Chapter 26

The Fishing Trip

Jack walked in the house and went straight to the bedroom to change, didn't stop to give any kisses. Elizabeth went to the bedroom and entered. She closed the door behind her. She sat down on the bed next to him and asked, had a bad day?

He shook his head yes and laid back on the bed with his feet still on the floor. He blew out the air that he had breathed in. She leans down on her elbow and wipes the hair away from his brow and asks, Hon, what happened to make you this upset?

He removes his arm away from his eyes and says, I don't know how this post got into this bad of shape. I haven't even found when the last time a superior has been here to check on it. Things has slacked so bad. I can't blame the men because there wasn't anyone to tell them what was expected. I've finally got enough men to cover this district. Now I have to whip them into shape as far as reports and paperwork goes. O'Toole is the only one that does his job to the fullest. The rest of them just do enough to get by.

I know that they have all been on their own but someone higher up is slacking. They could have sent one of the superiors from Edmonton but they haven't. Hon, maybe this is why everything happened the way it did with me coming here and eventually you following. God knew that you were needed here. He looks at her and says, how is it that you always know exactly what to say to settle me? He leans over and kisses her and says, I love you Bella, always! I love you too Hon!

Now there is a little man out there that is waiting on you! Ok I'll be right out. She gets up and goes to open the door, he says, thanks, Bella! You're welcome Hon, anytime!

The next couple of days started to turn around at the office with the paperwork and reports being fully detailed reports. The north side was covered with 2 Mounties now. McDaniels, and Mulligan I'm glad to see you are getting your rounds done in a timely manner now and are able to get back in time to do your reports. Keep up the good work. Let me know if you need anything else. We will sir, and thanks.

It's Saturday morning, and Elizabeth is up before Charlotte. She fixed the coffee and started breakfast. Jack came out with Jarrick on his hip with fresh clothes and diaper.

He kisses her and says, good morning Bella! Good morning Hon! I see we have an early riser this morning as she kisses their son on the forehead. Jack says, yeah he was awake when I went to get dressed. He wasn't fussing so I just decided to change him and bring him out.

Where's Ma, he asks as he fixes a cup of coffee and takes a seat? He sat Jarrick in his high chair. Elizabeth said, she hasn't came out yet. Jack looks at the clock and says it's five thirty.

He gets up and goes to his Ma's room. He knocks but no answer. He opens it slowly and call out for her. There was no answer. As he opens the door all the way and he looks around and finds that she isn't there. He goes to the back door and opened it to look out to see if she was either sitting in a chair or if there was a light in the barn.

He walks to the barn and notices that there are no lanterns lit but hears sobbing coming from The General's stall. He walks closer trying to understand why his Ma is sobbing.

As he gets closer he hears her say, happy anniversary my darling. I miss you just as much today as the day I lost you. I know you are in a better place but I wish you were here with me.

Most days I'm ok with you being gone but I have a really hard time on your death anniversary, you're birthday, my birthday, our anniversary, Jack's birthday and Tom's birthday. Those were days that you always managed to make it home. What I wouldn't give to feel your arms around me right now and tell me everything was going to be okay.

Jack turns and walks back to the house. He walks in and tells Elizabeth where his Ma is and why. Tears fall down her cheeks as she hugs him tight. As he holds her she asks, is there anything we can do for her? No Bella there isn't. She's been like this since Pa died. Just give her space and she'll be better tomorrow.

Well today is Saturday, why don't we take Jarrick and go find that fishing spot you were telling me about. We can make it a family day? Let's see how Ma is when she comes back in first. Okay, Hon.

Sit down, biscuits are coming out shortly. She set the cheese eggs, sausage and smothered fried potatoes on the table. Jarrick reaches for the eggs but didn't quite make it. Jack laughs and says, you're mommy knows you so well to put everything just out of your reach. He puts a spoon of eggs on his high chair tray. Jarrick is almost seven months old, can you believe it Hon? No, it seems like he was born just the other day.

Charlotte came in as they had got the kitchen cleaned up. Elizabeth says, Ma I put your breakfast in the warmer. Thanks Lizzy but I'm not hungry. Well coffee is on the back of the stove. Charlotte kisses her cheek and says, thank you! Elizabeth noticed the sadness in Charlotte's eyes.

She dried her hands on her apron and turns to hug her and says, I'm sorry Ma. Is there anything I can do? No dear, it's just one of my gloomy days. Well Ma we were thinking about going fishing today, would you like to go with us? No dear, I'm going to take The General out for the day. I'll be back before dark.

Jack sets the last plate down and walks over to his Ma and says, I heard you in the barn, Ma. I forgot what today is. I'm sorry Ma. No son it is fine, there's nothing to be sorry about. You know me and my gloomy days. I'll be better tomorrow. You go spend the day with your family. I'll be okay. I always take The General out on these days because he was your father's horse and it somehow makes me feel closer to him.

Alright Ma, but if you should need us we will be about five miles past Phillip's. There's a bridge over the wide stream. We'll be down on the left. I love you Ma! I love you too son!

