7 months later, August

"Beth?" Jack brushed the hair back from her face.

"Jack?" She blinked sleepily. "You're still here?"

"Yeah, sorry. It seems we fell asleep during the movie." He kissed her forehead. "I wanted to let you sleep because you looked comfortable, but I'm kind of stuck right now and I have to get going." He was trapped between the back of the sofa and Elizabeth. One of his arms was pinned beneath her waist, and their legs were tangled together.

"Stay." She tugged on his arm, not making any move to let him off the sofa. "It's late. It's…" she turned her head and squinted at the clock across the room, "1:30 a.m., goodness. Please, just stay."

"I would, but Rosie's in labor, and I promised to watch Lorelei for them."

"The baby's coming?" She sat up, suddenly feeling more awake.

"Yes, and I need to get to their house so they can head to the hospital." He stretched and stood up. "Would you mind if I leave Luna here? I'll pick her up in the morning." He nodded toward the dog, who was curled up on the floor beside the sofa, fast asleep.

"That's fine. Keep me updated?"

"Yeah." He squeezed her hand. "See you later."

"Wait." She pulled him closer and kissed him. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

...

Just a few hours later, Jack blinked in the early morning light, reaching for his phone that was buzzing on the nightstand. He squinted at the screen, trying to make out the picture and name before he answered. "Elizabeth?"

"Morning, professor. Did I wake you?"

"A little bit, but it's fine. I needed to get up anyway." He yawned and rubbed his hand across his face. "Are you calling for any specific reason?"

"I was just wondering if you were planning to go visit Rosie and the baby today. I was thinking of stopping by before work, if you want to meet me there."

"Wait, the baby's already here?"

"As of just over an hour ago, yes. Did you not see the text from Lee?"

He yawned again. "Since I didn't wake up until you called me, no, I didn't."

"Well, anyway, do you want to meet at the hospital?"

"Don't you have work in like an hour?"

"I'm going in late today. My first two clients cancelled."

"Okay then. See you in forty-five minutes? I'll bring coffee and muffins."

"Perfect."

Almost exactly forty-five minutes later, Elizabeth walked into the waiting room, finding Jack sitting beside Lorelei. He was sipping his coffee while Lorelei flipped through the pages of a picture book.

"Good morning."

Jack looked up and smiled. "Morning." He handed her a cup of coffee. "Muffins are in the bag. I didn't know what kind you'd want, so I got a few different flavors."

"Thanks." She took a seat on the other side of Lorelei.

"Where's Micah?"

"I already took him to daycare so I can head straight to work from here." She took a bite of her muffin. "Mm, this was a good call."

Lorelei looked up at her. "Auntie Lizbeth! I have a brother!"

"I know! That's so exciting! Have you met him yet?"

She shook her head. "Uncle Jack showed me a picture."

"Lee said Rosie's feeding the baby right now, but he'll come out and get us when they're ready for visitors."

"Okay. Sounds good."

They didn't have to wait long. It was only about ten minutes later when Lee walked into the waiting room.

"Daddy!" Lorelei jumped up when she saw him.

"Hi, sweets." He picked her up. "Hey, Jack, Elizabeth. They're ready for visitors now if you want to come on back."

"Great." Jack stood and took Elizabeth's hand.

She squeezed his fingers. "Let's go meet our nephew."

Lee led them down the hall to Rosemary's room, carrying Lorelei.

"Hi," Rosemary whispered as they entered.

"Hi. How are you?"

She shifted in the bed. "Good. Tired. Happy to have him out of me."

"Mama!"

"Hi, baby. Do you want to meet your brother?"

She nodded emphatically. Lee carried her over to the bed, carefully setting her next to Rosemary.

"Lorelei, this is your little brother, Leo."

"Leo?" Jack questioned. "I thought he was another Leland."

"He is. Leland Oliver Coulter the fourth. Lee O."

"Ah. That's cute."

"You have to get creative with nicknames when the obvious one is already taken." Lee chuckled. "It was either Leo or Four."

"And I'm not about to give my child a number for a name." Rosemary rolled her eyes playfully.

"He's little, mama."

"He is," she agreed. "Did you know you were even smaller than he is when you were first born?"

