Hello! :-) Here is the next chapter.

Chapter 13

After the fourth night of reading to Jack who had grown weary of not seeing his parents and who wanted to go home, Lucas knew exactly how his son felt.

He managed to calm him down and stayed with him until Lucas was certain he was asleep. He spent a few minutes with Julie, Rosemary and Lee before heading back to the Infirmary.

On his way, he saw Nathan who asked if he could walk with him.

"Sure."

"I am so sorry about Elizabeth. I was hoping to catch you sooner than this to talk to you, but somehow I kept missing you when you would head back to the Infirmary. I was determined to wait for you tonight. Francine told me what you have been doing. I want you to know how much I admire your dedication to your family. I admit I'm ashamed I judged you as harshly as I did and thought you would only hurt Elizabeth and Jack. You have definitely proven me wrong."

"I love my family, Nathan. This is what I tried to tell you when we talked that New Year's Eve at the jail. You love and care for Allie and now Francine. I feel the exact same way about my family. We're not so different if you think about it."

Nathan nodded. "Francine told me your daughter is beautiful and a joy to take care of. I know you can't wait to get your family home, but I think Francine is really going to miss having Amelia at the Infirmary. Congratulations. I'm thankful your daughter is okay. "

"Thank you. Francine has been wonderful. I like her very much and appreciate how much she has helped. She's an excellent nurse. Have you two set a date?"

"We're thinking about August or September. Francine would like to have an outdoor wedding, if possible."

"Sounds nice. And then maybe there will be a Baby Grant or two in your future?"

"I've never really thought about it and Francine hasn't said too much because she knows I have Allie, but after hearing her talk about your daughter and how much she loves taking care of her, I think that's a definite possibility."

"I think it would be great for you two to have a child or two of your own. How is the adoption coming along?"

"It's slow but steady. We knew it would take time, and I do want to make sure every avenue is explored and covered, so we're willing to wait. We know it's going to happen. It's just a matter of when. I'm thinking you probably feel that way about Elizabeth's recovery?"

"I do," Lucas agreed. "It's a matter of when, not if. Elizabeth is going to open her eyes. I know she will."

They had arrived at the Infirmary.

"Lucas," Nathan said, sounding sincere and concerned, "if there's anything I can do or anything you need, I hope you know you can come to me."

Lucas gave him a genuine smile. "I do now. Thank you, Nathan. I appreciate you reaching out to me. I can honestly say I enjoyed our conversation. I wish you and your family nothing but the best."

"I wish the same to you and yours," Nathan said. "I can't wait until Francine tells me Elizabeth is going home, with her husband and her daughter, to see her son. That's the way it should be."

Lucas couldn't have agreed more.

"Lucas. Amelia is crying."

A new day had dawned when Lucas, who had been sleeping in the chair next to Elizabeth's bed, bolted upright. He thought he'd heard Elizabeth's voice. Had he been dreaming? He now knew his daughter's cries and had not heard her, but he checked on her anyway and found Amelia sleeping quietly.

Five days old, and Lucas couldn't believe how much Amelia had already changed. Her features had softened, and her coloring looked more natural. He realized what a good baby she was, despite what had to have been a difficult entry into the world. He knew they were truly blessed.

When he returned to Elizabeth's bed, he saw Carson examining her eyes.

"Did Elizabeth speak?" Lucas asked.

Carson nodded. "I think she's trying to wake up, but we can't force it. It has to happen on its own."

"Okay."

"Lucas," they heard again, "I can't reach Amelia. Bring her to me."

Elizabeth stretched out her arms as if she were reaching for something. Or someone.

"This is encouraging, right?" Lucas asked.

Carson smiled. "Very."

Lucas returned to his seat to watch Elizabeth. Carson kept a close eye on her as well.

He could see activity and movement behind her eyelids, but he needed Elizabeth to wake up on her own. He encouraged Lucas to talk to her.

"Elizabeth," Lucas said. "Sweetheart, Amelia is fine. She's sleeping."

"Sleeping?" Elizabeth repeated.

"Yes, sweetheart," he said, holding her hand in his, excited she had responded to him, "Amelia is asleep. She's fine."

