Undercover Defender
Hey, guys I'm back! Sorry it has taken so long to upload on this story! This is the longest chapter I wrote yet! I hope this helps some with how long you guys had to wait. I plan to have a couple more chapters for this story! I have a couple things I need to explain through in this story still and a couple things I've always wanted to see on the show! (That I will write here) Let me know if you want anything specific to see in this story! This is the story a lot of you have been waiting for! So without anymore said, enjoy!
Chapter 20: goodbyes and hellos
Previously on undercover defender...
"You know you can't just leave the group. Just because Theodore goes to jail temporarily"
"I wasn't leaving. I just thought I would take a couple of days off. And what do you mean temporarily?" William asked as he tensed up.
"Theodore planned on getting caught. It's all just a matter of time before he gets out again" the man replied to him.
"What did you need me to do?" William asked him getting a little irritated.
"I need you to come back to Hamilton to help secure the package" the other man told him.
"You have many guys for that why do you need me to do it?" William asked getting a annoyed.
"Because I think you will want to deal with this certain package yourself" the man said handing William a picture.
William's eyes went wide.
"Your Father" the man said.
{outside of the saloon}
"He isn't my father" William speaks up after recovering quickly from the shock of seeing the picture of William Thatcher.
"In denial are we?" the man asks him as he snatches the picture away from William's hands.
"What do you want?" William asks a bit annoyed.
"We want you to save your father before you regret it later on" the man says with a smile hoping for William to cave in on the offer.
"Sorry to disappoint but I'm not going to" William looks the man straight into the eyes and turns around to leave.
"Fine, we will have to do this the hard way" the man says motioning for the two men with him to grab William before he walks away.
William struggles against the two men as they drag him to face the man in charge. They bend William's legs so he is kneeling on the ground in front of the leader. William looks to the ground not giving the man satisfaction of seeing his face.
"You have a choice to make, William. You can either leave with us first thing tomorrow morning or..."
The man kneeled down on one leg in front of William to be eye level with him before continuing to talk.
"stay here and watch your beautiful pregnant sister suffer because her older brother was too stubborn to take responsibility for his actions"
William looked up with rage in his eyes at the mention of Elizabeth coming to harm as he tightened his hands into fists behind his back.
"Don't" William says with anger.
"Than meet us at the pond by the church at dawn tomorrow morning or your sister will be getting a visit" the man then stood up and ordered his two men to follow.
William sat on the ground with his hands in his hair letting out a deep breathe. After a while William walked back to his room above the saloon and pulled out a pen and paper. He started writing.
Dear Elizabeth,
I hope this letter finds you well. I had hoped to get the chance of explaining everything to you in person but unfortunately life doesn't always turn out the way we hoped it would. I know right now everything you have learned over the span of a couple days has been overwhelming but I think it's time you were told about everything about me and our parents. Elizabeth, the reason our parents sent me away as a baby was not because their families looked down on them and threatened to take away their names off the will. They got married and had me the right way. They gave me away because without them even noticing it at first they got involved with some pretty powerful and ruthless people. These people threatened to kill their first born baby after they refused to do something. Once our mother gave birth to me I was sent across the country with a young couple to keep me safe from these terrible people. They stayed connected to these terrible people to protect viola, you, and Julie. I didn't know it until later on in my life but they did this also to protect me as well. I really wish I could have grown up knowing you, Elizabeth, but I know things happen for a reason. Don't blame mother and father for the mistakes they have made so long ago and are still making. I'm not saying what they did was right because it wasn't but I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive them on this one day. You can take some time to question why they did what they did and be angry with them for it. But don't stay angry with them for too long sister. Anger does not help anyone but forgiveness frees you. And also do not be mad at your husband for keeping the secret of me away from you. I asked him to do it to protect you. I only wanted to keep you safe and protect you. And know everything I do is to protect you my sweet sister. I need to deal with things that I am connected to and not so proud of myself but I hope I am free of in the future days. I hope some day I get to know more of the amazing person you have become. But for now dear sister it is a goodbye. Just know if you ever need anything, I will be there for you. Always.
Your loving brother,
William
The next morning before dawn broke, William dropped off the letter on his sister's front porch. He left without anyone noticing otherwise.
{4 weeks later}
"There you are" Jack says as he comes down the stairs of their townhouse.
"Hey" Elizabeth smiles at him while he walks towards her.
"You feeling okay?" Jack asks her as he puts his hand on her head leaning her head towards his stomach to kiss her on top of the head.
"Yeah I just couldn't get very comfortable so I came down here to write some" Elizabeth looks up at her husband and smiles.
"Want something to eat? Waffles maybe?" Jack asks her as her head now rests against his stomach. He gently pushes hair away from her face as she replies to his question.
"That sounds heavenly" Elizabeth leans back and smiles up at him.
"Okay I'm on it" Jack leans down and kisses her lips. Once they part from each other, he makes his way into the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
"How is the little peanut doing in there?" Jack asks her as he gets the ingredients out for breakfast. He picks up Elizabeth's apron and ties it on himself. He turns around to look at Elizabeth while she responds.
"Apparently baby is not so patiently waiting to come out" Elizabeth tells him as she rubs her hands over her baby bump.
"Carson says it should be any day now. Did you get any sleep last night?" Jack pours some milk into two glasses.
"Yeah I did manage to get some" Elizabeth told him truthfully.
"Well today I will make sure you get some more rest that you need" Jack looks back at her and smiles.
