Chapter Seventy-Eight
"Christmas Eve Part I: Family"
Christmas Eve Day had finally arrived, and to say Elizabeth felt overwhelmed would be putting it mildly.
The Children were looking forward to their Advent Story and their Advent House, as well as just spending some time with Nathan and Elizabeth for Christmas Eve.
The Grants and Thorntons were also planning to have Christmas with Laura sometime today and exchange gifts.
Then there was Little Jack's 2nd Birthday Celebration, which was scheduled for today at Half Past One PM at the Café, followed by the Bouchard Wedding this evening at Half Past Six PM at the Church, followed by a Reception promptly at Seven PM at The Queen of Hearts.
Add to that the time Elizabeth had to spend with Sophie helping her get ready and the time Nathan had to spend with Lucas helping him get ready, Elizabeth and Nathan were looking at a very hectic Christmas Eve Day!
"Since we're going to the Party and you all have to go to the Wedding too, may we pretty please do our Advent Candles and open our Advent House early? Pretty please?"
"We've just had Breakfast, Allie…are you sure you don't what to wait a bit?" asked Nathan.
"I'm sure and Jack is sure," said a very certain Allie.
"Peez?" asked Jack.
"Please? Pretty please," chimed in Elizabeth.
"Well, I can see I'm outvoted!"
"Dad, we just get so excited!"
"Well, that was the point, so it's a big yes! But let's get these dishes cleaned up first!"
Allie immediately started clearing the table, "I'll take Jack so you two can have some quality alone time!"
Allie smiled like she knew what she was talking about.
"Oh, you will? Will you?"
"It's important, Dad," and Allie motioned to Elizabeth and turned to take Little Jack into the Living Room.
"Should I be worried?" frowned Nathan. "Since when did my ten-year-old Child get to be such an expert on Romance?"
Elizabeth giggled as she threw her arms around his neck, "What can I say, the Girl is very wise!"
And then she whispered in his ear, "I think Romance is in our genes no matter the age!"
"Why do I feel like I don't have a chance between the two of you?"
"Because, my Darling, you don't!"
She ran her fingers slowly through his wavy hair and kissed him in such a way, he didn't even care that he was outnumbered!
"Do you think everyone will come to the Wedding tonight?" asked Elizabeth.
"I'm hoping so. Bill doesn't think so, but we'll see! The new guy at the Livery offered to spiff up the Sleigh since we're using it to transport the Bridal Couple from the Church to the Reception. So, that's one less thing we have to worry about. He's also going to have it parked in front of the Church after the Ceremony starts, so we can all get in after and ride back to The Queen of Hearts together."
"That was really nice of you to think of that and to offer to let them use it! It really will be a beautiful transport with all the snow!"
"And Romantic my Darling. You women aren't the only ones with the Romance gene, you know! Although Lucas has stretched that gene to its max. Can you believe, he had Garlands of the Wedding Flowers made to decorate the Sleigh! And he made sure they matched perfectly to the Flowers at the Church!"
"Lucas and his detail. I guess it will be pretty, but personally, I like our sleigh just as it is!" and Elizabeth jutted out her lower lip in a tiny pout.
"Lisbeth…"
"No, and don't you even think it!" and she kissed him to prove it.
"Not for a single second. Never," she repeated.
This kiss took them somewhere beyond where they had been before, completely lost in each other, desiring each other, wishing this was their Wedding tonight, and they both pulled away at the same time, both breathless, both knowing they had to.
Elizabeth placed her hand on his back and snuggled into his side.
"I love you and only you, Nathan Alexander Grant. I don't know another man in this world who even comes close to you on any level. And yes, I will gladly give up my June Wedding if that's what you want."
"I'd marry you this very minute, without a second's hesitation. But no, Love, you shouldn't have to give up your Dream June Wedding. After Christmas, and our big event in January at the Mountie Main Headquarters, the weather will get better, and we'll be so busy getting the house and the cabin ready that the months will fly past. We can do this!"
"Are you sure?"
"The truth, no! I don't really want to wait another minute, but deep down, I know it's the right thing to do. Carson and I were talking about how busy our lives are and how he is adamant about having a house completed for Faith before they marry; that they wouldn't even have time to do so after. And it's the same with us. Plus, we have the Children to care for. After we marry, there's not going to be a lot of free time. And you, Allie and Jack, are my Family already. I want to know I'm providing for you and the Children in the right way. I want to make the transition for everyone as easy and comfortable as possible. And I can't see moving us twice in a few months. That's too hard on you."
"But, Darling are you really sure?"
"I've thought about it a lot, and I'll admit there are times I think we're insane to wait, especially when I'm lying in bed without you there beside me, but…" and he reached to kiss her lightly.
Then he bent his cheek to hers, caressing her soft cheek with his rough one, and slowly brought his mouth to her lips and then lingered there.
