Chapter 210 – Explaining to Frank

Elizabeth Rose and Wynn exchange another look.

"I will leave the details to them." Elizabeth Rose said. "But because of various factors, including Beth growing up/knowing the father of the two little girls, they felt connected. Jack even said he thought he could have been looking at his own daughter when he saw her on the train.. Well, long story short Jack and Beth have been asked to take the two little girls by the grandparents."

"What happened to their parents?" Frank asked. "Just trying to get a better picture."

"Anne Russell was arrested for her part in the conspiracy to murder her husband Inspector Andy Russell." Wynn said. "Since Jack rescued the girls from their mother and another man in the murder conspiracy, they have been in the custody of their grandparents, Andrew and Ingrid Russell. The mother had taken the girls as leverage to gain access to their trust funds since she had been barred from them. Andrew Sr had never trusted Anne and upon his son's marriage had changed the rules of his inheritance. Anne, the mother, was furious she couldn't access the Russell money. We think that was in part what led to Inspector Russell's murder."

"You mean to tell me that Jack just so happened to rescue the granddaughters of a prince." Frank said. "And now he and Elizabeth are going to raise said girls."

Wynn and Elizabeth Rose looked at Frank.

"Even I know who Andrew Russell is." Frank said. "There was a time that Jake Garrison wanted to take out a train that the man was traveling on, but came to his senses when he learned the man traveled with at least a dozen Pinkertons and Mounties."

"Pretty much." Dee said. "The thing that you need to understand. Inspector Andy Russell was just like you and me. He might have been raised in high society life, but he knew that wasn't where he belonged. He joined the Mounties because he wanted to help people. He actually tried very hard to live a simple life. It was Anne who had ambitious dreams of ruling high society. That is not to say that Andy didn't fit in at society functions, quite the opposite. It was amazing watching him work a room of investors and donors. He had a natural charm to him. He could talk to anyone about anything.

However at the end of the day all he wanted was to hug his girls and read them a bedtime story. He was trying to raise those two little girls to want more out of life then to marry a rich man and do nothing. After he was killed, Andrew Sr realized that the man who rescued them was married to Beth. Well he knew exactly where the girls belonged. See both Andrew Sr and his wife Ingrid, their health is failing and they know they can't take care of two small very active children. Their daughters are all in agreement that Jack and Beth are the best people to raise Little Beth and Sarah."

"But Jack and Elizabeth are expecting." Frank said.

"We know." Elizabeth Rose said.

Dee got up, went and got a photo frame from the side table. He then handed it to Frank. Frank looked at it and then looked at the drawings again.

"Those are the girls from the drawings." Frank said.

"Exactly." Wynn said. "We all knew that Jack and Beth would be good parents to those girls, but once we learned they were expecting, none of us thought they would take the girls. Jack and Beth feel very strongly that they need to do this and therefore we will support them."

"They know that it won't be easy." Elizabeth Rose said. "They know that they are going to have to hire help in the form of a nanny and some security, but they want to do this."

"It is more than a want." Elizabeth said from the stairs. "Jack and I truly believe that God brought us together and even though it is horrible what happened to my friend Andy, we believe God is giving us a way to love those girls like they should be."

Everyone turned to look at Elizabeth. No one expected her to come down. Wynn was immediately worried that something was wrong. As he looked at the face of his niece, he saw the stress of the day, but he didn't see immediate distress.

"I can see that." Frank said.

"Did you need something Beth?" Wynn asked.

"Just to move." Elizabeth said. "Jack is still out, but I needed to get up for a bit. He woke for a few seconds, tried to move, moaned in pain and passed out again. I want to be there when he finally wakes up, but at this point, I also know that I needed to move."

Frank stood up, and with the picture still in his hand, walked over to Elizabeth.

"I am sorry you are having to deal with all of this." Frank said. "Please know that I and many other people are praying for you and for Jack."

"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "Jack and I were going to sit down and talk to you and Abigail about all of this. But things have been so crazy."

"I understand." Frank said. "Please don't be mad at your family for sharing. I saw Jack's drawings laying there and started asking questions."

"It is fine." Elizabeth said. "Despite not everyone being happy for us. Jack and I are not going to hide it. We don't have a final timeline as to when the girls will arrive, but it will be some time this fall after I give birth. We need the house on the new property and other things in place first."

