Chapter Six: A Tragic Loss:
It's been a month since Rose and Jack had
gotten married and so far it's been nothing but wedded bliss.
There wasn't a day that went by that Jack didn't hold her or tell
her how much he loved her and was grateful that they had found
each other. They had also made lots of plans for the baby. Jack
had even converted his old room into a nursery and had drawn and
painted pink and blue teddy bears on the walls. They had
furnished the room and Jack had filled the room with adorable
stuffed animals.
Of course their friends had stopped by and helped. Gretchen
helped both Jack and Rose shop, while William searched for good
furniture stores for the baby bed and bassinet. Christina also
helped, even though it was for her own selfish purposes,
unbeknownst to Jack, but Rose did have her suspicions, but she
had never mentioned them to Jack. What if she was wrong? There
was no use starting something out of nothing. Besides, Jack loved
her and she knew he'd never cheat on her.
Rose is now in the kitchen with Gretchen to keep her company
while Jack was out with William when it happened. Rose was
reaching for a pot on a high shelf when a sharp pain runs through
her abdomen and her water breaks just as there's a knock at the
door.
"Rose!" Gretchen rushes to her side.
"It's too early. It's not supposed to happen for another two
months," Rose cries in pain.
"It's okay Rose. Just let me get you upstairs and I'll
answer the door. I'll send whoever it is for the doctor,"
Gretchen tries to calm her.
Rose nods through her tears, allowing Gretchen to lead her
upstairs and into her room.
"Just lay down Rose and try to relax. Everything will be
alright," Gretchen rushes downstairs to get the door. She
gasps in surprise to see Christina. "Chris thank god you're
here!"
"I just stopped by to see if Jack..."
Gretchen cuts her off. "Go get the doctor right away! It's
Rose, she's gone into labor!"
"What?"
"I'll explain when you get back. Just go! Now!"
Christina simply nods and heads for the town where the doctor was
located.
Gretchen goes back to Rose. "Help is on the way Rose."
"Jack...where's Jack?" Rose cries.
"I don't know Rose. William took him off to Eau Claire to
look for toys for the baby. Won't he be surprised to come home
and find his baby had decided to make an early appearance?"
"But it's too early?"
"Well you know what they say about early birds don't ya?
They get the worm every time. Don't worry Rose. "I'm sure
everything's going to be ok," Gretchen strokes her friend's
damp hair, but she knew deep in her heart that the baby won't
live. Rose was right. It's too soon. Maybe the doctor will be
able to stop labor or something, but with her water breaking and
all...she seriously doubted it.
Five minutes later the doctor is upstairs prepping Rose through
the delivery while Gretchen stayed by her side and Christina
waited downstairs for Jack and William just in case they came
back.
She couldn't help but be happy about this recent development.
What a stroke of good luck. There was not going to be a baby to
stand in her way. Nothing to connect them anymore. Once she sent
that letter, Rose Dewitt Bukater will be out of Jack's life
forever, leaving space for her to re-enter. She doesn't have to
wait for long. She's been waiting a good thirty minutes when Jack
and William arrive. Jack was carrying a rocking chair.
"Rose is really going to like this. She can rock the baby to
sleep or read to him or her. It's perfect," William was
saying when a scream sounds from upstairs.
"Rose...," Jack suddenly goes pale and rushes upstairs.
"Jack wait!" Christina tries to go after him, but
William quickly stands in her way.
"What happened Chris?" He coldly asked.
She rolls her eyes. "Rose went into early labor. Doesn't
look like she'll be using that rocking chair after all."
"You are such a witch. Don't you have any compassion at
all?" William asked. "I guess you think this clears the
way for you don't ya?"
"Doesnt' it?"
"Hardly. Jack loves Rose. He's not going to leave her,
especially not now when she's lost the baby," William
laughed. "You really are a airhead aren't you?"
"You don't know anything," Christina moves around him
and heads up the stairs to find Jack standing outside, his head
resting on the doorframe. Worry is written all over his face.
"Jack?"
"They won't let me in. They won't let me in there with
her," Jack looks at her. "Why won't they allow me to be
there for her? Can't they see she needs me right now?"
"I don't know Jack," William places a supportive hand
on his friend's shoulder. "You know, since they're not
letting you do anything here, why don't we go on down to
Hammerstiens and grab a shot or two? Calm down your nerves."
"No thanks. I wasn't there for Rose after Titanic...but I'm
going to be there for her now and I'm not moving from this spot
until they let me in."
"Gretchen," Christina gasps as her friend exits the
room, a somber expression on her face.
"Gretchen? How are they?" Jack grabs her shoulders.
"Rose is fine. She's weak but fine," Gretchen doesn't
look at him.
"The baby?"
Gretchen begins to sob. "I'm so sorry Jack! The baby's gone.
It wasn't strong enough to survive. I'm so sorry."
William immediately goes to his girlfriend and holds her while
Jack stands there in shock, devastation is clear in his eyes.
"Oh Jack," Christina tries to put her arms around him,
but he pushes her away.
"I have to go to Rose. She needs me right now," Jack
disappears into the room.
Christina is about to follow him when Gretchen speaks up, her
voice is cold and stern. "Don't even think about it Chris.
This is not the time to go following Jack around. In fact, I
think it'll be wise if we give both some space. Now!"
Instant hurt appears in Christina's eyes. Gretchen was supposed
to be her best friend but yet she was treating her like her
boyfriend does. "Gretchen..."
"Come on Chris. We're leaving now," William roughly
grabs her arm and pulls her out of the Dawson's.
As she leaves the Dawson house she looks up at the lighted
window. Fine. She'll let Rose have this moment alone with Jack.
Because the first thing tomorrow she was going to set her plan
into motion and on one, not even her best friend Gretchen could
stop her.
Two hours later...
Rose layed in Jack's arms staring out into nothingness. Why did
this happen to them? They were so happy. So looking forward to
raising their beautiful little daughter, so small and tiny, her
pale skin so translucent. Why? Why did Baby Hannah Margaret have
to die?
Jack layed beside her and tried his best to comfort her. He of
course was devastated, but it was worse for Rose. She had carried
the baby inside her, felt her move and grow. He hoped that he
could pull her through this. Well at least the doctor said that
since they were young, it was a certainty that they could have
more children.
"I'm sorry Jack," Rose spoke for the first time in
those two hours. "I'm so sorry I killed our daughter,"
She breaks into heartwrenching sobs that tear at his very soul.
He of course pulls her closer.
"Shhh Rose. It's alright. What happened wasn't your fault.
You didn't kill our baby. Little Hannah just wasn't strong enough
to make the long hull. That type of thing happens. Especially
when you've been through such trauma like we went through on
Titanic. But the doctor said we'll be able to have more and when
the time's right, we'll try again. So don't cry Rose. It's going
to be fine," Jack strokes her hair and kisses away her
tears. She just buries her head in his chest and cries herself to
sleep. Leaving Jack to his own thoughts.
There was so much to do. They had to have the funeral. Their poor
daughter will of course be buried beside his parents and unborn
baby sibling from two years after he was born. He was going to
have to make all the arrangements himself. He didn't think Rose
was going to be able to. She was in such a state of despair. He
was going to hire a nurse to watch over her until she healed and
then he was going to try to be home with her more often. Make
sure that she was never alone. And he'll grieve alone. There's no
sense in letting her see him cry. He needed to be strong for her
right now. Sighing deeply, Jack drifts off into a restless sleep,
unaware that more trouble was on the way.