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." Any real people or places noted in the chapter are just there for storyline purposes.
Chapter 32- Flour Child
NOTE #1: **STEAM ALERT**If you don't like steam, keep moving…
NOTE #2: There will be a few pictures posted on the facebook fan fiction pages.
Six Months Later…
Elizabeth lay in bed, the alarm on her clock radio was blaring, but she still felt exhausted and had little energy to even shut it off.
Then she felt it; the fluttering sensation that she'd been told about; that movement in her stomach that had her realizing, as if she didn't already know, she was no longer alone in her own body.
She sat up in bed and called out for Jack. Realizing that he had worked an uncharacteristic night shift for a patrolman whose wife had just delivered their fourth child, she released a disappointed breath and fell back in bed.
Reaching for her phone from the bedside table, she dialed his number but her second disappointment came when she reached his voicemail.
Deciding that it would be so much better to tell him this information in person she simply disconnected the call. Lying back in bed her hands moved over her stomach feeling both excited and nervous about her growing belly.
Although she'd previously felt what she assumed was movement from the baby, there was definitely no mistaking the feeling she experienced this morning, and she was overcome with emotion.
Sitting up in bed, she pulled her journal from her bedside table, opened its leather bound cover, flipped to the next blank page and began to express her appreciation, excitement and enthusiasm onto the blank canvas…
"I write this for you from the depths of my soul.
You entered my life and have made my world whole.
Such a blessing you are, what an awesome task,
To be chosen by God is more than I could ask.
I close my eyes, and you're there in my mind,
With such bright eyes and a smile that is so kind.
As you flutter and flip; I would never have guessed,
To be your mother; I already feel blessed.
I pray that you inherit your father's ability to forgive.
That like him you will be loving, kind and acceptive.
I hope that you have his heart and the understanding to be real.
That you will grow up to be like him, unafraid to express how you feel.
I tend to be emotional, those feelings too I want you to share.
Don't ever be embarrassed as your tears show that you care.
Above all I wish for your daddy and me to impart,
The concept of love, respect, empathy and heart.
So you, my little one, whether a girl or a boy,
I want you to know that you've already brought us such joy."
As Elizabeth read over her entry she thought about the precious gift that was growing inside her, the hopes and dreams for his or her future and the responsibility that parenthood carried. At the bottom of the page, she continued her journal entry…
"As we think about expanding our family, we must realize that parenthood is about loving, raising and celebrating the child we were given, and not the one we dreamed we'd have. The entire process is about accepting and understanding the child as who he or she is meant to be without pushing upon them our hopes and dreams for their future. But remember, children will watch everything you do, and will almost always follow your example before they take your advice."
She closed her journal and slipped it back into her bedside table for safe keeping.
An hour and thirty minutes later, Elizabeth sat in the school auditorium doing her best to pay attention to the guest speakers who were brought in for the teacher work day. Ordinarily, topics like "Tools for Struggling Students, Extending Learning Beyond the 4 Classroom Walls, and Leadership Without Fear" would hold her interest, but not today.
Preoccupied, all Elizabeth could think about was the fluttering in her stomach; the one pair of pants and two dresses she went through before finding something that fit her; and the fact that between yesterday and today, someone must have moved her driver's seat up closer to the steering wheel… that was truly the only plausible explanation.
Sitting in an empty classroom, her phone finally rang. Jack's handsome face appeared on the screen, but with Elizabeth nowhere in sight, it went unanswered as it lay resting on top of a stack of books on her desk.
"Good morning this is Mrs. Randall, may I help you?" a call came into Elizabeth's elementary school and was directed to the main office.
"Hi Mrs. Randall; this is Jack Thornton."
"Good morning Jack, how are you?"
"I'm fine, thank you, and you?" Jack was trying to hurry with the pleasantries.
"I'm fine. What can I do for you?"
"I had to work last night and Elizabeth called me this morning but I missed her call. I'm just worried about her."
"Oh Jack, she's fine. I just saw her about thirty minutes ago walking toward the auditorium for the morning program."
