AN: So, here is the second chapter of the day. Hope everyone's holiday has been pleasant so far!

"Not tired, Mama," Jack protested sleepily as Elizabeth laid him down in his bed. "It is Chris'mas," he added as his eyes drooping shut briefly before he opened them again. In his arms he held the stuffed bunny rabbit dressed in a tux and top hat that Julie had sent him.

Elizabeth smiled. Though he had been excited about things last year, this year it was different. This year, Jack seemed to be catching on that yesterday and today were different from other days of the years. Apparently, the boy did not want to miss a moment of the special day.

"It will still be Christmas when you wake up from your nap," Elizabeth informed him, reaching down to pull the blanket up over him.

Jack pushed it away. "No. Aunt Abby's blanket," he insisted.

Elizabeth smiled. She had not had a chance yet to take off Jack's old blanket and replace it with the quilt that Abigail had made for him though the quilt had made it upstairs.

"All right," Elizabeth said, folding the blanket that Jack had pushed away down at the foot of the bed. Walking over to the rocking chair that held the quilt and the clothes that Jack had gotten for Christmas, Elizabeth retrieved the quilt. Returning to the bed, she unfolded the quilt and placed it over her son. Leaning over she tucked it around Jack and the bunny. "Now, will you take a nap, my sweet boy?" Elizabeth asked.

"Not tired," he insisted again, this time the protest followed by a yawn.

Elizabeth sat down on the edge of the low child size bed, she had moved Jack into as he had been climbing out of his crib. She was afraid he would fall and hurt himself in the effort of getting out. She was still worried about him falling out of the bed, but it was lower and she had bought big pillows to put on the floor next to the bed to cushion any falls.

"I think you are," Elizabeth insisted calmly. "Do you really want to fall asleep during dinner at Aunt Abby's?" she asked, using her son's version of Abigail's name.

Jack shook his head.

"Then nap now and when you wake up it will be time to head into town for dinner, all right?"

Jack looked at her, not agreeing or disagreeing with her. "Song?" he finally asked.

"You want me to sing you a song while you fall asleep?" Elizabeth asked, making sure she understood what Jack was asking.

Jack nodded.

"What song would you like Mama to sing to you?"

"Silent Night!"

Elizabeth smiled, not at all surprised by the request. She wasn't sure where Jack's fascination with Silent Night had come from, but this year at least, it seemed to be his favorite. Without delay, Elizabeth began to sing the familiar carol, her fingers gently brushing through Jack's hair as she did so. The combination of the movement, his mother's voice, and sheer sleepiness soon had Jack drifting off to sleep. Though Elizabeth had a feeling that Jack was asleep about halfway through the song, Elizabeth finished it anyway.

As the last note drifted away, Elizabeth finally stopped stroking Jack's hair and let her hands rest in her lap. As she watched Jack sleep, her thoughts drifted to last night when the frame had been dropped. Hearing the sound of the frame hitting the floor, Elizabeth's first thought had been fear for Little Jack. Even as she heard his cries she had been turning and heading toward him only to watch as Nathan naturally picked the toddler up to comfort him even as he checked on Ally.

Elizabeth had hesitated a moment at the sight of Nathan comforting Jack. The action had come instinctively and without thought. The upset toddler had been near him and so Nathan's father heart had reached out to comfort and protect.

That was the kind of father figure that Jack needed in his life. Not someone who treated him as an after thought. Though Elizabeth knew that she should not judge Lucas too harshly. Being a parent was a learning curve, one in which mistakes were made. Lucas was not a parent. He could not understand that part of her life. She couldn't expect him to know how to relate to Little Jack. She had never even asked Lucas how he felt about children or having children of his own.

But that did not matter anymore. Lucas was not right for her and she was not right for him.

Leaning over, Elizabeth placed a kiss on her son's forehead. Nathan was not the only one that needed to be putting a child before his own wants. She needed to do that as well. A relationship could not just be about her. She needed to consider Jack in any relationship she pursued as well. Something that she had not been doing with Lucas. What kind of mother told their nanny to keep a close eye on their child because he seemed off and hadn't eaten and then went for a horseback ride with a suitor? What kind of mother spent a bulk of her free time with a suitor and left her child with the nanny? Not that Jack had not been well cared for in Laura's hands, or even Robert's. However, that was not the point. While an occasional outing with Lucas would have been acceptable, Elizabeth knew she should have insisted on having Jack with them more often. After all, Jack would always be a part of the picture.

