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".

To all the reviewers: Thank you so much for all of your comments! Love hearing what everyone thinks :)

(26/8/2018)

CHAPTER 32

Recap …

Jack rushed to Elizabeth, his hands wrapping around her.

"Are you okay?"

She nodded as Jack realised the guy was back up and his hands were swinging. Jack pulled away from Elizabeth and tried to step in front of her but he wasn't quick enough. The guys fist connected with Elizabeth's face and she was knocked to the ground.

Jack was furious. He hit the guy so hard that he knocked him out cold. Jack turned back to Elizabeth to see Rosie crouching by her side, her hand on her face. Jack leant down and picked Elizabeth up before he left the bar, with Lee and Rosie racing outside behind him.

Continued …

Jack carried Elizabeth outside and laid her down on a bench that was a little way down the street. He balled up his jacket and put it underneath her head. Jack looked back to see Lee talking to the security guards before they disappeared back inside the club.

Jack knelt down beside Elizabeth, his hands on her face.

"Beth. Can you hear me?"

Elizabeth didn't respond immediately. He tried again, gently tapping the uninjured side of her face.

"Elizabeth, sweetie. Wake up."

Elizabeth groaned in response as her eyes fluttered open.

"What …" was all she got out. She moved her hand slowly to her face, which was already puffy and swollen. Although it was red now, it was quickly changing colour before Jack's eyes.

"Rosie, she's going to need ice. Can you run back inside?"

Rosie was already on it before Jack finished the sentence.

"You got hit, Beth. I'm so sorry, I wasn't quick enough" he said as he sat on the bench beside her, his hand gently rubbing her neck and then moving to hold her hand.

Jack looked up to see a police car approach quickly, its lights flashing as it pulled up out the front of the club and two policemen ran inside.

"Jack … home" Elizabeth whispered, tears in her eyes.

She must have been in a lot of pain.

"Okay. Rosie is just getting some ice and then we'll go" he said, leaning down to kiss her gently.

Rosie came back with a small plastic bag full of ice. Jack took it from her and gently placed it against Elizabeth's face. She released a sob when it came into contact with her skin and her hand tightened on Jack's arm.

"Just hold it here for a minute and then we'll go home" he said to Elizabeth.

Jack turned back to Rosie. "Where's Lee?"

"The security guards picked up the guy and Lee made them call the police."

"Are we going to have to provide statements?"

"I would think that Lee is taking care of it for the moment."

Just then Lee appeared back out the door, rushing over to them.

"The police have everything they need right now. Give me the car keys, Jack?"

Jack threw them to him and Lee ran off down the street to retrieve the car. Lee pulled their car up and Jack carried Elizabeth to the car. As soon as Jack had her inside he ran around to the other side and slid in, lifting her head gently onto his lap.

Rosie climbed in and handed the ice back to him and Jack proceeded to ice the bruising on her face, as Elizabeth closed her eyes tight.

Lee drove in silence and Jack didn't realise where they were heading until they were almost home.

"Lee, we were supposed to drop you off" Jack said from the back seat.

"It's fine. We'll drop your car over in the morning."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, don't worry about it."

Lee pulled up in the drive and Jack slid out from under Elizabeth, jumping out of the car and dashing to the door to the house. He unlocked it before going back to reach for Elizabeth. Lee was out of the car, coming around to help if needed.

"Thanks, guys. I'll talk to you tomorrow" Jack said, as he lifted Elizabeth into his arms.

"Hope Beth's okay" Lee said as he closed the car door and followed them to the house.

Jack went inside and Lee closed the front door behind them. Jack carried Elizabeth straight upstairs to the bedroom. He placed her on the bed before running back downstairs for paracetamol, a bottle of water and an ice pack from the freezer. When Jack returned, Elizabeth was sitting up on the side of the bed.

"Beth! Lay down."

"I'm okay Jack."

"No, you're not." He rounded the bed and placed the things down on the bedside table, before turning on the lamp. He knelt down in front of her, her eyes were still closed and her hands clung to the side of the bed. "What were you thinking, Beth?" he whispered to her as he gently pushed a strand of hair out of her face.

Her eyes opened and she stared at him. "What do you mean?"

"Letting him do that to you. You scared the hell out of me."

"Let him? I didn't let him, Jack" she said firmly.

"You know what I mean."

