Chapter 97
Charlette and Adam were enjoying a quiet morning cup of coffee and some toast. They had a project to work on through the church on an older lady's front porch. Charlette smiled when her phone buzzed, and she noticed Mrs. Wilson's name on her screen. Charlette was grateful for Beth being in her children's life.
"Good morning, Beth. How are you today?"
"I'm good. Are you busy?"
"Not until later. What's up?"
"Well, I may have done something, and I need your help to make sure it goes well."
Charlette chuckled. "Please tell me you didn't pay off the house?" She said playfully.
Beth was quiet.
"You did!" Exclaimed Charlette. "Beth, what were you thinking?"
"I was thinking of a college fund of their babies."
"Beth, this will not go over well!"
"That's why I'm calling you."
"Have you already done it?"
"Yes."
Charlette shook her head. She knew it was a tremendously generous gift, but she also knew Jack and Elizabeth would balk at the gift.
"Beth, you may have pushed too far with this."
"I believe you may be right. However, they have two babies that needs a college fund. They make good money, but we all know how expensive one child is. I wouldn't even want to imagine how much two babies would cost. They will carry the burden of that expense. I thought this would be helpful for them."
"Well…it will be helpful in that aspect, but Beth, they may not like the fact that you did that."
"True, so…what's your plan?"
"My plan? You are the one who did this. I think you need to be the one to come up with the plan."
"Well, I have one. Let me run it by you and get your opinion."
"This better be good…"
…
The seminar wrapped up about thirty minutes early. The conference was very educational, and Jack was happy with the time spent there. He was also happy with the connections he made. He pulled out his phone as he gathered his folder from the desk and texted his bride.
J – I'm finished with the seminars. I'm heading to lunch for about an hour and then I'm heading to see my wife. Would you please send me your parent's address?
E – Great, I miss you
J – I miss you too. But remember, I had a big bed I could have shared
E – Please don't remind me of that dumb decision
J – I love you. I'll let you know when I leave lunch
E – Perfect. Please hurry. I miss you
…
Instead of going out for the day until Jack would arrive, Elizabeth asked her mother if they could just spend the morning and afternoon at home. Elizabeth haven't slept well, and her tummy was a little upset. On top of all of that, she missed Jack. She knew that's why she hasn't slept well. Her personal pillow and heater were missing. Grace was fine with the decision to stay home.
After eating lunch, Elizabeth and Grace sat down on the back porch to enjoy the sunshine and the light breeze. The breeze made the afternoon air pleasant and not too hot. They spent the time catching up on family members and friends. Elizabeth shared with her mom how things were going with the pregnancy, school, and the latest news on everyone in Hope Valley.
William stepped on the back porch with three bottled waters for everyone.
"Didn't you have to work?" Asked Grace.
"Yes, I am. I'm just taking my lunch. I wanted to spend some time with my daughter before her day gets too busy."
Elizabeth turned her head toward her father. She studied him for a moment trying to determine if his statement was said with disdain or not, but before she said anything, her phone buzzed. She didn't answer it immediately. She continued to examine her father's reaction. William was beginning to feel her gaze toward him and was becoming uncomfortable.
She finally answered her phone. Jack just told her that he was leaving lunch a little early. She told him that it should take under an hour for the drive. William was uncomfortable during the phone conversation, and Elizabeth and Grace could sense it.
Elizabeth turned to her mother. "Jack will be here in about an hour. He left lunch a little earlier than expected."
"Why would he do that?" Asked William.
"Well…the other guys just wanted to drink and chat. Jack wasn't wanting to do that." Her face was beginning to turn a little pink in embarrassment.
"Plus, I assume he was missing someone." Grace smiled.
Elizabeth nodded her head slightly but didn't say anything. William scoffed slightly under his breath when he realized what they meant.
Elizabeth caught her father's reaction. Everything that her father has done to Jack over the last few months came to mind. She instantly grew frustrated with her father. Elizabeth stood and turned toward her father. Grace immediately saw the storm brewing in her daughter's face. Before she was able to stand or say a word, Elizabeth started.
…
After calling his wife, Jack called Emma to check in. He has been out of pocket for a couple of days and was wanting to catch up with everything that was going on. He trusted her, Lee, and the other officers, but he was still anxious being out of the office so early on in his tenure.
