The stifling heat of the summer was giving way to a slightly cooler, more tolerable atmosphere outside. It was a daily reminder to Elizabeth that the new school year was fast approaching. She spent her days preparing for the first few months of lessons while spending as much time as possible with her babies. She was grateful that she'd had the time she did at home with her twins and at the same time, she missed her students very much. The first day of school would be a bittersweet day for Elizabeth and she wasn't sure yet in her mind if she was excited for it or not.

When Jack arrived home from work that day, Elizabeth was sitting at the table finalizing a math lesson for her younger students. She hadn't heard him walk in and jumped slightly when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Sorry," he whispered as he bent down and kissed her softly on the cheek. "How was your day?" Jack asked as he pulled out the chair next her and took a seat in it.

"It was good. I think I have my lessons ready to go finally. The twins are napping but should be waking up any time." She smiled at him with exhausted eyes.

Jack reached up and ran his hand down the side of her neck. "You look like you could use a break."

Elizabeth let out a sigh and nodded in agreement.

"Let's get the kids and go into Abigail's to eat. No cooking, no cleaning. Just relax and enjoy."

Elizabeth closed her eyes and leaned her head back slightly. "That sounds amazing."

Jack stood and walked behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders and gently began to massage. "Wow, you are really tense." He stopped and pulled the chair around so she would be facing him. Kneeling in front of her he asked, "are you alright?" He placed his hands on the tops of her hands that were laying on her lap and gave them a slight squeeze.

She nodded. "I'm just tired. I haven't been sleeping very well these past few nights."

"What's wrong?" Jack remained kneeling in front of Elizabeth, looking into her weary eyes.

"I'm going to miss being home with Joey and Lilly."

"Would you rather stop teaching? You don't have to work."

"No, I really miss teaching too. I don't want to stop working. I'm just being silly. It will be hard at the beginning but I'll adjust." Elizabeth gave him a small, tight smile and touched his face with her hand. She could see the worry that had formed in his eyes. "Really, I'll be fine."

Jack stood and pulled her into a tight embrace. After a long hug, he leaned back and looked into her eyes. "If at any point you change your mind, please, let me know. I'm serious when I say that you don't have to work." He brushed a stray curl back that had found its way to her cheek.

"I will." Her smile relaxed as she reached up and softly kissed his lips.

The following week was gone before Elizabeth knew it and the first day of school had arrived. She reluctantly kissed her babies, told them and Laura good bye and went out to climb into her buggy that Jack had hitched and ready to go for her before he had left a short while before. She clucked Rose into a walk and pointed her into the direction of town.

As she neared the little white school house, an excitement began to fill her. She knew she's missed it, but hadn't realized just how much until this moment. But then she noticed something, none of the children were there.

"Do I have my days mixed up?" She asked herself out loud. "No. Today is the correct day." She pulled Rose to a stop and climbed down from the buggy. She quickly unhitched her and tied her to the hitching post under a small roof that Jack had built for her the week prior.

With books in hand, Elizabeth made her way up the steps and through the doors. A loud greeting from twenty children startled her and she dropped her books. All the kids ran to her and circled around her, making one giant group hug. Elizabeth could feel her eyes begin to sting from the tears that were forming and she tried to blink them away. This affection reminded her of why she became and remained a teacher and Elizabeth no longer questioned herself about returning to work.

After a full and rewarding first day, Jack was waiting at the buggy with Rose already hitched. Elizabeth walked up to him smiling and handed him the schoolwork from the day.

"I thought you'd be anxious to get home to Joey and Lilly." Jack smiled, showing off the dimples that Elizabeth loved so much.

"I am quite anxious to see them." She beamed.

"You look like you had a great day."

"Oh, I did. It was wonderful. The children were all so well behaved and every one of them were excited to have me back. They were great reminders of why I love teaching."

Jack bent down to kiss her. "That's great! I'm glad you enjoyed your first day back, Mrs. Thorton." He held his hand out to assist her up and into the buggy. "I'll be home shortly. I just have one more thing to finish up with and then I'll head home."

"Okay, Constable." Elizabeth smiled, "I'll have supper waiting for you."

"Sounds perfect. I'll see you soon."

…..

The following weeks continued as wonderfully as her first day back. Elizabeth fell into her new daily routine with ease and rushed home each day to see her babies. Summer turned into fall, the leaves took on new, more vibrant hues of golds, reds and oranges. The air carried a chill with it; bringing out new energy in the horses. The twins were sitting up and crawling everywhere; keeping Laura very busy.

One Saturday afternoon, Elizabeth was playing with the twins while Jack was outside caring for the horses. The phone rang and when Elizabeth picked it up, she could hear Rosemary screaming and crying on the other end.

"Rosemary! What is it? Slow down, I don't understand what you're saying."

Elizabeth dropped the phone, grabbed the twins and ran outside to find Jack. Struggling to hold both babies due to their growing size and weight, she called out to Jack.

Jack came running from the barn as Elizabeth lowered both babies onto the grass. "What is it?" He asked, almost yelling from fear.

"Rosemary just called in total hysterics. I couldn't understand what she was saying but I think she might be in labor."

Without a word, Jack turned and ran back into the barn; returning with Sergent saddled. He handed the reins to Elizabeth. "You get to Rosemary. I'll harness Rosie and get over with the twins as fast as I can."

Elizabeth grabbed the reins, quickly mounted Sergent with Jack's help and kicked him into a dead run toward Rosemary's house. Without knocking, Elizabeth ran into the house to find Rosemary sitting on the couch, bent over and holding onto her stomach.

Rosemary looked up, tears in her eyes. "Elizabeth. It hurts so much. Something isn't right."

Elizabeth ran outside to see if Jack was on his way. She could hear a horse running and around the corner came Rosie running as fast as she could go. Elizabeth went back into the house to Rosemary's side.

