31
The house was full of people when Jack, Rose, and Jacklyn arrived. Rose clung to Jack’s hand as they entered the crowded foyer.
"I can’t believe everyone’s here already," Jacklyn let go of Jack’s other hand and went deeper into the room. "Uncle Weaver!" She yelled, throwing her arms around a heavyset man with blond hair and clear blue eyes. "Jacklyn! You get more beautiful everytime I see ya! I brought you a present," the man held out a small giftwrapped box to her.
"Oh Uncle Weaver you didn’t have to buy me anything!"
"I wanted to," He kissed Jacklyn’s forehead. Turning in Jack and Rose’s direction he grinned. "Are my eyes decieving me? Jack?" He walked over and pulled Jack into a tight embrace. "Why look at you! The last time I saw you you were a skinny as a rail kid!"
"Hi Uncle Weaver," Jack grinned as his uncle let him go.
"Look at you Jack! All grown up! You look like your mother with a hint of your father!"
Jack laughed. "That’s
what everyone tells me."
"And who is this little girl on your arm?" Weaver
turned to Rose.
"This is my wife. Rose Dawson," Jack wrapped a arm around Rose’s shoulder, smiling proudly.
"Rose, you sure do look familiar. Have I seen you before?" Weaver asked, taking her hand in greeting.
"I don’t think so," Rose answered.
"Where are you from?"
"Weaver!" A older woman came gliding up to them before Rose could answer. "Nancy wants you in the kitchen. She wants you to taste this new recipe for punch. We all know how expert you are at new tastes."
"Not now woman," Weaver shook his head just to be grabbed and pulled into the kitchen. "I’ll be back!" He waved.
Jack laughed and waved back. "Well that was my uncle Weaver and his sister, my aunt Nell. You can tell she’s a bit bossy. Come on, I’ll introduce you to some of my family."
"Jack! Jack!" A female voice is heard over the room. Rose looked to see a girl with blond hair and gray eyes heading in their direction. "Long time no see cousin! It’s about time you came back home!" The girl wrapped her arms around Jack’s neck. "Where have you been?"
"Around and about," Jack grinned. "Man it’s been six years since I saw you."
"Well it’s good to see you back home. And I see someone I know is not a Dawson, not by blood anyway," The girl looked at Rose, letting Jack go.
"Gloria, this is my wife Rose. Rose this is my cousin Gloria. We used to get in devilment together," Jack grinned.
"Wife? Oh Jack I didn’t know you had married! How wonderful. Welcome to the family Rose. Don’t mind us Dawsons. We can be a bit overwhelming at times, but we’re quite lovable when you get to know us," Gloria laughed, pulling Rose into a hug. "Oh my lord, you’re with child! Another new Dawson on the way! Hey everyone! Jack’s going to be a daddy too!"
The room filled with cheers just as Nell and Weaver reappeared.
"What’s all this noise about?" Weaver asked standing behind Gloria.
"Richie’s not the only one having a baby Uncle Weaver. Jack is too. Not as far along, but still baby shower is on the way," Gloria grinned.
"Well congratulations Jack. Married and expecting. It’s hard to believe. Rose, we were interrupted earlier. Where are you from again? I could have sworn I saw you somewhere before."
"I’m from Philadelphia sir," Rose answered.
"Aw yes. Philadelphia, town of the swells. Tell me Rose, which part of Philadelphia are you from?"
"Oh Weaver stop interrogating the poor girl," Nell crossed her arms. She’s a Dawson now and that’s what matters."
"I’m just trying to get to know the girl better. That’s all. After all, she is married to my favorite nephew," Weaver turned to his sister.
"Uncle Weaver!"Jacklyn waved, rushing up to the small group. "I love this ring! It’s gorgeous! Look Rose, isn’t this gorgeous!"
"It’s lovely."
"Rose you have quite a lady like way of talking,"
Weaver commented. "If I didn’t know any better I’d
say you were a swell."
"Weaver leave the girl
alone! Goodness knows you didn’t question Richie’s wife
like this," Nell scolded. "Jack why don’t you go
introduce Rose to Bessie. She’d love to meet her."
"Good idea," Jack nodded, leading Rose through the
crowd.
