Chapter 15

The Baby Is Here

The next weeks pass. She's now almost two weeks over due. Abigail says, Elizabeth let's go for a walk. It will be good for you. It might help you go into labor. Abigail, you know I don't get that far from the house.

She was getting pretty perturbed with Elizabeth by now. Elizabeth! Are you planning on keeping this child in the house for the rest of his life? What is going on with you?

Elizabeth! You weren't attacked or assaulted. He just scared you. That happened months ago. You need to snap out of this, what ever this is, she motions with her hand. You are the strongest person I know. The Elizabeth that I met years ago wouldn't be acting like this. You didn't act like this after the Tolliver incident and they kidnapped you AND your sister!

You say you don't run from a challenge but that's exactly what you are doing here. Abigail! Stop! You can't know how I feel. Elizabeth! I do know how you are feeling. I'm not going into it because it's to hard to repeat but you have to stand up straight and tall and say you aren't letting this man take what wasn't his to take and that's your joy, your faith in God because that's what you are doing. Now, I'm going to get my coat and we are going for that walk. NOW Elizabeth! There is nothing out there that you have to fear.

She gets up and puts her coat on and holds Elizabeth's out for her to put on. Elizabeth just glares at her but eventually stands and puts it on. Abigail takes her arm and says, we will do this together. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere. They step out the door and Abigail closes it. She says, one foot at a time Elizabeth, one foot at a time.

They walk around the house but staying close. The next trip they stepped a little farther away from the house. Jack is sitting on Sargent on the other side of the school watching. He prayed, Lord please give her the strength and courage to step out of her comfort zone. The next two trips they were half way to the school. Abigail just kept talking calmly telling her she's doing great. Finally they had walked to the school and back three times. Abigail thought ok I've got to get her to the tree line and back.

She asked, how are you feeling Elizabeth? I'm good actually. This fresh air is invigorating! Do you feel like walking some more? Sure. Abigail let go of her elbow but stayed close. She started walking the perimeter of the field. Elizabeth relaxed and enjoyed her walk.

Jack decided to ride up while they were back at the tree line. He gets down and kisses Elizabeth's cheek and asks, how's it going ladies? He puts his arm around her waist from the side. Elizabeth says, I'm good now hon! He looks at her questionably as he bends his head down while looking at her. She softly pats his cheek and says, it's a start hon, it's a start. Abigail pats her arm and says, you had to start somewhere but I think we had better get you back inside. We've been out here for over an hour.

The next morning before dawn Elizabeth sets up in bed and yells, Jack wake up! He jumps up and says, Bella what is it? What's wrong? Abigail comes running in and asks, Elizabeth what is it? She looks at them and says, I think my water just broke or I wet myself!

Jack and Abigail rush around the bed to the other side. She tries to stand but the pain was too much. Ok it was your water, Abigail says. Jack get me a fresh nightgown and I'll help her change.

I need to go for the doctor, he says. Jack! Don't leave me please Elizabeth says! You and Abigail can deliver this baby! Bella? No Jack, please?

Ok Jack you go heat some water while I check her. Abigail got the sheets changed and got her settled. She checked her and she was almost a ten. Elizabeth? How long have you been in labor? I don't know. I was uncomfortable when I went to bed last night but didn't think anything about it. The light pains started about three thirty this morning.

Well he doesn't have time to go for the doctor anyway because you are to close to having this baby. Jack brought the hot water back in and set it on the vanity. Jack get my purse please. I need my scissors. He gets it and she hands him the scissors and says, go sterilize them at the stove and bring them back. He did what she asked.

When he gets back, Abigail says, ok Jack I need you to get behind her and help her push when she's ready. He did just as she said. She asked, you about ready to meet this baby of yours? Elizabeth shakes her head as another contraction hit. She breathes through it a few more times. Then all of a sudden she screams, Abigail I need to push. Abigail checked her and said, ok Elizabeth with the next contraction I want you to push.

Oh Jack this hurts so badly. Bella you are doing great! You got this! Abigail said, you'll forget all about this pain once you're holding your beautiful baby in your arms.

For the next hour she pushed. Ok Elizabeth the head is out. Oh Bella he's almost here! I love you so much! You can do this! Now comes the hard part. We got to get the shoulders out and then it slides right out. She's exhausted. Bella, just a few more Sweetheart! I'm so proud of you! You can't give up! Please Bella you can do it. She pushes several times and just as she wanted to give up, the little body slid from her body and began whaling.

