Chapter 25

Christmas Day had arrived at the orphanage, the excited chatter of children's voices outside the door waking Elizabeth with a start. She quickly sat up, thinking that she had slept in before realising that Abigail was still wrapped up in the blankets in the bed beside her.

With Nathan needing the room they had originally occupied to allow space for him to be moved about, some juggling around had to be done to accommodate everyone. Mrs Winters had kindly offered her small bedroom on the ground floor to the two women while she settled down in a cot bed in the office. It was an even tighter squeeze for her in there but as she had whispered to Abigail with a wink, "I don't need much space. With my husband dead for quite a few years now my days of anything exciting happening in the bedroom are long gone. This will do me just fine for a few nights."

Abigail had been in the kitchen peeling vegetables when Elizabeth came downstairs the previous night so she had picked up a knife to help and they sat for some time talking, with her opening up to her friend about how she was feeling. She found it hard to suppress her giggles as she spoke of Nathan's honest admission and her relief that there would be no problem for them having an intimate relationship, mixed with surprise that he had spoken so candidly. It should have made her blush yet there was something about the ease with which he spoke, the naturalness of them discussing such a matter, that made it seem perfectly normal.

When he had continued with the words, "I guess you are going to have to marry me very quickly Lisbeth", she had to stop her tears from welling up, turning to her own quip in reply, "Are you proposing Constable?"

He had looked at her seriously then and quietly whispered back, "Maybe I should be." Then after a short pause, his eyes holding hers, he repeated his words, "Maybe I should be."

Thinking about it now as she slipped out of bed she prayed that it wouldn't be too long. So much wasted time could never be recovered but now that they had a second chance at love she didn't want to wait to begin their life together.

Quickly she splashed her face with water from the basin and pulled on a dress. Hanging on the wardrobe door was another that she would change into later for the day's festivities but for now she just wanted to get out there and do what was needed for the children this morning. It was going to be a busy day, full no doubt of ups and downs as excitement and tiredness took its toll on the youngest of them. With the older children it would be a day of mixed emotions that they would all need to help them get through.

She missed Little Jack not coming in to see her first thing these past few days but he was so determined when they arrived that he should sleep in with the other children that she had been unable to say no. Truth be told she expected that to last maybe half a night but it seemed her sweet boy was a little bit more grown up than she had realised. Now she was desperate to wrap him in her arms and smother him with Christmas kisses that would have him squirming and shrieking in protest. It was going to be a good day and she didn't want to miss any of it.

She must have made some noise as she thought about her son for just as she was opening the door a voice from amongst the pile of blankets on the bed mumbled words that she didn't quite understand.

"Abigail? Did I wake you? I am so sorry!"

A head appeared from the bundle then as Abigail rubbed her still closed eyes. "It's alright Elizabeth, I need to get up. It's just so snug in here that I could happily stay for a few hours more."

"Why don't you then. The coming weeks are going to be so busy for you and Bill getting his house ready for the children and then after that it will be even crazier as you get them settled in. Take a few extra minutes now just to relax. I'll tell everyone you are still sleeping as you were up late last night doing vegetables and other preparations for today's big meal."

"But you were helping too Elizabeth, so that's not much of an excuse!"

"I came in late when you already had so much done. That is the whole point of sharing the chores and care of the children amongst everyone. It defeats the object if we don't take the opportunity to catch our breath when we can."

Abigail gave a sleepy nod, knowing that Elizabeth was right. "Maybe just half an hour, but you must promise me you will come and wake me up then. I know it is too difficult to get everyone to church for the Christmas Service but Bill said he would see if he could find a way to take me. I'd really like to do that. I have a lot to thank God for right now and even more guidance that I am going to be asking from him."

