Chapter 25 Christmas Part 2
Christmas Day
Elizabeth, Abigail, Rosemary, Faith and Becky all hurried around the kitchen in an organised frenzy as they finished off the last of their tasks before Christmas lunch would be ready.
Cody was out the front with his baseball and mitt and Jack and Lee were in the parlour with the children.
Johnathan reached out for the tree from Lee's arms and Lee quickly pulled him away. The small boy started to cry, and Lee bounced him in his arms to try stop him from crying.
Jack found one of Tilly's wooden blocks that she was still too young for, and he handed it to Johnathan who eagerly took hold of it. It caught Johnathan's attention and distracted him enough to stop crying.
Jack looked down at Tilly who was holding tightly to the new doll that he and Elizabeth had given her for Christmas. She brought it to her mouth and Jack tried to pull it away from her mouth and she started to cry.
"How about we go for a walk outside? I can show you what we've done with the place." Jack suggested, thinking the children may enjoy the walk.
"Sounds good." Lee agreed.
The men headed out of the parlour just as they heard a knock at the front door.
Elizabeth rushed over to see who it was, wondering who would show up as everyone they'd expected was already there.
She opened the door and discovered Julie and Tom standing on the other side.
"What are you doing here?" Elizabeth asked in shock, her mouth agape.
"Is that how you greet your little sister, and on Christmas?" Julie asked, and she rushed into Elizabeth's arms and they embraced.
"I just really didn't expect to see you here, I'm so glad you are though." Elizabeth said holding onto her sister tighter before letting go.
Elizabeth ushered Julie and Tom into the house and they made their way in.
"So where is my beautiful little niece?" Julie asked as she looked around the room and noticed Jack holding Matilda.
She hurried over to Jack and they shared a smile and he carefully placed his daughter into Julie's arms.
"It's good to see you Julie, and you too Tom." Jack said looking over at his brother before embracing him.
Julie walked back over to Elizabeth who was still somewhat shocked at her sister and Tom showing up at their front door.
"Isn't she the cutest little thing you ever did see." Julie said as she looked down at Tilly and then back up at her sister. "And she has your hair and eyes Elizabeth. Oh, you need to come Hamilton, Mother would die at the uncanny resemblance she has with you Elizabeth."
"I can imagine Mother getting out the baby photo's, but we will be waiting until Tilly is a little older to make the trip to Hamilton." Elizabeth replied. "So where have the two of you been? The Stage certainly doesn't come into town on Christmas Day." Elizabeth said changing the subject.
Julie was unsure where to start so she just let her words slip out of her mouth. "We stayed at the Saloon last night."
"Julie! What were you thinking? This may not be Hamilton, but that is still highly inappropriate!"
"Oh, it wasn't like that. I mean…."
"Don't say another word Julie."
Elizabeth took her daughter from Julie's arms and handed her over to Jack. She then took hold of Julie's arm and guided her through the house and they headed out the back door.
"What are you really doing here, and with Tom?" Elizabeth asked as she let go of her sister's arm and stopped and looked at her.
"We came here for Christmas."
"I know for a fact that Mother and Father wouldn't allow you to travel all this way with Tom."
"Well they know I came to surprise you for Christmas, they just don't know Tom came along…" Julie stopped, not knowing what to say next as she waited to be reprimanded by her older sister.
Elizabeth sighed with relief knowing that at least her parents were aware of Julie's whereabouts.
"What were you thinking, staying at the Saloon together?!"
"We didn't… share a room."
"You didn't?" Elizabeth asked relieved and Julie shook her head. "Why didn't you come stay here? We have plenty of room now we have the new house."
"We didn't want to bother you, but Elizabeth I'm disappointed that you'd think that I'd… taken things further with Tom."
"Well what was I meant to think?"
"Surely there were times where you were someplace with Jack over night before you were married."
Elizabeth stayed silent and Julie knew Elizabeth's answer from the look on her face.
"I know I asked but I never really assumed you would have stayed somewhere with Jack before you were married!" Julie exclaimed somewhat shocked.
"It was totally innocent, but yes there was a time…" Elizabeth said as she reminisced over the night she spent with Jack in the Church before he was to leave for the Northern Territories.
