Hi Hearties,

Hope you enjoy this chapter, I think it came about due to the lack of seeing Jack and Elizabeth's honeymoon last week (which I knew we likely wouldn't see any of but would have been nice to at least seen them in Fort Clay or somewhere along the way) Anyway, so this chapter gets steamy again, but no more so than the last one. I hope you enjoy it :)

Jack and Elizabeth took their time before leaving the privacy of the office in the Buxton Mountie Headquarters

"Come on, everyone is going to wonder where we went to and I need to see Superintendent Collins before we go have lunch." Jack said, reluctantly pulling away from their ongoing kisses.

Elizabeth nodded as she caught her breath and straightened out her skirt before they exited the vacant office.

"What do you have in these bags? They weigh a tonne." Jack said, carrying the shopping bags she'd brought in with her.

"Just some things for the girls, and a little surprise for you. But no peaking!" She said while trying to remove the shopping bag from Jack's prying eyes.

"Alright." He agreed as he firmly held onto the shopping bags while returning his gaze towards her. "Let's go." He suggested, and she took his arm and they headed down the corridor and back to the front desk.

"You'll wait for me? I just need to see Collins, I won't be long."

Elizabeth nodded and took a seat in the waiting room. Jack placed the shopping bags down by her side and then placed a kiss on her cheek.

Before leaving she noticed Jack scan the room, looking around at the other Mounties and she pursed he lips trying not to laugh.

"Don't worry Jack, I'll be fine."

"I know you will be, it's them I worry about."

"Them?"

"If I find them being forward with their intentions towards my beautiful wife, they'll find they have reason to worry."

"I thought Mounties didn't marry unless they were issued with one." She said jokingly. "Surely they're not interested in pursuing a courtship."

"You're quoting me to me? I didn't even listen to myself when I met you, did you not learn something from that?"

"I thought most of them wouldn't be interested in a courtship. And I'm unbelievably glad you didn't listen to yourself." She said with a smile.

"Just the sight of you made me want to change my mind about being in a courtship, and now when I see these men looking at you, I know what they're thinking."

"And what's that?"

"That they'd be more than eager to be your suitor and desire to be in a courtship with the most beautiful woman they had ever laid eyes on."

"That's what you used to think?"

"Yes, and still are, and always will be the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

"You're so sweet Jack."

"I'm just telling the truth."

"You better go Constable, otherwise your sweet talk will keep us here all day. I want to get back to Hope Valley before night fall." She said, and then placed a kiss on his cheek.

He nodded and gave her hand a squeeze before he left and headed off.

Twenty minutes later

Jack returned to the waiting room where he found Elizabeth engrossed in one of her books. He glared over at the front counter as he noticed three other Mounties looking over in Elizabeth's direction. They all quickly averted their eyes away as they noticed Jack's eyes on them. Elizabeth however was so immersed in the pages of her book that she had no idea what was going on around her.

"Elizabeth?" Jack asked as he tried to gain her attention.

"Oh, you're back." She said, placing a bookmark in between the pages of her book before closing it. She placed her book in one of her shopping bags and Jack picked them up for her as she stood.

"You're ready to go?" He asked as he wrapped an arm around her.

She took note of his assertive act of affection and smiled.

"Sorry, I'm being a little too possessive, aren't I?" He said, worrying that his concern was becoming a little too much for her.

"Not at all, I often wish we had the time to be this close at home. Just remember I'm yours." She whispered, and gave him a smile. "I don't mind you being a little possessive when the time calls for it."

"Well I'm feeling the time calls for it now, let's get out of here." He said, as he ushered her out of the building. "Sorry I took so long in there, it's way past lunch time, you must be hungry."

"Yes I am, especially since we didn't take much time to eat last night."

"Well as I recall, you told me "I want to be with my husband before dinner."" He said with a grin on his face as he recalled last night's events.

"I remember. I'm sorry I ruined the special dinner you had planned." She said, sounding disappointed that she'd interfered with Jack's plans for their anniversary.

"You far from ruined it Elizabeth, last night was amazing."

"It was, wasn't it." She said, a smile playing out on her lips as Jack noticed her momentarily gazing down at his own before returning to his eyes.