Lorelei shook her head, tentatively reaching out to touch her brother's hand.

"He's beautiful, Rosie." Elizabeth had moved to stand beside the bed and was watching her nephew with a smile on her face.

"Isn't he?"

Once Lorelei had her fill of time with the baby, Elizabeth got a chance to hold him. He looked up at her and yawned.

"Hello, Leo." She gently touched his cheek. "I'm your Aunt Elizabeth. It's nice to meet you finally. You're a very lucky little guy, Leo. You were born into a wonderful family."

Jack moved near her. "He looks like Micah."

"Those Coulter genes are strong." Elizabeth chuckled. "Your turn?"

"Yes, please." He carefully lifted the baby from Elizabeth's arms. "Hello, little man. I'm Uncle Jack."

...

A few weeks later, Jack knocked on Rosemary and Lee's front door.

"Hey, Jack." Rosemary hugged him. "Come on in."

"Uncle Jack!" Lorelei ran up to him, throwing her arms around his leg.

He picked her up and kissed her cheek. "Hi, honey."

"So, Jack, what is it that you wanted my help with?"

"Um, I'd rather talk about it where little ears won't overhear." He glanced briefly at his goddaughter.

"Lorelei, baby, why don't you go find that picture you made at school today so you can show Uncle Jack?"

"Yeah!" She squirmed until Jack put her down, then she took off to her room.

"Okay, we should have a couple minutes." She invited him to take a seat on the sofa.

"I need help picking a ring."

"You're proposing to Elizabeth?!" she squealed.

"Shh." He chuckled. "Not just yet, but soon. I want to go ahead and get the ring so I can be ready. I figure I can talk to her parents when they're in town for Micah's birthday to let them know it's coming."

"Do you have any ideas of what you're looking for? I'd say for Elizabeth, you want to go for something simple and classic."

"That's exactly what I was thinking." He pulled out his phone, opening up his pictures. "I found a couple options that I think she'd like—and a couple that are a little different—but I wanted to get your opinion."

She took the phone from him, scrolling back and forth through the photos.

"Uncle Jack!" Lorelei came barreling back into the room, a slightly crumpled piece of paper in her hands. "Look!"

"Come show me." Jack lifted her into his lap while Rosemary continued perusing through the ring choices.

Lorelei pointed at various parts of the picture as she explained them. "That's mama and daddy, and that's me and Leo, and Auntie Lizbeth and you and Micah."

"Who's that?" He pointed at a figure toward the top of the page.

"Uncle Pat. He's in heaven."

"You're right, honey. This is a good picture. I like it. Do you think you can draw a picture for me sometime?"

She grinned and nodded. "A pretty picture."

"I can't wait to see it."

"Well," Rosemary passed Jack's phone back to him, "those are all wonderful choices, but I'd say the opal."

"Really? Not a diamond? I included that one just for fun because it was different."

"It's perfect for her. Simple, elegant, unique." She leaned back. "So, do you know how you're going to ask?"

"Ask what, mama?"

"Just a question."

"I've got a bit of a plan, but I'm still working on it." He gave a mischievous smile. "Now, before I go, can I see my godson?"

"He's in the nursery napping. You can go see him, but please don't wake him."

"I won't." He padded down the hall, quietly pushing the door open. He smiled when he looked down at the baby sleeping peacefully in his crib. "Hi, Leo," he whispered. "You're getting so big."

"He shouldn't look much bigger," Rosie spoke softly from the doorway. "He's only two weeks old."

"Well, he does." Jack lightly touched the baby's cheek. "Sleep well, Leo." He turned and walked with Rosemary back to the living room. "I should get going now. Thank you for the help."

"Of course." She pulled him into a hug. "I'm really happy for you, Jack."

...

"Go choose a book, Micah." Elizabeth nudged him toward his bookshelf before sinking down into the glider.

He quickly found what he wanted and toddled over to her. "Dada." Micah gripped the book in his little hands.

Elizabeth smiled and lifted him into her lap, unsurprised at his choice. She and Jack both read to him from the homemade book nearly every day. "You're right, little bug. That's your daddy." She flipped open the cover. "Here's a fitting picture. That's your daddy on his first birthday. He was just one day older than you are right now. You'll get a cake like that tomorrow."

