"I think I will start with this one," Ally said, holding up a photo. The other photos and the materials that Bill had brought with him, as well as Ally's art supplies, were spread across the table.

Bill looked at the photo. It showed a younger Nathan holding a baby, wrapped in a blanket. Though the baby looked like most other babies to Bill, the judge assumed the infant was Allie. The pride and love were evident on Nathan's face. Apparently, Ally had her uncle wrapped around her finger since the moment he first saw her.

"That is the perfect picture to start with," Bill said, his eyes scanning the photos spread out. Spotting one with a young woman holding Ally and Nathan standing behind them, Bill asked "is this your mother?"

Ally looked up from selecting the color of paper she wanted to put the photo on. She looked at the photo. Bill saw her eyes begin to glisten with unshed tears and knew the answer to the question before Ally spoke.

"Yes," Ally said. "Sometimes, I find it hard to remember what she looked like," she admitted quietly.

"While you continue your project, I am going to make you a Christmas gift by making a page for this picture," Bill told her. "I may not have the frame until after Christmas, but I will get you one and you can put it in your room. Any time you have trouble remembering what your mother looks like, you can look at it."

Ally leaned over in the chair and kissed Bill's cheek. "Thank you, Judge Avery."

That quick kiss did wonders for Bill's heart. Yes, he had made a mess of his marriage. Though he had wanted children of his own that had never happened and never would. However, Jack Sr. had been like a son to him. He thought of Elizabeth and Clara as surrogate daughters. He had his godson. Like Jack Sr., Nathan had become like a son to him. The botched prisoner transfer of a year ago had driven that home to him. As sad as he had been for Constable Novak and his family, Bill could not and would not deny his relief that it had not been Nathan who had been shot. He had felt that relief for Ally and for Elizabeth, though she was still struggling with her feelings toward Nathan. Bill knew she cared. Had known it for a while now, but Elizabeth had to sort out her conflicting feelings on her own. He had also felt that relief for his own sake.

Seeing Jenny O'Rourke pointing the gun straight at Nathan, Bill had realized just what the younger man had come to mean to him. More than anything, Bill wanted to put himself between Nathan and that gun, but he could not do it. There had been no time. Any attempt to do so would have immediately resulted in Nathan getting shot. To this day, Bill still firmly believed that if Novak had not gone for his rifle then everything would have turned out differently. Nathan would have gotten Jenny to turn over the gun. The O'Rourke's would still have faced charges, but Jenny would not have faced murder charges. Novak would still be alive. Nathan would not feel the burden of the man's death, a burden only made worse by Hargraves' accusations. Elizabeth would have not been faced with the fear of losing another Mountie that she loved in the line of duty and perhaps might not have run from that love in fear.

Nathan would have been able to share his connection with Fort Clay and Jack in his own way instead of being forced into the admission so publicly.

Yes, Bill decided, he may have made a mess of all his relationships with women, but he had found his family here in Hope Valley. Perhaps he could even change his luck in love here as well, after all of the examples that had been set for him - Lee and Rosemary, Elizabeth and Jack, Clara and Jesse, Ned and Florence and countless others.

A knock on the door disturbed both Bill's thoughts and their work.

"Were you expecting someone?" Ally asked, a hint of worry in her voice. "Do you think Dad came back already?"

"I was expecting Constable Mackenzie with our dinner," Bill told Ally. "So relax," he added, getting to his feet.

Despite his words to Ally, Bill still rested his hand on the holster of the gun he wore as he headed toward the front window. Taking a moment to see who was at the door, Bill was relieved to see the red serge of Mackenzie's uniform in the light of the porch lamp.

Relaxing, Bill went to the door to open it.

"Food delivery," Mackenzie said, holding up the two plates he held.

"Thank you," Bill said, stepping aside to let the Mountie step inside. "Sit the plates on the coffee table," he instructed. "We have taken over the table."

"I see that," Mackenzie said, doing as instructed.

