"Oh, Elizabeth, darling. That was a fabulous program. The children did wonderfully. You've done a marvelous job with them," her mother gushed.

"Thank you, mother. It was really all the children. I only guided them," Elizabeth blushed.

"Well, you guided them well," her father replied to Elizabeth's surprise.

The Christmas pageant went wonderfully and everyone enjoyed themselves. Nearly the whole town had gathered to enjoy the festivities, which included a Christmas tree lighting and now a party at the saloon. Faith even thought Tom could come for a little while, as long as he promised to take it easy and not overdo it. His fever still came and went, and she was still cautious, but she thought the antibiotics were working.

"Julie. Tom. I wonder if we might discuss something with you?" Mr Thatcher asked as he and his wife approached the couple.

"What is it, father?" Julie asked cautiously.

"It's become quite clear that you are determined to forge your own path in life regardless of what our wishes for you are."

Julie opened her mouth to respond, but Mr Thatcher held his hand up to stop her and continued, "But it is also clear that you are quite capable of doing so on your own. We are quite impressed with how you have adapted to living on your own. And quite surprised, frankly. And perhaps we have misjudged Tom..."

"Oh, Father," Julie began, unable to contain herself any longer.

Mr Thatcher stopped her again.

"But we still don't think frontier life is for you," he said. "Either of you." He looked at Tom as he said the last part.

"Julie, dear, we'd like you and Tom to come back with us to Hamilton," her mother chimed in.

"Both of us?" Julie asked, surprised.

"Yes, both of you," her father answered. "Tom has proven himself quite capable of earning his way. And I believe the nurse is convinced he needs further medical attention. We could make sure he has the best care in the city."

"But where would we live?" Julie asked.

"With us, of course," her mother answered. Julie started to say something, but once again, her father interrupted her.

"We don't intend on interfering with your life, but at least until you're both...stable...there is plenty of room at home. I'm sure I can find Tom a good job and you'll have all the help you need with the baby."

"Viola will be leaving soon and the house will feel most empty," her mother said. "It will be wonderful to have you both there."

Julie looked at Tom who had remained remarkably silent through all of this revelation.

"Tom?" she asked quietly. "What do you think?"

Tom could not deny that he much preferred the hustle and bustle of the city over the quiet frontier life. He had grown quite fond of Hope Valley and was grateful to spend time with his mother and Jack, and was most definitely grateful for the support the town had given he and Julie. But Tom was a city boy at heart, and Hope Valley just wasn't the place for him. He also knew that it was certainly not where Julie wanted to be. He could see the light in her eyes as her parents presented their offer. He knew she was about to burst with joy.

"Are you certain this is what you want?" he asked her, even though he knew the answer.

"Tom, wherever you are is where I want to be. I'll go to the ends of the Earth with you. You know that," she answered.

He looked to the Thatchers, searching their eyes for the truth in their hearts. He wanted to believe that their intentions were honest and noble, but had never been the trusting sort, and up until a few minutes ago, he was certain that they didn't want him anywhere near their daughter.

"I can see the question in your eyes," Mr Thatcher answered Tom's unspoken question. "It's true, we were not fond of this relationship. We certainly didn't expect Julie to run off and get married. But, in the few short days we've spent here in Hope Valley, we've come to realize that both of our daughters are much more than we ever imagined. We always wanted what was best for them - we just expected that to be what we wanted. It never occurred to us that they could determine what was best all on their own."

"What's going on, father? Mother?"

Elizabeth had noticed that her parents and Julie and Tom had separated themselves from the rest of the crowd. They looked to be in serious discussion, and she was both curious and concerned, so she decided to see what was going on.

"Mother and Father asked us to return to Hamilton with them," Julie blurted out excitedly.

Elizabeth frowned. She had so hoped that her parents had gotten over the idea of controlling their lives. Her disappointment was evident.

"No, Elizabeth," Julie quickly interjected, sensing the worry on her sister's face, "they want both of us to come live at home. Father is going to find Tom a good job and help us take care of the baby until we can move out on our own."

Elizabeth's frown quickly faded to shock. She had hoped her parents would come to accept Julie's decision, but to embrace it totally and have her and Tom move in with them...

"You're going back to Hamilton?" was all Elizabeth could manage, after a long silence.

"Who's going back to Hamilton?" Jack asked, noticing the commotion and coming up behind Elizabeth.

