Story Notes: Inspired by season 5 of When Calls the Heart, "Faith and Feathers" moves forward after the the events of the season 5 finale. If you haven't watched season 5, I suggest you do so before reading this story. That said... season 5 spoilers lie ahead...

This story takes place after Jack's funeral and Elizabeth's realization that she is pregnant. I know some Hearties are still unhappy with those happenings. For me, well, it is what it is. As hard as it was to watch the season 5 finale, I am a very hopeful Heartie and look forward to what lies ahead for Elizabeth, Abigail, and everyone else in our beloved Hope Valley. I hope you'll find this story to be hopeful. I tried to write it with the same spirit of faith, hope, love, and community as the wonderful WCTH writers, So, on with this short (3 chapters) story...

Faith and Feathers

Chapter One

"Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul,

And sings the tune without the words,

And never stops at all..."

—

"The time has come!"

Rosemary stood with her arm raised dramatically to the sky, hand clinched into a fist. "Yes, indeed, the time has come!" she repeated loudly and dramatically. After several moments, she glanced to her left, at the people seated at the dining table, and her face contorted into a frown. "Lee!" she scolded.

Her husband's handsome face broke into laughter, "Really, Rosie? The time has come?!" he asked around his laughter,

Laughter then rippled around the entire dinner table.

Rosemary's expression hardened as she became flustered. "You agreed that we should practice!" she reminded him. "You ALL agreed."

"I'm sorry, Rosemary," Abigail acquiesced, stifling her laugh. "We did agree. And we do need to practice so we're ready." She hesitated for a moment before adding, "When the time has come!" She fell into laughter again as everyone laughed even harder.

"Fine! Fine!" Rosemary announced as she scooped up her and Lee's plates. Lee managed to snag his roll off the plate just in time. Rosemary crossed to the sink and set the plates down before whirling around. "Can you all be serious for just two minutes?" she implored.

"It's alright, Rosemary," Elizabeth offered from her seat next to Abigail. "There's still time. We can practice another day if you all would prefer."

Abigail shook her head. "No, no, we do need to practice now. That baby's going to be making it's appearance soon, right Carson?"

Carson quelled his laughter and nodded. "Yes, I believe it will be any time now," he concurred.

All eyes turned to Elizabeth. She slowly and tenderly rubbed her hands over her swollen belly. Her fingers lingered for a second as the baby rewarded her caress with a little flutter. She exhaled slowly and massaged the spot where she'd felt the baby's movement. She looked up and noticed everyone staring at her expectantly. "Soon, I guess, but not right now," she informed them.

They all let out a collective breath and relaxed. "Well, then, shall we try again?" Rosemary asked.

They all nodded.

"The time has come," Rosemary again called out even more dramatically then before. She then looked pointedly at Lee.

"Ah, yes, that's my cue!" he agreed and stood. "I'm supposed to take the car to get Carson and Abigail and then bring them back to Elizabeth's house."

"And don't forget Faith," Carson reminded him.

Lee nodded. "And Faith. You know, with the three of you, it might be a little cramped riding back here in the car, I'm afraid," he warned Carson and Abigail.

"It'll be fine," Abigail replied. "It's not a long ride, fortunately."

"You're all going to so much trouble," Elizabeth interjected. "I don't want to be a bother."

"You're not a bother, Elizabeth," Abigail assured her.

"Certainly not!" Rosemary agreed. "But Lee and I know nothing about delivering a baby so we'll do our part by bringing Carson, Abigail, and Faith to you. And... and...well... since... since I don't really..." Rosemary seemed uncharacteristically at a loss for words as she glanced over at Elizabeth, who gave her a quizzical look. She shifted her gaze to Lee, who nodded and flashed her a reassuring smile. She cleared her throat and finished her thought, "Well... I'll make lots of coffee and sandwiches for you all."

Elizabeth smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Rosemary," she said. "And thanks so much for dinner tonight. It was delicious!"

"Yes, it was," Carson agreed.

