Chapter 116

Three weeks later, Jack and Elizabeth sat in the waiting room for their weekly doctor visit. In one day, Elizabeth will hit the thirty six week mark. For both of them, the thirty six week mark was an important benchmark. Jack remembered the doctor was hoping Elizabeth would make it to this time frame.

Jack leaned over and offered his wife a smile. "You made it."

"Yes. Now what?"

"I'm not sure. We haven't done this before."

They looked up when the nurse opened the door and called Elizabeth's name. Jack stood and offered his wife his hand. She could have stood by herself, but it was just easier with Jack's help. She gave him a knowing smile after standing.

She sat on the chair in the check in room where the nurse took her vitals. With the medication, her blood pressure was almost perfect. The medicine was doing its job. Her weight was good and on target. Her heart rate was normal along with her oxygen levels. The nurse was happy and offered Elizabeth a big smile.

"Alright, Elizabeth, everything is looking good. Please follow me to room six. The doctor will be in soon."

"Thank you."

…

Adam looked up at the nurse who was standing in the doorway of his ER room with a sterile cleaning kit. He knew this was going to take stitches. He didn't like needles. However, the pain in his forearm was worse than the fear of needles. He was working on a kitchen floor for an older couple who needed to replace the flooring. While working on a table saw, the subflooring kicked and cut his forearm. It left an immediate bruise and a gash on his left forearm. Instead of calling for an ambulance, the older lady wrapped a clean towel around his forearm and told him to go to the hospital for stitches. She was a retired ER nurse.

With one arm down, he couldn't call his wife while he was driving. Once at the hospital, the nurses and doctor were busy with him. Now he was waiting for them to clean his forearm so he could get the stitches. He pulled out his cell phone and touched the screen where his wife's name was.

"Hey handsome. Are you finished?"

"Not yet."

"What's taking you so long? You can't work without me, can you?" She sassed him. She was a little upset she couldn't go with him that morning because she had a dentist appointment.

"That's very true, but something came up."

"What happened?"

"Well, I'm at the ER…"

"I'm on my way." She hung up the phone and immediately grabbed her car keys.

"Why didn't you tell her?" Asked the nurse.

"I tried." He laughed knowing she was running around the house looking for her keys. "When a beautiful, middle aged woman runs into the ER, please point her to my room."

"She'll have to check in."

Adam laughed. "Good luck with that."

…

"Good afternoon, you two."

Jack and Elizabeth said good afternoon to the doctor as she stepped into the examination room and took a sit down on her stool. She began flipping through Elizabeth's chart.

"The medicine is working well. Your blood pressure is looking great. Everything else is looking good. I couldn't be happier."

Elizabeth smiled.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm good. I'm tired all the time, but I'm good."

"Have you been walking?"

"Not really. I did for a while, then it started to slow down from four miles a day to one mile a day. Over the last week or so, I haven't walked at all."

"That's expected. The walking has done its job. Your weight is perfect for twins at thirty six weeks. The walking also helped with your BP. How is your back?"

"Good. Jack found a lady named Kaye who does pregnancy messages. She comes once a week. The messages have been amazing with my back and my legs."

"That's good. Elizabeth lets lay back. I would like to take a look."

She smiled when Jack stood to help her with her shirt and then to lay back on the table.

"I see that you have listened." The doctor smirked.

"I don't think I had a choice. I believe she was about to wipe me out if I didn't back off."

Elizabeth smiled knowing she was close to losing it on him a few times.

"I was pretty bad, especially after her emergency. But to her credit, she has asked for help when she needed it."

"You two are perfect for each other. Now, let's see if Ig and Iggy will cooperate today."

Jack smiled, and Elizabeth shook her head at the doctor using Jack's nicknames for the babies. Elizabeth couldn't understand why everyone used Jack's nicknames for the babies. The doctor took a couple of minutes to look at the babies and their positions. She made a mental note of it and continued to look.

"The pictures look good. Elizabeth, I would like to perform an exam. Jack, could you assist your wife with her clothes? Elizabeth, when you're undressed, please scoot to the end of the table. You know the drill."

"Is everything ok?" Asked a concerned Elizabeth.

"Yes. I just want to take a look."

Jack helped her undress and assisted her to the end of the table. He opened the door for the doctor to enter.

"Now, let's get your legs up and let me get some gloves." As the doctor reached for the latex gloves, she began to explain what she was looking for. "The babies have turned and are in delivery position. I want to take a look and see if you are dilated and if so, how much."