Micah reached out and grabbed the edge of the page. Elizabeth turned a few pages for him.

"Are you looking for the dog? There it is." She pointed at the photo of a young Patrick and Lee with their dog, Cheyenne. "It says, 'Lee and Patrick wanted a dog for a long time. Cheyenne was their very first dog.' Micah, can you tell me what a dog says?"

"Woof!"

Elizabeth chuckled. "That's right. That's what a dog says. You like dogs, don't you?" She poked his belly, and he giggled.

"Woof woof!"

"Should I ask Uncle Jack to bring Luna to your birthday party? That could be fun."

He touched the picture again, then yawned.

She closed the book and set it beside her. "Okay, enough dogs for tonight. It's bedtime, little bug. Want to rock?"

He tugged on her shirt, so she settled him in to nurse, rocking slowly in the glider. She brushed the hair back from his forehead as he ate.

"I can't believe you're almost a year old, Micah Patrick. You're growing way too fast. You'll always be my baby, though, right?"

His fingers flexed against her chest, his eyelids drooping as he neared sleep. She sang quietly until he was asleep and snoring softly.

She carried him across the hall to her room. She dropped a kiss on his forehead before lowering him into his crib. "Sleep well, sweet boy. I love you."

Once she was sure he would stay asleep, she made her way down to the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea. She snuggled up with her mug on the sofa, scrolling through photos on her phone. She smiled when her phone buzzed.

"Hey, Jules."

"Hey, big sister. What are you up to?"

"Oh, you know, just looking at pictures of Micah from when he was a newborn because I'm in denial that tomorrow is his first birthday." She chuckled. "You?"

"Just nursing Liam before I put him to bed."

"How's he doing?"

She sighed. "He's okay. He's still having some blue spells when he cries for more than a few minutes, which is scary. We met with the cardiologist today to get his surgery scheduled. It's the 26th of this month at 7a.m."

"Oh, Julie." Elizabeth shook her head. "I can't imagine how you must be feeling about all of this."

"I can't let myself think about it or I go into a panic. I don't know what I'm going to do when he's actually in surgery."

"I'll be praying for him. For you and Andrew, too."

"Thank you." There was a shuffling on her end of the line as she lifted Liam to her shoulder. "Now, how about we talk about something else before I get too anxious? What do you have planned for Micah's birthday?"

Elizabeth tucked her legs beneath herself and smiled. "Well, I'm going to make him some blueberry pancakes in the morning."

"Of course. The traditional Thatcher birthday breakfast."

"And then he's going to spend the day with mom and dad while I'm at work, and we'll have his party in the afternoon when I get home."

"That'll be fun. I feel bad that we can't make it."

"Don't feel bad. You and Andrew just need to focus on Liam right now. No need to worry about missing a birthday party. Besides, Vi and Sterling can't make it, either, so you won't be the only Thatcher sister missing."

"Oh, I thought they were going to be there."

"They were going to try to make it, but Nicholas came down with a case of chicken pox."

Julie laughed softly. "It's crazy."

"What is?"

"A year ago, none of us had kids, and now the three Thatcher girls all have sons."

"Technically I had a kid a year ago. He was just inside me still. And he was only about…" she glanced over at the clock, "…twenty-two hours away from being born."

"Yeah, whatever." Elizabeth could practically hear her sister roll her eyes. "You know what I mean. Hey," Julie's voice got soft, "Liam's asleep, so I need to go put him down. Tell Micah I said happy birthday."

"I will. Love you, Jules."

"Love you, Liz."

...

Elizabeth peeked into the crib at her son. He sighed in his sleep, his little eyelids fluttering. She touched his cheek. "My sweet baby boy."

He stretched, then turned onto his side, sticking his thumb in his mouth.

"I'll be back," she whispered.

She grabbed the baby monitor and headed toward the kitchen, stopping when there was a knock at the door. She smiled when she saw who was there. "Hi, hon. Did I know you were coming by this morning?"

"Nope." Jack kissed her cheek and stepped into the house. "I wanted to surprise the birthday boy. So, where is my favorite little man?"

"Shockingly, he's still sleeping. I was just getting ready to start breakfast, if you'd like to help."

"Just tell me what to do." He followed her into the kitchen.

