Disclaimer: I do not own the characters within this story. All rights and much respect go to Crown Media, Hallmark, Brian Bird, Michael Landon, Jr., the actors, creators, and writers of the show "When Calls the Heart."

***Steam Alert…*** It may seem scorching for some, tepid for others. We are preparing for snow here and I have the fan on, so you can tell which category I fit into. Just a caution in case you want to bypass this one!

Chapter 28- Baby Talk

Recap of the end of Chapter 27…

They walked hand in hand toward the water. Their palms touched and they each felt the warmth pass through them as the sparks flew. His arm swept around her waist pulling her close, as her hand cradled the back of his head. The Taylor Swift song "You Are in Love" was playing softly through the stereo speaker, as they began swaying to the music.

"Morning, his place
Burnt toast, Sunday
You keep his shirt
He keeps his word
And for once you let go
Of your fears and your ghosts
One step, not much, but it said enough
You kissed on sidewalks
You fight and you talk
One night he wakes, strange look on his face
Pauses, then says, you're my best friend
And you knew what it was, he is in love

You can hear it in the silence, silence, you
You can feel it on the way home, way home, you
You can see it with the lights out, lights out
You are in love, true love…"

"Jack, this…all of this is just beautiful…it's magical," she whispered in his ear. "I guess this is what you had delivered from Lowe's," she stated as they both laughed softly.

Her warm breath sent shivers down his spine, as his hand moved up her back where her bare skin met the top of her dress.

His finger traced along her back, slipping a finger under the spaghetti strap as it slipped over her shoulder. His lips met her skin as they brushed across her collarbone, settling in on the sweet spot on her neck just below her ear. The soft moans which escaped her lips fueled the fire that was quickly building inside him. Their foreheads touched as he whispered, "It's been so long. I've missed you so much."

She teased him by running her teeth gently across her bottom lip. She knew that that always sparked something in him, and this time was no different.

The heat from his gaze left her feeling as though her clothes were being burned from her body. The caress of his lips on hers was summer warm and whisper soft. His breath quickened as he desperately whispered, "I want you. Elizabeth, I need you," and his lips met hers again, this time in a fiery connection, both passionate and hungry.

They separated slightly, eyes connected, each one realizing that at this moment, all they needed was the other. Her tongue gently traced up his neck, stopping as she pressed her lips behind his ear. He felt her warm breath on his skin as she whispered, "I've missed you…this. Make love to me, Jack."

Before she realized it, he had swept her up in his arms, carrying her to the oversize lounge by the fire pit. The temperature was comfortable, but the fire added warmth that wasn't needed but actually appreciated as their clothes came off and rested in a pile next to them.

Her skin tingled as his fingers worked their way over her body. The more she felt his touch, the more she needed him, the more she wanted him.

His lips captured hers; they were soft and tasted of mint. The kiss was deep and demanding as she found it difficult to catch her breath.

Her teeth gently nibbled on his bottom lip, toying with him, stoking the inferno that was raging inside. Their hearts pounded; their breathing was rapid and deep, as their bodies quickly melted together.

She could feel his muscles tighten as she ran her hands across his back. Her fingertips dancing down his spine elicited soft moans which passed through his lips. He found it difficult to get close enough to her. Even though they were skin to skin, he still needed to be closer.

His lips met hers; she sighed into his mouth and he lost control. His hand rested along her jaw line as his thumb stroked her cheek. His body strained with passion as he hovered over her, wanting nothing more than to have her completely consume him. Her body rose to meet his as their rapid breath and soft utterances seemed to swallow them.

They collapsed side by side into the soft cushion that was well worth whatever amount of money Jack had paid for it. Their arms and legs remained entwined as their breathing, first wild and erratic, slowly returned to a normal pace.

Jack pulled her body tight to his enjoying the feel of her skin upon his, "I love you so much."

She rested her arms on his chest as she rose up slightly. Her eyes met his, "I have never loved anyone or anything the way I love you. Thank you for coming to my rescue that day at school; for holding my heart so gently, and loving me so completely."

"I have a gift for you," he stated as he pulled a box out from under the lounge chair.

