AN: Here we are readers! The long awaited arrival of baby Thornton! I'm so excited to share this chapter with you- enjoy!

December second. Elizabeth had always thought the baby would come in December; it seemed they waited just long enough to prove her right. She let out a shuddering breath. She'd been at this since just before noon the previous day, and now it was just past midnight. She was exhausted, she was sweaty...and she was hungry, too. Abigail told her not to worry, that first babies always take the longest. She tried to take comfort in the fact that she, Cat, and Molly seemed to know exactly what to do, because, well, despite all of the reading she had done, she found that she was entirely unprepared for this.

The pain had increased, and the pains were closer together now, but still not close enough. By Cat's estimate, she was just over halfway there, and it would be several more hours before she was ready to push. The news was troubling- she didn't know if she could bear to continue on this way for so long. Her mind flitted briefly to her sister Julie; she wasn't so far from her own due date...when would her niece or nephew make their appearance? She was pulled out of the thought by another wave of pain. Her fingers twisted in the bedsheets, and she leaned back against the headboard.

"That's it, Elizabeth, you're doing so well! Just keep breathing, keep calm." Cat said, stroking her face with a cool wet rag. Elizabeth took her advice to heart, and took in a deep breath. Huh. She hadn't realized that she'd been holding her breath for so long. She tried to focus on breathing in time with Cat, who sensed this, and made her own breathing slow and even. The pains were lasting longer than before, but they eventually abated, and she slouched into the pillow behind her. "There you go…"

"I brought some more water." Cassandra said, carrying the kettle with the hem of her skirt and pouring it into the basin. "Mrs. Stanton has supper ready downstairs, if the two of you want to pop down to eat. She's putting a tray together for Mrs. Thornton, and Mrs. Blakely said she would be here soon to help, since it's taking so long, and you must be tired."

"THank you Cassandra." Molly said as she moved from the dresser where she had been sorting some linens. "Elizabeth, will you be alright without us?"

"Of course- please, eat. I'm sorry it's taking so long." Elizabeth said, genuinely sheepish.

"Oh, my dear, don't apologize for that. Babies will always come on their own time, and generally when it's the most inconvenient." Cat laughed, mopping her sweaty forehead again. "We'll be back in two shakes." With that the two women left the room, and Cassandra sat on the chair by ELizabeth's side.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" She asked earnestly. Elizabeth smiled at her, and shook her head. "Can I plait your hair for you? I think that'll help, with you being so warm."

"Alright. That would be lovely." Elizabeth said, and Cassandra stood to reach her hair without making her move. "I'm glad it's December. I'm roasting now, I can hardly imagine it in the summer heat- Oh!" She broke off again, as she felt a strange sensation.

"What is it?!" Cassandra asked, looking torn between staying and sprinting down the stairs for help.

"Nothing- I'm alright. I think it was my waters breaking." Elizabeth explained, and Cassandra nodded, though she looked a bit mystified.

"Knock knock." Abigail said as she appeared with a tray. "Did I hear you say your waters have broken?"

"Yes, just now." Elizabeth nodded.

"That's a good sign!" Abigail smiled. "This baby will be here before you know it." Elizabeth smiled, and ran her hands over her stomach again. She didn't say it aloud, but she felt like the baby would never come- like she'd be doing this till kingdom come!

"I think the baby is just stubborn." Elizabeth said, huffing a little as Abigail handed her a sliced Apple, which she nibbled on thankfully. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until the food was directly under her nose.

"Stubborn? WIth you and Jack for parents? No!" Abigail feigned shock, and Elizabeth let out a light laugh. She nibbled for a few moments in silence. "You've got quite a cheering squad downstairs. Emily is asleep on Gabe's lap on the couch, Cody's curled up on the floor- Rip was with him for a while, but now he won't leave your door. He's a smart creature, knows somethings going on in here...Frank and Lee are both down there too; they both helped out with dinner." Elizabeth smiled for a moment, and then it faltered. It went without saying that she was grateful for the support...But the person she wanted to be there most of all wasn't there... and the whole house felt empty because of it. Another pain came, and she let out a cry. Outside the door, she heard Rip whine.

