Hi Hearties,
A quick recap here as I know a couple of you have asked for one at times - Jack returned from the Northern Territories and they married right before Christmas, they spent their honeymoon out in a little log cabin and returned for Christmas, Billy Hamilton showed up in Hope Valley and aggressively tried to pursue Elizabeth and enter their home, Jack escorted him to Cape Fullerton before getting home in time for New Year's. They spent New Year's getting stuck out on the row boat before being saved by Lee and then joined in with the festivities at the bon fire by the pond. Charles showed up in town and both Jack and Elizabeth stood up to him, along with Lee turning down his business, and Rosemary speaking her mind to him. Abigail informed Elizabeth that she's certain she's pregnant and now Elizabeth has just asked Jack to "take a walk with me…"
Happy reading, I hope you enjoy it.
Elizabeth grasped onto Jack's hand and gently pulled him along.
"Where are we going?" Jack laughed as he noticed Elizabeth's excitement.
"You'll find out soon enough." She said with a grin on her face. She knew exactly where she was going but wanted to surprise him.
They continued their walk and slowly went up a slight rise on the land before Elizabeth stopped.
"Here?" Jack asked as he realised they were in the spot where they had shared their first kiss.
Elizabeth nodded and gave him a smile before facing him and taking both of his hands in hers.
"So, is there a reason for this walk?" He asked.
"There is…" She said feeling rather giddy.
She took a moment to choose her words carefully as she found it hard to contain her excitement.
"I'm guessing you haven't brought me here just to kiss me. We've done a lot of that since the first time we came here." He said with a grin on his face.
"When you brought me here it was certainly one of the happiest days of my life. Do you remember what you told me that day?" Elizabeth asked.
"That out of the twenty-seven men that have been president of the United State, only one was a bachelor?" Jack said with a grin.
"Well, yes but you know that's not what I meant." Elizabeth said laughing. "You have a good memory though."
"I remember everything about you bella." He said leaning over and placing a soft kiss on her lips.
Jack felt the smile on Elizabeth's lips and he pulled back to look into her eyes.
"On that day I told you you're the one, you're the only one." Jack whispered into her ear and she nodded.
"Yes, but now … there's one more of us…" She said while meeting Jack's gaze.
She noticed the slightly puzzled look on his face face and she gently placed one of his hands over her stomach.
"Jack, we're going to have a baby." She said as she covered both her hands over his that gently rested on her stomach.
"We are?" He asked as he slowly took his gaze down to her stomach before they returned to meet her eyes again.
Elizabeth nodded.
"Yes… you're going to be a Daddy." Elizabeth exclaimed.
"I am?" Jack asked in awe as he brought his hands up to her face and looked intently into her eyes. He leaned in and kissed his wife before pulling her into his arms.
"Elizabeth Thornton, you've made me the happiest man in the world!" He exclaimed.
Elizabeth grinned as she noticed Jack's joint excitement.
"You've made me the happiest woman in the world, giving me this baby."
They both smiled at each other. Elizabeth noticed Jack's eyes glistening and she placed a hand gently on his jawline.
"Elizabeth, you have no idea…No idea how much I love you, and love this baby." He said with all the honesty he could muster. "Is it possible I could already love this little person that I don't even know yet?" He asked as he looked into her eyes while placing his hand back on her stomach.
"I do know. I already love our baby too Jack."
"Thank you sweetheart. This is the best gift you ever could have given me." He said pulling her into his arms again. "So, how long have you known?" Jack asked as he felt her arms wrap around him.
"Only about an hour. It was Abigail that made me realise."
"You have been somewhat tired and emotional lately." He said while playing with a tendril of hair that hung down the side of her cheek.
"I have." She said contemplating over the last week or so.
Jack guided her over to a nearby log and they sat down. He wrapped his arm around Elizabeth and she rested her head on his shoulder as they sat on the log.
"Well at least now I can understand, and take care of you."
"I know you mean well Jack but I'm pregnant, not sick."