"I look forward to sleeping already" Elizabeth yawns and goes back to writing.
Jack mixes ingredients together for waffles. Elizabeth writes some thoughts down then speaks up again.
"Are you going to check out the Anderson's farm today? Rosemary told me yesterday that they were having trouble with some wild animals and needed some help" Elizabeth asked as she carefully got up from her chair at her desk to come to the table and sit.
"Careful. Careful" Jack noticed she was struggling a little to get out of her chair and walked over to help her. After she was settled in her chair at the table, he went to bring the glasses of milks to the table.
Elizabeth looked at him with a question in her eyes of answering the question she just asked him while grabbing the glass of milk to take a sip.
"I actually thought I would stay here with you today" Jack told her with his back to her as he put one waffle on to bake.
"Why? I mean don't get me wrong I love spending time with you. But you have work to do today. You have your rounds to do" Elizabeth drowned her cup of milk and then gave Jack a confused face.
"You are due any day now and I would prefer to be close by. I can get Bill to do my rounds today" Jack turned away with an apron on and a spatula in his hand wearing a concerned expression on his face.
"That's sweet of you but we can get any one of our friends to sit with me while you do your rounds" Elizabeth watched as he came to stand in front of her and set the spatula down on the table.
Kneeling down in front of her, he put one hand on her cheek as he spoke.
"I would rather not leave you today. Just in case" Jack gently rubbed patterns with his thumb on her cheek as he looked into her eyes.
Elizabeth leaned into his touch and smiled downed at him.
"Okay if you want to. You will totally be bored out of your mind just sitting around with me resting" Elizabeth lightly shakes her head back and forth as she looks at her husband.
"I am totally fine with that" Jack smile widens at Elizabeth agreeing to him staying home with her today.
"You say that now but just wait until a couple hours in" Elizabeth chuckles out loud. She grabs his hand that is resting on her cheek and gives it a squeeze.
Jack smile widens as he stares up at Elizabeth. Elizabeth then frowns when she smells a burning scent in the air.
"What's burning?" Elizabeth asks Jack with a puzzled look.
After a second, both of their eyes go wide.
"The waffles" they both say at the same time.
Jack rushes over to the stove.
"Ahh" Jack forgets to grab an oven clothe and burns his hand.
"Jack" Elizabeth cries out his name watching him burn himself.
Jack finally grabs something to get the pan off the stove and throws the burnt waffle outside.
"How about some toast instead?" Jack scratches his head with his good hand.
"In a minute, come over here so I can look at that hand" Elizabeth slowly raises herself up from her chair with the help from the table.
"It's nothing " Jack tells her as he walks over to where she is. He holds out his hand for her to look at it. Elizabeth takes his hand in both of hers as she examines it.
"That looks really painful. Here sit while I get something for it" Elizabeth grabbed his arm and motioned for him to sit in the chair she just sat in.
"It's not that bad" Jack tells her looking at his hand himself and then at Elizabeth.
"Still I want to put something on it. Now sit" Elizabeth gently pushes him to sit down.
"Yes, ma'am" Jack sits down and smiles up at her.
After Elizabeth puts something Jack's hand, they eat some breakfast. They decided on eating some toast with jam and bananas.
A hour later and they were both seated on the couch with Elizabeth's feet on Jack's lap. Jack was currently reading a book while Elizabeth was resting her eyes.
"You enjoying that book?" Elizabeth asks him with her eyes closed and her hands on her tummy.
"Yes" Jack answered her looking focused on his book with his right thumb on his lip.
"oh really?" Elizabeth opens her eyes and looks at him.
"It's very interesting" Jack nods his head but doesn't look at Elizabeth.
"Oh, it must be because you haven't turned a page in twenty minutes" Elizabeth raises an eyebrow at her husband.
"It's hard to concentrate" Jack lowers the book in his hands and looks over at Elizabeth.
"Oh I'm sorry is me sleeping quietly bothering you?" Elizabeth asks him with sarcasm.
"Cute. You know what I mean" Jack rolls his eyes and shakes his head a little. Then he gives her a worried look.
"Do you need some water? It's been a while since you drank something. Maybe something to eat?" Jack gives her a worried look and lifts her feet up to set them back down on the couch. He starts to make his way to the kitchen without waiting for an answer from Elizabeth
Before she has time to reply Jack sets a glass of water down on the table in front of the couch.
"I'm...good" Elizabeth pauses for a moment looking at the glass of water than at Jack.
"In case you need it" Jack answers her unanswered question from the look she gave him.
Elizabeth just shook her head back and forth than closed her eyes again.
After a few minutes, Elizabeth hears a noise.
"What are you doing?" Elizabeth opens her eyes and looks to the left at her husband.
"I think this lamp stand would look better over there" Jack answers her while picking up the wooden stand.
"I think it looked fine where it was" Elizabeth gives him a puzzled look.
"It looks better right here" Jack tells her stepping back a few feet and looking at it.
Elizabeth closes her eyes again.
"No, I think it would look better over here" Jack picks up the stand again and moves it to another position in the house.
Elizabeth opens her eyes and shakes her head back and forth.
"Why do you have so many pictures of me on this stand over here?" Jack asks her as she was about to close her eyes again.
"Because I love to see your face" Elizabeth tells him a bit annoyed that he is so antsy at the moment.
"Which ones do you like the best? I think I'm am going to go get some other pictures upstairs of our friends. You can see my face every day" Jack hands her all the pictures of him from the wooden stand.
