Chapter 3: Christmas Eve is Finally Here
Rosemary frantically walked back and forth on the edge of town with her clipboard in hand.
"Take your places everyone, take your places! We are starting in five minutes!" Rosemary called out as she walked towards the front of the line.
"Nathan. Bill. Do you know what to do? I'm depending on you both to lead this whole thing. Please don't let me down." Rosemary said as she stared at them sitting on their horses that were attached to their wagon.
The night before, Nathan and Bill had loaded the Mountie office doghouse inside of the wagon. Afterwards, Elizabeth had placed some garland around the outside bed of the wagon to give it a more festive look.
Right before they began, Nathan called for Scout. After a several attempts, the stubborn dog finally came out. Allie put on the Christmas bandana decorated in red and green material that she had made over the past week. Scout jumped into the wagon and checked out the new doghouse as Nathan closed the bed. Finally, Scout sat proudly on his hind legs in front of the doghouse as if he knew what his expectations were.
Behind them was Joseph's and Minnie's wagon with a replica of the church in the wagon bed, similar to the one that been made years prior, along with Angela and her piano. The plan was that as Joseph drove the wagon and Minnie proudly sat next to him that Angela would play Christmas carols.
Then, the Jack Thornton School wagon would follow behind the Canfields, singing along with Angela's accompaniment. The children who had been around back in the day when Dr. Shepherd had taken them out caroling suggested that they revisit that idea for the parade. Elizabeth would drive the wagon as the students would proudly sing along.
Mike and Mei Sou would drive the next wagon decorated like a gingerbread house representing the pharmacy and soda shop.
Following them would be the wagon representing the Valley Voice and Coulter Enterprises. Lee and his men had built what looked like Santa's workshop inside the bed of the wagon and Rosemary along with some of the other women decorated the outside. Elizabeth and Rosemary had decided that it would be a great idea for the younger children like Little Jack and Sarah to ride on this float dressed as elves in Santa's workshop.
Lucas had showed up early that morning, so Rosemary asked Henry if he would drive Lucas's car. She thought that Lucas could sit in the backseat as the Grand Marshall. Henry willingly agreed and the ladies quickly decorated the car for the parade.
And finally, Santa to close the parade. But no one except Rosemary knew where Santa was at that very moment.
The booths on Main Street from the weeklong festival had been broken down and stored away the night before. The street was lined with the Hope Valley community on both sides. Florence, Molly and Faith walked around handing out red and green flags to the townspeople.
At exactly nine o'clock, Rosemary gave the signal, and the parade began. As Bill and Nathan proudly led their wagon out first, the town cheered for their beloved Mountie and Judge. When they saw Scout sitting in the bed of the wagon outside of a doghouse version of the Mountie office, a roar of laughter filled the air. People pointed and chuckled at the dog who had become so much a part of their town this year. They cheered and waved their flags as the wagon rode slowly by.
The cheers continued as the next wagon came out with Pastor Joseph and Minnie. When the crowd heard the carols that Angela was playing, there was a hush that fell upon the town.
Closely behind came Elizabeth with the school children singing along with Angela's playing. After each carol was over, the crowd cheered loudly before the new song began. Eventually the community sang right along with the children as the parade progressed.
When the gingerbread float drove by, you could hear the oohs and ahhs from everyone before the round of applause that was given. The crowd was in awe of the fun and intricate decorations that turned this regular old wagon into an adorable gingerbread house.
The same happened when they saw Santa's workshop with the Coulters and the young children of Hope Valley. Rosemary had created adorable elf costumes for all the children that rode on the float with them. She even dressed little Goldie like a little elf. The women in the crowd held their hands to their hearts as they saw the cute display and the darling children.
When Lucas' car came around the corner with Lucas proudly sitting in the backseat, there was a thunderous applause. He had not been back to Hope Valley in months and the town was excited to see their new governor. Lucas smiled proudly and waved to the people of Hope Valley.
