Several weeks had passed since finding out about the baby. Jack and Elizabeth couldn't be happier, despite a rough patch of morning sickness she had experienced. Now it was under control and Elizabeth was finding that she could now eat again without the worry of vomiting. Jack was very attentive to her while she was sick; he took care of the house and cooked meals, letting her have the rest she needed.

It was now December and Christmas was approaching. Elizabeth was looking forward to their first holiday as a married couple, as well as the only one they would have just the two of them for quite some time. Next year they would have a new little Thornton, playing with the tissue paper and boxes from the gifts instead of the toys he or she may get.

Elizabeth was making plans for the holiday, not just at home but at school as well. For a special project, she was helping the students make homemade gifts for their parents. The girls were knitting scarves and hats while the boys were making things out of wood, like step stools and tables. The children had a lot of fun; they would sign Christmas carols while working. Elizabeth was also teaching them about holiday traditions around the world and the traditions she had when she was growing up. They were all very interested in those lessons.

On the last day of school before the holiday break, Elizabeth understandably had a hard time getting the children to calm down. They spent the day finishing their gifts and talking about what they had learned about Christmas around the world. They also had a little party, with sandwiches and cookies that Abigail had made. Elizabeth loved seeing all the happy faces of her students and couldn't help but think to the future when she and Jack would see the happy face of their child on Christmas morning.

Elizabeth let the children go home a little early. She stayed behind to finish the last of the school work she had so she wouldn't have to worry about it over the break. She had just corrected the last paper when she heard the door open. She looked up and saw the dimpled grin of her handsome husband. "Hi, Jack!" She said as he rushed down the aisle to meet her. He leaned down and gave her a kiss.

"I see you let the children go home early." He said.

"Yes, I thought they deserved a little treat. They have been so good this week, trying not to let the excitement of the holiday affect their school work." She stood from her desk and began putting things in her basket. "I just finished the last paper I had to grade, so now I don't have any school work to do while on vacation."

"Great. Bill let me leave a little early today so I could spend some time with you. I thought maybe we could go pick out a tree and then decorate it tonight." He had a twinkle in his eyes

"Oh Jack! I would love to."

"Perfect! I rented a wagon to help us bring the tree back home." He grabbed her coat and helped her put it on. "How are you feeling today?" Even though Elizabeth had gotten the morning sickness under control, he still worried about her. She had long since come to terms that he would worry about her and be over protective the entire pregnancy.

"I was a little nauseous this morning after you left, but I ate my crackers and it went away. I was able to eat some oatmeal and fruit before coming to school. I was starving by the time lunch came around. I had a ham sandwich and some potato salad."

"I am glad you were able to eat today." His tummy rumbled just then and they both laughed. "I forgot to eat lunch today."

"Well, you are in luck, Constable. We have some leftovers from the party today. You could have a sandwich before we go find the tree." She walked over to the empty bench where they had left the tray of food and started to carry it back to her desk, but Jack stopped her.

"Elizabeth, let me carry that." He took the tray from her hands.

Elizabeth shook her head. "I guess I shouldn't tell you I lifted that tray by myself when it was completely full of sandwiches." She teased, with a twinkle in her eyes.

He looked at her in surprise. "Elizabeth how could you do that? And how could Abigail allow you to lift it? She's been pregnant before. She knows you should be taking it easy." He looked at her again and noticed she was biting her lip and trying hard not to laugh. "Oh, I get it now. You were playing a joke on me." He walked over to her to give her a fake shove in the arm. They both burst out laughing.

"I'm sorry, Jack. I couldn't resist." She said as she removed the cover off the tray. "I did lift the small tray with the cookies on it. It wasn't heavy at all."

"I guess that's ok then. As long as it wasn't heavy." He picked up a sandwich and took a big bite. "Yum!"

Her own stomach let out a grumble. They both laughed again. "Ok, little one. I got your message." She put a hand on her belly then reached for a sandwich.

They sat there for several moments, enjoying their sandwiches and after, a couple of cookies. They wrapped up the trays and brought them out to the wagon. Elizabeth noted a basket in the wagon too. He must have stopped at Abigail's to get them dinner for tonight. Jack then helped Elizabeth up into her seat, then ran around to get in himself. Soon they were heading to the woods not far from their home. Jack pulled to a stop in front of some gorgeous trees. He helped Elizabeth down, then offered his arm as they walked around, looking for the perfect tree.

It took a while but the finally found the perfect tree. Jack got to work chopping it down while Elizabeth looked around the forest. It was so pretty here, with a blanket of snow coving the trees. It was peaceful, something she never experienced in the city. She imagined coming out here in a few years with their child and picking their tree. She sighed happily.

At that moment, Jack had finished cutting and he heard her sigh. "Elizabeth? Is something wrong?"

"Hmm? Oh, no Jack. I was just picturing coming out here in the future with our child or children to pick out a Christmas tree." She smiled dreamily.