"So, tell me!" Julie pleaded, wanting to know the details.
"What? No!" Elizabeth insisted.
"Why not? You said it was innocent."
"It was, but it was under totally different circumstances Julie. It's also something private, just between Jack and myself. You may be my sister and one of my best friends, but this is something I don't wish to share."
Julie shrugged her shoulders, not entirely understanding.
"Julie, when you're in love, there's certain things in your relationship that are personal and that you would not wish to share, and I'm not just referring to the type of intimacies that should be saved for marriage."
"But I am in love Elizabeth."
"Are you really Julie?"
"I think I am."
"Thinking isn't enough though."
"I know. It's you that makes me doubt whether I'm in love."
"Me?!" Elizabeth asked shocked.
"Yes, you and Jack."
"What do Jack and I have to do with your relationship with Tom?"
"I see you and Jack together and I know what you have is much more special than those silly romance novels I used to read. But it's also not what Tom and I have."
"Jack is an amazing husband and Father, and what we do have is special but not all relationships are the same Julie. At the end of the day though, you're the only one that is going to know whether you love Tom Thornton, and whether he's the man you should marry."
"I know, but the problem is I don't know if he's the one."
"If you don't know, then maybe he isn't."
"When did you know you loved Jack?" Julie asked.
"I knew I loved him and that I wanted him to be my husband before he kissed me."
"You did?" Julie asked. "I guess I shouldn't be so surprised, I was there when he first officially started courting you, I saw the looks the two of you shared." Julie said with a dreamy look in her eyes as she remembered the time when Jack came to pick up Elizabeth and take her to the Café for dinner. "But this is no help, as I first kissed Tom a long time ago!"
"Then maybe you need to make a decision Julie. I can't help you decide, but please know that I do want you to be happy. I'm not against you marrying Tom, but I want you to make sure that this is really what you want."
"I will, I promise."
"Good, that's all I really want, that and the fact that you will be staying under our roof while you're in Hope Valley."
"Elizabeth, I can stay where I want, I'm not a child!"
"No, you're not a child, but you shouldn't be staying in the Saloon and letting people make presumptions about you and Tom. Plus, I want my sister here with me in my home, it's Christmas Julie, surely you'd rather stay here than in the Saloon?"
"It would give me more of a chance to spend time with you and Tilly."
"Exactly."
"I'll stay then, you don't need to force me." Julie said relenting.
"You know I wouldn't really force you right?"
"I wasn't entirely sure what you would do for a moment there."
The sisters shared a laugh and they embraced each other.
"Tom is welcome here too, and whether he stays is entirely his decision."
Julie nodded.
"And one more thing before I forget."
"What's that?" Julie asked.
"We need to tell our parents that Tom is here."
"Elizabeth, do we really have to?"
"We do, but it's Christmas, so it can wait a few days."
"Alright." Julie said feeling dejected but glad she had a few days.
"Come on let's go inside. Lunch will be ready, and you can get to know your little niece. I know she's going to love her Aunt when she gets to know her." Elizabeth stated trying to cheer Julie up.
It did cheer up Julie a little and the two sisters smiled at each other and then proceeded to head back into the house.
"So, you're quite the family man now." Tom said as he nodded down at Tilly who was in Jack's arms.
"I guess I am." Jack said as he smiled down at his daughter. "You want to hold your niece?"
"I don't know…" Tom said sounding quite hesitant.
"She won't break. Here." Jack said handing Tilly over to Tom who took her in his arms.
He held her awkwardly as he tried to make her comfortable in his arms.
"She's cute Jack. It's a good thing she looks like Elizabeth."
"Are you saying my wife is cute?" Jack asked only half seriously as he teased his brother.
"All the Thatcher sisters are aren't they?" Tom asked as he noticed Jack's eyes wander over to Elizabeth. "I guess you wouldn't know though, you only ever have your eyes on one of them." Tom finished but he realized Jack was no longer listening to him.
"Huh?" Jack said turning his attention back to his brother.
"The Thatcher girls, they're all beautiful."
"Well mine are." Jack said only thinking of Elizabeth and his daughter, after all she was also a Thatcher and she did certainly look like Elizabeth.