"Delivery position? Does that mean…?" Jack stuttered.

"Yes, but that doesn't mean she will deliver today."

Jack and Elizabeth nodded their heads.

"Elizabeth, talk to me about work."

"It's going well. I mainly teach from my stool or my desk. I rarely stand for long times. I'm exhausted at the end of the day, but not too bad. I have a teacher's aide that helps collecting papers and things like that, but I walk the kids to the cafeteria and gym. It's my way of getting a little bit of walking in. Everything is good."

"Great. Now, Let's take a look."

…

Charlette ran into the emergency room doors and quickly looked for the admitting desk.

"You must be Charlie Richardson?" Asked an older volunteer.

"Yes, sir. I am."

"Adam sent me out here looking for you. He said I would recognize you."

"Did he now?" Charlette stated raising one eye brow.

"Yes. He said a beautiful woman would run into the waiting room like she was on fire. He was right on both occasions. Now, he is through the double doors room four. It's the second door on the right."

"Thank you, sir."

"You're welcome. Just know he is fine. He will need some stitches but doing fine."

"Thank you."

Charlette quickly walked through the door the older gentleman pointed too and stopped in front of the closed door at room four. She said a quick prayer and walked into the room without knocking.

The doctor jumped a little by how quick the door opened. "It's ok doc, it's just my wife." Smirked Adam.

"Adam Richardson…what did you do? And why didn't you tell me you were ok?" Asked Charlette as she walked toward the bed in the center of the room.

Adam smiled and reached out his uninjured hand to take her hand. "You hung up on me before I could say anything."

"Oh…"

"Adam received a nasty little cut. He needs some stitches. Would you like to stay while I do that, or would you prefer stepping outside?"

The look on her face gave the doctor his answer. There was no way he could make her leave. She sat down on the edge of Adam's bed.

"Ok, Adam. I'm going to give you an injection in three places to deaden the nerves so we can do this with no pain."

"Just do what you need to doc."

Adam turned to look at his wife's face. "I'm sorry to bother you today."

"Are you kidding me. Why didn't you call me earlier?"

"The lady I was working for was a retired ER nurse. She wrapped it up and sent me to the hospital. I couldn't call while I was driving because…ouch!" Adam stated as the needle was inserted.

"Sorry. The medicine will take a moment." The doctor stated.

"I was driving with my good hand. I couldn't call with this one." He nodded toward his arm. "When I was here, they brought me back almost immediately because it was bleeding pretty good. I called when they changed the bandage, and I was waiting for the doctor."

Charlette nodded. She leaned forward and gave him a gentle, loving kiss on his lips. The doctor placed sixteen stitches in Adam's forearm. Adam was also warned to take it easy for a couple of days and to keep the cut cleaned so it wouldn't get infected. He was released once the nurse came back in to cleaned and bandaged the wound.

"Would you like to eat lunch with me?" Adam asked.

"I would love too."

"I'll meet you at Abagail's."

"I'll ride with you. You can bring me back afterwards and pick up my car."

"Let's go woman. Maybe ice cream after?"

Charlette smiled. She loved when he would talk to her like that. She also knew how much he loved ice cream. She also loved being with him.

"Let's go, whippersnapper."

…

The doctor took her gloves off and washed her hands. Then she helped Elizabeth sit up on the end of the bed.

"Everything looks perfect. I know the babies are due the first week of January, but they will not make their due date. You are two to three centimeters dilated. You won't go into labor today, but you most certainly not make January."

She smiled at the looks she was receiving from Jack and Elizabeth.

"With it being the end of November, I would guess before Christmas. However, I could be completely wrong. One of the biggest lies of mankind is thinking we are in charge. The babies will come when the babies decide they want to. You are thirty six weeks as of tomorrow, I will not try to stop labor."

The doctor took a moment to let the information sink in.

"Their lungs are developed at this stage. From the information I have sitting in front of me, I see no concerns with delivery. If something changes, we will face that then, but for now, everything looks perfectly normal."

"So, we could have babies soon?" Asked Elizabeth. Jack nodded when she spoke.

"Yes. My best educated guess would be two to three weeks, but no one knows except for Ig and Iggy. Unfortunately for us, they will not tell us. They will just decide that this particular day is best for them." The doctor laughed. "Now Elizabeth, listen to your body. I know you want to work until delivery, but I'm not sure you will be able to do that. If you want to or need to stop working, please call the office. We will get the paperwork needed for you to begin maternity leave."