"No I don't. He came up and grabbed my hand to which I said no, he grabbed my waist and I said no and pushed him away, then he pulled me off the dance floor to which I screamed no, to what you saw when he pinned me against the wall which I was fighting and saying no. I fought as hard as I could but he was too strong and was too close."

"Elizabeth ..." Jack said gently.

"No Jack. I deserved this it seems" she said, standing unsteadily for a moment before she went to walk into their bathroom.

Jack exhaled sharply before standing and reaching out for her. "I didn't mean it like that. I was just angry at him. He had his hands all over you."

"I know that" she said as Jack saw the tears threatening to spill. Jack closed the gap between her, wrapping his arms around her, holding her close to him.

"Come on. Take a shower. You will feel better" he said as he pulled back and took her hand, leading her in.

Jack turned the water on and unzipped her dress, helping her out of it. Elizabeth slid her lace underwear off and stepped into the water. Jack couldn't help but think how differently this evening could have turned out.

Elizabeth glided her hand down Jack's arm as she went to get into the shower.

"Come with me, Jack" she said.

Jack stripped of his clothes and followed her into the stream of water. She immediately leant against his chest and his arms held her tight for what seemed like forever.

Eventually Elizabeth pulled back and Jack smiled down at her. "You have panda eyes" he said before growing more serious. "One of them is not black from mascara though."

"Is it that bad?"

"Yeah. We'll have to think of a good story for the girls. How is your head feeling?"

"Just a headache."

Elizabeth pumped some cleanser onto a facewasher and gingerly wiped her face cringing when it ran across the bruising.

Jack was watching her the entire time. He took it from her hand and gently wiped away the rest of her makeup.

"I'm sorry about before. I didn't mean what I said" he said.

Jack put the facewasher down when he was finished and put his hand on her jaw. The water still ran between them as he leant in and gently kissed her. "You scared me", he whispered, as his free hand rested on her lower back.

"I'm sorry too. I didn't mean for any of it to happen. Tonight was supposed to end very differently" Elizabeth said as she pulled him closer and kissed him, momentarily forgetting all about her bruised face. "Come on. Let's go to bed."

Jack dried himself off before holding her towel out. Elizabeth shut the water off and stepped into his arms. He wrapped the towel around her, drying her off and hugging her. She dried her hair before he took her hand, leading her to their bed.

They pulled their pyjamas on and slid under the covers. Initially Elizabeth went to lie on her side but her face hurt when it came into contact with the pillow. She accidentally made a noise.

"Are you okay?" Jack hovered over her.

"Yes, just my face. I'll have to lay on my back."

"Why don't you ice it again for another few minutes?" Jack said reaching over her for the ice pack.

He leant over her, holding it against her face gently. She looked up at him.

"Thank you."

Jack kissed her briefly on the lips. "You're welcome. I love you."

"I love you too."

He held the icepack for a few more minutes before he took it away and lay back down, close to her side, his arm curling around her middle.

"Wake me up if you need anything" he whispered to her.

Jack quickly fell asleep. Elizabeth took a bit longer. That dress is going in the charity bin. I can't believe that happened.

Elizabeth wondered how everything the night before had gone so wrong. She could feel the man's strong hands on her body and remember the panic that went through her mind when he forced her against the wall. She pulled Jack's arm tighter around her and began to cry.

Jack stirred in the early morning to find the bed beside him empty. He sat up straight away, looking around in the semi darkness.

"Beth?"

He saw her figure emerge from the bathroom.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Just wasn't feeling well. My head's killing me."

"Did you take the medicine I left there?"

"No, but I will now."

Elizabeth sat down on the side of the bed and fumbled with the lamp switch. She found it and Jack heard the crackling of the foil packet as she pressed two tablets out. Jack ran his hand along the skin of her back gently as he watched her swallow them. She rested her elbows on her knees and her head rested in her hands.

"How's the bruising?"

"Really sore."

Jack moved behind her, his hands going to her shoulders as he gently began to massage her back and neck.

Elizabeth made a noise and Jack froze.

"Did that hurt?" he asked her.

"No, it feels really good."

Jack kept going. "Do you want to lie back down so you're more comfortable?"

Elizabeth nodded and moved back under the covers, laying on her stomach. Jack sat over her as he continued with the massage.

"That's such a good distraction" she said quietly, almost mumbling into her pillow.

