Elizabeth gazed down at her little goddaughter. After a week in the hospital, Hope Elizabeth had been cleared to go home, and they had just celebrated her baptism. Elizabeth couldn't get enough of the little girl; she was happy to watch her anytime. At three weeks old, Hope was looking more and more like Faith. Her hair was fine and blonde, and she had bright blue eyes that were alert and aware.
"She's perfect, Faith," Elizabeth said, looking up at her friend.
Faith smiled, giving her daughter a tender look. "She's an angel. She rarely cries and she's already sleeping through most of the night." She sat next to Elizabeth, letting Hope grab her pinkie finger. "I know she's only a few weeks old, but she smiles at me and Carson a lot. She's the most precious baby." She chuckled. "Though as her mother, I might be a bit biased."
"Not biased at all," Elizabeth said, running a finger over Hope's impossibly smooth cheek. "She's absolutely precious." Studying the baby, she chuckled. "You know, she can so easily pass as Carson's biological daughter. No one would ever know she's not."
"And I plan to keep it that way," Faith said, taking a sip of tea. "It's no one's business besides ours. Carson is her daddy. And Elizabeth, he is the best father ever. He adores Hope, and he can get her to smile faster than anyone else can." She sighed, happiness shining in her eyes.. "He's been a doctor for years and has been around babies his entire adult life, and his confidence in caring for our little girl is so attractive." She smirked. "Who knew seeing a grown man change a diaper could make your heart race?"
Elizabeth laughed. "You and Carson really are perfect together," she said. "I'm so glad you found each other."
Faith shook her head, grinning. "You know Rosemary still takes the credit for that? Rightfully so, I suppose. Carson and I probably never would have truly started getting to know each other if she hadn't invited him to one of our game nights." She leaned back against the couch, lost in thought. "I'm so glad she did that. Carson is the love of my life. I can't imagine trying to get through life without him."
"And you don't have to imagine that," Elizabeth said softly. "You found each other, and I can guarantee neither of you is going to let go."
Faith nodded, watching as Elizabeth gently rocked Hope. The baby's eyes were drooping, and within a few minutes she was fast asleep. Elizabeth smiled, pressing a gentle kiss to Hope's forehead while breathing in the sweet scent that all infants seemed to possess.
"Your time will come, you know," Faith said.
Elizabeth didn't have to ask what she meant. "I know," she said simply.
"How are you doing with that?" Faith asked. The two women had been friends for so long, there were no forbidden topics between them. Elizabeth knew Faith wanted her to have a baby almost as much as she did herself, and she asked almost every month if there was a chance of pregnancy. Elizabeth appreciated her support more than she could say.
"I'm doing alright, to be honest," Elizabeth admitted. "I always imagined that I would get married and then have a baby right away, but that's not been the case. Nathan and I have been married for almost a year, and nothing has happened yet. But on the plus side, we've been able to establish ourselves as a couple, spending time together and falling more and more in love. I am thankful for that. While I deeply desire a baby, I know that when the time is right, it'll happen."
"You have a good attitude about it," Faith observed.
Elizabeth chuckled lightly. "You sound like Nathan." She paused, thinking for a moment. "Honestly, Faith, I have good days and I have bad days. Today just happens to be a good day. There are times I feel a nearly physical ache in my womb, wondering when it will be my turn to become a mother. I don't understand why it's taking so long, but I'm trying to trust that everything will work itself out."
"I'm sure it will," Faith said softly. She smiled. "And until then, you're welcome to hold little Hope as much as you like."
Elizabeth laughed, though she tried not to jostle the child in her arms. "You know I'll take you up on that."
"Remind me why we decided to host Thanksgiving this year?" Elizabeth asked, her face flushed as she bent over the stove, stirring a pot of gravy.
Nathan laughed. "You wanted to give the Coulters a break this time around, remember?"
"Ahh, yes...that was it," Elizabeth said with a wry smile. "I can't believe in all these years of Thanksgivings together, I've never hosted one! It's kind of overwhelming."
Nathan sidled up behind her, slipping his arms around her waist and kissing her neck. "Sweetheart, all you have to do is one thing at a time. That's how you get anything overwhelming done. One step at a time."
Elizabeth took a deep breath, turning in his arms and sliding her arms around his neck. "One thing at a time." Her lips sought his, and they lost themselves in each other for a few minutes before Elizabeth pushed him back. "Okay, stop distracting me. I need to get things done."
"Distracting you?" Nathan said, laughing and swatting her arm. "You kissed me!"
