Chapter 2- Health and Hamilton

"What would you two like for dinner," Abigail asked as she approached Jack and Elizabeth sitting at the table by the window.

"I'd like the chicken fried steak," Jack responded as he glanced over at Elizabeth and smiled.

"I think I'll just take a salad, Abigail. I'm not very hungry," Elizabeth responded.

"Okay, I'll be right back with your plates," Abigail replied.

Jack leaned in, reached across the table and took her hand, "Are you alright?" He asked, concerned because her appetite had been poor lately, and she didn't seem to have any energy.

Elizabeth smiled slightly, "I don't know what's wrong with me Jack. I wonder when the doctor will be back in town? I guess I should have a physical," she stated. "My mother sent me a telegram today…She wants me to come for a visit…Girl stuff, getting my wedding dress and just spending some time with her and Julie. Maybe I could see the doctor there?"

"You're going home?" Jack asked. He was always concerned when she made trips home. Although he knew that she was not talking with Charles, Jack was aware that her parents were still pushing that union.

"I think my parents would prefer if I saw the doctor in Hamilton, and it would give me some time with Julie…I really miss her," Elizabeth replied, realizing that she needed medical attention, but not wanting to be away from Jack.

"Do you feel like taking a walk after dinner," he asked.

Elizabeth took a deep breath, and exhaled, "I would love to, but I'm exhausted…maybe tomorrow evening?" She asked.

Jack smiled, and gave her hand a slight squeeze, "whenever you feel like it, I'll be ready."

Abigail brought their plates, and Jack devoured his meal, while Elizabeth simply moved her salad around, eating very little.

"Jack, I'm sorry, but I just don't feel well. Would you mind if I just went to bed?" Elizabeth asked.

Jack could see that her face was flushed; he helped her up the stairs to her room, and sat with her until she fell asleep.

He walked back downstairs, and found Abigail finishing up cleaning the kitchen. She poured him a cup of coffee, and he sat at the table for a talk.

"Jack, I'm concerned about Elizabeth. It's not like her to have no energy, abdominal pains, and looking so flushed," Abigail said as she sat at the table across from him.

"Abdominal pains? How long has that been going on?" Jack asked, as he was unaware of that symptom.

"I think those just started, but she hurt so bad earlier in the day that I found her doubled over in bed," Abigail advised. "I talked with her about getting to the doctor. I'm so worried about her, Jack…she's sick, I'm afraid, very sick!"

Jack stood up from the table, and said, "I'm going to make arrangements to take her to Port Nelson in the morning…I'll be here first thing; can you check in on her tonight?"

"Thank you, Jack. This is just not like her. She's usually so healthy, and full of energy, and yes, I'll check in on her tonight," Abigail responded.

Jack didn't want to leave, but Abigail assured him that she would keep checking on Elizabeth, and reluctantly he walked back to the jail.

Abigail locked up the café, and headed upstairs. She went into her room, and changed into her night clothes, and then sat in a chair next to Elizabeth's bed and watched her all night. There were a few times when Abigail thought about getting Jack; Elizabeth's temperature was fluctuating from burning hot, to shivering cold. She had a bowl of room temperature water and she wiped her face frequently. Abigail noticed that Elizabeth appeared to be in a very deep sleep, but was extremely restless.

The sun peeked through Elizabeth's window, waking Elizabeth, and Abigail, who had just fallen asleep.

Abigail took her wet cloth and wiped Elizabeth's face… "How are you feeling this morning?" She asked.

"Actually, I think I feel better, Abigail," Elizabeth said with a slight smile.

Abigail had her doubts, as Elizabeth's complexion was pale, and her skin was clammy. "Jack is taking you to the doctor today," she remarked.

Elizabeth took a moment to sit up in bed, "Why?" She asked.

"Elizabeth you've been sick for a few days, and we're concerned about you. I can tell you this…He's taking you whether you want to go or not, so I wouldn't argue with him," Abigail informed her. "I'm going to change, and then I'll be in the kitchen getting breakfast going if you need anything."

Elizabeth pulled the covers back and sat on the side of the bed, "I'm sure I'll be fine, Abigail."

Once Abigail left her room, Elizabeth slowly stood up, grabbing the corner of her poster bed as she lost her balance. She sat on the bed for a few moments, afraid to make another attempt at standing. Hearing Jack's voice downstairs, she again stood up and headed for the door. She no longer felt lightheaded, but realizing that she was still in her night clothes, she dressed herself, and started down the hall to the stairs. She held the railing as she walked down the first three steps…Suddenly she doubled over with abdominal pain; she let go of the railing…

"AAAHHHHH," Elizabeth screamed as she fell down the remaining steps, landing on her back at the bottom of the staircase.