"And she was okay?"
"Yes, she was fine."
"Okay thank you so much."
"Do you want me to tell her you called?"
"No, that's okay. Thank you again, and you have a nice day."
"You too Jack."
On the other side of the massive school building, Elizabeth sat amid teachers from all over Virginia Beach. Elementary, middle and high school teachers with varying expertise joined together for morning seminars and would again join after lunch for afternoon workshops.
As she sat amongst her grade level co-workers, her hand was planted firmly on her abdomen. She paid little attention to the keynote speaker, School Superintendent Helen Spangler, as all of her attention was devoted to the internal fluttering that she continued to experience.
She kept praying that a strong kick would knock against her hand, moving it somewhat so she would be better able to describe to Jack how it felt against her palm. Sadly, with this being the first true movement she'd felt, she knew that it would be a while longer before Jack would be able to experience the true magic of this stage in her pregnancy.
"Elizabeth…Elizabeth," her co-worker Darlene called out, "It's over; we can leave. You are going to lunch with us, aren't you?"
"I can't; I have a doctor's appointment," she offered.
"Is Jack meeting you?" Darlene asked.
"No, the doctor's office called me yesterday and needed to reschedule my appointment for next week. I didn't even tell him about it. He worked last night and he needs his sleep. It's just a check up so nothing major."
Elizabeth grabbed her purse from the floor. Pulling her car keys from her bag she added, "I need to get going so I can get back for the afternoon workshops."
"What workshop are you in this afternoon?" Darlene asked.
"The Marvels of Math," she replied. "I'm hoping there's something in the workshop that can make math fun for the kids…oh who am I kidding, for me too," she joked.
"Okay, well good luck at the doctor and I'll see you when you get back. Do you want me to bring you something back for lunch?" Darlene asked.
"I appreciate the offer, but Jack packed me a lunch before he left for work," she replied.
Elizabeth headed out the door, squeezed behind the steering wheel of her car, wondering why it wasn't like that yesterday, and was leaving the parking lot before her co-workers left the building.
As Elizabeth's co-workers piled into Darlene's van, she observed Jack pull in and park near them.
"You just missed her," Darlene yelled out causing Jack to stop and walk over to her van.
"Just missed her… I'm sorry; hi Darlene…ladies," he nodded his head to the other women in the van. "Isn't this a full work day? I was hoping to have lunch with her," he added as he held up his Subway bag and a cupcake box from "Incredibly Delicious."
"She told me that you had packed her lunch. You are a sweet husband," Darlene commented.
"I'm the lucky one. So, where is she?" he asked.
"She just left a few minutes ago for a doctor's appointment."
"A doctor's appointment? Why didn't she tell me; is something wrong?"
Darlene heard a change in his voice, a shakiness, as his expression quickly became worried."
"No Jack; she just said it was a check up and she didn't tell you because you'd worked last night and needed to sleep," Darlene quickly advised.
"Thank you," Jack called out as he sprinted back to his truck.
Immediately, the conversation in the vehicle changed from plans for the weekend to four of the five women, Darlene excluded, drooling over Jack and wishing that their husbands or boyfriends were as attentive to them as he was to Elizabeth.
Sitting in the doctor's office, Elizabeth was shocked when the door opened and Jack strolled inside.
"What are you doing here?" she called out as he took a seat in the crowded waiting room beside her.
"I could ask you the same thing. Why didn't you tell me that you had an appointment?" he whispered.
"It's just a check up and I knew you needed some sleep."
"What I need is to be here with you. So please, don't keep your appointments from me, okay?" he asked in a soft, loving tone.
"Okay; I'm sorry."
"No need to be sorry. I know you did it for the right reasons, but…"
"Wait, how did you know I was here?"
"I went by the school to have lunch with you and Darlene and some of the other teachers were leaving."
"Oh right, they asked me to join them for lunch, but my handsome husband had packed mine for me."
Elizabeth was called back into the examining room. With Jack holding her hand, her doctor found Elizabeth's pregnancy to be progressing normally.
