Allie was the first to wake up on Christmas morning. She was in the kitchen making breakfast as Archie and Nathan made their way down the stairs. "Merry Christmas! Allie was doing her best to spread Christmas cheer. The three sat down and filled up on eggs and pancakes before they headed out for their traditional Christmas morning fishing. Nathan kept an eye on Archie watching to see how much he was eating. He was thankful that Allie hadn't noticed the change in Archie's appearance.
Thought they usually opened gifts in the morning they wanted to wait until Sarah was with them. Nathan and Archie didn't need to worry about carrying on a conversation as Allie was talking enough for all three of them. "Grandpa what do you think of Miss Sarah?" Nathan rolled his eyes as though he was annoyed but he was curious to hear what his father had to say.
"Well Allie, I haven't spent much time with her yet but from what I've seen she seems like a really kind lady with a generous heart. That dress she gave you was a beautiful gift and very thoughtful. I can see she cares a lot about you and your dad." Archie was still not used to calling Nathan Allie's dad but he was so proud of his son for making their relationship official.
"I know they like-like each other since they're courting but dad's pretty tight lipped." Again Nathan rolled his eyes as he listened to his father and his daughter carrying on a conversation about his romantic life.
"Okay you two. I think it's time we change the subject." Nathan tried to veer them to a different topic. "Allie, did you tell your grandfather about our new land?" That was enough to get Allie's mind elsewhere. She told Archie about the land and the creek and where they were going to build the house. She reassured Archie that they would have a room for him. Nathan promised to take him to see it before he left town.
After breakfast was cleaned up the three made their way to their favorite fishing area. Allie walked a little farther along the water in her attempt to catch the biggest fish which gave Nathan and Archie some time alone. Nathan felt the time was right to say what he needed to his father. "Dad, I wanted to tell you something. I spent a lot of years angry at you for what you did when we were kids. I want to tell you I forgive you." Nathan looked at Archie and saw a lone tear slip down his cheek.
"Son, that's not something you need to do but I thank you. I wish I could go back and change what happened but I can't. I want you to know I'm proud of the man you've become in spite of not having a good role model. I love you son." Archie's voice cracked as he spoke.
"Thanks dad." Nathan wished he could tell his father he loved him but he just couldn't yet. He was thankful that his heart was softening toward Archie. He knew it could only be good for Allie.
The three made their way home after catching five fish, plenty for tomorrow night's dinner. Walking into the house they smelled the delicious aroma of ham and potatoes and found Sarah reading in the sitting room. "I hope you don't mind me coming in while you were gone but I wanted to make sure the ham and potatoes got in the oven. " Taking off his jacket Nathan went to Sarah and kissed her cheek so thankful that she was there.
Allie looked at her grandfather. "See what I mean Grandpa?" Archie winked at Allie.
Waiting for dinner Nathan suggested they open their gifts. Allie pulled the first gift out from under the tree. It was from Sarah to her. "Miss Sarah you already gave me that beautiful dress. You didn't have to get me anything else."
"Allie, this is something I've had for a long time and I really want you to have it." Allie tore open the package and opened the box to find a gold chain with a letter A charm on it. Sarah explained that her mother's name had been Alexandra and it had been her necklace. "I hope you like it. My mother always wore it so it holds very special memories for me. You share the same initial with her so I think it was meant for you." Allie thanked Sarah for the beautiful keepsake.
Allie handed her gift to Nathan hoping he would like it. Nathan opened it and found a set of carving tools he'd admired but never bought for himself. "Allie these are beautiful tools. Thank you sweet girl." Nathan knew they were expensive and that Allie must have spent all her savings on them. Enveloping her in a hug he thanked her for being so generous and finding the perfect gift for him. Sarah and Archie's gifts from Allie were framed pictures of Allie and Nathan from Allie's adoption ceremony. Sarah knew exactly the place in her apartment where she would place it. Archie was equally pleased with the picture and commented how much Allie looked like her mother Colleen. At the mention of Colleen's name Nathan felt sorry for all the things his sister was missing in Allie's life. Sensing what he was thinking Sarah took Nathan's hand and whispered that it was okay. Colleen could see what a wonderful life Allie had. Nathan leaned over kissed Sarah's cheek thankful that she understood.