"Thank you."

They spoke for a few more minutes with the doctor. Jack and Elizabeth were getting excited about the possibility of having their babies in their arms soon. This day seemed like it was never going to happen. Elizabeth was excited when Jack asked if she wanted to go to Abagail's for lunch. Her and the babies were hungry.

…

Adam reached for the door of Abagail's when Charlette's hand covered his as she reached for the door.

"What are you doing?" Asked a confused Adam. He always opened the door for his wife.

"I was just helping."

"Charlette…" Adam began. "I am fine. It's a cut. A pretty good cut, but you heard the doctor. I'm fine. It will heal and I will be back to normal soon."

"I know, it's just…"

"Just?"

"I was worried. Adam, I can't lose you this soon."

"Charlie, I'm not going anywhere unless God has different plans. If He does, He will be with you. Now, I'm good and I'm hungry."

"Plus you just want ice cream." She sassed.

"That's true. There is one good thing that came from today."

"I get to finish the floor for you?"

"Well, yes. I can help a little, but you will have to do the majority of the work, but that's not what I was thinking."

"What were you thinking?"

"I should have a pretty good scar from this."

"Adam!" Charlette shrieked. "Why would you say that?"

"Well…chicks dig scars." He flashed her his smile.

Charlette huffed. "And young man, why did you call me Charlette?"

"I had to get your attention. You were close to jumping off the cliff."

She huffed again. She didn't always like that he could read her so well.

"Let's go young man, there is ice cream waiting for us."

…

After helping his wife into her car, Jack sat behind the wheel. Starting the car for the heater to kick on, he looked at his wife. "So, what do you think?"

"I'm excited. I love carrying my babies, but I'm done being pregnant. I would like to see my feet again."

"Our babies." He corrected her.

She grinned at him. She loved pushing his buttons. "Yes, our babies. I can't wait to hold the Peanuts."

Jack put the car in drive and headed toward the café. "What about work?"

"I would like to keep working as long as I can. I would like that extra time with the babies instead of waiting for them to come."

"That makes sense, but please don't overdo it. We will make it work either way."

"We will." She gave him a loving smile. "You and me."

"You and me."

"Jack, are you ok if I take the rest of the school year off?"

"I am. You said we can do it financially. Especially since we don't have a house payment any longer."

"Yeah, I've been putting that money into a savings account just for that reason."

"I married a very smart woman."

"Yes, you did." She laughed. "Mother and mom have said they wanted to come and help out with the babies."

"I hope you take them up on that. I know you want to do that all by yourself, but you need to have that help. Plus, they would love to help."

"I think they just want to spoil the babies."

"Oh, absolutely." They both laughed. "When you feel comfortable going back to work, we will make it work."

"Thanks Jack."

"Sweetheart, you were made to be a teacher. It's easy to see."

She smiled at his compliment.

"You were also made to be a mother to Ig and Iggy. It's easy to see too."

"I love you. Thank you for understanding."

"I love you. We will find common ground that will allow you to do both well. I know you can do it. It may take a little bit of time to figure it out, but you will learn to do it. You're too stubborn not too." He sassed.

"Hey!" She stated playfully slapping his arm. "You shouldn't talk to your babies' mother like that."

"Oh, I think they already know you are stubborn." He stated as she cut her eyes to him. "Why don't you call your mother and give her the news? We are almost to Abagail's."

"She may get on the plane by the end of the day."

"She may…that's why I cleaned her bedroom yesterday."

…

After Charlette and Adam were sitting down at the booth for a couple of minutes, Jack and Elizabeth stepped into the café. Elizabeth was laughing at something Jack said and his hand was on her lower back.

"Hey." Adam called out. "Would you like to join us for lunch?"

Without looking at each other, Jack and Elizabeth nodded their heads. As they approached the booth, Adam and Charlette stood and moved to a table that was close to them. Elizabeth couldn't fit into a booth any longer. Both Charlette and Adam gave Elizabeth a hug and kiss on the cheek. Charlette hugged and kissed her son while Adam gave him a half hug.

"Oh Adam…what happened to your arm?" Elizabeth asked.

Adam told them the whole story as they sat down at the table. Jack laughed when he got to the part where Charlette stormed into the ER waiting room.

"Yeah, that sounds like ma." Sassed Jack.

"What do you mean…'yeah, that sounds like ma?'" Charlette challenged him with her hand on her hip. Everyone laughed at her remark.

