AN: Thanks to my beta, you don't get to see the parapraph that I apparently managed to get 'wagon' in nine times. (I didn't count). All joking aside though, let me just say a thanks to Katie for correcting grammar and fixing my typos (sometimes I don't know what my mind is thinking when it types). It makes for a much better read for you all!
This is kind of my time passing chapter to get to the Christmas Hamilton trip. I tried not to make it boring.
As the short winter days continued to pass, Corporal Mayne and Constable Thornton settled into life in Hope Valley. With December came the talk of holiday festivities. Rosemary wanted to put on a production of "A Christmas Carol" determined to finally get a drama group started in her little town. Ally was disappointed that she would miss it due to her family's trip to Hamilton, but Rosemary assured her there would be more plays. So that she didn't feel completely left out, Ally was asked to help paint a few background canvases that could be hung. The girl's eyes had lit up at the suggestion and all disappointment at not being able to act in the play was quickly forgotten. Miss Magdon had offered to oversee the making of the background canvases for the production, to which Rosemary quickly agreed.
As he had every year since opening the lumber mill, Lee made sure a crew was organized to go out and select the town's Wishing tree. This year though, he decided to head the crew. Bundling up his wife and daughter, the Coulters led the crew of men to go select a tree for the town main street in their sleigh. Of course, having Rosemary along meant the selection of the Wishing tree took longer, but all the men were happy to oblige their boss and his wife the extra time, especially as little Aster's wonder of the whole process kept them all entertained. A tree for the Coulter's home was even chosen and procured.
As they were going to Hamilton for the holidays, the Grants didn't bother with a tree this year, though Ally and Elizabeth still insisted on decorating for the holidays by putting up wreaths, red bows, and placing some of the tree ornaments in different spots around the house. Coming in from the shop one evening to change before supper, Nathan smiled when he saw a familiar red cardinal hanging above their bed. He remembered 'helping' Elizabeth hang that cardinal on his Christmas tree during his and Ally's first Christmas in Hope Valley. Apparently, Elizabeth did as well. Changing into fresh clothes, Nathan had gone down to supper with his family without saying anything. However, when he came into their bedroom after reading with Ally, and found Elizabeth already in bed, grading papers, Nathan decided to do what he had always wished he had done that first Christmas. As he walked over to the bed, Elizabeth looked up. Leaning down, he pressed his lips to hers, feeling her return the gesture after her initial surprise. Breaking the kiss, he stayed close as he looked into her eyes.
"What would you have done if I had tried that the first time I helped you hang the cardinal?" Nathan asked her quietly.
"I don't know," Elizabeth replied honestly. "I will confess I often wished you had," she admitted, before snaking a hand behind his head and pulling her husband in for another kiss.
Later, as Nathan held Elizabeth in his arms before they drifted to sleep, he watched the silhouette of the cardinal in the moonlight.
"So, if you couldn't hang it on a tree branch, how did you manage to get it to hang from the ceiling."
"Having a brother-in-law in town has its advantages," Elizabeth confessed. "Tom looked at me like I had lost my mind when I asked him to hang it, but he did. I think he might have been afraid to ask further questions."
"Can't say I blame him," Nathan replied. "It was a nice surprise though," he added, kissing the top of his wife's head. "Speaking of Tom, I was thinking about asking him if he wanted to stay here while we are away in Hamilton. If he's here to care for the horses, it will keep Bill from having to come out a couple of times a day. If Tom has to be gone overnight, Bill can take over then. Besides they might both enjoy a little extra space for a couple of weeks."
"I like the idea," Elizabeth said. "Does that mean the Kinslows won't take Nate?"
"Oh, no, that duck is still going to the Kinslows," Nathan replied. "Jack is fine with Vincent looking after his duck while we are a way and I refuse to have a repeat of leaving for Brookfield. Besides, Vincent is hoping that showing his parents how well he can care for Nate will convince them to let him have a dog."
