Author's Note: There is a very mild steam alert here for Jack and Elizabeth. WIth Jack feeling a little better, it is to be expected.

Chapter 146 – Saturday Night at Home

Wynn looked around the table again and could feel the tension. The last thing that he wanted was for there to be tension. He knew that they needed to focus on something else and it suddenly came to him.

"How about we read some from the Bible and pray before we call it a night." Wynn said.

"I think that is a good idea." Jack said.

Jack got up and went to get his Bible that he knew was upstairs. Dee also got up and got his from the room downstairs. Elizabeth made sure that everyone had a refill of tea. Once they were all settled at the table again. Wynn took Dee's Bible and started reading the Gospel of John chapter 18 and 19. Wynn, Dee and Jack took turns reading. Wynn had picked reading the chapter of John not only because it was Easter, but because it was one of his favorites. They were interrupted by a knock at the door. Wynn finished reading the line he was on then, got up and answered the door.

"Sir." Cadet Townson said. "We were just going to let Corporal Thornton know that we are here."

"Very well." Wynn said. "One in front and one in back. We are just finishing up. Then my wife, her friend and I will be heading back to the saloon hotel."

"Yes, Sir." Townson said.

Wynn nodded to him and shut the door. He went back to the table.

"The two cadets on the first watch are here." Wynn said.

He then picked up the Bible and finished what he was reading. When they were done, Wynn looked around the table.

"Jack, please lead us in prayer." Wynn said.

"Heavenly Father." Jack said. "We come to You with humble hearts. Please watch over us and guide us. Open our hearts to those around us in this season where Your Son died and rose for us. Help us to help those around us. Be with us as we sleep tonight. Give us peace about what is going on so we all can get much needed rest. Help us to enjoy time with family and friends tomorrow. Please give Pastor Frank the words You want him to speak tomorrow. We know that this is a season of rejoicing, but there are many here with heavy hearts. Be with those that have buried a family member or friend. Comfort them and show them that you weep with them in their sorrow. Also show them that they are loved and cared for. Amen."

"Amen." Elizabeth said.

"Heavenly Father." Wynn said. "I also want to ask you to watch over Jack and Beth at this time. I know that the little one that Beth is carrying is a gift from You. I am also sure that there are mixed feelings with everything that has happened. Please be with Jack and Beth and comfort them as they move into this next phase in their lives. Help those around them to be understanding when emotions spill over and give them people to help them when they need. Protect them from the heartache that many of us have known. Please hold them and that little one close. Be with them as they make changes in their life needed to welcome this little one and any others that you give them. Give them wisdom to do what is right and of You, Lord. Amen."

"Amen." Everyone else echoed.

"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "I still don't want to tell anyone else."

"Beth." Elizabeth Rose said. "I doubt that you are going to be able to keep it a secret much longer. You are starting to show."

"I am not." Elizabeth protested.

Jack stood up and pulled Elizabeth up. He then smoothed her skirt down, showing a small baby bump.

"Yes, you are." Jack said.

Elizabeth looked down.

"Oh." Elizabeth said. "That wasn't there yesterday."

"I noticed it when we were laying down earlier." Jack said. "And you are right, it wasn't that big yesterday."

"Guess I am glad that you brought me new clothes, Aunt Elizabeth." Elizabeth said.

"We will have to sort through them tomorrow." Elizabeth Rose said.

"Yes we will." Elizabeth said. "I just hope that my skirt for tomorrow still fits."

"I am sure it will be fine Beth, dear." Wynn said. "We should get going. Dee you are staying here."

"Yes." Dee said. "I will have to get the rest of my clothes from you guys tomorrow as well."

"We will get them all sorted tomorrow." Elizabeth Rose said.

Everyone stood and exchanged goodnights. After Wynn, Elizabeth Rose, and Patty left, Jack and Dee secured the downstairs.

"We are going to head up." Jack said. "Is there anything that you need?"

"Just wondering if I can play your guitar?" Dee asked.

"Sure." Jack said. "I was going to ask you to translate some of Elizabeth's piano music so I can play it on guitar."

"Sure." Dee said. "I love doing that."

"Honestly." Jack said. "I am surprised that you didn't play it before you shipped it out here."

"I wanted to." Dee said. "I just didn't get a chance. When I went to pick it up, the guy already had it in the shipping crate ready to go."

Jack shook his head while Elizabeth went to the shelf and pulled out the book.

"Several are marked." Elizabeth said. "Start with those."

"No problem." Dee said. "I will be in my room so as not to keep you up."

Dee smiled at Elizabeth and she smacked his arm.

"Did Elizabeth tell you that the guitar is exactly like the one that my father gave me?" Jack said. "Right down to the rare model year."

Dee and Elizabeth looked between each other.

"Jack, dear." Elizabeth said. "You didn't tell me that. IF you did, I don't remember. I just told Dee to find you a Martin guitar. I told him that your father had given you one the Christmas before he died."

"Wow." Jack said. "I thought you knew. It is a rare, expensive guitar. I mean it was expensive back then, I am sure that it is even more expensive now."

"Worth every penny." Elizabeth said, smiling.

"Not even going to ask." Jack said.

"Good." Dee said. "Wouldn't tell you anyway."

