As he was expecting a call from headquarters about a certain matter, Gabriel was not able to leave the office right away to check on Faith when Nathan gave him the news. Despite his friend's assurances that they would make sure someone was at the house with Faith until he was able to get home, Gabriel wanted to go check on her himself. She'd had several dizzy spells this past week. He had been trying to convince her to let him take her to Benson Hills to have their doctor look her over and she had refused. If she argued this time, Gabriel planned on insisting she take it easy until Carson arrived. As they had made it to June, the baby was expected to arrive around the middle of the following month. Gabriel had seen babies arrive this early with mixed results.

Eyeing the phone, Gabriel decided to give Dr. Murphy in Benson Hills a call. Perhaps he might be willing to make a Hope Valley house call whether Faith liked it or not.

Picking up the phone, Gabriel asked Florence to place the call for him. Luckily the other doctor was in and informed the Mountie that he would be willing to make the drive that evening just as soon as he saw his last appointment of the day. Feeling a little more at ease, Gabriel thanked him and ended the call.

Reaching for one of the reports he needed to finish, Gabriel tried to work on it but couldn't seem to concentrate on the words. When the phone rang, he snatched it up, thankful that it was the call he had been waiting for. The phone call seemed to drag on as Gabriel found himself watching the clock, wanting to be able to end the call. Despite that, he was still able to take the necessary notes warranted. Still, he was thankful when he was able to place hand piece back in its cradle.

Tucking the notes he had taken into the top drawer of his desk, Gabriel locked it. He would deal with that tomorrow. Reaching for a blank piece of paper, Gabriel scrawled a note to Harold saying that he would be at home if he was needed. He then hurried from the office, not even realizing that his Stetson still remained on the hook where he had hung it.

Gabriel had never covered the distance from town to the row houses as fast as he did that day. Though he remembered exchanging a passing greeting with a few people, he knew he would never be able to recall who. Reaching his home, he hurried inside. The sight that greeted him was that of his wife sitting on the settee with her feet propped up on an ottoman and a teacup in her hand. In the nearby easy chair sat Abigail, sipping from her own tea cup. Both ladies looked very relaxed, which seemed to irritate him in his state of worry.

"I told you he would be home early," Faith commented, looking over at her husband. "And I am feeling fine now, so you need to stop worrying."

"This wasn't the first dizzy spell you've had. What if you have one and actually faint," Gabriel protested. "As soon as Carson gets here, you need to stop working until after the baby gets here."

"While I think Gabriel is a bit more worked up than he needs to be, I do agree with him," Abigail said.

"I am not worked up!" Gabriel protested immediately, bringing soft laughter from the two women.

"It is sweet to know I am very loved," Faith said, looking at Abigail.

"That you are," Abigail replied, getting to her feet. "I'll just tidy up the kitchen and be on my way."

"Just leave your cup by the sink, Abigail. I'll clean up later," Gabriel told her. "I thank you for coming to keep my wife company."

Abigail smiled. "It is my pleasure. Let me know if you need anything else," she told them. "I can see myself out," she added, meeting Gabriel's gaze as he stood just inside the door. "You sit down next to your wife and relax a little before you're the one who needs the doctor due to stress."

"I'm fine," Gabriel protested, though he did move toward the settee.

"So where is your hat?" Faith asked innocently as her husband sat down next to her.

Gabriel reached up and touched his bare head, a sheepish look coming to his face. "Probably still on the hook in the office," he admitted.

"I won't tell anyone you were out of uniform, Sgt.," Abigail teased as she walked toward the door.

"So perhaps I was a bit worried," Gabriel finally admitted.

Faith took his hand and placed a kiss on her husband's cheek. "Thank you for being concerned about me," she told him. "It makes me feel loved."

"Good, because I called Dr. Murphy. He's agreed to drive out for an evening house call," Gabriel admitted.

"He is just being a loving husband, and having a doctor look you over is a good idea," Abigail interjected. "Good evening to both of you. I will check in on you in the morning, Faith."

"Good evening," Faith and Gabriel replied together as Abigail left the house.

