Chapter 177 – First Appointment (long)

Elizabeth got to the school and immediately set about reading the note that Charlotte and Elizabeth Rose had left. After putting some math on the board, she set about getting a history worksheet ready and then went back to grading while she waited for the students. She didn't get as much as she wanted done, but she hoped that the students understood. Elizabeth stood to go greet the students. She stood just inside the door, she wanted to be at the top of the steps like she usually did, but the Cadets had asked her not to.

As the students came in, Elizabeth waved to the few parents that had walked with them. They waved back and left them to start their day. Elizabeth wanted to get going as she had a lot planned for the morning. She didn't like giving so much homework, but she also knew that they had a lot that they needed to cover.

"Let's settle down." Elizabeth said as she walked back to the front.

When she got to the front, the children had settled down. She took a deep breath and looked at them.

"I am sorry." Elizabeth said. "I didn't get all the grading done, but I am hoping to have stuff to return to you tomorrow. We have a lot to cover this morning. I have a history worksheet that you will work on this afternoon or to take home. It will be due right away tomorrow. I think you have math worksheets and writing for me. Please pass those forward now."

The children pulled out their work and started passing it forward. As soon as Elizabeth had them, she started right in on the new lessons. She did the history lesson and then handed out the worksheets. She then got into math. As the older groups were working on their math, Elizabeth worked a little with the youngest group. It was a lot going back and forth, but she was doing a good job. When Elizabeth finally called everyone back together, she talked to them about what they were doing for the science project. She was glad that everyone at least had a topic. She was also glad that her Aunt Elizabeth and Charlotte were handing the science projects. She didn't think she would have been able to help thirty plus students with projects. She was having a hard time just teaching that many students without adding extra things.

Before letting the students go for lunch and recess, she made sure they had their math homework, history worksheets, and reading. She reminded them of the vocabulary test right away Friday morning. She didn't give them another writing assignment, but did let them know that they would have one the next couple of days.

Once she knew that they all understood what needed to be done, she let them go. She grabbed her lunch and went to the steps to eat. When she saw Patty was already there, she went back inside. Aunt Elizabeth came in as well.

"How was the morning?" Elizabeth Rose asked.

"Not bad." Elizabeth said. "We covered everything, and they have math problems, a history worksheet and reading. I didn't give them another writing assignment as I don't want to get too far behind."

"That is fine." Elizabeth Rose said. "There is plenty to keep them busy."

"I am going to eat here." Elizabeth said. "Jack and I have appointments with Faith right away this afternoon."

"Yes, Dee said something about going and getting Jack after he ate." Elizabeth Rose said.

Elizabeth took a bite of her sandwich and continued to read the essay she was grading. Elizabeth Rose sat down and picked up the math worksheets and started grading them. Elizabeth looked up and smiled. She knew that her aunt didn't have to do that, but it helped. By the time that it was time to call the students back and for Elizabeth to head to town they had the math worksheets graded and several of the essays.

"I will take them and record the grades." Elizabeth said. "Hopefully I can finish these this afternoon and evening."

"Want us to come for supper?" Elizabeth Rose asked.

"If you want." Elizabeth said. "I had Dee pick up a large roast and have it delivered with other groceries we needed."

"We will come after school." Elizabeth Rose said. "I will let the guys know to be out about six thirty/seven."

"Sounds good." Elizabeth said. "Have a good afternoon."

"You too." Elizabeth Rose said.

Elizabeth left and with her guards headed to the infirmary. She was surprised that Jack was already inside waiting for her.

"Come in Elizabeth." Faith said. "I was just finishing up with Jack."

"So how is he doing?" Elizabeth asked, coming around the curtain.

Elizabeth could see that Faith was just rewrapping Jack and then helped him put his henley back on.

"He is definitely doing better." Faith said. "He still needs to rest and take it easy, but the treatment that Jacobs is doing has helped immensely."

"Good to hear." Elizabeth said. "I was concerned with how tired he was and also with the bruising."

"Both of which I explained to Jack were normal with what he has been through." Faith said.

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "So what is the plan?"

