Nathan followed through with his two promises to Elizabeth. The following morning, Emily, Anna, Opal, Bridget and Ally were allowed to present their card to their teacher themselves. Each girl only stayed a few minutes but it was a bright start to Elizabeth's day. Though she gave each girl a quick hug, Elizabeth knew that she held onto Ally a little longer than the others. Elizabeth didn't hesitate to assure the girl that she loved her and that things would soon be back to normal.
Molly and Florence arranged to cover classes, Carson assuring Molly that he could handle things in the infirmary without her for the time being. While one woman attempted to teach classes the other would cover the switchboard. Fiona told them if they needed help manning the switchboard to let her know and that there was no reason for the telephone company to even know about the arrangement.
A week after her fever broke, Carson assisted Elizabeth downstairs and settled her on the settee. Rosemary had been helping her get dressed for the last couple of days in an attempt to help Elizabeth feel more normal. As she settled on the settee, Elizabeth was surprised at how much the short trip from her room to the downstairs was after her long illness.
"I feel like a foal trying out its legs for the first time," Elizabeth commented, as Carson helped settle a blanket over her legs.
Spotting his mama, Little Jack, who had been playing with the blocks Nathan and Ally had given him for Christmas with Laura, mad his way to the settee.
"Those muscles are just weak from not being used," Carson told her, reaching over to help Little Jack climb up on the settee with Elizabeth. He was pleased that the little boy was doing better now that he could spend his days with Elizabeth even if his evenings and night were still spent with Nathan and Ally. Nathan reported that Jack was sleeping better at night as well. "You'll regain your strength soon enough but take things slowly. Don't try walking without assistance until I tell you otherwise."
"Yes. I'm still here to help you and Lee is a simple call away if we need him," Rosemary assured her friends.
Elizabeth smiled. "I hear you both."
"And I'll be stopping by frequently to check in on you as well," another voice said from the direction of the door.
Everyone looked that way to find Nathan standing just inside the door. Removing his hat, he hung it on a hook as he walked forward. Standing behind Elizabeth he placed his hands on the back of the settee and leaned over to give her a quick kiss on the lips.
"Are you sure she should be up this soon though, Carson?" Nathan asked, reaching over to pick up Little Jack who was standing up on the settee looking up at him.
Carson smiled patiently even as Elizabeth gave an exasperated sigh. "The change of scenery will do wonders for her morale," Carson assured him. "And sitting on the settee can be just as restful as sitting in bed." The doctor let his gaze drift to Elizabeth. "If you need a nap though, take one. You still need to get plenty of rest."
"Yes, doctor," Elizabeth said. "So are you going to let me know when I can return to teaching? And what about our trip to Hamilton?"
Getting to her feet, Laura went over to Nathan. "I'll take Jack upstairs for a little bit," she told him, reaching her hands out for the boy.
Nathan nodded as her handed Jack to her.
"I'll come with you," Rosemary said, wanting to give the other three a chance to have this conversation without an audience.
"Let's sit," Carson suggested as Rosemary and Laura disappeared upstairs. As Elizabeth was already sitting, the words were directed more at Nathan rather than Elizabeth.
Silently, Nathan moved around the settee, to sit next to Elizabeth as Carson retrieved the chair from in front of Elizabeth's desk, the rocking chair still being at Nathan's house. Placing the chair so that it faced the settee, Carson sat down.
"Now Elizabeth, Nathan has shared his concerns with me along with a brief explanation of those concerns," Carson began. "He said he's shared them with you as well."
Elizabeth nodded. "He wants to postpone the trip to Hamilton. Surely, I'll be ready to travel in two weeks, Carson."
Carson smiled, glad that though he noticed Nathan bite his bottom lip in his attempt to remain quiet, he was allowing Carson to control the conversation.
"It's possible, but I think that depends on what you do between now and then," Carson told her.
"What do you mean?"
"As far as I can tell, you are recovering well from your illness. There are no indications of any complications at this point. I will continue to monitor you closely as you continue to recover. However, traveling can be tiring even in the best of health. Now, you won't be traveling alone, and I'm sure Nathan will make it as easy on you as he possibly can."
"I will," Nathan said, his hand reaching out to take Elizabeth's.
Carson nodded as he continued. "However, I think that if you want to make the scheduled trip to Hamilton then you should take things easy until then and that means waiting to return to the classroom until after your trip."
"Over a month of not teaching," Elizabeth replied, the thought of not returning to her students for that long making her sad.
"Or you can reschedule the trip and go to Hamilton at a later date."
Nathan gave Elizabeth's hands a squeeze. "You promised me you would listen to Carson's advice, Elizabeth."
"I know," Elizabeth replied, looking over at Nathan. There was no denying the love and concern he had for her in his expression. "And I will," she assured him. "I also don't think we should reschedule the trip. My parents are looking forward to it as is Ally. You've also already arranged to take leave time. Constable Peterson has delayed returning to his posting so that he can cover for you while you were gone." Elizabeth turned her gaze back to Carson. "Could I at least help Florence and Molly with lesson plans?"
Carson smiled. "I think that would be okay. Like I already told you though, you need to rest as much as possible for a few more days. If you keep making progress, then you can start doing small tasks around the house but take it slow. Even with the preparations for this trip. It would probably be a good idea to have help with the packing."
"And you're sure the train travel won't be too much for her?" Nathan asked.
