"Hey, you all set for the night?" Elizabeth asked peeking into Kate's room where she was reading on her bed.

"Yes" Kate gave her a smile. Elizabeth watched her for a minute then went into Kate's room. Kate smiled scooting over on the bed making room for Elizabeth to lie down next to her.

"What are you doing?" Kate laughed closing her book.

"Remembering how long it has been since we had to share a bed" Elizabeth smiled.

"Ahh the good old days" Kate laughed.

"You mean you don't get lonely here all by yourself at night?"

"You mean a whole bed to myself with no one to kick me or grumble every time I move? Yes it's horrid" Kate said making them both giggle.

"I do miss our talks sometimes though, when we used to whisper about Jack." Kate smiled softly.

"We can still whisper about Jack, or if you have anyone to whisper about." Elizabeth said raising her eyebrows as Kate elbowed her.

"If you have two girls, you should make them share a bed for a few years. It was fun, and you always made the scary times not so frightening." Kate whispered.

"Oh my, let's just get through one baby before we talk about others" Elizabeth sighed.

"Is it true women expecting babies crave food?"

"I suppose it is. Although I can't say I have been able to stomach much more then broth and bread as of yet. Abigail and Faith say that will be changing soon."

"Well, I think you should crave Abigail's apple turnovers. You know as soon as you tell her she will keep us well stocked and I wouldn't mind having a never ending supply of those in the house." Kate said making Elizabeth laugh.

"I'll see what I can do" She giggled as Jack came into the doorway.

"What are you girls up to?" He asked narrowing his eyes at them making them both laugh.

"Nothing" They said at the same time.

"Mmhhmm, you bed" Jack said pointing to Elizabeth who stuck out her lip pouting like a child.

"He's right, you have been so tired your hardly functioning lately" Kate said.

"Ganging up on me!" Elizabeth pretended to frown crossing her arms.

"Thats right. I'm going to do the barn chores, Kate you make sure she goes to bed" Jack said disappearing and they heard him put on his coat and leave.

"Remember when our whispering used to be me trying to convince you how much he cared about you when you were angry at him?" Kate asked.

"I do" Elizabeth smiled.

"You knew I was right but you were to stubborn to hear it, a lot" Kate said as Elizabeth poked her ribs.

"He's a really good husband" Kate said softly.

"He is." Elizabeth agreed with a smile sitting up.

"He's going to be a good father."

"He will be" Elizabeth smiled a little bigger.

"See you in the morning?"

"Yes, good night, you go to bed soon too."

"I will." Kate agreed as Elizabeth leaned over kissing her forehead before heading up to her own bed.


"Alright children let's settle down and start our day." Elizabeth called as everyone was finding their seats and putting their coats and lunch pails away.

"Are you working at Abigail's this afternoon? Ma is having Mrs Coulter and Mrs Bleakly over for tea. We can hide on the stairs and get all the town gossip again." Laura asked as she and Kate sat down.

"I have to go home and help with dinner."

"You have gone straight home every afternoon for the last two weeks." Laura sighed.

"Sorry, how about Saturday, you can come over and we can play with the baby chicks Jack got?"

"Alright" Laura agreed as they set out their books. Kate sighed, she wanted to tell Laura why she needed to help out at home so much lately, but Elizabeth was still keeping it to herself so Kate had to as well. The class went quiet as everyone found their seats.

"Good Morning Everyone, who remembers when we did our family trees about a year ago?" Elizabeth asked as everyone raised their hand.

"Well as you know, harvest time is coming up and we will have a few weeks off from school, I have heard quiet a few of you mention you were going away to see family maybe help out on the farm." Elizabeth said. Though Hope Valley used to be a coal mining tow, since the mine closed many of the families had become farmers or working in the saw mill. But during harvest in late October Elizabeth always closed the school because everyone was helping take the crops in before the frost. If they didn't have a farm of their own they were traveling to a relative's farm to help.