Abigail says, Daddy, come cut the cord! He didn't hesitate, he laid Elizabeth back gently and got out from behind her. He walked to the foot of the bed. Abigail said, take the scissors and cut between the two strings. He cut the cord and she cleaned up the baby. Abigail hands the baby to him.

Jack was in awe. Tears softly slid down his cheeks. He couldn't believe he was a father. Abigail tapped his shoulder and said, tell her what it is, Jack! Oh, I'm sorry Bella! I got caught up in the moment.

He walks around the bed and says, Bella, meet our son! Elizabeth takes the baby and holds him close. Abigail got Elizabeth cleaned up and left the room to give them time alone.

He rubs his son's head softly and asks, do you still want to name him after me? Hon, he is identical to you. I don't see me at all. Even his eyes are yours. Well then, Jarrick Alexander Thornton, Jr. it is! She whispers, perfect! Hon I want to call her him Jarrick not Junior or JJ. I think Jarrick is perfect Bella! My Ma is going to be so excited that she has a grandson!

There was a knock at the door. Jack said, come in Abigail. She stuck her head in and said, the doctor stopped by and wants to check them out. Yes, send him in, he says.

Dr. Randal comes in and says, I guess he couldn't wait for me huh! I guess not, Jack replies. Dr. Randal puts his hands out and asks, may I? Elizabeth hand Jarrick to him. He takes his blanket off and checks his vitals, color, movement, throat, joints, fingers, and toes.

He puts the scales on the vanity and lays him on it. Jarrick goes to screaming. Wow, he says, 8 pounds 15 ounces. He measured him and laughed, well Constable he's going to be tall like you, he's 23 inches long. I have to say, you all done a great job delivering him.

I had a feeling you would deliver today. He wraps him back up and hands him to his father. Takes out a piece of paper and writes down everything.

Now all I need is his name and birthdate for the birth certificate. Jack spoke up and says, Jarrick, J..a..r..r..i..c..k, Alexander, A..l..e..x..a..n..d..e..r, Thornton, Jr. Ok, what time was he born? Jack looked at the clock and said, about 30 minutes ago so that would put him born at 7:40 am, Tuesday, February 6, 1912. Thanks the doctor said.

Now Mrs. Thornton let's get you checked out and I'll be out of your hair for two weeks unless you need me before. He checked her and asked, any pain or muscle aches? Elizabeth says, no just sore but it felt like he tore me. The doctor looked and said, yes a bit but nothing serious so just keep it dry and clean. Baths help with that and the soreness.

Don't lift anything but the baby for the next two weeks and when I come back I'll check it again. He pulled the covers back up and bid them goodbye. Abigail walked him out and asked, would it be out of your way to go to the Delaney's and let them know please? I'd be happy to. And by the way, you did a great job in there! Thanks. I've delivered just about all the babies in Coal Valley. They bid one another goodbye and she shut the door.

Jarrick started sucking his fist. Elizabeth opened her nightgown and Jarrick latched on like a pro. Jack asked, are you hungry or want a cup of tea? I'm not really hungry but would love a cup of tea please. Okay, I'll be right back! He kisses both of their heads and went to the kitchen to get them some tea.

Abigail hands him a plate of biscuits from the day before. He kisses her cheek and says, I want to thank you for being here and for getting her out of the house and for delivering him! You are the best Abigail! We live so far away from one another and we still don't know what we would do without you! Oh before I forget Jack I had Dr. Randal stop by the Delaney's and let them know. Thanks Abigail, again!

The next day Aunt and Uncle came by to meet the new arrival. He made his rounds from arms to arms. He wasn't a fussy baby unless he was hungry or needed a diaper change.

Abigail and Aunt made sure everyone was fed. They made plenty of biscuits, scones and muffins. Something that Elizabeth could eat while she nursed Jarrick. He ate a lot for his size. Yes he ate every two hours but nursed longer.

Abigail showed her how to bath him in the kitchen sink a week later. After his button fell off she would bath him when she took a bath. Jack or Abigail would take him once he was done. Then while Abigail held him Jack would help her wash her hair and then help her out of the tub. Dr. Randal came by the following week and gave them both a clean bill of health.

A telegram was sent to his Ma. Letters were sent to everyone else. Mrs. Thatcher had sent a congratulatory letter but nothing else. It had hurt her feelings but Abigail and Aunt was there to pick up her spirits.

