February first came in cold but any snow held off. Elizabeth knew how much Jack liked a white winter. Usually this time of year he was begging the sky to snow, he loved sledding, snow shoeing, making snowman and having a snowball fight with Kate. He would borrow Bill's sleigh and take Elizabeth on long rides through the silent woods, the way it only got after a fresh fallen snow. Especially because he had missed winter in Hope Valley last year, Jack had already made a list of things he wanted to do with Kate. But this year they were grateful the snow was holding off. Carson and Faith were making twice daily trips to them from town to care for Kate who was still feverish after almost a week. Carson was growing increasingly concerned, Elizabeth could see it in his eyes every time he left the house.

"What else can we do?" Elizabeth asked sitting at the kitchen table watching Faith pack her medical bag after an early morning visit. Jack had gone upstairs to sleep and Abigail was making Kate's favorite bread by the stove, all of them hoping it would get her to eat something beside the thin soup broth.

"You are doing everything you can. It just needs to run it's corse. Should be anytime now her fever will break." Faith said giving her a strong smile.

"I hope so." Elizabeth sighed.

"How are you feeling? Baby will be coming along in a few weeks now, I would say no more then nine or ten. It's a stressful time for any women never mind what is going on with Kate now." Faith said looking Elizabeth over.

"I'm fine." Elizabeth said quickly.

"She hardly eats, or sleeps, she runs herself ragged trying to take care of everything. This morning I woke up and found her getting water from the well in the middle of the night." Abigail said from the stove as Elizabeth shot her friend a dirty look.

"Elizabeth, I would be encouraging anyone in your condition to take it easy, it's important that you do." Faith said

"I will, just as soon as Kate is better." Elizabeth nodded. Faith sighed knowing there was no use arguing with Elizabeth.

"Carson will be by to check on her before dinner. Send for us if anything changes before then." Faith said.

"We will." Abigail nodded.

"Elizabeth, please find some time to rest today, I'm afraid the baby will come to early if you continue to exert yourself." Faith said.

"I will." Elizabeth nodded again as Abigail showed Faith out. She came back into the kitchen giving Elizabeth a look.

"If Jack knew you were working when you were supposed to be sleeping he would not be pleased." Abigail said in her way that somehow tended to be friendly but motherly at the same time.

"I can't help it, I'm worried." Elizabeth sighed.

"And I am worried about you and that baby." Abigail pointed to Elizabeth's ever growing belly.

"As soon as Kate is better. I promise." Elizabeth said.

"Well at least sit down and put a hot meal in you while I go check on her." Abigail said putting a bowl of oatmeal on the table.

"Oh but I was going to.." Elizabeth started, stopping short when Abigail gave her a firm look.

"Yes, of course, food first." Elizabeth nodded sitting down to the warm bowl as Abigail left the room.


"Jack!" Abigail called out the front door as Elizabeth was carrying the laundry in from the line that afternoon. Elizabeth dropped the basket on the floor running to the kitchen were Abigail was wiping her hands on her apron.

"What happened? Is she ok?" Elizabeth asked quickly as Jack came running in from the barn.

"Jack, you should go get Carson, I think her fever broke" Abigail said with a smile.

"Thank the lord" Elizabeth sighed with relief sinking into a chair as Jack was pulling on his coat.

"I will be right back!" He called rushing out as Abigail came over to squeeze Elizabeth's hand.

"I was so afraid of losing her" Elizabeth whispered.

"We all were, but it looks like she is going to be just fine" Abigail said gently.

Jack and Carson came back sooner then Elizabeth thought possible and Abigail ushered Carson into Kate's room while Elizabeth stood outside pacing the kitchen as the sun went down. Finally after what seemed like forever Carson came out smiling.

"Her fever broke, she is indeed over the worst of it" Carson said as Elizabeth sank into Jack's side with a prayer of thanks.

"She will be weak for a while, keep her in bed for another few days, keep her warm and keep pushing water, but I think she will be just fine, you have a strong girl there." Carson said as Jack shook his hand thanking him.

"Can I see her?" Elizabeth asked quickly.

"not while she has the rash, which I would expect her to have for another few hours at least. If she stays fever free and has no rash tomorrow it will be alright as long as you are careful. In the meantime I insist you eat something and get some rest, you look like you need it" Carson said gently.

"I will make sure of it" Jack said nodding at Elizabeth.

"She's asking for some food. I think I heard Abigail promising her cookies if she ate a whole bowl of soup, she seemed to like that idea." Carson chuckled shrugging on his coat.

"That's our Kate alright." Jack beamed.

