AN: Thank you Amy for catching my mutlitude of silly typos in this one even after going through it once and for the suggestion on tweaking the ending. It really does work better now. Katie, I hope you are enjoy the story. I am trying hard to be fluffy with this one.

Allie had been a chatterbox nonstop since he and Avery had picked her up from the school. Nathan was happy to see it. This was the personality he remembered from before his sister had passed away. Since Colleen's death, Nathan had only seen brief glimpses of the girl Allie use to be. He hoped that now that they could settle in one place that he would see more of the old Allie. Given as much as he loved Avery, Nathan was glad to see that his fiancé helped bring that personality out in her.

"Opal and I are going to team up for the gingerbread house contest tomorrow," Allie informed them. "Uncle Nathan was going to come for the judging tomorrow morning. Can you come too, Avery?"

"I would be happy to," Avery assured her.

"And our tree? Would you help us find our tree?" Allie asked.

Nathan saw Avery hesitate on that question as she looked to him.

"Allie, about Saturday," Nathan started.

Allie's smile faded. "Are you canceling on me?" the girl asked.

"No," Nathan said. "Not exactly. You can still go out for your tree but I was thinking that you and Avery should go with your Uncle Jack. Maybe help him find the perfect tree for your Aunt Elizabeth as she is going to stay at home. Your Uncle Jack asked if I could stay back with your aunt in case she needs anything."

Allie's smile returned. "I could do that!" Allie said happily. "Besides, that way you won't tire yourself out and you can help decorate the tree instead of needing to rest," she added brightly.

Nathan smiled. His girl was very observant. "That sounds like a good plan."

Allie nodded. "Avery and I will find the perfect trees for both houses," she proclaimed excitedly.

"I have no doubt that you will," Nathan said, relieved that Allie had taken the idea in stride. He did want this Christmas to be special for his little girl.

As Allie continued to talk about the anticipated party at school the next day, her ornament for the wishing tree came to mind. He had given Jack the okay to talk to Bill about officially adopting his niece but this was yet another thing that he and Avery needed to talk about. Yes, Avery had accepted him as Allie's guardian but would the title make a difference. She had been expecting to be Aunt Avery. How would she feel about being called Mom by a child who had not come from her?

Nathan knew the only way to know for sure was to ask Avery. He simply needed the right time to ask her. A time that Allie was not around.

After eating their meal, Nathan ordered two slices of cheesecake for dessert - one for Allie and one for him and Avery to share. Allie devoured her cheesecake alone while the two adults savored their dessert. Nathan was worried his niece would get impatient waiting for him and Avery to finish when Grace stopped by the table.

"Sorry to interrupt," Grace said, "but I was taking the children out caroling and was wondering if Allie would like to join us? I can drop her off at your house when I bring Vincent and Christian by."

"Can I Uncle Nathan?" Allie asked, giving him her patented pleading eyes.

Nathan knew he could not deny her the opportunity. He nodded. "You may," he told his niece. "Wear your hat and gloves the whole time," Nathan told her, knowing his niece's tendency to take one or the other off while doing out door activities.

"Yes, sir," Allie replied.

"I will make sure she does," Grace promised him.

Soon, Allie was off with Grace and her charges. "Looks like it is just me that you will have to walk home, Constable," Avery said softly when they were alone.

"That won't be a hardship," Nathan told replied.

Avery stuck her fork into the cheesecake and got another bite off. Instead of eating it herself though, she held it up to Nathan. With a smile, Nathan took the offered bit of the sweet dessert. With Avery at his side, everything seemed a whole lot brighter.

Handing Clara two plates of meatloaf, mashed potatoes and glazed carrots, Abigail caught site of the pretty blonde who had come in with Nathan and Allie feeding Nathan a bite of cheesecake. Though she had not been introduced, Abigail assumed that was Nathan's Avery. She certainly was pretty and there was no doubt she made Nathan and Allie happy. As Abigail had come to like Nathan and Allie Grant, that fact alone led Abigail to like the woman. In the short time Nathan had been in Hope Valley, he had earned the respect of the townsfolk. Despite his injury, he had broke up more than one disagreement in the saloon. Henry had been laughing as he told her about the one fight he had broke up by inserting his cane in between the two fighters. The men arguing had been surprised by the action and had forgotten about their disagreement. She had also seen him calm a frightened child who had gotten separated from her parents. Even her own son had come in one day, gushing about how Constable Grant had taken the time to show him how to throw a curve ball one afternoon.

