Elizabeth woke up just before 6am on December 22, 1918. The sun wasn't up just yet and Little Jack was still asleep. This would be their last morning waking up together in the rowhouse because it was Elizabeth and Nathan's wedding day! As she lay there, Elizabeth smiled to herself as she thought about the events of the past year and how much had changed in her life since last Christmas.

Elizabeth and Nathan had continued courting after Christmas and were virtually inseparable from that point on. Dinner was usually either a date night with the 2 of them or a family dinner with the kids. Sometimes Allie would have friends join them and sometimes she would dine at Opal or Emily's. The Coulters and their newly adopted 7 year old son Fred from the Brookfield Orphanage were also frequent dinner companions. Sometimes they would also dine at Abigail's Cafe so that Bill could join the group for dinner. Elizabeth loved how her Hope Valley family continued to grow.

Elsewhere in town, Gustav had decided that a growing town like Hope Valley needed a fancy restaurant aptly named Gustav's so he and Lucas agreed to be business partners. Gustav would handle the day to day management and serve as head chef while Lucas was his silent partner and investor. Lucas still had his hands full with the Queen of Hearts and Gowen Petroleum so he didn't have the time to manage a 3rd business too. Gustav still helped Lucas plan the menu at the saloon but Lucas had hired a new chef to do the cooking. During the year, Henry Gowen had come back on board at the oil company first as a consultant and finally as a partner. Lucas still retained 60% control of the company but things were going well and Henry was grateful to be making money rather than losing it. Lucas had also hired Fiona early on to help him run the oil company. It turns out she had many talents and had also been able to help Lucas grow the business at the Queen of Hearts. The saloon now served a full menu for lunch and dinner and also hosted many more private events. Once Lucas quickly realized what a good fit Nathan and Elizabeth were, he quickly started to open his heart to Fiona. The 2 fell for each other, started courting, and got engaged during a Thanksgiving trip to Niagara Falls in October.

On Valentine's Day, Nathan managed to plan the perfect date for Elizabeth. He had reserved a table at Gustav's for a candlelight dinner where he had pre-ordered Elizabeth's favorite dishes: steak, mashed potatoes, and string beans along with red wine. It turns out that Ned Yost was a violinist back in college so Gustav hired him on special occasions to play at the restaurant. This didn't take away from his time at the mercantile and Ned appreciated the opportunity to keep his violin skills sharp. So Ned was at Gustav's on Valentine's Day to entertain the couples dining. As always, Elizabeth and Nathan enjoyed each other's company and had an easy conversation. Between dinner and dessert, Nathan placed a small rectangular box in front of Elizabeth.

"Happy Valentine's Day, my love!" he said as he reached across the table and squeezed her hand.

Elizabeth smiled back and slowly opened the box to reveal a beautiful heart shaped locket. A small diamond was in the middle of the heart. Elizabeth looked at the necklace slowly and turned it over to find a familiar inscription: "Always Do What You Are Afraid To Do. I Will Love Your Forever. Nathan" Elizabeth could barely see straight through the tears in her eyes. She looked up and smiled at Nathan and reached over to squeeze his hand.

"Open the locket, sweetheart."

Elizabeth did just that and opened it to find the photo of her and Nathan from Clara and Jesse's wedding on one side and a photo of Allie and Jack on the other. Now Elizabeth was full on happy crying. Nathan stood up and pulled her into a gentle hug which quickly turned into a kiss. Finally, Nathan held his hand out for the necklace and watched as Elizabeth turned around and lifted her hair. He then fastened the necklace around her neck, gave her a quick kiss on the neck, and helped her sit down. Gustav himself brought out his famous chocolate cake for dessert. It was served with a secret recipe buttercream sauce poured over it topped with a single cherry. Both Nathan and Elizabeth loved the cake and it was one of the reasons they enjoyed dining at Gustav's.

"That was delicious! Thank you Nathan for such a romantic evening!" Elizabeth's eyes sparkled at him.

Nathan paid and helped Elizabeth put on her coat. "Take a walk with me around the pond. We still have an hour left before we told Laura we'd be back." They walked silently arm in arm until they got to the pond. "Why don't we go over to the dock area and sit down for a few minutes?" asked Nathan.

