Gustav had outdone himself.

Jack's birthday cake was designed to serve the forty or so guests at the Coulter's, so it was impressive in its size, and of course, it was also delicious. But the main feature on top was a blonde little boy, and what had Jack grinning as Nathan held him carefully over the cake was that the little boy was dressed as a Mountie.

Gustav and Julie were in the middle of a correspondence course that they were hoping would assist them with parties at Le Bistro, on the use of fondant in decorating cakes. Jack's second birthday celebration was the first gathering where they'd had a chance to test out their new skills.

Because of his love of Mounties, bright red always drew Jack's eye, and now he was also very attuned to the shape of the red serge jacket as well. He looked down, gazed up at Nathan, and then pointed to the cake and said "Jack. Mountie."

If it was possible for an entire room to say "awwww" at the same time, then that's what happened. They sang Happy Birthday and Jack blew out the two candles with the help of Elizabeth and Allie.

Elizabeth didn't want all the people coming to Rosemary and Lee's to feel like they had to bring gifts for Jack, and when some insisted, she'd asked them to donate a book to the Library instead. Jack was such a loved little boy in Hope Valley that he had all the toys and clothes he needed already. The family celebration with their gifts for Jack would happen right after this party, back at the Grant farm.

"Julie," Elizabeth said as they cut the cake and loaded up plates to be passed out, "This cake is so beautiful. Did you see Jack's face? I can't imagine how long it took you and Gustav to create this masterpiece."

Julie winked at her, and Elizabeth laughed, shaking her head. "Yes, I know," Elizabeth said, and then Julie said with her, "It's also good advertising."

Julie nodded, her eyes excited. "You know how much I love little Jack. I'm his godmother, and of course I'm happy to do it. But I don't want you to worry about how much work this was, because it never hurts to show the town what we can do." She leaned in and whispered to Elizabeth. "I've already had some requests for birthday cakes, and one for an anniversary."

Elizabeth smiled, proud of her sister. "I'm glad you're doing so well, Julie. I've heard nothing but good things about the restaurant. And even Bill has said it doesn't cut into his business. So it sounds like everyone wins."

Julie said softly, "Bill has had dinner with us a few times. And he said the same thing, that each restaurant has its own place in the town."

They were continuing to push plates of cake down the table to Carson and Faith, who handed them out to the waiting line of guests. Stella made a point of coming around the table to Julie. "This is amazing!"

Julie beamed. "Thank you!" Then she leaned over and said, "And I want to make sure we continue the conversation we were having on the walk over here. Wednesday morning? You'll stop by?"

Grinning, Stella said, "I would love to. Can't wait to see your restaurant," she said happily, turning away to the living room with two plates in her hands.

Watching Stella walk away, Elizabeth smiled. "You're thinking of hiring her?"

"Yes," Julie said, nodding. "She'll need a little extra training. Diners are great practice, but there's another layer of service she'll need to learn. Stella has a lot of potential, and the perfect personality." Julie set out more plates for Elizabeth to fill. "Do you really think they'll stay?"

Elizabeth smiled. "It's going to break Allie's heart if they don't," she said. She looked around the room for a moment and then found Jessie and Allie sitting on the floor near the fireplace with Jack, Violet, and Anna. "Yep, just like 'two peas in a pod' as Archie says."

They continued to cut the cake and fill plates as they talked. Julie looked at the beautiful peach silk dress Elizabeth was wearing and nodded. "You're very lucky to have a best friend who sews as exquisitely as Rosemary." Raising her eyebrows at the considerable rise in Elizabeth's tummy, she added, laughing, "I'll bet that's a moving target."

Elizabeth laughed too and shook her head. "It is!" I'm over here often so she can keep my hems down in front."

Handing her more plates, Julie said, "When was the last time you talked to Mother?"

"Last night," Elizabeth said. "She's having a hard time with the uncertainty of when we're arriving in Hamilton." Elizabeth laughed ruefully. "I keep telling her that we can't put these two on a schedule, and it has to be flexible."

Julie nodded and said, "I'm saying the same thing, so we're coming at her from both sides." Raising her eyebrows, Julie said, "And did she tell you Viola and Lionel are going to be visiting at the same time we're there?" Frowning, Julie said, "It seems quite the coincidence. I'm wondering if Mother is purposefully bringing in reinforcements."

Elizabeth nodded. "She told me the same thing." Raising her chin, Elizabeth said, "I'm still determined to patch all this up somehow and get them all here to visit. How can they support the life we've chosen if they've never seen it?"