Abigail worried that sometimes Nathan did not see how those little things affected the people around him. That he thought his worth as a Mountie was limited because of his physical limitations. In Abigail's eyes, Nathan Grant still embodied the values that a Mountie should always display. Perhaps he couldn't chase down the bad guys, but he still could make a difference to the people in his community.

As Clara walked away with the plates, Abigail had a feeling that Avery would have no trouble keeping Nathan's spirits up. Turning away and letting the couple finish their cheesecake without her watching, Abigail checked on the corn bread, she had put in the oven. Deciding they needed a few more minutes she shut the oven as the kitchen door opened and in walked Carson and Bill.

"Hello, gentleman. Can I help you with something?" Abigail greeted.

"You can," Bill told her, an awkward smile on his face. "Can you go for a walk with me? I have some news I need to share with you."

"I would, but I have customers looking for their meals," Abigail replied.

"Which is why I am here," Carson replied. "I use to work for you, if you remember. So, let me man the stove for a bit and take a walk with Bill, Abigail?"

"Do you know what this is about, Carson?" Abigail asked.

"No idea," Carson confessed. "However, Bill said he needed me to cook for a bit so he could talk to you and I am more than happy to help out."

"All right," Abigail said. "Check the cornbread. It should be about done. I just gave Clara the last order."

"But I have a new one," Clara interjected coming back to the kitchen area.

Abigail automatically went to reach for the piece of paper that Clara held, but Carson beat her to it.

"I believe you have a gentleman waiting to take a walk with you," Carson told her. "I got this."

Abigail nodded. "Message received," she said, reaching for the strings of her apron. Untying it, she lifted the apron over her head and hung it on a nearby peg. "I will be right back down," she told Bill, before heading for the stairs.

Rosemary listened to her husband as he read Elizabeth's copy of "The Greatest Christmas Wish." Not having any children books of her own, Rosemary had borrowed some from her friend for Holly. Though Mary Louise had gone with Grace and the others caroling, as soon as Grace had stepped outside with Holly the little girl had protested "too cold." Lee had immediately offered to watch the girl and Grace had handed Holly to him.

As he reached the end of the story, Lee's voice faded away. Placing the last plate in the cupboard, Rosemary turned to find her husband staring down at a sleeping Holly, the little girl's head resting on Lee's leg. It was a beautiful sight. One that Rosemary wished could be a common one in their home.

With a sigh, Rosemary headed toward them. Her eyes were still on Lee and Holly as she sat down in the nearby arm chair. Only then did Lee look up from the little girl using him as a pillow.

"What is on your mind, Sweetheart?" Lee asked, his voice low as he tried not to disturb Holly.

"Just that you deserve to be a father," Rosemary told him. "Seeing you with Holly tells me you would make a good one."

Lee reached out a hand to her. Rosemary lifted her hand from her lap and put it in her husband's hand. "You are going to make a wonderful mother, Rosie. We just have to be patient. It will happen in its own time."

"Sure didn't take long for Jack and Elizabeth," Rosemary replied.

"No, it didn't," Lee admitted. "That doesn't mean it won't happen for us."

"What if there is a reason it hasn't happened, Lee?"

"I told you, I will take you to see the specialist if you would like."

Rosemary shook her head. "That is not what I was getting at," she told him. Her gaze fell from her husband's face to the sleeping girl. "What if the reason I haven't gotten pregnant is that we were meant to give a home to a child without parents?"

Lee smiled, as he gave her hand a squeeze. "I think adopting is a wonderful idea if you are all right with that, Rosie."

"A few days ago, I would have revolted at the idea," Rosemary admitted. "In those first moments that Jack put Holly in my arms, I lost my heart to her. She is so young and too vulnerable to be alone in this world, Lee. I know Lillian and Grace would do right by her, but I want her to truly belong to someone."

"Me too," Lee admitted. "Shall we talk to Lillian and Grace together when Lillian gets back from her time with Gabriel?"

"Yes," Rosemary said. "We'll need time to make Christmas special for her."

Lee chuckled. "Well, we are getting a tree on Saturday. Though if today is any indication, this one will not want to go."

Rosemary gave the girl a sympathetic look. "Who could blame her? If I was stuck walking in this weather, I might not want to leave the warmth of a house either."

"You make a good point," Lee conceded.

