Despite the late night, Ally was up bright and early on Christmas morning. When Nathan told her that they had to take a walk for her gift and asked if she wanted to do it before or after breakfast, he wasn't at all surprise that she said before. So donning their coats, hats and gloves, Nathan and Ally set out across the undisturbed snow that had fallen through the night. Wanting the gift to be a surprise, Ally wore a blindfold as they walked toward town, Nathan's arm securely around her.

"Is this really necessary?" Ally asked.

"Yes," Nathan replied. "I want this to be a surprise."

"It better be a good one," Ally told him, only sounding mildly annoyed. Nathan was sure that her anticipation of her gift was overpowering her annoyance at him.

At the early hour, and with it being Christmas, not many people were out and about. Ally had already informed him that she would be mortified if her classmates saw her being led through town, so Nathan knew she was happy they didn't come across anyone. Eventually they reached the livery. Carefully leading Ally over to where Midnight stood in her stall, right next to Newton, the ribbon he had tied to a section of her main in the form of a bow the night before still there, Nathan brought her to a stop.

"Can I remove this blindfold now?" Ally asked.

"Go ahead," Nathan told her.

Ally reached up and pulled the blindfold off. As soon as her eyes fell on Midnight the joy lit up her face. Nathan thought that it rivaled the expression she had worn last year when he had told her he had turned down the promotion and they were staying in Hope Valley!

"My own horse?" Ally asked, her voice a mixture of joy and disbelief.

"Merry Christmas, Ally," Nathan told her, smiling himself.

"Wow," Ally replied as she approached the stall. Reaching up, Ally said hello to the horse as she reached out to rub her hand along the horse's nose. "Does it have a name?"

"Mrs. Stewart had named her Midnight," Nathan replied. "However, she's yours now, Ally, so you can call her anything you want. It might take a little while for her to get use to the new name but she will."

Ally continued to rub the horse's nose as she contemplated the choice. Finally she looked back at Nathan. "I want to call her Holly Berry. That way I'll always be reminded that she was a Christmas gift from you."

Turning from the horse, Ally rushed toward Nathan and threw her arms around his waist.

"I think that is a lovely name," Nathan told her as he hugged her back. "You do realize that having your own horse is going to mean learning to care for her yourself, don't you."

Ally took a step back. "I will!" she promised. "Can we go for a ride?"

Nathan laughed. He had anticipated that question. "After the church service," he promised her. "We'll go for a short ride before we go fishing, okay?"

"Okay," Ally replied as she turned back to Holly Berry, once again rubbing her hand down the horses nose as she spoke to the mare, this time telling the horse her new name.

Nathan stood for a few moments, just watching Ally bond with her horse. There was no doubt in his mind that he had chosen the right gift for her, and he was pleased that he had managed to keep it a surprise for her. He remembered Allies excitement last year when she had stated it was the best Christmas ever. He hoped that when this day was over she would feel the same way about this year.

Eventually, Nathan knew he had to bring the bonding process to a temporary stop for now, as he and Ally still had to eat breakfast before the Christmas morning church service.

"Okay, so lesson number one is going to be properly feeding your horse," Nathan said, speaking up and getting Ally's attention. "And then we need to head home so we can eat our own breakfast and get to the church service."

"You still need to open your present," Ally reminded him.

"I promise we will find time," Nathan replied before he started explaining how much and when she should feed her horse.


Turning from the stove, Elizabeth brought the scrambled eggs and bacon over to the table where Bill sat with Little Jack in his lap. Bill was currently entertaining the toddler with the colorful soft ball he had brought over for the boy's Christmas present. The multiple colors of the ball were keeping Jack's attention as bounced it and spun it on the table.

"I don't know who is having more fun. You or him," Elizabeth told Bill as she put the food on the table next to the biscuits and blueberry preserves that Bill had brought with him.

"I've got to find some fun in my life. I think being a judge can be harder than being a Mountie, or Sheriff, on some days," Bill told her. Looking to Jack, he said, "time to put the ball away. Your mama has breakfast ready."

"Mama!" Jack said, smiling and waving at Elizabeth.

"Hello, my sweet boy," Elizabeth said, reaching out for her son.

Taking Little Jack from Bill, Elizabeth placed him in his highchair while Bill tossed the ball into Jack's play pen. Elizabeth and Bill sat down across from each other at the table and after a short blessing began filling their plates, with Elizabeth making a small plate for Jack before her own.

"Thanks for inviting me over for breakfast, Elizabeth," Bill said as they began to eat. "I know Jesse and Clara wouldn't have kicked me out, but they deserve to spend their first Christmas together."

