Hello Hearties! I did a time jump to move a few things along for this story. Hope you enjoy!
Nine Weeks Later…
Elizabeth woke up bright and early that Sunday morning. She rolled over in bed, which took a while considering the fact that she was 37 weeks pregnant. Jack wasn't in bed so she assumed Jack was already up and about for the day. Elizabeth slowly got dressed before she headed downstairs to the smell of pancakes and bacon cooking, "Good morning Constable."
Jack turned around and smiled at his wife, "It's just Jack to you."
She smiled and kissed him before she said, "That smells awfully good. But shouldn't I be the one doing the cooking?"
"I figure you need the rest. You'll be having our little one before you know it," he said, "And I figure we have to get to church soon so…"
"I get it honey," said Elizabeth sitting down with Jack and quickly piling her plate with some pancakes and bacon. She groaned a little when the dull ache that had been in her back all night became sharp again.
"You alright?" asked Jack taking her hand.
"Yeah just some back pain. I'm sure it's because I have this extra weight I'm carrying around with me," chuckled Elizabeth rubbing her bump, "I'll be okay."
Jack squeezed her hand, only halfway reassured, "Okay," he said and cleared the dishes. Elizabeth slowly stood up and walked over to the front table to grab her Bible and stopped again when the sharp pain suddenly returned, "Ow," she moaned softly.
"You sure you're alright?" asked Jack helping her put her coat on and then putting on his coat.
"Yeah, I'm alright," said Elizabeth, "Dr. James did say I would probably experience practice contractions as it got closer to the time to deliver." The couple headed over to the church and took a seat next to Lee and Rosemary. Abigail, Faith, Molly, Cat and Florence sat behind them as Frank took his place at the pulpit.
"Good morning everyone, a few announcements before we begin the service, Easter services for next week will be both at midnight and 9 AM Easter morning, fellowship and Bible study will be at Abigail's café after services today. And with that, let us pray. Dear Lord, we thank You for this season as we prepare for death and resurrection of Your Son…"
As Frank continued the prayer, Elizabeth felt the pain in her back return and spread to her abdomen. She gritted her teeth to keep herself from yelling out loud. She squeezed Jack's hand without thinking about it and Jack didn't fail to notice. Jack looked over at his wife just as she let go of his hand.
As Frank continued the service, Jack and the rest of the women didn't fail to notice Elizabeth's mannerisms. Abigail and Molly remembered enough from when Peter and Rosaleen were born how they reacted to early labor. Once the service was over, the congregation exited the church and began to head over to Abigail's for fellowship. Faith approached Jack and Elizabeth and asked, "Elizabeth, are you alright? You seemed a little restless in church."
"Yeah, I'm fine, just some back pain," said Elizabeth.
"You sure it's just back pain?" Faith asked curiously.
"Well, it starts in my back and spreads to my abdomen," admitted Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth, that's how my labor started when I had Rosaleen," said Molly gently.
"Same with Peter," said Abigail.
"It's not labor," Elizabeth assured them, "My water hasn't broken yet." Just then Elizabeth felt a warm liquid running down her legs. She looked down and looked back up at the three women and her husband, "Okay, my water just broke."
Jack beamed excitedly and he smiled at Elizabeth, "We're having a baby!" he shouted excitedly.
Another contraction started and Elizabeth gripped his hand, "No I'm having a baby," she corrected him harshly.
"Well, we have to get you back to your house then," said Faith leading the couple.
"Florence, Cat, watch Rosaleen for me," shouted Molly and Rosaleen joined the Montgomery children, "Elizabeth's having her baby!"
"Okay Molly, I know this is a call for celebration, but I'd really like to be home right now," scolded Elizabeth lightly. Once the group arrived back at the Thornton house, the girls helped Elizabeth into her nightgown while Jack waited outside.
They helped Elizabeth get comfortable and Faith checked Elizabeth's dilation, "About three centimeters, but now that your water has broken it should speed up from here and unfortunately, also be more painful," she said to Elizabeth. Elizabeth gripped Abigail's hand when another contraction started and soon called out for Jack since that's who she always wanted around for comfort.
Jack appeared at the door when he heard his name and entered the room. He sat down next to Elizabeth and took her hand from Abigail. He kissed her forehead, "I'm here Lizzie," he said soothingly, using the nickname that calmed her the most.
"Constable, you realize the husband doesn't normally stay for the birth," said Molly.
"Well, this husband does," said Jack protectively gripping Elizabeth's hand tighter, "I want to be here right away when my son or daughter enters the world."
"I want him here," said Elizabeth, "Please don't leave me," she said looking up at Jack.
Jack kissed her again and said, "I'm not leaving you."
The other three women silently accepted Jack's presence while continuing to coach Elizabeth through contractions, "Just think Jack our baby is almost here," said Elizabeth with tears in her eyes."
"Yeah," chuckled Jack nervously, the reality only hitting him at that moment. He felt his wife's grip on his hand tighten and he helped Elizabeth with her breathing since it seemed to help her, "Just breath Elizabeth, you're doing great."
"They hurt so badly," Elizabeth moaned.
"I know, but I'm right here with you," said Jack comfortingly.
"She's getting closer," said Faith, "We need to get some towels to catch and dry the baby."
"They're in the bathroom," Elizabeth pointed towards the direction of the bathroom. Faith nodded and Abigail and Molly went to get the towels.
"These next few contractions will be the most intense," said Faith.
"Jack, please rub my back during them?" asked Elizabeth. Jack did as he was asked for the next few contractions. He hated seeing the woman he loved in this much pain but he wanted to be there the moment his child entered the world.
"Okay Elizabeth, you're fully dilated, so you'll really have to push on these next few contractions," said Faith.
Elizabeth nodded and gripped Jack's hand even tighter than beforehand. Jack was amazed at how strong she was, both with her grip and her endurance. Abigail and Molly continued to assist Faith while Jack continued to coach Elizabeth with her breathing and pushing. About ½ hour later, Elizabeth yelled as her's and Jack's baby left her body into Faith's arms. The baby started crying immediately, "It's a boy!" said Faith happily.
"Aw a baby boy," cried Elizabeth happily as Jack wiped away the tears running down her cheeks. Faith cut the cord and cleaned off the baby before putting him on Elizabeth's chest.
"Congratulations Jack, Elizabeth," said Molly excitedly.
The couple gazed at their son as he laid on Elizabeth's chest, "Welcome to the world little one," said Elizabeth. He had soft brown hair, blue eyes, chubby cheeks, ten finger, and ten toes. He was worth every contraction and every moment of pain. He was perfect.
"So any ideas on names?" asked Abigail.
Elizabeth looked at Jack and nodded, "Well we decided to name our first child after our parents, so since our baby's a boy, his name is William Thomas Thornton."
"Beautiful name," said Faith. The three women helped Elizabeth deliver the placenta and cleaned up the room before allowing the couple to have some alone time with their newest addition.
Jack stroked Elizabeth's hair while he and Elizabeth watched their newborn son peacefully nurse, "Aw Jack, look at what we brought into this world. He's only a few hours old and I already love him more than anything in this world."
Jack leaned in to kiss Elizabeth and said, "He's a little miracle, that's for sure." The couple stayed silent for a few moments before Jack said out of the blue, "I told you our baby was a boy."
"Jack!" mocked Elizabeth jokingly.
Jack smirked and kissed her again before the couple went back to admiring their son, thanking God for their family.