"I want you next to me, Lisbeth. I want that so badly. But there are other times, I know it makes sense for all four involved, and mostly, Darling, for you. I promised you your Dream Wedding, and I meant it. With all my heart, I meant it. We do this once. It's a New Beginning, our New Beginning, and I want it perfect for you, in every way."
They held onto each other, breathing in and out in sync, wondering if anyone else in the World could possibly feel as together as they felt at this moment.
"The dishes," whispered Nathan. "Why don't we let them go and I'll get them before I take the boys."
"No, Love! It won't take us a couple of minutes together. You're going to have your hands full enough as is!"
He frowned, "Ah, the mundane wins out when I could have you in my arms instead?"
"Mundane just for now," and then Elizabeth put on her most flirty look, "but I promise we'll make a little time today just for us!"
"I haven't a clue when you're going to manage that today, but I'm holding you to it!"
Nathan kissed her once more, then with a hundred Butterfly Kisses, whisping his lashes all over her face and neck, while she giggled helplessly.
She was totally lost somewhere in between his Butterfly Kisses and her giggles for the duration, but when he finished, she finally came back to earth.
"You do know that's totally unfair!" she laughed and grabbed an apron wrapping it around Nathan's waist, tying it in front, giving him a big hug around the waist once it was secured around him.
"Who said anything was fair in love?" he asked flirtatiously, with raised eyebrows.
They laughed together as they finished the dishes, talking about all the Bouchard Wedding hysteria they had been subjected to, and they vowed to each other, their Wedding would not be that way…
But little did they realize that every Wedding, no matter how big or how small, was exactly that way!
"One last very, very, very long kiss, Darling!" begged Nathan.
And he was good to his word, taking her breath completely away before wrapping his arms so tightly around her waist, he could have lifted her from the floor, and did!
She hung in mid-air, pressed against him, with her arms around his neck, "I adore you, Constable Grant!"
"And I adore you, Elizabeth Thatcher Thornton!"
They both sighed and then proceeded to straighten themselves up a bit, then walked into the Living Room with their arms around each other's waists.
"Allie, do you and Jack want to light the Christmas Eve Candle now?" asked Nathan.
"Could we do it now? We'd love that. Jack and I know all the Candles! We have our Christmas Tree all lit and now we'll have all of our Advent Candles lit too!"
Nathan lifted the Advent Wreath for one last time down to the low table in front of the Settee.
"Can we name all the Candles now?" asked Allie excitedly.
"Of course, now is perfect!" answered Elizabeth.
"I'll go first. The First Candle is the Hope Candle or the Prophecy Candle. It tells us about the Coming Birth of Jesus," offered Allie excitedly.
"And the Second Candle is the Faith Candle or the Bethlehem Candle and it tells us about Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem like Robert and I did in our Pageant, although my Joseph left a lot to be desired!"
Elizabeth couldn't help but giggle.
"Jack knows the 3rd Candle," and Allie whispered to him as a reminder.
"Sepherd! Doy!" he shouted out with glee.
"That's right, Son. A Shepherd just like you were!" beamed Nathan as he placed his hand on the top of Jack's head, playfully tousling his hair. "And you and Mary sure did bring your Mother and me a whole lot of joy that day!"
"Dad, real Christmas Joy is what we felt when we helped the Eppings!" interjected Allie.
"Perfect, Allie! That's exactly it!" complimented Elizabeth.
Nathan and Elizabeth were thrilled that the Children had really listened these past four weeks and understood the Advent Story enough to repeat it back to them.
"Last Week's Candle is the Angels Candle with the message of Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men! But, Laila said she got so dizzy standing on that Block Auntie Rosie put her on that she thought she was going to fall on the Nativity, which would have been Robert and me! And poor Mrs. Henson is still complaining about those feathers flying everywhere! She gets all huffy every time she sees Auntie Rosie coming!" (32*)
Both Nathan and Elizabeth stifled a laugh remembering certain particulars of Rosemary's Pageant.
"And now for Christmas Eve, the White Candle is the Christ Candle, because we're honoring his Birthday, Christ's Birthday, with Christmas. And the Candle is White because Christ doesn't have any sins! So you could say He's pure! Like in pure White!"
"Allie, you remembered beautifully," complimented a very proud Nathan.
So, they passed the White Candle, as had been their tradition over the last four weeks, for every single one of them to touch, and when it was finally lit and placed in the center of the Advent Wreath, everyone got quiet for a moment and just looked at the beauty of the Wreath with the meaning behind it, now fully lit up, and completed with the Candle in the Center.
"It really is beautiful, isn't it?" asked Elizabeth.
"Yes, Darling, it is! Would you pray our final Advent Prayer for us?" asked Nathan.
Everyone gathered their hands together.