"When did you have the time?" She asked as she took from him the box of special Danucci chocolates that could only be found at a floral shop located an hour away.

"Anything for you," he stated as the box was opened and he gently fed her a piece.

She smiled and looked around. Taking in the soft beauty of her surroundings, she whispered, "Jack…I'm not a fan of the secrets, but I love the surprises. We're here. We're finally home!"

Now on to Chapter 28…

Three months later…

Elizabeth watched the buses leave the parking lot in caravan fashion with the kids squealing, thankful for the final day of the school year.

"Hey honey; how late will you be working today?" Elizabeth asked as she left school.

"I'm not sure; I'm working on paperwork that I need to file by tomorrow. I thought if I got it done today, maybe we could take a drive down to Nags Head tomorrow," he replied.

"Oh that sounds wonderful. I'm heading home, so I'll see you later…Love you," she happily remarked into the phone.

"I love you back," he quickly replied.

Jack returned to his stack of paperwork, hoping to complete it quickly.


Elizabeth arrived home and proceeded out to the barn to take care of her chores.

"Elizabeth…are you out here?" a voice called out from the front of the barn.

"I'm in the back stall," she replied. She walked to the stall door and glanced down the aisle way. "Stephanie, how are you doing?"

"Better than I was a few months ago," she replied. "How is Sophie doing?"

"Actually, I think she's doing great. We've been working on transitions, trotting fences, and getting the proper distances between jumps. Will you be able to ride soon?" Elizabeth asked, wondering in a roundabout way how much longer she would have Sophie at her barn.

"Well, the fact is…I don't know if I'm going to ride anymore," Stephanie stated as she leaned her crutch against the wall, and hung her arms over the stall door. "Before my accident, I was fearless. When she fell on me, I think I realized how easily she could have killed me, and I'm scared now. Maybe I could ride for pleasure, but not competitively."

"You must be healing nicely; you're down to one crutch," Elizabeth stated as she noticed the item leaning up against the stall wall.

"The break in my left leg isn't healing as quickly as it should, so I may need surgery again."

"WOW, I'm sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do to help you?"

"I know you didn't plan to have Sophie this long, but knowing that she's here with you taking care of her has really brought me some peace, so will you keep her until I decide what I want to do with her?"

"Sure, I enjoy riding her, and she and Bugsy are best buddies. So just let me know what you decide," Elizabeth replied.

Elizabeth was glad to see the cockiness and holier than thou attitude seemingly gone, but was disappointed to observe such sadness in Stephanie's eyes.

"Are you okay?" Elizabeth asked. "Is there anything I can do to help you besides take care of Sophie?"

"I'm just tired of doing nothing. I used to be able to come and go as I pleased. Now I'm dependent on people for everything."

"I'm sorry Stephanie, but you must be making progress; you are out of the hospital and down to one crutch. That's got to mean something," Elizabeth commented.

"I envy you."

"Me? You envy me, why?"

And suddenly the cockiness and holier than thou attitude returned, "You had the ability to have anything; the best horses; the best education, the best men, but yet you are satisfied settling…"

Elizabeth couldn't help but to chuckle as she interrupted, "Settled? Actually Stephanie, if you recall correctly, my horse beat yours in the Commonwealth Classic, so therefore he is the best. I have a college degree and I'm employed in a job I love, and as far as the men go…I am married to the best man I have ever known, so I consider myself extremely lucky."

"Elizabeth, I didn't mean anything by it," Stephanie stated attempting to smooth things over.

"Whether you did or you didn't, please don't question my choices in animals, employment and men. I'm happy in my life, and for every negative you throw at me, I can give you a hundred positives, and the bottom line is I'm happy. Can you say the same?"

As the words exited her mouth Elizabeth felt immediately remorseful, "I'm sorry, Stephanie. I know you've had a really bad go of it lately and I don't mean to bring you down farther, but you and I have never seen eye to eye on a lot of things. Maybe we should just leave it at that."

"I'm sorry too. The truth is I really do envy you. The fact is you have everything that I wish I had."

"Hey, you'll find it," Elizabeth made the comment, but wasn't so certain that it would come true.

"Ma'am, your father just called. They're waiting on you at home," Stephanie's driver, Justin, peaked in the barn and called out to her.

