On Christmas morning, Elizabeth awoke before the sun had even made its full appearance. The dim light told her the morning was approaching though. The house around her was silent, however she had a feeling Mrs. Lynde was already stirring downstairs to start breakfast for the whole household.

Carefully lifting Nathan's arm from across her stomach, she slipped quietly from the bed. A glance back told her that her departure had not disturbed her husband. Nathan still lay with his eyes closed and the easy, rhythmic rise and fall of his chest that revealed a peaceful slumber. The peaceful look on his face was in such a contrast to the look she had remembered. In hindsight, she wondered how often the troubled expression on his face had been caused by her.

But no more. Things were as they were meant to be. She truly believed that.

Leaning over the bed, she kissed her slumbering husband's cheek.

"The happiness I have now is the gift you have given me," Elizabeth whispered.

Finally turning from the sight, Elizabeth selected a dress for the day. Though the dark red velvet would have felt showy in Hope Valley, she knew she would feel comfortable wearing it here in Hamilton. Slipping into the water closet, she got ready for the day. Nathan was still sleeping peacefully and a quick peek through the connecting door told her that Jack was as well.

Not wanting to disturb either of them, Elizabeth quietly collected her journal and pen and softly padded out of the room. She made her way downstairs. Deciding that the window seat in the parlor would make a serene place to sit and write in her journal until others started to stir, she headed there. As she stepped into the parlor, she found that she wasn't the only one who thought the window seat would be a nice place to sit, as Ally was already there, knees drawn up and sketch pad resting on them. A can of colored pencils sat beside her.

"Good morning," Ally said brightly, as she looked up from her drawing.

"Morning, sweetheart," Elizabeth replied. "You are up early?"

"I am always up early on Christmas Day," Ally responded. "However, as I got older, I discovered that one of the best presents I can give Dad is to let him sleep if he doesn't have to be out on rounds."

Elizabeth shook her head in disbelief at the maturity that Ally continued to display. "You had to grow up fast, didn't you?"

Ally shrugged. "Dad did his best. The one thing I have always known was that he loved me, unlike my birth father."

Elizabeth felt the tingle of tears threatening at the thought of what Nathan had told her about Dylan Parks. In some ways, Elizabeth was glad she hadn't gotten the details when Nathan and Ally had first arrived in Hope Valley. Back then, a part of her would have probably thought harshly of Colleen for getting into a relationship with the likes of Dylan Parks, let alone stay with him after having a baby. Now, she understood how easy it was to let yourself be fooled when you were trying to fill an emptiness inside and just how hard it was to get back out.

"Your father did a wonderful job raising you," Elizabeth assured the girl. "You and Jack are both lucky to have him as a father."

Ally smiled at the comment even as she pointed to the pillows at the other end of the cushion. "There is enough room for both of us in the window seat," she said, pointing with her drawing hand.

"Thank you," Elizabeth said, glad that the girl wanted her company.

Once she was settled, Ally asked a question. "Can I ask you a personal question? It is probably a bit grown up, but like you said earlier I grew up fast."

Elizabeth met Ally's curious and contemplative expression with a smile. "I can't promise to answer but you may ask," she replied, with a nod.

"Was I the reason you didn't choose Dad a few years ago?" Ally asked, her tone serious. "Over the years I caught ladies whispering that it was a shame that having me with him would make it harder for him to find a wife."

Elizabeth gasped as her heart went out to the girl. She couldn't even consider rebuking the girl for overhearing things she shouldn't have been listening too. She was sure having heard those words had been punishment enough.

"Of course not, Ally. I am sorry that you ever even thought that." Elizabeth told her. Placing her journal, pen, and ink beside her, Elizabeth got up from the window seat to go to Ally's side. Kneeling, she wrapped her arms around the girl. "My feelings for you had nothing to do with my feelings for your dad. If anything, you are what brought us together. It was fear that kept me from letting me accept my feelings for your father."

"So you did care for us both back then?" Ally asked, leaning against Elizabeth.