Alone, Faith looped her arm through Gabriel's as she snuggled in close to his side. "I will happily let Dr. Murphy examine me," she said as she rested her head on her husband's shoulder. "The main reason I didn't want to go see him in Benson Hills was the ride there and back. But as you sweet talked him into coming to me, it is probably a good thing to make sure everything is fine."

"Is there something you are not telling me?" Gabriel asked, feeling a bit alarmed.

"No. Other than being tired and uncomfortable, which comes with being eight months pregnant, the dizzy spells are the only issue," Faith assured him.

The door opened then and in came Vincent, with Bella right behind him. "I hope no one started supper. It was a good fishing day," the boy aannounced shutting the door behind him.

Gabriel looked over to see four good sized fish on a string that Vincent held. "I would say so. Looks like trout for supper." He looked down at his wife. "I can cook you something else if you would like."

"Fish is fine. I am past the morning sickness," Faith replied, smiling as Bella hopped up on the ottoman and made herself comfortable next to her feet. She shifted her head to look at their son. "Do you think you can start cleaning the fish alone though? I want to use your Dad as a pillow for a bit longer."

"Are you feeling all right, Mom?" Vincent asked, his smile fading to give way to worry.

"Just a little tired," Faith assured him. "I will be fine."

"I'll go clean the fish, though I may need help cooking them," Vincent said.

"I will help you cook supper," Gabriel promised.

There was a knock on the door. As Vincent was still nearby, he turned and answered the door to find Corporal Mayne standing there. Vincent greeted the man and invited him inside.

"I just wanted to check in on you, sir. It seemed like you left in a hurry this afternoon," Harold said, holding up Gabriel's Stetson.

"Just wanted to get home to check on my wife," Gabriel replied. "Thank you for brigning the hat by. You can just hang it on the coat rack there."

Harold complied. "Anything I can do for any of you?"

"No," Gabriel replied. "Though I think I am going to stay close to home tomorrow unless I'm needed for something."

Beside Gabriel, Faith started to protest but Harold spoke quickly.

"Very good, sir. Tom and I can handle anything routine. I'll find you if something needs your input. Good evening, folks," the man said ducking out before anyone had a chance to reply.

"I feel like he didn't want to give me a chance to protest," Faith said, looking at the closed front door.

"That is fine with me," Gabriel said, leaning in and pressing his lips to hers.

"I am just going to go clean the fish out back," Vincent said, starting toward the back door. "Come, Bella. Let's leave the love birds alone."

You'll get it one day, son, Gabriel thought as he continued kissing his wife. She had placed her free hand behind the back of his head, and that was all the invitation he needed to make the kiss a lengthy one.


Two days later, Faith was standing on the train platform, her arm looped through Gabriel's as they waited for Carson's train to arrive. Other than a blood pressure that was on the low side of normal, Dr. Murphy had given her and the baby a clean bill of health. Her fellow doctor had advised her to take things slow for the remainder of her pregnancy and to drink plenty of water. He had also cautioned her to stand up slowly as the dizzy spell was probably brought on by her blood pressure dropping lower as she rose. Knowing that arguing with Gabriel wouldn't accomplish anything other than upset them both, Faith had cancelled most of her appointments over the next few days, asking her patients to reschedule with Carson once he had arrived. A few of them that she felt shouldn't be put off she asked to stop by her home.

Gabriel had remained home the following day but had gone into the office that morning. Not wanting her to make the trip to the train station alone, he had picked her up and drove her to meet Carson. Faith had to admit she was glad to have her husband by her side for the meeting.

The train pulled into the station and the activity on the platform increased. As passengers began to disembark, Faith found herself scanning the train cars, looking for Carson. When he finally did make an appearance, she was surprised to see him helping a petite brunette, who looked to be around his age, down the steps. She wondered briefly if he was just being polite to a woman traveling alone, but that thought was pushed aside when after taking a bag from the porter, Carson wrapped an arm around her shoulders and led her from the train.

"I didn't realize he wouldn't be arriving alone," Faith commented.

"Does that bother you?" Gabriel asked, his gaze following hers as Faith raised a hand to get the other man's attention.

"No," Faith replied, a genuine smile on her face as she lowered her hand after Carson had spotted her. "I'm happy for him and I'm happy with you."

