Finally, the night of the debut performance on the stage at the Amaryllis arrived. Rosemary was giddy with excitement as she bustled here and there making sure everything was in order as the rows of chairs filled. Those who had family members in the performance had claimed the seats in the front. Lee sat in the front row next to Gabriel. Aster was sleeping in his arms. Though he wasn't sure if the girl would sleep through the performance, for now he was content to let his daughter rest. The young child would probably remember just as much asleep as she would awake. Still, Lee wanted to be present tonight to support his wife and as those he would trust to watch his daughter were also attending, bringing her with him was the only option.

Beside Lee, Gabriel wore civilian clothes as he sat with his good arm around his wife's shoulders. With Vincent in the lead, the only role the Mountie wanted to serve tonight was that of a proud father. As Corporal Mayne was in the performance, Tom was the lone Mountie in uniform for the evening. Despite still being in his probationary period, Tom had assured his two superiors that he would be fine for the evening, pointing out that a good portion of the town would be watching the play.

"Besides, I know exactly where both of you are, if I need you," Tom had pointed out.

Though he would technically be on duty, Tom still planned on supporting Hope Valley's new thespians. One of the end chairs in the back row had been reserved for the young Mountie in case leaving became necessary.

Next to Faith were Lillian and Sam. The couple had made the trip from Brookfield to see Vincent's performance. Arriving shortly before Vincent had to be at the Amaryllis, the boy had been surprised and happy to see them both. They hadn't wanted anything to be said to Vincent ahead of time in case the weather or something kept them from coming. Though Grace wanted to be there as well, the two sisters had decided that bringing all the orphans was not feasible nor could they both leave the orphanage at the same time without the children.

"Vincent is so much more outgoing than he was at the orphanage," Lillian commented as they waited for the performance to start. "I mean he was never what I considered shy, but he kept to himself. He never even showed an interest in the little plays we put on for fun, and here he is with a lead part. Being with the two of you seems to have given him the self-confidence to come out of the shell some orphans put up to protect themselves. Thank-you both for giving him a home."

"It is our pleasure," Gabriel replied. "We love having Vincent around. He's been doing some work with Kevin in the blacksmith shop and enjoying it but I think he is still looking toward the Mounties. He asked me yesterday if he went to college, would the Mounties still take him afterwards. I assured him that they would."

"You almost sound like you don't want him following in your footsteps, Gabriel?" Sam asked, only curiosity in his voice, not judgement.

"I would be honored if he chose to follow in my footsteps but I want it to be his chosen path he is following. I love my father, and I know he loves me, but my father also made it clear that he was disappointed that I chose my own path. He wanted me to stay and run the family ranch and while I loved helping him out growing up, I knew that wasn't my path. He's never once told me he was proud of me. He didn't come to the graduation ceremony at Depot though my mother and other siblings did. Said he couldn't leave the ranch. I do not want to make that mistake with Vincent."

Next to him, Faith looped her arm through her husband's. "Somehow, I don't think you will," she told him confidently.

"Thank you," Gabriel told her, bolstered by her confidence in him.

"And how is Vincent taking the news of the baby?" Lillian asked.

"Well, at first, he seemed distant about it," Faith admitted. "Then he seemed to be really helpful and went back to being worried about making the tiniest mistakes. It was Gabriel who realized he was concerned that we wouldn't want him around when the baby came."

"I was the baby of the family for thirteen years," Gabriel said. "Though I could tell my parents were happy about another child, I was also afraid I wouldn't be doted on quite as much by everyone. My oldest sister Evelyn is the one who assured me I would always have my place in the family no matter how many more children our mother and father had. So, Faith and I gave Vincent reassurance that he was always going to be our son no matter what and he's been excited by the prospect."

"He even suggested the name Alexandria, if it was a girl," Faith added. "Turns out that was his mother's name."

"Oh, I never knew that. There wasn't much information about Vincent's family in his file and he never wanted to open up about it. He always told Grace and me that it was in the past so we didn't push it."

"We've heard quite a few stories about his mother and grandparents," Faith replied.

"We also told him that we thought Alexandria was a pretty name for a girl," Gabriel chimed in. "So while we haven't settled on a name if it is a boy, if it is a girl she will be Alexandria Leah."

"The Leah is after my own mother," Faith added.

"That is a lovely name," Lillian said.

"I thought you would be pushing to name a son after you, Gabriel?" Sam chimed in. The comment earned him a playful elbow in the side from his wife.

"He doesn't want to," Faith replied. "Though I am not done trying to convince him."

"A boy should have his own name," Gabriel countered.

"What if you use Gabriel's middle name of Ryan, for a first name, and pick a middle name for a little boy," Lillian suggested. "Then he is named after his father but doesn't have the exact same name. You both win then."

"I like that," Faith replied. She looked to her husband. "You said you liked the name Hale for a little boy. We could call the baby Ryan Hale if it is a boy."

"That sounds like a good compromise," Gabriel told her, before giving her a quick kiss.

Footsteps sounded on the stage in front of them as the gathered crowd got silent. Turning their attention to the stage, the two couples watched Rosemary walk to center stage to address the audience before the play began.