"I have to decide between all these handsome faces?" Elizabeth teases him looking up at him from laying down on the couch.
"That would be my preference, my love" Jack chuckles to himself and kisses her on top of the head.
"Here I like these two the best" Elizabeth says after a minute and smiles at the memories of how those two specific photos were taken. One photo was of Jack in his red serge with his award. The second one was of him in suspenders and laughing on the ground with Cody and rip.
"Thank you, beautiful" Jack kisses her on top of the head again and takes the photos from her hands.
"I will be back in a few minutes. Now if you need anything even if it's just another glass of water you yell for me" Jack points his pointer finger at her telling her the plans.
"I will be fine" Elizabeth grabs his finger and gives it a squeeze.
Jack gives her a stern look.
"I promise I will shout if I need anything" Elizabeth reassures him still holding his hand.
"Thank you" Jack heads up the stairs two at a time and gets to work on the search for the photos.
Elizabeth shakes her head at his nervousness of her nearing her due date and closes her eyes. Right when she does there is a knock at the door.
"I should have figured I would get less rest at home" Elizabeth says to herself.
"Come on in. The door is open" Elizabeth announces from her resting position on the couch.
"Elizabeth!" Rosemary said with Lee right beside her.
"You knocked?" Elizabeth asked in surprise as Rosemary helped her sit up on the couch.
Rosemary pointed with her thumb at Lee.
Elizabeth smiles and nods with understanding now.
"How are you feeling?" Lee asks Elizabeth as she sits up.
"I'm good" Elizabeth gives him a thumbs up.
"And Jack?" Lee and Rosemary give each other a knowing look.
"Well..." Elizabeth starts to say.
"That bad huh?" Lee knows his best friend well and knows how much he is freaking out.
"He can't sit still. And he keeps asking me if I need anything after every couple minutes" Elizabeth whispers to them so Jack can't overhear them.
"That sounds like Jack" Lee tells her sitting in a chair by the couch.
"There is nothing to worry about. Carson says I am perfectly healthy and due anytime this week" Elizabeth looking to Lee first and than Rosemary.
"He is going to be a father. He is terrified" Lee tells them with his hands folded together in front of him and looks at the floor.
Lee looks up at them. Rosemary and Elizabeth both give him a surprised look.
"What? Men talk to each other too" Lee leans back in his chair.
"He told you that?"
Lee shrugs his shoulders and answers Elizabeth question, "We've talked about him being a father. You know he has a right to be terrified. I would be terrified too."
"It's a big responsibility. And he just wants you two to be safe is all" Rosemary puts her hand on Elizabeth's leg for comfort.
"Rosemary! Lee! I didn't hear you two come in. Good to see you two this morning" Jack puts the photos down on the table in the kitchen and heads to Lee to give him a handshake.
"Morning, Jack" Lee shakes his hand and sits back down.
"Jack" Rosemary hugs Jack.
"Rosie. Nice to see you haven't learned to knock yet" Jack teases her when he leans back from the hug.
Rosemary lightly smacks Jack on his shoulder.
"ouch" Jack frowns and holds his shoulder with his opposite hand.
"You know that didn't hurt. And Lee made me knock this time for your information" Rosemary motions with her hand towards where Lee is while she is explaining.
"It hasn't been easy training her" Lee wipes his hand across his forehead indicating his hard work.
"Lee" Rosemary snaps at him.
"Kidding" He raises his hands in defense.
"You find the pictures you were looking for?" Elizabeth asks him as he comes to sit on the edge of the couch beside her.
"Yep!" Jack says proud of himself for finding them so fast.
"How has the new home been coming along? I haven't gotten the chance to get over to your land and see" Rosemary asks both of them.
"It's almost done. We are working on the rest of the roof and then some other smaller details. Should be done before winter time" Jack informs Rosemary of the progress of Jack and Elizabeth's new house.
"That's so exciting!" Rosemary says clapping her hands together in excitement.
"I know. I can't wait to move in and see the final outcome" Elizabeth grabs Jack's hand and smiles at the Coulters.
Just then there was knocking at the door.
"I'll get it" Jack stands up and heads to open the door.
"Hey, Mountie Jack!" Cody gives Jack a hug.
"Hey buddy"
"Miss Abigail wanted us to bring over some muffins and cookies" Cody shows him the basket of food.
"Sounds delicious. Come on in" Jack steps aside to let them in.
"Bill" Jack shakes his hand.
"Jack, how is Elizabeth doing?" Bill asks walking into the row house.
"She is doing great!" Jack shuts the door behind him.
"And how are you doing?" Bill asks him turning around to face him.
"I'm doing great!" Jack nods his head and smiles weakly.
"How is he actually doing?" Bill asks turning around and looking at Elizabeth.
"He is a nervous wreck" Elizabeth tells Jack.
"Hey! I thought I was doing a pretty good job at being subtle" Jack puts his hands on his hips and tries to give Elizabeth a stern look but fails to.
"Yeah being subtle isn't really your thing. You never really been good at that" Elizabeth shrugs her shoulders and smiles at him innocently.
Everyone else in the room just nods their heads in agreement.
"What are you talking about? Yes I have" Jack drops his hands and looks confused with the disagreement.
"Come on man, Everyone knew you were smitten with Elizabeth since the moment you two met"
"He has a point" Bill agrees with Lee.
"Okay so I haven't always been good at it" Jack shrugs his shoulders.
Everyone tries to hold in their laughter. While Elizabeth gives Bill a look. Bill takes the hint and asks Jack a question.