"Do you know how much I want to kiss you right now Mrs Thornton?"

"Actually I do." She replied, thinking over how she desired the same thing.

"It will have to wait this time, after all I'm not going to let you keep going hungry." He said giving her a kiss on the cheek, knowing that would have to suffice for the time being. "I know a great restaurant not far from here that I think you'll like."

An hour later

After having lunch, Jack and Elizabeth headed back to the hotel and picked up their horse and buggy to head back to Hope Valley.

After riding for three hours Jack suddenly stopped the horse.

"Why are we stopping?" Elizabeth enquired.

"I just need to check something." Jack said, trying not to worry her as he jumped off the buggy.

She watched him as he went down and inspected one of the wheels. Once she realised he was taking his time, she got out of the buggy herself and went to see what he was up to.

"Is something wrong?"

"It looks like there's some damage to the axle, one of the bearings has come loose."

"How damaged?" She asked, wondering if it was repairable.

"I can tighten the bearing, but it's already done too much damage. We're going to have to leave the buggy here." He said with a sigh.

"We can still ride the horse home tonight though?"

"I'd rather stay with all our provisions as we're going to need them, I don't think we'd make it home before night fall."

"Jack, the girls." Elizabeth said, sounding worried

"I know." He said, understanding her concern.

"We promised Tilly."

"I know we did, and I understand this is likely going to cause her great distress, especially due to her reaction after the night we were snowed in at the Church, but there's nothing we can do right now."

"If you ride home yourself you could make good time, it would be even faster than taking the buggy."

"I'm not leaving you here Elizabeth." He said, taking her hand.

"I knew you would say that." She said with a sigh.

"Come on, I'll make a fire and set up a tent. There's a river nearby, we might be able to catch some trout." He said, hoping to cheer her up.

"You have a tent?" She asked surprised.

"I'm a Mountie remember, I always come prepared."

Jack unloaded the buggy, started a fire and set up the tent with Elizabeth's help after she'd insisted.

The sun had set as Elizabeth sat down on a log by the fire and boiled some water for tea. She then heated the fry pan while waiting for Jack to return from his fishing trip.

She sipped on her tea just as Jack returned. He proudly held out a large trout he'd caught to show her.

"You caught a beauty." She said, feeling proud that Jack had caught such a large fish for them.

"I know I did." He said, sitting down next to her and giving her a kiss. "I'm glad she's mine."

She gave him a grin as she realised he was referring to her, but then noticed the fish getting too close for her liking and she grimaced.

"Hey, what was that look for?" Jack asked surprised.

"Sorry, not you. It's the fish."

"You've cooked fish plenty of times, what's wrong with this one?"

"It's just so… alive."

"Makes you squeamish?" He asked.

"Not quite, I'm just not so keen on death."

"Well nor am I, but since you're not so keen I'll clean it and cook it up myself."

"Thank you Jack." She said giving him a smile.

Jack gutted and cleaned the fish before placing it into the hot fry pan while Elizabeth made him a cup of tea and heated up the can of beans she'd found amongst their belongings.

An hour later they had eaten, cleaned up, and were now relaxing by the fire. Jack noticed Elizabeth shiver and he removed his serge and placed it over her shoulders. She gave him a smile, thankful he was so perceptive and devoted to meeting her needs.

"Won't you get cold?" She asked, concerned for him now.

"I'll be fine, I've got the fire and you to keep me warm." He said while wrapping an arm around her and pulling her closer.

"Oh, I have something for you!" Elizabeth said, quickly standing on her feet before hurrying off, while leaving Jack baffled as to what she was up to.

"You do?" He said, looking over his shoulder as he noticed Elizabeth go in the tent.

A few moments later she exited and made her way back over to Jack.

"Happy anniversary." She said, handing him a small box. "It may not be as impressive as that candle lit evening at the hotel room we had last night but I hope you like it."

"I know I'll love it because it's from you." He said giving her a kiss before looking down at the box.

"You can open it." She said encouraging him, eager to see his reaction.

Jack flipped open the lid of the box and inside revealed a silver pocket watch with the initials J.T. inscribed on the front. He gave her a smile and then proceeded to open the watch itself. Inside he found the inscription "Love is patient, love is kind" as well as both of their initials J.T. & E.T. inscribed within a love heart.

