Chapter 53
Nathan scooped Elizabeth up into his arms and carried her upstairs. Julie ran ahead and opened Elizabeth's bedroom door. Nathan gently put her on the bed. Grace, Viola, and Mary had followed. Elizabeth started to stir; she had just fainted from the shock of his mother's threat. Allie had heard the commotion and came to investigate. She saw Elizabeth lying down and everyone looking so concerned. Allie ran to Elizabeth and asked, "Mom, what's wrong? Are you alright?" Elizabeth nodded and said she just fainted and that she would be fine in a few minutes. William stood at the door and said he had sent for a doctor just to be safe. Julie ushered everyone other than Nathan out of the room. She asked Allie to check on little Jack and to keep him occupied until after the doctor visited. Julie promised she would come and play in a few minutes. Julie then asked Nathan to get Elizabeth a robe because she wanted to remove Elizabeth's corset. It would make Elizabeth more comfortable and her breathing easier. After that was completed, Julie left Nathan and Elizabeth alone and went to the children.
Julie knew that Allie would be worried so she thought she would take the children outside for some fresh air and exercise. They started down the stairs when they overheard William yelling at Grace and Mary. He was ashamed at their behavior and believed that they were the cause of Elizabeth's fainting spell. Allie overheard him and went into the library where the grandparents were waiting. She asked impatiently, "What did you say to my mom? Why is she now lying-in bed looking so pale? I've already lost one mother; I can't lose another." Mary interjected and told Allie that Elizabeth was not her mother. She said that she was going to ask a judge to grant her guardianship. Allie looked at her grandmother and forcibly replied, "Elizabeth has done nothing but love me since we moved to Hope Valley. She looked after me when Uncle Nathan would have to go out of town. She has always been there for me. She had taught me more than just school, she has taught me how to trust and live again. She has been like a mother to me long before she married Uncle Nathan. After Dylan came to town, they asked him to sign away his paternal rights and Elizabeth and Uncle Nathan adopted me. Elizabeth is my mother and she always will be. I'll never forget my real mom because Elizabeth encourages me to talk to Grandpa and Uncle Nathan about her all the time. I have a Mom and Dad and if you do anything to take them away from me, I will never forgive you." Allie then rejoined Julie and little Jack. Mary was taken aback that her granddaughter would speak to her like that. She sounded like Elizabeth.
Julie ushered them outside. She knew that Allie needed space so she took them to the swings she and her sisters loved as a kid. There Allie could sit and swing while Julie pushed little Jack slowly so he wouldn't fall. Julie knew that this had to be hard on Allie. Seeing Elizabeth sick must have scared her, she had lost so much in her short life. Julie spoke softly, "Allie, Elizabeth just fainted. My mother and your grandmother weren't very nice earlier and she got upset. The shock and the stress from the last few weeks probably just all cumulated and manifested in her getting light headed. Elizabeth is strong and I believe she is even stronger now that she has you and Nathan by her side. Don't worry!" Julie tried to reassure her niece but until Allie saw Elizabeth on her feet again, she would still be unsure. Allie just kept swinging waiting for answers.
When the doctor arrived, William escorted him upstairs to Elizabeth's room. He knocked on the door before entering with the doctor. He had mentioned to the doctor that his daughter had fainted but was generally in excellent health. William left the doctor with Elizabeth before returning to the library to wait. The doctor asked Nathan to wait outside but Elizabeth told the doctor that her husband was staying and reached for Nathan's hand. The doctor asked them both questions about Elizabeth's health and if there were any other symptoms. Nathan mentioned that she had gotten a little light headed that morning. Elizabeth mentioned certain smells made her a bit queasy especially on the train ride. She said that it was probably just motion sickness.
The doctor started listening to her heart and felt her stomach. He put the stethoscope to her abdomen and asked one more question, "Elizabeth, how long ago was your last?" Elizabeth's eyes widened and asked Nathan to hand her the journal she wrote in daily. He watched her flip through page after page. As she flipped through a couple dozen pages the doctor grinned. Elizabeth looked at Nathan and smiled. The doctor asked Elizabeth again and she said end of April. The doctor shook Nathan's hand but Nathan still looked perplexed. The doctor laughed and said, "Congratulations, you are going to be a father, I'm estimating January or beginning of February." Elizabeth turned to Nathan and asked if he was alright because her handsome and strong Mountie looked like he was going to pass out. The doctor urged him to sit down and take some deep breaths. With that the doctor packed up his bag and left the couple to celebrate.