"We're going back east to help Grandpa with the pumpkins. There's going to be a contest for the biggest one and he thinks he's going to win." Emily smiled.

"That's wonderful Emily. Over the break everyone is going to have an essay to write. I want you to interview a member of your family, your mother, father, grandparent.. someone older then you, and ask them what harvest time means to them." Elizabeth said.

"For us it means the fair and lot's of pie" Miles laughed.

"We go to the horse races in Buxton" Opal cried.

"Everyone does something different to celebrate this time of year before winter." Elizabeth nodded.

"Are you guys going to Hamilton?" Laura asked turning to Kate. They had been discussing going back to Hamilton for a few days to see Viola and her baby and their Grandmother. But now that Elizabeth was expecting a baby of her own it was to far for her to travel when she was still feeling unwell for part of the day.

"No, I think we are just going to hang around Hope Valley." Kate shrugged.

"But Mrs Thornton do we have to go on break?" Philip asked.

"Philip don't you want to take a break from school. Winter is coming and soon you will be stuck indoors all day. This is our time to be outside and enjoy the season."

"But I miss you when school is out." Philip said.

"Me too" Opal agreed as many of the younger students nodded.

"Well I miss you all too. But I'm going to be right here, I bet you will still see me everyday." Elizabeth assured them. Though she hid it well Kate could tell her sister was holding back tears.

"There's those mood swings again." Kate muttered smirking to herself making a note to laugh about this later with Jack.


Elizabeth was woken gently as the bed under her shifted weight. She opened her eyes slowly rolling over surprised to see Jack sitting on the edge leaning over her.

"Hi beautiful" He smiled brushing hair from her forehead.

"Oh I didn't mean to fall asleep! What time is it?" Elizabeth sighed.

"It's just after five." Jack smiled

"I must look a sight, sleeping in the middle of the day." Elizabeth muttered as she sat up fixing her hair and her dress.

"You look just as beautiful as always, besides you have been asleep on your feet by dinner the past two nights. It's good to see you resting. You feeling ok?" Jack rubbed her back looking at her with concern in his eyes.

"Fine, just a little run down. No more then usual it just got the best of me today." Elizabeth sighed.

"Well you deserve the rest, I just woke you up for dinner. Are you hungry? I would like to see you put something besides broth and soup into your stomach." Jack asked softly.

"Oh! Your dinner I didn't even start it! Oh I'm so behind" Elizabeth cried jumping up.

"Hey, it's ok, Kate already cooked, dinner is made, I was just asking if you wanted any." Jack chuckled.

"Jack Thornton this isn't funny, I feel like I am failing at this!" Elizabeth sighed offended as she sank back into the bed.

"You are definitely not, you are doing amazing and you need your rest. That's what I am here for, and Kate. She made dinner and is grading the math tests right now." Jack said.

"Oh the math tests! Thank the lord someone is on top of my life." Elizabeth sighed.

"Come on, I hear Abigail has been giving Kate cooking lessons. There's Chicken with home made garlic bread and a pie for dessert." Jack said raising an eyebrow.

"That does sound wonderful" Elizabeth smiled allowing Jack to pull her up they went downstairs as Kate finished setting the table.

"Hey, your up! Dinner is ready." Kate smiled as they came into the kitchen.

"Thank you for cooking Katie. I'm sorry I fell asleep."

"Oh it's fine, Abigail taught me how to make this last weekend. I hope it's good." Kate smiled.

"Well it looks like working in the cafe is paying off." Jack grinned as they sat down.

"As long as you still have time for chores, schoolwork and friends." Elizabeth said gently.

"Speaking of friends I haven't seen Laura or Anna around in a week or so now. Seems to me you girls used to hang around here at least a few days after school." Jack said.

"Well Laura might come over Saturday to play with the chicks. I just thought with you being so tired lately maybe if was better if the house was quiet." Kate shrugged.