"Jack, how about we go work on your house today?" Bill puts an arm around his shoulder.
"I probably should stay with Elizabeth" Jack says as he moves and sits beside Elizabeth on the couch.
"Lee and I will be here with Elizabeth until you get back" Rosemary reassured him.
"I'd rather not be that far away" Jack says grabbing a hold of Elizabeth's hand.
"It will be good for you to get out of this house for a couple hours, Jack" Elizabeth says tugging on Jack's hand wanting him to look at her.
"I can do it another day"
"Jack, we don't know when this baby will come. It will only be for a couple hours and then you can come back and watch over me like a hawk if it makes you feel better" Elizabeth tries to convince him to get out of the house some.
"Well I..." before Jack could finish Cody steps in and speaks up. Grabbing a hold of Elizabeth's other hand.
"I'll watch over Mrs. Thornton for you until you get back, Mountie Jack" Cody stands tall with Elizabeth's hand in his left one.
"I say I am in good hands" Elizabeth gives Cody's hand a squeeze and turns her head to smile at the boy.
"Thanks, buddy" Jack smiles at the boy from beside Elizabeth.
"How about you give me a minute with Mrs. Thornton?" Jack asks standing up from the side of the couch and putting one hand on Cody's shoulder.
"Cody, why don't we take out all these delicious treats Abigail packed for the Thorntons?" Rosemary asked Cody while moving to the kitchen with Lee and Bill. Doing this hoping to give Jack and Elizabeth some privacy.
"Alright, I'm coming" Cody smiles up at Jack then goes to Rosemary and the rest of the adults in the kitchen. All of them talking to each other.
Jack kneels down in front of Elizabeth who is sitting on the couch and takes a hold of her hands that lay in her lap.
"Are you sure you want me to go?" Jack asks her with worry in his eyes.
"You aren't going across the Amazon River, Jack. You are just going to your land..."
"Our land" Jack interrupts her with a wide smile and squeezes her hands that are still in her lap.
"Our land" Elizabeth corrects herself and squeezes his hands back.
"Now put worry face away and go get some work done on our home" Elizabeth untangles one of her hands and cups the side of his face with her hand. She smiles down at him.
"It's my job to worry about you" he grabs her hand that is on his face and holds it there. Smiling big up at her.
"And it's my job to reassure you that I will be fine. If only I could get that through your hard head of yours" Elizabeth shakes his shoulder lightly with her hand that was on his cheek.
"I don't know it's a pretty hard head" Jack shrugs his shoulders and smiles up at his wife.
"And before you ask, yes I will get some rest" Elizabeth looks down at him.
"Will you..."
"And I will get enough to drink. Promise"
"I was going to say will you stop reading my thoughts" Jack smiles wide at her.
Elizabeth laughs.
"I love you" Jack grabs her hand and lays a kiss on her knuckles. Then proceeds to stand up.
"I love you too" Elizabeth tugs his hand down to kiss him.
"Always" they both say at the same time. Then Jack helps Elizabeth stand up.
"now go before you talk yourself out of it" Elizabeth pushes him towards the door.
Jack chuckles at his wife grabbing his jacket on the coat rack.
"Bill, you ready?"
"Yeah...I'm...coming" Bill says while chewing a cookie that is in his mouth.
"I'll go get the tools in the back shed" Jack tells Bill walking towards the back door of the row house and heading out to the back yard where the shed is.
"How did you get him to go?" Bill asks Elizabeth curious on how Jack is even going to leave her even for a couple hours.
"Did you use your scary teacher face on him?" Cody whispering to Elizabeth from where he is standing by the table.
Lee, Bill, and Rosemary laugh in the background.
"I don't have a scary teacher face" Elizabeth throws her hands in the air and back down by her sides.
Jack walks back in the house with the tools in a box hanging around his arm.
"Found the tools" Jack smiles lifting up the tools in the air showing Bill.
"Jack Thornton. Did you tell everyone I have a scary teacher face?" Elizabeth looks at him with a stern face and hands on her hips.
Jack freezes where he is at as his eyes slowly go wider.
"Busted" Cody says under his breath as him and Rosemary try to hold in their laughter.
"Well?" Elizabeth gives him a hard stare.
Jack just smiles showing his teeth and slowly backs up through the back door again.
"We definitely got to be getting a head start if we will get back soon. Bill let's go" Jack turns around and hurries out the back door.
"See you later, Elizabeth" Bill laughs with another treat in his hand as he waves goodbye to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth just rolls her eyes as Rosemary closes the back door.
"Elizabeth do you want to rest some?" Rosemary asks her coming to her side.
"I'll rather get a look at the treats Abigail sent over first" Elizabeth licks her lips and slowly makes her way to the table with Rosemary beside her for support.
"These scones are good. You should try some of these, Elizabeth" Lee holds one up for Elizabeth to see. While putting another one in his mouth.
"Trust me I know. I basically lived off of Abigail's scones when I first came to town. I'll have one please" Elizabeth grabbed the scone from Lee and took a bite.
"Hmm tastes delicious like they always do" Elizabeth enjoyed the treat.
"Cheers to good food" Cody lifts up his cookie in the air for everyone to tap it.
"Cheers" they all bring their food to meet in the middle with big smiles.
"So cards while we eat?" Rosemary holds the cards up from the table.
"What about Elizabeth resting?" Lee asks Rosemary than looks at Elizabeth.
"I can rest some later" Elizabeth tells him.