"She's crying, Lucas. Bring her to me."

"Elizabeth," Carson said, "it's Carson. Can you hear me?"

"Amelia," Elizabeth said again. "I need to see her."

"You have to open your eyes, Elizabeth," Carson gently explained. "Can you do that for us?"

Lucas felt Elizabeth's hand moving within his, and her legs jerked from underneath the blanket.

"Trying," she said, as her eyelids fluttered.

"You're doing great," Carson said. "Take your time. I believe you are almost there."

"I want to see Amelia," she said in a plaintive voice. "Why can't I see her?"

"You can see her," Carson said, "as soon as you open your eyes."

Lucas felt Elizabeth squeeze his hand, and then her eyes opened, being greeted by harsh light that caused her to look away.

"Elizabeth! Sweetheart, you're awake!" Lucas exclaimed, as relief and love washed over him.

"Why is it so bright?" she asked, shielding herself from the light.

"You've been asleep for a few days," Carson explained. "The light is you coming out of the darkness you've been in."

"What happened?" she asked, looking at her husband, and not understanding why he appeared to be so tired and weary.

"I will explain everything," Carson said, "but first, I need to make sure you are all right."

"I'll go check on Amelia," Lucas said.

"Amelia?" Elizabeth said. "She's here?"

"She is," Lucas said, looking at his wife and smiling. "She's waiting to meet you."

"But how? I…I don't remember...I've been looking for her. I could hear her crying. She needs me. I want to see my baby. Please?"

"You will," Carson said. "Soon."

Lucas made his way to Amelia who was beginning to fidget.

"You know your mama is awake, don't you, sweet girl?" he whispered. "You get to see her. Very soon."

Amelia reacted with little twists when she heard her father's voice. Lucas smiled at her and made sure she was comfortable. He wanted to be certain she was fully awake before he picked her up. He didn't want her to cry from distress. He couldn't wait for Elizabeth to see her.

Lucas heard Carson patiently answering Elizabeth's questions. He could only imagine what Elizabeth was going through. Losing almost five days of your life and not remembering giving birth had to be heartbreaking for her. Lucas vowed he would do whatever he could to help her cope and recover.

"I think I've explained things as well as I can for now," he told Lucas a few minutes later. "Is Amelia awake?"

"She is."

"Please bring Amelia to Elizabeth before she tries to get out of bed to see her for herself."

Lucas had to chuckle. That would be his wife. He carefully gathered Amelia into his arms and told her she was about to meet her mother.

When Elizabeth saw Lucas approaching her bed holding their daughter, she couldn't keep the tears at bay. He looked like the proud father she knew he was, and Amelia looked like a dream.

"This is Amelia?" Elizabeth asked. "This is our daughter?"

"Yes," Lucas said, somewhat surprised and confused Elizabeth would question if Amelia was theirs.

"I just...I'm sorry. I don't remember giving birth to her. I'm amazed she's here. She's beautiful. Can you come closer, please?"

Lucas moved closer; Carson said he could sit on the edge of the bed so Elizabeth could see their daughter.

"She's perfect," Elizabeth said, tears filling her eyes once more. "I can't believe I don't remember any of this, but she looks healthy and happy."

"She is," Carson assured the new mother.

"Lucas, you look so comfortable holding her, and she looks so contented to be in your arms. Thank you for taking such good care of our daughter. Mama's sorry she hasn't been here," she said to Amelia. "But I am now, and I want to take the very best care of you I can. I love you, Amelia. So much."

Elizabeth leaned back on her pillow, realizing how weak she truly was.

"Don't exert yourself," Carson cautioned. "You still need to rest and heal."

Elizabeth nodded. "I just found that out."

Lucas rose from the bed and sat in the chair next to Elizabeth's bed.

"What do I need to do to get well?" she asked Carson.

"You need to continue to rest, and you need to start eating."

"I am a little hungry," she said, now that she thought about it.

"I can bring you soup," Lucas said.

"Soup sounds good," Elizabeth said.

"Very plain soup with vegetables," Carson indicated.

