Author's Note: Thank you for following my story so far! All the positive comments and follows mean so much to me. This chapter starts my re-write of the Christmas episode and season 7.

Christmas time was always special in Hope Valley. The children and the adults were all excited about the wishing tree that would be set up in the center of town. There were many things planned for the Christmas season. Elizabeth had things planned at the school. Lucas was planning to have a dinner a couple of days before Christmas, similar to the one he had when he came back to town. There was also the opening of the library which was coming up.

Elizabeth Thornton had an even bigger reason to be excited this Christmas. Jack's first birthday was this Christmas Eve and she was determined to make it the best first birthday a little boy has ever had. She wanted to plan a small party at her house, but with the library opening and all the things at school she might need to enlist Rosemary to help her.

Elizabeth walked through town that cold December day with Jack on her hip. She looked at the men setting up the wishing tree. Rosemary had a table set up in the cafe with a group creating the ornament tags so people could write their wishes on it. Elizabeth remembered back to when she wished Jack would come home on the wishing tree. Little did she know that as she hung the ornament on the tree, Jack was standing behind her. It was the greatest Christmas surprise.

That day, Elizabeth was headed to the mercantile. She wanted to place an order with Ned for supplies so the children could make ornaments for their own Christmas trees. Elizabeth grew up in Hamilton where all the ornaments were store bought and she was not allowed to touch them. When she came to Hope Valley and saw the trees, she had people show her how the ornaments were made. She was happy to share that with her students and hopefully one day her son.

She walked into the mercantile and saw Nathan standing at the counter. He looked to be waiting for something. "Hi Nathan."

"Hi Elizabeth," Nathan said. He leaned down to Jack's level taking his little hand, "Hi Jack." Jack smiled back at Nathan, making Elizabeth smile as well.

"The package did arrive. Here it is Nathan," Ned said, coming back to the counter.

"That's great! Thank you Ned," Nathan took the box and opened it to check the contents. Elizabeth looked at what he was holding seeing him pull out a bracelet. He turned and looked at Elizabeth, "It's a charm bracelet for Allie. Her mother had one when she was her age. I thought she might like it."

"That's a wonderful tradition you are starting for her, Nathan."

Nathan smiled, putting the bracelet back in the box. "I need to get started on my rounds. Maybe I'll see you later?"

"I hope so," Elizabeth said, winking at Nathan as she turned and started explaining to Ned what she needed. Nathan was happy to see that Elizabeth was back to her old self, from before the kidnapping. He knew that things might come up in the future, but he did love to see her happy.

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Allie ran into the Mountie office, skipping and humming that afternoon. "Uncle Nathan, when can we go get a tree?"

"A tree? There are lots of trees. Is there a certain tree you had in mind?" Nathan smirked as he asked Allie.

"Uncle Nathan…." Allie said rolling her eyes at another one of her uncle's jokes. "A Christmas tree! This needs to be the best Christmas ever!"

"Does it? That might be a lot of pressure to put on one tree," said Nathan. He thought about what Allie said and he was determined to make this in fact the best Christmas for her.

"Of course! This is our first Christmas in Hope Valley. There are so many fun things to do around town, but what I have always wanted was a big tree even taller than you."

"We might not have enough decorations for such a tree, Allie."

"We are making ornaments in school. And I can make more. Please Uncle Nathan."

He looked at Allie, so excited for Christmas and the decorations. It reminded him of when he was younger with Allie's mother, his sister. "Looks like we are getting a tree."

Allie ran around the desk and gave him a hug. He looked at her with a smile as she ran out of the office to meet her friends. Yes, this would be the best Christmas ever.

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A few hours later, Nathan was still working on paperwork in the office. He was starting to think about going over to the cafe for a cup of coffee and maybe something sweet. The coffee he made in the Mountie office was fine, but nothing could compare to the cafe. He started to stand when he heard a knock on the door that was opened and in walked another Mountie.

"Superintendent O'Reilley. I didn't know you would be visiting today. What do I owe this honor?"

"At ease constable. I am here with a letter of promotion for you.

"A promotion sir?"

"Yes, for an inspector in Union City. Congratulations Constable Grant. This is a prestigious position and you've earned it," the superintendent held out his hand to shake Nathans. Nathan reached out just as Bill came through the door.

"Hey, Nathan I was wondering…. Oh, excuse me."

"Judge Avery, nice to see you again. If you two will excuse me, I need to be going. I was on my way to Buxton on assignment. Good day," Superintendent O'Reilley tipped his hat and the other men saluted as he walked out. Bill waited until he was out of earshot to sit down in the chair across from Nathan's desk.

"What brought the superintendent here?"

"He offered me an inspection position. In Union City."

"Wow, congratulations Nathan."

"I am so surprised. I applied last year but I was rejected. It seems they reconsidered once a position came available."

"That is a wonderful opportunity Nathan. Although I must saw I'm not looking forward to breaking in a new Mountie," Bill said with a smile.

"Can I ask you to keep this between us for now?"

"Of course." Bill knew that Nathan would need to consider such a move before accepting. He had Allie to think about and what was best for her. Bill also knew that even if Nathan wasn't ready to admit it yet, Elizabeth would be a factor as well.

Nathan walked over to the schoolhouse after taking a walk around the pond to gather his thoughts. He was trying to think about the inspector position and whether it was something he should do. Turning down a promotion was almost a certainty that one would never be offered again. Was he ready to give that up? Would he give that up to keep Allie and him in Hope Valley? He knew he would do anything for Allie, but it was getting harder and harder to ignore the feelings he had for Elizabeth.

After his walk, he looked at his watch and saw that it was much later than the time that Allie was usually done with school. He could still hear the sounds of laughter and children talking coming from the schoolhouse. Nathan walked up the stairs and peeked inside the door that was slightly open. Allie was standing with all her friends gathered around Elizabeth. She was showing them how to make garland with popcorn and berries. Nathan watched as all the children were so focused on doing it exactly like she had. He knew that she was an excellent teacher just based on how Allie was doing since coming to Hope Valley. It was something different entirely to see it in person. This is what she was meant to do.

Elizabeth glanced up as she worked. It was almost as if she could sense his presence in the room. She smiled as they caught each other's gaze. She said something to the students and they all went back to work on their projects. Elizabeth walked around the table where she was doing the demonstration and walked towards the door.

"Are you spying on us constable?" Elizabeth said with a wink.

"Maybe just a little. You are a wonderful teacher Elizabeth," he said.

Elizabeth blushed in response. Allie walked over seeing her uncle standing by the door. "Uncle Nathan, can we go today to get a tree?"

"Not today Allie but we can go tomorrow. I may need to scout out where to find a tree during my rounds this afternoon."

"Nathan, if you'd like I could show you where there are plenty of trees." Elizabeth looked at Allie and then back at Nathan. "Big trees too."

Nathan knew that Allie must have been talking about a Christmas tree all day during school. She was definitely excited. If this would be their only Christmas in Hope Valley, he would make sure she had the tree she wanted.

"Nathan, is something wrong?" Elizabeth asked when Nathan didn't answer and he had a worried look on his face.

"Everything is great. Would you mind helping us find a tree?"

"I'd be happy to."