Abigail's faith was something Elizabeth admired, knowing that her own had a tendency to question so much at various times. When Jack died she almost gave up, unable to understand what kind of God could be so cruel. Yet when she saw the forgiveness of her friend towards Henry Gowan, the man many held responsible for the mine disaster where both Abigail's husband and son were killed, she felt humbled. It was this strength that she relied on, somewhat vicariously, as she came to terms with Jack's death. She had tapped into what Abigail got from her deep faith, using it to give her the courage to look at a life without him. Then suddenly that crutch was gone and she didn't know how to move forward anymore. Now she realised that was a necessary part of her growth. Like a teenager who had to make their own mistakes she had stumbled through some horrible and cruel decisions she had made until now she was ready.

"If they don't need me here then I would very much like to come with you Abigail, if that's okay with you. It is time I gave thanks for all the good things in my life. Everyone I have taken for granted, everything I have denied to others and to myself. I have so many apologies to make but I think the first one should be to God for not having faith that he had a plan for me."

"Of course you may, it would make it even more special for me to have you there beside me". The noise outside the door broke the seriousness of their mood and Abigail quickly shooed Elizabeth out. "I doubt I will be going back to sleep now but I may take a few minutes longer to get myself ready for the day. Off you go, your son will be wanting to see you if he can tear himself away from the fun he is having with the others. And I think there may be someone else out there waiting to say good morning. The first of many Christmas Days together I hope."

Elizabeth blushed as the image of waking up beside Nathan came into her head. It didn't go unnoticed by Abigail who gave a loud laugh before motioning for her to get going, "The time for dillydallying is over Elizabeth, real life is out there waiting for you."

The level of excitement in the kitchen seemed have reached a peak even for Christmas Day in the orphanage but then the addition of nine more children probably had something to do with that, Lillian thought. She was so appreciative of how all the adults had stepped up to help, turning what would have been an exhausting time into something that everyone could enjoy. She looked across to the stove where Gabe was trying to follow Mrs Winters' instructions on the best way to cook eggs and from the expression on his face she knew he was wishing he hadn't offered. This was something they would all have to get used to though and she felt a momentary feeling of panic in her stomach before she quickly quashed it. Everything new takes time to work out, she thought, and this is no different. I just have to keep reminding myself of that.

Gabe looked up at her then, his face lighting up with the biggest grin and she knew that it would all be fine. When he gave her a wink she felt her knees go weak and had to wonder why she had put off marrying this man for so long. Of course there would be ups and downs as they settled into married life, but watching him manage the vagaries of Mrs Winters while keeping a smile on his face and still having the patience to answer the questions being thrown at him from the children anxiously waiting at the table told her that perhaps he was just what they needed here. He had been the male role model for the boys for so long, always giving freely of his time whenever he could, that she hoped it would be a smooth transition. She just needed to think of the best time to tell them all, not sure that the adults could cope with any more excitement from the children right now.

At the table Allie, Chloe and Megan were trying to calm the younger ones. Chloe's voice rose above the throng as she firmly told the whole gathering that Father Christmas was still watching and if they didn't behave then maybe their presents would disappear. The immediate silence was amazing and Lillian found herself stifling a giggle as she looked across at Grace, mouthing the words, "Why didn't we think of that?" It was clear that Chloe had helped a lot with the care of her siblings even at her young age and Lillian prayed that now she would have the chance to just be a girl enjoying her own life without the responsibility she had to carry.

When Lucas came in from the hallway and spoke quietly to Gabe she noticed he didn't hesitate to remove his apron and hand everything back to Mrs Winters before following the other man out of the room. Almost immediately Elizabeth walked over to take his place at the stove, giving a mock worried look in passing. Lillian laughed and whispered, "Just don't argue and all will be fine!"

A few moments later the sound of the wheelchair moving along the hallway told everyone that Nathan had come downstairs and when Mrs Winters took the spatula from Elizabeth's hand and nodded in that direction she didn't hesitate to go. But first she stopped behind where Allie was seated on the bench, indicating for the girl to join her. "It's okay Mrs Thornton, I popped in to say good morning to Uncle Nath….Dad… before I came downstairs. This is our first Christmas morning as Father and Daughter and I just wanted to make sure that he hadn't change his mind".

