Chapter 32

Jack woke early the next morning, dread filling his mind as he remembered it was only one more day until he was to leave for Cape Fullerton. Realising Elizabeth wasn't in her customary position at his side, he reached across the bed for her, but found her side of the bed empty. He felt a pit in his stomach as he wished she were there with him. He rolled over and thought about how he told her of his leaving, it had concerned him. He tried his best to brush away his worries, so as to try enjoy the time he did have with her today. They had certainly enjoyed a beautiful evening together, and he tried to focus on that. He got out of bed, pulled on a clean pair of trousers, and went in search of Elizabeth.

Jack stood in the doorway of the nursery and saw Elizabeth sitting in the rocking chair nursing Matilda. He leaned against the doorframe and watched them in silence. His gaze fell on Elizabeth as she he noticed her lovingly look down at their daughter who was kicking her feet about while continuing to feed. He took in the moment, wanting to hold onto the memory, as he wouldn't see more over the following month. He then noticed Matilda squirm until Elizabeth pulled her up into a seated position on her lap.

Elizabeth then noticed Jack's presence and she looked over at him and smiled. He gave her a small smile in return and started to make his way over towards her. He picked Tilly up from Elizabeth's lap, as she adjusted her nightgown.

"Good morning Miss Tilly." He said, giving her a kiss on each of her rosy red cheeks, and he got a big smile from her.

Elizabeth got up from the rocking chair and Jack looked over at her as he tried his best at giving her a genuine smile. She did the same in return and he wrapped an arm around her.

"Good morning." He said as he placed a kiss on her temple.

"Today is, but I'm not sure about the following ones."

"I know… but let's try enjoy today, alright?"

She nodded, and they made their way downstairs to start the day.

Jack headed out to the barn to prepare Sargent for the ride into town as they would soon be on their way to the Church service. He strapped the horse up to the wagon. Just as he was done, he saw Elizabeth and Tilly hand in hand, making their way out the back door.

"My pretty girls." Jack said as he noticed Elizabeth and Tilly in their pink dresses all ready for Church.

He placed a kiss on Elizabeth's cheek and then scooped Tilly up into his arms.

"You look quite handsome yourself." Elizabeth said as she smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Jack then helped Elizabeth onto the wagon before placing Tilly into Elizabeth's arms. Elizabeth took her daughter and sat her on her lap as she waited for Jack. Jack then climbed into the wagon himself and they made their way towards the Church.

Everyone filed out of the Church after the service ended, and gathered on the grounds outside to chat out in the warm sun.

"How would you three like to come for lunch today?" Abigail offered as she reached Jack and Elizabeth's side. "It would be especially nice to see you before you go tomorrow Jack."

"Thank you Abigail, we'd love to come by." Jack said, after he noticed Elizabeth give him a nod of approval.

"Also, after lunch I thought you may appreciate a babysitter, then you could spend some time together alone." Abigail suggested.

"That would be wonderful Abigail. I really don't know what we'd do without you sometimes, you really are the best friend we could have." Elizabeth replied.

"I love you both, I'm only doing what a good friend would do." Abigail said giving them a smile.

Elizabeth then noticed Tilly had wandered off with Emily and Opal, and they were getting awfully close to the pond.

"Excuse me for a moment." She said, and she hurried off after her daughter.

"You're going to be very missed Jack, not just by your family, but by me too." Abigail told him.

"Abigail, you're considered to us as family, and I will miss you too." Jack told her.

"That's very sweet Jack."

"It's true, and I know Elizabeth believes the same." He said giving her a small smile. "You'll look after my girls while I'm away won't you?"

"You don't even need to ask." She told him, and she gave him a hug.

Elizabeth then returned to Jack's side with Tilly in her arms.

"Well I will see the three of you soon at the Café, I need to go find Cody."

"See you soon." Both Jack and Elizabeth replied, and Abigail hurried off.

Late afternoon

Jack and Elizabeth had an enjoyable lunch at Abigail's with most of their friends. It had been a good opportunity for Jack to personally say goodbye to his friends before his departure.

Jack sat on the settee in the back room of the Café with Elizabeth as he watched Cody chase Tilly around the room. Tilly giggled as she ran as fast as her little feet would take her, before running into Elizabeth's legs and burying her face into her Mother's skirt.

Cody stopped and caught his breath, his face turning serious as he looked over at Jack.

