"I really thought it was Friday, Abigail. So when everyone came in the kitchen in their nightclothes, I thought I'd gone crazy."

"Elizabeth, don't be too hard on yourself. I remember soon after I had Peter, I was so proud of myself for cleaning the house and taking care of dinner and Peter. When Noah came in to eat dinner, I realized I had completely forgotten to put the food in the oven to cook. It was still sitting on the counter." She patted her hand. "That was with one child. You have considerably more on your mind then I ever did."

"I guess." She shook her head at herself. "I'm just glad my depression didn't return this time. It was so bad with Carlie."

"Yes, let's be thankful for small blessings."

"Mama! The stage is coming. Mr. Bill told me to tell you," Carrie informed her.

"Thank you sweetheart." Abigail stood up and gave Elizabeth a long hug. "We can't wait five years to see each other again."

"I promise. Maybe I'll find a way to visit you next time."

"I hope so. I love you, my dear friend."

"I love you too." She wiped her tears away and stood on the porch of the boarding house waving as the stage drove off.

AT THE STREAM

Caleb and Amy sat together on the log, fishing poles in hand, their shoulders and knees touching. The gentle late summer breezes moved Amy's black, shiny hair, causing it to be loosened from behind her ears. Caleb slowly tucked her hair behind her ears again, smiling and loving just sitting beside her.

"Sorry I had to bring the kids with me today."

"I'm not. I love them like they're my own brothers and sisters."

"Yeah, but sometimes it's nice to be alone."

She put her hand on his cheek and leaned toward him, kissing him briefly. She smiled and then put her head on his shoulder. She was perfectly happy spending any time they had, alone or otherwise, with him. She vowed right then, never to take it for granted.

THE THOMAS HOUSE

Amy walked in the door just before supper, hoping Kevin was still out with his animals. "Hi, Amy," Maggie said from the stove, where she was cooking dinner.

"Hi."

"Did you have a nice time fishing?"

"Yeah. I've got to study." She turned to leave the room but Maggie stopped her.

"We need to talk, Amy. Have a seat, please." Amy sat as she was told, but avoided eye contact. "Kevin and I were going to tell you soon, but I'll tell you now."

"Tell what?"

"We're going to have a baby."

Amy was partially surprised, but not entirely. She had read of women who had late in life pregnancies. They needed to rest more than younger pregnant women, but it was manageable.

"What are you thinking, Amy?" Maggie gently probed.

"Nothing."

"I would love your help with this. It's been a long time for me…"

"You don't need me, you haven't needed me for a long time." For some reason, the angry feeling she relentlessly felt when speaking with her mother or Kevin had disappeared. Now her new midwife instincts were kicking in, even though she was trying to deny it.

"I do need you, Amy. I miss you so much."

She looked at her mom, sitting across from her, a hopeful, but tearful look on her face. "I miss you too, Mama."

"This is your brother or sister, sweetie. I need you to be a part of this."

"I'll try." Kevin walked in and looked at the two women in his life. One who he wanted so desperately to get to know, because she was his daughter now and one that he didn't feel worthy enough to love, but who loved him back.

He placed his hand on Maggie's shoulder for a brief moment and then grabbed a glass of iced tea from the icebox.

Amy stood up and walked out, leaving them alone. She didn't feel jealous anymore because Caleb had returned, but she didn't know Kevin. He just moved in on their life and now she was supposed to accept him. She would try.

AT THE THORNTONS

"Dance with me, sweetie," Jack whispered in her ear. They were alone in the living room, with only the light from the fire in the fireplace lighting the room. The kids were asleep, even Baby Jack. He held out his hand, pulling her close. He rested his cheek against hers and slipped his arm around her waist.

Unfortunately, his other hand held his cane instead of being around her as well, but he would take what he could get.

They hadn't danced in a long while, not since before his injury. She kissed his cheek and smiled. "I missed this."

"Me too." He kissed her ear. "Will you go out to dinner with me, tomorrow night?"