"I know, but now I've got to make sure the two of you are happy."
"As long as we have you Jack, we will always be happy." She said sitting up and giving him a smile.
"I love you Elizabeth Thornton, I love you and I love our baby." He said and then leant in and gently kissed her.
"I love you too."
They sat in silence for a few moments as they took in the magnitude of the moment.
"What is this?" Elizabeth asked as she ran her hand over an engraving she found on the log.
She turned to have a better look and noticed it was a heart with their initials carved in it.
"Did you do this Jack?" She asked looking up at Jack with a smile on her face.
Jack nodded.
"When did you do this?" She asked surprised and looked back over the engraving again.
"A little before our first kiss." He admitted.
"That long ago, and you never showed me?' She asked surprised.
"I planned to, but then I thought maybe it was a little silly." Jack said feeling slightly embarrassed.
"Oh, Jack… It's not silly, it's incredibly sweet." She said, and she leaned in and placed a kiss on his lips. "You're adorable, I wish you'd shown me this sooner."
"Really? I didn't realise you'd like it so much."
"I do." She said giving his hand a squeeze. "It's a good thing my initials haven't changed."
"You're right." He said smiling now as he realised how happy she was. "I'm glad you like it."
"I love it." She said giving him a small smile.
"I also have some news I wanted to share with you. It pales in comparison to what you've just shared with me, but I hope you're going to like it."
"What is it?"
"We received a telegram at the Mercantile this morning, your Father would like us to come to Hamilton. Since your Mother couldn't attend the wedding, I thought we should go. That's if you're up for the trip?"
"I'll be fine to go Jack. It's you I'm worried about."
"Me?" Jack asked surprised.
"Our last trip to Hamilton didn't go down so well."
"Elizabeth, things are different now. We're married, and your parents have accepted me into the family. I'm also hoping they'll be happy with me since I'll be giving them their first grandchild."
"You're right, and they will be elated to find out we're having a baby." Elizabeth said taking Jack's hand and giving it a squeeze and they both smiled.
"Well if you're sure you want to go, I could arrange for us to leave in a couple days. I'm meant to go back to work soon but I thought I could extended my leave. If we went soon we could also be back in time before school starts up again."
"That would be wonderful." Elizabeth said now excited.
"So, you're glad? I was worried you wouldn't want to go."
"Of course I want to go. I do still have an appreciation for Hamilton, but I only want to go if you'll be happy going."
"I'm happy to go, I think I'm even looking forward to it."
"You are?" Elizabeth asked surprised.
"I do like seeing where you grew up, and it might be nice to see your old bedroom." Jack hinted.
"Oh, so that's why you want to go?" Elizabeth asked with a grin on her face.
"Not entirely, but that's one of the reasons."
"I've never had a man in my bedroom before." She said sounding more serious now.
"Well I'm glad to hear that." He said while pulling her in for a kiss.
Jack noticed her kisses became more intense and he felt her fingers run through his hair. After a few moments he pulled away and looked into her eyes.
"It's getting cold, I should take you home… take you both home." He said placing his hand on her stomach.
"Okay, as long as we can continue this later." She said with a grin.
"I certainly hope we do." He said while standing and taking her hand and pulling her up from the log.
The next morning…
Jack woke early. He noticed Elizabeth curled up by his side and looked down at her intently. He loved the way her warm breath felt on his shoulder and the way her soft tangled hair lay on the pillow and tickled his skin whenever she moved. He thought about how blessed he was to have this amazing woman as his wife, and that now she was carrying his baby.
Elizabeth stirred and slowly opened her eyes and looked up at Jack. A grin appeared on her face as she noticed him watching her.
"Good morning bella." He said placing a kiss atop her head.
"Good morning." She replied as she wrapped an arm across Jack's chest. His skin felt warm and she snuggled in closer.
"I thought today we could go into town and make our booking for the Stage and train to Hamilton." He said while playing with her hair.
"Sounds good." She said and sighed feeling content at just being in the moment.