"I did," Elizabeth told her. "And knowing that I hurt you by not being able to accept my feelings for your father tore at me. But I was afraid of losing your dad like I lost Jack's father. I didn't want to put myself in that position again, but I found out the hard way that it didn't keep me from getting hurt or from still caring for your father."

"That is basically what Dad tried to get me to understand," Ally admitted.

"Your Dad is a wise man," Elizabeth told her, before placing a kiss to the top of the girl's head. "And he raised you to be a kind, compassionate, bright young girl. Don't ever change, Ally."

Shifting so she could wrap her arms around Elizabeth, Ally hugged her. "I am glad you are my mama, too, despite how we got here. I think my birth mom would be happy for me."

"I will try to be the mother to you that Colleen will approve of," Elizabeth replied as she hugged the daughter she now shared with Nathan's sister.

The two remained that way for a couple of minutes before Ally pulled away. A smile had now replaced the girl's troubled expression. That did Elizabeth's heart good as she moved back to the other end of the window seat. With a lighter feeling between them, Ally returned to her drawing while Elizabeth opened her journal.

Faith sat on the settee next to Gabriel. With the day still young, Faith had to admit this was her best Christmas ever. Yes, she had fond memories from childhood celebrations. She knew that would never change. However, she now had a family of her own. She had a loving, adoring husband, a wonderful teenage son, and a new baby on the way. This was what she had dreamed of for so long, and she was starting to think that her choice of a career would keep it from her. The fact that her husband didn't mind if she worked was simply icing on the cake.

Resting her hand on her abdomen, Faith realized that she should probably start inquiring about getting a second doctor to come to the little town, at least to give her some time off even if they didn't want to stay permanently. If not a doctor, maybe a nurse or two.

"I did some odd jobs so I could buy these for you."

Vincent's comment brought Faith out of her thoughts. Her son, who had been opening his gifts in front of the tree, was now standing in front of them. He had two small, flat packages that he was holding out to them.

"It isn't much," Vincent said apologetically.

"The fact that you took it upon yourself to find jobs to buy us anything is a gift all in itself," Gabriel told him.

Faith found herself nodding in agreement as Gabriel pulled the boy into a hug. After her husband released Vincent, the teen leaned in to hug her. He then handed them both one of the packages. Both of them thanked their son as they began to open the gifts.

Opening hers, Faith found a lovely, dark-green silk scarf, with a white vine pattern embroidered along the border.

"I knew dad was buying you the dark-green dress and I thought that would complement it," Vincent said, hands shoved nervously in his pocket.

Faith smiled, thinking of the dress she had gotten from Gabriel. It had a sash to bring in the waist, thus allowing her to wear it to church and special occasions, throughout her pregnancy. It seemed like her menfolk were taking the time to see she was properly attired despite being in the family way.

"It's lovely, thank you," Faith said, holding her arms open to him.

Vincent leaned in for a quick hug and then they both looked over at Gabriel.

In the box Gabriel held was a golden horse-shaped tie-tack. Feeling eyes on him, he held up the box. "This is perfect for me," Gabriel said with a smile. "Thank-you, son," he said. Placing the box in his lap, he gave Vincent a one-armed hug, his other arm still in the sling though it was almost healed.

"You know," Gabriel said, as he let go of Vincent. Shifting to look around the boy, he squinted at the tree. "I think a gift got caught up in the lower branches of our tree."

"Where?" Vincent said, turning toward the tree already searching for the gift, while being mindful of Nate who was playing with the wrapping paper from the opened gifts under the tree.

Faith reached out for her husband's hand as she smiled. She was sure the news of a dog of his own would make Vincent happy. He had clearly enjoyed taking care of Nate while the Grants were away. If she hadn't already known the duck was spoiled, Faith knew Nate would have been when he returned to the Grants.

It had been Gabriel's idea to hide the wrapped dog collar in the tree branches as he had wanted it to be opened last. Both of them watched as Vincent spotted the package and plucked it excitedly from the tree.