"I'll be keeping a close eye on her, and if things change, I will let you both know but I think that as long as she doesn't carry anything heavy, and that includes Little Jack, I think she'll be fine. I can also talk to another doctor I went to medical school with who practices in Hamilton, and ask him to make a house call at your parents when you get there," Carson said. Seeing Elizabeth open her mouth, probably to protest, Carson continued quickly. "If for no other reason than to put Nathan's mind at ease," he told her, knowing that particular reasoning would probably go the furthest with Elizabeth.
Nathan smiled at Carson's words.
Elizabeth did as well, even as she leaned her head against Nathan's shoulder. "I suppose I can consent to a checkup upon arrival for that reason."
"I will put in a call to him then," Carson said getting to his feet. "I'm going to head into town. I have a few appointments this afternoon. I'll stop by again this evening. If you want go back upstairs to your bed before then, just have Rosemary call into town. I guarantee you that if I'm not available, I will find someone willing to help you back upstairs."
"Yes, doctor," Elizabeth said.
Carson looked over at Nathan. "I'm assuming you took your lunch break to stop by here. Just make sure you still eat something. I don't want another patient."
"I hear you," Nathan told him.
"Rosemary was heating up a casserole Melissa dropped off last night," Elizabeth said. "I'm sure there is enough for Nathan as well."
"Good," Carson said. "Just remember to rest, drink fluids and enjoy lunch with your fiance then. I can see myself out," he added, heading for the door.
Carson put on his coat and was soon heading out, leaving Nathan and Elizabeth relatively alone.
"Are you sure you're okay with delaying your return to teaching over the trip?" Nathan asked her.
Elizabeth nodded. "I miss my students, but I also want you and Ally to meet my parents. Florence and Molly will hopefully be okay for a little while. As soon as Carson lets me be up and about on my own, Rosemary can help out as well as she was going to take over while I was in Hamilton. In the meanwhile, I can make sure lesson plans are drawn up to help them out."
"I'm sure Ally would be happy to help you with packing for you and Little Jack," Nathan said.
"I'll be happy to help you with packing too, Mrs. Thornton," Laura said.
Nathan and Elizabeth looked behind them to see Laura and Rosemary coming back downstairs.
"We heard Carson leave and figured it was okay to come back downstairs," Rosemary explained.
"I would appreciate your help very much Laura," Elizabeth said as Laura came over and placed Little Jack in her lap.
Nathan, Elizabeth and Little Jack enjoyed each other's company while Laura helped Rosemary with lunch. When the casserole was ready, Laura took Little Jack to the table to eat. After giving both Elizabeth and Nathan a plate, Rosemary joined Laura and Little Jack at the table.
Way too soon in Elizabeth's estimation, Nathan had finished eating and said he had to go. Elizabeth still had food on her plate though she felt full. She handed it to Nathan to take out to the kitchen. She was thankful when Nathan didn't comment on her not finishing the food. Elizabeth was sure her appetite would return to normal soon. Right now though, small portions were all she could manage, though she did snack on crackers or muffins when she felt hungry between meals.
Little Jack was back in Elizabeth's lap as Nathan prepared to leave. "I'll see you later tonight," he told Elizabeth as he gave her a quick kiss.
"Stay safe," Elizabeth told him.
Nathan nodded at the now familiar parting as he looked at Little Jack. "Bye, Little Man. I'll see you tonight as well."
"Bye, Dad," Little Jack said, waving.
The words surprised all the adults in the room. Up until then, Little Jack had called Nathan by his first name only. Elizabeth looked up at Nathan.
"He's never called me that before and I didn't encourage it," Nathan told her, almost apologetic. Though they had discussed what Ally would call Elizabeth before Christmas they had not talked about Little Jack. The toddler new Nathan by his first name, and Nathan was okay with that. Apparently Little Jack had other ideas. "He has heard Ally calling me Dad quite a bit these last few days though."
Elizabeth nodded, looking from Nathan to her son. Little Jack was casting perplexed looks between Elizabeth and Nathan. Though she hadn't planned on trying to get her son to use the parental address until he was older and could understand the situation better, now that he had, she couldn't see trying to dissuade him. She had a feeling that would only confuse the boy more. "Yes, Jack, Nathan will very soon be your Dad," she told the boy. Reaching up with one hand, Elizabeth opened the locket Nathan had given her for Christmas. Inside was a picture of Jack and one of Nathan, both of them in their uniform. "You're lucky because you have both a daddy," she said pointing to Jack's picture, "and soon a Dad as well," she said, pointing to Nathan's picture.
Little Jack looked intently at the pictures. "Daddy," he said, looking at Jack's picture in the locket. The boy then looked up at Nathan, pointed and said "Dad."
"Yes," Elizabeth said. "You are going to only know your Daddy through the memories of others Jack, but he loves you and he's watching over you from heaven."
Though the boy nodded, Elizabeth couldn't help but wonder how much Little Jack really understood. She supposed that it didn't matter. As he got older, he would start comprehending more. It was her responsibility as his mother to guide him and make sure he knew what kind of man his Daddy was and that his new Dad loved him just as much. She hoped that keeping different forms of the word associated with both men would help with that, just as Ally had chosen to call her Mama after the wedding to keep her birth mother's memory special and separate.
Saying a second good-bye to Elizabeth and Jack, Nathan finally left the house. As Elizabeth watched the door close behind him, she could not help but wonder how she had gotten so lucky as to be loved by two wonderful men like Jack and Nathan.