AN: Your reviews make me smile! I'm so honored that you enjoy my writing! That episode though, right? Ugh, Jack and Elizabeth should be married in canon too, just saying.
"Mrs. Thornton, look at what I found!" Rosaleen called. She held up a tiny white flower.
"An excellent specimen Rosaleen! Put it in your basket." Elizabeth said with a sweet smile.
"Mrs. Thornton! Miles keeps chasing me with, with that!" Emily cried, and ducked behind her teacher's legs. Elizabeth looked to see Miles with a worm on a stick.
"Miles, that isn't nice." Elizabeth said sternly. "Put it down, and apologize to your sister."
"Sorry." Miles muttered, and dropped the stick. Elizabeth turned to face Emily, and found that she again felt that overwhelming sense of dizziness.
"Mrs. Thornton! Are you alright?" Cassandra asked as she rushed forward to take Elizabeth's arm. "You got real pale all the sudden."
"No, no, I'm fi- I'm fine." Elizabeth insisted, but Cassandra held even tighter to her arm.
"Here Mrs. Thornton, You should sit for a minute. Here." Cassandra said, and led her over to a rock. Elizabeth didn't protest, and when she was seated she pinched the bridge of her nose between her thumb and her forefinger. "Are you sure you're alright?" Elizabeth closed her eyes and nodded, but was suddenly acutely aware of the sound of hooves.
"Mountie Jack!" Miles called.
"Hi kids. Elizabeth, are you alright?" Jack asked when he looked over to see his wife so pale.
"She got real dizzy all the sudden, Mountie Jack, and real pale, so Cassandra had her sit down." Emily said.
"I'm really fine. Honestly. I just got a little dizzy." Elizabeth insisted. She squeezed Cassandra's hand, and then let it go. "Don't worry Jack, I'm fine." Jack hopped off his horse, and walked over to her. "The children have found some wonderful plants today. Rosaleen, show Mountie Jack what you've found." Rosaleen walked over to the Mountie, who gave the child his attention, but he kept glancing over to his pale wife, who was beautiful as always, of course, but she looked just a bit green. Elizabeth cleared her throat, and stood slowly "Alright class, let's gather back around…"
"Elizabeth!" Jack called, and he was just barely there in time to keep her from striking her head on the rock when she fell.
…..
"Elizabeth?" Elizabeth felt like her head was wrapped in cotton. She tried to open her eyes, but they felt heavy. She took a deep breath, and forced her eyes open; the light was too bright, and it stung her eyes. "Thank God Elizabeth!"
"Jack?"
"I'm here Elizabeth." She slowly became aware of the fact that she was in her bedroom, and that she was wrapped in Jack's arms. She closed her eyes, and hid her face in Jack's chest.
"Mmm. What's going on?"
"You fainted Elizabeth. You were out for almost three hours. We were all starting to worry." Jack sighed as he buried his face in her hair. "I took you home after you fainted, and dismissed the class early. Elizabeth, I've been asking you for weeks to slow down, to rest, and you won't."
"Because I'm fine-"
"Don't you dare say "I'm fine" ever again Elizabeth." Jack cautioned her, and then sighed. "The doctor wanted us to fetch him when you woke, for a more comprehensive examination." Elizabeth opened her mouth to protest, and then snapped it shut. She had been meaning to see the doctor, but she had kept putting it off. She didn't want the illusion to end- one negative word from the doctor could put her suspicion to rest. And she had come to realize that she wanted desperately to be carrying Jack's child. "You know, you have quite a group of supporters waiting downstairs for you to wake up."
"Abigail?"
"Yes, Abigail. And Cat and Emily. Gabe and Cassandra too. Rosemary was here for a bit too." Jack explained, and Elizabeth looked up at him. "Elizabeth, I love you, But, God, you scared me today. When you didn't wake up right away, I thought, "God, what if I lose her?". I can't lose you Elizabeth. I can't."
"I'm sorry, Jack, I'm so sorry." Elizabeth said, and brushed her lips against his jaw.
"Don't you go apologizing for things that aren't your fault." Elizabeth didn't have the heart to tell him that this whole incident might have been avoided, if only she had seen the doctor sooner. She had read once that in the early months of pregnancy some women were prone to fainting spells.
"Well, I'm awake now Jack. I'm awake, and I'm f- I'm alright." Elizabeth said, and couldn't help smiling. "I'm awake. Maybe you should fetch the doctor."
"I'm not about to leave your side."
"Jack."
"Alright, I'll send Gabe." Jack sighed, but didn't move to release her from the warm secure circle of his arms. Elizabeth didn't protest, and for a few moments she merely took everything in. She loved this man more than anything, and she might be carrying his child. If anything she had done had put the child at risk...she would never forgive herself.
"Jack, the doctor?" Elizabeth laughed anxiously.
"Right. I'll be right back, you just relax here." Jack said, and laid her back gently against the pillows. "It'll only be a second."