Lee shrugging the idea of her resting later to the side and adding to the list of things not to tell Jack.
"I want to play cards and this time I will win" Elizabeth holding her head up high in confidence and taking a seat with the help from Lee.
All three of them look at each other with questionable looks.
"I mean it I will this time" Elizabeth looks around at all of them.
"You say that every time" Cody says taking a seat by Elizabeth and smiling wide.
"And every time she loses" Lee says taking his seat from across Elizabeth trying to hide his smile.
Rosemary clears the table and starts to shuffle the cards.
"I didn't that one time" Elizabeth says in defense.
"Mountie Jack totally helped you out that time" Cody says looking over at Elizabeth while picking up his cards Rosemary started passing out.
"Well this game will be my time to shine" Elizabeth tells him looking at her cards.
One hour later. Elizabeth still didn't win a game and the basket of food was completely gone. Eaten by all four of the people around the table.
"I think I am going to get some rest now" Elizabeth says with tired eyes.
Lee starts to lead her towards the stairs but Elizabeth stops.
"The couch will be fine"
"You sure?" Lee asks her knowing that the a couch is not as comfortable as a bed.
"Yes, that will be fine, Lee" Elizabeth nods her head yes. As Lee helps her towards the couch.
Elizabeth lies down on the couch with the help from Lee.
"Thank you"
"Of course" Lee smiles down at her. He always seen Elizabeth like a sister and would do anything to protect her.
"Need anything, Mrs. Thornton?" Cody asks standing beside the couch.
"I'm okay for now thank you, Cods" Elizabeth smiles up at him as her eye lids droop shut.
"I'm going to go chop some fire wood outside. They seem pretty low. Jack must have not gotten the chance to chop some yet" Lee told Rosemary who was in the kitchen cleaning up.
"Alright" Rosemary said finishing up in the kitchen and heading in the living to sit in a chair.
"Cody, you don't want to go outside and play some baseball for a while?" Rosemary whispered to Cody who was sitting on the floor by the couch by Elizabeth's head.
"Nope. I promised Mountie Jack I would watch Mrs. Thornton. I intend to keep that promise" Cody says speaking to Rosemary.
Elizabeth smiles as her eyes are still closed.
"Okay" Rosemary smiles at the young boy and takes a seat. She takes out a sketch book so she can draw some designs for the dress shop.
{At the Thornton land}
"Have you heard any recent news about Elizabeth's Father?" Jack asks Bill as he sits on the front porch of his home. He takes a sip of water from his canteen then offers it to Bill who is sitting against the rail post.
"Not since last we talked" Bill takes the canteen of water from Jack and drinks it.
Jack just nods his head and looks ahead at the cloudy sky. They both took a little break from working. The roof was finished a couple of minutes ago and they wanted to take a break before starting on the back porch.
"How is Elizabeth taking everything?" Bill sets the canteen of water down beside him and looks ahead while he is leaning against the rail post of the front porch.
"She still doesn't understand how her father could do anything remotely like this" Jack rests his elbows on his legs while looking out into the pasture of green grass and woods ahead.
"That's understandable"
Silence lies between them for a few minutes before Bill speaks up.
"How did Elizabeth take the news about William being involved in that organization?" Bill turns his head to look at the field of green pasture.
"He didn't tell her in his letter. And I haven't told her. William wanted me not to tell her yet" Jack answers him.
"And you agree with him to keep this from her?" Bill looks over at Jack now studying his reaction and his answer.
"I agree that we shouldn't put more worry on her right now. She already has to worry about her Father going to prison and her being pregnant. She shouldn't have to worry about her brother too" Jack looks down at his hands that are in his lap.
"So when do you plan on telling her about her brother being undercover with the same organization that her father was involved with?"
"Well I..." Jack looks over at Bill and gives him a worried look.
"You weren't planning on telling her" Bill looks up at the roof of the porch with this realization and rolls his eyes.
"William just needs a little more time to get the rest of the information of the higher leaders and supporters. Once that happens they will all go to jail and I won't need to tell Elizabeth. It will all work out" Jack tells him leaning against the leg post on the opposite side of Bill.
"When was the last time he contacted you?"
"Three days ago" Jack looks him in the eyes before turning his head to look in the pasture of grass.
"Jack" Bill gives him a hard glare from across the porch.
"William's plan will work. When he is done than he will be free from their organization. This will keep her from having to deal with the worry or confusion of it all. It's fine, Bill" Jack states at Bill explaining the reasoning behind it all.
"And you trust William so much to keep this secret from Elizabeth?" Bill looks at him seriously from where he is sitting.
Jack stays quiet and looks down at the floor while his hands that rest on his knees.
"How did keeping things from her last time work out?"
"It's Mountie business she will understand" Jack looks back out into the pasture with his jaw tightening in frustration.
"This is stupid, Jack. And you know it. You can't trust him. You've known him for like what? Less than a week and you somehow trust him with this whole undercover mission these past few weeks" Bill rubs his hands down his face and looks over at Jack. He stands up looking down at Jack who is still sitting against the leg post across from him.
"This is the only way we can bring all the leaders down at once, Bill. You know that" Jack looks up at him with a flash of frustration and worry in his eyes.
"You realize the trouble he could bring to your family if this doesn't work out?" Bill doesn't understand why he could be risking this if his family could be involved.
"You don't think I've thought about that? Everyday I agree to keep this secret and help him is risky. I know that. But you know that my first priority is always keeping my family and my friends safe, Bill" Jack stands up facing Bill. Full anger starting to show in his eyes at what Bill mentioned about his family being in possible danger.