"How did my Dad take the surprise?" Ally asked, having been told by Bill after Nathan had left about the surprise. Though he had told her the town had gotten together to get gifts for her and Nathan, he had not told her what those gifts were. He wanted the girl to have some surprises as well.

"I thought he was going to flee for a moment. He had that look in his eyes, but he accepted the gesture graciously, though if anyone was expecting a speech from him they were disappointed."

Bill chuckled. "There probably wasn't a sole in that room who expected a speech from Nathan. If he managed ten words, I would be surprised."

"I think he probably managed double that," Mackenzie replied, getting chuckles from Bill and Ally. "Do you two need anything else?" Mackenzie asked.

"We are good. Thank you."

"Have a good evening," the Mountie said, before leaving the house.

Bill turned to Ally. "You keep working while I warm up what food needs warmed up," Bill told her, retrieving the plates of food and walking toward the kitchen. Then we will eat at the coffee table tonight."

Ally smiled. "That will be different," she said, before returning to her scrapbook for her Dad.

Carson stood by the staircase, a glass of eggnog in his hand, as he surveyed the room. He was happy he was back and wondered how only months ago he could have ever felt restless in this little town. These people had accepted him when he had been searching for his confidence again. They had stood by him when his sister-in-law had tried to make trouble for him. They had been there when his other sister-in-law had come looking for her own miracle. He had seen most of them at both their highs and their lows. This was his community and he had enough medical knowledge to serve them and he could always learn new things from the medical journals. There was no reason to leave to learn more.

Nathan sat at a table across the room, his back to the wall. A glass sat in front of him and Abigail, Lee, Rosemary and Elizabeth sat with him. Carson was not surprised the man had found a place off to the side to hide out, even if the party was in his honor.

A kiss on his cheek brought him out of his thoughts. Glancing to his left, he spotted Faith smiling up at him.

"Is that a new way of getting people's attention?" Carson asked teasingly.

"No. It is what one does when they find someone standing under the mistletoe," Faith replied.

Carson glanced up. Sure enough he was standing under mistletoe. Carson looked back down at Faith.

"In that case," Carson said softly, tilting his head down to press his lips against hers. Though he kept the kiss brief, Faith responded to the gesture, telling him that despite him choosing to leave her, that Faith still cared about him. It was enough of a confidence boost that Carson decided it was time to finally do what he had intended to do months ago.

"Come upstairs with me for a moment?" Carson requested, holding his hand out to Faith.

With a curious look on her face, Faith put her hand in his. Carson led her to the foot of the staircase and upstairs. He walked far enough down the hallway so that they were no longer in view of the people in the room below. Turning, he took Faith's hands in his.

"Faith, I love you. Despite all the things that seem to want to keep us apart, I have always loved you. When I left a few months ago, I thought I had to leave Hope Valley to find what I wanted out of life. I realize now that everything I need is right here."

Letting go of Faith's hands, Carson reached into his pocket and pulled out the pouch he had bought for the ring. He had been carrying it around for him the last few days, trying to decide when to finally ask Faith to marry him.

Carson shook the ring out and got down on one knee. Holding the ring up as he looked up at Faith, who now had her hands covering her mouth in surprise and anticipation.

"Faith Carter, will you please marry me?" Carson asked.

Faith lowered her hands and though her lips moved no sound came out. However, the look on her face and her nod was the answer that Carson really needed. Reaching for her left hand, Carson slipped the ring on her finger. Before he could get to his feet however, Faith threw her arms around him. Reacting quickly, Carson managed to keep his balance as he embraced her back. Right now, he was probably the happiest man in Hope Valley.

Nathan took a sip of his eggnog as he listened to the conversation at the table. The others seemed content to converse among themselves and not try to include him, for which he was thankful. He appreciated what his friends and neighbors had done. The money would help, as he still owed Carson and Faith for their services as well as Ned who had allowed him to put the wheelchair and some other things on credit. The fudge and other treats would be enjoyed by him and Ally, and there would be gifts under the tree as Nathan intended on leaving the wrapped gifts wrapped until Christmas.

