Jack woke with a start as Elizabeth rolled over with a frustrated sigh.

"What's wrong? Are you having pains?" Jack asked, quickly sitting up and turning to the candle lamp filling the room with more light. He had been on high alert of any discomfort Elizabeth was feeling and while it was endearing, it was getting frustrating. The baby was still weeks away and Jack rushing to her side at every little noise she made was quickly getting old.

"No, the baby just won't stop kicking." Elizabeth muttered blocking her eyes with her arm in the sudden harsh light.

"Kicking? Where? Are you sure that's all?" Jack asked.

"Kicking, punching, summersaults, I don't know. Jack can we please turn out the light!" Elizabeth cried trying to squint up at him as he sat hovering over her.

"Oh, of course." Jack quickly turned the knob lowering the candle light to just barely shining as it had been before. For the past week Jack insisted on keeping a lamp burning light durning the night. Should Elizabeth start having pains he didn't want to be fumbling for matches in the dark. Jack turned back to her as moonlight filled the room again and she was able to properly open her eyes.

"I am fine, I'm just tired and I can't get back to sleep with your baby doing the waltz inside me." Elizabeth sighed.

"The waltz huh? So it's going to take after you then?" Jack smiled trying to perk her up.

"Jack, I am just so tired." Elizabeth said looking like she was close to tears and Jack's smile instantly faded as he felt bad.

"I'm sorry love. Come here lay down, just lay still." Jack said softly helping Elizabeth lay back down and get comfortable. Jack climbed out of bed going around and kneeling on the cold floor next to Elizabeth's side. He put a hand on her belly feeling the baby squirming and moving.

"Hey baby, hey, what are you doing in there." Jack said softly. At the sound of his voice the baby stilled, as if listening but when he stopped talking the baby squirmed again earning another sigh from Elizabeth.

"Alright baby listen, we're excited to meet you too. But it's a big world out here, and your going to be coming into it pretty soon so you need to rest up alright." Jack said softly, the movement inside was softer as Elizabeth seemed to relax more her eyes falling shut

"And you have to let your mama rest too. You see, she's pretty amazing, brave, strong, she takes on the whole world and conquers it. And I know she's going to be a great mama, but she needs to rest up too. So how about you and I come to an understanding on that alright? We have to let Mama sleep now but when you come out, you can do all the squirming and stretching you want. I know it's probably getting pretty cramped in there, but just hold on a little longer, I promise you there's lots of room out here." Jack said softly. He stoped talking leaving his hand for a minute not feeling anymore movement. He glanced up at Elizabeth who's face was relaxed as she was again asleep. Jack smiled tucking back hair that had fallen from her braid before slowly climbing back into the bed next to her.


"Does Elizabeth have any special requests for dinner Saturday night?" Abigail asked glancing up from the table where she was planing the menu for the week.

"Not that I know of, though she has been really into pastries lately." Kate said glancing at her from where she was pulling a chicken out of the cafe oven.

"Oh? I bet she's having a girl then." Abigail smiled.

"What makes you say that?" Kate asked.

"Oh it's just an old wives tale. But it's said if a women craves sweet food the baby is a girl, and salty food if it's a boy." Abigail shrugged.

"Did it work for you?"

"Oh yes, my last few months carrying Peter I swear I ate salted cod fish once a day." Abigail laughed as Kate made a face.

"Well how about a nice pot roast for dinner, and of course birthday cake for after."

"Can I make the cake?"

"Of course. How is yours and Jack's big surprise coming?"

"We got a telegram from Uncle that it was shipped last week. It should be arriving on the stage Saturday morning. Rosemary is going to take her out of the house while Lee helps Jack and I get it in." Kate smiled

"And I will have dinner ready for when you come by after." Abigail nodded.

"This is going to be a busy time of year. It seems like Elizabeth's and the baby's birthday are going to be pretty close together."

"And their wedding anniversary is coming up quickly as well." Abigail added.

"That's right. I suppose they won't be celebrating much this year, the baby will only be a few weeks old." Kate shrugged chopping up carrots to put into the soup.

