AN: Just a little tale from the past and a possible explanation of how the younger Thornton brother got named after his father instead of Jack. Thanks Amy for catching my typos!

Charlotte looked down at her firstborn who sat happily stacking blocks. She knew she couldn't ask for a better behaved child than her little Jack. A couple of months from his fourth birthday, and he was showing intuition beyond his years. With her second pregnancy making things more difficult to do, she had feared keeping up with her energetic son. However, Jack had actually become more cooperative for her. He waited patiently for her to do things. Didn't go running off when they were outside. Even with napping on the settee so she didn't have to go upstairs, her son was more cooperative with his naps.

Then there was the current situation. Charlotte had sat in the armchair and put her feet up while Jack had napped. Though she always gave her son a glass of milk and a small treat following a nap, she had yet to get to her feet. Waking up from his nap, Jack had sat patiently on the settee waiting for her to stand up. When he got tired of waiting, the little boy had not pestered for his milk and treat but instead slipped from the settee and began to play with his blocks.

Gathering her strength, Charlotte levered herself out of the chair. Jack looked at her but still didn't say anything. Once on her feet, Charlotte addressed him. "Let's go get your milk and a cookie Jack."

Bouncing to his feet, Jack reached for her hand. Instead of scurrying toward the kitchen he walked patiently beside her.

In the kitchen, Charlotte got her son's milk and cookie as he climbed up in a chair. With Jack enjoying his afternoon snack, Charlotte decided to get a start on supper as it took longer these days. She hadn't been at it long when the front door opened.

"Charlotte, are you home?" came the voice of her husband, Sgt. Tom Thornton.

"We . . . " Charlotte paused as Jack slipped from his chair and scurried in the direction of her father's voice. "I'm in the kitchen," she amended.

Charlotte went about her tasks until her husband came into the room, Jack in his arms. Thomas came over to her, placing a kiss on her a cheek, a gesture she returned.

"You're home early."

"That is because I need to pack and leave. They need help in Moose Crossing."

"One of the others can't go?" Charlotte asked, feeling put off. "I could give birth at any time. You could miss this little one's birth."

"They specifically asked for me, Honey. They need help tracking someone. I have to go."

Charlotte sighed. She knew all of her pleading wasn't going to change her husband's sense of duty.

"Tell you what, Char," Tom said. "We have not been able to decide on names for this little one," he said, reaching out to rest the hand not holding Jack on her rounded belly. "If I miss the birth, you name our child whatever you want."

"So, if it is a boy I can name him after his father this time?" Charlotte asked.

"Even that," Thomas consented.

Charlotte leaned in and kissed her husband. She had wanted to name Jack after his father but Thomas had not yielded in the fact that he wanted his son to be his own man, name and all.

"Go do your duty then, Sgt.," Charlotte whispered.

"Can I help you pack?" Jack asked.

"Sure you can, son," Tom said turning away and heading toward his bedroom.

"I am going to be a Mountie like you, Dad." Jack declared as her two men walked away.

Yes, Charlotte thought. You probably will, she consented, thinking of how their firstborn followed his father as much as allowed. She looked down at her rounded belly. "Even if you are a boy, I hope you stick closer to home."