AFTER TITANIC
BOOK TWO
Chapter Seven
Lindsey and the twins are put
to bed and Rose lays awake cuddled close to her sleeping husband.
Lying there she examines his face and thanks god that she hadn't
lost him after all she's put him through. She didn't know what
she'd do if she had to go through this custody battle alone.
"Rose?" Jack stirs in his sleep and slowly opens his
eyes. He must have felt her watching him.
"I'm sorry Jack. I couldn't sleep," Rose strokes his
cheek. I was just thinking about Lindsey and you. I don't know
what I'd do if you weren't here to get me through this."
"I'll always be here for ya Rose. Don't you know that by
now?"
"I should, but I'm always surprised. Someday Jack, you will
get tired of being my rock. I know you will," Rose sighed
sadly.
"I'll never get tired of being your rock Rose. I'm your
husband and that's what I'm here for. Besides, I love you and
enjoy being your rock," Jack smiled. "Now go to sleep.
We have to meet with our layer so he can give us a better idea of
what our chances are," Jack kissed her forehead.
"Yes Jack," Rose sighed.
Jack remained awake until Rose drifted off to sleep. Stroking her
hair gently he wished with all his might that it was within his
power to keep Lindsey with them. Rose loved the little girl so
much and do did he. She was a part of them now...and the twins
would be heartbroken if they lost their big sister. Sighing
deeply, Jack drifted off to sleep.
The Dawson family lawyer sat behind his desk, his brow wrinkled
in a frown as the young couple sat before him with pleading eyes.
"Please Mr. Emery. Tell us there's a chance we can keep
Lindsey, even if it's next to nothing," Rose sniffed back
her tears at the thought of losing the little girl.
"Jack...Rose...what can I say. In these cases, the foster
parents never have any rights. All the rights belong to the
biological family. Mr. Linningston can take this child away from
you and there's nothing either of us can do," The lawyer
sighed. "All I can tell you do do right now is to say your
goodbyes now and turn her over to her grandfather. It'll save you
a whole lot of heartbreak."
Jack lowers his gaze to the floor. Not sure of what to do. He
couldn't let Rose down, that's for sure. He had to at least try
to keep Lindsey. "Mr. Emery, what would you say if I told
you we don't attend to give up on lindsey? If we planned to fight
this?"
"That you were crazy and foolish to think you could defeat a
powerful man like Albert Linningston. The man is very powerful
Jack. He can wipe out an entire company like the White Star Line
if he so chose. For your wife's sake and the sake of your own
children...give it up. Let the girl go with her grandfather. You
two are young. It's not like you can't have children of your
own."
"But we want Lindsey!" Rose cried. "She's our
little girl...we were there for her through everything. When she
lost her mother I was there to comfort her! When she had fallen
off a swing, I was there to patch it up! When she needed a hug, a
kiss, someone to talk to I was there! When she was scared of
monsters being under her bed it was Jack who comforted her and
gave her the sense of security! Where was Mr. Linningston then
huh? Where was he when that car hit his daughter! Where was he
when Stacey's husband died and she was forced to raise her
daughter by herself? Where was he?" Tears stream down from
Rose's eyes, her body shakes with each sob. Jack can do nothing
but hold her in his arms and try to comfort her with gentle words
and kisses.
"Mrs. Dawson, I understand where you're coming from. I
really do," Mr. Emery sighed, handing the sobbing woman an
handkerchief. "I too adopted a little boy and I love him
like he was my own. In fact, I all but forget that he was
adopted. But you have to think what's right for Lindsey..."
"We're right for Lindsey. Mr. Emery, I grew up in a house
just like the Linningston mansion. It was a cold and unfeeling
place and I was scared to death to even breath. I was so afraid
that I'd do something wrong and my mother would punish me
severely. It was a horrible childhood and I'll be damned if I let
that old man take Lindsey and traumatize her the way my mother
traumatized me," Rose sniffed. "Even if I have to take
her and disappear!"
"Rose..." Jack warned.
"Listen. This decision is yours. I'm just saying that it'll
be better to just give in. But if you want to fight this...I'll
stand behind you and do my best to make sure that Lindsey stays
with you," Mr. Emery sighed. "Just be prepared for a
long and nasty battle."
"What's the first step Mr. Emery?" Jack asked.
"I'll call the judge and halt that custody thing linningston
has going. That'll buy us some time. Then I'll get a court date
set up as soon as possible. In the meantime, you two make sure
that Lindsey is living in a comfortable and stable home. Which
shouldn't be too hard with all your grandfather had left
you," The lawyer sighed. "Make sure she's completely
safe and secure. The judge will look for that. Make sure that all
three of the children get along."
"Is that all?" Rose asked.
"Afraid so Mrs. Dawson," The lawyer simply nods.
"But don't worry. I'm totally in your corner and I'll get a
couple of New York lawyer friends to work w ith me on this case.
So that'll give you a lot of gunpower. But let me warn you that
this is bound to get dirty. I've heard of Mr. Linningston and he
pulls o ut all the stops to get what he wants...no matter who it
may hurt. Do you understand?"
Rose solemnly nods. "Thank-you Mr. Emery. This means a lot
to us and lindsey."
The lawyeer just smiles and nods. "Well I have to cut this
meeting short. I have a lunch date with one of those lawyer
friends of mine and if I want his help I can't be late."
"We understand," Jack stands, helping Rose to her feet.
"Will you keep in touch?"
"Of course. I'll talk to you tonight and let you know if
there's another lawyer on your team. Good day Jack and
Rose."
As they leave the office, a gray cloud settles over their mood.
The future was so uncertain. All they can do was stick close to
each other and head for home where their children awaited them.