Little Feet
by Cel140
(Recently, I have been watching Hallmark's amazing TV show 'When Calls the Heart', and it has truly been a pleasure to watch! I've been practically marathoning the whole first season and the second, and I have to say it is an absolutely wonderful Christian based family show. It has romance, mystery, drama, humour, and all of that good stuff, so for all those people who haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend it! And for all of you Hearties who watch it, YAY! Please enjoy this one-shot and leave me a comment, fave, and\or follow if you enjoyed this! I thought the quote would be a fitting title, but I don't know who said it. If any of you know, don't hesitate to tell me ;D This story is of course AU, but I wish it will happen sooner rather than later! Oh, and one last thing, I hope you enjoy this Katrin!)
Jack must've walked the corridor outside Elizabeth's room over a thousand times. Perspiration rolled down his forehead, and his palms felt clammy as he clenched and unclenched his fists.
The Thatcher's family doctor had been very clear that he wasn't to enter, but every time he heard Elizabeth's muffled cry of pain through the door, he felt his heart clench.
At any other time he would've heard that sound, he would've come at once to rescue her from danger. As a mountie, it was his duty to protect the people of Hope Valley. As Elizabeth's husband, it was his privilege to keep her safe. But now he that could do neither, he had never felt more useless in his life.
His legs grew exhausted from the pacing and his mind from the stress. Reluctantly, he allowed himself to sink into the chair in the hallway.
The Thatchers had been very upset that Elizabeth had not gotten to a proper hopsital, but by the time the family doctor had arrived, Elizabeth was already feeling strong contractions. It had been too late to move her.
The anxious soon-to-be father's thoughts were quickly cut off when the door had creaked open. Abigail came out of the room, and Jack lept to his feet anxiously.
"She's doing well," Mrs. Stanton said before Jack had the chance to voice his concern, "Dr. Gendrey says it will be only a matter of time."
Jack swallowed hard, and with all the will-power in him, he repressed any desire to barge into the room.
"How are you holding up?" Abigail asked gently.
"I'd be better if I could see her." Jack admitted. He couldn't help the way his voice trembled.
"Soon," Abigail encouraged, "Very soon."
With a small smile, she slipped back inside, allowing Jack a glimpse of his wife's figure on the bed. Just before Dr. Gendrey closed the door once more, Elizabeth caught his eye and gave him her bravest smile.
Then it was back to pacing the corridor.
To distract his mind from this irrational worry, Jack guided his thoughts back to the day when he'd asked Elizabeth to marry him.
He almost smiled as he recalled how hard he'd tried to keep the proposal a secret from all save Abigail.
His smiles probably gave himself away, for the moment Rosemary got within two feet of him in the bar, she'd squealed with delight and nearly choked him to death in her embrace.
"How did you find out?" Jack had asked in surprise once the strangling hugs were over and he'd successfully shut her up.
"A little bit of this, a little bit of that," Rosemary almost sang, "I know when a man is ready, and you most certainly are!"
Jack couldn't help a blinding smile.
"You've got to keep this a secret Rosie," He'd warned, but failed miserably at being stern, "No one can know till it's time."
Rosemary had opened her red lips wide to interrupt, but she quickly figured Jack wouldn't let her help if she argued.
"My lips are sealed!" She'd giggled.
"About what?" Lee had interrupted, having just walked in.
"Jack's proposing to Elizabeth!"
"Rosie!"
"That's wonderful news!" Lee exclaimed, clapping Jack's shoulder.
"Thank you," Jack said with tight lips to Lee before turning to Rosemary, "What happened to 'my lips are sealed'?"
"Oh Jack, you're overacting! It's just the three of us, you wouldn't expect me to keep such news from my dear Lee, now would you? And besides, you can't plan this all by yourself!"
Jack hadn't had much of a say from that point on. He and Lee spent nearly all day following Rosemary to all the 'perfectly romantic locations' for the 'perfect proposal' for the 'perfect couple'.
But all of the decorations and accessories seemed too-
Much.
Jack knew Elizabeth would prefer something simple and sweet. Something from the heart. Just him and her under a brilliant night sky with some candles spread over the grassy slope overlooking Hope Valley.
And so it was arranged. Jack promised Elizabeth a wonderful surprise, and with curiosity glistening in her eyes she agreed.
It seemed like yesterday that he'd led her blindfolded to the designated spot as she gripped his hand for guidance.