"Sure. I'd love to." She would leave him to worry about the details and she would worry about fitting into her clothes to go out. She hadn't lost all her baby weight in the almost four weeks since Jack was born. She guessed after giving birth to six babies, things might not bounce back so fast, even though they always had before.

Jack could feel her tense up in his arms. "Honey? What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm just tired I guess."

"Ok, well let's just go to bed then."

"We don't have to. I'm sorry. Let's just dance." He stared at her for a moment and than pulled her close again.

Later when they walked upstairs, Elizabeth grabbed her nightgown and left the room. When she came back she put her dress over the rocking chair, checked on the baby, and then slipped in bed beside Jack.

"Elizabeth, what's going on?"

"What do you mean?" She knew exactly what he meant.

"You're acting strange. Why did you leave the room to change?"

"No reason. Goodnight Love." The only reason he could think of was that she was suddenly self-conscious about her body. He didn't understand why now, though. She hadn't acted that way in the last month and she never had with the other babies.

He moved closer and wrapped his arm around her stomach, just like always, but she tensed again.

"Honey, look at me."

She rolled over and looked at him.

"I think I know what you are thinking. I understand why you feel that way, but you are so beautiful."

"Jack you always say that, but you aren't the one dealing with it."

"I say it because it is true. If you feel differently, its fine, I just wanted you to know how I feel."

"I know." He removed his arm and rolled over so their backs were facing each other. The last thing he wanted was to make her feel uncomfortable and apparently laying with his arm around her, was making her tense.

THE NEXT MORNING

Elizabeth was up and around early. She fed the baby, got dressed and made breakfast before Jack even opened his eyes. She set the table just as the kids filed in. "Morning Mama."

"Morning Bug. Thank you for bringing the baby with you."

"You're welcome. He's my buddy. Right, J.T.?"

"J.T. Huh?"

"Its easier, don't you think? He won't always be a baby, so we can't always call him Baby Jack. Then we wouldn't know if you were calling Daddy or him."

"Very true, Sweetheart."

The morning chores got done and everyone went off to church except Elizabeth and J.T. All the kids started calling him that and Jack thought it was a good idea, so J.T. he became.

When they came home for lunch, Elizabeth was trying to find some dress that she hadn't worn a hundred times that she could fit into, but she wasn't having much success. "Elizabeth?"

"I'm here," she answered from the closet.

"What are you up to?" He leaned against the doorway, gazing at his wife, bare legs, bare feet, silky robe.

"I'm trying, unsuccessfully, to find something to wear tonight." She felt herself on the verge of tears.

"Just wear what you have on."

"My robe?"

"I'm not picky," he said with a grin.

"Yes well, I'd like to be clothed when I go out in public." Even though she felt very far from beautiful, it still brought a certain thrill to know Jack really felt that way about her. She continued to pull dresses from the rack, all of which she knew wouldn't fit over her hips or stomach. "I have nothing. I don't want to go out anymore."

"Sweetheart, Mom and Pop are already coming over to watch the kids."

"Tell Caleb to go tell them not to bother."

"Elizabeth." He put his hands on her arms gently.

"Jack, just tell them. I'm not going out when I have no clothes that will fit me!" Her tears of frustration found their way out of her eyes and down her cheeks. Her outburst woke J.T. and now he was whimpering in his cradle.

"I'll get him," Jack offered. He had a feeling she would cancel their date but he was hoping she wouldn't.

He walked over to J.T., picked him up, and then sat down. "Hey buddy. Daddy's here."

A FEW HOURS LATER

Charlotte and Bill showed up about dinner time, intending on taking care of the kids even though Jack and Elizabeth were there. Elizabeth walked down in her robe, carrying the baby. "Pop? What are you doing here?"

"I came to see my grandchildren. Especially this little guy. May I hold him?"

"Of course." She handed J.T. to Bill and went to find Jack.

"Hi, Hon. Hungry?" Jack asked with a smile.

"No. Didn't you have Caleb tell them we weren't going out?"

"Yes, I did."

"I'm going to bed." She sighed and then walked up the stairs.

"Jack, what's going on?" Charlotte asked quietly.

