A/N:
I'm sorry this has taken me so long. I've tried to upload it several times today and it just wouldn't. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 103
Jack closed the second jail door as Sam closed the first cell door. The sound echoed throughout the small jail. Smiles were on their faces. They felt relieved that this little portion of their day was over. Everyone was safe and the bad guys were in jail. No shots were fired. Those facts made the three law men very happy. The mountie transport was just summoned and would be in Hope Valley the next day to transport the three men to Medicine Hat.
"Thanks Pastor." Sam patted Frank on the shoulder. "You were a big help this morning."
"Yeah…Drew would have a good chance of getting away if it wasn't for you."
Frank shrugged his shoulders. "I'm just glad everything worked out just fine."
"Yeah…me too."
"Let's get these reports filled out and we will get the prisoners some food." Jack stated as he sat down at his desk.
"The worst part of the job." Casey and Sam stated.
"At least I don't have to do that." Frank smirked with a sly smile.
"Today you do." Jack teased as he handed Frank some paper. "As part of the arrest, you need to write out your portion."
"If you would have mentioned that before this morning, I may not have helped out."
"Not a chance. That's not who you are."
"Fine." Huffed Frank.
…
Elizabeth didn't have any more pains during the morning. She had taken it easy by only making eggs and toast for their breakfast. Since Jack left before she woke up, she kept breakfast simple. She knew JJ wouldn't care either way as long as there was plenty of food. He may have been a little on the small side, he had a hearty appetite. He was always an active boy.
After the third stern look and statement, JJ went out and enjoyed the beautiful morning. Emily had come over asking if he wanted to take their bikes out to ride and explore the pond. He was reluctant to leave his mommy, but she insisted he go and have some fun. To ease his concerns, she asked him to be home by lunch. She would have something for both of them and Emily could join them. Her selling point was that he would only be at the creek or the pond. He wouldn't be too far away. If she needed him, she would clang two pots together to call him home.
"Absolutely nothing alive in your pockets when you come home, young man! Also, no getting into the pond!" Elizabeth emphasized as JJ ran down the front steps to grab his bike.
"Awe man." JJ moaned with Emily's giggling.
"Go…go…" She implored him. She smiled at her little guy. She loved him with all her heart.
Elizabeth was also looking forward to a few moments with an empty house. She loved Jack and JJ with everything inside of her. They were most precious to her. However, they were loving her to death. They would constantly check on her and ask her countless times a day how she was. They would also hover. It was like she was constantly being watched no matter what she was doing or who was around her.
As she closed the front door, she smiled to herself. She took a deep breath and offered a small smile. There was peace and quiet. As she turned around to walk back into the home, there wasn't a set of eyes on her either. While she was grateful for that fact, she found it odd that she was missing her two watchmen. It calmed her knowing her little man would be home in a little bit. She just wished she knew how her husband was doing.
…
"You're calling headquarters?"
"Yes, Jack. I am calling headquarters for the transfer team as soon as I stop by the infirmary. I promised Faith I would let her know when everything was finished as soon as I could."
"Yeah, I need to call Elizabeth. I'll call her when you stop by the mercantile after going to the infirmary. That will free up the phone for you to make your calls." Jack stated as he stood.
"I'll stay here with the prisoners. Sam, would you mind bringing some food back when you are finished?"
"No problem, Casey. Jack…?"
"I need to meet with the mayor. After that, I'm going home to be with Elizabeth. I'll see you two tomorrow."
"Good enough." Sam nodded his head.
"Tell Faith I said hello." Jack stated as he reached for the door knob.
…
After speaking with Elizabeth for a few minutes, Ned gave Jack a message from Jerry. Since Sam wasn't in the mercantile yet, Jack decided to call Hamilton to see what was going on.
"Jerry, it's great to hear from you."
"You too, Jack. How is Elizabeth doing?"
"She's close. Maybe any day now. The nurse here said it could even be today."
"That's great news Jack. We are all excited here at Hamilton Shipping. To be honest, I hope she has it today. I'm tired of getting that question." Jerry laughed. "Do you have a couple of minutes?"
"I do. What can Elizabeth and I do for you?"
"Nothing too pressing. We received the Reynold's contract due to your and Elizabeth's input."
"That was mostly Elizabeth."
"You understand no one here believes you when you say that. That contract is a huge catch for us. Business is going very well."
"And how are the employees?"
