The Christmas vacation had just started, and Elizabeth stood staring at herself in the mirror. All of a sudden, her dresses didn't fit, and her belly was beginning to stick out. She swore it wasn't like that the night before. Faith told her she may start showing earlier in this second pregnancy, but she was amazed at how fast their little one was making their presence known. She had hoped to get some new dresses made once the holiday vacation started, but now she found herself already barely able to fit in any of her clothes.

Nathan had been away for the past week testifying in a trial in Benson Hills. Allie had been a big help with Jack, and they were having most of their dinners at the Coulters, to help ease the load on Elizabeth in her early months of pregnancy.

She had just gotten back from taking Jack for his morning insulin shot and was going through her closet to see what clothes still fit. She had found a handful of dresses and a few shirts and skirts that still worked.

She heard a knock on the door. She figured this outfit would have to do for now.

"Elizabeth, I brought some of your old maternity dresses over. Seemed like you might need them sooner than later." Rosemary bustled in with a stack of outfits.

"Thank you, Rosemary, I really appreciate that. I was planning to go shopping in Union City once Nathan returned, but it seems this little one is growing faster than I had expected."

"I noticed you were looking a little uncomfortable last night. Seems like your little peanut became a peach overnight."

Elizabeth nodded and laughed, despite her discomfort.

"Here, why don't you go put one of these on. I know they're not quite the color you prefer. But they'll get the job done for now."

"Thanks Rosemary." Once Elizabeth had returned, able to breathe easier in the roomier material, she started the teapot on the stove.

She enjoyed a nice afternoon chatting with Rosemary and making plans to head to Union City in the next few days to secure some more maternity clothes.

Elizabeth made her way into town later that day to check on some gifts she had ordered for Jack's birthday and for her family for Christmas. She wanted this year to be special. Not only was this their first Christmas as a family, but last year had been hard to make as special as she would have hoped as they were still getting used to Jack's diagnosis and treatment.

"Elizabeth, oh my, seems like that baby is growing fast."

"Afternoon Florence, yes, this little one is definitely in a hurry to make their self known." Elizbeth huffed a little as she lifted her purchases on the counter. "Have any of my orders come in?"

"I think I did see something come in, let me check." Florence came back carrying a handful of packages.

"My, my, Santa has been busy in your house it seems." As she added the packages to her stack of purchases.

"I just want to make this year special."

"Of course you do. How's that precious boy of yours doing?"

"He's been doing great. Somedays you wouldn't even know." They nodded and passed smiles between them.

"Elizabeth dear, why don't you leave your purchases here, I'll send Robert by with them later today."

"Thanks Florence, I'd appreciate that."

Elizabeth started to make her way back home but decided to make a quick stop at the livery to give a treat to Sergeant. She had been trying to give him some extra attention while she was unable to ride. Allie had started riding him to get him exercise. She suspected Oliver was accompanying her on Poppy, but she was trying to give them space and didn't ask too many questions.

As she walked into the stables, something seemed a bit different, but she couldn't put her finger on it. She gave Sergeant his apple, then heard a whinny over her shoulder. "Hey, Newton, do you want an apple too? Newton?" Her heart sped up, if Newton was back, then her husband must be back too. She quickly gave Newton an apple and walked as fast as she could with her growing belly over to the jail. The door was open, so she was able to sneak behind him.

"Welcome home, Chief Constable." She said as she put her arms around him from behind.

He turned around and grabbed her tight, kissing his wife hungrily, but abruptly let her go. His eyes had gotten big, looking down at her abdomen, as he put his hands gently down to where she was carrying their child.

"When did this happen?"

"Within the last few days, our child wants to make sure they are fully part of this Christmas season."

Nathan lit up and took her back in his arms and made sure to pick back up where they had stopped.

Once they took a breath, Nathan put his forehead against his wife's.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming home early?" Elizabeth asked.

"So, I could surprise you and get this reaction."

She ran her hands up and down his arms and gave him a loving smile as she looked up at him. "I've missed you, my love."

"I've missed you too. All I could think about on my way home was planning our first Christmas together. I was thinking, maybe tomorrow we could take the kids to pick out our tree."

"That sounds perfect, Jack is so excited he gets to come along this year. There are so many things he missed out on last year."

"We'll make sure he has a wonderful Christmas, the most important part is that we will all be together."

Elizabeth ran her hand down the side of his face, taking in his scruff. He had obviously neglected his morning shave so he could get home, and she quite liked how it looked.

"Oh, I also may have invited Oliver to join us as well."

"I'm glad, I doubt he's had too many opportunities to enjoy a family Christmas. Plus, I know someone that will be very happy to have him there."

Nathan grimaced for a second. "I know, I'm trying to be more open to it. He's a good kid. Can't say I'm not going to keep a close eye on them though." Nathan winked. "Let's get home, I can handle any paperwork on Monday."

The next day saw the Grants, plus Oliver, loaded into a wagon singing Christmas carols as they made their way to pick out a tree. Once they got to the forest, Ollie and Allie went to the left and Elizabeth held Jack's hand and followed Nathan to the right, looking for the perfect tree.

"I've never actually had a Christmas tree before." Oliver confessed to Allie. "So, I'll have to trust your expertise."

"Really?" Allie realized more and more how fortunate she was to have Nathan in her life. "Well, you want something full, but not too full, and tall, but not too tall."

Oliver raised his eyebrows, "Of course, sounds easy enough."