Jack and Elizabeth turned and went up the stairs. Dee went to his room. Dee was happy to play the guitar and translate some music. He wondered if Jack would let him play the guitar for services if he talked to Pastor Frank. Dee missed playing and singing. When he and Jack had played at Christmas it was the first time that Dee had played for other people since his accident. He was also very delighted that he was able to get Jack a guitar that he loved and obviously meant a lot to him since it was exactly like the one that his father had given him.

After stepping outside. Wynn had a few words with the cadets to let them know that Charlotte might be back to her tent, but otherwise no one should be near the house. They said that had been told and would make sure the next shift knew as well. Wynn then bid them goodnight and headed to town with the ladies. When they got to the saloon, it was still fairly busy. Patty and Elizabeth Rose headed upstairs, while Wynn went to have a word with Bill.

"Everything good?" Wynn asked.

"No problem." Bill said. "McGinty just headed over to the jail. Constable Gill is going to be up overnight to watch the prisoner. Eddie just went up about ten minutes ago. Campbell has had several drinks. I will make sure that he gets to his room."

"Jacobs talk to you?" Wynn asked.

"Yep." Bill said. "Message received and understood."

"Good." Wynn said. "I will be in my room if you need."

Bill nodded and Wynn headed upstairs. Wynn knocked on his door before opening it. He wasn't surprised to find Patty still there.

"Now that you are back." Patty said. "I will head to my room. I am right next door in four. Eddie is in six and the man calling himself Campbell is in nine."

"Thanks for the heads up." Wynn said.

Patty left and went to her room. Wynn changed, then sat on the bed and pulled his wife to him.

"I am sorry about all of this." Wynn said.

"Nothing to be sorry about." Elizabeth Rose said. "It is what it is. Like I said. At least we are here together and not in Hamilton or apart. Patty assured me that someone was sent to be with Sophie and the Mounties will be keeping an eye on the house overnights."

"Good." Wynn said. "I have purposely left the arrangements to Ottawa and Hamilton. I have tried to limit my communications since this started. I mean several Mounties and officers know that I am here, but they also know that they are not to talk about. I am trying to keep a low profile and not draw extra attention to us. And you are right, keeping us safe is easier here than in Hamilton."

"I am glad that you are here to help." Elizabeth Rose said. "From what Beth and Ann said this afternoon, it has been quite the time since you arrived."

"Yes." Wynn said. "Now enough about work. I am tired and I want to be with my wife."

"Gladly." Elizabeth Rose said as she leaned down to kiss her husband.

Jack and Elizabeth changed and as it had become custom, Jack brushed out Elizabeth's hair. Jack quickly went to finish washing up as Elizabeth braided her hair. She was standing at the foot of their bed, rubbing her stomach when Jack came back into the room. He immediately rushed to her side.

"Everything okay?" Jack asked.

"Yes." Elizabeth said. "My stomach was just rumbling or something. I wasn't expecting it and I had to stop for a moment."

"Are you sure everything is alright?" Jack asked.

"Yes." Elizabeth said. "It was probably gas pains. It happens and it will happen more as the baby grows."

"Okay." Jack said.

Jack pulled her into a kiss while he did that, he placed a hand on her bump. He moved them to the bed where Jack sat down and pulled Elizabeth to stand between his legs. He placed his hands on either side of the baby bump and leaned forward to kiss it.

"Hey there, little one." Jack said. "You need to calm down so your mommy can get some sleep. We love you and can't wait to meet you."

Jack then looked up at Elizabeth and you could see the love in his eyes. Elizabeth leaned down and kissed Jack until they were both breathless. As Elizabeth pulled back, she pushed Jack back on the bed. He looked up at her and grinned.

"Love me." Elizabeth said her voice was full of desire.

"Thought you would never ask." Jack said in a low voice.

Jack moved his leg around as Elizabeth laid down on the bed. It only took a moment for Jack's lips to find Elizabeth's neck. The fire that was usually present between them quickly became an all consuming inferno. The clothes that they had just changed into were quickly discarded and Jack pulled at Elizabeth's braid. He continued to play with the loose curls as they fell from the braid. Elizabeth ran her hands across Jack's muscles, driving him crazy. As much as he wanted to draw out their time together, Jack was having a hard time holding back. He pushed closer to Elizabeth and she opened up to him. Once that happened, it didn't take long for them to come together. Later as Jack and Elizabeth laid in each other's arms with the glow that only came from a couple deeply in love, Jack danced his fingers across Elizabeth's belly.

"When do you think I will be able to feel the baby move?" Jack asked.

"I am not sure." Elizabeth said. "Aunt Elizabeth said it wasn't long after she started showing that she could really see and feel the baby move. She said that Sophie was the same. Patty said the same about her sister. So I would suspect that it would be any time. I am not even sure that I have felt the baby move."

"I can't wait." Jack said. "And you are sure that we aren't hurting the baby by being together?"

"If you don't believe me." Elizabeth said. "Feel free to ask Faith at our appointment on Tuesday."

Jack blushed thinking about asking Faith about that.

"What time on Tuesday?" Jack asked.

"After lunch." Elizabeth said.

"I will be there." Jack said. "I want to be with you."

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I don't mind and as long as Faith is okay with it, you can be with me."

"Thank you." Jack said.

Jack then leaned down and kissed her belly.

"Daddy loves you." Jack whispered. "Now it is time to sleep so Mommy can sleep"

Jack then kissed Elizabeth. He pulled the covers over them as Elizabeth snuggled down into his hold. He wrapped his arm around her pulling her close, his hand protectively across her growing baby bump.