"Elizabeth…" He softly declared, somewhat speechless at first. "I love it, and I love you." He said, placing a soft kiss on her lips.

He went to pull away, but she ran her hands into his hair while holding him where he was so she could deepen the kiss.

"Bella…" He said between kisses as he felt her arms wrap around his shoulders as she pulled him closer.

His kisses moved across her cheeks and she giggled as she felt his long dark eyelashes flutter against her soft skin. Upon hearing her giggles he pulled away and looked into her eyes.

"My kisses make you laugh?" He asked confused.

"Of course not." She said, giving him a quick kiss in consolation, realising his pride had been slightly crushed. "Your eyelashes, they tickle."

He noticed the cute smile on her face and pulled her in closer again.

"I love your eyelashes." She said, running her thumb down the side of his temple as she took in the sight of his lashes.

Jack didn't understand why she was so impressed, his eyelashes seemed so insignificant to him. He did however love the attention he got from his wife whenever she noticed them.

"I love your hair." He said, while twirling a long tendril through his fingers.

Although not entirely surprised she raised an eyebrow at him. She'd noticed since they had gotten married he happened to pay a lot of attention to her hair.

"I love the curls… and it's so soft… and long…" He said, in between kisses as he ran his hands through her hair.

His kisses trailed from her mouth, up her cheek and behind her ear as he buried his face into her hair. Elizabeth closed her eyes as she felt his warm breath on her skin and she tightened her hold on him. Needing more though, she moved to seek out his lips on hers again. He quickly responded, knowing exactly what she wanted.

She then went to stand up, pulling at his suspenders so he would follow her. He willingly complied and followed her lead as she took his hands, pulling him towards the tent while rarely letting her lips leave his.

"Where are you taking me Mrs Thornton?" He asked with a grin, knowing full well what she was doing.

"I'm pretty certain you know Mr Thornton." She said, as they now both stood in the middle of the tent which was dimly lit by the nearby lantern on the floor.

Elizabeth took hold of his suspenders again and pulled them slowly off his shoulders and down his arms until they hung down the sides of his legs. He stood there watching her slow deliberate actions until she returned her gaze back to his eyes.

He slipped his serge off her shoulders and placed it on the floor of the tent before wrapping his arms around her once more. He leaned in and kissed her, deeper this time and as he pulled her in close he felt her wince.

"Elizabeth?" He asked, quickly pulling back as he wondered what was wrong.

"I'm fine."

"You're not fine, tell me what's wrong."

"I'm just a bit sore, I need to feed Abby." She said as he noticed her eyes glistening from the tears that were starting to well up.

"I'm sorry, we don't have to…"

"No, I'll be ok. I really want to Jack."

"Your tears aren't telling me you're ok Elizabeth."

"It's not the pain, I just miss the girls."

"I miss them too but worrying won't help the matter." Jack said sadly. "Will you let me help you forget?"

Elizabeth nodded, and he gently pulled her closer again and they got caught up with loving each other.

Half an hour later, Jack and Elizabeth lay on the bed roll on the floor of the tent, wrapped up in each other's arms.

"I'm going to go make us a hot drink before bed ok?" Jack asked as he placed a kiss on Elizabeth's temple.

"Alright."

Jack stood up and pulled his clothes back on before exiting the tent.

A moment later as sat stood by the fire waiting for the water to boil, he noticed Elizabeth come up and stand by his side.

"It's cold, you should have stayed in bed."

"I'm fine." She said, wrapping Jacks serge tighter around her body.

She sat down on the log beside him as Jack took the pot of boiling water off the fire and then proceeded to make the tea.

"Thank you." She said as Jack handed her the cup of hot tea and she carefully took a sip.

They sat for a few moments in blissful silence as they stared into the fire and drank their tea.

"Elizabeth, I almost forgot to tell you. I have an Anniversary present for you. Sorry I didn't tell you earlier, but you got me a little distracted and it slipped my mind."

"A little distracted?" She said giving him a smile.

"Ok, maybe a lot."