"If anything changes come and get me. Otherwise I will stop by in a day or two but keep her fed and resting a while longer and you should have your girl back in her full force in a few days." Carson smiled.

"I can't thank you enough." Jack smiled as Elizabeth gave him a warm hug.

"No thanks needed." Carson said as he left and Jack closed the door behind her.

"Elizabeth! I need some of those cookies Laura's mother sent, and Kate is asking for milk do we have any?" Abigail asked hurrying into the kitchen.

"We're out and I haven't had time to get any but I will ride into town now and pick some up, anything else for the princess?" Jack laughed reaching for his coat.

"Just the milk for now." Abigail said filling a bowl with soup and hurrying back to Kate.

"Her wish is my command." Jack smiled making Elizabeth laugh for the first time in a week as he put his hat on with a sweeping bow. They had been so on edge for so long it felt good to laugh again.

"I will get started on some rice and chicken for her dinner to go with that milk." Elizabeth smiled.

"I love you." Jack smiled wrapping one arm around Elizabeth's waist and pulling her into him in a long kiss. She barely fit in his arms anymore her belly taking up space between them.

"Don't keep her waiting." Elizabeth smiled when Jack let her go.

"I would dream of it." Jack winked at her hurrying back outside.


"Hey, how are you feeling?" Jack asked when Kate opened her eyes the next morning.

"Better" She whispered.

"Yeah? You slept all night, you look a lot better" Jack said helping her sit up and offering her some water. She drank it greedily to sooth her throat looking Jack over. He looked like he hadn't slept in days, his usually clean shaven face was scruffy and his eyes were dark.

"Elizabeth?"

"Besides worried about you she's totally fine. She will be glad to see you doing better" Jack smiled at her.

"Can I see her?"

"humm let's see those arms" Jack said as Kate held up her arm and he rolled up her sleeve relieved to see the rash was gone.

"You my dear, are better" He gave her a warm smile.

"Good, because you look like you could use some sleep." Kate smiled and Jack laughed because she was feeling well enough to tease him.

"We were worried about you, you gave us quite a scare."

"I'm sorry"

"It's not your fault. I'm just glad to see you better" Jack whispered kissing the top of her head.

"How are you feeling? Think you could put some warm breakfast in you?"

"Yeah" Kate nodded

"Good! Coming right up" Jack smiled standing up and going into the kitchen where Abigail was making breakfast.

"She's awake, she would like some food, no rash or fever." Jack said grinning.

"Oh! Jack that's wonderful!" Abigail cried.

"Thank the Lord it's over." Jack sighed sinking into a chair as Abigail hurried to warm some oatmeal on the stove.

"Why don't you eat some breakfast and then get yourself some rest. You have hardly left her side. I will get this to her when it's warm" Abigail said placing a bowl of oatmeal in front of Jack.

"Thank you" Jack smiled quickly eating his breakfast and going upstairs. Elizabeth was still asleep as Jack slipped in beside her curling around her, his hand finding her belly. Elizabeth stirred a little linking her fingers into Jack's.

"How is she?" Elizabeth whispered.

"Fever stayed gone, no rash, Abigail is going to give her some breakfast. I think we are on our way back to a healthy girl" Jack said smiling as Elizabeth quick rolled over to look at him.

"Oh Jack!" She gave a huge sigh of relief hugging him to her.


When Jack woke up later that morning Elizabeth was gone but he could hear voices downstairs as he quickly got dressed heading down.

"Well someone looks much more rested" Abigail said giving him a smile.

"How's Kate?"

"She had some oatmeal not to long ago and is sleeping. She's still pretty weak but definitely on the mend. I would like to clean out that whole room later if she's up for it. Wash all the sickness out of it." Abigail said.

"I will help you." Elizabeth said nodding.

"No no, when Kate wakes up I'll move her to the couch and both my girls are going to keep each other company in the sitting room." Jack said.

"That is true, you promised Faith you would slow down when Kate was better, well now she's better and you need a break." Abigail said firmly, a little twinkle in her eye.

"I suppose I can't argue with that anymore." Elizabeth smiled.

Elizabeth felt like she was waiting for Christmas as she sat in the arm chair waiting. Finally Jack came out carrying Kate wrapped in blankets.

"Hi! Hi oh it's so good to see you better!" Elizabeth couldn't contain her excitement as Jack settled Kate on the sofa. Kate smiled at her as Jack finally backed up and Elizabeth went to sit next to her pulling her sister into her.

"I'm so glad your better."

"Me too, I'm glad you didn't have to take care of me" Kate said.

"Well I'm not so glad for that. I wish I could take care of you, but I am glad that Jack and Abigail could if I could not." Elizabeth sighed letting Kate go to look her over. Her tiny sister somehow had gotten thinner, but that was nothing a few weeks of Abigail's cooking couldn't solve.

