March, Hope Valley

Charlotte finally sold her home in Aberdeen and made the move to Hope Valley. She moved right in to the orphanage where she would live in Elizabeth's old room and help with the children. She wasn't in the best health of her life, but she could assist, especially with the older ones.

Ever since her visit around Jack and Elizabeth's wedding and then at Christmas, she had felt her heart telling her to go back. She had been moved by each child that stayed in the Hope Home and she wanted to make a difference.

"Ma, what did you do with the rest of your things?" Jack asked. She had only brought a trunk and one suitcase. She had a whole houseful of things she could have moved.

"I don't need much, son. I brought what I need and left the rest behind. I'm trying to live simply. I don't have my own house anymore so I don't have a lot of room anyway."

"That's true. Well, I'm glad you're here."

"So am I, son."

Jack, on the other hand, was considering renting a different house. The baby was coming in June and they didn't have any more bedrooms. He wasn't sure if they could afford a bigger house though.

As he wandered back to town, he headed to see Jesse at the store to see if he knew of any rentals.

"No, I don't, Jack. I'm sorry."

"That's ok. If you hear anything, let me know. We need a bigger house pretty soon."

"I will let you know."

He picked up a bar of lavender and vanilla soap and bought it for Elizabeth. She used it in the bath and she smelled so good after she used it. That put a smile on his face. The other thing that did was seeing her belly growing day by day. To know that their child was inside her and he would meet him or her in just a couple months filled him with joy.

"You look happy," Jesse observed.

"What's not to be happy about?" Jack turned and whistled a tune as he walked out.

…..

Alberta

Charles came home from work and sat down in his office. The house was quiet which meant that Charlie was sleeping and Julie was probably cleaning somewhere. He thought about Julie. She had been at his house caring for Charlie every single day at some point since five months before when Viola had passed. He hadn't asked her to. She just did it, as if it was her duty. He appreciated it, but he wondered how her relationship with Walt Allen was fairing with her always being at this house.

Julie walked into his office and stopped short. "Oh! I didn't know you were here. I can clean in here later."

"No, it's fine, Julie."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, in fact, why don't you have a seat?"

"Why?" She sat but slowly, as if he might bite.

"I thought maybe we could talk."

"Alright. About what?"

"I don't want you to think I don't appreciate you taking care of Charlie and cleaning and everything else."

"But I am wearing out my welcome?"

"No, no of course not. I just wonder if maybe you want to be doing something else."

"Such as what?" She didn't. She was in love with little Charlie and she didn't want to admit it to herself or anyone else, but she was starting to feel that she belonged with Charles too. It felt wrong though, to be attracted to her dead sister's husband.

"Well, most women your age usually want their own families…"

"I'm not most women, Charles. If you don't want me here, tell me and I will stay away." It would break her heart but she would do so if he asked.

"Julie, please understand. I just want to make sure you don't regret spending your time here when you could be with Walt or something."

"I don't want to be with Walt. We broke up a long time ago. I want to be with Charlie." And you, is what she didn't say.

"He loves you."

"I love him too." She stood and walked toward the door. "I need to clean the kitchen." She hurried away, waiting until she reached the kitchen to burst into tears.

….

Jack stepped up behind Elizabeth and wrapped his arms around her as she was cooking dinner. "Hi, sweetheart."

"Hi. You're home a little late."

"I helped Ma move in to the orphanage and then I walked into town."

"Oh, for what?"

"I got you that lavender and vanilla soap you like and I wanted to ask about any new rentals that Jesse might know about."

"New rentals?" She took the roast out of the oven and basted it with the juices that had collected in the pot.

"Yeah. We need a bigger house."

"We will be fine here. The baby will be with us in our room for a couple years."

"Years?"

"Yes. I need to be able to be close if he or she needs to eat."

"Oh. That makes sense."

"Yes. So this house is fine." She kissed his cheek and smiled. "Thank you for the soap. Think you might want to take a bath tonight?"

"I was hoping so."

"Great."

"Sammy, Helen! Time to wash for supper."

….

At the Orphanage….

Charlotte smiled as she braided ten year old Caroline's hair after washing it. "You have beautiful hair, dear."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"You can call me Ms. Charlotte, Caroline."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Ok, all done. Now scoot under the covers and we can say your prayers."

"I don't say my prayers anymore."

"Why on earth not, dear girl? How else would He know what we are sad or happy about? Or that we are grateful?"

"I'm not grateful. My Mama died and left me all alone."

"I'm very sorry to hear that, Caroline, but He also made it possible for you to come here so that you aren't alone anymore."

The girl stayed quiet a moment. "Goodnight, ma'am." She rolled over and faced away from Charlotte, ending the conversation.

Charlotte would make sure to say extra prayers for Caroline that night.

It would take some adjusting to deal with the sad stories that each orphan brought to the table. Some lost parents when they were too young to remember and some, like Caroline, remembered and held a grudge. She wasn't sure how to help them except to love them and be patient. That's what she would want.

….

A few days later…

Jack came to the orphanage to pick up Elizabeth and the kids early.

"Dat!" Helen yelled, running up to him.

"Hi, Daisy girl. Where's Mama?"

"Talk to Gammie."

"Show me, sweetie." She pointed as he walked. He found them in the school room.

"Afternoon ladies."

"Jack? Why are you here?" Elizabeth asked, walking over to kiss him hello.

"We need to get home. Blizzard coming in."

"Blizzard? But its March."

