When they returned to their hotel room, Gabe's heart was full. Though he wasn't necessarily a convert to ballet fandom, seeing the delight on Colleen's face had been entirely worth the trip.

They began readying themselves for bed. Gabe changed into his pajamas in the room while Colleen headed for the bathroom. It was just like their nightly routine at home. He began to fold his day clothes, placing them neatly in his suitcase. He smiled, realizing that Colleen was turning him into a cleaner person. Never before would he have folded his dirty clothes before putting them in a travel bag.

A door opened, telling him Colleen was finished changing. He turned, about to ask her what time she wanted to leave in the morning, when he stopped in his tracks.

Colleen was wearing a nightgown he'd never seen before, one clearly designed to accentuate her body and provoke desire. Her hair was free from its pins, brushed and hanging softly over her shoulders in a cloud of honey curls. She was breathtakingly beautiful.

She walked toward him slowly, her eyes locked on his. Gabe was frozen in place. When she reached him, she placed her hands on his hips, then slowly ran them up his body until they rested against his chest. There was a clear invitation in her eyes.

He couldn't breathe. His heart hammered in his chest as he responded to her invitation, wrapping his arms around her and lowering his head to kiss her. It built quickly, igniting Gabe's body and creating an aching desire inside. He pulled back slightly, needing to be sure this was what Colleen wanted before things went any further. She gazed up at him with a love that turned him to mush.

He framed her face in his shaking hands. "Are you sure you're ready for this?" he asked.

She nodded. "Yes." Her voice was steady, but there was a slight hesitancy in her eyes that made Gabe pause.

"What is it?" he asked gently.

Colleen let out a small sigh. "I love you, Gabe. I'm ready to take this final step to make this a full marriage. But I can't deny that I'm nervous." She looked down. "In the past, this hasn't always been a pleasant experience for me, especially with Dylan. He made me feel like an object, something to be used when it suited his fancy. Sometimes he hurt me, though I don't think the physical pain was intentional. He was only focused on himself." Her eyes met his once more. "I know this will be different. I know that you love me and value me as a person, not as an object of pleasure. But even knowing that, I can't quite shake these fears."

Gabe's heart went out to his wife. She had been used and abused for so long. No more. He had made it his personal mission to ensure that she never, ever felt that way again.

Leaning down, he kissed her tenderly. Her response heartened him. When his lips broke from hers briefly, he nuzzled her cheek with his nose. "We can take this slow tonight," he whispered softly. "I want you to feel safe and comfortable with me, and I also want you to feel pleasure instead of pain. I want you to feel loved." His lips found hers once more. "Do you trust me, Colleen?"

She looked up at him, her arms sliding around him to hold him close. Her eyes softened as she gazed at him. "Yes."

That was all he needed to know.

Dinner that night was excellent. Nathan had perfected the art of frying fish, and Elizabeth was thankful. She'd eaten more than usual and was rather full, but it had been worth it. After dinner and washing up, Nathan built a cozy fire and told funny stories to Allie. Elizabeth listened, amazed at his ability to make up a story on the spot. Allie loved it. She kept asking for more, though she began rubbing her eyes in a clear display of exhaustion. It had been a big day for her. Elizabeth knew she would likely sleep through the night without a problem.

"Moe stowy?" Allie asked sleepily.

Nathan shook his head. "I think it's time for a certain little lady to go to bed," he told her. "Come on, Allie." He lifted her into his arms. Allie rested a head against his shoulder, her thumb in her mouth as her eyes drifted closed. He looked at Elizabeth. "I'll be back soon."

She nodded. "I'll get Daisy ready for bed."

He smiled. "Thank you."

"My pleasure," she replied.

They both headed for the stairs. Nathan looked surprised for a moment, then chuckled as he realized the girls shared a room and that getting Daisy ready for bed meant Elizabeth being in the room with him and Allie. He slipped an arm around her shoulders. "This will be our life someday," he said softly, giving her a tender smile.

She smiled back. "So…summer wedding?"

Nathan laughed quietly. "I need to ask you first," he teased.

"It can be any day now," Elizabeth teased back. "So…Christmas proposal?"

Nathan's laughter rang out, startling Allie. The little girl put a hand over the ear not lying against his shoulder. "Too woud, Unca Na'tan," she protested.

"Sorry, sweet girl," he said, lowering his voice.

When they reached the room, Nathan began the process of getting Allie ready for bed while Elizabeth did the same for Daisy. Once the baby was changed and in her pajamas, she started fussing lightly.

"Let me take her," Nathan said, reaching for Daisy. "Allie is asking for you to tuck her in."

Elizabeth handed him the baby, then went to the bed and lifted the covers over Allie. "Is that okay?" she asked.

Allie nodded. "Wub my back?" she asked.

Elizabeth sat beside the small bed. She leaned against it as she slowly rubbed a hand up and down Allie's back. Nathan had made himself comfortable in the rocker, and Daisy's cries slowly faded away when he began to sing. Elizabeth watched, awestruck, as Nathan's soothing voice lulled Daisy to sleep.

It had the same effect on Allie. The toddler was soon fast asleep. With both girls sleeping, Nathan took Elizabeth's hand and led her back downstairs.

"Would you like some tea or coffee?" he asked.

Elizabeth nodded. "Chamomile tea would be lovely," she responded. Nathan went about the process of making tea while Elizabeth perused the Kinslow's bookshelf in the living room. She smiled, noting that she and Colleen had very similar taste in books. The more she learned about her friend, the more she realized they had many commonalities.

Nathan came into the room with two steaming mugs in his hands. "Here you go," he said.

