December 23
The day before the Christmas program was greeted with snowflakes swirling down from the heavens. For the first time since Rosemary had been in Hope Valley they could quite possibly have a truly white Christmas. Oh, every year there had been snow on the ground, but this was the first one that there was a chance of snow actually falling on Christmas Day. According to the weather reports, the snow could continue on for the next two or three days. Rosemary lifted one hand up toward the sky while the other held her shawl closed. She smiled and twirled around, catching snowflakes on her hair, forehead, cheeks, and tongue. She couldn't contain the laughter that was bubbling up out of her.
Elizabeth stepped out on the schoolhouse staircase and clanged the cowbell, signaling the start of the Christmas program rehearsal. Rosemary caught herself in her ecstasy, and frowned. She forgot how something as joyous as a snowfall could actually be quite troubling to a schoolmistress who awaited the return of her dear Mountie. Rosemary quickly dropped her hands and stopped her twirling. Snow was no cause for rejoicing on this day. It very well could be the thing that hindered Jack Thornton from his arrival home in time for Christmas. Sending a quick prayer heaven bound for his safety and hopeful arrival, Rosemary scuttled up the stairs and into the warm schoolhouse where pandemonium was breaking loose.
A frazzled Elizabeth held her patience in check best she could. "No Robert. You cannot switch to being a shepherd. Now find your frankincense— Opal, don't you look darling dressed as an angel. I do think on this occasion it would be fine for an angel to have a special bear with her. Cody, please don't use your shepherds rod to tease the girls." And on and on it went. Rosemary accessed the scene and pursed her lips. What they needed now was a bit of Christmas spirit.
"Attention children. Yes, even you in the back." Rosemary glared at Robert in particular who was stirring up trouble. She waited until the room quieted to continue. "As you know, we had a lesson a few weeks back about the Christmas spirit. I am happy to inform you that thirty-two boxes were sent off to the Mounties- all of them from our very own Hope Valley. They should be receiving them tomorrow, just in time for Christmas. You ought to be pleased with yourself. The soldiers who are not able to come home for Christmas will be delighted with our gifts."
"Does that include Mountie Jack?" Opal held onto Brownie with one arm and straightened her falling halo with the other.
"Oh um…" Rosemary watched as Elizabeth clutched a handkerchief to her mouth to cover a sob and turned away from the class. "Well, Opal, it could in the event that Mountie Jack was not able to return home for Christmas. But we are all hoping otherwise, aren't we?"
The class quieted and solemn looks came upon their faces, many of them concerned for their lovely teacher. Rosemary knew this wasn't according to their plan, but it was time to act.
"Cody, would you be so kind to retrieve the gift we prepared?"
Cody's eyes widened. "You don't mean the— we were going to wait until Christmas Eve."
"Well, it looks as if right now is a perfect time for a special Christmas surprise." Rosemary nodded towards Elizabeth who was struggling to compose herself as she straightened books on her desk.
Cody made his way to the entrance of the schoolhouse and located the box hidden in the bookcase. Finding it, he held it closely to his side and made his way to Rosemary as if waiting directions.
Rosemary clapped her hands. "Children, you take it from here."
The children naturally drew into a tight circle, little whispers circulating about. It was Opal who went to Elizabeth and took her hand, leading her to the circle. She continued to hold tightly onto her teacher's hand.
"Uh, Miss Thatcher, a few weeks ago you wanted us to learn about the Christmas spirit. Mrs. Coulter taught us about what life is like for the soldiers in the Northern Territories and we did our project for the Mounties. But we all voted to do another different Christmas gift. We wanted to bring you some Christmas cheer during this time when it has been very hard for you. We know you act brave for all of us, but we know you miss him. We hope Mountie Jack is on his way home, but just in case he's not, we all want you to have this." Cody lifted up the simply wrapped gift, held together by brown paper and twine.
Elizabeth, who had always been quite good at putting her feelings on the back burner for the sake of the children, smiled, and dabbed at a tear.
"Oh, how sweet. You— you didn't need to do this. You know that just having all of you as my students is gift enough for me." Her tearful eyes rested on each child in the circle.
"Open it!" Robert yelled from the other side of the circle.
"Yes, open it!" The children echoed.
Rosemary stood, taking in the extreme love that was floating around this schoolhouse. She could only hope she would be worthy of love by a child one day. She gently touched the slight bulge that had started to form at her midsection.
Elizabeth slowly unwrapped the paper, revealing a small box. Opening it up, she gasped. "Where on earth did you get this?"
"We picked it out from a catalogue. Do you like it?" Emily leaned forward.
"Yes. I like it very much." Elizabeth looped the chain of a beautiful golden heart locket over her hand and held it up for the class to see. "I don't know how you ever could have afforded it." Elizabeth fingered the golden chain.
"It took a lot of extra chores and giving up our pennies for candy after school." Cody explained.
"Mrs. Coulter— she pitched in to help us out with the rest." Emily smiled.
"Open it!" Robert yelled again. The rest of the kids nodded enthusiastically.
"You mean there is something inside?" Elizabeth questioned.
The energy in the class increased drastically, their little cheers escalating.
Rosemary watched as Elizabeth opened the locket, and gasped. Her hand went to her mouth.
"We put Mountie Jack's picture there so even if he can't come back for Christmas, you will always have him in your heart." Emily explained.
Tears spilled down Elizabeth's face. "Thank you." She choked out.
"We sure do hope Mountie Jack can come back for Christmas. We even wrote Santa Claus and asked him!" Opal explained. The kids nodded. Rosemary continued to watch the special moment unfold. Elizabeth glanced her way and mouthed "Thank you". Rosemary shrugged and gestured to all the children. It truly was their idea.
"Gather around, children." Elizabeth invited them all closer, if that was possible. "I want to thank you for the very special gift and for your thoughts and most of all, prayers for Mountie Jack. Whether or not he is able to return to us tomorrow, we will have a very special Christmas Eve. Thank you for making sure I would have Mountie Jack with me, one way or another." She motioned to the locket. Rosemary broke away from the children, allowing them their special time with their teacher.
Going to the back of the classroom, she fiddled with the bows for the evergreen yet to be hung and sighed. Oh if only there was a way to bring back Jack for Christmas. It was in God's hands now.