Sunday morning, Jack and Elizabeth woke up bright and early for church, though Elizabeth was not getting much sleep recently. As much as she loved their baby, she sometimes wished the little hands and feet would settle down long enough for her to sleep. When Jack and Elizabeth arrived at the church, they found Abigail, Cat, Florence, and Molly all at the front with the children and rosemary on the other side with a dark haired man, "That must be Lee," said Jack to Elizabeth.
"Probably," said Elizabeth as she sat down next to Rosemary and Jack next to Elizabeth, "Good morning Rosemary."
Rosemary turned to face the young couple and said, "Jack, Elizabeth, so good to see you this morning. I'd like you both to meet Leland Coulter. He's responsible for the saw mill here in Coal Valley, soon to be a different name. Leland, this is Constable Jack Thornton and his wife, Elizabeth."
"Oh please call me Lee," he said shaking Jack and Elizabeth's hands, "Nice to meet you both."
"Same Lee," said Jack, "So I've heard Rosie has been keeping you busy with New Year's plans?"
"Oh yes," chuckled Lee.
Frank walked up to the pulpit and cleared his throat before he spoke, "Good morning everyone. I trust that every single one of you had a good Christmas with your families honoring our Lord. Let us pray," he said and everyone bowed their heads, "Dear Lord, we thank You for keeping everyone safe this Christmas in their travels and we thank You for the good times with family. Please continue to watch over and bless Coal Valley during the coming New Year. Amen."
"Amen," the congregation responded. Frank continued with the rest of the service and preached about Christ's coming bringing peace to the world before asking the congregation for special intentions for the final prayers.
"That the residents of Coal Valley have a safe and blessed New Year," said Cat.
"That all of our preparations are finished successfully," said Rosemary.
"That our baby boy or baby girl is born safely next year," said Jack.
"Lord, we lift these prayers and our unsaid prayers up to You in Jesus' name. Amen," said Frank.
"Amen," everyone responded. Frank dismissed everyone and the congregation slowly made their way outside.
"That was a wonderful sermon Pastor," said Elizabeth after Frank had made his way outside.
"Thank you very much Mrs. Thornton. I trust you and your husband had a good Christmas," asked Frank.
"It was wonderful. We went back to my hometown of Hamilton with my parents and sisters. My sister's wedding was also this past week and that was beautiful," said Elizabeth.
"And it was my first Christmas in Hamilton so that was great," said Jack.
Abigail joined the pastor and young couple and asked, "Pastor Frank, several of us are going back to my café for lunch and fellowship. Would you care to join us? You both are also invited," Abigail nodded to Elizabeth and Jack.
"We'd love to join you. Does that sound alright?" Elizabeth asked Jack.
"Sounds good to me," Jack nodded.
"Well I can't pass up Mrs. Abigail Stanton's home cooking now can i?" asked Frank, "I'd love to join you all."
"Good, well I will see you all in a few minutes," said Abigail leaving the other three behind at the church.
Frank, Jack, and Elizabeth began walking towards the café when Jack spoke, "so how long have you been in town Pastor?"
"My first service here was Christmas Eve, so about two weeks," said Frank," How about you both? Are you natives of Coal Valley."
Elizabeth chuckled lightly, "No sir. I grew up in Hamilton and came out here to take a teaching position. Jack was actually assigned here by my father to babysit me."
"Oh that's not true Lizzie," joked Jack, "It was God's destiny for me to be assigned here."
"Maybe so, but He used my father to do so," chuckled Elizabeth.
Frank smiled at the young couple. He longed for the love that Jack and Elizabeth obviously had, even though he had only known them a short while.
"Anyway, my Dad was in the Mountie Police like myself. He was killed in the line of duty," said Jack.
"I'm very sorry Constable," said Frank.
"Thank you sir. It was a long time ago, but I think about him every day," said Jack. The three arrived at the café where Abigail, Cat, Florence, Molly, and the children were already gathered. Elizabeth joined the women while Jack went to play with the kids. Elizabeth smiled to herself when as she observed Jack interacting with the town children. He was always so great with them and she knew her husband would be a wonderful father to their little boy or little girl. Speaking of, they really needed to start thinking of names since the baby would be arriving before they knew it.
"Elizabeth," said Molly interrupting Elizabeth's thoughts, "If you culd get the children to wash up for lunch. It's almost ready."
"Okay Molly," said Elizabeth. she walked over to the children and Jack and said, "Children, it's time for you all to wash up for lunch."
"Please five more minutes Mrs. Thornton," Emily pleaded.
"Emily Montgomery…" Elizabeth said raising her eyebrows.
"Alright," she sighed and went to the sink with the rest of the children.
Jack stood and walked over to Elizabeth and said, "The future mother in you is already showing," he chuckled.
Elizabeth glared at him slightly, "I'd like to think current teacher." The couple joined the rest of the group and Frank said grace before they began to eat.
"So how's the pregnancy going Elizabeth?" asked Molly.
"It's going pretty well. Dr. James has been monitoring me and says the baby is growing properly and that I've been taking good care of myself," said Elizabeth, rubbing where the baby was kicking, "The only thing I wish was different is if he or she didn't kick so much, especially at night."
"That's a good sign Elizabeth," said Cat.
"I know but still," said Elizabeth.
"Is the baby kicking now?" asked Rosaleen.
"Yes, the baby most certainly is," replied Elizabeth.
"Can we feel it?" asked miles.
"Miles Montgomery," scolded Cat.
"No that's okay," said Elizabeth, "Yes Miles, if you, Gabe, Emily, and Rosaleen want to feel the baby kick, I will let you."
The four children happily ran over to Elizabeth and one by one Elizabeth put their hands to where the baby was kicking. Elizabeth chuckled at the children's excitement. She couldn't wait to add her own child to the mix of Coal Valley children.