"Well it was a much welcome distraction for me too. But Jack you didn't need to get me anything, you already surprised me with a special evening at the Hotel last night." She reminded him.

"I know, but I wanted to get you something you can keep and admire. It's back home though, I was expecting I'd be able to show it to you this afternoon."

"Well thank you, I know whatever it is I will love it." She said while pondering on thoughts of what Jack could have bought her.

"You know it's been a while since we went camping like this." Jack said changing the subject.

"I don't think we've ever been camping quite like THIS." She said trying to suggestively emphasize on their recent activities in the tent.

"Well no, we haven't." He said with a laugh. "Last time we went camping we weren't married, and we had all your students with us."

"Why have we not done this sooner?" Elizabeth thought.

"Because I gave you a honeymoon baby." He said with a grin on his face.

"Oh right, you did." She said with a smile and she kissed him on the cheek. "And I wouldn't have wanted it any other way."

"Me either. However, I didn't think you'd want to go camping while pregnant or with very young children."

"No you're right, I wouldn't have. Maybe when the girls are a little older we could take them?" Elizabeth suggested.

"Yes, but I think we may have to wait many more years until we'll be able to have a tent to ourselves like this."

"I'm sure someone would babysit for us again."

"I like your thinking Mrs Thornton." He said with a grin.

Elizabeth yawned and lay her head on Jack's shoulder as they both continued to stare into the fire.

"You ready for bed?" Jack asked.

"Almost, can we just stay here for another moment."

"Sure." He said just as he noticed her eyes close. "Elizabeth?" He whispered as he noticed her body start to relax as it leant on him.

"Hmm?"

"Let me get you to bed." He said pulling her up to her feet while allowing her to rest her body on his as he walked her back to the tent.

Once in the tent he removed the serge from her body which exposed her chemise. He was once again reminded how allured he could become by the sight of her physical appearance but noticing her in her sleepy state made him realise how adorably cute she was, and his desire was only to make her happy and comfortable by allowing her to sleep.

"Jack?" She inquired quietly as she opened her eyes as he pulled the blanket up over her.

"Hmm?"

"Aren't you coming to bed?" She said.

"I am." He said as he removed his boots and then turned out the lantern. The light from the fire outside was now the only thing giving off any light.

Elizabeth started to wake up a little more as she noticed Jack had started to make himself comfortable down on the floor a few inches away.

"Why aren't you with me?" She asked as she reached her hand out from under the blanket and searched for him.

"I want to make sure you're warm inside the bed roll. I'll be right here."

"Jack, not once in our married life have you ever slept so far away from me, except the times you were away from home on Mountie business. I'm not prepared to start now, especially when it's a freezing cold night."

Jack scooted slightly closer to the side of the bed roll before he made himself comfortable again.

"Get in here would you?" She requested playfully as she took hold of his arm and tried to pull him closer.

He then proceeded to stand up and remove his clothing.

"Jack what are you doing?"

"I'm taking my clothes off."

"I see that." She said, now puzzled.

"I've been wearing these clothes all day. If you want me to keep you warm, I'll be better off without any clothing." He said, while stripping down to his long johns.

"Keeping me warm isn't the only reason I want you in here, I just want you to hold me." She said in all honesty. "Is this some sort of a ploy to get me naked again Jack Thornton?" She said now wide awake.

"Elizabeth." He started, his voice softening. "We just had an amazing evening together, I'm just trying to look after you alright."

"Alright, I'm sorry." She said, and she scooted over to make more room for him and he lay down beside her. "This is kind of nice." She said, noticing the warmth from his body radiating into her own.

"This is what I was trying to tell you." He said as he wrapped his arm around her while nuzzling his face into the back of her neck and making himself comfortable.

"I love you sweetheart." She whispered after closing her eyes.

"I love you too Bella."

The following morning

Jack placed a kiss on Elizabeth's cheek and then after receiving no response he proceeded to kiss across her cheek and then down her neck. Noticing her start to stir, he continued with what he was doing and trailed his kisses down to her shoulder.

"Good morning." He said as he noticed her eyes flutter open.

She rolled over while still in his arms and looked over at him.

"While I appreciate the way you woke me, why are we awake?" She asked noticing the sun wasn't even yet up.