"Morale is at an all time high. People are happy with their work and pay. They are excited to come to work. You were right, that is paying off in their work output. Our employee turnover is at an all time low. That is saving us in training time and a more consistent employee output. Jack…I wouldn't change a thing."
"That's great to hear, Jerry. Do I need to speak with Tyna?"
"No, I'll do that. I hope you have your hands full with your growing family very soon."
"Me too." Jack sighed.
"Jack…talk to me about my replacement. What are your thoughts?"
Jack was still hoping Jerry would decide to stay on forever. They had a great working relationship. He knew that wasn't going to happen, but he still hoped.
"Are you still retiring?" Jack asked.
Jerry laughed. "Yes. We have talked about this for months."
"I know. I was just hoping you would have changed your mind."
"Nice try."
"Jerry, honestly, what time frame are we looking at?"
"From this point in time, I will stay a year. That will give my wife and I plenty of time to get everything settled."
"And give us enough time to find a replacement for you."
"Plus, that gives me a lot of time to train my replacement as long as you name him or her soon. I would like for this transition to be seamless."
"Me too. Elizabeth and I hate that you are retiring. We understand but we just don't like it."
"Thank you for saying that. That's very kind of you."
"I have a person in mind. Elizabeth and I need to discuss it. I need her opinion on this. I've been bouncing a name in my head for a long time now. I just haven't spoken with Elizabeth about it yet."
"Fine. Please just get on with this quickly. The more time I have with the individual, the more seamless everything will work. Plus, it will give you more time to have your input with the new person too. You need that. Care to share the name with me?"
"I would like to speak with Elizabeth first. I need to hear her voice on this subject first."
"Fair enough."
"Alright, give me a few days and we will talk."
"Thanks Jack. Please give her our best. Now, we have an opportunity to bid on the McKinney contract. That isn't as big as the Reynold's contract, but it is a very good size business if we get it."
"I agree. Elizabeth mentioned that we need to pay attention to his wife. She read the information about them. McKinney's wife is an important part of the story. If we can impress her, we have a great opportunity to have an inroad for the contract."
"Huh…" Jerry stated. "We'll remember that."
The two men spend another ten minutes on the phone discussing several aspects of business until Sam came in to make his phone call to headquarters. Jack excused himself from Jerry with a promise to discuss with Elizabeth concerning the McKinney contract and Jerry's replacement.
…
"So, preacher man…what happened this morning?"
"Jack, Sam, and Casey played everything perfectly. The men were captured with no shots fired. Casey's trick of changing out the bullets was genius."
Abagail eyed her husband for a second. She knew he wasn't telling her the entire story. He didn't want the recognition, but she also knew he didn't want to worry her. She loved him for protecting her, but she just wanted to know the whole story.
"Frank…"
"Sweetheart, I'm here. Things went well."
"You're not telling me the whole story."
"I was there. The men were arrested with no one in real danger. Everything went perfectly."
When Abagail opened her mouth to say something, Frank interrupted her with a small grin.
"I love you. Plus, Jack will probably babble the whole story if you pressure him like you normally do. However, I really didn't do anything special."
She knew she wasn't going to force him to tell. She made a mental note to speak with Jack when he came by later.
"What's your plans?" Abagail flirted as she stepped into Frank's embrace.
"I'm riding out to the Johnston's farm. They weren't at church, and I just wanted to check on them. Why?" He asked as she wrapped his arms around her. Her tummy was growing. He didn't think her stomach would allow him to wrap his arms around her much longer. However, he was not going to tell her that.
"That's nice of you." She leaned up for a kiss.
As her pregnancy has progressed, she has wanted to spend more intimate time with her husband. While this surprised Frank, he most certainly wasn't arguing his wife's desire.
"I am known far and wife for my niceness." He flirted, wiggling his eyebrows. That simple, silly act was just about to push her over the cliff's edge.
"If Jack wasn't coming over…" Her voice trailed off as she turned her attention towards Frank's neck. She knew that was his weakness.
Jack could only shake his head. He let out a second fake cough since they didn't hear his first one.
"I'm not sure, but a mayor seducing the local pastor isn't allowed in the town's office." Jack was surprised he was able to keep a straight face.
"I know Charlette. She would have taught you to knock instead of standing in the doorway eavesdropping on a conversation you wasn't involved in."
"I did knock…twice. Then I coughed twice too."
"That's enough from you!" Abagail moaned as she leaned back from her husband. She did not release the hold completely.
"I can't believe I have to watch the town's mayor and pastor make out in the mayor's office on a regular basis." Jack stated in a playful, younger brother's tone.