"The only answer I'd expect from you." Tom said giving him a pat on the back.
"Tom, what are you really doing here?"
"I wish I could say it was just to see you and your family, but you know why else I'm here Jack."
"What were you thinking, travelling with her on the stagecoach and then staying at the Saloon."
"It was all innocent, you don't need to worry."
"Maybe, but it's still inappropriate."
"What's with you and Elizabeth reprimanding your younger siblings? We never interfered with your relationship."
"Tom, I'm not going to discredit you because you're my brother, but if you speak unkindly or disparage my wife again I won't take it so lightly. Elizabeth and I have always had the best of intentions when supporting you and Julie, whether it's been about your relationship, or for the both of you as individuals."
"That's the point Jack, we don't need your support. The Thatcher's don't give us our support, we can take care of ourselves."
"And this is how Julie sees things?"
"She's happy to leave her family to be with me."
"Maybe her parents at times, but do you even realise how important her relationship is with Elizabeth? I can't imagine Julie wanting to discard her relationship with Elizabeth."
"So now you think you know Julie better than me?" Tom asked defensively.
"That's not what I'm saying Tom. You do however need to talk to Julie about this."
"Yeah, I know."
"I hope you're treating her right Tom."
"I am, why would you even ask that?"
"You bring her out here on the stage alone and then you put her up in the Saloon for the night, what am I supposed to think?"
"Why do you care anyway?"
"She's my sister in law, and my friend. I would hope you treat her like a lady."
"Like you do Elizabeth?" Tom asked, knowing full well Jack's tendencies with Elizabeth.
"Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying."
"Well I do Jack, I try my best to anyway. So you don't need to worry."
"That's all I ask."
Tom then looked down at Tilly as she started to cry. He looked up at Jack for help and held her out towards him. Jack took hold of his daughter and brought her up to his chest as he held her in his arms.
"You look like a natural." Tom said as he noticed Tilly's cries start to settle.
"It's not so hard when you have one of your own."
Tom shrugged, his thoughts were mainly on trying to work out the possibility of marriage, he hadn't given much thought to the idea of children.
"So, we're good?" Jack asked, and Tom smiled and gave him a nod.
Over in the kitchen…
"You're sounding like Viola now!" Julie informed Elizabeth.
"Like Viola?" Elizabeth asked shocked. "I am nothing like Viola and you know it!"
"You just insisted I go change before lunch!" Julie exclaimed.
"Look at yourself Julie."
Julie looked down at her dress, it was much too fancy to be wearing around Hope Valley, but she realised that wasn't the issue Elizabeth had with it, she was covered in flour and gravy stains from helping the other women in the kitchen.
"Oh."
"Yes "oh". Aren't you glad I told you now?"
"Yes, but you still sound like Viola." Julie insisted.
"You take that back Julie Thatcher!"
"I will not, and don't you "Thatcher" me!"
"Well you are a Thatcher." Elizabeth said getting carried away and forgetting where she was.
"So are you!"
"I'm a Thornton!"
"Elizabeth." Jack said gently as he walked up to her and she immediately calmed.
She looked over at him and composed herself before looking back at Julie.
"Sorry." Elizabeth said, realising she had gotten caught up arguing with Julie as they did when they were younger. She felt embarrassed, but it also gave her some comfort that Julie and she could fall back into their relationship so easily.
"I accept your apology. But you are also a Thatcher." Julie exclaimed.
Elizabeth glared at Julie and gently bit her lip to stop herself from saying anything further. She knew Julie was right but what frustrated her was knowing that Julie was implying more about her character as a Thatcher rather than her once having the families name.
Jack held Tilly in one arm and placed his other hand on the small of Elizabeth's back. She looked at him and smiled, she knew that Jack knew exactly what he was doing, he'd worked out long ago that it wasn't hard for him to quickly calm her down. He had realised even sooner though that he could infuriate her just as quickly, just like he did the first time they officially met in the Saloon.
Abigail pulled the turkey out of the oven and placed it on the table.
" I should help, lunch will be ready soon." Elizabeth said quietly to Jack.
"You're alright now?" He asked just as quietly.
Elizabeth nodded, and she placed a quick kiss on his cheek before getting stuck back into the kitchen with Abigail, Rosemary, Faith, and Becky as Julie mulled around and watched.
The front door opened, and Cody came running into the kitchen.
"Is lunch ready yet? I'm starving." Cody asked Abigail.
"Almost, how about you go see the men, we will be done here soon."
"They are all playing with the babies." Cody complained.
Abigail, Elizabeth, Rosemary, Faith and Julie all looked over towards the entrance of the parlour and could see both Jack and Lee playing with their children.
Cody noticed the look on the women's faces and he rolled his eyes before rushing off to go play out in the backyard.
"You have some good Father's there." Abigail said, stating what everyone was already thinking.
"I know." Elizabeth and Rosemary said in unison and they looked over at each other and smiled.
"So what did you ladies get for Christmas this year?" Abigail said, trying to get everyone in a more festive mood as they worked on the finishing touches before lunch was ready.
"Lee bought me a bracelet, it's not something I'd chose but I can tell you it's definitely an improvement compared to that broach he got me two years ago." Rosemary exclaimed.
"Well it's the thought that counts." Elizabeth said, and Rosemary smiled knowingly.
"Lee also surprised me with the fact that he's started work on our new house."
"That's wonderful Rosemary, you must be so pleased." Abigail exclaimed feeling happy for her.
"It really is." She said smiling. "So what did you get Elizabeth?"
"Jack got me this beautiful hair comb." She said showing the women, as she had it in her hair.
"Oh, it's gorgeous Elizabeth, I think Lee needs to take Jack shopping with him next time."
The women all laughed before Elizabeth continued.
"He also drew these." Elizabeth said as she opened the locket she was wearing, and showed them the pictures of Tilly, and her and Jack inside.
"Jack drew these?" Julie asked as all the women looked at the pictures in the locket and Elizabeth nodded. "That is so romantic." Julie exclaimed. "Is there anything that husband of yours can't do?"
Just then Jack and Lee entered the kitchen with crying babies in their arms.
"I think she needs to be fed." Jack said carefully handing Tilly over to Elizabeth.
"That is something he can't do." Elizabeth said giving Julie and smile, and Jack looked a little puzzled.
Elizabeth smiled at Jack and gave his upper arm a gentle squeeze as she passed him before heading up stairs to nurse Tilly, and Rosemary followed her with Johnathan.
"What was that about?" Jack asked Julie.
"Just girl talk. Trust me though, you certainly don't have anything to concern yourself over."
Jack shrugged and moved on as Abigail announced that lunch was almost ready.
Once Elizabeth and Rosemary returned everyone found a place around the large table in the dining area and sat down to eat.
After lunch they all gathered in the parlour together. Rosemary had bought over some electric Christmas Tree lights for Jack and Elizabeth and they lit the tree up. Now Rosemary had a crawling baby she certainly didn't have the time to monitor three Christmas Tree's in the house.
Jack stoked up the fire as Elizabeth started the Victrola which quietly played some Christmas Carols.
Lee and Rosemary were up and down, out of their seats chasing Johnathan from the tree while Tilly slept soundly in Julie's arms.
Rip slept in his spot not too far from the fire and gave a whine every time he was somewhat disturbed by Cody or Johnathan. Cody had spoiled him with too much leftover turkey and he wasn't in the mood to do anything but sleep.
Johnathan pulled himself up onto his feet in front of Lee and Rosemary. They were lost in conversation with each other until they heard a little voice say, "Da da."
"Did he just say Dada?" Lee asked excitedly as he picked up Johnathan and looked over at Rosemary
"He did." Rosemary said as she gave Lee a smile before looking back over at her son.
"You're a clever boy." Lee exclaimed, and Johnathan giggled.
"That was a wonderful Christmas surprise." Jack said to Lee. He was looking forward to the day that he would hear those words from his daughter.
Everyone lounged around and chatted in the parlour until it started to get late. The sun was close to setting and everyone needed to head off as they had to ride back into town before dark.
Jack, Elizabeth, Tom and Julie stood on the porch and said goodbye to everyone as they left.
The four of them then returned to the warm house.
Jack started to tidy up the kitchen and Tom followed suit, while Elizabeth rushed upstairs to find Tilly who had just started to cry.
"This room is beautiful." Julie said as she followed Elizabeth into the nursery. "Did Jack do this?" She asked looking up at the mural on the wall of the forest and woodland animals.
"He did." Elizabeth replied as she picked up Tilly and her cries settled.
"It's amazing." Julie said, and she continued to look over the room. "Sometimes it's hard for me to remember this is where you live."
"Why is that?"
"Well it's just so different to Hamilton."
"I don't want Hamilton though Julie, I love this home and everything that Jack has made for us here."
"I know, and it is beautiful, it's just a different kind of beautiful to Hamilton."
"Yes, I know what you mean, but Hope Valley is my home now. I couldn't imagine being anywhere else."
Julie nodded, she'd known for some time now that Elizabeth felt that way. She was happy for Elizabeth but was also disappointed as it meant she was so far away.
"What's wrong Julie?"
"Oh nothing."
"Are you sure?" Elizabeth asked with concern for her sister.
"I just wish I had a home, one like this or a big mansion in Hamilton."
"But you have a home in Hamilton."
"Without you there, it doesn't feel like home." Julie said, her voice sounding solemn.
"Oh Julie." Elizabeth said as she pulled her in for a hug as best she could as she held Tilly with one arm. Julie wrapped her arms around Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth." She said pulling back from the hug and looking at her sister. "I know my intention to come here was initially driven by the desire to spend time with Tom, but I want you to know that I'm really glad I got to spend Christmas with you this year."
"I'm so glad you're here for Christmas too Julie. As much as you infuriate me at times, you're always welcome here because I am always happy to see you little sister."
The two women hugged again just as Tilly yawned, and they both laughed as they saw her.
"That's good because I'm going to visit a lot. I don't want to miss out on too much of my little niece growing up."
"I'm glad to hear that." Elizabeth told her and the two sisters shared a smile before they headed back downstairs.
Later that evening
"Where are you off to?" Elizabeth asked as she saw Tom and Julie make their way out the front door.
"We're just going to sit out on the porch." Julie told her.
"Take your niece then, she can chaperone." Elizabeth said as she gave Julie a grin.
Julie shook her head and smiled as she took Tilly from Elizabeth's arms.
"She's just fallen asleep, so she should be right for a while."
"Seems like you're trying to pass off your own little chaperone to someone else." Julie asked suspiciously, wondering if Elizabeth had other intentions as to why she wanted her to babysit.
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at her but said nothing. She gave Julie a smile just as she shut the door behind them.
Elizabeth turned around and found Jack standing right in front of her. She grabbed his upper arms in surprise and he grinned as he noticed her response.
He walked in closer to her and her back leant up against the door.
"I see what you did just there." He said to her.
"Where?"
"Right there, with Julie."
"Whatever do you mean Constable Thornton?" Elizabeth said feigning ignorance.
"I think you know what I mean." He said smiling and she noticed the dimples in his cheeks make their appearance.
She placed a hand on the side of his cheek just as his dimples disappeared and the look on his face became more serious.
Jack leaned in, only inches away from her and she gazed down at his lips. She felt his nose ever so gently press against hers and she closed her eyes as she waited for the distance between their lips to close. He held back and lingered over her lips however and she opened her eyes.
"Jack?" She asked but his eyes were lost on her and he didn't respond. She looked up at him and noticed his long lashes and his hazel eyes. She loved his lashes, she almost wanted to touch them, but she didn't want to distract him.
His eyes wandered over her face until they looked into her blue eyes. Elizabeth noticed that he appeared extremely distracted, but she knew she was his distraction.
He brought his hand up and brushed back a tendril of hair from the side of her face as he came out of his reverie.
"I love you." He whispered, as his lips lingered ever so closely to hers and she felt his gentle breath on her lips. Before she could respond he closed the distance between them and gently pressed his lips against hers.
Elizabeth wrapped her arms around him and returned his kisses just as she felt the door bang against her back. She was pushed into Jack and their kiss broke apart. Jack stumbled back and steadied himself before steadying Elizabeth in his arms.
Elizabeth looked over her shoulder to see her sister pushing through the door way and she blushed.
Julie grinned as she saw Jack and Elizabeth in their embrace on the other side of the door.
"Julie!" Elizabeth exclaimed, her initial reaction to her embarrassment.
"What? I didn't know you were both going to be there!"
Elizabeth realised she still had her arms around Jack and she quickly brought her hands down to her sides and glared at her sister. Jack reluctantly removed his hands from Elizabeth's waist and looked up at Julie while trying to avoid eye contact with her.
Julie smiled as she noticed Elizabeth's cheeks redden, and Jack's awkwardness.
Just then Tom walked in through the door with Tilly in his arms and he stood by Julie.
"What's going on?" Tom asked.
"Nothing." Elizabeth exclaimed.
"Alright…" Tom said as he noticed Julie trying to hold back her laughter.
"I think we should leave these two love birds alone." Julie said as she took Tom by the arm and pulled him back out the door.
The door shut, and Elizabeth turned to Jack and she buried her face in his chest. Jack wrapped his arms around her once more and he grinned at her response to hide in his chest, due to her embarrassment.
"Why does this always happen when Julie's around?" She asked, her voice muffled as she spoke into his chest.
"Well it doesn't have to." He said, and Elizabeth looked up at him. "We could go upstairs and lock the bedroom door."
"They're here Jack, right under our roof!"
"It's not like they don't know what we get up to." He stated casually.
"Are you serious?"
"Maybe." He said, as he wondered if he was slowly convincing her to change her mind.
Jack wrapped his arms around her waist and leant in closer and kissed her. He felt her start to relax in his arms until she realised she'd somehow ended up with her back against the door again.
Jack…" She said, slightly warning him as she worried about Tom and Julie being right outside.
"Come with me?" He whispered.
She saw him hold out his hand to her she looked up at him. She couldn't resist the look on his face, and she took his hand and he lead her upstairs.
Elizabeth lay in Jack's arms as he pulled the blanket up over them.
"I can't believe you talked me into that." Elizabeth said as she lay her head between his shoulder and the crook of his neck.
"Really? It didn't take much to convince you."
"You're always extremely convincing Jack." She said as she ran her fingers across his chest.
"How so?" He asked, hoping she'd reveal more.
"Your eyelashes for one."
"My eyelashes? They're not very… attractive."
"Well I think they are." She said looking up and wrapping her arm around him. "What do you think is attractive then?"
"Everything about you." He said just above a whisper.
"Everything? I was hoping you'd be more specific."
"Well you know when I first met you that I thought you were attractive, but what really stood out to me was your eyes and your smile. You probably know I can get lost in those eyes of yours at times."
"I think I've noticed a time or two." She said grinning and she hoped he would continue.
"And when you smile at me, I think you know exactly what it does to me."
"I have a fairly good idea."
"Änd your hair." He said continuing. "I love the long curls and the way they hang down the side of your face." He said as he swept a tendril of hair from her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. "But it's not just your physical beauty that I find attractive Elizabeth, I love the dedication you have for your students, and how you are an integral part of the community here in Hope Valley. Everything you do you put your whole heart into it and that inspires me to want to be a better man. I love how you're stubborn because it drives you into making a commitment, and I know it's what brought you here to Hope Valley, and therefore to me. You're also the kindest person I've ever known, whether it's to the people you love or to strangers. You have the sweetest disposition, even during times of trouble. Since we've been married, I've also noticed what an amazing wife and Mother you are. I couldn't have dreamt of having a more amazing woman as my wife than you are Elizabeth."
Jack noticed the tears welling up in her eyes and he gave her a small smile before placing a kiss on top of her head.
"I love how you see me Jack." She said quietly.
"I'm just being honest." He said as he ran his hand down her arm and pulled her closer.
"So, it's my eyelashes you're attracted to?" He said trying to make things more light hearted while also wondering what she thought of him.
"Not only your eyelashes."
"That's good to know."
"I love your hazel eyes, and how I'm never quite sure what colour they're going to be on a given day, and your smile which brings out those dimples." She said as he smiled, and she ran her fingers over his cheek as she noticed his dimples appear. "At first though it was seeing you in your uniform that did it for me. You are extremely handsome in that serge of yours."
"This is definitely an improvement on kinda cute." Jack said and they both laughed.
