A/N- I hate cliffhangers, so there was no way I was going to leave you all like that. I may be crazy, but I'm only cruel to fictional tea-guzzling saloon owners.

Chapter Twenty-One

"What did you do to her?" Rosemary exclaimed, pushing Lucas aside as she knelt next to her friend. "Get Nathan!" she shouted to the room in general. Several people hurried off in different directions while Lucas stood back, stunned at the sudden turn of events.

Elizabeth woke up cradled in her husband's arms as he hurried to the infirmary, her coat draped over her and her head still spinning. "What…what happened?"

Nathan breathed a sigh of relief but kept up his quick pace. "I don't know. According to Lucas, one minute you were yelling at him and the next you'd fainted dead away. He swears he didn't lay a finger on you."

Faith was waiting for them, holding the door open as Nathan carried Elizabeth inside and laid her gently on the nearest bed. He refused to leave while Faith examined and questioned her.

Faith looked at Elizabeth, a soft smile on her face. "You know what I'm going to say, don't you?"

"What's wrong?" Nathan asked, not calmed by Faith's cryptic question.

Elizabeth closed her eyes shook her head. When she opened them, she looked at the doctor in disbelief. "Are you sure?"

Faith laughed. "As sure as I can be. Only time will tell for certain, but I think you brought something back from your honeymoon with you."

Nathan wrapped his arms around his wife, holding her tight. "What is it? Will she be alright?"

Elizabeth looked up at her husband, her face glowing. "She means we brought someone back with us. I'm pregnant."

Nathan froze, staring at her without actually seeing anything. His hold on her hand slackened, and Faith quickly slid a chair behind him as his legs gave out.

"I'll give you two a minute," she said, grinning as she pulled the partition around them.

Elizabeth waited, holding Nathan's hand, until he met her eyes. He saw her radiant smile, then dropped his gaze, reaching tentatively to touch her stomach.

"A baby?" he asked quietly. "We're having a baby? Already?"

Elizabeth put her hand over his, holding it against her belly. "So, it seems. I did warn you," she teased.

Nathan looked back up to meet her eyes. "You did, but I just…I didn't think it would actually happen this fast. When do you think…?"

"Considering my symptoms, if it wasn't our wedding night, then very shortly after," she replied. "Are you alright with this? I know we haven't started the house yet, and we're still getting settled with the kids and everything…"

Nathan stopped her with a kiss. Pulling back, he reached up to caress her face, his own breaking into a huge lopsided grin. "I am more than alright with this. I can't wait for this. I can't wait to watch our child grow inside you, to feel him or her kicking, to see you get more beautiful every day."

"You mean get bigger every day." She knew the physical discomfort that awaited her, but it didn't diminish the joy she felt in knowing they'd created a child from their love, that their family was growing, and she wouldn't be doing it all alone this time.

Nathan got to his feet and helped her stand. "If Faith says you're okay to leave, I want to go tell the kids. Just when I thought I couldn't love you more…" He leaned in to kiss her again.

"Alright, enough of that," Faith teased as she came back in. "Clearly you see what that can lead to." She gave Elizabeth a few reminders about drinking plenty of fluids and resting more, then released her to go home.

There was a small crowd gathered when they stepped out of the infirmary. Bill took one look at Nathan and knew.

"Congratulations, you two! That sure didn't take long!"

Rosemary saw the glow on her best friend's face. "Again? Elizabeth!" Despite her gentle scolding, she wrapped them both in a hug. "I'm so happy for you!"

"Mom! Dad!"

The crowd parted as Allie raced towards them. "Opal said that Timmy said he saw Dad carrying Mom to the infirmary. What happened? Are you okay?" Allie clung tightly to Elizabeth, tears brimming in her eyes.

Bill and Rosemary quickly steered everyone else away as Elizabeth and Allie sat on the bench, Nathan standing protectively beside them. Elizabeth took their daughter's hand, squeezing it tightly.

"I'm fine, Allie, I promise. I was arguing with Mr. Bouchard and got a little lightheaded."

"You fainted," Nathan corrected.

She shrugged off his accusatory tone. "Alright, yes, I fainted at the saloon and your dad brought me here to Dr. Carter."

"And what did she say?" Allie asked, her eyes still wide with fright. "Are you alright?"

Elizabeth and Nathan shared a look before turning back to their daughter. "I'm better than alright," she assured her. "I'm pregnant. You're going to have another little brother or sister."

Allie stared in disbelief, her face the exact same stunned look Nathan's had carried. Then she shouted with glee and dove into Elizabeth's arms. "We're having a baby? Already? But you've only been married for about five minutes!"

"It's been just over seven weeks, actually," Nathan corrected, grinning as Allie jumped up to hug him. "The best seven weeks and three days of my life."

"Come on," Elizabeth said, getting to her feet. "Let's go home and tell Jack, and then we should work on those plans for the house. We've got less than 8 months if we want it finished before the next little Grant makes their arrival."

They stopped at the café to pick up dinner, all three of them too excited to cook. Bill insisted it was on the house and added a few slices of Elizabeth's favorite chocolate cake. "I remember last time," he teased. Turning to Nathan he warned, "Always have chocolate ready. And marshmallows. And in a few months, you might want to stock up on sardines."