Julie saw the doctor leave and ushered the children back inside. Julie knew that Allie would want to check on Elizabeth. They got to Elizabeth's room and saw Elizabeth kneeling on the bed behind Nathan, who was sitting on the foot of the bed, urging him to breath slowly. Julie asked if everyone was alright. Elizabeth laughed and said, "better than fine but Nathan is just in shock. Who knew that finding out that I'm pregnant and that he is going to be a father would bring him to his knees?" Julie, Allie, and little Jack started jumping and clapping. Little Jack didn't know what was happening but he knew his mom and sister looked happy. He went over to Nathan and put his arms around him asked, "Dada, happy?" Little Jack's question brought Nathan back to his old self and he nodded hugging little Jack back.
Julie told them that their parents were still downstairs waiting for news. She asked, "Do you want me to tell them that you need rest or do you want to go back downstairs?" Elizabeth looked at Nathan and said that they will go back downstairs. They just needed a few minutes to regroup and for Elizabeth to get dressed again. Elizabeth knew that she wouldn't be tying her corset as tight and thought that she might need to buy a few new things before they left Hamilton. Elizabeth was excited about the baby and was so grateful that Nathan was by her side when she found out. Jack had missed all of that and so much more. She prayed that Nathan would be there for all the firsts that she hadn't gotten to share with Jack.
Nathan noticed a change in Elizabeth as she began to dress. She looked pensive as though she had a lot on her mind. She touched her abdomen and smiled but the smile didn't reach her eyes. Nathan wondered why. Was she happy to be pregnant? What had her troubled? Nathan asked, "Elizabeth, are you sure you are alright? You don't have to go back downstairs if you aren't ready. You look deep in thought and it seems like you are sad." Nathan hated seeing Elizabeth look so withdrawn. Elizabeth looked at him and said, "I'm sorry Nathan, I know I shouldn't but I was thinking about how Jack never got to know I was pregnant and all the firsts he missed and is still missing in little Jack's life. I am grateful that you are here and that you will get to share in the firsts he missed. I told you I'd always try to fight my fears but, in this moment, I am scared that you'll miss those moments too. I know that its irrational but it crept in on me. I am so lucky to have you in little Jack's life to see all his firsts and our child's firsts as well. I can't wait until our baby starts to grow and kick. We are truly blessed. I love you, Nathan." Elizabeth kissed him and then turned to go back downstairs.
Elizabeth and Nathan headed towards the library. As soon as Elizabeth entered, her father ushered her to a comfy chair to sit. Nathan sat on the arm of the chair beside her and held onto her hand. His mother still couldn't believe that he had married one of the Thatcher sisters. It pleased her but she had to admit that Elizabeth was not what she expected. She knew Nathan had found his soulmate but worried that Colleen would soon be a distant memory in Allie's life. Mary knew she had to apologize, Harvey and William were not impressed with her or Grace, "Elizabeth and Nathan, I am deeply ashamed at my behavior earlier and I'd like to apologize for everything I insinuated. I was shocked at your announcement last night and the adoption news as well but that is no excuse for bad manners." Mary sounded sincere and truly remorseful. Grace cleared her throat and seconded Mary's sentiments. She didn't want to lose her daughter and William was very cross with her.
William was concerned about Elizabeth even though her color was back to normal. She looked radiant and seemed to be glowing. William asked, "Elizabeth, what did the doctor say? Are you alright?" William knew that Elizabeth was the most like him and that is why he indulged her more than Viola but Julie being the baby was the most spoiled. Elizabeth smiled at Nathan once again and revealed, "The doctor said that I'm fine. He just said that you will have another grandchild early in the new year." William rushed over to Elizabeth and gave her a hug before including Nathan in the hug as well. He loved his grandchildren and was looking forward to getting to know Allie. He knew that he would be making regular trips to Hope Valley in the future, with or without Grace. He knew Julie would be more than happy to accompany him. She loved Hope Valley and William had fond memories of the town as well. He wasn't going to miss seeing his grandchildren grow up anymore.