"Oh, let him in, just for a moment." Elizabeth said when the pain had passed. "I want to see the old thing." Abigail nodded, and opened the door. Rip came in, and immediately laid his head heavily beside her on the bed. She stroked his ears, and he licked her hand. "It's okay Rip. I'm just having the baby. I'll be alright soon." She was so engaged in talking to the dog that she didn't hear the mild commotion downstairs. Abigails brow furrowed, and she nodded to Cassandra, telling her to go observe. Cassandra left, not closing the door after her. "I'll be alright...maybe by the morning we're going to have a new little baby in the house. I hope they look like Jack; then they'll be just perfect- and there's no doubt you'd like them better!" Rip tilted his head curiously. "No, I know you'll be protective of them regardless. I'm glad that Jack kept you...I'm glad you're here now; you remind me of him. I can't believe I'm actually having the baby. Huh? It's strange to think that-"

"First you're talkin' to yourself, now you're talkin' to a dog. I don't know which makes you crazier." Elizabeth froze; time stood still. She knew that voice better than anyone. She slowly turned her eyes to the open door to see him. Him! Standing in the doorframe of their bedroom, arm in a sling, a few healing bruises on his face and neck, hair mussed from the snow that must have been falling outside, but she didn't care about any of that. It was him. He was here.

"Jack." She said quietly, she swung her legs over the side of the bed, and stood up very slowly, despite the mild protest from her back.

"Hi." He said, equally as quiet. He closed the distance between them, and she wrapped her arms as well as she could around his waist. He lifted his good hand to cradle her cheek, and for a moment they could only stare at eachother.

"Hi." Elizabeth repeated, and he leaned down to kiss her. Elizabeth smiled against his lips, and felt happy tears welling in her eyes, replacing the tears of pain that had been there moments ago. "You made it."

"Did you doubt that I would?"

"Well, You scared the life out of me for a while there!" Elizabeth said, running her fingers through his hair, making sure that he was real, that this was real, that he was there!

"Sorry about that...but I'm here now." He said, kissing her forehead.

"And that's enough for me." SHe nodded, and felt another pain. "Ow- ow! Ow!" She cried, leaning back against the bedpost. Jack's face turned white as he stared at her...Somehow, even after going through a battle or two, the sound of his wife in pain was still the most unbearable thing he'd ever heard. He took in the sight of her- drenched in sweat, her nightgown clinging to her body; long, beautiful hair in a loose braid down her back. The strands that had come loose stuck to her neck. Her cheeks were red with heat and exertion, and her beautiful blue eyes that he loved so dearly were suddenly dark, and clouded with tears. "Jack- tell me, tell me that you're really here- that this is real, because I'll be honest, I've been doing this for….over twelve hours now….and this isn't the first time I've thought I've seen you, and- Oh!" She gasped as she tried to speak through the pain, but found it incredibly difficult. "And...I don't think I'm strong enough to do this- I can't do this!"

"Hey now!" Jack said. Abigail had already come forward to help Elizabeth sit on the bed, and Jack knelt at her feet. "I'm here. I promise you, I'm really right here, at your feet. And I love you more than I ever imagined I'd be able to love anyone." She gripped his hand as if it was a lifeline, but he didn't mind one bit. "And what do you mean you're not strong enough to do this? Elizabeth Thornton, that's crazy talk. You are the strongest woman, strongest person I've ever known- and you're no quitter. The seven failed curtain attempts in less than a year are proof of that. But you finally did get them, and they're perfect. Just like you. Just like our baby is going to be. Now, you promised that you'd wait for me, and I'm here now, and I'm never leaving you again. I know that you can do this." He spoke with such fervent adoration in his eyes that Elizabeth could find no energy to protest. If Jack believed in her, then she believed in herself. Even in her exhausted, pain riddled state, she suddenly found strength she didn't know that she had had. Jack's strength, urging her on.

"Okay. I can do this." Elizabeth nodded slowly, and he rose just enough to press a soft kiss to her lips. "And you're here. You're really here."

"In the flesh." He promised her. Her hands were still on his body, one gripping a handful of his hair, damp with melted snow, and the other trailing softly at the edges of his bandages.

"Are you in pain?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you that question?" He teased, his half smile devastatingly handsome.

"Jack."