"Yes, but you started it with that neck kiss," Elizabeth told him, giving with a flirty wink. "Now, help me get these cranberries done."
They worked together in harmony, laughing and teasing each other as they got the main dishes done for the feast they would be having a little later. Nathan felt more relaxed than he had in a while. It was fun cooking with Elizabeth, getting a fancy meal ready to share with their friends in celebration of everything they were thankful for in life. Looking at Elizabeth, Nathan knew that she was the single most important person in his life, and he was most thankful for her. As their friends came over with their families, he couldn't help watching his precious wife. She made each person feel welcome, taking the food they brought as a contribution to the feast and adding it to the buffet table, laughing and talking with their friends and the children with such an ease, he never would have known she had felt slightly frazzled earlier if he hadn't witnessed it.
While their guests were busy talking and laughing amongst themselves, Nathan pulled Elizabeth into the hallway. Pressing her gently against the wall, he kissed her long and slow. When he pulled back, Elizabeth caught her breath, looking up at him with wide eyes. "What was that for?"
Nathan smoothed her hair back from her face. "For being you," he said simply. "For being my wife. For loving everyone around you." He kissed her again, then pulled her to his chest. "Have I told you how much I appreciate you, sweetheart?"
She pressed closer to him with a little sigh. "You have, but it's always good to hear. And I appreciate you as well, Nathan."
"I know," he said, giving her a squeeze before releasing her as Allie came around the corner. "Uncle Nathan, Auntie Elizabeth! Mom is looking for you. She said something about taking a group picture in the backyard."
"Sounds good to me," Nathan said, ruffling Allie's hair.
"Uncle Nathan!" she said in an exasperated tone, smoothing her hair back in place.
Nathan laughed. "Sorry, sweetie." He looped an arm around her. "Come on, let's go see about this picture."
Carson produced his camera and got it set up. "Alright, everyone," he said. "Squeeze in a little tighter!" The group did, and Carson set the timer, then took his place beside Faith. "Everyone smile!"
"Cheese!" rang out from the crowd, and the picture snapped. Carson viewed it and smiled. "Perfect!"
Rosemary and Elizabeth started a conversation as Lucas toddled around their legs, giggling as he chased a grasshopper. Faith and Carson were talking with Steve and Colleen, and Colleen was holding Hope and gazing at her with a look Nathan recognized. His sister missed being around babies. He made a mental note to ask her if she wanted to volunteer to hold babies at the hospital; Elizabeth had told him they were looking for people to do that. He had a feeling that would be right up Colleen's alley. Allie was playing with Clara and Jesse, engaging them in a game of tag. Lee came up beside Nathan, looking at their family and friends. "It's a beautiful sight, isn't it?" he commented.
Nathan nodded. "It is. I am so thankful for each and every person in this yard."
"It's been a stressful year," Lee said. "I'm glad to see that everyone has come through it and is stronger for having done so." He glanced at the large picnic tables set for Thanksgiving dinner. "You and Elizabeth outdid yourselves this year," he said. "It must have been a lot of work."
"It was," Nathan admitted. "But we were happy to do so."
"Rosemary and I can't tell you how much it means to us," Lee said with feeling. "She was almost dreading getting everything together for this year, and after Elizabeth called and offered to host, Rosie actually broke down and wept in her gratitude."
Nathan smiled, tucking that bit of information away to tell Elizabeth about later. She would appreciate that.
A little later, everyone had piled their plates high with food and were laughing and eating outside, enjoying the late afternoon sunshine and the light breeze. Once everyone had finished eating, Nathan stood and cleared his throat. "I believe it is tradition to go around and say what you're thankful for in the past year," he said. "Lee, why don't you start?"
Lee was thankful for their new home and for being promoted to detective; Rosemary was thankful for the health of their children. Steve and Colleen were thankful to have rediscovered each other in the past year, and Allie was thankful for her friends. Carson and Faith were thankful for their new daughter, for the beauty that had come from the ashes. Jesse and Clara were thankful for going to the beach every day. When it came to Elizabeth, she smiled up at Nathan. "I'm thankful for this past year of settling into married life with the man of my dreams."
Her smile made Nathan's stomach flip, and he gave her a gentle smile back. "And I'm thankful for my wonderful wife, and that we are all happy, healthy, and safe." His words had a meaning everyone present understood, and there was a lot of nodding in agreement. Nathan held up his cup in salute. "Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Nathan sat once more, and Elizabeth leaned over to him. "Nice job," she said with a smile. "That couldn't have been easy."
