AN: Married life is treating our favorite couple well, as you can see! Thank you for the reviews, and the love! This chapter takes place about two months into the future.
"Elizabeth, are you listening to me?" Abigail asked. She glanced behind her, and Elizabeth snapped to attention.
"Of course I am!"
"It's alright Elizabeth, I was just saying that it'll be fun to see Julie again. What's got you so distracted?" Abigail asked.
"Nothing!" Elizabeth said too quickly, and cleared her throat. "So tell me, how are things with Pastor Frank?"
"They're fine, thank you for asking, Now tell me why your mind is a thousand miles from here?" Abigail insisted, and plated the chicken she had just removed from the skillet. Elizabeth glanced around the room, as if to make sure that no one from the cafe could hear her.
"I'm...I'm late." Elizabeth whispered. Abigail almost dropped the plate she was holding before she regained her composure.
"Hold that thought Elizabeth- If I don't get this chicken out to Florence she'll come storming back here!" Abigail said, and almost literally ran to the other room. Elizabeth leaned back in her chair, and ran her hand over her hair. "Okay. Tell me."
"There isn't much to tell, Abigail! I'm just…late." Elizabeth shrugged.
"How late is late?"
"Four weeks." Elizabeth said, and Abigail reached over to take her hand. "But I don't want to get my hopes up. Not yet."
"Most people call four weeks you know, a month?" Abigail laughed. "Have you said anything to Jack?"
"No. I don't want to get his hopes up either. Not yet." Elizabeth shook her head.
"Maybe you should see the doctor? He's still in Hope Valley for a few weeks." Abigail suggested.
"It's too soon. It's too soon." Elizabeth insisted.
"But four weeks Elizabeth?" Abigail asked.
"I'll wait just another week or two." Elizabeth sighed. "It's driving me to distraction though. Today I lost my train of thought in the middle of my own lesson. Emily actually came up to tug on my sleeve to see if I was alright."
"Oh Elizabeth."
"I know. Part of me wants it to be true, part of me is afraid that it's too soon." Elizabeth sighed. "And Julie and Tom will be here in a few days…"
"Elizabeth, don't worry about it. I mean, time will tell. So just relax." Abigail suggested, and Elizabeth nodded. "And as for it being too soon, I wouldn't worry about it. You and Jack, you've been through so much together. I doubt that there is anything you can't handle together. Now, how about one of my blueberry scones?"
"That would be amazing, Abigail. I've actually been thinking about your scones all day." Elizabeth grinned. "I'm sorry I haven't been here very often lately. I've just been so busy with my students, and with keeping a house- I mean, goodness, I never really appreciated how much work it is!"
"It's alright Elizabeth. I know how busy things can get especially when you're first starting out. Eventually you'll fall into the swing of things and you'll have more free time."
"Unless there's a... baby. In which case I'll be busy trying to figure out how to handle being a wife, and mother all at the same time." Elizabeth sighed.
"Well if there is a...baby." Abigail imitated Elizabeth. "Then don't worry. There'll be no end of support from me. I even have some of Peter's baby things up in the attic."
"You're so good to me Abigail." Elizabeth sighed.
"That's what friends do." Abigail grinned. She looked towards the open door, and cleared her throat in the way of warning.
"Thought I might find you here." Jack said, and came to put his hands on Elizabeth's shoulders. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine, thank you." Elizabeth assured him quietly.
"What was that now?" Abigail asked.
"Oh, Elizabeth hasn't been feeling well the last few days. I asked her to see the doctor, but she keeps saying "I'm fine.". Jack explained and Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "All I'm saying is that when normal people have been sick for a week, they go to see a doctor."
"So I'm not normal, Constable Thornton?" Elizabeth asked.
"Jack, you're treading on thin ice here." Abigail cautioned.
"Are you ready to go home?" Jack asked. Elizabeth nodded and rose from her seat, and waivered a bit on her feet. Jack was quick to put his hands on her waist to steady her. "Elizabeth!"
"I am fine! Just a touch of vertigo, Jack. I promise, I'm fine." Elizabeth assured him.
"Elizabeth." Jack said warily, And Elizabeth turned to face him. She reached her hands up, and put them on the sides of his face. "Go see the doctor, please."
