AFTER TITANIC
BOOK TWO
Chapter Twelve
Two Months later...
It's Rose's birthday when the call from the lawyer came in.
Jack had just adjusted his tie to go to the office when the phone
ranged. Sighing impatiently he picks it up.
"Hello?" Jack asked.
"Jack...this is Mr. Emery. The verdict has just come down
from the judge. She's reviewed both of your cases and has decided
the best thing to do for now is to share custody. You get Lindsey
during the school year and in the summer her grandfather will
have her. She wants to see how this arrangement would work. It
may be a permanent thing if Lindsey seems to be benefitting from
it, but if she doesn't she'll have to make up her mind about who
gets full custody of the child."
"You mean...we're getting her back?"
"Yes sir. You'll get her back for the beginning of the
school year and in the summer she goes back to her grandfather.
The judge will make a final decision this time next year,"
The lawyer explained. "Mr. Linningston has been ordered to
have the child at your doorstep day after tomorrow."
"Yes! Rose is going to be so happy. This is the perfect
birthday present!"
"I'm glad I could give you the news you and your wife have
been waiting to hear. Congratulations."
"Thank you Mr. Emery. We really mean that from the bottom of
our hearts," Jack has tears of happiness in his voice.
"You're very much welcome Mr. Dawson. If there's anything
else I can do for you and your family just let me know. I'll be
glad to help."
"Thank you Mr. Emery."
"I'll be in touch," the lawyer says before hanging up.
Kathy comes down the stairs, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.
"Who was that?"
"Our lawyer. We get Lindsey back!" Jack runs up and
hugs his cousin. "It's only for the summer. The the judge
makes a final decision but we still get her back for the school
year! Rose is going to be so happy!"
"Oh Jack this is so wonderful and it comes right in time for
her birthday!"
I know. That's why she's not
going to know anything about this until tonight, when I take her
out for her birthday dinner," Jack looks directly at his
cousin.
"Oh Jack please tell her now. I mean, she's been so
depressed ever since that dream and she seems to have lost all
hope of getting Lindsey back. This would really cheer her
up," Kathy pleads.
"No Kathy. Not until tonight when I can really surprise her.
Really make her happy," Jack sighed. "Rose always loved
surprises and this is the best one yet. So promise me now Kat.
Not a word to Rose."
"...Ok. Fine. You win. I won't tell Rose about
Lindsey," Kahty sighed, her shoulders slumped in defeat.
"Thank you Kat. I must be off now, but will you do me just
one more favor," Jack asked. "Will you take care of her
while I'm gone? Please. I really have been worried about her and
in her condition...I just want to make sure that she's well taken
care of."
"Ok Jack. I'll look after Rose until you return. And I
promise to keep Lindsey a secret," Kathy nods. "Now get
going before you're late and you know how Cameron is about
puntuality."
"Of course," Jack grins. "See you later Kat."
Kathy waves as her cousin bounds out the door.
"Was that Jack just now?" Rose asked, appearing behind
Kathy with Molly and Tommy in her arms.
"Yes it was. He told me to look after you and I guess that
means helping with the children," Kathy takes Tommy away
from Rose. "Really Rose, in your condition you shouldn't
even be carrying one of them."
"I'm fine. Tommy and Molly may be growing like weeds but
they're as light as a feather," Rose follows Kathy into the
kitchen. Placing Molly in her high chair, Rose begins to cry.
"Rose what's wrong?" Kathy asked startled.
"Oh it's nothing. It's just that Tommy and Molly are growing
up so fast. they can't even be called babies anymore," Rose
bursts into renewed tears.
"Oh of course they're still babies," Kathy laughed.
"They've barely turned a year old and here you are pregnant
again. That'll make three children."
"I'm sorry Kat. I'm such a mess this morning...every morning
for the past five months actually. I don't know what's gotten
into me," Rose sniffed.
"Hormones," Was Kathy's simple reply. "Don't worry
Rose. Things will be look up soon. Trust me."
"Did Jack hear anything from Mr. Emery? I know the judge was
supposed to come to a decision about Lindsey in the next couple
of days," Rose suddenly looks into Kathy's eyes.
Kathy swallowed hard. She was so tempted to tell Rose the truth,
but she couldn't betray Jack's trust. She had to keep the secret.
"Jack didn't say. He just said hi and bye this morning. He
was running late to the office."
"Oh." Rose bows her head again, disappointment fills
her voice. "Did you know today's my twentieth birthday? That
would have been the perfect surprise."
"Oh Rose," Kathy goes over to her cousin and pulls her
into a hug. "Don't worry. You'll get Lindsey back. I know
you will."
"I hope you're right," Rose wipes away her tears.
"You know I am. Listen, why don't I take the children for
the day and you go upstairs and rest. You do look exhausted and
me taking care of the twins will help you and the little one
you're carrying get some much needed rest. Consider it my
birthday gift to you."
Rose looked at Kathy, then back at her two children who were busy
playing drums with their spoons. Happy and content to be
children. They were so much like their father, so carefree. She
didn't want to spend a minute away from them, but Kathy was
right. She was exhausted and taking a nice long nap would do the
baby she's carrying now a whole lot of good.
"Ok. I'll do it," Rose nods. "But are you sure
this is ok? I mean, the twins are a handful when it's only one
person. It's not like last year when they were just babies."
"I can handle this Rose. Now go up to bed and get some
sleep. I'll feed the twins, then we'll head out to the park and
enjoy the weather."
"Ok then. I'll see you when you return," Rose gets up
and hugs her cousin in law, grateful from the day off from taking
care of the twins, yet missing her children already. "Molly,
Tommy you'll be going with your cousin Kat for the day. Mommy
will see you later when you return. You two be good for your
cousin, okay?" She hugs and kisses each of her twins who
just stare up at her innocently with their big blue eyes and nod.
"Now upstairs with ya Rose," Kathy points to the
stairs. "I'll send Sylvia up with your breakfast."
"Thanks Kat," Rose waves already heading upstairs where
she remains for most of the day.