"Would you like some hot chocolate?" Rosemary asked. "I was going to make some for Grace and Mary Louise when they get back from caroling."

"I would love some hot chocolate," Lee told her. "Thank you."

Rosemary's response was to place a kiss on Lee's cheek before heading back to the kitchen.

Bill had waited until they got away from the crowds of the town before he started telling Abigail about what he had found out earlier that afternoon. Though she was quiet, the fact that Abigail had not tried to pull her hand out of his was reassuring. Now, as he finished speaking, the sound of the snow crunching underneath their boots was the only sound. Abigail's silence felt like a heavy weight on his soul.

"Are you going to say anything?" Bill finally asked.

"I am still trying to figure out what to say," Abigail responded. "Though my first reaction is that someone apparently was speaking to you when you got the urge to bare your soul a few days ago."

Bill snorted. "You are telling me. I use to think people were crazy who claimed they felt God speaking to them, but I think I need to reevaluate that assessment in light of things."

Abigail smiled. "The old dog is learning more new tricks, huh?" she asked teasingly.

Bill smiled. "He is indeed," he replied. He looked over at Abigail as they walked. Daylight had faded and the light from the lantern in her hand was their only light. "What does this mean for us, Abigail?"

Bill felt Abigail give his hand a gentle squeeze. "Well, I can promise you that I am not going to stop talking to you over this," she assured him.

"Thank God," Bill murmured under his breath, though not quite low enough for Abigail not to hear.

"We both have our past, Bill, and sometimes people are not proud of there past. What is important is that we judge them for who they are now. Being with Frank taught me that."

"And here I thought the only thing I had to be happy about when it came to Pastor Frank is that he moved on and you didn't follow."

"Bill!" Abigail scolded.

"You said you wanted us to be honest with one another," Bill said quickly in his defense. "I had nothing against the guy but I was jealous he was with you."

"Well, I guess it shows that you really do care for me," Abigail said, resting her head against Bill's shoulder. "People do not get jealous if the feelings are not there."

"I am far from perfect, but I do love you, Abigail. I appreciate that you are giving me another chance. What am I on? My third?"

"I am not counting, Bill," Abigail told him. "I decided to treat this as though it was our first chance so that we can have a fair shot at seeing where it leads us. As for you having a daughter, well I have a son and a daughter, and a daughter-in-law to bring into the relationship. If I expect you to accept them, then I need to accept the family you bring into the family, even if you just found out about her."

"I am very happy to hear you say that, because I want to acknowledge Avery as my daughter. With her grandparents and mother gone, I am the only family she has left."

"That isn't quite true," Abigail said. "I saw her with Nathan and Allie today. The trio makes quite the family portrait already, and she is wearing Nathan's ring."

Nathan's supportive nature in his office earlier that day came back to him. The Mountie had barely said anything, but his love for Avery had been impossible to miss.

"Well at least she picked a better man than her old man was at that age," Bill muttered.

"Under all your quirks and gruffness, you have a good heart, Bill Avery. Don't you ever forget that," Abigail told him.

"Guess everyone needs at least one good thing going for them."

"So, do you think Carson will mind playing chef a little longer?"

"I told him this was a matter that couldn't be rushed," Bill replied. "Barring having to leave to save a life, I don't think he is going to leave Clara on his own tonight. Why?"

"Because I would like it if I am the first person you introduce to your daughter," Abigail told him. "After that, the Hope Valley gossip chain can have the news."

"I would very much like to introduce you to, Avery," Bill replied, gently pulling them to a stop so that they could retrace their steps back into town.

After leaving the café, Nathan led Avery to the wishing tree, explaining the town's new tradition to her. Avery expressed what a beautiful sentiment it was as she stepped closer to examine the ornaments. Nathan had specifically approached the tree near where Elizabeth's second wish hung. He thought the ornament was the perfect way to let her know there was at least a temporary teaching opportunity here for her in Hope Valley. He had specifically not mentioned the fact that Avery was a teacher to anyone not wanting to put any pressure on his fiancé while she searched for answers to her past. Answers that she now had.

As Nathan hoped she would, Avery started reading the ornaments. When she took one from the tree, Avery's words did not surprise him.

"They are still looking for a teacher?"

Nathan nodded. "For the second half of the year at least. Elizabeth plans to teach again in the fall. They have a couple of mothers who plan on filling in the best they can, but no interim teacher has been located. I didn't say anything because you had things you needed to do. However, you found your father and we are engaged. I may not be doing much here in Hope Valley but Ally and I have been accepted. Ally is making friends. I think this would be a good place for us to settle down."

