Chapter 57

So sorry I've taken so long to update. I know I left it on a cliff hanger and said I would update soon but I just haven't had the time. Plus I'm still finding it harder to be motivated than I used to be. Anyway here it is, I hope you enjoy it.

Recap…

Jack was starting to really worry now, it had been thirty minutes since they'd started the search and he knew Tilly would be scared and cold since she was still in her night dress. He yelled out her name in desperation for at least the hundredth time that morning. His throat now sore and his voice sounding hoarse but the thought of it stopping him didn't even cross his mind. Jack was used to being stoic and unemotional when needed. He'd been trained to be that way at the Academy after all. It had all come so easy to him back then, but ever since Elizabeth came into his life it was much more of a struggle to achieve. As he stopped and allowed himself to think about his daughter he felt his emotions take over and he leaned his back against a nearby tree. He felt hot tears start to build up in his eyes and he tried his best not to let the fall. Through the blur of tears and amongst the trees he spotted his wife. She was looking around in desperation much like himself, until she spotted him.

Elizabeth only recognised the man against the tree by the familiar Stetson hat that sat upon his head. His body language appeared unfamiliar as he leant against the tree, but as she saw him lift his head she got a glimpse of the familiar face of her husband. She knew instantly that something was wrong, not just the fact that their daughter was missing, but that Jack wasn't being the Mountie he usually was when situations like this arose. Usually he'd take charge, give direction, and be guided as to what to do by that brave heart of his. But when Elizabeth looked at him she saw a man that seemed lost and broken. Elizabeth hurried to him as quickly as she could. Earlier she had been the one to break down but now she knew it was her turn to be brave, to be strong for him and their daughter.

"Jack?" She whispered, and he broke out of his trance like state and his arms quickly wrapped around her. "We're going to find her." Elizabeth insisted and she felt his head nod in agreement against her cheek. "Come on."

Elizabeth took Jack's hand and she noticed how firm his grasp was. She looked up into his face again, noticing tears that were about to fall but also saw some clarity in his face, as if in some way he'd gained some strength and determination from her. She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze and then they hurried back through the forest in search for their daughter.

Now back to the story…

Ten minutes later Jack and Elizabeth heard a male voice calling out their names and the sound of a child crying.

"It's Tilly!" Elizabeth exclaimed.

Both Jack and Elizabeth hurried as fast as they could towards the noise. Elizabeth was slowed down due to her pregnancy and her long skirt so Jack matched her pace.

A man with a child in his arms came running towards them, as he got closer they recognised it was Hickam. Tilly cried out for her Mother as soon as she saw her, and Hickam placed the girl in Elizabeth's arms. Elizabeth held her tight and now allowed her own tears to fall as relief washed over her as she finally had her daughter back.

Jack noticed a red rash over Tilly's arms and legs, and once she lifted her head from Elizabeth's shoulder he also noticed it on her face.

"I found her sitting amongst some poison ivy." Hickam said to Jack. "I think she'd been there a while"

Jack thanked Hickam before returning his attention back to Elizabeth and his daughter.

"We need to get her to the Infirmary Elizabeth." He said quietly, hoping his daughter wouldn't hear. Elizabeth nodded and she handed Tilly over to Jack and he carried her back into town.

Their brisk walk back to town was met with silence, other than whimpers coming from Tilly as she scratched her already red skin. Jack tried to stop her as best he could but he was more concerned about the possibility of hypothermia for the moment. He'd removed his jacket and draped it over her body and she leant into his chest as he carried her into town. Elizabeth clung to Jack's side as she constantly looked over their daughter with concern as they continued the walk. They finally arrived, and as they headed down main street they noticed Faith waiting for them in the door way.

Faith rushed them inside where they also saw Carson, and Jack placed Tilly down on one of the beds. Tilly's cries returned and Elizabeth sat on the edge of the bed holding her hand as Faith covered Tilly with a blanket to keep her warm. Carson checked all her vitals before looking over the rashes on her body.

"She looks better than I expected, she just needs to keep warm and we'll deal with these rashes from the poison ivy and she'll be fine." Carson informed them. "Faith, could you please arrange an oatmeal bath for Tilly?"

"Of course." Faith replied.

Jack and Elizabeth sat by Tilly's bed fussing over her as worried parents do. Faith then came in and set up a cast iron bath tub near the fire and filled it with warm water. She then poured in some ground oatmeal to help with the rashes.

"I'll hurry home and get her some warm clothes." Jack informed Elizabeth.

Elizabeth nodded and Jack kissed her cheek before making his way out of the Infirmary.

