Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. All rights go to the actors, writers and creators of the show "When Calls The Heart".

This chapter was getting way too long so I have had to split it in half. Ch23 should be close behind it.

To the readers: Thank you for your reviews. I love reading them! To the guest who wonders what I think, I am super appreciative of everyone's comments and I understand what people are getting at. I read other WCTH fanfic stories too and am often super excited when new chapters are posted, so I get where you're coming from! ;)

(4/8/2018)

CHAPTER 22

Jack felt like things were progressing with Elizabeth again after their day at the lake. Things had been stagnant for a few days, like they were trying to find a common ground again. After their kisses at the lake though, he knew they were finding their way back to one another.

Jack hurriedly put the girls to bed and raced back down to find Elizabeth already asleep on the lounge. He sat down and brushed a stray curl out of her face but she didn't stir. Jack smiled down at her before he scooped her up in his arms. She automatically curled into his chest in her sleep and he carried her to her bed.

Jack woke up in the middle of the night, with a start. He had sat up and was breathing heavily. The images had flashed across his mind. All he could see was blood and glass everywhere. And a woman's body that looked just like Elizabeth.

Elizabeth had woken with his movement and realising he had a bad dream she sat up too, her hand going straight to his neck, her fingers weaving through his hair. Immediately he began to calm down. She didn't speak, she just sat next to him.

"It's that same dream again. But it's worse."

The dreams had started off weird. Just flashes of colour and nothing concrete on the first night. Tuesday night had been a bit more detail but tonight it had been worse. Much worse.

"I know Jack" Elizabeth said gently.

"How?"

"Because you woke up like this almost every night after the accident for months."

"You were with me?"

"Yes, where else would I be?"

"I thought the woman … I thought she was you."

"No, it wasn't me."

"Who was it then?"

Elizabeth sighed. Not a frustrated sigh but an "I wish I didn't have to be the one to tell you" sigh.

"You were on your way home from work one night. As you drove through an intersection following another car, a drunk driver ran the red light. He ploughed into the car in front of you. The man was killed instantly but the woman got thrown through the windshield somehow." Elizabeth paused and took a deep breath before continuing.

"You called the ambulance and you stayed with her trying to stem the blood loss until the paramedics got there. The whole thing destroyed you. The woman was pregnant, only a month or so further ahead of me. The fact that the couple was so similar in situation to us haunted you for a long time."

"What happened to her?"

"She passed away just as the ambulance arrived. You were holding her hand trying to get her to hold on."

"What was her name?"

"Clara Stanton. It turned out they were Abigail's son and daughter in-law."

"Oh no."

"Yes. We didn't know Abigail at the time. I met her about a year later. When she mentioned the name Clara, my blood froze.

Jack had tears in his eyes. He couldn't help it. He was hoping that it was a bad dream but having been confirmed that it was true, made those images all the more difficult to bear.

"Abigail was actually pleased when she found out it had been you with Clara. It gave her peace knowing Clara wasn't alone and you would have done your best to save her."

Jack fought the tears, his head dropping down.

"Hey, you got through it before. It probably just feels so raw again right now."

"Yes. I kept thinking the woman was you, but her injuries looked so bad. What made the nightmares stop?"

"I'm not exactly sure. Just time. I was five months pregnant so I think just looking forward to our own baby's arrival helped pull you out of it."

Jack rubbed his hand over his face roughly.

"I know at the moment we are looking back a lot trying to remember everything, but it is also important to look forward. To our future" Elizabeth said softly.

Jack nodded and lay back down. Elizabeth took up her spot on his chest, his hands automatically finding where they belonged. He lay there thinking about what she had said.

Jack hadn't thought about their future at all. But maybe he should start doing that. Stop waiting for memories of the past and focus on the new ones, like that day at the lake. Now, that had been a great day, he thought smiling to himself.

Jack finally had a call from the social worker, Bill, who apologised profusely for the delay. He had already reviewed Jack's notes and would come out for a home visit the following day. In the meantime, Jack still had another physiotherapy appointment for his arm and another meeting with Frank.

His arm had been getting stronger and until that morning he had no pain. He had pushed it a bit hard on the bench press though and now he immediately felt like that had been a bad idea. He was eager to get the strength back and hadn't really thought about what would happen if he reinjured himself. Thankfully the physio thought it was just strained but he would have to back off the weights for another week. Jack had inwardly groaned and chastised himself.

Jack was eager to see Frank that day and discuss everything with him. Frank had become more like a friend or counsellor than a psychologist. He wasn't forceful and he didn't tell Jack to do anything. Frank had a way of saying things that made Jack think it was his own idea. When Jack mentioned his disappointment at the fading memories from his picture wall, Frank asked more questions.

"What memories were they?"

Jack told him.

"How were they triggered?"

"I don't remember."

"You have been writing down your feelings about the memories though?"

