Arriving home from the honeymoon…
"Jack, could we take the backroad home?" Elizabeth asked as they sat in the wagon.
"Sounds like a good idea, I'm not quite ready to share you with everyone yet." Jack stated as he glanced over at Elizabeth and gave her a smile.
"I was actually thinking how I'm not ready to share you myself." She said grinning in return.
Jack smiled and Elizabeth held on to his arm a little firmer until they reached the row house.
Jack jumped out of the wagon and rushed around the other side to help Elizabeth out. He grabbed their bags and then they both headed into the house.
"It was amazing out at the cabin, but it's nice to be home again." Elizabeth said walking further into the house.
Jack placed their bags down and hung up his coat on the peg near the door.
"It sure is." He said before returning to her side and giving her a gentle kiss on the cheek. "It's chilly in here. I'll start the fire."
Elizabeth quietly nodded and thought how it was nice she didn't have to do everything herself now. She had enjoyed being independent and having the row house to herself, but having Jack here made her house feel even more like a home.
"What's this?" Elizabeth asked noticing a basket on the kitchen table. Jack shrugged as she started to investigate its contents. It became clear that Abigail had left them quite an impressive food hamper.
"It's from Abigail." Elizabeth informed him.
Jack finished lighting the fire and came over to see the basket for himself.
"It appears she's been busy. She's a good friend."
"She sure is." Elizabeth agreed.
"Looks like we won't have to cook tonight."
"Sounds good to me. I can't possibly imagine what we would do with all our spare time though..." Elizabeth expressed coyly.
"I think I could come up with a few ideas." Jack said continuing to play along.
"I think I could too…"
Elizabeth leaned in towards Jack and he gently brushed his lips over hers. His kisses were gentle and she noticed how tender and loving he was with her.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer and noticed his kisses intensify.
"Let's go upstairs." He suggested.
She nodded in reply and turned towards the stairs. As she did, he gently wrapped his strong arms around her waist from behind and guided her up the stairs. She felt his warm breath in her hair and it made her giddy. She was relieved he was holding onto her, especially as they were ascending the stairs.
They headed into the bedroom and Elizabeth turned around to look at Jack as they stood by the side of the bed.
"I can't believe you're finally mine." He said as he pulled her closer and gave her a quick gentle kiss, and Elizabeth gave him a small smile.
"I sometimes feel I need to pinch myself to make sure you're really my husband."
"It's real Elizabeth, and you don't need to 'pinch yourself' I'll make sure you know."
"I'm sure you will."
Jack then pulled her down onto the bed with him…
Sometime later that evening…
"I noticed we're in need of a Christmas tree." Jack said as they headed downstairs.
"You're right, I almost forgot, it's Christmas Eve tomorrow." Elizabeth replied as she tried to tidy her dishevelled hair.
"You forgot it's almost Christmas?" He said while tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as he noticed what she'd been doing.
"Ever since your surprise return to Hope Valley things have been a little chaotic. You have really distracted me, with the wedding and honeymoon." She said smiling.
"I understand. Christmas hasn't been on my mind much either. We'll go out in the morning and find the perfect tree though alright?" Jack suggested.
"I can't wait."
"It's getting late, we should eat and get back to bed."
"Again?" Elizabeth asked raising an eyebrow.
"I meant to sleep!" Jack stated somewhat shocked.
"Oh…" Elizabeth replied feigning disappointment and Jack knew exactly what she was doing.
"You'll be the death of me Elizabeth Thatcher."
"You mean Thornton." She said laughing.
"Of course, how could I forget."
"Old habits die hard." Elizabeth stated.
"But the new ones are so much better." He said hinting at their new habits since they'd been married.
"They really are…" She said smiling and Jack leaned in and kissed her.
Christmas Eve, morning.
Elizabeth woke up, a smile on her face as she noticed Jack beside her in the bed and she quietly watched him sleep.
She noticed the bright sun streaming in through the gaps in the curtains and noticed how late it must be.
She took her hand and gently ran it through Jack's hair and he began to stir.
"Hi…" Jack said as he dozily opened his eyes and noticed Elizabeth watching him.