Lucas nodded. "I think I'll get it from the café, if that's okay, Elizabeth?"

"That's fine."

She answered him with her eyes closed.

"She will probably fall back asleep," Carson said. "But that's okay. Her body still needs lots of rest."

"Should I wait to bring the food?" Lucas asked.

"Yes. She probably won't be able to eat much anyway. Let's leave her to rest."

Lucas rose from the chair and laid Amelia in her bassinet. She, too, looked to be falling back asleep.

"If you want to tell Jack and the others Elizabeth woke up, go ahead."

"Do you think it's okay to tell them? Will this be normal sleep for Elizabeth or will she be asleep for days again?"

"She'll wake up again soon. Elizabeth will be back and forth with her sleep, but she'll get better and hopefully, be able to stay awake for longer periods of time. She needs to get her strength back."

"So, she will have to be here longer?"

"Yes. Elizabeth is not ready to go home, Lucas. Maybe in the next couple of days, depending on how she responds. And even then, I would have her and Amelia remain downstairs to sleep. I do not want her climbing up and down the stairs just yet."

"I understand. I was thinking about that, too. I'll get everything set up for her and Amelia."

As Francine entered to begin the morning shift, she heard pieces of the conversation.

"Good morning," she said. "Elizabeth woke up?"

"She did," Carson confirmed. "A short time ago. She talked for a little bit and saw Amelia, and now she's sleeping again."

"That's great news," Francine said. "I will watch her closely."

"Lucas is going home to let the others know."

"You should go to the café or the saloon for coffee and breakfast," Francine said to Carson. "You look like you've been awake all night."

"I will. I want to monitor Elizabeth for a while. She just went back to sleep. I want to see how she does."

"I understand. I will check on that darling baby of yours," Francine said to Lucas.

"She just went back to sleep, too," Lucas said.

"Then I will get things ready for her for when she wakes up."

"Thank you, Francine," Lucas said and smiled.

"You're welcome. You should go while they are both asleep. You have some good news to share."

Lucas agreed and left the Infirmary to tell Jack and the others the good news.

When Francine and Carson had a quiet moment, she decided to ask him the question that had been on her mind about Faith.

"Have you heard from Faith since she left?" Francine asked gently.

Carson shook his head. "No, I haven't. She asked me not to call or write while she is staying with her brother, so I'm abiding by her wishes."

"I'm so sorry about everything that happened."

"Thank you. So am I. Elizabeth waking up will go a long way to ease that burden, though."

Francine nodded. "I'm so pleased she woke up and got to see her daughter."

"Me, too."

Carson looked at Elizabeth who appeared to be sleeping peacefully.

"She may sleep longer than I thought she would, but I see movement in her sleep that was not there before."

"I agree. She's asleep because she needs it, but she's with us. Why don't you at least grab a cup of coffee? You look ready to drop. I'll monitor things here."

"Thank you, Francine. I'll go to the saloon. It should be less crowded than the café. If you need me…"

"I know where to find you."

"I won't be gone long. I do want to keep a close eye on Elizabeth."

"I understand. Enjoy your coffee. We'll be fine."

Carson entered the saloon and didn't see Ernie. One of the other servers asked him if he wanted coffee; Carson said he did. As he sat at the table and drank the dark rich brew, he recalled the last conversation he'd had with Faith about what had tanspired with Elizabeth. He'd finally managed to leave the Infirmary the day following Amelia's birth and had found Faith in her home, packing a suitcase.

"Faith, what are you doing?" he asked.

"Packing some of my things. I called my brother, and he's invited me to stay with him and my father. I need a break, Carson, and time to think about what I want to do. This isn't working for me."

"I know you think you're somehow responsible for what happened to Elizabeth, but…"

"I am responsible for what happened to Elizabeth!" she shrieked, looking at him with tears in her eyes. "Carson, she could have died!"

"I know that," he said, trying to keep his voice calm in the face of her anxiety and reached out to place his hands on her arms to calm her.

She pulled away and shook her head.

"You can't fix this, so don't even try."

"Faith, if Elizabeth had died, and thank God she didn't, it would have been my fault, not yours. I'm the one in charge of that Infirmary. You are under my tutelage. I am the responsible party. This would have fallen squarely on my shoulders, no one else's."