Allie opened her gifts from Nathan and there was, of course, a pot of dirt. Allie explained their tradition of planting seeds from pinecones found in the Christmas tree and then planting the seedling in the spring. "This year we'll be able to plant it by the new house." Nathan had also gotten Allie a new charm for her bracelet. This year's charm was a teapot to remind her of her first job at the café. She'd also gotten a new fishing net and a school dress that Sarah had helped him pick out.
Nathan gave his father a new fishing pole he'd carved. Archie admired his handiwork and said he couldn't wait to try it out.
Sarah gave Nathan a pair of silver monogrammed cufflinks. He went to the tree and got his gift for her. Sarah unwrapped the box and inside found a bracelet of pearls that matched the pearl necklace she had from her mother. "Oh Nathan, it's beautiful. It will look so lovely with my necklace. Thank you." Now it was Sarah's turn to kiss Nathan without thinking about Allie and Archie sitting there. Allie gave her grandpa a knowing look. He winked back at her thinking the same thing.
Once they were done with gifts dinner was ready for the table. Nathan and Sarah worked together in the small row house kitchen getting dinner together. "It will be nice to have a bigger kitchen next year." Nathan realized what he'd said and Sarah, not missing a beat responded that it would indeed make things easier. Nathan kissed her forehead knowing she'd understood him and they called Archie and Allie to the table. After Nathan said grace they ate their Christmas feast thanking Sarah for her efforts. Allie asked Archie about Christmas when her mom was a little girl. Archie told Allie the story about Colleen as a three year old who was determined to stay awake for Santa Claus. He said every time Colleen fell asleep he would try to put her in bed but she kept waking up. Archie had finally fallen asleep with Colleen on his lap and they stayed there all night but they never did see Santa. Nathan didn't remember that story. He'd been too young. He was glad Allie had a happy Christmas story of her mom and that his father was there to share it with her.
After dinner Nathan went to his room and brought down his guitar that had been sitting in the corner of his room untouched for a very long time. He dusted it off before sitting down and strumming a little. After tuning it Nathan started playing and it was as though he had just played yesterday. Soon he was singing in the rich baritone voice Sarah had become familiar with when she sat by him at church. Archie joined Nathan in an old Irish folksong and it was easy to hear where Nathan got his beautiful voice. Allie and Sarah knew how special it was that Archie and Nathan were singing together. Father and son were singing in unison and the moment was not lost on any of them. As much as she wanted to stay awake Allie couldn't help but yawn. She was fighting sleep not wanting her best Christmas ever to end.
Nathan sent her up to bed and told Archie he was going to walk Sarah home.
They made their way to her apartment reveling in the day they'd shared. Nathan knew tonight was the night he wanted to make his true feelings known to Sarah. He had thought so many times how he would tell Sarah he loved her. Should he do something special, should he take her to dinner, should they be dancing? But when Nathan looked at Sarah under the glow of the light outside her door and he knew it didn't matter how he said it. He just knew he wanted her to know how he felt. Nathan took Sarah's hands in his, raised them to his lips and kissed them repeatedly as he worked up his courage. Then, without overthinking things, he simply said "I love you Sarah Crawford."
These were the words Sarah had longed to hear from Nathan. The words she had wanted to say to him but was afraid it might be too soon. Sarah stood there not sure if she was going to laugh or cry from the joy that filled her heart. She wrapped her arms around Nathan. Their eyes met with intensity and anticipation. Sarah brought her hands to gently frame Nathan's face. She used her finger to smooth back a lock of Nathan's black waves. Her eyes never wavering she responded. "I love you too Nathan Grant." Nathan's lips came to hers with a hunger that made every nerve in Sarah's body feel as though it was on fire. They lost themselves to each other thinking only of the need they felt. Nathan pulled back when he felt Sarah's tears on his cheeks. Opening his eyes he saw her tears falling. His thumbs gently wiped them away. "Nathan these are happy tears, the happiest tears." He thought his heart was going to beat out of his chest as Sarah leaned into him placing her hands on his chest feeling the beating of the heart she loved.