Carson was unable to make lunch for the next few days. He left town suddenly, needed for an emergency situation in the nearby town of Brookfield. Elizabeth was relieved that she didn't have to see him for a few days. Her emotions were raw. She wasn't sure she would have had the strength to pretend everything was fine.

She could not possibly have feelings for him. It was too soon. Elizabeth resolved to push the strange emotions aside and focus on her soon-to-be-born child. By the time Carson was able to resume their lunches, she felt more in control of herself.

Even if her stomach continued to flutter every time he came by.

Even if she saw certain looks that confirmed Charlotte and Abigail's suspicion of his feelings toward her.

Even if she sometimes wondered what it would be like to love again.

To love him.

Every time that last thought came to mind, she was swamped with guilt. Yes, Jack would be open to her finding love again, as Charlotte frequently reminded her. But this soon? No. She couldn't believe falling in love only six months after his death was something he would have wanted.

"Elizabeth?"

She jumped when she felt Carson's warm, strong hand cover hers where it rested on the table. Her heart leapt in her chest, betraying her resolve to ignore her emotions where he was concerned. Unable to stop herself, she looked up, meeting his steady blue gaze. His brows were wrinkled, his mouth turned down. "Are you alright?"

Throat dry, she nodded. "Fine."

His grip on her hand tightened ever so slightly. "Are you sure? Your breathing seems irregular and your pupils are dilated. Physically speaking, something seems off." He glanced at her stomach. "How is the baby doing today? Kicking? Moving?" He pressed his free hand to her forehead, checking her temperature. "Are you feeling tired at all?"

Despite her rolling emotions, Elizabeth couldn't help chuckling. "I'm fine, Carson, and the baby seems fine too. It's been moving a lot today." She rubbed her stomach with one hand. "But you said that would happen more often as the due date approaches."

He didn't look entirely convinced. "Yes, that is normal." He leaned closer, studying her eyes. "Are you sure you're feeling alright?"

She could feel his breath on her face. Alarmed, Elizabeth jerked back. Confusion filled Carson's eyes. He slowly let go of her hand. "Have I done something to offend you?"

She blinked. "No."

He stared at the table. "Maybe it's just me, but you've seemed … different … since I got back from Brookfield. Almost like …" He paused before meeting her eyes. "Almost like you don't want to be around me." There was a hint of hurt in his expression, but also earnestness. "Elizabeth, if these lunches are making you uncomfortable in any way, or if you'd like to cut back on them, please let me know. I don't want to impose on your time. If you'd rather …"

"No!" The abrupt word cut him off. Elizabeth reached out, grabbing his hand. "I'm sorry, Carson. I know I haven't been myself these past few days. Please believe me when I say I want you to keep coming over. I look forward to these lunches every day."

The admission surprised her. He'd just given her a perfectly good excuse for limiting the time they spent together, but she ignored it. The thought of not having him around did not sit well with her. She wanted him in her life. The intensity of that feeling was shocking.

"Alright," he replied, though his voice remained tentative. "You're sure?"

She nodded. "I'm sure." She couldn't tell him why she was suddenly acting so odd. If her friends were right and he did harbor feelings for her, it would only hurt him to know that she felt something as well but was conflicted about it. Maybe after her child was born and she had time to process her feelings, she could broach the subject with him. For now, she wanted to remain friends.

"Tell me about your time in Brookfield."

Carson smiled. "The town reminds me of Hope Valley, but smaller. They have a nurse coming soon, from what I understand, but the local mercantile owner needed surgery after a tree fell on his leg. I was able to patch him up, but he'll be hobbling around on crutches for a while." He rubbed his thumb absently against Elizabeth's palm, reminding her that their hands were still joined. A small voice whispered that she break the contact, but another part of her whispered that she embrace the show of affection. Before she could make up her mind, Carson gently released her hand and settled back in his chair.