"But you asked me to do one thing, and I couldn't even do that right. Don't you see, Carson? This doesn't work for us. I don't know why, but we can't work together. I should have never tried to become a doctor."

"Faith, don't say that. Please. You are still learning. We've talked about this."

"I know. And you told me, no, you promised me, you would never let me make a costly mistake. Really, Carson? Because I almost killed one of the finest people I've ever met and this town has ever known. How is that not letting me make a huge mistake?"

Carson ran an agitated hand through his hair. He knew he couldn't refute what Faith had just said, and yet, he wasn't nearly ready to give up on her. On them. But as Faith continued to pack with determination, he knew time was running out.

"Okay, so maybe we take a step back and rethink our options, but you need to be here, Faith."

"No, I really don't," she said. "I don't need to be here at all."

She turned to look at him. When she reached for the ring on her left hand, Carson shook his head.

"Don't do this, Faith. I'm begging you do not remove that ring. We are in this together. I love you. We will figure this out."

"We've tried, Carson. We've tried more than once. I told you in the beginning the risk was too much, but I let my heart overrule my head and look where we are now. I almost killed Elizabeth Thatcher Thornton Bouchard, Carson, while she was trying to bring life into this world! I can't do this."

She removed the ring and when he refused to take it from her, she set it on a nearby table.

"Please don't do this," he told her. "Let's think about this for a minute. We have options, Faith. It doesn't have to be all or nothing."

"Right now, for me, it does."

She snapped her suitcase shut. "I'm on a train in two hours, and I need to get to the station, so if you'll excuse me…."

"Okay," he said, trying one last time to reason with her. "Of course, I am not going to keep you here against your will, but let's keep in touch while you're gone. Please let me call you or you call me. Write to me, please, and let me know how you are doing. Give me some hope, Faith. This is not how this ends for us, Faith Carter. It's not."

Faith straightened her shoulders and tried not to let her emotions control her. This was one of the hardest things she had ever had to do, but she knew it needed to be done.

"Please do not contact me," she told him. "I ask that you respect my wishes in this regard."

"Faith…"

"For now," she said, trying her hardest not to let her resolve weaken in light of his pleading look and how much she still loved him, "this is the way it has to be. I do have one favor to ask you."

"Of course. Anything. What is it?"

"Please give these envelopes to Elizabeth and Lucas with my sincerest apologies. It's not enough, I know, but it's all I can offer them at this time."

Carson took the envelopes but tried one last time to ask Faith not to leave.

"Carson," Faith said, her voice breaking even as she knew she had to do this, "I am asking you to leave. Now. Please."

Knowing Faith's mind was made up, at least at that moment, he said a somber goodbye, wished her well, and left a defeated and heartbroken man.

The server asking if he wanted more coffee snapped Carson out of his reverie. He shook his head, paid for what he had drank, and headed back the Infirmary, determined to help Elizabeth get back on her feet as quickly as she could. He owed it to Elizabeth and to Faith, who despite time and distance, was never far from his heart or his thoughts.

"How does that feel?" Carson asked Elizabeth two days later as he helped her walk around the room with a stop to see Amelia.

This was her second day out of bed for short periods of time.

"Not bad," she said. "I know I still need help, but at least I'm upright."

"That you are," he said with a smile. "What do you think about going home, with a lot of help?"

Elizabeth smiled and nodded. "I want to go home. I think I'm ready. I know Lucas will take good care of me. I want to see Jack. I miss him so much."

"He misses you, too. A lot. He will be so happy to see you. Why don't you try sitting up until Lucas comes and see how you do?"

Elizabeth sat in the chair and tried to relax. She knew she could easily close her eyes and fall asleep, but she told herself to stay awake. She needed to be more active in order to get better. She had a family depending on her and who she wanted to be with. When she heard Amelia's soft whimpers, she longed to go to her, but she knew she wasn't yet strong enough to hold her.

"I'll be right back," Carson said.

Elizabeth nodded. She knew she would be all right in the chair, yet, she found herself inwardly sighing with relief when she saw Lucas enter.