"I'll be right there," she yelled back before handing Elizabeth another check for this month's board. "Thank you for taking such good care of her. She looks great," and with the final compliment, she grabbed her crutch and hobbled down the aisle way.

Elizabeth finished her chores and headed for the house. Seeing that Jack wasn't home yet, she went back to take a shower.

"Honey, if I'm going to be off tomorrow, I won't leave here until after 9. Go ahead and eat and I'll pick up something here," Jack called while she was in the shower and when she didn't answer, he left a voicemail.


Fifteen minutes later she emerged from the bedroom wearing Jack's favorite negligee, a soft plum colored, lacey number that she hadn't worn for awhile.

Before pulling her dinner ingredients from the refrigerator she picked up the phone. Realizing that he would be late, she fixed herself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and disappointedly sat at the kitchen table.

Feeling bored, Elizabeth lay down on the sofa and watched TV with Onyx sleeping at her feet. Initially she was patient, looking forward to him coming home and celebrating the beginning of summer with her. However, as the evening faded into nighttime, her plans for a romantic evening seemed to disappear as she found herself unable to keep her eyes open.

Jack pulled into the driveway at 10:10pm, knowing that he should have called her, but then again 10:10 is after 9, so she shouldn't be too upset.

He opened the front door to a dark entryway, but he could see the flicker of candles coming from the den as he slowly entered. There on the sofa, curled up with Onyx asleep in the crook of her knees was Elizabeth, still dressed for her hoped for romantic evening.

He knelt down beside the sofa, "Honey, I'm home. Come on; let me get you back to bed."

"Huh… I'm sorry, I was waiting for you, but I'm so tired."

He helped her back to bed and then slipped into the bathroom. A few minutes later he emerged and slid under the covers with her. Although she was awake when he left the room, upon his return she was again asleep.

Jack pulled the covers up and over her shoulders as his body melted into hers. His arm slid around her waist and he pulled her closer to his chest. He felt her slow rhythmic breathing as his head shared her pillow.

He felt the lacey material of her negligee against his skin and silently reprimanded himself for not coming home earlier. He inhaled and the scent, her scent, of vanilla overpowered him. He closed his eyes and although he knew that it would not come easily, he eventually fell asleep.


Early the following morning Jack stretched and dropped his arm out beside him, assuming that, as usual, it would fall flat on the mattress. Elizabeth was always up early caring for the animals, giving Jack extra time to sleep.

This morning was different. It was 6:30am and Elizabeth was still in bed.

"Honey, are you feeling okay?" he asked as his arm hit Elizabeth's body.

"Hmm?" she moaned softly as she stretched, and her eyes refused to open. She yawned before asking, "What time is it?"

"Its 6:30, are you feeling okay?"

"Jack, it's my summer break. Can't I sleep in just one day?"

"Of course you can. I'm just not used to it. We can stay in bed all day if you want…"

"Well that sounds wonderful, but I guess, Bugsy, Sophie and Onyx can't feed themselves. Okay, I'm getting up," she stated as she pulled the covers away from her body and swung her feet around.

She quickly felt Jack's hands on her shoulders, "You lie back down and rest. I'm going out to take care of the animals. When I come back, maybe we can spend some time together?" It was a statement that came across more like a question.

She swung her feet back under the covers and rested her head on her pillow. His fingers brushed across her cheek as her tongue gently peaked out attempting to wet her lips.

"Maybe I can take care of the animals in a little while?" Again his statement sounded much more like a question. "Can they really tell time?" he released a soft breath which sounded much like laugh as his hands tracing along her body initially tickled her skin.

Before she even had a chance to provide a cheesy response, she was quickly lost in the moment as his warm breath brushed across her neck. The butterflies, which she had grown to appreciate but were not present previously, quickly gathered in her stomach.

He straddled her body as his lips gently and slowly moved from her cheek, along her jaw line and to her lips. "I love you," he whispered before their lips touched, gently at first, but the passion grew with each subsequent kiss.

Their bodies rolled from side to side, tossing the comforter to the floor as their hands and legs remained entwined in the silk sheet.

