(06-14-2018) Sorry, this took a while, I've been at work A LOT!
So this chapter is more of a filler, but a much-needed filler believe me! and please read my note at the end, there is important info about the story and whatnot that will be there. Happy reading!
"Good morning, sleepyhead," I chimed as Jack came downstairs. Abby squealed as she did every time she saw her father. Maybe he was the favorite? Yeah, okay. I thought to myself.
He went over to Abby and kissed the top of her head,"What time is it?" his hair still a mess from sleeping.
"Eight," I answered, going over to him to fix the mop on his head. "You've been up so early every day that I decided to let you sleep in. I just couldn't disturb your sleep. You were making the funniest faces." Since he regained his memory, Jack had been sleeping on his side of the bed as he had before he left. It was wonderful having him back where he belonged.
I finished smoothing out his hair while he buttoned his shirt, and pecked him on the lips before I went back to making breakfast. "That's sweet, but there were things I wanted to get done this morning," he said sitting at the table.
"Like what?" I asked over my shoulder, flipping the pancake.
"Oh, just… Mountie business," he said. I turned to him and placed a hand on my hip. "Your face is gonna freeze like that,"
"Jack," I almost whined.
"No, no, don't worry. I'll still love you if it does." he teased.
"No. Jack, anything that includes "Mountie business" from here forward makes me nervous," I told him.
"This business doesn't involve travel or mudslides." he put his hands up in defense.
"That isn't funny," I said in a serious tone, "Unless it involves you staying home, I don't like it." I turned back to the pancakes, making sure they didn't burn.
He sighed, "I'm sorry, you're right. But I must say, it is serious business. So, right after breakfast, I need to go and meet Lee."
"Wee, wee, wee, wee." Abby parroted Jack.
I paused and turned to him again, "What is Lee doing with Mountie business?"
Jack choked on his coffee for a second and Abby laughed at him. He put his mug down, "Uh," stumbling over his words, he wiped his chin, "He's providing lumber for a thing."
"What thing?"
"You know, hun, I'm starved. How are those pancakes coming along?" he avoided my question.
I wasn't letting up, "Jack?"
"Did I say I was starved? I meant I'm not that hungry." he stood up, kissing Abby on the head again.
"Jack Thornton, what are you-?"
He kissed me mid-question and I pulled away, "You're impossible,"
"You're pretty," he smirked and pecked me on the lips again. "Bye," he started for the door.
"But it's Saturday," I said after him.
"I'll be home in a little while," he said putting on his coat.
"But it's family day," I said, adding a slight whine to it.
"I'll be home in a little bit," he repeated opening the door. I huffed, turning back to the stove to take the pancake out of the pan. "Elizabeth," he said, calling my attention.
I looked at him, unamused, "What?"
He smirked, "I love you,"
I could feel a smile tugging on the corners of my lips, but I kept a straight face. "I love you, too," I said in a quiet monotone.
"What?" he teased, pretending not to hear.
"I love you, too," I repeated a little louder.
He cupped his hand around his ear, "I didn't quite-"
"I love you, too! Goodness!" I blurted and Abby looked at me like I had three heads. He blew me a kiss then closed the door behind him, and I rolled my eyes. I took the last pancake off the flame and put it on the pile with the rest and sat at the table, "Daddy is so annoying," I said to Abby.
"Daddy anning." she said back.
I nodded, "Perfect, now wait about thirteen years before you say that to him and you'll be right on schedule." I laughed.
Jack came home a few hours later and still wouldn't tell me what this so-called Mountie business was about.
"Why won't you tell me?" I was sitting at the desk, correcting papers from my students. I had the write about what they wanted to be when they were older. Cody said he wanted to be a Mountie like Jack, and little Opal said she wanted to be a teacher like me. I just wish their grammar skills were as good as their hearts.
"Because it isn't important," he answered me, not looking away from Abby. They were playing on the floor with Jack holding her up on her feet as she bounced up and down.
I huffed, "You are possibly the most infuriating man on the planet, you know that?"
"But that's my job as a husband. To love and to hold, in sickness and aggravation," he smirked and glanced at me from the corner of his eye.
I rolled my eyes and continued correcting the papers before me. Emily was writing about how she'd like to be a dress designer someday and make dresses that'll be shown and worn all over the world. From what I'd heard from Rosemary, Emily had an eye for fashion. Speaking of, "Did Lee say anything about Rosemary?" I looked up at him again, "She has been… different after what happened."
He shook his head, "I asked how she was and he just said she was fine." he looked over to me, "Said it was just a case of influenza."
I furrowed my brow, "That didn't seem like influenza."
"I didn't want to push it because he seemed put off by the subject." he looked back at Abby who was giggling as she continued to bounce and sway back and forth.
"Understandably, so. That was so scary. I'm just glad she's alright, that we know of." After Lee rushed out of their house with Rosemary in his arms. She being unconscious… it was scary indeed.
Jack nodded, "He said she's alright now, but I don't buy it." he said.
"Me neither," I looked down and finished grading Emily's paper.
I was about to pick up Anna's paper when Jack nearly scared me half to death, "Elizabeth!"
My head snapped up and he was crouched now beside Abby, and she was standing completely on her own. His hands close to her in case she started to fall.
I put my hand on my heart, "Oh my goodness, do you think…?"
"Well? Come here and let's see." his face was lit up with a smile and my face no doubt matched.
I stood up and hurried over to them but about three feet away. I crouched down as well and Jack faced Abby to me and her expression was so happy with seeing me. "Hi, baby!" I said to her and she giggled.
Jack gave a mock gasp, "Is that Mama?" he asked her.
"Mama!" she squealed and my heart swelled hearing it.
"Come to Mama, sweet girl." I reached my arms out toward her.
Jack helped steady her on her feet and slowly let her go. "Go on, go get her!" he encouraged. Abby teetered a bit and almost fell but he caught her, "Oops!" he said. "Let's try again, love." and he steadied her once more, then let go. Staying close, in case she fell again.
"Come on, beautiful. You can do it!" I said. Here we go.
She was thinking about it, trying to figure out how to make it over to me. She dragged her right foot forward, then the left, then the right again, repeating that a couple of times. She started to go down, but I was right there to catch her while Jack and I cheered in excitement. I picked her up and stood straight.
"You did it, baby girl!" I kissed her cheek over and over. "You walked!"
Jack was right by my side and I turned her to face him. He tickled her belly, "Oh my Goodness! You're such a big girl! Walking on your own, like that!"
Abby giggled up a storm and clapped her hands. She was such a happy little girl and we were such a happy little family. This may be overstating and overexaggerating, but we were possibly the happiest people on the planet.
I was so in love with Jack and that love gave us Abby. I couldn't think of anywhere better at the moment. Thinking back over the years, so many decisions could have changed this moment. But thank God it didn't.
So, yeah, it was needed. How cute are they!?
So, important info! I am going away... for a while and will not have my computer. I'll still use my phone to write on, but I can't figure out how to post from my phone... I'm going to try my best to get you updates ASAP, but please bear with me. This story will be continued and finished. I promise. I have big plans for the sequel!
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE GO READ "FIXING AND FINDING OUR WAY" BY KAITLINGOODMAN ON HERE! IT'S SO GOOD!
ALSO if you haven't already, go follow my "When Calls the Heart" account _when_calls_the_heart_