"Good afternoon, Chief. How was the conference?"
"It was great, Boss Lady. How are things in our beautiful hometown?"
Emma spent the next ten minutes going over everything that has happened in Hope Valley. She caught Jack up on the two theft reports they had. She assured him that Lee was on it, and he felt comfortable that it would be solved soon. With school starting in a month, she shared some updates on the mentor program and the drug resources for the school. Emma also had good news that the high school principal, Mrs. Farley, was excited to begin the process of implementing the programs at her high school. She informed Jack that there was a meeting with SRO Henry scheduled for next week and the SRO officer from the high school would attend as well. This made Jack excited.
Emma also shared that there was nothing new on Lawrence. "I don't understand it, Chief. The man just disappeared at a moment's notice. He was here one minute and then no one knows anything."
"I think I know what happened. However, without a body, we can't do much. We need evidence. Please remind the patrolman to keep a close eye on any calls out to farms. If anything seems odd or off, they need to call it in."
"You think it's Miranda, don't you?"
"Yes, I do." Jack sighed. He knew without any evidence, there was nothing he could do. "Hey, Elizabeth said something the other day that has been rattling around in my head. She said that Miranda wasn't a normal criminal and that we wouldn't catch her doing the normal things."
"Huh…" Emma thought about this for a moment. "You know, Chief, I think she may have a point there."
"I believe so too. I want to talk with her more about her line of thinking, but could you please set up a phone call with Superintendent Johnson and Chief Avery one day next week? I would like to discuss this with them and get their opinion and thoughts on it. Please tell them what it concerns so they will have time to put some thought in it. Chief Avery should be back in town by then."
"Yes, Chief. Anything else?"
"Yes, the young men that moved us into the house. They play football at the high school."
"Yes, I heard all about the food they ate. Did Abagail really have to order an emergency order of food for the next day because they ate everything?"
"They absolutely did. I have never seen anything like it before. That story will live forever in Hope Vally fokelore. I would like their football schedule. They invited us to a game and Elizabeth and I would like to attend as many as we can. Plus, I would like to meet with the coach. We would like to do something for the team."
"On it. May I ask a question?"
"Boss Lady, you don't have to ask…just ask your question."
"Are these twelve men your group?"
Jack smiled. Emma was good and he knew she was going to make his job easier. "Yes, they are Elizabeth's and my group. They quickly made their way into Elizabeth's heart, and her mother's heart as well."
They spend the next ten minutes discussing other items and Jack was grateful that everything was going well. When he ended the call, he turned up the radio and enjoyed the solitude in the car for the rest of the drive.
…
"Well, Beth…that might actually work." Charlette pondered on the plan.
"I think it will, eventually. They won't be happy at first, but I think they will accept it."
"That was very kind of you, Beth."
"I fell in love with them when Jack first escorted me across the intersection. They were both so kind and friendly."
"They are hard not to love. They love you, too."
"I know." Beth stated softly. "That's why I just wanted to help. This way their children will have a college fund and Elizabeth and Jack can raise their children without that financial aspect hanging over their heads."
"Thank you for loving my kids."
"Oh, Charlette, it is a blessing for me."
…
Grace was taken back at the tone and volume of Elizabeth's voice. She has never heard this icy tone from her daughter before now. Grace quickly realized that Elizabeth didn't explode at first, and then calmed down. No, she was building up to an explosion. Elizabeth started loud and only grew in volume. Her face was bright red and that scared Grace. She knew Elizabeth's blood pressure was of concern. While it wasn't high, it was borderline, but with Elizabeth's instant red face, Grace immediately became alarmed for her daughter.
"How dare you?!" Screamed Elizabeth. "How dare you treat Jack and me like this?!"
After being taken back by his middle daughter's tone and volume, William stood and matched Elizabeth's volume. "How dare you marry that man?! And when do you speak to me like that?"
With a growing intensity, she continued. "You gave him your blessing to marry me! And when do you treat people like you have treated Jack. He is my husband! You disrespect him, you disrespect me!"
Grace assumed that Elizabeth was seething over the information concerning her father, but now she knew she did. Unfortunately for William, Elizabeth was exploding on him.
"You would have married him anyways…with or without my blessing!"
"Absolutely! I'm not ten years old. He wouldn't ask me until he spoke to you. He respected you enough to want to talk to you first."
