A/N Thank you guys for all the sweet comments! I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter; it's honestly one of my favorite things I've ever written.

I'm really loving writing about J&E as parents, and I hope you are enjoying reading about this sweet family!

...

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in." I shifted the baby in my arms as Carson entered the room.

"Hey there. I just got back into town, and I figured I should check on Hope Valley's newest resident."

I smiled. "Please do." I gently passed the baby to him. "This is Jane."

"Hi, Jane. I'm Dr. Shepherd." He set her down on the sofa and quickly checked her over. "Has she been eating fine?"

Jack came down the stairs. "She eats like a champ. Hi, Carson."

"Hey, Jack. Heading back to work today?"

Jack nodded. Bill had covered for him in the two weeks since Jane was born, but he decided it was time for him to get back to work. He didn't want to leave me and Jane, but I reassured him that I had more than enough people who would be willing to help me out with her if need be.

He kissed my cheek. "I have to go do my rounds. I'll stop by at lunch."

"Okay. I love you."

"I love you, too." He touched our daughter's cheek. "I love you, Janie. Bye, Carson." He waved before he left the house.

Carson turned my attention back to the baby. "So Jack said she's been eating well?"

I nodded. "She's been sleeping pretty well, too. The first few nights were a struggle, but we've gotten into more of a routine now. She's up every few hours to eat, but she goes back down pretty quickly once she's been fed."

"And you're feeling okay?"

"Just tired, but I know that's to be expected with a new baby. Faith has been by a few times to check on us."

Carson seemed to stiffen up a little at my statement, and I realized that I hadn't seen the two of them together in a while.

"How are you and Faith?"

He sighed. "I'm not sure. I feel like she's been avoiding me, but I don't know why. When we do interact, she seems distant."

I picked up the baby and motioned for him to sit down beside me. I rubbed Jane's back as she started to fuss. "I wonder if it has anything to do with Shane being back in town."

He looked confused. "Shane Cantrell? She's never talked about him before."

"I really don't want to get in the middle of this, but you should try to talk to her. Just be honest about how you're feeling."

"Thank you, Elizabeth." He stood. "I should get going. Everything looks good with her, but don't hesitate to come find me if anything seems off. And congratulations."

I smiled. "Thank you, Carson."

When he left, I realized that I was alone with Jane for the first time since she was born. Over the past two weeks, we had had visitors nearly every day, not to mention the fact that Jack had been by my side for every moment. Rosemary and Abigail brought meals for us, giving us extra time to spend with our new baby. Some of the students had come by as well, bringing drawings and other little gifts that they had made for the baby.

"Well, Janie," I looked down at my daughter nestled peacefully in my arms, "it looks like it's just the two of us for a little while."

She looked back up at me, her wide eyes trying to focus on my face.

"You know, you're my very favorite little girl in the whole wide world, and I know your dad feels the same way." I brought her to my shoulder, kissing her cheek. "What do you say we get some work done around here before your dad comes home for lunch?"

I did as much cleaning as I could with Jane in one arm: dusting, straightening things on shelves, organizing the clean laundry that needed to be folded and put away. She eventually fell asleep in my arms, and I carefully lowered her into the cradle. Her eyelids fluttered as she slept, her little fingers twitching.

It was so quiet in the house with no one around and Jane fast asleep. It almost felt like the months when Jack was away in the Northern Territories. Those days had been painfully quiet—and so very lonely. My chest tightened at the memories.

I didn't want to wake Jane, but I needed to feel her close. I lifted her from the cradle as gently as possible. She woke momentarily, but she settled back down once she realized she was in my arms.

I leaned back on the sofa, letting her rest on my chest. I relished the flutter of her heart against me. Her breathing was slow and even. I rubbed soothing circles on her back. Every so often, her little legs jerked, and I was reminded of all the nights she kept me up with her kicking.

All those sleepless nights were worth it.

I watched her as she slept, amazed that Jack and I had created something so perfect and beautiful.

I hadn't realized how much time had passed until she began to stir in my arms. Jack would be home shortly. I quickly got a pot of soup heating on the stove, hoping it would be ready by the time Jack arrived.

When he walked in the front door a few minutes later, I was back on the sofa, feeding the baby.

He kissed the top of my head. "How was your morning?"

"Good. A little too quiet. I actually got her to sleep for a while." I stroked her cheek. "Carson said she's looking nice and healthy." I looked back up at my husband. "How was work?"

"Nothing too exciting. I missed my girls."

I smiled. "We missed you, too."

He touched his fingers to my face before he leaned in and kissed me.

"There's soup on the stove if you're hungry. I'll join you once she's finished."

He sat beside me. "I'll wait. I'm not in a hurry to get back to work."

In that moment, everything was perfect. Jack rested his arm on the sofa behind me, brushing my shoulder with his thumb. Jane watched my face as she ate, content and relaxed in my arms. Jack reached over and smoothed down the fine hair on her head.

It was quiet, peaceful. Neither of us spoke; we were so enamored with our tiny baby girl. Her little hand gripped my finger as her eyelids began to droop.

I loved the moments after she ate, when she was just drifting off. It was the time when she was most content, snuggled in my arms with a full belly.

