Three Months later, April 1932
Jack woke to find Elizabeth's side of the bed empty. "Elizabeth?" He reached over; the sheets were cold.
He swung his legs over the side of the bed, sliding his slippers on.
"Elizabeth?" He poked his head out the bedroom door and noticed a dim light coming from downstairs. He quietly padded down the stairs. "Hi."
Elizabeth looked up from her spot on the sofa. "Hi. Did I wake you?"
"No. I just woke up and noticed you weren't in bed."
"Sorry. The twins are keeping me up, and I didn't want to bother you."
"They won't stop moving again?" He took a seat beside her, placing a hand on her belly. One of the babies kicked at his fingers. "Wow, no wonder you can't sleep."
"I think they're trying to trade places in there or something." She put her hand on top of his. "I think we're going to have our hands full with these two."
He laughed softly. "After the boys and Audrey, I think we can handle anything."
"You're probably right."
They were silent for a few moments until Jack started singing quietly. Like magic, the babies stilled inside Elizabeth.
She smiled, thinking back to all the times over the years that he had sung to their unborn babies to calm them. "You and your magic voice." She touched his cheek. "I couldn't do this without you."
"I love you." He leaned in to kiss her. "And you babies." He cradled her stomach in his hands. "I love you two so much. We can't wait to meet you."
"Carson said it could be any day now."
"Do you feel ready?"
"You'd think I would, since we've done this so many times before, but I think I feel less ready than I did with the others." She chuckled. "The idea of having eight children is just a little frightening." She rubbed her belly. "I know we can do it, but it's going to be a lot of change. Especially since it's been almost six years since we had a newborn in the house."
"It definitely won't be easy."
"There's no other person I'd rather face this challenge with." She put her hand back on his cheek. "I love you."
...
Elizabeth came down the stairs, a laundry basket resting on her belly. "The guest room is ready."
"Good. So, I'll pick her up from the train station tomorrow afternoon, and we'll be home in time for dinner."
"I can't believe we've been able to keep your mom's visit from the children."
"They're going to be so surprised." Jack took the basket from her, setting it carefully on the floor. "I'm glad she's coming."
"So am I. And I'm glad she's staying for a while. It'll be helpful to have her around once these babies come."
"Just as long as she doesn't cook for us?"
Elizabeth laughed. "Yes. I would prefer she not get any of our children sick."
"Sometimes, I think it's a miracle that Tom and I survived our childhood eating her cooking."
She laughed again. "Well, I'm thankful you did survive." She put her hands on his arms. "I can't imagine my life without you in it."
"I can't imagine my life without you, either." He kissed her softly.
The back door opened, and they heard Levi groan before turning right around and heading back outside. "They're kissing again!" he called out to his siblings.
"Gross!" Daniel yelled.
Jack chuckled. "Honestly, you would think they would be used to it by now."
"Someday, they'll fall in love, and then they'll understand."
"Just don't rush it! You know I can't handle it when our children have crushes."
She grinned. "You're adorable."
...
The front door opened, and Jack called out, "anybody home? I have a surprise with me."
Audrey jumped up from her spot at the kitchen table and ran to the door. "Grandma?"
"Hello, my girl." She smiled, opening her arms. "Can grandma have a hug?"
Audrey threw her arms around Charlotte.
The rest of the children crowded into the entryway, waiting to greet their grandmother.
"Hi, grandma." Jane hugged her. "It's good to see you."
"Look at all of you. You've all gotten so big since the last time I was here!"
"I'm almost six, grandma!"
"I know, Audrey! You're growing so fast. Before you know it, you'll be as tall as me! And you boys." She glanced between the three boys. "The spitting image of your father, all three of you."
Elizabeth walked up behind her children. "Hello, Charlotte."
"Lizzy." She smiled, pulling her into a hug. "You look wonderful."
"Thank you." She put her hands on her stomach. "I feel like I'm ready to pop."
Charlotte shook her head. "I can't even imagine how it feels to have two in there. It was bad enough having one big boy at a time. How much longer do you have?"
"Technically, I'm not due for a few more weeks, but Dr. Shepherd said it could be any day, especially since Daniel and Benjamin were almost a month early."
