Elizabeth opened her eyes and noted the room looked grey. She looked over at the clock and saw it was 8 o'clock. She carefully removed Jack's arm from around her, then padded over to the window. She smiled when she saw it was snowing. Snow on Christmas Day! It would make the day she planned with Jack even more special. She grabbed her robe and slipped it on, before heading to living room. She grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around her before slipping outside to watch the snow fall. She was entranced by the white flakes falling to the grown.

She put her hand on her small baby bump and gently rubbed it. "Look, baby! Snow on Christmas! I wish you could see how beautiful it is today. I can't wait until you are here and Daddy and I can show all this world has to offer." She paused to stare out at the snow while continuing to rub her belly. "Daddy and I love you so much, little one."

Jack, who had been standing in the door way watching Elizabeth, felt tears form in his eyes. The scene before him was unlike anything he had ever experienced before. His wife was so beautiful, standing there watching the snow fall and talking to their baby. He quietly walked over to her and slid his arms around her waist and resting his hands on top of hers. "Merry Christmas, Sweetheart!"

She turned to face him and gave him a kiss. "Merry Christmas, My Handsome Mountie!" She gave him a big smile. "Look! It's snowing!"

Jack laughed at her excitement. "It's beautiful!" He felt her shiver and he wrapped his arms around her more tightly. "How long have you been out here?"

"Just a few minutes, but I am ready to go back in."

"That's good because we can't have you getting sick." He kissed her nose, then grabbed her hand as they walked back inside. "Would you like some breakfast?"

"Yes, please. Then we can open presents!"

"Sounds good to me!" They both laughed. "I was thinking of making pancakes. How does that sound to you?"

Elizabeth put his hand back on her abdomen and replied. "Both of us think that's a great idea."

Jack smiled, then headed to the kitchen and got to work. Elizabeth followed him in. She wanted to get started on their Christmas dinner. They were going to have turkey with all the trimmings and blueberry pie for dessert, made from the blueberries she had canned over the summer. As they worked, they talked about Christmas past from their childhood.

When they finished the delicious pancakes Jack had made, they went to the living room and sat down in front of their lovely tree. Jack picked up a present first and handed it to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth carefully opened the wrapping paper. When she removed the paper, it revealed a copy of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. It was one of her favorite books. As she looked it over, she discovered it was a first edition. "Oh, Jack. A first edition! Thank you!" She leaned over to kiss him.

"You're welcome, Sweetheart." He look her hand in his for a moment. "I know this is one of your favorite books. When I was in Cape Fullerton last month, I came across a rare book store, so I went in to browse. The clerk asked me if I needed help and I told him how much you love reading. He asked me some questions about you, like your favorite authors. He directed me towards that book."

"I love it and I love you!" She said, then reached over to get him his present.

He took it from her and ripped off the paper. He opened the lid and found a box of drawing pencils and tools along with a new sketch pad. Both were engraved with his name. "Wow! New drawing supplies! I love the box the tools are in and the engraving. Thank you, Elizabeth." He kissed her. Then he handed her a small box. "Here is another gift for you." He moved a bigger present that had been beside the tree and put it in front of her. "Don't try to lift it, it's a little heavy."

She gave him a puzzled look, wondering what could be so heavy. She removed the wrapping paper to reveal what looked like a storage box. She ran her hands over it and felt some writing. She looked at it more closely and saw it said: "Elizabeth's Craft Box." She opened the lid and noticed how much more room there was for her supplies. "Jack, it's beautiful. Did you make this?"

"Yes, I did. I thought you might like something to keep your supplies in right here in the living room. Of course you could still use your basket if you want to take something to the bedroom or out on the porch."

"Jack, thank you so much for my new craft box. It was so thoughtful of you to make it for me." She leaned over to give him a slow, passion filled kiss. After they parted, she reached over for another present to give to Jack. She giggled a little when she handed it to him.

He took the box and looked at her with a curious grin. "What's so funny?"

"You'll see." Was all that she said as she watched him once again tear off the wrapping paper.

He opened the box and pushed the tissue paper aside to reveal a brown scarf and hat. The color matched the brown on his serge. He smiled as he pulled them out of the box, knowing that Elizabeth had made them. He noticed there was something else in the box, something dark blue. He picked it up and discovered it was a sweater. The yarn was soft but would definitely keep him warm. "Elizabeth! These beautiful. You made these for me?" He asked even though he knew the answer.

"Yes I did. I actually started working on the sweater right after we got engaged. The scarf and hat I knitted more recently. Do you like your knitted gifts?"

"Like them? No I don't." He said, then laughed when he saw the sadness in her eyes. "I don't just like them, I love them. And I love you!"

Elizabeth burst out laughing, then gave him a playful slap on the arm. "You think you're so funny, don't you?"

"But you love me anyway."

"Yes I do, but sometimes I just don't know why." She raised her eyebrow at him, then winked, letting him know she was joking.

Jack pulled her into his arms and started kissing her, tenderly at first but soon his kisses became more passionate. She put her arms around him and ran her fingers through his hair. Jack reached down to open the belt of her robe and slipped it off of her. Elizabeth pulled his shirt over his head, then slipped off his pants. He lifted his lower body to help her. Once she was finished, he gently pulled on her negligee and she lifted her arms so he could pull it off her body. Jack gently pushed her back to the floor, continuing to kiss her. They became one, in front of their tree and a warm, crackling fire.

They spent the rest of the day together, both helping with dinner and making love in front of the fire. It had been a perfect first Christmas together as a married couple. They talked about what next Christmas would be with a little Thornton present. They went to sleep that night and dreamed of the future.