"Sorry to wake you, but it's getting late." She said leaning over and placing a gentle kiss on his lips.
"That's alright, it was the best wake up I've ever had in my life." He said smiling while wrapping an arm around his wife.
"It still feels a little surreal being here with you like this."
"I understand Elizabeth, I feel the same."
"I feel elated about us finally being married but sometimes it's a little emotionally overwhelming." She said as he noticed tears well up in her eyes.
He gently kissed her cheek as he continued to listen.
"Jack, you've done everything in your power to make our wedding and honeymoon so special. It's been perfect."
"It's all been you Elizabeth. Everything I've done, is only because you've inspired me to… My love for you has motivated me to try be the best husband I can for you."
"You've been more than I could have dreamed Jack."
Jack leant over and let his lips gently graze on hers. He felt a gentle smile on her lips and he pulled back and noticed her tears were stopping.
"You make me so happy Jack."
"As you do me."
They quietly lay in bed together for a few moments wrapped up in each other arms.
"It's getting late. I think we should get a move on if we want to get ourselves a Christmas tree." Jack suggested as he sat up in bed and Elizabeth nodded.
"You haven't already headed out to look for one like you did last year, have you Jack?"
"You've hardly left my side since I returned to Hope Valley. I think you'd know if I had."
"I thought you liked having me around?" Elizabeth asked slightly concerned.
"Of course I do sweetheart, I love that you've wanted to be with me."
"I was thinking you may already be getting sick of me. I know men sometimes need their space."
"I could never get 'sick of you' Elizabeth, and the last thing I want right now is some space from you." He said pulling her closer. "How about we go get us a Christmas tree?"
"I'd love to."
"That's great because the last thing I'd want is to go without you." He said taking her hand and pulling her up from the bed.
A few hours later
Out the front of the row house Jack pulled the large tree off the back of the wagon.
"I think you've really outdone yourself with this one." Jack said as he struggled to get the tree up onto their porch.
"This is our first Christmas together, I wanted it to be the biggest and best tree I've ever had."
"Well I think you're right about that. I can hardly imagine any of the homes in Hamilton having one much bigger than this."
"We did find a good one didn't we." Elizabeth stated looking over the tree with a smile.
"Well you found the good tree. I just helped."
"You did the hard part." She reminded him.
"You have the keen eye."
"We're a good team then aren't we." She said and Jack nodded.
Jack turned as he heard nearby footsteps.
"Welcome home." Lee said as he gave Jack a pat on the back and Elizabeth a smile. "Can I give you a hand with that?" He asked Jack.
"That would be great Lee."
"Well we are neighbours now. It's the least I can do."
Jack nodded and the two men started to carry the tree up onto the porch and then through the front doorway and Elizabeth followed them inside.
"I'm a little surprised you honeymooners have returned. Rosemary hasn't said a word about you returning home."
"We came into town the back way last night and kept things low. I'm surprised Rosie hasn't taken advantage of the paper-thin walls though." Jack said with a smile and Lee grinned and nodded knowingly.
"I'm surprised too, and in that case, I think I'll head back home before my wife realises where I am. I promise, I won't say a word." Lee said giving Jack and Elizabeth a wink.
"We will be at the Church tonight for the children's Christmas program so we'll see you and everyone there." Elizabeth informed Lee.
"Rosemary will be very pleased to see you there. She's actually worried she won't be able to 'out do' your program from last year."
"Really?" Elizabeth asked quite surprised.
"She has a lot more regard for you than she's willing to admit." Lee informed her.
"I am starting to realise that, but when it comes to performing that really is her area of expertise."
"Yes, and she knows when to give credit when credit is due."
Elizabeth smiled hearing Lees kind words.
"Well I will see you two honeymooners later." Lee replied and Jack and Elizabeth gave him a small smile as he made his way out of the row house.
"So, you're happy with the tree here?" Jack asked and Elizabeth nodded.
"I'll go find the decorations." Elizabeth said excitedly and she hurried off as Jack smiled as he noticed her enthusiasm.
Elizabeth soon returned with a box full of decorations.
"I was just recalling, it was this time last year you invited me to the Mountie Christmas Ball."