"What good did it do? He wouldn't listen to me when I told him you two were moving too fast!'
Elizabeth's face only grew redder. Her anger was only building due to her father's disrespect. He was only upset because he didn't get his way. She knew her father was accustomed to getting his way, but she never would have thought he would allow it to come between family.
"You don't make that call in my life! You and mother raised me to think for myself. I love Jack and he loves me. You should be happy I have someone in my life that treats me like he does. You're only upset because you didn't get your way?!"
"You should have listened to me! "
"For what reason?" She grimaced. Both of her hands instantly went to her stomach. "Ouch." She bent over beginning to gasp for air.
Immediately Grace stepped to her daughter and took her left arm. "Elizbeth! Are you ok?"
When Elizabeth looked at her mother, Grace's blood instantly went cold. Elizabeth's face, a few moments ago was red with anger and rage were displayed in her facial features, was now covered with fear.
"I…I…I don't…ow…ow…" She began to sink down to the floor still holding onto her belly. Grace held onto her arm to kept her from falling too hard.
"Something's wrong! William…call 911!"
William stood frozen. He didn't notice Grace talking to him. His eyes were glued onto his daughter.
"William!" Grace shouted again. "Call 911!"
William finally reached for his phone and dialed 911.
"Mother…I need Jack! Please call…ow…ow…" Elizabeth grimaced in pain.
Grace didn't have her phone outside with her. It was on the kitchen table and there was no way she was leaving her little girl alone.
"He'll be here very soon, sweetheart."
"Mother…I need Jack!" She shrunk again in pain. "Mother…I'm scared…something's wrong!"
"I know sweetheart. You're going to be ok. I promise. The ambulance is on the way." Grace began to run her fingers through Elizabeth's hair. Elizabeth always thought that was calming. As a child, her mother would do that each time she need comforted.
No matter how hard she tried, Elizabeth couldn't get comfortable. Grace grew more concerned when Elizabeth's face started to turn white.
Elizabeth held onto her bump and began to caress it with her hands. "It's ok, Peanuts. Mommy's here. It's…ow…" Elizabeth's face went white as a sheet. Her eyesight went black, and her eyes rolled back into her head. Her head went limp and fell into Grace's arms.
…
Jack turned into a very affluent neighborhood. All the homes were large and very nice. He remembered Elizabeth describing her childhood home and this was what he would have imagined it would have been by her description. His GPS said he was five minutes from her childhood home. He looked into the rearview mirror when he heard ambulance sirens. He immediately pulled over to the side of the road to allow the ambulance to go by. When it did, he had a cold shiver run through him. He shuddered but didn't pay any attention to the odd feeling. He did offer a quick prayer for whoever the ambulance was going to help.
Once the ambulance passed, Jack looked at the GPS screen and drove off looking for his next turn. While he didn't see the ambulance anymore, he could still hear the sirens.
After a couple of minutes of driving and taking two turns, the GPS said the address was one thousand feet on the left. He looked up and saw the ambulance with its lights on sitting in the driveway of the address on his GPS.
"Elizabeth!" He yelled. By instinct and instinct alone, he pushed the gas pedal to the floor. He flew into the front yard of his wife's childhood home. Once the car skidded to a stop on the grass and just before he ran into the front flower bed, Jack jumped out of the car and began running to the front door of the house. When it was locked and he couldn't get in, he ran around the house to the back door.
He wasn't breathing or thinking. He was just going on instinct. His mind wasn't focused on anything other than finding his wife, his Elizabeth. He had to know she was safe.
When he flew around the corner, he saw the back porch. William was standing in the corner of a large deck. His face was pale, and his body posture was in a defeated position. His hand was covering his mouth. He saw one EMT standing looking down with a bag of IV fluid in his hand. He saw a group of people kneeling on the floor but couldn't make out what was happening.
Jack took the steps two at a time and when he reached the top step, his heart stopped. There was an EMT kneeling over his wife. Elizabeth's head was resting in Grace's lap and Grace was running her hand through Elizabeth's hair. She had a look of fear etched on her face and tears was flowing freely down her checks. Elizabeth looked limp, like she was asleep. Her hands were holding her growing baby bump.
Jack ran toward his wife yelling her name. He fell to his knees and slide to a stop at his wife.
"Sir, you need to back up so we can work on her!" The EMT stated with a voice of authority."