"Can you stand?"

"With help, maybe."

Elizabeth took Rosemary's arm and pulled her up. Holding most of her weight, Elizabeth helped her toward the front door. Before they could even make it, Rosemary buckled in pain again as Elizabeth held her up. Jack came running through the front door with the twins in tow. When he saw the scene, he placed the babies on the floor and ran to Rosemary, taking her arm and holding her up.

Elizabeth grabbed blankets and pillows and created a soft bed in the small area in the back of the buggy. They helped Rosemary up and got her settled as best as she could. Elizabeth climbed on the seat and reached down to take Lilly from Jack and then Joseph. She got them seated in their baskets on either side of her feet and slapped Rosie into a slow jog. Jack jumped onto Sergent and followed them. Once the town was in view, Jack kicked Sergent into a run and they rushed to the infirmary to let them know they were coming in so Carson and Faith could get prepared.

Jack went back outside to wait for Elizabeth. He saw Abigail step outside and motioned for her to join him. He explained what was happening and asked if she could watch the twins.

As Elizabeth pulled Rosie to a stop, Abigail was already reaching for Joey. Elizabeth picked up Lilly and carefully climbed down while holding her. Jack and Carson were helping Rosemary up the steps to the infirmary when Lee pulled up in his car. Faith had called him at his office as soon as she heard the news from Jack. Once Rosemary was settled, Jack joined the rest that were waiting outside. Elizabeth returned to Jack's side after helping Abigail get the twins to the café sitting room.

"What is happening, Carson? Why is she in so much pain?" Lee asked as Dr. Shepherd and Faith worked feverishly trying to figure out what was wrong.

"I'm not positive yet, Lee, but I think the baby is breech. We might have to deliver it cesarean."

"Cesarean? Isn't that dangerous?" Lee asked, fear filling his eyes.

"It can be, yes." Carson answered. "But if we don't try, both could die."

Lee just nodded in understanding and gripped his wife's hand.

After checking her vitals, checking the position of the baby and her progression, or lack thereof, Carson came to the conclusion that a cesarean would be necessary.

Carson stood near the head of the bed and placed his hand on Rosemary's quivering shoulder. "Rosemary, we are going to give you something that will make you sleepy. I am going to have to perform a cesarean in order to get the baby out. You are not able to deliver the baby on your own so I'm going to do everything I can to safely deliver it. Do you understand?"

Rosemary nodded and looked at Lee with a terrified look on her face. "I'm right here, Sweetie. I'll be right here."

Faith inserted a needle into Rosemary's arm and sleep quickly took her over.

"Lee, you'll need to wait outside. Faith will come get you as soon as it's over."

Lee nodded and reluctantly let go of his wife's hand and walked out the door.

Jack, Elizabeth and several others rushed to Lee's side.

"What's going on?" Elizabeth asked first.

"The baby is breech and Rosie isn't progressing. Carson has to do cesarean."

Elizabeth covered her mouth with her hand, trying to keep the gasp from escaping. She knew the seriousness of a cesarean and was worried for her friend.

The crowd had grown as they waited for any news from Faith. Frank had prayed, along with many others. Lee sat on the old wooden bench next to the infirmary door, his head in his hand. Jack was next to him with his hand on Lee's back; trying to give any kind of comfort that he could to his worried friend.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity but in reality, it had been ninety minutes, Faith came out with an update.

"Dr. Carson just finished closing and is now checking over the baby. Both came through just fine and Dr. Carson did an amazing job with the cesarean. I've never seen anything like it." She smiled as she laid her hand Lee's shoulder; he had begun to cry over the good news. "Would you like to come meet your baby?"

Lee quickly stood and followed Faith into the building. He noticed a new smell as he entered the room where his wife and baby were. A metallic smell. Blood. He looked around the room and saw and bowl full of rags covered in blood. Carson looked up and saw what had caught Lee's attention. He finished wrapping the baby in the blanket and walked up to Lee, handing the baby to him.

"Lee, would you like to meet your daughter?"

Lee pulled his gaze from the bloody rags and looked down at the baby. He took her in his arms and looked into her eyes. Emotions took over him and he began to sob. He looked back at the bowl of rags and then at his wife.

"Is - is she alright?"

Carson led Lee over to where Rosemary was, still under the drugs they had given her. "She lost a lot of blood but that was expected. We were prepared. The surgery went very well. Everything looked good and I believe that she will still be able to have more children. She should be waking up any minute."

Lee looked at his wife's face and then down at the baby; noticing the similarities in their noses and lips. He smiled, sending up a silent prayer of thanks. Carson and Faith finished cleaning the area and removing all signs of what had just transpired in that room.

Rosemary began to stir and Carson was quickly at her side, checking on her. She blinked against the bright light spilling in through the windows and bouncing off the white walls. Her eyes finally rested on Lee's face. She could see a happiness in his eyes and she knew everything was alright.

"Our baby?"

"She's right here." Lee gently laid the baby on her chest and helped Rosemary hold her.

"She?"

Lee smiled, "yes, a girl."

Rosemary looked down at her baby, memorizing every feature of her beautiful face.

"She has your nose and mouth," Lee pointed out.

Rosemary ran her fingers through the baby's short blond curls. "She has my hair too."

"She beautiful. Just like you." Lee leaned down and kissed Rosemary. "Did you ever decide on one of the names?"

Rosemary took a long look at her daughter before saying, "Hannah Rose."

"Hannah Rose," Lee repeated and smiled. "It's perfect."

...

Lee stepped out onto to wooden walkway where everyone was still waiting. He tipped the bundle up just slightly to reveal the baby's face. "Everyone, I would like to introduce our daughter, Hannah Rose."