"A little finer with those remember, if they are to big they take to long to cook and then the noodles get to soft. Well maybe they can at least have a nice dinner together here in the cafe while you and I care for the baby back here. Should the baby so much as make a peep they are mare steps away." Abigail said.

"I suppose that depends on when the baby comes and how much convincing it will take Elizabeth."

"Something tells me Jack may be the more overbearing parent of the two of them." Abigail smiled making them both laugh.

"The new teacher comes in two weeks, she's coming on the morning stage. Elizabeth asked me to greet her, she starts teaching the day after she gets here."

"Cody mentioned that, how does Elizabeth feel about that?" Abigail asked.

"She is sad to not be able to teach, but she's glad to be home with the baby. And she's ready I think, she gets uncomfortable now when she's on her feet for to long, or when she's sitting at her desk for to long."

"Well I am sure all the children will be patiently awaiting her arrival back, she will be missed." Abigail nodded.

"I just hope this teacher is good. I really need to study this year so I can take my test and finish school." Kate sighed.

"I don't think you have much to worry about. You are so smart Kate, and even if Elizabeth isn't teaching during the school day, she will be helping you at home I am sure." Abigail assured her.

"I suppose. I'm just nervous." Kate nodded.

"Well school is important, and It's important to Elizabeth that you finish and finish well and I agree with her on that. But you know you have a job here just as soon as you are done. You have a real talent Kate. Your a fast learner and willing to try new things."

"That's all thanks to you Abigail. If you had not started teaching me in the kitchen from the day we got here I might be hopeless at everything." Kate smiled making Abigail chuckle.

"You were never hopeless, you and your sister just never had the chance to learn."

"Sometimes I think you forgot everything you did for us Abigail. We came to you and we couldn't even feed ourselves." Kate sighed shaking her head at how easy going Abigail always was.

"And sometimes I think you forget everything you girls did for me." Abigail reminded her softly as Kate gave her a little smile. Kate nodded, Abigail had lost her family just weeks before Kate and Elizabeth had shown up. Sometimes Kate forgot Abigail had a whole other life before them.

"God brought us here for a reason didn't he Abigail? More then just for Elizabeth to teach. He brought us here for you, and you for us. And for Elizabeth to meet Jack and have their family."

"He did. In the most trying times of each of our lives, he brought us together and we made ourselves into a family." Abigail nodded.

"We are so lucky." Kate said.

"We certainly are" Abigail smiled giving her a warm hug.


Saturday morning Kate woke up early and hurried through the barn chores outside in the cold before coming back inside as Jack was coming down the stairs.

"Horses and chicks are taken care of, coffee is heating now" Kate said lighting the stove.

"Thank you, here Willow." Jack called putting the dish down as the puppy came running. She was at the awkward puppy stage where she was almost full grown but had little control over her to big body. Jack grabbed the lamp as Willow almost knocked it over in her haste to get to her food dish. He sighed biting back a smile hoping the dog was a little more sure on her feet before the baby came, the last thing the needed was her bumping a cradle with a sleeping baby or getting underfoot of someone holding the baby.

"What time is the stage coming?" Kate asked as Jack started to set the table.

"Shhh" He put a finger to his lips glancing up the stairs.

"She woke up when I got up. I'm not sure if she's coming down. The stage is due in at ten this morning." Jack whispered.

"I'll tell Rosemary to come at 9:30 to take her out then, I will ride Gracie over after breakfast."

"Good idea, as soon as they are gone Lee and I will take the wagon into town to pick it up and hurry back. I hope it's not to cold for her to be outside that long." Jack whispered glancing out the window. It was March now, spring was clearly on the way but the days still had a chill in them that required winter coats.

"If it is Rosemary will bring her over to their house for tea." Kate said cracking a few eggs over the pan on the stove.

"I hope we can pull this surprise off." Jack sighed.

"If not it's still a wonderful gift." Kate assured him. They both turned as the stairs squeaked as Elizabeth was making her way down in her nightgown and shawl.