"The mercantile owner - Joe - told me that a wagon will be coming through Hope Valley sometime before Christmas. Apparently a young woman named Lillian and her sister Grace are bringing a group of orphans to Brookfield. Joe asked me to make sure the town welcomed them, since they're likely to rest here for the night. They're being accompanied by a Mountie."

By now, Elizabeth was used to seeing the red serge again, at least on Brandon. She wondered how she would react seeing it on someone else. "Do you know his name?"

Carson nodded. "Constable Gabriel Kinslow. He will be stationed in Brookfield after he escorts the ladies and children to the orphanage. It sounds like he's looking forward to small town life after being in Union City for the last few years."

"Good for him," Elizabeth replied. "I'm sure he'll find the change of pace to be refreshing." She smiled. "I know I did when I came here from Hamilton."

Carson tilted his head. "You haven't told me much about growing up in a big city. What was your childhood like?"

That felt like safe ground. Elizabeth dove into her memories, happy to share them with Carson. He listened attentively, and once she finished, she asked about his childhood. As their conversation continued, she realized they were sharing bits of their lives that would draw them even closer together.

The thought was both scary and exhilarating.

A week into December, Elizabeth wondered how much more her body was capable of expanding. She waddled rather than walked. Her body felt swollen and sore. She was ready for her baby to come, but her due date wasn't for another two weeks.

At dinner that evening with Brandon and the Coulters, she couldn't get comfortable. Rosemary noticed shortly into the meal. "Would you like some chamomile tea?"

Elizabeth smiled at her friend gratefully. "Yes, please."

Lee gave her a sympathetic look. "Not too much longer, Elizabeth. I'm looking forward to meeting this little one."

"Me too." She placed both hands on her stomach, where she was rewarded with several firm kicks. "This child has been so active lately. Carson says that's a good sign, but it's not exactly cozy." Her baby kicked hard, making her grunt. "As far as I'm concerned, this kid can come right now."

As if in response to her words, her stomach tightened. Elizabeth froze, but the feeling soon passed. She relaxed, accepting the mug Rosemary handed her with a smile. "Thank you."

They spent their meal talking and laughing. Elizabeth's stomach squeezed several more times, but she tried to ignore it. Carson told her contractions would be unmistakable. These didn't seem too bad.

Rosemary turned to Brandon once dessert had been served. "You've been quiet tonight, young man. Is there something on your mind?"

Elizabeth looked up to see Brandon's eyes trained on her. He wore a look of intense sadness. Without breaking Elizabeth's gaze, he spoke to them all. "I am thankful to you all for your hospitality over the last months. Hope Valley has become home to me. I love it here." His throat convulsed as he finally looked away. "But there's something I've kept hidden from you, something that has been eating at me." He looked at Elizabeth again. "Every time I see you, watching you grow as you carry Jack's child, it reminds me that it's my fault that he's … gone. It's my fault he won't get to be here for his little one." His voice broke. Tears slipped silently down his cheeks.

Standing, Elizabeth went around to his side of the table. She took the empty chair beside him. "Brandon, it's not your fault. The mudslide was an accident."

He shook his head, eyes wide. "You don't understand. He would have lived if he hadn't …" He choked on a sob. "If he hadn't pushed me out of the way."

Understanding wrapped around Elizabeth. Brandon had been one of the recruits Jack saved. Rather than feel upset, empathy washed over her. What a crushing weight of guilt Brandon must carry with him, especially as he served each day in the town that Jack loved. He'd requested Hope Valley as his assignment. He could have chosen another place, a place that wouldn't remind him over and over again that he lived because of another's sacrifice. Instead, he came to Hope Valley to do what Jack no longer could.

Tears filled her eyes. She leaned forward, wrapping Brandon in an embrace. He stiffened and tried to pull away. She held on.

"It's not your fault," she whispered, willing him to believe it. "Jack made a choice, Brandon. The entire situation was out of your control. His death is not on you."

"It feels like it is," he replied, his voice broken.

Rosemary scooted her chair to his other side, wrapping an arm around him as well. "We're here for you," she said firmly. "No matter what."