It had taken quite awhile, for by the time they arrived, both of their hearts were caught in their throats with anticipation.
He'd slowly slipped off the blindfold, and Elizabeth had gasped.
"Oh Jack!" She'd exclaimed, the candlelight lighting up her sky blue orbs, "I don't know what to say!"
"You don't have to say anything," He'd assured her, clasping her delicate hands in his, "I will."
There, on the grass admist the candles and fireflies, Jack Thornton knelt to his beloved Elizabeth and offered to her the small black box.
And yet, it wasn't just a ring he was giving to her. It was his mind, his life, his heart-all of it for her to take.
"Yes," She'd whispered, tears of joy pooling in her adoring eyes, "Yes, for however many times you ask it!"
He'd almost leapt to his feet, and with his heart soaring, Jack kissed her softly. That wonderful night, they became one. One soul, one body, one spirit.
And that would never change.
It wasn't until the first day of spring, however, that Jack finally wed his beautiful fianceè. He was stubborn on fulfilling his duties to the town and she wouldn't dream of having a honeymoon while the poor children would get left with Rosemary or Mrs. Blakeley, and as such they postponed it to spring break. Elizabeth's family had been slightly disappointed that Elizabeth did not return to Hamilton to have what they called a proper wedding, but both Jack and Elizabeth were set on a simple one in a place that they both felt at home.
And so, when spring came, it was prepared. They really couldn't have chosen a better time.
The cherry trees were full of tiny white blossoms, the last of the snow had melted away to the warmth of the early spring sun, and children once more played sports that they would've otherwise had to wait for during the winter.
The service was held at the beautiful white church and school. Before there had been schoolbooks piled high everywhere and sermon notes, but all those things had been cleared away to be replaced by garlands of pine branches with small white flowers intertwined in every nook and ribbons cascading in a beautiful and colorful array from the walls and ceiling. The pews were decorated with fresh flowers and on the wooden floor Elizabeth's young female pupils threw rose petals to form a path up to the altar.
Jack, besides wearing his finest suit, hadn't really changed outwardly at all. His hair was still smoothed into his deep side part and his dimpled smile still shone as brilliantly as ever, but something in his eyes indicated a change from within.
When the organ had started playing and all heads turned, Jack had known she would've been beautiful, but not this beautiful. She had practically radiated with innocent and perfect beauty, in and out.
Mr. Thatcher had offered his arm to his daughter after whispering something into her ear. Then they had walked slowly up towards the altar.
"Lucky man." Tom had whispered to his brother, but Jack wasn't listening.
His eyes locked with Elizabeth's, and despite the fact she was covered with a sparkling white veil, he could still see her own loving eyes reflecting back at him.
Under the garlands and before the eyes of Elizabeth's family and all the inhabitants of Hope Valley, Jack and Elizabeth were pronounced husband and wife.
That day had truly been the happiest of both their lives. They accepted 's offer to stay at the Summer Estate not far from Hamilton for their honeymoon, and from there their lives were drastically changed.
Another year flew by, and by early spring the next year, Elizabeth surprised Jack and all of her dear friends with the news they'd all hoped and longed for.
A baby.
Jack could barely grasp his own joy. For nine months he'd showered the unborn child with love till Elizabeth had her hands full of it.
"You're being too overprotective," She teased one night as they huddled together on the couch to look through Jack's art album after a lot of hesitancy on his part and begging on Elizabeth's.
"When it comes to our baby," He'd said, placing a hand atop her growing bump, "There is no such thing as being overprotective."
That had been almost three months ago, and now that the baby was to be born, Jack didn't know how to react. He was used to seeing the bump and feeling the baby's tiny legs kick from under Elizabeth's dresses, but he hadn't mentally prepared himself for the fact that one day he'd be holding his child and interacting with him or her as he would any other human being.
He just-
Didn't know if he was ready for it.
Minutes seemed like hours. Everything seemed to be going in slow motion, as if all of nature was awaiting the moment when Jack would finally step through that door.
For sometime, every noise was either mute or too muffled to discern. He faintly heard the doctor's encouraging voice, and then, complete silence. Jack strained his ears, stiff as a board, holding his breath.
Then it came.
The quiet, but distinctive cry of a newborn.
