9
One month has passed since Jack’s return from the dead and their subsequient marriage. Everything has been going well for the newlyweds. Jack had started a job at a local post office, delivering mail. Rose had slipped into a routine of shopping with Molly for her baby and little gifts for the soon to be delivered baby that Samantha was carrying. Being one month overdue, Samantha was ordered bedrest and George was still at his job running errands for the busy people of Chippewa Falls. Jack’s reappearance was widely celebrated throughout the town, happy that news of his demise was just a case of mistaken identity and near misses. Rose was already accepted into the heart of the townspeople, all of which shared her sorrow were now sharing her overwhelming joy.
Rose had slipped into a happy life surrounded by family and friends. It was the first of the month when things changed. It was a Saturday and it was Jack’s day off. She was surprised to be waking up by herself and shivered against the cold air of the room. After slipping on a simple yellow cotton dress, Rose slipped downstairs, alarmed to find packed bags setting in front of the door. Molly soon emerged into the foyer, throwing orders to both Jack and George.
"Molly?" Rose came down. "What’s going on?"
"Oh Rose! I’m glad you’re awake! Now I have a chance to say good-bye," Molly met her at the bottom of the stairs to hug her.
"Good-bye?"
Molly turned to Jack and George who each had a handful of bags. "You two go on ahead and load up the car. I’ll be right out."
"Molly…why are you leaving?"
Molly sighed, she knew saying good-bye was going to be difficult, but she knew it was the right thing to do. Rose no longer needed her. She had Jack now. Plus it was high time for Molly to return to her own life in Denver.
"It’s time for me to go Rose. It’s been what? A month or so? It’s time I return to Denver and lead you to your own life."
"But…"
"Hey, it’s not like I’m leaving you alone. You’re in very good hands. You have Jack now, and I have a feeling that he’s going to take real good care of ya darlin. That boy loves you ya know."
"But…I’m going to miss you
Molly. Who’s going to show me the ropes of being a house
wife now?"
"Well I do believe you have a new cousin that will be happy
to show you the ropes. Once she’s had the baby that is. The
rest, you can wing it until she is up to it. Now I’m
expecting a monthly letter from you telling me how you’re
fairing. And when the baby’s born, I want pictures."
Rose forced a smile, not bothering to wipe away
her tears. "I promise."
"Good girl," Molly smiled, pulling Rose into a hug.
"This isn’t good-bye Rose. I’ll be seeing both you
and Jack again."
Rose just nodded and watched Molly walk out the door. Letting her tears fall, she ran upstairs to her room and gazed out the window to watch her best friend leave.
Molly stood in front of the car, hugging the young man she had mourned for only a month ago. "Now you take good care of Rosie. She may seem like a wall of strength, but she has her weaknesses as well. She’ll need you especially now."
"I promise I will Molly. I’ll take
care of both them," Jack pulled away and nodded. "Are
you sure you don’t want me to drive you to the
trainstation?"
"George will do just fine. Besides, Rose needs you by her
side right now."
"Mrs. Brown?" George held the
passenger door open. "Are you ready?"
Molly nodded. "Take care Jack," She hugged the young
man once more before stepping into the car.
"Drive safely," Jack nodded to his cousin who only smiled and dunked into the drivers side. Sighing, Jack headed inside and upstairs to Rose, who was standing by the window watching Molly drive away.
"Well…it looks like it’s just the four of us now," Jack wrapped his arms around Rose’s waist, allowing her to lean back against him. "Are you ok?"
Rose nodded. "I’m fine. So…what do we do now?"
"I’m going to check on Sam and then I want to take you on a picnic right beside the lake. Is that alright with you?"
"That sounds great," was Rose’s flat answer.
Jack sighed, wondering how he could cheer her up. "Rose…I’m going to miss her too ok? But we’re going to have to let her go. She has her own life and family to take care of and we have ours," Jack set his hands on her abdomen.
"It’s not like I was expecting her to stay forever," Rose sighed. "Just until…until…I don’t know."
"Until you were ready to really start a family. Right?" Jack asked.
Rose turned around and took his hand in hers, staring deeply into his eyes. "Believe it or not, I am ready for us to be a family. It’s just that…I’m scaredy Jack. What if I’m a terrible housewife? What if I’m a terrible mother? Wouldn’t I need Molly around to tell me what I’m doing wrong? What if I fail to make you happy?"
Jack laughed. "Oh Rose, all you ever do is make me happy. And as for the rest, we’ll learn together. We’ll help each other out."
Smiling, Rose turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close. She stared into his sparkling blue eyes and kissed him tenderly. "Jack, you always know what to say to make me feel better."
"Just remember that I’m new at this too. I’ve never been married before. We’re in this together and that’s the way it’s going to stay."
Rose just grinned and layed her head on his shoulder. All her fears and worries put to rest. As long as she had Jack, she’ll be just fine.