Disclaimer – I own nothing. Christmas Time.

"And your father was alright with that?" Abigail was in the middle of rolling out a pie crust and Elizabeth couldn't help herself, she dipped her finger into the saucepot filled with chocolate filling. She closed her eyes as she sucked the decadent sweet from her fingers.

It was December 23nd and everyone in town was busy preparing for the holiday and the Christmas day Dance including Abigail.

"Elizabeth Thatcher," Abigail playfully slapped at Elizabeth's wondering fingers and both women laughed.

"He wasn't happy at first; he even had the gall to ask me if I was pregnant!" Elizabeth rolled her eyes at the lunacy of the question but paused at the look that Abigail was giving her.

"Abigail! You couldn't possibly think we would have gone that far" Elizabeth was truly and deeply shocked but Abigail simply shrugged her shoulders.

"This entire town has seen the way the two of you look at each other, the passion is surfacing Elizabeth, besides you wouldn't be the first young couple to break the rules by a month or two…and you were alone all night during that snow storm." Abigail covered the pie crust and popped it into the over to bake a bit before adding the filling. It was good thing she'd turned around or she may have collapsed at the look of pure scandal covering her young friends face.

"Abigail Stanton…you didn't?" but the question was there. Abigail chuckled to herself.

"No, we didn't," she met Elizabeth's gaze, "but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen"

"Well it hasn't happened with Jack and me, we fully intend on waiting until we're married." Elizabeth tore off a piece of bread from a loaf Abigail had left on the table and popped it into her mouth but it wasn't enough to hide the look of guilt creeping up her neck. Abigail's eyebrows lifted.

"We haven't I swear, but the other night…" Elizabeth exhaled and a shiver ran up her spine as she remembered the feel of Jack pressed tightly against her. "I didn't know I could feel like that," Elizabeth spoke quietly, almost to herself.

Abigail walked over to her friend and sat down beside her; she took Elizabeth's hand and forced the girl to meet her gaze.

"Has anyone ever…you know…explained things? I mean I know that you're a very well read young lady but…"

"Julie found a book in my father's study when we were children. You're right, I am well read." Elizabeth smirked at Abigail.

"Well I'm not sure what all was in the book but being with your husband, with a man you love, it can be the most incredible experience. Really quite fun as well, sometimes the baby is just a happy little gift and not the main purpose of the act." Abigail winked and they both laughed.

"It does hurt a little the first time, but it is so worth it."

"What's worth it?" Jack and Frank walked into the kitchen of the café and both women froze. When Jack realized they weren't going to get an answer he continued, "we smelt chocolate," his eyes sparkled and Elizabeth had the strongest urge to wrap him in her arms.

"Abigail's making a pie for tomorrow. Speaking of tomorrow I should really head home and get to peeling those potatoes. " Elizabeth collected her coat and mittens. They were planning a big dinner in the café, Jack and Elizabeth, Frank, Abigail and Cody, Clara and Jesse. They'd decided to eat a little earlier so that Cody could get some sleep before they woke him for the midnight service. Since potatoes were one of the easier items Elizabeth had volunteered herself.

"There's a package for you at the post Elizabeth do you want me to bring it by your place?" Jack offered but Elizabeth's body straightened into pure excitement and in ever the contradiction her head shook violently "NO" she cried and they all looked at her puzzled.

"Um, maybe you could help me Pastor Frank?"

"Of course," Frank and everyone else including Elizabeth stood for another second in awkward silence and then Elizabeth nodded goodbye and Frank followed her out.

"I'm sorry for that, I just, I have a Christmas gift for Jack in that package and I just know if I let him carry it home for me he won't leave until I've opened it."

"Not a problem at all Elizabeth. It's actually a good time to talk with you. Jack mentioned you two are planning to move the wedding up to the end of January. That doesn't give us much time to begin your pre-marital counseling. Is there a good day for you to begin?"

"How about next week, after the holidays; would that work for you? The children are off for the next two weeks for the holidays so I'll have plenty of time."

"Excellent,"

Frank carried the box back to Elizabeth's which she actually felt a little guilty about it was bigger and heavier than she had anticipated. She invited Frank in for tea as thanks but he was anxious to get back to Abigail's and Elizabeth could certainly understand that. She waved goodbye to her friends' beau and then hurried inside anxious to open her package.

She cut into the box carefully and lifted several smaller packages, a dress she had order for the Christmas day dance that she was actually excited to try on and some books but nothing compared to the package at the bottom.

It had been months ago, she was flipping through an art book at the mercantile ordering more colored paper and pencils for the children when she had seen the set of pastels. As far as she could tell Jack's art supplies were limited to paint and pencils and the beautiful set of pastels had been nearly impossible to resist. Unfortunately the product had been backordered and until Jack had told her about the package awaiting her at the post she hadn't been sure it would arrive before the holidays. She had also purchased him some special paper that was meant to go with the pastels and some chisel type of tool that she wasn't sure how to use. She was so beyond excited to give him the gift she could hardly breathe.

Elizabeth opened the tin of pastels and gasped at the array of colors. She'd never seen so many, there was every shade of blue and green she could have imagined, purples and oranges and the brightest red, a red that had her mind flying to her Mountie.

She heard his boots on her steps and before she registered the tone of her voice or the appropriate words she was hollering the first thing that entered her mind, "You step one toe in here Jack Thornton and I won't kiss you until our wedding day!" She didn't mean it and she was pretty sure he knew that but the door knob stopped turning and he paused long enough for her to bustle the items into her arms and run them upstairs to her bedroom.

