The train pulled into the station in Union City the morning after they left their families behind with all that was familiar, except each other, of course.

He was ready. He was young but he was the head of their family and it was a huge responsibility, one he took seriously.

"Ames, we're here," he said, nudging her awake.

"Hmm?" She grabbed his hand and burrowed deeper into the comfortable pocket his shoulder created.

"We're here." He kissed her forehead and squeezed her hand.

"Oh, ok." She rubbed her eyes and yawned.

Caleb stood when the train pulled to a stop. He looked out the window for a man that would be Patrick O'Reilly, his dad's acquaintance from years before. He saw quite a few Mounties, it was the city after all. However, one Mountie was also searching and Caleb knew it must be him.

As they stepped off the train, hand in hand, Patrick's face lit up. "Caleb Thornton?"

"Constable O'Reilly?"

"Yes, good to see you, son. Jack's written me so much about you."

"You too, sir. This is my wife, Amy. Amy, this is Patrick O'Reilly."

"Ma'am. Good to meet you. Let's find your luggage and be on our way."

It took about thirty minutes, but their trunk and bags were finally located and then placed in Patrick's wagon and then they were on their way.

"Constable, I want to thank you for renting your extra room to us. We really appreciate it."

"My pleasure, Mrs. Thornton. You are actually doing us a favor. My wife Sarah often gets lonely when I go on assignment, even with our children at home. So not only do you give us a bit more money, you also will be a welcome addition to our household."

"You can call me Amy, Constable."

"Yes, Amy. You may call me Patrick." She nodded, smiling at him.

A few moments later, Patrick pulled the wagon into the yard of a modest home, just outside town. "Here we are." He jumped down and immediately started unloading their belongings. Caleb also jumped down and then raised his arms to help Amy down. He set her gently on the ground, his hands lingering on her waist.

He leaned down and kissed her. "Welcome home, honey."

"Wherever you are, that's where my home is, Caleb." He kissed her once more and then walked behind the wagon to help Patrick.

Amy did what she could, but mostly, she just followed the men into the house.

"Amy, this is my dear wife, Sarah. Sarah, this is Amy Thornton."

"Amy, it's so nice to meet you. It'll be wonderful having another woman around the house to talk to." She wrapped her in a hug and Amy instantly felt comfortable.

"Thank you for having us, Sarah."

Sarah was younger than Amy expected. She looked about the same age as Elizabeth, where Patrick looked about ten years older than that.

"Come on, I'll show you to your room." Sarah wrapped her arm through Amy's and led her down the hall to the end. "Here we are. Feel free to decorate as much as you would like. I purposely left it a bit sparse so you can make it your own. Also, you and Caleb have your own bathroom, right here." She opened the door off the bedroom that Amy had assumed was the closet.

"Our own bathroom? Oh my." She peeked inside and smiled. There was even a bathtub.

"We were fortunate to find this house. Because it's in the city, it has electricity and running water."

A little girl, about the age of Carlie, appeared. "Mama?"

"Yes, my sweets?"

"I'm hungry. When's lunch?"

"In a bit. Now mind your manners, Fiona. Say hello to Mrs. Thornton."

"Hi," she said shyly.

"Hi, Fiona. How old are you?"

"Seven."

"My husband's sister Carlie is your age. It's nice to meet you."

She smiled up at her and then nodded, pressing closer to Sarah's leg.

"Sarah, may I ask? How many children do you have?"

"Two. We also have a son, Aiden. He's fourteen."

"Excuse me, ma'am," Caleb said as he helped Patrick carry in their trunk.

Sarah stepped aside and watched. Once they set the trunk down, Caleb stood next to Amy.

"Sarah, this is my husband, Caleb."

"Jack's son? So nice to finally meet you."

"You too, ma'am." He grabbed Amy's hand and squeezed.

The rest of the morning was spent unpacking and getting settled. Amy was exhausted so she decided to take a nap, which meant she slept through lunch.

"Would you like to take Amy in some lunch, Caleb?"

"Yes, ma'am. I guess the trip wore her out." Sarah prepared a tray and he took it in. He set the tray on the bedside table and sat next to her. "Ames?" He bent down to kiss her cheek. "Baby, wake up. I brought you lunch."

Her eyes opened slowly and she stared up at him. "Lunch? What time is it?" She sat up against the headboard and yawned.

"About noon. You slept a long time."

She looked over at the tray. "That smells wonderful."

He handed her the bowl of chili and a biscuit. He watched her eat and then climbed in to bed next to her. She looked at him and smiled. "What?"

"Nothing." He smiled back.

"It has to be something. You are staring at me."

"You're beautiful. I can't help it." She blushed.

"If you say so, but I know you. That smile means you have something to say."

"Well, you've been awfully tired lately."

"I have."

"And you still haven't had your monthly."

"No, I haven't."

"Do you think…..?"

"Maybe. I don't know."

"We can go see a doctor. I'll go with you."

"You have things to do to get ready for school."

"Actually, school doesn't start for a few more weeks. I only have to go and check in next week. Let's go see what the doctor says."

