Hamilton…

The chauffeur escorted Elizabeth and Jack out of the car when the couple arrived at the Thatcher house. Jack grabbed his and Elizabeth's bags as William joined the couple outside, "It's good to see you Lizzie," he said and kissed her on the cheek.

"It's good to see you too Daddy," she said, "Happy birthday."

"Thank you sweetheart. Constable," said William nodding towards Jack.

"William," Jack nodded back, "Happy birthday."

"I trust that your travel time was pleasant?" asked William escorting his daughter and son-in-law into the house.

"It was except for the fact that you forget what a large country Canada is until you travel it," chuckled Elizabeth.

Kate approached from upstairs and greeted her daughter, "Lizzie!" she said happily, "We all missed you so much."

"I missed you too mother," said Elizabeth.

"The kitchen will have dinner ready shortly but we have to wait for Viola and Lionel to arrive," said Kate.

"Who?" asked Jack.

"The man my sister has been courting," clarified Elizabeth.

"Got you," said Jack.

Julie rushed down the stairs and embraced Elizabeth practically knocking her over, "I missed you Elizabeth. and you too Jack."

"Yeah okay, missed you too Julie," said Elizabeth steadying herself, Julie's passionate welcome enough to cause a dizzy spell.

"You alright?" whispered Jack. Elizabeth nodded.

Lionel and Viola entered the house, "Afternoon Mother, Father," said Viola, "Pleasure to see you again Elizabeth."

Elizabeth nodded politely. She had never been extremely close with Viola and she knew Viola didn't really approve of her marrying a Mountie.

"Hello darling," said Kate to her daughter, "Lionel it's a pleasure."

"The pleasure is mine Mrs. Thatcher," said Lionel.

"Well the kitchen has notified me that dinner is ready, so shall we?" asked Kate.

"We shall Mother," said Julie excitedly.

"Yes of course. Also, Lionel and I have some news," said Viola.

"An engagement?" asked Julie excitedly.

"Julie," scolded Viola.

"What?" asked Julie innocently, "It's the most appropriate next step."

Jack smirked at Elizabeth. If she was this excited over Viola's engagement, then she would be really ecstatic after they announced their news.

"Congratulations Viola, Lionel," said William, hugging Viola and shaking Lionel's hand.

"We appreciate it sir," said Lionel.

"If I'm not mistaking, Lizzie didn't you and Constable Thornton say you had some news?" asked William turning towards the couple.

Elizabeth stuttered, "I um, yes, but it can't wait until after dinner." She didn't want to spoil Lionel and Viola's attention. William nodded and followed his wife to the kitchen.

Jack sauntered over to Elizabeth, "Elizabeth?"

"I'm letting Viola have some attention before we announce it okay?" Elizabeth said to her husband.

"Fine," Jack sighed. The couple sat down at the table where there was a plethora of food for everyone. For the first time in a while, Elizabeth couldn't wait to eat, "Just don't eat like a horse since you're eating for two."

Elizabeth smacked his arms lightly. Everyone said grace and started on dinner, "so Viola, how romantic was the proposal?' asked Julie.

"I should've known that's the first thing you'd ask," she said, "But it was quite romantic."

"So Lizzie how is life in Coal Valley?" asked Kate.

Elizabeth paused and looked at Jack wondering if she should break the news at that moment, "It's great. The students are as curious as ever. You all know the church and the schoolhouse have been rebuilt from our wedding. And Coal Valley is about to get a new resident."

"Really who's moving out there?" asked Viola.

Elizabeth attempted not to roll her eyes. Viola was most certainly not great with hints, "No one is moving to Coal Valley Viola."

"We can actually introduce you to the new resident right now," Jack interrupted.

"Oh really. Bring 'em in," said Lionel.

"Well the newest resident is in here," said Jack, his hand drifting towards Elizabeth's abdomen, much to everyone's delightful shock "And we'll get to meet him or her in early spring."

William and Kate smiled and Lionel and Viola started chuckling happily. And then there was Julie, "WHAT! ARE YOU SERIOUS?"

"We're expecting!" said Elizabeth happily. William and Jack stood and William gave Jack a quick embrace and Julie began jumping up and down like a five year old.

"NO WAY! Are you serious?" she asked again running around the table to hug Elizabeth and Jack.

"Julie Diana Thatcher…" Kate said in a warning tone to make sure her daughter didn't get carried away.

"Congratulations!" said Viola happily. And Elizabeth could tell she meant it.

"Thank you everybody. We're so excited and so thankful to be able to be parents," said Elizabeth.

"Well you're going to be a great mother sweetheart," said Kate finally getting the chance to embrace her daughter.

"Can I tell people?" asked Julie.

"How far along are you?" asked Viola.

"Twelve weeks," said Elizabeth and the looked at Julie and said, "And yes, Julie, you can tell people, but please limit it to close family friends, not all of Canada."

"Of course," smirked Julie. After dinner, William and Elizabeth decided to take a walk around the gardens while Jack got stuck playing 50 questions with Julie.

"Wow, I can't believe it. My little Lizzie Beth is going to have a child of her own soon," said William.

"So has the concept of being a Grandfather settled in yet?" asked Elizabeth.

"Not really," chuckled William, "But I think the concept of being an Aunt has settled into Julie."

Elizabeth smiled and nodded, "Jack honestly thought she was going to be doing cartwheels."

"Just wait, we were at the dinner table, not outside," said William.

"True," laughed Elizabeth lightly, "So just think, soon you'll be walking another girl of yours down the aisle."

"Yeah," said William nervously, "One is getting married and another is having a baby. Maybe I should tell Julie to never grow up."

"Daddy," said Elizabeth skeptically.

"I know," he said, "It seems like just yesterday Viola was born, and then you, and then Julie daring to be different."

"Feet first," laughed Elizabeth.

William smiled at the memory, "And now, I'll two noble son-in-laws, and a grandbaby. Believe me Lizzie, it's not going to be easy, and there will be many difficult times, but the first time you hold your son or daughter, you will never fall in love with someone as fast as you do your child."

Elizabeth started to obtain tears in her eyes, "Jack and I already love this baby so much," said Elizabeth rubbing her abdomen.

"And just like your mother and I, your mother and I with you girls, you and Jack, Viola, and Lionel, that love is only going to grow over time," said William, "I know this baby is going to have great parents, because I can't imagine you and Jack being horrible parents with the love you both have for each other. This baby is just more to love."

Elizabeth smiled and said, "I love you Daddy. Happy birthday."

"I love you too Lizzie," he said. He hugged her and kissed her forehead.

Elizabeth yawned and said, "Can we go back inside now. I'm kind of tired."

"Of course," he said both heading back into the Thatcher house and then joining their spouses for the night.