Jack, Elizabeth and Jarrick load up in the buggy with Lady hitched up to it, letting Belle tag along. Elizabeth had put a picnic basket together and a blanket. She had made a thermos of lemonade. They headed out to the stream.

Jack clears his throat and asks, uh Bella? Yes Hon! Are you sure you're going to be able to bait your own hook? Jack Thornton, I don't need you to do anything but take the fish off my hook. I haven't been able to do that yet but I plan on learning that too. Okay, okay, I'll show you how if you want. Didn't dad teach you that? He tried but I have a hard time holding the fish.

Dad says it's because my hands are so small. Okay I'll show you the way my Pa showed me when I was little. They spent their day fishing and having a wonderful time. Jack showed her how to lay the fish on the ground and put her foot on it just enough to hold the fish still and pull the hook out. After the third try she had it down pat. She had shown Jack how she learned to summon the worms to the top of the ground. He looks at her and said, you my darling Bella are definitely not a princess anymore!

Did dad teach you to shoot and hunt too? No not hunting because there wasn't time, but Jack I would like to learn. I don't like thinking about it but God forbidden something happened to you, I want to be able to feed our family. I know I would have people around but I want to know that I wouldn't have to depend on them. So will you teach me?

Jack chokes up and clears his throat and says, yes Bella I'll teach you but hopefully God willing nothing will happen to me. I pray for your safety every time you walk out of the door. So do I Bella, so do I. Okay enough of this kind of talk. You've caught two and I've caught two he said. Do we want to fix them here or back at home? How about here but in a little bit. I'm not hungry yet. Ok Bella!

They looked over at their son babbling, playing with his blocks saying, dada, dada, dada over and over again as if talking to his blocks. They laughed and he asked, how old will he be before he associates that word to me, as he runs his hand over his son's hair? They say eight to ten months, she replies. Wow little man, you're almost there! Daddy can't wait to hear you call me dada!

The rest of the afternoon was spent walking and talking about their future and Jarrick's future. What they would like to see happen in their future. They both wanted more children, Jack would like 6 but Elizabeth only wanted four but one thing they did agree on was that they both wanted to leave it to God as to how many they had. After she cooked their fish they sat back and enjoyed the peace and quiet. Jarrick had fell asleep between them after he ate and nursed.

At home they gave Jarrick his bath and got him ready for bed. Jack played with him until it was bedtime. He asked, Bella would it be okay if I rocked him to sleep tonight after you nurse him? Sure if he doesn't fall asleep while he nurses.

Charlotte had came back right at dusk. She kissed them and said she was turning in. Jack got up and followed her to her bedroom. He knocked on her door and asked, Ma can I come in? Sure son. Ma are you alright? You've been crying. Son I've done this for so many years. Usually I'm by myself and no one ever sees it but living here I can't hide it. I know Ma but just know that Elizabeth and I are here for you. I know son but it is just something I have to deal with on my own. It's only five days a year that this happens. I know, just know if you need or want to talk we are here. Thank you son, I appreciate it. She walked up to him and just hugged him. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. He felt her sob so he just held her for as long as she wanted. After a few moments she let go and said, I truly needed that. It's kinda like your father a little. I love you son! I love you too Ma!

He walked past his bedroom and noticed that Elizabeth had their son on her lap playing. He walked in and asked, has he nursed yet. She nodded and said, I was just keeping him awake for you. I told him that he couldn't fall asleep this time because dada wanted to rock him tonight and he started saying, dada, dada.

Jack walked over and picked him up from her lap and said, dada loves you so very much! Jarrick giggles and claps his hands on his dada's face. They both laugh and Elizabeth gets up and says, don't get him so wound up that he won't go to sleep. She kissed both their cheeks and walks out. She left the door open as she left the room.

Jack sits down in the rocking chair, puts Jarrick on his shoulder, starts rubbing his back and hums a lullaby to him. Jarrick lays his head on his shoulder and holds his daddy's face. Eventually he falls asleep and Jack puts him in his crib after he kisses his cheek and says, dada loves his little man! Sleep tight!

In the living room Elizabeth sits on the sofa with a book in her lap listening to her husband hum to their son. A lone loving tear rolls down her cheek. She wipes it and says a silent prayer thanking God for sending Jack back to her!

Jack sat down beside her, wrapped his arms around her and said, thank you Bella! I just needed that tonight. I don't really know why but I just wanted to put him to bed tonight. I'm sorry if I took that away from you. Hon, you didn't take anything away from me. I don't mind sharing bedtime with you! You are his father. I don't want to come between you and our son. He need's you just as much as he needs me. Anytime you want to put him to bed is fine with me.

My Pa used to put us to bed when he was home. The last time was the time he came home before his accident. I was 11, I truly loved that time with him. It was just him and I. Hon, I never had that with my father.

Our nanny put us to bed. Sure father and mother always came to our door and said good night but that was it. I want more for our children. Bella, I want to give our children all the love we can muster. I don't want them to ever wonder if we loved them. I want them to know we loved them. That's what I want to Hon!