing fancy. Okay, it's settled then."

Elizabeth said, "Great!"

Rebecca said, "Great."

Nathan went a little pale and said, "Great."

Elizabeth put her arm around Nathan's waist and hugged him. He smiled and reached his hand across the table. "I'm happy for you, Mom. Charlie's a good man."

As they were talking, Stella had already started organizing cleanup, and Jessie and Allie were helping her. Rebecca started clearing plates. Elizabeth tried to pick up her plate and Stella gave her a look that said, Don't you dare. Elizabeth put her hands up in surrender. "Thank you, Stella," Elizabeth said warmly.

Stella smiled. "Thank you. Delicious dinner, interesting company, and I didn't have to cook. Nothing makes me happier." She took Elizabeth's plate and went into the kitchen.

Nathan and Elizabeth looked at each other and wondered if anyone would notice. Then, very quietly, they stood and walked, without looking backward, to the sunroom swing.

Archie headed out to the barn to scatter the last of the hay in the stalls. It was the only chore he had left for the night, and he thought since everyone was busy inside, he might as well come out and just do it.

He felt so happy for Stella and Jessie being here, and how they'd made friends so quickly. He knew how much time those two spent on their own. With Stella it was either working or doing things for Jessie. And Jessie could be found either at school or at the stables with Sunset. Archie knew what Christmas at Stella's tiny apartment looked like. She did her best, but it was still just the three of them.

So to see them here at Christmas, wrapped up in the love of Nathan and Elizabeth and their friends and family, was a joy to behold. And Archie knew firsthand what a difference the love of this household could mean to someone's life.

Archie looked up from his raking. He could hear the laughter in the house all the way from the barn. He had to admit that there were times when he needed to take himself away because he was almost overwhelmed by it. To go from the loneliness and wretchedness of prison to this; well, it could give a person whiplash.

And there wasn't a moment that went by that Archie didn't thank whatever higher power brought Nathan and Elizabeth together. It was a case of the sum of the two being so much more than the separate parts. Together, Nathan and Elizabeth created a climate of warmth and love that just wrapped you up like a blanket.

"Hey, girl," Archie said to Sarah, rubbing her long nose. "Hey, Sarah..."

"Still can't believe that's the name of that horse," Rebecca said, walking down the stalls.

Archie jumped a little and stepped back. "Oh, I didn't see you..."

Rebecca laughed. "It's pretty dark out here, Arch. You should have Nathan get you some lights."

This woman, Archie thought. All he had to do was hear her voice and it all came back to him. They were both older, and he knew he'd used up every last chance he had with her, but she could still get his heart going.

Laughing softly, Archie said, "And he'd put them in, you can be sure of that. But I'm trying to earn my keep around here, and that might put me in the hole."

Rebecca was standing next to him now, and she put her hand up on Sarah's cheek. "Elizabeth thinks it was a sign. This horse's name?" She looked at Archie. "How do you take it?"

Archie nodded. "Well, I'm not much for signs, but I will admit I'd like to think our Sarah is a part of all this. Allie loves this horse." He smiled at Rebecca. "And Nathan has sure landed on his feet."

Laughing, Rebecca said, "Oh, his feet haven't touched the ground since sometime last year."

"You got that right, Becky," Archie said. Rebecca flinched slightly at the name he'd always called her. No one else ever had. To cover her reaction, she moved closer to Allie's horse and said softly, "Sarah."

They both stood there for a moment. In regret, in grief. They had never talked about their daughter's death. Nathan had been the one to write to his father. Rebecca hadn't been able to communicate with Archie from that day until Nathan had brought them together again.

"I'm sorry, Beck," Archie said, his voice faltering. "I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am. How selfish, how hurtful..."

Rebecca took a deep breath, and said crisply, "Oh, now don't go overboard. We were both a part of this, and we both know it." She looked directly at him. "I may have wished you were there when Sarah died, but truth is, I was such a basket-case that I might not have even known. I didn't think I could breathe another minute. And then I just did. And again. And, well, I lived."

"You're a strong woman. Never was any doubt of that," Archie said firmly.

Rebecca looked at him. "I gather Nathan told you that Caleb came here?" she asked.

Archie looked up with fire in his eyes. "Yes, and he also told me that he was arrested and sent over to the war in Europe. If there's justice, he's explaining himself somewhere other than this world."

Rebecca smiled. She always loved that spark in Archie, and it had been missing for a long time. She was glad to see it back. "I couldn't agree more, Arch."

Smiling back at her, he said, "Well. We agree on something."

Rebecca nodded. "It's a start."

Archie took a deep breath and frowned. "So. You and Charlie. It's good?"

She smiled and nodded. "Yes. It's fine. We're a very good fit."

There were so many things that Archie wanted to say, and if she'd given him even the slightest indication that she wanted him to, he would have. But he knew this look. She'd made up her mind and he needed to move on. And he wanted happiness for her.

"That's good, Becky. I'm glad for both of you," Archie said.

Rebecca stood up a little taller. "And to that point, Arch. I've left some papers in your room on the desk. I'd be pleased if you'd read them and sign them."

He already knew, but he had to hear her say it. "What kind of papers, Rebecca?" Archie using her full name wasn't lost on her.

"Divorce papers," she said softly. "Charlie and I want to get married."

After all these years, it was still a kick in the gut. In truth, he'd expected it long ago, when he was in prison. He'd started thinking she meant to truly make it "till death do you part."

Archie just nodded. He didn't entirely trust his voice in this moment.

Rebecca knew him so well. "I know. I feel the same way. We really did believe it, didn't we?"

Archie took a breath. "We did, Beck."

Smiling, Rebecca said, "But look at Nathan, Arch. And he came from us, so we must have done something right. What a life he has. And we get to just bask in the warmth of it. What a blessing that is."

Now Archie really looked at her. "It's the most unexpected blessing of my life." He reached out and softly touched her shoulder. "I'll look over those papers tonight and sign them. I'll slip them under Jack's door for you when I'm done."

Putting her hand over his on her shoulder, Rebecca said, "Thank you." She smiled. "I'm so glad you're here with them."

"I thank God every day, Becky."

Rebecca squeezed his hand and started to walk down the stalls. Then she turned and said, "Oh, and I'm sure you've seen the loveseat in the living room."

Archie laughed softly, "I noticed it right off."

She raised her eyebrows. "Lot of good memories in that loveseat. I figured they'd just make more."

Smiling, she turned again and walked out of the barn. Archie watched her all the way until she disappeared from sight.