Elizabeth undressed Tilly and placed her in the bath, the small girl not too impressed but she started to relax once her body was submersed in the warm water.

"You gave Daddy and I quite a scare this morning." Elizabeth told her as she ran her hand through Tilly's hair. Tilly lay in the tub quietly looking utterly exhausted, her eyes closed but occasionally opened to look up at her Mother until she fell asleep.

Jack returned just as Elizabeth noticed the bath's water temperature starting to cool. Tilly woke as Elizabeth pulled her out of the bath and Jack helped her dry off their daughter and put her in her clean warm clothes. Jack placed her back into the bed and as soon as Elizabeth covered her with the blankets she was fast asleep again.

Jack reached out to take Elizabeth's hand and gave it a gentle reassuring squeeze. Carson then broke the silence as he returned to check on Tilly.

"She's a very lucky little girl. I want to monitor her for a couple of hours but if there's no changes then she can go home."

"Thank you Carson." Jack said while reaching to shake Carson's hand.

"Of course. I'll be back soon to check on her again." Carson said before leaving the Infirmary.

After a few minutes of silence Jack took a seat down beside Elizabeth as they watched their eldest daughter sleep.

"Jack?" Elizabeth said softly breaking the silence.

"Hmm."

"Today in the forest…" Elizabeth said, not knowing where to start but hoping he knew what she was referring to.

"When you found me?"

"Yes."

"I'm glad you came back." Jack whispered, trying not to wake their daughter.

"I'm glad I did too, I've never seen you like that before. Actually, that's not entirely true, when you talk about your time in the Northern Territories you have the same lost look." Elizabeth asked with concern apparent in her voice.

"I was scared, really scared." Jack admitted.

"I know. I was too."

Jack reached over for her hand and pulled it to his lips and placed a gentle kiss on the back of her hand.

"She's fine, we found her, and she's relatively healthy now. We have no reason to worry Bella."

Elizabeth nodded.

"I should go pick up Abby from Abigail's, she's probably worrying more than we are now."

"You'll bring her back here?" Elizabeth asked.

"I will."

Jack then gave Elizabeth a brief kiss goodbye before heading off to the Café.

A couple of hours later Carson was more than pleased with Tilly's outcome and he informed Jack and Elizabeth that they were able to take Tilly home.

Once back at the Thornton homestead, Tilly brightened up even more, and before Elizabeth finished cooking dinner she was up running around the house as if nothing had happened.

After dinner was over and the girls were in bed Elizabeth sat at her desk. Jack could hear her fingers banging away on the typewriter in the next room and he went in to find her.

"You must have a lot to say tonight."

"There's a lot to say about our story."

Jack nodded in agreement as he was aware that his wife was writing a new story about their life in Hope Valley.

"You want me to leave?" Jack asked after he realised she'd stopped typing.

"You don't have to, you're my inspiration remember." She said, giving him a warm smile, which reminded him of how attracted to her he was, not that that was ever far from his mind.

"Then let me inspire you some more?" Jack asked and she looked up and raised an eyebrow at him.

Jack held his hand out to her and she took it willingly. He helped her up from the chair behind her desk and then pulled her into him. Her arms went around his neck as his own slid around her waist. He then leaned in and kissed her passionately before he started to walk backwards, pulling her with him as he continued to kiss her.

"So." She started as she'd noticed he was guiding her towards the staircase. "Does this inspiration require us to be in the bedroom?"

"Not necessarily…" Jack said with a mischievous grin on his face.

"Oh." She replied and he laughed a little at her surprise. "So where?" She asked, trying to be bolder now.

"Since the kids are here, I think we'll stick to the bedroom." He smiled before quickly scooping her up into his arms.

"Jack!" Elizabeth exclaimed loudly as she unconvincingly protested while Jack carried her up the stairs and into their bedroom.

He placed her back down on her feet in front of their bed and he gently pressed his finger to her lips to silence her, reminding her that their daughters were sleeping. She nodded in understanding and then gave him a smile before placing her hands on his chest and leaning in to kiss him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and he returned her kisses just as passionately. He pulled her in closer and her weight shifted into his chest as they continued kissing.

"Feeling inspired?" Jack asked while gently speaking against her lips.

"Mmm hmm." She affirmed, not letting her lips leave Jacks.

"Good."

A/N Sorry to leave it there for all of those who like things even steamier but I hope it at least gave you the warm fuzzies. Apologies again for this fic not updating very regularly these days. Please leave a review if you have the time, I love to hear from you all.