"Rest and continue what he is doing." Faith said. "I want to see him again in two weeks unless he needs something before. If the pain is manageable with the tea that is great. Honestly, at this point I don't want to give anything stronger unless absolutely needed. Please let me or Jacobs know if you are reaching that point."

"I will." Jack said. "Still have a few from when I was shot earlier this year. I haven't needed them, but I know I have two or three if needed."

"Very well." Faith said.

Elizabeth nodded.

"Now." Faith said. "Let's see how you and that little one are doing. I see you are starting to show."

"I feel like I am getting bigger every day." Elizabeth said. "So far no one has said anything, but it is okay."

Faith got Elizabeth's weight and then her blood pressure.

"Looking good." Faith said. "Let's get you laying back and let me have a feel."

Elizabeth laid back. Jack sat on the chair by her head. He held her hand and watched everything that Faith was doing. She measured Elizabeth's stomach and wrote a number down.

"You are measuring a little bigger than I had figured." Faith said.

"What does that mean?" Jack asked.

"Nothing really." Faith said. "The baby might just be a little bigger or it might be because Elizabeth is so small to start with. We will keep an eye on it and see. If she starts getting too big, I might send her to Union City for delivery. I would be more worried if she was small. You expect women to measure within a certain range based on how far you think they are. It also might be that she is a couple weeks further than we thought. There is so much that we don't understand yet about the human body and all the changes that it undergoes during pregnancy. The other thing with measuring bigger it could also be an indication of twins."

Jack and Elizabeth both looked at each other.

"I take it that twins are a possibility." Faith said.

"There are twins in the family." Elizabeth said. "Not my mother or sisters, but my grandmother lost a set of twins."

"Yes." Jack said. "There are twins in my extended family as well. My mother's brother has one set. My grandmother's sister on my dad's side had twins as well."

"So a chance, but not a huge chance." Faith said. "I would say that there is a large chance of having twins if either of your mother's had twins or even your grandmothers."

"Okay." Jack said.

Elizabeth didn't like the thought of having to go to Union City, but she wasn't going to say anything at the moment, because she knew that Jack would argue with her. She wanted to give birth at her home, hopefully their new house. Faith felt around Elizabeth's stomach and asked if she had any tender spots, which she didn't.

"Let's have a listen." Faith said. "I still think it might be a bit early to hear a heartbeat, but let's see. Typically they can't be heard until around twenty weeks or half way through the pregnancy. Given how small Elizabeth is, we might get lucky and hear it early."

Faith put the stethoscope to Elizabeth's stomach. She moved it around, but didn't hear a definite heartbeat.

"No definite heartbeat." Faith said. "I think I hear a faint one, but it could be an echo of Elizabeth's heart since it is not as fast as I would have expected. Hopefully next month."

"Will I be able to hear it?" Jack asked.

"Eventually you should." Faith said.

"I can't wait." Jack said. "I have a stethoscope at the house."

Faith looked at Jack.

"I bought it when I was in Regina." Jack said. "It was part of the advanced kit I sent back here. That is how Jacobs has been able to listen to my lungs."

Faith nodded.

"Just don't be upset if you don't hear it for several weeks yet." Faith said.

Jack nodded.

"Any other questions?" Faith asked.

"Are we okay to be intimate?" Elizabeth asked.

"As long as you both are feeling up to it." Faith said. "I would suggest that you let Jack regain a little more strength. That might change as Elizabeth gets further along. I know several doctors that don't recommend being intimate the last couple months of pregnancy. There are also others that feel as long as you are both up to it, it is fine. I have no stance one way or another. If something comes up and that changes I will let you know, but for now, you can carry on.

Just remember as Elizabeth gets bigger it might be harder for her to be comfortable. I would suggest that you talk to each other about how you are feeling and what feels good and what doesn't. I get that you are both young and haven't been married very long. Just talk to each other."

Jack blushed and ducked his head.

"No need to be embarrassed." Faith said. "I am a nurse. I hope you can talk to me about anything that is going on. Even if you are embarrassed to talk to me, I hope that you can talk to each other and let each other know what you are feeling. Anything else?"

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

"Twenty weeks or later." Faith said. "However, each woman is different and it is usually not long after the woman feels it that others could be able to feel it. Again, it will be an advantage that Elizabeth is smaller, so it might be earlier. Elizabeth, have you felt the baby move?"