Laura sat on the edge of Jack's bed as she finished reading one of his books to him. As she came to the end, she closed it. Looking at the little boy, she found his eyes still wide open.

"Do you have to leave tomorrow Laura? Can't you have Christmas with us?" Jack pleaded.

"My father is expecting me home for Christmas, Jack," Laura said apologetically. "You wouldn't want him to spend Christmas alone, would you?"

Jack shook his head. "Maybe we should have brought him to Hamilton with us."

Laura giggled. "I don't think he would have come. My father was more than ready to go back to Hope Valley after a few days here. His heart is on the farm. Besides, you have plenty of family to celebrate with, Jack. You probably won't even notice I am gone."

"Yes, I will, Miss Laura! But you should be with your Daddy."

"Thank you," Laura replied.

"I finally get to have Christmas with a Daddy," Jack added.

Laura smiled. She knew that the little boy had never accepted Mr. Bouchard as a father figure, nor could she blame him. It was clear to everyone, including Jack, that Lucas merely tolerated him.

"You are going to have so much fun this Christmas, Jack," Laura assured him. "And I left both your birthday present and Christmas present with Mrs. Grace," she told him. The Thatchers had insisted that Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher was too formal as she was living with them but calling them William and Grace had felt too informal to Laura. Mr. William and Mrs. Grace had been their compromise.

"I made you a Christmas present too, Miss Laura," Jack said, pointing to a flat, wrapped package. "Grandpa Archie helped me with it!"

Laura reached out for the gift. "Thank you, Jack," she said, picking it up. Leaning down, she placed a kiss on the little boy's forehead. "Now, get some sleep. You have a big day tomorrow. First, you are coming to see me off on the train in the morning and then your parents will be here after lunch. You don't want to fall asleep and miss that now do, you."

Jack shook his head. "Could you just sing me a song first though? Please, Miss Laura!"

"One song," Laura told him. "But you need to close your eyes."

Jack obeyed, and as the boy lay there with his eyes closed, she softly sang "O' Holy Night" to him. By the time the last note left her lips, Jack had drifted to sleep.

Pulling the blanket up a little more, Laura got to her feet. Spending time with Jack again these last few days had been nice, the boy having become special to her while she had served as his nanny. It was such a joy to see him happy again, after seeing the change in him while his mother had been married to Mr. Bouchard. Though perhaps a bit more grown up than other kids his age because of what he went through, these last few days had assured her that Jack would get to enjoy his childhood once again.

Turning off the lamp by the bed, Laura returned the book to the pile on the desk in the room and slipped from the room. Heading downstairs, she planned to say goodnight to the others and then retreat to her own room. She wanted to make sure everything she needed for her stay at home was in her bag and then retire early herself.

Taking the final bow with the rest of the cast, Harold had to admit that he had actually enjoyed being a part of the production. It made him feel like he was part of the community, despite the small role he had played.

Walking off the stage, Harold watched as his fellow actors and actresses hurried from the stage and found family members in the audience. The site brought a smile to his face. Though it had been a while since he had actually been home, letters were still often exchanged. He also called home when he was able, something that the Hope Valley posting made possible. Perhaps he would call his mother tomorrow and tell her about this evening, he thought as he watched the play's star be enveloped in a one-armed hug by Sgt. Kinslow. The sight made him once again think of his dream of having a family of his own. Perhaps one day but so far, he hadn't met that special someone.

Or had he?

His thoughts made Harold search the crowd for Ms. Marion Stiles. Despite her standoffish demeanor, there was something about the woman that intrigued him. He had known she was a widow when he offered to walk her home. That brief walk had revealed to him that her late husband had been an adventurer prospecting for gold when an accident had claimed him. Though she had thought about going home to her family in Montreal, she had decided to stay in Alberta and close to her late husband's grave. After revealing that little bit of information, Marion had asked about him. Sensing her eagerness to change the subject, Harold had complied, telling her about growing up on a farm in eastern Saskatchewan with two brothers and his parents. Never caring for farming like his father and two brothers had, he had joined the Mounties as a way to see more of Canada. Though she had listened attentively, when he had dropped her off at the boarding house she was staying at, she had given him no indication that she was interested in seeing him again.

Finding Marion in the crowd, speaking to the Weisses, Harold finally decided that he wasn't going to let that deter him. He would start by asking to escort her home tonight and if he didn't lose his nerve, he would ask her out to supper on the walk home. After all, the worst that could happen was that she told him no. It wouldn't be the first time he had been turned down by a lady.

Making his way through the crowd, Harold approached the group. Opal spotted him first and broke away from her parents. The little girl rushed to him and threw her arms around his waist.

"Thank you for the reminder of my lines, Mountie Harold," the girl told him.

"You are welcome," Harold told her. Having only a short scene at the beginning of the play, Harold had helped keep the children backstage focused and reminded them when to go on and off. When Opal, who had played the part of the Ghost of Christmas Present, hesitated upon her first entrance in the play, Harold had whispered her lines from the wings. It had been enough to prompt the girl into remembering her part. "You knew the lines. You just needed a little prompting."