"Because we need to pack up and head home sweetheart."

Elizabeth pouted as she realised their time alone was coming to an end. She wasn't eager to get out of Jack's arms or the warm bed they'd made together.

"I love seeing you all sleepy like this." He said, and she gave him a smile as she started to wake more.

"While I love your sweet talk, I don't think it will get us moving."

"I thought it always got us moving."

"Jack Thornton!"

"Alright alright." He said, sitting up and pulling him with her. "Let's get packing, we need to get back to the girls."

After they'd both packed up the campsite and put out the fire. Jack mounted their horse and pulled Elizabeth up with him.

"Ready?" He asked.

"Whenever you are." She said as she firmly wrapped her arms around his waist.

A few hours later they rode into Hope Valley, Jack by passed the town and headed straight for their homestead.

As he got closer he noticed Tilly out on the porch, frantically waving her arms at them.

"Hold me tight." He told Elizabeth.

"I'll never let go."

He then directed his horse into a canter and they took off towards the homestead.

Jack noticed Tilly run down the front steps of their porch and he slowed the horse down before coming to a halt before getting too close to his daughter.

As the horse stopped, both Jack and Elizabeth heard their daughters cries and they jumped off the horse and rushed towards her. Charlotte hearing the cries from inside came rushing out of the house with Abby in her arms to see what all the commotion was.

Tilly ran straight towards her Mother and Elizabeth pulled her up into her arms.

"Oh Tilly, I'm so so sorry we didn't make it home yesterday."

"You promised." She wailed, her cries muffled as she buried her face in Elizabeth's chest.

"I know I did, I'm sorry baby." She said before pulling Tilly away from her chest so she could look her in the eye. "Matilda, you know Daddy and I love you very much, we wanted to come back to you as soon as we could."

Jack was by Elizabeth's side now and he rubbed his hand over his daughters back, trying to comfort her. Elizabeth wasn't sure how much Tilly understood, or whether she was emotionally able to take in what she was saying in her upset state, but she thought it was worth a try.

"Here let me take her, you go feed Abby." Jack said, and Elizabeth handed Tilly over to him.

Elizabeth headed up the porch steps and went straight to Charlotte who handed Abby straight to her daughter-in-law.

"Thank goodness you're safe. I was so worried about the two of you, what happened?" Charlotte asked with concern in her voice.

"Come inside, I'll tell you while I nurse Abby." Elizabeth informed her, and they headed inside as Jack followed them in.

An hour later Jack and Elizabeth sat on the settee with both of their daughter's fast asleep on their laps. Abby had fallen asleep while nursing and Tilly had cried herself to sleep in Jack's arms.

"Tilly hardly slept a wink last night." Charlotte informed them as she noticed her Granddaughters were both finally asleep.

Elizabeth gazed over at Jack with a concerned look on her face.

"She'll be fine. We'll just give her some time and she'll come around, just like she did last time." Jack informed her as he placed a kiss on her temple.

Charlotte smiled as she watched her son with his family. She was proud of the man he had grown into and couldn't have been more pleased about Elizabeth entering his life. She watched how attentive and caring Jack was with his wife and daughters, and she felt tears welling in her eyes which she knew was unusual.

Jack carried Tilly upstairs to the nursery and Elizabeth followed them up. Jack gave his daughter a kiss on the forehead before placing her carefully into her crib.

"I think I'll stay in here in case she wakes up." Elizabeth said, concerned Tilly would wake in great distress when she realised she was alone.

Jack nodded as Elizabeth sat down in the rocking chair with Abby in her arms.

"I'm going to grab some tools out of the barn and head back to the buggy alright." Jack whispered, and Elizabeth nodded.

"Be safe." She whispered, not wanting to wake the girls.

"I will." He said before placing a brief kiss on her lips. He gently ran his hand through Abby's hair, glanced down at Elizabeth once more, and then turned to leave.

He headed downstairs where he found his Mother still sitting in the parlour.

"You both gave me quite a fright." Charlotte told him.

"I'm sorry Ma." He said apologetically. "I know it must have been difficult, especially with the girls."

"I understand, and yes, having the girls did made things more difficult. They were quite distraught last night and this morning."