"She's just dealing with some things. She's ok." He eyed the kids and nodded.

Charlotte left the room and went upstairs, not intending to intrude, but fearing that's how Elizabeth would see it.

Charlotte knocked on the bedroom door.

"Come in," Elizabeth said quietly.

"Hey sweetie."

"Hi, Mom. I know Jack sent you up here, but I really don't want to talk about it. It's private." It was more embarrassing than private, but it was true she didn't want to talk about it.

"He didn't send me actually, but we don't have to talk. I'll leave you alone." She kissed the top of her head and left the room.

Jack prepared a tray for Elizabeth, knowing she would be hungry eventually. She had to eat for J.T.

"Caleb?"

"Yeah, Dad?"

"Can you carry this up the stairs for me?"

"Sure."

When they got to the door, he took the tray. "Thanks Bud. Can you get the bath water warming for the kids?"

"Sure. Is Ma ok?"

"Yes, she is. Don't worry, ok?"

"Ok."

Jack opened the door and walked in the dark room. "You awake?"

"Yeah." She sat up against the headboard, smoothing her nightgown and covering herself with the blanket.

"I brought you dinner."

"I'm not hungry. Thank you though."

"Elizabeth, you need to eat." He sat down on the edge of the bed.

She put the tray on the table and laid back down. "I'm going to try to sleep before the baby needs to eat."

"Elizabeth, I love you, Sweetheart." He touched her face, running his thumb over her lips. Why didn't she believe she was beautiful? She was perfect to him.

He knew at this point, just his words weren't going to convince her. She had to feel beautiful again. He leaned down and kissed her. "Goodnight."

"Night Jack."

THE NEXT AFTERNOON

Elizabeth carried J.T. to the door, not sure who was visiting, but grateful to have someone stop by. "Penny? Hi. Come in, please. Mark! Hi, it's good to see you."

"Hi, Mrs. Thornton."

"Call me Elizabeth, please, Penny." J.T. started to fuss so she bounced him as she walked.

"Ok, Elizabeth. We should get started."

"With what?"

"Your fittings."

"My what?"

"If you could tell me what style dress you're wanting, I can sketch it and see what you think."

"You're here to make me a dress?"

"Well, yes. My instructions were to make you anything you want, one dress. Five dresses. A shawl. A nightgown. Whatever you want."

"My husband?"

"Yes ma'am. Should we get started?"

J.T. was still fussing. "Do you mind if I feed him first?"

"Of course. I'll wait however long I need to."

After about thirty minutes, Elizabeth emerged with a sleeping, full baby. "Why don't we go to my bedroom and do this. Mark? Do you want to play with Carlie? She's about your age."

"Yes, ma'am." Little Mark was so timid. Carlie would probably break him of that within five minutes.

"Penny, I don't know a lot about you. Are you older than Travis?"

"Yes, I am five years older than him and three years older than Di."

"Oh, ok."

Penny didn't offer any more info so Elizabeth stopped asking. Penny started measuring Elizabeth.

"Elizabeth, what style dress do you want?"

"I don't know. I can't fit into any of my dresses yet so…"

"How old is the baby?"

"A month tomorrow."

"And you expected to be in your dresses again so soon?"

"I guess so. I always lose the baby weight right away, but not this time."

"Wow, you are lucky. It took me six months to lose mine after Mark. That being said, I think you look great."

"Thank you."

Elizabeth heard the kids come home from school. "Mama!"

That was Will. She grabbed her robe and slipped it on knowing he would burst through the door at any second. And he did. Along with Drew, Bug and Emmy.

"Mama! We are home."

"Yes, I see Will. Can you guys go do your homework?"

"Mama? Can I rock J.T.?" Bug asked.

"Sure, sweetie. Then you need to go do your homework."

"Elizabeth, we are almost finished. I have an idea for a dress that I think you will like."

"That's great. Thank you so much."

"So, how many children do you and Mr. Thornton have?"

"Seven." She smiled. She never would have predicted that they would have that many when they first got married.

