A/N: Thank you for the reviews you guys left, they really lifted my spirits as I thought I was in the minority with my opinion. Keep 'em coming.
Jack woke up the next morning still wrapped up in Elizabeth, both physically and emotionally. He was happy beyond belief to be where he was. He took this opportunity to study his beautiful wife's features. Elizabeth was stunning in everything she did but there was something so angelic and youthful about her in sleep. It took everything inside him to not reach out and touch her. He knew that now that she was expecting a baby, she needed as much rest as possible. His mind was still racing. After a while, Elizabeth stirred. As her eyes adjusted, she found her husband gazing at her lovingly.
"Good morning my love." She said, sleepily.
"Good morning." Jack answered, leaning over to give his wife a kiss. "And what would you like to do on this fine Saturday morning?" He asked, rubbing Elizabeth's arm lightly.
"Anything, as long as it's with you." She responded.
"Well I would love to stay in bed with my beautiful wife all day." He said, smiling.
"I think I can allow that today." She said, kissing him back. She snuggled back into his chest and felt him kiss the top of her head. As the two of them continued to lie in bed, Jack put his hand on his wife's tummy. He knew he wouldn't be able to feel anything this early in the pregnancy but it comforted him knowing that his baby was growing in there. He didn't know how long he would be around, but he prayed to God that he would be here long enough to see his children grow up. He wanted all of his children to know that even though being a Mountie was his calling, being a husband and now a father was his choice and he valued that above all else. He rubbed gentle circles all around her stomach and breathed in his wife's heavenly scent. She smelled like flowers and what can only be described as Elizabeth. His Elizabeth. Elizabeth loved how in love Jack was with his son or daughter and he had only just found out about it the day before.
"I know it's fresh news and a bit early and all but have you thought of any names you might like for the baby?" Elizabeth asked after a while.
"You read my mind." Jack smiled. "I've always imagined having a daughter and calling her Lily."
"What if it's a boy?" Elizabeth asked.
"You didn't let me finish silly." Jack replied, tickling her and making her squeal. "I love the name Patrick."
"I love those. Patrick was a name I had picked out as well." Elizabeth said, earnestly. "Lily Thornton or Patrick Thornton."
"We still need middle names though." Jack added.
"Very true." Elizabeth agreed. "How about Grace for a girl and Douglas for a boy?" Jack's voice caught in his throat.
"You would really name our son after Doug?" He asked.
"Yes, I would." She caressed his face. "He was a great man. I hate that I didn't get to know him more. I think naming our son after him would be the perfect way to honor his sacrifice."
"I love you so much Elizabeth." Jack kissed her lips. "You really are the perfect woman."
"I don't know about all that, but I love you too, Jack Thornton." She laughed him off.
"No, I mean it. After Rosemary broke my heart, I swore I would never open myself up again. I dedicated myself completely to my job. I didn't think any woman was worth the pain. But I was wrong." He ran his thumb over her cheek. "I was wrong because you are worth everything to me. I met you and my world changed. I may not have accepted it then, but I knew it, from the minute I heard your voice. When I turned around, and saw the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, I knew right then and there that I was a goner. You made my heart race and my head spin. I had never met anyone like you and I don't think I ever will again. You are my whole world, Elizabeth. You and this little tyke." He leaned down and kissed her still flat stomach.
"You are my world too Jack Thornton. I honestly don't think I could make it a single day without your love. You bring something wonderful out in me that I didn't even know existed and I thank God every day for you. I love you so much it hurts in the best way possible." Jack gave her lips one last passionate kiss before lifting himself from the bed. "Where are you going?" She asked, perplexed.
"I think, Mrs. Thornton, that we are way overdue for a long, hot, bath. Don't you?" He smirked.
"You know, Mr. Thornton, I think you are absolutely right." Elizabeth smiled, getting up to join him.
"Oh no. You stay right where you are. I'll heat the water and start the bath. Don't you move an inch. You're having my baby. Let me spoil you." He gently laid her back down on the bed.
"Jack you spoil me every day. And every night." She said, a little seductively.
"Well just humor me and let me spoil you like this now too." He said, not missing a beat.
"Alright." She agreed, chuckling at Jack's utter excitement. Jack left to go get their bath started. As Elizabeth lied there on the bed, she thanked her lucky stars for the man God had sent her. She heard her husband moving about in the kitchen and then back upstairs in the bathroom before he walked back in the bedroom to grab his lovely wife.
"Our bath is ready Mrs. Thornton." He grabbed Elizabeth's hand and guided her into the bathroom. Both still almost completely bare, all Jack had to do was remove his robe and step inside the warm bath once he had helped her into the water. Elizabeth leaned back against Jack's chest, enjoying the soothing effect the water had on her skin. She sighed as Jack rubbed her skin up and down with soap. He kissed her shoulder and her neck. He scooped the water with his hands and let it slowly fall down her back.
"Jack, that feels heavenly." She breathed, turning around as gracefully as she could manage. She straddled her husband, running her hands up his torso.
"You have no idea what you are doing to me, oh wife of mine." He smiled and closed his eyes.
"I think I do, oh husband of mine." She whispered back, leaning down to kiss his chest. His hands ran along her back as her lips continued their adventure on his body. They maneuvered themselves until they both found what they were looking for. After their water ran cold, they both got out and took turns drying each other off. "We should write a telegram to our families. They should definitely know about the baby." Elizabeth's face suddenly turned a bit sour.
"What is it?" Jack asked, worried.
"Do you think if we send it now, your mother will suddenly pop up in town like last time?" She asked. "Not that I don't love her to death but she can be a bit of a handful and I certainly don't think I can stomach anymore lard, especially now." She added, pointing to her stomach. Jack laughed, heartily.
"I don't think so, hon. I'm pretty sure her back is still healing. So I think we're good for now. But if you want, I can ask her to stay put until he or she gets here." He said.
"No, I don't want to insult her." She said, thinking. "I guess we'll just have to pray that she doesn't show up on a whim while I'm still pregnant, or my family either for that matter, but I don't see that happening, except for maybe Julie."
"Alright, I'll go and write them right now." Jack turning to go put on his clothes. Elizabeth grabbed his arm. When he turned around, she kissed him, the towel still wrapped around her.
"Sweetheart, I love that you want to take of me but I'm not an invalid. I am perfectly capable of accompanying you to the mercantile and writing a simple telegram to our family."
"Sorry love, I don't mean to smother you. It's just, well, this is a our first child and I know that can be a bit scary for both of us but especially for you since you're the one carrying them. I just want you to be as comfortable as possible." He admitted.
"And I love you for that." She smiled, rubbing his cheek. "But I promise you, I am a perfectly functioning human being. Okay?" She asked. Jack nodded. "Alright, lets get dressed and head to the mercantile."