"Tom and I are moving back to Hamilton," Julie announced.

"Tom?" Elizabeth asked, looking at him. Tom had remained very quiet during the whole ordeal. "Is that really what you want?"

"I want Julie to be happy," he replied. "If Julie will be back in Hamilton - then I'll be happy in Hamilton."

Elizabeth opened her mouth to probe further, but Jack put his hand on Elizabeth's arm, and spoke before she could.

"You always did like the city," he smiled. "I think you were pretty happy there before, weren't you."

Elizabeth looked at Jack, a sudden realization dawning in her eye.

"Mother and father have asked Tom and Julie to move in to the house. Father is going to find Tom a job," Elizabeth explained to Jack.

"That's very generous of you Mr and Mrs Thatcher," Jack said, looking at Elizabeth's parents.

"It's pretty selfish, actually," Mr Thatcher replied. "We get to have Julie back home."

"And we get to spoil our grandchild," Mrs Thatcher interjected.

"Oh, Tom, I hope your mom won't be too disappointed," Julie said suddenly. "She was moving here to help take care of the baby..."

"Don't worry about mom," Jack grinned. "I think she'll be just fine."

Tom nodded at his brother; a silent thank you for his reassurances to his wife.

"Then it's all settled," Mr Thatcher said. "We'll leave tomorrow."

"That's so soon," Julie gasped. Then a wide smile crossed over her face, "but we'd be home in time for Christmas."

Tom smiled. He knew that this was what Julie wanted, and he was happy that her parents had made this offer.

"That will be so lovely," Grace gushed. "Now, if Elizabeth would join, us...all the family would be together..."

"Grace," Mr Thatcher interrupted before Elizabeth could speak, "I believe Elizabeth wants to spend Christmas here in Hope Valley. After all, this is her home now."

Elizabeth smiled at her father, joy exploding in her heart as she heard her father's words. She had prayed that her parents would finally accept her new life for a long time now. She was overjoyed to see her prayers answered. She was so excited she missed the look and wink her father gave Jack.

"Elizabeth," Jack began, holding his hand out to her. "I was wondering if you'd take a walk with me?"

Elizabeth began to form a question on her lips, wondering why he wanted to walk out in the cold and so late, but the look in Jack's eyes stopped her. She nodded, giving him a curious look, and placed her hand in his. As they walked away, Mr and Mrs Thatcher exchanged looks.

"What secret are you two keeping?" Julie asked.

"I have no idea what you mean," Mr Thatcher replied.

Julie was just about to press the issue when Charlotte walked up.

"Mom!" Tom called. "We have news to tell you."

...

Elizabeth and Jack walked for a while before either spoke. Jack led her towards the church, and as they drew near, Elizabeth finally broke the silence.

"Not that I'm complaining, because it's nice to have this time together, but it's a little chilly for a walk, isn't it?" she asked, smiling.

He grinned.

"You don't like to be cold?" he asked, rather tongue-in-cheek.

"Not particularly," she laughed. "Do you?"

"No, Elizabeth I don't," he answered softly, taking her hands in his and turning to face her.

Elizabeth felt a lump in her throat. She sensed Jack was about to tell her something that would have tremendous impact on their lives together.

"Ever since I first became a Mountie, I believed that was to be my life. To be cold and alone forever-one man against the world. Then I met you. Elizabeth Thatcher, from the moment I met you, you have been proving me wrong. You proved me wrong about the kind of woman you are. And most of all, you proved me wrong about the kind of man I was going to be. I love you, Elizabeth, and I don't want to be cold and alone forever."

Jack knelt down in front of Elizabeth as tears started to form in her eyes. Jack pulled a small box from his jacket pocket, opened it and held it before her.

"Elizabeth Thatcher, will you warm my heart forever by spending the rest of your life by my side?"

"Oh, Jack," Elizabeth whispered, the tears flowing freely now.

She could hardly breathe.

"Yes," she uttered, barely a whisper, the emotion stealing her voice. The smile that erupted on Jack's face gave her voice its strength and she repeated, louder, "Yes!"

Jack placed the ring on her finger and pulled her close to him. He gently kissed her and she enveloped him in a hug. He spun her around as the light from the church glowed bright in the background. They smiled as their happiness filled their hearts.

This would definitely be the merriest Christmas ever for Elizabeth Thatcher and Jack Thornton.

A/N: This is the end of this story - but don't worry - more to come in another story soon!