I followed Carson down the hall to the exam room. I took a seat in the chair, situating Teddy in my lap.

"So, what's going on with little Teddy Thornton?"

"Well, he's been crying more the past couple of days, and he's been more difficult to console. I'm not sure if he's sick or what. He was a little warm yesterday evening, but Jack was thinking he was just a bit overheated since they went for a walk outside. He had cooled down by the time we put him down for the night."

"Okay, strip him down to his diaper and put him up on the table. I'll look him over."

I removed his romper and lowered him onto the paper-covered table. He squirmed as Carson checked his vitals.

"He's two weeks old now?"

I nodded. "Two and a half, yeah."

"Any other symptoms besides the crying and inconsolability?"

"I don't think so, but I'm still not quite sure what's normal and what's not. I told my mom what was going on, and she's the one who suggested I bring him here."

"Has he been eating?"

"Yes. He won't eat when he's crying, but I think he's still eating as much as he normally does."

Thirty minutes and many questions later, Teddy and I left the doctor's office. Carson had said he looked physically fine; it could be colic, but the inconsolable crying hadn't been happening long enough for him to say it with certainty. He told me to continue what I had been doing and to bring him back in if things got worse.

I was relieved to hear that my son was healthy, though part of me wished that there would be something specific that I could do for him.

...

Jack called out from the porch. "Hi."

Both dogs ran over to him, tails wagging.

I glanced up and smiled. "Hi." I made my way over to him. "How was work?"

"Good. Long. I missed you and the little man." He kissed me softly. "How did today go for you two?"

"Better than yesterday. You were right about the wrap, clearly. He's been in this most of the day, and he hasn't been nearly as fussy." I nodded toward Teddy, who was wrapped up against my chest. He slept soundly. "I took him to see Carson this morning. He's healthy. Carson said to bring him in again if things get worse, and just to continue what we've been doing for now. It might be colic, it might be nothing."

"Well, I guess that's good news." He put his hand on Teddy's back. "Are you ready for a break?"

"I'm fine right now. You've been working all day. You should take some time to relax."

"Elizabeth, you've been working all day, too. I know we're still trying to figure out how everything is going to work with you being home all day with him and me at work, but I can help with him when I get home." He rested his hand on my hip, his thumb brushing lightly back and forth. "We're in this together."

I sighed. "Okay."

We went back inside the house. I passed Teddy over to Jack. He blinked sleepily once he was in his father's arms.

"Hey, little man. How's it going? Mama said you had a much better day today. That makes me happy."

My heart melted at the sight of Jack snuggling our son against his chest. It always struck me just how tiny Teddy looked in Jack's arms. He was still a big baby—he had been weighed that morning at the doctor and was nearing ten pounds—but he looked like a fragile little china doll next to Jack.

"I guess I'll go lay down for a bit. Come get me when he needs to eat."

"Will do." He kissed me, settling onto the sofa while I headed up the stairs.

...

The rest of the week was much of the same. Teddy's inconsolable crying had decreased in frequency, making my days with him much more enjoyable.

Once Jack returned from work each afternoon, he spent time with Teddy while I took a quick nap or started on dinner.

Over the weekend, we met up with Rosemary, Lee, and Alina for a picnic at the park. Though Rosemary and I met up a couple of times a week since Teddy had been born, it had been a while since all of us spent time together outside of our Sunday lunches.

Alina was getting so big. She was almost nine months old, and she was crawling everywhere. It was amazing that Teddy would grow and develop to that level in just months; it seemed so far off.

By Monday, I was feeling more confident in our new routine. We had made it through the first week after Jack's return to work.

Thursday afternoon, I received a text from Jack letting me know that something had come up at work and he wouldn't be home until late in the evening.

I put my phone back on the side table and lifted Teddy from the bouncy seat in the living room.

"Well, Teddy Bear, it looks like it's just us tonight. Your daddy has to work late."

He looked up at me as I spoke, eyes wide.

"What should we do, bud? Should we cuddle up and watch a movie? I think we should watch a movie."

