A/N Sorry for making you wait so long to find out the name of baby girl Thornton! (props to those of you who figured out it was a girl from the last chapter)

...

"This is such a wonderful way to end the year, snuggled up with two of my girls." Jack had one arm around me, my head resting on his shoulder. "The only thing that could make this better would be having my other girl in here, too."

"Just a few more minutes, and then we can have Abigail bring her up. I want a little while longer with just us." The baby stirred in my arms, and I shifted her, humming until she settled back down. "Jack, you aren't upset you still don't have your boy, are you?"

"Elizabeth." He touched my cheek. "From the very bottom of my heart, I just wanted another healthy baby. Especially after everything you went through today to bring her into this world. I'm just so happy she's here—and that you're still here, too." He pressed his lips to my hair. "Besides, I've had a feeling it would be another girl this whole time. We have two beautiful, amazing, perfect little girls, and I couldn't be happier."

"They are perfect, aren't they?" I smiled as I looked at our newest daughter, her round, pink cheeks and dark eyelashes.

Jack stroked the baby's cheek. "So perfect. Eleanor Julia Thornton." He pronounced her name slowly.

She looked up at him with clear, blue eyes. I almost forgot how terrified I had been just hours before. We could've lost her. Things could've ended so badly for her. Things could've ended badly for me. Nevertheless, I knew I would go through it all again in a heartbeat. She was worth it.

"I can't believe we made this little angel. She's wonderful." She blinked sleepily and yawned. I brushed my fingers through her hair. It was darker and sparser than Jane's had been at birth, but it was just as soft.

"She's a little miracle. Both of our babies are." He kissed my temple. "Speaking of, I'll go get Jane."

A few moments later, Abigail peeked through the doorway. Jack was right behind her, Jane resting in his arms.

"I hear there's a new Thornton up here, but Jack wouldn't tell me anything else."

"Baby?" Jane pointed at the tiny bundle squirming in my arms.

I nodded as I passed her to Abigail. "That's right, Janie. That's your baby sister."

"Oh, another girl! How wonderful." She touched the baby's cheek. "She's so beautiful. Congratulations to both of you."

I smiled. "Thank you. Her name is Eleanor."

"Well hello, Eleanor Thornton. It's nice to meet you. I'm your aunt Abigail." She looked back at me, a hint of concern in her eyes. "Carson said there was a bit of a complication with the birth?"

"She was breech, and they couldn't get her to turn. So, little Miss Ellie was born bottom first. Luckily she came quickly, so it wasn't as bad as it could have been."

"Oh my goodness. I'm glad you're both okay." The baby started fussing, her little fingers tightening into fists. "Oh, do you want to go back to mama, little one? Here you go." She lowered her back into my arms.

Eleanor immediately nuzzled her face into my chest. "I'll feed you in a minute, Ellie."

"Abigail, you're welcome to stay in the guest room tonight if you want."

"Thank you for the offer, Jack, but Carson and Faith offered to wait downstairs so I could ride back to town with them."

I reached out, and she took my hand. "Thank you for watching Jane, and thank you for being here."

"Thank you for wanting me to be here." She squeezed my hand. "Now, you enjoy that sweet baby. I'll see you soon."

Jack left Jane on the bed and walked with Abigail downstairs. I settled Eleanor in to eat.

"What do you think, Janie? Do you like your baby sister?"

"Baby." She came over and stared at her little sister, unsure of what to think.

"Remember, she used to be in my belly? Now she's out here with us, and soon, she'll be big enough to play with you."

"Baby eat?"

"That's right, she's eating, so she can grow up to be a big girl like you. You know, you used to be this little, Janie. Your dad could almost fit you in one hand when you were born." I smiled and poked her belly.

She giggled.

When Jack returned, she crawled into his lap and snuggled into his chest.

"I think it's past your bedtime, little Miss. Why don't you say good night to mama and Ellie?"

"Night night."

"Good night, my sweet Jane. I love you."

I kissed her forehead before Jack carried her down the hall, leaving me alone with our newborn daughter.

"Hello, Eleanor." I brushed my finger across her soft cheek. "Your dad and I are so happy that you're finally here. For a while there, I thought you would never come. You just had to wait to be born on the very last day of the year, and then you had to make such a dramatic entrance." I chuckled. She blinked slowly as she ate, clearly growing tired. "You're so beautiful, Ellie Thornton. I love you so much."

Once she finished eating, I changed her diaper and wrapped her back up in the blanket. I sang to her quietly until she finally fell asleep.

When Jack returned to our room, he found me in the rocking chair, staring at her sweet face as she slept.

"You should get to sleep, Elizabeth. She'll be up again to eat before you know it."

I sighed. "I know. I just can't stop staring at her. It feels like we waited so long for her, so now I don't want to look away and miss anything."

He kissed the top of my head. "There'll be plenty of time to watch her sleep later. Right now, you need to rest. You've been through a lot today."

"Did Jane give you any trouble?" I padded across the room and lowered the baby into the cradle beside the bed.

"A little. She wouldn't let me put her in her pajamas until I promised to read her 'mama's book,' but she went down fairly quickly."

