Happily Ever After

Chapter - 17

2 years later, 1910, Millstone, America

Jacob's heart hammered in his chest as he waited in the hallway of the doctor's clinic, his fingers tapping anxiously on the brim of his hat. The room smelled of antiseptic and faded tobacco as he waited for Eliza to come out of the doctor's examination room. His mind raced with every possible outcome, and each one seemed worse than the last. What if she was sick? What if the doctor had bad news?

When the door finally creaked open, Jacob was on his feet in an instant. Eliza stepped out, looking calm, almost serene, but her eyes betrayed a hint of something—was it worry, or something else?

"What did the doctor say, El? Are you going to be alright? He gave you some medicine," Jacob asked, his voice tinged with concern. He gently took her hand, feeling its familiar warmth and softness.

Eliza gave him a small, reassuring smile but didn't answer his question directly. "We'll talk at home, Jacob," she said softly, squeezing his hand. Her calm demeanor did little to alleviate Jacob's anxiety.

They climbed into their horse-drawn cart, and Jacob guided Dakota back towards their home. The ride was filled with a tense silence, Jacob glancing at Eliza every few moments, his worry growing with each passing second. Eliza stared out at the passing countryside, her face thoughtful and serene.

Their two-bedroom house came into view, a modest yet cozy structure with white clapboard siding and a sloping roof, a place where they had built a life together far from the troubles of their past. The front porch had a wooden swing, where they often sat together in the evenings, watching the sun set over the horizon. Surrounding the house were expansive farm fields, the golden wheat swaying gently in the breeze, ready for harvest. To the left of the house stood a sturdy barn, its red paint slightly faded but still standing strong. This was where Jacob kept his tools, supplies, and a few animals that provided them with fresh milk and meat.

Jacob had bought the place with the money he had taken from the train heist. After fleeing far from Bluebell, he and Eliza had settled in the small, tranquil town nestled in a valley. The colder climate was a stark contrast to what they were used to, but they adapted to their new surroundings.

Jacob toiled in the fields, cultivating crops and selling the produce at the local market. He had also saved a portion of the heist money for emergencies, a hidden nest egg that provided a sense of security.

When they finally reached their cozy home, Jacob could no longer contain his concern. As soon as they stepped inside, he turned to her, his eyes wide with worry. "Come on, love, you've got me worried now. You've been quiet all the way from town. What did the doctor say?"

Eliza took a deep breath, her eyes meeting his. She could see the worry etched in his features and knew she had to put his mind at ease. "Jacob, the doctor... he told me something surprising," she began.

Jacob's heart skipped a beat. "What is it, El? Please, just tell me."

She smiled, a radiant, joyful smile that immediately lifted Jacob's spirits. "Jacob, the doctor thinks I'm pregnant. He said my symptoms are very much like those of early pregnancy and that I'll probably start showing in a couple of months."

Jacob's reaction was instantaneous. His eyes widened in disbelief and then filled with unbridled joy. "Pregnant? Eliza, are you serious?" he exclaimed, his voice cracking with happiness.

Eliza nodded, tears spilling from her eyes, but they were tears of joy, of love, of hope. "Yes, Jacob," she said, her voice trembling with happiness. "We're going to have a baby."

Jacob let out a joyful shout, unable to contain his excitement. "We're going to have a baby!" he repeated. His face broke into the biggest grin she'd ever seen, and before Eliza could react, he scooped her up into his arms, spinning her around in a whirlwind of laughter and tears.

He kissed her—her lips, her cheeks, her forehead, her nose—each kiss filled with the overwhelming love and excitement he couldn't put into words. "Eliza, I can't believe it!" he exclaimed between kisses. "This is the best news ever! I'm going to be a father—we're going to be parents!"

Eliza laughed, her heart swelling with love as she watched Jacob's joyful antics. "Jacob, put me down, you're going to make me dizzy," she said, her laughter mingling with his.

Jacob set her down gently, but his joy was undiminished. He took her hands in his, "Eliza, this is incredible. We're going to be parents. I'm so happy, I can't even put it into words."

Eliza smiled up at him. "I know, Jacob. I'm so happy too. I've been dreaming of this moment for so long."

Jacob kissed her again, a deep, loving kiss that conveyed all the emotions he couldn't put into words. When they finally broke apart, he rested his forehead against hers. "I don't know what I did to deserve this," he said. "To deserve you, Eliza. You've given me everything—a home, a life, and now... now we're going to have a family."

"You've earned every bit of it, Jacob," Eliza said softly. "We've earned it together. I've been dreaming of this for so long, and now... it's finally real."

Jacob kissed her again, his hands sliding down to her waist, pulling her closer. Their lips met in a deep, heated kiss, their breath mingling. His tongue softly brushed against her lower lip, seeking entrance, and when she opened for him, their tongues entwined, exploring each other. Eliza's fingers wove through his hair, pulling him closer as a soft sigh escaped her lips. Her touch sent shivers down Jacob's spine, igniting a fire within him.

Without breaking the kiss, Jacob slid his hands lower, gripping her thighs as he lifted her effortlessly into his arms. Eliza let out a quiet gasp of surprise before she wrapped her legs around his waist, holding on tight as her lips moved against his with renewed intensity. His hands found the curve of her hips, steadying her as he carried her toward their bedroom.