"Uncle Nathan, wake up!" Allie said as she shook Nathan's arm gently.
Nathan groaned without opening his eyes. "What time is it?"
Now it was Allie's turn to groan. "Just after seven. Uncle Nathaaan! It's Christmas! Time to get up!"
Nathan put his hand over Allie's and chuckled. He then moved her hand to his lips and kissed it while finally opening his eyes.
"Merry Christmas, sweetheart, and good morning!"
"Back at ya, Uncle Nathan," Allie said as she leaned down and hugged her uncle.
"Give me a few minutes to wash up and I'll be right down for breakfast."
"And presents!"
"Presents? What presents?" Nathan asked innocently.
Allie rolled her eyes while Nathan tried to suppress a laugh. "The presents that have been under the tree since we got it."
"Oh those presents! You're right Allie. We'd better take care of those right away. I'll meet you downstairs in a few minutes." Nathan said as he got out of bed and headed towards the master bathroom.
A few minutes later, he met Allie in the kitchen. The girl had already set up all the ingredients for homemade pancakes, their Christmas Day tradition. She quickly helped Nathan prepare the batter after he heated up their griddle pan.
"Ok Allie, what shape would you like?"
"Can I have a Christmas tree?"
"Sure!"
Allie watched with glee as her uncle carefully poured the batter into the griddle pan inside a tree shaper. He then used a snowman shaper to make a snowman shaped pancake for himself. Nathan made a few silver dollar sized round pancakes as well. Once the pancakes were done, Nathan and Allie each decorated their own using blueberries and chocolate chips. They moved over to the kitchen table with their pancakes and each had a banana as well along with coffee for Nathan and a special treat of chocolate milk for Allie. Uncle and niece enjoyed a lively chat while eating their Christmas breakfast.
After breakfast, they left the dishes for later and headed over to the Christmas tree with a refilled coffee cup for Nathan and a glass of water for Allie. Settling on the floor in front of the tree, Nathan passed out the gifts, leaving a small pile under the tree for Elizabeth and Jack. He would give those to them at dinner later in the day. For now, it was time to maintain Grant family traditions even though it might be the last year of honoring those with just him and Allie. Even in Florida, he and Allie had always spent Christmas morning alone together and then joined Archie and Carole for the rest of the day.
"Ok kiddo, I think it's going to take all day for us to get through these gifts!"
Allie laughed and Nathan smiled. Life was good this year and he was very grateful.
"Can I start, Uncle Nathan? How about if we alternate?"
"Sounds perfect, sweetie!"
Allie proceeded to open a medium sized box that Archie and Carole had sent from Florida. Inside she found the entire Anne of Green Gables series of books along with the DVD set from the tv movies starring Megan Follows and Jonathan Crombie. Allie squealed with delight.
"Oh these are perfect! Grandma and I had been talking about these at Thanksgiving."
"Glad you love them. You'll have to send Grandma and Grandpa a nice thank you card."
Nathan proceeded to open his first gift which was also from Archie and Carole. It was a gift card to a local bait and tackle shop near their home in Florida so he could buy his own fishing pole and tackle box. Nathan had taken to fishing with Archie in recent years while visiting Florida but he always borrowed equipment.
"Uncle Nathan, maybe I can come with you and Grandpa next time?"
"Al, I think that's a great idea. Ok next!"
Allie chuckled and opened another gift to find a red and black buffalo plaid flannel dress along with black patent leather ballet flats.
"Oh I love this! I can wear it to dinner later or save it for another special occasion. Thank you Uncle Nathan!" Allie said as she reached over to hug her uncle.
"You're welcome kiddo! I'll admit I had some help from Miss Elizabeth but we both thought you'd look great in this."
Nathan then opened a gift from Allie. It was a couple of Sherlock Holmes novels that he hadn't read yet.
"Thanks sweetie, I had been wanting to read these! How did you know?"
"I may have snuck a peek at your reading list on Goodreads. I'm sorry if I trespassed on your private space but, I just didn't want to get something you had already read. Grandma took me to the bookstore over Thanksgiving."
"It's ok, Al. I'm already sharing my reading habits with strangers on that app so as long as that's all you looked at on my phone, that's fine."