His lips met the skin on her shoulder as his fingers untied the straps of her negligee. She felt her skin tingle as each nerve ending came to life with the simple touch of his hand.

His hand traced along the outline of her body from her chest, along her waist, to her hips and down the outside of her left leg. As his hand moved back up her leg, he rolled the silky material between his fingers. She lifted her hips as the negligee was pulled up over her body and tossed on the floor. Her panties and his shorts quickly joined the negligee in a pile along with the discarded comforter.

As they lay skin to skin, the heat controlled them much like a California brush fire at the mercy of the Santa Ana winds. He whispered his need for her as his lips pressed firmly, giving everything he had to her and demanding the like from her in return.

His lips barely left hers before he had found another spot on her body previously untouched that demanded attention. She closed her eyes totally lost in his touch, totally lost in him.

His touch was warm and tender and although they were close, they each felt the need to be closer. With his hands on her arms, he rolled over, carrying her body with him.

Straddling her hips, she felt the full weight of his body upon her, holding her in place. His lips pressed hard against hers. The kiss was demanding and possessive as he cradled the back of her head, urging her closer. The soft moans that slipped passed her lips flooded his body, stoking the fire that was already burning through him.

Slipping his legs between hers he bent down; their eyes locked upon each other as she breathlessly whispered, "I want you…I want you now."

He needed no further encouragement as their bodies quickly became one. She rose up to meet him as their respiration, initially purposeful and deep, quickly became more rapid and shallow as they gave completely of themselves to the other.

Jack collapsed beside her in bed as each one felt completely spent, but truly loved and desired. His arm slipped behind her shoulders as he pulled her upper body across his chest.

She lay quietly listening to the loud pounding of his heart, initially concerned that it, like her own would burst from his chest.

As their breathing calmed, Jack pulled the sheet up over them, wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into his body.

"Not that this isn't wonderful, but I believe that you were going out to take care of the animals just before I allowed you to have you way with me," she teased.

"I believe that you were as much into this as I was, as I am," he stated as he rolled her over on her back and his lips again met hers with unbridled passion.

"WOW, do you ever tire out?"

"Not where you're concerned."

"Well, I'm sure that there will come a time when I will greatly appreciate your stamina, but right now the animals are waiting for breakfast, and I'm exhausted," she remarked as she pushed him toward the edge of the bed.

"Okay, okay, I'm going," he stated as he pulled the sheet away from his body, slipped on some clothes and headed for the door. He turned back around before leaving, "I guess this is what compromise is; I get what I want and so do you."

"It doesn't always work out that way. Its give and take, I win out because I thoroughly enjoyed making love to you, and now I get to stay in bed while you take care of the animals. It's a win-win for me…" she giggled.

"I'll be back in a little while. Do you still want to ride out to Nags Head for the day?" he asked.

"I sure do. I'll have breakfast ready when you come back inside."

"Deal…" and with that he was out the door and headed for the barn.

Elizabeth closed her eyes for a few minutes which seemed to somehow stretch into an hour. She slid out of bed and slipped into her warm, fuzzy bathrobe. She sat at her desk, pulled open the drawer and retrieved her journal and favorite writing pen. She glanced at their clothing and bedding on the floor and smiled.


Elizabeth headed for the kitchen to fix breakfast. The smell of coffee captivated her as soon as she opened the bedroom door. The smell and sizzle of the bacon drew her in completely as she quietly walked up behind Jack and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Mmm, smells good."

"I thought you'd enjoy bacon this morning."

"I actually meant you."

Jack removed the pan from the stove and turned around to face her.

"I was going to fix breakfast," she added before his lips met hers.

"You worked hard this morning so I thought I'd let you sleep a little longer."

"I didn't work any harder than you."

Jack's smile broadened as his eyebrows arched, "Speaking of hard."

"Jack Thornton…"

"I'm sorry, that was kinda crude."

"But apparently true."

Jack's hands under her arms lifted her onto the counter as her robe was quickly untied and slipped over her shoulders, "I just can't get enough of you."

Her legs were wrapped around his waist; her arms were around his neck as he carried her back to bed. They were quickly lost in each other, totally forgetting the plans they'd had for the day.

