Hope Eternal Ch. 2
Chapter 2
As I walked in holding Jack everything felt familiar but also foreign. It feels like no time has passed since Elizabeth and I were on our honeymoon but here I hold my 2-year-old. I look around the row house and Elizabeth has made a beautiful home for her and our son. Elizabeth said, "Jack, are you ok? Do you want me to take him? Why don't you come sit down? You have had an overwhelming day." "No, I am fine. I promise. It is just nice to be home", I said. Little Jack squirmed to get down. I let him down, he ran to the table next to the couch picking up a picture and brought it to me saying, "Daddy? Daddy?" Elizabeth with excitement in her voice said, "Yes, Jack that is daddy. Oh, I can't believe you remembered the picture." I fought to hold back tears and said: "Yes, that is me, your daddy!" Elizabeth explained, "At nights I would rock him holding this picture and tell him stories of his brave daddy. I told him about the first time you saved me from Spurlock. I also told him how you built the church-school house for me and the town. Oh, Jack, I have told him so much about you. I wanted him to feel like he knew you. I wanted him to feel a bond with you even though you weren't here." She reached and pulled me close as she began to cry. "Jack I can't believe you are home! I have missed you very much." "I know I am so sorry I wasn't here. I wish I had been here to help you raise our son so he didn't have to learn about me through stories." I said. She began speaking, "It's not your fault…" There was a knock on the door as Rosemary walked in saying, "I wasn't listening through the walls but I thought you might want Lee and I to watch Jack so you can have a few minutes alone." Lee followed her, "Rosie they probably want time as a family so why don't we go to Abigail's and eat supper?" Frustrated Rosemary told him, "I am only trying to help. This is a lot for them both and I wanted to help if I could." "I appreciate the offer, but I want to be with Elizabeth and little Jack. I know you are trying to help, and I am sure we will want some time alone later. You will be the one we call for help." With a disappointed expression she nodded, "Ok, I am happy to help any way I can. I am so excited that you are back here with us in Hope Valley." Lee nodded and escorted her out.
As I sat here in my home with my wife, I feel like we are newlyweds, but we have really been married almost 3 years. I can't believe I have missed 3 years with her and little Jack. Little Jack is in Elizabeth's lap while she rocks him. We just sit here next to the fire enjoying being together. Not needing to say anything because just being with each other was enough. I can't believe how blessed I am to have such an incredibly strong wife. Elizabeth never ceases to amaze me. My thoughts slip to Arnold and how he lost his life while pushing me from harm's way. I can't explain the gratitude I have for him. Elizabeth whispers while holding my sleeping son, "I am going to lay him down and I will be back in just a moment." I jumped to my feet, "please let me. I have never got to lay him down before. I want to put him to bed if you don't mind." "Jack rest, you have plenty of time to put him to bed. You shouldn't do too much too quickly. Carson said you still need to take it easy" she said concerned. I walked over and took my sweet boy in my arms, "I know but I don't think taking my son to bed would be too much. She smiled and nodded, "do you want me to come with you?" I shook my head no as I climbed the stairs to his room.
