As it always does, winter gave way to spring. Now six months along, Faith was finding her job harder to do. At Gabriel's insistence, she had stopped her rounds and was only seeing patients in the office. The Mounties were monitoring some of her long-term patients, checking in on them, bringing out medicine, doing dressing changes and giving Faith their observations. It frustrated Faith not to be able to continue to serve her extended community, but as a doctor she also understood the importance of not overdoing it the final months of her pregnancy.

Knowing that there would be a time both before and after the actual birth of her baby that she wouldn't be able to even see patients in the office, Faith had begun looking for another doctor to come work with her, even if it was only temporary. She fully expected the request to attract a younger doctor who was trying to get their footing, and she was all right with that, especially if they could come soon and she could still do some supervising.

Making notes in her last patient's chart one Wednesday afternoon, Faith was not surprised to see Gabriel walk in with a crate from the mercantile. Her husband had taken over picking up deliveries and mail for the infirmary. As most days her ankles swelled from just her time on her feet in the office, Faith didn't put up a protest. She knew that this was Gabriel's way of feeling like he was participating in the process. He and Vincent had both started helping out more with housework and the father and son duo had already wallpapered the room to be used for the nursery in the row house. Faith had insisted on a stripped design that didn't necessarily scream nursery as they had plans on moving out. Gabriel had insisted the room needed fresh wallpaper even if their child was only in it for a few months before the new house was built. Though preliminary work on their home had already been started by Coulter Lumber, actual construction wouldn't begin until the construction for the Grant's' addition was finished. Trim work would be finished by Nathan and a couple of others while the main crew went to start on the Kinslows' new home. Faith was excited about it, even if it would mean a longer commute to her office.

"Special delivery for Dr. Kinslow," Gabriel said, seeing that he had his wife's attention.

A smile came naturally to Faith's lips, just as it did every time she saw her husband. "Just place it there on the table," she told him, pointing to the empty table just inside the door. "Thank you," she added.

"It's my pleasure," Gabriel told her as he placed the crate where she had indicated. "I borrowed Ned's crowbar to pop the lid over at the mercantile, so you'll be able to get into it no problem."

"I think I am going to miss this service after the baby comes," Faith said, having placed her pen down so she could slowly get to her feet.

"Well, I don't think I can justify the guys checking on your out-of-town patients afterwards but as your husband, I will be happy to continue making sure your deliveries get from the mercantile to the infirmary," Gabriel told her, turning to face her after putting down the crate. Reaching for her hands, he pulled her as close to him as her swollen stomach would allow. Leaning in, he placed a quick kiss to her lips.

"That would be nice," Faith admitted as they broke from their kiss.

"I have one more thing for you," Gabriel said, dropping her hands.

Before he could continue though, Faith suddenly grabbed his one hand. "The baby is kicking," she said before he could ask what was going on. She placed his hand in the specific spot on her stomach. Though she often felt the baby moving within her, he or she seemed to be quiet when Gabriel, was around and he had yet to feel the baby kicked. The fact that she had been able to already share the experience with Vincent only enhanced her disappointment of Gabriel not having felt their baby yet.

Faith watched her husband's face. From the smile that formed, she could tell when he felt the movement.

"That is amazing," Gabriel said softly. Dropping his gaze to her stomach, he added. "Hello little one. Daddy already loves you."

Faith beamed with joy, etching this moment into her memory. After a few moments, Gabriel shook himself from his happy reverie and looked back up at her.

"Oh, I also have a telegram for you," Gabriel said, remembering the piece of paper he had tucked away in the breast pocket of his serge. Reaching into the pocket, he removed the telegram and handed it to Faith.

Faith eagerly took the paper from him, hoping that it was a response to her quest for someone to help at the infirmary. It was, and the person it was from was the last person she had expected to hear from.

Not happy here in Baltimore. Would like to come home. Will you accept me for a work partner again? Carson.

"Is it a reply to your search for another doctor?" Gabriel asked after a few moments of silence.

"It is," Faith replied, looking up from the paper. She may have left Hope Valley to escape from memories of Carson, but now that she was so happy here with Gabriel, Vincent, and the coming baby, she found that the thought of Carson returning didn't bother her at all. "The message is from Carson. He wants to return to Hope Valley if I am all right with it."

"How do you feel about it?" Gabriel asked.

