Parle-moi (Talk to me)
Author's note. Hello Hearties. Here is my new short story. This is a classical one that I began to write during the holidays. There only will havethree chapters. I hope that you will like it. This idea crossed my mind and I have to write. I couldn't restrainmyself.
For those who read "The Encounter", I didn't give up, quite the contrary but it takes me more time to write it. The chapter 7 is almost done and I hope I could publish it very very soon. Be patient. Besides I am back to school with my kids so I have busy days but I do my best.
Thank you very much Rebekahwrites for your great help.
Read, review or send me a message if you want. I always am very happy to know your opinion, your feeling about it.
Disclaimer:I don't own the characters within this story. All rights and respect go to Crown media, Hall mark, Brian Bird , Michael Landon Jr, the creators and writers of the show " When calls the heart".
Part one
Elizabeth hadn't been feeling well each morning. Nausia assailed her causing the scent of breakfast to send her over the edge.
It had begun the day Jack had received a wire asking him to be in Cape Fullerton four days later. She hid her worry for Jack from him. She assumed it was just a stomach ache and if she told him, he would take some days off to stay with her. She would
lovenothing more, but he had a job to do and orders to fulfill.
Since their wedding six months ago, they were fortuneate that Jack wasn't called away. She knew, however, that it wouldn't last forever. Sooner or later they would need him to take a temporary posting somewhere when something went wrong or another Mountie
/needed his assistance. So she kept her pain to herself to not worry him. The separation would be hard enough without adding his concern for her beyond the normal concern he had for her when away.
The time had come, he was leaving this morning. Jack appeared in the kitchen all dressed in his Mountie's uniform while Elizabeth went to her desk staying far from the kitchen. She watched him sip his coffee and put the cup into the sink. He was so handsome
/in his uniform.
"Are you ready to go?" He asked as he extended his hand to her.
"Yes." She answered smiling, taking his hand.
She grabbed her basket and her shawl with her other hand as they left the house, walking toward the schoolhouse. Elizabeth fetl her heart constrict and a knot in her throat clenched with every step.
The fatal moment came. Jack stopped at the bottom of the staircase; she looked up at him, took his left hand in hers and kissed his wedding ring. He gave her a smile showing his dimples that she loved so much and made her weak in the knees. Then he put
/his hand on her cheek and kissed her. It was sweet kiss that gradually became more passionate as if each of them would like to keep each other close for the remainder of the day.
Jack pulled back first and looked into her eyes. He could see that she was tense and noticed how pale she was through her makeup. He didn't like to leave her like this but duty called and he had no choice. It was the first time since their wedding and
/he found it even harder than before. He was heavy-hearted.
"I love you, Mrs. Thornton." He whispered into her ear.
"I love you too, Constable Thornton." She answered, tears pooling in her eyes.
"Promise me that you will send me a wire if anything happens." He demanded gently.
"Alright. Please be careful, Jack." Elizabeth spoke softly, fighting the tears.
"Always." Jack responded, pulling her into his embrace for one last good bye.
They shared one last quick kiss then he walked towards the livery as the first kids were arriving at the schoolhouse. As they entered, she kept watching him until he disappeared. She inhaled deeply as she entered the school.
Jack had been gone for two days and Elizabeth was done with being sick. She made an appointment that evening with Dr. Burns.
When she came out of the doctor's office, she grinned from ear to ear. She and Jack were expecting. Jack will be so overjoyed.
While she crossed over the road to go to the cafe, she decided not to tell anyone, she wanted Jack to know before all of Hope Valley. She especially didn't want Rosemary or Florence to know. Before she entered, she hid her smile. She was fortuneate that
/the cafe was calm and she could talk to Abigail before she went back home.
In the next two days, nausea hit Elizabeth from time to time. On the third day, she was feeling quite recovered for the moment. She arrived at the schoolhouse and was all smiled. The children listened and did as they were told, until recess.
As she was inside, preparing the geography and reading lessons for the afternoon, they were out playing then she hear some shouting. Some of the kids called her and as she rushed up to see what the commotion was about, she found Gabe and the new kid,
/Jared fighting.
"Enough!" She ordered them in her teacher voice.
They didn't comply. After that, everything happened so quickly. While she came closer, taking Gabe's arm, she didn't see that Jared had clenched his fist. She was between them, and then Jared's fist slammed into her stomach. She instantly let go of Gabe
/and put her hands to her stomach. She bent into a fetal position, still standing, but sinking to the ground as tears welled up in her eyes.
All the girls, immediately encirlcled her and gave the two boys a tongue lashing for hurting their beloved teacher.