"That's sweet. I like that he wants to show he can take care of a pet first," Elizabeth commented.
"Yes, and between you and me, Gabriel already has plans for a dog as a Christmas present. Jed Campbell's husky, Bella, had puppies last week. They won't be quite ready to go to a new home by Christmas, but Gabriel has made arrangements with Jed that Vincent will get first pick of the pups. He and Faith will take Vincent over to choose one on Christmas day."
"Oh, he is going to be so happy," Elizabeth enthused. "How does Gabriel plan on presenting that present?"
"Well, he planned on making a dog collar and wrapping that."
"Kind of hard with only one working arm."
"Yes, so he supervised me making the collar. He'll wrap that and put it under the tree."
"What a wonderful Christmas gift for a boy," Elizabeth said excitedly, smiling in the dark.
"Does that mean you would be open to getting our kids a dog?" Nathan asked. "Jed has four pups and the only one he's promised one to is Gabriel. While I wasn't planning on it being a Christmas gift, I thought we could surprise the kids in the new year with a dog. I know Ally always wanted one but moving from post to post, it never seemed practical to me. Yes, Jack has Nate but if that duck ends up flying away in the spring, then a dog might help lessen the loss."
"I like that idea. But let's not say anything until we are back from Hamilton. If we do, that dog will be all we hear about on the train."
Nathan chuckled. "Alright," he agreed. "I will go talk to Jed tomorrow so he knows we want one of the pups."
With that settled, the two drifted off to sleep.
Making the dog collar wasn't the only Christmas related task that Gabriel's broken arm put a damper on. Though the Grants didn't need a tree of their own this year, they did all bundle up one Saturday to head out with the Kinslows to select their Christmas tree. Jack had insisted that Nate wanted to be a part of the adventure, so Elizabeth put some old towels in a picnic basket to make a warm place for the duck to hide out in during the outing. Jack happily carried the picnic basket, staying close to his mother's side, while Ally and Vincent hurried ahead of the rest of the group scouting out the trees. Hand-in-hand with Nathan, Elizabeth kept a close eye on her youngest, amused when Nate would use his head to push the lid up a little, look about and then go back into his picnic basket.
"I am happy we get to do this again, Beth," Nathan said softly, as they walked. "Even if it isn't our tree we are looking for quite yet."
"Next year we will be looking for our tree," Elizabeth promised. "And this will be our first Christmas together even without the tree."
"Yes, our first Christmas together with how many of your extended family?" Nathan asked, looking a bit uncomfortable.
Elizabeth chuckled. "You can relax. I talked to mother and told her that you and Ally were use to smaller Christmases than what our family does. They have agreed not to host the extended family for dinner this year. Instead, they will spend Christmas morning with us, then go to my cousin's huse, who has agreed to host dinner this year. They will have the staff prepare dinner for Archie and us at their home. We will then all have a simple supper to end the day together. Julie will be around of course, but I am not sure which dinner celebrations she is going to take part in."
She heard her husband give a relieved sigh beside him. "Thank your mother for me, will you? I was a little worried about being in a house with so many people."
"I will," she assured him. "I do hope you are open to meeting my extended family though. Mother was trying to arrange times for them to come see us in smaller groups during our visit."
Nathan gave her hand a squeeze. "That I am not opposed to."
"Good," Elizabeth said, wanting her husband to meet her family and vice versa. She wanted it to happen in a way that he would be comfortable though.
"We found the perfect tree!"
Ally's shout floated back to them through the pine trees. It was clear that it didn't matter that the tree wasn't going in her house. The quest had been successful.
"I think it is taller than you, Dad!" Vincent's call followed shortly after.
"Of course, it is," Gabriel said, trying to sound put out but the smile on his face clearly showed the joy he was feeling as he walked with Faith, his wife's arm looped around the arm not cradled in the sling.
"At least you have one good arm you can help me with," Nathan teased his friend.
"I will do my best," Gabriel promised.