"You're right. Unfortunately, I heard there's no ball this year. Too many men are busy with everything that's going on up North. Things have greatly improved though, and men are returning to their posts as I managed to. There should be one next year, I would really like to take you… that's if you would do me the honour of accompanying me."
"Of course I would Jack, I would love to."
"Good." He said pleased. "When I was up in the Northern Territories I mentioned to the men about a beautiful woman who had just agreed to marry me. I even showed some of them your photo, many of them didn't believe you would agree for me to take your hand. Some because I think they noticed how beautiful you are, and others because they knew who your Father was."
"Jack, I would be more than happy to go to the Mountie Ball with you next year, and I would be proud to tell them that I'm now in fact your wife." She said and they grinned at each other.
"Well then, I certainly can't wait to take you."
"I can't wait to go." She said smiling as she hung another decoration a top the tree.
Elizabeth looked over the tree and a worried look appeared on her face.
"What's wrong?"
"Jack, I haven't even gotten you a present for Christmas!" She said coming to the realisation that she had no presents to place under the tree.
"I didn't expect you would, you didn't even know I was going to be here."
"But this is our first Christmas together as a married couple. I really want to give you something special."
"You've already given me everything I wanted." Jack replied and Elizabeth looked at him questioningly. "You… all I could possibly want for Christmas is you Elizabeth."
"That's very sweet Jack." She said giving him a kiss. "And all I really wanted for Christmas was for you to be my husband. I still wish I had gotten you something else."
"Don't even entertain the thought. You have made me happier than I could ever dream."
She gave him a smile and he pulled her into his arms for a hug before placing a kiss on top of her head.
Later that evening…
Jack took Elizabeth's hand and they made their way into town for the tree lighting ceremony.
"The town looks very festive, I never had time to notice it before the wedding." Jack said as they got closer to the town.
"Rosemary has done a wonderful job." Elizabeth said as she remembered handing the Christmas Committee duties entirely over to Rosemary this year.
"Oh, it's so good to see you two." Abigail said as she gave Elizabeth and Jack a hug.
"It's good to see you too, and thank you so much for the hamper." Elizabeth said.
"You're more than welcome. I thought it might come in handy when you returned home."
"It certainly did Abigail." Elizabeth stated.
"I thought maybe you'd still be off honeymooning. I'm so glad you're back in town for Christmas though."
"We would have liked to stay longer but with Christmas here we thought we'd like to celebrate the festivities together." Elizabeth said looking over at Jack.
"It certainly is a special time of year, and extra special to be able to spend it with the one you love." Abigail said giving them a smile. "Tomorrow I'm having a special Christmas dinner at the Café. You're more than welcome to come. I just wasn't sure you honeymooners would want to venture out just yet. You don't have to let me know right now, just pop in whenever you're ready."
"Thank you for thinking of us Abigail." Elizabeth replied and Abigail gave them both a smile.
"I should really go. They are about to turn the tree lights on and I have no idea where Cody is."
"We'll see you at the Church then." Elizabeth said and Abigail nodded before she rushed back to the Café to find Cody.
Jack placed his arm around Elizabeth's waist and she leaned into him as they walked towards the crowd gathering around the tree in the centre of town.
"Would you like to go to Abigail's tomorrow?" Jack asked as they waited around the tree.
"I'm happy as long as I'm with you Jack."
"Elizabeth, I want this Christmas to be extra special for you this year…"
"I guess Christmas wouldn't be Christmas if we didn't join in with the festivities, and I will have you to myself all day and night…" She said giving Jack a smile and he grinned. "As long as you don't mind."
"I don't mind at all. It will be nice to celebrate Christmas with our friends, as long as I have you by my side."
"I can guarantee I won't be going far." She said wrapping an arm around him and leaning into his side once more.
Elizabeth rested her head on Jack's shoulder and they quietly looked up at the tree as the bright lights on the tree illuminated.
Jack took Elizabeth's hand as they held back from the crowd and headed towards the Church.
Once everyone was in the Church they quietly slipped in and took a seat in one of the back pews.
Opal spotted them however and she came running up to them.