"I felt fluttering this morning," she advised her doctor.
"You did?" Jack blurted out.
Elizabeth turned her head toward Jack, "I tried to call you this morning, but I got your phone mail, and I didn't want to tell you that in a message."
Her doctor stood back and watched as Jack fawned over Elizabeth, seemingly in a world all of their own.
She was given another appointment for the following month and sent on her way.
Standing out in the parking lot, Jack opened Elizabeth's car door, "Do you have time for lunch?" he asked as she slipped inside behind the wheel.
Elizabeth reached down and nonchalantly adjusted her seat, wanting to assume that it was the fullness of her puffy jacket that made her feel crammed behind the wheel, but realizing that it was her expanding tummy.
"I'd love to, but I need to get back to school. I have a math workshop this afternoon."
"How about I take you out to dinner tonight; you chose, whatever you feel like," he offered.
"I appreciate the thought, but I really don't have anything to wear. I went through a bunch of my things before I found this to wear today. I feel like I blew up over night."
As a thought entered his head, he leaned into her open door, "Okay, then I'll see you at home," and he kissed her goodbye.
Jack followed her back toward school, turning away a mile before her destination in order to run errands.
Elizabeth walked back into school and took her seat in the gym with her co-workers, waiting on the math workshop to begin.
"Did your doctor's appointment go okay?" Darlene asked.
"Yes, and Jack showed up."
"I figured he was on his way when he left here. You're a lucky girl."
"I know; he's a wonderful man."
Sitting back in her seat listening to her own stomach growl, she heard several of her friends talking. Ordinarily the gym was loud and she could barely hear the person seated right beside her, but on this occasion, it was very quiet.
The women were not speaking about her; however, their comments indirectly affected her…
"Do you remember what it was like when you were pregnant?" Martha, sitting directly behind Elizabeth asked Morgan, who was seated beside her.
"Do I ever. I thought that was the beginning of our problems. He never said anything, but when my body started changing, we drifted apart. I don't know about you, but I just didn't feel beautiful," Morgan replied.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to bring that up," Martha replied as the increased noise made it more difficult to hear.
"That was years ago; besides, we had problems before I got pregnant; it's just that neither of us realized it," Morgan explained, barely being heard over the surrounding conversations.
An announcement was made directing everyone to their respective afternoon workshops. Elizabeth and her co-workers said their goodbyes and headed in their separate ways.
Walking down the hall alone, she erroneously felt eyes upon her as she passed teachers heading in the opposite direction. Feeling as though her stomach reached the room before she did also added to her distorted view of what was real.
Finding it odd that she was alone, she felt a little better when another teacher from a different school walked into the room. She walked over to a table, grabbed her notebook and started for the door, turning back to address Elizabeth, "Are you here for the math workshop?"
"Yes, but it looks like I'm the only one," Elizabeth replied.
"Well actually, I was signed up too, and went looking for someone because I was the only person in here. The person who was doing the workshop had to cancel, so I was told just to pick another one."
"Oh WOW, I don't even know what the other workshops are," Elizabeth commented as she reached into her bag looking for the flyer which described each one.
"Well, if you don't have any preference, I see you're pregnant…so am I. Anyway there is a life skills workshop taught by one of the high school teachers. Would you care to join me?"
Elizabeth stood up, gathered her belongings and responded, "Sure; hopefully there will be some child care information available."
As they walked down the hall the woman turned to Elizabeth, "I'm Cheryl Broward; I work at Holland Road Elementary School."
"Hi, it's nice to meet you. I'm Elizabeth Thornton, and I teach here."
"Is this your first pregnancy?" Cheryl asked.
"Yes, and you?" Elizabeth replied as they walked into the cafeteria and joined a large group of women who took up two long tables.
"Yes; my husband and I found out last week, so it's real new to me."
"I'm 6 months along…excited, and scared too," Elizabeth admitted as they took their seats.
