33
It was a hour before dinner and everyone was gathered in the setting room. Everyone are laughing and talking, sharing memories and laughs all except Rose. Weaver had made it a point to ignore Rose, leading most of Jack’s relatives into doing the same. The only people that even said two words to Rose besides Jack, and the immediate Dawson family were Nell and Gloria. The rest acted like she wasn’t even there. At first Rose thought it was just because she was new to the family, but obviously that wasn’t true since everyone was crowding around Jolene, asking her questions about her life in New Orleans and when her baby was due and what they were planning to name the baby. Anyone was yet to even ask Rose when she was due. For the first time since marrying Jack and moving to Chippewa Falls, Rose felt like a outsider.
"I’ll get that," Jack squeezed her hand as the doorbell rang.
"I’ll go with you," Rose followed him.
"Sorry I’m late," Bill sheepishly smiled when the door was opened.
"Come on in," Jack happily smiled, hoping that some of the tension would dissipate once Bill arrived.
"I brought some cranberry sauce. My mother’s recipe," Bill held up a covered dish.
"I’ll take that," Nancy happily smiled, taking the bowl and disappearing into the dining room.
"Why Rose you look lovely tonight," Bill took her hand and kissed it. "Jack’s a lucky man."
Rose just smiled and followed Jack back into the setting room.
"Bill you made it," Charles shook Bill’s hand. "Everyone! This is the man that saved my son’s life!"
Everyone one clapped, making Bill blush with embarrassment.
"Dad, I think you’re making Bill uncomfortable," Jack warned.
"Oh. Sorry," Charles sheepishly apologized. "I’m just so thankful…"
"Don’t think anything of it," Bill laughed, letting Jack lead him to the couch.
"You can set on the other side of Rose there," Jack pointed.
During dinner, Bill observed the Dawson family. They seemed like a happy and friendly bunch. But for the life of him he couldn’t figure out one thing. Why were they ignoring Rose who seemed to stand out from the table of blonds with her fiery red hair. Rose must be a master at hiding her feelings, because she almost didn’t look upset, but Bill saw the look in her eyes when someone asked Jolene a question about her coming baby and how everyone seemed to skirt around Rose. Of course Rose had Jack’s full attention, but that was different. He was her husband.
Finally dinner was finished and everyone was gathering into the setting room again when Rose got to her feet she grabbed Jack’s arm.
"Darling, I’m going upstairs for the rest of the night. I’m not feeling too well. I think the baby’s tired from all the excitement."
"Are you ok?" Jack’s blue eyes filled with concern. "Is it the baby?"
"No. I’m just worn out. I’ll be upstairs if you need anything."
"If you need anything just call me ok? I’ll be upstairs in a few to check on you," Jack kissed her forehead.
Rose only smiled and hurried upstairs. Jack turned around to face Bill.
"Hey are you have a good time?" Jack asked his friend, knowing how he wasn’t used to people and may feel uncomfortable.
"I’m fine. Where did Rose go?" Bill asked curiously. For some reason he felt a deep concern for Rose. He felt so paternal towards the girl and wanted to make sure that she was ok.
"She went upstairs to lay down. She said she was tired," Jack sighed, glancing up the stairs. The concern in his eyes were evident. "You know maybe I should go up there and check on her, maybe she needs a doctor or something."
Bill laughed. "I’m sure she’s fine. Thanksgiving can take a lot out of a girl who’s not used to cooking."
"I should know that right? But a part of me just wants to take care of her. Make sure she’s safe and happy…"
"It’s called the new
husband/father syndrome. Listen, I was going to ask you where the
mens room was anyway. Do you want me to stop in to check on
her?"
"Would you? Rose kind of hates it when I constantly check up
on her, but I don’t she’ll mind you asking," Jack
looked at Bill.
"Sure thing kid. I like that girl. I want to make sure she’s ok as well. I’ll be back," Bill head upstairs, leaving Jack to return to the group, his thoughts full of Rose and their baby.