Elizabeth did such an amazing job with his room, it is perfect. I noticed a picture of me on his shelf. I smile. I think she has a picture of me in every room of the house. I get to his crib and lay him down gently, covering him with his blanket. I notice Brownie, Opal's bear in the corner of his crib. I picked it up and looked at it. Sweet Opal gave him her most prized possession. I put the bear back just standing there looking at my son. I still can't believe I have a son. I fight back tears thinking that he was going to grow up without a dad as I had. I think about the amazing work of God. He ensured I got home to my family by making sure Carson discovered me at the hospital. I bowed my head, "Lord thank you! Thank you for your mercy and blessings. Thank you for Elizabeth and her strength, she has done such a great job with Jack. He is beautiful. You are gracious in all you give. Thank you for Carson and his patient consult. Thank you for ensuring that he found me and for bringing me back to Hope Valley. Thank you for Abigail, Bill, Lee, Rosemary, all the people here because I know they were a great support for Elizabeth in a very difficult time. I can't imagine what she was feeling, she had lost me just weeks after we were married. Then she discovered she would have my child, the emotions she must have had. I am so grateful for such an amazing woman to call my wife and best friend. Lord, I can never say thank you enough for all you have done for Elizabeth and me. AMEN." From behind me, Elizabeth said, "Is everything alright?" I turned seeing her radiant smile. I went and wrapped my arms around her, "Nothing could be better. I am home with you and my son. Elizabeth, I have a son!" She pulled me close, "I know, and he is so much like his daddy. He is strong-willed but with a gentle heart. He is funny, kind and just as handsome as you. I hear you in his laugh and see you in his smile. Jack, he is perfect." I look at her, pull her in and kissed her. She returned the kiss pulling away with a giggle, "What was that for?" I tell her, "I wanted to kiss my wife and the mother of my son. I wanted to kiss the woman that has made all my dreams come true. I wanted to kiss the woman that has had more strength these last few years than most women have in a lifetime. Elizabeth Thornton, I love you so much and I can't believe I am in your arms again." She smiles, "Well I had a lot of help. I had so much help from the widows. They understood my heart ache and challenges. They have been here helping me all the way." I smiled nodding, "I am sure you have. I am glad they were here for you, especially Abigail. I know she never left your side." She smiled and nodded. "It has been a long day and why don't we go to bed," I said. Her smile widens, "I would like nothing more than to lay down next to my husband and hold him tight." I smiled and we went to bed.
I woke to the smell of bacon and the sounds of giggles. I get up and go downstairs. Elizabeth is standing in the kitchen cooking while she made funny faces at Jack. She sees me, "How did you sleep? Let me get you some coffee." I smile, "I slept better than I have since I came out of the coma, I was lying next to you." She smiled her cute little smirk smile as she poured my cup of coffee. "What is all the giggling about? I want to giggle." I said. Elizabeth looked at Jack, "Your son didn't want to eat breakfast so I told him for every bite he ate I would make a different funny face." Little Jack took another bite, she stuck out her tongue and crossed her eyes. He busted out in laughter. I laughed with him because it was a very funny sight. "Just stop it you two! Now I am outnumbered 2 to 1… that's not fair!" Elizabeth said with a smile. "Jack tell mommy that we won't gang up on her… too much" I said with a smile. She gave me that beautiful smirk, I pulled her close kissed her. "My mama!" little Jack said. We looked at him and I kissed her again. "MY MAMA!" Little Jack stressed. I let go of her. Elizabeth went and picked him up, "You are right, I am your mama and I always will be. I love being your mama, but I am daddy's wife. I know learning to share may be hard, but I promise I am always your mama." I chuckled, "Reminds me of the time Rip was jealous of you." "But our son isn't a dog," she said with a smile. "I am not saying our son is a dog, but you have to admit it is funny. They both got upset when we kissed." Elizabeth put her hand on her hip just looking at me. Then she busted out laughing, "Ok it is a little funny but…" "But nothing," I said. "Elizabeth funny is funny, and you know that was funny." She crinkled her nose at me with a shake of her head and a giggle.
I was finishing breakfast as Elizabeth came down the stairs with Jack. They were dressed as if they were going out. "Where are you going?" I asked. "Oh well I am heading to school and he is going to stay with Rosemary this morning. She is going to watch Jack while I am gone. Molly and Florence usually help with him on school days, but they have gone to Hamilton for a few days to visit with Molly's niece." She explained. "Why don't you just leave him with me? I am his father and Carson hasn't released me to go back to work so I will be here. Just leave him here," I told her. Elizabeth in quick response, "Jack, there are days that I think wrestling a bear would be easier compared to keeping up with your son." She smiled, "Why don't you rest this morning and at lunch we can meet at Abigail's. Then we can pick him up and you can take him for the afternoon. How does that sound?" "What am I supposed to do all morning?" I asked. She came close, "Rest, enjoy being home." Not satisfied with the answer but knew it did me no good to argue, "That sounds good." She turned to gather Jack's things and her stuff for school. I picked up little Jack, "I will see you this afternoon and we will spend the whole afternoon together." Elizabeth walked to the door and I followed still holding him. She opened the door taking Jack from me. She kissed me on the cheek saying, "I will see you this afternoon. Rest and enjoy being home." She and Jack left.
