Syd Thornton stood up, using the vanity in her bathroom for support. This was the fifth day in a row that she had been sick. She may have only been seventeen, but she was wise enough to realize what was wrong.

She had told her mother it was the flu the first two days, but after that, she had no excuse. She told her she felt fine and went to school. She only had one more day until she was finally done with high school and then she could figure it out.

She braced herself, fighting the dizziness, took a deep breath, and walked into the living room.

She breathed through her mouth, trying to avoid any food smells that might meet her nose.

"Morning, Syd. Last day of school, huh?" Jack kissed her cheek and walked by, unaware of the miserable state his daughter was in.

"Morning, Daddy." She grabbed an apple for lunch and ran out the door, not wanting to face her Mom.

Liam caught up to her before she got to the end of their cul-de-sac.

"Morning sis. Gosh, you look terrible. Heard you throwing up again this morning. That flu seems to be hanging on."

"Go away, Liam."

"Fine. Don't know why you're so angry. It's not like you're pregnant or anything. It's the flu."

She stopped walking and stared at her brother. He stared back and then his eyes got big. "You are? Where's that creep, Gavin? I want to give him a third nostril."

"Liam," she warned. She could see traces of her father's personality in Liam. He was very protective of her, even though he was incredibly annoying.

"Oh no, that guy. If I ever see him again…"

"You won't. He left town."

"What a jerk. Gets you pregnant and skips town. That makes it worse. Do Mom and Dad know?"

"No, and you aren't going to tell them."

"Darn right. Not touching that conversation with a ten foot pole."

THE THORNTON HOME

Elizabeth picked up Rylee and cuddled her in the recliner. It was nap time. Connor was asleep in the spare room and Rylee needed to doze so Elizabeth could get some things done.

Rylee buried her head in Elizabeth's chest and played with her curls.

"Libby, pitty."

"You think I'm pretty? Thank you, Sweetheart. You're pretty too." She was. She looked just like Rosie, her mother. Beautiful blue eyes, blonde curls, button nose.

"Song?"

"What song do you want me to sing?"

"Bye bye."

"A lullaby?"

"Ya." Elizabeth thought of one and started rocking and singing, thoroughly enjoying the moment.

Before the song was done, Rylee was sleeping, prompting Elizabeth to close her eyes. She knew if she fell asleep, and Connor tried to leave the bedroom, the bell on the top of the door would wake her up. That had been Jack's idea. He also put one on the top of the front and back door.

In what felt like ten seconds, Elizabeth woke up to the bell jingling. She sat up and looked over at Connor. She used her hand to wave and smile at him. He signed to her that he wanted her to hold him.

She stood up and laid Rylee down in the playpen. Then she held her arms out to the three year old and picked him up. He was finally starting to accept the love she had to give. The first couple weeks were rough. She struggled to converse with him and he was frustrated with her. Now, he seemed to crave her attention and she was happy to give it. He laid his head down on her chest and she started to sing. She knew he couldn't hear it, but she thought maybe he could feel the vibrations of her voice and it might comfort him.

It seemed to work because they both fell asleep and woke up an hour later. He hopped off her lap and signed potty so she walked him in to assist him.

When they were done, she asked him if he wanted to eat. He nodded, so she set him on the counter while she cut up strawberries and a banana for him. His eyes lit up with pleasure when he popped a strawberry in his mouth. He signed the word "good" to her. Then he picked one up and fed her, waiting for a reaction.

She signed "yummy" to him and tickled him, loving to see him smile. They finished their snack right there and then she helped him down so he could go play.

She made a grocery list for the shopping trip she would do that evening and then started a roast for dinner. She would also roast garlic and then brussel sprouts for extra iron. She had been reading and thought extra iron might help with her getting pregnant. At thirty nine, she may have trouble conceiving so she would do everything she could to assist.

Syd walked through the door and headed to her room, not saying a word. Elizabeth was worried. She looked very pale and very thin. The flu she had was taking its toll.

Elizabeth knocked on her door and waited but no answer came. "Syd?"

She opened the door and found Syd laying in bed, under the covers. "Baby, are you still sick?"

"I'm fine, Mom." A total lie, but what else could she say?

"Honey, I'm concerned."

