(Elizabeth's POV)

July was here and this was a strange time for me. It was the one year anniversary of when I got sick. I couldn't believe it had been a year, for it felt like a lifetime ago. I didn't want to think about it, but I also felt like I needed to recognize how lucky I was and do something about it.

"Good morning my beautiful wife." Jack came up behind me in our room and wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed my cheek. I had been staring out the window, so he startled me a bit.

"Good morning my wonderful husband."

"What were you thinking about?"

I turned around to face Jack. "Today is a year ago from when I first got sick."

Jack's facial expression turned somewhat grim. "Hm, I guess you're right…"

"Ms. Thatcher, are you alright?" Gabe asked as I put a hand to my chest- which was dry and hurting now.

"Yes Gabe, I'm fine. It gets stuffy in here, that's all. Thank you." I smiled and continued the lesson, while my headache worsened.

"I think I just want to take today to be alone… You were so good to me during everything, but I think I need today to just be with myself and think."

"I completely understand, love." Jack kissed me on the forehead and left the room. I got dressed for the day and sat in our new rocking chair, talking to our future Thornton for a bit.

"Hi little baby. Mommy was very sick last year, but I'm okay. I can't wait to meet you soon… We're gonna be just fine.

(Abigail's POV)

The first month of married life was wrapping up soon and it was wonderful. Frank and I took a trip to Hamilton for a week with the kids, and Becky showed us around where she lived now. It was so much fun having a Family Honeymoon of sorts. But now it was back to work, so I began baking desserts and breads for tonight. Frank & I stopped by the Coulter's on our way home from the trip and they let Cody hold Colt. He was getting bigger all ready and he was out of the woods now and home with them. I was so excited to watch that little boy grow up in town.

I finished putting the last loaf of bread in the oven when the door up front opened. "Abigail? Are you home?"

I wiped my hands on my apron and headed into the cafe space. "Elizabeth? What brings you by?"

"I actually wanted to talk to you, if that's alright."

"Of course, come on in and have a seat." We made our way to the parlor and sat down. "So what's on your mind?"

"Today is the one year anniversary of when I got sick."

I took a deep breath. "Wow, I didn't even realize…" I trailed off and began to think.

The days passed and Elizabeth's headache got much worse. I suggested that she see the doctor. "It's just a little cold, I'm fine," Elizabeth would say and she would continue on, stopping every now and then to endure a coughing spasm.

"It's a very rare disease called 'cancer'. There's no cure and there's not much known about it right now…"

"What does that mean exactly?" I asked, as I sat with Elizabeth upstairs on her bed.

The Company Doctor shook his head. "She doesn't have much longer."

Elizabeth was in shock. "So… I'm going to die?"

"I'm afraid so, nobody has ever survived having this illness before. I recommend that you take it easy."

"Are you doing okay with all of this?"

"I mean, I've definitely been thinking about it more than normal recently… It's just so strange, to think I almost… wasn't here."

"You can't let that thought consume you though, Elizabeth. That's not good for anyone, especially that little one," I pointed at her stomach and she rubbed her belly instinctively.

"How do you go back to normal after bad things happen?" I could tell she really was worried that this would never blow over. "Without realizing it, I think we all have already moved on in a way. It's always anniversaries that bring out the most powerful emotions in people though. The anniversary of the mining accident still brings me such deep pain, but that's to be expected. Yes, I have Frank and the kids and Clara… but part of me will still always yearn for Noah & Peter."

"That makes sense."

"If you hadn't gotten sick, who knows when you two would've gotten married, or ended up starting your family, right?"

I finally saw a smile escape Elizabeth's lips. "This is also true."

"It's okay to take some time today, but also don't forget that we were all here for you a year ago, and we're here for you now too."

(Jack's POV)

I had been blocking this day from my head, if I'm being quite honest. It was so hard remembering how close I was to losing the love of my life, I couldn't even imagine my life without her.

I took Rip on a walk through town and things seemed quieter than normal. I stopped right outside of the saloon and sat down on the bench outside the front doors.

"Jack, I…" Elizabeth looked down at her lap and then looked back up with tears in her eyes. "I'm sick…I have… cancer."

"Elizabeth, I'm here for you and I will stand by you, forever and a day. I'm always here for you and this cancer,"

Those few months leading into fall were so hard for all of us, but in a strange way, it brought Abigail & I closer together. Though we didn't see much of each other anymore, we both had this unspoken understanding that we had shared such a powerful experience together - tending to Elizabeth, the closest person in both of our lives.