"Happy Birthday!" Kate cried rushing to give her a hug.

"Thank you sweetie, is that what the hushed voices are about?" Elizabeth smiled as Jack kissed her cheek and ushered her into a chair at the table.

"I have no idea what your talking about." Kate said going back to the stove to finish cooking as Jack placed a cup of tea in front of her.

"I told you both I don't want anything big. I am happy to just spend the day with you and have a nice dinner with our friends tonight." Elizabeth smiled as she shook her head.

"Well I am no expert on the matter, but I think turning 25 is kind of a big deal. I mean, your halfway to fifty." Kate said raising a teasing eyebrow at her as Elizabeth wrinkled her nose at her in mocked anger.

"We have been looking forward to spoiling you on this day, don't spoil it for us." Jack gave her a smile

"Why do I have the feeling you have something awful big up your sleeve?" Elizabeth smiled shaking her head at them.

"Hush now, eat your birthday breakfast." Kate laughed putting the plates on the table.


Kate turned to the window as she heard a wagon pull up. She saw Jack hop down from the seat and rushed outside.

"Rosemary just took Elizabeth, they were going to walk the far end of the pond so there should be plenty of time" Kate told him throwing her shawl around her as she went outside.

"Good." As long as they are staying away from the town, the biggest wagon I have ever seen brought this thing in" Jack said opening the back of the wagon as Lee came down the walk.

"Lee, good timing, thank you for helping me out" Jack said shaking his hand.

"Of course! Wow look at this thing, Elizabeth is going to be happy to see this" Lee smiled looking up at the big object in the wagon covered with a blanket.

"That's the hope. Kate get into the wagon and push it to us. Lee if you take that side I'll take this one and we will see if we can get in" Jack said as Kate jumped into the wagon and helped get it out. Once Jack and Lee had it on the ground Kate ran ahead to hold the door open as they just fit it through the doorway and placed it by the fireplace.

"There you are" Lee said stepping back.

"Thank's again" Jack said.

"Don't mention it. I am looking forward to hearing it used soon"

"I'll make sure of it" Jack smiled as Lee left and Kate carried in the bench setting it down in front.

"How does it look?" Jack asked covering it with the sheet so nothing was showing.

"Wonderful, she will be so pleased" Kate assured him.


"Hello, how was your walk" Jack asked from where he was sitting on the porch as Elizabeth walked up.

"Wonderful, although I am ready to rest my feet" Elizabeth smiled as Jack same down the stairs greeting her with a kiss as he gently rubbed her belly through her dress.

"It's chilly out here, can we go in, I want to change before we go to Abigail's for dinner." Elizabeth said although she made no movements to move from Jacks arms.

"Oh yeah, before we go in…" Jack said climbing the stairs quickly he opened the door calling for Kate before quickly shutting it as Elizabeth climbed the stairs.

"Jack what are you up to?" Elizabeth laughed as Kate came out carrying her shawl.

"You have to put this on" Kate said folding it up to be a blind fold.

"What is going on you two!" Elizabeth cried with a smile.

"It's a birthday surprise, please put it on" Kate said.

"Alright" Elizabeth laughed putting it over her eyes as Jack tied it behind her head.

"Give me your hand, easy does it" Jack said taking both her hands in his and walking backwards into the house as Kate followed closing the door behind them. Jack lead Elizabeth over to the sheet and Kate untied the blindfold.

"Happy Birthday!" Kate called as Elizabeth's eyes adjusted to the evening light in the house and Jack pulled the cover off. A beautiful piano stood against the wall polished and shining in the sun.

"Oh my!" Elizabeth gasped.

"Isn't it beautiful, play it please?" Kate asked.

"Oh I think I am so rusty." Elizabeth chuckled but she sat down on the bench putting her fingers to the keys. Sweet music filled the room and Kate grinned hearing her, Elizabeth was gifted in piano. She so rarely had a chance to play the piano in the school house. But now that they had one at home Kate hoped it would become a regular thing. She knew having a piano in the house was high on Elizabeth's wish list. Not something she needed, but something that she would love to have. Kate smiled at Jack who was watching Elizabeth, his eyes soft as he took her in, her growing belly keeping her from getting as close as she would like, but clearly loving the gift all the same.