"This is my wife! I am not leaving her!" Jack stated in a tone that left no doubt that no one was going to make him move away from his wife.
Jack turned to William. "What happened?"
William didn't answer. He didn't even know Jack was speaking to him.
Jack then turned his attention to Grace. "Mom, what happened? Is she ok?"
"Her and her father was…" Grace's voice trailed off.
"They were…" Jack asked again.
"Sir...Sir!" The EMT stated and got Jack's attention. "She passed out. Is she having any medical issues with her pregnancy?"
Jack heard the EMT's question, but it took a moment for it to register.
"Kind of…Her blood pressure is normal, but the doctor gave her a cuff to check it twice a day. It is on the high end of normal."
"Ok. That's helpful." The EMT looked at his partner. "Let's get her on the stretcher and to the hospital. Take her blood pressure before we move her."
"She's having twins." Jack blurted out. He didn't know if that was an important piece of information or not, but he wanted them to know everything.
The EMT nodded.
Jack was highly trained in police tactics and emergency situations. He was even trained in a little first aide. However, none of that training meant anything when his wife was laying before him unconscious.
"Her blood pressure is 189/123. Call it in when we get her to the ambulance and let's go to the hospital…now!"
While they were taking her blood pressure, Jack leaned over his wife. He kissed the tip of her nose and told her he loved her. Then he moved to her stomach. He kissed both sides of her tummy. "Ig and Iggy, mommy and daddy loves you. Mommy is here. She will take care of everything. You two need to relax and rest, ok?"
While Jack was speaking to his babies, the EMT asked Grace what caused the episode.
"Her and her father were arguing." She stated very slowly and just loud enough for them to hear her. Jack heard her clearly. However, he was paying attention to his wife and babies.
"Sir, could you help us to get her on the stretcher?" Jack nodded and helped. "Now, we are taking her to St. Mary's Hospital on Fifth Avenue. If you want to follow."
Jack stared at the man. "I'm going with her!"
The EMT nodded. He quickly realized that there was no need to argue. As the EMTs were strapping her to the stretcher, Jack turned his head to William. If the expression 'if looks could kill' worked, Willam would have been dead in an instant. Jack bit his tongue and didn't say anything, but his expression was not lost on William.
Jack turned his attention to Grace. While still holding Elizabeth's hand, he kissed Grace on the check. "Thank you, mom, for taking care of her."
Grace nodded her head but didn't say anything. Tears were still flowing down her cheeks.
"Let's go…call it in." The EMT stated.
Jack never released his hold on Elizabeth's hand. He walked beside the gurney and helped carry it down the steps of the back porch and loaded it into the back of the ambulance. Jack kneeled beside the gurney with one hand holding Elizabeth's hand and his other hand resting on her bump. He was taken back by Elizabeth being unconscious but still holding her stomach in a protective manner. He knew once again that she was going to be a great mother.
Grace and William watched as the EMT closed the back door and ran around to the driver's side of the ambulance. The sirens blared as the ambulance pulled out of the driveway. They stood frozen just watching the ambulance turn onto the next road.
Once the ambulance was out of sight, Grace spoke. "I'm getting my keys and going to the hospital." Stated Grace as she headed toward the door.
"I'm going with you." Stated William.
"If you go, you drive by yourself!" She stated as she walked toward the door. She never broke her stride or looked back. William has never heard that tone from his wife after all the years of them being together.
Grace walked out of the front door and straight to her car. She backed out of the driveway and immediately followed the same path the ambulance left just a few minutes before. William noticed that she never, not once, looked in his direction.
…
"Hey Julie, have you heard from mother or father?" Viola asked as soon as her little sister answered the phone.
"No, why?"
"I'm not sure."
"I have a weird feeling." Stated Julie.
"Me too. That's why I'm calling. Something seems off."
"Have you tried calling one of them?"
"I have, but they're not answering my phone calls. I've also tried Elizabeth too, but she isn't answering either."
"Julie, I'll meet you at your house in fifteen minutes."
…
In the back of the ambulance, Jack could hear the EMT talking with the hospital. He heard all the words, but none of them were registering with him. All he could concentrate on was his Elizabeth. He ran his thumb over the back of her hand and was rubbing her belly with his other hand.
