Needles (this chapter picks up where the last one left off, on the porch...)

Jack moved on the rocker as Elizabeth pressed against him, "Are you comfortable?" he asked softly, looking into her eyes.

"I'm always comfortable with you," she whispered as she held his shoulders.

"We could go inside, we don't have to stay out here on the porch," he closed his eyes as she kissed his ear, "Or we could…," he sighed as her lips moved down his neck, "hmm, or we could just stay out here," he resigned himself to her advances and rolled his head to the side enjoying her attention, her touch, her kisses.

"I like it here," she whispered as she inched his shirt up his side and wiggled slightly on his lap.

"I like it here too…a lot," he smiled feeling her fingers brush his skin.

"Jack," she pushed back to pull his shirt over his head. "I love your shoulders," she ran her hands over them, pressing his smooth skin.

"You've told me that before," he grinned, holding her waist.

"Oh have I?" she bit down on her bottom lip as her hands kneaded his muscles.

"Do you think I'm handsome?" he asked softly one eyebrow raised, curious to hear her response.

She pushed back again, "What? Do I think you're handsome? Hmmm, Jack Thornton I have thought you were handsome from the moment you came riding into my life. You're the most handsome man I've ever seen, not only in the physical sense but in every sense," she nuzzled his ear and whispered, "but most definitely in the physical sense."

Jack smiled, "Thank you, that's so nice. Thank you for choosing me, I know you could have any man you want," he turned serious fingering the lace of her negligee.

"I want this man, the one I have right now...you," she kissed his cheek, "the man who loves me…the handsome one who's lap I'm sitting on right now," she kissed his other cheek. She suddenly stood up.

"What?" Jack held his hands up.

"Why are you asking me if I think you're handsome?"

"No reason," he shrugged.

She leaned over him, "Have I neglected to tell you how handsome you are? Haven't I told you how your eyes melt into my soul and how the feel of your lips carry me to the stars?"

"No, but that sure sounds nice," his eyes roamed her body as his fingers pushed the straps of her negligee down her arms.

She quickly undid his trousers, "You've bettered my life Jack."

"You've bettered mine too," he was excited as he watched her hands undo his trousers.

She climbed back onto his lap and Jack held her for a moment, thinking about what he wanted to say, wanting to carefully choose his words, "Elizabeth, I know there will be other men who are attracted to you and I can understand that, doesn't mean I like it, but I can understand it because you're a beautiful woman."

"Jack…" she touched his face.

"No, I'm serious, there will probably be other Ross's who will be attracted to you, won't surprise me. I won't like it, but I know what I signed up for."

"Oh really?" she moved against him and ran her hands through his hair.

"Men appreciate a beautiful woman and you certainly are one," he smiled.

"I just want you to appreciate me Jack," she repeatedly ran her finger over his lips.

He reached up under her negligee causing her to squeal, "I do appreciate you, always."

"Well I know those hands appreciate me," she touched his hand through the fabric of her negligee, slowing his advances.

Jack wondered if she wanted him to stop, "Are you going to show me the stars?"

She nodded, lifting her hand and the chair rocked as he pulled her body against his with both hands now under the negligee.

"I'll happily show you the stars," she brushed her lips across his, eliciting a moan from him as his strong hands gripped her. He firmly ran his hand up her back as their lips danced together and their bodies moved as one. Elizabeth's sweet moans enticed him and he pressed his fingers into her skin as the chair rocked from their love.

The next day Elizabeth went to the mercantile. Ned Yost greeted her and watched as she roamed the aisles. "Something I can help you with?"

Not wanting to appear totally helpless, Elizabeth casually said, "I just wondered if you had books on knitting."

Ned rushed to her side, "Not books, but I do have yarn and needles, what color would you like?"

Elizabeth shook her head, "Oh, I don't know, let me see what you have."

He walked toward a shelf, "What size needles do you need?"

Elizabeth's head turned toward him, "Oh…needles? The…regular size…would be fine."

Ned stopped, looked over his shoulder at her blank expression. "Well here, these are the most popular and here is some beautiful pale yellow yarn that just came in. How about that?" He planted his hands on his hips as she looked over what he had given her.

"This will be fine," she looked around, "no book hmm, is there a pattern?"

"Ah, I don't have anything right now," he scratched his head, "I could order you something."

"Maybe I'll just check with Mrs. Stanton, she must have what I'm looking for."

Ned smiled, "Oh yes, excellent, she would have what you need."

Elizabeth paid for her purchase and headed to the café.

Jack saw her from the jail but he was busy looking through flyers that had been delivered to the jail.

At the café, Elizabeth held her purchase behind her back as Abigail filled her in on the events of the day.

"Glad it was a busy day for you, and I'm sure you're tired, so I'll just head home," Elizabeth turned toward the door.

"Elizabeth, is there something on your mind?"

"I was wondering if you had an instruction book," she lifted the package.

"For what?" Abigail asked, wondering what her friend was going to attempt.

"Knitting, shouldn't I be knitting?" Elizabeth questioned.

Abigail smiled, "I don't know if you should be, but you'd certainly enjoy making something for that baby. Let me help." She washed her hands, "Show me what you have there."

Elizabeth emptied the bag of the skeins of yarn and the needles. Abigail laughed softly at the way Elizabeth looked at the needles, "They aren't that scary. You'll love knitting once you get the knack of it, it can be very relaxing."

