Elizabeth's house smelled amazing. It had been long ago decided that tonight's Christmas Eve dinner, Jack's birthday dinner, would be a holiday feast. The dining table was laden with delicious food: ham, roasted yams, green beans with butter and pearl onions, mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, jello, and hot buttered rolls. Elizabeth and Ally's Christmas cake awaited on the counter, along with cookies, sweet divinity, and chocolate drops.

Elizabeth smiled as she looked around her house. It was definitely louder than it had been last year. Rosemary was in an impromptu game of charades with Millie, Lottie, and Ally. Spencer was building blocks with Lee, Nathan, and Jack. Bill had offered to finish setting the table. The people that Elizabeth loved most in the world were gathered in one room, one place. How thankful she was for second chances and new love.

"Alright, everyone!" Elizabeth had to slip into her teacher voice to get everyone's attention. "Dinner is ready!"

The kids clamored over to their seats. Bill put Jack in his highchair.

"Before we get started," Bill spoke. "I wanted to say something." All eyes turned to Bill as he continued. "Last year, we did not have some of these faces around the table. But Millie, Lottie, and Spencer, we are glad you are here. And Nathan, Ally, frankly I don't know why you both weren't here last year…"

"Bill!" Elizabeth's eyes grew wide in embarrassment.

"Anyway," Bill continued on. "Welcome to the family you two."

Rosemary looked quizzically at Elizabeth. "Elizabeth? What is Bill talking about Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth smiled sheepishly at Rosemary. Because it had been a busy day of cooking and baking, Elizabeth had been unable to share the news with Rosemary. The news of hers and Nathan's engagement. Rosemary looked down to Elizabeth's ring finger and squealed. "Honestly, Elizabeth, why didn't you tell me?"

Rosemary arose from the table and hugged her friend. "I am so happy for you! And for Little Jack! Lee, did you know?"

Lee also smiled sheepishly. "Lee Coulter!" Rosemary squealed. "You knew and you didn't tell me!"

"Rosie, all I did was go pick up the ring for Nathan, that's all!" Lee held up his hand in mock surrender.

"And when did you do that?"

"In Union City." Lee admitted this fact to Rosemary.

"You knew then?" Rosemary tried to not be mad. "Well, regardless, I am still excited for you Elizabeth."

"Rosemary, you will help me plan a wedding, won't you?" Elizabeth knew she had more to say about the wedding, but now it wasn't the time. Still, Elizabeth didn't want her feelings to be hurt.

"Of course I will!" Rosemary was easily placated.

"So," Bill continued on, seemingly undeterred by Rosemary's interruption. "I want to say a blessing before we eat this delicious food. I know, I normally don't do this type of thing but this year, I think it's warranted."

Everyone bowed their heads as Bill prayed

God, we have so much to thank you for this Christmas. For the promise of newness and family and love and peace, everything that comes with Christmas. Thank you for the gift of a baby—your Son and our little guy Jack. Thank you for the new faces that are a part of Jack's life and will be for a very long time.

Bless this food and bless our holiday. Continue to bless Hope Valley as you have all these years.

Amen

"And please bless the children who are still at Brookfield," Spencer added. "Please help them find homes like Millie, Lottie, and I have with Mama and Papa."

"Amen!" Lee said resoundingly, ruffling his son's hair.

The clanging of dishes and the chattering of voices continued up again. Elizabeth sat in her chair, taking it all in.

Nathan looked around the table. To his left sat his Elizabeth, his fiancée. She caught him staring at her and smiled at him. Little Jack's highchair was in between them. "Natan!" Jack responded.

Nathan glanced towards the other side of the table. Ally was practically glowing with happiness. She was talking non-stop with Lottie and Millie. How hard it was to believe that last year, at this precise time, Nathan was still contemplating leaving Hope Valley. That he was toying with uprooting her from her friends, because "nothing was holding them back." At least that was what Nathan had told himself. But after hearing Ally sing at the Christmas Eve sing, Nathan had decided that regardless of where he and Elizabeth would end up, he didn't want to leave Hope Valley. Ally needed Hope Valley. He did too; he needed stability. So that was what he had chosen and as a result, so much had happened.

"You seem far away," Elizabeth's voice interrupted his thoughts. "I know you really prefer for things to be more simple."

"As a matter of fact," Nathan squeezed Elizabeth's hand that rested on his arm, "I was just thinking about how nice this is."

"Really?" Elizabeth tried to not hide her surprise.

"Everyone here in family. And Ally and I have not had a family holiday in a long time. Even seeing my mother hasn't happened because we have been moving around so much." Nathan gave another look around the table.

"Not anymore," Elizabeth smiled. "You are stuck with all of us now."

"I think I'm okay with that," Nathan kissed Elizabeth's hand. "And remember how I said I like simple?"

"Yes." Elizabeth's mind flashed back to the day where she had helped Nathan and Ally find their Christmas tree. The two of them had discussed traditions and when Elizabeth had remarked on Nathan's apparent dislike of the Christmas Festival, Nathan had clarified. He just preferred simple moments.

"Tomorrow is simple. Just us. Just our future family." Nathan looked from Ally to Jack. "Both moments have their place."

Ally looked around the table. The food was delicious, yes, but she actually was enjoying the company more. She and her uncle….her dad…had come a long way from Fort Simpson and boring speeches in the mess hall. Now she was with new friends and her future aunt.

Ally glanced at Elizabeth. She and her dad were in a conversation, seemingly oblivious to everyone around them. Both of them were smiling. Their hands kept touching. Maybe it was a good idea to have Judge Avery be a chaperone tonight.

Tonight's sleepover! Ally was so excited. She had wanted a family Christmas morning. Opal and Emily and Anna talked a lot about running downstairs in their pajamas with their parents, opening presents as the adults sipped coffee. It always sounded so nice. Even with Jack being super little, Ally knew that tomorrow morning would be unlike any other Christmas.

Millie looked around the table. She smiled up at Mrs. Coulter. Her Mama.

Millie had been scared and sad not too long ago. It had been Mr. Gowen reading to her, reminding her of her first daddy, that had helped Millie break out of her shell. Now, she had a second mama and second papa. She lived where she could see Mr. Gowen and perhaps read to him sometime. Millie now had friends and a room to call her own. She only had to share with Lottie.

Miss Lillian and Miss Grace had been so nice; it had been sad to say goodbye to them, to Brookfield. Mama and Papa had promised that they would see them again very soon. Millie believed they were telling the truth.

Tonight, she had a belly full of food. She had presents under the tree. She had a family who loved her. Ally had talked about how this was her best Christmas ever. Millie did not want to fight with her but she disagreed with Ally. It was Millie's best Christmas. No one could question that.

Millie glanced up at Rosemary. "I love you Mama."

Rosemary looked at Millie, tears welling in her eyes. "Oh I love you too, my darling girl. So much."

"This is the best Christmas ever." Millie hugged Rosemary. "It's what Ally says. It's what I say."

"And it's what I say too," Rosemary whispered, overcome with emotion.