As elementary school teachers, Elizabeth and Cheryl were not expecting to use the information obtained in the workshop in their classroom. However, when the instructor, Hillary Gallagher began discussing pregnancy and responsibilities of parenthood, they both were all ears.
Hillary discussed giving her students a five pound bag of flour which they were required to take with them everywhere. Tears in the packaging and a bag weighing less than the original five pounds would warrant a reduced or failing grade.
Back at the farm, Jack pulled into the driveway two hours later. He carried several packages into the house, laid things on the bed, and finally stretched out on the sofa to take a nap.
As the workshop came to an end, Elizabeth exchanged numbers with Cheryl. They said their goodbyes and headed out into the parking lot.
"Hey Elizabeth," Darlene called out.
"Oh hey, how was your workshop?" Elizabeth asked.
"It was okay…no, who am I kidding; your math one was probably better."
Well actually, the math workshop was cancelled, so I sat in on a life skills group and it was pretty good," Elizabeth advised. Somewhat excited about the information she'd obtained, she continued to explain, "You know when they used to give kids an egg or a special doll that they had to care for?"
"I've never participated, but I've heard of it before," Darlene acknowledged.
"Well, this teacher uses a five pound bag of flour…."
"Hmm, that's different; it's potentially kind of messy."
"Well, true…but I'm going by the store and grab me one. Maybe by the time this little one comes, I'll be prepared," Elizabeth responded as they reached her car. She unlocked the door and slipped inside.
"It's Friday night. Do you and Jack have some romantic plans for the evening?" Darlene asked.
"Hmm, not likely. He wants to take me out for dinner, but I look like a beached whale. He says that I'm beautiful, but I just don't feel it. Sadly I believe romantic nights are over for me for awhile."
Darlene leaned in Elizabeth's open car window, "Do you remember when I was pregnant with Scarlet?"
"I sure do; you glowed, and you seemed to glide when you moved. You carried her so gracefully," Elizabeth responded. "But you and I are different. I don't feel graceful, and I just don't feel beautiful. I'm tired all of the time and all of the work at home falls on Jack."
"What do you mean?"
"The horses; he didn't sign up for that, but he doesn't want me taking a chance of getting hurt, so he's feeding and turning out and mucking stalls…certainly not what he signed up for.
"Elizabeth, I've seen Jack; he's no worse for wear, and the look on his face today when he showed up to surprise you for lunch; you are one lucky girl."
"Oh, I know I'm lucky; I just don't know that he is."
"Elizabeth, you are so beautiful, and I'll bet Jack loves you more now than before."
"Of course he does; there's so much more of me to love."
"That's not what I meant."
"I know, and don't get me wrong," she lovingly placed her hands on her abdomen; "I love this little one and will do whatever I need to do to get him or her here safely. I'm just tired all the time, and I have no clothes that really fit me. I even had to move the seat back in here, because the steering wheel was dragging along my belly."
"Well, I've been where you are, no clothes that fit, big belly and all. Trust me when I say that all of this will pass and it won't even matter when you are holding that bundle of joy in your arms," Darlene's voice was comforting. "You go and have a nice evening with Jack. I'll see you on Monday."
Elizabeth pulled out of the parking lot and headed home. Once she arrived, she found Jack asleep on the sofa. She kissed his forehead before walking back to the master bedroom.
In the middle of their room she stood, stunned at the sight before her. Lying across their bed was a pair of black, boot cut slacks, a grey babydoll sweater, a jade colored cowl neck sweater, a pair of jeans, and a thigh length camel colored coat, all of which were maternity styled. Sitting beside the clothes were two pairs of flat shoes, and a small jewelry box.
Overcome with emotion, Elizabeth sat on the side of their bed and cried.
Hearing a noise, Jack was jolted awake. Doing his best to open his eyes, he again heard the noise, jumped up and ran toward it, back to their bedroom.
Standing in the doorway he saw her sitting on the bed crying, "Honey, what's wrong," he called out as he approached and squatted down in front of her. "I'm sorry; I can take the stuff back if you don't like them."