"I can make us breakfast." Jack said placing a kiss on her cheek before he started to sit up.
"Not yet…" She pleaded while placing a firmer grip over his body. "Can we just lay awhile?"
Jack sank back down into the bed and made himself comfortable again.
"Sure." He said smiling, "You sleepy?"
"A little. I just want to be here with you." She said as she rested her head in the crook of his neck and gently let her lips linger on his warm skin.
"I can't imagine anywhere else I'd rather be." He said as he ran his fingers up and down her back.
He soon noticed her drift back off to sleep. He lay there awhile and he noticed how peaceful she looked. Eventually he carefully got out of the bed, trying not to disturb her and went downstairs to start on breakfast.
Later that morning at Abigail's café…
"So, I'm guessing Jack's excited about the news?" Abigail asked as she kneaded the dough on the table in the kitchen.
"Very much so." Elizabeth said with a smile on her face as she sat on a nearby stool.
"I'm so pleased for you both."
Abigail and Elizabeth heard a knock on the kitchen door and they looked up as Jack entered.
"And here is the Father to be now." Abigail said.
Jack gave Abigail a smile before heading over to Elizabeth's side and placing a kiss on her cheek.
"If you're talking about babies you want me to leave?" Jack asked cautiously.
"No, of course not Jack." Abigail insisted while Elizabeth took a hold of his hand.
"Ok good, because I am pretty excited about this baby of ours." He said wrapping an arm around Elizabeth.
"I'm so happy for you both, you're going to be such wonderful parents. This baby will be so blessed." Abigail said as she stopped kneading the dough and looked up at Jack and Elizabeth.
"Thank you Abigail, that really means a lot to us." Jack said looking at Abigail and then down to Elizabeth.
"So, what are you two up to today?" She inquired as she wiped her hands on her apron to remove the flour.
"I've just booked tickets for the Stage, we're heading to Hamilton in two days." Jack informed her.
"Well that's exciting. Like a second phase of your honeymoon." Abigail suggested.
"Yes, I guess so." Elizabeth said smiling. "Although we'll be staying at my parents."
"Well it will still be a nice break away together before you both return to work."
"It will be." Elizabeth agreed.
Cody then came storming into the kitchen.
"Hi Mountie Jack, hi Miss That... Mrs Thornton." Cody stated and both Jack and Elizabeth smiled as they greeted him hello in return.
Mum I'm starving, is there anything to eat?" Cody asked as he looked around the kitchen table.
"I'll have lunch ready soon." Abigail informed him.
"Will there be cookies?" He asked eyeing off the dough on the table.
"No there won't be. I'm baking bread."
Cody frowned and sat down on a stool at the table near Jack and Elizabeth.
"I can't seem to fill you up." Abigail said.
"He's a growing boy Abigail." Jack said while patting Cody on the back and Cody smiled.
"Certainly is, I'm wondering if he's ever going to stop." She said with a smile.
"I've still got plenty of growing to do, I'm not even as tall as Robert yet."
"No you're not, but you have plenty of time to get there." Abigail informed him, and Cody quietly nodded.
"I'm sorry but I'm going to have to steal my wife away, I have somewhere I need to take her." Jack said changing the subject.
"You do?" Elizabeth asked surprised and Jack nodded.
"Well we'll see you both later." Abigail said.
Jack and Elizabeth headed for the door and Abigail opened it for them.
"You have no idea how pleased I am with your news." Abigail said.
"What news?" Cody called out loudly.
"Mountie Jack and I are going to have a baby."
"Wow, that's great." Cody said, and he rushed over to give his teacher a hug. Cody then gave Jack a hug and as he pulled away Jack gave him a smile.
"We'll see you both soon." Jack said as he and Elizabeth exited out the kitchen door.
"Definitely." Abigail informed them, and she shut the kitchen door behind them as they left.
"Where are you taking me?" Elizabeth asked.
"It's a surprise." Jack informed her.