Jack put his arm around her. "I'm a little surprised they haven't come already."
"Well, they knew grandma Charlotte was coming to visit, and they wanted to wait." Charlotte smiled, putting her hands on Elizabeth's stomach. "Isn't that right?"
"Grandma." Audrey tugged on her arm. "We got a kitty after you came here last summer! Come see him!"
She chuckled. "Okay, Audrey. Lead the way."
"His name is Captain. He likes to sleep under my bed," Audrey continued to chatter as she led Charlotte up the stairs.
The boys all followed them, eager to show their grandmother everything they had made and collected since her last visit.
"How long is grandma staying?" Jane asked.
"A little while. She wanted to be here to give us a bit of help once the babies arrive."
"Is she going to teach us while you're home with the babies?"
Elizabeth looked over at Jack, who just shrugged, and then back at Ellie. "I hadn't thought about that. Do you want her to?"
Ellie nodded. "She's a good teacher. Not as good as you, obviously," she quickly added.
Elizabeth smiled. "Why don't we ask her?"
...
"Well, if it isn't the Thorntons." Rosemary smiled as they all approached the church. "And Charlotte! What a lovely surprise!"
"Hello, Rosie. Happy Easter." Charlotte hugged her. "Look at your beautiful family. All these children are growing so quickly!"
"Tell me about it! Patrick is already taller than I am, and I know Oliver will catch up soon."
"And where's your oldest?" Charlotte glanced around.
"Hannah lives in Calgary now. She's working in an office there."
"How wonderful."
Lee threaded his arm through Rosemary's. "We're very proud of her."
"Although, we do keep trying to convince her to move back here. But, of course, she doesn't want to be away from that fiancé of hers." Rosemary rolled her eyes playfully.
Charlotte laughed. "Ah, young love."
"There's a lot of that around here lately." Jack shot a look at Jane, who was already busy talking with Patrick.
"If you couldn't tell," Elizabeth turned toward Charlotte, "your son is having a hard time with our girls getting older and experiencing puppy love."
"That sounds about right." Charlotte chuckled, patting Jack on the back. "Now, shall we go inside before all the pews are taken?"
Throughout the service, Elizabeth noticed twinges of pain radiating through her belly. Jack kept glancing at her, but she would just smile, reassuring him that she was fine.
After the final notes of Christ the Lord Is Risen Today faded, the pastor once again wished them a happy Easter and invited them to go forth, celebrating the risen Lord.
Jack, Charlotte, and all of the children except Jane exited the church with the rest of the congregation, not noticing that Elizabeth had remained in her spot.
"Mom?" Jane sat beside her. "Are you coming?"
"Sweetheart, can you go tell your dad I need him to come back in here?"
"Is everything okay?"
"The babies are coming. Just please get your father, and then go with grandma and take your brothers and sisters on to Abigail's. Dad and I will just have to miss Easter dinner this year."
"Should I find Dr. Shepherd, too?"
She nodded and grabbed her stomach as another contraction took hold.
Jane's eyes went wide as she watched her mother in pain. "Just hang on, mom. I'll go get them."
"Thank you, Jane."
Just a few moments later, Elizabeth heard footsteps approaching.
"Elizabeth?" Jack took a seat beside her. "Jane said the babies are coming?"
"Yes." She squeezed his hand when another contraction hit.
"Did the contractions just start?"
She shook her head. "They've been happening for a few hours."
"Elizabeth! Why didn't you say anything? You've been in labor all morning? All through the service?"
"I've given birth to six children before, Jack. I knew it was still going to be a little while, and I didn't want us to miss Easter service. I know it's your favorite."
"Have you forgotten how quickly Levi came?"
"No, but we have five other children who didn't come nearly that quickly."
Carson came in the church, closing the doors behind him. "So, I hear there might be a baby or two on their way."
"Apparently, Elizabeth's been in labor all morning and neglected to tell anyone." Jack smiled and rolled his eyes.
"Do you think you can make it over to the infirmary?"
"I'm not sure. I'm feeling like I need to push already."
"Well, then, let's get you on the floor and see how close we are to meeting these little ones."
Carson and Jack helped Elizabeth to the floor. Jack started to search the room for a blanket or something else to wrap the babies in while Carson checked how Elizabeth's labor was progressing.