"You were always that way when Tom or I got hurt. You would run into any situation and completely take over."

"So, that's where you get your protective nature." Sassed Elizabeth.

"Ok pregnant lady. No one asked you about that." He teased as he leaned in and bumped her shoulder.

The conversation was lively, and the laughter was nonstop. Everyone was having a good time picking at each other as Adam continued with the story.

"So, you're going to be ok?"

"Yes, I'll be fine. I have to keep it clean and then I'll be back to normal in a few days."

"That's right. And this young man will do exactly what I tell him."

Adam stared at her for a moment. "We'll see."

Charlette gave him a teacher stare.

"Oh. This is going to be interesting to watch." Stated both Elizabeth and Jack.

"Dear, how was your appointment today?" Charlette asked without taking her eyes off her husband.

"It was great." Elizabeth shared what the doctor said during the visit. She could sense the excitement from both Adam and Charlette when she was telling them about being dilated two to three centimeters and the doctor believing she will give birth in a few weeks.

"Have you called Grace?" Asked Charlette.

"I did on the way here."

"Is she on the plane yet?" Laughed Charlette.

"Almost. I had to work at convincing her I wasn't in labor. She said she was going to go ahead and pack a couple of bags so she will be ready. I wouldn't be surprised if she isn't waiting on us at the house when we get home after this."

"I wouldn't be surprised." Charlette laughed. She thought for a moment. "Elizabeth, I know you want to be a mother to your children. I also know you will be a great mother, but would you please let Grace and I help you with the little ones in the beginning? It's a lot with just one, I couldn't imagine two."

Elizabeth nodded. She did want to be the one taking care of her children. They were her and Jack's responsibility, but she was thinking she may need help for the first little while.

"We just want to help. We do not want to take over. If we are overstepping our boundaries, just tell us and we will back off."

She smiled at her mom. "If I would say something, you two will just use the grandma card on me." Elizabeth smirked.

"She's got you figured out dear." Laughed Adam.

"Maybe." Charlette confessed. "Grace and I have talked about this. You are their mother. We will respect your wishes. We just want to help. You can care for the babies, and we can wash clothes or clean bottles. We just want to help."

"Your help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you." Elizabeth smiled reaching for Charlette's hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.

Their lunch was great. Adam and Charlette made a wager when Elizabeth was going to go into labor. Charlette thought it would be three weeks and Adam thought it would be one week. He noticed that the babies have dropped since the last time he saw her.

…

"So…this is really happening?" Asked a hesitant Viola.

"Yes. The plans were submitted and accepted. Permits will be pulled on Friday and digging will begin on Monday if weather permits."

Viola began jumping on her toes. "Really!?"

"Yes." Smiled James. "Are you excited?"

"Oh, James. This is perfect." She stated just before she kissed him. She has always wanted a home, her home. Her and James agreed on many of the items on the house. The big things she wanted he just didn't care about and was easily agreeable. It was the same when he wanted the big things. Both wanted a larger garage so the two vehicles wouldn't be cramped. They both wanted a wrap around porch. She could care less about the workshop. Both wanted a workplace. They decided to put two desks in it instead of one. That way each one had their own workspace.

"Let's go beautiful. We need to go and celebrate."

"Perfect. I'm hungry."

…

As they left the café, Jack asked Elizabeth how she was feeling. When she said that she felt well, he asked if she wanted to go to the park and sit on their bench. Her smile gave him her answer.

As they sat on the bench, there were more people than usual. "Elizabeth how are you doing?"

"I'm good. Getting a little nervous about the delivery part, but I'm looking forward to holding the Peanuts."

"Me too. Are you ok with not working until next fall?"

"I am. I will miss it, but I also want to be a mommy."

"You will be great at both."

"I will miss my students, but I think this will be best for us."

"Do you want to go back in the fall?"

"I do. By then the babies will be around seven or eight months old. Mother and mom will be a big help early on, but I want to do this. I'm their mother."

"They just want to help."

"I know." She sighed. "I just want to be the best mother I can be."

Jack took her hand. "And you will be. I have no doubt."

"How do you know?" She looked into his eyes for confirmation.

"From the moment you found out you were pregnant, you always held your belly in a protective manner. You do what you have to do to be healthy for them and to protect them. You only missed one day of the vitamins and that was early on. Then you freaked out about forgetting it. When I…" He hesitated thinking about that moment. "When I walked on the back porch of your childhood home and you were unconscious, you were holding your belly protecting our babies."