"I love it, thank you" Elizabeth smiled when she stopped playing to turn to them.

"We always talked about having a piano, and you play so beautifully, I think it's something we can all enjoy. Jack said.

"Play one more, please? And sing with it?" Kate begged. It had been forever since she heard her sister play. Growing up Elizabeth used to always play the piano and sing, Kate had forgotten what a comfort it was.

"Alright" Elizabeth laughed as she began to play again. She played beautifully not even looking down at where she put her fingers so sure of the notes as she began to sing a song in French Jack had never heard. He watched as she closed her eyes her beautiful voice filling the room and Jack didn't think she could get anymore beautiful in that moment. It might be Elizabeth's birthday, but Jack was the one who had all his wishes come true.


"Did you have a good birthday?" Jack asked Elizabeth that night as he lay down next to her.

"The best one yet." Elizabeth smiled curling into his side as he put his arm around her.

"Well, that's because you haven't seen what Kate and I plan to do next year." Jack teased making her laugh.

"Jack, I don't think I could ever wish for anything else. I have you, my sister, a beautiful house, this baby coming soon, my job, my friends… I don't think I could ever dream of anything more." Elizabeth sighed contently.

"Funny, I was just thinking the same thing today, sitting back and remembering how lucky I am to have all of that, and you." Jack smiled.


"Telegram for Mrs Thornton" Mr Yost said as Kate opened the door when he knocked at their house a week later.

"Thank you, I'll take it to her." Kate nodded taking it and bringing it to Elizabeth who was sitting at her desk going over papers.

"Mr Yost brought a telegram" Kate said handing it to her.

"It's from Hamilton" Elizabeth read the outside as Jack put the corner of his paper down to watch her.

"Oh, oh dear" Elizabeth whispered covering her mouth as she read it.

"What happened?" Kate asked rushing back to her side as Jack jumped up going to stand beside her.

"Grandmother past away this morning." Elizabeth whispered.

"Oh no" Kate said taking the telegram from her to read as Elizabeth stood up and Jack wrapped his arms around her.

"It's so sudden, we didn't even know she was sick." Kate said.

"Viola said she took sick yesterday and go much worse in the night and was gone by sunrise." Elizabeth sighed turning to Kate.

"She said the funeral is day after tomorrow." Kate nodded as she read on.

"I wish we could go." Elizabeth sighed resting her hand on her belly.

"It's such a long ride." Jack nodded.

"We should go, she took us in and raised us and gave us so much, it's only right. I could rest on the train."

"Elizabeth, I know you want to go but suppose something happened, on the stage or the train. The baby is due in only a few weeks. It's not safe." Jack said softly.

"Your right, I fear I'm in no condition to travel" Elizabeth sighed rubbing her belly.

"I'm so sorry" Jack sighed holding her to him.

"I can go, I can go to Hamilton and pay our respects" Kate said quickly.

"By yourself?" Elizabeth asked.

"Well your certainly not going to send Jack with me so your here by yourself! And grandmother raised us, it's understandable that you can't go, but there's no reason I can't." Kate said firmly.

"I don't know Katie it's such a long trip..."

"I can do, I have done it with you plenty of time. I know how to get the stage and the train." Kate said firmly.

"You really think you can do it?" Jack asked.

"I know I can." Kate nodded.

"Alright, I trust you." Elizabeth nodded.

"I'll go send a wire to Julie to be expecting you, and I'll get a ticket for the next stage." Jack said letting go of Elizabeth and putting on his coat and hurrying out.

"Kate, are you sure of this? You hate Hamilton when we're together and now your going to be there by yourself." Elizabeth said softly. Kate nodded.

"It's the right thing to do" she said.

"It is, thank you" Elizabeth gave her a hug.

"Come on let's get you packed" Elizabeth gave Kate a smile as they went into her room.