"I'm so glad your better." Elizabeth grinner wrapping her arms around her again.

"Me too." Kate smiled.


Kate glanced up from her book as the front door opened and Rosemary let herself in closing it behind her with a little shiver.

"Hello Rosemary." Kate smiled greeting her.

"Well look at you miss rosie cheeks, you are looking much better." Rosemary smiled making her way over to Kate greeting her with a warm hug.

"You had us all worried for a little while there." Rosemary said softly tucking a curl behind Kate's ear.

"I heard, I'll try to stay healthy." Kate said giving her a little smile.

"Well good, I brought you some of my home made rolls you love so much, and why don't I stop by tomorrow I have some special lotion that will take care of those bags under your eyes." Rosemary said getting up and handing Kate a little bag of bread.

"Oh, thank you.." Kate said smirking off the classic Rosemary comment as she touched the skin under her eyes.

"Oh Rosemary, I didn't hear you knock." Elizabeth said coming down the stairs.

"I didn't." Rosemary said waving it off as Elizabeth and Kate shared a little smile.

"I just wanted to drop off the school work the children did this week for you to go over." Rosemary said ignoring them as she handed Elizabeth a few books.

"Thank you for taking over the school." Elizabeth gave her a warm smile.

"Oh they were good as always, though of course very worried about Kate."

"I will be sure to assure them tomorrow she is just fine."

"Are you both going back to school tomorrow?" Rosemary asked glancing at Kate still sitting on the sofa.

"I will be, but Kate still needs a few more day's rest I think before she is ready to go back. But I want to finish getting everything in order for when I am gone."

"That's right not much longer now, when does the new teacher arrive?" Rosemary asked.

"Five more weeks, then she will be teaching with me to learn all the kids and their grade levels until I can't teach any longer, which honestly is coming sooner then I thought." Elizabeth sighed rubbing her belly.

"Oh, I'm sure the children will have trouble adjusting to the new teacher, they just love you so." Rosemary sighed.

"I love them too. I am hoping to be back after Christmas break next year. The baby will be almost a year old. At least part time, the teacher coming in knows this is only a year long position."

"Well, good. Working after you have a baby, that's so modern of you." Rosemary said as Elizabeth poured her a cup of tea and Kate came over to join them at the table.

"Well I love teaching, it's my true calling. It will be hard, but I'm not willing to give it up. I believe I can have a family and do a job I love. I already know Jack will be helpful with the baby, and Abigail as well." Elizabeth nodded.

"Rumor is Abigail is looking to step down from the cafe in a few years? Kate you finish school in two years right? Florence said she heard Molly saying that Abigail was going to turn the cafe over to Kate to run and just help out. I mean the women earned it she worked so hard all her life and Cody will be almost grown he's not much younger then you right Kate. I suppose that give her much more time the babysit." Rosemary said raising her eyebrows and talking in a whisper as if someone would overhear them in their own house.

"Rosemary where ever did Molly hear that?" Elizabeth asked as Kate glanced at her feet to hide her surprise. There had been talk about Kate taking over the cafe for Abigail when she was done with school. Kate had been working there more and more, Abigail was teaching her a lot and Kate was almost as good a cook as she was by now. Kate often made dinner at home after school so Elizabeth could be off her feet for a while. And the timing worked out well, the baby could be at the cafe with Kate and Abigail during the day when Elizabeth was at school. Assuming there would be more children to come it allowed Elizabeth to return to work and leave the baby with people she trusted once he or she was old enough. It seemed that it would work out in everyone's favor and allow Abigail to retire from working so hard at the cafe and spend her days caring for her best friends children as Kate built a career of her own.

"Well she heard Abigail talking to Bill about it." Rosemary said frowning a little that neither sister confirmed her statement.

"Well, as you said Kate won't be finished school until she is seventeen. That is a bridge we will cross when we come to it." Elizabeth said taking a sip of her tea as Kate marbled over how composed her sister was.

"Well yes I suppose" Rosemary pouted a little.

"When something happens you will be the first to know." Elizabeth assured her with a smile.

"Wonderfull!" Rosemary smiled finding her excitement again as she excitedly chatted on about the new neighbors.


"It's so nice out!" Kate sighed spinning around in the road as Elizabeth followed behind her smiling. They had been lucky enough to have a milder winter, and now, not even before March had hit there was a hint of spring in the warm sunshine even if the air was still cold.

"It will be nice when we can open the windows and get some fresh air into the house." Elizabeth agreed as Kate fell back into step with her.