"You're sitting up in the chair!" he said, happy his wife was starting to look much better, even though he knew she still had discomfort and weakness.

"Carson said I can go home if I have a lot of help."

"Well, you know you will," Lucas said. "This is wonderful, Elizabeth. I am very happy."

"I am, too. I want to be home."

Carson returned after checking on Amelia and told Lucas that Elizabeth could go home as soon as Francine arrived.

"Either she or I will go with you," Carson said.

"That would be great," Lucas said. "Thank you. The car is outside."

A few minutes later, Francine entered and saw Elizabeth sitting up.

"Someone is feeling better," she said and smiled.

"I am," Elizabeth said. "A little. I still tire so easily."

"That's why one of us will go with them," Carson said to Francine. "I'm letting Elizabeth go home, but she needs help."

"I can carry her," Lucas offered.

"And I can care for Amelia in the car and get her safely into your home," Francine said.

Lucas looked at Elizabeth who nodded. "That sounds good. Thank you."

"I'll help Elizabeth get ready," Francine said.

"And I'll get Amelia ready," Carson said. "Lucas, can you join me for a moment?"

"Of course."

"I need to give you these from Faith," he said, handing Lucas the two envelopes. "She wrote them before she left. I promised her I would give them to you. I don't know what Faith wrote to both of you, but please don't think she is any way responsible for what happened to Elizabeth because she isn't. What occurred with Elizabeth belongs strictly at my feet, no one else's."

Lucas slipped the envelopes inside his jacket pocket.

"I'm very sorry faith felt she had to leave. I know how hard this must be for you. Have you heard from her?"

'No, and truthfully, I don't expect to. At least not for a while."

"We don't blame anyone for this," Lucas assured the doctor. "We know things happen that are beyond anyone's control. We're just thankful Elizabeth is on the mend. You and Francine have taken excellent care of my wife and our daughter. We are grateful not accusatory. We need you to know that."

"Thank you, Lucas. You don't know how much that means to me. C'mon. Let's get the three of you home where you belong."

Once Elizabeth and Lucas were alone in their home with Amelia, Elizabeth marveled at the work her husband had done.

"I can't believe you did all this for me and our daughter. Thank you, Lucas."

"Carson said he does not want you going up and down the stairs, so these are our makeshift bedrooms. We will all be down here until you are cleared by Dr. Shepherd to go upstairs. Is that understood, Mrs. Bouchard?"

She nodded as she sat on the bed Lucas had managed to find for them. Amelia's bassinet, where she lay quietly, and her various items of necessity were close by. He had even brought Jack's bed downstairs, so he would be with them, too.

"It's so good to be home," she said, looking around.

"Let me know when you want me to call Rosemary so Jack can see you."

"In a minute. I just…I want a moment alone with you. Sit with me?"

"Of course."

Lucas sat next to Elizabeth and looked at her. She still looked frail and weak, but he knew her inner strength and determination were getting her through this. He wished he could do more to ease her burden.

"I'm scared, Lucas," she admitted, reaching for his hand. "I lost five days, and I can't remember anything. I love Amelia, but I don't feel connected to her the way I know I should. Please tell me this will pass."

"This will pass, sweetheart," Lucas said. "You are still recovering, Elizabeth. You are not yet able to hold Amelia. You know once she is in your arms, you are going to have that mother-daughter bond. She knows you are her mother, and we are all together now. Please give yourself time to heal, my darling wife. I'm here, and I am not going anywhere."

Elizabeth nodded. "I know. I can tell you have bonded with our daughter, which is beautiful to witness, but you look drained, my love. I worry about you, too."

"Please don't, Elizabeth. I'm fine. You just need to concentrate on getting well. That's all you need to think about, okay?"

"Okay," she said and offered him a wan smile. "After enduring all of this, Mr. Bouchard, maybe we should have found a cabin in the woods for me to have Amelia. It worked very well with Jack. I'm just saying."

Lucas chuckled and then leaned his forehead against the side of her hair, amazed she had any wit about her at all. He told her she should lie down while he called Rosemary.

