She slipped into bed beside Jack and listened to see if he was asleep. His breathing was even but he was facing away from her, so she couldn't tell for sure.

She wanted to apologize again for what she said downstairs but, deep down, that may have been what she truthfully felt. She never should have said the words out loud, though. She rolled over toward him and moved against his back, her arm around his waist. He moved his hand to cover hers. Whether intentional on his part or habit, she would take it.

He felt her up against his back. Before he knew what he was doing, he grabbed her hand. He was very hurt that she would blame him and say he was ruining her relationship with Drew. He would never intentionally do that. How that thought even crossed her mind, he had no idea. He sat up, grabbed a blanket from the foot of the bed and went to sleep on the couch.

That was his intention anyway. Neither he, nor Elizabeth slept at all. They tossed and turned, both stewing about the other. He, hurt and angry. She, sad and sorry.

At three o'clock, Drew woke up to eat, like always. Like always, Elizabeth fed him and then when asleep, put him back to bed.

An hour later, Jack sat up, walked upstairs, dressed for work and left for the day.

Two hours later, Elizabeth woke the kids, sending Caleb to milk Spot, and made breakfast. She still couldn't stomach eggs, so she made toast for herself and biscuits with gravy for everyone else, no sausage.

She made tea and sat quietly watching as the kids ate breakfast. Caleb brought the jug of milk in. "Here you go, Ma." She kissed the top of his head and poured milk for all of them.

"Tank, Mama," Emmy said with a smile.

"Welcome, Baby."

"Mama!" Will pointed at the milk.

She forgot the boys. She tried to get him to sip from her cup but he pushed it away, repeatedly.

"Will? I don't know what you want."

"Mama?"

"Yes, Bug."

"Maybe he wants it in a bottle. Daddy gave him one and he liked it. Drew too."

She looked at her daughter, realizing she was right. Will was just independent enough to want to do it himself and Drew would want to do what Will did.

"Ya, Mama." Will nodded. "Ba."

"Bottle?"

"Ya." She got up, knowing her battle against the bottle was lost. She filled both bottles and gave one to each of them. Will immediately grinned and drank his bottle, stopping to eat his biscuits in between sips. Drew looked at her, holding his arms out.

"Mama, up."

She picked him up and cuddled with him as he drank his bottle. He still smiled just as sweetly as he did when he nursed, still reaching up so she could kiss his fingers and giggling when she pretended to bite them. It wasn't quite the same, but she still felt connected. Nothing had been lost.

Now she felt completely horrible about what she said to Jack. The tears started falling and all the kids became worried. Drew sat up, put his finger on her tears and then hugged her. Will looked alarmed as he watched from his chair.

"Ma? What's wrong? Are you sick?" Caleb asked, standing up and putting his arm around her shoulder.

Emmy started crying too and Bug just looked scared.

"Ok, everybody. I'm ok. Don't worry. Let's just say, I wish your Daddy was here so I could talk to him. I wasn't very nice and I need to apologize."

"You nice, Mama," Emmy offered.

"Normally yes, but even Mamas can be naughty."

"I can go get Grandma so you can go see Dad, if you want." She thought about waiting until later, but she didn't want him to stay angry any longer than he had to.

"Ok, Caleb. Now listen. Go straight there, stay on the sidewalk, not in the street. Got it?"

"Yes, Ma."

She straightened the kitchen as she waited for Charlotte to come in the door with Caleb.

"Elizabeth? What's going on? Are you ok?" Charlotte sounded panicked as she walked in.

"Yes of course. What did Caleb tell you?"

"He just said you needed Jack and to come help. I thought you were sick or.. "

"What Caleb should have said was that I need to talk to Jack and then asked if you could come help me by staying with the kids while I go." She looked at her son who just smiled. She shook her head and smiled back.

"Of course. What's going on?"

"Long story. Let's just say.. "

"Mama naughty," Emmy said from the toy area.

Charlotte and Elizabeth laughed. "Yes, and I need to go fix it now. I'll be back soon, Mom."

"Ok, take your time."

Elizabeth walked down the street to the jail and peeked in the window. Jack was sitting in his chair, staring off into space. He wiped a tear from his face and blew his nose.

She walked in and looked at him. "Jack."