"Yes, a little. But it really ain't too bad. The ride probably wasn't the best idea, but I wouldn't change it if I could. I made it here in time, and I know I wouldn't have if I had waited." He said softly. "But no worrying about me now. I'm here, I'm alright, I'm healing, and I want to meet our child."

"Me too. You have no idea." Elizabeth laughed lightly in spite of the pain. "We're having a baby."

"Well, to be fair, I think you're doing most of the work. Not that I won't take credit for my role in it, I rather enjoyed it-" He stopped when she playfully batted at his good arm.

"Jack!" Even as red faced as she already was, he could see the blush blossoming. Jack smiled again, the crooked one that always made her heart skip a beat.

"Good to see I can still make you blush." He whispered. A playful response died on her lips as she felt another pain, the worst one yet. Jack stayed by her side, letting her grip his good hand like a vice. He watched in awe as her face screwed up with pain, but she gritted her teeth with determination, her eyes closed tightly. When she opened them, it took a few moments for her breathing to return to normal. "You're incredible."

"I'm sure I'm a mess. I had planned on looking better for you, when you finally came home to me." She said.

"A mess? No, Elizabeth, you could never be a mess...in fact, I think that right now, you're more beautiful than I've ever seen you before." He said honestly. "December second is a good birthday."

"At this rate it feels like their birthday wont be until the tenth!" She groaned.

"Well, there's still twenty three hours to go on the second. I think we'll make it."

"I'll do my best constable." Elizabeth said wryly, and he laughed and kissed her temple.

"I think we should check her status again; see if she's any closer." Cat said as she re-entered the room with Florence and Molly. She went right to Elizabeth, and was about to take a look when Florence cleared her throat.

"Surely we should have Constable Thornton leave the room before we go on with any...medical things!" Florence said, her face turning red.

"What? No!" Elizabeth gasped, her hold on Jack's hand tightening.

"I must admit, it's a bit unusual to have a man in the birthing room!" Molly chuckled.

"Noah was there when I had Peter." Abigail said quietly. "And he was just fine."

"If Elizabeth wants him here, then gracious sakes, I'm not going to chase him out!" Cat huffed.

"Elizabeth wants him here!" Elizabeth said, not letting go.

"But a man shouldn't see-"

"Mrs. Blakely, if I may, I was literally just shot a few weeks ago. I was afraid I'd never see my wife again, afraid I'd never see my child. I've been away for months, and I've missed things I can never get back. I'm not afraid of seeing a birth; matter of fact, as a mountie, I've seen a couple, when women in backwater towns give birth without a midwife, without a neighbor around for miles. So I'm not leaving my wife's side now. Not if she will let me stay." Jack said firmly, and Elizabeth's eyes misted with tears again.

"Stay with me." She whispered.

"I will. Always." He promised, and pressed his lips to her knuckles.

"Well, then that settles that." Abigail said, and they proceeded.

"Good news Elizabeth; things are picking up!" Cat smiled and patted her knee. "This time you've progressed further in an hour than you did the last time we checked after three!"

"Thank God!" Elizabeth sighed, and gritted her teeth against the fierce pain that started up again. Abigail quickly came forward with a damp cloth, and mopped the fresh perspiration from her neck. "How do some women do this twelve plus times?" She groaned, her fingers twisting in the bed sheets again.

"I know you can't believe it right now, Elizabeth, but once your baby is here, once you're holding them in your arms, this will all become nothing but a distant memory." Abigail assured her. "And you're doing so well. Thirteen hours, and you're still going strong!"

"I don't feel strong." Elizabeth sighed, and Jack squeezed her hand, silently willing her to take every ounce of strength he had left in his body.

"You are." Abigail assured her.

"What can I do for you Elizabeth? Anything." Jack asked, kissing her hand.

"Anything?"

"Anything."

"...Will you sing for me?" She asked, a bit sheepish.

"SIng?"

"Yes. I love it when you sing." She nodded, raising her hand to brush a bit of his hair out of his beautiful eyes. Jack looked nervously at the faces of the other women in the room who quickly turned away, and busied themselves with other tasks. He cleared his throat, and sang. There was nothing else he could do- he wasn't about to deny the woman who had spent thirteen hours so far working to deliver his child.