"I couldn't agree more." Julie sighed and gave her sister a big smile. "And I know you said that Nathan can take care of himself, but I'll do everything I can to protect him from Father. Your sweet husband will have enough on his mind without having to defend his choice of profession." Looking determined, Julie said, "And that goes for Lucas as well."

Smiling, Elizabeth said, "I know they'll also protect each other. I love that Lucas and Nathan are becoming good friends, and a lot of that has to do with you, Julie. Now that they're concentrating on what they have in common..."

Julie raised one eyebrow and lowered her voice. "...Which is not you," she said, laughing softly.

Elizabeth frowned slightly, looking over at her sister. She spoke softly as well, though there was no one nearby to hear. "Does it bother you, Julie? About Lucas?"

Laughing, Julie said, "Oh, goodness, no. We've talked at length about it. Lucas can see so clearly how right you and Nathan are together, and as far as his former leanings toward you, well, he says it had to do with the same things that attracted him to me. And with me, it's so much more." Julie tilted her head at Elizabeth. "So, I suppose Lucas knew he wanted a Thatcher girl, he just had to find the right one."

Elizabeth sighed and looked softly at her. "I love you so much, Julie. And I'm so glad you're living here now."

Julie looked at Elizabeth, and though they both had cake on their fingers and Elizabeth had a knife, Julie hugged her tightly. "And I love the wonderful family you've found here, sister. So much joy."

Elizabeth laughed, trying not to get covered in frosting. "And you and Lucas seem to be still blissfully courting. Do you see it going the direction we all hope it will?"

Julie sighed deeply. "That man. So surprising. I love him more than I could ever imagine was possible for me. I don't feel at all like running away..." she said, her eyes sparkling, "...the way I always have before."

With his usual perfect timing, Lucas came up behind Julie and put his arm around her shoulder. "What's this about running away?" he said, leaning down and kissing her on the cheek.

"I was just telling Elizabeth that she doesn't need to worry about me getting on the next train out of Hope Valley." Julie turned around and snuggled in under Lucas' arm. "I have something... someone very compelling, keeping me here."

"Good to know," Lucas said softly, brushing his lips across her curls. "But I do need to take you away for a moment. Wilma Lawson wants to talk to you about a birthday cake and she has some remarkably ambitious ideas."

Julie brightened and wiped her hands on a nearby napkin. "I simply love ambitious ideas!"

"I do know that about you," Lucas said, smiling at her. He looked at Elizabeth. "May I steal her away?"

Elizabeth smiled. "You may." As they walked away, Elizabeth turned back to the cake and started to fill a few more plates, but it looked as if the demand had abated drastically. Looking around the room, it seemed everyone already had what they needed.

She felt Nathan come up behind her and he put his chin on her shoulder so he could whisper in her ear. "You've been standing here for a long time. Do you want me to take over?"

Smiling, Elizabeth said, "That would be nice, but there's one thing I have to do first." She turned around and looked at him, stifling a giggle. She really didn't think she could stop herself.

"What's that?" Nathan said.

Elizabeth lifted her finger, covered in frosting, right in front of his nose, and held it there for a moment.

Nathan raised his eyebrows. "You wouldn't," he said with a warning in his eyes.

Elizabeth just looked at him and fluttered her eyelashes. "I think I have to," she said softly.

Nathan was too fast for her. He leaned down and before she knew it, he had eaten the frosting off of her finger. Unfortunately, he hadn't counted on her other hand being just as messy. Before he could react, she'd lifted it and run a sugary line down his nose.

"You did it," he said, giving her exactly the same look he'd given her on that night she'd saved his life at Allie's sleepover.

Elizabeth giggled, and then they both looked across the table. Anna, Allie and Jessie were standing there, getting another piece of cake. Anna and Allie were smiling, shaking their heads, and Jessie was looking slightly perplexed. Allie said to Jessie, "Let's go sit down, we'll explain it to you..."

Nathan and Elizabeth looked back at each other, and Elizabeth picked up a napkin and very slowly and gently wiped the frosting off. She gazed into his eyes, which were very blue. He put his arms around her waist and said softly, "So, after this, Jack's party at our house, and then the candlelight service at church, and then what? When do I get you alone?"

Elizabeth looked down and laughed softly. "In case you hadn't noticed, my love, we're never really alone anymore."

Nathan laughed. "True," he said. He nuzzled her hair, keeping an eye on the crowd to be sure they weren't making a spectacle of themselves. Everyone was laughing and talking in small groups away from the table. No one was watching.