"Elizabeth." He sat forward and stared at the paperwork on his desk, instead of her.

"Can we talk for a few minutes?"

"What's the point? You said what you felt. What else is there?"

" Yes I told you what I felt. I didn't want to but once the words were out, I couldn't take them back."

He sat on the edge of his desk and crossed his arms, the muscles in his face, twitching with anger.

"How could you think that I would ever want to ruin any relationship you had with our kids? Don't you know me at all? Six years, Elizabeth! Married six years and you don't know me! Or maybe I don't know you." He yelled, losing his temper. He never lost his temper, but he had never felt this way or felt the need to be heard before.

"Jack. I understand that you are angry, but that's not what I said."

"Yes, you did!"

"No, I didn't." She stepped close to him, resting her hand on his arm. "What I said was I didn't want to lose my son and you were ruining it. I felt like by you giving him the bottle, that meant he didn't need me anymore. I did not say you intentionally were doing that."

"There is no difference. Either way, I tried to help you, tried to make things easier on you by buying the bottles and you claimed I ruined everything. How can you…nevermind. I need to work. The kids need you."

"The kids are fine."

"I need to work, so.."

"Eventually you need to take a break. So I will wait here until that happens." She sat down at his desk and waited. He glared at her and walked into the other room, shutting the door.

An hour later, Jack walked out of the back room, fully expecting Elizabeth to have gone home, but she was still sitting at his desk. "You are so stubborn, Elizabeth."

"As are you, my dear." She smiled at him, but was met with an icy stare. Her smile disappeared as she watched him walk across the room. "Are you ready to talk?"

"I said all I wanted to say."

"Well, are you ready to listen then? I have some things I want to say."

"Fine."

He sat down in his chair and looked at her.

"I was wrong, Sweetie. On so many levels. I was wrong to tell you what I thought, when I knew it would hurt you. I was wrong when I said you ruined my time with Drew. I fed him a bottle, Jack, and he still was the same. I wasn't feeding him myself, but I still gave him what he needed and he still loves me. I love him and all our children so much, I can hardly put it into words." She paused, letting the tears fall. "And you. I love you with all that I have, and I'm so sorry that I hurt you. Please forgive me."

He stood up and walked over, kneeling down in front of her chair. He pulled her into his arms and cried with her, until they had no more tears. "Do you forgive me?" He pulled back slightly and kissed her, effectively answering her question. When they separated a few moments later, she smiled.

"What?"

"Nothing. I should go home."

He pulled her down on to the floor with him and leaned back against the desk, his arms wrapped around her tightly. "Please stay."

"I left them…"

"With my mom. They are fine. I need you here right now."

"Ok. I'll stay." She closed her eyes and sighed.

"Elizabeth, I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For making you feel the way you did and for yelling. I should never yell at you. No one deserves that."

"Sweetie, you were upset and rightly so. Don't worry about it, ok?"

He nodded and looked at her. She was falling asleep. "Did you sleep last night?"

"No, did you?"

"Not even a little bit."

"Let's go take a nap then. This floor is uncomfortable." She smiled and stood up, holding out her hand.

"I need to get back to work."

"You told me to stay with you a few moments ago, so I'm asking you to do the same. I need your arms around me to sleep. One hour and then we both go back to what we need to do." He followed her into the bedroom and locked the door. They both took off their shoes and shirts and crawled in to bed, exhausted. They were asleep within minutes and didn't wake up for three hours.

When Elizabeth woke up, she felt disoriented and took a moment to focus. Then she looked over Jack's shoulder at the clock and gasped. "Jack, wake up, Honey." She struggled to get out from under his arm. "Jack, wake up."

"Maybe you should try something else to wake me up," he said, smiling, pulling her closer.

"We don't have time. It's been four hours since I came here this morning. I need to go home."

"Just stay."

"Nope, let me up, please." He sighed, rolling away from her so she could get up. She buttoned her shirt and put her shoes back on and then leaned down to kiss him quickly. As she went to get up, he grabbed her hand, keeping her there.

"Tonight?"

"Yes, tonight. I love you, very much."

"I love you." She kissed him again and walked back home as quick as she could.

OUTSIDE

"Beth! Wait, please." Elizabeth hadn't heard her mother calling for her as she walked home. She was distracted by all that had happened and the need to get home.

