Chapter 93 – Going Home (short)
Dee headed upstairs and got to Jack and Elizabeth's room. He didn't hear anything, but knocked. Elizabeth opened the door.
"Was there something that you needed?" Elizabeth asked.
"I just wanted to check on you guys." Dee said. "Also if you are going back to the house, you will need to go to the mercantile."
"I will make a list and come back in." Elizabeth said. "Jack is still sleeping. Seeing the names of the kids this morning hit him hard."
"Mom will be here tomorrow." Dee said. "I have a room at the saloon for them. I was planning on staying at the house unless you want me to spend the night at the jail with McGinty."
Dee gave Elizabeth a wink and she blushed.
"Consider it done." Dee said. "I won't say anything and it is a surprise for Dad that Mom is coming, so don't say anything."
Elizabeth shook her head.
"Talk to you later." Elizabeth said. "We are planning on heading to the house after lunch."
"Sounds good." Dee said.
Elizabeth watched Dee head back down the hall. She then turned to head back to writing like she had been before he came up.
"Anything important?" Jack asked.
Elizabeth looked over to the bed and saw that Jack was still laying there with his eyes closed.
"I thought you were sleeping." Elizabeth said.
"I was, sort of." Jack said.
"No." Elizabeth said. "He was just letting me know that I will need to make a trip to the mercantile if we are going to be at the house. He also let me know that his mother will be here tomorrow, but it is a surprise for Wynn. They will be staying at the saloon. Dee planned on staying at the house with us, but offered to stay at the jail tomorrow with McGinty if we wanted."
Jack didn't say anything but just blushed.
"Where is my mother staying?" Jack asked.
"I think she pitched a tent in the side yard." Elizabeth said.
"Come here." Jack said, sitting up.
Elizabeth walked over and stood in front of Jack. She thought maybe he needed help getting up. Jack put his hands on Elizabeth's hips and pulled her closer. He then kissed her stomach.
"Daddy already loves you little one." Jack whispered. "Can't wait to meet you."
Elizabeth smiled. She thought it was cute how protective Jack was of the baby already and how he wanted to feel connected to him or her. Jack then took Elizabeth's hand and stood. He then kissed her like he had been wanting to for a few days. Jack finally had to pull away and sit down because he got lightheaded. Elizabeth looked at Jack for a moment. She wondered what happened as he pulled away and sat so quickly.
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "Are you okay?"
"Yes." Jack said a little breathless. "Just … need … to … remember … I need to … breathe a little more … than before."
Elizabeth sat down next to Jack until she was sure that his breathing had evened out again. She was concerned, but she was going to keep her worries to herself for the time being. She also knew that she was going to watch him a little closer for the next few days.
"Let's get our stuff together." Elizabeth said. "Then we can go down and eat. When we are done, we can head home. I will then check the cupboards and come back to the mercantile."
"Are you sure?" Jack asked. "That is a lot of walking."
"I am sure." Elizabeth said. "I am feeling better. I think I might be past the worst of it."
"As long as you are sure." Jack said.
"I am." Elizabeth said. "Like I said, I may be pregnant, but I am not going to break. Besides, walking will be good for me. I can rest this afternoon and all weekend."
"As long as you are sure." Jack said.
"I am." Elizabeth said.
Jack sat there for another moment as Elizabeth went to the desk and started picking up her writing stuff.
"Knock, knock." Abigail said.
Elizabeth went over and opened the door.
"Hey." Elizabeth said.
"Someone said you were heading to your house." Abigail said.
"Yes." Jack said. "Thank you for everything, but I want to sleep in my own bed. I can rest there just as well as here."
"Okay." Abigail said. "Are you going to be okay at the house?"
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "Charlotte is close. Dee will be at the house. We will be fine. Besides, if I am going back to work on Monday, I need to get things together. I promise to let you know if we need anything."
"Alright." Abigail said. "Is there anything that you need?"
"I think we will need bread at the house." Elizabeth said. "I will also have to make a trip to the mercantile."
"I already thought about the bread." Abigail said. "Ann will make you a loaf or two and send it with Dee or Wynn later. Let us know if there are other things that you need. Don't forget I would like you to try and come in for Easter dinner."
"We will." Jack said. "We were just going to pick things up and then come down to eat before heading to the house. Let's see how things go over the weekend."
"Okay." Abigail said. "I am going to head back to the office and work until the funeral. Let me know if there is anything that you need. Can you also strip the bed before you leave? I think Charlotte might do some laundry this afternoon."
"Not a problem." Elizabeth said. "I will do it and let her know."
"Thank you." Abigail said.
She looked around and stepped into the room.
"Dee told you?" Abigail asked.
"Aunt Elizabeth?" Jack asked. "Then yes."
"Becky is also coming back tomorrow." Abigail said. "I decided to surprise Cody."
"We won't say anything." Elizabeth said.
"Thank you." Abigail said. "See you both later."
"Later." Jack said.
Abigail headed out. Elizabeth and Jack finished picking everything up and Jack stripped the bed. They left the sheets in a pile on the floor by the door. Jack took his messenger bag and Elizabeth had her bag. Together they headed downstairs for some lunch. When they got downstairs, it sounded like the cafe was busy, but they sat in the kitchen. Ann quickly made them each a plate.
"How are you doing, Jack?" Charlotte asked, coming to sit for a moment.
"I am getting there." Jack said. "This morning was hard, but thank you for giving me the names."
"I take it you knew a bunch?" Charlotte asked.
"Yes." Jack said. "Unfortunately, the two families I dealt with were on the list. As well as several of the children that I interacted with, not all the children, but enough. What is going to happen to the children?"
"We don't know yet." Charlotte said. "We are hoping that they stay here. For everything that they have been through, they are doing pretty good. The women from the Silverton settlement have been helping with them as well as some of the widows."
"That is good." Jack said. "Let me know if there is anything that I can do."
"We will." Charlotte said. "But you are supposed to be resting. You need to fully heal for more than just work."
"Yes, ma'am." Jack said. "Doesn't mean that I don't want to help."
"I know." Charlotte said. "But right now, there are enough hands helping, you rest."
Jack and Elizabeth ate and then got ready to head back to the row house. Charlotte offered to go get a wagon, but Jack wanted to walk.
"A short walk will do me good." Jack said. "I will take it easy the rest of the day when I get home. As much as I need to rest, I also need to move. You know better than most."
"Fine." Charlotte said. "Just take it easy."
"Thank you for lunch, Ann." Elizabeth said.
"You're welcome." Ann said. "I will make sure to send at least one loaf of bread home later."
"Thank you again." Elizabeth said. "I look forward to spending more time with you and your mother."
"Take it easy and we will sit down next week." Ann said.
Jack stood and hugged his mother, grabbed his messenger bag and left with Elizabeth out the back door.
