(Elizabeth's POV)
"Mrs. Thornton? What's going to happen when the baby comes?" Miles asked me, as I wrote out their lesson for the day. We always started school in July, because Hope Valley ran on a more 'year round schooling' approach.
"I'm not quite sure. I've been trying to find a substitute, but if I can't, then you'll just have your fall break much earlier."
"I hope we find a sub. You made me love school." The Montgomery's had grown up so much since I first arrived in Hope Valley. Gabe was currently deciding if he should go to college or not, and Miles would be making that choice soon as well. Emily had such a bright future ahead of her, and she was such a big help to the younger students. I selfishly hoped that she'd become a teacher someday.
"Plus a sub means we'd actually get our fall break after midterms." Anna chimed in.
"What's your baby's name going to be?"
"Well Opal, Mountie Jack and I aren't quite sure yet. We have names picked out if the baby's a boy or a girl, but we also want to meet them first, just to be sure."
"I can't wait to meet your baby."
"Me too." I smiled and clapped my hands together. "Alright class, it's time to get to work."
Throughout the lesson, I started to have pain in my abdomen. It would come and go, so I tried to breathe through it and remember what Carson said, 5-1-1. During recess, I went into the library to get some work done and distract myself. Since most of the children knew I'd be away soon, they had been checking out books all the time, so they'd have things to read while I was on maternity leave. So I decided to go through inventory, to make sure everything was accounted for.
The books from one of my favorite authors, Virginia Woolf, was located on a higher shelf of the library, and I thought it'd be a good idea to check out a book myself. That way I could not only read when the baby was asleep, but I could also read the wonderful stories to them as well.
I climbed the ladder, carefully making sure that I wouldn't fall in the process. I grabbed the book and climbed down before one of the children saw me. I didn't want them worrying about me either, or tattling to Jack...
(Jack's POV)
That afternoon, I decided to pop in to see Bill. I felt like I hadn't seen much of him lately, not even at Abigail's wedding. He was busy planning a trip for judge business and also figuring out what to do when I went on paternity leave. It was either him or bring in someone to watch over Hope Valley.
"Jack, I didn't expect to see you. I thought you'd be on 'baby watch' by now."
"Very funny. I'm trying not to hover over Elizabeth. I trust she'll alert me if anything happens and knowing her hormones, I don't want to get on her bad side right now." Elizabeth had done fairly well throughout the pregnancy. Cravings meant more trips to the mercantile or the cafe. Swelling meant more massages, and mood swings meant more grand gestures and being understanding. I was so in love with Elizabeth that it never mattered how pregnancy was affecting her. My wife and my baby were all that I cared about.
"Well that's good to hear. Hey, while you're here, I heard from Headquarters, and they're willing to send someone to take your place after the baby's born for a while. I wanted your input on the candidates before I let them know. Once the baby's born, they'll send him right over."
"Oh, that's great. I know you've got a lot on your plate right now, so I would've hated to have to add something else on top of that."
"C'mon Jack, you're like family to me. I wouldn't have minded at all." I gave him a look and he continued, "Okay, maybe just a little bit, but I still would've done it."
"Ha, that's my guy."
We looked through the profiles of mounties that Headquarters had sent to Bill, before choosing someone we both liked. Afterwards, we got to talking before it was time for me to go on another round.
"Jack, in case I haven't said it before, you're going to make a great father. There's not a day that goes by where I don't think about my own son… How old he'd be, what he'd look like, or what he'd like to do. I also remember how much joy he brought into my life and I hope that your child will bring you as much as mine brought me, and even more than that."
"Thanks Bill, that really means a lot. This baby is going to be so loved by everyone in town. And hey, if you ever have the need to play some catch one day, I'm sure our little Thornton would love to, once they're old enough."
"I'd love that. Now go do your rounds before we get emotional thinking about our kids."
"Alright, I'll see you later, Bill."
I started walking through town and decided to surprise Elizabeth. It was about lunchtime for her, so I figured I'd check in. I strolled over to the schoolhouse, which was near our house as well. I loved the woods that the building rested in, it always reminded me of how small this town seemed when I first moved here, and how much it had changed since.
As I got closer, I saw kids eating lunch and playing games, but I didn't see Elizabeth in the school, so I headed next door, figuring she'd be there instead. When I got to the doorway, I saw her getting down from a ladder with a book in hand, and sprinted inside when I watched her foot not catch the next step.
The book flew out of Elizabeth's hand, as I grabbed her in my arms. The baby made her heavier, but I still caught her, without myself falling too. "Jack," I set my wife down, as the look of panic on her face slowly slipped away. "How did you-?"
"I was on rounds and wanted to surprise you. Good thing I did, because you put yourself in danger."
"Danger? I was grabbing a book from the- ahh ahhh ahhh."
The look on her face was terrifying. What was going on? Was she-? "Elizabeth, talk to me. It's okay, I'm right here." I took her hand in mine and led her to a table in the middle of the library. "How long have you been in pain?"
"Just right before recess today. But don't worry, I've been keeping track of them. I was going to tell you once they got closer together."
"We need to get you home, I need to get Carson."
"Jack, wait a minute." Her contraction had stopped and she slowly started coming back to earth after the pain. "We need to get the children home first. We didn't even finish our lesson."