"Their first Christmas or not, you wouldn't have been in the way," Elizabeth replied him. "However, I'm glad you came to have breakfast with me and Little Jack. I'm not sure I could have handled a Christmas morning with just me and my son," she told him.

"That won't be for long," Bill reminded her.

Elizabeth nodded. "You're right. Hopefully, by this time next year it won't be just me and Little Jack," she said, looking down at the ring Nathan had placed on her hand. "But I know Ally needs some time alone with Nathan this year, even if she doesn't realize it," she added looking up at Bill.

"I take it you don't want a long engagement then?"

Elizabeth shook her head no. "I realize it's not completely my choice, but I don't want a long engagement. Now that I've opened my heart up to love again, I want to make the most of what I've found."

Bill smiled. "A very wise choice," he told her. "Though I suppose, I'll have to find someone else to spend Christmas morning with."

"Nonsense," Elizabeth said. "You are always welcome in my home on Christmas or any other day and I don't think Nathan would turn you away either," Elizabeth assured him.

"Thank-you," Bill replied.

"Uncle Bill, welcome," Little Jack supplied.

The well-timed phrase caused both Elizabeth and Bill to chuckle, though neither of them were sure if he was echoing Elizabeth sentiment or responding to Bill's thank-you. Not that it mattered. Elizabeth knew that as time went by, Little Jack would be contributing more and more to conversations and those contributions would make more sense.


Rosemary paused in setting the table and glanced in the direction of the Christmas tree where Brian still sat with Bridget and Ivy as the two girls enjoyed their Christmas gifts. All three siblings had smiles on their faces, for which Rosemary was thankful. Giving everything Brian and his sisters had been through, it was good that they were still able to enjoy the holiday.

Feeling a hand come to rest on her waist, Rosemary wasn't surprise to find Lee standing at her side.

"I almost hate to tell them that breakfast is ready," Lee admitted, following Rosemary's gaze.

"I know what you mean," Rosemary agreed. "I feel honored that God chose to use us to give those three a happy Christmas after what they've been through. Part of me wishes that we'll see more like this one, while another part of me realizes that this might be the only Christmas we spend with those three."

"And if it is?" Lee asked.

"Then I'm okay with that," Rosemary admitted slowly. "I knew from the start that this could be temporary. I don't regret choosing to take those two girls in when they needed us no matter what happens."

"I feel the same way," Lee replied. "I also don't want another Christmas to pass in our home without children under our roof."

"Me either," Rosemary said, looking up at her husband. Whether they are biological or adopted, Rosemary knew she wanted a child. Somehow, the sound of children in the home made her marriage to Lee that much more special. She had seen just how good a father Lee made these last weeks, and she had enjoyed being a surrogate mother to Bridget and Ivy.

"Merry Christmas, Rosemary," Lee said softly before pressing his lips against hers.

Rosemary readily returned the gesture. For a few moments, they lost themselves in one another, forgetting about everything going on around them. Coming back to reality, Lee announced that his breakfast of French toast was ready.

Bridget and Ivy broke away from their play and hurried to the breakfast table. Rosemary followed them. Brian got to his feet more slowly and paused to speak quietly with Lee.

"I want to take the girls to our mother's grave after the church service today. Just the three of us."

Lee nodded, a look of understanding on his face. "We understand. It'll actually give us a chance to stop in and visit with Elizabeth and Little Jack a little before Nathan and Ally join them for Christmas dinner. You are eating dinner with us, right."

"Yes," Brian said. "I appreciate you and your wife opening up your home and hearts to us this holiday season. I'm not sure what would have happened to all of us if you hadn't."

"I think it was all part of God's plan," Lee told the young man. "And speaking of God, lets go eat so we're not late for the Christmas morning church service.

Lee and Brian headed toward the table where they found Rosemary helping the girl's decorate their French toast with the syrup, whip cream and blueberries that were at the table.

Lee just shook his head. Though his mother had always told him and his sisters not to play with the food, he supposed on some occasions it was okay. In any case, his wife and the two girls seemed to be enjoying themselves.


Nathan and Ally joined Elizabeth, Bill and Little Jack for the church service. As soon as he saw him, Little Jack reached out for Nathan, who gladly took the little boy. Ally chose to sit on the other side of Elizabeth. Rosemary, Lee and the Petersons sat nearby, Rosemary checking with Elizabeth if it was okay if she and Lee stopped in after church. Elizabeth assured them it was, secretly thankful that her home would be filled with more guests until Nathan and Ally joined her. Part of her was worried that spending too much time alone would trigger a melancholy spell, and she didn't want anything to ruin the wonderful Christmas she had been having.