"Thank you," Elizabeth replied, taking the mug he offered her. They made their way to the settee, the warmth from the still-burning fire creating a comfortable atmosphere. A light snow had started falling outside. Elizabeth watched the flakes as they fell to the ground. She had always loved snow. There was something very peaceful about it.

"How are preparations for the Christmas play coming along?" Nathan asked, bringing her out of her thoughts.

She smiled. "Very well. The children are excited to be putting on the Nativity story." She chuckled. "Rosemary offered to help, but since her baby is due any day, I told her I had it handled. She insisted she could still make costumes, so I let her do that."

"Let me guess," Nathan said, his smile growing. "She already has them made?"

Elizabeth nodded. "She certainly does," she said, chuckling. "We have costumes and sets. The children are learning their lines well. And Abigail said she would provide refreshments afterward for everyone." She sighed in contentment. "It's amazing how much people like to help here. I am so blessed to have wonderful friends."

"Indeed," Nathan agreed. "Hope Valley is a special place. I learned that quickly after moving here. Even Bill has a heart of gold, once you get past the gruff."

Elizabeth laughed. "That he does." Her eyes twinkled. "Did you hear what he named his cat?"

Nathan shook his head. Elizabeth kept a straight face. "Calico."

He blinked, staring at her for several seconds. "You're joking."

Elizabeth shook her head. "I'm not. He really did."

"He named a calico cat Calico?" Nathan let out a small laugh. "That's original."

Elizabeth laughed. "He said if he had to have a cat, it was going to have a straightforward name."

"Straightforward is one way to put it," Nathan said, eyes twinkling. "That's too funny." He shrugged, placing his mug on the table. "Though I suppose I can't complain. Allie did name her cat Fluffy, which is as unoriginal as it gets."

Elizabeth chuckled. "She's two years old. I think she has a good excuse for going with a basic name." She grinned. "What is Bill's excuse?"

"Being a gruff bear on the outside to protect his soft heart on the inside?" Nathan suggested.

Smiling, Elizabeth nodded. Nathan had Bill pegged. She knew the two men were getting along well, and she was thankful for it. She'd thought Bill would be overprotective of her if she ever fell in love again after Jack, but he seemed to wholeheartedly approve of Nathan. For that, she was thankful.

When she finished her tea, she stood, taking both mugs to the sink to wash. "I'd better get going," she said, looking out at the snow. It was falling faster than it had been ten minutes before.

Nathan got her coat. "I'd walk you home, but I can't leave the girls here alone."

Elizabeth shrugged into the coat he held for her, then turned to kiss him as she buttoned it. "I know," she said.

Nathan kissed her again. "I'll watch from the porch," he promised. "It's a good thing you don't live too far from here."

She chuckled. "I'll be fine." They said goodnight, and she began the short walk to her rowhouse. When she reached her steps, she glanced back.

Nathan was illuminated in the light on the Kinslow's porch. When he saw her looking, he raised a hand to wave at her. Warmed at the fact that he had indeed watched her walk home, Elizabeth waved back, then made her way inside.

Colleen watched her husband as he slept. There was something profound about this quiet moment, and she stayed still and let the silence fill her being. She felt more content than she remembered being in a very, very long time.

Gabe had been so gentle with her. The other men she had been with had been focused on their own pleasure. Sometimes it resulted in pleasure for her as well, but she'd never felt cherished. Every time before, she'd been a means to an end. This time, she knew she was loved. She knew she was cherished. She felt both in every touch and every kiss from her husband. He'd been just as focused on her experience of their time together as he was with his.

Colleen had never before understood the meaning of intimacy. The act of giving herself to a man had simply been an experience in which she sought love in the wrong places. She'd been left feeling like something was missing with Dylan and the others. With Gabe, she felt whole. It felt right being with him, loving him like that. She had finally experienced what intimacy was meant to be.

This was true love. What she had found with Gabe was the real thing. Every relationship that came before had been a cheap imitation of love. Her relationship with Gabe was what a relationship was meant to be. They were bound together for life in a beautiful sacrament meant to draw them closer to each other and to God. She thrilled inside at the thought of growing in love over the years.

She reached out a hand, gently running her fingers over his face. How could she have mistaken herself to be in love several times before? She'd been blinded by mystery and romance, when true love had been right in front of her for so long, patiently waiting for her to recognize her own heart.

Gabe leaned into her touch as he slept, a slight smile on his face. She memorized every detail, drinking him in. Her lips softly grazed his cheek. "I love you, Gabe," she whispered. "Thank you for showing me what it means to love and be loved."

His eyes opened. "Thank you for accepting my love and for loving me in return," he whispered back, his smile growing.

She gasped slightly as he pulled her fully into his arms. "Were you awake this whole time?" she asked.

He shook his head. "Just for a minute or two," he said, leaning his head against hers. "I felt your touch on my cheek and it woke me."

Colleen bit her lip. "I'm sorry," she murmured. "I didn't mean for that to happen."

He smiled. "I don't mind." His arms tightened around her. "It means I can hold you again."

Colleen rested against his chest, completely content to be held. Gabe's fingers absently played with her hair. She closed her eyes momentarily, amazed at how such a simple touch could feel so good. Words seemed unnecessary. They had talked quietly for nearly an hour after they physically expressed their love, and Colleen had enjoyed that just as much. She was discovering there were levels of intimacy, and having a heart to heart conversation with her husband while laying in his arms was high on the list.

This moment also felt intimate. Though they weren't talking, Colleen could feel Gabe's love intensely. Their breathing synced, slowing as time passed by. Her eyes began to droop, but Colleen fought sleep, wanting to remain in the moment as long as possible. Eventually, though, she lost the battle. Her eyes closed. She felt the rise and fall of Gabe's chest as he fell into sleep as well. Warm and safely nestled in her husband's arms, Colleen drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep.