Hi Hearties,

I hope you have all seen The Christmas Wishing Tree by now. I absolutely loved it! I wrote the first part of this chapter before seeing it and the second half after. I think the movie gave me a lot of inspiration which maybe you'll notice in the more romantic scenes towards the second half of the chapter.

Happy reading

Chapter 28

Elizabeth and Julie roamed into a dress shop in Hamilton and started browsing through dresses on the racks. Elizabeth knew their wasn't going to be anything suitable to wear in Hope Valley, therefore she wasn't too interested in shopping. She looked out the shop front window, and saw Jack outside pushing Tilly in her new baby carriage.

"What about this one?" Julie asked, and Elizabeth broke her gaze from Jack, and turned to face her sister.

"For me? It's gorgeous, but wherever would I wear it?"

"I'm sure you'll find somewhere, and Jack has practically insisted you buy something, so why refuse?" Julie said as she held the dress out to Elizabeth. "Here, try it on."

"I don't know Julie."

"Come on, I need you to try on something with me." Julie insisted. "It will be fun, just like we used to."

"Alright." Elizabeth said as she took the dress from Julie's hands and they made their way into the dressing rooms.

Julie eagerly started trying on one of the dozen dresses she had already put aside, as Elizabeth went into her own changeroom and started to put on the dress.

"Julie, I think I need a little help." Elizabeth said as she held the dress up over her body and walked out of the changeroom to find Julie.

"Oh, Elizabeth it's gorgeous. Let me help you." Julie exclaimed as she made her way behind Elizabeth and started doing up the back of the dress.

"Thank you." She replied.

The two sisters then stood side by side in front of the mirror and looked over the dresses.

"You look amazing Elizabeth, I think this is the one."

"I wasn't planning on getting one at all."

"But Jack's suggested that you should, so why turn down the offer?"

"It just seems like a waste, I don't know where I would use it." Elizabeth exclaimed as she ran her hands down the front of the dress to straighten out the material. "If we do happen to go out while here in Hamilton, I still have that dress I wore the first time Jack came with me to Hamilton."

"You need something new, and if Jack only sees you in this once then it will be worth it won't it." Julie said knowingly as she gave Elizabeth a sly smile.

Elizabeth just shook her head and smiled at her sister. She then looked back into the mirror and noticed Jack's reflection as he made his way towards the dressing room.

"Well I think he's already seen me in it now." Elizabeth said, as Julie followed her gaze and saw Jack.

Julie tried to guide her sister quickly back into the changeroom, but Elizabeth resisted, and Julie realised it was too late as Jack had already seen them.

Julie sighed in disappointment and released her hold on Elizabeth and stood back. She knew she didn't have a chance in convincing Elizabeth to buy the dress now, but she hoped Jack would.

"You look beautiful." Jack whispered into Elizabeth's ear.

He was hoping Julie couldn't hear him, but she didn't miss a thing. Julie grinned and then slowly retreated into the changeroom to leave Jack and Elizabeth alone.

Jack noticed they were alone and he gave Elizabeth a brief kiss.

"So, is this the dress?" Jack asked.

"I don't really think I need one, but do you like it?"

"I do, but I'm certain it's because it's you that's in it." He said as he ran his hands down the sides of her waist and stopped at her hips.

Elizabeth blushed, but was then disrupted as Julie came out of the changeroom.

Jack noticed Julie's failure at hiding the smile on her face, and he quickly removed his hands from Elizabeth's hips.

Tilly then started to cry in her carriage and Jack went over and picked her up.

"Doesn't Mummy look gorgeous." He told Tilly as he headed back over to Elizabeth's side so Tilly could see Elizabeth.

Matilda reached out for her Mother, but Jack held her back as he knew it wouldn't be suitable for Elizabeth to hold her while in the stores dress.

"I'll take her for another walk." Jack suggested as Tilly started to cry again, and Elizabeth nodded.

Elizabeth gave Tilly a kiss on the cheek and then Jack headed back out to the street in front of the store.

"So, you're going to buy it?" Julie asked.

"I'm not." Elizabeth said, and Julie sighed in disappointment. "Have you decided which one you want yet?"

"I have."

"Good. Let's go then." Elizabeth stated as she was eager to get back to Jack and Tilly.

Once Elizabeth and Julie had gotten changed and back into their own dresses, they exited the dressing rooms and went to purchase Julie's dress. While they waited for a shop assistant to arrive Julie noticed Jack out the front of the store.