"Elizabeth will stay with them. I doubt she'll let them out of her sight, although if she tried I don't think they would let her."

Charlotte nodded, as she understood.

"You certainly got yourself an amazing Wife and Mother with Elizabeth."

"I know Ma." Jack said as a smile played out on his lips as he thought of Elizabeth.

"She's a very special woman, don't you forget it."

"She is, and I can promise you I'll never forget."

"Good." She said, giving him a pat on the back. "I trust you won't son. I'm proud of the man you've become Jack, as a Mountie and now as a Husband and a Father. I know those three girls up there love you to the moon and back. Elizabeth gave you her heart a long time ago and you need to guard that and always keep it safe. Her and both your daughter's happiness is dependent on the life and love you give them Jack. Please remember that task you've been blessed with fulfilling."

"I will Ma, and Elizabeth knows I'm absolutely committed to her. I love my wife and our daughters with everything that I have, my greatest desire is in keeping them happy."

Charlotte nodded understandingly, knowing she didn't need to say anything more than she already had. She'd known for a long time now that Jack and Elizabeth were fully committed to each other and were bonded like no other couple she had ever seen before. She knew without a doubt that nothing in this world would be able to separate their love from one another and that they would always take special care for each other, and for their children.

"So, I need to go sort out this buggy." Jack stated, now changing the subject.

"You'll be back before night fall?"

"I hope to be. As long as I can get this axle fixed." Jack informed her.

"Well I won't keep you then. I know Tilly especially will not be happy if you don't return before her bedtime."

Jack nodded, remembering how unsettled Tilly had become in the past when he and Elizabeth had been kept away overnight when they were snowed in at the church. She had become extremely clingy with Elizabeth for a couple of months following the event and he prayed she wasn't that unsettled again.

"I'll grab some tools out of the barn and then be on my way. Please keep an eye on Elizabeth for me?" He asked before heading off.

"Of course."

"I know she'll be strong for the girls but please support her where you can Ma."

"I will. Don't worry we'll be fine here. Just hurry home."

Jack nodded and made his way out of the house.

An hour later

Elizabeth's eyes flew open as she heard Tilly's cries. She realised she'd fallen asleep in the rocking chair in the nursery with Abby in her arms. She got up and went over to Tilly who was now standing in her crib, continuing to cry.

"Hi sweetie, let me just go put Abby down and I'll come get you."

Elizabeth hurried out of the nursery and headed for her and Jack's bedroom to put Abby down to sleep in her cradle. On the way she bumped into Charlotte in the hallway.

"Let me take her."

"Thanks Mum." Elizabeth said, and she handed Abby over to her before hurrying back to Tilly.

When she entered the nursery, she found Tilly climbing out of the crib and was hanging half way over the railings.

"Come here you monkey." She said grabbing her daughter and pulling her into her arms before placing kisses on her rosy tear stained cheeks.

Tilly smiled and wrapped he arms around her Mother's neck. Elizabeth carried her downstairs where they found Charlotte sitting in the parlour. She went to put Tilly down on the ground, but Tilly held on tightly to her blouse and wouldn't let go.

"You want to sit with Mummy?"

Tilly nodded, and Elizabeth sat down on the settee next to Charlotte and Tilly made herself comfortable in her Mother's arms.

"You look tired, Lizzie."

"I am, I didn't get much sleep last night."

"I imagine you had a bad night after having to camp out?"

"It wasn't so bad." Elizabeth admitted as a smile presented itself on her lips as she thought of the night she'd spent with Jack.

"Oh?"

"Well you know Jack, he always comes prepared. We had a tent and other provisions." Elizabeth said, trying to cover her tracks.

"And you still didn't get much sleep?" Charlotte said while raising an eyebrow at her.

Elizabeth blushed knowing what her Mother-in-law was trying to insinuate, but she was too embarrassed to admit it.

"You don't need to tell me." Charlotte said with a smile as she noticed Elizabeth's cheeks colouring. "Don't worry, nothing to be embarrassed about. I'd be surprised if you weren't… tired… I've been here three weeks now and I see the looks the two of your share. You both needed some time away from me, and from the kids too. But don't worry, I won't embarrass you any further, we can just forget we had this discussion if you like."