She had told her Aunt that she wished that they had been her parents instead. Aunt said she would be honored to be her mother and Wynn would be honored to be her father. Elizabeth asked if she could call them mom and dad? Her Aunt hugged her and said, we would love it! So from that day on her and Jack started calling them mom and dad! Every once in a while she would call him daddy.

Two weeks later gifts and cards were starting to come in. Charlotte decided that she would come when Jarrick turned 1 month old. So Abigail decided that she would leave that same day. That way Jack only had to make one trip to the station. They were starting to run out of room for the gifts.

Jack had contacted the school district and asked if he could build a room on to the house at his expense. They had approved it but made it clear that they would not be paying for it.

Phillip came to help Jack build the room onto the house using the back door. He added a short hallway and moved the back door. They had it completed before his Ma would be there. They put all new furniture in it, even a crib. Abigail got to sleep in there for the first time before she had to leave. They had put two chest of drawers in there, one for company and one for Jarrick.

Today is March 4,1912, Jarrick's christening. Mom and dad is his guardians and Abigail is his Godmother. After the ceremony all of them came back to Jack and Elizabeth's for lunch and cake.

Jarrick will be a month old the day after tomorrow Abigail says. I have my things packed. Elizabeth had tears sliding down her cheeks, she said, I'm going to miss you! I wish you could stay with us forever! Oh Elizabeth, I wish I could but I've been gone along time. It's time I get home. I left Cat and Clara to take care of the cafe. I sent them a letter and told them I would be home next week.

We will write letters and once he's big enough you and Jack can bring him to Coal Valley to show him off! Maybe I can come back to visit, that is if you both are still here. Abigail, no matter where we are you will always have a place to come to! You too, Abigail said! They hug for a few moments. Jarrick starts to fuss. Abigail says, I'll get him! I want to get in as much snuggles as I can before I leave!

Jack came in with his camera. He says, how about we take a few pictures this morning and I'll get them developed while I'm at the office today. That way Abigail can have a picture of her godson before she leaves? Oh Jack could you, she asked? Sure! We need pictures of him to. I'll show you how to do it so we can have one with the family! Oh Jack I'd love it!

Everyone got dressed up. Elizabeth and Abigail in their best dress and Jarrick in his best pants, white shirt with suspenders and booties, Jack in his dress uniform and one in his suit. Jack got the camera set on the tripod, loaded the film. Ok it has eight pictures on it so we will take them all so I can get them developed.

Jack took two of Abigail and Jarrick, one of the whole group, two of him and his family in his dress uniform, two of Abigail, Elizabeth and Jarrick, and one of Jarrick. They changed their clothes and Jack took the film to get it developed.

The ladies got lunch started. It was just roast beef sandwiches and lemon cake. Elizabeth made enough for Abigail to take with her tomorrow.

Dad had loaned his car to take Abigail to the train station so Elizabeth and Jarrick could go to. Jack and Elizabeth had upgraded her ticket to a private compartment. Jack handed her one of each of the pictures. She cried of course.

The train was just arriving with his Ma on it. Abigail held Jarrick as long as she could. She told him not to grow too much before she came back, to be good for mommy and daddy, give mommy and daddy lots of love for her. She brings him to her chest and whispers, I love you little one and I'm going to miss you so very much.

Jack's Ma stepped off the train and greeted everyone. Jack asked, Ma, did you bring a trunk with you? Yes it will be out shortly. Charlotte noticed the bond Abigail had with her grandson. She would let her have this time knowing she would be leaving shortly. Abigail was swinging him gently from side to side. She was quietly humming while he slept on her shoulder.

Jack retrieved his ma's trunk and put it in the trunk of the car. The whistle blew signaling it was time to board. Abigail hugged and kissed Jack and Elizabeth while hanging on to her favorite little one. The whistle blew again. Elizabeth says, Abigail, you have to catch your train. It's time to give him back. Her tears were falling. She kissed the top of his head and reluctantly gave him to her. She said, I love you all so very much and I will miss you terribly. With that she stepped up onto the train. She found her compartment and sat by the window and waved. They waited until the train pulled off and was out of sight.

Charlotte asked, how long was she here? Jack spoke up and said three weeks before the baby came. She delivered him. Really? Yes, Elizabeth was in labor all night and didn't know it and at 5:00 her water broke and almost 3 hours later he was born. She's his Godmother also. Wow. I was in labor with you for almost 36 hours. Well I thank God she delivered quickly. Charlotte asked, can I hold him, Lizzy? Of course Mrs. Thornton! Ok, you're Mrs. Thornton too so how about calling me ma? I would love that, thank you!