When Jack got to the hospital there was no sign of Lee or Elizabeth anywhere. He hoped that meant Rosie was well on her way with giving birth. Like Logan, he too was concerned about his incredibly pregnant wife standing on her feet for long periods of time even if he knew that Lee would be making sure she was okay. He dropped them both a text to see if there had been progress. Lee came out shortly after,
"Hey Jack, labour has slowed. Both our wives are resting. They've set Elizabeth up in a recliner. She currently has her feet up as she's holding Rosie's hand waiting for the next contraction. They're both troopers."
"You worried?" Jack observed,
"She should be further along but she's not. She's getting tired."
"That's because that's a Thatcher in there, stubborn kind they are. They'll come when they're ready." Lee grinned,
"Touché. I'll be sure to pass that on to your wife when she's conscious."
"She doing okay?"
"Yeah, she's fussing over Rosie in that subtle but don't mess with me Elizabeth kind of way."
"Well those two are incredibly protective of each other."
"Who would have thought I could be surpassed, but after Elizabeth's miscarriage Rosie has just reached a whole new level of intense that even I can't compete with."
"And that's saying something." The bond of Rosie and Elizabeth had strengthened further when they started raising kids together. When Elizabeth miscarried Rosie felt the pain as though it was her own knowing how much Elizabeth wanted to grow their family. Since then, their friendship had been stronger than ever.
"I'll see if Bea's awake and send her out." Lee offered as Jack nodded wanting to see her for himself.
Elizabeth woke as Lee walked in. She glanced over at Rosie who was thankfully still resting.
"Jack's in the waiting room if you want to visit for a bit." Elizabeth looked over at Rosie,
"She'll be fine Bea. I'll call you as soon as anything changes. Go be with Jack. I think he could use seeing for himself that his wife is fine. It's been a tough day for all of you." Elizabeth let out a breath and nodded.
"Penny for your thoughts handsome," she said as she laid a hand on his shoulder drawing him out of his thoughts. Jack smiled at the sight of her and stood to his feet,
"I was thinking about my wife so definitely worth more than pennies. Hi Sweetheart," he greeted wrapping his arms around her waist drawing her close,
"Hi Baby," she replied looking up at him as she placed a hand on his cheek,
"You okay?"
"Yeah Sweetheart, I'm okay. How are you?"
"I'm good. Excited for another Coulter Baby. How was today?"
"Yeah it was okay. I mean today is one of those days you can never really say was great you know, but as far as anniversaries go. Yeah it was okay."
"Logan okay?" Jack caressed her cheeks with his thumb and kissed her forehead.
"Yeah Baby, he's fine. As he gets older the more he understands what today is, the more time passes the more he realises his memories of Emily are almost none existent. What he does have are the ones I've told him about. Not ones he can physically conjure up as his. He loves you. His whole world and happiness is wrapped up in you. All he remembers is you and he's old enough to feel guilty, even if it's beyond his own control."
"My sweet little monkey," she murmured softly, her heart aching for him. Before either of them could say anything further her phone beeped with a message from Lee,
"Let's go Lady Bug, you're up. Baby girl is coming…"
"That's my cue. I'll see you once we're done my love. You don't have to stay but I know you will anyway so I'll see you hopefully soon." Jack grinned, kissed his wife and watched as she pregnant waddled back into the birthing ward.
A little less than an hour later Mary Elizabeth Coulter was born and she couldn't be any more perfect.
"Mary Elizabeth, this is your Godmother Aunt Bea. She is going to spoil you rotten." Rosemary said as she introduced goddaughter to godmother.
Both Lee and Rosemary had decided that both their kids would fall under Elizabeth's Godmotherly duties. Therefore if anything were to happen to them God forbid, there would be no question on who they would like to raise their children. Even if without paper it would have been a no brainer.
It was the same for Annabelle and the twins who were yet to be born. It was a little harder to navigate Logan though. Technically Emily and Tom were his Godparents and if anything were to happen to both her and Jack, Emily had nominated her parents to care for Logan until he was of age. Despite many discussions when they were updating their Will, Jack felt compelled to leave Emily's wishes to be fulfilled. Though Elizabeth made a reasonable argument,
"Jack if he loses us both do you really think being ripped away from his siblings, the family he has grown up with to be shipped back to Hope Valley is going to be what's best for him? I understand why, I do, and I will respect her wishes and your decision but I don't want him to think…" Elizabeth didn't have to finish her sentence. Jack understood and he was again of two hearts. For the time being the custody of Logan remained as his mother wished. Elizabeth had hoped and prayed he'd never have to live through it.
Everyone had flocked to the hospital to meet Mary Elizabeth that evening. Becky had stayed home with the Littles as promised, with the exception of Logan who insisted on coming, wanting to go home with his parents that evening. Annabelle and Henry however were having a slumber party at Aunt Abigail's for the evening and were down for the night by the time the baby was born.