"Haven't we had enough surprises lately?"
"You can never have enough surprises."
Jack took Elizabeth's hand and walked her over to the Saloon.
"You're taking me to lunch at the Saloon? That's the surprise?"
"We are going to the Saloon but that's not the surprise."
They walked inside, and Jack ushered her to a table and pulled out a chair for her to sit down.
"Do you remember when I bought you here a couple Christmas' ago?" Jack asked as he pulled out a seat for Elizabeth before going to the other side of the of the table and seating himself.
"Of course. When we had our own Mountie Christmas Ball."
"And you remember when I told you Christmas just gone that I wanted to take you to a real Mountie Christmas Ball?"
"Yes." Elizabeth said while wondering what Jack was getting at.
"Well, I just received this." Jack said as he slid an envelope across the table in Elizabeth direction.
Elizabeth carefully opened the envelope and read the piece of paper.
Jack watched her intently as her eyes scanned over the letter he'd received earlier from the Mercantile.
"You're inviting me to a Mountie Ball?" Elizabeth exclaimed excitedly.
"Yes. It's not a Christmas Ball but I thought you might like to go anyway."
"I'd love to go Jack!"
"Since the Christmas Ball was cancelled due to it being too close to the end of the war they decided to put on a celebration next month. It will be a Ball in celebration for the end of the war in the North." Jack said. "I was going to surprise you later, but I thought we could go shopping when we go to Hamilton in a few days."
"You'll take me shopping?" Elizabeth asked excitedly while slightly surprised.
"I know you'll want a new dress from this season." Jack suggested, and Elizabeth's eyes grew wide.
"How did you know?"
Jack shrugged. "I used to court Rosemary remember, I know a little about fashion."
Elizabeth slightly winced.
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have brought that up." Jack apologised.
"No it's fine, I know you and Rosemary have a history. In saying that though she is now no longer a thorn in my side, she's actually become one of my best friends. It really doesn't concern me like it used to."
"Ï never loved her the way I love you." Jack whispered as he leaned over the table and took her hand in his.
"I know, and I love you too." She said giving his hand a gentle squeeze.
"So, can I take you shopping in Hamilton?" Jack asked now moving onto a brighter note.
"Course you can, I'd love to." Elizabeth said excitedly, and she stood up and walked around the table towards Jack and kissed him on the lips.
Their kiss broke apart as they both heard a commotion over at the bar. They looked over and noticed a few men watching them with raised eyebrows and Elizabeth turned away in embarrassment.
"Come here." Jack said as he stood up and took her hand.
Jack lead her to a small alcove past the stairs and leant her up against the wall.
"I'm sorry." Elizabeth said.
"No need to apologize, I would never regret you kissing me." Jack said placing a hand on her face while meeting her gaze in the darkness of the alcove.
"I don't regret kissing you either, even if it did cause some embarrassment."
"Those men out there are likely wishing they were me right now. I have no reason to be embarrassed." Jack said with a grin on his face.
"Jack Thornton!" She said gently swatting his upper arm.
"Well it's true." He said honestly, and she smiled noticing the way his eyes gently gazed upon her.
"So, can I kiss you here?" She asked looking around the small alcove.
"You can kiss me anywhere you like." He whispered, and he leaned into her before his lips found hers.
Elizabeth wrapped her arms around Jack's neck as he placed his hands on her hips and pulled her closer. She played with the hair at the nape of his neck as she noticed his arms wrap around her and felt his kisses get more intense. She let her hands run across his shoulders and down his upper arms before holding onto them and pulling him closer.
"Jack…" She said, her voice breathless.
"Hmm?" He replied between kisses.
Jack pulled back after not hearing a response from her.
"Are you ok?" He asked with concern in his voice.
"Yes, why?" She asked confused.
"You didn't answer."
"Answer?"
"You called my name." Jack asked, surprised she didn't know what he was referring to.
"Oh, I didn't realize." She admitted.
