(05-01-2018) This legit took me all day cause I'm easily distracted, haha. I watched "The Perfect Bride" and was laughing so hard, oh my Lord. And I watched "Finding Father Christmas" and I LOVED it! I need to watch "Engaging Father Christmas". I can't wait for the next movies to come out! Anyway, enjoy this chapter...

*one month later*

Julie and Tom had stayed about two weeks before he had to get back to work in Hamilton. He was working his way up the ranks in one of the high-end mills and doing well for himself and by the time he and Julie got married, they'd be very comfortable. I loved having Julie and Tom over, I truly did, but it was nice to have the house to myself again.

I was up earlier than usual on a Saturday morning and made myself a cup of tea. No matter what, the smell of coffee just made my stomach twist and turn. It made me upset because I loved a good cup of coffee, especially early in the morning. I could see the sun rising out the front window, the colors magnificent and vibrant. I wish I could touch them.

I had a feeling Jack put them there for me. I smiled thinking of when he painted the backdrop for the Founder's Day Play my first year here when Hope Valley was Coal Valley. I knew it was him who had painted it, but I never told him that. That backdrop where he'd painted the tiny likeness of us in the background, kissing. He loved to admire artwork and watch how the colors swirled and danced together combining to create the perfect shade.

When it came to art, Jack and I had different tastes. He preferred paintings, sculptures, and architecture while I would take music or a play any day (1). There was one song though that Jack could never resist, Danny Boy. It was his favorite and I'd sang it only for him, except that one time for the school show and everyone praised me for having the courage to show up that night, especially with Jack having just left for the Northern Territories that morning.

I began humming the song, its sweet yet somber melody so familiar, it was like home. I felt movement from the otherwise sleeping child in my womb. I smiled and kept humming and they moved more. Soon I was laughing softly to myself.

Absolutely unbelievable.

I stopped humming for a minute, just to test my theory. I didn't feel anything. I hummed one note again and instantly they were dancing again. "Just like your father." I laughed. I started to sing the song softly and he or she didn't stop moving, not once. "You're taking lessons from your Aunt Rosie, boy or girl. I don't care." I laughed.

I got up and got ready for the day ahead, singing various little tunes, keeping myself smiling. When all was said and done, and I was dressed and ready, dishes were done, bed made and yesterday's laundry put away, I was ready to go.

Thank goodness for Rosemary, she had taken over my laundering for the time being, besides my intimates, because it was harder for me to be able to get my clothes washed. Everyone was so helpful and cared so much. They were all in love with this child almost as much as I was.

I had some errands to run and so I headed out the front door. I took the stairs one step at a time, there may have only been three, but I couldn't see my feet these days. I took a breath once my feet hit the dirt road that spanned in-front of the row houses. I started toward town taking my time, I had nowhere to be in no hurry.

"Elizabeth!" I heard behind me along with running steps. "Elizabeth! Where are you going?"

I stopped and turned to see who it was, "Rosemary, I'm just headed into town to run some errands." I said.

"Oh, that can wait until later. Come over to my house, we can have breakfast." She grabbed my arm.

I anchored my feet as best as I could to steady myself, "No, that's alright. I already ate. I've been up for a while."

"Nonsense, you're eating for two." she tugged on my arm.

"Honestly, Rosemary, I can confidently say for once that I am not hungry."

"Well, then keep me company!" she smiled.

"But-"

"Please, Elizabeth?" she bounced on her toes, something I'd seen her do when she wanted something from Lee.

I smiled, "Alright, of course, I'll keep you company."

"Yay! Let's go!" she looped her arm in mine and nearly dragged me to her house.

When we got inside, she raced to the stove where she already had something cooking, "You're cooking… already?"

"Uhm, yeah, I saw you walking down the road and wanted to catch you before you made it too far away."

"I see," I said suspiciously. Something was up. "May I?" motioning at one of the kitchen chairs.

"Of course, of course! You don't need to ask." Rosemary removed the skillet from the flame and dumped the contents of it on two plates one for her and the other probably for Lee.

"Lee, breakfast is ready," Rosemary called up the stairs.

"Alright!" Lee called down. "Hey, don't you have to make sure Eliz-" He stopped when he saw me. "Elizabeth. Good morning, how are you?"

"I'm well. What was it that you were saying? Make sure Elizabeth… what?" I blinked at him.

"Uhh… Oh, jeez, I forgot that thing I need upstairs. I'll be right back." and he turned to run back upstairs.

My gaze shifted to Rosemary, "Make sure I what?"

