CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE: Looking out towards the Future
One Year Later…
Rose sighs happily as she watches her husband and father play a friendly game of poker and as her mother in law and siblings play with Becky and Antonio. She couldn’t help but think of the past year, from finding out more of Jack’s pass, getting stabbed, joining the women’s movement…finding her father whom she had thought died…it all seemed like a dream to her now. And here she was still, watching the people she loved most in the world getting along together.
"Rose your husband sure knows how to play a good game of poker. He really gave me a run for my money," Ralph Dewitt Bukater laughed good-naturedly. The relationship with his son in law was a good one. He couldn’t help but like the optimistic young man that had captured his eldest daughter’s heart and freed her from her gilded cage.
"But you are far better than I am sir. You’ve practically taken all I have," Jack laughed, smiling brightly at his wife. "Now how shall I buy Rose that necklace she’s been wanting."
Rose laughed and shook her head. "You two, sometimes I think mother was right when she said poker was a evil game."
"She was one to talk," Ralph playfully pointed out.
Rose felt a hint of sadness at the mention of her mother. Ruth Dewitt Bukater had died a couple of months ago, not once speaking another word to her daughter since that day she argued with her. Rose at the time had cared less if she ever heard from her mother again, but when she had received the telegram stating her mother’s death and the poor conditions she had been living under…Rose felt terrible regret. Jack had spent hours upon hours comforting his distraught wife. If only things had been different…if only Rose had made a step towards reconciliation instead of holding onto her anger. But now it was too late and her mother was gone forever. There was never going to be a time for reconcilation. Well at least she had her father. Rose was surprised at how close she had grown to her father’s family. It was as if she’s been with them forever. She adored her brother and sister and her stepmother was more of a mother to her than Ruth had ever been, giving her advice on Becky and how to make the perfect romantic setting for a tired husband.
"Rose, Fabri said that him and Kate will be by for Antonio in a couple of more hours," Jack gets up from the chair.
"I still can’t believe they moved all the way to Eau Claire," Rose shook her head. "I mean that’s so far away."
Jack had to laugh. "Not all that far sweetie. It’s just a hop, skip, and a jump away. Besides, we go there practically every day so you shouldn’t be missing them all that much."
"And Cal and Samantha are gone too. Six months now. I wonder how they’re finding Ohio. And leaving so soon after the wedding."
"I got a letter from Sam this morning. She finds Ohio very pretty and interesting. The people remind her a lot of the people here. But she still has yet to find friends like us," Jack laughed. "And get this, Caledon Hockley is working in a factory. I think it’s a competitor for his father. Sam says he’s loving it."
Rose shook her head in amusement. Who would have thought…the great Caledon Hockley working in a factory. She had to laugh. "I must say I’m surprised."
"Sounds like a story we could tell our children," Jack grinned.
Rose gasps, remembering the secret she’s been keeping from Jack for the past couple of days. It was time to tell him. Looking at her father she smiled. "Daddy, may I see Jack alone for a moment please? We have something to discuss."
"We do?" Jack furrowed his brow. He was curious of what his wife had to share with him.
"Mmmmhmmm," Rose nods.
"Ok. See you two in there you crazy lovebirds," Ralph waved as Rose led Jack out onto the porch.
"Ok Rosie. What is this all about?" Jack crossed his arms.
Rose smiled secretly. "Jack…how do you feel about a son to go along with our daughter?"
"Huh?"
Rose stepped closer and placed
a arm around his neck. "Jack…you know how I
haven’t been feeling up to power for the past couple of days
right?"
Jack nods. "Yeah. You had me worried there for a
while."
Rose nodded. "Well the other day I went to the doctor and
they found something."
Jack’s eyes widened with fear. "What is it? Is it cancer?"
Rose laughed. "No, it’s not cancer. But it is something…something wonderful. Jack…you’re going to be a daddy again."
"What?" Jack’s eyes get even rounder. "Another baby?"
Rose nods. "And from what the doctor said, it looks like a boy."
"Wooohooo!" Jack picks his wife up and spins her about. "A son! We’re going to have a son!"
"Jack! Put me down!" Rose laughed.
"A son," Jack gently sets her down. "Wait ‘til I tell Fabri."
"Oh Jack I’m so happy. I never thought I could be this happy until I met you," Rose layed her head on his shoulder as he pulled her tightly to him.
"Me either Rose. When I was a wanderer out there in the world, I knew I was looking for something, but I didn’t know what. Then you came into my life and I knew exactly what it was I’ve been missing. A family. A woman to love and children to raise. A home to share with a wife. I love you Rose and I’m so grateful to you for all of this."
"I love you too Jack. You’ve given me so much more than I’ve given you and I don’t know how to repay you. When I look towards my future, I see nothing but you and our children."
"It’s the same for me Rose. When I look at our future, I see years of happiness and love to come. No matter what Rose, we’ll always be together loving each other to our fullest capacity."
"Here’s to looking out to towards the future Jack," Rose kisses him tenderly, running a hand through his hair.
Jack pulls away and smiles. "To the future, he kisses her even more passionately. Together they slip back into the house and up the stairs without being seen. In their room, they revisit the stars and bask in the glow of their ever burning love.
The End