She squeezed his hand knowing how difficult it was for him to see that.

"You have always put our kids first. When the doctor wanted you to begin walking, you did. You hated it, but you did because you needed to do that for them. You take your medication every day because they need you to do that. You not only will be a great mother, but Elizabeth, you are already a great mother."

Elizabeth didn't even try to stop her tears. She was grateful Jack was her partner in life. He was so encouraging to her.

"There will be some mistakes along the way, but if we love them, and each other with all that we have, I believe we will do well." He stated kissing her on the tip of her nose.

"Jack, would you please dance with me?"

"You want to do the Thorton?"

She shook her head. "Please don't ever call it that."

Jack stood and offered Elizabeth his hand. "Mrs. Thorton, I would love to dance with you."

She placed her arms around his neck and began to play with his hair on the back of his head. Jack placed his hands on her hips. Instinctively, like they have done this their entire lives, they began to sway perfectly together. She was lost in his dimples, and he was lost in her beautiful blue eyes. Jack leaned in and kissed her gently.

"In a couple of weeks, we could be holding Ig and Iggy."

She smiled at the thought. "Jack, that would be the best Christmas gift ever."

"I agree." As they swayed, Jack noticed some one moving in the corner of his eye. As he turned his head, he heard a young voice.

"Good afternoon, Chief, Mrs. Thorton."

"James." Jack nodded. "I assume you must be Alice?"

"Yes sir." The young lady smiled.

Jack and Elizabeth stopped swaying and Jack introduced her to the young couple.

"Are you having a nice afternoon?"

"Yes, sir." The young couple responded. "Wait." Alice said thoughtfully. "Are you the Thortons?"

"Yes. We are." Elizabeth responded.

"Oh…are you named after…"

Before she could continue, Jack stepped in. "I hope you two have a nice afternoon."

"Thank you chief. And chief…thank you for everything." That was when he noticed James was wearing a nice button down shirt with a tie.

"You two have a nice afternoon. And Alice, let me know if he isn't treating you like a young lady should be treated."

Alice blushed. "Chief, James has been a perfect gentleman."

Jack gave James a slight nod. After the young couple stepped away, Jack and Elizabeth continued to dance.

"Who was that?"

"Remember when I texted you about the Thorton?"

Her face turned a slight red and she nodded her head.

"Well, James was the one who told me about it."

"Oh…" Elizabeth turned her head and noticed that James and Alice were about fifty feet away dancing just like her and Jack. She could only shake her head as her face turned more red.

…

At about one in the morning, Jack woke up to Elizabeth grabbing his arm squeezing arm tightly.

"Elizabeth…are you ok?"

"Jack, it's beginning to hurt!"

"What is?"

"Oh…oh…" She began to say. "I don't know."

"Are you in labor?"

"I don't know. I haven't done this before." She stated quickly.

He sat up and turned his bedside light on. "The doctor said it will be soon, but probably not today."

"Well, the Peanuts may disagree with her."

She began to relax as the pain subsided. She laid perfectly still trying to find a comfortable spot. Jack went into the kitchen to get her some water and came back into the bedroom when she began another pain.

"Oh…Oh…" She stated as she grabbed the bed sheet.

"Let's get you to the hospital."

"Let's wait for a few minutes. I don't want to go and not be in labor. That would be embarrassing."

"Do you want me to call ma or your mother?"

"Not yet. Let's see what's going on."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. If I'm not in labor, I don't want to bother anyone."

"Elizabeth, you aren't a bother to anyone. Ma and your mother will know what's going on."

"Jack, please…"

He gave her the water and sat down beside her. He took her hand after she handed him the water and he placed it on the bedside table. After a few more rounds of pain, she agreed to go to the hospital.

Jack jumped up and went into full husband/dad mode. He ran to the closet and pulled out her prepacked bag and sat it down by the chair. He helped Elizabeth out of the bed and helped with her robe. He brought her to the living room and sat her on the chair as he went and grabbed the suitcase. Jack started out of the bedroom and then had to go back for his pants and a shirt.

If Elizabeth wasn't in pain, she would have thought he was being funny. "How can someone who is trained in emergencies be so nervous during this?" She laughed to herself as she whispered the statement. He came running out of the bedroom pulling his shirt over his head. She sat on the chair watching her husband take her bag and ran out the door. He didn't even close the door. Rip came and sat beside the chair she was sitting on. She heard Jack start the car and squeal the tires as he left the driveway. She looked at Rip. "Boy, I think he forgot something." She waited but never saw the headlights of the car. "He really did forget about me."