When they got there, they remained standing and just looked out at the water together.

"Thank you again Nathan! I had such a wonderful time tonight. I don't want the evening to end." said Elizabeth as she leaned into Nathan for a kiss.

"Maybe it doesn't have to end just yet." smiled Nathan as Elizabeth raised her eyebrows at him.

Nathan held Elizabeth's hands and took a deep breath and said: "Elizabeth, I know we've only been courting for about 4 months now but we've known each other for 2 years. In that time, you and Little Jack have become the 2 most important people in my life next to Allie. I love you more than words can describe and there is nobody else I want to spend my life with," he said as he gently let go of her hands and slowly got down on one knee in front of her. "I want to be a father to Little Jack and I want for us to be able to adopt Allie and raise her as our daughter. I know that's what she wants too. Elizabeth, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

He opened the small velvet box in his hand and revealed a gorgeous diamond ring with one round diamond surrounded by 2 smaller ones to represent Allie and Jack. The center diamond also matched the one on Elizabeth's new locket.

"Yes Nathan! Of course I'll marry you! I want nothing more than to raise our children together and eventually add more children to the mix."

Nathan stood up and slipped the ring on Elizabeth's finger. He then pulled her into a long and passionate kiss under the moonlight. They eventually came up for air and just stared into one another's eyes for a few minutes before heading back arm in arm to Elizabeth's rowhouse to relieve Laura. They returned to find not only Laura, Allie, and Jack but also, Lee, Rosemary, and Bill.

"She said yes!" said Nathan as he held up Elizabeth's left hand. Hugs and congratulations all around! Bill had brought a bottle of champagne from the saloon and the group toasted the happy couple. The children were beyond excited as were all of the adults.

As Elizabeth lay in bed and thought back to that magical night, she couldn't believe it was finally their wedding day. Since the courtship was so quick, they had decided to have a longer engagement to help blend their families more seamlessly and also to give the family time to build their dream house. Elizabeth had always wanted to have a Christmas wedding, something she didn't get to experience with Jack. So Nathan wanted to make her dream come true. They decided on the date December 22 so that they could still celebrate Little Jack's 3rd birthday on Christmas Eve and so he'd always have his special day. They also wanted to keep Christmas Day separate.

Shortly after the engagement, Nathan and Bill had reached out to some Mountie contacts to help locate Allie's biological father. It wasn't a difficult process. Joe Wilder had long been a drunk and a gambler and Nathan never liked him. It was one of the few things he and Colleen disagreed on. It turns out Joe was serving a 20 year sentence for violently attacking a man over a gambling debt. In early April, Nathan went to Calgary to visit him in jail and to ask him to relinquish his parental rights to Allie. Sadly, Joe signed away his rights without a fight. For that, Nathan was grateful. Nathan was able to legally adopt Allie by the end of May and dad and daughter were happier than ever.

Right after the wedding ceremony, Elizabeth and Nathan would surprise both Allie and Jack with adoption papers. Elizabeth would legally become Allie's mom and Nathan would legally become Little Jack's dad though his last name would be Thornton-Grant. Elizabeth was adamant that her son go through life honoring both his fathers. Nathan was fine with Jack keeping the Thornton name but Elizabeth insisted he also use the Grant name like the rest of his family.

Elizabeth finally heard Little Jack stirring. She put on her robe and walked into Little Jack's room at the rowhouse for one of the final times. Tonight the family would officially move to their brand new house on the meadow built on the land Jack had purchased 6 years prior. The house was built and already fully furnished with most of their belongings already moved in. It was also fully decorated for Christmas. Nathan and Elizabeth would spend their wedding night there with the children staying with Nathan's mom at Elizabeth's rowhouse. The Coulters would be building their own house on the adjacent plot of land come Spring. Elizabeth picked up her son and took him downstairs where they shared a final breakfast with just the 2 of them.

By the time Elizabeth had cleaned up the bare kitchen and changed, Allie, Rosemary and a 6 months pregnant Clara arrived to help her get ready. Nathan's mom Carole arrived shortly after to help out where needed and keep an eye on her new grandson. Rosemary worked on Elizabeth and then Allie's makeup while Clara worked on everyone's hair. It was an early afternoon wedding so the morning passed quickly. Clara had brought over some small bites from the Cafe that the ladies could munch on in lieu of lunch. After everyone's hunger was satisfied, it was time to get dressed.