"I understand." Frank said. "This is a beautiful picture of Jack in uniform and those two little girls."

"That isn't a picture of Jack." Elizabeth said. "That is the girl's biological father, Andy Russell. I think that is the one taken at his graduation from the academy. Uncle Wynn, I would love to see if there is one in his Inspector uniform."

"I will look." Wynn said. "I am sure that there is one somewhere. I just had that one on my desk. I didn't even think to look for one in his Inspector uniform. I know that there was taken, because it was put up on the wall of honor after his death."

Wynn and Elizabeth exchanged a look that total volumes. Frank stopped and looked at the photograph again. Elizabeth stepped to the table and grabbed the official picture she had of Jack in his uniform.

"This is Jack." Elizabeth said. "He said this was his latest official picture taken just before he came to Coal Valley. Speaking of which. Uncle Wynn, we need to get one of Jack with his Corporal stripes and all his medals."

"You are right." Wynn said. "We need to do that. Hopefully we can do that as soon as he recovers."

Frank looked at the pictures of the two men in uniform that he was holding.

"It is amazing." Frank said. "They could be brothers. Twins even. I can see Thomas Thornton in both of them. It threw me for a moment when I met Jack how much he looked like his father. Those eyes and cheekbones. Even his chin. I have noticed that Jack has the same stubborn curl that falls over that his father had. I can see Thomas in Andy Russell as well. Are you sure they aren't related?"

Elizabeth took the frames back and put them on the side table.

"Come sit down." Elizabeth said. "First of all, I didn't know that you knew Jack's father. Does Jack know? Second of all, I am going to tell you a story but it needs to stay with you."

"Of course. " Frank said.

Elizabeth led Frank back to the sitting area.

"They already know this story so I don't mind sharing it in front of them." Elizabeth said. "I grew up with Andy Russell in Hamilton. He was a few years older than me, but we were always close. When he was a young teenager he told me he was adopted. He said he needed to tell someone and he knew I could be trusted with the information. He told me that he was going to find his birth family one day. I already knew that he was going to be a Mountie, so I didn't doubt him.

Yes, Andy and Jack were related, but Jack didn't know anything about Andy until this past January when we were in Hamilton. Apparently Thomas had an older brother who had a secret life. Including having a child with a young woman out of wedlock. That child who was adopted at ten days old turned out to be Andy Russell."

"Another reason Jack feels the connection to the girls." Frank said.

"Yes." Elizabeth said. "Jack and I weren't sure about sharing the drawings and dreams with other people. And yes, I had dreams of Jack that I wrote in my journals from before I met him and I have shared that with him. We weren't sure about sharing because we weren't sure other people would understand or be able to wrap their heads around the deep and profound connection that Jack and I feel. It is not something that is easy to understand. We have trouble understanding it and therefore we have trouble explaining it others.

I personally had a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that he had drawn pictures of me and our future family. What I shared with Jack about my dreams was that I never really knew who the person was, but the way that they made me feel and that I would know them by the way that they made me feel. That afternoon almost a year ago when Jack and I met, Jack may have been looking at the woman of his dreams because he had a face, hair color and eye color to go by. I, on the other hand, didn't realize until Jack shook my hand.

The moment that Jack took my hand that was covered in chalk dust, I felt like I had touched a live electric wire. The feeling shot up my arm and left my whole body tingling. That had never happened in real life before. I had woken up to that feeling several times after I dreamt of this wonderful man who I knew was to be my forever love. That afternoon when I met Jack I felt like everything that I had known was thrown out the window.

I know that it was God that led me to be here and to teach these children. I also know that even though our road hasn't been easy, that God brought Jack and I together. Just like through a bad situation, God is bringing us two of our daughters. I can't see our life without those girls. We understand that it won't be easy and it will be a big adjustment for everyone. Not only will the girls have to get used to us, but a new baby. Jack and I will have to get used to being parents. Despite all of that, we both know this is what we are meant to do.

We hope that people understand the choices that we have made and if they don't, then oh well, their loss. We will always be civil to people, but if they can't accept our choices, then they don't need to be in our inner circle, family included."