Jack closed his eyes for a moment to imagine it himself. Soon a smile was on his face that matched hers. He opened his eyes and walked over to his wife. He gave her a tender kiss. "I love that dream." He hugged her then said. "I have the tree cut down. I will help you back in the wagon then pack up the tree." She nodded and they started back towards the wagon. Soon she was in her seat and Jack had returned to the tree. It wasn't long before they were riding back towards their house, both of them excited about their evening ahead.

When they arrived home, Jack helped Elizabeth bring in the food first. "Abigail made pot roast today. I brought some home for dinner." Jack told her.

"Sounds delicious." She gave him a quick kiss. "Go get the tree and I will bring out the ornaments I have collected."

"Be right back, Sweetheart." He started for the door. "Elizabeth? Would you like me to start a fire?"

"That would be wonderful. After we decorate the tree we can cuddle in front of the fire."

"Exactly my thinking." He grinned at her.

After putting away their dinner and the leftover sandwiches, Elizabeth went to their office to get the decorations. She had bought some and also made some. Her favorite was an angel tree topper. She ordered snowflakes and icicles ornaments and made some out of pine cones she found on their property. She purchased some red and green yarn that had glitter in it and knitted garlands. She also made a special ornament for Jack. She made a heart and put their wedding picture in it. She then wrote "Our First Christmas 1912" on it. She planned on making an ornament every year.

"Elizabeth? Where are you?" She heard Jack call.

"I will be right out." She called as she picked up the box with the snowflakes and icicles in it. As she walked in to their living room, Jack saw her and rushed over to grab the box from her hands. She pulled the box away from him.

"Elizabeth, what did I tell you about lifting boxes? Give that to me!"

She sent an annoyed look at him. "For heaven's sake, Jack. That box isn't heavy at all. Not to mention I walked home with that box when it arrived and nothing happened."

He pulled his hands back. "I'm sorry, Elizabeth. I just don't want anything to happen to you or the baby."

"Jack, I promised you I would not do anything to harm the baby and that includes lifting heavy things. If I thought that box was heavy I would have asked you to bring it home for me and to bring it out of our office."

He looked down at his feet, obviously embarrassed. "I am sorry Elizabeth. I know better than to doubt you like that. Forgive me?" He looked back up at her with a pout on his face.

Elizabeth tried hard not to laugh. She put the box down, then said. "I'll forgive you, if you give me a kiss." She raised her eyebrows at him.

"I think I can handle that." He swept her up in his arms and kissed her. "How was that?"

"I liked it. Maybe you could give me a few more later, when we are in front of the fire."

He grinned. "Sounds great to me!"

"Do you want to have supper before we get started on the tree?"

"Yes I would. That sandwich didn't fill me up that much. Are you hungry?"

"Yes, I am. I will go heat up dinner. Would you please take the box of decorations to the living room?"

"Of course. I will join you in the kitchen after."

After eating Abigail's delicious pot roast, they went and got the rest of the decorations from the office. When they reached the living room, Elizabeth asked Jack to sit on the sofa with her for a moment. He agreed but wondered what was going on.

"Jack, I have, or rather I guess you could call this an early Christmas present for you." She handed him a box with the heart ornament she made.

"Oh? I love presents." He shook the box and heard a little rattling. "I wonder what it is." He opened the box and pushed back the tissue paper. He gasped when he saw it. "Oh, Elizabeth! It's beautiful!" He leaned over to give her a kiss. "Did you make this?"

"Yes I did." She paused for a moment. "I thought we could start our own tradition of putting up handmade ornaments every year. Maybe next year we could but our baby's picture in it with the words "Baby's First Christmas" or maybe a picture of us as a family."

Jack felt himself getting a little emotional. He loved hearing her talk about the future with their family. "I love that idea. And I love you." He kissed her again.

"I love you too." She put her arms around him.

They stayed that way for a few more minutes before Jack got up and pulled on her hand. "Let's open that box of ornaments you ordered. I can't wait to decorate the tree." He looked like a little boy on, well, Christmas morning.

She laughed and let Jack lead her over to the box. She starting pulling out the snowflakes. "I hope you don't mind but I thought a snow and ice theme would be nice for our tree. I also made ornaments out of pine cones I found."

Jack had pulled out some of the icicles. "I like the idea."

They spent the next hour decorating. Finally they were ready to put on the tree topper. Elizabeth opened the box with the angel. After Jack had placed they stood back together and admired their tree.

"I love it, Jack" She said as she put her head on his shoulder.

"I do too." He kissed her on her forehead. "Now, are you ready to cuddle by the fire?"

"I sure am. I think I am going to change into my nightgown first though. I feel like getting comfortable."

"That's a good idea. Would you mind if I joined you?"

"I would be disappointed if you didn't."

"How about some hot chocolate while we sit by the fire? I can make it for us."

"Yummy!" She said by way of response.

A few minutes later, they were changed and sitting in front of the fire, two cups of hot chocolate sitting on the table nearby. Elizabeth was sitting with her back up against Jack's body and his arms were around her. They talked about their first holiday together as a married couple and future holidays they would have with their children. They talked until Elizabeth fell asleep. Jack watched her sleep for a while, thinking how beautiful she looked in the fire light, before picking her up and putting her to bed. He soon followed and dreamed about Christmas in the future with a little boy and a little girl.