The lesson began and, with Abigail's helping hands, Elizabeth was thrilled to have several knitted rows on her needles.

Jack walked home, surprised not to find his wife there. He did a few chores around the house while he waited. As dusk approached, Jack headed back to town, sure Elizabeth was at the café.

Elizabeth was knitting away with Abigail's encouragement, so pleased that she was able to accomplish so much. "Oh my, what time is it?" she asked when she finally looked up.

Jack tapped on the door and then entered the café, "Here you are."

"Oh Jack, I'm so sorry! I lost all track of time," she went to him and kissed his cheek. She proudly held up her knitting hanging on the needles, "Look what I did!"

Jack touched it, "That's nice," he glanced at Abigail who saw the question in his eyes.

"It will be a beautiful blanket for your baby once its finished, won't it?" She nodded, answering Jack's unspoken question.

"Yes, it will, it's beautiful," he touched his wife's arm, "you made this?"

"Yes I did," she was so pleased, "for our baby."

Jack's heart melted the way she said it and he pulled her into his embrace, "I'm so proud of you."

Elizabeth hugged him tightly, "Thank you. You must be hungry."

Abigail spoke up, "Come sit down, eat here, I have plenty."

"Thank you," Jack escorted Elizabeth to the dining room, where they sat alone. "I was worried about you."

"But you knew I'd be here, didn't you?" she looked up as Abigail brought them food, "Hmm, looks wonderful."

"Thank you Abigail," Jack replied.

"Enjoy, I'll be upstairs for a bit," Abigail left them alone.

"Well I saw you heading here earlier so I suspected you would still be here," Jack said to his wife.

"Sorry if I worried you, but I want to knit something and I've never knitted before so I asked Abigail."

"There's nothing she can't do," Jack said as he attacked his food.

"Well, that's true, but now I know how to knit, so I'll be able to make lots of nice things for our baby and maybe even something for you too," she took a bite.

"For me? What, a blanket?" Jack tore a piece of bread.

"Maybe, or a sweater," she drank some water, watching him.

"A sweater? That I'd like to see," Jack took another bite.

Elizabeth put her fork down, "It's not like cooking Jack, it's easier. I can do it, I can make something you'll see !" She stood and stormed out of the room.

Jack's mouth hung open, "Elizabeth! Wait, what did I say?" He hurried after her as she stood in front of the door, "What did I do? I'm proud of you…"

"No, you don't think I can do it," she crossed her arms and turned away.

"I do, I do think you can do it, but a sweater, well, that will have to come later," he turned her to face him, "for now you concentrate on making things for the baby. I just need you…no sweater…just you."

Elizabeth looked up with her tear filled eyes, "I need you too. I'm sorry, guess I just felt …"

Jack put his hand under her chin, "Felt what?"

"Jack!"

"What?"

"I felt it!"

"I know but I didn't mean..." he swayed.

"No Jack! I felt our baby! I think he moved!" Elizabeth's eyes and mouth were open wide as she clasped her tummy.

"Moved? Moved where?" Jack stepped back, looking at her tummy. He took his hands off her shoulders and watched as her hands roamed over her tummy.

"He moved, I felt a flutter!" she was breathing rapidly.

"Elizabeth, do you need to sit down?" Jack didn't know what to do.

"Our baby is moving!" She swallowed and looked at Jack.

"Do you need some water?" He held his hands out.

Elizabeth walked past him back to the dining room.

Jack stepped aside and watched her, "What are you doing?"

She picked up her knitting and opened the door, "We better go home, I have a lot to do!"

"Oh….well, okay…" he couldn't move for a moment, but then took off after her, "Elizabeth are you sure it was the baby you felt?"

She stopped, "Jack, what else could it be? Of course it's the baby!" She began walking again, "At least he is happy that I'm knitting."

Jack rolled his head and reached for her, stopping her, "Just a minute, I'm happy and I'm proud of you, I told you that."

"Because it is just something else you think I'm not capable of," she didn't look at him.

"Is this another mood?"

She looked up at him, "Mood? Jack Thornton!" She stormed off.

"Elizabeth!" he slapped his hand at his side, "I better just shut up."

When they reached the house, Jack was several paces behind her as he yelled out, "Elizabeth, please wait."

She stopped on the porch, "I don't want to rock tonight Jack."

He took the knitting bag from her and put it on the rocker, "Elizabeth, no, we aren't going to rock. I want to tell you something. I'm sorry, I know you're capable of many things," he caressed her upper arms, "including making me say stupid things."

"Jack…"

"But I love you and I'm so happy that you felt our baby move. That's so amazing…I'm so happy," his voice got lower, "its such a special moment."

Elizabeth looked up at him when his voice cracked a bit, "It is amazing Jack," she rubbed her tummy, "this beautiful little one that we created."

Jack covered her hand with his own, "My little peach."

Elizabeth rose up on her tip toes and kissed him. Jack slid his arms around her and pulled her tightly to him, feeling her tears mix with a few of his own. "I love you so much," he whispered.

"I love you too," she held his face and wiped a tear with her thumb, "and I will knit you a sweater, you'll see."

"Will I have to wear it?" he grinned.

"Yes, you will," she smiled and touched his lips, "but nothing else, just the sweater."

Jack smiled, "Start knitting." He lifted her and carried her into the house.

to be continued...hope you like it...