A new chapter in their lives begins.

A/N – Yay! Over a 100 reviews! You guys are seriously the best and I love you all. Thank you for your support ;)

…

No one in town had seen Jack or Elizabeth for nearly three days. They'd decided not to take a formal honeymoon since they had just had somewhat of a vacation in Calgary but that didn't mean that they couldn't hole up in their home and just enjoy each other to the fullest, so that's exactly what they did.

They cooked meals together and cuddled on the sofa. Jack drew and painted and Elizabeth got lost in books both published and her own. Above all else they spent an absolutely ridiculous amount of time in bed.

When they finally emerged from their happy little seclusion everyone in town could see the change.

They were no longer two separate people living separate lives and spending time together. They were a unit now and it was in every movement they made even when they weren't together. Caleb pointed it out perfectly when school resumed and he asked the new Mrs. Thornton why she looked out the window so often.

Maybe it wouldn't last. Maybe it was the newness of it all, the relentlessly wanting to be with each other; the inexplicable need to be in constant contact. Abigail had them over for dinner one evening and when their feet weren't nestled together below the table or their hands weren't resting beside each other on the table, their eyes were locked.

Months passed like this and they settled into a comfortable routine.

Jack heard the bell ring on the school and the children came rushing out the schoolhouse doors. Summer was in full swing and it had been uncharacteristically hot.

He walked into the schoolhouse and saw Elizabeth speaking quietly to Rosemary near the front chalk boards. Rosemary was blossoming with her pregnancy. Only another couple of weeks and Hope Valley would have a new member.

"Jack! What are you doing here?" Elizabeths face broke into a grin at the sight of him and it quickened his pulse.

"I thought I'd walk you home, maybe carry your books" he suddenly feels shy, embarrassed by his need to be with her as often as possible. Rosemary smiles and her hands drift mindlessly over her belly.

"I'll head out; Lee's going to be home soon as well. Nice to see you Jack," Rosemary pats his shoulder as she walks by and Jack has to force his head to turn and acknowledge the other woman.

"Thanks for the help with the play Rosemary!" Elizabeth calls out and turns to collect her things.

"You know you we aren't courting anymore…you don't have to be so considerate all the time!" she can't control the giggles as he slides his hands around her waist and pulls her back into him his lips wreaking havoc on her neck.

"I love being considerate. I love being with you…if walking you home and carrying your books is a part of that then I'll do it every day for the rest of our lives." Elizabeth turned in his arms and dropped several quick kisses on his lips.

"I won't argue that, I love being with you too." Jack helped her into her jacket and they made their way out of the school.

"Rosemary looks great, how long till the baby comes?" Jack was being conversational not thinking much of the topic but the moment he asked the question he felt a shift in Elizabeth and not in a good way.

"Um, I think she said about three more weeks but the little one could come anytime now."

Jack nodded not sure how to continue a conversation he wasn't sure his wife wanted to have. "Are you ok?" They'd been married nearly six months now and he'd be lying if he hadn't expected her to be pregnant by now. Realistically, he understood that it didn't always happen right away but with the amount of time they spent in their bed…or heck, on their couch he had to admit that he was a little more disappointed every time her monthly began and he knew that Elizabeth felt the same way.

"I'm fine, just haven't been feeling well today." She caught his eyes widen in excitement and hope and had to look away. "I can see the hope in your face and I was feeling that excitement this morning but unfortunately it was the opposite of a baby," she nearly whispered the words, he could hear sadness and even a little shame in her sweet voice and it tore at his heart. He took her swinging hand in his and rubbed soft circles into it.

"We haven't been married that long Elizabeth, it will happen." He kissed her cheek but she couldn't lift her head. She was more than disappointed. She had expected it to just happen. There were women all over that lay with a man once and they were pregnant. She and Jack had definitely done it more than once and here they were months and months into marriage and not even a hint of a pregnancy.

A handsome blush rose on her cheeks and Jack pulled her closer. "Please don't worry; I'm not worried so you shouldn't be either. We'll have a lifetime for children; let's just enjoy this time together while we have it." Elizabeth was finally able to look up into his eyes and she nothing but earnestness there. She pushed a smile onto her face and tried desperately to make herself feel the ease that Jack was trying to help her feel.

They walked the rest of the way home in silence stopping to enjoy a short conversation with Jesse and Clara, the young couple was growing closer and closer every day and it was beautiful to watch.

"What are you feeling like for dinner?" Elizabeth asked as they walked into their home.

"I'm up for anything, I should be back pretty early tonight so I can help with dinner if you'd like." He was still trying to comfort her and she realized how silly she was to be worried so early into their marriage. It was hard to be so close to Rosemary, she felt such joy at seeing her friend go through pregnancy; and the thought of meeting that sweet little babe made her jump with excitement but at the same time every single time she saw Rosemary she'd feel the emptiness in her own womb and a sadness would flit over her.