I settled on the sofa, pulling a blanket over my legs. I laid Teddy in my lap, holding his tiny hands.

"We've read you some of mama's favorite book, so how about we introduce you to mama's favorite movie? Daddy and I watched this movie for our second date, way before you were even on our radar."

I pressed play and smiled as the familiar music started playing. Teddy turned his head at the noise, trying to determine where the music was coming from.

"Do you like that, bud?"

By the end of the movie, I could tell that Teddy was ready for one last feeding and bedtime.

"I hope you liked that, Teddy Bear. We watch it a lot in this house. And I mean a lot." I laughed softly. "I actually fell in love with your daddy while we watched it."

His fingers grasped the edge of my shirt as he ate.

"Goodness, I love your daddy so much, little man. I fall in love with him all over again every single day. Especially when I see him with you. I couldn't ask for a better daddy for you. He loves you and me more than anything. Plus, he gave me you. You are the best thing to happen to either of us, Teddy Thornton."

He was nearly asleep, his little eyes just barely open. I quietly carried him up to the bedroom. I watched him for a few moments after I lowered him into the bassinet, making sure he stayed asleep.

With Teddy down for the night—or at least until he woke up to eat again—I returned to the living room and flipped through the channels on TV, finally stopping on the local news channel. I started cleaning up around the living room, not really paying attention to what was on the television. Until.

Until I heard the newscaster mention "the local sheriff's department."

There had been a drug bust gone wrong. Shots had been fired, and a few people had been injured. My stomach dropped, knowing that it was possible that Jack was one of those people.

I couldn't move. I felt like I was frozen to the spot, watching the images from the scene pop up on the television. I kept hoping I would see Jack in the background, unharmed. But there was nothing.

The newscaster quickly moved on to a new story, and I ran to find my phone, desperate to hear from Jack.

My call went unanswered.

When Teddy woke for his first feeding of the night, I still hadn't heard from Jack. My anxiety was growing stronger with each passing minute. After I put Teddy back to bed, I tried calling again, not even caring about the late hour.

Still nothing.

I sent him a text, letting him know that I was worried about him. There was no response.

Eventually, I fell asleep on the sofa.

I was roused several hours later when the front door opened. Rip let out a low bark, and I heard a voice shush him.

I slowly stood up. "Jack?"

"Beth, what are you doing down here? You should be in bed."

I immediately went to him, and he pulled me into his arms. I felt my body relax for the first time all evening, and the tears finally came.

It suddenly seemed to click for him. "It was on the news," he stated matter-of-factly.

I nodded into his chest. "I tried calling and texting you. I was so worried, Jack."

"I'm sorry I didn't answer. They wanted us all to get checked over afterwards, and I didn't have my phone on me. By the time we got done, I was so focused on getting home that I didn't bother to check it. That was my fault. I'll try not to let it happen again."

"Checked over? Did you get hurt?"

He rubbed my back. "Some bruised ribs, a couple of cuts. Nothing serious, I promise." He kissed the top of my head.

"Bruised ribs?" I stepped back slightly, just barely touching my hands to his abdomen, wondering what had happened to him.

"Not the first time I've had bruised ribs. Probably not the last time, either. I'll be fine." He kissed me softly. "Now, let's go upstairs. I need to take a quick shower before I get in bed, and I'm sure you need some rest."

"I'm glad you're home."

He leaned in and kissed me again, a little longer this time. "I'm glad I get to come home to you."

He kept his arm around my waist as we walked up the stairs. I said a silent prayer, thanking God for bringing him back safely.

I slipped into bed while he made his way to the bathroom. He poked his head through the door, just as I was reaching over to turn off the lamp.

"You don't need to wait up for me, but I'll be out soon."

"Okay. Jack?"

"Hmm?"

I felt a smile playing on my lips. "I love you."

He smiled back. "I love you, too."

I drifted off to the sound of the water running.

...

I blinked in the early morning light a few times before I realized I wasn't alone in the bed. Jack's skin was warm and smooth under my hands.

"Mm, Jack?" I touched his cheek.

He shifted beneath me, groaning slightly.