Soon they were walking through a set of trees to find the two older children waiting by a blue spruce that was indeed taller than even Nathan. Both teens, standing on either side of the tree, presented their discovery with a flourish. After praising the find, Vincent, Gabriel and Nathan set about chopping the tree down. Even with his one arm nestled in the sling, Gabriel proved he could be of help and not just be in the way. Ally occupied Jack with collecting pinecones to make decorations out of.
"I wish he wouldn't try to do so much," Faith quietly confessed to Elizabeth as they watched the process, one hand resting on her abdomen. Though she wasn't showing yet, Faith had gone to Benson Hills for confirmation of her pregnancy.
Standing beside Faith, Elizabeth chuckled. "I don't think his pride would let him do anything less," she said. At her feet sat Nate's basket as the duck was happily following Jack around in the search for pinecones. "I remember my mother complaining about my Dad doing too much after an injury or illness when I was a child. When Jack had pneumonia, he was back to doing his job far sooner than I would have liked."
Faith sighed. "I know you're right. Gabriel isn't the only person who doesn't like to be kept down by an injury or illness. I've seen it plenty since becoming a nurse."
"But it is different when it is someone you love," Elizabeth supplied.
"Yes, it is," Faith admitted. "Though I am thankful that Nathan is helping. He's probably one of the few people Gabriel will listen too."
The two women continued to chat while the tree was cut down and pinecones gathered. When both tasks were complete, Nate was placed back in his basket. Elizabeth offered to carry the duck for her son who was starting to look tired. She hoped that they could get back to the wagons before Jack got too tired, knowing that her son was too heavy for her to carry far these days.
About halfway back, Jack started to get cranky, saying he couldn't walk any further. Elizabeth knew the boy would not make it the rest of the way. Handing Nate to Ally, she reached down, she lifted her son into her arms.
"If we pass him off, I think you and I could get him to the wagon," Faith suggested as the group continued their trek.
Though it took longer getting back than the search for the tree had taken, eventually the group made it to the two wagons. After loading the tree in the back of the Kinslow's wagon, Faith and Ally settled in the back of the Grant's wagon. Nathan took Jack while Elizabeth climbed up on the wagon seat. He then handed the boy up to her. Glancing back at the other wagon, Nathan made sure that Gabriel was settled on the seat next to Vincent, who held the reigns, before going around the wagon and climbing up beside Elizabeth.
As all members of the group were tired from their outing, the ride back to the Kinslows row house was a quiet one. However, soon enough the two wagons were coming to a stop in front of the house. To their surprise, Jesse and Kevin were waiting out front.
"Is something wrong?" Gabriel asked, his mind going into Mountie mode.
"Relax Sergeant," Kevin said easily. "We just heard you went out for your Christmas tree and thought you might like a few more good arms with the task."
"Don't you dare say no, Gabe!" Nathan called out to his friend, getting laughter from everyone there except for sleeping Jack.
"I appreciate the help," Gabriel replied, as he climbed carefully down from the wagon.
"I'll even take care of the wagon and your horse, if you would like," Kevin said, as he and Jesse moved to get the tree from the back of the wagon.
"Thank you," Gabriel replied.
"Maybe my husband has a little sense after all," Faith commented as she and Ally climbed down from the back of the Grant wagon.
Elizabeth smiled as she handed Jack down to Nathan so she could climb down herself.
"Let's get that little guy inside so he can finish his nap," Faith said, motioning to Nathan to follow her as the Grants were staying to help decorate and have supper with the Kinslows.
While Faith helped get the sleeping Jack and Nate settled in the house, Gabriel supervised getting the tree inside. With Ally and Vincent helping to determine where it was set up, Kevin and Jesse patiently got the tree in the stand in the living room. They then left, taking the Kinslow's wagon and both horses, allowing Cosmo to be out of the cold until the Grants were ready to head home. While Gabriel supervised Ally and Vincent in the kitchen, Nathan helped Faith get the boxes of ornaments from storage.