"I'm just tired. I need to take a nap." Elizabeth rubbed her back and kissed her temple.

"Ok, you sleep. I'll be back when dinner is ready." She didn't bother to tell her that she wouldn't eat.

AT THE GROCERY STORE

Elizabeth headed down the pharmacy aisle toward the pregnancy tests. She bought one, even though she knew she wouldn't need it for a few weeks. She liked the thought of having it on hand.

She finished her shopping trip in record time, wanting to get home and ask Jack about their trip. He said it was a surprise but he had been telling her bits and pieces over the last week.

For instance, she knew since it was only a three day weekend they were taking, they would either be flying somewhere or driving someplace close. She hoped it was up north to Mackinac Island where they had spent their honeymoon. That was the most enchanting week of her life and she really wanted to relive it.

When she got home, she carried her bags in the house and started putting things away, humming to herself. What she didn't realize was Liam was in the room rifling through the bags.

"Mom?" He held the pregnancy test in his hand.

"Liam, give me that. It's not for you."

"Obviously, Ma. I'm not a girl. So she told you, huh?"

"Who told me what?" Elizabeth stared at him, watching his cheeks turn pink and then he bolted out of the room.

She sat down and thought for a moment. "Oh, my God."

Elizabeth ran into Syd's room, not bothering to knock. "Sydney Grace Thornton! Do you have something you need to tell me?"

Syd sat and stared at her and then saw the pregnancy test in her hand. "That's not mine, Mom."

"I know that. It's mine."

"You're pregnant?"

"No, not yet. Don't turn this around. Are you pregnant? Don't lie."

Syd looked down at her hands and then took a deep breath. "I don't know for sure, but I think so."

"What's going on?" Jack said, rushing into the room. "Why are you yelling?"

He looked at the pregnancy test and then back at Elizabeth. "You bought one?"

"Yes, but it seems I'm not the one who needs to use it." She tossed the box on Syd's bed and left the room.

Jack stood and let it sink in. "You? Sydney? You are seventeen! What were you thinking?!"

"Daddy, I…"

"Don't Daddy me. Daddy is for little girls. Apparently you are no longer my little girl. You are a mother."

"Dad, please."

"Take the test. Then come talk to me. Not until then."

He slammed her door and walked down the basement stairs to take his anger out on his punching bag. If he didn't, that boy, the one who made him a grandfather at forty two, would be dead meat.

"Mom?" Syd went in search of her mother. She wasn't in the living room or the kitchen. She checked her bedroom but didn't see her. The porch was empty too. She never felt so alone in her life. Gavin was gone. Mom was missing and her father was apparently beating his punching bag to death in the basement.

She took the pregnancy test but didn't have enough guts to look at it by herself. Liam entered the room at the precise moment she started to cry. "Sis? You ok?"

"No. I'm not. Don't think I ever will be."

He sat next to her on the couch. "Where is everyone?"

"Dad is downstairs and I don't know where Mom is."

"Did you take the test?"

"Yes."

"Are you?"

"I can't look at it."

"I will, if you want. Don't make me touch it though. You peed on that thing."

She smiled and then nodded. He followed her into the bathroom. "It has two blue lines," he informed her.

"What does that mean? Twins?"

"No, dork. Read the box."

"Oh. Yeah. Looks like you're pregnant. Sorry Syd."

At that moment, her life had officially changed. Now she had to grow up, fast. She was going to be a mother and no one could bail her out. She had to come up with a plan, money, baby things. She was in way over her head and she couldn't count on anyone but herself.

An hour later, she heard voices in the kitchen. She walked in and saw her Mom and Dad at the sink.

"Jack, what did you do? Please tell me you didn't beat up Gavin."

"Punching bag. I pretended it was him, though."

"You don't have to worry. He left town," Syd informed them.

"None too soon," Jack mumbled.

"Daddy…Dad..I know I messed up."

"You bet you did." He grabbed an ice pack from the freezer and Elizabeth grabbed salve from the first aid kit and they both joined her at the table.

"How far along are you?" Jack asked her, curious.

"I don't know how to figure that."

"When did that punk…"

"Jack Thornton! Calm down. Let me talk," Elizabeth said, her hand on his arm. "When were you together?"