He stood to his feet just as the door opened. Dr. Gendrey stood at the door, and with a warm smile on his face, he motioned for Jack to go in. He slowly side stepped the doctor, and before he could have any second thoughts, he'd walked towards the bed.
Jack hadn't realized how early it was till he took in the early sun's rays coming through the window and bathing his wife in a beautiful light.
Her hair may be damp and disorganized and her skin glistening with a sheen of sweat, but Jack didn't see that. All he saw was a beautiful mother holding their precious bundle.
Abigail smiled and, giving Elizabeth's forearm a soft squeeze, left the two new parents alone.
Jack waited till Abigail closed the door behind her before making a move. But now that they were alone, Jack felt as if that one move might ruin everything somehow.
He didn't know how to approach them, for now his wife's eyes were no longer on the bundle of blankets, but on him.
"Come," She said softly.
With a few slow steps, Jack neared the bed. Hesitancy was most present in his blue eyes, but eventually it faded away into anticipation. His eyes fell to the little bundle, and with every step he got closer to seeing the head. Finally, Jack was at the head of the bed. Clasping the bed post, he peered over the blankets and saw the little face of the most beautiful baby he'd ever set eyes on.
Stray blonde hairs a few shades lighter than Elizabeth's grew on the baby's head. Its eyes were a beautiful soft blue that Jack couldn't quite distinguish as his or his wife's.
The baby had his nose though. There was no mistaking that.
"It's a girl." Elizabeth informed lovingly, running her index finger over the newborn's nose.
"She's beautiful." Jack managed to say.
"She looks like you. She has your nose."
Jack chuckled softly, reminding himself that he shouldn't have been surprised. Elizabeth could read his mind like no one else. All his nervousness seemed to have vanished into thin air the second a relaxing smile touched her lips. Pulling a chair from the corner of the room, he sat down and leaned forward to get a better look.
"She has your mouth."
Elizabeth hummed, gently touching the baby's bottom lip before sliding her hand under the bundle again.
"What should we call her?" He asked, shifting his gaze back to Elizabeth.
His wife tilted her head slightly, thoughtfully considering their choices. It wasn't that they hadn't thought of names before, but none of them seemed fitting now that this perfect little angel was born.
"I was thinking of Martha, or Emma, or Faith-"
"Faith."
Elizabeth looked up in surprise, and for a moment her breath hitched when she realized how close his face was to hers. She could feel his warm, welcome breath on her cheeks as he voiced his next question.
"You don't like it?"
"No," She replied, her lips quirking upwards in the smile Jack would never tire of, "I just thought you'd chose Martha."
'In memoryof your mother' were the words Elizabeth left unspoken.
Jack understood, but something in him didn't agree with their baby's name being associated to a lost loved one. As much as the name would make him remember the good times with his family when they were still together, Jack couldn't help but feel the bittersweetness too.
No, they needed something different. A name that would inspire only good emotions in the hearts of all those who heard it. A name that their baby would be proud to call her own.
What better than Faith?
"Faith Thornton," Elizabeth mused, barely concealing a yawn as Jack leaned in closer to support her head on his shoulder, "What a-" another yawn, "Lovely name."
Jack smiled.
"I'm glad you think so."
Closing her weary eyes and relaxing her tense body, Elizabeth drifted off into a well deserved sleep on Jack's shoulder as he gazed on in awe at his sweet little girl.
Faith looked up at him with her baby blue eyes, and she too let out a little yawn.
"You've only just entered into this world and you're already tired." Jack commented, the slightest bit of humor in his tone.
A tiny fist wriggled out of the blankets, but before it could get cold, Jack tucked it back inside the warmth of the blanket.
"Sleep," He whispered softly.
And so, in the undisturbed atmosphere of Elizabeth's little room, the new family huddled close together and thanked the Lord for this new and wonderful blessing.
Later that month, Elizabeth would write in her journal these following words:
"Before that wonderful day, Jack and I used to think we had everything. But now with Faith in our lives, we realize that we've always had a place in our hearts that only a child could fill. As the old saying goes 'Happy is the Home with Little Feet'."
(Alright, that's a wrap! It really was a pleasure to write all this family fluff, and so I hope you've all enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it! Oh, and I know they've already mentioned Jack's mother, but as far as I know he's never said her name. I thought Martha would've been perfect for her :D Anyway, please don't forget to leave me your thoughts in the comments and let me know if you think this story should get a second chapter or not ;) Love you all!)