As much as he appreciated everything though, Nathan was more than ready to make his escape. He'd had enough of being the center of attention for tonight.

"Excuse me," Carson called.

Nathan, along with everyone else gathered, looked toward Carson's voice. Carson and Faith were standing on the bottom step of the staircase. The couple were holding hands and wearing smiles.

"I just asked Faith to marry me," Carson announced when he saw that he had everyone's attention. "She said yes."

The room burst into applause and as people started to move forward to congratulate the newly engaged couple, Nathan saw his opportunity.

"I think I will wait and congratulate Faith and Carson tomorrow and take advantage of the commotion to slip out," Nathan said.

"Do you want me to drive you out?" Lee asked without trying to change Nathan's mind.

"I can walk," Nathan told him. "Do you mind bringing everything out when you finally do leave though?"

"Of course," Lee acquiesced.

"I should probably go check on Cody and Robert," Abigail said. The two boys had asked if they could leave about a half hour earlier. "Would you mind some company for a short distance?" she asked Nathan.

"Not at all," Nathan said. "You shouldn't walk home alone anyway."

Abigail smiled. "I will not waste my breath arguing with you on that point," she told him.

"You'll make sure Elizabeth gets home safely?" Nathan asked, the question directed toward Lee.

"We will," Lee assured him.

Abigail and Nathan said good-bye to the other three and then made their way to the door. With others still occupied with Carson and Faith, they got to table where the coats that did not fit on the coat rack had been placed. The two found their coats and donned coat, hat, and gloves. Nathan then opened the door and held it for Abigail.

Following Abigail outside, Nathan felt relief as he stepped out on the boardwalk in front of the Queen of Hearts. At this point, even being out in the cold was preferable to further time being the center of attention. A soft laugh at his side brought his attention to his companion.

"Was it really that bad?" Abigail asked even as they both started toward the café. There was a kind but amused expression on her face.

"Don't get me wrong. I appreciate what everyone has done, but I felt like I was suffocating in there after about fifteen minutes," Nathan told her.

"Bill said you would not appreciate being the center of attention," Abigail admitted. "It was why we did not tell you what we had planned."

"If you had, I never would have shown up, even with Bill staying with Ally," Nathan told her.

"That is what we figured and as much as the gifts and money are going to help you, I think you needed a little time, no matter how short, where you could not be concerned about Ally and enjoy yourself."

Nathan nodded. "It did feel nice just to socialize with people for a bit," he admitted.

"Then I consider tonight a success," Abigail informed him.

They had only taken a few more steps when Nathan suddenly felt something loop around his arms, tighten and pull him backwards. His feet slipped on the snow covered ground. As he hit the ground, the air was forcefully pushed from his lungs. He heard a gasp of surprise from somewhere nearby.

Abigail!

Despite his concern for the woman, Nathan remained on the ground feeling dazed for a few moments. Finally, he was able to draw air into his lungs again. He reached toward the thing that had looped around him, planning to remove it before getting to his feet. A voice stopped him.

"Stay where you are, Nathan boy, or I will shoot the lady."

His brother-in-law's voice cut through the fog and Nathan glanced in the direction he thought Abigail should be. He saw his brother-in-law standing next to Abigail. He had a hold of one of her arms, and though Nathan did not see a gun, the rigidness of Abigail's body told him not to doubt his brother-in-law's claim that he had one.

"Leave her out of it, Dylan," Nathan said, from where he lay.

"Ah, ever the gentleman," Dylan taunted. "Though if she helps me out, I will let her go. You are the real bargaining chip I need to get to Ally at this point," Dylan said. He briefly glanced at Abigail. "What do you say pretty lady?" Dylan said pulling on the arm he held. "Are you going to help me?"

Abigail opened her mouth but Nathan spoke first, afraid that Abigail might try to resist. Like a lot of the women in Hope Valley, Nathan had quickly learned that Abigail had an independent streak.

