A few weeks later, Elizabeth started feeling out of sorts. It happened one morning after Jack had left for work early. She woke up to get ready for school and felt lightheaded. She also felt sick to her stomach had a headache and felt exhausted. While she was having breakfast, toast with a cup of tea, she decided to go into town to see Danielle and ask her to take over class for the day. Then she was going to see if Jack was at the jail and ask him to go to see Dr. Matthews with her. She wasn't sure why she was feeling this way but she wasn't going to play games with her health. She had a feeling Dr. Matthews would tell her she should stop teaching and she was prepared to do that.

After speaking with Danielle and letting her know she would most likely not be teaching any longer, she went to the jail. She was relived to find Jack sitting at his desk doing paperwork. He looked up when he heard the door open. "Elizabeth? Why aren't you at school? What's wrong?" He jumped up from his desk and brought her over to his chair to sit down. He kneeled down in front of her, taking her hands in his and noticed she didn't look well. She was very pale and she looked tired. He instantly became worried and scared. He hadn't felt this way since she had the bad morning sickness. He took a second to calm down because he knew he needed to be strong for Elizabeth.

"I'm not sure Jack, but I woke up not feeling well. I felt dizzy, nauseous and exhausted. I also have a headache. I asked Danielle to take over for me today and so I can go see the doctor. I stopped here because I was hoping you would come with me."

"Of course I will come with you. I want to know what is going on." He stood up and grabbed his hat, before helping Elizabeth to her feet. "Maybe you should sit here while I get a buggy. You shouldn't be walking."

"I'm can handle it Jack. I walked to town by myself, but if you want to get a buggy to take me home, I would appreciate it."

"I will definitely do that. Let's get you to the doctor's." Jack put his arm around her as they left the jail and walked the short distance to the doctor's office.

Dr. Matthews looked up when the Jack and Elizabeth walked in. "Jack, Elizabeth? Did I forget an appointment?" He looked down at his appointment calendar.

"No, Dr. Matthews. I am not feeling well and I wanted to get checked out."

"Of course. Come with me to an exam room."

"Can Jack come with me?"

"Yes he can if it will make you feel better." Dr. Matthews replied after seeing the look in Elizabeth's eyes. He waited until Jack had Elizabeth settled on an exam table and was holding her hand. "What seems to be the problem? What are your symptoms?"

"Well, when I got up this morning, I felt lightheaded and nauseous. I also have a headache and I feel so tired, even though I slept well last night. This is the worst I have felt since I had the bad morning sickness."

Dr. Matthews nodded. "How bad is your headache? On a scale of one to ten, ten being the worst pain you ever experienced."

"I'd say a four or five. I don't get headaches that often so when I woke up with this one, it concerned me."

"I don't blame you. A headache in pregnancy can indicate a problem with your blood pressure or it could be nothing at all. The lightheadedness and nausea can just be tied in with that. Let me start by taking your blood pressure." He got out his blood pressure cup and a few minutes later, removed it from her arm. "Your BP is slightly elevated. Nothing to be too concerned about it but I think under the circumstances you should stop teaching and try to stay off your feet as much as possible. You don't need to be on complete bed rest at this time."

Jack and Elizabeth both breathed a sigh of relief. "I had a feeling you were going to say that so I already mentioned it to Danielle. I will just need to let her know for certain."

"I can do that for you, Sweetheart." Jack replied, not wanting her to do too much.

"I will start coming by your house for your checkups, Elizabeth."

"Thank you, Dr. Matthews."

"Make sure you continue to eat properly and drink plenty of water. That will help also. If anything changes or you get more symptoms, send for me."

"We will." Jack replied as he helped Elizabeth down from the exam table. He shook Dr. Matthews's hand, thanking him once again for checking on Elizabeth, then he helped his wife out the door. "I am going to walk you back to the jail then go get a buggy so we can go home."

"We? Are you staying with me?"

"Yes, I am. Bill is around. If I leave him a note, he will take care of rounds this afternoon. I just want to be with you today. I will go back to work tomorrow, unless something happens between now and then."

"Thank you, Jack. I would love having you with me today but I have another idea. I need to let Danielle know that I won't be teaching anymore. Maybe you could go drop me off at the café where I can wait for you. Then you go to the school and come back for me after."

"All right, that sounds like a good plan. I know Abigail will let you rest while you are waiting." They continued walking over to the café. When they walked in they were surprised to see Grace sitting at the table with Abigail.