Elizabeth paused and contemplated on how to reply to her Mother in-law.

"I'm thankful you've been here Mum. Jack and I did need the time away together, especially after our little argument where I took off and ended up dislocating my knee. And while we're being honest, yes your son and I are still very much in love. As much as we were the day we were married. I think you knew that though, and we've appreciated the space you've given us when we've needed it."

"Sweetie, I don't know why I haven't told you earlier but you're the best wife I could have asked for for my son, and the most amazing Mother I could have expected for my Grandchildren."

"Thank you Charlotte, I hope I can live up to those high expectations." Elizabeth said, feeling humbled at her Mother in-laws compliment.

"I know you will." She said giving her a smile.

Just then Tilly climbed off Elizabeth's lap and went over to the toy box on the other side of the room.

"She'll come around." Charlotte said, noticing Elizabeth's concern.

"I know. It's just upsetting see her when she's so clingy and upset, she's usually so happy and outgoing."

"As I just told you, you're a wonderful Mother. I'm sure once things have settled and she knows you're not going anywhere she'll be fine."

Charlotte and Elizabeth shared an understanding smile before looking back over at Tilly who was pulling all the toys out of her toy box.

"How about a cup of tea?" Charlotte suggested.

"That would be wonderful. Thank you."

Charlotte got up and headed into the kitchen and left Elizabeth to sit back and relax while watching her daughter.

Later that evening.

"Where's Daddy?" Tilly cried as they ate their evening supper.

It was getting dark now and Jack still hadn't returned from picking up the buggy.

"Daddy's fixing the buggy, he should be home soon." Elizabeth told her daughter. She noticed Tilly hadn't had a bite to eat while everyone else had almost finished their meal. Elizabeth went over and picked her up out of her high chair and sat her on her lap. "I promise, Daddy will be home soon." Elizabeth said to Tilly before looking up at Charlotte and they shared a worried look.

Elizabeth tried to offer Tilly something to eat but she still refused.

"No hungy."

"Alright, let's go put you in the bath and then how would you like to sleep in bed with me tonight?" Elizabeth suggested, knowing that after last night's events and with Jack missing, it wasn't going to be easy to get her daughter to sleep.

Tilly nodded, and Elizabeth took her upstairs for a bath while Charlotte cleaned up the kitchen and then attended to Abby.

Elizabeth nursed Abby while Tilly sat by watching her little sister, not wanting to leave her Mother's side. Elizabeth noticed Abby had fallen asleep and she gently placed her down in her cradle. She then sat down on the bed and Tilly eagerly climbed up onto her lap.

"How about we go say goodnight to Grandma and then it can be our bedtime too?"

Tilly nodded and the two of them headed downstairs to find Charlotte.

"We're heading to bed now. I'll keep Tilly in bed with me so she sleeps."

Charlotte nodded as she understood.

"Get some sleep before that husband of yours is back home." She said giving her a sly smile.

Charlotte noticed the colour in Elizabeth's cheeks but also a small smile on her lips.

"He will be home soon Lizzie." She said, sounding more serious now as she tried to reassure her daughter-in-law.

"I'm sure he will." She said, knowing that Jack always kept his word, but her concern grew as she didn't expect him to be so late.

"Try to get some sleep, the both of you."

"Say goodnight to Grandma." Elizabeth said to Tilly.

"Goodnight Gamma." Tilly said as she went over and gave Charlotte a hug.

"Goodnight sweetie."

Elizabeth then headed back upstairs with Tilly's little hand clinging tightly onto hers.

They climbed into the bed and Elizabeth turned out the lantern before pulling the blanket up over them. Tilly snuggled up to her Mother and clasped onto her night gown with her little hand.

Elizabeth noticed the action and placed a kiss on the top of her daughter's head. Tilly quickly drifted off to sleep and Elizabeth tried to do the same herself, without much avail. Her thoughts kept returning to Jack as she wondered why he had been gone so long. She pondered on the previous nights events in which she had spent with Jack. It helped ease her mind, and she soon fell asleep.

A/N Thanks for reading :) Please let me know your favourite parts, or leave a review as they really inspire me.