Nathan put on his purple pullover sweater. Somehow, Ally and Elizabeth had ganged up on him about chopping down on a Christmas tree today. For many, the day after Thanksgiving seemed early to decorate for Christmas. But Nathan could understand Ally's excitement. Last Christmas, it had been their first Christmas in Hope Valley. Yet Nathan had also received news of his inspector promotion. So his life, their life, had been at a crossroads. He agreed to a tree and decorations but part of him had wondered if it was worth the effort.
Nathan remembered last Christmas vividly. Elizabeth showing him and Ally where to find a Christmas tree, getting lost in her eyes about not wanting to be anywhere else—only to be interrupted by Ally, the first of many times—and then Elizabeth staying to decorate with them. He remembered helping her put an ornament on the top of the tree; Nathan remembered the warmth he felt standing next to her. His smile when Elizabeth had provided extra ornaments for his niece. Nathan also remembered Ally saving a pine cone so she could plant the seeds, grow a seedling, and plant it outside—just like Nathan and Colleen had used to do.
But from that moment, everything had gone a little haywire. Ally had found out about the promotion and put on a brave face about Nathan accepting it. Elizabeth had found out and was not happy about being left in the dark. Ally singing in the Christmas choir but being devasted the entire time. Nathan realizing that he couldn't picture his niece, or himself, anywhere but Hope Valley. So he had declined the promotion. Yet Lucas had been in his way and Nathan couldn't tell Elizabeth the news. Still, it had been the right decision.
Now, almost twelve months later, Nathan and Ally had truly settled into Hope Valley. It was home. And Elizabeth and Little Jack were in their lives. Actually, really, truly, in their lives. Nathan smiled. He was doing a lot of smiling these days.
Nathan looked at the pictures on his nightstand. Once he and Elizabeth had made their feelings known to each other, Nathan had gone to Carson for a photo—the one from Jesse and Clara's wedding. He framed one for himself and he had asked for a copy. He had plans to give it to Elizabeth come Christmas. There was also the picture of Colleen, Nathan, and Ally when Ally was a toddler.
"She's growing up Colleen," Nathan spoke out loud. "You would be proud of her. I sure am. I love her like she is my own. I promise to keep taking care of her. Being stationed here in Hope Valley was the best thing for our Ally girl."
"You ready, Uncle Nathan," Ally knocked on the door, popping her head in as well. "You, Me, Miss Elizabeth, a tree…"
Nathan remembered that Lee and Rosemary had offered to watch Jack for the day. That way Ally could have a special moment with just Nathan and Elizabeth. Like last year. The three of them.
"Do you think we will be able to top last year's?" Nathan asked.
"Uncle Nathan," Ally sighed. "We have to. Last Christmas was great. It was our first one here! But I think this Christmas is going to be even better!"
They had found the perfect tree, Ally believed. She stepped back to admire the handiwork. There were ornaments, popcorn garland…it was beautiful.
Elizabeth put her hands on Ally's shoulders. "It really is the perfect tree."
Nathan brought over two cups of hot chocolate. "I stand corrected Ally. We did better than last year."
"Oh you of little faith," Ally teased. "I was determined."
"And Ally," Elizabeth remarked, "Your ideas for decorating with pine boughs was great too." Elizabeth looked up. She blushed at what she saw. "That's not pine boughs."
"Nope," Nathan's eyes communicated desire. "That's mistletoe."
"Okay, you two," Ally backed up. "I'll be right back. Get anything out of your system…"
Nathan took Elizabeth in his arms. "Honestly, Elizabeth, there really is nowhere else I would rather be."
He kissed her gently. But it still left him breathless.
"Nathan," Elizabeth whispered.
"Ahem," Ally coughed from the staircase.
Nathan didn't break away. "What?! You have been after me to court Mrs. Thornton for months."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Ally smirked. "And it's adorable. Really it is. But I have a request for you Uncle Nathan."
Ally revealed what she was hiding behind her back—a guitar.
"I think it's time you play."
Elizabeth looked shocked. "I didn't know you played Nathan."
"He played a lot for me and Mom when he would visit," Ally interjected. "My mom always used to sing with him."
Nathan's voice was thick with emotion. "Colleen and I were musical as children. That continued as we grew up. Every time I visited her, we would sing together."
"But after everything with Mom," Ally looked down for a moment, collecting her thoughts, "Uncle Nathan stopped playing. He started back up again after we came to Hope Valley. After he met you, Miss Elizabeth."
"Really?" Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears.
"I told you in a letter that you have filled my life with colors that I had never imagined. What I realized was that you brought some colors back into my life. The way you made Ally and I feel welcome, like we had a place to belong, it made me happy. Ally and I have been happy, sure, but not like this. Not like we have the last two years." Nathan looked at his niece and smiled. "And Ally's being in the choir also prompted me to play again."
"Will you play for me?" Elizabeth asked.
Nathan took the guitar from Ally. He sat on the couch. Elizabeth and Ally settled in front of the fire, holding their cups of cocoa. Nathan tuned the guitar and began to play and sing.
Silent Night
Holy Night
All is Calm
All is Bright
Elizabeth began to harmonize with Nathan
Round yon virgin
Mother and child
Holy infant so, tender and mild
Now Ally joined in
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Nathan continued to strum and play. How good it felt to be playing again. For Elizabeth to sing with him. To see Ally so rapturously enthralled, undoubtedly remembering the moments of Colleen singing.
Nothing could ruin this day, Nathan believed, as he played another carol. Nothing at all.