"I'm good, Jack." Elizabeth assured him with a soft smile. He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, and then disappeared from their bedroom. She reached up, and brushed her hair out of her eyes, and let out a long, shaky breath as she tried her best to recall exactly what she had read in the book she bought when Carla had been living with them in the row house. Tried to remember anything from it, but at the time she had been so focused on delivery, she had only flipped through the section on pregnancy and conception.
"Elizabeth! Oh thank God Elizabeth!" Abigail's voice disrupted her thoughts, and she turned her head towards the door. "Jack said you'd woken up, and I had to come make sure you were alright- I left Cat watching over dinner, Chicken soup and biscuits."
"You're the most wonderful friend Abigail." Elizabeth smiled.
"How are you feeling Elizabeth?"
"I feel fine, Abigail. Honestly, I'm not even sure what's going on." Elizabeth sighed. "Could you do me a favor, Abigail?"
"Anything."
"Do you remember the book that I bought when Carla was pregnant with the twins?"
"The "Midwife in a book"?" Abigail asked with a fond smile.
"Yes, that's the one." Elizabeth laughed. "It's downstairs in the library on the shelf nearest to the door, could you bring it to me please?"
"Of course- Jack is sending Gabe to go fetch the Doctor now, I imagine he'll be back up at any moment. He's been so worried about you Elizabeth. The closest I've ever seen a man come to madness." Abigail sighed. "I'll bring that book right to you."
"Yes, thank you- Abigail, you didn't tell anyone about the-"
"No, I haven't said a word to anyone." Abigail promised. "But I would have if you hadn't woken up within the next ten minutes. Elizabeth, I've seen women faint when their pregnant, but you were out for hours!"
"I know. I know. Please, just bring me the book?" Elizabeth asked, and Abigail took her hand, and squeezed it. "Thank you very much."
"Not a problem Elizabeth." Abigail smiled. She opened the door and saw that Jack was just reaching for the handle. "Is Gabe off to fetch the doctor?"
"He is." Jack nodded.
"Wonderful. I'm going to check on dinner, and then I'll get that book." Abigail said and breezed out of the room.
"What book is that?" Jack asked, and resumed his seat next to Elizabeth.
"Just a book from our little study. I wanted to look something up." Elizabeth shrugged. Jack took her hand, and played nervously with her fingers. "I'm glad you were there in the woods today, when I fainted, but why were you there?"
"I was doing my rounds...And maybe I was checking up on you, making sure everything was alright." Jack admitted sheepishly. "But I'm glad I did it, because if I hadn't caught you just in time, you might have split your head open."
"Jack, I am glad that you were there. But you have to trust that I can take care of myself…" Elizabeth sighed, and Jack gave her a curious look. "Alright, this- today isn't a good example of that, I'll admit. But Jack, I am an adult woman, okay?"
"Yes, an adult woman who I love." Jack said, and reached up to gently caress her cheek. "You've been acting sort of strangely lately Elizabeth, I've been worried about you. I feel like there's something that you aren't telling me."
"Jack, please, you don't need to worry about me." Elizabeth assured him. She lifted the hand he wasn't holding to put over the hand that rested on her cheek, and turned her head slightly to press her lips to his palm. "I promise."
"Oh Elizabeth. I thought you'd realize by now that I'll always worry about you." Jack laughed. Elizabeth smiled at him, and tilted her face up towards his. "I love you, Mrs. Thornton." He pressed his lips very softly to hers, and she kissed him back.
"You know I love you too Jack. Very much." Elizabeth sighed, and rested her face in the crook of his neck. They stayed that way for a while, holding each other, thinking about how lucky they were to have each other.
"Elizabeth, Jack? The doctor is here." Abigail said as she knocked, and then opened the door. Elizabeth shifted back against the headboard, and Jack stood.
"Hello Mrs. Thornton, Constable. I'm glad to see you're awake." The kind old Doctor smiled as he entered the room. "I'm Doctor Ryan, I'm filling in while your regular doctor visits his family."
"Nice to meet you, Doctor Ryan." Elizabeth said with a smile.
"Now, if Constable Thornton would step out of the room, we could begin the examination."
"I'm staying." Jack said firmly.
"No, Jack- Would you wait outside please?" Elizabeth asked, and Jack turned to face her.
"Elizabeth-"
"Jack, just trust me, please?" Elizabeth asked. Jack set his jaw, nodded, and left the room.
"Elizabeth, I brought this." Abigail said, and set the book on her bedside table.
"Abigail, would you stay?" Elizabeth asked.
"Would that be alright Doctor?" Abigail asked.
"If it makes the patient more comfortable, then it's with me." The Doctor nodded, and opened his black bag. "Now, Mrs. Thornton, Your husband told me that you've been feeling tired lately? Care to elaborate?" He asked as he checked her vitals.
"Well, I have been rather tired recently. And I get these strange dizzy spells." Elizabeth hinted, hoping that he would be the one to suggest that she was...expecting.
"Today was the first time that you'd actually fainted, yes?" The Doctor asked, looking into her eyes to check for dilation. Elizabeth nodded. "Now tell me, Mrs. Thornton, when did you last have your, er, menstrual cycle?" The old man coughed uncomfortably.
