For the next few days, Jack was very attentive to Elizabeth, bringing her gifts or just holding her hand whenever she was in reach. This morning was her first prenatal appointment and Jack was excited.
"Wake up, babe. We need to leave soon!" He said, kneeling on the bed as she slept.
She opened one eye. "I'm pretty sure we have like an hour."
"Well, fifty minutes, but you need to get up because it takes you awhile." Jack had a lot planned for the day. They both had the day off and he wanted to make the most of it. They were going to go to lunch and he was taking her to the salon for a massage and a pedicure.
She sighed, sat up, and leaned against her headboard. "Ok, I'm up."
"I put some Vernors there next to you and you have crackers."
"What are you having?"
"I already ate after my run."
"You went for a run?"
"Yeah. Just around the property. It's so nice out." She smiled at him.
"You seem happy."
"What's not to be happy about? I am married to the most amazing woman on the planet, who's carrying my child, by the way, and it's a beautiful day!"
"You are way too peppy for this time in the morning, babe. Maybe tone it down a bit." She got out of bed and walked to the bathroom, grateful her stomach wasn't churning.
He leaned against the doorway, watching her brush her teeth and put on her makeup. "You know, you don't need that, sweetie."
"Oh really? I look like I haven't slept in weeks. I think I definitely need it." He walked over and wrapped his arms around her from behind, smiling at her in the mirror.
"You are beautiful."
"Thank you." She didn't feel it. "Can you make me some tea? The ginger?"
"Yep, already made actually. It's waiting for you in your travel mug."
"You thought of everything."
"I try. I don't want you to have to worry about anything." She turned and looked at him, trying to figure him out.
"What's going on, Jack?"
"What do you mean?"
"The last couple days you have been different. More attentive, buying me things, holding my hand any chance you get. I am not complaining at all, just wondering what brought it on."
"I guess just thinking about Mike and Renee. It made me realize that I need to make sure you always know that I love you and will support you in everything."
"You are wonderful, Jack Thornton. You are the best husband and you will be a wonderful father to this little one. I know that you love me and I will never doubt it, but thank you for wanting to make sure." She slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him with her minty lips. "I love you too."
BILLINGS, DOCTOR'S OFFICE
"You can come in here, babe," she said with a chuckle. He was standing on the other side of the curtain that blocked the door from the exam room. He peaked around the curtain.
"I didn't want to assume."
"Sweetie, what happened? You were so excited earlier and now you seem nervous."
"I am. This seems real now." She reached for his hand and squeezed.
"It is real. There's a baby inside me and in about seven or eight months, we will get to meet him or her. It's a good thing."
"Yes, of course it is. I just hope that everything will be ok."
"That's why we're here. To make sure it is."
"Good morning, folks. How are we feeling?" An older gentleman, Dr. Brocker, walked in. He seemed pleasant enough to Jack.
"Good, doctor," Elizabeth greeted.
"I'm Jim Brocker, I'm assuming you're Jack?"
"Yes, nice to meet you."
"You as well. Elizabeth, last time I saw you it was for birth control, about three months ago?"
"Yes, that's correct." Elizabeth's cheeks turned red.
"What brings you in today?"
"I'm pregnant." The doctor didn't judge, he just smiled and nodded.
"When was your last menstrual period?"
"About seven weeks ago."
"Any nausea, vomiting, fevers?"
"No fever, but yes to the other two."
He slipped the blood pressure cuff around her upper arm and then took her weight and height.
"Are you on any medications?"
"Nope."
The doctor asked a myriad of other questions and then finally did an exam, confirming her pregnancy. Then he did an ultrasound and they got to see the tiny peanut shaped baby on the screen. He pointed out the heartbeat, telling them it looked normal and strong.
"You seem to be healthy and strong Elizabeth. There is no reason to believe this pregnancy would be anything but normal. If you're tired, rest. Eat when you can and obviously making healthy choices as far as food is best. Exercise is a good idea, walking is low impact so that's a good choice."
Elizabeth was glad Jack was there because she was feeling overwhelmed. She hoped he was listening because her mind was spinning.
IN TOWN
Julie waited as the clock ticked slowly by. She was waiting rather impatiently for lunchtime to come because she was going to The Bean, hopefully to see Mike. Mike Hickam was a sweet, kind man who had been through a lot in the past year. The loss of a child and his wife very obviously had taken a toll. She thought maybe he could use another friend and she wanted to be that friend.
Yes, she was technically in a relationship with Tom, but he hadn't called in two weeks and they hadn't seen each other in a month. Their relationship was fizzling out. She had loved him, but she realized that she wasn't in love with him. If she was, Mike wouldn't have turned her head so quickly and she would care that Tom hadn't called. Sadly, she didn't care. She loved Elisa, but loving his daughter wasn't enough to keep a relationship from sinking like the Titanic.
