Chapter Two:

A Gift for Jack

Hearing Jack coming down the hall, humming, she quickly wiped her tears from her eyes and face, hoping Jack wouldn't notice. She tried putting a smile on her face as he entered the room. Seeing her awake, Jack started singing "Happy Birthday" as he put her breakfast tray down on the bed. She tried to ignore the smell of the bacon and eggs as he finished singing.

"Happy Twenty-fifth Birthday, Sweetheart" he said, as he leaned over to kiss her. He then noticed she had been crying. "Hey, what's the matter, Elizabeth? You shouldn't be crying today. This is a happy day."

"It is, Jack, in more ways than one. I have a wonderful, thoughtful husband who treats me like a princess on my birthday" Jack flashed his famous dimpled smile at her. "Please don't be insulted because I really appreciate the gesture, but I am feeling sick this morning. I don't think I could eat that. Would you mind bringing the tray back to the kitchen and then come back and sit on the bed with me? I have a little gift to give you."

Jack looked at her, a little confused and a little hurt. "Ok, sure. If that is what you want. But you didn't need to get me a gift, it's not my birthday". He took the tray and left the room. A minute later he was back, but with a worried expression on his handsome face. "What is going on, Elizabeth? I know you haven't been feeling well lately. Should I go get the doctor?"

She smiled at him, a huge smile that light up her face. Jack became even more confused at this point. "No Jack, that won't be necessary. I have already seen the doctor" She leaned over to open her night stand drawer and pulled out a gift. "Open this up, it will explain everything." She laughed a little at his questioning gaze.

"Ok, but I should be giving you the gifts today"

You already did, she thought to herself, as she watched him open the box. His expression got even more confused as he looked at what appeared to be tiny socks and a hat too small for his head.

"Elizabeth, if these are for me then I think something went wrong when you washed them. They are too sm…." He trailed off as he realized that maybe he wasn't supposed to wear them. "Wait a minute, are you…." He let the thought hang in the air.

Elizabeth smile grew even bigger as she took one of his hands and placed it on her abdomen. "Congratulations, Jack! You are going to be a father!" She watched the expression change on his face from confusion to joy. The smile on his face matched hers as he put the gift aside and pulled her into his arms and tenderly kissed her.

"Elizabeth, I can't believe this". He exclaimed, tears welling up in his eyes. "So what you have been feeling has been morning sickness." He buried his face in her hair and gently hugged her. Suddenly he pulled back and said "You need to eat something. We don't want you skipping meals now that you are eating for two. The eggs and bacon I made are out. Tell what you think you can keep down and I will make it for you".

"I know this doesn't sound like much, but it is just the thing for a woman suffering from morning sickness. I would like some dry toast and a cup of tea. I brought home some mint tea yesterday. Mint is good for settling upset tummies." She saw Jack about to protest her choice so she put a finger to his lips. "I know it doesn't sound like much, but if I can keep the toast down, I should be hungry in an hour or so and can then have something more substantial."

Jack nodded, liking the sound of that. "Ok, mint tea and dry toast it is." He started to get up but Elizabeth pulled on his arm to stay a moment longer.

"Jack, after I eat, I have something else I want to talk to you about. If you have the time before going to work. It's important." She cast her eyes downward, hoping she wouldn't cry again.

He looked at her, puzzled. "Ok. We have all day. I took the day off to be with the girl I love with all my heart on her special day." He smiled at her, bent down to give her one more, gentle kiss then left the bedroom.

Elizabeth let out a shaky breath. Let's hope he still feels that way after I tell him about Eric. She reached into her drawer once again and pulled out a picture of the two of them taken on their last birthday together.