"I'm sorry, Mother."

"That's ok. Why in such a hurry?"

"I went to see Jack for a few moments and then we fell asleep and now it's been four hours. I'm just headed home, that's all."

"Are you ok? You look exhausted."

"Yes, I'm fine now. Thank you for asking."

"Can I visit with you now?"

Elizabeth smiled and slipped her arm through her mother's. "Of course. Let's go."

"How are you feeling today?"

"Not too bad. Yesterday evening I was sick, but not yet today."

"That's good. What's bothering you, Sweetheart?"

"Nothing, I'm just fine. I messed up, but I just fixed it so everything's fine."

Jack left work as early as he could. He needed to see Elizabeth. Once she left the jail, his mind was on her. He couldn't work or concentrate on anything. He was no longer angry or hurt. Now he just wanted to be with her.

He walked in the door and heard voices in the kitchen. As he made his way there, he realized his mother, Grace, and Leesa were all visiting.

"Hey ladies."

"Hi!" Elizabeth said with a huge smile on her face. She was holding Livy and looked so perfect doing it.

"You're home early, son," Charlotte commented.

"Yeah, I guess I am." He kept his eyes on Elizabeth as he talked.

He walked over and kissed Grace's cheek. "Good to see you, Mom."

"You too, dear."

"Leesa, Livy is getting so big."

"Yeah, I know. Wish I could keep her little forever."

He sat down next to Elizabeth. "Can I hold her?"

"Sure." Elizabeth handed her over, her fingers brushing his, causing both of them to feel a spark. She smiled at him and rested her hand on his leg, hidden by the table.

Charlotte could see the two of them, the looks they were sharing. She knew enough about the situation to know they had fought, but apparently had worked things out in the four hours Elizabeth had been gone. She also guessed that Jack had hoped to spend time with Elizabeth since he came home early. She had always been amazed at the amount of love they had for each other, and this moment was no exception.

She heard Will yell from upstairs, apparently awake from his nap. "I'll get the boys."

"Thanks, Mom," Elizabeth acknowledged. She leaned closer to Jack, their shoulders now touching.

Grace and Leesa were chatting and Jack really wanted to sneak a kiss, but would she let him? He squeezed her hand to get her attention and when she looked over, he leaned in slightly and looked at her lips and then back at her eyes, asking permission. She smiled slightly and nodded. He looked back at their guests, still involved in their conversation so he did it, twice. That would tide him over until later.

"Mama! Up," Will said as he ran up to her.

"Hi, baby. Come here." She picked him up, kissed his cheeks and held him close. "Did you sleep?"

"Ya, Mama."

"Dada?" He pointed at Jack, confused about him holding another little person.

"Hi buddy. Can you say hi to Livy?"

"No, Dada. Up?" He tried to climb into Jack's arms.

"I'll hold you in a minute. Stay with Mama right now."

Will frowned, maybe a little jealous about sharing his father. "Mama, Dada?" He pointed at him again.

"Will, you stay with me. Daddy is holding Livy." Drew found Leesa so he was happy. Elizabeth got up to make tea, propping Will on her hip. He was going to have to get used to another baby in the house. She was actually surprised he noticed. Normally he wasn't begging to be held.

After dinner, the kids were in bed and Elizabeth was upstairs tucking them in while Jack did the dishes. He was humming to himself so he didn't hear Elizabeth walk in.

"Hey sweetie."

"Hey. Kids asleep?"

"Pretty much. Want to take a bath with me?" He smiled, wanting nothing but to spend time with her.

"Sure. I'll finish up here and then I'll heat up the water."

"Ok." She walked over and touched his arm. "Jack?"

"What?"

"Are we ok? I mean after yesterday…I just want to make sure."

He looked over and nodded. "We're ok."

"I'm just so sorry I hurt you. I can't imagine how horrible I must have made you feel." The tears started again.

"Hey, come here." He pulled her into his arms and held her. "Everything is fine, Honey. I'm not upset or hurt anymore."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, very sure." He kissed her forehead and held her for a few minutes. She could tell he forgave her, but it may take awhile before she forgave herself.

Thirty minutes later, the bath water was hot and they remembered to lock the door and light a few candles before settling in.