"Miss Thatch… Mrs Thornton, Mountie Jack please come sit down the front with us." Opal pleaded with puppy dog eyes.
Jack and Elizabeth complied as Opal took her teachers hand and pulled her down to the front of the Church with Jack in tow. They didn't go unnoticed and members of the congregation gave them welcoming smiles.
"I saved a seat for you both." Opal said patting the pew in the front row where she requested they sit.
"Thank you Opal." Jack said as he sat down next to Elizabeth and wrapped an arm around her.
The rest of the children had already taken their places up front, ready for the program to begin.
Most of them kept smiling and waving in Elizabeth's direction.
"I think they've missed you." Jack stated quietly into her ear.
"I've only been gone a few days."
"It still seems your presence has been missed." He replied nodding towards the direction of the stage. Elizabeth followed his gaze and saw the children trying to get her attention again.
Elizabeth smiled and gave them a small wave and the children grinned.
This did not go unnoticed by Rosemary as she was trying to organise the children into the places for the program to begin.
"Alright children. Go welcome home your teacher and we'll get started." Rosemary said giving in and allowing the children what they wanted.
Rosemary gave Elizabeth a smile as the children all rushed to Elizabeth and Jack's side. Most of them gathering around Elizabeth and prying for her attention.
Jack removed his arm from around his wife and allowed them access as Opal and Emily climbed onto her lap.
"We sure missed you Miss Thatcher." Opal exclaimed.
"Her names Mrs Thornton now, remember." Emily reminded her.
"It's a good thing you brought her home Mountie Jack. Christmas wouldn't be the same without our teacher." Cody informed Jack and Jack gave him a smile and a nod.
"You're still going to be our teacher now you're married aren't you Mrs Thornton? Robert told us you weren't. "Laura asked worried.
"Yes, once school starts up in the New Year I will definitely be here." Elizabeth informed them.
The children sighed with relief and grinned at their teacher.
"Children it's time to take your places now." Rosemary called out and the children headed back to the front of the Church.
"You got a better welcome home from them than I did, and I was gone for months."
"You a little jealous Jack?"
"Not at all. One of the reasons I love you is because I see what you do for these children. I can't complain anyway, I got a pretty impressive welcome home from you, right in this Church." Jack said grinning and he wrapped his arm around her once more.
…..
Jack and Elizabeth slowly made their way out of the Church.
"Jack, Elizabeth!" Rosemary called out just as they started to descend the stairs and she followed them down.
"I'm so glad you're home safe and you were able to make it tonight. It meant a lot to the children… and to me too."
Elizabeth leaned over and gave Rosemary a hug.
"It was a wonderful night Rosemary. I'm so glad we came." Elizabeth said and the two women exchanged smiles.
"Well I have plenty to do here and I'll leave you two honeymooners to be. I'll see you both soon." Rosemary said and made her way back up into the Church.
"She's really opened up to you since I've been away." Jack said as he took Elizabeth's hand and they headed back to the row house.
"She has. She's been a good friend to me while you were gone. At times it has been somewhat interesting having her as a neighbour but she has truly been a blessing on my life these past few months, and you can always count on Rosemary to get you to laugh, even during the hardest of times." Elizabeth said as she thought about the period when Jack was away.
"Good old Rosie, she's been a blessing in disguise. She first arrived into town with other intentions, as you know. Instead she ended up with Lee, and has now been watching over you while I was gone. She's been a blessing to you and this entire community."
"She surprised us all."
"She sure is something." Jack said and they both shared a laugh as they walked up the steps and into the house.
"It's so nice to be home, and to be warm." Elizabeth said shivering as Jack shut the door behind them.
"I'll stoke up the fire, you go hop in bed and get warm."
Elizabeth gave Jack and kiss and hurried up the stairs.
Not long after Jack went up to join her.
"It is quite cold out there. I think we'll be getting more snow before morning." Jack said as he removed his clothes before putting on his night wear and climbing into bed next to Elizabeth.
"You're blushing." He said with a smile as he ran his hand gently over one of her cheeks.
"I'm not exactly used to having a naked man around the house. Or a man in my bed for that matter."
"You're bed?"
"Our bed." She said correcting herself.
