Hi everyone,

Sorry it's taken so long to get this chapter up. I've been unbelievably busy lately. I was a bridesmaid at a wedding yesterday (the best man even mentioned in his speech how the Bride and I love When Calls The Hearts! :O) and didn't get home till 1am so I'm so unbelievably tired right now but still wanted to get this up for you :)

I hope you enjoy it, and would love a review it possible.

Chapter 24, Christmas Part 1

Christmas Eve

Jack walked up the porch steps of his house just as the sun was starting to set. It had been a long day at work and he was glad to be home. He entered the front door, shut it behind him and then wandered through the quiet house looking for his wife and daughter. He found Elizabeth sitting on the settee in the parlour and she gave him a smile as she noticed him enter the room. He walked over towards Elizabeth and saw Tilly by her side, sleeping on the settee. He sat down on the settee on the other side of Elizabeth and placed a kiss on her cheek.

"What are you working on?" Jack asked quietly so as not to wake their sleeping daughter, as he noticed she had something in her hands.

"I've made a Christmas stocking for Matilda, I'm just finishing embroidering her name onto it."

"It's beautiful." Jack said as he admired her handy work.

"I had a little help from Abigail."

"It looks perfect to me, you are getting really good at this."

"While you were in the Northern Territories I had a lot of time to practice. I just haven't had the time this year to make anything, until now that is."

Jack gave her a small smile and wrapped his arm over her shoulder. He knew neither of them liked to bring up the memories of when he was away.

Elizabeth lay her head down onto Jack's shoulder and they sat in silence for a few moments. Both aware of the impending thoughts looming over them.

"Supper should be ready." Elizabeth said changing the subject. "We should eat so we're not late for the festivities in town tonight."

"Sounds good." Jack said.

Elizabeth got up from the settee and Jack noticed Matilda start to stir.

"I'll get her." He said as he picked up his daughter and cradle her in his arms.

Elizabeth gave him a smile and then carefully hung Matilda's stocking by the fireplace before heading off into the kitchen.

"Hello sleepy girl, you must have had a busy day with Mummy today huh." He said as Tilly looked up at him and gave him a smile. "You're a happy girl. That's good because we will be going into town tonight to sing some songs and see the big Christmas tree." Tilly squealed happily and grabbed Jack's finger and held onto it tightly. "How about we go find Mummy? Not that you're interested in food yet, but supper is ready."

Jack got up off the settee with Matilda in his arms and made his way into the kitchen.

Later that evening

Jack and Elizabeth made their way over to the Christmas tree in the centre of town. Tilly looked over at the tree from Jack's arms and he took her closer to the tree as he noticed the direction of her gaze. Her eyes grew wide and she smiled at the sight as Elizabeth and Jack shared a smile as they watched their daughter.

"Hello you two." Abigail said placing her hand on Elizabeth's arm. "How is that sweet girl of yours?"

"She's happy, she has been enjoying the Christmas decorations tonight." Elizabeth told her.

Abigail ran a finger over Matilda's hand and gave her a smile, but Matilda was too distracted looking up at the Christmas tree to notice Abigail was there.

"It seems most of the town is here. We should probably get started." Abigail said, and she gave Jack and Elizabeth a smile and headed off.

Jack placed Matilda in Elizabeth's arms and went and helped Lee, Hickam and Ned who were handing out and lighting candles.

Once Jack was done he walked up behind Elizabeth and wrapped an arm around her waist. He looked down over her shoulder at Tilly who appeared delighted when she saw Jack had a candle in his other hand. Jack brushed back the hair that fell down the side of Elizabeth's face and brought it back behind her shoulder and then placed a kiss on her cheek. She leant back into his chest and smiled back at him before returning her gaze to the Christmas tree in front of them.

Matilda continued to watch the dancing flame on Jack's candle as everyone sang several Christmas carols and hymns in front of the tree.

As the night was drawing closer to an end, snow started to fall. Elizabeth held Tilly close to shield her face from the snow as they started to sing another carol. Tilly started to cry as she was no longer able to see the bright lights and candles. Her cries were mostly drowned by the large number of town members singing as Elizabeth rocked her in her arms to try settle her.

"Maybe we should go home, she's likely hungry and tired." Elizabeth suggested.

Jack nodded, he placed a hand on the small of Elizabeth's back and they walked back to their wagon to head home.

At the Thornton's Homestead, later that night.

After putting Tilly to bed Jack and Elizabeth headed downstairs and went into the parlour. They sat down on the rug in front of the Christmas Tree and Elizabeth handed Jack a present.

"What is it?" He asked as he took the gift from her.

"Open it and you'll see." She said giving him a smile.

Jack pulled back the paper and found a new set of paints.

"These are amazing sweetheart, where did you get these?" He said knowing they were not something that could be found at the Mercantile.

"I was eyeing them off when we were in Hamilton. I got Julie to have them sent out here."

"Thank you." He said leaning over and kissing her on the lips. "I can't wait to use them."

She gave him a smile, pleased to know he liked them.

"I still have something else for you."

"There's more?" He asked surprised and she nodded before handing over another present.

He opened the gift which revealed a maroon coloured scarf.

"You made this?" He said holding it up and looking over it.

