Elizabeth sat with Rosemary at Abigail's, having some much needed girl time together. Their husbands had shooed them out of the house, telling them to go take some time for themselves while they watched the kids. Elizabeth had given Nathan a grateful hug and then walked into town to meet Rosemary at the cafe for afternoon tea.

Looking between her plate and Rosemary's, Elizabeth couldn't help laughing at how different their pregnancy cravings were. She had honeyed tea with a sweet scone, while Rosemary had milk, black tea, and cheddar scones. Taking a bite of her scone, Elizabeth grinned at her friend. "I wish we could switch cravings. I want all the sweet things, while you want all the savory things."

Rosemary started unapologetically on her second scone. "We're pregnant, Elizabeth. For once, we can eat whatever kinds of food we want without worrying about what people think." She winked. "Own the cravings!"

Elizabeth chuckled, then took a sip of her tea. "I like your outlook, Rosemary."

"I am right, you know," Rosemary said, grinning widely.

"Of course you are," Elizabeth replied with a teasing eye roll. Rosemary simply smiled and continued to eat her scone.

Running a hand gently across her stomach, Elizabeth smiled down at her small baby bump. It might not be obvious to the casual observer that she was pregnant, but she definitely noticed the bump. She glanced at Rosemary, whose stomach was still showing no signs of pregnancy.

Rosemary noticed her look. "It's funny how differently we're experiencing these pregnancies, isn't it?" she said softly.

Elizabeth nodded. "I remember not showing with Jack until nearly five months along. This time around, I'm already showing much earlier. Which is fine. Carson said that's normal for a second pregnancy." She smiled. "How's Lee been doing?"

Rosemary raised a brow. "You would think I'm a delicate flower that could be trampled at any moment with the way that man fusses over me," she said with a smirk. "He won't even let me cook most nights! Not that I'm complaining about that, mind you. It's rather nice. But it is funny that he feels the need to pamper me." Her eyes softened. "And I know how lucky I am, because it shows how much he loves me." She dabbed at the mist that sprang to her eyes. "I love Lee so much. We're beyond happy to finally be having a baby. This is a dream come true." Looking at Elizabeth, she said, "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course," Elizabeth said. "Anything."

Rosemary hesitated for a brief moment, then spoke. "With little Jack, you had to go through things alone. Not truly alone, since you had us, but I saw how hard it was on you sometimes. How has this pregnancy been?"

"Honestly?" Elizabeth said, a small smile lighting her face. "I loved being pregnant with Jack. It was a wonderful feeling knowing that a little part of his daddy would live on in him. But this time I have to admit it's felt a lot easier. Having Nathan at my side makes all the difference in the world. It's kind of funny having two kids involved as well. Allie and Jack are so excited about this baby. They can't wait to meet her, and they've insisted on helping me decorate the nursery. Both of them wanted to decorate it in light pinks and purples since they're so insistent this baby is a girl, but I said we should use light green since it's a more neutral color. Just in case Kathleen is actually a boy."

Rosemary laughed. "She'd better be a girl at this point. Otherwise your other two aren't going to know what to do with themselves!"

They laughed together. Elizabeth brushed her hair over her shoulder, picking up her teacup once again. "To be honest, I get the sense this baby is a girl. But I don't want to get too attached to the idea of a daughter on the chance we have another son."

"What would you name him if it is a boy?" Rosemary asked.

"I'd want to name him Nathan," Elizabeth said immediately. "We could call him Nate for short to keep him from getting confused with his daddy. Nathan and I already talked about that, though he's also convinced the baby's a girl. Either way, the name will be Kathleen for a girl or Nathan for a boy." She tilted her head, looking at Rosemary. "What names have you and Lee come up with?"

"Oh, we don't know for sure," Rosemary said lightly. "Lee likes the idea of a flower name for a little girl. Lily or Violet or Daisy. I like any of those. We can't quite agree on a boy's name." She chuckled. "I like fancier names like Leopold or Jasper, and Lee doesn't. It's a good thing we have time to figure it out!"

"That's the beauty of it," Elizabeth said, rubbing her stomach lightly. "We have a lot of time left. But I would love to meet this little one already. I love thinking about what the baby will look like, how he or she will take after me or Nathan in different ways." She sighed in contentment. "And I'm so excited to see what Jack is like as a big brother. I already have a sense of what Allie is going to be like, since she's such a good sister to Jack." She smiled wryly. "Is it February yet?"