"But I would like you to meet me at the swing after church, because we'll have celebrated Christmas eve with the town, and Jack's birthday with the family, but I have something I want to celebrate just with you," Nathan said, softly.

Elizabeth couldn't stop looking at his eyes. They were so blue she thought she might just fall into them. "And what is it that we're celebrating, just us?"

"We're celebrating my wife. The bravest and strongest woman I know, who on this night two years ago brought a new life into this world in a cabin in a blizzard. With only two friends, melted snow and torn petticoats to help her." He held her close and said into her ear, "You're an extraordinary person, Elizabeth, and I thank God I get to spend my life with you."

They held each other, not caring anymore if anyone was watching. They were between the window and the table and it was half-light. They made a pretense of looking out of the window, but in truth, though no one could see, their eyes were closed.

Right now, from across the room, there were two sets of eyes on Nathan and Elizabeth. Stella sat next to Hickam, and she sighed softly. Mike nodded, and from next to her she heard, "They're something, aren't they?"

Stella looked over at him. "You've known them from the beginning, haven't you? Did you know Jack Thornton too?"

Still looking at Elizabeth and Nathan, Mike said, "Yes. Fairly well."

Looking back over at the cake table, Stella said softly, almost to herself, "It gives me hope that second chances are possible." Suddenly she looked over at Mike and he was staring at her. She realized what she'd just said and looked away, flustered. "You know, it's just nice to see people happy..."

Mike nodded again, a little too fast. "Yes! It is always good to... see..." He trailed off and looked right at Stella. He was thinking that she was very pretty, and on the heels of that thought, he wondered why she was talking to him. They'd had just a few words together earlier in the evening, but Mike figured that meant she'd gotten her fill of his usual awkwardness and wouldn't be coming back for more. Yet here she was.

Stella raised her eyebrows. Mike looked like he was just about to say something else, but it was a long time coming. She just smiled, waiting for him to speak again. He had an endearing shyness, but then he seemed to be able to hold her gaze forever without any seeming nervousness, as he was doing now. Finally, he spoke.

"So, Spruce Grove, huh?" Mike said. Not the most scintillating of conversation starters, but he was feeling proud he'd managed to say anything at all.

"Yes," Stella said, amused by his quirkiness. "It's just outside of Edmonton. The diner gets a lot of travelers from the city. So it's a medium-sized town with a big city feel to it." Mike was looking at her as if what she'd just said was the most interesting thing in the world.

"And where are you from? Originally?" Stella asked him, suddenly feeling a little self-conscious.

"Originally?" Mike said, his eyebrows going up. "Well, I grew up in Quebec City and came out here after I finished school."

"Quebec City?" Stella said, surprised. "This must have been quite a change, then." She looked out at the party and then turned back to him. "So, if you had the chance to do it over again, would you still come to Hope Valley from the big city?"

Mike took a deep breath. He honestly couldn't remember a woman being this interested in what he had to say, which was more than a little disconcerting. And when that was added to her deep, sable brown eyes, it sort of made him keep losing his train of thought.

Finally, he found his voice. "I love it here." No matter what color her eyes were, this was an easy question to answer. "There's no doubt I would choose Hope Valley again."

"Why?" Stella asked.

Mike shrugged. "Oh, I don't know, a million things. The people. I enjoy my job. It's good to be part of something that I value...I guess it's just a pretty nice place to live." He smiled at her. This was now definitely the longest conversation he'd had with a woman in a very long time. Stella smiled back, which made him brave. "Why do you ask? Are you thinking of moving here?"

Stella gazed at him from under her lashes for a long moment. "The thought has crossed my mind."

Oh, my gosh, is she flirting with me? Once that bombshell hit him in the stomach, it took him just a moment to catch his breath. She didn't seem to mind that he just kept looking at her, but he really needed to speak. And soon.

"When's your ticket back?" Mike asked. Not brilliant, but at least he was moving the conversation forward. And he suddenly had a great deal of interest in her answer.

Stella grinned. "Don't have one yet," she said, raising her eyebrows and shrugging.

Mike smiled shyly back at her. Then he got really very brave and looked down at his shoes, saying, "Well, that's good."

Stella looked over at him and thought he had a very nice smile. Then even she got a little shy. She took a deep breath and looked down at her own shoes.

Stella had plenty of reasons to want to move to Hope Valley. But she thought Mike Hickam might have just given her one more.