Lee nodded. "And we're not going anywhere, especially not after this. You are a part of our Hope Valley family. That's not something that can be broken."

Brandon looked up, staring at them in turn, disbelief written on his features. "How can you say that?"

Elizabeth looked him in the eyes. "Jack brought you to us," she said simply. "He might have given his life for you, Brandon, but you've given your life to us." She smiled. "You've become something of a younger brother to me. It's been a privilege getting to know you. I'm glad you're here."

He stared, mouth gaping open. "You're serious?"

She nodded. He looked at Lee and Rosemary, who also nodded. Sinking back in his chair, he shook his head. "I … I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything. Just accept our acceptance." Elizabeth patted his back. "You pushed on, Brandon. You continued to live. That's what is important. That is what Jack would have wanted."

Brandon sighed. "I'm sorry he won't be able to watch his baby grow up."

Elizabeth smiled. "Oh, but he will. He will be watching out for me and the baby from heaven." She chuckled. "For that matter, he'll be looking out for all of Hope Valley, including you."

The next few moments passed in silence. Brandon was clearly processing, and Elizabeth and the Coulters let him. Eventually, he blew out a breath. "Thank you all. Your support and kindness stuns me, but I'm grateful for it. If only …"

Elizabeth silently encouraged him with a nod. He sighed. "If only Johnson had the same support from those around him."

Rosemary frowned. "Who's Johnson?"

"The other recruit Jack saved." Brandon bit his lip. "He took it even harder than I did. The day after the mudslide, he dropped out of Mountie training. I don't know where he went. He had no family and no home. Our superior officer tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn't be swayed." His throat worked. "I worry about him."

"Maybe we can find him," Lee suggested. "No one should struggle alone."

A flicker of light filled Brandon's eyes. "Do you think that's possible?"

Lee chuckled. "You're a Mountie now. Finding people is part of the job." He winked. "I say go for it. And if you need to enlist the help of a certain Bill Avery, I'm sure he'd be happy to help."

Brandon smiled for the first time that evening. "I'll do that."

Elizabeth opened her mouth to comment, but a sudden, burning pain spread through her abdomen. She gasped, then moaned. "Oohhh! That hurts!"

Rosemary was on instant alert. "Brandon, go for Carson. Lee and I will make sure Elizabeth gets back to her house."

Brandon nodded. "Yes, ma'am." He hurried from the house.

Lee helped Elizabeth from her chair. The pain relaxed enough for her to walk the short distance to her house, but as soon as they reached her bedroom, another one seized her, this one stronger than the last. She groaned heavily, sinking onto her bed and curling into a ball. "Make it stop!"

Rosemary instructed Lee to go downstairs and boil some water, then sat on the bed beside Elizabeth. "Looks like your baby is coming now."

A shot of panic went through her. She might have said she was ready for the baby to come, but the reality that she might be about to give birth felt intense. "I don't think I'm ready, Rosemary."

"Ready or not, Elizabeth, you're in labor."

The night passed in physical agony for Elizabeth, which meant emotional agony for Carson. He'd delivered countless babies over the years, never personally affected by a mother's cries. He knew they meant the child was on its way and that agony would give way to joy. But this time, with every cry Elizabeth uttered, his own heart clenched in pain.

He checked the baby's progress for what felt like the hundredth time. Though she'd been in labor for hours, her water had not yet broken. Charlotte sat on the bed with Elizabeth, letting her daughter-in-law rest against her in between contractions and holding her hand during her pains. The Cantrells were out of town, visiting Faith's family for an extended period of time, so Carson had no nurse. Thankfully, Charlotte had delivered babies as well. He would have help bringing Elizabeth's child into the world.

It was another twelve hours before her water finally broke. From there, the delivery went quickly. Charlotte positioned herself behind Elizabeth, providing support as the younger woman pushed hard. Her screams pierced the air, tearing at Carson's heart, but he forced himself to focus.