Allie and Nathan blanched at the combination, while Elizabeth just smiled innocently. "Cravings," she shrugged. "Carson told me it was completely normal."

"There is nothing normal about sardines," Allie grimaced. "Chocolate and marshmallows I can understand but… sardines?"

Elizabeth laughed. "We'll have to wait and see. Perhaps this time it will be peanut butter and pickles. Or maybe something simple like all the apples I can eat."

"Anything else I need to watch out for?" Nathan asked as they walked home. He carried the hamper with their dinner and Allie had Elizabeth's basket from school, leaving her to walk between them.

She shrugged. "I was lucky last time, and the only smell that really bothered me was coffee. I had to stay out of the café for a while, especially during the breakfast rush." She looked at Nathan mischievously. "It's probably best if you don't make coffee at home for a few weeks. We have plenty of tea though…"

Nathan shook his head. "Thanks, but no. I will make my coffee when I get back from my rounds, or stop at the café on my way in. I'm sure Bill would be more than happy to have some ready for me, especially if he knows it's for your sake."

"I could tell him that I don't want your office to smell like coffee either. He'd probably have some waiting in a thermos for you if I asked nicely."

It was Allie's turn to laugh. "Grandpa Bill will do just about anything for you, Mom. You wouldn't even have to ask nicely."

They shared their news with Laura and Jack as soon as they got home. Laura promised to help around the house more if needed and assured them she was more than happy to care for both children when Elizabeth went back to work. Jack was excited because everyone else was, and because there was chocolate cake, but they weren't sure he really comprehended what was going on. It wasn't until he was putting their son to bed that Nathan knew Jack understood. Nathan's heart, already on the verge of bursting from his chest, got even tighter when he heard the boy's bedtime prayers.

"God bless Mama and Daddy Nathan, and Daddy, and Allie, and Grandpa Willum and Nana Grace, and Grandma Charlotte and Uncle Tom, and Aunt Rosie and Uncle Lee, and Grandpa Bill. And bless my new baby. Can I please have another sister like Allie?"

As usual, Nathan was awake before Elizabeth. Instead of getting out of bed, however, he laid on his side to watch her sleep. Her braid had come loose overnight, but even beneath the cloud of hair, her face seemed to glow. He carefully shifted the blanket away from her body, studying her still flat belly and wondering how soon they'd be able to see their child begin to grow inside her. Unable to resist, he gently caressed her stomach through her nightgown.

"Hello, baby," he said softly.

Elizabeth opened her eyes, watching him quietly. "What are you hoping for- boy or girl?" she asked. "Allie wants another brother, Jack wants a sister."

"I don't care either way," he said, gathering her into his arms. "As long as you and the baby are both healthy, I don't care what we have." He leaned to kiss her, smiling as he pulled away. "Maybe it will twins—one of each."

"Don't even think it!" Elizabeth warned. "One at a time is enough for me, thanks." She was quiet for moment. "A lot of men want boys, sons to carry on their name. When Jack and I talked about kids, he just assumed we'd have a boy first."

Nathan shrugged. "I already have a daughter and a son, so it doesn't matter."

They spent the next hour snuggling in bed, talking about possible names and wondering about whose features their child would inherit. Blue eyes seemed a likely possibility, but would they come with dark hair or red? Would they be tall like Nathan and Allie, or average height like Elizabeth?

Despite their previous plan to stay home in pajamas all day, the Grants went into town after breakfast to use the phone in Nathan's office.

"I have news," Elizabeth declared when her family came on the line.

"Elizabeth! Are you pregnant again?" Julie exclaimed. "Now I have to come out for an extended visit!"

"Why does everyone keep scolding me like it's a bad thing?" she grumbled. "I'm having a baby, not committing a crime!"

"It's wonderful, dear, it's just that you seem to conceive them very quickly. At this rate, you're going to have a house full," her mother pointed out.

Elizabeth gazed over at her husband, the familiar flutter taking over her heart when he smiled back at her. "I am looking forward to it."

The news about Baby Grant spread quickly through Hope Valley, and all but a few of the students were aware of it by the time school started on Monday. Those who had been around when Elizabeth was pregnant with Jack had fewer questions than the newer students, but they all had the same concern: Was Elizabeth still going to be their teacher?

"Yes, I will be here for the rest of the school year," she assured them. "The baby should be here late summer or early fall, so I will miss the first part of next school year. I will talk with Miss Yoest and see if she is willing to take over for me again, or I will make arrangements with the county board of education to have a long-term substitute."

"What about Mrs. Thornton?" Opal asked, suddenly excited. When some of the children looked at her funny, she explained. "Mountie Jack's mom used to be a teacher. Maybe if Miss Katie—I mean Miss Yoest—can't do it, Mrs. Thornton could!"

"I will certainly ask her," Elizabeth promised. "I'm sure she would enjoy getting to see all of you, not to mention spend more time with her grandson. But remember, she does have a ranch to look after so she may not be able to stay the whole time I am out. Perhaps she and Miss Yoest could split teaching duties."