When she came back down she walked to the front door and opened it for her fiancé. He took one look at her and gathered her into his arms peppering kisses all over her face before swallowing her laughter with a final kiss on her lips. "That was a mean thing to say to your fiancé," a pout decorated his lip and she took a little nibble tempting him back into another quick kiss.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean a word of it." She whispered and Jack squeezed her a little tighter before letting her go.

"What are you doing here anyway? Don't you have work to do?" Elizabeth moved back to where she had left the box and all of the wrappings. Jack looked down and saw a thin pamphlet with ladies dress designs.

"Mother sent it, she wants me to pick a design and she'll have it ordered for the wedding." Jack flipped open the pamphlet and leafed through it. Jack cleared his throat and Elizabeth looked down to see an assortment of corsets and undergarments and when she looked back up at him his cheeks were rosy with embarrassment.

"Do you have a preference?" Elizabeth let the words escape quietly as she slowly closed the gap between them.

"In your wedding dress?" he cleared his throat again and attempted to look unaffected, "No, you're always beautiful." He finished and Elizabeth smiled but she didn't let it go. "In my undergarments," She breathed, she was right up in front of him as she said it and neither of them could ignore the rise and fall of Elizabeth's chest. Jack looked down again and groaned. "This would be nice," he spoke hesitantly and Elizabeth lowered her eyes to see his finger pointing to a more modern corset, it was a shorter in the waist not quite covering the bloomers, there would definitely be skin visible on her stomach. She smiled into him and took another bite of his lips, then she closed the pamphlet and stepped back.
"Good to know," She tossed the book on the steps to be taken up stairs and then walked to the front door holding it open.

"If you aren't here to peel potatoes you must go, you're far too distracting." Jack wasn't completely sure what had just happened but he knew if he didn't leave her place straight away he would only be continuing to make a fool of himself.

….

Christmas Eve day Elizabeth woke later than normal, her arms stretched out above her as she snuggled deeper into the blankets. She briefly contemplated grabbing her book and spending another hour in the all too cozy bed when she heard the front door close. If she had been anywhere other than Hope Valley, she would have been nervous but the only two people who had a key to her home were Jack and Abigail. Though she couldn't rightly think of a reason either of them would be there this early, it was a logical enough explanation to assuage any worry.

She slipped on her house shoes and tucked herself into her dressing robe before hustling down the stairs. The room was empty and so far as she could see, just as she'd left it the night before. She walked over the stove to toss in a few logs when she caught sight of the warm muffin resting atop a folded note.

'Meet me at Abigail's if you'd like your Christmas gift.' Elizabeth smiled brightly and took a bite out of the muffin as she hustled up the steps to get dressed for the day.

She was halfway to Abigail's when she saw Emily and Opal playing in the snow.

"Merry Christmas, Girls," Elizabeth waved. "Merry Christmas, Miss Thatcher!" the girls called back. "Miss Thatcher?" Opal looked up at her teacher nervously.

"Yes Opal,"

"Emily said you and Constable Thornton are getting married?"

"Emily is right; we're getting married next month."

"Does that mean we have to call you Miss Constable Thornton?" Opal looked truly troubled by this possibility and Elizabeth struggled to hold in a laugh.

"It means, that once Constable Thornton and I get married instead of Miss Thatcher I'll be Mrs. Thornton that's all. Everything else will stay the same." Opal looked relieved.

"You'll also be living further away in that house my mom says ought to be in a city." Emily added and Elizabeth once again had to hide a grin. Children were so unfailingly honest.

"That too," Elizabeth agreed, "Have a nice day girls, see you tonight." Elizabeth laughed to herself the entire way to the café.

As she approached she saw a horse drawn buggie parked outside. Where on earth that had come from she wasn't sure. Jack was standing on the planked walk with Frank and Jesse laughing about something she couldn't hear.

As Elizabeth approached all three men stopped speaking which naturally made her suspicious.

"Merry Christmas Elizabeth," Frank and Jesse welcomed her, Jack, she noticed, looked incredibly nervous.

"Are we going in for breakfast?" Elizabeth asked.

"No," Jack's words were so abrupt all three of them turned to look at him. Jesse laughed and Jack gave him a look that screamed, just you wait. Then Jesse and Frank were excusing themselves.

"Sorry, Abigail packed us a few things for breakfast but I wanted to show you your Christmas gift first. Would you turn around?" He held up a long blindfold and Elizabeth hesitated for only a split second before she turned. He wrapped the fabric around her head delicately and then lifted her easily into the buggie.

"Where on earth did you get a buggie?" She smiled and felt around for Jack as he climbed up beside her. Her hand found his thigh and she kept it there.

"It was at the livery, we couldn't go blindfolded on a horse." Jack laughed and she felt a little of his uneasiness shift.

"I'm not sure why you're so nervous I will love anything you've gotten me. For heaven's sake you didn't need to get me anything at all – you are building a house for me!" Elizabeth sighed, she was digging for clues but Jack knew her too well to divulge where they were headed.

They rode for a while, Elizabeth trying to tempt some kind of clue from Jack but it never came. When the buggie stopped she went straight for her blindfold but Jack stopped her. He took her hands in his own and surprised her with a kiss before whispering an I love you.

She was momentarily frozen in place and didn't quite register him climbing down and then walking around to her side. He lifted her from the seat and then surprised her yet again when he caught her legs and kept her in his arms.

She felt him climb a small set of stairs and gasped as she figured out just where they were.

"I think it's about time you get to see our home." He carried her inside the house and set her down and then he removed the blindfold.

A/N – Thanks for all the lovely reviews last chapter. I live in Canada and this coming weekend is Thanksgiving. I'm going to try and get another Chapter out before I go away for the weekend but it may be a little bit before I can post again. I will be back though I promise…I have so many plans for these two!