"You know I love have you girls around. Why don't you have a few of your friends over Saturday before people start getting busy with harvest." Elizabeth offered.

"Alright" Kate smiled.

"Oh I invited Lee and Rosemary to dinner tomorrow night." Elizabeth remembered.

"Wonderful, now that we are finally unpacked it will be good to have them." Jack nodded.

"I thought we could tell Rosemary about the baby. I think she can be trusted not to spread it all around town now." Elizabeth said making Jack and Kate laugh.

"Whatever you want is fine with me." Jack assured her.

"Kate this is wonderful" Elizabeth smiled taking another bite of chicken.

"It is very good Kate." Jack agreed.

"Next week Abigail said she would teach me to make fried chicken." Kate smiled.

"Well, make two helping of that for me." Jack laughed.


"Thank you for inviting us to dinner" Rosemary said as Elizabeth placed a pot roast on the table.

"Oh we have been meaning to for ages, the house was just in such a disarray. Who knew we had so much stuff." Jack said with a laugh.

"Well it seems you have plenty of room for it that's for sure, this is beautiful" Rosemary said looking around.

"Thanks to Lee, we love it" Jack nodded clapping Lee on the back.

"It is wonderful, we do have a lot of things, I'm not sure how we fit it all in the row house." Elizabeth agreed.

"It was all hidden under our beds" Kate laughed coming to the table with a pitcher of water as Elizabeth nodded.

"Can I offer anyone a glass of wine?" Jack asked.

"Oh well if your offering I won't say no" Lee said

"Neither will I" Rosemary agreed as Jack stood and poured them each a glass then one for himself.

"To your new house, may you make many wonderful memories here" Lee said raising his glass.

"Here here" The rest of them called toasting.

"Well I know if I had extra rooms in my house they would be filled with clothes! And you have two! One would be an elegant dressing room and the other would be a crafts room, for sewing and art, you could use that you know." Rosemary said as Elizabeth and Jack shared a little smile.

"Sweetie I am sure they have their own plans for the rooms" Lee said raising his eyebrow at her.

"Oh of course, I know you want children, you would be the perfect parents but I just mean in the mean time, mine as well take advantage" Rosemary said.

"Actually, umm we have a very short meantime" Elizabeth said softly glancing at Jack who was grinning at her.

"Well, what does that mean?" Rosemary asked confused.

"Elizabeth is expecting." Jack said smiling at Elizabeth next to him squeezing her hand on the table.

"Oh! Oh Goodness!" Rosemary cried as Lee congratulated them grinning.

"Oh how could you let me talk about room decor when you have such news!" Rosemary cried giving Elizabeth a hug.

"I appreciate your ideas" Elizabeth laughed as they settled back into their seats.

"Oh congratulations, new husband new house, new baby. Elizabeth Thornton you are turning into quite the women" Rosemary said. Elizabeth smiled at her agreeing.

"That's wonderful buddy, congratulations you must be over the moon." Lee smiled at Jack.

"Oh you have no idea, Especially now that Elizabeth is starting to feel a little bit better." Jack nodded.

"You were unwell?" Rosemary frowned looking concerned at Elizabeth.

"Just the usual mild sickness, I seem to have figured out how to manage it now though. If only I could get some energy back I would be good as new." Elizabeth smiled.

"Well you simply must let me make you a new dress! You will need something roomier I expect" Rosemary said making Kate laugh.

"I suppose eventually, but for now I am perfectly fine."

"Well of course but it's best to start now. I think a light purple would help with that flush you have had to your face lately. You know now that I think about it I should have figured it out earlier." Rosemary said.

"Oh, thank you Rosemary, I think." Elizabeth frowned a little.

"Oh I like it, it makes you look nice and rosey." Jack smiled putting his arm around Elizabeth.

"Oh Jack, no." Kate whispered but it was to late.

"So my face is flushed then?" Elizabeth asked surprised turning to him.