"Jack, I'm fine. I promise." Elizabeth said, and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him briefly on the lips. "Come on, I thought you were here to walk me home."
"Here, take this." Abigail said, as she held up a basket.
"Oh, what's this?" Elizabeth asked.
"Dinner for two. Since I kept Elizabeth cooped up here with me all afternoon, it only seemed fair." Abigail said. "Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, biscuits, and blueberry scones. Just reheat it, and bring the dishes back next time you visit."
"Abigail. That's so kind of you! I didn't even see you put this together." Elizabeth said, and reached for the basket.
"Hey, I've got it. Thank you, Abigail." Jack said, taking the basket before Elizabeth had the chance to.
"Jack, I'm not an invalid." Elizabeth rolled her eyes.
"Elizabeth, Let me carry it." Jack insisted gently. Elizabeth nodded, and walked over to embrace Abigail.
"Don't forget, We're having dinner tomorrow afternoon. I can't wait for you to try my cooking again." Elizabeth said. Abigail pulled out of the hug, and squeezed her friend's shoulders.
"I wouldn't miss it for anything. Bye Jack." Abigail said, and went back to her stove. Elizabeth walked back over to him, and took his free hand.
"Let's go home." Elizabeth smiled, and Jack held the door open for her. "How was work today? Catch any crooks?"
"No. I did break up one little fight at the saloon. But it wasn't anything exciting. Just a few of the mill workers arguing about a poker game." Jack said. "And how was school today?"
"It was fine. We've been reading a lot of poetry, working on arithmetic, and starting tomorrow we'll be collecting plant samples to press, and then research medicinal properties." Elizabeth explained. "The kids are excited about it. I think they're mostly excited that there will be less time to spend on the poetry and arithmetic."
"Are you sure that you're alright Elizabeth? You've been sick in the mornings, and you're so tired lately, and"
"Oh, I'm tired lately? I wonder why? Could it be that my husband is insatiable?" Elizabeth asked with a half smile.
"Right, because I'm the only one who ever starts that sort of thing in our house." Jack rolled his eyes. Elizabeth felt her cheeks warm up, and looked over at him. "Though I'll admit, that maybe I do tend to initiate it more than you do. Maybe I ought to give you a rest."
"No!" Elizabeth said, and then she felt her face heat up even more. "I mean, there's no need for that. I'm fine Jack. I promise, I am fine."
"If you say you're fine, then I'm sure that you're fine." Jack sighed. "I just worry about you, Elizabeth. You're my everything."
"Oh Jack. You're my everything. I love you, more than anything." Elizabeth vowed, and leaned her head briefly against his shoulder.
"You know I feel the same." Jack assured her. Elizabeth smiled and bit back a yawn. "You are tired."
"Maybe just a little bit." Elizabeth sighed. "But that's alright. Abigail was kind enough to make dinner for us, so I don't have to do that. Mm, I can't wait to just take these shoes off."
"How about a foot rub, hm?" Jack asked and ran his thumb over the back of her hand.
"Jack, that sounds like heaven." Elizabeth smiled at him, and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
"Anything to keep that smile on your face." Jack said. "I love you, Mrs. Thornton."
"Mm. I'll never get tired of hearing that." Elizabeth said. Jack let go of her hand to unlock their front door, and then pursed his lips. "What?"
"Nothing." Jack shrugged, and lifted her easily into his arms despite the basket that he held.
"Jack! Do you have to do this every time we go in the house?" Elizabeth laughed.
"Not every time. I didn't two nights ago, remember?" Jack asked, and Elizabeth colored. "That may have had something to do with the fact that you'd put my hands to better use." He set her down, and trailed kisses from her ear to the nape of her neck.
"Oh I did, did I?" Elizabeth gasped.
"Something like this, maybe?" Jack asked, his fingers roaming to the buttons of her coat.
"Mmm- The door, the door." Elizabeth laughed.
"Right." He hit the door with his toe, and pressed Elizabeth's back against the wall. "Now, where were we?"
"Somewhere like...this, maybe."
AN: Ah, domestic bliss for our favorite couple...and is there a little Thornton on the way? Time will tell! Well, technically there are two Thorntons on the way...Julie and Tom that is :D More to come soon!