"Sir, we will be at the hospital in three minutes. They will rush her straight into a room. You will need to stop by the desk and give them all the information."
Jack just stared at the man talking but didn't say anything.
"Sir." The man stated in a softer tone. "It is easy to see you love your wife and your babies. Our greatest need right now is to take care of your wife. The hospital will need all the information you can give them, so they have all the information they need to take the best care of her."
Jack finally nodded his head.
"Sir, she will be ok. The hospital is the best one around. If my wife was pregnant and in an emergency situation, I would take her there."
Jack still didn't say anything, but his facial expression did change a little. The EMT offered him a small smile. "What's her name?"
"Her name is Elizabeth. Our babies' names are Jack and Elizabeth."
The EMT gave him a soft smile. "And your name?"
"Jack."
"So, you're naming your babies after mommy and daddy?"
"Yeah, but she isn't happy we are naming the girl after her. I told her I wasn't going to name my daughter after anyone except her mother."
"That's nice. I guess you feel the same way?"
"Yeah…"
"We're thirty seconds out." The driver called out.
"Remember Jack…the nurses will swarm your wife. They will do their jobs and the doctor is waiting for her. You need to allow them to do their jobs. The hardest thing you will ever have to do is to step back and allow them to take her to the ER room. However, that is the best thing you can do for Elizabeth, Jack, and Elizabeth. They need their help. The driver will walk with you to the desk. I will be going back with Elizabeth to give them all the information I have."
Jack looked at the EMT. "Thank you." He whispered.
…
When the back door of the ambulance opened, there were five nurses and a doctor waiting. The two nurses in front reached into the ambulance and took hold of the end of the gurney. Before they pulled the gurney out of the ambulance, Jack kissed his wife and then her belly twice. Before Jack knew it, they were pushing her through the door. Jack remained on his knees unable to move. Watching her go through the door and out of his sight broke him. He instantly began sobbing.
The EMT who was driving stepped into the ambulance and place his hand on Jack's shoulder. Without asking, he prayed for Elizabeth, Jack, and the babies. Jack was grateful for the prayer.
"Jack let's go to the front desk and get them the information they need. That way it's finished, and you will be ready to go and see your wife when they are ready for you."
The EMT escorted Jack to the front desk. The admitting lady offered Jack a smile. "It's going to be ok. Now, could you please give me your wife's doctor's name?"
"Yes." Jack stated just above a whisper.
Once the lady had the name and number of Elizabeth's doctor, she handed it to a nurse who immediately called the doctor on the way to Elizabeth's room.
Grace walked into the emergency department and instantly found Jack standing at the front desk. She walked up to him and immediately placed her hand around Jack. He offered her a smile. The lady at the desk was already asking her next question so he couldn't say anything to Grace.
"What is your wife's name?"
"Elizabeth Marie Thorton. Our babies' names are Elizabeth and Jack. I call them Ig and Iggy and Elizabeth calls them Peanuts." Jack wasn't sure why he told her all that, but he did.
Grace inhaled a quick breath. "A boy and a girl…" She whispered.
Jack smiled at her.
"Is Elizabeth on any medication?"
"No. The last time we were at the doctor's office for the babies, we were told to keep an eye on her blood pressure. It wasn't high, but it was close."
"Perfect. Thank you, sir. You're doing great."
Jack gave her a small, a weak smile.
"Do you have insurance?"
"We do. We live in Hope Valley."
"Do you have an insurance card?"
"I don't know…" He felt for his wallet. He was so shaken he was having trouble finding it. In his frustration, he took out his phone.
"Hey Emma. I'm at the hospital with Elizabeth. They need our insurance information, and I can't find it. Could you get that for me?"
"Is Elizabeth ok?" A panicked Emma asked.
"I think she will be. I'm not sure." Jack's voice trailed off.
Emma took a deep breath. She knew Jack and Elizabeth needed her help. "Hand the phone to the hospital person, Jack. I'll take care of everything."
"Thanks Emma."
As Jack handed the phone to the admitting lady, Emma heard Jack speak. "This is Emma Walkins. She is my assistant, but honestly, she runs the police department. She can answer any question you may have. Also, please let her know anything about Elizabeth."
The lady nodded her head.
"Hello, this is Amy at St. Mary's."
"Hello, I'm Emma. Jack is the new police chief of Hope Valley, and I am his assistant. I'm pulling up the information on the computer right now. Please just give me a second."
