A/N

Guesss who's back! First off, I want to thank all the people who have left reviews on this story shoutouts to hardoowee, morningfrostdaisies, Ybdavila, lindabrendel57, and jmlh. your reviews encourage me to keep updating.

I also should be updating more in May and the coming summer months as I AM ALMOST DONE WITH TEH SEMESTER! hopefully i can pass!

Chapter 22:

"No, We're here yay. I have to go get everyone's presents next door. I will be right back!" Elena said happily skipping next door.

She opened the door of the closet and brought out her sack of presents. She then walked back to the Colters to join the party.

"Who's ready for presents?" Rosemary said as Elena returned.

"I am" Cody yelled running to the tree.

"Ok, let's have Thorton's hand out presents first. And then Abigail, Frank and Cody. Then Bill and Carson and Lee and I. Elena this is beautiful! Thank you. You really are very talented." Elena had given Rosemary her present.

It was a drawing of Rosemary taking a bow on a stage. For Lee Elena had drawn a picture of his sawmill crew.

"How did you get them all together?" Lee asked in amazement. He had never thought that all his men would stand still for the time it would take to draw them all.

"I didn't. I just drew them all individually. Cody, I made these for you." Elena gave Cody a tin of cookies.

She gave Bill a drawing of him standing in front of the jail with Jack and Rip. Frank got a portrait of Abigail and himself. Abigail got an apron. She gave Carson a picture of Carson and Faith. She had sketched a drawing of Elizabeth with her students. She then got out a box.

"Here Jack." Elena handed the box to Jack.

He opened it to find a beautiful gold watch and chain.

"Elena, how much did this cost?" Jack asked, almost angry that she had spent this much money on him.

"Nothing. It's a long story but I didn't steal it." Elena said quickly.

"I feel like I've seen that before." Elizabeth mentioned.

"You have." Elena grinned like a cat and Elizabeth put her hands on her hips.

"Elena Evanlyn Sheperd Thornton where did you get my father's watch?" Elizabeth figured it out.

"I sent him a letter apologizing for whatever I had done along with a drawing of your parents and you. I guess it made him feel better. He sent me this as a token of his gratitude for keeping you company and for the drawing. He said he'll be framing it on his wall." Elena finished sheepishly.

"But you didn't do anything." Bill said angrily.

"Would you like your presents now Elena?" Jack said.

Elena nodded eagerly. She received a set of drawing pencils from Jack and Elisabeth.

"Well, we actually have news for all of you." Elisabeth said while Jack held her hand.

"What? Is it bad or good?" Elena asked, standing up to face them.

"Don't keep us waiting," Rosemary said beckoning her to go on.

"After I get back from my posting. We will be moving." Jack dropped the bomb.

"What? Where? I am not moving out of this town." Elena said, glaring at the two of them.

"How could you move?" Cody shouted.

"Where are you moving and why?" Abigail asked incredulously but then nodded, having a hunch about what had happened.

"We are not moving out of Hope Valley. We're getting a farm to the south of town." Elisabeth was interrupted.

"How far away? Can I walk there or run? Why are we moving in the first place?" Elena interrupted.

"It's about a mile away. You can walk or run. And we are moving because we need more space." Jack added.

"Why? We are doing just fine." Elena paused, "Oh, Elizabeth is having a baby?" Elena put the pieces together.

"Yes," Elisabeth and Jack said at the same time.

"Are you done with the questions now?" Carson asked.

"Nope. Do you have an estimate on how much longer Jack will be at the coast? What names do you have for the baby? Are you still going to teach school? If not who is going to teach? How many more months?" Elena smiled shooting the questions.

"I will be there for maybe five more months. We are going to let you name the baby. Elisabeth will be teaching school for six more months. Rosemary and you will take over teaching the school for now. In around 7 months." Jack answered her questions one by one.

"So this is why you have a cradle under your desk." Elena sighed.

"Yes," Jack said smiling.

"So do you approve? And do you have any name ideas?" Elisabeth asked.

"For a boy Carson Jack and if it's a girl Lizzy you know like the cow. No that one's a joke. For a girl, Abigail Elisabeth. You can shorten it to Abby." Elena said.

Everyone was still a little shocked when Elena brought up the cow Lizzy but then Elisabeth asked another question.

"But do you approve of these plans?"

"Why wouldn't I? I couldn't change it to how I like it. Can we finish opening presents now?" Elena anxiously wrung her fingers together.

"Of course," Elisabeth said.

Everyone gratefully opened their gifts. Elena's mind however wasn't on the gifts. Her mind was worrying about the baby. She was perfectly happy with the baby coming. That meant Elisabeth probably wouldn't worry about her so much. Jack noticed Elena's worried looks.

"Elena, how would you like to go for a walk with me?" He asked.

She nodded jumping up and grabbing her coat. They left the house.

"So what did you want to talk to me about that you obviously don't want anybody else to hear?" Elena asked.

"How did you know I wanted to talk to you about something and not just take you for a walk?" Jack said.

"It's freezing. It's Christmas Eve and you didn't invite your wife to join us." Elena said rolling her eyes.

Jack turned to face her.

"Oh. Take care of her for me. I'm honestly really worried. You aren't jealous right?" Jack asked, squeezing her hand and looking down at his first daughter.

"Nope. Well sort of. You two adopted me but you're more like an Aunt and Uncle than parents." Elena slowed down.

"You want us to act more like parents?" Jack asked wanting her to be clear on what she wanted.

"I guess so. I mean I don't need and Aunt and Uncle. I need parents. After all I am just turning 15 in three months. I am an irresponsible, reckless, careless and messy teenager." Elenalaughed at the anything but true description of herself.

"You've been here with us a year?" Jack asked.

"Yup. I do wish that the baby will be a boy though. " Elena said happily.

"Why?" Jack asked.

"So I can still be your favorite sorta daughter." Elena said almost choking up.

"Do you really want a father that much?" Jack asked.

"I miss him so much. I wanted to be just like him. I can barely remember what he looks like or what his voice sounds like or his smile. Carson is all I have left. Jack if something bad happens to him or you. I don't know what I would do." Elena finished, tears threatening to fall down her face.

Jack was astounded. He knew how much he missed his dad. He knew how she felt.

"Then Elena, I will do everything in my power to be the best father I can." Jack said almost crying himself.

"There is one thing." Elena said pausing.

"What?" Jack asked.

"I don't think I can get used to calling you dad. You've always been just Jack to me." Elena said awkwardly.

"Then Jack I will be. Elena?"

"Yah?"

"If Mountie Headquarters sent you an assignment, would you take it?" He asked, curiously.

"Of course, I've always thought of Mounties as bringers of hope. So, when hope calls, I will go even it it means I never come back."

"Shall we go in now?" He asked.

"Yes sir." Elena said smiling bright.