AN: ANother chapter for my faithful readers!

Elizabeth sat curled up on one of the arm chairs in the back Abigail's, staring out the window blankly in the direction that Jack had gone off to. At some point, Abigail had put a blanket over her legs, but she hadn't seemed to notice it. It had been hours, and she couldn't seem to tear her eyes away, as if he could come riding back that way at any moment.

"Elizabeth? You have to eat something. You didn't have any lunch, Jack told me you hardly touched breakfast." Abigail said softly.

"I'm not hungry."

"I know that isn't true. If you can't eat for yourself, do it for Jack, and the baby." she set a tray on her friend's lap.

"Now that's fighting dirty." Elizabeth grumbled, picking up a fork. She gently picked at the chicken with a fork for a few moments before bringing it to her lips.

"There we go. Jack asked me to take care of you, and I will." Abigail smiled.

"I can't believe he had to leave...I always knew that it was a possibility, but I just never dreamed that it'd be so sudden- that he might miss something truly important like this." Elizabeth shuddered and blinked back new tears.

"I know. The unexpected is hard to deal with. But he will come back to you, to both of you."

"And I really, really want to believe that that's true...but Jack gets so many letters and updates about the situation in the North, and there's so much trouble- so many deaths, sometimes there are too many casualties to write out all of the names, and they just enclose a number...Im terrified that that's what Jack is going to be, just another number." Elizabeth said dryly, a tear rolling down her cheek.

"You know what Elizabeth? The time will roll by like that!" Abigail said with a snap. "There's so much that still needs to be done before the baby comes, and I'll help you do everything I can!"

"And I'm grateful, incredibly so, but I thought that-"

"That you and Jack would be doing those things together." Abigail nodded. "I understand. I know that I'm a poor substitute for him-"

"Abigail, you're my best friend, and I'm excited that you're going to help me with all of this...or I will be, but today, I don't think I can manage any joy."

"And that's understandable." Abigail tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, and left her hand on her cheek. "You're going to be alright." Just then, several women burst through the door, all jabbering at each other.

"Oh Elizabeth, we've all been talking to each other, and we just hate to think of you being alone in this time." Rosemary said. "And so we've been talking, and, we decided that we should all take a bit of time to stay with you, to help take care of you."

"What?" Elizabeth asked. "That's very kind of you, but you all have husbands, and children I can't possibly ask you to take time away from them."

"Elizabeth we insist!" Molly said.

"You always do so much for us, and for our children, it's really the least we could do for you." Cat explained.

"Besides, I only have a husband to take care of here; So I can stay with you overnight." Rosemary said.

"No, no, I can't let you do that." Elizabeth shook her head. "Look, you're all incredibly generous, but Jack leaving has made me realize how important family really is; I can't ask you to take so much time away from your children."

"But I can spend the time with you." Cassandra said pushing her way forward. "I don't have a husband, or kids to look after; I mean, I do help mama mind my little siblings, but I know she can manage without me. And you've done so much for me, it's the least that I can do."

"I mean, I would feel better if someone was staying with you." Abigail said. "And if I didn't have Cody, i'd be there in a heartbeat."

"Oh please Mrs. Thornton, you have to let me!" Cassandra came and sat by her, and took her hand. "I want to do it, and it'd be no trouble for me at all!"

"Well...if It's alright with your mother-"

"It is. I already asked her." Cassandra nodded. "How could she say no? You've done so much for all of us, and so has mountie Jack! Please let me stay with you!"

"We won't take no for an answer, Elizabeth. Jack would kill me if anything happened to you!" Rosemary huffed.

"Alright." Elizabeth nodded, secretly much relieved that she wouldn't be alone with Jack gone. "If it will make everyone feel better, then I guess there's no reason to try and fight it."

"You won't regret it Mrs. Thornton! You'll see, I'm real good at cooking and cleaning!" Cassandra smiled. "I'll go home and pack a few things, and be over to your house in a few hours." she scampered out quickly, followed by several women, now satisfied with her care. Rosemary came to sit next to her, and put a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm so glad that you agreed to having Cassandra come to stay with you. I know we all will be able to rest easier, knowing you aren't alone." the words were innocent enough, but they still sent tears to her eyes. Alone. Because Jack was gone. "Oh, I'm sorry Elizabeth! I didn't mean to upset you! Oh, foolish me. Stupid!" she sighed, and put her hand dramatically on her forehead. "I'm going to make it up to you! I'll make supper for you tomorrow night- no, I do insist on it! Lee and I will come to you of course, and don't worry, we will bring absolutely everything for a gourmet meal! And what have you been craving lately? Is it still apples? Good! I've found the most wonderful recipe for a moist apple cake that I've just been dying to try out!"

"Well...alright." Elizabeth nodded with a half smile. The mention of an apple filled dessert always brought a little bit of joy to her these days, it seemed.

"Good!" Rosemary clapped. "Now do try to eat a bit more Elizabeth dear! Jack told me you hardly touched breakfast, and I'll bet my buttons you skipped lunch too!"

"Sounds like Jack was mighty worried about you not eating enough." Abigail said.

"Funny. Up until this last week, I'd have thought he'd be worried I was eating too much." Elizabeth laughed lightly. She picked up the fork, and gently speared a piece . "Well, I'd hate to have you report that I was disobeying orders."

….

