Elizabeth rubbed her eyes as she slowly awoke. Her night's slumber had been a peaceful one. Even though she hadn't shared her bed with anyone in a long time, Ally's presence had not been an issue for Elizabeth. That girl had been out like a light once Nathan had brought her upstairs; she had stayed that way the entire night. Elizabeth had not fallen asleep so quickly. The knowledge that Nathan was downstairs had filled her with happiness and desire. Perhaps she would need to discuss with her beloved Mountie the merits of a short engagement.
Elizabeth kissed the top of Ally's head. The young girl stirred momentarily but clearly, Ally was not ready to be woken from her reverie. If she and even Little Jack wanted to still leap, Elizabeth was not bound to complain. It was going to be a wonderful and exciting, albeit exhausting, day.
Elizabeth donned her maroon robe and slipped into the new slippers from her mother. She peeked into Little Jack's room before walking downstairs. Sure enough, her son was peacefully sleeping. Elizabeth could hardly wait for him to open presents. As a two year old, Little Jack was more aware of packages and presents and toys.
Elizabeth took the stairs slowly, savoring the quiet and peace. Her face broke into a smile as she saw Nathan standing with his back turned towards her. He wore a pair of blue striped pajamas and his hair was slightly askew. Nathan looked ever so attractive even while doing a simple task like starting the fire. It was such a normal chore that needed to be done. But here he was. Elizabeth felt Nathan's care and concern for every person in this house.
Elizabeth approached Nathan and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her cheek on his back. "Is this a dream?"
Nathan sucked in a breath. "No, it isn't a dream." He turned around, meeting Elizabeth's loving gaze with one of his own. Elizabeth lifted her arms and looped them around Nathan's neck. "Lizabeth, this is very much reality." He lowered his head and met Elizabeth's lips with his own. The kiss deepened as Nathan's hands cupped her cheeks. He consciously made that decision as he was very aware of Elizabeth being a dressing gown.
The two remained in this position for a while, neither wanting to separate for the kiss and embrace. Finally, Elizabeth came up for air.
"Where's Bill?" Elizabeth looked around. "He must not be here or that certainly would not have happened."
Nathan chuckled. "As he will undoubtedly broadcast many times todays, Bill had a terrible night sleep." Nathan ran his fingers through his hair. "For a man who sleeps outside and prides himself on being a tough individual, when it comes to the indoors, he likes his creature comforts. He kept tossing and turning all night. I even slept better than he did. Bill said he needed to walk around town to stretch his back. He also said he would come back after breakfast."
"After breakfast?" Elizabeth questioned.
"Bill said we should enjoy a family Christmas morning, just us four." Nathan once more kissed Elizabeth, kissing her lips, her nose, her cheeks. "But right now, it seems as if it is just you and I awake."
Elizabeth smiled. "I think so."
Nathan led Elizabeth to the couch. She settled into the crook of his arm and rested her head against him once more. "I could get used to this."
Nathan kissed her hair. "I could too."
"I thought about it last night," Elizabeth admitted. "I thought about you and me beginning our lives together. Of sharing breakfast and early morning coffee together as we see the sunrise."
"Oh!" Nathan sprang up from the couch, causing Elizabeth to fall back into the cushions. Nathan momentarily returned with two cups of coffee.
"Did you read my mind?" Elizabeth closed her eyes and breathed in the smell of coffee and cream.
"Let's just say I have pictured moments like this too," Nathan smiled. He reached down and grabbed two packages from underneath the tree. "How would you feel about you and I having our own Christmas?"
Elizabeth's eyes glazed with tears. How crazy it was that two years earlier, she had been so sad. Jack had been born but she had felt the absence of his father. Now, she had found a man who loved Jack's son as if he was his own. Elizabeth had found a man whose love and romanticism continued to amaze her. Nathan had already given her a plaque and had put a ring on her finger. What else could he possibly have done?
"I like that idea very much," Elizabeth responded.