"Elizabeth…Elizabeth, Are you okay?" Jack continued to call out to her. He had brought the wagon to the café this morning, and the back was already padded with extra bedding, blankets and pillows, for her comfort on the trip to Port Nelson.

Elizabeth had a cut on her head from the fall, but didn't appear to have suffered any broken bones. Jack picked her up and carried her to the wagon. She was still unconscious, and Jack knew that it was urgent that he get her medical attention.

They started out for Port Nelson, but it seemed so far away, and he was so worried about her that he stopped in Sudbury. Upon their examination of Elizabeth, who had thankfully regained consciousness, it was determined that her appendix had or was close to rupturing; it needed to be removed, and immediate surgery was required. Elizabeth was unable to authorize the surgery, as she was drifting in and out of consciousness, and actually Jack, as her fiancé wasn't able to either. However, Jack Thornton, Elizabeth's husband, could legally authorize the procedure…which he did.

Jack ran to the local mercantile to send a telegram to Abigail…
"Abigail, had to stop in Sudbury at Hospital" stop
"Couldn't make it to Port Nelson" stop
"Elizabeth needs her appendix removed" stop
"Please say prayers, she's very sick" stop
"Will send another telegram when surgery is done" stop

Jack rushed back to the hospital and paced along the wall of the Waiting Room doing as the sign on the door suggested, "waiting" for news. He watched the clock on the wall, and after two hours had passed, he became beyond worried…bordering on frantic.

Eventually Dr. Chatsworth entered the Waiting Room, "I'm looking for Elizabeth Thornton's husband."

Jack jumped up, "I'm Jack Thornton. Is Elizabeth okay?" Jack asked, knowing that his heart was pounding so hard that he was certain it could be seen through his clothing.

Dr. Chatsworth stuck his arm out to direct Jack to an empty corner for privacy.

"Elizabeth, is she okay?" Jack yelled. This was one fear, the possible loss of Elizabeth that he didn't want to face. He could feel tears slipping down his cheeks, and was getting agitated with the doctor who was not answering with the urgency that Jack felt.

"Mr. Thornton, your wife is very sick, but thankfully you got her here in time. Her appendix ruptured while we were operating, but if it had happened before you arrived, we may not have been able to save her. She should be fine, but she'll need some recuperation time," Dr. Chatsworth advised.

Jack stuck his arm out to shake Dr. Chatsworth's hand, "thank you for everything you have done for Elizabeth. May I see her?" He asked.

"Certainly, but don't stay long…she needs a lot of rest," Dr. Chatsworth said rather authoritatively.

Jack quickly left the room, and headed for the Nurse's Station to get Elizabeth's room number. "Excuse me, Ma'am? Faith, what are you doing here?" Jack asked, obviously surprised.

"Hi Jack. Are you alright? Why are you here?" She asked, obviously just as surprised.

"I had to bring Elizabeth in…she had surgery to remove her appendix," Jack replied.

"Is she okay?" Faith asked, concerned by his nervous demeanor.

"Dr. Chatsworth said that she should be fine. I wanted to see her, but I don't know her room number," Jack advised.

Faith pulled out the log book, "Let me see if I can locate her for you. Hmm, I don't see Elizabeth Thatcher in the book…"

"Check for Elizabeth Thornton," Jack said softly.

"Congratulations, when did you get married?" Faith asked, outwardly smiling, and trying to hide a hint of sadness in her voice.

Jack explained that they weren't married, but he had to pretend in order to get her the surgery that she needed. "Please don't say anything," Jack asked.

"I won't say a word," Faith promised. "She is in Room 232. That's to the right once you reach the second floor and exit the door.

"Thank you, maybe we'll talk later," Jack said as he headed for the staircase.

"I'd like that," Faith replied.

Jack ran into Elizabeth's room, knowing that it was too soon, but hoping that she was awake. He sat in a chair by her bed, and held her hand for hours, waiting for her to wake up.

"Jack," Faith stood in the doorway, and softly called out.

Jack got up and walked over to the door…

"This telegram was delivered to you, and I thought it may be important," she responded.

Jack opened the telegram which was from Abigail…
"Jack, I'm praying for Elizabeth's recovery" stop
"Mr. Thatcher is on his way to get her" stop
"He will likely arrive tomorrow at the earliest" stop
"Be prepared, Julie said he's very angry" stop

Jack felt certain that he could handle Mr. Thatcher. After all, his main concern was Elizabeth's health, and nothing else mattered at this point.

Faith overlooked the fact that visiting hours were over, but Jack was spending the night sitting in a chair next to Elizabeth's bed.

Jack left Elizabeth's room momentarily to get a cup of coffee when he came across Faith in the hallway… "I think I asked, but I was worried about Elizabeth and I don't know if you answered…What brings you here?"