Several hours later he woke, his arms still wrapped around her, holding her tight to his chest.

He brushed the hair away from her neck and pressed his lips to her ear, "Wake up sleepy head."

"This is what I call a great beginning to my summer break," she stated as she snuggled in deeper against his body, as if that were even possible.

"Do you want to go to Nags Head?" he asked.

"Well, from what I can tell it's a beautiful day. Let's go," she replied.


An hour later they were walking through "Brew Thru" finding a t-shirt to commemorate the beginning of summer break and their wonderful day together.

They parked the Jeep and walked along the beach holding hands, quiet but each one thankful for what they had in the other. They sat on a bench and watched the people and families stroll passed.

Elizabeth brought it to Jack's attention several times when she observed a family with children or a pregnant woman walk by. She was slightly disappointed when he didn't seem as enthusiastic as she was about the prospects of children this soon in their marriage, and even commented that it was lucky that she was on birth control.

On the way home, Jack stopped off at Pamlico Jack's and picked up specialty burgers for dinner.

Once at home they sat at the table across from each other, close enough to hold hands, yet they never touched. They ate dinner and talked about their fun at the beach. However, every time Elizabeth brought up the children they'd seen, Jack seemed to quickly change the subject.

"Jack, why do you keep changing the subject when I bring up kids?" she asked.

"Elizabeth, I'm just selfish I guess. I enjoy the practicing," he snickered.

"Jack, I'm being serious. You said before that you wanted kids and now you not only seem hesitant, but you slam on the brakes when the subject comes up."

"There will be plenty of time for kids, Elizabeth," he stated. He reached over and took her hands in his, "I love you and I want to have children with you, but I want to wait a while longer. I really enjoy the fact that it's just the two of us right now. I guess it's a good thing that you're on birth control."

"Yes, you mentioned that several times today."

"You are still taking The Pill, right?"

She looked at him as if she couldn't believe the words, questioning her veracity had actually passed through his lips. "Are you serious Jack? Do you really feel the need to ask me that?"

"I'm sorry; it was a poor attempt at a joke."

Elizabeth got up from the table and cleared away their plates. As she stood at the counter attempting to compose herself he walked up behind her.

Jack put his arms around her waist, "I'm sorry; I know this is important to you. If this is what you want, then let's do it."

She turned around to face him as her hand wiped her eyes and brushed away the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks. "Jack, I love you and I would never put you in that situation. I want a baby, but if you aren't ready then we'll wait. That is as long as you'll consider it at some point."

"I definitely will consider it. Maybe next year?"

"Okay, I'll try not to bring up the subject again until you're ready."

She let the topic of children drop figuring that it was a subject that needed to be willingly agreed upon by both. They sat on the sofa enjoying a movie until he felt her body soften against him.

"Are you tired?" he asked.

"A little," she sleepily replied.

"Why don't you go to bed, and I'll be there in a little while," he responded as he kissed her forehead before she slowly lifted herself from the sofa and headed to the bedroom.


Elizabeth walked over to her desk and removed her journal from the top drawer. She sat in the oversized comfortable chair by the window and glanced out into the backyard, mesmerized by the lights in the pools.

She eventually opened her journal and flipped to the next blank page. She sat momentarily trying to organize her thoughts and feelings. With her pen in hand, she did her best to convey her feelings onto the blank canvas…

"When I was a youngster, I recall my mother telling us children when we begged for something, that we were 'old enough for our wants not to hurt us.' Back then I didn't understand what she meant, but through the years I have come to realize that there are things we want, things we desire, and things that will truly make our lives complete, most of which will still not kill us if not satisfied.

At this stage in my life, children are anticipated, possibly even expected. But is that really what I want, or do I simply feel left out because most everyone I know has a child or is expecting one?

For some people having children is a foregone conclusion, but for others it may not be as clear-cut. So, in which category do I fall? To determine that, I ask myself these important questions…

1- Why do I, or don't I want children? In asking this question I feel that it's okay, normal and appropriate actually to worry about how the inclusion of children into our 'family' will impact our life and marriage. I am one who believes that love multiplies and with a partner who has the same familial direction it does not divide. I feel that I'm not on the fence here; I'm firmly standing on the side of want, and I believe that a child, children will enhance the life we've been given.

