This is one of my longest chapters yet! I hope you enjoy reading it! The date is December 19! Leave me a review! It's less than a week until Christmas!

(Chapter Forty-Nine)

Christmas with the Thorntons

Christmas morning dawned a bright and cheerful day. Roofs were lightly polished with a white coat of fluff, proof of an evening snow the night before. Children ran to stockings; and friends and family gathered to celebrate.

At the Thornton's house, Baby Gloria was experiencing her first Christmas. Jack and Elizabeth were celebrating their first Christmas as a married couple and in their new home.

"Here Gloria," Elizabeth coaxed the fourteen-week-old girl to look in her stocking. "Look! I got one too. Let's see what you got." The baby looked doubtful as she was forced to look.

"Look, Gloria! You got a little book! And baby socks and a hat! Santa was good to you. Now let's go find your father to open his too."

"Jack," she called, getting up from her place on the couch and scooping her baby up into her arms.

She found him in the kitchen, washing dishes. "Jack!" she chastised him. "Dishes can keep. I'll do them later. Come to the living room. Hopie wants you to open your stocking."

Hope was Gloria's middle name, and at times she was called Hopie.

"Alright, I'm coming," he gave in, putting a cup down; and drying off his wet hands, followed his wife and little girl to the living room.

She sat on the couch; and Jack did the same, picking up his stocking on the way.

"You go first," he offered.

"No, you go first," she countered.

"How about this: you pull one thing out. Then I'll do the same, and then you again and so on. Deal?"

She nodded excitedly.

"Alright, go ahead," he signaled to her stocking.

She reached her hand into the red stocking with her name embroidered on the front. Her hand touched something soft and fluffy. Her fingers curled around it and she pulled it out.

"Look Gloria, I got socks too. Yours are small and mine are big."

Jack reached into his stocking His hand came out much quicker than Elizabeth's had.

"And look! Daddy got socks too! His feet are even bigger than mine."

Jack smiled at the word 'daddy'. He would never get tired of hearing it.

"Yes, they are . . ." he agreed, staring into Elizabeth's eyes. How he loved being a husband and a father!

When the stockings were emptied, Jack announced that he thought it should be time for presents. Gloria swung her fists in the air.

"Yes, Hope. I agree. Let's open presents now," her mommy laughed.

Elizabeth "helped" Gloria open her presents. In reality, she was the only one opening the gifts. Jack opened a few for his little girl too.

Then Elizabeth spoke, "And now Gloria," although her words were addressed to her baby, she had directed them to her husband. "I think it's time for your daddy to open his gifts.

A grin spread across Jack's face. "Is that so?"

"I just need to go grab it. I'll be right back," she declared as she handed the baby to Jack and darted down the hall. Jack covered his little girl with loving kisses, and Elizabeth was soon back with a small package.

"Here," Elizabeth said as she exchanged bundles with her husband. She cuddled her baby close to her as Jack tore the paper away and saw a glimpse of the gift. It was a beautiful scarf! It was a tan base with rows of blue mingled into it. He took it out of the packaging and handed it to Elizabeth.

"Would you?"

She took the scarf and wrapped it about it neck.

"Thank you, Elizabeth. It's beautiful. Did you m – make it?"

"Yes!"

"H – how?"

"Clara has been giving me lessons."

"Wow! Thank you, sweetie. It's beautiful!"

She leaned over and gently kissed him.

When Jack had opened all of his gifts, he announced to the baby as Elizabeth had before, "And now, I think it's time for mommy to open her gifts."

Gloria clapped her hands fiercely.

"Alright, this one is from Hope and myself. She helped me pick it out and wrap it."

"Awe, thank you Gloria."

The baby smiled up at her mommy. She opened the package, smiling the whole time.

"Oh, Jack. It's beautiful!" Elizabeth exclaimed as she lifted out a lovely peach blouse.