"Let me call you sweetheart, I'm in love with you, Let me hear you whisper that you love me too; keep the love light glowing, in your eyes so blue-"

"It's not "blue", It's "true"." Elizabeth corrected suddenly.

"Yeah, well, your eyes are blue, and they're the only eyes I care to see any love light in." Jack said with a half smile.

"You can call me sweetheart any time." Elizabeth smiled, remembering last new year's eve when she'd whispered that in his ear. By the look on his face, she could tell that he remembered too. "I love you, Jack. I'm so thankful that you're back. I was so scared-"

"None of that right now. I am back."

"But what about your arm-"

"My shoulder is going to be fine, I hardly even notice it anymore." He lied smoothly. It ached something awful, but it was nothing he couldn't manage. "I'll just have to get it checked and dressed by the doctor every few days; no problem." Elizabeth nodded, and bit her lip.

"I thought that you were going to die."

"I did too, for a minute when I'd been hit. And all I could think of was you and the baby, and how I'd promised to come back to you. Well, I know better than to break a promise to my heavily pregnant wife." He said softly. "And, it might sound strange, but I'm almost glad that I was shot."

"What? That doesn't sound strange Jack...It sounds crazy!"

"Hear me out; If I hadn't been hit, I'd still be out there in the field, It's no where near done up there. But I was hit, bad enough to take me out of the fighting, but not so bad that I'm completely out of commission. Bad enough to be sent home in time for this, but not so bad that I had to lose an arm or anything. If I could change it, yes, I would choose not to get hit. But since I can't change a thing, then I've decided to see the good in it. That I get to be here with you."

"Oh Jack! I- ow! Augh!" She moaned, suddenly in agony. She could no longer speak through the pain, it was too much. As it subsided, Molly came to her side to hold a glass of water to her lips, and Elizabeth did her best to drink it down.

"There you are dear. The end is in sight." Molly assured her gently.

"Jack, keep talking to me. Distract me." She asked, almost begging.

"Well, Let's see. Elizabeth, I can not wait to see our baby. I know that with you for a mother, this kid is going to be the most beautiful baby- don't roll your eyes at me, it's true. Because you're perfect, Elizabeth Thornton." He said softly. He was trying to ignore the teary eyed glances from the women who were trying, and failing, to make their presence as discreet as possible"And every day, I think that there's no way on this earth that I could love you more than I already do...and every day, every single day, I do. I know that it will always be this way, doesn't matter if it's our first year of marriage, or our fifth, or our fiftieth. I will never stop loving you more than I did the day before. I will never stop trying to make you happy."

"You don't have to try to make me happy, Jack. You do that just by being here." Elizabeth smiled through the pain she felt, and rested her forehead against his. "I love you."

"I love you."

….

"It's been twenty four hours, Abigail!" Jack said quietly. Elizabeth had finally fallen into a very light, fitful sleep, that Jack was sure wouldn't last long.

"I know. But she's almost there, Jack. She'll be ready to push at any moment now." Abigail promised him. They looked at eachother with tired eyes; neither one had slept, though the other women had taken turns resting in Cassandra's room. Neither Abigail or Jack could bear to be apart from Elizabeth as she struggled to bring a new life into the world. "I've seen labors last three days before. It just depends on the woman, and even more, on the baby."

"I can't stand seeing her like this." Jack admitted.

"It is hard to see someone you love in so much pain...but it will all be over soon." Abigail said. "If it goes on too much longer, we'll have to send someone for the doctor, and hope he's available...He can always give a little bit of aid with some forceps." Abigail explained, and Jack winced. "But I'm sure it wont come to that. She's very strong...and very close." she followed quickly. Jack nodded. He stretched as well as he could, and ran his hand through his hair. He was just resuming his seat at Elizabeth's side when he noticed her breathing go from regular to heavy, and her eyes screwed tighter shut than usual. She let out a quiet whimper, and Jack ran his hand over her forehead as her brilliant blue eyes suddenly opened.