"Jack is certainly attracting attention while here in Hamilton." Julie suggested, and Elizabeth followed Julie's gaze over towards Jack. She noticed him attending to Tilly as several women were stealing glances at him as they walked by, a few even trying their best at getting his attention.

"Are you jealous?' Julie asked.

"What? No." Elizabeth said, feeling embarrassed.

"You are!" Julie grinned.

"I trust Jack."

"I know you do, and I know Jack's eyes never wander from you, but you're still jealous."

"Julie!"

"What, I know it's true!"

Elizabeth then shook her head. Not wanting to speak to her sister anymore, she made her way out of the store.

"You didn't get a dress?" Jack asked as he noticed her exit the store empty handed.

"I didn't."

"What's wrong?" He asked, as he recognised something wasn't quite right.

"Nothing…"

"Elizabeth?" He asked with concern as he placed his hand on the small of her back.

"Julie thinks I'm jealous."

"Why would she think that?" Jack asked surprised.

"You haven't noticed all the women out here stealing glances at you and smiling?"

"No…"

"Well they have been."

"And that's what you're not jealous about?" Jack enquired as he now took a hold around her waist as if in reassurance, and gave her a smile.

"Well, maybe I am a little." She admitted.

"Only a little?"

"Don't push your luck Jack Thornton."

"I know how lucky I am… how blessed I am, and I also know you're more than a little jealous Elizabeth Thornton."

She scrunched up her nose at him and gave him a smile as she knew he'd been able to read her mind.

Jack grinned at the cute look she gave him, and he gave her a brief kiss on the cheek.

"Bella, you don't need to be jealous." He said quietly as he remembered they were standing on the sidewalk. "I'm all yours."

She gave him a smile and wanted to offer him much more, but knew it wasn't possible where they were. Instead she took hold of his arm and leaned in close as they waited for Julie.

Julie soon exited the store after making her purchase. She noticed Elizabeth's hold on Jack and gave her a smile.

"You both ready to go?" Jack asked, and both Elizabeth and Julie nodded, and they all made their way back to the car.

Later that evening

Julie hurried over to Jack as she noticed him exit the nursery with Tilly who was sleeping in his arms.

"Elizabeth's not with you?"

"No, she's doing some writing, why?"

"I wanted to apologise for today Jack."

"Apologise?"

"I couldn't convince Elizabeth to buy a dress at the store today."

"Don't worry about that. She'll still be happy, even without a new dress."

"But you said you're taking her out for her birthday tomorrow, and I know how much you thought she'd like a new dress." Julie said sounding disappointed.

"It's fine Julie. She has other dresses."

"She does, and I even know what she'll plan to wear when she finds out you're taking her out, but it just would have been nice if she had something to wear from this season."

"I'm sure it would have been, but I don't think Elizabeth will be overly concerned about the matter so don't worry."

"I know she's used to living out on the frontier now and she's not as concerned about fancy in-season dresses, but it still would have been nice for her to get one."

"It would have, but I know whatever she wears she will look beautiful, so don't worry."

"I'm so glad Elizabeth married you."

"Why is that?"

"Because I never have to worry about my sister being out on the frontier as I know she's with you. Also, because you're the best brother in law a girl could ask for." Julie said with a smile as she gave Jack a hug.

"I appreciate you thinking so highly of me, I hope to never disappoint you."

"Never." She replied, and they shared a smile.

"I'm thankful that you're my sister in law Julie."

"Because that means you're married to my sister?" Julie quipped.

"No, because I appreciate the friendship we have, and the friendship you have with Elizabeth."

Julie nodded, and Jack continued.

"As you know it's been somewhat… awkward with Viola, I'm really thankful that it's always been quite the opposite experience with you."

"Thank you for your kind words Jack, I'm very thankful for our friendship also."

They shared another smile before Jack was distracted by Tilly who started to stir in his arms.

"I better get this little girl into bed." Jack stated.

"I'll see you in the morning."

"I'll see you then."

Jack made his way into Elizabeth's room, and saw her sitting at her desk. He he quietly headed over to the crib across the room and carefully placed Tilly inside. He made sure she settled and stayed asleep before making his way over to Elizabeth. Jack looked over Elizabeth's shoulder and noticed her check the nib of her fountain pen before she returned to her writing.

"So, what is Mountie Theodore up to these days?" Jack asked as he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Oh." Elizabeth said, she'd been lost in her thoughts and hadn't realised he was there. "He's away on Mountie business." She casually stated.

"Oh." Jack said, sounding disappointed. "I hope he's not gone too long, unless he's involved in a shoot-out."

