As Brave as You
Chapter 1: Good News
Elizabeth Thornton slowly descended the steps of the building where she had spent the last half-hour. Her breath erupted in little puffs of smoke from the bitter chill in the air. Her boots crunched under the fresh blanket of snow that must have fallen while she was inside. She couldn't even feel the cold though, nor could she contain the smile that had spread across her face. Her heart was still racing with the shock of what she'd just heard. She had had her suspicions, but there was something about knowing for sure that changed everything. It was something she had dreamed of experiencing her whole life, and now that it was happening it didn't seem real. Although, the weariness and nausea she had been experiencing recently seemed very real.
She replayed the conversation for the hundredth time in her mind: "Mrs. Thornton, you're going to have a baby." She hadn't believed her ears.
"I'm sorry, can you repeat that?" Elizabeth had asked, not trusting herself.
The doctor had smiled, "You heard me correctly the first time. Congratulations. I'm sure Jack will be thrilled."
That's when the smile she was now wearing had first appeared. She continued down the street, not really aware of where she was going. She glanced up at Abigail's Cafe. She was tempted to run inside to tell her, but she couldn't tell anyone yet. Not until she told Jack. She hadn't even told him she was going to the doctor because she didn't want to disappoint him. She hurried her step towards the jail but then just as quickly came to a stop. No, she wanted to make this announcement special for Jack. She would go home, make a fancy dinner, and create just the right moment to tell him. She knew how excited he would be.
They had been married almost a year and a half now and had talked about and planned for this moment many times. Elizabeth had actually started to worry that maybe there was something wrong. She had wanted children right away and had grown impatient many times. And Jack had gotten to hear about her repeated worries and reassure her time and time again. He always reminded her that God knew what was best, and he would send them a child if and when it was his timing. In her heart, Elizabeth knew that was true, and she had prayed to accept God's will, whatever the case. However, that didn't make it any easier to curb her desire to hold that precious infant in her arms and know it was hers and Jack's. Now, God had granted the desires of her heart. "Thank you, Lord," she paused and whispered, her heart full of gratitude. She and Jack truly had been blessed.
Elizabeth continued down the street and noticed Mary Graves coming out of the mercantile with her new baby girl. The baby was crying, and Mary quickly bent to pick up the squealing child, softly speaking to her and cradling her in her arms. Almost immediately, the cries ceased. Elizabeth smiled, imagining herself in a similar situation not too long from now. Although, now that she knew for sure the time was coming, she felt a little apprehensive about her abilities to care for an infant. She loved children and knew she had a real talent for nurturing and teaching them, but babies were a different story. She really had no experience caring for one. I'll just have to learn, she told herself. All mothers did, one way or the other. She knew her own mother had given over that responsibility to a nurse and then a nanny, but that's not what Elizabeth wanted. She wanted to experience everything for herself even if it was hard.
"Elizabeth!" she heard behind her, disrupting her thoughts. Elizabeth turned to see Rosemary hurrying to catch up.
"Rosemary," Elizabeth greeted, her smile still etched on her face.
"I saw you coming out of the doctor's office a minute ago. I hope everything's alright."
Of course Rosemary would see me, Elizabeth thought. She quickly tried to think of something. "Oh, everything's fine. I just have been having some allergies lately and wanted the doctor's opinion on what might help," Elizabeth hurriedly explained. She didn't want to lie, but there was no way Rosemary was going to be the first person to find out her news.
"Oh," Rosemary responded, disappointment clearly written on her face. Elizabeth knew she had been hoping for a bit of gossip to spread around town. "Well, was he helpful?"
"Very. In fact, he knew exactly what to do for me," she responded, biting her lower lip to keep from laughing.
"Good, good," Rosemary responded and then paused, seeming to question whether or not she should continue. She took a breath and went on, "Well, Lee and I have been waiting and hoping to hear some happy news from the two of you, and I just thought maybe with you seeing the doctor..."
If you only knew, Elizabeth mentally exclaimed, her smile now a little more forced. "I hate to disappoint you, but unfortunately not yet. I guess we'll just have to keep you two waiting a little longer."
Rosemary put on her brightest smile, "Yes, I guess so. This baby is just so anxious to have a Thornton playmate." She patted her stomach. Elizabeth knew the baby was due in a couple of months, and it was all Rosemary could talk about these days. Suddenly Rosemary's expression turned serious, "I do hope that happens. I must say I've been worried. I mean you and Jack have been married much longer than Lee and I and..."
"Well, we'll just have to trust in providence, the same as everyone else," Elizabeth interjected, once again amazed at how blunt Rosemary could be. She was making this secret more and more difficult to keep contained. She needed to get home before she said something she would regret. "Good to see you Rosemary. Give my best to Lee," she abruptly added, and with that she continued on.
"Same to Jack," Rosemary called after her. "And I'll be praying for you Elizabeth."
Elizabeth started to roll her eyes but then stopped herself. Rosemary was trying to be kind in her own way. She was just so pushy and pried into everything. Well, her prayers will be answered quickly, Elizabeth chuckled to herself. And with that her thoughts returned to her plans for the evening. She couldn't wait to see Jack's reaction. Nothing could bring her down today.