He chuckled. "Easier than I thought it would be. And only because we're surrounded by people we love."
Elizabeth nodded, her face happy and relaxed. "We are." She leaned her head on his shoulder. "We are so blessed."
Nathan smiled, looking around at all the joy that was written on the faces of their loved ones. "Yes, we are." He kissed her forehead. "We have so much to be thankful for."
Elizabeth sank deeper into the tub, sighing as the hot water soaked against her skin. Their guests had helped clean up most of the dishes, but there were still some left. She had started to finish the clean up, but Nathan had shooed her from the kitchen, telling her it was time for her to relax. He suggested a bath, and suddenly nothing sounded better to Elizabeth.
It was late, and the hot water had a soothing effect on her. She leaned her head back against the tub, gently moving the water back and forth to distribute the heat. Eventually, she heard Nathan come into the room, changing into his pajamas and climbing into bed.
"Are you going to sleep?" she called.
"Not yet," he said. "I'm going to read for a bit while you soak."
She smiled, resting her head against the tub again. This felt heavenly. Eventually she pulled the plug and let the water drain out, grabbing a towel and beginning to dry herself, laughing as she saw how pruny her skin had become. She looked up, and her heart skipped a beat.
Nathan was leaning against the door to the bathroom, watching her with a smile. She smiled back and continued drying her skin. Noticing his smile broadening, she raised a brow as she slipped past him, finding her pajamas in the dresser. "What?" she asked as she put them on.
He chuckled. "I was just remembering how deeply you would blush the first couple months of our marriage if I happened to catch you coming out of a shower or getting dressed. Now it's just a part of life."
Elizabeth picked up her brush, running it through her wet hair before loosely braiding it. "So does that mean we're just an old, married couple now?" she teased, giving him a sassy smile.
He shrugged. "Pretty much. An old married couple, settled into their lives together."
Elizabeth put the brush down, going to him and wrapping her arms around him. "That's a pretty perfect place to be," she said, resting her cheek against his chest.
Nathan nodded, sliding his hand up and down her back. "It is."
They climbed into the bed together, turning out the lamps and giving each other their customary goodnight kiss before settling into each other's arms.
"Goodnight, sweetheart," Nathan whispered. Elizabeth echoed his words, closing her eyes and basking in his warmth and solid strength. But sleep wouldn't come. She found herself wondering about their future, what it would look like and how children would be involved. If children would be involved.
She sighed, wiggling slightly to find a more comfortable position, hoping she wouldn't disturb Nathan. But her husband opened his eyes and she could see them shining in the light of the moon through their window. "What's wrong, Elizabeth?"
"What if we can't have children?" Elizabeth whispered, suddenly feeling overcome with emotion. "What if it's not meant to happen for us?"
Nathan pulled her closer, holding her as tears started falling down her cheeks. He didn't say anything for several long minutes, just held her and let her cry. By the time her tears were spent, she took several shuddering breaths. "Sorry," she said in a small voice. "I didn't mean to cry all over you. And on Thanksgiving, a day I should be thankful for everything I have…"
Nathan placed a finger over her lips. "Don't apologize. You're allowed to feel, Elizabeth. Especially as regards children. Don't ever apologize for being honest with me."
She sniffled, resting her head against his shoulder. "Thank you, Nathan," she whispered.
She felt his lips graze her cheek. "Maybe we can see a doctor in the new year," he said, running a hand along her arm. "We can see if there's anything causing our inability to have a baby, and then we can see if it can be fixed."
Elizabeth bit her lip, afraid to voice her fear but needing it to be out in the open. "And what if they can't fix it?"
Nathan was quiet for a moment. "Then we adopt," he said, looking into her eyes. "You were meant to be a mother, Elizabeth, and you will be a mother. Whether the children are biologically ours or not, we will have children."
Elizabeth buried her face in his shoulder, crying again. But this time, they were tears of gratitude for the man beside her, the man who cared so much for her. "How was I fortunate enough to find you?" she asked, drying her tears on his shirt.
Nathan gently pressed his lips to hers, giving her comfort with his kiss. "I've often wondered how I was fortunate enough to find you," he said when he pulled back. He smiled at her. "We were meant to be, Elizabeth."
She snuggled closer to him, feeling the weight lift from her shoulders. "Meant to be," she whispered, knowing that applied to their future as well, and any to children they had or adopted. She felt sleep starting to claim her, and she let herself close her eyes. Tucked close to her husband, she felt a security and peace in his arms.
They would get through this together. With that thought running through her mind, she finally fell into a dreamless slumber.