"I don't know any doctors here. Maybe we should just wait."

"Why don't you ask Sarah who to go to?"

"Caleb, I barely know her."

"She seems nice. Anyway, we are going to be living here for the next year."

A FEW DAYS LATER

When Patrick and Caleb left for the day, Amy decided to ask Sarah about the doctor.

"Sarah?"

"Yes?"

"I need to see a doctor and I don't know anyone here. Is there someone you could recommend?"

Sarah stopped sweeping her floor. "Are you sick?"

"No, ma'am."

"I don't mean to pry…."

"You're not. I may be pregnant. I just want to know for sure."

"Oh! Wouldn't that be wonderful? I've missed having a baby around the house."

"Yes, well, I'm not sure. I have been pretty tired and I am late."

"How late?"

"Caleb and I have been married for seven weeks. I haven't had a monthly since before we got married."

"Well, sweetie. It sounds promising to me, but Dr. Henderson, at the family clinic on Main Street is my doctor. I think you'll like him."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Would you like me to go with you?"

"Caleb said he would go. He is free tomorrow."

THE NEXT MORNING

Amy stood in front of the mirror, pinning her hair back.

Caleb watched from the bed. "Trying something new?"

"Yeah. It makes me look more like a wife, older, doesn't it?" She pinned up the bottom too, wrapping it around the top, in a bun.

"I guess. I mean, I like your hair down, but it looks good this way too." He stood behind her and smiled. "Why do you want to look different?"

"I don't know. We live in the city now. I feel like certain things are expected." She slipped her blouse on over her shoulders and buttoned it and then tucked it in.

"I think that you look perfect the way you are. You don't need to change anything." She turned around and looked at him.

"I don't want people to think I'm not good enough."

"If people think that, they aren't worthy of your time."

She turned and hugged him. "I hope that I'm pregnant, Caleb. I really want it."

"Me too."

DR. HENDERSON'S OFFICE

After her examination, Amy and Caleb sat in the doctors office waiting for him. He walked in and took a seat.

"Mr. and Mrs. Thornton, congratulations. You are going to have a baby."

Amy immediately started crying and Caleb put his arm around her. "Thank you, doctor."

"You are most welcome. From what you have told me, you are due mid to late April."

"That's what I calculated too," Amy admitted, as she wiped her tears. He looked at her, a question on his face. "I am a midwife. I learned how to calculate due dates from the doctor I did my internship with."

He nodded. "I happen to need a midwife right now in my practice. You wouldn't be looking for work, would you?"

She looked at Caleb. He raised his eyebrows. "I am, actually. I can only work a few days a week though. Like maybe three."

"Ok, that is perfect. What is your doctor's name that you worked under? I'd like to contact him."

"Dr. Turner, Harris Town."

Just like that, Amy was a new mother and had secured a part time job. As they started to walk back home, Caleb led her to a café that he knew downtown.

"Let's get lunch. Are you hungry?"

"Yes, I am." He led her into the café he and his friends frequented during his previous year at school.

They found a small table by the window.

"Caleb! It's good to see you, how was your summer?" A girl, the waitress, walked over and rested her hand on his shoulder.

"Hi, Debbie. My summer was great. This is my wife, Amy."

She dropped her hand from his shoulder and smiled. "Wife? Wow. Ok. Nice to meet you, Amy. Caleb used to come in here to study after classes."

Amy smiled and took his hand. "Nice to meet you."

"Do you know what you would like?"

"I'll take the tomato soup," Amy answered.

"Do you want your usual, Caleb?"

"Yes, please." Debbie nodded and walked away.

"You came here often enough that you have a usual?"

"I guess." She moved so she was sitting next to him, instead of across from him.

"What's your usual, sweetie?" She leaned against him and rested her hand on his thigh.

"Roast beef sandwich and chicken soup."

"Sounds good." He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and smiled.

"I love you, Ames."

"I love you too."

HARRIS TOWN, THE THORNTON HOUSE

Maddie lay awake next to Em. It had been two weeks since Nate almost kissed her. She should feel guilty because she wanted him to so badly, but guilt was the opposite of what she was feeling. Unfortunately, Mr. Carlin and Nate had gone on a short trip to see about getting more cattle for the ranch so Maddie hadn't seen him for a few days.

"Maddie? Why are you awake? It's so early." Em moved closer to her and put her head on Maddie's shoulder.

"I can't sleep. I have too many things going through my head."

"Things like Nate?"

Maddie smiled. "Yeah. He's supposed to come back today."

"Are you going to see him?"

"I hope so. I'll be at the boarding house all day though. Grandma's teaching me about the ledgers."

"Ugh. Math. I hate math."

"I love it. I can't wait to learn."

"You're so weird."

"Yeah, but you love me anyway."

"I do."

Maddie also had an appointment to see Mrs. Richards about making her a dress for the dance. She was spending her own money that she earned working at the boarding house and she was so excited.

"I'm going to get dressed and start breakfast. Wanna help?"

"No, I'll stay in bed." Maddie laughed. She figured she would.