"Yes."

"So what else is important?" Frank prompted.

"I should be trying to identify the trigger."

"Exactly. That's a very important step. If we know what the trigger is, we can use that as a part of your therapy."

"Okay. I will try."

Jack also told him about the accident.

"Yes, I remember Jack."

"You do?"

"Yes. You were seeing me monthly after Doug's passing. The accident made your visits more frequent again."

Jack just nodded, not knowing what to ask.

"The similarity of the woman to your own Elizabeth was the most difficult part of that situation. The hard thing for you is knowing what is real and what is not now. Is it a dream or is it a memory? That is going to be the struggle for you."

"Each night, the dream becomes clearer. At first it was just blood and glass but now I can see what coloured car they were driving. I can feel myself running toward her. I can feel myself checking over her and pressing the wound on her neck closed. But her face is still blurry."

"That's okay, Jack. Just try and focus on her hair colour or something that differentiates her from your Elizabeth. That worked last time. You were able to let her go knowing you did everything that you could."

Jack sat there, staring at his feet. It was easier said than done. He didn't want to have that dream at all.

"I know it doesn't seem like it right now, but you need to see the positive side of this. So far, you have told me that you have only really seen things as a snapshot in time, almost like a photo."

"Yes" Jack nodded not sure what Frank was getting at.

"But this dream or memory is the first one where there have been multiple … frames" Frank had paused trying to find the right word. "You are beginning to remember a sequence, Jack. It is a hard thing to remember and in a way re-live but this is a good sign for your recovery."

"Thanks Frank. I hadn't thought about it that way."

While Jack was at his appointment, Elizabeth walked with the girls to the park to meet up with Shane's wife, Katy and their three kids. They had a daughter Reese who was 7, another daughter Haven who was 5 and then Philip who was barely 2.

Philip stayed in his pram asleep while all the girls ran off playing together. Elizabeth and Katy sat down on a nearby chair.

"How are things going Katy? Only a few weeks to go!"

"Yes. I'm hoping Shane will be back by the end of the month. This summer has been hard."

"I'll bet. It's so much easier when the kids are in school."

Katy nodded in agreement, sitting back on the chair.

"How are things with you? Is Jack any better?"

"It's okay. Jack is … different. He has remembered a few things but nothing substantial."

"Oh Beth. I can't imagine what you are going through."

Elizabeth could feel the tears in her eyes, but she quickly blinked them back.

"It's fine. I feel so sorry for Jack though. It must be so strange being surrounded by all these strangers all the time."

"Yes, it would be very hard" Katy replied. "When does he go back to work?"

"About another two weeks. They're going to have to ease him back in at the beginning though. Start training from scratch. One good thing is they won't be deploying him again any time soon."

"That is about the only bonus to the situation, I'm sure" Katy smiled softly at her, patting Elizabeth's hand gently.

Katy had always been such a gentle soul. Her and Elizabeth had gotten on immediately when they met. Katy was never critical about anything and always found a positive light to things, much like Elizabeth. Elizabeth just needed a little reminding of that lately though.

"Hopefully Shane will be able to take him under his wing when he returns."

"I'm sure he will. Shane has asked me almost every time he's called how Jack is. Unfortunately I haven't been able to tell him much."

"Have you told him that he's forgotten everyone?"

"Yes. I could hear the pain in his voice when I told him Jack had forgotten you and the girls. He knows how devoted Jack was to his family and I suppose he could see the situation to his own family."

"At least he is aware of it."

"Beth, I know things are hard at the moment but if you need anything, please give me a call. I'm always here for you, Jack and the girls."

"Thanks Katy."

Elizabeth and the girls walked back home and arrived just as Jack pulled up in the drive.

Eve raced towards the car door and flung herself at him as soon as he opened it.

"Hi baby! How was the park?"

"So fun!"

"That's good."

Elizabeth continued walking and reached the door just as the postman drove to the house next door. Eve was squealing to get the mail so her and Jack waited next to the letterbox as Elizabeth went inside with Halley and Gracie.

Elizabeth went into the kitchen and pulled some water out of the fridge and grabbed some glasses down.

She heard Jack and Eve enter.

"Where do you want the mail, Beth?" Jack called out.

"Just put it in the drawer out there. I will look at it later."

"Okay."

He came in and leant against the kitchen counter.

"How did the session with Frank go?" Elizabeth asked, handing him a glass.

"Okay. He thinks these dreams are a good thing because it is a sequence of memories instead of just a snapshot."

"I guess that makes sense."

He shrugged. "I suppose."

Elizabeth's phone began to ring.

"Hi Dad. What's up?"

"Where are the girls?"

"They're here. Hang on."

Elizabeth called out to the girls and they came bounding in and Elizabeth put her phone on speaker.

"Here they are" Elizabeth said.

"Hi Grandpa" they sung into the phone.