"Are you feeling ok tonight, baby?" He tickled her neck with his lips, wrapping his arms around her tummy. She immediately felt butterflies and smiled.

"Actually yes. Maybe the morning sickness is gone. I'm only about ten weeks but anything is possible, I suppose."

"Secret?"

"What?"

"I hope it's a girl," he whispered.

"Really? Me too. I figured you would want another boy."

"Boys are nice, but having another beautiful daughter would be perfect."

"Have you thought of any names for our beautiful daughter?"

"Yes, I have, actually."

"Like what?"

"Rachel." She nodded, kissing his cheek. "You don't like it? I love it."

"No, I do, Sweetie."

"But?"

"I had another name in mind."

"Ok. What's yours?"

"Carly."

"Carly Thornton. It sounds nice."

"I think so too. I can picture her already." She closed her eyes, weaving her fingers through his. "I've been dreaming about another baby girl for a long time. Ever since we lost her, Jack. I think about her everyday. She would be almost three." He felt her start to shake, knowing she was crying and not knowing how to stop it, so he just sighed and held her tighter.

"I know, Sweetie. I miss her too."

"I just wonder if it will ever get easier."

"I don't know. I just try to concentrate on what we have so I don't get too sad about what we lost."

"I wish it were that simple."

The next day was beautiful. Warm and sunny, perfect weather to be outside.

"Ma?"

"Hey Caleb."

"Can I go fishing?"

"With whom?"

"Papa Jake. They are leaving soon so I want to go before he leaves."

"Ok. Don't be too long. Walk on the sidewalks."

"Thanks, Ma."

"Welcome, Baby."

"Ma?"

"Yes?"

"Why do you call me that?"

"What?"

"Baby?"

"It's a term of endearment."

"What does that mean?"

She pulled him down next to her on the couch. "That means it's a word I use to say that I love you."

"Oh." She put her arm around him.

"You know I love you, right?"

"Yes, I know."

"To me, you will always be the little boy that I was meant to have in my life that I didn't know I needed. I am so glad and so proud that you are mine."

He got up on his knees next to her and then climbed onto her lap like he used to when he cuddled with her. "I love you, Mama."

"I love you too, Baby." She kissed his cheek and let him go. "Remember, Caleb…"

"I know, Ma. Sidewalks and listen to Papa. I will."

The next week, Grace, Jake, Abigail, Frank, and Carrie left to travel back to Hope Valley. Elizabeth missed them the moment they were gone, but Grace and Jake promised to come back in late January so they would be around to meet their newest grandchild.

"Ma? Can Amy come over?"

"Sure, but make sure her parents say yes first."

"Ok. I'll go ask."

Five minutes later, Caleb and Amy ran up to her excited to finally get a chance to play for the afternoon. Adam, Amy's father, didn't allow it often, but getting to know his granddaughter and his oldest daughter better, seemed to have softened him a bit.

"Mrs. Thornton, my Daddy said I can stay for dinner, is that ok with you?"

"Yes, of course. We are happy to have you."

"Thank you!" She had rarely seen her so happy. Usually she was very serious, but Elizabeth suspected, she had a crush on Caleb and maybe vice versa. She smiled as they ran, hand in hand up the sidewalk to their house.

BACK AT THE THORNTONS

"Sweetie, I'm back," she announced as she walked in the door.

"Ok, I'm in the kitchen."

"What are you up to, Constable?" She walked up next to him and wrapped her arm around his waist.

"Making chili and cornbread. I asked Abigail to write down her recipe before she left."

"It smells really good."

"You smell really good," he flirted. She stepped closer and kissed him. He stopped stirring and walked over to the table to sit, pulling her with him. She sat on his lap and gazed into his eyes.

"Hi."

"Shhh." He covered her lips with his, holding her tightly, getting lost in the sweet scent of her lotion and her soft skin. They didn't realize Caleb and Amy had walked in the room.

"Ma?"

Elizabeth turned red and stood up to face the kids. "Yes, Caleb?"

"Can Amy and I go fishing?"

"Not alone, no. If Papa or Grandma goes too, yes."

"Please, Ma?"

"Ask Papa or Grandma. That's the only way."

"Ok, we will go ask."

"Thanks sweetie." They walked out and Elizabeth looked at Jack, laughing.