"I'll help you Bug." Carlie still called her Bug. That's all she knew her as, for her whole life, so Maddie didn't mind.

"Ok, let's go."

LATER, THE BOARDING HOUSE

Maddie was at the table, studying the ledgers Charlotte had given her. She was positive she knew how they worked. It was pretty simple credits and debits.

Nate walked in and smiled, watching his beautiful Maddie pouring over a book at the table. He loved the way she bit her bottom lip when she was thinking about something.

"Hey," he whispered.

"You're back." She flashed him a dimple filled grin that made his heart beat faster.

"Miss me?" That was bold of him, but he couldn't help asking to get her reaction.

She looked down, her cheeks turning pink. "Maybe."

"I'll take that as a yes." He pulled the chair out next to her, moving it closer.

"Whatcha working on?"

"Bookkeeping."

"Ugh, I hate math."

"I don't."

He took her hand and moved his fingers in between hers. "I missed you."

She looked at his adorable face, his blue eyes and blonde hair. She noticed he had a tiny scar above his left eye and then her gaze settled on his lips and before she knew it, he was leaning in. "I'm sorry," she blurted. "We can't. I promised."

"Promised who?"

"My dad. He thinks we're too young. The only way I could convince him to let me see you was to promise no kissing."

"For how long?"

"I don't know." He sat back, but still held her hand.

"Ok."

"Thank you for understanding, Nate."

"I don't, but I respect that you made a promise and want to keep it."

She smiled and then leaned over to kiss his cheek. The move surprised both of them but it would have to do, for a time.

UNION CITY, O'REILLY HOUSE, two weeks later

Amy felt fortunate to be about eight weeks pregnant and not have morning sickness yet. She tried to keep herself hydrated and eat as much as she could, hoping to avoid it.

Sarah was thrilled Amy was pregnant. She had wanted another child herself, but she had come to terms with only having two. This baby would be like a niece or nephew and she was excited to help in any way she could.

"I think I may have some baby clothes in the trunk in my room. You're welcome to them."

"I really appreciate that, Sarah. Do you know how to knit?"

"I do."

"Would you teach me? I would love to make a blanket or two and some other things."

"Absolutely. We can start tonight, if you'd like."

"Can we do it tomorrow after work? Caleb and I have a date tonight."

"Sure thing. Where is he taking you?"

"The Blue Bird Café. We love that place. He used to go there and study after class and then we went after we found out about the baby. Now, it's kind of like our place."

"I love that idea. Dating my husband. It's not something Patrick and I have done for a long time." Sarah stepped away, a thoughtful look on her face.

"Caleb and I can stay with the kids one night so you and Patrick can go out. How does that sound?"

"No, dear. No need. Thank you for the offer, though."

"Sarah, I'm offering. I can see how much you want to spend time with him. I insist." Sarah looked at her young friend. She couldn't deny the want she had to be with Patrick alone. It had been a long time.

"Ok then. I'll talk to Patrick."

HARRIS TOWN, THE THORNTON HOUSE

Bill sat watching his grandchildren play in the living room. "Papa? Up?" J.T. asked as he walked over and held his arms out.

"Hi, Jay. What do you have there? A block?"

"Ya. Bock." When he picked him up, he felt a sharp pain in his arm that almost made him drop the boy. He groaned and rubbed his arm and shoulder.

"Pop? You ok?" Jack asked as he walked in the room. "You look pale."

"Yeah. Just tired. Where's your Mom? I think it's time to go." He placed J.T. on the couch and stood up, feeling a horrible, crushing pain in his chest, radiating down his arm.

"Pop!" Jack rushed to his side, helping him sit back down so he didn't fall. "Mom, Elizabeth!" he yelled. They came rushing in the room.

"Maddie! Take the kids upstairs, please," Elizabeth instructed. She handed J.T. to her and ushered Carlie upstairs.

Charlotte sat down placing Bill's head in her lap. "Bill, what's wrong?"

"I don't know, but ….I can't breathe. My chest…."

Jack stood frozen, watching Bill fading. "I'll get the doctor," Elizabeth said.

"No, no need. I won't make it. It's my heart. It's only….a matter of time."

"Nonsense, Bill. You're strong as an ox," Charlotte said, although doubting it as she watched him writhing in pain.

"Charlotte….listen to me, Sweetheart."

She looked down at him, stroking his face and feeling like she had done this before. She had, with Tom. She was losing her husband, again. "No, Bill Avery. I will not let you leave me! Do you hear me?" She started sobbing and kissing his forehead.

"Shhh..Charlotte. I love you so much." He closed his eyes and then opened them again. He reached up and touched her face, his thumb tracing her lips. She bent down and kissed him for a long moment, saying goodbye.

"Please don't go. I need you," she pleaded.

"I love you, Char."

He then held out his hand and grabbed Jack, pulling him close. "I love you, son. I am so proud of you."

Jack was barely holding it together and Elizabeth was sobbing on the chair next to the couch.

"We love you, please don't give up," Jack said, his own voice breaking.

It was too late, though. As quick as Jack had said the words, he was gone.