41

The next morning, Rose lay awake in Jack’s arms. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. Her midnight conversation with Weaver, her conversation with Ruth, and the coming confrontation with Bill. If it wasn’t one thing it was another. What did the world want from her? Sighing, she turned to face Jack’s chest and buried her face there, inhaling his scent. The scent of charcoal, sweat, and something that was completely Jack alone. God she loved him. If it weren’t for him, she’d be lost by now.

Weaver was wrong when he said Rose was a high-class girl that Jack barely knew. He knew her…everything there was to know anyway and she knew him. They were now apart of each other and nothing could come between that.

“Rose,” strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer. “Good morning.”

“Good morning Jack. Sleep well?”
“I guess. The only time I didn’t was when you slipped out of bed and were gone for a good half hour. Where were you?”

“I got a glass of water. I couldn’t get to sleep. I’m sorry if I disturbed you.”

“You didn’t,” Jack kissed her forehead. “I just missed the warmth of having you beside me. I better get up. I have a shower to take and you have Molly to feed and then we’re both had to go down to breakfast. When do you want to go to Bill’s?”

Rose frowned. She had hoped that somehow Jack forgot about going to see Bill today, but somehow she knew he wouldn’t. “After breakfast I guess. The sooner we get this over with, the better.”

“You make it sound like you’re going to your execution,” Jack laughed, sliding out from under her. “It’s not that bad.”

“Jack…you don’t understand. This is my real father we’re talking about here, and I barely know him. What if he decides he hates me? What if he wishes he had someone else as a daughter, someone stronger and prettier and…”

“Rose sweetie, you are all those things and more. It doesn’t get any better than this,” Jack smiled setting back down and running a hand through her red curls. “Bill’s going to love both you and Molly. You’ll see.”

“You’re always so optimistic,” Rose smiled gratefully. Then her smile faded as she remembered the conversation she had with Weaver the night before. “Jack…Uh…I have something to confess.”

“What?”
“Last night…I kind of had a sort of argument with your uncle,” Rose cleared her throat, knowing that Jack wasn’t going to be too happy.

“What?”

“Well, it wasn’t actually an argument. It was more like a discussion I suppose.”

“What did he say this time?” Jack’s voice was on the edge of anger. He had enough of his Uncle’s attitude towards Rose and it was going to stop as soon as Jack saw him.

“What he said wasn’t important. It’s what I said in return. Oh Jack, I know I shouldn’t have, and if it got back to your parents, they’re sure to hate me…”

“Rose…what is this all about?”

“Well…I told Weaver that if he tried to force me to leave town again, I’ll take you and Molly with me and he’d never see either of you again. I didn’t actually mean it Jack…I was just mad,” Rose sighed, sure that Jack would be mad about such a threat. That was why she’s so surprised to hear laughter.

“That’s what you told him huh?” Jack stopped laughing long enough to talk. “What did he say after that?”

“I left before he could say anything. Jack, I may have made things worse.”

“Somehow I don’t think so. There’s nothing my uncle loves more than a spirited woman and now that he’s see yours, you may have earned his respect.”

“Ahem,” Weaver stood in the doorway. He had something very important to say to both Jack and Rose.

“Uncle Weaver…what do you want?” Jack stood in front of his wife, as if to shield her from any harsh words Weaver planned to say, but what Weaver had to say took Jack totally by surprise.

“I just wanted to apologize. To both you and Rose. Especially Rose. I know I’ve been the cause of your recent troubles and I now realize the errors of my ways. I just hope you can forgive me.”
Jack’s eyes lit up with happiness. Finally his uncle was going to accept Rose’s place in the family. This was the day Jack had thought would never come. Rose on the other hand felt livid. After all the trouble he had caused, Weaver was finally apologizing. How convenient after her threat last night. She really wanted to tell Weaver where to stick his apology. But looking at Jack’s face, so full of relief and happiness that his Uncle had finally seen the light, she decided to let things rest. For Jack’s sake. This must have been so hard on him. Two of the people he loved in the world at each other’s throats. It was indeed time to call a truce. Not only for Jack’s sake, but for Molly’s as well.

“Before I met Jack, I learned how to hold grudges for a long time. But since I met Jack…and what we had gone through…life is too short. So we forgive you. But forgive me if I have a hard time not being suspicious. You have tried a number of times to break us up,” Rose squeezed her husband’s hand.

“Don’t worry. My days of trying to break you up are over,” Weaver nodded in understanding. “I saw first hand last night why my nephew loves you so much. Behind that etiquette and proper manners lays the heart of a lion. A woman that stands up for what she believes in and does not let anyone step all over her. I have to say that I’m proud of his taste in women and his ability to see beneath the surface. How about you Jack? I’ve made you plenty angry at me plenty of times. Do you forgive me?”
A smile lit up Jack’s face and he left Rose’s side to hug his Uncle. “Of course. Thank you. This…this makes everything alright now.”

“I’m sorry for all the times I knowingly hurt you…”

“Uncle Weaver, it’s ok. I forgive you. And so does Rose. This means the world to us,” Jack smiled.

“I know. Well…I better head back downstairs. Oh and breakfast is on the table. Your ma cooked up a feast today boy,” Weaver grinned.

“We’ll be down,” Jack nodded. “Just give us five more minutes.”

“Ok. See you both downstairs,” Weaver left them alone, heading down to help set the table.

