Several months had passed since Jack and Elizabeth returned from their honeymoon. They had moved into their new home in July. They enjoyed many a night watching the sunset or having a romantic evening picnics by the pond. Soon it was September and Elizabeth was back to school. Jack had to go to Calgary to help with a robbery case there. Every day he was away, he missed her. At night, he would dream of the moment when he returned home to her. Life was good and he counted his blessings every day.
Lately though, Jack was worried about her. She hadn't been feeling well; she was often ill in the mornings and multiple times he had come home to find her asleep on the sofa. When she would get up, she would feel dizzy. He had been begging her to go see the doctor, but she kept saying she was fine. He was ready to drag her to the doctor's kicking and screaming if he had to. He had this horrible feeling that something was terribly wrong. He made up his mind that he was going to sit her down that evening and insist she go get seen.
Elizabeth had just dismissed the students. She sat at her desk for a moment, feeling exhausted. She had been feeling poorly lately, but she had a feeling she knew what it was. She had wanted to wait to see the doctor until she had more symptoms. She pushed her chair back and stood, only to sit down again when she felt dizzy. That was it. She was going to see Dr. Matthews right now. She rose from her chair more slowly this time, relieved that she did not feel dizzy. She grabbed her basket and made her way to town. She hoped that Jack was still out on his afternoon rounds and would not see her going to the doctor's. She knew he was worried about her; he had been begging her to go see the doctor. She had a feeling he was going to throw her over his shoulder and take her to the doctor if she didn't go on her own.
She reached the building Dr. Matthews' office was in and quickly looked up and down the street. It was unusually empty for this time of day. The good news was she didn't see Jack or anyone who might tell Jack she was seen going to the doctor. She walked up the stairs and knocked on the door before opening it and peeking in. "Dr. Matthews?"
"Good afternoon, Elizabeth. What brings you to my door today?" He was at the desk in the outer office and motioned for her to take a seat.
She closed the door then went to sit down. "Well, Doctor, I have, um, been feeling under the weather lately. I wanted to get checked out."
"Of course, let's go into an exam room." He led the way and soon she was sitting on an exam table. "What have your symptoms been?
"Well, I have been nauseous a lot, mostly in the morning, I am really tired and sometimes I get dizzy." She was a little embarrassed to admit to him that her cycle was late. Then she chastised herself for being embarrassed; he was a doctor, he knows about the female cycle.
"Mmhmm. When was your last cycle?"
"Over two months ago. I think I may be pregnant." She finally admitted.
"Well, that is the conclusion I would have based on your symptoms. Would you mind if I gave you a quick exam?" He motioned towards her abdomen.
"Not at all." She leaned back on the table. She held her breath while he touched her. She watched his face and noticed a smile appear.
"Well, Elizabeth, congratulations are in order. You are definitely pregnant. I would say about two months along." He help her up from her lying position.
Her face lit up when she heard the news. "Thank you, Dr. Matthews. I can't wait to tell Jack."
"You're welcome. Now I want to see you once a month for right now. Later on, I will want to see you more often, as you get farther into the pregnancy. How bad is the morning sickness? You mentioned feeling nauseous. Are you just feeling sick or are you vomiting?
"I have been vomiting. I don't think it's too bad. Just annoying."
"Get up slowly in the morning. Don't jump right out of bed. Have some dry toast with mint or ginger tea. Crackers also help. That should settle your stomach down. After that, try to eat small snacks during the day. If the nausea and vomiting continue, come back to me. I have some medication that will relieve it."
"Thank you, Dr. Matthews." She rushed out the door, her mind whirling in a hundred directions. She had to decide how to tell Jack when he got home. She was thinking about making him a special meal as she walked down the stairs. She turned to go to the mercantile when she heard her name being called by a familiar voice. She turned and saw Jack running to her, with a worried look on his face. So much for my special dinner. Maybe the way to tell him is to go to our special place by the pond she thought. As he reached her she gave him a big smile.
"Elizabeth! Did I just see you come out of the doctor's office? What did he say? Please tell me!" He begged.
"Slow down, Jack. Yes, I did see Dr. Matthews. Let's go to the bench where you proposed to me and I will tell you about my visit."
He looked at her strangely, but nodded his head. "Let me go tell Bill I am leaving for the day."
Once they sat down at the bench, he turned to her. "What is going on, Elizabeth? You are scaring me! Please tell me what the doctor said!" He was pleading with her, with tears in his eyes. He thought for sure she was going to tell him she was dying. Please, Lord. Don't take her away from me. We have only had a few months together. I need her, Lord. He thought.
Elizabeth brought one hand to his face and caressed it. She took his hand in hers and opened her mouth to speak. "Jack, please don't be scared. There is no need to be. Nothing is wrong with me that nine months won't cure." She took the hand she was holding and brought it to her abdomen.
Jack looked down at his hand and then back up to her face as the words she said sank in. Nothing wrong that nine months won't cure? Could that mean what he thought? He looked at his hand once more. "You're pregnant?" He whispered in awe. She nodded yes with tears in her eyes. He felt his frightened tears change to tears of joy as he smiled, then gently took her in his arms and kissed her. "Sweetheart, you just made me the happiest man in the world." He put his hand back on her abdomen. "I can't believe it. We are having a baby!" He kissed her again.
"I know. I suspected I might be pregnant but I still couldn't believe it when Dr. Matthews confirmed it."
"Wait, you thought you might be pregnant and you didn't say anything to me? I have been so worried about you. I could have gone with you to see the doctor."