Abagail only glared at him for a couple of moments.
"It's not much different to see the town's only schoolteacher and town's sheriff make out behind the jail." She sassed with her older sister's voice. "Ok…we have a few things to discuss, but first things first…"
Jack smiled and let out a little laugh. He knew his adopted older sister very well. He also knew Frank wouldn't share his full role in this morning's arrest. "Frank was essential in Drew not escaping. When Sam, Casey, and I were holding the men together…"
"I knew it!" Abagail exclaimed when Jack was finished with his telling of everything Frank did.
"He was a great resource and very helpful."
"I don't know why he just didn't tell me."
"First, you know how humble he is. He's never going to play up what he does. Secondly, he just doesn't want to worry you."
"I understand that, but you do realize when you don't tell your wife everything when we know there is more, it causes us more stress."
"I'm learning that with Elizabeth. My husband's heart's desire is to protect her…"
"But when you keep things from us when we know there is more, it only causes us to worry more."
"I have so much to learn." Jack shook his head.
The two spent an hour discussing the effects of the arrest and Jack's concern that this isn't the only issue with troublemakers looking to hide out or hide things in Hope Valley. The new businesses and potential for more were a topic of discussion as well along with the effects those things would have on law enforcement and on Hope Valley as a whole.
Abruptly, Abagail looked up from the stack of papers she was going over with Jack. She was sharing some important topics until she suddenly quit reading. She looked up and stared past Jack. He couldn't determine what she was focusing on. As a matter of fact, he didn't think she was focusing on anything important. She was just gazing at nothing.
"I'm sorry Jack…but I need to cut this short." Abagail stated as she began to make her way around her desk. She didn't say another word as she quickly left the office. Jack just stared in disbelief as she disappeared out the door.
…
JJ walked up the stairs of his home with a worried look on his face. Against Emily's advice, he decided to chase after the frog that caught his attention. As he reached for it on a log, the frog jumped. He missed it. He got off balance and fell into the pond. While that was fun and great, he now had to go home. It was almost lunch time. He remembered what his mommy stated about not getting into the pond. He hasn't had time to fully dry off yet. He wasn't dripping water like normal, but there was no doubt where he had been.
Elizabeth was leaning against the counter in the kitchen. While she had gone through the entire night with no pains, the came back not too long after JJ left. This time, however, the pains were getting to be more frequent and more painful. Nothing too bad yet, but they were approaching a level of discomfort she hasn't experienced before. She didn't even look up when she heard the door open and close very softly. She was in the middle of a pain.
"Are you ok?" JJ asked.
Elizabeth looked up after a few seconds when the pain lessened.
"Why are you all wet?" Elizabeth asked when she straightened up. She already knew the answer.
"You're having pains again…aren't you?"
"Didn't I tell you not to get in the pond?"
"If you're having pains, weren't you supposed to get me?"
"Why did you get into the pond when you knew you shouldn't?"
"Why didn't you call for me like you were supposed to when you had pains again?"
Mother and son were standing in the kitchen with mirroring body postures. Both had their heads tilted slightly to the right. Their hands were on their hips with their right foot barely in front of them. For an outsider, the two stances were amusing. Elizabeth and JJ were a little miffed at each other, yet they were also a little amused at the situation.
"This sounds fishy." They stated at the same time. After a few seconds, both laughed. Finally Elizabeth broke the silence.
"You knew you weren't supposed to get in the pond. Yet, you did."
"That is very true mommy. Also, you knew you were supposed to call for me when you had pains. Yet you didn't."
"That's true JJ. I guess we both messed up. I'm assuming there was a frog involved in your story?"
"True…and I guess you've had pains for a while?"
Before she could say anything, she began to have another pain. She reached for the counter and leaned over it. JJ quickly ran to her and placed his hand on her back for support. When the pain was over, JJ helped his mommy to the couch.
"I'm going to get daddy." JJ stated once Elizabeth was settled. Before he took a step, there was a knock on the door and then it opened.
"Auntie Abagail!" JJ called out in relief. He knew he needed to get help, but he didn't want to leave his mommy. He didn't even think about using the phone. He was so focused on helping his mommy and getting his daddy. "Mommy is hurting again!" He emphasized as he ran to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He was frantic.
"I had a feeling. Now, why don't you take me to her."
JJ escorted Abagail to the living room where Elizabeth was settled on the couch. It was easily seen that Elizabeth was struggling with the pains.
