Chapter 50

6 months later

Jack had just returned from a two-week stint in Cape Fullerton. He was relieved to be home in time to celebrate both his daughter's birthdays. Abigail Grace was about to have her first birthday, and two days later Matilda Elizabeth would be turning three.

Elizabeth wasn't too keen on giving Tilly another birthday party this year but since Tilly had suggested she share a birthday with her little sister she felt she couldn't deny her that. Abby of course didn't know any different, she was just excited because her older sister was.

Tilly was now extremely fond of her little sister and was especially delighted in the fact that she had started to walk. Elizabeth wasn't however as happy to have an early walker, although she was proud of her youngest daughter's achievement.

Jack had been most disappointed in missing out on his daughter's first steps but was surprised when Abby took her first run right across the room as she greeted him home from Cape Fullerton.

"When did you learn to do that little Miss?" He asked her with a proud smile on his face as he pulled her up into his arms.

"She attempted her first walk just two days ago, but that's the first time she's made it the whole way across the room." Elizabeth told him.

"Looks like we're going to have a little runner on our hands now huh?" He said just as Tilly made her way down the hallway.

Upon seeing her Father, she ran up to him and begged to be picked up.

"You girls are getting so big." He said, pulling Tilly up into his other arm and he looked over both his girls.

"I'm almost three!" Tilly exclaimed. "And Abby's going to be one."

"I know, such big girls." He said proudly, but Tilly shook her head.

"One isn't big."

"No, but Abby is growing fast. You however are my big girl." He said, placing a kiss on Tilly's cheek, and then proceeded to do the same to Abby.

Elizabeth smiled while watching Jack interact with his daughters.

He noticed his wife standing across the room watching him as she happily swung her hips causing her skirt to twirl. He gave her a smile and his previous thoughts were lost, his mind now solely on her.

"Daddy!" Tilly exclaimed, as she noticed she'd lost her Father's attention.

"Yes?" Jack asked as he was broken out of his reverie, his attention now being returned to his daughters.

"Come play dolls?" Tilly pleaded.

"I'll come play soon alright. You take Abby and play with your dolls, I won't be long." He said, putting the girls down onto the ground.

"Ok Daddy." Tilly said, and she took Abby's hand. "Come sissy, let's pay babies."

"Bubba." Abby said. Tilly nodded and walked off into the parlour while Abby willingly followed her.

"Good evening Mrs Thornton." Jack said as he walked up to his wife and wrapped his arms around her.

"Good evening Mr Thornton"

"I missed you." He said as relief washed over him as he was reminded how wonderful it felt to have his wife back in his arms.

"I missed everything about you."

Jack leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. He was pleased when he heard the familiar little sigh she gave whenever she got lost in his kisses. Eventually, they reluctantly pulled away knowing their children were in the next room and they rest their foreheads on each other's.

"Two weeks felt longer than I thought it would." Elizabeth told him.

"I know what you mean." He said as he wrapped his arms around her waist again. "Have you been looking after yourself? You seem a little thin."

"I'm fine Jack." She said, trying to brush him off so as not to worry him. "Jack what are you doing?" She asked as she noticed him span his hands wider around her waist.

"I'm trying to work out which corset you have on." He admitted before removing his hands from her waist and ran a finger across the edge of her fitted blouse above her chest as he tried to get a look at her corset.

"Jack Thornton!" She said laughing as she took his hand and removed it from its intended place.

"What? I'm a Mountie, I'm investigating."

"I think it's a little more than that." She said with a smile.

"Maybe so, but honestly Elizabeth, I am worried about you."

"So then why would you be investigating my corset?"

"Because I know which ones pull you in more than others."

"You know that?" She asked surprised.

"Of course I do." He said wrapping his arms around her again while pulling her in closer. "Didn't you learn a long time ago that I paid attention to whether your clothing is too tight or not?"

"Yes, and I was furious at you."

"Well yes, but that was well before we were married. We weren't even courting." He said, trying to defend himself.

"I didn't think you could tell the difference between corsets though!" She exclaimed.

"I didn't work that out until after we got married." He said mischievously.

She went to protest but he silenced her as he leaned in and captured her lips with his own.

"I'll forgive you." She said as they pulled away from the kiss. "On the basis that you kiss me like that again later."

"You can count on it and more." He told her with a grin and she gave him a smile.

"So, other than Abby starting to walk, what else happened while I was away?" Jack asked, changing the subject of conversation.

"I delivered a baby." Elizabeth said casually.

"What?" Jack asked, wondering if he heard correctly.

"I delivered Rosemary's new baby."

"How did that happen? Faith lives in the row house next door to them."