Intending only to sit for a little while, Elizabeth took a seat in the wingback chair near the tree. Leaning her head back, she was soon drifting to sleep to the sounds of voices around her.
As a traveling pastor was in town, Sunday morning was spent at church. Afterwards, Tom and Bill once again joined the Grants for dinner. The talk for the afternoon consisted of plans for the Grants' upcoming trip, both in the way of preparations and what they would need Tom and Bill to keep an eye on while they were gone.
On Monday morning, Elizabeth found herself feeling nauseous while getting Nathan's coffee ready. She briefly hoped that she wasn't getting sick with their trip only a couple days away, but then she recalled the last time she'd had this particular reaction to coffee. Coupled with the fact that she had missed her last menstrual cycle, a hope rose within her. It was a hope that she wasn't quite ready to voice yet, though perhaps when she was alone with Nathan on their trip she would share with him her suspicions. By the time they returned from Hamilton, Faith might be able to confirm for her. How nice would it be to be for them to be raising children that were about the same age.
Though she managed to get breakfast, including Nathan's coffee, on the table without being sick, Elizabeth thought that perhaps she would ask Ally to take over coffee making for a little while. Knowing that her observant husband would worry if she skipped breakfast, Elizabeth purposely put less on her plate though she tried to eat like it was just an ordinary morning. Even then, Nathan asked her if she was feeling all right as she and Ally prepared to leave for school. Pressing a quick kiss to her lips, she told him she was fine before going out to the Coulter's waiting car.
By the time she got to the school, Elizabeth's stomach was settled, further indicating that it was her aversion to the smell of coffee coming back. Reaching her classroom, she found Eva waiting for her. As the art and music teacher would be taking over her classes for the last few days before holiday recess, Elizabeth was not surprised by her presence. She was surprised by the woman's news.
"Did you hear that Corporal Mayne walked Ms. Stiles home from play rehearsal last night?" Eva asked. Though Elizabeth was now on a first name basis with both of her coworkers, Eva still used the formal address.
"So?" Elizabeth asked as she removed and hung up her coat on the rack in the corner of the room. "He is a Mountie. Part of his job would be to make sure people in the town get home safely."
"I know," Eva said. "But you know how she never smiles? I am actually surprised she agreed to help Rosemary with rehearsals, actually," she continued. "However, apparently Rosemary can talk anyone into anything because she talked Corporal Mayne into playing Bob Marley as they were short one role after auditions."
Elizabeth laughed. "I knew she would rope someone into the role. Tom threatened to use his nickname for her if she didn't leave him be. I do know that Vincent is thrilled to be playing the role of Scrooge."
"Yes, and he is doing well with the role too," Eva said. "I think he knows all his lines already. But anyway, when Corporal Mayne asked Ms. Stiles if he could walk her home, I actually saw her smile. Very briefly, but it was a smile."
"Perhaps she is finally ready to shed the grief she's been wearing all these years," Elizabeth said. "It isn't an easy process."
Eva grew more serious. "You would be more aware of that than me. The more I learn about people here, the more I realize how sheltered I have been."
Elizabeth reached out and rested a hand on the younger woman's forearm. "Consider yourself one of the lucky ones. You are like a breath of fresh air. I hope life never takes that from you."
Eva blushed and smiled sheepishly. "I just hope I can fill your shoes for the next week."
"You will be fine," Elizabeth said confidently. "I have detailed lesson plans and you'll be able to observe and ask questions today and tomorrow."
Eva nodded even as the school bell rang signaling to the kids that it was time to be in their classrooms. At this time on Wednesday, Elizabeth would be boarding the train heading East with Nathan and the children. It would be the first Christmas she had spent in Hamilton since she first came west to teach. Elizabeth found she was less nervous than she thought she would be. In fact, she was looking forward to the two weeks she would be in Hamilton with her family. She was especially looking forward to a few days completely alone with Nathan. The mini honeymoon was the best Christmas present her parents could have given her.