"Oh don't worry dear, you pull it off just fine." Rosemary assured her.

"Maybe we should just move on to talking about something else." Kate said picking up her fork.

"Agreed" Lee nodded.


"Jack, has my face really gotten flushed." Elizabeth asked that night as she sat at her dressing table brushing out her hair.

"No of course not. It's just that glow Abigail was talking about. It makes you all the more beautiful." Jack said gently.

"I'm not sure that I feel all that beautiful." Elizabeth sighed getting up and going to sit next to Jack on their bed where he was propped up on the headboard reading.

"Why not? Of course you are always beautiful." Jack said putting his book down and turning to her.

"Rosemary was talking about wide dresses and this and that. I guess I'm just not looking forward to getting rather large." Elizabeth sighed.

"Well I am, in fact I can't wait to see our baby start growing. You are going to look so beautiful. Somehow even more then you do now." Jack said softly leaning over her making Elizabeth smile.

"You have to say that." She whispered.

"I most certainly do not, however it is my opinion, that when our baby is growing inside you, you will be completely… irresistible." Jack leaned closer whispering the last part in her ear.

"Oh, as oppose to now when you are so good at keeping your hands to yourself?" Elizabeth giggled squirming as he ticked her sides.

"What can I say, I have the most beautiful wife in all the world." Jack shrugged grinning at her.

"Your not so bad yourself." Elizabeth sighed looking at him through her long eyelashes in a way she knew made him crazy.

"I love you, even more then I ever thought possible." Jack said getting serious for a minute.

"I love you too." Elizabeth smiled as Jack leaned down kissing her deeply and she pulled him closer.


The week before the fall break came as a bit of a relief to everyone. Kate was more then ready for a break from school before the long winter and Elizabeth was still fighting to get her energy back and found herself struggling by the end of the day. They had just started lessons after lunch when there was a knock on the door and they all turned surprised as it opened. A boy about Kate's age came in followed by two little girls.

"Hello" Elizabeth greeted them with a warm smile.

"Sorry to interrupt Ma'am, our Ma wanted us to come straight away but we didn't get to town until this afternoon." The boy said quietly.

"Come in please. I am Mrs Thornton." Elizabeth waved them in as the little girls inched after their brother. The boy was tall with dark hair and eyes, The little girls both wore long braids and looked nervous.

"We just moved to town, Ma wanted us to get registered for school"

"Of course, what are your names and grade levels?" Elizabeth asked sitting at her deck and pullout out her book. Everyone was watching the new children closely.

"Well we never been to a real school, but Ma taught us at home, I'm James Peterson, I'm fifteen I can read and write and do math." The boy said.

"James do you think you could do the math problems on the board?" Elizabeth asked

"Yes Ma'am" James looked up at the board and nodded.

"Wonderful, and you girls?"

"This is Nellie, she's twelve she can read and write too, and that's Molly she's six. She only knows her letters" James said as Elizabeth gave each girl a warm smile. Molly hid behind James but returned the smile as Nellie nodded politely.

"It is nice to meet you, Welcome to Hope Valley. Are you from far way?"

"Yes Ma'am. Up north, Pa hasn't had a good crop in years and he figured on moving to a town instead of us being out on the prairie alone. He got a job at the sawmill. Ma is home with the baby or she would have come." James said. Kate could tell from their clothes they were not from a place like Hamilton. Elizabeth stood up addressing everyone.

"Class this is James, Nellie and Molly, can everyone tell them hello?"

"Hello" everyone said.

"You will have a chance to learn everyones names, all the children in my class are very nice and I think you will make friends quickly. Molly you can sit right up front, you are the youngest child in class. Nellie you can go sit with Cody in the middle here, and James why don't you take a seat next to Kate, for now, Laura is out for the week." Elizabeth said. Kate waved scooting over and James slipped into the seat next to her.

"Hi, I'm Kate Thatcher" Kate smiled.