"Really? Because you just potentially put your family at risk for trusting Elizabeth's brother who we all just found out existed in less than four days"
"Bill" Jack says his name in warning trying to control his temper and putting his hands in fists. He takes a step forward in front of Bill.
"I'm just saying do you know what you are getting yourself into? Can you trust him, Jack?" Bill asks not breaking eye contact with his friend. Who is more like family now.
"He saved my life, Bill. He didn't have to save my life but he did. I at least owe him this. He won't bring any harm to Elizabeth. If anything, I know that for sure" Jack turns breaking the eye contact and looks out at the pasture again.
They both remain silent for a minute.
"I just don't want Elizabeth to get involved or hurt.. I just don't want anything to happen to her or you" Bill looks at Jack noticing his worry in his facial expressions as well.
"I know" Jack turns his head to look at Bill again. He looks at him and than turns to look out the front yard of his house.
Silence fills the air for a couple more minutes until Bill speaks up.
"You ready to clean up here so we can head back?" Bill decides to change the topic.
"yeah I think we have been gone long enough already" Jack agrees nodding his head in agreement and starts to collect the tools.
{At the Thorntons rowhouse}
Elizabeth starts to feel a small pain in her stomach. She winces and opens her eyes. She looks around and notices Rosemary has fallen asleep in the chair across from her while Cody is on the floor by her head sleeping as well. Elizabeth feels another pain and winces again. This time trying to sit up and a little frustrated at how hard it is to sit up by herself. Lee who was sitting in the chair beside rosemary reading noticed Elizabeth trying to get up.
"Here let me help you" Lee whispers to Elizabeth and he helps her sit up on the couch.
"Thank you, Lee" Elizabeth gives him a small smile.
"Of course. Are you okay?" Lee looks her in the eyes sensing something is wrong.
"I'm fine, Lee. I just need something to drink is all"
"Oh I can get you something to drink" Lee steps to move toward the kitchen but is halted at Elizabeth grabbing his wrist.
"No, it's okay. I think getting up for a minute and getting to move some will be good for me" Elizabeth tells him as she releases her hold on his wrist.
"Okay" Lee helps her stand up and walks besides her to the kitchen.
"Thank you! You want me to get you a glass of water?" Elizabeth reaches for two glasses on the sink and some water.
"Sure" Lee whispers to her from the opposite side of the table.
Elizabeth pours herself some water and pours some for Lee. She hands it to him and than raises her glass to her lips to drink. After she takes a sip she sets the cup down on the counter. Elizabeth than looks down at the ground and freezes. Her hand coming up to cover her mouth for a moment in shock.
"Lee?" Elizabeth asks removing her hand from over her mouth.
"Hm?" Lee says looking up from drinking his water and setting the glass on the table.
"I think we might have a situation" Elizabeth bites the bottom of her lip indicating her nerves at the moment.
"What do you mean?" Lee asks her giving her a confused face and starts to get worried.
"My water just broke" Elizabeth gives him a nervous smile.
"You mean...?" Lee still not processing what that means for a second.
Elizabeth nods her head with a nervous expression on her face.
Lee's eyes go wide in realization and turns around to where Rosemary is at.
"Rosemary" Lee shouts running towards where Rosemary is at and shaking her shoulders to wake her up.
Cody starts to wake up from where he is on the floor from the shouting.
"Lee, what is wrong?" Rosemary blinks her eyes trying to focus on Lee who is freaking out in front of her.
"Elizabeth's water just broke" Lee says putting his hands through his hair and starting to pace in front of her.
Cody jumps up at hearing this and looks over at Elizabeth who is leaning on the table.
"This was not suppose to happen when Jack isn't present" Lee thinks to himself.
Rosemary eyes go wide now and jumps up herself. She rushes over to where Elizabeth is at and starts to rub smoothing circles with her hand on her back.
"What's wrong?" Cody asks out loud wearing a worried and confused expression.
"Baby is coming. Like now" Lee stops pacing and informs Cody of what is going on.
Cody freezes and does not know what to do.
"Cody go run and get Doctor Shepherd. Hurry" Rosemary instructs him.
Cody immediately jumps out of the shock he was in and nods his head in affirmative answer. He runs for the door but stops when he hears his name again and turns around.
"And Cody. get Abigail from the cafe too"
"Yes ma'am" Cody says and bolts out the door.
"Lee, go ride out and get Jack and Bill" Rosemary instructs Lee.
"I'm on it" Lee rushes to the door and gets to his car outside to drive to town. Hoping to get a horse to ride out to Jack's land.
"How are you feeling?" Rosemary now turns to Elizabeth.
"Like this baby is ready to come out" Elizabeth looks over and gives Rosemary a nervous look.
"Okay. Everything will be okay. We just need to get you upstairs to your bedroom. Think you can do that?"
Elizabeth nods in agreement and closes her eyes wincing as she feels some more pain. Rosemary leads her slowly to the stairs and starts to help her up them.
"I am totally going to hear a ear full from Jack when this is all over with" Elizabeth says trying not to think of the pain she is in now as she takes a step up the stairs with the help from Rosemary. Rosemary taking most of Elizabeth's weight.
"you and me both"
Elizabeth stops and looks over at Rosemary with her eyebrow raised.
"What? We all agreed for him to leave the house for a few hours. We are all in for a ear full" Rosemary turns her attention back to helping Elizabeth up the stairs.