"Absolutely not, go I'll be fine and there will be a beautiful dinner on the table when you get home. Abigail taught me some tricks for biscuits I must have made three perfect batches the other day at the café."

Jacks eyes squinted and she knew he was trying to read her. She kept the smile plastered to her face and by the time he agreed to leave she really did feel better.

Elizabeth dropped her things off in her office and found the apron Clara had gifted her for the wedding. It was really such a beautiful piece she often felt guilty wearing it. She'd hate for it to be stained…even if that was what an apron was for. She set to work peeling potatoes and mixing together biscuits for their dinner. It was funny really; as a child she had never even considered that one day she might be a true housewife. She had certainly planned to have a family but that family had always had a staff. She laughed to herself as she added another potato to the pot. It was surprising how much she enjoyed taking care of their home and of Jack. She absolutely loved teaching, it was a gift to be able to share her knowledge and encourage the children of Hope Valley to strive for their best. However there was something gratifying about coming home and taking on those responsibilities that she could never have guessed at.

Rip ambled into the room and slumped over beside the fire place. The dog still spent most of his day at the prison with Jack but lately his leg had been bothering him and Jack was bringing him home earlier and earlier throughout the day. Elizabeth couldn't help wondering how long the little/old dog had left.

…

Nearly two hours later and Jack was walking back into the house inhaling the delicious scent of fried chicken. Elizabeth had begun taking lessons from Abigail nearly a year back but her knack for cooking hadn't fully blossomed until after that first visit with his mother. He laughed and the memory. Something had spurred her on and she'd become really a great cook and every meal seemed to be a bit better than the previous one.

It was funny, growing up that had been the number one most important quality he had wanted in his future wife. Probably because he had grown up with his mother; then he'd met Rosemary and she hadn't been the best cook either and he had realized how ridiculous it was for something like cooking to be a main priority when you were falling in love. It wasn't until Elizabeth began to really get good at it that he let the excitement of that early childhood hope creep in.

"Smells amazing, I'm going to go change." Jack pulled her in for a deep but quick kiss and then bounded up the stairs to their room before Elizabeth could get a word out. When he'd returned to the kitchen Elizabeth was hanging up her apron and the table was set and ready for dinner.

They sat down in companionable silence and tucked into their meal. Dinner was one of Elizabeth's favourite times with Jack, it was so similar to before they were married that it felt like slipping into an old pair of comfortable shoes. They could sit and talk about the goings on in Hope Valley or their days. Elizabeth would always give some anecdote about the children – usually funny and Jack never failed to ask her how her writing was going. It was a beautiful time and both of them relished it.

That's why neither of them were very pleased when a loud banging on the front door disrupted their meal.

Jack pushed back from the table to answer it and they were both surprised with they saw young Phillip Bush from post office on their front steps.

"I'm so sorry to bother you Constable but we received a telegram for you and we thought it best to deliver it straight aways. It's about your brother." Elizabeth had come to the door and Jack passed her a look that showed all of his building worry.

"Go ahead,"

The boy pulled the telegram from his pocket and began to read it. "In trouble stop Stony Plains stop send help stop don't tell mother stop Tom" Jack looked to Elizabeth and she instantly took his hand.

"That's it?" Jack asked hoping against hope that there was more. Stony Plain was nearly a week's ride away and as far as he knew there was no stage coach that travelled there and there certainly wasn't a train.

"I'm sorry just this," Phillip handed over the telegram paper and Jack re-read it. Elizabeth gave Phillip a bit of a tip and sent him on his way with a warm biscuit. When she turned around Jack was leaning against the mantelpiece of the fireplace. She walked up to him and placed her hand in the middle of the back, hopeful that he could sense her there lending strength.

"I have to go Elizabeth, I know he disappeared and he's done nothing for us but cause us worry and heartache but I'm his brother and I have to go." She could see that he was nervous of her response and he was right Tom had never done anything for them but he was family and you didn't leave family when they were in trouble…regardless of past indiscretions.

"Of course you have to go, Tom is family. I will be fine." Jack exhaled against her and she forced herself to hold back any tears she may have dropped otherwise.

"Please be careful," She whispered

"I will, I'm going to ask Bill and Frank to keep an eye on you,"

"Jack," Elizabeth rolled her eyes at him but Jack quieted her with a kiss.

"I'll leave at first light," He brought her in for a kiss and even though she knew he was strong and brave and smart a part of her couldn't help wondering if this might be there last night together who knew what kind of trouble Tom had gotten himself into.