"I did. It's not perfect, but I tried my best."

"It is perfect because you made it, I love it." He said as he wrapped the scarf around his neck. Elizabeth helped straighten out the scarf around his neck before looking up into his eyes and meeting his gaze. She leant in a gently placed her lips on his, their kisses intensified, and Jack wrapped his arms around her and pulled her onto his lap.

"I have something for you." He said as she settled herself onto his lap.

He leant over and took hold of a small wrapped present from under the tree and then handed it to Elizabeth. She took it in her hands and then proceeded to unwrap the paper. It contained a small box and when she opened it, it revealed a dainty silver hair comb with small leaves and dusty pink flowers.

"It's beautiful Jack." She said giving him a smile.

Jack took the hair comb from her hand and gently found a spot for it in her hair.

"Not as beautiful as you." He said as he placed his hand on her cheek and she leant into his palm.

They shared a smile and then he reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out the locket he got her from Hamilton and handed it to her.

Elizabeth took the locket in her hands and looked at him questioningly.

"Open it." He suggested.

She carefully opened it and looked inside. On one side she noticed a sketched picture of Tilly and on the other side a picture of her and Jack.

"You drew these?" She asked in awe, and Jack nodded.

"I wanted to arrange to have photos put in there for you, but since we haven't had time I thought I'd try draw pictures instead."

"They are amazing sweetheart, I much rather these than a photo." She said looking down at the pictures in the locket before she raised her head and met Jack's gaze. "I love that you made them yourself." She said placing another kiss on his lips.

She pulled back from the kiss and rest her forehead on Jack's as she ran her hands behind his shoulders and started to play with the hair at the nape of his neck.

"Bella." He said, using his term of endearment for her as more of a statement.

Elizabeth smiled and he pushed back her tendrils of hair that were falling down her face. She slightly scrunched up her nose as her hair and his fingers tickled her cheek and he had a small laugh as he watched her.

"I have something else for you." She said.

"Something else? You didn't need to get me anything."

"Of course I did Jack, it's Christmas."

"All I need is you." He said, his voice soft.

She smiled hearing his words and she ran her hand through his hair.

"This is just a little something from Tilly and I."

Elizabeth hopped off his lap and reached over and picked up an envelope from under the Christmas tree.

She handed Jack the envelope and he opened it up and discovered a print of Tilly's small foot on the paper and he smiled.

He recognized Elizabeth's handwriting and read what she'd written.

Dear Daddy,

Mummy and I are so happy you have been home with us for the whole year. Thank you for being the best Daddy in all the world.

Lots of Love,

Matilda.

Jack looked up from the letter and over to Elizabeth who was sitting at his side.

She noticed tears welling in his eyes and she leant over placed her hand on his cheek.

"Thank you, it's beautiful." He said quietly, and she leant in a gently pressed her lips onto his.

Jack wrapped his arms around Elizabeth and leaned back and he brought her down with him as he lay on the rug. She looked down at him, her tendrils of hair hanging between them before she closed their distance and leant down to find his lips once more.

"Bella." He said in between kisses.

"Hmm?" She said pulling back, but still only mere inches from his face.

"I love you."

"I love you too." She replied softly before returning to rest her body on his chest and find his lips once more.

An hour later Elizabeth awoke hearing Tilly's cries. She was somewhat disorientated as she pulled herself out from under Jack's arm and realised they were still in front of the Christmas tree in the parlour. She grabbed her clothes off the floor and quickly started to dress herself.

"Elizabeth?" Jack asked drowsily as he sat up, seeming a bit disorientated himself.

"Tilly's awake."

Jack nodded and stood up and pulled on his trousers before grabbing his other clothes as Elizabeth hurried off to attend to their daughter.

Jack noticed Tilly's cries silence as he started to head up the stairs. As he entered the bedroom he found Elizabeth sitting back on the bed nursing Tilly.

He gave her a smile before he went in search of his night clothes.

"They're in the second drawer, I did the laundry today." She told him, realising what he was looking for.

"Thanks." He said.

He got dressed and then sat back on the bed next to Elizabeth.

"She's asleep?" Jack asked as he noticed Matilda's eyes were closed.

"I think so." She replied as Jack leant into her side as he looked down at their sleeping daughter.

"She's already grown so much and she's only nine weeks old." Jack whispered as he gently ran his hand over his daughters fine auburn hair.

"She has." Elizabeth replied quietly.

Tilly wriggled in Elizabeth's arms, but her eyes stayed closed and they realised she was asleep.

Elizabeth got up from the bed and carefully placed her in the crib. She then changed into her night gown before hopping back into the bed.

Jack pulled back the blankets and she climbed in before making her way over to Jack. She lay up against his side and made herself comfortable as he pulled the blankets up over them.

"You should try sleep before Tilly wakes again, we have a big day tomorrow with everyone coming over for Christmas." He said, and he turned off the lantern on the bedside table.

Elizabeth snuggled into his chest and made herself comfortable.

Jack smiled to himself and lay his arm across her and closed his eyes.

"Jack?" She whispered as she looked up at him through the slightly moonlit room.

"Yes?"

"I love you." She said before snuggling back down into his chest once more.

"I love you too." He said placing a gentle kiss on the top of her head, and they both fell asleep.