"Faith and Carson were both out of town. I left all the children with Abigail, so it was just Florence and I." Elizabeth said, and she noticed Jack's eyes were wide with surprise. "Don't look so shocked, I have had two of my own now you know, as well as helped with a few others."

"I'm not shocked Bella. I'm so proud of you." He said, his voice softening, and he placed a kiss on her temple. "So how did it all go?"

"Thankfully it all went according to plan and now I have a little namesake."

"You do? They named the baby Elizabeth?" He asked, and she nodded eagerly. He pulled her tighter into his arms. "That's wonderful!"

"I thought so too. It was very sweet of Lee and Rosemary to do. Oh, her full name is Elizabeth Rosemary."

"That's quite fitting, especially since Johnathan's middle name is Leland."

Elizabeth nodded.

"Sounds like you were pretty busy while I was gone. I hope you had time to miss me."

"Of course I did. I'm sure the Mounties kept you busy though..."

"I had plenty of time to miss you Bella." He said cutting in before placing a gentle kiss on her lips.

"Daddy!" A little voice called from the parlour.

"Someone's calling to go play dolls." Elizabeth reminded him.

"How could I forget." Jack said with a smile, loving that he had the time to spend playing with his daughters.

"You don't wish we had a boy?" Elizabeth asked with concern apparent in her voice.

"Our girls are perfect Elizabeth. I wouldn't want to change a thing."

"Really?"

"I love my girls. We sure do make beautiful babies."

"You want to make another one?"

"Well making another one is always fun." Jack suggested with a grin on his face.

"It is." She said, giving him a small smile. "But I'm serious Jack, would you like another?"

"Why, are you...?"

"No, not now, but I mean maybe soon?" She asked.

"Of course I'd love more. Elizabeth… I'll have as many babies with you as you want." He said as he brushed back a tendril of her hair that had fallen down the side of her cheek. "Have you forgotten why I built so many rooms in this house?"

They shared a smile and he knew she hadn't forgotten.

"Daddy!" Tilly called out louder this time.

"Coming Tilly." Jack called out. "We'll finish this discussion later." He said while bringing his attention back to Elizabeth.

"I'm not sure there's more to discuss. Maybe we just need to put this idea into action."

Jack's raised an eyebrow upon hearing her bold suggestion.

"We will definitely put things into action. Later alright?" He said while giving her a kiss. He then reluctantly walked away before giving her a chance to answer. He looked over his shoulder at her and gave her a wink which she returned with a smile.

Jack sat on the floor in the parlour and played with his daughters while Elizabeth got supper ready. She made Shepherd's Pie, knowing that it was Jack, Tilly and Abby's favourite.

After dinner Elizabeth took the girls off for a bath while Jack tidied up the kitchen.

"No jumping in the bath Abby." Elizabeth said as her daughter grabbed the side of the bath, stood up and tried to jump.

She sat Abby back down into the water next to her older sister. Abby splashed the bubbles while Tilly covered her own face with the foam.

"I look like Daddy when he came home today." Tilly said giggling as she pat bubbles over her cheeks and chin.

"Does someone think I have a hairy face?" Jack asked as he entered the bathroom.

"I do!" Tilly exclaimed while Jack sat down beside the bath next to Elizabeth.

Abby then stood up and reached out to touch Jack's face.

"I think we have a consensus here." Elizabeth said laughing.

"I'm outnumbered by all you girls huh. I guess I do need to have a shave." Jack said as he ran his hand over the hair on his face that had grown while on his trip home from Cape Fullerton.

"Yes Daddy, you look funny." Tilly said while Abby squealed upon noticing her older sister's excitement.

"I think it's time you girls got out." Elizabeth suggested while noticing Tilly pouting.

Elizabeth pulled Abby out first and wrapped her up in the towel while Jack helped Tilly out. They both got the girls dried and dressed in their nightgowns.

"Daddy, you put me to bed tonight?" Tilly asked

"Sure. Give Mummy a kiss and I'll read you some books."

"Four books?" Tilly requested.

"Four? Maybe two."

Tilly nodded, gave her Mother a kiss goodnight and then took her Father's hand and lead him to her bedroom.

Elizabeth sat in the parlour and nursed Abby. Once she was asleep she carried her upstairs and placed her in her cradle.

The house now sounded unusually quiet, so Elizabeth went searching for Jack. After checking Tilly's room and finding her asleep she headed down stairs.

Elizabeth found him in the bathroom where he was shaving at the sink.

"Hi." He said, turning around as he spotted her in the small mirror that hung on the wall.

"Hi." She said, coming over and standing beside him at the sink. "You got onto that quickly."

"Shaving? Yeah, I gathered none of you were too impressed with that."