"About a month ago."

"I will make you an appointment with my gynecologist tomorrow. I should have put you on the pill when you started seeing him." She closed her eyes and breathed. "What happened to waiting until you got married? I thought I could trust you, Sydney. I guess I was wrong."

"You can trust me," she begged.

"Can I? Look at you now. It will be a long time until you build my trust again."

"I'm sorry."

"Me too."

Needless to say, Jack and Elizabeth didn't go on their anniversary trip. They also decided not to throw a graduation party for Syd. They saved the money to put toward things she would need and expenses she would have.

Elizabeth and Syd went to the gynecologist two weeks later to confirm the pregnancy and then get the prenatal vitamins she would need to start taking. Elizabeth was so busy being worried about Syd and her baby that she forgot about her own want of a baby.

Syd made her way through the morning sickness and kept working at the ice cream shop, forcing herself to save every penny to cut down on the drain on her parents. She wanted to earn their trust so badly.

ONE MORNING, A MONTH LATER

Jack was at work and Elizabeth was taking care of Rylee and Connor. The doorbell rang and then the door opened. "Elizabeth? Anyone home?"

"Charlotte?" What was her mother-in-law doing there?

"Yes, of course it's me. Who else would it be?"

"What are you doing here?"

"I heard you have been having a crisis here. I'm here to help."

"I wouldn't call it a crisis."

"Your daughter is pregnant, at seventeen. What would you call it?"

"How did you hear about it?"

"Jack told me, of course." Of course he did.

Elizabeth picked up Rylee and grabbed Connor's hand, leading them to the table. She placed Rylee in her high chair and got her settled with her sticker book. Connor watched and waited for his coloring book and crayons.

"Tickers!" Rylee said, happy with her task. "Libby, tickers!"

"I know, baby." She kissed the top of her head and smiled.

Elizabeth looked down when Connor tugged on her hand. He signed, telling her he was thirsty.

"Charlotte, where are you staying?"

She filled up Connor's sippy cup with juice and handed it to him. He signed, "Thank you," and she signed, "You're welcome."

"Here, of course. Where did you think?"

"Well, Julie and Tom…"

"Nonsense. It makes more sense for me to stay here if I am going to help."

"I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but we have things under control here."

"Jack didn't seem to think so."

Charlotte picked up her bags, multiple bags, and walked to the guest room, apparently not taking the hint.

Elizabeth grabbed her cell and texted, "We need 2 talk."

Jack texted back, "Now?"

"No, later. We have a guest."

Jack took as long as possible to finish his paperwork so he could avoid going home. The guest had to be his mother. Elizabeth and Charlotte got along, but his mother was pushy and didn't know when she should let things be.

About an hour later than normal, Jack walked in the house. "Hey, Dad. Mom's mad." Liam walked past him and patted his shoulder in warning.

Elizabeth walked into the kitchen and looked at him, not speaking. "Hey babe. What's going on?"

She shook her head and walked past him. She put his food on his plate and set it on the table.

"Elizabeth, say something."

"Your mother is here."

"Yes, I meant to talk to you about that."

"Oh, before or after she showed up and basically told me I couldn't handle my own family?"

Jack grabbed her hand and led her into the garage and then into his Jeep. "Honey, did she really say that?"

"Yes! She also said you didn't think we have things under control here, so she needed to come. This is something we should have talked about, don't you think?"

"I didn't say that."

"She thinks you did. Don't you think it kills me that our seventeen year old daughter is pregnant? I didn't know she was sleeping with her boyfriend. I failed her. I already know I'm a terrible mother and I don't need your mother to confirm that for me."

She opened the door and walked back into the house. Elizabeth slammed their bedroom door and their bathroom door. It felt good to slam the doors.

She started the water for a bath and then added lavender bubble bath and bath salts, hoping to relax. Next she lit candles around the room and turned off the lights, slipping down up to her chin in the hot water.

She heard the door open, obviously expecting Jack. "Elizabeth?"

"Charlotte! Why are you in here?"

"We need to talk."

"Can it wait until I have clothes on?"

"I can't see anything, no need to worry."

"Charlotte, please. I really need quiet right now. We can talk in the morning."

"Ok, goodnight then."