"You'd rather be involved in a shoot-out than be at home?" Elizabeth asked as she looked away from her desk and up towards Jack.

Jack was surprised at her question and wondered why she'd turned the tables from the fictional Mountie in her book, to this being about him.

"Of course not." Jack said earnestly. "I'm only content when I'm with you. I'd certainly choose you over a shoot-out."

Elizabeth turned around in her chair and looked up at him.

"I'm sorry, I do know that Jack." She stated honestly, but he heard the sadness in her voice.

"When did this become about us?"

"I worry if I'm keeping you here sometimes." Elizabeth admitted.

"Here?"

"Not Hamilton. I mean here, with me."

"Of course I'm here with you, I'm your husband. What do you mean?" He asked feeling extremely confused.

"I want you here with me, but it's been a while since you've had to leave." She started, and Jack nodded. "There's not anything you're keeping from me is there?"

"You know we don't have secrets."

"I mean Mountie business secrets Jack. If you were asked to go away, you'd tell me, right?"

"Of course I would." He said, and then he realised where this was coming from. She was concerned that he would hold off telling her if it was his duty to go away again.

"Elizabeth, before I went to the Northern Territories I was so tormented about telling you about my acceptance of Superintendent Collin's request because I was afraid of losing you. You know I worried that it wasn't fair to ask you to wait for me." Elizabeth nodded as tears welled in her eyes as she remembered the day. Jack knelt on the floor beside her, so he was eye level, and he placed a hand on her cheek. "You're my wife now Elizabeth, and as much as I never want to leave you again, I now have the reassurance that you'll be waiting for me. I've had that reassurance ever since you accepted my proposal and you agreed to be my wife, but prior to that I still had a lot of uncertainty. If I am ever called away again, I promise I will let you know right away."

Jack wiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb and she gave him a small smile.

"Have you been worrying about this all this time?" He asked her.

"Not often, but it has been at the back of my mind."

"I wish you had told me sooner."

"I know I should have, I just didn't want you to worry Jack."

"Elizabeth, if you're worried I want you to come to me. I don't want you to worry about me."

She gave him a slight nod in understanding. She knew she could go to him, but knew she couldn't promise not worrying about him, and he knew that.

Jack placed a kiss on her cheek, and he noticed the taste of her tears on his lips. He gazed into her eyes before giving her a small smile which she returned.

They then heard their daughter's cries from across the room. Elizabeth got up from her chair and went over to the crib and picked Tilly up.

Jack turned off some of the lights to darken the room before sitting down on the bed. He watched Elizabeth as she rocked their daughter in her arms as she hummed a song. He smiled to himself as he watched the sweet moment, and was reminded of how his wife was such a good Mother. She certainly wasn't the kind of Mother her own Mother had been, but she still somehow had the intuition to know what she was doing with their daughter.

Jack leaned back on the bed as he noticed Elizabeth put Tilly back into the crib before she headed over towards him.

"Asleep already?" He whispered, as Elizabeth sat down next to him on the bed and she nodded.

"So, you never got to finish telling me what Mountie Theodore has been up to. Has he had anymore action lately?"

Elizabeth eyed Jack off, wondering what he was implying.

"I do mean Mountie business action." He said with a grin and she smiled.

"You know I don't write shoot-outs."

"Or the other kind of action." Jack joked, and Elizabeth rolled her eyes before giving him a smile. "So what's left for Mountie Theodore then?"

"He still has those parts of his life. I just focus on other areas."

"Other areas?"

"Like how he's so helpful within his community, how he's so brave, and a wonderful husband."

"He sounds perfect." Jack said as he took her hands in his.

"That's because he is." She said with a smile, before finding his lips and giving him a slow lingering kiss.

"But there's still something missing. From my writing I mean." Elizabeth said once she'd pulled away from their kiss.

"Are you doubting yourself again?" Jack asked, as he read the look on her face.

"A little."

"Maybe you just need a little more encouraging?"

"Maybe." She replied with a grin on her face and he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer.

"Or maybe a lot." He said quietly.

She noticed the feel of his warm breath on her cheek as he spoke, and she wrapped her arms around him. Their noses gently grazed each-others, their lips only millimetres apart, as they both lingered and held off their imminent kiss.

"Are you feeling encouraged now?" He whispered, as his lip gently grazed hers as he spoke.

"Very…much…so." She faltered as she felt the touch of his lips.

Without needing any further encouragement himself, Jack inclined forward to bring himself closer to her and their lips eagerly met.

Elizabeth ran her hands inside his jacket near the collar and then held onto his shoulders and pulled him closer, all the while without letting her lips leave his. She then pushed the jacket down off his shoulders and it slid down his arms.

