I stood quietly in the doorway after I finished my shower, watching Jack. He was leaning back on the headboard, cradling Teddy against his chest. I caught him in the middle of a one-sided conversation with our son.

"Someday, I'd like to take you up there. I can show you where my dad taught me to fish, and where he used to take me and your uncle Tom to ride horses. And someday, I'll teach you how to fish. I'll teach you how to ride a horse, too. Sergeant will be a great horse for you to learn on." He gently rubbed Teddy's back. "You know, I took your mom riding on Sergeant once. I need to take her again sometime now that you aren't in her belly. I like riding with your mom. It gives me an excuse to hold her close. If there's one thing you need to know about me, it's that I like having your mom real close. I'm sure you've already figured this out, but she gives the best cuddles."

"I give the best cuddles?"

He looked up at me. "How long have you been standing there?"

I shrugged. "Just long enough to hear you tell him you're going to teach him to fish and ride."

"So you also heard me tell him that I like to have you close."

I nodded. "I did hear that."

"Well, what are you waiting for?" He patted the spot beside him.

I slipped into my clothes and sank down beside him. "Did you two have some good father-son bonding time?"

"Mhmm." He stroked Teddy's cheek with his finger. "Didn't we, bud? I told him all about my life growing up in Vancouver, and the first time I saw you, and how you won me over with your baking skills."

I leaned my head against his shoulder. "You know, it's been a while since I made a gooey butter cake."

"Oh, Teddy, just wait until you have teeth and can eat real food. Your mom's gooey butter cake is half the reason I fell in love with her."

I laughed softly. "It's not that good."

"Oh, but it is." He kissed my temple.

"Maybe I'll make one today."

"How are you going to bake from this bed?"

I rolled my eyes playfully. "You are incorrigible, Jack Thornton."

He laughed, then grimaced as he realized his ribs were still sore.

"Jack, are you sure you're okay? You got shot, twice. That has to hurt."

"I'm fine. I'm sure it's not nearly as painful as when you pushed a nine-and-a-half-pound human out of your body. I still don't know how you did that."

I touched Teddy's cheek. "I hope I never have to do that again, but it was worth it. And now I'm going to get you some ibuprofen."

By the time I returned from the kitchen, Teddy had fallen asleep against Jack's shoulder. I placed the glass of water and bottle of pills on the nightstand before lifting Teddy off of Jack's chest and bringing him back to the bassinet.

Jack was watching me, a grin on his face. "Come back here."

"Take the medicine first." I crossed my arms.

He reached for the bottle of pills. "The scary teacher face. I guess I should behave." He chuckled.

"Oh, believe me, if I brought out the real scary teacher face, you wouldn't be laughing."

"Well now I'm curious."

I climbed back into the bed. "I won't subject you to the real scary teacher face unless you truly deserve it."

"Come here." He opened his arms, inviting me in.

I looked at the purple bruises stretching across his abdomen. There was no way he would be comfortable with me leaning on his chest. "Jack, I don't want to hurt you."

He shook his head. "You won't. I just want you close. Please."

I couldn't say no when he looked at me like that, his eyes sparkling and the corners of his lips just barely turning up into a smile. He wrapped his arms around me as he pulled me closer, tucking my head beneath his chin.

"Much better." He kissed my hair. "I could stay like this forever."

"So could I."

His fingers moved slowly up and down my back. "When I got hit last night, all I could think was that I needed to get home to you and Teddy so I could hold you both again. I couldn't leave you. Sometimes, I can't believe just how much I love you two. You and our boy are my entire world."

"I love you."

...

Jack held both of the dogs' leashes as we strolled down the sidewalk. Teddy was wrapped up against my chest, sleeping peacefully.

It was an absolutely beautiful day. Everything was so bright and green in the sunlight. A cool breeze blew through the trees, keeping it from being one of those miserable, sticky days that were typical of late June in Oklahoma.

"I never asked you what you and Teddy did yesterday evening when I was stuck at work."

I smiled. "We snuggled up on the sofa and watched Sound of Music."

"Of course you did." He shook his head and grinned.

"I want to make sure our son is well-rounded and cultured. Plus, we watch that movie all the time, so I figured we should get him used to it as soon as possible."

He chuckled. "Probably a good idea."

"I know. I'm full of good ideas." I smirked. "Like the idea I have to make gooey butter cake when we get home."

"Ooh, that's a great idea."

I moved closer to him, leaning my mouth toward his ear. "And I was thinking that maybe we could enjoy it in a nice warm bubble bath."

He grinned and kissed my cheek. "That's an even better idea."

"I thought so."

We were quiet as we continued down the street. Bronte trotted along ahead of us, while Rip lagged behind.

I peeked down at Teddy when he began to squirm against my chest. He blinked sleepily as he woke up.

"Hey, Teddy Bear. Did you have a nice nap?" I stroked his cheek softly. "I'm glad you're awake now to enjoy our walk."

He looked up at me, his incredibly long eyelashes almost glowing in the sunlight, his eyes a mixture of blue and gold.

"Goodness, he looks so much like you, Jack."

