Hey! I'm Hippiechic81. I've written several stories for other shows but this is my first When Calls the Heart story! Hope you enjoy this first chapter! Please read AND review! Thanks!
"Noooo! Nononononono!" Abigail Stanton was awakened in the middle of the night by heartwrenching devistated screams. She quickly got up and and rushed into the other room. It was usually the room where Becky stayed but, since she was away at school, Abigail had asked her friend,Elizabeth Thornton to move in for the duration of her Pregnancy. Abigail really wanted to keep an eye on her best friend. Especially since Jack had died. When she got into the other room, she found Elizabeth thrashing around, drenched in cold sweet. As Elizabeth screamed out,
"JACK!" Abigail ran over to the bed and took her friend's hand.
"Elizabeth! Wake up!" The younger woman continued to thrash around. Abigail shook her gently.
"Elizabeth, You're having a nightmare. Come on Sweetheart. Wake up. You're safe." Elizabeth was still caught in the throes of the nightmare. She didn't seem to even know Abigail was there. Abigail tried one more thing. She got on the bed and pulled her friend into a hug. Elizabeth struggled for a few moments but then her eyes popped open.
"Abigail?"
"I'm here, Sweetheart. You're at my house, remember? You were having a nightmare. Same one?" Elizabeth worked to catch breath before nodding and saying softly,
"Y-yes. Only it ISN'T just a nightmare, Abigail. It's a reality that I'm forced to relive over and over and over! I can't sleep and I feel so alone without Jack! I have to raise this baby myself!" Abigail instantly gathered the expectant mother in her arms and held her, saying softly,
"You are not alone, Elizabeth. you have an entire town of people who all love you and want to help. This baby is going to have SO many aunts, uncles, cousins, and adopted grandparents. They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, you've got one right here in Hope Valley." Abigail was crying too, by the time she finished talking. She tried not to let it show in her voice, however. Elizabeth needed her to be strong right now. Elizabeth had no response to what Abigail had said but she clung to her friend more tightly. Abigail continued to rock the woman back and forth as she sobbed. Soon, the cafe owner heard a soft voice ask,
"Mom?" Abigail looked up to see her son, Cody, standing in the in the doorway. He looked kind of scared.
"Is something wrong,Cody? You should be asleep right now."
"I woke up. Mom, Is Mrs Thornton is ok?", Cody replied, anxiously. Abigail looked at her son and Motioned him over. He came and sat on the bed and began stroking his teacher's hair. Before Abigail could think how to answer her son without upsetting Elizabeth even more, Cody began to talk, softly.
"Mrs Thornton, I'm sorry you're sad. I wish I could make it better. All of us kids do. We'll help with the baby when it's born.
"I know you will, Cody. Thankyou. I'll be ok.", Elizabeth said, pulling away from Abigail and taking the little boy's hand. Cody looked at his teacher and said,
"I had nightmare's after my folks died. Becky was there everytime. But it took a really long time before I stopped having them. After awhile though, they did stop. I know my mom and dad are looking down on me and now Becky and I have a new mom. I…I think Mountie Jack is looking down on you,too. He's With God and he's your gaurdian angel now." Elizabeth nearly burst into tears again at her Student's sweet words. she reached out and pulled the boy into a tight hug.
"Thankyou, Cody. I really needed to hear that. I love you and the other children so much!", she whispered. Cody smiled as he hugged his favorite teacher back.
"We love you, too, Mrs. Thornton."
Alright, young man,", Abigail said in a slightly shaky voice, "Back to bed with you. I'll be up in a minute."
"Ok, Mom. Good Night.", Cody replied.
"Good Night, Sweetheart.", Abigail said as she kissed her son's cheek. He kissed her back and then hugged Mrs Thornton one more time, getting a kiss on the cheek from her as well.
"Good Night,Cody.
"Good Night Mrs Thornton. I'll say another prayer for you when I get in bed.", Cody smiled and said.
"Thankyou. That would help alot." Elizabeth replied with a small smile. Then, the boy headed back to his room. Elizabeth turned to Abigail and said,
"Aww. He's so sweet."
"He's a good boy.", Agreed Abigail, handing Elizabeth a dry, clean nightgown to put on. Elizabeth smiled a little and said,
"Thanks." Abigail turned around while Elizabeth changed and then the younger woman added,
"I have the best students.",
"I'd have to agree with you. And not just because one of them happens to be my son.", Abigail quipped. The two women chuckled and then Abigail looked her friend in the eye and asked,
"Elizabeth? Would you like me to stay with you till you fall back asleep?" Elizabeth looked at her friend a little guiltily.
"Would you? I know you have to get back up to Cody and…."
"Cody will be fine for a little bit. I'll stay as long as you need me to.", Abigail interupted. Elizabeth squeezed her friend's hand.
"Thanks, Abigail."
"That's what family is for.", Abigail replied. Elizabeth lay back down and Abigail softly began stroking her hair and rubbing her back. Soon, Abigail heard her friend's breathing even out which let the woman know Elizabeth was fast asleep. Abigail blew out the lamp and then took the lantern up to Cody's room. It appeared her son was already asleep, so Abigail kissed him gently and started to head out of the room. When she reached the door, she heard him call out,
"Mom?"
