Trust, Love, Happiness
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or anything else in this story. All credits go to the Hallmark Channel, Janette Oke, Brian Bird, Michael Landon Jr., the actors, and the writers of this amazing show. No copyright infringement intended.
Chapter 25
Jack woke up and looked at the clock seeing it was 11:00 then turned to look at his wife. "You ok? Is there anything I can do?"
Elizabeth teared up and responded. "Yeah, I'm ok. Can you put pressure on my lower back?"
Jack got behind her and started applying pressure, which helped her. "That helps, thank you. I started having contractions two hours ago. My back is really starting to hurt too."
Jack rubbed her back for a few minutes before making a possible helpful suggestion. "Babe, I'm sorry you're hurting. Do you want to get up and walk a little bit? It might help."
Elizabeth nodded and Jack got out of bed and helped her stand up before she leaned into him as a contraction hit.
She held onto him tightly and worked through the contraction as he gently wrapped his arms around her. The woman cried as she experienced the pain. "Jack, it really hurts. I need you to help me through this."
Watching her start going through the process and knowing it would intensify made him feel like he had been punched in the gut. It killed him seeing her suffer but all he focused on was being there for his wife and daughter. "I'm not going anywhere, sweetheart. I'll stay with you every step of the way. We're a team. I love you and you're doing great." He felt her relax a little bit indicating the contraction had passed.
Elizabeth slightly pulled back and gazed into his eyes. "Thank you for not leaving me to do this on my own, Jack. I love you too."
For the next two hours, the couple stayed at home letting Elizabeth labor a little bit before heading to the hospital.
2 hours later on the way to the hospital…
"Oweeee." Elizabeth cried and whimpered in pain while holding her right hand on her stomach and taking deep breaths. "This really hurts."
Jack was already holding her left hand and gently squeezing it while rubbing her fingers with his thumb. "I know it does, sweetheart. I'm so sorry. I wish I could take the pain away."
Still holding her stomach while crying and whimpering, she took deep breaths then managed to say her husband's name. "Jack?"
Still holding her hand and rubbing her fingers, Jack responded. "Yes, honey?"
"How much longer till we're at the hospital?" Elizabeth cried but kept taking more deep breaths.
"Just a few more minutes, honey. We're almost there. Just keep doing your breathing. You're doing great." He shortly paused. "Would you like me to sing to you, sweetheart?"
Elizabeth smiled through the pain she was feeling. "I would love that, Jack. Thank you. You're so sweet. I love you." She continued breathing and listened to her husband sing as it brought her comfort.
"I love you too, babe." He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her ring finger a few times before letting his lips linger there for a minute.
He began singing "I Swear" by John Michael Montgomery while continuing to hold her left hand before arriving at the hospital a few minutes later.
3 hours later…
Elizabeth whimpered after every two to three words as she felt a contraction come. "Jack, what if something happens to me or the baby?" She cried after finishing her sentence.
Jack took one of his wife's hands with both of his and made eye contact. "Hey, look at me. Remember what I promised you in my vows at our wedding about always protecting you?"
She cried while looking back at her husband. "Yes."
He still held onto her hand. "I meant every word, Elizabeth. I promise I'm not going to let anything happen to you and our baby. I'm going to be right here the whole time holding your hand while supporting and encouraging you. I won't leave you even for a second."
Elizabeth cried and squeezed Jack hand in the middle of her sentence. "You promise you'll be here the whole time?" She cried and squeezed his hand again.
"I promise. I love you both so much and can't live my life without you. Would you like me to pray with you, sweetheart?" He continued holding her hand while gently rubbing her belly and running his other hand through her hair.
She kept hold of her husband's hand and slightly smiled. "Yes, thank you, Jack." She paused and whimpered. "You're so sweet." She whimpered again.
Jack took both of her hands with his, bowing his head and began praying.
"Dear Lord, I pray that You'll place Your gentle and loving hand on my beautiful wife Elizabeth right now." He paused as he began tearing up then continued. "Be with her, give her strength, and keep her safe through this tough, long labor and birth as she prepares to bring our little girl into this world. Let her know how amazing and strong she is and can do absolutely anything if she puts her trust in You. Let her know how proud I am of her and how wonderful of a mother she already is. Let her know how much she is loved beyond measure by You, me, her family, and friends. Lord, I also pray that You'll be with our little girl and keep her safe as she makes her entrance into this world. I pray that as she grows up, she'll know just how much she is loved. Let her know that she's beautiful and can accomplish anything if she puts You first." Jack paused and teared up again before finishing the prayer. "Lord, Elizabeth and I are so blessed in many ways. You are just amazing. We are so grateful to have a Savior who loves so unconditionally and is always there through thick and thin, no matter what. Thank You for everything You have done and given us and will continue to in the future. We love You so much. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
Jack gently squeezed Elizabeth's hands and smiled at her. Because of the pain from the labor and how sweet Jack was being with her, Elizabeth cried. In between each of her sentences, she whimpered and squeezed Jack's hand. "Thank you, Jack. That means so much to me. You're so sweet and I love you so much." She whimpered again.
He continued holding her hand and running his hand through her hair. "Anytime. I love you too, babe. More than you'll ever know." He then leaned over to kiss her on the temple, cheek, and then her lips.
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