Elizabeth slipped into the custom made gown that Rosemary had made for her as a wedding gift. It was off-white with three quarter sleeves, an empire waist, and a v-neck collar. The dress was made of silk with a lace overlay and came all the way down to her feet. Elizabeth had recently started wearing the trendier ankle length skirts as had most of the women in Hope Valley so this long gown was truly a treat. Elizabeth did not want a train since this was her 2nd wedding and she wanted to keep things a bit simpler. The veil matched the color of the dress and was attached to a gold tiara, also a gift from Rosemary. Elizabeth wanted to wear her hair down for this wedding so her curls were flowing beautifully down her back. Allie wore a matching tiara in her hair with a similar hairstyle. Elizabeth also wore her diamond locket which hung perfectly with her v-neck dress. Since it was a Christmas wedding, that was also the theme however, Elizabeth and Nathan chose to forego most of the traditional red and green. Instead, the theme was more classic with silver and blue decorations throughout. So, Allie, Rosemary, and Clara all wore matching powder blue gowns that were similar in style to Elizabeth's gown.

Once everyone was ready, they got into Lee's car with Rosemary behind the wheel and drove to the Queen of Hearts. Elizabeth and Nathan had loved Jesse and Clara's wedding so much that they decided that they wanted to use the same venue. Since they were now friends with Lucas, it wasn't awkward at all and it helped him and Fiona promote the saloon as a venue for private events.

Nathan stood up at the altar looking around the room at his friends and family. He was wearing his dress serge uniform so his gold belt and accents would complement Elizabeth's attire perfectly. Standing with him were his Best Man Constable Gabriel Kinslow, Bill, and Lee. They each had navy blue suits with powder blue ties to match the bridal party. Gabe chose to wear the civilian suit instead of his dress serge so that the groom could stand out. Nathan would be returning the favor at Gabe's upcoming June wedding to Lillian Walsh.

As Nathan looked around the room, he was elated to see so many loved ones. Grace and Julie Thatcher sat in the front row on one side of the room along with Viola and her husband Sir Lionel. An empty seat was left open for William after he walked his daughter down the aisle. Nathan had not only been stunned that the Thatchers all accepted the wedding invitation but, they had even come 2 weeks prior to the wedding and planned to stay an additional week after to help get the new Grant family settled in their new home. Nathan and Elizabeth were grateful that they had come and bonded with their new son-in-law and granddaughter to be. Behind the Thatchers sat Abigail and Cody who had returned for the wedding. Next to them were Charlotte and Tom Thornton. Opposite the Thatchers sat Carole and Archie Grant. While not a couple by any means, Nathan's parents had slowly started to work their way back to a friendship. Lillian Walsh sat with the Grants.

The pianist started to play the music and in walked Little Jack the ring bearer along with his 4 year old cousin Victoria, the flower girl. He got up to the altar and raised his hands up to Nathan who scooped him up immediately and kissed his cheek. Little Jack's suit was a mini version of the navy groomsmen suits. Allie, Clara, and Rosemary soon followed. Allie was serving as Elizabeth's Maid of Honor. Finally, the wedding march started to play and the guests stood and turned around. Elizabeth stood at the back of the aisle on her father's arm. Nathan couldn't breathe so Gabe nudged him slightly and reminded him to do so. William walked Elizabeth down the aisle, gave her a kiss on the cheek, and placed her hand into Nathan's free one. He then took his granddaughter's hand and his grandson out of Nathan's arms and sat him on his lap for the ceremony while Victoria walked over to Viola and sat on her lap.

Pastor Frank had returned with Abigail so he was performing the ceremony. Nathan and Elizabeth were holding hands and staring at one another through tears.

"We are gathered here today to celebrate the love of Nathan and Elizabeth and their children Allison and Jack Jr. Today these 4 people will come together to form a family. Nathan and Elizabeth have written their own vows. Nathan, will you please say your vows to Elizabeth?"