Jack took his second turn and picked up speed as his cell phone rang. "Who could be calling me this late?" He huffed. "Hello."

"Hey sweetheart."

"Hey beautiful. How are you doing?"

"Ok. The pain comes and goes. Jack…did you forget something?"

"No Elizabeth. We went over this a few times. I have your suitcase. It's in the back seat. The insurance card is in the suitcase, and I have one in my wallet. Plus, you have one in your purse as well. Did you forget your purse?"

"No. I have it with me."

"That's great. What could I have forgotten?"

"Jack…think…"

He thought for a moment. He turned his head to look at his wife and quickly realized what he forgot. It wasn't a what, it was a who.

"Oh crap!" He said as she giggled.

"Yeah…"

She heard tires squealing as he spoke. "I'll be there in a few minutes."

"I'm still in the chair."

…

Elizabeth looked up as she heard the car slid into the driveway. Jack ran up the porch stairs two steps at a time and sprinted into the living room.

"Sweetheart, I'm so sorry. Are you ok?"

"Yeah…I'm fine."

"Are you ready?"

"Jack, I've been ready." She smirked at her husband.

"I'm never going to hear the end of this, am I?" He asked as he helped her up.

"How can someone like you be so nervous?" She asked as she took her seat in the car with his help.

"It's different when it's your wife."

…

Jack made record time to the hospital. The nurse took Elizabeth back to the room for an exam and Jack was taken to the admitting desk to sign her in. They already had her information, so this was a quicker than normal process.

Jack knocked on Elizabeth's door and opened it when she said to come in. He opened the door and immediately stopped when he saw her laying in the hospital bed. All of the images and emotions of her hospital stay in Hamilton instantly came to mind. He couldn't move. He just stared at his wife with a blank stare. His face grew paler by the second.

"Jack, are you ok?"

"I don't think I will ever get used to seeing you laying in a hospital bed."

"Jack, I'm ok. It's not contractions."

The nurse in the room began. "It's Braxton Hick contractions."

"What's that?"

"Simply put, it's pre-contractions. Think of it as a way for the body to practice for labor. It kind of feels like labor, but it isn't."

"If that is practice labor pains, I don't think I want to feel real labor pains." Elizabeth gave a faint smile.

"Are you ok?"

She nodded her head. "I'm embarrassed to cause all of this trouble for nothing." She looked at the nurse. "Thank you for taking care of me even though it was nothing."

The nurse gently took her head. "Dear, this is what I'm here for and that wasn't nothing."

"No, you're here to deliver a baby. I'm not even in labor."

"I'm here for you and your baby. I promise you are good."

"Just embarrassed."

"You have no reason to be embarrassed." The older nurse patted the back of Elizabeth's hand.

Elizabeth nodded her head. She looked at Jack and he was still standing in the doorway white as a sheet. She patted the side of her bed for him to sit down. He still didn't move.

"Jack, please sit with me."

Jack slowly made his way to her bed and gently sat down. She could tell he was a little taken back by the sight of her in the hospital bed.

"I'm fine, Jack. I promise."

He looked at her but didn't give her a smile.

"Elizabeth, you are perfectly fine. Now, the Braxton Hicks contractions may come and go until you begin real labor. I don't think it will be too long before labor begins. I seriously doubt you will last until January."

"That's what my doctor said. She guessed two or three weeks."

"I would say one week or less. But I'm just an old delivery nurse."

Elizabeth smiled at her. "And a great nurse. Thank you."

The nurse nodded her head with a small smile. Thankful for the compliment.

"May I ask you a question?"

"Sure dear. What would you like to know?"

"How do I know the difference between a Braxton Hicks contraction and the real one?"

"Well, this is an old delivery nurse telling you this. When you were having the contractions earlier tonight, were you able to speak through them?"

Elizabeth thought for a moment. "Yes."

"Dear, when the real ones hit, you will not be able to speak through them."

"Thank you for the advice."

"You're welcomed dear. Now, let's get you changed, and you can head home to catch a little bit of sleep before school tomorrow."

"Thank you. Wait, how did you know I'm a schoolteacher?"

"Oh dear, I think everyone in this town knows who you and your husband are."

"Thank you for not letting me feel dumb."

"You are not dumb. Now, take care of yourself and I'll see you in a week or less." She gave Elizabeth a knowing smile.