"She has good taste." I winked at him.

"Sometimes I think she likes Mountie Theodore more than she likes me." He chuckled.

"Of course not. She adores you, and I know Ellie will, too. Besides," I put my hands on his chest, "Mountie Theodore is inspired by you, so it's really you she likes."

He kissed my forehead. "I love you, Elizabeth." He pulled back the quilt on the bed. "Now you really need to get some sleep."

"Good night, Jack."

"Good night, Elizabeth." He kissed me softly. "Thank you for giving us another baby."

...

When I woke the following morning, Jack was sitting in the rocking chair, Eleanor in one arm and Jane in the other. Both girls were sound asleep. He looked up when he heard me move.

"I would be happy waking up to this every day for the rest of my life."

"So would I." A smile spread across his face. "Good morning, beautiful."

I sat up slowly, still sore from the previous day. "Good morning, Jack. Happy New Year."

"It's a very happy New Year." He carefully stood, bringing the baby to me. Jane stirred in his arms, but she quickly settled back down. He lowered himself into the bed beside me, holding Jane against his chest.

"I'm sorry you didn't get a kiss at midnight last night."

"That's okay. I can kiss you anytime." He grinned before he leaned over and kissed me gently. "I can't believe we have two babies now."

"I know. It feels like just yesterday when you came down the stairs in the saloon and we formally met—and then argued."

He laughed softly. "I never would've guessed that we'd be here, seven years and two daughters later."

"Jack, I know you've said you'd be happy either way, but are you sure you aren't upset that we had another girl?"

"You keep asking me that. Why do you think I would be upset about that?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I've just always thought that men want sons to carry on the family name and teach to fish and play ball."

"Elizabeth, there is no part of me that's upset about having another daughter. I just want whatever children God sees fit to bless us with. I don't care if we have ten daughters and no sons, so long as they're happy and healthy."

My eyes went wide. "Jack Thornton, we are not having ten children."

"Okay, just nine then." He smiled mischievously.

I nudged him with my elbow. "Think again."

He laughed softly and kissed my temple. "Besides, who says I can't teach our girls to fish and play ball? Didn't you teach your students that girls can do anything boys can do?"

"I did give that lesson, didn't I?"

Eleanor started whimpering, and I shifted her in my arms so she could eat. Jack reached over, brushing his fingers across the top of her head.

"You know, Jane is a pretty good mix of us, but Ellie is all you."

I looked down at her, stroking her cheek as she ate. I did have to admit that she looked a lot like me: her coloring, her eyes, her nose, the shape of her face. But Jack was there, too: her ears, her lips, the dimple in her right cheek. "I don't know. I see you in her, too. She's a little bit me and a little bit you." I met his eyes and smiled. "I love you."

"I love you, too." He touched his hand to my cheek. "You're amazing, Elizabeth. Thank you."

"For what?"

He carefully leaned over, touching his lips to mine. "For everything. For always sticking by me. For marrying me. For our two beautiful girls. Just for being you."

"Jack…"

He kissed me again. "I'm so glad I changed my mind about getting married. I can't imagine my life without you."

"I can't imagine my life without you, either." I threaded my fingers through his.

Jane stirred in his lap, blinking sleepily. "Dada?"

"Good morning, Janie." He smoothed down her hair.

She sat up, glancing around the room until she set her gaze on her sister. "Baby." She pointed one chubby finger.

"Do you want to hold your baby sister?"

She nodded excitedly. "Hold baby!" She reached toward Eleanor.

"Let your dad help you, Janie."

I wiped a dribble of milk from Eleanor's face with the edge of the blanket before I carefully lowered her into Jane's lap. Jack kept his hand under the baby's head.

"Remember you have to be gentle with babies, Janie."

She touched the baby's face. "Baby."

"Her name is Eleanor. Can you say Ellie?"

"No."

Jack chuckled. "She'll get it eventually."

I smiled as I watched Jack with our girls. Being a Mountie was his calling, but it was clear that being a father was his calling, too.

"You're a big sister now, Janie. What do you think about that?"

"Wuv baby." She leaned down and kissed Eleanor's forehead.

"That's so sweet, Jane. Ellie loves you, too." I touched her cheek. "You know who else loves you, Jane Elizabeth?"

"Mama dada."

I grinned. "That's right, Janie. Your dad and I love you so, so much."

"Hey, Janie, I have an idea. Do you want to help me with something?" He leaned down and whispered something in her ear.

She gave him a wide smile. "Num!"

"We'll be back." He helped Jane pass the baby back to me and pressed a kiss to my temple before carrying Jane out of the room.

"I bet those two are making something for breakfast. When you get bigger, you can help make breakfast, too." Eleanor squirmed in my arms. "Do you need your diaper changed, Ellie?"

I carefully carried her across the hall to the nursery and brought a stack of fresh diapers back to my room. Once I changed Eleanor's diaper, she settled down in my arms, and she fell asleep soon after.

I watched her little fingers twitch as she slept, a smile playing on my face.

"Mama!" Jane bounded back into the room.