"Do whatever he wants, Abigail," Nathan instructed. "I do not want anyone else getting hurt."

Dylan chuckled. "Saint Nathan," Dylan taunted. "That always was the biggest thing that annoyed me about you, Nathan. Always wanting to do the right thing. Did you tell our little girl you set me up so you could send me to prison?"

"You have no right to claim Ally as your daughter after what you have done," Nathan told him. "Besides, you are the one that tried using her to black mail me."

"I plan on using her again, Nathan my boy," Dylan told him.

Nathan felt an icy feeling go done his spine that he had a feeling had nothing to do with the snow he was lying on.

Dylan yanked on Abigail's arm again. Nathan saw her wince but refrained from protesting, afraid that anything he said would just make things worse for Abigail.

"You are going to go over and remove his gun and toss it away. I then have a length of rope that you are going to tie his hands with," Dylan instructed Abigail. "I want to make sure Nathan doesn't try anything cute when we go out to his house. I am sure the old guy will not do anything stupid when I have a gun pointed at Nathan. Especially, not in front of Ally. Once I have Ally, Nathan is going to get me money and help me get out of the area or neither he nor Ally will live to see Christmas."

Nathan heard Abigail gasp as he felt dread settle in his stomach. After Dylan's earlier actions, Nathan did not doubt his brother-in-law's words. Ally might be his biologically, but he knew the man did not truly love his daughter.

"So, pretty lady," Dylan continued. "When I let go of your arm, are you going to follow my instructions?"

"Yes," Abigail replied with a shaky voice.

Dylan let go of her arm with a shove toward where Nathan lay. "You try anything Nathan and I will shoot her and then deal with you."

With his upper arms still pinned at his side with the rope Dylan had used to pull him off his feet, Nathan held his hands slightly up in the air where Dylan could see them. He would not do anything to jeopardize Abigail.

Abigail knelt beside Nathan. "I am sorry," she whispered, as she reached for his gun.

"It's all right," Nathan assured her.

Abigail tossed the gun aside.

"Tie his hands," Dylan instructed, tossing the rope toward them.

Abigail picked it up and then began looping the rope around his wrists.

"Tie them tight," Dylan told her.

Abigail looked up at Nathan, who nodded his consent. He did not want any innocent person getting hurt.

"On your feet," Dylan instructed, when Abigail had pulled the final knot snug.

Abigail did so, even as Nathan tested his bonds discreetly.

"As promised, you may leave but you head away from where everyone is gathered," Dylan instructed. "You call out or try to get help, and I will shoot him. You turn and look back, I will shoot him. I promise."

Abigail said nothing but began walking in the direction of the café. Dylan watched her, though the gun was pointed in Nathan's direction. Even with his hands bound, Nathan considered his chances of tackling Dylan. At least it was a chance.

Before he could though, someone else rushed past him. As the figure tackled Dylan, Nathan recognized Lucas. The saloon owner went down to the ground, Dylan underneath him. The two men were struggling for control of Dylan's gun.

Nathan struggled with the rope binding his hands. If he could get his hands free, he could help Lucas. He was relieved that Abigail was still walking away. The sound of a gunshot made him freeze. The gun the men had been struggling over had gone off. The struggle in front of him stopped. Nathan held his breath, unsure who had been shot. Beyond Dylan and Lucas, Abigail had stopped and turned. She stood frozen some distance away.

It was finally Lucas who lifted himself up, the gun now in his hand. The saloon owner looked at the gun and then to the man lying on the ground in front of him.

Hands still bound, Nathan crawled toward Dylan. His brother-in-law's mouth moved, but the words that came out were too soft for Nathan to make out. Frothy blood started forming at the corner of Dylan's mouth. Blood on his coat showed where the bullet had entered his chest.

Nathan placed his hands over the wound, pressing hard. It wasn't that he cared if Dylan lived or died, but he knew he had to try to save his life. It was who he was.

More voices and footsteps behind him told Nathan that the gunshot had been heard by those inside the Queen of Hearts.