Christmas Eve was a beautiful, sunny day. The snow on the ground sparkled in the sunlight, looking like a million tiny diamonds scattered over Hope Valley. The church was decorated elegantly for Christmas. And for a wedding.
Lucas took several deep breaths in a row, pulling at his collar. He couldn't remember ever feeling quite so nervous and excited at the same time. The strange mix of emotions was causing beads of sweat to break out on his forehead, and he pulled out his handkerchief to dab them away.
Nathan chuckled from his place beside him. "Keep breathing, Lucas," he said, looking amused. "This is the most important day of your life. It's normal to be nervous."
"I'm not supposed to be nervous," Lucas said, smiling wryly. "I'm supposed to have it all together, remember?"
That earned him a full laugh from Nathan. "Ever since you started falling for Fiona, you've been anything but all together," he said, still grinning. "And it's the best thing that's ever happened to you." He folded his arms over his crisp black suit that matched Lucas's. "Frankly, it did me a world of good to know someone as unflappable as you could stutter." He unconsciously tugged at his tie, making Lucas smile.
"Thank you for being willing to dress up like that," Lucas said. "I know it's fancier than you're used to."
Nathan looked down at his black suit, tie, and the gold vest under his jacket. "Definitely more something you would wear - and are wearing - but since you and Fiona have an elegant ball planned for the reception, it seems fitting. Though you can be sure this tie is coming off as soon as I get home."
Lucas laughed. "I would expect nothing less." The butterflies started flapping in his stomach again as people started streaming into the church. "Why am I so nervous, Nathan?"
Nathan smiled, putting a hand on Lucas's shoulder. "You're nervous because this is the biggest moment of your life. You're about to be joined to your soulmate. That's huge, my friend." He dropped his hand, his smile widening. "Besides, I can promise you that as soon as Fiona comes through those doors, your nerves will vanish in an instant, and only joy and excitement will remain."
Drawing in another deep breath, Lucas gave a single nod. "I'm holding you to that," he said, raising a brow.
Mike came hurrying up to them, breathing as though he'd been running. "Found the rings," he said, holding them up. "But I couldn't find Elizabeth. She's supposed to tie them to the pillow for Jack."
"I know where Mrs. Grant is," a little voice piped in. Lucas looked down to see Opal smiling up at them, holding out her hand. Mike gave a little sigh of relief and handed the rings to Opal, who vanished out the church doors.
Pastor Zeke emerged from the back room, looking Lucas in the eye. "Are you ready?" he asked. "This is a big day for you."
"Tell me about it," Lucas said, chuckling. "And yes, I think I'm ready."
"Just breathe," Zeke said.
Lucas laughed. "That seems to be the general advice for men about to get married," he said.
"It's time-honored," Nathan said with a grin. "Keep breathing, and soon Fiona will walk through those doors, making all this nervous anticipation worth it."
Lucas nodded. As he did, Clara peeked through the curtain that had been set up by the doors and nodded.
"It's time," Zeke said, picking up his Bible. "Places, everyone."
Florence started the music, and the curtains opened to reveal little Jack and Opal. They walked forward together, Jack holding the pillow and Opal tossing flower petals until they reached the front of the church. Clara and Elizabeth came next, wearing matching princess-style dresses in royal blue. Rosemary had been delighted to create something so "magical," as she called it. Lucas knew Fiona's dress was also princess-style, but that was all she had told him about it.
He could hear Nathan's breath catch as he saw his wife, and Lucas smiled to himself. There was no doubt that Nathan and Elizabeth were perfect for each other. Their love gave him hope that he and Fiona could have a marriage just as strong and just as beautiful.
When the two women reached their places at the front, the music changed, playing the wedding march. The curtains parted, and Fiona appeared, radiant on Carson's arm. She had asked him to give her away when they'd found out her family couldn't make it to the wedding. Carson had agreed readily, happy to fill in for her father. As they stepped forward for the slow walk down the aisle, Lucas knew Nathan was right.
His nerves were gone the second he saw the woman who was about to become his bride. She was stunning in a white dress covered in pearly beading. It sparkled with each step she took. Lucas smiled as he realized it was the first time he'd seen her in a dress that reached below her ankles. A warm white wrap was covering her shoulders, and her dark hair was piled high on her head. She wore the diamond hair combs he had given her and pearls in her ears and around her neck.
