Elizabeth walked in to her house and closed the door behind her. She leaned back against it and smiled, as she thought about what was making her happy. She had just come from the doctor's where she leaned she was pregnant. She couldn't wait to tell Jack, but unfortunately she would have to. He had left about six weeks ago for a three month assignment in the North. Luckily it was in a bigger town that had telegraph service and a post office. As much as she wanted to wait until he returned so she could see the look on his face when she told him, she knew she couldn't wait that long. There was a good chance she would be showing by the time he returned. She was afraid the look on his face would be that of disappointment that she hadn't written him of her news instead of joy she was almost certain she would see.

She removed her coat and walked to their home office. She went to her desk and sat down, where she pulled out some paper and a pen. She started to think about what she wanted to say.

My darling Jack,

I hope things are going well for you on your assignment. I miss you terribly and can't wait for your return. I have some news for you that I didn't want to wait to tell you about. I wish with all my heart I could tell you this in person but with circumstances we have been dealt, I feel I have to tell you in this letter. Don't worry, it's nothing bad. Jack, My Love, I am pregnant! We are having a baby! I am about six weeks along. I think we conceived on one of our last night's together. I can't wait for you to come home so we can celebrate. I hope the next six weeks goes by quickly so I can be in your arms again.

We love you, Daddy!

Elizabeth and Baby Thornton

Elizabeth looked at the clock on her desk and noted it was still early. She didn't feel like cooking dinner so she decided she would head back into town to mail her letter and then have dinner at the café. She would also tell Abigail her news, as she had a feeling Abigail had already guessed what was making her not feel well. Nothing went past Abigail Stanton. She grabbed her coat and bag and began the walk back to town.

About a week later, Jack had stopped by the post office to hang up some wanted posters. He waved to the postman, Mr. Gagnon, then started to walk to the board, but Mr. Gagnon called him over.

"I have a letter for you. It's from Hope Valley."

Jack took the letter and noticed it was from Elizabeth. He instantly became alarmed; they had agreed to only send letters once a month and he had already received one from her a couple of weeks ago. He decided to take the letter back to his room and come back at another time to hang the posters. "Thank you, Mr. Gagnon. I will be back later to hang the signs."

"Don't worry about it, Constable Thornton. I will take care of them for you."

"Thank you again. Have a good rest of your day."

Jack hurried back to his room. Once he shut the door, he removed his hat and sat down on bed, saying a quick prayer that nothing was wrong. He opened the letter and read it, a feeling of shock growing in him. He read it again, this time a wide smile growing on his face as he realized what he read was true. He was going to be a father! He still couldn't believe it so he read the letter a third time. He felt tears of joy come to his eyes, then felt a little sadness that he wasn't with Elizabeth right now. He longed to pull her in his arms and show her how happy he was about the baby. Unfortunately, he was needed to stay for at least three to four more weeks. He was training a new Mountie to take over the duties of the town. Jack decided he would write a letter back to Elizabeth and pray he could come up with the words that would convey the joy he was feeling.

Two weeks had passed since Elizabeth found out about the baby. She was having a little trouble with morning sickness. She was having a difficult time keeping food down. She went to see Dr. Matthews right away because she was concerned about not being able to eat. He gave her some suggestions on how to try to settle her stomach. He said eating crackers and dry toast first thing in the morning should settle things down enough for her to be able to eat a more substantial breakfast later on. He also said that she could try getting up a little earlier and take her time getting up. He said to keep the crackers in the bedroom and to sit up in bed and eat those first. His last idea for her was to take a few days off from teaching but still get up at the new time she would trying so she could get used to a new routine. Elizabeth thought all the advice made sense. She saw Florence when she left the doctor's and she asked her to take over for her for a few days. She only told Florence that she had the stomach flu.

After speaking with Florence she went into the mercantile to get some crackers, bread and some mint tea to bring home with her. When she went up to the counter to pay for her items, Mr. Yost gave her a letter. If was from Jack! She walked home as fast as she could without making herself sick. She couldn't wait to read what his response was from her news. Once in the house she made herself some tea and toast, then sat down on the sofa to read the letter.