"I love them, and I love you," she managed to reply through her ragged breath.
"Did you see this?" he asked as he picked up the small velvet jewelry box. He sat beside her on the bed and opened the box to reveal a pair of heart shaped diamond earrings.
Her lips met his; he felt their warmth, but noticed how they tasted salty from the tears that had previously fallen.
He brushed several stands of hair away from her eyes, "Do you feel like going out?"
"I guess we should. I hate that you went to all this trouble and then we don't go out."
"If you don't feel like it, that's okay; we can stay home," his eyes twinkled and his smile broadened.
"But you went to all this trouble; I want you to know how much I appreciate it; how much I appreciate you."
"Well, you know there are other ways you can show me how much you appreciate me," he whispered, as his lips found their way along her neck, stopping to pay particular attention to the soft skin just below her left ear.
Jack leaned back slightly, "I did get you another gift, but it's actually more for me…"
Seemingly confused, she asked, "What is it?"
"Jack got up from the bed and walked to the closet. Pulling a box from the shelf he walked back and handed it to her. "Go ahead; open it."
Elizabeth pulled the lid from the box and found a beautiful, negligee with a lacey pink bodice. As she removed it from the box, she observed another item. She sat the negligee beside her before pulling out a beautiful blush colored free flowing camisole and a pair of grey maternity lounge pants.
"Do you like them?"
"Feeling overly hormonal, her tears flowed freely, "You are such a wonderful man, and all I did today was complain; I'm sorry; I love you so much."
"I love you; I just want to make you happy," he whispered as he leaned in, kissed her cheek and took a seat beside her. "Whoa, what's this?" he asked as he jumped back up reaching over and picking up a bag of flour that was sitting beside her.
"That's our baby…"
"Excuse me?"
"It's an exercise in caring for babies. Hopefully by the time the baby arrives I'll feel more comfortable taking care of her."
"Or him…"
"Either way, and it doesn't matter to me if it's a boy with your cute nose…"
"Or a girl with your beautiful eyes…" he blurted out.
"Oh what was I saying? Oh yea, I have to carry this sack of flour around wherever I go, pretending like it's our baby. I'm calling her Daisy."
"Did you put a face on it and dress it up?" he asked with a soft laugh.
"Jack, I can't have the baby outside naked, and she needs to be able to see."
"You're really serious?"
"Of course I am. You've heard of parents who go to work and forget to drop their child off at day care; well, I won't be one of them," she was serious, but her actions left Jack laughing softly on the inside.
Elizabeth grabbed her phone and pulled up a news app, "See this…this woman went to a bar and left her baby in the car. She forgot about him."
"Honey, she went to a bar, she didn't forget about him; a drink was more important than her baby. She's got a problem…"
"I guess you're right. Well, I'm not going to a bar, but I won't be forgetting my baby no matter where I go. This baby will be attached to me. I won't let this sack out of my sight."
Jack scooted closer, "I can appreciate your concern, but honey, we won't be like those people who forget their babies."
"I know you're right, but I just thought it would be great practice."
"Did you eat lunch today?" he asked, remembering that he'd packed it for her the night before.
"I took it with me, but the only thing I was able to eat was the apple on my way back to work."
"You've only eaten an apple today? Did you eat breakfast?"
"I had some blueberry yogurt."
"Blueberry yogurt and an apple is all you've had today? Honey, you need to eat. Let me take you out for dinner."
"Is it okay if we go to Pizza Hut? I want a pizza with anchovies and pineapple."
The thought of anchovies caused his stomach to churn but he responded, "Anything for you."
"Okay give me a few minutes to change," she advised.
Jack kissed her forehead before leaving the room. He went outside and turned the horses into the barn where he'd previously dropped the grain and hay, and had filled up the water buckets for dinner.
When he stepped back inside, Elizabeth was talking with Onyx about Daisy and the need to keep "her" safe.
Walking into the den, Jack observed Elizabeth rushing back to the bedroom. "What's wrong," he called out.