She set her coffee cup down and looked at the two packages Nathan had placed in her lap. She slowly undid the blue ribbon and peeled back the brown paper. Elizabeth's face broke into a grin.
"What is it?" Nathan questioned.
Elizabeth picked up another wrapped package from the tree. "Open this and you will see."
Nathan gave a curious glance but did as she asked. Nathan opened the decorative lid and laughed at its contents.
"Carson's picture," Nathan and Elizabeth said simultaneously.
Both of them reflected on the circumstances surrounding the picture being taken. It had been at Clara and Jesse's wedding and Nathan and Elizabeth had just talked about Robert deciding against joining the Mounties. Carson, having been charged with the photography, had come around and had asked them to get together. The picture had been branded a keeper. It was obvious, now, that both Nathan and Elizabeth believed it to be so.
"You have no idea what I was thinking when Carson was taking that picture." Nathan looked down at the photograph Elizabeth had framed for him.
"What were you thinking, Mr. Grant," Elizabeth teased.
"I had been blown away by how beautiful you looked at the wedding. I could not take my eyes off of you," Nathan's blue eyes met Elizabeth's. "I was a little stunned that you and I could have a normal conversation about Robert and the Mounties. All I wanted to do was ask you out on a date but it wasn't the time. Plus Carson would have interrupted me anyway."
Elizabeth laughed. "He probably would have. You do have a track record for being interrupted as we have discussed." Elizabeth looked down at Nathan's gift. The frame folded up so that there was a place for a second photo. "You left a spot empty."
"I was thinking," Nathan swallowed., "that you could put our wedding photo in there."
Elizabeth grinned broadly. "I love that thought."
"Open the next one," Nathan encouraged.
Elizabeth moved to slowly open the next beautifully wrapped package. She lifted out the charm bracelet. "Oh Nathan, it is beautiful!"
Nathan's eyes widened. "You really do like it?"
Elizabeth kissed him in response. "I love it. Would you put it on me?"
Nathan worked the clasp. "All Grant women have worn them, including my mom. I wanted you to feel a part of my family in some small way."
Elizabeth looked down at the charms. There was an apple for being a teacher. There was a book which was symbolic of her own writing. There was a heart. And there was a little church. Elizabeth looked at Nathan questioningly.
"I want you to have a reminder of what Jack built for you and for this town no matter where you might go in life," Nathan caressed Elizabeth's cheek once more. Elizabeth could hardly believe Nathan's thoughtfulness. Not many men would be so understanding of Jack's impact in her life.
"Ally and I will have matching bracelets," Elizabeth wiped the tears away from her eyes. "I love that so much." Elizabeth shifted so she could face Nathan. "It's your turn now." Elizabeth grabbed another package from behind the tree.
Nathan unwrapped it and stared, his eyes not believing what he saw. Elizabeth's manuscript A Single Mother on the Frontier was nicely wrapped and tied with a red satin ribbon.
"It's the whole book," Elizabeth interjected. "I owe the whole resurgence in my writing to you." Elizabeth grabbed Nathan's hand. "You asked me what was in my heart. At the time, there were so many things—Baby Jack, a man who was the combination of you and Lucas. I just sat down and wrote never imaging this would be published. Whether or not it actually happens doesn't matter. But what does matter, my dear Nathan, is you reading my heart."
Elizabeth's lips grazed Nathan's. "It is yours, Nathan Grant. In so many ways."
Nathan took Elizabeth in her arms and kissed her once more. "Lizabeth, this means so much to me. Thank you. I cannot wait to see where Luther Brandt ends up."
Elizabeth winked. "It won't be that much of a surprise."
The two settled into comfortable silence in each other's arms. Elizabeth sipped her coffee and Nathan began reading Elizabeth's book. It felt normal and natural and neither wanted to be anywhere else in the world.
"You're up!" A voice broke them from their quiet. Ally stood at the top of the stairs with Jack by her side. They both came charging down the stairs and into their parent's waiting arms. Just where they all wanted to be.