I knew Elizabeth would be okay today, but really, I just wanted nothing more than to be by her side right about now.

(Elizabeth's POV)

I walked slowly into the Church. Though I technically didn't teach here until after I was well, it still reminded me of a few moments involving the job I cherished the most.

Abigail leaned forward in her chair. "Elizabeth, you collapsed at the saloon. Gabe and James took care of the school children and got Jack." Abigail paused for a moment, giving me a moment to process. "Jack's the one who brought you here."

"Elizabeth… You can't go back to teaching. Not like this."

"Moving to Coal Valley, I was confident, but also a little bit scared. I had no idea what would be in store for me, or even if I would belong. But I learned very quickly that this town is more than a community, it's a family. Coal Valley accepted me with open, welcoming arms. To have the honor and privilege of sitting here today, opening up an actual schoolhouse, that's not a tiny saloon...it's amazing. So with that being said," I then cut the ribbon, "School is now in session!"

The kids cheered, gave me lots of hugs, and then ran up the stairs into the church/schoolhouse, while I looked on, smiling. I couldn't remember the last time I was this happy.

Though this was just the Church now, I still considered this building a huge turning point for me. When I went back to work, it was here. Which was nice, because teaching in the saloon would've just brought back too many memories for me. The new schoolhouse and the library were amazing to have in town as well. So much had changed in a year, and thinking about how much things had blossomed was starting to make me feel better.

(Jack's POV)

I decided to embrace this day and try and do something special for Elizabeth. I made her chicken noodle soup, which is what fed to her after she woke up to help her regain her strength. I also tidied up the living room and put a record on. Then, I went into our bedroom and opened the drawer next to my side and re-read the letter she wrote me in case she didn't make it, remembering those days when things were very touch-and-go at times...

"I know you are in… a lot of pain… and you're probably not…" my eyes started to water and I gulped down a sob. "But if it's time… then it's okay to go. Don't let me or- or anybody else stop you… God's gonna gain a wonderful angel when you arrive. I'll always love you, Elizabeth."

I heard the door open downstairs and guessed it was Elizabeth. I walked back downstairs and was correct. "Hi my love, you're back earlier than I thought you'd be."

"I just needed to walk around town and think… Is that soup I smell? In July?"

I went over to the stove and poured us each a bowl. "I thought it'd be a way to remember this day. Remember when you woke up after everything? I fed you soup when you didn't have the strength to yourself. We could start a new tradition. Soup in July. It's fun but also reminds us of how lucky we are."

I handed Elizabeth a both and we sat down at the kitchen table. "Soup in July… It's perfect." We kissed across the table and took turns feeding each other soup and talking about our lives and the baby. I was so excited to be a father, I know my dad was watching over us and keeping us all safe.

After dinner, we made our way upstairs and figured a little romance would be a nice distraction today as well. As things started getting more heated, Elizabeth stopped us. "Jack, what about the baby?"

I put myself at eye level with her belly. "Future Thornton, do you mind if I show your mom how much I love her?" I looked up at my wife. "They said it was okay."

She raised a brow and smirked. "Mmhmm, sure, we'll go with that."

It was so nice to have a house all to ourselves away from the rest of Hope Valley, where we could be as loud as we wanted. We had to get it out of our systems now, because we'd be too tired soon enough. And even if taking care of the baby didn't tire us out in the future, we'd probably wake them just from the noise.

A while later, Elizabeth and I were wrapped in each other's arms, getting ready to fall asleep, when she whispered. "We're going to be parents soon, can you believe it?"

"I know. Lee & Rosemary make it look so easy."

Elizabeth snorted. "No they don't. I went over there the other day, and Rosemary's hair was out of control, she had been up with Colt for three nights in a row, and Lee didn't look any better. They are fantastic parents though, but it is far from easy, that's for certain."

"I can't imagine what your parents dealt with, having three girls."

"And yours, two boys."

"Fine, I guess we're even." We both chuckled after our mini teasing session. I ran my fingers through Elizabeth's long brown curls. "We should have one of each. Balance things out."

"Even so, Rip would still make things out numbered… but yes, I agree that'd be fun. But whatever happens, happens. I just can't wait to raise our family with you by my side."

Author's Note: It's hard to believe I first wrote When Calls Goodbye six years ago and yet, this chapter in the sequel is only a year later in the timeline. Sorry if this was kind of a weird Chapter, but I thought it'd be fun to pause and take a moment to reflect before learning more about Colt and meeting the new Thornton soon. I plan to continue this story for a long time, so I hope you are all still enjoying reading about the town of Hope Valley growing and changing from my perspective!