"I wouldn't say that. The girls seemed somewhat amused, but I kinda like it sometimes." She said as she leant her back against the cabinet and looked at him.

"Sometimes?" He asked, and he handed over the shaving blade to her to allow her to finish.

"Well." She started, trying to concentrate on where she was running the blade across his face. "It is nicer to kiss you when you're clean shaven."

"Oh, I guess I'll have to wait till you're done till I can kiss you."

"Seems so." She said as she paid careful attention as she ran the blade over the curves of his jawline.

Jack stood there, patiently waiting as he watched her. She was so focused on what she was doing that she didn't notice him studying every detail on her own face which just enamoured him more.

"Elizabeth." He said quietly.

"Stay still." She said as she finished off the last of what she was doing, concerned that she may cut him.

Jack pumped the water pump and she cleaned the blade under the running water before returning her attention to him.

"I can talk now?" He asked.

"Of course you can. I just didn't want you to get cut." She said.

"So, I can kiss you now?"

"No, not yet!" She said, resisting as he wrapped his arms around her. He still hadn't washed off the excess shaving cream from his face.

He chose to ignore her though and he leaned in and kissed her.

"Jack!" She exclaimed while pushing against his chest with her hands while laughing.

She wiped at her face, trying to remove the shaving cream and he laughed.

"Here let me help you." He said, grabbing a cloth and wetting it before wiping the shaving cream from her face.

"Thank you." She said quietly before she took the cloth and did the same to his face. It took her a little longer to remove it all but once she had finished she returned her eyes to his. She caught him studying her this time and blushed.

"I can't believe I can still make you do that." He said, as he placed his hand on the side of her face and ran his thumb across the smooth skin on her blushed cheek.

She wasn't really embarrassed, after all, she knew there was no longer anything to be embarrassed about when with Jack. That said though, his words always had some sort of effect on her. However simple they were, they could still make her heart race and cause a fluttery feeling in her stomach.

"Bella?" He asked, his voice sounding gentle as he noticed her mind ticking over.

To Jack's surprise she quickly leaned in and captured his lips with her own. She kissed him intensely as if he'd been gone for months, rather than two weeks and he willingly responded with as much resolve.

She took Jack's hands and walked backwards as she led him out of the bathroom, while hardly allowing their lips to part. However, once she reached the bathroom door she suddenly stopped.

"What's wrong?" Jack asked, wondering why she'd stopped.

"Your Mother, where is she?"

"You have to mention my Mother now?" Jack groaned, not wanting to think of his Mother right now.

"Sorry, but she is staying here for the week."

"I saw her when I stopped in at the jail before heading home, she said there's a dart tournament on at the Saloon, she'll be out late."

"Good, come on the then." She said, pulling his arms and leading him out of the bathroom. "I'll help you forget all about your Mother." She said suggestively.

Elizabeth led him up the stairs, every so often stalling to let their kisses continue.

They got to the top of the stairs and Jack stopped this time.

"Elizabeth, you're not already pregnant are you?"

"No." She exclaimed. "Why would you even ask that?"

"You're just being…"

"Being what?"

"You're… eager…" Jack said, and he noticed her eyes widen and he realised he shouldn't have said anything.

"You think the only time I'm eager is when I'm pregnant?" She said, standing with her hands on her hips now, her scary teacher face now on in full force.

"No… that's not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean Jack?"

"You just took me by surprise that's all." He said while taking her hands and removing them from her hips.

"You've been away for two weeks, I missed you. Is there something wrong with that?"

"Of course not and I missed you too sweetheart. I never should have said anything." Jack said, disappointed in how he had gotten them into this discussion in the first place and how he'd caused her confusion.

"Well, I'm glad you did because now I know."

"I'm sorry Elizabeth. I didn't mean it like that. I actually love it when you're eager…"

"Really?" She asked, her voice now softening.

"Really. I'm starting to think that being away was worth it if I'm going to come home to this." He said, and he noticed her resolve softening.

"You know that you're not always the one that is initiating this… eagerness."

"No, I'm not and I like it when you remind me of that." He said with a smile as she stepped closer and rest her hands on his chest. "So, does this mean we can make up now?"

"Me being eager and now we also need to make up. You think you can handle that Mr Thornton?" She said, her voice now soft with a longing to it.

"I'll try my best, for your sake."

"For my sake?" Elizabeth giggled and took hold of his hands again and they continued on their way to the bedroom.

"Ok, for the both us." He said, correcting himself.

A/N Well can't believe I made it to chapter 50! I hope you enjoyed it!

Also I have a new fic coming out soon that will be a 4 parter entitled "Finding Our Way" It will be a J&E honeymoon fic. So keep an eye out for it if you're interested. :)