The month of December had come and gone in a whirlwind of activity for the McAlisters, both privately and for the ranch, as a whole. With the birth of their daughter and all the holiday preparations and festivities, they'd hardly had a moment of peace to take a breath. Even when they'd had a few moments alone, they'd more often than not collapsed in bed, exhausted. Now that the holidays were over and little Abigail was sleeping better, they were managing to eek out a little time alone together, if only to talk about their day. And now that they had a little time alone together, there was something Sam had been meaning to do since before Abigail had been born. It was just a matter of finding the right time, and the right time seemed to be after they'd put their daughter to bed for the night - at least, initially. He'd been hoping for a more romantic setting, but unless he wanted to wait a few months longer, just finding a time when they were both awake long enough was going to have to do. He waited until their daughter was asleep and he and Bridget mostly assured of a few moments of peace.

Bridget sighed as she sank down onto the couch. Being a mother was one of the most rewarding experiences she'd ever had, but good grief, it was exhausting. Even with Sam's help, and the support they got from everyone else at Oakham Mount, she was tired. She genuinely had no idea how her mother had ever managed it with eight of them and no help at all. "Maybe she'll sleep longer'n two hours tonight," she said hopefully.

"Maybe," Sam replied, though he was in no position to make any promises. Their daughter's sleep habits were getting better, but she was still too young to sleep all the way through the night without waking them. He dropped onto the couch beside her and drew an arm around her to pull her close, turning to press his lips against her brow. "No regrets, Mrs. McAlister?" he asked, though he knew as tired as they were, they were both also very happy with how things had turned out.

Tucking her feet up beneath herself, she leaned into his embrace with a fond smile, nestling close. "None worth mentioning, love," she promised him. What regrets she had pertained to her life before she came to Rhy'Din, and were not worth worrying over. "You?"

"Nope," he replied without hesitation. If he had any regrets, they had nothing to do with her and everything to do with his sperm donor. If only he'd known growing up what he knew now, but the past was passed, and nothing could be done to change it, so there wasn't much point in worrying over it.

"Enjoyin' being a Da?" she asked, tilting her head back to look up at him with a weary, cheeky smile. She'd caught him watching Abi sleeping too many times not to know the answer to that already.

"Well, I'm not the one she's wailing for in the middle of the night," he said with a grin that wasn't quite as weary as hers. He was obviously enamored of their young daughter, as much as he was enamored with his wife. He sometimes felt guilty if he got more sleep than her, and yet, he had a ranch to run. Austin had proved an enormous help where that was concerned though, freeing him to spend more time with his young family.

"That thing that turns me into a cow is a wonderful device," she countered, though she was content to get up in the night so long as he was happy to do daytime feeds while she napped. The wonders of modern technology might still be another language to her, but she was finally beginning to embrace it.

He laughed at her description of the thing. He, too, had not entirely embraced modern technology, though Austin was trying to talk them into easier and more modern ways of doing things around the ranch. Still, even modern technology couldn't improve everything. He touched another kiss to her cheek. "Tired, love?"

"Aye, a little," Bridget admitted, a soft laugh in her voice. "Not quite ready to pass out yet. Better than I was last week!" She laughed a little louder. They were, slowly, getting better at managing their time around Abigail and her natural demands, but it was still going to be a relief when she finally found the will to sleep all night.

"Well, before you fall asleep," he started, reaching behind his back for something. "This is for you," he said, handing her a small gift-wrapped box tied up with a piece of red ribbon. "Happy Winterfest," he told her with a slightly embarrassed smile.

She blinked in surprise, tilting her head curiously at the little box he presented to her. "Did I forget an anniversary or something?" she asked, wriggling a hand free to take the box. Curious person that she was, she shook it experimentally, just in case.

"No, I meant to give it to you for Winterfest, but I never had the chance," he explained, a little sheepishly. She didn't hear anything upon shaking the box, but it probably wasn't that hard to get an idea what it was from the size and shape of it.

"Something private, hmm?" The tone might have been teasing, but her smile was sweet as she adjusted herself against him, both hands at work to pull the ribbon free and open the box. "I've nothing more to give you, you know."

"You have given me more than enough, darlin'," he assured her, his smile softening. Yes, it was something private - a moment he didn't want to share with the rest of the people at the ranch, no matter how much they might be considered family. It was a private moment between husband and wife and not to be shared with the others. Inside the box was a silver chain from which hung a silver heart with a pearl hanging from the center, one half of the heart encrusted in tiny sparkly diamonds.

For a woman who, until a few months ago, had lived hand to mouth and never thought anything of it, to be given such a beautiful gift was beyond anything she could have imagined. Bridget was speechless, her eyes wide, her mouth open, as she carefully stroked a single finger over the shining gems before her. "A-are you sure?" she asked, not questioning the gift, but questioning whether he was sure she should have it. "It's so lovely, Sam."

For the first time in his life, he was able to afford to buy something expensive and completely frivolous, and the first thing he'd thought of was buying something for her. "Course, I'm sure. Wouldn't have bought it if I wasn't," he assured her. "Do you like it?" he asked, uncertainly. He knew it was more precious than anything she'd ever owned before, but he thought she deserved it.

"Oh, it really is beautiful," she promised him. "And it's for me?" She seemed to be having trouble getting her head around that concept. "Can-can I put it on now" Oh no, I should save it for special occasions. Keep it safe."

"I think you should try it on," he said, reaching for the box so he could take it out and help her put it on. He was sure it would look much prettier around her neck than in the box. He was glad she liked it, but what was the point of buying it for her if she never wore it"

He could be reasonably certain that she would wear it, though, once Jem and Mrs. Prudey knew she had it. Those two were more than capable of talking his stubborn wife around if they had to. Bright excitement lit up Bridget's face as Sam took the necklace from her, dropping her feet to the floor to twist and raise her loose hair out of his way. "I've nothing of the like to give you, love," she fretted softly.

"Darlin', you gave me Abigail," he reminded her. What better gift could a woman give her husband than a child" It hardly mattered to him whether she'd given him a son or a daughter; he was just as thrilled with a daughter as he'd have been with a son, perhaps even more. "'Sides, what would I do with a pearl necklace 'cept give it to you," he added with a grin as he drew the chain about her neck and fastened the clasp at the back of her head.