Rosemary thought for a second, "Make sure you got a good night's sleep, and that you had breakfast."

"Aha, well, thank you for your concern." I struggled, trying to stand up on my feet, but failing horribly. "But I really do have errands to run."

"No, Elizabeth, please. Stay." Rosemary placed her hand on mine that rested on the table.

I heaved a sigh and sat back in the chair, putting a smile on Rosemary's lips. She went to pull away, but I gripped her hand, "But you have to tell me what Lee was talking about."

"Oh, Elizabeth, I want to tell you. I do. But I can't" she bit her tongue.

"Why?" I pressed.

"You'll find out soon enough. Trust me." giving me a reassuring look, I let go of her hand. "Lee, it's safe to come down, now," she said.

"Are you sure? She had the look of death in her eye." He said down.

"You're just lucky I'm in this condition," I said teasingly.

He came down the stairs, "Let's start this over, shall we? Good morning, Elizabeth." He nodded.

"Good morning, Lee," I said back, returning the nod.

"Good morning, sweetheart." Lee went and kissed Rosemary's cheek.

"Morning, Dear," she replied.

"Joining us for breakfast, Elizabeth?" Lee asked.

"Oh, I already ate, I'm just visiting because I'm being held hostage from running my errands." I gave Rosemary a look. She only shrugged.

"There's a good reason behind it. Ow!" Lee looked at Rosemary, "What? I didn't say anything! You didn't have to kick me."

"You just shush." She said to him, "Elizabeth, how did you sleep?"

I sighed, "Fine, same as any other night. No nightmares so that's a plus."

"How is having the house to yourself again?"

"I like it because it's quieter, but I do miss Julie." I laughed a little, "I still can't believe she is marrying Tom."

"It's so exciting, another wedding!" Rosemary said, and Lee sat by quietly, eating his breakfast.

"She is in love with the designs you drew up." I said.

"I'm so glad! I really tried to put her personality into it."

"Well, I think you captured her perfectly." I smiled.

We made light conversation as they both finished their breakfast and cleaned up. Rosemary helped me up, only after I agreed to let her come with me to run errands. We walked down the road to town and we stopped everywhere I needed. But then Rosemary decided she needed to stop at the dress shop.

I sat in one of the chairs, waiting as Rosemary went into the back. I waited… and waited… and waited. "Rosemary?" I called. A minute went by and still no answer. I huffed and stood up. It took me a minute, but I got on my feet.

I made my way to the back room, "Rosemary?" She was nowhere to be seen. "What the…?" Just then, one would never guess who came in the back door.

"Elizabeth, I uh-"

"Rosemary, what is going on?" I huffed.

She smiled, "Let me show you." she reached her hand to me for me to take it. I did as she requested. What else would I do? She lead us out the front door of the shop and across the street to the main Abigail's Café entrance.

"This is Abigail's," I stated.

"Close your eyes," Rosemary said.

"But-"

"Elizabeth Thornton. Close. Your. Eyes." I was taken aback by her tone but did what she said. I heard the door click open, and the bell on it ring. "Step forward." I did. "Stop." I did. The door shut and rang behind me. The smells that filled the room were delightful, except for the faint smell of coffee. "And… Open your eyes."

My hands flew to my mouth as everyone yelled "Surprise!"

Decorations in every color in a pastel shade hung everywhere and practically every woman in Hope Valley was there. "Oh my goodness." I breathed, tears welling up in my eyes.

"Did you think you weren't going to get a baby shower?" Clara said.

"I… I don't know what to say." I put a hand on my stomach. "I can't believe you all did this." I smiled, "Thank you, so much."

Florence spoke up, "It was all Abigail's doing. The planning, the decorating."

"Loaning the space, making the food," Rosemary added.

"Stop it, you all had a hand in this," Abigail said.

"But it wouldn't have happened if it weren't for you." Clara put a hand on Abigail's shoulder. She only smiled.

I looked at Abigail giving her a silent thank you but a look that said we'd talk later. She came over and gave me a hug. "Well?" Abigail pulled away, "Let's have something to eat then we can start on presents?" I laughed along with everyone else and nodded, wiping my face.

This town, this family, I had, was truly something special.

(1) I MAY have added a bit of me into Elizabeth. I can appreciate the visual arts. I know the skill it takes, I don't have of it, thats how I know. But I'm more into the performing arts.

I don't know how this took me all day... anyhow... yeah.

ALSO if you haven't already, go follow my "When Calls the Heart" account _when_calls_the_heart_