"Yes, Cody?", Abigail replied walking back over to the boy.
"Is Mrs Thornton gonna be ok?" Abigail sighed.
"I believe she will be, in time. It takes a really long time to get over something like this."
"I want her to be like she used to be. She doesn't smile like she used to. I miss the Old Mrs Thornton."
"She's still in there, Cody. But you need to be patient and give her time. Just like you needed time when your parents died. And that was a really sweet thing you said to her tonight, Honey." Cody looked at his mom and said,
"Well I just wanted to help her, like you and Becky helped me." Abigail smiled and said,
"Alright. It's time for you to get some sleep. You have school tomorrow. Goodnight."
"Goodnight. I love you, Mom.", the boy replied. Abigail gave him a kiss and said,
"I love you too, Sweetheart." Then she headed back to her own room.
In another part of the country, A nurse was checking on her patients. A doctor came in and said,
Any word on the identity of John doe yet?" The nurse shook her head sadly and replied,
"No Doctor. None so far. And he still hasn't awakened from the Coma. He could have family somewhere searching for him, but we have no idea who to send word too.
"We know he's a mountie, isn't that correct?",the doctor asked.
"Well, yes sir, but we don't know which town or who his commander is.", The nurse replied.
"Hmmm. Well, Be sure that you keep me posted, Nurse Bennett.", the doctor ordered
"Will do, Dr Cranston.", Nurse Bennett responded. With That the Doctor checked the Mountie's vitals and then left the room.
The next morning, at Abigails, Elizabeth got dressed and went downstairs.
"Morning, Abigail."
"Good Morning, Elizabeth. How are you feeling today."
Slightly queasy. I really should try to eat, though."
"I get you a biscuit and some tea. Do you think you could handle some eggs?"
"Well, We'll soon find out.", Elizabeth replied, with a rueful smile." Cody came bounding into the room.
"Morning Mom! Morning Mrs Thornton."
"Morning, Cody. You do all your homework?" Elizabeth replied.
"Yes Ma'am.", The boy answered truthfully.
"Come get your breakfast,Cody."
"Ok Mom!", said the boy as he sat down at the table. Abigail put the food in front of him and Elizabeth before getting her own breakfast. Elizabeth was Able to eat two bites of Eggs Before she was forced to Jump up and flee from the table, running out the back door. Abigail looked at her son who was staring after his teacher, looking worried.
"I'll go after her. Just finish your breakfast and then finish getting ready for school." Cody just nodded as his mother headed out the back door. She found her friend Leaning over the porch rail expelling what little was in her stomach. After she'd emptied her stomach, the younger woman stayed hunched over, breathing heavily with tears running down her face. When she was certain she was finished being sick, Elizabeth began to cry again. Abigail immediately pulled the woman into her arms and held her. After a few minutes, Elizabeth was controled enough to speak.
"It's not fair! It wasn't supposed to happen this way!"
"It's ok. Just let it out.", Abigail said soothingly.
"Jack was supposed to be here with me! We were supposed to be in this together!"
"I know, Sweetheart. I know.", Abigail said, rocking her friend back and forth. Elizabeth then said something that made Abigail's heart break.
"Why?!" Abigail now had tears running down her own face, but answered in as steady of a voice as possible,
"I don't know, Sweetheart. But remember, you're not alone. This town is your family. We will Always be here for you. We won't let you go through this alone! We love you!" Elizabeth eventually calmed down and pulled away.
"Thankyou, Abigail. I love you,too."
"Can you eat something now, do you think?"
"I think I'll just start with the bisquit and see how I do. I better eat quickly though. I don't want to be late for school.
"Are you sure you're up to it?", Abigail asked, concerned.
"I think I can make it. If I get there and can't handle it, I'll call Rosemary or Florence to take over."
"Ok. If you're sure.",Abigail said, doubtfully.
"I am.", Elizabeth replied. Then the two women headed back inside.
Back at the hospital in the other location, The nurse was checking her patient. They still had no identification of the man yet. As she was about to leave to finish her rounds, She noticed her patient beginning to move a little. She called the doctor in.
"What is it, Nurse Bennett?"
"Well, I believe our John Doe is trying to wake up.", the nurse replied.
The doctor check the vitals and watch as the young man twitched.
"I beleive you are right. But It may take awhile.",he told his nurse.
"I wonder if he'll remember anything once he awakens.", she said.
"We can only hope. You go finish your rounds and I'll finish up the paperwork. I'll keep an eye on the patient.", Dr Cranston said. Nurse Bennett nodded and headed out of the room. Before she even got to the door, the doctor called her back. she turned around to see that the mounties eyes had popped open and he was looking around frantically.
"Sir, I'm Nurse Bennett. This is Dr Cranston. You've been in a coma. You are at the Hospital in Cape Fullerton." The mountie just stared at the pair for a moment, trying to shake the cobwebs from his brain. Then they heard him try to speak in a voice hoarse from lack of use. He spoke only one word.
"E-Elizabeth?"
OOOH! I bet you have all guess who John Doe is by now! Stay tuned Wednesday to find out for sure! Please remember, ALL reviews are MUCH appreciated! Please don't forget! Thanks! Catch ya'll later!