My Sweet Elizabeth,

I love you and I miss you so much. I was surprised to get your letter since we had said we were only going to write once a month but once I read it, I was so happy you sent it. I had to read it three times before your news sank in. My heart is overflowing with love and joy right now. A baby! I can't believe we are having a baby. I wish I was back in Hope Valley so that you could have told me in person but as you said, circumstances what they are, it was better that you sent the letter. I am longing to be home with you I can pulled you in my arms and show you just how overjoyed I am. I will be counting the days until I can see you again.

Sweetheart, I want you to start writing me once a week. I want to know how you are doing. I don't even mind if all you tell me about is morning sickness. I want to be able to share this with as best we can while I am away. Write me back soon. I will be anxiously waiting to hear from you.

I love you and Baby Thornton!

Jack.

Elizabeth wiped tears from her eyes as she sat back against the sofa. She was so glad he was happy but she missed him more than ever now. She desperately wanted to be in his arms. Even though she hated having anyone with her when she was vomiting, she knew Jack would refuse to leave her side and would hold her hair back. She wished he was home to help her. On the other hand, she wasn't sure she should tell him about her morning sickness troubles. She was afraid he would feel guilty for not being home with her and she didn't want that. She thought about it for several minutes. If she waited to tell him when he returned, he would be upset that she didn't tell him. It was a difficult decisions but she decided she had to tell him the truth in her next letter.

Jack eagerly checked the post office every day hoping for word from Elizabeth. Each day, he would leave disappointed. As he made his way to the post office early the afternoon a little over three weeks since he had found out about the baby, he began to wonder if something was wrong with her. It wasn't like her not to write after he asked her to. If he didn't receive a letter today, he was going to pack and go home. The new Mountie was as trained as he could be. Jack was only hanging around to help out on his first few day. The young Mountie had said Jack didn't need to stay; even if Jack did get a letter, he was seriously thinking about packing and leaving. He neared the post office and entered the building.

"Constable Thornton, your letter arrived!" Mr. Gagnon told him, a grin on his face. He knew Jack was anxiously waiting for word from his wife. He wasn't sure why but he was happy to finally be able to deliver the letter to Jack.

Jack smiled and quickly walked to the counter. "Thank you, Mr. Gagnon. I know I have been a pest coming in here every day. Thank you for putting up with me."

"No need to apologize. I remember being called away on business once when my young bride and I had only been married about six months. We missed each other something fierce. I hope that letter brings good news for you."

"Thanks again." Jack quickly walked out but turned back one last time to wave at Mr. Gagnon. He walked back to his room to read the letter.

My Darling Jack,

I am glad that you are as happy and excited as I am about the baby. I knew you would be. I must confess that I am apprehensive about telling you something about the pregnancy. I am afraid you are going to feel guilty for not being with me but I want you to know that you shouldn't. I am doing better now. In fact I waited a few days to write this letter to you just so I could have good news to report. I was having trouble with the morning sickness. When I went two days without being able to keep down food or water, I went to see Dr. Matthews. He was glad I saw him that quickly because what was happening to me could turn into something serious if I let it go too long. He said that sometimes pregnant women can get an excessive form of morning sickness. It can cause them to dramatically lose weight and become dehydrated, which not only can cause harm to the mother but also the baby. It's better to treat it sooner rather than later. He gave me some suggestions to help ease the nausea and I am very happy to say they are working! Basically what I am doing is waking up a little earlier than I was and eat some crackers or dry toast first thing. I have also been drinking mint tea which Abigail said is good for the nausea. Dr. Matthews also suggested I take a few days off from work so I could get my body used to this new schedule. I am planning to return on Monday. By the time you come home, the morning sickness should just be an unpleasant, distant memory.

Now, I know you must be feeling worried and I know I can't say anything to stop you, but I am doing much better. The only thing that is bothering me is I miss you terribly and I know you miss me just as much. I, too am counting the days until you return.

We love you so much, Jack (Daddy)

Elizabeth and Baby Thornton.