"I'll miss you Mountie Jack."

"I'll miss you too Cody. I hope you look after that Mum of yours while I'm gone."

"I sure will, and Mrs Thornton and Tilly too." Cody said, standing proudly.

Jack and Elizabeth smiled upon hearing Cody's words.

"Thank you, I really appreciate that." Jack told him.

Abigail then brought out a batch of cookies for everyone and Cody ran off to get one. Tilly made her way after him as did little Johnathan Coulter. Cody got Tilly and Johnathan a cookie before getting himself one, and then Abigail scooted the children out of the kitchen.

Tilly sucked on her cookie, leaving an array of crumbs on the floor as she made her way over to her Father where she climbed up onto his lap. She nestled herself into his arms and made herself comfortable as she munched away on her cookie. Once she finished, she settled back into her Father's arms and watched the surrounding adults converse amongst each other.

Soon after everyone had left, the long day caught up with Tilly and she fell asleep in Jack's arms.

"Did the two of you want to head off now? That's if you think Tilly won't mind waking up without you here." Abigail suggested.

"I think she's familiar enough with you now that she should be alright. If you don't mind that is." Elizabeth said.

"Of course not, in fact I'd love to spend some time with this dear little Angel of yours." Abigail replied as Jack stood up and lay Tilly in her arms.

"Thank you Abigail." Elizabeth said as she stood. She gave Abigail a hug before placing a kiss on her sleeping daughter's head.

Jack then took hold of Elizabeth's hand and they silently walked through the Café dining room and out the front door.

"Where are we going?" Elizabeth asked.

Jack stopped on the front patio of the Café and took both of her hands in his.

"Will you take one last walk with me before I go?"

He then saw tears in Elizabeth's eyes, and realised his mistaken choice of words.

"I'm sorry." He said.

Elizabeth broke down crying and Jack guided her up against the wall of the Café, and used his body to shield her from passer-by's.

"Bella, this won't be our last walk. I'll be back, I promise." He told her as he leaned in and placed his fore-head on her own.

She nodded in understanding, and tried her best at holding back her tears. Jack pulled a handkerchief out of his coat pocket and gently dabbed the tears on her face before handing the handkerchief to her. Once she'd composed herself she took Jack's hand and entwined her fingers with his, and then encouraged him to lead ahead for their walk.

They headed down the main road and made their way towards the pond.

"While I'm gone I'd appreciate it if you frequently check in with Abigail and the Coulter's. I'm concerned about you and Tilly being out at the house alone." Jack said deciding to break the silence now they were alone.

"I will Jack."

"And if you urgently need to contact me, you can send telegrams to Mountie Headquarters in Cape Fullerton." He said, and she nodded. "Of course, I'll write to you as much as I can, but I can't promise it will be often."

"I understand. I will write to you every day." She told him.

"Don't feel you have to. I don't want you staying up late, writing once Tilly is in bed."

"I'll be fine Jack, you're normally keeping me up late at night anyway." She said giving him a grin.

He smiled, feeling relieved he could see her playful side present itself amongst the sadness.

"Maybe so, but surely you'll be tired having to look after Tilly on your own in the evenings and early mornings. Please make sure you ask Abigail and Rosemary for help if you need it."

"I will."

Jack walked Elizabeth past the pond, and in time she noticed they were at the spot where they had shared their first kiss.

"So many sweet memories here." She told him as they sat down on the log where Jack had many years ago calved a love heart with their initials in it.

"Our first kiss." He said with a smile.

"And where I told you we were having a baby." She said smiling back at him.

"I wish we were here on a happier note today."

"We have reason to be happy, we have today, and many more days ahead of us." She said, trying to cheer herself up as much as Jack.

Elizabeth rest her head down on Jack's shoulder and he wrapped his arm around her back as they sat for some time in a comfortable silence.

"Maybe we should head back and pick up Tilly." Jack said as he noticed twilight almost starting to set in.

He stood and pulled Elizabeth up with him, they then slowly walked back into town and headed for the Café.

Later that evening.

As Jack put Tilly to bed, he lingered a little longer than he normally would, as he watched her sleep her in her crib. He noticed the rise and fall of her chest, her auburn curls splayed out across the mattress that reminded him of Elizabeth's, and her little hands that rest beside her head. He leaned into the crib and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek before quietly making his way out of the nursery.