Finally, the clock struck noon and she bolted out the door, practically running down the street. "Slow down, Jules," she told herself. "You don't even know he will be there." She had a pretty good educated feeling though. She smiled when she caught sight of the ambulance sitting out front. Now the trick was acting cool, like she hadn't just flown out of work and ran down there just to see a guy she met once, and had brought to tears.
She walked in the door and looked around. He was in the back booth, drinking coffee and eating a sandwich. She hoped he would be there when she finally got to the front of the enormous line. After ten minutes, she still hadn't made it to the front so she stepped out of line and walked over to him. He looked up.
"Julie. Hi," he said with a gentle smile.
"Hi. Do you mind if I sit?"
"Sure." He looked at her empty hands. "Not hungry?"
"I am but I really just wanted to talk to you."
"What about?"
"I am having a movie night tonight at my apartment. Jack and Beth will be there too. I was wondering if you wanted to come?"
"Oh. Um…sure." Mike never went out. He had a few friends but usually he just stayed home.
"What's your favorite movie?"
"Don't really have one."
"Everyone has a favorite movie."
"I don't watch much tv."
"Well, tonight will be a treat for you. We're having pizza so bring your appetite." She held her phone out.
"What?"
"If you put your number in my phone, I'll text you with my address." He did as she asked. "Ok, see you tonight. I hope the rest of your day goes well."
"Yours too."
BILLINGS
After lunch at the Italian bistro in town, Jack drove Elizabeth to the spa. "Jack, what are we doing here?"
"You, my love, are getting a massage and a pedicure."
"I am?"
"Yes. Let's go." He walked around to her door and opened it. She stood up and hugged him. "You don't need to do things like this all the time, you know. Just being with you is wonderful."
"You are carrying my child. I want to pamper you and show you how much I appreciate you." He took her hand and led her inside.
"Hello there," the receptionist greeted. "What can I do for you?"
"Elizabeth Thornton, appointment at 1:30," Jack told her.
"Yes, Mrs. Thornton, let me let your massage therapist know you're here."
"Thank you." Jack smiled and pulled her close.
"Thank you, Jack. This is wonderful." She kissed him briefly. "Won't you be bored while you wait?"
"Nope, I'll be fine."
"Mrs. Thornton, Diedre is ready for you. Right this way."
Elizabeth squeezed his hand and followed the receptionist through the doors.
Jack waited a few minutes and then walked up to the desk. "Any idea how long this might take?"
"Yes, sir. The massage should be about thirty minutes and the pedicure about thirty. So about an hour."
"Very good. I'll be back in a bit."
"Yes, sir."
Jack walked down the sidewalk to do a bit of shopping, a few more surprises up his sleeve.
BACK IN THE SPA
"So how far along are you?" Deidre asked.
"About seven weeks. I'm due January 1st."
"Are you excited?"
"A bit. I'm overwhelmed too, but mostly excited. My husband and I were going to wait six months but, well, things happen."
"How long have you been married?"
"About seven weeks," she said with a giggle.
"Ah, a honeymoon baby."
"Yeah."
Her massage was wonderful and then she moved on to the pedicure. She removed her cumbersome boot that the doc said she would need to wear just a few more weeks and then her other shoe and socks.
The girl, Chase, who was doing her pedicure smiled and helped her slide her feet into the warm sudsy foot bath. "That feels so good," Elizabeth sighed.
"How has your day been?" Chase asked.
"Amazing."
"That's wonderful. What happened?"
"My husband is the best. We went to our first prenatal appointment then out to lunch. Then he brought me here for a massage and pedicure."
"He does sound pretty awesome. Congratulations, by the way."
"Thanks." Elizabeth closed her eyes again and let the warm sudsy water relax her even more.
Thirty minutes later, Elizabeth wandered out to find Jack. "Hey, babe. I'm done."
He looked up and smiled, handing her a rose. "You look relaxed," he mentioned.
"I am. I might go to sleep in the car." She took the rose from him.
"Sounds good. You sleep, I'll get us home."
She reached up, framed his handsome face with her hands and kissed him long and slow. "I love you, Jack Thornton. Thank you so much for today. It was perfect."
"You're perfect," he whispered in her ear as they walked out.
When he opened the car door and she looked inside, she smiled and shook her head. "More, Jack?"
He closed the door for her and then got in the driver's side. "Open it."
She took the tissue paper out of the bag and lifted the gift out. "Oh, Jack. It's so adorable."
"I was thinking we should wait to find out the sex of the baby. I think there are so few surprises in life and this one is a huge one. I saw this blanket and thought it would work for a boy or a girl." Elizabeth gently stroked the super soft, light green and gray plaid blanket, imagining a nursery in those colors and their child sleeping in her arms as she rocked.
"I want to wait too."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. I think the nursery should be these colors with dark wood furniture."
"Ok. We can do that." He put the car into drive and they began the hour drive home. She smiled over at him, slipping her fingers between his. "I love you, baby," he told her quietly.