"I might not fully understand." Frank said. "But I have seen with my own eyes the connection you have. To answer your question, if Jack read what I gave him about my Easter sermon, then yes he knows that I knew his father. I gave that to him yesterday. I understand being led by God. When people say that they have been led, by God, I might ask questions to try and get a better understanding as to why they feel the way that they do. Unless it was extreme circumstances, I would never try to talk someone out of their belief that they are led by God.

I know that you and Jack are Godly people who have a strong faith. I have seen that faith as you have faced serious obstacles in your young marriage. If you didn't have a strong faith, you wouldn't have been able to withstand the storms of life that you have weathered with incredible grace."

"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "I will ask him about it. I wouldn't mind reading it, especially since I missed the Easter services, but several of the children mentioned it in their essays about Easter."

"Given your deep faith." Frank said. "Is part of the reason that I feel that I have failed you and Jack. I have not been there when you needed someone the most."

"You haven't failed us." Elizabeth said. "I know that you have been praying for us. You have been there when we have asked. We know that you have been helping with everything else going on in town. From what I hear, you have been there for all the new settlers. You have been helping with the children. You have also been helping Abigail at the cafe. All those things are needed just as much as visiting with people. Jack and I understand. We have had family in town so that helps."

"Thank you for saying that." Frank said. "I still feel bad that it took over a week for me to come visit Jack and even longer to visit with you."

"Please don't." Elizabeth said. "Jack and I have each other and family here. You helping people get settled and especially helping Abigail are much more important. Jack and I know that, especially since we both know that Abigail won't ask for help."

"You are right about Abigail." Frank said. "But from what I have heard, it was Abigail that held this town together last year, so it is just her turn to receive help."

"You are right." Elizabeth said. "I have no idea where I would be if Abigail hadn't been here. She took me in when the teacherage was unlivable. She taught what I needed to know to live out here. She was not only a mom to me, but I think she took on that role for Jack as well. I just now hope and pray that she can be that for Becky and Cody. Because from what I have seen Abigail needs those children as much as they need her."

"I am working on that right now." Andrew said.

"Thank you." Frank said.

"Now if you will excuse me." Elizabeth said. "Stay, visit, talk, do what you need, but at this time, I am going to go back and lay down with Jack."

"Go." Wynn said. "We got things here."

Elizabeth got up and gave both her aunt and uncle a hug and kiss. She nodded to the others. After Elizabeth went back upstairs. Wynn indicated for Frank to sit back down.

Elizabeth got upstairs and immediately changed into her sleep clothes again. She noticed that Jack had moved some and the sheet had slipped off the bed. She picked it up and covered Jack with it. She checked to make sure the pillow behind him was still in a good spot.

Finally, Elizabeth crawled back into bed with Jack. Because her body was sore. She moved so her back was to Jack's chest and snuggled down against him like she normally would. She reached behind herself and wrapped Jack's arm around her, once again placing his hand on her baby bump. She felt Jack's breath on her so she relaxed knowing that he was breathing. She knew that she should be concerned because he hadn't really woken up, but she also knew his body needed to heal.

"I really love you Jack." Elizabeth said before bringing Jack's hand to her lips and kissing it.

After she kissed his hand, she put it back on the baby bump. She loved the feeling of Jack's large hand on her delicate skin. She couldn't wait to take Jack's hand and place it on her belly and he felt a kick from their little one. As she laid there, she felt the now familiar flutter under her rib cage. She rubbed the spot and said a prayer for her unborn child.

Elizabeth thought back over the day and focused in on Faith's words telling her she was further along than originally thought. That news finally brought a small smile to Elizabeth's face.

Elizabeth rubbed her belly again.

"Thank you, little one." Elizabeth said. "You are the perfect excuse so I don't have to travel back to Hamilton for a wedding I want no part in. Don't get me wrong, I love my sister, your aunt, but I honestly believe she is getting married for the wrong reasons and she will regret it. How would I be able to stand there before God as a witness when I don't agree with what she is doing. Now, I don't have to worry about it. I know that maybe I shouldn't think that way, but it is true."

Elizabeth continued to rub her belly when she heard Jack moan and felt his breathing change. She slowly rolled over to face Jack and saw his face scrunched up in pain.

"Take a deep breath, Jack." Elizabeth said. "I am right here. You are okay."

Jack took a few deep breaths and his face relaxed some but he didn't open his eyes. Elizabeth was going to give him just a bit more time before she tried to get him to wake up and look at her.