"Shh." I put one finger to my lips. "Ellie is asleep, so we need to be quiet."

Jack was a few steps behind her, carrying a tray full of food. "We made pancakes."

Jane started to pull herself up on the bed. Jack set the tray on the nightstand and helped her all the way up.

"It looks like Jane got a head start." I laughed softly and wiped her sticky face with my thumb.

"She just wanted to make sure everything tasted good before we brought it to you. Right, Janie?"

"Num!"

I shifted Eleanor into one arm, and Jack placed the tray between us on the bed. Jane immediately reached out and shoved a piece of pancake into her mouth.

"I think she gets her appetite from you." I smirked and took a bite from my own plate.

He shrugged. "There could be worse things for her to inherit."

"Like your love of adventure."

"Why is that worse?" He looked at me curiously.

"Because sometimes that gets you into danger."

"Elizabeth…"

"I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to start anything. I know you don't intentionally put yourself into harm's way. Let's talk about something else," I reached over and squeezed his hand, "like how delicious these pancakes are." I took another bite. "Don't tell Abigail, but these might be better than hers."

"Well, it's her recipe, so they're basically hers. Speaking of Abigail, I was thinking I should probably go into town today."

I sighed. "What for?"

"I want to make sure Bill has everything covered at the jail for the next week or so, so I can stay home with you and the girls while we all get settled. Plus, I need to get a letter to my mom to let her know about the baby. I can get one sent to your family, too, if you want to write something out."

"Why don't you just call them?"

He chuckled. "I always forget there are telephones in town now. Then I guess I can call them and let them know." He touched my cheek. "I'll wait until Jane is napping before I go, and it won't take me long. I promise."

"You know, if we had a telephone here, you wouldn't have to go to town at all."

He smiled and shook his head. "I'll get you a telephone soon."

...

"Well, Ellie, your dad's in town and your sister's asleep, so it's just the two of us for now. How about I read you a story?" I padded up the stairs and down the hall to the nursery. Chief was curled up beside the crib where Jane was sleeping. I moved as quietly as I could, trying to keep from waking Jane.

Jack had left my book on top of the chest in the corner. I retrieved it and returned to my room.

I settled into the rocking chair. "Okay, Ellie. This is a very special book. I wrote it, and there were some publishers who turned it down, but then your dad got it bound and did all the illustrations." Her gaze drifted across my face as I spoke. "You may not know it yet, but you are so very lucky to have him as your dad. He's the best person I know. Now," I held up the book, "A Collection of Frontier Stories, written by Elizabeth Thatcher. That was my name before I married your dad." I flipped open the front cover and started to read.

A few minutes in, the combination of gentle rocking and my voice had put her to sleep. I closed the book and set it down, turning all of my focus on her. I loved seeing Jane grow and develop, but I also loved having a tiny baby in my arms again.

I loved knowing that Jack and I had created another life together, so perfect and new. I loved finally getting to see her and snuggle her after feeling her move inside of me for months.

Her little eyelids twitched in her sleep, and her chest rose and fell with her breath. She looked so peaceful.

I wanted to keep her in my arms forever, but Jane started crying across the hall.

Once Eleanor was safe in her cradle, I made my way back to the nursery. "What's wrong, Janie? Did you have a bad dream?"

She nodded and reached out her arms, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart." I picked her up and held her close.

She immediately relaxed against my chest. I gently rubbed her back and paced the room until she settled. When I tried to return her to the crib, she tightened her grip on me, and I resigned myself to the fact that her nap was done.

When Jack returned home an hour later, he found Jane on the floor in our room, scribbling on some paper while I fed the baby.

"Everything is settled in town, and I picked up dinner from Abigail's. How'd it go here?"

"Not too bad. Jane had a nightmare, but thankfully that happened while Eleanor was asleep."

"I'm sorry you had a bad dream, Janie." He crouched down beside her and kissed the top of her head. "What are you drawing?"

She pointed at the paper with a crayon. "Baby."

"That looks so good, Jane."

He stood back up and approached me, dropping a kiss on my temple. "Your parents said congratulations, and they can't wait to meet her."

"We'll need to let them know when we plan her baptism, so they can come visit."

He sat on the edge of the bed, glancing between Eleanor and Jane. "I still can't believe we have two." He met my gaze and grinned. "My heart is just so full right now. We're a family of four, Elizabeth. It was just me, and then you came along and messed up all my plans."

I rolled my eyes and laughed. "You weren't exactly what I planned when I came here, either."

"This is so much better."

"So, so much." Tears welled in my eyes as I looked at our two beautiful daughters.

"I love you, Elizabeth Thornton." He leaned in and kissed me softly.

"I love you, Jack Thornton."

...

A/N My initial plan when I started this story was to end it with this chapter and an epilogue (set about 8-9 years after this chapter), but I've decided to take all of your input on it. I don't want to drag this story out if people are losing interest, but I'd also be happy to continue it if people still want more. Please let me know if you'd like me to continue this story, or if you think I should stick with my plan and move straight to the epilogue. I promise that I'm fine with either :)