"It's weird to give your fiancé something like this. But now that you're my wife – " he hesitated. "I don't care what anyone thinks but you."

"It's beautiful, Jack. Thank you." She repeated, lifting the blouse to herself. A tiny box tumbled out. She slowly lifted it from her lap, eying Jack suspiciously. "Jack – what's this?"

"Just open it."

She reluctantly popped the lid off the tiny box. "Jack!" she exclaimed when she caught a glimpse of a beautiful necklace with matching earrings.

"Yes?" he asked innocently.

"What's this for?"

"It's a symbol of our first Christmas together, and in our very own home."

"Thank you, Jack! I will treasure it always. Now . . . what's next?" she asked, setting her boxes and gifts aside and getting up from the couch.

"We're not done with presents yet," he replied, gently grabbing her sleeve and then pulling her into his lap.

"We're not?" she asked confused.

"Nope, come with me," Jack said simply, leading her to the guest room. The door was closed and Jack told his wife to close her eyes. Seeing her questioning look, he repeated "Just close them."

"Oh, alright," she surrendered as she closed her eyes tight. She could hear the knob turn slowly and Jack held her hand, leading her into the room.

"Alright." he whispered into her ear. "You can open them now."

She opened her eyes and looked up at her husband whose arms still encircled her. His lips were merely centimeters apart. She leaned in and they shared a passionate kiss. Jack had to pull away before baby Gloria was completely squashed. She let out a tiny squeak to let her parents know she wasn't too comfortable. When Jack's eyes moved from her to the room, she turned to look at her surprise. There it stood: a brand new baby crib. It was big enough to hold Gloria for years.

"Jack! It's beautiful!"

"Do you remember when I promised you that I would build one for our baby one day?"

She nodded through happy tears. "Oh, Jack! It's beautiful. I love you so much!"

"Do you remember our first kiss?"

"Do I ever!"

"Shall we take a walk to that spot?"

Elizabeth nodded excitedly. She knew that a walk to the location of their first kiss would probably include a kiss or two as well. She was totally up for that. Baby Gloria squealed.

"Oh, I guess we can make one exception . . ." Jack teased.

"Oh, what's that?" Elizabeth asked seriously.

"I guess we can invite a chaperone."

"Hmmm . . . yeah, I guess."

They laughed for a moment before heading out for their walk.

Belinda was to be at the house by 1:30 to help Elizabeth with dinner preparations and the baby. The Redwoods arrived half an hour early, at 2:00. They talked of many things, and dinner was served at 3:00. Jack asked the blessing on the food; and thanked God for the Christmas story, the real reason for the season and for all the wonderful friends gathered before them. Elizabeth dished up the food and conversation began.

"So, Belinda," Mrs. Redwood addressed her. "How are you liking having that row house all to yourself?"

"Well, it's a big change, but I don't mind solitude."

"Well, whenever you get lonely, you'll have to come over to visit us."

"Well, I might just have to take you up on that," Belinda responded, eyeing Jonathan carefully.

"Good. We'll look forward to having you. By the way, do you sew or play the piano?"

"Yes, sewing has always been my favorite thing to do. I do play piano a bit."

"Good. Would you be willing to show Jessica a few tips, maybe give her a piano lesson every so often?"

"Of course. That would give me another way to fill in the day."

"Alright, would you mind coming by one day next week to get to know her a bit better before we start lessons?"

"Of course."

"Maybe Thursday?"

"Sounds great! I'll be looking forward to it," she replied happily, smiling at the young girl and stealing a glance at Jonathan before looking back to the woman.

"And Belinda,"

"Yes, ma'am?"

"You're always welcome."

"Thank you, ma'am."

Smiles spread across the table. Other conversations took place, and everyone enjoyed the delicious Christmas Dinner and wonderful friends and family.

Christmas was not over yet; others were still celebrating.

A/N: The next few chapters will tell stories of the Christmas other Hope Valley citizens were having.