Jack went to his wife and pulled her into a warm embrace. “Thank you Rose. I know how much he’s hurt you and you forgave him anyway.”

“Believe me Jack, it wasn’t easy. I wanted so much to tell him where to go, but then I looked in your eyes and then at our daughter. Weaver’s your family and you love him. And I knew that all the fighting was hurting you and I didn’t want to be the cause of that. So I decided that it was best to let it go. For both you and Molly.”

“You are a wonderful woman Rose Dawson,” Jack kissed the top of her head.

“You’re the best Jack. The best there is. I don’t ever want to lose you.”

“You won’t. And now that Weaver has stopped his campaign, we are free to concentrate on more important stuff. Like you and your father. We’ll head for Bill’s after breakfast ok?”

Rose swallowed, her nervousness back. “Ok. But promise you’ll never leave my side. Not even once.”

“I promise Rose. I’ll be right beside you and so will Molly,” Jack held her tighter.

Rose felt her lips turn up in a smile. She was loved and secure in Jack’s embrace. She knew that no matter what she’ll always have Jack and he’d always have her. She just hoped things went well with her father. And if they did…then maybe she can work on her relationship with her mother. With Jack by her side, she felt like she could do anything.

Bill’s house stood quiet and dimly lit. He sat in a chair, smoking a pipe, his mind on his daughter and granddaughter, wondering if he’d ever get to know either of them. He knew Rose returned to town last night, with her new born daughter. He was going to go over to the house, but thought better of it. Let Rose get settled first. And then…then he could approach her as a father. He jumped at the sound of knocking at the front door. Frowning he wondered who it could be. He never got any visitors except for Jack and Rose. Ruth had been by only once, and hadn’t bothered to return. She was probably thankful that she had left him for the rich Albert Bukater. Standing up, he yawns, walking over the door. His eyes lit up in surprise when he opened the door to Jack and Rose, who held a tiny bundle in her arms.

“Jack? Rose?” Bill looked at the couple in disbelief. “I-I wasn’t expecting you.”

“We thought we’d come by and introduce Molly to her grandfather,” Jack lifted the bundle out of Rose’s arms and into Bill’s. “Bill meet Margaret Nancy Dawson.”
“She’s beautiful. Just like her mother,” tears appeared in Bill’s eyes. The precious child he held in his arms was the most beautiful child he had ever seen with her bright blue eyes and blond fuzz on top of her head.

“She looks so much like Jack it’s scary,” Rose blushed.

“Thank you. Thank you for bringing her to see me. Holding her like this…it makes me realize even more just how much I’ve missed. If only I had a chance to hold my daughter like this.”

“B-Bill…I would like a chance to build a relationship with you. I want you to be a part of Molly’s life. I may not have known who my father was…but I want Molly to know her grandfather. Her real grandfather.”

“And we plan on making that happen by inviting you to dinner at the house. It’ll give you a chance to spend some more time with Molly and Rose,” Jack squeezed his wife’s shoulder.

Bill frowned, remembering the last time he was there. “What about Ruth?”

“Ruth won’t be there. I’ve asked her to wait until I got in touch with her. I’m still angry with her. Keeping something so big from me…from both of us…it’s inexcusable,” Rose grumbled.

Bill swallowed. He didn’t want Rose to remain angry with Ruth like this. He had made his peace with the fact that Ruth lied and he wanted Rose to do the same as well. For the good of what family they may have. Besides, the truth was out now and that was the important thing. The past was something they couldn’t change, but the future was something they could. "Rose...I think you ought to forgive your mother. I know she lied and made you believe a man that wasn’t your father was, but that’s the past. We have to leave it there for our own sakes as well as hers. Especially Molly’s. Do you get what I’m saying?”

“You want to me to go ahead and invite her to dinner don’t you?” Rose sighed, her face falling to hide her reeling emotions. She didn’t yet know if she was ready to be around Ruth just yet. Her mother had hurt her terribly. Had made her earlier life a lie, something that meant nothing at all. Had made her go through numerous things that had caused her great discomfort, her engagement to Caledon Hockley being one of them. But she supposed if she could forgive Weaver Dawson for all he’s done, she could at least try to do the same for her own mother. “Ok. I’ll send a telegram.”

“Ruth isn’t a bad woman Rose. Really she isn’t. She just thinks with her head more then with her heart. She’s ruled by reason. She truly does love you and hopes you forgive her,” Bill sincerely looks at Rose, his eyes full of emotion. It was obvious that he was still in love with Ruth Dewitt Bukater. He just didn’t know how to express it.

“I hope you’re right Bill. I really do,” Rose bowed her head, wishing that she could have the same belief in her mother. That she didn’t know the things she did.

“Well…I guess we better get going if we’re going to send that telegram in enough time,” Jack lifted Molly back into his arms. “We’ll see you tonight.”

“I look forward to it,” Bill smiled at the young man he had begun to look at as a son.

Rose hugged the older man tightly, already feeling at ease with him. It was obvious that she had accepted him as her father and loved him as such. It felt good to have a father again. It really did. “See you tonight.”

“Keep your head up. And don’t let that Weaver push you around,” Bill released his daughter, hot tears in his eyes. For the first time in his life, he felt like he belonged to someone. Finally he had someone to think of him on holidays and birthdays. His years of loneliness were over.

He stood at his door, watching the young family disappear down the pathway, hand in hand and in love. He felt a smile warm his heart. His daughter was well cared for and loved. That was one thing he would never have to worry about.

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