Bill walked down the dim hall towards the restroom when he heard the sobs coming from the room on the right. Peering into the open door, his heart nearly broke. Rose was curled up on the bed, sobbing into the pillow.
"Rose?" Bill took a tentative step into the room. She didn’t look up to acknowledge his presence, but her sobs did lesson.
"Rose sweetie, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?" He asked, setting down on the corner of the bed. Gently patting the girl’s shoulder.
"It’s nothing. Just pregnancy hormones," Rose swallowed, hopping that Bill would buy her lame explanation.
Bill sighed. He was never one to except lies for truth. Especially when the truth was already evident for him. "Rose…it’s the way those people treated you tonight ain’t it? I watched and saw how they ignored you."
Rose wiped away her tears and sat up, her green eyes tearfully pleading. "Don’t tell Jack. Please. He’ll be so angry with them…he’ll probably insist on leaving again and I don’t want that. I don’t want to come between him and his family and that will happen if he knew about this."
Bill sighed, Jack needed to know about this. "Rose…how did this get started anyway? You’re a charming girl. You should be able to win anybody over."
"It’s Jack’s Uncle Weaver. He’s turned mostly everyone against me. For some reason he doesn’t like me very much."
Bill swallowed back his own
rising anger. He wanted to go down there and pound Weaver Dawson
into the ground for hurting Rose like he was. "Do you want
to come back to the cabin with me until this Weaver guy
leaves?"
Rose looked at Bill, as if she was really considering the offer,
then her eyes dimmed once again. "I can’t. Jack would
ask questions and I can’t let him know about this because I
don’t want him angry."
Bill nodded. "As well he should be. You’re a part of this family too. Even more so since you two were married longer."
Rose again burst into tears. "What’s going to become of my baby!?"
"Shhh. This baby is going to grow up healthy and loved. You and Jack have enough love to make up for all those people. Believe me, I’ve seen it."
"Rose?" Jack suddenly appeared in the doorway. His eyes widen at the sight of her tears. "Rose sweetie, what’s wrong?" He immediately goes to her and pulls her into his arms. "Why are you so sad?"
"I’ll leave you two alone," Bill got up. He looked at Rose and felt his heart break again. What was it about this girl that made him want to protect her with everything he had. He hoped that Rose told Jack what was bothering her so he could set it right. But somehow he doubted she would. Sighing sadly, he went back downstairs and waited for Jack to come back down to say good-bye. Some how, dinner at the Dawson’s had left a bad taste in his mouth.
Meanwhile, back upstairs, Jack held Rose until her tears subsided. Then he turned her to face him. "Now how about telling me what made you cry like this?"
Rose sniffed and wiped away a stray tear. Looking in to Jack’s all so trusting face, she couldn’t bring herself to tell him the truth. The truth would hurt him terribly and she never wanted to hurt him. She wanted his holidays to be happy and joyful, even if she was miserable. "Oh Jack…it’s just…it’s just pregnant woman jitters. That’s all. I guess this pregnancy is really playing with my emotions. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to make you worry."
"Rose…is that really all or is there something else? You can tell me anything. You know that."
Rose nodded, feeling terrible for lying, but to perserve Jack’s happiness it had to be done. "I’m positive darling. Now stop worrying. Goodness what are you going to do for the next eight months?"
Jack laughed. "I’ll just have to grin and bear it now won’t I?" Jack leaned in and kissed her. "I love you Rosie. You and this baby are everything to me. Don’t ever doubt that."
"I don’t Jack. I don’t doubt it in the least. I just…I just want you to be happy and I know spending the holidays with your family is making you the happiest I’ve ever seen you. And that makes me happy."
"I want you to be happy too Rose. If you are unhappy in anyway, tell me. I’ll fix it."
"You’re sweet," Rose smiled tenderly touching his face. At that moment nothing existed except for Rose and Jack. "I’ll always be happy as long as I have your love."
Jack and Rose move closer together in a full kissing, falling back onto the bed. They visited the stars together and remained in each other’s arms for the rest of the night.