"Over a month ago." Elizabeth said.
"And the time before that, was there much blood?"
"No- I actually noticed that there was significantly less than is normal- it only lasted a day or so." Elizabeth said with a blush.
"Mmhm." The Doctor nodded, and felt her pulse. "Any nausea, or vomiting?"
"No, not really. Maybe just a little in the mornings, but it's usually alright in time to eat breakfast." Elizabeth said. "I did vomit about a week ago?"
"Mmhm. May I?" He asked, gesturing to her stomach. Elizabeth bit her lip, and nodded slowly. The doctor put his hands on her stomach, and furrowed his brow a bit. "And you hadn't seen another Doctor about any of these symptoms?"
"No, I didn't." Elizabeth shook her head.
"May I ask why?"
"I was afraid that...well…"
"That you wouldn't be pregnant?" The Doctor asked, and Elizabeth nodded slowly and took Abigail's hand. "Well, you shouldn't have worried. I'd put you at anywhere from ten, to twelve weeks."
"Really?" Elizabeth gasped, her free hand flying to her lips. Abigail squeezed her hand, and grinned broadly.
"Yes, I'd say so. I've been a doctor for well over thirty years, Mrs. Thornton, and I've diagnosed many pregnant women, and delivered their babies nine months later." The Doctor laughed.
"Oh Elizabeth! I'm so happy for you!" Abigail said.
"I'd say that you should expect a new arrival in, oh...November, or December." Doctor Ryan said. Elizabeth felt happy tears slide down her cheeks, and she leaned over to embrace Abigail. "And as for the fainting, and dizzy spells, Mrs. Thornton, I'd chalk it up to exhaustion, and a lack of nutrition. I'm recommending a week of bedrest."
"Thank you, Doctor." Elizabeth nodded, and then went back to hugging Abigail.
"I'll show myself out then, Mrs. Thornton. I'll come back to check in on you tomorrow, But I think it's safe to say that you'll be fine." Doctor Ryan smiled, and shut his bag. "And Congratulations Mrs. Thornton." After he showed himself out, Abigail rose from the chair she'd been sitting on, and smoothed out Elizabeth's hair.
"Sounds like you and Jack made yourselves a honeymoon baby." Abigail said, and Elizabeth laughed and brushed away more tears.
"I suppose we did."
"Should I send him in?"
"You certainly should!" Elizabeth said, and Abigail smiled and left the room. Elizabeth smiled, and put her hands over her stomach, which was still flat for the most part, though she had noticed that it expanded just a tiny bit. "Our little honeymoon baby...Thank you God." she found herself crying again, and buried her face in her hands.
"Elizabeth? What's wrong?" Jack didn't even shut the door as he raced in, and put his hands on her upper arms. "Elizabeth, it's alright, whatever it is, we can get through it."
"No, no Jack, nothing is wrong! Everything is fine- Everything is wonderful!" Elizabeth cried, and put both of her hands on his face. His eyes flashed with confusion, and Elizabeth laughed again. "Jack…" Elizabeth sighed, and leaned forward to kiss him.
"Elizabeth, what's going on?"
"Jack, my love…" Elizabeth laughed, and took his right hand in both of her own. "I know you said never to say this again, but I'm going to now. Jack, I am fine. In fact, we both are." She said, and slowly slid his hand down to her stomach. Jack's brow furrowed in confusion, and he looked to Elizabeth's eyes, then to his hand, and then her eyes again, and his eyes grew wide in awe.
"Elizabeth- are you serious? You're pregnant?" Elizabeth nodded, and Jack leaned forwards to kiss her again. "I love you, God knows how much I love you."
"You're happy?"
"Happy doesn't quite cover it." Jack laughed breathlessly. "I can't believe we're having a baby...Did you know about this? Before today, I mean."
"No- well, I suspected." Elizabeth said.
"Why didn't you tell me? Elizabeth, I've been worried sick about you."
"I didn't want to get your hopes up Jack." Elizabeth explained, and laughed as Jack kissed his way from her cheek to her stomach. "I was afraid that it was too soon-"
"Too soon?"
"That you'd be upset that it happened so quickly-"
"Upset? How could I be upset? Elizabeth, you're having my baby. You're having my baby." Jack said in awe, and kissed her deeply once again. "Thank you."
"Thank you? For what?"
"For what? You're carrying my child! Now you're really stuck with me."
"As if I would want to get away." Elizabeth laughed, and they clasped hands over her stomach.
"When?"
"When?"
"I mean when do we get to meet this little one?" Jack laughed.
"November or December." Elizabeth grinned, and Jack leaned in to kiss her again. "I told you I was fine."
"I wouldn't call fainting in the forest in the afternoon "fine" Elizabeth. On his way out the Doctor said you needed a week of bed rest. Last week I said that you looked tired, and you said "I'm fine" and look at where that got you."
"You're going to be even more protective of me now aren't you?" Elizabeth sighed.
"Oh, you bet." He gave her the half smile that always melted her heart, and leaned in to kiss her again.
AN: They're having a baby!