39
The months flew by for Jack and Rose. The couple were now inseperable. They had enjoyed quiet romantic picnics on Molly’s patio. Quiet evenings with their friends, and secretive, lustful glances. The months spent at Molly’s and before the baby were trouble-free bliss for the couple. They had even forgotten the reason they had left Chippewa Falls.
Now the birth of the baby was near and Rose sat in Molly’s kitchen watching Katie shell peas, wishing that baby Dawson would hurry and make it’s arrival.
"The doctor said any day now. Believe me Katie, I’m ready," Rose sighed, rubbing her now large stomach. She felt like a whale and felt like she walked like a duck. She couldn’t see what Jack even saw in her right now. "I feel like such a whale."
Katie laughed. "Of course you do. That babe must be getting awfully heavy. Jack and Jim are out looking for a crib right this minute."
"Hasn’t Jack done enough shopping for this baby already?" Rose rolled her eyes. Besides, how are we going to get it back to Chippewa Falls?"
"So you two are still planning to return after the babe is born?"
Rose sighed. They had talked and talked about it over the past couple of weeks and have decided returning after the babie’s birth was for the best. Well Jack decided it was best. Rose just agreed because she wanted to keep him happy with her. Besides, she was going to have to face her mother and Bill sooner or later.
"Two weeks after the birth to be exact. I’m telling you staying here at Molly’s has been great, but we’re going have to deal with our problems sooner or later."
"We’re going to miss you Rose. Having you and Jack here has been a breath of fresh air," Katie sighed.
Rose smiled. "We’ll keep in touch," Rose smiled. That smiled to to a startled gasp as a pain shot through her as she got to her feet.
"Rose?" Katie looked at her friend in concern, her eyes widened when she saw the puddle of water under Rose. "Oh my lord!"
"I think my water just broke," Rose swallowed.
"How long have you been in labor?"
"I didn’t know I was. I mean, my back has been aching but I didn’t think…"
"We’re home!" Jack announced as him and Jim entered the foyer, carrying a tiny crib.
"Jim! Go for the doctor now. Rose’s water just broke!" Katie helped Rose into the foyer to go upstairs. "This baby is ready to enter the world."
"On my way," Jim darted out the door and headed for the car.
"I’ll take her upstairs," Jack lifted Rose up into his arms. "How are you feeling baby?"
"Ow! It hurts Jack," Rose gasped, burying her face in his shoulder as another pain gripped her.
"Jim said the baby’s on it’s way?" Molly entered the house, her eyes wide and alert.
"I’m taking her upstairs now," Jack nodded, starting up the stairs.
"Katie you know the drill. Go boil some water and get some string and scissors. I’ll take care of everything else," Molly ordered following Jack up the stairs.
"Jack…I’m scared," Rose sobbed, the pain was becoming unbearable. She tightened her hold on Jack’s hand even more as another contraction hit her.
"Don’t be scared Rosie. Everything’s going to be alright. Just think, in a few more hours we’re going to have a beautiful baby to hold and love forever. We’ll officially be a family," Jack brushed her hair out of her face. "Molly where’s that doctor?"
"He should be here any minute now," Molly answered, once again looking out the window.
"Rose and I appreciate everything you’ve done for us so far Molly. These past months have been wonderful."
"Well I’m glad to help," Molly nodded just as Jim and the doctor rushed into the room.
"So baby Dawson’s ready to arrive huh?" The doctor smiled and took Rose’s free hand.
"It hurts," Rose sniffed.
"Of course. It always does, but it’ll be over soon and you’ll forget about the pain once it’s over. Uh…Mr. Dawson…you’re going to have to step out the door now."
"What? Why can’t I stay with her?" Jack asked, his eyes widen. He didn’t want to leave Rose when she needed him more than ever. "She needs me."
"Procedure. I’m sorry."
"Surely you can make an
exception," Molly stood in the corner. "Rose and Jack
have a connection. I believe she’ll be worse off if
he’s not by her side."
The doctor sighed. "Well what does the young mother want?
It’s really up to her."
"I-I want him to stay," Rose gasped through another contraction.
"Ok. You may stay, but the rest of you will have to leave," The doctor ordered.
"Yes sir. Come on Jim. Let’s go help Katie," Molly led Jim out of the room.
Six hours later, Margaret Nancy Dawson was born. She was just as Rose had pictured her. Bright blue eyes and a haze of blond curls. She was absolutely perfect.
"Oh Jack, she’s
perfect," Rose gazed at the tiny bundle in her arms. Jack
sat next to her, his arms wrapped around her shoulders.
"It’s amazing she’s so tiny. She felt like a
bowling bowl when I carried her."
"She is perfect. Daddy’s little angel," Jack
smiled, letting the baby grasp one of his fingers with her tiny
fingers. "She’s so tiny."
"She looks just like you," Rose smiled up at her husband.
"She has your curls and nose and chin," Jack pointed out.
"Knock knock," Molly stuck her head in the door. "Can we come in?"
"Sure," Jack brightly grinned. "Molly, Katie, Jim, Rose and I want to introduce you to Margaret Nancy Dawson."
Molly gasped. "Oh my…I had no idea."
"For all you’ve done for us Molly," Rose smiled.
"Allowing Rose to stay here, taking care of her after Titanic…we owe you a lot," Jack got up and hugged the older woman.
"Do you want to hold her?" Rose offered.
"Oh, of course," Molly sat on the bed and took the baby in her arms. "Oh she is a pretty thing."
"I know. She looks just like her daddy," Rose grinned.
"Well we’re going to let the three of you get some rest. We’ll be back later," Molly smiled, ushering the others out the door.
That night Rose awoke the hungry cries of her daughter. Not wanting to wake Jack, she slipped out of bed and gently picked up her daughter. Setting in the rocking chair Molly had purchased two weeks ago, Rose began to nurse Margaret and sang a lullaby.
By the time Rose was finished, Margaret was asleep and Jack was awake, smiling.
"Hey I didn’t know you could sing so well," Jack grinned.
"Only to little babies who should be sleeping," Rose smiled, placing the baby back in her crib. "Jack. Do we really have to go back to Chippewa Falls? I mean…we’re so happy here."
"We were happy there for a while. Maybe it’ll be the same way. Besides, don’t you want Bill to see his little granddaughter."
Rose swallowed. "That’s just it. I’m going to have to finally deal with him being my father. I have no idea what to say or how to act…"
"Just be yourself Rose. He already likes you anyway and he’s going to adore Molly. Rose, it’s going to be alright," He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer to him. "I promise. We’re going to be alright and so are you and Bill."
"You’re right. I’m just being pessimistic," Rose shrugged. "I guess I better get back to sleep. Night Jack."
"Night Rose," Jack kissed the top of her head and drifted back to sleep.
But Rose remained awake, her mind full of what was going to happen when they returned to Chippewa Falls.