"You think he will be freaking out when Lee rides out to tell him?" Elizabeth asks Rosemary almost up the few steps of stairs.
"Truthfully?" Rosemary looks over at Elizabeth.
Elizabeth nods her head yes. As they make it up the few steps.
"He definitely will be" Rosemary tells her leading Elizabeth now to her bedroom.
"That's what I think too" Elizabeth takes a deep breath.
{In town}
Cody sprints to the infirmary and starts pounding on the door.
"Doctor Shepherd" Cody shouts while continuing to pound on the door.
Carson flings open the door at Cody's shouts.
"Cody, what is it? What's wrong?" Carson looks at him looking for any possible injuries that could be on the boy. Faith stands behind him looking worried herself.
"It all happened so fast, Mr. Shepherd. I was sleeping by the couch. And I was just keeping close to Mrs. Thornton. Just in case. And than Mr. Lee just shouts and yells for Mrs. Rosemary. And than she runs over to Mrs. Thornton. I should have been wake. I could have done something. But..."
"Cody slow down. Breathe" Carson stops Cody in his ramble and puts one of his hands on the boy's shoulder. He watches the boy slowly take a deep breath.
"Now tell me what is going on" Carson gently urges him to answer.
"Mrs. Thornton is gonna have the baby" Cody tells Carson with a scared look on his face.
"Faith" Carson looks back over his shoulder in her direction.
"Already on it" Faith replies reading his mind and quickly grabs the supplies that are needed.
Carson than looks at the scared boy.
"Everything will be alright" Carson tells him trying to ease the worry a little from his eyes.
Cody just nods his head slightly still showing worry in his eyes as he looks down to the ground for a moment lost in thought.
"I have to go get Miss Abigail" Cody remembers looking up at the doctor. Cody hesitates for a moment wondering if he should leave Dr. Shepard before leading him to the row-house.
"Go ahead and get her. We will be heading to Elizabeth now" Carson says as Faith comes rushing out the door with supplies in hand.
Cody runs to the cafe to get Abigail.
{At the Thornton land}
"Did you happen to get the hammer from the back porch?" Jack asks Bill as he loads up his horse to head back.
"I must have forgot it. Wait here and I'll go grab it real fast"
"Okay thanks" Jack nods his head and checks to see if he has everything. Truthfully he feels anxious to get back to Elizabeth as soon as possible. He did enjoy the distraction of working on their house from worrying about Elizabeth though.
Jack hears a horse coming his way and turns around to see who it was.
"Jack" Lee shouts riding up to him.
The look of worry and nervousness on Lee's face does nothing to settle the fear slowly creeping up inside of Jack.
"Lee? What's wrong?"
Bill then comes running to the front hearing Lee shout.
"It's Elizabeth. It's time" Lee puts a hand through his hair nervously.
Jack quickly takes action and jumps on his horse. He takes off at lightening speed toward the row houses with Bill and Lee closely behind.
After minutes past by, way to long for Jack's liking, he arrives at the row house. Jack jumps off his horse and sprints inside. He rushes to the stairs where Rosemary is standing in front of. While at the same time, Lee and Bill come rushing inside behind Jack.
"Where is she? Is she okay? Is the baby okay? Is Carson here?..." before Jack could go any further with the questions he heard the sound of pain coming from Elizabeth upstairs.
Jack's body urges forward by instinct towards Elizabeth's voice.
Rosemary being in front of Jack puts her hands on his chest pushing him back.
"Jack! You can't go up there. Carson, Faith, and Abigail are up there with Elizabeth. They need room to deliver the baby. Elizabeth is in good hands" Rosemary tells him while still trying to get through to him.
Jack stops and processes the information just told to him for a second. His thoughts are interrupted by another shout of pain from Elizabeth upstairs.
He urges forward again.
Bill and Lee get in front of him where Rosemary was standing. They both try to hold him back. Both their hands on his shoulders trying to stop him. Rosemary moves to the side giving the two men a better chance of holding him back.
"Jack. Elizabeth is fine" Lee tells him looking at Jack.
"She doesn't sound fine to me" Jack tells him with fear in his eyes and a hint of anger for them getting in his way. He continues to push forward.
"She will be fine" Bill steps into the conversation now.
"She needs me" Jack says in such a low whisper that if all three of them were not close to him they wouldn't have been able to hear it. Jack stops pushing forward and looks at his two closest friends with fear in his eyes. He has never been more terrified in his life. Jack felt torn inside not being there with Elizabeth while she is in pain. He has always been there when she was hurting. It was killing him right then to not be with her.
"You are helping her by being right here for her. You need to give Carson, Faith, and Abigail some space to help Elizabeth" Bill tells him with a hand on his shoulder.
"All we can do is wait" Lee tells him feeling bad for his best friend right now. He knows he can't let Jack go upstairs right now to Elizabeth but he also knows he would be in the same shoes as him if it was Rosemary up there.
"I hate waiting" Cody speaks up for the first time.
Everyone in the room except Jack look at Cody forgetting he was in the room.
"Me too" Rosemary walks over and wraps her arms around Cody's shoulders from where he is sitting at the table. Trying to give the young boy some comfort. She could tell he was anxious too by his bouncing legs.
Jack finally steps back and starts pacing slowly in front of the stairway that Lee and Bill are now sitting in front of.
Jack winces every time he hears Elizabeth's voice of pain and closes his eyes for a moment before continuing to pace.
"Did you happen to get any more work done on the house?" Lee asks Bill trying to get all of their minds off of worrying about Elizabeth.