"Actually, you want a tree, just like this one." Allie pointed in front of her at again, the most perfect tree in the forest. Ollie just smiled at her, not only was he enjoying experiencing a family Christmas, but he was enjoying experiencing Christmas through Allie's eyes. She always seemed to bring so much to joy to everything.

The family enjoyed a fun night decorating the tree while drinking hot chocolate. Jack made sure to show Oliver all of his favorite decorations. He pulled out a red cardinal. "This is my mom's favorite one." As he handed it to Elizabeth.

Nathan looked over, "Is it now? Do you need help with that one sweetheart?"

"I just might." As she attempted to lift it to the top of the tree, Nathan came up behind her and helped place it. She leaned back and gave him a kiss.

"Oh brother." Allie rolled her eyes and looked at Oliver, but they both shared a smile.

The days leading up to Christmas flew by. Before they knew it, it was Christmas Eve. The town had insisted on throwing a party for Jack at the saloon. There were Christmas decorations and stations set up with games for all the kids. It warmed Elizabeth's heart to see how the town always came together for each other. They knew Jack and Elizabeth had had a rough time last year, and they wanted to celebrate how much they had come through by throwing a special party to celebrate both Christmas Eve and Jack's birthday.

By the time they got home, Jack was asleep, and Allie soon followed. Nathan had carried Jack up to bed and had said goodnight to Allie. He came down to find his wife, curled up under a blanket on the couch, enjoying some apple juice and a piece of chocolate cake.

"Chocolate cake, huh?"

She gave him a sheepish grin. "Apparently, our baby likes it as much as I do, cause I can't get enough of it."

Nathan chuckled and wiped some chocolate off the side of her mouth, as he sat down beside her and wrapped his arm around her.

"Merry Christmas, my love."

"Merry Christmas."

They sat in silence, just staring at the lights from their tree for several minutes.

"I was thinking we could do presents for each other tonight." Nathan whispered in her ear.

"I love that idea."

Nathan went over to the tree and retrieved the packages labeled for each other.

Elizabeth opened hers first. It was a charm bracelet like Allie's. It had a schoolhouse, two Mountie hats, and three hearts with different gem stones. "I don't need to explain the schoolhouse, the two Mountie hats are for me and for Jack, and then each heart has the birthstone of our children."

"Oh Nathan, this is perfect." She reached over and gave him a big hug and kiss. "I love this."

Then Nathan opened his gift, it was a pocket watch that was engraved with a heart and under it 'You hold my heart always. With Love, Elizabeth.'

Nathan reached over and pulled her in for a big kiss.

"I take it you like it." Elizabeth said against his lips.

"I love it, and I love you, my wife."

Elizabeth pulled back and caressed his cheek. "I love you too, my husband. Though, we should probably get to bed soon, I have a feeling Jack will be waking us all up very early tomorrow morning."

It felt as if they had barely gone to sleep before they had a small boy and a shaggy dog bouncing on their bed trying to wake them up.

Nathan followed them downstairs to get breakfast started, giving Elizabeth a few more moments of rest. But Elizabeth herself couldn't help but feel excited to start the day.

Soon after they had finished plating breakfast, Oliver arrived with presents for everyone.

"Oliver, you didn't have to get us anything." Elizabeth said as she ushered him inside.

"I just greatly appreciate you including me in your family Christmas. I haven't really ever had a Christmas with family before, so it means a lot."

Elizabeth gave him a big hug and whispered, "Oliver, you are with family this Christmas."

He gave her a big smile and joined the family at the table for breakfast. Nathan overlooked the fact that he took a seat beside Allie.

They had a hearty breakfast, followed by Christmas carols, Nathan even pulled out his guitar and accompanied them as they all sang. Then came presents.

Elizabeth was touched that Allie had made her a maternity dress with the help of Rosemary. Jack and Allie had gotten their dad a toolbox and some tools. Elizabeth got Jack a fishing pole and tackle box. Nathan got Allie wolf and G charms for her bracelet.

Nathan had made Jack a baseball bat, that he couldn't wait to try out. Jack got his mom, with the help of his dad, a set of new pens. Elizabeth got Allie a locket with a picture of Colleen on one side and their new family on the other. Oliver got Jack a comic book, Allie some hair ribbons, Elizabeth a journal, and Nathan a pocket knife. Oliver had gotten a compass from Nathan, a book from Elizabeth, some peppermints from Jack, and a notebook from Allie. Inside the notebook Allie had written, 'We write our own story.' He smiled over at her, and mouthed, "Thank you."

It was a full day, and once they had opened all the gifts, they made their way over to the Coulters to exchange more gifts and have lunch with the Coulters and Bill.

That night they ended the day with a special Christmas service and as they were walking home, the first snow began to fall.

"This was the best Christmas ever. Thank you." Oliver told Allie before he parted towards the jail.

"I'm glad you spent it with us." Allie reached over and squeezed his hand. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas." He whispered to her, then more loudly he said to the rest of the Grants. "Merry Christmas, thank you all for such a wonderful day." He waved good night.

Once the kids were in bed, Nathan found his wife in the same spot as the night before, complete with apple juice and chocolate cake. He just looked at her and raised his eyebrows. She chuckled and beckoned him to sit beside her. Once she had finished her cake, she nestled herself into his lap. Nathan had one arm around her, and one on her stomach.

"That was the best Christmas I've ever had."

"Me too, my love. And I suspect they'll just keep getting better each year. Next year we'll have one more stocking to hang." She said as she put her hand over his, which was rubbing her belly.

"I can't wait, sweetheart." As he pulled her close and kissed her soundly.