Thanks to Kristyn for editing for me! I do apologise for all my typos in my past few chapters. I have gone back and reread the last couple of chapters after I had published them and was mortified by my errors. I do always edit but I find it difficult to sift through the errors as I's so familiar with the writing by the time I get to that point. So I'm thankful that Kristyn will be helping me out 😊
Jack walked Sergeant out of the livery before mounting and taking off down the main street.
Not far up ahead he saw Elizabeth and Tilly heading towards the Mercantile. He hurried Sergeant along before bringing the horse to a halt at their side.
Elizabeth looked up as she saw the recognisable horse at her side and she gave Jack a smile.
"What are you two pretty girls doing in town?" Jack asked, a smile on his face as he greeted them.
"Just shopping."
"Daddy!" Tilly exclaimed, excited to see her Father. "Me ride?" She asked, letting go of Elizabeth's hand and holding her hands above her head in hopes that Jack would let her up on the horse.
Jack looked down at Elizabeth and she nodded in approval.
"Just a quick ride." Jack informed his daughter.
Jack quickly jumped off the horse before his wife had the chance to pick Tilly up. Elizabeth was almost nine months pregnant now, so he didn't want her trying to lift their daughter up so high. Jack brought Tilly up into his arms and placed her carefully into the saddle. Then with ease he mounted the horse again and sat behind his daughter
"Bye Mummy." Tilly called as Jack led Sargent down the road at a slow trot.
"We'll be back in five, I'll meet you at the Mercantile." Jack suggested.
Elizabeth nodded and made her way to the Mercantile. She waited out front for Jack and Tilly to return.
"More more." Tilly exclaimed once her Father returned her back at the Mercantile.
"No more today. I need to do my rounds and Mummy needs to go shopping."
Tilly pouted.
"I can do rounds." Tilly exclaimed, not even sure what "rounds" were, only knowing it's what her Father did most mornings.
"You can't come to work with me sorry, but you can go shopping with Mummy. She's going to buy some ingredients for your birthday cake." Jack kissed Tilly on the head before lifting her out of the saddle and holding her down as low as he could beside the horse so Elizabeth could take hold of her and lower her to the ground.
"You know she's stubborn, just like you." Jack said as he noticed Tilly continuing to pout.
Elizabeth gave him a gentle swat on the leg, as high as she could reach while he was up on the horse, and she smiled.
"Will we see you for lunch?" She asked, looking up at Jack while she felt a little hand slip into her own. She briefly looked down at Tilly who was leaning into her side.
"I need to go out to the new settlement out of town today so unfortunately I can't meet you both for lunch today."
"That's fine, I'll see you when you get home."
Elizabeth felt a tug as Tilly pulled on her hand.
"You will, I love you." Jack said, giving his wife a wink.
"I love you too." Elizabeth replied with a smile on her lips.
"I love you Daddy!" Tilly called out, loud enough that Ned or Katie Yost could likely hear from inside the store.
"I love you too sweet pea." He said while giving his daughter a smile before riding off once more.
Tilly waved her hand through the air until Jack had to turn around to see where he was leading his horse. Elizabeth then took her daughters hand again and they walked into the Mercantile.
Elizabeth noticed she wasn't feeling so well and after collecting a few items in her basket she decided it may be best to leave her shopping till later.
"Katie could I please just leave my items here right now?" Elizabeth said, placing her basket full of shopping on the counter. "I think I need to take a rest."
"Are you sure you're alright Elizabeth?" Katie asked.
"I'll be fine, I've just been a little tired lately."
"That's understandable." Katie replied.
"I'll be back for my items soon." Elizabeth informed her, and she took Tilly's hand and led her out of the Mercantile.
"My birfday cake." Tilly cried.
"Don't worry we will go back for the cake ingredients soon. We're just going to pay Auntie Abigail a visit first." Elizabeth informed her daughter, trying to stay calm even though she wasn't feeling too well.
Elizabeth walked in through the kitchen door of Abigail's with Tilly at her side.