Elizabeth had always been fond of Cassandra; she was one of her better students from the very beginning, but since she had started her courtship with Gabe, Cassandra had taken to talking to her teacher more and more, almost seeing her like the older sister that she had never had, and so an opportunity to have some time alone with her was gladly accepted. She arrived at the teacher's house exactly when she said she would, and found the teacher sitting on the porch with Abigail.

"Good evening, Mrs. Thornton, mrs. Stanton." she called pleasantly.

"Cassandra, you're just in time to join us for a bit of pie!" Abigail said with a smile. "Its not even apple this time; we decided to branch out and have cherry!"

"That sounds delicious, Mrs. Stanton! I'll just put my things inside-"

"Here, let me show you to your room." Elizabeth said, rising slowly from the small wooden porch swing.

"Oh, I hope you did not trouble yourself too much! I'd have been happy just to bunk down on the couch."

"Don't be silly Cassandra! You're being so kind for me, the least I could do is have a room for you! Its no trouble at all; I keep jt set just in case my sister decides to visit." she led the way into the house with the two visitors following behind her. She made her way up the steps very slowly, not that anyone minded, and gestured to the guest room door. "Now, it's nothing too fancy, mind you. Just a bed and a but of closet space really." but to young Cassandra who had never had a bed of her own, let alone a room, the full sized mattress and quiet space seemed luxurious! She set her small bundle at the foot of the bed, and smiled.

"It's real beautiful, Mrs. Thornton, thank you!"

"Come on then, I'll give you a quick tour. I know you've been before, but a refresher is always good!"

"That's what you tell us before a big test!" Cassandra laughed, and Elizabeth did too. Abigail smiled; Cassandra's presence would certainly help keep Elizabeth from growing too melancholy.

"Lets see, the master bedroom is that one there; yours is there, obviously, and this one is...the nursery." Elizabeth ran her fingers over the door, and let out a little sigh.

"Oh! May I have a look?" Cassandra asked.

"Of course- don't be expecting much though. We haven't even had time to do anything but paper the closet shelf."she opened the door. "Nothing else really has been- oh!" she gasped, and walked dreamily into the room, staring at the object along the wall closest to the window. Her heart began to beat quickly as she ran her hands over the solid surface of the crib bars. Her other hand rose to the wall, but she quickly pulled it away when she registered the smell of wet paint. It was a beautiful mural of mountains and woods, with a blue sky and soft clouds extending across the ceiling. "When did he…" she trailed off as her eyes landed on a rocking chair sitting in the corner next to a short bookshelf, where only a single book rested. She went to it, and picked it up at once. Her heart skipped a beat as she read the title of the well worn book. Treasure Island. Though she knew at once that this was the very book that Jack's father had read to him when he was home, she opened it to find proof. The inside cover bore a simple note. To my Jackie Boy, merry christmas. Love dad. As she lifted the book up to her heart, something fell from its pages to her feet. Cassandra picked it up at once, and placed a sealed envelope in her waiting hand. In Jack's simple scrawl, her name was written on it. She took a seat on the chair, setting the book on the shelf, and tearing the envelope open quickly.

My Elizabeth,

I know that you're wondering when I had the time to do all of this. Well, frankly, darling, you sleep quite a lot these days. And to keep you from seeing it during the day, all i really had to do was keep your mind occupied with other things...which was a true pleasure for me!

Everything is built now, except for the table for changing the baby, but I told Lee what we needed, and he's on it already! All that' for you to do now is decorate, and fill the drawers and hangers with frilly little things. You'll notice right away that I put a book on the shelf (I'm certain enough of this to put this note here, though I also disclosed it's location to Abigail, on the off chance that I'm incorrect), and you will also notice that it's the very same copy of Treasure island that my father gave to me.

I can't wait to read that to our baby. I can't wait until they're here, and I get to hold them in my arms. I can't wait until I come home and get to hold you in my arms again, my strong, beautiful, amazing wife.

I'll be home as soon as I'm able, but know that even If I don't make it back before the baby comes, that I know that you can do this! You're never alone, Elizabeth, because my love is always with you- and what's more you've got every mother and child in Hope Valley looking after you! I love you both more than anything. Take good care of yourself, cause Id hate to come back to find you wasting away.

Yours always,

Jack.

Elizabeth wiped tears from her eyes as she finished, and held the paper to her heart. As she ran her hand over her stomach, the baby kicked eagerly at her hand, and she let out a laugh that was almost a sob.

"He's the best man in the world!" she cried, and put her hand over her mouth. "I can't believe he did all of this for me in one week...would you mind if I took a few minutes here by myself?"

"Of course not! Take as long as you need. Cassandra and I will go down to the kitchen, and we'll whip up some cream to put on top of the pie." Abigail said, ushering the younger woman out the door. Elizabeth wiped her eyes, and put her hands on her stomach.

"Oh my sweet little baby. You have the most wonderful father- and I honestly don't know how I came to deserve him! He's away for a little while, and I know you'll be missing the sound of his voice. You always move the most when he's talking...but I know that you will wait for him to come home, won't you? You don't want daddy to miss your big entrance, I know you don't." she said fervently, letting out a sigh. "And look at me...bargaining with a baby. You don't understand me, do you? At least it's not quite so crazy as talking to yourself." she smiled, remembering all of the times Jack had teases her lovingly for just that. She leaned her head back against the rocking chair, and stared dreamily out the window as she rocked, her hands never leaving her stomach. Every inch of this room was a testament of Jack's love for her and their unborn child, and she sat there for a long while basking in it.

AN: I'm so sorry I didn't give you a chapter last week! I've just been crazy busy! Another one soon I hope! Thank you readers!