As Hope Valley prepared to celebrate Christmas, time seemed to move faster. Nathan finished the pieces for Benjamin Forsythe and delivered them a week before the holiday. Elizabeth was busy with preparations for the school Nativity pageant, which would take place December 23. She was proud of her students and their enthusiasm to bring the Christmas story to life. On the designated evening, the school was packed with people as the children reenacted the night of the first Christmas. There wasn't a dry eye in the room when the children took their bows.
People converged on the cafe afterwards, laughing and talking as they drank hot cider and ate Abigail's sweet treats. Elizabeth found herself sitting on the settee in the kitchen beside Abigail and Colleen, while Rosemary and Faith were in the chairs across from them. Elizabeth eyed her very pregnant friend as Rosemary let out a soft grunt, rubbing a hand over her protruding belly. Faith must have heard the sound as well. She was immediately on alert.
"How are you feeling, Rosemary?" she asked, back straight as she went into nurse mode. "Are you having any contractions?"
Rosemary winced as if she was indeed experiencing a pain. She let out a short breath. "I'm fine," she said with a wave of her hand. "Yes, I've been having tightening pains, but they are so infrequent I've paid them no mind." She took a sip of her cider before calmly continuing. "You told me when the baby is coming, contractions come closer together."
"That's true," Faith said. "Usually. But sometimes labor can come on more suddenly."
Rosemary chuckled. "I'm sure everything will be fine. I'm doing well, Faith. Just a little uncomfortable."
"That's normal," Colleen said, nodding her agreement. "Though I would say those final weeks tend to be very uncomfortable."
"I agree," Abigail said. "The entire month before Peter's birth, I felt like a beached whale."
That prompted chuckles around the room. Elizabeth felt a longing inside. She wanted to experience what her friends had, in all its wonder and discomfort. Her eyes drifted to the other room, where she could just make out Nathan standing with some of his friends. How long before he asked her to marry him and they could dream of a family of their own?
Looking up, she saw a similar longing on Faith's face. Elizabeth was shocked the pretty young nurse hadn't found her special someone yet. Faith was kind, bubbly, and smart. She would be a catch for any man.
A movement caught her attention. Carson came into the kitchen in search of more cider. He smiled at the women and greeted them warmly. Elizabeth nodded back in reply, then looked at Faith once more. What she saw made her brows lift.
Faith was staring at him with an unmasked vulnerability that spoke volumes. Elizabeth's eyes widened. Was Faith interested in Carson? The doctor spoke to them all, and when his gaze landed on Faith, the young woman had schooled her features to their usual pleasant cheerfulness. But the smile she beamed at him could be called nothing other than besotted.
Carson didn't seem to notice. Elizabeth nearly groaned. Faith wilted slightly as he gave them all a final smile and headed back to the dining room.
Apparently Elizabeth hadn't been the only one to notice the interaction. Abigail leaned forward, gaze fixed on Faith. "How long have you been in love with Carson?" she asked, her voice quiet but pointed.
Faith started. "Wh…what?" she gasped. Her cheeks bloomed bright red.
Rosemary's jaw dropped. "Oh, I'm losing my touch!" she exclaimed, shaking her head dramatically. "How did I not see this before?"
Colleen wore a dreamy smile. "What a beautiful story that could be!" she gushed. "Going from partners in work to partners in life."
Faith's mouth dropped. She held up her hands. "No one is saying anything about a life-long commitment," she squeaked. Her shoulders slumped. "Besides, he doesn't see me that way. I'm just his nurse."
The look of defeat on her face tore at Elizabeth's heart. She leaned forward, reaching out for Faith's hand. "So you do love him?" she asked gently.
Faith simply nodded, eyes on the ground. "For a while now," she admitted. A sigh escaped her throat. "But he's only ever seen me as a friend."
Rosemary sat up straighter, though she winced once again with the effort. Another grunt sounded, but she shot a warning look at the four women who were about to ask if she was okay. She turned her attention to Faith. "My dear Nurse Carter, you are a worthy catch for any man. Carson might not have his sights on you now, but we can certainly change that." A smile tugged at her lips. "And I know just how to get him to notice."
Elizabeth chuckled. "Matchmaking again, Rosemary?"
Her friend grinned. "Would you expect anything less?"
Everyone shook their heads in unison. Rosemary laughed. "Good." She patted Faith's hand. "Leave it to me, Faith. I'll make sure Carson takes note." She pursed her lips. "It might involve Hickam showing some interest in you."
Faith blinked. "Mike? But I'm not interested in him!"
"And he's not interested in you," Rosemary returned. Her brows waggled. "But Carson doesn't know that."
Understanding crossed the faces of her friends. Elizabeth simply chuckled to herself and leaned back against the seat. "Hold on," she murmured, smiling at Faith. "This is going to be an interesting ride."
Rosemary lifted her chin. "It will work like a charm. You'll see….ooooooh!" She clutched her stomach, bending her body nearly in half. "Oh, that hurts!"
Faith was at her side in a flash. Abigail stood, calling for Carson. The doctor came running into the room. He began asking rapid-fire questions as his hands rested on Rosemary's stomach. Another contraction gripped her, and that was enough for Carson to know what to do.
"Let's get her to the infirmary," he said to Faith. "Where's Lee?"