"I am so sorry, Mrs. Thornton." Gabe apologized, mortified that he had been a part of the incident that caused his beloved teacher such pain. He felt guilty as he thought about Constable Jack Thornton, how he would be severely disappointed in his behavior.
/He respected the constable, and it was the last thing he would want Jack to be.
"What happened here?" Bill Avery, inquired as he stopped on his way to do his rounds.
He halted his horse and slid down, running over to Elizabeth as he saw how pale her face had become.
"Class is dismissed." He announced.
The children disappeared, Jared and Gabe left with their heads held down. Bill moved closer to Elizabeth, to help her up.
"Come on, I'll walk you to the cafe." He guided her, taking her by the arm.
When they reached, Abigail's expression was one of worry regarding her friend's pallor. She made her lie down on the sofa in the parlor and gave her a cup of tea. Elizabeth told her about the incident but didn't tell her about her concern for the baby.
One hour later, Kat Montgomery entered the cafe with her son. The mother's stoned expression said it all. Gabe didn't dare look at his teacher, as he looked down at the floor. Kat pushed her son towards his teacher. He approached her apprehensively.
"Mrs. Thornton..." He stuttered. "I...I am so sorry. I promise that it won't happen again." Gabe choked out.
"I accept your apology, Gabe. But you have to set an example for the younger and new kids." She explained as she looked him sternly in the eye.
"Yes, Mrs. Thornton. I promise that I will." He answered resolutely.
"I am sorry too, Elizabeth. I hope that you are alright." Kat spoke appologetically as she approached Mrs. Thornton.
"Yes, I am good. Don't worry. I think that I will go home now." She said getting up, carefully, holding her stomach protectively, hoping no one noticed her motherly action.
"I am going to ask Bill to walk you home." She said, brooking no opposition.
"Abigail..." Elizabeth began, trailing off as she saw the concern in Abigail's face.
"No arguments." Bill, cut her off as he came into the cafe. "Jack had asked me to take care of you during his absense."
The young teacher took the arm that he offered her without a word.
When she was at home, she felt better, but she was worried about the baby. She tried not to think about it too much, as she prepared her lessons for the next day to keep her mind off of the pain. She decided not to go with the flow and to make dinner.
/When she wanted to get a log for the fireplace, the basket was empty.
Jack had forgotten or hadn't time to fill it before he left. She took the handle and went outside to fill it. She came back inside with a heavy basket, loaded with enough wood for the rest of the day. She had a hard time, but it couldn't be helped. She
/needed the warmth.
That very evening, she had no appetite, so she decided to retire early; it had been a very trying day. Her violent stomach pains, jolted her awake at dawn. She shivered as the nausea hit once more. She curled up, putting her arms around her stomach. She
/cried for several moments, until the pain was too much to bear. Suddenly, she doubled over ans the pain ripped through her lower abdomen like a dull knife. She felt something spreading down her thighs. Finally, exhausted by the excruciating pain
/and
/overwhelmed by her tears, sleep claimed her.
She woke up around noon, the dampness of the bed, overwhelming. She removed the quilt that Clara had given to them for their wedding gift. The sheet was covered in blood. Her throat closed up and she burst into tears collapsing in front of their bed.
/She cried and prayed for the baby, Jack and herself. She had lost their baby!
Once the tears subsided, she stripped the sheets off of the bed and went to the bathroom. She needed to take a bath to clean her body and the guilt she felt deep inside. She failed at taking care of herself and the baby.
Two hours later, as she was beginning to hang the wash out to dry, Abigail came by.
"Hello, Elizabeth." She greeted her friend, happily.
"Hello, Abigail." Elizabeth replied, mustering all of her strength to smile at her friend, albeit a little distant.
"How are you feeling?" Abigail asked kindly.
"Good. Thank you." Elizabeth lied.
"I came to have tea and share my fresh baked cookies with you." She handed her a plate.
"Thank you, but I have a lot of work to do, so I will eat them later." She told her, still a bit distant.
"Alright. I'll leave you to do your chores. If you want, you can come by for tea later. See you soon, then." She waved her farewell, hiding her surprise as to her friends behavior.
"See you later." Elizabeth answered instinctively as she finished her chores.
Finishing the laundry was exhausting. She snuggled on the sofa in front of the fireplace to warm up. She was enveloped with an overwhelming saddness as she looked at the portrait that Jack drew and had given to her before their first kiss, above the fireplace.
'How am I going to talk to Jack about this?' She thought inwardly. The guilt consumed her as her feelings swarmed inside her. The neasiness in her heart, in her soul was swelling deep within.
To be continued...