Ten minutes later he thought she was asleep so he eased his legs away from either side of her and slid back down under the covers beside her. He drifted in and out of sleep again.

He dreamed about distracting her. When he woke, that was the first thing on his mind. Elizabeth had rolled onto her back. Jack saw her face and cringed. He pulled the sheet back and raised himself up and began to leave a trail of kisses down her body, starting from her neck.

Elizabeth woke slowly with a fuzzy head but realised that wasn't the reason why she woke. She could feel his lips wandering across her skin and she couldn't help but smile, her eyes still closed.

All thoughts of the night before had disappeared and the touch of his skin on hers was all she could think of.

Jack saw her smiling and began to creep lower, running across the top of her chest. He bunched up her singlet and kept kissing down her stomach, going lower and lower still. He heard her take a deep breath but she didn't stop him.

His lips ran down the top of her thighs, before moving back upward again. Her breathing changed and became more rapid. He smiled. His attention was clearly working.

He captured her mouth with his and her hands wound into the hair at the base of his neck. He kissed her deeply before pulling away and looking down at her.

"Well that was the best good morning wakeup call I think I've ever had" she said quietly, with a smile.

Jack rolled onto his elbow and gave her a cheeky grin before it turned into a more serious expression as his hand ran gently over her cheek.

"Are you okay? I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"No Jack. I'm fine."

"I'm sorry about everything last night."

"It's okay. Let's just forget about it."

Jack curled up beside her, his arm sitting across her waist.

"I love you Beth. I don't know what I would do without you."

"I love you too" she said turning her face to kiss his cheek. He stared into her eyes before kissing her lips gently and snuggling into her side.

Jack heard a text come through not long after. Elizabeth was curled up on his chest so he carefully reached over to grab his phone. He saw a text from Lee.

L: On our way with your car. Be there in an hour. How is she?"

J: Okay. Thanks. See you soon.

Jack put his phone away before reaching down and kissing Elizabeth's forehead.

"We better get moving. Lee and Rosie are on their way."

Elizabeth groaned.

"Beth? Are you okay?"

"Head" was all she mumbled.

It had been over four hours since she last took some pain killers.

"You probably need something to eat and some more paracetamol."

Jack went downstairs and made coffee and toast for her before returning.

"Here baby. I've got your breakfast."

Elizabeth had her eyes opened, just barely. "I'm not hungry."

"Come on. I will help you to the shower. You will feel better."

Elizabeth let him help her up but when she stood up from the bed, the dizziness overwhelmed her and her knees buckled. Jack caught her just in time.

"Woah. Are you okay? Sit back down."

She cradled her head in her hands again.

"Here. Eat a bit of toast" Jack said handing her a slice.

She took a couple of bites.

"Coffee?"

Jack handed her the cup before going to turn the shower on.

Elizabeth barely took a sip before she leant over and vomited all over herself and the floor. Jack rushed back to her, pulling her hair out of her face.

"Sorry, I …"

"Don't worry about it. Come on, I'll get you into the shower."

Jack picked her up and carried her to the shower. He helped pull off her pyjamas and get her inside, making sure she was okay on the floor while he ran back to clean up the mess.

Elizabeth felt like hell. Her head was pounding, her face felt like it was huge. She had barely slept, had cried her eyes out and now she felt nauseated and had just been sick everywhere.

As Elizabeth sat on the floor of the shower, she couldn't figure how one guy could totally destroy her night with her husband.

Elizabeth pulled her knees up to her chest and concentrated on the steady stream of water. She was just glad her girls weren't at home this morning to see her.

When Jack returned she was sitting there in the steam, her legs curled up to her chest, the water falling on her back.

"Baby, are you okay?"

"Yeah, just really dizzy and nauseated."

"What do you want to do?"

"Can you help me out?"

Jack helped Elizabeth out and dressed. He got her some more paracetamol which she took and within 20 minutes she was already starting to feel better. Jack brought her more toast and a cup of tea this time which she was able to manage. Finally she was starting to feel more like herself.

Elizabeth went into the bathroom and did her best with her concealer and foundation to hide the bruises and make her other eye not appear to red and blotchy from crying.

Jack poked his head in and walked over to her, his hands resting on her hips.

"Are you feeling okay? You can just stay in bed and I can go get the girls."

"No, I'm feeling much better."