"Yes Sir!"
"Ok it looks like you have a couple more for now, Al. Why don't you open them together?"
"Ok!"
Allie opened a small box and found a beautiful gold charm bracelet inside. On it were two charms: a book and a round charm that had the inscription "I Dreamed A Dream" with a small French flag underneath.
"Uncle Nathan! This is so beautiful, thank you! I've never had anything like it."
Nathan nodded and smiled. "Your mother had one too with charms that reflected her personality just like these charms reflect your personality. We will add to it each year."
"A book because I love to read and the quote because I love theater and Les Miserables."
Uncle and niece hugged again and then Nathan put the bracelet on Allie's right wrist.
"Where is mom's bracelet?"
"I believe Grandma has it now. She was able to recover some of your mom's most valuable things before Dylan took off."
"Oh! I forgot there is one more. This is an interesting shape for a gift." Allie said as she eyed the folder sized flat package.
"Well, maybe you should open it and find out what it could be." Nathan said as he slowly inched his way closer to Allie until he was sitting right next to her. He put his right arm around her shoulders as she carefully opened the thin package.
Allie pulled a red plastic folder out of the wrapping and opened it. A five page legal document was inside. Nathan gave Allie the time to read and process the contents, occasionally giving her shoulder a light squeeze. He also read the document over her shoulder. Allie eventually looked up at Nathan with tears streaming down her cheeks.
"I hope those are happy tears?" Nathan asked with a smile even though he had tears in his own eyes.
"It's final? I'm adopted?"
"Yes! You are adopted. You are legally my daughter in every sense of the word."
"But what about Dylan? Can he try to claim me?"
"My lawyer made sure to do everything by the book. He tried reaching out to Dylan at his last known contact address and number and got no response. He then placed a legal notice in the newspaper for sixty days and again no response. Since Dylan physically abandoned you more than one year ago and legally abandoned you more than six months ago, that's all that was required for the judge to involuntarily terminate his parental rights. Then they were able to move forward with the adoption papers easily since I was already your legal guardian and you've been with me for six years. How do you feel, Al?"
"Well, I don't think I'll ever understand why Dylan didn't want me. He lived with me for almost four years and that makes me feel like I did something wrong. But on the other hand, you're the only real father I have ever had and I know you love me and you've sacrificed so much for me already. This is what I wanted so I'm really happy it's official."
"So am I, sweetheart. You've been my little girl since you came to live with me and I love you and I'm glad it's official too. I'm only sorry it took me this long to pursue adoption. And Dylan leaving has everything to do with him and nothing to do with you. You've done nothing wrong. Do you understand that?"
Allie nodded.
"Dylan is a fool for abandoning you and his loss is my gain and my privilege. I will always choose you and love you and be there for you and adopting you is the single greatest thing I've ever done. We will always be a family no matter if it's two of us, four of us, or more than that."
"I love you so much, Dad. It's ok if I call you that, right?"
Nathan couldn't speak for a moment. He just stared at Allie while his own tears were now streaming down his cheeks. Allie finally pulled him into a hug and father and daughter stayed like that until all tears were spent. Nathan then pointed out one additional gift for Allie from the Kinslows. She opened it to find a lovely hunter green knit beret with matching scarf that they were pretty sure was knit by Lillian herself.
"I hope Spencer likes the toy car set we gave him." Allie said.
"I'm sure he will. My godson has never met a car he doesn't like." Nathan said with a chuckle.
"What do you say we clean up the breakfast dishes, get dressed, and then watch the next showing of A Christmas Story which starts at ten? We have plenty of time to hang out before we head over to see Elizabeth and Jack."
"Sounds good, UncaDad. Sorry, that will take some getting used to I think."
"Take all the time you need. The important thing is we are legally father and daughter and nothing will ever change that."
Over at the Thornton house, it had been a slightly more boisterous morning with the Coulters joining the Thorntons for breakfast and presents. Rosemary had to perform at seven that evening but was thankful for having most of the day free. Lee was planning to go to the city with her so that he and Abby could see the show. He was just hoping that the little girl would be able to stay awake.