"Asleep already?" Elizabeth whispered as they crossed paths in the hallway. Jack nodded. "You hungry?" She asked, wondering what she could cook for supper.

"Not really, Abigail put on quite a spread for lunch today, I'm still full."

"She did, I'm not hungry either."

"I wish I didn't make you so sad Bella." Jack said, noticing the apprehension on her face. He felt it in himself also.

"You don't make me sad Jack, every day you me the happiest woman in the world. I know you wouldn't leave if you didn't need to."

Jack pulled her into his arms and she rest her head on his chest. He felt her tears soak through his shirt as she silently cried into his chest.

Eventually she looked up at him, all teary eyed, and still as beautiful as she aways was. Her big blue eyes glistened with fresh tears, displaying sadness and adoration for him all at the same time.

Tears started to form in his own eyes as he watched her, and they held onto each other a little tighter as they both felt his impending departure lay heavy on their hearts.

"Show me how much you love me Jack." She whispered as she gazed into his eyes.

He placed his hands on the sides of her face and kissed her passionately before guiding her into their bedroom and answering her request.

The next morning

Elizabeth's eyes fluttered open and she noticed Jack at her side watching over her. She saw the adoration in his eyes and she moved over closer, and he pulled her into his embrace. She thought of last night events and a smile creeped up upon her face, and she buried herself into his chest. She let her cheerful thoughts linger before allowing herself to become overwhelmed with the days events that loomed over them.

They lay in each other's arms until she heard Jack's voice." Elizabeth…" He whispered, and she looked up at him. "It's time…again."

"I know..."

"I love you so much Bella."

"I love you too sweetheart."

Later that morning

Jack brought Sargent out of the barn and prepared him for the long ride ahead. He took his horse by the reigns and guided him to the front of the house where he found Elizabeth sitting on the porch with Tilly in her arms. She stood and placed Tilly on her hip as she carried her down the porch steps and made her way towards Jack.

Jack took Matilda from Elizabeth's arms and looked at his daughter. He wondered how much she would grow and change over the next month and felt disappointed that he would miss it.

"Daddy's got to go now." He told Tilly, and she looked at him. "I want you to be good for your Mummy while I'm gone alright."

Tilly ran her little hands over Jack's clean-shaven face as she looked up at him. Jack looked over her one last time before he was to leave. He noticed her soft curls that were tied up into ponytails with pink ribbons, her rosy red cheeks, and her long eyelashes that Elizabeth always informed him were just like his. He smiled, and kissed her cheek before placing her back into Elizabeth's arms.

"Da Da" She said as she reached back out for him and tears formed in Jack's eyes.

"I love you Tilly, I'll be back soon." He said, taking her little hand and giving it a kiss.

Jack wrapped his arms around both Elizabeth and Tilly. He buried his face into Elizabeth's hair as he felt her lean against him, while a little hand started to tug on a button on his serge. He didn't have the heart to stop his daughter, so he let her be, as he held both his girls in his arms.

He pulled back from the hug and looked into Elizabeth's eyes.

"Be safe." She said with tears in her eyes.

Jack brought her left hand up to his face and kissed her hand where her engagement and wedding ring sat.

As he looked back up at her she noticed the anguish in his face and her tears flowed freely as she started to sob.

"I love you Elizabeth Thornton."

"I love you too." She spoke, in between her cries.

Jack leaned in and kissed his wife slowly, committing it to memory. He felt her lips quiver from her cries as she kissed him in return, and his heart felt like it was breaking all over again.

Jack held his gaze on Elizabeth as he placed his hand gently on his daughter's head. He then stepped back slowly, removing his hand from Tilly and releasing his hold on Elizabeth's hand. He then turned and mounted Sargent, looked at Elizabeth and Tilly one last time and guided Sargent to head off.

Elizabeth watched Jack ride off as she did her best at holding back her cries, she knew she had to be strong for her daughter, and didn't want to worry her. She placed a kiss on her daughter's head and held her a little tighter while keeping her eyes on Jack until he was out of sight.

A/N I'm enjoying writing these sad moments for a change, but don't have a heartie attack Hearties, Jack will be home with his little family soon Please let me know if you're enjoying the heartfelt sadness. I do find I enjoy it on the show, even though it is terribly heart breaking.

Thanks for reading.