She took his breath away.
Their eyes locked together, and with each step Fiona took, Lucas felt his excitement build. By the time Carson handed her to him, he was trembling slightly, in awe that this incredible woman was about to be his wife. A strong joy filled him, and he couldn't stop himself from grinning like a schoolboy. Fiona wore a matching grin on her face, her excitement palpable as well.
"I love you," he whispered, gently touching her cheek with one hand.
Fiona reached up to cover his hand with hers, the love in her eyes piercing his heart.
He was the luckiest man alive.
Nathan watched as Lucas and Fiona opened their Christmas ball with the first dance. They had been floating in their own world from the moment they saw each other in the church, and Nathan couldn't blame them. He remembered how the world had vanished and only Elizabeth remained when they got married. He was happy for his friends, and hoped their life together would be a long and joyful one.
He felt someone slide their arm through his, and turned to see Elizabeth standing beside him. She was the model of grace, beauty, and elegance in her blue dress, with her hair styled the same way it had been at Jack's christening. She truly looked like she could be a princess.
"You are stunning," he told her, pulling her closer and kissing her cheek.
She smiled, placing a hand on his chest. "And you look very dapper," she replied, taking in his formal clothing.
Nathan pulled self-consciously on his tie. "I doubt I will ever dress this fancy again," he said, smiling down at her. "This is definitely high society dress."
"You look handsome," Elizabeth said. "Though I must admit I love your day to day look." She fluttered her lashes at him. "I don't think you could look anything but handsome if you tried."
Nathan laughed. "This from the woman who sees me right when I wake up every morning with rumpled hair and sleepy eyes."
Elizabeth's eyes softened. "I think that might be my favorite look of all," she said softly, standing on tiptoe to press a kiss to his cheek.
Nathan hugged her close, leaning his head against her hair. "I'm so thankful to wake up to you every day," he said. "Have I told you that lately?"
She smiled, shaking her head. "Not since yesterday."
Nathan chuckled. "Well I am. So incredibly thankful." He looked into her eyes. "Even with all the sleepless nights and the challenges of having a newborn, it's all been worth it. I love every minute because you are by my side." And with his heart overflowing with love for his wife, he leaned down and kissed her in full view of their friends, not caring who might see.
He heard a chuckle beside him, and broke away reluctantly from Elizabeth to see Lee next to them, a knowing look in his eyes. "Love is in the air," he said, winking. "Maybe we should change the name of our town to Love Valley." He watched as Rosemary walked past, waving her fingers at them as she talked with Clara.
Nathan took in Rosemary's stomach, which had grown much more pronounced in the last month. "She went from barely visible to looking ready to give birth," Nathan commented.
Lee nodded. "She really did. And it feels that much more real now that the baby has grown so much." He put an arm around little Fred, who had come up quietly to stand beside his father. "We are all so excited. It's going to be hard to wait until February."
"Enjoy the waiting," Nathan said. "You'll have lots of sleepless nights once the baby is born."
Elizabeth laughed. "Undoubtedly! Though it's totally worth it."
"Lee! Fred! Come dance with me," Rosemary said, sweeping up to them. "This is one of my favorite songs!"
Lee grinned. "Duty calls," he said with a little salute to Nathan and Elizabeth as Rosemary pulled them onto the dance floor.
Nathan turned to Elizabeth, holding out his hand. "Will you dance with me, Mrs. Grant?" he asked, his eyes tender.
"Of course," Elizabeth said readily, placing her gloved hand in his. He led her among the other couples on the dance floor and took her into his arms, holding her close as they began waltzing.
He couldn't believe that it had only been a year since they officially started courting. One year ago they had had so many milestones. The beginning of their courtship. Their first kiss. The first declaration of love. It felt like an eternity had passed since then, but it also felt like yesterday. In that year they had gotten engaged, dealt with the fear of losing Allie, pushed up their wedding, gotten married, officially adopted Allie, and experienced the birth of their first child. Nathan was amazed at how much had happened. It had been a wild, unexpected year with more turns than a winding road.
It had also been the most wonderful year of his life.
"One year, Elizabeth," he whispered as they danced together. "It's only been a year since we started this journey together."