"I love you." She closed her eyes and draped her free hand over her tummy.
THAT EVENING, JULIE'S APARTMENT
Julie put on makeup and changed her clothes, wanting to look nice but be comfortable. She had a broad selection of movies. Love stories, drama, mystery, musicals, black and white. She had no idea what Mike would like so she thought she would ask when he arrived.
The doorbell rang and her heart did a little leap. Elizabeth pushed the door open and Jack followed. "Hey, Jules."
"Hey, Beth. How'd your appointment go?"
"Great. I'm due January 1st."
"That's exciting!"
"I think so too."
"We…think so," Jack said with a grin as he kissed Julie's cheek. "I brought puppy chow and stuff to make root beer floats."
"I've got three different kinds of popcorn and chips."
"Oohh…we should take vanilla ice cream and top it with puppy chow and hot fudge," Elizabeth said.
"Sounds interesting," Julie told her with a chuckle.
"Got any whipped cream, Jules?" Elizabeth walked over and opened the fridge.
"Hey, can I have some of this? I'm starving."
"You want tortellini? Um, sure. Help yourself." Jack and Julie watched as Elizabeth warmed it up and chomped on a dill pickle while she waited.
The doorbell rang again and Julie walked over and opened it.
"Hey," she said quietly. "Come in."
Mike walked in the door, a shy smile on his face and pretzels and nacho cheese in his hands. "I thought these would be good." He handed them to her, their fingers accidentally brushing.
"Thank you, Mike. Make yourself at home." He nodded and removed his jacket.
"Hey, Mike!" Jack greeted, hugging him briefly. "Glad you came."
"Me too."
Jack reached into the fridge. "Want a beer?"
"Sure. Thanks."
Elizabeth walked past with her bowl of tortellini and a dill pickle spear on top. "Hey, Mike."
"Elizabeth," he said with a chuckle. "Hungry?"
"Yeah."
Mike looked at Jack who shrugged. "We had dinner an hour ago."
"Be glad she's not throwing up everything in sight," Mike told him.
"She does in the morning. At night, she can eat almost anything."
"Except tuna and eggs," she called from the living room.
"Hey, Mike and Jack, why don't you pick out the movie?" Julie suggested as she popped the popcorn.
They chose Sleepless in Seattle, surprising Julie completely.
"Really? A chick flick?"
"I've never seen it," Mike shrugged. "Jack said it's good."
"It's a good make out movie," Jack whispered to Elizabeth who giggled around a mouthful of tortellini and pickle.
Jack joined Elizabeth on the loveseat, pulling her legs onto his lap. Mike chose the end of the couch and when Julie walked in with two bottles of water and three bowls of popcorn and pretzels and went back for more, he decided he better help her.
"I'll help," he offered.
"Thanks. Wanna open the bag of chips and I'll heat up the nacho cheese?"
"Sure." He stood at the counter next to the microwave while she heated the cheese. "Julie?"
"Yeah."
"Thanks for inviting me." She turned and looked at him.
"Of course." She touched his arm and smiled. "I'm glad you're here."
A few moments later, the lights were lowered and the movie was started. Five minutes in, Elizabeth changed positions and leaned against Jack's shoulder, yawning.
Julie wondered how the subject matter of the movie was affecting Mike, being about a widower and all. She watched him periodically and he seemed ok. Part way through the movie, Julie got up to take the bowls that were empty to the kitchen. When she returned, she took a chance and sat next to Mike, instead of with a cushion between them. He moved his arm so that it pressed gently against hers, their shoulders touching.
Mike didn't know why, but he felt comfortable with Julie. He wanted to be next to her. He wanted their shoulders to touch. He wanted to hold her hand. He figured maybe he was just missing Renee. However, instead of missing her every second, he had thought about her once at the beginning of the movie and then just Julie after that.
He felt her slip her fingers in the crook of his arm, leaving them there. He looked over at her and caught her eye. She winked and he turned his attention back to the movie.
Another few moments later, he felt her fingers slide from his elbow to his wrist and then into his hand. It gave him goosebumps. He missed holding someone's small, soft hand in his. He intertwined their fingers and squeezed gently and then sighed when she leaned her cheek against his shoulder. Yeah, he needed this. It felt right.
AFTER THE MOVIE
Jack and Elizabeth left after the movie, leaving Mike with Julie. He helped her clean up and then sat at her bar while she made them tea.
"Mike, I need to tell you something."
"Ok."
"I have a boyfriend." His eyes moved up to hers, showing his confusion.
"So holding my hand was….?"
"Probably not a good idea. It wasn't fair of me and I'm sorry. I also want you to know that even though I have a boyfriend, our relationship isn't good right now. I haven't spoken to him in a few weeks."
Mike stood up and walked to the door, slipping his coat on. "Thank you for inviting me over. I hope we can still be friends."
"Mike."
"Goodnight, Julie."