"You're going to need your strength when Jack sees you."

"I can't wait to see him," she said, but she took her husband's advice and rested for a few minutes while he made the call.

Lucas greeted them outside the door, leaving it open so he could hear Elizabeth and Amelia if they needed him, and cautioned Jack that while his mother was home, she needed quiet and rest. Jack knew the sleeping arrangements had been moved downstairs so he nodded. He just wanted to see his mother. He took Lucas's hand, and they entered the house, followed by Julie and Rosemary.

When Elizabeth heard their voices, she sat up in the bed.

"Mama!" Jack exclaimed, as soon as he saw her.

"Hello, my sweet boy," Elizabeth said.

"It's okay if you sit quietly on the side of the bed," Lucas told him.

He climbed up and looked at his mother.

"All better?" he asked.

"Not quite, my precious son, but getting there. Being home and getting to spend time with you will help me so much. You look good."

"Missed you," he said, never taking his eyes off of her.

"Oh, Jack, I missed you, too. So much. Mama's so happy to be home."

"We all sleep here," he said.

Elizabeth nodded. "That's right. Daddy set this up for us."

"Daddy read me story at night," he said.

"Did he?" Elizabeth said, looking at Lucas with love in her eyes. "I hope I can start reading to you again very soon."

Jack smiled and nodded. "Want that," he said.

"Me, too, Jack. I want that more than you know. Have you met your baby sister?"

Jack shook his head.

"Well, I think it's time you did," Elizabeth said. "Lucas, please introduce Jack to Amelia. I see you there, Julie and Rosemary. You can meet our daughter, too."

"We want to see you, too," Julie said. "We are so happy and relieved you're home."

Their eyes shined bright with unshed tears as they looked at Elizabeth. They knew she still had a ways to go, but being home and surrounded by her loving family had to be the best medicine she could ask for.

"Thank you both and Lee and Laura for taking care of Jack for us," Elizabeth said. "Lucas told me all that you've done. We appreciate it so much."

"It was our pleasure," Rosemary said, "and Jack was a joy to have around. It was fun for him to have sleepovers with David and do a few different things."

"Julie," Elizabeth said, "you always seem to be here when I need you the most. Thank you."

"I'm just relieved you're all right. I haven't called our parents yet, but I will."

"I haven't called mine either," Lucas told Elizabeth, "but I will."

She nodded at both ideas. Unfortunately, she knew she did not have the strength to talk on the phone to either set of parents.

Lucas turned around. Julie and Rosemary gushed when they saw Amelia being held in her father's arms.

"She's beautiful," Julie said.

"Absolutely beautiful," Rosemary agreed. "Your description of her, Lucas, did not do her justice."

"Jack, would you like to meet your sister?" Lucas asked.

He nodded.

Lucas walked to the bed where Elizabeth could see Amelia and Jack's reaction to meeting her.

"Here is your sister, Jack," he said, showing Amelia to Jack whose eyes widened when he saw how tiny she was. "Amelia, this is Jack, the best big brother any little sister could ask for."

Elizabeth saw the surprise on their son's face and asked if he was all right.

"She's little," he said. "Can I touch her?"

"You can hold her hand," Lucas said.

"Hi, Amelia," he said, reaching for her hand. "I'm Jack."

"Hours of practice have paid off," Lucas said and smiled at Elizabeth.

"You taught our son how to pronounce her name and how to introduce himself," Elizabeth said. "Thank you, Lucas. That was so sweet and thoughtful of you. I didn't even know you were working on that."

"I know it's not the easiest name to say, and Jack wanted to learn the correct way to say it after we told him what her name would be if we had a girl, so we practiced and practiced some more."

"You did great, Jack," Elizabeth told him. "That's exactly how you say her name."

"She's cute," Jack said, warming up to his sister as she let him hold her tiny fingers.

"Amelia's your sister," Lucas said. "We all have to take care of her and your mother and each other. Right, Jack?"

Jack nodded. "I big brother. I watch out for Amelia."

"We know you will, son," Lucas said, kissing the top of Jack's head. "And your mother and I will always watch out for both of you and each other. Because that's what families do."