"I think so." Elizabeth said. "I don't know. I have felt this weird feeling a couple of times, but I don't know if it is the baby."

"Well, keep track and hopefully we will know more next month." Faith said.

"So a month?" Jack asked.

"Yes." Faith said. "Elizabeth can schedule with me when it gets closer."

"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "I will do that. So you are staying?"

"Yes." Faith said. "I signed a contract with Abigail. She was glad that I was staying. I have wired a friend in Union City to have her send all my stuff here. It should be here next week."

"I am glad you are staying as well." Jack said. "I don't know what we would have done without you since the slide."

"Let's not think about that." Elizabeth said.

"I agree." Faith said. "One last question for you guys. Do you want me to follow you guys or do you want to see the traveling doctor?"

"I think as long as you feel comfortable." Elizabeth said. "I would feel better with you."

"Very well." Faith said. "I know that it is early, but I want you to think about what you want for delivery. Just understand that plans can change and circumstances might change as well. If you are big, I would feel better with you in Union City in case you need a doctor's help. We have time to talk about things, but I want you to think about it. We will talk more about it next month and each time as we get closer."

"I know right now." Elizabeth said. "I want Jack and Abigail there. I want to give birth hopefully in our new home."

"I will mark that down." Faith said. "But remember what I said."

"I want whatever is best for Elizabeth and the baby." Jack said.

Faith nodded. Elizabeth knew that she was going to have a talk with Jack about what she wanted and why. Jack and Elizabeth left. The four guards took them back to the house and the two who had been with Elizabeth took the wagon back to town. Once Jack and Elizabeth were alone in the house, Jack sat on the settee and motioned for Elizabeth to sit next to him.

"Why did you ask Faith about that?" Jack asked.

"Because I knew you wouldn't." Elizabeth said. "You were the one that was worried, so I wanted you to know that it was okay. I told you I was going to ask."

Jack blushed again. Elizabeth leaned over and gave him a quick kiss.

"You are cute when you do that." Elizabeth said. "How about a steam treatment and then a nap."

"Sounds good." Jack said. "What is the plan for supper?"

"Here." Elizabeth said. "I have to get the roast in the oven."

"Yes." Jack said. "There was a delivery from the mercantile earlier."

"Good." Elizabeth said. "Stay here and I will get the water on, then work on supper."

Jack smiled and leaned back on the settee. Elizabeth went about getting the water heating and then started supper. When Jack came to sit at the table, she put the bowl in front of him and draped the towel over his head as she saw Jacobs and Dee do. She continued to tell Jack about her school day as she went about the kitchen. When Jack was done, he leaned back and looked at his wife. Even though he was tired and didn't feel the greatest, a smile was on his face as he watched her. When she turned, he could see her little bump and he could swear that it was bigger then it had been just a few hours ago. He wasn't going to say anything, because he knew that Elizabeth was struggling with how she looked as her body changed, but he committed the image to memory to draw later.

"Bella." Jack said.

"Yes." Elizabeth said, turning around.

"I was wondering if you could make me some tea?" Jack asked.

"Peppermint or medicated?" Elizabeth asked.

"Medicated." Jack said. "I think it will help me sleep better."

Elizabeth quickly made him his tea and set it before him. Elizabeth finished getting supper in the oven as Jack finished his tea.

"What are you going to do?" Jack asked.

"I want to lay down for a bit as well." Elizabeth said.

"Can you get one of the guards to help me upstairs then?" Jack asked.

"Sure." Elizabeth said.

She opened the back door and called the cadet inside.

"Can you please help Jack upstairs?" Elizabeth asked.

"Sure." Cadet Lewis said.

Cadet Lewis helped Jack upstairs as Elizabeth sat at her desk and wrote a note in case Dee came back. When Lewis came back downstairs, she looked at him.

"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "I am going to lock the front door, but the back will be open. I am going to lay down as well."

"Okay." Lewis said. "Anything else."

"Not right now." Elizabeth said.

Lewis went out the back door. Elizabeth locked the front, set the note on the table and headed up to her husband.