Jack took her from me, holding her in one arm while we ate lunch together. "I wish I didn't have to go back to work." He sighed, looking down at our sleeping daughter.

"Just a few more hours. Then we have the whole evening to ourselves."

...

I woke when I heard the front door close. I sat up slowly, rubbing my eyes. "Jack?"

"Hey there, sleepyhead." He kissed my cheek.

"I'm sorry that I don't have dinner ready. Jane went down for a nap, and I was just going to rest my eyes for a moment. I must've fallen asleep."

"Don't worry about it, Elizabeth." He sat beside me, bringing his hand to my cheek. "How about this? I can go back into town and pick up something from Abigail's."

"Why don't we all go? I've been stuck in this house for two weeks, and it's about time for me to get out for a little while."

"That sounds like a great idea." He leaned in and kissed me softly. "I'll just need to get changed."

"Don't feel rushed. I need to feed Jane before we go."

Half an hour later, we were strolling toward Main Street. Jack held Jane in one arm, his other arm linked with mine.

A few people stopped us on our way, wanting to see the baby. I couldn't blame them; she was amazing.

Abigail looked up from the stove when we entered the café.

"Well, if it isn't the Thorntons. I didn't expect to see you three today." She moved toward us.

"We just thought it was time for Jane to experience the town." Jack shifted the baby in his arms.

"Naturally, we have to start with Auntie Abigail's Café. Mostly because we love you, but also because we're hungry."

She laughed, reaching out and touching the baby's cheek. "Well, Miss Jane, you are always welcome here." She looked back up at me and Jack. "Have a seat. What sounds good?"

We settled into a table by the window and requested two helpings of Shepherd's Pie. Jane was still nestled comfortably in Jack's arms.

I rested my chin on my hand, gazing over at my husband and daughter. My heart melted every time I saw the two of them together. Jack was an incredible father to her, and she already adored him.

Our first outing as a family of three was going wonderfully. Jane seemed perfectly content, though I suspected that had more to do with the fact that she was in her father's arms than anything else.

"Have I told you lately that I love you?"

He grinned. "I love you, too."

Abigail returned to the table with our food, a wide smile covering her face.

"What is that look for?"

She set down our plates. "I just can't get over seeing you two as parents. I've been waiting a long time to see the two of you with a family of your own."

Jack reached across the table and took my hand. "We've been waiting a long time for this, too."

Abigail touched my shoulder. "I'll leave you guys to it, then. Enjoy your dinner."

...

The following day, I was doing chores around the house when there was a knock at the door. I checked that Jane was still sleeping peacefully in the cradle before I opened the door.

"Oh, hello, Faith. Come on in."

I hadn't planned on seeing her that day. She looked flustered, like something was bothering her. I ushered her over to the sofa.

She sat down and sighed. "I'm sorry for showing up here without notice. I just need to talk to someone, and you were the first person I thought of."

I sat beside her. "It's no problem. Jane just went down for a nap a little while ago, so we have some time to talk. What's going on?"

"It's Carson. He noticed that I've been a little off lately, ever since Shane came back to town." She covered her face with her hands. "I just don't know what to do. I like Carson a lot, and we've been seeing each other for a while now, but…Shane coming back has just kind of thrown me for a loop. I can't help but think that, had he not left town, we might still be together."

"And now that he's back, you feel torn."

She nodded. "I really do like spending time with Carson, but I also really liked spending time with Shane."

"Faith." I put my hand on top of hers. "I think you should take some time and really think about your feelings."

"You sound like you've dealt with a situation like this before."

I laughed softly. "I have, with Jack, actually. I don't know if you know this, but he was engaged to Rosemary before he came here."

She gasped. "How did I not know that?"

"We try to avoid talking about it. It's kind of a touchy subject for us." I shrugged. "Anyway, when she showed up, I could tell that he still had some unresolved emotions about that relationship, so I made him take some time so he wouldn't make a decision he'd regret." I twisted the rings on my finger, smiling slightly. "Obviously you know what his decision was."

She sat there in silence for a few moments. Her eyes flicked around the room as she thought about the things I said.

"Well, I am no closer to making a decision, but this has really helped."

"Of course. Any time you need to talk—about anything—I'm here." I crossed the room and picked up Jane as she was beginning to stir.

"Thank you, Elizabeth."

"You know, I think Jane wants to see her favorite nurse."

Faith smiled, taking the baby from my arms. She rocked her gently. "Hello, Miss Jane. You are just absolutely precious." She looked up at me. "She really is a doll."

"Isn't she? I know I'm biased, but I think she's the most perfect baby. Even when she's keeping me up all night." I laughed softly.

Jane started to fuss in her arms. "I think that's your cue." She passed the baby back to me. "I should get going. Thank you again for the advice."

I hugged her, taking care not to disturb Jane, before she stepped out the door.

While I fed the baby, I sat and thought about what I would do if I were in Faith's shoes. I honestly had no idea what decision she would make. I just prayed she would be happy with whatever she chose.

...

A/N The next chapter is going to be a little later than usual, as I will be out of town this weekend without my computer, but I will try to get it up sometime next week!