"Jack, I would get back over here if I were you. Elizabeth was right when she said she needed to push already. The first baby's crowning."
He abandoned his search and moved to sit behind Elizabeth. She leaned back against him.
"Okay, Elizabeth. You know what to do."
She took hold of Jack's hands and squeezed with all her strength. It only took a few minutes before the baby's cries were filling the room.
"Say hello to baby girl Thornton." Carson held up the screaming infant.
"Another girl." Jack kissed Elizabeth's cheek. "I love you."
She relaxed back into his chest, breathing heavily. "Love you."
Carson handed the baby to Elizabeth, and she cradled her against her chest.
"Oh, sweet girl." Elizabeth stroked the baby's cheek. "I love you so much. Look at her, Jack."
"She's beautiful." Jack smoothed down the baby's hair.
"You should have a few minutes before the next one comes. Take this time to rest," Carson instructed.
Jack looked over Elizabeth's shoulder at their newest daughter, who was squirming and whimpering against Elizabeth's chest. "Hello, sweetheart."
"I think she's missing her brother or sister. This is the first time they've ever been apart."
Carson spoke up again. "Well, good news for her, but bad news for you, Elizabeth. Your time for rest is over already. It looks like the next one is ready to come now. And I don't want to worry you, but this one is breech. If you can, try to remember what you did when Eleanor was born, and we'll get this baby out safely."
Elizabeth nodded and passed the first tiny baby to Jack, determination and focus appearing on her face.
Though Jack was concerned, he tried not to let it show. He just took Elizabeth's hand, letting her squeeze his fingers as she pushed. "You can do this, Elizabeth."
It seemed like only seconds passed before Carson spoke again. "One more push, and she'll be born."
"She? It's another girl?"
Carson didn't have time to respond, because the newest Thornton took her first breath and let out a scream.
"There she is." Jack grinned, leaning his forehead against Elizabeth's temple.
"We aren't having any more."
Jack chuckled, brushing his lips across her cheek. "Okay."
"Elizabeth, whenever you feel up to it, I'd like to get you to the infirmary to do a more thorough check-up on you and the babies."
She nodded, exhausted, as Carson placed the baby on her chest.
Within an hour, they made the short trek to the infirmary, and Elizabeth got settled in the bed. Carson checked Elizabeth and both babies over and gave them all clean bills of health. He stayed nearby, but pulled the curtain around Jack and Elizabeth before moving to the opposite side of the room to do some paperwork, giving them a chance to bond with their twins.
"Should I go tell the children they have two more sisters?"
"Not yet." Elizabeth snuggled the baby against her chest. "I want them to have our undivided attention for a little while longer, because they're probably never going to get that again."
"They're so beautiful."
Elizabeth stared at the baby in her arms. "This one looks a lot like Ellie did as a baby."
"Hopefully they'll be quiet ones like Ellie." He smiled as he looked down at his daughter. "Don't get me wrong, I love Audrey dearly, but goodness. Some days, it feels like she doesn't stop talking from the moment she wakes up to the moment she falls asleep."
Elizabeth chuckled. "With Audrey around, these two might be forced into being quiet ones."
"You know, we still need to decide which is which. Are we keeping with the names we chose?"
"I think so. Bring that little one over here." Elizabeth shifted over in the bed and motioned for Jack to join her.
He squeezed in beside her and laid the baby across his lap. Their twin boys had been completely identical at birth, but the girls already looked different. One had dark curls dispersed across the top of her head, and her big eyes were clear and blue. Her younger sister was smaller, with a few wisps of blond hair and gray eyes.
"I think this one looks more like a Laurel," Elizabeth said, referring to the dark-haired baby in her lap. She brushed her finger across the baby's cheek.
Jack glanced between the babies. "I agree." He lifted the baby he was holding to his shoulder, rubbing her back gently. "I guess that means you're Eva, sweet girl."
"We have eight children now, Jack. Eight."
He smiled and kissed Elizabeth's cheek. "We've got our Thornton clan."
...
A/N I know that Easter Sunday in 1932 was actually in March, but this is fiction, so we're going to pretend it was in early April :)