Rosemary laughed. "Not for another five and a half months, my friend. But I totally understand. I want to meet this baby more than anything. And Fred has been asking every single day when he gets to meet his new baby brother or sister."

"He's going to be such a good big brother," Elizabeth said with a smile. "The way he plays with Jack is so brotherly and sweet. He told me the other day he always wanted a sibling, but when his parents died, he figured it would never happen. He got all smiley and told me dreams really do come true."

Rosemary's eyes welled with tears. She dabbed them away with her napkin, letting out a choking laugh. "That boy is so precious. I thank God everyday he came into our lives."

Elizabeth nodded. "He has been the perfect addition to your family and to Hope Valley. He's doing so well in school. He plays very well with the other children."

"You have no idea how happy that makes me," Rosemary said with a little smile. "Thank you."

Elizabeth smiled back, reaching over to squeeze Rosemary's hand. "Of course."

Nathan sat at his desk, typing reports. He was so focused, he jumped when the phone rang. Reaching for it, he answered. "Hello?"

"Constable Grant, hold for Constable Kinslow," Florence said. Moment's later, Gabe's voice came over the line. "Hey, Nathan."

"Hey, Gabe. What's going on?" Nathan asked. "You only call when you need help."

Gabe chuckled. "You're right, and I do need help. I've been trying to track a jewel thief, and I'm having no luck catching him. You're the best tracker around, so I thought I'd see if you could come to Brookfield for a few days to help me nab him."

Nathan raised his brows in surprise. "You think he's still in Brookfield?"

"I do," Gabe said. "Every few days, someone else reports stolen jewelry. I don't know why this person is staying in such a small town, but he's a slippery one. I have no leads. I could really use your help."

"I don't know, Gabe," Nathan said, feeling hesitant. He didn't want to leave Elizabeth during her pregnancy, even if it was only for a few days.

"I understand your concern," Gabe said. "But you know Elizabeth will be well cared for while you're gone. Bill will check up on her, as will Lee and Rosemary. She'll be fine."

"I know," Nathan said with a sigh. "But that doesn't make it any easier."

"Tell you what," Gabe said. "Why don't you talk to Elizabeth and see what she has to say." There was a long pause on the other end before Gabe continued. "But if you can come, please come soon, Nathan. I really need your tracking skills."

Nathan promised to let him know, then hung up. He drummed his fingers on the desk, feeling torn. He wanted to help his friend, but he didn't want to leave his wife. Conflicted, he stood and walked outside, feeling the need for some fresh air.

He walked quickly, not seeing much as he deliberated with himself. He didn't notice Lucas trying to get his attention until he was standing in front of him. "Nathan!"

Nathan jumped for the second time that morning. "Lucas! I'm sorry, I didn't hear you."

"No kidding," Lucas said, chuckling. "I called your name three times and you didn't even react."

"Sorry," Nathan repeated.

"Something on your mind?" Lucas asked.

"Yeah," Nathan said. "Gabe wants my help on a case in Brookfield, and I want to help him. But I'm really struggling with the thought of leaving Elizabeth right now."

"Ah," Lucas said, nodding. "That's understandable. But you do know she'll be well cared for here, right?"

Nathan chuckled. "You sound like Gabe."

Lucas shrugged. "Well, we are right, you know." He put a hand on Nathan's shoulder. "Your wife will want for nothing while you're away. She's a strong woman, and she can handle a few days of you being gone."

"That's not what worries me," Nathan said quietly.

Lucas saw the look in his eyes, and understanding dawned in his own. "You're afraid something could happen to you. You're afraid of risking Elizabeth losing you."

Nathan nodded. No other words were needed.

"I understand," Lucas said, a sympathetic look in his eyes.

Breathing in deeply, Nathan looked around. "I love being a Mountie, Lucas. I love that I can protect the town that means the world to me. But sometimes, I wonder if the price is too high. This is a dangerous job. And for some reason, when I go to Brookfield, that danger always seems to escalate."

Lucas frowned. "What do you mean?"

Memories flooded Nathan. "It means the two times I've gone there to help Gabe, I almost got killed. Both times, Lucas. Thankfully I wasn't hurt either time, but I also wasn't married then. Now that I am, and now that Elizabeth and I have a child on the way with two other children depending on us, it terrifies me that something could happen."

Lucas nodded. "Have you talked to Elizabeth yet?"

Nathan shook his head. "I was planning on heading there after my walk. I know it'll be lunchtime soon, so the children will be outside."

"Just see what she thinks," Lucas said. "Elizabeth is a strong woman, Nathan. And you know she'll tell you her honest thoughts."

