A/N: It is December 18th! Tune in tomorrow for another LONG exciting chapter! Leave me a review! Trust me, I LOVE reading them! For now, enjoy this chapter!

(Chapter Forty-Eight)

Christmas Eve

Even though Jack had said that their new house was his Christmas present to Elizabeth, he had another gift all set for Christmas Day. It was a wrappable gift, unlike their house.

They were all settled in now, and thanks to Elizabeth's decorating skills, it was all Christmassy looking.

The Christmas tree was in the corner of their living room. Elizabeth could imagine Rosemary saying "You only have one Christmas tree for such a big house?" or "Elizabeth, a Christmas tree should be big and magical, and in the center of the room! Not a scrawny thing thrown into a corner!"

Lights and ornaments sparkled on the tree. It was truly beautiful! A nativity scene graced the fireplace. Christmas lights hung from shelves and surrounded windows and door. It was so lovely.

And the master bedroom! Rosemary would insist that they need another tree and more lights, but Elizabeth thought it was perfect.

Jack and Elizabeth offered for Belinda to stay with them, but the young girl insisted on staying in the row house. She was not a part of their family, she would explain. Jack and Elizabeth finally gave in, but insisted that Belinda come for Christmas Dinner, and the girl agreed.

The Redwoods were also invited for Christmas dinner. They would be at the Thornton's house at 2:30.

Abigail had a special Christmas planned for Becky and Cody. She didn't know yet that some of her plans would be altered by Frank's.

Rosemary had narrowed her decorating down to two trees. They were beautiful as always. She had insisted that Lee tell her where he had hidden her Christmas present. He gave her a few clues to keep her busy. He led her on some wild goose chases. Just as she was beginning to think she was really close, he led her in another direction. It was his plan to keep her from her actual present, and apparently it was working.

Jesse and Clara had some special plans that Clara was as of yet unaware of. He stopped by the dress shop to walk her home after his last day of work until after Christmas.

"Hello, Jesse," Mrs. Ramsey greeted him. "Are you here to pick up Clara?"

"Yes, but first I had a question for you."

"Okay, what is it?"

"Is there anything Clara has been hinting at wanting?" he whispered his question.

"There was one thing she has mentioned a time or two."

"Oh, and what's that?" he asked quietly, set on buying whatever Clara had her heart set on.

"It's a necklace at the Mercantile. She's wanted it for quite some time."

Just then, Clara came to the door.

"Thank you, Mrs. Ramsey," he replied when he saw the young woman pop around the corner.

The older woman nodded and went back to her work. "Have a lovely afternoon you two."

"Thank you, Dottie," Clara replied as they headed out the door. Jesse offered her his arm, and she took it gladly.

"Clara," he began a bit further down the road. "Do you mind if we go on a bit longer of a walk than usual?" he asked timidly.

"Oh, of course not. I'm glad you asked. I've been dying to spend some more time with you."

Jesse beamed at her. When they reached "Carriage Lane" as it was called, they strolled along at a slowly pace.

"I have something to ask you," he stated as he stopped and turned to Clara. She looked into his bright blue eyes as he stared into her dark brown ones. The serious tone in his voice unnerved her.

"Would you have dinner with me tomorrow?"

She sighed under her breath. "Why of course."

"Good." This time it was his turn to sigh. "Pick you up at 7?"

"Sounds great."

At the infirmary, Carson and Faith were working hard even through the holidays. They did, however, get Christmas Day off unless an emergency came in.

"Faith," Carson began.

Faith gave him her complete attention. "Yes, my love?" she expressed the words she had always wanted to say.

He smiled at her lovingly. "Well, I was just wondering if my love wanted to have dinner with me," he teased her, his smile broadening.

"Well, let me see . . . I'll need to think about that," she teased him back. "I don't know, Carson," she sounded so serious and something in the way she said 'Carson' had him worried.

"You don't?" he sobered.

"It's a big decision. I might need to be convinced that it's the right thing to do," she was dying for a kiss from the man she loved. He kissed her left cheek. She looked at him inquisitively. Carson didn't miss the hint that she was hoping for something 'more convincing'.

He leaned forward to kiss her and she plunged into it, causing it to be a whole lot deeper than Carson had intended. However, Faith seemed pleased with what she had accomplished.

"Alright, I've made up my mind," she said with a twinkle in her eye. She reached up to whisper in his ear. "My answer is yes," she replied, shyly giving him a kiss on the cheek.

Everybody was looking forward to Christmas Day. Presents were wrapped, stockings hung. Christmas was only one day away. Tomorrow was going to be a big day. They would all need the rest; and few people would get the rest needed.