2- Do I feel secure? The answer to this question relates to many facets of my life: financially, emotionally, and spiritually. Jack and I are financially secure, emotionally stable and spiritually sound. Next question…

3- Is it possible to love someone else more than I love myself? On the surface this is undoubtedly the easiest question as I already do. Jack is the single most important person in my life, but am I prepared to have a child, our child, take over his place in my heart? WOW, answering a question with a question. The answer may not yet be clear-cut, but I believe this too will resolve itself once our child, a blending of us and our love for each other is held in my arms.

4- Am I ready? Am I prepared at this age and stage in my life to commit myself emotionally and physically to having a child in addition to taking care of my other responsibilities? I feel that fear and questioning my readiness is actually quite healthy. Being afraid can be a great motivating force to inspire me to be a better parent. However, the length and strength of any uncertainty will speak volumes when contemplating this question.

5- Will my life change? I'm certain that some aspects will be different, but in truth I will be the same woman I have always been. The difference comes in when adding another label to my list of identifiers: friend, sister, daughter, teacher, employee, wife, lover and finally mother, but not specifically in that order.

However, as a wife, I cannot make this decision alone. Jack, his thoughts, feelings, fears, and apprehensions, are equally important to my own. Compromise is essential in any relationship and has the possibility of being a great thing, at least for one person. However, it often means two people agreeing, at least in part, to something that one wants but the other doesn't. There is give and take; for every gain, you lose something, and with every loss, you gain something. Therefore, compromise is truly not about losing. It is more about realizing that the other person in the equation has just as much right to be happy as you do. Using pressure to change their mind is both insensitive and counterproductive, leaving each person open to unresolved feelings.

Therefore, in agreeing to compromise, you need to be content with whatever the final outcome, because at that point, you've given your word, and there is no going back."

Elizabeth placed her journal back in the drawer, slipped into her shorts and t-shirt and slid under the covers. Assuming that Jack was possibly angry with her over all the "Baby talk" since he had not yet come to bed, she rolled over with her back toward the door and fell asleep.


Weeks passed and Elizabeth quickly found her summer vacation seemingly flying by. During her time at home she settled into domestic life. In the morning she began by cleaning house, washing clothes, preparing meals in the crock pot, and taking on the complete responsibilities for all of the animals, including training the horses. The topic of having a baby became much like the child's game of "Hot Potato," with neither one wanting to start an argument.

Although Stephanie didn't appear to be interested in riding any longer, she came out several days a week to watch Elizabeth train Sophie, and today was one of those times.

Elizabeth warmed up; working on transitions and exercises to strengthen Sophie's bending ability.

"I want to see her jump," Stephanie yelled. "Come on, she's warmed up enough."

Hearing noises, sounding much like gunshots in the woods, Elizabeth felt the nerves in the horse underneath her as if they were right on the surface, preparing to explode like the cork on a champagne bottle.

"She's not ready yet, besides the noise is upsetting her," Elizabeth yelled from across the ring.

"I have a doctor's appointment and I have to leave. I can't wait any longer," Stephanie yelled back.

Having had enough, Elizabeth set up a few cavaletti poles before a 2' jump set a few strides away.

Elizabeth walked Sophie to the railing and picked up a trot. Everything was quiet until Elizabeth reached the second cavaletti pole at which time the apparent gunfire began again.

Startled by the noise, Sophie scooted, hitting one of the poles with her foot and tripping before she attempted to clear the jump. The standard fell over hitting Sophie on the side. The poles seemed to dance and fall, landing in a pile looking much like a child's Pick up Stix game as Sophie took off bucking.

Having initially lost her reins, the horse was well out of her control by the time she retrieved them. The next thing Elizabeth knew, Sophie had peeled her off on the fence and she lay in the sand clutching her leg.

"Are you okay?" Stephanie yelled before sending her driver out to help Elizabeth.

"I'll be fine. I just need to sit here for a minute," she stated as she felt intense pain in her ankle and shooting up through her leg.