"Dear Father, we thank You for these weeks of togetherness the four of us have enjoyed, and we thank You deeply for the Birth of Your Son and the entire Story of Christmas. May we always work to spread the Joy You have given us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. And we thank You for giving us this most special Christmas Season to enjoy together as Family! Amen!"
And everyone said "Amen!" "Men!"
The Children chattered happily over the lit Wreath.
"We can't believe Christmas is finally almost here. It's Christmas Eve! Jack's Birthday!" announced Allie with big excited eyes.
"Yes and that's a pretty special Birthday you chose there, Jack!" smiled Nathan.
"Yes, it certainly was! Snowstorm and all! How we got through that one, Son, I'm not quite sure. It had an awful lot to do with your Aunties Abigail and Rosie, for sure!"
"Can you tell us the story, Mrs. Thornton?" asked Allie curiously.
"Well, we went to Buxton to get some food that was needed for Christmas, and we ran into a horrible Snowstorm on the way back. But on top of all that, Jack decided he was going to make his grand entrance into the World. So, miraculously, we found a little Cabin on the edge of the Woods and built a fire there and that's where Jack was born! No waiting to get back to Hope Valley and Dr. Shepherd for him! Or me!"
"Were you scared?"
"Very much so, Allie. But Abigail knew what she was doing, and your Auntie Rosie was a trouper and helped so much, too! God watched out for all of us that night. Most certainly Little Jack and me!"
"It was a Christmas Miracle!"
"Yes, Allie, it truly was our Christmas Miracle! We were so very grateful."
"That makes me so happy, because I can't imagine not having Jack here with us!"
"That's the way we all feel, Allie!" Nathan said tenderly. "We are very blessed to have both Jack and Mrs. Thornton with us!"
And Nathan reached to kiss Elizabeth.
Allie and Little Jack clapped!
"What's that for?" asked a bemused Nathan.
"It's a Special Kiss. A Christmas Eve Kiss!"
"Well, since it's Christmas Eve..." he grinned, coming in for another kiss.
And he kissed her again, this time just a bit longer.
And the Children clapped again and were all smiles!
"Can we have three kisses? It is Christmas Eve, after all!" asked Allie excitedly.
"I think that can be arranged," laughed Nathan as he reached for a third time and kissed the Woman he was completely and totally in love with!
This time the Children got up and came over to kiss both Elizabeth and Nathan, too.
And everyone got teary together!
Special Christmas Eve Kisses were shared with the Children, too, along with tears of happiness!
All of them could feel the happiness they had always been longing for, for now, nothing was missing.
They were already a Family!
Happiness was here in this little rowhouse and it would stay with these four wherever they went, as long as they were together!
Their happiness was complete.
Finally, Nathan got up to lift the Advent Wreath over to the Desk and bring the Advent House in for one last time before Christmas…
"Allie, your turn today!" reminded Elizabeth.
Allie unlatched the Hook and excitedly reached in to bring out a little Gold Necklace with a Heart Charm on it.
"It's so beautiful," she whispered, almost in awe, holding it up to inspect.
And then she looked to her Dad.
"Allie Bean, it was your Mother's. Our Parents gave it to her on Christmas Eve when she was ten years old, just like you. And a long time ago, she asked me to keep it and give it to you on this Christmas Eve."
Allie ran and buried her head in her Dad's shoulder and cried for a bit, but only a bit. She rallied and looked at him questioningly.
"Let me put it on for you," said Nathan through teary eyes.
But this time they were happy tears of remembrance, not the painful ones of the past.
He latched the necklace and then held Allie back so he could see the Necklace on her.
"It's as beautiful on you, Allie as it was on your Mother. I know she is so happy for you to wear this!"
Elizabeth was softly crying tears of love, not wanting Allie to see.
But Allie did see and she moved over to give her a kiss and sat down beside her, so Elizabeth could hold her.
"Jack, let's see what's inside for you!" and Nathan grabbed Jack up and steered him back toward the Advent Drawer.
Jack pulled out a bag of Toy Buckingham Palace Guards with their Bearskin Hats and a second bag of their Miniature Horses.
"Two! And Horsies!" shouted Jack and off he ran.
"Last, but definitely not least," and Nathan reached in the drawer and pulled out a Golden Envelope for his Elizabeth.
Nathan sat down on the other side of Allie and handed the Envelope across her to Elizabeth.
Their eyes met and hers were full of anticipation.
As she opened the envelope, a smile formed on her lips.
As she read, her smile got bigger and bigger.
"My Darling Elizabeth,
On this Christmas Eve,
Our first together,
Will you do me
The great honor
Of joining me tonight
At my house,
Just you and me,
Alone together,
In front of the Christmas Tree?"
Yours,
Nathan
When she finished the note, she looked over at Nathan, and mouthed "Yes!"
"This may be the very best gift of all!" mused Elizabeth with a coy smile.
And the come-hither smile on Nathan's face sure didn't hurt…
(32*) King James Bible, Luke 2:14, Public Domain