As Abagail placed her hand on Elizabeth's tummy, she asked. "Elizabeth…how intense are the pains?"
Elizabeth quickly glanced at Abagail but just as quickly focused back on the picture on the wall. After a few seconds, the pains subsided enough for Elizabeth to speak.
"Pretty intense." She stated as she captured her breathing.
"Are you able to speak during the pain?"
"Not really."
Abagail turned her attention to JJ who was standing beside her. She placed her hand on his shoulder.
"JJ…go to the jail and let your daddy know. Then stop by the infirmary and ask Nurse Faith to come here."
"I can do that."
"JJ…don't get sidetracked. Go straight to your daddy and then Faith but be careful. While we need them here, you don't have to rush every step of the way."
"Yes ma'am." He heard her description but had no intention of taking his time. Before leaving, he stepped up to his mother and hugged her. She rubbed his back and told him to be careful. The two ladies watched him scurry through the living room. It didn't take him long to run through the door.
Abagail laughed. "That boy is always running through the house no matter how many times you tell him not too."
Elizabeth chuckled at her friend's statement. Then she turned a little more serious. "It's close isn't it?"
"I believe you will meet your baby soon. Now, let's get you to your room before the next pain comes. Maybe we'll get you into something a little more comfortable."
Elizabeth leaned on her friend as they walked to her bedroom. Abagail helped her out of her dress and into a nightgown and helped her on the bed. All the while, she was comforting her little sister.
…
JJ ran the whole way into town. His mind was set on one mission and only one mission. As he turned on Main Street, he saw his daddy standing outside the jail door talking with Constable Sam. He lowered his head and ran straight to him.
Jack looked down Main Street as Sam was talking. He noticed a flash of someone running quickly. As a mountie and sheriff, any quick movement like that is eye catching. It usually isn't good. After a second, he noticed that it was his little boy. His mind went immediately to Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth…" Jack whispered.
"I'll get Faith!" Sam stated as he turned to the infirmary.
"Daddy…it's mommy! She's having pains and Auntie Abagail sent me for you!"
Jack kneeled down to catch his little boy. "Constable Sam is getting Nurse Faith. Let's go home!"
Jack picked up his little boy and placed him on Sargeant's back. He untied his trusted horse and jumped on the saddle. Before Jack even settled on his horse, Sargeant was already backing up and turning toward home. The horse dug his hooves in the gravel and dirt. As he lunged forward at a rapid pace, Jack leaned forward in the saddle wrapping his arm around his boy. He pulled him close to his chest. It was then that he finally found the reigns with his left hand.
No words were spoken between father and son. They didn't have to speak. Their sole focus was getting to their woman as fast as possible.
As they rounded the turn and staired at the hill in front of them, they didn't notice that Mr. and Mrs. P were outside of their home. They were working on a small project on the house. Mr. P looked up and noticed that Jack's horse was only gaining speed as he began to climb the hill. He turned to look at his wife.
"It's time." Mrs. P softly stated as they both began walking to the hill that led to the Thornton home.
…
As Sargeant slid to a stop just outside of the front porch, Jack was already releasing his feet from the stirrups and jumping off his trusty horse. He reached for JJ as he was jumping off the horse himself. Jack caught him like so many other times when he was getting off the stagecoach.
Jack didn't have to say anything. Both began to run toward the front steps. Jack opened the front door and watched as his little boy ran through into the home. JJ stopped when he heard Elizabeth's loud moan. He turned to a closed bedroom door.
"Wait here." Jack stated as he walked past his son. He ruffed up his little boy's hair.
Jack quickly opened the bedroom door and closed it. JJ tried to sneak a peak to see what was happening, but he didn't see anything.
As Jack stepped into the bedroom, his eyes found the bed he shared with his wife. She was laying on her back in a plain nightgown she only began to wear as the pregnancy progressed. Her hair was a little messy. She had beads of sweat formed around her face. Her expression was filled with pain…or he thought of great discomfort at least. Abagail was sitting on the bed beside her.
"Bella…" Jack whispered. His face instantly matching his wife's. He was worried.
"Jack…" Elizabeth turned her attention to her husband.
"She's doing very well. You two will meet you child soon." Abagail spoke as she stood and looked between the young couple.
Jack and Elizabeth did not take their eyes off each other. Their sole focus was intently on their soul mate. He slowly walked toward his wife. She reached for him as he approached. Jack took her hand. Then he leaned over and gently kissed her lips. "I love you." He whispered just before he touched her lips.