Opal and the others seemed pleased with the idea, and eventually settled down enough for lessons to begin.

The one person who missed the news was Lucas. The saloon owner had left town on yet another business trip the same night that Elizabeth collapsed. When he returned a couple of weeks later, Baby Grant was common knowledge, so it didn't occur to anyone to fill him in.

Lucas had been joined by another gentleman, and the two were sitting in the main room of the saloon, clearly making plans. They had maps and train schedules spread across the table in front of them, and a list of the biggest bookstores in the country. Nathan, who was meeting Bill and Lee to discuss an expansion of the jail, unintentionally overheard their conversation. When he heard them talking about Elizabeth's stories, and how their focus was more on the 'single' than the 'mother', he made his presence know.

"I couldn't help but overhear you discussing A Single Mother on the Frontier. May I ask why?"

"I'm Harvey Herman, part of the marketing team for the company publishing Mrs. Thornton's book." He scowled, taking in Nathan's uniform is distain. "I know Mr. Bouchard is acting as Mrs. Thornton's agent, but what possible concern would you have for her book?"

"Oh, I'm no one," Nathan grinned. "Just her husband."

Lucas closed his eyes and sighed.

"Husband?" Mr. Herman gaped, turning to Lucas. "You never said she was married! This whole plan centered upon marketing a single mother. What happened?"

"Life imitating art," Nathan shrugged. "When she wrote the book, she was a single mother. And just like in her book, the single mother met a single father. They bonded over the shared trials and triumphs of raising a child alone and fell in love. We were married right before Christmas."

"And I suppose now you think it's your place to say whether Elizabeth is allowed to do a promotional tour for her book?" Lucas grumbled.

Nathan shook his head, bemused. "You know as well as I do that no one tells Elizabeth what she can and cannot do."

Lucas turned back to Mr. Herman. "So, we'll plan for the tour to run from early July until late August. If things go well, we'll extend it into September."

"That's not going to happen," Nathan stated matter-of-factly.

"I thought you weren't going to stand in her way?" Lucas taunted. "Afraid that once we're out on tour she'll realize everything she's missing out on married to you?"

Nathan smiled. "Under other circumstances, I wouldn't even consider trying to stop her, but she's not going on tour this summer."

"And why not?" Mr. Herman asked. "School will be on summer break. We will arrange for her child to accompany her. We would even allow you to join her, assuming your job permits you leave."

Lucas scowled when Mr. Herman mentioned Jack tagging along, and it grew when Nathan was mentioned.

Nathan shook his head. "First, if she went on tour, you would have to arrange for two children—our son and our daughter. And I don't care if you "allow" me there or not, I would be escorting my family. But as I said, Elizabeth is not going on an extended book tour this summer."

"Why not?"

"Because she's pregnant."

Mr. Herman threw his hands up, glaring across the table at Lucas. Mr. Bouchard was unaware of his companion's distemper; he had gone ashen and nearly choked at the announcement. Nathan gave him a moment to recover before elaborating. "She's due in late September, but considering that her son came early, we should anticipate that this one may as well. There is no way Elizabeth would risk being on the road or in a train somewhere days away from home when our child is ready to be born."

Mr. Herman gathered up his maps and papers and hurried to his room. He returned a short time later, his bags packed and ready to check out. Lucas retreated to his office, not saying another word to anyone.

Once his meeting with Bill and Lee was over, Nathan went back to his office to call Helen Bouchard. Introducing himself and explaining his connection to Elizabeth, he expressed his discomfort with Lucas acting as Elizabeth's agent. "I just don't think it's a good idea, considering their previous relationship."

"Constable Grant, I have no idea what you're talking about," she replied. "My son is not acting under my authority or that of anyone else at the publisher."

"So, who is Harvey Herman?" Nathan worried that Lucas had been scammed by someone pretending to be from the publisher.

Helen gasped and then laughed. "Harvey is there?" she choked. "Harvey Herman has applied for just about every job at the publishing house, but he isn't qualified for any of them," she managed to explain. "I haven't heard anything from him in a while. I suppose this is his attempt at getting into marketing."

Relived that Mrs. Bouchard didn't seem concerned, Nathan still intended to ask the Mounties back in Hamilton to keep an eye on Mr. Herman.

"Your son and Mr. Herman did give me an idea," Nathan continued. "What about a few small tour stops? Day trips to nearby cities that the kids and I could join Elizabeth on over the weekends- Union City, Buxton, Silverton, Brookfield. And make the last stop here in Hope Valley- let the world see the place and the people who inspired her story."

"I think that is a wonderful idea," Helen declared. "Your wife has never shown interest in traveling to sell her book, but I think this the perfect solution. Talk to Elizabeth, see if she's on board with the idea. I'll start making inquiries from here. I know her family and her students are her first priorities, and I don't want to take her away from them. We can spread the tour stops over a few months, leaving her plenty of time for her life at home, and finish them well before the end of her pregnancy." She paused, a smile clear in her tone when she added, "Elizabeth is very lucky to have a husband so supportive of her career and her choices. You are a very special man, Mr. Grant."