"Good morning, it's good to see two of my favourite girls." Abigail said as she saw them. "Elizabeth, you don't look so well, come take a seat." She said with concern.
Abigail walked by Elizabeth's side and guided her down to the settee. Tilly made a direct path towards the toys and busied herself, not paying much attention to her Mother or Abigail.
"I'll be fine Abigail."
"Are you sure. You're not going into labour are you? Maybe you should pay Faith or Carson a visit."
"It can't be labour, I'm not due for another two weeks." Elizabeth replied, trying to convince herself and Abigail.
"Babies do tend to arrive whenever they like, and now isn't too much early." Abigail reminded her.
"I know, I just don't want to waste Faith or Carson's time, or worry Tilly if I don't need to."
"You're not wasting their time, and I can mind Tilly. Did you want to rest here while I go find Jack? I know he'd want to take you over to the Infirmary."
"He's only just left town and has headed out to the settlement. He's not going to be back in town until at least late this afternoon."
"Well then, let's hope this baby isn't in too much of a hurry." Abigail said.
Abigail noticed a pained expression on Elizabeth's face and felt concerned.
"Will you let me take you to the Infirmary?" Abigail pleaded, and Elizabeth nodded her head.
Abigail helped Elizabeth up off the settee and then looked over at Tilly.
"Miss Tilly, it's time to go now, we're going to go visit Auntie Faith or Dr Shepherd."
Tilly nodded and stood up before taking Abigail's hand and the three of them headed over to the Infirmary.
Elizabeth lay on the bed in the Infirmary as Faith listened for the baby's heartbeat.
Tilly had a concerned expression on her face which didn't go unnoticed by Abigail. Abigail lifted her up and sat her on the edge of the bed next to Elizabeth.
"Looks like your Mummy is going to have a baby soon."
"Soon? As in fairly soon?" Elizabeth asked, quite certain that she was in labour but didn't want to admit it to herself.
"I don't want a baby!" Tilly exclaimed.
"Babies are so cute and cuddly. Don't you want a little brother or sister you can help take care of?" Faith suggested.
"No, want Mummy to myself."
"Oh. Well you may not believe me now, but I know in time you're going to love this baby."
Tilly shook her head, not liking what she was hearing from Faith.
"Alright, well would you like to listen with my stethoscope?" Faith suggested, and Tilly looked at the stethoscope cautiously.
Faith placed the fetal stethoscope at Tilly's ear before placing the other end on Elizabeth's stomach.
"Can you hear that?" Faith asked and Tilly nodded. "That's the babies heart beat."
Tilly looked at Faith warily while placing a hand on her own heart. Faith then moved the stethoscope to Tilly's chest so she could hear her own heartbeat. Tilly looked over at her Mother and grinned. Tilly then handed the stethoscope back to Faith.
"Elizabeth." Faith started, now returning her attention back to Elizabeth now Tilly was in a better mood. "Did you want to have this baby at home? Because if you do I suggest we go get Jack to take you home now."
"Jack has only just left to go out to the settlement. He's not going to be home for at least another six hours."
"If that's the case then I'm sorry to say Elizabeth that you may be having this baby in town."
"You think the baby will be born by then?" Elizabeth asked, starting to worry now.
"No I don't, but I think you'll be rapidly progressing through labour by then, so I don't think you'll be wanting to ride home in a wagon by that stage."
"Elizabeth did you want to have the baby at my place?" Abigail suggested, realising that Elizabeth didn't want to have the baby here in the Infirmary. "You could labour upstairs in your old room and Tilly could be downstairs until I find Rosemary to take care of her."
"That sounds like a much better option Abigail, thank you."
"Mummy, sick?"
"I'm fine sweet pea. We're going to Auntie Abigail's, and then Auntie Rosemary will come looked after you."
"My birfday cake." Tilly cried.
"Don't worry, we still have two days till your birthday. We have plenty of time to make your cake."