Jack then pulled away from the kiss as he swiftly removed his jacket and let it fall to the floor beside the bed, before returning his attention back to Elizabeth.

"I love you Bella." He whispered as he locked his eyes on hers once more.

"I love you too." She replied just as quietly as she gently ran her hand through his hair.

Jack played with a tendril of hair that hung down the front of her shoulder. His eyes travelled down to his hand as he brushed the strand of hair back behind her shoulder before returning his vision to her bright blue eyes that were holding a gaze on him.

She momentarily lay her hands on his chest before bringing them higher where she gripped onto the collar of his shirt. She gently tugged at his collar and encourage him closer to remove the distance between them. He willingly complied, and he hastily gave her a fervent kiss. She returned his kisses just eagerly and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Jack wrapped his arms around her waist before laying back on the bed and pulling her down with him. She felt the rise and fall of his chest against her own as they both tried to settle their laboured breathing while looking onto each-other's eyes once more. After a moment Jack placed his hand gently on her cheek and she lowered herself closer onto his chest and kissed him.

The following morning

The sun shone through the gaps in the curtains and Elizabeth slowly opened her eyes as she felt Jack place a blanket over the top of her body. She looked up at him and they shared a smile.

"Sorry I woke you, I noticed you were cold."

He saw her lips curve as she gave him a small smile in gratitude and he smiled in return. He noticed her shivering, so he wrapped an arm around her waist and carefully pulled her closer. She felt the warmth of his skin on her own and curled up into his chest. He rubbed her back with his hand to warm her up and she placed a kiss on his chest. His hand stopped as he held onto her a little firmer and he placed a kiss on top of her head.

"Have you made any plans for today?" He asked, and she wriggled herself up alongside him, so they were eyelevel.

"No." She said placing a gentle kiss on his cheek. "Have you?"

"I may have made some plans for us."

"You have, what are they?" She asked surprised.

"I know it's not your birthday till next week, but I thought that while we're here in Hamilton we could celebrate."

Elizabeth grinned and Jack noticed her excitement.

"So where are you taking me?" She asked eagerly.

"You'll have to wait and see."

"Is this why you suggested I buy a new dress?" She said catching on to yesterday's events.

"It is, but you don't need a new dress. You look beautiful in anything, or nothing at all." He said looking into her eyes as he ran his hand down her back. He noticed her blush and he placed a kiss on her cheek.

"Well I can't wear nothing Jack Thornton as I'm guessing we're going to be leaving this room, but I do have something in the wardrobe here that I think you will like."

"We could stay here all day if you really wanted to."

"It's a nice idea, but we're in my parent's house."

"It's not like they don't know what we do in here."

Elizabeth gently slapped him on the arm and gave him a smile.

"Don't worry, I have planned somewhere to take you." He said.

"Where?"

"You'll have to wait and see."

"Tilly!" Elizabeth exclaimed, as she quickly sat up in the bed as she realised their daughter hadn't woken them all night. She jumped out of the bed, pulled on her dressing gown and headed over to the crib as Jack pulled on his trousers and headed over himself.

Jack and Elizabeth stood by the crib and looked down at their daughter. They noticed the rise and fall of her body under the blanket and realise she was still asleep. Elizabeth sighed with relief as Jack wrapped an arm around her and she rest her head on his shoulder as they continued to look down at their daughter. Tilly squirmed under the blanket before abruptly sitting up in the cot and looking up at her parents and giving them a big grin. She grabbed the railing of the cot and pulled herself up to a standing position, her soft messy curls bouncing as she repeatedly jumped on the mattress.

"How do you have so much energy so soon, Missy?" Elizabeth said reaching into the crib and lifting her daughter out. Elizabeth gave her a kiss on the cheek before handing her over to Jack.

Tilly placed her small hand on Jack's cheek and she scrunched up her little nose as she felt the stubble on his face.

"Someone thinks I should shave huh?" Jack said, and Tilly smiled. "We do need to get a move on, I should go shave." Jack said as he placed a kiss on Tilly's head and he noticed her reach back for Elizabeth and he handed Tilly back to her.

Jack headed off to the bathroom and Elizabeth went and sat down and nursed Tilly before preparing for the rest of the day.

A/N So did you feel the kissing scenes read differently? I felt I wrote them differently as I felt inspired by all those awesome Jack and Elizabeth moments we got in the Christmas movie.

Please leave a review if possible as I love reviews. Even if it's to give me some constructive criticism.

Thank you for reading.