Gabriel pressed a quick kiss to her hair. "Good answer," he told her, before turning his head to greet the two people approaching.

Taking a step from Gabriel, Faith allowed Carson to give her a quick, friendly hug as he approached them. "You are glowing with happiness, Faith," Carson said, as he took a step back.

"Thank you," Faith murmured.

"Is this your husband?" Carson asked, turning his attention to Gabriel.

"Gabriel Kinslow," the Mountie replied, holding his hand out to Carson. The doctor shook hands with the man.

"Nice to meet you," Carson said, after giving his own name.

"You may be a little busier at first than you anticipated," Faith told him.

"You mentioned that you weren't seeing people outside of town," Carson said.

"Yes, and I cancelled most of my appointments for the last couple of days. I've only been seeing urgent cases at my home."

"Is everything okay with you?" Carson asked, the care in his voice genuine.

Faith told him about her appointment with Dr. Murphy and her dizzy spells.

"I am glad you are taking things easy. I am sure I can get myself settled in again at the infirmary on my own. You can let me know if there are any charts I should familiarize myself with quickly and I'll find you if I have questions. I would also like to do my own examination if you are open to it. I know I am probably not your first choice of a doctor given the situation but . . . "

Faith had looped her arm back through Gabriel's. "Gabriel has midwife training along with the training from the Mounties. He wants to deliver the baby, but we both agree we would like you to be on hand in case something comes up, so yes, I am open to you doing your own examination but get settled in first."

"All right," Carson said.

"Someone who does need to be a priority for you is Elizabeth," Faith replied. "Her pregnancy has been text book but given the events of the last year, she is nervous and is going to need a lot of reassurance."

Carson nodded. "I will go out and visit them this evening," he promised. "I have someone I want them to meet and whom I should introduce to you as well," he added, motioning the brunette forward. "Faith, Gabriel, I would like you to meet my wife, Dahlia," Carson said, the pride and love evident in his voice. "Dahlia, this is Faith, who you have heard a lot about, and her husband Gabriel."

Dahlia stepped forward. "It is nice to meet you both," she told them, meeting first Gabriel's gaze and then looking toward Faith. "It is so nice to finally put a face to the name, Faith."

"Thank you," Faith murmured, as Gabriel reached out and looped his arm around her waist. "Though I must admit, I haven't heard anything about you."

Dahlia laughed softly. "That is perfectly alright. I know you and Carson haven't been in touch, but he spoke of you when he told me about his own journey of grief and opening his heart up to love again. He said you were the reason that he was finally able to make that step and I thank you, as it meant that he was able to walk beside me in my own journey through grief, when my husband passed shortly after Carson arrived in Baltimore."

"You were the spring I needed in my life, Faith, and I thank you," Carson told her sincerely. "Without you showing me how to open my heart to love again, I never would have been able to find the love that Dahlia and I share."

"You're welcome," Faith said, happy to know that Carson felt much the same way she did about their relationship now. "And if I hadn't been trying to escape memories here in Hope Valley for a while, I might never have met Gabriel. I guess we were both a needed season in each other's lives."

Perhaps having Carson back in town wouldn't be as awkward as she thought it was going to be. Dahlia certainly seemed like a delightful woman, and Faith looked forward to getting to know her better.

"I have a wagon waiting outside to take you to the Amaryllis. I'm afraid right now that it is the best we could figure out for accommodations as all the row houses are filled. Faith and I will be vacating our row house as soon as our new home is complete, but that will be a couple months yet," Gabriel said.

"As long as there is a roof over our heads and a bed to sleep in, we will manage," Dahlia assured him.

"Do you have any other bags?" Gabriel asked.

"We do," Carson replied.

"I'll help you collect them," Gabriel told him. He turned to Faith. "Why don't you ladies take a seat in the station until we have the wagon loaded?"

"We'll be waiting," Faith replied, thankful that Gabriel hadn't insisted on walking her back into the station himself. She motioned to Dahlia to follow her. "You can tell me a little about yourself in the meanwhile."

Dahlia took the bag that Carson had been carrying, kissed her husband's cheek and started following Faith. "It does seem only fair," she conceded as they headed into the station.