"No problem. Thank you."
It took Emma only a few seconds before she had all the information about the insurance the hospital needed. She was able to answer a few more of the questions the lady needed.
"Thank you, Emma."
"You're welcome, Amy. Amy, this is my personal cell phone, please call me with any updates concerning Elizabeth."
"I will, Emma. Jack gave me permission to share information with you. I don't know anything as of yet, but I will call you when I know something. Ok?"
"Thank you, Amy. People here love that couple, and they will want to know what's going on."
"I will, Emma…I promise."
…
The EMT walked Jack and Grace to the section of chairs in the corner of the waiting room. By this time, the other EMT who went back with Elizabeth came out. He walked up to Jack.
"The nurses and doctor are working on her. They don't know for sure yet, but they think her blood pressure was high for some reason and that caused everything. I don't really know anything else."
Jack and Grace both nodded and thanked the man.
"Now, Jack. I know this is difficult but keep your head up. They are the best here and they are working hard to make sure Elizabeth and the babies are fine."
Jack stood and thanked and hugged both EMTs. He was grateful for their help.
When Jack sat back down beside Grace, William walked into the ER waiting area. He noticed both Grace and Jack holding hands. He took a deep breath. The weight of the situation was weighing on him. He walked up and sat beside Grace. He hesitated before saying anything.
William noticed that neither Grace nor Jack looked at him. He wanted to know what was going on, but he couldn't bring himself to say anything.
…
Emma took a deep breath and called Julie. Emma was grateful that Viola was with her. She told them both the very limited information she had and promised as soon as she heard something she would call them back. Julie told her that she would call Tom. Emma then called Charlette and told her the same think as she told Julie.
"I'm sorry, Charlette, that is all I know. As soon as I know something, I will call you back."
"Thank you Emma."
Emma then called Abagail and told her the same thing with the promise to call back as soon as she knew something.
Charlette walked back toward Adam. They were working on the back porch steps of the lady's house.
Adam glanced up at Charlette and knew something was instantly wrong. "What is it, Charlie?"
"It's Elizabeth…"
"Let's go." Adam stated. "I'll call my son. His friend is a pilot. Maybe he can get us there quicker."
…
On the way to the car with Charlette, Adam called his son, John. "John, I need your help. Is Reid still a pilot?"
"Yes, why?"
"I need to get maybe ten to twelve people to Hamiton now." Adam told his son all he knew. John promised his dad he would call in back in a few minutes.
Before Adam and Charlette arrived at their home to grab a few things, John called him back.
"Dad, Reid is in England, but his friend is waiting at the airport with a jet that can carry fifteen people. He will be ready to take off in thirty minutes."
"We need to pack a few things and it is normally an hour drive to the airport. I haven't talked to anyone else yet."
"That's fine dad. When you all arrive at the airport, go to the private airplane section to building "B". Reid's friend's name is Jackson. He will be waiting for you all."
"Thanks son."
"Dad, please keep me updated. I'll call Jennifer and Joyce to let them know."
While Charlette was rushing around the bedroom getting clothes ready, Adam called Tom. He gave Tom all the information about the flight and Tom promised to relay that information to Julie and Viola. When that call ended, he called Abagail. He told her the same information he told Tom.
"Is it ok if I go?" Asked Abagail.
"Well…I assumed you all would. That's why I told John ten to twelve people. "I know how important you are to Elizabeth."
"Thank you, Adam. That's very kind of you. We will be ready. I'm leaving work now. I'll call Frank on the way. We'll be there as soon as we can."
…
Jack, Grace, and William sat in the ER waiting room for about ten minutes waiting to hear word concerning Elizabeth and the babies. Those were the longest ten minutes of Jack's life. He sat motionless with his head down. He was praying for his family.
William finally broke the silence. "Jack, Grace, I'm…"
Before he was able to finish his statement, Jack cut him off.
"Shut up, Mr. Thatcher! I don't want to hear your voice!"
Grace and William were taken back by the tone of Jack's voice. Grace remembered the news conference when Jack approached the man who he arrested that day. She remembered feeling sorry for that man by the way Jack was walking toward him. Jack stood tall and strong with no fear as he approached that man.