"I just needed a change from Hamilton. I've been here for a few months, but I've been offered a position in Hope Valley," she replied.

"Hope Valley? Are you going to take it?" He asked, realizing that Elizabeth may be unhappy knowing that Faith is living in their town.

"I think so. I've always wanted to run a medical office, and I'd have control over non emergency medical issues, with a doctor who comes to town once a week," she replied.

"Well uh, congratulations!" He responded, before excusing himself and heading back to Elizabeth's room.

As he walked in the room, he could see that Elizabeth was awake, but lying still, "Elizabeth, do you know where you are?"

She looked over at him, but couldn't speak. Her eyes closed and she was back to sleep again.

Jack fell asleep with his head on the side of the bed, waking up periodically to check on Elizabeth. By early morning, Jack awoke and sat watching her as he took her hand in his, gently stroking her palm with his fingers. He brought her hand to his lips, kissing it gently when he heard…

"Charles, we're friends…we'll always be friends," Elizabeth eyes were closed but she was obviously talking.

"Elizabeth…Elizabeth, Are you awake?" He asked.

Elizabeth turned her head to face him; she sounded weak, but her color was returning to her face, and she looked better. "Hi Jack…what are you doing here?" She asked.

"Elizabeth, I brought you to the hospital," he replied.

Her eyes were barely open, and her voice was hardly more than a whisper, but she managed to say, "I know you've been upset with me because my father had you stationed in town to watch over me. I hope my father compensated you for bringing me here."

Jack was completely confused and didn't know how to respond… all he could manage was, "Huh?"

"Could I have some water, please?" She asked.

"Sure," Jack filled a glass with water, and helped her drink from it.

Elizabeth laid back on the bed, took a deep breath and tried to gather rational thoughts… "Jack, what happened in the trial?"

"What trial?" He asked.

"Jack, don't make me laugh, my stomach hurts. You know what trial I'm talking about…Henry Gowen and the mine company," she responded.

"Elizabeth, you know the widows won," he reminded her.

"Jack how would I know that? The town was gearing up for the trial when I got sick," she replied.

Faith came in the room to take Elizabeth's vital signs…

Elizabeth and Faith talked casually while she checked her temperature, and pulse. Once she received the information she needed, she excused herself, but found Jack following her out into the hallway…

"I need to talk to you… Something's wrong with Elizabeth. She's lost months of time…What could have caused that?" He asked.

"Jack, sometimes the anesthesia can cause temporary memory issues. She remembers you, right?" Faith asked.

"She knows who I am, but she appears to have lost months of her memory. I don't know if she remembers saying "Yes" to my marriage proposal," Jack was worried and he needed answers.

"Give her a little time, Jack. It will come back to her," Faith assured him.

"I hope you're right," he remarked. Jack was concerned, because he not only had to deal with Elizabeth's "temporary" memory loss, but her father was on his way, and he knew there would be an attempt to take her back to Hamilton…and to Charles. "At least she does remember me…" he thought.

Jack sat with Elizabeth all day and night, leaving only to clean himself up, and to grab a bite to eat. During one of those breaks, the nurse brought Elizabeth her personal effects. When Jack returned to the room, she was staring at something in her hand.

"Is something wrong Elizabeth?" He asked.

She held up her engagement ring, "This is beautiful, and it must have gotten mixed up with my belongings. Jack, we need to find the woman who this belongs to…I know I would be frantic if it were mine."

Jack held out his hand, taking the ring from Elizabeth, "I'll make sure that it gets back to its rightful owner," he said sadly. Jack stepped outside of her room, needing to be away to keep her from seeing the tears that slipped down his cheeks. He leaned up against the wall, and wiped his eyes. A loud voice caught his attention, sounding gruff, and authoritative. Jack looked up and observed Mr. Thatcher talking with Dr. Chatsworth.

"My daughter isn't married," Mr. Thatcher exclaimed.

Jack's heart sank…Not only were they not married, he now questioned, with Mr. Thatcher's arrival, if they ever would be.

"Constable, you and I have a lot to discuss, but now is not the time…" Mr. Thatcher said as he strode into Elizabeth's room. "How's my girl?" He asked as he approached Elizabeth's bed.

"Oh Father, it's so good to see you," Jack heard Elizabeth call out.

Jack walked away from the room to give Elizabeth some time alone with her father. He stepped outside into the courtyard and sat on a bench. Unbeknownst to Jack, he was in clear view of Elizabeth's window.

"Jack, are you okay?" Faith called out as she approached the bench.

"I've been better," he replied as he looked up and caught Faith's eyes. "I guess I should feel blessed…and I do, I mean Elizabeth is getting better, but she gave me my ring back…"

"What?" Faith exclaimed sharply.

"Well, to be fair, she knows me, but doesn't remember being engaged to me," Jack said, completely saddened by this chain of events.