"I'm going to get the kids. Time for lunch."

Caleb and Amy knocked on Charlotte and Bill's door.

"Come in!"

"Grandma? It's me."

"Hey Caleb. Hi, Amy."

"Hi Mrs. Avery."

"Grandma, is Papa here?"

"No, he isn't. Can I help you?"

"We want to go fishing but Ma said no unless you or Papa go."

"I can go, if you want me to."

"Yes, please. Thank you."

AT THE STREAM

"Grandma?"

"Yes, Caleb."

"Why do Ma and Dad kiss so much?"

Charlotte chuckled. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, what's so great about it?"

"Well, it's a way that grownups show that they care about each other. Your parents love each other very much."

"They must. Every time I walk in a room they're kissing. It's embarrassing."

Amy chuckled as she listened. She never saw her parents kissing or holding hands or touching at all. It was definitely different and refreshing to feel the love that Constable and Mrs. Thornton shared.. She wasn't embarrassed at all. It actually made her want it for herself one day.

"One day, Caleb, you won't feel that way. You will meet a sweet girl and you will want to kiss her."

"Yuck."

AT THE THORNTONS

"Mama? Hold me?"

"Bug? What's wrong?" She picked her up to cuddle her.

"I don't feel good." Elizabeth's heart dropped. She really hoped she wasn't sick. She didn't want everyone else sick, especially herself. She felt her head, not noticing a fever.

"What doesn't feel good?"

"My tummy."

"What did you have to eat?" She didn't answer. "Bug?" She looked down at her face and realized she had fallen asleep.

"Elizabeth, I just found Emmy and Will eating candy upstairs. Where did it come from? There's a lot of wrappers everywhere."

"Must be Caleb's. All I know is, now Bug's tummy ache makes perfect sense."

"Well, I hid the rest of the candy in our room and cleaned up. Drew, Will, and Em are in bed."

"Thank you, Love." He sat next to her on the couch, putting his arm around her.

"I love it when you call me that." She smiled and turned so she could lay against his chest. Maddie was out so Elizabeth figured she would rest her eyes too.

Someone knocked on the door a few moments later. Jack got up and opened it.

"Where's my daughter?" Adam yelled, rushing into the home, pushing Jack aside.

"Adam? Which daughter?"

"Andrea! I went by her apartment and it was empty. Where is she and where is that boy she calls her husband? It will be your fault if something happens to her!"

"Adam, calm down. You can't come into my home, where my children and wife are, and act this way."

"You didn't answer me!" He boomed, his voice echoing.

Elizabeth walked up with a whimpering Maddie in her arms. "What's going on?"

"Where's Andrea?"

"If you would stop yelling, I would appreciate it. You are scaring my daughter."

"Why are neither of you answering my question?"

"Look, Adam," Elizabeth began. "Do you see how you are acting? Why would we help you, when you rush into our home and scare us? No wonder Andie ran away." She glared at him and walked upstairs with Maddie.

"Adam, let's go outside." Jack opened the door for him and they both walked out. Jack sat on the bench while Adam stood towering over him, twisting his hat.

"I can't believe you let your wife speak for you. My wife would never speak to a man that way."

Jack took a moment to think of what he wanted to say. "That is one of the biggest differences between you and I. I don't use my position in the home to force her in any way, or demean her. She has her own mind and she respects those who show her respect."

"That was respect?"

"Actually yes. You deserved much worse. You came into our home, not your home, and scared our daughter. You were disrespectful, not her."

"Do you know where Andrea is, or am I wasting my time coming here?"

"I have an idea where she is, but you must realize, she is not under your control anymore. She's married with a family of her own."

"She will ALWAYS answer to me!"

"I'm afraid you are incorrect. Now if you would kindly leave my porch, I can go check on my family."

"I'm not leaving without my daughter. I knew it was a mistake letting her play with your boy." He said "your boy" with such disdain, Jack couldn't let it pass.

"She isn't here. She is fishing with my boy and my Mother. As soon as they come back, I will bring her home. In the mean time, my boy is perhaps the sweetest, kindest boy I have ever known. She needs someone in her life like that. He makes her happy and she is welcome here anytime. You, however, need to leave. You are officially trespassing. I can arrest you for that."

Jack stood up, crossing his arms. Adam glared and left.