"To Vincent, from Mom and Dad," he read out loud. He looked up at his parents. "Another gift?"

Faith had a feeling Vincent had not been used to receiving multiple gifts while in orphanages and she could understand. Though Lillian and Grace clearly did their best with the children, funds were limited. Already, Vincent had opened a journal and pen set from the Grants, and a new set of dress clothes from the Coulters. Kevin, whom Vincent was still working with for a few hours on Saturday as he was enjoying it, had dropped off a gift which turned out to be a book about the black smith trade. Bill had given the boy a pocketknife, after clearing it with her and Gabriel. Archie had bought him a new baseball glove, after seeing how worn Vincent's was. Seeing the new one, Vincent had asked if they could send his other mitt back to the orphanage to be used by the kids there. Gabriel had told his son he would take care of it. With the intention on taking Vincent fishing with Nathan and Ally, Gabriel had suggested they buy their son a fishing pole along with getting the dog. Faith was happy to agree and hinted that perhaps they could teach her to fish at some point. From the skeptical look Gabriel had given her, she had a feeling her husband didn't think she would follow through. She fully intended too. Dealing with fish couldn't be any worse than dealing with an infected wound, could it?

"Yes. Open it," Gabriel encouraged.

Vincent did so, ripping the paper open and finding the dog collar. "Does this mean I'm getting a dog?" he asked looking up.

"Yes. It was your mother's idea. She thought a boy should have a dog as a companion," Gabriel said. "Mr. Campbell is giving you first pick from his litter. Though the pups need to stay with their mom for another week or so, we can go over and pick one out after breakfast."

At a loss for words, Vincent simply threw his arms around her. Faith hugged him back. His excitement was all the thanks she needed.

In the kitchen of his sister-in-law's home, Tom peeled the potatoes to make the mashed potatoes for Christmas dinner. He had assured Bill that mashed potatoes and opening a jar of beets were two culinary tasks that he could handle without messing them up. Nearby, Bill was putting his biscuits and a sweet-potato casserole into the oven where the ham was already cooking. Henry, after asking Clara to bake them, was bringing a pumpkin pie and a rhubarb pie. Harold had originally planned on eating at the bachelors' gathering, but Marion had asked him to have dinner with her at the boarding house. When Tom had teased him about it, Harold had warned him he might be getting quizzed the next time they did rounds about proper Mountie procedures.

Even if it his training officer followed through with the threat, Tom figured it was worth seeing the color come into Harold's cheeks.

"Do you need help with those potatoes?" Bill asked closing the oven.

"No, I got it. Have a seat for a bit. You've been on your feet since you got here. I put coffee on."

"Hope your coffee is better than Jack's. He always did make it too weak."

Tom chuckled. "He used to complain yours tasted like mud."

"That's gratitude for you," Bill muttered even as he opened the cupboard.

Tom went back to peeling potatoes waiting for the older man's response. Elizabeth had asked him to make sure that Bill got his Christmas gift from them while they were away. Knowing Bill wouldn't turn down coffee, Tom had decided to remove some of the coffee mugs and place the gift there.

"Did you know about this?" Bill asked.

Tom looked to his right to see Bill holding the rectangular package.

"Yes. It had your name on it so I just left it there."

"And you didn't tell me it was there?"

"Must have slipped my mind. She and the kids left my gifts under the tree. I got a mystery novel, chocolate fudge that Nathan and Jack made together, and a pair of woolen socks from Ally."

"I would have given you some coal but it slipped my mind," Bill muttered, sitting the box down on the counter and opening it.

Tom stole glances of the older man as he continued to peel potatoes. As Bill opened the wrapped box, he pulled out a coffee mug with the words Best Grandpa on it. Tom watched the older man's face light up and contemplated that the man didn't look quite so scary while smiling. The next item that Bill pulled out of the box was a gavel with a tag tied to it.

"If you keep using that tin cup you'll be known as the Laughable Judge," Bill read out loud. "That has Nathan written all over it."

"He's got a point," Tom commented.