"I don’t think your uncle Weaver likes me very much," Rose stepped closer to Jack.
"He’s just curious. That’s all. He just needs to get to know you a little more. Don’t be offended."
"Oh I’m not. Just uncomfortable."
"Well don’t be. This is your home and family too. You belong here as much as Jolene does," Jack kissed her and in reassurance.
Night has fallen over the Dawson household. The Dawson relatives all stayed at the nearby inn except for Weaver who made himself comfortable on the couch. Right now he was setting reading the paper when Rose slipped downstairs to satisfy one of her late night cravings, something that’s plagued her since her pregnancy began.
"Aw Mrs. Rose. I’m glad to get a chance to talk to you without my sister’s interruptions," Weaver got to his feet to greet Rose.
"What would you like to talk to me about?" Rose nervously asked, not really wanting to be in the same room as the older man. He made her increasingly nervous. He asked so many questions and in such a blunt manner.
"Rose…as you well know, Jack is my favorite nephew. He has a good soul. He’d help out anyone in trouble."
"Yes. I do know this," Rose nodded.
"Well I know where I’ve seen you before. A newspaper commemorating the victims of the Titanic disaster. You’re the fiancee of that son of a steel Tychoon. Hockley."
Rose went pale. She wasn’t expecting this. No matter what Jack’s uncle was so suspicious of her.
"I want to know why you
didn’t return to your family and what is it you want from
mine."
Rose opened her mouth to answer when Weaver went on. "Poor
Nancy and Charles already had their fair share of trouble with
swells and lost their son because of it. I’m not about to
let that happen again. Now like I said, Jack is a kind hearted
soul and doesn’t know what trouble he could be getting in to
but I intend to…"
"Sir no offense, but what you’re assuming is false. I am no longer engaged to Caledon Hockley, it’s been a very long time since I was. The man was a creul ego maniac. He’s not a part of my life anymore. And I talk to my mother every once in a while, but we don’t get along, which is nothing new since my father died and she tried to sell me to the highest bidder to escape a life of becoming a seamstress. I’m sorry if you think I’m trying to hurt Jack or this family in anyway because I’m not. I love Jack with everything I am and we’ll be having a baby in another couple of months."
"So Caledon Hockley has no
more claim over you?" Weaver looked at her skeptically.
"Then why are you hiding from him?"
"I’m not. I simply don’t care to talk to him ever
again. If that means he believes I’m dead, so be it.
Besides, I’m sure he knows otherwise by now since my mother
talks to him often."
"What’s going on down here?" Jack appeared at top of the stairs.
"Your Uncle and I was having a discussion about my intentions towards his family. I was hungry, but I’m not any more. I’m going back to bed," Rose angrily turned and went back upstairs, leaving just Jack and Weaver.
"She’s a pistol Jack," Weaver shook his head.
"I know. That’s why I love her. What just went on down here?" Jack asked, coming the rest of the way down.
"I was just asking your wife some questions about her background. That’s all," Weaver shrugged.
Jack groaned. "Why did you
do that? Rose’s background is not a very good topic for her.
If you wanted to know about her you should have asked me not
confront her with it in middle of the night."
"I was just concerned Jack after the Kimberly
mess…"
"Rose is not Kimberly! She’s nothing like her at all! There was no need to interrogate my wife like that!"
"You sound like your aunt Nell."
"I’m sorry Uncle Weaver. But leave the past alone ok? Both Rose and myself went through hell and back and we’re trying to put it behind us. You have no idea what we went through."
Weaver stared at his nephew before bowing his head. "You’re right Jack. I’m sorry for being so insensitive. I was just making sure there would be no more trouble for the family."
"There won’t be. At
least not from Rose and I anyway. If you don’t mind,
I’m going back upstairs. Good night Uncle Weaver."
"Night Jack," He watched Jack disappear back up the
stairs.
When Jack got back upstairs, Rose was sound asleep. She didn’t seem too upset, but still, Jack couldn’t help being a little bit mad at his uncle. How dare he dig up the past the way he did. He loved his Uncle, but he was way too suspicious for his own good and Jack was determined to keep the most painful parts of his and Rose’s meeting in the past where it belonged.