…
JJ leaned against the door frame of his parent's bedroom door. He brought his knees to his chest and placed his head on his knees. He loved his mommy. He was excited about his little sister coming soon. However, he wasn't prepared to hear his mommy moan like that. He just didn't know how this whole process worked.
"Hey, are you ok?"
JJ raised his head off his knees. "Hey…"
Mrs. P and Mr. P let themselves in through the open front door. Their hearts broke at seeing their little boy sitting like that.
"Come here."
JJ instantly stood and ran toward one of his grandmothers. He ran into her open arms.
"All of this is perfectly normal. Your mommy is in good hands. Everything is going to be ok."
"She's right. Elizabeth will be fine. This is just the hard part." Abagail mentioned as she walked out of the bedroom.
JJ's eyes looked past Auntie Abagail when he heard his mommy moan again. It was a little louder than the previous one. Mrs. P could feel the little boy's body tense.
…
Jack winched a little when Elizabeth squeezed his hand. She bore down as the pain intensified throughout her body. Jack quickly recovered and rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand.
"It's ok, sweetheart. You're doing so well." He assured her.
Elizabeth opened her eyes to look at her husband. She closed them just as fast when the pain intensified. She took quick, shallow breaths as she clinched her eyes shut.
Jack did his best to comfort his wife. He quickly realizing that he was just a by stander in this whole process. He knew very well he could be there for his wife and encourage her. He also knew very well that he couldn't do any of this for her. If he could, he would trade places with her in a moment's notice. With all the resolve he had in his whole body, he promised himself, and his wife, that he would be as present with her as much as she wanted him to.
As a mountie, he had very little training in childbirth, Jack would classify it as a crash course. He did help an older mountie deliver a baby one time. He had very little experience from that time. He mostly ran to get things or was at the woman's head encouraging her.
"I love you, Elizabeth." He soothed her as she took a wet cloth and ran it across her forehead.
Even though the pain was more than she imagined, she was truly grateful her husband was present. When that wave of pain passed, she opened her eyes and allowed them to focus on her husband.
"Jack…I know it's not common for men to stay during all of this, but I…"
"Elizabeth…if you'll let me stay, I would prefer to stay with you."
Elizabeth nodded her head with a small smile. She loved her husband. She was grateful he was willing to stay, but she knew it was more than that. He wasn't staying with her just because she asked him too. As a matter of fact, he was staying because he wanted to. That made her love him even more. She reached up and caressed his cheek.
"I would love that. Thank you."
Their attention was drawn to the door when there was a light knock. When they said to come in, the door opened to a smiling, yet sheepish Mrs. P.
"May I come in?"
"Yes." Jack and Elizabeth spoke.
"Oh Bethie." Mrs. P held her hands in front of her chest. She was so proud and excited for her little one.
Jack stood and allowed Mrs. P to sit beside his wife. He only moved to stand at the top of the bed beside Elizabeth's head.
"I love you, little one. You will handle this with strength and grace like you do everything else."
"Thank you but I'm not too sure."
"There's one thing you need to do." She continued when Elizabeth nodded her head. "There is a little boy outside that is worried about his mommy."
"I figured. He's just like his daddy. Mrs. P, would you stay close by. I would like to have Jack with me along with Abagail and Faith."
"I'm not leaving."
"Thank you. Would you please send JJ in here for a minute? Also, when he is in here, please ask Mr. P if he would be willing to take JJ fishing. I think that will help him wait."
"My Bethie…always looking out for others." She leaned over and kissed her little one on the forehead. "I'll be in the kitchen if you need me." While she looked at Elizabeth, she was speaking to Jack.
…
JJ knocked on the door and entered slowly before being told to come in. He looked up to see his mommy lying on the bed with his daddy sitting beside her. She opened her arms for him to come to her. He instantly made his way to her. He lay down and she wrapped her arms around him. He quickly settled his head on her chest. She slowly rubbed her fingertips up and down his back. She knew that soothed him.
"You were hurting again…weren't you?" His voice was just above a whisper. He also spoke slowly.
"You heard?"
JJ nodded his head as she scooted a little slower to her.
Elizabeth let out a long sigh. "JJ…I'm going to be completely honest with you. We have always done that. This is an intense time. The pain will only get worse. No matter how hard I'll try, I will call out in pain. Now, while this process is painful, it is necessary to bring life into this world. A price that I would pay every day of my life if I had to bring in a healthy baby."
