CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Rose nervously wrings her hands as her and Susan wait in the doctor's waiting room. Rose takes deep breaths, trying to keep herself calm.
"The nurse said we're next," Susan returns to the couch that she and Rose are setting on.
"Great," Rose forced a smile.
Susan looks over at Rose and smiled to herself. She honestly didn't expect to like Rose very much when she had first arrived in Chippewa Falls, but Susan had to admit that she liked Rose a lot. She was a swell, but she had a lot of fire and spirit and her and Jack...there was something special about them both when they're together. It's like they're one big natural force that no one could part.
"Mrs. Rose Dawson!" The nurse appears in the door, leading to the doctor's office.
"Here we go," Rose sighed, getting to her feet.

One hour later...
"Well Mrs. Dawson," the young Dr. Calvert looks up from his chart. "I went over your symptoms and came to only one conclusion. You're pregnant. Congratulations to both you and your husband."
Rose screamed with delight and hugged botht he doctor and Susan. "This is wonderful! Jack's going to be so happy when I tell him tonight!"
"Thank you Doctor," Susan grinned happily. "Come on Rose. Let's go back to your house and prepare to surprise Jack."
"Wait a minute. Let's go to the country store first. I know just how I want to tell him," Rose grinned happily.

The country store was almost empty, all except for Mrs. Nancy and Brianna who just glared openly at Rose as her and Susan picked out the needed items for the night.
"Is this all for you?" Mrs. Nancy asked as they bring the items to the counter.
"Yes it is Mrs. Nancy," Susan grinned.
"It looks like someone has a romantic night planned," the elderly lady grinned. "I'm guessing the young Mrs. Dawson wants to surprise her husband tonight?"
Rose just smiles happily. She was on cloud nine. Not even Brianna's even glare could bring her down.
"I'm glad to see you're feeling better Rose. I'm sorry about the quilting bee," Mrs. Nancy apologized.
"That's okay Mrs. Nancy. It wasn't your fault. Besides, I was a bit emotional that day, so it was all for the best," Rose shrugged.
"That'll be five ninety-nine," Brianna pursed her lips. Rose just handed her the money, picked up the bags and left.
"Where to next Rose?" Susan asked.
"Is there a florist in this town?"
"No. But we're allowed to pick flowers out in the flower bed in the local park. Lots of beautiful flowers there," Susan grinned.
One hour later, the women arrive back at the Dawson house, their arms full of groceries and flowers. To Rose's relief, Jack wasn't at home. He probably went to check on his portrait for that gallery showing. Hopefully he'll be gone for a while. "Rose, I'll cook and get everything set up. You go upstairs and get ready. There's no telling when Jack will get home," Susan directed. "And get some rest. That baby needs it."
Rose just smiled at her friend and sprints upstairs. First thing she does is draw some bath water and let's the water sooth her. Once she's done with that, she goes to her room and searches for an outfit that night. There wasn't many nice dresses for her to wear, but she knew she had brought at least one when they were in New York. Two minutes later she spots it. It was an expensive dress, really the first dress she had picked out before sensibility got a hold of her. Her upper class tast was about to go on the rampage. But she had decided to keep the gorgeous purple silk dress with the white lacy shaw and she was glad she did. It would be perfect for tonight.
One hour later, after pulling her hair up into a bun, with a few curls framing her face, Rose heads downstairs, where Susan had just gotten through sitting the table.
"Oh Susan. This is gorgeous," Rose gasped.
"I prepared all of Jack's favorites," Susan grinned. "He's not going to know what hit him when he returns."
"Do you think he'll be happy about the baby Susan?" Rose asked, suddenly nervous. What if he didn't want it? What would she do then?
"Oh Rose don't worry. He'll want this baby more than you do," Susan grinned, giving her a hug. "Well I better get out of here before he gets back. I'll see you both tomorrow."
"Bye Susan and thank you," Rose waves as Susan disappears down the darkening path just as Jack comes up, portfolio in hand. He didn't look too happy. Hopefully this baby will be the thing to cheer him up.
She runs to the living room and takes a seat at the end, where she'd be facing the door. Looking down she notices that the plates were already fixed and the desert was cooling on the window ledge. She sits there waiting for ten minutes, growing concerned. Jack should be here by now.
Getting up, she opens the front door to see Jack setting on the front porch, staring off into space. She couldn't tell what he was feeling, his face was blank.
"Jack? Darling....what's wrong? Why are you sitting out here by yourself?" Rose asked, coming to set beside him, not worrying about getting her dress dirty. Her chief concern was Jack.
"Today's the anniversary of my sister's death. I didn't realize it until I got to the gallery and everyone was talking about what a shame it was," Jack sighed.
"Sister? You never told me you had a sister before...neither did Susan."
"Yeah, I had a twin sister. Her name was Hannah. She had blond hair and blue eyes like mine. She died of influenza when we were thirteen years old. The doctors tried everything they could, but nothing would save her."
"You two must have been close," tears escape Rose's eyes, knowing that Jack must be in such pain right now.
"We were inseparable," Jack smiled wistfully. "I really do miss her Rose. She would've loved you if she had lived. I know she would have."
"I'm so sorry Jack. I didn't know. Susan didn't mention anything when we went out today."
"She probably forgot too," Jack shruggs and pulls away from Rose.
"Do you want to come in now? I have dinner all ready," Rose pulls him up to his feet. "We're having your favorite tonight. Spaghetti and sauce with garlic bread. Banana pudding for dessert. Susan told me."
"You're all dressed up," Jack finally notices. Are you going somewhere?"
"No. But tonight was going to be very special. I have a surprise for you Jack. Maybe it'll cheer you up. But before we have the surprise, let's go in and eat. Susan worked hard on this dinner."
"So whatever this surprise is, I take it that Susan has something to do with it?"
Rose giggled. "Only with the dinner Jack. Only with the dinner. Let's go in."