I got dressed then came downstairs. I looked around the room. What am I supposed to do here all morning? I walked to the bookcase and see the book of Elizabeth's that I published and illustrated. Elizabeth had it on top of the case next to our wedding photo. She was a stunning bride, but she is always stunning. I smile as I picked up the book. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the spine of another book. The Life and Service of Constable Jack Thornton Written by Elizabeth Thatcher Thornton. I laid down the book I published picking up the one with my name. I opened it up and the dedication read:
In Memory and Honor of my husband, Constable Jack Thornton,
who died living out his purpose as a Mountie.
Did she write a book about me? And it was published? Her first published writings were about me? Why would she write about me? There was a knock at the door. It was Lee. "Rosemary told me that Elizabeth had you at home this morning resting. I know you, staying in and resting doesn't sound like something you would want to do. I thought maybe we could go into town so you could see some of the changes. A lot has happened in our little town in the last three years." "That sounds great," I said with relief, feeling like I had escaped a prison sentence. "What all has changed?" I questioned. He said with a smile, "For starters, Clara and Jesse married about a year ago and he has been promoted at the sawmill to my 2nd in command. That's why I can come to rescue you. Rosemary didn't like my long hours and Jesse needs the money. He is building a house just outside of town. Dottie opened the 2nd dress shop she had dreamed of, so Rosie and Clara run the one here." He said with a smile. "But I thought Rosemary didn't like you working so many hours, but she is working more now?" I asked. Lee shook his head, "Yes but that is why she and Clara run the shop together." I nodded. He continued, "Bill and the new Mountie don't see eye to eye on things, so that's brought us some excitement." "New Mountie? Bill isn't the sheriff anymore." I asked surprisingly. He stopped and looked at me, "No, they assigned a new Mountie here about 9 months after the accident. His name is Nathan Grant. He is a good guy, but Bill doesn't agree with the way he does things. Partly because he is Bill and likes being in charge and partly because I think he feels an obligation to you." I know the town needs to be protected but I thought they would let Bill do it since he covered for me while I was fighting in the Northern Territory. "How did Elizabeth react to the new Mountie?" Looking confused Lee asked, "What do you mean?" "I mean did it upset her? I know she is a smart reasonable woman but since she thought I was dead it might upset her because he would be a constant reminder that I was gone." With a compassionate look, Lee said, "Initially it was hard for her, but she handled it with grace as usual. In time it became easier. She became close friends with him and like most of us, she has become grateful to have him here. Shocked I questioned, "Close friends?" Lee smiled, "yes close FRIENDS" he stressed. "Nathan was interested in Elizabeth and asked if she would consider courting. She quickly declined, explaining she was only interested in a friendship. She stressed that her focus was on being a mother to little Jack but also her heart still belonged to you." I smiled but then quickly was overcome with sadness. Elizabeth deserved to be loved and cared for. Little Jack needed a man to help him grow. I would never want her to stop living. Lee noticed my expression and as if he had read my mind, "Little Jack has been happy and surrounded by men, Carson, Bill and I make sure to spend time with him. Elizabeth continued teaching after taking some time off. She is devoted to her students and finds joy in teaching. We help Elizabeth with repairs and such around the house, but you know that isn't always easy because of her strong will." I smiled and laughed, "Oh I know, I have had my fair share of encounters with her strong will." He laughed, "Jack they have been doing great. Elizabeth's strength through it all has been amazing. You can imagine the initial shock, devastation and excruciating pain she felt, that we all felt. But she quickly drew her strength and has tried to give little Jack the best life imaginable. She talks to him about you a lot." As we get to the door of the jail Lee asked, "Do you want to go in?" I stood for a moment looking at the building unsure if I should. Then the door opened and out walked a Mountie, I could only assume it was the new Mountie, Nathan Grant.