"The idea doesn't bother me. I am so happy with you and our children that I am able to accept that Carson was supposed to be a part of my life for the season he was in it. He helped me reconnect with my father, realize my dream of being a doctor and indirectly led me to you. I hope Carson can take something positive from our relationship as well. Besides, I think I will be able to rest easy knowing that my community is in his capable hands while I cannot serve them because of the baby."

Gabriel nodded. "I'm thankful you found your way to me too. You have made my life complete."

It was Faith who initiated the kiss this time, standing on tip toes to place a quick kiss on Gabriel's lips.

"I should probably go send Carson a reply. He's got a long way to travel from Baltimore."

Gabriel turned her toward her desk. "You write a response and I'll make sure it gets sent," he informed her. "I was thinking the two of us could walk home together this afternoon."

Faith beamed. "I like that plan better."

Writing out a quick response to Carson, telling him she and Hope Valley would be happy to have him back, she handed the paper to Gabriel. As her husband headed back to the mercantile, Faith turned her attention to the crate. No other patients were on her schedule, so once the supplies were put away, she could leave. The paperwork never went anywhere overnight and would be there in the morning.

Elizabeth was humming as she hung up the laundry. Though cool and a bit breezy, it was a beautiful sunny day. Before turning to pick up another pair of pants, she looked toward the pond where Jack had wanted to check on Nate. With the warmer weather, the duck had been put out in his house by the pond. He hadn't seemed overly thrilled about it until a few other ducks had come to share his pond. As much as Nate loved his human family, he seemed quite happy to see some of his own kind.

Having warned her son not to go too close to the pond without an adult with him, she was happy to see Jack near the duck house, a decent distance from the pond bank. None of the ducks had been in sight when they had come back.

Returning to her laundry, Elizabeth nearly dropped the wet, clean pair of pants when she heard Jack yell "Mama!"

Elizabeth's gaze went immediately toward the lake. She felt a bit of relief when she saw Jack hurrying toward her. At least he hadn't fallen into the pond or been seriously injured. Scraped hands, knees and elbows were simply a part of childhood. Feeling a bit calmer, she dropped the pants back onto the top of the basket of wet clothes and hurried toward her son. As they got closer to each other, she knelt down and opened her arms to her son, as picking the boy up was too hard for her these days - especially in her current condition.

"Is everything okay?" she heard Nathan call out as Jack reached her. There were tears on the boy's face as she wrapped him tight in her embrace, but she didn't see any noticeable injury.

Unable to answer Nathan's question, she spoke instead to Jack. "What is wrong, my sweet boy?" she asked.

"Nate isn't at the pond or in his house. What if something ate him?"

"Oh Jack, I don't think anything would have gotten a hold of Nate," she tried to soothe. "I think it is more likely that he flew off with the other ducks."

"So, he is still gone," he sobbed, fresh tears falling.

"He might be," Elizabeth said, rubbing circles on his back. "We told you it might happen. Nate is a wild animal and as happy as he was with us, he'll be happier with his own kind."

"I'll miss him."

"I know you will," Elizabeth soothed.

"Is he okay?" Nathan asked breathlessly as he reached them, kneeling down beside him.

"Yes," Elizabeth replied, feeling relieved. "It seems that Nate flew away with the other ducks that were hanging around the pond."

Nathan gave an audible sigh even as he wrapped both wife and son in his arms. "I know you'll miss him, Jack, but Nate needed his freedom. He'll be happy with his own kind."

"Will he be all right?"

"I am sure he will be. He isn't alone after all," Nathan replied. "And you still have Muffin who will need you."

"Muffin won't run off, will she?"

"I think that dog knows just how good she has it," Elizabeth said. "I doubt she will go anywhere."

"Can I go inside and hug Muffin?" Jack asked.

Nathan released them, placing a kiss on Jack's head. Elizabeth let go of her son as well. "I think Muffin would enjoy that," she told him. "Go ahead."

Jack turned and hurried toward the house as Nathan helped Elizabeth to her feet.

"Why don't you go inside with him?"

"I need to finish hanging the laundry," Elizabeth replied, motioning toward the line.

"I'll do that," Nathan told her. "I'm sure that gave you a fright and I think you should go sit down for a bit just to be sure there are no complications."

Elizabeth smiled. "I think you are overly concerned, but I will admit I would rather Jack be in sight for right now."

"Then go. I'll hang the laundry and go back to what I was working on in the wood shop."

"All right," Elizabeth replied, placing a kiss on his cheek before heading toward the house. As she walked, a hand naturally found its way to her swollen stomach. She couldn't deny that it felt good not to have to go through this alone this time.