"I will not make the mistake a second time, my precious boy," Elizabeth whispered as she got to her feet, a memory coming to mind. Nathan asking her to dinner and when she mentioned not being sure if she had someone to watch Jack, he had simply suggested they include the kids. There had been no hesitation. He had simply wanted to spend time with her, and if that meant including the kids, then Nathan had accepted that as something natural. Perhaps it should be when one was a single parent.

Elizabeth made sure the pillows were positioned by the bed, just in case, and then headed for the door. Reaching the doorway, she turned and looked back at her sleeping boy. Jack was her world. The last bit of the husband she had loved. A part of their love that would live on no matter what the future held.

With Jack sleeping peacefully, Elizabeth slipped back downstairs. Remnants of the morning festivities were still scattered about. Rosemary had offered to help clean up before she and Lee had headed home but Elizabeth had politely refused. She and Lee still had to cook their own dinner, which because Abigail had invited her to dinner with her, Cody, Jesse and Clara, Elizabeth did not have to do.

Elizabeth looked around the room and quickly decided she did not have the energy now for the cleanup. Little Jack wasn't the only one who needed a nap. Elizabeth felt like she could use one too after opening presents, brunch with Bill, Rosemary, and Lee and then giving Jack time to expend some of his energy with his new toys. Rosemary and Lee had given him a train set, and while Lee had helped with putting the track together, Jack had not mastered keeping the train on the track. The toddler would get upset every time the train derailed. Elizabeth hoped it was something he would get past quickly.

Making her way to the kitchen area, Elizabeth put on water to boil. While she waited for it, she did the dishes. The quiet of the house stood out to her. Growing up, the house had been filled with extended family all day long. Quiet was nonexistent on Christmas Day in the Thatcher household. She had grown up with the sounds of family for Christmas and since coming to Hope Valley she was grateful for the friends who included her, and now Little Jack, in their celebrations. Elizabeth knew that if she wanted to, she could bundle Jack up and head to the café now and be welcomed with open arms.

However, the mother in her also knew that Little Jack would be in a much better mood this evening if he was able to get a nap. His own bed in a quiet house was the most conducive for that happening.

When the water boiled, Elizabeth found some oolong tea and made herself a cup. Making sure everything was in a safe place in the kitchen, a habit from her mistake that led to burning down the teacherage when she first came to Hope Valley, Elizabeth made her way to the settee with her hot drink. She breathed in the aroma of the tea as she walked, the aroma of the drink as soothing as the process of drinking it.

Settling herself on the settee, Elizabeth found her thoughts drifting to Nathan and Ally. How wonderful that Ally had regained movement of her feet on Christmas Eve. It was a wonderful present for Ally and for Nathan. Nathan had seemed to be carrying less weight on his shoulders when he had left the schoolhouse than when she had walked in on him.

Elizabeth found herself wondering what father and daughter were doing right now. She knew that Bill was going to help cook Christmas dinner. Not that any of them thought Nathan would not be capable of it. He had been cooking Christmas dinner for himself and Ally for years now. However, Bill had also wanted to give Nathan some time to enjoy the holiday, as he had refused all nursing help for Ally for the day. Nathan had not wanted to take anyone away from their family, no matter how much he could have used the help.

Memories of Nathan and Ally's first Christmas in Hope Valley came back to her. How she had enjoyed helping them find a tree. Those moments in the woods had given her an insight into Nathan. Those moments had been the most open that she had ever seen Nathan, as he told her about fishing with Ally on Christmas Day among other things.

Elizabeth knew Nathan had taken Ally on that traditional fishing trip today. Looking toward the window she saw soft flakes drifting from the sky. Were they still by the river, simply enjoying quiet time together or had they gone home? Had they caught anything or simply enjoyed some time alone together doing something they both enjoyed?

Images found their way into her mind. She could see herself making sure both Nathan and Ally were bundled up warm against the elements as she sent them off on their Christmas Day fishing trip. Jack and she would spend some mother and son time together while they were gone. Perhaps even create their own Christmas tradition as Jack got older and developed defined interests. Perhaps there would be fish on the dinner table or perhaps it would be a more traditional one, but it would be a dinner that she prepared for her family.