Elizabeth had received a lovely new set of blue plaid satin sheets from the Coulters which Rosemary had hinted were just in case any upcoming changes were to happen in her life. Plus one could always use new sheets.
Lee and Rosemary had received a gift card to Yost's plus an offer to babysit overnight from Elizabeth so they could have a much needed extended date night. Rosie already planned to take a couple days off from the play in order to have their big date night. Elizabeth also wanted to do something nice for her friends after all they had done for her.
Abby was just starting to get into Barbie dolls so Elizabeth gave her a Barbie car along with a new doll and some changes of clothes. The Coulters gave Jack a farm set and some extra track for his new train set. Once breakfast was over and the last cinnamon bun had been consumed, the Coulters went home for lunch and to rest while Elizabeth and Jack both did the same.
Nathan and Allie arrived at around three carrying a small stack of gifts. Jack was still napping.
"Oh my goodness, you two! We've gotten so much already the past couple days."
"It's Christmas, my love. I want to spoil you." Nathan said as he leaned down to kiss Elizabeth. When they broke apart, Elizabeth looked from Allie to Nathan and back to Allie.
"Well?"
Allie smiled. "I agree with my Dad. Let him spoil you guys."
"Oh Allie! I'm so happy for you both!" Elizabeth said as she kept one arm around Nathan and then pulled Allie over for a group hug.
"I'm so happy the adoption went off without a hitch. You two are meant to be together."
"Mama!"
"Perfect timing as always, Jack." Elizabeth said with a chuckle.
"Here, let me get him." Nathan said as he handed Elizabeth the stack of gifts.
"Ok but he will likely need to be changed."
"Not a problem, my love. We'll see you in a few."
Elizabeth watched as Nathan took the stairs two at a time and soon heard happy voices coming from Jack's room. She smiled and put the stack of gifts under the tree. Then she put her arm around Allie's shoulders and the two of them went to the kitchen to prepare some hot cocoa and Christmas cookies. Elizabeth had baked them after church the previous night. A few minutes later, Nathan and Jack joined them and they all sat around the table discussing their respective mornings while they ate. After cleaning up, Nathan suggested they open gifts so they headed to the tree and sat around it. Jack climbed into Nathan's lap immediately.
Allie passed out the gifts. Jack received a similar but different set of cars than Spencer had received. He started playing with them right away, running one up and down Nathan's thigh. He also received a red trolley car to run along his new train tracks. Elizabeth gave Allie a green leather journal, the first five books in the Heartland series, and a pair of simple stud earrings shaped like books. It took Allie a few minutes to realize they matched her new charm.
"Thank you Miss Elizabeth! The earrings are beautiful and match my new bracelet. But my ears aren't pierced." Allie said as she looked down at her gift.
"That's right. Your ears aren't pierced. I guess we need to fix that." Elizabeth said with a grin.
"Really? I've wanted to get them pierced for so long but Unc I mean Dad always said I wasn't ready."
"Well Al, I think maybe I was the one who wasn't ready. I thought it was a way of my little girl growing up too quickly but Miss Elizabeth has convinced me otherwise. And I think you deserve pierced ears too. I know all your friends have them and I know you'll take good care of your earrings and your ears."
Allie practically tackled Nathan to the floor with a hug. Poor Little Jack was caught in the middle. She then turned to Elizabeth and gave her a hug too.
"Thank you so much Dad and Miss Elizabeth! When can we go?"
The adults chuckled and Elizabeth suggested that they table the discussion until after the holidays. The gift opening resumed with Nathan getting three tickets to the upcoming Belmont Stakes horse race.
"I know you don't gamble but I thought it would be fun to go to the race and watch the racehorses. Jack doesn't need a ticket since he is only two."
"I've always wanted to go to one so this is perfect. Thank you, Elizabeth!"
Nathan then opened a second gift to reveal a beautiful brown leather belt with a horse etched into the gold buckle. A closer look showed the initials NG next to the horse. It looked similar to something someone on the rodeo circuit might wear.
"Elizabeth, this is exquisite. I'll wear this to work everyday. Thank you!" Nathan leaned over to kiss Elizabeth and then slowly helped her up after Jack had moved off his lap.
"Let's go sit on the couch so you can open your gifts?"