"Can you get the milk, butter, and eggs from the fridge, please?"

"Milk, butter, eggs. On it." He washed his hands before opening the fridge. "So, what are we making?"

"Blueberry pancakes. This is what my parents made for me and my sisters for breakfast on our birthdays every year when we were growing up."

"And now you're continuing the tradition with Micah. That's great."

They were mostly quiet as they worked side-by-side, the silence only broken by the occasional instruction given by Elizabeth.

The first batch of pancakes was sizzling on the griddle when Micah's little voice sounded over the baby monitor.

"Mama! Mama!"

"Are you good here?"

"Mhmm. You go get him. I promise I won't burn down your kitchen."

"I'll be right back." She squeezed his arm gently and headed up the stairs, following the sound of Micah's babbling. He looked up when she entered the room. "Well, good morning, my big boy."

Micah gave her a toothy grin, pulling himself up on the side of the crib.

"Happy birthday, Micah Patrick." She lifted him up, kissing his cheek.

He brought his little hands to her face, patting gently. "Mama mama."

"I love you, little bug." She rubbed her nose against his cheek. "Are you hungry? Let's go get you your birthday breakfast."

He leaned against her shoulder as she carried him down the stairs.

Jack turned when they came into the kitchen. "There's the birthday boy!"

"Dack!" His face lit up and he held out his arms, stretching toward Jack.

"Little man!" Jack took him from Elizabeth. "Happy birthday, buddy."

"Oh, by the way, Micah has requested that you bring Luna to his birthday party."

"Is that what you want, Micah? Okay, I'll bring Luna over here for you. Only because you're my favorite little man." Jack kissed the top of his head.

...

Jack made his way across the room, weaving through the friends and family members who had come to celebrate Micah.

Elizabeth watched him warily as he approached her. "That seemed like a pretty serious conversation you were having with my parents."

He slipped his arm around her waist. "It was nothing."

"You shook my dad's hand."

He just shrugged, a smile playing on his lips.

"Jack Thornton, what are you hiding?"

"I'm not hiding anything." He glanced toward the kitchen. "Is it time for cake yet?"

She eyed him suspiciously. "I guess. I still think you're hiding something."

"Don't you worry your pretty little head about it." He kissed her temple. "Where are your matches? I'll light the candle on his cake."

"In the drawer by the microwave. I'll let everyone know it's cake time."

Just a few minutes later, Micah was elbow-deep in cake, crumbs and frosting spread across him and the high chair.

"Looks like someone's going to need a bath tonight." Jack chuckled as he wiped frosting from his hands.

"You or Micah?"

He rolled his eyes. "Ha ha. You can just take your sass somewhere else."

"You love it."

"I love you." He kissed her cheek.

She pulled him back to her, kissing him gently. "Love you more."

...

Jack sat in the glider with Micah in his lap, quietly reading him Goodnight Moon. Elizabeth smiled as she listened to his soft, even voice, all the while folding the new clothes that Micah had been gifted.

Micah babbled, pointing at the pictures in the book.

"Yeah, buddy. Do you see the kitten? And the bunny?"

He leaned back against Jack's chest and sighed sleepily.

"You ready for bed, little bug?" Elizabeth reached for him. He clung to her shoulder. "I'm going to go nurse him and put him down. You can stay if you want."

He stood up and stretched. "I'd love to, but I should probably get going. I've got some assignments to grade, and I have an early class in the morning."

"Okay. See you tomorrow?"

He nodded and leaned in to kiss her. "I love you."

"I love you, too." She shifted Micah higher on her hip. "Micah, can you say bye to Uncle Jack?"

He lifted his little hand and waved.

Jack smiled and kissed his cheek. "Night, little man. I love you." He kissed Elizabeth one more time. "Good night." He called Luna over and led her downstairs.

Once she heard the front door close, Elizabeth crossed the hall and sank down on her bed, settling Micah in to nurse.

"Well, little bug, I'd say you had a successful birthday. What do you think?"

His little fingers grasped a lock of her hair, his blue eyes focusing on her face.

"I just can't believe it's been an entire year since you were born." She touched his cheek. "You're one of the best things in my life, Micah Patrick. I love you more than you'll ever know."