"We finished up the roof" Bill informs him while fidgeting with his hands in front of him. Bill was just as worried as everyone else.
"Great. I'm glad you two got some work done" Lee replies leaning his arms on his knees.
Jack stops pacing and faces Rosemary who is sitting by Cody at the table.
"Was she okay when Carson arrived?" Jack asked Rosemary.
"yes, she was doing great. Stop worrying, Jack. She will be fine" Rosemary assured him. Inwardly though Rosemary was freaking out like everyone else currently in the room. Rosemary gets up and starts cleaning the kitchen again.
Jack just slightly nods giving her a disbelieving serious look and starts to pace again. Jack's mind was going crazy with the what ifs of the situation. He just needed Elizabeth and the baby to be okay.
"Jack man, you got to stop pacing. You are making me have a headache" Bill tells Jack as he puts one hand to his head.
"Sorry" Jack stops pacing and sits down at the table. He starts bouncing his left leg almost immediately and taps his right hand fingers on the table.
Jack hears another shout from Elizabeth upstairs. He instantly closes his eyes and puts his hands in fists. He then stands up and makes his way to the door.
"Where you going?" Lee asked him surprised at what he is doing.
"I need some air" Jack replies opening the door and walks on the front porch. Jack makes sure to leave the door open and leans against the porch post. He slowly takes a deep breath and puts his right hand to his heart saying a silent prayer.
"Please Lord. Let Elizabeth and the baby be alright. Elizabeth is everything to me. Please let everything be okay" Jack silently prays outside.
"Is Mountie Jack okay?" Cody looks up from his fidgety hands to Rosemary who is now standing beside him watching Jack on the porch.
"Yeah buddy. He is just worried about Elizabeth" Rosemary gives her best smile for the young boy and looks back at Jack outside.
{upstairs where Elizabeth is at}
"Breathe Elizabeth" Abigail tells Elizabeth's while holding her hand.
"You are doing good Elizabeth. Keep going" Carson speaks up and tells her.
"Jack?" Elizabeth looks over at Abigail and asks the question only with his name being said.
Abigail knew what Elizabeth was asking and instantly replied.
"He is downstairs. And he is ready to see you and this beautiful baby" Abigail smiles at Elizabeth reassuring her of where Jack is at. Abigail heard the commotion downstairs when it started and knew instantly it was Jack downstairs.
"He is probably freaking out" Elizabeth says breathless and smiles over at Abigail.
"Most definitely" Abigail gives out a chuckle at her best friend.
"Almost there Elizabeth" Carson informs her again.
{downstairs}
"It's awfully quiet" Jack walks back inside and stares at the stairs.
Lee and Bill look at each other with worry in their eyes for a second before everyone hears a sound.
A baby cry.
A couple minutes pass by, and than Jack urges to the stairs. This time Bill and Lee let him pass with big smiles.
Jack is up the stairs in a blink of an eye and lightly knocks on the guest bedroom door.
Faith opens the door and shows Elizabeth sitting up on the bed with a baby in her arms.
Jack slowly walks in keeping his eyes on Elizabeth and the bundle in her arms.
Elizabeth looks up at Jack with tears in her eyes as she smiles at him.
"It's a girl"
Jack stops where he is and freezes. He starts to smile real big as a tear slowly runs down the side of his cheek.
"Congratulations" Carson tells them both as he is continuing to wash off his hands.
There is a few more congratulations being said from Abigail and Faith but Jack does not process it. Jack just keeps his eyes on Elizabeth and their baby girl.
"Jack" Elizabeth speaks softly to him as she motions with her head for him to come to her. Jack registers her voice and comes out of his shock.
Jack walks around the bed to where Elizabeth is at and stands beside her looking down at the baby.
"She is so beautiful" Elizabeth says smiling at the baby than up at Jack who is standing beside the bed. Jack carefully reaches out his left hand and sets it gently on the baby's small tummy.
"Just like her mother" Jack says as he gently puts one of his fingers over the small baby's hand, rubbing it back and forth softly.
"Hello little one" Jack whispers to his little girl as he rubs his thumb on the baby's cheek.
He than takes his right hand and puts it on Elizabeth's shoulder leaning down to kiss her on the head.
"I am so proud of you" Jack whispers as he kisses her on top of the head.
"I love you" Elizabeth leans into Jack's chest as she looks down at her baby girl.
"I love you so much" Jack says as he kisses on top of her head again.
"I love you both so much" Jack holds Elizabeth's head to his chest with his right hand while gently rubbing his fingers over his baby's girls little hand.
There was a soft knock on the door.
"You guys can come in" Faith says opening the door to the rest of the crew from downstairs.
They all came in stopping on the other side of the bed looking at the baby. Cody standing in front of Bill while the coulters stood beside them.
"It's a baby girl" Jack gives a wide smile while he looks up at them.
"Congratulations you two" Bill speaks up first smiling wide himself at them.
"Thank you, Bill" Elizabeth nods her head at Bill.
"She is the cutest little baby" Cody speaks up with a smile on his face.
"She really is" Lee says putting a hand on Cody's shoulders.
"She is adorable" Rosemary says holding a hand to her chest with tears in her eyes.
"Have you two thought of a name yet?" Abigail speaks up watching the three by the end of the bed.
"We have" Jack leans back and looks at Elizabeth in the eyes. Jack and Elizabeth both than speak up at the same time.
"Bella grace Thornton"
To be continued...
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