Family.

Yes, Elizabeth decided. She wanted Nathan and Ally as her family no matter what that may bring. There would be hard times but there would also be laughter and joy and most importantly love.

Last night when Nathan had leaned in to kiss her, Elizabeth had not pulled back. She had wanted to know what Nathan's kiss felt like. However, she also had not been able to kiss him back because he had made it clear what he had expected of her. Last night, she had not been sure she could give him that. Yes, she loved Nathan, but forever was a commitment that she had not been quite ready to make.

The memory of Nathan's kiss flooded her with a warmth that even the tea could not quite provide. It had been tender and full of love. It had been an offering of Nathan's heart that sent the message this is what I have to give if you want it. Nathan had not been trying to convince her of anything.

Elizabeth knew now that she wanted what Nathan had to offer. She wanted that calm, patient, unwavering love. There might never be flamboyant gestures, but that didn't matter. Instead she would get a man who would walk beside her in all things. A man who would not try to push her into making the decision that he wanted. A man who would lend a helping hand or be a shoulder to lean or cry on as the situation called for.

It was not too late to have that. Nathan had told her that his love was not going anywhere anytime soon. He was still waiting for her decision.

How did she make him see that she had finally discovered what was truly in her heart? How did she show him that what she wanted was to make the commitment of 'until death do we part' to him no matter what that may bring?

Nathan stood by the chair that Ally sat in. He had broke away the thin layer of ice that covered the river to create a fishing hole for them. Not that it appeared to have helped. There had been a couple of tugs on his line that might have been a fish, but no serious bites. Ally was not having much better luck.

Something cold touched his cheek. Changing his gaze from the line in front of him, he looked up. The grey skies had finally started dropping their moisture in the form of soft, fluffy snowflakes.

He felt a hand reach up and loop itself around his forearm. Looking down, he saw Ally looking up at him.

"Thank you for making this happen," Ally told him. "It is the best Christmas present I got this year, being able to have this trip with you."

"Even if we didn't catch anything?" Nathan asked.

"Yes, because when I woke up from the surgery and couldn't feel my legs, I was sure that we would not have our Christmas Day fishing trip. However, even before I got the movement back in my feet, you were making sure that this trip happened. So, thank you."

"You are welcome, my Rose," Nathan told her, even as he saw her shiver. "Are you getting cold?"

"Yes," Ally admitted.

Nathan brought in his line. "Then I think it is time we head home."

"Can you help me make one cast while standing, Dad?" Ally asked, even as she reeled in her own line. "I do not know how long I can stand, but I do know you will not let me fall."

Nathan hesitated. Carson had told them to be careful at first as Ally build the strength back up in her legs. However, the doctor had already had her standing with the braces even before she had gotten feeling back.

"Please?" Ally asked.

Nathan nodded. Placing his own pole aside, Nathan helped Ally to stand. Kneeling on the ground behind her, just like he had when teaching her to fish when she was five years old, Ally stood on wobbly legs in front of him. He held onto her, as Ally cast the line into the river. Nathan had no intention on letting this go on too long. He did not want Ally pushing herself too far. However, he would give her a minute or so before having her reel in the line.

As it turned out, it didn't matter. No sooner had the thought crossed his mind then the tip of Ally's poll bent downward as a fish took a hold of the line.

"Bring it in, Ally," Nathan instructed, as he kept a hold of her so that she would not fall.

Ally was reeling in the line, a huge smile on her face. This one fish was the icing on top of an already wonderful outing. Eventually, a good sized fish broke the surface and was soon flopping on the snow-covered bank.

"Looks like you caught the biggest fish this year, Ally," Nathan said even as he helped her back into the chair so that he could get the flopping fish off the hook.

Ally sank into the chair wearily but wearing a huge smile on her face. She shook her head. "No, we caught that one together," Ally told him. "We both win this year."

"Yes, we did," Nathan replied as he moved for the fish. It wasn't just the fishing competition he was talking about either.

Nathan got the fish off the hook and attached him to a string so he could be carried back to the house. He then handed the string to Ally. "As I have to carry you, you get to carry the fish," he told her.

"Fair enough," Ally conceded, taking the fish from him.

