The air was cold and white sheets of snow laid on the ground, decorating and family traditions were a big thing in Hope Valley. It was December 22 and only 2 days till Little Jack's birthday and 3 till Christmas. Lucas and Elizabeth have been married officially for 3 months tomorrow, they got married on September 23d after agreeing on an autumn wedding. It was a packed Christmas but they made it work.
Elizabeth got Jack home after a long day making cookies with Lee, Rosemary and their new baby girl Hope who was almost 4 months. She got Jack cleaned up and bathed, after getting their warm pjs on, Lucas walked in after a hard day at the saloon. Elizabeth and Jack were on the couch reading a book while waiting for him like they did every night.
"Good evening my loves" he spoke.
Jack ran to the door and Lucas picked him up and gave him a kiss on the top of his head. "Papa! You're home!"
"Yes, I am Jack. And I'm off till December 27th!" Elizabeth closed the book and stood to meet his height.
"How did you get time off?"
"Well if you didn't know, I own the saloon." He said in a whisper sarcastically.
Elizabeth gave a mischievous grin, "Ha. Ha. And you can afford to take the time off?"
"Yes, family is more important." Elizabeth smiled lightly giving him a kiss on the lips.
"I'm gonna go change then we can check what we got in our calendar today!" Lucas said putting Jack down and heading upstairs.
Lucas returned in his blue striped pjs and joined Elizabeth and Jack on the couch. Elizabeth laid her head on Lucas and Jack went to fetch his advent calendar.
"What's today buddy?" Jack asked still learning dates and numbers.
"The 22d." Lucas replied.
As Jack ran his finger looking for the 22 on his calendar, Lucas gave Elizabeth a kiss on the head and took her hand.
"There it is!" Jack shouted.
"Open it up my sweet boy…" Elizabeth spoke.
Jack poked his finger through the cardboard and saw a hard little plastic figure and pulled it into the palm of his hand. "It's a reindeer!" Jack said mimicking the noises of a reindeer and galloping the figure on the table.
A bit later Elizabeth pulled her famous chicken noodle soup off the stove and served herself and the boys.
"Yum!" Jack shouted, making Elizabeth and Lucas giggle. "Can we make snow angels!!" Jack asked.
"I don't see why not but you have to put on a jacket and boots!" Elizabeth stated. Jack agreed. So after dinner they did just that. They all had coats on over their pjs and some boots and got gloves and hats so they were extra warm. They rushed out into the snow where they laid on the ground making snow angels. At one point Lee and Rosemary walked outside with the new baby wrapped up in a swaddle and laughed at the moment with the family outside. After the fun ended Elizabeth got hot chocolate for all of them and they sat on the porch looking at the snow fall.
"Mama! Papa! Look!" Jack exclaimed. "A reindeer! From Santas slay!"
Lucas smiled, "It is! I think he wants a carrot." Lucas finished saying and Jack ran to the fridge to grab one and gave it to him.
After feeding him Jack gave him a pat on the head and they went inside.
Lucas gave Jack a hug and kiss and tucked him in and then Elizabeth repeated the process. Lucas read him a chapter of their recent book they started "The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz" and once lights were out Jack fell asleep.
Lucas went downstairs and grabbed a glass of milk and then headed to join Elizabeth in bed. "Sweetheart?" He asked sitting on his side of the bed.
"Yes my love?"
"Do you think it was a coincidence that we saw a reindeer after Jack got one in his calendar today?"
Elizabeth lied down and shut off the light. "Your mind is always curious Lucas… I think that this town is special so it could have been a coincidence or it could be the Hope Valley magic."
Lucas smiled, "Yeah, you're right it is magical… I met you." Elizabeth opened her mouth in awe and he leaned and gave her a passionate kiss on the lips and they put the blanket over their selves and drifted to sleep.
