Chapter Seventy-One
The Weekend before Christmas was finally here!
School had let out today at Noon for the Holiday, and both Allie and Elizabeth were ready to celebrate.
Now, there was only one item on the agenda for the Grants and Thorntons, and that was Holiday Fun!
And since School had ended at Noon, today, the afternoon had been set aside to find two perfect Christmas Trees, one for the Grant Household and one for the Thornton Household.
"Can Jack please, please, please come with us, too!" begged Allie.
Elizabeth hesitated, since Laura had planned to stay with him, but she finally relented, "If it's that important to you, Allie, then yes! Jack may come with us!"
"Oh, Mrs. Thornton, you're the best! I promise I'll help with him!"
"And, I promise to carry him, if he gets tired! Mountie's Honor!" and Nathan held up his hand in the typical Mountie Salute.
Elizabeth had to laugh, "You two! Did you plan this on behalf of Jack? I don't stand a chance!"
Laura was thrilled to have the afternoon off, since she had quite a bit of shopping she still needed to do.
"Just consider it as part of your Christmas Present Laura! But will we still see you Monday?"
'Of course, Mrs. Thornton! Can't miss this little Guy for too long! I'll be here all next week, as much as you need me."
"Great, we'll celebrate Christmas together then! With School, I haven't even started wrapping!" apologized Elizabeth.
"And I haven't even started buying, but my Family's planning a trip to Buxton, this weekend! And I'm really excited about that!"
"Oh, you'll love it Laura…it's decorated so pretty for Christmas!" assured Allie, knowingly, "And the shops there have everything!"
"Jack, we're going to go find our Christmas Trees!" explained Allie to her Best Little Friend.
Allie was beyond thrilled that they were going to be doing this just like a real Family, and Little Jack was pretty happy about it as well, although he understood none of it, but was excited only because Allie was so excited about it!
Nathan smiled at the Children's exuberance and put his arm around Elizabeth's waist as they stood watching them.
"Two very happy Children, Darling!"
"Two very happy Adults, Love!"
"Yes, and that too, Elizabeth…" as he smiled and reached to kiss her.
"I have the Wagon ready out front. But I was wondering if maybe we should stop by the Mercantile first and pick up some things for Rupert and his Family. What do you think? I've already ordered a Turkey and all the trimmings for their Holiday Meal, but we really haven't done anything else yet."
"Love, that's perfect. The Children should be included in that, too! Why don't we all bundle up for a quick trip to the Mercantile and then we'll bring the packages home and really get bundled up to go get our Trees? Sound good?" asked Elizabeth.
"Sounds great to me! I even know some things Rupert and his little Sister need, so I'm ready!" exclaimed Allie.
"That's great Sweetheart! I was hoping you'd be able to get some ideas from Rupert!" Elizabeth smiled proudly, knowing Allie had done that on her own.
"I'll take the Wagon, in case we get loaded down with packages!" suggested Nathan.
"Rupert didn't tell me this part, but Mrs. Thornton, he does need some clothes. His pants are short and the other boys make fun of him, and when he sat by me for Study Session, I noticed his sweater has some holes in it. Could we get him some clothes?"
"Allie, truthfully, I've noticed he wears the same thing pretty often. I think that's a great idea. Do you know how big his Sister is?"
'She's two years old and she's pretty tiny. But I don't know her sizes or anything. Maybe Mr. Yost would know?"
Nathan was in deep conversation with Ned, while holding Jack, and as Elizabeth and Allie came up to the counter, they could see he was paying for something.
"This is awfully nice of you to do Nathan, but I can't let you pay for the whole thing. Let's say you pay half and I'll write off the other half, okay?"
"Are you sure, Ned? I don't mind paying it in full…"
"I'm sure! I'd feel terrible taking all that from you. This way it's a Christmas gift from both you and me," and Ned smiled as he reached out and shook Nathan's hand.
"Ned, you're a good man!" said Nathan as he paid Ned for his half of the total bill the Eppings' owed.
"Do you know of anything else they might need?"
"As a matter of fact, I do. Mr. Epping has asked about this old plow I have out back on two separate occasions, but he never seems to have enough to fully pay for it. And Mrs. Epping is always looking at the fabric. She likes bright colors but has only had enough money to buy for the little girl, and that's only occasionally. I don't even think they buy enough groceries to feed a family of four, and it just breaks my heart…I try to slip in a thing or two without them knowing. I tell you, Nathan, they're good people, but they're very proud."
"Do you know their sizes, Ned?" asked Elizabeth.
"I can give you real good guesses, and having done this for so many years, I'm rarely wrong!"
"Will you help Allie and me pick out some Clothing for each of them?"
"Would be happy to do so. I tell you what Elizabeth, you two pick out what you think they'll like and I'll write off half again. It's only right! I'll just help you with the sizes."
Allie reached up to hug Mr. Yost, "Mr. Yost, you're the best! Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas to you, too, Allie! Let's go play Santa Claus and get started on these Clothes!"