"Maybe he does," Bill commented, placing the gavel back in the box and picking up the coffee mug.

After rinsing the mug, Bill poured himself some coffee. Lifting it to his lips he took a small sip of the scalding liquid as a knock sounded on the door.

"It's passable," Bill commented as he headed for the door.

Tom chuckled even as he heard Bill greet Henry. He knew it was the best compliment he was going to get from Bill Avery.

Wrapping paper was strewn all over the living room from the gifts that had been opened. On the floor in front of the tree, Jack sat surrounded by the toys he had received. The adults had coordinated their gifts and Jack was now attempting to put together the track for his train, which had its own little depot, that Grace and William had bought. Archie had found a farm house and barn, while Julie had added a post office, café, and Mounted Police office to the collection. Gabriel and Faith had bought a couple of houses that fit the scale of the other buildings but that opened on a hinge to allow access into the rooms to move the family that came with. The Coulters had found little people and a lake. To this, Nathan had carved a cow, a couple of pigs and some chickens along with a single duck for the lake for the farm. The last piece was a Mountie sitting tall upon his black steed. Elizabeth and Ally's contributions had been to paint the figures Nathan had carved.

Elizabeth had never seen her son look happier.

Ally had 'oooed' and 'ahhed' over her gifts as well. She had gotten new art supplies from Julie. The Coulters had bought her several pretty hair combs, one set of which had butterflies on it. Grace had bought her two new outfits - pants and a shirt for everyday use and a fancy dress that Elizabeth had a feeling would only be suitable for church in Hope Valley. Ally had already commented "even Anna will admire this dress," as she held it up to her. She had asked to wear it at Christmas dinner and Elizabeth had told her she needed to cover in properly with napkins at the table. Elizabeth had gone shopping for Ally and Nathan's gifts here in Hamilton. She had bought her daughter a pendant necklace that had three birth stones - Ally's, Colleen and her own. Nathan had stayed a bit more practical and got his daughter a new journal and a set of fishing lures. Bill, Tom and Archie had all picked the teen up novels. The fact that her eyes lit up at each one told Elizabeth she was happy with them. Gabriel had sent a note telling Ally that a brand new fishing pole would be waiting at home for her to go with the lures and that he was hoping she would take a fishing trip with just her Uncle Gabe.

Looking down at her lap, Elizabeth took in the gift that the children had given her and Nathan. Ally had drawn a family portrait. It wasn't just the four of them though. In the corner above her and Jack Jr. was a picture of Jack Sr, the collar of the Mountie uniform visible. In the other top corner was a portrait of Colleen. Both of those portraits were lighter than the main four. The drawing had been mounted in a homemade frame. Elizabeth hadn't needed Jack's proclamation that he had painted it to figure that out, but she was touched by his enthusiasm and the fact that Ally had included him.

As for Nathan's gift, her husband had loved the pocket watch she had bought him. On the back, she'd had the jeweler here in Hamilton inscribe her message to him - 'True Love Survives All Things'. She had meant it as an acknowledgment of his patience while waiting for her to finally figure out that it was him in her heart all this time. His blue eyes glistening with unshed tears, Nathan had simply kissed her in front of everyone. That had been all of the thanks she needed.

Though she had bought new hair combs for Julie, she and Nathan had designed wooden plaques for her parents. Nathan had done the carving while she had stained and painted them. The one for her parents read - 'Laughter Makes a Home a Happy One'. For Archie's Elizabeth had suggested a quote from Anne of Green Gables - "Tomorrow is Always Fresh With No Mistakes in it.'* Elizabeth had held her breath as Archie opened it. When he had commented "a great reminder for me," Elizabeth had been able to breathe again. Her father-in-law had been doing so well this time out of jail and she had hoped he would take the quote as something inspirational.

Nathan had said he wanted to give her gift to her when they were alone. Elizabeth hoped that didn't mean she had to wait until they were climbing in bed tonight. Her curiosity was piqued by the fact that he didn't want to give it to her with an audience.