Jack walked in a few moments later. "Jack?"

"Yes, who else would be in here?"

"Not ten minutes ago, your mother was."

He laughed. "Why was she in here?"

"I don't know. She said we need to talk but I made her leave."

"Why?"

"Because I'm in the bathtub."

"So, I noticed. Can I join you?"

"Tell you what." She stood up and got out, wrapping a towel around herself. "You finish my bath for me, because apparently, I am not supposed to finish it myself tonight."

"Elizabeth, wait."

"No, you wait Jack. I need privacy and some peace. I can't get it here, so I'll find a place where I can."

He watched her get dressed and walk out of the bedroom. She grabbed her cell, her purse, and her keys.

"Where are you going?"

"Somewhere other than here."

THE DILLON BED AND BREAKFAST

Elizabeth checked in at the bed and breakfast thirty minutes later. She felt a tiny bit guilty about leaving but then she got over it quickly when she allowed herself to think about everything she had been dealing with.

Her cell phone buzzed as Jack texted for the fifth time since she left. She turned it off and turned the television on. Her favorite movie, Casablanca, was on. She undressed and slipped into the robe that was folded at the end of the bed. She wished she had chocolate ice cream right then. It was sugar but it would sure help her feel better.

BACK AT THE THORNTONS

"You're leaving?" Charlotte asked Jack as she watched him pack clothes for himself and Elizabeth.

"You seem to want to help, so this is how. I need you to stay with the kids until Sunday night when we come home."

"You're staying away that long?"

"This is Friday night. It's not that long."

"Look Jack, I don't know if you should leave right now."

"Ma, I should have had you stay with Tom but I didn't and I should have told her I talked to you and that you were coming. I messed up and now I need to go fix it. Thank you for being helpful and staying with the kids. See you Sunday."

Jack grabbed a bottle of wine and two glasses and packed them along with some chocolate ice cream he thought she would enjoy and two spoons.

Elizabeth turned her phone on, feeling guilty that she didn't want to talk to Jack. She smiled when she had twenty five text messages from him, the last one saying he was coming to be with her.

The fact that he knew where she would go, touched her heart. She was lucky to be married to him and fortunate to have two children and a grandchild on the way. She would make sure they all knew that when she went home.

She stood up and walked to the door as soon as she heard his knock.

"Jack, come in." She moved aside when she saw the armload of stuff he was carrying. "Moving in?"

"Only until Sunday."

"We're staying here?"

"Yes, I think we need to talk and spend some time alone." He kissed her quickly and then unpacked his box.

"Wine? Oooh…chocolate ice cream. Sweetheart, you seriously read my mind."

"I brought you some clothes, although we probably won't need them. I also brought this." He held up a CD.

She smiled and hugged him. "I think we need to dance, Jack."

When they had gotten married, they had chosen a song, but not for any reason but that it was popular at the time. Since then, Fall into Me by Sugarland was their song. Luckily there was a CD player in the room. As the song played, they slowly swayed, their foreheads touching, arms wrapped tightly around each other.

When the weight of the world

Bares down so strong it

Leaves footprints on the street

And there's too many miles to face

Without a few more hours sleep

The storm clouds overhead wont shed

Any rain to quench your thirst

I wanna be the one you reach for first

When your faith is stretched so thin

That you can see straight through your soul

And you can't find a nickel to buy a smile cause your pockets all got holes

You wanna shut the door and

Hide before the day can get much worse

I wanna be the one you reach for first

Fall into me

My arms are opened wide

And you don't have to say a word

Cause I already see

That its hard

And your scared

And your tired

And it hurts

And I wanna be the one you reach for first.*

"This song, sweetie. It's exactly how I feel right now." She kissed him softly. "If I didn't have you with me, I couldn't get through this thing with Syd. It would be too much."

"I'm here and I always will be." His lips caressed her cheek.

"I'm sorry that I left."

"I'm sorry about Mom. I called Tom and Julie and she is going to stay with them after Sunday. I should have talked to you, not her."

"I still want to have a baby, Jack." His eyes popped open and he smiled.

"I was hoping you'd say that."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. One hundred percent."

"Wanna watch the rest of Casablanca with me?"