"I forgot the baby," she yelled back, returning a minute later with the Daisy in her arms.
They walked to the door, "Are you taking the flour?" he asked.
"I have to. You aren't embarrassed of our baby, are you?" she teased.
"Absolutely not. You need food, so let's go," he opened the door and out to the driveway they went.
They pulled into the Pizza Hut parking lot and found it to be the usually crowded Friday night place to eat. She sat the sack of flour in a booster seat at their table.
"Do you teach life skills?" the waitress asked.
"No, just pregnant, so I thought I'd try this out."
"My daughter took a life skills class and it was funny all of the places she had to take that sack of flour. It was almost like that "Flat Stanley" thing, because they had to take pictures of the places they went to show that it was with them."
Following dinner, which consisted of salad and a medium pizza with ½ supreme, and ½ pineapple, mushrooms, ham and extra cheese (Elizabeth chickened out on the addition of anchovies), Jack paid the bill and carried their leftover pizza in a box out to their car.
As he was stood by her door while Elizabeth snapped her seatbelt, the waitress rushed outside, "You forgot this," she called out to gain their attention as she approached with their "Daisy."
Elizabeth took Daisy from her hands, thanked her and then turned away, embarrassed that she had already forgotten their "child" twice in the past two hours.
She and Jack hadn't purchased a car seat yet, so Daisy was placed in front of the middle console.
"Did you get enough to eat?" he asked.
"Jack, doesn't it bother you that I have already forgotten our baby twice?"
"Honey, it's not a real baby. You aren't going to forget our baby; I'm sure of that."
"But Jack…"
"Elizabeth, don't be so hard on yourself. All of this is new. You'll get the hang of it," he stated, doing his best to reassure her. "Now, did you get enough to eat?"
"I did; thank you," she stated as she leaned back against the headrest, and shortly before they pulled into their driveway, Elizabeth was asleep.
"Honey, we're home," he whispered as he put the car in park and shut off the engine. He leaned over and kissed her forehead but she never stirred.
Jack got out and walked around to the passenger side of the car, opened the door, and unsnapped her seatbelt, waking her in the process. "We're home. Let's go inside so you can get in bed."
Jack helped her inside, leaving her in the bedroom while he went out and checked on the horses, taking Onyx with him.
Twenty minutes later Jack stepped back inside and caught a glimpse of Elizabeth rushing through the foyer to the front door.
"Elizabeth…" Jack called out, "What are you doing?"
"I'll be right back."
"I already brought the pizza inside."
"Okay, be back in a minute."
She walked back inside two minutes later carrying Daisy on one hip. Passing Jack who was standing in the foyer, she commented, "Third time's a charm. I'll get the hang of this…I hope."
Jack walked with Elizabeth back to their bedroom. "Are you tired?" he asked.
"I was, but I believe I have my second wind. What did you have in mind?" she teased.
"Well, you said something earlier about appreciating me…"
"I do appreciate you."
"Well, if you aren't too tired, you could show me how much you appreciate me."
Feeling it contradictory to be self conscious about her body, but realizing that she had an increased sexual appetite, she remarked, "Let the appreciation begin…"
With no crib in their room, she temporarily placed Daisy on the dresser and slid into bed wearing the lounge pants and camisole that he'd gifted her. She took a deep breath and waited for him to lock up the house and return to their room.
He opened the door; he dropped his shirt in the chair just inside the room, and before he reached the bed, his trousers were on the floor.
He held out his hand, "Dance with me…"
"Jack, there's no music," she quickly remarked.
"Alexa, play something romantic…" he called out as the radio began to play "Beautiful" by Bazzi softly in the background.
