AN: So this drabble fits with the story "Forging A Friendship". If you read it, you may recall that Nathan bought cardinal hair combs while in Benson Hills. Here is a little something to show the gifting of those combs. Enjoy!

Elizabeth found herself humming a Christmas carol as she went about finishing some sides for their Christmas dinner. She had cooked the ham at her home earlier while Nathan and Ally had spent Christmas morning together. Lee had even picked Nathan up and drove him, Ally, and their fishing poles down to the pond. Bill had created a hole in the ice, which allowed Nathan and Ally to have their traditional Christmas Day fishing trip.

After dropping Nathan and Ally off at home after the fishing trip, Lee had picked up Elizabeth and Jack and drove them the short distance to the Grants home. Despite not catching anything, Ally had happily told Elizabeth about the fishing trip, as she had carried in the ham, placing it in the oven to keep it warm. Lee followed with the apple pie from the café for their desert before leaving to help Rosemary finish their own dinner.

Though Nathan had started making the sides for dinner, Elizabeth took one look at him and shooed him upstairs to rest while she finished. The fact that Nathan had not put up much of a protest had told her a lot about how Nathan was feeling.

Elizabeth was about to send Ally to get Nathan for dinner when she heard slow footsteps on the stairs. Looking in his direction, Elizabeth was relieved to see the color had returned to his face.

"Dinner is just about ready," Elizabeth announced.

"Present first?" Jack asked.

Two presents sat underneath the tree. One was for Jack from Nathan and Ally and the other was for Ally from Elizabeth.

Elizabeth exchanged looks with Nathan. Silently they agreed to let the children open the gifts. Elizabeth arranged things so that they would not overcook while they opened the presents and joined Nathan on the settee. Sitting on the floor in front of the tree, Ally and Jack reached for their presents. Jack unwrapped his to reveal a wooden top, very colorfully painted. Though delighted with the colors, Elizabeth could tell Jack was puzzled about what to do with it.

"You spin it," Ally told him, reaching for the toy and spinning it. Jack squealed with delight. "Uncle Nathan carved it and I painted it."

Jack got to his feet and hugged her. "Thanks Ally. Your turn," he added pointing to the small, still wrapped gift.

Ally unwrapped the gift. She found a small box inside and opening it, found a very delicate, glass, pale blue snowflake on a chain.

"I got that for Christmas when I was thirteen," Elizabeth told her. "I thought you would like it."

"I do," Ally said. She got to her feet and gave Elizabeth a hug. "Thank you, Mrs. Thornton."

"You're welcome, Ally."

As Ally stepped back, Nathan held out a gift to Elizabeth.

"This is for you."

Elizabeth took the wrapped package. "I feel bad because I couldn't think of something to get you on short noticed."

"You being here, is enough of a gift," Nathan told her, causing Elizabeth to blush. "Open it."

Elizabeth followed the instruction. Opening the gift, Elizabeth gasped as the Cardinal hair combs that lay in the box.

"They're beautiful," Elizabeth said. "When did you find time to get them?" she asked, knowing that she had not seen the combs in the mercantile or the dress shop.

Nathan blushed. "I may have picked them up when I went shopping with Ally and Lucas in Benson Hills. I wasn't sure if I would actually give them to you, but they were calling to me."

Elizabeth was touched. Even before she had acknowledged his feelings for her, Nathan had been thinking about her. Leaning toward him, she placed a kiss on his cheek.

"Merry Christmas, Nathan."

"Merry Christmas, Elizabeth," he echoed back, hoping there would be more Christmases just like this in their future.