"Come meet my parents," Opal told him.

Though technically he had already talked several times with Mr. Weiss, Harold did not protest the introduction as he had not met Ellen Weiss yet and the little group had been exactly where he had been headed.

Opal introduced him to her parents, telling them how helpful he had been to her. Out of the corner of his eyes, Harold saw the small smile on Marion's face as she listened to the conversation. Apparently, the fact that he helped the little girl had gotten him points with the stoic teacher.

After a short conversation with the Weisses, Harold turned to Marion. "May I walk you home tonight, Ms. Stiles?"

Marion nodded. "You may, Corporal Mayne."

The two of them said goodnight to Opal and her parents. He then escorted her over to where the coats had been put on tables, exchanging brief words with others. They found their coats, and Harold helped her into hers. Once they were both adequately bundled up against the cold, Harold offered Marion his arm. She slipped her arm through his and let herself be led out of the Amaryllis.

Unlike their other walk, there were more people out and about as they headed home from the production. The two walked in silence for a while. It was eventually Marion who broke the silence.

"You really brought the character of Bob Marley to life tonight, Corporal."

Harold smiled. "I was on stage for what ten minutes at the most."

"Maybe so, but you made the audience feel his remorse in that short time," Marion replied. "At least, I felt so."

"Thank you," Harold told her. "I actually enjoyed the whole process despite Rosemary having to drag me into the production. Maybe I'll audition for the next one."

"Then you plan on being in Hope Valley for a while?" Marion asked.

"At this point, yes. This little town is growing on me, so unless they choose to send me elsewhere after Tom's training period is over with, I have no intention of requesting a different posting."

Marion simply nodded.

The two walked in silence for a bit longer. However, once the boarding house started to come into sight Harold knew that if he was going to ask her out he would need to do so soon.

"Ms. Stiles, I was wondering if you would like to have supper with me on Wednesday night at the café?"

"I think I would like that," Marion replied softly. "On one condition," she added.

"What is that condition?" Harold asked, his heart pounding in his chest as he tried to keep himself from jumping for joy.

"That you start calling me Marion instead of Ms. Stiles."

Harold smiled. "I would be happy to, Marion," he replied. "Please call me, Harold," he added.

The rest of the walk was made in silence, but the mood had shifted between the two of them. On the porch of the boarding house, they confirmed a time for dinner and said goodnight. Leaning in, Harold pressed a light kiss to the woman's cheek before she stepped inside. Only when the door had shut behind her did Harold turn and walk back toward the main part of Hope Valley. He was sure he was wearing a goofy grin, but he really didn't care.

The next afternoon, Archie sat in a chair in the middle of the Thatchers' parlor, hands folded in his lap. Julie was taking an art class and her current assignment was to paint a portrait. Archie wasn't sure what had possessed the vivacious young lady to choose him but he found he had not been able to resist her request that he sit for her.

In the window seat of the room's big front window, Jack knelt, intently watching outside awaiting his parents' arrival. There were no traces of the tears from this morning at the train station when Laura had boarded her train for Hope Valley. Now, the only thing on the soon-to-be five-year-old's mind was the arrival of his parents.

"A watched pot never boils, Jack," Archie told him, knowing the boy had at least fifteen more minutes before Nathan and Elizabeth's anticipated arrival. The couple had chosen to have one last lunch together after checking out of the hotel and before coming to the Thatcher mansion.

The comment got Jack to turn from the window. The quizzical look on his grandson's face told Archie that he didn't get the meaning of the saying.

"Yes it would, Grandpa," Jack said, though the tentative showed his hesitancy at contradicting his grandfather. "Heat makes water boil. Mama showed me but man does it take a loooong time."

Looking up from her copy of The Secret Garden that she was attempting to read, Ally chuckled. "That is exactly the point, Jack. The phrase, a watched pot never boils, is referring to the fact that watching a pot waiting for it to boil seems to take forever but if you are doing something else, it doesn't seem to take so long because your mind is occupied by something else. If you do something else instead of waiting for Mom and Dad to come home, it won't seem like it is taking so long."

"Is that why you are reading?" Jack asked, more than willing to accept his big sister's explanation without confirmation from anyone else.

"Yes," Ally replied.

"Can you read to me?" Jack asked.

Ally glanced over at the young woman standing behind the easel. "Would me reading out loud bother you, Aunt Julie?"

"Not at all," Julie replied, looking up briefly from her painting.

Ally motioned to Jack to sit beside her on the window seat. The next fifteen minutes passed by with Ally reading the novel out loud and Julie painting. The sound of a car pulling up outside signaled the arrival of Nathan and Elizabeth.

Without even a glance out the window, Jack moved quickly away from Ally and off of the window seat. "Mama and Dad are home!" the little boy exclaimed as he hurried toward the front door.

Ally was soon following her brother as Archie glanced toward the young lady painting his portrait.

"I can finish this later," Julie said, a hint of reluctance in her voice. She put down her paints and brush. "Let's go welcome Elizabeth and Nathan."

Archie nodded, happy to get to his feet after sitting for so long. Offering his arm to Julie, the two followed the children at a more dignified pace.