Elizabeth settled William into his bassinet that night after feeding and changing him. She placed Brownie next to William, chuckling to herself at how Brownie suddenly made William look like a giant, "I love you baby boy," she whispered softly. She turned off the light and quietly shut the door as not to wake William. She went downstairs where her husband was reading on the couch.
He looked up from his book when he heard Elizabeth enter the room and smiled, "Hey how's our little Mountie?"
"He was asleep as soon as I put him down. Kind of like someone else I know," smirked Elizabeth as she cuddled up next to Jack on the couch.
"I don't know who you're talking about," said Jack barely surpassing a grin before he kissed Elizabeth on the temple, "We've been so busy for the past week I've been meaning to ask, how are you feeling?"
Elizabeth sighed, enjoying being able to snuggle close to Jack without her abdomen in between them, "Tired, a little sore, it was a lot more painful than I expected," she admitted honestly.
Jack rubbed her back soothingly and kissed her temple again, letting his lips linger there for a few moments, "But you did a wonderful job Lizzie."
Elizabeth smiled and said, "Well believe me, it didn't feel like it."
Jack and Elizabeth both heard a carriage pull up out front so they assumed, that Elizabeth's family and Jack's mother and brother had arrived a little early, "Looks like our families arrived a little early," said Jack.
Elizabeth smiled and went to let everyone into the house, "Hi everyone," said Elizabeth quietly, "The baby's sleeping."
The Thatchers and the Thorntons nodded as the quietly entered the house. The carriage driver brought their bags inside before bidding farewell, "So how are you feeling Elizabeth?" asked Kate.
"Okay, a little sore," admitted Elizabeth, "It was a lot more work and pain than I expected."
"It's all worth it in the end though," said Mary happily smiling at Jack and Tom.
"It definitely was," admitted Elizabeth, "I would go through it all again and I forgot all about it the moment he was in my arms."
"Well now you know how we felt when you girls were born," admitted William.
Everyone heard William crying from upstairs and Elizabeth smiled, "Well sounds like someone is ready to meet his family."
"Well take care of his needs of course. We can wait," said Mary.
"Speak for yourself," said Julie.
Elizabeth smiled at her sister and went upstairs to tend to William. Elizabeth entered their bedroom where William was whimpering in his basinet. Thankfully, he calmed down when Elizabeth started talking to him, "Okay my handsome baby boy. Are you ready to go meet your grandparents, aunts, and uncles?" she cooed at him. He went from crying to smiling instantaneously as Elizabeth carefully made her way down the stairs.
"Ooh! He is so adorable Elizabeth," said Julie excitedly.
"Shush Julie, you'll startle him. He doesn't like loud noise," scolded Elizabeth.
"Sorry," Julie apologized lowering her register.
Kate came over to her grandson and started stroking his head, "Our first grandchild William," she said to her husband.
"He is definitely the spitting image of his father though," said William, glancing between William and Jack.
"But he has Elizabeth's eyes," said viola, gazing at her nephew with pride.
Elizabeth passed her son to Kate and Kate looked at her grandson with awe, "It seems like just yesterday you girls were in my arms," she said to Viola, Elizabeth, and Julie.
"Most definitely," said Mary kissing Jack and Tom on the cheeks.
"Mother," said Tom trying to pull away from her. He went over to his nephew, "Just think little guy, your Daddy and I can teach you how to play catch, how to run, how to ride horses, and all sorts of fun things."
William stretched and yawned in response before he started licking his lips. Elizabeth quickly took William from Kate and said, "That's a sign that I need to feed him."
"Go, we'll wait until you're done," said Mary.
Elizabeth nodded and headed towards the stairs. She watched as her parents, her sisters and brothers-in-law, her mother-in-law, and her husband all conversed, Jack excitedly talking about William's first week of life. Elizabeth looked down at her son, thanking God for her family. No, her life didn't turn out the way she intended, but she wouldn't have life any other way.