Nathan showed Jack some toys to keep him occupied while Ned helped Elizabeth and Allie with Clothes for the Eppings. He even gathered a few items to the side that he thought Rupert and his Sister might like.
Nathan was out of his Serge, but out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a Little Boy about eight, glance to see if Mr. Yost was still busy, then he reached out to grab a handful of Candy, which he quickly stuffed in his pocket.
Nathan was quickly behind him, ready to teach an important lesson because Nathan had learned a long time ago, this is how it all starts. A little becomes a little more, and so on, and so on.
"Son," and immediately the Little Boy recognized Constable Grant.
"Are you going to arrest me?" his eyes were wide and he was having difficulty getting his breath.
"No. But you're going to show Mr. Yost what you just did, and I think if I were you, a heartfelt apology would be good, as well."
"Yes, Sir!"
The Little Boy's face was crestfallen.
"Are you going to make me tell my Parents? They'll be so mad. I'll get a whoopin' for sure!"
"So, you know this was wrong for you to do?"
The Little Boy nodded yes.
"No, Son, you apologize to Mr. Yost like you mean it, and this time I'm not going to make you tell your Parents. But, if I or Constable Latham ever see you trying something like this again, that will be a much different story. Are we understood?"
"Yes, Sir! I promise I won't do it again. I really promise!"
"Then, I accept that promise," Nathan reached out his hand and the Little Boy put his small hand in Nathan's large one and Nathan shook it firmly.
"Thank you, Sir! My Parents would have taken my Christmas away for sure!" and the Little Boy looked down.
"Let's get that apology over with, okay? Ned, can you come to help us a moment? Reed has something he'd like to say to you…"
"You know my name?" the Little Boy's eyes were bigger than Nathan thought they could ever be.
"Yes, Son, first name and last name."
For a second, Nathan thought the Little Boy showed a flash of terror across his face, as he realized the Constable knew exactly who his Parents were.
And then the Little Boy reached deep into his pockets and pulled out all the Candy that was there, and placed it on the counter in front of Mr. Yost, who had seen this same scenario many times before, but usually without a Constable standing there.
The Little Boy glanced up at Nathan, who nodded, giving him the courage to do what he knew he had to do.
"I took this Candy, Mr. Yost, while you weren't looking and I'm real sorry."
"You do know this is Theft, don't you?" asked Ned.
The Little Boy looked down and nodded yes.
"But since you've returned the Stolen Goods, and since you've also apologized nicely, I'm going to accept your apology this one time, but it's the last time. Understood?"
The Little Boy nodded 'yes' as vociferously as any child could.
"Then we're good!" and Ned offered his hand to the Little Boy to shake.
But then he turned to get a small bag and began to pack the Candy into the bag.
"Here, you take this, it's on me!"
"Thank you, Sir! Should I maybe give you a hug?" he asked timidly.
Ned came around from the counter, knelt in front of the Little Boy, and took him in his arms, "Merry Christmas, Son!"
"Merry Christmas, Sir!"
And the Little Boy couldn't run out of the Mercantile fast enough!
Ned smiled and mouthed "Thank you!" to Nathan as he returned back to Elizabeth and Allie.
"And you see, Jack, that's why we never take things that belong to other people," and Nathan kissed the Toddler that he already thought of as his own Son.
It took Ned, Nathan, and Allie two trips each to load the Wagon with Christmas for the Eppings, while Elizabeth held Jack and chatted with Florence.
"Ned, is there any way you could deliver the plow, maybe on Christmas Eve Day?" asked Nathan.
"Not a problem. I've got a delivery boy through the Holidays, so we'll see that it's taken to their farm. I'll even put a big red bow on it! Are you sure you don't want me to wrap all this?"
"No thank you, Mr. Yost! It's our Christmas project to spread Christmas Joy, so we should do it ourselves!" answered Allie very seriously.
"I think that's a very good thing, Allie. But at least let me give you the Wrapping Paper and the Ribbon, so you'll have plenty. Sound okay?"
"Sounds perfect, Mr. Yost!"
"What sounds perfect?" asked Elizabeth, as she came out of the Mercantile with Little Jack.
"Mr. Yost is going to give us Wrapping Paper and Ribbon, so we'll have enough to wrap all these gifts!" explained Allie.
"Oh, Ned, that's so nice of you! Thank you. We'll see you before, but have a very Merry Christmas, Ned!"
"Merry Christmas, Ned, and thanks for being so generous!" added Nathan.
"I've got to say, you all couldn't have chosen a more deserving family, or a more needy one, to bless with your Holiday Joy! It warms my heart! Merry Christmas!"
"Darling, where should we take all this? You're welcome to use our House," offered Nathan.
"That's sweet, Love, but it's probably best to take it to my House, so I can work on it after Jack goes to bed."
"Oh, no you don't. You're not getting stuck with wrapping all this, is she Allie?"
"No, that wouldn't be fair, Mrs. Thornton. It's our 'almost Family project,' so that means we have to do it together!" explained Allie, in her inimitable way.
