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The next morning, Elizabeth was awoken when a fist or foot struck the inside of her abdomen. She smiled to herself as she tapped her husband, "Jack," she whispered.
"Hmm?" Jack mumbled sleepily.
"Wake up Jack," Elizabeth said.
"I am up. Now," said Jack.
"The baby's kicking," said Elizabeth.
Jack bolted up and laid his hand on his wife's abdomen. He smiled when he felt a gentle kick from within. He kissed Elizabeth and said, "Merry Christmas sweetheart."
"Merry Christmas to you too honey," said Elizabeth.
"And Merry Christmas to you too little guy," said Jack, "So what do you think the baby is a boy or a girl?"
"Uh, I want a girl but I don't know," said Elizabeth, "But don't worry, if you're a boy I'll love you. If you're a girl I'll love you."
"Translated, Mommy and Daddy love you either way," chuckled Jack, "But Daddy's hoping you're a boy."
"Would've never guessed," chuckled Elizabeth lightly.
The couple heard a knock on the door, "Jack, Elizabeth, breakfast is ready," said Julie.
"We're coming!" shouted Elizabeth. The couple dressed and headed downstairs to open presents and enjoy breakfast with their families.
"Merry Christmas everyone," said Jack to the group.
"Merry Christmas Jack, Lizzie," said Kate embracing them both, "And of course a special Merry Christmas to my grandson or granddaughter," she said rubbing Elizabeth's abdomen. Kate and Elizabeth smiled when the baby started to move again.
"The scones and tea are in the dining room," said William inviting everyone into the room. The couples and family members followed William into the dining room to enjoy breakfast before opening presents. Jack and Elizabeth didn't fail to notice Julie and Tom sitting next to each other. After breakfast, the families took their places in the living room near the Christmas tree. William and Kate started as always since they were the oldest and went down the line by age.
"Aw William it's beautiful," said Kate admiring the new teapot William had gotten for her, "I've been needing a new one."
"Anything for my one and only," said William kissing her on the cheek, "Thank you very much for the new business suit."
After Lionel and Viola exchanged their gifts, Elizabeth and Jack were the next in line by age. Elizabeth pulled out the gift she had poorly wrapped for Jack. She had never been good at wrapping presents. Jack looked at the gift and said, "It's a good thing you're talented in other areas because gift wrapping is not a talent God granted you."
"Oh Jack," said Elizabeth smacking him lightly, "Just open it."
Jack chuckled and opened the gift. When he opened it, he found a brand new set of books about Canada as well as the history of Mounties. Jack smiled, "Very thoughtful sweetheart," he said kissing her on her temple. Jack handed her a small box wrapped in red wrapping paper.
Elizabeth smiled as she slowly unwrapped the box. She opened it up to find a heart shaped necklace on the inside, "Jack it's beautiful," she said with tears in her eyes.
"I'm glad you love it sweetheart," said Jack kissing her on the cheek.
Elizabeth once again felt their baby move and she rubbed her abdomen lovingly, "Apparently someone else loves it too."
"Is the baby kicking?" asked Julie excitedly Elizabeth nodded and Julie ran over to her. Elizabeth put Julie's hand on her belly to wear the baby was kicking, "Have you done thine ring test yet?" asked Julie.
"Julie, you know that test is an old wives tale," said Viola.
"Doesn't mean it wouldn't be fun to try!" said Julie.
"What ring test?" asked Tom confusingly.
"It's an old wives tale where the mother ties her wedding ring to a piece of string and some holds it over the Mom-to-Be's belly. If it's a boy, it'll swing back and forth, if it's a girl, it'll swing in a circle," said Julie, "Can we do it Elizabeth? Please?" Julie begged.
"Alright, alright," Elizabeth sighed, "But nobody should get their hopes up with this."
"Fair enough," smiled Julie, "Now life down and give me your wedding ring."
Elizabeth took off her wedding ring and gave it to Julie, who quickly found string and tied the ring to the string.
Jack tried to take the string from Julie and Elizabeth said, "You can't do it honey. It's not supposed to be the husband," she smirked.
Jack shrugged his shoulders, "Okay, I was just going to make sure it was right."
"Or that you were going to fudge the results," said Elizabeth.
Julie held the ring over her sister's abdomen and let it hang over it for a few moments. Soon the ring started to swing back and forth, "According to the ring, you're having a boy!" said Julie.
Elizabeth chuckled lightly. She had insisted on doing the same test on their mother when Kate had been pregnant with Julie and the results had said a boy. Of course, all three of the Thatcher children were girls.
"Well maybe I've been right all along, huh Lizzie?" chuckled Jack kissing her.
"Lizzie used the same test on my when I was expecting Julie and told me she was getting a baby brother," chuckled Kate, "I wouldn't say the ring test is the most accurate."
Jack helped Elizabeth sit up and Julie handed Elizabeth back her wedding ring. William stepped into the living room, "Ladies, Constable, dinner is ready."
Everyone nodded and followed William into the dining room, "We think you're getting a grandson Daddy!" said Julie.
William chuckled, "Am I now?"
"Elizabeth's ring was swinging back and forth," said Julie.
The families sat down and they all joined hands while Kate led the prayer, "Dear Lord, we thank this Christmas day for giving us Your Son, our Savior. We bless this meal we are about to enjoy. And we hope You watch over Lionel and Viola as we witness their wedding in two days. And watch over Jack and Elizabeth and their son evidently," said Kate and everyone chuckled, knowing they wouldn't really know the baby's gender until the birth, "We ask all of this from You, in Jesus' name. Amen."
"Amen," everyone replied before enjoying dinner for the first time as one combined family.