"You got caught up in the moment huh?" He asked grinning as he brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
Elizabeth nodded and gave him a small smile as she ran her hands up his chest and then played with the collar on his shirt.
"So, don't stop with the kissing." Elizabeth said as she leant back against the wall and gently tugged at the collar of his shirt.
He noticed her eagerness and he leaned into her and their lips met once more. He ran his hands through her soft tresses of hair and got caught up in her kisses again.
Soon after Jack pulled back trying to slow things down and he rested his for head on hers as they waited for their laboured breathing to cease.
They then heard someone clearing their throat just outside the alcove.
Jack turned around while shielding Elizabeth to see who it was.
"Jack?" Rosemary asked in shock.
"Rosie?" He asked surprised.
Elizabeth then peered over Jack's shoulder and saw Rosemary standing in front of them.
"What are you both doing here?" Rosemary asked.
"Rosie, I think you know what we were doing here." Jack said trying to hide the grin on his face.
"Well you should both be glad that it was me that caught you, and not someone else!" She exclaimed as she noticed Elizabeth make her way out from behind Jack and stand by his side.
"Well you better come out of there, before someone else finds you." Rosemary continued as she looked around to see if anyone else could see them.
Jack and Elizabeth meekly made their way out of the alcove.
"Don't you both worry, I won't speak a word of this to anyone, well except maybe Lee." Rosemary said waving her arm as she encouraged them to follow her out into the main area of the Saloon. "What are you doing here in the middle of the day anyway?"
Jack and Elizabeth briefly looked at each other as they decided whether they should inform Rosemary as to why they'd come to the Saloon. Elizabeth gave Jack a nod of approval and he decided to tell Rosemary.
"I brought Elizabeth here to tell her we're going to the Mountie Ball." Jack informed her.
"You're recreating another Ball here in the Saloon?" Rosemary asked excitedly.
"No, were going to the Mountie Ball in Buxton next month."
"Oh Elizabeth, you'll need a new dress!" Rosemary exclaimed with excitement.
"I will, and Jack's taking me shopping in Hamilton this week."
"He is?" She asked surprised, knowing that Jack wasn't really interested in shopping. "Well, don't you have a wonderful husband." Rosemary said looking at Elizabeth while giving her a smile.
"I do." Elizabeth said, and she smiled up at Jack. "I'm afraid a dress won't fit me too long though."
"It won't?" Rosemary asked puzzled. "Maybe it will need taking out around the waist and taking in in other places… like when you borrowed my dress."
"That's not what I meant Rosemary." Elizabeth said giving Rosemary a frustrated look.
Jack looked from Elizabeth to Rosemary and decided it be wise to stay out of the discussion for now.
"Oh dear. Well what do you mean then?"
"I meant that I am worried that if I buy a dress it may not fit a few weeks later as I'm pregnant Rosemary."
Rosemary's eyes widened, and excitement grew on her face.
"You are?" She asked surprised.
Both Elizabeth and Jack nodded and then Rosemary rushed over and hugged Elizabeth before reaching over to Jack and hugging him at the same time.
"I'm so pleased for you both." She said as she hugged them tighter before letting go and standing back. This will be wonderful, now little baby Coulter here will have a play mate." Rosemary said as she touched her own stomach. "
Elizabeth and Jack smiled.
"It will be nice having another baby around. It's unfortunate there's so many widows in town, there's not too many very young children in town at the moment." Elizabeth said.
"Well you both have so much wonderful news. No wonder you were… whatever you were doing in that alcove there." Rosemary said as she nodded over in the direction of the alcove. Elizabeth blushed, and she felt like hiding her head in Jack's chest, but she resisted.
"Ok Rosie, well Elizabeth and I should really get a move on." Jack said trying to redirect the conversation.
"Oh of course, and Elizabeth, if that dress of yours needs adjusting please just let Dottie and I know, we will fix it up for you."
"Thank you, Rosemary."
Rosemary headed off and Jack took Elizabeth's hand and they walked out of the Saloon.
To be continued…