"Hey
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful angel
Love your imperfections every angle
Tomorrow comes and goes before you know
So I just had to let you know
The way that Gucci look on you, amazing
But nothing can compare to when you're naked
Now a Backwood and some Henny got you faded
You're saying you're the one for me, I need to face it
Started when we were younger
Swear to God that I loved her
Sorry that your mum found out
Guess that we just really had the thunder
Ain't nobody else said I'd be under
Beautiful, beautiful life right now
Beautiful, beautiful night right now
No, no, no
Hey
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful angel
Love your imperfections every angle
Tomorrow comes and goes before you know
So I just had to let you know
The way that dress fall off you is amazing
Love a miracle, a beautiful creation
Baby, come a little closer let me taste it
You came a little closer, now you're shaking
Never ever gon' mislead you
Don't believe the lies they feed you
Stop and stare like a sculpture
Painted in your colors
Beautiful, beautiful life right now
Beautiful, beautiful night right now
Beautiful, beautiful by my side right now
Hey
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful angel
Love your imperfections every angle
Tomorrow comes and goes before you know
So I just had to let you know
The way that Gucci look on you amazing
But nothing can compare to when you're naked
Tomorrow comes and goes before you know
So I just had to let you know
I just had to let you know
Swear to God you're beautiful
Jack's arms around her pulled her close, but given her distorted view of her size, Elizabeth pushed away slightly. Feeling her hesitate but not understanding why he whispered, "You are so beautiful."
"You don't have to say that, Jack. I know I look like a beached whale. My clothes don't fit, by the end of the day my feet are swollen, and I fall asleep at the drop of a hat. I'm not much to hang around with right now."
Seeing disappointment in her eyes, he led her over to the bed where they took a seat, "I love spending time with you. What's wrong?"
"It's nothing; it's silly; I think it's just an overabundance of hormones," she replied.
"How can I help?" he asked, concern for her was easily heard in his voice.
"I'm sorry…" her eyes watered and she turned away from him.
"Please talk to me…"
She stood up and turned to face him, "Jack look at me; I could barely fit in the car. It wasn't like this yesterday. I just feel like I blew up overnight."
He stood up, held her hand with his while his other hand under her chin lifted her eyes to his, "Elizabeth, do you have any idea what a miracle all of this is? You are carrying our child…" he placed his hand on her abdomen as his eyes watered and his voice wavered. "Your tummy is providing him…or her with a safe home until it's time to enter this world. I don't ever want to hear you say that you're ugly, or fat, because pregnant or not, you are now and will always be the most beautiful woman I have ever known."
"I'm sorry; I'm just used to being able to do things I want to do, and I just get so tired," she added.
"That's not it; please tell me why you're upset about being with me."
"I'm not…"
"Elizabeth, just now I felt you pulling away from me, why? Have I done something to upset you?"
"No, it's not you."
"Then please tell me what it is."
"I heard a couple of my teacher friends talking about being pregnant and one of them said that when her body changed so did their relationship."
"Honey if that's what happened then they had problems long before she got pregnant."
He added, "Would you think differently about me if I was pregnant?"
Just the visual made her laugh.
"That's what I like to see and hear. You know they say that pregnant women glow," his smile lit up the room, "And Mrs. Thornton, you are glowing, I love you…all of you!"
"I love you too, Jack."
Jack pulled the bedding back and Elizabeth slipped into bed. Jack slid in beside her wearing only a pair of boxer shorts. His arm under her body pulled her close.
She snuggled into his chest, wanting to be close to him, but still a little nervous that with the clothes off and no way to hide her expanding tummy that he may not view her as exciting, and no longer a turn on for him. In her mind, saying he will and actually feeling it could be two different things.
He lay beside her propped up on one elbow as his other hand brushed gently across her forehead. "Do you have any idea how much I love you?"
She caught his glance, "I think I know," she replied as his lips quickly quieted her.
His lips were warm and soft, and if there was any question in her mind as to whether or not she was a turn on for him, the fact that his erection tented his boxers should have alleviated any and all concerns.
His hand slipped under her camisole and brushed across her abdomen before coming to a rest just below her navel. He lifted her camisole as Elizabeth sat up allowing him to pull the garment over her head.
She watched his expression, waiting, expecting to see some sign of displeasure on his face, or a lack of interest in his actions. What she expected never appeared. What she received was typical Jack, respectful, loving and passionate.
