Mason attempted to distract Marie as much as possible for the next few days.
This particular day, they walked out in the woods to find a Christmas tree. He thought that could be their family tradition that they could carry on with their children every year.
"Warm enough, babe?"
"Yes. If I wasn't, I'd be concerned," she said with a laugh. He had insisted she wear a pair of his long johns and pants under her dress along with a coat, gloves, mittens, and a scarf.
"I just want you to be warm enough."
"I know." He was so cute and so protective of her and the baby and she didn't mind. She knew he loved her and that's what mattered.
"What about this tree?" Mason asked, gesturing to the tree in front of them.
"Sure."
"Do you think it's too big?"
"Maybe. I don't know."
"I thought we would put it in the corner by the chair."
"Ok."
"Not the one, huh?"
"I don't know, Mase. I don't know what makes it the perfect tree. We never had a tree in our family."
"Never?"
"No."
"Well, it's time to change that now, Mrs. Thornton. We are going to have a tree, every single year for the rest of our lives." He stepped toward her and grabbed her mitten-covered hands.
"And we will bring our children out here every year to pick it out?" She smiled at the thought. Children with her wonderful Mason. She couldn't wait.
"Yes. Every single one."
"Sounds perfect."
…..
Jack took Elizabeth's hand and led her toward the pond.
"I thought we were going to eat dinner at the café."
"We will. I just wanted to walk for a bit, with my beautiful wife."
"I guess it has been awhile since we took a walk."
"It has."
As they neared the spot where their very first kiss happened many years before and also where Caleb and Amy had gotten married, Elizabeth felt peace settle over her. This felt like home.
"What are you smiling about, babe?"
"Jack, this is home. Still after so many years. I mean, Harris Town has been where we've lived, but Hope Valley will always be home."
He smiled and nodded. "Yes. I feel it too." They now were standing in the exact spot he had nervously kissed her after asking her not to leave him. He looked into her blue eyes, the same blue eyes he'd loved for almost thirty years. Sure, there were tiny wrinkles at the corners and maybe her hair had more gray but she was still just as lovely as she had been then and he loved her so much more than he had then.
He stepped forward and kissed her, nice and slow, slipping his hands around her waist. She responded to his kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck and settling in to his arms.
After a moment he pulled back and smiled, resting his forehead on hers. "I love you so much, Elizabeth. Thank you for not leaving me that day."
"I love you too. Thank you for asking me to stay. I had already decided to, but to know how you felt meant everything."
He took her hand and they started walking to town. "I'm kind of glad Maddie and Em's babies came early. I wasn't looking forward to being without you for weeks."
She leaned her cheek against his shoulder as they continued. "I know you weren't but I'm glad you were willing to let me anyway."
As they entered town, Elizabeth looked over at the church and smiled as the teacher rang the bell to dismiss the children. "Grandma! Papa!"
Their eight school aged grandchildren ran up to them. "Hi, everyone. How was school?"
"Good! I got mag…i…nation!" Luke said as he took both her and Jack's hands in his and they all started walking again.
"You certainly do, Luke."
"Mama says it's cause I got good ideas in my head. But how did they get there?"
Jack smiled, curious to know how his wife would answer this one.
"Somehow, they just showed up, sweetie."
"Oh ok. Gotta go!"
They watched as all the kids walked or ran past, the older keeping track of the younger. Then they saw Rachel and Leah, arms linked as they chatted. Everything seemed perfect.
"Yep, this is home," Elizabeth whispered, grabbing Jack's hand again.
…..
Christmas morning….
Everyone was gathered in Will and Ashley's house for breakfast.
Lydie was fidgeting on the couch, not wanting to wait to give her gift to her mom. Kiki patted her knee, telling her to be patient.
Finally it was time. Lydie ran into the other room and grabbed the present. "Mama, I have a present for you."
"For me, love?"
"Yup." Lydie stood in front of her, watching as she unwrapped the paper.
"Lydie, oh sweetie. This is beautiful. Thank you so much."
Elizabeth hugged Lydie, pulling her on her lap. "So you like it?"
"So much. I love you, Lyd."
"To the moon and back?"
"Yes. All the way to the moon." Lydie snuggled into Elizabeth's chest and fell asleep as everyone chatted. No one noticed Jack slip away to the kitchen except Elizabeth.
When Jack came back he looked at Kiki. "Kiki? Can you help me in the kitchen, please?"
"Sure, Dad."
They walked into the kitchen and she saw him. "Cam!"
"Hey," he said quietly, holding his arms out for her to walk into.
Jack smiled and went back to the living room.
Kiki pulled back from their hug and reached up to cup his cheeks. "I missed you." Their lips met in a slow, sweet kiss. "I can't believe you're here. I mean I would have seen you tomorrow but this is great!" She kissed him again and sighed.