Abigail nodded. "You'll have to share your recipe for potatoes au gratin. Did I taste some nutmeg?" she asked as she stood and carried her plate to the sink.

"Oh, thank you, Abigail! Yes, it is nutmeg," Rosemary replied. She and Abigail continued discussing the recipe as Carson and Lee struck up a conversation. "So, are you still basking in the glow of your team's win in the kids' annual baseball game?" Carson asked Lee.

Lee laughed. "I wouldn't say basking in the glow. After all, it was a squeaker! We won by just one run."

"But your team won," Carson asserted. "And it was a great game! You know, Lee, I've been thinking that it might be fun to have an adults' baseball game."

"Adults' game?" Lee repeated, surprised. "You think people would want to do that?"

"I do!" Carson answered enthusiastically.

Elizabeth sat quietly, slowly caressing her belly. She tuned out both conversations and focused on her own thoughts. Are you a boy? Or a girl? Will you have your father's hazel eyes? Or my blue eyes? Will your hair be curly like mine or straight like Jack's? Jack. A pang of sadness flooded over her and she fought to keep tears from filling her eyes. Just then, the baby moved in a way that felt like he or she had kicked a hole in her side. "Ohhh!" She exhaled sharply as she gently tapped her side and soothed, "Now, none of that!" She then massaged her swollen belly in slow circles. "None of that," she whispered again in a calming tone.

Suddenly she realized the conversations had ceased and a heavy silence hung over the room. She looked up to find all eyes trained on her, once again. "I'm sorry...what?" she asked, assuming she must've missed a question someone asked her.

Abigail answered with a question, "Elizabeth... is it... time?"

Elizabeth's mouth fell open and she quickly shook her head. "Oh no! No, no, no, no! It's not time! The baby just kicked me really hard," she explained.

They all seemed to exhale at the same time. "Oh, thank goodness!" Rosemary said as she turned back to the sink.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you," Elizabeth assured them. She dropped her gaze and swiveled the wedding and engagement rings around her finger.

"Why don't I walk you home and get you settled in for the night?" Abigail offered.

Elizabeth nodded. "That would be nice. I am getting a little tired." She moved to stand, which was requiring more and more effort lately. Carson stood and took a step toward her, offering his hand. "Oh thank you, Carson," she said as she took it. With his help, she stood quicker than she had in weeks. "Oh! Yes, thank you!" she added. Abigail moved to Elizabeth and slipped her hand around Elizabeth's elbow, leading her toward the door.

"Thank you for the delicious dinner!" Elizabeth called to Rosemary and Lee.

"Yes, it was a lovely evening," Abigail added.

Lee nodded and Rosemary replied, "Thank you for coming! Hope you have a good night's rest. I'll see you in the morning!"

Abigail and Elizabeth slipped through the front door and descended the stairs, a comfortable silence between them. As Abigail led Elizabeth up the stairs and into her row house, she released Elizabeth's arm. "Can I get you anything before you head upstairs to bed?"

Elizabeth glanced sheepishly toward the stairs but didn't reply. Then, something on the side table caught her eye. A feather. Intrigued, she picked it up and slowly spun it between her fingers.

The two friends stood in silence for several moments, Abigail studying Elizabeth while Elizabeth studied the errant feather.

"What is it?" Abigail queried, breaking into Elizabeth's reverie.

Elizabeth turned and held out the feather.

"Have you been sleeping downstairs?" Abigail asked.

Elizabeth was surprised that her friend had so quickly read her thoughts. She lowered the feather and nodded. "The bed just isn't very comfortable right now. And it's hard navigating the stairs to get to the outhouse during the night. I'm afraid little one here is laying on my bladder!"

Abigail nodded and let out a chuckle. "Little one probably is!" she agreed. "But you are sleeping, right?"

Elizabeth nodded. "Oh gosh yes! That fainting coach Mother and Father sent," she said, pointing to a lovely light blue velvet chaise, "is very comfortable!"