"I'm not exactly used to all these new living arrangements either."
"I'm glad I'm not the only one then."
Jack noticed her shiver and he pulled the blanket up higher around her before wrapping an arm over her.
"Jack, this is the best Christmas ever."
"Mine too."
"I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come home for Christmas."
"It didn't come to that so let's just think about what we do have Elizabeth."
"I'm glad I have you." She said as she looked over at Jack but he had already fallen asleep. She placed a gentle kiss on his cheek and closed her eyes. His warmth on her body was comforting and she soon fell into a deep sleep herself.
Christmas morning.
Elizabeth stirred and reached over for Jack. She realised she couldn't find him and she sat up and looked around the room.
"Jack!?" She called out. She started to feel somewhat worried where he could be. Her mind raced - Had he gone away? Or maybe the past few days had only been a wonderful dream.
Jack hurried up the stairs and entered the bedroom before he sat down on the edge of the bed next to Elizabeth.
"Merry Christmas." He said giving her a kiss. "… what's wrong?" He asked noticing the worry in her eyes.
"Oh, nothing." She said relieved while trying to forget.
"It doesn't look like nothing." He said with concern while gently placing his hand on her cheek.
"Really, I'm ok. I was just a little worried when you weren't here."
"I'm sorry." He said wrapping an arm around her and she rested her head on his shoulder.
"Don't be sorry Jack. You haven't done anything wrong."
"I'm worried what the implications of me leaving has left on you." He said thinking of his time away from her while in the Northern Territories.
"Jack really I'm fine."
"But as we both know, one day I will likely have to go away again."
"Yes, and we'll deal with it when the time comes, but Jack it's Christmas. Can we please not worry about this right now? You're here now, that's all that matters to me."
"Alright. Only because it's Christmas." He said giving her a gentle kiss on top of the head.
"I have a surprise for you." He exclaimed trying to cheer her up.
"You do?"
"It is Christmas."
She grinned and he stood up off the bed and pulled her with him.
"Come on. First let's have breakfast."
Sometime after breakfast
"Take a walk with me." Jack asked and Elizabeth grinned at him.
"Really? It's freezing..." She asked cautiously yet excited.
"It's Christmas."
"I really want to stay in this nice warm house with you, but I'm wondering, is there's a reason is forthis walk?"
"Do I need a reason to take a walk with my wife?"
"Of course not." She said smiling. "But you've really outdone yourself with these walks. They come with high expectations now Jack Thornton."
"Yes, but I still want to keep trying to surprise you, and it does so happen I do have a reason for this walk. You'll just have to wait and see." He said grinning as he took her hand.
"Jack...?"
"Come on." He said laughing and she willingly followed him out of the house and down towards the lake.
They stood in front of the row boat that was tied up down by the lake.
"Are you crazy? It's the middle of winter!"
"I'm crazy about you." He said trying to slightly distract her.
"Jack…"
"Trust me…" He said and she took his hand and he helped her into the boat.
"I'm surprised the lake isn't frozen over."
"If it freezes over someone will find us." Jack replied trying to console her but his words ended up having the opposite effect.
"If?" She asks with wide eyes.
"It won't. There's not much ice around." He said but noticed his words still weren't helping. "I'm a Mountie, and your husband. You know I'd never put you in any danger."
Elizabeth gave him a smile and he noticed her relax a little.
Jack rowed out further into the lake before stopping and letting the oars rest on the side of the boat.
Jack then reached for something under the seat of the row boat. He pulled out a brown paper package tied up with string.
"Merry Christmas."
"Jack, you didn't need to get me anything."
"I know, but I wanted to." He said handing her the package.
Elizabeth grinned before she pulled back the wrapping which revealed a framed painting of a house situated amongst a beautiful countryside that reminded her of Hope Valley.
"This is going to be our house." Jack said and Elizabeth smiled at him before looking down at the painting once more. "I was hoping we'd be living here this Christmas but since I was sent North everything got put on hold. My initial plans were to start building before I asked for your hand, but things didn't quite pan out that way."