Just when it seemed that the parade might be over, there was a sound of another motor coming from around the corner. There, on Lee's old motorcycle, was Fiona dressed as Santa. The crowd laughed and cheered as Santa rode by throwing out candy canes into the crowd from her side bag.
As the parade ended, excitement filled the air. Everyone made their way home for the next few hours. Later, everyone would return for the school children's performance and the Christmas Eve party that followed.
Elizabeth hosted a small lunch gathering for Little Jack's 5th birthday at her rowhouse. The Coulters, the Grants and Bill all showed up to celebrate.
After the gifts were opened and the candles on the cake were blown out, Elizabeth and Rosemary went to the kitchen to cut the cake and prepare some tea. Allie held Goldie and was talking to Lee as Nathan sat with Jack in his lap while he spoke to Bill. Bill smiled to himself as he watched Nathan interact with Little Jack.
Nathan looked over and asked, "What are you smiling about Bill?"
Bill put his hand on Nathan's arm, leaned in and said, "Jack Sr. is looking down from heaven and smiling right now. You're the best thing that could have happened in their lives since Jack passed. Thank you!"
Nathan was stunned at the kind words that Bill spoke and his own eyes misted over a little before he responded.
"You don't know what that means to me. They are so precious to me and knowing that Jack Sr. would approve means the world." Nathan said as he held onto Little Jack a little tighter.
Nathan paused for a moment and glanced over at Elizabeth and Rosemary working in tandem with one another in the kitchen. Then he looked back at Bill and continued to speak but this time in a softer voice so that he would not be overheard.
"Bill, I know you play a very important role in Elizabeth's and Jack's lives. Would you give your blessing for me to ask Elizabeth to marry me? I would love to ask sometime soon. Her family has already approved, but I know it makes a difference too if I have yours, Abigail's and the Coulters', blessing as well." Nathan whispered as he looked intently into Bill's eyes.
Bill drew back surprised at the question that he was just asked. He smiled at Nathan and patted his shoulder.
"Son, you have my blessing and beyond! Ask that girl soon please! You both took forever to get to this point. Don't waste any more time!" Bill answered.
Allie and Lee, who had overheard the quiet conversation, shared a knowing smile between themselves.
Later that night, the Hope Valley community filled the schoolhouse to see the students perform. The children had decided to put on a modified version of A Christmas Carol. They enlisted the help of Bill to play Scrooge himself and for Nathan to play the Ghost of Christmas Future.
The children and men did an amazing job and received a standing ovation afterwards. When the applause had quieted down, the children and men joined their families and Joseph shared his sermon. The beloved pastor tied in elements of the Christmas story along with ideas from the night's program which left the congregation reflecting on the meaning of the holiday.
Once the program, sermon and candlelight service were over, the families all walked over to the saloon together. Everyone was excited as they sat down for their meals prepared by Gustave and the rest of the staff. After prayer and before they went to eat, the townspeople called out the staff and Gustave and insisted that they too join in on the feast.
When the meal had concluded, a bell rang from outside the saloon doors and in walked Santa. The children clapped and cheered, and the adults restrained their laughter. One had to hand it to Fiona. She had seized the opportunity to be Santa for the day and did an outstanding job doing so.
As Santa, Fiona passed out the gifts from under tree in the saloon. Each gift came with an excitement of what it was and who the Secret Santa had been.
When Fiona got Nathan's gift, she handed him a small flat box where inside he found a slip of paper.
"Meet me at the Mountie office later and I'll give your gift to you there. Bill," the paper read.
Nathan chuckled and nodded as he placed the lid carefully back on the box and held it in his hand.
Soon after, Santa Fiona came over with a small brown paper bag with handles for Bill. He opened it and found a similar message scrawled out on a piece of paper inside.
"I'll meet you for a private exchange in my office later. Nathan," the note in Nathan's handwriting read.
The crowd laughed at the similarities of the men's gift presentations. The two of them smiled and nodded at one another across the room.