"Been known to happen. We need to hurry. Where's Sammy?"

"Upstairs."

"Helen, can you get your brother please?"

"Ya, Dat." Helen carefully climbed the stairs calling for Sammy.

"Jack? You seem worried. What's the hurry?"

"I need to know we are all safe and warm before it hits. Should start anytime and I need to get more wood. I bought extra supplies and candles and kerosene. They are in the wagon."

"Alright. Let's get home."

The kids walked down the stairs then. "Sam, Helen, let's get bundled up. We need to get home."

"Daddy, I want to stay here."

"Sorry, son. There's a big snowstorm coming. We need to get home where it's safe."

"Safe here," he protested. "I was playing games with Eli and Carter. We just started."

"Sam, let's go," Jack said, in a no nonsense tone, giving Sam a gentle swat on his rear.

"Yes, Daddy," he finally agreed.

Elizabeth helped Helen get bundled up and then Sammy.

"You be careful, Jack," Charlotte told him.

"Yes, Ma. Love you." He kissed her cheek and then checked on everyone. "Okay, kids, Elizabeth, lets get moving. The snow is falling now."

They walked out the door into the softly falling snow. Jack put the kids into the back and covered them with blankets. "Stay on your backsides, got it, kids?"

"Yes, Dat!"

He assisted Elizabeth onto the seat next to him and tucked a blanket around her legs. "Hyah," he said to the horse.

Elizabeth could see he was really worried, so she kept quiet all the while making sure the kids were sitting.

By the time they got home, the kids blankets and hats were covered in snow and they were shivering.

Elizabeth helped Helen down and then Sammy. "Get inside, please. Hurry!"

They scampered inside, Rip escaping as they entered. Elizabeth watched him do his business and then scooted him inside too. "Jack, are you coming?"

He grabbed the large box of supplies and headed in. "I'm going to get wood and take Sergeant to the livery."

Elizabeth walked him to the door and handed him a lantern. "You listen to me, Jack Thornton. You better come back to us. I know its dangerous out there and you could get lost."

"Elizabeth, I'll be fine."

"Promise me that you will stay at the livery if it gets too bad. I can't come looking for you and I don't want to worry about you."

"Elizabeth."

"Promise me, or I'm not letting you leave."

"I promise." She nodded, gave him a long kiss and wrapped her own scarf around his neck.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

When Jack closed the door behind him, Elizabeth decided to ignore the gut feeling that he was in danger and went to stoke the fire in the fireplace and the kitchen stove.

"Hey, kids? Who wants to read a story?"

…

Jack unhitched Sergeant and rode him to town, trying hard to keep his wits about him, knowing it was very dangerous to be out and about. Thankfully they didn't live far from the livery.

When he arrived at the livery, he rubbed down Sergeant, gave him water and food, and hurried back down the street, grateful for the little bit of light from his lantern.

Inside their home, Elizabeth peered out the window to see if she could catch a glimpse of Jack. It had been thirty minutes and she couldn't see more than a foot in any direction.

"Mama? Where Dat?" Helen asked.

"He will be back soon. Let's go see if dinner is ready." She also made a large pot of hot water to warm Jack up when he returned.

The longer it took, the more she worried, even though he had promised to stay in town.

Finally, another twenty minutes later, he walked in, completely covered in snow.

"Jack!" She rushed to him, took the wood from his hands, and helped him out of his coat and scarves and hat. He was freezing, his teeth chattering. She pulled him into the living room and made him sit in front of the roaring fire.

Jack looked at her face, no smiles, anger in her eyes. "Elll….iiizzzz….a…beth…"

"Hush. I'm mad at you and you are too frozen to speak."

"Swee…..thear….t."

"Stop please. You promised you would stay there. Why didn't you?" Her tears flowed as she looked down at him. He stood and dried her tears.

"I…..sorrrryyy."

She walked away and poured him a cup of coffee. "Drink this."

"Daddy!" Sammy said, running in. "You're home!"

"Hi, Ssssaaaam." Jack sat at the table and she gave him a bowl of potato soup and warm bread. "Thank you," he told her with a smile.

"You're welcome."

"Stay?"

She sat and watched him, her eyes tearing up. "I love you, Jack, and the fact that you came home in this weather instead of staying safe, makes me mad. We all need you."

"I'm sorry. I thought I could make it. It's not that far."

"Its far enough." He pulled her to his lap and held her.

"I love you." He touched her lips with his, kissing her slow and deep. "I'll be more careful," he whispered.

She nodded. "Okay."

For the rest of the evening, they stayed around the fireplace, warm and toasty, as the wind howled outside.

Jack brought out a surprise. "Marshmallows?" Elizabeth asked with a smile.

"Thought it might be fun." He picked up a stick he had brought in and put the marshmallow on the end to roast.

"What that?" Helen asked.

"Something yummy, Daisy girl. You just wait."

Elizabeth touched her belly and smiled. "Anybody want to feel the baby?"

Sammy put his hand on her tummy. "Hi, baby!" he said with a giggle. "I wanna play with him, Mama."

"He's too little, sweetie. He needs to stay inside for a bit longer."

"Oh. How long?"

"I'll let you know when it gets close."

The kids enjoyed the marshmallows and eventually fell asleep by the fire. Jack sat with his back against the couch and Elizabeth leaned back against his chest.

She put his hands on her belly and closed her eyes. "This is nice."

"I'm not complaining," he said kissing her temple. "This is where my heart is. Right here in this room."