"You sure?"

"Mmm hmm."

Elizabeth put her makeup away and took his hand as he led her downstairs. Rosie and Lee had just pulled up in the separate cars in the drive.

Jack opened the door.

"Hi."

"Hi Jack. How's Beth?" Rosie said eagerly coming toward the house.

Elizabeth stepped out. "I'm okay."

"Wow. You have done a great job with your makeup."

"Thanks."

"How are you feeling?"

"Still have a bit of a headache and the dizziness this morning wasn't great."

"That's too bad. You couldn't even make the most of your morning with no children" Rosie said with a wink.

Elizabeth couldn't help but smile. Trust Rosie to mention that. "Thanks for dropping the car off."

"Do you remember what happened last night after you got hit?"

"Not really."

"Jack almost killed the guy he was so angry."

"Really?" Elizabeth said surprised. Jack wasn't normally one to raise his fists to anyone.

"Yeah he hit him so hard I thought the guy was going to go through the wall. He was knocked out cold for a good five minutes."

"I didn't see any of that."

"No, well I was hovering over you. I was really worried about you Beth" she said giving Elizabeth a hug. "Are you going to get the girls now?"

"Yes. Do you think they will be able to see it?"

"If they look closely. What will you tell them if they ask? A man hit mommy in the face isn't ideal."

Elizabeth cringed. "Just that I fell over and hit my face on a chair."

Rosie nodded. "Sounds good enough to me!"

"Is she okay?" Lee asked as he handed Jack his car keys.

"She seemed okay this morning and then she ended up getting dizzy and being sick. I think she's okay again."

"Well she took quite the hit. It's a shame you missed out on the opportunity of having no kids for the night. We sure didn't." Lee grinned at him.

Jack smiled as he walked with Lee back around the car where Rosie and Elizabeth were talking. Rosie gave Elizabeth a quick kiss on the cheek and did the same to Jack.

"We'll see you two later! Good luck at work this week Jack!" Lee sung out.

Jack put his arm around Elizabeth's waist as they watched them get into their car and drive away.

"Should we go get the girls now?"

"Yeah." Elizabeth moved toward him and took his right hand before raising it closer to her face.

"What are you doing?"

"Jack, your hand is really banged up."

Jack pulled it back. "It's fine."

"Jack, did you hit the guy?"

"Of course, I hit him. He punched my wife. There was no way he was getting away with that."

"You've never been aggressive like that before."

"What else did you expect me to do? Just walk away? I don't think so." Jack saw her expression and saw that it was one of concern. "Beth, you don't need to worry. It was a once off. I wasn't about to let him hurt you any further."

Elizabeth couldn't explain what she was feeling but she felt like their relationship was much more intense than ever before. It hadn't bothered her at first but now she was beginning to worry. Perhaps it was just that they were spending so much time together at the moment, with neither of them being at work.

They drove into Viola and Lionel's driveway half an hour late. Lionel took Jack to see the kids outside straight away and sent Elizabeth into the kitchen. As soon as Viola saw Elizabeth's face, she knew something was up.

"What happened to you?"

"I got hit in the face last night. That's why we were late. Lee and Rosie dropped us off and took our car with them."

"What do you mean you were hit in the face?"

"A guy at the club got a bit handsy, so Jack hit him but I kind of caught in the middle."

"Oh Beth! Are you okay?" Viola came forward, quickly checking it over.

"Yeah. Just had a headache and bit dizzy this morning but I'm alright now."

"So you had two guys fighting over you? That kind of thing has never happened to me" she said in a teasing tone.

"They weren't fighting over me. Jack was trying to protect me. Not a situation you want to get into."

"Well, it sounds very romantic."

Elizabeth just shook her head at her with a small smile.

"I wanted to show you something. Look!" Viola pulled out a black and white photo and handed it to Elizabeth. Elizabeth held the photo of the baby's first ultrasound image.

"Oh Vi! Wow! It's your baby" Elizabeth said with tears in her eyes.

"Yes and we found out the gender" Viola said excitedly.

"Well …"

"We found out it's another girl!" she squealed.

"That's wonderful" Elizabeth said hugging her big sister.

They pulled back slightly. "I just wish …" Viola began, tears glistening in her eyes.

Elizabeth knew exactly what she was thinking. "Mom would have been so excited for you" she said as the tears spilled over.