With Jack's tone and forceful voice, she was afraid. She wasn't afraid of Jack. She knew he wouldn't harm her, but she was afraid of the coldness of Jack's tone. She feared that William caused a split in the family that may never be healed.
Jack had no idea what happened before he arrived at the Thatcher's house, but he knew enough that William caused whatever happened. It was taking all his ability not to knock Mr. Thatcher out. He wanted his father-in-law to feel the same pain his wife was feeling. If Jack wasn't so upset, he would have felt bad for feeling that way, but at the moment, he didn't care. He simply did not want to hear that man's voice.
While Jack was a forgiving man, this was something that changed in him concerning his father-in-law. He will always be known as Mr. Thatcher. While he called Grace, mom, Mr. Thatcher would always be known as his father-in-law. William placed his wife and unborn babies in peril. He would eventually forgive him for that, but there would always be a distance between them.
William began to say something again but stopped when he noticed Jack's cold stare. Grace squeezed Jack's hand that she was holding. After a few moments he gently squeezed it back.
The tension was broken when the ER's door opened.
"Mr. Thorton." A woman in a white coat called out."
Jack stood. The woman began walking in his direction.
Jack wanted to walk to her, but his legs wasn't working.
Grace and William stood as well. When the doctor approached, she looked at Grace and William seeking who they were and if she could speak in front of them.
"This is mom, Elizabeth's mother, and my father-in-law." When Jack spoke, he looked at Grace and squeezed her hand, but did not look at William.
"I'm Dr. Miers. Elizabeth and the babies are doing fine. Her blood pressure went high and caused her some discomfort and she eventually blacked out because of it."
"She was complaining of abdominal pain before she fell to the floor." Grace stated.
"Yes, during pregnancy, high blood pressure affects the babies. With it getting that high, the babies were not happy about it."
It took all Jack had not to turn and punch is father-in-law. Not only did he create discomfort for his wife, but for his babies too. Grace felt Jack's tension and slowly rubbed his forearm.
"Elizabeth's doctor said she doesn't have high blood pressure but had her watching it because it was on the high side of normal."
"Yes, doctor. Elizabeth takes it once when she wakes up and then one other time at different times during the day."
"Perfect. Has it ever been high when she took it?"
"No. Just on the high side of normal. Our doctor wanted us to be cautious and keep a close eye on it."
"That is very smart, Mr. Thorton. Untreated high blood pressure is very dangerous in a pregnancy. Now, Elizabeth should be waking up soon. I see no issues with the babies. Once her blood pressure will come down, the babies should settle, and the pain will go away. Now, I do want to keep her here for tonight so we can keep an eye on her and the babies. I see no effects and I just want to make sure of it when she wakes up. Is that ok with you?"
"Yes, doctor. Whatever you think is best."
"In consultation with her OBGYN at home, we agreed that she needs to keep a closer eye on her blood pressure. Keep up with what she is doing, but please have her check it a total of four times throughout the day. Ok?"
"Yes."
"We will not have her on blood pressure medication yet, but if it goes up, she will be forced to during her pregnancy. This isn't uncommon, but her OBGYN discussed this with you in your last visit."
Jack nodded his head.
"Now, I know this was very scary for you all. I just want to remind you that she will be fine. She needs to rest for today. I understand you all do not live in the area?"
"Correct. We live in Hope Valley."
"Ok. She needs to rest for two days. As long as her blood pressure stays normal, she should be fine to fly back home then."
"Thank you, Doctor Miers."
"Please call your OBGYN when you get home to make a follow up appointment. She wants to see Elizabeth. Evidently, you two have made a great impression on her."
"Elizabeth has that effect on people. I will make the appointment tomorrow. May I see her?"
"Yes. She is allowed two visitors until she is in her room in the hospital. She should be moved in a little bit. Your biggest concern for the next few days is to keep her as calm as possible."
"Yes, doctor. Her mother and I will go back."
"No, Jack." Grace stated as she tightened her hold on his hand. "She wanted you. She needs you and only you at this moment. Take care of my baby girl and my grandbabies for me. Please tell her we're here."
Jack nodded his head. "Thank you, mom. I will tell her you are here."
Author's Note:
This chapter was a little intense. I will post chapter 98 in a day or two and chapter 99 a day or two afterwards. I will not keep you waiting too long for these updates. I hope you are enjoying this story. Have a great day.