"James Peterson, this is a nice school." He said looking around as Elizabeth was talking to Cody and Nellie.

"It's pretty new, only a few years old, we have church here on Sundays too." Kate said.

"I have never been to a real school before."

"I grew up having lessons with a tutor until a few years ago. I like school much better" Kate said.

"A tutor? Wow!" James cried as Elizabeth made her way over.

"James, Kate will help you get caught up for today, why don't you two start with your reader Katie? And if you finish you can move onto your history book and see how far you get. Did you and your sisters bring any books?"

"We just have one reader to share Ma'am." James whispered.

"That's fine, you can look on with Kate today and I will get you each your own books tomorrow." Elizabeth smiled.

"Thank you, I didn't think teachers were so nice" James said as Elizabeth laughed a little.

"She's the best teacher" Kate said.

"You two may work quietly, if you need anything take it from my desk Katie"

"Alright" Kate nodded pulling out her reader as Elizabeth went back to her desk calling Molly over.

"Pa always told us terrible stories about teachers. How they would whip him for talking in class." James said.

"Oh goodness! Elizabeth would never hurt anyone especially a child!" Kate cried surprised.

"Elizabeth?"

"Oh yeah, the teacher is my sister." Kate said.

"Wow, it is strange taking lessons for her?"

"No, she's always taught me everything. Our Mother and Father died when I was a baby. She has always taken care of me."

"Have you lived in Hope Valley your whole life?" James asked.

"No, we came here a little over four years ago. Elizabeth got a job as the teacher. We were only supposed to stay a year but everyone wanted her to stay, and we wanted to stay. This is a great town everyone is so friendly" Kate shrugged.

"Where were you from before?"

"Hamilton"

"Hamilton! And you had a tutor! You were rich weren't you?" James widened his eyes making Kate laugh.

"We were living with a grandmother who was. But money isn't everything, personally I think we are much luckier to be living here" Kate said.

"If I had a house full of people working for me I don't think I would ever get out of bed in the morning." James said.

"Then you would turn to mush." Kate smiled laughing again as Elizabeth looked up at her.

"Kate and James are we working?" Elizabeth asked raising an eyebrow, a look she saved only for her sister.

"getting to it now" Kate said as James looked down at the book sheepishly.

"mmhmm" Elizabeth nodded.


When Elizabeth rang the bell that afternoon everyone gathered their books.

"Don't forget your lunch pails! And bundle up it's getting chilly." Elizabeth called as children called their goodbyes chatting and putting on their coats.

"Come on James!" Molly said tugging on his arm.

"Alright alright." Jame said allowing her to pull him.

"Are you walking to the row houses?" James asked turning back to Kate as she gathered her books.

"No, we just moved from there, we have a house just west past the grove now." Kate said and James's face fell a little.

"Alright, well I will see you tomorrow morning" He said.

"See you tomorrow" Kate smiled as Molly pulled him away and the other children left. Kate gathered her books and picked up the lunch pail as Elizabeth shrugged on her coat.

"The Peterson's seem very nice" Elizabeth said closing the school house door as they started walking home in the cold air.

"James is really smart for never going to a real school." Kate nodded.

"Nellie as well is right on track with her grade. Molly is so young but I suspect she will catch on quick. It's a wonder their mother wasn't a school teacher." Elizabeth agreed.

"You know there's room for James in my bench. Laura and I hardly take up half. He could stay there" Kate offered.

"I was going to move him over to sit with Robert tomorrow, I thought he might enjoy sitting with other boys a bit more."

"Oh no! I am still trying to help him catch up"

"Yes I saw all the catching up you two were doing" Elizabeth raised her eyebrow at Kate.

"At least until Lara comes back? Robert can be mean to kids he doesn't know. Let me help him this week" Kate said.

"Alright as long as you actually get some work done" Elizabeth said.

"We will, I promise" Kate grinned.