"I know," Nathan said, letting out his breath. He smiled. "Thank you, Lucas."

Lucas chuckled. "That's what friends do. Help each other in whatever way they can."

Nathan nodded. "You and I have come a long way, haven't we?"

Raising a brow, Lucas nodded. "I'll say. The first year and a half of our acquaintance wasn't exactly idyllic."

"No, it wasn't," Nathan agreed. "But it all turned out for the best."

"That it did," Lucas said. He chuckled. "Though if anyone had said we'd eventually become friends, I would have thought they were crazy."

Nathan laughed, clapping Lucas on the shoulder. "You and me both."

Elizabeth rang the bell for recess, smiling as her students gathered their lunches and stampeded outside. The weather was beautiful, and she knew they would spend the next forty-five minutes eating and playing in the sunshine. Elizabeth figured she would join them in a few minutes, right after she got her desk organized for the afternoon lessons.

She heard footsteps coming up the steps and looked up, expecting to see Robert or Timmy coming in for a forgotten item. Her heart skipped when she saw Nathan coming toward her. Smiling broadly, she went to meet him. "I wasn't expecting to see you," she said, sliding her arms around him and raising herself on her tiptoes to kiss him.

Nathan's arms drew her closer, a tenderness in his kiss that melted her heart, but she could feel something was wrong. She drew back, looking into his eyes. "What is it?"

He ran a hand through her hair, smiling. "How do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Know something is wrong, just by looking at me?" He chuckled, leaning down to kiss her again. "You have a sixth sense about these things."

"Mmhmm," Elizabeth said, raising a brow. "And you still haven't answered my question."

Nathan let her go, leading her to a bench so they could sit. "Gabe wants my help on a case in Brookfield," he said, getting right to the point. "If I go, I'll likely be gone for several days."

Elizabeth absorbed that information, feeling a twinge of fear in her gut. "Are you going?"

"Only if you're okay with it," Nathan said, brushing some hair from her face. "I won't go if you ask me to stay."

"What is the case?" Elizabeth asked, gripping his hand tightly in hers. Somehow, holding onto him helped her to feel more relaxed.

"A jewelry thief," Nathan answered. "Gabe hasn't had any luck catching whoever it is, and he wants me to come because of my tracking skills."

"Is it dangerous?" Elizabeth asked, her voice small.

Nathan didn't answer for several heartbeats. Finally, he did. "I don't know, sweetheart. It could be."

She nodded, knowing that any Mountie work could end up being dangerous, even when it wasn't supposed to be. "And when would you leave?"

"As soon as possible," he said. "Gabe wants me to come quickly. If I go, I'll say goodbye to you and Allie here, and then swing by the house to say goodbye to Jack before riding to Brookfield."

"Do you want to go?" Elizabeth asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Nathan framed her face in his hands. "Yes and no. Yes because I want to help Gabe, no because I don't want to leave you, especially now." He studied her. "What do you think, Elizabeth?"

She drew in a deep breath. "I want you to know that the fact that you asked me my opinion on this means the world to me. I also know that if you needed help, you'd want Gabe to be the one at your side. I imagine he feels the same way." She let out her breath, giving him a brave smile. "I think you should go, Nathan."

"Really?" he asked, searching her face.

She nodded. "Yes, really. Just be careful."

"Always," he breathed, leaning forward to give her a passionate kiss. They stood and walked to the door, where Nathan took her into his arms again. He seemed to be having a hard time letting her go. Elizabeth smiled at him, placing a hand on his face. "It's okay, Nathan. We'll be fine."

He nodded, his throat working. "I know," he whispered. "But I'll miss you very much." He knelt down, placing a kiss on her stomach. "You be good for your mama," he said, cradling the bump their child had created. Standing once more, he pressed another kiss to Elizabeth's lips, lingering for several long moments. "I love you, sweetheart," he said.

"I love you too," she returned, a lump in her throat. "Be safe, Nathan."

He ran a hand gently down her cheek. "Always." With that, he headed down the steps, finding Allie to say goodbye. She gave him a hug and a kiss, then resumed playing with her friends as Nathan headed down the lane.

Elizabeth took a deep breath to calm herself as Nathan walked away. Before turning a corner, he stopped and looked back at the schoolhouse, waving goodbye. Elizabeth lifted her hand in farewell, and then Nathan disappeared behind a building.

Closing her eyes, Elizabeth placed her hands over her stomach. "He'll be okay," she whispered to their baby. "He has to be."