Bill walked into the house with more ice first thing in the morning. Carson was sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee in his hand. Bill walked over and put the ice in the sink and sat down next to him. Carson passed him a cup and Bill poured coffee for himself.

"How is Elizabeth doing?" Bill asked.

"Her fever still hasn't broken and she hasn't opened her eyes or spoke since we left the school house yesterday. I checked on her a little bit ago and she seemed to be asleep. Nathan is asleep in the chair next to her and I didn't have the heart to wake him. Is someone taking over at the schoolhouse today?"

"Florence and Molly were going to take care of it. A couple more students came into the infirmary as I walked over here. Faith said to tell you she should be fine but she would let you know if she needed help."

Carson nodded, "I will stay here with Elizabeth for now, but maybe I can check in at the infirmary this afternoon."

"I can be here after lunch so you can go to the infirmary. I would like to go and check on Elizabeth now if that's alright."

"Yes, that's ok. Maybe you can convince Nathan to take a break. I am going to take a look in the icebox and see if I can put some breakfast together."

When Bill walked into the room, he should have been shocked at what he saw but he wasn't. Nathan had removed his Mountie boots and they were next to the chair. He had climbed into the bed next to Elizabeth and he was lying on top of the blankets. His arm was wrapped around Elizabeth's waist and his head was on her shoulder. Bill was probably the one person who knew the depth of Nathan's feelings for Elizabeth. He was thrilled for them and he prayed that they were going to have a long life together.

Bill reached out and put his hand on Elizabeth's forehead. Her fever was still high. Nathan opened his eyes as Bill reached down, sensing the motion over his head. He looked at Bill and then at Elizabeth, "Is there any change?"

"She still has a fever. I brought more ice that we can bring up. Why don't you go downstairs and get some coffee and breakfast? I can stay with her."

"I'm fine."

"Nathan, you need to take care of yourself. When Elizabeth's fever breaks and she wakes up she will need you more than she does right in this moment. It's ok, I will call you if there is any change. You can bring the ice back up with you when you are done. Carson said he was going to fix breakfast and I don't know if he will need your help," Bill smiled.

Nathan sat up and rubbed his face. Bill added, "Lee brought some of your things too if you wanted to change and shave."

"Thank you Bill." Nathan leaned down and kissed Elizabeth's cheek, "I will be right back."

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Carson went to the infirmary that afternoon after lunch. Bill had left Elizabeth's house after Nathan came upstairs. While he was gone, Bill went to the mercantile to get some more food to keep in the house. With Carson, Faith, Bill, and Nathan keeping watch over Elizabeth they needed more food to make simple meals that they each could grab easily. Bill also went and got some sandwiches from the cafe for Nathan and himself.

When Nathan went downstairs, he shaved and cleaned up after sleeping in the chair and next to Elizabeth all night. He changed into the shirt and pants that Lee had brought over. He also went and checked on Jack next door. Laura was watching Jack at the Coulter's house while Elizabeth was sick. Allie had gone to school that morning, reluctantly Laura said. Allie and Jack were both worried about Elizabeth.

When Bill came back and Carson left, Nathan was upstairs. Bill had tried to get him to eat the sandwich he had brought but Nathan wouldn't leave Elizabeth's side. Bill put the sandwich on the table next to Elizabeth's bed along with Elizabeth's book that he had found on the table downstairs, hoping that Nathan might take a bite and Bill went downstairs to work on some cases he had brought with him.

Nathan looked at the table when Bill walked out of the room. Nathan had found the book inside his bag when he went to get his clothes to change. Lee must have found it on his dresser when he went to get his things. Nathan rubbed his hand over Elizabeth's name on the cover. He looked at Elizabeth's face and the desire to feel closer to her overwhelmed him. He opened the book and started reading.

Nathan sat with Elizabeth for hours. The sun was starting to set outside of the windows. Nathan rubbed Elizabeth hand as he held it in his. He watched as his thumb ran circles over the back of her hand. He thought about how small and soft her hand was. All he wanted was to see her beautiful eyes staring back at his. Nathan looked up as he wished for it and he saw Elizabeth looking back at him. He almost thought he imagined it.

"Hi," Elizabeth said, her voice horse.

"Oh sweetheart." Nathan set the book down and he leaned down took her face in his hand and gently kissed her. He pulled back with tears in his eyes. He was so happy that she was awake that the emotion had no where to go but to show in tears.

"Why do I feel so tired? All I remember is being at school and then waking up here with you," Elizabeth asked.

"You caught the chicken pox and you've had a fever for two days. I was so scared when you wouldn't wake up." Nathan put his hand on her head. "It seems like your fever has finally broken.

"Is Jack ok?"

"He's fine. He was staying with Lee and Rosemary and Laura was watching him during the day."

"That's good. I'm sorry Nathan."

"What could you possibly be sorry for?"

"I think we are going to have to postpone our date."

Nathan laughed. "Don't worry about that, we will have our date whenever you are better. We can have so many things now that you are ok." Nathan leaned down and kissed her, keeping it brief with knowledge that Elizabeth was still recovering. Nathan tried to pull back and Elizabeth reached up with her hand behind his neck for another kiss.

The two of them heard someone clearing their throat from the doorway, "Look who is awake." Nathan turned and saw Faith standing there with a smile on her face.

"Elizabeth I am glad to see you awake. I am assuming the fever has broken."

"She woke up a few minutes ago and her temperature feels normal again," Nathan said.

Faith took a few minutes to check Elizabeth's vitals. Nathan walked downstairs as Elizabeth asked if Faith could help her change into a new nightgown. After the fever and the ice, the one she was wearing was soaked. Faith walked down the stairs after some time and Nathan was in the kitchen with the sandwich Bill had brought earlier. Bill was sitting at Elizabeth's desk. Both men looked up as Faith walked down.

"Elizabeth seems to be out of the woods. Carson or I will come back in the morning to check on her. I think it would be best for Jack to stay at the Coulters for a couple more days to make sure the infection is past since he has never had the chicken pox before. She may not be able to back to teaching until next week. We should probably postpone the library opening for a week as well. I don't want her to get run down trying to do everything before she is well."

"I will let everyone know about the library opening and I will talk to Florence about teaching for at least another week," Bill said.

"Thank you Faith," Nathan said.

Nathan nodded at Bill and walked back up the stairs. He stood in the doorway of Elizabeth's room. Elizabeth's eyes were closed and Nathan sighed. She was going to be ok. Elizabeth heard him walk into the room and she slowly opened her eyes.

"Hi," Elizabeth said as she leaned against the pillow as Nathan sat down.

Nathan took her hand, "Hi, is there anything I can get you?"

"Just sit with me for a bit. I saw my book over here, did you read it?"

"I read it days ago. I was hoping to talk about it on our date. I was reading it again when you were sick. Elizabeth, I was so worried."

"I'm ok Nathan. We are ok."

Nathan smiled at Elizabeth and sat there as Elizabeth closed her eyes and fell asleep. Faith had warned him that she would need a lot of sleep now that that her fever had broken. Nathan said a prayer for her continued recovery and that he could be strong for her.