After signing some Christmas Carols together, Pastor Zeke gave a beautiful sermon. His congregation noticed that the young pastor kept it to the point and shorter than some of his other sermons. When he dismissed the service, conversation broke out around the room. People mingled a bit, taking the time to wish their neighbor a Merry Christmas before heading their separate ways again with a few exceptions.

One of those exceptions was Nathan and Alley. Having already handed Little Jack off to his god father, the Mountie gave Elizabeth a quick kiss on the cheek, promising to see her later. He then wished a Merry Christmas to Lee, Rosemary, Bill and Brian before heading Ally toward the door of the church.

"He really doesn't like crowds, does he?" Lucas asked, standing next to Elizabeth as he watched Hope Valley's Mountie weave through the crowd, barely stopping to say Merry Christmas to a few people.

Elizabeth smiled as she looked up Lucas. "No, he doesn't," she agreed. "Not everyone is a natural people person though."

"Fair enough," Lucas replied.

"I saw you and Fiona sitting together," Elizabeth ventured. "And I saw that she's wearing the combs you bought her."

"I gave them to her last night," Lucas admitted. "She loved them so thank-you for helping me to select them."

"You're welcome."

"Florence invited the both of us over for Christmas dinner," Lucas continued.

"That sounds like fun."

"Anything beats eating leftovers by myself," Lucas said.

Elizabeth laughed. "I bet."

"However, before I go, I wanted to give you this," Lucas said, holding up a package with crumpled wrapping. "Sorry, I haven't quite learned the art of wrapping."

"That doesn't matter at all," Elizabeth assured him, taking the package from him. "Though you didn't have to get me anything."

"I didn't. Not exactly. With Fiona's help I may have made you something," Lucas told her as Elizabeth unwrapped the package to find a square tin. Taking off the lid, Elizabeth found that it was filled with sugar cookies, that clearly were not store bought giving the decorations. "I also haven't mastered the art of cookie decoration," Lucas admitted.

"It just makes them all the more special," Elizabeth replied. "Thank-you, Lucas."

"You're welcome. Feel free to have a laugh over them while enjoying them. I have a new respect for all the hard work that went into the gingerbread houses."

"Excuse me, Mrs. Thornton," a little voice asked. Both Elizabeth and Lucas looked in the direction of the voice to find Bridget and Ivy standing nearby. Both had thin, wrapped gifts in their hand. "We wanted to give these to you before we left. Brian is taking us over to our mom's grave so we can give her flowers for Christmas," Bridget said.

"That's a lovely idea," Elizabeth told the girls. "So whose gift should, I open first," Elizabeth asked, letting Lucas take the tin of cookies from her.

"Open Ivy's first," Bridget said.

"Okay," Elizabeth said, reaching out for the gift Ivy held out to her. Unwrapping it, Elizabeth found a colored drawing in a handmade frame. The picture was clearly supposed to be Hope Valley's schoolhouse. In front of the school house were three stick figures.

"That's me and Bridget standing with our favorite teacher," Ivy supplied. "If we end up leaving, I want you to remember me, though Brian helped me with the frame."

Elizabeth smiled. Kneeling down she reached out to hug the child. "I love it. Thank-you."

Still kneeling, Elizabeth reached out for Bridget's gift anticipating another picture. As she unwrapped, Elizabeth was surprised at how talented Bridget clearly was. Her picture clearly showed Elizabeth's desk and chalkboard, with a woman writing on the chalkboard, her back to the classroom.

"I haven't figured out faces yet," Bridget told her.

"That's okay," Elizabeth told her. "I love it," she said, reaching out to give Bridget a hug as well. "I've enjoyed having both of you in my class."

"We should go," Bridget said, taking a step back. "Merry Christmas, Mrs. Thornton," she said. The Christmas greeting which was echoed by Ivy.

"Merry Christmas girls," Elizabeth told them, getting to her feet.

As Bridget and Ivy went to join their brother, Elizabeth got to her feet.

"You've clearly made an impact on those two girls," Lucas told her, looking at the two pictures that Elizabeth still held.

Elizabeth nodded. "Moments like this remind me of why I wanted to be a teacher," she admitted as she watched the girls and their older brother leave the schoolhouse. She wasn't sure what the future held for Bridget and Ivy, but she was proud to know she had made a positive contribution to their lives no matter where the future took them.