Nathan's voice shouted out that perhaps he had been a bit hasty after all, making everyone laugh. Not to be outdone Allie called back, "Hasty? It's taken you eight years so I think everyone here will agree that you're a bit more of a tortoise than a hare!" She looked at Elizabeth as she spoke, hoping for a good reaction, and when she heard her laugh and saw how it reached right up into her eyes she felt happy. This was how she remembered her dad being before Hope Valley and it was so good to have him back. If Mrs Thornton was responsible for that, even partly, then their future together as a family was going to be even better. Beside her Little Jack was giggling away with everyone, not really understanding what was so funny but knowing that it must be good if everyone was so cheerful. Allie gave him a tight little squeeze and for a moment he stopped, resting his head against her and looking up with such adoration in his eyes that she couldn't resist bending down to kiss the top of his head.

Elizabeth and Nathan both watched the interaction between their two children then immediately looked at each other. Framed as he was in the doorway she caught her breath at the handsomeness of the man. Somehow he had managed to shave this morning and whilst she had found his stubble very appealing last night she still preferred to see his face in all its glory. Her mind started drifting again towards things she shouldn't be thinking and she felt herself blush once more.

Nathan noticed this expression on her face and gave a little laugh to himself. It was just as well he had sent her away when he did last night for at the rate at which the heat was building between them there was a risk of things getting out of control. If he could marry Elizabeth today he would but there were formalities to go through and then other important things to be considered. His first need was to speak with Allie and see how she felt about it all. Outwardly she seemed in even more of a hurry than anyone for them to become a family but he knew she had been deeply hurt by how Elizabeth had treated him in the past and it was important that she had a chance to voice any concerns she may have. Then they would work through them all together because he knew deep down that the two most important females in his life had great affection for each other, he just had to make sure that they sorted it all out so that they could enjoy real happiness together.

Elizabeth reached him then, struggling to keep her smile demure for everyone else's benefit as she quietly asked, "How are you feeling this morning, Nathan?" As soon as she came close he found his senses all over the place again. How could one person have this much effect on him. Then he reminded himself that it was Lisbeth and she had been doing that since the moment she walked into the Mountie Office to introduce herself.

"Good morning, my love", he whispered as she lent down to greet him, "I'm feeling fine. I had a wonderful night. I can't imagine why that was?" She blushed again and Nathan felt his smile grow bigger. Life was certainly lining up to be even more wonderful than he had ever imagined if Elizabeth had this type of reaction to a reminder of a few kisses.

There was soon an impatience in the air as children finished their breakfast and kept casting glances towards the firmly closed sitting room door. They had agreed that one present could be opened now and then it would be time to get out in the fresh air to let off some steam. After morning hot chocolate they would hand out more, the kindness and generosity of total strangers still amazing Lillian and Grace. These children, who had suffered more than most could ever imagine, deserved to be spoilt at least for today.

When they had realised there were no gifts for the adults they had made a plan, which they told everyone about at dinner the previous evening. Like a round robin present giving they all drew a name out of a hat and to that person they were to give a promissory note, an IOU of something that they would do for them in the near future. It did not need to involve great cost, in fact it was better if it didn't, but it was to come from the heart, with thought given so that it was something that would benefit the recipient in a pleasant or helpful way. As everyone appeared in the kitchen Grace had quietly checked that they had done as asked, holding out a big gift wrapped box for each of them to drop their card into. Now there was only Nathan left to add his and once he had done it she placed the lid on top and tied the big bow up once more.

Sneaking out of the kitchen and along the hallway to hide it under the tree the cry was out of her mouth before she could stop herself. Bill was the first out of the kitchen, running to where she stood pointing at what had appeared outside the front door of the orphanage. "There are two of them", she shouted out excitedly, not even trying to keep her voice low anymore.