Elizabeth panicked thinking he was headed back up North. The tears started falling unbidden and she looked at the doctor and said "Well IF he does already have to go back, at least I have something to remember him. I do love him so and I wish he would have at least waited to tell me he was leaving." Elizabeth walked outside feeling happy and sad at the same time and ran straight into her husbands back. "Jack you are still in town, Rosemary said you left for Cape Fullerton. Don't tell me you already have to go back up North" she pouted. "Elizabeth, I just apprehended the Garrison and Tulliver gangs again. And with what happened to you I NEED to go up and make sure they are hanged for this.
I will also need you to come with me and testify". He saw the look of sheer panic on Elizabeth's face and wondered what he had done to hurt her. He queried her "Sweetheart, have I done something to hurt you? IF I have I am SO sorry.
I know thinking about what happened is painful for you dearest. I will be by your side through it all I promise." Elizabeth relaxed a little, she wanted to tell Jack about the baby but decided now was not the time. So she simply said "OK Jack, if that's what I have to do, I will do it. I don't want to think about what happened, but I want them to pay".
Julie asked if she could go to Cape Fullerton with them and Jack said "No Julie, I do not think that is a good idea considering your...history with Nate Tulliver". When they were in the stagecoach Jack once again tried to engage his wife. "Elizabeth" he said "I am worried about you sweetheart. Is everything ok? Since you saw the doctor you have been distant and withdrawn. What is wrong sweetheart, I hope the doctor didn't have any bad news?" "Hmm?" Elizabeth said slightly distracted "oh no, he just said I have a cold. It will go away, I am fine Jack. I was just upset about Rosemary somehow knowing you had to leave before I did. Thinking that I wouldn't get to say goodbye and if anything happened to you Jack...We have barely begun our lives together." "It's nothing Jack, REALLY!" she almost shouted the last word getting annoyed with the quizzical look on Jack's face. "Perhaps I should tell him about our child" she thought to herself. "But I really want to wait until this trial is over in case the stress makes me lose the baby...Oh bother Abigail would tell me to just tell him". "Jack, honey" Elizabeth began "I have something I need to tell you. It's about the doctor's visit." "You said it he told you it was just a cold Elizabeth, what more could it POSSIBLY be"?! Jack said with more anger than he really intended. Her last remark had upset him and he was cross with her unintentionally.
"Jack, I'm not sure if now is the time to tell you, but I am expecting". "Expecting what Elizabeth? An Apology, as I recall you snapped at me first, I will apologize when you do!" Jack fired back, he couldn't understand why she was being so emotional and irrational.
Elizabeth felt sick and asked the driver to halt. When the carriage stopped she expelled the content of her stomach. "That's SOME cold you have there" Jack said "hopefully it's over quickly, I can't stay home and take care of you".
Elizabeth couldn't understand why Jack was being the way he was. He hadn't understood her "I'm expecting" at all. Another bout of vomitting hit her followed by "Jack, I am sorry I was cross. I am sorry I am emotional but Dr Carson said we should get used to it. This will be our lives for the next 8 months until the baby comes. I'm not sure what I have done to make you angry my love, but please forgive me. I hope you being upset with me doesn't make you not want our child." Jack's expression changed from one of anger to one of shock as her words sank in. Then to remorse, he felt bad for snapping at her and not comprehending that there MIGHT be a reason behind it. Jack grabbed his wife and pulled her too him. He kissed her until he felt better and said "Sweetheart, I am SO sorry I behaved like that. Of course I want our child, he or she is a part of both of us. I love you AND our baby, please forgive me". He kissed her again, gently putting a hand on her stomach. "Oh Jack! I was scared to tell you because what if testifying at the trial makes me lose the baby? What if you go up North again and get killed and I lose the baby, or it doesn't survive? How could I possibly manage? That's why I was grumpy when Rosemary told me you had left is because I had JUST found out about the baby." Elizabeth said this all in one breath and kissed her husband squarely on the mouth.
"Well" she continued "It looks like you got your wish on our wedding night" she joked. "I did?" he asked rather confused "Oh the whole 'I hope you're pregnant' comment...of course I am apprehensive about having to go back up North,
especially now that I know you are "expecting an apology"" he chuckled at the last couple of words and so did Elizabeth "But I know the Lord will be with us Elizabeth. Regardless of what happens sweetheart, I love you and I will always come for you. Besides, lets wait and see what happens after the trial sweetheart." Jack had a surprise for Elizabeth he had been saving since Christmas, and he realized now wasn't the time to tell her either.