"How are you feeling, tired? It was a long day back." Elizabeth said watching Kate. She had been well for almost a week but still sleeping and recovering to much for Elizabeth to feel like she could go back to school. Today was her first day back in over two weeks and Kate was just glad to be out of the house.

"I'm tired but. Not to much." Kate said as they came upon the house. Just as Kate reached to open the door Jack opened it from the other side greeting them with a smile.

"Hi! How was your day?" He asked with a smile

"Hi, your home early?" Elizabeth smiled surprised to see him as he blocked their entrance into the house.

"I asked Bill to take the afternoon rounds, I wanted to surprise you with something." Jack said.

"Oh? It's not another animal is it?" Elizabeth asked with a laugh as Kate bounced on her toes.

"No, close your eyes" Jack smiled at her as Elizabeth gently closed her eyes and he took her hand pulling her into the house as Kate followed.

"No peaking."

"I'm not just don't run me into anything!" Elizabeth laughed as Kate let out a gasp.

"Shhh"Jack shushed her pulling Elizabeth over to the couch to sit in front of the fire place.

"Ok, open" Jack whispered. Elizabeth opened her eyes looking down and let out a gasp at a beautiful hand made cradle at her feet. She ran her fingers over the smooth wood and the little heart on the head board before gently giving it a little rock. It smoothy rolled from one side to the other and back again as if already lulling a baby to sleep.

"Oh Jack, it's beautiful." She sighed lovingly running her fingers over the smooth wood inside.

"You like it?" Jack asked grinning.

"I love it, it's just… I certainly don't plan on delivering a baby this big" Elizabeth smiled as Kate started the laugh she had been holding back. The cradle was almost the length of their small couch.

"Well, I just figured the baby would grow, oh it's to big isn't it" Jack sighed looking it over again.

"No Jack it's beautiful, I love it. Your right this way it will last us a good long time" Elizabeth said feeling sorry for making Jack feel bad.

"I mean it's still easy enough to carry up and down the stairs. During the day it can be down here with you and at night we can put it in our bedroom" Jack said.

"I love it Jack, truly I can't imagine anything better to put our baby in." Elizabeth assured him.

Plus this way you can fit more blankets too." Kate nodded.

"Maybe I can put a board in to make it shorter for now, that way we don't lose the baby in it." Jack said.

"I think that might be a good idea." Elizabeth smiled as Kate went into the kitchen to start dinner and her homework.

"Not much longer now" Jack said softly putting his arm around Elizabeth as she leaned into him her head on his shoulder.

"Are you ready?" Elizabeth asked softly.

"Yes, and somehow, no at the same time." Jack said making her laugh.

"I am ready for the baby to be here. But as uncomfortable as I am, I also like have them inside too."

"Not much longer now and the baby will be sleeping right here." Jack sighed nudging the cradle with his foot making it rock softly.

"I can't want." Elizabeth smiled.


"You must be excited to be getting ready to have a little one in the house." Abigail smiled as Elizabeth absentmindedly ran her hand over her belly as they had tea after church.

"We are, Jack made a cradle, and already put it at the foot of the bed." Elizabeth said glancing at Jack who smiled shyly.

"Oh my Noah did the same thing. I don't even think I was showing yet and he had a cradle up by our bed." Abigail said making them laugh.

"You will be there Abigail to help when the baby comes? I know I never asked I guess I jut assumed but I wanted to make sure." Elizabeth said.

"Of course, I would love to" Abigail smiled.

"Thank you, that makes us feel so much better" Jack nodded.

"There is nothing to worry about. Everyone will be just fine" Abigail told him.

"I am a bit nervous though, I think I may be out of practice caring for someone else." Elizabeth sighed.

"Well you are with the children at school all day." Jack said gently.

"Well yes but they are children, this is an infant, they are so different, and it's been a while" Elizabeth said nodding over at Kate.

"Mind you, I was an angel" Kate said and Elizabeth nearly spit out her tea with laughter as Jack and Abigail chuckled.

"Angel? Ha! Father had employed seven nannies by the time she was a year and a half." Elizabeth said. Kate smirked as if she was proud of it.

"Oh goodness" Abigail covered her smile.

"What did you do to them?" Jack asked.

"She screamed, night and day it was never ending." Elizabeth said.

"How did you get her to stop?"

"As a newborn it was rare, but she didn't have mother so I believe that was why. She won't eat from a bottle, she was so small. As she got older I could get her to stop. Granted I had lessons and parties and didn't always want to be toting around a baby. But by the time she was a year old she was following me everywhere happy as a clam" Elizabeth smiled.

"And it's been the same ever since" Abigail laughed.

"That it has." Elizabeth agreed with a smile.