Two Weeks Later…

Two weeks later, Elizabeth felt so much better. Of course it helped that Abigail and Jack had been taking good care of her. She still had to take cough syrup every once in a while, but everything in her lungs had cleared up quite nicely, so were the words of Dr. James. Today would be the first time in two weeks she would get to see her students and Elizabeth was excited to finally get to be able to teach them again. Elizabeth dressed herself, took some cough medicine just to be on the safe side, and headed downstairs for breakfast before heading over to the schoolhouse.

"Good morning Elizabeth," said Abigail handing her a couple of biscuits.

"Good morning," said Elizabeth happily as she popped a bite of biscuit into her mouth, "It is a good morning isn't it?"

Abigail chuckled lightly. She knew how much Elizabeth had missed the children and she was sure the children missed Elizabeth, "I take it you're excited to see all of the children again?"

Elizabeth nodded excitedly, "They mean so much to me. I mean the children, my family, and…" she trailed off slowly.

Abigail smiled to herself. She knew that the rest of Elizabeth's sentence involved the town Mountie, "Well I'm sure the children are looking forward to seeing you too."

Elizabeth finished the last of her biscuits and gathered her belongings, "I really should be going soon. Have a good day Abigail."

"You too Elizabeth," Abigail called after her. Elizabeth stepped out into the bright sunshine for the first time in two weeks. She could take a deep breath of fresh air without going into a coughing spell. She could see where construction on the new church and schoolhouse had begun. Elizabeth felt a twinge of excitement when she thought about teaching in the new schoolhouse. She arrived at the saloon and was overtaken with shock at what was one the other side.

"Welcome back Ms. Thatcher!" all of the children shouted simultaneously. They had all made a 'Welcome Back Ms. Thatcher' banner and of course, Jack was there with all of the children. Tears started to roll down Elizabeth's cheeks. "did we do something wrong Ms. Thatcher?" asked Cassandra.

"No Cassandra, these are happy tears," said Elizabeth walking over to the children, "I missed you all so much. I just couldn't wait to get back to you."

The children smiled and awed, "We missed you too Ms. Thatcher," said Gabe. They all ran over to hug her.

Elizabeth hugged them one by one and then turned around to face Jack, "And I'm going to save the best for last." She walked over to him and hugged him and kissed him on the cheek.

"Aww," all of the children gushed. Jack's face turned a little red though he did like the attention a little.

"Well it was nice seeing you all but I have things to do. Have a good day everyone," said Jack and left the saloon. At the end of the day, Elizabeth dismissed the children. And headed back to the café to rest that way her illness wouldn't return.

Rosaleen was walking home when she spotted Jack near the jail. She ran over to him and asked, "Mountie Jack, can I ask you a question?"

Jack turned around and smiled at the sight of her. He got down to her level and said, "Ask away Rosaleen."

She took a deep breath and asked, "Mountie Jack, do you and Ms. Thatcher love each other?"

Jack chuckled and patted her on the head. He nodded and said, "Yes, we do love each other Rosaleen. Very much so."

"Then why don't you two get married already?" Rosaleen stated curiously.

Jack thought about it and said, "Well Rosaleen it's not that simple. First, I'd have to ask her. And then she'd have to say yes."

"Sounds pretty simple to me," said Rosaleen.

"Rosaleen, I'm sure your mother is looking for you," said Jack, "Why don't I take you home?" Rosaleen agreed and Jack took her home before going over to the café.

He entered to find Abigail preparing dinner. She looked up and smiled at him when she heard him enter, "Evening Jack."

"Good evening Mrs. Stanton," said Jack, "Mind if I ask where Elizabeth might be?"

"She's upstairs resting, just to make sure she doesn't end up ill again," said Abigail, "I'm sure she'll be happy to see you."

Jack chuckled lightly, "She was at the saloon earlier this morning." He headed upstairs and knocked on the door to Elizabeth's room, "Elizabeth?"

He heard footsteps on the other side and Elizabeth opened the door, "Hey," she said and kissed him, "Didn't want to kiss you on the lips in front of the children."

"That's quite alright?" said jack, "Hey Elizabeth?"

"Yeah?" she asked.

"I know I've met your sister, but I was just wondering, I've never met your parents have I?"

Elizabeth thought about it and shook her head, "No I don't think you have. I mean I've been meaning to introduce you to Mommy and Daddy but I just haven't…"

"Ssh," Jack told her, "I understand. You've had a lot on your mind. I was just wondering."

"I mean we are in a courtship. It would probably be nice if we met each other's parents. And believe me, Julie really wants to see you again."

"Really?" asked Jack raising his eyebrows.

Elizabeth nodded, "She has an unhealthy obsession with fairy tale endings. She was thrilled to find out we were courting."

Jack laughed, "She thought we were courting before we were courting." Elizabeth bit her lip, "What?"

"Mommy, Daddy, and Julie want to come next week since school will not be in session for the next couple of months," said Elizabeth, "And unless Julie's told them, Mommy and Daddy don't know about us."

"So we'll tell them when they get here," said Jack.

"It's not that easy Jack, I mean you did say Daddy assigned you here to babysit me," she chuckled, "I don't think courtship was exactly on his agenda."

Jack moved away from Elizabeth, "Are you saying you're embarrassed by me?"

"NO! NO!" shouted Elizabeth, "I'm just saying when we tell them, just let me do it my way, that's all. I'm sure they'll like you but, you know, I'm still his little Lizzie Beth."

"Lizzie Beth?" snickered Jack.

"That's how I said it when I was learning to talk," chuckled Elizabeth at the memory.

Jack sighed and said, "Fair enough my sweet Lizzie Beth. Now shall we enjoy some dinner."

Elizabeth kissed Jack and said, "Of course, but please, no one calls me Lizzie Beth other than Daddy."

"Oh I'm going to call you that all the time now," smirked Jack leaving the room.

"JACK!" shouted Elizabeth following him downstairs, "Men," she thought.

Sorry for the long wait #Hearties. Please review as always!