"Oh my. Well you are certainly blessed."

"I am," she agreed. It was very evident and she needed to stop thinking of herself. She was a very, very blessed woman.

"You know what, Penny? I don't need to have any new clothes. I can wear what I have, I'm sure."

"Yes ma'am, but Mr. Thornton already paid me. I was given strict instructions to give you whatever you want or need."

"Ok. So let's do this. One dress for me and one for Bug and Emmy and Carlie."

"That sounds great. I will measure them next."

When all was said and done, all the girls in the house were measured for new dresses and Penny promised they would be done within a week.

Jack walked in to the kitchen after working with Brandon all day, tired, but ready to see his family.

He walked in and smiled, Elizabeth was at the stove stirring something that smelled delicious. Carlie was sitting on the counter jabbering about something and the twins were at the table finishing what appeared to be a spelling list. He sat down at the table and looked at his boys. "Hey guys."

"Hi, Dad," the replied in unison.

"What are you working on?"

"Spelling. Gamma gave us some hard words," Will responded.

"You are doing a good job though."

"Thanks Dad."

Elizabeth turned and looked. "Jack. You're home."

"I am. Whatever you're making smells good."

"Beef stew and biscuits." He nodded.

Elizabeth turned and lifted Carlie down from the counter and then grabbed Jack's hand, pulling him into the living room.

"What's going on? Is something wrong?"

"No. Nothing's wrong except that I owe you an apology and a huge thank you."

"For what?"

"The way I've been acting. I've been so selfish and I have been so worried about myself and forgetting how very blessed I am."

"Honey, you're not selfish."

"I have been, but I realized today that none of what I've been worried about is a big deal. I will lose the weight at some point. I guess because I'm older and have had six children, it isn't as easy as it used to be."

"Sweetie, I know this doesn't help and I wish it did, but…"

She put her fingers up to his lips. "I know what you think, and I appreciate you saying it. I'm just not there yet." He nodded and kissed her cheek. "That brings me to my thank you. Sending Penny over here was so incredibly sweet. Thank you for doing that."

"I would do anything for you, you know that."

"I do, even when I don't deserve it."

"You deserve everything."

"Well, I don't deserve you, that's for sure, but regardless, I am very thankful for you and for our family and I will try to always make sure you know that."

A WEEK LATER

Elizabeth looked in the mirror. She turned to the side and then looked at the back. Somehow, Penny crafted the perfect dress that hid the spots Elizabeth wanted to hide. "Penny, this is wonderful. Thank you so much."

"You're welcome, Elizabeth. I'm glad to help."

After she took her girls dresses home, she went to the boarding house.

"Anyone home?" she said as she walked in the door.

She walked in the door, finding Caleb, Amy, and Hanna Rose at the table. "Hey there. Caleb, where's your Grandma?"

"She ran upstairs. She'll be right back."

"Ok, thank you, Sweetie."

Hanna Rose walked over. "Hi, I'm Hanna Rose."

"I'm Elizabeth Thornton, Caleb's mother. Nice to meet you."

"You too, ma'am. I love your dress, by the way."

"Thank you."

Charlotte walked in and smiled. "Sweetheart, you look lovely."

"Thanks, Mom. Can I speak with you for a moment?"

They walked into the parlor. "What is it, dear?"

"Could you maybe come over and watch the kids tonight? I'd like to go to dinner with Jack."

"Absolutely. We will be there. What time?"

"In like an hour?"

"Sure."

"Thank you so much. See you soon." Elizabeth walked out and headed home to let Jack know they had a date.

AT THE THORNTONS

"Jack?" she called as she walked in the door.

"Upstairs," he answered back.

She grabbed the girls dresses from the couch and headed upstairs. She took the dresses into the girls room. "Hey there. What are you up to?"

"Hi, Mama. We're just reading stories," Carlie responded. She and Emmy were sitting on Bug's bed, next to Bug who was snuggling with J.T.

"That sounds fun. Where's Daddy?"

"With the boys in their room."