Nathan placed both of their fishing poles up against a nearby tree before reaching down and lifting Ally into his arms. He would be back for the poles and chairs after he had Ally back in the house and Bill was present. Nathan had to admit that he was thankful the older man had stubbornly refused to listen to him when Nathan had insisted he could handle everything alone. Yes, Nathan knew he would have found a way to get through the day alone. It wouldn't have been the first Christmas that he had cared for Ally and cooked dinner alone. However, Nathan was grateful that he did not have to. He might not have family nearby to help him, but here in Hope Valley Nathan knew he had found the next best thing - a circle of friends.

"Despite everything that has happened, I think this is the best Christmas ever," Ally commented as Nathan retraced his steps back through the woods. She had her head resting against his shoulder as she watched the snowflakes fall.

A couple of weeks ago, this Christmas had looked to be one of the worst he ever remembered. Worse even than that first Christmas without Colleen. However, what could have been a tragedy had opened the door to so many blessings this year.

"I agree with you with my whole heart," Nathan told her, placing a kiss to the top of her hat clad head.

The aroma of baking ham, garlic, apple, cinnamon and other spices filled the air of her little home as Faith set the table for two. Wanting to make things look special, Faith had borrowed a table cloth, centerpiece and some pretty dishes from Abigail. She may not be able to cook, but she could still contribute to the experience of Christmas dinner.

Satisfied with the table, Faith glanced over at Carson who seemed quite comfortable in her kitchen.

Soon it will be our kitchen, Faith thought, a smile coming to her face.

"Do you need any help?" Faith asked.

Carson shook his head, even as he peered in the oven checking on the ham, biscuits and pie. Faith didn't know how he could manage to cook everything at the same time and not let something burn.

"I have everything under control," Carson told her as he pulled the pie out and then closed the oven. "Dinner should be done in about ten minutes," he told her putting the pie on a cooling rack. "The table looks lovely, so why don't you sit on the settee and enjoy the Christmas tree. You did a lovely job with it this year."

Faith glanced at the tree as she headed for the settee. Sitting for a few minutes did sound like a good idea.

"Nathan and Ally helped me decorate it," Faith told him, thinking back to the tree finding outing. That day, Little Jack wandering off seemed like one of the worst things that could happen. Giving what happened a couple of days later with Ally's accident, it did not seem so bad. "It was Ally who insisted that I get a tree. I am glad she did, so that it was up when you came home," she told him as she sat down on the settee.

"I am glad I came home, Faith. I am sorry I ever left. As much as I enjoy what I do, I love you even more. Apparently, I had to leave to realize just how much more."

Faith smiled. "They say absence makes the heart grow fonder," she replied.

"I think that saying is very true," Carson replied. "Merry Christmas, Faith."

Faith thought back to the start of the month. She had felt so lonely. If it had not been for Nathan's friendship and support, she had a feeling she would have done even more wallowing than she had. Yes, Fiona and others had done their best to keep her spirits up, but sometimes she did not want someone to cheer her up. There were times that she simply wanted someone who understood. She had found that in Nathan.

When Lee, who had met Elizabeth and the children part way into town, had carried Ally into the infirmary Faith's first thought was what if she failed Ally and Nathan. Even as she had instructed Lee to lay Ally on the bed, Faith had been praying for guidance. The girl had been soaked, pale with blue tinged lips and oh so still. With Elizabeth's help as Lee had ushered Robert and the others out of the infirmary, Faith had started getting Ally out of the wet clothes and the process of warming the girl up. In those first moments, she had known what to do but beyond warming her up, Faith had been very uncertain.

Blinking away the tears stinging her eyes at those memories, Faith looked back at Carson. Her fiancé was taking the ham out of the oven unaware of the tears she was fighting.

"It is a very Merry Christmas, Carson because you came home," Faith told him, not caring if he did not understand her double meaning to the words. Carson and Jack were the main force behind a lot of the Christmas miracles this season. Though she was grateful to have him back for her own sake, Faith was even more grateful that he had come back in time to do for Ally what she had not known how to. "Can I help you serve?" Faith asked.

"Yes, you can," Carson told her. "With any luck, this will be our first of many Christmas dinners together."

"I sure hope so," Faith said, getting to her feet and heading toward the kitchen.