"Sure." He took the chocolate ice cream and the two spoons out of the box and settled back against the pillows of the bed.

She took a spoonful of ice cream and savored it. "Oh my goodness. It's been so long." She giggled and looked at Jack. "So worth the wait, might I add."

"I bet. I prefer cherry danishes though. Warm, just out of the oven with a big cup of vanilla cappuccino. Heaven."

"Jack, are you cheating on me with cherry danishes and cappuccino?"

"Only a few times a week."

"Let's go to Abigail's tomorrow. You can introduce me to them."

"Deal."

BACK AT THE THORNTONS

Sydney came out of her room, hoping to dodge her grandmother. She'd been successful up to that point but…

"Syd? Come sit by me. We can chat." She patted the cushion next to her on the couch.

"Grams, I really just need something to drink."

"Ok, but then come here. I have some things I need to say."

"Yes, ma'am." She grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and then forced herself to sit by her grandmother.

"Syd. I'm proud of you."

"Why? I screwed up, big time. Now my baby won't have a Daddy like it deserves. What part of that makes you proud?"

"I'm not proud of you for getting pregnant. I'm proud of how strong and smart you are, just like your Mom. I can see that you are trying your best, whether you think so or not."

Syd scooted over, laying her head on Charlotte's shoulder. "Thank you, Grams. I think I messed everything up with my parents. They were happy before and now they won't stop fighting. They look at me and I can see their disappointment."

"Give them time, my dear. Give yourself time. Everything is still new."

"I don't know what I'm doing. I don't know how to be a Mom." Tears rolled down her cheeks. "I think I'm crazy Grams, because I want to do this. I want this baby."

"It's yours, sweetie. It's your decision."

"Yeah. Mine." As much as she wanted the life growing inside of her, was it really fair to subject it to a life with just one parent?

THE NEXT MORNING

Jack and Elizabeth walked in, hand in hand, to Abigail's bakery, "Sweets and Stuff."

"So this is the place, huh?" She smiled and put her arm around his back, stepping closer.

"Yep, this is it." He kissed her temple. "Do you know what you want?"

"Yes, you." She smiled and kissed him, not worried that they were in a public place.

"Jack! Elizabeth, what can I get you?"

"I would like a cherry danish and a large coffee," Elizabeth ordered.

"Got it," Abigail said. "You want your usual, Captain?"

"Yes, please," Jack responded.

"Ok, give me five minutes and I'll bring it out." Jack led her to the back corner booth and slid in right next to her, leaving no space between them.

"This is kinda fun, sweetheart. A breakfast date," she whispered, kissing his cheek and leaning against his arm.

"Yeah. I think we should do this regularly. With so much going on, and now with Syd, I don't want us to lose each other."

"Once a week? How about every Saturday?"

"Sounds perfect."

Abigail brought their food and smiled at them. "It's good to see you together in here."

"We're going to do this more often," she told her.

"Good. That's good." Abigail smiled and walked away.

"Can I have a bite?" Elizabeth asked, staring at his danish.

"A bite of mine? You have your own right there."

"Please?" He smiled and broke off a piece of his, bringing it to her mouth. She opened and accepted it, his finger lingering on her lips a bit longer than necessary. "Thank you."

"You have a bit of cherry right there," he mentioned before he kissed it away.

He brought his hand up to brush her hair behind her ear when his phone went off and then multiple other phones and radios went off nearby.

"Captain Thornton," he answered. "Yes. I'm about ten minutes away."

Elizabeth smiled, trying not to be disappointed that he had to leave.

"I'm sorry. I'll meet you back in our room a bit later, ok?"

"Sure. Be careful." He kissed her goodbye and ran out, following his coworkers down the block to the fire station.

That was the tough thing about being married to a firefighter. Good thing was, as Captain, at least in their town, he was at the scene of a fire or accident, but he rarely went into a burning building. He gave direction to the first responders and was usually the person who spoke with the media.

Needless to say, it was a lot less stressful on her as his wife than it used to be.

A few moments later, she heard the fire engines drive by, blaring their sirens and then she saw the mobile unit carrying her husband, drive by as well. Once more, she felt pride in her heart for him, and then said a quick prayer for his safety.

*SONG EXCERPT CREDIT TO SUGARLAND