Avery smiled at him. "I think so too," she replied. She looked down at the ornament in her hand. "I can also participate in Hope Valley's Christmas tradition if they will have me as the interim teacher. Perhaps we can pick a summer wedding date, and I can teach while we plan the wedding and then I can settle in with you and Allie afterwards."

Nathan closed the distance between them. Using the hand not holding his cane, Nathan pulled her toward him, his hand on the small of her back.

"That sounds like a wonderful plan to me," Nathan told her, before lowering his head to capture her lips with his. Avery wrapped her arms around him as she kissed him back. Remembering that they were still in the middle of main street, Nathan brought the kiss to an end much sooner than he would have liked.

Still holding her close, Nathan looked down into her eyes. "There is one other thing I think needs to be decided sooner than later. It is about Allie?"

"Nathan, you know I love that little girl as much as you do. We will make sure she does not feel left out of anything," Avery promised him.

"I do not doubt that," Nathan replied. "I know you said right after we were engaged that you would happily let her call you Aunt Avery. However, Allie made a wish on the wishing tree. What she really wants is for me to be her dad. Jack's helping to arrange an adoption through Bill."

"It is about time, if you ask me," Avery said, her face brightened by the happy smile she wore.

"How would you feel about giving her a Dad and a Mom?" Nathan asked. "You adopting her would not happen until the wedding, but I think it might be something we should know how to deal with now."

"If Allie wants to call me Mom, or any form of that title, then I would be honored," Avery replied.

Nathan closed his eyes, feeling relieved. Having to choose between supporting Avery or Allie had been his greatest fear during this relationship. The fact that his two girls got along so well made him feel like this relationship was meant to be.

"Now," Avery said, causing Nathan to open his eyes again. "How about we go to your place so I can start getting things ready to bake cookies with Allie for her school party tomorrow," Avery told him. "You can rest that leg a little as well," she added, even as she moved to his left side so she would not impede his use of the cane.

Nathan didn't bother protesting. Avery had been at his side through most of his recovery. There was no hiding how he was feeling from her, nor did he find he wanted to. They were each other's strength when they were feeling weak. It seemed to him that was a solid foundation to begin a marriage on.

When they reached his house, Avery helped him get settled on the settee before going to the kitchen to heat water for the hot water bottle and tea before she started searching for what she would need for the cookies. Not feeling up to the stairs right away, Nathan removed his serge and boots but remained in the rest of his uniform. Though she had made sure he had a novel, the book lay unopened in his lap while he chatted with her, his back to the front door so he could see Avery in the kitchen.

Avery had just given him a cup of tea and was placing the hot water bottle against his leg under a blanket when there was a knock on the front door.

"You stay," Avery instructed, placing a kiss on his cheek before going to the front door.

Looking over his shoulder, Nathan spotted Bill and Abigail on the front stoop as Avery opened the door. Bill's eyes locked with his.

"You stay right where you are," the judge instructed him. "We don't plan on staying long."

"I will second that," Abigail chimed in.

"As I have a judge's instruction not to rise, I will remain exactly where I am," Nathan quipped.

Avery chuckled. "Please, come in. Would either of you like some tea?"

Both Bill and Abigail turned down the offer. So that Nathan would not feel left out of the conversation, Avery motioned the two guests toward the wingback chairs near the settee while she grabbed the chair from the writing desk and placed it near the settee.

Not one for beating around the bush, Bill spoke as soon as they were all seated.

"Avery, this is the woman I told you about earlier, Abigail Stanton," Bill said, beginning the introductions. "Abigail, I would like you to meet my daughter, Avery Scharp."

Tears filled Avery's eyes at the introduction, though a smile remained on her face, indicating they were tears of joy.

Abigail smiled as she reached a hand out to the younger woman. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Avery."

"Likewise, Ms. Stanton," Avery replied, with a bit of a tremble to her voice as she placed her hand in the older woman's offered palm.

"Call me, Abigail, please."

Avery nodded even as Abigail started an easy conversation between the two of them. Nathan was happy for both Avery and her father that Abigail seemed accepting of the newly found connection. Glancing from the two women to Bill, Nathan noticed the man let out the breath he had held after making the introduction as he leaned back in his chair. There was no doubt that Bill was relieved as well.