"I love how you've always done your best at protecting me, even when I was reluctant to accept your help, and you've always been such a gentleman and taken such good care of me. I know it would have been much harder for me to settle into Hope Valley if you weren't here supporting me. I love how you're able to teach me so many new things, especially when I first arrived in Hope Valley, like how to pump water, and ride a horse, amongst other things. You're so multifaceted which I know comes with being a Mountie, but you even built me a school house and this home." She said as she looked around their bedroom and thought about how she loved the idea that Jack had built their home.
"You make me laugh as you have an amazing sense of humour, and I also love how you go to all the effort to organise these grand romantic gestures that tell me how much you love me. You say I'm kind, but you have such a kind heart Jack, and since we've been married I've gotten to see even more of it. You're an unbelievable husband and I'm grateful everyday for being so blessed to have you in my life. I also see you with Tilly and realise you're an amazing Father, even though I still haven't tasted your Shepherd's Pie."
They both laughed, and Jack held her tighter in his arms.
"I'm glad we had Christmas here in our new home Jack."
"I am too." He said giving her a small smile.
"Elizabeth? Jack?" They heard Julie's voice call out.
Jack and Elizabeth looked at each other before quickly climbing out of the bed and throwing their clothes on.
Elizabeth went to open the bedroom door and Jack held her hand over the door knob and stopped her.
"Thank you."
"Whatever for Jack?"
"For coming up here with me, even when our crazy siblings are downstairs." He said and they both smiled.
"You don't have to thank me."
"Well it was special, so I wanted to thank you."
Elizabeth leant in and gave him a brief kiss.
"You're so sweet, I had a special time too Jack."
He took her hand and gave it a squeeze before opening the door and they made their way downstairs.
They found Julie in the parlour with Tilly in her arms.
"Where were you?" Julie asked exasperated as she finally saw her sister.
Elizabeth blushed and Julie noticed, and she grinned.
"What's wrong Julie?" Elizabeth asked, trying to avoid the situation at hand.
"It's Tilly, she needs changing." Julie exclaimed as she handed Tilly over to Elizabeth.
"You know you should probably learn how to do this yourself sometime."
Julie shook her head and stood back.
"What, you don't want children yourself one day?" Elizabeth asked her.
"Of course I do."
"Then are you going to have a Nanny like Mother did with us?"
"Well no…" Julie replied.
"Then come on, you can get in some practice."
Elizabeth headed up stairs to the nursery and turned around to make sure Julie was following her.
"What's going on here?" Tom said with a grin as he pointed to Jack's hair.
"Nothing." Jack said as he tried to tidy his hair with his hands.
"Yeah right." Tom said knowingly with a smirk on his face.
"How about I show you where your room is?" Jack said trying to change the subject.
"Alright."
Jack headed upstairs as Tom followed him.
"Julie will stay here in the nursery and your room is down the end of the hall here." Jack said.
"Julie's going to sleep in the room with the baby?" Tom asked surprised.
"Tilly sleeps in our room."
"Okay" Tom said as Jack lead him into the room.
"And we can hear everything that goes on in the nursery, so don't even think about going in there tonight."
"Don't worry, I won't."
"And don't think of inviting Julie in here." Jack said knowing what Tom may likely be thinking as he rather quickly agreed to not going into Julie's room.
"You can trust us alright."
Jack nodded.
The women then came out of the nursery with Tilly and they all met in the hallway.
"I'll set up a bed for you in the nursery." Jack said to Julie.
"Thank you."
"I'm going to nurse Tilly to sleep and then I think I'll go to bed myself." Elizabeth told Jack.
"Alright, I'll be in soon."
Jack and Tom helped put up a bed for Julie in the nursery and they all said goodnight to each other and retired to their rooms.
Jack went into the bedroom and found Elizabeth and Tilly asleep on their bed. He carefully picked up Tilly and placed her in her cradle that was down beside their bed. He then carefully pulled up the blankets over Elizabeth. He then proceeded to get changed into his nightwear before getting into bed himself.
Elizabeth reached out for him in her sleep and he smiled to himself. He put out the lantern and then moved over closer to her in the bed and placed a gentle kiss on her fore head. He then closed his eyes and went to sleep himself.