"You know, Allie, I've never really had my own Family, except Little Jack, because Jack Senior and I were married for such a short time. You two are going to have to keep reminding me that I don't have to do things alone anymore, and you know what? I like that very much! You're absolutely right! It's an 'almost Family project,' which means we absolutely do it together!"
Elizabeth hugged Allie tightly and smiled up at Nathan.
Little Jack knew something was going on, "Kisses?"
"Kisses, Jack," and Allie smothered his little face in kisses which elicited an endless round of giggles!
"Uhm, I want some of those! Can you two save me some?" asked Nathan.
"Dad, kisses never run out! You don't have to save them. You just get them anytime you want them!" and there was that famous eye roll!
"Very wise, Allie. I'll remember that. And I will be asking for my kisses!"
He looked straight at Elizabeth as he said that, with that crooked grin plastered across his handsome face.
Elizabeth blushed ten shades of pink!
"Here we are," announced Nathan
"Which is very lucky for you!" teased Elizabeth in a tone she was trying her best to make sound threatening.
Nathan lifted Allie and Jack down from the Wagon first, and as he turned to lift Elizabeth down, he lifted her up into the air instead…
"Nathan!" she laughed.
And back down to lip level, requesting one of those kisses he had been talking about.
They both were laughing so hard, Rosemary and Frederic came running out to their porch and when they saw the Couple together, with Elizabeth still halfway up in the air, Rosemary couldn't help but smile and yell, "Oh, my! Young love, with a magic all its own! Don't ever lose that you, two!"
Nathan finally let Elizabeth down, and the two went to check in with Rosemary, while Frederic checked in with Allie and Little Jack.
"Rosemary, the Party was fabulous last night!" exclaimed Elizabeth.
"It was perfect, wasn't it? So much fun! I think Adeline's met every single person in town and beyond, at least everyone who has a claim to Hope Valley!"
"And everyone seemed to love her!"
"They did, Elizabeth! Everyone that came into the Dress Shoppe this morning was talking about how much they liked her! Bill's chosen a winner! Frederic, come we better go back inside and let these people get on with their day!"
Elizabeth and Nathan both gave Rosemary a kiss, and Allie and Little Jack waved Good-Bye to Frederic, calling out 'Merry Christmas' to each other!
"You all go inside, Darling! I'll get this while you get Jack bundled up for our Tree expedition."
"Come, Children! Let's go in. Would you all like a snack before we go to get our Trees?"
"Yes, Ma'am!" "Nack!"
So that answer was a definite yes!
"Allie, do you mind to take Jack's outerwear off while I go fix us a snack?"
"I'll do it! Here, Jack, let me help you out of your scarf and mittens…then we'll get your coat!"
It took Nathan three trips to carry everything inside since he was carrying out the task alone, and by the time he got through, his hands were even cold through his gloves.
"My hands are so cold," Nathan said as he walked through the Kitchen door.
"Rub them together, Love, or we could warm them this way," and she placed his hands at her waist with her own hands over them.
"Oh, yes, I think they're getting warmer…do you truly know how much I love you?"
"Uhm, I think I have a pretty good idea…"
"You can't possibly because it just keeps growing…and growing…and growing…"
Let's just say there were several loving kisses involved to prove that particular hypothesis.
"I'm so excited about our Christmas, Darling," and the excitement was clearly reflected in Elizabeth's beautiful blue eyes!
"Best Christmas ever, Darling, hands down!" and he kissed her tenderly on her clavicle, in a spot his lips had never touched before and she felt as though she were somewhere floating, but she couldn't say where.
He brought his lips to hers, where together, they felt the passage of time fade into nonexistence. Nothing mattered except their touch together.
When their lips parted, he took her face into his hands, "I love you, Elizabeth Thatcher Thornton, soon to be Grant. I love you completely, as much as a Man can love a Woman. That's how much I love you."
And she placed her arms around his neck and drew him down even closer to her and whispered in his ear, "I've never known how to love like this. You're my everything. My all."
And they stood in the middle of her Kitchen, in the middle of the day, both knowing they were blessed beyond measure.
And that's when Jack came running in, with Allie chasing after him trying to get him to stay with her, because somehow, she instinctively knew her Dad and her Teacher needed a few moments alone together, before their Family Outing.
But they had had their grown-up moment, and what a moment it had been, so instead Nathan and Elizabeth drew both Allie and Little Jack into their embrace, sharing their love with these two Children they loved most in the world.
And the four of them stood in the middle of Elizabeth's Kitchen, in the middle of the day together, hugging each other and laughing together, just as every real Family should!
"You three sit, while I make us a quick snack," ordered Elizabeth.
And they did as they were told, with Allie and Jack chattering away and Nathan watching and smiling at Elizabeth as she made them a snack for their coming Christmas Adventure in the Forest…
As Elizabeth glanced out the window and looked at the sun shining over the glistening winter snow, she smiled.
Her heart was so full, it was running over with boundless Joy, in a way she had never known before.
And she lifted her eyes to the Heavens, thanking God for his Master Plan, for she could never have dreamt one as full and as rich as this.