"Elizabeth, you are the love of my life and you and the children are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I am so glad that I gave up the Inspector promotion to remain here in Hope Valley because I cannot even begin to imagine my life without you in it. I know it took us some time to get here today but, you and I were always meant to be together. I cannot wait to start and end each day by your side and I look forward to raising Allie, Jack, and any other children we are blessed with together. I love you more than I can say, my sweet Elizabeth."

Elizabeth was crying but she managed to compose herself as Pastor Frank asked her to now recite her vows to Nathan.

"Nathan, I bless the day that you walked into my life. I never expected to find love again or to have more children but you and Allie have proven me wrong. And I'll forever be grateful for that. You are a wonderful father already to Allie and now Jack and I pray that we are blessed with even more children together. You are also the most incredible man and I am so thankful that we finally found our way to one another. I look forward to walking through life with you by my side everyday. You are my life love Nathan Grant and I will love and cherish you for the rest of my life."

Both Nathan and Elizabeth were now crying as were many of the guests and members of the wedding party. Pastor Frank continued the ceremony.

"Nathan, do you take the Elizabeth Grace Thatcher Thornton to be your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do" said Nathan without hesitation.

"Elizabeth, do you take the Nathan William Grant to be your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do" smiled Elizabeth.

"May I have the rings please?" asked Frank as Gabe handed them to him.

He handed Nathan a ring and Nathan placed it on Elizabeth's finger. "With this ring, I thee wed."

Frank then handed Elizabeth a ring and she placed it on Nathan's finger. "With this ring, I thee wed."

"By the power vested in me by the province of Alberta, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Kiss your bride Nathan!" beamed Frank.

Nathan did exactly that. He stepped forward and pressed his lips to Elizabeth's while the crowd cheered and applauded. It was a long and passionate kiss. "I love you Elizabeth," he said as they came out of the kiss "And I love you Nathan, more than you'll ever know," smiled Elizabeth.

They turned to face the crowd and Nathan quickly walked over to William Thatcher and took Little Jack in his arms. He came back to the altar and held Elizabeth's hand with his free one. Elizabeth put her other arm around Allie as Bill stepped forward and quickly led the new family to a small table on the left side of the room that held the adoption papers ready to be signed. Nathan and Elizabeth each signed the necessary documents, walked back to the altar, and engulfed the children in a family hug in front of everyone.

Pastor Frank continued "Family and friends, I now present to you for the very first time the Grant Family."

Nathan, Elizabeth, Allie, and Jack walked back up the aisle to the sounds of cheering and applause. They immediately walked over to Lucas' office and shut the door while the guests moved over to the reception. Allie was now crying so Nathan sat down with Jack on his lap and pulled her close to him. Elizabeth stood behind Allie with her hands on her shoulders.

"What's wrong sweetheart?" asked Nathan

"I am just so happy about the wedding and the adoption. I have a Mom and a Dad again and also a little brother."

"Yes you do Allie!" said Elizabeth as she bent over and kissed her new daughter's head.

Nathan pulled Allie into a hug with him and Jack. Elizabeth then put her arms around Allie's back and joined the family hug. Little Jack had had enough sitting still and climbed down from Nathan's lap. Allie took his hand and started slowly walking him towards the door.

Nathan stood up and took Elizabeth's hands in his. "Have I told you how beautiful you look Mrs. Grant? You took my breath away when you first walked in."

"And you look so handsome in that dress uniform Constable. I'm so glad you decided to wear the uniform instead of a navy suit. I know you were debating what to do up until the last minute."

"Elizabeth, you and the children are my entire world and will always come first for me. I know you know that but I wanted to repeat it. I love my job too but, I love you 3 even more and you'll always be my priority. I love you. And I'm glad I decided to wear the dress uniform too. I'm glad I could represent all parts of my life on our special day."

Elizabeth looked at her new husband through tears and leaned up to kiss him deeply. They lingered for a few minutes until they realized the children were staring at them from their spot by the door.

"I suppose we should join our guests. We will have plenty of time for this later." whispered Nathan.

"I'm going to hold you to that Constable." smiled Elizabeth as she held Nathan's hand and they walked out to their wedding reception with their new family.

Author's Note: Thank you all for the wonderful reviews and support on my first foray into FanFiction. I had no idea what to expect when I started. Now that the Christmas short story is done, I will be posting a modern Elizabeth and Nathan story in the new year so please stay tuned. Thank you!