"Beth! Why aren't you in school?" Grace asked.

"Mother, I'm glad you're here. I wasn't feeling well this morning so I went to see Dr. Matthews. He said my blood pressure is up a bit, nothing to be concerned about but he wants me to stop teaching and stay off my feet as much as possible."

"I'm glad it's nothing serious, Beth. I remember how I was at this time in my pregnancy with you and Eric. I was so tired. Of course I didn't have a job like you do. What can I do to help?"

"Yes, Elizabeth and Jack. I would like to help too." Abigail said. "Maybe Grace and I can take turns coming out to the house to keep you company. I can also help with meals."

Elizabeth and Jack exchanged looks, knowing what the other one was thinking. They had such great family and friends. "If you could come out to see Elizabeth that would be a huge relief off my shoulders." Jack replied. "I hate to leave her but I can't shirk my duties as a Mountie."

"Done, Jack." Grace stood up and gave him a kiss. "I am happy to go spend time with my daughter."

"I am going to spend the rest of the day with Elizabeth but if you could come by in the morning that would be great." He leaned down to kiss Elizabeth. "I am going to stop by the school then come back here with a buggy to take you home."

"See you in a little while." Elizabeth returned the kiss. Jack quickly left the café and set out to the school house, leaving Elizabeth in the capable hands of her mother and Abigail.

"Would you like something to eat, Elizabeth?" Abigail asked as she poured a cup of tea for her friend.

"I would, thank you. The nausea I was experiencing earlier is gone."

Abigail put some biscuits, scones and muffins on a plate and brought them to the table, where she sat down. "I am planning on making roast chicken for dinner tonight. I can send Bill out to your house with dinner for you and Jack."

"That would be great, Abigail. I have a feeling Jack won't want to leave my side for very long."

"Of course he won't. He loves you and the babies so much. He doesn't want anything to happen to you." Grace smiled as she thought about what a good husband her daughter married. She couldn't believe that at one time she was against the marriage.

"Your mother is right, Elizabeth. Jack would do anything to keep you safe, loved, happy and healthy. Your children too. Let him take care of you right now. Once those babies arrive you won't get a moment's rest."

"I will. At least I am not on permanent bedrest. I can still walk around the house some." She picked up a biscuit and began to eat. The ladies continued to chat while they had their tea, until Jack returned to get Elizabeth.

Jack walked over to the table to help Elizabeth get up. He was happy to see she had been eating. "Are you ready to go home, Sweetheart?"

"Yes, I am." She turned to say goodbye to her mother.

"I will come by the house in the morning, Beth. I can spend the day with you."

"I would like that very much, Mother."

Jack put his arm around Elizabeth and they started to walk towards the door. "Wait!" Abigail called to them. They turned around to see Abigail coming towards them with a basket. "I have some food for you. There are some sandwiches, biscuits and cookies in here. This should keep you going until I send Bill out with your dinner."

"Thank you, Abigail but you don't need to do that. I can make dinner for us." Jack told her.

"I know, Jack but I want to." She handed him the basket, then watched the Thornton's leave.

A short time later, Jack pulled the buggy in front of their home and quickly jumped out. He was at Elizabeth side in a flash and helped her down. Once her feet were on the ground, he swept her up in his arms and carried her inside, bringing her down to the bedroom. He set her down next to the bed. "Do you want to get undressed and into your nightgown?" He asked.

"I would, yes. I am feeling tired and would like to rest for a while, if my handsome husband would join me."

"Your handsome husband would love to join his beautiful wife in bed." They looked at each and laughed, before Jack headed to the dresser to get her nightgown. Once they were changed, Jack helped Elizabeth into bed, tucking her in before joining her. She found sleeping on her side with a pillow under her belly to be the most comfortable. It allowed Jack to continue holding her and put his arms around her. He could feel the babies moving when he did that and he loved it. "Sleep well, Sweetheart. I love you and the babies so much." He whispered in her ear.

"We love you too." Elizabeth replied softly. She soon fell asleep, safely tucked in Jack's arms.

Jack wanted to sleep but his mind wouldn't let him rest. He watched Elizabeth sleep while he thought about what had just happened. Even though Dr. Matthews had said there wasn't anything to be too alarmed about, what had happened worried him greatly. He was feeling a little like he did when Elizabeth had the bad morning sickness. He always had this great need to want to take care of and protect Elizabeth, but when something was wrong with her health, he just felt helpless. All he could do was pray and have faith that the Good Lord will make sure Elizabeth gets through the rest of the pregnancy without any more problems. He said his prayer, then closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

A short time later, Elizabeth woke up desperately needing to use the bathroom. Just in the last few days, she had noticed the twins were pressing on her bladder more often with the end result being her needing to be in the bathroom or outhouse a lot more. She had a feeling the bathroom was going to be her new best friend. She carefully tried to move Jack's arm from around but she didn't succeed.