"Okay fine. I'll tell them the situation, and then I'm taking you home."
I stood outside, to find everyone crowded around the library. "Is Mrs. Thornton alright? We heard a big boom." Harper said.
"Mrs. Thornton is going to have our baby." I paused, as the children cheered for a bit. "So I need to get her home. Cody & Robert, will you alert Dr. Shepard please?" Everyone else, grab your things and head home. Looks like you're getting a half day today."
Everyone began to disperse, waving to their beloved teacher in the library window as they walked home. I was filled with such pride, thinking of Elizabeth. She took such care making sure every child in Hope Valley felt seen, heard, and understood, and it certainly showed.
"Alright my love, let's get you home, shall we?"
We walked with a purpose, slowing down when Elizabeth had a contraction. She only had a couple, for our house was close by. I got her settled in bed, just in time for Carson and Faith to arrive.
"Jack, today's the day. Are you ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be. Here, she's upstairs."
Carson began setting up everything he needed, while Faith checked Elizabeth and the baby. I held Elizabeth's hand, helped her breathe through her contractions, and wiped a cold cloth across her forehead when she needed it. From what I remembered about Colt's birth a month ago, it seemed like our baby would have a bit of a smoother sailing. Elizabeth was such a champ, I couldn't imagine doing that. Every woman that had children deserved quite the medal in my book.
"Okay Elizabeth, during your next contraction, I need you to push. As hard as you can. Your baby's coming." Carson smiled at Elizabeth and she looked at me, breathing heavy, tired from the contractions. It had been a couple hours since Carson and Faith first arrived, and I could tell we were all ready to meet the newest Thrornton.
"The baby's coming?"
"Indeed it is. You can do this Elizabeth, I'm right here. I'm right here." I rubbed my thumb over her hand and she closed her eyes for a moment, trying to catch her breath before showtime.
Elizabeth pushed a few times and she screamed in pain each time. I was so glad we didn't have any neighbors, I wouldn't want them to wake up from the noise. I massaged her shoulders and gave her kisses, and wiped the tears from her eyes.
Finally, after a scream that indicated the pain had almost sent Elizabeth over the edge, I watched as the baby's head came out, along with the rest of them, and then the cries began. Carson allowed me to cut the umbilical cord, before Faith began cleaning the baby up and checking their vitals. I looked to Carson, and he nodded at me, allowing me to tell Elizabeth the good news. I wiped the washcloth across her forehead once more and rubbed her arm and kissed her hand.
"Elizabeth… he's a boy." I had tears in my eyes too. I had a son. My very first child was my son.
"A boy?" Elizabeth looked back at me, and her face said it all. Happiness, joy, exhaustion, pure bliss, and relief.
Faith walked over to us with our child. "Would you like to hold him?"
"Of course." Faith put the bundle in Elizabeth's arms, as we looked in awe. He was so small, about the size Colt was now. I couldn't tell who he looked like just yet, but he was all ours… Though if it wasn't too early to say, I think he had my father's nose.
"He's so perfect."
"You did an amazing job my love. I knew you could do it." I kissed Elizabeth's forehead, as we both sat in silence in tears, trying not to let this moment slip away.
"Does this little guy have a name?" Carson asked, as he came back around to check on us.
Elizabeth and I both looked at each other, with an unspoken agreement that we knew what the answer would be. "He does indeed. Thomas William Thornton."
Eventually, I could see sleep overtaking Elizabeth's eyes, so she passed Thomas onto me. Watching him being born and seeing him was one thing. But actually holding him against my chest brought a whole new wave of emotions to the surface. I just wished my father could actually see me now, for I knew he'd be so proud.
Carson and Faith headed out, letting us know they'd come check in on us in the morning. Before Elizabeth fell asleep, we just sat together as a family, and I couldn't believe we were starting this next chapter of our lives. Elizabeth's eyelids grew heavy, so I kissed her goodnight and took Thomas to his room and sat in the rocking chair with him.
"Welcome to the world, Thomas. You've already met some pretty important people. I'm your pa, and I'm so excited you're here. I don't have a pa anymore, but I do have my ma, your grandma, who I'm sure you'll meet soon. Then there's your ma. And boy, she is the most incredible woman you'll ever meet. You're a lucky boy getting to be raised by a woman like her. Thomas, you have such a huge family, you have no idea how loved you already are. You are going to be just fine. If there's anything I've learned in this life, it's to follow your heart and the rest will follow suit."
I placed Thomas, who was already sound asleep, in his bassinet in our room, and then got into bed with Elizabeth. I stroked her hair and just watched her sleep so peacefully for a bit. In her sleep, she pulled me close to her, as I kissed her forehead, and drifted off to sleep myself, knowing things were changing, once again, for the better.
Author's Note: I thought having the birth involve the schoolhouse would be special. The saloon was where Elizabeth first got sick, the church was built after she was better, and the schoolhouse and library were built when things were finally falling into place. I hope you like the name I chose as well! Did you think the baby would be a boy or a girl (or did you read When Calls Goodbye, so you already knew)? Also, I know we currently both have little baby boys in Hope Valley, but don't you fret about that. Patience is most certainly a virtue ;)