"Merry Christmas, Kylie."
"Merry Christmas, Cam."
….
That afternoon, after everyone had gone to their houses and the kids were napping, Ashley sat next to Will in the living room.
"So….I have a present for you, Will."
"You don't need to get me anything, babe. I already have everything." He kissed her temple and pulled her closer.
"You're very sweet but what if I told you that you were going to need to build another crib?"
"Why? Is Jake's broken?"
"No, sweetie. He will still be using it when our new baby is born. So we need a second one." She smiled as she looked into his eyes.
"Are you serious?! That's great!" He pulled her onto his lap and kissed her breathless. "Best Christmas gift ever."
"So you're happy?"
"Yes. I'm happy."
"Mama?" Brooke wandered in the room.
"Hi, sweetie. You didn't sleep very long."
Ashley moved from Will's lap to the couch and reached for Brooke. She was a tiny little thing for four years old. When she was in her arms, Ashley instinctively started rocking back and forth, cuddling her little one back to sleep. Will slipped his arm around them, grateful for his family.
He was so happy his parents were moving nearby. He truthfully had missed them since he had moved to Hope Valley. Now that he had his own family, he had a bigger appreciation for them and how much love they had always had for each other and then all the kids.
"Babe, what are the tears about?" Ashley reached up and wiped his cheeks.
Ashley had noticed Will becoming more and more emotional since he found out his parents were moving to Hope Valley.
"I just don't want to lose them. They mean so much to me and without them…" he shook his head and wiped his eyes.
"Your parents? They will be around for a long time, sweetie. They are healthy and strong. Just enjoy every minute with them."
He wrapped his arms tighter around his wife and daughter and prayed for strength and wisdom.
…..
HARRIS TOWN
Abbie, Harry, and Holly stood on T & T Ranch staring at Carrie and Drew's house.
"Babe? Why are we here?" Abbie wondered.
"I talked to Drew and he and Carrie and the kids are going to be moving to your parent's house once they move to Hope Valley. So he asked if we would like to buy this house."
"Why would we need it?"
"Because we need more room, or at least we will once the baby comes. This house has three bedrooms, with room for more. There's a yard and a barn and places to explore."
"I want to live at the boarding house with Nana," Holly blurted.
Abbie and Harry turned to look at her. "What? Why?" Harry asked.
"Harry, you and Abbie don't need me hanging around. Plus, it's weird when you and Abbie kiss all the time."
"Sweetie, we want you with us. You're only thirteen," Abbie told her.
"I'm fourteen next month and I like helping at the boarding house. Nana needs me."
"Abbie and I will talk about it and let you know, ok?"
"That just means no." Holly crossed her arms.
"Actually it doesn't, but we also responsible for you so it's our decision. I don't know if we want you living away from us just yet. Let us talk about it."
"Holly, I could really use your help this summer with the new baby," Abbie mentioned.
"You don't need my help. You two have each other." Holly walked off back down the road.
"Well, that's not how I thought this would go," Harry said.
"Me either."
"What do you think is really bothering her?"
"Nothing except she is thirteen and a girl. She has hormones that make her act certain ways. One of those is being the way she just was. Trust me, it won't always be like this."
"Can we make sure this one is a boy?" he asked rubbing her tummy. "I don't know if I can take another girl."
"I don't think it works that way but I know that even if it is a girl, you will do just fine."
"I hope so."
She turned toward the house. "So, I think moving here is a great idea."
"Do you think it's a good idea for her to stay at the boarding house?"
"No. I didn't move there until I turned 16."
"Two more years?"
"Yeah. I think it's a good compromise."
…..
That night after dinner, Holly washed and Abbie dried. "Hey, Holls."
"Hey, Abs."
"So, Harry and I talked about you moving to the boarding house."
Holly nodded. She knew it would be no.
"We will allow you to move when you turn 16."
"Allow me?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"That's not fair, Abbie."
"I don't agree, Holly. We are your family and as grown up as you are, you still are too young to move away right now."
"You are not my mom!" Abbie ignored the pain caused by those few simple words.
"Very true. I have a sneaking suspicion she wouldn't let you move away from her at this point either. Am I right?" Holly couldn't deny that. "Holly, I know that this is hard but I want you to know that even though I am not your mom, I love you very much." Holly looked away, blinking quickly to stop her tears. "I am so grateful you are my sister."
She turned and hugged Abbie, tears rolling down her face. "I love you too, Abbie. I'm sorry for what I said."
"It's ok. I forgive you."
"Can I get in on this hug?" Harry asked from the doorway. They opened their arms and welcomed him.
Holly was still missing her mother but she was grateful that Harry had been willing to let her live with him and she was really grateful for Abbie and her friendship. She was a great big sister too.
"When do we move again?"