She smiled at him, her face radiant. "It's been the best year of my life," she said, her eyes locked on his. "You, Allie, and Jack have been my life, and now Kathleen is too. We have a beautiful family, Nathan, and a beautiful life."
He nodded, a lump in his throat. He never could have imagined a love this big and all-encompassing before he came to Hope Valley. Now he marveled at how his life had turned out.
It was better than he ever could have dreamed.
Elizabeth sat on the settee Christmas morning, Kathleen swaddled snugly in her arms after nursing. She was eating better all the time, and Elizabeth had noticed that her daughter was starting to get plump baby cheeks. She pressed a soft kiss to one of them, reveling in the feeling of Kathleen's velvety smooth skin.
The house was quiet, too early yet for anyone else to be awake. William and Grace were sleeping in the guest room, not wanting to miss a moment of the Christmas festivities. She knew this was the calm before the storm, when her children would wake up and want to open presents, excited at the dawn of a new Christmas. Everyone had agreed to a pajama morning, which suited Elizabeth just fine. Not having to get the kids up and dressed took a lot of pressure off their morning. She smiled at the thought of her parents in their nightclothes, and she knew she would see it for the first time in her life. They were laid back and relaxed here in Hope Valley, and Elizabeth loved seeing them in a new light.
Yesterday they had celebrated Jack's third birthday before the Bouchard wedding, and Elizabeth had a lump in her throat as she realized her baby boy was growing up. Her parents had showered him with love and praise, and Allie and Elizabeth had baked him a cake to celebrate with. It had been a fun celebration with the seven of them, plus Bill and the Coulters. After the busyness yesterday, Jack had fallen asleep quickly when they got home from the wedding. Elizabeth wondered how much longer it would be before Jack came scampering into the living room wanting to open presents.
Nathan shuffled out of their room, yawning. "Good morning, sweetheart," he said, sitting next to Elizabeth and planting a kiss on her forehead. "Have you been up long?"
Elizabeth shook her head. "Only about twenty minutes," she said, keeping her voice quiet. "Kathleen needed to eat, and then she fell right back asleep."
Nathan held his arms out, and Elizabeth placed the baby in them. She leaned against her husband, the two of them watching their daughter sleep. Nathan shook his head, running a finger down Kathleen's cheek. "Precious doesn't even begin to describe this little angel," he said.
"No, it doesn't," Elizabeth agreed with a shake of her head. "I can't wait to find out what it's like to raise her with our other children as the years go on."
"Me neither," Nathan said, resting his head against hers. They sat there, enjoying the solitude together in the quiet of Christmas morning. Snow was falling gently outside. Elizabeth watched it swirl softly to the ground, thinking that it truly felt like Christmas.
The quiet was shattered when Jack's loud, excited voice sounded from his bedroom. "Gwandma! Gwandpa! Wake up! It's Chwistmas!" he hollered. Elizabeth laughed lightly as she heard him running around his grandparents' room, his little feet making almost as much noise as his voice. They heard him run to Allie's room next. "A'wee! Wake up! Chwistmas is heaw!" He bolted headlong into the living room, his eyes fully lit up and excitement written all over his face. "Mama! Daddy! It's Chwistmas!"
Elizabeth chuckled as Jack launched himself into her arms. "It sure is, Jack. Are you ready to open presents?"
'Pwesents!" Jack repeated, clapping his hands. He clamored down from Elizabeth's lap as William, Grace, and Allie made their way into the living room, smiling despite the sleepy looks in their eyes. Nathan handed Kathleen back to Elizabeth. "So it begins," he whispered to her with a smile. He stood and clapped to get the children's attention. "Let's get those gifts passed out!"
Elizabeth held Kathleen close, her heart brimming over with joy. Seeing her family together like this, excited about Christmas, was a balm to her spirit. Her parents were laughing along with the children, looking just as excited as they were. Jack had planted himself in William's lap, eagerly tearing into the first present Nathan handed him. Allie sat next to Grace, trying to be a young lady but unable to quite curb her childish enthusiasm.
Letting out a happy sigh, Elizabeth simply sat and watched the joy around her. She had never in her wildest dreams pictured her life turning out like this. Marrying a man with a child of his own, bringing her own child to their marriage, and building a life together as they blended their families. No, this wasn't how she had dreamed life would turn out.
It was better.