Jack stood up and started pacing the room. He had tears in his eyes and he quickly wiped them away. He was glad Elizabeth was feeling better but she was right about one thing. He did feel guilty. He should have been with her to help her with the nausea. He made up his mind then that it was time to head back to Hope Valley and his sweet Elizabeth.

A week had passed since Elizabeth had expected a letter from Jack. She was hoping the silence meant he was on his way home to her. She couldn't wait to see him. She was feeling like herself again, except that her clothes were getting tight. She happily took some of her dresses into Clara to have them let out. Once she had received the letter from Jack letting her know he knew about the baby, she started to tell people in town her happy news. A lot of the women, like Cat and Molly had suspected she was pregnant, just like Abigail had. Everyone was happy for her. All she wanted now was for Jack to return so they could finally celebrate the coming addition to their happy family. As she lounged in bed early on a Saturday morning, she day dreamed about her reunion with Jack.

Jack breathed a sigh of relief when he finally made it back to Hope Valley. He had been delayed on his trip home by rain. He had to check into a hotel, where he spent two days staring out the window, depressed that he wouldn't be getting home as soon as he wanted. He smiled then, as he realized he was only moments away from seeing his love, his Elizabeth. It had been driving him crazy wondering how she was doing. He continued his way to their home, his heart beating faster in anticipation.

Elizabeth was in the kitchen making herself some oatmeal for breakfast when she thought she heard the door open. Her heart started to beat faster. Could Jack be home? She stated to walk out of the kitchen when she heard his beautiful voice calling her name. She ran out to great him.

"Jack!" She cried as she ran towards his opened arms. "Oh, Jack! I am so glad you're home!" She leaned her head up to kiss him.

As they parted, Jack hugged her tightly, breathing in the scent of her hair, relishing the moment. He pulled back and grabbed her hand. "Let's go sit on the couch. I want to hold you in my arms and talk about how you are doing." He pulled her towards the living room. She was in his arms within seconds of sitting down. "Are you feeling better, Sweetheart?"

She lifted her head slightly to look at him. She smiled. "I am feeling much better. I still get a little sick to my stomach when I first wake up, but the crackers take care of that and within a half hour I am eating breakfast."

"That's wonderful! I am so relieved you are feeling better. Did you return to school when you planned?"

"Yes I did. The only problem I am having with work is I am exhausted at the end of the day but don't worry. That's normal in the early months. I usually just take a nap when I get home."

Jack kissed the top of her head and pulled her closer into his body. He was so happy to be home with Elizabeth and that she was feeling better. She looked beautiful; she was practically flowing. "It feels so good to have you in my arms again, Sweetheart. I missed you so much, especially after finding out about the baby."

"I feel the same way, Jack and believe me, I hate what I am about to do, but when you came home I was in the kitchen about to make some breakfast for myself. I need to eat now so I don't get sick." She started to get up, but Jack stopped her.

"You sit here and rest. I will make your breakfast. I plan on pampering you the rest of the weekend since I haven't been here to do so before this. What would you like?"

Elizabeth smiled. She just knew that he would want to do that. "I was going to make oatmeal and have some fruit with it. It's what I have been eating the last few days."

"Ok, I will bring it out here to you when it's ready. Then we can spend the rest of the day together."

"That sounds heavenly, Jack. Maybe we can take a bath together later."

"I'd like that." He leaned down to kiss her, then headed to the kitchen. As he made her breakfast he thought about how happy he was to be home and how thankful he was that she was feel well again. He couldn't wait for their baby to arrive.

I am having some writers block again with my other stories. I am stumped with how to proceed with the Valentine's Day mini-vacation in The Detective and the Nurse. I am thinking I may jump ahead to the wedding. I have been re-reading my other stories to see if I can get an idea for one of them. I have been toying with an idea for a short fan fic about another Thornton baby, which ended up being this story. I plan on the next chapter being a little further into the pregnancy. I hope you enjoy it and if you have any ideas about my other stories, feel free to tell me. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the comments you leave. Barb R.