"That's it," he said, keeping his voice soothing. "I can see the baby's head, Elizabeth. You're almost there."

She moaned, thrashing her head back and forth. "I don't think I can do this, Carson. It hurts so bad." The last word ended on another long groan. Her stomach seized again and she bore down hard. The baby's head crowned, drawing a pain-filled cry from its mother. She gave another forceful push, and the baby slipped from the birth canal into Carson's waiting hands.

The relief in the room was palpable. Tears slid down Elizabeth's cheeks as she tried to push herself up. Carson looked at the child in his arms. "You have a daughter. A beautiful, perfect daughter."

A sob left Elizabeth's lips. She sagged against Charlotte. "A little girl. Jack's daughter." She cried some more, and Carson could see the bittersweet emotions displayed on her face. Joy at bringing a child into the world, sorrow that her husband was not there to witness it. He cleaned the baby thoroughly, then swaddled her in a blanket and presented her to her mother. He laid the baby gently in Elizabeth's arms.

"Oh." The single word held a world of awe. "She's beautiful."

Charlotte laughed. "A perfect little miracle." She hugged Elizabeth. "Well done, Lizzie."

Carson quietly continued to help the new mother through the remainder of the birthing process, though he was sure she barely noticed. She had eyes only for the little girl in her arms. He would soon have to explain how to feed the baby, but for now, he let them simply bond. After he'd finished cleaning up, the baby began fussing.

"She's hungry," Charlotte said.

Elizabeth looked at a loss. "Feeding a baby is fairly straightforward, isn't it?" She looked at Carson.

He nodded. "It is." He began imparting instructions as he'd done many times in his career. Elizabeth draped a blanket over her shoulders before following his directions. He watched for the tell-tale jerk of her shoulders that would indicate the baby latched on to her source of sustenance. When it happened, he smiled. "There you go. That's all there is to it."

Elizabeth smiled at him. Her hair was wet from perspiration, her face red from the exertion of giving birth. Her eyes drooped with exhaustion. Even so, Carson thought she looked beautiful. He couldn't stop himself from placing a hand on her cheek. "You did good, Elizabeth."

She lifted one hand out from under the blanket, placing it over his. "Thank you for everything. I couldn't have done this without you. You brought my daughter safely into the world."

He chuckled. "I've done this a time or two."

She laughed softly. "Lucky for me." She lifted the blanket slightly, gazing down at her nursing baby. "She's a gift. A precious, precious gift."

"Did you settle on a name?" Carson asked. He knew she had chosen a couple options, but he wondered which she would choose.

Elizabeth's face lit in a tender smile. "Yes." She looked at Charlotte. "She's being named after her grandmother and her father. Charlotte Jacqueline Thornton, but I plan on calling her Lottie for short."

Charlotte swallowed, obviously fighting tears. "Thank you, Lizzie," she whispered roughly. "It's an honor to know she bears my name and Jack's."

Little Lottie must have finished nursing, because Elizabeth adjusted her clothes beneath the blanket before putting it aside and lifting the baby to her shoulder, patting her back firmly. "She is your son's final gift to me." She kissed Lottie's cheek. "Her daddy would be so proud."

Once the baby had burped and was nestled against Elizabeth's chest, Carson checked her vitals. "Everything looks good," he said. "I'll be back tomorrow morning to check in on you."

Elizabeth caught his hand in hers. He paused, lost in her beautiful blue eyes. When she smiled, he felt like anything was possible. "I'll see you then." She squeezed his hand before letting go. "Thanks again, Carson."

Giving in to impulse, he bent to place a kiss on her head. "You get some rest."

She nodded, leaning back against her pillows. Charlotte looked at him with a knowing smile. Carson felt heat creep into his cheeks. "I'll just … ah … go now."

Charlotte chuckled. "See you tomorrow, Doc."

Carson nodded to them both, then slipped from the room. He got the uncanny impression that Charlotte Thornton could read his feelings like a book. And for some reason, that made him decidedly nervous.