Elizabeth realized what a mistake she just made telling him she thought she might be pregnant. "I'm sorry, Jack. I didn't want to say anything to you until I knew for sure. I didn't want to get your hopes up. I don't think I could have handled seeing your disappointment if I had to tell you I was wrong."
Jack took her hands. "Elizabeth, what about how disappointed you would have been? We are in this together. We would have comforted each other."
"Thank you, Jack, for saying that." She brought a hand to his cheek and stroked it. "There was another reason too. Ever since I was a little girl, I have dreamed of how I would tell my husband we were having a baby. I had several scenarios planed out."
"You did? Did I spoil your plans when I saw you leaving the doctor's?"
"A little, I guess but I wouldn't trade how I did end up telling you for anything in the world. It was spontaneous and perfect."
"It was. However, I am curious. Had you decided how you were going to tell me?"
"Yes. I was heading to the Mercantile to buy the makings for a special dinner tonight when you saw me."
"Well we could go have a celebration dinner at Abigail's if you want. I am sure you want to tell her our news"
"Actually, Jack I would rather go home. I want to celebrate with just you tonight. I have the makings for chicken pot pie already at home. We can just have that."
"Sounds good, but I am going to make it." He said as he gently pulled her up and put his arm around her waist. "I am going to pamper you tonight."
"Tonight? Why do I have the feeling you will pamper me and be over protective of me for the remainder of the pregnancy." She teased.
Jack laughed. "You know me too well, Elizabeth." He kissed her on the cheek as they made their way home. Soon they were approaching the steps to their front porch. Jack put his arm around her more tightly than before, as if he were afraid she would fall. Elizabeth smiled at the gesture. She knew at some point his over protectiveness would annoy her but for now it was sweet.
Once they were inside, she turned to Jack. "My love, would you have a problem if I changed into my nightgown early? I feel the need to get comfortable."
He brushed a kiss on her forehead. "Not at all, Sweetheart. I am going to start dinner." He held her hand for a moment longer, then head to the kitchen.
Elizabeth walked to their bedroom. She headed to her dresser and pulled out a nightgown. She needed to get out of her corset. It had been tight to put on this morning; no doubt from the fact that she noticed her bust was getting bigger. They were also tender to the touch. Tomorrow she was going to wear a camisole and pantalets set Julie had sent her. It would be much more comfortable than her corset. Once she had changed, she went to sit on their bed. She grabbed her journal and started to write down her thoughts from the day. Soon, however, she found her eyelids drooping and she fell asleep.
Jack put the pie in the oven and walked out of the kitchen. He was wondering where Elizabeth was. He thought for sure she would poke her head in to see how he was doing. He went to their office to see if she was in there reading. It was Friday so she wouldn't be grading papers. He was surprised to find the room empty. He moved on to the bedroom to change his clothes and that's where he found her. She was asleep in their bed, with her journal on lap. She is even more beautiful than ever. It's true what they say about a pregnant woman glowing. He changed out of his uniform then walked over to her side of the bed and removed the journal.
The movement woke her up. She opened her eyes to see him putting her closed journal in the drawer she kept it in. "Oh my!" She said as she wiped her eyes. "I fell asleep again."
He turned to her and picked up her hand, bringing it to his lips. "You must need the rest." He got up and walked around to his side of the bed. He got in and pulled her towards him. She rested her head on his chest while he held her. "Dinner is in the oven. We have some time to talk for a while, unless you would rather sleep."
She shook her head. "I don't want to get too much sleep now because I won't be able to fall asleep later. I am quite content just lying here in your arms and talking." She moved her head to kiss him.
"I am too." He began stroking her arm. "I still can't believe it. A baby. We are having a baby. I keep hearing how you told me in my mind and I still can't get over it."
"I know, but just wait until tomorrow morning when I am sick. It will seem all too real to me then." She pushed herself up on her elbow and kissed him on the cheek.
He looked at her with sympathy and even a little worry in his eyes. "I wish I could help you with that. Since I can't, I am going to help you with other things, like the housework and cooking meals. You have the hard job in carrying the baby. The least I can do is help you out in other areas."
"Thank you, Jack, but I am just pregnant. I can still do things around the house."
"Elizabeth, please. I just want to make things a little easier for you now. You are on your feet all day teaching. There is no need to come home and do housework."
"Jack, I don't mind. Besides, you have a job too, one that sometimes keeps you at the jail late and takes you out of town. Would you really want to come home to no dinner on one of those late nights or home to a house that hasn't been cleaned while you were away?"
"No, I guess not."
"How about a compromise? I will do light housekeeping, leaving heavier jobs for you. We can even share the cooking. If you can get of early, then you handle dinner otherwise I will take care of it."
"I can live with that." Jack said as he leaned down to kiss her. He put his hand on her stomach again, shaking his head a little. "I keep saying this but I can't help it. I still can't believe it. A baby." He looked pensive for a moment. "Sweetheart, when is our little one going to arrive?"
"Dr. Matthews said about seven months."
"I can't wait to see our baby."
"Me either."
Jack sat up in bed, then moved to her stomach. "Hi there, Little One. I am your daddy. I can't wait to meet you."
Elizabeth felt tears come to her eyes as she watched Jack talking to the baby. Jack looked up at her to see her brushing the tears from her cheeks. He moved back up to hold her.
"Are you ok?" He asked.
She nodded. "I am fine. More than fine. I am the happiest woman in the world today."
Jack grinned. He took her hand and helped her sit up. "I think dinner is ready. We need to get some food into you. No skipping meals for you." They walked to the kitchen and had their dinner.