"I can make you a cake Tilly, you'll just have to tell me what kind of cake you want." Abigail suggested.
"I want Mummy's cake."
"I'm sorry Tilly." Elizabeth apologized, realising now that she likely wouldn't be able to make the cake she had promised Tilly for her birthday.
"Sorry to interrupt but I think we should get you to Abigail's now rather than later." Faith suggested.
Elizabeth nodded as she got up off the bed. Tilly starting to worry even more now as she watched her Mother. Abigail took her arm and ushered Elizabeth towards the front door of the Infirmary as Tilly whimpered and held onto her Mother's skirt.
"Oh Faith, would you be able to let Rosemary know what's going on. I need her to take care of Tilly."
"Of course, I'll let her know right away, then I'll be back to check on you."
"Thank you." Elizabeth replied, and they continued on their way.
Once they got to Abigail's, Abigail set Tilly up with the toys while she helped Elizabeth up the stairs.
"Will you be alright here while I get Tilly organised?"
"Sure I'll be fine. The contractions aren't so bad yet."
Abigail hurried back downstairs and took Tilly with her.
Six hours later
Elizabeth lay back onto the bed as one of her contractions ended.
"Not long now." Faith reassured her, giving her hand a slight squeeze.
"Not long? I can't have this baby now!"
"I'm sorry to say but I don't think you have much of a choice." Faith informed her.
"Jack's not here, I can't have this baby without him." Elizabeth cried, tears starting to run down her rosy cheeks.
Abigail then entered the room and shut the door behind her.
"Did you find Jack?" Elizabeth asked with hope in the sound of her voice.
"Sorry, he hasn't returned yet." Abigail informed her. "I've left him a note on his desk, hopefully he'll see it."
Elizabeth felt another contraction coming on and she braced herself as the pain started to increase.
"I can't do this." Elizabeth said between tears.
"Yes you can Elizabeth." Faith encouraged her.
"I don't want to, not without Jack."
"You won't have to."
Elizabeth heard the all too familiar voice and looked up and saw Jack standing in the doorway.
"Jack…" She sobbed upon seeing him, and he hurried over and sat beside her on the bed.
"Sorry I wasn't here earlier, I didn't realise this baby was in such a rush to get here." He said, wiping away a few of the tears on her cheek with his thumb.
She leaned into his side and relax before another contraction to hit. Too tired to speak but feeling slightly more relaxed now her husband was here.
"Sorry to interrupt you two." Abigail started. "But I can see the head here, Elizabeth I need you to push when you feel the next contraction."
"Jack, I want you to do this." Elizabeth pleaded.
"This?" He said, looking down her body in surprise. "You know I would do anything to take this pain away from you right now but you know this isn't something I can do for you sweetheart."
"No, I mean… I know I've never spoken about this to you before, even when I had Tilly, but can you deliver our baby?"
"Well I guess I could." Jack asked somewhat in surprised. "I mean I've had the training but I can't say I've ever put it into practice, other than when I somewhat helped when you had Matilda."
"Jack… I want you to."
Jack looked at Elizabeth who was softly pleading with him and he knew in his heart he couldn't deny her this. He also knew in himself it would be memorable moment for the both of them if he could help bring their child into this world together.
"Of course, I want to do this too." He told her and pressed his lips against hers. Not even being concerned with the fact that Abigail and Faith were still in the room.
Jack looked into her eyes and pushed back the damp tendrils of hair that were sticking to her tear stained cheeks.
"I love you." He whispered. "We can do this together." He uttered, realising he'd found a new-found confidence.
Elizabeth nodded, feeling assured as she noticed his confidence. "I love you too."
"We will be downstairs if you need any help. Sounds like the two of you can handle this part yourself." Abigail said giving them a smile. "Call when you need us."
"We will." Jack informed her, and Faith and Abigail left the room.
As Abigail and Faith headed downstairs they found Rosemary and Matilda down in the kitchen.
"The baby is here?" Rosemary asked, surprised that Abigail and Faith weren't upstairs with Elizabeth.