Jack's eyes widen in surprise when he sees the table set. Susan had set out the good china and there was lit candles and freshly picked flowers in the center of the table. He spotted the banana pudding on the window ledge. "What's all this about Rose?"
"Just set down," Rose gently pushed him to his seat.
"Rose, what's going on?" Jack asked curiously. She was definately up to something.
"It's a surprise Jack," Rose smiled nervously, taking his hand across the table. "I hope it'll make you happy."
Jack smiled at his wife. She was so sincere and he could see the love shining in her eyes. He never thought anyone would love him like Rose did. He's so happy he found her.
A half hour later, they've just finished dessert and Rose is clearing the plates when Jack grabs her wrist. He couldn't take the suspense anymore. He wanted to know what the surprise was. "What's going on Rose? I can't take the suspense anymore."
"Jack.." Rose tries to pull away, just to be pulled into his lap, where he holds her tightly so she couldn't get away.
"Tell me Rose."
Rose sighed in defeat. She was planning to tell him upstairs, but since he was being so insistent, she had no choice. She touches his face lightly and looks into his blue eyes. Those eyes...she hoped their child would have those eyes. "I hope our baby has your eyes Jack. They're so beautiful."
"Stop trying to change the subject Rose," Jack doesn't get the hint. "Tell me about the surprise."
"And your blond hair, my curls of course," Rose went on.
"Rose..."
"And chubby little cheeks and your personality. So carefree...Maybe we'll have a girl. She'd be a daddy's girl of course and we can take her to the park and..."
"Rose."
"What?" Rose stops and looks at Jack innocently.
"What's the surprise?"
Rose giggled. "Jack Dawson. I thought you'd gotten it by now. I've already told you."
"Rose all you've been talking about is how you wanted our children to have my eyes and..." Suddenly it hits Jack. All Rose was talking about was what their baby would look like. "Rose...are we having a baby?"
Rose bites her lip and nods. Her eyes searching his for his reaction.
"That's my surprise?"
Rose nods again. "Are you happy Jack?"
Jack smiles brightly and hugs his wife. "Happy? Of course I'm happy! I'm going to be a daddy! So when did you find out?"
"Today. I suspected that may have been the reason for getting so emotional at the quilting bee, so I wanted to surprise you so Susan and I went to the doctor and had it confirmed. This time next year, we're going to be parents!"
Jack stands up and twirls Rose around the room. Rose you've just given me the best news I could have ever gotten."
Rose laughed. "I'm so happy I could make you so happy again Jack."
"Rose, you always make me happy," Jack sets his wife down and kisses her. "Finding you was the best thing that's ever happened to me."
"Me too Jack. I don't even want to think where I'd be right now if I've never met you."
"Let's go up and write Fabri and Katie about this good news," Jack pulls Rose up the stairs, both on cloud nine.

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