"Here!" Lee came hurrying into the kitchen. He wrapped his arms around his wife. "What's wrong, sweetheart?"
"The baby's coming," she gasped, panting for breath.
Lee looked like he might faint.
Faith put a hand on his arm. "Lee, we need you to help us get Rosemary to the infirmary," she said, her voice calm and soothing. "We want her to be as comfortable as possible, alright? Which means we need you to be calm."
Lee nodded, though his face remained white. Rosemary smiled up at Carson, despite the pain on her face. "Isn't Faith a wonderful nurse?" she asked, eyes wide and innocent. "You are so blessed to have her."
Elizabeth hid a smile behind her hand. Leave it to Rosemary to commence matchmaking as she went into labor.
In the early morning hours of Christmas Eve, Rosemary gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Nathan brought the news to Elizabeth. He had checked on the Coulters after he woke. His shop was not far from the infirmary, and Rosemary and Lee asked him if he would be willing to let Elizabeth know.
He was glad to pass on the news. Elizabeth's eyes took on a sparkle when she heard the baby had arrived. "Are they accepting visitors?" she asked, already reaching for her coat.
Nathan nodded. "They were hoping you would come," he replied. "There's something they wanted to run by you."
As he helped her with her coat, she glanced up at him. "Do you know what it is?"
He shook his head. "They didn't say."
The morning air was brisk and invigorating. Nathan took Elizabeth's hand as they started down the road to town. "Colleen and Gabe are looking forward to the big Christmas Eve dinner tonight," he said. "Thank you for inviting all of us to join in your tradition."
Elizabeth smiled. "Abigail wouldn't have it any other way," she said. "She turns the cafe into a formal dining room, and we all come together to have Christmas dinner. Then Christmas Day is reserved for family." A slight frown marred her pretty brow, making Nathan wonder what was wrong. She glanced up at him, seeing his look. With a sigh, she shook her head.
"I've spent the past several Christmases with Jack," she said softly. "It just hit me that I'll be alone this year."
Nathan's grip on her hand tightened. "You won't be alone," he promised. "Have Christmas dinner with me and my family. I know Colleen won't mind. She would love to have another woman in the house."
Chuckling, Elizabeth leaned her head against his shoulder. "In that case, I would be happy to accept." They walked quietly for a moment, and then she spoke again. "Will you come over for brunch tomorrow?" she asked, sounding a little hesitant. "We can exchange our gifts for each other then and enjoy some time together."
Nathan smiled. "I would love that," he said. He looked down at her. "But are you sure, Elizabeth? You sounded uncertain about that invitation. Would it be too hard for you to spend Christmas with me instead of Jack?" His grip on her hand tightened. "I know the first holidays after a loved one passes can be very difficult."
She nodded thoughtfully. "Normally it would be," she said slowly. "But I don't feel sad, Nathan. I do miss Jack more than normal with Christmas coming, but the feeling is tempered because I have you now." She smiled at him, eyes soft. "I know Jack would be happy for us, and that brings me comfort."
He tilted his head. "Then why did you sound hesitant?"
She smiled. "I thought you might have an entire day planned with your family, and I didn't want to take you from that."
Nathan drew her a little closer, touched by her consideration. "Gabe and Colleen wanted special family time with each other and the girls in the morning," he said. "They invited me to join, but I told them I would come in the late afternoon. They deserve to spend their first Christmas as a family forming memories together."
And I hope to spend this first Christmas together forming memories with you, he added silently. If all went according to plan, he and Elizabeth would be married by this time next year. The very thought warmed him from the inside out. He knew how he was going to propose to her; it was simply a matter of when.
They reached the infirmary in good time. Elizabeth cooed happily when she saw the baby tucked in Rosemary's arms. Her friend was in good spirits, sitting up in the bed and looking for all the world like she had just risen from sleep rather than giving birth.
"Would you like to hold him?" Rosemary asked, a tender smile aimed at her tiny son.
"Yes, please," Elizabeth breathed, holding out her arms. Rosemary placed the baby there, and Elizabeth sat in the chair beside the bed, looking down at the little boy with something akin to awe.
"He's perfect, Rosemary," Elizabeth said. "What a beautiful boy." She smiled first at her friend, then at Lee. "Congratulations to you both."
"Thank you," Lee said, taking a seat on the bed beside his wife.
"What's his name?" Elizabeth asked.
The Coulters exchanged a glance. Rosemary looked at Elizabeth. "That's why we wanted to see you," she said, her voice soft.
Elizabeth frowned. "Me? What do I have to do with his name?"
Rosemary's smile was gentle, carrying a hint of sadness. "His name is Leland, after his father," she said, giving her husband a fond look before turning once more to Elizabeth. "But we were hoping to give him Jack as a middle name, to honor our dear friend. Is that alright with you?"
Nathan watched a range of emotions cross Elizabeth's face. Tears welled in her eyes, but a beautiful smile curved her lips. "I think that would be wonderful," she whispered, blinking back her tears. Nathan placed a hand on her shoulder, offering what comfort he could. She smiled up at him, reaching up to cover his hand with hers as she held little Leland Jack securely in her other arm. "Jack would be honored."
Lee slipped an arm around Rosemary. "We plan to call him LJ for short," he said.
Elizabeth's smile softened. "I love it." She looked at the baby. "Welcome to Hope Valley, sweet LJ."