"Not yet, but Jack is handling it."
"You think…" Rosemary started but Abigail didn't let her finish.
"You know he has medical training, and you know what those two are like. When their minds are in sync there's no turning back."
Rosemary nodded as she understood.
"I want Mummy." Tilly cried.
It was early evening now and Rosemary had brought Tilly back to Abigail's as she had been quite unsettled due to the unfamiliar evening routine and not being with her parents.
"Mummy is busy, the new baby is going to be here very soon." Rosemary informed her.
"Looks like you're going to get a baby brother or sister for an early birthday present." Abigail said trying to cheer Tilly up.
"I don't want baby. I want mummy to make my birfday cake." Tilly pouted.
"Don't worry, we'll make you a cake." Abigail said, trying to console her.
Just then the cries of a baby could be heard from upstairs and Tilly's eyes grew wide.
"That must be your new brother or sister." Abigail told Tilly.
The three women then shared a smile upon hearing the cries of a newborn.
A moment later Tilly spotted her Father at the top of the stairs, a big grin on his face as he looked down at her.
"Daddy!" Tilly exclaimed as she made a mad dash up the stairs and he pulled her into his arms.
"Come see the baby." He told her as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Can you just give us a few mintues?" Jack asked, looking down at the women.
"Of course." Abigail replied.
Jack carried Tilly up the remaining stairs and took her into the room where Elizabeth and the new baby were. He walked over to the bed and sat down next to Elizabeth and place Tilly on his lap.
"Matilda, this is your new sister, Abigail Grace." Jack informed her.
"Auntie Abigail?"
"Yes we named her after Auntie Abigail and Grandma Thatcher." Elizabeth informed her.
Tilly looked down at the baby curiously, not quite certain what to think. She noticed her new sister yawn and she giggled.
Jack and Elizabeth smiled, feeling somewhat relieved. They'd both been hoping that Tilly would change her mind about having a new baby in the family and were hoping the transition would be easy on her.
"Mummy."
"Hmmm?" Elizabeth asked and Tilly started to try and climb onto her lap.
"Not right now sweet pea. Mummy will need to feed your sister soon."
"Oh." Tilly said with a frown. It wasn't that long ago she had stopped nursing with her Mother, so she understood what her Father was talking about. "Me want Mummy."
Tilly started to cry and Jack lifted her back onto his lap and turned her to look at him.
"Tilly I know this is hard for you. Up till now it's just been you, me and Mummy…"
"Jack…" Elizabeth said stopping him as she recalled a similar conversation and started to wonder where he was going with this.
"Just let me?" he asked.
"Alright." She replied, and Jack looked back down at Tilly.
"It's not just the three of us anymore, so I'm gonna need you to help Mummy and I look after this baby. The three of us together can look after her. Now she can't run around and play, or talk like you do, but she smells good, and she's pretty special to me and Mummy, just like you are. So, she needs to be special to you too okay Tilly?"
Tilly looked back down at her sister and leaned in to see if she did in fact smell good and look pretty.
"She has that baby smell huh." Jack said, and Tilly nodded.
"She's a bit cute." Tilly said.
"Only a bit? I think she's lots cute, just like you."
Tilly grinned and a smile grew on her face, and Jack tickled her and she started to giggle.
Jack smiled, relieved to see Tilly happy and then looked over at Elizabeth.
"Mummy's very cute too." He said, placing a kiss on his wife's cheek.
A/N So it's almost Tilly's birthday, and J&E were married in this story at Christmas and Tilly was a honeymoon baby, which means that it's almost a Christmas again! I'm not sure if I'm up for writing another Christmas chapter (I've already written two and I'm not feeling like I'm in the Christmas spirit right now. Maybe if I was on the set of Marrying Father Christmas I would be, wouldn't that be nice?) Anyway, I could maybe be persuaded to write one in, so please let me know if you're interested in me writing one. If I get a few reviewers requesting one, then I'll have a go at trying to write another.