As she lay back, his lips covered hers; refusing to release them as his hand behind her head eased her down onto the pillow. Each kiss built in passion and intensity for the one that followed.
His hand cupped her breast; his thumb brushing across her nipple as he started with the right one, then gave equal attention to the left. Although neither one had commented before, the pregnancy definitely had one benefit in Jack's eyes…her breasts were fuller than before. He had always found her to be perfect, but he certainly was not looking a gift horse in the mouth.
His lips pressed against each breast as his teeth gently ran across her nipples. Her head rolled back on the pillow; she moaned softly, enjoying the pleasure as he touched her soft, aching flesh.
Forgetting about her earlier concerns, she simply cleared her mind allowing herself to feel and experience the love that Jack was so willing to give.
His fingers slipped under the waistband of her pants; her hips lifted from the bed as he pulled them down her long legs. Starting at her feet, his hands massaged her body; any and all tension was completely lost in that moment. Tracing up her body, his hands touched and caressed her, leaving her feeling desired, wanted and loved.
His lips pressed across her shoulder, and up her neck, stopping momentarily to tug gently on her earlobe.
Her head tilt and soft moans fed the fire in him that began to burn long before he'd even entered the bedroom.
His fingers brushed several strands of auburn curls behind her ear as his lips captured hers. His tongue plunged through the opening in her lips as he teased her, and tasted her, feeling her body come alive with each subtle stroke along the soft skin on the inside of her mouth.
She rolled on her side as her hand slipped under the elastic of his boxers, pulling them down slightly. She was already aware, but was now seeing firsthand how much of a turn on she was to him as his body was alive, his aching hardness unable to deny the desire, such delicious torment.
His hand shed the boxers as his body straddled hers, careful not to place any pressure on her expanding tummy. With his hands bracing himself on the bed at her shoulders, his lower body slipped between her legs. Her knees immediately bent as her body was more than willing to welcome him.
He slowly entered her, watching her expression, making certain that the pressure wasn't uncomfortable for her. Her eyes closed as he felt her body melt into his; her hips rising in the air to meet him with each intentional thrust.
Each of them were on fire as his strokes became more powerful, withdrawing just enough that she felt his loss before he pressed inside her again.
Wanting, desiring, needing, tasting, touching, and experiencing were the emotions and feelings which overcame them as he took her to the top of the mountain, and they both seemed to jump off together.
Exhausted, Jack fell beside her, his arm resting across her abdomen as both did their best to calm their erratic breathing. Her head rested on his chest as his pounding heart thumped wildly in her ear.
Glancing over at Daisy sitting on her dresser he managed to make one comment, "I'm surprised that you made love to me with Daisy in the room."
"What…? Oh, I might not have if I had remembered she was there," she snickered into his chest.
Each one lay still doing their best to gain control of their breathing as they quietly thanked Karma and any other powers that be for bringing them together. Both were exhausted and fell asleep quickly.
Hours later Elizabeth shot out of bed screaming. She was hysterical, jolting Jack awake.
"What's wrong; what's wrong?" he kept calling out.
"It's the baby; it's the baby…"
Seeing no blood in the bed, but assuming something was wrong with the pregnancy, Jack reached for his phone to call Elizabeth's doctor. Before dialing the number, Elizabeth blurted out, "They stole her."
Jack put the phone down; "What are you talking about?" he asked as his hands on her upper arms eventually directed her attention toward him.
"They took her," she called out again.
"Her? Who?"
"Daisy…and it gets worse."
"Our flour baby?" Jack asked. "Who took her?"
Suddenly realizing that she was no longer living in her nightmare she backtracked, "Forget what I said. I just had a bad dream."
"You said that it gets worse; how?"
"No, you'll just laugh at me."
Jack pulled her close. What he said was "I would never laugh at you," but internally the laughter had already begun. "Who took Daisy and how does it get worse Elizabeth?"
"I don't know, Jack. Maybe they were bakers because they sent me muffins…"
To be continued…