"Ok"
Allie stayed on the floor with Jack but they were close to their parents.
Nathan handed Elizabeth three wrapped gifts of different sizes.
"Which one should I open first?"
Nathan pointed to a small ring sized box.
Elizabeth opened it to find a lovely gold necklace with a heart pendant. A large diamond was in the center of the heart.
"Nathan! This is beautiful. I love it, thank you! How on Earth are there two more gifts? This is too much."
"On the contrary, my love. The necklace is because you'll always have my heart." Nathan helped Elizabeth fasten the necklace and then pointed to a larger package.
Elizabeth opened the box to find a handmade wooden ornament from Bowen's Farms. It was a family of four with a mom, a dad, a little girl and a younger boy. Nathan managed to find one that had hair colors that matched each of theirs almost perfectly. Not even bothering to flip the ornament over, Elizabeth put the ornament down on the coffee table and kissed Nathan passionately.
Nathan then pointed to the final gift which was a bit larger than the ornament box.
Elizabeth opened it to find a beautiful wooden jewelry box that had been hand carved and stained in a beautiful beech color. Roses on a vine had been carved around the entire border and then painted in various colors. Elizabeth opened the box to find red velvet lining it and a matching tray with compartments of various sizes. One of the compartments was covered by a flap for security.
"Nathan, this is so beautiful. Where did you get it?"
"I made it."
"What?!"
"I made it. I started whittling when Allie was little and I didn't always feel like reading at night. I don't have a lot of time for it any longer but I wanted to make you something special."
"This is beyond special. I will always treasure it."
Elizabeth looked down at the compartments again and slowly lifted the flap from the secure one. Her breath caught as she saw a diamond ring sitting between the slits. It was a large diamond surrounded by two smaller diamonds. The gold band was also adorned with diamonds all the way around. Elizabeth couldn't breathe. She felt a gentle squeeze on her left hand as the jewelry box was slowly removed from her lap. She looked up to find a teary eyed Nathan down on one knee in front of her now holding up the ring. Elizabeth felt her own eyes start to tear up. Allie and Jack had quietly moved over to the couch across from them and Allie was now filming on her cell phone.
"Elizabeth Thatcher Thornton. I know we've only known each other since August but it feels like I've known you my entire life and I cannot imagine my life without you and Jack in it. Earlier today, as you know I shared the news with Allie that her adoption is now final and we are legally father and daughter. But, our family doesn't quite feel complete without you and Jack in it too. Elizabeth, you are the love of my life and I want to spend the rest of my life making you feel safe and raising our children and showing you just how much I love you. I know things won't always be easy but perfect love casts out fear and I believe our love can get us through anything. Will you and Jack marry us?"
"Yes! Yes Nathan, Jack and I will marry you and Allie. Nothing would make us happier. And let's get married sooner rather than later. Jack and I thought we had all the time in the world until we didn't. I'm ready to be Mrs. Grant. Since Julie is already planning the big society event in June, I'm fine with something small and low key. But I also know this is your first wedding so I will do whatever you'd like, my love."
"Sweetheart, this will be my first and only wedding. Small and low key sounds perfect. But I do think my parents would like to see their only living child marry. Plus I want to show you off to our friends and family. How about Valentine's Day? That gives us about six weeks to plan and figure out living arrangements and it's way before Julie's wedding so it shouldn't steal any attention from her and Charles."
"That sounds perfect! Let's do it!"
Elizabeth kneeled on the floor next to Nathan and pulled him into another passionate kiss. Little hands soon joined them on either side as Allie and Jack came over to join the festivities. Nathan and Elizabeth quickly folded the kids into the hug. When they broke apart, Nathan finally slid the ring on Elizabeth's left ring finger.
"The large diamond is for our joined union while the two smaller ones are for Allie and Jack. Then the surrounding ones are so we are always surrounded by added love. I also like to think that the added diamonds might represent any other children we might have."
"I absolutely love it. In fact, I love all of my gifts. This has been the most wonderful Christmas."
"For me as well. Would you like to hang your new ornament on the tree?"
Elizabeth nodded and picked it up. She flipped it over and written on the back it simply said:
The Grant Family
Coming Soon