Jack lifted his head up when he felt his arm being moved. "What do you need, Sweetheart? I can get it for you so you can rest some more." Elizabeth giggled at him. "What is so funny? I just want you to rest." He looked annoyed.

"Jack, I have to use the bathroom. There isn't a way you can bring that to me, unless you want to remodel the house but it wouldn't solve my immediate problem." She giggled again.

Jack laughed with her. "You are correct. I can't bring that to you but I can help you walk to the bathroom." He was already out of bed and at her side when he finished his sentence. Five minutes later, they were back in bed. "Is there anything else I can get you or do you want to go back to sleep?"

Elizabeth glanced over at the clock. It was almost 1pm. "I would like to have something to eat, Jack. I'm very hungry."

"Glad to hear you are hungry and not nauseous anymore. I will go get the basket of food Abigail gave us and bring it in here. We can have a picnic in bed."

"That sounds like fun, Jack. Would you bring me a glass of ice tea please?"

"Of course." He leaned down and kissed her. "You look so beautiful, Elizabeth. I love you."

Elizabeth brought a hand to his face and stroked his cheek. "I love you too." She brought his head down to hers and kissed him. Jack smiled at her, then left the bedroom. He returned with the basket and a tray with their drinks on it.

"I took a peak in the basket and Abigail made us roast beef sandwiches. There are also some of the shortbread cookies you like so much." Jack said as he settled back into bed.

"Yummy! I can't wait to have some. I could eat one first but I really should be good and have the sandwich. Eating cookies for lunch would not be healthy." Elizabeth reach into the basket to get a sandwich and she noticed the cookies. "Ooo, Jack. You didn't tell me they were dipped in chocolate! I have been craving those." Her hands were itching to pick up a cookie but instead she grabbed the sandwich and took a bite.

Jack smiled at her as he took a sandwich. They sat together quietly while they ate their lunch, occasionally stealing glances at each other and smiling. Jack noticed the color returning to Elizabeth's cheeks and he started to feel a little better. He had hope that Dr. Matthews was correct and all Elizabeth needed was to be off her feet and to rest more.

When they finished eating and Elizabeth had one of the cookies, Jack returned the food to the kitchen and then went back to join Elizabeth in the bedroom. "What do you feel like doing now, Sweetheart? Do you want to take another nap?"

"I would like to but my back is hurting me. I don't think I could sleep."

"Then I will give you a massage. Even if you don't fall asleep you will be resting."

"I would love a massage." Elizabeth said as she got herself settled on her side. Jack got back into bed and began gently rubbing her back. He could feel knots on her lower back and some in her shoulders.

"Elizabeth, you must have had these knots for days now. Why didn't you say anything about them before?"

"You've been busy with work lately, staying at the jail late. I was able to get some relief by taking a warm bath."

"From now on, Elizabeth, you are to tell me when you have a sore back or if anything else hurts that I can help you with. I am done with the extra work I have been doing and if I need to, I will bring paperwork home. Let me take care of you, please."

"I will, Jack. I promise." She told him, then let out a moan. "Oh, that feels so good, Jack. Thank you." She started to turn over to face him but he stopped her.

"I am not finished yet, Sweetheart." He continued what he was doing until he felt he got out all the knots he could. "How does your back feel now, Sweetheart?"

She looked over her shoulder at him and smiled. "Much better. Thank you, My Handsome Mountie."

"Would you like me to give you a massage anywhere else?"

"Yes, actually. My feet are sore."

"You got it." Jack helped Elizabeth lay back against the headboard and put a pillow behind her. Then he scooted down to the end of the bed and picked up one of her feet. She moaned again as he began rubbing her foot. Jack looked up at her and noticed she was resting her head against the headboard and her eyes were closed. She was clearly enjoying the massage. He smiled, happy that he was able to give her some relief. He didn't feel so useless anymore, knowing there were things he could do to make her feel better. He stopped for a second and drew a heart on her foot. She opened her eyes and saw him staring at her with a look of love on his face. She blew him a kiss and closed her eyes again, feeling his love for her and their children.