Stephanie's driver, Justin, grabbed Sophie, untacked her and turned her out in the field. As Elizabeth protested, he picked her up and carried her to their limo for a ride to the emergency room.

Elizabeth attempted to reach Jack, but found herself repeatedly directed to his voicemail. In pain and aggravated she eventually left him a message.


She was finally taken back to a room and examined. To confirm that nothing was broken an x-ray was ordered.

"Is there any chance that you're pregnant?" Dr. Bolton asked.

"No, I'm on The Pill," she replied.

"Are you sexually active?" he replied.

"Uh yes, that's why I'm on birth control."

"Okay, we can x-ray your leg, but we still need to run a pregnancy test. We want to make certain that we prescribe something for pain that's safe for you and the baby…if there is one."

Feeling the pain in her leg, and the irritation at not being able to reach Jack she snapped back, "Excuse me, I told you that I'm on The Pill. Not pregnant."

"Yes ma'am, I understand, but unless you abstain from sex, there is a chance that you could still be pregnant."

Obviously not if Jack has anything to say about it…

The pregnancy test was run, and Elizabeth was wheeled up to x-ray. On the table beside her hospital bed her phone sat, ringing incessantly.


Jack sat in traffic, continually calling Elizabeth and the hospital seeking information. Elizabeth didn't answer, and the hospital had no information that they could provide.

Thirty minutes later Dr. Bolton returned to the room. "I need to talk with you and your husband about something…"

"Is something wrong?" she asked. "Oh no, it's broken, isn't it?"

"No, it isn't. Is your husband on his way?"

"So, is something else wrong?" she asked, oblivious to his latest question.

"No, but I guess that depends on how you feel about the news I have for you."

"Dr. Bolton I'm already nervous; what is it?"

"Well, Mrs. Thornton, apparently you weren't aware of the fact that you actually are pregnant. I'd say maybe a month or so along."

"What? How can that be?" she asked.

"Did you take every pill?"

"Yes, of course I did."

"Did you take them at the same time every day?"

"You had to do that? No one ever told me that."

"The Pill is designed to maintain a constant level of hormones in your body. If you take one in the morning today, but don't take the next one until tomorrow night your hormone levels can drop quickly. Depending on where you are in your cycle, this may actually cause you to ovulate," Dr. Bolton explained. "Have you heard from your husband?"

"No, but I left him a message."

"Well, I'm sure that you can talk this over with your OB-GYN, but if your husband has any questions, just let me know."

The x-ray showed that Elizabeth was suffering from a severe sprained ankle. She was ordered to keep it elevated, ice packs for swelling, and ibuprofen for pain.

"My phone…where's my phone?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Mrs. Thornton. When you were having you x-ray done, you left it on the table. I didn't want anything to happen to it, so it's at the nurse's station," her nurse responded. "I'll go get it and be right back."


The hospital provided her with a pair of crutches and she was on her way to the elevator when Jack sprinted off as the door opened.

He wrapped her in a hug, "Are you alright?"

She seemed preoccupied, "It's just a sprain. Can we go home please; we can talk there."

Jack pulled his truck up to the ER entrance and ran back inside to help her out.

"Is something wrong?" he asked as she stared out the window. "I'm sorry that I wasn't here earlier."

Oblivious to his question she asked her own, "Where were you today?"

Worried and upset at not being with Elizabeth when she needed him, he seemed to take out his frustration on anyone and everything. "I'm sorry. When I finished my shift I was in the precinct and because no one else wanted to do any work, a pile of paperwork for the new program we're starting was dropped in my lap."

"Where was your phone?"

Hearing contempt in her voice he began to explain, "I was trying to get stuff done so I could get home to you when a family came in screaming."

Although she was listening, her eyes were diverted out the window.

He continued, and at this point he started to ramble, "Man they were loud, and well, they wanted to file a complaint about something. There were several kids and a baby with the man and woman, and not one but all of them were screaming. They were so loud, I wouldn't have been able to hear my phone if it had been positioned next to my ear."

Jack finally took a breath, a frustrated breath, "I tell you what, I'm glad we decided to wait on having a baby, because that couple looked completely frazzled. So, what did the doctor say?"

"Nothing's broken…"

To be continued…