When they got to the hospital Logan waited with everyone else for Rosie to get transferred into her ward so they can visit. Logan however was jus anxious to see Elizabeth. As they walked into Rosie's room his eyes searched immediately for her. As though sensing his anxiety she flashed him a loving smile and summoned him with her hand. Wordlessly he walked right over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist hugging her as tightly as he could with his siblings protruding between them. Elizabeth dropped her lips to his head and rubbed his back soothingly. She felt his racing heart slow against her. She murmured how much she loved him just soft enough for him to hear.
It was a very brief visit as visitation had long since passed and they were all grateful to Carson who snuck them all in. With promises to return the next day they bid the Coulter's goodnight.
"I'll bring Henry in the morning." Elizabeth promised as he leant down fo hug Rosie goodnight.
"Thanks Bea."
The drive home to the Thornton house was quiet. Since having Annabelle there was never a quiet moment. She happily filled any gaps with her happy chatter. Elizabeth marvelled over her little personality and wished her mother was still around to enjoy her as she was such a delight. Her father certainly did, though in fairness all that came across Annabelle Charlotte Thornton was enamoured by her. Most of all her big brother who doted and protected her. He was her biggest cheerleader and more often than not be the one to push her out to shine. Elizabeth has left the Coulter's car at the hospital at Jack's insistence that she not drive home tired as she was, late as it was, heavily pregnant as she remained. She was far too exhausted to argue. When the arrived home Logan had open her car door and helped her out of Jack's truck,
"Thank you Baby," she said placing a hand on his cheek affectionately before they walked into the house.
"It's late bud, get ready for bed." Jack said to Logan who nodded and headed upstairs to take a shower.
"Sweetheart, you too. Grab a shower and I'll bring you some tea." Elizabeth nodded
"Thank you," she replied appreciatively kissing his cheek. By the time she got out of the shower she saw the steaming hot tea by her bedside with Jack nowhere on sight. She guessed he finally returned the work call he had been putting off whilst waiting at the hospital. Elizabeth walked over to Logan's bedroom and knocked. Logan looked up from his book and smiled. She tucked him in every night without fail, even if they were out during bed time she would come in to kiss him goodnight.
"You too old to be read to?" She asked, Logan grinned shaking his head. They'd been reading together for as long as he could remember. His love of reading came from her.
"Well you better scootch a little, your siblings just keep growing and growing." Elizabeth had never been more glad that they had recently changed his bed to a double. He had the bunk bed up until he finished year 6. He and Cody made the most out of that bunk bed. Now that they were older sleepovers were done in the den/entertainment room where they would camp out on the floor. Usually with Annabelle who crashed their party more often than not. As she sat on his bed, leaning against his headboard Logan slid closer to her. She wrapped one arm around him whilst her other hand held the book.
"Mom," Logan said softly as he voice cracked,
"Yeah Baby," she replied running her fingers through his hair with then hand that wasn't holding the book,
"I'm sorry," Elizabeth met his gaze
"Baby, you don't have to be sorry. You have nothing to be sorry for."
"I'm sorry I hurt your feelings. I love you."
"Apology accepted. I love you too. I know it's confusing sometimes, and I know there are some things you can't talk to me about and that's more than okay. But Bud, you're never without someone to talk to. Dad's there. Uncle Tom, Uncle Lee, Poppa, Grammie, your Aunts. You get the picture," Logan nodded, truth was she was always his first point of call.
"I mean there's Annabelle but you may have to wait a couple more years for her complete attention." Knowing how easily distracted her five year old was.
"Mom, I'm really looking forward to the twins. I hope they're boys!" He added,
"I'm pretty sure you and your Dad are in a consensus on that one to be honest. And I don't mind if they are. Just remember there's the odds that they could be both girls." Logan laughed,
"If they're like Annabelle they wouldn't be too bad,"
"That's because she worships the ground you walk on," Elizabeth stated unnecessarily as he giggled knowingly.
After his work call Jack went Logan's room to say goodnight knowing he'd be fast asleep. He wasn't altogether surprised to find his wife there with his son snuggled to her side, head resting on her shoulder and his arms and legs draped across her. It was a very familiar sight as Logan was growing up. Nor was he surprised to find them both out like a light. He doubted they got very far on the book that remained in her hand as she slept. Chuckling he walked over to turn off the lamp contemplating whether to wake her or not. He knew that position would not be comfortable to wake up from, at the same time she looked so peaceful. Elizabeth woke as he drew the blanket over them.
"Did you want me to help you get into a more comfortable position?" He asked,
"I don't want to wake him,"
"You can't sleep in that position Sweetheart, you're going to be sore tomorrow if you do."
"I don't want to leave him but you're right even if I move into a more comfortable position it'll be painful tomorrow. I need to sleep in my own bed." Jack nodded. With the twins it has harder and harder to find a comfortable position to sleep in. Jack detangled Elizabeth from Logan's long arms and legs without waking him. When they got to their room Jack tucked her in before taking a quick shower. As he joined her in bed she turned into his embrace and snuggled into his chest burrowing her face at the crook of his arm unconsciously, habitually which was one of Jack's favourite things"