"Hi girls. I was going to come visit you tonight. Can I take you all out to dinner?"

Halley, Gracie and Eve all started screaming in delight.

"Is Jack there too?" William asked.

"Yes. Hello, Sir" Jack said awkwardly.

"Jack, how are you feeling?"

"Well, thank you."

Elizabeth cut them off. "Where do you want us to meet you, Dad?"

"What's that place the girls like?"

"Bebe's Grill?"

"Yes. I'll make a reservation. See you there at 7pm?"

"Sounds good, Dad. See you then."

"Bye Beth, Jack. Bye girls."

"Bye" the girls sung out in unison before the line went dead.

Jack was silent. He was about to meet his father-in-law for the second time and after hearing that he wasn't particularly a fan from Elizabeth's stories, he was already a bit nervous.

The girls rushed back out of the room to play with Rip again.

Elizabeth's hand reached over and covered his own.

"It will be fine, Jack. He knows to go easy on you" she grinned. Elizabeth knew him so well. She could practically read him like a book.

"Sure" he replied with less certainty.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Can you tell me some more stories?"

"Sure. What about?"

"Whatever you want."

Eight years and six months before … (December 2009)

Jack had two weeks off once he returned from his deployment. Elizabeth still had classes but they spent every waking moment together.

Elizabeth found Jack to be very attentive, much more than usual. He would cook dinner for her and pack her lunches every day. She would come home to find the apartment spotless and the laundry all done and put away. She didn't have to pull a finger.

Elizabeth had an ultrasound scan at the end of the week and Jack was eager to go with her. As they took her into the room and she lay down on the bed, Jack held her hand tight. He was nervous, despite her trying to reassure him. When the image of their baby appeared on the screen, she felt his hand tighten further.

"Oh Beth, look."

She nodded, unable to tear her eyes away.

The sonographer moved the mouse and clicked some buttons before she zoomed in to find a small flickering on the screen. Once she drew a line across it, the sound that erupted into the room was the most amazing thing Elizabeth had ever heard. It was the baby's heartbeat.

She turned back to Jack, tears in her eyes and she could see the expression of wonder on his face. It was one of the best moments of her life.

The sonographer did a few more measurements.

"I can't tell the baby's gender today. You will have to wait for your next scan where we check everything over in more detail but right now you appear to have a healthy baby."

Jack and Elizabeth left the clinic but as soon as they got back to the car, Jack wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight.

"I can't believe that Elizabeth. I know when you told me you were pregnant I was amazed but seeing our baby on the screen, it made it so much more real."

"I know. That heartbeat …"

He bent down to kiss her. "Let's go home."

At home in front of their Christmas tree, Jack sat down pulling Elizabeth between his legs. She lay back on his chest as his arms rested over her.

"When should we tell our family Beth? It's okay to tell them now, right?"

At thirteen weeks, Elizabeth knew it should be okay. "Why don't you call your Ma now?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. You're dying to tell someone. Go for it."

He pulled out his phone and with Elizabeth still laying on him, his hand drifted to her stomach.

The phone rang and Charlotte immediately picked up.

"Hi Ma."

"Jack. Hi. I was meaning to ask you about our Christmas plans."

Jack had put the phone on speaker so Elizabeth could hear his mother's reaction.

"Okay. I had something to tell you too."

"Right, well I was thinking …" Charlotte proceeded to talk to him for ten minutes about their plans. Jack answered his mother patiently while Elizabeth knew he was just waiting for the break in conversation.

Finally, Charlotte asked, "What was it you wanted to ask?"

"Oh no I had to tell you something." He paused. "Elizabeth and I are …"

"Don't tell me you're not coming? Why did you let me go on if you're not coming?" she scolded him.

"No Ma. That's not what I was going to say."

"You're moving?" Charlotte guessed.

"No" Jack said impatiently.

"You've separated! Oh, Jack what are you doing?!"

"NO! MA! LISTEN! We're having a baby!" Jack said loudly into the phone.

"What?!"

"You heard me" he said firmly, looking down at Elizabeth.

There was silence. Elizabeth couldn't help but grin at Charlotte's reaction.

"You're having a baby? Elizabeth is pregnant?" she said in surprise.

"Yes, you're going to be a Grandma in early June" Jack said, a big dimpled grin covering his face.

"Oh my. I wasn't expecting that. Congratulations Jack!"

"Thanks."

"A baby. I just … I didn't think. I'm so happy for you both." Elizabeth could feel Charlotte's happiness leaking through the phone now. "Looks like I haven't finished my Christmas shopping after all."

Telling Elizabeth's family was going to be more difficult. Her parents were still furious with Julie and Elizabeth felt like it would just be awkward.

Jack and Elizabeth were due to have Christmas Eve dinner with them. William and Grace were staying home for the first Christmas in years since both Elizabeth and Viola were based there. Julie was apparently not coming, so Elizabeth thought that she would tell her parents that night.