"Well, as long as you're getting your rest," Abigail concurred, though there was still some concern in her voice.

"I am," Elizabeth reiterated. "And I hate that all of you are fussing so much over me. I thought that when it was time for the baby to come that I'd just walk to you at the cafe or to the infirmary. I don't want to be a bother."

"We told you you are not a bother!" Abigail replied as she moved toward her dear friend and grasped her hands gently. "Elizabeth, we love you and we want to take care of you. We all want to help you."

Elizabeth's mouth screwed into a mild frown and she looked downward. Abigail squeezed her hands, pulling her attention back up. "I know you are a very independent woman but you cannot have this baby alone."

Elizabeth's face softened and her eyes glistened as tears welled in them. "I know," she exhaled with a mild sob. She let out a slow breath, trying to calm herself. "I know," she whispered.

Abigail pulled Elizabeth into a hug. "Just think, you'll be holding this baby in your arms very soon! Probably in just a few days!" she said as she pulled back.

Elizabeth smiled. "I know! I can't wait to finally hold him... or her!"

"Alright, get your rest, and I'll see you in the morning," Abigail said. "I'll make you blueberry pancakes for breakfast!"

Elizabeth smiled. "Thank you, Abigail!"

Abigail smiled back before turning to the door.

"See you in the morning," Elizabeth called as Abigail stepped through the doorway.

"Good night!" Abigail called back as she shut the door behind her.

Elizabeth set the feather back on the side table as she moved toward the stairs. "Well, Little One, let's get ready for bed," she said to her baby, which had been her habit for months now, since finding out that she was expecting. "And no keeping me up tonight," she told the wee one as she laboriously ascended the stairs. "When we lay down we're both going to sleep straightaway. No staying up late for you!"

Several minutes later, Elizabeth was settled onto the fainting coach, tucking the pillow under her head and pulling the lovely "Wrapped in Love" quilt the ladies had made for her over her belly. She closed her eyes. "Dear Father in heaven, thank you so much for all my dear friends! I pray you will bless them as much as they bless me everyday. I ask your protection and help as our little one is soon to arrive. I pray that he or she will be very healthy and happy! And please help me to be the best mother I can be for our little one." She hesitated a moment before continuing, "And please let Jack know that I think of him always and miss him so! I will make sure his son or daughter knows about their wonderful father and all that he..." She stopped, stifling a sob that had filled her throat. She took a few deep breaths, calming herself as she'd become all to accustomed to doing so many nights during her prayers. And like all those nights, when she closed her eyes and whispered, "Amen," a sense of calm and warmth washed over her as she felt like she was once again wrapped in Jack's arms. She drifted off to sleep, her arms cuddling her belly and the baby inside her.

After a time, she became aware that there were others in the room with her. She opened her eyes and was surprised to find that she was upstairs in her bed. She was even more surprised to see Carson and Faith standing at the foot of her bed.

—-

Disclaimer: Elizabeth Thatcher, Jack Thornton, Abigail Stanton, Bill Avery, Rosemary Leveaux, Leland Coulter, Carson Shepherd, and the other good citizens of Hope Valley do not belong to me. The Hallmark Channel/Crown Media, Believe Pictures, and Motion Picture Corporation of America own these characters. I'm just playing with them for a little while and I promise to return them relatively unscathed. There are a couple of new characters that are creations of my vivid imagination. Credit to Emily Dickinson for "Hope is the Thing with Feathers," a poem that was featured in season one of When Calls the Heart and inspired this story, too. Many thanks to Janette Oke, Michael Landon, Jr., Brian Bird, Brad Krevoy, and the entire cast and crew of When Calls the Heart, and, of course, all of the Hearties! Y'all rock!

—-

Notes: Rosemary's " The time has come" and practicing for the impending birth was inspired by "I Love Lucy." If you haven't seen the episode when Lucy has Little Ricky, you simply must! It's hilarious! Stay tuned. Chapter 2 coming soon!