Warning: This chapter includes a childbirth scene. There is some very mild pregnancy terminology used, nothing horribly explicit. That being said, parents might want to screen this chapter before allowing very young children read it.

February 23, 1916

Carson and Faith saw Frank carrying Elizabeth. Carson ran outside to help him.

"How are you doing Elizabeth?" Carson asked.

Elizabeth cringed. "Hurting a lot."

Faith quickly set out a patient gown and pulled back the blankets on the bed.

"When did the pains start?"

"About 20 minutes ago. I let the children out of school early because I felt a sharp pain I've never felt before."

Soon Jack ran in.

"Jack!" Elizabeth exclaimed.

Jack ran to hug her. "I'm here." He squeezed her hand. "What can I do?"

"Just hold me, this hurts."

Jack cradled his wife.

Four hours later, Elizabeth looked at the clock on the night stand. It read 6:00. She had been able to sleep for a few hours.

Faith gently tapped her shoulder.

Elizabeth turned to the nurse and smiled.

"How are you feeling?"

"Pretty good. That nap felt great."

"I'm glad. Can I have you put this patient gown on please?"

"Of course."

Faith stood next to her bed for a minute to make sure she would be okay standing for a couple minutes and wouldn't get lightheaded.

"How are you feeling standing there?"

"If I take it slow I'll be fine."

"Would you like me to stand here while you change?"

"I'm fine. But thank you."

Faith smiled, pulled the privacy curtain closed, and stepped to the other side of it.

Carson came in a little later.

"Are you ready for this Elizabeth?"

"You have no idea." She chuckled. "After two false labors, I am beyond ready. I told Jack we're adopting our next child."

Carson laughed. "This is going to be the worst pain you've ever felt in your life, but it will all be worth it."

Elizabeth sighed, partly from nervousness and partly from excitement. "I'll just be glad when this is over."

No sooner as she had said that, a very sharp contraction hit her. Elizabeth let out a yell.

"Was that worse than anything you've had before?"

Elizabeth gritted her teeth through the pain and nodded.

Faith rushed over.

"Is it time?" Jack asked.

Carson stifled a chuckle. "Oh no, she has to finish dilating."

Jack began to pace the floor.

"Hang in there Daddy" Carson encouraged his friend with a pat on the back before returning to the expectant mother.

8:00 p.m.

By now, Elizabeth had dilated to 7. Lee and Rosemary invited Jack to their house while he waited. Faith promised to come get him when the time came for Elizabeth to push.

"You're doing great Jack," Lee tried to encourage his best friend.

"I'm shaking."

"I'm sure it's a very nerve-wrecking time. I'll get my turn in another 3 months.

Jack turned to the couple and smiled. "That's right, you two are officially in your third trimester."

"For almost two weeks." Rosemary smiled.

"How does it feel to be able to say 'this is it?'"

"Pretty great."

"You two are for sure going to have a boy." Jack grinned.

Rosemary laughed. "Thank you Jack, that's what I've been trying to tell him all along!"

Lee shook his head. "Nope, we're having a little princess first."

"Oh no no no." Rosemary laughed.

"Which do you think yours will be Jack?"

"Elizabeth and I have thought we're having a boy from Day 1, but Carson and Faith are convinced we're having a girl. What do you think?"

"You are going to be the one to have a boy." Lee smiled. "Rosie and I are going to have a girl."

"You are completely backwards Lee Coulter." Rosemary laughed.

9:30 p.m.

Elizabeth was in almost constant pain. The time had come.

"Faith, go get Jack please. Elizabeth is about ready to start pushing."

Faith nodded and ran out the door, a big smile on her face.

Carson squeezed Elizabeth's hand. "Big breath Elizabeth, time to push."

Elizabeth nodded and squeezed Carson's hand. "OOOOHHHH!"

Jack and Faith ran in. Rosemary and Lee waited in the waiting area of the infirmary.

Elizabeth pushed again, moaning.

"You got one more?"

Elizabeth nodded and groaned and pushed again. "Ugh!"

"Great, rest for a few minutes."

He didn't have to tell Elizabeth twice.

She hid her face in Jack's chest and began to cry.

"It's okay Sweetheart, you're doing wonderfully."

A few minutes later, Carson had Elizabeth push again. Once again, three intense pushes in a row.

This pattern repeated for nearly an hour.

Elizabeth broke down crying. "Oh Jack, I can't do this much longer!"

"You're doing it Sweetheart! You're doing it."

The next push, they were able to see the baby's head.

"He or she has a full head of red hair." Carson smiled.

Elizabeth pushed for five more minutes.

"Three more pushes, Elizabeth and you'll be holding your baby."

Elizabeth smiled and cried. Jack and Faith each pushed her legs close to her stomach.

Elizabeth grunted and pushed as hard as she could. "AAHHHH!"

"Good, two more."

"Ugh!" she grunted.

Once more. Elizabeth gritted her teeth, bore down and pushed harder than she ever had in her life.

There was a moment of silence in the room, followed by the cry of a baby.

Elizabeth began bawling and hid her face in Jack's jacket. He hugged her, tears in his eyes. "You did it Elizabeth!"

"Congratulations, you two. It's a boy."

Jack and Elizabeth admired their son.

"You have some visitors." Faith smiled.

"Send them in." Jack grinned.

Lee and Rosemary came through the curtain.

"Congratulations, Uncle and Auntie." Jack smiled.

They slowly walked over, both in awe of the newest member of the Thornton family.

"You called it Lee, it's a boy."

Lee grinned and hugged his best friend. "Congratulations Jack, he is a beautiful baby."

Rosemary kissed Elizabeth's forehead. "You were so brave and you did so well. I'm so proud of you."

"I wanted to quit so bad but he's here now and that's all that matters."

"Well there's no question as to whose son he is with that red hair."

Elizabeth laughed, gently stroking his hair. "I'm in love with his hair, everything about him really."

"As you should." Rosemary smiled, hugging Elizabeth. "Congratulations Sweetheart."

"Thank you. It feels so wonderful to be holding my baby." She paused. "I'm sorry, I feel like I'm bragging."

"No you aren't." Rosemary smiled. "My time will come soon enough."

"Yes it will. And it will be wonderful to have your little one here as well."