"If I agree with you, will you stop saying that all the time?" He nudged me with his elbow.

I laughed softly. "Nope. I love that he looks just like you, and I want everyone to know that."

"Well, maybe the next one will look like you, and then I can point it out to everyone."

My eyes went wide. "Maybe we should wait until Teddy's more than three weeks old before we start discussing the possibility of having another one."

"Whenever you're ready."

...

The water shifted around me as Jack lowered our empty plates to the floor beside the tub.

"I think that was the best gooey butter cake I've ever had."

"You say that every time I make it."

He grinned. "And it's true every time I say it."

"You know, I'm not happy that you got hurt, but I'm very happy that we've gotten to spend the whole day together."

"It has been a great day." He reached for my hands, threading his fingers between mine and pulling me closer. "And we have all day tomorrow to spend together, too." He kissed my nose.

I turned around and leaned back, resting my head on his shoulder. "Perfect."

He brushed his lips against my temple, wrapping his arms around me. "Mm, you feel so good."

Goosebumps rose on my arms and I felt a flutter in my stomach. "So do you."

His chest was warm against my back, his strong legs resting along either side of me.

"You know, what I said earlier, I wasn't trying to hint that I want us to have another baby right away."

"I know."

"But I meant what I said. We'll wait until you're ready. And if you don't want any more, that's fine, too."

I rested my hand on his thigh beneath the water. "I do want more, Jack. Someday."

"I love you, Elizabeth Thornton." He pressed his lips to my neck, and I shivered.

"Not as much as I love you, Jack Thornton."

...

There was a quiet knock at the door. I set down the blanket that I had been folding and made my way to the door.

"Hi, Elizabeth."

"Hi, Clara. What brings you by?" I opened the door wider so she could enter.

"Um, I need some advice." She walked straight into the living room, sinking down onto the sofa. "I know I could've talked to you at lunch today, but I didn't want to say anything with everyone else around."

I lifted Teddy from the bouncy seat, settling him against my chest as I took a seat in the armchair. "What's going on? Are you and Jesse okay?"

"Oh, we're doing great, and everything with the wedding is fine. It's just, uh…" She twisted the ring on her left hand and released a harsh breath. "I don't know how to tell Abigail."

I rubbed gentle circles on Teddy's back. "Tell her what?"

She sighed, covering her face with her hands. "We didn't mean for it to happen. We really didn't. It was just the one time. But one thing led to another and… I'm pregnant."

"You're worried that Abigail will be upset because it happened before you got married?"

She nodded. "She's been like a mother to me since before Peter and I got married, back when my parents died. I just hate to disappoint her."

"Abigail loves you. I can't imagine her being upset with you, even if she doesn't agree with everything you do. You and Jesse are both adults, and it's not like he's some guy you just met. You've been together for a long time, you're engaged. And goodness, you've been married before."

"You really think she'll be okay with it?"

"I wouldn't be worried. I would just tell her. Honestly, I think she'll be excited. You're giving her a grandchild. I mean, seriously, how could anyone be upset about something this cute?" I shifted Teddy in my arms so he was facing her.

She gave a small smile. "You're right."

"What does Jesse think?"

"He was a little freaked out when I told him, but he's excited now. He thinks it's a girl, and he's already coming up with names." She drew her hand to her stomach. "I'm only a month along right now. I'll be about six weeks at the wedding."

"I'm happy for you, Clara. Abigail will be happy for you, too. I just know it."

"Thank you so much, Elizabeth." She stood up slowly. "I guess I should go home and tell Abigail before I lose my nerve."

"Everything will be okay." I walked with her to the door. "And if you need anything or have any questions, feel free to come to me."

"I will. I'll see you later."

...

"Hi." I looked up when Jack walked in.

He set his wallet and keys on the table in the entryway. "Hi." He joined me in the kitchen and kissed my cheek. "Bath time for the little man?"

I nodded as I carefully dragged the cloth across Teddy's body. "He spit up all over, and his diaper leaked, so I figured it was probably time for a thorough cleaning."

"Goodness. Is it bad that I'm happy I wasn't here for that?"

I smirked. "Oh, just wait. Once we get him started on the bottle, I can leave you alone with him. Then you get to deal with anything that comes out of him."

"I can't wait." He poured himself a glass of water. "Need any help?"

"I remembered to bring a towel down, but I forgot a clean diaper and a onesie."

"On it." He set down the glass and hurried up the stairs, returning a few moments later.

I lifted Teddy from the bath and wrapped him in the towel. Jack set out the diaper and clothes, and I quickly dressed our son.

I met Jack's eyes and smiled as I shifted Teddy to my shoulder. "We make a great team, don't we?"

"Team Thornton."

I stood on my toes and kissed him. "Team Thornton."

...

A/N I'm currently in my final semester of graduate school, and my schedule has gotten very full recently. Naturally, school has to take priority, so I don't think that I will be able to keep up with weekly updates of my stories right now. However, I will continue to update them as much as I can. I promise that I still have lots of plans for both stories, so there's still a lot to look forward to :)