"Ok, thank you. Bug, can I take the baby? I need to feed him. Daddy and I are going out and Gamma and Papa are coming to be with you."

"Sure, Ma."

"Thank you, babe. Hey, girls. Please try on your dresses. We will wear them to church this weekend." She reached for J.T. and then left the room.

She walked to the twin's room and opened the door. Jack looked up and smiled. "Hi, Sweetie."

"Hi. Can I talk to you?"

"Sure." They walked out the door, shutting it behind them.

"So, wanna go out tonight, Love?"

"Sure. Is this your new dress?"

"Yeah. Does it look ok?" Of course it looked ok, but he would play along.

"Let me see." He took the baby from her and motioned for her to turn around. He raised his eyebrows and smirked. "Perfect." He leaned over and kissed her cheek.

"Daddy! Look! We got new dresses too. Aren't they pretty?" Carlie asked as she twirled around. He turned and smiled at his beautiful daughters.

"They sure are. In fact, I have an idea. How long before my parents get here to watch the kids?"

"About twenty minutes, why?"

"We should take a family picture." He peeked his head in the twin's room. "Boys? Put on your suits and brush your hair."

"Its not Sunday, Dad. Why?" Drew asked.

"We're going to take a picture." Elizabeth thought it was a great idea. The last family photo only included Jack, herself and Maddie. This was long overdue.

"Girls? Go do your hair and then come downstairs, ok?" she instructed.

J.T. started fussing and whimpering so she went to feed him while everyone else finished getting ready.

Elizabeth watched as Jack changed into his black suit, white shirt, and black tie. He dabbed some cologne on his neck and ran his fingers through his hair. "Wow," Elizabeth said quietly.

He turned and smiled. "What?"

"You look really good, Love. Makes me want to just stay in tonight," she said, her cheeks blushing.

He raised his eyebrows again and smirked. "There's a thought."

A few moments later, they heard voices downstairs so they headed down to greet their visitors.

"Wow, I'm feeling under dressed, Bill," Charlotte commented. "You all look wonderful. What's the occasion?"

"Family picture," Jack informed her.

"Caleb's not here, Dad," Bug pointed out.

"He's on the porch with Amy," Charlotte mentioned with a wink. Carlie ran over and peeked out the window.

"Carlie Grace, come here please," Elizabeth said in her teacher voice.

"Mama, they're huggin." She smiled and then looked again.

"Carlie, come on." Elizabeth tried not to smile but it was hard. "You don't need to snoop on your brother."

"Yes I do. Aww..look Mama. He kissed her cheek. It's so romantic."

"Carlie, you are six years old. You don't even know what that means."

"I do!"

She walked over and gently grabbed Carlie's hand to guide her from the window. "Now sit here, and don't move, Carlie. Caleb doesn't need an audience."

"Yes, Mama," she said, crossing her arms and sticking out her bottom lip in a pout.

Caleb walked in a moment later, without Amy. "Caleb, where's Amy?" Jack asked.

"She went home."

"Go get her. We are having a family picture and that includes her, as far as I'm concerned."

"Ok, Dad. I'll be back."

Five minutes later, they walked back in the door. Bill had Jack's camera and everyone was seated or standing by the couch. Jack was next to Elizabeth and J.T., his arm around her shoulder. Carlie sat on Jack's other side and the twins were on Elizabeth's other side. Bug, Emmy, and Caleb took their place behind the couch. Amy looked hesitant to join them.

"Amy, stand beside Caleb, if you would," Bill suggested.

"I thought this was family?"

"It is. That's why you're here, Sweetie," Elizabeth said kindly. "You're family."

"I'm not though. I don't think I should…"

Elizabeth stood up and smiled at Amy. "Amy, you and Caleb are in a relationship. You came all the way to Union City with me and stayed with me and Jack for a month. You come over many times a week and we all love you like you are a part of this family. Please, join us."

Caleb caught her eye and smiled and then held out his hand. She took a deep breath, tucked her hair behind her ears, and grabbed Caleb's hand, joining him behind the couch.

"Ok, everyone hold still," Bill instructed. "One, two, three."