As her parents announced that they needed to leave for their holiday dinner, the kids hurried to give their grandparents another thank you hug. Elizabeth sat the framed drawing on the table beside her, and naturally went to start picking up the strewn wrapping paper.

"I will get that miss," Ella said gently.

Elizabeth had simply nodded and turned to say a brief good-bye to her parents while the kids returned to their gifts. As Grace and William Thatcher left with Harold, Nathan took her hand.

"Dad will keep an eye on the kids for a bit," Nathan told her. "Come with me to the library?"

"All right," Elizabeth said, looking up at him in anticipation. Was she going to get her gift?

Nathan tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow and led her through the house.

"I still think this place is a maze. Tell me if I take a wrong turn," Nathan said lightly.

Elizabeth chuckled. "If you never got lost as a Mountie, surely a mansion isn't too hard to navigate."

"I have never claimed to have never gotten lost. In fact, the instructors at Depot may have had to come find me on one of our exercises. I think if a Mountie tells you they have never gotten lost then you better see if their fingers are crossed."

Elizabeth chuckled, reminded of Bill's confession of him and Jack getting lost in the mountains. Perhaps there was some truth to that comment. "Are you going to give me details?"

"No," Nathan replied.

"I'll ask Gabriel," Elizabeth said.

"Or you could ask Ally. It's one of her favorite stories to have Uncle Gabe tell about me."

"Good to know," Elizabeth replied.

When they reached the library, Nathan closed and locked the door behind them. Elizabeth remembered a time when that action would have filled her with dread but with Nathan it just made her giggle.

"I have a bad track record of getting interrupted when I am opening my heart to you," Nathan told her, turning to face her.

"You do," Elizabeth said, lightly. "Though I hope this precaution means that I am getting my Christmas gift?"

"That it does," Nathan told her, He reached into his pants pocket and removed a black velvet box. "Elizabeth, I know our marriage did not start out as a typical one. My proposal was not one that warranted having a ring. We are wearing my grandparents' wedding bands."

"Which makes them special all on their own," Elizabeth replied. "I told you before, I don't need a new wedding band," she said. Soon after she was able to tell him she loved him, Nathan had offered to buy them new bands.

"Good, because I didn't get a wedding band," Nathan told her. "I did, however, buy you an engagement ring. It isn't a traditional one, but I hope you like it," he told her opening the box.

Elizabeth gasped. There, set in a line along a golden band were three gemstones. The one on the left was an opal, which had been Jack's birthstone. Next was the traditional diamond of an engagement ring. It was followed by the Sardonyx, for Nathan's August birthday.

"It's beautiful."

"Read the inscription," Nathan told her.

Carefully taking the ring out of the box, she examined the inside of the band. "True Love Never Dies,"** Elizabeth read, touched by the sentiment.

"I know that your love for Jack is still in your heart, just as his love for you lives on in our son. Despite the path we traveled, through all the pain, my love for you remained. That is what I want you to remember when you look at that ring."

Elizabeth blinked away tears. She opened her mouth to reply but no words came as her throat closed with emotion. Instead, she lifted herself up on her toes and pressed her lips against, Nathan's.

When they broke apart, Nathan reached for her left hand. He gently slipped the band from her finger, took the new ring from her right hand, and slid it on before sliding the wedding band back in place.

Elizabeth looked from the ring and up into his eyes. She saw only love and tenderness there. A love that cherished her, not wished to dominate. A love that was unconditional and not only for appearances. A love that embraced her past, instead of trying to eliminate it. This was what Jack had wanted for her when he wrote her that letter, so many years ago.

Gentle arms wrapped around her, pulling her close. She turned her face upwards, inviting the kiss that Nathan was already moving toward her to give. She reached her hands behind his neck, her lips seeking out his in order to convey the emotions which escaped words for now.

Now she understood why Nathan had wanted to give her his gift in privacy and she was so glad that he had.

*"Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

**Jack says this in "When Hope Calls: A Country Christmas part 2" during his cameo appearance with Abigail.