"Cat, I think we should check her again." Abigail said, and Cat nodded. "Elizabeth, we're just going to check your progress." Elizabeth was far beyond caring at that point. She tried to focus on the reassuring words Jack whispered in her ear, but he sounded far away at the moment. She had only been asleep for minutes, and if anything, she was more exhausted now than she had been before. "...Elizabeth, did you hear us?" Abigail asked, coming to her on the other side of the bed and taking her free hand. She shook her head wearily. "You're plenty ready- it's okay to start pushing!" Elizabeth's eyes grew wider. Almost three hours ago, she had felt the urge to push, but it had been too soon. Now it was time. "Alright, The next pain will come very quickly Elizabeth, and when it does, you bear down, and give it everything you've got!" Abigail encouraged. The pain came within moments, and ELizabeth gritted her teeth as she pushed, every muscle in her body felt like it was burning with exertion. As the pain ebbed, she leaned back, and let out a shuddering sob.

"You're doing so well Elizabeth!" Cat assured her, and Molly nodded in agreement.

"I don't feel like I-" Whatever she was going to say next was lost in a scream as she felt the next pain. She gripped Jack and Abigail's hands tightly, and bore down with everything.

"Yes, Elizabeth! I can see the head!" Cat cheered her on, and Elizabeth let out a sigh. "You're so close Elizabeth, just keep going!" Elizabeth tried, she really did, but her entire body seemed to scream against doing anything further.

"I can't, Jack, I'm sorry, but I can't!" She sobbed, her head hitting the headboard. She threw her hands over her eyes, and hissed. "I can't do it."

"Hey now- that's quitter talk, Mrs. Thornton. I thought we agreed a long time ago, we're both too stubborn for our own good, and never quit." Jack said, pulling her hand away to look in her eyes, which were red, and filled to the brims with tears. "You didn't quit on those damned kitchen curtains, and I know you're not about to quit on our baby! Now, you. Can. do this!" He said, and she nodded slowly. She took a few quick, deep breaths, and reached for his hand again.

"I can do this." She nodded, and Abigail took her other hand.

"You absolutely can. Take all of my strength, join it with your own, and give it everything you've got!" Jack said, and Elizabeth closed her eyes with the next pain, and pushed for what felt like an eternity, until she felt sudden, sweet relief, followed by the most beautiful sound she had ever heard in her life. A cry. Her baby's cry; loud, shrill, strong.

"Oh thank god!" She sobbed, and Jack kissed her at once.

"It's a girl, Elizabeth! You've got a daughter!" Cat announced, and Elizabeth felt as if her heart might burst. They had Jack cut the cord, and quickly laid the little bundle in it's mother's arms.

"You're here." She whispered to it. "And you're beautiful, so, so beautiful!" The afterbirth was quickly taken care of, and Elizabeth hardly noticed as she stared at the beautiful creature in her arms.

"She's perfect. Just like her mama." Jack said, gazing with tear filled eyes. It was already clear that she took after her mother- her nose, her ears, the soft brown curls that poked up from underneath the white cloth she was wrapped in. But she undeniably had a Thornton mouth.

"I never knew it was possible to love this much...I thought, when she was in me, that I loved her impossibly much; but now that she's here…" Elizabeth was at a loss for words as she stared. Jack stroked his finger very carefully over the delicate skin of his daughter's cheek, and she caught the finger in her tiny hand.

"Strong grip. Good, she'll be able to keep all the boys away from her. THey'll be crowding her when she grows up, you know." Jack said.

"Well, What's her name?" Abigail asked after a few moments. "What do I call my little goddaughter?"

"Tell them." Elizabeth grinned, looking at Jack.

"We'll tell them together." He insisted, and Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Her name is Lilly…"

"Alice…" Elizabeth said softly, noting the way that Abigail's breath caught when she said the name.

"Thornton." Jack finished, kissing Elizabeth's temple.

"Lilly Alice Thornton! It's beautiful!" Cat said with a smile.

"You used Alice...after-"

"Yes. We did. I hope you don't mind." Elizabeth said, knowing that Abigail was thinking of the tiny girl she lost.

"I don't. In fact, I'm incredibly honored." Abigail said sincerely, her hand flying to her throat. "It's perfect." She knelt down at the side of the bed, and stared at her pretty little God daughter. "Welcome to the world, Lilly Alice Thornton. You are so loved."

AN: BABY THORNTON IS HEREEEEEE! And...it's a girl! And Jack made it back in plenty of time! The next chapter should be up before too long! Thank you for your wonderful reviews!