When Jack and Elizabeth walked in to the Thatcher's house however, Julie was there calling out to Elizabeth and erupted into an emotional mess in front of her.

"Julie, what's wrong?"

"Billy and I had an argument. He doesn't want to marry me" she said, tears running down her cheeks.

Elizabeth felt terrible for Julie, but she could have seen this coming a mile away.

"Well, you can't force him, Julie? Had you talked about getting married before you got pregnant?"

"No. I'm still in college. My future was up in the air" she wailed.

"Yes, well maybe you should have thought about that."

"Great. You're mad at me too?"

"No, I'm not mad. I just think you need to be a bit more responsible. That is why Mom and Dad are upset. You're throwing your life away."

"Oh but I suppose if you were the one having the baby, everyone would be so excited because you're a perfect angel" she said rolling her eyes.

"No, but at least I'm married!"

Julie turned around and stormed off leaving Elizabeth standing there shaking in anger. Julie was just too immature to be having a baby. Everything always had to revolve around her. Elizabeth's plans of telling her family flew out the window at that moment.

Christmas Eve dinner was awkward at the least. Viola had come late with Lionel. Viola had assumed that Elizabeth had told them and probably would have said something but Viola must have quickly noticed the tension in the room. Lionel and Jack became the only ones talking to one another.

Viola pulled Elizabeth aside later that night.

"What happened? Why didn't you tell them?"

"Julie was wailing about a fight she had with Billy. It wasn't the time."

"I don't know how no one else has figured it out" Viola said.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, apart from the glow, your dress is … snug."

Elizabeth looked down, noticing a slight bulge. It was barely noticeable, but she knew Viola was right.

"It's just a food baby. I ate way too much before" Elizabeth brushed away her comment.

"No Beth. That's a real baby. How far are you now? 14 weeks?" Viola grinned at her.

"Yes."

"You have to tell them."

"I will."

"Tonight. Please."

They went back to the lounge room to exchange presents and Elizabeth watched as Julie opened a present from their Mom. It was some baby clothes and a bunny rug. Julie burst into tears again and was sobbing uncontrollably. Grace went to comfort her and took her out of the room.

Elizabeth couldn't help but feel like she'd been kicked in the stomach. Julie had truly stolen the show. Elizabeth stared at the baby blanket that had been left behind, fighting herself to tear her gaze away. She felt Jack rubbing her hand and he brought it to her lips and kissed it. She glanced at him to see him smiling at her.

"It's okay" was all Jack said but it was enough.

That night when they got home, Elizabeth had taken her coat off and gone to the mirror in the bathroom. She turned sideways and sure enough there was a definite bulge there. It was like it had appeared in only a few hours.

Jack walked in behind her.

"What's wrong, Beth? You've been really quiet."

"Look" she said turning sideways again.

Jack walked up to her and put his hand on her.

"You can start to see the baby now?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"That's amazing, Beth" he said as he kissed her tenderly.

Julie ended up moving in with her parents after Christmas. Every time Elizabeth called her mother, Grace would tell her all about Julie and her pregnancy. Grace even went with her to the ultrasound scan.

"You wouldn't believe what it was like to see the baby on the screen, Beth. It was amazing. They didn't have scans like that back when I had you girls."

Each time, Elizabeth didn't feel like she could say anything.

She and Jack organised to have dinner with her parents one night at a restaurant. Elizabeth had emphasised that she would book for four. Jack and Elizabeth had arrived at the restaurant early. She was now 17 weeks along and clearly pregnant. She had worn a loose black dress to dinner which covered her stomach quite well but at just the right angle, you could see her baby belly clear as day.

They sat down at the table and waited only to see William, Grace and Julie heading toward them. Elizabeth groaned.

"Jack! I clearly said I needed to talk about something with the two of them!" Elizabeth whispered to him.

"Elizabeth. Jack." William came forward and Elizabeth stood carefully almost behind Jack as she greeted her parents.

They sat and once again Julie dominated the conversation. Elizabeth could feel the tears in her eyes. It was a mixture of sadness and frustration.

"So what did you want to talk to us about Beth?"

Grasping at straws, Elizabeth said the first thing she could think of.

"Oh, it's not that important. We've decided to sell my apartment. I was just wondering if you wanted to buy it off me. It is a good investment."

Jack looked across at her in surprise. They had discussed moving to a bigger place but nothing further. They hadn't even started looking at what was available.

"Oh Daddy! You could buy it for me! That would be perfect!" Julie exclaimed.

Shoot. That really backfired, Elizabeth thought.

"I will think about it" William said glancing at his youngest daughter with a look of frustration.

Needless to say, Elizabeth didn't tell her parents that night either and Jack and Elizabeth had to start looking for a new house.

To be continued …