"Oh, sorry. Did I hurt you?"

He shook his head. "No, I'm just a little stiff. What did you want to ask me?" He wrapped his arms around my shoulders, holding me against his chest.

"I was just wondering why you weren't at work yet. Not that I'm complaining, because I love waking up like this."

"I have the day off since I worked late yesterday." He kissed the top of my head. "So we can stay right here all day."

I laughed softly. "Well, not all day, because our son inherited your appetite, and he's going to want to be fed."

"Then we can stay right here until he wakes up."

"That won't be very long." I glanced at the clock. "I give him five, maybe ten minutes."

I pressed my cheek against his chest. He absentmindedly ran his fingers through my hair. I couldn't remember the last time I had felt so content. We had far less time to spend with each other since Teddy was born and Jack returned to work, and I was determined to savor every second.

He began to hum in my ear. He slipped his hand under my shirt, his fingers brushing up and down my back. I closed my eyes and smiled.

Five minutes later, like clockwork, Teddy began to stir in the bassinet. I sighed and pulled myself out of Jack's embrace.

"Bring him back over here to feed him."

I lifted Teddy from the bassinet. "You really do want to stay in that bed all day."

He grinned and shrugged, pulling himself up to lean against the headboard. "I just like having you close."

"Good morning, Teddy Bear. Look who's home." I settled back on my side of the bed, turning Teddy so he was facing Jack.

"Hi, bud." Jack reached out and touched his cheek. "What do you say you and I have some father-son bonding time after mama feeds you?"

"What am I supposed to do during this father-son bonding time?" I shifted Teddy again so he could eat.

"Relax. Take a bath. Go for a walk. Whatever you want. You didn't have any help with him yesterday; you deserve a break." He twirled my hair with his fingers.

"But you had a long day yesterday, too."

"Elizabeth, I know you're trying to think about my well-being, and I love you for that, but let me help. I want to spend time with him." He kissed my temple.

"Okay."

We were both quiet for a few minutes while we watched Teddy. His chubby little fingers were splayed out on my chest, his eyes locked on my face. I smiled at him, brushing my finger against his cheek.

When I glanced over at Jack, I noticed the dark purple bruises that had blossomed under his skin. They looked incredibly painful.

"Jack…What exactly happened to you last night?"

He sighed. It was obvious that he was hoping I wouldn't ask. "I got hit a couple of times, but I had my vest on, so it's just some deep bruises."

"It looks bad." I imagined he had to be in some pain. From the looks of it, he had been hit twice. There were small, round bruises where the bullets had hit, with lighter bruising rippling out from the center, like two little bullseyes on his abdomen. I dropped my eyes.

"It could have been worse. I only got hit where I was protected. Some other people weren't so lucky." He cleared his throat. "Elizabeth?"

"Hmm?" I didn't turn my eyes from Teddy.

"You know, I've been thinking, last night was a lot like the time…"

He didn't finish his sentence, but I knew what he was referring to. The time we broke up and you ran away.

I lifted my eyes slowly. "I'm not going to run, Jack. Yes, I was terrified last night when I thought that something horrible might have happened to you, but I can handle it. I wouldn't have married you if I couldn't handle it."

He let out a breath. "I know you aren't going to run. I trust you completely. Last night just brought all of those memories back."

I felt tears in my eyes. I looked back at my son, unable to meet Jack's gaze. "I hate so much that I hurt you. I wish you didn't have those memories." Teddy pulled away, and I lifted him to my shoulder.

Jack gently turned my face toward him. "Yes, you hurt me, and I'm pretty sure you hurt yourself, too. And yes, those memories are probably going to surface every once in a while." He wiped away the tears that had begun to slide down my face. "But you know what? I also have the memory of you coming back to me, the memory of you saying 'yes' when I asked you to marry me, the memory of you walking down the aisle toward me, the memory of you giving birth to our boy."

The tears started up again, this time for a completely different reason.

I wiped my cheeks. "You really are the perfect man, Jack Thornton."

"Hardly." He leaned in and kissed me.

"Well, you're perfect for me."