"Oh Jack. I love it, and I love you." She said leaning across the boat and giving him a kiss. "I love that you're building us a house but I didn't expect you to have a house when agreeing to marry you. It certainly wasn't part of my decision making when deciding I should marry you. I only need you…"
"I love you too Elizabeth… I must admit however because of the timing, I was so worried about asking for your hand, but then I realised I would be more worried if I didn't ask you. I knew it was the right time to ask, but I also felt awful proposing and then taking off and leaving you."
"Jack, you know I would have waited an eternity for you… Your leaving did hurt, but I understand why you had to and it was certainly worth the wait." She said with tears in her eyes and she shivered from the cold.
"I'm so glad you waited Elizabeth, it's what kept me going all the time I was away." He said with a small smile and she leant over and gently gave his arm a squeeze.
"When did you even have time to do this?" She said looking down at the painting again.
"I occasionally had down time while I was away. Painting kept me focused."
"It's beautiful Jack. Thank you."
"I wanted to take you out to our land today and show you where I was thinking a nice spot for the house would be."
"I'd love to."
"You're freezing though, I think I should get you home."
"I'm fine Jack, really."
"You're shivering Elizabeth."
"You can keep me warm." She said giving him a sly grin.
"I might drop an oar, remember?"
She smiled as he noticed her continue to shiver.
"I'll take you later in the week, I promise."
"Alright." She said slightly disappointed.
Jack picked up the oars and started to row towards the shore before they made the small walk back to the row house.
Back at the row house…
Jack helped Elizabeth take her coat off and he hung it on the peg by the front door. She hurried over to the fire and warmed her hands.
"You're really that cold?" He asked. He felt her cheeks and noticed they were icy cold. "I wish I hadn't taken you out now."
"Jack, I'll be fine."
"Come sit down then." He said motioning for her to sit down on the settee.
She complied and followed him over. He sat down and then gently pulled her down onto his lap.
She was somewhat surprised but then relaxed against his chest as he placed a blanket over the both of them.
"I guess I'm used to the harsh conditions. Maybe I need to remember you're a lady not a Mountie."
"I'm pretty sure you already realise that." She said with a smile.
"You know what I mean."
"Yes, I do." She said more seriously.
Jack rubbed his hand up and down her back to try and get her warm.
"I'm feeling a little better now."
"Thank goodness, you started to get me worried for a moment." Jack said with concern in his voice.
"I'm feeling fine now." She said as she played with the hair at the nape of his neck.
"You're sure…" He said as she placed a kiss on his lips before he could say anything more.
"I'm more… than…. fine now..." She whispered in between their kisses as she started to unbutton the front of his shirt.
"Seems like you've had a miraculous recovery." Jack said, his voice rugged now.
"Seems so." She said returning her lips to his as she ran her hands inside of his shirt.
Jack wrapped his arms around her and he stood and carried her upstairs to the bedroom…
Late Christmas afternoon
"I'm going to miss having you around here next week when you go back to work." Elizabeth informed Jack as they sat on the settee together once more.
"I'll miss you too. However, I'm sure Abigail or Rosemary will find something to keep you busy before school starts again."
Elizabeth quietly nodded.
"I know it's only been five days since school finished up for the year but I do really miss the children." Elizabeth said and Jack wasn't at all surprised. He understood how much she cared for all the children of Hope Valley.
"Maybe next Christmas we'll have one of our own." He said grinning.
"That would be wonderful Jack." She said smiling.
"Really?" He asked excitedly at the thought of Elizabeth having his child.
"Yes, really." She replied somewhat excited at the thought. "I know we haven't much discussed having children but of course I'd want to have a child with you Jack. I can't imagine anything more amazing than carrying your child and having a baby with you."
"I love you…" Jack said before leaning over and placing a gentle kiss on her lips.
"I love you."
"I can't wait to have children with you one-day Elizabeth."
"So, it's children now?" She said grinning.
"Well we could start with one and just see…?" Jack asked cautiously.
"Or maybe just attempt for three or four." She suggested while trying to read his reaction.
"Just?"
"You want more?" She asked surprised.
"I was teasing." He said with a smile. I'm happy with as many children as you'd like, but three or four does sound perfect."
"It does."
To be continued…