"Elizabeth who is this nurse that the Constable seems to know?" Mr. Thatcher asked as he looked out the window to the courtyard below.

"I don't know, why?" She inquired.

"Just asking…no reason," he replied. "When you're ready to travel, I'll be taking you home to recuperate."

"But Father, Jack was going to take me back to Coal Valley…at least, I think he was planning to," she replied, as she looked off into the distance, feeling a bit lost.

"No, Elizabeth, you will get the medical attention you need in Hamilton, and if you still want to return to your little town after a while, then you can make that decision then," Mr. Thatcher demanded.

"How are you feeling, Elizabeth?" Jack asked as he entered the room.

Elizabeth's face lit up as he walked into her room, "I'm feeling better. I think they will release me in a day or so, provided that I have medical care at home."

Jack smiled, but underneath he knew that Hope Valley didn't currently have a regular doctor or a nurse for that matter, so Mr. Thatcher would most likely win this argument.

"Constable, may I speak with you outside please?" Mr. Thatcher asked, but it sounded more like a demand.

Jack followed him out into the empty hallway…

"I know this has to be difficult for you, especially since Elizabeth doesn't remember accepting your marriage proposal…much less you two being married. I know why you said that you were her husband, and I appreciate you bringing her here. However, as her father, when she is sick, her mother and I want to know about it. If we had been made aware, we would have had the surgery done on Hamilton with the finest medical staff. What's done is done, and Elizabeth will be fine, and that's most important. However, we must do what is in her best interests at this point, and that means her recuperating in Hamilton, where we can provide her with the best medical care," Mr. Thatcher stated.

Although Jack didn't like it, he couldn't argue with Mr. Thatcher's logic, as he truly wanted the best for Elizabeth. "May I go in and sit with her for awhile?" Jack asked.

"Certainly, I'll go get me some coffee. Would you care for anything?" He asked.

"No thank you," Jack responded.

Jack walked in and sat by the bed watching Elizabeth as she dosed. He was happy to simply hold her hand and watch her sleep, but felt uneasy with her going back to Hamilton to rest and recuperate. He suspected that her short term memory loss began after their first kiss, and although he told her that she was "the only one," he did not believe that she remembered them professing their love, each to the other.

Elizabeth gingerly sat up in bed, trying her best to stay awake, wanting very much to talk with Jack. "Thank you for getting me here, and staying with me; I owe you my life," she spoke softly, managing a warm smile. She continued, "I don't want to go to Hamilton, but I guess its best."

Jack couldn't speak…he didn't have words to adequately reflect how he felt. Thoughts were going through his mind, and his main concern beyond Elizabeth's health, was Charles.

Elizabeth continued to improve, and after several days, Dr. Chatsworth agreed to release her. Mr. Thatcher made arrangements to have Elizabeth transported to Hamilton, where he planned for her to remain for the near future.

"Would you like to sit out in the courtyard while you wait for your father and the carriage?" Jack asked.

"I would love to, Jack…Thank you," she responded.

Jack helped her out to the courtyard, and they sat on a bench that had been erected in honor of Dr. Chatsworth's grandparents, founding members of the hospital.

"Jack, I don't know how long I'll be gone. My parents want me to stay until I'm completely healed, but I suspect they don't want me to return at all," Elizabeth turned away, not wanting Jack to see the tears welling up in her eyes.

Jack took her hand in his, which surprised her slightly, "You'll be back…Once you're ready, you let me know, and I'll come for you."

Elizabeth obviously had something on her mind as she began, "Jack, I know we've just started courting, and I don't want to appear presumptuous, but I…" her voice started to trail off.

"Elizabeth, everything will be fine…don't worry," he assured her.

"I can't wait until the next school session…Do you think we'll be in the new school by then?" She asked.

Jack's eyes widened and his jaw dropped, "Elizabeth, the school is finished, and you actually have been teaching there for a while. Do you not remember that?" Jack asked, obviously concerned about her memory.

"Jack, why can't I remember? Is there anything else important that I've forgotten?" She asked.

Jack smiled warmly, "Nothing that you need to know right now." He wanted her to know he loved her; that the ring in her belongings was actually hers, and that they were engaged. But he could see the strain in her face…lost look in her eyes, and he didn't want to upset her further. Looking around and seeing that they were alone, he leaned down covering her lips with his. He felt her lips soften at his touch. Unfortunately, their time alone would be cut short…

Mr. Thatcher found them in the courtyard, "Oh, excuse me…Elizabeth, it's time to leave…"

Jack stood and held out his hand to help her up. He wrapped her arm through his and he walked her to the carriage. He stood still and silent as he watched the carriage leave town, with the only thing he cared about onboard…Elizabeth!

To be continued…