"Really?"
"If you were able to ask your mommy in heaven if all of this pain was worth it to bring you into this world, I am certain she would say that it was absolutely worth it. Even though it is worth it, it is still painful. JJ…I need for you to go with Mr. P. He is going to take you fishing at your pond. When I deliver the baby, someone will come and get you."
"But mommy, you need me."
"You are right, JJ. I do need you." She wrapped her arm tighter around her son. "I also need to know that you are alright."
Jack sat back and watched his beautiful wife love on their son. She was so loving and attentive to JJ. Jack knew she was hurting, but nothing was more important that their little boy at this moment. He loved her even more at the moment.
"Do you remember when my father was in jail here?"
"Yeah." He whispered again.
"Remember when daddy had to work that morning with the transport team." JJ nodded. "You took care of me when daddy had to work. You took me to the pond and loved on me?"
"Yes."
"This is the same type of thing. Daddy is the one who needs to take care of me at this time. Do you trust daddy?"
"Absolutely."
"JJ…I love you with all of my heart. You know that. Part of me loving you is to keep you from experiencing this. I don't want you to hear me moan in pain. I need for you to be out of the house for a little while. When the baby comes, I promise someone will come and get you."
"It's my turn to take care of mommy. We need to take care of you too." Jack added.
"Is this a grown up thing?" He asked as she raised his head from Elizabeth's chest.
Jack and Elizabeth saw the moment that JJ knew he was going fishing with Mr. P. It wasn't that he didn't want to go with Mr. P. Actually, he loved his time with Grandpa P. They always had the best time with each other. He just wanted to be there for his mommy. He loves her. A gentleman always takes care of the woman he loves. JJ let out a slow sigh as he laid his head back down on Elizabeth's chest.
"Fine…I'll go and catch dinner for everyone."
"Thank you, my sweet boy."
"Daddy…you promise you will take care of mommy?"
"I promise."
JJ laid there for a couple of more minutes. He could tell that his mommy had another time of pain. She tensed up but covered the pain the best she could . She didn't want her son to see her in pain. It was her way of protecting him. Jack noticed it. She slightly shook her head no. He understood that she wanted him to wait just a moment until he led JJ out.
Once the pain subsided, JJ could feel her body relaxed a little. She ran her fingers up and down his back for another minute. She knew she would have a few minutes before the next wave of pain came.
"Stay close. Please don't get off the property."
"I'll be with Grandpa P." JJ defended himself.
"If you're off the property, you won't hear when we want you to come back."
"Yes mommy."
"And no living thing in your pockets." She playfully warned him.
"Yes mommy."
"Come on son. We need to get you settled with Grandpa P."
…
Jack and JJ walked out of the bedroom to several people in the home. Mrs. P was in the kitchen with a big pot of water warming. She was also making some snacks for the fishing trip. She was also preparing some food for everyone later. She didn't know how long this was going to take, but she wanted to have food ready for everyone. Frank and Abagail were standing by the front door with Mr. P.
"Come on, young man." Mr. P stated.
"Do you two mind if I come with you?"
"Sure, Uncle Frank. That's fine with me as long as Grandpa P doesn't mind."
"Of course."
Jack mouth thank you to the two men. Then he turned his attention to his little man.
"Now, you be on your best behavior. Mommy will be fine. I let you know the moment everything is done."
JJ nodded his head.
Faith smiled as she walked into the home. The door was open, so she didn't knock.
"Hey Faith. Thanks for coming."
"Sure Jack. How is she?"
Jack waiting until Mr. P and Frank led JJ outside to collect the fishing poles and began the journey to the pond.
"She's doing ok. I think it's progressing. The pain seems to be getting stronger and closer together."
"We'll let me go and take a look."
"Elizabeth requested that Abigail and I be in with her."
Faith stopped and turned her attention toward Jack. She began to say something, but then realized how connected Jack and Elizabeth was. Of course, Elizabeth would want Jack to be with her and she knew that Jack would want to be with his wife.
"Abagail can help me, and you will be there for Elizabeth."
"Perfect." Jack and Abagail stated as they nodded their heads.
A/N:
This story will be coming to a close in the next chapter or two. I have enjoyed writing it. I hope you have enjoyed reading it as well.
I have begun a few months ago working on another J&E story. It is when Elizabeth comes to Hope Valley. Jack is her escort. So far, the story is only about their travelling.
Have a great week and make someone smile today.